


-\' 



-, \- 



V. 



HISTORY 



or 



FAIRFIELD COUNTY, 



CONNECTICUT, 



WITH 



lUlJ 



USTRATIONS AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 



OP ITS 



PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS. 



COIUPItiEIJ "UNDER THE SXJFERVISIOlSr 



D. HAMILTON HURD. 



• • inks to the edij 
PHILADELPHIA: 

J. W. LEWIS & CO., 
1881. 



PRESS OF J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO., PHILADELPHIA. 






9/ 



?^ 



PREFACE. 



TiiK province of the Iiistorian is to gatiier tlie threads of the past ere they elude forever liis 
grasp and weave tlieni into a liarmonious web to wliich the Art Preservative may give immortal- 
ity. Tiierefore he wiio would rescue tVoni fast-gatliering oblivion the deeds of a community and 
send them on to futurity in an imperishable record should deliver "a plain, unvarnished tale," — 

" Nothing extenuate, 
Nor set down aught in malice." 

In such a spirit have the compilers of the Ibllowing pages approached the work of detailing 
the history of the county embodied herein, and trust they have been fairly faithful to the task 
imposed. 

It has been our honest endeavor to trace the history of the development of this section froni 
that period when it was in the undis|iuted possession of tiie red man to the present, and to place 
before the reader an autiientic narrative of its rise and progress to the prominent position it now 
occupies among the counties of New England. 

That such an undertaking is attended with no little difficulty and vexation none will deny. 
The aged pioneer relates events of the early settlements, while his neighbor sketches the same 
events with totally different outlines. Man's memory is ever at fault, while Time paints a differ- 
ent picture upon every mind. Witli tiicse the historian has to contend ; and, while it has been 
our aim to compile an accurate history, were it devoid of all inaccuracies that perfection would 
have been attained of which the writer had not the faintest conception, and which Lord Macaulay 
once said never could be reached. 

From colonial and other documents in the State archives, from county, town, and village 
records, family manuscripts, printed publications, and innumerable private sources of informa- 
tion, we have endeavored to produce a history which should prove accurate, instructive, and in 
every respect worthy the county represented. How well we have succeeded in our task a gener- 
ous public, jealous of its reputation and honor, of its traditions and memories, of its defeats and 
triumphs, must now be the judge. 

We desire to acknowledge our sincere thanks to the editorial fraternity generally for much 
valuable information, which has greatly lessened our labor in the preparation of this work, and also 
to each and every one who has assisted us in its compilation, and would cheerfully make personal 
mention of each, but it is impracticable, as the number reaches over a thousand. 
Philadklpuia, .Ian. 1, 1881. 

D. II. H. 



O O K T E N T S. 



CHAPTER T. 

GEORRAnilCAL AND DiCSCUII'TI VE 9 

CHAl'TKR 11. 
Bench and Bar 10 

CHAPTER III. 

MkDIi AL HlSTOUV — TlIR AcitlCULTUKAI, SOGIETV 23 

CHAPTER IV. 

JIlLITAUV HlSTOUV. 

First Regiment— Tho Third Kegiment— The Filth Regiment— The Sixth 
Rogiment— The Seventh Regiment— The Eighth Regiment— The 
Ninth Regiment— The Tenth Regiment- Tlio Twelfth Regiment- 
Tho Thirteenth Regiment — Tlie Fuurteenth Regiment — The Twenty- 
third Regiment — The Twenty-eighth Regiment— Tho Second Light 
Buttery— The First Cavalry— The Seventeenth Rogimont 43 

CHAPTER V. 

Mii.iTAHV HisTonv {(^oiltiuUCil). 
Seventeenth Regiment o-t 

CHAPTER VL 
Population and School Statistics C4 

CHAPTER VII. 

PlUDGEPORT. 
rrefitco— The Paugnsset or Cldon Hill Indians— Destruction of the Pe- 
quots— Indian Agricnlture— (irders of tlie General Court— Religious 
Instruction- Precautions against Surprise during King Pliilip's Wai' — 
Gulden Ilill set oil' as an Indian Reservation— Value of Real Folate in 
1G59— The Shepherd of Stratford severely Handled- Shillings and 
Chops acquitted of the Charge of Muider— Elder Shorwood'ti Wrest- 
ling-Match—Sale of Part of Indian Reservation to Samuel Hawley— 
Deeds of Land on Golden Hill in 17uO and 1701- Encn.juhments by 
the "Whites, and Sale of the Remainder '»f Reservation— EMoriion by 
an Indian Agent redressed by tho General Conrt— List uf Official 
Guardians of llie Indians— Purchase of Turkey Hill Meadow— An In- 
dian sold into Slavery— Survivore of tho Tribe in 1880- Financial 
Statement 05 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Bridgeport {Continued). — Peqconnock, or Stratfiklh, from 
THE First Settlement by the Whites to the Hecinning 
OF the Revolution. 

Karnes and Boundaries of the Plantation— Petitions for School and 
Church Privileges- The First Meeting-House, built in 109:}- Sketches 

- of Rev. Charles Chauncey and Hev. Samuel Cooke— Items from Inven- 
tory of Samuel Hubbell's Estate in 1714 — Quaint and Curious Extracts 
from the Parish Records— Erection of the Second Church Edifice, in 
1717— Educational Matters— School Districts formed— Tho Episcopal 
Church in Stratfield— Sketches of the Early Blissionarie^, Jlessrs. Caner, 
Lamson, and Sayre— St. John's Church, built in lT4s— Religious Tol- 
eration in Connecticut— Stratfield Baptist Church organized in 1751— 
Extracts from the Church Records 68 

CHAPTER IX. 
Bridgeport {Continued). — Bridgeport and ViriNixr in the 

Revolution. 
The Village of Stra£fbrd One Hundred Years ago— Military a>mpanie3— 
PetitionforanarborGuardiiil777—TheGuard established— Departure 
of Volunteers— Horrors of Smallpox— Fairfield pillaged and burned 



I by the British— Abduction of Gen. Sillinian, and Capture of Judge 
I Jones- Naval Services of Capt. David Hawley— Escape of David Ma- 
I thews, the Tory Mayor of New York — Rev. Lyman Hall, a Signer of 
I the Derlar.-ition of Independence- Partial List of Revohitionaiy Sol- 
I dicrs— Epitaphs from the old Cemeteries— A hecdotes of Gen. Wa^ihing- 
ton 77 

CHAPTER X. ' 
Bridgeport {('ont'tmuil). 
j Newfield Stores in 17G0— Nowfield Ferry tharti.-red, and Main and Stato 
; Streets widened. 17S7— Act establishing Lottery Bridge, 1791 — Stratford 
Avenue laid out. and the first Newspaper establirsbed in 1795 — Curious 
; Advertisements from tho American Tdegrophe — Tragical Fate of Wilson 
I Hubbell — Incoii'oration of the Borough of Bridgeport, ISOO — Copy of 
the Petition and Listof Signatures— St. John's and the Congregational 
Churches removed to Bridgeport — Founding of tlio first Methodist 
Church in New England — The Bridgeport Bank incorporated — Descrip- 
tion of the Borough in islO— Incidents of the War of 1812- Reception 
of Gen. Lafayette— Tho Town of Bridgeport set off, l^i21, and the City 
incori>orated, May, IS30 85 

CHAPTER XI. 

Bridgeport {0"Utinucd). 
Growth of the City— Its Population increased more than Sevenfold in 
less than Half a Century — Description of Bridgeport in 1S37— The 
■\VliaIe-Fishery attempteil— Tlie Railroad Epoch— Sketch of Alfred 
Bishop — Opening of the Housatonic. New York and New Haven, and 
Naugatuck Railroads — Financial Embarras-imeuts- Development of 
East Bridgeport— Tho Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing Company 
—Bridgeport during tho War of tho RobelUon — Great War-Meetingg 
—Departure of Trooi)s for the Front— The Ladies' Relief and Soldiers' 
Aid Societies— Return of the Regiments— Seiisido Park established, 
1865— Dedication of Soldiers' Monument— Celebration of the Centen- 
nial Fourth of July, lti7G 94 

CHAPTER XII. 

Bridgeport ( Oonthiued). — The PruLic Institutions of Bridge- 
port. 
Almshouse— Banks— Board of Trade— Bridges— C;isualties and Crimes — 
Cemeteries— Churches — Custom-House 106 

CHAPTER XIII. 
Bridgeport (Coutifiucd). — Pi-rlic Institutions of Bridgeport, 

Concluded. 
E.vpress Company — Fire Department — Freemasons— Gaslight Company 
— Grain-EK-vator — Harbor- Horse-Railroad — Hospital — Hydraulic 
Company— Internal Revenue— Library— Lighthonscs-Mills-News- 
papers— Odd-Fellows— Orphan Asylum— Parks— Police— Population — 
Post-Otfice — Public Schools — Societies — Steamboats 116 

I CHAPTER XrV. 

I Bridgf.vout {Confinued). — Catalogue of Union Volunteers, 

Residents of Bridgeport, who Enlisted in Connecticut 

' Regiments during the Rebellion 129 

CHAPTER XV. 

Brookfield. 
Early History — First Town-Meeting — Parish and Church Organizations 
— Schools— Burial-Placcs— Military Record— Representatives— Select- 
men 1G9 

CHAPTER XVI. 
Danburv. 
Geographical — Topographical — Rubbins' Century Sermon — Original 
Name — Pabquioqne- The First Settlei-s- Date of Settlement— The 

5 



CONTENTS. 



Hut PhyilcUn— FlnrtSnncjr of the Town— Tlie Patent— "John Beed, 
tho Lawjnr"— rinil Pnjliatc Jiiilge— Tlii' rioiictjr S*liooI— The Bovo- 
hition— Kinil IMlMlc ],i(irary—K<-<-lc«iaj!lk-ul— Sketch uf Mr. Robbilis — 
Panlmr)- in 1770— Mat uf InhnMlAiitu In 17U:i 177 

CHAPTER XVII. 

Davbiiiy (Coiidiiiifi/). — TiiK War op thk Kkvoi.itiu.v. 
The Bnrniiif! uf Panhur}' — .Sir Wlllluni llowe'ii Utlicijil Report— Killed, 
Woundwl, nnti Miiwing — Tho Conuccticnt JountaTt Account — Tho A|>- 
pronch to Danhury — TryunV Ilenth)nartera — .\musinK Inci<lent — Tho 
PriBonerB— IJratniclion ol Jtnni — I>eniunilizAtlon of To'on'it Troopa — 
Tile AnxiniiN tivniTul!*— Itelijitniln KinippV iHfltinj^inhed Gnostd — The 
Belreul— The- lliittio— (i>'n. WoiwtiT JlorUlly Wounded— Ills Death in 
D»nbur) — l.l«t c.f SuirLTor*— ToUl Lo«»— Pelillon for Relief- Roll of 

}(..»,, lull,, l,:.rv S.,|,l|er!! I «2 

ClIAI'TER XVIII. 

I>A>niiiv (CuH(inii«0. — View op Danbuky i.v 1815-20 I'JS 

CHAPTER XIX. 

IlANnntv i^Cuntimted). 
Internnl Im|in»vcinent«— Canal from Danhury to Westport — The Fair- 
llehl Roilronit t^inijuiny — Xew York to AllMiny via Danbury — Interest- 
ing Flgiin-M — The Ihinbury ami XorAvolk Itailruad — Tho Bldgeflcld 
Br»nch— >li»ci'lUniN>u». 205 

CHAPTER XX. 

Daxui nv I ' iniiiniicil). — Erci.KsiASTirAi, IIiSToiiv. 
Tlie First linptlm ('burch- Thi' Soc.nd Hii|.ti«t ('liiir.h— Mill Plain Bain 
tl«l Chntrh— Tlir Mi'lhuili>l KpiKcopal I'lmrch— The First Congroga- 
ti.Muil t'hurch— Tho Wi*t Street t'hurch— Ht. .tiunt.f<' Kl'iiscuital Church 
—The Fimt UnivemaliKt t'linrcli— The .Sandcniiinlan SiKiety— Tho 
Catholic I hurcli— The Illsciplea of Cliriat Church- The tierinau Meth- i 
mlhit Clinrch 210 

CHAPTER XXI. 

DA.NBinV (CuiiliiiilC(l). 
Orgaiilntion of thi^ Town — ra<iuiit4;c — Swanipfleld — Becor<l!« of 1777- 
Finit Town-Meeting after the Bevolutlon— Flnit Ofhreni Klecteil after : 
the Bevolulion — The Bor^iutth of Danbury — Org:niizalioii — Fimt 
Offlcerv — Wonleti* fr\>m Or^nlxution to 1K80 — Kxtrocta from IteconlH, 
et«-.— JJir-Markfi 220 i 

CHAPTER XXII. ^ 

Damii lev {t'oiiliuiieil). — .MistKt.LANP.ors — Tun PuKss, Err. 
Tlie Dnnltury Pre«— The Farniera' Journal — The Repiiblii-an Journal — 

Tb- <-' ■ 'I ■ ' " '• '■-i.nn Monitor and TheoloRical 

> >:nieni' Jonnial and t*oliilnbinn 

At: -The llunlniry Bectirder- The 

llomld xi .' Ilerulu of FrwHloni and CiiM|iol Wituem — ! 

Tlie c..ii. not}-- The Danliury Gazette— The Danliury 

•I" i!b.l,l ( ..unty IViii.Hnit— Till. Panbnry Tlnien— Tho 

Tbf Jnnia— Till' .leffiriMjiiian— The Ibinliiiry Xew. 
■ ■ ■ T ,.■ |',„,,le— Tl. 

(;a.~l.lRht ■ 

' "'riiandii,* — i „iv 

I.S. of T.— Mem..- 
^... 7, 1.O. of I". F. 
<l l*ahi)uioi|ue Bank — llanlniry 
f Iianliiirj — The ruloii SaTlngn- 
' 1,1 W,itor-\Vork»— The Kohanu Dl»- , 
Cemetery— l'o|iulatlon from 1740 to 



II. 

- I 



.Vii- 
Ik. 



Il.lllll,.- ,:, l.,l, 
KlCUtl..!! .il A 



Hep: 

dl< 



rriArTni! xxni 

■- 11.-. 1,1 >1 ,11,111,,, liir,v,_Tbe 
ntlon of Auioa Adanu..... 230 

CllAI'IKK XXIV. 

• ' ' ' Inn. \<iii Mli.iTAiiY. 

' urjr In the Belndllon— TheSol- 
247 



CHAPTER XXV. 
Dariks. 
Geographical — Topographical — Named of PionoerB — Revolutionary Inci- 
dent — The Capture of the Rev. I)r. Mather — Poetical Xarrativt. — Old 
llocuinentii — .\ Itjntrihution Bill of 17:i4, etc. — Pioneer Jlorchanta — 
Tlie Fimt Gri»l-Mill— The Pioneer Pout-Office 2G6 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

DARIEN (Coild'lllierf). EcCLIiSIASTICAI., CiVII., AMI Mll.lTAIlV 

IllSTORV. 

Congregational Church — PrMbyteriaii Cliurch — St. Luke's Cbnrcli — 
BlethodlBt Episcopal Chnrch — lncori>oratioD of the Porisli — Organi- 
zation of tho Town— Seloclmen from 11*2(1 to 1881— Lint of Town Clerks 
-Representatives from 1820 to 18«0— Darien in the War of the Re- 
bellion-List of S.ddler« 270 

cnAI>TER XXVII. 

Eastiin. 

l.exi.'l-aplilnil— iiiiK^-nipllical — The Settlement — Niitn,-* ,,1 i'ioii,-iT> — 
Revolutionary lnci,lent — A Remarkable Phenomenon — The Tomb of 
Samuel Staples — Ecclesiastical — Civil and Military Ui^t,,rj' 1*74 

CHAPTER XXViri. 

Faiki'ikld. 

Geographical- Topographical — ^The Pcnuots- Driven to tlie Swatnii — 

The Battle- Roger Ludlow— The First Settlements— I lolian Treaties — 

Indian Deeds— The Fairfleld Patent— The Departure of Ludlow— Tlio 

Revolution- The Burning of Foirlleld— Incidents 278 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

Kaiiiiiklii {''iiilMiiierf). 

Wilchcralt— (ioo-lnife Kiinpli— Her Trial- Her Kxeculi,,n— The Lust 

Person Condenini"! for Witchcraft in (>>nuecticut — Mercy Disbrow 

Tried at Fiiirfield in WJi — Sentenced to Death — Pardoned — " Aunt 

Nah," the Witch 284 

CHAPTER XXX. 

FAIRflKI.K (f'on(iiilieJ). 
Colonial Houses 287 

CHAPTER XXXI. 

I'airi'Iki.ii (Coiidimerf). 

Special IIouHx 317 

CHAPTER XXXII. 

I'AIRPIKI.Il ( Cnillittlied). — MlSCP.LLA.1KOI s 
h.iiilb-l,! iJniveyanls— The Borough of SiiuthiKirt — The S,iiii,|-,ri .N:i- 
tloual Bank— The S,iilb|»,rt Saviiigs-llank— The l.ibniri,,— The Ll- 
brarjof 1780— Th,. Crienneld Library— Mill Biv. . ~ : i i i.-iry- 
Tho Greenfield Lilriiry of IKiu— The S<iutbl>,il P,; : rary 
—The Library Affiliation of Mill Plain— The '1 1 i I Li- 
brary* — The Secunil Library at Sonthiiort — The Meuional l.ibniry — 
The S<'hool(i — The Southl»ort Tluu«— The Fairfield Academy— The 
Siunp Mortnr R.«k 3a« 

CHAPTER XXXIII. 

FAIHPtKt.ll < l\,iiliiiiied). — EVCLRSIASTICAI. HlSTuRY. 

The I I'liureh— Congn<Ki\tloiial C! n..|,|_ 

C Siuthiiort- Triiiily Clin i — St, 

Pi,„, ,.,,. I ,.l— Methoillit Eplsc'iinl CI .- |.irt— 

Roman Catholic Chun h, Fairflekl - 3ii 

( IIAPTER XXXIV. 

l''«IKFlr.LI> I ''■■iitiliim/). — CiVIt, AMI Mll.lTART. 

It.,);er l.ndlow and the IteconlB — Seletrtnien In IGOl— l.i..t uf Rcpreseuta- 

livi-s fmiu 1B70 to ISiio— Military II istorj— Lint of S,|,li,i> XiG 

CHAPTER XXXV. 

ailKKMVlrn. 
GeogniiJilml — TopopTapbleal — Indtiin Occupancy — Petuquapaen — Tho 
IiM I i ' icll Manor — Patrick and Feaka 

OB War— Tile Pioneers-" Horso- 

ne« K i.ii,> liiT.i.-i ,r, . 1.1,1, I, .iiitler* — The First Marriage — List 



CONTExXTS. 



of Votei-s in 1688— Town-List lor ir,94-G5— Extracts from Hei-oids— 
The Freiicli War — Early Merchants — I'hy&iL-iaiis — Lawyers — Tnst- 
Ofliees :iOt; 

CHAPTER XXXVT. 

(JuERxwini {Continued). — The AVah of thk Rkvulitidn. 
ReaoUitioiis in Answer to OontineiitJil CougreE^s — Letterti to tin- Helegates 
— Committee of Inspection and Safety — Committee appointed for Sup* 
plying Necessaries to Families of Continental Soldiers — f'harges 
against llev. Junatlian jMiirdoek — Incidents of the Kevolntion — (Jnv- 
LTiior Tryou's Expediliun to Greenwich — Kiviugton's Press — T!ie 
King Street Skirmish — The British in Nortli Stamfoid— I'ntiiam'ti 
Ride, etc :i7l 

CHAPTER XXXVir. 

Greenwich ( Contiiined). — Ecclesiasthai. Histokv. 
Kii'st Congregational Church — Second (A)ngregati(>nal Church — ( 'ongre- 
gational Church, Stanwich — Congregational Chureii, North GifiMi- 
wioh — Steep Hollow Church — Christ Cliuich — Emmanuel Cliunli — 
St. Paul's Chapel— Calvary Church. Round Hill— Methodist K|.is<-opal 
Church, Greenwich — Methodist Episcopal Church, Rmmd Hill — Mctli- 
odist Episeupal Church, King Street — Methodist Episcopal Clnirrli, 
Mianus— Evangelical Lutheian— BanksviHc Baptist — Baptist Church, 
King Street— St. Mary's Roman Catholic CliiUTh i'.Sl 

CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

GuKEXWK H {Coutinueil). — Civil List — MiscEi.LAXF.ors, 

Inoorporalioii of the Town — List of Representatives — Kai-Maiks— Tim 

Borougli — Organization- Present Officers— Prohatc Judges— General 

List — Schools — Greeuwicli Mutual Insurance Company — JMa.sciiii. — 

The Greenwich Water Company — The Academy — Military ;is'j 

CHAPTER XXXrX. 

HrNTINGTiiN. 

Geograpliical — Topographical — Tiie Pi^neei-s — Extracts from Town Rec- 
ords— Slavcry-Tlie Indian Well— List of SL-lectmcn- List of Rcpre- 

4n;( 



sentatives— >'illagc-s, t-tc. — Ecclesiastical History.. 



CHAPTER XL. 

HrxTiNcToN iCoutiintril). — Mamfai xritivf; IsTKitFsrs. 
Tlie Ousatouic Water Cnuipaiiy — Tlie Derby Silver Conii)any — Hirm 
ham Cui-set Company — The Shelton Company- 
Wilkinson Brothers & Co.'s Paper-Mills 



CHAPTER XLI. 

Geographical — Topographical — Streams — Surface — Soil — Reminiscences 
of Munroe, by Rev. T. T. Waternnui— Early Settlers— Their Locations 
—Incidents — Public and Select Schools — Initial Events— St. I'eter's 
Church— Mineral Deposit — Civil Histtjry- Organization of Tt>wn — 
First Tnwn-aiei-ting— Ofticers Elected— Representatives to the General 
Assembly from 1H24 tu iNSl 427 

CHAPTER XLII. 

New Casaax. — The First Settlements. — The Oi-r) Paiush. 

Geographical— Topographical— The First Settlements— Org;inization of 
"Canaan Parish"— The Pioneei-s — The Fii-st Meeting-lloiise — The 
Primitive Dwellings— Revolutionary Incident— "Yc Obi Training- 
Days"— Slavery— The Whipping-Post and Stocks— Pioneer aierchants 
— Early Physicians — Industrial Pui-suits — Boot and Shoo IHanufac- 
turiug, etc 4;j7 

CHAPTER XLIII. 
New Caxaax [Cvntinued). — EccLESlASTirAL AM» EhrcA- 

TIOXAL. J 
The Congregational Clmrch-St. Mark's Episcopal Chnrcli- Tiie Meth- 
odist Episcopal Churcli— The Baptist Chuich— The I'nivetsalist Church 
—Roman Catholi<:— Methodist Piotestant, Silver ftiiiu;s— Methodist 
Episcopal, Selleck's Corners — Early Educational Regulations— The 
New Canaan Academy 44U 

CHAPTER XLIV. 
New Canaan {Coufinu€d).^Gi\\\. and Mimtahy. — Lopges, 

Etc. 

Organization of Town— The Fiist Town-Meeting— Ollicere Elected— 

Selectmen, Repi esentatives, Town Clerks, and Treasurers from Organ- 



-Boltj?, Tacks, etc.— 
4i;i 



ization of the Town to ISKO— Present Town Oflicials — Harmony Lodge, 
No. G7, F. and A.M.— Wooster Lodge, No. :17, 1. 0. of 0. F.— Friendship 
Divisiun, No. in, S.of T.— Fii^t National Bank — New Canaan Savinga- 
Bank — Board of Tiaile— Postmasters from islS to the Present Time — 
Military Record 442 

CHAPTER XLV. 

New Fatufielh. 

Geographical — Topographical — Original Grant — Ebenezer Burr — First 

Survey — Indian VilUige — Indian Biirying-Gronnd — The Pioneei-s — 

Tlie Drain Comi)any — Ecclesi;istical — First Congregational Church — 

List of Representatives 454 

CHAPTER XLVI. 

XeU'TiiW \. 

Geographical — Topograpliical — Indian Name — Locatinn of Indian Vil- 
lage — Tlie Indian Purchase — Early Recurds — First Officers — Laying 
out of Lands — First (Jrist-Mill — Penalty Un Non-attendance at T<iwu- 
ileetiugs — " Pitching" fur Land — Fulling-Mill — " Beating ye Drum" 
— Town Stock of Ammunition — Ear-Marks — Taking Care of the Toll 
— The Pioneers — Early Births — Tuwn-Hnuwes — The Hanging of Robert 
Thomas — Old Lawyers — Merchants— An Adveitisement of 1792 — 
Tillages 459 

CHAPTER XLVII. 
Newtuwn {Coutinmii). — CnritcHES — Lddces— Schools — Civil 

AND MiLlTAUV HiSTOUV, EtC. 
The Congregational Chuicli — Tiinity ('hurch — The Jlethodist Episcopal 
Chinch, Sandy Hook — Other Churches — Granite Lodge, I. 0. G. T. 
— Alplia Juvenile Temide — Olive Bi-anch Temple — Myrtle Temple — 
Schools— Tlie Newtown Savings-Bank ^ The Newtown Bee— The 
Chronicle — ^lauufactiutrs — Itail roads — Civil History — Military — Rep- 
resentatives — Selectmen 462 

CHAPTER XLvrn. 

XoitWALK. 

Geographical — Topogiaphical — The First Purcliase — First Indian Deed 
to Roger Ludlow — Indian Decl to Capt. Patrick — The liUiUow ,\gree- 
ment — Confirmation of Patrick's Purchase— Assignment by Ludlow— 
Deed from Runckinglieage — The Patent — The Pioneers — Original 
Grants of Home-Lots— Plan of Ancient Settlement 482 

CHAPTER XLIX. 

NORWALK (Cuntiiiiie'f). — SkkTiUFSOF the OkIGINAL INHABIT- 
ANTS 488 

CHAPTER L. 

NORWALK {('oUtiuucd). — UNPUItLISHED TRADITIONAL FacTS IN 

THE History of Norwalk. 

Traditions — Reminiscences — One Hundred Years Ago — The Burning of 

Norwalk — The Indian City of Naramake and its Founders — iVimpas- 

keshank — Incidents of tlie Revolution — The Norwalk Indians — Indian 

I Cemeteries— The Cannii-uls of Norwalk 494 



CHAPTER EI. 



Norwalk { Cfnitimied)- 



506 



CHAPTER HI. 
Norwalk {Contintied). — Doccmentarv and Civil His- 
tory 515 

CHAPTER LIII. 
Norwalk (Coutiiuted). — Miscellaneous. 
The Suuth Norwalk Savings-Bank— The Fairfield County Savings-Bank 
—The Fairfield County National Bank— First National Bank, South 
Norwalk— Old AVell Lodge, No. lOS, F. and A. BI.— Butler Ludge, No. 
97, I. 0. 0. F. — Fairfield Fire Insurance Company — The South Nor- 
walk Sentinel— The City of Norwalk— Organization-First Olhcei-s— 
Ofliccrs from Organization to Present Time — Bepresentative.s — De- 
scription 545 

CHAPTER MV. 

Nut: WALK ( ('■•iitiiitied). — MlSI'KLLANEOCS. 
Xorwalk Savings Society — National Bank of Norwalk — Central National 
Bank — Old Advertisements— Steamboats — Jla-sunic — St. John's Lodge 



CON'TKNTS. 



— \Vftj"tiiiiKt-'ii '"liiii't'T— niiil.'ii Cominnii'IiT)* — Wiwlilngton <'.>iiii. il 
-Our llrotlu-m' I.-mI^.', 1, O. O. F. — Tlio Nurualk Iniiimiico Cunipany 

— .'■■ ' ■ "■ 'into— Tlio Ikiniugli of Norwulk — OrgaiiizJitlDii — Firet 
di' Tho Firo Department— Wntor-Worku— Homo Itall- 
r. . • .ro«— TlicTniM— TlioNonvnlkGim!lt<' — TlioXomolk 
il.iir— Tlio liFlDocrat— Tin ScliulU) Munior— Tlio Dravrbrlilgo DLioiitcr 

— Hull. Clark Utaell 618 

CHAPTER LV. 

NiiKWALK ( Cvniiiiiied). — Ecclksiasticai. 

Tint CoiiBroKullonnI Clnircb of Nurwalk — First Congrcgotioiml Cliurch 

of Soiitti Nurwalk— Tlio Epi«coi>al CInircli — Bniitint C'liurrli— Tlio 

First Mi'llii>dl9l Kplii'o|uil CliurcU— Tlio Soconil Slctliutliiit EiiUcopnl 

riiurcli 658 

CHAPTER LVI. 

Keddino. 

Urrs'.uii/jition— TopognipliIcAl — TUo IiKjinns — Clifckon AVarniiis — Tho 
Kii>t iJraiit of LuiiiL'i — Sul«cquoiit Grants — C«i>t. Sainiivl Couch's 
I'lirihiuo 674 

CHAPTER LVir. 
Reddinq (Cmi'i'iined). 
Tlie First DvpfllltiK*— Skotrhos of thp Ynrioii* Fiimilic.4 : Adams, Banks, 
Burluw, Diirtlill, lUrtnuii, Ilnlf8,I)..iiih, Uciiedlct, l!ill.>. Ilurr, Uurrilt, 
Ilur^Jn, ChiitlUM, I'.Mich, Dorliiig. FnircliiM, Foster, Uol.l. Gorhnm, 
Gniy, GrilTeii, llnll, Hawlcy, Hilt, Heron, Hull, JaL'k»44>ii, Leo, Lyon, 
l-onl, Slallury, Mi'ado, BU-okor, Morchnnt, Blorohouso, Perrj', Plutt, 
Koail, Bogors, Rumiioy, SaiiforJ, Smith, Stowo, etc 677 

CHAPTER LVIII. 

Rrddiko (Conlinutd). — TiiE War of rne RBVOnrriOM. 
Kitnurtji fmm Town Records — Tryon's Invasion — Iloltistor's History of 
llii' luviLilitri — Gen. rntnnni — Execution of .lolin Smith for Dcsorllon, 

IliirU'r's A ' '-■■■ l ' "■ ' IN'Vulnti<ilinry I'ensUinor? 

— Cnpt \\ I -liiry Accounts— William 

l..\ne»— "I 1 di"— Boston Scliool Dis- 



CII.APTEU LXIV. 
RlDGI^KIIll.D ( Contintied). 
Ridgefleld Ust In Yc Tear 1746— Kidgeneld in 1800— Skobli 



In 1856.. 



690 



CHAPTER LIX. 

REDDixn (Coillinue<<]. — Ercl.K.SIA8TICAL Hi.«torv. 
Tfis f^inKrecnti-inal Church — Christ Church — BlotbodlKt Episcoiial 
'■linrth— Jlilli'idlst Episcopal Church of Long Ridge- Baptist Church, 
'..'tftowD— Tho Congregational Cliurcb, Goorgotown GOO 

CHAPTER LX. 

RKDDt.XO I Cunliniltd). — MlSCELLANEOIS. 

'•1, r. and A. M.— Lynch Chapter, R. A. M — 

ry Society — Schools, I'lihllc and Private — 

-u— Munlorand Sulddo— Biographical..... C14 



I'i I r,.ii 

Uauurocturiiij i:>t 



CHAPTER LXI. 
Br.i>Di.io (CandMiieif). — Civil, Military, axd Bocitventart 

UlSTOHT. 

OrKmnllaUoD of the Parish — Organization of tho Town — Ust of Repro- 

Prubale Judges— Extracti from Town Records — Origin and 

i.v of Name of Town— Uilltory Itecord— List of Sol- 

020 

CHAPTER LXir. 
Riixii:Fiin.i>. 



l-i, 



I'loui.f l;, 
Indiana- 1 



'il.:im.l .Niirii. Ci.ii.I.-i 



lU— Fuilliwr Pun;lia 



-litL.n for 
The 
The 

1 from the 



ktrnrts ttom To^» 
Ilnltle at Rldgall' 
illi-uto 



The Perrj Family 031 

CHAPTER LXIir. 

<y of the Invosjon— Tlie 
•^"oiidod— RoTolutiuDory In- 
- <B» 



CHAPTER LXV. 

RiDGKFIKI.n {Continued). 

j The CoDgrcgatlonnl Cliurch — St. Stephen's Chutrh — Metho'' 

I Church — CongregatioDol Church of Bldgehury — Frotestji 

Church of Ridgebur^- 

CHAPTER LXVI. 

Ri11|:KFIELD (Coil(l'ni/eJ). — Ml.SCF.Lt.ASK0U8. 

I Town-Keeting, 1715 — Early Births — The Schools — Burtsl-]". 

j Change In the Boundary of Ridgefleld — Tlio Ridgefleld T' 
from 1756 to I8S0— suite Senntore— Judgo of Proliato— Bt 
fhim 1740 to 18S0— Town-IIouses— Tile Pound— Jirn- i' 
40, F. and A. >1,— Jonisalom CImpter, U. A. Jl — I'i 

46, 1..0. of O.F.— Grand Lbt, ISTO-MlliUry— Tht- ^ 

Ware — Mu8ter*l{oll of Capt. Gamaliel Nurtbrop's Comimr 
of the Rebellion- Action of tho Town— List of Soldiers. 

CHAPTER LXVII. 

SlIKIIUAN. 
Geographical — Topographical — Early Sottlet^ — Physicians, etc. — Tho 
Congregational t'hurcli — MUslon Church— St. Polycarp's Church — • 
Bccolloctions of Morgan Stuart — The Iloyt Munior — Civil and Mili- 
tary Ulslor)- 084 

CHAPTER LXVIII. 

Stamford. 

Geogmplii-al — T.'piiCTapliical — The First Settlement in 1040— Order 
under which Setlleiiieiit was made — First .Vsslgnmcnt of Lands — First 
Pennanent Sotllcns- Pioneers frvni lO-lo to 1775— Finit Grint-Miil — 
The Porfldy of tho Dutch Traders- The Underbill ^lus-iucrc— Stamford 
in 1C85— Indian Deeds, etc.- Deed of 1CI5— Report to General Court of 
Deed of 104.') — .\greement of Ponus and Ona.v, lOSi^Agrcement with 
Tupbance and Penalmy, 1007- The Stamford Patent..... OO'i 

CHAPTER LXrX. 

ST.iUFORD (Conlinned). — TllF. SoLDIERY OF StAVlFORD — TuK 

Ukroks of Four Wars. 
The French and Iiidlau Wars— List of Soldien<— Stanifoi-d in tho Revo- 
lution—List of Uevolutioiiary Soldiers— List of Stanifonl Loyalists— 
Worof 1812— List of 'Voluntoere 701 

CHAPTER LXX. 

Stamford ( 6'i«i(i°iiu«{). 
'llie Indians— Early llulea and Regulations — Freeholders of 1701— Stam- 
ford Id 1700— Stamford in ISOO— Troubles of the Settlers uiuler the 
Now Haven Jiirisilictlon — Tho Greenwich Troubles— Ecclesiastical 
Troubleo— The First Heretical Outbreak— Tho Enraged Quakers. 707 

CHAPTER LXXI. 

Stamford (Cunlinucd). 
Tho SUuuford Adv.icalo- The Stanifonl Herald— Stamford Dorungli— 
Stamford National Bank— The First National Bank— The Stamford 
Savlngs-Baiik— Citi/ens'Suvings- Bank— Woodland Cometory— Fire Dk^ 
|iurtmont— Yale Lock-Slaniifiu;turiiigOoinpauy— Tiio 11. W. Colloud«c 
4 Oi. BllUord-Tnble Muuuriictory— St. John, Hoyt & Co.— E. L. NIeull 
4 C<..— Other Manuf.uUirles- Ship Canal— New York, New Haven 
and Hartford lUilroiul— New Canaan and Stanifonl Railroad— Uniiio 
Lodge, F. and A. 51.— Ilittoiibonso Cliapter, No. 11, K. A. M.— Wash- 
ington Council, No. C, Royal and Select Jlastors— Pbyslciaus- Lawyon 
— Educational 714 

CHAPTER LXXir. 

Stamford (C-miinutd). 

Indian Name of Town— Boprceentnllvea from 1041 to 1880— State Son*- 

'»>'»— Selectmen from 1040 to 1S79— Poetmastere at Stamford— Probate 

District of Stamford- Ust of Jiidgee to Present Time— Town Clerks 

from 1041 to 1881— Grand List, 1879— Population 7Jl 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER LXXIII. 

Stamfoud {Continued). 

I-'ifst ('Inirch of Christ iu Stamford — LungRiHgeCongregntional Church — 
Ciiii-rt'-aliou of North StamforJ—Saiut John's Episcopal — St. Andrew's 
Chaiiel — EDinianuel Church, Shinuli — Haptist ('hnrchcs— Metliodist 
Ei'iscopal Churcli — Sletlioiiist Episcopul Cliurch, IJigb Riilge — Long 
liidgo Metliodist Episcopal Cliurch — Bangall Cliapel — Ilainburg Eidge 
fliapel — Univeitialist Church, Long Kidge— Stamford Uuivei-salist 
Chur.Ii— Catholic Chinch— Fiivt rre^hvtcriaii Churcli.. 7.^4 

CHAPTER LXXIV. 

Stratford. 

Geogiajihical — Topograpliical — The Indians— The Tniliaii Piircluise — Set- 
th'incnl of tlie Town — Home-Lots and tlicir Owners — Kiclesiastical 
Tionldcs — Dftaik-d Aicount of tho Schisms wliich Kesnltorl in the 
Sftth-mtnt of Woodbury— View of Ancient Stratfurd 750 

CHAPTER LXXV. 

STRATFttUD (Cfnithiued). — Tim P^KVOLUTIOX, EtC. 

Gen. David Wooster — Stratford iu 17S1 — OMen Time Accounts — Slavery 
— Ohl Fishing Place—Incident of 1812— Stratford Post-Oflice 75G 

CHAPTER LXXVI. 

STUATioiiD ( Contimird). — WiTciiri: VKT AND Knock I NHS — Ro- 
jiANci-: AM) Tkaihtion. 

Connecticut Witchcraft— C-odwife Basset, of Stratford— Her Tri:il— 
Her Execution— Tlie Stratford Knockings— The Slirling-Folsome Mar- 
riage — The Blue Laws 7.59 

CHAPTER LXXVII. 

Stratford {Continued). — Chuucuks, Lougks, Schools. 

The Congregational Church — C'hrist Cliurch — Methodist Episcopal 
Church— Summerfield Cliurch — Trinity Memorial Chai>el — St. John's 
Lodge, No. S, F. and A. 31.- Orono<iu.: Lodge, No. 90, I. O. of O. F.— 
The Stratford Academy— Present (;<»nditiuu of the Schools 701 

CHAPTER LXXVIII. 

Stratford (Continued). — Civii. and IVIilitarv, Eto. 

Original Name and Area — Representatives — Selectmen — Extracts from 
Records — Ear-Marks— Borough of West Stratford— Organization — First 
Officers — Officers from Organization to Present Time — Strutford of To- 
Pay— Military 768 

CHAPTER LXXIX. 

Trumbull. 

Geographical— Topographical — Listof Pioneers— Early Phy>icians— First 
Mai-riages— First Birtlis— Schools— TJie Revolution— War of 1812— 
The RevolutionoflS09—TheWhipping-Pust—Post-0ffices— The Birth- 
place of Professor Benjamin Silliman 772 

CHAPTER LXXX. 

Trumkull (Continued), — CiviL AND Ecclesiastdwl History. 

Organization of Town— First Town-Meeting— Officers Elected— Select- 
men fr<jm 1797 to 1881 — Representatives from 1798 to issl — Ecclesias- 
tical History — Congregational Church — Trinity Church, Nichols' 
Farms— Grace Church. Long Hill— Methodist Episcopal Church, 
Nichols' Farms — Christ Cliurch, Tashua — Military lli-itory 770 



CHAPTER LXXXr. 

Weston. 
Geographical— Topographical — Surface— Soil—The I'ione.T^ — Con-^re- 
gational Church— Cliurch Discipline — Military Academy— Civil Hii- 
tory— First Town-Meeting— Representatives from 17SS to ISSO- Mili- 
tary Record su5 

CHAPTER LXXXir. 
AVksttort. 

Geogrnphical— The Fii-st Settlements iu 1C45— The Pioneers and their 
Locations— The First Grist-Mill— The First School in I74ii— The Revo- 
lutionary War— The Gallant Seventeen— llit^hways-Eaily Merchants 
—Taverns, etc.— The Whipping-Post— Early Ile|,nilations— Slaves, etc. 
—Early Customs— Physicians— Lawyers— Manufarturing — Commer- 
cial 811 

CHAPTER LXXXIU. 

AVhsti'ort {Continued). — ErcLi;siASTiCAL. 
Congregational Church, Green's Farms — Congregational, Saugatuck — 
Methodist Episcopal— Churcli of tho Holy Trinity— Clirist Churcli— 
Univei-salist Church 819 

CHAPTER LXXXIV. 
Wkstport (Continued). 
The Press- The Saugatuck Journal— Tlie Fairfield County Hepublicau 
— The Westport Advertiser— The West porter— Tlie Westport and Sau- 
gatuck Hoi-se Kailroad Company — Manufactures — Sloops— Temple 
Lodge, F. and A. M,, No. Go-The T. A. B. Society— The First National 
Bank— The Westport Savings-Bank— Tlio Fire Department— Ceme- 
teries — Civil History — Incurjioration of Westport — Firet Town-3Iect- 
ing— Selectmen from Organization to 1881— Representatives from 1836 
to 1881— Probate Judges from 1835 to 1381— Postmasters— Historical 
Notes — Incident 827 

CHAPTER LXXXV. 

Wilton. 

The First Settlement— Organization of tlie Parish— List of Early Set- 
tlers—The Revolutionary War— The British March through the Town 
— Firing of a Building — Secreting Valuables- Listof Suldiei's — Slaveiy 
— The Lease of a Slave — Ear- Mark?— Price of Produce in 1777 — The 
Silver-Mine— Statue of George III 813 

CHAPTER LXXXVI. 

Wilton (Conlinnt-d). 

Ecclesiastical History — CoDgregatiorial Church — St. Matthew's Church— 

847 



Zion Hill Church— Other Churches.. 



CHAPTER LXXXVir. 

Wilton ( Continued). — MisCELLAXEOrs. 

Prominent IMen- List of College Graduates— Postmasters— Burying- 
Grounds — The Ladies' Home Missionary Association — Educational— 
The Wilton Academy — Wilton Division S. of T. — Civil History — Select 
men from Orgauizatiou to 1880 — Representatives — Military Record — 
List of Soldiers 803 

CHAPTER LXXXVIIT. 
Bethel. 



Descriptive — Early Days— "Milking- Yard"- 
neons — Ecclesiastical History 



-Manufactures — Mis< ella- 
8G4 



Sui'PLEMK 



10' 



CONTENTS. 



:BXOCjrTi.J^FT3:TCJ^JL,. 



I vtt>w\ 



•;^" 



I'AOK 
U 

u 

1 1 

11 

I'litton 1- 



llitrr IMlvrno .. 



i.i-cy.. 



Vi 



■ 0. nuilor 12 

i.wiih.. 12 

M I'lirlcr _ 12 

. rwniliiiMiii 12 

Hill 13 

ll.il.lwln..; W 

^1. sliuniian 13 

siieraiiui; 1-1 

I ipniuii 1*1 

' . < liapnmn 14 

i HhiiIi H 

,. W. Dull 14 

11,1. 1, U 

. \Vliillk»..y 14 

.» 11. Wlilltlmwy 14 



l..-iimii 1>. nri'WlUr. 
Uitilfl n. Duuth 

.,l..y... 

Mi'V.. 



..rt... 
'lict.. 



III.. 



I ^'.ellnn., 

mrl.ii lUwl«-> 

fr™l A II..II.V 



..faiiiig 



TAliK 

p. II. Skill re VA 

Julinti W. Ktiiivvlli'ti I&5 

David M. Ki.ii.l 160 

Jniiu: Dumiiit;!)'! 1&7 

Will. H. lllgl.j 157 

Frederick .\. Iliirtram LW 

Asahol L. I.yuii - 158 

Jiiliica W. ll.nrdi.liy ISO 

^It-plicn 11. Niili..l« 1511 

Iloiiry Juiii-a leo 

F. W. I'niTrill 161 

SliorwiMiil SU'illiig 102 

Natlinnlcl llowil , lG;t 

Kini Curtis 10+ 

Clmrlcs 11. Hiildikisu. 164 

Jarob Kk'fi'r la'> 

Samuel C. Kinprinnn 105 

Tli.>ninKT. Wiitcriimn l<i<> 

Junii-s D. Fniry lOtt 

RiisM-ll Toiiiliii»oii between 108, loit 

Joliii llnKiku " ll», l(» 

David B. LiK-kwoud " 108,169 

Aniiw L. Wlllliinis nci 

Kzru W.Wildniati 170 

Joliu W. Ilii.'.iu ; 201 

ClmrliB Mull ._^ 202 

lUiKir .\verill „ , SIM 

Rlwnnl HaiMi Davis 264 

Joliu F. BeanI 26.'V 

Iwlnnu'B W. NicliolH 200 

C'barlea BroMn 273 

Ollviir U. I'orry 359 

Th..iiiaii B. Slurgen 3110 

f«&ininpl A. Ni'-liiils. 301 

Wlllinni W. Wakruinii 301 

Henry. I. Biom 362 

.lwiil|i B. Wakelimii 30;i 

LKilwjn nniM'yrlijiSber^viHML '. 30i 

Lyiiiaii Hull 3r4 

^iI'llrailll Burr , ;(•■■"> 

Miiidliiy If. Nichula. 'M- ■ 

Tli.iiiiiui A. Mead SSfi 

Alvan Mend 3W 

Lynmn .Miad „ 39K 

».l..niim .Meiid 3S'J 

t'nnkllu llilsli-d 3911 

Denjanilii IIiiMnl 400 

.lanii-n HusIctI „ 400 

.liliiii-i IIiuIihI, .Ir '. _ 4l» 

Willlaui A. HuiHihI 4<il 

ll.Mjniuin \V. llusleU l.^l 

llnlif.inl lAirkwouil „ .,„ I ■: 

* "" '■ Knapp ^.|.> 

Wilri.x „ 4(« 

V ,111 Uriuli „ • 4(H 

' ' .ii.hn G. KayDolib) „ _.... 4(H 

'" Willlnni T. neyii.I.I- „ 405 

' 1.1. It tirlBc _ 4(i« 

■ A I'uliiii r 4(10 

' .itiin 407 

I .k 407 

' 4riii 

' „..., 408 

ilv 417 

I' lirliuniado - 419 

II. iKiwiia. 419 

1" 1). W. I'liiiiib 420 

It: Willloin Wllklnion „ 421 . 

t It 422 

i.wortli 423 

„ I-'I 



14 
15 
15 
15 
15 
15 
15 
16 
17 
17 
17 
17 
17 
. 18 
18 
18 
18 
1(1 



CONTENTS. 



11 



P-VHE 



Tiujuiiis I'lindei-son 

Juiiii I. Howe 

■ Chark'S Ilubbell 

l\ (.'. aiul M. B. Vevry 

Chillies li. Wheeler 

F. W. Wlicfler 

E. M. near.lsley, M.D 

James C. Juliuson 

Samuel 8t. John 

Selleek Y. St. John 

Caleb S. Benedict 

Elieiiezer J. Richards 

"William E. Raymond 

Russell L. Hall 

Stp|ilien Hoyt 

Aaron .lelliff, Jr 

Samuel ('<)mstock 

Francis E. Chichester..! 

B. B. Kellogg 

Alexander B. Brush 

Enoch Knapp 

H.H. WiUhuan 

Henry .Sanford 

Julius Sanford 

Frederick Sanford 

Josiah Sanford 

—Genealogy of the Saiiforils . 

D. C. Gately 

Lemuel F. Camp 

Wni. I'latt 

Clark Bissell 

Dudley P. Ely 

Edward 1'. Weed 

James \V. Hyatt 

Asa Hill 

Jacob Lock wood 

Chas. Isiiacs 

Thomas Benedict 

^ Joseph W. Hubbell , 

Anson Richards 

David M. Fillow 

Thos. Sanford 

Lemuel Sanford 

James Sanford 

Jonathan B. Sanford 

John W. Sanford 

Jesse L. .Sanford 

\Vm. H. Hill 

M'alker Bates 

^ Cortes Merchant 

^ Edward Merchant 

T. M. Abbott 

Nash Conch 

H. B. Runisey 

Moses H. Wakeman. M.D.. 

Wm. Burr Hill 

Daniel C. Ryder 



..between 4:^0, 



4J4 

4211 

427 

427 

4;i4 

43.') 

43.'-) 

41G 

411', 

417 

4411 

4.">U 

4.5(1 

4.'.1 

4.M 

4.52 

4.'..! 

4.53 

4.57 

4.57 

4.5S 

4.5S 

470 

471', 

477 

478 

47X 

4S1 

4S1 

482 

556 

507 

508 

5US 

SCO 

570 

.'>71 

,')71 

572 

573 , 

oW' 

623 

(124 

624 

025 

(12.5 

02(1 

026 

626 

027 

628 

628 

628 

620 

620 

030 

630 

630 

682 

083 

683 



J.din O. Northrop 

Albert Barnes 

Theo. C. Kogei-s 

Isaac (^Juintard 

William 11. Dibble 

Benjamin L. Waite 

Alfred Hoyt 

Isaac Selleek ' 

TiTiiothy Reyn.dds 

Xatbaniel K. Adams 

J<diu CUison 

William W. Scofield 

Seth S. Cook 

Jiavid Waterbupy 

Kichmond Fox 

William H. Trowbridge, M.D 

Cluiuncey Ayres, M.D 

Charles C. Lock wood 

Theodore J. Daskani 

The Fairchild Family 

Eben Fairchild 

Reuben Fairchild 

Le Grand G. Beers 

iMiles Beardsley 

Elliot M. l!eard.sley 

David S.Edwards 

John E. Summers 

Andrew Tait 

William Tait 

George Dyer, M.D 

Frederick S. Sterling 

The Brinsmade Family 

Cliarles Beach 

riumb B, Gregory 

J. H.Williams 

Elbert E. Edw.ards 

John C. Mallett 

Theodore A. Mallett 

Albert S. Ooan between .804, 

.Samuel Seeley " 804, 

*V Aaron Sherwood 

G. W. Bradley facing 

Henry A. Ogden 

D. D. Coley 

Richard H. Wiuslow 

Morris Ketchuni 

I Daniel Nash 

George B. Bouton, M.D 

John W. Taylor 

I Burr Jennings 

Francis Bulkley 

Eli Couch 

Sturgea Bennett 

Lewis and Elbert Olmsted 

John B. Sturges 

Samuel Keeler 

William H.Taylor 

Willis Judd 

George M. t:ole 

Thaddeus Betts 



600 
O'.K) 
601 
730 ~- 

739 ' 
740 
741 
742 
74:t 

743 , 

744 " 
744 
745 
74B 
747 - 
747 
74.8 . 

740 «i' 
740 -^ 
705 
790 - 
70T 
707 
79S 
708 
708 
799 
800 
801 
801 
801 
802 
8112 
803 
803 
804 
801 
80* 

, 8U5 
805 
SK> 
800 
808 
810 
835 
836 
839 
840 
841 
841, 
842 
842 
862 
8I» 
8«:s 

8(1! " 

8G4 

874 

874 

875 



1^ 



^ ^ '^^ 



\\ 5 



^r 



1 



1 



CONTENTS. 



ILLTTSTK/T^TIOISrS. 



OulllDe Hnpof Fulrflold Giuiil}' fncliig 9 

Portimltof Sidney P. IU-onl«lcjr " 16 

" Jiilucit C. LiMtnilH " 10 

" Anio« S, Trwl " 18 

Josliun n. IVriN " 10 

" Julius B. CurtiD " 20 

" Georgia A. Davenport Iiclweeo 20, 21 

" I. M.Stur«e« " 2«,2I 

" William K.Taylor facing 22 

•• Ilufui Ulakininn, M.D " 29 

" DavlJ II. NiiMh, M.D _ " 39 

AnibrMC Ik'anUley, M.D " 40 

" Eiru P. Ik'nuell, M.D " 41 



BRIDGEPORT. 

Map ..r Bridguport In 1624 facing 

PiTtnill of N. Wlieclor " 

^^ ' 'i r A Wilrttni SfunnfiicturJng Company '* 

■ ..f W. II. IVn:> " 

-- .- 1?' Monument, Bridgeport " 

Vl«w of S«ulde Park, Drld|;e|iort, Irom Pier " 



Realdencf of I. D« Vor Warner " 

View* In llennlsley Park between 126, 

Rnaldenceof Mrs. Goori^o Sanford facing 

Portrait uf P. T. Uarnum " 

Alfre.1 II. Bf.™ 

" D. W. KIsum focing 

" D. N. Jlorgan •• 

'■ S. Ilarlwell " 

" I. Pe Vor Warner, •• 

" Jarmtl 3(orfonl <» 

<•. K. Aterill •• 

*• Isaao Sliemiali " 

" B. B. Ijicey _ " 

" John L. W - ' « 

A. A. IMt .1 

P. II. .Ski. ii .. 

" J. W. Knowlton , " 

David M. Bead between IMi, 

W. li. HlRby ,. ,5^^ 

" I*aiK- Burrxnijim . .faring 

** K. A. Bartrnjn.. •• 

betwoon 1&8, 

facing 



A, I. I.y 
Refldeiico of .|.-<>. - 
Portrait of »!■ 

II. 



F. W. Pnrrwii.... 
Sherwood Sterlm 

Katlianlel Ilowlu 

Rna Curtis 



..facing 



.1.- 

1. 

J.,i 

Biuvi'il i 

John llro - 

David D. Lotku 



..I'otwoen 164, 
164, 
164, 
104, 

fkring 



^1.. 



..between lOA, 
" ins, 
" lOti, 



94 
100 
101 
102 
101 
105 
105 
108 
127 
128 
139 
142 
142 
143 
144 
145 
1^6 
147 
118 
ISO 
152 
153 
154 
155 
157 
157 
167 
158 
160 
169 
169 
160 
101 
102 
103 
105 
105 
165 
165 
10« 
168 
1O0 
160 
100 



BBOOKFIBLD. 

Portrait of A. I,. Wllllanw _.. 

K..» « Wllduian 



DANBDR7. 



ftu^lng 



y. ■■ 
J 

J.I 



orill.. 



..tetween 204. 
204, 
Uclnit 



..Aidng 175 



1n4 
201 



206 

SC<i 



DARIEN. 

P.\OB 

Portrait of Oiarles Brown facing 273 

FAIRFIELD. 

Portrait of .lohnGonld facing 317 

BcAldonco of John Gould '* 318 

" Mre. Wm. W. Wakeman " 342- 

Porlrall of Oliver 11. Perry " 359 

" Thomns B. Stnrgeit " 360 

" Samuel A. >tictio1t) " 361 

Realdencoof II. J. Boers " 302 

Portrait of H. J. Beers between 362, 363 

William W. Wakeman " 362,363 

'* Edwin Shoi^cood facing 363 

" Jesup B. Wakeman 363 

Residence of Cyrus Sherwood facing 3G4 

Portrait of Ephraim Burr between 304, .'iOS 

" Bradley II. Nichols... facing 3C5 

GREENWICH. 

Besldenco of Samuel Adams between 308, 369 

" William A. Uusted facing 372 

" Solomon Mcail between 376,377 

" " " (Streel^Viow) " 376,377 

Ilatiford I,(H.k»ood " 380,381 

Portrait of .Silas D. Mead facing 384 

Beeidence of Lyman Mead between 388, 389 

Portrait of Thi.raan A. Mead facing 396 

" Alvan Meail " 397 

" Lyman Mead " 398 

" Conklin United between 308,399 

" Solomon Mead " 398,399 

" Benjamin Ilusted " 400,401 

" Jamra Ilnslcd, Jr " 400,401 

'* Benjamin W. Ilusted facing 401 

" Wm. A. IIu»te<l 401 

'* Ilanfunl Li>ukwood between 402,403 

O. C. Kmipp " 402,403 

" Josiah Wilcox facing 403 

" Wm. Brush " 4U4 

" John G. Reynolds between 404,405 

" Wm. T. Reynolds " 404,405 

" John R. firij-g " 406,407 

" Gwirpe A. Piilmer " 4(10,407 

" Israel IVk " 406,407 

'* John l>Byton " 4W1, 407 

" Nathan Finch " 408,409 

" David Banks „ " 408,409 

HUNTINGTOiJ'. 

Portrait of 0. A. Sheltun, M.D between 416, 417 

" E. K. Shelton " 416,417 

" David Slielton facing 418 

" N. II. Downs " 419 

D. W. Plumb " i'iO 

" William Wilkinson •< 421 

'• Boyal M. Bossell " 422 

" Edmund I.eavenwortll " 423 

" Henry Glover " 424 

" Tlionms Pundenou " 425 

" John I. Howe " 426 

" Cliarloa Ilublwll „ Iictween 426, 427 

PorlraiU of F. G. and M. B. Perry " 4JC, ^■'■^ 

MONROE. 

Portrait of Charles B. Wlieelor facing 434 

" E. M. lleardsley " /435 

F. W. Wiieeler 435 

James C. Johnson - facing; 4.'10 

NEW CANAAN. 

Portrait of Samuel .St. John _ .>„.„.. f.elnf 44'^ 

s V .St j„hn .' " 447 



CONTENTS. 



l'A<;i; 

Portrait of f:iK-l. S. Bt-iic-ilic t fariiis 41'.l 

" EJ. Ricliaiils -lietwofii ISO,!.')! 

William E. Raymollil " 4:>l), ISl 

Eussell L. Hall " 450,451 

Stephen IToyt " 450, 4ol 

Aaron Jclliff, Jr facing 4.J2 

" Samuel Comstock between 4o2, 45:i 

Francis K. f'lii.liest.^r " 4.V2, 4o3 

NEW FAIRFIELD. 

I'orlrait of H. B. Kellogg faciTiK 457 

n. H. Wildman 4."i8 

" A. B. Bnish between 458, 450 

■• Enoch Kuarii " 45S, 459 

NEWTOWN. 

Resilience of Wm. Plait faring 4.59 

New York Belling aii'l Packing Co.'s Works " 471 

Portraitof II. S.auford " 4T5 

" Julius Sanford 4Tli 

Frederick and Josiali Sanford faciriL; 4T» 

Residence of F. Saufonl " 47S 

Portraitof D. C. Gately " 4.M1 

" Lemuel F. Camp " 48) 

NOKWALK. 

Portrait, of Clark Bissill facing .Vil! 

Dudley P. Ely " 3«7 

Edward I'. Weed between .V„s, 6G9 

James W. Hyatt " SOS, .wa 

Asa Hill facing oO'J 

" Jacob Lockwood " 570 

Gbas. Isaacs " 571 

" Tbos. Benedict between 57-2, .57:i 

Joseph W. Hubbell " 572,573 

** Anson Richards " .572, 57;5 

David M. Fillow " .572,67:! 

REDDING. 

Portraitof Thos. Sanford facing (jj:i 

" Lemuel Sanfmd between 024, r,i5 

" .Tames and Stephen Sanford " 024,025 

" .Touathan R. Sanford " 024,025 

J. W. Sanford " 024,025 

" Jesse L. Sanford facing 025 

William H. Hill " 020 

" Walker Bates between 020, 027 

" Cortes Merchant " 020,027 

" Edward Slercliant facing 02S 

" T.M.Abbott between 028,029 

Nash Couch " 02S, Gi9 

" U. B. Rumsi'y " 02S, 029 

M. U. Wakeman, I.I.D " 028, 029 

" William B. Hill - facing 03IJ 

" D. C. Ryder between 0:iO, 031 

" Ebenezer F. Foster " 031), 031 

RIDGEPIELD. 

Residence of D. H. Vahlcn facing 004 

" Phineas C. Lonnsbury " 078 

Portrait of Siunnel S. St. John " 682 

" D. It. Valden between 082,083 

W. W. Beers " 082,683 

SHERMAN. 

Portrait of John 0. Nortb.ip facing 690 

Albert Barnes " 691 

"' Theodore C. Rogers 091 

STAMFORD. 

Portraitof George Baker 716 

" Isaac Quiutard facing 738 

Wm.H. Dibble " 739 

" Benjamin L. Waite " 740 

Alfred llovt " 741 



IWOK 

Portrait of iNaac Selleek facing 742 

" Natb.iiiirl K. ,\dalns* between 742,743 

" Timothy Reynolds " 742,743 

" John Cla-(Ui " 744,745 

W. W.Scoheld " 744,745 

" Seth S. I'ook facing 745 

" David Walerbnry " 74r. 

'* Itiehmond Fox between 740,747 

\V. II. Trowbiidge, M.I) " 740,747 

Cbanncy Ayres, M.D " 748,749 

" Charles C. Lockwood " 748,719 

T..LDiUskam .". facing 749 

STRATFORD. 

Mapof Aliiient Stratfor.l facing 750 

First Episcopal Cliiircli in Cimm-clicnt 703 

TRUMBULL. 

Residence of .\an.n Sli.nvooil facing 770 

J(.se|ib II. Williams- ! " 7S2 

Did Home of I,e«is FainlOId " 794 

Portraitof EI.en Kaiivhild " 795 

" Daniel Fain bild betweeji 790, 797 

P. N. Fairchild ■' 790,797 

" Le Grand I.;. lieers* facing 797 

Elliot M. liearilsley " 798 

" Miles liealdsley between 79.8, 799 

" D. S. Edwaids " 798,799 

" John E. Suinun-rs '. facing 799 

" Aniliew Tail between 800, .801 

" William Tail " 800, .sol 

Frederick S. Sterling " 800, .801 

" George Dyer, M.D " .800, .SOI 

" All Brinsmado " .802,803 

" Charles Beach " 802,803 

" Plumb 1!. Gregory lacing 803 

J. H. Williams 803 

Elbert E. F.ilwards facing .S04 

Residence of Elbert E. Edwards between 804, 805 

John C. Malb-tt (with liortraiti " .804,805 

T. A. JIallctt ^^^illl poitrail) " .s04, 805 

Portrait of Albert S. Coari " 804, .803 

Samuel Seeley " 804,805 

WESTON. 

Portrait of G. W. Biadley facing 800 

HenryA. Ogden " 808 

D. D.Coley " 810 

WESTPORT. 

Memorial Church of the Holy Trinity facing 825 

Residence of JIi. J. L. Phipps " 82s 

Portraitof R. H. Winslow " 835 

Residence of the late Sloriis Ketchum .8.30 

Portrait of Morris Ketchum facing 8:10 

Views at '* Hokanum" on pages 8;i7, 838 

Portrait of Daniel Nash facing S39 

Ge.ugc. B. Bouton, M.D " 840 

,bihn W. Tayb.r between 840,841 

Burr Jennings " 840. ,841 

Francis Bulkley facing 842 ' 

WILTON. 

Portrait of Sturges lii-nuett facing 802 

" Lewis (llinstead between 802, 803 

Elbert Olmstoad " .802, ,803 

Samuel Kccler... " .802, .803 

" John B. Sturges facing 803 

William II. Taylor " 804 

BETHEL. 

Portraitof Willis Judd between ,874, 875 

George M.Colo " 874,875 

SUPPLEMENT. 

F.ac-SiuOle of Contiin-ntal Currency 878 




|)nTNi\«:M\p of 

UONN. 



HISTORY 



OF ■ 



FAIRFIELD COUNTY. CONNECTICUT. 



CHAPTER I. 

GEOGKAPHICAIi AND DESCRIPTIVE. 

Fairfield County it< lociited in the s-outliwestern 
part of the State of Connecticut ami is bouudcd as 
follows: On the north by Westchester Co., N. Y., 
and the counties of Litchfield and New Haven, in 
Connecticut ; on the east by Litchfield and Xew 
Haven Counties ; on the south by Long Island 
Sound ; and on the west by the counties of West- 
chester, Putnam, and Dutchess, in the State of Xew 
York. It is separated from New Haven County by 
the Housatonic River, which also separates it in part 
from Litchfield. Tlie southern part is deeply in- 
dented by tlie waters of the Sound, which form some 
of the best harbors on the Connecticut coast. Oysters 
and clams of excellent (juality are found in abun- 
dance along the coast. 

The surface of the county along the Sound is level 
and very fertile. In the interior and northern parts 
it presents, chiefly, a bold outline of irregular hills 
and deep valleys. The soil is generally strong and 
fertile, and the county is one of the richest farming- 
districts in the State. 

Fairfield County is not rich in minerals, for neither 
the useful nor the precious metals abound to any ex- 
tent, — at least, not in paying quantities. About fifty 
years ago iron-ore was found in the southwestern part 
of Reading, near Branchville, but after being worked 
a short time was abandoned. Coal was dug for aliout 
thirty years ago near Georgetown, and a silver-mine 
was worked in 1765 in the northern part of Wilton. 
Silica and feldspar quartz liave been found in large 
quantities in the eastern i>art of Ridgefield and the 
western part of Reading, which are now being worked 
quite extensively. 

ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY. 
Fairfield County was organized at a C<jurt of Elec- 
tion held at Hartford Jlay 10, 1660, at which time 
John Winthrop was Governor of the colony. 
2 



The bounds of the county were described as fol- 
lows: " This court orders that from the east bounds 
of Str:itford to y"^ west bounds of Rye shalljc for 
future one county W'' shalbe called the County of 
Fairfield, And it is tirdered that the County Court 
shalbe held at Fairfield on the second Tuesdav in 
JLirch and the first Tuesday in November yearly." 

At the date of organization of the county it em- 
braced but five towns — viz., Fairfield, Stratford, Nor- 
walk, Stamford, and Greenwich. As the jiopulation 
increased other towns were f<n-med, until at the present 
time there are twenty-three civil sulxlivisions, as fol- 
lows : Bethel, Bridgeport, Brookfleld, Danbury, Da- 
rien, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwicli, Huntington, Mon- 
roe, New Canaan, New Fairfield, Newtown, Norwalk, 
j Redding, Ridgefield, Sherman, Stamlbrd, .Stratford, 
Trumbull, Weston, Westport, and Wilton. 

In 17(U "Cap" Nathan Gold was apjiointcd Judge 
of the Countie Court and Court (if Probates in the 
eountie of Fairfield." 

"Justices of the Peace ami (Quorum ajipointed for 
the Countie of Fairfield are : M' Richard Blackleech, 
M' John Wakeman, M' JIathew Sherwood, M"' Peter 
Burre. Justices of the Peace appfiintctl for the Coun- 
tie of Fairfield are : Capt" James Olmsted, Capt" John 
Minor, Capt" James .Tuilson, M'' Sam" Hoyt, W Sam 
Peck, M' James Beebe." 

CIVIL OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR I7!l2. 
JUIKIES OV THE COUSTY Col'RT. 

Hon. Joseph Piatt Cook, Chief Judge; Hon. John 
Chandler, Lemuel Sanford, Philiii Burr Bradley, Hon. 
James Davenport ; I>avid Burr, Clerk. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

Robert Fairchild, Daniel .ludsoii, Robert Walker, 
Abijah McEwen, Daniel Fairchild, .Vbraham Brins- 
made, Alijah Sterling, Dondare Silliuian, Daniel 
Morse, Joseph Strong, Samuel Squire, Andrew Row- 
land, Ebenezcr Jessup, George Burr, Thaddeus Betts, 
Eliphalet Lockwood, M.athew Mead, Samuel C. Silli- 

'J 



10 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTi', CONNECTICUT. 



man, John Davenport, Jr., Charle.s AVrbb, Ri-ubcn 
Scofield, Amos Mead, Jabez Fitch, Samuel \S'ake- 
inan, John McKay, Benjamin 5Iead, John Benedict, 
Daniel Corley, EH Mygate, Daniel Taylor, Thnddeua 
Benedict, Danlmry; Thoma.s Taylor, Nchcmiah 
Beardsley, James Potter, ZacchaniM'Towncr, Alexan- 
der Stewart, Jabez Bottslord, William Edmonds, 
Henry Peck, Stephen Betts, Thaddeiis Benedict, 
Redding; Daniel Duncan, Tiniotliy Ru^gles, Elii<ha 
Mills, Daniel Bernet, Joseph Smith, John Sherwood, 
James Clark, Dudley Baldwin, Pliilip Xicliols, David 
Bnrr, Daniel Towner, Jabez H. Tomlinson, Andrew 
Hill. 

ATTORNEYS. 

State's Attorney. — Andrew Rowland. 

I'rarlicinr/ Altonn-i/^. — .\ndrew Rowland, Jonathan 
Sturjfcs, Dudley Baldwin, Joseph Xoyes, David Burr, 
Lewis Burr Sturges, Fairfield; Tlionuis Fitch, Taylor 
Sherman, Norwalk ; Thaddeus Benedict, Samuel S. 
Smith, Redding; John Davenport, Stamford; Wil- 
liam Edmunds, Nehcmiah Stronp, Xewtown ; Elisha 
Whittlesey, Danbury ; William A. Thom]'snn, Green- 
wich ; Joseph Jlelker, Robert U. John.son, Stratford ; 
Isanc Mills, Huntinj;ton ; Samuel Burr Sherwood, 
Weston. 



Elijah Abel. 



.SHKRIFF. 



DEPITY SHEniFFS. 

David Maltby, Matthew Reed, Zachariah Lyon, 
Aaron Morehouse, Amos Hoyt, David Beers, Heze- 
kiah Clark. 

JAILERS. 

Jesse Benedict, Frederick J. Whiting. 

TOWN CLEBKH. 

Nathan Bulkley, Fairfielil; Robert Walker, Strat- 
ford ; Samuel (inimmoii, Norwalk ; John Hoyt, Jr., 
Stamford ; Jabez Fitch, (ireenwich ; Benjamin Smith, 
Ridgetielil ; Maj. Taylor, Danbury ; Amos Hubbell, 
New Fairticld ; Caleb Baldwin, Newtown ; Lemuel 
Sanford, Rcd<linjr; Nathan Wheeler, Weston; Elisha 
ilills, Huntington; Aslibel Ruggles, Jr., Brookfield. 

The following citizens ofFiiirfield in 17;M were 
members of the Conneclicut Society for the Pnuno- 
tion of Freedom, and for the Relief of Persons un- 
lawfully Inilden in Bondage: 

in the towns of — 

Fairjie/<l.—llcv. Andrew Elliott, Rev. Dr. Dwight, 
Rev. Hezekiah Ripley, and Andrew Rowland, Esq. 

JfiDiliiKjInii. — Elisha Ue.xford. 

S'.nilforil.—^vv. Stei>. W. Stebbins. 

Orr'nm^h. — Rev. Isaac Lewis. 

/."' Tlionuis Keeler, E-iq. 

A / '.—Rev. .Medad Rogers, Dr. Jame« Pot- 

ter, Col. Neheminh Beardsley, D.iniel Towner. 

Itniibiirij. — Isaac Ives, Esi). 

.Vorim//-.— Rev. Justuttj^litchcll. 



COURT-IIOfSES AND JAILS. 

Fairfield is a shire county, the courts being held 
alternately at Bridgeport and Danbury. The first 
courts were held in the town of Fairfield, and the first 
court-house was erected in 1720. This was destroyed 
by the British in 177'.», anil rebuilt in 1704. In 18")3 
the court.s w'ere removed hom Fairfield to Bridgeport, 
and the jail, which was in process of construction in 
Fairfield at that time, now forms part of St. Paul's 
Church, Fairfield. 

The present court-house in Bridgeport was first oc- 
cupied in 1855, and is a neat and substantial brown- 
stone structure, located on a public square which is 
bounded on three sides by the following streets, State, 
Broad, and Bank, and on its fourth side by private 
property. The jail is located on North Avenue, and 
is a substantial brick building. 

The first court-house in Danbury was a small square 
building, two stories in height, surmounted with a 
snuill cupola. The present court-house was erected 
in 1820 or 1824, and rc|)aired and beautified a few 
years since. In front of the old court-house stood the 
whipping-post and stocks. The late Aaron Seeley and 
Samuel Wildman, deputy-sheriffs, and Levi Starr, 
constable, were the last who presided at this " engine 
of torture." 

The jail at Danbury is a neat and substantial brick 
building, located on ^ilain Street. 



CHAPTER II. 

BENCH AND BAR. 

Among the prominent agencies which give shape 
and order in the early development of the civil and 
social condition of society, the pulpit, press, and bar 
are perhaps the most potential in moulding the in- 
stitutions of a new community ; and where these arc 
early planted, the school, academy, and college are 
not long in assuming their legitimate jiosition, and 
the maintciuiuce of these institutions secures at the 
start a social and moral foundation upon which wo 
may safely rest the superstructure of the county, the 
State, and the nation. The establishment of courts 
and judicial tribunals, where society is i)rotected in 
all its civil rights under the sanction of law, and 
wrong finds a ready redress in au enlightened and 
prompt administration of justice, is the first necessity 
of every civilized community, and without which the 
forces and press of society in its changeable develop- 
ments, even under the teachings of the pulpit, the 
I direction of the press, and the culture of the schools, 
I arc exposed t^) peril and disaster from the turbulence 
' of iia.«ion and conflicts of interest; and hence the 
best and surest security that even the press, the 
8i'h<K)l, or the pulpit can find for the peaceful per- 
' formance of its highest functions is when protected 



BENCH AND BAR. 



11 



by and intrenched behind the bulwarks of law, ad- 
ministered Ii}' a pure, independent, and uneorrupted 
judiciary. 

The Fairfield County bar has from its beginning 
numbered among its members able jurists, talented 
advocates, and safe counselors. Here many have 
lived, flourished, and died, while otlu'rs still are upon 
the stage of action who have been prominent in tlie 
advancement of the interests of the county and fig- 
ured conspicuously in the councils of the State. 

KOGER LlTDLOW. — First in the galaxy of eminent 
attorneys who have practiced their profession in 
Fairfield County stands the name of Roger Ludlow, 
familiar to every student of the pioneer history of 
Connecticut. Among the various sketches of this 
intrepid and talented jurist and pioneer which have 
from time to time been written, the following, by the 
Hon. Gideon H. Hollister, is selected as thoroughly de- 
lineating the meteoric career of this impulsive man : 

"He was a lawyer of good family, and resided in 
Dorsetshire, iu the southern part of England. Feb. 
13, 1G30, he was chosen as assistant by tlie General 
Court of Massachusetts. In IMay following he sailed 
from Plymouth for America in the ' Mary and John,' 
and entered upon the discharge of his official duties 
at the first Assistant Court hekl at Gliarleston, in Au- 
gust of the same year; he continued to occupy this 
place for four years. In 1G34 he was chosen Deputy 
Governor of the province, and hoped to have been 
raised to the rank of Governor, but was disappointed 
by the jealousy of the deputies, who appear to have 
taken offense at some impolitic remarks made by him, 
probably in relation to the growing strengtli and to 
the frequency of elections. To show him how well 
they could vindicate themselves, and perhajw to recip- 
rocate Ills good advice by giving him a practical lesson 
upon exercising the Christian virtue of humility, they 
elected John Haynes Governor. Ludlow protested 
against this aj)pointment in terms of severity. He 
alleged that the election was void for the reason tliat 
the delegates had agreed upon their candidate before 
they left their respective towns. By way of requital 
for making such an accusation, which was iu all 
probability true, and as a further proof of the popu- 
lar power, he was left out of the magistracy for that 
year. He had not learned the art, so common in our 
age, of telling the people precisely what he did not 
believe to be true. 

" Discouraged at this decided expression of the pop- 
ular displeasure, he removed to Connecticut during 
the summer or fall of the year 1635, and establislied 
himself at Windsor. Here he continued under the 
gentle ministrations of Mr. Wareham, and soon be- 
came one of the most consjiicuous men in the colony. 

" In the summer of 1G37 he was setit by tlie General 
Court as one of the advisors of the Connecticut forces 
in the second stage of the Pequot war. He was prob- 
ably the first lawyer who ever came into the colony, 
and one of the most gifted who have ever lived in it." 



He took an active part in the framing of the con- 
stitution of 1630, and it was in all probability maiidy 
his work. He was the fir.^t I)e[)Uty-( lovenior of the 
commonwealth, elevteil Ajiril 11, 163'.l. After his re- 
moval to Fairfield he still continued to j)erl'oi'm im- 
portant services for the government. In 1()4() he was 
appointed by tlie Cieneral Court to reduce tlie crude and 
ill-defined laws to a system, which code was published 
at Cambridge in lli73. He was also several times a 
commissioner for the colony in the New England Con- 
gress. He remained in Fairfield until 1654, wlieu he 
embarked at New Haven for Virginia, wlierc the 
remainder of his days were passed.* 
I/Samuel B. Shekwood was born Nov. 26, 1767. 
He graduated at Yale College in 1786, was ad- 
mitted to the bar in or about 17110, and comiueiiced 
the practice of his profession iu Westport. He 
continued in the active practice of his profession 
until 1831. Ho was one of the leading members of 
the Fairfield bar, and had a large practice. He fre- 
quently represented the town in tlie Legislature, and 
for several years was one of the twelve councilors or 
u]5per House of the Legislature, answering to a 
Senate before the adoption of the Constitutiou of 
1818, and was a member of the Fifteenth Congress of 
the United States. Probably no man in Connecticut 
had from 181U to 1815 greater political inttuence than 
Samuel B. Sherwood. From a sound physical consti- 
tution and uniform good health Mr. Sherwood had 
doubtless calculated on long life, but on the 26th of 
April, 1833, he was prostrated by brain-fever, and 
died after a single day's suflering, universally re- 
gretted. 

Eliphalet Swift was an early jiractifioner iu 
Westport. He was born in Windham Co., Conn., 
July 6, 1780. He graduated at Yale College in 1803, 
and, having been admitted to the bar, commenced the 
practice of his profession in Westport in 1806, where 
he continued it until within a year or two of his de- 
cease. He died Sept. 21, 1857. 

Thomas Bcru Osbokne was born iu Eastoii, July 
8, 1798. He graduated at Yale in 1817, studied law 
with the late S. P. Staples, and was admitted to the 
bar in 1820. In the same year he coninicnced the 
practice of his profession in Fairfield, where he re- 
sided until his death. He was clerk of the Sujierior 
and County Courts of Fairfield County in 1826, and 
held that office until 1830. He was a representative 
to the General Court in 1836 and 1841, and in 1839 
was elected to Congress, and re-elected in 1841. He 
was State senator in 1844, and the same year was ap- 
jiointed judge of the County Court, which office he 
held several years. He removed to New Haven in 
1855, and was ap]M)inted professor of law in Yale Col- 
lege, whicli position he held until 1865, when he re- 
signed. His reputation as a judge was of the highest, 
and his qualities of mind and disposition, while they 



^ Sec hUtory of the town of Fiiiifiel'I, elsewlioic in this work. 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



peculiarly fitted him for the bench, also csiused him 
to enjoy itiS duties far more than the active vocation 
of the bar. 

Hexky DrTTOX was born in Watertown, Conn., 
Feb. 12, 17%. He praduatod at Yale Collepe in 
181S, and eoinmcnced the study of the law with Koger 
Minott .^hennan in Fairfield, at the same time teach- 
ing in the village academy at that place. He was 
subsequently tutor in Yale College two years, and in 
1823 commenced the practice of law in Newtown. 
Here he remained until IS.*?", when he removed to 
Bridgeport, where he continued in the active practice 
of his profession. He held various offices ; was State's 
attorney and representative to the General Court. In 
1847 he removed to New Haven, and accepted tiie 
chair of Kent professor of law in the Yale Law 
School. In addition to the duties of the professorship 
he engaged in the active practice of his profes.sion, 
and during tliis time also prepared and published his 
" Revision of Swift's Digest," and a-ssisted in pre- 
paring the " Revision and Compilation of the Con- 
necticut Statutes" in 1849, 18.54, and 1866, and in 
1854 was chosen Governor of the State by the Legis- 
lature, the people having faile<l to make a choice at 
the preceding election. In 1861 he was chosen a 
judge of the Supreme Court of Errors and of the 
Superior Court. He remained on the bench as as- 
sociate judge of the Supreme Court until he re.iched 
the age of seventy years, Feb. 12, 1866. He died in 
1869. 

Isaac Toucey was born in Newtown, Nov. .5, 1796, 
and studied law with Asa Chapman. He commenced 
the practice of his i)r()fession in Hartford in 1S18, and 
sul>sequently held various offices of tr\ist and respon- 
sibility. He was State's attorney for Hartford County 
from 1822 to 1835, and in the latter year was elected 
to Congress, where he served four years. He was 
elected Governor of the State in 1846, and during the 
latter year of President Polk's administration filled 
the office of Attorney-General ; in 1.S.50 was a mem- 
ber of the State Senate; in 1851 Wius elected to the 
United States Senate, and Wiw Secretary of the Navy 
under Buchanan. Mr. Toucey was offered a seat on 
the bench of the Supreme Court of the United States, 
which he declined. He was one of the ablest law- 
yers in the Slate. He died .July .30, 1809. 

Thomas IlEi.DiiN IUti.er was born at AVethers- 
field, Aug. 22, 1.806. He was preiHired fiir college by 
his father, and entered Yale Medical School, where 
he remained two years, then went to Philadelphia, 
where he continued one year and eom])leted his pro- 
fessional .Htudics. He commenced the practice of his 
profession at Nor\valk, and continued about eight years, 
when he abandoned the practice of medicine and com- 
menced the stu<ly of law in the office of the late 
Judge IJissell, and was admitti-il to the bar in 1837. 
He .«oon after formed a copartnership with Thaddeus 
Betts, and ujion his death entered into partnership 
with Orris S. Ferry. Ho^ai subsequently a partner 



with Josiah M. Carter. He was called to the bench 
of the Superior Court in 1855, and remained there 
until his election to the Supreme Court, in 1861. In 
May, 1870, he was appointed chief judge, which office 
he held until his resignation, in May, 187.'5. He was 
elected to Congress in 1849 ; was .^tate senator in 1848, 
1852, and 18.53, and member of the General Assembly 
in 1832, 1833, 1837, 1843, and 1846. He died June 
8, 1873, aged sixty-six. 

Nelson L. White was bom in Danbury, April 
7, 181 2. Ho studied law in the office of the late Reu- 
ben Booth, and in 1840 was admitted to the bar. He 
was clerk of the State Senate in 1844 and 1K45; judge 
of Probate in Danbun,- in 1847, 1X48, and 1849. In 
1856 he was a delegate to the first Rei)ul)lican National 
Convention, at Philadelphia. He was State's attorney 
for Fairfield County from 1868 to 1874. In 1861 he 
joined the AVooster Guards, at Danbury, but was re- 
jected on account of his age. He was jironiptly com- 
missioned by Governor Buckingham lus a field-officer 
in the Fourth Connecticut Infantry. He was lieu- 
tenant-colonel, and also served as inspector-general. 

In the words of Hon. Gideon H. Hollister, "he 
loved his profession ardently and always stood up in 
the defense of the right. He had peculiar ])ower as 
an advocate, and sometimes spoke with a fervor that 
madeJiim a dangerous antagonist before a jury. 

" Col. White came of an old colonial family, and 
lived up to its record. He possessed great, personal 
advantages and a peculiar style and manner, but at 
the same time seemed unconscious of them. The 
thought of himself found little jilace in his .sympa- 
thetic and impulsive nature, while the kindliness of 
his heart yielded only to his sense of justice and his 
fidelity to truth." 

Josiah Mason Carter was born in New Canaan, 
Jan. 19, 1813, and graduated at Yale College in 1836. 
He sttidieil law with Hon. Thomas B. Osborne, of 
Fairfield, and was admitted to the bar in August, 
1839. He commenced the practice of law in the city 
of New York in 1841, and in 1847 removed U) Nor- 
walk and formed a partnership with Hon. Thomas 
B. Butler, which continued until Mr. Butler's eleva- 
tion to the bench, in 18.55. He was a member of the 
General Assembly in 18.56, 1861, and 1862, and the 
latter year was Speaker of the House. He was the 
candidate of the Whig party for lieutenant-governor 
in 1856. He was appointed State's attorney for Fair- 
field County in 1862, and held that office until his 
death. On two different occasions he declined to be 
a candidate for the judgeship of the Su])erior Court, 
as he never allowed polities to interfere with the prac- 
tice of his profession. He died March 21, 1868. 

(JiUKoN ToMUNsox. — The ancestors of Gideon 
Tondinson, late Governor of the State of Connecti- 
cut, were distinguished for activity, firmness, and in- 
tegrity. His father, Jabez Huntington Tonilinson, 
was born in 1760, and died Jan. 14, 1849, aged eighty- 
nine yejirs. He was an officer in the Revolutionar\' 



BENCH AND BAR. 



13 



war, anil after the war followed the occupation of a 
practical farmer, residing in Stratford, Conn. He 
had three sons and three daughters, viz., Gideon, 
George, Huntington, Hannah, Nancy, and Sally. 

Gideon was horn at Stratford, in this State, Dec. 31, 
1780, educated at Yale College, and graduated there 
in the year 1S02. In June, ISO.'i, he was admitted to 
the bar in New Haven County, and soon after com- 
menced the practice of law at F'airlield, in this State 
(it was then the county-seat), where he continued to 
reside until his death. He married Sarah Bradley, 
daughter of William Bradley, of the parish of Green- 
field Hill, Dee. 15, 1807. Tliey had one son, Jahez 
H. Tomlinson, born June 28, 1818, died April 2, 1838, 
aged twenty years. 

Gideon Tomlinson was a representative of the town 
of Fairfield in the General Assembly at the May ses- 
sion of 1817, and at the October session of the same 
year, when he was chosen clerk of tliat body. He was 
re-elected a member of the General Assembly from the 
same town at the two sessions of the year 1818. At 
the session in May he was chosen Speaker of the 
House, and at the October session in that year he was 
re-elected to the same office. He was a member of tlie 
convention which formed the constitution of this 
State, and gave to it his cordial ai>]iriibation and effec- 
tive support in the convention and before the people. 
In the year 1818 he was elected one of the represen- 
tatives of Connecticut in Congress, and took his seat 
as a member of the House of Representatives of the 
United States in December, 1819. At the three suc- 
cessive elections of members of Congress from this 
State he was re-elected, and continued to serve in the 
House of Ilej>resentatives of the United States until 
March, 1827, when the term expired for which he had 
been last elected. In April, 1827, he was chosen G.)v- 
ernor of this State by the people, and was re-elected to 
the same distinguished and honoralile station in the 
three succeeding years. Having Iteen elected a sen- 
ator in the Congress of the United States in iMay, 
1830, for si.\ years from the 4th of March, 1831, he re- 
signed the office of Governor of Connecticut on the 
second day of March, 1831. At the commencement 
of Washington College, at Hartford, in the year 1827, 
the honorary degree of LL.D. was conferred on him 
by them. In December, 1831, he took his seat in the 
Senate of the United States, and served in that body 
until the 4th of March, 1837, when his senatorial term 
expired. After that time he did not resume the prac- 
tice of law, but retired to his home in Greenfield Hill, 
Coun., where he died, Oct. 8, 1854, aged seventy-three 
years, eight months, and nine days. 

Judge David Hill also lived in Fairfield, and 
was a leading and influential man in the parish and 
town, where he held many important otRces. 

Abram Baldwin was a distinguished lawyer, re- 
siding in Fairfield, and was United States senator 
from this State. He assisted in the formation of the 
Constitution of the United States, and died in otflce. 



March 4, 1807, aged fifty-two years. His tomlistonc 
in the cemetery at Greenfield Hill bears the lullow- 
ing inscription : " Abram Baldwin lies buried at Wash- 
ington. His memory needs no marble. His country 
is his monument, her Constitution his greatest w<irk." 

RoGEK MisoTT Shkrmax, son of Rev. Josiah and 
Martha Sherman, was one of the lights of the Fair- 
field bar. He was born at Woliurn, Mass., May 22, 
1773. His father was brother to the Hon. Roger 
Sherman, of Revolutionary celebrity. In 1789, when 
only sixteen years of age, he entered the suphomore 
class in Yale College. After the compIeti(ui of his 
academic course he commenced the study of the law 
with the Hon. Oliver Ellsworth, and subsequently 
continued it with Judge Reeve at Litchfield, and later 
with Hon. Simeon Baldwin. He was admitted to the 
bar in New Haven, and commenced the practice of 
his ])rofession in Norwalk. In 1807 he transferred 
his residence from Norwalk to Fairfield, where he re- 
mained till his death. In piditics Mr. Sherman be- 
longed to the school of Washington, Jay, Hamilton, 
Ellsworth, and his illustrious uncle, and held many 
prominent official positions, the last being associate 
judge of the Supreme Court. His high legal endow- 
ments raised him to an eminence almost ]>eerless in 
every department of legal practice. He (-lied Dec. 30, 
1844, aged seventy-one years. 

Taylor Sherman, a native of Woodbury, Conn., 
practiced law in Norwalk jirior to 1812, contempo- 
raneously with Roger Sherman, of whom, however, 
he was not a relative. He emigrated to Ohio, and 
was the grandfather of Gen. W. T. and the present 
Secretary of the United States Treasury, John Shcr- 
nnin. 

Among other lawyers who resided in Fairfield are 
mentioned the names of John Banks, Jehu Burr, 
Thomas B. Wakeman, Daniel Wakemau, Burr Wake- 
man, Thomas B. Osborii, Thomas Robinson, George 
B. Kissani, George B. Murrey, E. H. Nichols, J. H. 
Bradley, Abram Wakeman, Edward B. and Frank C. 
Stnrges. 

Judge Asa Chapman was a native of Saybrook, 
Conn., and a lineal descendant of Robert Chapman, 
of Whitliy, Yorkshire, England, who was born in 
lOKi, and came to this country in 1035, taking up his 
residence the following s])ring at Saybriiok, where he 
served many sessions in the colonial legislature, 
finally dying on the estate he had settled upon, on 
Oct. 13, 1687, at the age of seventy-one years. 

Judge Chapman was born Sept. 2, 1770, fitted for 
college with Rev. Frederick W. Hotchkiss, and grad- 
uated at Yale in the class of 1792, and shared the 
highest honors of his class with the Hon. Roger M. 
Sherman. After he graduated, he taught for a time 
in the academy of North Salem, and also at Norwalk, 
and continued to teach while in the practice of his 
l)rofcssion. He studied his profession with the Hon. 
Tajiping Reeve, of Litchfield, and was admitted to 
the bar in 1795, settled in tlie practice of the law at 



14 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Newtown, and was repeatedly elected the representa- 
tive of that town to the General Assembly of the 
State, and in 1817 was elected a member of the Gov- 
ernor's Council, comprising at that time twelve mem- 
bers. In 1818 he was elected judjie of the Superior 
Court and Court of Errors, which office he held until 
his death, in New Haven, on Sept. 25, 1825, leaving a 
widow, who died in 1850, and three sons, the eldest of 
whom (Charles Chapman, the well-known lawyer of 
Hartford) had attained the years of manhood. 

Judge Chapman married, at Newtown, Jli.ss Mary 
Perrj', a daughter of Bennet Perry, M.D., by whom 
he had five children (four sons and one daughter). 
He possessed a vigorous mind and was prompt in his 
official duties. 

Charles Chapman, his eldest son, died in Hart- 
ford in 1870, at the age of seventy years, and will be re- 
membered by many of our readers as a lawyer of dis- 
tinction and one of the most witty and genial men of 
his time. He .studied law with Judge Williams, of 
Hartford, and subsequently with Judges Reeve and 
Gould, of Litchfield ; was admitted to the bar in 
1820. He several times represented the city of Hart- 
ford in the State Legislature, and represented his dis- 
trict in the Thirty-second Congress of the United 
States. 

RErBEN Booth was born in Newtown, Conn., 
Nov. 26, 1794. While quite young his parents re- 
moved to Kent, in this State. He as.sisted his father 
at wool-carding until he was about seventeen years of 
age, when he commenced the preparatory studies for 
a collegiate course, and in 181.'? entered the sophomore 
class in Yale College. Soon after, his father was 
drowned in the Housatonic River, and young Booth 
hastened home, e.xpecting to abandon his collegiate 
course, as he was unwilling to reduce the slender 
means of his mother ; but a few friends in Kent gener- 
ously loaneil him the amount requisite to complete his 
course, and he returned to college. He was gradu- 
ated at the commencement in 181fi, being the last at 
which President Dwight presided. Upon leaving 
college he entered the law -office of David S. Board- 
man, at New Milford, where he remained about a 
year, and then removed to Danburj- and continued 
his studies with Moses Hatch, Esq. At the same 
time he was employed as an instructor in the academy 
at Danburj-. 

He was admitted to the bar in 1818, and immedi- 
ately openeil an office for the practice of his profes- 
sion in D.inburj-. In 1822 he represented the town 
in the (ieneral Assembly, and in the same year 
was appointed judge of Probate of the district of 
Danbury. He continued in this office until 1835. 
He was fleeted State senator in 18^(1, and in 1844 and 
184-'> wiLs lieutenant-governor of the State. 

At the time of his death his ])racticc was as large 
as that of any member of the bar in the county. He 
wius distinguislied for his industry ; his cases were al- 
ways thoroughly prepared^ and his knowledge of the 



law was accurate. He was at once zealous for hia 
client and courteous to his attorney. 

He was well known in this State as a leading and 
active politician, but his policy was always conserva- 
tive. During the two years that he was presiding 
officer of the Senate of this State, the members of 
that body who were his political opponents felt and 
acknowledged his liberality of sentiment and conduct. 
He was always firm in his principles, but when ])rin- 
ciples were not concerned he regarded and treated 
his political opponents as friends. He was a warm 
and generous-hearted man. Remembering that in 
early life he was indebted to others for aid, no de- 
serving young man ever asked in vain for a loan from 
him which it was in his power to make. He was 
simple, unostentatious in his manner, and kind and 
benevolent in his disposition. He loved the young, 
and they never feared to approach him, as they knew 
that his sympathies were with them. He died at 
Danbury, Aug. 14, 1848, after a brief illness of about 
two days. 

Epaphras W. Bull came to Danbury from Hart- 
ford in about 1800, and removed to Ohio in 1841. 

Mo.SES H.\T€H came to Danbury from Kent; was 
an able lawyer, and, with .Vsa Chapman, defended the 
negro Amos Adams, who was lianged at Danbury in 
1817. He soort after removed to Kent, where he died. 

Elisha Whittlesey was also a prominent lawyer 
in Danbury at the close of the last century. 

Matthew B. Whittlesey commenced practice in 
Danbury at about the beginning of the present cen- 
tuni', and wiis a prominent and influential citizen. 
He held various official positions, among which were 
meml)er of the Legislature and State's attorney. 

Lyman Denxisox Brewsteh wa.s born in Salis- 
bury, Conn., July 31, 1832. He entered the Freshman 
class of Yale College; graduated in the class of 1855; 
studied law with Hon. Roger Averill, of Danbury ; 
was admitted to the bar Jan. 21, 1858, ami has since 
practiced his profession in Danbury. He was judge 
of Probate in 1868, a member of the Legislature in 
1870, judge of the Court of Common Plciis, Fairfield 
County, 1870-74; was elected State senator in 1879 
for 1880-81. He was married, Jan. 1, 1868, to Miss 
Sarah A. Ives, of Danbury. 

Roger Averill was born in Salisbury, Conn., 
Aug. 14, 1809. He was educated at Union College, 
graduating in the class of 1832. He studied law with 
Chief JiLstice Samuel Church, of Salisbury, Conn. 
He was admitted to the Litchfield County bar, and 
I)nieticed in Salisbury fill, in 1849, he removed to 
Danbury, where he hits since practiced, in 1843 he 
represented the town of Salisbury in the State Legis- 
lature, and was elected judge of Probate, District of 
Danbury, which position beheld for three years; he 
also held the office of trustee of the State Normal 
School for thirteen consecutive years. He was elected 
Lieutenant-Ctcivernor in lS()2-«>5, and represented Dan- 
bury in the Legislature in 1868. He was appointed 




HON. SIDNEY H. BEAK0SLEY. 



BENCH AND BAR. 



15 



commissioner for the State of Coniivcticut to the 
■\Vorhrs Fair to be held in New York in ISSy, on tlic 
one hnndredth anniversary of tlie treaty of peace and 
recognition of American independence. 

Mr. Averill was twice married, — first to !\Iiss Jlaria 
D. AVlute, of Danbury. By this marriage he liad fonr 
children, — Artluir H., a practicing lawyer with his 
father, in Daiibnry; John C, practicing with Jere- 
miah Halsey, of Norwich ; Harriet E., and Minnie W. 
His second wife was ^Mi.ss Slary A. Perry, of South- 
port, Conn. 

Daniel B. Booth, son of Renben Bcjotli, studied 
law in the office of his father, and is now a practicing 
attorney in Danbury. He has occuiiied various official 
positions; has been a representative several terms, 
judge (if Probate, town clerk, etc. 

THE FAIRFIELD BAR IN 1707. 

The following were iiracticing attorneys in the 
county in 1797 : 

Fairfield. — David Burr, .loscph Noyes, l.,ewis B. 
Sturges, and Samuel Rowland. 

Diinbiinj.—'EWAvA 'Whittlesey and Matthew B. 
Whittlesey. 

Nfii'foti'ii. — William Edmond. 

A'nrwa//:. — Taylor and Roger M. Sherman. 

J^ediliiH/.—Seth S. Smith, William H. Hawley. 

Sliiiiij'di-d. — John Davenport, Jr., and John T. Bene- 
dict. 

Strafford. — Thaddcus Benedict and .Tosejih Walker. 

Weston. — Samuel B. Sherwood. 

Hex. Thaddeus Betts was b(n-n in Norwalk ; was 
twice elected lieutentant-governor of Connecticut, and 
at the time of his decease was United States senator. 

Cyrus H. Beaepsi-EY, fiither of the Hon. Sidney 

B. Beardsley, was born in Monroe, July 4, 17911, and 
died in August, 1852. He graduated at York in 1818, 
in the class with the late Henry Dutton an<l Thomas 

C. Perkins. He occupied many official iiositions, and 
was a man of commanding influence in the county 
and State. He was rejieatcdly a member of the ( ien- 
eral Assendjly, and Speaker in 1S4G. He was a judge 
of the County Court, State senator, etc., etc. He 
nmrried Maria Burr, who is .still living. 

Sidney B. Beard.sley was born in Monroe, Fair- 
field Co., Aug. 20, 1822. He was educated at Wilton 
Academy and Yale College. He studied his profes- 
sion with Reuben Bf>oth, of Danbury, and was ad- 
mitted to the bar in Augu.st, 1S43. He commenced 
practice in Norwalk, where he remained until 1840, 
during which period ho was judge of Probate. In 
1846 he removed to Bridgeport, wliere lie has .since 
resided. He has had associated with him at different 
tinu's as copartners in practice Judge De Forrest, 
William K. Seeley, and Col. S. B. Sumner. In 1858 
he was elected State senator, and has also been a can- 
didate for Congress. In 1874 he was elected by tlie 
Legislature judge of the Superior Court, which term 
cxjiires in 1882. 



Orris S. Ferry was born at r.rtlicl, Aug. 15, 1S2;1. 
At the age of seventeen he entered Yale College, and 
graduated in 1844 with high honors. He comnu'iieed 
the study of the law with Judge Osliorne, of Fairfield, 
and subsequently continued it witli Hon. Thonuis 1!. 
Butler, of Norwalk. He was admitted to the bar in 
184lj, and for a short time was in ]iartnership with 
Judge Butler. He rose rapidly in his profession, ami, 

in the language of Asa B. W Iward, Fscp, "while 

yet a young man he ranked anning the leaders of the 
bar in the amount of his business and the ability and 
success with which it was conducted." He was judge 
of Probate in Norwalk, in 1855 and 185(; was State 
senator, and from 185(5 to 1859 was State's attorney 
tor Fairfle-ld County. He was elected to Congress in 
1859. Being in Washington at the breaking out of 
the Rebellion, lie enlisted in a volunteer liattalion for 
the temporary defense of tbi' capital, and srrvr.l until 
troojis were obtained from tlie North, lie entered 
the United States service as colonel ottbi' iMl'th L'oii- 
neeticut Regiment, and served througli tiie war. Ik- 
was subsequeutly promoted to be brigadier-general. 
At the close of the war he returned to Norwalk, and 
in 18G(> was elected to the United States Senate and 
re-elected in 1872, and was regarded as one of the 
ablest members of that body. He died Nov. 21, 
1875. 

DwiGiiT Morris was born at Morris, Conn., Nov. 
22, 1820. His father, Janu-s Morris, was a gr.idnate of 
Yale, in the class of 1775, entered the army, and cm- 
tinned through the Revolution, anil was a literary 
man, having published a history of Litchfield ( 'ounty 
and other meritorious contribution; from his jien. 
Dwight Morris entered Y'ale and le.'t aliont the close 
of the sophomore year and went to Union College, 
where he graduated in 1838. The honorary degree of 
A.M. was received by him in 1878 from Yale College. 

He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1 840, 
and commenced practice in Bridgeport, where lie lia-< 
since resided. He represented Bridgeport in the ( ien- 
eral Assembly in 1845 and 1864; was judge of Pro- 
bate in 1S45, 1851, and 1852. He raised and com- 
manded the Fourteenth Regiment, Connecticut Vol- 
unteers, 18G2. Left the State with the regiment Aug. 
25, 1862. September 7th was assigned to the command 
of the Second Brigade, French's Division, Second 
Army Corps; commanded the brigade, numbering two 
thousand men, at Antietam, Scjit. 17, 1862; loss in 
killed and wounded, five hundred and twenty-nine. 
He continued the command until Feliruary, 1864, 
when he was mustered out. In 1864 ln' was nomi- 
nated by Preddcnt Lincoln judge of llie I'erritory of 
Idaho, but declined the appointment, and in Feb- 
ruary, 1866, was apiiointed Consul-Ceneral to H ivn , 
France, aind remained such until Aug. 1, 1869. In 
November, 1876, was elected Secretary of State of 
Connecticut, and at present i.s a representative to the 
General Court. 

Ja.mes C. Loomis was born in Windsor, Conn., 



16 



in>;T01lY OF FAIRFIELD rorXTY. rOXXECTTrTT. 



April 24, IS117. He prepared lor i-Dllegc at the gram- 
mar sL'liool ill Ilartforil, anil ciitfred Yale College in 
1824, then only seventeen year* of age, and graduated 
with honor in the cliws of 1828. Among the mem- 
bers of liis class were Rev. P. T. Holley, of thu city ; 
ex-frovcrnor Ho]>pin, of Rhode Island; and Judge 
William Strang, of the United States iSujireme Court. 
Having decided U])on the law as a life-work, he com- 
menced his studies at Charlotteville, Ya., and com- 
pleted them in the office of the late Hon. Clark 
Bissell, of Xorwalk. He pursued his studies with 
diligence and attention, and was a<lniitted to the bar 
in 18;!2, and commenced the practice of his ])rofe.s3ion 
in \Vestiiort, with the late Hon. Samuel B. Sher- 
wood, one of the leaders of the Fairfield bar, which 
at that time wa.s adorned by such brilliant legal lumi- 
naries as Roger Minot Sherinan, Charles Hawley, 
Clark Bi.s.scll, T. B. Butler, Reuben Booth, Fitch 
Wheeler, Henry Dalton, etc. 

>Ir. Loomis rose rapidly in the profession, and, de- 
siring a more pnmiising field for successful practice, 
in 1S40 removed to Bridgeport, where he at once 
entered into a large practice and jjarticipatcd actively 
in ])ublic aflairs. 

In 1848 he formed a copartnership with George \Y. 
Warner, which continued several years. He was for 
a number of years the city attorney and legal adviser 
of the city, and mayor for one term in 1843. His 
municipal service was at a period of much excite- 
ment, when important questions of finance, etc., had 
to be grapi)led with and settled. 

The employment of a special steamboat to run in 
connection with the Housatonic Railroad in oppo- 
sition to the old line at this period caused the exhibi- 
tion of much bad blood between the partisans of the 
rival lines, and Mayor Loomis was repeatedly called 
upon to ap|)car with passe to kecj) the peace on the 
arrival of trains from .Vlbany. 

He twice represented his town in the lower house 
of the State Legislature, and once or twice the Tenth 
District as State senator, and by virtue of this i>i>sition 
became a member of the corporation of Yale College. 
The business and investments of Mr. Loomis were 
very successful financially, and he finally, a few years 
previous to his death, withdrew from the active practice 
of his profession, dividing his tiuR- between the cares 
of his ])rivatc affairs and numerous public interests, 
with which he became identified. The most arduous 
and important public service of the later years of his 
life was in connection with the public schools of the 
t'jwn. In April, 187(i, the Utwn voted to consolidate 
the m^hool districts, and elected ft new board of cdu- 
cntion for the care and management of the schools, of 
which he was elected prcsiilent. He at once entered 
with an inleri-«t and /.est [n'culiar to himself ujion the 
Work of organization, involving an amount of thought, 
attention, and labor few can realize. 

He was one of the first jirojectors of Seaside Park, 
was a commissioner ther«^, and was very active and 



influential in its early improvement and manage- 
ment. 

At the time of his decease he was president of the 
Bar Association of Fairfield County, of the board of 
education, of the Mountain Grove Cemetery, of the 
Bridgejiort Library Association, and was also an 
active director in the City National Bank, and trastee 
of the Peo]>le's Savings-Bank. 

He manifested a decided interest in religiotts mat- 
ters; was president of the stockholders' association 
for the erection of the ])resent edifice of the First 
Congregational Society from 1849 to about 1860, when 
its interests became merged in and absorbed by the 
society, of which he was also a member and liberal 
supporter. He was a constant attendant upon public 
worship. 

In 1833 he united in marriage with Miss Eliza 
Mitchell, of New Haven, who, together with their 
young son, died in 1841. In 1844 he married Mary 
B., daughter of Ira Sherman, Esq. ; their family con- 
sisted of two children, — a son and a daughter, — both 
deceased, the former while a member of the senior 
class in Yale College, and the latter in early childhood. 

Politically, Mr. Loomis was a conservative Demo- 
crat, and in 1861 and again in 1862 was the candidate 
of his party for Governor of the State against Mr. 
William A. Buckingham. Though he failed of gu- 
bernatorial lionors at this ])eriod, during his long 
career almost any position, political or judicial, would 
seem to have been within, his reach ; but he was never 
sufficiently ambitious to strive very earnestly for such 
honors, or to accept them when proffered. 

His death made a painful void in his home, in the 
family and social circle, in the church and society to 
which he was attached, in the legal profcs-sion, and in 
numerous boards in which lie presided or partici- 
pated. He died at South Egremont, Mass., Sept. 
16, 1877. 

Amo.s Sherm.\x Treat was born in the town of 
Bridgewater, Litchfield Co.. Conn., Feb. 5, 1816. He 
is a son of Daniel A. and Almira Sherman Treat, and 
is a lineal descendant of Richard Treat, one of the pat- 
entees in the colonial charter, and of his son Robert 
Treat, for many years Grovcrnor of Connecticut. On 
the maternal side he is descended from Samuel Sher- 
nuin, one of the pioneers of Connecticut. His father 
owned a small farm in Bridgewater, and died when 
the subject of this sketch was twelve years of age, 
leaving a widow and five children. Having decided 
upon a collegiate course, he prepared for college in 
Huilson, Ohio, and entered Yale College. After 
leaving college he taught school in South Carolina, 
and still biter in New Jersey. He commenced the 
study of the law with Hon. Jacob W. Miller, of Mor- 
ristown, N. J., at one time I'nitcd States Senator from 
that State, anil completed his studies with C. R. But- 
ler, Esq., of Plymouth, Conn. He was admitted to 
the bar in Litchfield in 1843, and commenced the 
practice of his prjfession in Newtown, Conn., where 




^''■ 



^. o^ 



BENCH AND BAR. 



17 



he remained until July 12, \><'A, wlien he reuiove<l to 
Bridgeport, whore he has si nee resided, exeept I'roni 
Mav, 1870, to November, 1875, when he lived in Wood- 
hridjre, in this State. Althotigh aetively engaged m 
the praetiee of an arducius profession, Mr. Treat has 
been mueh in i)ublie life, and ha.s manifested a gen- 
uine interest in public affairs and in all projects tend- 
ing to advance the material interests of his adopted 
city and the county in general. 

He was clerk of the Fairfield ('ounty Court from 
1854 to 1850; member ijf the Peace Congress in ]8(!1 ; 
represented Bridgeport in the Connecticut Legislature 
in 1858, 18(52, 181)9, and 18711 ; aiul Woodbridge in the 
same body in 1871, 1872, and 1873. 

He was Si)eaker of the House in 1872, chosen to 
that position by the Eei)ubliean party, of which he 
has been a member since its organization. He was a 
director in the Bridgeport and City National Banks; 
director in the (Jas-Light Company many years ; and 
its president for ten years. While a resident of New- 
town he w;ls a member of the board of education sev- 
eral years, and postmaster one year. 

In the ^lasonic fraternity Mr. Treat has taken a 
prominent ])osition. He was made a Mason in 1855, 
and has held nearly all the offices of the lodge, in- 
cluding Master. He ha.s also held nearly all the offices 
in Hamilton Commandery, and has been its Eminent 
Commander, and was Grand Commander of the State 
Connnandery in 18G8 and 18(50. 

Dec. 15, 18(»i), he united in marriage with Mary A., 
only daughter of Treat Clark, of Woodbridge, Conn., 
and they have one daughter, Mary Clark, born .Jan. 
28, 1872. Mr. Treat attends the North Congregational 
Church. 

Jo.sEi'H F. Foot has practiced law in Norwalk 
more than a quarter of a century, and has always 
been considered an excellent legal adviser. He was 
for several years one of the justices of Fairfield 
County. 

The following list of Stamford lawyers is taken 
chiefly from Huntington's " History of Stamford" : 

John Davenport, the first child of Hon. Al)ra- 
ham and Elizabeth (Huntington) Davenport, was 
born in Stamford, .Ian. 1(5, 1752. He graduated at 
Yale in 1770. His scholarship is indicated in his 
appointment to a tutorshii) in 1773. Entering on the 
legal profession, he was soon called to take an im- 
portant place among the Revolutionary patriots of 
that day. With a major's commission he was cm- 
ployed in commissary dejiartnu-nt, and his duties here 
were often onerous and ilifficult. When the patriot 
cause was suffering for the want of a suital>le public 
interest in the welfare of the new nation just ordained 
by the Declaration of Independence, he was appointed 
by the Assembly of the State as one of a commission 
to visit the principal towns and arouse the peoj)le to 
a just sense of their dangers and move them to cor- 
responding exertions. On the death of his brother 
James, in 1799, he was chosen to take his place in tl'.e 



national Congress, and h<'ld bis seat in the Hoikc of 
Representatives until 1S17, wlicn he declined a re- 
election. He was a nienilier of tlie Congregational 
Church in Stamford, of which he was apiiointed dea- 
con in 1795. This was the office in which his emi- 
uent goodness was best shown. He was, to his death, 
an example of earnest, living inety, whose fruits were 
ever manifest in the character of a benevolent, fer- 
vent, and exemplary Ciiristian. His death oci'iu-red 
Nov. 28, 1830. 

•loEi. T. Benedict, son of Rev. Mr. Benedict, of 
North Stamford, after a short practice of his legal 
profession became a preat'her. 

jAJtEs Stevens was the youngest child of David 
and Mary (Talmage) Stevens, and was born July 4, 
17(58, in that part of Stamf<.)rd — Ponus Street^ — which 
has since been incorporated with the town of New- 
Canaan. He liecanie a lawyer and opened an office 
in his mitivc town, in the village of Stamford. He 
was a man of considerable native talent, and, joining 
heartily in the Democratic movement, then inaugu- 
rated, he won his way to a seat in the HoiLse of Repre- 
sentatives of our national Congress. He was in that 
famous Congress which pa.ssed the "Missouri Com- 
promise," and gave his vote for that measure. He 
represented Stamford thirteen times in the State Leg- 
islature, and was much in public life until his death, 
which took place April 4, 1S35. A brief obituary of 
him in the Sentinel of that date says, " ]Mr. Stevens 
has been extensively known as a kind neighbor and 
friend, as a politician of sterling integrity, and as an 
inflexible advocate of Democratic princii)les. He has 
represented this town in Itoth branches of the Legis- 
lature of this State ; was f(jr some time a judge of the 
County Court; has been a reijresentative from this 
State in the Congress of the LTnited States." 

Simeon H. SIinoh was son of , of Wood- 
bury, where he was born, in 1777. He was descended 
from that Thomas iMinor who was born at Chew 
Magna, England, April 23, 1(508; came to New Eng- 
land in 1G30, and settled in New London in 1(545, 
where he died in 1090. He was a j)rotninent man 
among the settlers in Eastern Connecticut. His 
family name dates back to about the middle of the 
fourteenth century, when the third Edward bestowed 
it upon Henry the Miner, of Jlendippe Hills, Somer- 
setshire, England, for his prompt efficiency in furnish- 
ing him an escort as he embarked on that famous 
invasion of France in which he won the liattle of 
Crecy against so great odds. 

John Minor, third son of John, of New London, 
w.as born in 1(534 (so Cothren, in his " Hi.story of 
Woodbury," says), went to Stratford, and tlu-nc'c to 
Woodbury, and was a leading nuui for years. Simeon 
H., of Stamford, was prol>ably a great-great-grand- 
son of this second John. On being admitted to the 
bar, he settled in Stamford in 1831, and spent here 
the rest of his life. He rapidly won a high ]>osition 
at the Fairfield County bar, of which he was a promi- 



18 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



nent member until his death, Aug. 2, 1840. The 
iS'lam/nrd Advocate of tlie same week pay-s a hi<^h 
tribute to Ills i>rofos.sionnl al)ility: "Possessed of a 
strong mind and sound legal judgment, no member 
of the bar commanded a greater share of practice, 
until his health began to fail him, than he. For 
fourteen years he discharged the office of State's at- 
torney." He represented the town in six sessions of 
the Legislature, and was judge of Probate several 
years. In tlie discharge of all official duties he was 
prompt and efficient. 

FrederickScofield, son of Benjamin and brother 
of .ScUeck Scoficid, was born Aug. 13, 1778. He 
graduated at Yale in 1801, and entered the legal pro- 
fession, and for a few years had an office here. He 
subsequently became a teacher in Philadelphia, where 
he died in 1841. 

Joseph Wood was a descendant, in the sixth gen- 
eration, of Jona.s Wood, one of the pioneers of the 
settlement in Stamford. Joseph Wood, second, a 
great-grandson of the pioneer, removed from Hemp- 
.stcd to Stanwich, where Joseph was born, March 24, 
1779. His father, David, son of the al)ove Joseph, 
second, was among the respectable farmers of Stan- 
wich, a man of intelligence and piety. His mother, 
Sarah Ingersoll, was noted for her cheerful and amia- 
ble disposition. Brought up on his father's farm, he 
acquired hiibits of industry, and, being of an inquisi- 
tive turn of mind, be commenced in his seventeenth 
year fitting for college. He graduated at Yale in 
1801, and devoted him.«elf to the legal profession. 
His law-teaeher was Judge Chauncey, of New Haven. 
He was admitted to the bar of New Haven, when he 
selected Stamford as the field for commencing his 
professional career. Here he opened an office in 180:i, 
where he continued to practice until 182it. During 
his stay here he was held in esteem as a good citizen 
and honorable in his profession. He represented the 
town in the State Legislature, and was judge of Pro- 
bate several years. 

In 1820, Mr. AVood removed to Bridgeport, tlicnce 
to New York City in 18.37, and from this city, in 
1841, to New Haven, where he spent the remainder 
of his life. Here he stoo<l among the first citizens of 
the cbi-ssic city in intelligence and social worth. 
After his removal to New Haven lie was appointed 
judge of the County C<mrt, in which office be showed 
eminent qualities as jurist. His .stern and sterling 
integrity never forsook him here. He was still later 
chosen to the office of city clerk. His titstes were 
especially liferarj-. While in New York he had 
edited an agricultural periodical. He had also gath- 
ered largely the materials for a memoir of his father- 
in-law, but never published it. He died Nov. 1.3, 
186<5, during a session of the literary cbib at the 
reaideiice of Rev. Pres. Day, just after an interesting 
discussion in which be had taken part. 

Bf.sja.mix T. Sheltox is reported as a practicing 
lawyer here in 1812. 



Charles Havley wsls born .Tune 15, 1702, in 
what is now the town of Monroe, formerly Hunting- 
ton, and still earlier Stratford. His ancestors were 
among tlie early settlers of that old town, and both 
on his father's and mother's side they were among 
the most respectable and honored of the settlers. 
Joseph Hawley, the progenitor of the family in this 
country, came to Stratford, proliably with the i)io- 
iiccrs of the town, and for many years was a leading 
man in the new colony. He rei)rescutcd the town 
several times in the State General Assembly. In bis 
will in 1689 he gives to his son Samuel all his " build- 
ings and lands in Parwidge, Derbyshire, in old Kng- 
land," indicating thus, no doubt, the early English 
locality of the family. On his mother's side Mr. 
Hawley was descended from William Curtiss, another 
of the prominent settlers of Stratford. He also num- 
bered among his Stratford ancestors Henry de Forest, 
who fled from France on the Revocation of the Edict 
of Nantes, in 1G'», and Richard Booth, the ancestor 
of another honored line. Thus Mr. Hawley is found 
to belong to the best names of which our country can 
boast. From a record of his ancestors, gathered by 
him with much pains and care, we learn the following 
facts: His great -great-grandmother, Bethia Booth, 
was born in 1658, and lived until 1759. At the time 
of her death, her grandson, Milton Hawley, the 
grandfatlicr of Charles, was twenty-four years of age ; 
and at the date of his death, in 1819, Charles was 
twenty-si -x. Thus it was made possible for Mr. 
Hawley, in 1865, to report from the lips of his grand- 
father the story which he had learned from the lips 
of his grandmother of events coming under her per- 
sonal observation as far back as 1605. Po.s-sibly so 
rare an opjiortunity of learning the family story may 
account for one of the most marked characteristics of 
Mr. Hawley's later years, — his strong family aflection. 

Mr. Hawley graduated at Yale College in 1816, 
and entered on the study of law in the Litchfield 
Law School. On being admitted to the bar, he es- 
tablished himself in Stamford in 1819. From the first 
his diligence in business and his zeal in working won 
the confidence of the public. That he might fit him- 
self locally for his profession, be made himself early 
familiar with the records and traditions of the town, 
and even became so much interested in tlie.se glean- 
ings for professional use as to form a plan of the his- 
tory of the town. But he rose so ra]>idly in bis jiro- 
fession tliat he found hini.sclf obliged to abandon this 
attempt ; and so the opportunity of preserving mueli 
of the material for such a history which then existcil 
was forever lost to the town. 

Giving himself wholly to his professional work, he 
soon jdaced himself among the first juri.sts of the 
State. From the very beginning of his professional 
career he was thorough, exact, and exhaustive in 
whatever cause he undertook. His sense of right 
and justice was as keen as his discriminations of 
falsehood and truth, and this made him one of the 




^PV<,.(A-<i^^^-^^fr:'<^jC^ 




A./.... ^j- >^-^.^. 



BENCH AND BAR. 



19 



most persistent and inexorable of ailvoeates. A cause 
accejitecl liy him became a bond on liis conscience, and 
lie could do no less than his best in its mana.^enient. 
He was never a iiolitician, yet few men of the age hud 
more carefully studied the whole science of govern- 
ment. Without seeking or wishing ofiice, he rep- 
resented his adopted town in seven sessions of the 
State Legislature, and once represented his senatorial 
district in the State Senate. Once, also, he served 
the State as its lieutenant-governor. But his tastes 
and aims were pre-eminently professional, and his 
success and reward, both iu |)rofessional cmineuee 
and in substantial wealth, were very great. His es- 
tate was one of the largest ever gathered in the town, 
and it was as solid as it was large. 

Of Mr. Hawley's fine literary tastes almost every 
plea he made for the last half of liis professional ca- 
reer, and indeed his most ordinary conversation on 
ordinary topics, gave most abundant proofs. His lan- 
guage was exceedingly terse and exact, rising often, 
under the glow of earnest feeling, to a high degree of 
strong and fervid eloquence. In his religious cx])e- 
rience Mr. Hawley's record is peculiarly one of the 
conscience and heart. Educated early in the faith of 
the Congregational Clinrch, to the day of his death 
he accepted and cordially endorsed that faith. With- 
out ever making a public i)rofession of religion, few 
men have given better evidence of the control of re- 
ligious principles, and both his lips and his life mod- 
estly yet unequivocally assured those who knew him 
best that his was the faith of Jesus. 

Mr. Hawley was married Jan. 2S, 1821, by the Rev. 
Jonathan Judd, rector of St. John's Church, in Stam- 
ford, to Mary S., daughter of David Holly, Esq., of 
Stamford. 

Alfeed a. Holly, son of J(din William and Ke- 
beeca (Welles) Holly, of Stamford, graduated at 
Union College in 1818 ; was admitted to the bar, and 
began practice here. He soon left the profession, and 
since then has been connected with the Stamford and 
savings-banks of the town. 

JOHS BissEL was a student of law in the office of 
Charles Hawley, and, after being admitted to the bar, 
opened an office here, liut soon went to New York City. 

Hox. Teumas SjriTir, formerly United States sen- 
ator, is also a resident of Stamford. When in prac- 
tice he ranked among the sound and able lawyers of 
the Connecticut bar. 

JosHu.i Be.vl Ferris, son of Joshua and Letitia 
(Lock wood) Ferris, was born in Oreenwich, Conn., 
Jan. 1.3, 1S04. The name Ferris is from Leice.ster- 
shire, England, from Henry, son of Gualchelme de 
Feriers, house of Feriers, to whom William the Con- 
queror gave large grants of land in the three shires of 
Stafford, Derby, and Leicester. Thus the ancestry of 
Mr. Ferris is traced back through Jeffrey Ferris 
(spelled Firries in old records of Stamford) from 
America to England and to France. 

Jeffrev Ferris, who w'as made freeman in Boston in 



M'li)'), came with the first settlers, hcljicd pay for the 
first survey, and received ten acres of the first allot- 
nieiit of land. Savage says he was from Watcrtown, 
JIass., going from there to Wethersficld, thence with 
the first colony to this section. He was one of the 
eleven Greenwich men who petitioned to be accepted 
under the New Haven jurisdiction. He lived there- 
after in Greenwich, and died in KKiG. 

During the many years the ancestors of Mr. Ferris 
have resided in Greenwich, they have been agricul- 
turists, well-to-do, not rich, and in his early years Mr. 
Ferris attended the common schocds, but while still 
young was jjlaced under the tutelage of and prei)ared 
for c<dlege by Eev. Daniel Smith, of Stamford (who 
was jia.stor of the Congregational church for more 
than forty years), and entered Yale College in 1819, 
graduating there in 1823. Immediately thereafter 
Mr. Ferris began teaching a preparatory school for 
boys in Stamford, at the same time devoting every 
hour he could give to the reading of law, on which 
his mind constantly dwelt. He continued teaching 
until 1833, but w.as admitted to the bar in 1829. He 
s]ient some time in Hon. C'harles Hawley's office as 
clerk of Proljate for Mr. Hawley, wdio was Probate 
judge. In 1833, Mr. Ferris opened an office as a law- 
yer, and has been in active practice since. About 
1870, Mr. Ferris admitted Calvin G. Child, and after- 
wards Samuel Fessenden, into partnership. Jlr. Child, 
in 1875, opened an office for himself, and the firm Las 
since been " Ferris & Fessenden." 

Jlr. Ferris married, in 1823, Sally H., daughter of 
William B. Peters, Esq., whose father was the cele- 
brated Rev. Dr. Peters, of Hebron, Conn. She wa-s 
born in Stamford. Their children have been : Harriet 
(deceased), Samuel J. (lost at sea), Isadore W., Joshua 
B. (who was drowned), Elizabeth J. (who married 
William R. Fosdick, of Stamford), Mary L. (who 
married Rev. E. O. Flagg, of New York), Samuel P. 
(now a major in the United States army), and Henry 
.1. (now residing in New York). 

Mr. Ferris represented Stamford in the State Legis- 
lature in 1836-38, and was a member of the State Sen- 
ate during 1840-41 and 1849-50. He was a|ii)ointcd 
judge of Probate (to succeed Hon. Charles Hawley) 
by the General Assembly in 1838, and held that office 
many years. He was also State's attorney for several 
years. His politics, in early life, were in accord with 
the Whig party. Since the organization of the Re- 
publican ]iarty he has given that his sn))port. 

From the beginning of his practice, Mr. Ferris has 
taken rank with the ablest lawyers of his age in the 
county. His client's interests have always been his 
own, and he has shown great slirewdness in the man- 
agement of liis ca.ses, and care in preparing the minute 
details on which success so often depends. As a coun- 
selor he is careful, far-seeing, an<l safe. His courteous 
demeanor and unaffected politeness render his com- 
panionship pleasing, and have tended to win him 
many I'riends. He has been engaged iu many difficult 



20 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTi', CONNECTICUT. 



and labiirious i-a.sc.s in the highest cDurt-s of the State, 
and hm a reputation for integrity, fidelity to the inter- 
ests of liis clients, indefatigable labor, and legal acu- 
men second to no other lawyer in this section of the j 
State. Many interesting and important cases in which 
lie has participated might be cited had we sjiace, and , 
did it comport with the wishes of Mr. Ferris to pub- 
lish them. I 

Wii, 1,1AM Thomas Mixok, LL.D., the second son 
of Simeon H., of this town, graduated at Yale in 18,34, ; 
and studied law with his father. After being admit- , 
ted to the bar he commenced practice in his native j 
town, where he has continued to reside. He has 
always been ])oi)ular at home, and his townsmen from 
the first have looked to him as a leader for them in all 
local movements for the prosperity of the town. He 
has represented the town in the State Legislature 
seven times, and once his district in the State Senate. 
In 1855 he was chosen Governor of Connecticut, and 
re-elected the next year. He received in 1855 the hon- 
orary degree of LL.l). from the Wesleyan University 
at Middletown. In 18r>4 he was appointed by Presi- 
dent Lincoln consul-general to Havana, which office 
he resigned in 1867. On returning to his native town 
lie was chosen to represent the town in the State Legis- 
lature, and by the Legislature he was appointed judge i 
of the Superior Court of the State. | 

Hkxry a. Mitchell, of New Canaan, was here 
in 1S42 and 1843. I 

James H. Olm.itead was born in Ridgefield, 
Conn., Nov. 24, 1830. He was educated at the dis- 
trict schools of his native town and Ridgefield Acad- 
emy. He subsequently taught school in Tarrytown, 
N. Y., and other places, and finally, having decided 
upon the legal profession as a life-work, went to 
Stamford and commenced his studies in the office of 
the late Charles Hawley. He continued his studies 
with diligence and attention, and in October, 1854, 
was admitted to the bar, and began practice in his 
adopteil town of Stamford, where he has since resided. 
He entered into the practice with vigor and persis- 
tency, and soon took a prominent i)osition at the Fair- 
fielil bar. He was appointed State's attorney in 1S74; 
wa.s reappointed, and again received the aiipointmcnt, 
but realigned the office July 1, 1880. He was judge of 
Probate five years, and member of the Legislature in 
1874. During his official career as State's attorney he 
prosecuted ten trials for nnirder, the first being tliat 
of James Lnttin, and the last the celebrated liiiekholz 
ca.He. He discharged his official duties fearlessly, and, 
in the language of a j>resent judge of the Superior 
Court, " wa-s one of the most vigorous prosecutors in 
the State." 

Oct. 2, 1854, he united in marriage with Adelaide 
F., daughter of the late Col. Lorenzo Meeker, and 
their family has consisted of eight children, four of 
whom are living, — viz., Cora Montgomery Meeker, 
Irving, Fanny, and Mary. 

Fhaxcis M. Hawley. son of the Hon. Charles, a 



native of Stamford, graduated at Trinity College, 
studied law with his father, was admitted to the bar 
in 1864, and opened here a law-office. 

Julius B. Curtis was born at Newtown, Conn., 
Dee. 10, 1825. He was the only son of Nichola.s and 
Sar.ih A. (Bennett) Curtis, and is a lineal descendant 
of William Curtis, one of the first settlers of Stratford, 
Conn. (The birthplace of Mr. Curtis is erroneously 
given in Huntington's "History of Stamford" a- 
being at Stamford. ) 

Mr. Curtis received his early education at the public 
schools of his native town, supplemented by one year's 
attendance at the Newtown Academy and at a private 
school of academic character. But his education was 
largely obtained by studying alone without the aid of 
a teacher. 

He commenced the study of law with Hon. Edward 
Hinman, of Southbury, Conn., in the .summer of 1846, 
and afterwards continued his legal readings under 
Isaac M. Sturges, Esq., then of Newtown, and Hon. 
Amos S. Treat, completing his studies at the law 
school at Ballston Springs, Saratoga Co., N. Y., in the 
summer of 1850, and was admitted to the bar at Fair- 
field, Conn., at the sc.ssion of County Court held in 
December, 1850. 

Mr. Curtis commenced the practice of his profession 
at Greenwich, Conn., in the summer of 1851, and soon 
took high rank and established a fine jiractice. He 
wits elected in 1858 and re-elected in 1S60 as senator, 
to represent the Twelfth Senatorial District in the 
General Assembly of the State. He removed to Stam- 
ford in the fall of 1864 and opened an office for the 
practice of law. 

In 1867, Mr. Curtis wits elected judge of the court 
of Probate for the district of Stamford, and held the 
office by successive yearly elections until 1870. His 
practice as a lawyer is extensive. In his jirofession 
he is esteemed as acute, painstaking, and diligent; of 
perfect rectitude, one can intrust business to him 
without fear that his trust is misjilaeed. As a law- 
yer he is logical and argumentative, rests his case 
upon the law, and his jiresentation of it is apt to dis- 
cover any technical defect in an opiionent's case. 

In polities he has ever been a pronounced Free- 
Soiler; voted for Martin Van Buren and Charles 
Francis Adams in 1848. Previously he was a Whig, 
and a Republican from the first nominations of that 
])arty. 

Mr. Curtis married JIary Acker, daughter of Peter 
and Mary Acker, of Greenwich, Oct. 30, 18.54. Their 
two children are Sarah, born March 9, 1866, and Louis 
J., born March 11, 1869. 

Mr. Curtis is of positive character, imlependent 
thought, and close reitsoning powers, — does not 
blindly follow the lead of any one, but must satisfy 
himself that his course is right. He is strong and loyal 
in liis friendships, and would stand alone, if occasion 
demanded, to defend either a friend or a principle, and, 
in consequence, has to a large degree the respect and 




' ,y 




r 






BENCH AND BAR. 



21 



confidence of the community. He is jire-eiiiincntly 
the enemy of sliams, wherever they exist, and nothing 
will sooner disgust him than hy])ocrisy, ])revaneation, 
or untruth. He has heen a diligent and i)ersistent 
worker in his chosen sphere, and lias met with good 
reward tinaneially and otherwise. 

Calvin G. Child, son of Asa Child, Esq., a native 
of Norwich, Conn., graduated at Yale in 1S55, and 
practiced law in New York until ISGfi, when he re- 
moved to this place. He died 8ept. 2S, ISXO. 

Samuel Ff.ssexdex, the present folate's attorney, 
is also a resident of Stamford. 

Judge Oeorge A. Davexpoet is of English de- 
scent, which may be traced through a long line ot 
ancestry, reaching back, according to the "Daven- 
])(irt (!eneah>gy" of Mr. A. B. Benedict, to the eleventh 
century. He was horn in Wilton, Fairfield Co., 
Conn., Jan. 31, 1808. His father was a manufac- 
turer of woolen fabrics in a small way, carrying on 
fanning at the same time. His eilueational advan- 
tages were both common school and academic. At 
the conclusion of his studies he entered the profession 
of the law. Of his career as Probate judge, however, 
we wish more particularly to write, and we think wc 
cannot do better than to quote entire an article ap- 
pearing in the Nonrnik Gazette, Jan. 8, 1878, upon 
tlie retirement of the judge from the office wliicli for 
nearly thirty years he had filled so creditably : 

" During the present month Judge George A. Dav- 
enport, who for a quarter of a century has adminis- 
tered the duties of the Orphans' Court of the district 
of Norwalk, will retire from further service by reason 
of the constitutional limitation of age. This is no 
trivial event in our local history. Few, if any. Pro- 
bate districts in the country have been so highly 
favored with such exceptional capacity and fidelity 
to jiublic trust, and we are sure that the regrets at 
Judge Davenport's retirement will be lioth universal 
and sincere. Differing as widely as the jioles with 
him in many things, we all the more gladly bespeak 
the district's obligations and gratitude with the most 
hearty unreserve. Both parties have uniformly voted 
for him as the best possible candidate that could be 
chosen for the trying and responsible duties of Pro- 
bate judge. The angry disputes he has ((uellcd 
among those once friends, the jealousies and heart- 
burnings among members of the same families he has 
removed, the expensive lawsuits and vexatious litiga- 
tions he has prevented by his own free and sound 
advice, — all are matters of consi)icuous local his- 
tory. Of all the wills he has drawn, settlements 
and decisions he has made, not one has ever 
been upset or reversed. His records arc models of 
clerkly beauty and neatness, and marvels of legal 
accuracy. 

" We trust we shall not yet lose tlie wisdom of his 
ripe exjierience and counsels, or the light of his pres- 
ence among us for many years to come. Though re- 
lieved from official responsibility and drudgeries, he 



may yet serve his generation in many important ways, 
and he will not fail to do so. 

" On the 31st of January, 1878, Judge Davenport 
reachctl his seventieth year, and was by legal limita- 
tion debarred from holding the office of judge of Pro- 
bate." 

Judge Davenport was married early in life to Miss 
Mary Sturges, of Wilton, Fairfield Co., Conn. Their 
children are Mary A., wife of Charles B. White, 
surgeon in the United States army ; Julia A. ; Ben- 
jamin, a graduate of the law school of the University 
(jf (Jeorgetown, D. C, now practicing as an attorney 
and counselor-at-law in the city of Washington ; 
Daniel, graduate of Yale, studied law in the office of 
Woodward & Perry, Norwalk, now attorney and 
counselor-at-law in Bridgeport, married Mary E. 
Jones; Timothy, graduate of Yale, and attended 
New. Haven Law School; and Sarah. 

Isaac Morehouse Sturges was born in Wilton, 
Fairfield Co., Conn., July 6, 1807, and died at his sis- 
ter's residence in that town on the 30th day of Octo- 
ber, 1877. 

Admitted to the bar of Fairfield County in January, 
1837, he at once commenced [iraetice in Newtown, re- 
moving from that place to Bridgeport in 1848, where 
he soon obtained a large clientage and continued in 
the full discharge of his professional duties till the 
last. He had been engaged in the trial of a cause the 
day before his death, and left it unfinished at the close 
of the day, intending to continue the trial on the 
morrow, Init died very suddenly from an attack of 
heart-disease before the morrow came. 

His father, Erastus Sturges, a farmer living at Wil- 
ton, was a justice of the peace of the old school, four- 
teen times elected to the General Assemtily, and a 
member of the Constitutional Convention of 1818; 
before him were tried many eases, and Belts, Bissell, 
and Slierwood, in their inanagemcnt of justice trials, 
furnished the student with examples of legal ability 
and models for emulation, — the only school of instruc- 
tion open to him, for until his admission to the bar 
Mr. Sturges had never lieen present at a higher court. 

Entering the profession somewhat late in life with 
limited educational advantages, being mainly those, 
aside from attendance at district schools in the winter 
mouths, derived from three years' instruction at the 
Wilton Academy, then under the charge of the late 
Mr. Hawley Olmstead, with his opportunity for liter- 
ary culture circumscribed, he neglected nothing, but 
treasured everything of which he could avail himself, 
and brought to the chosen calling of his life a mind 
so matured and trained that he liecame not only an 
acknowledged leader of a bar where leadershi[) carried 
with it deserved recognition of ability, but outside of 
professional studies he was one of the best read of our 
numlier,* and kept himself abreast of all that was 
new in literature and science. He thought earn- 



» Prerarel Ijy the late Hon. Calvin G. Childe, of the Faiifleld bar. 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



estly, talked well, and applied with discrimination 
the thought.s and oi)inions ofotliers. His chief char- 
acteristic was thoroughness. In the technics of the 
profession he had hardly a superior; he elaborated 
every detail sometimes beyond apparent necessity, 
but he always had a precedent for every proposition 
suggested, and, with abiding faith in his own premises, 
he considered it his duty to force a recognition from 
the court by citing numerous authorities of the con- 
dusious which he deemed established. He took 
nothing for granted in the court or in anything else, 
but developed his argument with syllogistic precision 
"Ab ovo uique ad mala." This minuteness of research 
characterized his professional life throughout. It was 
unsafe to disregard his law, for the motion in error 
was sure to follow, urged with dangerous persistency ; 
it was unwise to be heedless of his facts, for each was 
claimed for a fi.ved and special purpose in the Hue of 
his argument ; and as a result of such completeness 
few were emidoyed in as many cases, none was more 
able as a practitioner, and so vigorous was he as an 
adversary that it wa.s unsafe to meet him, with hope 
of success, having a single weak spot in armor, for his 
thrust was unerring with whatever weapon he went to 
battle, and he never asked nor gave quarter. 

One eminent in our profession has called Judge 
Hosmcr " a traveling index of the law." There was 
no safer digest for Fairfield County than Mr. Sturges, 
for his tenacious memory and diligent research ena- 
bled him to furnish infornuition of some decision oh 
almost every conceivable point, — information v.-hich 
lie was always ready to impart. 

Somewhat of a recluse in his habits, being unmar- 
ried, and living quite by himself in bachelor quarters 
till the liLst few years of his life, when he made his 
home with a sister in Wilton, going to his oflice at 
Bridgeport daily, he acquired a taste for a solitary life 
which at times made him appear unsocial ; but his 
character when sought out and known wjis thoroughly 
cordial and kindly. He seemed to dread the first ap- 
proach to companionship or intimacy, but after the 
frieudship was formed he was loyal to it in word and 
deed. Possessed of a sensitiveness which at times 
almost mastered him, he seemed desirous to appear to 
the world as indifferent to criticism, censure, or praise. 
He aimed to be strictly just, but the equipoise of the 
scales which he prided himself in holding well bal- 
anced was not rarely disturbed by a genial kindli- 
ness which he never admitted he possessed. Without 
being lavish in expenditure or in the lea.st degree os- 
tentatious, he showed in many ways, quietly and with- 
out publicity, a generosity which sprang from a large- 
hearted sympathy and thorough unsclfishnass. His 
ambition centred in his profession. He was, however, 
elected a representative from Wilton in IS.'J", from 
Newtown in 1844, and again from Wilton in 187(5. 
He was judge of Probat* of the district of Newtown 
in 1.H44, auil jiiilf' "f the City Court of Bridgeport in 
ISOO-Cl. 



" The annals of lawyers, like the annals of the poor, 
arc brief and simple. No memorial can keep their 
memories from oblivion, even in the next generation, 
except the brief record of their forensic contests to be 
found in the Connecticut Reports." So wrote Mr. 
Sturges shortly before his death. Surely in that 
record, which shows to a certain extent what the law- 
yer is, few have a more prominent ]dace. 

And thus another psisscs from the brotherhood of 
the profession, — that brotherhood which amidst the 
contentions and emulation of forensic struggles ad- 
mits a generous chivalry in its antagonisms and ends 
contests with the adjournment of court; which re- 
spects rivalry, buries animosity, and recognizes in the 
leadership earned by professional prominence the 
tribute due to i)atient effort in an honorable calling. 

The present bar of Fairfield is as follows: 

Bridgeport— li. C. Ambler, Henry T. Blake, Ste- 
phen S. Blake, Morris B. Beardsley, A. B. Beers, 
John A. Boughton, Ebenezer Burr, Jr., Charles S. 
Canfield, J. C. Chamberlain, Daniel Davenport, R. 

E. De Forest, Charles A. Dotcn, Theo. W. Downs, V. 
R. C. Giddings, F. B. Hall, David F. Hollister, F. 
L. Holt, Francis Ives, .1. A. Joyce, F. G. Lewis, D. 

B. Lockwood, Michael McGuinnes.s, L. N. Middle- 
brook, Dwight Morris, William H. Noble, Frank P. 
Norman, W. E. Norton, Eugene B. Peck, John J. 
Phelan, J. W. Parrott, Henry 8. Sanford, William 
K. Seeley, Morris W. Seymour, William R. Slielton, 
Charles Sherwood, Lucius M. Slade, William H. 
Stevenson, E. Stewart Sumner, Goodwin Stoddard, 
Samuel B. Sumner, A. L. Tallmadge,.Amos S. Treat, 
Curtis Thompson, Morris Tuttle, George W. War- 
ner, Levi Warner, Mark D. Wilbur, William C. Wild- 
man. 

Danbiiry. — Roger Averill, Arthur H. .Vverill, .\.T. 
Bates, David B. Booth, Lyman D. Brewster, AVilliam 
Brooke, J. R. Farnum, B. A. Hough, Howard B. 
Scott, Howard W. Taylor, William F. Taylor, O. A. 
G. Todd, Sanuicl Tweedy. 

lirookfithl. — Samuel Sherman. 

Eagton. — Charles R. Dudley. 

Fairfield (Southport). — Charles H. Oilman and 
John H. Perry. 

Greenwich. — H. W. R. Hoyt, Myron L. Mason, 
Frederick O. Hubbard, R. Jay Walsh. 

A'cwtowii (Sandy Hook). — James A. Wilson. 

A'orwatt. — .Vlfred E. .Vustin, H. H. Barbour, Joseph 

F. Foote, J. B. Hurlbutt, John E. Keeler, John H. 
Perry, F. W. Perry, Albert Relyea, John S. Seymour, 
William R. Smith, Levi Warner, Asa B. Woodward, 
Joseph W.Wilson (South Norwalk), Nelson Taylor, 
Nelson Taylor, Jr. 

Stamford. — Samuel H. Cohen, Julius B. Curtis, 
Joshua B. Ferris, Samuel Fessenden, Nathaniel R. 
Hart, Micliael Kenealy, Edwin L. Scofield, William 

C. Strobridge, Jr. 
Stratford.— X . R. C. Giddings. 
TrumbuU.—Ji. C. Hunter. 



WILLIAM F. TAYLOR. 



\Vm. F. Taylor was Lorn in Anifiista, Ga., Oct. 27, 
1823. His father, Francis C. Taylor, for many years a 
merchant of that city, was a direct descendant of Thomas 
Taylor, oneof the first .settler.s and patentees of Danbiiry. 
His mother, Hannah N. Cliurch Taylor, was a native of 
the city of Dublin, Ireland, from which place, at the ai^e 
of one year, she emigrated to tlie city of Baltimore, Md., 
where resided her relatives, the Pattersons, one of which 
family afterwards married Jerome Bonajiarte. Mrs. 
Taylor and her mother's family afterwards reinoved to 
the State of Georgia, where they owned largo tracts of 
land granted to them by the English government. 

"William F. Taylor removed to Danbury at about the 
age of eight, wherelie 
attended school, pur- 
.'^iiing all the English 
and classical studies, 
until about sixteen 
years old, when he 
began the study "f 
law in the office of 
Fish & Bridgeman, 
in the city of New 
York. Returning to 
Danbury in the year 
1841, he entered the 
sophomore class of 
Trinity, then Wash- 
ington College, Hart- 
ford, from which he 
graduated, taking one 
of the first honors uf 
his class. 

On leaving college 
he read law in the 
ofBce of the late Gov. 
Charles Hawley, at 
Stamford, for one 
year, leaving this 
office to enter that of 
the late Hon. S. H. 
Hickok, of Danbury, 
at the request of the 
latter-named gentle- 
man. He remained 
here but a few months, 
being obliged to suspend his studies frtun jirostration 
caused by severe hemorrhage of the luug>, afterwards 
finishing his prei)aration for the jirofcssion of llie law 
under the instruction of the late Hon. Echvanl Taylor, 
then judgeof Fairfield County. He was ailuiitted to llje 
bar in August, 184ti. 

Owing to the death of the late Hon. S. H. Hickok, 
which occurred about this time, Mr. Taylor, from his 
connection with liim, succeeded to nearly the whole of 
his practice, jumping, as it were, immediately into merfias 
res, and from that moment his law business lias been 
very great, extending into various other and sometimes 
distant States, and from the most inferior courts to the 
Su]ireiiie Court of the United States. 

In 1848, Mr. Taylor received the degree of Master of 




Arts from Trinity College. Tn IS.'JO he was appointed 
State's attorney of Fairfield County, which oiSce he 
held for a period of three years. Tn 18.')2 he was elected 
Democratic Presidential elector for the Fourth District 
of Connecticut, voting for Peirce and King. He was 
elected DemocraticStatesenator for the Eleventh District 
of Connecticut, which was the only senatorial district 
that gave a majority for the Democracy ut that election. 
In 1865 he received the Democratic nomination for 
Congress in the Fourth District, and, although defeated, 
ran some hundreds ahead of his ticket. Mr. Taylor has 
also been elected at various times treasurer of the town 
of Danbury, including school visitor, and fi>r the past 

four years has been 
president of the board 
of education of that 
town. 

He has also at vari- 
ous times been en- 
gaged in diflerent 
public enterprises, 
and to hi.s efforts, 
almost solely, the 
Pahquioque National 
Bank owes its origin, 
and for the most of 
the time since its cor- 
jioration he has been 
one of its directors 
and rendered it most 
valuable aid. lie 
aided greatly in the 
creation of the Union 
Savings-BankofDan- 
liury, and is a charter 
member of the same. 
On the 16th of Sep- 
tember, 1S.56, Mr. 
Taylor was married to 
Miss Isabella Meeker, 
of Danburj-. Their 
children are three in 
number, one son and 
two daughters. The 
sou, a young man (if 
much promise, is a 
member of the bar of Fairfield County, and is practicing 
law with his father. 

Mr. Taylor is an Epi-scopalian, but attends regularly 
with his wife and family, a portion of every Sunday, 
tlie Congregational church, of which she is a member. 
He is of a strong vital tem]ierament, like that of his 
father's family. His ancestor Thomas Taylor was the 
father of eight children whose aggregate ages amounted 
to eight hundred and fifty-eight, two or three nf them 
attaining to over one hundred years each. From this 
family was descended the late Dr. Nathaniel Taylor of 
the Yale Theological School, the father of the wife of 
President Porter of Vale College, also President Seely 
of Amherst College. P. T. IJarnuni is also one of the 
descendants. 




MEDICAL HISTORY. 



TIt'si'7><»-/.— EdmuiKl JI. Locs, Ea\v;ird J. Taylor 
(Gi-eeu's Farm), Albert Relyca. 

Wiltan. — George A. Diivenport (Cauiioii's Station), 
J. Beldeii Hurll.utt. 

The senior members of the bar of this eoiirity have 
many of them made up their records ; tliose still left 
are soon to follow, and the juniors are to assume their 
]daces at the bar and on the bench ; to them will soon 
be committed these great responsible trusts. The 
perpetuity of our free institutions is committed to the 
guardianship and keeping of the bar and judiciary of 
our free country, for the history of the world teaches, 
and all free governments illustrate, this truth, — treat 
the subject lightly as you will, — that to the jirolessiou 
of tlic law civil government is indebted for all the ^ 
safeguards and intrenchments with which the liber- 
ties of the people are protected ; that legislation is 
shaped, constitutions enlarged, amended, and adojited 
by the enlightened administration of the statesmen, 
both of England and the United States, who have 
been in both, and are in all free governments, edu- 
cated for the bar, and, ascending by the inherent force j 
of their disciplined professional life, they become the 
directors of the destinies of states and nations. 

3Iilitary chieftains may spring into jiower ; tyrants 
may for the hour dazzle, with the glamour of nulitary 
parade and the pomp of war, an oppressed and fren- 
zied people ; but they turn, as the cannonade dies 
away, to the statesmanship of the country, and call to 
the parliaments and congressional halls for final de- 
bate the arbitraments of the liberties of the people. 

From the days of King John to the jireseut hour 
the bar and the bench have furnished the statesmen 
who have erected the bulwarks of constitutional law, 
and extorted from tyrants the Magna Chartas which 
have secured to the oppressed the guarantees of free 
institutions. 

Imbued with the historical traditions of their jire- 
decessors, and tracing tlie paths they have trod, emu- 
lating their good example, it should become more and 
more the resolute purpose of the Fairfield County bar 
to so walk in the light of their i^rofessional teachings 
that when they are called to follow them to that 
ui)per court, and file their judgment-roll of the great 
trial of life with that .Supreme Judge from whose bar 
they can take no appeal, — ■ 

"Thou go not like tlio quarry-slave at night 
Scourged to his dungeon ; but, sustaineil ami sootlicd 
By an unfaltering trust, ai'proach thy grave 
Like one who wraps the drapery of his conrh 
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams." 



CHAPTER III. 

MEDICAL HISTORY.*-THE AGHICULTURAL 
SOCIETY. 

MEDICAL HISTORY. 

Tun records of the Fairfield C<mnty Medical 80- 
ciety, as they exist to-day, begin with the year ISij. 
No mention is made in them of any previous date, 
excepting that in 1826 it was " Voted, To pay the 
clerk for advertising medical notice for the last five 
years and a record-book for said society, amounting 
to six dollars and twenty-five cents." But the asso- 
ciations of the several counties in the State were 
formed at a much earlier period. The New Haven 
Medical Society was in existence in 1784 as " The As- 
sociated Facultj' of New Haven." The movement 
which ended in chartering the Connecticut Medical 
Society was initiated by the New Haven society. 
The New London County JMedieal Society was then 
in existence, for a re[>!y from it on the granting 
of a charter for the State society bears date " New 
London, April iO, 1784." 

In Fairfield County, however, no medical society 
existed previous to the chartering of the Connecticut 
Medical Society. (See "Historical Account of the 
Origin of the Connecticut Medical Society," by Henry 
Bronson, 51. P., " Proceedings Connecticut SIcdical 
Society," 1873, p. 199, and "Blakeman's Address," 
185;!.) 

To give importance to the movement and weigiit to 
the apiieal for the charter of the Connecticut society, 
which met with opposition from the State Legislature, 
several distinguished and influential physicians from 
other counties were admitted to membership in the 
New Haven County Society. Among these were 
Amos Mead, of Greenwich, Joseph Trowbridge, of 
I>anbury, and James Clark, of Stratford ("Bronsou's 
Address"). The desired charter was obtained in 
1792, and this year may be regarded as the first of the 
existence of the Fairfield County Medical Society. 

Dr. Rufus Blakeman, of Greenfield, president of 
the Connecticut Medical Society in ]8o3, made the 
subject of his address " The Early Physicians of 
Fairfield County." In this he states that the Fair- 
field County .society united, with a commendable zeal, 
with those of the other counties in an application to 
the Legislature for the charter of the State society. 
Candor and consideration of all the statements found 
compel the assertion rather that several distinguished 
physicians of the county were among the petitioners, 
but not any organized society from this county. Dr. 
C. W. Chamberlain, of Hartford, secretary of the 
State Medical Society, has very kindly furnished a 
copy of the proceedings of the society for the year 
1853, so that, fortunately, we are able to produce the 
interesting address of Dr. Blakeman in full. 

« Contributed bj N. E. Wordin, M.D., of Bridgeport. 



24 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Tlic i)ur])<)se in forming tlicse several societies 
(for tliey mlist in a measnre be considered togetlier) 
was " to adopt sucli measures for the future regula- 
tion of our salutary art as shall effectually support 
and countenance merit and discountenance ignorance 
and presumption," " the encouragement of an accu- 
rate study in the tlicory and practice of physic and 
surgery," "to collect and preserve useful papers rel- 
ative to tlio practice of medicine." It was their 
purpose then, as it is ours now, to keep our great and 
sacred «r.t mcdendi above the plane of an ordinary 
business which advertises and solicits trade, to protect 
and Iielp its own members, and, so far as possible, to 
educate the public and protect them from charlatan- 
ism. They recognized the benefits to be derived from 
association and discussion, the contact of mind with 
mind. Individual inlluence is like the tap of a tack- 
hammer; a united society deals the pouderous blow 
of a sledge. Everything tended to encourage their 
coming together. Consultations could not be very 
frequent ; libraries were small ; there was no medical 
college in tlie State. The first meeting of which we 
have the records was held at the house of Silas Camp, 
in liridgeport, on tlie third ^Monday of April, 1825. 
I can find no trace of the previous records by inquiry 
of the former secretaries. The meetings at that time 
were held annually at dift'erent towns in the county 
indiscriminately, — sometimes at the houses of persons 
who were not members, sometimes at inns. For in- 
stance, in lS2fi they met at the house of Levi Ed- 
wards, Esq., in Monroe ; in 1827 at the house of 
Ephraim Knapp, in Bridgeport (Knapp's Inn); in 
1S.'{() at tlie h(mse of Widow Huklah (iregory, in 
Trumbull. The eastern jiart of the county had the 
greatest number of meetings, and Levi Edwards seems 
to have been the most popular host. Between 1826 
and 1834 they assembled four times with him. From 
182.5 to 1859 the following places were iiivored respec- 
tively with gatherings of these men: Bridgeport, 14; 
Monroe, 6; Greenfield, 4; Fairfield. 3; Weston, 2; 
Xorwalk, 2 ; Danbury, AVestjiort, Redding Ridge, 
and Trumbull, each 1. In 18.59 it was decided that 
the places for meeting should be confined to Danbury, 
Bridgeport, and Xorwalk in order. This plan con- 
tinued until, in 1878, Danbury not being considered 
sufficiently accossiljle, lier name was left out and 
Bridgeport and Xorwalk now divide the honors. 

Xo list of memliers appears until 18-56. A change 
in the manner of choosing delegates or fellows to rep- 
resent them at the State Medical Society rendered 
necessary the making of a list at that time. Hitherto 
these delegates had been chosen or elected by the 
society. In 1856, at the City Hotel, Bridgeport, " Dr. 
Blakennin moved the following: ' lirsolced, That a 
committee of three be appointed to arrange the names 
of members in such order as they may judge proper, 
and that hereafter the names of five present at u 
meeting who stand first in the list be considered 
nominees or fellows in the year 1857 and the five 



subsequent for 1858 ; and so on, proceeding from year 
to year.' " Drs. Xoyes, Blackman, and Hubbard were 
appointed, and they reported the names a-s here ar- 
ranged: David H. Xash, John A. McLean, Joseph 
JI. French, George Blackman, Samuel Sands, Lewis 
Hurlburt, S. P. V. R. Ten Broeck, Moses B. Pardee, 
Frederic Judson, W. B. Nash, Rufus Blakeman, 
(u'orge Dyer, N. D. Haight, E. P. Bennett, David S. 
Burr, Robert Hubbard, James Baldwin, H. L. W. 
Burritt, Ira Gregory, Noah A. Lacey, Samuel S. 
Xoyes, H. N. Bennett, Elijah Middlebrook, Lewis 
Richards, Samuel Lynes, Justus Sherwood, Amos L. 
Williams. The same method of appointing fellows 
is still in vogue. 

The by-laws of the Fairfield County Medical So- 
ciety appear on the records as adopted April 17, 1826. 
As they indicate the sentiment of the men of that 
day, their purpose and their thought, it may be of in- 
terest to our readers to copy them entire. They are 
as follows : 

*' Ist. That no person shall become a member of the Fairfielil Connty 
Medical Society unless he receive two-thirds of the votes of the meeting 
before which he is proposed ; except such as the Law makes members, of 
course. 

" -M. That the Moderator and Clerk be chosen by ballot ; also the Dele- 
gates to the Convention. 

'*3d. That tlicre sliall be three members designated by vote to read dis- 
sertations at the succeeding meeting next after being appointed, and 
being so appointed, and having not declined, shall read a dissertation on 
penalty of one dollar to be forfeited to our Society and collected by the 
Clerk." (This was raised to five dollars in 1870, and in ISTi the by-law 
was repealed in tulo.) 

" 4th. Tlio first business after orgauizins shall be to hear a dissertation 
from one of the tliree appointed for that purpose. 

" olh. No member of this Society shall (but by absolute necessity) meet 
with and consult a practitioner in medicine or surgery unless he is or 
has been a regular member of our Society and been honorably discharged ; 
at any rate, in other respects being equal, a member of our Society shall 
always be preferred. 

"lith. That a Standing Committee of three be appointed annually to 
report upon all crimes and misdemeanors that may be committed by any 
member of this Society against any article contained iti their by-laws, 
and that the Society act upon it as they may deem expedient. 

"Tth. That any member shall have the liberty to file his accusation 
against another member to one or more of the Standing Committee, 
whoso duty it shall be, if two of said Committee think it expedient, 
to Bunimons the delinquent to appear and to notify the accused to meet 
the County Sleeting, where the subject shall be tried and deterniined. 
A copy of said accusation ami notification shall be left with the accused, 
or at his hist usual pl.ace of abode, at least sixty days prior to the trial. 
The accuser shall also make, or cause to bo made, service and return to 
the county of said accusation and notice.* 

" .sth. That any person in our Society who pretends to or uses any nos- 
trum or secret medicine, and refuses to give a receipt in full to any mem- 
ber of this Society when requested, shall be expelled. 

"9th. That when a new Clerk of oiir Society is chosen, it shall be 
the duty of bi:^ predecessor to deliver over to him all the records and 
papers appertaining to said ollico. 

" t'ote((. That the foregoing articles be adopted as a code of by-laws for 
this Society this 17th day of Ai>jil, A.n. 1820. 

"Attest: "John Jvdsox, C7i(nVm«». 

" KL1J.VU MlDDLEBUOOK, Clerks 

The society was in part for the protection of its 
own members. At the meeting in which the by-laws 

» "Violations of the by-laws of the Connecticut Medical Society, or of 
the rules and rcpulations passed by the county associations in conformity 
with the by-laws of the Slate society," are now tried according to rules 
of Sec. 7, ch. iv., by-laws of the Connecticut Jiledical Societv. 



iMEDICAL IIISTOIIY. 



were adopted, the tullowiiiL' resolves were passed, 
which seem to have beeu t'ur tliat purpose : 

" liesolre Jiyst . — That any I'hytioian who iiinlen-liarges his neiylihor in 
liis iK'ighlH>r'K vicinity witli a view to snjiplant sai'l neighhor or otlier- 
wiao tu intt*nni>t liis hn:-int*sii jnstly iJfM'i\i-s to lit* ilisiv.si'cctcd hy overy 
. uielnher of our S^iciety. 

*' Hemh-f ^roml. — Tliat opiiiione on cases of disease shall, unless other- 
wise ajrreetl in consultations, he considered as sacred, not to he divulged. 

" n^:it/Ue Onrd. — That an uniform rate of charging he desirahle, to whidi 
when estahlished hy vote of onr Society, every niendicr shall adhere, on 
penalty of heing .adjudged hy the Standing roniuiiltce as to them shall 
he deemed just and proper." 

They pre.served the discipline laid down, expelling 
such ivienibers as they considered unworthy. 

Dr. Blakenian, in his address of 1853, spoke of a 
repugnance to taxtition at that time as .somewhat 
characteristic, and as having been a development of 
their professional jirogenitors. It gave dissatisfaction 
in 1703, it was the cause for exi)iilsion of members 
in the middle of the century, it is a iiukiiiiiiii tippni- 
hrium in LSSO. 

At the meeting in Greenfield, April IS, 1,^4;), it was 

*' V'e/ef/, That memliers of the Fairfield County Medical Society who 
have lefused, and persist in refusing, to pay their taxes and attendance 
on medical meetings are disregarding the true interests of the profes- 
sion, are unworthy of meinbershii", and this Society would instruct the 
Fellows to nuike applicalion to the State C'i>nvention to he hnlilcn in Hart- 
ford in May next for their discharge from this Society. 

"i^tso/cet/. That if such discharge is procured for any such deliuiinent 
memhers, the Clerk he dirCL-ted tu notify each one so discharged, st.itiog 
the cause of expulsion, and also tliat the Clerk transmit to each default- 
ing memher a copy of the aln>ve re=olulions. 

"Samucl BE-VCU, Oerl.'' 

In 18.51 a list of the names of ten ''non-paying 
members" was presented, and they were expelled, 
some of them being prominent in the society. 

Their opinion of a newer sect — those who hail 
climbed u\> some other way — is tersely expressed, 
April 10, 1S50 : 

** ro/e(7. That Hom"T?opathy he regarded as Quackery. 
"To/c*/, Tliat the Clerk puhlisli proceedings in several juipcrs cf this 
County." 

Some of the members strayed from the fold and 
went over to the opposition. At the .same meeting in 
which the ten " unworthy" members were proposed 
for discharge (Aiiril 10, 1.S51 1 it was 

'Mo(.r?, That Prs. Deniiison, .\yre3, and Northrop, reported to have 
practiced Ilonio'opathy, if on investigation he so found to transgress the 
rules of the ^ledical Society hy such irregular practice, he hy the ahove 
committee [the Standing Committee] cited to appear at the next annual 
meeting of this Society and answer to »'' ii regularity in practice." 

At the next annual meeting the several cases were 
carefully considered. It was "unanimously voted 
that their names be, each of them, erased from the 
books of Fairfield County Medical iSoeiety and dis- 
missed from the said Society." 

At this meeting in 1851 there seems to have beeu 
much discipline to enforce. Besides non-payment of 
fines and irregular practice, there was undercharg- 
ing. It was 

" Votetl, Thai where.v, complaint lia\ iiig been made of 7ni<hi'rli<ir(ie3 
hy physicians practicing in iieighh<.rliood of other phy^i.-iaiis with the 
apparent design to supplant their neighbors, therefore 



" VoUtl, That to the pri.:e coninninly charged for asiiiglc visit b,. added 
for each visit twelve and iuie-h;df cents per mile fi.iJ' travel f.>r each 
mile traveled after the first mile." 

But iliscipline was only a casual thing forced on 
them by neglect of the law-< wiiicli governed the body. 

What was done at the gatherings of these men? 
The following "Rules of f)rder" were adopted April 
14, 1853, from report of the committee tippointed for 
that purpose : 

" 1st. The Jlecting shall be , ailed to order hy the ('I..rk, and imme- 
diately thereafter the Chairman stiall !«■ . Imscn by ballot. 

"2d. Klecliouof Clerk. 

" 3d. Reading the Minutes of tlie l.ist .Session. 

"4th. Ailmission of New ^lembers. 

"otli. Election of Fellows to the State Convention. 

"Cth. Flection of Deleg.ates to the .Vmeiicau Medical .\^s ui iti..n. 

"Till, .\ppointnient of Cominittees. 

"8th. Re.adingof Ois^crt.atioiH. 

"'.ith. I'nfinislied Uiisiness. 

"loth. Uepoits of Committees, which sliall be male in the Orler of 
Al>pointliient. 

"Utli. New Business. 

" IJtii. Appointment of Dis^ertator. 

"Kltli. -Vppointnieut designating the I'lace of .\djouriinient for next 
Meeting." 

Dissertations bad been required frtim an early 
period in the history of the society (see By-Laws, 
Sec. 3). At the first meeting of which any record is 
extant Dr. Elijah Middlelirook, of Trumbull, read 
"A Case of Tettinus which ]irocce<led from a Wound 
of a Xail, which was successfully treated by Opium 
and Wine." Dr. L. Seeley, of We.ston, read a dis.ser- 
tatiou on " Hemorrhage in Typhus Fever." And so 
at every meeting for years one or more essays were 
read, to the profit and entertainment of the members. 
The subjects were sometimes assigneil, sometime-; 
left to the ojition of the writer. At the first meeting 
it was 

" ynte<l, That Brs. Parruck, Simons, and lioulding read Dissertations on 
any subject they choose. 

" Valtd, That Itr. Blakenian read a I>issertation on Con>titnti.)nal 
Peculiarity." 

But the sons gradually departed from the customs 
of tbiir fttthers. Am exchange of good wishes all 
around, a general discussion of medical topics, the ap- 
pointment of delegates and committees, the reading of 
papers voluntarily ])rort'ered, the discussion and dis- 
posal of questions of discipline, occupy now tlie hours, 
while a concluding dinner at the hotel sends each 
one home better actpiaintcd with his neighlioring 
brother and stronger ibr another year of service. 

The fellows are the delegates sent to the State so- 
ciety as representatives. In Fairfield County these 
were at fir.st chosen by ballot. In 1825 the men se- 
lected were Samuel Simons, of Bridgeport ; William 
T. Shelton, of Stratford: I'yrcnius II. Buolh, of New- 
town ; iind John Tomlinsoii, of Iluutingtou. In 
1792 they were James I'otter, Thaddeus Betts, Ilosca 
Hurlburt, James Clark, Amos Jlead. A list of th(> 
fellows from Fairfield County from ]7'.l2 to our day 
may be found in the " rroceedings of the Connec- 
ticut Medical Society" for 1875, p. cxxxii. 



26 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



In 1847 the county society sent a delegate to the 
American I^Ietlical Association, or, as the records have 
it, tlie National Convention. Tlie choice fell upon 
Dr. Elijah Middlebrook, and the association met that 
year in Philadelphia in May. Appointments have 
been regularly made since. Delegates are appointed 
also to the society meetings of other States, — New 
York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, five to the Ameri- 
can Medical Association. Tlie Connecticut Medical 
Society meets yearly, alternately in Hartford and New 
Haven. 

The records of the society have always been well 
kept since the year 1825. In 1845 a vote was passed 
to publish the proceedings in thesevcral papers printed 
in the county, but there is no evidence as to how long 
this custom was continued, or even whether it was 
ever in vogue. 

A copy of the essays ])rcsentcd was always re- 
quested to be lodged with the clerk, to be placed on 
file. They would be interesting reading to-(hiy, doubt- 
less; but, unfortunately, not one of them can be 
found. 

One is forced to smile at the absurdly small fees 
which these men received, and the nicety into which 
they divided the different departments of their busi- 
ness. Y'et the table was one of their own making, 
and must have been in some degree satisfactory. It 
artords a i>ithy lesson of the progress of the times. 
At the annual meeting holdcn at the house of Levi 
Edwards, Esq., of Monroe, April 20, 1829, it was 

" Voted, Tliat tho following services and medicines shiill not be ren- 
dered nor furnished fur /t-iw sums tliitn nrc devignntcd, — viz.: DIueding, 
iiO cts.; CnUmrlic, 12 ctw.: Emetic, H» ct*.; Visit, 17 ct>*.; Travel, iwr 
Jlile, 17 ctfl.; Ubstotiic Cose, S2.6t»,— Iiistniniental, S4.l)(i; Kxtmcling 
Tooth, 12 cts." 

The society has now no fee-table, the <Hfterence in 
the size of the towns having rendered such a plan 
very impracticable. 

In the cities the local societies, which are entirely 
independent of the county organization, adopt such 
lists of i>rices, and in the more rural districts every 
man is a law unto himself. 

They denounce<l all irregularities in practice. On 
the temi)erance question they gave a no less certain 
sound. At the Washington Hotel, in Bridgeport, on 
April 21, 1828, it was 

"Vottst, Thai tho following preanihle nud rcikjlutlons be ndu|ited, — 
viz.: 

"ntiertaM, in our opinion, intcmi>emiiro is the moat Imse, gencml, dan- 
gerous, nnd demorall/ing evil in our couutr}- and il^ suppi-ession the 
lui-wt hi Ih> deiiirtil ; lliereforo, 

'* IttmArrtl, Ist. Thiit we highly nppruvo of tho ncttvo and humane ox- 
cMl>msof tho Anio:icnn Tem|H)mnco Society, mndo iind now making, to 
uIToct tho fuimo. 

" Jte*4rrtU 2d. Tlint In uur uplnton the use of anient spirit does not 
prevent iho Imbibing cuntogiutis dL-nraHiM, but 'jrncraUjf tho synteni more 
RUtceptlblc to their Influence. 

" Ite»i4rttl, 3d. That In our opinion the use «f ardent spirit docs not 
invigorate the nystem and i|niilify ii tu endure hardship or resist tho 
ovIU of the e\tn<nte« of luot and cold, oi \» loo genenilly t^elleved. 

"//ewrfrfrf, 4ih. Thai In our opinlui iho preiHrriptions of physicians 
ruutaining bUtoni I u anient s| iifiis a fn Itful source of luteini>enince. 



' seldom nocejsnr}- in practice, and wlien not so should bo studiously 
avoided. 

I " Jtenotcal, 5th. That in our opinion water is the most natural and 
healthy drink for miin, and uhvay»» tuilutur}' when discreetly used. 

j " Jfcuolreit, *HU. That ardent i^pirit at all our future meetings be di<)- 

I continued. 

I **^ lie*ohetl, 7lli. Tliut Uie Clerk of tliis meeting be requested to trans- 
mit to the Secretary of the American Temperance Society tho foregoing 

i resolutions, with tho assuranco tliat we will chcoifully co-operate with 
Jiim in the pronuitiun of tempernuce." 

Humanity and philanthropy combined in favoring 
the f<junding of a hospital in a neighboring county. 
In 1829 it was 

"Toted, Thot we highly approve of the measure of establishing a gen- 
eral ho^] ital at New Iluvcn, and that wo will use pur beut endeavors to 
promote the same by encouraging subscriptions in our respective neigh- 
borhoods." 

Such was the Fairfield County Medical Society in 
its earlier days. The State society by degrees spread 
its hands out over it. The former became a tributary ; 
it is simply a part of the Connecticut Medical Society. 
Without detailing the several steps of the change, — 
a process hardly called for in a sketch, — we may look 
at the countA' society as it stands to-day in its relation 
to the State Medical Society. This can be done by 
selections from the by-laws of the State society : 

" Chapter I. — Section 1. This Society shall be known by the name of 
The Connecticut Bledical Society, ami it slijill bo composed of the niem- 
hors of the county associations and of honorary' members. 

"Sec. 2, The C<jnnecticut Medical Society shall hold an annual con- 
vention on the Thursday following the foutth Wednestlay in May. Tho 
annual convention shall assemble alternately at New Iluvcn and Huit- 
ord. Ten members shall constitute a quorum. 

"Sec. 3. The President and Fellows shatl hold an annual m«eting. 

" Sec. 4. The county associations shall hold iu their resiKMrtive counties 
an annual meeting. 

" C'n.M'TKK II. — ik-ction 1. The officers of tho Society shall consist of a 
l^resideiit, Yiee-I*rw>ident, Tieasurer, Secretar}',Comuiitteu on Matters of 
Professional Interest in the State, aiid the Presidents uf tho couuty a«dO* 
ciations, who shall be Vice-Presidents vjc-^tficio. 

" Cii.iiTKK III. — iy*c/(OH 1. There shall be an annual meeting of tho 
Presidents and Fellows of the Connecticut ]tledieal Society ou tho day 
preceding the annuiil convention of tho Society, and in the same city 
where the convention is to bo held. 

"CiiArTEK l\.—Srrtion 1. The memlwrs of tho Connecticut Medical 
Society shall meet annually in their n-M|ieclivu couulies, and at such 
other times and ]daces as huve been or may hereafter l>e agrin-d u|»ou by 
them. I'roriiltut, the annual meeting shall be at least four wi*eks lieforu 
the fourth Wcilnesday in Mny. Each county aB«o<'latinii Hhall be known 
and culled by tho name of the county in which it exists, and shall choosu 
from among themselves a President, Clerk, and such other umcens as may 
ho found neceytary. At their annual meeUiig (hey shall elect i>y Imllot, 
of their own number, in each county five — e-vcept In the county of Tol- 
hind, which shall eh'ct three — Fellows, to have part in the HU|H.Tiuleud- 
ence and nuiniigemeul of the Society. 

" i>ec. '2. The county assocliitiou», iu their res|)Ocllve counties, shall 
have i>uwer to adjourn mecllngM andtocallepeclul meetings from lime to 
time as lliey shall deem e\i>edient ; an 1 they may adopt such l>y-luws 
and regulations fur their own governnieui.aud lor the prumoliou of med- 
ical science, as they mny think proper, not contrary to the laws of tho 
StHio or tho by-laws of the C>jnnecti(-nt Medical Society. 

"Src. J. Any person of gu*Ml ntoral clianicter, found to poraess tho 
qnalit\cutlons pre>m:illK>d by the chiu-ter and by-laws of this Stx-lety, mny, 
by any couuty aSf«oriiition, at any uieeliiig legally holden, bu odmittt^^l to 
menil>ershlp by a uinjur vole of the mcmlnTs pri>sent, by ballot. /Von'Jrf/, 
he Is residing aud iiracticing in said couuty, and makes application for 
that purpose. 

" Sft. 4. All persons BO elocliMl shall, within one year after such elec- 
tion, aubscilbo the by-laws of the Society, or otherwiso declare iu writing 
their meut to the same, or such election shall be void. 

" ^>«'. 5. .\ny county asaocialiou may I y a nu\jor Tote OisiniM from tho 



MEDICAL HISTORY. 



Society anj- member who shall reniore from the State ur who shall leave 
the profession for other pin-suits, 

"Sec. C. Any county association may. if it is ilei-nicdrxpcili.-nt, recom- 
uiend to the I'resi<k'nt anil Fellows, for tlisniission froin ttie Society, any 
nienilier resiiling in that county whosliali apply foi- such Uisniissntn hy a 
written request to that elTect, ileliveietl to the Clerk of saiil county asso- 
ciation at lea.^t ten days hefnle the time of luililing any lej;al county 
meeting, anil also any member wlni shall refuse or neglect to pay taxes ; 
and upon the approval of such recommendation hy the I*resident antl 
Fellows in annual meetingthe connection between such member and the 
Society shall be dissolved. Proii'Icil, that no member shall be honorably 
dismissed from the Society until all his taxes shall have been paiil. 

".St'c. T. All violation of the by-laws of the Connecticut ftledical So- 
ciety or of the IMedical Police adopted by the Society, or of the rules and 
regulations passed by the county associations in conformity with the by- 
laws of the State society, may be prosecuted and tried in the resjiective 
county associations, under the following regulations. . . . iVorii/ei/, that 
no sentence of expulsicui shall be valid until continued by the Tresiilent 
ami Fellows in annual meeting. 

'M'H.vPTF.R V. — Siclioii 2. All the nu^niber.s of the Connecticut Medical 
Society have the privilege of attending all nn-ctingsof the rresiilent and 
Fellows and performing all the duties of Fellows except voting. 

" Sec, 5. Js'o member of the Society shall hold professional consultatiiin 
or intercourse with any other than licensed physicians and surgefuis in 
regular standing. 

" CluiTElt VII.— The Society adopts tlie Code of Elhii s .jf tlie Ameii- 
can Medical .Association as a pjirt of the Constitution and by-laws. 

"On the d.ay of the annual convention a dinner shall be pro\ idetl at 
the expense of those members partaking of it." 

Tlie presitU'iits (or moderator and ehairniiiii, as tln'y 
were foriiiorly called) and secretaries, — the only two 
offices lield in the Fairtield County Society, — have 
been as follows: 

1825. — Gabriel Baldwin, Chairman; Elijah Jliddle- 
brook. Cleric. 

1821). — .lohn .Tnd.son, Chairman ; Elijah Middlebrook, 
Clerk. 

1827-28.— William T. Shelton, Moderator; Samuel 
Simoibs, Clerk. 

1820.— Elijah Middlebrook, Moderator; Samuel Si- 
mon.s, Clerk. 

1830. — John Judson, Moderator; Samuel Simons, 
Clerk. 

1831. — Lloyd Seoley, Moderator; John Tomlinson, 
Clerk. 

18.32-34.— Elijah Middlebrook, Moderator; John Tom- 
linson, Clerk. 

183.5.— William T. Shelton, Moderator; E. Beach 
Middlebrook, Clerk. 

1836. — Samuel Simons, Moderat(jr; Dr. Stnrjres linlk- 
ley. Clerk. 

1837.— Elijah Middlebrook, Moderator ; Stiirses Bulk- 
ley, Clerk. 

18.38.— Ruf'us Blakeman, Moderator; Sturges Bulk- 
ley, Clerk. 

1830-40.- Elijah Middlebrook, Moderator; Hturges 
Bulkley, Clerk. 

1841. — Daniel Comstock, Danbury, Moderator; Stur- 
ges Bulkley, Clerk. 

1842.— Elijah Middlebrook, Modertitor; S. P. V. R. 
Ten Broeek, Fairfield, Clerk. 

1843.— Samuel Simons, Jloderator ; S. 1*. V. R. Ten 
Broeek, Fairfield, Clerk. 

1844.— Elijah Middlebrook, Moderator; S. P. V. R. 
Ten Broeek, Fairfield, Clerk. 



1845.— Elijah Middlebrook, IModerator; (reorse 

Blaekman, Clerk. 
1840. — D. Ctmistoek, Danbury, Moderator ; Samuel 

Beach, Clerk. 
1847. — Elijah Middlebrook, Chairman ; Samuel Beach. 

Clerk. 
1848.— Rufus Blakeman, Chairman; S. Beacli, CU'rk. 
1840. — Elijali Mi<ldlebrook, ^Moderator; Samuel 

Beach, Clerk. 
1850-51. — Elijah Middleltrook, Chairman ; Samuel 

Beach, Clerk. 
1852. — Samuel S. Xoycs, Chairman ; Samuel Beach, 

Clerk. 
1853. — G. Blaekman, Chairman ; F. ,L .Tudson, Clerk. 
1854. — Elijah Middlebrook, Chairman; .lustus Sher- 
wood, Clerk. 
1855. — Samuel S. Noyes, Chairman ; Justus Sher- 
wood, Clerk. 
1S5G-57.— Elijah Middlebrook, Chairman; H. L. W. 

Burrit, Clerk. 
1858.- G. Blaekman, Chairman ; M. B. Pardee, Clerk. 
1850. — Samuel S. Noyes, Chairman; IM. B. Ptirdee, 

Clerk. 
18(;0.— E. P. Bennett, Chairman; 1). S. Burr, Clerk. 
1801. — George Blacknum, Chairman; 1). S. Burr, 

Clerk. 
18(i2-03. — Wanting in record Ixnik. 
18G4. — Samuel Xoyes, Chairman ; O. S. Hickok, 

Clerk. 
1805. — Samuel S. Noyes, Chairman; William 11. 

Trowbridge, Clerk. 
1800. — Samuel S. Noyes, New Canaan, Chtiirman ; 

Samuel Sands, Clerk. 
1807-70. — .'-ianuiel S. Noyes, New Canajin, ( 'liainmui ; 

George L. Bur.^, Clerk. 
1871-72. — Ira Gregory, Norwalk, Chairman; (ie<)rge 

L. Burs, Clerk. 
1873. — Robert Hubbard, Chairman ; George L. Burs, 

Clerk. 
1874^75. — E. P. Bennett, Chairman ; .1. G. Gregory, 

Clerk. 
1870. — W. G. Brownson, New Canaan, Chairman ; 

J. G. Gregory, Clerk. 
1.S77.— E. P. Bennett, Chairnum ; W. C. Burke. Jr., 
.; Clerk. 

1878.— E. I'. Bennett, Chairman; \V. C. Burke, .Ir., 

Clerk. 
1870. — W. (t. Brownson, Chairman ; W. C. Burke, Jr.. 

Clerk. 
1880. — Curtis H. Bill, Chairman; F. M. Wilson, 

Clerk. 
The present list of members, as given in the " Pro- 
ceedings" for 1880, is as follows : 

I'reifidcnt. — C. H. Bill, of Bridgeport. 
Clerk.— V. M. Wilson, Jr., of Bridgeport. 
Cfusnrn.—W. A. Lockwood, C. II. I'.ill, James R. 
Cummings. 

Coiiiitij Reporter. — W. A. L(Jckwoocl. 
Brl(lf/ejwrt.—Dii\\d H. Nash, Robert llubliard. 



28 



HTST(^KV OF FAII!l'li:i,Ii ((irXTV. f 'ONNKCTTCrT. 



Andrew J. Smith, Aus;ustii» II. Abtriittliy, George 
F. Lewis, James R. C'limmings, George L. Porter, 
Rol)ert Lauder, Francis J. Young, Curtis H. Bill, N. 

E. Wordin, G. M. Teeple, Charles W. Sheflrey, E. T. 
Ward, F. M. Wilson, T. F. Martin, W. H. Bunnell, 

F. B. Downs, B. W. Munson, Miry J. Rising, AV. C. 
Bowers. 

Broohfieh1.—\. L. Williams. 

Danbury. — E. P. Bennett, James Baldwin, William 
C. Bennett, F. P. Clark, A. T. Chvsson. 

Darkn. — Sanmel Sands, R. L. Boliannan. 

New Canaan. — William G. Brownson. 

Bethd.—\. D. Barber. 

Grecnfiekl //i7/.— M. V. B. Dunham. 

Fuirfidd.-^. M. Garliek. 

Xorwa/t. — James G. Gregory, AV. A. Lockwood, 
John C. Kendall, Robert Nolan, F. V. Buesch, E. C. 
Clarke, W. J. Wakenian, A. B. Gorham. 

South XonvalL—R. L. Higgiiis, John Hill, W. C. 
Burke, Jr. 

Eid(jeficM.--0. S. Iliekok, William S. Todd. 

Reading. — M. H. Wakenian. 

Sonthport. — C. II. Osborne. 

Stratford. — Edwin D. Nooney, Almon S. Allen. 

Stamford.— 'S. D. Haight, h" P. Geib. 

A'ort/i Stamford. — George AV. Birch, AV. H. Trow- 
bridge. 

Weston. — F. Gorham. 

}Ve.<>lport. — George B. Bouton, F. Powers. 

Huntington. — Gould A. Sheltoii. 

Sandy //oo/t.— AVilliam C. Wyle. 

Wilton. — A. E. Emery, L. H. Huntington. 

Of these, Drs. D. H. Nash, of liridgeport, A. L. 
Williams, of Brookfield, E. P. Bennett and James 
Baldwin, of Danbury, and N. D. Haiglit, of Slam- 
ford, are over sixty years of age. The records give 
no indication as to which is the oldest member of the 
society. The name of Dr. James Baldwin, however, 
appears earliest on the records. In the year 1833 he 
was appointed one of the delegates to attend the 
Medical Convention at Hartford. He must, there- 
fore, have been a member for some years previous. 
He was the same year (1833) appointed, with Dr. A. 
L. Williams, " to read a dissertation at the next an- 
nual meeting." Their names ajipenr frequently in the 
records of the society. In 1S3{), Dr. E. P. Bennett 
was appointed fellow of the State Medical Conven- 
tion in New Haven, and to read a dissertation at the 
next annual meeting. In 1S38, David H. Nash was 
appointed a fellow of the State Convention. In 1850 
Nathaniel D. Haight was chosen one of the fellows 
for the ensuing year. It may be safe to estimate their 
rc-spcctive ages as members froni the above data. 

Fairfield County has furnished from its members 
the f<illowing presidents for the State society: Elijah 
Midillebrook, 18-41-42: RmTh-: Blakeman, 1851-52; 
Robert Hubbard, 1877. 

So much time has been >[., iit with the living that 
none is left for the virtue^ aad memories of the dead 



who strove to keej) and to improve the society and 
themselves. They labored, and we have entered into 
their labors. Only recently has it become customary 
to publish obituaries of deceased members. In 1854 
a motion was passed "that the clerk notice the 
death of the members of this Society with a concise 
biography." If this was ever done, no record of 
it remains. The records contain but one obituary, 
which, on account of its tenderness and of the source 
whence it comes, I am constrained to give in full. 
April, 1856, 

" Dr. Blnkcman, committee on obituary of members dcceasc<l, reported 
on Dr. K. B. Botaford, dec'd of Danbury, the fi^llowlng letler, whicli waa 
ordered to be iuuluded in the niinuteti : 

" ' Dr. Kuisscl B. Bot«ford was tjorn at Newtown, 5Iay 7, 1794. and com- 
menced tbe study of medicine with Dr. Sliepnni, of Newtown, duiing 
two years of liis medical cout»e. In New Haven lie was in Dr. Gilbert's 
ofHce. IIo received his diploma September, ISUi. lu tlie spring of 1817 
lie commeiicel the pmctijc of medicine in the village of Danlmry. In 
1S20 be waa married, and \\U general lienlth was sucli tliat for tliirty-six 
years he was (wlien at home) never prevenled fnnn sitting at tlie taldo 
and enjoying tlie regular meals of his family. Being of a very depressed 
temperament and dyspeptic habits, and from toj intense application to 
study and a very laborious practice, in 18:12 lie was afllicteil with a rusli 
of blood to tbe bead, which In a few years resulted in attacks of an ci>i- 
leptic character, which oiitinned with more or less frequency and se- 
verity until, Dec. ll(i. lsr,r>, tliey terniinate<l his life at the age of sixty- 
two. His habits of industry and system were snch that to the day before 
his death he attendetl to all his domestic duties, keeping everything 
about and in his premises with perfect neatness and order. l*erhn|M it doi-a 
not become tbe band of aifection to pen liU eubigy, but allow me to say 
that for purity of character, untiling devotion to his profession, hospi- 
tality, and kindnesa to bis fiieiida, he had not liia superior. 

*' ' Very respectfully, 

■'' Kliz\ W. BoTsroBD.' " 

A few facts seemingly of interest may be added re- 
garding the study of medicine and the granting of 
licenses. Dr. Blakeman states in his address: "Pre- 
vious to the formation of tlie ctmnty society it is 
believed that the time devoted to medical qualifica- 
tion, even of the regular practitioner, was optional 
with the candidate for public favor. His reliance 
for a successful practice was more upon the popular 
decision regarding his skill than upon certificates of 
qualification which he might derive from his medical 
teachers." Yet this great 

"art, 
Wlii.li doth niond Nature," 

must be handed over to Science or Knowledge for its 
highest, its complete attainment. "The grounds of 
every rule of art are to be founil in the theorems of 
Science" (Mill's "Logic," vol. ii.), and the true phy- 
sician (for there were many such in those earlier 
days) Bought some place for the beginning of his 
medical career. 

The sources for the acquisition of medical knowl- 
edge in the American colonies wore few and scanty. 
A medical department was connected with King's — 
after\vards Columbia — College from 1767 to 1813. The 
Yale Medical School was not organized until 1813, 
and did not confer degrees until the following year. 
But very early in the century we learn of young men 
appealing for licenses to practice. Dr. George Sum- 




DK. KUFUS BLAKEMAN. 



MEDICAL HISTORY. 



29 



ner, in an address on "The Early Physicians of Con- 
necticut," in IS")!, says John Copp, styled school- 
master, obtained the recommendation of the selectmen 
of ^Torwalk and applied for a license to practice 
medicine in 1705. Dr. Uriali Kogers* studied with 
Dr. Jonathan Bull, of Hartford, and was licensed 
by the (leneral Court in VS'A. Dr. David Itojjers,* 
born iu 1741, stn<lied medicine with his father, oli- 
tained a license to practice medicine iu New Y<irlv, 
and located at (ireeufield Hill, Fairfield. It was tlie 
custom for the student, after having qualified as was 
thought sufHcieiitly by study with a precei>t(ir, to 
make application and ai)pear before the physicians 
of the county or a committee appointed by them for 
examination and license. Thus were most permits 
granted until the establishment of the Connecticut 
Medical Society in 17;i2. "Among the earliest and 
most important of the duties of the State Jledical 
Society was examining candidates for the practice <d' 
medicine and surgery by a board annually appointed 
from its members, and legally empowered to issue 
licenses to ])ractice to such as they deemed |iroperly 
qualified. It ;dso thus early in its history established 
a standard of qualifications, making, on the part of 
the candidate, the attainment of his majority, the 
evidence of a good moral character, and certificate of 
three years' stmly with some reputable physician or 
surgeon, save in the case of college graduates (when 
two years were accepted), as prerequisite to examina- 
tion. This method of (lualifying students was in 
vogue until the establishment of the Medical Insti- 
tution of Yale College" (address of President C. 
M. Carleton, of Xorwich, " Proceedings Connecticut 
Medical Society, 187S," p. S). 

In closing this sketch, cursory and imperfect as it 
is, I cannot do better than by going back to the be- 
ginning of the Fairfield County Medical Society. 

Eurt'S Blakemax, M.D., was a lineal descendant 
of the fifth generation from Kev. Adam Blakeman, 
who was born in Staftbrdshire, England, iu lO'.lS, en- 
tered Cambridge College May 2.3, 1(517, from which 
he was graduated. He was ordained an E]>iscopal 
clergyman, and preached in Leicester, Derbyshire, 
England, came to Anu'rica about 1630 or !(>;>.'>, and 
was the first clergyman of Stratford, Conn. He died 
in 1()().'). He had a family of six children, the eldest 
of whom was named John, who married Dorothy, 
daughter of Rev. Henry Smith, of AVethersfleld, and 
died in 1GG3. He had three children, the second of 
whom was named Ebenczcr, who was twice married, 
first to Patience, daughter of John Wilconen, of Strat- 
ford, Conn., second to Abigail Curtis, of Stratford, 
Conn. Ho had nine children, of whom the eighth, 
by his wife Abigail, was named Nathan, who was born 
Sept. 29, 1702, and married Sarah, daughter of Samuel 
Wills, in 1732, and had fiiur children, of whom Eph- 
raim was the second, born March 9, 1746, in Monroe, 

* Blukemuu's .\ddress. 



Fairfield Co., Conn. He was a farnu'r iu the town of 
Monroe, marrieil, and had a family of eleven children, 
of whom Rufus, the subject of this sketch, was the 
ninth. He died April 13, 1811, aged sixty-five years. 
His wife, Sarah, died Sept. 19, 1828, aged seventy-four 
years. Rufus Blakeman was Ikhui iu ^Monroe, Fair- 
field Co., Conn., Jan. 12, 179-'>. He was graduated 
from Union College iu 1817, and from the .Aledii'ul 
University of the city of New York in ISiil, and im- 
mediately commenced the practice of meilieine on 
Greenfield Hill, Fairfield Co., Conn., in the year 1X22, 
and continued to jiractice until his death, Fel). 27, 
187(*. His ride was very extensive, reaching far into 
the adjoining towns. Pie was a member of the Medi- 
cal Board of Examiners of the New Haven Medical 
Scho(d for many years, and at one time was president 
of the Connecticut Medical Association. Besides at- 
tending to the various duties of his profession he often 
contributed articles on various subjects iicrtaiuing to 
his profession to the medical journals. He also jiub- 
lislicd a work entitled "Credulity and Superstition," 
which met with a ready sale. In jiolitics he was a 
staunch Whig and Rejiubliean, and as such was a 
magistrate of the town of Fairfield for many years, 
judge of Probate for more than twenty-four years, and 
mendier of the State Legislature. He was not a mem- 
ber of any church, but was a regular attendant and 
liberal supporter of the Congregational Church of 
Greenfield Hill, of which Rev. Thouuis I>. Sturges 
was ])astor. He married Mahala, daughter of Nathan 
N. Walker, of L"ng Hill, (.'onn., iu 1819. They had 
two children, — viz., Catharine A. and Rufus (de- 
ceased). Mrs. Dr. Blakeman is now, 1880, residing 
on the old homestead with her daughter. 

The fi)llowing is the address of Dr. Blakeman, de- 
livered before the State Medical Society in LSoS: 

ADDRE.SS OF THE PKKSIDENT, lUFUS BLAIvEJl AN, M.D. 

"Gkntlfmen, — It is linown to you that my i>re lecej<?or, I'r. Suiuium-, 
III liu tntert-'stiiig address to tliis couVL-iitioii, rmni^liod many iiitrie^tiiig 
dft.'iils it'lativi- to the early liiitnry of me.!ii iiie in ('oiaioctiiriit. together 
with hiogral)liical sketclies of some <if tlie mo.st eliiiiieat i>hy.siii;ui^ wlio 
flonrLsIied in tlie early periods of its liiitory. The adilress allncli-d to 
possesses great value, not only as allording data I'or noting the jiroj^ress 
wliieh our profe.ssion ha.'^ made in the sueees>i%'e era.s of its history, hut 
liliewise as a record for rescuing from l)rogressing oldivion the names of 
individuals of worth and eminence to whose lal'ois we are, in no ^nniU 
degree, indebte'l for the present advanced resjiectal ility whieli the niei'.i- 
eal profe*-ion in Connecticut sustains. 

" Tlo're can he little douht that in the early history of (Connecticut, and 
prohaldy that of our country geneially, a largi- portion of nu-dical prac- 
tice was in ita cliaiacter empiiical. For aconsideiahle peiiotlsuliseijuent 
to the first settlement of the several towns, far tlio largest part of nu'di- 
cal prescrilttiiMi was dispensed hy root ami Indiaiuloctors. .Allliougli tlie 
more consideraMe villages early possessed their so-called regular pliysi- 
cians, yet many of these did not Mnsli hoa^tingly tt> announce tlieir 
paternity to iiostrums and pretended specifics for particular or for all 
diseiuses, n» interest niiglit dictate; and this solely witli a view of incit- 
ing puhlic attention towards themselves and seducing i>atients from their 
professional neigh hors. 

"In such a condition of profe.ssiomil morals, it is little surpiising that 
a state of hostilily and antagonistic feeling should, generally, have ex- 
isteil, such as is well known to have cliaiacteii/ed the medical society of 
former limes. In the several counties of the Stati', however, exceptions 
were occHsiuuully found of pliyci.iaus of a more hunoralde and elevated 



30 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



clmractcr, who not only Iftborod to reform the moral III i "fca- 

eion, but nlt^o to advnncv its ttciontlfic rct^puctnbility and uttefulncss. 

"Although a rctrtwpcct into our early nifdiciil history will present 
physicians of thid iIe«cription hut as 'Karl nantc-s in Rurgite vastu' of 
popular enipiridsm then provailinR, yet fortunately such have existed, 
Aud many of these, primary luminaries have hcen sufficiently fortunate to 
receive a noIi."o from my prcdeces8t)r in the nddn-e*) alluded to. Many 
others liavc flourished In the several CMintieji, p(irha|w eqnal in profes- 
sional talent and worth, though kss known to general fame, whoso 
names, by tht- dt-nmnds of equal jiistii'e, ought tj be rescued and regis- 
tered with their co-IalKirer? in Bup|>ort of leptinint** medical science dur- 
ing the dark iHiriod of ltd history in the American cohtnles- In render- 
ing such tribute of respect to the memories of our profussional progenitors, 
we, who cigoy the fruits of thi'ir pioneer laboin and dilhcultics, are not 
only discharging a debt of gratitude which is their due, hut we are also 
furnishing for our successoi-s data by wliicli they nuiy be eruibted to 
trace past niMlical pntgress, and nut improbably may incite them to tho 
I>erforniance of a like homage to the memory uf the professional bene- 
factors of tho present period, Tlierc is no doubt, as stilted, that all the 
counties have furniftbcd many physicians of tho diameter alluded to. 
But as tho limits of an address duo from me would be inadequato for 
their gcnenil notice, even were the materials readily accesbible, I design 
only to select as subjects those who passed their professional lives in 
Fairfield County, leaving those of other sections for individuals possess- 
ing a similar interest for the memories of their decciised brethren, who 
from vicinity of location enjoy hotter facilities for obtaining their bio- 
graphical histories. 

" Few are the rcconlod data for biography wlii;;h ordinarily survive tho 
life of the practitioner of medicine in country districts. Tlie uniform and 
familiar character of his vocation alTords but scanty material for tho 
adornment of general history. Ihdng more familiar with prescription 
than the pen, or the more brilliant exploits of war or legislation, his 
fame is lamentably prone to e.\pire with the meiuoiies and lives of those 
who have enjoyed tho benefit of his profi^tsional labors. 

"Individual exceptions, however, are not wanting of members of our 
profession who have left reconled testimonials of their clianu^ter and 
fame. The fortuitous circumstances which ofton enstamp individual 
reputation on the page of history have hcon tho possession of some phy- 
sicians. The indulgence of political ambition, a devoted professional 
philanthropy, as well as the endowment of transcendent intellect, arc 
no less likely historicitlly tu note the physician than his coKtquals in 
general society. Slost of those in Connecticut who have attained such 
fortune have been presented to your notice by my predecessor. Accessi- 
ble records hove supplied him with facts, by which to delineate tho 
character of his subjects in a manner far more interesting and satisfac- 
tory than can be expected for ttioso derived from fuither gleanings in 
the past professional field. 

" It is my ilesign in the |>ortion of these papers devoted to biographical 
notice to select thtwe who, if le&4 distinguished by general fame, wore 
pi-rhaiwi of equal usefulness in the dis]>ensation of the simple duties of 
the medical pi\)fe*wion. 

" Of the early phvt^icians of Fairfield County, 1 have succeeded in ob- 
taining hut scanty information. 3Iore, doubtlea^, might have boon do* 
rive<J from the early records concerning imliviiluals, were tho mo<Iorn 
titular api>endage added to their names as a guide to the investigation. 
Tliid omishlon, so general, is probably to he explained fn)m the fact that 
its degradalioii by iIm indiscriminate application to all tho pretenders of 
the p^tIimI caused tho mime * cliimrgeoH' to be considered an apitellativo 
more worthy the amldtiun of eilucated phypiclaus. 

" Ah Ptnttnl, I have been able to derive hut little, either from record or 
tradition, of the early pliysirians of Fairfield County. It is probable that 
few of note who made Uio practice of medicine an exclusive vocation 
left the larger central towns tu locate Id the inconsiderable vlllage^i of a 
bonier county. As in the State generally, many or most of the early 
elcrgy of the county united nuHlical prescription with their clerical 
dutioo, and It is probable that most of tho more regular prescrription 
was in their hands. Of pnif^wional presi-ribors of the iH'riiHl may l<e 
euumemted tho succcwlve grades of root and Indian doctors; those 
whv), originating in thi*»e, ro««* through rational oWer\alion, and the 
aid of uttiMition to existing medical literature, to the station of respti-t- 
able pmctltioneni; and thotMi who by previous qualification entered tho 
proffMton with more ur leas knowledge of tho mcdlcml scicuco of tho 
r:?ri>Ml. 

"The carlicvt phyidclan of the latter description lu tho county, of 
whom I have obtained a knowletlge, was Peter Bulkier, eon of Rer. 
Teter Bulkley, of Concord, and brvthcrof Rev.— oflerwards Dr.— GersJiom 



Bulkley, of Wether-iii It. I!' resided and practiced in the town of 
Faiiiield, but of his character as a physician I have been able to obtain 
no particular information. I infer from tho prolmte of his will, con- 
tained on the prolinte records, dated Jlarch 2.">, 1691, that he died in that 
year. His age at the time of making his will, dated as above, he de- 
clares to be forty-nine years. After »i>eciul devise of his principal e.t>tate, 
which appears to have been small, ho atlds, 'all the other estate I leave 
it wholly to my executor, whether physic or other household rfajf, he 
knowing all ye concerns aliout it.' His ' medicines, simples and in com- 
position,' are inventoried at twenty-five p<mnds. Jle constitutes his 
'dearly iKiloved brother, Gershom Bulkley,' his executor, but he declined 
the trust. 

" Isaac Hall was also a physician of Fairfield, who died in 1714, hut re- 
garding his reputation nothing special is to be obUiincd. In his nun- 
cupative will on tho prolwite record, he is styled Dr. Isaac Hall, but his 
inventory exhibits but a meagre amount of his professional remains, un- 
less ' Culpepper's l.ast Legacy,' Included in the list of his scantj* miscella- 
neous library, may have been a reposilorj* of astrological mysteries, and 
therefore afford evidence that he Wiis skilled in the science promulgated 
by the celebrated author of that name. Sylvester Judd, >j(q., of North- 
ampton, who is most conversant with tho early records of Fairfield 
County, states reganling him ' he w as n phy.^ician and e^^pecially a clii- 
nirgtOH. lie was employe. I by the government in some warlike expedi- 
tion, and my impression is, that he w;is somewhat distinguished.' 

"James Laborie, ncconling to such information as I have been able to 
obtain, wiuj a French physician, a Huguenot, who emigrated to this 
countr>' about the commencement of the last centnry. I am Indebted 
to Rov.N. E. Cornwall's hUtoriciU discourse on Trinity church, Fairfiehl, 
for the following: 'Doctor James Laltorle, a French physician of emi- 
nence, who left his native country towards tho close of the seventeenth 
century,', and has been ordained by Mr. Kinglet antiMf» of the Canton of 
Zurich in Switzerland, taught and held seriico acconling to tlie usage 
of tho Chuich of England in his own house in Fairfield.' In a letter 
presor\*ed in the archives of the above-named church, the doctor in- 
fo."ms that he 'came to this country as a toaclier untler the patronage of 
the Ui shop of London, and, being disturbed by the Indians in the vicin- 
ity of Boston, came to the colony and county of Fairfield, and began by 
an introductory discourse to act as a missionary to the English and na- 
tive inhabitants, but was internipted immediately hy one of tho magie- 
tmtes.' This announcement of his elTurts in Connocticut was prolMibly 
miule at Stratford, where he seems to have resided from 1T*K to 1717, but 
it appears from the reconls of Fairfli-ld that he resided there as early 
as 171S. In forming an estimate of the docttr's channMer as a religious 
teacher, as shown above, in connection with tlie sonu-what ludicrous 
notice which ho has received as a physician, in the address of my prede- 
cessor, concerning his legal controversy with Mr. Lynui, of >filford, on 
the subject of his medical chargers a ilegrce of embarrassment may pos- 
sibly be encountered. For its remjval, however, and In his justification 
in the latter capacity, it may |>erha[ts he ex|)edient to iiiterp«*se tho pro- 
suniption that he had in a degree lieen indoctrinated in the Jesuitical 
principles recognized by the truly Catholic of his native France. 
Tenets thus imbibed may perhajw have pnunpted the din-tor, In his 
evangelizing zeal. t*> devote his nicilicnl prerogative, so si;<nally exer- 
cised upon Lyron's piii'se, as a sulsirdinate for the promotion of tlio 
object of his Protestant mission among the heathen in the countr>' uf 
his adoption. 

" His medical diploma, date<l London, 1097, written in Latin, describing 
him as tho stui of a celebnile*! physician of France, was riH.-urded l>y the 
clerk of Fairfield County Court in IT^W. By his will on tho Fairfield 
proliate reconls of the date 17;il, he devices to his «»n James, 'all my 
instruments of rhirnnjirit and my French writings.' His death, accord- 
ing to the court pnx-eeillngs, i>ccurred aUiul that jH-riiMl. 

"Francis Forgue was als*t a French physician, who It Is nnder8t«»od 
camo to .\merica on surgetut of the French forces engaged In the defense 
of Canaila against the English, during the war whi:h resulted in its con- 
quest by the latter. The puriod at which he left the army, or tho cir- 
cumstances which ]vi\ to such decision, are at pr^'seul unknown. Instead, 
however, of returning tu hU native ctuintry, he located In Fairfield be- 
tween the years 17V> and XlfO, whore he practlce^l as a phypioionuf con- 
sidonible flisllnctioii until his death. Trtiililion uniformly assigns to Dr. 
Forgue tho chanurter of a well-e<lucated physirian, i)oHSi*wiiig superior 
talents; uf gentlenumly de|K>rtment, and in his social qualities affable 
and Interesting. A friend who Is remotely connected with tho descend- 
ants of the doctor writes me that it Is his ' impression that he was a skill- 
ful surgeon, and that ho was eniploywl in Washington's army as such. 
That he was iiollte, rather raguo in his religious sentiment', jK'rfectly 



MEDICAL HISTORY. 



31 



lionfst ami Hboral, dfspising any kiiul uf framl 'ir r'linivtifation, ami 
raroU'ss of Ills pecuniary concerns su I'Hij;' as In- ami lii.-i m itc lia"l enon^li.' 
Xunieiuus anecdotes cuneiit concorning him Lnnlirni tlie almvo charac- 
ter. The following woiiM ai>pear to exhihit his rv-ligioii!? Runtinu-nts as 
cuinciiling with those of the French schoul of tlK'nlii;j;i;un. llcinj; in 
company where an animated discus-^ion arose regardin;^ the nn-rits an<l 
final prospe;-ts of the several ndigiLius sorts, an appeal was at lcii;;th 
made to the doctor (who ha<t taken uo part ill the disptitrl f.ir Jiis opinion 
on the controverted suhject, who joco>*cIy respondisi: ' Uy and hy Mon- 
sieur A. (one of the disputants) die ; he appear before the judge, who siiy, 
Hlonsiour A., of what sect are you? Hlonsieur A. say. I he I'reshyteiian. 
Say the judge, Monsieur A., yon take that apartment. By and by Mon- 
sieur IJ. (another of the party) <lie, and go to the tribunal. Say the Judge, 
Monsieur B., of what sect be you? Monsieur B. say, I be Episi-opalian. 
Well, say tlie judge, Monsieur B., you lake that apartment.' Tlnis dis- 
posing of the Methodist. Baptist, etc, the doctor adds: 'By and by Itr. 
Forgue he die, and make Ids appearance. Says the judgi*. Ilali ! doelor, 
you come, eh? Of what se Hare you? I say, Oli, I be just n ithing ;it all ! 
Ah, very well, say the judge, you go where you please, doctor.' 

" .\nothei- anecdote well illustrates the doet )r's fnink and iionecpiivo- 
cating qualities. lie, with one Job Slorum and otliers, being arraigned 
lefore a magistrate for card-playing, for which he was pas^ionately fond, 
and being asked their plea, his compaiuons, as by legal parlame bound, 
plead notijiiiU'i ! 'Bah T says tiie more honest Frenehmen, 'you lie. .Inb ! 
you be guilt. I be guilt, we all be guilt ! yon know you guilt ! What the 
hue, Jltiiisietir Justice?' CMi le;iriiiiig the amount, the doctor ]uomptly 
piciftered the magistiate double the sum, g >o 1-liumori-dly reniarUiiig, 
' Me play out tlie balance next time, Monsieur Justice,' leaving tlie re- 
maining perple.xed offendei-s of the law to heal its breach by reluctantly 
following the m'd so frankly pro.Tere 1 by their more h.mest (JalHc pavltuT. 
' Doctor Forijne''s mcit' is an appellation, at the present time, often applied 
to persons of free religious faith. 

" It is said that he never acipiired the lluent use of tlie Kiiglish hin- 
giuige, but ever kept lu^ accounts arnl niemorjiudums in his tiative dii- 
leet. His tombstoae ill Faiilield ceaiete.y cjntains only tiie simph- nie- 
moiial of his name and time of his decexse, with the lurther inscription 
that ' he was a respectable physician and u.hcI'oI riiizeii.' lie dieJ in llU'i, 
aged fifty-four years. 

*' Itappears from Dr. Sumner's address that J. dm Cojip, styled scho^d- 
master, obtained the recommemlation of the selectmen of Xorwalk, ami 
applies! for a license to practice medicine in 17U'i. Rev. Dr. Hall, who j.s 
familiar with tlie ancient reconis of that town, informs me ' that Jolm 
(■oiip was a schoolmaster, surveyor, deacon, ami town clerk, which last 
oilice he held from 1708 to 1740.' Dr. Hall adds, ' whetlier he practice I 
medicine I have no means of asc::-rtaining.' He died May 1(5, ITol, aged 
seventy-eight years. 

"Dr. Thomas practi-ed mediL.iue in N'ewtown, ;iud died probably 

seventy or eighty years ago. He is sai i to liave been a self-educated 
physician, and possessed of considerable ability. His wi low married, I 
am told, Nehemiah Strong, formerly mathemati-al profes_^or in Yale 
College. 

"Dr. Uriah Rogers, aceoi'ditig to information I haveobtained, w;i» born 
at Braintree, Mass., in 1710. and was a near tlescendant of Nathaniel 
R >gers, also a physician, who emigrated to this country from Apington, 
England, in lC;sr., and succeeded Presiih;iit Oaks in the presidency of 
Harvard College in l(i83. Dr. Rogers studied with Di*. Jonathan Bull, of 
Hartford, and was license 1 by the (Jeneral jurt in 17;i'J. He soon after 
located in Norwalk, whore he pursued the practice of mediiine until his 
death. He was hosidtal surgeon in the Britisli army in the French war, 
so ealled, in 17.>S. At thebundng of Norwalk, in 177'.', by the British, a 
peiiod subseipieut to his death, his late niausion was destroyed with its 
effects, includinghis books and papers. The only articles preserved were 
Ids silver-headed cane, a present from Governor Fiteh, and his family 
oat-of-arins, which is said to be that of tlu' des enilanls id .bdm Rogers, 
tlie martyr. 

*' Dr. Rogers is represented as beingadi^ingiiished physician, of strong 
and vigorous mind, and enjoying an extensive practice. He is als > repie- 
sented !is being eminent for his piety, of a dignified deporlnient, and 
much respected in tiio community where he resirled. He died in 177.S, 
aged sixty-three years. He left six sons, three of whom— Uiiah, Heze- 
kiah, and David — were physicians. Uriah succeeded his father In the 
practice of medicine in Norwalk, but died early in life, in 17Tii, aged 
thirty-eight years. 

"Dr. David Rogers studied medicine with his father, obtained a license 
to practice medicine in New York, and located at (Jreenfield Hill. Fair- 
field, where he practiced medicine until age incapacitated him for the 



active duties of his profession. He died at N'orwi.h in \^2'.f, aged eighty- 
eight years. He held a respectable rank in hi- profession, is said toliiive 
been gentlemanly and dignifieil in his manner, and was aetive ;ind eiH- 
cient in the orgain/,ation of the c cuity soeiety. H«- Indil .i lomnii^-ion 
of surgeon in the army of the Revnluti-.n, and I am informed was by 
the si<le of Gen. Wooster when he fell at the battle ,.f Uidgelield. This 
family stoeU app-ai-s to have been prdific in sup[dyiiig branehes of thi- 
nie.lieal profesdon; as uf Dr. Rogers" five sons, thn-e—vi/... David, ("larl.s. 
and Morris— stiiili'-d and practiced medieine, and his only daughter mar- 
ried the late Professor Dywees. of lMiilarleI[.hia. The son Dr. David 
Rogers, late of New York.wius the father of Dr. David L. Rogers, of that 
city, and also of Dr. James R igers. Whether acquisition'* to the profes- 
sion from the otlier branches have been as numerous, I am not iidnnnel. 
" I am indebted to the politeness of William II. Holly, Es.[., of Shun- 
ford, for the following notice of the elder physidaiistif that town, as w,ll 
as of several of a ni>re recent period, of wli mi my ori:j:inaI de^i-:l pir- 
eludes a mention in tlte^e papei-s. 

"•Dr. Nathaniel Hubbard died in Stamford, in the year 1772, at an ad- 
vanced age. For forty or fifty years ho was the prin.ipal iiliy-i. iaii in the 
jilaQ, anil particularly eminent in his profession. 

'" Dr .I>p!ih NVils ui commenced practice ab.ait the year 17<.iit. and coii- 
tiinied lieie until 17'JG. when he remove 1 to the city of New York, lie 
was a native of Stamf-inl. He died about thi' year l.Sf!_', leaving four 
sons, all pinsicians.— viz., John (the father of Hon. J.'hn ),i. Wjl^nn, now 
of Albany, but for many years a resident of \Vest[.o:t, and judge of the 
County Court of Fairtield Countyi. Stephen, James, and Henry. Jolm 
and Stephen settled in the city of New York, James ami Henry in tlu- 
county of Westchester.' 

"Dr. Samuel Webh, born in Siamford, .Manh 7. 17C.'t. .son of Col. 
Cliarles Webb, a distinguished o!fi._er of the Revobitioiiary war, was .s.-»- 
ia-ltw of the abuve Dr. John Wils in. He graduat<- 1 at Yale College 
about the year 177'.>, and imme li ittdy commence I the t^tndy and practic.- 
of medicine with Dr. Wilson, and continued in a s lecessful jiractice up 
to the day uf his death, Dec. liH, l.S2i;. Dr. Webb ever enjoyed the esteem 
and c<aiftdence of the community to a remarkable degree, not only in his 
profession. but in hi^civil relati ms. On s -veral oreasions li ■ represents 
the town ill the Legislature of the State, and for many yeais fille 1 the 
office of a jusliee uf the peace. He died very smMenly of enlargement 
of the heart, in Ids sixty -seventh year, having previously enjoyed during 
life uninterrupted good health. It is a remarkable fact, shown from 
entries upon his day-book, that for fourteen years previous t-- his death 
not a ilay passed but he made professional visits. 

"There were several physicians of the name uf Tomlinson who 
formerly resided and practiced medicine in Stratford. Their respective 
names, as I learn, were Agur Tomlinson, William Agur Tomlinson, s -n 
of the above, Cliarles Tomlinson, nephew uf Agur. and Hezekiah Tom- 
linson. 
" I have been able to obtain but little t>f their biographies, other than 

I that tliey were highly respectable sus citizens, and two or three of the 
number were of cunsideraMe eminence as pliysiei;nis. The first giadu- 
ate.l at Yale College in 1744. and died in 177r., aged fifty-three years. 
Hezekiah also gra<huited at the same instiluii m in ITiio, and died in 
iTsl. aged thiity-ftiur years. 

I " Dr. William Agur TomliliSMi is said to have been s uiiewhat end- 

I nent in his profession. He, I am informed, espoused the eause of the 
king in the war of the Revolution, and retired with m ist of the .\meric t- 
fJuglish patriots t." Nova Scotia at its dose, wliere he resided for a pe: i id. 

I He subseiiuently returned to Stratford and re-;umed professi mal duties. 

' He is stated t J have applied to the State Legislature for and obtained a 
special act granting a restoration of his soipiestered estate, and also tin; 
privilege uf collecting his m-dieal bills, contracted pivvi.ms to his expa- 
triation. He is reported to have exercise! tliis indulgence oppiessively 
on ininy of his debtors. He died in IT.o'J. 

"Two gentlemen of the name of Clark, who were brothers,— viz., 
Joseph au't James,— and also a ph.vsi.ian by the name of Russel, practiced 
me liiane at an early period in Stratford. The Clarks are reported as 
physicians of eminence for the period; but I am unable to stale anything 

' regarding Dr. Russel. Joseph Clark is reporteil as a phyfician of emi- 
nence, and much esteemed in his profession, a citizen of good principles, 
and a kind, affable, and gentlemanly man. He espoused the cause o 

I the king during the Kevolution, in consetpienco of which his family 

I suffered much indignity from the zeahms populace. He fled with his 
family to the British provinces, where he probably died. 

I "Before pro.eeding to a noti;e of the later physi ians of Fairfield 

I County, such as were connected with the organization of its medical 
sjciety, 1 will briefly allude to tlie general c 'mlitiju of medicine aii^l 



32 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNir, CONNECTICUT. 



medical litcmturo in the county preriouB to its society organization, as 
fur 08 occetisiblo fuels fiiniiiilt iiifonnitlion on tliu subject. 

"Doubtlcds the mctlical liistoni- of tlii^ i8 einiilnr to tliiit of mottt other 
counties in tbin Stale; but im lissychiiion, iis well in nieiliciil ns in civil 
reliitions, was more intimate between tbe population within the boun- 
daries of each of thefw geographical iw,'t:iijns, it in reasonable to 8npiK>!to 
that iiilluoncett wuitlJ originato fj-oni such intercouiso wliich would 
establish peculiarities not only in tlieir ordinary domeslic relations, but 
also iu the sentiments and habits of i>raclice among the physicians of 
each county. 

"In the early periods of tliescttleniont of the Stato intercourse among 
her phyi4icians was circumscribed, and access to medical literature dilll- 
cult. Sledical moniU therefore, us well as pre^icriplion, doubtless in a 
considerable degree, received modiflcation from the cliaracter and quuli- 
flcalion uf iudjvtduali^ who were the u'lniiuistratore of the liealing ait. 
Hence it is padmhlu that each county presented a medical character 
considei-ably devi.iting fium that of its neigliborlng counties. 

" .\mong the causes of seclional peculiarities in the State of tlie medi- 
cal profession, not the le:ist was an unequal numerical posieseion, by its 
Boverul counties, of physicians of a more retlned and exalted education. 

"It may readily bee >nceivc J that theme lical character of each county 
woulil bo elevated or ilepressc'il in a mti^> pr>>]>orli^nate to the enjoyment 
or alKionco of the salutvry inlluencc which such must exert upon tho 
eenlimonts of the coii.niiiiiity in which they retnided. In counties num- 
bering l>ut a limited poitini of physicians of this desu'iiptiun, it la to 
bo presumed that the public sonlinient regurditig medicine would be 
moulded by and made conformable to the inculcations of the cmpiiicul 
pretenders, while in sections enjoying the teachings of a greater portion 
of the honorable and educated, a uioro accurate and elevated estimate 
would bo formed relative to the merits and claims of the various medical 
administrators within its pieuincts. 

" In lieldH preoccupied by tho quackish pretenders who liad cautiously 
intrenched themselves in the favor of a marvel-seeking public, by ex- 
hibiting the niyrttories with which they over envelop their art, the honor- 
able ami Hcienlillc pliysician could Imrdly bo expected to seek his fortune. 
To such lields, therefore, would tho various spocies of pretender, who 
ever shrink fn>m the light of science, retire with the object not only of 
reaping the pecuniary harvests which they presenteil, but with the view 
a.\^> of escaping the dangers of a detection of his devices. In common 
with other border counties of tho Slate, Fairllold County originally 
enjoyed less the councils of tho better educated physicians than counties 
more central and populou*; consequently it expoiionced more and 
longer than tliose the evllo of empiricism and quackery. 

'■ Although its several larger and i)opulous villages early posscA^cd their 
8(vcallc<l regular physicians, yet those were mo^^tly derivations from the 
root and Indian doctors, whose professional habits had been formed in 
the schools whence they originated. A portion of tho more rational of 
these sought association and gradually became assimilated In practical 
views with their systematically educated brethren ; but while iu<suming 
such |>uMiion they did not lu'»itate, from motives of enhancing their in- 
tere»ls, t'l foMer tho i>opulur notion shrewdly inculcated in their .l/nm 
Muter, that diseases of peculiar location were of spcciul nml indigenous 
chnnicter, and that their specillc lemedies existed print ipally in the 
forests and fields in which they originated. Many of these practitioners, 
however, who posseiisetl greater honesty of character, connected with a 
native taste for the science which they professed, in the emergencies oc- 
cuning in their practice resorted to soma * prinUd ffiwle to henWi,^ and 
IKTchnnce to tlie wt>iks of ll4K;rhave or Sydenham, which not unfre- 
quently beranie their otandard counselor in practice, and als.* their in- 
etnictors In the leisure of their donieotic retirement. 

"By such di:<cipline, aided by obst*rvali.<n of the character of disease 
a» well ON by oc nsloual consultatinns with better iufitrurtetl jdiysicians, 
many of this solf-educateJ cla-w iK^cAine elevated to a respectJililo rank as 
II rnctit loners and useful In the community where thoy resided. Hy uieans 
of such improremont In tho qualification uf Its profumon*. tho healing 
art advanced in re«i|K>ctablllty ; the aUunlitles of the medical impostor 
were exi»>S4>J In the judgment •*( the retleeting; and tho {Hipular senti- 
ment, wlii. h had been tmineil in the belief of its marvehms rcHult.s was 
gradually led Iu contemplate medi.al srienco In the view t.f tho onliiwry 
nciencti^ which, like IhcM*, being based on sensible and rational prlnci- 
plrs, was to t>o acquire*! but thnmgh a patient and careful invi-stlgiuiou. 

"It has been reuuirke.1 that the more considorablo villages usually 
enjoyed the advantngiM of the sen Icos of regularly educale«l phyKichins. 
By n'OMm, huwevor, of Ihe scanty means ufTonled f,)r tho acquirement 
• •f nnillcal knowlixlge In tho early |K>ii,>ds of our Stale's hlstort*, the re- 
mark may n.*t be ditined invidious, tliat far the larger ptHtJun of medical 



practitioners, at the commcncemont of their pi ' .,--,1 

less theoretical mcJieal literature than that acquired by the diligent stu- 
dent of medicine at the present time after a pupilage of a few months 
in theofficeof tho private i)ractitiitner.exclutiveof the instruction which 
he receives from a course of lectures in a public medical iiiMlilution. 

"Occasionally might be found in the more p^qailousdiatiictsphyficiana 
who had received tlieir education iti Kiimpean jtclu»ol8. Such were pen- 
(;rally versed in the medical science of the pf?riod, nn<l of eonise were im- 
iwrtant acccissions, not only to the coinnninity which enjoyed the benefit 
of their skill, hut also to the medical profession by the influence whi.-h 
they exerted in the elevation of the standard of its character and goueral 
qualification. 

"Tho early source of medical knowledge in the Kew England colonies 
was only that of the private pra^-titioner, and as most of these were rersiMl 
only in tlie more immediate practical branches, such as materia modica, 
theory and practice, etc., a pio^Sidde fauiiliaiily of the cturleut with these 
was deemed adequate qiiatificali.ui for the c.vorci^eof his ^kill as a public 
practilionor. E.\tensive attainments in midwifery and surgery were 
deemed of seoondarj- impoitancc to the medical practitioner, for the rea- 
son that, while cases of the former were commonly presided over by the 
professional ^ffudctcife' of the neighborhood, the important cases of tho 
hitter, OS at the present time, were sutmltted to the skill of the profes- 
sional operator in that department. 

"As far as I have been able to obtain Information, calls upon the phy- 
sician to perf<»rni obstetrical rluties were rare prior to 18iK>, nr perbuiis, In 
some locations, a few years previous. In i>ei lods considerably earlier than 
the date mentioned, it is believed that in no coses were thei? services re- 
quired except perha|>s in a few rare instances which were attended with 
circumstances of a difllcult or untoward eharoctor. Previous to tho for- 
mation of the county society, it is believed that the time devoted to medi- 
cal qualification, even of the regtilar practitioner, was optional with tho 
candidate for public favor. His reliance for a successful practice wns more 
upon tho iKtpular decision regarding his skill than upon certificates of 
qualitlcation which he might ileiive from bis medical teacher. Ilowever 
short nniy have been tlic term devoted to the acquirenn-nt of medical 
science, those adopting the system of the then recognized regular prac- 
tice were readily acknowledged aud received into the ranks of the pix>- 
fessional fiaternlty, with the members of which mutual cousultationa 
wore held over their respective patients. 

"In a condition of medical literature like that of the pcrio«l under 
consideration, it might bo expected that a prei>onderating ratio of em- 
piricism Would necessarily 1,'ecome Mended with its elements as well as 
in the practice of its profe.-isors. Intleed, such is Uie view of the practice 
of tho period, as contemplated by the modem ol)son'er, that its character 
is necc«S)itily represented as partaking more of n systematic empiiicism 
or charlatanry than of an elevated scientific profession. In extenuation, 
however, of such pixtfessional state, it ought to !«■ taken into concidera- 
tfoo that the sources for tho acquisition of medical knowledge in tho 
AmerlLUin colonies wi>ro few and scanty, and the means for its attainment 
abroad were accessible to hut few. Tho emergeneiesof disease cvercx- 
ii-ting wherever tliere was ]\ qmlation, the public, thereforv*. were neces- 
saiily impelled to tlie employineni of such professors of the art of heal- 
ing as were altainalde in the vicinity of lis occurrence, and that often 
without the option of a sclei-tion between tho better qiiallAed physician 
an<l the dispensers of nostrums or Indian si>eciflcs. 

"With alternatives thus urgent lo influence a public iKMsessIng few 
of the present facilities for scientific acquirement adequate t*> direct its 
decisions, or. Indeed, in most instances, of even Judging by comi»arison 
of tho qualification of medical claimants on their favor, it may readily 
be conceived that a limite«l discriniitmtion wmild Ih> exercise*! in the 
selectifui of a medical adviser. N'i«r did it present a new problem in {he 
science of human nature for F^dution, when it was diocovered that abun- 
dant unscrupulous cnndidateH for |>opular favor tthonld bo found as ad- 
venturers u|Hin tlieir fortune. Ill the profermion, with l*ut a modicum of 
knowledge of the Intricate sources of dlFonse, or of the nature of t!ie 
active agents of Ihe >lnleria Medira adapte*! to tlieir removal. 

"As ignorance is the piuent t»f i)uai-ker)' and empitid^m, little else 
could Im< expectml nf the earlier profentfiona! character of the State than 
Its hlntury ai-tuolly presealM. Dul Iho fact tliat a conclderalde |M>rtion of 
i>4>clely at Ihe jiresent peii'xl, enjoying the advantages of a general dif- 
fi>8lon of education an<! siieutific refinement, with the educated phyFl- 
ctan accessible to all, should with an eagerness and ready faith, worthy 
of former times, einbmcL> sucli baseles^t and ephemeral novelties as the 
botanic, honueopathic, and hydropathic vagal lew, as well as tlio nnoil of 
popular nodtninifl whl.-h deluge community (and thot not merely by Its 
more Ignorant mcDibers, but also enibracing toany of the Loiter cducatel 



MEDICAL HISTORY. 



33 



class), presents a rsycht.»l()p;ical eiiiixnia of iimic (lillinilt fxpljination. 
■\Vith such arjouiuling rri'iluHty, thus manifest*'!!, n-lati\f t" tin- Iicaling 
art. wi- may rease to In- sui'iirisnl iliat in ihulier eijis i»f our early liistory, 
cml'rai-ing a marrel-luving juil Hv, and a m'^diral prolej-siin wiinse moui- 
hers were irrespunsilOe tu rLnlcs. rJanctioncil by a majority of its ron- 
stituents, tlie toils and pornniary sacnfices inridcnt to a competent 
mediiiil cducalion slmuld he evaded fur tlie more entiling Piiilirare of 
ttie emuhimeuts profluri-d liy the immediate assumption of the ofliee uf 
[diy.-fii'ian. 

" It cerfciilily afftu-ds evidenre that as consiicntiniis icititiid<- and phi- 
lanthropy are markeil charaeteristies of tlie medical pi'-r.-vsinn, since, 
witli the fact sot^tiikiTi^Iy presented to the student .)f medicine that the 
quack will share with him his portion of laihlic jiatiotia;;!'. he, in.twith- 
standinj^, siiLmits to the sanifice attendant upun the acijuirement of 
sucli education as alone can (pialify him for the oilic- <»f a cnnipefent 
I'hysician. "With a medical profession jmperfeclly educate, I, like tliat of 
foimer times, and a pnhlii- sentiment schooleil and disciplined in the hi-- 
lief of its mysterious lesouroi-s, it might reasonaldy he aiitiiipated that 
knavish pretenders, ns well as the dishonest uf the profession, Mould seek 
the jiromotion of their interests through announcements uf various spe- 
titirs, assumed as umr^■elous revelations of iiidij;enoi;s ajiencics, which 
were particularly adapted to the prevalent diseases of tlic same locati'iu ; 
or that the mysterious manifestations of tlie Indian character.associated 
Mitli his marvelous traditirins, would he math- availaMe f>r the jiuiimse 
of exciting the itna;;iiiatiou of the credulous, and tlicrehy hcirtiilmg 
them to devote huth their health and intensts at the shiiiie of their uji- 
halloweil amlition. 

"It is manifest that dishonorahle arts and devices of this dcseiip- 
tion, sohdy ilesigned to inure to the piofits of tluii- inventors, especially 
when resorted to hy nuMuhers of the profession, could not fail to he jiro- 
litic of discords among neighhoring ph' j-icians, such as are too wtdl 
known to have characteiized and disgraced the medi- al s^n iify in Cnn- 
necticut. 

" In Fairfielil, and luohahly in other counties, a melanchrdy disregard 
of professional eiiipulte chaiacterized nn-st of her jihysicians jirevious to 
the organization of her medical society ; and I am comp(dled to aild, that 
the contirmed habits of many iiraciiii.mcrs protracted the evil for a con- 
siderable peiiod subsequently, not^vith^tauding its salutary pn>visions of 
codes and b3'-laws, with the object of suppressing the evil. Fiiendly jno- 
fessiotial intercourse was rary among neighboring i>hjsiciaiis. IMany 
liabitnally visited and ])resciihed for patients in tlie al>seTice of or « ith- 
oiit the knowledge of the regular attendant ; and huts too dcai ly pi-iM- 
t:iat (iften petty and dishonest devices were resoited to, with tin- objii t 
of supplanting an absent rival in the contidonco '>f the iiatiint or bis 

friond^i. It was not uncommon, in such circumstances, fur the n ut 

attendant tt> denounce the tieatmentof his predecess ir.uiiil after a sum- 
mary consignment of his medicines eitlier to the fiie or tbroniili the 
window, to substitute from his own stores those, m >st likely,. if the same 
or of a similar cliararter. 

"It is deplorable to contemplate such utter prostration of honorable 
deportment Iiy men professing to be members of an ostensiltly h-arned 
and honorable profession; by those too wlio, there is reason to bi-li<ve, 
were sutliciently observant of a gentlemanly demeanor in their inter- 
course with other nn'ndKMsf of the community. 

"Such being the view of medical society presented by a ntiospt'ct into 
its past history, it would be interesting to investigate uud portray the 
causes which have effected its present comparatively elevati'd and im- 
pri>ved condition. ItwouM be equally interesting to note tluMlitbTent 
]duxses of melioration througli wliich the niedii'al siKiety in Counocticnt 
has passed in its progi ess tu the sui)eiior moral and scientifur jiosiiioii 
which it holds at the present time. But tlio discussion would bi- incom- 
patible with the present design, even did the circunisciibed limits of an 
address oil this occ;ision affurl adequate space. It cannot, however, be 
matter of doubt that the impnivenient has been elTeited by the unie- 
mitto 1 labors of a few of the nuiater spiiits of the profrs.sii.n who have 
lived in thediflcrent eras of our professional history. These, expeijen- 
cing and deploiing the oxisting ovils ancl imprcsset] with the conviction 
of the inadequacy of detached individual efToits for their coirection, ulti- 
mately devised tho remedy of society asso( iatimi, by moans of which a 
conct.'ited infliiem^e of the mi>re respectable physicians of the State might 
iiioiu etlectually be directed to the promotion atnl advancement of tho 
interests as well as the resiiectability of the profession. 

" No dotlbt much had been effected by individual assiduity pievious to 
the establishment of mei'.i( al associati )ns. Rut such detai hod and limited 
(sflorts had been proved manifestly inadequate to effect a reform of an 
entire system, defective not only in its geiicial scientific qualiticatious 



but alsodepvcs.-cd ill its mural . bani. trr by the long cstaldi>bed unsocial 
and unprofti-ional hal its and i-raciiccs of ;i large poition i.f it- members. 
It is manifest tliat to remedy tlic foimcr an elevat<-d and unilorm staii- 
fiard of education was required by which the qualifications ..f ;i>piiaiits 
to membership were to iie tested, and their claims dr^ i^ 
tribunal delegated with adequate authority to ilcny m 
Competent; while to effei't the latter, such cud.s am 
mulgated by a no less potent aiithoi ity. wcie demand' 
restiaints on tho piopensities of such tif its meiid>ers ; 



le.l by acnmpctciit 
lnii>.'iou to tlic iri- 
I regulations, pro- 
■d as might provo 
IS Were then, as at 



the ]>rcscut time, unfiutiinately endowed with a ptelondiiancy uf the 
sidfish impulses over their honorable sentiments. » 

"With tln' laudable idije. t of efleitiug a profes.-ional reform ami im- 
jtrovement. the pbysi-ians of several towns and counties emltraced the 
plan of society as.s<iciation as the most effective means for its ai'coniplish- 
mint. Kxpeiience soon manifested the happy eflects of the system, and 
thiit its greatest itossilde good might be attained, the plan of a general 
State association was conceived and ultimately adopted by the vaiious 
county societies. This recciveil ini-oiiioiation by act of Legislature ill 

"The design of organization was not siinultau'-uusly embraced by the 
various sections of the State, but each witli zeal successively adopteil a 
measure, the liappy effects of which w<*ie plainly mauifestetl upon the 
medical society of the sections which had expeiienced its benefits. Tho 
city of Norwich and LitchfieM County ajpear to have taken the initia- 
tive in medical organization; the fn>t in ITtJ'i ur 170:*, the hist in IVCo. 
\\"iiidham and New Haven Counties, a few yeai-s later, followi-<l the ex- 
ample set by the first mentioned, and instituted their societies. Fail field 
County appears to have been moie tardy in the formation of her society, 
whii h was organized in 1T!>'J. being a b-w mouths subsequent to the in- 
coiporation, by the Legislature, of the State Medical Society, which was 
granted in the spring of that year. 

" .\lthougli Fairfield was later in the luovement of organization than 
its sist(-r ciiunties, yet I am led to infer that a no less active .sentiment for 
refurm exist^-'i in the minds of her physicians than that already jnaiii- 
feste«l in the other sections of the State. This is shown from the fad 
that the society records exhibit, appended to theoiiginal articles of the 
associati(jn, the namesof foi ty of her most respectable coiitenipoTary physi- 
cians, being probably about the number of regular practitioners in tho 
county at the period of itd orgauizati ui. 

"In view uf this ready concurrence and sujipoi tolitained for her s. >< iefy 
from so large a poition of the physicians of the county, it is with regret 
that I am cunipellcii to the admission, that subsequently, au<l even at the 
present time, a large number of respectable practitioners of the county 
questiuu its utility and withhold their inlluenie and tho pecuniary aiil 
requisite to sustain its action for the attainment of the greatest gixjd for 
which it might be made susceptible. I am happy, however, in being able 
to state tliat most of its repmliators virtually admit the salutary infiuenco 
which it has effected, by their practi.'e of a professional dejiot tmeiit ac- 
cordant with its jiidico establi-slied for the regulation of iirofe^siomil iu- 
tercoursft bi-tween its members. 

"I learn from its records that the F;iirficld ( 'Mimty Society united witli 
a cunimendabb- z.eal with those of tho other counties in an ajiidicatiou 
to the Legislature for the charter of the State Society. At its fii>t meet- 
ing at Kedding, March, 17rii». the following vote appears, — ' Voted, that 
I)rs. James Potter, John Lester, and Pavid Rogers, be delegates to meet 
didegates from other counties in tho State, at Hartford, in May next, in 
order to form a jdan of general inc u j)oration, to lay before the Ibui. 
Ceiieral Assembly at their next session," The first delegates (so termed) 
of the society to meet at convention in !VIidtlleto\vn wt-re Hi)poiuted in 
September, lTi)2. ami consisted of I>rs. James Totter, Th:iddi-iis ISetts, 
Ilosea Ilurlbut. James Clark, and Amos Mea.l. That the ofiico uf fel- 
low at that time was one remunerated by love and pati iotism only, wouM 
appear fri>m a vote of the society, preceding the apptdntment of the gen- 
tlemen above named, as follows :—' Voted, that this meeting will make 
n<' compensation to the delegates to the Jliddletown Convention.' 

" It also appeals that the somewhat dmracleriitic rejiwjnamf to taxa- 
tion, at present oxisting with a ]»oitiou of the physicians i>f Faiifteld 
County, instead of being an infection of rf.vent origin, is but the devel- 
opment of a predisposition, derived fmm their professional progimituis; 
as appears from the following vote passed at the county meeting in May, 
17'K1,—' Voted, that wdiereius tho Ibui. General Ccuiveutioii uf the Fel- 
low.s of the Medical Society of Connecticut, at their session nt Middle- 
t<(wn in Ochjber last, voted, that they have iHiwer to levy and collect 
taxes for their own supjtort and expenses while in Convention ; it is tho 
opinion of this meeting that ^aid Convention uf Fellows have nut *iid 
powoi-s, agreeable to the act uf incurponitiou of tho Medical Si^tiety ; 



34 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



an<l tliat the (K-Iogatca of (liiH county give infurniAtiou of lliitt vote to t!»e 
ailjouriK-0 convention to be holilen nt Ilartfonl on the IGth day of 3Iny.' 

"A rollt'ctivo jwnuc^i, liowevor, seems BjK'edily to linve eiipprcssed tlio 
tendency to a duvelopntcnt of the affectiun in the minds of those oiigi- 
nally nfTucted, while that of inliuritance has, in some eases, proved ob- 
dnrato and irromcdiablu. It wouhl appear from the following vote that 
the above wiw dictated nither by a constructive view of the act of in- 
cor|>oration a^ reganis taxation, than of hostility to t\w principle. At a 
meeting of tlio County Society in IT'JO, it wna voted, 'That the President 
and Fellows of the Connecticut Medical Society in legal convention, 
shnll have full |>ower to levy taxes on themselves, not cxceciling one 
dollar on each niembor per annum.* Also it was voted, ' That the Presi- 
dent and Fellows of said Society, in convention, shall have ample i»ower 
to ini]Xj6e such |>ecnniHQ' penalties on the mcntbei'M of ^lid society, for 
a traiiMgresj«ion of their By-Latcn, as mny bo deemed nccessarj' for the 
well unleiiiiK of sjiid stniety, not exceeding the sum of SJO.' It wan also 
Voted, 'That it is the wish of this meeting that the General ARwnibly Im 
solicited by General Convenlion to al«8ulve the members of the Medical 
Society of the Slate of Connecticut, from paying the moneys taxed for 
the support of the civil list ; provided the like sum be ycaily taxed, and 
collected, and ajipropriatcd for the bqIq purpose of difTusing medical 
knowledge, — voted, that the above vote be transmitted to the medical 
convention/ A vote riimilar to the al>ovo was repeated in ITits ; but 
what action resultrd, if any, does not appear. 

"The followinij: Preamble and Resolution, passed in 3794, exhibit a 
zeal in Fairfield tVuiity Society, fur the cultivation and diffusion of 
meilical knowledge, among its members, worthy of imitation by the 
present members of all medical societies, — viz., * Whereas the material 
end, use, and design of the ^Icdical Society of Connecticut was to diffuse 
and cultivate medical knowledge among thu faculty ; and as this noble 
puri>4)«e cannot ho answered in any way 80 well as by the members 
mutually di.scl>i8ing anything that occurs to their minds that may be in 
anyway useful, either in the theory or practice >>( medicine — Itesolved, 
that it »hall bo the duty of overj' member of this Medical Society to ex- 
hibit, at lea«t once in two years, to the society, u dissertation on some 
medical subject, or relate an account of some coses in the coui-sc of his 
pnu:ticc that may bo nnirked with most peculiariticj<, together with his 
remarks (heroun. Kesolved, That if any member shall refuse to comply 
with the furoguing resoluliou, he shall be considered 08 guilty of neglect 
of duly to this society and to mankind in general.' Though the requiie- 
ment« of the altuve resolutiun wei-e probably not realized to its full ex- 
tent, yet the reconls of the society and present experience piwe that, 
through wrlttiMi and onil communiuilion, elicited by the asck>ciation, 
much ha« Ifoeii effected in the dissemiQation of individual experionco 
and obdor^ation among its meuibcrs. 

**By means of ade<|uate police regulatii:>n8, originally adopted and 
occattiunally mudltled to meet existing emergencies, a salutary' reformation 
has been effected of the unsocial habits formerly characterizing profcs- 
fcionnl intercourse. Intleed, at the present time, such Is the degree of 
pnifefisional comity generally observed by the physicians of Fairfield 
County, that even private complaints are rarely heai-d of its breach in 
the onlinary jtitorcourso of neighboring physicians. 

"It will probably W claimed by ropudiators of medical societies that 
tlio Improved cornlitlon of medical science is a necetwary sequence of the 
advanced state of general literature chametori/.ing the periiKl; and that 
the Impruve«l moral and social habits of the profession liavo been the 
natural ntjull of the su[>orior refinement of modern society compared 
with that of prece<ling eras. While it is concede<l that the cultivation of 
Hcience tends tn refine (he taste, and to strengthen the honorable feelings 
of t!ie few who ore its devotees, yet it may admit of (pie.tliipn whether, 
an n-gnnls the * utilr in iHo</n,' In the present age of activity of the selfish 
pniuions and prup^-nsilieti, society can Justly l>oost a marke<l su|>eriority 
of the social and honurubic accomplishments over those of the past cen- 
tury. 

" Itut to what cAuiK*, It may pertinently Ikj asked, Iioa medical science 
and the m-j<-ia] Improvements of the prtifejt.oiou been Indebted, more than 
U* the efforts <if Its memUxm which havooriglnatuil and W'eu promulgated 
by the aulhorlly of thi< various associations of the iK>ri<Ml? It Is futile 
to contend (bat the liitintt' H«-Ifi!«hiK'Mt of sonir individuals in all profes- 
rlonscan u<lci|uately be restrained, except by the fon^c of a general pub- 
lic as well as pmfuMioiml sentiment, expressLHl by means of codea ema- 
nating fmni mivJorilles of indivldnab In rocogni/.ed aMmciallon. 

** It nxiuirca but a reference to the known tendoncleti of human nature 
to predict that should tlie existing system of medical oBAocIation boatian- 
doned, and the former c<jmpnnillvely fl<>cludod stale of medi :al society 
bo reintroduced, nu exMIng reAuemeiits, whether social or scientific, 



would prove adequate to sustain unharmed its present advanced poi^ition. 
There is reason to apprehend that our profey»iunal system, with its centric 
influences thus unhappily dissevered, and tlio affinities of interest re- 
uiajntng to assume their native sway over its detached and less responsi- 
ble constituents, as in former periods, still contains a sufllcient amount 
of discordant elements, not only essentially to derango lis existing fra- 
ternity, but also greatly to endanger it» scientific progress. 

" It is therefore much to be desired that the ropudiators of our medical 
organization, those who by their frequent interrogatory *(jui honof man- 
ifestly depreciate it«i character and imiwrtance, both in view of tlie public 
and many of the junior members of the profession, should institute a 
comparison between the present and past social and scientific history of 
the medical profession in the State, and then decide to what causes ita 
present improved condition is to be attributed. 

" It Is presumed that such canuid investigation will furnish sufilcient 
evidence to convince the most skeptical that it is tlirongh the emnlaCinn, 
stimulated by the fniteriial intercourse of its members in the various 
public associations, that we have been enablc<l to realize the jtresent im- 
proved moral and educational su|K-riorily of the profession over its jiart 
condition ; and that it is through a continuance of the same agency that 
we may confidently hoiw for a progressive odvonccment of its respect- 
ability and im|>ortanco in the estimation uf the community far bej'ond 
its present position. 

"It has been noticed that most of the respectable physicians of Fair- 
field County embraced with alacrity and zeal the plan of society organi- 
zation. Also, the records of its s jciety have been noticed to prove that 
their attention was early directed to professional improvement, by their 
adoption of meosures for the diffusion of nutlical knowledge and expe- 
rience among Its members. A ijolico syst«>m was also early e^tablishel 
designed to remedy evils whi.:li hiul long interrupted the harmony and 
fraternity of the medical society in the county; un abuse Indulged to 
such extent as not only to derogate the character and rank of the pnn 
fession in the view of the community, but doubtless in many cases in- 
stead of its officiating as an agent i>f mercy it became rather a ilcmun of 
evil to many a luckless subject whom disease had chanced to prostrate 
on the arena of conflict of his medical attendants. 

" Indeed, such was the existing emei^oncy that hod been induced by 
the inilulgenco of empirical habits by some of its physicians, that pnv- 
fessional contention was rondered proverbially Illustrnlive of discords in 
society generally. Individual exiiorience, whether real or osxumed, was 
habitually vaunted with the object of t>eguiliiig the Imagination of the 
credulous; and with many reputably ix'^pectable physii-inus the art of 
abstracting the legitimate {talients of neighboring rivals was iKinimount 
to that of healing their resjH-ctive diseasi'.-i. Indeed, self-interest, sought 
to be promoted by such dislionorabte means, a;i[ieared a» the object that 
Hwnyed many practitioners, rather than the honorable and liberal efforts 
adapted to the advancement of ntedical science and the public health 
for which they professed a special reganl. 

"To effect a reform of this depressed state of professional character, 
and to advance the scientific interests of the profession, was the obje<t 
of those iKitriots who originate 1 and by assiduity effiMited the medicitl 
organization of Fairfield County. They suecet:«sfully encountered the 
herculean task, and by the continued efforts of their siicce^tsors the 
hydra evils w* detrimental to the medical clcarocter have nearly disa|>- 
])eared from the field of their former Influence. Those worthy pioneers 
now all rest from their labors, but their invaluable works remain, and 
it is their duo that their names be held in grateful remembrance by 
thufH) who have succeeded them In the same field of professional toil. 

"The names of the original subscrilK-rs of Fairfield County Society, 
who were contemiK»rar>- ]»ractitioner» In the county, are the fulb>wiiig, — 
viz., Asahel Fitch, Jonathan Knight, Pre^rr^e Woo<l, Gubrirl Ihildwin. 
Ezra Curtis, Davitl Hull, James E. lleach, ."Stephen Rockwell, William 
Shelton, Jos4>pli Tr»»wbrblge, James Clark, Thaddeus lielts, Th<mi:i- 
Pavis, Kliiha Delclier, James Ptttler, l>uvld Rogers, James ScofieM, 
Ilusea Ilurlbut, Lewis Iteeiv, Amos Mt.>ad, Jontilban I'oor, Shadrach 
Mead, Gideon Sheinnl, Klijah Ilawley, Dlivcr Uencroft. Am<>s Ibtki-r, 
Samuel Webli, John I.e-der. Rcnnell IVrry, Kli I't-rry, ttrange IJ^-nton, 
Denjamln Cuiiis, .Kdin Wo^sl, St<'phen Mlddlebn»ok, .\ugusliu Mcrwin, 
John U. (irep>ry, Ann's llotsfonl, William It^-iu-d, Uaniul Beard, William 
£<lscui, Minor lligby, (jidimn UeanUley. 

"It would affonl gratificalIon,<lid the m'cjislon admit, to l>ostow a par- 
ticulor nnilce of each Imlividnal winuo names are appendetl to the fore- 
going list ; but as this Is denied, I shall select those only, who from their 
IHipular estimate as practlllonerw, or from their mental eliaracleristies, 
ei^oyed a more extensive reputation in the community in which they 
resided. 



MEDICAL HISTORY. 



35 



" As a t; ilnitc li"W(.-vfr. tine tt) tlmsc wlmni mir limit? furbiJ a more 
]iiiili ular iiifnli'iii, I may gciuTally tt.itt-, Ilwit l\u:y were ri-spcctil-lo 
siiiil vjiluoil jiriu'titioiicrs ; many of tlnrir miinber possessing merit and 
quiilificatiun, as such, nnt iiiferinr t> others who, emhiwoil «ith tlmso 
furtuniite ehaiacteiislic traits whidi ever arrest impuhir attrntion, en- 
joyed a more extended and ])rotnini-nt reinitation. 

" Dr. James Potter resided and praiticed in Sliernian, oi i;;iiially a part 
of Xew Fairfield, a town in the northwest part of FairlieM ('oimty. Ai- 
eordinj? to the best inforniati m I liave ohtaine I, liis native phu-e \v;is 
S.iuthinicton in this State. I have not lieen aMe to learii where or how 
he was ediirated. Rev. M. Guelston. of Sherman, thinks thai he nn^st 
probaMy ohtiiined his meiical eduL-iiti<in nnder the in.><trii<.tion of hi.-i 
rehitive, I>r. Potter, foimeily a physician of Wallin.i^ford. l>r. P-ilti-r 
appears early to have unite 1 and heroine a meniher of Ilie Xi\\ lla\<-n 
(Vmnty Society previous to the orcanization of that of his .jun ■ oimty, 
and was tlie third president of the Cotiuecticut Medical Society. He was 
probably the juime agent in the institution of that of his own county, ;is 
its recorris show that its first meeting was assrndded l;v his notification. 
Its honni-s were more frequently bestowed on him than on any other in- 
dividual member. As a practitioner, however, I do not learn that he 
possessed scientific or practical qualification sujierior to many of his 
brethren of the county. His zeal was ardent in the promotion of the in- 
terests of tlie profession, and to its exercise is untlonhtcdly to le attrib- 
uted the ready acquiescence obtained from so large a p 'vUiu of her jiliy- 
f-icians for the projiosed county organization. The notice wliicli Ih. 
Potter has iibtained from my predecessjr supersetles the in-ces-ity of an 
extended mention i>f his public character. Kev. M. Ouelston wiites re- 
garding; him, 'As a pliysician he wa.s highly esleeniel here and in a wide 
circle around. Ko intruder could have encroached upon his but^ine^s. 
In the political, civil, and religious community his agency ami intluentc 
was great, and his memory has been cherished by all who knew liim. 
lie was a popular teacher, and instructed many students in the science 
of his profes-iion.' 

"He is said to have been of social habits, and so passionately fond of 
angling as frequently to resort to the waters of Long Inland Sound— a 
ilistancc of twenty or thirty miles fnmihis place of resi'lence— to Indulge 
)iis favorite recreation. Of his jiersonal appearnnce a fiiend writes: ' He 
was of a giave and venerable ajipeaiance, 1 eing one of t lie hist w ho wou- 
thesnnill-cl dhesand tiiangular (or I'uiitan) hat, dressing his tall figure 
with nealnes,s and elegance. He was of a companionable temperament, 
and celebrated for telling anecdotes' He died I'eb. lo, 1S(H, aged .^ixty- 
teven years. 

"Dr. Giileon Shepard w;ls a i)ra-titioner and native of Newtown. T 
have learned that he studied medicine w itii Ih. Thonuis, a profes^i-nal 
j)redece!^s »r in his native town, who is said to have been a rejiulable jirac- 
titioner. I susi)ect that ttie early acquirements of Dr. Shepard were not 
extensive; but if such was the fact, lie eminently conipensateil for the 
defect by an Indiitnal dci'oti m to tlie science of medicine and its observ- 
ant apphcalion to the diseases which he treated. My early impressions 
of the doctor are, that he devoted greater attention to the occurring im- 
provements in medical science than most of his contemporary brethreti. 

"Althougli not endowed with extraordinary intidU-ctual powers, Ids 
talents were lespectible and of a character calculated for usefulness 
rather than display or striking originality. If he did ii'it attain eminence 
as a profe-v'-ional scholar, he wiis diligent in his ctlorts to acquire suih 
portions of existing medical literature as were more immediately adapted 
to the emergencies of practice ordinarily presented to the notice of physi- 
cians. To his juinors in the profession, Dr. Shepard's dei^itment wjis 
ever urbane, and his counsels to them disinterested and parental. His 
professional coevals in neighboring towns generally concedeil to him a 
precedence as a consulting physician. The following vote from the 
records of Fairfield Meilical Society sulficiently evince the estimation in 
which he was held by his brethren : 

*'* VuU'd, That I>r. Gideon Shepard receive the patronageof this society 
in consuinption and chronic cases of disease, and that it be the duty of 
all members of this society to recommend him when counsel is deemed 
expedient, etc., and that it be his duty to report all cases of that descrip- 
tion to which he may be called to attend, with their particular symptoms, 
the partiiiilar medicines, and the con^titution of the several patients, to- 
gether with the predispositions of their ancestry.' 

"Altliough the existing generation of physicians may smile at such 
Mending t)f professional opinion with popular belief regarding excellence 
of the skill of individuals in special classes of disease, yet the fiict is un- 
doubted that smdi were prtifessional concessions as late as the close of the 
last and comniencenient of the present centuiy- Hi** mode of treatment 
of consumidiun, as I learu from his statement of cases left on the records 



of the society, was not peculia'. I eing in general mildly antiplilogislic 
and similar to the present treatment of jihtliisis. To meet ocrnning 
symptoms, local bleeding, cjunter-irrifanls, with anodyu'- and demub ent 
expectorants, were his general pi-esciiptions. 

" Dr. Shepard was somewhat eccentric in character, but social, instruc- 
tive, and agreeal le in his intercouise with society. In his leligious sen- 
timents he was a zealous Sandemaiiian. He ever sustained a reputation 
of great moral puiity ; and while lie was highly esteemed by his fiiends, 
his enemies or traducers were rarely found. 'Wliat few phy>i. ians can 
boast, he was the fatlier of seventeen children; thereby practically re- 
futing the possilde ch.arge that, while enjoying the profits of a sjiecial 
branch of his profession as a prompt accessory in the accumulation of 
responsibilities on his friends, he was cautious in the assumption of similar 
burdens on himself. 

" He is said to have be'^ii of an exlieinely chaiilable disp.i>.iii..n ao'I 
indulgent as to his pecuniary claims upon his poorer pali'-nts. This dis- 
position, with the necessary denumds for the support of his numerous 
fanuly, ever kept him poor, tliougli not indigent, as regarded a respectable 
living. Dr. Shepard was one of the most prominent of tlie oiiginatois 
and supporteis of the Fairfield County Medical Society, and the records 
of this convention will show that he was one of its niojst fre<pient and 
active members. He died a few yeai-s since at Hunter, N. Y., where he 
resided with one of In's daughters, when incapacitated fiom age for the 
jiraclice of hi:* professi m, at the advanced pelio.] of eighty-nine years. 

"Dr. Ilennett Perry wasacontemi"Mary practitioner with Dr. Sliepanl 
in Newtown. He was a son of Dr. Nath. Perry, of Wondlmiy, a highly 
respectable physician of that town. The son probably acquired his pro- 
fession witii his father, when he located in Newtown, where he practiced 
medicine until his death, which occurred in If^'JI, aged sixty-^ix years. 
His rejuitation is that of a physician possessing superitu- tiilents, well 
develoiicdby education, , and an able, respectable, and highly accomplished 
practitioner and citizen. 

"Dr. .lohn Lester was. I h.ave understooi], a native . if Ma.-K:ichus(tts. 
He studied medicine with Dr. Nath. Perry, of Woodbury, who it wouM 
appear was among tlie most prominent metlii at teacln-rs of the period. 
He commenced practice at the age of twenty-one, abi>ut IT^'.t, at Hunting- 
ton. I)r. Lester was one of the most resiK'Ctable physicians of the c<iunty, 
and an active and eiliciput member of its medical s'n iety, in the orgainza- 
tion of which he sustained a prominent part. His death occurre<l in 
I>n2, aged ak>ut thirty-five years. 

" Dr. William Sheltou was a native of Iluntingttrn, a graduate of Yale 
College in 17SS. He pursued his medical studies, I am infoimed, in part 
witn Dr. Eneas Munson, and was for a time under the in^tru<■tion of Dr. 
William Agur Tomlinson, of Stratford. He fiist located and practiced in 
Trnmbnll, but on the decease of Dr. Lester he removed to his native 
town, where ho continued its principal jdiysieian until his death. Di-. 
Sheltou was a talented, skillful, and most lesi'ccted jtiiysician. He was 
an inllneutial jiioneer in the county society organization, and ever con- 
tinued one of its principal supporters. He was tin- father of Drs. William 
Sheltou, of Stratford, and James II. Shelton, of Huntington. He died in 
LslD, aged fifty-two years. 

"Dr. David Hull was a native of the town of Derby. He was the sun 

of Hull, a resident of that town, and brotherof Gen. Hull of Detroit 

notoriety. He was also uncle to Com. I^aac Hull of the navy. Ho 
graduateil at Yale Cidlege in 1TS5, and studied mediiine with Dr. Titus 
Hull, (•{ Bethlehem, a propiietary of the celebrated ' Hull's Physic' ID- 
located and pra< (iced his piofesirion in Fairfield, wliero he continued a 
highly respectable and respected physician until his death, a jn-riod of 
nearly half a century. He enjoyed an extensive practice- not only in 
Fairfield, but, especially in cases of colic, in the adjacent towns, where 
he was often called as a consulting jdiysician. Dr. Hull a- quired from 
his preceptor, who I believe wiis a distant relative, a knowledge of the 
composition of 'Hull's Physic' in consideration of his name. The com- 
position of this nostrum was a secret which its inventor allowed to he 
iniparteil but to those of his name, and to those but with the condition 
that such only as enjoyed the family cognomen were to be admitted aa 
candidates for a reception of the concealed treiusure. Sucli was the posi- 
tion of Dr. David Hull in relation to tliis celebrated nostrvim, for which 
he encountered the censoiiousremaiksofhiB mediral bretliren al'road ami 
not unfrequently those of his own county, wlm were less familiar with 
the unostentatious mode in which lie emi)loyed it. 

" In justice to the professional memory of Dr. Hull, and in vindication 
of a friend whom I much esteemed, I am happy in being aide to state, 
from personal knowledge, that without proclaiming the specific virtues 
of the pills in the euue of colic, on whi(di disease its-popularity was 
based, or In any degi'ce adopting the mode of nostrum propiietors in au- 



36 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CO"NNECTICUT. 



nouneing tholr Ivintliiigs for piillfc altoiilion, lio nnpretoiidinely cm- 
ployed them hi h\» pmctico as n favorite laxfttivo in tlmt as well as vori- 
ouii other iliHdiri'-d in wliicli ho (leeme<l tlicni iippn*priiite, siniply umler 
ttio flenomiimtinn of his AloeUc pill, lit- wiw fram U.s »»ii;;iii and over 
coutlimetl a member of the county society, iiutwitlistiindini; the rxistence 
of itd stringent f*:/-/<iir<i and the kniwn detestation of empiricism which 
nctnnteil it* m-wt prominent members. The tolerance which Pr. IlnU 
experienLoiI from his contemimniry brethren under such circumstances 
mi^ht be lUn-nnil adefpmte cvidento of Ihfir estimate of lii« chamcler os 
a respected and liononibk' memlwrof the county societi'; but in addition 
the foIUmink' vote on the society record exhll-its pos-itivc proof that he 
was recognizeil tig a vahied and ettteemed member, whose [tilluence it was 
deeiU'Ml de.sirul.le to secure and retain f'>r the promotion of the object for 
which it was or;!auized. Voted, ' that a committee be api>iiinti.'ii to coll 
on Dr. David Hull and inform him that by paying his taxes in arrears he 
will be considered an lionorable memlKsr of this society without inquiry 
Into the ee.'rct of the composition of HtiW$ Physic.'' A committee of three 
of the m>wt respcctuhle membfrs were, in arcordance wiih the above vote, 
apiHdntcil, and Dr. Hull remained a mwt enteemed memberof the society 
until his death, whicli occurred in 1834, aged sixty-eight years. 

" I am indebted to the politoue.-s of Pmfetwor Knight for the following 
notice of physiciana who practi-cd in Norwalk, hi^ nativo town. 

" Dr. Knight, in reply to a communication on tlie subject, staters 'The 
oldest p])y^i<.-ian whom I knew luid the only one of any distinction, when 
my father tu-ttled thore, was Thaddeus Bells, M.D. He was, I believe, u 
native of the town, agnidimtoof Yale Odlege in 1745, one of the original 
mendiers of the Connecticut Meili :hI Society, and received fioni it the 
degree of M.D. at an early po;ii»d of its existence. He died in IsiiT. He 
was a man «tf great excellence of character, well informetl in his pi-ofes- 
sioii, and a Judicious practitioner. I think he made no pretensions to 
Burgcry. I rvcollecl him as a cheerful, pleaj>ant old genlleman, abound- 
fng In wit, an<l intttructive in hut conver>ta(ion. 

**'My father, Dr. Jonathan Knight, wos born in Lisbon, then a part of 
Norwich, Conn., Jan. 10, IToS. He studied medicine with Dr. Ladd, a 
physician of that neighlHirliood. In 1770 or 1777 he entere<l the army, 
and was surgeon's mate of the Cuniieclicut Regiment, under tlie com- 
mand of C<d. DurUee or Durgee. He was with the troops under Gen. 
>Va«htngt-u) at Valley Forge during that most dispiriting period of the 
war. H» loft the army in 1780, and settled itr Norwalk in 17t>l-^2. For 
many yeais he was actively and extensively engaged in practice, princi- 
pally OS a phynician, in that and the neighboring towns. He continued 
In the performance of the active dulius of liis profession until they were 
diminished by advancing yearv and increosing infirmities. Ho died 
March, 1«'29, in tlio sovenly-sccond year of his age.' 

" I would add tu the above statement <»f Dr. Knight that Dr. T. Betts 
wni the grandfather of Hon. Thaddeus Betts, liite of the Intted States 
Senate. Dr. Knight, l>esides the Cj*toemed writer of Hk* al»ove, hacl an- 
other eon. Dr. James Knight, w)io located and practiced in Slaiufonl, but 
died in early life, al><>ut tlie iioriod 1H18. Pre. Betts and Knight were 
among the most pntmlnent and influential members who aided in the 
establishment and were zealous supporters of the Fairfield County Medi- 
cal Society. 

"Among the mo«t omlneut physicians of Fairfield County was Dr. 
Ilosea Hurlbnt, of Groonfleld Hill. Ho was a nativo of Berlin, Conn., 
nnd iiun of Samuel Hurlbnt, of that town. He commenced the btudy of 
medicine with his celebrated and eccentric uncle. Dr. Jame.-) Hut Unit, of 
Wethemfltdil. He was fur a time a student in the offlco of l>r. Woleotl, 
of Litchfield, the elder Governor of thnt name. While there he num- 
l«red aninng his Intimate ojWH'lates Judge Reeve, Aaron Burr, John 
Allen, and Oliver Wolcott. Jr. Even among such intellectual a>>4ocintes 
lie Is Md>l to haveHUHlaininl a distinguished jmrt, through the exercise of 
n markivl oriKinal gunlus. a ready Mclntilliillng wit, and Interesting con- 
vuriMttonal i-mers. Ho snl«4>4|Uently commenced pnictice in the ujipcr 
|iart of Bltddhtown, fnmi which place, aflef a short ro^idence, ho removed 
to Greenflidd, in the t»>wu of Kalrfiehl, where ho resided until his de- 
reoi^, dinlingulflht*d alike iw a physician and man of gouerolly cullivntod 
and mre genluN. 

" r>r. Huribut i>niiii(wwed a high senbo of the dignity of his pn.fession, 
and evfr iibhorr<^l duplicity In all its forms. He despised alike the medi- 
cal cmHric, thu legal iMttifogKiT. and the ^niall p^dltlclan, who seldom 
failed |i» rweive and M-nnibly to writhe under the cjutlgutton of his pun- 
gent ■hnris of wlttioiKm, by which, with acute aim, ho rarely fulled to 
mark his victim. 

" In ojldltion to hi* familiarity with the metllcal lilomtun< of the day, 
his ntli'utloii wns •.. far Riven to btdles'lettres science that, with the aid 
uf a nmoj kably ridvntive uioftor?-, many of Iho classic poets, ac Milton, 



Do'dcn, Tope, Young, and Johnson, he was accustomed to repeat nearly 
entire fn»m memory. 

"The doctor himself i>ossos8e<i a rare poetic genius, which, however, 
woH more employe"! in aid of occasions inviting the exeirise of his mas- 
culine satirical jHtwers than i:i the ordinary gentle effusions of th"' 
9{use9. He ntrely i)ermitlcd the publication of his iKiotic pieces. One, 
however, entitled 'The Quack,' directed against tlie charlatanr}-of a pro- 
fessional neighbor, he published anonymoui^ly, with scathful effect upon 
its unlucky victim. 

"Such was the rctentivencss of his memory, however, that most of 
his poetic compositions he could readily repeat. Suvernl of these I have 
heard him recite, which ip |)oelic gracefulness even Bur])assed, while the 
pungency of their satire was not inferior to, that of Peter Pindar or 
McFingal. 

"Among the many anecdotes which might be ofldneed to show tb 
doctor's instant wit and ready application of quotation, the fo|lowing is 
pertinent. Being in a company of attorneys, one of the number, with 
the desi:;n to rally a repartee, atjked the doctor why perpetual unbroth- 
erly feuds were so chanicteristic of the members of the nte^licul pro- 
festiion, at the sumo time boujstingly remarking, * Not s > with us lawyers ; 
we ever live in neighborly harmony, quarrels hitnlly being known tu 
exist among us.' Says the doctor promptly, in the language of Milton, — 

"'Devil with devil damned. 
Firm concord holds. Men only dii-agrce, 
Of creatures rational,' etc. 

"Ah a jdiysician, Dr. Huribut was doubtless far In advance of the gen- 
ondity of lii:^ conteniporai ies. His views of the lrcatmt>nt of diseases aji- 
proximuted more to moilern practice thon the overdnigging wbijh 
clmmcterized the ci-a in which he practiced his profesf^iou. He was op- 
posed to polifjittttrmncif, and ever directed his treatment with a view to aid 
the salutary effortsof the economy in itsstniggles against diseased act itui, 
rather than embarrass them by the burdensome infiuencos of a great va- 
riety and excess of prescription. The chief object which he ever kejpt in 
v)<-\v WHS a diet and regimen adapted to the condition of his|>atient,and 
the exhibition of such medicines na existing symptoms ai)peared to ii< 
dicate. It was his marked disapprobation of the contrary jiractice pm 
sued by most of his neighl>oring brethren, in connection with the iHdijt 
edly expressed disgust of the petty arts practiced for pn»cniing patient- 
which ilrow upon him an excess of their hostility, and caused him tti l - 
fretinenlly denounced by them, as a cynic inimical to the interests of lln- 
professi(»n. 

" Dr. Huribut possossed a remarkably fine personal appearance. His 
form was coniuuinding, dignifieil, and gniceful. In conversation, his 
langmige was char^te and select. Vulgarisms, whether in sentiment or 
exprosTiion, met his frowning rebuke ; nuti all acts t>f a mean and dishon- 
omble character, which wore subjects of his tdtservatiou, over met the 
flaying force of his saliriciU lash. He was scrupulously neat in his i^i 
son and temperate in liis habits. Ho was a regular reader aud admit* i 
of the Bible, and n finn believer in the truths of Christianity. He died 
April '20, lS'i."(, aged eighty years, leaving a reputaition that will long 
survive him throughout the c.unmunity In which he lived. 

" Being a neigbtior and friend to the doctt^r in the eai'ly period of my 
professional life, I had the fortune of attending him in his lost Illness. 
An anecdote t.K:curred at that lime well illustrative of )iis character and 
of the foive of the ruliug iMisaion in death. The disease which termi- 
nated his life was a i>aruxysiiml anil extremely iminful affection of lb- 
stomach, of an obscure nature. For several days he retained an ui> 
clouded intellect. During the intennissions of the ininful att^icks li<- 
was 08 usual social and communicative. Being M'usible of his approadi- 
ing end, and having been for a long periiHl on uns >cial tonus w ilh Di 
Hull, liooxprossi>d the Commendable wi.'^h for an interview for the pu' 
pose of a rectuiciliatiou. Di. Hull re.idily recipn>cated the feeling, and 
an amicable ailjnstment wiut the result. During the interview, in the 
al«onco of his iminful |ian>xysm, Iho doctor's favorite to]>ic of me<licinn 
happened to be the subject of conversation ; an<l * Jluir* Colic PUU.' 
which the invalid over hold In sneering contempt, became the object of 
a jocose rally upon his recent friend. Dr. Hull, jtrHdeiW/v Judging that 
the reconcilialion might be hazunled by attempting derense. sufiered t)it* 
pleasantry to prvceed till the embarrat<stnent of his titiuition olicite<l th<- 
reM|ionse, * Yes, doctor, tln*e pilht are a favorite hold<y of niine'—* w hi- li 
thousands have riNlo todeuth V was continuously hupplttil by the |Mtieiit. 

" Dr. .\<tahel Fitch wan one of the early physicians of Redding, and 
Is n-iuemU'red in Fairfield i'ounty as a woUhy man and one of its nx'-t 
rospt<cta)ile practitloneis of modictne. He was among the princi|«l pi >- 
ueum in the foruiatlou of tli6 County S>>ciety, but died soon un«r its oi- 



3IEDTCAL IITSTORY. 



37 



gaiiizfttinn. His deatli occurred in 1792, or about thiit period. I under- 
stninl tlmt he wns the ^ratidfathiT uf rrofc-ssor Kniyht, of Y.ilc CulU'gc. 

"Aiiiiniy the [ihysiciau's uf F;iiifii.-ld County whit eiijtijud a lunt; and 
successful practicu was Dr. Thuuias l\ivi:i of IltKidiiig. He wns a native 
iif Wasliington, LilchtiLdil Co. He coninu-nced tlic istndy uf uiedicine at 
the aRO of sixteen witli Dr. Seth Hastings, uf that town, a ])liysitian 
t'oniewhat distingui»lu-d, I am informed, as a nu-dical teaidiL-r. l)i-. Davis, 
jiievious to the attainment of his majoiity, vas admitted ai a partner to 
tlie extensive practice of his preceptor. He suhseipiently removeil and 
jiracticed medicine for a period in Sliermau, in Fairftehl t'ounty. lu 
lT'.t;j, on the deceive of Dr. Fitcli, he renmvfd to Itedding. wlicre In- cmu- 
tinued in the duties uf his profes.siun till Iiis dL'atli, w lurli u< iuind in 
ls:;i. 

" Dr. Davis possesses the reimtalinn uf heing among the tirst of tlie 
physicians of the county who assnmeii regularly uljstetrical duties; and 
N< I successful were his labois tliiit lie I ceanie particularly eminent in 
that department. It is asserlel nf liim that during the long period uf 
his practice he never lost a paiturient iialieiit. 

"Tlie doctor being svimniom-d as an important witness to appear hef'it' 
(he i;ourt in Kairtield. and nut ai'pearing, ttie sheriH' was sent tu citiui'el 
liis attendance. Being absent, and learniugon his return that the ollieer 
was awaiting at a public-hnu.'.e iu the vicinity, he, witliuut uutice tn the 
t.rticial, rode to Fairfield arid appeareil before the court. On the tpiesti.iu 
occurring with the coiiit regarding the costs attending the capi/in, he re- 
ipiested one or two of his legal fliends to excuse his dehnqnency. The 
judge decided, notwithstanding, that the law must be ..bservi-d and tliat 
the doctor must bear the expenses. Dr. Davis then recpie^ted a ln-arliig 
in his own behalf, which being granted, renuirked, ' Jliiy it please the 
cnurt, I am a good citizen uf the State, and since 1 was sumnnuied to 
attend tliis court I have introduced tbreu other good citizens into it.' 
The cuuvt replied tluit for so good a plea lie would leave the paities to 
pay the expen^es. The doctor received the cungiatnlati<.n* id tbe bar 
for his successful defence. 

'■ Tlie following anecdote,ns connecteil with anuther subject embraced 
in these biographical sketches, and also with a historical event occurring 
in this convention, 1 will take the liberty to iidat,e ; 

" Jtr. James Pottei-, of New Fairfield, when on his way to our annual 
cunvention, at which he was tt> deliver an address, called and spent a 
night with his friend Dr. Davis. Theoratur being elated with his antici- 
pated exhibition, and several of his acquaiutances, among wln.ini was a 
County Court judge, calling on him in the evening, they united with his 
host in persuading him to rehearse before them his grandiloquent .-speech. 
After the family and domestics, including an Afi-ican, ha<l been siiin- 
niuned. w ith the view numerically to multiply the audience, the durtur, 
with oratorical pump, niuiinted the rostu:ni (whi< h being a large aimed 
chair), and delighted himself and audib.ry by il.-> rehearsal. 

"The chair thus rendered memorable has been presented to a member 
of the medical suciety. Kev. Thomas F. Davi*, one uf our must respect- 
able divines, is the only male descendant of Di-. Davis. 

"The subjejt tj wliicli I have diiucte 1 ycuir attention has led to a 
retrospect into the darker enis of our professional histjry, when both 
jihysicians and the public enjoyed few of the advantages of mental cul- 
ture that now exist. Credulity aud ignorance, fostered by knavery, 
there appear as the prominent agents in misguiding the public mind in 
its estimate of medical sci(-nce and the object and impurtance uf its eul- 
tivati-'U, ;ls well as to lead it essenti.tlly to underestimate the character 
and object of the profession directing its legitimate administration. 

"The undiminished influence which credulity still exerts over the 
public mind, in the present comparatively enlightened period, aflbrds no 
small evidence in favor uf the position, that it is an innate propensity, 
holding a no less important relation to tlie mind than that of one of its 
elementary constituents, w hi h will probably manifest its activity in 
every coudilioii of sjciety, whatever may be tlie advantages enjoyed for 
its discipline and cultivation. 

" In such view of the origin of credulity, it is true that the apprehen- 
sion can but be indulged, that in some form of manifestation, it will 
long continue to counteract the teachings of reason and experience, 
and thus ever prove an obstacle that will be likely to ol struct our pro- 
fession, in its efforts for the advancement of the sanative interests of the 
cummunity. 

"The hope, however, may be entertained, that among the many im- 
provements of tlie age, such a i-ystem of culture for the mind will ulti- 
mately be devised,that its several faculties may be taught to act in their 
appropriate spheres, and a healthy ratit>nalily be substituted fur the 
nurbid excrescences of reason which impostors in science luiginato and 
cherish, with the object of accomplishing their detestable designs. It is* 



those wlio, at the present time, no less than fornieily. distract the 
opinion which the public attempt to fonn ieL,'arding the value and im- 
portance of medical science, ;us \\ell ;is that of tbeido|j;y and general 
spiiitual agency. 

" The professions of medicine and tliet)logy,as enduucing within their 
confines a larger amount ()f iierpU-xing and indefinite mysteiies, the one 
of the organic, the other of the spiiitual world, have ever been the pro- 
lific si)Urce whence impostors in science derive the aliment indispensablo 
for the germinal i.in and growth of their baleful prtigeny of errois whi, h 
distract and mislead jiublir seiitiuieiit in its estimate uf tlieir respective 
meiits. The in'ofeshioiis of law aud the common aits enjoy a compara- 
tive exempliun for tbe reason that their piincijiles are b;uved upon sen- 
tiljle ubservaliou, and therefure are uioie readily comjueheiide<i and 
defined by the ordinary powers of sense and reus ui, wlii. h most i)erBon9 
jiussess. It is true that the otfspiing of evils whi.h aflliet the lespeclive 
profes&i uis of medicine and theology are diversified in theii* forms, those 
i>i each being mouhled Jiy the varied aliment which they respectively 
su] ply ; yet they are the product of an anaK>goii6 germ of mental oiigin, 
and it is therefoie undoubted that through the s;inie remedy, a salutary 
inculcation of truth to the minds uf the allectcd, the malady i.pf each 
(if eiadi ■aide) is to be suppressed. 

" It i-* manifc-jt, therefure, that any efloi ts liaving lefeience to the sup- 
prestioii of evils fiowing from credulity, that alllict the several profes- 
siiuts, must be ilirected agaiust the genus rather than the inu'licular 
species ur variety which each presents. The mental fountain nuist be 
cla:ified before the Protean errors which it emanates can be corrected. 
It is futile fur the pl■ofes^i.ln of medicine or theology, or even the politi- 
cal leformer, to attempt singly to combat the impostor or fanatic in tlie 
vaiieil form which he ai^Bumes in their respective depaitnients. He can 
alone successfully be encountered by the nioie rati-uial of all tbe pro- 
fes^iuus unitedly instniLling the atlected in a judi« ions e\eicise of their 
senses and reason, and the rejectiun of all such appeals made to their 
imagination, which are unsustaiued by evidence derived from these 
geiieiaUy safe guides and faithful nnuiitors. 

" It wuuM appear that evils thus identical in their chaiacter and oii- 
gin (uight to iuHiiire a mutuality of interest in the sulleriiig professions 
fi»r their eiadicati ui. It is, however, a fact much to be regretted, that, 
whilst the influence of medical si iciice, and generally the etlorts of phy- 
sicians, have been applie 1 to counteract the common maladies migina- 
ting from credulity, they have not received corresponding aid from the 
( leiical profesj-ion, their joint suflerer from the evil. \\ Idle the latter 
lijis been Blreniious in its attempts to suppress the impostor and fanati.; 
in religion, a large portion of its membei-s have too frequently Mip])Iied 
thiir influence in aid of the ipiack iu medicine, in lli^ adveiituies for 
fill tune upttu the health and lives of the credulous in tbe coiuniiinily. 

"It is a matter of regret that men of education and influence like 
these, who by their profession hold the exalted jiusition of moral and 
religious instructors aud conservators, should thus ui.i:itentionalIy be 
made instrumental in furtherance of the basely selfisli dcj-igns nf the 
knave and impostor in medicine. Tbe explanation ot the jiheiioTtteitoH 
may possibly be derived from the fact that their minds, thiough habits 
acqiiiied in their investigation of the revealed mysteries of theology, 
ami the haldtuul assent which they are accusUmied to bestow, ou evi- 
dence supplied by faith, uixm the important truths wliii h tlieir profession 
requires tliem to leach, are more prune than uthers of equal mental dis- 
cipline and un.lerslanding to yield their credence to the pretended mar- 
velous revelations of the quack ; especially when such are assumed as 
results of unweaiied investigation into the mysteries embraced iu the 
laws of organic structure, aud its concomitant, the vital piiiniple. 

"lam gratified, however, in expressing my conviction, that far the 
larger imrtiou of the more intelligent and influential of this most re- 
spectable and useful body of our fellow-citizens are in i\o degree 
cliargeable with this error of judgment reganling the merits of the 
medical profes>i.in, of which we complain. Tlu.>e have ever bestowed 
their imiiviilual iiithience lu su^taiuing the claims which it holds upon 
the community for a just ai'predation of its labors in its bnhalf. Could 
their powerful influence be madt; available in their several public bodies, 
the hordes of empiiicism would be weakened in their nnst important 
intreiichmenls, and the lesser poMtiuns U> which they wuuld be com- 
pelleil to rcsiut would curtail their ability of inflicting the evils in 
which they have too hmg and too successfully leveled. 

"I Would therefore close this address, aheady extended beyond the 
liniils oiiginally designed, by tbe suggestion for your 4onsideratioli, 
whether, by instituting otfiiiully Joint nieasure>< (could such be effected) 
between clerical and medical pulilie associ;itions iu leference to the 
emergency arieing fiom the evils througli whicli both arc sufferers, they 



38 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



might not be cflsontinlly leseneil, ir not eradicated. Could Buch con- 
certed action bo effuctCMl, it is rational to hope, nay it is morally certain, 
that their united iiilluence would effect much in the correction of public 
Hciitiment in itji erroni-Miis vicm's of the ol«i:urilie8 which the 8;:ience of 
each embraces. IJy a salutary disL-ipIine thus forcibly iiiculcatod, there 
can be uo doubt that the Aucceas or the imitostor, botli in rdigiau and 
modicinc, would bo materially checked and hia influence curtailed, if 
nut erodicutvd. 

" Although the vicwg guggesteJ may bo deemed too Utopian for human 
nature witli its existing nlructure, yi-t permit mo to cxpre*^ the belief, 
that by judi<jiuu8ly directed concurrent effjils of the twu pn.fetwious, 
aided by the intelligent of all classes, the hydra would be effectually 
BUppredjkid, and Ha inllnence, litiherto so detrimental to the lulvancc- 
nicnt of UHeful soienco and the public welfare, would be enfeebled and 
poworlces, by thu>* exhausting the aliment rf;quircd to sustain its 
growth. 

" In retiring from tliis presidential scat which you have Buccessivcly 
amigned me, accept, gentlemen, my thanks for the honor yuu liave con- 
ferreil, and fur your indulgence of the imperfect ability which I am con- 
eciou!4 uf having diMphiyed in the diacliargc of its responsible duties. 
During the jwriod of my occupancy of tliiu station, and a long previous 
experience o^ a mem)>cr of thi^ convention, it hna been my good fortune 
unifuruily to witness amanire^tation of u most harmonious and fi-alernal 
feeling among iti members, amid all the discussions of the various sub- 
jects of logiilalion that have been submitted to its action. While in 
most deliberative boflies party or sectional inti^rests are too prone to 
originato unsocial pa^'^lon, and to excite angry debate, no such exhibi- 
tion has hero boon indulged. On the contrary, a unity of purpose, 
directed solely to the adrunccraont of the medical profession in respect- 
ability and usefulness, has ever signally appeared as the actuating prin- 
ciple governing each of its members. 

" Permit me, gentlemen, t^) express the hope that the same benevolent 
object will ever direct the deliberations of all your future convocations; 
and al4o my convicti>>ns that a continuance of the same course of pru- 
dent k-j;*islali'>n, that hiis characterized the past, will not fail progres- 
Bively to elovrtto the character of the medical profession of Connecticut, 
to a |K>sition unsur|Mi.44e<l by that of its brethren of other communities, 
or of eillior of the learned profcyisions, and where it may 8ur\'ey uncon- 
corned the puny axsAultd of a reckless empiricism, which will, doubtless,' 
long ho flustiined with the hope of inviting a novel-loving public to 
contribute aid for the promotion of its interest and aggrandizement. 

" I cannot, gentlemen, in justice to my feelings, close without express- 
ing the deep sense with wtuL-h I am impressed liy the recent event which 
has deprived the me«lical profetiHion of several of its shining ornaments, 
as welt OS this society of two of its most active, respectable, and efllcicut 
members. 

*' I presume that, in common with myself, there arc members of this 
body who anticii>ated a cordial and friendly greeting with our esteemed 
friends and colleague!*, who have now retired from all earthly scenes, 
but whom a few days since wo had apparent reason to believe little short 
of a grave |)ruvldeutial dispensation would be likely to deprive us of 
their prei»ence. Their viwiges in our hall of convocation have l»ccn, 
hcri'U)fi>re, nearly as familiar as its fixtures by which we arc sur- 
rounded, and there are recollections thus raodo vivid, which are pecu- 
liarly cjilculalcd to add deeper |K>lgnancy to tho evont which wo doubt- 
lea all in common dc|)lorc. 

"From thooiie, Dr. Samuel Beach,* selected atonr last annual meeting 
M DlMortator, we had the apparent g-jod romson to expect an interesting 
and luBtructlvo communication. But in this our hopes are annihilated, 
and it Id iMjcomiug in U4 devoutly t ) submit to the act of superior wisdom 
which has iutcrp^fst-d and frustrated our cherished expectiUions. Of tlio 
character of I>r. Itciwh as a citlzon, a physician, and friend, I cannot re- 
frain fron» the remark that, iluring a loug experience of friendly and 
intimate Intercourse, X have over found him uniform in tho exercise of 
tho (pialitius of an hone.it man, a guntlenian, and a philanthropist; 
while as a member of tho .Medk'at Society and pn>fi'asi jn, It is uo dlsiMir- 
agement to any of its members to say that in zeal for tho promotion of 
their intermlsand prosiM*Hty ho was sunuuscd by none. 

"Of Dr. ArchlltabI Welch, surruunde-l as I am by hia frionds and 
nelf^hlioring bn'thren. an>l In consequence of tho position which be has 
loug held In this Cunvontiun lu a memt>cr, as haviug fulfilled various 
oflKial dutb-a ill it.4 onuoction, including those of tUo occupancy of tbo 



• Dr. Beach was a victim of tho accident on tho Xcw York and Now 
Haven lUllruad disaster ut the Xywwlk Bridge. Uc pnuticed in Bridge- 
port. 



chair, my attempt at his oulogj- is rendered unnecessary. Personally, 
however, I am inclined to state that during an acquaintance of more 
tlian a quarter of a ccntnr>', I have unifonnly had occasion to odmiri- 
his characteristic urbanity and gentlemanly deportment, and for u 
namber of years, being ofTK-ially associated witli him In the discharge of 
public professional duties, T have experienced the ttenefitsof his valuable 
friendship and more intimate social inturcourse. Generally, I do not 
hesitate to add that as an example of zeal for tho furtherance of thr 
interests of tlie profession he has left no superior. 

" Hut an afllictivo Provi'leuce has inter])osed and tho cherished hopes 
of future intcniews with mo, and with you, are thus abruptly tennl- 
nated. It only remains therefore for us to emulate the worthy example 
which may be deriveil from the lives of the individuals whose career on 
earth has been so suddenly arretted. ■ 

** While, then. In common with their families and numerous circles of ' 
friends, we dc]tlore the lots inflicted by the awful event, let us profession- 
ally inipR>ve the admonition, that the guardians of liftr are, alike with 
their charge, subject to the variocs foims of deoth wliich their vocation 
calls uiwn them to cinilat; and that vn sepaiaiiiig at the doseof our 
annual convocations, no eye but that of on inscrulable Proviilenco can 
designate thoso frcm our nuniLer, whcfc linenments will ceate to ani- 
mate tt« in future assemblages, but in the reoiiniscenco inspired by Owir 
virtues which survive Otem."* 

To Miij. L. N. Middlebrook, commissioner in bank- 
ruptcy for Fairfield County, the grandson of one of its 
"original subscribers" referred to by Dr. Blukenian, 
one whom it was his intention to memorialize in his 
address, I am indebted for the following sketches of 
three members of the Middlebrook family: 

Stephen Middlebrook, M.D., a son of Stephen 
Middlebrook, a Revolutionary patriot and one of the 
Revolutionary Committee of Safety in Fairfield 
County, was born Dee. 8, 1755, in the parish of North 
Stratford, in the then town of Stratford, but now tiie 
village of Long- Hill, town of Trumbull, He received 
his medical education, as wai not unusually the cus- 
tom in those days, through a due course of study and 
practice with other physicians of the county, being 
admitted to full jiructice on examination by, and a 
certificate of qualification from, a standing committee 
of reputable physicians constituted for tiiat purpose, 
these being the only facilities available in Connecti- 
cut at that early day for instruction in and admission 
to the medical profession. His classical studies were 
pursued in part under the private tuition of the cele- 
brated William Samuel Johnson, LL.D., of Stratford, 
and in part in the academical institutions of the 
county, — among others the academy at Kastttn. He 
established himself in his native town, and became 
one of the most successful practitioners of his day in 
this and the adjoining counties, accumulating there- 
from what was regarded as a large fortune in those 
times. He manifested his love for the i>rofession by 
training two of his three sons to the same lionorablr 
calling. He filled many positions of honor and trust 
in his town and county. He died Dec. 18, 1819, and 
is buried in the cemetery at Long Hill, Trumbull. 

So great was his love for his chosen profession that 
lie endeavored to have his three sons — Elijah, Ste- 
phen, and Robert — follow the path in which he had 
walked so long. He was only two-thirds successful, 
Robert rebelling and spending his life in farming. 
Elijah was one of those referred to by Dr. Blakeman 
in his address, — a master-spirit of the jirofession, by 




Phot*., h\ Wilnoii. llridfreport. 




'a^'cC ^Jy^hj^^M 



MEDICAL HISTORY. 



whose uiircraitted labors in his era of professional 
liist<irv tlie improvements in the ]irol'essi(in were ef- 
feeted. 

Elijah Middlebeook, M.D., ehlest son of Dr. 

Stephen Middlebrook and Amer Beach Middh'lii k, 

daiifjliter of Elijah Beaeh, of Trnml)iill, an "tlieer of 
the Ivevolutionary army, was born at Loni;- Hill, now 
in tlie town of Trumbnll, (Jet. 20, 178'). He pnrsned 
his medieal studies with his father, and was lieensed 
to praetiee medicine by the Conneetient Me<lieal So- 
ciety in 1811. He afterwards took a furtlier two years' 
course of instruction in the College of Pliysieians and 
Snrtjeons in New York City, and graduated from tiiat 
in>tituti<>n in 18L'-!. He thereU[ion entered active 
jiractiee in Ids native town in company with his 
fatlier, ami was an active practitioner for forty-five 
yi'ars, iin'ctiMU with ,ercat success. Pie died Jan. 2, 
18."ilt. and is Imried in the cemetery at Long Hill. 
For fifty-four years he edited and published annually 
Ills celebrated " iMiddlebrook's New England Alma- 
nac," — a jjcriod of editorial labor, as devoted by the 
same individual to the same publication, believed to 
l)e weUnigh witlmnt a parallel in the history of pe- 
riodical literature. He was fitted for this s|iei'ial 
work uniler the private tuition of Prof Nehemiah 
.Strong, of Yale College. He was among the most 
genial of men and an enthusiast in his profession. 
He always strove to elevate and dignify his calling, 
and was an active and zealous laliorer in the various 
national and State organizations instituted to that 
end, always being present at their meetings. His 
name appears oftener tlian any other on the records 
of the Fairfield County Jledical Society. He filled 
many civil and i)olitieal offices of honor and trn.st. 
He was elected president of the Connecticut Medical 
Society in 1841, re-elected in 1842, and resigned the 
office in 1843. He was tlio first repi'esentativc of the 
Fairfield County Medical Society to the Natiomd 
Medical Society. 

Some idea of the extent of his jiractice may l)e 
formed when we know that his powers of curing were 
considered as almost infallible. So much was he 
sought that he regularly employed two or three 
younger physicians to assist him, making them 
j)roxies. One of them asserts that tlie average busi- 
ness done by himself alone while thus employed aver- 
aged three hundred dollars per month. 

The following relic is left of the busiMess-likc way 
of his dealings. It is a bill of Dr. Hulbert's, of Fair- 
field, one of the " original subscribers," and explains 
itself: 

" Itrnd Jlrndfij lo Hoani Untlml, Iir. 
"(lit tho TOiucst i>r Pr. MidillrfTc.c.ks). 
"1801, Sep'. To Visit niiil Coiisulliitiun witli wl Dcx-lnr fur }cmr Son.. SI 
'* Ilecil tlie abovt' Aui' of Dv. Mi*Uilubiooli. 

" JIOSE.V Ihl.LIERT." 

The numy subscribers to " Middlebrook's New Eng- 
land Ahuanac" will be more interested in this receipt 
from Prof. Nehemiah Strong: 



" lit'ct'ivfd of Elijah ^licliUcl. rooks iiino sliilliiiKS in Part of :ii; Shil- 
lings Due to nie for instructing hini in .\stronumy 12 weik.s at ;!,<. por 
week. 

" Rereivod hy nio. 

"Ni;ilt:.Ml.\ll Stiioxi:. 
" UninGEronT, Dfcemb'", Stli, ISOl." 

( )n the opposite side of the slij) is the ackiidwledg- 
nient of the remainder: 

" Drc'it. Ill"', IS(H. 
" Ueceivcd twonty-seven shillinss of 3Ir. Stcpht-n ^li'lillc llrooks, 
wliirh with the Nine Shillings I lereiveil on the other side is the whole 
of my denianils for Teaching liis Son in the Science of Astntnr.my. 

*' per nie Nkh. Stuonu." 

Professor Strong is buried in the old ground at 
Stratlield, near the entrance. 

Stephen Middledkook, M.I)., another son of Dr. 
Stephen Jliddlebrook,. first altovc named, was Ixirn 
in Long Hill, town of Trumbull, then in the town of 
vStratliu'd. He was located by his father in the town 
of Monroe at Edwards' Four Cfirners, and there prtic- 
tieed medicine for about twenty-five years, and al- 
though a very skillful and popuhir ]diysician, yet 
having a strong aversion to the discomforts necessa- 
rily incident to an active practice, he ivtirrd from the 
in-ofessiou in middle life, and passed the remainder of 
his days in leisure, in his native village, where he 
died Oct. IS, 1850, aged fifty-four years, and was 
buried in the cemetery in Long Hill. 

The Humceopathy jiractice is also worthily repre- 
sented in Fairfield County. The practitioners of this 
school are AVilliam B. Bcebe, B. F. Bronson, L. II. 
Norton, Charles E. Sanford, and L. M. Benedict, 
Britlgeport; ^V. E. Bulkley, S. Penfield, and A. 
(trifiin, Danbury ; James H. Brush and L. P. Jones, 
( i^reenwieh ; Theodore Roljcrts and Eli Acker, New 
Caiuian ; G. S. Comstock and Dexter Hitelicock, Nor- 
walk ; Chauneey M. Ayres, George F. Foote, and J. 
F. Griflin, Stamford; G. W. Colhird, of Stratford. 

Eclectic Physician.s, J. W. King, T. A. Shat- 
tuck, J. D. S. Smith, Joseph Fanyon, Bridgei)ort ; E. 
A. Brown, Danbury; Cooke, C. C., New Canaan; 
Henry L. MtiUoy, Sherman ; George AV. Rubey, of 
^\'estport. 

Botanical, H. M. Richardson, Bridgeport. 

Indian, Ct. C. Richards, of Danbury. 

David Hull Nash. — It is always a pleasure for 
tlie historian to place upon his jiagcs passing inci- 
dents in file life of one who has devoted his life-study 
to the advancement of a noljle profession and to the 
amelioration of the human race. Such a one is Dr. 
David Hull Nash, the subject of this sketch. He was 
born on Greenfield Hill, in this county, March 21, 1811, 
and is the son of Dr. W. B. Nash and Rutha M. El- 
liott, daughter of the sterling old patriot, Andrew 
Elliott, who was pastor of the Congregational Church 
of Fairfield when the town was burned by the British 
in 1779.* 

Dr. W. B. Nash was born in Westport, Conn., and 

' * See History of Fairtiel 1. 



40 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



commenced practice in Greenfield, and from tliere re- 
move«l to Fairfield and formed a copartnersliii) with 
the late David Hull. Here he remained until 182"), 
when he eame to Bridgeport, and continued in prac- 
tice until his death, which occurred Dec. 9, 1872, in 
the eighty-seventh year of liis age. 

David H. was educated at the Fairfield Academy 
and in the schools of this city, and commenced the 
study of iiis profession in the office of his father, who 
was then in active practice. He subsequently con- 
tinued his studies under the instruction of Eli and N. 
B. Ives, leading physicians in the city of New Haven. 
He also attended medical college at New Haven, from 
which he graduated in 18.34. In the following year, 
183.5, he commenced practice with his father, under 
the firm-name of William B. Nash & Son, which 
partnership continued until .July 1, 1853, when he 
associated with him Dr. Uobert Hubbard. The firm 
of Nash & Hubbard existed until Jan. 1, 1871, since 
which time he has continued in the practice alone. 
Hence it will be seen that Dr. Nash has been in the 
active practice of his profession for nearly half a 
century. 

He haa always taken a lively interest in every 
measure tending to advance the interest of the pro- 
fession generally, and is a member of the county, 
State, and United States medical societies. 

Politically, Dr. Nash is a Republican, and an 
earnest advocate of the principles of that party. He 
was jircviously a Whig. Religiously, the doctor is a 
Congregationalist, and a member of the North Church, 
in this city. 

Jan. 6, 18.36, he united in marriage with Susan E., 
daughter of the late Jesse Sterling, and their family 
consists of Andrew Eliot and .Jesse S., both of whom 
reside in Bridgeport. The eldest son, William S., is 
deceased. 

Dr. Nasli has a large and lucrative practice, and 
ranks among the leading physicians in the State. 
Although now nearly seventy years of age, he retains 
in a remarkable degree the vigor and elasticity of 
youth, and daily may be seen visiting his numerous 
patients, )iis interest never waning in that noble i>ro- 
fession to which he has devoted a long and active 
career. 

Ambrose Be-vrpsley, JI.D.— The subject of this 
sketch was born in the town of Jfonroe, Oct. 23, 1811. 
His father, Elihu Beardsley, a thrifty farmer of his 
native town, was a descendant of William Beardsley, 
one of the first settlers of Stratford, in Fairfield Co., 
Conn. The Beardsley family were for many years 
ver)' numerous in Monroe, where they wielded a good 
deal of influence in the affairs of the town. Ambrose 
had three brothers; one of whom — to wit, the Rev. E. E. 
Beardsley, D.D., LL.D. — is an author of considerable 
eminence in matters of church history. .\gar Beards- 
ley is a farmer upon the homestead land, while Rufus, 
the fourth of the son-*, is deail. There were also two 
girls in the family, botH of w-liom are still living. 



Ambrose, the subject of this sketch, "roughed it" 
on the farm until he was sixteen, when having, by an 
industrious economy of time and his naturally studious 
habits, fitted himself for school-teaching, he, at this 
early age, tried the hazardous experiment of playiuL' 
the schoolmaster to his late companions in his native 
town, and with such success that he was eng.oged for 
several successive seasons in the neighboring town of 
Redding. When, at length, he decided to abandon 
the birch and the ferule, he had by odds and ends, in ' 
one way and another, managed to pick up a consider- 
able knowledge of the classics (though with little or 
no instruction, for, in the days of our fathers, "book- 
larnin' " for farmers' sons was not held, in high es- 
teem), and becoming convinced that his pathway of 
life did not lie in the trail of the i)low, he chose for 
his i)rofession the study and the practice of medicine. 
Accordingly, after following a course of study under 
the eminent Dr. Willard Parker, now of New York, 
he entered the Pittsfield Medical College, where, in j 
December, 1834, he graduated with the first honors of 
his class. Locating in Newtown, Conn., he practiced 
in his profession successfully until September, 1836, i 
when he accepted an invitation to locate in the then 
infant village of Birmingham, in the town of Derby, 
where he has ever since devoted his time and his 
talents — of which he has many — to the sick and the 1 
suffering for many miles around, almost reverenced by 
many and greatly beloved by all. Courteous and 
affable in his manners, prepossessing in his personal 
presence. Dr. Beardsley has won for himself an envi- 
able reputation as a physician and surgeon. 

Not only has he been prominent in his profession, 
but our now venerable friend has filled many official po- 
sitions in his adopted town. For twenty-five consecu- 
tive years he was the trciisurer of the town of Derby; 
for four yeiirs president of the Derby Savings Bank; 
nine years warden of the borough of Birmingham ; 
besides many other minor offices of profit and trust, 
all of which positions he has ever occupied with cre<lit 
to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the people, 
as is evidenced by the fact that when nominated for ■ 
any oftice in the gift of the jicojile " the old doctor" is 
never beaten. 

Dr. Beardsley, early in life, was fond of debate and 
controversy, and, being a young man of bright abili- 
ties, he wjvs always foremost in lyceum debates, etc., 
and it is to this sort of training that he attributes hi- 
success Its a fluent speaker, as he unquestionably is 
upon almost any topic that he chooses to take up. 
Uj)on almost every public occasion within the last 
lbrtj--four years in Derby, Dr. Beardsley has been :i 
conspicuous actor and speaker. Within the limits •■' 
the town there is no man living who has delivered s.. 
many orations, lectures, and impromptu addresses a~ 
he, and always to the acceptance and gratification of 
his audience. 

Always too much in love with his profession and 
too faithful to his patients to engage in State politic-. 




^ y ^o '^^^i.*^:./^:^^ 



MEDICAL niSTORV. 



41 



he has yet at home been prominent as a Reiniblican 
(though uevtT a camlichite tor im/xiilr honors, which 
he miglit easily liave obtained liail he so (h'sire(l), up 
to the nomination of Horace Greeley, when, with that 
noble philosopher and excellent American, he " went 
West," politically, from which journey and its effects 
he seems not to have sufticiently recovered to enable 
him to again take part, to any great extent, in local 
politics. During the late civil war Dr. I>ear(lsley was 
ever an ardent Unionist, contributing often far aljove 
his means to the support of the soldiers in the field. 
In 18 — he was married to Slary Bassett, the daughter 
of Samuel Bassett, Esq., late of Seymour, Conn., by 
whom he had two children, one of whom, Capt. A. E. 
Beardsley, — still living, — was a brave an<l a valualile 
soldier in the " Twentieth Citonecticut." The other, 
Mary, wife of Dr. T. B. Jewett, is now deceased. 

The doctor is a fluent and graceful writer, as is evi- 
denced by the i>ages of the History of Derliy, lately 
jiublislied, of which he was a co-editor and the lead- 
ing writer, to whom the book is largely indelited for 
its spice, vivacity, and local historical interest. The 
History of Derby will doubtless be regarded through 
many coming years, by generations yet to come, with 
affectionate interest as the crowning sheaf in the life- 
work of a wise counselor, a skilled physician, a kind, 
affectionate liusljand and fiither, a friend of humanity, 
and an honest man. Judged by his works, it can 
truthfully be said of him that, while of worse men 
there are many, yet of better men there are few. As 
a physician liis services were as accessible to the poor 
as to the rich, the question of probable reward never 
being considered to deter from or jirompt to the most 
arduous service. 

Public-spirited and U])right in his daily walk and 
conversation, Dr. Beardsley has ^von for himself an 
enviable name in the community where nearly lialf a 
century ago he pitched his tent, and went forth to en- 
joy, in the words of Giddsmith, " the luxury of doing 
good." A Fairfield County boy, he well deserves this 
place of honor in its history. 

If to ronowii wf give the soldier's name 
"Who sw iiif^s the swon] fur country or for fame. 
If he who Haves, ami not ulio doth destroy, 
Uefure his Maker hatli tlie best emjdoy, 
Then should we write our village doctor's name 
High on the scroll of that undying fanio 
"Whieh crumhles not within the burial-shroud 
Nor waits the tickle plaudit of the crowd. 

With tender liand the fainting one to save. 

To starve the sexton, and to foil the grave; 

To lift the shatlow from tlie palace-door, 

Or smooth the pillow of the dying i)oor; 

By l)leasant word to clieer the heart of woe, 

Where Heardsley went hut few are fnind to go. 

What matter, then, if lofty stone or low 
Sliall lift above the ashes of his restV 

When we no more the kindly fare shall loiow. 
Its niem'ry still shall fill the grateful breast. 
And best who knew shall clierish it the best. 

Courage, youth : Though forluae thee disown. 
Like Beardsley, snatch tho laurel aid the crown 



Of that great manhooil which — tho' sometimes wrong — 
Ends at the last with this triuuiphant song: 
" He fought the tiglit, and i-ver. till he slept, 
'Twixt man and man the faith he kept." 

J. W. S. 

Ezra P. Benjjett, M.D., one of the oldest [ihysi- 
cians in the State, and one of the most widely known 
in this portion of it, has l)een in active practice in 
Danlniry nearly fifty-three years. Like many other 
men who have become eminent in various avocations, 
I his early days, spent on a farm, gave no |)romise of 
j his luture career. He was born in Weston. Conn., 
Aug. cil, 1800, the fourth of a family of seven. His 
father, Ezra Bennett, was descended from ;i Scotch 
liiniily of the name that settled in Connecticut several 
generations earlier. The ancestors of his mother, 
Esther Godfrey, came fnnn England. 

The opportunities for obtaining an education in his 
native town were very meagre, but such as they were 
he made diligent use of them. According to the cus- 
toms of rui'iil communities he atteinled school in the 
winter and worked on the farm in summer, :ind U]i to 
Ids fifteenth year he enjoyed no other educational 
j privileges. Even the newsiiaper, which has liecome 
j such a universal medium of instruction, was tlien 
hardly circidated outside of the larger towns. 

After leaving the public school young Bennett was 
al.ile to attend a private school for two winters under 
the charge of a college graduate, where he succeeded 
in slightly enlarging his knowledge of the common 
branches and picking up a smattering of Latin. Thus 
equipped, at the age of .seventeen he taught scho(d in 
Weston iluring a winter term and the following sum- 
mer in Redding. However small the wages tor this 
latter service may have been, he has had reason for 
congratulation for one of its results, for during that 
aus])icious season he met her who afterwards became 
his wife, and has been his faithful coadjutor for more 
than half a century. 

Wlien he was fourteen an injury to the knee, sus- 
tained in wrestling, incapacitated him for etficient 
work on the farm, and obliged him to seek employ- 
ment more in accordance with his tastes. He entered 
the office of Dr. Charles Gorham, of Redding, paying 
in part for the privilege by making himself usefiil in 
doing chon^s. In 182(i the young student spent eight 
months in the medical school at Pitt-ifield, Mass. The 
next year, after a term of the same length, he was 
graduated a doctor of medicine. 

With a fair education gained under such adverse 
circumstances and an indomitable spirit he liegan at 
once, in January, 1828, to practice in I'etlicl, then a 
part of the town of Danbury, and entered U]ion a 
struggle tlmt jiroved long and severe. His worldly 
goods and professional equi]inients consisted of what 
books he could conveniently carry under his arm, a 
pocket-ca.se of surgical instruments, a horse and sad- 
dle, a meagre wardrobe, and ten dollars in cash. He 
had thus no abundance of means to support him while 
he built up a jiractice, nor hail he infiueiitial friends 



42 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



to open the way for liim, hut was entirely dependent 
on the knowU'dire and skill which incrensed with 
years, and on boldness and energy that have never 
failed him. Durinir the ten years of his sojonrn in 
Bethel he managed to lay aside about fifty dollars a 
year. The economy that secured this result wa.s rigid, 
for in the early part of that period he added to his 
earthly possessions a wife, a dwelling, and barn. If 
the helpmeet diil not come from his side, like the 
primeval woman from her husband, the real estate did 
come from his head and hands, the j>roduct of their 
cunning and industry. 

June 24, 1S29, he was married to Sarah Maria, 
daughter of Billy Comstoek, Esq., of Redding. 

Dr. Bennett's career in Bethel was as successful as its 
narrow sphere rendered possible, but when, in IS-^.S, an 
opening encouraged him to remove to Danbury, he 
gladly improved the op|)ortunity of entering ou broailer 
usefulness. He purchased the place on Deer Hill which 
has since been his home. Here his practice steadily 
increased, giving him all he could attend to even in 
ordinary circumstances. From the first he has been 
especially interested in surgery, and there he has won 
his fairest laurels. Beginning with the simple task 
of trejihining he has jierformed operations worthy of 
the most eminent men in the profession. He was the 
pioneer in Connecticut in operating for ovarian tumor, 
vesico-viiginal fistula, and club-foot. He has per- 
formed lithotomy by the lateral method nine times 
successfully, save one, which was undertaken against 
overwhelming chances. Seven of his nine cases of 
ovariotomy have succeeded perfectly. His other capi- 
tal operations have been numerous. He has tied the 
subclavian artery once and the femoral artery four 
time^. The boldness and skill of his operations have 
given him a deserved ])lace of honor in the minds of 
those who have been familiar with them, both in and 
out of the i)rofession. 

The necessity of rapid manipulation was a prere- 
quisite to success before the discovery of anaesthetics, 
and tiie rapidity with which Dr. Bennett worked was 
perfectly wonderful. He once amputated a thigh in 
thirty seconds, according to the testimony of bv.stand- 
crs, who timed him accurately, his celerity in op- 
crating being due, doubtless, in a mea.surc, to the fact 
that he is ambidextrous. In 1850 he made a trip to 
England, with his two boys, to consult Dr. Marshall 
Hall respecting the health of one of them. He was 
absent, however, but a few months. 

In n sketch of this kind, necessarily brief, it is im- 
possible to do justice to the jiersonal and professinnal 
characteristics of a man like Dr. Bennett. Moulded 
largely by the circumstances of his early-life struggles, 
which developed boldness, independence, and obsti- 
nate determination, he has made firm friends, and bv 
his intelligence and skill has won respect even from 
caemie.s. A nuiii that has his own way to make in 
the world, and makes it successfully, naturally feels 
some degree of sclf-^niplacency, and cannot be 



blamed for reviewing his career with considerable 
satisfaction. Dr. Bennett has done what he under- 
took, and done it well. How many have done less! 
In the course of his profe-isional career he has met 
in consultation some of the most eminent physicians 
in the countrj', and they have invariably admired his 
talents and respected his opinions. He ha.s always 
been remarkably quick and sure in his diagnosis, 
seeming at times to have an almost intuitive percep- 
tion of disease, and his hand is still as steady in oper- 
ating as it was fifty years ago, nor has he lost the zest 
of early ambition in his favorite department of sur- 
gery. 

He has kept abreast the age in his profession, and 
his library, of a few books carried under the arm, has 
grown to contain all the works of authors of stand- 
ing, and occupies two sides of a long room from fioor 
to ceiling. June 24, 1870, the doctor celebrated his 
golden wedding. It was an enjoyable, impromptu 
affair, arranged during a ride the doctor was induced 
to take, at which many of the friends were present, 
and not the least plea.sant feature of which wa.s the 
presentation to him of a gold watch and chain, in a 
happy speech by Deacon E. T. Hoyt. The watch 
was inscribed as follows: "Dr. E. P. Bennett from 
his friends, in recognition of the faithfulness and 
skill with which, as surgeon and physician, he ha.- 
long served them and honored his profession." 

In 1875, Dr. Bennett wivs appointed one of the 
trustees of the State Lunatic Hospital fur four years, 
and reai>pointed in 1879. 

The doctor's children have been three: William 
Comstoek and Andrew Comstoek, twins, and Sarah L. 
One of the twins, Andrew, in the interest of whose 
health the trip to England was made, died on the re- 
turn voyage. The surviving son, William, attended 
school at New Haven and Northampton, Mass., en- 
tered Yale College, and was graduated with the class 
of 1858. He received the degree of M.D. from the 
College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York t'ity. 
in March, 1860; practiced medicine with his father 
until .Inly, \>^Ct\, when he entered the army as assist- 
ant surgeon Fifth Connecticut Volunteers; aflerwaril- 
surgeon of the regiment. Resigning this jiosition, In- 
received an appointment from the United States a- 
surgeon of volunteers; was assigned to the Twentieth 
Army Corps as medical inspector, serving on tln' 
stalls of Slocum, Hooker, and Williams, successively. 
He was in the Arnty of the Shenandoah, Potomac. 
Cumberland, and Georgia, accompanying Sherman 
in his march to the sea. Starch, IStJo, he Avas mn- 
tered out of service and returned to Danbury, wher. 
he has since practiced in company with his father. 

The daughter, Sarah L., was married July 19, 1S71. 
to Rev. John H. Lockwood, of Troy, N. Y., a de- 
.scendant of several of the old families of Danbury. 
He was for two years after their marriage pastor of 
the Reformed Church of Canastota, N. Y. In 187:'. 
he asstuned the pastorate of the New England Con- 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



43 



gregatioiiiil Church of Knidklyii, wIutu he reniaiiioil 
six years ; went thence to Westtield, Mass., as ])astor 
of the First Coiifrregational Cliureh, — a positi<m lie 
still occupies. They have one child, William \n- 
drew. 

AGRICULTUKAI, SOCIETY. 

The Fairfield County Agricultural Society pur- 
chased the grounds and held their fair on the present 
location in Norwalk, 18(17, with the following (itheers: 
Jonathan Camp, President ; Charles E. I'lumb, Sec- 
retary. 

The following is a list of the presidents and secre- 
taries from 1S(J.S to the present time : 
1868-71. — Jonathan Camp, President; Charles E. 

Plunili, Secretary. 
1872-73.— Dudley P. Ely, President; Cliarles E. 

Plundj, Secretary. 
1874.— Dudley P. Ely, I'resident ; W. D. Gregory, 

Secretary. 
1875-76.— John P. Beatty, President ; W. D. Gregory, 

Secretary. 
1877-80.— J. E. Wheeler, President; AV. D. Gregory, 

Secretary. 
In 1875 the. society was reorganized under a charter 
from the Legislature as a joint-stock company, with a 
capital stock of thirty thousand dollars, divided into 
fifteen hundred shares of twenty dollars each. 

The grounds of the society are beautifully located 
on the line of the Danhury and Norwalk Railroad, 
and contain about thirty aeres,-a good half-mile track, 
and a fine building containing about fifteen thou- 
sand square feet of floor-surface, capable of holding 
and aff^ording perfect protection to all articles of- 
fered for competition or exhibition ; also a large 
number of suitalile stalls and yards for stock. The 
commodious permanent buildings erected on the 
grounds afl'ord protection and provide unexcelled 
facilities for the proper classification of all articles 
sent for exhibition and competition. 



CHAPTER IV. 
MILITARY HISTORY. 

First Regiment — The TliirJ Uegiment — Tiie Fifth Eesiment— Tlio 
.Sixth Regiment— Tlie Seveiitli Regiment— The KigliUi R glnieiit— 
The Ninth Regimeut— Tlie T(Mitli Itegiment- Tlie Twelftli Regiment 
—TlieThirteentli Regiment— TlieFuurleenlh Regiment— TliiTwcnl.v- 
third Regiment— Tlio Twenty-eiglith Regiment— Tlic Sejuml I.iglit 
Battery- The First Cavalry— Tlie Seventeenth Regiment. 

The lightning had scarcely flashed the intelligence 
to the expectant North that Maj. Anderson and his 
gallant band had surrendered as prisoners of war to 
the Southern Confeileraey ere the patriotic sons of 
Fairfield were rallying to the support of their im- 
periled country. Men nud money were jiromptly 
raised, and the record of the countv during the whole 



struggle is one of which her citizens may justly feel a 
patricitic pride. 

THE FIR.«T RECilMKNT. 

The first regiment which was raised in the State oi' 
Connecticut for the service of the Fnited States in the 
late Rebellion was known as the Fir.st Connecticut 
Volunteer Infantry, and was recruited mainly from 
the volunteer militia, to serve three months. Com- 
pany E was recruited from Ihiiibury, and (.'oiiiiiany K 
from Bridgeport. Rifle Company !'• also hail a num- 
ber of men from Bridgejiort. 

The field- and staff-officers were as follows : Colonel, 
Datiiel Tyler; lieutenant-colonel, (Jeorge S. Burn- 
ham ; major, John L. Chatfiehl ; quarternutster, Justin 
Hotlge; adjutant, Theodore C. Racon ; surgeon, Henry 
P.Stearns; surgeon's mate, F. L. Dibble; chaidain, 
(teorge N. Webber; sergeant-m.'ijor, .Tohn L. Spal- 
ding; quartermaster -sergeant, I. V. li. Williams; 
drum-major, William .1. Skinner; hospital steward, 
Josejih Colton. 

The officers of Company E, the Danbury company, 
were as follows: Captain, Eliakim E. Wihlman ; first 
lieutenant, Jesse D.Stevens; second lieutenant, John 
W. Bussing. 

Company K, the Bridgeport com]i:uiy, was otiicered 
astbllows: Captain, Richard Fitzgilibons ; first lieu- 
tenant, Henry M. Hoyt ; second lieutenant, William 
A. Lee. 

The regiment was mustered into the service, seven 
hundred and eighty strong, April 24, 1S()1, and on the 
itth of the following May left New Haven for the 
seat of war. It was armed with Sharp's rifles and 
S]>ringfield muskets. It was the first regiment which 
ascended the Potomac. Upon arriving at the front 
it went into camp at Falls Church, where it remained 
until .Inly 21st, when it was ordereil to Bull Run, and 
partici|)atedin that disastrous and memorable struggle. 
Col. Tyler having been jiromotcd to be a brigadier- 
general, the regiment, in this its baptism of fire, 
was commanded by Col. Buridiam. During this 
contest, which resulted so disastrously to the Union 
forces, the regiment marched and countermarched 
until four o'clock P.M., being mncli of the time under 
sevi're fire. The First retreated to Centreville, having 
lost (inly eight wounded and nine caiitured. After a 
brief halt at Centreville it returned to citmp, where it 
remained several days, and was then, its term of .ser- 
vice having ex]iired, sent North and mustered out at 
New Haven, July ;!, 1861. 

THE THIRD REGLMENT. 
The Third Regiment was raised in Norwalk, Bridge- 
l>ort. New Haven, Danbury, New Fairlield, Hartfiird, 
Meriden, Norwich, and Stamford. It embraced fivi^ 
rifle and four infantry companies, and was mustered 
into the service, seven hundred and fifty strong, .May 
14, 1861, for three months, with tlie following field- 
aud stafl'-officers : Colonel, .loliii .\riiold; licuteuaiit- 
colonel, Allen G. Bnidy ; major, .VIexander Warner; 



44 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



adjutant, Frederick J. Peck ; quartermaster, Eichard 
E. Holcomh; surgeon, John McGregor; assistant 
surgeon, Matliew C. Newton ; sergeant-major, Wil- 
liam E. Brady ; quartermaster-sergeant, J. H. Alex- 
ander; drum-major, L. B. Farrcn ; fife-major, Wil- 
liam R. Miller; chaplain, Junius M. Willey (enlisted 
June 14th). 

The line-officers were as follows : 

Conipnii!/ ,1.— Captain, Douglass Fowler; first lieu- 
tenant, Ciilbert Bogart ; second lieutenant, Stephen 
1). Byxhee. 

Company B. — Captain, Daniel Klein ; first lieuten- 
ant, William K. Sehmitt; second lieutenant, Charles 
Rose. 

Company P.— Captain, James E. Moore ; first lieu- 
tenant, Samuel G. Bailey ; second Hcutenant, Charles 
H. Hoyt. 

Company D. — Captain, Frederick Frj-e; first lieu- 
tenant, S. H. Gray; second lieutenant, Elliot M. 
Curtis. 

Bijie Company A. — Captain, George N. Lewis; first 
lieutenant, John Brennan ; second lieutenant, L. S. 
Bolles. 

liifte Company if.— Ca])tain, Jared R. Cook; first 
lieutenant, ; second lieutenant, A. S. Cowdry. 

Jiifle Company C. — Captain, S. J. Root ; first lieu- 
tenant, L. C. Allen ; second lieutenant, J. S. A. 
Baker. 

Bifc Company i).— Captain, Edward Harland ; first 
lieutenant, C. AV. Spalding; second lieutenant, Wil- 
liam W. Barnes. 

Jtifle Company E. — Captain, J. A. Nelson; first 
lieutenant, Henry Finnegus ; second lieutenant, AVil- 
liam Wright. 

Riflf Company /".—Captain, Albert Stevens; first 
lieutenant, Wells AUis; second lieutenant, Isaac L. 
Hoyt. 

Col. .\rnold resigned before leaving the rendezvous 
in Hartford in consequence of ill health, and the com- 
mand was given to John L. Chatfield, who enlisted 
May 31st, and became very jiopular with the rcgi' 
ment. 

The Third left Hartford for the front May 10, 1861. 
Upon its arrival at Washington it went into camp 
at Camp Douglass, where it wa.s put under vigorous 
drill until June 23d, when it was ordered to Camp 
Tyler, or Falls Church, where for several days it 
hclil this exposed position. 

Tlie regiment was first brigaded with the First and 
Second Connecticut and Eleventh Maine, July loth, 
and placc<l under the command of Col. E. D. Keycs. 
On the following day Keyes' command moved for- 
ward, the Third in the advance. At Blackburn Ford 
they encountered Longstreet's division, and during 
two days the brigaile held this advance ]>ost. 

Tlir Tliird participated in the memorable battle of 
Bull Hun, .Fan. 21, ISGl, and their conduct in that 
disastrou.s field justly merited the many encomiums 
of |)raisc bestowed 1>y the commanding officers. Gen. 



Keyes, in his official report, says, "The gallantry 
with which the Second Regiment of Maine and the 
Third of Connecticut Volunteers charged up the hill 
upon the enemy's artillery and infantry was never, in 
my opinion, surpassed." The Third was the hist to 
leave the field, and it left it, not like the great ma.ss 
of the Union army, in a rout, but in good order, pro- 
tecting the retreating army from the victorious enemy. 
Gen. Tyler said that it was these sons of Connecti- 
cut who ".saved us not only a large amount of public 
pro])crty, but the mortification of having our standing 
camps fall into the hands of the enemy." In this 
battle Sergt. JIcGregor was captured, but released. 
The regiment had four killed, thirteen wounded, 
eighteen captured, and six missing. The muster out 
was at Hartford, Aug. 12, ISOl. 

THE FIFTH REGIMENT 
was organized in the summer of 1 SGI, and entered the 
service with Orris S. Ferry, of Norwalk, as colonel. 
He was subsequently United States senator. This 
regiment was originally recruited in Hartford as the 
First Connecticut Revolving Rifle Regiment, with 
Samuel Colt as colonel, but, some misunderstanding 
having occurred. Col. Colt's commission was revoked, 
and the regiment was reorganized as above. 

There was only one company from Fairfield County 
in the regiment, — Company A, — commanded by 
Henry B. Stone, of Danbury, with James A. Betts as 
first lieutenant and William A. Daniels second lieu- 
tenant. William C. Bennett, M.D., of Danbury, was 
the first assistant surgeon. 

The regiment i>articii>atcd in the following engagc- 
mcnt.s: Winchester and Cedar Mountain, Chanccl- 
lorsville, Gettysburg, Resaca, Dallas, Marietta, Pcach- 
Trcc Creek, Atlanta, Chesterfield Court-House, and 
Silver Run. Casualties : Killed, 93 ; died of wounds, 
29 ; died of di.sease, 81. Several died in Anderson- 
villc prison. The regiment was mustered out July 
19, 1865. 

THE SIXTH REGIMENT. 

The Sixth Begiment was organized in .\ugust, 
18C1, and in the following month was mustered into 
the United States service with the following field- and 
staff-officers: Colonel, John L. Chatfield; lieutenant- 
colonel, William G. Ely: major, John Spcidel; a<ljn- 
tant, Hedfield Duryee; quartermaster, I. V. B. Wil- 
liams; surgeon, F. L. Dibble; first a.ssistant surgeon, 
Edward Bulkley, Jr. ; second a.ssistant surgeon, R. E. 
Ensign; chaplain, Curtis T. Woodrutl". 

Fairfield County was represented in this regiment 
by two companies, — D, recruited in Stamford and 
Greenwich, and I, principally from Bridgeport, al- 
though other portions of the county were represented. 

The officers of Company D were : Cajitain. Lo- 
renzo Meeker; first lieutenant, Charles H. Nichols; 
.second lieutenant, John Stottlar. 

Company I was officered as follows: Captain, 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



45 



Thdiuas Boudron ; first licuti'iiaiit, D.init-l J. West; 
second lieutenant, Stephen t^. Stevens. 

The regiment left New Haven September 17th, one 
tlidusand and eight strong, lor the front. They re- 
mained in Washington until (.»etol)er oth, when tliey 
went to Annapolis, from wlience, Oetoher 2")th, they 
embarked for South Carolina, liaving lieen assigned 
to the Dejiartmeut of the Smith. After the sue- 
eessful naval engagement of November 7th, when 
Forts AV^ilker and Beauregard were captured, the 
honor was assigned to the Sixth and Seventh Con- 
neetieut Regiments of first landing on the enemy's 
soil. 

In JIarcli, 1SG2, the regiment was sent over to Daw- 
lu-kie Island to assist in the capture of Fort Pulaski, 
and the following June found them in the battle of 
James' Island. Tliey returned to Hilton Head, where 
they remained until October lilst, when the regiment 
joined the expedition to lireak ui) railroad communi- 
cation between Charleston and Savannah, and on tlie 
ibllowing day participated in tlie sluiri) engagement 
at Pocotaligo, where both t'ol. Chatrteld and Lieut. - 
Col. Speidel were severely wounded. 

During the winter of 1S():2-G3, the regiment re- 
mained in camp at lieaufirt and Hilton Head, and 
March, 18(53, found it in Florida, but soon returned 
to Hilton Head. It was suon transferred to Folly 
Island, and particiinited in the operations against 
Charleston and in the assault on Morris Island 
in July. In the second assault on Fort Wagner its 
gallant colonel, Chatfield, was wounded, and died in 
the following month. It was a gallant and well- 
directed assault, but the decinuited ranks of the various 
regiments at the close of the contest told only too well 
of the severity of the charge. 

"In the spring of 1S(J4 the regiment went to Ft)r- 
tress Monroe, and May (ith jiroeceded into the interior, 
Avhere it was engaged in reconnoissances, destruction 
of the enemy's railroads, and harassing their forces 
generally. The regiment was engaged in the charge 
upon and capture of the enemy's rifle-pits near Ches- 
ter Station on the :20th, and in the various opierations 
lost one hundred and fifty-seven men during tlie 
months of May and June. From this time until 
January, 18(>5, the regiment was in various operations 
in Southern Virginia, and louk part in the several 
engagements before Petersburg and Richmond. It 
was then ordered to North Carolina, and hail its last 
fighting at the capture of Fort Fisher. In xVugust 
the regiment was mustered out at New Haven." 

The regiment participated in the following engage- 
ments : James' Island, Secession ville, Pocotaligo, Jack- 
sonville, Morris Island, Fort Wagner, Chester Station, 
Drury's Bluff, Deep Bottom, Bermuda Hundred, Dee|) 
Run, Deep Bottom, siege of Petersliurg, Chapman's 
Farm, New Richmond, Newmarket Boad, Darbytown 
Road, Charles City, Fort Fisher, and Northeast Branch 
of Cape Fear River. 

The casualties were as follows: Kille<l, 42; died of 



wounds, 4() ; died of disease, IIH: iiiis^imj, li:!. Tlie 
rolls of the regiment liore tlie names of ISl:; men. 
In Decemljer, 18()3, 20.3 rc-enlistcil as veterans. The 
regiment saw some service, ami it is an honor to say, 
"I belonged to the Sixth Coauectieut I" 

j THE SEVEXTir REiiniEXT 

; was organizeil in the fall nf ISill, and was coiiip<iscd 
j mainly of three mouths' men who had returned liiim 
j the field during the summer. It went to the front 
with Alfred H. Terry as colonel and Jose[ih U, Haw- 
ley as lieutenant-colonel. 

Fairticdd County was represented by one company, 
— ]>, — commanded by Benjamin F. Skinner, of Dan- 
biiry, with Joseph S. Dunning lirsl lieiiteiiant and 
Thomas Horton second lieutenant. 

The regiment saw severe service, ami paitieiiiated 
in the following engagements: Fort Pnhiski, James' 
Island, Pocotaligo, Morris Island, Fort Wagner, siege 
of Charleston, Olustee, Bermuda Ilumlred, Cliestcr 
Station, Drury's Blutt', Deep Bottom, Deep Run, siege 
of Petersburg, Cha|jin's Farm, New Market Road, 
Darbytown Road, Charles City Road, Fort Fisher, 
and Wilmington. There were 173.') men in its ranks 
at various times. Casualties: Killed, ilO ; died of 
wounds, 44; of disease, 179; missing, 4(1. 

THE EI(_iIITH REGIMENT. 
This regiment was mustered into the service in 
September and October, 1S()1, under the command 
of Edward Harland, of Norwich. Fairfield County 
was represented by only one company, — H, — which 
was officered as follows: Captain, Douglass Fowler; 
first lieutenant, James L. Russell; second lieutenant, 
Thomas S. Weed ; all of Norwalk. There were also a 
few men from this county in Comiiany A. The first 
lieutenant of Company A was Henry M. Hoyt, who 
was subsequently promoted to ea]itain, and at one 
time was in command of the n-giment.* The regi- 
ment left Connecticut Oct. 17, ISdl, uiie thousand and 
twenty-seven strong, and at Annapolis, Md., was 
j<iined to Burnside's corps. "Its earliest services 
were in the battles of Newbern, N. C., JIarch 14, 
j 18(i2, ami the siege of Fort .Macon the following 
month. It accomi)anied (ien. I!urnsidi> when he was 
ordered to join the Army of the Potomac, and subse- 
ipiently went with the corps into Maryland. At An- 
tietani, in September, l.S(i2, the regiment lost: Killed, 
one officer — Lieut. Mason Wait, of Norwich — and 33 
men; wounded, 10 officers ami 129 men; missing, 21 
men; total, 194. 

"In December the Eighth was engaged at Freder- 
icksburg, but suft'ercd slightly, and in February, 1S()3, 
was sent to Southeastern Virginia. In April the regi- 
ment was in the fight at Fort Hagar, \'a., and re- 
mained in Virginia until January, 1804. It then 



* Jliij. II. M. Hciyt is tlio riv-sfiit wlit u- and iiropriotor of tlio I!:i.lgL>- 
port MornitKj Xtirs, 



40 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



returned to Connecticut on veteran furlough, three 
huiitlri'd and ten men havinp; re-enlisted as veterans. 
In March it returned to its old camp near Portsmouth, 
Va., and after outpost- and picket-duty at Deep 
Creek and vicinity was in the battle at Walthall 
Junction, May 9th, and lost eighty men. Col. Har- 
land having lieen |>romoted to he a brigadier-general, 
tiie regiment wa;? at this time in command of Col. 
.lolin E. Warfl, who was severely wounded by a shell 
at the battle named. A week later the regiment par- 
ticipated in the engagement at Fort Darling, and on 
the night of the 16th returned within the fortifica- 
tion, the men worn out with eight days' constant war- [ 
fare. In this short time the Eighth lost one-third of 
its fighting strength. Early in .Tune it wa.s engaged 
with the enemy at Cild Harbor, and fi-om .Tune l(>th 
to August 27th in skirmishes and siege-work around 
Petersburg, losing heavily. The following' four 
weeks were spent on the James River, picketing the ! 
Bermuda Hundred post, and September 27th the 
regiment lost seventy-three men in the storming of 
Battery Harrison. This was the last general engage- 
ment of the regiment, which was mustered out Dec. ' 
12, 1865." I 

The regiment saw severe service, and participated 
in the following engagements: Newbern, Fort Macon, 
Antietam, Fredericksl)urg, Fort Hagar, Walthall 
Junction, Fort Darling, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, 
Fort Harrison. There were killed, 72; died of 
wounds, 40; died of disease, 132; missing, 11. 

TIIE NINTU REOIMEST 
was mustered into the service in the fall of 1861 as 
the " Irish Regiment," under tlie command of Thomas 
W. Cahill, of Hartford, with Richard Fit/.gibbons, of 
Bridgeport, lieutenant-colonel. It had one company 
from Iiridge|)ort, mainly commanded by Thomas C. 
Coats, with R. A. Clancy first lieutenant and G. W. 
Morehouse second lieutenant. 

Its principal engagements were Baton Rouge, 
Chackaloo Stati(m, Deep Bottom, and Cedar Creek. 
Mustered out Aug. 3, I860. 

TIIK TENTH UEGIMEXT 
wa.s recruited in the fall of 1861, and mustered into 
the service during September and October of that 
year, with Charles L. Russell, of Derby, as cohmel, 
and A. W. Drake, of Hartford, as lieutenant-colonel. 

There were two com|>anies from this eountj", — G, 
from Stamford, New Canaan, Darien, Bridgeport, 
Wilton, and Xorwalk. and I, from Greenwich. Com- 
pany (i was commanded by Isaac L. Hoyt, captain, 
George AV. Smith, first lieutenant, and Thomas 
Miller, second lieutenant. The officers of Company 
I were,— CHi)tain, Daniel M. Mead; first lieutenant, 
I.saac O. Close ; second lieutenant, Thomas R. Mead. 

The regiment left foi^^the seat of war in October, 
and wa,-" assigned to Gi-n. Burnside's command. The 



Tenth received its baptism of fire at the battle of 
Roanoke Island, where it fought nobly, and its gallant 
colonel, Russell, was killed while leading the charge. 

" A month later the regiment lost twenty -three 
killed and wounded in the battle of Newbern, and 
then had rest from close warfare until the 14th of 
December. It then ])urticipatcd in the sanguinary 
battle of Kingston, N. C, and lost one hundred and 
six officers and men, and only two days later was 
in another fight at Whitehall. March 28, 1863, after 
a winter's rest, the Tenth was in the battle of Sea- 
brook Island, S. C, and spent the spring, summer, 
and fall before Charleston. December found the 
regiment in Florida, where twenty-two men were lost 
in a fight at St. .\ugustine. 

"In the spring of 1864 the regiment went to Vir- 
ginia, and suffered the loss of all the garrison and 
camp equipage and regimental and company records 
by the sinking at Norfolk of the transport on which 
they were stored. Its first fight in the Virginia 
campaign was at Whitehall Junction, May 7th, and 
from this time the history of the organization shows 
battle after battle clear through to the surrender of 
Appomattox, the Tenth being ' in at the death' " 
(Battle Flag Bay). 

A total of 2124 was credited to the organization 
during its existence, embracing the original !H*6 ; re- 
cruits, 848; re-enlisted veterans, 280. Casualties: 
Killed in action, 57 ; died of wounds, 51); died of dis- 
ease, 1.52. 

The regiment sustained a verj' heavy loss of officers 
by death and otherwise. It had four colonels during 
its first eighteen months of service. 

The Tenth jjarticipatcil in the following engage- 
ments: Roanoke Island, siege of Charleston and St. 
Augustine, Walthall Junction, Drury's Bluff, Ber- 
muda Hundred, Strawbeiry Plain.s, Deep Bottom, 
Deep Run, siege of Petersburg, Laurel Hill Church, 
New Market Road, Darbytown Road, Johnson's Plan- 
tation, Hatche's Run, Fort Gregg, and .Vppomattox 
Court-House. 

TUE TWELFTH REGIMENT 
was organized and mustered into the service in the 
winter of 1861-62, with Henry C. Deming as colonel 
and Ledyard Colburn as lieutenant-colonel. One 
company was from this county, raised ]irincipally in 
Norwalk, Brookfield, New Canaan, Westport, Ridge- 
port, Danbury, Weston, and Newtown. Stephen D. 
Byxbee was captain, Gilbert Bogart first lieutenant, 
and E. H. Nearing second lieutenant. 

The regiment .saw severe service, and in conse- 
quence of its heavy losses, which had nearly deci- 
mated the regiment, it was reorganized in October, 
1863, as the Twelfth Battalion, under command of 
Lieut.-Col. Lewis. Casualties: Killed, 50; die<l of 
wounds, 16; of disease, 188. 

It was in the fidlowing battles: Georgia Landing, 
Pattcrsonville, Berwick, Port Hudsun, Winchester, 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



47 



J'islier's Hill, and Cedar Creek. JIustered out Aug. 
12, 1805. 

THE THIRTEEXTII REtilMENT 

was organized in November, 18()1, and mustered into 
the service with Henry W. Birge as colonel, and Al- 
exander Warner as lieutenant-colonel. 

One com])any was enlisted from this county, of 
which Apollos Comstock was captain, William E. 
Bra<lley first lieutenant, and Williuiu C. Beecher 
second lieutenant. 

The regiment enjoys the distinction of having been 
in the service longer than any other Connecticut or- 
ganization. In January, 1864, the Thirteenth almost 
to a man re-enlisted. In the following Dcccndjor it 
was consolidated into five companies, called "The 
Veteran Battalion Thirteenth Connecticut Volun- 
teers." 

During the regiment's long service it participated 
in numerous hard-fought battles, a few of which are 
here enumerated : Georgia Landing, Irish Bend, 
siege of Port Hudson, Cane River, Mansura, Ope- 
quan, Winchester, and Fisher's Hill. It was mus- 
tered out April 2'), l,SG(i, and paid otl'May Tith follow- 
ing, having been in the service four years and six 
months. 

THE FOURTEENTH REGIMENT.* 
The Fourteenth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, 
the first response of the State to President Lincoln's 
call for three hundred thousand more troo])s, was 
mustered into the service of the United (states at 
Camp Foote, Hartford, Aug. 23, 18G2, and two days 
later, with ranks one thousand and fifteen strong, 
under command of Col. Dwight Morris, marched 
through the streets of Hartford and embarked for the 
scat of war. All the way out its journey was a kind 
of triumphal jirogrcss. At each landing upon the 
river flags fluttered from every house, and the regi- 
iment was greeted as it passed with waving handker- 
chiefs, cheers, and booming of guns; upon the Sound 
each passing steamer or tug-boat screamed a saluta- 
tion, responded to by the cheers of the troops, and in 
passing through New Jersey and Pennsylvania every 
farmer wouhl wave his hat and hurrah as the train 
shot by, while the houses were gay with bunting, and 
at the depots men and women crowded up to shake 
hands with the Union volunteers. 

In marching across the city at Baltimore the regi- 
ment was reviewed by Gen. Wool, of the regular 
army, who spoke in high terms of the soldierly bear- 
ing of the coinnuind, and sent it forward at once to 
the front, instead of retaining it for drill and instruc- 
tion, as had been originally intended. 

After remaining for a few days near Washington 
the Fourteenth joined the Army of the Potomac, 
then under command of Gen. McClellan, near Rock- 
ville, Md., Sept. 10, 18(J2. It marched up through 

* Contributed by Maj. William B. Hincks. 



Maryland, arriving uiion the battle-field at South 
Mountain just too late to participate in the engage- 
ment, and on Sept. 17, 1862, took i)art in the bloody 
battle of Antietam, in which the rebel forces were 
driven from the State. The loss of the regiment in 
this the first of its long series of engagements was 
one hundred and twenty-seven killed and wounded, 
and its behavior under trying circumstances was very 
creditable. 

Three months of campaigning ensue<l, and then 
came the sanguinary battle of Fredericksburg, — a 
criminal waste of life upon the i>art of the com- 
mander of the Union army, — in which one hun<lred 
and twenty-one members of the Fourteenth were 
rendered hors rlii combat. The next great battle in 
which the regiment participated was at Chancellors- 
ville, in May, 1863, and this was followed by the 
forced march through Virginia, Maryland, and Penn- 
sylvania, and in July, 1863, by the gloriou< victory 
at Gettysburg. Ou the morning of the third day of 
this battle the Fourteenth, by a s])irited charge, cap- 
tured a house and barn in the enemy's front, driving 
out a number of rebel shar]ishooters, and after setting 
the building on fire returned to its original line. 
Later in the day, in common with the rest of the 
Second Corps, it endured a tremendous cannonade 
from over a hundred rebel guns, after which followed 
that wonderful charge of the enemy which is thus 
dcscriljed by a member of the regiment who was an 
eye-witness : 

" We rose from the ground, where we had been 
lying, stretched our cramped limbs, and at first 
thought that the battle was (jvcr. But Maj. Ellis 
was wiser than we. ' Now,' said he, 'they mean to 
charge with all their infantry. Fall in. Fourteenth !' 
and with a little delay the men took their ])hices in 
line. ' Forward, guide right !' and in another moment 
we were in the place left vacant by the withdrawal 
of the battery. Exclusive of the men deployed as 
skirmishers in our front, we ha<l only about a hundred 
muskets; so that we were obliged, in onler to fill the 
vacant space, to extend the line until it consisted of 
but a single rank. Belts were now loosened, pack- 
ages of cartridges taken out and laid upon the low 
stone wall in front of us, so that no time might be 
lost in reloading, when suddenly there was a hush 
I'or a moment, and every eye was turned to the front, 
where we could see the rebel infantry emerging from 
the woods about a mile away. It took good eyesight 
to discover them at first, but presently they are jilainly 
visible advancing towards us. They come nearer and 
nearer, and we can see their three splendid lines of 
battle stretching away as fsir as the eye can reach and 
advancing in unbroken order across the open plain. 
Skirmishers are in their front and a few officers ride 
in the rear, though most have dismounted, knowing 
that there is hot work before them. Away down upon 
the left a solitary battery plays upon their advancing 
column, and an occasional gun is fired from our ex- 



4S 



HISTORY OF FAIKFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



treine right, but, with tliis exception, our batteries 
are silent, and their march is unopposed. 

"Presently the crack of rifles is heard, and little 
puffs of smoke rising from the grassy field in our front 
show that tlicir advance has come within range of our I 
skirmishers. Their skirmish-line noisily replies, and 
still their lines of battle move steadily forward, the 
men carrying their guns at right shoulder shift, and 
the red battle-flags floating above their heads. There 
is no haste, no aj)pearance of disorder, no swaying of 
the lines, and they give the spectator the sense of 
wonderful jiower kept in check by discipline : their 
advance seems a.s resistless as tlie incoming of the i 
tide. In a few minutes our skirmishers clamber over \ 
the wall and join us. Townsend, the captain in com- I 
niand, had wislied to collect his detachment and march 1 
it back in a compact body, but this the men did not 
see fit to do, so they came singly in open order, firing 
as they fell back. 

" I thought of Hunker Hill and how our fathers re- 
pulsed the British, and wondered what would be our 
fortune this day. I felt no terror at all (a touch of 
which I had previously experienced when lying down 
exposed to the fire of all that artillery), only a kind 
of serious expectation and an anxiety for the enemy 
to move faster, so as to come within range of our 
weai)ons. None of our ofllcers were at all wanting in 
their duty, but we were all officers this day, and piissed 
low words of encouragement from one. to another down 
the line. I remember telling those near me to reserve 
their fire, so as not to waste a shot, and to aim low, 
and asking them to pass the message along. 

"The rebels had now api)roached very close; still, 
hardly a head could liave been visible to them a-s we 
crouched behind the low stone wall. At a point about 
twenty rods from us their line was somewhat broken 
by the remaining portions of two fences that had 
bounded a narrow lane or farm-road which extended 
along our front. As they rose over the top of the 
first fence and sprang down into the lane, and again 
rose upon the top of the second, they were altogether 
too tempting a mark to be resisted, and, so far as I 
heard, without a word of command being given, a 
sheet of flame burst from our line. My own wish 
would liave been to reserve our fire until they had 
come even nearer, but perhajjs I was wrong. Tiiey 
still pressed on, liowever, for some distance, when they 
wavered and halted. Several of their color-bearers 
now advanced swiftly, apparently in obedience to 
previous orders, and, attended by their color-guards, 
planted their battle-flags in the gnmnd, one in par- 
ticular directly in front of the centre of our regiment 
and not ten rods away. Finding our fire too liot to 
be endured, these brave men threw themselves upon 
the ground around their flags, waiting for their com- 
rades to advance and rally round them. 

"On our part, we loaded and fired incessantly. It 
may seem extravagant, Init it is the simple truth, that 
the enemy's line broke abd commenced to fall back 



in front of the Fourteenth sooner than anywhere else, 
for the reason that most of us were armed with breech- 
loading guns, which could be loaded and fired with 
great rapidity, and which did terrible execution. 

" Remembering their own tactics, we no sooner saw 
them commence to waver than we gave a tremcnchms 
yell, — not a hurrah, but a wild, fierce cry that was 
taken up all down our line. We now turned our aim 
with fearful effect upon their second line, already dis- 
ordered by the retreating fragments of the first. Am- 
munition coming short, we begged, borrowed, and 
almost fought with each other for cartridges. We 
continued to yell and fire simultaneously. The rebel 
officers vainly strove to rally their men; their ranks 
were soon broken ; all semblance of order ceased, and 
what had advanced as an army began falling back as 
a mob. Not all at once, or rapidly, however. They 
still turned and fired as they retreated, and here and 
there made a brief stand. 

" We now became conscious of the voice of Maj. 
Ellis crying for us to fire ' left oblique,' and turned 
our aim in that direction ; and indeed it w.is time, for 
the regiment upon our left had been hard pressed, 
and had almost given way. The rebels had advanced 
closer to them than at any other point, and had nearly 
pierced their line. Just as we turned a daring South- 
erner leai>ed lightly upon one of the guns which had 
been left behind when the battery retired for want of 
horses to remove it, and waved his hat or his hand for 
his comrades to follow him. He did not remain there 
a single instant, but fell riddled through, and, owing 
to our cross-fire, the rebels at this point also were soon 
in full retreat." 

In this engagement the Fourteenth cajiturcd five 
rebel colors belonging to the following regiments, — 
First Tennessee, Fourteenth Tennessee, Sixteenth 
North Carolina, Fifty-second North Carolina, and 
the Fourth Virginia. Besides these trophies, it also 
captured more than its own number of rebel prisoners. 
Its loss in the action was sixty-six out of a force of 
about one hundred and sixty. 

Not a few excellent men — among them Captains 
Hawley, Doten, Goddard, and Fiskc — were taken 
from this regiment by generals of brigade and divi- 
sion in the Second Corps to serve as staff'-olficers, but 
comrades of theirs equally brave remained with the 
command. 

However culpable in its temerity, it warms one's 
heart to remcndier the exploit of Lieut. -Col. Moore, 
when, upon a certain occasion,. as " officer of the day," 
he inspected the <livision picket-line. In ftill regi- 
mentals, with crimson sash crossing his brea.st, he 
stepped boldly over the parapet of " Fort Hell," 
before Petersburg, and, disdaining the shelter of in- 
trenchments, walked erect down to the picket-line 
and began his rounds, owing his life solely to the ad- 
miration of the scores of rebel sharpshooters not two 
liundrcd yards away. 

Better worthy of admiration, though, is the quiet 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



49 



heriiism of frallant Maj. I'roatcli, ulio, at Murtdu's 
Ford, when liis riglit hand was sliattoriMl liy a Ijnlh't, 
eauitht up his sword with Iiis k't't and oontinued to 
pursue the retreatini; enemy, or are some of the in- 
stances given hy Capt. (i<jddard in liis graceful "Me- 
morial of the Deceased Otiicers of tlie Fourteenth 
Connecticut Volunteers." 

Nor were such examples of courage found otdy 
among the commissioned officers. Time would fail to 
speak of instances like that of Bergt. Kusscll (xlenn, 
thrice wounded, the last time just in the act of enter- 
ing the enemy's works ; (jr of Edwin 8troud, wlio am- 
putated a ]iart of his own shattered foot with his 
jiocket-knife; or of the gallant fellows wdio, at (xettys- 
l>urg and upon other fields, at the risk of their lives, 
ventured out under fire to relieve the sufferings of 
their wounded opjionents. 

It is impossible, also, to speak in detail here of the 
weary marches of the Fourteentli, or of each of its 
numerous engagements. Let two i|aotations coneludi' 
this very imperfect sketch, — the first an extract i'nnn 
the final official report of Col. Theodore G. Ellis, and 
the concluding one from a history of the regimental 
colors, puldished in connection with the exercises on 
" Battle-Flag Day," 8ei)t. 17, 1879. 

EXTUACT KEoM OFFICIAL EEPORT. 

" It is worthy of note that this regiment, during the 
three years that it was in ac-tive service, was never 
taken away from the front. It participated in all the 
great battles fought by tlic iVrmy of the Potomac 
after it went into the field in the latter part of August, 
18t)2, until the fall of Richmond and the surrender of 
Lee. It lias taken part in thirty-three (33) battles 
and skirmishes. The regiment has eapture<l five col- 
ors ancl four guns from the enemy in fair fight, and 
more prisoners than the original number of the regi- 
ment, and at Beams' IStatiou drew ort' part of Me- 
Kuight's and part of the Third Xew Jersey Batteries, 
which had been left to the enemy. The actual loss in 
killed and wounded has been upwards of eight hun- 
dred, besides the many, counted as missing, wdio 
occupy unknown graves in the Wilderness and around 
Petersburg. 

"In repeated instances the regimental commanclcrs 
have earned and received commendation from their 
superior officers, but, from a feeling of modesty, have 
not recorded it. The character and standing of the 
regiment in the field was considered of the greatest 
imjiortanee, and little was done for reputation at 
home. A high state of discipline was always main- 
tained ; so that the regiment was called ' the Four- 
teenth Regulars,' and wdiicli obtained for it a reputa- 
tion unsurpassed by any other. Wlule under my com- 
mand the regiment never, even under the hc)ttest fire, 
gave way or fell liack witliout orders, and often held 
its position with fixed bayonets after the ammuni- 
tion was exhau.sted. The regimental band, w liich was 
second to none in the army, took its share of praise." 



MEJIOIiAMiA EESPECTIXG THE nil.olts OF TUE Fofn- 
TEE-NTH KEGI.MEXT CONXEfTIil-T VoMXTEEliS. 

"Biitt/f o/Aiifiiiam.—The stafi'of the United States 
color was shot in two liy a bullet, and the eagle's head 
knocked ofi' by a i)icre of shell. The color-bearer, 
8ergt. Thomas .1. Mills, of New London, who had 
been a lieutenant in the First Connecticut Heavy 
Artillery, was mortally wounded, when Sergt. George 
Augustus Foote, of Guilford, volunteered to take his 
])lacc, and carried the flag the remainder of the day. 
Another member of the color-guard is saitl to have 
been killed in this engagement, but his name is un- 
known to the writer. 

" Battle iif Fredcrickxhurg. — The regiment wa ! badly 
cut U]) in the charge upon Marye's Heights, and 
Sergt. Charles E. Dart, of Rockville, who carried the 
State ilag, was mortally wounded. Sergt. (Jeorge 
Augustus Foote attempted to fill his place, but was 
shot in the leg and fell. His biographer, ('a]it. God- 
dard, says, 'After lying on the fielil a short time he 
tried to rise, but was instantly fired upon again by the 
rel)els, wounding him slightly in the head and in the 
hip. All the rest of that awlul day he lay still where 
he had fallen. Three times our men charged over 
him, of course tramjiling on his wounded leg, while 
he, half deliriou-, begged them to kill him to end his 
sutt'erings. But no one had time then to attend to one 
poor wounded fellow. That night he managed to 
crawl oft' to a little hut near the field, where some 
other wounded men had hung out a yellow flag. Here 
they lay with a little hard-tack, and .still less water, 
till the third day after the fight, when tliey were vis- 
ited by a rebel officer with a few men. He spoke 
roughly to them, asking what they were here for, and 
two or three began whining and saying they did not 
want to fight the South, but were drafted and obliged 
to come, wdien Foote coolly lifted his head and said, 
"/came to fight rebels, and I have fought them; and 
if ever I get well I will cojiie back and fight them 
again." " Bully for you," said the otficer; "you are a 
boy that I like," and at once gave him some water out 
of his own canteen, sent one of his men for more 
water, washed his leg and foot and bound it up as well 
as he could, paroled him, and helped him across the 
river to the Lacy House hospital. In fact, he and his 
men gave him a blanket and cheered lum as the 
wagon drove oftV 

" The State flag was picked up, not far from the 
fainf)Us sunken road held by the reliel infantry, by 
William B. Hincks and Frederick B. Doten,of ]?ridge- 
port. It renuiined in their keeijing during the day, 
and they brought it safely from the field at the close 
of the engagement. Sergt. Dart died at St. JIary's 
Hospital, Washington, D. C, Jan. fi, 1803. The con- 
stitution of Sergt. (afterwards Lieut.) Foote was im- 
paired by his wound, w Inch was eventually the cause 
of his death. 

"Battle of Chancdlorsvilk. — Sergt. Samuel Webster, 
of Sprague, who carried the United States flag, was 



50 



TIISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



wounded in the arm, and wa3 afterwards transferred 
to the Invalid Corps. 

"Battle of Morton's Ford. — Sergt. Amory Allen, of 
Hartford, bearer of the United States flag, and Corp. 
liiibert A. Cliadwick, of Kast Lyme, one of the color- 
guard, were killed in cliarging upon the enemy. Corp. 
John Hirst, of Roekville, took the flag after Sergt. 
Allen fell, and carried it during the remainder of the 
engagement. 

"Biitl/co/ Hatcher's Ran. — Corp. Henry Hospodsky, 
of Roekville, was wounded while acting as color- 
guard. 

"Battle of the Wi/dernen.^. — On the morning of the 
second day's fight the brigade to which the Four- 
teenth belonged drove back the rebel outposts for up- 
wards of half a mile. The enemy was then heavily 
reinforced, and poured in uj)on us perhaps the most 
destructive fire we ever experienced. After a severe 
conflict the brigade, as an organization, including the 
general commanding and his start', fell back nearly or 
quite to the cross-roads from whence we started in the 
morning. The colors of the Fourteenth, however, 
did not fall back more thau about a hundred yards, 
and were the only ones which were not swejit away by 
the deadly hail. It being almost impossilde to hear 
an order in the horrible din, the adjutant took the 
color-bearer by the shoulder, and, pointing to the 
trunk of a fallen tree, shouted for him to kneel by it. 
Many officers and men of the Fourteenth then rallied 
around the colors, together with a handful from other 
regiments. Other members of the Fourteenth ex- 
ten<Kil the lino by dci)loying as skirmishers and fight- 
ing from behind trees, Indian fashion. They com- 
pletely cheeked tlie rebel line of battle and caused it 
to fall back in disorder, and 'held the fort' for. several 
hours, until relieved by fresh troops. Corp. Charles 
W. Norton, of Berlin, was severely wounded at this 
time while guarding the flag. Later in the day, 
during an attack by Longstreet's corps, Corp. Henry 
K. Lyon, of New Haven, a brave recruit who carried 
the United States color, was mortally wounded. 
Handing the flag to Lieut.-Col. Moore, he said, 'Take 
it, colonel ; I have done my best.' Col. Moore gave 
it to John Hirst, of Roekville. The regiment at this 
time was almost surrounded anil in danger of being 
captured, but Sergt. Hirst brought the flag .safely from 
the field, and carried it from that time through every 
battle until he safely deposited it in Hartford after 
the regiment was mustered out. The State color had 
also a narrow e.-<eai)e from capture at this time, its 
bearer having planted it in the ground while attend- 
ing to his wdunded comrade, Corp. Lyon; but it \vas 
saved by the promptness and courage of Sergt. Thomp- 
son. Corp. Robert Wolfe, of Watcrbury, a member 
of the color-guard, was wounded in this engagement, 
and sul>«o<|Uently at the battle of Reams' Station. 

" B'ltt/e 11/ Sjmlt/ii//riiiiin Ctnirl-Iloime. — Following is 
an extrai't from Col. P'llis' dtTieial report : 

" ' We captured a greartiumber of prisoners, whom 



we sent to the rear in charge of Capt. Nickels. We 
pursued the flying enemy for about a quarter of a 
mile, when I found our men becoming scattered, our 
colors in advance of any other trooi)s, and the fire 
from the enemy's second line of works becoming seri- 
ous. I therefore ordered our men to fall back to the 
first line of works. In this line were the enemy's 
cannon, which were all captured. Many of these 
guns were turned on the enemy. Two of them were 
worked by men of the Fourteenth, under direction of 
Licut.-Col. Moore and Lieut. Morgan. These guns 
were all drawn ofl' by our men. 

"'The first State flag of the Fourteenth Regiment, 
becoming unfit for further use by reason of hard ser- 
vice, was sent home to Hartford in August, 1863, and 
its ])lace supplied by another furnished by the State 
of Connecticut. This in turn, together with its com- 
])ani<)n, the United States flag, became at length very 
dilapidated, so that during the latter part of the war 
they were but seldom unfurled. Sergt. (afterwards 
Lieut.) Joseph F. Thompson, of Hartford, who car- 
ried the State color on many hard-fought fields, and 
always with credit to himself and regiment, had the 
good fortune to escajje unwounded. Sergt. John 
(ieatly, of Hridgci)ort, Corps. George C. Boomer, of 
Hartford, Fred. W. Beardslcy, of Orange, Andrew 
Flood, of Chatham, and Eugene Hart, of Hartford, 
were among their brave defenders, with others whose 
names the writer regrets that he cannot now remember. 
From the foregoing incidents, and by reference to the 
ofticial rejjorts, it will be seen that these colors pas.sed 
through not only numerous minor actions, but also 
some of the severest battles of the war, such as An- 
tietam, Fredericksburg, the Wilderness, etc. They 
were also present at Gettysburg, when five rebel 
colors were captured by the Fourteenth. When the 
enemy had burned the bridge over the Potomac at 
Harjjcr's Ferry, the men of the Fourteenth fi>rded 
the river and marched up through the city with fly- 
ing colors, passing the ruins of the arsenal and the 
engine-house where Old John Brown had stood at 
bay against the State of Virginia. As they marched 
the band played and the battalion joined in the 
chorus, — 

"' J(>lia IJrown*n IkmIv lies moulik'iiiig in tlic grave, 
His Boul goett ninrcliing ou !' 

" The colors of the Fourteenth also witnessed the fall 
of Petersburg and the final surrender of (Jen. Lee's 
army, and floated pmudly U])on the breeze on a cer- 
tain memorable day in May, l.Sti;"), when the regiment, 
at the head of the Second Army Corps, marched 
through the city of Richmond in triumph, passing on 
the route Libby Prison, Castle Thunder, and Belle 
Island, where not a few of our men had been con- 
fined. A Union wonuin, rushing from the crowd, 
begged the color-sergeant for one of the tattered frag- 
ments of the United States flag as a relic. They were 
also unfurled at the grand review at Washington in 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



51 



1865, and more rt'cently on Riittle-Flaa: T>i\y at Hart- 
ford, 8ei)t. 17, 1879. Many other inc-ideiits connected 
witli their history might be narrated, am! it is to be 
regretted tliat the names of some of those wlio fell in 
their immediate defense have eseajied tlie memory of 
the writer. Perhaps the spirit whirli aniiiiated these 
men has never been better expressed than in the fol- 
lowing lines by an anonymous writer in the Atlantic 
Mouthlij : 

*' ' " At (Uiwii," ho said. " I bill tliem jill farL-\v»-'Il, 
To go wlicie bugles rail ami litlis gleam ;" 
And with tills latest tliuiiglit lie fell asleep 
And glided into dreum. 

"* Before liim lay a broad hot plain, 

Throngh it a level liver slowly drawn : 
He moved with a vast host, and at its head 
Streamed banners like the dawn. 

" 'There came a blinding tla^ili, a deafening ri«ir, 
.■\nd dissonant cries of terror and ilismuy ; 
Blood trickled down the river's reedy shore. 
And with the tlead be lav. 



' The morn broke in upon his solemn dre;\m. 

Yet still with kindling eye, 
' Vhere bugles call," ho said, " and rifles gleam, 

I follow though I die 1" 

' Wise youth ! by few is glory's wreath obtaineil. 
But death or soon or late awaiteth all; 
To tight in freedom's cause is something gained, 
And nothing lost to fall.'" 



TWENTY-TIIIRD KEGIMEXT.- 

The Twenty-third Kegiment was recruited mainly 
from Bridgeport, Danljury, Waterbury, Newtown, 
Fairfield, Georgetown, Bethel, Naugatuel;, Ansonia, 
Truml)ull, and Watertown, during the months of 
August, September, and Octol)er, 1802. It was de- 
signed as a nine-months' regiment, though every man 
served a year, and some two years before being mus- 
tered out of service. 

The companies rendezvoused at Camp Terry, ( )ystt>r 
Point, New Haven, early in Septendier, where they 
commenced the drill, and did guard duty until the 
IGtli of November, when they embarked on the .Sound 
steamer "Elm City" lor "Camp Buckingham," at 
Centrevillc Race Course, near Jamaica, L. I. 

This regiment was under the command of Col. 
Charles E. L. Holmes, of Waterbury, with Charles 
W. Wordin, of Bridgeport, for lieutenant-colonel, and 
David H. Miller, of Georgetown, as nnijor. 

Camp Buckingham was a mud-hole of the worst 
possible description, and the Twenty-third |)itclied 
tents in a rain-storm that lasted a week. 

November 30th the regiment marched twelve miles 
to the foot of Atlantic Street, Brooklyn, thence on 
board the " Che Kiang," a river steamer, totally unfit 
for " tmtside" weather; and because of being over- 

« C'ontriliutod by Capt. Wm. H. May. 



loaded, after three days, C<impanies H and I of the 
Twenty-Third, with one comi)any of the Tw<'Uty- 
cighth and another of the Twenty-fifth Coiinectieut 
Volunteers, were transferred to the barrac'ks at Pier 
1, New York. All but these companies left New York 
City for the Gulf of Me.xieo, on the " Che Kiaug," 
Dee. .3, 1802. The steamer was lu^arly swamped in a 
terrific storm on the night of December .5t1i, and the 
sutfering on board for several days was very great. 
They arrived at Ship Island on the 11th. 

The portion of the regiment left in barracks at New 
York received orders, December 12tli, to go on board 
the ship " Windermere," while the balance were dis- 
patched on the shij) "Planter," an old hulk that was 
wrecked oft' Florida Keys. A few strtigglers reached 
Louisiami on the ship " Alice Couuee." 

These divisions arrived at New (Jrleans at long in- 
tervals apart, and when once there were assigned to 
guard duty along the eighty miles of the New (_)rlean.s, 
(J]>elousas and Great \\'estern Kailroail, and kept at 
such duty almo.st continuously till their term of ser- 
vice had exjiired, though they repeatedly asked that 
they might be relieved and sent to the front. The 
Twenty-third was never brigaded, but left to itself, 
shunned by paymasters for many months, kejit a year 
instead of nine months in service, and its officers, most 
of them, confined nearly fourteen months in rebel 
prison-pens. 

June 2(1, l.^<!.'^, the rebels und"r (ien. Dick Taylor 
captured Terre Bonne, and on the 21st drove in the 
pickets of the Twenty-third at Lalburche Crossing. 
The same night the reliels made several attempts to 
capture Lafiuirche, but were repulsed with three hun- 
<lred and seventy killed and wounded. Federal lo.ss, 
thirty wonnile(l and nine killed. 

The rebels shelled Brashear City on the '23d, which 
being defended almost solely by convalescents was at 
last forced to surrender. The otScers captured by 
Taylor were all marched to Tyler, Smith Co., Texas 
(Camj) Ford), and hehl nearly fourteen months, while 
the men were paroled, and Aug. i), lS(i3 (Sunday), at 
one o'clock P.M., left New (_)rleans on a Mississippi 
River steamboat, " liomeward bound." They arrived 
at New Haven, Conn., at six a.m. August 24tli, and 
were welcomed with military and civic honors. 

THE TWENTY-EIGHTH KEGI.MEXT. 
This regiment was organized Oct. 11, 18(i2, at New 
Haven, and was nuLstered into the United .States 
service November l.')th, with tlie following ofli<'ers: 
Colonel, Samuel P. Ferris ; lieutenant-colonel, Whe- 
loek T. Batcheller ; major, William B. Weseome ; adju- 
tant, Charles H. Brown; iiuartermaster, Milton Brad- 
ley, Jr. ; chaphiin, Richard Wheatley ; .sergeant-major, 
William A. Bailey; quartermaster-.sergeant, Wilfred 
H. Mattson ; commissary-sergeant, N. E. Bennett; 
hospital steward, William E. Bissell ; surgeon. Ran- 
som P. Lyon ; first assistant surgeon, Levi S. Pea.se ; 
second assistant surseon, Henrv Rockwell. 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT, 



LISE-OFFICEBS. 

Compnnij A. — Captain, Francis R. Leeda ; first lieu- 
tenant, Philip Lever; second lieutenant, F. R. War- 
ner. 

Company B. — Captain, Cyrus D. Jones ; first lieu- 
tenant, Charles Durand; second lieutenant, Henry L. 
Wilniot. 

Company C. — Captain, L. R. JIcDonough ; first 
lieutenant, William M. Wliitiioy ; second lieutenant, 
J. C. Taylor. 

Company D. — Captain, David D. Hoag; first lieu- 
tenant, Cliarles M. Booth ; second lieutenant, Levi 
Huufrerford. 

Company E. — Captain, Charles B. Landon ; first 
lieutenant, Joseph Bostwiek ; second lieutenant, War- 
ren C. Dai ley. 

Company F. — Captain, L. B. Wheelock ; first lieu- 
tenant, C. P. Newman; second lieutenant, Jabez AI- 
ford. 

Company G. — Captain, T. L. Beckwith ; first lieu- 
tenant, William Mitchell; second lieutenant, Henry 
Ayres. 

Company H. — Cajitain, George W. ^Nliddleton ; first 
lieutenant, James Kiley ; second lieutenant, Thomas 
G. Bennett. 

The regiment left New Haven November 18th, and 
proceeded to Camp Buckingham, L. I. Here it re- 
mained until the 2Sth, when, having been assigned 
to tlie Dei>artraent of the .Soutli, it embarked on the 
" Che Kiang" for a Southern clime. The Twenty- 
third Connecticut also embarked in the same steamer, 
tlius crowding fourteen hundred men in quarters 
wliicli would comfortably accommodate about eight 
hundred. 

Tiie steamer weighed anchor at ten .\.M., December 
3d, with sealed orders, which finally assigned the regi- 
ments to Ship Island, La. During the voyage a storm 
arose, and for twelve hours tiie heavily-laden steamer 
battled with the angry waves which lashed in fury 
about it, seeming every moment to swallow it up in 
the awful abyss. During the night, while the storm 
was on, an officer sent the intelligence, " We shall 
never sec another sunrise; the vessel cannot stand it 
much longer." The vessel, liowevcr, rode safely on, 
and the voyage was completed in safety. 

December 12th the regiment disembarked on Ship 
Island. On the 17th it rc-cmbarked for New Or- 
leans, and after stopping a few liours in the city 
started for Camp Parapet, some seven miles up 
the river, where it landed and pitched tents, but 
was immediately ordered to re-embark for Pensacola, 
Fla. By eleven that night it was on board again and 
ready for starting. It reached Pensacola Monday 
morning, and stacked its arms on the Grand Plaza. 
On the 2i>tli it was ordered to evacuate Pensacola and 
go to tlie Barrancas Navy-Yard, where it remained 
until May 20tli, when it was ordered to take the 
stt'amer " Crescent" and proceed to Brashcnr City, 
La. On the 2oth it was oMered to Port Hudson, and 



at noon reached Springfield Landing, having now 
come within hearing distance of the strife of arms. 
Marching twelve miles towards the scene of conflict, 
it found itself now, by some oversight of the move- 
ment, right between the two contending armies. It 
fairly ran the gauntlet, escaping unharmed, and, the 
next day, after a march of about thirty miles, when 
four might have sufficed, it reached Grover's division, 
to which it had been a.ssigncd. Until June 3d it here 
suffered, as soldiers often do, for want of rest and 
food, when it was ordered to the front. At this time 
Col. Ferris was acting brigadier, with Maj. Wescome 
in charge of the regiment. 

The regiment was now called upon to test the 
music of whistling balls, and there was for the present 
to be no more rest for it. June 4th it was ordered to 
be ready to go into the rifle-pits. In spite of l)luiuler- 
ing movements. Company A in advance, it at length 
reached the pits, where it spent the night. The next 
day until eight in the evening the men did their best, 
" firing fast and well" to harm the enemy, when they 
were ordered back to camp. This move was executed 
witliout loss, and the regiment iie.xt did good service 
in the trenches. 

The regiment participated in the second assault on 
Port Hudson, when it lost fifty-nine killed, wounded, 
and missing. Among the killed were Capt. Hoag, of 
New Jlilford, and Lieut. Durand, of Stamford. This 
was one of the most desperate charges made during 
the Rebellion, but in that holocaust of fire not a man 
in that noble legion slirank fnmi his duty. 

After the surrender of the place the Twenty-eighth 
did garrison duty until the expiration of its term of 
service. The regiment lo-st, — killed, 9; died of wounds, 
i) ; died of disease, 65. It was mustered out at New 
Haven, Aug. 28, 1863. 

CO.MPANY D, FIRST REGIMENT OF CONNECTICUT 
CAV.\LRY.» 

The First Connecticut Cavalry was first organized 
as a b.attalion of two s<|uadrons of two companies each, 
the companies consisting each of three officers and 
seventy-six rank and file. Tiiere were also ten field- 
and staft-officcrs. It was ordered by the then Gover- 
nor of Connecticut, His Excellency William A. Buck- 
ingham, to be recruited, one company from each of 
the four congressional districts of the State. He au- 
tliorized L. N. Middlebrook, Esq., of Bridgeport, then 
lately a major of the Connecticut militia, to recruit 
] the com])any for the congre-isioiuil district comprising 
Fairfield and Litchfield Counties, he having volun- 
teered his services for this purpose. The recruiting 
of this company, afterwards designated as Company 
D, was commenced by Maj. MiiKllebrook, Oct. 4, 1861, 
in the city of Bridgeport, and completed Oct. 22, 1861, 
Mr. Middlebrook having enlisted as a private with the 



• Contributed by I,. S. Mi IJIuLrwU. 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



53 



other recruits, and liuriic :ill tlie expenses of reeruit- 
ing the eorapany Ironi his ]iriviito resources. 

On the last-named date he took the conijiany into 
camp at Meridcn, Conn., where a cavalry camp of in- 
struction was formed under the command of JIaj. 
Boardman, of the First Governor's Horse-Guards, of 
Hartfoi'd. Jlaj. Middlehronlc was appointed captain 
of Conipany T> hy Governor Buckinifham, his com- 
mission dating from Oct. IS, 181)1 ; William K. Jlor- 
ris, of Riixbury, Conn., and Richard B. Crawford, of 
Bridtreport, Conn., being at tlie same time ajipointed 
first and second lieutenants resiicctively. 

Upon the retirement of Maj. Boardman from com- 
mand of the camp, which occurred soon after, the 
command of the battalion was tendered to Capt. Mid- 
dlebrook, who declined to accejit that position, i)refer- 
ring to remain with his comjiany. On Dee. 17, ISiil, 
Judson JI. Lyon, Esq., of Woodstock, ('onn., was 
appointed by the Governor major of the butlalion, 
and Capt. Middlebrook was designated first ca|itaiM of 
the First Squadron, composed of Companies B and D. 

The l)attalion remained in camp at Meridcn until 
Feb. 20, 1,S(;2, when it took the field in t!ie r)(q)art- 
ment of West Virginia, then under the command of 
Maj. -Gen. W. S. Rosecrans. The battalion, under 
Maj. Lyon, was soon employed in active military oper- 
ations in the mountain regions of this department, 
among which were leading the advance of (len. 
Schenck's forced march from Moorefield to the r^'lief 
of Gen. Milroy,at McDowell, West Va., and the con- 
sequent battles of McDowell, May 8, and of Franklin, 
May 11 and 12, 1862. It was also assigned tlu' lion- 
orable post of rear-guard in the two days' retreat upon 
Franklin of Gen. Schenck's and Gen. Milroy's forces 
before Stonewall Jackson's pursuing army. 

When Gen. J. C. Fremont assumed eomuuind of the 
Mountain Department the battalion became thereby 
a part of his forces, and under jMaj. Lyon was assigned 
the post of advance-guard of his army during the 
principal part of his celebrated seven days' forced 
march through the mountains into the Shenandoah 
Valley to tlie relief of Gen. N. P. Banks, Cajit. Mid- 
dlebrook commanding his own squadron and a detach- 
ment from Gen. Fremont'.s body-guard, and being the 
first to encounter the enemy, at daylight, Jlay 28th, 
charging and routing their cavalry posted at Wardens- 
ville, Va., at which point the Union army was seeking 
to deploy from the mountain-passes into the Shenan- 
doah Valley". 

In the eight days' retreat of Stonewall .Jackson up 
the Shenandoah Valley, which immediately succeeded, 
the battalion, including Company D, was daily en- 
gaged, participating, under Capt. Midillebrook, act- 
ing as its nuijor, among other engagements, in the 
desperate cavalry fight at HarrisonlHirg, \'a., June 
6th, in which the Confederate cavalry general Ashby 
was killed, and the battles of Cross-Keys, June 8, and 
Port Republic, June !», 18(32. 

I'pon the resignation of the command of thii de- 



jiartuH'ot by Gen. Fremont, the battalion, with (_'om- 
]iany D, became a part of the forces of ]\[aj.-Gen. 
Franz Sigel, coniniauding the First Army (.'orps of 
the Army of Virginia, under (Jen. .John Pope. Umler 
this general this company, as a part of the battalion 
commanded by Cajjt. Middlebrook, acting major, ]>ar- 
ticipated in all the oper.ations of the Army of Vir- 
ginia in 18G2, under Gen. Pope, including, among 
others, tlu' battles of Cedar JLmntain, Rappahannock 
Station, Groveton, Second Manassas, and Chantilly. 

Siion after the close of the camjiaign under Pojie, 
the battalion, inchuling C<imi)any D, was relieved from 
active duty in the field, and assigned to duty as pro- 
vost-guard, being stationed at the city of Baltimore, 
in the Mi<ldle Department. There it remained until 
Feb. 3, 18()3, when it was attached to the Army of the 
Potomac and took the field again, having in the mean 
time been raised to a full regiment of twelve com- 
]ianics. Company D, as a part thereof, hcncetbrth 
took ]iart in all the operations of the Army of the 
Potomac, until Aug. 8, 18(14, when it was transferred 
with the rcnuiinder ol' the regiment to the Army of 
the Shenandoah, under (ten. Phil Sheridan, and sub- 
sei|Uenfly served under Gen. Sheridan in all the clos- 
ing operations of the war, previous to and after the 
fall of Richmond, and was mustered out with its regi- 
ment, at Washington, D. C, Aug. 2, ISti."). 

This cinnpany was in many respects a remarkable 
company of men. With a single exception they were 
all of American nativity and of superior intelligence 
and education. As an evidence of this, it is sufficient 
to state that no less than seventeen comnussioned 
officers were taken from its original ranks. Fifty- 
eight of its original nundier were enlisted from Y:\h-- 
ficld County, of which number Bridge[)ort furnished 
thirty-one, Trumliull six, Fairfield six, Wilton five, 
Newtown four, Huntington three, Daid)ury two, and 
Stamlbrd one. Of the remaining twenty-one, seven 
were enlisted from Litchfield County, and the balance 
from various jilaces throughout the State. xVU of the 
original company but one were citizens and residents 
of Connecticut. The comiiany received during its 
service in the field ninety-three recruits, all of whom 
were citizens of Connecticut, ten of them from Fair- 
field County, and the l)alance from dift'erent places 
throughout the State. 

Among the engagements in which this company 
participated, in addition to those mentioned, were the 
battles of Spottsylvania Court- House, Hanover Court- 
House, Ashland, Wimdiester, Cedar Creek, Waynes- 
boro', Five Forks, Harper's Farm, and very many 
other lesser battles, all in West Virginia and Vir- 
ginia. 

THE SECOND I.KUIT BATTERY. 

This battery was (u-ganized in August, 18(i2, when 
the glamour of military pomp had passed away and 
grim-visaged war in all its horrors stood out in awful 
vision beibre the people of this country. It was com- 



54 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



posed <it' twi) Bridgeport militia organizations, and 
was officered ius follows: Captain, John W. Sterling; 
first lieutenants, Walter S. Hotehkiss and Philip B. 
Segec ; second lieutenants, George Munger and Philo 
B. Sherman ; quartermaster-sergeant, Frank H. Whit- 
ing (promoted to second lieutenant, April 1, 18G4). 

The battery left for the front Oct. 15, 18G2, and was 
assigned to the A rmy of the Potomac. It was soon after 
assigned to the " Artillery Reserve," under Gen. E. O. 
Tyler, and jiarticipated in the memorable contest at 
Gettysburg, having three men wounded. After wearily 
traversing Maryland for a month the battery camped 
on Meridian Hill, near Washington. In August it 
was sent to New York during the draft troubles, and 
returned to Washington during December. February, 
1804, found it transferred to the Department of the 
Gulf and stationed at Brashear City, and subsequently 
at Algiers, La., at Dauphin Island, Mobile Harbor. 
August Gth the battery took an active part in the en- 
gagement at Fort Gaines, and on the 19th in the re- 
duction of Fort Jlorgan. September 8tli it returned 
to Louisiana, and served until the following Feb- 
ruary. Then it was sent to Florida, served at Pensa- 
cola and elsewhere, and early in April wa.s engaged 
with the enemy near Blakely, Ala., the 9th of the 
mouth witnessing the carrying of their works by as- 
sault. The battery soon after returned to Connec- 
ticut, and was mustered out at New Haven, Aug. 9, 
1865. It lost one killed,— J. S. Mills, of Bridgeport; 
one died of wounds, and eighteen of disease. 

THK FIRST REGIMENT IIEAVV ARTILLERY. 

This regiment was organized iu the spring of 1861 
as the Fourth Infantry, and after six months' service 
was changed to an artillery regiment of twelve com- 
panies, of one hundred and fifty men each. It was 
commanded by Levi Woodliouse, of Hartford, colonel, 
and Nelsiin L. White, of Danbury, lieutenant-colonel. 
Company M was recruited in this county, princijjally 
in Bridgejiort. L'riah Wallace was captain, William 
H. Brown first lieutenant, and Charles W. Gleason 
second lieutenant. 

The regiment remained in the fortifications around 
Wasliington for a short time, when. Col. Woodhouse 
having re-signed, it was placed under the command of 
Gen. R. O. Tylerand entered the Peninsular campaign. 
This regiment had seventy-one guns in the siege- 
train. In November, 1862, Col. Tyler was promoted 
to be brigadier-general, and Capt. Henry L. Abbott 
was made colonel. 

The regiment saw active service and partieii)ated 
in the following engagements: Siege of Yorktown, 
Hanover Court-House, Gaines' Mills, Malvern Hill, 
siege of Fredericksburg, before Fredericksburg (De- 
cember, 1862), before Fredericksburg (April 28 to 
June 13, 1861?), Kelley's Ford, Orange Court-House, 
siege of Petersburg, siege of Riehniond, Fort Fisher. 
C:uiualties: Killed, 2<) ; died of wounds, 23; died of 
disease, 161. It was mustered out iu September, 1865. 



CHAPTER V. 

MILITARY HISTORY (Continued). 

THE SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT.* 

The Seventeenth Regiment of Connecticut Volun- 
teers was organized in an hour of national gloom and 
disaster: from the commission of its colonel to its 
departure for the front no bright sky rifted the war- 
cloud; yet the youth who filled its ranks, and the 
people of the county who backed them, neither 
quailed nor halted. 

The Seventeenth was the first localized regiment of 
the State. It was from the start known as the Fair- 
field County Regiment. With few exceptions, its 
ranks were filled by her sons. The people of the 
county made it their pride and the outlet of their 
aftcction and patriotic effort. 

Our War-Governor, Buckingham, at first doubted 
whether Fairfield County alone could put a regiment 
into the field as rapidly as the greed for troops at the 
front demanded. It was a most trying hour. The 
soul of the whole North, unflinching before disheart- 
ening reverses, aroused to mightier effort. 

The leading men of the county, who had a.sked the 
appointment of Col. Noble, and that the regiment 
might be made up of her sons, quieted the Governor's 
doubts ; they at once turned all their energies to till 
its ranks at the earliest moment. Towns and indi- 
viduals devotv'd to this their time and resources. 
Their liberality and energy kept full abrea.st of their 
faith in tlie cause of tlie Union. 

On July 23, 1862, William H. Noble, of Bridge- 
port, was commissioned as the colonel of the Seven- 
teenth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers. In less 
than thirty days therelrom, the regiment could have 
marched a thousand men to the front. 

Tlieir camp was on that lovely ground now forming 
the larger jjart of the Bridgeport .Saside Park. No 
more healthful or readily reached ground could have 
been found. Sea-bathing, fresh breezes, easy access 
from even,' point, vicinity, and town, and the railroad 
whose lines stretched through the county and State, — 
all made its choice a wi.se forethought. It.s charming 
position, tlnis so widely nuide known, doubtless won 
its choice for a park. 

NOTICES OF INDIVIDfAL OFKICERS. 

In the formation of the Seventeenth all the towns 
of the county were represented, tiiough .some fur- 
nished only a few nuMubers. It was officered as fol- 
lows : 

Colonel, William H. Noble, of Bridgeport, com- 
manding; brevetted brigadier-general on recommen- 
dation of (ten. tirant. 

Lieutenant-colonel, Charles Walter, of Bridgeport. 
Born in Denmark; came to America wlien young; 



• ConIril»iUil l>y Ovu. Wniiam n. Nuble. 



MILITAEY HISTORY. 



55 



private in Capt. S])eiders Company ol' tlio First Con- 
necticut ; promoted to be tirst lieutenant and made 
aide-de-camp on Gen. Tyler's stall' at the battle of 
Bull Run, where he was cajjtured and spent a year 
afterwards in the rebel prisons; on his return was 
made lieutenant-colonel of the Seventeenth, and was 
killed .at Chancellorsville, Jlay 2, ISC-".. He was a 
man of high education, civil and military, and a 
sjieaker of several languages, a tine musician, and an 
.accomplished artist. , 

Major, Allen G. Brady, wdio liad seen service as 
lieutenant-colonel in the three months' regiments; 
enlisted and brought Ccnnjjany B to the regiment, and 
was made its major; was wounded at Gettysburg and 
transferred to the ^'eteran Reserves. 

Adjutant, A. H. 'Wileoxson, of Xorwalk, who was 
in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, 
where he distinguished hiinsrlf by coolness and 
daring. He was promoted to be captain of Company 
I, and afterwards to be lieutenant-colonel of the regi- 
ment ; was mortally wounded at Dunn's Lake, Fla., 
and died afterwards at Tallahassee while a prisoner. 

First surgeon, Dr. Roliert Hubbard, then and still 
a distinguished physician and surgeon of Bridgeport, 
who was soon promoted to be acting medical director 
of the Eleventh Corps, which distinguished jxisition 
he held till failing health coni])elled his resignation. 

First assistant surgeon, Dr. Robert D. McEwen, i)( 
Stratford, who remained with the regiment until he 
resigned, on Folly Island, S. C, Novendjer, 18ti3. 

Second assistant surgeon. Dr. Elijah Gregory, of 
Bridgeport, who remained with the regiment till its 
muster out ; since deceased. 

Quartermaster, First Lieut. Hanford X. Hayes, of 
Bridgeport, who resigned his position, July IS, ISii.'l 

Sergeant-major, Theodore Gray, of Bridgeport; 
afterwards promoted to Ijc cai)tain of Company K. 

Quartermaster-sergeant, John S. Ward, of Bridge- 
port; afterwards promoted to be quarternuister, and 
mustered out with the regiment. 

Commissary-sergeant, Josiah L. Day, of Danliurv; 
discharged for disability, March li, 1S(J3; succeeded 
by Edwin D. Hurd, of Fiiirfield. 

Hospital steward, Jesse S. Nash, of Bridgeport; 
discharged for disability, Dec. 29, l.'>(;2. 

Assistant adjutant, Henry W. Chatfield, of Bridge- 
j)ort ; afterwards promoted to Ijc sergeant-major, ai\d 
for gallant conduct at Chancellorsville, in rallying 
and I'c-forming the regiment, promoted to be adju- 
tant, serving with distinguished gallantry at Gettys- 
burg, and killed in action at Dunn's Lake, Fla. 

Captain of Company A, Douglas Fowler, of Nor- 
walk ; a captain in the three montlis' service, after- 
wards captain in the Eighth Connecticut ; promoted 
to be lieutenant-colonel for gallantry at Chancellors- 
ville, and killed in first day's battle at ( rettyslnirg. 

Captain of Company B, Charles A. Hobbie, of 
Darien, who was wounded at Chancellorsville, cap- 
tured in Florida, and imprisoned at Andersonville. 



Cajitain of Company (', .Tames E. Moore ; a scddier 
of the Me-xican war, and a captain in the three 
months' service. A faithful officer, serving with dis- 
tinguished gallantry at Chancellorsville, and killed in 
the first day's fight at Gettysburg. 

Captain of Company D, William 11. Lacy, of 
Bridgeport; wounded at Chancellorsville, and re- 
signed in May, 18(53. He was succeeded by Lieut. 
William L. Hulibell, of Bridgeport, who was suc- 
cessively promoted to be adjutant, captain of Com- 
pany D, and major of the regiment. 

Captain of Company E, Henry 1'. Burr, of West- 
port ; served with distinguished gallantry at Chancel- 
lorsville (where he was taken for a sh<irt time jiris- 
oncr] and afterwards at Gettysburg, where, at the 
close of the I>attle, he was in command of the regi- 
ment. 

Captain of Company F, Enoch Ward, of Xorwalk, 
who raised his company in three days from nothing 
to one liundred and two men; resigned in March, 
l.S()3, on account of ill health. He was succeeded by 
Lieut. Henry Allen, of Norwalk ; afterwards jiro- 
moted to be nuijor and lieutenant-colonel of the regi- 
ment, which position he held at the close of the war. 
Ins three jiredeeessors having been killed or mortally 
wouniled in action. 

Captain of Company G, James E. Dunham, of 
r>ridgeport ; in the winter of 18G2 and 1S(13, pro- 
moted to be provost-marshal on the staff of (Jen. 
Devens, First Divisicm, Eleventh Corps ; badly 
maimed at Chancellorsville by the fall of his horse, 
and unalile to march as captain ; resigned to accept 
the position of captain and ])rovost-nuirshal of the 
Fourth District of Connecticut. He was succeeded 
by Lieut. Wilson French, of Stratford, who was on 
picket at Chancellorsville with his company, and met 
the first onslaught of Stonewall Jackson's assault; 
also wounded at Getty.sburg, and for a short time a 
]n-is(iner; afterwards provost-marshal of the Eastern 
District of Florida, and then captured and taken 
prisoner to Anclersonville. 

('aptain of Company H, Enos Kellogg, of New 
Canaan ; a gallant officer; in the battles of Chancel- 
lorsville and Gettysburg, and in the trenches on 
Morris Island. At Volusia, Fla., with oidy fifty men, 
seventy-five miles from any other Union force, he so 
fortified his position, aided l)y Lieut. Ruggles of Com- 
jiany K, that he frightened olfthe rebel captain Dick- 
enson with his artillery and two hundred mounted 
rifiemen. 

Captain of Company I, D. O. Benson, of Green- 
wich, who died early in his service at Baltimore, and 
was succeeded by -Vdjt. \Vilcoxson, aftci'wards lieu- 
tenant-colonel. 

Captain of Con]|)any K, J. J. Mct'arthy, of Fair- 
field ; a very gallant officer; marked for his behavior 
as such at the battles of CluinccUorsviUe and Gettys- 
burg, and in the trenches on Morris Island ; was spe- 
cially selected to head any dan^rcrous or difficult post 



56 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



on picket- or skirmish-lino ; a bold and fearless officer; 
resigned at Folly Island in the winter of 1864. 

The regiment had no chaplain at its organiz.ation, 
but the Kev. Alexander U. Thomson, D.D., of the 
Second Congregational Church of Bridgeport, while 
the regiment Wius in camp, filled the place of two or 
three chaplains, procured them a chapel tent and a 
library of five hundred volumes, and was most active 
in every work to promote the interests, spiritual and 
temporal, of the regiment. He would have gone out 
with the regiment as its chaplain could he have ob- 
tained leave of absence from his congregation ; he 
afterwards visited them at IJaltimore, and held there 
their first divine service and a grand tcmi)eraiice- 
mcetiug. The regiment, from its colonel down, re- 
veres and loves him. 

He was succeeded by the Rev. Hall, who 

joined at Antioch Church, November, 1802, and con- 
tinued with the regiment through the battles of Chan- 
cellorsville and Gettysburg and until November, 1863. 

THE REGIMEKT IN THE SERVICE. 

Aug. 28, 1862, the regiment was mustered into the 
United States service. On September 3d following it 
took rail for the front. A short time previous, Maj.- 
Gen. Franz Sigcl, through Capt. l/von, one of his 
staff, had asked consent of the regiment to join his 
Eleventh Corps. He was eager to swell his force, 
which then was without a Connecticut regiment. 
The officers of the Seventeenth gave their unaniuKms 
consent to be so a.ssigTied. When it broke camp at 
Seaside Park the members of the whole regiment felt, 
in the words of the refrain, that they should soon 
" fight mit Sigcl." 

The date of departure had been made known to the 
liomes of the county ; the friends and kindred of the 
regiment turned out a vast throng of anxious hearts 
and patriotic sympathy to say farewell. Outside of 
Bridgeport, whose citizens crowded en vianse, there 
came thousands by rail and country road to bid adieu 
to brothers, fathers, and friends; there were many 
sad and many cheerful jjartings. As a whole, the 
soldiers were elated and ho|)eftil. Youth, pride in 
such a service, and the novel duties and scenes in 
which they were soon to act gave the " enchantment 
of distance" to a life filled with hardshi]>, danger, 
and death. 

The regiment moved (except from New Y'ork to 
Amboy) from Bridgeport to Baltimore by rail, with 
orders to report to Gen. Wool, there commanding. 
It arrived in Baltimore on the next day, Septendier 
4tli, about dark, and marched to the extensive rail- 
road depot and store-shed of the Baltimore and Ohio 
Railroad, of which the colonel took possession for 
shelter, and refused to move until ordered by Gen. 
Wool. 

On reporting to Gen. Wool late the night of arrival, 
the colonel was ordered to hold his command in readi- 
ness for orders from WasMngton. In the mean time 



the Union men of Baltimore, anxious for their city in 
the face of the disasters beyond, were fearful of some 
sudden raids of the enemy in force. They had looked 
over this regiment, so ccmspicuously qtiartered in the 
centre of their city, and expressed flattering admira- 
tion for its make-up and bearing. They soon hinted 
and "guessed" that we should not be allowed to go 
farther, and that they wanted such a regiment there 
as much as anywhere. They had evidently inter- 
viewed Gen. Wool in force or visited Washington. 
A few days afterwards he sent down orders to the 
regiment to shift quarters to Fort Marshall, a tempo- 
rary earthwork on high ground ciust of the city, com- 
manding the city, harbor, and surrounding countrj*. 
It was to act as a reserve and supporting force to a 
New York artillery regiment, which formed its gar- 
rison. 

Our ])osition there was in every respect irksome and 
distasteful. The garrison was made up of very differ- 
ent material from the regiment. It had been re- 
cruited in New York and Brooklyn, and wiw held 
with a very lax rein of discipline. The association 
was bad. Besides, Col. Belger, the post (piarter- 
master, refused the regiment the shelter which at a 
post and as a reserve to garrison they had a right to 
demand. He paid no heed to the remonstrances of 
the regimental quartermaster, Lieut. Hayes, or to those 
of the colonel. Every military man knows that regi- 
ments in the field and in active service can stand 
hardships and exposures which will sicken and thin 
out a force in the position of ours at Fort JIarshall. 
Men make light of all sorts of things on forced 
marches or in action which tell heavily upon them 
in the quiet camp. 

Under this state of things the colonel of the regi- 
ment, out of the regular channels of communication, 
wrote what he intended as a [irivate letter to Gen. 
Sigel, stating the annoyances suffered and the insult- 
ing rebuffs of Col. Belger, reminding him of our orig- 
inal purpose to join his command, and asking his aid 
to eft'ect that end. It was supposed that in some way, 
without following the lines of rod tajw and those reg- 
ular channels, he would find means to cut the tape 
and got us into the field. Nothing was heard from 
him or about the nujttor for a month. 

In this state of things, about Oct. 15, 1862, Col. 
Noble called upon Gen. Wool to lay before him the 
grievances of the regiment in regard to its camp 
equipage and Col. Bclger's neglect of our militarj- 
rights. He found that venerable oflieer very irate. 
He confronted the colonel with the letter to Gen. 
Sigel, which had just arrived in its travels tiirough 
the regular channels, with due and ample " respcctfiil 
reference." Nothing that Col. Noble could say at all 
cooled the general's wrath. He did not exhibit to the 
colonel his letter or its indorsements, one of which 
doubtless was for the regiment to report at ^\'ashlng- 
ton. At any rate, he immediately ordered the colonel 
to take his regiment by rail to Washington, and to 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



57 



K'uvr liultiniore bcfure the next ilay :it iiijuti, Tliis 
was hite at night, ami iu those days oi' anipU- a|i|iarel, 
eiiuiiiagc, and transportation it was not an easy task 
to land a tliousand men and all their belongings early 
in the morning. The order was liUed, however. By 
eleven o'eloek next day everything was on hoard 
ready to move to Washington, and before twchc the 
regiment had moved from the eity of B.dtimore. But 
so erowded were the rails by army travel and trans- 
]iortation that the regiment only reached its destina- 
tion about dusk. On applieation mxt moiiiing at 
liea(U|Uarters it wa.s ordered to nuireh tlirotigh the 
eity to Teiiallytown and encamp at Fort Kearney, 
in the defenses of Washington. 

At this post the regiment was immediately put to 
work iu intreuchments. It expected to liave been 
.sent along to Sigel, and did not like the delay. It 
very likely worked with less will at its task of dig- 
ging than it would have done except in face of its 
disappointment. At any rate, after several reports cd' 
its not lieing good diggers liad been made, (jrders 
came Ibr the regiment to emiiark at ( ieoigelowii 
on Nov. 'i. bS():2, and to proceed liy the way <d' Ah\- 
andria. ami the Manassas Railroad, and to report to 
Gen. Sigel at Gainesville. 

It reached this place on tin' thinl evening after its 
departure irom Fort Kearney after dark. It first 
struck u]ion Gen. McLean's lirigadc. That gallant 
olliier at (jnce desired to take it into his com- 
mand, and .seemed very happy over the chamc It 
was made up of Ohio men, all but one regiment of 
whom were Americans, the One Hnmlred and Sev- 
enth Ohio of the brigade being mostly (rcrman. 
The Seventeenth now seemed well jileased with its 
fortune and at home; no more grumbling at any lot 
in its military life was ever afterwards heard from 
the command. But of its hardships in extent and 
variety tlie regiment liad as large a share as falls to 
the lot of any command. Soon after we joined his 
corjis ( ien. Sigel rode into our camp with his staff, and 
aeeompanie(l by the lieautifnl wife of Prince Salni- 
Salni, to thank us for our persistenee in joining his 
eomnumd. 

The Eleventh Corps was at this time the reserve of 
the xVrmy of the Potomac. The brigade and division 
in which the Seventeenth was were guarding Thor- 
oughfare Gap, in the Bull Run Mountains. After a 
.stay at Gainesville of about two weeks, an order came 
at midniglit — as such things usually canu> — to be 
ready to nujve at daylight in the morning. Our 
march was m)rthward to Hojiewell Gap and Antioch 
Church on same range. After some days here, like 
midnight orders were sent in to movi' iu the nioruing. 
Our niarcdi that day was from Antioch ('hureli to- 
wards Chaidilly. Our Hrst night was spent in the 
sj)lendid winter ipiarters of the rebel force, ami our 
destination was Chantilly. There, in the midst of 
wide plains and a very rich and fruitful country, the 
regiment held its camp with its brigade and corps, 
5 



till orders again came to semi to hospital all disabled, 
to be ready iu the morning for march. This was 
the beginning of our seven days' m:ireh as reserve of 
Burnside's movemeid on Frederickshnrg. 

The regiment had by this time become pretty well 
seasoned to military duty in the field. The knap- 
sacks, stuffed at first with photographs, writing ma- 
terial, and all sorts of home-traps, had wonderfully 
shrunken. (Jn the previous marches the Ohio boys 
had shown them some pretty long legs, but on this 
seven days' march the Seventeenth nuide them stretch 
theirs, with interest a<lded. .\s is known to most, the 
regiments alternate front and rear cNcry day, tlie 
regiment at the front always having the brightest 
outlook and, somehow or umjther, marching the 
easiest; that in the rear seems to (h'ag along with 
tiresome step, and often lags when at the front they 
make good time. 

,\t Bacon's Rai'e-Course Clinreh, ahout two days' 
niareli from Falmouth, the terrilih' cannonade of the 
eonlliet (d' Frederickshnrg was distinctly heard, and 
on tin' next day, at noon, the mws of l'.innsi(h''s re- 
pulse was announced to the regiments. The corps, 
however, kept on to Falmouth, after a night's rest at 
which place they were ordered back to cam]> at Staf- 
ford Court-Honse. This was the jdai'c where tlie 
Seventeenth, whic-h had saved its rations in going 
down, gave a sup|ier to an < )liio regiment, whicli luid 
eaten up all its own. This lirotherly act was never 
forgotten by the Ohio boys. 

At Stafford Cimrt-House, passed (ju our march to 
Falmouth, the regiment arrived back about December 
Itjth and made camp in the woods. It was one of the 
nmst picturesque winter-camps that could be imag- 
imd. On each side of a street, running u|i a gentle 
sh)|ie of pine-forest, the regiment built huts, with 
camp-fires in front. The sight of their cheerful blaze 
ste]) by step up that ascent was at night (du'ering ami 
lovely. 

About the 20th of February an order came to Ijreak 
camp and march to Belle Plain. This was again in 
reserve to Burnside's army, on what is known as the 
mud-march. Our movement was onlered to follow 
up a contemplated second att.aek on Fredericksburg, 
Imt which purpose the storm and the miry state of the 
roads thwarted. 

At Belle Plain the regiment ami division were 
' ordered to oceujiy the huts of the force whieli had 
nujved towards Fredericksburg. Thes<' were con- 
structed, with great neatness and nuich ingenious 
[ architecture, along brinks and declivities of ravines. 
But such good quarters wi"re only our lot for a very 
few days. The return of their former occupants from 
tlieir un.suece.ssful move required our evacuation of 
theirquarters. The regimentsoon relnnu'd to Brooks' 
Station, near its old camp at Stafford ( 'ourt-Ibjuse, 
and hutted for the winter. 

Our camp was ordered into a forest of oak and 
beech and all the woods of Virginia. The ground 



58 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



was covered with snow, but axes were plenty, and the 
regiment soon sheltered itself in fine style. Here 
the time piK-sed quietly in drill and camp-duties till, 
on tlie 2(>th of A])ril, 1863, orders were issued to take 
in haversack seven days' rations, put everything in 
liglit marching order, and be in readiness for move- 
ment the next morning at daybreak. On that day 
the regiment marched westward to near Hartwood 
Church, and encamped for the night. This route 
was that of the Kh'vcnth and Twelfth Corps. Early 
the ne.xt morning movement was made towards Bar- 
rett's Ford, on the Kapi)ahannock. This river was 
then crossed on a pontoon-bridge by night, and the 
regiment bivouacked for a few hours' rest some mile 
or so beyond, in tlie adjacent woods. Here the 
Twelfth Corps j)iussed it early in the morning, and all 
moved on towards (ierniania Ford of the Rapidan. 

8(mie of the forces ahead of us had not so good 
luck as the Eleventli Corjis, and many were forced to 
ford the river in a high state of the flood, which was 
strong and up to their necks. The Seventeenth, 
however, and most of the Eleventh Corps, passed on 
a temporary bridge, and bivouacked for the rest of the 
night some mile or two beyond. Early the next day 
the movement was resumed, and about five o'clock 
in the afternoon the battle-ground of Chancellorsville 
was reached, near the Hatch house, which was made 
the headquarters of our brigade and division. This 
was the liome of a man formerly from Milford, Conn., 
but as arrant a rebel as if a native Virginian. Our 
camp for the night was at the west of this Hatch 
house. 

The next morning tlic regiment was put in line 
along the Culpeper road to receive Gen. Hooker. 
The whole corps were placed in .similar positions. 
About eleven o'clock the general, with a brilliant 
staff, rode down the lines in review. 

In the afternoon of that day tlie commander of our 
brigade, (Sen. McLean, ordered the right wing of the 
regiment to be posted around the west and south bor- 
ders of the Hatch house garden, which was in rear of 
the Hatch house and south of the Culpeper road. 
This wits to lie under the immediate command of 
Lieut.-Col. 'Walter. Tlic left wing of the regiment, 
under the immediate command of JIaj. Brady, wa.s 
ordered into position along the Culpeper road in sup- 
port of Dykeman's Batter)', which was stationed south 
of the road, and facing south. Col. Noble was ordered 
to take his position between the two wings, which 
were some rods ajiart, and to have oversight of the 
action and conduct of each. 

The whole theory of the expected battle seemed to 
look for an attack from the south, and all the troops 
of the brigade and corps in sight of our position were 
aligned under that idea. Col. Noble was the next 
day. May 2<1, appointed officer of the day for the 
division, and as sudi had inspection of the picket- 
lines thrown forward to the south of our jiosition and 
to the west of the Hatcli house, in the wilderness. 



When on his rounds, a cavalrj' vidette rode up from 
the front, with information of heavy forces of the 
enemy iiassing along our front towards the rear. He 
was told to ride in to headquarters and give the in- 
formation at the Hatch house, wliicli was ])ointed 
out to him. Afterwards, during the day, another 
horseman rode up to our position with like informa- 
tion, and was again directed to report at the adjacent 
headquarters to Gen. Devens and Gen. McLean. He 
rode up to the front of the house, where they were 
seated. 

At this time two companies of the regiment — Com- 
pany G and Comjiany I — were on jiicket in dense 
woods at our right, on the border of the wilderness. 
About five o'clock in the afternoon of May 2d sharp 
firing of some light cannon was heard on our right. 
It seemed to be light field-pieces, and was sup|)osed 
to lie what is called a jackass-battery. All was quiet 
for a wliile, and then came sjiarp, nervous firing on 
our right announcing an attack of the enemy driving 
in our pickets ; this was the skirmish-line of Jack- 
son's force. Large masses of the enemy soon poured 
down upon our flank, and the air seemed full of mis- 
siles. Tlie shell fell among the horses of Dykeman's 
Battery and killed one; others screamed and burst 
fast over the battle-ground. 

As, at this time. Col. Noble rode past Lieut.-Col. 
Walter to the front of the garden, where tlie right 
wing lay on their arms, as ordered, to inspect the 
coming in of his two companies on picket, Col. Waiter, 
who, like tlie left wing, lay down at his proper posi- 
tion in the rear of his wing, rose as if to watch the 
progress of the action or perhaps out of respect to 
his commanding officer. As Col. Noble, having hailed 
those companies and directed them to our position, 
turned to take his position between the two wings as 
ordered, Col. Walter again, as was supposed, resumed 
his recumbent posture. But he wius undoubtedly at 
this time shot, as the ball which killed him struck 
him in the forehead. When the colonel returned to 
his position, he found that Dykeman's Battery had 
limbered up and fled down the Culpeper road, and 
on looking farther to the front sup|iosed he saw Maj. 
Brady with the left wing holding a corn-house at the 
north of the Hatch house and off tlie Culpeper road, 
firing at the enemy, but he was mistaken. Maj. Brady 
had retreated with the left wing soon after the battery 
which he supported had fled. 

At this time the right wing of the regiment still 
held its position anmnd the Hatch hou.se garden. It 
continued to hold it till all the regiments and rnion 
force at the right had passed to the rear, and towunls 
our left. 

The crushing (brce of Stonewall .Jackson's attack 
was in such irresistible mass, with such steady and 
unabating fire, that the air seemeil full of whizzing 
rifle-balls. Their advancing light artillery threw a 
storm of shells down the lines of retreat. At thi< 
time the right wing of the Seventeenth retreateil 



Mir.ITAIlY HISTORY. 59 



from its position arouinl tlic Ilatcli Imiisc, and met ui">ii the transfer of our forces to the north siili' of 

('ol. Nolih', ulio had hecn hioldn;/ tor his hdtwini;, tile Ka])]>aliannoek, was (]r(h'ri'd in(o i-am|p nol far 

with the news (j|' Col. \Valter's death. The ri-ht and from its old (jnarters at Howies Station. Here it re- 

the two eom|ianies who were ont on |>ielcet passed maiik'd till June, when, on Lei''s invasi(ni, the reyi- 

with him to the lii-st lines of the Seliurz di\'ision, of ment followed the Army (pf the I'otom.ae on p.-irallel 

wdiiidi the Ninety-loiirth New ^'ork had e!iam;-eil its line,-, to the march ol' the emany till theii' ino\cments 

p'i>ition from ]iarallcl to a rij^ht ani;lc with tin- ('ill- (Hilmiiiated in the hattle of Ucttyshurj;'. 
peper road and faciiijr tlie attack of tlie enemy. [ The regiment was in the midst of that first ilay's 

\\'hilst Col. Xohlc, with tin- aid of lii^ ailjntant, ii^ht, on the otii.a- side of the town, ami wot ..fits 

]>ient, ( 'hatfiehl, ami the captain^ ..f th.' riiilit wim;', linal l>attli--i;'roiiml, Li.iit,-( '..1. [''..w K r, commamliiij;; 

was riformini; this lim: in n-ar ..f sai.l r.",;inH'nt, its r.-jim.iit, ami Ca].t. Moore, w.a'i- instantly killc.l; 

.■o|..n.l w as shot dead, and his re^innait, iin.l.'r a t.r- l>iciit. ( 'hatfiehl, n lio was he-^id.' t '..1. l-'owha', ha. I his 

rilic fir.', hroke and threw the wdioh' f ir.e in im\ it- knap>ai-k and uniform rid.lled, ami his swor.l — a r.dic 

ahle retreat. In fact, lingering' any l.nigi'r in sii.li id' Uevolutioiiary liistory — hrokeii in splint, rs, y.t 

an niic.(iial c.nitesf would liave h.-.ai ni.i.lne^~, all received imt a scar. On that day, too, ( 'apt. I'r.ai.h 

tr.i.ip> t.) th.' rii^lit haviiii;- Ioiil^ passi'd t.i the rear. wa- woiiml.'.l in his right arm wliil.' ;;allaiilly ...m- 

Tli.' S.'V.'iit.'.-nlh m.ive.l along ilowii th.' Ciilp.'p.-i- man. ling his c.Miipany. Maj. I'.ra.ly r.-.-.-iv.'.l a .-.li.'ll 

roa.l d.'lih.-ratcly. While thus proci'i'ding its .-ol.m.'l e.nitiisi.in upon his sh.nil.l.a-, whi.-li .-alls.'!! a ilis- 
was shot thr.iugh his left arm, severing the main ; ahility, resulting in his transfer to the N'cteran l!e- 
artery, anil, hlee. ling to exhaustion, he was guide. 1 and , serve (_'or|is. ('apt. All.n was also slightly wounded; 

kept on his horse by two of his soldiers, 'lifter having ot tin- ..th.r otficers it is needless to say mor.' than 

given them his watch and money, and made ready to that th.'y c.imluet.'.l them.selves with gallantry ami 

surremlcr himself, as he was unalile to go .m al.m.'. witli.mt r.'pr.ia.-li. < hai. Am.'s, w h.i tliiai .■ommamled 

They l.'.l him to a tiel.l-hosjiital in the rear ..f th.' the hrigade, uttere.l to the col.inel, wlii'ii h.' r.i.le iip.ni 

(_'liane.'llor>ville House. Here his h.irse, wlii.li li.i.l the hattle-field, .ni the tliir.l d.iy, no w.ir.l hut .il'.-..ni- 

liceii woiHi.le.l near the Hatch house and l>..rii.' him mcndation of the conduct of th.' whole regiment, 

so far, died. The colonel, wdio had heeii at h.inie recovering from 

The regim.'iit alter this fell under the eommaml of his wound, was, when he rea.dicd Washington, iinalde 

JIaj, lirady, ami was the next day ni.ived from the to Hml first wdiere the regiiii.'Ut was ami then li..w t.i 
right to the left of the army's jiosition. I reaidi them. \Vhen a r.nite was ilir.'ite.l the crow. Id 

In ( irecley's ■' American (_'.iiitli.-t," wh.a'c lie s|ieaks stat.' .d' the one railroad whi.h .■on.lii.ti.l all the 

of that "graml hurst of St.niewall .la.-ksoii with anny-stipplies, and a forty-mil.- li.u-^.-ha.k-ri.h- .inly 

twenty-five thousand men upon the exposed flank of eiiahled him to reach the hattle-field on the afternoon 

the Kl.'vciith Corps," the Seventeenth ( 'onnecti.-nt is of the third day. He found the regiment .stationed 

the only regiment spei-ially noted ami e.i n-ml.-il li.r at the mnth ol the ( '.im-tery Hill along a stone wall, 

its acti.m. At ]iage 3-")7 of his seeoml volnim- tla- tr.-- — a positi.ni which it ha.l lu-lil, iimh-r orders, siiici- 

memlons result of that attack is thus note. I : "In a the hrst ilay's tight. Uy .leath and eaptiire it had 

moment the First Division, (xen. Devens, was over- lieeii n-.lm-e.l t.i a handful; not tw.i hundred men 

whelmed, its commander heing am. nig the woiindi-.l, .■.nil.l he put in line. Tin- in-xt imirning the cid.mel 

and one-thir.l of his force, including every general found liimself in command of the hrigade, (ieli. Ames 

ami colom-l. either disahh-d or .-aptnrc.l. Driven having assumed comniand of the division, whose eom- 

ha.-k in wihl r Hit d.iwn the (Jhaneell.irsvillc roa.l, maml.-r, ( u-ii. Francis (_'. I'.arl.iw, ha.l h.-.-n sc-verely 
np.m till- p.i^iti.ni .d' C.-n. Scliurz, it was found that , woumle.l in the acti.m. 

his divi-ion hail alr.-:i.ly n-treated. ami an attempt , It was very evident, .in the imnning of the dtli, 
made to rally and form here proved ahr,|-|i\-c. The that the enemy were in full retreat. 'Ihe wlmle I'.irce 
Seventeenth C.innectieut, which hore a n-s.iluti- part of the division moved into (iettysluirg ami w.-ll .nit 
in the efi'ort, had its lieuteiiant-c.il.mel kill.-. I ami its t.i the right, finding no indieations of the em-my, ex- 
colonel severely wounded." i-.-|4 an occasional shot on the ]iickct-lin.-, wliieli 

The Seveiit.-.-nth ha.l a li-t of mii- humlr.-.l ami sh.iui-.l that they were feigning pn-s.-nce in force, 
twenty killc.l, wounded, ami missing in this light. ( in the iimrniiig of the ."itli tin- wag.nis .if th.- .n.-my 
That night it made a brave stand near h.-a.l.|iiarti-i-<, cnl.! h.- distinctly seen moving rapi.lly to tin- rear 
at Cliancellorsville House, and remaiiie.l tli.-n- all ami s.iuthward. Everytliing lictokencd that they hail 
night supporting a battery, while tin- Tliinl C.irps h-l't a str.mg iiicket-line in front only to make a show- 
was Hung into the gap. 'I'he regim.-nl w.is nil again ol n-sistanee anil to ]ir.itect fln-ir r.-fri-af. 
in a,etion during that battle. Col. N.il.l.- was sent On the morning .>t' the (itli tin- Kleveiith Corps 

1 le h\' I Ir. 1 1 iiM.ar.l, tin- acting m.'.lical dir.-cfor of moved with the n-st of the army in pursuit of J^ee. 

th.- cmps, ami was tinahle to li-av.- Innin- I'.pr thirty- The mart-hi-s wi-r.- ii.it vi-ry rapid, an. I till we reached 

tour days. Hagerstown no poitioii> .if tin- i-n.-iny wi-n- cm-oiin- 

Tlie regiment, after the eonm-il of war ha.l ili-ei.le. I teri-il liv our part of the Fnion army. At Ilagers- 



(iO 



IIISTOin' OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



town, Md., our division was within jrunshot of the 
rebels' lines. It was evidently a weak sham. The 
earnest appeal of Cr)l. Von Oilsa, who eoinmanded a 
brigade of the division, to be allowed to attaek their 
flimsy front, is well remembered. Permission w;us 
not accorded. All seemed hesitation and timidity as 
to any forward movement u])on the retreating enemy, 
who were evidently penned up between the Potomac 
and our line.s. After spending two days in the vicin- 
ity of the rebel outposts, and near the battle-field of 
Antietam, a march was made upon the enemy's lines, 
only to find him escaped across the Potomac. 

On the march from Gettysburg down a large por- 
tion of the regiment was without shoos, the whole of 
it in a very sad and tattered condition, the result of 
continuous marching and constant e.xjiosure to the 
weather and rough soldiering. 

But of its conduct throughout all this cami)aign 
too much cannot be said iu praise. Fairfield County 
may be proud of her sons. Their conduct in the 
first day'j fight at Gettysburg in striving to repel the 
onslaught of the enemy, and during the rest of the 
battle holding their post at foot of Cemetery Hill, 
was all that could be expected of any troops. Gen. 
Gordon, late senator from (ieorgia, who was in com- 
mand of the enemy's troops which charged upon the 
lines of the regiment at Gettysburg, meeting Lieut.- 
Col. Allen during his late .seat in the Senate, learning 
that the colonel was of the Seventeenth Connecticut, 
said to him that of all the trouble he ever had to 
force a retreat from any troops, he had the hardest 
work with the SeA'enteenth Connecticut at Gettys- 
burg; that it didn't seem to know how to get away 
from its position, however strong the force at- 
tacking. 

After the jiui-suit of Lee had ceased on his retreat 
from Gettysburg, and while the forces wei'c marshal- 
ing for a new ccmflict, a sudden order came for the 
Ames and Von Gilsa brigades to take rail to Alex- 
andria and embark for Fortress Monroe. After ar- 
rival there the brigades again took transport, and 
were landed about .Vugust 21st on Folly Island, .S. C. 
They had hardly got into camp when a detail of a ' 
thousand nieu was ordered, under Col. Noble, into 
the siege-trenches on Morris Island, approaching 
Fort Wagner. This was a reserve force, and iu pro- 
tection of the artillcrynu'u and of the siege-works. 
On this duty the regiment lay for forty-eight hours 
close under the fire of Wagner, and under shell 
showered from Forts James ami Moultrie. 

The brigade wjis afterwards quartered a short dis- 
tance below the siege-works of Wagner. For about 
a fortnight on that island they were most of the time 
under fire from the enemy's batteries. While there 
they saw the first gun fired upon Sumter from the 
great siege-works guns of (Jen. tiillmore, and re- 
mained there until the ruins of that fort looked like 
a sand-bank or the d6bri8 of s(mie great brick edifice. 
Several of the regiment were killed and several others 



badly wounded by the bursting of shell and the 
breaking of solid shot down through the s])linter- 
proofs. Lying under these cannon-ball and shell 
protections, without the excitement of attack and 
real conflict, was about the most trying work the 
regiment ever did. 

Before we left the island. Gen. Ames took the offi- 
cers of his brigade up into the high tower of the 
lighthouse, a .short distance below Fort Wagner, 
where a good view was obtained, through a telescope, 
of the condition and ruins of Sumter. He then said 
to them that it had been proposed that his brigade 
should organize for a night-attack upon said fort, and 
asked us if he should ask for us the duty. The offi- 
cers unanimously desired Gen. Ames to solicit the 
place for us. But such was not to be our task. The 
navy claimed it as their prize, and made an abortive 
attempt to capture the fort. Although in ruins as to 
its walls, it was found to have been nuide stronger 
than ever by sand-bags and fallen masonry. The at- 
taek had been delayed too long; the right time was 
when we volunteered for the duty. 

After the fall of Wagner till February only one 
military event deserving notice occurred to the regi- 
ment. About the middle of October there came by 
night an urgent order from Gen. Vodgcs, commanding 
the forces on Morris Island, saying that the enemy 
were about to make an attack in great force ou its 
northern and western side by floats down from Seces- 
sionville, and ordering out the division to resist the 
attack. On this occasion the Seventeenth was under 
arms and in line of march twenty minutes before any 
other regiment rept)rted. This was noted by Gen. 
.\mes to the colonel of the regiment as highly com- 
plimentary to his command. But the alarm proved 
entirely false: no attack was made. 

The remainder of the fall and winter was spent by 
the Seventeenth upon the island under drill and on 
a brief expedition under Gen. Schimmelpfennig to 
John's Island as a diversion to hfild in check the 
removal of the troops of the enemy fiirther north to 
meet and resist some movement of our own forces. 
There was only a small skirmish on our approach to 
John's Island, in which several of the regiment were 
wounded slightly. During a part of the winter Gen. 
Ames' absence at the North threw the command of the 
brigade upon (ien. Noble, whose principal task was 
drilling its six regiments in field-movements. 

At Cliristnuis and New Year's the Seventeenth re- 
ceived a heavy consignment from the i)eo|>le of Bridge- 
port and Fairfield County, who sent boxes to individ- 
uals and general stores for the hospital and for the 
good of the regiment. There came a large and varied 
.supidy, under the care of Lieut. Hayes, their former 
(pnirtermsuster, and Dr. L. H. Norton. It was wel- 
come Christmas cheer to gladden the hearts of the 
soldiers. 

On the 22d of February, IStU, orders came to strike 
our tents and make everything ready for Florida. 



MILITARV HISTORY. 



61 



The next morning we took tnins])ort for Jacksonville. 
The repulse of Gen. Seymour's advance into Florida, 
at the hattle of Olustee, where the Sharps' rifles of 
Hawlcy's regiment alone saved us from a terrilih' re- 
verse, hail called for this reinforcement of our lirigade 
to Florida. On our arrival at Jacksonville generiil 
orders were issued creating two divisions, of wiiicii 
Gen. Ames and the forces under him constituted one, 
Gen. Noble commanding Ames' brigade. The forces 
advanced outside to the north and west of the ti>wn 
and intrenched. ,\n attack from the enemy was 
felt to be possible from any (juarter of that traversible 
country, and the forces were for a month arousi'd at 
three in the morning to prepare for an attac'k. 

About A])ril 15th the whole force at Jacksonville 
was broken up. Gen. Ames was ordered Nortli to the 
Army of the Potomac, and his brigade left in Florida. 
The Seventeenth was ordered to relieve tlie Tentli 
Connecticut at St. Augustine, and took transport im- 
mediately for that ancient city. It seemed as if the 
regiment was to be laid up in lavender for the rest of 
its service in t)mt lovely, quaint, old place. But the 
secMii?!'.; iliil not prove the reality; the mass of the 
regiuLent iLcver had harder or more taxing service 
thiiii in Florida. The climate in the summer and fall 
is not particularly healthful. One of the companies 
of the regiment garrisone<l the old Spanish Fort San 
Alarco, the others were quartered in the old govern- 
ment barracks. 

We had hardly got well settled in our quarters 
when an order came from Gen. Birney, then com- 
manding in Florida, for Col. Noble to go with all his 
regiment, except one company, to Volusia, Fla. The 
regiment moved on the morning of the 25th of April, 
and made Volusia after a three days' march. Volusia 
is liut a haiidet of a few houses on the St. John's 
River. Afti'r a few days the post was visited by Gen. 
]5irney, who had ]ir<]ceeded up the St. John's lliver 
and disembarked near Pilatka with several regiments, 
and thus reached our post. At this i)lace (ien. Birney 
ordered a company of the Seventeenth to be stationed 
in guard of the crossings of St. John's River at Welaka 
and Sanders. They had hardly been posted a week 
before all were gobbled up by the enemy, who la-osscil 
the river in strong force. They might just as easily 
have captured the fifty men left at Volusia, Imt were 
frightened away by the intreuchments made tliere 
under Capt. Kellogg and the track of an army-wagon, 
which they mistook for that of artillery. 

Just after this Gen. Birney was relieved, and ( !cn. 
George H. Gordon placed in command of l^'lorida. 
TTnder him Col. Noble was invested witli tlie com- 
mand of all the country east and south of the St. 
.lohn's River, and of the forces witliin that area, 
'i'liese consisted of two colored regiments, the Seventy- 
fifth Ohio, and his own regiment. 

.\bout the 10th of June the Seventeenth, together 
with other regiments in Gen. Gordon's comman<l. 
numbering about two thousand men, was organized 



at Jacksonville for a raid and flank march upon Mc- 
Gilet's Creek. The expedition started at midnight 
on trans]iorts under conduct of the navy gunboats, 
aii<l binding was made about three in th<' morning 
and march commenced. During all thht day, which 
was one of the hottest of the season, the regiments 
marched along the close roads of Florida, and late in 
the afternoon, after a very fatiguing flank marcli, 
the force under Gen. Noble joined that of (ieii 
Gordon, who had marched straight out from Jack- 
sonviUe. The enemy's works were found to be of no 
great consecjuence, and, having destroyed its bar- 
racks and stores, the regiment moved, with the rest of 
the forces, back to Jacksonville, and thence to St. 
.\ugustine. Lieut. -Col. Wilcoxson conuuanded the 
regiment. 

No sooner had we arrived at .Tacksonville than 
an order came reversing things. Gen. ( iordon was 
ordered to the Army of the rotomae, ami ( len. Birney 
replaced in command of Florida. 

About the 29th of July, Gen. Birney, still in com- 
mand of Florida, ordered another raid on the enemy's 
unseen and insignificant works. ('ol. Noble was 
ordered with the Seventeenth, and all tlic force 
under his command, and all the horses in St. .Augus- 
tine, and all the loyal Floridians, to rendezvous a 
Picolata, on the St. John's, there to take steamer an<l 
connect with Gen. Biimey at a point u|ion the Black 
River. The force was gathered and the conni'ction 
I made, and proceeded with Gen. Birney to Baldwin, 
on the Cedar Keys Railroad. Col. X<ilile was at this 
time placed in command of Baldwin, and, having 
J under his command a battery of Rhode Island artil- 
lery, two regiments of colored troops, and other forces, 
was ordered by Gen. Birney to hold and garrison that 
place and build a log fort. But Gen. Birney had 
hardly completed these orders and returned from 
.Jacksonville to see our condition before news came 
that he was succeeded by Gen. Hatch. 

Gen. Hatch withdrew the Seventeenth from Bald- 
win, and established it in post at Magnolia, to hold 
which post and construct a fort it was then ordered, 
Capt. Kellogg being in command of the portion of the 
Seventeenth Regiment at that place. But Col. .Xoble 
was ordered by him the next day to burn the few 
buildings and to make a raid with some cavalry, 
artillery, and three regimetits, making a four days' 
march, and coming in at Magnolia, where he had es- 
tablished a post garrisoned by the Seventeenth, and 
awaited the arrival of the expedition. This was ai'- 
coinplished, and the Seventeentli relicveil lidiii duty 
at Magnolia and returned to St. Augustine. 

Soon after, (ien. Hatch took command of Floiida. 
While Col. Noble was at Slagnolia he ascertained tliat 
heavy effort was being made in Lower and Middle 
Florida, east of St. .John's, to recruit companies for 
the enemy. (_)rders were given to ('id. Noble to de- 
tail part of his own regiment and tlic Seviaity-filtli 
Mounted Rifles to proi'ced up the St. .lohn's along its 



^i■2 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



eastern bank, while Col. Noble, with artillery and 
several refrinients and a detaehnient of Massaehusett.s 
cavalry, proceeded by steanur up the St. ,Iohn'.s and 
Dunn's Lake, to follow up tlie expedition of said regi- 
ments. After- landing on said lake on a day's march 
the Seventy-fifth wiis met returning to St. Augu.stine, 
having captured a ca])tain and about twenty of his 
enrolled men, who were afterwards imprisoned in the 
fort at St. .Vugustine. 

Soon after tliis Gen. llatcli wa-s succeeded in com- 
mand by (Jen. Scammon, and all raids abandoned 
except a miserable one wiiich resulted most disji-s- 
trously to the regiment. (len. Scammon had learned 
of a lot of cotton stored on the borders of Dunn's 
Lake, and directed Col. Wileoxson, with teams and a 
sufficient force, to gather it in. The order was obeyed 
and the cotton gathered. The force wa.s about start- 
ing on its return home when it wa.s attacked by about 
two hundred of Dixon's Mounted llittes. The attack 
was sudden and unex])ected. They are easily made I 
so in Florida, wliich is pretty much all o:ie pine 
wood. A .summons to surrender Wiis unheeded by 
Col. Wileoxson, and tire opened. Seeing nci hoi)e of 
eseai>e, Lieut. -Col. Wileoxson and .\dj. Chatfield at- 
tempted to cut their way through the enemy. Adj. 
Chatfield wits instantly killed, and Col. Wileo.\.son 
shot through tlie shoulder, of which wound he after- 
wards died at Tallaha.ssee. The regiment in these 
officers lost two gallant and able men. Two eajttains 
and about fifty men were captured and sent to Ander- 
sonville. 

Prior to this, Col. Noble, the day before Christmas, 
1864, while crossing from Jacksonville to St. Augus- 
tine, in comi)any with two officers of other commands, 
was captured by tlie enemy'.s .scouts about half-way 
betwixt these places. He was taken across the 
St. John's Kiver to Tallahassee, to Macon, Ga., and 
finally to Andersonville. While there the force of 
the 17th that had been captured at Dunn's Lake, | 
and in a subsequent raid of the enemy in the rear of 
St. .Vugustine, was brought into tliat prison. The 
officers were Capt. Kreiieli, C"om])any G; Capt. Betts, 
Com|)any F; Lient. Kuggles, Company K; Cajjt. 
Quien, Company C. 

-Vfter this cotton expedition and the captures, the 
regiment ])assed a quiet and uneventful winter and 
.''pring. .\bout the .1st of .June, ISG"), it was ordered 
by (ten. Vodges, then commanding Florida, to Jack- 
sonville. While there it was sent out on provost-dnty 
in various places, and was employed in reconstructing 
the lialdwin and Jacksonville Railroad. 

.\bout the 1st of July it wa.s ordered to take trans- 
ports for Hilton Head, to be mustered out of the ser- 
vice, and at that post, on the liHh of July, ISti"), ended 
its duties lus part of the army of the republic during 
its great struggle. 

( >i\ no occasion had the people of the county had 
reii-on to regret the execUons they had made to i)Ut it 
in the field. Its gallant service had been an honor to 



them and to the State; no charge ever was or could 
be made upon them of flinching from any truly mil- 
itary duty. In post at St. Augustine or in the field, 
it never failed to win the respect and affection of all 
with whom it came in contact. In this the Seven- 
teenth stands alongside of the glorious record of all 
the Connecticut troops in the war. 

The regiment, leai-ing unnamed the towns which 
contributed in small numbers, received its (juota from 
the following sources: 

Company .V, all from Norwalk, excei)ting eighteen 
men from \\'ilton ; Company B, all enlisted from 
Stamford and Darien; Company C received fifty- 
eight from Danbury, from Bethel sixteen, from Ridge- 
field twelve ; (,'omi)any D, forty-four from Bridgeport, 
seventeen from Monroe, from Huntington nine; Com- 
pany E received fifty-one from Wcstport, twenty-five 
from Newtown, fourteen from Bridgeport, ten from 
Weston ; Company F, almost all from Norwalk, ex- 
cept fourteen from AVilton ; Company G, Ridgefield 
fifty-three, Bridgeport twenty-three. Redding twenty ; 
Company H, mostly from New Canaan ; Company I, 
mostly from (ireenwich ; Company K, thirty-five from 
Bridgci)ort, Fairfield thirty-five. In all these com- 
panies there were members from other towns, making 
up the quota of the regiment, — a thousand and one 
men. 

There were individuals in every town most active 
in promoting the enlistment of this regiment who.se 
services should not be forgotten. The distinguished 
inventor of the sewing-machine, Elias Howe, Jr., was 
very active in this service, himself enlisted lus a pri- 
vate in its ranks, and on one occasion, by permission 
of the Secretary of War, advanced the pay due the 
regiment, ab(mt fourteen thou.sand dollars, on their 
march towards Fredericksburg. 

The materiel of this regiment was of a character 
among the privates fit to have officered a dozen regi- 
ments. Wherever stationed they were commended 
for their morale and soldierly characteristics. 

William Henry Noble, .son of Rev. Birdsey G. 
Noble (Yale cla.ss of 17-1), was born in Newtown, 
Conn., Aug. Hi, \»VA. He lived at Middletown, 
Conn., with parents till fifteen years old ; spent 
the last four years, from eleven to fifteen, at Par- 
tridge's Military School, Middletown, Conn. ; thence 
to Trinity (then Wiushington) College, Hartford. 1S28 
to ISIiO; 1S:50 to 1832, Yale; graduated; taught a 
school one year and a half at Stamford, Conn. He 
then removed to Bridgeport, where he studied law, 
and in 183G was admitted to the bar of Fairfield 
County ; was for many years clerk of court and 
State's att<irncy for said e(mnty. In 1«3!> married 
Harriet J. Brooks, daughter of Benjamin Brooks, Rsq., 
of Bridgeport; ran for Congress in 18.)(l, and was de- 
fi^ated. In lS.il he laid out East Bridgeport, and in 
18.'«2 reorganizetl the operation with P. T. Barnum on 
a larger scale ; built bridges, houses, factories, giving 
to Bridgeport the foundation of a great city. In IStJO 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



63 



helped organize the Union movement in Connecticut 
wliicli spread tlirouirh the country, and in July, 1S()2, \ 
was commissioned Ijy Governor Buclcingham colonel , 
of the Seventeenth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers; ] 
•\vent out 8eptenilier .'>d, destined to Eleventh Corps, 
Army of the Potomac ; stii)iped by ( iriicral Wonl at 
IJaltimorc; stati(jned at Fort Marshall a month and a 
half; sent thence to defenses of Washinirton, Fort 
Kearney, and Tennallytown ; thence to Eleventh < 'urps 
at Gainesville ; with Eleventh Cori)s in reserve ninved 
on Fredericksburg at Burnside'sjittack; .StafibrdC 'durt- 
llouse and lirook's Station, Va., winter of lS():i anil 
1S(;;5. At battle of Chancellorsville, under Howanl 
(see "(ireeley's Conflict," vol. ii., chap, xvi., page 
ijoO: only regiment named] ; wounded in left arm liy 
minie-ball, severing main artery; ordered liomc by 
.Surgeon Hubbard, medical director of the Eleventh 
Corps; forty days' leave ; left to reach advance towards 
Gettysburg; at Gettysburg, Cemetery Hill, third day ; 
liiurth day, command of brigade ; moved in pursuit of 
Lee; at Hagerstown, Md., in front of the rebel line 
when ])reparing to cros.s the Potomac ; continued the 
march into Virginia; thence was sent with Ames' bri- 
gade. Eleventh ( 'orps, to South Carolina; on Morris 
and Folly Island- about six months; at siege of Sum- 
ter and Wagner for a month ; daily under fire ; saw first 
gun fired on Sumter; walls powdered and Wagner 
siirrenilered ; in trenches at Wagner, in command of 
reserves, and sui)]i<irting f irce with and without regi- 
ment many days. In February, 18G4, went with 
Ames' brigade to Jacksonville, Fla. ; there )iut in , 
command ni' brigade; at Jackscmville about a month 
and a lialf; assijrned in Ai)ril, L^(i4. to command of 
St. Augustine; placed in command of brigade and 
all the country east of tlie St. John's River; com- 
maiide<l brigade at capture and destruction of Raid- 
win, I'la. ; sent in command of cavalry, artillery, and 
live regiments South to Sand Lakes, and to cripple 
<'e(lar Keys Railroad; returned to Magnolia, (ph St. 
Jidm's; in command of Fort Construction and jiost 
at Magnolia, and force there, and of the posts and 
forces east of the St. John'.s, including St. Augustine, 
.August and Se|)tend)er, 1864; sent during September, 
lS(i4, with cavalry, infantn,-, and artillery, i)er land 
and steamer, uj) the St. John's River and Duns Lake, 
Fla., to break up Confederate recruiting-station, cap- 



turing a company and many disloyal Floridians ; De- 
cember 24th cai>tured by enemy's scouts while return- 
ing acros.s cimntry from court-martial as a witness, 
between Jacksonville and St. Augustine; taken to 
Baldwin; thence to Tallahassee, to Chattahoochee 
River, to Columbus, to Jlacon ; at !Maron under 
parole a month and a half at Camp Oglethorpe; 
thence to Andersonville fnr a month and a half; 
thence for exchange ]ier rail and march across (Geor- 
gia, Alabama, and Mississij)pi toVicksburg; thence 
to St. Louis, in command of F^astern ]iaroled I'liidn 
men ; thence to Annapolis, May, l.S(;,"i, in coniinand 
iif imi- tliiaisand Union sohliers from rebel [iriscjns to 
be mustered out; returned home and has suffered for 
many years from the malai-ia born of ex|)osure in al'. 
weathers and climates. Since the war he has devoted 
himself to the law, real estate, etc.; was brevetted 
brigadier-general, by recommendatinii of Gen. (jrant, 
in June, ISil,'). — Editor. 

Our military history is elosi'd. We have faithfully 
traced the history id' the various regiments, anil it has 
been our honest endeavor to place before the people 
of Fairfield Cimnty a truthful record of her gallant 
sons who risked their lives in the defense f)f their 
country. We have sought to deal justly with all and 
give deserving credit to each and every regiment. 

While the hi.story is a record of many of the severot 
battles of the war, it is not in any partieidar over- 
drawn : it is a "plain, unvarnished tale." It has 
been impossible to sketch many individual :u-ts of 
heroism, but these were not wanting. 

Fairfield County may justly feel j)roud of the record 
of her soldiery, as no section of our country acted a 
more ])rominent or honorable nVe in the great tragedy. 

I'"itteen years have now elapsed since the close of 
the Rebellion, and we find our country a united and 
pros|K'rous peojde. Sectional strife is rajiidly passing 
away, and the same hand strews fiowers alike on the 
graves of the Blue and the Gray. 

" No more shall the war-cry sever. 
Or the winding rivers be reil ; 
The.v laiiish our anger forever 

When tlie.v laurel tlie graves of ourlleud ! 
L'uilcr tile sod and the dew, 

Watting tile jtidgnieiit-ilay ; 
Love and teai-s for the Blue, 
Tears and love for the Oray." 



64 



IIIST(»|;Y of FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



CHAPTER Vr. 

POPULATION AND SCHOOL STATISTICS. 
I'Ol'UI.ATrON. 



Towns. 


175C. 


1774. 


1782. 


1790. 


1800. 


1810. 


1820. 


1830. 


1840. 


1860. 


1860. 

, 

"3 
1 


1870. , 


1880. 


1 


» 


1 

i 




1 


hi 


1 


& 


1 


2,800 
4,311 


4,670 
4,604 


i 


"5 


i 


( 












7,500 
5,904 


13,299 
7,234 
1,711 
1,224 
1,7I« 
1,350 
4,379 
0,522 
1,477 
1,382 
2,771 

916 
3,578 
7,582 
1,6.02 
2,213 
7,185 

(111 
2,294 
1,474 
1,117 
:!,i93 
2,208 

77,476 


19,835 
8,753 
2,311 
1,193 
1,808 ' 
1,288 
5,645 
7,044 
1,527 
1,226 
2,497 
870 
3,681 

12,119 
1,024 
1,919 
9,714 
840 
3,032 
1J»5 
1,054 
3,361 
1,994 

96,276 


29,163 


1 Dunburv 

ltt.-tlitil 


1,500 18 


2,473 


63 


2,967 


50 


3,(B1 


3,180 


3,600 


3,873 


11,619 
2,726 




( 









1,018 




1,010 


1,037 


1,159 
1,126 


1,265 
1,212 


1,255 
1,080 


1,359 
1,464 
1,432 
3,014 
6,030 
1,.)01 
1,442 
2,600 

927 
3,3,38 
4,651 
1,754 
2,237 
6,000 

984 
2,040 
1,309 
1,M6 
2,651 
2,006 

89,775 


1,151 
1,902 
1,145 1 
t3,748 
7,950 
2,504 




1 























Fairflold 

Greenwich.... 


4,195: 2G0 
2,t>'2l 


4,544 
2,054 


319 
122 


6,003 
2,530 


273 
93 


, 4,009 
2,742 


3,7.35 
3,047 

2,792 


4,125 
3,533 
2.770 


4,151 
3,790 
2,805 


4,220 
3,801 
1,371 
1,522 
1.830 

939 
3,090 
3,792 
1,680 
2,305 
3,707 

947 
1,814 
1,242 
2,997 


3,654 
3,921 
1,320 
1,351 
2,217 

966 
3,189 
3,803 
1,074 
2,474 
3,516 

938 
1,808 
1,204 
2,501 
1,803 
2,053 








:.:::::::i::::::::: 


1,157 


Nt'w Ciinnan.. 
NowFjiitik-ld 

Nowtiiwii 

Norwulk 

Rodding 

KfdgorteW 

StiiDiford 




' i 




],699 

772 
2,834 
2,983 
1,717 
2,103 
4,440 

049 
2,895 
1,241 
2,618 


1,089 
788 
2,879 
3,0Ot 
1,678 
2,301 
3,284 
957 
3,438 
1,2.12 
2,767 


2,074 

791 

4,013 

13,900 

1,540 1 

2,028 1 

11,417 ' 

828 

4,251 

1,323 

918 

3,477 , 

1,804 1 

1 


713 

1,2;>0 23 
2,956 W 

1,009 46 
2,648 120 


1,288 
2,108 
4.243 
1,189 
1,073 
3,5ft'i 


20 
61 
145 
43 
35 
60 


1,429 

2,:i54 
3,919 
1,257 
1,072 
3,750 


12 

50 
132 
53 
25 
78 


1,573 

2,764 

* 

1,603 
1,947 

« 


1,065 
2,903 
5,146 
1,6.32 
2,025 
4,3.12 


Stratford 


3,608 160 


6,2uil 


364 


6,106 


368 


3,241 


'2,050 
1,291 
2,680 




1 






2,469 












^\'i)toii 












1,728 
40,950 


1,818 


2,097 


Totals 


19,849 711 


28,936 


1,214 


) 




29,722 


1,134 


36,239 


38,108 


42,739 


46,960 


49,917 


112,155 



PRESENT CONDITION OF SCHOOLS. 



Teachers. 



AT.Attond. iUU. ^^^ 



Wages, g 

Bluiittt. M ' 1 



■2 W. S. W.S..W.IS. Male, J^, 3 g 




637 20,661 1,691 3,596' 13,070 11,926 116 83 312 346 t60.72 $30.86, 36441 



• Tho popiiliitinn of Orpcdwich, Norwalk, anfl Stamford in 1700, in the aggrrgntc, wan 11,942. They an not given sepftrntely. 
t In 187U a part of Fairfield, coutaiiillig a p^tpiilntlon of alM»it 1900, was annexe<l to Bridgeport. 

Tliere wow a t'eiiHU* takt-n l»y nnlortif llir (ienend .Xjwemblv In October. 1701, to I'e cnnipletcl at or before Jan. 1, 1702. According to that 
cenixiii the ixMiulatlon of tlie culony wa«,--»hile, Ml.KNl; bh'ukn. 4.'i'.Ki The only detiiiln relative to Fairfield County widch I can give are 
that the population of UrcenwMi waa 2U21 uliiteo, 52 blacks,— that of Stamford 2740 whites, 86 blacks. 

Chas. G. Hoadley. 



B'KIDGEPORT. 



65 



Receipts, 



Bridgeport $15,2n8.sn 

Daiibury li,10y.U0 

Bethel 1,4.".4.40 

Brookfield ,164.1X1 

Darieu 03S.4O 

Easton 49li SO 

FairfleW 2,054.40 

Greenwich 4,r.r>*_'.40 

Hl)ntin};;toD l,24.'i.i;u 

Monroe. 0^17 (jl I 

New Can.ian l,4,'i.'*.na 

New Fiiirficld 427.JO 

Newtown 2,)'.2,'').fiO 

Norwalk 7,.'>:t',.40 

ReddiiiB Ul)2,40 

Eidgefield 1,0()(1.«0, 

Shemian y4.5.()0 

Stamford C.:tn4 SO 

Stratford 2,lH9.6U 

Trumbull fir>2.80 

"Weston 472.su 

Westport 2,02."i.Gli 

Wilton 1,027.20 



School I Town Local 
Fund, etc. Deposit. Funds. 

$4:51.49 Sinsoo «1 

.■■>2(i.04 40.'j.4(i l,i 

l.K.'i.Oli I2..")4 :i, 

i;i«.:i7i 2S.1X 1, 

HS.(J<) 

].-!fi.:i8' 1, 

.')04.00 270.72 i;. 

,''>ii;.6i :A.t,u 11, 

211.27 2, 

;iuo,oo 

3io,n.s 20,;n :i, 

144,0(J 1, 

526,12 90011 4, 

472,62 212,00 Is. 

2.''.il.,sl 20 01 1, 

aso.oo 2, 

144,00 

,567,27 190.19 12, 

279..V) 140,00 4, 

191.39 :!!l,10 1, 
179,02 90,97 

:i:i6 00 3. 

323.15 > 1 1, 



Ilistrict 
Tax. 



Teachers' 
Wages. 



Fuel, etc. Repaii-s. 



Oilier 
Objects. 



,9.-.2.9.i ^18,141, 

,10(;.42 S:i:!7.70 23,262 

.11J.">.S.S 204.61 5,002. 

.:i.i«.93 2,l.'i4, 

.0J2 44 201.97 3,36a 

.277.27 1,925. 

.;'.J.-1.32 237.27 9,413. 

,714,12 3,329.25 1.5,44' 

,7.^4 74 3,312,42 7.6.S5, 

s.s3,iil I l,7Si 

.l.il K3 1 ,5,119, 

..100,73 1 1,871 

,19« 17 i 7,439. 

,l:il.,53 3,367.23! 31,194. 

,936,01 1 3,n.s 

,147.06 3,691 

723.C3 1,213. 

,863.72 19,92,5, 

,186,95 2,380,18 9,083 

,258,21 2.215, 

491,26 1,239, 

,126,00 2110,00 5,68' 

,374.06 423.88 3,289, 



J41..594.62' 86,182.94 $2,369.14' $2,846.69: 

17,596.90| 2,465.82 842.63] 3,142.941 

4,186,071 495,12' 228,45 134,50 

1,941,55 16331 i 60,0o! 

2,75r,,34 270,00 251,97' 82„50 

1,741,14 127„56 57,00 

7,560,90 1,024,18 3nl,01 462.27 

10,9911.00 7i;8.71 1,055,07 633,41 

4,433,95 247,51 131,00 515,71 

1,602,11 12ll„50 fi2,00 

4,4.59.08 439.71 114.49 

l,680..'i5 llli.72 9.8,00 

6,759,90 ,501 99 200fl0' 

23,02894 1,979,84 1,042.88 4,436.41 

2,791.68 206.55 120,00 

3,26,8.13 302.87 84.00 

1,102.,3S 78.85 3J.00 

16,426 72 2,133,71 ,565,15 801,40 

5,990.27, 480.18 106.52 1,405,56 

1,959,90 147,40 169 43' 40,00 

1,120,59 80,86 ' 38,60, 

4,996,a3 318,88 419,38 160,00 

2,406,601 269.611 19.271 140.14 



*S53,16C, 
*24,104, 

»6,17o, 
2,1.54, 
3,360, 
1,925 
9,408, 
*15,447, 

«7.653 
1,780, 
5.093, 
1,895, 
7,461, 
«30,550 
3,118, 

»3,691 , 
1,213, 

19,925 

*8,I106, 
2,316, 
1,239, 
5,884, 

*3,125. 



i.61 
19 
1.31 
86 
81 
70 
,36 
,19 1 
,00 
.61 
,28 
,07 
,89 
,84 
23 
„50 
,23 
98 
53 
73 
95 



$60,21 1,20 $7,240,0(.l $1,747,08 $136,401,23 $13,994.51 $223,163 80 $170,393,05 $18,918.72 $7,.561.90 816,617.52 *$217,700.58 19 



vH \ rTK i; V II. 

BKIDGEPOET t 

Preface— The Pangns,<et or Colilcn Hill lii.li;nis_llestnicti,.in of tin: I'e- 
quots— Indian Agriculture— Orders of the General Court — R«dii,'iou3 
In,^trnctioii — Precautions against Surpri,seduiing King Philip's War — 
Golden Hill set off as an Indian Reservation— Value of Real Estate in 
1059— The Shepherd of Stratford severely Handled— Shillings and 
Chops acipiitted of the Charge of Murder — Elder Sherwood's Wrest- 
ling-Match — Sale of part of Indian Reservation to Samuel Hawley — 
needs of Land on Golden Hill in 1700 and 1701— Encroachments by 
the Whites, and Sale of the remainder of Reservation— E.xtortion by 
an Indian Agent redressed by the General Court — List of Ollicial 
Guardians of the Indiaius— Purchase of Turkey Hill Meadow— An In- 
dian sold into Sliivery— Survivol*s of the Tribe in 1880— Financial 
Statement. 

I'llEFACE. 

Thk liilldxviiio paiH-r ii|inii tin- history (if Ki'iiloc- 
port luis liet'ii (.■(iiupilcd uftrr a careful stiuly of orig- 
iiuil (lociiments, .8iU'li as cluirch and society records, 
coiitenqiorary newspapers and pamphlets, petitions, 
deeds, wills, etc. It undoulitedly contains some errors, 
but it is lioped that they will not lie very numerous, 
and a iiiimlier of mistakes made by me in |ir(\ ious 
piililiralion- arr licre corrected. Thanks arr diir to 
Mr, H. 1), Laeey, from whose e.xcellent "ilunieipal 
Register" I have made frequent quotations, to tiie 
Stiiniifird Association for the use of tlieir files, and to 
all others who have kindly assisted me. If the article 
is found to be of service to the coniniunity, I shall feel 
well repaid for the time spent in its jireparati<in. 

William B, Hincks. 

IJRlOUEi'OlU-, Oct. 1, 18.80. 



* Including money for new Bchool-liouscs. and for libratics and a|'pa- 
raliis. 
t Copyright, 1880, by William B, Hincks. 



I THK PAIKiUSSET OR (iOLDEN HILL INDIANS. 

I The Indians I'ound ill this vicinity by the first 'white 
settlers called themselves the Paugussets. Their 
neighbors ujion the east were the Quinnipiacs, of 
New Haven ; on the west the Uncawas, of Fairfield ; 
and upon the north the I'otatucks, of Newtown and 
Woodbury. Their aequaintaiice with the English be- 
gan in the summer of 11)37, when the latter, uniler 
command of ('apt, Ma.son and Lieut. Davenport, sur- 
roundeil Saseo Swamp, in Fairfield, and killed or 
captured the remnant of the fierce Pequot tribe wlio 
had taken refuge there. From ]i;\ssages in the early 
reeords of the colony, it would appear tliat a fine or 
tribute was imposed upon the Indians of this vicinity 
fiir having harbored the Pequots. 

In 1(;.'59 settlements were begun by the English at 
Stratfiird and at Fairfield. So fiir its known, the 
planters in every case purchased the land from the 
Indians, and upon the records of these two towns may 
still be seen particulars of many such transaetions. 
The terms "old field," and "old Indian field," fre- 
quently occurring in these records, are believed to re- 
fer to land which had been (deared by the Indians for 
cultivation before the arrival of the wliites. These 
tracts were large, — a fact that -^vonld indietite that tlie 
Indians depended to a greater extiiit n|ion agriculture 
for their sup]iort than has genendly been supposed. 

The relations between the English and their wild 
neighbors at this early day are clearly shown by the 
orders p.assed by the (Jeneral Court, It was forbidden 
to sell to an Indian, arms, ammunition, or liquor of 
any kind, or horses, or boats. Sachems were made 
answerable for the conduct of their tribes. Imlians 
were forl'iddcn bv law to enter the houses of the set- 



66 



HISTORY OF FAIKFIKLD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



tiers, or to handle their fire-arms or otlicr weapons, 
under penally of a fine for disobedience, or retaliation 
in kind if any loss of life or limb was occasioned by 
tlu'ir carelessness. It was not allowal)le for more than 
two or three Indians to come into a .settlement tojrether, 
and, in any case, they were to leave their weapons be- 
hind them; and if found prowling around the dwell- 
ings of the settlers after dark, it was lawful to shoot 
them. 

At the same time they were treated, in the main, 
fairly. Injuries to them in ])erson or property were 
severely punished, and some attempts to C'liristianize 
them were made. The General Court passed resolu- 
tions instructing the Governor and other magistrates 
to endeavor to convey througii suitable interpreters 
some knowledge of God and liis word to " those poore 
lost, naked sonnes of Adam," and ordered that at 
least hvice in every year a teaching elder and an in- 
terpreter should go among them and " endeavor to 
make known to them the counsels of the Lord." 
John Blackleach, Sr., who kept the ferry over the 
Housatonic River between Stratford and Milford, 
deserves honorable mention in this connection. In 
1()()9 he petitioned to l)e allowed to make known to 
tlic Indians, as he should liave opportunity, " some- 
tliing of tlie knowledge of God." The General Court 
granted his request, and expressed the hope that the 
divine blessing might accompany his labors. That 
at least a portion of them were in the habit of attend- 
ing cluircli is evident from a vote pa.ssed at an early 
date in .Stratford forbidding tlie Indians to enter the 
meeting-h(mse during the prevalence of a contagious 
disease, — perhaps the smallpox, then raging among 
them. 

The colonial records clearly show, however, tliat 
they were always regarded by the whites as dangerous 
neighbors. It was early enacted that, to i)revcnt sud- 
den attacks upon the 8al)ljalli or lecture days, one 
from each household should come to meetiug fully 
armed and equip])ed, — a custom which had not en- 
tirely fallen into disuse in 1(595, when the First Church 
of this city was gatliered. 

During the prolonged contest with the Eastern In- 
dians known as Philip's War, great anxiety was felt 
througliout the colony. The (iovernor and As.sist- 
ants, in se.ssion at Hartford, July 1, 1675, caused 
orders to be sent to all the western ]>lantations to put 
themselves in a state of defense, and a little later, 
"from a deeji sense of the eminent danger" im|)end- 
ing, instructed them to provide places of refuge to 
which the women and eiiildren and other non-com- 
batants might repair in ca.se of assault. It was al.so 
ordered tliat strong guards be stationed in each town 
from twilight to sunrise, and that all males between 
the ages of sixteen and seventy, excepting nnigis- 
trates, ministers, millers, ])hysiciatis, and sclioolmas- 
ters, should do their share of guard and other military 
duty. I'atrols were to be .sent out every day to keep 
open commuoicatiou bettfecn tlie ti.wns, and exposed 



frontier settlements were broken up for the time and 
their inhabitants counseled to return to places of 
greater security. All persons working in the fields 
were to go and come in companies of not less than 
six, especially if necessity called them to go more 
than half a mile from the settlement. In Stratford 
u vote was passed to prevent false alarms and need- 
less waste of ammunition. It is dated Augi 8, l(i75, 
and reads as follows: "Voted: That there shall be 
no gun shot oft" in the town-jilot, or within the field, 
or upon the common road to Fairfield, upon any oc- 
casion whatsoever, except upon defense or occasion 
against the enemy, under penalty of five shillings 
for every gun. This order to stand during the present 
trouble with the Indians." A similar order was 
issued by the colonial government 8ept. 3, 1675. 

In the same year Richard Ilnbbell, Sr., of Strat- 
field, being indebted to the town of Fairfield to the 
amount of sixteen pounds, the balance due for a 
tract of land purciiased from the town, was ordered, 
in lieu of the ca.sh, to turn into the public " maga- 
zeen" eight hundredweight of lead, to be used in 
casting bullets. 

The whole colony was, in fact, phued for a time 
under martial law ; but, hai)pily, the precautions 
taken were so successful that even if an outbreak 
was meditated by the Connecticut Indians, none took 
place, nor were any of the frontier settlements sacked 
by the enemy. 

In 1(559, twenty years after the first settlement, the 
General Court granted the recpiest of the Indians that 
Golden Hill might be .set apart for them lus a perma- 
nent dwelling-place, and in.structed Mr. Canfield, Mr. 
Fitch, Richard Olmstead, and Nathaniel Ely, of Nor- 
walk, to lay out eighty acres for them upon said 
Golden Hill, "beginning at y' foot of y hill where y' 
Wigwams stood, and so to run upward on tlie hill." 
As part of the Indians who were removed to the reser- 
vation were from Fairfield, and as the reservation was 
wholly in Stratford limits, the committee awarded 
damages to the latter place as follows : " Fairfield men 
shall jiay to Stratford, for the SO acres of land that the 
Indians do possess at IVquannock, twenty pounds, 
to be paid in beef, pork, wheat, and peas; i barrels of 
beef, 2 barrels of pork, good and merchantable, which 
we value at £12, and £8 to be paid in wheat and peas: 
wheat 4». 6rf. the bushel, peas 'ix. M. the bushel. 

" May 2, 1660."* 

Although at present real estate is not very active, 
eighty acres upon Golden Hill would be consid- 
ered a bargain at the price specified in this appraisal. 
The Indians also agreed with Stratford to keei> up a 
fence, ao that the swine of either party might not 
"<lamnifye" the growing crops of the other. 

.\lter the year 1659, when their land was set oil' to 
them, these Indians were commonly known as the 
Golden Hill tribe, from the name of their reservation. 



• Conn. Bcc., I. 335, 348 ; StraUbrd Bee, i. 249, •iiti. 



BRIDGEPORT. 



67 



In the suiiinier of ITi'i the sheplu'ril nt' tlir tdwu Hock 
in Strattord was sot upon by a number of Indians eu- 
i:age<l in a drunl^en carousal, his face ]iainteil, his 
liody stamped upon until he was breathless, when he 
was "buried as deail." The manner in whii-h the 
charge is made, Iniwever, implies his subseiiuent resus- 
citation, and it is probable that Xewtown ami New 
Milford Indians, and not those living upon ( loldcii 
Hill, were guilty of the outrage. About the same time 
David Lams infant son of Alexander Lane, of Strat- 
ford, was thought to have lieen murdered, and two 
Indians, bearing the euphonious names of Shillings 
and (/hojis, were tried for the crime liefore the Supe- 
rior Court at Fairlicld, Aug. oO, !7-<i, but were ac- 
c|uitteil. An entry upon the Stratford rec(jrds shows 
that it was finally determineil that the child was acci- 
dentally drowned. 

A few years later occurred an incident which the 
late Deacon David Sherwood was liind of relating as 
illustrating the uncommon jdiysical strength of his 
grandfather, .lolin Sherwo(jd, captain of tlie train- 
baml and the founder and first elder of the Strattield 
I'laptist C'liurch. On a certain training-day, among 
the spectators ]iresent was a party of Indians from the 
reservation on (iolilen Hill, who had been behaving 
ratlh'r insolently, and one of them, a burly, athletic- 
fellow, finally challenged the whites to cIkmisc their 
best nnui and he would defeat him in a wrestling- 
nuitch. None of the spectators, sturdy fiirmers though 
they were, felt able to cope with the Indian athlete, 
whose muscular frame jilainly showed him to be a very 
formidable antagonist; yet all felt it to be im)jortant 
that his challenge should be accepted, and that he 
should be defeated, for the .sake of the efi'ect upon the 
other savages. After some deliberation it was decided 
that Ca[)t. Sherwood was the only man capable of van- 
(|uishing him, but doubts were expressed whether he 
would be willing to engage in a wrestling-match now 
that he had become so active in religious nuittcrs. \ 
deputation came to him as he was drilling his men 
upon the parade-gnmnd, and after hearing their story 
he briefly answered that his present duty was to drill 
his company, but that afterwards he would attend to 
the matter. ,\ccordingly, when the parade was over 
and he bad laid aside his regimentals, he approached 
the Indian cham|)ion, who was naked to the waist and 
shining with grease, so that it would have been dilti- 
cult fi)r another man to lay hold of him. But, bring- 
ing his right hand down upon the shoulder of tbi' 
astonishe(l savage, Elder Sherwood crnniplcil it 
up in his vise-like grasp, and then, throwing bis 
left arm around him, he gave him snch a hug and 
mighty fall as to leave him almo.st senseless upon 
the field, while the air rang with the plaudits of the 
spectators. 

At some date unknown, but probably about the year 
1700, the Golden Hill Indians sold half their reserva- 
tion to Samuel Hawley, of Stratfi)rd. .NL-. Hawdey 
subseciuently convev'ed one-half his purchase to Rich- 



aiil I'bickleach, the ])hraseology of the deed, omitting 
legal verbiage, being as fi)llows: 

" Kn.iw an men By tlira iiresciils tliat I Sam" Ilal.'.v, .if StiaU'..r.l In 
tilt' ciinntey of failfield ami loloiiy uf Colilircticut, have sold, alciiatcil ,fe 
confii-meil. and l)u by tlies piL-sLMits sell alieriaty set over ami irnilirlne 
unt" M' Rk-liaiil Blarkliilgt- ..f Sliiitf .i.l a,f.nv.sai.l liis lii-irs .ti- tin- .Iilhlo 
& E.iual halfc of a tiaLt of l.nii.l win. h I hav,. Ii..us;lit ..f tli.' I.ai.l.iis 
{Imliuii] iiroi)riet..rB. 

" Lyiiif; aii.l Beeirigon a place .■om.mly Lai.-. I j;..l.liim liill ; tli.- \\!i..lt. 
'luanti'ty Beeing fortey acres Bee it iiioie or le^^s: B..iiti.lc.i ii.ulli with 
tlie Iii.len feli.e ; westerly iviUi Laii.l ..r.la.-.ili wa. leii (Waliel.yl; S.iutli- 
erly with land of Jacob wacleii, Capt Bardt.ley, aii.l Sum. is lii.s lanii ; 
Kasterly w itli a Spriugiug me.lo A highway: I (.ay I have loi a valuable 
Colisi.leiatioli to Dlee III hail.l Ke.-dd. s.d.l alienate.! ali.l ...iitiime.l the 
.•.inallhalfeof tlies.l.tra.t..f l.an.l I.. M' ni.liai.l Bla. Uli.lge ol Stiatlord 
his heir^ A assigns \e. for ever. . . . Witness niy ban.l ami seall this :<"' 
.lay of June IVdC Sel. 

"Sam" IIai.i.kv Senr. Q " 

This deed was witnessed by .lacoli Walker, and 
was duly acknowledged befin-e .lusfice Matthew Sher- 
wo.mI, but was not recorded until May ii, 17111. The 
iimount of the vtdutible I'onsideration ]iaid for forty 
acres of land on (ioblcn Hill is not stilted, but, ten 
months afterwards, Mr. Blaekleach sold sixteen acres 
in the same hicality to Beujamin Fiiyerweather for 
the sum of thirty-two poumls in provisions at market 
rates. The essential ]iortions of the deed, abbrevi- 
ating ;is before, are as follows: 

" K11..W all men pr. tlies piesent.s that I lii.har.l Blackled}; Sr. for a 
valuabh- .-..nsi.leration to nice in liaii.l allleady eolitente.l ,t pai.l pr, 
Benj fayerweather of fayerfiel.l Do pr these presents sell alinnte, set over 
A eoiilirine to the sd Benja. fayerweather his heirs .^-c. for ever; sixteen 
acres of land, bee it more or less, situate within the limit* of Stratf.u.l on 
l!..lding hill, conimonly soo cale.l ; & is the one halfeof a parcell ot Laii.l 
that Sam" Haley B.Hight of the ImhMis Bel.mging bi sai.l gohling hill, 
.■\. i-pt a small jiarcell that Lies on the south si.le of the high way that 
runs acros sd Hill now In the ocnpati.ui of Eliy.er fayerchil.l contaiiiiiig 
ab..ut three a.ivs. The sil. lan.l I have Bold bi sabi fayervveatlo-r Is 
Bonn.le.l S.aitherly with the Land of heiiery Sumens & .lolin Sum. -re; 
westerly with the Laud .if .Jacob Waden ; u.irtb.ilv with the Laml of 
B.I Iii.lens, or Ihomas Haley's Land whiLdi li.- now improves in right of 
al.ov.' s.l Sam" Haley his father, B.-.ung the K.'uiaiu.ler of his above s.l. 
piiulics: easterly ^v^th sd. luil.-us laii.i or the liighuay. .s..utli.-astrrly 

with tlie highway and so ranging t.'ll y.-u .■..iii t.. li ry Sum.-rs.'s Land 

us tlu' highway Kniis. . . . 

•■witn.'ss my haii.l * s.-al this firsl ,lay ..f .Vl.i.d 1701. Th.' valuablo 
.-.uisi.l. -ration ab.ive was thirty two p.mn.ls In i.ay. S.-all. 

"Iti.nAiii. ISi.i.i.T.A.ii a " 

This deeil was witnessed by Samuel Ilnbbcll ;ind 
.lohn Edwards and ackiiow leilg.'d before Justice 
James Bennett, anil was jiut on record May b'l, 1710. 

About the year 17(iO, the tiolden Hill Indians 
having become much reduced in numbers by death 
and liy removtd, the neighluning white ]iroprielors 
began to encroach upon their rcservtition ami t.i tear 
down the unoccu|)ied wigwams. Three of the In.li- 
ans, mimed respectively .lohn, JMiiiice, and Sarah 
Slioran or Sbermau, petitioned ihe Legislatnri' lor 
redres-;. The matter wtis investigtited, and became 
the stibject of litigtition, which resulted, in I7<;.'i, in 
till order for the parties who had encroached upon 
the luditins to vaciite the ]ireniises ttnil restore the 
land they had unlawfully occupieil. A compromise 
was, howcM'r, finally elfectcd, by which the Liditins 
gave up all right and title to their (lolden Hill prop- 



68 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



erty, receiving in cxiliaiiirc twelve acres of land on 
the west bank of tlio l'i'i|nonn(K-k River, eight acres 
of woodland on Rocky Hill, thirty bushela of corn, 
and three pounds' worth of blankets. The tract 
upon the river to which they removed was after- 
wards known a.s the " Indian Lot," and was upon the 
eastern side of Main 8treet, not far from the junction 
of Washington Avenue. Within the recollection of 
men now living an Indian wigwam stood upon this 
lot. A clear spring of water in the same vicinity was 
also known as the " Indian Spring." The Rocky 
Hill tract was north of the present reservoir. 

lu tlie manuscript records of the proceedings of 
the (Jeneral Assemby at Hartford are a preamble and 
resolution showing, like the incident just mentioned, 
that, however unjustly the Indians may have been 
treated by unworthy individuals among the whites, 
the Legislature of Connecticut was ready to redress 
their wrongs. Following is the text of the preamble 
and act referred to : 

"Upon complaint of Aaron Havvley, of Hartford, 
relative to certain abuses and injuries done to Tom 
and Eunice and other Indians of Golden Hill, in 
said .Stratford, a committee w'ere appointed by the 
As.sembly to examine into the subject-matter of said 
complaint and report make; which said committee 
having reported to this Assembly, 

" lie-iohed by tim Assembly, That the accounts of 
Daniel Morris, of said Stratford, late guardian of 
said Indians, have been overcharged, as exhibited 
annually to the judge of Probate, and that the credits 
for the use of their land fall much short of their real 
value; and for a full settlement of all affairs of said 
Indians, said guardian, Daniel Morris, do pay and 
.satisfy to said Indians the sum of £86 l-")?. lawful 
money and the costs of the suit, and that execution 
issue accordingly. 

" Costs taxed and allowed at X2.5 (is. SJrf. 

" Execution granted Oct. 31, 1783." 

The successors of Daniel Morris as guardians of the 
Golden Hill Indians have all been men of high stand- 
ing in the community, who have taken an interest in 
their welfare and carefully managed their affairs. 
TIic record iloes not show the date of their ap])oint- 
nient, but their names, beginning with the century 
and coming down to the present time, are as follows: 
Josiali Lacey, Elijah Burritt, Smith Tweedy, Daniel 
O. Wheeler, Dwight Morris, Russell Tomlinson. 

In 1S02 the Cieneral Assembly in session at Xew 
Haven, upon |)etition of Thomas Sherman, Eunice 
Sherman, and others, called Golden Hill Indians, 
setting forth that their land was yielding but little 
income, directed their agent, Josiah Lacey, to sell 
both of the above-named tracts at public auction or 
otherwise, which was accordingly done, and the ])ro- 
ceeds invested for their support. 

In 1S41, Huby Mansfield and Nancy Sharp, alias 
Nancy Pease, jietitioned the Legislature, alleging 
tluit they were the solc^survivors of the tribe, and 



asking that a portion of the money in care of their 
agent. Smith Tweedy, be used to purchase a 
dwelling-house and sufficient land for their use and 
benefit. The Legislature by vote authorized Mr. 
Tweedy, with the advice and consent of the judge of 
Probate for the District of Bridgeport, to expend a 
sum not exceeding six hundred dollars for this object, 
and in November he purchased from Samuel Ed- 
wards about twenty acres of land, with a small house 
upon it, situated in Trumbull, at a place called 
Turkey Hill Meadow, where Ruby and Nancy took 
up their abode. Their statement, however, that they 
were the sole survivors of the tribe was not strictly 
accurate. 

.Tohn Cho])s, who died in North Bridgeport in 1818, 
and whose name is jierpetuated by the appellation of 
a hill upon which his wigwam stood, and William 
Sharp, a seafaring man, who is believed to have been 
sold into slavery at a South American port by his ras- 
cally captain, probably left no issue, but at the present 
writing (18.S0) there are still several families of these 
Indians remaining. William Sherman, the most in- 
telligent of their nundter, lives in the town of Trum- 
bull. He has for numy years been in the employ of 
the Ambler family, by whom he is held in very high 
esteem for his many good qualities. His wife is a 
negro woman, and they have three or four children. 
Henry Pease, a nephew of William Sherman, is also 
a resident of Trinnbiill ; he lost his hand a year or 
two since by the accidental discharge of a gun. There 
is also a family named .Tackson, whose home is in 
North Stratford. So far as known to the writer, these 
are all the survivors of the Golden Hill branch of the 
once numerous Paugusset tribe. 

At the present time their funds amount to about two 
thousand dollars, divided :ts follows : 

Amniint paid over to town of TrumbuU for support of 

Henry Peaflo, per .\ct of Lof^lslature $i¥)0 

Lent William Sliurman to liuihl a houso SUO 

Balancein City Savings Hunk, Ilritlgeport 'Ai\ 

Total S2021 



CHArTKK vin. 

BRIDGEPORT (Continued). 

PEQCONNOCK OR STK.\TFIELD, FKOM TIIK FIItST SKTTI.E- 
MENT BY TllK WHITES TO THE BEGINNING OF THE 
REVOLUTION. 

Naiuca anil Boundarios of the Plantation — Petitions for Sclioi>I and 
Cliurch PrivlleKCS— The flrel MpotlnK-Houso built. In K.OT— Ski't'hcs 
uf Rev. Clini'li'M Cluinncey and Rev. Samuel Cooke — Items from Inven- 
tory of Samuel llnbhell'it Estate in 1714 — Quaint and CuHoiu) Extracts 
frttm the Parlsli Reeonls — Erection of the second Cliurch edifice, 
in I7I7— Educational Matters— School Pi^lrlcte formed— The Epis- 
copal Church In Stnitfield— Sketches of the early MiKRionarlca, Messni. 
Caner, I^amson, and Siiyre — St. John's Cliurch built In 17-18 — Religious 
Tulerution in Connecticut — Stralficld Biiptlst Clturch organized in 
n.'tl — Extroctii fW>m the church records. 

F.VIHFIELI) and Stratford, lus related elsewhere in 
this volume, were settled by the English in 1639. 



BRIDGEPORT. 



69 



Dr. TniniluiU, in his "History of Cimiircticnt." s;iys 
tliiit aiicitlii'r settlement was begun the same year at 
Pequonnock, in the western part of 8tratt'orfi, near 
the bimndary lirtween tlie twn jihmtations, and in this 
.statement several jia.ssages in the eolonial reeords 
would at first view seem to sustain him. Yet, upon 
further consideration, the question arises whether th<' 
word " Pei|uonnoek" in these passages is not loosely 
ns<Ml as another name for Cupheag, or Stratford, and 
whether a tuuuber of years did not actually tdajise 
111 ■fori' the fertile plains near the dividing-line lietween 
I'airlirld and Stratford tempted a few families to locate 
upon till ni. * 'crtainly it would he very strange if the 
first planters within our limits really waited for nearly 
forty years before setting up a school of their own, 
and for a much longer period before establishing 
|>ublie worship, considering the importance which we 
know that they attached to these institutions; yet 
this must have been the case if a --cttleinent was 
bcgiiiL here in Iti^j'.t. 

About the year IGoo a grist-mill is beliesed to have 
been built at the foot of what is now called Moody's 
I'oiid, near Mountain (trove Cemetery. Either lli'iiry 
.lack Mill, of Fairfield, who hadjust sold the mill erected 
by him in l(i4N. or his son, INIoses .Taekson, was the 
builder. 

In UiTO the land for some three-i|Uarlcrs of a mile 
west of the street now called Park Avenue was owned 
by ten families, who perhaps have as good a elaiin as 
any to lie considered the original settlers. 

Fidlinving is a list of their names, Xo. 1 being the 
one whose property was the farthest ea.st. No. - coming 
next, and so on : 



1, TiiK \\iixiw Wheeler. 

2, Gi)ni>M.\s Hall. 

'6, JuSEPlI Wheli'ley. 
4, .FnHN OllEIL. 

.^), Sa.mv'kl Tukapwell. 



\ G, Isaac Wiieelek. 
V 7, .Iames Benneit. 



8. Matthew Sherwuui'. 

0, UlCHARI* HUBUELL. 

lu, Henry Jackson. 

These jieople were thi> jiroprietors of " lon'g lots," — 
narrow strips of woodhiiid only a few rods in width, 
but extending back into the forest Ibr some six or 
eight miles. Even the front line or southern ex- 
tremity of these lots we should now consider a long 
way back into the country, as it was about as far north 
a.s the present Stratfield Baptist Church. Where the 
houses of the owners stood cannot now be cerlaitdy 
determined, excejit in two or three instances. Most 
of them probalily had their homes mucli farther south- 
ward than the locality mentioned, and perhaps some 
of them, though owning land here, never lived in Pe- 
quonnock at all. 

The word "Pequonnock" — the name applied to the 
territory near where Park and iS'orth Avenues now 
intersect — is of Indian origin ; it signifies " place of 
slaughter" or " place of destruction," and was perhaps 
given to tlic locality on account of some long-forgot- 
ten tragedy occurring among the aborigiiu's. It still 
survives in the name of a street, in tiie title of one of 
our banks, and in that of the river u|:on which tiie 
city is built. In a petition dated May, lti;>4, the 



inhaliitants asked that, as the ]ilaee was upon the 
boundary-line of the towns of Fairfield and Stratford, 
belonging partly to each, the Indian name I'equon- 
iiock might be changed to Fairford, — a word whose 
comjiosition is at a glance ai)|iarcnt. The (icmral 
Court preferred that it should be called Fairlicld \'il- 
lage, and so ordered; but in the Ibllowing year the 
people changeil this appellation to Stratfield, though 
the change was not legalized until 17(11. The follow- 
ing order was passed by the Assembly at the May 
session in that year: 

" Tlii-s Assenilily, liavirig tu'iinl anrl ronsiiii-ri'il the petition nf tlie in- 
liiiljilHuts of Fairfleld villagis pii'seutv.l to tlu'lii l.y Lieu' Jain.s Ui-iini-lt 
desii-iiig that tlie Court woul'I state au'l s^ettlo forCTieni a lim'liir tlie 
west I>ouiu1arye to their plantation, Ac, fine order ami cn.iet: That the 
line to be the west boundan'e of the said plantation shall run so a^ that 
it may take in and include within llu-ir I".unris,one Moses .hiL-Uso.i, mil- 
ler, his housings and lands and run on the west side of idd .laiKson's 
lotts (viz'l, pa.sture, huililiiig lolt. aii.l Ion- lott, upwards or nmtli- 
wards to the upward or nortliern end of the hounds of the town of 
Fairtield, and that all such person or persons as have l.uill m thai »hall 
hiiild and iulialiit on the east side of tlie aliove.said line, and on tlie west 
sideof Poipianock River.slinll pa.v lo all pulilick ehinges that shall ariso 
in the said plaiitalioii his rateable [lart thereof. 

" I'lovideil alwayes: That this act shall in no wise hinder or abridge 
tlie inhabitants of the said plantation of using and holding the privi- 
ledge of feeding sheep to the westward of the abovesaid line, as it wiis 
granted to them formerly by the inhabitants of the town of Fairfield. 

" .Vnd further it is enacted by the authoritye aforesaid : Thai the said 
phuitatiou ^formerly called I'oiiuannoek and Fairtield village) shall for 
Ibe fiinire be called by the name of Sliatheld." ' 

These limits were afterwtirds enlarged by an act 
passed by the (Tcneral .Assembly at New Haven in 
(Ictobcr, 17o2. 

Till- code of laws drawn uji for ( 'oiinccticut ( 'oloiiy 



first settler of Fairfield, and 
colony, which was adopted by 
the \ear llioft, contains this 



by Koger Ludlow, thi 
deputy-governor of tin 
the ( ieneral Court in 
passage : 

" It lieing one chief project of that old deluder Satlian, lo Ue.pe men 
from the knowledg of the Scriptures, as in former times keeping them 
in an unliiiowii tongue, so in these latter times by persuailitig them friun 
the vse of Tongues, so that at least the tiiie sencc and meaning of the 
oiiginall might bee clouded with false glosses of saint seeming deceivers; 
and that X^earning may not bee huiied in the Oiave of o' Forefathers ia 
Church and Commonwealth, the J>ord assisting our indeavors. It ia 
therefore ordered that every Townesliip within this .Inii-diction after the 
Lord hath increased them to the number of lifty househoblers, shall 
then forthwith appoint one within theiie Towne to teacli all such chil- 
dren as shall resort to him, to write and lead, whose wages shall be paid 
either by the parents or masters of siuli children, <u- by the inhabitants 
in generall, . , .Villi it is fiittbei ordereil. that where any Towne shall 
increase n> the niimher of one bilnilled families or lioiislioblers they 
shall si-t iipaOraoimar Schoole, the masters llieirol being able to in- 
struct youths .so farr as they may be fitted toi Ihe ^'ni\el^ity " 

There is aliundaut evidence to show that this law 
wa.s not suH'ered to remtiin a dead letter upon the 
statute-book, and that the projects ot' tin "old de- 
luder" met with considerable opposition. 

As earlv as KioO it was voted by the inhaljilants of 
Stratford in public meeting to pay the scho()lin;ister 
thirty-six pounds per annum, — a birge sum consider- 
ing the small size of the place and the gretiter relative 
value of mtuiey at that day, — the town to bear one- 
half the expense, and the parents of the children the 
balance. 



70 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



So, also, tlio oldest document signed by tho inhabi- 
tants of the plantation of Stratfiold, as such, that I 
have been able to find, is a petition for a school, ad- 
dressed to the General Court, dated Jlay, 1078, and 
subscribed by Isaac Wheeler, John Odell, Sr.,.and 
Matthew Sherwood, in behalf of the people of the 
place. The distance of nearly four miles that sepa- 
rates them from Fairfield Centre is too great, they say, 
to be easily traversed by the children, especially the 
younger ones, and therefore they had set up a school 
of their own and employed an experienced teacher. 
Forty -seven children were already in attendance. 
The expense of the school they propose to bear them- 
selves, but ask to be freed from taxation for the bene- 
fit of the one in Fairfield. Rev. Samuel Wakeman, 
minister at Fairfield, added a favorable indorsement 
to the i)etition, though most of his parishioners were 
opposed to granting it. The General Court referred 
the matter to the Fairfield County Court, with power 
to act, and recommended that body to make an allow- 
ance to the petitioners from the county revenues 
equal to or greater than their annual school-tax. 

Ten years after the commencement of this school 
a young graduate of Harvard College, Charles Cliaun- 
cey by name, son of Rev. Israel Chauncey, of Strat- 
ford, began to hold religious meetings in Pequonnock. 
These meetings were begun in the year 1688, as shown 
by a receipt or acquittance bearing Mr. Chauncey's 
signature, which may be seen upon the parish rec- 
ord-book, and they must have been held either in the 
school-house or in i)rivato dwellings, for no church 
had then been built. Though but twenty years of 
age, the ])reaching of the ycmng divinity-student 
found favor, and in May, 1690, forty-six jiersons, the 
greater part of them residents of Pequonnock, peti- 
tioned the General Court to free them from paying 
taxes for the .supi)ort of pulpit and school in Fairfield 
or in Stratford, as they purpo.sed to maintain their 
own. Their petition, although acquiesced in by Strat- 
ford, was opposed by Fairfield, and the Court did not 
grant it. 

Further petitioning followed, met by continued 
opposition on the \mTt of Fairfield, whose rejiresenta- 
tives submitted a remonstrance containing twenty- 
four rather ill-natured " reasons why those of pequon- 
nock should not be discharged from paying anny of 
our town dews," Init in the spring of 1(>94 liberty was 
finally obtained to embody its a separate parish. A 
formal c'all was immediately extended to Mr. Chaun- 
cey and accepted by him, and an annual salary of 
sixty pounds, payable in provisions at market rates, 
was voted him " for his encouragement in the work of 
the ministry." 

The first meeting-h<iuse wa.s a small building 
erected and roofed in, as we learn from one of the 
petitions to the tieiieral Court, in the summer of ItjOS. 
It stood upon a hill on the west side of Park Avenue, 
just south of Clark Street, — a site commanding a fine 
view in every direction and not easily surprised 



by the Indians. The worshipers carried arms and 
were summoned to their devotions by a drummer, — 
a practice common in tiie colony, and alluded to in 
the following lines: 

*' New Knglnn<r« Siil)l>uth-<]Hy 

Ih iK'itvt'li-like, t.tiH, and pure; 
Thfii iHriu'l walkt) tlio way 
Ul> to the tuluple (luor. 
The tiliio we tell 

When there tu eonie, 
Hy heat of <lrun» 
Or tiouuding shell." 

The church wa-s formally organized and Mr. Chaun- 
cey was ordained, June 13, 1695. This is the same 
body which is now known as the First Congregational 
or North Church of nridgeport. Upon the early 
records, however, it is not designated by any denomi- 
national title, but simply as "The Church of Christ in 
Stratfield." The original members were nine in num- 
ber, all males, — viz., Richard Hubbell, Sr., Isaac 
Wheeler, Sr., James Bennett, Sr., Samuel Beardsley, 
Samuel Gregory, Sr., Matthew Shernuin, Richard 
Hubbell, Jr., David Sherman, John Odell, ,Ir. Four 
weeks afterwards fifteen females were admitted to 
membership by letter, — nine from the church in Fair- 
field, and six from that in Stratford. 

David Sherman wiis the first deacon. He was a 
farmer, and his home was on the summit of Toil- 
some Hill. Besides being gifted in prayer and taking 
the lead in religious services acceptably in the ab- 
sence of the pastor, he was a good singer and acted as 
chorister, as shown by the following vote, passed Feb. 
16, 1707-8: " Vo/etl : That Thomas Hawley should 
second Ensigne Sherman in seting y' psalm in pub- 
lick." From another vote, i)a.ssed in I'wy, it a|>pears 
that the collection of ]).salmocly in use down to that 
time was the old " New England" or " B:iy Psalm 
Book," copies of which are now very rare and com- 
mand an enormous price. There is no mention in the 
records of the practice of lining out the psalm; but, 
as it was usual throughout New Knglaml, it may 
have prevailed here. The custom had its origin in 
the .scarcity of books. Originally but one line wtts 
given out at a time for the congregation to sing, but 
it was found that coming to a full stop at the end of 
each line did not always im])rove the sense; as, for 
instance, in the following C(mplel : 

" The Lonl will come ; ami ho will uot 
Keep Hflclicc, but 8|>eak out." 

Hence the practice of reading two lines at a time was 
introduced, and continued down to about the period 
of the Revolution. 

Charles Chauncey, son of Rev. Israel, of Stratford, 
and grandson of President Chauncey, of Harvard 
College, was born at Stratford, Sei>t. 3, KiliS; was 
graduated at Harvard in KiStl, anil commenced his 
labors in Pequonnock, its already mentioned, in 1688. 
March 18, 1689-90, he was nmde a freeman at Fair- 
field. He married, June 29, 1692, Sarah, daughter of 



BKIDGEPOKT. 



71 



(.'ol. .Idliii liurr, of IVquDiHiDck, and in Di'ceniber of 
tilt' .sanif year the town of Fairfield j^ranted him three 
acres of land, on tlie nortli side of his home lot, to 
descend to his heirs "if he dy in the ministiy at Po- 
(|uannock," but otherwise to revert to the (own. The 
liicts respecting his ordination have already been 
given. Jlr. ('hauncey's homestead was ui><m tlie 
street afti'rwards called Cooke'sLane and < irove Street, 
not very far from the present terminus of the horse- 
railroad in Fairtield Avenue. His first wife died in 
ll!;)7. His second wife, Sarah, daughter of Henry 
Woleott, and sister of Roger W'oleott, ( hivrnior nt' 
Connecticut, died .Ian. o, 17()M-4, and on March 14, 
171(1, he nuirried Elizabeth Sherw(jod, wiio outlived 
him. Mr. Chauneey died Dee. 31, 1714, "aged 48 
years," says his tondistone, wdiich may still be seen 
near the southwest corner of the old Stratlichl bury- 
ing-ground. Following is an extract from his will: 

"To my wife, Elizjiliutli, £10 ,V"'aii.V from my estati- at Liuiilietli, Eng- 
lanii ; wliii Ii estate ejiuie to mo from my father, Israel. To my son Israel 
the hahiiK e of tlie estate at Lanihelh. he itayiiij;: the euiil £10. To my 
soli .h.hii llie liomestead at SIratfonL To my sons Rohort ami leiialiod 
VVokott all my estate in 5ltiatH.-lJ, slave.s, etc. To my ilauglitor .\liiali, 
now wife of Uev, Timothy Cutler, of Stratford, successor of Israel my 
father, £40." 

The number of children baptized by Mr. Chauneey 
in his own jiarish from .June, 1695, until his death, in 
December, 1714, was four hundred and forty-four. 
During the same time ninety-seven adults were ad- 
mitted t<i full communion, besides maiiv others re- 
ceivei-1 under " the half-way covenant." No register 
of deaths appears ujion the church recoi'ds, and the 
list of marriages is incomplete. Commodore Isaac 
Chauneey, born at Black Hock in 1772, a distin- 
guisheil naval conmiamler in the war of 1,S12, was his 
grcat-granilson. 

One of Mr. C'hauiici'y's parishioners was .Samuel 
Hulibell, the recorder, who died in 1714, leaving 
a large estate. The inventory of his eti'ccts upon 
the Fairficlil Probate records is a volumimius docu- 
ment, well worth reading, but hardly of sutficient 
importance to copy in fidl here. A few extracts from 
it, however, will show what article.-i composed the 
wearing-apparel, weapons of war, ami library of a 
wealthv man at that dav : 



ir,.,o„,,, .lj,,,„>y(. 

.\|:l..ai.r,l 
£. B. 

1 worsted Caiiil.let Coat ■> 

1 hroad I 1.-th .oal .", o 

1 SeaiKe do 10 

1 »e do II 

1 dellels do .. \r, 

1 SelKe vest I 

1 hollaiid do .r, 

1 old .serine do 3 

1 Uanncdl do 2 

1 l»r leather hi ielles S 

1 " S'''Ke •• 1(1 

1 " llnijijjit " 2 

1 " Stli|.e,l leatller hliohes i; 

1 " Cherry ilerry " ;i 

1 ■' checkered linen " .. j 

1 <'"«<"'■ i;."!i::"" 1 u 

1 ol.l hat 4 

1 gaelirk shirt S 

2 do ::.;::::..:.. u, 



•2 paire worsted stockeiis.. 
2 *' homespun do 

1 " shoes 

4 neck .loths 

pocket hamlUerchiefs , 



re hairell 

1 Urass selicer. 



1 liilckaiie 
1 Kun S.s.|i 
1 Knn Willi 
1 sliort (III 

1 Case of ]jistolsand holsters .'; 

1 Siminiler ami licit 1 

1 liai;i;eiiet and I.elt 

1 tw,. edfjed Rieper liapici] 

1 hia.ss hilt riepe. and hcit 

1 l.roken lieper 

1 ol.l liack sword 

70 Ihs- powder fMi 2s 7 

shot and hnllets 

140 ths. lead (e :ll.,;d 2 

2 iHillet pouches ..T 

Misci^lUtneouK. 

I looking glass 

10 in. M penny nails (n IDs. per ni o 

I'.l " 1; •■ ■' " 7s. " Ii 

1 Cart and wheels [the only vehicle] .. 

1 Iron lami 

:! CaiidlcMicks 

2 woollen l.ottels 

1 do/,. >.. tieiicheis 

2 hear (Tasks ... 

Itrueing tuhh 

(■liiirn 



12 
4 



10 

1 



lionkn. 



A great liiWe 

old ].-alni k 

>n .\ltcn c iinserning heart work. 

ditto upon the Covenant 

:i tlavela woiks 

rilgiiuis progress 

the young man's guide 

51' Williams ca|iptivitv 

A token lor children..' 

A piepatation for v« Sacrement... 

Jli . Matlieis works 

Spelling I k 

.lohii Veinons works 

Seeielarys guide 

lite of M^ Henry liearnig 

Linanesliook ..'. 



17 
1 

1 
:i 
1 

1 
1 



All loi'al atiairs were settled in parish niecting.s, 
! usually held in the scliool-house at the hour of sun- 
down. The legal way of warning meetings was by 
|iosting lliree notices, — one at or near the niecting- 
Itouse, one :tt Deacon Daviil Shermtin's r'orner, on 
Toilsome Hill, and ii third upon an old white-oak 
tree which used to stand upon the boundary-line be- 
tween Fitirfield and Stratford. The officers appointed 
at these meetings were seU'ctmen, school committee, 
sheep-masters, collectors, a treasurer, a constable, tind 
a recorder. The selectmen laid the ta.x, the collectors 
1 g;i the red it, and the treasurer ]iaid it out for thesujtport 
of ptilpil and school. The sheep-masters had charge 
ol' llic town flock, concerning which more )iresently. 
Till' cniislalile's duty, besides "putting forth ]mrsuits 
or Hue and cries, tifter thieves, burglarious, jimfane 
swearers, and Sabhath-breakers," was "to wtirn those 
that frcfpu'iited taverns and spent their time idly 
there," and to look after the boys in time of public 
worship. The recorder, or society's clerk, was one of 
the most iin]iortant otlicers in the parish. Samuel 
Hulibell filled the place until his death, in 1714, 
I when he was suceeedeil by John Burr, who was fol- 
I lowed in 1720 by Deacon Lemuel Sherwood, :it whose 
decease, in 1732, Daniel Hubbell took the olllcc. 



72 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



The original record-book, though much dilapidated, 
is still in existence, iind perhaps in no way can so good 
an idea of life in Stratfield at tluit early day l)e ob- 
tained as by making some extracts from its pages, and, 
with the exeei)tion of a few words of explanation, 
suH'ering them to tell their owii story: 

EXTRACTS FKOSI PARISH RKCORDS. 

"Tliu Records of the AccU of fairfeild vilng, Becgun in the yer 
1G9S-4. 

" It wa« then voted per the sd. Sosiely that Mr. Charles Chaunccy, for 
his lucurigemoiit In the miiiiHtrey shall Have Sixtuy pounds in good 
provisions for the yr. Iiisuoiiig, to hee paid Him By way of Rate, Each 
man acording to the Listc of iiis Estate given lu." 

Mr. Chauncey's salary wtus afterwards raised to 
eighty pounds, and was paid in [trovisions at market 
rates, which were about as follows: Wheat, 5s. per 
busliel ; Indian corn and rye, 38. per bushel; pork, 
31(/. per pound. He was also annually sup])lied with 
fifty or sixty loads of firewood, wortli about ten pounds 
more, one-fourth of it being of good hickory, the 
remainder oak. 

The votes which follow relate to the custom of call- 
ing the people to church by beat of drum, of which 
mention has already been made. It will be seen that 
the drummer marched around the mecting-honse so 
as to give the settlers on every side the full benefit of 
the summons: 

lO'Jit, Septeniltor : "Voted to give James Bcnit His rate to Mr. Chaun- 
ccy for heating tlio dnime on publicly days." 

1710, Dec. 22 : *' Voted tliat the Select men shall agree with a man to 
Swcpe the meetinghouse & Bceat the Drume on Sabath days, hut not to 
give libiivc 40 «. pr. yer." 

ITLI, .luly, 17: "Voted that the Drum shall bee batten round the 
meting hous on Sabath Days." 

About seven years after tlie meeting-house was 
built, an effort was made to render it more comfort- 
able. New seats, and iron window-casements with 
panes of glass, were among tlie improvements made. 
Before that time it is possible that oiled paper had 
been used in the windows as a substitute for glass. 
Following are some of the votes in relation to the 
matter : 

1691), Oct. 3U : " Voted that the Sosioty wold bee at the Cliarg of new 
soAting the meating house. 

"Voted to pay a Rjite of one penny in the pound towanls the Seating 
of Bitid Meeting house and other Charges," 

17<tO, April ;J: " Votod that the Sosiely w.dd have the meeting house 
Sceatcd with wuinseut work." 

1701, April 2S: "It was then voted by Ihii .Sosiety that the same C»pm- 
mltty which was a|)»ynted to hlor a man to make the seats for the meet- 
ing house shall have the sumu power to hier workemcn to nuike Irx^n 
Casements for the meeting house and glii/.e them as is needful." 

The iron ciu^emcnts must have rattled, and the 
teeth of the worshipers chattered, when the January 
blasts .swept over the hilltop upon which the meeting- 
house stood, for fires were a luxury unknown in the 
early Pnritaii meeting-houses. The zeal of the hearer 
and his interest in the .sermon were suppo.sed to be 
sufficient to make him oblivious to trifling discom- 
forts. 

How the bovs were cared for in time of service is 



shown by entries like the following. The constable, 
with his staff of office, must have been an awe-inspir- 
ing personage, but less so than his successor, Notih 
Morehouse, who was the village gravedigger, and 
used to receive three shillings for digging large, or 
two shillings and sixpence for small, graves. An un- 
fortunate boy in his grasp must have experienced 
about the same sensations that lehabod Crane did 
when pursued by the headless horseman of .Sleejjy 
Hollow : 

1699 (month ilicgible) : " Vobd that tho Constdbell shall have the 
Charge of tho boyf; on Sahntli day, to keep them in order." 

1712, Oct. 8 ; " Noah Moroliouso Is Chosen t») whip boys on Satiath 
days." 

1723, Sept. 17 : "Voted that Thomas Chambers shall sect In y« West 
Gallery to look after y« Intyes on Sabbath dayea to keep them in Good 
order. .\lso voted that .lohn Hubble shall sret in y* front Gallery to look 
after y^ boyes on y" Sabbath dayes to keep them in good order for the 
year In suing." 

172.), Dec. 19 : " Voted that Nathaniel Wockle should bo the man to 
look after y* boyes a Sabotli dayes in time of Exercise, that they play 
not." 

Hut, however strict the dLscipliue of the boys may 
have been, there is nothing to show that attendance 
upon public worshii) was ever made compulsory in 
Stratfield, nor do the records contain any instances of 
fine or imprisonment for non-attendance, as in some 
other places in New EiigUuid. 

As the reader will observe, the Stratfield records 
include a variety of matter, genealogical and com- 
mercial as well as ecclesiastical. Some of the former 
cla-ss are recorded with great minuteness. Witness 
the following : 

"Beixiaiutu (?) fayrowether was marrietl unt*> Sanih Wheeler (date 
ilicgible). 

" Thi'ir daug^iter Katherlne born wenaday morning. March 3, 1693-94. 

" Ilaiinah, born niuiiday Kvoli^lg Dccenib,T 21*'^, 1090. 

"Andrew, born lillegible) foberuary 1'., lO'-lfi-O. 

" Jedediiib, Isuti Satunlay evetiing, December 28*'*^ 1700. 

"John, born tbusdoy, sunsat, December 28,1703. 

"penlojH', born Munduy, fcbuj*. 18**, 170&-C 

"Joseph, bora tni-sday, 11 o'clock att night, Nov. 4, 1707. 

" tlii>n)ma.<, born monday morning, octohor 17, 1709. 

" wiflter, l»irn nionday nit, 11 clock, Decern' 17, 1711. 

" Sanih, boi n tumlay morning, fore Clock, Sept. 22, 1713. 

" nuiry, lM>ru fri^lay nit, 1 1 clock, Januur^ VA, 17Io-Di. 

" Bi'iiJ. was boru octoU-r the fir^t, about 9 att night on tuewlay, 1717. 
and his brother born' the' Same time: tlloy wore twines but y* last died 
instantly in ! ji an hour. 

" « alter ilied Uecemlior y' Jli'", 1717. 

"Jame.< was Isirn Uiirsday night about 11 aclock, 1721, august the 
24tb, and tiled Uii: 29»' Instant. 

" Brought To rcconl the Marriage of Samuel Hall and y« birth of his 
Childron on the oigblh day of February 1730-31, ami the accou" thereof 
is as followeth : 

" Namly Samuel Hall and Sarah Sllliman entered Into u marriage 
stale .hily the 29''' day, in y* year 1714. 

" his son Dovld Hall was boru July y li"* day, 1715 on Tnsda), about 
break of day. 

" Ills daughter Martha Hall was born April y" 9* day 1717, on tusdaj 
ahtHiglit y» mid.del of y» after iwou. 

" His son Samnell Hall wio. Ixirn Deccm«" y« 16" (lay 1718, on tusday 
night. 

" His son Nutlianioll Hall was lK.rn Soveni'" y thirxi day 1720, Thit»- 
day. 

" His son Elwncl. Hall was born March y« IS"- day 1723 on tusday. 



BRIDGEPORT. 



73 



" nis Pnughter Sarah Hall whs boru febniary y« 20tb ilay 17-4 on Sat- 
iinlay. 

" His s.Mi Ilavi.l Hall ik-iiarti-.l tliis life february y VV' .lay 17i5-2f. on 
tns.hn . 

'■lli> .lanslitt-r JIary Hall «as lioru ScptMiil" y< IS"' .lay llir,, un 
Sabath .lay. 

" His son (iavi.l Hall was born .Iiiin- y.^ ^Il"' .lay 1728 on tbirs.lay, 

" His s.tii abi'l Hall was burn July ye 12th .lay 17."Ht, ..n Sabatli .lay." ' 

Not less minute tli;in tin's list uf biitlis is tli.' record 
of cleMths uiion the cluireli register, in tlii' lii'iiiitirully 
clear liamhvriting of Rev. Samuel Cook.'. Mr. Chauii- 
cey's sueeessor, a few extracts from wlii.-li are aiin.'.xe.l : 

"17H1-:12, M.arch 20, Di.'.l .losiab C.joke, .jii.! ..1 ii.y luii. .s,in.», iu 2 
bom's after its birth. 

" 1731-;i2, Marrh 21, Die.l KIi;\saph Cooke, ye other ot my twin Sons, 
in 26 hours after its birth. 

" 1732, May 2(1, Die.l my Dear wife Elizabeth, in y" iU" year of her .\ge 
of an Apoplexy. 

'* 1732. September 2, Die.l D.'aeon Lemuel Slieiwoo.l in y — y.-arof 
his .\ge : of a Dropsie. 

" 1732, September 3, Die.l .losepli Fayerw entlier at B..ist..n, in y>'2.'.lh 
year .)f his Age ; of a Bloo.ly flux. 

•' 1732, X.ivember in. Died Oapt. Sam". Slierwoo.l in y — y.-ai- ..f liis 
Age, of a malignant Fear [fever?]. 

" 1732. N.tvel]iber21, Die.lat Fairtiel.l Saml. Morehouse, . if a iiiilH- iiant 
Fever, Age.l about — years. 

" 1732, December 23, Died Serg' Samuel Freiieli of the Diy belly a. b, 
aged about — years. 

" 1732-:J3, Feb. 26, Died Hannah the infant P.:.stliunioiis Itaiighter of 
D.'a.-.ui .Sherwood. 

•' 1733, Oct.iber 20, Died Eunieo, tb.- Daii;;bl.-i uf I!en,i« Uear.lsle ..f y» 
Bhuldor, age.l 1 year. 

•'1733, Oct.iber 30, Die.l Edw.anl, tb.- .Son of Stephen Burrow.s, ..f th.. 
Bladder, aged 1 year. 

" 173.3, November 17, Die.l Isaa.- Wh.eler by blee.ling of a W..un.l in 
his leg w«'' seemed almost eureil. 

"1733-34, Jau'J 3.1 in the morning. Died Moses' .laekson's Wit.., ..f a 
lietliergie. 

" 1734-3.3, Feb. .S, Doreas, the Negn. Cirl ..f Ma.j..r .b.lin linn , ..I a 
feaver. 

" 1734-;!.'., Fob. 26, Francis Hall Jun', Died of a malignant pleurisie. 

" 1734-.3J, March 7, Davi.l, the untimely infant of oba.Iiah Beai.lslee." 

Slieep-rai.sing was iiii imlustry of some iinportanee 
in .'^tnitfield. The slieep were of the old long-legged 
lir.i'il, and were pastured on land owned in eoiunion, 
or iipon the highway, and ;it night folded together hy 
a man hired hy the town for that purjiose. .Madam 
Knight in her ".I..iirm.y from Boston to New York 
in 1704" alluiles to tliis praetiee. Rev. Samuel (.'ooke, 
besides hoing the spiritual sliejiherd of .Stra.ttield, was 
at one time one of the owners of the town-Hoek. 

"17(111, K.-liiii.v. At a meeting of the proprietors ..f the Slieept. in Stiat- 
fleld it was then voted that tlii. Sheepo shall bee Lett at Shannon's cor- 
ner or near there alKiut. Vote.l that Saml. Hubbell, liichard Hubbell it 
Sam" Sumers Bee Sheepe niasteis to order the prudentials of the flock 
for the yer Insuing. Voted that the Sheepe masters shall Have power t.i 
hier men to clear the Oom.ms for the a.lvantige ..f tin- II. ..k .t t.. pay 
the Charges fr.im the Sheep., money." 

1700, March 28: "James Hubb.dl agrees with the shocpmasters U. keep 
the flock fr..m March 2nth until the time of taking up the sheep at Mick- 
elraas for 33. per day in provish.n pay, or 2s. r,d, if ho has a boy to help 
him." 

1723, Dor. 24: " Voted that the Sheep Shall bee Lett at tb.- .s, li,,.,l 11., us 
for the year Insuing. V..t.-.l that they that do not bring in tli.' number 
of their Sheep by y» mi.l.llo of Jeneary shall loose their money." 

Horses were branded not only upon the shoulder, 
but upon the ear, every owner having his own |irivate 
mark, which was registered as carefully as trade- 
marks are at the ]iresent dav. 



Several pages Ujion the reeord-hook are filled with 
the |i;irticulars (jf sales tind exchanges like the follow- 
ing: 

1701, .\ugust: "Saml. wbcU-rs marke is a sinal.' I.iik.' on th.- ner er 
and a nick un.ler it, an.l a liaUe p.-ny im.lcr the ofl .t." 

17():i : " francis Hall s.dd t.. John the fren.-hman at Mill..(.l one horse, 
Darke br.iwne marked with 3 lialfpcnnys under tb.- ..II i-r. slit in 111.- ncr 
ear, Bran.l.-d .ni the nei- shol.ler: s.l horse w.as sol.l to .^aj.l iK'nch man 
for ." 

The pric.' paid liy .loliii the Fren.linKiii lor his 
li.ii-se is destined apparently to remain, like the au- 
thorship of .luiiius' Letters or the identity of the Man 
with ihc Iron ^lask, one of llie unsolved |.rol>lems of 
history, the eoneludiiig words .iC the paragraph hav- 
ing Ill-come, through tige and much handling, wholly 
illegilile. 

17112, 11.. .IS: "Haniell Banlsli-y S..1.I .b.sepli B.iiil a Hun h., is.-, with a 
Laigi- Star In the forehe.l, Braii.led X on tli.- nei Sli..ul.lei, an.i Iw.i half- 
pennys on the un.ler si.le of the near ear." ' \ 

17(12, H.-i-.ls. ",b..seph lienit Sol.l Daniell Bardsly one hors; Dark 
Browne w ilh a bal.l face and f.iure white feet with a forke on the ner ear 
an.l a half.- iien.-y on the off ear on the un.ler side: aluiiit 7 y.-i-s ol.l." 1 

Apiil .'i, 1703 : "Saml frencli sol.l James Hubbell one hors.-, I.la. k with ' 
Abcll Biiigliaius .-are mark, 2 yr ..1.1, foi the .some ..f :l sIi.-.-p an.l 2 
Lams." 

Jan. 2. 1705 : " Jonathan Taylor e\.Iiaiig.-.l a roiicisli mai e y' wa.> for- 
merly Edward L<acy3 havingabla7.e.l..wn ye la.'e, marked with a slit .lown 
ye near eare ,t half penny on y foreside of y" otf eare, an.l bran.le.l with 
F on ye near shoulder with Benj. Fayerweather for a Bay male with a 
blaze ilown ye fjiee, a wall eye two wliili- f.-ete behind. 

" I'l-.-sent at y. .-xchange Jiio. Scaly, Math, Sliarwoo.l .Iun^" 

" 'I'll.- uiiiler I itten being Desired to ;ippiisa black mar.- that was tacken 
up ill til.) W. lulls above fairfield by Saml. hall, being al..iut ten yer old, 
Initli ;i Star in the forad, marcked with a half penny un.ler the ncr Ere, 
with ('..l.:hi-ster brand & M. 11. on tho n.-r butb.ck: wee Doo apiirise the 
s.l. null.- b. be w.irth fifty sliiling in niuny. witness our bauds .Viigust 
10, 1714. 

" Br.N'.i. iiRt.;i:iRV 

"S.VML. UllKI.L." 

Here is tin entry which seems to indietite the ex- 
istence of something like ;i guild or trtiile union 
timong the .storekeeiiers of the place, — hardiv very 
numerous I imagine, though " majority of merchants 
in Strattield" certainly has an imposing sound. The 
votes which follow show thtit keeping tavern without 
;i license wtis not permitted : 

:7iii;-7 March (';) 21"' : " Mr .lo« Bmiuitt of Strattiehl liaveiug pay.l full / 
satishii tion to the Majority of Merchants in Stratfi.-ld for his tradeing iu 
sail! Jilace as a 5Ierchant,the said Soci.-ty ackn.iwledges thesame .t allow 
him to enter on ye records of Stratfield Joseph Beiinitt Blerchant. 

"S.^mI H l- bUKLL iiecordcr." 

1713, Sept. ■2;i : "Voted that the we.l.iw hubbell shall bo tavern .:eper 
for this yer." 

1715, July 17; " Mr. Ben fairw.-tb.-r alsi.w cosen [cli.iseii] tar yen ceper 
for the y.ir in suing." 

After the death of Mr. ( 'hauncey, Stratfield Society 
extended a call to Rev. Samuel Cooke to become their 
pastor. Mr. Cooke iicee|)ted, promising to serve theui 
in the ministry for life if they would cheerfully and 
unanimously agree to pay him one liunih'ed |iounds 
per annum in current money, or in |irovisious tit the 
following rates: Indian corn, iv. ; rye, I'.v. .Si/. ; wheat, 
4.?. ])er biishid ; pork, 20(/. jier hundred. 

A vote had previously been passed to reptiir the 
meeting-house, but nothing had been done. Imme- 



74 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



diately after Mr. Cooke's acceptance of tlie call vigor- 
ous measures were taken in this direction : 

1715, July 17 : " Joliii nun, Bonj. fiiirwetbcr tlicn added a Com'" unto 
Copt. John llurslry, Jlr. Juoms Bouitt, & Riclianl liuWwll to git tlio 
paU-rfiy linrhod iiud to sue Sum" frnnch for not porforuiin of his obliga- 
tion which he giiivo to linch the gtilerey." 

1715, Poccmlier: " Ricliiinl hubboll, thomas bally, Jaoms Sely chosen 
Com"" to Consult Bomc Cafondurs for the In l-argmcnt of the meting 
lions." 

The " Cafenflurs" seem to have given it up a.s a 
lio|)eles.s ca.se, and a new meeting-house, near what is 
now the northwest corner of Park and North Avenues, 
was decided ujion : 

171C, November : " Voted that the plas for the eating of a now meting 
hous, if they shall afterward agreo to bild one, shall be nere tbo Cor- 
ner of Joseph Trobigo's orchard Lot, Deceased, on the norwest sid the 
road, between that and the wedow Sharmans, Deceased. 

" Als<i voted, same meting, that thay will bild a nue meting bous of the 
folowing dinicncbnns: 22 feet between joynte,48 feet long, 38 feet wide, 
a long roof. Cost not to exceed £*250." 

1716-17, March 11 ; " Voted that tbiiir shall bo sow much Kume Laft in 
the Nue meting hous for pucs as the Com«« shall judge bciit. Also 
Agreed that the Com*** is impt)ured to lay out the l»ovc sd. pues, and say 
boo shall have them." 

Col. John BiuT and the family of Rev. Mr. Cooke 
were the first to ()tciii)y pews. The remainder of the 
congregation were as.signed seat.s annually, according 
to the social position of cacli, by a committee chosen 
for the purpo.se, — an unchristian custom long preva- 
lent in Connecticut. 

1717, Dec. 30 : ** Voted that the Nue meting hous shall be 8at«d by 
Dignety Atlge and a State [Estate] by the prettant List 

" Alsow Voted that David Sburnien, Richard hubbell, John odoll, Sam" 
Sharworti, John lUirr, shall Ije a Com*^ to Sate y* meting hous, and have 
pouer to Sato from time to time us thay see rea*<t»n." 

1723, Dec. 24 : " Voted that Mr. (Mwards shall Have Liberty to build a 
little House sumewhoro near y« meeting house." 

TIlis must have been one of the Sabbath-day 
houses, common throughout the colony, — small build- 
ings divided into two ajiartmeiits, one for either 
sex, with ample fireplaces, around which those 
members of the congregation who came from a dis- 
tance gathered during intermission and partook of 
refreshments, discussing the while theology, or .some- 
times perhaps more worldly topics. 

1725-26, March 17 : " Voted Uial tliey n ill have a bell for the meating 
Hous« att the Cliargo of the Society. Mao voted that Soar. Samuel 
Or«gor>'. John Ilall, And David Sherman Jun' shall be a Committee to 
■gree with Mr. Lucus for said bell." 

Apparently, the committee and Jlr. Lucas failed to 
agree, and no bell was ])urchascd at this time. 

In 1770 a tall steeple was built at the west end of 
the church, jiaid for partly by subscription, partly by , 
tax. In March, 1774, another committee was ap- 
pointed to take up subscriptions for a bell, and on 
September 12th of the .same year, the boll having 
been hung, it wils voted to ring it not only on Sun- 
days, but at noon and nine o'clock I'..m., on other 
days. 

It seems likely that the bell was speedily cracked, 
whether by ordinary u.se or by excess of patriotic zeal. 



for on Nov. 1. 177"), it was voted to have it taken 
down and run over.* 

Brief mention has already been made of the Rev. 
Samuel (jooke, who succeeded Mr. Cliauncey as pa.s- 
tor of the Stratfield Church. Mr. Cooke was born in 
Guilford, Nov. 22, 1687, and was graduated at Yale 
in 170.5. He married, Nov. 30, 1708, Mi.ss Anne 
Trowbridge, of New Haven. In October, 1712, and 
for three years following, he was elected deputy or 
representative from New Haven, and by the Assembly 
at each .session was chosen clerk. His jiastorate in 
Stratfield began in June, 1715, and continued until 
his death, Dec. 2, 1747, — a period of thirty-two years. 

Mr. Cooke was a man of much dignity, and in 
public always appeared in full ministerial costume, — 
a heavy curled wig, black coat and small-clothe.s, 
shoes fastened with silver buckles, and over all a 
large cloak or gown. His homestead frontetl upon 
the street long called by his name, — Cooke's Lane, 
more recently Grove Street, not far from the Roman 
Catholic cemetery. It was three times invaded by 
death. His second wife was Widow ICsther Sloss, n^e 
Burr; his third, Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Piatt; 
and his fourth, Abigail, widow of Hev. Joseidi Moss, 
of Derby. 

There is a certain pathos in the entry in which he 
excuses his failure to attend to the church records for 
a long period: "Whoever shall succeed me in the 
ministry here, let him not neglect the records of bap- 
tism, etc., as thnmgh multiplied troubles and sorrows 
I have done for many yeai-s past, of which I can only 
say that I suppose all the white children belonging to 
this place, born from the beginning of the year 1719 
to July, 1731, were baptized, excepting David Jack- 
son's. A particular account I ho]>c will follow after- 
wards." 

Mr. Cooke in his later years sutt'ered also from the 
depreciation of the currency in which his salary was 
paid, old-tenor bills, worth hardly one-fifth of their 
face. His executors brought suit against the ])arish 
and recovered heavy damages, which the Legislature 
confirmed. His successor in the ministry here was 
Rev. Lyman Hall, some account of whom will W 
found in the next chapter. 

Mr. Hall was in turn followed by the Kev. Robert 
Ross, who became jiastor of the Stratfield Church 
Nov. 28, 1753, and remained over it for more than 
forty-two years. A remarkable occurrence took ])lace 
during his ministry. The people had a.ssenibled for 
worship on the morning of Sunday, July 28, 1771. 
A thunder-shower wius gathering, but the services 
went on lus usual, until the congregation rose and re- 
mained standing while the minister led them in 
prayer. The room grew darker ami darker as the 
heavy clouds rolled up, while the distant muttering 



• This lioll, after having beiii nxast, was bn.iight t.i Bridgeport in 
1808, and placed In the steeple of the old North Cliurch, where It re- 
mained until dcwttvyed by Bro In luSl. 



BRIDGEPORT. 



75 



of the thunder showed that a t'eMii'uI sti»nn was im- 
jiciidiiii;. Till' i'onu of lln' |iastiir at h'lijitli liccamo 
ahiiost invisilih' in the dee|)enin.ir {.doom, luit still he 
jirayed on. Sudilenly a dazzliuj; {flare oi' lii.rlit filled 
the room, revealing in its swift passage the ]iale faees 
of the startled worshipers. The erashini;- ]ieal of 
thunder wliieli followeil drownnl the vnici' ol' the 
speaker, and he ]iaused lireathli'ss. Whrn the last 
echo of the thunder had dii'il away, and the jieople 
were auain left in darkness, there was an interval of 
awful ex[)eetaney. At leiiirth a solemn voice Irom 
the pulpit hroke the stillne.ss with the words. ■■.(/■< 
we all hnr f" For a nionu'ut no one eould answer, 
hut as the congregation moved out and lett the 
church, it was found that two of the most respected 
citizens had heen taken in an instant from the house 
of (iod below, into the nobler house not made with 
hands, above. They were two of the hest men in the 
little congregation, — Lieut. David Sherman and Capt. 
.John I5urr, — both of them in full health and in the 
prime cd' life. The former lived on Park ,\venue, 
half a mile above North Avenue; the latter upon 
the corner of North and Clinton Avenues. TIh' so- 
ciety v'jted to repair the damage done to the steeple 
by the lightning, and to ]iut uji a lightning-rod, then 
a new invention. 

No particulars res]ieetiug the first school-house or 
its tc Lcliers have lieen preserved. A second one was 
built in 17(1.3, as shown by the following vote: 

S.-pl, JO. ITm:1; " Pr. tlie inlial'it.-ints of Stratetil"! thea votc'd tliat 
Striittii-Itl wold bee at tlie Cliarge of buildindg a Sclioollious sixteen foot 
Wide iitut 21 feet Long. Voted tliat tlie SclKwlehouB should bee sett 
neear tlie whit oaelc tiuundre, between that and tlio rnn of water tliat 
comes out of Capt. Sliarwod's Jiaster." 

Where (/apt. Sherwood's pasture was. the present 
writer does not know. The white-oak tree ri'lerred to 
was on the bonndary-liiic between Stratford and Fair- 
field, and was used as a puVilic sign-post. I'roliahly 
the sehoidhouse stood near the junction of I'ark 
Avenue and Peipionnock Street, not far from the site 
of the i)resent one in " (.)ld South" district. 

In 1710, William Rogers was the schoolmaster, and 
his agreement with the schoid committee. Samuel 
Hubbell and lienjamin Fayerweatlier, is still extant: 

*'Tbe said W'illiam Itofrers, Schoolmaster of tlie said l'laiil;iti is to 

keep a Reading and writing School in the said riaiitation, to leadi tlie 
children & Youth to Read, write, & cypher, the ternie ami time of Six 
months, commencing on the first day of the Instant .fan'? (1710). And 
if said Rogers shall be wanting in said six months, he is to ki'e|i a ni;^')it 
school,— viz., five ni^hta every week (unto) tlie Tenth day of March next, 
and the said Plantation is to pay to (said) Koi;ers the sum of Mncteeii 
pounds as Provition pay, and the remaynder as liatli been payd to other 
Schoolma-sters, tu be judged by tlie Treasurer of the place, at or before 
the first day of .\i)ril next." 

.John Wheeler, born .M.-ireh, 17(i;i-l(l, died Si'pt. 2(1, 
1790, taught school for many yetirs. His compensa- 
tion for teaching a summer school, in the year \1'M\, 
was sixty-three pounds, but the currency was then 
depreciated. " Master" Wheeler, as he was always 
called, was held in universal esteem. He was the son 
of Dr. .rohn Wheeler, the village physician, and mar- 



ried Dorothy, one of the nine daughters of Deacon 
D:i\id Shirman, and after the death of his father-in- 
law resided in the bouse built by the latter U[iou the 
top of Toilsome Hill. This was " a large two-story 
edifice built in the best style of the dav, with long 
sloping roof, high porch in front, and windows of 
diamond glass set in lead sashes. The children of 
Master Wheeler were three, :ill daughters. — viz., 
Dolly, Jjiinicc, ami Drusilla, the latter the wife of 
.Miijah IJeardsley, a Revolutionary soldier." 

The time when the seliool in Toilsome District was 
established, is fixed by an entry on the society's 
record-book dated Dee. lid, 17:;S: 

•■ Vot.d that lliis .Society will have two schools: one wlierc it lias been 
lOiiiicily kept and the other at Tilcsome hill." 

A third school was estalilished in 17.")4 "at or near 
the upper end of Sport Hill, so called ;" but this must 
liavi' lieeij diseoiitiniied, for in 17(1(1 the following 
votes were passed. The spelling would seem to indi- 
Ciite tlnit additional school privileges were not un- 
necesstiry : 

ITUi'i. Dec. 12: " Voted tliat the S"ciety will have a tliuid .Scl 1 in the 

Society this year. Voted that the tliurd ScliM(d Shall he Keejit at the 
Little house in the first Croass highway, neer Nathaniel Seeley's." 

17('.fi, Dec. 20: "Voted that the Society will llivid themselves in to 
proper and necessary Distreets for Keejiing tlieire Sclmols. V.ded that 
Sam" Sherwood, Beiijai Wheler, and Sam" Sherwood the ;td, be a com**'' 
for that purpus." 

The committee re]iorted a fortnight later, advising 
the formation of three districts, the boundary between 
the lower and middle ones to be " the highway south- 
ward of Elmithan Shernuin's house," — perhaps the 
one now known as Lincoln Avenue, a little above 
Picacb's Woods. All the territory below this line was 
to lie the South District, — a fact which exphiins the 
re;ison why the district in our present city limits ex- 
tending farthest northward is known by the name of 
"Old South." The boundaries of these districts were 
:dterwards slightly changed. 

.\s early as the year 1707 services according to the 
form of the Protestant Episcopal Church were held in 
the ]i:irish ot' Stratfield. They were conducted liy 
Rev. Ceorge Muirson, an agent of the English "So- 
ciety for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign I'arts," 
stationed ;it Rye, N. Y., but at this time U|ion a mis- 
sionary toiu' through western (."oniiectieut. These ser- 
vices were held in a private house, as there was at 
that time no Episcopal chnreb edifice in the colony. 
A few persons, mostly adults, were baptized. 

The first missionary of this .society settled in Fair- 
field County was the Uev. (ieorgc Pigot, who in \li'^ 
became stated pastor of the churches in Fairfield and 
Stratford, but in 17:^7 was transferred to I'rovidence, 
K. I. He was succeeded by the Rev. Henry < 'aner, 
who was graduated tit Yttle College in 1724; studied 
theology with Dr. Samuel .lohnsou at Stratford; was 
ordained in iMigland. and in 1727 tippointed mis- 
sionary at J'airfield. ^Ir. (.'aner preached in most of 
the towns in I'lnrfieid ('ouiity and founded the Epis- 



70 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



copal Churches in Norwalk and Stamford. He also 
read the service occa-^ionally in i^tratfiokl in a ])rivate 
house. Tlic University of Oxford conferred the de- 
gree of M.A. u|)on him in 1735, and in 1766 the addi- 
tional title of D.D. After twenty years of faithful 
service in Fairfield and vicinity he wa-s appointed, in 
1747, rector of King's Chapel, Boston. 

Mr. Caner's successor in Fairfield was the Rev. 
Jo.sci>h Lanison, a native of f^tratfortl and a graduate 
of Yale College, wlio in 1744 sailed for Europe for 
ordination, but was taken prisoner by the French. 
His ministry in this vicinity la.sted from 1747 until 
his dentil, in 177-3. He usually preached in Stratfield 
every fourth Sunday. 

In 174S a churcii was erected here Ijy his advice, 
the principal subscribci-s towards building it being 
Col. .lohn Burr, John Holburton, Timothy Wheeler, 
Joseiih Sceley, John Nichols, Richard Hall, and Sam- 
uel Bcardslcy. It was called St. John's church, and 
was located upon a common of about half an acre in 
extent upon the east side of " Church Lane," a little 
north of the old " King's Highway," and about a 
quarter of a mile west of the Congregational church, 
or, as we should now say, upon Wood Avenue, just 
above North Avenue. It is described as being a 
small wooden structure without a steeple or bell. " It 
had a pulpit, but no reading-desk ; it was furnished 
with' high-backed pews on either side, the body of the 
church being filled with slips. Seats were also pro- 
vided for the colored people apart by themselves." 
Another account speaks of a steeple surmounted by 
a gilt weathercock, perhaps added afterwards. This 
church continued to be used until 1801, when it was 
torn down, and tlie congregation removed to a more 
commodious edifice on the site now occupied by the 
First Baptist church of Bridgeport. 

A romantic story is told concerning the Rev. Mr. 
Lamson. Before entering the nnni.stry, perhaps while 
still in college, he became engaged to Miss Abigail 
Ramsey, of Fairfield, a beautiful youug girl of good 
family, only sixteen years of age. While on a visit 
to friends in Stratford, she wius suddenly taken very 
ill, and it soon became evident that there was no 
hope of her recovery. Mr. Lamson was summoned 
to her bedside to bid her farewell, and before her 
deatli she directed that her gold beads — ornaments 
greatly iirizcd at that day — shimld be taken from her 
neck and given to lier lover. It is said that he wore 
them around his neck for many years afterwards. 
The remains of the young lady repo-se in the burying- 
ground at Stratford, and the stone above her grave 
bears this epitaph : 

" Wiutiiig HicknrMS BiMiileil tliy tM-ftiiteous form, 
And ileiilh roiiKi^iMl tlioo t<> tlij kiii(tro<l worm. 
Thu ilay lulTanccit wlieii the (taiiii> mIiiiU ris43 
With »|>nrkllng gitiry, and naceuil the Rkieit." 

Mr. Lamson afterwards married a Miss Wctniorc, 
daughter of the Episco|^ clergyman at Rye, N. Y. 
His succes.sor in the ministrv at Fairfield and as 



missionary. of the Gospel Propagation Society was 
the Rev. John Sayre, wlio had previously been sta- 
tioned at Newburg, N. Y. Mr. Sayre was a Royalist 
during tlie Revolution, and as such encountered con- 
siderable hostility. He was stationed in Fairfield 
from 1773 until 1779, and in the latter year, after 
having vainly endeavored to prevent tlie wanton de- 
struction of Fairfield by British troops, he took the 
ill-advised step of embarking with them for New 
York, and never returned to tlic colony. 

Respecting the persecutions said to have been in- 
flicted upon the early churchmen by the Congrega- 
tionalist.s in this vicinity, it may be projier to say here 
tliat statemeiit.s of this kind, if not wholly without 
foundation, are certainly luudi exaggerated. By the 
colonial as well as by the English law every person 
was required to pay according to his ability for the 
support of public worship, and in default of payment 
wa-s proceeded against in the same manner as for any 
other species of debt, but the principle of religious 
toleration was distinctly laid down by the (Jenoral 
Court as early as KK!!), and reafiirmed in 170S.* 

At the May session, 1727, it was enacted that in 
every parish throughout the ctilony where worship 
according to the order of the Church of England was 
maintained by a resident clergyman, the entire tax 
collected from members of that denomination should 
be paid over to the Episcopal clergyman for his sup- 
port. The members of tlie denomination were also 
allowed to tax themselves such furtlier sum as they 
might elect. In Stratford and Fairfield the law went 
into immediate eftect. 

In Stratfield, there being no resident clergyman, 
the churchmen appear to have paid rates fur the sup- 
port of the establislu'd order down to the close of the 
year 17.)2. After that (bite their share of the tax was 
always paid over to thcni, as shown by Mimierons re- 
ceipt.s like the following: 

"Stratkiki-d, Muy 8, 1765. 
" Tht-n KerJ of M r. dunicl Sunic>i-8, Coloctor of titv pnrUh of Strnllleld, 
tho mm of Hftcon poiindii Uiirlii'ii slitllingii, old Tenor, In full of all my 
Ucmiindii for Hate from nd. jKij lull, for Uic year 17.'v;i. I my Bee' pr. mc, 

"Jos. LAMgos, Mine'?." 

"FAllilir.l II, Oit.d,'. 30th, 177.1. 
"Ihon Red' of Dcnjuniiu Liiccy, Collittor for tlii' Chimli of Kiiglaud 
in Slratflcld, the xnin of Ion imundfi tirtiun Khillings ii 4<l., Luwfull 
money, in full for tlif 1UU'» Din; from Slruttlclil |>itrish to my Father 
Jor-i-ph I.iinu4on, Itrj*' for y .vojtr 177:1. I Say IUh.-' pr. me, 

"WiLLiAji Lamson, Exocf." 

"Tliit* H t nil.v whom It nmy ronci-rn timt Mr. Stephen SomerB, 

Collector for the Mirii«Ior« liiitw of Uif Churtli of EnKlnnd in tin' I'arlKh 
of StiHtlleld, on the I-i«t for tho year 17"», hath made me a full MiliBfac- 
Uon for tlie wime, and thin in lii» nunicient dlix-harge forciglitc«u pounds, 
Hovcnleen shillings, and three |K<nce, the amount of it. 

'* JoUN Sayrf., Roctor of H-l Parish. 

" Falrflold, June 21, 1779. 

"£18,17,3." 

This was written less than a month before Fairfield 
was laid in ashes l)y British troops. 



• Seo the pulillshed Colonial Reoonla of Connecticut, U. 100; t, 50, 
87 ; anil, in iiartiinlar, vii. IO<i, lci7, etc. 



bi!II>(;ki'(>i;t. 



How Mr. Havre's place was filled, is sIkiwii liy the 
reei'iiit wliicli toll(^ws: 

"Stratfield Society, IGtli of April, 17S1. 
" WIitTras tlitire is 111) Slissionary to Officiato in tin- Distiirt to wliich 
Wf licliing of tlu^ Piofcssiou of the Chui'cli of Eiiglaml, \Vu llzias Burr, 
Elijali Hurritt. and Jonatlian Smith, a Committee ajipnintt'il tiy tlw Pro- 
fcssocs of the ('hnrcTi of England, agreeable to a vote of s'l Sneifty, and 
Pliiio Slielton, of Stratford, offissiator in the t'hurch in said Society have 
Kee'' of Benjamin T«acy, Collector of the Church of England, Forty thiee 
Pounds lis. 5'4d. Currant Money of Bills immetted hy the state of Con" 
necticut, it being in full of Sallery Due to the aiid Chundi Ministerial 
Bate for the yi-ar 1780. 

•' Kec'i p' Us 

'MJZI.\S BURB, \ 

"ELIJ-ill BVRRITT, '- t'l'lil'tei/." 

"Jonathan Smitu, ) 

Mr. Slieltoii was nrilaiiied in IJS'i by T>isliii|i Sca- 
liiiry, ami is believed tn liave liceii the hrst chTizy- 
iiian til receive episeiijial nrdiuatinii ii|iiin this siih' iif 
tlir iieeaii. He eoiitiniled to iiffieiate as rertnr of St. 
.Jiiiiii's Church until his resignation, at Ktister, !S24. 
He died Fel). 27, l.S2,5, in the seventy-first year of his 
age. 

Tlie tliird church organized in Strattleld was of the 
lia|itist orik'r, and was gathered in Octolier, 1751. 
Most of tile original members — ten in innnl>er — ha<l 
been eonneeteil with the Congregational ('hiircli, but 
withdrew, I am inclined to think, on account of the 
tronliles connected with the dismissal of Rev. Lyman 
Hall in .Tune of tlie same yetir. It was " upon the 
second Sabbath of Octolier, at the liouse of .Tolin 
Sherwood, of Stratfield," — the same Cajit. Slicrwood 
who.se encounter with the Indian has already liecn 
related, — that Elder Joshua Morse, of New London, at 
tlie close of the usual service, " proceeded anil went 
on in the ordinance of baptism by plunging under 
water each particular person" composing the church, 
— viz., Zachariah Mead, Xathaniel Seeley, Eliliii 
Marsh, John Sherwood, Elienezer Sarilord, Samuel 
r>eard.sk'y, Elizalietli Seeley, Mary Slicrwood, Sartdi 
lleardsley, and Martha Jennings. Previous to litip- 
tism each of the candidates came forward anil " in the 
]iresence of a large assembly gave out a particular 
relation of the work of (xod upon his soul." .\fter 
baptism they united in the sacrament of the Lord's 
Supper. 

Passages in their church covenant are very impres- 
sive. It commenced thus : 

"O most drearlful God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, one God in three 
Persons, I give up myself, soul, body, and all that I have and am, to bo 
Tliine, and forever Thine, in everlasting covenant never to be forgotten. 
I entirely and unreservedly dedicate myself to Tbee and Tliy service, and, 
seeing no other way of reconciliation with the Father but in and through 
the Son, I come on the bended hieesof my soul unto the Lord ,lesus Christ 
for juatiliiation, sanetification, and eternal redemption. . . . 

" And now, .Sacred Majesty, omniscient and omiii]iresent God, in 
Thine awful presence .and in the presence of angels and men I dedicate 
myself afl thy dutiful servant and child (and by Thy grace in .leans Christ 
1 am Thy covenant child). .\nd may what is done here upon earth this 
day be ratified in heaven. Amen." 

The record goes on to state that at tinother meeting 
the members of the church "gave in their testimony 
concerning a minister, from whiidi it evidently ap- 



]ieared that Brother John Sherwood was called to lie 
a witness in the Gospel of Jesus Christ," and that 
upon the third Tuesday of December he was ordained 
and set tipart to tlie work of the ministry by solemn 
prayer and fasting, elders and messengers from the 
baptized churches of New London and (iroton bring 
present by invitation. 

Elder Slierwood is described as a man of large 
stature, of superior physical strength, and of no Mnall 
degree of energy and firmness in carrying ont his 
views of right and duty. His wife is said to havi- 
jiiLssessed remarkable gifts, both in ixhortation and 
in ]irayer, so that frequently the ]iro|ile desireil to 
hctir her preach instead id' her husband. At her 
death, in 1707, he resigned his office, and was suc- 
ccedeil by Rev. Benjamin Coles. 

Elder Sherwood died Sept. IS, 17711, aged lu-arly 
seventv-four vears. 



C H A P T E R I X. 

BRIDGEPOKT (Continued). 

BRIDGEPOKT AND ViriNlTV IN THE REVOLUTION. 

The Village of Stratiield one hundred Tears ago — Military Companies — 
Petition for a Uarbor Gu.ard in 1777— The Guard estaldished— Ilepai lure 
of Vnlunteers — Horrors of Smallpn.x — F.airfield pillaged and imrneil 
by the British — Abduction of Gen. Silliman, and Captnri' of .lodge 
.bines — Naval Services of Capt. David Ilawley — Escape of Ilavid Ma- 
thews, the Tory ^layor of New York — Kev. Lyman Hall, a Signer of 
the Declaration of Independence — Partial List of Kevolntionary Scd- 
diers — Epitaphs from the old Cemeteries — ,\needotes of Gen. Wa-'^hiiig- 
ton. 

It may seem rather presuiiiptiious to speak of 
Bridgeport in connection with the Revolution, when, 
strictly speaking, one hundred years ago to-day there 
was no such place as Bridgeport in existence. This 
beautiful city, the third in the State in size, and, :is 
we believe, second to none in many respects tinit make 
it desirable as a dwelling-jdace, wtis thru not only 
unknown to fame, but the ground now occn|iicd by 
the busiest streets and most stately warehouses was 
cither overfiowed by the rising tide or was, at best, 
but a dcn.se morass; while CtoIiIcu Hill, now crounrd 
by so many spacious mansions, wtis only a craggy 
eminence surmounted by nothing more palatial than 
a few Indian wigwams. Fairfield and Stratford were 
indeed places of some imiiortance, especially the 
fiirnicr, wdiicli was ti business crnlrr. ami for more 
than a hundred years had been the county and court 
town; but Bridgeport was as yet represented only by 
Stratfield, a plantation upon the weslrm hordia- of 
our present townsliip, embracing sonn' om- Ininilicd 
and fifty houses and a ]iopiilalioii ol' pcihaps a thou- 
sand ]iersons. 

Let us for a fi'W moments dismiss the present from 
our thoughts, and try to c;dl up before us this settle- 
ment of Stratfield as it existed a hundred years ago. 
We find it rather :i ftirinino' eommunitv than a com- 



78 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



pact village, iiml tin- houses arc somewhat widely 
scattered, tlioiigii most of them either front upon the 
old Boston stiiKc road, now known as North Avenue, 
or else extend along Park Avenue to a point far up 
the slopes of Toilsome Hill. The houses themselves 
were of that antiipie type of which a few specimens 
yet remain, — unpainted and covered with clapboards 
of riven oak, with sloping roofs descending nearly to 
the ground in the rear, and windows of diamond glass 
set in leaden frames and swinging upon hinges. Fre- 
quently the wpi)er story of the house overhung the 
lower, and in every case the only means for securing 
warmth and ventilation, especially the latter, was the 
immense fireplace in the great stone chimney, some- 
times twelve feet square, which occupied the centre 
of the building. 

As elsewhere tiiroughout the colony, the people of 
this vicinity were almost entirely of English descent. 
The occupation of the men was either agriculture or 
seafaring, for, with the exception of the miller, the 
blacksmith, and the tanner, — important personages 
in every new connnunity, — maiuifacturers and me- 
chanics were almost unknown, everything required 
for use being either produced on the homestead or 
brought 1)y exchange from foreign countries. Sheep- 
raising was a much more important branch of in- 
dustry than at present, and broad fields of flax waved 
upon every farm. The spinning-wheel and the loom 
were indispensable articles of furniture, and with 
these the women of each family produced all the 
clothing and linen needed for the household. Negro 
slavery was common. Almost every family of means 
held one or more slaves, who were in general kindly 
treated, and were sometimes members of the same 
church with their owners. 

Besides the churclies and the school-house, which 
have already been described, the only other public 
bnilding in Stratfield was the tavern kept by John 
Nichols, where, on week-days and in the evening, when 
the work of the day was done, the men used to assem- 
ble to talk politics or discuss the news of the day as 
obtained from some pa.ssing traveler, or read aloud 
from the columns of the Connecticut Journal and 
Pout-Boy, a weekly newspaper i)ublished in New 
Haven. This tavern may still be seen ou the western 
side of the ])arade-ground, not far from the cemetery. 
It is a building of antique -style, but in such good re- 
pair that it can hardly look a day older than when 
Washington was entertained within its walls; and if 
])rescrve(l from lire and from the spirit of modern im- 
provement, it bids fair to withstand the storms of still 
another century. 

Political debate used sometimes to run liigh within 
its walls ; as, for instance, on a certain evening, when 
among the company present were Bev. Mr. Ross, pas- 
tor of tlie Congregatiimal church, and the village 
blacksmith, Nathan Bangs, whose two sons, Nathan 
and Heman, afterwards rose to such eminence in the 
Methodist denomination. Some doubts having been 



expressed as to whether the people of New England 
were prepared to make the sacrifices necessary to 
insure their country's independence, the ."turdy black- 
smith arose, and with flashing eye and a glowing coun- 
tenance proclainiecl that lor his part he would not only 
be willing to shed his blood, but to endure the ])ains 
of perdition eternally, if by such a sacrifice he could 
set America free. 

"It is a good thing to be zealous, Brother Bangs, 
but not loo zealous," re]>lied Parson Ross, who was 
perhaps a little scandalized at the vehemence of his 
parishioner; and, calling for his hat, the reverend gen- 
tleman took his departure. 

It should not be inferred from this incident that Mr. 
Ross was indifferent to the issue of the contest. On 
the contrary, he was a strong Whig, and throughout 
the Revolution, in his public services never failed to 
pray for the success of the cau.se of independence. A 
sermon of his, preached about the commencement of 
the war, and afterwards printed, from the text, " For 
the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings 
of heart," had reference to the painful state of uncer- 
tainty in wliich many found themselves in regard to 
their future political action, and endeavored to remove 
it. 

Stratfield possessed at this time one military com- 
pany, the Stratfield Train-Band, which for nearly 
eighty years before the Revolution used to drill on 
the village parade-ground, a tract of common, still 
uninclosed, a short distance east of Mountain Grove 
Cemetery. It was organized in the year 1()!>7, in 
obedience to the following order of the General Court : 

" OniiTP<1 by tills Court, tliiit tlic Bouldiors inlmliiting witliiii tlic Imuncls 
of Stratfi'nl un tliy west sido of Pcquuiiiiack Kivor, iind tlioeo iiilmbit- 
iiiK within tlie bounds of Fuirlit-ld Villujjo westward, be united togellier 
and exercised in one banil and iionipaiiy, and Lieu* .luhn Beernley to l>o 
ttieir Lieu', and Ensign Isaac W'lieeler to be tlieir Ensign, and to he coui- 
missiunatcd respcctivoly.'* 

Besides the Stratfield Train-Band, several other 
military companies and detachments were raised here 
during the Revolution. One of these was a company 
called the Householders, ma<le up entirely of elderly 
men and desigiu'd for home defense. It was organ- 
ized .Vug. !•'{, 177(i, with the following officers: Cap- 
tain, Hezekiah llubbcU; lieutenants, .Fames Hamil- 
ton and Stephen Burroughs ; clerk, Joseph Strong. It 
was not disbanded until the close of the war. 

Another company wius the guard of about twenty- 
five men stationed on Stephen Burroughs' wharf at 
the foot of State Street. At that time Burroughs' 
wharf was the only landing-place for shipping in this 
harbor below the present Berkshire Bridge. .\l)ove 
the site of this bridge the depth of water used to be 
much greater than at present, — so much so that ves- 
sels designed for the foreign tratle were built and 
launclied where now a skiff could scarcely tbiat. The 
design of this guard Wiis to break up contraband traffic 
with the enemy, to hinder the Tories of Newtown and 
vicinity from communicating freely with their breth- 



BRIDGEPOKT. 



79 



ren on Lniiir Ishiiid, ;nni to protect the place from sud- 
den attacks hv uuiraudinjj:-partios from over the 8onnd. 
Following is a copy of the petition for this guard, 
signed by tifty-seven patriotic individuals living near 
Newfield (now HritlgeportI Harbor. Fur convenience 
of reference the signatures are arranged al|ih:dirti- 
cally : 

PETITION FOR HARBOR GUARD. 

" Tlie memonal of the people livin;; near Newfield Harbor, in the 
township of Stratford, in Fairfield County humbly showeth : That New- 
field Harbor is distant from Stratford between three and four miles, and 
there are afew inhabitants settled near tlie water, and this harbor is loii- 
venient for and almost the whole navit^ation of the town is carried on 
from this harbor; and though there has been occasion enough given by 
our Tory enemies, yet no effectual measures have been taken to secure 
this harbor, although there has within a few months pastbeeu taken ami 
carried away out of this harbor in the night season nine vessels and 
boats by our Tory enemies from among ouiselves, who have gone off 
to the enemy. The last was a sloop of about twenty tons, taken off 
and carried away in the night to the enemy, aboift eight days ago, by 
forty-four Tories; and there is gieat reason to believe that Mr. Mat- 
thews. Mayor of New York, and several otiier prisoners have made their 
escape from this harbor in some of tiie boats and vessels that have been 
tJiken away, t^)gethcr witli our Toi'y enemies ; that there are so many 
pei-sous living but a little way from this harbor that are unfriendly to their 
country; that these enemies of their country always be secreted until a 
favorable night arrives for them to steal a vessel and go off; and there is 
no possible way to prevent further mischief of this kind but by a con- 
stant gnanl being kept at the harbor. Unless this is done we have reason 
to believe tliat what has been ilone by the Tories is but the beginning of 
the mischiefs that are to be apprehended from these deserters of their 
country's cause. The friemls of the deserters will sometimes threaten 
that those who have gone off in tliis way will soon return in L-ircum- 
stauces to make themselves respected and feared, and that it will not be 
long before new laws will be established here that will prevent people 
being oppressed, etc. 

"This harbor has already been the place for Newtown, so famous fur 
Tories, to resort to in all their trade and traffic, and it is now tlie capital 
place of re-^ort for all our Tory enemies to go out. We have great reason to 
believe that great numbers more are now watchingaconvenientupportu- 
nity to get out and go off with MaJ. French, who is lurking about not far off 
we have reason to believe : aud tluue are sliii>s every day hovering about, 
and at night oftentimes comes to within a few miles of this harbor; and 
we have reason to believe that as soon as the weatlier moderates, those 
Tories, with the aid of our otlier enemies, will return again into this 
harbor and destroy the lives aud property of the friends of our own gov- 
ernment. 

"We are therefore humbly of opiinon that the safety of the peojile 
requires that there sliould be a guard of twenty-five men constantly 
stationed at this harbor, with two small cannon, mounted on traveling 
carriages, to protect the peoplo and batbor; and earnestly entreat that 
your Honor and Council (or Assembly if sitting), will be pleased to give 
orders for it, 

" For the pai'ticular state of facts wo beg leave to I'efer your Honor 
to the bearers, Messrs David and Aaron Ilawly, Abraham Hubbell, and 
William W«)rden, who live at and near the harbor. 

"We humbly pray your Honor's attc-ntion to tliese matters, for they 
are important; and we as in duty bound shall ever pray. 

" Dated in Stratford this I4th day of January, a.d. 1777. 



Jabez Reach, 
Andrew Heardaley, 
Squire Beardsley, 
■^Thaddeus Bennett, Jr., 
Samuel Cable, 
Elnathan Edwards, 
Ebenezor Gregt)ry, 
John Hall, 
Elijah Hawley, 
Ejihraim Hawley, 
Ephraim HawU-y, Jr., 
E/.ra Hawley, 
Samuel Hawley, 
Thonuw Hawley, 
William Hawley, 



Abel Lewis, 
Cilbert McKenzie, 

John Odell, 
Samuel Odell, 
Zechariah Sanford, 
Nathan Seeley, 
Abijah Sherman, 
David Sherman, 
Ebenezor Sherman, 
Elnathan Sherman, 
Klnathan Somers, 
Jabez Somers, 
Lewis Sturgis, 
Stephen Starliu, 



Wolcot Hawley, 
Henjiiinin ilnbhell, 
Gideon Hubbell, 
Hezekiah Hubbell, 
John Hubbelt, 
Rielutrd Hubbell, Jr., 
Walter Hubbell, 
William Hubbell, 
N. Peet JacUsnn, 
James Knapp, 
Josepli Knapp, 
Benjamin Lacey, 
Josiali Lacey, 



Joseph Strong, 
David Treadwell. 
Zechariah Treadwell, 
Josiah Treadwell. 
Lemuel Treadwell, Jr., 
Abel \\aUeIey, 
David Wakeley. . 
Siuunel W'akeley,\ 
J..de.Iiah Wells, 
Benjamin Wheeler, 
Timothy Wheeler, 
Ezra Wiuton, 
Samuel W^ordin, 
William Wordiu." 



The prayer of the petitioners was granted, and tli*- 
command of the guard was givrii to Lieut. .Viiron 
Hawlev, of Ni-wtield. An order was also givt-n him 
on thr ioundry at Salisbury for two small cannon, fifty 
ronnd-shot, aud a hundredweight of grap<'-shot. The 
coni]iany was stationed in Stephen Burroughs' store, 
a small wooden building, upon the only wharf at that 
time in the place, near what is now the fttot of State 
Street. Several sentinels were |>osted upon this wharf, 
with orders not to permit any boat to pass (.ut of the 
harltor if unprovifU'd with m proper elraraiiec If the 
boat did not stop when ehalleiiged, it was to \h' tired 
upon. 

In May, 1778, Amos Hubbell and other residents of 
Newfield petitioned the Legislature to have tins guard 
dismi.ssed, claiming that it was stationed in a place 
p<iorly calculated to discover the apj>roach or to resist 
an attack of the enemy, and that great uneasiness iiad 
l)een caused, in consequence, among the peoi)h' i)f the 
place. It was therefore requested that this company 
might be disbanded, and a small guard poste<l upon 
the shore of the Sound near the boundary-line between 
Stratford and Fairfiehl. This request was granted, 
auil Lieut. Hawley ordered to dismiss his men and 
turn over the public i)roi)crty in his charge to the 
colonel of tiie Fourth Regiment of State troops, who 
was directed to detail twelve s(ddiers and station them 
on the site of the present Seaside Park. 

ProbaI)ly this arrangement failed to inspire complete 
satisfMrlioji. for the old guard was afterwards revived, 
under connnand of Lieut. William Hall, and again 
took up its (piarterson Burroughs' wharf. They cap- 
tured many boats atteni]>ting to run out of the harbor, 
which, with their contents, became the property of 
the soldiers. 

One of these captures is said to have been attended 
with loss of life. It oeeurred at two (Teloek on the 
morning of the 2Stli id' .Inly, 17S2. A boat attempt- 
ing to run the guard was hailed by one of the senti- 
nels, and, refusing to sto|», was fired ujnui. Two men, 
named Stoddard and Judson, were killed by the shots. 
A third man, named Bhineas Baker, was grazed by a 
bullet, but escaped uninjured. He was captured, with 
the boat, and after the war was iiver resided in New- 
field, (rideon Hawley is said to Iiave been the senti- 
nel who fired the fatal shot. 

There were also during the war several detaclmients 
enlisted in Stratfield for service at a distauce. One 



BO 



HISTOllY 01" FAlllFlELD COUNTY. CONNECTICIT. 



of these took part in Arnold's expedition airainst 
Canada, and before its de])arture for the scene of 
action was mustered in the door-yard of Rev. Mr. 
Ro.ss, where all knelt down while the derfryman in- 
voked tlie divine blessing upon tliem and their enter- 
prise. 

In August, 177fi, the Stratfield Train-Band joined 
Washington's army in New York for a brief term of 
service. It was attached to Silliman's Connecticut 
Brigade, and was officered by Capt. Thaddevi§_Bennett 
and Lieuts. Edward Biirroughs anTTJosiah La'cST. 
The company suffered much from sickness, from the 
juffrits of which Lieut. Burroughs and Private Ichabod 
w" riiich died, and sundry others were obliged to be 
discharged as until lor service. Two of these, David 
Sherman and !jte]>lH'n Sterling, were unable to make 
their way home until Abijah Sterling went down to 
their relief. He found them in a barn near Harlem, 
unable to move, and brought them home in his chaise, 
going on foot himself and leading his horse all the 
way. Both were eventually restored to health. 

The Stratfield Train-Band narrowly escaped capture 
with its brigade when New York wa.s evacuated by 
Wa.«hiugton, the order for retreat not having been fC: 
ceivcd in time. It took part in the battle of White 
Plains, anil sikui afterwards was mustered out, its term 
of enlistment having expired. A few months after 
the discharge Josiah Lacey raised a company for the 
Continental army, and was commissioned as its cap- 
tain. Its term of service was three years, and it 
formed a part of Col. Philip Bradley's regiment, in 
Huntington's brigaile. 

With the exception of parlies called out hastily in 
sudden emergencies, and as si)eedily disbanded when 
the danger was over, the foregoing were jirobably all 
the military companies recruited in Stratfield during 
the Revolution. 

In the early part of the year 1777 great suffering 
was caused in Stratfield by the terrible si'ourge of 
Bmalli)ox, introduced by a party of exchanged pris- 
oners who ha<l been landed at Stratford Point under 
a Hag of truce. The horror of this com|)laint can be 
but faintly conceived by us at the present day. Vac- 
cination was unknown, and those who had contracted 
the disease were shunned even by their friends and 
nearest neighbors. People were afraid to travel upon 
tlie higliway past the dwellings where the red flag 
showed the presence of the dreaded infection. The 
guard at the luirbor forsook their post-s, bu.siness was 
suspended, and yet, in spite of all precauti<ms, the 
number sick at one time in Stratford township was 
estimated at six hundred persons. 

In May, 1777. Timothy Wheeler and twelve other 
residents of Stratfield petitioned the Legislature for 
relief, and a few weeks later another petition was 
signed by Rev. Robert Ross and twenty-one others. 
In this it WiLs stilted that the condition of attiiirs had 
be lime insupportable; that the people were desper- 
ate, and even threateuedr to pull down the infected 



houses and shoot the sufferers if the jilague could be 
stayed in no other way. 

By direction of the Legislature, Gen. Silliman, of 
Fairfield, took the matter in hand, and by the use of 
vigorous .sanitary measures (though hardly such ex- 
treme ones as the jietitioners threatened) the ravages 
of the disease were finally checked. 

During the whole war the people of this i)lace, in 
commou with those of other towns along the coast, 
were exposed to constant alarms^ occasioned by real 
or anticipated attempts of the enemy to land and 
burn their dwellings and plunder their property. 
The British fleet having control of Long Island 
Sound, and many of the able-bodied men being ab- 
sent in the Continental army, every strange sail ap- 
proaching the shore was viewed with apprehension 
and its movements carefully watched. The first at- 
tem])t of the kind was unsucce.s.sful. In ^larch, 1777, 
seven British vessels anchored off Mill River (now 
South])ort), and twelve or fourteen boat-loads of men 
tried to eftect a landing, but were repulsed by the 
militia on shore, among whom was a company from 
Stratfield, commanded by Capt. Abijah Sterling and 

I Lieut. Nathan Seeley. 

Six- weeks later, Ajiril 25, 1777, a fleet of twenty- 
six sail aiipoared at Compo Point and landed a fiirce 
of two thousand men, commanded by the infamous 
Tryon, the Tory (iovernor of New York. Their dcs- 

I tinatiou was Danbury, where there was a depot of 
military stores belonging to the Continental array. 
At Ridding Ridge, on the following morning, Tryon's 
light-horse wounded and captured a young American, 
Lambert Lockwood by name, who was bearer of a 
letter from Col. Cook, the officer in command at Dan- 
bury, to Gen. Silliman, of Fairfield. The ine.s.senger 
perhaps owed his life to the fact that he was recog- 
nized by Tryon, to whom he ha<l rendered some 
a.ssistance several years before, when the Governor's 
carriage had broken down in passing through Nor- 
walk. After the Revolution, Mr. Lockwood removed 
to Bridgeport and lived here for many years, a suc- 
cessful merchant, a leading member of the Congrega- 
tional Church, and a prominent man in local affairs 
generally. 

The story of the raid upon Danliuiy. the Inirning 
of flic town by the invaders, and their ilisa.stroiis re- 
treat, will be found in another part of this volume. 

I Two years later, in the month of July, 1779, Tryon 
made another descent upon the defenseless towns of 
the Connecticut coast. With an imposing force of 
forty-eight ves,sels and aliout three thousand soldiers, 
he first pillaged New Haven and then set sail for 
Fairfield. The weather was foggy, so that the ap- 
proach of the fleet was not jierceived on shore until 
it cainc to anchor oft" the town. Then, of course, an 
alarm was raised, bells were rung, guns fired, and cx- 
jires-ses despatched to Stratfield, Stratford, MiUord, 
and all the neighboring towns for such aid as could 
be alforded. The British column disembarked on the 



BRIDGEPORT. 



81 



westorii sliciri' nt' the tuvvii, at :i jihiri' rallnl Ivciizic's 
I'diiit, anil marchod up the beai'li until ii|i|i(isiti.> the 
i-ciurt-hi)usc, severely fjalleil the while Uy the artil- 
lery-tire from a little fort on (Jrover's Hill, overhiok- 
iufr Black Koek Harbor, whieh was held that day hy 
Lieut. Isaac Jarvis with a force of <]nly twenty-three 
men. Meanwhile, the vilhi^re militia eompany had 
formed on the green, and liy a lively musketry-tire 
ami several charfjes of round-shot and {rrape kept the 
invaders in check for a short time, when they were 
forced to retreat to Holland Heights, leaving the lnwu 
in full jiossession of the British. During tie- next 
twenty-four hours every house in the village, wlntlier 
the |>roperty of Whig or Tory, was plumlcred from 
cellar to roof-tree, and everything that could not he 
carried off was broken or destroyed. Several inof- 
fensive citizens were killed, and the handful nt' women 
and ihildri'U who n-mained in the place, though not 
treated with actual violence, were exposed to indig- 
nity and insult. The few protections granted by 
Tryon were disregarded by his men, ami when shown 
were rudely snatched away and ti>rii in pieces, '['n- 
wards nightfall the town was set on lire by Tryon's 
orders. Kev. Dr. Dwight. afterwards a resident of 
Greenfield Hill, thus describes the scene: 

" While the town wa> in tlamc^ a tliundcr-storiu 
overspread the heavens ju -t a^ night came on. The 
couHa.irration of near two hundred houses illumined 
the earth, the skirts of the clouds, ami the wavi's of 
the Sound with a union of gloom and grandeur at 
once awful and magnificent. .Vt intervals the light- 
inng blaziMl with a livid and awt'id s|ilendor. The 
thunder rolU'd above; lieneath, the roarini;' of the 
tires tilled up the interval with a deeii and hollow 
sound. .\dd to this the sharp sound of muskets oc- 
casionally <lischarged, the groans here and there of 
till' wounded anil ilying, and the shouts of trium|di, 
then place before your eyes crowds of the miserable 
sufl'erers, mingled w'ith bodies of the militia, taking 
from the neighboring hills a farewell iirospect of 
their property and their dwellings, their happiness 
and their hojies, and yon will form a just but im- 
])erfect picture of the burning of Fairfield." 

Among those most active in carrying the torch were 
a luimber of Tory refugees, who had aciMjmpanieil 
Tryon upon this expedition. Besides dwelliiig-hou-es, 
stores, etc., tlu' court-house, jail. scho(d-house, and 
two churelu's were destroyed, Mr. Sayre. the I^pisco- 
pal missionary for Fairfield and Stratfield, ]deading 
in vain with Tryon to spare any |iortion of tlie town. 
Mindful of former experiences, Tryon did not attempt 
any movement inland upon this .occasion, but i-e-cm- 
barkcd before a sufiicient force of Americans could be 
eollected to ottiLT him battle. 

Throughout the wdiole Revolufiou the people nl'our 
shore-towns had to suffer not oidy from actual inva- 
sion anil the destruction of their ]iro|ierty by oriraniz.ed 
bodies of troops, but also from marauding attacks by 
.small parties of Tories and refugees from Long Isl- 



and. ( bi one occasion a whole congregation was sur- 
prised at Darien while engaged in worshi]i n])on the 
Sal)bath, and, after being ]>lunilered of every article 
of value, the.Eev. Moses Mather, D.D., with his dea- 
cons and the male members of his church, fifty in 
luimber, went that Sunday on a sailing-party to Long 
Island, from whence they were all subseipiently trans- 
ferred to a British prison in New York. Sometimes 
the attack was made at night, as was the case in May, 
177i», wdien Gen. Sillinmn's house on Holland Heights 
was broken into by a party guided by one Glover, a 
Newtown Tory, who had been em]doyed as carpenter 
bv the general, and was conseipuntly familiar with 
the ]iremises. (ien. Silliman's gun missed fin-, anil 
he and his eldest son were both seized, hurried to the 
water's edge, and fiirced to endiark for Long Island. 
This successful raid of the Tories of course occasioned 
some excitement here, and, as the Americans held no 
officer of rank wdio could be exchanged fin- Gen. Sil- 
liman, it was decided to attempt to kidnap .Tudge 
Thomas Jones, of the Supreme Court of the State of 
New York, a leading Tory, wdiose residence was at 
Fort Neck, on Hempstead Plain, L. I. For this pur- 
pose a party of twenty-five volunteers, commanded 
bv ('apt. David Hawley. set out from this harbor one 
evening in November. 17711. Landing at Stony P>rook, 
thev concealed their boats in the bu>lie^, and after a 
toilsome night-march over by-roads and through the 
woods reached their destination just forty-eight hours 
from the time they started. 

There was a ball at the residence of .Tudge Jones 
that evening, and no one will wonder that the old 
iicHtleman was reluctant to leave the festive scene, 
with its music and pleasant company, for a fifty-mile 
tram]i on a frosty night through woods and swamps, 
with the prospect of a prison at the end of the route, 
but his visitors would take no denial. < >n their way 
back, the party jiassing near the camp of a royal 
regiment, the judge coughed loudly to attract the 
attention of the sentinels, nor wrndd he be silent 
until (.'apt. Hawley threateiu'd him with instant 
death. The march was a severe one, and several 
nu.'mliers of the party straggled, through fatigue, and 
were captured by the enemy's light-horse ; but the 
main body reached their boats and crossed in safety 
to Black Rock with their juisoner. Invited to dine 
with Mrs. Silliman, Judge Jones did not display the 
urbanity which nnder other circumstam-es he might 
have manifested, Init is said to have been reserved 
and svdlen in his demeanor. He was ordered to Mid- 
dh-town fa- confinement, but after a few months was 
exehan.ired for Ch-n. Silliman. 

Our record of Revolutionary incideids would be in- 
complete without further reference to the services of 
the gallant naval officer already nu-nfioned, ('apt. 
David Hawley, of Stratfield. 

Early in the war Capt. Hawley sailed to the West 
Indies for a cargo of gun|)owdi-r, w-hicli uiion his re- 
turn was divided between the towns of Stratford and 



82 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIKLD COUNTY, COiVNECTICUT. 



Fairfield, a part of it being stored for a time in 
Nichols' tavern, on North Avenue. In March, 1776, 
he sailed again from Stratford in command of a pri- 
vateer sloo|), but was captured when four days out by 
the Rritisli man-of-war " IJellona." Large induce- 
ments were ottered liini by his captors to change his 
allegiance and act us ])ilot to the British fleet, but 
these were firmly declined. He was taken to Halifax, 
but after a captivity of only two weeks made his es- 
cape with eight companions in a small boat, and at 
length found his way back to Connecticut. In Aug- 
ust, 177(), Cai)t. Hawley was commissioned by the 
Legislature to raise a naval detachment for service 
upon Lake Charaplain, and a few months later he 
took part in the disixstrous action fought upon this 
lake between the Uritish and American flotillas. 
After this affair Long Island Sound was his cruising- 
ground, and, besides capturing Judge Jones, we find 
him in May, 1777, and again in August of tlie same 
year, bringing a nundier of prizes into Black Kock 
Harbor. After the war Capt. Hawley resided in 
Bridgeport until his death, in 1807. He built on the 
corner of Water and Clilbert Streets the first brick 
house erected within the city limits. 

One of his neighbors was Stephen Hull, who wa.s 
one of the party that conducted the unfortunate Maj. 
Andr6 from the place where he was apprehentled, to 
Washington's headquarters. After the war Mr. Hull 
settled in Bridgeport, where he built a house on the 
corner of Main and Wall Streets, on the site of the 
building now owned and occupied by the Connecticut 
National Bank. 

Another neighbor was Major Benjamin Muirson 
Woolsey, whose home wsw on the east side of Main 
Street, a little north of the Bridgejiort National Bank. 
He wjus a Tory from Long Island, served during the 
war as an officer in the cavalry regiment called the 
Queen's Rangers, and was one of the pursuers of (Jen. 
Putnam, when the latter made his famous ride down 
the stone steps at Greenwich. At the close of the 
war he went to New Brunswick, where he held the 
rank of major in the militia, but subsequently re- 
turned and settled in Bridgeport, — or Newfield, as it 
was then calleil, — and engaged in the dry-goods and 
milling business. Major Woolsey received a i)ension 
— said to liavc been a crown a day — from the British 
government for his services. He died in 1818, aged 
about fifty-six years. 

Another royalist of note, referred to in the petition 
copied above, was David Mathews, the Tory mayor of 
New York, who in June, 177(i, was arrested for com- 
plicity in a plot for the a.ssassination of (Icn. Wiush- 
ington. More than a hundred and fifty Toricj-, many 
of them persons of wealth and good social ])osition, 
were concerned in this villainous .scheme, which was 
originated by Governr)r Tryon, then a refugee upon 
the British man-of-wur " Asia." Witshington once 
disposed of, in the opinion of the conspirators the 
dream of independence indulged in by the culunial 



leaders would be at an end. The royalists of the 
province would rise in a body, blow up the maga- 
zines, take possession of the fortifications around 
New York, and welcome the royal forces with open 
arms, while the colonial troops, confu.sed, disheart- 
ened, and without a leader, would either disband and 
return to their homes or fall an easy prey to their 
powerftil and well-disciplined enemy. Thus in course 
of a few weeks the rebellion would be crushed, the 
king would have his own again, royalists like Tryon 
would be recompensed for all their trials I'rom the 
confiscated estates of enemies of the Crown, while 
noted rebels like Hancock, Samuel Adams, and 
others would be either compelled to flee the country, 
or else reap the just reward of their treason. Such 
were the dreams of the conspirators, nor did they 
omit to take measures to carry them into action. 
Mayor Mathews, whose country-se^t wiis at Flat- 
bush, near the anchorage of the " Asia," was the 
messenger through whom Tryon communicated with 
the Tories in New York, while two of the soldiers at 
Washington's headquarters had been corrupted, and 
had agreed to abduct or murder their distinguished 
leader as might be most convenient. 

Just as the i)lot was ripe for execution it was dis- 
covered, and all the principal parties concerned in it 
save Tryon were arrested and tried before a military 
commission. Thomas Hiekey, a member of Wash- 
ington's body-guard, was found guilty, and on the 
28th <lay of June, 1776, was hung in the presence of 
several thousand spectators. It was the first military 
execution of the Kevolution, and the place where the 
gallows was erected Wiis a field in what were then the 
suburbs of New York, adjoining the camp of the bri- 
gade of Col. Huntington, of Connecticut. Mayor 
Mathews and twelve others were sent for safe keep- 
ing to Litchfield, Conn. Notwithstanding the serious 
nature of the accusation against him, his parole was 
taken, and he was allowed to re.side in the family of 
Major Moses Seymour, great-grandfather of Messrs. 
Edward W. and Morris W. Seymour, of this city. 
In the course of a few months Mathews violated his 
parole aii<l escaped to the British lines on Long 
Island, crossing the Sound by night, probably in a 
small boat putting out from this harbor. His e-scape 
led to the stationing of a guard at the harbor's nnmth, 
as already noted. 

The statement is sometimes made that Rev. Dr. 
Witlierspoon, of New Jersey, was the only clergy- 
man whose name was affixed to the Declaration 
of Independence, luit as residents of Bridgeport we 
imght to know that a nu'mber of the Continental 
Congress and a signer of that instrument wa.« in 
early life settled here in the work of the gospel min- 
istry. Lyman Hall, born at Wallingford, in this 
State, in 1724, and a graduate of Yale College in 
1747, was on Sept. 27, 174il, ordained in Stratfield, 
and settled over the church in that place, now the 



BRIDGEPORT. 



83 



meeting-houso on North Avfime often ro-cohoed the 
sound of his voice, ami upon the ohurcli reeords may 
lie seen Ills autop-aph, — an t'xiwt farsiiiii/e of th-M aji- 
]ien(led to the Declaration of Independence. .Mr. 
Hall remained iu Stratfield a litth' less than two 
years. He was dismissed June IS, 17ol, and |>roli:il>l> 
removtMl to Fairfield where, on the 2()th of May fol- 
lowing, he married Abigail, daughter of Thad<leus 
Burr, E.sq. Mrs. Hall died July S, IT'i:!. F(illowiiig 
is a copy of her epitaph : 

" Here liys buried the Body of 

Mrs. .\.big;iil Hall, 

wife of Lyman Hall, M. A., 

Daughter of Thaddeu.. Burr, E.-iq., 

died July 8th, 17S3, aged 24 years. 

Modest, yet free, with Innocence adorn'd, 

To ]de{ise and win by .\rt and Nature join'd. 

Benevolent and wise, in virtue firm. 

Constant in Friendship, in Iteligi<jn warm, 

A Partner tender, unafleeted kiml, 

.\ lovely form with a more lovely mind. 

The Scene of Life, tho' short, sli' improved so well. 

No charmers in human form cou'd more excell. 

t.'hrisfs Life her copy, His pure law her Guide, 

Eaeli pait she acted, perfected, and dy'd." 

Mr. Hall must htivo remained in Fairfield for some 
years after her detith, judging from several entries 
upon the town records, — viz.: 

" .\mos, a negro male cliild under care of Lyman Ilall, born June 7, 
1755. Died December 8, 175G." 

" Primus, a negro child under care of Lyman ITalt, itc, born .tunc 7, 
1757." 

The records of the County Court also show that Ly- 
man Hall, of Fairfield, as one of the executors of 
Thaddeus Burr, deceased, appeared as plaintift' in a 
hiwsuit, Feb. i;, 17.">S. 

Mr. Hall h;id many noble traits of character, and 
the hope expressed by the council in dismissing him 
from the ministry at Stratfield — that "a door of use- 
fulness might be opened to him elsewhere" — was sig- 
nally fulfilled. He emigrated to Georgia, and com- 
menced the practice of medicine in that remarkable 
New England culony which settled the parish of 8t. 
Johns. 

Early in the year 1775, impatient at the attitude of 
Georgia, which had for six months been hesitating 
anil vacillating whether to join the ntlier colonies iu 
the contest for liberty or to stand aloof, :ind had even 
refused to send representatives to the Continental 
Congress, the parish of St. Joliiis elected Dr. Lyman 
Hall as a delegate on its own account. He presented 
his credentials ;ind took his seat upon the l:itli >>( 
M:iy, so that "on that day Cougre.ss was composed nl 
the representatives of the twelve united colonies and 
Dr. Hall, the deputy for the parish of St. Johns." 

The patriotic spirit of this little community Iiad a 
salutary effect upon its neighbors, and in a .short time 
there were four representatives in Congress from 
Georgia, of whom Dr. Hall was one, and in this ca- 
jiacity in the following year he sidiscribed his name 



to the Declaration of Inde|>i'ndcni'e. ij] i-onnection 
with which it will go down to pi>sterity. 

His subsequent career can be summed u\> in a few 
worils. A reiiresentative in Congress until 17.S(», his 
property was confiscateil by the British when they 
occupied Georgia in 17S'-', and in the following year 
he was chosen Governnr of the State. He die<l in 
(')ctolier, 170O, aged about sixty-six, leaving a, gi>iid 
estate to his widow, his only s<in Intving died some 
time before. A few years ago the State of Gi'orgia 
erected a monument to his memory, and gave the 
handsome stone that had been ]ilaced over his grave 
soon after his decease, by hi- widow, to the town of 
Wallingford. Conn., where it now >tands. It bears 
the following inscription : 

" Beneath this stone 
rest the remains of 
THE UOXble LYMAN HALL, 
Formerly Governor of this St.-ite, 
Who departed tins life the 19th ..f October, 1790, 
In the 67th year of his age. 
To thee, so mourned in death, so loved in life. 
The childless parent and the widowed wife 
With tears inscribes this monumental stone 
That holds bis .-ishes and e.vpects her own." 

It is much to be regretted that a comi.ilete list of all 
the Kevolutionary s(ddiers from this place was not 
made at an earlier date, for the omission can now 
never be supplied. Below are mentioned what few 
names I have met with : 

FROM REl'ORllS OF FIRST CHURCH. 

Bennett, Thaddeus, captain, died .Ian. 21, 1777. >^ 
I'.nrronghs, Edward, lieutenant, died Sejit. U, 177(1, 

a't. 42. 

Fayerweathcr, Nathaniel, "died of smallpox in 
the army," December, 177S. 

French, Ichabod, died "in camp at New York," 
Sejitcmber, 177(!. 

Hawley, Maj. Aaron, .lied .Inly 2:'., lS(i:{. 

Lemon, George, "killed on idling Island," .Tilly, 
1781. 

Odell, Isaac, sergeant, died Feb. 22, 1S2(;. 

Seeley, Nathan, lieutenant, died Sept. 2'.', 1777. 

Sherwood, David, died Aug. 81. 1S2(;, a't. 72. 

Wells, David, "died in Cdiitinciital army," Octo- 
ber, 1777. 

MUSTEK-EOLL OF lIARBi.iR GUARD. 

This company was stationed upon rjurroiighs' wharf, 
at the foot of Stiite Street, as already noted. Follow- 
ing is a copy of its muster-roll in the year 1781 : 

0;;^'<^f7\s. — Lieutenant, William Hall; sergeant, 
Isaa<- I'atchin ; i-orporal, .loci Parish; clerk, Samuel 
I'^n'iudi. 

Enlhtcd Men. — IchalK.d !!( nrdsley, .losiali linrritt, 
Sherman liurritt, Seth Bulkley, 'I'homas (.'ooke, James 
Crawford, Elienezer Gregory, .Limes Greg(n-y, Wild- 
man Hall, Joseph Hawes, Ebenczer Hawdey, William 
Hubbidl, Lyman Knapp, .John Mclven/.ic, Salmon 
Patchen, John Fortcr. Denton Seeley, (iideon Wells, 
Zechariah Wheeler. 



84 



HISTORY OF FATRFIKLD COUNTY, CONXFCTTCUT. 



Another account mentions two additional members 
of this guard,— viz., Gideon Hawley and Elijah Peet. 
It is not likely that all of those who were members 
of the guard resided here except during their term of 
service. Some of them were uiidnuhtedly from other 
town.s. 

ADDITIOXAI. LIST. 

Most of the following are referred to incidentally 
in the valuable series of historical articles by the late 
Isaac Sherman, i)ublished in the Bridgeport Standard 
in April, 18()(). The names of some of the members 
of the "Householders," or home-guard, are included, 
though it is not likely that they saw much service: 

Beardsley, Abijah, ensign. 

Brothwell, Joseph, lieutenant in Householders. 

Rurroughs, Stcjihen, captain in Householders. 

Fairchild, Nathan. His wi(h)w was a i)ensioner. 

Gregory, Ezra, was a pensioner. 

Hamilton, James, lieutenant in Householders. 

Hawley, David, captain of privateer. 

Hubbell, Hezekiah, cajitain in Householders. 

Hubbell, Salmon, lieutenant; was at the battle of 
Stony Point, etc. 

Lacey, Daniel, cai>tain of coast-guards. 

Lacey, Josiah, captain in Continental army. 

Seeley, Nathan, lieutenant in Householders. 

Sherman, Isaac, died in tlie army, aged eigliteen. 

Sherman, David, member of Stratfield Train-Band. 

Sterling, .Vbijali, captain in Householders. 

Sterling, Stejdien, member of Stratlield Train-Baud. 

Strong, Joseph, clerk of Householders. 

AVordin, William, captain in Householders. 

EPITAPHS. 

{From the cfmetery on Park Arentte, tince removed to Mountain Grove 

C<*metery.) 

"Salmon llubbcU. 

Lieutenant 5tli Continontal Regiment, 

Borvod tlirougli tlie wliole Revolution. 

He Jied March 11, IKin, in lil» 7Cth year." 

"Justin Suiitli. 
Born, Springlield, Miuw., .June 21, 1755. 
Died lit Bridgeport Miircli 22, 1835, in 

tlio Sotii year of liift ngo. 

Ho wn« one of the few tluit periled nil 

in the cause of his country, through the 

dark times at Valley Torge to the peace 

of 1783, when he wan honorably discharged." 

■'Asa BoixJamin. 

Pled Aug. 17, ma, 

in the 70th year of litB age. 

A aoldler of tlie American Revolution." 

" J&mea Wakolee. 

.\ Revolutionary penxloner. 

Seri"oil 7 yean) and G nioB. 

for the Ittiorty of hl« country. 

Died June 3, 1829, lel. 74." 

" In memory of 

Benjamin Muinton Woolooy,* 

who died on the 17th day of January, 1813, 

aged 55 yra. and 11 m06." 



" Dr. Junies Eaton Beach. 

Born in Cheshire, Ct., a.d. 1702. 

Died Feb. 21, 183s, ret. 76. 

In his youth he took an active part in the 

RevoluUonnry content. A friend to education, 

and for more than :10 yeara Deacon in the 

1st Congregational Cliureli." 

(From the old SlralHeU Cenieleri/, on North Aretiae.) 

" In memory of 

Mr. Edward Hurroughs, 

who departed this life 

Sept, 14, 177G, in the 42d year of his age. 

Glory with all her lamps shall burn 

And watch the warrior's Bleeping clay. 

Rest his dear sword beneath his head: 

Round him his faithful arms shall stand 

The guards and honours of our land." 

" M^jor Aaron Ilawley 

in his turn received the shaft of death 

.July 2l8t. 1803, 

in the fi;ld year of his age, 

and was here dejwsited in hopes of a glorious resurrection. 

Man wants but little, nor that little long: 

How soon must ho resign his very dust. 

Which frugal nature lent him for an hour!" 

ANECDOTES OF GENERAL WASHINGTON. 

Reference has already been made to the fact that 
Geu. Washington several times jiassed through Strat- 
field by the old stage road, now North Avenue. One 
of these occasions was in 1775, when on his way to 
Boston after having been appointed commander-in- 
chief of the American army. Rev. Dr. Ripley, pastor 
of the Congregational Church in Green's Farms, 
mounted his horse and joined the cavalcade. "They 
stojijied at Bulkley's Inn, in Fairfield, and I think 
dined there. After ])a.«sing from the hou.se, and while 
standing in front of it, waiting for their horses, Wash- 
ington, continuing his conversation on public affairs, 
pa.ssed his finger through the button-hole of the doc- 
tor's coat, and said that if the Americans could pro- 
long the contest for one year they woubl ultinuitdy 
succeed, because by that time arms and ammunition 
could be obtained and they would be invincible. Dr. 
Ripley was a man of commanding presence, — of tall, 
athletic, and dignified frame. His fine countenance 
beamed with intelligence and kindness, ami yet there 
was something in his look which gave a.ssurance of 
unyielding firmness. I think it would be difiicult to 
find two men who would be a finer subject for a 
painter than those two patriots communing together 
under such intertrsting circumstances. The doctor 
accompanied Crcii. Washington to Stratford Ferry. "t 

It may have been upon this occasion, as has been 
said, that Washington, accompanied by Maj.-(ien. 
Lee, Major Thomas MifHin, and Sanuiel Griffin, aides- 
de-camp, halted at Nichols' tavern, in Stratfield, 
for refreshment, occupying the southeast corner room 
as their parlor. Aiiotlier version of the incident, per- 
haps the correct one, is that Washington stopped in 
Stratfield in March, 17S1, when on hjs way to meet 
Count Rochambeau at Xewjiort. 



* A rojallit ofllcA see pagoa 82 and r 



t Sproguc's Antmls of American Pulpit. 



BRIDGEPORT. 



So 



Still anotlicr interesting anecdote connected with 
Washington's j)rogress through this ]iart of the 
country used to he related hy a daughter of Ueorge 
Benjamin, Mrs. Alice Thompson, of Stratford, who 
died in May, lsiI2, aged nearly ninety-eight years. 
She was eleven years of age in 177-'i, and nniy have heen 
about thirteen or fourteen when she saw Washington. 
On that occasion she with other girls was ]iieking 
berries on the banks of the Housatonic, near the 
ferry, when su<ldenly a cry was heard that suldiers 
were crossing the river, and presently an officer witli 
a nund)er of others landed and asked the ferryman to 
direct them to the tavern. He replied, " Yonder is 
the tavern-keejier's daughter," and, calling Alice, 
bade her show Gen. Lafayette the way to her father's 
house. She walked beside his Imrse im their way to 
the village, Lafayette talking to her in liis charming 
broken English, telling her of his children, and ask- 
ing her if she would not like to gn tn france with 
liim to see them, t Mi riaehing home she f.iuiid that 
(ten. Washington had arrived by the western road. 
Her mother, thus unexpectedly called upon to pro- 
vide dinner for two such distinguished guests, would 
have apologized for her fare, but was reassured by 
Washington, who t(ild her that all he wanted was 
simjile food, and that what was gudd enougli for her 
family was good enough for him. Mrs. Benjamin 
hap])ened to have some jiotatoes, — then a great rarity, 
— and Alice obtained leave to place them upon the 
talile. In doing this she stepped between Washing- 
ton and Lafayette, when the former, j)lacing his hand 
on her head and turning her face towards him, asked 
her name, and after some other questions told her to 
be a good girl and gave her his blessing. It may 
easily be believed that she never forgot the circum- 
stance. 

On a tour made by Pre.sident Washington through 
New England after the war, in October, 17.Sy, he is 
.said to have halteil and asked for a drink from the 
well of the old Seeley house, which is still standing 
on Xorth Avenue, a short distance from Island Brook 
Bridge. At that time Capt. Alison Benjamin was 
living in West Stratford, in a house which may still 
be seen, about half-way down the western slope of 
Old Mill Hill. This Capt. Benjamin built a sloop of 
forty-five tons burthen, called the "Hunter, of Berk- 
shire," in a field south of the road, just ojiposite his 
own door, although no water was in sight. It was 
nearly comjdeted when Washington passed, and, sur- 
prised at the sight, he alighted, went over to the place, 
and questioned the workmen as to how they expected 
to get the vessel to the water. In re]ily they told him 
that strong ways were to be built beneath the craft to 
.serve as a .sled, upon which, when winter came, it 
could glide down hill to the creek (a branch of Yellow 
Mill stream, fully a quarter of a mile away), and with 
the spring it would settle through the ice into the 
water, — a plan which was subsequently carried into 
effect. 



CHAPTER X. 

BRIDGEPORT Coutinuedi. 

Nowficld Stjjri-s iu ITfiO — NewfieUl Yerry diartered, ami Main ami State 
Streets wideueU, 17S7 — Act establishing Lottery Bridge, 1791 — Stratf.ird 
Aveiiiio laid out, and tlie first Newspaper establisbe<l in 17'.to— Cini.tus 
-\dvertisenients from the Ajnerkan Tdegraphe — Tragical Fate of Wilson 
Hid>l)ell— Incorporation of the Borough of Bridgeport, Isoo— (^lJly of 
the Petition and List of Signatures — St. Jttlin's and the Congregational 
Churches removed to Bridgeport — Founding of the first Methotlist 
Church in New England — The Bridgepon Bankincorjiorated — Pe>crjp- 
tion of the Borough in 1810— Incidents of the War of 1.S12— Recei>tion 
of Oen. Lafayette — The Town of Bridgeport set olf, 1S21, and the City 
incor[)orated. May, 1S3G. 

Zachahiah Lacf.y, a Kevolutionary veteran and 
grandfather of Mr. R. B. Lai-i'y. used to sav that lie 
well remembered the time in his bnyhooil when there 
was not a single dwelling-house on either -\i\r nf the 
river within that ])art of Bridgeport now oecujiieil fcir 
bii-iiii'ss ]iuri)oses.* There were, however, two shan- 
ties mi the shore, near the jiresent intersection of State 
and AVater Streets, one of them owned by Cajit. 
Stephen Burroughs, Sr.. ami the other by Aaron 
Hawley. There was no wharf, vessels being laden 
anil unladen in the stream by boats nr bv teams 
driven out into the water. This was between the 
years ITtitl and 170."). It is evident, however, from the 
petition for a harbor-guard in the preceding chapter, 
that Xewtield. as the jilace was called, had begun to 
increase a little in size before the Revolution, and 
alter the close of the war it developed rapidly in im- 
portance. There was then no bridge across the I'e- 
quonnock below the head of tide-water, which was 
where the old stage road, now called Xorth .\venue, 
crosses the river. Xear this bridge was the .store of 
Philip Nichols, estalilished before the Revolution. 

In May, 1787, the following resolution was ]iassed 
by the Connecticut Legislature: 

■■ t poll report of a committee api>ointed in Jl.ay last, which is now ac- 
. ej.teil and approved, resolved liy this Assenihly that the town of Strat- 
ford he and they are hereby Impowered and allowed t^i keep and main- 
lain a [niMic Ferry in said town, acrt)!.s llie Creek or Harbour called New 
Field Harbour, from the Jtoint of land called New I'asture Point, below 
TobyV Ware, to the opposite shore of said IniiUmr oi creek, to and oa 
the land of Aaron Hawley, about ten rods south of said Ilawley's dwell- 
ing-house, anil that two sufficient Boats shall be constantly kept, one on 
eiudi side of said C'reek, plying from shoi e to shore as occjision may re- 
quire, at the places aforesaid, during the pleasure of this Assembly, all 
subject txj the same regulations that other F'enies in this Stale are by 
Law subjected to." 

The western te.nninus w;is near the jiresent foot of 

Union Street and the following were the legal rates of 

fare : 

Each man, hoi-se, and load 4 cents anii 2 mills. 

Each footman 2 cents and 1 mill. 

Each led horse 2 cents and S mills. 

Ejich o.\ or other neat-kine o cents and o nulls. 

Each sheep, swine, or goat 1 cent. 

With such a tariff it must have soiiietimes been a diffi- 
cult matter to make change. 

Whether Benjamin's Brid.sri' — now called Yellow 
Mill Bridge — had been built at this time, the writer 

I * Municipal Register for 1877, p. 308. 



86 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



d<30s not certainly know. Ilr \v.i< been told that it 
had not, and that jiasscngers by this ferry, if bound 
to Stratford, were oblijred to take boat again across 
the eastern arm of the harbor; but of this there is no 
mentiou in the act. 

PETITION FOU A BKIDGE. 

It is obvious that this mode of travel must have 
been very inconvenient, and in May, 1791, Robert 
Walker, of Stratford, and others petitioned the Legis- 
lature for authority to establish a lottery to raise the 
funfis necessary to build a bridge across Newfield 
Harbor. At that time this was a favorite metliod of 
raising money for ])ublic improvements. Nor wa.s the 
purcha.se or the sale of lottery tickets even at a later 
period regarded as disreputable by the best peojile in 
the commonwealtli. 

In response to the i)etiti((ii the .\sseinbly apiioiiited 
Messrs. James Davenport, .lohn (^handler, and .lona- 
than Ingersoll a committee, with the following in- 
structions : " To view the [dace w'here the petitioners 
propose to build a bridge, and make an estimate of 
the expense, and to determine what kind of bridge it 
will be i)roper to build, and report to this Assembly." 

The committee rei>()rted favorably, and in October, 
1791, the following resolution was passed. The origi- 
nal may be found at Hartford in one of the ponderous 
manuscript vcdumes containing the public acts: 

ACT ESTABLISniSO LOTTEKY BRIDGE. 

"Upon petition of Koborl Wallier and otlior itibubitantft of the town 
Of Stratford, and Jonatlian Stuiges, Tliaddcus Burr, Andrew Rowland, 
an<l otlier inliabitant^ of liie town of Kairfield, in Fairfield County, show- 
ing to (his A.'«end)ly tliat the road from the town of Stratford to the town 
of Fairfield tlil-ough a village called Old Mill is alniut nine miles, and hy 
reason d tlie rocks, liills, and other l>iul ijuarters of said road, tlie same 
is extremely ineommmliotis to traveling in general, and particularly to 
tho public stage, anil that another roiul leading from said Stratfonl to 
said Fairfield through a place called New Field is three miles shorter and 
capable of being an cxtreniely good and pleasant road and very coniniu- 
diouB to tlio public, but that by reason of the intervention of an arm of 
the sea across said road at Newfield the sjune cannot bo rendered con- 
venient without a bridge at said New Field across said arm of the sea, 
and that the sjiid town <»f Stratford, to which said village of Newfield 
belongs, is unable to oroct said bridge at their own expense ; praying for 
liberty to raiw; a sum of money to btiild said bridge by Lottery, as per 
petition on file, etc., — 

"lte»olved by this Assembly, that liberty be and the same Is hereby 
granted to the peUtioners for the sotting up a lottery for the purpose of 
raising a sum of fifteen hundred jionnds lawful money; and that the 
moneys sii to l>e raised shall be appnipriatetl to the pui^iose of building 
said bridge ; which sjiid bridge shall contain therein a dniw or dmw- 
britlge over tlie most convenient place in the channel, of twenty-four feet 
In width, and shall Im cc»mpleted in every respect and coniinodioua for 
tliu public; and that John IteiOaniin, .\mos Hilbl.ell, John Thompeon, 
Josiati Ijicey, David Burr, and Daniel Sfilmon (?), or any of tbeni not less 
tlian four, lie and they hereby are appointed managers of said lottery, 
and fully autborixed to establish a scheme or schemes of said lottery, to 
consist of one or more class or classes, make sale of the tickets and cidlect 
Ibo money arising therefrom. 

"Pmvlded they do within three months after tho rising of this Assem- 
bly lodge with the treasurer of tills SUite a bond |u\yablo to said treas- 
urer or his successors in said idtice, wiUi one or more surelics, to be ap. 
proved of by said treasurer in the i>eual sum of three thousand pounds 
lawful money, ctuidilioneil for the faithful management of said lotterj-, 
payment itf the prtKeisIs, and that the money so raised be faithfully a|>- 
plied to the building said bridge, and that the sold Itridge be erected and 
completed by the 1st day of DuqfUilter, 1793, and that the wile of said 
tickets shall not commence before the first day of July next" 



The t astern extremity of Lottery Bridge was that 
of the |ircsent lower bridge, Init on the west it ex- 
tended nearly to what is n^w the foot of AVall Street, 
and some traces of the abutments which supported it 
could until recently be seen there under the dock at 
low tide. It had a draw, parting in the middle and 
raised by jiullcys on either side, but must have been 
very poorly built, as within three years' time it needed 
repairing. About the year l.HIM, while undergoing 
further repairs, the whole structure gtive way, and, 
tipping over to the southward, fell into the water, 
where it remained, a melancholy ruin, for a number 
of years. 
' Benjamin Hall, of Stratford, and afterwards Abel 
' Hall, Jr., and Elijah Btirritt, were given permis.«ioii 
to re|>air it by the Legislature, but failed to improve 
the grant, and in 1807 Salmon Hubbell and others 
rebuilt the bridge, or rather built a new one, — the 
present Bridgeport or lower bridge, — with western 
terminus farther up stream, at the foot of Fairfiebl 
Avenue. 

In .lamiarv, 17S7, Josiali Lacev, of Newfield, 
Nathan Seelev, of Danbury, and David Burr, of Fair- 
field, were appointed a committee by the Fairfield 
County Court to lay out and widen the highways now 
known as Main Street and State Street. Tlie former 
is designated in the cimimittee's rejiort, dated .\pril 
13, 1787, as "the road at the foot of (Joblc-n Hill," and 
the latter as "the road from the dwelling-house of 
the Widow Eunice Hubbell, near the stores at New- 
field, to the town-line between Stratford and Fair- 
field." The following persons are stated by the report 
to have sustained damages by the alterations made : 

£ s. d. 

Aaron llawley 20 2 9 

The Indians, or natives at Golden Hill 14 

Rev. It<d>ert Ross I 2 U 

James II. .yt- G 5 

I'hilip Nichols 3 10 

Ebenezer Whitney 15 

Am.« llulii.ell 19 6 

William Peet 10 

John Hubbell 7 6 

Widow Eunice Hubbell 12 

Nathan I lilell IS 15 U 

William Wonlin 3 14 4 

Benjamin llnbbell 9 

llenjaliiin Wheeler 8 

Wiliiiun Hubbell 12 

03 3 T 

The report in full, with notes explanatory by H. B. 
Lacey, Estp, may be tbund on jiage 228 of the " Mu- 
nicipal Register" of l?ridge]Mirt for 1874. 

Ill October, 179.'), William HiTron and Eli Mygatt 
were api(oint«Hl by the ( Jeneral .\s,senibly a committee, 
with instructions " to view the great road leading from 
Dragon Bridge, between East Haven and New Haven, 
through New Haven, Milford, Stratford, Fairfield, 
Norwalk, Stamford, and (ireenwich, to Ryram River, 
and to make and lay out any neces.sary alterations in 
said road." Following is an extract from their report, 
dated Oct. 20, 179(5. on file at the State-house, in Hart- 
ford. The paragraph relates to the first opening of 
the street now known as Stratford Avenue, in Eiust 
Bridgeport. Previous to this time the stage road had 



BRIDGEPORT. 



87 



lolliiwrd tlie shore around the extrenie cikI nl' ihe 
]Miint. — ;i route sometiiues iiiipMssiilih' at hi^li water: 

" Tlie alteratiune between ^ewfield Briflge and Benjamin's Bridge al'6 j 
grounded on the necessity of avoiding or shunning tlie road now trav- 
eled, under tlie banli wliere tlie tiile flows, which rcmlei-s it at times im- ' 
passjible, tu the detriment of travelers; being likewise very <;ruoked, 
wdiich is niiw remedied by a straight line on good ground through Asa 
Benjamin's rope-walk. Twenty rods of the south part thereof must be 
taken up and shifted to the north end, together with his wheel-house, 
which is thirty feet in length, and subjects him to the necessity of pur- 
chasing a lot of laud of about seven acres at an extravagant price, beside 
the expense of taking up the rope-walk.' 



news and editorial columns of the Trh-ijntfihi- rontain 
very little that is interesting at tlic iirocnl day. Tlie 
advertisements, on the eontrary, are nltrn very cnter- 
tainiufT, and I have thoujrht it wovtii while to copy 
quite a nuinber of tlieiii as illustiatiiiu:, iiuich better 
than eould be done in any cither way, the customs and 
the busine.ss of the plaee at tlie lieL:iiiiiiiin- of the 
present eentury : 

ADVEKTISEMKXTS FKO.ll TllK " TEDXatAl'llE." 



and 
iija- 



The committee recommended that three huiidr 
thirty dollars damages should lie paid to Asa 
mill by the town of Stratford. 

Their report was accepted by the .Vssenibly, and a 
resolution passed making the road, as recoinineiided, 
"an open public highway." Lilierty was also given 
to Stratford to set U]i ;i toll-gate at Lottery Bridge, in 
Newfield, for the support of that and of Benjamin's 
Bridge, which was accordingly done in 17'.i'.', .lolm 
Thompson, Amos Hnbliell, and Thaddeiis Benedict 
being the commissioners. 

In (.)ctober, IT'.l", an act was jiassed by the Legisla- 
ture authorizing the inliabitants of Newfield to meet 
annually at the school-house on the first Monday in 
December to choose for firemen twenty-five men liv- 
ing within the limits of Xewfield. Power was also 
given the village to make regulations for better j)ro- 
tection against fire, and to impose penalties not ex- 
ceeding ten dollars in case of their violation. A fire- 
engine and a number of fire-buckets had already liecn 
purchased by subscription. 

In the following year another resolution of similar 
tenor was passed by the Assembly, which is interest- 
ing because it defines the limits of Xewfield Village. 
These were briefly as follows: Beginning at Welles 
Tongue, and foUowing the river to the imrtlieast cor- 
ner of the Indian Lot, a short ilistanee above the 
jiresent horse-railroad bridge ; thence crossing to Main 
Street and following the line of Washington Avenue 
over ( ioldeii Hill to a stone bridge across Cedar t'reek, 
not very far from where St. John's church now stands ; 
thence southeastwardly through the fields to the start- 
ing-|iiiiiit. 

Tlie lirst newspaper published in Newfield or 
Bridgeport was the Auun-inui Tiliiiriijihi- mnl Fnirfirlil 
County (Tii:i-tti\ which was commenced in IT'.I") and 
issued weekly by Lazarus Beach, who came here from 
Redding and carried on the business of printer, Imok- 
seller, and stationer on the corner of Wall and Water 
Streets, opposite the old Washington Hotel. It was 
printed ujion what would now lie called fair wrapping- 
pa]ier and ciiiailated aliout eight hundred co]iies, 
which were distributed by means of post-riders 
throughout the wdiole of Fairfield County. Tlie siili- 
scriptioii price was one (Uillar and a half per aiiiiinii, 
and it continued to lie issued by Mr. Beach and his 
successor, Samuel Mallory, for nearly ten years. 

The art of reporting is quite a modern one, and the 



FOR .S.\I,E. 

A healthy Negko CfIKL, 14 years of age. 
Enquire of the Primer. 
Newfield, Sept. 6, 1796. 

Nf7vfield, May 18. 1796. 
De Foreft's 

CASH STORE. Refilfju/htd. 
This day received a ziery large fupply 0/ Fajhionable goods, fuitabU 
to tJu/ea/on, among 7vkich are 

AVERY handfome affurtmeiu nf the iiuifi f.il liic.nable. fiiperfiiic Broad 
Cloths. — Caffimeres of a variety uf colour'^ — Nankeens, clouded, 
plain and ftriped. — Calicoes and Chint?es, as thc.ip as ever before 
known; nutwithftandini; the almofl iiniverfal cry i.l " j^ooWs are dear 
this faring." — A large affurtmem of ^ilks, fuch ;ix black and coloured 
lutefiring, taffety, mode, perfian, fatlin, itc. &C- a>. cheap at retail, as 
in New York or Hofton ; I ho/e ladies ivho can ivith eonz'entence ride 
to Nev'/ield, ivill o/tener he plc'i/ed in choofing/or ihent/eh-es, than 
in leaving it to the choice of fame taftle/s captain 0/ a packet boat. — 
Veft Patterns of the neweft and moft approved fafhions — Ribbands a 
great variety. — Nankeens, fix yard pieces, by the bundle or lefs quan- 
tity. — Long and fhort white kid Gloves. — Men's Silk. Cotttmand Plated 
Hofe. — Ladies white cotton do. — Dimities — Janes — Fuftians — Furniture 
Calico. — Shawls — White Fringe — Laces & edgings — Jaconet and book 
Muflins — Shirting do. — Bandanoes by the piece or fingle — Ladies and 
Gentlemen's Hats. 

A very handfome affortment of Jewelry fncli as Beads, Ear-rings, 

Breaft-pins, Watch-chains, Watch-keys, Dead watches, &c. Berga- 

mot — Lavender — Hair-Powder — Tooth- Powder, &c. 

LOOKING GLASSES. 

HARDWARE and CUTLERY of all kinds— SPADES— STEEL. 

CKOCKERV, a general affortment. 

PATENT LAMPS by the dozen or fingle. very low indeed. — Tea 
boards & fervers — Bread Bafkets. 

RUM and WINES by the barrel or lefs quantity— BRANDY. 

Cheiry RUM, a cheap good liquor for taverns. 

Loaf, Lump and Brown SUGARS, at New- York prices. — Chocolate 
& Coffee. — Hyfon, Suchong and Bohea Teas. — Raifins — Pepper — Al- 
spice — Ginger — Nutmegs by the quarter pound or fingle. 

MOLASSES — PLUG and PAPER TOBACCO, wholefale and re- 
tail. 

Flotong and Carolina INDIGO. 

Ladies and Gentlemen who are in want of dry goods, may depend on 
having at all times a large affortment to pick out of, and un the moft 
rcafonable terms, at the ftore of their obedient fervant, 

Daviii C. De Forefl. 



More GOODS!! 

LAMBERT LOCKIVOOD, 

Pleafed with the effects of the Mi.tto, 

" Cheap Cafk STORE!' 

U'ISHES also to come forward with his mite,/r<? bono publico — 
Should any one scruple his sincerity in the cause, he humbly in- 
vites fuch to give him an opportunity of convincing them by ocular 
dcmonftration — and fliould they then find his old prices fuflnciently re- 
duced, and the packages now before him, and to be displayed for their 
infpection ; to confifi o^/ea/onable ,/re/k and good Goods, and felected 
with as much "^ ta/te and pa^oJiate attention" as any -whatever ; why 
then, he also may hope in the eftablifhment of a C A s H Sto R H. — His 
articles and qualities in the different branches of country merchandize 



88 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



now opening, are many and varying. An inventory of which, would 
be too voluminous for a Newfpaper already fo crowded, that with diffi- 
culty thi<i curt:iitcd piece is promifed admiffion. 
Ncwfield, May 18, 1796. 



WANTED. 

A few tons good English Hay, for which cafh will be paid on delivery. 
Enquire of the Printer. 



WILLIAM EATON, 

IS under the ncccflity of calling on all Pcrfons indebted to him, to 
oblige him by making payment, previous to the firft day of July 
next ; as he wifhes to carry on buftnefs in a different line after that time, 
and will then be much in want of money. 

HE HAS FOR SALE, 

ROCK SALT, COD FISH, 

GURRIE for tanners and curriers, and a fupply of new Superfine and 

common FLOUR. AIf.>. Wcfi India, Hardware and Dry GOODS as 

ufual. 

N. B. He will p... J bufhcls of OATS, if delivered within 

ten days. Newfield, May 18, 1796. 

t^r The Sloop ELIZA, John Curtis, Mafter, will fail for Albany, and 
other places on the North River, on Saturday next — for freight or paf- 
fage :M'pt>' to Hull and Lyon, or the mafter on board. 

I OST on the 27th of April, a lightifh coloured GREAT COAT, no 
*-^ buttons on it except three on the cape. 
Enquire of the Printers. 

7o be Sold^ Cheap for Cafh, 

An elegant New 

Chaife, aiul ilarnefs, 

Compleat. Enquire at this office. 

FOR SALE, 
A very good Saddle and Carriage 

HORSE. 

Enquire of the Printers. 

RICHARD HUHBELL & SON, 

Have for sale 500 bushels fust quality Anguilla Salt, which they will ex- 
change for all kinds of Country produce at the highest market. 

R. HUBBELL & SON. 
Newfield, Dec. 30, 1796. 

MOLASSES, Salt and Chocolate for sale by 
J. & D. FAYERWEATHER. 
Newfield, De«. 14, '96. 

JOURNEYMEN 

and Apprentices wanted at the rope-making business by 

I'WII' OSBORNE. 
Newfield, Nov. 30, i7q6. 



CURTIS & RUSS, 

Cabinet makers, have taken the room south of the Telegraphe printing 
office, and over the store of Mr. Charles Nichols ; where ladies and gen- 
tlemen m.iy be supplied with all kinds of Cabinet work on the shortest 
notice and most reasonable terms. Wanted, Journeymen and appren- 
tices at the above business. 

CURTIS & RUSS. 
Newfield, Dec. 7, '96. 

WANTED IMMEDIATELY. 

A few loads of Hogshead and Barrel hoop poles. For good barrel 
poles eight shillings per hundred will be paid by 

ROU^RT LINUS. 
Newfield, Dec. 7, '96. 

CASH paid for RAGS, at the Telegraphe Office. 



RAN away from the fubfcriber fomciime laft month, a Negro flavc, 
named Sampfon. All pcrfons arc forbid harboring or trufting him, and 
all maficni of vcffcis are forbid carrying him away on |>cnatty of the law. 
^ JAMES DUNNING. 

Huntingdon, Oct. 31, 1798. 



yu/t Publi/hed, and/or /ale at the /tore 0/ Salmon Hubbetl, at Nev/- 
field: 

A SCHOOL DICTIONARY, 
Being a Compendium of the lateft and most Improved 

DICTIONARIES. 

Comprising an Eafy and Concife Method of teaching Children the true 

meaning and pronunciation of the moft ufeful words in the 

ENGLISH LANGUAGE. 

Wcbflcr's fpclling-books. 

By the dozen or fingle. 

For fale at this office. 

TAKE NOTICE. 

Ran away from the subscriber on the 3rd instant a Negro Woman 
named Candacc, about 20 years of age. She is slim built, yellowish com- 
plexion, middle size, slim face ; carried with her a light chintz gown, 
brown flannel short gown, black skirt, and had on when went away a 
black beaver hat, and a light chintz shawl. It is supposed she is under 
convoy of some negro man. 

Whoever will secure her and give information, or return her shall have 
Five dollars reward and charges paid by 

PHILO NORTON. 

Newtown, Nov. 5, 1798. 



"O Ati away from the fubfcribers two apprentice boys, one named 
■*-^ Wakeman Holberton, about fcvcnteen years of age, an appren- 
tice to the Houfc joiners bufinefs. The other named Benjamin Curtis, 
about the fame age, an apprentice to the fhoemaking bufinefit. The 
abovementioncd boys were feen ycfterday morning fteering wefiward 
and it is fuppofed they have gone to New-York. Whoever will appre- 
hend faid boys and return them to their mafters fhall receive fix cents 
for each, but no charges paid. All pcrfons arc forbid harboring or 
irufting faid boys, on penalty of the law. 

NATHANIEL ELLS. 
JOSEPH BOOTH. 
Newfield, June lu, iSoo. 



A 



Wanted to Purchafe 

Quantity of good FLOUR BAHREIN, for which Oifh will be 
paid, as usual, at the Yellow Milt, by 

BENJAMIN M. WOOLSEY. 
Who wifhes to take two fmart, active Lads as apprentices to the 
flouring bufinefs. 

Newfield, May 9, 1800. 



WANTED IMMKDIA TEL Y. 

nan Cabtnct-NLikcr, one 
find good wagcK by applying to 



A Journeyman Cabtnct-NLikcr, one who is a firfi rate workman, will 



Wm. H. PEABODV. 



For Sale, 

THAT beautiful fituation, laic the property of Thaddeus Benedict, 
Efq., dec'd, fituaie at Newfield landing, near the bridge, and 
adjoining the public houfc lately kept by Ifaac Hinman, containing 
fifty five rods of ground under the fincft improvement and cultivation 
as a garden, with a large and elegant dwelling houfc and out houfes 
ftanding thereon ; all in excellent order. The writer will not attempt 
a dcfcripiion of its beauties and conveniences in an adveriifcmcnt — he 
will only obferve, that for plcafantnefs of fituation, and convenience to 
tranfact bufinefs of any kind, it has not its fuperior in the village of 
Newfield. An indifputabic title will be given (by William Benedict 
and Deborah Benedict) and poffcffion given immediately if required. 

WILLIAM BENEDICT. 

Newfield. June 28, 1800. 

N. B. The dwelling houfc has excellent accomodations for a ftore or 
tavern. 



BRIDGEPORT. 



89 



Victory Wetmore, 

Hasju/t receh't-d a frefh fitppiy of 

Patent Medicine. 

amongft which (in adiiition to his former alTartment) are: 
T^OCTUR Solumon's celebrated KALM of GILEAD, 
^-^ Doctor Church's Tiiicuirc for cure of the I'ooth ach, 

Docior Wheaton's Jaiimiice Bitters, which is highly recommended 
in all Jaundice and Billious complaints. 

Ditto's Ilch Ointment, which is warranted lo cure the Itch, and to 
contain neither Brimftone or Mercury in the compotition. 

Doctor Church's Extract of Muftard for the cure of the Rheumatism. 

Patent Sago, &c. &c. 

Stratford, Dec. 21, 1801. [eow. 



Lyman Smith, 
Clock and Watch MakI'K, Silver Smith, and Jeweler. 
TO ESPECTFULLY informs his friends and the public, that he h.as 
■'-^ taken the fhop lately occupied by Nathaniel Wade, where he 
makes moft articles usual in his line of business ; such as (luld diamond 
t"p'd ear-rings, Gold Beads, Lockets, Finger Rings of every descrip- 
tion ; Tea and Table spoons, Soup ladles, &c., Sc. Clocks and 
Watches repaired. Those who will favor him with their cuflom, may 
depend on punctuality and dispatch. 

Bridgeport, March 23, 1802. (12 t. f.} 

Stop the Thief. 
A Negro man of a fmall size, called Henry Jackson, brought up in 
-^*- New York ; may be known by a fear acrofs his left eyebrow ; 
very meanly dreffed, fhort blue jacket and pantaloons ; no pack. He 
has lately been in New Haven goal for theft; makes it his practice to 
hire out, then fieal and run away, as he h is done from me, although 
I procureii his release from prison, and was bound to me for two years. 
He left me on Faft day the 16th instant. Whoever will take up the 
Negro and fecure him in any goal and give fpeedy notice, or deliver 
him to the fubfcriber in Woodbury, Ihall be handfomely rewarded and 
all necessary charges paid by 

SAMUEL WALKER. 
Woodbury, April 19, 1802. 

'Ill e following articles are ivanted, for 7i>hich Ca/h'^vill be 

paid^ at the i'rinting- Office^ Bridgeport. 

Potatoes, parfnips, Dried Apples, and Cheefe. 
Bridgeport, April 6, 1802. 

Garden Seeds 
FOR SALE AT THIS OFFICE. 
Bridgeport, April 6. 



NEW GOODS. 

CHEAP rttR READY PAY. 
*" I " H E Subscriber offers for fale the following; Blue, black, Corbo.and 
■^ cinamon superfine Broad cloths— second quality, do. — blue, brown, 
and mixed low priced do. — Black, blue, mixt, ftriped and plain Carsey- 
mears ; — Red, black, green, and white Flannels ; — Frizes .—black and 
olive Fancy Cords; Swansdowns and Satin Vefl patterns — lirown Hol- 
land, Buttons, Silk, Twift,&c. 

The Tailoring business carried on as usual— and every f.ivoiir thank- 
fully acknowledged. Those who are indebted to the fubfcriber for 
Goods, whose accounts are due by agreement, are requefted to make 
immediate pay to prevent cofi, ami oblige their Humble Servt. 

SAMUEL BURR. 
Bridgeport, Nov, 30, iS'..3. 

NKW GOODS. 

•T^HE fubfcriber has juft received from New-York and for fale, a very 
-*- handfome afforiment of Summer GOODS, which he will sell very 
low for Cafh or fhort approved credit. — Likewise, a few Hhds. of Rum 
and MolafTes. 

ENOCH FOOT. 
N. li. All perfons indebted to said Foot whofe accnvnits are due by 
agreement, are requelied to call and fettle the fltme without delay. 



JESSE STERLING, 

HAS juft received a general affortment of GROCERIES, viz. 
HRANDY.oflhefirftandsecond quality— RUM and GENEVA. 
MADtiKA, PoKT, Sherky. and Malaga WINES Hyson, Yoimg 
Hyson, Souchong and BoheaTeas. Loaf. Lump, and Brc)wn SUGARS. 
Spanish Indigo — Copperas — .A Hum, Poland Starch, M.icknboy and 
Scotch SNUFF; Paper, hand, and Roll Tobacco. Rice ; Cotton ; Bar 
& fhaving soap. Likewise Powder & Shot. 

Together with a new and fafhionable affortment of CLoTHS, suit- 
able for the seafon, confifting of Superfine black, blue, mi.vt & drab 
Broadcloths, Combo, do. Black, blue, and white Caffameers. London 
brown, Mixt and Snuflf coloured Coatings. Flannels, of all colours and 
descriptions. Chintzes, of a new and elegant fiaure. Cheap Callicoes, 
Huinhunis, Cotton and Linnen Checks. Durants, Callimancoes ; Bum- 
bazett ; Camel-hair fhawls.of a superior quality, ChiTitz and Cotton, do. 
Bandannas, silk and pocket handkerchiefs. Ribbons : Ladies .Silk and 
Kid Gloves. Gentlemen's Silk and worfted Hose. Camhrick Muslins ; 
Dimities, &c. &c. 

ALSO a general affortment of CABINET FURNI'lUR E and CUT- 
LERY, where Carpenters and Joiners can be supplied with any tools 
whatever, in the line of their business. The above articles will be ^old at 
a low price, for cafh, credit, or country produce. 

Bridgeport, Nov. 23, 1S03. 



FOR THE PUBLIC. 

'~y^O BE LET at Public Vendue on the 31ft day of infl. December, at 4 
-*■ o'clock, afternoon, at the House ol Benjamin Boftwrck, in Bridge- 
port, the Toll or Lottery Bridge, so called for the term uf one year, 
commencing on the ift. day of Janu.iry, 1804. and ending on the laft 
day of Dec. 1804. Conditions on which said Bridge is to be let will be 
made known at the aforesaid time and place. 

JOSIAH LACEY 1 

SALMON HUBBELL ' Comm'rs. 
JOHN THOMPSON j 
Bridgeport, December 12, 1803. 



B 



HUM HUMS, 

Y the Piece or Yard, — a large tupply now opening ; — alfo a gen- 
eral atTortnient of feafonable GOODS, for fate by 

BURRITT & SHERMAN. 
Bridgeport, Nov. 26, 1803. 



LOST 

SOMEWHERE in Bridgeport on Sunday laft, a Ten Dollar Bank 
Note, of the United State's Bank Whoever may have found 

faid note, and will leave it with the Printer hereof, fhall be fuitably re- 
warded lor their honefty. 
]iridgeport, Nov. 23, 1803. 



•y/ 



^AKE NOTICE all who juftly owe, 
Ci/rtiss &^ Glover, late in Co. 
Clofe your accounts without delay 
Either by Notes or ready pay : 
For if by negligence you tarry 
Beyond the tirft of February, 
Our books will all be put in suit. 
And Cofi and trouble be the fruit. 

BENJAMIN CURTISS, jun. 
EZRA GLOVER. 
Newtown, Jan. 12, 1804. 



CLEMENT IJECHER, 

GOLD AND SILVER SMIJ'H. 

T T AS for fale. Elegant eight day Clocks, which he will warrant toper- 
-*■ -*■ form well — Brafs and Iron Andirons — Second hand Muskets — 
Candleftics — Tobacco and Snuff Bo.xcs — Watch criftals — Chains and 
keys — Silver Tea Spoons, &c. &:. 

Gold and Silver work, watch repairing, &c. done with neatuefs and 
difpatch. 

jftfi^ Cafh paid for old Silver. 

Bridgeport, Jan. 10, 1S04. 



90 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



PUBLIC AUCTION. 

Bridgeport, Jan. 24th, 1804. 
For falc at Vendue a certain piece of land lying near Bridgeport at a 
place called Lcwcs's point containing about twenty acres: about two 
thirds clear and good for improvement, the rcfl wood land. Said ven- 
due is to be holdcn at Mr. Bcniamin Bofiwick's tavern, on Saturday 
the nth of February next at 3 o'clock p.m. 

AGUR T. LEWIS. 

MRS. GKARY'S SCHOOL, i 

Is now open for the reception of young ladies, who will be taught 
Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Grammar and Geography and all kinds 
of Needlework, making of Laces and Edgings, Tamboring on muflin 
or filk. Embroidering, Drawing, Painting, &c. &c. 

Board and Lodging for fix or eight will be furnifhcd at a reafonable 
rate. 

Bridgeport^ 9lh of May, 1804. ! 

' I 

FOR SALE. 

A convenient dwelling houfe and an acre of excellent land, fituatcd 
in bcrkfhirc, so called, about a mile from Bridgeport. If the above 
houfe and land is not fold by the tft of April next it will then be let for 
one year. For further particulars apply to the fubfcribcr. living on the 
premifes. 

ABRAHAM PARROT, 

Bridgeport, Feb. 1804. 

NOTICE 

is hereby given that a meeting of the ftockholders of the Bridgeport 
and Newtown Turnpike Company will be held at the Inn of Caleb i 
Baldwin, Jun., Newtown, on the 27th day of inft. March at 10 a.m. 
by order of the directors 

SAMUEL C. BLACKMAN, Clerk. 
Bridgeport, March 3, 1804. 

N. B. the firft quarterly dividend is made out and the treafurer is 
ready to pay the fame to the feveral ftockholders. 



ONE CENT REWARD. 

Ran away from the fubfcribcr on the night of the 6th instant a boy 
by the name of John Jones, an indented apprentice. Said boy is very 
ftout, pale face, light hair and light eyes, with a pair of large feet: 
talks very How: whoever will take up faid boy and return him to the 
fubfcribcr fhall receive the above reward and One cent charges from 
me. ASA BENJAMIN. 

Bridgeport, March la, 1804. 



1 . ihe Rtpublican /•'ar»ur, Jan. 1, 1817.) 

A liiKlUNE FOR ONLY SLX DOLLARS! 

The Wafhington Bridge Lottery commenced drawing Dec. 27th 1816. 
The public are cautioned not to delay any longer the purchafe of Tick- 
ets, and thereby forego the opportunity of placing thcmfelvcs out of 
reach of what they call Hard I'imrs. Times are hard to be fure, but 
why not fparc a little of your cafh when there is a chance of reaping a 
thoufand fold? Tickets may now be had at the Poft Office at Uridge- 
port, and thofe who have been fo unTortunate as to draw low prizes may 
have an opportunity of exchanging them tor Tickets warranted undrawn. 
Call foon: the price of Tickeu will rife fhorlly. 

J. STERLING. 
Bridgeport, Jan, 1, 1817. 



The foregoing advortixcnicnts, and many otlicr.-t 
which wc have not room to copy, plainly show that, 
though Nt'wfii'Ul or Bridgeport wa-s small in size, its 
people po.s-sessed a good deal of liusines.s enterprise. 
Almost every firm owned a eoa-iting sloop or schooner, 
wliile there were a iiunilier of hrigs and other large ; 
vessels engaged in the foreign trade. 

While homeward bound from the West Indies in 
the year 1799, young ^V^lson Hubbell, son of Amos 



llubbcll, perhaps the most prominent man in New- 
field, lost his life in a manner tliat never fails to ex- 
cite sympathy even at this ilistant day. He was cap- 
tured by a Freneli privateer, who, taking out several 
of his seamen, replaced them with a prize crew, with 
orders to bring the sloop into some French port. 
While the prize-master was enjoying his noon-day 
nap Capt. Hubbell turned the tables upon him by 
locking him into the cabin and overpowering and 
securing his men. At length, upon jjromise of good 
behavior and surrender of his weapons, tlie French- 
man was* alU)wed to come out from the cabin, and the 
two sat down upon the quarter-rail to smoke a cigar 
together. The Frenchman dropped his cigar, and, 
stooping as if to pick it up, caught Capt. Hubbell by 
the feet and hurled him overboard. The sea wa.s calm, 
and the young man swam after the vessel, begging to 
be taken on board, but in vain. His enemy would 
not listen to his cries, and his gold, which he had 
secured in a belt about his body, weighed him down, 
so that lie soon sunk beneath the waves to rise no 
more. A tablet in the old Stratfield buryiiig-ground 
commemorates his fate, and refers with not unnatural 
w'armth to "the uni)rincipled ollicer of a French pri- 
vateer, who, deaf to the claims of justice and the cries 
of humanity, ])lunged the sufferer into the ocean and 
left him to perish in the waves." 

In the year 1800, on petition of Amos Hubbell and 
forty-nine others, the village heretofore known as 
Newfield was incorporated under the name of the 
Borough of Bridge|)ort. and granted mo.st of the priv- 
ileges usually cont'erreil ujion cities except represen- 
tation in the General Assembly and the right of vot- 
ing at town and State elections, for which jmrpose the 
inhabitants of the borough were still obliged to go to 
Stratford. Careful .search in the archives of the State, 
at Hartford, lias brought to lightlhe original petition, 
which is now piiblisbed for the first time. The docu- 
ment is in the handwriting of Joseph Backus, attor- 
ney, who originated the idea and drew the charter, 
the first of the kind in the State: 

COPT OF PKTITIOS. 

" To the Honorable OeMtral Auemhly o/ the State of Cnnneelicvt to be huUen 
at Sete IlareH in Mid State on the fecond Thunduy of October next. 

"The PeUtiot) uf Aino« llubN'll, Juniuli Lacey, John S. Cannon, Sal- 
mon llulibcll, and oUierv, whotie tinnuM are hereunto BulwcriUsl, liiliab- 
itanti! of Sewflold, In tho town of Stmtford and County of Faii^old, 
Hunilily Bhewplh: 

" That said Newflold Is a Sen Port, compactly settled, rapidly Inert- Ohing 
in popnliitinn, navlgaliun, commerce, boUi furt'ign and domestic, and 
varioutt other klmU of buiiilne»«; and that your )>etitiol)era have for a 
conridonihle time sufferc^l grvait inc»>nvenienco fnini a want of iK»wer to 
reioilute the internal jiollce, and to make and carry iul<» execution Buch 
by-IuwB nB are noce»*(«ary for their pniH|HTity ami convenience. 

" When-niHUi ynur I'elitionen* w.iuld humbly pniy your Ilunont, That 
all the Freeiiien of tlili* Stjtte. Iiibabitants of Hiid town of Stratford, 
dwelling wllhli. the following IkiuihIk.— vli.. Beginning at tho Sia or 
Sound, thence ninninK Nortliwanlly on the line dividing Uio towns of 
Strnlfonl and Fiiirlli'lil. until it ioiui-b U> the .s..uOi end of the Line Road, 
Boralle<l; thence Ka»t to the hjii-t Bl.le of said Line Ib.a<l; thence North- 
wardly, on the >ji*t Bide of wild Line Kimd, to the South west end of 
Ut>lden Hill Kond; Uienee Sortli Fju.twardly, on the South tji»t side of 



BRIDGEPORT. 



91 



8ai«I Golden Hill Ro.id. ttt tlic Nortli Eiist oii'l nf the sivnie. at the New- 
Uiwn Road; thence East hituks said Newtown Koad to the Western 
lK)Undary of Indian Lot, so callel; tlietue Noith\vaidl\, on the line 
dividili.ic said Newtown Boad IVoin saiil Indian l.'d 1" the Xiirthwest 
corner of said Indian Lot; tlienee Eastwardiy on the Nniihern line of 
said Indian Lot to the West side of saicl Newtield ILuhonr; theuce 
Sonthwardly t"> an Island, or drv Kiiowl, in said Haihonr, ojiposite said 
Indian Lot; Thence -Southwardly, to the middle of Newli.dd or Lottery 
llridjie, so called; thence Sonthwardly to the Kasternniost Jioint of 
Welles Tongue at low water mark; thence .Southwestwardly on the 
edge of the Bank at low water mark, till it conn-s to the first mentioned 
bounds, at the Line dividing the said towns of Stratford and Fairfielrl, — 
may hy an Act of the Legislature he ordained and instituted a hoiiy i lU- 
porate liy the name of the Warden, Burgesses. A Freemen of the Borough 
of Bridgeport; with the power of succession, suing and being sued, A 
purchasing, holding, .& conveying estate, both real & personal; of an- 
nually choosing a Warden, six Burgesses, Bailiff, Treasurer, Clerk, Col- 
lector, and inspectors of Produce, Ac. ; of laying out and altering Higti- 
vvays, of Levying Taxes, of making Bye laws relative to Markets and 
Commerce within the limit of said Borough; lelative to jircserviug said 
Borough from injury by fire; 

"Relative to burial of the deail ; Relative to Nuisances within said 
Borough; relative to streets .t Highways of said Borough; relative to 
wharves, channels, anchoring, and mooring of Vessels ; relative to trees 
planted fur shade, (U'uament, convenience, or use, public or private ; rela- 
tive to the fruit nf such trees; relative to trespa-sses committed in gar- 
tiens; lelative to walks and buildings, public or private ; relative to the 
w.arning and holding meetings of said Borough ; relative to the mode of 
tJixation, as to ta.xes to be levied in said Bcuough ; relative to the form 
of oath to be taken by the Treasurer of said Btuough ; relative to the 
I)enalties to be incnrred by those who being chosen to Offices in said 
Borough 1 efuse to serve ; relative to a borough watch ; relative to imblic 
lights and lamps of said Borough ; rehative to restraining horses, cattle, 
sliei'p, swine, and geese from going at large in said Bon.iugh, and to in- 
llicting penalties for the breach of said Bye laws ; and that said Borough 
by their proper ofticei^ may have power to lay out, alter, and change 
Highways, sti eets, and public walks in said Borough, and to erect & keep 
in repair a legal sign post in said Bonuigh ; aiul that said Borough may 
have power to admit to the freeclom thereof any of the Freemen of this 
State behiiiging to either of the towns of Stratford or Fairfield, holding 
real estate or doing regular business in said Borough. 

" A nil yiair petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray. 

" Dated at Newfteld tlje 22d Day of September, A.D. ISIJO. 



Amos Hul.hell. 
Salmon llubheU. 
Jolin S. Cannon. 
l,and.ert l.ockw. 
Josiah Lacey. 
Robert Linus. 
David JIin.it. 
•losejdi Backus. 
Stephen Sunoncrs, 
Isaac Hinnian. 
William Benediit. 
La/.arus Beadi. 
W"> H. Peabody. 
Reuben Tweedy. 



Ml. 



Tlionnus Gougi 
Stephen Hull. 
Amos B. Fairmai 
Silas Sherman. 
William I'cet. 
As;iHubbell. 
Nathl. Wade. 
Francis Botsford 
Ebem-zer Allen. 
Lewis Sturgis. 
Samuel Porter. 



lun 



W" Sheffield. 
William De Forest. 
George Hayt. 
Thad. Ilubbell. 
Daniel Young & Sol 
Ezra Gregory. 
David Sherwood. 
Daniel S. Jlcsser. 
David Lacey. 
Stephen Burroughs, 
David Sterling. 
Isaac Burroughs. 
Daniel Fayerweather. 
Ezra Hubbell. 
Eli Smith. 
Jann> Alien. 
Sam'' Burr. 
.\.sahel Dunning. 
Thom.Ts Woodward. 
Jesse Beiu^dict. 
Wib" N. Wliiting. 
Chailes Ni.h.ils. 
Jonathan Baker. 
Zebulon Kiitlaml. 
John Whiting." 



Jr. 



As yet there were IKi ehurehes witliiii tlie Imniiij;-!!, 
and the penple were oliliired to ifi) t<i .StrattieM U> at- 
tend .service upon tlie Sal)h;ith, but in Mareli, ISdl, 
the members of St. John's parisli voted to pull down 
their old ehundi, which, as already st:ite(l, stooil near 
the jiresent crossinof of Xnrtli :iijd Wood .\ Mimes, 



and build a new one in Bridgeport. This was upon 
the corner of St;itc :iii<l liroad Streets. ;ind loiitiniird 
to be occupied liy the society until ]><'.'<~i. when it w;is 
sold to the B;iptists. 

An eti'ort wtis hkkIc in the sprint;- of ],S(I1 to have 
the Conoreffationtil Sm-iety rein<JVcd to liridu'cport, 
but it iiirt with eonsider;il:ile oppi>sition from that 
li:irt of the conjircfration rcsitlino- in Stnitlield, :ind it 
w;is not until ISOS tlnit the ch:inoc w;is finally clli-cteil. 
The new meeting-house was erected by sulisi-ription 
;it ;i cost of two thous;iud dolbirs, and was on the 
corner of Broad and John Streets, on the site of the 
present North ehurcli. Rev. Elijah Waterinan w:is 
then the ]i;istor, and deserves tf) be comniemor;itcd, 
not only a-* a fiiithful and successful minister, but ;is 
being the first ndiite man to recognize the ailviintages 
of (xolden Hill as a jihice of resiflence. He built his 
house, afterwards occupied by the bite Hauford Lyon, 
upon the In-ow of this hill when it was so rugged and 
forcst-clail that htirdly ii neighbor was in sight, :ind 
his people wondered that he should locate so f:ir 
awiiy from the village. 

< )ne of the most honoreil mimes in the lii-lory of 
the Methodist denomination is tlnit of Jesse J^cc, the 
founder of Methodism in the Ivistern States. ( In his 
first tour through New Enghmd he preached once ;it 
Norwalk iind again in the court-house :it F:iirticlil. 
and then continued his journey into Rhode Nhuid. 
Keturning, he prcachcil in Strtitficbl on Friday, J-^ept. 
2'), 1789. 

Dr. Abel Stevens, in his history of the denom- 
ination, thus refers to the occasion : " It was a nn-mo- 
rable day. .\fter the sermon he conducted a kind of 
class-meeting composed <if about twenty [jcrsons. It 
was the first el:is.s-nieeting held on the circuit. :ind led 
to (he formation next ihiy of the first class, composed 
(d' three women, who appeared willing to bear the 
cross and have their names east out ;is evil for the 
Lord's sake. Since his arrival in New England three 
mouths of incesstint bibors and vextitious rebuffs had 
pjis.sed, and but three women were orgauizc(l into the 
new (dinrcli wliich was to s]ire:id seriptnrtd holiness 
over the land." 

In B;irber's "Historical ('(jllcction for Counecti- 
cut," page 4(19, it is also stated thtit the first .Metlni- 
dist Society in New England " w:is formed by Kev 
Jesse Lee, at Bridge]M)rt, Sept. I'll, 17s;)." The 
house where the meetings were held W!is thiit of :i 
Mrs. Wells, (ju the lower ]i;iit ol' I':irk .\ venue. It 
was |)ullc(l down a few ye;irs :igo, but beftu'e its de- 
struction ]>hotogr;iphs were t:iken of it, which ;ire 
still preserved. 

Nathan ;iiiil llem;in Bangs, both eniiueiit men in 
the ilenomin;ition. were born in Str:itfielil. the former 
about the year 1777, the hitter .\pril !.">, 17'.«l. Their 
father, an intelligent bbicksmith, h:is :ilie:idy bei'U 
mentioned in these l)agcs. His house was at the foot 
id' the hill upon wdiich the Stratficlil Ba])tist (diurch 
now st;inds, but tiboiil the ye;ir 179:-! he removed to 



92 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Stamford, N. Y. He is said to have been a church- 
man, ami, when Jesse Lee preached here, to have 
kept liis family closely at home, lest they should be- 
come infected with tlie itinerant's supposed hetero- 
doxy. Both himself and liis wife in after-years be- 
came members of the Methodist connection. (Jf 
Nathan Bangs it is said, that as a minister or pre- 
sidin-r elder for more than sixty years, as a founder 
of the missionary society, the periodical literature, 
and the Conference system of his Church, and as its 
recognized historian, he rendered it more important 
services than any other man save Asbury. 

The Bridgeport Bank, of which a more particular 
account will follow, was chartered by the Ijcgislature 
in 18()() with a capital of two hundred thousand dol- 
lars. In 1810 the census of the borough, which be- 
fore that date had been included with the town of 
Stratford, was taken separately, and showed a popu- 
lation of two hundred and twenty-two persons on the 
point, and eight hundred and sixty-seven on the west 
side of the river,— an aggregate of one thousand and 
eighty-nine souls. Bridgeport contained at this time 
one bank, two houses of public worshij), — one for the 
Episcopalians, one for the Congregational ists, — and 
one hundred and twenty-three dwelling-houses, thirty- 
one of which were on the point. Most of the houses 
were two-story buildings and painted white. 

Eighteen vessels, of the capacity of one thousand 
four hundred and fourteen tons, were owned here, and 
were engaged in the West India or the coasting-trade. 
The principal exports were live-stock, wheat and rye 
flour, and Indian meal, corn, rye, oats, flaxseed, pork, 
beef, butter, lard, cider, and cider-brandy. Among 
tlie articles numufactured in the place were beaver 
hats, rope, saddles and saddletree.*, booths and shoes, 
cabinet-work, and carriages. There were two tan- 
neries, three printing-oflices, two weekly newspapers, 
one pottery, and forty-three stores. 

During the war of 1812, New London was block- 
aded for a number of months by a British fleet, while 
the coa.sting-trade of Long Island Sound was for a 
long time almost entirely .suspended owing to the 
presence of the fleet and the activity of several pri- 
vateers fitted o\it in the British i)rovinees. One of 
these, known as the " Liverpool Packet," and hailing 
from Liverpool, Nova Scotia, picked up, among other 
l)ri/.es, two sloops running iis packets between Bridge- 
port and New York. 

One afternoon in 1814 she was seen in pursuit of 
two coasters, a sloop and a schooner, the latter owned 
in Derby, and commanded by Capt. Hart, of that 
])lace. Both vessels spread every sail in the attempt 
to escape, but, finding their efforts in vain and that 
their enemy was gaining upon them, they bore uj) 
for Bridgeport Harbor, which the sloop succeeded in 
reaching safely, while the schooner grounded on the 
outer bar. She was .soon boarded by a boat's crew 
from the Nova Scotianign, who, finding their prize 
immovable, would have sot her on fire, but it was be- 



fore the day of matches, and Capt. Hart had taken 
the precaution to throw overboard the tinder-box as 
soon as his vessel struck. The captors now rum- 
maged cal)in and hold, taking whatever suited their 
fancy, and some of them had even commenced to cut 
with their sheath-knives strips of duck from the sails 
to mend their canvas trousers with, when a cannon- 
ball from the shore coming inconveniently ncar.taused 
them to tumble precipitately into the boat and return 
to their own ship, which soon bore away uj) the Sound. 
At the next tide the stranded schooner floated again, 
and was brought up to the dock and discharged her 
cargo here. The pursuit and capture and subsequent 
relinquishment of the prize were witnessed by hun- 
dreds of excited spectators on shore, and the artillery- 
fire which drove off the privateersman was partly 
from the single gun of the Bridgeport Artillery Com- 
pany, under command of ('apt. Samuel Hawley, and 
partly from the little tort on the "Tongue," from 
which Capt. James Allen fired twenty-four shots at 
the enemy. 

As there were no railroads at that time and the 
British had entire control of the Sound, great incon- 
venience resulted from this practical blockade of our 
ports. Most of the commerce carried on between 
them and New York had to be by means of whale- 
boats, which, being of exceedingly light draught, 
could clo-sely hug the shore, and if pursued i^ut up 
into some little creek or inlet for safety; but this 
mode of conveyance was both inconvenient and 
costly, and it is not surprising that a plan to cap- 
ture some of the detested privateers was much dis- 
cussed. It was proposed to put out from Bridgeport 
Harbor with an old sloop gotten up very much on the 
plan of the celebrated Trojan horse, with two or three 
venerable fishermen of simple demeanor on deck, and 
half a hundred well-armed athletic young fellows 
concealed below in the hold. When captured, as 
they were sure to be, they would lie to very close to 
their cajjtors, — if possible alongside, — and then at the 
proper time would turn tiie tables in a most .surpris- 
ing manner, ea))tnre the British privateer, and bring 
her into |)ort amid the ringing of bells, the firing of 
cannon, and the applause of the populace. I am 
told that this remarkable plan would actually have 
been attempted but for the opposition of Joseph 
Backtis, already mentioned as an attorney and a 
leading man in the jdace at that time. 

Early in the war a company of State militia, com- 
manded by Lieut-s. Curtis and Bellamy, was stationed 
here for a time. It was quartered in an old bakery 
on Water Street, opposite Union Street, on the ground 
now occupied by the Housatonie Railroad building, 
and details were sent down daily to mount guard in 
an earthwork upon the peninsula known as the 
"Tongue." Another detachment occujiied "Fort 
Union," upon Orover's Hill, Black Rock. 

Some time alter this company had been ordered 
elsewhere, probably during the year 1814, the com- 



brii)(;ki'()1!t. 



93 



luunity was startled one afternoon by the sifjlit of two 
Britisli iiirii-of-war coming to am-lior "I'piisite the 
town. These vessels belonged to the lleet which, 
nnder the eniiiniand of Sir Thomas JIanly, the tVieiid 
and companion of the illustrious Nelson, was lildei;- 
adinjr Decatur at New London. Their |Hirt-hoh's 
were raised, as if it was intended to sliell tiie town, 
and by the aiil of a spy-glass it eouhl be seen that 
tlieir ilecks were swarndng with men. People re- 
called to mind the fate of Fairtiehl and Ndrwalk in 
the Revolution, and, thouLdi the sun went down and 
darkness came on without the firing of a gun or any 
attem])t being made to land, the excitement on sliore 
was very great, and continued to increase throughout 
the night. No one slept, the church-bells were rung, 
the money and valual>le papers Ixdonging to the 
Bridgeport Bank were removed into the country for 
security, and not a few of tlie pi'oi)le, taking with 
tlcni their most portable property, sought sah'ty 
upon the summit of Toilsome Hill. Of course tlic 
militia were called out and made ready to welcome 
the invaders " with hospitable hands to bloody 
graves," and (leu. Enoch Foote sent messengers for 
reinforcements to all the neighboring towns, some of 
which responded, while others did not. 

To the great relief of all, when morning dawned 
mit a trace of the British ships could be seen. They 
had sailed during the night, having only anchored 
liere to procure a supply of fresh provisions, wdnch, 
under cover of darkness, were pmrchased from certain 
parties on shore. A man named (xarlick, wlu> was 
proprietor of the Johnson tide-mill, in West Stratford, 
earrii'd on contraband traffic of this kind quite ex- 
ti'usively, buying many sheep and cattle and selling 
tliem again at smdi times to the officers oi'tlu' J'ritish 
tieet. The enemy never made any attempt to land 
here, but their vessels were frequently in siglit, ami 
caused much alarm to the timid. 

One evening the sentinel stationed upon the sliore, 
near wdiere the Soldiers' Monument now stands, rode 
furiously up town shouting at the to]) of his voice, 
"The British have landed!" Two parties wi're sent 
down in different directions to meet the supposi'd in- 
vaders, ami in the darkness tired upon each otlnr, 
causing great excitement for some tinn', hut, for- 
tunately, no lives were sacrificed. 

The news of the treaty of peace between the Uniti'd 
States and Great Britain was received in New York, 
Feb. 11, 1815, and was welcomed with an illunnna- 
tion. A public celebration in honcu' of tlie event was 
held in Bridgeport, February '22d. There was tiring 
(d' cannon and ringing of bells at daylireak, and in 
the forenoon a procession headed by a liand of music 
marched tlirough the streets to tlic North church, 
wliere the President's proclamation was rea<l, Rev. 
Messrs. Shelton and Waterman offered prayer, and 
J. A. Crocker pronounced an oration, .\fter the ex- 
ercises in the church were concluded there was a 
piddie <linuer at Knapp's Hotel, and a hall in the 



evening. At Fairfield an ox was barliecucd on tlie 
public green. 

On the night of Aug. 20, 1S24, Gen. Lafayette and 
suite, while (m a journey from New York to I'.ostou, 
put up in Bridgeport at Kuaiii)'s Hotel, on the cmaiiT 
of Wall and Water Streets. Breparations had lieen 
made for an escort to meet the jiarty in Fairfield and 
conduct it in triumph to the hold, hut these were 
disconcerted by the lateness of the hour — past cdevcn 
o'clock — of the general's arrival, nearly every one 
liaving given up expecting him and retired to rest. 

An eye-witne.ss"'' gives the following account of his 
reception next morning: 

" At five in the morning the bells began ringing and 
tlu' c'annon firing. Lafayette had arrived and slejit sc- 
enrely through the night at Knap|i's. A few nduutcs 
later the street before tlie hotel was thronged with 
men, and tlie walk before the brick stores was filled 
with ladies. Lafayette and his suite niaile their ap- 
jicarance upon the balcony between Mr. Hubbell and 
Mr. Lockwood. The people welconu'd Lafayette with 
three cheers. He rei)lied, 'I am very happy to re- 
ceive your kind welcome.' Afterwards, placing his 
hand upon tlie balustrade, he exclaimed, not in a loud 
voice, but with much feeling, 'Hajipy, hajqiy peoplel' 
The ladies now formed in line in front of the men, and, 
going up one by one, shook hands with him. The 
men did the same, and I grasped the hand of La- 
fayette." 

.Mtcr breakfast Lafayette resinned his journey east- 
ward, and was aee(mipaniedby a disorderly ]irocession 
of the townsi)eople, some on horscl>ack, others iu 
vehicles of various dcscri])tions. At Wasliington 
Bridge, Gen. Enoch Foote made brief farewell re- 
marks "in behalf of the citizens of Bridgcjiort," Init 
a few of the escM't kept (m as far as Milford. 

In the year 1819, thinking that Bridgeport was fully 
capable of managing its own affairs, and feeling the 
inconvenienee of being compelled to go to Stratford 
to vote at every election, the people of this jilace p<'- 
titioned the Legislature to be set off into a sc))arate 
town. Their petition was defeated by the opposition 
of the Stratford representatives. In 1821 the attempt 
was renewed, and this time was successful, no op|)o- 
sition being offi^red on the jiart of Stratford. In fact, 
finding that the Bridgc|jort men were very decideil 
ami could outvote them at town-meetings, tlic people 
of Stratford favored the division of their town, hut 
were careful to have the li(}iindary-rine estalilishcil to 
suit their own interests and not tliose of liridgcport. 
This is the reason why our townslii|i, down to the 
year 1870, was so extremely narrow, and why tlie 
eastern shore of our harhor still remains under another 
jurisdiction. 

At the time of the setting otf, Bridgeport is reported 
to have contained about seventeen hnndred inlialiit- 
ants and two hundred and eigliteeii dwelling hou.ses. 



* Bev. E.lwiird \V. Pcft, ll.I). 



94 



HISTOllY OF FAIllFIELD COUxNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



TluTc were also within its limits twD flnuring-mills, 
and seveuty-thrcestoresand inauut'aitories. The num- 
ber of the taxable polls was two hundred and thirty- 
five, and the valuation of property, according to the 
returns made by the assessors for that year, was 
twenty-four thousaml seven hundred and one dollars. 

Division Street, now Park Avenue, continued to he 
the western boundary of the township until 1870, 
when that jjortion of Fairfield lying east of Ash 
Creek was annexed by act of the Legislature. 

The city of Bridgeport was incorporated in May, 
1836. At the first city meeting Isaac Sherman, Jr., 
was elected mayor, and Ira Sherman city clerk. In 
the year 1839, owing to the financial troubles result- 
ing from the issue of city bonds to the Housatonic 
Railroad Company, East Bridgeport petitioned the 
Assembly to be set ofl" from the city. Their request 
was granted, and for twenty-five years our neighbors 
upon the east side of the river, while belonging to the 
town, had no voice in city affairs. In 18(>4, however, 
the eastern district was reunited to the city, of which 
it has since formed a very important part. 

The charter of Bridgeport has been so frequently 
amended that to give an exact account of its succes- 
sive changes would rc(|uiro the pen of a historian 
like Uallam. 

Following is a list of the mayors of the city from 
its first incorporation to the present time: Isaac Sher- 
man, 1836 ; Daniel Sterling, 1837 ; Alanson Hamlin, 
1838; Charles Foote, 1839; Charles Bostwick, 1840; j 
William P. Burrall, 1841; James C. Loomis, 1843; j 
Henry K. Harral, 1844; Sherwood Sterling, 1847; 
Henry K. Harral, 1849; John Brooks, Jr., 1851; 
Henry K. Harral, 1852; Charles B. Hubbell, 1853; 
John Brooks, Jr., 1854; P. C. Calhoun, 1855; Silas 
C. Booth, 1858; D. H. Sterling, 1860; Clapp Spooner, 
1863; Jarratt Morford, 1864; Stillman S. Clapp, 1865; 
Monson Hawlcy, 1866 ; Jarratt Morford, 1868 ; Mon- 
son Hawlcy, 18(i9; Jarratt Morford, 1870; E. B. Good- 
sell, 1871; Robert T. Clarke, 1874; P. T. Barnum, 
1875 ; Jarratt Morford, 1876-77 ; Robert E. De Forest, 
1878; John L. \Ve.s.sels, 1879; Daniel N. Morgan, 1880. 



Cll APTER XI. 

BRIDGEPORT (Continued). 

Gnjwlli of Itu' CUy — ItM IViimhitioii liicrpii^cd miiro than sovciifuld in 
I»WB tliiiii hiilf II ('ciitury — IK-acriptlon of Bridgeport in IS.'i" — TIio 
Wlmlc-KiKlicry iill.iii|it<!il— Tliu It<illroa<l Epocli— Sketch of Alfrcil 
BiHliu|> — tl|M.-iiitig of tlio HuiidAtouli:, Now Vork and Now Haven, and 
NangutUL-k Raitruuds — Fiuuucial EDibarratumientA — Development of 
Eiwt Itridgoport — The Wheeler A WlUon Mannfftctnring Company 
— Bridgep<irt during the War of the Rebellion — Great War^Meetlngfl 
— Departure of TnK>p«t for the Fn»nt — The Lailies' Relief and Si^ldionj' 
Aid Soeiotien — Return of the Regimen!.'*— Seaside I'ark eataldiflhed 
l.'^t'h'i — Dedication of Soldiers' Uouiuucnt— Celebration of the Coutoa- 
uial Fourth of July, 1876. 

Bkidoeport has changed wonderfully in almost 
ever>' respect within the* memory of many persons 



now living. One well-known citizen tells the writer 
that he can recollect the time when Main Street was 
bordered witli common rail-fences for almost its en- 
tire length, and it wiis necessary to let down a pair of 
bars before going up upon Golden Hill. • .Vnotlur 
speaks of the time when lie rented a broad tract 
fronting ujwu the river and extending as far back as 
Lafayette Street, to be used as a cow-pa.sture, for the 
sum of sevcu dollars per year. In 1824 a map of 
Bridgeport was published by H. L. Barnum, a print 
of which, though upon a smaller .scale, forms one 
of the illustrations of this work and will repay care- 
ful examination. Even since the incorporaticm of 
the place as a city, in 1836, it hits increased in popu- 
lation more than sevenfold. The article upon Bridge- 
port in Barber's " Historical Collection of Connecti- 
cut," written in the following year, — 1837, — is worth 
reading in this connection, and, as copies of the 
work are now scarce, the greater part of it is herewith 
reproduci'd : 

"Bridgcjxirt was incorporated as a town in 1821. 
It was formerly that part of the parish of Stratfield 
lying in the town of Stratford. It is of a triangular 
shape, averaging four miles in length from north to 
south and over two miles in breadth, containing ])er- 
hai)s about ten sipiare miles. It is bounded north by 
Trumluill ; ea.st by Stratford ; south by the waters of 
Long Island Sound; and west by Fairfield. The 
township is generally level, and has a strong, fertile 
soil. 

" The city of Bridgeport was incorporated in 1836. 
It is mostly built on the west side of an arm of the 
sea, seventeen miles .soutiiwest from New Haven, 
sixty-two miles from New York, and four from Fair- 
field. The harbor extends about three miles inland 
to the head of tide-water, where it meets Pequonnock 
River,a considerable mill-stream. The average width 
of the harbor at high water is eighty rods. At low 
water most of it is bare, leaving a channel about a 
dozen rods W'ide; common tides rise .seven feet, — 
spring tides, nine. The depth of water on the bar at 
high water is about thirteen feet ; withiu the bar the 
water is much tleeper, having a mudtly bottom. The 
bridge across tlie harbor is about one mile and a half 
from its mouth, seventy-five rods in length, built on 
trestles, with a draw for vessels to jiroceed above. 
The surface on which the town is principally built is 
a ])lain about twelve feet above high-water mark. 
There is, however, a rise called Golden Hill, commen- 
cing about one hundred rods ntu-thwest of the centre 
of the present buildings, which after a gradual ascent 
of about twenty rods, in which the perpendicular 
elevation is fifty feet, i)reseuts a surface of half a mile 
square, forming a delightful situation for an u|iper 
town; from this elevation is a fine jjrospect of the 
Sound and surnmnding scenery. Though situated 
withiu three miles of Stratforil and four of Fairfield, 
both among the earliest settlements in the State at 
the close of the Revolutionarv war, there were but 



BRIDGEPORT. 



95 



trii <ir twelve houses on the site where liricli^eport is 
now huilt. In 1790 there were but one hundred and 
ten inhabitants. In 1.S30 there were upwards of 
eighteen hundred in tlie liorough. The nund)er of 
inhabitants at tliis tiuie (1S.37) in tlie eity is three 
thousand tour luindred and sixteen. 

"The original luune of the village (now eity) was 
Newfield, whicli in ISOd was ineorporated as a I)orough 
and called Bridgeport. 

'■ There are five ehurches in tlie limits of the city, — 
one Episco])al, erected in l.SOl, now ll.^MT) used liy 
the Baptists ; two Congregational; the first Congre- 
gational eliureli was erected in 1SI)3 (?) by the society 
formerly worshiping in Stratflehl, the other in is;-t((; 
the Methodist, erected in 1S22; and the present Epis- 
co|ial church, now building. The ancient lueeting- 
liouse of the parish of Stratfield stood about one mile 
and a half northwest of the central part of tlu' eity, 
on the Line Roail between Fairfield and Piridgeport. 
It was taken down a year or two since. 

" The first newspajicr printed in the village was in 
1795, and edited by Lazarus Beach. The first bridge 
was erected acro.ss the harbor in 1783 ('?). There are 
two banks in this place, — the Bridgeport and Connec- 
ticut Banks, the former incorporated in ISOO, the lat- 
ter in 18.31. The number of inhabitants within tlie 
linnts of the town is estimated at upwanls of lour 
thousand. A daily line of steamboats between Bridge- 
port and New York was established in .Tuly, 1834. 
Among the principal articles manufactured in this 
]ilai'e are saddlery and carriages. The ■whale-fishery 
of late has received considerable attention. Bridge- 
jiort at this time is ra])idly increasing in wealth and 
]iopulation. A charter was granted in lS.3t! for a rail- 
road, called the Housatonic Railroad, following the 
valley of the Housatonic about eighty-five miles to 
West St<icl<bridge, Mass." 

.\llnsion has licen made to the prosecution of the 
whaling-lmsiness from this port. In May, 1833, Eben 
Fairchild, Daniel Tomlinson, David Perry, Samuel 
V. Hurd, and David P. Jlinot were incorporatc<l under 
the name of "The Bridgeport Whaling (_'om]iany ;" 
the capital stock of tlie company was one hundred 
thousand dollars, and the object of its formation was 
" to prosecute the whale and other fisheries in the 
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans." The company owned 
four ships, called the " .Vtlantic," " Hamiltofi," " Har- 
vest," and "Stieglitz." 

When the news was received that one of the whale- 
.sliips Wits outside great crowds of jieople used to as- 
semble at the water's edge, usually at Stephen Haw- 
ley's lumlier-yard, where the docks of the Huiisatonie 
Railroad ('oinpany now are, to welcfime the mariners 
home from thi'ir long voyage. The boat's crew' would 
bend lo Ihiir oar~ until it seemed as if they would 
snap them, and the final pull as the boat neared the 
wharf would make it almost leap from the water. 
Then a great shout of joy would go U]i as the adven- 



turers landed, and each would be surrounded with a 
throng of friends and relatives eager to bid him wel- 
come. These vessels made quite a numlicr of voyages 
with varying success, but, upon the wdiole, tlie busi- 
ness was not profitable, and after a few years it was 
discontinued. The late Deacon Sherwood Sterling 
was the hist secretary of the coiii|iaiiy. 

THE R.'ilLRUAD EPOCH. 

Bridgeport, from its geograjihical position, is the 
natural depot for the products of the valleys of the 
Housatonic and the Xaugatuck, and it was in order 
to secure the trade of Liteiifii'hl County that the New- 
town turnpike was cluirtiTeil, in ISOl. Elforts were 
made from time to time, however, lo divert this trade 
from Bridgeport to other ports, such as Black Rock 
and Norwalk. New roads were opened for this jiur- 
jiose, and in 1827 a company was charti'red by the 
Legislature with power to build a canal from the Hous- 
atonic River at New Milford to tide-water at Sauga- 
tuck Harbor. The desire to eounteraet such plans 
was one reason wdiy the people of Bridgeport were 
inclined to take an active interest in tlie project of a 
railroad running northward to the Massaidiusetts line 
when that measure was first proposed. 

Otlurs may have originally suggested the idea of 
sui-li a railroad, but to the late Alfred Bishop ludongs 
the credit of first taking steps to carry it into practi- 
cal efl'ect, and to him, as the author of its coni]ilete 
system of railway communication, T>ridgeiiort is cer- 
tainly much indebted, and owes no small degree of its 
present jirosperity. 

Mr. Bishop was born in Stamford, Conn., Dee. I'l, 
179.S, but in early manhood removed to New .Tcrsey, 
where he engaged in fiirming. Upon his fiirni he 
nnide numerous personal experiments with pickaxe, 
shovel, and wheelbarrow, obtaining in this way exact 
estimates of the cost of moving masses of earth to a 
distance, wdiich he afterwards turned to good account 
in his business as a railroad contractor. Before leav- 
ing New Jersey he had already become known as the 
builder of the Morris Canal and the bridgi' over tlie 
Raritan at New Brunswick. In 1831!, ^Mr. Bislio|i re- 
moved to Bridgeport, where he built the residence 
upon Golden Hill Street until rec-ntly oecupiecl liy 
his widow. His connection with the Housatonic, New 
York and New Haven, and the Naugatuck Railroads 
is related elsewdiere. Had his life been spared, it was 
his intention to present to I'ridgeport a tract of land 
in the centre of the city fiir a jiuhlic park, but on the 
11th of .Tune. 1849, at tlii' coiii]iaiatively early age of 
fifty-one years, be died, at Saratoga, whither he had 
gone for liiuidi-needed rest. 

.\t the funeral, which was on .Tunc 13th, his jiastor, 
Rev. Dr. Ilewit, preached the sei'mon, and the (Vmi- 
mon Council, wdiich had previously [lasscd resolutions 
of respect, attended in a boily. 

Mr. Bishop left a large estate to his family, and in 
his will, besides an annuity to the Rev. Dr. Hewit, 



96 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY/CONNECTICUT. 



was a legacy of eight thousantl dollars to the American 
Bible Society, and another of five thousand dollars 
to the Ladies' Charitable Society of this city, the in- 
come of which is still aiiplied to benevolent i>uri)Oses. 

In Marcli, IS'Mi, a little gatliering of gentlemen met 
in the parlors of the old Sterling Hotel, to discuss the 
need of a railroad from Bridgeport to the northern 
line of the State. Eventually, they thought, this road 
would not only bring to Bridgeport the trade of the 
Housatonic valley, but would be extended from it-s 
southern terminus to New York, and thus become the 
great medium of freiglit and passenger communica- 
tion between that city and Albany during the winter 
season, when the Hudson River was closed by ice. 

Railroads were then in their infancy, it being but 
seven years since the first locomotive in the country 
was imported, and but two years since the Boston and 
Albany — the pioneer road of New England — was 
opened for travel, but Mr. Bishop succeeded in infus- 
ing some of his own enthusiasm into the gentlemen 
present, and before the meeting adjourned a petition 
for the proposed road Iiad been signed by nearly all 
of them. Two montlis later Enoch Foote, William 
Peet, W. C. Sterling, and their successors, were incor- 
porated by the Legislature of Connecticut under the 
name of "The Housatonic Railroad Company," witji 
authority to build a road from Sheffield, Mass., to 
Brookfield, Conn., and from thence to tide-water at 
Bridgeport, or such otlier point as might be deemed 
expedient. 

In order to aid tlie undertaking, the city of Bridge- 
port, at a meeting held March 2, 1837, voted to sub- 
scribe for stock of the new company to the amount of 
one hundred thousand dollars, and individuals resid- 
ing in otlier towns ujion the route subscribed for two 
hundred thousand dollars more. 

Ex-Governor (rideon Tondinson acted for a time 
a.s president of the coni])any, but at the first regular 
election, April 5, 1837, the following persons were 
chosen officers of the road : William P. Burrall, 
President; William H. Noble, Secretary ; Jesse Ster- 
ling, Treasurer; William P. Burrall, Edwin Porter, 
Samuel Simons, Stephen Lounsbury, Charles De 
Forest, of Bridgeport, Anan Hine, Asa Pickett, of 
New Milford, Alpheus Fuller, of Kent, and Peter 
Bierce, of Cornwall, Directors. 

Mr. Horace Nichols subsequently became trea.surer 
of the road, and held the position until his resigna- 
tion, in 1848. A contract was made by the board of 
directors with Messi-s. Bishop and Sykes to build the 
entire road for the sum of $93(!,000, — viz., ca.«h, 
$«)3(;,0(Kt, and stock of the company at par, !?300,000. 
Work was commenced in .July, 1837, about three 
liundrcd men being employed by the contractors. 

Owing to the panic of 1837, which caused nearly 
all the banks and moneyed institutions of the countrv 
to suspend specie payments, sulwriptions for stock 
were not receive*! as rapidh' as had been anticipated, 
and the progress of the roan was delayed. 



In February, 1840, the southern division of the 
road — viz., from Bridgeport to New Milford — was 
completed and opened for travel. Tlie cost up 
to that time had been, for the road [iroper, iH7<),000; 
for cars, engines, depots, tanks, etc., $99,000; total, 
§575,000. 

The remaining portion of the road was opened Dec. 
' 1,1842. Much annoyance was caused by the original 
track, which consisted of an iron straj) fastened upon 
wooden sills by spikes, which fiften became loose, 
when the weight of pa.ssing trains caused it to curl 
up into "snake-heads." In 184(5 it was replaced by 
iron rails of the present pattern. 

March 25, 1838, the city of Bridgeport voted to eon- 
firm the previous subscription of one hundred thou- 
sand dollars, and authorized an additional one of 
fifty thousand dollars, and Jlessrs. Henry Dutton, F. 
C. Ba.ssett, and Lockwood De Forest were appointed 
agents for the city to raise the necessary funds by 
I issuing coupon bonds. These bonds were paid to the 
railroad company in lieu of cash, and by the company 
were disposed of to other parties. 

At the May session in 1838 the Legislature by a 
special act validated the action of the city of Bridge- 
port, referred to above, in suhseribing for the stock 
of the Housatonic Railroad Company, and in issuing 
bonds in payment for the stock. This act of the 
General Assembly was api)roved at a city meeting 
held for the purpose, but no provision was made for 
the i)ayment of the bonds or of the coupons as they 
fell due. 

The action of the majority' was viewed with alarm 
by many of the leading tax-payers, who in January, 
1839, api)ointed a " Council of Safety" to advise as 
to what measures .should be taken in regard to these 
bonds. This council was composed of thirteen mem- 
bers, Pliilo Hurd being chairman and Isaac Sherman 
secretary. Eminent counsel were also retjiiued by the 
city, and an effort was made to secure the services of 
Daniel Webster, but Mr. Webster was obliged to de- 
cline the case on account of otlier engagements. No 
active effort seems to have been made by any one to 
reinidiate the debt, but a very general <lesire was man- 
ifested that some competent tribunal should decide 
to what extent the private pro|)crty of citizens in the 
minority could be taken to satisfy' a debt created by 
the vote of a majority, many of whom were not tax- 
payers. 

In June, 1843, the railroad com|)any obtained judg- 
ment against the city in the Superior Court, and, an 
appeal to the Supreme Court of Errors having been 
decided in favor of the plaintiff, an execution on this 
judgment was issued and i)laced in the hands of 
Deputy Sheriff Smith, of Norwalk, to be by him 
levied and collected. This officer then first demanded 
payment of the amount from the mayor, clerk, and 
trea.surer of the city in turn, and then, payment not 
having been made, called upon them to exhibit goods, 
chattels, or lands belonging to the debtors, — viz., the 



BlUDGEPORT. 



97 



Mayor, Common Council, and freemen of the city, — 
wiiic-h they were cither unable or unwilling to do. 
The deputy sheriff then, acting under legal advice, 
broke oi)en the dry goods store fif I5ronsiin R. lieards- 
ley and the wholesale grocery of Niles, Thor|i i*c ( 'o., 
and, seizing a (|iiaiitity of gmids from the former, sold 
them at the post. Mr. Beardsley brought an action 
against the dei)uty sheriff for taking his jiroperty un- 
liiwrully, but in .Tune, 1844, the ease was ilecided 
against him. It was then carried to the Supreme 
Court of the State, where the decision in I'avor of the 
defendant was affirmed, .Tndge Church, in giving the 
opinion, using the folhiwing languag<> : 

"The city of I5ridgeport, with great delilieration 
anil unanimity, and under sanction of the (icneral 
Assembly, has contraeti-d a delit. The securities is- 
sued by the city have been purchased by /loiin-jii/r 
holders, with its assent, and upon the faith of the 
city and the laws. No funds, either liy taxation or 
otiierwise, have been providi'd for pavment. A right 
witho\it a remedy is not an a<lmitted priiici]ile. We 
know of no other practical remedy but the one to 
which this plaintiff has resorted." 

This was a very important decision, as the (pi 'stiou 
at issue — viz., the liability of private prn]ier;y for 
the dehts of a niuiucipality — had never before been 
adjudicated. Once definitely settled, however, im- 
mediate steps were taken for the payment of ovenlue 
interest and legal e.xjienses, ;i,nd a tax of seven and a 
half per cent. u]>oii the entire pro]ierty of the i-ity 
was laid and collected. 

In lX")(i -A sinking liind (d' Hfty thousand ilollars — 
this being the sum.dcrivcd from the sale of the .stock 
owiu'd by the city — was estalilished by Mayor ('al- 
lioun, wliich, by careful management, has increased 
from year to year, until the greater part of the rail- 
road del>t of the city has already been paid oil', and 
for the balance, diu' in l>>8(i, full provision is alieady 
mailc. 

Tlie Housatonic Railroad, wdnch had largely been 
built with borrowed capital, was nuich crii>[iled. 
In 1S44 it ])assed into the hands of a committee of 
twenty citizens, and tor some time was (]]ierate<l under 
the name of E. (Iregory & Co. I'referrcil stock to a 
large amount was finally issued, and a reorganization 
of the company eti'ectcil. 

.ludging from the last report of the railroad com- 
ndssioners, however, this road is now in a jirospcrous 
state. At the beginning of the year ISSO it luiil 74 
miles of track, extending from Bridgeport to Sliellield, 
Mas;., besides several branches and leased lines. Its 
capital stock is $2,00(:),()00,— viz., .1820,000 old stock, 
and iSl, 180,000 jirid'crrcd. Its bonded debt is $0.^0,01)0, 
and its floating indebtedness 8228,088.73 ; total, *778,- 
0.'iS.78. It has 20 hicoiuotives, 32 passenger- and bag- 
gage-cars and 440 freight-cars, 420 employees, and I'O 
stations. It carried last year 2')2,740 passengers ami 
225,037 tons of freight, and its revenue from all 
sources was $.')<»',»,( lOO. I l(l. 



The railroad commissioners, in concluiling their 
report, say of this road, — 

"Steel rails have been laid as far north as .Merwins- 
ville, and it is proposed to eontiiuie the steel track 
during the present year to the State line. The 
bridges, track, and rolling-stock of this road are all 
in good comlition. The usual dividend of eight |ier 
cent, has been ]iaiil to the preferreil stoekholdei-s." 

The following are the ollieers of the eom]iany : 
William H. Barnum, rrcsident; David S. Draper, 
Vice-President ; Charles K. Averill, Secretary and 
Treasurer; Henry C. Coggswell, General Freight 
Agent ; Hobart W. Watson, Chief Clerk ; L. B. Still- 
son, Superintendent ; William II. Bariuim, of Lime 
Hock, Conn.; Samuel \\'ilU4s, id' New York ; Horace 
Nichols, William I). Bishop, of Bridgeport; (ieorge 
W. Beet, of Falls Village; Edward Leavitt, .Tohn B. 
I'eck, of New York ; D. S. Draper, of ( ireat Barring- 
Ion : .V. B. Mygatt, of New MiH'ord. Directors. 

In till' year 1.S44 an act of incorporation was ob- 
tained from the Legislature of Connecticut by .loseph 
E. Sliellield, of New Haven, Anson (i. Phelps, of 
New York, and others, giving them pcrnnssion to 
lay out and build a railroad, not exi'ceding six rods 
in width, from New Haven to the western boundary 
of the State, and to transport persons and properly 
upon it by the power of steam or any other mechan- 
ical force, by animals, or " liy any combination of 
these which said company may choose." May 11, 
184i;, the Legislature of the State of Xew York 
granted the same persons ]iermission to extend their 
proposed railroad from the Connecticut line to con- 
nect with the Harlem mail at Williams Bridge, N. Y. 

The first stockhiddcrs' meeting was held at New 
York City, May 19, 1840, when the following board 
of directors was elected : Robert Schuyler, .\nson C. 
Pheliis, Elihu Townsend, Morris Ketchum, of the 
city of New York; Henry J. Sanford, of Stamfi>rd; 
William P. Burrall, Stephen Tomlinson, of Bridge- 
jiort; .Joseph E. Sheffield, of New Haven; F. R. 
(irifliii, of Guilford. At a subsequent nu'ctiiig of the 
directors Robert Schuyler was chosen president and 
William P. Burrall secretary. 

Preliminary surveys having been made by .Vlcx- 
ander C. Twining, on the 27th of October, 18411, a 
contract was made with Messrs. Alfred Bishop and 
Sidney (i. Jlillcr to build the road from the ilc]iot of 
the Hartford and New Haven Railroad, in tlie city 
of New Haven, to Williams liridge. The contract 
included the cost of obtaining a right of way of not 
less tlnin liuir rods wide, and of building upon it a 
single-trtick railroad with four ndles ot' turnouts, also 
the grounds and buildings for eleven depols, sinidry 
water-stations, and numerous culverts. It also called 
for substantial bridges over the various st reams crossed, 
iiK-luding the Housatonic, Peipionuock, Saugatuck, 
and Norwalk Rivers, and the marsh at West Haven. 
Work was to be commenced by the first day of De- 
cember, lS4(i, and was to be comi>letcd by Aug. 1, 



98 



HISTORY OF FAlllFlELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



1848. The contract price was two and a quarter mil- 

lion.s of dollars, payable partly in cash and partly in 

the company's stock, as follows, — viz. : 

Caaliy in itiKtalliiiciitrt, aii work is completed $1,350,000 

9000 Blmrcs of stock at par 900,000 

Total S2,2S0,0OU 

The contractors were also each to receive a free pass 
for the term of their natural lives. 

As usual in works of this magnitude, there was a 
slight delay in its completion. Trains commenced 
running from Hridgeport to Fairfield Sept. 2, 1848, 
but, thougli tinishod from New Haven to Westport in 
October, 1848, it was not until Jan. 1, 1849, that the 
road was fully open for travel over its entire length. 
The original fare, if the writer's information is cor- 
rect, was from New Ilavcn to New York, one dollar 
and fifty cents ; from Bridgeport to New York, one 
dollar. 

The capital stock of the road was originally two 
and a half millions of dollars, divided into twenty- 
five thousand shares, and at the completion of the 
road was owned as follows: 

Now York 15,374 shares. 

Boston 4,6r(0 " 

Connoeticut 5,026 " 

Total 25,000 " 

As already noted, Messrs. Stephen Tomlinson and 
William P. Burrall, of this city, were stockholders 
and members of the first board of directors. So many 
Bridgeport gentlemen have been connected with this 
road that some additional particulars respecting it, 
thougii not in strictly chronological order, may prop- 
erly find a place here. 

In May, 1851, an additional track was laid, and the 
capital stock was increased to three million dollars. 
Two severe disasters have occurred in its history, — the 
first the terrible accident and loss of life at Norwalk 
bridge, May 6, 1853, and the second the fraudulent 
overissue of stock by its first president, Robert Schuy- 
ler, which came to light in July, 1854, — but, with 
these exceptions, it has had a career of almost un- 
broken prosperity. Much of this success is due to 
the ability of Hon. William D. Bishop, of Bridgeport, 
who was its efticient ])resident from May 17, 18(57, to 
March 1, 187!), when ill health compelled him to re- 
sign. He is .still, however, a member of the board of 
directors. Hon. Nathaniel Wheeler has also been a 
director from May 19, 1870, to the present time. Mr. 
John T. Moody and Mr. William H. Stevenson, of 
this place, arc also connected with the road, — the 
former as ;issistant superintendent and the latter an 
su|ierintendent of the Shore l.,ine division. 

In the summer of 1872 the New York and New 
Haven road was con.solidated with the Hartford and 
New Haven Railroad, and in June of the following 
year the work of e(|uipping it throughout was com- 
pleted. The consolidated roail now leases the Boston 
and New York Air Line, paying that company si.\ 
per cent, of the earninps of the main line. It has 



also leased the Shore Line since 1870 for an annual 
rental of one hundred thousand dollars. The dis- 
tance from Si)ringfield, Ma.ss., to Harlem Junction is 
one hundreil imd twenty-three miles, but the total 
length of main lines and branches is two hundred and 
twenty-two miles. 

The capital stock of the consolidated road is 
$15,500,000, and the total debt only $428,978.48. 
There are 1683 stockholders, and the earnings from 
all sources in 1879 were $3,997,892.90. About fifteen 
passenger-trains traverse the road in each direction 
daily. There are 57 stations, 84 locomotives, 1740 
cars, and during the past year 3,587,899 passengers 
and 1,209,1)30 tons of freight were transported. The 
usual dividend paid to the stockholders is ten per 
cent. 

The idea of a railroad through the Naugatuck val- 
ley, terminating at Bridgeport, is also due to Alfred 
Bishop. This road was chartered in 1845, the follow- 
ing persons being the incorporators : Timothy Dwight, 
of New Haven ; Philo Hurd, of Bridgeport ; Green 
Kendrick, of Waterbury ; Alfred B. Brittain, of 
Bridgeport ; Thomas Burlock, of Derby ; George L. 
Schuyler, of New York ; William P. Burrall, of 
Bridgeport. 

At the organization of the first board of dijectors, 
Feb. 18, 1848, Timothy Dwight was chosen president, 
Ira Sherman secretary, and Horace Nichols treasurer 
of the company. Messrs. Dwight and Sherman both 
died many years ago, but Mr. Nichols still retains his 
post. The recently published history of Derby, Conn., 
makes the following brief reference to this veteran 
officer : 

"When the Naugatuck road was started Mr. Nich- 
ols was elected treasurer, and has continued therein— 
a faithful, honorable, prompt, and energetic officer^ 
until the present time. He is unosteiitatiims, scarcely 
allowing a notice of himself to be made in print, 
constant in his attention to business, and therefore 
greatly successful, and merits and receives the esteem 
of all with whom he is associated." 

The original intention was to build only from 
Bridgeport to Waterbury, but the capital stock was 
afterwards incrca.sed from eight liundrc(l thousand 
dollars to one million two hundred thousand dollars, 
and the road was extended to Winsted, Mr. Alfred 
Bishoj) being the contractor. He did not live to see 
the work entirely completed, but died in June, 1849, 
while the road was not finished until Sei>teml)er 24th 
of the same year. Since the opening of the road vil- 
lages U|)on the line have grown into thriving and 
prosperous cities, manufactures known the world over 
have been established, and the value of real estjite hits 
been increjised fivelold. 

The Naugatuck enjoys the reputation of being one 
of the best-nnmaged roads in the country. It has 
neither floating nor bomled debt, pays all bills 
monthly, and its stock is in demand as a sound, 
dividind-paviiiL' investment. 



BRIDGEPOKT. 



99 



The piTsciit iitfirers ;irc: E. F. Bishii]i, President; 
Hoiiiee Xielidls. Treasurer; James Putter, ('hid' 
( 'lerli ; (Jeiirge W. Beaeli, 8uperiiiteiiileiit ; !?aiuu(l 
"Wilindt, Auditor. Tlie direetors are W. D. Bisliop, 
P. Tomliuson, E. F. Bisliop, Bridijeport ; J. (!. Wet- 
m<ire, AVinsted ; A. L. Dennis. Newark, X. .T.; II. 
Broiison, J. B.Robertson, New ilaven; P. iL Bas- 
sett, Derliy ; F. J. Kinjfsliurv, Waterhury. 

The Nauj;atuek now leases and operates the New 
Haven and Derby road, paying the latter twenty per 
cent, of the gross earnings of both corporations, the 
contract to be readjusted every five years. Its length, 
from Wiiisted to its junetion with the consolidated 
road, near the Housatonie Piver, is ."ilil miles. Its 
capital st<jek is S2,000,UO(I,— held by 4:',2 jiersons, re- 
siding in every quarter of the world except Soutli 
America, — and its total debt does not exceed $30,0(10, 
while its earnings from all .sources iu the year 1879 
were S.".1(;..')<I4.14. This road has 10 stations. 2o4 eni- 
jiloyei -. I I loeomotives, and )illl cars, and transported 
in the alioNc year i(i],4(!'.) passengers and 100,84.") tons 
of freiglit. 

The railroad commissioners of the State, in their 
last annual report, say of it, — 

"Steel rails have taken the place of the original 
iron the wdiole length of the road, and the track is 
kept in good surface and alignment. The passengei'- 
ears have, during the past year, been eiiuip])ed with 
the Miller platform and the Wcstinghouse automatic 
brake. The usual dividend of ten per cent, has been 
paid to the .stockholders." 

The decade between 1850 and 1860 was one of great 
Ijrosperity for Bridgeport, and during this period it 
first began to assume the appearance of a city. In 
1S53 the Bridgeport Water Company was formed, and 
in 18")4 and 1855 water-mains were laid through the 
lirincijial streets by Nathaniel Greene and his asso- 
ciates. The Bridgeport tras-Light Ct)mpany was 
chartered in 1849, and commenced busine.ss iu De- 
cember, 1S51. In June, 18.50, the Bridgeport Librarv 
was incorporated. Aliout the same time the Farmers' 
(now the First National), the Bridgeport City, and the 
Pequonnock Banks were chartered, several churches 
were dedii-ated, and two new bridges opened between 
the city i)ro]ier and East Bridgeport. The newlv- 
conipletni railroads brought much business to the 
place, and nuiny new residents were attracted hither. 
Manufacturing, except f<ir hojue consumption, was 
yet in its infancy, but tin; old-established houses ol 
Lyon & Calhoun, afterwards Lacey, Jlecker & ('o., 
manufacturers of saddlery and harness, and of Tom- 
linson, Wood & Co., now liincks & .lohnson, earriagr- 
builders, gave enrj)loyment to niany workmen and 
turne<l out an excellent cdass of work for exjiort. 

East Bridgcjiort now began to attract attention as 
an excellent site for building and for nnuiufaetori<'s. 
The following paragraphs relating to its rapid growth 
are slightly abridged from the "Autobiography" nt' 
Hon. P. T. Barnum : 



" In 1.S51 I purcliased from Mr. William II. N..lile 
the undivided hall' of his late father's homestead, 
consisting of fifty acres of land lying on the east side 
of the river, opposite the city of Bridgeport. We in- 
tended this as the nucleus of a new city, which we 
concluded could soon be bnill up, in consequeuee of 
many natural advantages tlial it possesses. Before 
giving publieity to our |ilans, however, we purehaseil 
one Ininilred and sevenly-fonr acres contiguous to 
tluit which we already owiieil, and laid out the entire 
property in regular .streets and lined them with trees, 
reserving a beautiful grove of six or eight aeies, which 
We inclosed and converted into a public park. We 
then i-oniiiH'iieed selling alternate lot.s at the same 
price which the land cost us by the acre. ( )ur sales 
were always nunle on the condition that a suitable 
dwelling-house, store, or nninufactory should be 
erected upon the land within one year from the date 
of ]iurchase; that every building should be jdaeed at 
a certain distance from the street in a style of archi- 
tecture approveil by us; that the grounds should be 
inclosed with acceptable fences and kept clean ami 
lu'at; with other eomlitions which would render the 
locality a desirable one for respectable residents. A 
new foot-bri<lge was built, connecting this place with 
the city of Bridgep(jrt, and a public toll-bri<lge which 
belonged to us was thrown open to the public free. 
Wv also put uji a fine covered drawbridge, between 
the two bridges already existing, at a cost of sixteen 
thousand dollars, w Inch we also made free to the pub- 
lic for several years. We built and leased to a Union 
('omiiany of young coach-makers a large and elegant 
coaili-manufactory. which was the beginning of the 
extensive mami factories sub>ei|ueutly built in East 
Bridgeport." 

The sagaiious pi'licy of Messrs. Barnuui and Noble 
laid the foumhition of the pro.sjierity of East Bridge- 
jiort, but it was not until the Wheeler <*v: Wilson Manu- 
facturing Company removed here that its remarkable 
gr(JWth really commenced. Since that tinu- many 
other large manufaetorio Inive Ijeen located here, — 
notably the Howe Sewiug-Machine ('onqiany, in 
lSti3 ; the Union Metallic Cartridge Company, in 
1805; the Frary Cutlery Company, Messrs. Glover, 
Sanford & Sons; the Bridgeport Bra.ss Company; the 
Farist Steel Company ; the .Monumental Bronze Com- 
pany ; .1. \. ll<juse; and not a few smaller concerns. 
,V11 these lia\e in a greater or less degree contributed 
to the jirosperity of the place. 

The same is true of such csialilishiuents upon the 
wi-st side of the river as the Eaton Cole i*!: Bnrnham 
Comjiany, the Furniturc-.Manufacturing ( 'onipany, 
the Burlock Manufacturing ('ompany. Thompson, 
J,angdoii .V' <'o,. the S]iring Perch ('ompany, liincks 
i*y: .lohnson, the Pead Carpet ('ompany, the P. Tom- 
liuson S|iring Company, Ivi's, lilakcslec i'^ Co., the 
I'acirtc Iron-Works, the .lohn .'^. Way Company, 
Bridgeiiort Patent-Leathei- ('ompany, Warner Broth- 
ers, Bridgeport Malleable Iron l.'onii)any, Hotchkiss 



100 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Sons, Parrott Varnish Company, Bridgeport Spring 
Company, J. B. Secor, Smith & Egge Company, Wheel 
and Wood-Bending Company, White JIanufacturing 
Company, Bridgeport Organ Company, Lee Arms 
Company, Kray & Pigg, Ameriean Belt, Tin, and 
Tube Company, Ornamental Wood Company, Bridge- 
port Coach-Lace Company, Bridgeport Ehistic Web 
Comi)any, Belknap Manufacturing Company, W. F. 
Swords, Bridgeport Paper-Box Company, Bridgeport 
Silver Company, H. T>. Gates & Company, .Etna 
Spring and Axle Company, the Pequonnock Paper 
Company, J. S. Follansbee, Giles and Clancey, Coul- 
ter & McKenzie, and a multitude of others. 

It is much to be regretted tliat the limits of the 
present sketch do not admit of an extended account 
of each one of them. Tlie Wheeler & Wilson Com- 
pany, however, has been so long and so intimately 
connected with Bridgeport, and has given employ- 
ment to so large a number of the population, that no 
history of the city, even though a brief one, can be 
written without containing some account of it. 

This company removed to Bridge])ort in IS.'ie, but, 
in order to gain a clear idea of its history, it is neces- 
sary to go back to 1849, the year when Allen B. Wil- 
son first invented his sewing-machine. Nathaniel 
Wheeler, who was born in Watertown, Conn., in 1820, 
was then carrying on the manufacture of light metallic 
goods in his native place. Happening to be in New 
York upon busitiess, he went to see the new sewing- 
machine, which was tlien on exhibition in a room in 
the old ^Sun building, and was attracting considerable 
attention. Mr. Wheeler quickly recognized the merits 
of the invention, and at once entered into a contract 
to build five hundred of the machines at his factory 
in Watertown, Mr. Wilson agreeing to remove to that 
place and superintend their manutjicture. 

Further imjjrovements having been made in the 
machine, an a])plication for a patent was filed, and 
the document was is.sucd Aug. 12, 1851. Messrs. 
Wheeler and Wilson now entered into copartnership 
with Alanson Warren and George P. Woodruff, of 
Watertown, under the firni-nanie of Wheeler, Wilson 
& Co., anil began the manufacture of machines under 
tlie patent. Several hundred had been sold, and Mr. 
Wheeler had succeeded in introducing them into the 
extensive shirt-factories at Troy, N. Y., and New 
Haven, Conn., and had established depots for their 
sale in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, when, 
for the better prosecution of the business, the firm 
was dissolved, and the Wheeler & Wilson Manufac- 
turing Company was organized in October, 1853, with 
n capital of one hundred and sixty thousand dollars, 
one hundred thousand of this sum representing the 
patent-right, and the remainder standing for tools, 
nnichinery, and working capital already emi)loyed in 
the business. 

The first president of the company was Alanson 
Warren, and the first secretary and treasurer George 
1*. Woodruff, while among the original incorporators 



and stockholders was George Mallory, then of Water- 
town, but for many years past a resident of this city. 
Jlr. Wheeler was elected ])resident of the company 
July 18, isr>ry. 

In the spring of 185(i, the business having greatly 
increased, it was decided to remove to East Bridge- 
port, where the works of the Jerome Clock Company 
had been i)urchased. Since that time its history 
has been identified with that of Bridgeport. The 
original dock-factory has been greatly enlarged and 
new buildings erected, so that the establishment is at 
present one of the most extensive and complete in the 
country. 

At the present time the principal buildings consist 
of the main factory, for metal-working, a.ssembling, 
testing, etc., occupying one complete square, 368 
by 307 feet, under one roof; a wood-working factory, 
covering a second scjuare, 520 by 219 feet; a foun- 
dry and needle-factory upon a third, 368 by 232 
feet ; the works altogether covering over seven acres 
of ground. 

Only a few rooms and the more interesting opera- 
tions can be mentioned here. The main machinery- 
room is that in wliich the principal mechanical work 
is performed in the production of the metal |)arts of 
the sewing-machines. This fireproof room is L- 
shaped, .300 feet in length, 210 feet in width in one 
])art and 100 feet in the other. Power is distributed 
from four main lines of shafting, which have not per- 
ceptibly deviated from correct adjustment since they 
were first placed in position, thirteen years ago. In 
this room are no less than 1003' separate machines for 
special mechanical operations, many of them seem- 
ingly po,sse.ssed of such intelligence and skill sis to 
direct and control their own movements, and only 
needing consciousness to rise to the plane of the skilled 
mechanic. 

To show how far division of labor is carried, it may 
be mentjioned that the well-known rotarj' hook under- 
goes one hundred and twenty-eight distinct operations, 
a glass-presser thirty -two, and a hemmer seventy. 

The i^imber of driving-belts which meet the view 
in this one room is, by actual count, 1676, of the total 
length of 39,510 feet, or but 90 feet less than 7^ miles. 
This is exclusive of short feed-belts, etc., of which 
there are probably as many more. 

Passing through a tunnel under the street, we reach 
the buildings in which are the foundr)' and the needle- 
factory. Of the former it need only be said that for 
convenience ami perfection of all appointments it is 
not surpa.ssed. 

.\s the sewing-machine proper is useless without 
the needle, the latter is, of course, an article of prime 
importance. No department of these works is more 
interesting than the mechanical processes of convert- 
ing steel wire into ))erfcctly finished needles. The 
distinct operations in the making of each needle now 
number thirty-three, having been recently reduced 
from fifty-two by improved nmchinerj-. 





/I. 




I 



I 



i>^ 



BRIDGEPORT. 



101 



The wocid-working or cabinet dopnrtment of this 
coiMpaiiy is under a sepai'ate organization, st_vle<l tlie 
Scwinjr-.Mai'liine Cabinet Company. Tlie main build- 
iniis of (bis department are two in nundier, eaeli rrli't 
feet in lengtli. Here is made all the furniture for the 
machines, from a plain table-top to the most elaborate 
and cxjiensive full ease or cal)inet. Tlie raw material, 
brought from .Vrkansas and elsewhere, is cut to dimen- 
sirjus in the company's saw-mill, and afterwards worked 
u]i into the desired forms. The excellent tiuish of the 
cabinet-work is obtained by the use of the \^ood-lilling 
invented by Mr. Wheeler, and patented .Ian. IS, 1S7(). 
The invention issaid t(j be one of great value, not only 
for sewing-nuichine work, but for all kiinls (jf wood- 
work where a sujjerior finish is desired. 

The present nundjer of employees in all depart- 
ments of the factory is about 12(M(, and the aggregate 
sum paid out to employies of the eonipany in thi' 
city of r.riilge)>ort U]i to the present liiue is not hss 
than $14,000,(1110. Mo-t of the workmen aje ol' a su- 
]ierior class. 

The following table, recently compiled for tin: 
I'nited States Census Bureau, exhibits their nation- 
alities: 

N11111I..T l.rnn ill the UliitiNl Slatos SI12 

■' CiiiiHib 4 

'• Iroliuiil 1SI7 

" " <Mimiiiiv 101 

■• EiiKliiii'i 411 

'• Sr,,ll;iii.l r, 

" '* ntliiT Kiiropeaii Cf.uiiitries... M 

Tciljil 11112 

The merits of the Wheeler i^ \Vilson machine have 
been recognized at the ditferent World's Fairs. ,\wanls 
were made to the original machine at London, iu l.silii, 
and at Paris, in IX(J7, and to the improved No. t\ and 
No. 7, for sewing leather and heavy cloth, at Vicuna 
in 1873, and at riiiladelpliia in 1S70, while the only 
grand gold medal and grand prize dijdonui Lssued to 
sewing-machines at the Paris Exposition of IS;7.S was 
awarded to the Wheeler it Wilson sewing-ma<diine as 
excelling forgciu'ral use any of its eighty e(nnpetitors. 

As already stated, the original capital of the com- 
pany was .'i;li;;(l,(IOO, but an increase to .s!G(IO,UO(l was 
authorized by the Legislature in 1864, and a further 
increase to $1,()()0,(I(I1) in l.Sfilj. At this amount it still 
nomiindly renuiins, though the assets are nnu-h larger, 
an<l the stock sells for several times its par value. 

The l)resent officers and representatives of the 
comi)any are: Xathaniel Wheeler, President; W'W- 
liam II. Perry, Secretary and Treasurer; Frederick 
Hurd, President Sewing-.JIachine Calnnet Company; 
Isaac Holden, General Correspondi'Ut ami Superin- 
tendent of Agencies. The directors are .N. Wheeler, 
William H. Perry, of Bridgejiort ; S. JL Buckingham, 
James Elton, of Waterbury ; T. A. Warren, of New 
Haven; N. Shipman, of Hartford ; C. 1!. Erwin, of 
New^ Britain. 

Mr. Wheeler has now been president of this great 
nnmufacturing establishmeut for more than a quarter 
of a century. He has represented Bridgepmt iu the 



Legislature for several terms, and was <ine of the com- 
missiimers for building the new State Caidtol at Hart- 
ford. He has rendered valuable service to ISridgeport 
by the discharge of many pvdilic tr\ists, and is at the 
present time a director of the Public Library, of Moun- 
tain Grove Cemetery Association, and a mcmbi'rof the 
seho(d board and many other institutions, lie has 
always been a warm friend to tie' e;iu>e of education, 
and to his influence is largely due the decision ol' the 
town to erect a new high-schoid building upon tlolden 
Hill, which will be a cr.dit to the city. 

The organization of the pcrfci't system wdiidi ]ire- 
vails throughout these works reipures excellent busi- 
ness talent, and reflects great credit ujion Mr. William 
H. Perry, who has been ciniucctcd with the comjKiny 
almost since its organization. He was elected secre- 
tary Se])t. o, 185.0, and secretary ami tri'asurer .Inly 
lii, IS.'ii;, which oltice,with that of siiperintciidi'iil. he 
still holds. Mr. I'crry has also rcmlcrcil important 
services to Bridgeport for a niiHiber of years past as 
one of the board of park commissioners, and the city 
is much indebted to him for the i>resent excellent 
condition of the public pleasure-grounds. 

r.UlIXiKI'OttX DUIU.XC THE REBELLION. 

No adequate aci'ount of the part taken liy Bridge- 
port in the war of the Rebellion can hr compresse<l 
into the limits of a sketch like the present. Only a 
few leading incidents can be given here, but perhaps 
upon the fiundation now laid some fut\irc- historian 
may build a better editice. 

The surrender of Fort Sumter was on Sunday, 
April 14, ISia. On Monday, the l.')th. President 
Lincoln issued his proehunation calling liir seventy- 
live thousand men. On the folhiwing day, (iovcrnor 
Buckingham called for one regiment of three months' 
volunteers, and two days later lor a second regiment. 
Thursday, April 18th, sixteen car-loads of Massachu- 
setts volunteers passed through Bridgeport in route 
for lialtinmre, followed on Friday morning by twenty 
car-loads more, and on Sunday by still another iletach- 
ment. These troops were welconu'd by a great crowd 
at the depot, and in firing a salute to them, .\pril 
I'.Kh, Leopold Schmidt, a mendier of the (icrman 
rifle company of this city, was killeil, and a comraih' 
of the same company was woundeil, — the first ('011- 
necticut siddiers to tail. The same day the banks 
voted to loan to the Governor the sum of oiu' hundred 
tlnnisand dollars. 

Saturday evi'iung, April 20th, there was a great 
war-meeting, jiresided <iver by Hon. I>, 11. Sterling, 
mayor of the city. The "Star-Spangled Banner" was 
sung by the assembly, and great enthusiasm |irevailed. 
Some idea of the sjiirit of the meeting may be obtained 
from the resolutions which were introdiU'cd by Hon. 
Anujs S. Treat. It was umuiimously voted that the 
photographs and the autographs of every member of 
! the companies now being raised should be preserved in 
! the town archives, that ten thousand dollars should 



102 



HISTORY OP FAIEFIELT) COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



be raised for the families of the volunteers, and that 
when thoy left for tlie seat of war the whole popula- 
tion of tlie place should escort tliem to the depot. 
Of the ten thousand dollars voted, seven thousand 
were subscribed before the meeting closed. 

To Capt. (afterwards Col.) Richard Fitzgibbons and 
to Oapt. (afterwards Col.) John Speidel belongs the 
honor of being the first in the field. Their commands, 
sulj,se(]nently designated as Conijiany H, Fii-st Con- 
necticut Volunteers, and Rifle Company B, of the 
same regiment, escorted by the Wheeler & Wilson 
Band and a great procession, marched to the depot 
and took the cars on Tuesday, April 22d, followed, a 
few davs later, by ( 'ompany 1), Third Regiment, under 
command of ('apt. (afterwards Lieut. -Col.) Frederick 
H. Frye. Maj. Henry M. Hoyt, now the publisher 
of the Morning News, was first lieutenant of Capt. 
Fitzgibbons' company. Two hundred overcoats, two 
hundred sliirts, and a beautiful flag were presented to 
tiie volunteers by the ladies of Bridgeport, who liad 
toiled incessantly to make them since the proclama- 
tion was issued. 

On Saturday, April 2(!th, a town-meeting was held, 
Joscpli Thompson acting as moderator, at which it 
was voted that the town should borrow thirteen thou- 
sand dollars, — the sum of ten thousand dollars to be 
expended for the families of volunteers, and three 
thousand dollars in raising and equipping additional 
troops. Thanks were voted to the volunteers already 
enrolled, and to the patriotic women of the place. 
Hon. D. H. Sterling was authorized to negotiate the 
loan, and a committee of seven was chosen to dis- 
burse it. 

After this there was a lull in the excitement until 
July 12th, when the news of the battle of Bull Run 
was received. Earlj; in August, the time of the three 
months' volunteers having expired, they returned 
home, and were met with a hearty welcome. 

August 24th a picnic of the returned volunteers 
was held in Hough's (Jrove. The same day a ])eace- 
meeting at Stepney was broken up by a party from 
Bridgeport, and in tlu^ evening the office of the Farmer 
news|)aper was destroyed. 

During the fall of 1861 seven companies, to serve 
for three years, were recruited wholly or in part in 
Bridgeport, — viz., Company D, First Connecticut 
Cavalry, C'a]>t. L. N. Middlebrook ; Comi)any H, 
Sixth Connecticut Volunteers, Cajit. Henry Biehel, 
and Company I of the same command, Capt. Thomas 
Boudren ; Company I, of the Seventh Connecticut 
Volunteers, Capt. Sylvester H. Gray; Company A, 
of the Eighth Connecticut Volunteers, Lieut. H. M. 
Hoyt; Companies 1) ami 1, of the Ninth Connecticut 
Volunteers, comnnimled by Capts. Thonuus Coats and 
Elliott M. Curtis, respectively. Among the field- 
officers commissioned by the < Jovernor during the same 
period were Maj. John Speidel, of the Sixth, Lieut.- 
Col. Richard Fitzglbbon and >[aj. Frederick H. 
Frye, of the Ninth, Regiments. 



Several Bridgeport firms also were busy at this time 
filling government orders for war-material. Gun- 
carriages and caissons were built by Frederick Wood 
& Co. ; harnesses in great numbers were turned out 
by Calhoun, Lacey & Co. ; while the Pacific Iron- 
works were busy in manufacturing steam-engines for 
the " Kanawha" and other siunboats. 

The reverses of the Union army under Gen. Mc- 
Clellan in the early summer of 1SG2 only (luickened 
the patriotic spirit of the loyal i)eople of Bridgei)ort. 
Thursday evening, July lit, 1862, a great war-meet- 
ing was held, which filled both Franklin and Wiish- 
ington Halls. Mayor Sterling and Hon. Russell 
Tomlinson wen' the ])residing oflieers, anil among the 
speakers were (iovernor Buckingham, Hon. William 
D. Bishop, Elias Howe, Jr., the inventor of the sew- 
ing-machine, and others. Twenty thousand dollars 
was subscribed before the meeting closed, to be ex- 
pended in carrying on the war; and when Mr. Howe 
announced that he had himself volunteered as a pri- 
vate soldier, the enthusiasm w:is very great, and nu- 
merous young men came forward and signed the roll. 
During the next few days enlisting went on rapidly, 
j owing in good degree to the ett'orts of Private Howe, 
I who went about the streets with drum and fife pick- 
ing up recruits fiir the Seventeenth, the new Fairfield 
County regiment. The ranks of the Seventeenth 
quickly filled up, and in August, 1862, it went into 
encamiiment at Camp Aiken, the |)re.sent site of Sea- 
side Park. During its stay here Rev. A. R. Thompson, 
of the South Congregational Church, acted as chap- 
lain, and collections were taken up in the churches to 
provide the regiment with a chapel-tent and a library. 
August 2ilth a patriotic meeting was held on the green 
eii.st of the court-house, attended by the Seventeenth 
in a body, and addressed by Messrs. Barnum, Bishop, 
Rev. Dr. Hewit, Father Lenihan, and others, and on 
Sunday, September 7th, divine service was conducted 
in the sanu' ))lace, and a sermon ajjpropriate to the 
occasion was preached by Rev. .1. >L Willey, rector 
of St. John's Church, who had served lus chaplain 
with one of the three months' regiments. 
' Aug. 25, 1862, the Fourteenth Regiment, one thou- 
I sand and fifteen strong, and containing a company 
from Briilgeiiort, marched through the streets of Hart- 
ford under command of Col. Dwight Morris, of this 
city, and end)arked tor the seat of war. Eight days 
i later the Seventeenth, whose field-officers were Col. 
i (afterward Gen.) William H. Noble and Lieut. -Col. 
Charles Walter, also left for Washington. It con- 
tained two full comimnies from Bri<lgeport, — D and 
G, — comnmnded by Capt.s. William H. Lacey and 
Jamw E. Dunham. Most of the members of Com- 
pany K were also from this jilace. 

The Second Connecticut Light Batten,-, Capt. .John 
W. Sterling eonnnander, wjis also recruited almost 
entirely from Bridgeport, and received marching 
orders for Washington, Oct. 15, 1862. 

During the month of November three additional 



BRID(?.EPOKT. 



103 



companies reeruitetl in Hridficiiort, un<ler the call tor 
nine months' volunteers, left the State tor service in 
the Department of the (iulf. Tlirsi- wen': ( 'nnipiiiiy 
I), Twenty-third t'onneetieut \'nluiiteer>, ( 'apt. (_'. W. 
Hall; Company I. Twenty-third ( 'imneetient Vidun- 
teers, Cajit. William It. May; and t'omiiany K, 
Twenty-fnurth ( 'unneetieut ^'ldlULt<■ers, Licnt. K. N. 
Goodwin, hient.-l'ol. ( '. W. Wordin was also rdui- 
missioned as one of the lield-nftieers iif tile Twmty- 
third Regiment. 

On the (ith of Oetnlier, isi;2, oi-riirri'd an event 
unprecedented in the annals of Kridgeport, — viz., a 
numicipal election wijli hut one ticket in the field. 
Hon. I). H. Sterling was re-elected mayor and a 
Common Council coiiiposed id' mendiers of Koth 
political i)arties was chosen without o[i|iosition, the 
whole number of votes cast heing hut thvvr hundred 
and sixty-seven. 

Mention ought to liave Ijcen made .sooner of the 
organized work of the loyal women of Bridgejiort. 

The Ladies' Kelief Society was formed Aug. I, ISfil, 
and from that time forward until the closi' of the war 
met every Wednesday for work. .Mrs. Woolsey (i. 
Stcrlin.a: was president until her removal from the 
city, wdien her j)lace was tilled by Mrs. Daniel 
Thatcher. The other officers (d' the society were 
Miss Lydia R. Ward secretary, and Miss Sarah Jane 
Hawley treasurer. The cash receii>ts of the society 
from its organization to its tirud meeting, in July, 
1SG5, were !|!3814.3t). Large quantities of supplies 
were also contributed, chiefly by Bridgeport, but also 
from fifteen other towns. The main work of the 
society was in preparing and forwarding hospital 
garmeids and stores, eo-operatiiig in this gooil work 
with the Sanitary Comnussion ; but boxes of provi- 
sif>ns, and packages of mittens, stockings, etc., were 
also forwarded to most of the Connecticut regiments. 
The average attendance of ladies at tlic weekly gatli- 
erings was about thirty, but over one hundred were 
sometimes present. The following extract from the 
final report of the secretary. Miss Lydia R. Ward, is 
worthy of special notice: 

"Volcil to place the balance reinaiidng in tlic 
hands of the treasurei* ($:!7').T4| in trust tor the 
benetit of the destitute children ol' soldiers, in the 
hope that as early as Se|)teniber a ]ilan may be de- 
vised, wdiich may lie ado|ited liy the citizens ot' 
Bridgeport, to found a iLome for these and other des- 
titute children." 

The first meeting of the Soldiers' .Vid Society was 
held July 19, 1S(>2, wlim the tolliiwing officers were 
elected: Mrs. D. II. Sterling, Rresidrnt ; Mrs. Mon- 
son Hawley, Vice-rresident ; Mrs. L. H. Norton, 
Secretary; Mrs, William K. Scidey, Treasurer. The 
membership of this ^mii-ty was very large, and its 
work correspondingly iiii|iortant. During the tir>t 
six months of its existence its cash receipts were over 
two thousand five hundred dollars (this amount liaving 
been raised by a pajier circulated liv .Messrs. I). IL 



Sterling and Henry R. Parrott), and twenty-two boxes 
had been sent to regiments. In Deciaaber, ixi;:!, it 
issued ait ajijical to the people of the State lor fresh 
vegetaldes for the soldiers, which was liberally re- 
sponded to, and several thousand barrels and boxes 
were received and duly forwarded, ^Ir. Henry It. 
Parrott, at that time agent of the .\dams lOxpress 
Coinpany, having charge of tin- sliipiiient. 

The League of Loyal Women of Ilridgi imrt was 
another organization, begun in .\pril, bsCi.'i. >h's. S. 
S. Clapp was president and Miss K. \',, Whiting sec- 
retary, and one hundred and twenty-nine ladies signed 
the constitution, whiidi pledged them to wear the 
I'niou colors and to "give the preference in trade to 
those known to be truly loyal." 

Li the suiiimer of ISVi'A drafting was begun in 
P.ridgeport to lill the (piota of this and other places 
under the re]icated calls of rresident IJncoln, the 
headquarters for the Fourth District being at the 
corner of Main and State Streets, over the Pequmi- 
noek Bank. The draft had not proi:ressed very far 
when it became so unpopular that it wa- -n-pended, 
and from that time forward to I he end o, the war 
recruits were obtained only through the siilistitute- 
broker. Knormous bounties were otfered, Imt, as a 
rule, the value of the recruit was about in inverse 
proportion to the aniount of the bounty jiaid. Some 
few of thi' substitutes were lionorable men and did 
good service, but the great majority were troin the 
slums of New ^'ork City, and deserted upon the first 
opiMirtunitv. The wdiole history of the substitute 
business rcHeets but little credit upon the people of 
Ciiimecticut, and it was putting a grievous insult upon 
the volunteers wdio Were lighting the battles of the 
country at the front to send out such men for their 
comrades and companions, though it must be admitted 
that a great many never reached the front, but de- 
serted en route. 

Upon the pith of April, l.SCi."), there was a grand 
illuniiiiation in Bridgeport in honor of the fall of 
Richmond and of Petersburg, and the surrender of 
Lee's army. Five days later news was received of 
I President Lincoln's assassination. .\ meeting of citi- 
zens was immediately called, :inil a committee of 
thirty was appointed to make arrangements for public 
funeral exercises. The Common Council met, and 
]iassed appropriate residutions. Mayor Morford issued 
his proclaniatiiin, and on Wednesday, April HHh, 
which w;is the iqqiointed day, all business was sus- 
pended, places of ainiisement were closed, the bells ot 
all the churches were tolled, and the citizens assem- 
bled in their resiiective jdaces of ]iiiblic worship, 
which were drajied in mourning, and particijiated in 
meniiirial serviccs.in honor of the martyred President. 
( )ne of the earliest of the three years' regiments to 
return was the Fourteenth, which had |iarticipated in 
all the leading engagements of the Army of the Po- 
tomac from Antietam to Apponiatox, and, after wit- 
nessins the surrender of Lee's army and marching in 



1U4 



H18T0RY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONiNECI'IcrT. 



triumph through Riehniond at the head of the Second 
Army Corps, had participated in tlie grand review at 
Washington. June 3, 1865, the surviving memliers of 
tlie command, numbering two hundred and thirty- 
four, readied Hartford, and a weei< hiter tlie small 
detachment from Bridgeport was received at the 
depot and marched to the Sterling House, where a col- 
lation and many kind words of welcome awaited them. 

Friday afternoon, Aug. 4, 1865, a grand reception 
was given to Companies D, G, and K, of the Seven- 
teenth, which arrived from New Haven upon a special 
train 2)nividcd by Klias Howe, .Jr. Some five thou- 
sand i)eoiile turned out to meet them ; there was a 
procession through the principal streets; liouses were 
gayly decorated with bunting, and at Franklin Hall 
there were stirring addresses and music by the glee 
club. Other companies and detachments were wel- 
comed as they successively* returned, though, coming 
later, their reception was not so demonstrative as was 
that of the comjjanies belonging to the Seventeenth. 

The number of soldiers enlisting from Bridgeport 
who are known to have been killed in battle, to have 
died of disease, or to have been starved to death in 
rebel prisons during the war is one hundred and sev- 
enty. Adding to this the number missing in action 
who were never after heard from, or who died from 
the effects of wounds received or from disea.se con- 
tracted in camp shortly after their return, the aggre- 
gate loss will doubtless exceed two hundred and 
fifty. Among them were such men as Lieut. -Col. 
Walter, of the Seventeenth, who was killed at Chan- 
cellorsville; JIaj. Wilson Hubbell, of the Sixty -second 
New York, who fell at Cold Harbor ; and Frederick 
H. Thompson, who died while serving upon the steam- 
ship " New London." 

Special mention ought to be made here of eight 
young men, — the oldest can hardly have been more 
than twenty-one at enlistment, — all of them either 
schoolmates or members of the same literary soci- 
ety, the old Philomathean, whose early death it is 
almost impossible to deplore, so bright an example of 
Christian patriotism have they left to all who come 
arter them. These were Walter Fitch, adjutant of 
the Sixth Coiineetieut Volunteers, who received his 
death-wound in the night attack upon Fort Wagner, 
while standing upon the parapet cheering on his men ; 
Ord.-Sergt. Albion Brooks, of the Eighth Connec- 
ticut Volunteers, who did not live to enter the Chris- 
tian ministry, as lie had jiurposed, hut fell in the 
charge at Cold Harbor; First Lieut. Franklin Bart- 
lett, only seventeen years of age when he enlisted, 
who was killed at Hatcher's Kun, near Petersburg; 
Capt. William H. Hawley, of the Fourteenth Ccm- 
nccticut Volunteers, well termed " a heroic Christian 
soldier," who, after ptussing almost unscathed through 
twenty-five engagements, received a bullet in the brain 
while defending the captured Weldon Uailroad ; -Vdjt. 
Henry Chatfield, of the Seventeenth Coiineetieut Vid- 
untecrs. who, refusing to Surrender, waa shot down by 



a party of guerrillas in Florida ; Corp. Henrii' T. Win- 
slow, member of a Massaehusett-s regiment, who fell 
a victim to the deadly malarial fever of the South ; 
and First Lieut. Richard Ro.ss Crawford, of the 
Seventh U. S. Infantry, a Virginian by birth, and a 
Democrat by education, but who remained true to 
the Old Flag and fell bravely fighting in its defense 
at Gettysburg, as did also Corp. Alvah Wilcox, of the 
Seventeenth Connecticut Volunteers, who had some- 
times been Crawford's opponent in i)olitieal debate, 
but who fought under the same banner and has his 
name inscribed upon the same monument. 

SOLDIERS' MONUMENT. 

Very soon after the close of the war it was decided 
by the ladies of the Soldiers' Aid Society that a mon- 
ument should be erected to perpetuate the memory of 
our deceiu«ed .soldiers. The funds at their command 
were small, but they were carefully invested, ami from 
time to time were increiised by fairs, a promenade con- 
cert, and other entertainments, until they reached 
quite a respectable sum. The corner-st<jne was laid 
at Seaside Park, Aug. 29, 1866, with ap])ropriate cere- 
monies, the Governor and his staff, Maj.-Gen. Terry, 
and a large audience, made up of militia, firemen, 
veterans, civic societies, and citizens generally, being 
present. 

At a town-meeting held June 10, 1873, the sum of 
eighteen thousand nine hundred dollars was voted by 
the town for the nionuiiient, and William H. Mallory, 
Henry A. House, and J. I). Alvord were a]>pi)iuteil a 
committee to superintend its construction. The ladies 
of the Soldiers' Monument Association were also re- 
quested to co-operate in the work. The whole cost of 
the monument, including plans and specifications, was 
twenty-eight thousand nine hundred didlars, of which 
ten thousand dollars was contributed by the ladies' 
association. 

Aug. 17, 1876, was the day set for the dedication 
exercises. Military organizations and guests from 
abroad were present in large numbers, and the pro- 
cession, which was under command of Chief Marshal 
William E. Disbrow, of the Nineteenth Connecticut 
Volunteers, was perhaps tlieniosl imposing ever seen 
in Bridgeport. A violent rain-storm interrupteil the 
exercises at the park and comjielled an adjournment 
to the opera-house, where addresses were made by 
Hon. D. II. Sterling, Rev. Dr. A. R. Thompson, .Maj. 
W. H. Mallory, ex-Governor Hawley, Gen. W. H. 
Noble, and othei-s. The ilesign of the monument, 
which is the work of W. H. Jlosman, of Chicopee, is 
generally much admircil, and its location, overlooking 
the bright |>anorama of Long Island Sound, is cer- 
tainly unequaled. 

The ladies of the monument association still keep 
up their organization for the purpose of seeing that 
the monument and its surroundings are kept in 
proper order, and hold pleasant reunions in August 
of cai'h vear. 




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SOtO-fERS MONUMENT, B«i£>C£PORT, €Ohm. 



BRIDGEPORT. 105 



THE CEXTEXNTAL CEEEliK \T[i1X. 



SEASIDE PARK. | (J,.,,. Ejtbfrt K. Virlr, of Nrw Y..ik, wns coiisiiltcl 

Pii!)lif iitti'iitiou was first drawn to the capahilitics by the commissioners, and, actiiif; u|)(in liis advice, 

of our water front, liy the eni'ani| nt of llie Seven- the sea-wall and drive-way were lieL'Uii, and the pond 

leentli ]{e};inieiit U|p(jn tlie shore in thr sunnncr of exca\ated and providrd with aniputlrl. I'laiis were 

1S():2, and the ex])eriinents of (Icn. (Jillniorc with IIh- afterward procured at his own expense hv lion. Na- 

Ames pun in the same locality two years latei'. In thaiiiel Wheeler from Messrs. (Ilmstcail ami \'aiix, 

October, 1S(1:!, an article in the Stniiiliii-il nri;cd tlu' tin' desiirners of Central Park, New '('ork', which were 

necessity for om' or more public parks, and Sept. 1), follow ed in laying out the aroiinds. K.\tensive addi- 

I>;ii4, another article in the .same journal recom- tions have since been nunle by ptirehasi'. iiM-lndiuLC 

mended the |uirchase of the grouml now occupicil tin' beautiful jrrove on the north, so that the ]iresent 

by Seaside I'ark, describing it in thi' follow ing gr.iphic area of the park is more than double that of thi' lirst 

terms: survey. 

"A beautifid umlulating piece (d' land, Iree fnuu It would be clitlicult to say too mmdi in praise either 

r<n-ks, skirted for a good part of the way on the north of the original idea of this beautifid pleasure-ground 

by fine forest-trees, and bounded on llu' south loi- its or the manner in whi(di it has been carried out. In 

entire length by the sparkling waters of the Sound, addition lo the natural attractions mentiiuied in the 

Prom this water-fnnit, which is co.d ami pleasant article whi(di has been (piotecl, the trees ami slindi- 

eveii in the hottest days, a ]iietures(|Ue and striking bery, the Soldiers' Monument, the I rolting-park, the 

view is obtained. ()n the left, as wc stand faiing ihe o|M'n-air concerts through the sumnu'r, ami the facil- 

water, is the city, with its tall spires and chimneys : ities fiir sea-bathing nniki' if a |ilace nneipialed ilse- 

poinfing skyward from among the trees ; the harbiu', i where in New England, while numerous streets and 

d(itted with its sailing craft, and the wooded j.oint, the horse-railroad afford easy access to all. "What a 

with its cottages o]iposite; on the ri,tt'ht, the green benclit the Seaside Park will be to ISridgeport when 

slojiing shores cd' ISlack Rock, stretching far arouml anotlur i-entury has [)asscd ami the popidation id' the 

to the lighthimse. Par away to the south the hilN place has perha]is increased to a liundreil thousand, 

of Long Island loom up from the horizon in ilear can hardly be estimated, 
weather, while in the Icueground a constant panoram.-i 
mci'ts the eye of white-sailed vessels jiassing up and 

down the bhu' waters of the Sound." The anniversary of our national independeuce, .luly 

^lessrs. 1", T. Parnum and .lames ( '. Loomis were 4, ISTil, was celebrated at the |>ark so ]deasantlv, and 

the lirst to imive in the matter, and thi- tlnnnr espe- withal so sensibly, that the oeea-ion scnis wurthy cd' 

eially jiushcil it with his usual energy. Early in .\o- mention lieri'. 

vember, l.^(i4, a survey of the land was nuidi' by V,. .lolin I >. Candee, E.sq., editor of the Stiiinhiril, was 

l;. Pandiert ami ( icorge I'.eckwith, and a map hung president of the day, Col. Sanuud V>. Sumner was 

up in the post-(dtice showing the area of the ]iroposed idnef uuirshal, and the procession, though an excellent 

park to be about thirty-rtve acres, thirteen cd' w Inch om% was entirely from Pridgepcnl and its immediate 

were situated in the town (jf Bridgepint, and the re- \iciidty. The ilay was a iierfeet one, and those who 

niaimler within the territory since annexed, but at managed the affair had set up the jihitfbrm and the 

that tiuH' a part (if the tciwu (if Eairfield. seals for spectators in tin' beautiful shady gi^ivc be- 

During the winter of l,S(i4-l'i.'> the owiici-s (d" the longing to the park, and had not forgotten to provide 

land, Capts. .lohn Prooks and Jluir Jviiapp, and barrels lif ice-water for the refreshment of those who 

Messrs. (icorge Bailey and P. T. Parnum, agreed to had marched in the ])roeessi(in. 

convey the land to the city free of charge on comli- The exercises were begun with praver and the sing- 

fiiiu that it be used peri.etiially for a public paik, and ing of Whittier's Centeinual Hymn, — 

the sum (if two thousand seven hundnd and twcidv 

I ,, , -1 » 1 1 ■ . ■ I- ■ 1 i' I "Our fiitln-rs' Gii.l: fnuii cut ulio.sv liiiiicl 

d(illars was contniiuted bv sonu' sixtv im ividiuils ' ti„. .„„»„,! r n ii • .■ i 

lilt' t-(?ntmi('8 i:ill like ^iiauisot :^iin(l, 

and business firms, to purchase additional land. In WiMiu'L-t tu-tl.-i.v. uiiitrd, fn-... 

the following spring the matter was brouiiht up in And li.y.il to uu. liui.l iHi.i Tl.cf, 

,1 /-I ,. ., , ,. , . ... . To Uiiuik Thf'i- I'.ir 111.' fniil'.n.', 

the Common ( ouueil and referred to a eoinmitlee a i . . ^, , ., • 

Anil trust Tbce to|- tlu> .ip"iintg uiu'. 
composeil of lion. Nathaniel "Wheeler, I''rederiek 

lluril. and l';ii Thumps who reported favorably; .\fter this the audience lislened with exemplary 

and at a eity-meeting, called in accordance s\itli the patience to the Declaration of Indeiiendence, to a 

re|iort .of the conimittee, ,Iuly S, l.sCi.'i, the Coiineil hislorieal address descriptive of the place as it was 

was authorized fd accept the deeds of the land and one hundred years ago, to a number of speeches, 

to ajipropriatc a sum not exceeding ten thousand dol- humorous, eloipient, and prophetie, and to an oriLdnal 

lars in grading and im|.rovements. .\ng. 14. I.Si;."i. poem, all the production of home talent. The whole 

the Common Council formally aeecpfed the deeds, eompaiiy ]ireseiit then uiiiled in simjini; " America " 

and appointed James C. Loomis, S. S. Clapp, and —•' My country 'tis of thee," etc.,— and, having been 

Jacob Kiefer Commissioners of Seaside Park. dismissed with the bem'dietion. retired to their homes 



106 



HISTORY OF FAIKFIELD COUNTY, COXNECTICUT. 



much wondering wlint the exercises would l)e, and 
who would compose the assembly, when another cen- 
tury should have rolled around, and the 4th of July, 
IS'Tli, luive dawned. 



CJI A I'TKR \ 1 1. 

BRIDGEPORT (Continued). 

THE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF BRIDGEPORT. 

AlmsIiouBO — Bauks — Buiird of Tnulo — Bridfies — Ciwunlties ami rriines — 
Conietoritts — CIuiitIicj, — CtiHlom-Ihnijn'. 

In the succeeding chapters tlie writer proposes to 
give sonic account of the ])ul>lic iiistiuitions of Hridge- 
port, together with a number of inci<lcnts whichcould 
not conveniently be introduced into the ])receding 
narrative, yet which are too important to be wholly 
passed over. Doubtless some of the statistlca here 
given will seem to readei-s of to-day wholly uninter- 
esting; yet it should be remend)crcd that matters 
quite unimportant to one body of readers are often 
esteemed valuable Ijy another circle, and also that 
many facts perfectly familiar to the public at the 
present time will be by no means so to the succeeding 
generation, unless i)ut upon record in some such work 
as this. For convenience of refcreiiee, the tojiics in 
this cha2)ter are arranged ali)habetically. 

ALMSHOUSE. 

In the year 1865 the selectmen, having .sold the 
land and building in East Bridgeport formerly occu- 
pied by the town-poor for about twenty th(msand 
dollars, ])Urcha.sed a farm in the northeastern ])art of 
the town and began the erection of another l)uililing. 
The farm cost six thousand four hundred dollars and 
contains forty acres, of which about twenty-five are 
in good condition for tillage. The building is of brick, 
L-shaped, three .stories high, and cost aboiit fifteen 
thousand dollars. It stan<ls u|)on the east side of 
A.sylnm 8trcet, a. little north of Old Mill (Jreen, and 
has usually from fifty to sixty inmates. Hcsidcs these, 
some two hundred others receive oceasional assistance 
at their own homes. For the past ten or twelve years the 
town ha-s contracted with Mr. William H. liunnell for 
the relief of the ]>oor, |)aying him a gross sum, which 
is at present between thirteen and fourteen thousand 
dollars per annum, together with the use of the farm 
rent free. Jlr. Bunnell is well spoken of by all who 
have dealings with him, and is believed to diseliarge 
the duties of his i)osition with humanity. Xo stated 
religious services are held at the poorhouse. 

BANKS. 

At the present tinu? there are five national banks 
in Bridgeport, whose aggregate capital and surplus 
is over a million and a half of dollars, and four sav- 
ings banks, whose united assets exceed six millions. 



One of these institutions, which has reached a very 
respectable — not to say venerable — age, is the old 
Bridgejjort Bank, which was incorporated soon after 
the establishment of the borough, when there were 
but five other banks in the State, and has now entered 
its seventy-fifth year without showing any marks of 
decrepitude. Did space permit, it would be pleasant 
to speak at length of many of the gentlemen who 
have been prominent in banking circles here, but 
only a few can now be referred to, and that in the 
briefest manner. 

Dr. Isaac Bronson, of- Greenfield Hill, the first 
president of the Bridgeport Bank, was a man of 
nuirk in his day. He had served in the Revolution 
as a.ssistant surgeon of Connecticut troops, and after 
the war had been engaged in banking, both in Pliila- 
del|)liia and in New York, before coming to Bridge- 
port. He was a successful financier, though some of 
his rules might now be thought a little arbitrary. One 
of these was never to discount paper having more than 
sixty days to run, and another never to renew a note. 

Daniel Thatcher, ])resident of the Connecticut Bank 
for fifteen years prior to 184>i, Sherman Ilartwell, 
president of the Bridgeport from 184!' to 18<>i1. and 
Sherwood Sterling, president of the City tVir a num- 
ber of years prior to 18G9, were all excellent men and 
st')od high in public estimation. George Sterling 
also, who died in 1871, had been for twenty-eight 
years treasurer of the Bridgeport Savings Bank, and 
was respected and loved by all who knew him. Mcti- 
tion may also be made of P. C. Calhoun, who has 
found a wider field for his abilities than Bridgeport 
affords, and has been for a number of years [)ast the 
president of the Fourth National Bank of the city of 
New York. 

The Bridgeport Bank was incorporated October, 
180(), on ])etition of John S. Cannon, Salmon Hub- 
bell, Lambert Loekwood, and Isaac Hinman, and 
began business May 21, 1807, in a house no longer 
standing, upon the west side of Water Street, lU'ar 
State Street. The building now owned and occupieil 
by the bank, on the corner of Main and Bank Streets, 
was erected in 1810, and was esteenic(l at that time a 
great ornament to the jdace. In 18(i."), in common 
with all the other banks of discount in the city, the 
Bridgeport became a national bank. 

This bank has had seven presidents, — viz., Isaac 
Bronson, term of service, eighteen years; John S. 
Cannon, seven years; Ebene/.er Jessu|). five years; 
Sylvanus Sterling, eleven years; Hanford I^yon, one 
year; Sherman Hartwell. twenty years; and Monson 
Hawley, eleven years. 

The capital of the Bridgeport National Bank is now 
$21.'),8'iO, and its snri>lus $80,000. Officers of the in- 
stitution at the present time are: President, Monson 
Hawley; cashier, F. N. Benham ; directors, T. B. De 
Forest, Monson Hawley, R. B. Laeey, Carlos Curtis, 
D. M. Reed, John M." Wheeler, J. Bartrani, T. B. 
Bartram, and P. N. Fairchild. 
















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]07 



111 :May, 1S:?1, Cyrus H. Reanlsloe, Daniel J^terliiia;, 
Euiirli Footc. and others, petitiiineil the Lei;islatiirc, 
and reeeivcd iierniission to estaldish a new hank in 
Bridfre|iiirt, to be called the ConnectiiMit liaiik, with 
])owir to open a liraneli at Mill River, or SoiithixTt, 
in the town of Fairfield. As the i-u>toni was at that 
time, the ineorporatoi's \vere reipiired to pay a honus 
of s:-")0(i(l f(ir their eharter, seven-tenths of whieh sum 
went !■> Yale t'oUe^ie. and the remainder to Wash- 
iiifiton Colk'fre. The first officers of the (.'oiinectiiMit 
I'aiik were ('apt. Ezekiel Iluliliell jiresident, and 
t'harles Foote cashier, thi' lattir for many years iden- 
tified with the hank, hotli as cashier and as director. 

For several years this institution was hicated on the 
north corner of Wall and Water fstreets, hut after the 
great fire of 1S8;5 a lot was |iuri'hased upon the corner 
of ]\I[iin and Wall Streets, and the ]iresciit edifice 
erected. 

Till' capital of this hank at the ]ircseiit time is 
S3o2.iMMI, with a sur|>lus of s]nu,(l(Hi, and the ofheers 
areas fidlows: President, Samuel W. Baldwin; cashier, 
Ileiiiy I!. T'rew ; directors, 1', (.'. Calhoun. William 
]>. I'.i^le.p. .Tarratt Morford, S. C. Tnihee, Henry 1!. 
I>rew. S. W. Baldwin, William It. HiL'hy, and Mar- 
.shall F. Morris. 

The Farmers' Bank was chartered in \>iV.K with a 
capital of Sl'oo.Ollll, and was oljliged to pay a lionus of 
$5(100 to the (ieneral Hospital Society of the State cd' 
Connecticut. For many years it transacted Imsiness 
upon the southwest corner of jNIain and State Streets, 
hut in February, 1871, removed to its present location, 
at Main and Bank Streets, in the building of the 
People's Savings Bank. The F\iriners' Bank was the 
first to avail itself of the Xational Bankinsr Act, and 
in March, l.S(;4, it- name was i-hanged to "The First 
Kational Bank of Bridgeiiort." It has been since its 
organization as a national bank a depository for funds 
<d' the United States government. 

The capital of the bank now stamls ;it is^lii.oiio, 
with a surjilus of $105,000. mid tidlowing is a list of 
its otiicers: President, Edmund S. Hawley ; cashier, 
AVilliam E. Seelcy ; directors, E. S. Hawley, Russell 
Toinlinson, Horace Nichols, W. E. Seeley, Edwanl 
Sterling, C. K, Averill, C, A. (irannis, S. S. Booth, 
and H. L. Fairchild. 

The Bridge])ort City Bank — now the City National 
Bank — was organized Jan. 17, b'^54, under flie gen- 
eral banking act of 185l', with a ca;)ital of $100,000, 
wliieh five years later was increased to $200,000. It 
began business in the old post-office building, on the 
iiortli side of Bank Street, thence reiiii>ved to the 
southwest corner of Wall and Water Streets, and in 
1861 completed and occu|iied its spacious building, 
Nos. 17 and I'.l Wall Street. The cost of this building 
was twenty-si.\ thousaml chdlars. March 15. 18()5, 
this bank was reorganized under the National Banking 
Act, with a capital id" $250,000. 

The fiiUowiiig geiitleiiicii have served as president- 
of the institution: .\dam P. Houston. S. F. Hiird. Ira 



Sherman, Sherwood Sterling, George B. Waller, and 
Daniel N. Jlorgan. Its capital stock is now $25o.tloo, 
and its surplus $58,000. Hon. D. X. Morgan, mayor 
of the city, is the ]iresideiit, and J. F. Fayerweatlier 
cashier. The director- are (leorge B. Waller, Elbert 
F. Hubbell. S. JI. .Middlcbrook, Nathaniel Wheeler, 
Ceorge :\Iallory, E. C. Sanford, D. N. Morgan, I). B. 
Booth, and Miles Bcardslcy. 

The Pei|Uoiinock Bank was chartered in 1X51, and 
the sum paid for the privilege was four thousand dol- 
lar-, which was distributed in the fiillowing manner: 
I Inc thousand dollar- to the liridgcport Librarv, one 
tliou-and five hundred dollars to the State freasiirv, 
for the benefit of the insaiii' poor, and the same 
amount to the State Keforni School. Its browustone 
building, cin-ner of Main and State Streets, was com- 
pleted and its doors opened for business Nov, 10, 1851. 

Following is a list of the |iresidciits of this bank: 
P. T. I'.arnuin. 1S51 ; Charles B, Ilnbbell, 1S55; ( 'lapp 
S|iooner, ISiill; Moii~oii Hawley, 1805; ('harhs i!. 
llotchkiss, ]8(;;i. William R. Highy wa- ca-hicr from 
the first organization until February, IMl'.t, when he 
was succeeded by I. B. Prindle. 

!\Iarch 18, 18(i5, the Peijuonnock was reorganized 
as a national bank. Its ]ireseut capital is $200,000; 
surplus, $40,000. The offii-crs are: I'resident, Charles 
li. Hotchkiss; cashier, Isaac B. Prindle; directors, 
C. B. HotchkLss, David Trubee, John Hurd, James 
H. Moore, I. B. Prindle, William M. Terry, William 
(i. Liiicburgh, ,T. L. AVessels, and Charles Nettleton. 

The Bridgeport Savings Bank was chartered in May, 
1842, and began business at a .store on Water Street 
ill .Inly of the same yeiir. Of the twenty-two cor- 
porate members mentioneil in the charter, but four 
arc now living, — viz., Messrs. ( Hdeon Thoiiijison, Wil- 
liam H. Noble. Thomas Ranson, and Schuyler Seelev. 
At the time wdieii the charter was granted there were 
but eight savings banks in the State, .some of them 
just organized, and none west of X'ew Haven. In 
1S21 the bank was removed to No. 21 Wall Street, 
and in 1850 to a building U]ion the site miw occupied, 
on the corner of Main and State Streets. The present 
handsome banking-house was completed in 1878, and 
cost about forty-four thousand dollars, or with the 
lots, some fifty-eight thousand dollars. 

The following gentlemen have been presidents of 
the institution: Sherwood Sterling, 1842; Smith 
Tweedy. ]84;i; Daniel (). AVhecha-, 1850; Lemiiid 
Coh'man, 1851; Sherwood Sterling, 18(14; Ilcrvey 
Higby, 1870; E. S. Hawley, 1875. (Jn Oct. 1, 1,S7!I, 
the last annual report of the hank commissioner 
shows that the number of depositors was 77(m. and 
the total assets $M,2S,S,451, of which amount about 
two-thirds was investe<l in loan- iijion real e,-fatc. 
The present officers of the institution are: I'resident, 
E. S. Hawdey ; vice-|iresideiits, S. C. Trubee and 
Luzon W. Clark; treasurer. C. P. Porter; trustees, S. 
C. Trubee. W. R. Higby, A. E. Joy, C. Thomp.s.m, 
1'. Coiirail, J. Kartram, F. B. Hawley, L. W.Clark, 



108 



TIISTOKV OF F.\li;ili;i.l> COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



!•:. Birdsey, Edward Htcrliug, Dr. I). 11. Na.-^li, T. 15. 
De Ffirc.'it, W. H. Perry, C. P. Porter. 

The petition for a .-iceoiid savings liaiik in Bridge- 
port wa.s drawn by S. 51. Middlelirook, and wa.'; sifjned 
by such men its 8. Ilartwell, P. (". t'alhoun, JIanford 
Lyon, Rus,sell Tonilinson, Horace Nichols, A. A. 
Pettengill, John Brooks, and others, and a eliarter 
was granted for the institution in May, ISoi). Mr. S. 
M. Middlehrook was tlic first treasurer of tlie insti- 
tution, and still holds the ixisition, which he accepted 
nearly twenty years ago. The rooms of this savings 
bank have always been adjoining those of the City 
National Bank, at first upon tiie corner of Wall and 
Water Streets, and since 1861 at Nos. 17 an<l Id Wall 
Street. The assets of the City Savings Bank, Oct. 1, 
1879, were $1,686,478, of which sum $916,883 was in- 
vented in loans upf)n real estate. There were at the 
same date 4294 depositors. Mr. llanford Lyon, for 
many years president of the institution, died Dec. 21, 
1879. The following are tlie officers at the prest'ut 
time: President, Ira Gregory; treiusurer, S. M. Mid- 
dlehrook ; trustees, Ira Gregory, D. F. Hollister, John 
Brooks, G. P. Stockwell, F. W. Parrott, Courtland 
Kelsey, C. K. Averill, Horace Nichols, J. Baylies, H. 
S. Peck, Horace F. Hatch, Burr Curtis, L. W. Booth, 
S. M. Middlehrook, George K. Birdscy, Levi B. Booth, 
Nathan Birdsey, and Marcus C. Hawlcy. 

In June, 1860, upon petition of Nathaniel Wheeler, 
.Tames C. Loomis, William H. Perry, Siierwood Ster- 
ling, George B. Waller, Frederick Wood, Ell)ert E. 
Hubbell, P. C. Calhoun, Ira Sherman, and others, 
the People's Savings Bank was incorporated. Its 
place of business was for some time upon the corner 
of Main and State Streets, in the building of the 
Pequonnoek Bank. Its present handsome banking- 
house was erected in 1X70, and cost about forty-three 
thousand dollars. The assets of the institution, Oct. 
1, 1879, were *1,268,14.S, a little more than half of 
which wiis invested in loans upon real estate, and the 
number of dejjositors 2893. The officers arc as fol- 
lows: President, George B. Waller; treiusurer, Egbert 
Marsh; trustees, William E. Seeley, S. W. Baldwin, 
S. S. Booth, E. W. Marsh, 1). W. KJssam, E. E. Hub- 
bell, B. Sanlbrd, S. P. Glover, K. Toinlinson, C. B. 
Hotchkiss, and Eli C. Smith. 

The Mechanics' and Farmers' Savings Bank wiia 
incorporated in 1871, and commenced business Oct. 1, 
1873, in a building upon Washington Avenue, East 
Bridgeport. Sept. 1, 1878, it was removed across the 
river to the rooms beneath the Cr)nnectieut National 
Bank, and .Vpril 1, 1880, to the premises now occu- 
pied, 4*19 Main Street (Barnum Building). The 
whole nunil)cr of depositors, Sept. 1, 1880, was 730, and 
the total a.ssets same date, $142,838.(19. The officers 
of the institution were: President, William G. Line- 
burgh; vice-|iresidents, George Lewis and Andrew 
Burke; secretary anil treasurer, Lyman S. Catlin ; 
trustee.s, David Wooster, S. C. Kingman, I. W. Smith, 
G. W. Peck, Carlos CurH»i, K. B. Lacey, D. N. Jlor- 



gan, B. Soules, H. R. Parrott, L. B. Still.son, C. Morton. 

D. B. Lockwood, G. W. Hayes, L. F. Curtis, (Jeorg.- 

Keeler, John L. Wessels, F. B. Hall, and Isaac 1!. 

Priiidle. 

nOAItll OF THAIii;. 

The Bridgeport Board of Trade was incorporatecl in 
1876 " for the promotion of trade, the giving direction 
arul impetus to commercial and manufacturing enter- 
prises, the encouragement of intercourse between 
business-men, and for the general growth and prf)s- 
perity of Bridgeport." Among the substantial results 
already achieved may be luentioned the location here nl 
Messrs. Warner Brothers' and Thompson, Langdon & 
Co.'s corset-factories, the Bridgeport Paper Bo.\ Com- 
pany, the Frary Cutlery Company, the Sharjis' KiHc 
Company, and other manufacturing establishments. 
A ma|) of Bridgeport, with two columns of letter- 
jire.ss upon tlie mai'gin setting forth the merits of the 
place as a site for manufacturing, has been jmldished 
and extensively circulated. Besides the monthly 
meetings, annual bantjuets have also been held, ai 
which much eloquence has been displayed which tin- 
world will not willingly let die. 

The officers of the Board of Trade arc as follows : 
President, David M. Read; vice-i)resident.s, N. 
Wheeler, P. T. Barnum; secretary, R. B. Lacey: 
treasurer, T. R. Cruttenden ; directors, W. H. Nobli . 
B. Soules, J. Morford, H. R. Parrott, I. De V. Warm. . 

E. G. Burnham, and M. W. Seymour. 



Bridgeport is not inapjirojiriafely named, as tin- 
whole nund)er of bridges, great and small, crossing 
the Pequonnoek River, Pembroke Lake, and tin- 
various streams known as Ash Creek, Horse Tavern 
Brook, Island Brook, and Rooster River, cannot he 
less than twenty-five or thirty in number. Time does 
not permit even an enumeration of them all, and only 
those crossing the Pequonnoik River will be men- 
tioned, taking them in the order of their construction. 

1. First in point of time comes the bridge crossing 
the river upon the line of North Avenue, at the upper 
end of Berkshire mill-pond. This bridge is of no 
very ancient date, but its predeees.sor was buill long 
before the Revidutionary war. 

2. The l.,ottery Bridge, which was erected in 179:?, 
extended from near the foot of Wall Street to Stratford 
Avenue upon the axst. Having become dilajiidated 
it fell over, and was replaced about the year 1807 by 
the i>resent Bridgeport or Lower Bridge, who-^e western 
terminus is at the foot of Fairlield .Vvenue. Toll 
continued to be collected at the Bridgeport Bridge 
until the year 1868, when it was s(dd to the city for 
about eighteen thousjind dollars and made free for 
public travel. The covered way for foot-passengers 
was built in 18.">0. 

3. The dam acro.ss the river just above the Berk- 
shire Mill was constructed in the year 1783, but that 
there was no bridge at that point for at least nine 



l!l!lli(iHl'i)i;T. ■ 1(19 



TASrAl/riKS AMI ( KIMKS. 



years alUiunids is iniiilinl, iIhuil;!! imt cxiHcssly widlli, wliilc the draw, which measures two liuiidri-d 

stated, ill an act passeil liy the Legislature ill ( )i-liiliir, and ten lcc(, is the Imijiol in \cw I'jiiiland. The 

17!I2. 'I'lic )ircsciit l!crl<sliire Ilridiic. cniiiiectiiiL; custntthi^ liriil^e was, in riaiiid imnilii r-, imc hiin- 

AVashinj^tdii Avenue and l!erks|iire Street, is, Iciw- ih'ed thim^and dcdhirs, and it was cuniplelcd and 

ever, witlidiit dmiht, citlicr tlic sccniid nr lln' lliird (i|ieni'd Inr travel in 1 »i'eeinlier. IS711. I'dllnwin^; is a 

point at whieli tiie river was erosseiL list ipt llie speeial eiininiilti'e a|i]>iiinted l>y llie ( 'olii- 

4. Ill May, l.S;!(l, Willis St ill man, Rirdsey (). Nulile, iiion ( '(piineil tor its eiuistruetion : William I). Ilislid]), 

and others, were jiiven permission liy the Legislature N. \\'lieeler, I'.li Tlioin|isoii, .1. 1). Alvord, Frederick 

to luiild a drawliridi;e across ihe l'e,|n k Itiver llurd, l".li 1 lewliurst, ami .L ILSIiariie. 

at a place ,-:illcd [iidiaii Island, and f'l collect t.,11 
from all ]ieisons crossing; it cxi-ejit tlio>e uniii,:; to 

piililie worshi)!, tunerals, or towii-meetinirs, or wlio The i;reat dam across the river, near the reservoir 

were iijioii military duty, all of whom were entitled to in North I!ridi;e]iort, has several times •;iven way, 

pass free. The cor]ioration was called the East Hridire- catisiiij;- disastrous inundations. Tliese tioods occiiired 

]iort Bridjie ( 'om]iany, and the liridf;e was the one now in ls:!i; and 184.'i, and also on Nov. 21, IS.'d. I'poii 

eonncctiiij.'' tile two jiarts of Kast Washington .\veiiuc. this latter occasion not only was the hriili;c ludow 

It was finally purchased hy the city for the sum of the factories and the Ucrksliirc hridge and dam swi'pt 

four thoiisanil dollars, and thrown open for piiMie away liv tlie resistless tidi\ which damaged |>roperty 

travel Oct. 22, 18(14. A sort of .•iiinex to this hridge to the amount of seven thousand dollars, liiit a young 

was constructed hy tin: lior-c railroail compunv in man named I'eter Kinsella was drowned, while trying 

18(!."i, to savea horse from a ham in (lie trai-k of the torrent. 

0. In the' year ISIS the New York and New I la\ en Tlic stcanicr '' Lexington" was liiirncil opposite this 

I'ailroad ('om]iaiiy huilt a wooden hridge across the harhor, though too far over towards the Long Island 

river, which in ISC'.l was replaced hy a more siihstan- ^liore for assistance to he remlcrcd. .Ian. L'.. 1S4(». It 

tial structure with douhh' track and In'avy iron draw, was a hitter night, ami only four persons wiac saved, 

extending from (oilden Hill Street u]>on the wc-t to while one liundred and tweiity-twi> are known either 

Crescent .V venue U]>on the east sidi'. to Ii.im' perished in the llamcs or to have sunk in the 

In .\'o\(iiilM'r, IS.'yd, Ahijah Ihirroughs, William A. icy waters id' the Sound. The liglil from (lie Imrning 

Peck, and others, having heeii chartered hy the Legis- steamer was plainly vi^ilile lure, and many people 

latiirc under tlic name id' the ('resceut I'oot- Bridge collictcd upon the shore to gaze at it. 

( 'ompany. with ca]iital stoidc of two tlimisand ilollars. Although the niinilier of trains is alioiit seventy 

opened a footdiridge, huilt U|ion the foundation of the daily, the list id' railroad aeiidents in ISridgcport is 11 

railroad ioinpan\ , upon the south side of the track. siir|)iisingly short ime. It is safe to say that more 

charging one ci'iit toll. The present hridge for the persons have hcen killed in this vicinity hy runaway 

accommiHlation of foot-pas>eiigers, upon the northeih' horses Ihan in traveling upon the car-, '^'cl painful 

side <d' the railroad track, wa> huilt hy the eit\' in .accidents lia\e not hcen entirely e-eaped, and twice a 

18(59, and is free to all. horrihle ilisaster has harcdy liccii i.revented. ( >ct. 12, 

The iie.xt hridge huilt is no longer standing; having ]X~>'2, a locomotive and four lars helonging to a Nau- 
heeome unfit for lieavy travel it was taken down ahout gatuck freight-train ran olf the drawhridge. Tlie 
the year !S()1). It was eri-ctcd hy Freeman I!. I'luiiih, engineer escaped hy jumping; the tireman's leg was 
William S, Kiiowlton, and their associates, who in the hroken, hut he was ahle to swim ashore, Aug. 15, 
year 18.'i2 were authorized hy the Legislature to eon- l.'vli-"), a cidlision took place in North Ihidgeport he- 
struet a hridge Irom the foot of William Street, Ivist tweeii a llonsatonic pa>scnger-train whieli was hack- 
Bridgeport, to some jioint near I'ortcr's Kocks, on the ing down and a locomotive upon it- trial-(rip, hy 
western shore of the harhor, to eidleet toll from pa— which ele\cii person^ lo>t their lives and twenty-seven 
sengers, and to maintain a draw. This also was pin- other- were ininrcd. Ihigiiieer William llristcd was 
(hascd hy the city and made \'rri\ Oct. 22. ISCl, the also killed hy a collision a short di.-tance aliovi' the 
price paid ludiig thirteen thousand two hundred and Parlor Koek picnic-ground, ,\iig. .'ID, ISXd. 
fifty ilollars. A salute of one hundred guns in honor I'll .Iniie 20, ISliT, the noon express-train out of 
of the event was lircd hy enthusiastic persons in Ivist New "^'ork rcai lied r.ridgiport .it half-].asl two, ami 

Briilgeport. who perha|is hail huilding-lots to dis- after the ii-iial halt at the depol \eil forward upon 

pose of. the hridge at the rate of eighteen miles an hour, 

(). The present Centre Hridge is the only one which neilher (he I'ligineer nor the conductor noticing that 
can really he called a credit to the city, it extends the red hall or safety-signal had heeii lowered, and 
from the foot of Congress Street, on the wc-tcru side that the heavy iron draw, which had hecii opened to 
of the river, to the foot id' \\'illiani Street, in I'.ast admit the passage of a scln er, was still sonic twenty- 
Bridgeport, a distance of some eight huiidred feet. feet out id' phnc. Th ily hope for the safety of the 

For the greater part of this di-iance it ha- a char train was in ihe exertions id' the hridge-tendcr, I )eiinis 

roadway of thirly feet, and sidewalks of si.x feet in Colgaii, who. hy putting forth every ell'ort, succeeded 



110 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIKLD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



in dosing the gaj) just in time. Even then he was 
obliged to run down the siiigU' track in fiiee of the 
advancing engine and shoot tlie bolt into its socket, 
or, the bridge being crescent-shaped, tlie iinjjact of 
the train would liave thrown the draw open again and 
precipitated the engine and cars into the water below. 
He was just in time to push the pin into its place and 
then drop between the tics to the timbers beneath, 
when the train thundered over his head. So close 
was the locomotive tliat s|)ectators on shore and upon 
the adjoining foot-bridge, who had shouted for him to 
keep back and not to sacrifice liis own life in the vain 
hope of .saving others, all believed that he had been 
killed ; and it was perhaps under this impression that 
the engineer, on arriving at New Haven, left at once 
his train and the company's employ without waiting 
for the formality of a discharge. Two weeks aftiT 
this narrow escape the board of directors of the New 
York and New Haven Railroad passed a preamble re- 
citing the foregoing facts, and a resolution that as a 
token of their ap|)reciation of the heroism e.\hil)ited 
by Dennis Colgau five shares of the company's stock 
be transferred to him, and that a copy of the pre- 
amble and resolution, signed by the president, be .sent 
to him, together with the certificate of stock. 

Five years after this occurrence another disaster of 
the same nature, and of even greater magnitude, was 
ju.st escaped at the same place. It was the afternoon 
before Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, 1872, when a train 
of fourteen pa.ssenger-cars from New York, being be- 
hind time, after a brief stop at the Bridgeport depot, 
ran upon the bridge, the draw being open at the time 
to a<lniit tlie pa.s.sage of a lumber barge. From the 
neighboring Centre Uridge, which was crowded with 
carriages and pedestrians waiting for the draw on that 
bridge to close, frantic efforts were nuide to attract the 
attention of the engineer, but in vain ; and men turned 
their backs that they might not see the fatal plunge 
that seemed inevitalile. The new drawbridge has a 
double track and two sets of gearing, the one in ordi- 
nary nse rcfjuiring about twenty revolutions to dose 
the draw, the other, or fast gearing, taking only thir- 
teen revolutions, but needing the strength of two men 
to operate it. Using the latter, Colgan, by liis utmost 
exertions, just succeeded in closing the gap in time. 
Almo.st brcathle-ss from the exertion, he ran down the 
track to drive home the wedge which secures the draw, 
but was too late, for the engine had already reached 
the spot. There Wiis no hesitation upon his i>art, 
however. " Standing ujion the side track," says an 
eyc-witne.ss, "he planted his lever hard against the rail 
and held the draw firmly in place while the train went 
thundering by. Five .secoinls later in forming the 
connection, or the slightest shrinking on the part of 
the bridge-tender, and the train would have plunged 
into the horrid chasm." One can hardly read such an 
incident as this without thinking of lloratius at the 
bridge, and that, too, not altogether to the advantage 
of the bnive old Ronnm. 



It is plea.sant to add that Dennis Colgan .still re- 
mains in the employ of the railroad company in whose 
service he has been for over thirty years, and that he 
has pros]>ered financially, being at present the owner 
of four double houses. Another point worthy of men- 
tion is that no drawbridge upon the line is now allowed 
to be opened within ten minutes of the time for any 
train. 

In 1870 a man nnnied .\cliilie Zajotti was killiMl by 
an explosion of fulminate at the works of the Union 
Metallic Cartridge Company, in East Bridgeport. On 
Sept. 18, 1880, a disastrous explosion of the same sub- 
stance occurred near the same locality, instantly killing 
three men. Philander Clark, Michael Dempsey, and 
Wilbur Fiershinger, and two boys, James Tobin and 
Joseph Sullivan, and completely demolishing the small 
building in which they were at work. The .shock of 
the explosion broke hundreds of panes of gla.ss in the 
vicinity, and was plainly felt for miles away. The 
accident was jirobably caused Ity carelessness in allow- 
ing the liilminatc, in which the men were working, to 
become dry, as, when moist, it is considered non-ex- 
plosive. The manufacture of exploders, in which this 
substance is used, has since been discontinued by tin- 
cartridge company. 

Bridgeport has always been a law-abiding city, and 
its records are not stained by many great crimes. A 
few ca-ses, however, are sufficiently horrible. In 17!i() 
a youth named Shelton Edwards was murdered ; the 
store, upon the corner of State and Water Streets, in 
wliich he slept, jdundered, and then set on fire to con- 
ceal the crime. The perpetrator was never discovered. 

Another mysterious ease occurred here on the even- 
ing of June '.i, 1872. Capt. George M. Colvocore.sses, 
a retired naval officer, was shot dead in a secluded 
street near the steamboat-landing, whether by an as- 
sassin or by his own hand was the subject of much 
controversy at the time. Rewards of seven thousand 
dollars for the arrest of the murderer and fen thou- 
sand dollars for the recovery of the securities sup- 
posed to have been stolen from the person of the vic- 
tim were offered, but have never been claimed, though 
detectives were busy for a long time investigating the 
ciuse. Capt. Colvocoresses had insurance policies upon 
his life to the amount of nearly two hundred thousand 
dollars, which the companies declined to |iay upon the 
ground that he had committed suicide. Suits were 
brought by his executor to enforce payment, but a 
compromise was finally effected. 

One of the most cold-blooded murders ever |>erpe- 
trated was brought to light here in September, 1878, 
when a woman of bad character, named Alexander, 
and one Hassett, the man with whom she was living, 
quarrcle<l and accuseil one annther of having munlccd 
Frank Weinbecker, a sailor, in the hope of realizing 
a few <hillars l>y selling his renniins for dis.section. 
The body was packed into a barrel and carried to New 
Haven, to the Medical School. Failing to dispose of 
it there and fearing detection, the barrel, with its 



BRIDGEPORT. 



Ill 



frlui-^tly roiiti'Mts, was ali;iii!l(iiicil in a Iniiclv placi' 
upiin the K:\y hunii'. wlirrc it iTiiiaiiinl until discov- 
i-icil ill till' maiiiKT aln-aily imiicatcil. Both tlie 
i-rimiiials aiv now serviiifr out si'iiteiicfs iif iiii|irisiiii- 
iiH'Ut till- liff ill the State iirismi, at Wetherstield. 



The- (ilil Stratfielil ur I'c(|ii(Jiin(ick Imryiiiji-iirimnd 
iip(m Niirth Avenue was used liy the early setth-rs. It 
eontaiussix hundred and torty fn-avestones, the iiiscriji- 
tiiins upon wliich have heeu eopied. tlie earliest date 
found heiiii; ICSS.:' Besides tliesi- are other rude stdiies 
without any letteriii<r, and not a few srraves entirely 
unmarked. Through the praiseworthy ert'orts (if Mr. 
K. II Laeey. this aueient Inirying-place has reeently 
lieen greatly improved. The remains of three minis- 
ters of tlie first eliureh in this eity — Charles ("haun- 
cey, Saiiimd ('(joke. and Kuliert Ross, whose unitnl 
pastorates c-nvered the ].(riiid of ninety-tlirei' years — 
rejiose here, ami a monniiicnt to their joint memory, 
either here or in Mountain (irove Cemetery, would 
not be an inapjiropriate trilmte, 

MdUXTAlN (tRuVE Ckmktichv eoiitaius some sev- 
enty-hve aeres, lieautifully situated near the western 
lioundary of the town, and ]iartially enrircled liy tlii' 
meandering course of the jpictty stream ralliil .\sh 
Creek. Within its limits repose the mortal remains 
of no less than five thousand seven liiindreil persons, 
about three thousand two hiindred of whom were 
originally interred here, the remainder liaving been 
removed from other grounds, — in particular from the 
old Division Street or Park Avenue burying-groiind 
in l.S7.'i. Although ineluding so many inhabitants, 
this city of the dead is not an (dd cemetery, having 
been incor|iorated as recently as lS4il, and opened 
with apjiropriate ceremonies .Tune 7, b'^otl. The first 
person buried within its limits was ('aniline, infant 
ilaughter of the late Hr. F. .(. .lud.~on. .Vug. 1, IS.'iO. 
Abont eleven thousand didlars — the profits of a very 
successful fair lield in St. Jidin's Hall in Dc'cember, 
],S7,S — have reeently been e.xjiended in grading and 
beautifying the grounds. Uussell Tomlinson is jiresi- 
deiit and William K. Higliy is .secretary of tlie associ- 
ation. The directors are K. Tomlinson, William 1 1. 
Bishop, H. T. Shelton, William II. IVrry. X. Whe.der, 
W. R. Higliy, E. Birdsey, D. M. Read', and Kdwar.l 
Sterling. 

I'i;Mlil!()KK ClOMKTKKY is situateil ill East liridgc- 
ptn-t. north of Olil Mill (ireen, and bordi'riiig upon 
Stillnian's I'ond. It was ehartereil October, ixn.and 
originally contained but one acre id' ground, to which 
seventy-seven rods were added in 1.S44. From l.Sii2 
to 1872 the old ground, being bill, was suH'ered to be- 
come overgrown with underbrush, and burials in it 
ceased. In 1872 the charter of the a.ssociation was 



* Tlie writer is ih.li-l.tcil t.i Sir. 0. I'. Di-xter. .if New Yolk, fur a copy 
of tlifsc iii..iTiiitiuns, uiiil rc^n-ts tliut wiiiit of i.pfire piyvriiLs its piiMi- 
catinii Mith tliis mtirl'-. i|.. oiiiiiiKiIly iiit.'ii(ii.il. 



amended, iiennissiou being given to jiurchase one 
hundred aeres of land, to sell the old ground, and to 
remove the dead to the new inclosure. Sixteen acres 
of land were accordingly purchased in the above 
locality. No reeoril of burials previous to ,\pril, 
b*^74, can be found. lUirials since that date unmlier 
three linndred and si'venty-one. The ollieers of the 
association are: Presidc'iit, .\li .\udrews; Secretary, 
A. C. Parker; Treasurer, < ieorge B. Mallory. 

Paiuv Cemetery, in Xorth Bridgeport, was organ- 
ized in 1S7S. It is situateil a short distance west of 
Berkshire Mill-pond, and contains about forty-four 
aeres. Seventv-five interments have already been 
made here. The officers of the cemetery are: Presi- 
dent, It. T. Xicliols; Secretary and Treasurer, .loseph 
.'-^. French; Su]ierintendent, Edgar 8. Nichols ; Direc- 
tors, P), T, Xicliols, ('urtis Thompson, .1. A. Nichols, 
E. S. Xicliols, Joseph S. French. 

There are also two Roman Catholic cemeteries, — 
one between .Vretic and Shidton Streets, in East Bridge- 
port, which fronts upon I'eiiibroke Lake, and the other 
upon that pleasantold thoroughfare called Grove Street 
(in early days Cooke's Lane), not far from the western 
terminus of the hor.se-railroail. 

Here are a few cpita|ilis eopieil from the old luirying- 
grouiid upon Park Avenue, incorporated in ISII, but 
diseontiiiiieil and the remains removed elsewhere in 
l.S7;-l : 

■■ IiiMlli is a il.'l.t 111 iiiitiui- iliU', 
Wliirli I liavc paiil, anil mi must yiill." 

" In .voiillifiil liioiini ilratli iiif iiii- il.iwii, 
Tlit-ie tu await the tniiiiin-t"s somiil. 
Iti-pi-iit, lii'Iii'Vi', wliilc you liavf time, 
Fill I was taUi'ii ill my piiiiii-." 

''And what is life'/ "lis Init a Huwer 
Tliat bulls anil lilossoins fur an liuiir. 
But death comes like a wintry da.v, 
.\iiil cuts tlie invlty tlowii away." 

CIll'Iil'IIES. 

At the present time there are twenty-six churches 
in Bridgeport, belonging to ten different denomina- 
tions, — viz., Baptist, Congregational, Pnitestant E]iis- 
eopal, Jlethodist Eiiiscopal, Presbyterian, Roman 
('atholie, I'niveisalist, ('lirislian, .\dvent, and Ile- 
lirew. Full [larticulars of the early history of the 
oldest tlirin — the I'irst Congregational, St. .lohn's 
Episco|ial, and the First ^[ethodist — have aln-ady 
been given. Mention of the others will follow, but 
the s)iace given to each will be unavoidably (piite 
limited. 

The First Baptist Crn'Rcii was constituted Sejit. 
I'tl, 1S.'-17, with thirty-nine members. Tlie society had 
been formed previously. — .Inly 24, IXIi.'i, — and the sum 
of three thousand ihiUar.s raised by subscription, which 
was pai<l for the house of worship just vacated by St. 
.lohn's ICpiseopal Society, — a wooden building upon 
the corner of State and Broad Streets. This sum was 
collected through the efliirts ol' Ibv. .lames H. Liiisley, 
of Stratford. A regular minister was not obtained 



112 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONXEf'TICUT. 



until 1838, when tlic Kev. Jo.seph W. Eaton, from 
Boston, was settled. His successors in the ministry 
here were: llev. Daniel Harrinf^ton, 1840; Kev. Wil- 
liam Smith, 1842; Rev. William Reid, 1846; Rev. 
Dr. A. G. Palmer, 18.')4; Rev. J. L. Hodge, D.D., 
1857; Rev. A. M. Hopinr, D.D., 1861; Rev. M. H. 
Pogson, 1877. 

The present house of wor.-shij), a substantial brick 
structure costing seventeen thousand dollars, was built 
upon the site of the former cliurcli in 1860. In 1878 
it was reiiaired and a luimlxT of improvements made, 
at an expense of about one thousand three hundred 
dollars. The number of communicants is now 325; 
membership of the Sunday-school, 283. 

The East Washington Avenue Baptist 
Chitkch was organized Jan. 30, 1874, with forty- 
seven members ; Rev. (.'. W. Ray was the first pastor. 
The ]irice i)aid for the church, which fronts upon 
Wasliiiigton Park, and originally belonged to the 
Bethe-sda Mission Sunday-school, was ten thousand 
dollars, and about three lliousand five hundred dollars 
additional was expended in repairs and improvements. 
Rev. W. M. Inger.soll is now the ])astor, and the 
church has increased to 158 members, with a Sunday- 
school of 175. 

An account of the organization and early history of 
the First CoN(iRE(iATioxAL Church has already 
been given. The ])resent church edifice, upon the 
corner of Bank and Broad Streets, was completed and 
dedicated .\pril 11, 18.50, and is the fourth that has 
been occupied by the society. The chapel was ))uilt in 
1858, cost eight thousand dollars, and has lately been 
repaired and im))roved at an expen.seof two thousand 
five hundred dollars. The communion service con- 
tains some antique i>ieces of jilate presented by early 
members nuiny years before the Revolution. The par- 
sonage, Xo. 84 ( tolden Hill Street, was bequeathed to 
the society by the late Mrs. Sylvanus Sterling. 

Fifteen jiastors have been settled over the church 
during tlie one hundred and eighty-five years of its 
existence, but only three of them are now living. 
Rev. Charles Ray Palmer, the present pastor, was in- 
stalled Sc|)t. 11, 1872. A history of the church, pre- 
pared by Mr. Palmer in 1871), was ]>ublished, and con- 
tains nuiny interesting facts relating to the early set- 
tlers of this place. The present number of communi- 
cants is 348 ; membership of the Sunday-school, about 
200. Tlie church records contain the names of forty- 
two |)ersons belonging to this congregation who served 
in the Union army during the Rebellion. 

The SKfoNi) (or South) Conurkgationai. 
Church was organized Jan. 28, 1830, with one 
hundred and -seventeen members, who had been 
dismissed for that purpo.se from the First Church. 
Its first hou.se of worship, a wooden building upon 
the corner of Broad and (tilbert Strei-ts, — the same 
site now occupied, — was c<impli't<'il in November, 
1830, and cost about five thousand dollars. Rev. 
Nathaniel llewit. D.P* the first pa-tor. was in- 



stalled Dec. 1, 1830, and his ministry — a verj' suc- 
cessful one — lasted for nearly twenty-three years. 

His successors were: Rev. A. L. Brooks, 1854; Rev. 
Benjamin L. Swan, 1856 ; Rev. Alexander R. Thomp- 
son, 1859; Rev. Francis Lobdell, 1863; Rev. Daniel 
Lord, 1865; Rev. Edwin John.son, 1870; Rev. R. G. 
S. JIcNeille, at present pastor, who was installed 
Dec. 4, 1877. The present house of worship wils 
dedicated Jan. 20, 1862, and during the past year 
both church and chapel have undergone extensive 
alterations and imjirovements, costing upward of 
eleven thousand dollars, and rendering them exceed- 
ingly convenient and attractive in apjiearance. 

This church furnished quite a number of the flower 
of its young men for the L^nion army in the late 
civil war. Among those who volunteered were Ed- 
ward W. Marsh, William H. Hawley, Frederick B. 
Hawley, Frederick R. Dotcn, Henry JL Hoyt, Eliot 
Curtis, ,lohn Curtis, Frederick Curtis, .Tames H. 
Porter, Henry L. Sturges, John Ward. Allied (1. 
Mollan, and Marcus Sterling. 

The whole number of members enrolled upon the 
register of this church is 1186; the present member- 
ship is 434, and the Sunday-school numbers 350. 
Eight young men have been sent into the ministry, 
and over one hundred thou.sand dollars have been 
contributed by its members for benevolent |)ur])oses. 

March 18, 1880, the church celebrated the comple- 
tion of its first half-century of existence by services 
deei)ly interesting tf) all who attended. A histor)- of 
the church, prepared by Mr. Edmund S. Hawley, 
was read u|(on this occasion; it is a document of 
great value, and ought to be reprinted. 

The Park Street Congregational Chur< ii 
wa.s organized Jan. 15, 1868, with thirty-nine mem- 
bers, twenty-five of whom were dismissed at one time 
from the North Church for the purpose. Rev. John 
(t. Davenport was ordained .Inly 1, 1868, and still 
continues to be the pastor of this very successful 
churdi. Until the summer of 1871 services were 
held in Bethesda Mission Chapel, upon East Wa-sli- 
ington Avenue. The present church building, cor- 
ner of Park and Barnum Streets, opposite Wash- 
ington Park, was dedicated Oct. 17, 1871, and cost 
about twenty-five thousand dollars. The nicmber- 
sliip of the church is now 430, and its Sabbath- 
school — one of the largest in the city — numbers 
about 600,— certainly a very marked increase for the 
short space of less than thirteen years. 

Olivet Chi'rch. — About the year 1866 a mission 
Sunday-scho(d was begun by members i>f the First 
Congregational Church and others in the northern 
))art of the city. The school met at first in the upper 
story of No. 114 North Washington Avenue, alter- 
wards at Olivet Hall, upon the corner of Grand Street. 
After some tinu' the school developed into the church 
now known as Olivet Congregational Church, which 
was formally organized by a council convened I'nr the 
l.urpose. Nov. 1(). 1S70. and Dec. 14. 1870. the Kev. 



BRIDGEPORT.. 113 



he Fiiivst P>. ])ih1:;c was ordaini'il pastur. Oct. II, Tin: Cm'KCH OF the Xativity i I'mtcstaiit l-^iis- 

1S71, Mr. Doduc ri'sitrnfd, ami Irttcrs of (li>missi(in copal) was organized June 4, ]S."iS. A mission Sun- 

wrrc urantcd to forty-nine mcndiers of his loniicr day-sehool and mission services had l)ecn maintained 

tloclc. thai thi'V miu-ht join him in fonniiii; a new rr- at the woolcii-niills for several years |ircvious to this 

cicsiastical hody. His snecessors as Ihc pa^tor^ of date, hut the [irecise time of their commencement is 

illivi't ('liiirch have heeii : Rev. S. llojdiins I'anoi-y, not known. Rev. (x. S. ("oit. D.D.. was the tir.'<t ree- 

.\pril, \X7'2: Hev. Allen Clark. !Se|itemlier, 1X7 f ; liev. tor, and among those prominent in the enterprise at 

,Tolin S. ^\'ilson, Aiignst, IST'.l. 'J"he hiiihling now the outset were Rev. E. F. liislncp, II. :\1. Shennan, Eli 

used by the society, upon the corner of Main Street 'I'hompson, .Joseph Richardson, Ira (Iregory, .Tohn 

and Xorth Avenue, was comjdeted and occupied lor 1 lurd, and William L. Hidilull. I >r. ( 'oil's sueces'^or 

worship Dec. L'4. I:s7r,. It co.^t, including the ;: round wa^ l!e\. E. F. Bishop, who was followi-d hy Ucv, 

ui>on wiii(di it stands. alii>ut tliree thousand fn e hun- Henry Darhy, who is now rector, tliough Kev. ]■]. V. 

drcd doHars. Thi' nu-ndiership <if the (diureh at its liisho|iaud liev. Lewis \V. W'eljs are id ]irescnt otiici- 

organization was :!i; ; the present numlier of couimii- atinu. The church, a very picturi'sipu' stone hnilding 

nieauts is 11)4, with a Sunday-school of 17II. upon Sylvan .\ venue. North Bridgeport, was com- 

TttE ('<)X(il!l-;(;ATIo.x.KL t'HUKCH ul' I'.L.VcK Kdcic pleted and occupii'il .Ian. l-"i. IS."i!), and cost ahout ten 

was gatlu'red Sept. 11, l.'>49, twenty-four meudiers thousand ilollars. The nuudier oi' comniunieants is 

lia\iug lieeu dismis^iil Iroui the Fairliehl I 'ongrega- ahout .'id, and the Sumlay-school ( now heing reorgan- 

tional I 'hnrcdi for the ]Uirpose. (hi the >aiue day the i/ed i has {\'i nuanhers, 

liou>e of worship erected liy the society was d( di- S r. .Iniix's ( 'lUT.cil (Protestant Episco|ial). — Par- 

cated. It stands upon the corin-r of Church ."street ticuhirs respecting the early history of this ancient 

and Piartram .\ venue, and its cost was ahont three church have already hecu given. Kev. I'liilo Siieltiui 

thousand dollars. Thi' first jiastor, Kev. W. .I..leu- was rector from 17S4 until 1S24, when, alter forty 

iiiiigs, wa> ordained ;ind iustalleil A|u-il D. IS.Ml. lljs years (d' continuous service, his resignation was ac- 

snccessors have heeii : Hev. ^larinn- Wilhll, lS."i,S; i-epted. His suci'essors liave ])ien Ke\. Hinry 1!. 

Rev. A. C. llahhvin, hsiU; Kev. F. W. Williams, .lu.l.di. IS24 ; Kev. ( iurdoii S. ( 'oit. I >. D., Is:;.! ; Kev. 

ISlKl : liev. llowani W. Pope, at ])reM-nt [lastor, Sept. .1. M. W'ilh'y. Decemhcr, ISiU ; Kev. I'.atori W. Maxcy, 

1,1S74. Present un;mlH'rshi[i of the chuieh, Sii; of ll.l)., at present rector. .Tunc, isi'o. The present 

the Sunday-seho(d, 7-'i. chunli editice, at the corner of Park and l''airlield 

CllKIST CHrRCH (Protestant Episcopal I was organ- .\ venues, is the hairtli that ha- heen occaipied hy the 

ized August, IXoO, ami at first worshi]ied in a frame pari-li (d' St. .lolni's. The corner-stone was laid hy 

huildiiig on .lohn Street, hirmerly occaipicd hy tlic l'.i,hop Williams, Sept. IS, 1S7.'1, with appro|iriate 

First ( 'ougregational Church. The Ki'\. .1. Howard ccriampuies, and the Iioum' was fir-t oeeu]iied Ivi-ter 

Sudth, the first rector (d' Christ ('hurch. w.is settled Hay, March 2S. lS7."i. 4'lie dinieu-ious of the huihl- 

iu Decemhcr, IS.'id, His suci'essors in the parish have lug are 12nliyo7 feet, and it seats siune seven hnn- 

heeii : Kev. \\'illiam Preston, lS.i4-r)(): Rev. (leorge dri'd ]iersons. The ccjst, including the hnilding-.-itc, 

1!. Thrall, l.S.'ii;— "ill ; Key. Lucius W. li roll, D.D., hut cxcln-ive of the tower and lecture-room, which 

IX,'i!l-(il ; Kev, Henry M. Stiuirt, I.Slil-Ci.': ; Kev. .L are ye( to he added, was our hundred and twenty-five 

I'llake Falkma-, l.'<(i.'!-7<l ; Rev. .1. ,1. Harrison, |S7(I; thousand dollars. The niiuiher of comiuunicants is 

Kev. X. L. Piriggs. l,S71-7.'i; I!cv. Horatio N. Powers, uow l'i;."i, and the mendler^hip of the Sunday-school 

D.D.. the present rector. Xovendier, IS"."!, Thi' hand- is SWK 

some hrownstone edifice onCourtland Street occupied .\moiig the members of St. .Tolin's who entered the 
by the congregation of this church since its erection Fuion army during the Rebellion were the Ki'\. Dr. 
in Ls,'i2 cost about thirty-one thoitsaud dollais. A ('oil, who resigned to accept a position a- chaplain: 
lecturc-rooni was added in 1S7(I at an e\pen-c of nine pev. .L M. Willey, clia|ilaiu of the Third ( 'onuecticut 
thousand dollars. Tlie first wardens of the parish (three months'i Keginu'Ut ; Major William L. Hub- 
were t 'hai'les liostwick, senior warden, and Unssdl bell. Seventeenth Connecticut \'oluuteers; ,\ilj. Wal- 
Tondinsou, junior warden. Among the names of its ter Fitch, Si.Kth Conneetieut Volnutei'rs; F. 11. 
]iriimiiu'nt nu'mhers deceased are those of Charles Thomjison, of the naval service ; and otheis. 
Piostwiek, S. S. Clap|i, .S. B. Ferguson, Stephen Tom- Kev. Mr. Willey, whose death occurred iu .\pril, 

linsiiu, Frederick \V I, L H. Whiting, and Ilaniel ISdi;. is the only rector who has died while holding 

Hatch. (If the older member.s of the Vestry, Kusm'II the ortice. 

Tomlinsou, P. B. Segee, George Keeler, Luzon W. Sr. P.\i i.'s CiifiU'll (Protestant I^piscopal ) was 

Clark. W. H. Xoble, S. B. Beardsley, S. Titus, C. P. organized .lune 4, lS."iS, at the houic of William II. 

llotchkiss, Clapp S| cr, and llenjamin Kay still .\oblc, on Stratford .Vvenue, and the Kew I!. S. Coit, 

remain. Pusselj Tomlinson is the pre-c ut senior D.D., of St. .lohn's Church, wa- cIiomii rector. The 

warili 11, and ( ieorge C. Waldo junior warden. The .'<uuihiy-sehool at first met in the coal-olli if D. W. 

presiait number of comniuuicaiits is :;.')'.l, and the Thoin]isou, near the cast end of ( 'eiitre I'lridgc, after- 
member-hip of the Sunday-school about li-'lo. wards iu moms over a ;^ture upon the corner of 



114 



illSTUKV OF FAIHFIELI) COr.NTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Crescent Avenue and East Main Street. Rev. N. 8. 
Richardson, D.D., wa."s tlie first settled rector of St. 
Paul's parish, liis ministry here heginniiig January, 
1868. 

The corner-stone of St. Paul's Church, a handsome 
stone building upon Ko.ssuth Street, fronting Wash- 
ington Park, was laid hy Bishop Williams, Oct. 6, 
1868; the structure was dedicated ami occupied for 
worship July 2il, ]S6!I, but not consecrated until May 
18, 1880. It cost about thirty thousand dollars. 

Rev. Dr. Richardson, in addition to parochial 
duties, is now editor of the Church Guardian news- 
paper of New York City, Rev. (ieorge S. Pine assist- 
ing him in the care of the ])arish. 

The communicants at St. Paul's number 296, and 
the Sunday-school has 4li;{ members. 

Trinity Church (Protestant Episcopal) was or- 
ganized June 1, 18()3, and .services were at fii-st held 
in a hall over the New York and New Haven Rail- 
road Depot. The corner-.stone of the church, which 
is built of freestone, and stands at the corner of Broad 
Street and I'^airficld Avenue, was laid Nov. 2, 18()3. 
The first services were held in it July 3, 1864, and the 
building wa.s consecrated November 2d of the same 
year. The cost of this church was ten thousand dol- 
lars, or, including the lot and church furniture, 
sixteen thousand dollars. The original luuidier of 
comnuinicant-s was .'>7 ; present number, 284; the 
Sunday-school has l.")7 members. Rev. Sylvester 
Clarke has been rector of this church from its organi- 
zation until the present time. 

Tiu.NiTY JIem()iu.\i, Church, in West Stratford, 
is also under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Clarke. 
This is a mission of Trinity Cluirch, Bridgeport, and 
a meuu>rial of the Rev. ( i. S. Coit, D.I). Tlie first 
services were held at the house of Sihis Scofield, in 
AVest Stratford, Sejjt. 20, 1871, and a Sunday-school 
was begun four days later in the Newfield district 
school-house. The corner-stone of the present ehajjcl 
wius laid Nov. 29, 1871. First service, the Holy 
Conununion, Whitsunday, May !l, 1872, at seven A.M. 
Cost of the chapel, including lot, etc., was six thou- 
sand dollars. The present number of communicants 
is 30 ; membership of Sunday-school, 70. 

The Fik.st Methodi.st Episcopal Church. — 
If this is the same religious body that was founded 
by Rev. Jesse Lee, it is the oldest Jlethodist church 
in New England, and its centennial anniversary, 
Avhich occurs in IXS'I, ought to be duly celebrated. 
The late Isimc Sherman, however, in his historical 
sketch, jmblished in l.SliO,. mentions Rev. Nathaniel 
Ruggles ami liev. John N. Maflitt lus the " founders of 
the first Metlio<list church in Bridgeport in 1X02." 
Before they had a meeting-house of their own the 
members of this denominaticm used to gather for 
worship in the wooden block which is still standing 
upon the corner of Main and State Streets. Tlie 
church wits built in 1822. upon the corner of Fairfield 
Avenue and Broad Street the site now occupied, and 



was destroyed by fire JIarch 23, 1849. Its successor, 
the jjresent brick structure, was completed and dedi- 
cated in the latter part of the same year. Among 
the many ministers who have been settled, over this 
church, one of the most successful wa-s Rev. Heman 
Bangs, who was stationed here in 1847 and 1848. 
Rev. Charles E. Harris is now pastor. The numlier 
of communicants is 370, and the Suntlay-school has 
345 members. 

Washisgtox Park Methodist Episcopal 
Church was organized Sept. 12, 1853. The church 
building, which .stands upon the corner of Barnum 
and Noble Streets, in East Bridgeport, wa.s com- 
[ileted and occupied in the same year. Its original 
cost was only four thousand dollars, but in 1867 it 
was cidarged and imi)roved at an expense of eleven 
thousand dollars. The present value of the property 
is about twenty thousand dollars. Rev. J. E. Searles, 
who is now pjistor, began his work here April 1, 1879. 
There are 380 communicants, and the Sunday-school 
— one of the largest in the city — has .585 teachers and 
scholars. 

The Tabek.n acle Methodist Ki'iscui-al rii l kiii 
was founded in July, 1873. In March, 1874, the house 
of worship, which stands upon North JIain Street, at 
the loot of F'rank Street, was completed, and in the 
following month Rev. A. B. Sanford was api)ointed 
]iastor. His .successors have been Rev. S. H. Smith, 
Rev. David Osborne, and the Rev. Joseiih R. Dumble, 
the latter commencing his labors here in March, 1880. 
The cost of the church building, including the lot, 
W!is about four thousand five hundred dollars. The 
church has ninety-five communicants and a Sunday- 
school of one hundred and seventy-five mend>ers. 

There are two African Methodist Episcopal chapels 
upon Broad Street, a short distance north of Scitsidc 
Park. The older (or Bethel) Church was built in 1835 ; 
the younger and larger, known as Zion Church, was 
completed, as a tablet over the door informs the 
])a.sser by, in June, 1843. This tablet also formerly 
contained an inscription from the Old Testament, — 
"The glory of the latter house shall exceed that of the 
former," — but the words are now erased. Rev. J. B. 
Small is pastor of Zion Church, which has eighty-two 
members and a Sunday-school of seventy. Bethel 
Church, with twenty-eight members and a Sunday- 
school of twenty, is at present without a settle<l min- 
ister. 

The First Puesbyteriax Church was consti- 
tuted Oct. 16, 1853, at which time eighty-two persons 
entered into covenant and resolved to join the Presby- 
tery of New York. The pastor. Rev. Dr. Hewit, and 
a considerable number of the members had ])rcvi(iusly 
been connecteil with the Second (or South | <'<ingrega- 
tional Church of this city. The first meeting for pub- 
lic worship wiLs held Oct. 9, 1853, in the upper room 
of the brick school-house. No. 200 State Street, Dr. 
Hewit iireaching from the text "Jesus Christ, the 
same yestenlay, to-day, and forever." October 31st 



BRIDGEPORT. 



115 



till' iliurrli was ailiuitted t<i tlic Prrsliytcrv (if New 
Yurk, 1111(1 Fell. 1, lA"i4, tht- chain'l cm ]\Iyrtli' Avciuu' 
was dedicatt'il, having cnst almut tlirci- tliijusainl ilnl- 
lars. Till' church ailjoiuing, U]iiiii the cunicr nf ^lyr- 
th' Avenue and West Lilierty Street, «as deilicaled 
AufT. 8, isri"), and ciist twenty-eight tlniusaiid dollars. 
The lilt upiin which the church and eha|iel stimd was 
the iiit't 111' C'apt. Jiihn Bruoks and ('apt. I'urr Kiia|i|i. 
In 1S7H the chapel was taken duwn and a new niir, 
cdstiiiir eleven thousand dnllars, was erected at his 
own expense by C'apt. Broiiks and presented U> the 
cluireh. The ex|iense of enlariiiiig' the church organ, 
already one of the hnest ill Xew England, ami ol' 
]iuttiiig a new roof upon the church, anioiiiiting to 
aliout five thousand ilollars, was also liornc entirely 
hy ('apt. Brooks. 

These and other iiiiiirovenients were not ipiite eoiii- 
pleted, when on Wednesday evening, Dec. ',1, 1X74. hotli 
chnndi and chapel, with all their contents, were totally 
destroycil liy tire, probalily occasioneil hy the careless 
use of candles hy a workman. Tlic Imrniiig steeple, 
two hundred a.iid twenty-seven feet in heiglit, was tlu' 
most inagniiicent spectacle ever seen in Bridgeport. 
The loss upon the huilding.s and their contents 
amounted to seventy thousand dollars; insurance, 
tliirty-tivc thousand dollars. Resolutions of condo- 
lence ami tenders of the use of their several edifices 
were made liy most of the other churches in B.ridgc- 
port, hut the church ]ireferred to occupy the opera- 
house, corner of State and Main Streets, for a season. 
( >wing to the liberality of C'apt. Brooks and otlier 
inemhers of the society, rebuilding was promptly 
comnienced. The new church, which stands n]ion 
the corner of State Street and Myrtle Avenue, cost, 
including the chapel, organ, and furniture, about 
ninety-four thousand dollars, and was dcilicated ( >et. 
IL', bSTd. 

In IsriS, having reached the age of seventy. Itr. 
Hewit resigned his oftice, but his resignation was not 
accepted, and he continued to be pastor of the church 
until his death, in February, 1807. Rev. H. (J. Hins- 
<hile was settled Oct. 2X, l,S(i2, at first us collea.iruc to 
Dr. Hewit, and after his death as sole pastor. Mr. 
Hinsdale resigned in 1877, and was succeeded, Feb. 
14, bS78, by Kcv. H. A. Davenport, who is at present 
pastor of (lie ihurch. The late Mrs. Mary Bisho|i 
was one of the most liberal lienefactors of tliis church, 
having sulisc'rilied largely to build it, and also to 
cancel the debt incurred in its erection. The cluireli 
records show the number of coinmunicants to be IS.'i, 
and the membership of the Sunday-school Mil). 

The (4erm.\n 1'kp;sI!yteri.\x C'nri!cn, on State 
Street, was fir.st organized Oct. I, ISild. \lr\. \. 
Schroeder was [lastor from 1800 to ISIIl. In ISOS the 
church was reorganized. Rev. Casper Bniiicr was then 
.settled as pastor, and hii.s continued to indd thatoflicc 
until the |jresent time. In the same year tlie society 
purchased the church now occupied, on Slate Street, 
nearly opimsite Myrtle Avenue, for about eight thou- 



sand didlars. The present meiiibeiship of the chnnh 
is llo; of the Sunday-school, 110. 

St. Augustine Chuhch ( Homan Catholic). — The 
Rev. Mr. McDermott was the first Catholic priest who 
ccdebrated mass in Bridgeport. This was in the house 
of Mr. Farrell, on :\Iiddle Street, in tlie year ]s;u. 
About eighteen (.'utlndic families were then living 
here. Soon afterwards, by order of Bishop I'enwick, 
the l!ev. .fames Smith attended Bridgeport once a 
moiitli. He built the (dd lirick church which I'orinerly 
stood upon the corner of Arch Street and \\'ashin.irton 
Avenue. Rev. Michael Lynch, the first settled pastor 
for Bridgejiort, was a]ipointed in December, 1S42. 
Ten years later. — Sept. 2, l.S'i^. — Bev. Thomas .1. 
Syniiott was appointed by Bisho]i (Clteilly to take 
eliarge of the Catliolics of Bridgeport. Soon alter his 
arrival l!cv. Jlr. Synnott comnicneed Imilding the old 
church of St. JIary upon Crescent Avenue, in East 
Bridgeport, and finished it in the following year. In 
this same year he began St. Thomas' church, at Fair- 
lie Id, and finished it in 18o4. 

Ten years later, the old brick chnreli upon Wash- 
ington .\ venue lieing found too small to aecominoilate 
the growing ('atlndic ]Mipulation, the foiiiidatioii of 
St. Augustine's church was laid upon the corner of 
Washington Avenue and Pei|Uonnock Street. This 
church, which is the largest in liridgcport, was dedi- 
cated Maridi 17, 1807, and has cost about one hundred 
and twenty thousand dollars. The material of which 
it is built is gray granite from North I>ridge]iort. It 
is intended to carry up the spire about ninety feet 
higher than its present termination, making it by far 
the highest object in the city. The wdiole number of 
('atliolies in St. Augustine ]iarish is about four tlioii- 
sanil,and the average attendance at mass is estimatcil 
to be as high as three thousand. The Sabbath-school 
contains about six hundred and fifty members. The 
amount contributed for special benevolent objects 
during the pastorate of twenty-eight years of the 
Rev. Mr. Synnott is between three and four thousand 
dollars; the amount raised for eliureh purposes — 
jiarish expenses, building, etc. — cannot In' far Ironi a 
quarter of a million of dollars. 

.Adjoining the church on the west is a large and ex- 
tremely handsome structure, built of gray .L'ranite from 
I'lymouth, Conn., which is intended for a Sisters' house 
and academy fiir yonn.<r ladies. It will be coniplctcd 
during tlie year 1881, and its cost is expected to be 
aliont the same as that of the chiircli, — one hundred 
and twenty thousand dollars. 

St. Mary's Church (Roman Cathidic). — This fine 
edifice is built of brick with granite triiuiiiings, and 
stands upon the corner of I'eiiibroke and Sleulien 
Streets, East Bridge].oit. It was dedicated Oct. 14, 
bS77, and cost about ninety thousand ilollars. The 
nnmlicr of ('atholics belonging to St. .Mary's parish 
is estimated to he three tlioll>aiid, and llie average 
attendance at church from two thousand to two thou- 
sand five hundred. The Sabhath-school lias about six 



116 



HISTORY OF FATllFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



hundred members. The first settU^l minister of the 
parish was the Rev. Dr. Walhice, from Providence, 
R. I., and his successors were Rev. Messrs. O'Gorman, 
O'Neil, Drea, Lcnilian, and Rev. .T. F. Ro-jers, the 
present pastor. The ohl ehurch of St. Mary, upon 
Crescent Avenue, is still standing, and is used for 
school and other purjioses. 

The German Catholic Church was organized 
in December, 1874, and for a time held religious ser- 
vices in a hall in Wheeler's Ruilding, Main Street, 
corner of Fairfield .\ venue. Subsequently it removed 
to the iMiildiiijc Xo. 449 Main Street. The ])rosent 
house of worship was commenced in October, 187S, 
and completed in April following, at a cost, including 
the land, of eight thousand dollars. Rev. Joseph A. 
Schaele, of New Haven, has been |)astor from the or- 
ganization of the church to the present time. There 
were at first twenty-five families in the congregation, 
which now numbers seventy-five families, or about 
three hundred ])ersons. The Sunday-school has one 
hundred members. Ma.ss is celebrated and a sermon 
preached every Sunday morning, the pa.stor returning 
to New Haven at the conclusion of the services. 

ITnivehsai.istCihrcii. — The ITnivei-salist Society 
in l!riclgei)ort was organized in the year IS.iO, and the 
brownstone building on Fairfield Avenue, near Broad 
Street, originally known as the Church of our Saviour, 
but now called Church of the Redeemer, Wiis dedi- 
cated near the close of the following year. Rev. 
Olympia Brown — now Mrs. Olympia Brown Willis — 
w;i.s jnistor of this chur<'h from ISO!) to 187."); Rev. 
John Lyon, who is now the pastor, was settled Dec. 3, 
1876. The cost of the house of worship, including 
land, etc., was thirty-four thousand dollars. The 
present number of communicants is 70, and the uumii- 
bershi]) of the Sunday-school is l.'5o. A chai)el is soon 
to be constructed upon the lot in rear of the church, 
which was given to the society by P. T. Barnum, and 
it is proposed that the second story of this building 
shall contain a free rea<ling-room fi)r the use of work- 
ingmen and others. 

The Ain-ENT Christian Chiuch of Bridgeport 
Wits organized November, 1849, with fourteen mem- 
bers, and has maintained regular services ever since, 
both upon the Sabbath and on week-day evenings, 
though most of the time without a settled piustor. 
Eighty-two members have been added since the 
church was first formed, but, owing to death, removal, 
and other causes, the present membership is only 
fifty-seven. The place of meeting is Temperance 
Hall, on Beach Street, East Bridgeport. 

The members of the body known as the CHfltcH 
OF Christ in Bridgeport have met for study of the 
Bible and for religious worship since the year 1871, 
but were not formally organized as a church until 
Aug. 2:?, 1S74, under the leadership of Dr. W. .\. Bcl- 
<ling, of Troy, N. V. The meetings, at first held in a 
]irivate house, have bceu for several years past con- 
• lucted in the hall at No.^lU Main Street, on the Sab- 



bath and upon two week-day evenings. No stated 
preacher has been employed, but since May, 1880, 
Charles Abercrombie, a revivalist, has been laboring 
here. The present membership is 65. 

The Hebrew congregation (Benai Israel) in 
Briilgcport was organized Sept. 19, 1859, the first min- 
ister being Rev. A. Jacobs, and the place of worship 
No. 35 Wall Street. Rev. Mr. Jacobs has had twelve 
successors, the present incumbent being Rev. E. Will- 
ner, settled Aug. IG, 1879. The congregation now 
meets u])on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings 
at Freednuin's Building, on State Street, opposite the 
court-house. The Hebrews in this place number only 
fifteen families, or about seventy-five persons, all of 
whom belong to the congregation. The Sunday- 
school has fifteen members. 

CC.STOM-Hor.SE. 

In the " Municipal Register" for 1875 Mr. Lacey 
has given so full an account of the customs district 
of Fairfield that it is only neces.sary to make brief 
reference to it here. This district was constituted by 
act of Congress, March 2, 1799, and includes the en- 
tire coast, from the Housatonic River to the New 
York State line. The collector's office was at first at 
Fairfield, then at Greenfield Hill, but was removed to 
Bridgeport in 1832. Capt. Samuel Smedley, distin- 
guished as ii naval commander in the war of the 
Revolution, was the first collector. His successors 
were: Walter Bradley, date uncertain ; Samuel Simons, 
lS.'i2; Joseph Thom])son, 1840; Stephen Lounsbury, 
1844; William H. Peet, 1848; William S. Ponieroy, 
1852; Silas C. Booth. 1860; John Brooks, 181)4; Julius 
S. Hanover, 1'869. 

Since December, 1874, the custom-house Iijls been 
located in rooms, handsomely fitted up for the pur- 
]>ose, upon the corner of Main and Wall Streets. The 
records of the oflice are well kept, and among the 
archives are documents bearing the autograjjlis of 
.\lcxander Hamilton, John Quincy .\dams. .lames 
Monroe, and other venerable patriots. 



ClIAPTKi; XIII. 
BHIDGEPORT (Continued). 

ri;m,ic in.stitutioxs of BUiDtiEPonr, con- 
cluded. 

Kxprow ComiNiny — Firo IV|>Hrtnieut — Fn-H-uiasoii!* — l>iu*liglit <\ini|)niiy 
— (Jniili-EIi'vnt'»r — Ilarlwr — Hursc-Ilailnmil — Hu«t]>ilul — Uy'lrnuUc 
CoiiiiMiiiy — Inti^ntnl Kevoiiuo — Library — Lighthonw^^ — Slilli* — Kows- 
Iin|Mini— <)<lt)-Ffnowa — Orplinii Asyhim — Parks — Polico — roimlnUon — 
PuBt-Ulllco— Putille ScUoolA — SucIcUi» — Sltraniboals. 

EXPRESS C05IPAXY. 

Wi I.I.I AM F. Harxken was the first num to com- 
mence running an e-xjire-w between Bo.ston and New 
York, in February, 1839, and is regarded as the 



BlilDGEPOKT. 117 

fouiiiUT of the cxiiicss l>usiiu'>s ill this ciuHtiy. In hiinl Divisiciii; Wiliiiiiii L. HuMhII, Amlitor; S. 

May, 1S4II, Alviii Adams boL'aii an (.|.|.ositii.n to .1. I',. 1 )il,lilc, (.'ashirr : .rnlm ('. ( ■iirti-, AL^'nt. 
llanuli-n. For several years IMr. Ailams was liis o\\ n 

luessenirer. cashier, elerk. an.l j.orter, all in one. In ; "'■'• 1'1:i'M'TMi:nt. 

1S4-'! he tirst began to use lior,-.es and \va,<;on> in de- Ojh' (]|' the first |iulilie nieasnn's of the citizens of 

livi'rinj;-, and soon afterwards Adams .V ( 'o. nLude a Xewfield — afterward^ the lioroULih of r>ridi:ei»>rt — 

contract with the Treasury Department lor the trans- ^yas to form themselves into a tire company, wdiieh 

portation of irovernnient funds, which tlieir ^mi-essors \v.|s incorporated, as already nu'ntioned, in 171I7. An 

.still continue, (let. lM;, 1S4S, the New "^ ork and New ;,,.( ,,f similar tiiior was passed in the followiufT year. 

Haven Uailroad was o]ieiieil for travel from New .,],il jn IS.'Uathird lire eom[iaiiy w as chartered, fol- 

Haven to r>ridi!:ci)ort, and on October ".Ist the follow- lnwcil in 1S4(I by the I'lnenix Fire ('omiiany, No. 4, 

in^; advcrtisenuait appeared in the ]Vi'i'/rfi/ S/ninliifil : jmil the l'i'i|Uonnoek l-'iri' ( 'ompany, of N<irth liridfrc- 

■■\ 1- w i-xi'fi-s 1"""*' '""' '" ''^^■' ''-^ ''"' '''''1.-' I""' 1'"^'' t'l'inpany. 
,. . , , ,-, ., ,, .,,..,, , The ensiincs (d' that dav, however, were e.xtrcnudv 

".\<laitia ,V Co, rL'spei-ttulIy i^tv Iii-Ii<<- tliat liny have- rniiiiii,-iii -■'! ^ 

miaiing a .iail.v i' v press, t.. nwi u-m .N. « iiavi-Ti aii.i i!ii.i^.i~.,t, in rude affairs, without aiiv suction apparatus, it beiiiif 

ciimiertuiii with tlicii N.w Ymk anil New Haven liue. fackasis, m-ecNsary to ponr the watir into them before it Was 

Spedo, Bank-Notes, au,l ValuaMes uf every Jeseription inUnst,.,! ,„ ^^ ■.^^,^^ ,|„. ,i,.,.^ .„„| ,v|„,,„.v,,,- :,,! alarm of Wvr 

their cnre will he tiansluilteil witll the utmust safely am! ihspateh, aiel ' ' .... 

all h,isine.«, sueh „.« the eolleeti.,,, ,.r Xules an.l Hills, the ,lel,ve,v .,t "a> -IVill the fir-t duty of a ,^-oo,l iltlZell Was to rllsh to 

Inartsfiil ae,i-ptiuiee. an.l .inlels uf all Uiinls. will re.'.'ive Ilieii pal tli-- tlu' Spot witll Ilis firc-luicket, whi(dl Was a part id' tllC 

„lar altenli..,,. .\ s iai messenu-er wilt aeeompany Hie train leaviiiK tiirnituie of evirv house, and to form one of a line for 

New Haven at .piailei heli.ie nine .\..ii.; letuniing will lea\e Bi iM;.'e- . . " • ^ ii i • 

p,.itatten.o,„nani,al..f i.natrren,.NewV,„k. , drawiu.i; Water from Some convenient Well and pas.sing 

* »«,»*« « it lip to the eiiiiine. Under these circumstances it is 

"nrricKs Axn ai;ents: ""t surprisini;- tluit tires were freipieiit and destrne- 

".\p.»Ms>«: ('M..1G Wall Street, New y,.rk. five. ( 'oiilhiL; rat ions several timi'ssWi'pt through the 

"\v. Weuh .t c... 14:'. (•hai>el Street. DwiKlifs linil.lini;, New Haven. Iiu>iness |iart of the place, notably u]ioii the morning 

••.S.^NFnUD CnR.NWALl., Nu. ^ Exeha„Ke flaee, opposite the Slellm^- ^^|. ||^,^, ,|_ ]^^-_ ^^.||,,„ ,||,. ^,.,„tern side id' Water 

Uotlse, B,i,l,epott." . ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^.^^^^^ ^^^. ^^.^^|, _^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^.^_^.^ 

The office of the express company was afterwards i devastated. Forty-nine buildings were consumed on 

located under the Sterling House, sidiseijneiitly re- this occasion, and the loss was estimated at over one 

moving to the York House building, on the west >ide hundred and twenty-live thousand doll.irs. 
of Water Stri'ct, near Fiiioii Stieet. and I'rom thence 'I'lie fust engine worthy of the name was that pur- 

to its pri'seiit location, in the di'|iot biiihling at the chased lor ( 'ompany No. .'i. wliieh had a suction apjia- 
foot of Fairfield .\ venue. The .iilams JOxpre.ss Com- ' ratiis, and was built in New "i'ork at a co.st id' one 

jiaiiy was formed by the consolidation of some half thousand dollars. Within :i week after its arrival the 

a dozen other lines, .(uly 1, LSod. At that time the steam flour-mill near the corner of Water .Street and 

capital stock was divided into twelve thousand shares, South .\veiiue was burned, and. ten days later, the 

whose value was not siiccified, but supposed to be Jlethodist church on I'leavcr Street siilfered the same 

worth at least one hundred dollars each, or one mil- fate, 
lion two hundred thoiisainl dollars altogether. The I'levious to 1 S47 there was no orgaliizi'd lire do 



lude- 



leaiUiuarters of the New lOnghind division were re- partmeiit, the sevend companies bidiig not only 

moved from Hartfiird to Piridgejiort, .\pril 2. bsii.'i; to |ieiiilent of one another, but sometimes antagonistic. 

Boston, Sept. 1, 186S ; to Ilarttord, Sept. L'. isilli; and ,\ by-law drafted by .Mr. I\. H. Laeey, providing tor the 

again to I'ridgeixn't. l''eb. li. isji;. Since that time appointment of a board of engineers and the enforce- 

Bridgeport has been the central oliiee. all the other mciil of better discipline, was adopted in that year, 

agencies in New England reporting to it. and continued in force until the adoption of a paid 

The comjiany has experienced several robberies. lire de]iartiiicnl. The steam fire-engine D. H. Ster- 

One of the greatest on record took [ilaee on Saturday ling. No. I, was purchased by the city in January, 

evening, Jan, (i, ISIili, when the door of the expri'ss- 18(14, and |iroved so succe.-sful that in Jlay, 18(15, 

car running from New "^'ork to lloston wa- forced, steaiuer rroteetor. No. 2, was purchased, and in 

I and securities, cash, ami other valuables, to the ,\ ugust of the same year steanur Excelsior, No. o. 
amount of half a million dollars, were abstracted I ii ( letobcr, 1S72, the vidnnteer lire de|iartment was 

therefrom. Nearly all the stolen properlv was re- disbanded, and a paid department snbslituteil for 

covered, and the criminals, who were arrested ill il. (/harles .A, ( ierdeiiier, who had bei'ii at the head 

Norwalk, were tried and sentenced at Ilridgcport in of the volunteer organization since J8(j'.l, was ap- 

February, 18G(5, pointed chief engineer, and has held this im]iortaiit 

The officers and re]ireseiitatives of the .\dains Ex- : oflice to the present tiiiii-. 
press Company residing at I'riilgcport are; Henry The pr..|icrty of the lire deparlment. March 1, 1880, 

Saiiforil, (ieiieral Siiperintemhail ; Chipp Spooner, consisted in part id' the following articles: Five en- 

liesidcnt Mamiger, and Superintendent of New Eno- gine-hou-e-. three steam lire-engines, two hook-ami- 



118 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



ladder trucks, one of them.with chemical attachment, 
ten thousand four hun<lrcd feet of liose, two bell- 
towers and ahirni-bells, ii fire-alarm telepraidi, five 
chemical fire-extinguishers, twelve horses, and one 
hundred and seventy-three hydrants, the aggregate 
value of the whole being one hundred and seven 
thousand seven hundred and nineteen dollars. 

Hesides the chief engineer, the active force of the 
department consists of nine assistant and steamer en- 
gineers, seven drivers, and forty-five hose and liook- 
and-ladder men, — in all, sixty -two persons. The 
government of the department is in the hands of a 
lioard of commissionei-s, Messrs. S. W. Baldwin, AVil- 
liani K. Higby, Eli Dewhurst, and .Tobn M. Saniniis* 
being tlie present mend)ers. 

Tlie department has upon the whole met with ex- 
cellent success ever since its orgauizaticjn in subduing 
the ravages of the devouring element, but it is hardly 
to be expected that a ])laee of this size should wholly , 
escape from disastnms fires, the work cither of ineen- i 
diaries or of carelessness. Among the noteworthy 
fires of recent years have been the following: July 
22, 18.52, steamer "Alice" burned at the dock: loss, j 
twenty-eight thousand dollars ; Dec. 22, ISOo, car- 
riage-factory of F. Wood & Co., on Broad Street, 
badly damaged ; May 28, 1871, lumber-yard of Beards- 
ley, Wilson & Co. burned; t^ept. ;{0, 1872, planing- 
mill and lumber-yard of S. Nickerson tS: Son de- 
stroyed; Feb. 21, 187:J, Courtland Block badly dam- 
aged ; Dec. 9, 1874, Presbyterian churcii destroyed ; 
Dec. 14, 1875, the cabinet-factory of the Wheeler & 
Wilson Comjtany destroyed, causing a loss estimated 
at six hundred tiiousand dollars; June 7, 1877, the 
hat-manufactory of (ilover Sanford & Scms burnt, on 
which occasion eleven lives were lost by the falling of 
a wall. 

FIIKKMASONS. 

St. .John's Lodge, No. 3, F. and A. M., of this city, 
was founded under a charter dated Feb. 12, 1702, and 
issued by (Jcorge Harrison, (irand Master of the 
province of New York, to Eleazer llubbell, of Strat- 
field, in the county of Fairfield and colony of Connect- 
icut. There was then no (irand Lodge in Connecticut; 
indeed, there were but two other lodges in the colony, 
— viz., lliram, No. 1, of New Haven, instituted 17.J0, 
and St. John's, No. 2, of Middletown, instituted 17.')4. 

Tile first meeting nf St. .John's Lodge uniler its 
new charter was at the house of Capt. Samuel Wake- 
lee, which stood upon the street now called Park 
Avenue, a short distance south of State Street, Feb. 
l.i, 17()2. Five members were present, — viz., .\rnout 
Cannon, of the city of New York, who officiated as 
Master 7<co tern.; Joseph Knajip and Isaac Young, 
botli of I'airfield; Eleazer Hubbell, ofStratfield; and 
J. Anderson, who acted as Secretary, and was jjcrhaps 
a visiting brother, aa his name occurs but once again 
in the records. It was a special meeting, called for 



• 3Ir. Sniiiniia iUimI in .Viiguat, ISW. 



the pur|)osc of initiating David Wlieckr and M'olcott 
Chauncey. The first regular or ])ro))er meeting wsls 
held at the house of Richard Hubbell, who lived on 
tlie street now called Clinton Avenue, Feb. 24, 17(«2. 
On July 14tli of the same year occurred the first elec- 
tion of officers, when Eleazer Hubbell, who had 
already acted in the capacity, was formally chosen 
Master for the ensuing year. 

Meetings continued to be held in Stratfidd until 
Dec. 8, 17t)2, when the lodge was removed to the house 
of Isaac Young, in Fairfield. It was voted at this 
meeting that brother Y'oung should be paid forty shil- 
lings in lawful money for the use of two west chambers 
for a period of one year from date. Two years later it 
was voted to remove to "the sign of the Anchor," 
l)robably the village inn at Fairfield. In January, 
17()3, it was voted that the lodge should have a seal 
and ]>archment, and that the secretary should charge 
three .shillings for giving a certificate. The initiation 
fee was three pounds ten shillings until 1780, when it 
was fixed at three pounds silver money, or its equiva- 
lent in the depreciated Continental currency. Besides 
the initiation fee, taxes, regular and special, were 
often imposed upon the members to defray the ex- 
penses of the lodge. Several passages in the records 
show that the " refreshments" furnished were what 
would now be thought of a convivial nature. Among 
the furniture of the lodge-room were gla-sses ami a 
IHineh-bowl, while by special vote it was made the 
duty of the steward "to provide necessaries for the 
lodge, such as rum, sugar, pipes, and tobacco." This 
was according to the universal custom of the time, 
when s])irituous li(iuors were freely used at gather- 
ings of every description, even those of the ilergy. 
Masonry at the ])rcsent day, however, has an excel- 
lent record in the matter of temperance, for nearly 
sixty years ago the Grand Lodge of the State of Con- 
necticut forbade, under heavy penalty, the introduc- 
tion of ardent spirits into any lodge within its juris- 
diction, an<l the law is still enforced. 

Frccjuent mention is made in the records of the 
celebration of the two St. John's Days,— June 24lh 
and December 27th, — when the members of the lodge 
and invited guests usually dined together after listen- 
ing to a sermon by some one of the clergy. The Rev. 
.\ndrew Eliot, of Fairfield, was a frecpient guest upon 
these occasions, and the names of the Rev. Messrs. 
Lanison, Sayre, Baldwin, and Shelton also occur in 
this connection. Slight tokens of good will were 
often voted to the officiating clergyman, such as a 
])iece of calico for a summer gown to the Rev. Mr. 
Eliot, a pair of silk gh>ves to the Rev. Mr. Stebbins in 
return for a "very ingenuous and i)athetic discourse" 
in ineinory of a brother lost at sea. The following 
resolution ilatcd Feb. 2.'), 17!I3, is a similar instance: 

"VolM miixnwinii-ly, Tliut Dni's I.acc.v and Cniuion wait on tlie B«T. 
Philii Sholtun and |ini«'iil liiin Willi the thanks of this lodge, an llkewiso 
one guinea, for bin excellent di»*:oun«; on St. John's Daj', UTtii Doc, 
17'J2, at Xewfleld." 



nr.iixiKi'or.T. 



119 



Aiiimiil;' till' [iniiiiiiii'iit iiiriiilicrs dI' tlir liid^c wliilr 
it rciiiiiiHcil ill I'';iiilicM were .liiiiiitlian lliilklcy, wliii 
Inr si'MMitc'c'ii Vfars was clrctril Miistrr; ( !rn. l^lijali 
Alicl. till' ciiuiity slicritf; Ijiriil. Isaai' .larvis ami t 'a|it. 
Hainuc-I Siui'ilk-y. of Kevolutidiiary fame, tlif latter 
afterwards the eolleetor of eustonis for Fairfield Dis- 
trict : and I)r. Franeis Fnriiue, tlie lea<liiii; ]ihysieiaii 
, <if the villaiie, who fur many years was a constant 
attiaidant. 

1)11 Christmas Day, Dec. 2"), 17S2, the f.diowinj; 
resoliitiiin was ])asse<l hy the loilf;e: 

'■\:,l,;l, Tliat liiolhi-r All.-! be (lesiifil to wait i>n BiDtli.-r F.irgii.- uii.l 
know w tK-ihi'i- it is liis desire tliat prayers l»o tli^siriiil for Iiini at the 
Thiiiiie of tirai'e, iniiler his present imiispusitinn ut IjcmIv."' 

A few weeks hiter the hretliren of the nrcha- folhiwed 
hi- lii.ily ti) its last restinjr-plaee, ami lesidiitinns of 
respict til his memory were drawn iiji tiiid puhlished 
in the New Haven paper. 

.Ian. 14, 17'^4, St. John's L(idi;-e ]iartiei])ated hy its 
dclcLiatcs in the fnniiatiini nf the present ({rand Lodi;v 
nf the State, on which occtisiim I'ierrepont Edwards, of 
New Haven, hut afterwards of Brid}je]"irt, was chosen 
(iraiid Master. No allusion to eitlier the Ivcvulution 
or the war of 1,S12 is made in the records, hut in 
Deeeniher, 171l!l, it was 

"IVt/c./, Tliat till' inelniiers of tite Iinlt;e vear snitahle ninuriiing uihui 
tlie anil, liming tlie pleasure of tlie loiige, in tulien of respect for tiie 
ineiiior.v of the late 31. \V. (iiaiiil Master of the Inileil states, (jeoige 
Washiiiglon." 

Dtirino; the war of the Revolution intervals of sev- 
eral months iiccurred during which im nicetino's were 
held, and from 178(j to 17'S9 the nicetinus were very 
infreipient and hut slenderly attended. 

In 17S!I, throuo-h the eftints of .lusiali J^acey, Lani- 
hert Lockwood, and Daniel Yountj, influential nieiii- 
hers of the order engaged in husiness at the thriving 
settlement of Xewfield, which centred near the jiresent 
corner uf Water and State Streets, ]5ridgeport, the 
lodge was removed here. The first meeting was held 
at the dwelling-house of Daniel Young, which is still 
standing, mi the southwest comer of Union and Water 
•Streets, .June 24, H''^!!. Nine memhers of St. .Tohn's 
Ijodge and four visiting hretliren were jiresent, tiiid 
officers were elected and delegates tii the conventinii 
chosen, after which the lirethrcii adjiiiirned to tlie 
jiulilic-housi' nf AVilliam Peet, "where they dined and 
drank in gond harnmny." 

Jan. 27, I7'.iii, the lodge voted to meet at the house 
of Mr. William I'ret, innkeeper, upon the nortli side 
of State Street, wliere the jiost-oflice now stands, " un- 
til a more convenient place can he ohtained." Dee. 
14, 17'.M, it was voted to remove to the chamhers of 
Brother .Tosiah Laeey's house, wdiicli stood upon tlu' 
south side of State Street, hetween Main and Water 
Streets. 

JIareh 14, 17'.I2, the committee prc\ imi-ly appointed 
to procure sundry articles hcloiiging to the loil;;c, 
which were supposed to he at Fairfield, rejiortcd that 
they had found fourteen driuking-glasses, one punch 
spoon, one silver seal, an old gnat chair, and three 



larue wooden caiidlcsticks witliout the lirasses. .\ pair 
of lirass andirons which li.'id liccn left at the house of 
a iiicmlier in Fairticld were not roitlicoming, hut were 
he lie veil to ha \'e I leen carried oil' In 1 >e la ware hy his son. 

I let. -'i, 17'.i2, the Indge voted to purchase ten tickets 
in the lottery for Imilding Xewlield I'.ridge. 

\hr. 12, 17;i2, it wa^ \otiil to icniovc to the Imnse 
of Isaac ilinman, which stood upon tlie southwest 
corner of ^Vall and Water Streets. 

.Many other interesting extr.icts might he made 
from till' early records did sptice perniit, hut it is snfli- 
cienl to say tliat after its removal to I5ridge|iort its 
conililion was prosperous. Th(> siir)ilus funds in the 
treasury aniotinted to several hundred dollars, and 
were loaned to memhers to use in their husincss, alwavs 
hy vote of tlie lodge tiiid upon a si.x months' interest- 
hearing note. 

From LSO'.l to 1X12. hy order of the (Jrand Lodge, 
the lodge was ohliged to meet within one mile of tlie 
coiirt-hoiise, in the town of Fairfield. In 1S12 it re- 
turned til the house of Ihother I'.phraim Knajiji, who 
siicccidi'd Mr. llinnian upon the corner of A\'all and 
Water .'streets, and from that time it has continued to 
meet in liridgeport. 

During the years l.S:jl and ls:i2, on account of the 
su]ipiisiMl ahduction of Jlorgan, puhlie feeling ran liioh 
against Masonry. It was accused of heiiig an institu- 
tion dangerous to the comiuunity and injurious to 
morality and religion. To meet this charge a (U'fense 
of l''rceiiiasiiiiry, signed hy fifty memlicrs of St. John's 
Lodge, was ]iuhlished in the local newspajiers. The 
document, though interesting, is too long toijuofe liere. 
.\inong the signers were such well-known names as 
those of Ilanford Lyon, I'liilo llurd, Wilson llawley, 
(li'ii. l-hioch Foote, t'harles Foote, William Peet, Rev. 
ILK. .ludah, rector of St. John's ( 'liurcli. Dr. M'illiam 
I!. Nash, .\liijali llawley, KzekielHuhhell,EliThonip- 
son, ( liijeoii Thmiipson, and others of eipial standing 
in the community. Notwithstanding this defense, the 
popular ]irejiiilice was so strong tigainst the institution 
that Masonry was practically dormant in this place 
until ahoiit the year ]'S47. A Iter this dati' it hegan to 
rcvi\e, and meetings were held at first in the old lodge- 
riioiii, which was in the upper story of the school- 
house. No. 200 State Street, afterwards upon the nnrtli- 
west corner of State and Wjiter Streets, then over 
]'"erris JIurd's store, on Water Street, at the foot of 
State Street, and finally, in I.S.Vi, in the present well- 
known and handsonie rooms in .Slurdevant LUiilding, 
corner of i\Iain and Bank Streets. 

l'"ch. 12, 18fi2, the centennial anni\i'rsarv of ,St. 
.lohn's Lodge, No. 8, was celehnitcd liy interesting 
exercises held in the First Jlethodist Episcopal ( 'hnrch, 
and hy a supper at Franklin Hall, at which some four 
hundred memhers of the order and invited guests were 
present. \n account of the luocecdings, togetlier with 
a historical sketch and an oration delivered on the occa- 
sion hy the Rev. Dr. Ewer, was afterwtirds jmhlished. 

The present memliership of St. .lohn's Lodge, No. 3, 



120 



lIIST(tI{Y OF FA I 



FIKLD ("orXTV. CONNKCTIcrT. 



is five hundred mid eight, aiul tlic ofiieers of tlie Ixidy 
are: Frederiek F. falleniU-r, W. M. ; Tliomas F. Daly, 
S. AV. ; Edward T. Ward, J. W. ; E. Stewart 8umner, 
Sec; William R. Ili^jhy, Troas. ; Rev. E. W. Miixey, 
D.D., Chaplain. 

Corinthian Lodge, No. 104, was ehartered May 22, 
1868, and now nunihers one hundred members. It 
meets in tlic same lodge-room used by the members 
of St. John's, and its officers are a.s follows : Daniel 
N. Morgan, W. M. : W. W. Ingham, S. W. ; H. E. 
Winsor, J. W. ; Charles E. Wilmot, See.; H. H. 
Porter, Trea.s. ; Rev. Sylvester Clarke, Chaplain. 

Hamilton Commandery, No. o, Knights Tem|i!ar. 
wa.s ehartered (under name of Hamilton Eneamj)- 
mcnt), May 10, 1855, with sixteen charter members, 
all of whom liad originally belonged to Clinton Com- 
mandery. 

May 21, IS.w, Hamilton Commandery, No. H, of 
Norwalk, was instituted, ofheers were ehosen, and three 
members — William R. Higby, James L. (iould, and 
James E. Dunham — received the honor of knighthootl. 
The first piiblie ai)pearanee of this body was at the fu- 
neral of Alexander Hamilton, a prominent citizen, from 
whom the Commandery took its name, who died .\ug. 
27, 18.')7. Its tweiity-tiftli anniversary was celebrated 
May 20, 1880, by a])i>ropriate exercises, including an 
interesting historical sketch by William R. Higby, 
which has been published. Officers of the Com- 
mandery at this time are: William E. Seeley, E. C. ; 
Hugh Stirling, (ien. ; William R. Higby, Treas. ; W. 
B. Osborn, Rec. 

Following are the dates of organization of several 
of the other Ma.sonic bodies in this city. Want of 
space forbids giving any account of them at this time: 

Jerusalem Cha|)ter, No. U, R. A. M., Oct. 21, 1813. 

Jerusalem Council, No. lli, R. and S. M., in 1827. 

De Witt Clinton Lodge of Perfection, May 11, 1858. 

Pe<iuonnock Chajjter, It. C., June 1, 1S58. 

Washington Council, I', of J., June 1, 1838. 

Lafayette Consistory, S. P. of R. S., June 1, 18.38. 

As will be seen by what has been written, the mem- 
bership of the order in this city is at this time over 
six hundred. Though not professing to be a charita- 
ble organization, it does not a little for the relief of 
the sick and suflering, and in this res])ect is certainly 
worthy of all praise. 

GASLIGHT COMP.\SY. 

The Rridgeport (iaslight Company was incorporated 
in 184!'. and. as already mentioned, commenced busi- 
ness in December, 1X51, with seventy -six j)rivate con- 
sumers and twenty-six public street-lamp.s. Among 
the original corporators mimed in the charter were 
Horace Nichols, R. B. JIa.son, W. P. Burrall. Philo 
llurd, and Hanford Ly<in. H. K. Harral was the first 
president of the company, and P. C. Calhoun the first 
trea-surer. After the decease of Mr. ilarral, in .Inne, 
1854, his place was filled by Hanford Lyon, who hehl 
the office until April 2, lSC8, when he was succeeded 



by Amos S. Treat, who has ever since been president. 
The original co.st of the works was seventy-five thou- 
.sand dollars, but more than one hundred and seventy- 
five thousand dollars additional has since been ex- 
peiuh'd U])on them. The late .John Cornwall was sec- 
retary and treasurer for twenty years, from 1854 to 
1874, and C. A. (terdenier, the present superintendent, 
has been connected with the company since 1864. 

Officers of the company at the ]}resent time are ; 
Hon. Amos S. Treat, President ; William B. Hincks, 
Secretary and Treasurer; Charles A. Gerdenier, Su- 
perintendent ; Samuel C. Trubee, William H. Perry, 
William R. Higby, A. C. Hobbs, Henry L. Clark, 
Horace Nichols, Sidney B. Beardsley. Amos S. Treat, 
William B. Hincks, Directors. 

Glt.\I5J-EI.KVAToI!. 

The following account of this building is taken 
from an article entitled " The Trade and Manufactures 
of Bridgeport," in the " Municipal Register" for 1876. 

" Bridgeport has the only grain-elevator on the 
coast between New York and Boston. It was erected 
in 1871 by the enterprising firm of Crane & Hunl. 
and grew out of their connection and experience with 
the grain trade in the West. It is forty by fifty feet 
at the base, and one huntlred feet in height. It is run 
by a twenty-five horse-power engine and the labor of 
five men, and is capable of taking in and storing eight 
thousand bushels of grain per day of ten hours from 
either railroad-car or boat at the dock. Grain is 
brought in bulk in rail-cars from any i>oint in the 
A\'est, or by water in canal-boat, barge, or schooner 
from any of the larger markets, and here conveniently 
and economically handled and then distributed to the 
vari(ms points of consumption. As many sis one and 
a half million bushels of grain have passed through 
this elevator in a single year. Mr. J<ihn Ilnrd is tlie 
present .sole proi)rietor." 



With proper attention Bridgeport Harbor ought to 
be one of the best upon the Sound. Systematic im- 
l>rovements were begun by the Vnited States govern- 
ment in the summer of 1872, and are still in progress. 
Before dredging was commenced there were but five 
and a half or six feet of water at low tide at certain 
points where there is now twelve feet. The intention 
of the government engineers is ultimately to make the 
channel three hundred feet wide and twelve feet deep 
from Long Island .S.nml to the lower bridg?, and to 
extend the present breakwater to a jioint thirteen 
hundred and eighty feet from the eastern shore. The 
effect of the breakwater, it is thtrnght. will be to keep 
the channel from filling u|i again, and thus make the 
improvements of a i>ernninent character. Above 
the lower bridge the harbor has been much injured 
by encroachments, .some of the docks and piers having 
been built out much farther than sbmilil have been 
permitted. 



BltllMiKl'ORT. liM 



llllRSE-RAILRiiAD. | Tile tirst (.•flWrt to sll|J|ily WaUr liy pilirsto the pcoplo 

TIic Hri(Ij;'('iinrt Hoi-so-Riiilri):iil ( 'unipMiiy was in- cil' liridficpcjrt was madr liy \lr\ . ICIijah W'atrniian 
ciirponitcil ill 1S(>") with a faiiital i>\' our IhiihIiciI alidUl the year 181S. Crrtaiii s|iriiins nl' piuv water 
tliiiiisanil ildllai-^, till' cliartrr of the (iiiiipany ^iviiij; iirar the present corner of (tolilen Hill anil Ilewit 
it periiiissioii tii extrinl its line Irmii the staitiniz-poiiit , Streets were deepened and eleared out, and the water 
near I'eiuUroke Lake, in East Bridgeport, to ]\[oiiii- eoiuhieted down town and throiii;li the priiiripal streets 
tain (irove ('eiiielery and Ulaek Iioek, with a hraiirh in wooden ]iipes, or rather liored-ont loi;s. 'I'lieeiiter- 
lo the railroad depot at the loot of l'"airlirlil .\\iliile. prise was lontiiuied, at first hy Lewis ( '. ."seuee, who 
Cars tirst eoinmeneed runniii.a' from the Sterling 1 loii-e siieeeeded Jlr. Waterman about the year ISliH, and 
to the eastern terminus Jan. 2'i. LSfitJ, and while the afterwards in May, !&?>'■', hy Jesse Sterlin^r, Ste|ihen 
road was a novelty it was lilnrally ])atroni/eil. 'I'lie llawley, S. I>. Jones, Niehols Xorthrop, and their as- 
present western terminus is at the junetion of fair- sociates, who were ineorporated in May, 1S.'!:1, under 
tield and I'linton Avenues, the leiiiith of traek lour tlir name of the i'.riilire|iort and I iolden 1 1 ill Aipieduet 
miles, and the rate of fire tive cents. Nine i;n> and ( 'iim|iany, with capital often thousand dollars, the 
forty-one lioisi'~ are owiii'd by the company and three water heiiig olitaineil IVom the souiee already men- 
hundred and thirty thousand eifrht hundred and folly- tioned. 
sivcii |iasseiijrers were carried durinp: the past year. In IS.Mi, the need of a more extensive supply of 

( hiicers ol the eorporation are : Alliert Kaines, I'lrs- water, partiiailarly for lire purposes, lieiiii; felt, the 

iilent ; Frederick lliinl. Secretary and 'rreasnrer ; P.. ( 'iimmon ( "ouncil ji ranted to Xatliaiiiel < inene 1 a^cnt 

V. Lasher, Siiperiiiteiideiit ; X. AVheeler, 1'. 'I'. I'.ai- of the rei|iii>nnock Mills, in Xortli Ihidiieport), and 

iiuiii,('. \. [lotehkiss, James Wilson, Kicdiriek llnrd, lo his assii;;iis the exclusive privilei:!' id' laying' down 

Alhert J^aines, J. J. (iorhani. Directors. water pipes in the public streets, on condition of his 

furnishiiii;- the city and the inhahitants with a full 

■^' ''^ supply of pure water for domestic, mechanical, .and 

Idle need of a well-conducted hosjdtal in a eily of all oi'dinary usis, hoth |)ulilic and private. The 

the size of Ihidiieport for the relief of eases of acci- l'>ridi;e|iort Water Company was incorporated liy Mr. 

dental injury and the treatment of patients who ean- Greene and others for this ]iurposc in the year IS-'i:!, 

not reccixe proper care at their homes is very a[iparent. with a capital of one hundri'd and si.xty thousand 

To llr. ( ieoriic F. Lewis heloiifis the credit of first dollars, and durinir the followinj; year a distrihulinjj,- 

attcmiitiiif; to supply this want. At his siiii'ficstion a reservoir in X'orth Bridceiiort was con.structcd and 

hci|Uest was inserted in the will of his aunt, the late pipes were laid tliroU>;h the princijial streets of the 

Jliss Susan llulil)i.ll, id' West Stratford, for liaindin^ city, the source of sup|dy liiiii^; the water of the Pe- 

a hospital in this vieinity. In .laniiary, fsTS, the ipionnoek Kiver, which was ]ininped up into the rcs- 

I'.ridfieport Hospital was ur^ianized as a hody corporale ervoir. 

hy the Lcfrislaturc. Following arc the olticers of the The enterprise did not pro\e remniieralivc to the 

corporation: P. T. Harnuin, President ; K. F. Pisliop, stockholders, and, lioinls to the ainonnl of ninety 

\'icc-President ; (ieorge F^. Lewis, Secretary and Treas- fhoiisand dollars liaving been issueil, the com]iaiiy 

iirer; .larratt Mm-ford, William B. Hiiicks, Kobert J. eventually fell into the hands of the bondholders by 

White, Executive Committee; P. T. P.a in ii in, Samuel foreclosure, and in June, ISoT, a charier was granted 

\\'. I'aldwin, < le(n-i;e F. Lewis, F. B. Hall, K. W. Hun- to a new coriioration composed of the bondholders, 
iiell. E. F. Bishoii. Itnbert J. White, Amos S. Treat, ' By this idiarter William S. Knowlton, N. Cn^ciie, .1. 

William B. Hincks, Charles B. Hotchkiss, Jariatt H. Washburn, Joseph Kichardson, and others became, 

Morlbrd, Samuel C. Trubee, Directors. under the nameof the Bridire)ii)rt HydraulicCoinpany, 

The amount of Miss Hubbell's bequest was tliiileen the successors of the Bridgeport \\'atcr ( 'ompany, and 

thoii.saufl four luindred and seventy-nine dollar^, to- the posscs.sors of all its rights and franchises. Serious 

gethcr with a lot containing about one acreof land on complaint having lieeii made tiir a long time both as 

Mill Hill .\veiiue. West Stratford. By accainiulalion to the want ofa suttieient supply and as to the i|uality 

of interest upon the investments, and by collections ul' the water furnished, an ae| was passed by the ( ien- 

taken up in bidialf of the ohject by churches and so- iral Assembly, July 2, 1S7:1, authorizing the city to 

cieties, this amount has now increased to about twenty- buy the works of the Bridgeport Hydraulic ( 'ompany, 

two thousand dollars ; but, as the sum of sixly thou- or to build new works, if a pnnhasr eoiild not be 

sand dollars is needed before commeneing to build, it elfeeted upon terms satisliictory to the city. This ai't 

is obvious that much remains to be done. was duly ratified by the city, but at a city mceling 

called for the jiurpose, Aug. !•'', bS7;!, resolutions lo 

llvriK.MiLic OOMI'ANY. purchase the hydraulic company's works for the sum 

A very full account is given in the "Miinici])al Reg- of three hundred thousand didlars were lost by tweiity- 

ister" for IX?.'! and succeeding years of the history of seven majority, the wdiole number of votes cast being 

the water sup]ily of Bridge]iort, and only a few of the six hundred and seventy-six. .\ mw proposition 

leading facts will be recapitulated here. made by the company to a cinnmittee of the Common 

9 



122 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



CkjuiK'il, to sell the works, franchises, etc., for the sum 
of two hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars was 
rejected, Nov. 3, 1873, by a larger majority than be- 
fore, — viz., two hundred and twenty-tliree out of a 
vote of seventeen hundred and forty-three. 

Eventually, Joseidi Jiicbardson, up t<> this time the 
president and leadln-; stockholder of the hydraulic 
company, sold his stock to Hon. Amos 8. Treat, and 
a new policy was inaugurated. The sources of supply 
have been greatly enlarged, old and worn-out pi])e 
has been replaced in many sections with new pipe of 
good (luality, and mains have been laid in localities 
not before reached. Since Aug. 25, IHl't, the date of 
Mr. Treat's purchase, the sum of one hundred and 
thirty-five thoasand dollars has been expended in 
laying down mains and thirty thousand dollais in 
building new reservoirs, etc. The total amount of 
mains now in use is forty-five miles and the elevation 
of the distributing reservoirs above tide-water is one 
hundred and ten feet. The company now depends for 
water chiefly upon natural flow, re.sort to the pumj) 
being had only in dry sejusons. 

Following is a list of present sources of supply : 
Trumbull reservoir, 00 acres ; Island Brook reservoir, 
62 acres; BunucH's I'ond, '>0 acres; Bunnell's Upper 
Pond, 4.1 acres ; Ox-strcara reservoir, 15 acres ; Horse 
tavern reservoir, 5 acres; distributing reservoir, 3 acres; 
total, 240 acres. 

Otlicers of the company for 1880 are : P. T. Barnuni, 
President ; A. S. Treat, Treasurer ; C. H. Thorpe, Sec- 
retary ; George Richardson, Superinteiulcnt; J*. T. 
Barnum, N. Wheeler, ,1. Richardson, William H. 
Perry, A. S. Treat, T. B. i)e Forest, Samuel Wilmot, 
,S. W. Baldwin, Directors. I 

INSURANCE. 

The Mutual Life Insurance Association of Bridge- 
port was organized in 1X78, and at the present time 
has about four hundred and fifty members. An ad- 
juission-fee varying from six to sixty dollars according 
to the age of the applicant is charged, and upon the 
•death of any member of the a.ssociation an a.ssessment 
•of two dollars is made upon each of the survivors for 
the benefit of the relatives of the decea.sed, or of such 
other person as he may have designated. This is the 
only insurance company in Bridgeport. 

Following is a list of the officers : Charles B. Ilotch- 
kiss, Pre.sident ; John D.Candee, Vice-President; W. 
O. Lineburgh, Secretary ; William E. Seeley, Trea.s- 
urer. 

IXTKHNAT, BKVEXrK. 

The Internal Revenue sy.stem of the United States 
was established in 18()2. Eadi congressional district 
was at first made a collection district, and David F. 
Hollister, of Bridgeport, wius appointed Collector of 
the Fourth District of Connecticut (Fairfield and 
Litchfield Counties) by President Lincoln, Aug. 15, 
1862. 

In October, 1873, the Second and Fourth Districts 



were consolidated, anil Mr. Hollister was ai)pointed 
Collector of the consolidated territory, which comprises 
the counties of Litchfield, Fairfield, New Haven, and 
Middlesex, and is called the Second Connecticut Dis- 
trict ; and this position he still holds. The total 
amount of revenue collected from the old Fourth 
District from its organization in August, 1862, to 
the date of its consolidation, November, 1873, was 
$7,886,011.66. The collections in the Second District 
from its formaticm to Sept. 1, 1880, were $1,843,510.64, 
making the aggregate amount collected in a little 
over eighteen years .$9,729,522.30. During this whole 
time there has never been the discrepancy of a single 
cent between Mr. Hollister's accounts and those of 
government, and the office has been repeatedly com- 
mended for the accurate manner in which its trans- 
actions are recorded. 

The i)rinci])al office of the district is in Bridgeport. 
The other oflicers residing here are: Henry C. Lemon 
and Francis E. Barlow, Deputy Collectors; William 
11. Kelsey, Clerk; and John A. Boughton, Ganger. 

LIBKAIIY. 

The present Bridgeport Library, incorporated in 
.lunc, 1850, was reorganized and a new act of incor- 
poration obtained in October, 1855. It was the suc- 
cessor of a similar institution, which disl)anded and 
transferred its books and other property to the new 
a.ssociation. The manner in which the original insti- 
tution was begun is briefly as follows: About the year 
1830, S. M. Middlebrook, the i)resent treasurer of the 
City Savings Bank, wrote several anonymous articles 
urging the necessity of a public library in Bridgeport, 
and slipped them at dirt'erent times under the office- 
door of T/ie Weetlj/ Farmer, where they were found 
and published by the editor. Encouraged by their 
reception, young Middlebrook wrote another arti- 
cle, calling a i>ublic meeting to be held at Knajip's 
Hotel, corner of Wall and Water Streets, upon a cer- 
tain specified evening, to discuss the subject ; but, 
feeling that he was only a boy, did not sign his name 
to the communication. Like the others, it was pub- 
lished. The evening came; quite a number of the 
solid citizens of the j)lace were in attendance, but no 
one appeared to state the oliject of the meeting or to 
tjike the lead, and much wonder wius expressed as to 
the author of the call in the Farmer, and why he was 
not present to champion his idea. Certainly no one 
thought of sus|>eeting the young lad who was stroll- 
ing up and down outside, occasionally casting a keen 
glance through the wiinlow to see what was taking 
place within. Alanson Hamlin, the leading lawyer 
of the borough, finally took the chair and made a 
strong speech in favor of a library. Resolutions 
were passed, a coniniittee was appointed to take up 
subseri|)tions, and the result was that a small num- 
ber of well-selected books was obtained. 

This lilirary was kept for a time in the old .savings 
bank, ibc treasurer, Deacon George Sterling, acting 



BltlDCKroiiT. 



12:! 



as librarian without (.•(iiiipi'iisatinn. Hnmetiiin's iiitrr- 
4'st in tlu' alt'air wcjulil lautiuisli, ami the books wore 
boxed up tor a time; at other tiiius the institution 
was iiuite prosperous. It tinally ilisbamled, bei|ueath- 
ini;- its property to its sueeessor, as already relateil. 

The I'ridjrcport Library received a bonus ot' live 
hunih'ed dollars f'nim the Farmers' Bank, ami one of 
one thousand dollars from the Pequonnoek Bank, lioth 
in ISol. ('ousiderable sums of money have also been 
realized at dili'ereiit times by eoursi-s of lectures and 
other entertainnu'Uts, and by the eireulation of sub- 
seri]>tion-pa]iers in its behalf. Durin.ir the year bS.">r> 
the sum of three thousand dollars was subscribed by 
jiublie-spirited citizens of the place, and the collection 
of the Calliopean Society of Yale ('olleu;e was ]iur- 
chased and placed upon its shilves. The library and 
reading-room. orij;inally at No. 41 Wall Street, were 
removed thence to the court-house buildini;, and 
about ten years af^o to their present location, in 
Wheeler's Buildinjr. The nundierof volunu's is now 
about eifiht thousand, besides a large numbi'r of gov- 
ernmiiit <loeunieufs. Tlie rent is paid by the city, 
but the only source of income at pre.seiit po.ssessed by 
tlu' institution is the mendiership dues of about three 
fir four hundred dollars per annum. 

The institnticMi has always been fortumite in its 
librarians, and never more so tluui at present, but, 
owing to the want of funds, no new hooks liaM' been 
purchased for several years past, and a large munher 
of those owned by the association are badly dilapidated 
from long use. What this institution greatly needs 
is an eixlownient fund of not less than ten thousand 
dollars, the interest of which should hi- spei'ially de- 
voted to the purchase of new books. This would put 
new life into all its departments. Until such time as 
this can be obtained, it would seem that the town 
might wisely make an auiuuil apjirojiriation in its 
behalf, as is everywhere done in Massachusetts, and 
as permitted Ijy the statute law in this State. 

LIGHTHOtSES. 

The Bridgeport lighthouse is about one and a half 
miles south by east from the city, and consists of a 
tower and dwelling painted white, with slatc-ccdorcd 
Mansard roof and black limtern. The house stands 
upon iron piles, and was erected in the year 1S71. In 
entering the harbor vessels must i)ass to the eastward 
and not nearer than two hundred feet. The light is 
a fixed red one, tilty-three feet above the sea-level, 
and the fog-signal is a cast-steel bell struck by ma- 
chinery every fifteen seconds. 

The Black Rock lighthouse is u])on the southern 
extremity of Fayerwcather's Island, an<l consists of a 
stone tower erected in bSOS, white, with bhuk lantern, 
containing a fixed white light, fifty-two feet above 
the sea-level and visible for thirteen nnles. The 
breakwater adjoining the lighthouse was built in the 
summer of 1S37. 

Penfield Keef lighthouse, one ami a (juarter miles 



southwest of Black Bock light, was liuilt in IST.'i, 
ami nmrks what was formerly one ol the most danger- 
ous localities in Long Lland Sound. The keeper's 
dwelling, of gray granite, is built upon a, masonry jiicr 
anil has a Man.sard roof surmounted by an octagonal 
wooden tower painted white, excepting the dome of 
the lantern, which is black. Tlie light is a Hashing 
red one. and the fog-signal is a steel bell struck by 
nuichinery, — two lilows in i|uick succession, at inter- 
vals of twenty seconds. 

Information concerning the ditferent lighthouses 
and beacons in this vicinity — their co'it.date of erec- 
tion, etc. — may be found in the acts of Congress 
approved ujion the following dates: April 21, l.SOd; 
Feb. 11), 1S07; May 23, ISii.S; March :!, ISIO; March 
:;, bS21 ; .March 2, 1.S27 ; ami others. 

The laleCapt. Abram A. McXeil establi-lied a light 
at the entram-e of Bridgeport Harbor almiit the year 
bs44, — at first merely a lantern niion the end of a 
buoy, afterwards a whale-boat decked over and carry- 
ing a light, and then a grou]> of five jiiles with a lan- 
tern U]Min the one in the centre. In ISoI, njion peti- 
tion of ('a|it. .lohn lirooks, a snuill lighthouse was 
erected lu-re by the govi'rnment, the predeci'ssor of 
the handsmne structure of 1S71, deserilied above. 

The present breakwater and the beacon U]iou the 
rocks known as "the Cows," oft' Fairfield, were also 
built upon petition of Capt. Brooks. 



The original parish grist-mill was ui)on Ash Creek, 
a short distance north of the old stage road or Xortli 
.Vvenue, and is supposed to have been Imilt either by 
Henry Jackson, of Fairfield, or by his son Moses as 
early as the year Kio.".. The suei-essivc structures 
upon this site have been commoidy known as Jack- 
son's, Knap]>'s, and Moody's Mill. 

.\ mill upon the reijuonnock Hiver, near the 
presi'ut reservoir, was owned and occupied by Ste- 
]iheu Burroughs befiire the Kevolution, but the date 
when it was built is unknown to the writer. Ohl 
M ill, which stood at the eastern extremity of the coni- 
]iiiiH known as ( )ld Mill < ireen, was built in the year 
lli.'i:! bv Thonuis Sherwoml and .lohn llurd, of Strat- 
ford, who were granted land by tlie town, and allowed 
to (diarge a toll of one-sixteeenth ]>art of every grist 
ground. The uann:' Did Mill is still a familiar one, 
though the mill itself disappeared nearly a century 
ago. 

The mill near the site of the present Berkshire 
Bridge was first built in \7X-':. as shown by the loUow- 
ing extract, slightly abridged, from the nuinuscript 
acts of the (icneral Assend)ly at Hartfiird. The act 
in ijuestion was passed in October, I7i>2, and may be 
found in vol. v. pages 34, 8'): 

" t;iiiin the iii'titiun of Williuni I'ixliie .ami .lames Frcnrti. of ttn- t"w ii 
lit stiiitfuril. stiitirif; tliat iipnii ri'iiiiuiiiiui k Ilivir, ulinvii tlui si-tUi-im-nt 
ciillfil New Kielil, liliiiut un« iiiilii Irmn Ilu' m.iulli uf Newtield Hiirlmr. 
i.4 a ]ila.L- ralli-il tin- Narnnva; tliat Uh-.v own lliu laiiil on i null Milf of 
.Haiil ilv.T at .siiii |ila.i-; Hint in tin- yi'ar 17H:i tlii-.v I'li'iti-il a dani ami ii 



124 



lIlSTdKV OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



KriAt-mill at said place, wliich tlit-y Imvo continued ever nince ; timt tlie}- 
liave Iwcn perpetniiUy liarnt<8e(l witli luw-suits over nincv, liy I'liilip 
NiclitdM and Steitlieii Hiirrongtm, Ksqtt., of siiid Strutford, who own laiidn 
a)x>ve tsHld river, luilf u mile iiliove eaid mill ; and tliiit n tide-mill iit siiid 
plai'o would be a public advantage, lut per petition on file ; 

" HcMthfA hij thU AMfiubly, That said dam he eHtiililirtliod at said place 
called the Narrows, and lilielly is hereby granted to said petitioners to 
keep up ami maintain a dam aci-osssaid river, and to use and employ said 
mills now creeled, or that may bo erected, for twenty years from the tlfst 
of December next, or longer, at the pleasure of tliis Ajo^enddy. I'mriiU-tt, 
Tliat the Gates of said Ilam shall be deemed sultiinent by a Coniniittee 
appointed for the puri>ose for the passage of Vessels, Boats, and Scows. 

"Auil it is oi-dered that neither of the petitioners shall bo liable to 
respond in damages to any private person for keeping up or nuiintaining 
the Buuio. Atwuyf proviiledy That no person or jiersons shall be barred 
from maintaining any aelion in case they are ilaninified by the overllow- 
ing of the waters occasioned by said Dam." 

KEWSPAPERS. 

Extendefl icf'cronce li!i.s alrfa<ly l)ceii iiiafle to tlio 
American Tck;;r(i))/ie, tlw first in\\si)aiit'r i>ul)lislii(l in 
Briiltrcport. Anionf.c its successors were the followiiifr: 

The BridijqMji-t Jlerahl, a weekly pajjer, commenced 
about the year 1805 by Samuel Mallory. Copies of it 
are now extremely searee, — much more so than those 
of its predecessor, the Tckyrap/ic, of which tiuite a 
luiniljiT have l)ceu preserved. 

The UrkUjfpdrt Aih'crti^er, started in l^idO, by Heze- 
kiali Kiplcy, and published weekly for several years 
at the rate of one dollar and fifty cents jjer annum. 

Tlie Connecticut Courier, begun in 1810, by Nathaniel 
L. Skinner, and eimtinued by him lor upwards of a 
dozen years. 

Another l)aper, called the Connecticut Patriot, was 
commenced in 1826, by L. liradley & Co., at their 
office, corner of JIain iind State Streets, opposite the 
Steamboat Hotel, afterwards the Franklin Home. 

A newspaper called the Spirit uf the Times, published 
and edited by Georjje W. Smith, Jr., at the corner of 
State and AVater Streets, which met for a time with 
eonsideralile success. Tliis paper was started in ISHl, 
when public feeling ran high on the subject of Ma- 
sonry, soon after the abduction of the unfortunate 
Morgan. It was devoted to the cause of anti-Masonry, 
and for a while circulated as many as eight hundred 
copies. It was afterwards sold to John Swaine. 

The Bridi/e/jorl Rcpulilican, a weekly paper, com- 
menced in 18:50 by Kdmund Fauton. This paper was 
the predecessor of the Standard. About the year 
1839, Mr. Fanlou sold his printing material to A. A. 
Pettengill. 

The Bridijeport Clironicle, first jmlilislu'd .S,.|,t. !l, 
1848, by B. H. Muiison, at the corner of State and 
Water Streets. It wius i.ssued weekly, at one dollar per 
aiiiiuin, and enjoyed but a brief existence. 

The same is true of the first liridgcpurt Leader, 
which was suspended after fifteen numbers. It was 
edited by T. M. Clarke, subsetpiently eilitor of the 
Winstead Herald, and published by the Bridgeport 
Printing Com|)an)-. The ilate u|)on its first niunbcr 
is March 25, 18.54. 

The ncwspajiers pul^hed in Bridgeport at the 
present time sire the Farmer, Democratic, Standard, 



Republican, and the Morning News and Leader, inde- 
pendent. 

The first number of the Republican Farmer was 
i-ssued Ai)ril 25, 1810, by Jlr. Stiles Nichols, who had 
removed from Diinbury, where the pai)er had been 
published under the same name since 180.3. The first 
copy of the Daibj Farmer was printed Jtin. 1, 1850, 
by the late W. S. Pomeroy. The iiublication-office 
and editorial-room of the Farmer, which were for 
many years upon the corner of Wall and Water 
Streets, have been recently removed to a more con- 
venient location. No. 21 Fairfield Avenue I Waller's 
Building), adjoining the railroad depot. Messrs. 
James L. Gould and Henry H. Stiles are the pro])rie- 
tors of this old-established journal, the former giving 
special attention to the editorial, the latter to the 
publication, department. The local editor is Mr. 
Rufus A. Lyon. 

The Republican Stand^ird was commenced in the 
year 18.39 by A. A. Pettengill, who wsts both editor 
and proprietor. In the s|)ring of 1848, Julius S. 
Hanover was admitted to an interest in the business, 
anil tlie tirm-namc was subsetiuently changeil to I'et- 
tengill iS: Hanover. In 18.53 a tri-weekly edition was 
begun, followed in 18.54 by th^ jmblication of a daily. 
In September, 18G3, Mr. John D. Candee, formerly of 
New Haven, became the successor of the firm of Pet- 
tengill & Hanover, and Jan. 1, 1867, the Standard 
Association was organized, with a capital stock of 
sixty thousand dollars. .\t the present time the 
paper is edited by Messrs. John D. Candee and George 
C. Waldo, Alexander Wheeler having charge of tlu- 
business management and Louis C. Prindle the ile- 
partment of local news. The handsome brick build- 
ing on the corner of Fairfield .Vvenue and Middle 
Streets, owned and occupied by the Stamlanl Asso- 
ciation, was erected in 1870, at a cost of alimit thirty 
thousand (h)llars. 

Several attempts have been made at different times 
to founil a daily morning pa|>er in Bridgeport, — a difii- 
cult task in any city, but especially so here on account 
of the proximity of New York and the early hour at 
which the metropolitan journals are received. The 
Morning Sews, liowevcr, begun in 1879, seems to have 
secured a foothold and to enjoy a fair share of public 
favor. The publicatiou-otlice is No. 324 Main .Street. 
Maj. Henry M. Hoyt is publisher, Arthur W. French 
editor, and I. M. Witmeyer reporter. 

The Leader, now in its ninth vidume, is i.ssued 
every Wednesdtiy and Saturday at No. 321 Water 
Street. Franklin Sherwood is the editor and pro- 
prietor. Special attention is given in its columns to 
municipal affairs, the iirocceilings of the Common 
Council, etc. 

ODD-KELLOWS. 

The society known jls the Indepeinlent Order of 

Odd-I"ellows was first introduced into Connecticut, 

and Quinuipiiic Lodge, of New Haven, instituted, 

Sept. 3, 1839. In .Viiril, 1840, Charter Gak Lodge, 



BRIDGEPOllT. 125 

]S'<i. i!, of llurtl'nril, aiicl Jlidclli'scx L(i(1l;c', Xci. .'!, of admitted to its mcmbersliip is two liiiiiilriMl ;\iid 

Kast H;id(l;iiu, were tiiiiiidfd, t'olldwcil, .[line I I, l.^-U, tliii-ty-oiie ; present menilierslii|i diic liiindred and 

liv rc(Hiiinn(iek Lodii'e, No. 4, (if UridL'eiHirt, the iK'ti- nineteen, ineludiug a liattalion of alioid forty iiiii- 

tioii for wineli was sifrtu'd liy (ieorL:c II. .T(jhn.s(iii, foriui'd Patriarclis. l!ridf;i']iort l'aieani|iiiieiit, iS'o. 

John M. Wilson, ( iilson Landnii, Samuel L. Eldred, '22, was eliartered May 17, l.S7(l, ami mcits in the 

ami < leoriii' 'Walters, all of this eity. The first ]daee hall of Steuben Lodge, on State Stmt. Its niinier- 

of meetin.u' f(jr l'e((uoniioek Lodge was in a small room ieal strength at tlie jiresent time is ninety, 

in tlie n|>per story of No. 3') Wall Stn-rt, Imt in .Ian- Kaeh of the lodges and ene:impmrnt- makes its 

uary, 1S4'), a larger hall was ociai|iicd, at .No. til7 own by-laws res]ieetiiig the amount of admission fee.s 

Water Street. Feb. 4, 1S47, Areaniim Lodge. N'ii. 41. and weekly and funeral benefits. 

was instituted, its first otheers being L-a ]\Ior-;e. N. (J. ; The Mutual Aid Ass(ji-iation. eomposed of ( )dd- 

W. H. Laeey, V. (i. ; \V. H.Williams, See.; L. ( '. Fellows throu.irhout the State, has at tin' ].resent 

Shepard, Treas. The plaee of nieetin.i;' was tlu' -^ame time (August, 188lt) four hundred ami thirty-live 

one oeeiipied by Pequonnoek Li>dge, No. 4it7 \\'ater memhers in Rrid,ge]iort. It pays upon tin' death of a 

Street. For a number of years these lodges jirospereil member fifteen hundri'd dollars in one cla-^, and five 

fiiianeially atid nunierieally, but the intia-i'^t having linmlred dollars in anotlu r class. Tlieic is also a 

deelined, and seeret societies generally being out of siek-liem4it association in connection with I'eipion- 

favm- with the public, in ISoll Arcanum Lodge snr- nock and Arcanum Lodges, which ]iays fi\-e dollars 

renderi'd its charter, and in IStitl its cxatnple was fol- per week during sickness in addition to fhi' legular 

lowed by l'ei|Uonnoek Lodge. benefits paid by tin' lodge, .\nother inntmil-aid as- 

Steuben Lodge, Xo. 83, of this eity, was iustifufed sociafion of niendiers of these two lodges has at present 

Ajiril 1, b8i;7. ;ind for a long time met at the old h.ill idiout cnie hundred names upon its roll, eaeli one of 

on Water Stiiet, bnt on .Iiily '.(, 1N7!I. having greatly whom pavs tw'j dollars ujpon the death of any member 

increased in membershi]i and in liinds, it nauoved to of the assoidation. 

its present elegant rooms in Stanton Llock. State In addition to the necessary <'xpeirse of fitting u]! 

Street. The charter of Peipionnoek I^odgi' was re- lodi.'-es, rent, etc., there has been ]iaid out for relief of 

newed Feb. 2. bSli'.t, on petition of ]\Lirtin (.'oiirad. F. nuanbcrs of Bridgeport organizations since the re- 

IL Stevens, J. L. Roberts, El)enezer Wheider, and vival of the order in bsi;7 not far from ciglitce)i thoii- 

Lewis Sherman, former members. Its meetings were sand dollars. 

h(dd at hrst cm \Vater Street, hut in .(anuary, 1.S7I, it The whole numlier (d'jiersons adnntted to nn-mber- 

nanoved to the hall over the People's Savings I'.auk, ship during the same ]ieriod is about twelve hundred, 

corner of ^laiti and I'ank Streets, and April r.t. 1.S73, and tin- strength of the onler in this ]ilace .Inly 1, 

to its ]iresent quarters, in the upper story of Bur- is.sd, was as follows : 

nmghs' Building, upon the corner of Main ami John "si"!]"''" '"''hlm.t."" 

Streets. These rooms were fitted uii, furnished, fres- l'c-.|""i'"'"kTi"age, No. 4 .-U'.! S7,i;ii|i 

' ' ,\i(iniiiiii " " 4t Hi :l,7()7 

eied, ami carpeted very handscnnely hy the lodge, and st.Mii.iMi " " sn 22:1 .'..tTii 

the hall is the largest oceujiied in this State hy the .s'.'ii! iianis '• " ii'J !.!...."..!..'."."!r.!!!!„ l;'i!i i.Sis 

Tutal s'.it JlT.si:. 

\t the same date the other branches of the order 
reported the ibllowin.g memliershiji ami strength : 

31rlllln.'l- FuimIsuu 
.xllil). ll;illil. 

in the Cernuin language. HiinKfpmt Kncampment :i(l Ssii 

■^ '^ Stratli.'I.l " It'.l IJU) 

In the vcar bS7(; it was thou;;ht advisable to lie'.;in loi.inlslup Lo.lKe, D. of R i:i-2 117s 

, , , , ■ ^. ,. ^, , . „ ,, • , , I'liiiritv " " IMl loll 

to hold meetings ot the order lu Ettst Bridge[i(n1, and " — 

Harris Lodge, Xo. !)9, was begun, October 27th of ■''"'"' ■*'■" *^"'" 

that year, at No. 224 East Main Street I Barr's Block), The.se figures show that the agirregate amount of 
with thirty-ei.ffht members; but, a severe stin-ni liav- funds 011 hand in the several lodges of the place was 
ing unroofed the building, the lodge removcil to its twenty-one thousand and fifteen dollars, and that, 
Jiresent rooms, upon East Washington Aviaine, ahont not including the encampments m- Friendship and 
Jan. I, 1X77. Charity Lodge, Xo. 4, and I'riendship ('harity Lodges, the membership of the (jrder em- 
Lodge, No. 13, Degree of Rebekah, were instituted braced ahont one-sixth of tlu' voting p(jpulati(jn of 
May 7, IN7(), ami Feb. 13, 1874, the latter working in the eity. 

thetieriuan langutige. Both these bodies arc com- It should he also stated that, wdiile ]ie(aiiiiary heiie- 

poseil of metnliers of the other subordinate lodges ami fits are a h-ading feature of Odd-Fellowship, they are 

their wives, and are in a flourishing comlition. by no means the s(de, or I'veii the idiief. eml of the in- 

Stratfield Em.-ain]>ment, Xo. 23, was institnted .Inly stitntion. Though tmt himself a iiiemhcr, the writer 

1(5, 1809, with seven charter members, ami im-cts in is assnri'd hy tlnwc in whom he has full cimtiilence 

the hall of I'eiiuonnoek Lodge. The whole niimlier that it inculcates love for Iliiu "in wlnnn we live and 



onler. .\rcanum Lodge, X'o. 41, was revived !Mareh 
17, lS7."i, ami at present meets in the hall of Pei|Uon- 
nock Lodge, while Lessing Lodge, Xo. 94, organized 
Dec. 14, 1874, has always met over the Peojde's Sav- 
ings Bank, aiul, like its jiareut, Stiadum Lodge, works 



T_'t; 



HISTORY OP FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



move and have our Ix-iii'i." It teaches jrratitiuh' to 
tlie Creator, loyalty to our country anil its laws, and 
fraternity to our fellow-nicn. 

AmonfT the Bridsrcport men who have been promi- 
nent in the order are the late (Jeorfie S. yanford, wiio 
was elected Warden of the Grand Lodge in 184S, ( irand 
Master in 1849, and Grand Representative in 1850, and 
Rev. J. M. Willey, D.D., former rector of St. John's 
Church, who lield the offices of G rami ( 'iiaplain, (Jrand 
Mii-stcr, and Rcj>rescntative. Rev. K. W. JIaxcy, I). I)., 
present rector of 8t. .lohn's, is a member of Arcanum 
Lodge, No. 41, and ha.s been Cliaplain of the Grand 
Lodge for the pa-st three years. Charles W. Smith, 
of Pequonnock Lodge and Stratfield Encampment, 
was elected (irand Patriarcii in 1877, and is at present 
Grand Rei)resentativc ; and Thomas Stirling, of Ar- 
canum Lodge, was chosen Grand Master of the (Jrand 
Lodge of Connecticut in 1878, and in ]87il Represen- 
tative for two years from that body to the Sovereign 
Grand Lodge. 

ORriI.\S ASYLUM. 

The Bridgeport Protestant Orphan Asylum was or- 
ganized Dee. 11, 18()7. and incorporated May (>, ]S(>8, 
" for the purpose of relieving, supporting, and educat- 
ing children who are friendless and desolate," Miss 
Lydia R. Ward, Mrs. Kliza S. W. Jonas, Mi-s. Mary L". 
Clapp, and forty-seven other ladies being the incor- 
porators. The building now occupied lus an asylum. 
No. 119 Lafayette Street, between .Vtlantic and (ireg- 
ory Streets, was completed March lU, 1870, and cost 
thirteen thousand dollars. The laud ujion which it 
stands was the gift of Nathaniel Wheeler, Isaac H. 
Whiting, and Francis Ives. A new building for hos- 
]>ital pur|>oses has just been completed at a cost of 
<me thousand dollars. The present number of in- 
mates of the a.syluni is thirty-two, and the annual 
expenses about two thousand five hundred dollars. 

Officers of the institution are Mi.ss Lydia R. Ward, 
President ; Mrs. Edward Sterling, Vice-President ; 
Mrs. S. B. Sumner, Chief Manager; Mrs. Ct. Ohne- 
sorg, Recording Secretarj' ; Miss Henrietta Noble, 
Corresponding Secretary; Miss (ieorgiana (iossling, 
Treasurer; Miss S. C. Ward, Provider; Mrs. W. K. 
Seeley, Assistant Provider; Mrs. W. K. Seeley, Mi-s. 
D. M. Reed, Miss Sarah C. Ward, Standing Commit- 
tee ; Nathaniel Wheeler, (ieorge Mallory, E. S. Haw- 
ley, Edward Sterling, Clapp Spooner, William 1). 
Bishop, Trustees. 

I'AKKS. 

An account has already been given of our beautiful 
plciLsure-ground by the seaside, and in the .same con- 
nection reference was made to the reservation of a 
tract of land in East Bridgeport for a public park by 
Messrs. Barnuni and Noble in 1851. This lan<l was 
not formally transferred to the city until .Inly 17, 
18(i."), when deeds executed by P. T. Barnum and 
William H. Perr)' were accepted by the Common 
Council in behalf of tli^city, that body having been 
duly authorized to take this action by a city meeting 



held July 8th. At the same meeting of the Council 
the name of Washington Park was given to the land, 
an appropriation of one thousand dollars was made 
for fencing, in addition to the sum already raised by 
])rivate subscription, and William II. Perry, Charles 
A. Hotchkiss, and Nathaniel Wheeler were appointed 
commissioners for the care and improvement of the 
park. 

The proposed Bcardsley Park is situated about one 
mile north of Old Mill (Jreen, and two and a half 
miles from the county c(mrt-house, between the 
Trumbull Road and Bunnell's Pond. It contains 
some fifty acres, and its highest point is about one 
hundred and five feet above tide-water. 

By the following list it will be seen that Bridge- 
port is well provided for in the matter of parks : 

ArcA in Estimated AnnunI cost of 

acre«. value. mainttMiauce. 

Seaside Park 75 $250,000 SZiiOO 

Washington Park 4 10ii,000 500 

Beanlslev '• 60 2»,IKI0 50" 

Old Mill Green 5,000 100 

Total 1;15 SaT5,000 $3000 

POT.IOE. 

The police force of Bridgeport at the ])re.sent time 
consists of Chief William E. Marsh, ('apt. (ieorge S. 
Pratt, Sergt. Wm. J. Dorrance, and sixteen patrol- 
men. There are also a police surgeon and thirty- 
seven special officers for occasional duty when re- 
quired. The annual expenses of the force, ])ay-roll, 
etc., amount to about eighteen thousand dollars. 

During the year ending March 1, 1880, eight hun- 
dred and sixty-two arrests were made, one of which 
was for murder, two hundred and thirty were for 
drunkenness, and the remainder for a variety of 
minor offi.>nses. Of the persons arrested, two hundred 
and seventy-four were of American, and five hundred 
and eighty-eight of foreign, birth. Stolen property 
to the amount of three thousand five hundred didlars 
was recovered during the year. The police head- 
quarters have been for a number of years piust in the 
biusemeiit of the county court-house, hitherto a very 
damp and unhealthy locality, but alterations to the 
building are now in progress that will much improve 
its sanitary coiulition. 

The government of the police force is vested by the 
city charter in a non-partisan board of four members, 
with the mayor as presiding officer. Following is a 
list of the board !\s at present constituted : Hon. Dan- 
iel N.Morgan, President, cr-^y/icio ,• Charles K. .Vv- 
crill, term expires .\pril, 1881 ; Samuel C. Kingman, 
term expires April, 1881; Frank C. Bennett, term 
expires April, 1882; William B. Si)enccr, term ex- 
pires April, 1882. 

POPULATION. 
The late Deacon Isaac Sherman, writing in 18(>0, 
made the following estimate of the number of peoi)le 
residing at ditrcrent dates within the territor>' eni- 
bniced in the city limits of Bridgeport: 














(4/?DJ>Z.£^K PARK. 



iK£TCHKo ay H P ^HINf^enf . 



BlUDGEPORT. 1 1'7 



George Wade, ap|Hiinte(l .luly 111, 1S49. 



Inhiiliitaiits. 

lXlXl!^////.!!^"!^/".!!!!!''!!L"..^!!./.!!!"^""^."!!!!^"... ■j:<i> K. 15. (inodsell, aiipninted Apvil '.', ix.'.:;. 

isio ■'■'■■''' 

isau S4I1 



F. AV. Smith, Jr., a]ip(iinted May li;, IsiU. 
(■(•(irge F. Traeey, appciintnl April Hi, ISd'J. 

The first time tliat the cnisus of Bridgeport was .Tames E. Dunham, ajipointed Nov. V, 1X7:;. 

taken separately was in ixlii, liefore that time it .lulius W. Knowlton, ajipoiiitrd I »el. lo, 1X7'). 

having been ineluded with Stratford. Jeremiah W. Tiie mails were earrird hy stage-coacli entirely until 

Beardsley was enumerator that year, and his original :iliont 1S.'{S; after that date in part by steaiidioat until 

return is still jireserved. According to this there were |s4i), when the New York and New Haven Railroad 

il4 heads of families in thi' liorougii, and the total |iop- „as ( ipleted. The jiresent ]iosl-oHiec, No. '.','.) ISank 

ulation, ineluding a negro slave in the fandly of Street, e-xtemling through to State Street, was first 

Lieut. Salmon Hubliell, was .'i7:2. The i>opidation of oeeujiied Aug. 5, l.S()4. The letter-i-arrier system^ 

the adjoining towns at the sanu^ date was as follows: perhaps the greatest improvement since the ollit'e was 

Stratford (not ineluding tlie borough of Bridgeport I, instituted — went into etfeet Sept. lo, 1S7'.I. A full 

2895; Fairfield, 41i'); Trundmll, 1241. In ]X2il. liistcry of the offiee, written by Mr. K. B. Laeey, from 

Bridgejiort had increased in si/c toal>out ]20ll, ami in nicm.iraiLda furnished by 1'. \V. Smith, lvsi|., will be 

IX.SlI to 2X(MI. In 1X4(1, Henry Iv I wards was eiinini'ra- tunnel in the " ^Innic-iiial liegisler" for 1X77. 
tor. and the number returned by him wa> 4o7o. In 

IS.idthe late William K. Bunmdl' t.iok the eensu^. an. I iMHi.io .schools. 

found 75r)S inhabitants, of whom 8^2 resided upon Before the vote of the town in lX7li ]dacing all the 

the east si<h' of the river and 2oO at N<irth Bridge- schools under the control of the Board of Education 

jiort. The nundicr (jf colorcil persons making their there were eleven separate school districts, a great 

honn- in liridgi'iiort at that time was 2Xi;, ;nid of for- i|,.;i| ,,|' information concerning which may be tound 

eigners 14'.t."., — viz., Iioiii in Ireland. 11112; in Eng- in the " Municipal Ivegister" lor 1X74, in the annual 

land, 188; in (iernnmy, bJX; IVimi other countrio, icports (d' the Board of Education siniee e.nisolidation, 

()•'). and especially in a historical sket<di by Superinten- 

In 18(itl, < teorge W. l-cwis was cnunu-rator, and the dint II. M. Harrington, published with the report 

]>opulation of the place w.is l:!.2'.HI. having almost ihit.'d Julv 12, 18X((. 

doubled during the decade preceding. In 1X7(1 the " Fuder the district system, prior to con,-olidation, 
census was taken under the supervision of the late the pulilic schools of Bridgeport wi'rc confessedly in- 
Philo F. Barnuni, and showed l'.l,X7(i inhabitants, not Icrior to the general standard of schools in towns of 
ineluding the ])ortion of territory annexed that year, corresponding po]iulatioii, especially to those where 
During the jiresent year (1880) the eensus has been consoliilatioii had lieen established. Tlu're was great 
taken umler the supervision of Sujiervisor W. E. Dis- irregularitv in attendanee, an ciitiie want of uni- 
brow, wdiose jurisdiction embraces Fairfield, Litch- fiirmitv in sehoid acconiniirdatioiis, in the course of 
field, and New Haven ("onuties. By dividing the studv. in the books, maps, and charts useil, in the 
territory into districts whose population does not e.\- (pialitications and comiicnsations of the teachers, in 
ceed 20O0, greater aeenraey tlnUL ever before has been the proficiency of the pupils, ami in the c.vpenditures 
attained. The present population of Bridgeport is of tin' respeetive districts. In a woril, all those evils 
found to be 2it,lo.'!, of whom 27,71-! reside within the existed whieh must necessarily result from so many 
eity limits and 144(t beyoml them. The numlier living disj.jiuted systems running at random."'' 
upon the west side <jf the river is 19,770, and in Ea.st The abolition of these districts and bringing the 
Bridgeport 9:i8:i. Careful investigation showed the scdiools into one harmonious system and under the 
number of insane to be 27, and of idiots 17. There executive control <pf a single head was certainly ime 
were also found lure Hi deaf ami 9 blind |iersuns ami uf ||ic most im|iortant events that I'Ver toidc place in 
58 paupers. (lie lijst.iiv of Bridgep<jrt. The superiutemlent of 
I'osT-oKiiri:. schools and the members of the Board of Education 
Following is a list <d' the postnuistcrs in Bridgeport, : are entitled to great credit for the marked improve- 
with dates of a|ipointmi'nt, since the first establish- „,cnt in sidndarshi]! and in discipline already etfecte<l, 
nient of the ofhce : wdiich in the slnn-t space <if Ibiir years has place.l the 
Annjs B. Fairmau, appointeil .\pril 1, ixiil. public schools in Bri(lge]M,rt upon an cpial footing 
Charles Bostwiek, appointeil ,Ian. 1, 1X(I4. with the best in Conneetieut, if not in the country at 
Benjanun Bostwiek, appointed .luly 1, 18(_)(i. 'large. Still further ]n-ogress in the Inture is eon- 
Charles Bostwiek, ajipointed Oet. 1, 181)8. I fidcntly expected. It is to be hoped, however, that as 
Jesse Sterling, ai)pointed Sept. If), IXIO. ! vacancies occur in the Board oidy those who arc well 
Stephen Lounsbury, .li., appointed .May 8, 1829. ipialilicd to till them nniy be i inated, and that our 



Smith Tweedy, appointed .Ian. 12, ls:i7 

Isaac Sherman, .Ir., app.iintc'd .\pril 12, 1X41. 

Philo F. Barnum, appointi'd Sept. 22, 1845. 1 eiidinf: ,iul.v ',i, im7 



* lion. .1. ('. I.oomis, president of Hour.l of lOdiiiiition, I!i-|inrt for .vc;ir 



128 • TIISTOIIV OF FAIRFIELD 

best citizens will not refuse to accept these lionorubk' 
thoiifrb onerous positions. 

During the past year an ap])ropriation has been j 
voted by the town and plans accepted for a new liiffb- 
school liuildiiifr, upon Coiijrress Street, Golden Hill, 
which, including the land, is expected to cost about 
seventy thousand dollars, and will be, when com- 
pleted, not only an ornament, but an institution of 
great value, to the city. 

The whole number of pupils enrolled in the public 
day schools at the i)resent time is about 4.")iJ0, with !»1 
teachers, — viz., 3 males and 88 females. 

The amounts e.Npended for the maintenance of 
schools for the year ending July 13, 1880, were : 

For Milaiieti of Iwichers niul suporiiitendont ^M.705.'>6 

" ropiiiiv D> builUingH 9,^03.11 

" Jnnitors 2,CM.78 

" fuel 1.H97.83 

" liiiijccllnncotis itunis 2,701.:J4 

Tolnl oxpcnso fur llio year S81,:«C.C2 

The Board of Education at this time is constituted 
as follows: Julius S. Hanover, President; Frederick 
W.Zing.seni, Vice-President; Edward W. Marsh, Sec- 
retary; Augustus II. .Vbernethy, Edward V\'. Marsh, 
Thomas J. 8ynnott, Emory F. Strong, David (iinand, 
George N. Frem'b, Julius S. Hanover, Nathaniel 
Wheeler, Frederick W. Zingsem, James Staples, Peter 
W. Wren, George C. Waldo, Members of the Board ; 
H. ^I. Harrington, Superintendent of Schools. 

.SOCIETIES. 

In addition to the Masons and the Odd-Fellows, 
there are in Bridgeport more than fifty societies of 
various descriptions holding regular meetings, and 
some of them doing excellent work. Among them 
are some lifteen different temperance organizations, 
a Bible society, the Knight.s of Pythias and Knights 
of H(mor, a dramatic society, a medical a-ssociation, 
the St. George, Cale<loMiaii, Ennnett, and other clubs, 
the Fireman's Benevolent Association, the Ladies' 
Charitable Society, a Society for Prevention of Cru- 
elty to Animals, several military companies, and nu- 
merous shooting, singing, and gymnastic as.sociations ; 
for a nearly complete list of which reference should ' 
be nuule to tlia " City Directory" for the current year. 
While many of these fraternities are well worthy of 
extended notice, it is to be regretted tliat the limits 
of this article allow only brief mention of two or three. 

The Bridgejiort Bible Society was organized Nov. 
21, 18.59, and is comi)osed of delegates from some 
twelve different churches, in each of which an annual 
collection is taken up fi>r the society. Many hundreds 
of copies of the Scriptures have been distributed by 
its members and agent.s, and during the past year the 
city has been thoroughly eanva.ssed and destitute 
families supplied. The balance of the money raised 
— alxiut one thou.sand dollars per annum — Inus been 
turne<l over either to the .Vmerican or ti> the Con- 
necticut Bible Society, to be uscil in pulilidiing and 
distributing the Scriptures ilsrwbi-re. Mr. S. M. 



COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 

Middlebrook has been treasurer of the Bridgeport 
Bible Society since its organization. Deacon George 
Sterling, Deacon John W. Hinks, and Rev. G. B. 
Day have successively held the office of president. 

The Bridgeport Society of Natural Science is an 
incorp(>rated body, formed for the jnirpose of original 
research and the discussion of scientific topics. This 
.society was founded in July, 1877, and has now one 
hundred and fifty members and a collection em- 
bracing some fifteen hundred specimens of minerals, 
insects, old documents, Indian relics, etc. Interesting 
and valuable papers are read at its meetings upon 
such topics as the Stone Age, Electricity, JIagnctism, 
Sound, Water, and the like, illustrated sometimes by 
diagrams and often by original apparatus, constructed 
by members. The officers of the society are : Rev. H. 
N. Powers, D.D., President; George C.Waldo, Secre- 
tary ; Thaddeus E. Peck, Trea.surer ; Clarence Ster- 
ling, Curator. 

Ellas Howe, Jr., Post, No. 3, of the Grand .Vrmy of 
the Republic, was instituted April 25, 18G7, and is 
comjiosed of honorably-discharged veterans who 
served in the war of the Rebellion. The i>rescnt 
couunander is Lewis G. Logan; adjutant, (ieorge W. 
Keeler. Comrade William E. Disbrow, of this jiost, 
was for some time commander of the order for the 
State of Connecticut. 

The Bridgeport Society for the Prevention of Cru- 
elty to Animals was organized in 1880, with many of 
the best citizens of the place as uKMubers, and has 
already effected a decided improvement in the treat- 
ment of the lower animals. .Jacob Kiefer is president 
of this excellent society, and Edgar S. Niclmls super- 
intendent. 

STE.\MBOATS. 

Steamboat navigation was begun in Long Island 
Sound about the year ISlo, by Capt. Bunker, in the 
" F^ulton," who made the trip from New Haven to 
New York once a week. The time occuiiied was 
eleven hours, and the fare was six dollars. April H>. 
1832, the steamer " Citizen," Capt. John Brooks, com- 
menced running from Bridgeport to New York, and 
in July, 1834, the " Nimrod," Capt. John Brooks, .Ir.. 
and the " Fairfield," Capt. Peek, were put upon t In- 
same route. 

The present Bridgeport Steandioat Company is the 
succes-sorof the Housatonic Tran.sportation Company, 
and was incorporated in December, 18t>5, under the 
general joint-stock law, but in May, IStifi, wits granted 
a s|)ccial charter. The origiiuil capital was two 
hundred and fifty thousand dollars, but the assets of 
the company now amount to four hundred thousand 
dollars. The boats owned by the company are three. 
— viz., the " Bridgeport," 10(52 tons, tiie " Laura," 
1098 tons, and the propeller "Vulcan," 2.)0 tons. 
Large ipiantities of freight are trai\sported, and the 
company ajipcars to be doing a good busine-s, though 
the fare to New York is only thirty-five cents, nr tilty 
cents fur till' round trip. In September, IST'.i, tlu' 



r.rjDriEPORT. 



129 



t'a^t sailiiiiT stcaiiicr " IfiKiilalr," nwiicil l>y A. M. ( '. 
Siuitli. (if Xrw Ynik, was put upon tliis rcmtc as an 
ojipositiiin liiiat, ami lias rccciveil a ir'>i>il sluirc nf tlir 
public patronaL'i'. 

Tilt' presrnt (illu-crs cil' the r>iiili;fp(irt Stuaiiilmat 
Ci)Ui]iauy an' a> lollows: K. V. liislidji. I'rcsidiait : 
8yiluey Bishop, \'icr-ri'rsi(lriit ; \\'illiani 'I'liiiilin, 
Seorotary; 8. RislKip, K. I", liishop. S. W. Baldwin, 
Samuel WiliiHit, .1. Uiclianlsdu, 1 )iiTctiii-s. 

REl'RESENTATIVKS. 

As ahvaily nieutinueil, thr tuwn of Briiln'i'port was 
set off from Stratford liy an act of the Connecticut 
Legislature passed in May, ISi^l. I'^rom l.S2i' to 187.') 
Bridgeport was entitled to liut a single re]iresentativc 
in the Assembly. Since the latter date two repre- 
sentatives have been idiosen oai-li year. Following is 
a Ii~t of tile gentlemen who have held this ollice ; 

lS2iEiiu.]i r..ut>.; ls2:),.I..wi.li lia.kiis; ISJI, Williani IV't; lS2,'->,\ViI 
li.im D Frost; ISiC, X.nvli I'liunli; Is-JT, SmiUi Tweal.v; IS'is, 
Thomas (_'. Wonliii ; IS'jll, Sijiitli Twti'cl.v ; 1K30, .Samui'l Simons; 
1S31, Enoch Footo; ls:i-i Xoiili I'lunili; ls:i:!. Smith Twcfdy ; I.s:s4, 
Xiiali Plumb; Is;!."), Daniel 0. Whefli-r ; ls:iO, Smilli Tweedy ; ls:i7, 
William S. I'umeroy ; ls:!S-:i'.), Ileiiiy Ihilton ; lS4il, .rosc-|jli Tlidinp- 
son; lS41,JamesFitoh; lS4i, .\lii,iali Hawley; lS4:i, Slieiwood Ster- 
ling; 1S44. .\lexanik-rllamilt..n; ls4.3, Iluight Morris; ls4li, .losepli 
F. Crosby ; 1S4", Joshua Lord ; 1S4S, Henry T. lluggins ; l.s4n, Silas 
(/.Booth; is.'.ii, William S. I'onien.y; Is51-:i2, Wyllys Lyon; ls.-,:i. 
Jo,w].h F. Cr..sby; l.s.-,4, Thoma.s II. Oakley; 18.5.5. 5ila.s V. I!.».tli ; 
IS.51;, James ('. L..omis ; 1S.5T, I'liilo C. Calhoun ; ls,5s, .\mos S Tieal ; 
ls.5'.l. .illi.son .V. I'ettiiiKill ; IsCll, James C. Loomis : 1801. George W. 
Haeon ; ISiiJ, .\mos S. Treat ; lKfi.'i, Russell Tomlinson ; 181,4, Il« iglit 
3Iunis; 18ii.5. Samuel Larkin; Isijli, Nathaniel Wheeler ; l.siiT. (4eorge 
Blallory; 18i;s. Natlianiel Wlieeler; 1 80:1, .\ mos S Treat; ISTO, Xa- 
Ihaniel Wheeler; 1.S71. William D.lli^holi; 1872, Xatli:iiii..| Wl„.elei ; 
187:i, Goodwill Stodilar.1; 1.S74, Uobeit Hubbard; 1S7.5, Cail.is Cui- 
tiss, David B. Loekwooii ; 18711, liobcrt Hubbard, George \V. liaron ; 
1877, Carlos Curtiss, Cieiirge W. B:ieon ; 1878, I*liiiioa.s T. Barniim, 

Stephen Nichols; 1S7'1, riiiiic-as T. liar \mos S. Tieat; ISSO, 

Dnight Morris, J.din SeMoii. 



C'lIArTEU XIV. 

BRIDGEPORT iContinned). 

C.\T-\LOGrE (IF IT.VKIX Vdl.UNTKERS, llE.^IllENTS 
OF BRIDlJEFORT, WHO K.VLrSTED I.X CONNECTI- 
CUT REGIMENTS l)ntIX(_i Tlli; REHELI^ION. 

This list is based uiioii the " ( 'atalogue of ( 'oimec- 
tieut Volunteer ( )rgaiii/.ati(ins'" jmlilished by the State 
in l.Sl'iit, but contains only the name.s of the original 
members of the several regiments. 

FIKST l!E(;niKNT ( iiNNKl TICIT VOLl'NTKKKS. 

Iticliard Fit/gibbons, ea|itain; e.un. .\iiiil 2:i, IsOl ; diseh. July :ll, ISM. 
Henry M.H.iyt,fliT.tlieut..nant; com. .\].ril 2:!, Isr.I ; diseh. July 111, 18(11. 
William A. Lee, second lieutenant ; com. .Vpril 21!, ISGl; diseh. July :il, 

18(11. 
F. M. FairchiM, sergeant ; enl. April -j:!, l.Hiil ; .liscli. July 111, 18(11. 
Horace T. Hanf.inl, sergeant ; enl. April 31, IKIll; discli. July ill, 18(11. 
Daniel J. West, sergeant; enl. April 2:i, IHGl; di3.di. July :!1, 18(11. 
Philo n. Sherman, sergeant ; enl. April 211, 18(51 ; disi-h. July ■i\, 1801. 
Kobeit 1). Gage, corjx.ral ; enl. Apiil 2:i, 1801; dlsch. July HI. 1801. 
Arblis E. Payne, corp.aal; enl. Alail 2:1. IsCl; dis.h. July 111, l.sill. 



Jam.'s 11. llurlburt, .■..rp..r;d; eid, April .Jll, Isill ; rrri-irrg a( llrrll llrirr. 

Jrrl.v 21, 18111, 
.b.lrn Wap.rs, c.r |...ral ; .-rrl. April 2.1, Isill ; .11- li, .Irrly 111, Isrll. 
Willi. rrrr II, Arnlrews. rirrrM.iarr ; ..rrl. April 2:1, Isi.l ; lrrrrrislr,.d substitute, 

Jlay 7, INlll, 
Wrllrairr S. War.l, irrri-iriair ; .rrl. April 2:1, Isrll ; ,lis. b. Jrrly lll.lsill. 
l!.il...rt II, K..|b.y. irrrrs.rirrir; ..lrl,May7, Isrll; distlr, .Iirl\ :il, 1801. 
Willrarrr 1 1 , Alrdr..«s, .-nl. Juire 15, isrll; rlis.b. Jrrly 111, 1801. 
Cbarlis A. ll.aidsley, .ml. April 2:1, 1801 ; .Irsch. July :il, I80t. 
Theod.ire liownialr, ..(rl. April 2:1, 1801 ; ili.-ch. July :il, 1801. 
Davi.l P. Ii..rirr,.tt, ..nl. April 2:1, l.soi ; .lis. h. .Inly 111, 1801. 
Phil.) M. }i....rs, ..nl. April 2:1, IMll ; .lis. b. .Iirly :a. Isol. 
l!i|.|.ar.l Ilr..\\ ir, ...,1, April -2:1, bsOl ; .li^.b, b.r .Usability, .l.rly 7, 1801. 
Kli N. lial.lwin, enl. April 21!, 1801 ; rlisrh, Jrrly :!1, 1801, 
William Hesti.k. ..rrl. April 2:1.1X01; diseh. July :ll, 1801. 
William F. Kmrlis. ..nl, April 211, 1801 ; .lis.li. July 111, 1801. 
Willi:.ni E, lirrl.lwin. er.l, April 2:1, 1801; .lis.b. .Inly :il, I.SOI. 
Albert li, Cl.rrk, .rrl. Ajiril 211. 1801 ; .lis. Ir. Jrrly 111. 1801. 
■rb.,rrras Cas... ..nl, Aj.lil 211, 18111 ; rlis. h, July 111. ISOl. 
(■h;rrl..s W, ('..l.-y. ..Jrl, April -2:1, 1801; .Irsilr. f.,r .lisal.ilily, Juire Ij, 18111. 
William 11 ('....ley, erri, April 2:1, 18111 ; , lis.b .lnl> :a,lsi;l. 

.b.bn 11, II. iug. ..rrl, A|.ril 2:1, Isol ; dis.l. .lol,v :il. l.sOI, 

li.rnai.l El... ihar.lt, enl. Apiil 2:1, 1801 ; .lisch. Jrrly :il, 1.801. 

Uui.l..ir J. F..X, ..nl, April -2:1, 1801 ; ilisclr. July :ll, l.sol. 

Fr.-.l.ri.k P. G.i.lli.-y. .irl. April 2:1, 1801 ; .lisch, July :il, l.sOl. 

( barlesH. Gr-..garr.eirl. Aj.ril 2:i, 1801; ilisclr. July 111, 1.801. 

ll..(rjarrrirr Gr..eir. ..rrl Ainil 2:). 1801 ; dis.h. July 111, 1801. 

Frairk H..gue, enl. April 21), 1801 ; .lis.b. July :il, 1801. 

Err. ins L. Hull. errl. April 2:1,1801; ilis.lr. July :il. 1801. 

Alonz.. Ilayr.s. ..rrl. April -2:1, 1.801 ; .lis.li. .Inly 111, IsOl. 

Fre.lerick II..|nr.-. ..nl. A].ril 2:1, 1801; mi.siir;; at b;rlll.. ..f Prrll K.iir, 

July 21,1801. 

G g.. II. Hill, .-irl. A|.iil 2:1. 1.801 ; liiriri-b.-.l snbstil.K... Jrrrr.. 1. 1801. 

Franklin llotchkiss, enl, April 2:i, 1801 ; .lis, b Jnli :ll, lsr;l. 

Ili.rrrrarr N. Ilasliirgs, ,1,1. A],ril 211, 1801 ; .li-.lr. Jrrly 111. l.siU. 

ll.niy Jrr.lsou, ..nl, Al.ril 21, Isol ; mi,..sins at batll.. .,f Itnll Itnir, Jnly 

21, ISO I. 
()rri> s. .b.irning-. r.rrl. April 2:1, 1801; ,: js..|r. ,luly :il, 1801. 
E,t,s,,n (' .l.-nniirus, ,.„l, Aprrl .:;. 1801 ; .irs.lr, Jrrl.v :il, IsOl. 
.I...sepb I'.. Kirr-, .rrl. A|,irl 2:1, IsOl ; ilis.h. Jrrly 111, 1801. 
l.iitlr.r W, l,..uis. ..Ill, A|.iil 2:1. Isrll ; ilis.h. July :!l, 1801. 
ll.rrir,.! S, I...«r-. .r.l ,\prrl 2:1. I.sill ; .lisch. July 111 , 1.801. 
.b.bn l.irriri,., ..nl. A). ill 211, l.sOl ; .lis.h. Jirly 111. 1801. 
G....rg.. A, Jlrrirs.m, errl. June 1, 1X01 ; .lisch. July 111, l.sol. 
Hir-banl Mrr.sr.n, ..nl, Aiuil 2 1. l.xol ; .lisilr. July :!l, l.stU. 
J,,bri .1, .M.('.rrty,..nl. A|.ril 21. Isol ; rrri-irrg al batlle of llrrll Ruir.July 

21, IMll 
AI,.|,/,,,S .M,,r-:il,. , .irl, April 2.1, 1801 : .lis.h. July 111 , 1801. 
llrail..- 11, .51a, sir, .1,1, April 211, 1801 ; , lis.h. .Inly 111. 1801. 
L..v)is Maisliall, enl, April 2:1, DOl ; .lis. Ir, July :il, l.sol. 
Ge.irge A. Mayire, enl. A|.lil 211, Isol ; .lis. h. .l.rly :il, Isol. 
Tlr..oil.rre Morris, eul April 2:i, Isol ; .lis. Ir. July :ll, I.si.l. 
E.hvin II. Nearing, enl. May 2. 1801 ; .lis, Ir. July 31, Isol. 
Fi..,leri,k K. Nearing, eul. Apiil 2:1, IsOI ; .lis.h. July 111, isol. 
Willi.rrn 11. Parker, enl, April 21. 1801 ; .lis.h. July HI, 1X01. 
Charles II. Pc..t list), ..nl. April 2s, Isol ; ilis.h. July 111, 1X01. 
Charb.s II. Peet 12.1). enl. April 2X, l.sol ; .lis.h. July :il, 1801. 
l-:il\v..ll Page, enl. April 2:i, 1.801 ; dis.h. .Irrly 111, 1X01. 
J. V. li, Pag... ..(,1. April 2.1, l.sol ; .lis.h. Jrrly :ll. Isol. 
Clraibs E. II. Patp.rs ,.nl. Aprrl 21, 1801 , l,iriii-l,,.,l sribstilule 5Iay 2, 

1801. 
Os.ar Piatt, .nl. April 2:1. 1801; ,li„ Ir .hrly 111, IsOl. 
Erigar S.prin-s, .-ul, A]uil -a, 1801 ; .Irs. b .Inly :il, Isol. 
W. II. Slillm;rrr, ..1,1. Ap,il 21, 1801 ; ,lis,li. .Irrly 111, IsOl. 
Chalb.s Smilli, ,.lrl. A],ril 2:1. bsill ; .lis.dr. July 111. IsOl. 
Tlreo.l.ue Sniitli, ..nl April 211, 1801 ; ilis.b. Jrrly :!1. 1801. 
Ereilerick Suritli, .nl. April 2:1. 18(11 ; .Irsili. July :U,1801. 
Horace St..il.lar,l, errl. Ajiril 2:i, 1801 ; .lis.h. July :il, Isol. 
Ilavirl G. Slrrpanl, ..ill. April 2:1, 1801 ; .lisch. Jrrly :il. Isol. 
G...,rg.. II Sherman, etrl. April -2:1, ISOl; ili-elr. .Irrly :ll, 1X01. 
George Tbonrpsorr. r.rrl. A].ril -2:!, 1X01 ; diseh. Jrrly 111, l.sOl. 
Delijaniin II. Tuttle, ..ill. April 2:1, IsOI ; rlis.lr. July :!1, 1.801. 
Itosanaind Vi/.ii-, enl. April 2:1. 18(11 ; rlis.h. July 1)1, 1801. 
Allen Wid.b, enl. April 2:1, l.'dl ; .lis, b. July HI. 1801. 
George L. W. Williams, ..rrl. Apr il 2:1, 1801 ; .lbs, Ir .Inly :U, IXOt. 
Lnuian Williairrs, ..nl. April 2:1, 1.801; ilisclr. .Inly :ll, Isol. 
Til as S. Wbil,., .nl. April 2:1, Islll ; .lis. Ir. Jrrly :il, 1801. 



130 



IIISTOllY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Casper Wiiriii, ciil. Ajirll 23, ISCl ; disch. July 31, 18C1. 

.loliii StH-idul, cniitaiii ; com. April 22,1801; pro. to lioutonant-coloncl ; - 

ilisch. July 31, IfiOl. 
Joliu Ilolzer, lli-st lieutenant ; com. April 22. 18G1 ; pro. to captain ; dlscb. 

July 31, 1801. 
Ceorpe Louis, second lieutenant; com. April 22, 18C1 ; iliscli. July 31, 

1*01. 
Henry Iliehel, sorgcant; oul. April 22, IKCl ; disch. July 31, 1861. 
Leouanl King, sergeant ; enl. April 22, ISOI ; disch. July 31, 1801. 
George ii<:lieil>, sergeant; enl. April 22, 1801 ; disch. July 31, 1861. 
Loreni! Jocolw, sergeuul ; enl. April 22, 1801 ; disch July 31, 1801. 
Ignaz Sk^huer, corporal ; cut. April 22, 1801 ; disch. for disability, June 14, 

1801. 
Charles liohrliach, corporal; enl. April 22. 18C1 ; disch. July 31, 1801. 
Philip Hafner, corporal ; enl. April 22, 1801 ; diseli. July 31, 1801. 
Jlorlln Nowey, corporal ; enl. Ajiril 22, ISOl ; disch. for disability, April 

24, 1861. 
Julius Ilofer, musician; enl. April 22, 1861; disch. July 31, 1861. 
Valentine From, musician; enl. April 22, 1861 ; disch. July 31, 1861. 
A. Ahrenholz, enl. April 22, 1801 ; disch. July 31, 1801. 
Jacob Arnold, onl. April 22, 1801; disch. July 31, 1801. 
Charles Jlnyir, enl. April 22, 1801 ; disch. July 31, 1861. 
llonn- ]!<'hning, enl. April 22, 1801 ; diech. July 31, 1801. 
Charies Biehel, inl. April 22, 1801 ; di«ch. July 31, 1801. 
George Iluellcr, oul. .\pril 22, 1801 ; disch. July 31, 1801. 
Eniil Dietrich, enl. April 22, 1801 ; disch. July 31, 1861. 
lleinrich Preschor, enl. April 22, 1801 ; disch. July 31, 1801. 
John r. Goeren, enl. April 22, 1801 ; disch. July 31, 1801. 
Gustave Grunert, enl. April 22, 1861 ; disch. July 31, 1801. 
IlochUB Unrtuug, enl. April 22, 1801 ; disch. July 31, 1801. 
Louis Held, enl. April 22, 1801 ; disch. July 31, ISOl. 
Peter Ilerting, eid. April 22, ISCl ; disch. for disal.ility, April 24, 1801. 
Kreidrich Ilelz.et, enl. April 22, ISOl ; disch. July 31, 1861. 
Franz Hill, enl. April 22, 1801 ; disch. July 31, 1801. 
Kriedrich Ilaux,enl. .\pril 22,1801; disch. July 31, 1861. 
John Jacob Ilau.x, eid. A])ril 22, 1801 ; disch. July 31, 1861. 
John ('. Koch, enl. April 22, 1861 ; disch. for disability, April 24, 1801. 
Kudoljdi Kost, enl. April 22, 1801; disch. July 31, 1861. 
Adolph Kunierler, enl. April 22, 1861 ; disch. July 31, 1861. 
Frank Lehnnin, enl. April 22, ls61 ; disch. for disability, April 24, 1861. 
Albert Meriens, eld. April 22, 1861; disch. July ;il, 1861. 
George Kngel, enl. April 22, 1801 ; discli. July 31, 1801. 
Charies Relieji]., enl. April 22, 1861 ; disch. July 31, 1801. 
Williuln Hixeuger, enl. April 22, 1801 ; iliscli. July 31, 1801. 
Nicholas Sanger, eiil. April 22, ISCl ; taken prisouer at the battle of Bull 

Kun, July 21, 1861. 
Louis Sclmefer, enl. April 22, 180! ; diwh. July 31, 1861. 
Joseph iMhmedel, eid. April 22, 1861 ; disch. July 31, 1801. 
llenrj- Sclinetiuger, enl. April 22, 1861 ; disch, July 31, 1801. 
Andreas Cnfried, enl. April 22, 1801 ; disch. July 31, 1801. 
■nilliani Vnlz, enl. April 22, 1801 ; disch. July 31, 1801. 
Cliarb» Walter, enl. April 22, 1861 ; pro. tlrel lieutenant; taken prisoner 

al the Imltle of Bull Itnn ; disch. Aug. 21, 1862. 
Henry Werner enl. April 22, 1801 ; disch. July 31, 1861. 
Andreas Wnenk, enl. April 22, 1861 ; disch. July 31, 1861. 
John Woln. enl. April 22, 1801 ; disch. July 31, 1801. 
Peter WolIT, enl. April 22, 1801 ; disch. July 31, 1801. 
William Wolter, enl. April 22, 1801 ; disch. July 31, 1801. 
Fraii7. WiHiUiefer, enl. April 22, 1801 ; disch. July 31, 1861. 

SKCOXI) HEU1ME.NT COXSECTICUT VOLUNTEEHS. 
II. Ih-uns, enl. Slay 7, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 7, 1801. 

THini) IlKXllMENT CO.NNECTICIT VOLrSTEF.IlS. 
Frederick Frye. cujilaln; com. May II, 18til ; ilisch. .\ug. 12, 1801. 
Sylvester II. Gray, tlrel llenleuunt; com. May 11,1861; disch. Aug. 12, 

1861. 
Ellntl M. Curtis, second lieutenant ; com. Jloy 11, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 12, 

1861. 
Henry G. Duane, sergennt; enl. >lay 11, 1801 ; dis<!h. Aug. 12, 1801. 
John H. Porter, sergeant : enl. May II, Ihi',1 ; dlsrh. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Ihivid C, I>e Forest, sergeant; enl May 11, 1861 ; dlB<h. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Pavid L. Eaton, sergeant; oul. May 11, 1861 ; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Walter H. S.Hdiy, cur|ionil: enl. May 11, 1861 ; dliH-h. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Elijah ('. Pnnning, corporal; enl. May 11, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Eilgar A. Peek, corjaind ; eul. May 11, 1801 ; dish. Aug. 12, 1801. 
William II. Allen, eul. May II, 1801; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 



John C. Baylis, enl. .^lay 11, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 12, 1861. 

Kichard It. Crawford, enl. June 21, 1861 : discli. Aug. 12, 1861. 

William P. Carritt. enl. May II, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 

CharUa H. CrandalI.enl. .May 11, 1801; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 

Pierce I), adhiiri'i. enl. May II, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 12, 1861. 

John Delaney, enl. Slay 11, 1861; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 

George Dart, oul. Jlay 11. I,S61 ; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 

Louis Gates, enl. .May 11, 1801 ; dbch. Aug. 12, 1861. 

John Gorman, enl. May 11, 1861: disch. Aug. 12, 1861. 

Patrick Iloltou, eul. Slay 11, 1861; discli. Aug. 12, 1861. 

James Kennedy, enl. May 11, 1801 ; taken prisoner at the battle of Bull 

Hun, July 21, 1801. 
Simeon S. Knapp, enl. May 11, 1861; discli. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Ednanl Lyon. enl. .May 11. 1801 ; disch. .\ug. 12, 1801. 
W'illialn A. Slarali, enl. Slay 11. 1861 ; discli. .\ug. 12, 1801. 
Kobert Maciiue. enl. Slay 11, 1861; disch. .\ug. 12. 1861. 
Slartiu Murphy, enl. Slay 11, 1861; disch. Aug. 12, 1861. 
Alfred G. Mollan, enl. May 11, 1861 ; disch. Aug. 12. 1861. 
John .M. Slayue, enl. May 11, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
George O'Brien, enl. May 11, 1801 ; missing at the buttle of Bull Bun, 

July 21, 1801. 
George K. Peck, enl. Slay 11, 1801; disch. Aug. 12, 1861. 
John T. Piatt, enl. May 11, 1861 ; disch. Aug. 12, 1861. 
Henry J. Buggies, enl. Slay 11, 1861 ; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
John P. .Smith, enl. May 11, 1861 ; disch. .\ug. 12, 1861. 
John H. Sellcck, enl. Slay 11, 1861; missing at battle of Bull Itnn, July 

21,1801. 
Theodore A. Smith, enl. Slay 11, 1861 ; disch. Aug. 12, 1861. 
Stephen 1). Skidmore, enl. Slay 11. 1861 ; disch. .\iig. 12, 1801. 
George S. Webb. enl. Slay 11. 1801; disch. Aug. 12. 1861. 
Alfred Williams, enl. Slay 11. 1801 ; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Theodore T. Wiijton. enl. Slay 11, 1801 ; disih. Aug. 12, 1861. 
Samuel II. White, enl. Slay 11. 1801; disch. Aug. 12, 1861. 
Stephen Wagner, eul. Slay 11, 1861; discli. Aug. 12, 1801. 

FIRST SQUADBON CONNECTICUT CAVALHY. 
SVilliam H. Slollory, captain ; com. July 26, 1861 ; pro. to m^ur. ' 
Fre<lerick C. Bowman, coiiJoral ; enl. Aug. 3, 1861. 

FIRST REGIMENT CAVALRY, CONNECTICUT VOLUNTEERS. 

Louis N. 5Iidillebr..ok, captain ; com. Nov. 20, 18C1 ; res. Nov. 21, 1862. 
liKliarrl U. ('rawf.Hd. lirst lieutenant ; com. Nov. 20, 1801 ; trans, to U.S. A., 

Dec. 6, 1801 ; killed at Gellysbnrg, July 3, 186.3. 
John W. Clark. «inai-terma.ster.s*'i-geaiit ; enl. Nov. 2,1861; repeal. Jan. 

19. 1804; Arst lieutenant: killed March l.'i, 1805. 
George O Slarcy, sergeant; eul. Nov. 2, 1801 ; pro. to iiu^or; disch. Nov. 

4, 1864. 
Augustus N.SVt»od, sergeant; onl. Nov. 2, 1801 ; discliurgcil ; onl, in U. S. .V. 

Nov. II, 1862. 
Joseph II. King, conwral ; oul. Nov. 2, 1801 ; rc.enl. Dec. 17, 1803 ; must. 

out Aug. 2, 186-.. 
Samuel W. Hawley, corporal ; enl. Not. 20, 1861 ; flrst lieutenant, Jan. 18, 

18l>l; ilisch. Aug. 10, 1861. 
Frc^lerick Curtis, saddler; enl. Nov. 2, 1801 ; rcMjul. Jan. 4, 1804; must. 

out Aug. 2, 180.1. 
Comfort II. Bogue, onl. Oct. 20, 1801: disch. Oct. 27, 1804. 
II. A. Barriulougli, eul. Nov. 2, 1801 ; disch. Nov. 11, 1804. 
John W. Ikwtli, enl. Nov. 2, 1861 ; disch. Nov. 2, 1804. 
James Hlreluird, enl. Nov. 25, 1801 ; re.oiil. Dec. 17, 1803; must, out .Vug. 

2. I86.'i. 
Freilerick Cushing, enl. Dec. 26, 1861 ; disch. Sept. 16, 1862. 
Willhun Dognrmo, enl. Nov. 2, 1861 ; disch. Nov. 2, 1802. 
John II. Dunning, enl. Nov. 2. 1801 ; disch. for disability, Nov. !l, 186:!. 
Ilonry I. Flint, enl. Nov. 2(1, 18G1 ; re^nl. Dec. 17, 180:!; must, out Aug. 

2, 1805. 
Charles K. Gills-rt. old. Nov. 2, 1801 ; disch. for disability, Feb. 5, 18(V!. 
Dereiiwl Hall, enl. Nov. 2, 1801 : disch. for disability. Sept. 20, 1802. 
George W. Hall. enl. Nov. 2, 1801 ; oul. in l" . S. A., Nov. 111. 1802. 
Joseph Healoii, enl. Nov. 2, 1801 ; ditnl al Salisbury, N. ('., Doc. 4, 18«4. 
Franklin Hull, enl. Nov. 2, 1861 ; rtH.Mil. Feb. 24, 1804; must, out Aug. 

2. 18P.'). 
Calvin J. Lathiup, enl. Not. 20, 1861 ; disch. for disability, March 27, 

186-2. 
Roliert II. Mar>in. enl. Nov. 2, 1801 ; disch. Nor. 2, 1804. 
William II. Parker, enl. Nov. 2, 1801; rc>.«nL Dec. 17, 1803; must, out 

Aug. 2, 1865. 
George L. IIoMiison. enl. Nov. 2, 1861 ; disch. for disability. Feb. 1, 1862. 



BRIDGEPORT. 



131 



, 1861 ; disch. for disability, Feb. 18, 1802. 
. 2, 1861 ; discharged ; i-nl. iu U. S. A., Nov. 



Jes>e A. Rand.all, enl. Nov. 2 
Henry B. Slieriuan, enl. Nov 

7, 1862. 
Charles L. Simons, enl. Nov. 2, 18G2 : must, out .\ng 2, 1S(;.'). 
Peter Scman, enl. .Nov. 21, 18(il ; re-eiil. Aug. 24, bs64 ; must, out Aug. 

2, 1865. 
Qeorge S. Stratton, enl. Nov. 2, 1801 ; disi-h. Nov. 2, 1804. 
0. W. Troadwell, enl. Nov. 2, 1801 : disib. for di.siibility, .Tune 25, l.'<02. 
Benjamin IS. Tuttle, enl. Nov. 211,1801; re-onl. Dee. 17,180.1; pro. to 

captain ; must, out Aug. 2. 1805. 
Arthur II. Wheeler, enl. Nov. 14, ISCl ; re-enl. Ilec. 17, 1803; must, out 

Aug. 2, 1805. 
George W. Wight, enl. Nov. 2, 1861 ; diseh. foi- disability, Nov. 10, 1802. 
Frank A. Wood, enl. Nov. 2. 1861 ; diseh. Nov. 2, 1801. 
Nathaniel II. Young, eul. Nov. 20, 1801 ; disili. Oct. 4, 1862. 

riltST LIGHT BATTERY. 

John It. Hull, alliliccr; enl. Nov. 2, 1801 ; re-enl. Dec. 2'.l, 1S0:1; niUft out 

July 24, 1S05. 
Alexander Doian, enl. Nov. 14, 1801 ; disch. Nov. l!!, 1804. 
liUther G. Riggs,enl. Oct. 20,1801; disch. Aug. 21. 1S02; captain 22d 

Regt. Clonn. Vols. 
Jonatlian Higgs, enl. Oct. 20, 1801 : disch. for disability, July 18, 1802. 
Ebenezer Walielcy, enl. Nov. 14, 1801; re-enl. Dec. IS), 1863; must, out 

June 11, 1K65. 

SECOND LIGHT BATTERY. 
John W. Sterling, ca]itaiii; com. July 22, 1862 ; disch. Nov. 24, 1804. 
Walter S. Hotctikiss, first lieutenant ; com. July 22. 1802 ; ju-o. to capt.ain ; 

must, out Aug. 2, 186.'>. 
Philip B. Segee, first lieutenant; com. July 2'J, 1802; res. .Tan. 5, 180."!. 
George Hunger, second lieutenant ; com. July 2!», l.so2; juo. to tii-st lieu- 
tenant; disch. for disability, Nov. 10, 1804. 
Philo B. .Sherman, second lieutenant; com. July 28. 1802; res. .lati. Lf, 

1S04. 
Frank H. Whiting, quartermaster-sergeant; eld. Aug. 13, 1S02 ; pro. ti' 

first lieutenant ; must, out .\ug. 9, l.sO-i. 
Miles Gray, first sergeant; enl. Aug. 5, 1802; pro. t4i first lieutenant; 

must, out -\ug. 9, 1805. 
Justus B. Hawley, sergeant ; enl. July 30, 1802 ; lux: to sec.uid liciilen- 

ant ; must, out Aug. *,i, 1805. 
Henr,v R. Chalfee, sergeant; enl. Aug. 7,1802; pro. to sec-nid licutcuant ; 

must, out Aug. tl, 1865. 
Willis M. Beuhani, sergeant ; enl. July 211, 1862 ; nuist. out Aug. 0, 1805. 
Edward B. .buies, sergeant ; enl. Aug. o, 1802 ; nuist. out Aug. U, 1865. 
WiUard E. Root, sergeant ; enl. Aug. 1, 1862 ; must, out Aug. it. 1805. 
Walter K. Jlills, sel'geaut; enl. Aug. 16, 1862; diseh. Aug. 4, 1863, to 

enter 17th Conn. Vol. 
Frederick A. Booth, corporal ; enl. July 30, 1862; disch. Feb. 10, 1803. 
Myron H. Wliite, corporal ; enl. Aug. 8, 1862; must, out .\ug. 9, 1805. 
George N. Wilson, coiporal ; enl. July 30, 1802 ; must, out Aug 9, 1865. 
Frederick Holmes, corporal; eid. Aug. 5, 1862 ; died .Tan. 4, 1805. 
John B. Bougliton, corporal ; enl. July 29, 1802 ; disch. for disability, 

June 9, 1.S65. 
William E. Francisco, corporal; enl. July 29, ls02; unist. out .\ug. 9, 

180.5. 
Tylce W. Hartshorne, coiporal ; enl. Aug. 12, 1862 ; died Aug, 1, 1803. 
John Lewis, ctirpoial, enl. .\ug. 2, 1862; must, out Aug. 9, 1805. 
William .Seyniour, corporal ; enl. Aug, 5, 1802; disch, June 0, 1H03. 
William W. Stevens, corporal; enl. .Aug. 4, 1862; tiaus. to luv. Corps, 

July 1, 1863. 
Frederick O. Seeley, corlRual ; enl. .\ug, 6, 1862 ; must, out Aug, 9, 1865. 
Ehenezer Tracey, corporal ; eid. Aug. 0, 1802 ; must, out .\ug. 9, 1.S05. 
John D. Mead, musician ; eid. July 30, 1802; must, out Aug. 9, 1805. 
George A. I'arkington, nnisician ; enl. Aug. 5, 1802 ; must, out Aug. 9. 

1865. 
Daiuel W. Ilawl.'y, artificer; enl. Aug, 2. 1862; must out .\ug. 9. 1.S65. 
William W. .Naianior.-, altificer; inl. Aug, 12, 1S02; disch. April 4, 

1803. 
A. C. Spencer, artificer; enl. .Aug. 2, 1802, irmst. out Aug. 9, 1,805. 
Garrett J. Vanness, artificer; enl. Aug. 5, 1802; must, tmt .\ug. 9, 1865, 
Burr Robertson, artificer; eid. Aug. 14, 1862; must, out .\ug. 9, 1865. 
Peter Petersen, artificer; enl. .\ug. 10, 1802; trans, t.i Inv. Corps, Feb. 

16, 1864. 
George A. .Stockwell, guidon ; enl. July 30, 1802 ; must, out .\ug. 9, 1,s05. 
Phineas E. Austin,* enl. Aug. 9, 1862. 
Herbert C. Beecher, enl. July 29, 1362 ; must, out .\ug. 9, 18 i5. 



Levi Barnum, enl. .\ug. 5, 1862; must, out .\ug. 9, 1805. 
Wm. P. Burroughs, eid. .\ug. 5, 1802; must, out .\ug. 9, 1805. 
Chas. D. L. Burroughs, enl. Aug. 5, 1802: must, out Aug, 9, 1805. 
Geiu-ge Benedict, enl. July 31, 1862; must, out Aug. 9, 1865. 
Thomas Conner, enl. Aug. 16, 1862; disch. May 23, 1864. 
Lyman A. Clark. ouL Aug. 10, 1802; died Aug. 21, 1804. 
Edward Chapin, enl. Aug. 2, 1802 ; must, out Aug. 9, 1805. 
James W. Cowan, enl. July 30, 1802; must, out Aug. 9, 1805. 
John A. Cosier, enl. Aug. 0, 1802 ; must, out Aug. 9, 1805, 
Theodore Colston, enl. Aug. 6, 1862; must, otit Aug, 9, 1865. 
.Tohn Clary, enl. Aug. 2, 1862; died Oct. II, 1.S04. 
William M. Evitts,» enl. July .30, 1802. 

William R, French, enl. July 29, 1862 ; disch, for .Usability, June 13, 180,5, 
James E. Fairchild, enl. Aug. 4, 1802; trans, to Inv. Corps, Feb. 15, ls04. 
John O, Fowler, enl. Aug. 9,1802; must, out .\ug. 9, 1805. 
Charles Gibson, enl. .\ug. 5, 1862; must, out Aug. 9, 1865. 
I'ati ii k Gallagher, enl. July 30. 1862 ; must, out Aug. 9, 186.5. 
.lottiaiu S. Green, eul. .\ug. 4, 1802 ; must, out Aug. 9, 1865. 
Williaiu H. Gordon, eul. Aug. 13, 1802 ; di.sch. for disability. June 9, 1,805. 
Henry llubbell,* enl. July 29, 1802. 
lici.rge H, Hill. eul. Aug. 0, 1802; died Feb. 27, 1805. 
Eilwaid A. Holste, enl. Aug. 11, 1862; disch. June 19, 1804, 
David A.llodge, eul. Aug. 5, 1862; must, out Aug. 9, 1S05. 
Will, H, Ibdclikiss, eul. Aug. .5, 1.802; must, out Aug. 9, 1.80.5. 
lleiiiy W. Hart, enl. Aug. 5, 1802; must, out Aug. 9, 1805. 
Peter Haefiier, enl. Aug. 13,1802; must. out Aug. 9, 1805. 
I'atiiik Hayes, eul. July 30, 1802; must, out Aug. 9, 1805. 
Garlitt C. llogaii,* eul. .Aug. 11, 1S02, 

Theroii M. llidcinb, eul. Aug, 4, 1.S02; must, out Aug. 9, 1865. 
Frederick A. J.dinsoii, enl. Aug. .5, 1862; disch. Oct. 29, 180:l. 
John J0I111S..U, eul, July 30, 1802: must, out Aug. 9, 180,5. 
Charles Krapp, enl. July 30. 1802 ; must. out. .\ug. 9, 1805, 
William Keller, enl, .\-iig. 4, 1802; disch. June 1.5, 1863. 
Tiiomas Kelley,* eul. Aug 12, 1802. 

Ediiiuiid T. King. enl. July 24, 1862; must, cait Aug. 9, 1865. 
Ilezekiah Loikwood, enl, Aug. 4, 1862; must, out Aug. 9, 1865. 
.I;ned Lewis, enl. .\ilg. 0. 1S02 ; must, out .luly 5, 1805. 
Haniinii Lane, enl. .\ug. 0. 1S02; must, out ,\ug. 9, 1865. 
David li, Lockwood. enl. .\ug. 2, 1862; must, out Aug. 9, 1865. 
Hciijaiuiii F. Lewis, enl. .\ug. 18, 1862; disch. for disability, Jan. 16, 1803. 
lleiiiy It, Meyers, enl. Aug. 10, l,'i02; died June 26, 180.5. 
S, II, Middlel.rook, eul. July 31, ls02; must, out Aug. 9, 186.5. 
C. R. Merrill.s. eul. Aug. 2, l.>i02; di.sch. April 13. 1.803. 
Martin Mason, enl. .\llg. 1, 1802; must, out .\ug. 9, 1805. 
George W. Meyei-8. enl. Aug. 5. 1802; must, out .\ug. 9. 1865. 
William A. Maynard. eul, Aug. .5, 1862; disch. March 31. 1803. 
John S. Mill.s. enl. July 30, 1802; killed April 9, 1805. 
Hiram Manville, enl. .Aug. 4, 1802; must, out Aug. 9, 1805. 
N. B. MiilJIebiook, enl. July 30, 1802; niu.st. out Aug. 9, 1805. 
Frank T. Morehouse, enl. .Aug. 4, 1802; must, out Aug. 9, 186,5. 
Samuel M. M..rris, enl. Aug. S, 1802; disch. for disability, June 9, 1865. 
Sylvester Nichols, enl, Aug. 0, 1862; must, out .Aug. 9, 1805. 
Harry Organ,* eul. Aug. 12, 1802, 

Jerome R. Palmer, enl. July 24, 1X02 ; must, out Aug. 9. 1805. 
George K. Peck, enl. Aug. 0, 1802; must, out Aug. 9, 1805. 
Samuel Peck. enl. -Aug. 16, 180,2; must, out Aug, 9, 1805. 
Norman Piatt, enl. .Aug. 5. 1.H62; must, out Aug. :i. 1805. 
William B. Palmer, enl. Aug. 5, 1802; must, out Aug 9, 180.5. 
Charl.'S W Bi>we, eul. Aug. 5. I,s62 ; must, .ait Aug. 9, 1.80,5. 
Ku,sliiii..r.> Rayii.il, enl. July 30, !s02; must. ..iit Aug. 9, 1805. 
Ang.-vin.. Ro.lgers, enl. Aug. 4, 1802; dis. Ii. Maivh 18, 1803. 
William liiexiiiger, enl. July 22, l.x02 ; must, out Aug. 9, 1805. 
David Sl.uling. enl. Aug. 6. 1802; must, out Aug. 9, 1.S65. 
William M. Skinner, enl. Aug. 7, 1802; must .ait Aug. 9, 186S. 
David G. Sillimali, eul. July 29, 1802; must out Aug. 9, 186.5. 
John W. St.i.l.lard, eul. Aug. 6,1862; must, .ait Aug. 9, 1805. 
Charh's W. Scarritt, eul. July 31, 1802; must, out Aug. 9, 180.5. 
Charles IT. Slie.-r, enl. Aug. 5, 1862; must, out Aug. 9, 1865. 
Wyllys II. Slillmali. .-ul. Aug. 4, 1802; .lis.h. June 17, 1804. 
G.-..ige C. Scarritt, eul. .luly 31, 1862; disch. Dec, 21, 1.S03. 
Joseph Sed.len, enl. July 25, 1802; disch. 1.802. 
Samuel B. Spinning, eul. Aug. 2, 1802; .liscli. Maivh :;o, 1,S0.!. 
Jos.-Jih Stewart,* enl. Aug. 4, 1802. 

Daiii.d J. Talnian, enl. Aug. 13, 1802 ; iiiiisl, ...it Aug, 9. I.s05. 
15-I gus Truman, .ill. Aug. .5, 1802 ; must, out Aug. 9, 186.5. 
Si.niuel 11. Whit.-, eul. .\ug.5, 1.^02; transf.-iie.l to Inv. Corps, Jan. 5, 
1804 



132 



TITSTc^RY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Jamps (i. Wood, enl. Aug. 8, 1S02 ; died April 19, ISfiii. 
Benjamin \Vllliaini<, oiil. July 28, 1802 ; niiist. out Aug i), 1865. 
Davi.l WillianiK, enl. Aug. II, 1802; must, out Aug. 9, 1805. 
Edward J. Watson, onl. Aug. 5, 1802; iniwt. out Aug. 9, 1885. 
Alk-n W,bl), ciil. Aug. 0, 1802; inUBt. out Aug. 9, 1805. 
Charles IF. Wliite, enl. Aug. 9, 1802; diaih. Oct. 18, 1S04. 
Jolin Wade, onl. Aug. 5, 18112 ; must, out Aug. 0, 1865. 
William H. Wilson, cul. Aug. 5, 1802; must, out Aug. 9, 1805. 

FIRST KEGIMKNT HEAVY AUTII.I.KRY, CONNECTICUT VOL- 

UNTEEKS. 
Uriah Wallace, captain; com. March 12, 18G2; res. May 2:!, 1802. 
Charles W. Glensiui, second lieutenant; com. March 12, 1802 ; res. Juno 

4, 1802. 
William W. Pardee, first sergeant; enl. March 1, 1S02; pro. to llrst lieu- 
tenant; must, out March 11, 18ft'i. 
John Andrews, sergeant; enl. Feb. 0, 1SC2; re-cnl. Feb. 10, 18B4; must. 

out Sept. 25, 1805. 
Byron Athington,8orgcnnt; onl. Feb. 7, 1802 ; rc-enl. Feb. 5,1804; dtecb. 

June 5, 1805. 
Iliriun Taylor, sergeant; enl. Feb. 4, 1802; iMsch. Feb. 4, 1865. 
George F. Blinn, coriwral; onl. Fob. 7, 1802; discli. for disability, May 15, 

1864. 
Henry Baker, rori»ral ; enl. Feb. 4,1802; ro-onl. Fob. .5, 1864; pro. to 

second lieutenant ; must, out Sept. 25, 1805. 
John Beck, corporal ; onl. Feb. 4, 1862 ; re-cnl. Feb. l.'i, ISM ; must, out 

Sept. 25, 1865. 
William Beslick, corporal ; enl. Feb. 4, 1862; re-enl. Feb.-6, 18G4; must. 

out Sept. 25, 18C.5. 
Montgomery Egbert, corporal; enl. Feb. 4,1802; re-enl, Feb. 0,1864; 

must, out Sept. 25, 180.".. 
Henry Ilubbell, corporal; enl. March 12,1862; rc-cnl. Feb. 15, 1864; 

must, out Sept. 2'), 18fK'>. 
Gevrge F. Abbey, enl. .March 4,1862; rc-cnl. Fob. 5,1864; must, out 

Se|it. 25, 1865. 
William H. Anderson, enl. March 10, 1802; died Aug. 4, 186,1. 
George Athington, enl. Fob. 4, 1862; re-cnl. Fob. 6,1864; must, out Sept. 

•,.'6, 1805. 
James Harry, enl Feb. 18, 1802; dieil Feb. 29, 1864. 
Ibarles n. Baldwin, onl. March II, 1802; ro-onl. Feb. 5, 1864; must, out 

Sept. 25, 1805. 
Henry Itootb, enl. Feb. 4, 1802 ; re-enl. Feb. 5, 1804 ; must, out Sept. 25, 

18lt-i. 

Franklin Boynton, onl. Feb. 21, 1862. 

Edward Collins, enl. Fob. 4, 1802; re-cnl. Feb. 5, 180-1 ; must, (jnt Sept. 

25, 1805. 
Joseph H. Cooke, enl. Fob. 21,1802; re-enl. Fcb.5, 18fH. 
Charles H. Crnndall, onl. Feb. 12, 1802; re-cnl. Fob. 15, 18M; must, out 

Sept. 25, 18ft"i. 
Simon Cronenborger, enl. March 4,1802; disch. for disiibility, Sept. 13, 

1802. 
W.M.Dickinson, enl. March 1,1862; rc-oul. Fob. 5, 1SG4; must, out 

Sept. 26, 1806. 
Jacob Diotrick, enl. Feb. 25, 1802; ro-onl. Fob. 5, 180-1; must, out Sept. 

25, 1805. 
William C. Dowd, enl. Feb. 18, 1802; re-enl. Feb. 5,1804; must, out Sept. 

25, 1805. 
William E. Durfec, onl. Feb. 12,1802; re-enl. Feb. 5, IHM; must, out 

Sept. 25, 1805. 
Uttlifurd B. mwanls, enl. Feb. 4, 1802; disi'll. Fob 4, 1865. 
IsJUiC L. Eldred, onl. Fob. 4, 1802; ro-«nl. Feb. 5, 1864 ; must cot Sept. 

;;5, 1865. 

William French, onl. Foil. 4, 1804; riM-nl. Fob. 5, 18(H ; must, out Sopt 

25, 18<15. 
Woolscy Frcuch, enl. Feb. 21, 1862; re-enl. Feb. 15, ISM ; must, out Sept 

26, 18«5. 
John Filzgibbons, onl. March 0, 1802. 
FreUerl. k P. GcKlfroy, onl. March 4, 1862 ; r(^-enl. K.b. 5, lNfi-1 ; must, out 

Sept. -.'5, I8li. 
Alpbous C. (i.slfn'y, onl. Fob. 18, 1862; ro-enl. Feb. 5, 1804 ; must, out 

.Sept. 25, 1865. 
James W. Hanfnnl, onl. Fob. 7, 18C2; dIsch. Fob. 2. 18S5. 
Wlllinm llublwll, onl. Fob. 4, 1862; re-enl. Feb. 5, I8M; must, out Sept. 

25, 1805. 
John Hunt, enl. Feb. 25, 1862; rt-«nl. Fob. 6, 1804. 
Gtwrgi- W. IxiTigoy, enl. Feb. M, 1802; iliscli. fur disability, Marvh 27, 

1802. 



Thomas McMullen. enl. March 4, 1802; re-cnl. Feb. 6, 18M ; died Aug. 

31,1864. 
Simon Morgan, enl. Feb. 21, 1802; disch. for disability, March 4, 1863. 
Horace Pago, cul. March 5, 1862; re-enl. Fob. 10, 1864; must, out Sept. 

25, 1865. 
Charles M. Squires, onl. Feb. 4,1802; re-«nl. Fcb.5,18M; must, out Sept. 
25, 1865. 
' Gilbert S. Street, onl. Fob. 10, 1862; disch. for dhiability. Doc. 18, 1862. 

Charles Taylor, onl. March 4, 1862; died Aug. 22, 1802. 
' Hcibert Thorp, onl. March 1, 1802 ; rc-onl. Feb. 15, 18M ; must, out Sept. 
' 25, 1805. 

Osmer B. Wells, enl. Feb. 25, 1802; disch. for disability. June 27, 1862. • 
John Young, cul. Feb. 4, 1802; re-eul. Feb. 5, 1864 ; must, out Sopt. 23, 

1865. 
Frederick 8. Canfield, cul. May 22,1801; disch. for disability, Oct. 14, 

1861. 
William Mclntire, enl. May 22, 1801. 

Charles W. Stewart, enl. May 22, 1861 ; disch. >lay 22, 18M, 
William Conley, onl. Jlay 23, 1801 ; disch. May 22, 18M. 
William W. Baugban, enl. May 22,1801; rc-oul. Nov. 16, 1863 ; must, out 

Sept. 26, 1805. 
James F. Lowber, enl. Feb. 27, 1801 ; disch. for disability, April 1, 1802. 

KIKTII ItEGIMENT CONNECTICUT VOI.UNTEEHS. 
Andrew J. Gilson, enl. July 22, 1801; pro. to assistant sni-gcon, Jan. 26, 

1803 ; must, out July 19, 1805. 
James Gilbert, musician; enl. July 2;t, 1801 ; must, out .\ug. 16, 1802. 
Joseph W North, musician ; enl. July 2^1, 1861 ; nnist. out Aug. 16, 1802. 
Otis F.Porter, musician: enl. July 22, 1801; re-enl. Doc. 21, 1803; must. 

out July 19, 186.'i. 
Luther 31. Morehouse, conioral ; enl. July 23, 1801 ; disch. July 22, 18W. 
William E. Beers, enl. July 22, 1801 ; disch. July 22, 18M. 
ThonwLi E. Benedict, enl. July 22, 1861 ; re-enl. Dec. 21, 1863; must, out 

July 19, 1805. 
CImrU-s 11. Hogere, enl. July 22, 1801 ; disch. for dieobility, Jan. 5, 18C3. 
Philip I.. Williams, enl. July 22, 1801; trans, to Inv. Corps, Seplem- 

l>er,18ia. 
John Dewitt,* onl. July 22, 1861. 
John T. Harris,* enl. July 22, 1801. 

Joel F. Selleck, enl. July 22, 1801 ; disch. for disability. May 31, 18ilJ 
Chauncey A. SbaiT,* enl. July 22, 1801. 

S1.\TH REGIMENT CONNECTICUT VOLCNTEEU.S. 
John Speidel, mi^jor; com. Sopt. 13, 1801; pro. to lioutonaut-colonel ; 

tmnsferred to Inv. C^iri'S, July 20, 1863. 
Ilonrj- Biebol, captain ; com. Sept. 9, 1801 ; iliscli. ^laivh 12, 1805. 
George Louis, first lieutenant; com.Sept. 9, 1801 ; res. .\pril 14,1864. 
Rudolph Kost, second lii-utenant; com. Sept. 9, 1861 ; ilisch. March 13, 

1808. 
GiK)rgo Swler, sergeant; enl. Sept. 9, 1801; pro. tocuptaln; disch. .Sept. 

11, 1864. 
Aiulrew Wunk, cori>onil : onl. Sept. 9, 1861 ; must, nut Aug 21. 1865. 
John llandturger, wagoner; enl. Sept. 9, 1801 ; disch. .S>pt. 8, 1^0-1. 
Tliunnis ( 'l aw, enl. Si'pt. 5, 1861 ; ro-enl. Dec. 24, 18tkl ; must, out Aug. 21, 
I 1805. 

I LoonanI B<'ckor, cul. Sopt 9, 1801 ; tv-eul. Dec. 24, ISKI ; must, out Aug. 

21,1806. 
I William Gilinor, onl. Sept. 9, INUI ; disch. Sept. 11, 1 <.4. 
IbH'lius llartung, enl. Sept. 9, 1801; diii-h. Sept. II, I8C4. 
Henry Haupt, old. Sept. 9, 184*1 ; re-eul. Dec. 21, 1863; must, out Aug. 
21, 1866. 
i Frclorick Keller, enl. Sept. 9, 1861 ; dischorged; enl. I. S. A.. Dec. Ift, 
I 1862. 

Christian Kohlers, enl. Sept. 9, 1801 : disch. Sept. 1 1, 18M. 
August l<oescher, enl. Sept. D. 1861 ; missing Aug. 10, 18M. 
Jac.ib Ueininger, enl. Sept. 9, 1801; disjii. Sept. 11, 18M. 
liuslave .Sell niiilt, enl. Sept. 9, 1M1 ; dirnl of wounds, Allg^l2. 18413. 
Froiiorick SgKier, enl. Sept. 9, 1861 ; re-vni. Dec. 24, I8U3 ; must, out Aug. 
I 21. 18liV 

I John Unfrii'd. enl. Sept. 9, 1801 ; re-enl. Dec. 21, 1803; must, out Aug. 21, 
I 18«.->. 

Henry Wirth, enl. Sept. 0, I8«I ; disch. for disability, Dec. 4, 1802. 
Thomas IVatdren, captain ; i-om. Sept. 5, 1801 ; rvs. Jan. 27, 18M. 
Daniel J. West, tlrst lieutenant; com. Sept. 6, 1801 ; must. out March 1,^, 

18U5. 
Stephen S. Stevens, second lieutenant; toui.Si'pt. 6, 1801 ; killed July 
l.s, l»o:j. 



BKIDGEPOKT. 



133 



KobiTt B. Ciiigc, scrgcnnt ; cnl. Sept. ."., 18C11 : killeil O.t. 22, 1SC2, 



Kihviii X. Wliitf. <>nl. Si'pt. 5, ISCl ; .lisrli. S.-pt. 11. lsi'4. 



John WatM-s, scrjjeaiit; eul. Sept. 5, ISUl: pro, to second lieutcn^uit ; livroii Woi^ley, eiil. Sept. .'i. ISOI : iliseji. Sei>t. II, ISIM. 



ilisch. Jliirch IS, lKli."i. 
Itennett S. Lewis, sei-j;eant ; eiil. Sept. -'i, lt?(il ; pro. t.> eapt.iiii ; miist.nnt 

Dee. 2, 1804. 
Allierl H. Cliirk.scTee.lIlt; enl. Se|>t. ,"., I.SOI ; re-elilhtrd. 
Charles II. l.!roj;!ill, selgealit ; elil. Sept..'), l^fjl ; ilieil vi woniels, ,lilly 2.^, 

I.SKi. 



IMwiii 11. Welinore, .-III. Sejit. ,'.. 1S(.| ; trans, to liiv. Corps. March U, 

iM'iJ. 

I'redcoi.k Smith, eiil. Sept. 12, 1.1(11 ; ilisch. Keli. 7, Lsi;,'. 

SEVENTH REGIMENT, CONNBITICIT VOI.UXTEEUS. 
Sylvester 11. Oray, captain ; com. Se|it. \'\, ISIJI ; resij;neil .Ian, 27, ISCA. 



George H. Sherman, corporal ; eiil. Sept. ^. Isdl ; diseli. for ilisahility, I IiJi E. Hicks. seeonil lientenant; com. Sejit. l;i, Isol ; (iro. to first lieuten- 



.\ug. 5. isc;:!. 
George A. Sl.-iples, corporal : enl. Seiit. o. l.SCl ; .lisch. .Sept. 11, 1S(;4. 
"William H. Itossnian, cuipoial; enl. Sejit. .5, Lsul ; lUsili. Sept. 11, l.SfVl. 
Thonuxs Conilrew, eorjioral ; enl. Sept. .'•, 1861; re-enl. U<-e. 24, 18li;i; 

noist. ont Aug. 21, ISIio. 
.loseph (I. CongiT, nmsieian; enl. Sept. .'■. Isr.l ; disch. Sept. 11, 1.m;4. 
liohert II, Kelley, musician ; enl. Sejjt. .'i, l.siU ; discli. iS.pt. 11, l.ilil, 
Charles Ilnll, wagoner; enl. Sept. .'i, 1801 ; iliscli. Se])t. 11, ISr,4. 
David Hailey, enl. Sept. ."i, ISi.l ; ilisch. for promotion, Feh. 4, 1«C3. 
Geoige \V. Hailey, enl. Sept. .''.. 1«01 ; discli. for promotion, I'eli. 4, 180:i. 
Kli N ISahhvin, enl. Sept. ,"), 1801 ; disch. May i:.i, ISOii. 
John F. Beardsley, enl. Seiit. .'), 1801 ; ilisch. Sept. 11. 1804. 
Jaeoh Deck, enl. Sept. .'i, I. SOI ; disch. .Sel>t. 4, 1.S04. 



ant ; must, ont July 2(1, lsO.'j. 
Charles II. Stevens, sergeant ; enl. Sept, I:;, Isi.l ; discli, Sept. 12, Isol. 
John 15. Young, sergeant : enl. Sept, l-i, Isol ; pii>. to caiilaiii : must, out 

Kov. 2:1, 1804. 
William S. MarWe. sergeant; enl. Sept, I:;, Isi.l ; pro. to tii^t lieiitenaMt; 

must, out (let. 2.">, 1804. 
Lorenzo M. Bailey, corporal ; cnl. Sept. l:i, 1801 ; disch. Dec. 1;;, ls(.2. 
Michael Carey, corporal ; eul. Sept. lu, 1801 ; disch. Sept. 12, 18(;4. 
George W. Saiideoou, corporal ; eul. Sept. 111. I8(;l ; disch, Sejit. 12, ls04. 
Ileiiry F. Stratton.* wagoner; enl. Se[it. i:i, 18(;l. 
(Jeitrgc ,\. Campana, eul. Sept. l.'i, 18(;l ; re-enl, Jan. 2, 1804; must, out 

July 211, IsO,:.. 
Thonurs (.'arney, enl. Sept. l:;. ls(;l ; di.sih. Sept 12, Isol. 



Alfred li. Beers, , oil. Sept, .',1801; pro, to captain; must, nut Aug, 21, | Moses Hamilton," enl. .Sept. KS, 1801. 



180.^1. 
Sylvester Bliuii, enl S,-pt, .-.. ISOI ; disch. for ili.sal.ility. June 2, 180;;. 
James Hrislin, enl. Selil. .'i, Isol; le-enl. Dee. 24, lSU;i; must, init Aug. 

21 I.si;.-,. 
Chaides II. llriitlierton, enl. Sept. ."■, 1861 ; diseli. Sept. 11, 1S04. 
Charles Bnnitt, enl. Sept. 5, 1801 ; re-enl. Dee. 24, l.sc:i; must, out Aug. 

12, 180.-1. 
Terreuee Carney, enl. Sept..'). l.sol ; discharged; enl. U. S. A., Feh. 22, 

180:i. 
■\V.ard II. Collins, eul Sept, .'1. 1801 ; disch, Sept. 11, 1804, 
Theodore A. Ctol'ut, enl. Sept. ,'), 1801 ; disch. Sept. U, 181H. 
Vim. F. Dailey, eul. Sept. .J, 18(il ; disch. Sept. 11, 1804. 
Patrick Deary, eul. Sept. .5, 1801 ; died Xov. la, 180;). 
Harry D.d])t, enl, Sept. ,', 1801 ; killed Oct, 22. 1862. 
Walter Fitcli, eul. Sept. .'), 1861 ; pro. to adjutant; woumlcd; res. .luly 

22, 1804. 
Michael Flynu. eul. Sept ,'1. IsOl ; missing at Fort Wagner, July 1 8, l.soa. 
George II, Fos. enl. Se])l. .'1, 1801 ; disch. ou account of wonmls, Se|)t. 4, 

1864. 
John IS. Gilhert, enl. Sept. .■), LsOl ; pro. to captain ; dis. h, July l.",, ISO.",. 
Andrew Grogan, eul. .Sept. 5, 1861; pro. to second lieutenant; ilisch. 

Nov. 22, 18f4. 
Horace T. Hanfiird. enl. Sept. .S, 1861 ; disch. Sept. II, 1804. 
David W. Hodge, enl. Sept. .5, 1861 ; re-enl. Dee. 24,1.86:); must, out Aug. 

21, ISe,'). 
luciuB L. Hull, enl. .Sept. .">, 1801 ; disch. Sept. in, 1864. 
William M. Kelly, enl. Sept. ."1, 1801 ; re-enl. Dee, 24, 180:i; died Nov. 18, 

1864. 
William Keyes. enl. Sept. .'., 1801 ; disch. Sept. 4, 1864. 
Wm. S. I.acey, enl. Sept. a. 1861 ; died July 10, 1862. 
Frederick C. Lutz. enl. Sept. 5, 1801 ; disch. for disability, Dec. 4, 1802. 
Frederick J. Lyon, enl, Sept. li, 1861 ; diseli. Sept. 11, 1864. 
William Mitchell, eul. .Sept. r,, 1801; re-enl. Dec. 24. l.sO.') ; must, out ' Edward Liuehnrg, enl. Sept. 2:1, 1801 ; disch. Sept. 22, 1.S64. 



George W. Hunt, enl. Sept. 13, 1861 ; disch. X^'iA. 12. Isi.l. 

Daniel J. Kieler, enl. Sept. 1:), 1801 ; disch. Sept. 12. Isol. 

Alfred Jerolilmau, enl. Sept. 13, 1801 ; disch. Sept. 12, l.s(;4. 

Chailes I). Lewis, enl. Sept. 13, 1801 ; disch. May :i(l, 1804. 

Kohert McCullougli. eliL Sept. I:;, 18i;l ; disch, .\ov, 1. l.so;i. 

Bernard M. Bride, cnl. Sept. 1,:. Isi.l ; disch. Sept, 12, lsi;4. 

James Moore, enl. Sc|.t. 1:;. Isol ; kille.l ;it Fort Waguer. July 11. I.S(;3. 

Daniel Moigaii. eul. Sept, 1;. isill ; re-enl. Jan. 2, 1.S04 ; died of wounds, 

Jau. 7, l.so,-., 
Lewis F. Ward. eul. Sept. 1::, Isol ; ic-cnl. Dec. 22, 180:1; must, out July 

20, l.SO.".. 
Baltliololnew (I'lirien. enl. Sept. .'■, 1801 ; disch. Sept. 12, 1804. 
Alison I!, Fii Id, eul, Sept. 7. 1801 ; disch. Sept. 12. 1.S04. 
Gill.erl II, Young, eul- Sept. 7, Isol; disch. Sept. 7, Isol, 

KIGIITII KEGIMKNT CdNNECTICUT VoLU.NTEEKS. 
Henry M. lloyt Ut-l lieittcuaiit ; com. Sejit, 2.'), 1801; pro. ^) captain; 

must, out at i-,\piiatiou of term. 
Guidou J, Fox, scrge.iiit; (ill, .Sept. 2,'., 1801; di.scli.fir disability, Dec. 

17, 1.S02. 
CIrris S, Jennings, corporal ; enl, Sc|)t, 2,'i, Isol ; trans, to Invalid Corps, 

Jau. 1."), 1.80:l. 
Theodore Smith, coiporal; enl. Sept. 2."., 1801 ; di.ch. for disdiilit.v, Feb. 

2, lso:i. 
William Fisher, enl. Sei)t. 2,'i, 1801 ; re-eul. Dee. 24, 180:i ; must, out Deo. 

12, l8(;.-f. 
George I'aiker, eul. Sept. 2."), 1801 ; discli. for disahility, l\l;iy 10, 1803. 
Williaiu II. Smith, cnl. .Sept. 2.'., l.sOl; re-enlisted; di.scli. for disability, 

March 111, lSO,-i. 
George F.Stejiheus, enl, .Sept. 2,'i, 1.801; re-enl. Dec. 24, 18l,:l ; must, out 

Sept. 18. l.SO.V 
James Siithei laud, enl. Sept. 30, 1861 ; discli. for disahility, March 26, 18i".3. 



William E. Dudley, enl. Sept. :)n, Isol; re-enl. Feb. l:i, 1804; must, out 

Ilec. 12. ISO.-,. 
( 'hai lis II. Lew is, eul. .Sept. 2.'., ISOl ; re-enl. Dee. 24, l!SO:i ; died of wounds, 

.Sept. 17. lsi,4. 

NINTH UEGIMEXT CtJNNECTICUT VOLUXTKEHS. 

liiclijird Fitzgiblious. lieutenjuit-eolonel; com. Nov. 1, 1861; must, out 
Oct. 20, 1804. 

Frederick Frye. nuijor; com. Nov. 1. 18i;i ; must, out (let. 26, 1804. 

William W, Caiioll. ipiai termaster ; com. Nov. 1, 1801; res. April 1(1, 
1802. 

I'atrick T. Clallce, selgeaut-ma.ioi ; eul. .\oV. 1. 1801 ; luo, to adjutant- 
died (let. 2, 1802. 

Nathan I. Bennett, (inarteriua.ster-si-rgcant ; eul. Nov. 1, l.sol ; pro. tu 
qnarterma-ster ; res. Jan. 2:i. 186:). 
j Thomas C. Coals, captain ; com. Oct. :)il, 1801 ; disch. I let. l.'i, 1802. 

Kichard A. Clancey. tiilit lieutenant ; com. (let. :)U, 1801 ; dismissed Nov. 
12, 1802, 



Aug. 21, 18(;."i. 
James A. Morris, enl. Sept. .'), IsOl : disch. for disability, Maj*i h l.'i. 1802. 
John Mnlloy, enl. Sept. ;'). Isol ; trans, to Inv. Corps, Jlay 8, 1804. 
A. A. Murray, enl. Sept. r>, 1861 ; disch. Sept. 11. 1804. 
Alfred G. M.dlau, enl. Sept. .5, 1801 ; disch. for dis.ability, Apiil 3, 1802. 
Alonzo I'hilliiis, enl. Sept..'), 1801 ; missing at Fort Wagner, July IS, 1S03. 
Granville I'latt, enl. Sejit. .i, 1801 ; disch. Sept. 11, 1S(,4. 
A. D. I'owei-s. enl. Sept. 5. l.S(;I ; ii-eiil. De.-, 24, 18i;:l ; niiist. out Aug. 21. 

1865. 
Thomas (^uinn. enl. Sept. .'i, 1801 ; disch. Sept. 7. 1864. 
Albert W. Stacey, enl. Sept. 5, 1861 ; missing at Fort Waguer, .Iul\ is. 

1863. 
Jiihll H. Strattiiu, enl. Sept. o, 1801 ; disch. Se])t. 4. 1864. 
Edwui-d B. Taylor, enl. Sept. 5, 1861 ; died of wounds, July 2.'i, ISO:). 
Isaac S. Taylor, enl. Sept. .1, 1861 ; trans, to luv. Coriis, March 15, 1864. 
Thomas Taylor, enl. Sept. 5,1861; died of wounds, Oct. 2:), 1803. 
Saniilel C. Thomas, enl. Sept. ."i, 1801 ; re-enlisted ; died of wounds, -\ug. 

m, 1804. 

Eheuezer Wakely, enl. Sept. 5. 1801 ; disch. for disabilily. July 5, ls(.3. George N. Morehouse, second liinteuaut ; com. (Jet. :)0, 1801 ; res. Apiil 

Frederick Ward, enl. Sept. 5,1861 ; disch. Sept. 11, 1SG4. 1 12. 1802. 

W. W, Walker, eul. Sept. "i, 1801 ; di.sch. Sept. II, 181.4. Thomas S. White, sergeaut; enl. .Sept. 20, 1801 ; disch. Oct. 26, 1804. 



134 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



John Lnuric, sergeant ; cnl. Sept 26, 1801 ; rc-«nl. Jan. G, 1864 ; niuBt.out 

.\ilK. :!, ISO'i. 
Thomaa Knablin, sergeant ; cnl. Sept. 26, 1861 ; re-enl. Jan. n, 1864; must 

out Aug. 3, ISKi. 
David Sloau, sergeant ; enl. Sept. 26, 1861 ; discli. Oct. 26, 1864. 
Kiclmjd Yiites, sprgeiint; eul. Sept. 26, 1861 ; discli. Oct 26, 1864. 
John Ernies, corpural ■, cnl. Sept. 26, 1861 ; died Oct 16, 1862. 
Peter Gilday, corporal ; eul. Sept. 26, 1861 ; re-enl. Jan. 6, 1864 ; must. 

out Oct. 26, 18M. 
James Caliill, corporal ; cnl. Sept. 26, 1861 ; pro, to ftrat lieutenant; must. 

out Oct. 26, 1814. 
Miclincl JIcGrath, corp.irnl ; enl. Sept. 26, 1861 ; died Aug. 3, 1862. 
Christopher Arnold, cur|iorul; cnl. Sept 26, 1861 ; disch. for disability, 

Oct 22, 1862. 
James IleuderBon, corporal ; enl. Oct. 4, 1861 ; died Dec. 20, 1862. 
George Lyou,* musician ; eul. Oct 4, 1861. 

John .\nderson, enl. Oct. 4, 1861 ; disch. for disability, April I, 1S62. 
John Biiggs, eul. Oct 4, 1861 ; died Aug. 9, 1862. 
Kichurd Bennett, eul. Oct. 4, 1861; rc-cnl. Jan. 6, 1864 ; must (.ut Aug. 

3, "1805. 
BemanI Burns, enl. Sept. 26, 1801 ; disch. for disability, Oct 22, 1862. 
Doniiuick Burns, cnl. Sept. 26, 1861 ; disch. for disability, Not. 17, 1861. 
John Burke, enl. Sept. 26, 1861 ; disch. Oct 26, 1864. 
Anthony Bulger, cnl. Sept. 20, 1861 ; re.enl. Fob. 28, 1864. 
James t'affrey, enl. Sept 26, 1801 ; re-enl. Jan. 6, 1864 ; mnst out .\ug. 3, 

1805. 
Patrick O.lemey, cnl. Sept. 26, 1861; re-enl. Feb. 28, 1864. 
Charles Diniou, eul. Oct. 4, 1861 ; ro-cnl. Jan. 6, 1864; must, out Aug. 3, 

1865. 
Nicholas Doyle, enl. Oct 4, 1861 ; killed by a member of the regiment, 

Feb. 23, 1863. 
Michael Fiigan, enl. Oct. 30, 1861 : died Jan. 30, 1862. 
William Fibbs, enl. Sept. 26, 1861 ; died July 11, 1863. 
John J. Foley, enl. Oct 12, 1861 ; re-enl. Jan. 6, 18C4 ; must, out .\ug. 

3, 1865. 
John Gafney, enl. Oct 12, 1861; disch. Oct. 20, 1804. 
Patrick Garagan, enl. Sept. 20, 1861 ; rc-cnl Jan. 6, 1864 ; must out .\ug. 

3, 1865. 
James Glnncey, enl. Oct. 4, 1861 ; disch. Oct 20, 1804. 
Dennis Gregg,* cnl. Sept. 26, 1801. 
John Gorman, cnl. Nov. 1, 1801; re-cul. Feb. 28, 1804; must out Aug. 3, 

1806. 
John Hnnlon, enl. Sept. 20, 1801 ; re^snl. Jan. 0, 1864 ; must, out Aug. 3, 

1805. 
George Hill, cnl. So))!. 26, 1801 ; disch. for disability, Oct. 16, 1802. 
Sleldicn Hunter, cnl. Sept. 26. 1801 ; disch. fiu- disability, Jan. 20, 1863. 
Michael Ilusscy, enl. Sept. 26, 1861 ; disch. Oct. 26, 1864. 
Patrick Kane, cnl. Sept. 26, 1861 ; disch. Se|it. 25, 1864. 
Micliuel Kclley (1st), enl. Sept. 26. 1861 ; disch. Oct. 20, 1804. 
Peter Kceimii, cut Oct. 12, 1861 ; died July 20, 1803. 
Owen McCabe, cnl. Oct 4, 1861 ; disch. Oct. 20, 1864. 
Charles McCarty, cnl. Oct 4, 1861 ; disch. for disiibilit}-, Jou. 20, 1803. 
Michael Moore, enl. Oct 4, 1861; died Aug. 19, 1802. 
Peter 51. Morris, enl. Oct 4, 1861 ; disch. for diwibility. May 12, 1863. 
Thomas O'Brien, enl. Sc|it. 26, 1861 ; died Nov. 16, 1802. 
Peter O'Conncr, enl. Sept. 26, 1861 ; died Aug. 26, 186;!. 
Patrick O'lliley, enl. Oct. 12, 1861 ; disi-h. Oct 26, 1864. 
Doiiuis Otis, cnl. Sept 26, 1801 ; died Nov. 22, 186:i. 
Peter Smith, cnl. Sept. 26, 1861 ; died Aug. 26, 1862. 
James StafTonl.* enl. Sept. 26, 1861 ; re-enl. Jan. 6, 1864. 
Patrick AValch, cnl. Sept. 26, 1861 ; not taken up; on rolls after consolida- 
tion, Oct. 31, 186.1. 
James Wilson (Isl), cnl. So|it. 26, 1861 ; disch. for disnhillty, Oct 22, 

1802. 
Jonics Wilson (2d), cnl. Sept. 26, 1861 ; rc-cniisted ; disch. for disability, 

July 18, 1865. 
William A. I>ce, first lienlonant; com. Aug. 15, 1862; pro. to captain; 

must, out Aug. 3, 1805. 
Adilis K. Payne, second lieutenant, c^>m. Oct 30, 1801; pro. to captain; 

must out Oct 26, 1801. 
Frederick M. Fiiirchihl, finit lieutenant; com. April ",1862; diwl July 

29, 1802. 
Thoma* Fitr.giblwns. flret llentcnHnt; com. Feb. 25, 1862 ; pro. to qnai> 

temiailcr; must out Oct 26, 1864. 
Klliott M. Curtiss, captain; com. t)ct 30, 1861 ; must out Oct. 26, 1884. 
Dennis O'Brien, sergeant; enl. 0et '2, 1861; re^jnl. Jon. 6, 1864; must 

out Aug. 3, 1865. 



Samuel D. Finch, sergeant ; enl. Oct. 1, 1861 ; disch. for disability, Jan. 8, 

1863. 
Henry C. Wright, sergeant : cnl. Oct. 5, 1861 ; appointed quartermaster 

Third Native Guards, Dec. 8, 1862. 
.lohn C. Baylies, sergeant; enl Oct. 6, 1861 ; re-enl. Jan. 6,1864; must 

out Aug. 3, 1865. 
TliAmas O'Brien, corporal ; eul. Oct. 1, 1861 ; disch. for disability, Nov. 

27, 1862. 
John C. Curtis,s, corporal; cnl. Oct 30, 1861; pro. to first lieutenant; 

must, out Oct 29, 1864. 
Ansoii B. Parker, wagoner; enl. Oct 9, 1861 ; re-enl. Jan. 6, 1864; must. 

out Aug. 3, 1865. 
William Parker, enl. Nov. 1, 1861; discharged; term expired. 
Albert Alaby, enl. Oct 1, 1861 ; died Aug. 16, 1862. 
Willium H. Allen, cnl. Oct. 1, 1861 ; re-cni. Jan. 6, 1864 ; must, out Aug. 

3, 1865. 
John Coyne, eul. Octl, 1861 ; died July 13, 1862. 
Levi Dart, enl. Oct. 1, 1801 ; dropped from rolls, Aug. 31, 1862. 
Levi S. Drew, enl. Oct 1, 1861 ; disch. Oct 26, 1864. 
Andrew B. Graham, enl. Oct. 1, 1861; re-enlisted. 
Frederick B. Hendricks, enl. Oct 1, 1861 ; disch. Sopt 30, 1864. 
Philip McQuirk, eul. Oct. 1, 1861; disch. Oct. 26, 1864. 
Timothy Miller,* enl. Oct 9, 1861. 
Mo.ses Mills, enl. Oct 1, 1861; re-enl. Jan. 6, 1864; must, out Aug. 3, 

18Ki. 
Philip O'Dounell, enl. Oct. 1, 1861 ; re-enl. Jan. 6, 1864 ; mnst. out Aug. 

3, 1805. 
James S. Olmstcad, cnl. Oct. 1, 1861 ; re-enl. Jan. 6, 1864 ; must, out Aug. 

3, 1865. 
Seth Robert.>ou, cnl. Oct 1, 1861 ; died July 8, 1862. 
Frederick Smcdel, enl. Oct. 1, 1801 ; disch. Oct. 20, 1864. 
David B. Taylor, cnl. Oct. 14, 1861 ; disch. for disability, Nov. 1, 1861. 
John II. Ward, enl. Oct. 1, 1861 ; disch. Oct. 20, 1864. 
Tlionuw Milliugton, second lieutenant; com. Nov. 24, 1861; rea. Jan. 

1, 1862. 

James It. Prescott, sergeant; cnl. Nov. 24, 1861 ; disch. for disability, Dec. 

27, 1862. 
James Begley, corporal [ onl. Nov. 24, 1801; re-enl. Jan. 6, 1864; mnst 

out Aug. 3, 1865. 
Andrew Burk, cnl. Nov. 24, 1861 ; disch. Oct 20, 1802. 
Charles Conner,* enl. Nov. 24, 1861. 
Isaac Kussell, enl. Nov. 24, 1661 ; disch. Oct. 27, 1802. 

TENTH REGIMENT CONNECTIOLT VOLUNTEERS. 
Giwi-ge L. W. Williams, corporal; enl. Oct 2, 1861 ; died of wounds, Oct. 

2, 1804. 

Thonias W. Cook, wagoner ; onl. Oct 16, 1861 ; disch. Oct 7, 1864. 
Frederick Jlauchestcr, enl. Oct. 1, I80I ; died January or February, 1802. 
William II. Curtis, enl. Oct2'2, 1801 ; re-enl. Jan. 1, 1804; disch. July 18, 

180.'.. 

ELEVENTH REGIMENT CONNECTICUT VOLUNTEERS. 
Eugene W. Ward, corporal ; enl. Dec. 9, 1801 ; onl. U. S. A., Nov. 6, 1862. 
Tlie<xloro A. Smith, onl. Nov. 27, 1801 ; re-enl. Dec. 14, 1863; must out 

Dec. 21, 1865. 
Frederic Faltix, cnl. Nov. 27, 1801 ; died of wounds, Juno 18, 1864. 
William Miller, eul. Di«. 13, 1861 ; re-enl. Dec. 13, 1863 ; must out Dec. 

21,1861. 

TWELFTH UEGI.MEKT (XINNECTICCT VOLTJNTEEBS. 
James Ilurlburl, S4'rgeant: enl. Jan. 15, 1862; re-enl. Jan. 22, 186-1; 

disch. Dec. 2, 1864. 
EilwiinI Peet, corjioml ; onl. Dec. 19, 1801 ; tnuis. to Vet Res. Corps, Moy 

1, 1864. 
Caleb B. CAdmus, corporal ; cnl. Dec. 21, 1861 ; rc-enl. ; must out Aug. 

12, 1865. 
Herman Birch, corporal ; eul. Nov. 23, 1801 ; died Sept. 28, 1862. 
Starr Ward, wagoner; enl. Dec. 19, 1861; disch. for dlsal.ility, Jan. 24, 

18Kt 
Ezra Jackson, enl. Jan. 21, 1862; re-«n1. Jan. 22, 1864; must, oat Aug. 

12, 186.'.. 
Henry J. Rugglcs, enl. Nov. 30, 1801; re-enl. Fob. 29, 1804; must out 
I Aug. 12, 186.'.. 

Ambixso Thomp»<.n. enl. Dec. 2, 1861 ; drnwne.1 July 22, 1863. 
David Bariram, eul. Il«:. 19, 1801 ; n.-enl. Jon. 1, 1804 ; must, out Aug. 

12, 18(Vi. 
Thomos Bayleffi, eul. Dec. 19, 1801 ; disch. Dec. 19, 1864- 



]!i;ii'<;ki'()RT. 



135 



.Inseph Beviuis, t-nl. V<-i\ -Jn, \m,\ ; liilhil in arli<.ii, liri, l;i, Isi;:., 
Clmrlfs Bnwinaii. rnl. Ihx. L'll, Isill ; i,-enl. .laii. 17. lsi.4; liilisl. out 

Aug. 12, l.sii."!. 
. 'WilUiim B.vniii, i-iil. I)t'L-. 27, isiil ; must, .'iit Ma.v Jil, ]sr,n. 
Wm. L. Carp.-nt.-i. .-iil. Drr. I'.i, lsi;l; ,,-.m1- .I.iii. 1, Isiil ; must, mit 

Aui;. 12, ISO.-,. 
MWiilnl Cliilk, .111. .liUi. 21, 1S(;2: n-.nl ,Iaii. 22, ls,;4; niilsl. "Ut S.-pt. 

12, ISO.-.. 
Edward P. Clintnn,* eiil. F.-b. 12, 1.S02. 

Julius F. Dfirii.li, elil. Di'i-. l'.i,lS(;l ; disih. f..r disaliility, Jul.v 20, 1.S02. 
George \V. Ferris, eul. Ih'V. 27, ISOI ; le-eiil. .Ian. 1, 1S04 ; eiil. in C.S A. 
Lawrence Grant, i-iil. Ttr<-. I'.i, Isol ; n--enl. .Ian. 1, \S6-i ; must, out May 

24, ixo.i. 
Ji.liii A, Hall. .-nl. T Ill, IsOl ; r.--eul. ,Iaii. 1. lsi;4; must, out Aug. 12, 

ISO,-.. 
Jos..-pl. II. int. -r.* ii.l Ii.'.-. 21, isi-.l ; r<-i<nl. .Ian, 1, 1.504. 
Win, II, Lane, i-nl, H.-.-. 27, ISGl ; r.'-.ul. .I.in. 1, 1S04 ; must. ..ut Aug. 

12, ISO.-.. 
Wm. J. Newell, enL.Ian. s, 1S02; ilie.l of woun.ls, .Ian. IVi, 1S0.3. 
Edgar .\, Peck, enl Jan. ». lsf.2; disclialge.l. 
J.d.n E. n.elan,* enl. l>i-c. IH, ISOI. 

Thomas I!.,«lanil, enl. Dec. I'.J, ISOI ; lii.-cli. Dec. 10. ls|-.4. 
Fie.leiick Sp.vm.iur, enl. .Ian. 1.-., 1SC2 ; .iisch. for disal.ilit.v, Jlay 13. lso;i. 
<:liarlrs Smith, enl. Dec. 27, 1S(;I ; re-enl. Jan. 1, 1,S64 ; uiu.st. out .\ug. 

12. l.SO.-.. 
J,.l.n .^ullivau, enl. D.v. 27, Isol ; .lis. 1., for disal.ility, Feb. 3, 1.S03. 
J..hii Wansor, enl, I>.'c. 2S. I.SOI ; .lis. li. tor disal.ilit.v, Sept. 20, IS02. 
John L' Wellman, enl. Jan. .s, 1.SG2 ; re-enl. Jan. 22, 1S04; .li.-.l April 2, 

ISO.-,, 
rbarb-s II. W.dls, ,nl. D.-.-. 27, ISOI ; r.-cnl Jan. 1, 1.S04: ili...l o. t. 21, 

1S04. 
K/.ia W. \Vells,« enl. Dec. 27. lS(il ; rc-eiil. Jan. 1, ISM. 
Alfr.'.l WilliiLms, enl. Dec. l!l. ISCI ; discli. Dec. VJ. 1804. 
(hail.-:. L. Williams.* enl. D.-. , 27, ISIIl. 

TIIIKTEENTH KEGIMKNT I'l iNNElTICIT Vi iH XTEF.P.S. 

Hiram Blackman, corp.>lal ; enl. Feb. I,1S02; re-eulisted ; .iiscli. f..r dis- 
al.ilit.v, Aug. 11, 1S6.-,. 

William Finnimore, corp..ral : enl. Jan. 22, 1S02; re-enlisted; must. .Mit 
Aug. 12, ISO.".. 

Lewis F. Mareli.ill, . .irp..ial ; ..nl. D.r. 3(1, 1.S01 ; discli. for disal.ility, Jun.- 
30, 1862. 

Albert Martins,* c.rp.ual ; i-nl. .Ian. II, 1,S02. 

Jolin N. Botsford, enl, Jan. 7,1X02; r.-enlist.>il ; must. ..ut April 2.-), 
ISBO. 

F|-ancis C Byington,* enl. Dec. 22, Isi'.l. 

William E. Casey, enl. Feb. .i, lsi;2 ; inirst. out Jan. 0, ISO,-., 

John F. Fancher, enl, Feb. IK, lsii2 ; disch. for disal.ility, June 27, 1S02. 

Alonzo Hayes, eid. .Ian. 28, ls62; re-eidiste.l ; must, out April Si, ISGO. 

George F. Jennings, enl. Dec. 311, 1X61 ; must, out May 13, ISCo. 

Horace B. St. ..Ward, enl. D.-.!. 17, 1801 ; re-enlisted ; must, out Apiil 2,-., 
ixec. 

Eosamond Viz.-r,* enl. Jan. 2X, 1SC2; r.-enlist.'.l. 

Henry Robins..n, enl. Dec. -22, Ixol ; dr.iwne.l April 11, 1.SC4. 

Albert Latus, eid. Feb. IS, lSli2; .liscIi. for .Usability, Sept. 22, 1SG2. 

William Missbach, eid. Jan. 22, 1X02; dis.di. tor .lisability, Aug. 20,1862. 

FOrRTEENTH REGIMENT CONNECTIrUT VOLUNTEERS. 
iHviglit Jlorris, colonel; cm. May 23, 1802; .liocli. Aug. 14, 1863. 
Julius W. Knowlton, comnii.ssary sergeant; enl. .Tune 24,1802; pr... to 

se.ond lieutenant; res. March 20, 1804. 
Alfii-.l O. MoUan, h..8pital sti-war.l ; enl. July 24, 1.S02 ; di.'d N..v. 2,'-., 

1802. 
Jame.s 1). Merritt, . aptaiii ; ...111. ,\iig. 18, 1802; res. Dec. 20, 1862. 
George N. Morelu.us.., hist li.-ut.-nant ; .r..lll. .\ilg. 12, 1S02 ; res. Dec. ,-., 

1862. 
Miles S. Wright, sc.nd li.-nl.-naiit ; c..iii. Aug. 12, 1x1.2; pr.., t.. Hist 

lieutenant ; ilisniissed March 1, 1803. 
Frederick B. Hawley, flist sergeant; enl. July22, ls62; pro. t.i tir,-t 

lieutenant; l-cs. on account of Wound, .Ian. 2(1, 1804, 
Lucius L. Dyer,* sergeant; enl. Aug. 12, 1802; pr... t.. tiist li.-ut.uiant. 
William H. Hawl.-y, seigi-ant ; .nl. July 22,1802; pro. to ..ai.tain ; kin.-.l 

in action, Aug. 2.->, 1804. 
Franklin Bartlett, sergeant ; enl. June 21, 1802 ; pro. t.. first lieutenant ; 

killed in action, Feb. .'., 180.5. 
Henry M. Cooley, sergeant ; enl. July 23, 1862 ; must, out May iil, 1865. 



IMwa.il 1,. II ijiisti.ll, .•..ll...ial ; i-ltl .1 ,-., 1S(;2; tians. to liiv. ("'orps 

..II a. It lit' wi.uiiils; iiiii>I. out .Inly ,"., ISO.-., 

Fr..l.-ii. 1. P., D..1.-II. ...rp..ral; enl, Aug. 1, l.s(.2 ; ].i..- to . aptaiii : iliscli. 

.Vpiil 2(1. isi;,-,. 
Fre.l.ri. k Stan.lish, .•..ip.ual; .nl ,liiii.- 211, 1S(;2; dis.li, lor .Usability, 

March 4. 186.3. 
The..il.,re F. Bradl.-y, ...rpoial; .id. Aug. 4, 1S02; must, out May 31, 

I.sO.-.. 
William E. Craig, .-..rporat ; .-nl, .Inly 22, 1X02; .liscb, on a.... nut of 

woun.ls, April 20, 1.S(.3. 
Rob..rt h. Fielils, .-orporal ; .-iil. Jiiii.^ 4, 1S(;2. .lis, li. f..r .li.sability, Fi-b. 

14, 1803. 
Oc.ig.' II. Ba.hclor. c..rp..ral; ..nl. July IS, 1S02; w.mn.le.I: trans, to 

Iii\'. Corps; must. ..ut .Inly .'., IXO.'.. 
1,11. i.'ii W, llubbar.l. niusi,:ian; ciil, July 10,1802; .li.-.l in pri-...n at Ri.-h- 

iiion.l, Va, 
William B. Nichols, wagoner; ..nl. Aug. 14, lsi,2 ; riiust. out May 31, 

IS.;,-.. 

G g.' 1'. Ill, U,' .-III. May 2.S, 1S02. 

Il.niy E, Hatch. I.. r, enl. Aug. 0. 1S(;2; wonii.l.-.l; trans, to Inv. Corps; 

iiinsl. out .\iig. 0, IS.;,-.. 
II. .la... Itaitiam, enl. June G, 1.SC2; .lis. h. f..r .Usability, April 10, 1803. 
George P., Baitrain, enl, June 6, 1S62 ; must, out .^lay ;'.l, 1S65. 
Gi'org.. liunyan,* enl. Aug. 1, 1802. 

Alti...l Brown, ..nl. Aug. 11, 1X02; must, out May 31, 1805. 
Gc.irge Carlo.k, enl July 10, 1S(.2 ; killed in action, Dec. 13, 1862. 
J..I111 A. K.-an, enl. Jlay is, 1S02; inust. out Jlay 31. 1S05. 
((barb's 11. Engl.liar.ll, clil, Aug. 7, lsi;2; .lis. h. for .Usability, Feb. S, 

1S03, 
.b.hii F.i\. i-iil. July 8. 1SG2; trans, to Inv. Corps on a.. -.111111 ..f wounds, 

Feb. 1,-., 1S04, 
John Geatley, enl. May 2s. 1X62; pro. to c.ib.i-sergi-aiil ; must, out May 

:il, 1805. 
Russell Glenn.enl. JunelO, lsi;2; pr... to sergeant ; llini- liim-s %v..uii.le.l ; 

di.scli.June 1-s, 1S05. 
Aiiizi Garabrant, enl. Aug. 0, 1S(.2 ; .lis.h. G.-t. II. l.soj. 
\\'illiam B. Hiiick.-, enl. Jul,\' 22,lsr,2: pro. t.. major; must, out May 31, 

1805. 
Tli..iiias Henderson, enl. June 12, 1862 ; must, out May 31, 1805. 
\\ illiani .la.-.tbs, enl- Aug. 8, 1802; died of wounds receiv.>.l in battle of 

Wil.l.-riiess. 
Fran, is A. King, enl, July 10, l.s02 ; must. ..ut May 31. 180.5. 
Tliail.li-us W. Lewis, enl. Ji 1(1, 1S02; kill.. I at battle ..f Antietam, 

Sept. 17, 1S02. 
Gorge K. Langguth, enl. July 24. 1x02; trans, to Inv. C-.ips, Sept. 30, 

1863 : must, out June 20, 1x05. 
John Eotty. enl. June 27, 1862; must, out Jlay 24, 1805. 

D an C. McCanii, enl. July 5,1x62; .Iisch. f..r disability, April 4, 1863. 

Jlicha.-I Madigan, enl- July 25, 1x02; killed at battle of Antietam, Sept- 

17, 1,SG2. 
H.-nry Phillips, enl. June 12, 1S02 ; di.-.I ..f woun.ls. Get. 24, 1864. 
Tli..ina» liiiig. enl. July 3(1, 1.S02; disch. for .Usability, D.-c, 13, 1863. 
Jess.- II. Ramsd.-ll. enl. July 2.S, 1X02; die.l in prison at Richmond, Va. 
St.'plien D. Skitlniore, enl. July 7. Ix(i2 ; must, out May 31, 1S05. 
Fr.-ibii.k Taylor,* enl. June 4, 1.S02. 

Oliver Toinliiisiui, enl. May 27, 1X1.2 ; trans, to Inv. Corps. March 15,1-86-4. 
Ili.-bar.l Wallace, enl. June 25, IS02 ; must, out May 31, 1805. 
William W...d.-y. i-nl. June 11, 1.S(.2; must, out May 31, 186,5. 
E.hviii .\, Wib ..\, .'111, June 4, 1S(;2 ; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps on account 

of w., (Ill, Is. 
Joseph II. Wliilc. .-111. Aug, 0, I8(;2 ; .lisi-li. for .lisid.ility, June 3, 1S03. 
Samu.-l IM.Cnne, enl. July 15, ]S(;2; disch. for .Usability, Feb. S, 1S03. 
Eugene Sullivan, enl, .July 17, l.s(,2 ; .lis, b. f,,r disability, March 7, 1803. 

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT CONNI':((TICUT VOLUNTEERS. 
I-.-vi K. .Vl.l.e, enl. July 14, 1802 ; trans, to Inv. Corps, S.-pt. I, 1X0,3; must. 
.,ut July (,, IX(i5. 

SEVE.NTEENTII REGIMENT CONNE(.'TI((rT Vol.rNTEERS. 
WdJiani 11, Nobl... c.d.in.-l; ...iii. July 22, IS02; wouii.le.l May 2, 1863; 

iiiiisl, ,,iit July 10, 1X65, 
(diarl.-s Walt.-r, U.-uti-iiaiit-i ol,,u.'l ; , luu. Aug. 27, 1X02; killed in action, 

May 2, 1S03. 
Ilanf.M.I N. Hayes. .|uaiteiliiasti'r; .:.. 111, July 25, 1x62; res, July 1,S, ISl'.S. 
Itobert Iliil.l.ar.1, surgeon; i-oni. Aug. 11. 1X02; pro. t,, iiu-.li.-al director 

Eleventh Army (,!orps- 



136 



IllSTORY OF F.^IllFIKLD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Elgnli Gregory, second atuieituiit-»urgeoii; com. Aug. IC, lSti'2; pro. to 

first assistant-Bilrgcon ; must, out July I'J, 1H(>5. 
Jes80 S. Nn»h, hospital stew aril; enl. Aug, H, ISCVJ; tlisili. for disability, 

Dec. 29, 1802. 
William II. Lucey, c^tptaiu; eoui. .\ug. 1, 1802; ros. May 9, 180.'!. 
William L. Hubliell, first licuteuaiit ; com. July 23, 1802 ; pro. to captain ; 

must, out July 19, ISO'i. 
Sanuiel E. ISli soconil lieutenant ; com. Aug. 8, 1802 ; pro. to flral lieu- 
tenant; res. Nov. l:j, 180:t. 
Albert W. Peck, first sergeant; enl. July 2:i, 1802 ; pro. to fii>t lieuten- 

out; ninst. out July 19, 180.'>. 
Henry North, sergeant; enl. July 2:1, 1802; pro. to first lieutenant ; nnist. 

out July 19, 180."). 
C. T. Balchelilcr, sergeant ; enl. Aug. 12, 1802 ; must, out July .'>, 180B. 
James R. Brinsnmtle, corpoml ; enl. .Inly 2:t, 1802 ; disch. Aug. 31, ISt'A. 
Wright Curtis, corporal ; enl. July 2;i, 1802 ; ilisch. for ilisability, Feb. 2:1, 

1803. 
John H. Foley, corporal; enl. Aug. 7, 1802; wounded; trans, to Inv. 

CoriJs ; must, out .Fuly i:t, 1805. 
Charles B. Lewis, corpoml ; enl. July 2:1, 1802; <licd Aug. (;, I80:i. 
Alvah E. Wilco.x, corporal ; enl. .luly 21, 1802; died of wounds, Gettys- 
burg, July 0, 180;i. 
John J. Green, corporal; enl. Aug. U), 1802; disch. for disability, .\pril 

lo, 1803. 
Henry lluss. musician; enl. July 2:t, 1802; must, out July 19, 1806. 
Frederick M. Wilmot, musician ; enl. July 23,1802; must, out Juue 8, 

ISO,-.. 
Garrett D. Bowne, enl. July 23, 1802; pro. to first lienteiumt; must, out 

July 19, 180,".. 
M. C. BatchclJer, enl. July 23, 1802; must, out July 19, 1803. 
Samuel U. Barnum, enl. July 23, 1802; must, out July 19, 180."., 
John F. Bartlett, eid. July 2:1, 1802; wounded; trans, to luv. tv.rps; 

must, out Aug. 29, I80o. 
Samuel J. Barlow, enl. July i), 1802; disch. for disability, .Ion. 17, 1863. 
John B. Curtis, enl. .\uk. I"., 1802; must, out July 19, I8(i,".. 
Frederiik II, Carpenter, enl, July 2:t, 1802 ; must, out June 8, l$ti5..« 
William P. Carrilt,* enl. July 24, 1802. 

John W. Dunning, enl. Aug. 4, 1802; disch. for disability, Feb. 23, 1803. 
Charles F. Dunning, enl. .Inly 2:), 1802; must, out July 19, ISO'i. 
William S. Dcwhurst, enl. Aug. l.'>, 1802; must, out July 19, 1805. 
George S. Gorgas. enl. July 23. 1802; must, out July 19, 180.">. 
Joseph H. Goodhue, enl. Aug. 12. 1802; discb. furdisability, Jnno7, 180-1. 
George R. Hayes, enl. Aug. 13, 1802 ; wounded July, 1803 ; died Feb. 5, 

1804. 
Frederick B. Hall, enl. Aug. 11, 1802 ; disch. for disability, Dec. 24, 1802. 
George W. Hnnnnfi.rd, enl. Aug. 13, 1802; nnist. out July 19, I8GS. 
Elias Howe, Jr., eul. Aug. 14, 1802; must, out .luly 19,180^'.. 
Charles A. IIuiil, enl. Aug. 7, 1802 ; must, out July 19, ISO.'i. 
Ernest Kchrcr, enl. Aug. 7, 1802 ; disch. for disability, Dec. 31, 1802. 
Luther W. Lewis, enl. Aug. ,'.. 1802; must. out July 19. 18U'i. 
John F. Lewis, enl.' Aug. 10, 1802; died March 11, 1804. 
Stephen C. Lewis, enl. Aug. 9, 1802; must, out .lune 23, 180.'.. 
Edward A. Morse, enl. Aug. 14, 1802 ; nuist. out July 19. 180.J. 
,loseph Mutt, eul. .Inly 2^1, 1802; must, out June 14, 180."). 
Alon7.o Northrop, enl. Aug. 13, 1802; must, out July 19, 1806. 
Joseph R. Pnrrott, enl.July 23. 1802; disch. for disability, Fob. 10, 1803. 
Oliver K. Pitcher, enl. Aug. 12, 18li2 ; trans, to Inv. Corps, Doc. 15, 1803. 
Horace Plumb, enl. July ii, 1802 ; must, out July 19, 180.'.. 
George D. Phillips, eul. July 28, 1802; must, out July 19, 1805. 
Williahl A. lU)ger>, enl. Aug. 13, 1.S02; died of wounds, Jlay 2, 1863. 
Alou/o >k:ranton, enl. Aug. 2, 1802; wounded; truus. to Vet. lies. Corps; 

must, out July 17, Ibtnt. 
Legraud Slratton, enl. Aug. 4, 1802; trans, to luv. Corps; must, out July 

19, 18Ck). 
William H. Sclipp, eul. Aug. II. 1802 ; must out July 19, 1805. 
George E. Viiilerhlll, enl. Aug. 14. 1802: must, out July III, 1865. 
WiBiam WIrte, eul. Ang. 14, 1802; must, out July 19, ISOI. 
Jolio F, Clnnccy, second lieutenant; com, July 11,1802; pro. to filvt 

lieutenant. 
Georgt- McBride, cori)onil ; enl. Aug. 9,. 1802; discli. for disability, June 

9, 186.3. 
Charles A. Bncon, enl, Aug. 18, 1862; nmat. out July 19, 1865. 
James Bimilughain, enl. .\ug. 14, 1802; must out July 19, 1805. 
John Beck, enl. Aug. 7, 1862 ; must, out July 19, 18l>,'). 
.Mm Brown, enl, .\ng. 4, 1802: must, out July 19, 186.'). 
Edmunil Buggs, enl. Aug. G, 184% trans, to Inv. Cori>s; nnist. out July 

19, l(6"i. 



John Connelly, enl. Aug, 4. 1802; nmst, out July 19, 1865. 
John Dunn, eul. Ang. 13, 1862; must, out July 19, 1865. 
Peter Dorau, enl. .\ng. 1 1, 1802 ; trans, to Inv. Corps ; must, out June 28, 
I8c;6. 

Michael Eagun, eul. Aug. 13, 1802; disch for disability, Dec. 5, 1802. 
Daviil W. Kanton, eul. Aug. 11, 1802: disch. for disability, Aug. 12, 1863. 
Jeremiah Leahy,* eul. July 29, 1862. 

James Ne*b)n, eul. Aug. 12, 1802; disfb. for disability, Dec. 23, 1863. 
Michael O'Neil, enl. July 29, 1802; must, out July 19, 1805. 
.lames E. Dunham, capbiin; com. Ang. 1, 1802; res. May 3, 1863. 
Charles W. Parker, sergeant; enl. Aug. 11,1802; must, out July 19,1866, 
Edwai-d Denis, sergeant ; enl, Aug, 16, 1862 ; pro, to first lieutenant; ree. 

Juue 27, 18M. 
Henry A. Warner, coriioral ; enl. Aug. 12, 1802 ; nmst. out July 19, 1805. 
•lohn A. Black, enl, Aug, l:), 1802; killed July I, 1803, 
George Blake, eul, Aug, 14, 1802; must, out Juue 14, 186.'). 
Jerome Bennett, enl. Aug. 20, 1802; nmst. out July 19, 1805. 
Cassias M. Crabbc, enl. Aug. 4, 1862; killed July 1, 180.3, 
H, Whitney Chatfield, eul, Aug, 20,1862; pro, to adjutant; kille.l in 

action, Feb. 5, 186.J. 
Elijah C. Dunning, enl. Aug. 11,1862; disch. for disability, March 27, 

1803. 
William 11. Ilawkhurst, enl. Sept, I, 1802; died April 26, 1863. 

George W. Ilnnl 1, Aug, 14, 1802; must, out July 19, 1865. 

Frederick Lindbeim. enl, Aug, 10, 18U2; traiu. to Vet, Res. (ijrps; must, 

out July lu, 1806, 
Robert Murpby,« enl. Aug, 16, 1802. 

Walter S, Mui-pby, eul, Aug. 13, 1802; disch. for disability, Dec. 10, 1862. 
Abel W. Mallolt, eld. Aug. 12, 1802 ; must, out July 19, 1865. 
William W. Morgan, enl. Aug. 14, 1862; trans, to luv. Corps; must out 

July 12, ISO;-,. 
Russell P. M4irgnn, enl. Aug. 20,1862; disch. for disability, March 9, 

I 180;). 

Henry Pettil, enl. Aug. 10, 1862; disch. for disability, Nov. 13, 1862. 
Charles II. Smith (2d), enl. Sept. 1, 1862: must out July 10, 1865. 
John B. Smith,* enl. Aug. 28, 1862. 

Edgar Squires, eld. Aug. 10, 1802 ; disdi. for disability, Dec. 10, 1862. 
Chailes Wur/., enl, Aug. 16, 1862; nmst out July 19, 1805. 
Warren J. Burlis, enl Aug. 2II, 180.1; must, out June 8, 1865. 
Edwin Smith, eul, Aug. 25, 1802 : disch. for disability, Jan, 6, 1863. 
John U. Porter, sergeant ; enl. Aug. 14, 1862 ; must, out July 19, 1806. 
George n. Ruggles, sergeant; eul. Ang. 13,1862; pro. to first lieutenant ; 

disch. May 16. 1866. 
Samuel Thorp, sergeant; enl. Aug. 8, 1802; disch. Juno 2, 1865. 
Morris Jones, coriioral ; eul. Aug. 12,1862; pro. to second lieutenant; 

must out July 19, 1806. 
William Mallard, corporal ; eul. Aug, 20, 1862 ; disch. for disabilily. Aug. 

7, 1863. 
Cornelius C. Wilson, corporal; eul. Aug. 16, 1862; must, out July 19, 

1805. 
George Birgc, corp..ral ; eul, Ang, 15, 1802; disch. f<.r disability, Dec. 10, 

1802. 
Joliii McCarthy,* corporal; enl. Aug. 0, 1862. 

James AinS4-ow, musician; onl. Aug. 6, 1862; must, out Juno 1, 1805. 
James Brodurick, enl. Aug. 20, 186i; must, out July 19, 18W. 
Edwanl BrenuBU,* eul. Aug. 6, 1862. 

George Droadbrook, enl. Sept. 2, 1802; must, out July 19, 1865. 
Cliurlos W. Cooley, enl. Aug. 14, 1802 ; disch. for disabilily, FoK 17, 1863. 
Jerry B. Dean, eul. Sept. 1, 1862 ; disch. for disabilily, April 16, 1863. 
Lewis H. Do Mott, enl Ang. 15, 1862; must out July 19, 1865. 
James Dennis, enl. Aug. 14, 1802 ; di«l )Ianli 15, 1805. 
.lobn Garigan, enl. Aug, 14, 1802; must out July 19. 1865. 
William (I. Johnson, enl. Aug. 8,1802; must out July 19,1865. 
Jeremiah Kelley, enl. Aug. 7, 1802; ilisch. for disability. Pec. 3, 1802. 
Orvlllo Kelley, enl. Aug. 7, 1862; discli. for disability, Feb. 20, 1863. 
Enos Kelley, enl. Aug. 13, 1802; must, out July 19,1866. 
Simmons Kelley, enl. Aug. 14, 1802; disch. for disabilily, July 19, 18«6. 
Demi.nd Kirke, enl. Aug. 14, 1802 ; disch. for disabilily, Dec. 8, 1802. 
John II. Kable, .-nl. Aug. 19, 1802; must, out July 25, 1905. 
.John M, Lewis, enl, Aug. 14, 1862; must. out July 1», 1865. 
J..hii l.ennan.* enl. Aug, W, 1862, 

John M, Lublli'^enl, Aug, 19,1802; must out July 19, 1865. 
James Leavy, onl. Aug. 19, 1862: missing July 3, 1863, at Gettjsburg. 
William Lein, enl. Ang. 19, 1862; must, out July 19, 1865. 
Cliari.-« McKlroy. enl, Aug. 2(1. 1802 ; wounded : iliscli. May 15, 1864, 
Henry Wain-, enl. Aug. 16, 1802; niiisl. out July 19, 1805. 
Patrick Wade, enl. Aug. 16, 1802; must out .Inly 19. 1805. 



BKIDGEFOllT. 



137 



Stephen Wiigner, ciil. Aug. 19, 1802 ; Inv. Corps, Feb. V,, 1S64. 
AVilliam Wallitce, eiil. Aii|^. 14, 1862 ; luv. Corps ; iimst. out July T), 186j. 
Jiinie-s Wallace,* eul. Aug. 30, 18li2. 

TWKNTIETII REGIMENT CONNECTICUT VllLtlNTEEUS, 
Piivid r. Sanfoul, < hapliiiu; com. Sept. 8, 18152; res. May 18, 1803. 
Jolin Deuehauno,* eul. July 20, ISM. 

TWENTY-THIRD REOIMENT CONNECTICUT VOLUNTEERS. 
Churles W. Worileu, lieuU-uant-cnlnnel, com. Aug. 18, 18t;2 ; (iiseli. Aug. 

31.1863. 
Joliu il. Coggswell, quartermaster-sergeant ; eul. Aug. 21, 1802, ilisch. 

Aug. 31, 1803. 
Charles W. Hall, captain; com. Aug. 211, 1SG2; appointeil (piaitei uiastei-; 

ilisch. Aug. 31, 180;l. 
Ste]ihon M. Nichols, eul. Aug. IS, 1802; ilisih. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Ezra G. Hawley, sergeant; eul. Aug. 2"i, 1802; ilisch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Charles Ailains, sergeant; enl. Aug. 26, 1862; ilieil July 17, 1863. 
■William II. Barhjw, sergeant; eul. Aug. 20, 1862; ilisch. Aug. 31, 180:!. 
Julius W. Skiihuore, musician; enl. Aug. 2."), 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1S03. 
E. W. Gilhert, wagoner; enl. Aug. 31,1862; clisch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
George Baruum, enl. Aug. ;iO, 1802; discli. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Eli r. Rurton, enl. Aug. 31, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1,803. 
I'.ter 0. Gregory, eul. Aug. 2,i, i802: disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Ahel S. Hall, enl. Aug. 2.'), 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
I'earsou Heudiickson, eul. Aug. 29, 1862; disch. Avig. 31, 1803. 
Henry Jacohio,* enl. Sept. 22, 1862 

Ailolidi Kellor. eul. Aug. 21, 1802.; killed June 23, 1863. 
Watson M. Mead, eul. Aug. 29, 1802; died July 1, 1.863. 
Albert II. Oweus, eul. Aug. 29,1802; diseh. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Charles W. I'eet, enl. Aug. 2.'i, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Daniel I,. Stap]<-s, enl. Aug. .30, 1862 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1.S63. 
William Van Gasl.i-, k, Aug. 2.i, 1802 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
William II. May.caplaiu; com. Aug, 18, 1802; caplureil June 23. 1803. 
John G. Stevens, lil^it lieuteuaul ; com. Aug. 18, 1802 ; captured .huie 23. 

1803. 
John W. Buekinghaui, secoTiil lieutenant; com. Aug. 19, 1862; laptured 

June 23,1803. 
Cluules R. Griluuiu, sergeant; enl. Aug 30,1862; diseh. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Duiglit A.Smith, sergeant; eul. Aug. 30, 1862; di.seh. Aug.31,1803. 
Roliert U, Kairrhild, sergeant; eul. Aug. 30, 1.862 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Henry S. (iregury. sergeant; enl. Aug. 30, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 18t;:t. 
I.e«is T. Idiustead, sergeant ; enl. Aug. 30, 1802 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Frederick L. Curtis, corporal ; enl. Sept. 8, 1802 ; died July 8, 1863. 
E. .\ugUBtu8 Uauford, corpeiral ; eul. Sept. 3, 1802; disjh.Aug 31,1803. 
N. A. Sutton, corjioral; eul. .\ug. 30, 18li2 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Rufus W. Bnuuell, conioral; enl. Sept. 9, 1802; disch. .\ug. 31, 1863, 
William Krap]., corporal; enl. Aug. 30, 1862; discli. Aug.3l, IS03. 
Cliarles E. Shelton, corporal; eul. Aug. 30,1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Henry L. Dexter, corporal; enl. Sept. 9, 1862; died June 7, 1803. 
<:harle8 L. Denick, coijxiial ; enl. Aug. 30, 1802 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Edward H. ('iirtis,* musician ; enl. Sept. 10, 1862. 
Henry liartholemew, enl. Aug. 30, 1862 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Edwin F. Denick, enl. Sept. 30, 18li2; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Albert A. Derrick, enl. Sept. 9, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Andrew Mclutyre, enl. Aug. 30, 1862 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Charles E. I). Patterson, enl. Aug. 30, 1862 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Coiistantiiie V. Roche, eul. Sejit. 30, 1802 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Walter H. Seeley, enl. Aug. .30, 1.'62; discli. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Josejih Strasborger, eul. Aug. 19, 1S02; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 

TWENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT CONNECTICUT VOLUNTEERS. 
Edward N. Goodwin, first lieutenant ; com. Aug. 22. 1802; disch. Sept. 30, 

1803. 
Patrick Nooncy, second lieutenant; com. .\ug. 13,1862; res. Jan. 29, 

186.). 
William Kinsela,* sergeant ; eul. .\ug. 22, 1802. 

Mathew McDonald, corporal ; eul. Aug. 29, 1802 ; disch. Sept. 30, 1803. 
Tliomaii Grant,* curiioral ; enl. Aug. 19, 1862. 

James 5Ic('ool, wagoner; enl. Aug. 18, 1862 ; disch. Sept. 30, 1803. 
.lohn Aiislin,* enl. Aug. 29, 1802. 
Ridiard Andersun,* enl. Aug. 13, 1862. 
Patrick Burns,* enl. Aug. 18, 1862. 
James Hums, enl. Aug. 19, 1862; disch. Sept. .30, 186.1. 
E.lward I). (Vilgan, enl. Sept. 1, 1862 ; disch. Sept. 30, 1803. 
John CaUon,enl. Aug. 21, 1862 ; disch. Sept. 30, 186;). 
Jiiuies G. Clark, eul. Aug. 13, 1802; disch. Sept. 30, 1863. 
10 



Peter Doolan, enl. Aug. 18, 1862; disch. Sept. 30, 1803. 

Anthony Dougherty, eul. Sept. 6, 1862; disch. Sept. 30, 1863. 

William Frazier, enl. Aug. 29, 1862 ; discli. Sejit. 30, 180:). 

Cliiistoplier Hughe.s,*enl. Aug. 18, 1802. 

Thomas Hughes,* enl. Ang. 28, 1802. 

Jidiu Hickey,* eul. Sept. 0, 1802. 

Michael Kavanaugh,* enl. .\ug. 27, 1802. 

Edward Keena, eul. Sept. 4, 1802; died Aug. 11, 186:i. 

Geoige Laughlin, enl. Aug. 2.5, 1862; discli. Sept. 30, 1863. 

Eilwurd Larkiu, enl. Aug. 18, 1862; disch. Sept.:jO, ISia. 

Thomas Larkiu, enl. Aug. 18, 1862; disch. Sept. 30, 1863. 

Roger Leddy, enl. Aug. 20, 1802; disch. Sept. 30, ISia. 

William Lotteu,* eul. Sept. 1.5, 1862. 

Owen McOwen.eul. Aug. :10, 1802; disch. Sept. 30, 1.863. 

Thomas Nevin. eul. Aug. 19, 1.862 disch. Sept. :10, 186;). 

Felix O'Neil. eul. Aug. 22. 1802; disch. Sept. .30,1863. 

Patrick Powers, enl. Sept. 1, 1862 ; disch. .Sept. .30, 18(a. 

Fiancis Quiun, enl. .\ug. 19, 181,2; disch. Sept. :io, 1803. 

John P. Smith,* enl. .\ug. 20, 1862. 

James Sullivan, eul. Aug. 21. 1802 ; disc h. Sept. :)0, 1863. 

Henry Walters, enl. Aug. 15, 1802; died Sept. 7, 1862. 

TWENTY-NINTH REOIMENT CONNECTH'UT VOLUNTEERS. 
Richard Buskirk, enl. Jan. 5. 1804 ; nnist. out Oct. 24, 1805. 
Paul Ca<sar, eul. Jan. 5, 1804; must, out Oct. 24, 18l'i.'i. 
George Darling, enl. Jivn. 2, 1804 ; must, out Oct. 24, 186."i. 
William Elder, eul. Dec. 11, 1803 ; must, out Nov. 3, 1805. 
lleury Franklin, eul. Feb. 2.-1, 1804; must, out Oct. 24, 1865. 
Moses H. Hayes, enl. Dec. 7,1803 ; ilisch. for disability. May 1.5, 1804. 
William H. Lake,* musician; eul. Dec. 22, 18li:i. 
Harvey Leppian, enl. Dec. 7. ISO:) ; niust. out Oct. 24, 1805. 
Jose|di Thompson, eul. Dec. 14.1863: must, out Oct. 21, 18115. 
A. Van Winkle, .-mI. Uc. .21, 18i,:l ; nni:.t. out iicl. 21, 180.5. 

THIRTIETH REGl.MENT CONNECTICUT VOLUNTEERS. 
Tli.'iuas Freeman, sergeant ; enl. Jan. 29, 1804; nuist. out Nov. 7, ISOo. 
William M. Wesley, enl. Jan. 19, 1804 ; nuist. out Nov. 7, 1805. 
George Gaul, enl. Jan. 27. 18r,4 ; must, out Nov. 7, 1865. 
Thomas A. Johnson, enl. Feb. :i, 1804 ; must, out Nov. 7, 1865. 
.■Vithiir Johnson, enl. April 9, 1804; must, out Nov. 7, 1865. 
Ellery B. Leonard, enl. Jan. 28. 18(H; missing July 30, 1864. 
Andrew Marshall, enl. Feb. .5, l.«r,4; died A|iril 22, iKiA. 
John Miller,* enl. Jan 28, l.s04. 

Joseph Morgan, enl. Apiil2, 1864; must, out Nov. 7, 180.5. 
•biseph G. Siuitli, enl. Feb. 1, 181,4; must, out Nov. 7, 1865. 
Frank Smith, eul. Jan. 29, 1804 ; must, out Nov. 7, 1865. 
Reuben Thom|ison, enl. Jan. 2.8, 181,4; must out Nov. 1, 1805. 
Harris Leven, enl. April 2, 1864 ; must, out Nov. 7, 1865. 

NoTR.— Those names marked with an nsteiisk (*) are reported as de- 
serters in the Official Catalogue of Vclunteers, laiblished hy the State, 

RECORD OF THE DEAD. 
The following list of suliliers and sailors enlisting 
from Bridfjeport who died in the service of the United 
Stiites during the late war is taken from the tablets 
upon the sides of the Soldiers' Miiiiiiiiiciit in Seaside 
I'ark : 

FIRST CONNECTICUT CAVALRY. 
David Sherwood, Andersonville, July 18, 1804. 
Eugene H. Starkweather, Sept. 30, 1804. 
George Wagner, Dec. 24, 1805. 
J'jseph Heaton, Salisbui-y, Dec. 4, 1864. 
John Burke, Feb. l:i, 18l'4. 

George Fallon, Meadow Bridge, May 12, 1864. 
John W. Clark, March 15, 1865. 
Theodore Sterling, Nov. :lo, 180:). 

SECOND CONNECTICUT BATTERY. 
Frederick Holmes, Wliite River, Jan. 4, 1805. 
Lyman A. Clark, Fort Gaines, Aug. 21, 1804. 
John Clary. New Orleans, Oct. II, 1804. 
Henry B. Myers. Mobile, June 20, 1805. 
John S. Mills, Blakeley, Apiil 9, 1805. 
James o'Donnell, Now Orleans, Jan. 28, 1865. 
James B. Ramsdoll, Feb. 4, 186,5. 



138 



IITSTOUY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTr, CONNECTICUT. 



Francis Sini|wuii. Sew Orlians, Oct. 17, tfC4. 

Cliarles B. Wljlttlcsey, Dec. 22, ISM. 

Tjiee W. Hartshorne. .\iig. 1, 18C3. 

James G. Wood, Wolf Run Slionls, April 19, 18C3. 

George H. Hill, Now Orleiins, Feb. 27, IS65. 

Edmund F. Moody, Now OrleiiuR, July 30, 18C4. 

FIIIST IIE.WY AKTII.LEKY. 
Ira S. Wakefield, Petersburj;. April 2, ISOj. 
Edward J. Carl, Broadway Laniling, March, 18G5. 
James Dariy, Feb. 2!l, lsn4. 

Thomas McJIulkn, Broadway Landing, Aug. 31, 1804. 
Charles Taylor, Fortress Monroe, Aug. 22, 18S2.' 
William II. Anderson, Frederick, Aug. 4, 1803. " 
Edgar Athington, Feb. 3, 18C4. ' 

SECOND HF.AVy AHTILLKKY. 
James Bradley, AIexandri:i, June 1-1, Isr.i. 
Lucius B. Palmer, Juno 9, 18C4. 
Peter Keilly, 18M. 

Cliarles Bennett, Strasburg, Oct. 19, 1804. 
David Backus, Winchester, Nov. 3, 1864. 
Thomas Doyle, Winchester, Sept. 22, 18W. 
Joseph Curnal, Anua]>olis, Aug. 19, 1804. 
Cornelius Goebel, March .*>, 180.*». 
Seymour Lovdell, Strasburg, Nov. 10, l!*C4. 
William Morion, March 7, If^Go. 
John Martin, Cold Harbor, June 1, 1804. 
Uenry Tanner, Cold Harbor, Junu 1 , 1804. 
John Pollard, Hanover, May :i(l, 1SC4. 
Frederick Slade, Sept. 24, 1804. . 
Jolm Tliomas, Feb. 13, l,>i|>l. 

FIRST CQSSECTICL'T INKANTKY. 
Theodore Morris, Beaufort, July 12, 1802. 

SIXTH COXNEOTICUT INFANTRY. 
Cliarles H. Grogail, July 2!<; 1803. 
Patrick Deary, Belle Island, N6v.'13, 1803. 
Harry Delpl. Pocotnligfi, Oct. 22, 1802. 
Michael l>lynii. Foil ^<'agller, Jul;' 1*, l«c.:(, 
Wm. M. Kelley, Nov. 18, 1804. 
Wni. S. Lacey, July 19, 1802. 
Alou/o Phillips, Belle Isle, .inly 18, 1863. 
Albert W. Stacey, .Inly 18, 18(l3. 
Edward B. Taylor, July 2."., 1803; 
Thomai Taj'lor, PoCotaligo, Oct 21, 18C2'. 
Samuel C. Thomas. Ahg. I'.l, ISG4. 
Hoberl B. Gage, (let. 12, 1802. 
John R. Harney, WiLihington, March lo, 180.''.. 
Ambrose H. Seymour. Salisbury, l let. 28. 1804. 
Patrick Fo.x, Ahdorsonville, Nov. 0, 1804. 
Gustave Schmidt, Fort Wagner, Aug. 12, 1804. 
Williiiui Reed, Jlorris Islanil, .Fuly 18, 1803. 
Stephen S. Slovens, Moriis'IaUnd, .Inly 18. 180.3. 
Andrew Wunk, Belle Isle, July 18, 1803. 

SEVESTH CONNECTItrT INFANTRY. 
John Iie<..l, Andenaonville, Sept. 17, 180-1. 
Charles Dlll«.is, Chester Station, May 14, 1804. 
Alexander Putoi:ki, Aiidentou\illc, July 0, 180-1. 
John Zabrx>Bki, Fortress MQurui;, Sept. 24, 1SG4. 
Daniel ^lorgait, Jan. 0, 1805, 

KIGIITH CONNKlTICrr INFANTRY. 

Charles Jones, F.irt Dai ling. May 10, 18M. 
Melanctlion S. Lyon, Hampton, lifarcfj 4, 18(V1. 
diaries II. I..ewls, S<'pt. IT, 1804. 
Albion D. Brwks Cold Harbor, June 3, ISM 

NINTH CONNECTICIT INK.CNTRY. 
Patrick T. naffie. New Orbaiis, Oct, i, 1802. 
Michael McGnith, Baton Rouge, Aug. 3, 1802. 
James Hendenuui, New Orleans, Dec, 20, 1802. 
John aiggs, Hilton llouge'. Vu'.- ". l'«02. 
Jeremiah Wells. Haton I i. 

Charles II. Ilurl.ui, Se|.i 
John Kiiiifs. Camp l'ani)» i i >< i m. 1 < 'J 



Nicholas Doyle, Feb. 21, 1 S02. 
Michael Fagan, Ship Island, .Ian. 11, 1802. 
William Fibbs, Ni'w Orleans, July 11, 1803, 
.Michael Moore, New Orleans, Aug. 19, 1802. 
Thomas O'Brien, New Orleans, Nov. 10, 1802. 
Peter O'Connor, New Oileans, Aug. 20, 1802. 
Dennis Otis, New Orleans, Nov, 22, lSI\:i. 
Peter Smith, New Orleans, Aug. 20, 1802. 
James C. Dimon, New Orleans, Sept. .30, 1802. 
Henry Dresseiidoffer, New Orleans, June 29, 186.3, 
William Fuiit, New Orleans, Oct. 0, 1802. 
Luke C. Lackey, New Orleans, Aug. 27, 1802. 
Philip Pearson, Now Oi leans, Sept. 3, 180.;). 
John Coyne, New Orleans, July 13, 1802. 
Peter Keolian, New Oi'leaus, July 2U, 1803. 
Albert Alaby, New Orleans, Aug. 10, 1802. 
Sell! Robertson, Vickslnirg, July 8, 1802. 
Frederick M. FairchibI, Yicksburg, July 29, 1802. 

TENTH CONNECTICUT INFANTRY. 
Jules Lasalle, Petersburg, April 2. 1S6». 
George L. W. Williams, Kiclimond, Oct. 2, 18M. 
Marcus Thomas, Newla-ine. Slay 111. 1804. 
Frederick Maiiclicster. Ilatteras Inlet, 1802. 
Henry Perkins, Oct. 24, 180.3. 
Lawrence Lawless, Petereburg^Sept. 7, 1804. 

ELEVENTH CONNECTICUT INFANTRY. 
Jenniiah Brady, July 31, 1804. 
Kiedeiick Faltix, July 18, 18l»4. 

TWELFTH CONNECTICUT INFANTRY. 
Ambrose Thompson. July 22, 1803. 
John Mulloy, Salisbury, Jan. 13, 180.'i. 
Herman Birch, Camp Parapet, Sept. 28, 1802. 
Joseph Bevans, Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 804. 
James II. Hiirlburt, Cedar ClX'ok, Oct. 19, 1802. 
John C. Wellmaii, April 2, 180.5. 
Charles U. Wells, Oct. 21,1805. 
William J. Newell, Port Iludtou, Jan. 19, 1803. 

THIRTEENTH CONNECTICUT INFANTRY. 
Henry Robinson, April 11, 1804. 

KOIHTEENTH CONNECTICUT INFANTRY. 
William H Ilaivley, IteAlu's Sialion, Aug. 2-"i, 1804. 
Alfred G. Mollan, Nov. 24, 1802. 
Thaddeils W. Lewis, Antieliim, Si'pt. 17, 1802. 
Michael Madi^aii, Antietam, Sept. 17, 1802. 
Franklin Darllett, Hatcher's Ituii. Va , Feb, .1. Isii'.. 
George Carlock, Fredericksburg, Dec, 13, 180'2. 
William .IncoK", Wilileniesii, Slay 211, 1804. 
Henry Phillips. Oct. 24, l.«t. 
.lesse H. Rainsdell, Ricbiiiond. 
l.iicicn W, Hiibbanl. Richmond. 

Sl.XTKENTII CONNECTICUT INFANTRY. 
Samuel Johns ui, Roanoke Island, May 27, I80.|. 

SEVENTEENTH CONNECTICUT INFANTRY, 
Charles Walter^ Chancellolsvllle, M»}' 2.1803. 
Charles B. Lewis, Baltimore, Aug 6, 1803. 
Gcirgo R. Hayes, Baltimore, Feb, .i, 1804, 
William A,Bogeni. Cliancellorsvlllo, May 2, 1804, 
CjiH..*ius SI, Cral.be, Gettysburg. July 1, lso;l. 
Williiiin II. Ilawkliui>t, Wasliiiigloii, April 20, 18C3. 
.lanie.^ Dennis, Pi.<.lala, Slandl !.*>, 180.'f. 
John F. Lewis. Ileauf.ul. Slarrh 11, 1864. 
Henry W. Chatdebl, Feb, .'•, 180A. 
Alvah E. Wilco,\, Gettysburg, July 0, 1803. 
John A. Black, Gettysburg, July 1, 1863. 
Stephen Wagner, Point Lisikoiit, Aug. 9, 18C4. 

EIOHTEKNTII CONNE(,TICUT INFANTllV. 
Thomas F. Juucw, M'inchester, Va,, Juno 15, 1803. 

TWENTY-THIRD CONNECTICUT INFANTllV 
Charles Adams, New Oi leans, July 17, 180.'!. 
Ailolph Kelle-, Brarhear City. June 2:1, 180.3. 





<=2''*^>^1X^^M 



BllIDGEPORT. 139 



Henry L. Dexter, La Fourche,. Tunc 7, 1SG3. ) cent, liavillS loalU'il tlu" Httlc slllll 111' liail nccuillll- 



Freilcrick L. Curtis. Brashear Tit}-. July 6, ISO;!. 
^V!lts^ln Mead, New Orleans, July 1, ISO;!, 



TWKNTY-FOURTH CONNECTICUT INF.VXTKY. 



TWKNTY-XINTII CnXNKcTIcrT INFANTUV. 
Oeorg.- \V. Burr, liirlimun.l, O, t. I.l, ISM. 
James Spnjigs, Oct. 7, l.si;4. 
Martin Stoiuis, Aus. 2, l.Stj.'i. 



latfcl til lii.s t'athrr. llr tlicii rntrrrcl (lir iiiiplny of a 

llKrcaiililr tinu .at ( Iras.sy I'laiii as clrrk, at si.\ ilnllars 

|irr iiiontli. wlit-rc lie rciuaiiicd aUniit mir yi^ar, ami 

EihvarJ Kenna, New Orleans, .\ug. 11, lSi;:l. jl^^.^^ ^^^,ll, .^^ ,.|,,|.|- j,, ., „,.,„.,. i-y-sti. re in I ll.' cit V nf 

Ileurv Waltei-s, Shili Island. Dee. 7, l,S(;:l. ,, , , ' ' 

iirociklyii. 

He rciliaiiicil tlirrr alndit mir year ami I lirii opciinl 

a piirti r-lioiisc (m his i>\vii ai-cinint. uIiIcIl Ih' cnn- 

tiiiucil liut a lew luiiiitlis, when lir acci|.lrcl an Dllrr 

Jarn.-s Hawley. Fell. 20, 1.SC4. • as clerk ill a siinihif cstalilisliiniiil al -'.' Tci-k Slip. 

i;eurj;e A. Detning, July 17. 18M. -y^.^^. y,^,.,. j,, jj^^, ,;,llo„inL^ y.ar hr Irlunn-.l t,, llis 

TrilKTIKTll coN-NErTICfT IXFANTRV. iiativr tnwii. and witli a capital of one hiimlivil ami 

Andrew jia.sliull.Ai.ril 2.', lsfi4. tw.'iity-ti vr dollars c'stalilislnd a retail IVtiit and e..n- 

INITED STATK^: NAVV. reetionel'V store. 

Wheeler Sherman, 1". s. OnnbuafChenaTi!;.)," April 1.-.. ISCI. |l, ISl'HIh- opened a loUer\ -olliie in IJetllcl. — lot- 

.TamesBurn., l-.S..;unn„:>t"Nanissns.- ,^,|.j,,^ .^^ ,|^.^j ,i,^^^, |,,,-|j„. ,,,.^,,| ;„ ,|„. .><|,„,. ^^itll 

Frederick H. Tlnunj'sjn. Steamship "New Lundiui." Sept. ■', 1S(J3. ■ n . ,■ i i 

(:eorseH.L..„n,l,ury,i:.S. Steamer "Ilarlf.ud," July 24, lsr,2. Inaliell ..Hiee> in I )alll>ll IT , Norwalk, Malnlold, ami 

Joseph Griigan, t'.S. Steamer '-Weehaw ken." Dee. C, lSG:i. M idd letow 11 . a lid did a larK'e lltlsilless. Ill' sooll alter 

James MiCn.gor.r.S.Klag-.Slup-rensacola," Sept. 24, 180;i. J j,.|,,,| |,j^ i,.,,,,] .,, ., | k-auctiolleer, ami ill 1 S:;l , witll 

Peter I'. I'itls. I , , , r„ , , . . ■ 

Willian,l!rMuks,L-.S.Onnb..at "Kennet.ee," May. 1SC3. I ''"■ "I"-''-' Alalison laylor. opened a eoUllliy st,.re III 

Tielliel, wliieli tliey eoiitiiiiied lull a sliorl time, ami 
lie then eiid>arked in an enlerpiTM' uliieh eventually 
,i;ave liilii ,i;reat notoriety. This was the loiimliii2', 
Hichar.1 11. Crawlnrd, Sevnlli Uniled States Infantry, CetlyshnrL', July (),■(, 1(1, ISI'.l, of flii' If ,il/i/ (if /•'nci/iiiil . lie ellteri-d 

2, isr,:i. 
Charles K. Len.Ieve!;, Fir.,t New Y.ak M.. anted Killes, Sntl.dk. Jm.e 24. 
ISM. 



MI.sCKM.ANKIIfS. 
Wilsi.n llnl.L.dl, SiMy-M.-..n.I N.-w Y.irk Infantry, C.il.l llail...i, .1 
l,sri4. 



Upon the- I'ditoii.il niaiiai;ciiieiit of his paper with till 

the viuor anil ve!ienienei. id' yoiit h. and frei|iieiitly laid 

William II. I... ril. Se.x.n.l New York Heavy Artillery, May i;. l.si;.-.. himself open to tlie ehaPjeof liliel. Three tlllle^ in 

JonathanMills,F..,ti..th New Y..rk Infantry. ,|l|.^,,, ^.,..|,.^ hrwas pioseellted. and liliallva jmlolllelll 

Marlin C. Yans, F..rtv-eightli New York liif.intrv. I'eler.-l.nru. Jnlv :'.il. . ' , , , , ,, , • i '■ 1 i ■ i 

,^ ^ " " ■ ■ III one hnndreil dollar- was olitained atiamst liiin and 

William A. l'i.rt.r,Si\ty-.-i.\tli New Y..rk Infaiitiy. II;. r|.ir> F.ri\.N..v sixty day.- ill the eoinlnon jail. He la led Well while 

I*. '»''-• in jail, ha.l a -ood r ii. lived well, edited his ptiper 

James Lennon, Si\t\-iiiiil!i X.w Y..rk Infanti\. Malv.rn Mill. .iii]\. , . ' . . ,- , . ■ . i ,i ,. ,.t 

jj,,.., • a- n-iial, and at lln' elose id the si.xty da\s the event 

Andrew B.TayL.r, Fifth New Hampshire Infantry. An.lersonville. July "lis eelehraled 1 .y a lavoe enneolHse id people Iroin 

lf>, isiil the siiiioiindinj; eouiitl'y. All ode, writleii for the 

Henry p. Hoslwi.k. F. S. A., New Orlean-. D... . :;i, lsfi2. . 1,1 i; 1 1 \te I'-.r 

oeeasioij \\a- sti no. sjn-ee cs I e i\ el ell, .-mil .Ml. I>.il- 

IXiJTK.— The arli.le , tril.al.-.l l.v Willi, .in 1!, lliii.ks .-u.ls al this ii.>.i ,-, , i , ■ • 

,,„i„,.| ■ liilln was e Ineted to his home l.y a hand ol iinisic 

•—» and a laruy proeessioii of the eiti/.eiis. amid the firing 

of eannoli tinil (he cheers of the milllitnde. Ill 1.S84 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. i"-"''' '''^ I'^-'i"'' ^""i ''"'"^'■'i '" ^'''^^ ^■'"■'- "i.";'-" 

he was employed lor a shorl lime as a ■'drnmmcr lor 

I several stores, and. ill May, |s;;."i, opi-ned :i privat.' 

l'IIL\i:.\S TAVI.nll I!\l;Nr.\I. hoardino-hoii-e. at the same time piucliasiiij;- an iii- 

I'hinetis Taylor I! iriilim was horn in the town of tere-1 in a lii-ocery-slore. 

r.ethel, Ftiirlii'ld (':... ('oiiii.. .luly •',. l.slo. He i- the The siiinmerof 1.^:;'. wa- an important e]Kn.h in the 

son (if I'hilo nariinm. and ■irandsiin of I'.pliraim liar- eaieer of P. T. Itarnum. In that year he Infantile 

mini, who was a captain in the war of the Ivevolutimi. hnsiness w liicli has made him fainoiis ihroii^hout the 

lie commenced his education at the dis'.rict school til civilized world. 

an ctirly a^c, and worked al farm hdn.r diirino" the He piinliased a ni-.^re— nam.-.l .loiee lleth,lhen on 

suininer season and attemled school in the winter. exhihilion in rhiladelpliia. -aid lo he one hiindred 

As he orew older his tivcfsion to farm l.ihor hecam.' and -ixly-one years of at^c and the niir-e of W'ashino:- 

nianifest in \ariiius ways, and his lather limilly eslah- Ion. and exhihiled her ahoiil the country. She lived 

lishcil a store in Bethel, installinn- him as tderk. I)ii hut a short time aft.r her pnieha-e hy .Mr. Ilainiiin, 

the 7th nf Septemher. ].S:2."i, his father died, leaving; and was huried at Hctlud, ill this colinly. He then 

his mother and five children, of wliiini I'liineas T., at eiiLiaucd an Italian sleight-nf-haiid perldnner, and 

fifteon years of ajre, was the eldest. lie was Irnsled soiili joined ,\:iron riirner's travelino' ciri'ii ; as lieket- 

for a pair of shoes to tittend the funeral of his father, sidler, secretary, and treasurer. He snoscipicntly 

tlms starting in life with one ptiir of shoes less than lia\eleil extensively thronghoiil the coiinlry wilh a 

nothing. I'jioii the settlement of the estate it was show, of which he was sole pr.pric'.or. 

iounil to he insolvent, and P. T. was left without ;i Tlie occupation not proving partiiailarly r, intiner- 



140 



lllSTOllY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



ative, and being desirous of hiivinjr a permanent re- 
spectable business, lie finally, alter various discour- 
agements, purchased the American Museum in New 
York for twelve thousand dollars, and succeeded in 
paying for it from the jirofits in one year. He was 
now on tlie liigli-road to success. His wonderful suc- 
cess with the museum, with (ten. Tom Thumb, and 
with the .Jenny Lind enterprise, is too well known 
throughout the world to need repetition in this 
sketch. The latter was bold in its conception, com- 
plete in its development, most iLstounding in its suc- 
cess, and brought a fortune to its adventurous progen- 
itor. As high as six inin<lred and fifty dollars was 
paid for tickets, and the receipts for ninety-five con- 
certs aggregated seven hundred and twelve thousand 
one hundred and sixty-one dollars and thirty-four 
cents. With (ien. Tom Thumb, Mr. Harnum ap- 
peared three times before Queen Victoria and the 
royal court of Kngland. as well as the princii)al po- 
tentates of Europe then living. 

In 18.51 he organized the Great Asiatic Caravan, 
Museum, and Menagerie; in 1852 became part-owner 
of the first illustrated i)aper jmblished in New York, 
and about this time also was president of the Crystal 
Palace Association. In 18.51 he purchased a tract of 
land consisting of several hundred acres, where now 
is located the thriving city of East Bridgeport, laid 
out the entire property in regular streets, lined them 
with trees, reserving a beautiful grove of six or eight 
acres, which he inclosed and converted into a pub- 
lic park, which he jiresented to the city, and began 
the sale of lots, thus becoming the founder of one of 
the leading manufacturing cities in New England. 
Through his instrumentality a clock company from 
Litchfield, Conn., was removed to the embryo city 
and reorganized as the " Terry & Barnum Manufac- 
turing Company," and in 1855 he received a ])roi)o- 
sition from a citizen of New Haven that the Jerome 
Clock Conij)any, then reputed to be a wealthy con- 
cern, should be removeil to East Bridgep')rt. The 
result is briefly told. He advanced a large sum of 
money to the company, the rotten concern finally 
came down with a crash, and V. T. Barnum was a 
ruined man. 

.So at the age of forty-six, after the acquisition and 
loss of a handsome fortune, he was once more nearly 
at the bottom of the ladder, an<l was about to begin 
the world again. The situation was certainly dis- 
heartening, but he had energy, experience, health, 
and ho|ie. 

In 1.*<.57 he again .set sail for England, taking with 
him (rcn. Tom Thumb, where he remained several 
years, and accumulated considerable money. He 
also, while abroad, delivered his fannms lecture on 
"The -Vrt of Money-* tetting" in London and various 
other cities, and was finally offered six thousand dol- 
lars for the manus<'ript by a publishing-house, which 
he refused. 

In 18-59 lie returned to America, and, haviuL' re- 



deemed his propertj', on the 31st of March '" Bar- 
nuni's Museum" was reopened under the management 
and proprietorship of its original owner. Barnum 
was on his feet again, and congratulations poured in 
from friends at home and abroad. The museum was 
continued by Mr. Barnum with great success until 
.July l.'J, 18(55, when it was totally destroyed by fire. 
Although his old friend, the lamented (ireeley, of the 
Tribune, advised him to " accept this fire as a notice 
to quit and go a-fishing," he failed to accept the ad- 
vice, and soon after leased the premises 5.'55, 537, ami 
.53!) Broadway, New York, known as the Chinese Mu- 
seum buildings, and in less than three months had 
converted the building into a coniniodiou< museum 
and lecture-room. He soon after made arrangements 
with the renowned Van Amburgh ^Icnagerie Com- 
pany to unite their entire collections with the mu- 
seum, and the comj>any was known as the Barnum 
& Van Amburgh Museum Com|)any. This was 
also a success, and the monthly returns made to the 
collector of internal revenue showed that their re- 
ceijits were larger than those of any theatre or other 
])lace of amusement in New York or America. The 
fire fiend again visited him, and on the morning of 
March 3, 1808, the museum was totally d&stroyed. 
He then followed Mr. Greeley's advice to "go a-tish- 
ing," and for about two years retired from active 
business, though he wa.s still more or less interested 
is numeroiLs enterprises. 

He traveled extensively, and seemed happy in the 
contemplation of the fact that he wiis a gentleman of 
elegant leisure. But nature will a.ssert itself To a 
robust, healthy man of forty years' active business 
life something else than "elegant leisure" is needed 
to satisfy. He could no longer remain inactive, and 
so in 1870 began the organization of an immense es- 
tablishment, comjn'ising a museum, a menagerie, car- 
avan, hippodrome, and circus of such proportions as 
to require five hundred men and horses to transport 
it through the country. In 1871 and '72 this already 
largest traveling show in the world was reorganized 
and greatly augmented, and to move it required 
seventy freight-cars, six passenger- ^-an. and three 
engines. Additions and attractive novi'llies have 
since been added, and " Bariium'i^ own ami only 
greatest show on earth" of 1880 is, indeed, the largest 
combination of circus, menagerie, and museum ever 
exhibited on either continent. 

Jlr. Barnum's ambition h.as always been to exhibit 
the greatest novelties at whatever cost, and to com- 
bine instruction with amusement. He never adver- 
tises attractions which he does not exhibit, thereby 
forming an honorable exception in his profession. 
He is careful to secure the best possible assistants, — 
honest, competent, and, like himself, clear-headed. 
.\t this present writing, although he has pa.ssed his 
seventieth birthday, he has just formed a combina- 
tion with The London Circus and ^lenagerie, the 
L'r.:i((-l show in tin- world except his own, and en- 



BKIDGEPOKT. 



141 



tiTod into a contract liimliiii; his licirs and executors 
for niiicty-iiine years to coiitiiuu' this immense cmii- 
bineil moral and refined travelina: sliow, — thus, as he 
says, hoping to trratif'y future generations witli a siglit 
of "Barnnm's greatest show on earth." 

At the present writing Mr. Barnum has all tlie 
vigor of middle life. and. having made arrangements 
which he thinks will sccnre the permanency of his 
great traveling nuiscum, UK'nagerie, and circus for 
many years after he is goni', he, in the summer of 
1880, erected in Bridgeport huildings covering five 
acres of land for the headi[uartcrs and especially the 
wintering of his great show. Among these buildings 
is an "elephant house," containing a ring for the 
training of elephants, horses, ])onies, and otliir ani- 
mals, as well as for the ]iracticing of his circus-riders. 
Long rows of iron cages in adjoining buildings, heated 
by steam in winter, contain many huinlreds of the 
most valuable and rare wild beasts and birds in cap- 
tivity in any country. 

Politically, Mr. Barnum was a Democrat previous 
to the breaking out of the lielicUion, but since that 
time has acted with the Kcpublican party. He was 
elected to the General Assembly of Connecticut from 
the town of Fairfield in lS(io, and from Bridge]Mirt 
in 1877. In 1878 he again received the nomination 
for the same offi<'e. and. altlmngh in a l>enLocratii' 
<'ity, he was elected by a handsome majority. In 
1875 he was elected mayor of Bridgeport, and, as he 
always has the best interests of the city at heart, it is 
needless to add that his administration was eminently 
.successful. 

Mr. Barnum has ever manifested a lively interest 
in all measures looking to the advancement of the 
interests of the city, and has devoted much labor and 
money in public improvementu generally. He was 
the progenitor (jf Seaside Park, one of the most 
beautiful jiarks in New England, and it was {)rinci- 
pally through his influence that the improvement was 
consummated. "To Mr. P. T. Barnum," says the 
Bridgeport Standiinl, " \\\' l>elieve. is awardcil the 
credit of originating this beautiful improvement, and 
certainly to his untiring, constant, and persevering 
personal efi'orts arc we indebted for its being tinally 
consummated." Jlr. Barnum purchased tlie land 
from the owners at nominal prices, amounting in all 
to less than five thousand dollars, of which he ])aid 
the largest share and obtained private subscriptions 
for the balance, and thus the jiark was presented to 
the city free of cost. 

In the summer of 1878 he expended aliout twenty- 
five thousand dollars in the purchase and reclamation 
of a large tract of salt marsh adjoining Seaside Park 
and the grounds of Waldemere on the we.st. Although 
he well knew that he would never be reimbursed for 
half of his expenditures, he could see that the im- 
jirovement would be a great public benefit, and he 
bent his energy to the task. He built this dyke 
straight across a channel which let in the tide-water 



every twelve hours and ecjvereil an immense tract of 
low salt meadow. He made it seventy-five feet wide at 
the bottom and of sufficient width on the top to form a 
line street leading from one of the city avcmics to the 
beach on Long Island >Sound. This extension of Sea- 
side Park, forming a boulevard for carriages and 
promenade on the very edge of Long Island Sound, 
where the flashing waves may be seen, heard, and en- 
joyed for all time, is one of the finest ImprovemeTits 
of its kind on the Atlantic coast. 

He also secured to the city of Bridgeport tlie beau- 
tifid Slountain Grove Cemetery. He has laid out 
nuiuy streets and planted hundreds of trees in Bridge- 
]iort jiroper, and built hundreds of houses, many of 
which he sold to mechanics, giving them years in 
which to make the payments, and in annual sums 
e(|ual only to about their usual rents. 

In 1846 and 1847 he erected the well known " Iran- 
istan"* palace for his residence. It was modeled after 
the (Oriental architecture, and was the first of this 
peculiar style introduced in America. Its interior and 
exterior decorations were of the finest style, and it 
was singularly complete in all its ap|iointments. The 
whole was built and established by Mr. Barnum liter- 
ally " regardless of expense," for hi' had no desire 
even to ascertain the entire cost. This wa.s one of the 
iieiist country-seats in New England, and itwas indeed 
a great loss to Mr. Barnum when, on the night of Dec. 
17, 1857, it was burned to the ground. He subse- 
quently built Lindencroft, which was his residence 
for a number of years, ami finally, in 1SG8, erected 
a house, laid out walks, etc., on a dcdightful spot 
overlooking Long Island Sound and Seaside Park, 
and christened it "Waldemere" (" woods-by-the- 
sea"), preferring to give this initive child of his own 
concejition an American name of his own creation. 
He removed to "Waldemere" in LStilt, where he has 
since resided. 

Nov. 8, 1829, Mr. Barinim united in marriage with 
Charity Hallctt, a native ni' B<'thel, by whom he had 
three daughters. 

Mrs. Barimm died Nov. lit, 187.''.. 

In the autumn of 1874 he married again. His wife 
is the daughter of his old English friend John Fish, 
Esq., wdiom he has emlialmed in his " Recollections" 
under the title of " An Enterprising Englishman." 

Mr. Barnum's career has bei'n a remarkable one. 
He has been up and down and uji again the financial 
lailder, and now the Bethel boy who at the age of fif- 
teen vears was so poor that he att<'nded his father's 
funeral in borrowed shoes is reputed to be worth sev- 
eral millions, and his name is a household word 
throughout the civilized world. 

* Signifying Oriental villa. 



142 



IIIST()i:V OK FAll{l'li;iJ> COUNTY', CONNECTICUT. 




Hon. AUivil li. Bcirs wiis lioni at New Rochelle, 
N. Y., April 2:i, ISt."), and is tlu- .son of .Vlfml Uecr.s 
now a resident ol' Stratford, ("onn., and wlio luw been 
identified with the Naugatuek Jtailroad since 1851. 
The ancestry of Mr. Beers upon the male side of the 
line is traced ))aek to James Beers, of (Jravescnd, 
Kent, Enjrland, who died in IG.'l.^, leavinu; two sons, 
James and .Viitliony, who emi>rrated shortly after to 
Watertown, Mass., and removed from there to Fair- 
field, Conn., in 1059. Anthony was a mariner, and 
wiLS lost at sea in 1676, leaving a son Ephraim, 
who was born 164S, and died, leavinji; a .son Ephraim, 
■who died in 175i), leaving a son Daniel, who was 
born 1745, who removed to Ridjrefield, Conn., and 
served in the (,'oiitinental army and was present at 
the attack on Danhury and en^rajiement at Uidjrefield 
by Tryon, in 1777, and died 1S20. Jle left a son 
Edmund, born 1768, who died in 1843, leaving a son 
Jonathan, horn 17S!>, who settled at Vi.sta. West- 
chester Co., N. Y., and ilied in LSiiS, and wlio w.i-s the 
grandfather of the snlijeet of this sketeli. His mother's 
maiden name was Mary K. Hishoj), her father being 
Leander I!isho]>, of Stamford, C<mn., who was a 
brother of Alfred Bisho|), late of Bridgeport, Conn., 
now deceiuscd, n well-known contractor and builder 
of railroads, especially of the Naugatuck Railroad ; 
their father wa.s William Bishop, of Stamford, Conn. 
The grandfather of his molhiT upon her mother's 
.side was Dr. Charles McDonald, of live. X. Y.. a 



Scotchman by birth, who came to this country shortly 
before the Revolutionary war, and ui)on the breaking 
out of hostilities enlisted in the Continental army 
and served during the entire war, participating in the 
capture of Fort Ticonderoga, and also in tlie battle of 
Wliite Vlains, N. Y., in 1776, where he di.stinguislied 
liiniself by liis bravery. Alter the close of the war 
he entered the medical profession, and practiced sui- 
cessfuUy until his death, which occurred about 1842. 

Alfred B. Beers removed to Bridgeport in 1851, anil 
was educated in the public and select schools of that 
lity. lie entered the volunteer army, Sept. 5, 18(il, 
as private in Company I, Sixth Connecticut Volun- 
teers. This regiment was attached to the Tenth 
Army Corps, and participated in the bombardment 
of Hilton Head, S. C, battle of Pocataligo, S. C. 
I he was honorably mentioned in regimental orders for 
bravery and meritorious conduct in that engagement), 
also in the siege of Fort Pulaski, Oa., actions at James 
Island, S. C'., Morris Island, Fort Wagner, and siege 
of Charleston, S. C. ; re-enlisted as a veteran volunteer 
in same regiment in 1864, and was engaged in the 
Bermuda Hundred, Va., campaign against Rich- 
mond, siege of Petersburg, Va., engagements at Deei' 
Bottom, Deep linn, Chapin's Farm, and Laurel Hill, 
on the north side of the James River, in 1864; was 
promoted from first sergeant of Company I to captain 
of Company B in same regiment, and Wius engaged in 
the bombardment, charge, and cajiture of Fort Fisher, 
N. C, January, 1865, capture of Wilmington, Febru- 
ary, 1865, and advance uimn Goldsboro', X. C, April, 
1865, and was discharged from the service at Xew 
Haven, Conn., Aug. 21, 1865, being then about twenty 
years of age. He then engaged in general business 
and in study until 1868, when he commenced the 
study of law, and wits admitted to the Fairfield 
County bar in 1871. In 1872 he was clerk of the 
City Court, in 1875 a.ssistant city attorney. In 1877 
he was elected by the Legislature judge of the City 
Court of the city of Bridgeport, re-elected in 1879, 
and still holds that office. He has been prominently 
connected with the Grand Army organization since 
1868, and is now the Senior Vice-Commander of the 
State of Connecticut, and will jirobably be elected 
Connnander in 1881. He was uuirried Feb. 29, 1872, 
to Callie T. House, of Vineland, X. J., daughter of 
William House, who was one of the .settlers of Little 
Meadows, Pa., and wiis a brother of Royal E. House, 
the inventor of the House ))rinting telegraph sy.stem, 
with whom he was interestvd, and also took part in 
the construction of the first telegraph line erected in 
this country, being the line from Baltimore to Wiish- 
ington. Two children are the result of the marriage, 
—Alfred B. Beers, Jr., born Feb. 16, 1873, ami Harry 
H. Beers, born March 27, 1876. 

As a lawyer, .ludge Beers is devoted to his chosen 
profes,sion, and brings to its practii'C a clear and logi- 
cal mind, a retentive memory, confidence in his cause 
upon its merits, and a thorough hatred of trickery and 





^ JyL ^ 





I'holo. bjr Wilwn, Bridgeport. 




ct/ 




UlillMIKPORT. 



143 



sIkhiis, Hi' is onivl'iil in the |iri'i>ar:itioM dl' his cmscs, 
n-Lidy ill s|i(H'rli iii an ailvncatc, ami liniirsl in his 
claims lor liis cliiiit. 

As a jiiilge he has dischargcil tlic ihiliis nl' that 
]iMsitinn witli marivod fidelity and iiiHcxililr hnnrsty. 
Ilr lidhls tlic scales iif justice evenly lialamed, and 
renders his ilecisimis nnmnved liy syiii|iatliy and mi- 
awed liy elaimir. 

I'cissessed of a genial and kind nature, atl'alile in 
intercourse with his fellows, with a iiersonal character 
above repniaidi, he is csteenie<l and honored as a pri- 
vate citizen no lc,-s than as an alile lawyer and an 
li|>rii;ht and eon^cieiitions judge. 



DAN'UOL WIlITEIlKAli KISSA.M. 

Daniel ^Vhiteheail Kissam, son of Samuel and Eli/- 
alietli Addonis Kissam, was born in New York I'itv. 
.Ian. l>. ls:!i;. At nine year> of age ln' removed willi 
his father's family to I'lymouth, X. ( '.. when' he re- 
mained about ,>i\ years, when he was sent to ^Vesl 
liloomticlil, now known as Jlontclari'. N. .1., and 
eidend lli.' |ire|iaratory seliocd then known as " .\sh- 
lam! Hall." He eontinucil in this s(■llo(^l. pinsning 
his stuilies with diligence and attention, until se\cn- 
teen years of age. when he entered the eiii|p|oy of the 
late H. N. ('onklin, a lumber-dealer in the cit\- of 
Brooklyn, as clerk, tin- remuneration being his biiard 
and shoes. .Vlthough the eonipensation was small and 
the labor irksome, he attended strictly to his business, 
and three years later was rewarded with the position 
of book-keeiier in the large steam-engine and iron- 
works establislunenl owned by Mr. Conklin. 

In February, isr>'.), with a Mr. Wilinot. he started 
in business for himself, manufacturing metallic fasten- 
ings used in the manufacture of huop-skirts, under the 
1 firm-name of Wilmot i*i Kissam. In the following 
\ ear the business was organized into a sto(d< company, 
with a capital of thirty tlnnrsand dollars, iindir the 
name of the Wilmot iV Kissam Maniifaitiiring ('om- 
pany, .Mr. Kissam taking one-quarter of the stock. 
I'he business was continued until isi;."!, whin it 
was removed to Bridgeport, and reorgani/.ed as the 
I'lridgeport Brass Company, with a capit.al of one 
hiindred and fifty thousand dollars, manufacturing 
rolled brass, brass wire, tubing, and various other 
goods. Upon the organization of thi^ company Mr. 
Kissam was made secretary, and has been secretary 
and manager of the business since, and is the largest 
sfoekhidder in the concern. At the beginning the 
annual sales amounled to about tucnty-jive thousand 
or thirl\ lhon-,aiid dollars per year, and. as an illus- 
tration of the rapid development of the business, the 
annual sales now aguregafe four linndred thousand 
dollars, and two linndred and lliirtv persons are em- 
ployed. 

'I'lic factory is a three-story brick >triictiire, one 
hnndreil and sixteen by one hundred and thirty feet, 



with various additions and i\lcnsions. located on the 
corner of Crescent Amiiiic and Willard Street, East 
llridgeport. Tile [lowcr for t liis establishment is fur- 
nished by three steam-engines, with an aggregate of 
two hundred horse-|iowcr, and has a capacity of one 
million two hundred and lifty thousand pounds of 
metal per annum. This is a representative institution 
of this manufacturing city, and great creilit is due 
Mr. Kissam and those throngh whose energy and enter- 
prise it has been placed in the front ranks of manufac- 
turing establishments in New England. The present 
ollieers III' the company are E. \. ,Ma~oii, I'loident ; 
1). \V. Kissam, Secretary : and S.imiiel 1 1 olines. Treas- 
urer. 

I'olitiially 3Ir. Kissam is a Kepnbliean, and is a 
vestryman in St. .lohn's ('liiirch. He has given 
nearly his undivided attintion to his business, and 
during his whole career as .a maniifactnrer li.as not 
been abr-cut from his jiost ol duty two conscentive 
weeks. 

<)ct. -I'l, l.Sll.H, he united in marriage with Mary J. 
Nostrand, of Brooklyn, and their family consists of 
two daughters, — Jeannie and Elizabeth. 

.Mr. Kissam has ever manifested a lively interest in 
the welfare of his adopted city; is a member of the 
I'.oard of Trade, eorjiorator and director in the 
reoplc's Savings Bank. etc. 

He is descended f'loiii old I'uritan stock on his 
father's side from the " Mayllower." tliroiigh .(ohn 
Allien, and collaterally from Bishop Seabiiry. His 
nuiternal grandfather served as captain in the Kevo- 
liitionary war and fought at the battle of Monmouth, 
and was one of the original members of the ('incin- 
iiati Society, and his father served in the war of 1X12 ; 
and Col. Abeel, an ancestor of Mrs. Kissam, was 
also in the Revolution, serving as deinity quarter- 
master under Gen. (xrecne. 

Mr. Kissam is essentially a self-made man. Early 
in life he learned that the way to success was ivo 
royal road, but was ojien to stont hands and willing 
hearts. Energy and integrity coupled with an in- 
domitable will have rendered his career a success, and 
the boy who worked for his board and shoes when 
seventeen years of age is now one of the substantial 
maniifacturcrs of New Eimland. 



Ii\.\Ii:i. \. .MiiRiiAN. 

The ancient town of .Newtown has been the home 
of various men who subseqnenlly occaipicd conspicn- 
oii> positions in the councils of the Stale and nation, 
and of many old and sterling families who have left 
the impress of the .New laiglaiid ehaiaeler upon their 
po.sferily. I'i'omineiit among these families and inti- 
mately associated with the welfare of the town and 
county stands the name of IMorgan. 

EiZra Morgan, the fallierof Daniel N., was for more 
than forty years a farmer and merchant in this towu 



144 



IIIS'I'OUV OF FAiniMKIJ) COrXTY, CONNECTICUT. 



and one of its leading and influential citizens. He 
was a leading Democrat, and occupied many oflicial 
I)o.-iition.s of trust and responsibility. He wa.s also 
president of the First National Hank of Bethel. 

Daniel M. Morgan, son of Ezra and Hannah Nash 
Morgan, wa.s born in Newtown, Aug. IS, 1844. He 
received the rudiments of his education at the com- 
mon schools of his native town, and subseijuently 
attended the Newtown Academy and Bethel Insti- 
tute, where he acquired an education which well 
fitted him for his sul)sci[ueiit successful business 
career. 

At the age of sixteen he entered his fatlier's store 
as a clerk. He .soon e.xliibited a remarkable capacity 
for mercantile transactions, and at the age of twenty- 
one years steppcfl out into the broad area of active 
business life on his own account, and for one year con- 
ducted the mercantile business at Newtown Centre as 
sole proprietor, when he took a partner and continued 
for three years longer. Desiring a wider range and 
better facilities for doing business, where his ability 
might have ample scope, Jlr. Morgan removed to 
Bridgeport and became a member of the firm of liird- 
sey & Morgan, dealers in dry goods and cari)ets. 
Mr. Birdsey subsequently retired, and the large and 
prosperous busine.ss was continued by Jlr. Morgan 
until January, 1880, when, in consequence of im- 
paired health, caused by too close attcn^tion to busi- 
ncs-s, he wjts compelled to relin(iuish it, and in the 
mean time took an extensive tour tor liis lualtli to 
Great Britain and Continental Europe. 

His .strength of character and financial ability Wiis 
soon recognized by the citizens of his adopted city, 
and he has been called to many positions of trust and 
responsibility. He was elected to the City Council in 
1873, and re-elected in 1874. He was also a member 
of the Board of Education in 1877. In .laiuuiry, l.S7!l, 
he wius chosen president of the City National JSardc, 
and is the i>re.sent incumbent of that office. In the 
same year he was elected a trustee of the Mechanics' 
and Farmers' Savings Bank. 

True to the instincts of his early training, he is a 
Democrat in politics and an able advucale of the prin- 
ciples of that ])arty. He is active in |)olitical circles, 
and in 1880 accepted the nomination for mayor from 
the Democratic party, and was elected by a handsome 
majority, running one hundred ahead of his ticket, 
— suHieieut commentary upon his popularity and 
worth as a citizen. He is also Miuster of Corinthian 
Lodge, No. 104, F. and A. M. 

Mayor Morgan also manifests a decided interest in 
religious nnitters, is a consistent churchman, is the 
present clerk of Trinity Parish, and has been many 
years. He comes of a long-lived ancestry, his grand- 
jiarents living to the advanced age of eighty, eighty- 
four, ninety, and ninety-si.\ respectively. 

The latter, Daniel Nash, who lived to the advanced 
age of ninety-six years, ami from whom Mr. Morgan 
received his name, when seventy-four years of age 



walked from New York to Westport in one day, a 
distance of forty-four miles. 

June 10, 18()8, Mr. Morgan united in marriage with 
Medora II., daughter of C'apt. William A. Judson, a 
native of Huntington. Capt. Judson is a prominent 
and infiuential man, and has officiated in various ca- 
pacities within the gift of liLs fellow-citizens. He has 
been senator and representative, and has served as 
justice of the peace nearly forty years. 

The ancestors of both Mr. and Mrs. Morgan were 
sterling patriots during the Revolution. Agur Jud- 
son, great-grandfather of Jlrs. Morgan, was a colonel 
in the war of the Revolution, and served from the be- 
ginning to the close of that arduous struggle. 

Zedekiah Morgan, great-grandfather of Daniel N., 
was a captain in the Revolution and an active and 
determined [)atriot. During the war he ke]>t a iiumj- 
ber of cavalry horses on a jHirtion of the place still 
known in Newtown a.s the Muriran farm. 



SIIEUMAN U.MITWELL. 

I'he subject of this sketch was born in the town of 
Washington, Litchfield Co., Conn., Dec. 2, 17!)ii. 
Through his grandmother on the father's side lie was 

j connected with the Sherman family of Dcdham, 
England. Several representativesof this family came 
to New England in 1()34, and settled in Watcrtowii, 
Mass., now Cand)ridge. Mr. Hartwell's particular 

! line is through Oqit. John Sherman, as distinguished 
from that of Pastor .John of the same town, ami of 
Samuel, brother of the latter, who removed and be- 
came a resident of Stratford, Conn. The grandmother 
of Mr. Hartwell was Rebecca Sherman, sister of the 
celebrated Roger Sherman, one of the signers of the 

' Declaration of Inde])endence, and the family line may 
be traced as follows: 1. Capt. John Sherman, born 
11)13, in Dedham, England; 2. Joseph, born ItJ.lO, in 
Watertown, Mass. ; 3. W^illiam, born l()it2, nnirried 
Rebecca Cutler (4. Roger, born 1721, married Eliza- 
beth Hartwell); 4. Rebecca, married Joseph Hart- 
well; ">. Isaac Hartwell, born 17t)8, married .Mary 
I'itcher; (i. Sherman Hartwell, born I7!HI, married 
Sophia Todd, daughter of Eli Todd, of New Milford. 
Roger Sheruwn spent his early life in New Jlilford. 

The Hartwell family came also to Litchfield County 
from the vicinity of Boston in the early part of the 
eighteenth century, anil were among its most substan- 
tial citizens. This branch of the Sherman family and 
the Hartwell family seem to have been intinuitely 
connected, as the wife of Roger Sherman was the 
sister of Jaseph Hartwell. 

The early years of Mr. Sherman Hartwell were 
spent on his father's farm in Washington. His edu- 
cational advantages were only such as were aO'orded 
by the district schools of his native town. He made 
such jiroficiency, however, ;is to fit himself acceptably 
as a teacher, and taught school in Kingston, N. Y., 




J.JC'.iwAL 




f -2f. 7^ /^. 



t^^yZ^^^z^t^cy?-^ 



P.KIDGKroUT. 145 



oiu' 111- uicirc yt'urs, wluii lie \v:is ahout twenty yrars ninm, iif wliirli he availeil liimsell' iiiuie ur le^s c|uiii' 

of iiL'e. Ileturniiii;- tlieiil'niiii tn ( 'Dniieetieilt, lie to the cln^e cil' his leimtliiiicil Hie. 

('Ilterc(l the stole nf Mi. I'.li I'.mM. ill Xew Milloiii, .Air. li.niwell was also all aelive tru-t<-e ot' tlie 

where he ediitiiuieil several years. I!riil,!:e|iiirt 8a\ iii,i;s IJaiik lor a iiiiiiiher of years. ()u 

In 1S1:^>, assisted liy Mr. Todil. .Mr. liartx\(ll slarled tlie oi-fianizatioii of the ('it\i Saviiii;s ]!ank, in INoll, 

a eountry store ill the town of \\'arren, ailjoininir liis he heeaine i(h'iitihe(l with lliat iiistitiKion, ami eoii- 

liative town. Here he eontiiiiieil Iniviness liy himself tinned a trustee ami \ iee-|iresiileiit to tlie time of 

and ill siieeessi\c |>artnerslii|>s with a .Mr. Starr and his death, .Tan. 111. 1X7(1. He was very iiiethodieal 

JJiirton (JiUierf for twenly-li\ c year~. and hy patieni and earefiil ill all his transactions, and retained his 

toil, frii.i;ality, ami Ihrilt laid the foiimlalion <if his iiileie~l in alfairs to the last. 

aiiiiile estate. .Mr. Ilartwell luiiteil with the Con.i'regatioual 

In 1838, Mr. Hartwidl removed to ihid'^'eiiort, rather I 'linreh in Warren, Conn., rhiriiii;' his residence there, 

as an e-x|ierinient for tli<' lieiielit of tlie health of Airs. Soon after his n'lnoval to l!ridi;e|Hirt, he and his 

Ilartwell. The eliaiiiie proving; lielielieial, he made family lieeame eonneeted with the First (.'onureLia- 

liis iierniaiieiit residence here, ami thereafter heeanie tioiial ( 'linrcli and Society, where thev lia\ e ever lieeii 

thorou.irhly identitied w itli liridiiciiort and its instiln- a pillar of strength. 

tions. For a short tiim' he .■in;ai;ed in mercliaiidisiie.; The followiii.ii- are the namexif the children of Mr. 
on AVater Street, in cminectioii with the late Charles and Mrs. Ilartwell, only one of whom survives: JIarv.* 
l)e Forest. Inl.S4-(we find him on the "eoiiiicil of horn hSlS, married Hon. Siiin-on I!, (.'hittendeii ; 
safety" Iwitli tweUe others of Ihe ino^t siihsiantial Kachel Toild. horn IXlil', married Timothy P. Chap- 
men of the city ) to advi-c in all matter^ relali\et an; l';ii iterwin, horn IXl'7, dicl 1,S2!I; Sophia, 

the city hinids issneil ill aid of Ihe lloiisatonie Uail- limn l.S.'Kl, married .Toliii X. lioncsteid : Sidney,-' 

mail Conipanv. This siihjeet presented a ]prohh'ni of horn 1X;',2, died 18oM ; (orm-lia. horn I N.'ld, married 

apiiallin.i; hnaneial interest at that perioil, and in its Uohert Huhhard, JI.I). 

treatment J[r. Ilartwell rendered \aliiahle aid. It 

was manfully <.'ra]ipled w ith. and hy a wise and <are- 

fiil mamii;i-nieiit lime has wmmjlit a romparatividv 

easy solution. ' ' 1- i'K Via; WAUNHU. M.I.. 

From 1N40 to 1S4X he was nearly all the time a 1 tr. |. 1 ),• \'er Warner was liorn in Liiiid;aleen, (;he- 

meinher of the Conimon Council of the city and par- nan,;;:o (_'o., X. V.. March -Ht, Is4(l. He received a 

tieipated actively in city alfairs, especially in matters coninion-school and academic education, and, having 

of tinanee. He was a.treiit for the iiiana.neiueiit of the decided ujion the medical profession as a life-work, 

funded indehtedness of the city and the iiayment of eiitereil the olllee of Dr. C. .M. Kiimnian, a leadin,<; 

interest on the same from 1.S4X io |S,")S. physician anil suriceon residing al .Mc( ir.iwville, Cort- 

It was. however, in conneetion with oiir hankinj;- hind Co., X. Y. He |misued his stndii'S with dili- 
iiitere>ts that Jfr. Ilartwell was hest and most favor- oeiice ami attention, and snUseiiiieutly, when only 
ahly known. On the reeonstruclion of ihe old nrid.L^u- twenty-one years of a,L;e, .irraduated at the Ceneva 
port IJaiik alter the disastrous jjcrioil of 1X;!7, he hecanie Medical Collide, and was valedictorian id' his class, 
an active and eliicieiil directiu, and coiitrilmted largely |1,. commenced the praelice of his profession at 
in hringiu,;;- it up to the ]iositioii it soon attaineil as \ineveh, ilroome Co.. X. '»■., where he remained about 
one of the soniidcst and iiio^t ]no-perous institutions t^yo years, when he returned to Midrawville, and 
in the State. On lln' death of Silvanns Sterliii,;:-. Ksi|., siiecceded to the practice id' his I'mnier |ireeeptor, l)r. 
in 1S48, Mr. Ilartwell lieeame |iresident. and tilled Kingman. .\ii aelive praelice soon ei.ininced i)r, 
that ]iositiou ahly and successfully until IXli'.l, when Warner that the masses should lie taught concerning 
he )iositiv(dy deidined a re-eleelion. His active con- their physical organization, and he at once instituted 
iieetion with this liaiik thus covered a )ieriod of thirty- a series of popular lectures, w liieli he delivered with 
one years. During this time there were many seasons niaikcd success ihronghoiil New laighmd and the 
of financial stringency and einliarrassnieiit, sometimes Aliddlc Stales, lieing a llioroiigli master of hi^ pro- 
very trying. Mr. Harlwcll so thoroughly enjoyeil the fcssion and a line speaker, he drew large and intelli- 
frieudshi]! and coniidence of leading hankers in Xew i;ent audiences, and coiitiniie'l in the leeliire-lield 
York — the late I{. Withers, president of the old Baiik ahoiil ten years. During this time lie hecanie con- 
of the (State of Xew '^'ork, !■",. (1., and others — :is to vinced Ihat many of the diseases of women were the 
he of great service in such period-. In the discharge result of illy-eonlrived corsets, and at once set alioiit 
of his often delicate duties Mr. Ilartwell exhibited to instiliite the much-needed reform, and became the 
great urbanity and kindness, mingled with linn- inveiilor of the eelcliratcinV'ariier health corset. The 
ness, and his sujierior iiidgmeiit and ahilily were manufaelurc of this corsel was commeneed at Me- 
recogni/.ed. On his relinipiishnicnt of his olhcial (Jrawville, N. \'., where it was continued until 1870. 

relations to till' bank he was tendcreil the free use at — - - - - - - - 

his pleasure of his idiair and dc-k in Ihe directors' * Deraasi-d. 



14t> 



IIISTOllY OF FAI11FIP:LD county, CONNECTICUT. 



The corsi't at once boeaiiic iiiinienscly |M>|iiilnr, and, 
(lesiiinir increased facilities tor nianul'aeturi' and ship- 
ping. Dr. Warner decided to locate in tliis city, and 
after selecting a site the erection of their present larpe 
brick factory was commenced in August, and on the 
5th of the following October tlie manufacture of cor- 
sets was begun. Not content with jiroducing a corset 
which worked a revolution in the manufacture of this 
much-needed article, he still gave it his study, and three 
years ago patented and began the manufacture of the 
famous flexible-hi|) coi-set, the improvement being 
that the boues rnn around the body instead of up and 
down. He has also other patents in embryo. From 
a snudl shop, wliere .six hands were employed, the 
business has rapidly increased, until at the present 
time they employ over one thousand persons, an<l the 
daily capacity is three hundred and fifty dozen cor- 
sets. They operate five hundred Wheeler & Wilson 
sewing-nuiehines. The firm hius a large store in New 
York, and also one in Chicago, which is the only ex- 
clusive jobbing corset-house in the West. The junior 
member of the firm. Dr. L. C. Warner, is at present 
in Euro])e, and has completed arrangenient-s for the 
manufacture of the Warner corset by the large firm 
of Footman, Pretty & Nicholson, of Ipswich, England. 
The manufacture is also to be introduced into Paris. 

Thus, within an almost incredibly siiort period, this 
energetic firm has inaugurated an industrial enter- 
prise of va.st proportions, of which not only IJridge- 
port, but New England and the entire country, may 
justly feel proud. It is the largest establishment of 
it.s kind in America, and justly merits its success. By 
a strict attention to business, coupled with an indom- 
itable will and the manufacture of the best quality of 
goods. Dr. Warner has succeeded in building up in 
this city tlie largest corset-manufactory in the world. 

Sept. 24, 18()2, lie united in marriage with Lueetta 
M. Oreenman, a native of McOrawvillc, t'ortland Co., 
N. v., and has three children, — Annie L., De Vcr H., 
and Hugh F. The last named died Mav 1, 1879. 



JARUATT .MOUFOKD. 

A man who entirely by his own efforts has risen to 
affluence and social position, and through all the 
changing events of an active business lilc lias pre- 
served his integrity unimpeached, well deserves the 
pen of the historian. Such an one is Jarratt Mor- 
ford, the subject of this sketch. AVithout the advan- 
tages of inherited aitl he worked the jiroblem of his 
own fortune, and lives to enjoy the fruition of a 
successful business career. 

He was born in Shrewsbury, N. J., March 2!(, 1817, 
and was one of a family of eight children of George 
Morford and Maria Wardell.* His boyhood was 



• Mr. Murford'g aiiCiMtoi-!! wore uiuoiik the plonmra of Slirowsliiir)-, 
snil tho iircaonl town of Ho<l Bank Is IuioIchI upon a iwitloii of hia 
ffttlierV original piircliiuic. 



pa.ssed in his native town, like the youth of that 
period generally, working at farm labor during the 
summer season and attending school in the winter. 
When only twelve years of age he entered as a clerk 
the retail grocery establishment of Klots & Traf- 
ford in New York City. Here he remained six years, 
and then became a clerk in the store of C. & R. War- 
dell & Co., wholesale grocers in New York, and after 
a service here of six years came to Bridgeport, then 
a small vilhige, as clerk for the late D. H. Sterling, 
who was a wholesale grocer, iind for that day doing 
a large business. He remained in the employ of Air. 
Sterling about four years, aud on the 12th of April, 
1845, thirty-five years ago, commenced business for 
himself a-s a member of the firm of Morford. Blakc- 
man & Co., wholesale grocers. Mr. Blakeman, who 
is now a member of the firm of Ivison, Blakeman, 
I'hinney & Co., publishers, of New York, continued 
with the firm only about six months, and disposed of 
his interest to Mr. L. C. Northrop, and the business 
wn.s conducted under the firm-name of Morford, 
Northrop it Co., the "Co." being Mr. Philo Hurd, 
about four years, when -Mr. Samuel C. and David 
Trubce pureha.scd Mr. Northrojj's interest. Samuel 
C. remained with the firm but a few years, when he 
retired, and this large l)usiness has since been carried 
on under the name, familiar to business men through- 
out Connecticut and Massachusetts, of Morford & Tru- 
bce. During the long career of this firm they have 
occupied only two stores, the old one. No. ;54(J, and 
the present one, first occupied in 1870, 35l) aud 358 
Water Street. 

At the beginning of busine.ss the sales were meagre, 
anumnting to about seventy-five thousand dollars per 
year, and as an illustration of the rapid development 
of the business, it is stated that the value of the an- 
nual sales now reaches from six hundred thousand 
to eight hundred thousand dollars, while at times 
their monthly sales reach the sum of nincty-fivr 
thousand dollars. The house handles an immense 
amount of Hon rand sugar, and also owns a flouring-mill 
at Kalamazoo, Mich., with a capacity of nine hundred 
barrels per week. AVhile the .success of this business 
has been something remarkable, it has not been at- 
tained without the exercise of good judgment and a 
strict attention to the business in all its details. From 
the beginning Mr. Morh rd has given the business his 
persnmil iitlriifiiiii, and to mis fact, which is too much 
undervalued by many young business men of to-day. 
is attributed nnich of his success. During the variou- 
fiimneial panie-s which have swept over the country 
this house remained firm, and, remarkable a» it may 
a|)pear in the life of an active business man, from the 
beginning to the present time not a year has elapsed 
that Mr. Morfnnl has not made more than his ex- 
penses. 

Mr. Morford has educated numerous young men in 
business, many of whom have become successful irj 
their various spheres. Among the number may be 



i!itii>i;i-:r()i!T. mi 



nieiitioiK^d Mclaiirtha "SI. Ilunl, imw n iihiiiImi- uI ('limlcs K, Avrrill was Uoni in ( iraii\ illc. X. Y., 

! thcrrlcluntril |.iililisliiii,irli(msf(.f lliir.l >>t ll.iiiiilitnii. Oi't.i;, 1S|l>. His lioyli.x.il was |i:issim1 in Ihc villairc 

Mr. .Miiiiinii is a l>nlilic--s|iiriti'(l ami ;;rncnais i-ili- iif l'lattsliuii;li, \. 'i'., w lien' lie was I'diicalcil at thi' 

Zen. |ii>|inlar willi the niassrs, ami nianifists a ilic-p l'lattsliuri;li .\i-a(lrin\ , at that tinir llir hailini;' rclii- 

inti'iTst in all matters temlini; to a(l\ ami- the interests eatidiial institution in Ndrtlii-rn New York, 

of tlie eity el' liriiljiepert. In early life he exhiliiteil a fjmlne^^ for mereantile 

Piilitieally he is a Democrat, ami an earnest ail\ii- ]inrsnits ami the eciiintin^f-roinn. At tin- aue nf thir- 

cate of the iirinei|iles (if lliat jiarty. In IX.'iS lie was teen he aeeepteil a elerkslii|p in a stmi' at Sarat(i};a 

cleeteil lirst seleetman 111' tile town, ami hehl tile olliee Sprinas, N, ^'., ami in 1S:!I) reinoveil to the eity of 

three years, the seeond year lieinj; mmiinateil hy New York, and lieeanie-;! clerk in tlie wholesale joli- 

both parties. Mr. _Morf.nd estaldisheil the presint l>ini;diolise of .Joseph 1',. Varnnni, Kio I'earl Street, 

.sy.stem of takiiii;- care of the town-poor, and redtieed Whih' here, :is :i hraneh of edni-alion. he took up 

the ]iatipcr e.xpenses in nwr year from twenty-two dnrinu' his leisure honi> the seiema' of donhle-eiitry 

tlninsand dollars to five thousand tive hundred dol- liook-kei'jiim.;, and lurame fannliar with liook^ and 

lars. He was elected mayor in IS(i4, and il was .neonnts. .\fter a tew nconths he was promoted to 

largely tlironirh his intlm-nee, and dnrim; his .idmin- .assistant hook-keepca-, and finally lieeame the liook- 

istraticni as mayor, that Seaside Park, one of the fim'st keeper for the eon<-ern. 

in tin- eonntry, al-o \Vasliim;toii and l!i'ardsley r.irks, In the winter of Isdi.' lie aee.'pted an invitation 

were eoninienec'd. from the late ilorris K'etelium. Ilsip, to come to 

JIayor Morford also manifests a lively interest in l'>ridt;e]iort and reside, ami on the Idtli of Man h of 

ecelesiastieal in.atlei-s. lie is a ehnrehman, was jn- the same year he was nnanimonsly elected treasurer 

nior warden in St. .lolin'^ ('hnrcli, was one of tin- of the Jloiisaloiuc llailro.id ( 'ompany, and has since 

foiimlers of Triinly ('hnrcli, and h.as lieeii siaiior held that otiicc. Jle is also treasurer of the " Bridiije- 

warden since its organization, in lS(io. port Steamlmat ('ompany," and has held that otfiee 

Nov. 11), 1S44, he united in marriau'c with Anna for fifteen years, 

Eliza Annin, a native of New York City, ami has Mr, Averill has always prominently identified hini- 

two children liviiifr, — Esther Holmes and (ieorge, self with the community wherein he has resided, and 

both of whom reside in r>ridge|iorl. Mrs. Morford has held at various tiim-s the olliia' of r( rder and 

is a descendant of John .\niiin, one of the pioneers aitini;: mayor ol' Michigan ('ity. Iml.; ]ioslinaster in 

of Basking Ridge, X. .J., and .Tonatlian Dii-kinson. A'ennont : and councilman, alderman, assessor, and 

the founder and lirst president of Prineetoii (_'ollege, polici' eonimissiomr in this city. While in X'ew 

The old Annin homestead is still standing, which York he held a commission from ( lovernor William 

was erected over one hundred and fifty years ago. L. Marcy as captain in the (_)iie Hundred ;ind Eorty- 

The Aniuns were of the Scotch iioliility. Second Regiment of infantry, and his company was 

Mr. Morford'~ life has been one of steady and chiefly composed of Pearl Street clerks, 

active devotion fo husiness, and his great sma-i'ss Mr. .Vverill is a staunch Democrat, wdiosc first vote 

has been the natural result of his ability to examine was given for .\mlrcw .lack-on, Inird money, ami the 

and readily compreliend any subject iiresenteil to honest payment of all di-bt-. 

him, power to decide ]ironi]itly, and courage to act lie is a consistent chun Innan. a niendicr of St. 

with vigor and persistency in accordance with his .lohu's Church — Protestant Episcopal — in this city, 

convictions. in whiidi he is now senior warden. He is also trea.s- 

j urer of the ]iarish. April ff IS.'iS, he united in mar- 
riage with .lane 31., seventh dau::litei- of .lohn H. 

CHARLES KETCIIl'M AVl'ltlLL. ',•'- ,. ^ „ ' ^. ,, ,' , . ,. ., 

Sumner, of (_ laremont, N. II., and their family con- 

The subject of this sketch is deseemled from an old .^j^t^ ,,f fj^e children : Eucy, Mary, Henry 1)., .lane. 

New England family, dating from an ancestor, Isaac ;|,„| Charles. Henry D. is general ticket agent of 

Averill, who, in ITtMl, with two brotlKTs, emigrated d,,. I Icusatonic Railroad, 
from Milforil Haven, Wales, ami settled in Topslield, 

Mass. I — 

X'athan Averill, father of Charles K., was born 

April 10, 1774, in N.-w Preston, Liti-lifldd Co., Conn., ^^■•^^'' •"= ■ "^ '"' ^' -^ >•' ■ 

I and nuirried Pcdiy Ketchum, of Salisbury, Conn,, Isaac Sherman was born in the parish of Stratliehl, 

l] both of wdiom li\i'd to a ripe old age, the former now Ib-idgcport, Sept, 2'), 17.SS. He was the youngest 

dying at the age of ninety-two, and the latter at flic son of David and Rebecca ( Freiu-h i Shernmn, The 

^ age of ninety. Their family consisted of nine chil- paternal residence was on Division Street, now Park 

P dren, — six sons and three ilaiighters. Their eldest Avenue, a short distance above X'ortli .\ venue, on the 

' son, Henty, marrii'd a niece of Chancellor Kent, and site of the present residema' of Mr. .lohn II. Ileacli. 

their eldest daughter married Chancellor Walworth, It was the hoim'slcad of three generation- hearing tlu' 

the eminent jurist of X^ew York. honored name of I laviil Shernmn, in direct succession. 



148 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



all of tliem nicii of iiiaik in llii-ir time. Tliis family 
caini! from Samuel Slieriiian, the (irst .settler of the 
name in Stratford, Conn., through Matthew, one of his 
eight .sons, wlio very early eame to Stratliekl, and lo- 
cated at or near the above-mentioned sjiot. Matthew 
Sherman was one of the constituent members of the 
Stratfield Church (now the First Congregational 
Church of liridgeport) at its organization in KJiK"), 
and with others brought his letter of dismission from 
i^tratford. Samuel, the fatlier of Matthew, emigrated 
to Boston from Dedham, in Es.sex, England, in 1(534, 
in company with his distinguished brother, Rev. .fohn 
Sherman, and their cousin, Capt. John Sherman. 
While both the latter settled in Watertown, ^lass., 
Samuel, who was married to Sarah Mitchell (daughter 

of Matthew Mitchell and ), ptished on to 

Connecticut, first to Wethersfield, and from thence to 
Stratford. Here he nared his family of eight sons 
and one daughter, all or nearly all heads of fami- 
lies, having their representatives in all parts of the 
country. 

At the risk of digression, it may be of interest to 
note here that John, one of the sons of Samuel, who 
went from Stratford to Woodbury, Conn., wiis the 
ancestor of W. T. Sherman, General of the United 
States army, and of the distinguished Secretary of the 
Treasury, Hon. John Sherijian, of Ohio, their father 
and grandfather having removed to Cleveland about 
1820. 

The family line of Isaac Sherman may be given as 
follows : 

In England, Henry Sherman, of Dedham, England, 
married Agnes Rutler. He died loSO. 

In England, sou Edmund first married, in 156!), 
Ann I'cllett; second marriage, in 1584, to Ann Clark. 
In lOngland, son Edmund married, in Kill, Judith 
Angler; came to this country in 1634; some time in 
Watertown, Ma.ss., and died at New Haven, Conn., 
in 1641. 

In Stratford, first, Samuel, baptized IGIS; married 
Sarah Mitchell. 

In Stratfield, second, .Matthew, born ll>45; married 

ilauiiah . 

In Stratfield, third, Lieut. David, born 1692; 
married, second, Sarah Thompson. 

In Stratfield, fourth, David, born 1736; married 
Mary Sterling. 

In Stratfield, fifth, David, borii 1757; married 
Rebecca French. 

In Stratfield, si.\th, Isaac, born 178S; married, 1810, 
Maria Burroughs, 

The children of Isiuic and Maria (Burroughs) Sher- 
man were as follows, none of whom survive: Mary, 
born 1H12, died 1857; David, born 1814, died 1S15; 
Elizit, born 1H16, married Darwin Warner, died in 
1845; Jane F^leanor, born 181il, married Rowland B. 
Lacey, died iu 1857; Harriet, born 1825, died 1825. 

Very early in life Mf. Sherman compiled and ex- 
ecuted quite arti.stically a genealogical chart, showing 



at a glance his descent, on his father's side, from 
Matthew Slicrman (son of Samuel) and .Tacob Ster- 
ling, and on his mother's side from .Samuel French 
and .lohn Edwards, heads of four families of first 
settlers here, with the collateral branches in each 
generation. 

At the lower right-hand corner is represented the 
log house of the original settler, a large group of chil- 
dren with the mother at the door, and at a short dis- 
tance in the clearing is the husband and father, with 
uplifted a.ve felling the forest-tree. 

At the left hand, .surrounded by significant em- 
blems, is engrossed the following: 

"This genealogical table was designed and executed 
by Isaac Sherman . , . from motives of duty and filial 
afl'ecticm for his ancestors, whose names are remem- 
bered with respect and luuior in this new country, of 
which they were among the first settlers." 

This tribute, which is preserved and cherislied by 
5Ir. Sherman's descendants, .shows a drift of mind 
which Wiis more fully develo])ed in after-years, and 
will be again referred to. 

The son was not wanting in resjjcct for his father, 
but Mr. Sherman was accustomed to acknowledge his 
indebtedness to his mother more than to any earthly 
friend for the formation of his character and the 
foundation of his religi<ms life. His school education 
was limited, such only as was afforded by the district 
school at the four corners (now of Park ami North 
Avenues). It had been the intention of his father to 
give him a liberal education, but the loss of a valuable 
vessel and cargo crippled him financially, and the idi m 
was abandoned. 

.Vlmost the only avenue open to an aspiring young 
man without capital was the .sea. Despite its risk-. 
Isaac betook himself to this, with the apjirobation oi 
his parents, at the age of sixteen years. He followed 
it with varying success for upwards of four years, 
having twice been shipwrecked on the New Jersi\ 
coast, with the loss of all things cxceiit his daunth— 
purpose to rise. At the end of this period he cam. 
out with ninety-five dollars ahead. To this his good 
mother ad<led five dollars, thus giving him a capital oi 
one hundred dollars. Observant of his manly qualitie-. 
his excellent uncle. Dr. James Elaton Beach, furnished 
nine hundred dollars adilitional capital, and thu- 
started the firm of Beach & Sherman, locateil on 
Water Street, in a grocery business, conducted .soh^ly 
bv Mr. Sherman. So successful was he that tin 
capital of the firm was doubled by his profits the fir-i 
I year. 

Shortly after, his brother, Capt. Sterling Sherman, 
was admitted :isa partner, with additioiuil capital, and 
the business was continued succe«stnlly up to ISU, :i 
period of seven years in all. At the close of tin 
second war, commonly known as the war of 1812, tli. 
political and internatiimal situation was not favorable 
for mercantile and maritime pursuits in this country, 
and there followed f<ir Mr. Sherman a year of enforced 



■\V, 




^&^^^ a^ 



BllIDGEPORT. 149 



<|iiirt, wliirli (■oiii|ilctrl\ lurccl liini.as lir s:iicl, "iilCvrr chiiiiis liy the requisite ipmcils fVe(|iU'iitly iiiviilvcil :in 

■wisliiiiir to spend any part uf his lite in idlrness." amount of investigation and ]ierseveriiit;- labor almost 

In Deeendter. 1X10, he marrieil JIaria. the eldrst iiieredil)h'. He never uinU'rlooli doid)ttid eases. His 

daughter of Stephen Burroughs, Jr., and purchased ]iapers were always made onl with g)r!it eare and 

the house, tlu'U reeently built, on the nortlieast eoruer clearness, aud it came to lii' iimhr-.tood that their 

of ."Main and (iohl Streets, which was thi' only lioiiic special reliability was rccugrd/cil at the perisjcjn otlice 

of his iiKirricd life of fifty-three years. in Washington. This was all lie' more true as Com- 

In |sl."i he joineil his father-in-law in the grocery, nussioner Edwards. wIkj so long ami abl\ ailiinnistered 

grain, Jioston and New York coasting business, which the I'cii-ioii I'.ureau at this period, knew his personal 

was successfully continued up to lS:il, with the c\- wnrlli, 
eeptioH id' an interval of four years in partnership Thai lie was a most industrious man is amply at- 

with (apt, .lohii P.i ks, .Tr., in the same lini' id' liusi- tested by voluminous records, original deeds and 

ness. The lirm of Burroughs & Sherman owned a other i-onvcyances. wills mhiI duciimenls, which are 

number of vessels, and Iniilt the schoom-r " Nassau" for preserved in the archives of the town of r.ridgeporl, 

a lioston coaster. During her second year this \essel the Uridgeport I'robate llistrict, and the pri\ate bo.\ 

was sent in command id' ('apt, Txait M, llitidicock, of nearly every ju-operty-holder of his tinu- in this 

under charter of some merchants from New York, lo vicinity. Yet, though so bu.sy and so eliicient, those 

Saint Stephens, on the Tombigbce River I.Vlabanial. who knew him well remcnd)er his i|uiet imuuu'r, and 

On this triji, June, 1817, she was the first .Vnu'rican how, if he ever hasted, he seemed to illustrate the 

vessel to enter the port of ^Mobile after it c.iiih' into maxim, ''Make haste slowly," 

the i)OSsession of the T'nited States, She continued This part of our sketch would not be com]ilete or 

to run to Mobile under the same command, with good .just withoid allusiim to the last contiibiil ion made by 

success about fouryears, when the trade had increased -Mr, Sherman, for the bencHt of those who shoiihl come 

so natch as to require lar.ser vessels. after him. His long life in this comnuinity and his 

In lS;i2, Mr. Shernniu retired from active cummer- extensive personal acquaintance, his f'amiliarit\- with 

cial life, but mit from active usefulness. Indeed, he the chnrcli and jiarish records, his respect for his own 

never ceased to be iisefid. While jihysical streni;th ancestry — already noticed — and his genealogical 

remained he was busy, according to the jjrim-iple i.'X- studies, his intercourse with and foiulness for old peo- 

pressed in his journal; " I believe it best for nu' to ]ile, his extensive business iiitereoiirse, his invcstiga- 

<'.\erci.se myself in some honest and iisefid employ- tio!is for the e.stablislunent ol' ])ensioM claims, his 

inent as long as healtli will permit." experience in connection with the setthanent and 

.\s early as the yi'ar 1819, Mr. Sherman had been distribution of estates, all contributed lo furnish 
appointed justice of the peace, and this ollice he re- bis observant and retenti\e mind with a tutul of in- 
tained after his retircmeid from business, and until tormation regarding the early settlennail and history 
18.')1. In the sanu' year of his withdrawal from mcr- of Stratticld and I'.ridgeport. lie could give the 
cantile business he became town clerk, ami held the exact location of the old fandly homes, ami much 
office sixteen years by successive aiiniud elections, about the descendants, the settlement of the New- 
He was also town treasurer twenty-two years by fields (now the city of Uridgeport I, the rise and prog- 
the annual suffrages of his fellow-eitizenR, and during i'i-*-< of business, the business lirnis, how eomiioscd, 
this period liis office was headquarters for convev- how located, and whether successful or othciwisc. eti\ 
aneing, and indeed all ]iublic business. l,:iter he was ^'o one had attempted to cover the lield, and mi one 
for a time judge of Probate and recorder of the city. living could do it as he coidd, and unless by him 

He seemed nductant to take part in the adndnis- committed to ]iaper, at his decease it was certain that 

tration of the city govcrnim'Ut. Having once been very nuich would be inevitably lost. This considera- 

elected ahlernuui he declined to qiialifv, as is sup- 'ion was I'rcquently urged iqion him foi- years without 

posed, from a disinclination to attend the evening success. After his retirement from public business, to 

sessions iif the Conunon ( 'ouiicil, often very much ]iro- the quiet ol' an otlice improvised under the domestic 

traeted, yet he was not wanting in interest in muid- I'ool, the sitnalion seemed favorable, and his consent 

cipal ali'airs. In the trying times of i.S44 he was a to enter upon the work was gained. The plan was 

member of the council of safety, appointed by the laid out for him, and he entered upon it tinudly. as 

city to ,-idvise in all matters connected with the city 'u' said " his early cihu'ation was defective, ami had 

bonds issued for the benetit of the Hoiisatonie Kail- ""' qnaiilicd him to write history." but his interest 

road Cianpany. Mr. Sherman was the secrctarv of and his confidence grew as he progressed. The result 

the council, and the meetings were gciu-rally held in »as not a com|iletc history, bill the embodiment of a 

• his otlice. The records of the council are extant. m-'^^ "I I-"'' -"I'l valuable inlormation of great value. 

To these and other duties Mr. Sherman added an 'I'o I hose who would study the early history of ISridgc- 
ageney for procuring jiensions for IJevolutionarv sol- P'H't :i"'l Stratticld, or their families, " Ksqiiirc Sher- 
diers and widows of deceased soldiers. I'rum the man's IJeciillcclinns" are a necessity, and every pass- 
absence of earlv records the establishment of these ing year they increase in value. 



150 



lUSTOUl' OF FAlKFiELJD CULMV, CUNNECTICUT. 



Mr. .Sherinan's relijrir)us convictions commenced 
early in lite. They were frrounded on the Word of 
(Jod, were pronounced, and influenced lii.s whole 
being. He and Iiis estimable wife together united 
with the Strattield churcii, the church of his fathers, 
in 1S12. Though modest and rctirinfr, here, a.s in 
secular matters, his worth was tlioroughly a[)iire- 
ciated and Ins services sought. In ISHd he was 
elected to the otKce of deacon, and continued in active 
service until 1858. He was for a long period upon 
the Society (or Parish) Committee, and its most active 
member. He wa.s also clerk and treasurer of the 
churdi. The res])onsibility and labor involved in 
this connection added very materially to his daily 
cares and duties. As to how they were met, his ))a.s- 
tor in his funeral discourse bears this testimony : " In 
the heart to see the house of God prosper, and thought- 
fulne.ss for widows, for the poor and bereaved, he was 
without fault. Many a child of sorrow has called 
him blessed." He was not ambitious for wealth. 
This is apparent from his early voluntary retirement 
from mercantile business, also from the firm Chris- 
tian prinei|ile whicli led him to decline, w'hen a young 
man, to sell liijuor by the glass, and this, long before 
the temperance reformation, while it Wiis customary 
and entirely respectable to do so. It was urged upon 
him, and visions of wealth were painted before his 
eyes. Hut he was inflexible, and would have no 
share in a traflic wiiich was injuriou.s, which he saw- 
to be wrong, whether others did or not. 

Having acquired a moderate competency, lie seemed 
only desirous of earning by his useful labors enough 
to provide for his moderate family expenses and dis- 
bursements for rcligicms and charitable ])urposes. 
These latter i)robably seldom, if ever, fell short of 
the Scripture rule of one-tenth of his income. He 
often remarked that " it was a very nice thing to 
live right;" and again, that Agur nndei-stood the 
matter jiretty well in his prayer; " Remove far from 
nic vanity and lies. (Jive nie neither poverty nor 
riches; feed me with food convenient for me," etc. 
In his own estimation, he had not much religion to 
sjieak of. Cut his life told, and, referring to it, it was 
well said in the funeral discourse before quoted : 
"One exemplary, faithful, kind, ])eaeeable, loving, 
practical Christian life, sustained to the last — such 
a.s our lamented and venerable friend luis led in this 
community — is worth to the cause of (xod and truth 
and human salvation, more than all mere head ortho- 
doxy, — the spasmoilic piety, the exhorUitions and con- 
versations, which are so common and so cheap in 
every place, — all |)Ut together — a thousand fold. 
Such a life is a 'living epistle' written not with 
])en and ink, but with the linger of (!od. Men can- 
not help reading it, nor can they hel]> believing it. 
" So lived and labored 
Isaac SirivKMAN, 
.\nd rested Nov. 2.'}, 18(i3." 



ROWLAND B. LACET. 

1 f one were to choose a ])roper title for the biogra- 
phy of the subject of the present sketch, no fitter one 
could be found than " Record of a busy and exceed- 
ingly useful life." Rowland Bradley Lacey, only 
son of Jesse and Edna (Munson) Lacey, wiis born at 
Kaston, Conn., April (), 1818, and conies from excel- 
lent New England stock, being connected upon his 
mothers side with the family of President Stiles, of 
Yale College, and directly descended from John 
Haynes, the first Governor of Connecticut colony, 
and his wife, Mabel Harlakenden. Upon his father's 
side he is descended from John Lacey, an ejirly set- 
tler of Strattield Parish, and Deacon David Sherman 
and Deacon Henry Rowland, both of whom were 
pillai-s in the ancient First Church. His great- 
grandfather, Edward Lacey, son of John, removed 
to North Fairfield, now Easton, in 1756, and was one 
of the founders of that town. His grandfather, 
Zacluiriah Lacey, son of Edward, was a Revolu- 
tionary soldier, who served under Witshington at 
the time of the evacuation of New York, and after- 
wards commanded a small guard which was stationed 
for a time upon Fairfield beach. Rowland Lacey was 
brought up upon his father's farm in Easton, receiv- 
ing the usual common-school education of the day. 
When fourteen years of age he was sent to a select 
private school, taught by Eli Gilbert, in Redding, 
Conn. At the early age of fifteen and a half years 
he commenced teaching a district school in his native 
town ; and in the summer of 1834, and the following 
winter, taught the large public school upon Redding 
Ridge, many of the pupils being quite as old as their 
youthful preceptor. 

Among those who attended this school were .Mr. 
Henry Sanford, of this city; Sheriff Aaron Sanford, 
of Newtown; Henry B. Fanton, of Danbury. and 
others. The next year wius p;issed as a jiupil at 
Easton Academy, after which, in .Vpril, lS3(i, at the 
age of eighteen, he removed to Bridgeport. This place 
was then only a small village of some three or four 
thousand inhabitants, with very few of the public 
improvements now possessed. There were no jiarks, 
no sewers, no gas, a very scanty supply of public 
water, and flagged sidewalks only in a portion of 
throe or four business streets. The principal imblie 
buildings were the Bri<lgeport and Connecticut banks 
and the wooden Sterling Hotel on ilain Street, then 
just completed. 

Mr. Laeey's first occupation in Bridgeport was tliat 
of assistiint postmaster. This i)lac3 he held, at first 
under Stephen Lounsbury, and afterwards under Smith 
Tweedy, for nearly four years, with an interval of about 
six months in 1838, which were spent in study at 
Easton Academy. 

On the opening of the Housatonic Railroad, — one 
of the very first roads of the country, — in December, 
183!l, Mr. Lacey took a position in the transportation 
dei>artment, and as agent at Bridgeport bore a largfe 




I'hrtto. by Wilsnii. Bridgeport. 




1!1!I IK IMPORT. 151 



sluur ni' thr ii>ji( iiisiliilitif^ iif ii]ifratiiiij: tlir mail. (|uc>l nlMayor ]\roit(ir(l ami (illiir |iriiiiiinciil •jnitlc- 

For several years during tlie wiiitei- seasim tliis was men, Mr. l^aeey \ isited New Haven and Ilartlord, 

tile only steam line between New York and .\lliany, Newark, N. .T., and Si)rin>;lielil, Mass., in order to 

and the traffie was very heavy, taxing to tlie utmost examine the methods of keej>ing the imhlie aeeounts 

not only the uu'agre faeilities for handling freight, ete., in use in those eities. From information thus ae- 

liut the mettle and resoun'es of the manage men I. The i] iii red lie drew up the ]iresent linaneial system, whieh. 

duties intrusted to ;\Ir. L;ieey, however, were faith- after having been revised, and in ~ome res|ieits rlab- 

fully and .sueeessfully jierioruinl until Mareh. Is44, orated, by Franeis Iv<'s, lCsi|., was ado|ilrd by ihe 

when he voluntarily withdrew, not without the re- Common Couneil, Feb. liO, 1S7I, ,\l lie- same tiuu' 

monstranees and e.xpresscd regrets of Alfred Uishop he was a|i]iointed eity auditor, an olliei' wliieli lir has 

and other leailin,!i: men eonneeted with the road. In filleil w iih euunent ability and faithfulness to the 

taking leave of the railroad business, lie had tin- sat- pre^iiit time, having been tliriee rc-eleeted to it, — viz., 

isfaetion of feeling that not only had his serviees in bS74, 1S77, and ISSd, The original aji|ioinIment 

. been highly prized by tin/ eoinpany, but that no nns- was made under a l)iaiioiaalie administration as a 

take or negligenee of his had ever been the oera-ion non-parti-an one, and has always had the -npporl cd 

of injury to either life or jiroperty. The immediate leading men of lioth |>arties. As atlditor of the eity, 

reason for his making the ehange was an unsolicited all matters of linauee and aeeounts pass under his 

])ro])osition upon the ]>art of Messi-. I larral i^ ('al- insp.itioii. and no bills oi- elainis ean be paid without 

houn that he should take the position (d' book-keeper his exannnation and approval, lie has also been 

in their saddle-faetory. eonneeted almost eonstantly during the above period 

This was at that time one of the leading nmnufae- with the street and sewi r departments, as the elerk 

turing establishments in ( 'onm/etient, doing a large and man of business of the board of road and bridge 

and remunerative Southern trade, and having a ware- eonnnissiiuiers. and as secretary of the I'ark eonnnis- 

house in New York and a branch establishment in sinners. In addition to other services ]ierformeil. all 

Charleston, S. C. Mr. Lacey soon became assis(:nit the men in both of these de]iartmcnts ai'e paid tlu-ir 

manager of the maiiufaidory. and so familial' w itii all wecklv wages bv him jicrsonally, a matter ol no small 

the iletaib, both of the saddle trade and the ollice responsibility and lalior. In all these transactions 

business, that new hands who did not know to the there has been a remarkable freedom from i rmr, and 

contrary supposed that he had been brought up to the books ami aeeounts have been kept with accuracy 

it. In IS.'i:; he became a member of the lirm of JIar- and care. 

ral, Calhoun & Co. In 1S.")8, after the death of :\rr. .Mr. Lacey has also introdueeil system into the ac- 

Harral, the firm was reorganized under the name id' couids of tlie town of Bridgeport, and since lS7i; has 

( 'alhoun, Lacey i*c Co., and in LS03 the title w as again hail Ihe mamigemeut of the town sinking I'und, which 

changed to Lacey. Meeker & Co. The late war was at the present time lOctober, ISNO) amounts to over 

almost a fatal blow to the saddlery business, the chief .•sliMi,lMMI. From his large e-\periencc, his serviei's are 

market for which was in the 8nuth. Not only did it freiiiu'utly in demand to a]i|iortioii the cost of sewers 

cause immense losses, but it demoralized ami inipov- and ]iavcments, and in fact, in so many tbrms does 

crislicd the market, so much so as to render attemiits his work appear, that he has sonntimes been accused 

to contiinic the business unprofitable, if not ilisastrous, of runidng the entire city government. He is cou- 

Hclweeii tile years 1S40 and LS.'id, ^Ir. Lacey was tinuallv called U|ion tbr advice and Ibr data conceru- 

connected with the old volunteer tire department, as ing eitv and town matter-, both by rcsideids id' the 

private member and as foreman of Company No. 1, plaei' and by correspondents from abroad. In b^7.'! 

and assistant engineer. In LS4'^ he drew up and pro- he commenced the compilation ol' the ■'Municipal 

cured the passage of a very full and explicit onlinance Ilegister,"' a work of several hundred pages, coutain- 

for the organization and goverinnent of the depart- ing lists of city officers, piddle documents, financial 

mint. Previous to this time the several companies statements, etc., together with historical information 

had been entirely imlepeiident of each other, and of gnat inlerest. This work has been published an- 

anytliiiig but harmony had prevailed. I'lidcr the niially to the ]ireseiit lime, and is invaluable as a 

now systi'Ui the government was vested in a board id' work of rcfi leiiee. 

engineers, discipline was enfiirceil, and the result was From a \ery early |ierio.l Mr. Lacey has taken a 

I'xceediiigly advantageous in all respect>. This plan deep interest in llic cause of edncalioii. On first 

continued in force until the adoption of the paid sys- coming lo r.ridge|iorl, when he w.is only eiglileeii 

teiii in bs7ll. vears of age, hi- "spirit was slirrcd within him" at 

.Another field in which his infiuence has been felt is the low condition of the public schools. He addressed 

the ( 'oiiimon ( 'ouncil, to which he was elected in I.H-t.S, several communications to Ihe newspaper- upon this 

IH'>2, bs.-i;;, and again in l.S()4. topic, and unaided obtained the services id' Prof. .1 

About the year l>i70 there was felt by leading citi- Orville Taylor, of ,\lbany, the common-school cham- 

zens of Bridgeport to be a n-cd of a better -ysteni of pion of the Slate of New York, lo hcline here upon 

keeping the eity acconnts. .Vccordingly, at the re- the subject. As the fruit of these elforts, the old 



152 



HISTORY OF FAIllFIKLl) COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



wooden I)uil(lin<r, iii;ii)|)roi)ri;itily known as tlie llijrli- 
school house, was deniolislied, and a substantial biiek 
structure, at No. 200 State Street (now oeeui)ied for 
business purposes), took its place, and the services of 
such teachers as George W. Yates, and afterwards of 
Emory F. Strong and others, were secured. 

Another subject in which Mr. Laccy has always 
been interested, and wliieli in fad might be called his 
hobby, i.s the early history of this place and of its in- 
habitants. 

Coucerning the old families here his knowledge is 
varied and exceedingly accurate. It was at his sug- ' 
gestion that his father-in-law, Deacon Isaac Sherman, 
a life-long resident, wrote out a valuable series of ar- 
ticles, embodying his own early recollections, together 
with many facts that had been handed down from the 
first settlers. These articles, revised and corrected by 
Mr. Lacey, were published after the decease of Es- 
quire Sherman. 

The historical papers of the " Municipal Register" 
have already been alluded to, and mention ought also 
to be made of the many excellent and judicious obit- 
uarj' sketches from Mr. Lacey's i)en which from time 
to time have been kiudly contributed to the columns 
of our local newspapers when the ranks of our leading 
citizens have been thinned by death. Tliese sketches 
have always been read witii interest, though few be- 
sides the immediate friends of the deceased have been 
aware of their authorship, nor even they of the labor 
involved in their preparation. The biographies of the 
Kev. Henry Jones, Shernum Hartwell, and Isaac 
Sherman in the present volume, are from liis hand. 

As might be supposed, the services of a gentleman 
so well qualified have been in request in various posi- 
tions of financial responsibility. He is at present a 
director in the Rridgcport National Bank and in the 
Bridgeport Mutual Insurance Company, also tru.stee 
in the Mechanics' and Farmers' Savings Bank, and 
liis aid is often sought in the making of wills and in 
the management of estates and ])roperty, in such ca- 
pacities iis executor, a<lministrator, conservator, or 
trustee. 

For several years he was a director in tlie Moun- 
tain Grove Cemetery, and was on the committee for the 
first reaiipraisal of the lots. The old Stratfield Ceme- 
tery also, which has been used as a burying-place for 
more tium two hundred years, has lately been placed 
under the charge of a committee, of which Mr. Lacey 
is the treasurer and active member, and V)y his in- 
strumentality improvements are being made in the 
grounds. 

With so many judilie duties devolving upon him, 
Mr. Lacey has been necessarily much absent from 
home, but he has always been an atl'ectionatc hus- 
band and father. 

His first wife was Jane E., daughter of the late 
Isaac Sherman, Esq., of this city. They were mar- 
ried Nov. 17, 1841, but the union was dissolved by 
lier death, April 5, 1,S.')7. His present wife, Mrs. 



Elizabeth R. Boardnian Lacey, was a daughter of the 
late Sherman Boardnian, Esq., of Hartford. The date 
of their marriage is April 14, 1859. The children by 
the first marriage were (1) Mary Louisa, whose first 
husband was the late Maj. Ezra D. Dickerman, but 
who is now the wife of Samuel S. Hunter ; (2) Edward 
Rowland, dccea.sed ; (3) Henry Rowland, decea.se(l ; 
(4) David Sherman, now in business in New York 
City. Miss Henrietta Boardnian Lacey is Mr. Lacey's 
daughter by his second marriage. 

In politics, Mr. Lacey in his early years was a mem- 
ber of the old ^Vhig party, and a great admirer of 
Daniel Webster and Henry Clay. During the war he 
was an earnest I'nion man, and since its close he lias 
acted with tlie Repuldican ]iarty, and may be cla.ssed 
as a conservative Republican, though he has many 
warm friends in each of the two ))olitical ])arties. 

No sketch of the subject of this biography would 
be complete that did not give more than passing 
notice to the religious ]>rinciples which are the foun- 
dation of his whole character, — the solid rock upon 
•which the entire structure rests. Mr. Lacey wa.s born 
and educated a Congregationalist of the Puritan type, 
yet, from early association with Christian people of 
other denominations, has always been catholic and 
liberal in his sentiments, though firmly adhering to 
the faith of his forefathers. About the year 1827 he 
was one of the original scholars in the first Sunday- 
school Ibrmed in the town of Redding, the Sunday- 
school then being a new institution. Mr. N. H. 
Lindlcy, now of this city, was liis teacher in this 
school, but in his fifteenth year Mr. Laccy himself 
became a teacher. Previous to this time. May 6, 1832, 
at the age of fourteen years, he had made an o]>en 
profession of religion, and united with the Congrega- 
tional Church in Redding, a step due to the influence 
and the early religious instruction of a devoted 
Christian motlier, more than to any other human 
source. 

In July, 1837, he became a member of the First 
Congregational Church of this city, with which he 
has ever since been identified, both as deacon, to 
which oflice he was elected Aug. 30, ISoO, and for a 
number of years as clerk and jis treasurer of the 
church. From 1837 to 1850 he was a member of the 
choir. I'or many years he has also served in one or 
more of the following capacities: society's tre:isurer, 
member and chairman of society's committee, Sun- 
day-school teacher, librarian, superintendent of Sun- 
day-school, and teacher of a Bible class. His heart is 
in the Sunday-.school work, and he considers himself 
as enlisted for life to serve this cause in some capacity. 

Ill connection with Henry W. Cliatfield, now of 
New York, Mr. Lacey solicited and raised most of 
the funds for building the house of worshiji now oc- 
cupied by the First Church, and was also a member 
of the building committee for the erection of the 
chapel adjoining. 

These services are all important in their way, but 





V-fHi 




""UJ^^^' 





/? 



BRIDGEPORT. 



153 



more importunt than any of tlirni is tlii' intluence 
exerted Ity a eoiistant and devoted, yet unostenta- 
tious, Christian life of more than forty years in this 
community. 

ISueh a life is a more elocjnent arj::iimeut for tlie 
Christian relijiion than any sermon, however alile, 
and such a eharacter, together with 

"TImt liral iKirtion iif a gcmd niiiii's lilV, 
His litllf, iiiiiilrk'ss, unrcim.'niliei*e(i ails 
Of kiuJliess ami of Itjvc," 

will at some future ilay lie his leiraey to those who 
bear his name, to the church of wdiieli lie is a niem- 
lier, and to all who have in any way come within the 
sphere of his iutiuenee. 



JOHN L. WES.5ELS. 



The ]iaternal ancestors of John L. We.ssels were 
■ f (Terman origin, and the maternal ones French Hu- 
liUcnots. Mr. Wesscls was born in White Plains, 
Westi'hester Co., N. Y. He was .son of James and 
Letitia Wessels. His grandfather, Hercules We.s.sels, 
was an ohl-time resident of White Plains, .settling on 
the homestead (which was in the possession of his 
descendants until a few years ago) before the Revolu- 
tion. He was a sterling jiatriot, and .served as .ser- 
i:eaut of Gen. Washington's body-guard during the 
entire period of the IJevolutiouary war, and was 
wounded at the battle of Yorktown. 

James Wessels was a farmer, and John spent his 
early life at the old liome, accjuiring the physical 
vigor so essential to success in life, and also a common 
school education. When he was sixteen years old he 
entered his hroth'er's store at Port Chester, in ca- 
]pacity of clerk. After one year's time he was called 
to take charge of a store in East Bridgeport, and re- 
mained there two years, when, seeing a good opportu- 
nity to engage himself in business, Mr. Wessels formed 
a partnership with Elias Hall, and purchased the 
stock of goods (groceries and hardware), and con- 
tinued the trade for two years, when William H. 
Wessels, his brother, purchased Mr. Hall's interest. 
The brothers continued together in this business until 
1S77, when they sold the stock and fixtures, and 
o])ened a wliolesale fruit and produce store on the 
corner of Wall and Water .Streets, Bridgeport, where 
they are still in trade. 

Mr. Wessels married, Sept. 2:!, ISO'2, Sarah A., 
daughter of James and Nancy Merritt, of Port Ches- 
ter, N. Y. 

Brought U]) by a father wlio wa.s an old-line Whig 
and afterwards a Republican, Mr. Wes.sels has ever 
affiliated with the Republican party. The first Re- 
publican jiarade in East Bridgeimrt consisted of 
eighteen men and one boy. Mr. Wessels was that 
boy. Believing in the necessity of the prevalence of 
Rejiublican principles, Mr. Wessels has been active 
and ardent in their support, a valued leader and coun- 
11 



selor, a member of town, county, and State commit- 
tees, was |daced in candidacy for the l^egislatnre in 
1871S, but defeated with the entire Republican ticket; 
was elected mayor of Bridge]iort in IS"!', — the only 
candidate on the Republican ticket that was not de- 
feated. He was unanimously renominated by accla- 
mation ON expiration of his term of office as mayor, 
but declinecl to acce|it on account of the jiressure of 
business, wdiich was rendered much heavier by the ill 
health of his brother. 

Jlr. Wessels has also been alderman for the Fifth 
Ward of Bridgejiort for four years, and in the dis- 
charge of the dutie-i of that office was chairman of 
several important committees. He was vice-iiresident 
of the IJcpublican State convention wdiich met at 
New Haven in the spring of is.so to elect delegates 
to the Republican National Convention at Chicago. 

Mr. Wessels is a member of St. John's Lodge of 
Free Masons in Bridge]iort, and for over twenty years 
has been a member of the Methodist Ei)iseopal 
Church, holding many offices in its gilt, and is at 
present |iresideut of the board of trustees. He is 
largely engaged in Sunday-school work, and has held 
various positions in that connection. 

;\Ir. AN'cssels was a charter mend)er of Battery B, 
Light Artillery, C'onnecticnt National Guards, organ- 
ized in LH.>S, and was commissioned gun-sergeant, but 
soon promoted to third lieutenant, again to second 
lieutenant, first lieutenant, and captain. As captain, 
was senior artillery officer of the State. 

As an individual, Jfr. Wessels is social and idcasing, 
is very popular, and is justly considered one of Bridge- 
port's successful, progressive, public-spirited, and 
honorable citizens. While active and |irogressive he 
is also prudent, and never carried away by any vision- 
ary scheme or project, however brilliant it may ap- 
pear, and is thus a careful guardian of public trusts 
or |irivatc interests and a sound counselor. 



ALI-SON AMOS I'l^TTEXGILL. 
Alison Amos Pettengill, son i>f Piev. Ann 



Pet- 



tengill, was Ixirn in the town of Champlain, Clin- 
ton Co., N. Y., Nov. 1:3, 1808. His father was a ( '011- 
gregational minister, and removed to Morris, in Litch- 
field County, in this State, wdien .Vlison A. was quite 
young, and here, at the Jforris Academy, his educa- 
tion was commenced ; and having prepared himself 
for a collegiate omrse, entered Middlebury College, 
\t. He subsequently entered Yale t'oUege, where 
he graduated in the cla.ss of 182!». After graduation, 
during a period of nine years, he taught private select 
schools of a high grade in the towns of Stratford, 
Danbury, Fairfield, and Bridgeport. While conduct- 
ing the school in this city in 18;('.t, he ])urchased tlie 
materials of the newspaper known as the lirklijepnrl 
Press and changed the name to the Republican Stan- 
ilaril, and continued as its editor and proprietor until 



154 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



the spring of 1868, when H. B. Wildmiin and J. S. Han- 
over were admitted to an interest, and the paper was 
eondueted under tlie firm-name of Pettengill & Co. 
Mr. I'etteiigill subsequently ])nrcliase(l tlieir interest, 
and eondueted tlie pajjer as sole editor and i>roprietor 
until 1863, when he disposed of it to John D. Can- 
dee, Esq. 

Politieally, Mr. Pettengill is a Republican, and was 
previously a Whig, and, although not an active poli- 
tician, has held various olIice< within the gift of his 
fellow-citizens. He was a senator in 1S45, and has 
also been a reiiresentative. He held the oflice of 
United States marshal four years, and was the census 
marslial for this State and appointed the census su- 
pervisors for 1850. He has also been a member of 
the Common Council of this city, and alderman sev- 
eral years. In the early days of the telegraph he 
was much interested in the matter, and acted as di- 
rector of the company. 

Mr. Pettengill is an earnest churchman, and a mem- 
ber of the vestry of St. John's Parish. 

He has been twice married. His fir.st wife was 
Elizabeth Philipps, of Danbury, who died in 1802. 
His present wife is Catharine A., daughter of the late 
Isaac Burroughs. Her grandfather, Stephen Bur- 
roughs, opened the second store in this city. He was 
during a long period a successful merchant. 

Since Mr. Pettengill disposed of his interest in the 
Standard newspaper, he luis lived a retired private 
life, and is honored and respected by all. 



PIIILO IIUTID SKIPMORE. 

Philo Hurd Skidmore was born in Bethlehem, 
Litchfield Co., Conn., Oct. 1, 1817, living with his 
parents to the age of sixteen, enjoying the privileges 
of the district school during the winter months, and 
laboring with his father on the farm through the sum- 
mer, securing thereby a healthy development of body 
and mind. He then went to New Haven as clerk in 
the wholesale grocery-store of Henry Oaks, where he 
served five years, securing the confidence and esteem 
of his employer. On completing his clerkshii> he wits 
admitted a partner in the wholesale grocery-firm of 
Kidston & Hall, — Mr. Kidston retiring. He con- 
tinued in this connection five years, doing a success- 
ful trade. During all these years he was an active 
member of the Young Mechanics' and Young Men's 
Institute, and one of the origiinil founders of the 
latter. 

In 1843 he returned to his native town and kept a 
country store, doing a varied and extensive business 
up to the year 1853, and by rigid economy and strict 
attention to liusiness increased his little savings of 
early days to a moderate com|ictence. Confidence in 
his ability and integrity gave him during these years 
the positions of town and parish treasurer, town clerk, , 
collector, etc. i 



On the organization of the Woodbury Bank he was 
made a director to represent the Bethlehem stock- 
holders. Its failure from the unwarranted trans- 
actions of the president and cashier was the first dis- 
a.ster of his life. Smarting under the chagrin of the 
failure of anything with which he was connected, in 
September, 1853, he came to Bridgeport, leaving his 
store in charge of his brother, and joined James E. 
Dunham in the dry-goods trade. He remained in 
this connection but a short time, retiring to accept 
the position of secretary and treasurer of tlie Pacific 
Iron- Works, vacant by the resignation of Hon. H. K. 
Harral. Wholly ignorant of mechanics, machinery, 
and manufacturing, it was a new existence to him, 
but with characteristic determination he grappled 
with the necessities of the situation, and after a 
struggle of eight years found the works with nothing 
to boast but safety from the almost universal wreck of 
the numerous joint-stock corporations organized at 
that period. The rising cloud of rebellion loomed a 
dark shadow over the future. The demand for armed 
vessels to enforce the blockade led to a contract with 
government to build and erect the machinery for the 
gunboat " Kanawha" for forty-five thousand dcdlars, 
in 1861. This resulted in a loss of twenty thousand 
dollars, which crippled the company and brought 
them to the verge of bankruptcy. At this time he 
was surety on a large amount of the company indebt- 
edness and bonds to the government. In 1862 he 
became owner of the entire works by jjurchase of the 
stock and assumed the debts. Wrestling with the 
difficulties that surrounded him for a while, the revi- 
val of business in 1863 found him fully prepared to 
reap the benefit of the tidal wave of success which 
swept over New England manufacfures, and he gath- 
ered a rich harvest of |)rofits for the next five years, 
the works attaining a rei)Utation and extent second to 
but few in the country. In 1865 he removed to New- 
town, where he has since resided, and purchased the 
fine residence and farm of D. V. T. Baldwin, retiring 
somewhat from the immediate oversight of his manu- 
factory. He was representative from that town in 
the Legislature of 1869. 

In January, 1K70, he visited Florida, making a tour 
through the Southern States, visiting five State Cap- 
itols, in which the Legislatures were in session, com- 
posed largely of colored members. In May following 
he returned to Florida and arranged for the construc- 
tion of the St. John's Kailway, running from the St. 
John's River toSt. Augustine on the co;ust, furnishing 
the entire means tor building and eqniiiping the same, 
hf and his two sons operating it for five years. In 
1875 he disposed of his interest in the road to Mr. 
Lanier, of Winslow, Lanier & Co., Now York. In 
1K76 he purchased the entire machinery, patterns, and 
material of the steam fire-engine works of William 
Jell'ers, Pawlucket, U. I., and remove<l them t») Bridge- 
port, and has since carried on that branch in con- 
nection with his other business, producing some of the 





^-z-t,^— €>'*21<::^-7, 



'-^ 



f 



BRIDGEPORT. 



155 



liiicst specimens of steam fire-engines ot' tlie |iresent 
times. Since that year his time has been diviiled lie- 
tween tlie care and oversight of liis farm and Iln' 
worlcs at Bridgeport. On the niglit of ilay 2i\ the 
worlcs were destroyed by fire. His loss was lieavy 
and insnrance small, but undannted by the sceniing 
great disaster, and believing that (iod rules in the af- 
fairs of nu'M, he set to work vigorously, ami not only 
j rebuilt but largely extended his works, and has now 
one of the most complete establishments for the maun- 
facture of machinery of all kinds, boilers, and f mn- 
dry-work in tlie Xew England States. 

The fire cause^l the dissolution of the firm of Skid- 
more & Jloore, and the works are now' carried on by 
himself and two sons, under tlie firm-name of !'. II. 
Skidnnire t<i: Sons. The revival of business has lllled 
their shops with work to their utmost capacity. Rig- 
orous, almost severe, in his habits of diet and sleep, 
his vigor now at the age of sixty-three is unabated, 
and his health jierfect. 

In .lanuary, 1880, he visited New Orleans, traveling 
through Texas and States bordering on the Missis- 
sippi River, and was so well pleased with Xc>w ()r- 
leans, its people and climate, and so fully impresseil 
of its certain future growth and prosperity, that he 
not only made investments in real estate, but made 
arrangenu'uts for re.-iding there jicrmaneiitly during 
the fall and winter months, and is at present I fall ol' 
1880) there on his plantaticpii near the city. 

Such is brierty the history of one of our successful 
self-made ('onnecticut men, based upon self-reliance, 
industry, and eeonomy. 

With a family of seven children, five of wlioni are 
living, — three sonis and two daughters, — with a rea- 
sonable competence, his declining years are the pleas- 
antest of his life, and amply repay the struggles and 
hardships of his early days. 



.lULIU.S W. KXOWLTOX. 

Julius W. Knowdton was born in .Southbridge, Wor- 
cester Co., Mass., Nov. 28, 1838. His boyhood until 
he was seven years of age was passed in his native 
town. He then went with his parents to Norwich, 
Conn., where they rcnuiined three years and then re- 
moved to Bridgcjfort. He was educated at the public 
and private schools in this vicinity, giving i)articular 
attention to mathematical studies and civil engineer- 
ing. In 1800 he ])urchased a coal interest in this city, 
and was conducting that business ui)on the Ijreaking 
out of the Rebellion. He was not one of those to stand 
idly by when his imperiled country called fiir brave 
men to strike at the hideous head of rebellion, and in 
1862 sacrificed his business and enlisted as a private 
in Company A, Fourteenth Connecticut Volunteer 
Infantry, and upon the organization of the regiment 
was made commissary -sergeant. He subseipiently 
! acted as brigade-commissary in the brigade com- 



numded by Gen. Dwight Jlorris, coluiul c.f tin- Four- 
teenth Regiment. In all the walks of life .Mr. Kuowl- 
ton has exhibited great execuli\e ability, and at no 
time has this more coiispicu<iusly appeared than on 
the night of the memorable battle of Antictam, when 
with the utmost dispatch he pushc(l his ]irovisioii- 
train to the front, and his brigade was the first to re- 
ceive supplies. He was complimented by his .--upcridr 
ofliciTs, and w.-is promised |iromotion in tlie commis- 
sary department, — a iiromise, however, w hiidi was 
never fulfilled. He was promoted to second lieuten- 
ant of (.'(Jiiiiiany C, the color company of his regi- 
ment, and was in eommand of that coiii]iany at 
(Icttysburg. On the third day (jf the battle of Cet- 
tysburg he was severely wouiideil, and remained in a 
hospital on the field eleven days, and was then re- 
moved to Baltimore, ami soon after came leniie. 
Early in the following .lanuary he returiu'd to the 
front, but was unable to perforin arduous military 
duty, and, JIarch 2!), lS(i4, was discliargeil for ]ihysi- 
cal i!isnbility, and at the sin n-nder of Eee was clerk 
in the ]irovost-marshars citlice at Bridgeport. 

I'pon the (dose of the war Jlr. Kiiowlton rei-eived 
aiipointment in the Adams Express Company, and 
subsequently, in October, 18(i(;, w;is one of three who 
]iureliased the Ilriih/rjKirf iS/iiDi/iird, whicdi was orgaii- 
ize<l as a stock company in the Ibllowiiig .lanuary. 
with Jlr. Ivnowlton as secretary and trea^urrr and 
business manager. He resigned this po--itioii in 
March, 187^, to take the superintemh-uce of the 
Moore Car-Wheel Company, of .Tcrsey City, N. .1., a 
large establishment doing an extensive liusiness, but 
that ever-memorable " Black Friday" came and the 
business was ruined. 

Oct. 1, 1874, he accepted the position of (diit'f of the 
division of dead letters at Washington, which division 
at that time was in a deplorable condition, the busi- 
ness being fourteen months in arrears. Here Mr. 
ICnowlton's executive ability received a fresli demon- 
stration. He at (nice reduced tlie wlnde business of 
the (livisi(ni to a system, and in less than three months 
the fourteen months' arrearages were cleared up and 
the vast niaehinery (jf the office was running smoothly. 
Postmaster-* iciieral .Tewcll then made him chief (derk 
of the post-ofiice department, a |iosition which he ludd 
until Oct. 15, 187."), when he received the appointment 
of pxjstmastcr at Bridge]>ort, and N'ovember 1st took 
possession of the ofiiee and Ikh since ullieiatcd in that 
capacity. 

His genial and courteous manners won him hosts 
of friends during his stay in \Vashingt(ni, and upon 
his departure he was the recipient (jf a vast number 
of letters both from the heads cd' the department and 
Ids subordinates regretting his departure and express- 
ing the warmest frien(lslii|). 

INditically, Mr. Knowltiui is a Republican, and is 
active and prominent in the councils of the party. 
He has served two terms in the Legislature, has been 
a member of the Republican State committee, etc., 



156 



HISTOllY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



aiifl was on Governor JewcH's stafT witli tlu' rank of 
colonel. 

lie is also a prominent member of the Mii-sonic fra- 
ternity, and at present is Captain-General of Hamilton 
Commandery. Ho still manifests a lively interest in 
the " Boys in Ulne," and has been assistant adjntant- 
fjeneral of the Grand Army of the Republic of ('on- 
necticut, and also a member of the National Council 
of administration of the Grand Army, and this year 
(1880) was a delegate to the National Encampment 
of the Grand Army. 

Dec. 17, 181)6, he united in marriage with .Jennie 
E. Fairchild, a native of Newtown, Conn. They 
have had two children, both of whom are deceased. 

Mr. Knowlton traces his genealogy back to Thoma.s 
Knowlton,* who was the youngest of three brothers 
who came to the United States in 1G.'{2 or 1633 and 

settled in Ipswich, Mass. He married Susanna ,t 

and was a deacon in the church in Ii)swich. He had 
two sons, — Thomas, Jr., and .Joseph. Deacon Thomas 
died April 3, 1692, aged seventy years. 

Thoma.s (2) .Jr., born 1643-44, married Hannah 
Green, November, 1668. He was jailer in Ipswich in 
1680, and died Feb. 28, 1717, and liad diildren as fol- 
lows : Thomas (3), Robert, Katherine, Deborah, Eze- 
kicl, Zerubbabcl, Susannali. 

Tliomas (3), born May 11, 1070, married Margery 
Goodhue, Dec. 9, 1692; married (2) Margery Carter. 
Cliildren, Robert, born Sept. 7, 1693, married Hannah 
Robinson ; Asher Knowlton, who resides in Staflbrd 
Springs, Conn., is one of his descendants; Margery, 
Sarah, .Vbraham, Deborah, Joseph, Ezekiel f4). 

Ezekiel (4), born Mardi, 1707, married Susannah 
Morgan in 1728. Ezekiel died March 14, 1774, and 
Susannah died March 19, 1794. Their children were 
Mary, Deborah, Luke, Susannah, Ezekiel, William 
(5), Sarah, Margery, Thomas. 

William (.')), born April 29, 1741, married Han- 
nah Hastings, Oct. 22, 17()4. He resided in Shrews- 
bury. She was born in Watertown. Dr. William 
died Sept. 13, 1820; Hannah died Oct. 2.5, 1832. 
Their children were Hannah, Asa, Susannah, Arte- 
mas, William, Dr. Seth (6), and Joseph H. 

Dr. Seth (6), born in Shrewsbury, May 11, 1781, 
married Relief Howe in 1802. He died April 12, 
1832. Children of Dr. Seth were Darwin, Charles, 
Eunice (died when two years old), Artemas, William 
S., — father of the .subject of this sketch, — Eunice, 
Nancy, Calvin, and Dolly. 



DAVID M. HEAD. 
David M. Read was born in Hoosic Falls, N. Y., 
Oct. 12, 1X32. His parents soon alter removed to 
North Adams, Mass., where most of his boyhood days 

• They wcro from Clioswick, Kfnt Co., Knglaltd. Tlie rQllicr wiw cap- 
tain of n linrk, aiiil ■liwl nn llie jpnngr. 
t Full Doinc not glrcn. 



were pii-sscd. He commenced his education at the 
district .school, finishing it at the old Drury Academy, 
North Adams, at the age of fourteen, working during 
the summer vacation for farmers and in stores to help 
pay for clothes and schooling, as his jiarents were not 
able to keep him at the academy. After leaving 
school he engaged with a former at four dollars jxr 
month, and his first work was sawing and splitting 
wood in the hot .sun. With blistered neck, but lots of 
"pluck," he kept at his task until one day the farmer 
came to him and said, " Now, David, I am going to 
set you to farming." Never was there a boy more de- 
lighted. With a quick step and a Uglit heart he ac- 
companied tlic farmer away uji on the mountain-side 
to an open lot in the rear of a piece of woods, and wa.s 
set to picking up ninne ! This capped the climax. If 
farming for him meant sawing wood and picking stone 
he was through with it. So he abandoned his dreams 
of agriculture and went with his older brother Charles, 
who had taken a cloth-mill in Pownal, Vt., for the 
nmnufacture of cloths for men's wear. This business, 
however, proved unsuccessful, and he \va.s soon out of 
employment. He afterwards clerked successively in 
Williamstown, Stockbridge, and Lenox, continuing 
his studies during this time, and finally, in March, 
18-i2, came to tliis city, and entered the em])loy of E. 
Birdsey & Co., with wliom he remained until .Vug. 1."), 
1857, enjoying the entire confidence of the firm in 
his honesty, judgment, and ability. 

Sept. 1, 18.07, having saved about one thousand dol- 
lars, he was kindly loaned fifteen hundred dollars by 
the late Hanford ].,yon, and, a.ssociating with liiin W. 
B. Hall, 0])ened a dry goods and carpet-store at 227 
Main Street. This firm continued at the old stand 
until Jlay, 1869, when they removed to the store in 
Wheeler's block now occupied by Mr. Read. The 
partnership of Hall & Read continued until Aug. 1, 
1877, when .Mr. Hall withdrew, and the business has 
since been continued by Mr. Read. The business of 
Hall & Read increased rapidly, and at one time their 
sales amounted to If500,000 per year. During the 
panics of 1H.')7, 1861, and 1873 this house remained 
firm, and at their dissolution enjoyed the distinction 
of having always paid one hundred cents on the 
dollar. 

Mr. Rea<l, with his brother, Charles A., began 
the manufacture of ingrain carpets in a small way 
in Water Street, with two hand-looms. They sub- 
sequently purchased their present location on Middle 
Street, ami increa-scd their business until they were 
operating twenty looms. The business Wivs condticted 
b>- this firm— D. M. & C. A. Read— until 1873, when 
a stock company was formed with a capital of fifty- 
five thousand dollars, under the name of the Read 
Carpet Company, David M. being president and sell- 
ing agent. This company owns the block corner of 
Fairfiehl Avenue and .Middle Street, with a frontage 
of one hundred feet on the former and two hundred 
on the hitter, and have now in process of erection a 



^f^T" :"- 




BRIDGEPOKT. 



15^ 



Mock iuljoiniiifc one liiiiidrcJ and twoiity by lifty-six 
li't't. The estal)li!il)nu'iit will lie luriiished with fifty 
]"i\ver-lc)iinis, and will manul'ai'tniv ingrain, Urnssels, 
and Axniinstcr earpets, with a eapaeily of funr hun- 
dred and fifty tliousand yanis per year. 

Mr. Read has been a member of the Common ("oun- 
cil, first alderman of the city, member of the lioarcl of 
I'dueation, member of the seho(d eommittce. is a di- 
rector in the 15ridge])ort National BanU, and, with the 
c.\ce|)tion of the first year, lias been president <jf the 
Board of Trade since its organization ; a director in the 
Mountain (Jrove Cemetery Association and the Fair- 
field County Agricultural Society, lie was a member 
of the Connecticut National (iuard for eight years as 
a brigade comtnissary with the rank of major, and was 
an efficient officer, lie was acting commissary -gen- 
eral at the encamimn-nt of the Conneetii'Ut National 
Guard at tlie Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia 
in 187(i, and was highly coniidimented by tien. Trow- 
bridge Ibr the executive ability displayed in the man- 
agement of his dciiartment. 

Politically, he was a Republican until 1872, since 
wliich time lie lias been an Indejieiident, although 
generally vf>ting with tlie Democratic [larty. He is a 
nieinber of the vestry of >St. .Folin's Church. 

Dee. .'!, IS.V), he united in marriage with Helen Au- 
gusta, daughter of the late Pliilo F. Barnum. They 
have two soils — Charles Barnum, wdio is cashier in 
his father's busiiK\ss, and David F.. who is in Yale 
College — and one daughter, May Louise. (.)ne daugh- 
ter, Helen A., died Oct. V.i, 1872. 

That Mr. Read's business career has been one of 
markeil prosjierity liis large business interests and 
handsome residence in I'ark Avenue artiird ample 
proof 

He is a puldic-spirited citizen, nf a genial and social 
nature, and very pojiular with the masses. 



CAPT. IP.A.\C BUUKOUOIIS. 

Ca])t. Isaac Burroughs, son of Stephen Burroughs, 
was born in Bridgeport or Newfiehl, Conn., in 1778, 
and died at liis residence in Bridgeport, Conn., .Ian. 8, 
18t)l. His father, Stephen Burroughs, was a native 
of Stratford, Conn., and was born in the year 172'.l. 

From the personal recollections of an old friend 
and ]iartner in business, Isaac Sherman, we glean 
the following. Stephen Burroughs, Es()., a farmer, 
shipbuilder, Boston coaster, shipmaster, mathema- 
tician, astronomer, and surveyor, was a self-made 
man. He was about live feet eight inches in lieight, 
strongly built, never sick during his long life, a cold- 
water man. He died in the year 1817, aged eighty- 
eight years. It is related that he and Isaac Sherman 
sent the first American vo.ssel into the ])ort of Mobile, 
in June, 1817, after that city came into the jiossession 
of the United States. He w:us an active jiatriot dur- 
ing the Revolutionary war, raised a militia company 



called "Householders," of which he was made cap- 
tain. He was often a representative to thrtienrral 
Assembly and magistrate of his town for many year^. 

Besides his extensive business in the slii]iping trade 
he owned the jiarish grist-mill, called Burroughs' 
trills, that stood where the Pe(|Uonnoek \\'uolen 
Mills miw d<i. 

He was blind several years before his death, when 
it is saiil he invented, in 17118, the present system of 
Federal- money. 

It is said (jf him that he was the lir.^t man in 
Bridgeport to take a daily New York jiaper, calU^d 
the Diiihj Jtmniiil aj Ciuiiiiicnr, which he took f<ir its 
marine intelligence, as he was then engaged in trading 
between New York and Riehmond, \'a. Upon the 
arrival of the mail, by the C(msent of Jlr. Burroughs, 
his paper was eonsidereil ]mblic property for a short 
time, and the citizens would assemble to hear the 
news read by some good reader chosen for the occa- 
sion. 

His chililren were as follows: Stephen, Jr., Isaac, 
David, Abijah, Knnice, Betsey, and Huldah. David 
died of fever taken I'nnn a German wdiile in Boston, 
and was buried at Martini's Vineyard in 17;i(), Abijah 
w-as lost at sea, Eunice married a J\[r. Pendleton, I'etsey 
married Capt. .loseph Sterling I'.ilwards, and Huldah 
marrieil Jose[ih ISackus, of liridgeport and filaston- 
bury. Conn. 

Isaac Burroughs, like his father beliire him, was ex- 
tensively engaged in navigation, and owned a large 
number of vessels, which plied between Boston, New- 
York, and nearly all the South-ern ports, besides vis- 
iting many of the islands of the sea. He was a large 
owner of real estate in this city. He was a director 
in the old Bridgeport Bank, of which Isaac Brunson 
was its first president. He was a life-long Whig and 
Republican, and as such represented hi.s town in the 
State liCgislature. He was a warden for several years 
of St. John's Episcopal Church of Bridge])0rt, Conn., 
and one of its most liberal supjiorters. He married 
Kebecca, daughter of Andrew Hiird, of Old .Mill, 
Conn. Their children were six in number, all of 
wdiom are dead except Catliarine k., who married A. 
A. Pettengill, an aeeoin|ilislied gentleman and sidiolar, 
of Briilgepurt, Conn. 



WILLIAM K. lIir.BY. 

AVilliam R. Higby, son of Hcrvey and Charlotte 
Baldwin, both of whom were natives of !Milford, 
Conn., was born in Bridgeport, t'onn., Aug. (!, 182'>. 
His father, Hcrvey Higby, was born Jan. 27, 1801, 
and in 1S2(( located in Bridgeport and became one of 
the leading and substantial citizens of the town. In 
addition to the saddlery business, in wliicdi ln' was 
engaged until 18.'),S, lie occupied iinmerous ollieial 
positions. His good judgment, ability, and correct- 
ness were recognized in the coiiimunity, and brought 



158 



HISTORY OF FAIIIFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



into requisition as appraisor, flistributor, executor, or 
administrator on numerous estates. He was presi- 
dent of the Farmers' (now First National) Bank, and 
subsequently of the Connecticut National Bank ; was 
special and financial agent of the city and town, and 
agent and active manager of city and town sinking- 
funds, trustee and president of the Bridgeport Savings 
Bank, etc. 

William R., the subject of tliis sketch, was educated 
at the private schools in this city and in New'Haven. 
He commenced business as teller and book-keeper in 
the Connecticut Bank, where he remained seven years, 
and then engaged in the maiuifacturing business, 
which was destroyed by a fire a few months later. 
He then assisted in organizing the Pequonnock Bank, 
became its first cashier, and officiated in that capacity 
until 1.8(59, when he resigned and engaged in the busi- 
ness of fire insurance, and has continued in that to 
the present time. In 1871, T. B. De Forest became 
associated with him in the business, and the firm has 
since been Higby & De Forest. 

Mr. Higby hiis ever been alive to the interests of his 
native city, and has occupied numerous positions of 
trust and responsibility. He was treasurer of the city 
of Bridgeport in IS.j."?, ''A, '55, '56, and 1857, and town 
treasurer in 1858, '59, '60, '61, '63, '64, '65, '66, '67, '68, 
and 1872. He was a member of the Common Coun- 
cil two years; is director, secretary, and treasurer of 
Jlountain Grove Cemetery Association, and has been 
since 1861 ; was a director in the Bridgeport Savings 
Bank about fifteen years; is a director in the Con- 
necticut National Bank, and also in the Bridgeport 
Gas-Light Company. 

Mr. Higby luis always manifested a decided interest 
in Masonic matters, and is one of the highest mem- 
bers of the fraternity in the State, having taken the 
Thirty-third Degree. He was initiated in St. John's 
Lodge, No. 3, in 1852, and was the first tcmjjlar in 
Hamilton Commandery in 1855. He is one of the 
two active mcml)ers of the Supreme Council of the 
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for the Northern 
Masonic Juri.sdiction of the United States. He has 
also been Commander of the Grai^d Commandery of 
Connecticut. 

Mr. Higby is a Republican in politics, and attends 
the South Congregational church, in which his father 
was for a long time a deacon. 

In 1846 he united in marriage with Mary Ann 
Johnson, a native of New Haven, Conn., and has 
two children living, — Martha Louisa and Helen 
Augusta. A son, Henry Cornelius, is deceased. 



FREDERICK AUGUSTUS BARTRA.M. 

Tlie Bartram family was among the ])ionccrs of 

Fairfield County, and has an honoral)le record from 

that time to the present. Several of the family served 

in the Revolution, among them Daniel, grandfather 



of the .subject of this sketch, who marched to the de- 
fense of Danbury when that town was invaded and 
burned by Tryon in 1777. The Redding branch of 
this family removed from Fairfield in 17.33. This was 
David Bartram, and he located in Lonetown. 

Frederick A. Bartram, son of Gurdon and Lorraine 
Sanfiird Bartram,* was born in Redding, Sept. 13, 
1824, and was the youngest of eight sons. He re- 
mained with his fother on the farm until sixteen 
years of age, when he entered as an apprentice the 
employ of Bartram & Wilson, carriage-makers at 
Redding. In 1848 he removed to Fairfield and com- 
menced the butchering business. In 18-54 he established 
the business of pork-packing in Fairfield, and con- 
ducted the business at that place until 1867, when he 
disposed of his interest in the Fairfield establishment 
and removed to this city. Mr. Bartram is an energetic 
and thorough business man, and every year from the 
beginning of the business to the present time his sales 
have increased, until from one thousand dollars the 
first year they now aggregate over two hundred and 
fifty thousand dollars. He conducted the business as 
sole proprietor until 1874, when George H., a nephew, 
and Edgar B., a son, became associated with him, and 
the business is now carried on under the firm-name of 
F. A. Bartram & Co. 

Nov. 11, 1851, he united in marriage with Amelia 
Burr, a native of Fairfield, and they have four chil- 
dren living, — viz., Edgar B., Lillian Francis, Belle, and 
Jesse. He is a staunch Rei)ubliean, and although 
never an active i)olitieiaii lias lield various city offices. 
He has been a member of the Common Council, and 
is a present alderman. He is in all respects a |>racti- 
cal man, and has lent his aid to all projects which in 
his judgment would advance the interests of the 
people, and was the prime mover and manager of the 
movement which resulted in giving the people of 
Bridgeport the " Rosedale Line" of steamers with 
New York City, and is now the general manager and 
agent of the line. 

Mr. Bartram is essentially a self-made man, and his 
great success has been the natural result of an in- 
doinitalile will coupled with good judgment, keen 
business foresight, and integrity of character. 



ASAIIEL LEWIS LYOX. 

A.sahel L. Lyon was of Scottish ancestry, and the 
family trace their lineage back to 1681, when the first 
of the name in this country emigrated from "old 
Scotia." He wils a son of Hezckiah Lyon and Sarah 
Hendricks, both natives of the old town of Fairfield. 
The latter was a daugliter of f«aniuel Hendricks and 
Catharine .Jennings. 

Asahel L. was born in Loutlibury, Conn., Sept. 26, 
1810, and obtained his education at the common 

* Sw liUtor>' of Redding, olMwhero In tbia work. 



t 




Photo, by Wilsi.ii, Brid^«|iwrt. 




/Oot^i ^-t 




/( f 



A. L. LYON. 



BRIDGEPORT. 



150 



schoolti. At the oarly age of sixtecu he cuiniiu-ncuil 
working at the traile of carpenter anil joiner, and 
continneil as an apiirontiee until he was twenty years 
of age, when he purehased his " time" and removed 
to New Haven, Conn., where ho formed a copartner- 
ship with one Brown, which was continued under tlie 
firm-name of Lyon & Brown until 1S4I), when he 
came to Bridgeport and entered into business with 
his brother-in-law, the late Ezra Curtis. Tliis firm 
built lip a largo and prosperous lundier business, 
whieh is still carried on by their heirs under the 
firm-name of Lyon, Curtis & Co., anil they rank 
among the largest dealers in the .State. 

Sept. 14, 1837, he united in marriage with Lucy 
Loomis, a native of Torrington, Conn., born .July 1(>, 
1817, by whom he had one child, Lucy Loomis, born 
Oct. lo, 18;5S, and died in 18.')!). His wife died in 
1S;«), and in 1843 he married Marietta Clarke, a na- 
tive of East Haven, Conn., born May 20, 181(), and 
died in IS.^O. Their family consisted of two children, 
Marietta Francis, born Nov. 23, 1841), and died in 
18G3, and Loui.s H. Lyon, born May 4, 1857, a resi- 
dent of Bridgeport and engaged in the huubcr busi- 
ness. In 18(il, Mr. Lyon was married to Louisa, 
daughter of Frederick P. and Mary A. Whiting, of 
Torrington, Conn., by whom ho had three children, 
— Louisa K., born July li!, 18(is ; Frederick W., 
born May 24, 1872; and Asahel L., born Aug. 2(1, 
1874. 

Mr. Lyon was a publie-spirite<l citizen, and one of 
the sid)stantial men of the city. Although not active 
iu political matters he was an earnest Democrat, and 
a mendjcr of the Congregational Society. He died 
Oct. 4, 1874. 



JAMES Vf. BEARD.SLEV. 

James W. Beardsley, son of Elisha H. and Betsey 
Walker Beardsley, was born in Monroe, May 8, 1820. 
He was educated in the district schools of his native 
town and at the preparatory school of Sanuiel B. 
Beardsley. In ISoO he removed from Monroe to this 
town and located on the premises where he has since 
resided. He occupies the old Walker liomestead, 
whieh was built by James Walker, his great-grand- 
father, in 1739. (See accompanying view.) 

Jlr. Beardsley commenced business for himself as a 
cattle-dealer at the early age of seventeen years, and 
lias since continued in that vocation. He is a gener- 
ous and piiblic-s])irited citizen, and has done much to 
advance the welfare of the city and town of Bridge- 
port. As an evidence of the above statement, in 1878 
he donated to the city of Bridgeport Beardsley's 
Park, a tract of land containing one hundred acres, 
delightfully located in the northeast part of the city, 
for which he hail been offered the sum of twenty thou- 
sand dollars. AVhen thoroughly improved it will bo 
one of the finest public i)arks in New England. He 



commenced the ornamentation oftlie ]iark in 187li by 
planting with his own hands two I'ows, four rods 
apart, of tine elm-tree-^, cxteiiding a mile iu lengtli. 

Politically, Mr. Beardsley is a Democrat, who cast 
his first vote for Janic-; K. IVdk. He is an Episco- 
palian and attends service at Trinity ehurch, Nichols' 
Farms. He has iu his possession many interesting 
relics of "ye cdden timi\" one of the most interesting 
being a huge clock wdiich originally belonged tn the 
Rev. Mr. Muirson, the first Episcoi)al clergyman iu 
tlie State of Connecticut. 




STEPHEN NICUUL.S. 

Stephen Nichols, son of William and Hiildah 
Nichols, was born Sept. 16, 18l»4, in Trumbull, Fair- 
field Co., Conn. His great-grandfather, Theoiiliilus 
Nichols, was one of the early settlers of the county; 
died April 7, 1774, aged seventy-one years, and was 
interred in the old cemetery in Stratford. His grand- 
father, Philip Nichols, was a man of much infiuence 
in the county. A magistrate lor many years. Was 
a large landholder; owned several slaves; dealt ex- 
tensively in horses and mules, many of which he ex- 
ported to the West Indies, together with produce of 
various kinds. He owned several vessels, in wdiich he 
made several trips to the "West Indies. William 
Nichols was a farmer by occupation. lie was a mem- 
ber of the Episcopal Church, as was also his father 
and all of his family ; two of his sisters married Ejiis- 
cojial clergymen, — viz., Uev. Philo Shelton and Kev. 
Mr. Allen. He died July 22, 18:!7, and was buried in 
the Pequonnock Cemetery. He was twice married; 
eight children were born of the first marriage, and 



160 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



seven by the second. Stephen Nichols was one of the 
latter. When he was thirteen years old his mother 
died, and ho was forced to seek a home for himself, 
whidi he did by coming to Bridgeport, where he had 
a sister residing, with wliom he made his home. He 
worked by the month for farmers for several years, and 
then learned the boot and shoe trade, which business 
he followed as an occupation for about twenty years, 
and then gradually turned his attention to farming, 
whicli business he has since been engaged in. Mr. 
Xichdls has taken an active part in polities. He was 
a Whig before the organization of the Republican 
party, but since that time he has been a strong advo- 
cate of the principles of the Republican party. He 
was elected to represent the town of Bridgeport in the 
State Legislature in 1878, and was apjiointed a mem- 
ber of the committee on cities and boroughs. He has 
been justice of the peace, assessor, selectman, and a 
member of the Common Council. 

Mr. Nichols was married March 4, 1829, to Emelinc, 
daughter of Aaron Beardsley, of Trumbull. They 
have had two children, — viz., Jane E., who died in 
childhood, and Stephen M., who was born July 10, 
18;iS, and died July 29, 1870. He was in the late war 
about one year; served as first lieutenant of Co. D, 
Twenty-third Regiment Connecticut Volunteers; was 
in the crockery trade in Bridgeport before and after 
the war. He married Julia G. Hall, of Trumbull, 
who survives him, and is living with her children, 
Lizzie H. and Wilbur E., in Bridgeport. Mr. and 
Mrs. Nichols are members of the North Congrega- 
tional Church. He is in his seventy-seventh year, 
genial, hale, and hearty, and is a good specimen of a 
well-preserved, temperate man. 



REV. HEXRY JONES. 

Henry Jones, the son of M.-y. Daniel Jones and 
Rhoda Mather, was born in Hartford, Conn., Oct. 15, 
1801, where he spent his early years. He was fitted 
for college at the grannnar school in that city, in com- 
pany with his eminent .surviving college classmates, 
President Theodore D. Woolsey and Rev. Leonard 
Bacon, D.D., between whom and the subject of this 
sketch there was life-long friendship and appreciation. 

His father, who was a man of a noble type, died 
when the son was but three months old. That he was 
tlius dejirived of tlie i>crsonal influence of such a 
father wa.s ever and keenly regretted by him. His 
mother wsis the daughter of Charles Mather, M.D., a 
descendant of the distinguished Richard Mather, of 
early coloni.tl times. Though cru-shcd and made 
despondent by her early widowhood, she lived to a 
good old age. 

Mr. Jones entered Yale College at the age of six- 
teen years, and was graduated in the class of 1820. 
He pursued his theologic^ studies at Andover Semi- 
nary, and was graduated by that institution in 1824. 



He was married to Eliza S. Webster, daughter of the 
liite Noah Webster, LL.D., Sept. 5, 1825; was or- 
dained to the gospel ministry, and settled as jiastor of 
the Second Society in Berlin, Conn, (now the First 
Congregational Society of New Britain), Oct. 12, 
1825. This position he filled \*ith acceptance to his 
people, gaining the respect and confidence of neigh- 
boring pastors also, and his ministry was fruitful. 
Many were added to the church during his pastorate. 

Po.s.sessing a highly sensitive nature, cultured, con- 
scientious, and exacting, the responsibilities resting 
upon him its a Christian pastor and teacher, however 
successfully discharged according to the judgment of 
others, so oppressed him with a painful sense of his 
own inadequacy and unworthiness, as to seriously im- 
pair his health. This led to an early relinquishment 
of his ministry at Berlin, and to his entrance upon the 
work for which he was eminently fitted, and which 
proved to lie tlie work of his lifetime. 

He was dismissed from his pastorate Dec. 19, 1827, 
and the following year opened a select school for 
young ladies at Greenfield, Mass., which was success- 
fully continued for a ])eriod of nearly ten years. In 
1838 he removed to Bridgeport, and erected the cottage 
he ever afterwards occupied, on the western slope of 
Golden Hill. Here he opened the classical school for 
young men and boys, so well and favorably known in 
its day as the " Cottage School," in December of that 
year. Both this and his first school attracted and 
enjoyed patronage of the highest order from all parts 
of tlie country. 

The large list of alumni embraces names distin- 
guished in literature, the professions, in politics, and 
in business. Jlr. Jones was respected and beloved by 
his pupils, and rarely failed, even in the most unprom- 
ising cases, to find and develop redeeming qualities. 

After thirty years of successful and almost unin- 
terrupted labor as an instructor, he gradually with- 
drew, to enjoy in a green old age the competence 
which he had acquired. Soon after his removal to 
Bridgeport, Mr. Jones and family united with the 
First Congregational Church, of which he remained 
a valued and usel'ul member until his deutli, Nov. 9, 
1878. 

While the responsibilities of his school were upon 
him, his devotion to his professional duties left little 
time for Christian work in other ranges. 

When measurably relieved, in 1858, he was elected 
to and accepted tl\e office of deacon of the First 
Church, and fulfilleil its duties most accejitably until 
his voluntary retirement, in March, lS7;i. Oltencr 
than any other brother, he represented the uhurch in 
the stated and special meetings of the Council of 
Consociation. The church was fortunate in so fit a 
representative, and he was welcomed as a genial and 
valuable mendier. 

A constant attendant uixin public worship on the 
Sabbath, in heat and in cold, in sun.shine and in 
storm, and upon the other suited meetings of the 




I>li(]li>. by Wilac.ii. Brijgeport. 



/O/yv^-y ^-U~n.c/i. 




i'lioto. i/y \\ lis'-n, lirnlgo|")rt. 




^a-;;^y^^^^Cy^ 



BRIDGEPORT. 



161 



churcli, lie was ever tlie :i]iiin'<-iutivc licarcr and the 
feitlitiil, yet unobtrusive friend and ally of liis ))astiir. 
His presenee in the soeial ineetiniis was always nuieh 
enjoyed, and his usually brief but beautiful remarks 
and ]irayers were prized l)y and lielpful to both olil 
and younj;:. 

His generous nature responded quiekly to the va- 
rious calls of charity and Christian benevolence, at 
home and abroad, and his gifts were only limited by 
his means. Of Puritan ancestry, orthodox in senti- 
ment, and of sterling integrity, he was yet lil>eral and 
genial, eminently soeial, and a great lover of the 
beautiful in nature and art. These traits, together 
with his perfect transjiareiiey of character, secured 
the confidence and love of a large circle of friends. 
Meetly helped by his lovely wife, both young in 
sjjirit, even in their old age, his house was a model 
Christian home, and the many friends, ministerial 
and others, who have enjoyed its liospitalities, ever 
carricil away pleasant remembrances, and refer to such 
visits as among the happiest of their lives. Such a 
home could but leave a <leeii and abiding impression 
upon the jinpils of the school, and most happily supple- 
mented its (■therwise sujierior advantages. 

The golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Jones occurred 
in September, 1875, and was a most interesting and 
memorable occasion. The large attendance, numer- 
ous and elegant gifts from old jiupils and friends, from 
for and near, attested the interest felt in the happiness 
and welfare of the venerable pair. 

The names of the children of Jlr. and ]Mrs. .Tones 
are as follows: Frances Julia, born July ]•">, l,s2(i, 
married to Rev. Thomas K. Beecher; ICiiiily Ells- 
worth, born Nov. 8, 1827, married to Daniel .[. I >ay ; 
Eliza Webster, born Feb. 10, ISS;',, died in infancy; 
Henry Webster, M.D., born Jlareh 10, 18:i.'), of Chi- 
cago, 111. 

Emily Ellsworth Day, deceased July I'M, IXCO, 
leaving one son, Robert Webster l>ay, — the only 
grandchild. 

Mr. .loMes was much interested in genealogical re- 
searches. He searched out and compiled the geneal- 
ogies of the several branches of his own family, with 
gri'at fullness and particularity. His library was rich 
in this department, and his readingand study enabled 
him to afibrd valuable aid to others, which he cheer- 
fully rendered. He was a lifc-nu'mber of the New 
England Historical Genealogical Society of 15oston, 
and a valued contributor to its jmblications. 

Mr. Jones' positive religious convictions dateil very 
early in life. He professed his faith in Christ at the 
age of twelve J'ears, and united with the old Centre 
Clinrch in Hartford, then under the past<jral care of 
Rev. Nathan Strong, D.D., for whose memory lu' ever 
cherished a reverent regard. 

Though naturally self-distrnstfnl, he ])ossessed and 
maintained a strong reliaiu'c upon the truths of the 
inspired word, increasing eacli year of his life. His 
pers(jnal trust in the promises of God through Christ 



was unfailing, ripening most beautifully in his closing 
years, and rendering liis end, though attended with 
extreme physical suffering, peaceful and hapjiy. The 
sting of death was taken away. Though life to him 
here was pleasant, and this world and its relations 
beautiful and attractive, yet he felt that his work was 
done, and to dejjart and be with Christ was far better. 
Mr. Jones was connected with the Ministerial Asso- 
ciation of Fairfield East, where, as also in freiiuent 
Consociational councils, his presence and co-operation 
Were highly valued, and are beautifully attested by 
the Ibllowing minute, extracted from the records of 
that Ixidy : 

"Fjiirfii'M Ea.st Assntiittiuii in iuiinial mfetiug, raik StrcH-t churfli, 
Biitls'-'port, May '11, ls7s. 

" H7if.Te'(s, Tlif Rt'v. Hetiiy .Ii>iic«, (if TlniIp:eport, fur many years a 
nienilier uf this Association, rcj-tt-il IVoni liis lalmr.s Nov. '.I, ls7.s, in Iiis 
SfV^Mity-fif^htii year, 

" /.V.<'j/( <■(/, Tliat tlio Asiioriation liolus in al>i<iitig reint'nilirain-t' tlio 
fliarai ter of tliis departed Itrotlier and liis services to liis generation. 

" IIi> unaffected \w\y. Ids Clnistian kindliness, his scholarly sjiirit and 
varied attainments, liis tidelity to his matured convictions, ami his dili- 
gence ill the duties of his vocatiou, won for liini the cordial esteem and 
the simere fiiendsliiii of all liis lirctlireii. Tlie.v make this minute in 
devout and atlectionate commemoration of him as an exemplar/ 
Ohlistiaii, a lirtither beloved, and a true man." 



FREDERICK WELLS PARROTT. 

Frederick Wells Parrott, one of our oldest business 
men, was born in Bridgeport, July 25, 1807. His 
great-gran<lfather, Capt. Jedediah F. Wells, and 
grandfather, Jede<liah Wells, were also residents of 
this tciwM, the former being the original owner of the 
entire lower portion of this city (including Sea-Side 
Park), and the latter a soldier of the war of 1812. 

Jlr. Parrott, in 1827, at the early age of twenty years, 
commcncefl business as a manufacturer of furniture, 
and built the first sofa and hearse that was ever used 
in Bridge]iort. It was while engaged in this business 
that his attention was directed towards the manufac- 
ture of varnishes, which he commenced in 184G, and 
laid tlie foundation for the present firm known as 
the Parrott Varnish Comjiany, which was organized 
in ISGilby his associating with himself his son, Henry 
R. Parrott, and .son-in-law, John D. Whitney. By 
strict attention to business and the manufacture of the 
best quality of goods, this industry has increased from 
a small beginning to its present large proportions. The 
increasing demand for their varnishes from all quar- 
ters of the globe has given them a world-wide reputa- 
tion. Mr. Parrott Inis been in iictive business over half 
;i century, tiiid, so far as can be ascertained, is the only 
man now still in active life who w;is thus engaged. 
Fifty years ago! within this time tiie city and town, 
with its entire eominerce, has |)asscd into other liaiids, 
and has doubled and (luadrupled and changeil over 
and over again. Mr. I'arrott has always been tin 
active business man, taking great interest in local 
aftairs and prominently iileiitified with our municii>al 
government, in the managemcjit of which he served 



1G2 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



as alderman, member of Council, and board of road 

and brid;io ronimissioners. In all these departments 
lie labored iaitlifully and diligently to subserve the 
best interests of the city, by his efforts to have its 
aftairs conducted on strictly business principles. His 
best service to the town was undoubtedly as first 
selectman, which jjosition he held during our late civil 
war. His stalwart Republicanism and unbounded 
confidence in the justice and final success of the cause 
made him a hearty supporter and worker in respond- 
ing to the calls for recruits made by the general gov- 
ernment, — his plain, unassuming manner and strict 
business integrity enabling liim to fill Bridgeport's 
quotas for troojis rapidly and with great success finan- 
cially. It would hardly bo possible to find any one 
man so thoroughly identified with Bridgeport growth 
and progress during the last half-centur^'. 

He was married in 1827 to Miss Lucelia A. Eemer, 
of Derby, Conn. At the golden wedding of this 
venerable couple, which was celebrated May 17, 1877, 
a pleasant feature of the occasion was the jiresenta- 
tion by the Ladies' Charitable Society of a beautiful 
silver piece, for fruit and flowers, to Mrs. Parrott, she 
being one of the oldest living members, having joined 
it in 1828. The occasion was one of special interest 
and was a marked social event. 



HON. SHERWOOD STERLING. 

The Sterling family date their ancestry back to 
Jacob Sterling, who was born in England about the 
year 1677. He emigrated to this country and settled 
at Haverhill, Mass., a short time before the Indian 
massacre at that place. He fled to Cape Cod ; later 
removed to Fairfield, and finally located in Stratfield 
(now Bridgeport). His children were Joseph, Jacob, 
John, Stephen, and Mary. Upon reaching maturity, 
John and Stephen located near their father, and Jo- 
seph settled in the town of Trumbull. Jacob settled 
at Newtown. 

Stephen was born about the year 1712, and married 
Eunice Sherman. Their children were Abijah, Ste- 
phen, Jr., Sylvanus, and Eunice. Abijah located in 
Bridgeport and married Eunice Sherwood, and their 
family consisted of David, Daniel, Abijah, and Sher- 
wood. David also located in Bridgeport. He married 
Deborah Strong, daughter of Joseph Strong, of Strat- 
field. Their issue were John W., David, George, Sher- 
wood, Ann, Cornelia, and Cordelia. 

The male line in the ancestry of the subject of this 
sketch dieil as follows: Jacob, Jan. 0, 1769; Stephen, 
175)2; David, June 1.5, 1843, aged seventy-three; and 
Abijah, June 1!>, 1862. Deborah, the wife of David, 
died March 10, l«4fl, aged seventy-three. She was 
the daughter of the Hon. Joseph Strong, who was 
descended in the following line : Selah and Thomas 
from Ehler John Strong* The latter, who was born 
at Taunton, England, In 1605, sailed from Plymouth, 



England, JIarch 20, 1630, and in the following May 
landed at Nantasket (Hull), Mass. 

The subject of this sketch, Hon. Sherwood Sterling, 
was born in Bridgeport, May 23, 1803, where his 
entire life was passed. He married Jane Elizabeth 
Hawley, a lady whose mental and social worth en- 
deared her to all who knew her. Their family con- 
sisted of twelve children, ten of whom survive. 

Mr. Sterling was closely identified with all enter- 
prises for the religious, moral, and material advance- 
ment of his native city. From his youth he was 
greatly interested in religion, and was always an ac- 
tive, energetic worker in the church, also practically 
exemplifying his profe.-sion in his daily life. He 
was deacon in the South Congregational Church from 
1833. 

At different periods of his life he was engaged in 
commerce, and was chiefly instrumental in establish- 
ing the Newfoundland and whale fisheries, which were 
successfully 2)rosecuted for many years. 

One of the originators of the Bridgeport Savings 
Bank, he was president of that institution from 1804 
until his death. He also held the office of president 
of the City National Bank at the time of his de- 
cease, having been elected in 18.57. 

In polities Mr. Sterling was an old-line Whig, sub- 
sequently a Republican, and though never an active 
politician, — avoiding publicity, and declining office 
unless convinced it was his duty to accept, — yet his 
advice was frequently sought and his influence felt in 
the councils of his party. He was mayor of the city 
in 1847 and 1848, and was repeatedly elected a State 
re])resentative, serving with honor and marked ability 
during the troubled period of the war. He was inti- 
mately associated in council with the Hon. William 
A. Buckingham, then Governor of the State, who, re- 
lying upon his sound judgment and discretion, ofttimes 
advised with him during those gloomy and memorable 
days. 

The iron business established by his father, David 
Sterling, in 1798, and in whicli Sherwood continued 
until within ten years of his death, still reuuiins in a 
prosperous condition, conducted by his eldest son, 
under the old firm-name of " S. Sterling's Sons." 

Sherwood Sterling inspired all with whom he came 
in contact with unbounded confidence in his common 
sense and uncompromising integrity. Possessing great 
energy and marked business ability, he was frequently 
selected to act as arbitrator, trustee, guardian, and 
advisor. 

He was a man of fiiu^ i)rcsence, and commanded 
universal respect. Of excej)tionally even tempera- 
ment, probably no person ever saw him in an angry 
mood. Extreme suavity of manner and gentleness of 
demeanor characterized him at all times. " None 
knew him but to love him, none named him but to 
praise." 

He died Oct. 31, 1869. Upon liis decease resolu- 
tions of condolence were passed by the directors of 




v^ 



->> 7^ ^ '/^e.M 



BEIDGEPORT. 



163 



the Bri(lgO]>ort Pavings Bunk and City National Bank, 
also by the Board of Aldermen and Conncil of theeity. 
. One of the eity papers, referring to his death, said, 
"He was a great and good man, honored hy all who 
knew him." 

His was an active and eventfnl career. P.'ath at 
last laid his hand ujion the strong man, and he passed 
to that higher life whieli he had endeavored to exem- 
plify in his dail)- walk and conversation. 

*"Thf- ho.ist of lliTftIdr.v, the ponip of pnWL-r, 

Ami all tlint beauty, all that wealth, n'er gave. 
Await alike the inevitahle hi'iir; 
The jjath of glory Uails hut to the grave." 



1S'ATII.\XIEL IIEWIT, D.D.s 

This eminent theologian and reformer was horn In 
New London, Conn., Ang. 28, 17.SX. He grailnated 
from Yale College in ISOS, and at first determined to 
follow the profession of the law, I)Ut afterwards eho.se 
the gospel ministry. He was licensed to preach Sept. 
24, ISll, hut, feeling the need of further prejiaration, 
repaired to Andover for more thorough training. His 
first charge was the Presbyterian Church at Platts- 
hurgh, N. Y., over which he was installed July o, 
181o. At that time Plattsburgh was but little more 
than a military outjiost. Its rigorous climate told 
upon jiis health, and he was obliged to resign. 

He was dismissed Oct. 2, 1S17, and <in the 14th of 
the following January was in-tailed pastor of the 
Congregational Church at Fairfield, Conn., where he 
continued to labiu' half a score of years, rejoicing iii 
a rich fruitage of souls born into the kingdom. He 
was bold in his warnings and denunciations against 
intemperance, and enlisted multitudes on the side of 
total ab-stinence. His fame spread abroad, ami the 
American Temperance Society engaged liis services. 
In 1827 he spoke in the principal cities of Cininccti- 
cut, Rhode Island, New York, and Pennsylvania, and 
organized many temperance societies. 

On the 18th of the following December he was dis- 
missed from liis church in order to give himself more 
effectually to the work, and traveled far and wide for 
a number of years prochiiming total abstini'iiee. Tlie 
results were marvelous. Everywhere multitudi's were 
convinced and converted, and without doubt what 
Lutlier was to the Reforniation, Nathanitd Hmvit was 
to the early temperance movement. After having 
thus successfully inaugurated this grand reformation, 
he returned to his first love, and Dec. 1, 18.'i0, was 
installed ]ia.stor of the Second Congregational Church 
of Bridgeport, Conn. 

On the 18th of May, 18.31, he sailed for Kngland to 
give impetus to the temperance cause in the Old World. 
He arrived in London June 28th, and delivereil an ad- 
drcs.s in E.^eter Hall the ne.vt evening. On the li»th 
of July he assisted in the formation of the British 

* By Alexander Wheeler. 



and Foreign Temperance Society and then visited 
I'aris, returning afterwards to London, and delivering 
addresses there ;ind in Birmingham and Liverpool. 
In the fall of the same year he returneil to Bridge- 
])ort and resumed his pastoral duties. For more than 
twenty years he ministered to his flocdc, his fame and 
influence as a theologian continuing to increase till 
he became known and felt as .a power in the elnirch. 

In IS.").'! a division anjse in his congregation in n-- 
gard to procairing him an as.soeiate. A large number 
witlidrcw anil formed the First Presbyterian (.'hurch, 
to which they called their "old, revered, and beloved 
]>astor, whose ministrations thi-y could not consent to 
forego." He was dismissed from his former idiarge 
Se])tember 21st, and October :'lst was installed over 
the latter, where "he eontinue(l to preach tlie Word 
anil feed the flock of Cod" till nearly tiiurseore years 
of age. 

During all these years he retained his remark.able 
vigor. In stature more than six feet, of imperial form 
and visage, lie hore the imjiress of a prophet. His in- 
tellect was gigantic, liis voice of unequaled comjiass, 
power, and melody, and his eloquence unrivaled. 
During the theological controversies that for .scores 
of years agitated the churches lie bore a most decided 
jiart, holding fast to the AVestniinster standards. And 
yet, with all the courage of a soldier and silways in 
the thickest of the battle, his heart was tender as a 
Woman's, and he had the simplicity of a idiild. 
Though often sulijeet to fits of despondency, in con- 
versation he was most charming, and the seed sown 
by the magnetism of personal intercourse will con- 
tinue to bear fruit through successive generations. 

Dr. Hewit was twice married. His first wife. Miss 
Rebecca Hillhouse, of New Haven, died Jan. 4, 
ISMl. His second wife. Miss Susan Eliot, of Fair- 
field, died May 1, ls57. 

In the fall of 18.')8, having arrived at the age of 
seventy years, he tendered his resignation, which his 
jieople refused to accejit. Four years later, April 1, 
18(52, he released his salary to the congregation, and 
in August of the same year Rev. Horace H. Hinsdale 
was called as associate pastor. To this colleague 
and suecc.s.sor he cordially handed over his charge, 
preafdiing occasionally, until on Sabl)ath morning, 
Feb. .'!, ]8(!7, he "fell aslee|)." ( )f the three children 
who survived him, one, Henry S. Hewit, M.D., late 
surgeon of the Army of the Cuml)erland, has since 
died; another son. Rev. .\ugustus F. Hewit, is one 
ofthePaulist Fathers, of New York; the other, Saraii, 
the widow of the late William S. Bowen, M.D., sur- 
geon U.S.X., resiiles in New Haven. A marble tablet 
to his memory, which was destroyed when the church 
edilice was burned in 1874, has been replaced in the 
new sanetiiiiry by a liandsome memorial baptismal 
font of carved stone, the gift of the (diildrcn of the 
Sunday-school. 

To a memorial discourse delivered on the occasion 
of his funeral, Feb. 0, 18f;7, by Rev. Lyman H. At- 



16-1 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



water, D.D., of Princeton, N. J., we arc indebted for 
nuieh of tlie foregoing sketcli. Of liini it may be well 
said, — 

" IIo being dt-a*! yet speoketb." 



EZRA CURTIS. 

Ezra Curtis was born in Monroe, Fairfield Co., 
Conn., Sept. 24, 1813, and died in Bridgeport Oct. 17, 
1879. He was third child of Geo. P. and Sarah Cur- 
tis. His grandfather, Dr. Ezra Curtis, was widely and 
favorably known for his i)r()fessional skill, a.s well its 
his probity and inauly worth. 

The ancestry of Mr. Curtis was of the English 
knighthood, and in the time of Charles I. " by grant 
under the Great Seal, reciting that search having 
been made in the Register and Records for the true 
and antient armes belonging to the Curtis name and 
family, and the same appearing by ould scales and 
other good testimony and j)roofs in the custody and 
keeping of Richard St. George, Clarencieux King of 
Armes, to be the proper and antient arrftes thereof, 
and which they did theretofore beare, they were to 
them and their issue and posterity in memory there- 
of forever ratified and confirmed, according to the 
law of armes and the custom of England." This 
coat of arms has been in possession of the American 
family from the early days when their ancestors emi- 
grated from England. 

Mr. Curtis was educated at the common and pri- 
vate schools of Fairfield County ; learned the carpenter 
trade and engaged in business in New Haven, where 
he renniined until 1847 or 1848, when he removed 
to Bridgeport, and in comjjany with Asahel Lyon, 
his first wife's brother, established one of the first, if 
not the very first, lumber firms in Bridgeport, under 
title of Lyons & Curtis. The business was profit- 
ably conducted, and still continues as Lyon, Curtis 
& Co., S. M. Gate, Sr., and C. A. Granuis having 
been admitted as members. 

Mr. Curtis was a man of far-seeing sagacity in busi- 
ness and practical in attention to detiiils. He attended 
strictly to his own atfairs, taking but few into his 
confidence, and never intruding himself into m.atters 
concerning others, except to quietly and effectually 
relieve such cases of suffering as came to his notice, 
and, in passing, we would here note that, although 
one of the <|uiekest |)ersons to respond to any call for 
aid, and a lil)cral contributor to church purposes, his 
generosity wxs not iirodaimed fnnu the house-tops, 
but de-'iircd by him to be known only by its results. 

For years a member of the Baptist Church, he was 
universally acknowledged a good Christian man, who 
strived to follow his Master in all respects. He was a 
deacon for some time, and his counsels were sought 
and heeded in all important matters. 

In the family circle he found his highest earthly 
pleasure, and was an alTectionate husband and a loving 



father. He preferred the society of home to that of 
public life, and never would consent to allow his 
name to be put forward as a candidate for any public 
office, although from tha time of the organization of 
the Republican l)arty he gave it his vote and strongest 
inrtuence. In all the relations of life Mr. Curtis did 
his work well, and the void caused by his death will 
not soon be filled. 

Mr. Curtis nnirried Jliss Mary E. Lyon, of New 
Haven, in 1839. (She was sister of Asahel Lyon, so 
many years a partner of Mr. Curtis, and whose biog- 
raphy appears elsewhere in this work.) She died in 
18(57, leaving no offspring. He married, Oct. 6, 1869, 
Miss Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Robert and Eliza- 
beth Yj. (Bishop) Ells, of Norwalk. Their only child, 
George Ells, was born Jan. 20, 1871. 



CHARLE.? B. IIGTCIIKISS. 

Charles B. Hotchkiss wa-s born in the town of 
Waterbury, now Naugatuek, July 4, 1820. He re- 
ceived the rudiments of his education at the common 
schools of his native town and completed it at the 
Middlebury Academy. His father was a manufac- 
turer of buttons an<I clocks in Naugatuek, and at 
the early age of eighteen Charles B. assumed the 
management of his business. About this time ex- 
periments were being made at Naugatuek in the 
manufacture of rubber goods under the Goodyear 
patent, and the management of the business soon 
passed into the hands of Mr. llntchkiss and two others, 
and it was conducted under the firm-name of The 
Naugatuek India-Rubbcr Company. It was con- 
tinued with varied success about three years, when, 
in consequence of trouble with the Union Rubber 
Company of New York, the factorj' was closed. The 
establishment was subsequently, however, oi)ened by 
Mr. Hotchkiss, who continued the business a short 
time, when he disjjosed of the whole concern to the 
National Rubber Company of New York, and, re- 
moving to New York City, took charge of the business 
of the Union Company, and in the following year 
superintended the erection of the i>resent large factory 
owned by this company at Harlem, New York City. 
He remained in charge of the business in New York 
about four years, during which time he visited Paris to 
negotiate the sale of rubber patents, and soon after, an 
American company having decided to commence the 
numufacture of rubber goods in Paris and in other 
parts of France and ( iermany, he removed with his 
family to that city and took the entire charge of their 
foreign manufacture. His characteristic energy and 
determination displayed itself here, and about one 
year later he became a partner in the establishment, 
which was known as Hutchinson, Henderson & Co. 
The business increiuscd with amazing rapidity, and the 
manufacture was not only earrieil on in Paris exten- 
sivily, but large establishments were also located in 




^&/r^./^^ f^^. 



I'hoto. bj- TuttU', BriJtcoport. 




rUuto. by Wils..ii, l!ri.lBe|,.,it. 




r 

1 



BRIDGEPORT. 



165 



Montargis and in Mannheim, Germany. Mr. Hotch- 
kis-< remained in Paris ton years, when he withdrew 
i'nim the business, and, returninsr to liis native 8tate, 
Ideated in the eity of JJridgeport, w liere lie lias sinee 
resid,.,!. 

Mr. Ilotehkiss is a jiuldie-spiriteil <'iti/.en, and is 
interested in various enterjirises both at home and 
abroad. In 1807 lie purehased an interest in the Pe- 
(juonnoek Xational Hank in this city, and was made 
its vice-president, and at the next annual meeting 
was elected president, a jiosition which he lias since 
lield. He is still interested in the Tuion Kubber 
Company in New York ; is a stockliohler in the Tom- 
linson Spring and Axle Company, located at Newark, 
N. .T., in the Derby (las Comjiany, ami various other 
companies. 

In 1S79, Mr. Hotclikiss, in company with .Tolin 
Hurd, Esq., of Bridgei)ort, and Peter McFarlane, of 
Evart, Mieli.. purchased the Evart and Osceola Rail- 
road, with the contract to put sixty million feet of 
logs into the Muskegon River. In addition to this 
they also purchased a large tract of i>ine timlier-land 
and commenced operations at once, and u|) to August 
of the following year — a i)eriod of about nine months 
— have put into the river about fifty-tliree million feet 
of lumber, the largest busine;;S of the kind ever done 
by any firm in the State up to that time. They em- 
ploy about four hundred men, forty pair of horses, .and 
several yokes of oxen. Although the business is now 
of gigantic proportions, it will be largely increased 
during the ensuing year. Messrs. Hotclikiss and 
Hurd are now also prospecting for the purchase of a 
very large tract of timber-land located in Wisconsin. 

Dec. 24, 184.5, Mr. Hotclikiss united in marriage 
with Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Richard Hine, a 
native of Seymour, Conn., and their family consists of 
six children, three sons and three daughters, — viz., 
Edward M., who resides in Newark, N. J., and i.s 
treasurer of the Tomlinson Spring and Axh> Com- 
pany ; Marie Louise, wife of .Tohn E. Parker, super- 
intendent of a branch of the Meriden Britannia Com- 
pany, located at Hamilton, Ontario; Nellie A., wife 
of F. A. Nicker.son, superintendent of tlio Dickinson 
Hard Rubber Company, Springfield, Ma.ss. ; Emma 
A. ; Charles L., who is also cmphiyed in the Dickin- 
son Hard Rubber Company; and William L. 

Politically, Mr. Hotchkiss is a Reiiubliean, and has 
been since the organization of tliat i)ariy. He was 
previously a Whig. He is an Episcopalian and a 
member of the vestry of Christ Church, in this city. 
Mr. Hotchkiss has never been an active politician, 
but has given his whole attention and energy to his 
busine.ss. He has a remarkalile cajiacity for large 
business transactions, and is possessed of social and 
marked cliaracteristics that make him esteemed by all 
with whom he comes in contact. 



JAfOn KTEFER. 
Jacob Kiefer was born in Bavaria, Ccniiany, in 
1S29. His mother died when hi' was liut one year of 
age, and three years later (18:i;i) he came witli his 
father to this country. 

He received a comiiKui-school education at Public 
Scliool No. 7 in New York (.'ity, and in 18;!',l entered 
the service of Benjamin Mooney & Co., wholesale 
hardware merchants in l^iiie Street, as an apprentice. 
He remained with this firm about four years, when he 
commenced the manufacture of guitars in his father's 
cabinet-shoji, under the direction of Signor Bini. The 
superiority of the workmanshiij and tone of the in- 
struments made by young Kiefer soon attracted the 
attention of the musical public, and at the American 
Institute Fair, held in New York in 184(!, liis guitars 
receivi'd the tirst jiremium, and his coiii])etitors were 
among the l>est makers in the L'niteil States. His 
lather having consented to give him his "time," he 
came to Bridgeport and began work as a journeyman 
cabinet-maker. Conceiving the idea of manufactur- 
ing furniture by the aid of machinery, in ISJO he 
commenced business on his own acconnt in a small 
building, and with the use of steam-power manufac- 
tured furniture for his old cm|doyers. In 18')2, iu 
] connection with several business men of Bridgei>ort, 
j he organized the Furniture Jlanufacturing Company, 
and for several years he acted as superintendent and 
built up the largest furniture liusiness in the Eastern 
! States, employing four hundred hands. Since 18()S 
I he has been the sole proprietor of this immense estab- 
lishment, and the goods manufactured by him are 
known throughout the country as the standard of 
excellence. 

Mr. Kiefer is a jiulilic-spirited and enterprising 
citizen, Republican in jiolitics, and was reared in the 
Dutch Reformed Cluireh. 



SAJItEI, CLAYTOX KINGMAX. 

Samuel Kingman was the son of .lohn and Hannah 
Kingman, and was born in Hingham, Nov. 21), 1802, 
and settled in South Redding, Mass. (now Wakefield), 
in 1824, comniencing business as a tailor, which occu- 
pation he followed for thirty years. In 1827 he was 
married to Sarah Ring Pope, daughter of Jesse and 
Annie (Hay) Pope. Their children now living are 
Abner .Vugustus, William W., Lucy Ellen, Charles 
K., Orlando P., Annie K., .\rthur H., and Samuel 
Clayton, the subject of this notice. Samuel King- 
man was highly esteemed in the community in which 
he liveiL He served the nation, commonwealth, and 
town in variiais oflices of trust and usefulness. He 
served as postmaster twenty-one years, as rejiresenta- 
tive in (leneral Court, as captain of the " Washington 
Rifie Grays," as selectman and assessor, and was jus- 
tice of the |)eace for eleven year.s. His death occurred 
Nov. 23, 1880. His wife still survives him. 



166 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONiNEGTICUT. 



Samuel Clayton Kingman, the second son of Samuel 
Kingman, was born in South Redding, Mass. (now 
Wakefield), in 1830, graduated iu the high school, 
and was the valedictorian of his class. The following 
year lie spent at sea for the benefit of his health, after 
which he served his time as a machinist in the cele- 
brated Lawrence JIachine-Shop, with such appren- 
tices as Amos Whitney, Joseph Marble, F. Higgins, 
and J. A. Taylor, after which he spent one year in 
the service of Col. Anderson, at the Tredegar Works 
at Richmond, Va. Upon his return he entered the 
employ of the Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing 
Company, at Watertown, Conn., organized about that 
time, and still remains in their employ. He has in- 
vented a number of machines for the Company which 
have resulted in a great saving of labor. 

Mr. Kingman was married in 18o,'? to Miss Emily 
Eustis Brooks, at Haverhill, Miiss., a descendant of 
Governor Eustis. He has ever been a benefactor to the 
poor and sorrowing, and his gifts, with those of his 
companions, have been many. The bell of the Park 
Street Church, to which they belonged, memorizes 
the death of a soldier, friend, and brother, Albion 
D. Brooks, killed at Cold Harbor, .June 3, 18G4. The 
clock and communion-table presented by them attest 
their interest in the welfare of their church. 

Mr. Kingman resides at Washington Park, in a de- 
lightful residence, surrounded by his family, which 
cousists of his wife and live daughters. He has occu- 
pied many positions of public trust, and enjoys the 
confidence and esteem of the citizens of the city in 
wliich he resides. 



THOMAS TILESTON WATERMAX. 

In presenting a sketili of one whose activity in life 
was so remarkable, and whose career of usefulness 
extended over so large a field, a detailed narrative 
would be impracticable in a work of this character ; 
but it is proposed to give the salient points in the life 
of one who was .so long identified witli tlie moral and 
religious interests of the territory treated iu this 
work — the late Rev. Thomas Tilcston Waterman. 

He was born iu Windham, Conn., .Sept. 24, 1801, 
and four years later removed with his parents to 
ancient Stralfiehl, now the city of Bridgeport. He 
was prepared for college by his father. Rev. Elijah 
Waterman, and at Hartford, and was graduated at 
Yale in the class of 1822. He entered Yale with 
the purpose of becoming a lawyer, and was le<l 
to change his mind from a remark made by an irre- 
ligious companion. He .studied theology with his 
father, and was ordained as pastor of the Richmond 
Street Congregational Church, Providence, R. I., 
Dee. 13, 1820, Dr. Lyman Ileeehor, then of Boston, 
preaching the ordination sermon. In 1837 he became 
pastor of the Fifth Presbyterian Church of Philadel- 
phia. Thii pastorate continued until 1843, when h" 



returned to Providence, and was installed over the 
Fourth Congregatiomil Church, which soon after came 
to be called the Free Evangelical Church. After leav- 
ing this church he held pastorates in the Second 
Presbyterian Cliurch at Galena, 111. ; in the Congre- 
gational churches at Winona, Minn ; Dannielsonvillc, 
Conn.; Spencer, Miuss; and Mouroe, Conn. 

During Mr. Waterman's pastorate in the various 
churches mentioned above he preached the doctrines 
of grace, as taught in the Bible and expressed in con- 
fession of faith, with great freedom, earnestness, and 
power, and left a litsting impression \x\wa the minds 
of his hearers. His oratory wiis at times peculiarly 
eflective, and partook somewhat of the manner of an 
advocate earnest in presenting and pleading for a just 
cause. At such times his definitions, illustrations, and 
incidents were so used that he kept the attention with 
unflagging interest. In 1S.'>(5 he had been preaching 
in a scries of meetings at Beloit, and on the la.st Sunday 
evening had for his subject the immateriality of the 
soul. He had prepared the sermon for two dis- 
courses, but was compelled to deliver it as one. Soon 
after. Professor Fisk, in his rhetoric class, instanced 
to the theological students the delivery of that sermon 
as wortiiy their careful study, as it was such an un- 
usual thing that a logical sermon of two hours in 
delivery would find a large and mixed audience re- 
gretting that it was ended. 

Professor H. S. Osborn, LL.D., of Oxford College. 
Ohio, in speaking of Mr. Waterman, says, "The first 
acquaintance wc made of the Rev. T. T. Waterman, 
was as pastor of the Arch Street Presbyteriiin Churdi 
of Philadelphia. No man ever won the regard ami 
warm-hearted confidence of the young men in that 
part of Philadelphia as he did; and at no period in 
the history of that church had the congregation shown 
so large an attendance of the young at its Sabbath 
and other public services. Mr. Waterman possessed 
an everlasting spring of enthusiasm, and it constantly 
overflowed. No one ever caught him unprepared to 
I welcome a friend, sympathize with a stranger, or coun- 
sel, in the kindest way, an erring one ; and his reproofs, 
wiien presented in the most earnest way of which he 
was capable, were always given so its to leave the im- 
pression of loving sincerity. During the writer's stay 
in Virginia, Mr. Waterumn made a visit to that State, 
and at his invitation made a t<iur among the planta- 
tions. The influence of that visit was most remark- 
able. The contrasts of society and conditions of life 
were peculiarly great. The master and slave— the 
wealthy, educated, and aristocratic, and the poor, ig- 
norant, and prejudiced, in splendid nuinsi.m or h»g 
cabin— were alike won to him. Persons who were 
haughtily opposed to all approach on the subject of 
religious saggestion or instruction were even de- 
lighted with his conversatiiin upon the subject 
Walking in some elegantly-arranged garden, willi 
a jiarty of gay young people, he could with the most 
ilnirming adri)it!iess and apparent fitness draw a mo- 




y^ ^^v^ 



BRIDGErORT. 



167 



mentary attcutitm to sdiiic striking: I'ratuiv of (Icsi^rii, 
or iiu'tliotl of arrangenu'iit, in siime plant, or flower, 
or slirub, and, with perfect [loetry in liis jmrpose, 
make a winning alhi.-ion to the infinite heart of love 
above all things." 

"Mr. Waterman's personal appearance \va^ in itself 
an introduction at once. His countenance expressed 
just what we have been describing in character. 
There was a kind frankness connuingled with a sym- 
pathizing honesty and intelligent ability expressed 
in his face which |nit his hearers into a favorable mood 
to hear him and disarine<l suspicion. He was pciai- 
liarly a preacher to the hearts of his aiulieni'c, and. 
though at times his appeals to tlie reason were forci- 
ble and pertinent, his great strength lay more in the 
api)eals to conscience, to the claims of duty, and to tl 
the emotions of heart, and in these ap|)eals his earn- 
estness, appositeness, and naturalness were singu- 
larly powerful. We have known him to address tlie 
roughest, ignorant, and almo-t brutally profane, suil- 
denly, yet with such wisdom and elticieney as to 
change the man addressed into an apparent friend, 
and tluit during the utterance of an ordinary sen- 
tence. 

"There are many now living whose memorii'^ turn 
from the recollections of nuiny great s]ieecln's, elo- 
quent seruKins, and masterly intellectual elforts, to 
the memories of the wonderful jiowcr of Mr. Water- 
man's earnest, plain, and yet remarkable ajijieals to 
the heart, to his warm and sincerely beautiful point- 
ings tf) the eternal Father and to the Saviour, and 
these, memories are as ])leasing as the lasting harmo- 
nies of those highest beautic! with which his soul 
seeuu'd always in sweet accord." 

Politically Mr. Waternuiu was a Whig, subse- 
quently a Republican, and a vigorous exiionent of 
the 2jrincii)les of that ]iarty. He was a powerful 
champion of the temperance cause, and was jiractical 
in hi.s efforts to check this unholy traffic. It is re- 
lated of him that when he lived in (ialena. III., the 
city had a large trade with the upper Mississi]i])i 
River country, and it was the custom for the wholesale 
grocers to keep full sujipliesof li(piors to fill the orders 
of customers, while they might deny that they were 
liquor dealers. One day one of his sons went into a 
large wholesale grocery on the levee, whe?i the pro- 
prietor said to him, "Your father has just been here 
and given me a lecture on liquor selling. II' it had 
been any one else I should have sent him off in short 
order, but you know he can say anything he pleases 
and one cannot get mad about it." 

He posse.ssed in a remarkable degree the power of 
adapting himself to people and circumstances indi- 
vidually his own. It is related of him that on one 
occasion he was making a journey of two or three days 
through Wisconsin. On the return the driver told 
an ac(|uaintance, "That minister can go anywhere and 
do anything he thinks right, and the folks think it's 
all right too. Yoa see, the first night out I didn't 



want to stop at the regular place, because I founil 
there was going to be a dance there, but he insisted 
on stopping there. At last I told him of the dance, 
and that it wouldn't lie pleasant for him, but he in- 
sisted ; an<l, if you'll believe me, he actiudly had the 
fidiller play <_>ld Hundred, got them all to singing, 
and at last nuide a ]U'ayer and went up-stairs." 

William F. De Wolf, who was a law-student in the 
ofiice of Mr. Burgess, in Providence, when he first 
began to preach in that city, says his first recollec- 
tion of him was his connng into the office and stand- 
ing for (jver au hour at tl'.c book-case reading, and 
remarking, as he closed the book, " Upon many points 
it is important that a minister should know the com- 
mon law." It was not an unusual custom for him 
thus to visit the law-oftice. 

Senator Carpenter relates that upon one occasion he 
was in his office, where a young man was reading for 
the profession. During a brief convers^ition he re- 
marked that he trusted in his studies he would recog- 
inze the claims and merits of the religious law of the 
soul. The young man rejdied he was so occuiiied 
with his studies that he had no time fiir religious 
subjects. Mr. Waternuiu said to him, "Young man, 
you will never know civil law enough to rule out the 
law of your soul." 

Jn speaking of his jiower as a f'hristian worker, an 
article published in the ('nii;/rcijafi<iii(i/is/ in 1.S73 
says, — 

" .Vhuiit the yi'iir 1S2G nr 1S27, Dr. I.ynian lit'ectiL-r Imvilig tjfcome the 
luistur uf Hnnovi.-r Stieot ClmrL-h, Busluii, revivals uf rulij^ioii were fre- 
quent, jiiiil !i new energy iti leli^^ions thinjirt was developeii. Ksjiecially 
the May ainiivei"sarie..i in ItoMtun, as also in New Yurk, hej^an to aagiinie 
new importance, to eoniliiaiid the attendance of multitudes, and to 
awakeji a much hi^Iier mea^uie of interest th.-in had chaimterized tliem 
hefnre, <ir than has atti-nded Ilieni for a few ye.-irs just past. This year 
Itev. T. T. Waterman, then pastor ot the Itichmond Street Churdi in 
i'rovideuce, lately decciLsed, Wiis iu\ited to spcml tlie Sahhalh, imme- 
diately preceding aiiniveisury week at lloston, in tliat city. He ac- 
cedcil to the proptisal, and in three dilfcreiit churches preached a sermon 
oil line csfn't'd dtitii\f of Vliyifthiu'* re^iilteiit^ in cities. 

" .\t ca.h delivery attention wa.s marketi. The snliject w;is much 
talked of through tlie week, and continued to be a theme for remark 
ill conversation and in ridigious journals for snhsr-cpient months. JI.v 
special invitation, this discourse was repeated in several cilics, and the 
name of the yonuK pasltir of Providence became at once well known 
through New Kngland and the Middle States. I have leason to think 
that this sermon had aiiprecialdeintlnem e in prepaiing the way in later 
years for lahor in cities to save young men and young women, ami fur 
the introtluction of the whole work of Christian .Associations." 

While Mr. Waterman exctdled as a sermonizer and 
a [lulpit orator, and was engrossed in the multifarious 
duties of an active ]iastorate, still he fiiund time to 
indulge the |>oetical promptings of his nature, and 
the poetry of his soul found vent in many sweet and 
sacred songs, which clearly indicate that the bent of 
his mind in this sphere also was of no ordinary east. 
The following beautiful liiu's are irom his pen, en- 
titled "The Tlirill at Parting:" 

"Repress: No, I would not, tliat tliriU of tin' soul 

AVhich saddens the moment of parting with It lend ; 
That tlirill, 'lis the strength of atlectioiis which roll 
Uown the cu: n-nt uf lime, "till jiaitiligs shall end. 



168 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



" That thrill— lot it come, in the might of its power ; 
It bids 118 look upward and onward for peace ; 
It liailtt tliegliid prunii^e, and welcomes tlie hour 
AVIiuii the sorrows of parting forever sliall cease. 

"0 then, when in Ileaven, what emotions will rise, 
As hearts which are holy in fellowshii) rest ; 
Kor distance, nor altscnce, nor tears reach the skies. 
Nor farewell is hoard in the home of the blest. 

"Then cca.se thy repining, and cliase away gloom, 

By faith ' look aloft' where attachments ahido ; 

Our Jesus h&» triumphed o'er gin and tlic tomb. 

And by parting, we meet to bo one at His side. 

" Thin thought, then, shall cheer ns when far and away 
•Mid the changes and sorrows of life we are driven, 
Wo shall soon meet above, and in ecstjisy say — 
There was nothing below like the friendship of Heaven, 
"The friendship of Heaven I — by blood 'tis miule sure, 
Everlastingly strong its raptures shall roll ; 
It is union with God and the hearts of the pure. 
In the bosom of Jr^vs — tlie home of the soul." 

Dec. 11, 1827, he united in marringe with Delia, 
daughter of Dann Storrs, a native of Mansfield, Conn., 



and their family consists of five children, — Thomas 
S., Alfred T., George I., Lucy M., and Kdwin S. 

Dann Storrs, mentioned above, was the grandfather 
of the Hon. (). 8. Seymour and Sirs. George C. Wood- 
rufl", of Litchfield Hill, Conn. 

The "Watermans trace their ancestry in this country 
to Thomas Waterman, who came with his family to 
Plymouth, Mass., in a very early day. 

Ilis son Thomas married Elizabeth Allen, of Gro- 
ton. They lived at Norwich, and died in their ninety- 
fifth and eiglity-ninth year, respectively, having lived 
together sixty-eight years. 

His son Nehemiah married Sarah Gifford. 

His sou Nehemiah married Susannah Isliam, of 
Colchester. 

His son Elijah married Lucy Abbe, of Windham, 
whose son was the subject of our sketch. Mr. AVater- 
man died in Stratford, Conn., Aug. 7, 1873, aged 
seventv-one vcars. 



JAMES D. FRARY. 
James D. Frary was born at Meriden, Conn., Sept. 
20, 1832. He remained with his father, who was a 
manufacturer of britannia ware, until he wsis sixteen 
years of age, when he went to New York City as 
clerk in the liardware business. Here he remained 
until 1852, when he returned to his fatlicr's factory, 
taking charge of the business. He was one of the 
organizers of the Meriden Britannia Co., Jan. 1, 
1853. In the following year he disposed of his in- 
terest, and i)urehased the stock of the Meriden Hard- 
ware Co. Jan. 1, 18")5, he became one of the firm of 
Frary, Benbam & Co., manufacturers of powder- 
flasks, shot-pouches, game-bags, and a general assort- 
ment of sportsmen's goods. In the spring of 1857 he 
solil his interest to a new company, known as the 
American Flask and Cap Co., located at Watcrbury, 
Conn., and remove<l to that city. He returned to 
Meriden in the fall of the same year, and formed a 
company known a.s Frary & Co., subsequently Frary, 
Carj' & Co., manufacturers of hardware. This com- 
pany was consolidated in the spring of 1861 witii the 



Landers & Smith Manufacturing Co., at New Britain, 
Conn., and the name changed to Landers, Frary & 
Clark, manufacturers of general hardware and cut- 
lery. 

In spring of the year 1876, Mr. Frary removed to 
Bridgeport, Conn., and organizcil the Frary Cutlery 
Co., for the manufacture of table cutlery. To this 
manufacture was added, in July, 1879, the making of 
pocket cutlerj- and razors. At the beginning of the 
business there were about one hundred persons em- 
ployed. The business h.is rapidly increased, and at 
the present time the establishment gives employment 
to seven hundred and sixty-nine. 

Mr. Frary is a public-spirited citizen and a tlior- 
ougli business man. Politically, he is a Republican, 
and was a member of the Legislature in 1868. Dec. 
22, 1S52, he united in marriage with Miss Helen .\. 
Peek, of Berlin, Conn. Their children have been as 
follows: James P., Harry L., Cora .V., and Grace R., 
all of whom are living except James P., who died at 
Meriden in the spring of 1861. Mr. Frary attirvK 
the Episcopal Church. 




Photo, liv Wils.ii. Briilsciiort. 






'r^n>^' 



There is no prouder or more enduring pergonal record tlian 
the story of a seir-roliant, mnnly. -'^iid successful career. It 
declares thiit the individual ha.^ not only understood liis duty 
and mission, but fultilled them. The following hiugiuphy is 
highly suggestive of these farts. 

Russell Tomlinson, now a leading niiuiufacturcr of Uriilgeport, 
Conn., was born at f^outhbury. in that State, April h, |SU7. His 
father was a mechanic, and worked and owned a mill forge jit 
Oxford, but died in 1S19, when Russell was only twelve years 
of age. From the age of eight years he had lived about on 
the neighboring farms. At fifteen he went to Amenia, in 
Dutchess Co., N. Y., where he labored on a farm during the 
summer months, and worked in a blacksmith-shop in winter 
and at night. Not being well treated by his employer, he left 
and located in Salisbury, Conn., on what is known as the old 
Salisbury Ore Hill, where for two years he worked at black- 
smithing for the miserable pittance of fifteen dollars a year 
and board, clothing himself from his earnings. About iS27 
bo joined one of his brothers, who had established a small fac- 
tory fur making carriages at Bridgeport. He was engaged here 
for some time at the then wages of one dollar and a cjuarter a 
day. At this time I. k L. Shumau had a branch of their sail- 
dlery and carriage business at Columbia, S. (_\. and, knowing 
young Tomlinson to bo a jiopular and intelligent workman, 
made an engagement with him to go to that place, and take 
charge of the blueksmith-shop. He went there, but remained 
only one winter, when he returned to liridgejiort. He was 
shrewd enough to see that the best opportunities for success in 
business were in New Kngland. He opened a small shop, where 
he attended to blacksmith work of different kinds and made car- 
riage-springs. Having now accumulated the sum of four hun- 
dred and fifty dollars, he closed up his afl'airs in Bridgeport, 
and went to Derby, Conn., where he built a shop, and carried 
on the manufacture of carriages in a small way. He c<mtinued 
in this for three years, when he sold out and found himself the 
possessor of fourteen hundred and fifty dollars. Returning to 
Bridgeport, he bought a steam-engine, and worked for a year 
or two making axles and sawing timber. By this time his 
brother's carriage business hatl grown into considerable inijtor- 
tance, and was conducted under the firm of Tomlinson, Wood 
& Co. He bought half uf his brother's interest, and Mr. Wood 
sold half of his interest to a brother, thus making four in the 
firm. Mr. Tomlinson was a member of this firm for about 
fifteen years. During this period it established a name over 



the whole country for the manufacture of all descriptions of 
eariinges. This bnineh of manufacture has given to Bridge- 
jiort much of its im|iortunee. The business of Tomlinson, Wood 
A- Co. was conducted in all its departments with great judgment 
and success. Mr. Tomlinson at length sold his interest, and 
retired from said business. Not being satisfied with a life of 
ease, he next turned his attention to the organization of a 
company for the manufacture of springs and axles, whi<di was 
in tile year ISJi'. The jiresent fiourishing Tomlinstm Spring 
and Axle (?omj)any, of Bridgeport, is the result of these efforts. 
In I.S()7 he resigned the presidency of the Naugatuck Railroad, 
an otfice wlii<-h he had held for a number of years. The year 
ISOM saw him elected to the Legislature of Connecticut. In 
1S7S he was elected to the Senate for two years, and by a vote 
of the Senate was appointed to fill the position of chairman 
of the State prison committee, which place he held for two 
years. He has also filled nearly all the different offices in the 
municipal government of the city and town of Bridgeport, and 
during the whole period of the late war was the active and 
efficient agent of the town in raising troojis for the Union 
army. Though still interested in business enterprises, he has 
withdrawn from active participation in them. He resides iu a 
tine mansion on (Jolden Hill, a beautiful locality of Bridgeport. 
Mr. Tomlinson was a large contributor to the building of Christ 
Kpiscopal Church, one of the finest edifices of Bridgeport, 
winch is located in the same select neighborhood. He has 
always exhibited a great deal of public spirit, and aided in 
every i)ossiblc manner the growth and improvement of the city 
in whieh he lives. Mr. Tomlinson is about of the average 
lieiglit. and etjually pro])ortioned. His face shows intelligence, 
foresight, and decision as the chief elements of his character, 
Ue is practical and refiective in all things, and. when once his 
j)lans are formed, is diligent and obstinate in their speedy and 
complete execution. His success in life has been achieved by 
economy and industry in its earlier stages, and by a prudent and 
skillful managetncnt of large business interests at a later period. 
He has gaine<l nothing by mere luck, but everything by well- 
digested ])Ians, and the intelligent appreciation of his energies 
to file end in view. In social life hois a gentlemanly and affa- 
ble person, and there is a considerable vein of humor in his 
composition which adds very much to his eompanionable qual- 
ities. His business ability aud integrity and popularity have 
])laced him in the first rank of the successful manufacturers and 
valuable citizens of New England. 



I 





Capt. John Huooks, son of John Brooks and Mary Coo, was 
horn in Stmlfonl. Sept. 1ft, nn."). His griindfatlicr on tho ma- 
ternal side was Kbcnezor Coe, of Stratford, who was a ca|itain 
in the war of the Uevolution. lie was in the vicinity of Dan- 
hiiry when it waJ* burned by the British, and lost an eye at the 
battle of Ridgclield, whore the lamented Woostcr was mortally 
wounded. 

The r<ubjecl of this sketch attended sehool nt the old Strat- 
ford Aeademy. which wa? then under the control of David 
riant, suhsei|uently jud;;c of Probate and Lieut. -Governor of 
Connecticut. In IHIO ho was taken to New York City to live 
with John Vandcrbilt. In 1811 he went a.s clerk with (jersboni 
Smith, a grocer in Peck Slip, but, not being adapted to that 
busineps, ho left the establishment, and soon after the breaking 
out of the war of 1SI2 came home. 

About this time Elisha Wilcox built a sloop called the" Arab," 
to run as a packet between lioro and New York, and, knowing 
well the sterling qualities of young Brooks, oifered to make 
him its commander. He accepted the position, and at the age 
of eighteen years Capt. John Brooks commenced his long 
career as a steamboat commander. Ho sailed the ''.Vrab" 
until 1811, when ho was transferred to a sloop owned by his 
father, called the " Intrepid." In 1815 ho was captain of tho 
regular packet " Patriot," owned by Beach A Peck, and in 
KSlfi of his father's sloop called the " Mary Ann." In 1S17, 
dipt. Brooks formed a copartnership with the late Isaac Sher- 
man which lasted about two years. 

Ho continued in charge of one of the lino of nackets plying 
bot^veen Bridgeport and New York until 1821, wlion he became 
captain of tho "John Marshall," a steamboat plying between 
New York and Norwalk. He remained here but one year, and 
then took charge of tho steamer " United States," plying ho- 
tweon Now Haven and New York, and soon became captain of 
tho " S. B. Hudson," a fine boat built by Montgomery Living- 
ston to run on the Hudson River, but was then plying between 
Now York and Now Haven. SVe next fin-l ('apt. Brooks in 
command of the " Franklin," a steamer running hetween New 
York and Poughkecpsic, ond in 1S27 of the 'M'.ovcrnnr Wol- 
cott" on the same line. A few weeks after assuming command 
of the '•Governor Wolcott," l^e boat was chartered by Capt. 



Vandorbilt to run to New Brunswick. While running on this 
line he lived with Mr. Vanderbilt as one of his family. About 
this time, the winter of 1820-27, he made the acquaintance of 
Capt. Cornelius Vamlerbilt, which soon ripened into a warm 
friendship which lasted as long as Mr. Vanderbilt lived. 

He subsequently commanded the *' Emerald." running be- 
tween Norwalk and New York ; the " Bollonn," running to 
New Brunswick ; the *' Thistle," from Now York to New Bruns< 
wick; tho *' S. B. Baltimore," from New York to Norwalk: 
the " Nimrod," and the "Westchester." Capt. Brooks' long 
and active business career closed in ISRl, when he retire<l with 
a competency, and has since lived in (he enjoyment and peace 
of a happy home. Capt. Brooks has a strong individuality 
and strengtli of character. Like his friend and colaborer tho 
late Com. Vanderbilt, ho was possessed of an indomitable 
will, which triumphed over all obstacles. 

Capt. Itrooks never allowed his multifarious business cares to 
interfere with his duty to Him who had given life, strongtb. 
and prosperity, and has ever been a faithful Christian. He 
was originally a member of the North Congregational Thurch 
of this city ; subsequently became one of tl»e founclors of the 
South Church, fmm which he with others seceded and united 
in organizing the First Presbyterian Church. 

Politically he is a member of the Republican party, and has 
been an earnest exponent of its principles since its organization. 
He was previously a Whig. 

Oct. II, 1S17, he united in marriage with Maria Hawley, a 
native of this town : honcc it will be soen that this venerable 
couple have enjoyed the marital felicity of more than three- 
score years. 

A jtrominent characteristic of Capt. Brooks is his benevo- 
lence; charitable and religious objects ever find him ready to 
contribute with his counsel anil his means. Warm-hearted anil 
generous, no worthy poor wore ever turned emply-handed fiom 
his door. He has ever manifested a decided interest in religious 
matters, and has contributcil liberally, and almost lavishly, to 
the various churches with which he has been connected. He 
is a kind husband, a devoted friend, and an upright citiien. 
Although Capt. Brooks is now an octogenarian, he retains in a 
remarkable degree the vigor and elasticity of youth. 




Plioto. y>y Wilson, Brnigi'port. 




<X^\>-L^^ ^, oCoS^^^^Si^AJ-rTT^^^ii^ 



Reuben Lockwooh, whose fatlicr was .lolm 
Lock wo( 1(1, was born April 17, 1762, at Fair- 
field, Conn. His wife, JCiizahcth (Kavmond) 
Lockwood, was born Nov. 2o, 1701. Tlicir 
son, father (if the sulyect of this notice, was 
David Lockwo(xl, who was horn at Weston, 
Conn., April 27, 1791, and his wife, Abigail 
(Gray) Lockwood, was born at Westport, Conn., 
Jan. 2, 1802. Their children were Wakenian 
D., Rhoda Ann, and David Benjamin, the 
subj(_'ct of this sketch, who was born Jan. 7, 
1827, at Weston, Conn. He attended the 
Easton Academy, and graduated at Wesleyan 
University, Middletown, Conn., in 1849; 
studied law at Bridgeport, Conn., and was 
admitted to the Fairfield County bar in 1851. 
He practiced his ])rofessi(in in Ijridgejxirt from 
1851 to 1856, and from 1856 to 18G1 in New 
York. From 1862 to 1865 he was first ser- 
geant of Second Connecticut Light Battery in 



tlic war (if the Rebellion. During the year 186(i 
he was assistant editor of the Watcrburi/ Daili/ 
Amrriaiii. In 1867 he again resumed the 
practice of his profession in Bridgeport, w'hich 
he has continued until the jtresent time in con- 
nection with his other duties. From 1869 to 
ls71 he was judge of the City Court of Bridge- 
port, and in 187-'i representative to the General 
As.sembly. The j)rescnt year (1880) he is city 
attorney for Bridgeport. 

He was married Jan. 11, 1856, to Caroline 
Amelia Redfield, of Clinton, Conn., who died 
Nov. 5, 1865. The result of this union is 
Alice Redfield, born Oct. 2, 1856, and Lester 
Burchard, born Sept. 25, 1860. Li 1868 he 
married for his second wife Lydia Ellen Nel- 
•son. Their children are Harriet Eugenia, born 
Aug. 18, 1869, \A\cy Bettie Josephine, born 
Nov. 19, 1870, and Sidney Nelson, born Nov. 
14, 1872. 



lUlOOKFIELD. 169 



CHAPTER XV. the jihu'c tdiik tn it-cif tlir Muiiir of thr "Siicic'ty oi- 

Parish nt' Newlmrv," — tlu' iiuiiK' <lrrivcil, iircsuiiKiMv, 
iniiii i\c»'to\vn ana i'Mioiiri/, ailiiiinini.' tciwiis, Irmn 

Early History— First Towii-Mi-i/tiiig— Palish :iiiil Cliinvli OrpiiiizatiiMis wllirll, as will 111' slllisc(|llc'Ill Iv sri'Ii. tllr society Was 

-Schools-Bunal-1'lac-cs-Milit.irv Ken,r.l-Uc-l.resel.t.,tives-Sel«t- J.,,.;,,,]^. takrll— ailll Uudw this a|i|icllal ioM it Cdll- 

■ ! timiril tViun its tii-st (irfianizatiou, in 17-")4, tn the tiiiK' 

Ix respect to most of the rural towns ami smaller of its inc-orjioration with town privileires, in 17SS, — a 

communities of New Kntrland, l>a(k ol' all ni-orilnl ju-riod of thirty-four years. 

history there was a ]>erio(l of formation and ineipient Xewlmry (now I'.ronkfield) was constituted of ]ior- 
growth, interesting', douljtless, in its incidents, liut not tions of three adjacent towns, — viz.. New Milford, 
suhject-matter of accurate knowledge to the jiresent Xcwtoun.and 1 >anliuiy, these purtions mcetint: at a 
generation. Xo ehroiiicler havinir certified the facts common centre ticar the |ireseiit residence of ^Ir. 
transpiriiifr or preserved even the nann's cif the great .\hcl Sherman. A rock, now hlasted away, lying 
majority of those who bore part in the life that was witliin limits now incloseil in Mr. •Sherman's (hior- 
livi'd, and traditions handed down heing very unre- yard, w;ts recognized at the " hound-stone" between 
liable eyidenee of what actiuilly took place, little can tliese <lilferent towns, and of course the different see- 
he spoken of which is n(jt coMJectural, and the mo^t tions of the newly-constnu'ted society, 
satisfaction we can have in the ^tiidy nt the ]>irii"l is With reference to the hrst settlers who ]danled here 
that afield is thus (i]iencd for the '■pleasures of im- their hojues, opened the school-house, and set up the 
agination." altars of religion, it is not ikjw p<issible to designate 

Brookfield is no exception to this general nde. them so clearly as perliaps their enterprise and worth 

There were beginnings of days and dawnings of his- deserve. Tradition affirms that they came here from 

tory concerning which we must consent to remain the town of Jlilford. They were probably induced 

much in ignorance. Coidd we successfully interrogate to settle here from the fact that some of their kindred 

the years of dimness and nni'crtainty reaching back- and towns[ieople hail prcviou.^ly located in Daidmry 

■ward from the time when the iirst setth'rs of the town and Xew Milford. They who came to these ncigh- 

(scttlers of the English stock) built here their homes boring eomniunities not unlikely reported to their 

and here began their endeavors for thrift and comfort, former neighbors and I'riends, as the chihlren of Keu- 

we should find much, it is etisy to believe, which, by ben and (lad did eonccrnin.tr the land of (iilead, 

it.s novelty and other elements of interest, would well " I'^vcn the country is a land fiir cattle," and, allured 

reward our investigation. liy the prospect of ]>ei'uniary advantage, as well as 

The aboriginal inhabitant doubtless had here his being in the immediate vicinity id' former friends 

rude cabin, his ties of love and hope, and his rndcly- and aci|uaintaiices, they came hither into what was 

constructed civilization. I)oubtless, by the side of loniparativcly a new country ami kindled their home 

Still River and the Ilousatonie he dextrously cast the tires, 

spear and threw the hook for fish, tra]i]ied by Beaver Mxactly when this Iirst settlement took jilace it is 

Brook, and pursued on plain and hillside fur-clad or difficult now to determine, there being no authentic 

savory game, the evidence of this being a few Indian reconl, although, in an ohl Iiistorieal sermon prcaclied 

names not yet ohliterated — as "Whisconier" and in Danburyat the licginning of the present century 

" Pokono" — here and there an arrow-head ar otlur by "Th<imas Robbins, Candidate for the (iospcl 

stone "relic" picked out of the furrow with a few Ministry," it is asserted that "the first settlement of 

faded legends, as of the maiilen of " Lover's Leaji." ' Danbury was begun in the summer of lbS4," and 

Precisely who these aboriginal dwellers were in elsewhere the statement is made: "The western 

respect to their tribal connection, how nnmer<ins they pari of the town, calleil 'Miry Brook,' and the 

■were, and whither they went are all matters which lie eastern ]iart (which now comprises a part of the 

much in the haze of the uiichronicled period to whiib town of Brookfield), were settled within a few years 

allusion has already been made. The probability is after the Centre," the centre of Danbury being evi- 

that they were an outlying portion of an Indian set- dently referred to. 

tlenient, two liundred warriors strong, at Xew AIilf<n-d, Xew Milford was settleil in 1707, and Xi'Wtown 

where a somewhat distinguished cliicl' or sachem, still earlier : so the inference is warranted that a jiio- 

Weraiihamati ff hy u;\i\\i\ \\r\il his scat of goNcrnniciit, neer population was lici'c not long snbscipient to 

and where there are >till pointed out Indian burial- 170(1, perlia|is still earlier than (bat, in the Kanbiiry 

places and a neighborhood on the western bank of the portion of thi' society. 

river known as "Indian Field." lint this is scarcely K is e(juallv difiicnlt to determine accurately who 

within the limits of veritable hislory. th,. first settlers were; but from the earliest dates 

When first brought into a separate organization for loniid upon tondistoues in the various cemeteries, 

local purposes, as the support of schools and churches, ami IV some other sources of inforimition, it is 

. evident that among the earliest dwellers in the place 

« By liev. A. c. Pit-rco. wcrcTibbals and .lared Baldwin, whose homes were 



170 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTV, CONNECTICUT. 



oil Loiif; Meatlow Hill, near the schoul-liouso ; Ann- 
uel Merwiii, whose residence wa-s where Noah Taylor, 
deceased, lived ; Deacon Matthew Baldwin, who lived 
a little south of Mr. Edwin Smith's; .Samuel Sher- 
man, who lived near where Mr. Ahel Sherman now 
resides; and Dcaeon Aniiel Peck, who lived at the 
corner just east of tlie Merwin Brook crossing. 

Among the earlier, if not the earliest, iiihabitant.s 
were also Mr. John Dunning and Deacon Michael 
Dunning, the last of whom came to his death under 
peculiarly sad circumstances. On his return from a 
religious meeting one night to his home, now known 
as the "Benham" place, hy some mishap he fell into 
his own well, and was either drowiie(l or killed by the 
fall. 

Mr. Henry Peck, the Dibbles, of Bound Swamp, 
and the Smiths and Hurds, of Whisconier, were also 
early in the field. 

The Society of Newbury was, by an act of (Jei\eral 
Assembly, incorporated !»s a town in 17.S8, Mr. Anios 
Wheeler acting sus the society's agent in carrying its 
memorial to the Assembly and obtaining the act of 
incorporation. It would seem, from the repeated 
cflbrts of the society in this direction before the final 
success was achieved, that either tlie ]K'ople were 
unduly aml)itious for manhood before they had got- 
ten their growth, or else that the then lawmakers of 
Connecticut, wise and conservative men as they doubt- 
less were, were chary of allowing upstart societies to 
" put on airs" and have their ambitious notions grati- 
fied too hiLstily. Application wits made for town 
privileges its early lus 1772, and the purpose ])rose- 
cuted through succc-ssivc years before many sessions 
of the Legislature until the final victory over opposi- 
tion, as already stated, in 1788. Hope deferred and 
endeavors made through sixteen years would cer- 
tainly indicate a good mciusure of will on the part of 
the men then active. It is just a little more than 
possible that Danbury, Newtown, and New Milford 
knew something of the reasons why the success was 
80 long in coming. 

THE FIR.ST TOWN-MEETING. 

The first town-meeting wjus helil on .Tune y, 1788, 
and w;ls moderated by Col. Samuel I'anfield, who wa-s 
appointed by (ieneral As.-ieinbly to "warn" the meet- 
ing and preside over its doings. It was evidently 
regarded as quite an event in the history of the place, 
and interest was felt in it even in the surrounding 
towns, jLs shown by the following vote passed at the 
meeting: 

" I'o/fv/, TliniikH Ui IIk' (;<'iitliMU<-ri F'lH-ctiitot-H rmiii tlio licighlioring 
towiih fur l\w ro(*i»ect nIiowh to Uii* town of rirooklli'M in attciiiliiig tlit-ir 
flntt titwii-iiifvtinK, aii.1 in pitrtictilnr return tluinkH to C*>\. SaiuiicI Chu- 
ficM, Kf«i.. n|)|K)intiHl tint mtKlvnitor fur Mitil towu of Bniuklleld tiy tho 
Gt'iu'nU Ai*.enili1>', for liln rare uii<) portico in luUil olllco." 

The following-name<l persons chosen at this meet- 
ing had the honor of serving the town as the first 
selectmen: Lieut. Martain Warner, Capt. Joseph 



Smith, {'ajit. Ezra Dibble, Mr. .Vmos AVheeler, and 
Capt. Richanl Smith. Elijah S. Starr was elected ii-s 
the first town " dark." 

The name of the town seems to have been adopted 
a.s a tribute of re-spect to the first pa-stor of the place 
(for the entire town wa.s under his ministrations and 
pastoral care). lirooL-'n Jiihl vuMy was converted into 
" Brookfield" as the ])ermanent de.signation of the 
place. 

Being thus incorporated as a separate town, the 
people soon ajipreciated the need of a town-house, 
their meetings for business for the first few years 
being generally " warned" to meet at the " Sign 
Po.st," and being thence adjourned either to the 
" meeting-house," a school-house, or to some i)rivate 
residence. 

At an adjourned meeting held on Dec. 22, 1794, it 
Wiis voted "That this town build a house the ensuing 
year for the purpose of transacting all business in," 
"that said house be built thirty-four feet long and 
twenty-four feet wide, two stories high," and " that 
said house be built convenient for hanging a bell 
upon." The committee appointed to superintend the 
building were instructed by vote of the same meeting 
" to procure the most convenient place near the meet- 
ing-house for .setting the town-house upon," and the 
.selectmen were authorized to " draw orders upon tho 
town trcjusurer to the amount of the expenses of said 
building." 

The lower portion of this house was finished and 
"seated" two years afterwards, so as to become avail- 
able for town |iuri)oses, the ujiper part remaining un- 
finished until a later jieriod. .V bell Wits placed U])on 
this house in 1795, and was replaced by another— the 
one now in use — in 1829. 

The house, thus built and appointed, served the 
annual gatherings of the freemen of the town until 
the summer of 187;"), when, after a somewhat pro- 
tracted and heated controversy, mainly in respect to 
the h)cation of the proiK>sed new building, it was 
torn down, and the present more comely and commo- 
dious structure was built upon its foundations. 

PAUISH AND CHUUCU ORGANIZATIONS. 

In New England, in " the days of old," there wiw 
a mingling, as there is not now, of church and town 
history, of ecclesiastical and civil aft'airs. In the 
meeting of the freemen tax-levies were raised for the 
"support of the gospel" and ministers were chosen. 
Especially the Congregational Church — the church 
of the "Standing Order," as it was called— was cared 
for, every legal voter being responsible for pecuniary 
support and having a voice in it.s afl'airs. 

Parish and church organizations, therefore, must 
be taken into account in any complete town historj', 
as should be the ca.se also on the ground that the 
Church and the sanctuary are .such important factors 
of influence and destiny in any community. 

There is no record now available by which can be 



BROOKFlKJ.l). 



171 



ascertiiinod when reli^imis services beirnii to be helil 
in Newbury, or the exact date when thi' ecclesiastical 
society wiis organizeil. 

We may naturally sup]"isc that in the first years of 
their settlement the peojile worshiped in the towns 
to which they respectively lielon};e<l, — some at New- 
town, where a ehuri-h was (irLMiiizi'd in 171">; sunic 
at New Millnrd. where a elinrch was irathercil in 
1710; and some in Danluiry, wiuTe the first church 
began its existence in KilH;. It is to he presunie<l 
that for some time after separation from these 
chnrches the peojde pithered in private houses for 
their Sabbath-day devotions. — tlie jieople, for these 
were times in which nil hcM it their duly and their 
])rivileg'e to be worshipers on th<' Lord's day, 

A book of society records, sU|)pos,(l to have been 
lost, but recently recovered, nuikcs it certain tliat the 
society was in working order so early as 17oa. and two 
years later — viz,, in ]7")7 — the church was organized, 
tlie only account of tlie event being the following en- 
try in the records of Consociation: "A nundier of 
tliis society tlnit came well recommended from neigh- 
boring churches a])peared before this council, .gave 
their consent to the Saybrook Confession of Faith 
and Platform of Church Discipline, unitedly con- 
sented to a church covenant, and as members of a 
church gave a unanimous 'call' to Jfr. Brooks to be 
their minister, to which he gave his consent." In 
this somewhat informal way the living temjile began 
here to be builded. All the facts of its early history 
have passed beyond jiresent knowledge b.v reasf)n of 
the fact, much to be regretted, that no church records 
were kept prior to the settlement of Rev. Uichanl 
Williams, in 1S07. 

.Vs already indicated, tin' earliest Sabbath-day ser- 
vices were probably held in [irivate houses, perhaps 
at the residence of .Joshua Northrop, Amos Nm-th- 
rop, or Peter Hubbell, where it is a nifitter of record 
that society meetings were frequently convened for 
business purposes. 

While a sanctuary was being jirepared the ark of 
the Lord rested in the "house of 0))ed-e(IoinV' and 
we shall not hazard much if we b(dieve " the Lord 
blessed the house of Obed-edfuu ami all that per- 
tained unto him because of the ark of the Lord," 

But a change was at hand : the long-felt need for a 
church edifice was to be nu't, " At a lawful meeting, 
Jan. 21, 1755, of the inhabitants of the estaldished 
religious society of Newbury. nn>re than two-thirds 
of the inhabitants of said society then present ami 
qualified by law to vote declared it necessary to build 
a meeting-house," and either because of dift'erences of 
opinion concerning the site upon which to build, or 
through desire to avoid future divisions such as are 
very likely to grow out of locating public buildings, 
they made application to the court of Fairfiidd 
County "to ajipoint and fix the place whereon the 
meeting-house should be erected and built," and the 
court thereupon apjiointed a commission "to fix the 



]dacc." For reasons not stated, the recomnu'udations 
of this I'onunission were negatived by the court. 

Ill the following April the court took still further 
action in the ea~e. ami a new commission was ap- 
pointed, consisting of Increase jNlosely, Benjamin 
Htiles (?), an<l Gideon Walker, all of Woodbury, in 
Lit(difiehl County, who were empowere<l "to fix a 
plai-e whereon to .set a mectin,ir-house." The doings 
of this conunission were acccptecl liy the society and 
aiqiroved by the court, and so tlie place of the sanc- 
tuary was "fixed," and with it doubtless the place of 
the village itself; and if so. the wisdom of the com- 
missioners must have been more clear to themselves 
than in the judgment of succeeding generations. 

In Decendjer the society made appointment of a 
liuilding committee, and took action with reference to 
tiie finances of the undertaking. It was also voted 
that the structure should be " forty-six feet in length 
and thirty-six feet in width, and that the posts should 
be twcntyyb((A« long." The committee were further 
instructeil "to get cedar shingles, if they can be at- 
tained to, to cover the fore-side of the ruff, and 
eliestnut for the back-side, and to cover the iLpright 
with oak ' claiiboards.'" This building seems to have 
been sini]dy " covered in" at the first, and to have 
been used for a jicriod without seats other than 
benches carried in for temjiorary convenience, and 
even without a fioor, except of loose boards, on which 
these benches were placed. Seats and pews were in- 
troduced into thebuihling in 17ri!t, four years after its 
erection. In ]7ll!l it was voted that "the society will 
oi/I and cnUn- the v'liiikrs and doors and corner-ionfe," 
and a coinmittee was appointed with power " to i/''^ 
and jiririirr nijl and .«/)/»;/' to fulfill the said vote." 
Four years later galleries were added to the accom- 
modations already existing. The house was inter- 
nally improved with "plaster" in 17'Jit, and was ex- 
ternally shingled upon " both sides and each end." 
The struiture was at first without a steeple, and this 
was added in 1824, after the house had been occupied 
nearly seventy years, though a bell was never 
mounted np<m its deck, the town-house bell, after its 
l>urehase, being used for calling the peo|ile together 
for religious services. 

Evidently the spirit of improvement was not of 
very rapid development. The house of the [^ord thus 
buildecl jiiecemeal. as we might say, — a kind of ac- 
cretion of the ]U'aycrs and endeavors of two entire 
generations, — gathered the worshipers lieiieath its 
roof until 1S54, an entire century, lacking a single 
year, from the time when its foundations were laid, 
when it was taken down and the edifice now occupied 
by the Congregational Church and Society was erected 
upon its site. 

This first meeting-house built in the town was a 
structure in what may 1m' called Ihe //«;■« slyle of andi- 
iteetnre, having a do(u- u]ion tlu' south side and each 
end, east and west, with a piiljiit on the mn-th side, 
opposite the main entrance, over which was the old- 



172 



HISTORY OF FATRFIEL© COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



fashioiu'il "souuding-boartl" with the "deacons' seat" 
beneath. 

It was creditable to the good taste of the people, and 
reflected sDinewliat their godd habits at home, that a 
ta.\ of tliirty shillings was assessed annually for the 
purpose of defraying the expense of sweeping the 
meeting-house, the sweeping to be done by some com- 
petent person "once in three weeks nine months in 
tlie year, and once a month for the three winter 
niontlis." Evidently the people in those times were 
bclicvirs in the sentiment, "Cleanliness is next to 
godliness." 

The house now occupying the same site was dedi- 
cated .\pril 12, 18o4, the sermon being preached by 
Rev. Mr. Churdiill, of Woodbury, and the dedicatory 
j)raycr being oH'ered by the ]>astor. Rev. Mr. Curtiss. 
Tlu' hell now (18X0) in use was purchased the same 
year. 

Quite relevant to what has tluis l)cen rcciirdcd of 
the houses of worship occuj>ied by this parisli will be 
some account of its mini.stry. 

In September of 17o.') the society voted "to have 
the gospel preached amongst us," and likewise " to 
invite Mr. Josiah Sherman, a candidate, to preach the 
gosjjcl on the Sabbath in this society, to join with New- 
Preston for the terra of time as may be agreed uixin." 
It would thus api)ear that at first there was preaching 
but ])art of the time, probably on alternate Sabbaths, 
and fur this service the society paid " fifteen sliillings 
prock or old tenor," or its equivalent in provisions, 
per Sabbath. 

The arrangement of filling the pulpit by supplies 
as they could be secured continued for about two 
years, when the society, at their meeting, "manifested 
their unanimous de.sire to have a gospel minister 
settled among them," anil a committee was ajipointed 
" to crave the advice and direction of the reverend 
members of the association in so im])ortant an affair." 

As a result of such advice, or witliout regard to it, 
as the case may have been, at a meeting of the so- 
ciety held in June, 1757, it wa.s proposed to vote 
"whether we will choose ye wortliy Mr. Thomas 
Brooks, wiio preached with us on probation, to be 
settled as our minister and pastor," and it was voted 
in the affirmative, the churcli, organized three months 
later, as we have seen, uniting in the " call." The 
provision made for his pecuniary support wa.s a "set- 
tlement" of one hundred pounds, to be paid in three 
yearly installments, and for yearly salary forty-five 
poun<ls for three years, witli addition afterwards of 
forty shillings each year until the amount should 
be fifty pounds, this sum to be a peruument allow- 
ance. This financial IhusIs being mutually satisfac- 
tory, on Sept. 2S, 17')7, the young candidate was duly 
ordained and installed as pastor of the church and 
society, Rev. Kbene/.er Wliite, of Danbury, preaching 
the sermon, and Rev. .ledediah Mills, of Huntington, 
offering the ordaining^rayer. 

It is creditable to the memory of Titstor Brooks 



that his ministry continued through a period of forty- 
two years, and that the peojile, as already seen, per- 
manently associated his name with the place its the 
name of the town. He is rememliered by a few per- 
sons .still living as a man small in stature, — a Zac- 
cha'us whom Jesus called, — of fair abilities, and of 
somewhat marked eccentricities, especially absent- 
mindedness, and a somewhat quick and uncontrollable 
temper. As evidence of tlie first of these character- 
istics, the well-authenticated anecdote is told of him 
that on one occasion, when he had worn for his com- 
fort two pairs of stockings to a meeting of Consocia- 
tion, in the morning, when dressing, he was unable 
to find but a single stocking. His delegate, however, 
Mr. Henry Peck, coming to his a.ssistance, .shortly 
ascertained tliat the four stockings were all upon one 
foot. And, as an illustration of the last i)eculiarity 
mentioned, it is told of him that, meeting with ]>rov- 
ocation from a parishioner, overmastered by his im- 
petuous spirit, he seized hold of the offender and 
caused him to shake in a manner somewhat different 
from that in which the I'hilippian jailer ilid in the 
presence of Paul. 

This first ])astor, on account of impaired health and 
growing infirmities, was relieved from the active 
duties of his office (whether formally dismissed or 
not is uncertain) in 1796, and reached the end of his 
pilgrimage three years afterwards. 

On an unpretentious gravestone in the " Hawley- 
ville" Cemetery there is the modest record : 

*• In memory of Ruv. Tlios. Brouk, who dopnrted llifs life Svpt. l'.\ 1799, 
Hged 80 yoars. 

Mot's iiilii vita cat. 
^Di'iitli to 1110 is )ife.) 
O mortal, wander where you will, 

Yuiir de*»li!iy is east; 
T\w rising stone and venlant hill 
Pruclnlm your destiny at lust." 

The subsequent pastors of the church, with their 
periods of service, have been as follows: Rev. Kritstus 
Ripley, November, 1800, to November, 1801 ; Rev. 
Richard Williams, June, 1807, to April, 1811; Rev. 
Bela Kellogg. January, 1813, to October, 1816 ; Rev. 
A. 1!. Hull,* October, 1810, to 0<tol)er, 1820; Rev. 
.Vbner Brundage, May, 1821, to October, ]8:«t; Rev. 
Dan C. Curtiss, October, 1843, to October, 1855; Rev. 
Thomas N. Benedict,* .Vpril, 1850, to Sejitember, 
1862; Rev. P. Hollister, December, 1862, to Decem- 
ber, 1864; Rev. F. Munson,* April, 1865, to 1868; 
Rev. A. C. Pierce, October, 1870. 

It is in evidence that the "service of song in the 
house of the Lord" was duly regarded by the early 
worshipers of the town that frequently in the records 
there is statement of special arrangements made for 
instruction in singing, the town making approjiri- 
ations of money to defray the expense, and under 
date of Dec. 24, 1702, there is the entry: 

• Thoao thna mirked stntcd rappUea, but not paalora. 



BROOKFIKLD. 173 



"7<i(«r, That Mi-8. KbiMHOTr Blnrkm.in, Isaac X.irthio|i. C'liiil. Jiisepli Yif}V. Pllilo PeiTV, fViini ITS.") | or 1 7S(; | to IT'.IS; Kcv. 

BugKles, Sergt. Ilf/.ckiali Stevens. .luiil.. N'flii'Uiiali Harlow, and .\iiiial 7. - 1 i> 1 ' i, w i-<... .-..,. ^ 1.1 . i. 

Peek be a (Vtniniittee to nientiMii a imniliei' (it nhi r.salni tiirie^^. ami t" . . 1 j . . 

see that sai.l tunes are taii^-lit in the sinuini,-Ml i Te.w taut-iit in ll.i- lic'll JMIIiill lifllhaill, IXlli to ISl'S; Rw. .I(isi]ih S. I 'o- 

tuwn I1.V Capt. Tl.ait." veil. IsJ',1 to 1 S:l(! ; Kfv. :\I r. Sliiiiiral, \s:m; to |s:i7; 

It has sei'iin.'il proiicr that this somewhat i-x-ti-ndiMl U''^- l>aviil T[. SI1..1I. Is:;s to Is:','.!; }i^■^■. Edward ( '. 

aiTouiit sliouhl be jrivi-ii ofthc (diurch lir.st ortraiiized ''"'"i ''"^■''•' '" 1"^-1-: l'''^- Hdward .T. Ives, 1X4:; to 

in the town.— wliieli was tliereliirious homeot'all the 1'"*+^; H''^'- Henry D. NohU', 1X44 to LSoS; Kev. .1. 

].eoi)le for more tliaii a -eneratioM. and which was the ••"• <i'>'"lluie, ixr,;l to IXilil; Kev. Levi I!. Stiinson, 

motlier elinreh as related to others subsequently oi'- l'^''-' t" 1'"*"-': J!''V- FiMid< !'.. Lewis. 1X72 to 1x7:1; 

gani/.ed,— and pro]ier als<i that I'astiir Brooks, as the "''^ ■ ■■'ii'<lericdv A. I'iske. lX7:i to 1X7(1; Itev. IC. L. 

first minister and tin' one wliose memory is perpetu- ^^ hileome, lX7i." 

ated in the name of the town itsidf, should have more ''''i'' '"■casional servi<'es held, as already stated, 

e.xtended mention than those who were suksequent l"''"' '" t''" organization of the parish were probal>ly 

lahorei-s in the same held. . lai-rridy conducted by Kev. .lohn Beach, of Xewtown, 

wdio went over to Episeopacv from the ministry of the 
( iinj;re<rational (. hurcii 111 L.l-'. 

Hut otlier churches and otiier ministers have had 
their place in the history of the town, and are well Methodist ki'ISCoi'AL cniiicH. 

entitled to a pat;e in tlie make-up of its hi-toric- At the time the old house (.f worship .standing on 

■'''^''"■'''- tile triangle in front of Mr. Sherman Foote's was 

Almost from the hrst formation of the society or aliamloned f,,r the n.-w edili.-e, in 1X,37, certain Metli- 

pari.sh, of which an account has just been given, there ,„list bretliren residing at tli,' '■ Iron-Works" and in 

were persons residing within its limits who.-e .senti- ,]„. neighboidKHid united with otliers of like views 

ments attiliated with other form, of worship, as evi- iivi„j,. .,t Southville, and, tbrming one society, jmr- 

denced in the fact that so early as 17."7 a vote was ,.|,;,s,m1 the old Episcopal meetiiig-h.mse, and there 

passed t(. mem.iriali/.e the (ieneral .Vsscmbly for a rontiiuied servic-es tbr nearly twenty years, when a 

"hin<l-tax of twoiienee on tlie acre of all ye unin- portion of the worshipers resumed their separate 

closed land in Newbury, exclusive of hinds „f Chunh- ^f.,,,,,, .,, Southville. and the ivmaining p..rtion began 

of-I-liKjhial mm residing among us." It is said tliat to hold service- at tlic " Iron-Works" village in the 

occasional woi-ship was held within the pari>h b.iun- ,,,|itl,.,. ,„,„• (i.^xoi occupied by the INdbrmed congrc- 

daries after the Chnridi-of-Enghirid typi' while yet in ..-itiori 

its civil state the counti-y was in c.,lonial iclations, with vaiying cxpcrieii.v ih,' f'eblc s.ici.'ty here 

the ndnistiatious probably furnished from Xewtown, i„.i,i ,,„ 1,^ „:,y „,itil, by ivmovals from the place ami 

where an Episcoi)al parish was organized in 17:}4. the death of membeis'. its strength was exhausted, 

On Jan. I'L 1785, thirty-tive inisiois. all of whom .,,,,1 .„ ., s.'parate organization it bc.-aine extinct in 

were males, lodged a certificate with the clerk of the ls(;.'i nv at aliout that ilate. 
Congregational parish, declaring thcmsidves " to be- 
long to the Episco|)al ('hnrcli." and it is presiunabic .j.|,j. j'tK^f ii\]e|-|<|' cni laii 

that at about this time separate worship as a regular ... . , 

„., I, ■ , . , ,, 1 „ .• , • , <»n Sept. ■2:',. 1X40, the I'.aptist mcetinii-housc, so 

weekly ap])onitment began, thonuli the hrst parish ' , , , ,.' , ■ ,' 

„.„ ,. ,, 1 ,• 1 • 1 1 ' I I calli'd, was oijcncd for pnlilic wor.-hiii bv exercises 

meeting, tile records lA which haye lieeii preserved. . ' '. , ,,',,,■ 

„.,,. ,1,1 ,., ,-or. appropriate to the occasion, and on the Izth i.lay of 

wa-s not held until 1(S9. 111 ... , ,,. , . , ,' . 

. . , 1 . • ■ -1 e Novembi'r (ollowing the " !• irst Baptist Cluircii ot 

A movement was made — so. at Ica-t. it i- said — tor , , '^ . , .' 

„ u . I- 1 • r 1 1 ■ e 1 e r>rooktiidd was constituted, a society id amliated 

a nimse ot worshiii for the accommodation of those of ... .' - 

r.,,; 1 .• ,. 1 e 1 sentiments bavin;; been 111 existence since 1X4M. flu 

-t-piscopal i>references some four years before the , , , . , , , , , , , 

p.„.,i,.j- , ., ,. ,. , .,■,. ^ ,, the L'd dav ot Decemlier dclcLratcs lidiii other ehurclies 

Keyoliition, and the frame of a biiihling was actually , ,,. '. , .. . , 

_„.,„ 1 T> i. •.. 1 ■ 1 li 11 !■' were present for the iiiiblic formal rccou'iiition of the 

reareil. But it was neyer covered in. and hnally dis- ' . . ', ■..,,, 

„,„ , .. 1 ■ • 1 ,■ . , ^1 • \ new oriraiiizatioii, and at a " covemint-meeting held 

apjicared, tlie war bringing defeat to this, as to so ■ ^ 

,,, ,, ,, , Deccinber oth Elder \\ illiain Biddle was called to be 

many other cnteriinses. 

. e, ,1 ^1 1^1, 1 1 -i ■ the first pastor of the churcii, which oflice he ludd 

After the war, though at what precise dati> it is , ' , , , ■ , 

,,„„i, ,. |.jj. 1. , , . ■ ,.^ until September, 1X;)4, wdien, at his own request, he 

perlia|is now difhcult to determine, an cdihce was , , ■ ,• • , , , 

Ki.in f . I' • 1 ii . ■ 1 i • I was released from Ins onicial connectioii. tiioii;;h even 

DUilt for Episcopal use upon the triangular spot mid- , . . , ., ..',., 

,.-o,. 1,,. TT T V- .1 . -1 1 t'l the end o ife he wa~ intimalclv iilcntitied with 

way tiefween Mrs. Lucy Xorfhrop's residence and , . . , , , , ' , • 

tl,.it ..(■ At ^1 T^ \ 1 • 1,1 tiK' interests of the clinrch, and was eonstanl in his 

tnat ot Jlr. Sherman 1- note, where seryiees were held ■ , , ,■ 

until mo- I n • 1 ,. 1 il labors on its behalf. 

until IS.-!, , when the iiarish entered the more eomnio- ,, . , . ,,,,.,,, 

Hw.iil,,,,,. t:ir ■ 1 il I ■ .1 .• .\dditional to services remlercd bv him the church 

niou,. lumsc still occupied, fhoiigh 111 the mean time 

enlarged and otherwise greatly improved. 

'ri, , . : • , .• .. il !■ • I I ■ 1 * Tlie above list is jriven !us funiisiied to tlie writer, hut, fur Uie aeeii- 

. ,' " '"■ "^t'-" - ■'» the Episcopal pnlp.t and par- ,,,,, „f ,,„„,,,,, shonhl he stated that the two nrst.nan.ed i, hll.als 

Ish hiive been conducted as follows: By the rector. were reet..rs at Newtown during th.' same or nearly the same peaods. 



174 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



lias been under the pastoral supervision of Elders 
Ganung, Shove, Wilson, and Chapman. 



THE KEFOnMKI) CIIUUCIl. 

The Kefornied Chureh began its organie life in 
18(59 as a ini.ssion enterprise un(h'r the auspiees of the 
Classis of New York. 

Rev. S. W. Roe, Rev. Ransford Wells, D.I)., Rev. 
F. E. Allen, and Rev. F. M. Bogardus liave served 
the church in the ministry. 

SCHOOLS. 

By a kind of law of association, in New England 
at least, the mention of schools is closely connected 
with that of churches, and a sketch of Brookfield 
would be incomplete without some mention of this 
kind. The fathers were not inditlerent to the need 
of facilities for a higher grade of education than that 
furnished by the common or district school, and, 
accordingly, not unfrequently in the town records 
there is statement of special ajjpropriations from the 
treasury for the support of ".select schools" or to facil- 
itate in some way higher grade instruction. Thus, 
under date of April 4, ITiMt, the selectmen of the 
town were empowered to pay forty-five dollars for 
finishing the ujiper room in the town-house "for the 
p\irpose of keeping a school in the same," and it was 
also voted "that a committee of two persons from 
each school district in the town be appointed as a 
joint committee to hire a teacher to teach school in 
the upper room of the town-house, and to regulate 
such .school." 

Private enterprise has also engaged in the same 
laudable i)urpose. In 1840, Mr. Edward Robbing 
opened a school at the "Centre" which ii-^sumed flour- 
ishing proi)ortions, and was continuously kept u|) for 
about ten yeai-s. 

In 1858, Rev. Henry D. Noble, being measurably 
disqualified for the services of rector of the parish, 
conceived the idea of establishing a high-class board- 
ing-school for boys, and entered with his accustomed 
energy upon the accomplishment of the plan. "St. 
Paul's School for Boys" was the result, and was car- 
ried on with growing jirosperity until interru|)ted by 
his sudden death, which occurred Sept. 14, 18G8. 

Shortly after this Madame Booraem opened a pri- 
vate school forbids and misses, which continued, with 
varying ])atriinage, until 1878. 

It should be mentioned in this connection that, in 
179.5, Widow Mary Northrop, at her decease, left for 
the benefit of the town an estate of which one hun- 
dred and forty -seven pounds four shillings sixpence 
was in the form of jiroinissory notes, and the proceeds 
of this e-state have been regularly devoted to the in- 
terests of educaticm, for a portion of the time being 
e.xpeniled in the maintenance of select schoids, and 
at other times being diviiled among the several dis- 
tricts as partial supiitrt of the di.striet schools. .\t 
tlie present time the interest of this fund — known as 



the "Molly Money" — is ccmnted in as jiart of the 
public-school money, and is divided among the dis- 
tricts. 

BURrAL-l'L.\Ci;S. 

It will not be inappropriate that sonic reference 
shall be made here to the burial-places to which the 
departed have been borne as the six generations 
dwelling here since the first settlement of the town 
have lived and died. 

The Newbury fathers, wiiile united for ccclesia-stical 
purposes, seem to have maintained, not unnaturally, 
something of the town feeling, and hence the ceme- 
tery on "the plain" for the New Milford portion of 
the society, that by the railroad-track, below Mr. 
David Northrop's, for the Danbury jiortion, and that 
near Hawleyvillc for tlie Newtown portion, while a 
spot marked by a few remaining stones by the side of 
Hop Brook, on the left of the road to " Obtuse," was 
a resort for those having no preferences, but looking 
only to convenience as to distance. The cemeterv' 
near Mr. Beman Fairchild's, that known as the 
"Central," west of Still River, and the one at the 
"Iron-Works" were of later beginning. 

In the burial-place referred to by Hoji Brook there 
stands a slab erected "To the memory of Mr. Henry 
Baldwin, drowned April 4, 1798," with this somewhat 
singular poetic inscription: 

" Huro Hi's interred a blooming youlli; 

Ho lived in Inve and died in tniOi. 
,1 Call, and liehold, as yon paw* Iiy, 

Afl you are now, bo once was I ; 

.\h I am now, ho you must bo ; 
I Pi-L'pare to die and follow me." 

For the benefit of such as arc always looking into 
the past for the golden, and upon tiie present with 
disparagement, in this connection it may be stated 
that within the memory of some now living, on fu- 
neral occasions within the town, liquors were |)rovidcd 
for the " bearers," and as the procession moved, here 
and there on the route, when the " bier" was changed 
from the shoulders of one set of men to those of 
another, the bottle, carried by an attendant, w;u< 
passed around to strengthen the men helping in car- 
rying the dead. Surely, there is some progress ! 

The history of a place is inclusive of its outgoing 
influences, as well as of event* which transpire within 
its boundaries. Emigrant sons and daughters are 
important factors, therefore, which must not be left 
out of the account, an<l of these the following shouUl 
be enrolled: Rev. William \. llawley, Kev. William 
Dibble, Rev. Bennct F. Northroii, Kev. Bcebe Ste- 
vens, Rev. Oliver Taylor, Rev. Oliver St John, and 
Rev. Frank Lobdell. Mr. Samuel Ruggles and Mrs. 
Lucia Holmaii, missionaries of the American Board, 
were also natives of the place. Besides tliese. a long 
list might be adiieil of non-professional persons who 
in various secular relations and pursuits have "ob- 
tained a good report." 




a.e 



'./i-?<^ 




BllOOKFIELD. 



175 



MILITARY RECORD. 

Thoiijrli no (:listinf;uishe(l names or exploits adorn 
the war reoDrd oF Brooktield. yet this departineiit of 
its history is not altogether harreii <<( iiiridriit, and 
there are names which oiiirlit not to die out of mem- 
ory, hecaiise they who hure them were willini;- to 
hazard life for their eountry's safety. 

When the Revolutionary war liroke nut it fnund 
here a eomjiany of militia already orj.rii,iized, wliieh 
did service under Maj.-( ien. Woosti'r, and ))rol)a]ily 
was present when he received his death-wnund al 
Bidgefield. 

It is re])resented hy the older citizens, who leath- 
ered their information from the fathers, now passed 
away, that when (iovernor Tryon, of " hlazing mem- 
Dry," burned Danbury, great excitement swept over 
Isewbury, and that many of the people, their patriot- 
ism stirred by the words of good Pastor Brooks, rusheil 
to the aid of their Danlniry neighbors ; also that in 
another stage of the conflict royal troops were for a 
little time quartered here. 

In the war of 181 li a "draught" was served upon 
the peojile here, and, additional to the men tlins 
raiseil, Lieut. Euggles enlisted a company of volun- 
teers, the wdiole being sent to New Lomlon for active 
duty. But the perils of these men were more dread- 
ful in anticipation than in reality, ami their exjiloits 
of war were not of such account as to cover either 
themselves or their country with imperishable glory. 

In re>ponse to the call of the cnuntry f(ir the sn|i- 
pression of the Ilelicllion, titty-seven men enlisted 
from Brookfield, serving for a longer or shorter pe- 
riod, of wdiich nundjer two — Albert Clark anil Frank 
Benson — were kille<l in action. 

The full roll of enlisted men, as they appear upon 
the books in the State archives, is as follows : 

Charles S. Smith. Chriilis I!. Sl.-wanl, Williiiiii TmihII, Kilwiii Wlit-ilfr, 
Samuel MiiKee, Rixknell ll.Siiiilli, Hunuoii K.lgctt, Tlien.lure .laik- 
suD, Abner H. .lohnsmi, l';itii,rk SiilliViUi, Benjaiiiiii Stel>l'ins, Leon- 
ard D. Wilkiiisun, Frank .1. lieiisou, Cliarles T. llelcvan, .I.wciih 
Slaildoeks, Cliarles Hayes, T,emiiel Peek, Haiifurd N. Biissett, William 
K. Haiuliu. George \V. Anthony, Lewis .1. Ives, Ileury W. Seeley, 
Oilhert II. Campbell, Jann.'.s W. Hamilton, Frederic A. Bennett, Me- j 
Allister Craig, Charles 11. Clark, Thomas Shernmn, Tallman Simons, 
William F. Banks, Edwin II. Nearing, Frederic K. Ni'aring, William [ 
Stehhins, Fieilerio A. iKsbiun, Edward A. Osborn. Zenas L. Dibble, 
Ilaniel Briggs, Jami-s II. Case, Edward H. Northrop, Jlari.dlns I!, 
rishon. Allen Rogers. Clarenee Smith. George Squires, .Tonallian T. 
Salmons, .loseph H. CantieM, Daniel MeKiun.ui. Tim.ithy T. Turrell, 
Albert Clark, John Triel, ,lose]ili C. Goldsmitli, William Hamilton, 
Thomas Iloyo, William 1). ll.jyt, William II. Ilawb'y, Booth Lattin, 
.hrlin S. Prentice, '{lioinas IVenli, e. 



Ten died while in the service; their name- 
lows : 



fol- 



Thomas Iloye, Thomas Prentice, Edwin Wheeler, K..ckwell II. Smith, 
Aimer Johnson, Patrick Sullivan, Lemm-l IV.k, William U. Hamlin, 
Tlioma.s Sherman, and Charles T. Delevan. 

The most noteworthy items of Bronklicld history 
have thus been passed in review. In idusing sucdi a 
record the thought isqtiitc natural, "How much there 
is of nnwritteu— never to be written— history '." and 
the tlioiight also, " 'I'hc generation now living is 



making history for those who shall come after, and 
how iin]Mirtant tluit the record, wdien filled out by 
>ome as yet unknown chronicler, shall be spotless and 
aglow with honorable incident and nami's to be held 
in aliiding respect !" 

UEl'RIv'^ENTATIVIiS FROM 17SS TO ISSO. 
IT.ss, Ibiirv r.-. k ; IT.s'J, i'a|.t, Joseph Sndth ; ITS'.Will, Henry Peck; 
IT'.iil-Ul, .Fowph Smith; ITM, lleniy Peck, l>ani.d Benedict Cook; 
17'.i:j, Amos Wheeler, Benjamin liostwick ; 17114. Amos Wheeler, 
Timothy Buggies; 17'.l.'i, Tiani,d B.Cook, Pieserve Wood; 179G, Amos 
Wheeler, Is.i;ic Hawley ; 17!)7-0S, .\mo8 Wheeler ; 1708. Jesse Noble ; 
IT'.IIl, Daniel B. Clark; 1S(H1, Eli Perry, Daniel B. Cook; 1801-2, 
Jesse Noble, George C. Smith ; ISO;!, .lesse Noble. Uiverius Hawley ; 
1S04, George" C. Smith, Jesse Noble; 1805, Jesse Noble, George C. 
Smith, Thomas P. White; 180(5, William Meeker, Liverns Hawley; 
1.S07, Uiverius Hawley, George C. Smith ; 180S. Is;uic Hawley, Live- 
rus Hawley; 1809. George .Smith, Daniel Tondinson; ISin, Uiverius 
Hawley; 1811, Riverius Hawley, Liverus Hawley; 1812, Daniel 
Tondinscui, .loseph Smith (:td); 1813, Daniel Tomlinson, Liverus 
lliiwley; 1814, Liverus Hawley, William Meeker; 1815-16, Noah A. 
Lacey, Daniel Tomlins.m; I8IT, Noah A. Lacey, Zerah S. A. Peek; 
1818, William Meeker, Ileman Binch ; Ism, Czar Starr; 1820, William 
Meeker; 1821, Czar Starr; 1.S22, William Meeker; 1823, Stephen 
Gregory; 1824, Eli Euggles; 1825, William Meeker; 1826, Eli 
Buggies; 1827, John U. .Sanford; 1828, Darii.l Tomlinson; 1821), 
Stephen Giegory ; 1.S30-31, Zerah S. A. Peck : 1832, Ebenezer Wanser ; 
]83;i, Br.vant Smith; ls;!4, Abraham E. Shep:ml; l».To, Stephen 
Gregory; I8;'.G, Benjamin Hawley; 1837, John Hawley; 1H3H, Czar 
Starr; 1839, Ira Keeler; 1840-41, David Burr; 1842, Charles Hurd; 
1.843. Eli Kuggles; 1844-45, John Hawley; 1846, Kthiel Andrews; 
1847, Alfrc-d Morris; 1848, Ormon Bradley; 1841), Abel S. Hawley; 
1850, Ilaviil W". Northrop; 1851, Bryant Smith ; 1.852. Davi.l A. Foster; 
1853, William U. Seake ; 18,'i4, John Hawley: IS.'.,',. Nathan Turrell; 
1.8.50, Ira Keeler; 18,57. Hiram Higby; 1,8.5.8, William A. Randall; 
1850, Almon Odell; 18611, John Hawley; 1861, Levi Ci. Knapp; I.S62, 
Zar Joice ; 180:1-64, Philo C!. Merwin ; 1865, Curtis .Morris; 1860, S. 
B. Buggies; 1867, Edwin (i. Turrill ; 186.1. Harvey Hoe; 186S), David 
II. Jleeker; 1870, D. G. Moers ; 1871. U.S. .Stevens; 1872, Augustus 
II. Knapp; 1873, John N. Hawley ; 1874, Eugene T. Shepard; 1875, 
.Marcus Babbitt; 1876, John P. Wildman; 1877, Ezra N. Somera; 
1.S78, Williiuu F. Wildman; 1870, Henry S. Peck; 1880, Benjiuuin 
GrilHn. 

.SELICCTMKN I'UO.M 17SS Td ISSO. 

1788.— Lee Martin Warner, ('apt. Joseph Smith. Capt. Ezni Dibble, Amos 

Wheeler, Capt. Richard Smith. 
1789.— Joseph Starr. Jesse N5ible, Dr. Preserve W.iod. 
1790.— Amos Wheeler, Preserve Wood, Isaac Hawley. 
1791.— Amos Wheeler. Lee Martin Warner. Aniiel Peck. 
1792.— Capt. Richard Smith. Dr. Preserve Wood, Amos Wheel. -r. 
17113.- Daniel B. C.oke, Benjamin Bostwick, Le MaOin Warner. 
1794.— Samuel Mer«in, Jr., Ezra Dibble, Timothy linggles. 
1795. — Isaac Hawley, Sidoinon Warner, Levi Bostwick. 
1796. — Liverus Hawley, Dr. Preserve Wood, Ile/ekiah Stevi-ns. Jr. 
1797.— Liverus Hawley, Elijah Starr, Ezra Dibble. 
1798.— Liverus Hawley, Jesse Noble, Calit. Ezra Dibble. 
1799. — Liverus Hawl,-y, Jesse Noble, Dr. Preserve Wood. 
18(KJ.— Liverus Hawley, George (.'. Smith, Niram Blackman. 
1801. — Liverus Hawley, Elijah Starr, George C. Sniilh. 
1802. — Liverus Hawley. Zar Starr, Samuel Sherman. 
1803.- Liverus llawli'V. Elijah Starr, Zar Starr. 
18ivt.— (ieorge (.'..Smith, Wait Northrop, Levi B<.stwick. 
1805.— Elijah Sturdevant. Wait Northrop, George C. Smilli. 
1806.— Henry Peck, Jr., .\ndrew Northrop, Rnggles Sherman. 
1807.- Nathan Keeler. Robei t B. Kuggles, Samuel Sherman. 
1808.- John Peck, Davi.l Osli.irue, Mi.liael Dunning. 
1809. — Liverus Dunning, Zar Starr, .lolin W. Camp. 
1810.— Henry IVik, Benjamin 11. Warner, Wail N.irlbr.ip. 
1811.- Henry Peck. Robert B. Kuggl.s, Benjamin R. Warner. 
1812. — Benjamin Lake, Henry Peck, Elijah Stur.levant. 
1813-14.- Henry Pe.k, Elijah Stnr.li'Vant, Zi-rah S. A. Peek. 
1815.— Walker Li-wis. Zar Slarr, Elijah Ten ill. 
ISI6.— Peter Hur.l. Ezra Dibbl,., U..b,.rt B. Kuggles. 
1S17.— P.:ter Hiir.l. Itolnit Biiggl.-., St.-v.n Gi.'g.iry. 



176 



TTTSTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



1818.— Pctor Hui-d, Fuetor llurlhcrl, Eli Uiiggk-B. 
1819. — Steven Gregt»r.v,Zjir No;iriiig, Klijali Ti-rrill. 
1820.— Ziir Xeiiring, JuIkv, lliinl, .Mpfl Boiitli. 
1821— Jobozllmil, Ziilmim (l.wilwll, Unvi.l Miekcr. 
1822. — Zar Nenring, AVilliiiiii Meeker, Suiiiiiel Merwiii, Jr. 
1823. — ZHlmoti Ciooilsell. Agiir TuuililiHDii, Isaac Biil)l)itt. 
1824.— Zenih S. A. Peek, lleiir.v IVrk, Benjamin Lake. 
182a-2C.— John B. Sanforil, llenuin Bnicli, Wait .S. Nortlirop. 
1827.— Walts. X>rtlinip, llenuin Bnrcli, Kleazer 1). Ilawle.v. 
1828. — ElDioro B. Xortlirnp, Kleazer D. Itawley, Wait S. Ni)i-|hrop. 
182I>-^'JU. — Wait S. Kurthry>p, p;ii llainliii, KlHiure B. Xortlirop. 
1831.— Eli Ilamlin, Zai- Starr, Jr., Alonzu Beens. 
1832. — Zar Starr, Jr., David A. Foster, Alonzo Beor«. 
1833.- Zar Starr, .Tr., Henry Uuggles, Kzra Dsliorne. 
1834. — Daviil A. Foster, Ira Keeler, John llawley. 
183.1-30.- Ira Keeler, Uniuind Lobdell, John Jackson. 
1837-38.- Curtis Morris, Alfred Morris, Charles llurd. 
1830.— Orniond Bradley, Curtis M.irris, David W. Northrop. 
184IM2.— Curtis Morris, John A. Peek, Darius Biistoll. 
1843. — Elijts Camp, Zar Starr, Jr., Zalmon Goodsell. 
1844. — Klias Camp, Hulibell Wildninn, Benjamin llawloy. 
184,'i. — David Burr, Eliud Bristol. Orrin Salmons. 
18-U>. — Eliiis Camp, David W. Nortlirop, Homer Lake. 
1847. — Sidney llawley. Homer C. Brush, Lemuel Northrop. 
1848. — Elias Camp. Ebenezer Wnnzer, Zar Stiirr. 
184;». — Elicnezer Wanzer, \>'illiam A. Kandall, Zar Joyce. 
18.'»o-.M. — Curtis Slorris, Ebeiiezer Wanzer, Zar Joyce. 
18.'>2. — Curtis Morris, Zar Starr, Alonzo Beers. 
IHiVJ.— Curtis Morris. Homer C. Brush, Zar Starr. 
18|-.4-.%.— Homer C. Brush, John Hawlcy. William U. hake. 
18o7.— Homer C. Brush, William II. Lake, Edwin G. Tcrrill. 
1858.— William II. Ijike, Edwin O. Turrill, Philo C. Merwiu. 
18o9 — Curtis Morris. Ezra N. Somers, Henry A. Andrews. 
180O.— Sidney E. llawley. L. B. Wildman, Ezra W. Wildman. 
1801.— L. B. Wildnnm, D. II. Dil.ble, Alfred Morris. 
1B(;2.— Homer C. Brush, Pliilo C. Merwiu, Ezra N. Somers. 
18G;mV>. — Philo C. Merwin, Ezra N. Somore, Hiram Itarnum. 
1866. — Philo C. Merwiu, Ky.nt N. Somers. Harvey Hoe. 
18G7-68.— Ezra N. S<unei-8, Harvey Itoe, David H. Meeker. 
1869-70.— Ezra N. Somei-s, Harvey 1^)C, William F. Wildman. 
1871.— Httrvey Koe, William F. Wildman, Manns Balihitt. 
1872.— Harvey Roe, Ezra W. Wildman, Marcus Bahl.Itt. 
1873.— Harvey Koe, Samuel Tlioriihill, John II. .Menvin. 
1874.— Harvey Koe, John II. Merwiu. David U. Meeker. 
lH7.'>-76.— John II. Merwiu, Henry D. Lake, Henry C. Gray. 
IM77. — Henry I). Lake, Henry C. Gray, U'lrace Been*. 
1878. — Ezra N. Stmiers, llarzilla T. Jackson, Horace Boors. 
1879.— Harvey Ili>e, Ezra N. Somers, Shonnan Footc. 



B10GR.\riIIC.\L SKETCHES. 



ing the district school in the winter, and reading 
medicine in his hours from school and during the re- 
iniiindcr of tho.se two yearn. In the winter of 1X31- 
'■^2 he attended a course of medical lectures in New 
Haven, and in Marcii, 18.S2, was licensed to ])ractice. 
Locating in (jreene Co., N. Y., he i)racticed there a 
few months when lie removed to Brookfield, Fairfield 
Co., Conn., where he has lived and followed his ))ro- 
fe.ssion since March 1, 1833. Eight years afterwards, 
in 1840, he attended a course of lectures and gradu- 
ated at .Tefferson Medical College, l'liila<lcliiliia. 

Oct. 16, 1833, he married Miss Sarah .1., liaiighter 
of Daniel and Lucy (Gregory) Holley, of Brooktield. 
Tlie children horn to them have been Ellen F., Julia 
G., AVilliam II. II., and Florence H. 

It may he truthfully said of Dr. Williams that he 
is a self-made man. Conimcncing the practice of his 
profession uniler ailverse circumstances, he has, by 
careful study and close attention to his professional 
duties, won for himself the position of trust and honor 
which he now occupies. 



AMOS I,. WILLIAMS. 

Dr. .Vmos L. Williams is of Welsh de-scent, his an- 
cestors coming to .\merica and settling in New Eng- 
land at an early day. 

His father, William Williams, was a native of 
Lebanon, New London Co., Conn., who followed 
farming, and took to wife Miss Lydia Looniis of Leb- 
anon. Salmon L., William C, l..ydia, Harriet, Gil- 
bert, and Amos L. were_ the names of their children. 

Amos L. Williams was born Jan, 11, 1811. His 
father died when he wius but seven years of ivge. He 
remained with his motliL-r until he was sixteen, when 
he took up his residence with his brother. Dr. Wil- 
liam C. Williams, at tllitt time a practicing physician 
in Roxbury, Conn. He reniaineil two years, teach- 



EZRA W. WILDMAN. 

Ezra W. AVildman, son of Edward and Anna A. 
(Bennett) Wildman, was born Dec. 2, 1818, in New 
Fairfield, where his parents were temporarily residing, 
litiving lived in Brookfield prior to and returning 
there soon after Ezra's birth. 

Edward Wildman pursued the calling of farming. 
He was married to Anna A., daughter of Ste])hen 
and Hannah (Lacy) Bennett, of Brookfield, by whom 
he had seven children. Ezra, the eldest son, lived 
with his father, attending the ilistriet school and 
assisting in tlu' farm-work, until reaching the age of 
nineteen, when he began the business of manufac- 
turing curriers' knives with Jlr. Tomlinson in Brook- 
field. At tlie age of twenty-one he entered into partner- 
ship with Mr. Tomlinson ami his uncle, Mr. John F. 
Uinnett, and did business under the firm-name of I'. 
Tomlinson & Co. This connection lasted until the 
"big freshet" in 18.'i3, which carried away the firm's 
dam, when, Mr. Tomlinson retiring, the firm became 
Bennett & Wildman ; tlie dam was rebuilt and busi- 
ness resumed. In 18(57, 5Ir. Wildman sold his in- 
terest in the establishment, and devoted his time to 
farming. 

In February, 1841, Mr. Wildman marrieil Mi.'W 
Harriet, daughter of Hiram Barlow, of Bridgewater, 
C<mn. Their children were Emily M., Sarah E., 
Laura A., Henrietta E. His first wife dying in 
18.')0, the following year he married Miss Sarah J., 
(laughter of .Ubert and Hannah iHllscol Stevens, of 
New Canaan, by whom he has had the following- 
named children : Harriet N., Henry S., Josephine, 
Ida C, and William E. 

The family of Stevens are of English origin. .Al- 
bert Stevens was a public educator, devoting a long 



DANBURY. 



'attcrsdii, 



life 111 tlic anluiiiis calling, teaehiiiir 
Vista, anil (■Iscwlifrr. 

Til |)(>litic.s, Mr. Wililiuan is Kc])uli]ii'aii. He is an 
attendant at the Reformed eliureli, Brooktield, of 
whieli Jlrs. Wildnuin and several of the ehildren arc 
meinhers. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

DANBURY. 

Geographical — Topographical — Kohliins' Oritnry Sermnn — Oii^riiial 
Name— riih.iui.i.iut— The Firet Settlere— Hate .if Settlement— The 
Fii^t rh.vsieian—l'iret Survey of the Town— The Patent— "John li.i-il, 
the Lawyer"— Kii^t I'rohate .Tmlge— The I'ioneer Seliool— The Kevo- 
lution— Fii>t I'nhlie I.ihiary—Eeelesia'itiial— Sketch of Jlr. llolihin.— 
Danhnry in 1770— I,i>t of Inliahitants in 17n;:. 

I).\N)UMiY lies in the northern ]iart of the i-oiinlv. 
and is hounded as follows: On the north l>v Nc» 
Fairtield; on the east hy Rrookfield and Hi'llicl ; on 
the south hy Reddino- and RidoetieM ; and on the \ve>t 
hy Ridfietield and I'utiiam Co., X. V. The snrfaee is 
diversified with hills and valleys, and the soil is fertile. 

Jn presentinjr the liistory of Danhnry it is drrnied 
advisalile to re]iroduee, as introdiletory. a eentniy ser- 
mon delivered hy Rev. Thomas Rohliins, A.M.. .Ian. 
1, 1801, wherein was emliodied intiny fiets In-ariiio 
upon the early history (jf the town whieh ean he oh- 
tained from no other source. Mr. Rohhins was at tlie 
time teni]iorarily sn|i|dyini;' the ]iul]iit of the ('onore- 
pitional Clinreh. Jlewtis an (.■nthu^iasl in iiiattei> of 
liistorie lore, and in the languafre of Jlr. liailey. of 
the Xi'iiv, "He huilded hetter than he knew, anil de- 
livered a sermon that will li\'e a^ lono- as Danhnry it- 
self luis an existenee." 

THE SERJIO.X. 
"Tlie original Tinlian name of this place wa.*) Palniiiiocine. Tlie fust 
Bettlemeiit of this town was begun in the .siimniei- of the year ir.s4.* 
The Hettlen* came tliat year and begun some iini>roveinentK in bnililin;;s. 
Bowing grain, ami other tilings necessary. Senile of the familie!^ nioveil 
here that summer, anil contiimeil through the winter; others diil not 
move till tlie spiing following. It may therefore he saiil that the lirst 
permanent settlement was ni.aile in the spring of the year lr>s.'i, hy eiglit 
families. The names of tin- iii.n were. Thomas Taylor, Franeis llnsh- 
nell, Thomas Bariinin, .lohn Iloyt. .lames Itenediet, Saniiiel Itene.liet. 
James Becbe, anil Jinlali Gregory. They lived near togetlier. at the sontli 
end of Town Street. ISeginniiig at the south end, Taylor. Ilii»liiiell, 
Barnnin, and Hoyt lived on the west ?ide : thetw<j Heneiliets, Iteehe. and 
Ciregory on the east. .Ml except James Beehe came from Norwiilk; he 
was from Stratfonl. They purchased their lan.Is from llie Indian laii- 
prietoi-s. Mr. Taylor h:nl seven sons, from whom all ot that name now 
in town Jesc.'nded. Mr. linslinell had a family of sev.ii .langhteis. but 
no son. Thcie have therefore been none of the name' iti tbi> town siiae, 
only as it is still borne np in several Christian names. Mi. Harniim hud 
five sons, fnim whom are the families of that name. Mr, llijllell .-ix 
sons, who are the ancestors of the families of lliat name now li\iiig. 
.Mr. .lamea Kinieilict lert tlilci' sons, from whom are a part of the Hem- 
did families whi h survive, partienlaily those in which tbi' t^hristian 
name James fre.|Uenlly occurs. His eldest son James was tlie Hist Kiig- 
lish male chihl horn in town. Tlie sons of .Samuel Heneilict were four. 
From them arc those families of BeinHlicts in \vhi.:h tlie I'luistian name 
Samuel is ofti-n found. Soon after these first familic- settled here, Ilaniel 
Benedict, a brother of the other two of that name, . anie and b.cann- a 



* In this I iim positive, for three separate and indepei 
information all agree. 



dent souivesof 



settler. He was not one of tb<> tii-st. as has been supposed. He h-ll but 
one son, llaniel.f From liiin are the families in whi.li thai rbiislian 
name is often found, of whom there are as many families now in town 
as from either of the othel-s. ^Ir. Beebe had two sons, — lames ami 
Salnmd. From his two sons sprung the families of lieebes now in town. 
The sons of Samuel moved to Litchfield, and afterwards began the settle- 
ment of the town of Canaan. Mr. fJregory bad two s.nis, from whom 
are the nnlnerons families of that name." 

TIIK FIRST 1'11VSICI.\X. 

"I hie of the first settlers after the lii>it eight families wa.s Pr. .Samnet 
Wood, a regular-bred physician, born and educated in Kngland. Abb- 
and skillful iu his profession, he was very useful in the town for many 
yeai-s. From him are the families of that name now in town, 

" 3Ir. Josiah Starr came to this biwn from Long Lsland soon .after its 
tiist settlement. He had si.v s»uis, from whom the many families ol that 
name have descended. Joseph Mygatt, from Hartford, afterwards niai- 
lied Klizabcth, daughter of Benjamin .Starr, ehlest son of Josiaii, and 
settled ill this town, from wbollt ale the families of that name. The 
families of Picket, Knapp, and Wildinan are ancient families in the 
t<o\ n, the latter of whom are now veiy iiunierons. Siinie of the grand- 
sons id' the original settlers are now living. Mr. Iiinid Taylor, of \S'e>- 
b'li. and Mr. David Benedict, of this town, are grandsons of Mr. Thomas 
■!;n Iu] . Mr. I)a\ id Shove is a grandson of Mr. liusbliell. ('apt. Comfort 
Hoyt. Tbaddeiis Benedict, Ks.|., Mr. Isaac Heneilict, and Mr. JoM-pb 
r.eebi — the two latterof Bethel— are grandsons of the first settlers Hoyt. 
the two lienedicts, and Beebe. Mr. .Vbel Bariinm, who died about a year 
ago at New Fairtield, was the last grandson of the first settler Barmim. 
'I'lie la.-t glanilMin of the first settler tiregory was .Samuel tiregory, Ksq., 
\Oio ba.s been dead about eighteen ,vears." 

FIRST Sl'RVEY OF THE TOWN.— THE P.\TENT. 

"The first settlers, having purchased their lands of the Indian owners, 
bri anil' pioprietoi^ of tlie town. The town wa.s surveyed iu Feliriiary. 
li.^i:',. liV .bibii I'latt and Samuel Hifii'es, of Korwalk. The survey bill 
ileilaie^tbe length to be eight miles from north to siiuUi, and the breadth 
six miles from east to west. At the session of the Ceneral .\sseiiibly iu 
Blay, 17112, a jiatent wad granted, giving town-privileges to tlie inhab. 
itants and propiietors of Hanbuiy. The patentees named are James 
liecbe, Thomas Tavloi, Samuel Benedict, James Benedict, John Hoyt, 
and Joshih Starr. In this act the bi.uudaiies were li.vcil according to the 
lormer survey. 

"The first justice of the peace who w.as appointed was ^Ir. .lames 
Beebe. The first town clerk was ^Ir. .bisiah Starr. For many years 
after this time there were Indians living in town, who held their lands 
separate from the English people by known bounds. It does not appear 
that they were ever troubleEome. But in the time of the wars, whicli 
were in the eally part of the century, iu which the French used great 
exertions to excite the enmity of the natives against the English settle- 
ments, it became necessary to provide some means of security. The house 
of Mr. Samuel Benedict, at the southeast corner of the street, and the 
house of Uev. Mr. .Shove, on the emiiieiice near wdiere the two former 
meeting-houses stood, were placed in a posture of defense. When they 
were apprehensive ol danger all the families used to repair to these two 
houses, especially nights. But it does not appear that tbey ever had any 
.sei ions alarm. In Oi tuber, 17iis, il naseuailed by the Ceneral AsM-mbly 
that garrisons shoiilil be kept at Wuodbiiiy and llanbiiiy if the council 
of war should judge expeilieiil. It ibi-iiic lolliiws that this was llieu a 
lioiitier town. But we ba\e no account tliat any gairiMin was ever 
luailitailii-d licic at jiublic expense. 

"The western part of the town, called Miry Brook, and the eastern 
part, which now composes palt of the town of Itrookfield, were settled 
within a few years after the centre. Many pait.s in the miildli- of the 
town wliicli ale now very fertile and pmlitic were considered by the 
early piopTietois as not worth cultivation. Smile of theiii, therefore, 
went liiini lour to seven inilc.~ for land to laiM' Ibeir ordinary crops. 

■■One lit the early inliabilaiits in this tow n was John R 1, a man of 

great talenls, and thoroughly skilled in the kiiowledL-e and practice of 

the law. He jiosscsseil naturally i ly peculiarities, ami alti i led still 

more. He is known to this day Ibrougb the i try by many singular 

anecdotes and characteiistics under the apiiellaliou id •.lobn H I the 

Lawyer,' The first representative from this town to the Ceneral .\sseiu. 
Illy was Mr. Tliomas Taylor. He was for many years a useful man in 
the town, and died January, KrCi. au'cd ninety-two. He conliuued the 

t llauiel Benedict, .Ir., married HebeUaa, daughter of Mr. Thomas 
Tavlor. 



178 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



loiigettt of any of tlio flrst oottlt»rs. The second jiistlco of the peace waa 
Mr. Josiali Stiirr. lie bd J tin- ufflc e but a short periixi. Ho died Jan. 4, 
1715,» aged fifty-devon. The next to liim in office was John OregorjS 
son of Jndali Gregory, ouo of the first settlers, Juiiict* Bocbe, Jr., was 
successor in office lo his futlior, wlio died April 22, 1728, agwl eighty- 
seven. It is noticeable tliat James IJcebe, the fatlier and tbc son, eacli 
bore the several offices of justice of the peace, captain of the militia, and 
deacon of the churtb. Tlie father, having oonimandi-d the military com- 
pany of the town for many years (said to be thirty), uu bis resignatimi 
led Ihem to the choice of a siioeesftor, which fell uiK»n bis son. The fifth 
justice of the peace was Thomas Benedict, son of Jnnies Benedict, a fii-st 
settler. Samuel Gregor>', son of John Gregory, the former justice, wiuj 
next appointed to that office. The ne.\t to bim was Comfort Sturr, 
youngest won of Jo»iali Starr, Esq. These seven justices of the peace are ; 
all that have l»een in town prior to those now living.f It is worthy of 
remark that in five instances that office has been sustaiued by father 
and son. The town clerks have been, iu succession, Josiah Starr, Israel 
Curtis, ThnniUN Benetlict, Thuddeim Benedict, Major Taylor, and Eli 
Mygatt. The l'r..li»te liistrict of Danburj- was establislicd by act of As- 
sembly, Oct<)bor, 1744. It then cont^dne*! the towns of Newtown, Ridgc- 
tield. New Fairfield, and Danbury. Redding and Bniukfield have since 
been added. Befoiv that time this town belonged to the ilistiictof Fair- 
field. The first judge was Thomas Benedict, Esi\. lie held the office 
until bis tleath, in 1775. The present judget was then appointed. 

"Comfort .'itarr, l':sii., who died May 11, 17(;;i, in the fifty-seventli year 
of bis age, left to the town a donation of eight hundred pounds, lawful 
money, for the sup|>«)rl of a p<-rpetual sch<x>l in the centre of the town : 
to be under tbc ilircction of the civil authority and selectmen, the in- 
structor to bo capable of teaidiing reading, writing, arithmetic, and the 
Latin and Greek languages. In the general wreck of paiwr currency 
during the Bevolutiuuary war, the fund depreciated to the sum of four 
hundreil and eighty-eight ixmnils twelve shillings and nine pence, which 
now remains. In Ai>ril this scb.M.l v.u» converted into a 'schfxil of higher 
order,' agreeably lu an act of Assembly passed May. 1708. A sketch of 
this school fi-om the beginning fias been lately written, which was 
cojded ofl" by several of the pui>ils, which they ore again requested to 
presen-e as a vabnible memoir. 

"At an early jM-ritKl in the town, of which the year cannot now be I 
ascertained, a nndignaiit nervous fever prevailed by which numbers of 
the inhnbitaiits died. Aside from that, there never was any prevalent ' 
epidemic in the town till the year 1775; in that year a tlysenterj' raged 
with great furj in all parts of the Uiwu. The number of deaths in the 
town during the year was alKUit one bundrfid and thirty, of which eighty- 
two were within the limits of the first society. Says Mr. Baldwin, in his 
Thanksgiving sennon of that year, 'No less than sixty-two have l»een 
swept away fn..ni within the lindts of tbis wK-iety in b-ss than eleven 
weeks the summer past, and n<'t fur from fifty in otherjiarta of tbetown. 
3Iuch the greater part of this number were small children. A terrible 
lilow to the rising genenition!' A remarkable fact occurred that year. 
A military r«>ni|Mitiy of nlwut one hundred men was raised in town and 
onlered to the Northern anny, on Lake Chnmplaiti. When they went 
it was vifwcfl by their friends us next to a final dejtanure. At the con- 
clusion of the cani]mign they all returned safdy, and found that great 
numlH-m of ilu-lr friends at home had sunk in death. The disorder sub- 
sided iK'fore their return.^ 

"The town wasagain visiteil by thesamedis4>nler in the year 1777, but 
it was far U'm nmllgnant and mortal than before. In the autumn of the 
year 1780 theinfiuenuispread tbnuigh tbecounlr>-. This town was visited 
in common with olhera ; few pentons oscapml the disorder, yet in very i 
few instances was it mortal. In the fulluwing spring. 171K), the same 
disease again spread abn»ad ; it was less nnivennd and much more sever* 
than iK-fore. 3Iany of the persons db-d of it in this and most of the 
towns Ihnuigh the country. In Die years 17!t:i and 171M the s4-arlel 
fevpr Hpnad ronsideiubly, but was not mottal but in a few instances. 
The Bmall|N>x hiu> never t>i-i>n but liitb- in ihix t..vt>. ..m.i 11...1., ..r.. ,,,,u- 



* His tnmlwtone. 

t Tln».o who hove bot-n ttp|Hi|uted to the office of justice of the peace, 
since tlnHH- atM.vo mentionetl, are lion. Jtisepb V. Cin^ke, Banlel Taylor, 
Thaddeus B«-ne<Hct, 8unuiel Taylor, Kll Mygalt. Thomas Tayb.r, James 
CUrk, Klhba Whlttlwy, Timothy Taylor, and Tlumias Taylor, Jr 
Kaoii'l and Niniuel Taylor are since dead, and Thaddeus Benv«lict Is not 
now in ofilre; the renniining seven are. 
IIoii. JoiHiph 1*. Cooke. 

{ A stnuig evidence that tho^inler was not l>it>ught from the army, 
OS won goiiurmlly inn(glne<l. 



few or no towns in the State whore a leas population of the inhabitants 
have had tlial diHordcr than in this." 

THE KEVOblTION. 

*' In the latter \*nrt of the year 1770 the commissioners of the Ameri- 
can army chose this town for a deposit of a quantity of military stores. 
Large quantities of flour, meat, and various kinds of militar)* stonw 
were collected and depoaileil here. In April, 1777, Governor Tryon, of 
Hazing nienioi->', set out fnjni New York with a detxicbment of two thou- 
sand men for the puriwso of destroying the Continental stores iu this 
town. They landed at Compo Point, in the town of Fairfield, and 
marched without interruption directly to Danbur>'. There was in the 
town a snud] number of Continental troops, but without arms. They 
with the inbabitjinis gcneitilly withdrew from the town as the enem j 
approached. The enemy entereil the town on Saturday, the 2Gtb of 
A]tril, at about three o'clock in the afternoon. They soon began those 
cruelties and exci'wses which clianu'teri/,*' an unprincipled and exas- 
perated enemy. Several persons were inhumanly murdered. One very 
valuable house, with four persons in it, was burnt immediately. The 
utmost inhumanity was committed upon all except the persons and pro[^ 
orty of the Tories. Tlic next morning, before the King of Day bad arisoHi 
the unhappy inhabitants who remained iu the town saw the darkness of 
night suddenly dispelled by the awful blaze of their dwellings. The 
enemy, fearful of their retreat lieing cut off, ralliLHl early on the morn- 
ing of the 27th, set file to tbc sevenil stores and buildings, and imme- 
diately marched out of town. Nineteen dwelling-bouses, the meeting- 
bouse of the New Danbury society, and twenty-two stores and iHiriis, 
witli all their cont(?uts, were consumed. The quantity of Contineiitnl 
stoi^es which were consumed cannot now bo accurately ascuitaintti ; 
accounts vary consideratdy. From the best infommtion which can be 
obtained, there were about throe thousand barrets of p^»rk, more than 
one thousand barrels of flour, several hundred liarrels of beef, sixteen 
hundred tents, two thousand bushels of grain. ItesidLV many other valu- 
able articles, such ju* rum, wine, rice, army-carriagos, etc.' The private 
losses were estimated, by a committee up)N>inted for the purpose, nixteim 
thousand one humlred and eighty-four p«>unds seventeen shillings and 
ten pence. 

"Gens. Wooster, Arnold, and Silliman immeiliately collected sncb a 
party of inhabitants as they were able, and effectually annoyed the enemy 
on their retreat to their shipping. .\ spirited lU'tion was fought at Itidge* 
Hebl the same day they left this town, in which Miij.-Gen. Wotwt«>r re- 
ceived a mortiil wound. Ue was bivugbt to this town, died on the 20tli, 
and was interred in the common burying-place. Congn-ss residvtH) that 
a monunn-nt should be erecteil to liis memory, and made the necessary 
grant; the charge was committed to his st^m, who has never fulfilled IL 
His grave still remoins, anil probably ever will, witbiiut a stone to tidl 
posterity where ho lies. 

"Notwithstanding the public loss of this town, it was still used tv* h 
dct>osit for Continental (itores through the war. A guani for security was 
maintained the Mhole |>eriod. A gi'eat Inwpital was also kept in this town 
from March, 1777, till the ternduathui of the war, in which great iiundK'rs 
died. In the autumn of 1778 a ilivision of the army, consisting of four 
brignde.H, under the command of (ten. Gates, was tjtiarten'd in this town 
for a few weeks, Snnill delncbinents of the army were bereocciLslonally 
afterwanls. 

"The |>eople of this town were uniieil in one s«Ki -ty till the yt-ar ITM- 
At that tinu- a |»art of the town, with a itart of the low o-* of NcwSIilforJ 
and Newtown, was incoqximledasLsieiy by the nanienf Newbury. The 
society of Bethel, which is wholly in this town, was incortMmted by act 
of Assembly, Oclobt*r, 17.VJ. In May, I'i'd. a small ]Mirt of the town, 
with a i»art of the town of Hi"lg<dic|d. was incor)Miniiei| n soiieiy by the 
name of Kidgcbur>'." 

FinST I'lBLlC LIBRAUY. 

" A public lil)mry was establisheil in tliis town in the yonr 1771, Hhich 
nfler^vanls cousistrit of about one hundred volunn^. In the conflagrs' 
tion of the town the Inxiks, except a few which were out. weie con:<unu»d. 
It rennUne<l in such a mntilateil slate till March, 17!>*>. when it was 
dispersed. In Jainmry, 179ll,a nundwr of inhabitants forme«l and signed 
a constitution for a library com|wny ; one dollar and seventy-flvw cents 
was paid on each share, and hd'l out for the purchane of Intuks. An an- 
nual tax, generally of lialf a dollar ui>on a sharx', has Is-en regularly 
applieil fi>r the purchase of lMX>ks, judiciously chosen. The library now 
I'ontjiins two hundred volumes; Hlioutd the same care in enlarging and 



1 Dr. RaniBoy*8 account of Uio lusse* in Uiit town to rcrtnlnly far sliort 
of the truth. 



DANBURY. 



179 



preserving it continue, it promises to be a respectaMe und useful collec- 
tion. A library was foumU-tl at Bethel al>i-ut tliu yuar ITO::, wliii d in.w 
contjtiiis cue liiiiiilrCTl voluniry, ami is inrri.'a.snig. 

" By an act uf the GenL-ral A-sseniMy passcii in Jlay, 17K4. this t.jwn \v;us 
uiaiie a liall'-sliire of the coiuity of Fairfield. From that time to this the 
loiirts have met alternately in Fiurfield and Danhury. A euurt-honsc 
and jail were hnilt in the tiiwn, with some assistance finiii the neij^hhor- 
ins towns, the year fultowiiiK; the sum of three hundred and eightiu-ii 
pounds was raised by a tax, the remainder by subscription. In the year 
IT'Jl the first jail was consumed by fire, after which a second one was 
built, mure valuable and s.cure. Tli-- exprnsc wa,s difiavt'd by the pro- 
duct of a lutlery. 

"A census uf this State was taken in Ibr yi-ar IT'iil. AVe knnw of im 
earlier enumeration uf the iuliabitunts liaviu}; been made. At that time 
the whole number was lilii.r.ll; the number in Fairfield t'uiuity wjus 
■20,560; the nnnd'er in tliis town was IJJT. Another census was taken 
in January, 1774. Tlie Slate then c-uitained 197,S.'i[J inhabitants; the 
county of Fairfield, 30,l"_)(i; the town of Itanbury, i;o20. By the census 
of 1790 the popuhitiun of the State was i;;J7,il46; the number in Fairfitdd 
County was ;ir.,.i;i(i ; in this town it was :in2!>. This was after the town 
was diniinisbrd by the society uf Xewbury being inc<irporated a t<iwn. 
In the census of the year past, returns frum the wlude State have not 
been made ; the county of Fairtield is fuuml !■■ < nutaiii :;s,i60, and the 
town of Danbury :iii74. inhabitants. Tlie inimliei' of town^ in the State 
in 175G was 7:>; in 1774 it wjls Tt»; in I7'.)[i it was Hs ; in isno it was bKl. 

"A print ing-uffice was estaVdished in this tuwn in Manh, iT'.io. A 
weekly news-print has been rej^ulaily pul)lislied fruui tliut time t^) this, 
on demi-paper; it has geneially been, as it is at present, respectable fui- 
good [irinciples an<l information. The nundjernf papers issued at tii>t 
were but one liundred ; there have been as many as twu thousand ; the 
usual number has been abuut one thuusaud. In .June, 17'.i-^>, a second 
jiaper was publislied in tnw n, wliirh iniiliimed several months. 

" We now i>roceed tu relate in a .ouri^.- manner a sketch of the eccle- 
siastical history of the town. Tlie time when a church was fir>t or- 
ganized in town cannot be exactly determined ; it was probably at llie 
ordination of the fii-st minister. The first nunister in this town was tlie 
Rev. Mr. Shove, a very jiioiis and wortliy man, wlio was veiy sucrfssful 
in his exertions for the promotion of peace, virtue, and true reliL'ion ; 
So that the geneial peace and union in his time are jiroverbial at this 
day. He wju* ordained in the year lO'.Mi, and ilied Oct. :;, 17.i.'i,a^ed sixty- 
ei;ilit.* The town wjis destitute of a settled minister l»nt a short time, 
lu a few months the church and people, in gieat harmony, invited Mr, 
Ebenezer White to setth; with them in the ministry. He was accortl- 
ingly ordained March Id, 17;i0.t fniversiil harmony prevailed between 
the peojde and their minister for nioie than twenty-five yeai-s. The 
people of the town weie considered by all the neigldtoi inj; towns as emi- 
nent for morality and reIie;ion, for regularity of conduct, and for constant 
attendance on the institutions of Christianity, though it is tu be la- 
mented that there hits never btten any special revival of religiou in this 
town from the first settlement. In tlie great awakening which sjiread 
through the land in the years 174IJ and 1741, which was pndiably the 
most signal eftiision of divine grace this country has ever experienced, 
this town was mostly pa.ssed over. In the great revival of religion in 
two years past, in the northern part of this State and many other places, 
which is doubtless the greatest display of divine grace,^ exceiding the 
one before nu-ntioned, whicii luia taken place in this country the past 
century, this and the neighboring towns seem to liave jiossessed no share. 
These consideiations call for serious consideration and humility. 

"It is BupiMJsed, on good groumis, that the fii-st nn-eiiug-house wjls 
built prior to Jlr. Shove's ordinati<»n; its dimensions were about forty 
feet in length and thirty feet in breadth. It is remarkable that after tin* 
frame was raised every pei-son that belonged to the town was present and 
j sat on the sills at once. The second nieeting-hoiise was built about the 
year 1719; its dimensions wen- fifty feei in b-ngtli and thirty-five feet in 
breadth. In 1740 an a.ldition of fifteen feet was made to the whole front 
of the house. About the year 17(i2 religious controverey began in this 
town, and was carried to a great extent for many yeain. It is presumed 
that in no town in this State has there been more religions ctuiteidion 
than in this. It is hoi»ed that the fiame is now mostly buried, never tti 
broaU forth again. 

'*At the time above nieutiouei!, Mv. White having altered his senli- 
mcutsand preaching inseveial particulars, some uneiusiness arose among 
his people. The etlorts of several ecch*.siasticiil councils to heal tlie di- 
vision proving ineftectual, it fimilly issued the dismission of Mr. White 



His tombstone, 
t The records of the Eu-stern Consociation 



.f Fairfield C<.uiity. 



from his pastoral charge, March, 17644 A major part uf the members of 
Mr. White's church Joined with him in denying the jurisdiction of eccle- 
siastical councils and lenoiim iiig the form of church goV(rrnment estali- 
lished by the churches in this Statu. The remaining part, who signified 
their adherence to the ecclesiiiatieal government, were established and 
acknow ledged by tlic two Consociations of Fairfield County, convened in 
council, iis the Fii-st Church in I>aiibury. Soon aflei- this Mr. Wliite 
and his atlherent'* sej)arated from the churcb an<l society and formed a 
separate church; they weie generally denomiiKited ' 5Ir. Wliite's ad- 
herents.' In October, 177t), a number <d' the inhabitants of the town in- 
dividually named in the a<t, piincipally those who «omposed this sepa- 
lale ehuicli, were incorporated a society by the name of "New Danbury.' 
I'lior to this they built a good meeting-house, its dimensions about fifty 
feet by forty, in the year 1708, which was consumed in the general con- 
flagration of the town. In the same year IMr. Elienezer Kussell White 
was ordained a colleague with his father oV('r that church. 

'' In tlio year 17i.;4, Mr. Robert Sandeman, a native of Perth, in Scot- 
land, a man «d' learning, of gteat genius and art. and, according to Ids 
views of divine truth, a man of .strict piety, who liad had some corre- 
spondence with Ml'. White aud some other ministers in this c<aintry, 
came froui Scotland and Innded at Iloston. lie came to this town near 
the (lose of the year \~CA. After tarrying several weeks lie retinned to 
Boston, where he soon organized a church, lie came again to this town 
and gathered a chun h, July, 17(1.') ; he died and was buried in this town, 
April'J, 1771, aged fifty-three ^ The principal doctrines which he t.tught 
weie similar to thi>se of Calvin aud Alhauasius which have been re- 
ceived in all ages of the CInisiian (Uiuivh. His distinguishing tenets 
were that faith is a mere intellectual belief; his favtuite expression was, 
'A bare belief of the truth,'— ' Thai the bare work of Jesus Christ, with- 
out a di-ed or thought on tlio part of man, is sufiicient bi present the 
chief of sinners spotless before (iod.'jl He maintiiined that bis Church 
was the only true Church then arisen from the ruins id Antichrist, his 
reign ludng near to a close. ^ The use of means fiir mankind in a 
natural state he pretty much explodeil. In the year 1772 the Sande- 
nianian Church in this town moved to New Haven. In July, 1774. sev- 
eral iiersuus who liail been members uf that cliurch, together with a 
number that belonged to the society of New naiibury, united and formed 
a Saudemanian Churcli. That continueil and increased for many yeal^s, 
tdl >larcli, 1798. when they ilivided into two churches, which still con- 
tinue. There are also a few iniHviiluals at Bethel who compose a third 
church; they all adhere essentially t» the d'.rli iiies an-l prat li. cs which 
were established by llu-ir foiinder.^'^* 

"The society of New Maidmry contituied regularly, though constantly 
diminishing, till July. 1774. when the Rev. Kbeiiezer Russell White, with 
a number of the soeiety, united with tlie Saudeinaniaiis. Public w..i>;hip 
was nuiiiitaiued irregularly afterwanis for two or three years, till the 
society finally exiJired. 

"After the dismission of the Rev. Mr. Wliite, tlie First Church and 
So.iely weie destitute of astated iniiiister till Feb. l;i, 17i;:., when Mr. 
Noadiah Warner was ordaineil their pastor. The Rev. Mr. Warner was 
regularly dismissed from his pastoral charge Feb. 'iM, 17(l.s.t+ The people 
remained destitute about two yeai-s and a half. The Rev. Ebenezer 
Baldwin was ordained Sept. 19. 1770.*I He officiated with great reputa- 
tion to the ministry- till a sudden death terminated his labors, Oct. 1, 
177f>, agetl thirty-one years,-!^ a man of great talents .■uid hnirning. a con- 
stant stiidi'ut, giave in his maniiei-s, a c<uistaiit and able siippoiter of 
the sound iloctrines of the gospel. He left a legacy of about thiee liun- 
died pounds to the so( iety, wliitdi is carefully appropriated to the support 
of tlie •ii>si)el. From that time there wa-s no settled minister in the 
society till the Rev. Timothy l-angdi>n, wImi was oniained Aug. ;J1, 1786. 
The Rev. Ebenezer White died Sei)t. 11, 1779, aged sev.uity.||; The deacons 
()f this church have been in the follow ing order : Samuel Benedict, James 
Beebe, John Gregory, Richard Barnnm. .b.seph Gregory, James Beebe, 
.lames Benedict, John Benedict. Nathaniel Gregory, Joseph Peck, Daniel 
Beneilict, Thonnis Benedict, Joshua K napp. succe<-'led by those n.iw in 
oflice.lJ*f The present meeting-house, which is sixty feet in length ami 



I Records of the Consociation. 

f._ His tonibsbuie. f Idem. 

<I According to his calculations, the milleniiiuni wa.^ to have begun 
onie years ago. 
-^* This church is now extinct, 
ft Keconlsof the ( 'oiiso, iation. 

tt His tombstone. 'i'f: hleni. 

Ill Idem. This gives no trait ot Ins niinisteiial .liaraiter. 
1ft H.ui. Josei.h P. Cooke aud Samuel Wildniau. 



180 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



furty-flve in brcadtli, wftli astoeplu one linndred nn<l tlih*ty foot in liofght, 
wn« niJ8L>il Ot-U)I)er, 1785 ; it was iiicUvsed the snniiner fullowing. 

"Tilt- society of Ucthel l»nilt tliuir nu-oting-honHO in the yenr 1700. 
Tlic Uov. Noah Wetniore, their firwt minister, was onlnined Xoveinber 
STilh of the same yeitr: ut tliu maniu time a churrli wad urganl/.ed by the 
Ordaining Conncil. Mr. Wetniuro wiu regularly diHrntriscd from lii^j pas- 
toral charge Nov. 2, 1784.* His ancces^or, the Itov, John Kly, was or- 
dained Nov. 30, 1791. In tlio society of Newbury the Rev. Thomas 
BrookH, their firwt mini^tter, was ordulned Sept. 28, 1758; a churcli was 
gatlivrvd ut tlie Maine lime.t In May, 178K, the society nf Newbury was 
incorporated a luwn by the name of Iti-ooklield. Mi*s. .Abigail Knapp. 
now living, aged nevt-nty-five. widow of the late I>e»4:«>ii Joshua Knapp. 
waj4 the first Knglitjh ihild b«>rn within the limits of Brooktield. The 
Kev. Samuel Cnmp, the fir8t and present minister of Ridgebury, was i 
onlained Jan. 18, 1709. The chuixh in that fiouioty was organized on 
the day of the ordination. 

" There were a few professors in thifi town of the mode of the Church 
of England a** early as the year 17.M). Tliey built a meeting-liouse 
whose dinieiisiouH are forty-eight feet by thirty-^ix, in the year 17(>J. 
Ill September, 1784, they were constituted n rogiilar KpiHcopalian Bocloty. 
Sixty-«i.x jjcrsonft, the moat of whom belonged to this town, were then 
considered as belonging to the society. The society have had occasional 
preaching, tint no minister has been settled over them. 

"There were a number of professors of the denuiniuatiou of Biiptists, 
about the year 178;!. A Baptist Church was eonstitnted in the iiorth- 
we>t part of the town, November, 1785. The year following they built a 
mi-eting-hunse, which is now stjinding. Mr. Nathaniel Finch was their 
mi ni?iler for several yeaif*; their pitwiit minif-ter, Mr. Nathan Ibilkley. 
was ordained the 8lh of last May. A second Baptist Church was consti- 
tuted in the western part of the town in the year 1788; the niembors who 
survive are now mostly connected with other churches. 

*' 1 shall now close with a few general remarks. The present number 
of mJiooIs in town is seventeen, — twelve in the Hrst society and five in 
Bethel. Much morn attention is now paid in the education of youth 
thuii formerly, though it is conceived there might bo still more to great 
pro tit. 

" Kor many years there was but one military ctuiipany in town; at 
present there are three of infantry, one of cavalry, and one of artillery, 
which for accuracy in evolutions, niilitar>' spirit, and appearance may 
vie with any military companies whatever. 

"There have been but few rennirkublc instances of longevity in this 
town, though it wiw formerly n-nntrked tliere wa« a great nniny old peo- 
ple: that is not the ca^e at prcw-nt. Sir. William Hamilton, born in 
Scotland, who livod numy yeara in this town, died in the year 1749, aged 
one huiulred and two; Mr. John (.'ornwall died in the year 17.'»:i, aged 
one hundred and onr ; those two are the only pei>unis known to have 
lived in town uvfrono hundred years of age. Mr. David Hoy t, who lived 
longer than any ponton ever born and living in town, died in Apiil hiHt, 
agt^l ninety-seven. The family of Mr. Thonms Taylor, one of the first 
setllcrtfi. as a family, wasreniarkablc for longevity. He had ten children; 
the whole amount of his age and theirs is nine hundred and forty-seven 
years, the average of which Is eighty-six years; but three of them saw 
le^M tlian ninety years. 

"The incrcio**' of this town In a numlior of years |iast has not been 
Kreat,owjnK !•■ vi*ry greiu enii;:nitiou; which hasbt>en the ca«e with this 
in common with all the ti.iwns in the State. 

"The general iK-cuixitioii of the pe<ip|i> lu this town has beon fanning; 
wittiin a few yeiLrs coitsiilerable maiinraclories have l>een cstablistied. 
In the uninnfiu-luru of hats this town much exceeds anyone in Iho 
United Slut^-s. More than twenty thonuuid halM, mtkstly of fur,aro maile 
annually for fxitortatioii. Tlo' manufacture of shoes is also carrieil on 
to a ronsidcnibU' extent. At a low compntjttlon. fifteen thousand pair 
<if InhiIs and shoi>n are annually ex|Hirtiil frou) litis town. A pa|K.'r-niill 
was ensjtrd in tlir town in the year 179J, In wlilcli aliout fifteen hundred 
nuiniM of |m[HT arc inunufacinred annually. A considerable number of 
■adilltM are alM* niiulo yearly for ex|M>rtation t 

"The iHitpIe In this town have generally lieen vert free from litiga- 
tion; within a few years It has consltlerubly incrcAii4i«l. though it Is not 
yet great. A spirit uf lltignllon h one of the greatest evils wlilch can 
befall any comnntnlty. 

" In our Revolutlonar}' war the |»c4tple in this town generally warmly 
esiHiusetl the American rnuso. Notwithstanding nil that is salil by the 
enemle< of our govenintetit to show that It^t sup|tnrtnm were oncmlc« to 

• Reoonls of the ronttoctatly. t /''fi«. 

I A mill has been lately enTte<| for the nniinifacture of sumach, for 
dyeing, on a new plan.iMtunMl by {Nitetii. 



the Revolution, the people in tliis town, though they were great sufferers 
in the war, are almost unanimously ftnn friends of the present govern- 
ment of the Uniterl States. 

"The list of the town is not to bo obtained but for a few years post. 
In the year 1788— the first year after Bniokfleld was made a town— it 
was upwards of sixty-six thousand ; in the year 1709 it excelled eighty- 
one thousand. 

*' We have thus given a sketch of the hislor>' of this U>\\n from its first 
settlement to the present time. It is not pretended that some important 
facts have not been omitted, but. from the materials which can be ol>- 
tained, this is the best that I have been able to collect. In the review 
of these things we witness the failing nature of all earthly scenes, llow 
applicable are the words of inspiration, ' Vonr fatliers, where are they? 
and the pmpheta, do they live forever?' While It is our lotto be placed 
on the stage of hunnin action, let it he our constant solicitude to seek an 
interest in that kingdom ' whose Builder and Maker is God,' — to act our 
parts w<u"thily in the vicissitudes of human life, that, tlirough grace, we 
may be appn^ved when called uptui to |m»ss in review before the intel- 
lectual wurbl ; that wlieu the chief Shephcnl shall a[>pear we may appear 
witli llitn in glory. "^ 

DANBL'KV IN 1770. 

Daiibury had no trouble witli the Indians. There 
are no traditions of burnings and scaljiinj:.--. Dr. 
Peters says that in 1770 there were not four hundred 
Indians in all Conneeticut. TTcrc is his brief jrhtnee 
at Danbury : 

" It has niueli the ai)pearanee (tf Croydon, and 
forms five parishes, one of whieh is Kpiseopal, and 
another Sandeiuanian ; a third is caUed Bastard San- 
denianiau because the minister refused to put away 
his wife, who is a second wife. The town was the 
residence, and is now the tomb, of tlic learned and 
ingenious Rev. Mr. Sandeman, well known t^t the 
literary world. He was the fairest an<l most candid 
Calvinist that ever wrote in the Knglish language, 
allowing the natural consequences of all his prop- 
ositions. He taught that a bishop must be the 
husband of one wife, — that is, he must be married 
before he was ordained, — and if he lost his wife he 
could not marry a second; that a bislutp might dress 
witii rurtles, a red coat, and sword ; that all cnnvcrted 
brothers and sisters, at their canning into the church, 
ought to salute with a holy kiss ; that all true Ciiris- 
tians would obey their earthly king; for which te- 
nets, especially the last, the Snher Dimfcntcrs of l'i»n- 
necticut held him to be a lierctic," 



^ Mr. Bobbins was luirn In Norfolk, Conn., in 1777, was e«liunlwl at 
Vale, and graduateil. in 179(5, with Trof. Sillinian. In 184.'» we find him 
in Hartfonl in charge of the Athemeum, In which city he died in 18GH. 
He was n liaclndor. 

•' We are glad to iMrn." says the Aeir*, " thai Ihis was from nerewity, 
and nttt fn>m choice. While hen- he iKM-anie smilti'n with the i harms 
of an amiable and acciimpllshed younc huly. She did not n-clprxwate his 
feeling, however. an<l rofusefl to tweomo his wife. He never fell in lore 
again, but nnule antii)uitrian Ion* his llfe-comi>anlon and whice. The 
!V.vonng hwly a'terwanis inan'led, and wa-* the mother of Mr. Luciu-' H. 
I Itoughlon. 

" CtintemiMirnry with Mr. Kottblnt wen- Stdleck fMiorne and Comfort 
Mygntl. The fiinner conducted the village itaiMT, and tin- latter n-pr*- 
senled the town In the Legislature. Ibiring Mr. Bobbins' stay one of 
the village |)oets bliMimetl forth In a wlringof verves ealculat)"*! to harrow 
up the foldings. One of those venws c«>uld honlly Ik- c..n«idnre«l compli- 
mentary. It ran: 

**'Danl>ury is a thriving town. 

AntI nol«ody can prevent them: 
An unfb'dged Itobbln preaches Iheie, 
And a MagKol repies<*nts them.'" 



DAXBrRY. 181 



INIIAIilTAXTS IN IT'.i::. i GorliMiii, ISciij.; (in-nrv, Mimson; On>,i;-.iry, IhA,- 

Tlu- tollowiiig- is a list (.r till' taxable iiilialiitants nf "''^i'' ; < ii-c-ucji-y. Jclni ; ( irc^nry, Isaar ; ( iiv,i;ory. 

Danbury ill IZilH: Thus.; ( ii-cj;(]ry, Xatli. ; ( ircumy. Maltlirw ; (irog- 

ory. SaiHiU'l ; (tri'L'iiry, .Ir., Xatliaii; (iri'fTdry, 

I>A.NIUKV LIST. iTii:!. Xatliaii; ( Iregory, .Icbi, ; ( iivgury, Kzia ; (iivg- 

Aiiclrcws, Saiiiucl : Andrews. Naiali; .Vinlicws, Levi; ory, Ebciiczer ; Glovrr, ('. ; (iivcii, l)(Uiglass; 

Ambler, 'Sijuirc; Atkins, .\iiilre\v; Ambler, I'eter ; ( irittiii, Catharine ; Gray, Klias. 

Ambler, Ste]ilieii ; Abcit, Silas. Hamilt Silas; Hamiltmi, Taul : Ihuiiild Ic- 

Bates, Nathan; Bartmi. .Tdhii ; Babcnek, Nathan; se|ili ; Hamilton, .Tdlin ; Iloyt, Eli ; llnyt. ('(inilort ; 

Bariium, Siiniuel ; Bariuim, Abijah ; Barnuni, Hciyt, Aiims ; Hoyt, Daniel; Hoyt, Jr., ('.imlbrt; 

Noah; Barnum, Nathaniel; Bariium, .Ir., .Vbijali; Hoyt, .Vrecl ; Hoyt, .ronathan ; ]loyt, Ereas; Hoyt, 

Barnum, John; Banuini, Oliver; Bears. Daniel; Stephen; Hoyt, Eli.jah ; ]Ioyt,Agur; Hoyt, David ; 

Benedict, Jr., Jos.; ]',eiiediet, Cyrus; Benedict, Hoyt, . I r.. Daniel ; Hoyt, Tliaddeus ; Hoyt, Noah ; 

Jr., Ebenezer; Benedict, Noble; Benedict, Com- Hoyt, .Jesse; Hoyt, Daniel D. ; Hoyt, Drake; 

fort; Benedict, Elijah ; Benedict, Caleb ; Benedict, Hoyt, ,lr., Noah; Hoyt, Justice; Hoyt, Elea/.ar ; 

Abijah; Benedict, Timothy; Benedict, Zado<'k ; H<]yt. .[oliii ; Hoyt, Daniel Cid); Hoyt, Nathan; 

Benedict, Jr., Eliakim ; 15eiic(lict, Jr., Thomas; Hiibliell, ICzra ; Hubbell, Noah ; Husted, .Vudrew ; 

Benedict, Thomas; ]'.eiicdict, PlKebe; lieiiedi.t, Hayc's, \Viii. ; Hiekol^Sainuel ; Hawley, C. ; Haw- 

Jr., Asael ; Benedict, Elihu; Benedict, Jr.. Sam- ley. .lolin ; Hodges, Ezra ; Howington, T'l'ter. 

uel ; Benedict, Joshua ; Benedict, Jr., Caleb ; Hen- .Tones, Isaac; Joye, Jr., .John ; Joye, .lohn ; .loye, 

edict, Jr., Abraham; Benedict, Dorias ; Benedict, Daniid ; .hidd, Jacob ; Judd, Jr., Thos. ; Judd, .Vb- 
Nathaii ; Benedict, Daniel; Benedict, Leiiuu'l ; , ner; Jarvis, Steidien ; .larvis. Eli ; .lennings, Sanuud. 

Benedict, Abigail; Benedict. Theojdiilus; I'.ene- Kna|i|i. D.i\id; Knapp, .rohn ; Kna]ip, .Jr., John; 

diet, Tlios. H. ; Benedict, Jonas; Benedict. Ebe- Kuapp. 1-Jnathaii ; Kna]i|i. Daniel ; Kiiap]i, Noah ; 

nezer (3d) ; Benedict, Steplicn B. ; Benedict, Thad- Kuapp, .Ir.. Noah ; Knapp. lienj. ; Kna).|., .lames ; 

deus; Benedict, Ezra; Benedict, Eleazor ; Briden, Knapp, .Ir., James; Knapp, .losluia ; Knapp, 

John; Beach, L. ; Bedient, Eliazur ; Beaty, , lames ; Brai'y ; Kellogg, Eliasapli. 

Beaty, Daniel; Boughton, Asa; Bougliton, Mrs. Loveless, Richard; Lawn^nce, Oliver; Lindslcy, 

Susan; lioughton, Elieiiezer; Boughton, .Vbijah; Matthew; Lindslcy, Sanuud ; Lindslcy, James. 

Boughton, Josejjh; Boughton, :\Iatthe\v; liouglitoii, JIcLeaii, .lohn ; McLean, .\le\. ; .Alygatt, VA\ ; :\Iy- 

David; Boughton, Daniel; Boughton, Jlrs. Deb- gatt, Filer ; Mygatt, ('oinlort ; Mills, .lohn; .Alorris, 

orah; Besare, Newcomb; Burri t, Philiji ; Burr, Shadrach; Morris, Ethel and ('liaueey; Jlorris, 

Oliver; Burr & Co.; Baldwin, ISamuel ; Baldwin, E)diraim ; Morehouse, Tliaddeus; :\LinsIielil, (ilo- 

Caleb; Brush, Stephen ; lironson, Ezra; T?ronson, ver; JIunsoii, Ebenezer ; Mnrow, L. 

Levi; Bronson, Ira; Barber, lienj.; Barber. Sim- Nichols, Samuel; Nichols, .Ir., Samuel; Niclnils, 

eon; Brodrock, John ; Beelie, .lonathan. Ebenezer; Norris. Stephi'ii. 

Cemliers, Wm. ; Cembers, .lohn; Curtis, Keuluii ; Osboiii, Closes; ( ),>liorn. i)ani<d; Osborn. David; 

Curti.s, Stephen; Curti.s, Eliphalet; Cook, Thos.; (_)sborn, Levi ; Oshorii, .losi^ph ; (Jlmsti-ad, Daniel ; 

Cook, Jos. T.,; Cook, Jr., Jos. T. ; Cook, Samuel; Olmstead, Joseph. 

Crofut, Seth ; Crofut, Benj. ; Croliit, Levi ; Crofut, Peck, Abijah; Peek, Levi; Peek, Luther; J'eck, 

Matthew ; CJrofut, Joseph ; Coliurn, Gilmore, Craiiy, Elakin and Mijali ; Peck, Stejihen ; Picket, Ebene- 

James; Cm-bin, Philip; Clark, James; Clark, Sr., zer ; J'icket, .Ir.. Ehenezer; Picket, Seymour; 

Adam; CUark, Joseph; Cummins, Asa; Cliap|ial, Picket. Darius; I'ieket. .lames; Pratt, .lohn; 

Wm.; Comstpck, Stephen ; Comstoek, Seth ; Com- Phillip. .VUial; Phillip. Samuel H. ; Pell. S. ; 

stock, Daniel; Carrington, Daniel; Carringlon .^ Patch, (^; Patch, Thomson; Patch, Ezra; Patch, 

Mygatt; Custer, Peter ; Church, Jared N.; Corn- Elijah; Perry, Major; Peirce, David; Pcirce, 

well, Nathan; Cornwell, Hannah; Odler, Levi; Joshua; Piatt, .los.; Porter, .Ir., John. 

Cozier, Benj. ; Chapman, Josliua. lioekwell, .losiali ; Uockw.dl, .labcz ; Rockwell. Levi; 

Dobbs. Wm. ; Durly, Benj. ; Dibble, Ezra; Dibble, Kobinson, Z. ; Robinson, ('alvin; Ryder. .lohn; 

Nehemiah; Dibble, Daniel; Diblile, Jo.seph; Koberts, Wm. 

Dibble. Nathan; Dibble, Peter; Diblile, Elisha ; Starr, Caleb; Starr, .losluia; Starr. Xatlian; Starr, 

Dixon, Chas. ; Dodd, John; Douglass, Nathan; Ezra; Starr, Widow liiidiard; Starr, Nath. ; Starr, 

Deforest, Elihu; Deforast, Jo.sejih ; Diteman, Peter ; Starr, Thos. (M ); Starr, Jr., Thos. ; Starr, 

Thos.; Diteman, Tliaddeus; Diteman, Daniel; Widow Rclieeea ; Starr, .Ir., .lonathan ; Starr, Ethel ; 

Dean, .lohn. Starr, Jabez; Shove. .Ir., Seth; Shove, Daniel; 

Eames, Everit; Ely, Edwards, Shove, .Ir., Daniel; Shove, Seth ; Slalkes, Widow 

Frost, Ezra; Pinch, Peter; Finch, Jacob; Foot, Annie; Sturges, .lo.seph ; Sturges, Simon; Sa- 

John; Foot, David; Ferry, Solomon; Fo.ster, bins, Jeptlia ; Smith, Samuel ; Sut, .laiiii's ; Shute, 
Jesse; Foster, Timothy. i Biehard ; Sluitc, John W. ; Selleek, Nath'l ; Sel- 



182 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Icck, Lewis; 8t. John, (Tiinialirl ; Scovil, Stephen; 
Scovil, Eneas; Siinfoid, Klijiih ; Scott, Josepli ; 
Stevens, Thos. ; Stevens, Eliplialet ; Stevens, James; 
Stevens, Jonathan; Stevens, Widow Esther; Stev- 
ens, Nathan ; Stevens, Ezra ; Stevens, Samuel ; 
Stevens, Forward ; Stevens, Elijah ; Stone, Levi ; 
Stone, Oliver; Stone, Aaron; Stone, Widow 
Annie; Stuart, James; Stuart, Miss Eleanor; 
Stuart, Jacob N. 

Tuclver, Thos.; Taylor, Timothy; Taylor A: t^ooke ; 
Taylor, Gilead; Taylor, Ira; Taylor, Major; Taylor. 
Widow Hannah ; Taylor, John ; Taylor, Theoph- 
ilus; Taylor, Salmon; Taylor, Jonathan; Taylor, 
Najah ; Taylor, Lemuel ; Taylor, Elia/.or ; Tweedy, 
Samuel ; Tweedy, Wm. ; Trobridge, Isaac ; Tro- 
bridfre, John ; Trobridjre, Joseph. 

Vaiidusen, Jolin ; Vaughn, Wra. 

Whittlesey, M. B. ; Whittlesey, Elisha; Wood, 
Elijah; Wood, Bcnj.; Wood, David; Wood, 
Daniel; Wood, Jr., Daniel; Wood, John; Wood, 
Jr., John ; Wood, Nathan ; White, Jos. M. ; 
White, Widow Alary ; ^Vliite, Ebenezer B. ; 
White, Thos. V. ; White. Ebenezer .1. ; White, 
Russel; Wildman, Timothy; Wildman, ,lr., Tlios. ; 
Wildman, Libbeus; Wildman, David; Wildman, 
Ezekiel; Wildman, Jr., Isaac; M'ildman, Elia- 
kini ; Wildiium, .Jr., Samuel; Wihlnian, Abraham; 
Wildman, Daniel; Wildman, Noah; Wildman, 
Nirum; Wildrium, .Ir., Timothy; Wildman, Eli; 
Wildman, Isaac; Wildman, Nathan; Wildman, 
Joruithan; Wildman, Samuel; Wildnum, Jo.seph; 
AVildman, Thoma-s; Washburn, Ephraim ; Wash- 
burn, Edmond ; Wilks, Matthew; Wilks, Jr., 
Matthew ; Wicks, Benj. ; Wildman, Benj. ; Wihl- 
nian, .Jr., Abraham ; Wildman, .leilediah ; Whit- 
ney, Nathan; Wylleyj .\braham; Whitinfr, F. ; 
Whittock, Samuel ; Weed, Timothy ; \VeeJ,'Sam- 
uel ; Weed, David ; Weed, Bartholomew ; Weed, 
Eleazor ; Weed, Ephraim ; Weed, Asa ; Webster, 
■Jonathan. 

The whole list amounted to £16,863, 12«. 5jrf. 



ClI.Vl'TEK XVII. 

DANBUHY (Continued). 

THE WAU OF THE REVOLUTION.* 

Tlip IliiriihiKur Diitilmrj— Sir Willliiiii Iluwc'8 Offlcial Boport— Killuil, 
Wouiiiied, nnil ?tlltvtiiig — Tht' CouiU'Ctli-llt .Aiurti'irA Account— Tlio Al>- 
pruach tu Diiiibury— Tryott'i* lleiLiJ<piiirfun« — .\iiui(iltig Inclilent — The 
Prisuiicni — n«.stnicti(iii uf Itiim— n«nHirnli/.nlii>ii of To'on't* Trxwiie — 
The AuxioUfl Guneruls— Ik'iijiiiiiiii Kna|))>'i4(llHlinguiHhe(l Giieubt — Tho 
Rflrral— Thu IliiUlu— Ocii. Wixwtor Mortiill.v Wmiiidpil— Hi» Death ill 
Danbur]'— I-i>t of Siifferere— Total Lims— I'olillon for Bt'lii'f— Kull of 
RvTuhitioiiury Suldien. 

"When this section ol' country," says the News, 
"was called I'ahquioque, or Pahquaige, it presented a 

• Tlio following hiitor; of ^nl>ur.v in tlio Itt-voliition la rrpnMlucml, 
b.v p4<niilM*ion, from Uio coUimnR of tlio Dnntnirj/ Seta tliroiigli the cour- 
t«..v of J. 51. Jkdlc}-, Ksq., "The Ptuiliur)- Nov. Jinn." 



somewhat different appearance from what it does now. 
We can easily understand that. But the iinafriiiatinn 
must be an active one, enjoyiii)^ very excellent health, 
to picture our neighborhood as it was in lti84, when, 
according to Mr. Kobbins, the firr't settlement was 
made. 

" It is reasonable to .suppose that the original eight 
families came to Danbury by what was since the turn- 
pike between here and Norwalk. It is the most direct 
and presents le.ss obstacles in the matter of high gnmnd 
than any other way. So long ago a.s that there could 
not have been more than a trail, if as much, to direct 
and aid them. AVhat inu.st have been their thoughts 
as they forced their way we cannot know. .Judging 
the asjiect of nature to be then considerably more for- 
bidding than it is now, we must admire the courage of 
the original eight, even if we cannot respect their 
judgment. 

" Presuming there was a trail, its location through 
here must have been the i)resent Main Street, and 
W'ould naturally present to the new-comers a place of 
residence jirincipally because it defined something. 

"According to Jlr. Kobbins' account they located 
close together, four on one side and four on the oppo- 
site side. Their object was to start a village. This 
with a view to sociability and protection, would de- 
mand concentration. The lands on who.se cultivation 
they de|iendcd they sought here and there as the rich- 
ness of the soil made necessary, and these locations 
varied so much that to resiih- upon the tracts would 
have so scattered the .settlers as to have made the 
nucleus of a village 'a barren ideality,' and to have 
put social intercourse and mutual protection beyond 
the iiale of jiossibility. It is likely enough that the 
eight families' liomestcads did not cover more than 
the ground between South Street and the court-house. 

"The land was got from the Indians, and some of it 
remains in the po.s.ses,sion of the families to this day, 
never having been sold or bought since the day the 
Indians, beguiled by the glitter of new jackkiiives, 
swapped it for the bright treasures. 

"Mr. Eli T. Hoyt owns a ]iiece intireat Plain Dis- 
trict, known as ' I'nity Hocks,' which came from the 
Indians. Mr. Philo White, in the same di.strict, occu- 
pies ground that his grandfather, the Rev. Ebenezer, 
mentioned in the sermon, got from the Indians. The 
homestead of Mr. Kussell Jloyt came into his family 
from the same source. 

"In May, 1684, the (ieneral Court empowered 
Thomas Benedict, Thomas Fitch, and John Burr to 
plant a town at this point. What Messrs. Fitch and 
Burr did in the matter we do not know. Mr. Bene- 
dict's two sons, Samuel and James, were of the 'origi- 
nal eight." The Mr. Beebe of the same party was a 
brother-in-law. The Dr. Wood was also a brother- 
in-law. Mr. L. Starr Benedict ami Mr. Charles Bene- 
dict are direct descendants of James Benedict. Per- 
haps the Danbury man of to-day who holds the most 
immediate connection with the first families is Mr. 



DANBUlir. 



1S3 



Eli T. lldvt, wlici is tlio frre:it {rnmilsiui nfjolm Hciyt, 
of the ' (irigiiial eiglit.' Mr. Hnyt luis tlu' nire distinc- 
tion of having lived uikKt the administnitidii of every 
President, and of having voted for sixteen of them. 

"By a careful wrench of the iiuaginati<m we can 
see Danbury something as it existed then. We know 
from the quality of the land that the eminences were 
full of fir-trees. We deduce, also, from the lay of the 
laud, that along the streams alder.s grew in profusion, 
and that in that portion east of Main ^^treet and west 
of the Town Hill ridge there was a rather Consiilera- 
ble .swamp. 

"We are pretty confident that thesw;inip must have 
been a prominent feature in the tojiograpliy from the 
fact that the first settlers set their heart upon calling 
their town Swam|ifield, and were only deterred there- 
from by the arbitrary action of the General Court, 
which substituted the iiamr l)anbury." 

THE BIUNI.NH; of 1).\NB1 hv. 
"The Ameri<'an view of the night of terror which 
has gone down in history as the burning of Danbury 
has been :dready given in Mr. Robbius' sermon, on a 
previous page. The following is the English version 
of the affair, being !Sir William Howe's olticial rejiort: 

"'Tliii tiMolw lariiluJ ..n tlio idtiini.«.ri i.f the -i'.tli ..f April (Fricl;i_v), 
four miles to the eastward of Nurwalk ami twenty miles frnni Daiihur.v. 
In the afternoon of the '2Gth the lietachnient reaehect Danhui-y, meeting 
only small parties of the enemy on their march, but Gen. Tryon having 
intelligence that the whole force of the country was collecting to take 
every advantage of the strong ground he was to pass on his return to 
the shipping, and tinding it inipossihle to procure carriages to hiing otf 
any part of the stores, tliey were effectually destroyed ; in the execution 
of which the villnge was vnavo'uhihly hurnt. 

'"On the tiTth. in the morning, the troops gutted I>anbury, and met 
with little opposition until they came near to Ridgefield, which was occu- 
pied by Gen. Arnold, who had thrown up intrenchments to dispute the 
passage, while Gen. Wmister hung upon the real' with a separate corj'S. 
The village was forced and the enemy driven J)ack on all sides. 

" ' Gen. Tryon lay that night at Kidgeiield, and renewed liis march on 
the morning of the l^Mth. The enemy, having been reinforced with 
troops and cannon, disputed every advantageous situation, keeping at 
the same time small parties to harass liie rear, until the general lia<l 
formed his detachment upon a height witliin cannon-sliot of the shipping, 
when, the enemy advancing seemingly with an intentii)ji to attack him, 
he ordered the troops to charge with their bayonets, wliicli w;is executed 
with such impetuosity that the rebels were totally put to tlighl, and tlie 
detachment embarked without further molestation : 

'*'The inclosed returns set forth tlie loss sustained by the king's troops, 
and that uf the enemy from the best information : 

*' ' Return of the rtorcti, onltinnce, proviswiis, etc., foinnl at the rc/n7s' stores , 
and destroyed hy the khttfs troops in Donlmry. — .\ quantity of onlnance 
Stores, with iron, etc. ; 4111111 barrels of beef and pork ; KKIO barrels of 
flour ; loo large tierces of bisket; S'.l barrels of rice ; 12CI puncheons of 
rum; several large stores of wheat, oats, and Indian corn, in bulk : tlie 
quantity thereof could not possibly be ascertained ; 30 pipes of wine ; 100 
hogsheads of sugar ; 50 ditto of mola-sses ; 2lt casks of cuffce ; I.t large 
casks filled with medicines of all kinds; 10 liarrels of saltpetre; 1020 
tents and marquees ; a number of iiun boilers; a large quantity of hos- 
pital-bedding ; engineei-s', pioneei>', and carpentei^' tools; a printing- 
press complete ; tar, tallow, etc. ; ."lOilo pairs of shoes antl stocking; at a 
mill between Ridgebury and Kidgehrdd, 100 barrels oflbjur, and aipian- 
tity of Indian corn. 

^' * Returned of the kiJIed, jrounded. iinil Hi(.v.s/»y. — One drummer and fifer 
and twenty-three rank ami tile, killed; throe ticlil-olticers, six captains, 
three subalterns, nine sergeants, ninety-two rank and file, wounded ; one 
drummer and fifer and twenty-seven rank and file, missing. Koyal artil- 
lery, two .'ulditional killed, three mutrossos and one wheeler wounded, 
and one niatross nnssing. 



" ■ Ui'lnni of the r.l.rh lulled and n;innded.—lii\U;\ : li|.ii. W,„,sler, f',d. 
liuiild, <ol. Landi, of the artillery, Cul. Ilenman, Or. Atwati-r, a nuu/of 
.lUK-iiderabb- intlucni e, Capt. C.oe, l.ieut. Tli..mps..ii, liundred pri- 
vates. W.iunded : Ccd. Whiting, Cai.t. Benjamin, Lieut. Cone, two hun- 
dred an. I fifty ]irivates. Taken: filty privates, including several coin- 
ndttee-nien.' 

"The Coiiiiectieut Jmir/id/ ,>f t\vAt time, :ifter speak- 
ing of the landing of the liritisb and their march to 
]):inbury, in which there are no particulars other 
than those given in the preceding accounts, says, — 

•"Early the next morning (Satnrdayl llrig -Gen. Sillim.an, with ab,,ut 
five hundred militia, l)Ul-sued the enemy ; at Reading he w.xs joined bv 
Maj.-Gen. Wooster anil Brig.-Gen. Arnold. The heavy rain all the after- 
noon retarded the march of our troo|is so nnich that they did not reach 
Bethel la village two miles from Danbury) until eleven o'clock at night, 
much fatigued and their arms rendered useless by being wet. It was 
thought prudent to refresh tlie men and attack the enemy on their 
return. Early tlie next morning (wliich proved rainy) tlie whole were 
in motion: two hundred men remained with Gen. Wooster, and about 
four hundred were detached uinler Gen. .\rnold and Gen. Silliman. on 
the road leading to Norwalk. At nine a.m. intelligt-nce w.xs received 
that the enemy had taken the road leading to Xorwalk, of whieli Gen. 
\\ ouster was informed, and pureued them, with whom he came up about 
rb-ven o'clock, when a smart skirmish ensued, in which Gen. Wooster 
Willi behaved with great intrepidity, unfortunately received a wound by 
:i musket-ball through the groin, wliiih it is feared will prove mortal. 
<;i-ii. Arnold, by a forced march across the coiiDtry, reached Ridgefield 
at ele\en o'clock, and, having posted his small party (being ,joined by 
about one hundred men) of five hundred men, waited the approach of 
the enemy, who were soon discovered advancing in a coliimn with three 
til ld-]iieires in front and three in the rear, and large flauk-gnanls of near 
Iwo biiiidied men in each. At noon they began discharging their artil- 
leiy, and were soon witliin musket-shot, when a smart ai:tion ensued 
between the whole, and which continued for about an hour, in which 
onr men behaved with great spirit, but, being overpowered by numbers, 
were obliged to give way. 

. . . "'Our loss cannot be exactly ascertained, no returns being made. 
If is judged to be about sixty killed and Wiiuuded. 

'"The enemy's loss is judged to be more than double onr number, and 
about twenty prisoners. The enemy on this oc.'asion behaved with their 
usual barbarity, wantonly and cruelly murdeiing the wounded prisoners 
who fell into their hands, and plundering the inhabitants, burning 
;uid destroying everything in their way.' 

"According to the above account from the Connec- 
ticut State Jiiitniii/, the American troojis aiiproached 
Danbury in a storm of rain. The British must have 
been more fortunate in their progress, judging from 
the following incident: Mrs. Stephen Ambler, who 
died at a rijie old age some years ago, was a girl of 
sixteen at tluit time. Her father, whose name was 
Munson, occupied a house which stood where Mr. E. 
A. Houseman's place now is, on Deer Hill Avenue. 
Many of our readers will remember the liouse. Miss 
Munson and her mother were engaged (]uilting on 
that Saturday when the news of the appni:icli of the 
British was lirought here. She went to an upper wiu- 
diiw, which commanded a view clear through Bethel, 
;inil slie saw the moving m;bss of men, distinguisliing 
their presence by the reflection of the sun on their 
burnished arms and accoutrements. The spectacle 
made so vivid an impression upon the mind of the 
young girl that she never forgot the sensation she 
then exi>erieneed.* 



* Miss Munson subsequeiiHy married Stephen Ambler (who, witli his 
six brothers, served in the war), and became the grandmother of Oliver 
P. Clark. 



184 



HISTORY OF FAIKIIKI.Ii CO IN TV, CONNECTICUT. 



"The British ronchcd the villafie shortly after two 
o'clock, so it was ahoiit one o'clock when Miss Mun- 
son saw them. The colunin had had an uninter- 
rnpteil march from the water. This is not surprising. 
The country was full of Tories, — men who were in 
sympathy with the king's cause and who knew every 
foot of the country. Through these Tryon knew the 
condition of defense and ortense of the people, and 
by them was guided along the safest and most direct 
route. With sucli knowledge and help, and with 
troops in fine condition, the march to l)anl>ury was 
l>ut an excursion. 

"Some four miles below here is an eminence called 
Hoyt's Hill. It is not on the turnpike, but is located 
by the road to Lonetown, s(mthcast of the |)ikc. It 
was along this road the British approached I?cthel. 
The hill is on the border of Kcddiiig and JJethel, and 
is not eight miles distant from here, as Harlicnir in his 
chronicles states. 

" An incident occurred here that has been confused 
by two or three versions. HoUister, in his ' Hi-story of 
Oonnecticut,' says that Tryon was confronted on I 
Hoyt's irill by a presumably insane horseman, who 
a]>]narcd on the crest waving a sword and conducting 
liimself very much as if he was in command of a con- 
siderable army in the act of climbing the opposite 
side of the liill. The British commander halted his 
force and sent out skirmishers to reconnoitre, when it 
■was discovered that the stranger was alone, and, in- 
stead of leading on an enthusiastic army to almost 
certain victory, was making the best of bis way back 
to Danbury. 

"This account is apparently a distortion of an inci- 
dent that really did occur, although it has the sanc- 
tion of local tradition, and is repeated (in honest be- 
lief) by several aged residents, who got it from their 
parents, who were living here at the time. 

" Joseph I'. Cooke, a resident of Danbury, was in 
eommand of the few Continental soldiers here at this 
time, with the rank of colonel. AVe do not believe 
the troop was very large, — merely a guard over the 
government store which was locateil here. 

" When the news of the British approach was 
learned in Danbury, Dr. John Wood dispatched a 
young man in his employ named Landiert Lockwood 
to learn the size and contemplated line of march of 
the British troops. Young Land)ert reached the sum- 
mit i>( Hoyt's Hill, when he suddenly and rather un- 
expectedly came upon the foe. He must have been 
riding at a snnirt speed, or he would not have become 
so helplessly entangled as he turned out to be. When 
he discovered the enemy he wius too close upon them 
to get nwny, and in attempting it he was wounded 
and captured. He learned a great deal of the Britisli 
and their designs, but the value of it was consider- 
ably impaired by this incident. 

"Tryon's troops marcheil through Bethel without 
(singularly enough, taking in account his 'blood- 
thirsty' nature) doing any <lamage to ]\f,' or |)roperty. 



After leaving Bethel the ranks were deployed, ami 
Danbury was a])proached in open order, s(mie of the 
advance being so far deployed as to take in Shelter 
Hock Bidge on the right. The father of the vener- 
able Thomas Andrews, of Bethel, with several com- 
IKinions, went on Shelter Rock to see the British col- 
umn pass, and while there were surpriseil and shot at 
by the royal scouts. 

"On reaching the south end of our village (ien. 
Tryon took up his headquarters in the house of 
Neliemiali Dibble, on South Street. The same 
liuilding has ever since been known as the Wooster 
I'lace, from the fact of Gen. Wooster dying there 
a few days later. Several years ago it was torn 
down. 




iiorsE or Mill, Ml 



N WHICH uKX. woo.sTKit 



" It was between two and three o'clock in the after- 
noon when the British arrived. The leader having 
selected his head<|uarters, the <iuartering of the force 
for the protection of themselves was next attended to. 
Tryon's as.sistant,s, tJens. Krskineand Agiicw, accom- 
panied by a body of mountcil infantry, proceede<l up 
Main Street to the junction of the Barren Plain road 
(now White Street), where Benjamin Knapp lived. 
Knapp's house .stood about where is now D. V. Nich- 
ols' brick block, long known a.s Jlilitary Hall, the 
corner of which is occupied by F. W. Barnum, drug- 
gist. The two generals quartered themselves upon 
Mr. Knapp. taking complete posses^^ion of the house, 
with the exception of one room where Mrs. Knapp 
Wiis lying ill. 

"On this diLsli up Main Street the party met with 
two incidents. ,\ man named William Hamilton had 
a piece of doth at a fuller's on South Street. When 
he hi'anl of the approach of the enemy, he got on his 
horse anil rode there in full haste for his goods. Ue 
was rather late, however, and when he came out into 
the street to remount his horse a s<iuad of the force 



DAN BURY. 



185 



was ii])on liiiii. Danlmry's Ikii-scs rcmld ii<it have had 
the ivputatidii for speed they now enjoy, or Mr. Ham- 
ilton was very jjoorly i)rovided, for tlie steeds of the 
military gained on him at every rod of the way. He 
flew up Main Street with a half-dozen troo|iers in full 
pursuit, and on reaching West Street, then a mere 
lane, turned up it, the hair on his head being 
very erect. The pursuers followed him, and one of 
them, being more in advance and close ujion him, 
swung his sword to cleave him in two, when a singu- 
lar but most fortunate accident occurred, llanulton 
lost a part of his hold on the roll, which he had u|i 
to this time tenaciously clung to; the cloth llcw out 
like a ribhon, frightening the pursuing animals and 
rendering them unmamigeable. 

"The column that came up JIain Street were fire<l 
at from the house of Oapt. Ezra Starr. This building 
stood where now is the residence of the Hon. D. 1'. 
Nichols, corner of Main and Boughton Streets. Tlie 
shots were fired by three young men. It was an at't 
of reckless daring, and the actors must have l)een 
very young, as the shots could not have possil)ly had 
any other effect on the invasion than to have exas- 
perated the invaders. These men were Joshua Porter 
and Eleazer Starr and a negro named Adams, who 
was in Ezra Starr's employ. Mr. Porter lived in Ob- 
long (Westville District). Pie wits in the village after 
a gallon of molasses when the enemy came. Starr 
lived on the corner of JIain and Elm Streets, within 
a few feet of The News office. Both men went into 
the captain's house, and there awaited the ai)proaeh 
of the enemy. They were killed on the premises, and 
the building was immediately fired, the three bodies 
being eonsumeil with it. 

"The skirnnsh-line of the British as they ap- 
proached Daidinry extended from Shelter Rock to 
Tom Mountain. Tryon was an able general, and, 
although jiretty well assured that the country was 
without an organized military force, omitted no 
proper precaution. The main body came in on the 
road (now but little usi'd) which skirts the west side 
of Coal])it Hill. The skirmishers advanced a few 
rods north of .Soutli Street, covering Main Street, 
and then rested. Geu. Tryon took up his headcpiar- 
ters with Nehemiah Dibble, and Gens. Agnew and 
Erskine, with a body of the troops, preceded by two 
l>ieces of artillery, started up the main street. 

"The alarm in Danbury was, of course, consider- 
able. The town was in no position of defense. The 
news of the invasion was known in New Haven 
hours before it was received here. Danliury had a 
company of cavalry under command of Cajft. Starr, 
but the greater portion of them were in New York 
State, in the Federal army. The number here with 
the few detachments did not form a total of a hun- 
dred ancl fifty ert'ective men. There were but very 
few aide-bodied civilians present. The whoU' body 
of military was under command of Col. Cooke. He 
withdrew as the enemy advanced, so the only opj>o- 



sition Tryciu's men found came fnim the few citizens 
who from every available shelter fired upon the col- 
umn as it advanced u]i Main Street. 

"As the fnrcc reached the ] present location of the 
court-house the two piei-es (jf artillery were dis- 
charged, au<l the heavy balls, six- and twelve-]>ouMd- 
ers, flew screaming n\> the street, carrying terror to 
the hearts of the women and children and dismay to 
the heads of the homes thus endangered. There are 
probably a nnndier of these lialls savc<l up by <mr 
citizens. Two of them, found on Dr. W. F. Lacey's 
place, are in possession of Cid. Samuel ( Iregory. 

" Iunuediat(dy upon ( rcns. .\gnew and Erskine 
taking up their quarters in Mr. Kna]i|>'s house, a 
[lickct was located. One squad of twenty men occu- 
l>ied the rising ground wdiere is now the junction of 
Park .\ venue and Prospect Street. \ second took 
position <jn the hill innr .Farvis Hull's Ikuisc. The 
third was located on what is now called Franklin 
Street. We have jm iHlbriiiation of other picket- 

; squads, but it is likely enough that every ap]iroach 
to the village was guarded. 

"It is related of a brother of Joshua Porter that, 
coming into the village to see wdiat the British were 
doing, he came upon three of the jdeket stationed on 
Park Avenue. They <'onunanded him to halt. 

" ' AVhat for?' he inquired, still continuing towards 
them, 

" ' You are our i>risoncr,' said they. 

I " '(iucss not,' he laconically replied, moving stead- 
ily upon them. 

"'We'll stick you through and through if you 
don't stop,' one of tliem threatencil, advancing close 
to him. 

"Porter was a man of very jxiwerful build, with 

i' muscles like steel and a movenu'ut that was a very 

, good substitute fiir lightning. Tlu'y were close upon 

j him. There was a gulidi back of them. In a flash 
he had the fiu'emost trooper in his grasp. In the 

! next instant he had hurled him against the other 
two, and the three went into the gidch in a dcmoral- 

\ ized heap. The rest of the squad, seeing the disaster, 
immediately surrounded and subdued Porter. This 
little aflair, it is said, gave the name of Scpnibble Hill 
to that ueighborliood. 

"Porter and a man named Parnum are believed to 
be the only prisoners the enemy carried away from 
Danbury. They were taken to New Y''ork City and 
confined in the infamous Sugar-House iirison. Porter 
was subsequently released and returned home, but 
}5arnum die<l tlu'rc from starvation. When foun<l he 
had a piece of brick in his hand holding it to his 
mouth, as if to <lraw' moisture IVom it to cool his 
feverish throat. 

"The main body <if the troops remained in tlie 

; village and shortly engaged in the destruction of the 

1 military stores. Those in the Ejiiscopal church were 
rolled out into the street and there fired, as the edifice 

1 was of the Church of England, and so reverenced by 



186 



HISTORY OF FAIKFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



the English invader. This churcli stood where is 
now tlie graveyard on South Street, whieh was then 
its churchyard. The buikliiig was years after re- 
moved to the corner of Main Street and turned into 
a tenement. 

"Two other buildings contained stores. One of 
these was a liarn belonging to Neheniiah Dibble. 
The goods were taken out and burned to save the 
building, a.s Dibble wa.s a Tory. The other was a I 
building situated on Main Street, near where is now 
Samuel C. Wildman's place. It wa.s lull of grain. 
It was burned witli its contents. It is said tliat the 
fat from the burning meat ran ankle-deep in the 
street. No less free ran the rum and wine, although 
not in the same direction. The soldiers who were 
directed to destroy these tested them first, and the 
result was a.s i-ertain as death. Before night had 
fairly set in the greater part of the force were in a 
riotous state of drunkenness. Discipline wa.s .set at 
naught. King George stood no chance whatever in 
the presence of King Alcohol, and went down before 
him at once. The riot continued far into the night. 
Danbury was never before or since .so shaken. They 
went up and down the main street in squads, singing 
army songs, siiouting coarse speeches, hugging each 
other, swearing, yelling, and otherwise conducting 
themselves as becomes an invader wlien he is very, 
very drunk. The people who had not fled remained 
close in their homes, sleepless, full of fear, and utterly 
wretched, with the glia.stly tragedy at Capt. Starr's 
house hanging like a pall over them. The night wius 
dark, with dashes of rain. Tlie carousers tumbled 
down here and there as they advanced in the stages 
of drunkenness. 

"Some few of the troops remained sober, and these 
|)erformed tlie duties of the hour. One of these was 
the marking of a cross upon the buildings which be- 
longed to the Tories. This was done with pieces of 
lime. There was considerable of this property. Sym- 
pathizers with the government of the mother-country 
abounded hereabouts. They were men who honestly 
believed that colonies had no right to secede from the 
Crown, and they defended their belief when they 
could, and cherished it at all times. They were jubi- 
lant now. The proi)cr authorities were in possession, 
the rebel dement was overcome, and the Tories be- 
lieved that Danbury was forever redeemed from the ' 
pernicious sway of the rebellion. 

"It was two of tlie.se people who piloted Tryon 
into Danbury. They were Stephen .larvis and Eli 
Benedict. They were very hapjty men on this dismal 
night, and the future looked very bright to them. 
The next night there was a very big difference in the 
state of their feeling. They had fled from Danbury. 
Some time after, Benedict came back, but, lieiiig 
threatened with violence, he left for good. Jarvis 
Went to Nova Scotia, where he made his home. Once 
he returned on a visit to his sist<T. He came pri- 
vately; but, the neighbors getting w..rd <>( bis pres- 



ence, they went to the house in search of him. His 
sister hid him in her brick oven, and when the danger 
was over he secretly left Danbury lor Nova Scotia, 
never again to return. He lived in the house just 
east of ( Jeorge Kyder's place, on Wooster Street, and 
whieh, remodeled, stands there yet. 

" It was uot a particularly happy night for the gen- 
eral in command. He had met with a complete suc- 
cess in reaching Danburj' and destroying the stores, 
which was the object of his mission. But the great 
bulk of his force was helpless in the strong embrace 
of New England rum, and news had come that a force 
of the enemy was gathering and marching towards 
him. They were anxious hours to the three generals 
and their aids, but especially to him on whom rested 
all the responsibility of the expedition. 

" Besides tlie approach of Wooster's men, there 
was the small band of troo])s under command of Col. 
Cooke, who were undoubtedly near Ijy, ready to give 
vigorous help to an attacking force, knowing every 
foot of the ground, and capable of giving an infinite 
amount of annoyance if nothing more. Then there 
were gathering farmers from the outlying districts, 
who had through the al'ternoon given substantial evi- 
dence of their j)resence by creeping up as near as i)0s- 
sible and firing at the pickets. The darkness that fell 
about the town after nightfall might pardonably be 
peopled with many dangers by even a less imagina- 
tive person than was the British general. 

" In the mean time Benjamin Knapp wiLs liaving 
his own particular trouble. 

" Mr. Kiiajip wiis a tanner. His house stood on 
what is now White Street, near the corner of Main. 
White Street was then called Barren Plain Road, and 
this name was given it because the road ran across 
the Balmforth Avenue region, which was then pretty 
much sand. Barren Plain lload wils not quite as 
straight as White Street. It bowed to the south 
about where Hawley&Sayers' coffin warehouse stands. 
Back and just east of there, on the stream, Mr. Knapp 
had his tannery. 

" It is very rarely the resident of a humble village 
has two brigadier-generals come to spenil Sunday 
with liini, and the advent of Ociis. .Vgnew aM<l Ers- 
kine should have been an unbounded delight to Mr. 
Knapp, but it is doubtful if it were. The generals 
made themselves fully at home. There was no still- 
ness about them. They killed Mr. Knapp's .stock and 
cut up the meat on his floor, and the dents thereof 
were visible lus long as the building .stood. Mr. 
Knapp's wife was a .sorely-afflicted invalid, but her 
inability to attend domestic duties did not in any way 
embarrass the guests, yet it was very un|>lea.sant for 
Mr. Knap)). Besides that, the neighboring people, 
on that eventful afternoon, drew near to the town 
with their long-barreled guns, and. taking advantage 
of (he heavy growth of alders along the stream, fired 
at a red-coat wherever he showi'd liimself There 
was a picket statii>iiid un the Main Street bridge, and 



DANBURY. 



187 



tliis ]iiii'ty w;is a special tarjrct. All tliis iiuule Mr. 
Knaiip very nervous, as he (-(luld not very satisfae- 
torily show that he was not in leairue with the ani- 
hushed jiatriots. ami he f'rareil lii-^ pniperty wunld 
sutt'er. However, it did not. The liritish jjenerals, 
in view of the aeeoiiiiHodatinn and illness of Mrs. 
Kiiajip, spared the hnuse in the general eonHafrration 
that followed. The house was removed twenty-five 
years ago to make room for the present huilding. It 
was the stereotyped house, — side to the street, with 
baek r(Jof sliipini; down to within a man's heij;ht cd' 
the ground. 

"At midnight the U]ir(iar eansed liy the iiuiiidatiim 
of two thousand siddiers and the ahsorptinn of sueh 
a great quantity of New England rum had to a great 
degree abated. Tryon was fully awake. His ])ositi<Mi 
was heeoming exeeedingly perilous. Shortly after 
midnight word lame to him that the rebels, under 
AVooster and ,\rnold, had reached Bethel and were 
preparing to attack liiMj. 'I'his was unexpeeted to 
hiiu. He had thought to siiend the JSabbath leisurelv 
in Daid)ury. The word that came from Bethel radi- 
cally ehaiiged his programme. At onee all became 
bustle. Tlie drunken sleepers were aroused to. new 
life i)y the most available means, and a niovenicnt 
made t<iwards immediate evaeuati(jn. 

"It was nearly one o'clock Sunday morning when 
Tryon got word of the Bethel gathering. Up to that 
hour there had been but three buililings destroved 
(already mentioned). As soon as the men were 
aroused and in place, excepting those detailed tor 
picket, the work of destruction began. This was 
about two o'clock. In the next hour tlie buildings 
owned by Tories were nmrk<'d with a cross, done with 
a chunk of lime. The work of burning was then 
commenced. 

"The first house burneil stooil just west nt' the 
Episcopal church on South Street, liut some little 
distance from the street, and where is now the garden 
of the late Charles Ryder's house. There was a long 
garden attached to it, and at the opposite end of tlie 
garden, almost reaching Main Street, wa.s another 
house. These buildings were owned and oeeui>ied 
by John McLean, one as a dwelling, an<l the (jiie i>n 
the corner as a store. 

"Mr. McLean was C(nnmissary of the Continental 
troops in that vicinity, and tlie object of the visit of 
the enemy to Danliury was to destroy the army l>ro- 
visions which he had accumulated in his store and in 
the Episco|)al church, which was then unfinislied. 
They would not liurn the church, but rolled the bar- 
rels of flour and pork into South Street, and burned 
them and the buildings, the lard being over .shoe deep 
after the conflagration. 

"Mr. McLean had sent off all his working teams 
towards West Point with supplies, and had nothing 
at home but a pair of fatting oxen and a sa<lille-horse. 
Upon the alarm of the enemy's ai)proacli tlie oxen 
were put before a cart with a feather-bed in it, upon 



which his wife and children proccecled to New Jlil- 
ford, while he remained burying and putting in safety 
such f)f his ])roperty as he could conceal until the 
British appearcil ovc-r Coal|iit Hill. They saw and 
pursued him, calling out, ' ( >ld Daddy,' ' Kebcd,' etc., 
and firing after him when the fl<'etness of his horse 
seeme<l likely to carry liim out of their reach. Some 
of the bullets jiassed through his coat and hat, but he 
escaped uninjured,, joining his family in New JFilford, 
whence they removed to a farm which he owned in 
Stony Hill, and remained until the (dose of the war. 
They then returned to Danbury and built the house 
now standing near the foot of Main Street. A few of 
his descenihints still reside in the town, but none 
liearing his name, the only grandson being Dr. .lohn 
A. McLean, of Xorwalk. 

"Capt. Daniel Taylor. :\Iaj. Taylor, Comfort Iloyt, 
.Tr., and .losc[i]i AVildnian were also among the suf- 
ferers, but the writer knows not where their ]iropcrfy 
was located. 

"The .second house tired was on the ea.st side of 
Main Street, a few rods from the corner of South 
Street, and where the big pine-tree now stands. After 
that there was no order in the tiring, I)Ut the flames 
seemed to burst out simultane<iusly in all directions. 

"Dr. .[(dm Wood's place, about where are the 
places of William Bedient and the late Philander 
Comstock, was destroyed. There were two wells in 
this vicinity, each of which was filled with iron, can- 
non-balls, etc., wdiieh could not be burned, and were 
thus put out of the way. David Wood's house, where 
William H. Clark now lives, was burned. Across the 
street from him lived Capt. James Clark, who lost his 
liouse. Next to Clark was Maj. Mvgatt's home, just 
south of E. R. Whittlesey's place, also burned. 
Another contriljiifion to the flames was the house of 
Rev. Ebene/er White, where G. F. Bailey's house 
now is. Zailoe Benedict's house stood where Schop- 
jiaul's bakery is, north of the depot. Mr. Knapp 
must have thought the trouble was getting pretty 
close to him. Capt. Joseph P. Cook's house also 
went. It stood wdiere Lucius P. Hoyt's house is. 

"The record says there were nineteen dwelling- 
houses burned in all. It is sai<l also that there were 
several stores bnrned. They must have been owned 
by members of this list. Wc know that Capt. Cook 
owned one of the stores, and that the Woods owned 
another. Cook's store stood where he lived, and the 
latter was where Mr. Bedient's place is. Near Samuel 
C. Wildman's house stood a blaeksmith-sho]), which 
also perished. In it was made a jjart of the chains 
with whidi the Hudson was barricaded at West Point. 
The meetin,g-house of the New Danbury Society was 
also burned. It stood on Liberty Street, lietweeu 
Delay Street and Railroad .V venue. 

" As but nineteen houses were burned, it was not .so 
much of a conflagration, alter all. Danbury then ha<l 
a population of some two th<iiisand five hundred. To 
accommodate these there must have l.ieen at least four 



188 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



hundred dwellings in the township, and nearly, if not 
quite, three hundred in the village. HLstorians say 
that every house wsis burned except those belonging 
to Tories. If this be .so, then the humiliating retlee- 
tiou is ours that the great bulk of Danbury was Tory. 
Tliank Heaven for the strength to believe that it is 
not so I It is likely that the British burned only those 
buildings that were available in their hasty getting 
together, including those whose owners may have 
been particularly obno.\ious to the loyal heart. 

" With the lire well under way the pickets were 
called into the formed line, and the invading army 
took up its march in retreat. 

" Tryon did not undertake to return a.s he came. 
The force under Woosterat Bethel deterred him from 
that, and he sought to make a dUtour through Ridge- 
fiehl." 

TIIK FIOHT. 

" In the light from the burning buildings the BritLsh 
troops took up their line of march from town, passing 
over Deer Hill by way of the road now called Woos- 
ter Street. No sooner had the last man left Main 
Street than the advance of the American squad, which 
had hung on the outskirts of the village since being 
driven out, api)eared on the street, and immediately 
followed after. 

"Before the last of the British were fairly out of 
the village the gray dawn of the Sabbath waved up 
from the east, aud as it advanced into the broader 
light of the new day it showed tlic long line of British 
filing through Miry Brook road, and the straggling 
but determined rebels, armed with long muskets, car- 
ried with both hands, bringing up the rear, aud doing 
their be.st to harass the foe, aud succeeding. Still, 
with all their ])atriotic zeal, we arc obliged to enter- 
tain but a jioor idea of their nuirksmanship, for there 
is no record that any of the enemy were killed on 
Danbury soil. 

" Among this crowd of daring if not effective per- 
sons there was one who was sufficiently rapid in his 
manual of arms, however short he may have fallen 
frcim l)eing effective. He was poised on a fence the 
afterno<in before, and fired thirty-tiro shots at the 
skirmish-line of the advancing British without being 
touched by a single one of the many bullets sent after 
him. Wlien his ammunition was gone he held up 
his cartouch-box to the enemy to show its emptiness, 
and then left, shouting lus he ran these very patriotic 
words : 

" ' Ho that flghu and runs nway 
May llvi' tu Hghl nnotlicr .lay, 
Iliit lie Hint in in U\\\U uliiiii 
SlKill liovcr live lo flglit n^liili.* 

" A movement of a body of two thousand men could 
not be made, of course, without the knowledge of the 
neighbors. The people of the adjoining districts and 
villages had been ai>prised of the arrival of the British 
in Danbury by the families who had tied from the 
doomed town. All tiiat S:itiird:iy iiiL'bl men were , 



hovering about the place, looking with hungry eyes 
for every manifestation from the enemy. No sooner 
had the line taken up it.s march than these people 
knew of it, and, determining the route, sought to an- 
noy the march all that was in their ])owcrtodo. One 
of their acts was to destroy the bridge over Wolf Pond 
Run, in Miry Brook District. When the enemy 
reached this place they were obliged to stop and 
throw over a temporary bridge of rails. This made 
a delay, and enabled the forces under Wooster to gain 
headway. 

" One historian says that the British marched through 
Sugar Hollow. This is plausible enough if the force 
had been an excursion-party hurrying to Ridgefield 
to take a railway-train, but no militarj' man would 
be so insane a.s to take his men through such a defile, 
where there was every advantage and ample protec- 
tion for an enemy. 

"(tCu. Tryon look his people through Ridgebury, 
having an open country for his skirmishers. He was 
confident that by making this ditour he would mis- 
lead Wooster, and escape to his boats without serious 
iuterrujition. 

"But Wooster, at Bethel, soon got word of the move 
and prejiared to meet it. Wooster was a resident of 
New Haven, and was in that city when the news of 
the enemy landing at Compo reached him. Immwli- 
ately he started for Danbury with what force he could 
get there. He was joineil on the way by .\ruold and 
Silliman, and the men under their commands. Poor 
Woo.ster! He little realized when he started for this 
insignificant hamlet that it would become his ever- 
lasting home, so far as this world is concerned, and 
that here the only substantial honor he should ever 
receive would be given. 

"Gen. Wooster sent .Vniuld and Silliman, as we 
have already indicated, direct to Kidgefield, across the 
country from ISethel, while he struck out in a more 
northerly direction, intending to strike the foe before 
he reached Ridgefield. In this he succeeded. He 
came upon the enemy while they were breakfasting, 
about eight o'clock in the morning of that eventful 
Sunday. He appeared from a piece of woods, and 
struck a rear regiment with such unexpected force that 
he captured forty of the men before the comuumd was 
fairly aware of liis presence. He witlidrew as rapidly 
as he came, but shortly after made another dash, while 
the enemy were in motion, and it wius then the light 
took place in which he lost his life. 

"There are so many eontlicting accounts of this 
engagement that we are ]>owerless to determine which 
is right. It is not a nuitter of any moment, however. 
Wooster and his two or three hundred men were alone 
in it, as Arnold and Silliman's force were in Ridge- 
field Village, barricading the road and waiting for a 
chance to do their share. Out in the country, amid 
the rocks and the pine scrub lying between Ridgefield 
Street and Ridgebury church, the brave and ill-fated 
man was waging the unequal battle. It was at the 



DANBURY. 



189 



first of the second attack that he received the fatal 
wound. The Uritish must have heeii on tlir rctreatj 
or his friends would not have been able to ret'over liis 
person, as lie fell where he was shot. The frreat sash* 
which he wore was mnvntiiid, and, being spread uut 
as a blanket, lie was put in it and carried fnini tlie 
field. Tlien lie was ]daced in a carriage and slowly 
briinght back to Danbiirv. 

"In the Dibble niansimi. where Trvnn but a few 
hours betbre had hail his lu'adc|uarters, the unfortunate 
general was placed. .V local surgeon dressed the Wduml 
as well a.s he was able, and shortly after a iiinre experi- 
enced man came from Xew Haven to attend him. The 
bullet, which is said to have lieeii tired by a Tury, en- 
tered his back oldicpiely just as he turned to wave on 
his meu, and, cutting the spinal cord, was buried in 
his stomach. Tlie nature of the wound ]irecluded 
recovery even had he received the best skill on the 
momeut. His wife arrived frmii New Haven, Imt a 
delirium had seized him, ami be did leit recognize 
her. Fur three days he lay in tlii' old Sniitli Street 
house, sulfering untcdd agony, and then he lell into a 
stupor. This was Thursday morning of that eventful 
week'. 

"' ft was noted by her who, faithful to the last, un- 
remittingly watched his ]iillow that during this and 
the following day (as is frecpiently the ease in the clos- 
ing .scene of an active life) his mind was busied in ex- 
citing reminiscence. By the feelile light of flickering 
reason he was tracing the long and weary ]iilgrimage, 
the cruises, sieges, battles, marches, through which be 
had passed, only to reach his grave. The hiniie of his 
childhood, the cabin of liis slii|i, tlie old maiisioii by 
the 8ound, pass in a bleiide(l image before his fading 
vision. The dash of waves, the rattle of musketry, 
the roar of cannon, ring confusedly in his deafened 
ear. His hand cannot respond to the gentle jircssure 
of all'ectioii. His breathing grows shorter and shorter, 
while the icy chill advances nearer ami nearer to the 
heart. As his wife wipes the di-ith-damp from his 
brow his eyes, hitherto closed, open once more, ami in 
their clear dejiths, for one glad moment, she discovers 
the dear, the old. the familiar expression of returned 
consciousness; his lips gasji in vain to utter one |ire- 
cious word of tiual adieu, and the last effort is to throw 
on her one farewell glance of unutterable tenderness 
and love.'t 

"On Friday, May 2, 1777, he ilied. On Sunday the 
funeral was held. It was a quiet affair, althougii the 
body was that of a major-general and id' a soldier who 
for courage and patriotism had no superior, lint Dan- 
bury wa.s sorely afflicted. .Many of the bouses were 
in ruins, and nearly all the able-bodied men were 
away. 

"Miss Betty Porter, aged sixteen, daughter of one of 
the men killed and burned in Maj. Starr's house, and 



* Tlie sash and swoni are now in Yale r.»llegf. 

t Ileury C. Dcniirig'a oration at llo- \V<iimn r ]ii..ijiiiii 



subsei]Uently the wife of Cnjit. Nathaniel (iregory, 
grandfather of our ('ol. (iregory. was at the funeral. 
She says there were lint six men ]n-eseiit, and they 
bore the body to its resting |dace. The remains were 
buried in the graveyard on Wooster Street. 

" Bcv. Samuel Feters, in his ipuiint work 'A I ieneial 
History of ( 'onnecticut,' stiys, 'David \\'oostcr, the 
rebel general, Benedict .\rnold"s old friend and mob- 
bing confederate, received a fatal ball through his 
bladder as he was harassing the rear of the royal 
troo]is, of which, riffi'i- brinr/ carried fort y iiiilin tn NfW 
Hurt II. he died, mid irux hiiriri] nf tin' sidr of llnrid 
Ih.rirr//, one of tile judges of Ch.irles 1,' 

" The firing of our people upon the British, with the 
return fire of the enemy, marked as distinctly as sight 
lould have done to the refugees the progress of the 
march. Besides, there were messengers, in the person 
of boys, who kept track of the course and re|iorted 
hourly. Long before the royal I'olumn |iasseil Ridge- 
bury church the ]ieople who bad fled began to return 
to the village, some to undisturbed lionies, others to 
smoking ruins. Befiire night the most of them had 
got back, although it was not until the next day that 
all had returiu'd. The jiarents of the venerable Mrs. 
Fhebe Benedict, who is still abiding with us, went to 
New Fairfield. 

" With the returning Daiiburians came a host of 
sight-seer- IVoiii Kedding, Bethel Village, Brookfield, 
Newtown, New Fairfield, and other places. It was a 
great spectacle for outsiders, and they Hocked here 
just as peo[)le do to the scene fd' an overwdielniing 
distister. .\lltliat Sunday afteruoon the main street 
and South were full of peoide, viewing the ruins, sym- 
pathizing with the sufferers, cursing the enemy, and 
delivering opinions of reckless wisdom, as is common 
with the dear ma.sses in matters they know nothing 
id'. ( )ne of these visitors used to relate that the w heels 
of his wagon sank above their felloes in the cold grease 
on South Street, which came from the burnt pork. 
There were three taverns here at the time, and the 
business they might have done, bad they the lii|uiil 
fiicilities, would have been immense. 

"Dr. Jabcz Starr, grandfather of Mr. Fred Starr, 
kept one of the taverns. His place stood on the cor- 
nel- of ^lain and Flm Streets, near where is now T/ic 
Xeirs building. (.)n the ap[iroacli of the enemy ho 
iiiovcd his goods out of town and harm's way. Mr. 
Starr was the only doctor in Danbury at the time. 

"The house now occupied by Nathaniel Baruuni, a 
few doors south of T/ir ynm office, was a tavern at 
that time. < bi a sign swinging from ;i post it bore ti 
copy of the arms of King George W., wbieh gave the 
tavern its muiie. It was kei>t by .lolin Trowbridge, 
who was Mr. Barnum's great-grandfather. ( >wiiig to 
its sign it was saved from destruction, but its furniture 
was piled up in the street and burned. Mr. Barnum 
has coni]detely (diangcd the outside appeanince of the 
building, so that to-day it looks but little like it was 
at that time. 



190 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



" Mr. Trowbridge was a lieutenant in the rebel 
army. He was away with his regiment at the time. 
His peoj)k' removed themselves and what furniture 
they could get togetlier to Natlian Cornwall's tavern, 
in Ik'aver Urook Distriet, tlie tavern standing on what 
is now Henry Starr's place. The royal troops did not 
interfere with the jiropcrty, but the furniture that was 
destroyed was the work of Tory neighbors. 

"Maj. N. M. Taylor in 1777 lived in a house which 
stood at the junction of South Street with Dumpling 
Hill road. On the news of the coming of the British 
he hurried home and told his wife to make ready to 
fly. She was of the genuine Revolutionary material. 
She had a baking of bread ready for the oven, and 
she declared she would not leave until it was done. 
Before it was done the enemy came into town, and 
Taylor's tavern wa? inundated by soldiers. She told 
thcni that she had a batch of bread in the oven, and 
if they wanted some she would give it to them. Hot 
fresli bread is a toothsome bit to a soldier, and when 
the bread came out they took it all. Fortunately for 
Taylor's proi)erty, his wife was a good baker, and the 
soldiers, whose stomachs had been delighted by her 
skill, left the building undisturbed. 

"Ten years later Mr. Taylor put up a guide-stone 
in front of his place, which- contained the following 

information : 

'"ti" wiled to II(artfor»l). 

01! miles tu N. Y. 

Tliin stone erected by N. M. Taylor, 1787.' 

" Mr. Taylor soon after built the house, now owned 
by Martin E. Clark, on S(mth Street at the foot of 
Main, which was used as a tavern. There is not a 
Kevolutionsiry building in town that shows less change 
than this building. It is two stories high, with a tre- 
mendous garret. His dining-room was then used as 
the receiitii)n-ro()ni, with the small bar of those days 
opening off from it, and now used by him for a milk- 
room. A part of the second floor was used as a ball- 
room. Three stone chimneys pierce the roof. One 
of these at the base is eiglit by eleven feet and five 
feet square in the garret. The others are nearly a-s 
large. Near to this building stood the house of Com- 
fort Hoyt, .Ir., which was burned. John McLean was 
the most serious suflcrer of the lot. His liouse stood 
where is now the venerable big double tenement on 
the south side of Main Street, and which is to-day 
called by many the McLean place. 

" Immediately after the ilisaster the selectmen were 
instructed to present a petition to the Legislature for 
the relief of the sutlerers. Uinman, in his ' War of 
tlie .Vmerican Revolution,' says, — 

"' John >lclw3ali. Kli M.vgQtt, mid otltvn*. Mtleclnivn of I>aidMiry, HtAtoiI 
to the GuDonil .\iiMen)l>ly coliveue-l ut llnrtronl on tlio 8tli of May, 1777, 
tlint the oiicmy In tliclr Incursion Into Panbnry burned ami deittmyed 
the public reconb of said tovn, and they aiiprehenrliHl great tiaroago 
might arl!4e to the iidtabltanta unleAs (^ime timely rrmeily MtouM be pro* 
vidwl. The Awembly ap|K>lnto<l Daniel Sherman, Tol. Ncliemlali fleanls. 
ley, Inen-aj*e Moceley, Lemuel .Saiifonl, Col. S. Canllebl, and t^ileh Raid- 
win to n'pair I > hanl'ury ng Aon im might U<, and notiry the lulmliltantM 
of ftald town, and by all lawful ways Inquire Into and asecrlaln every 
nian'fl right, and rojiort to the next (lenenil AMcnibly. 



" ' This committee reported to the Aatembly that the British troopa 
had made a hostile invasion into said town, and under a pretense of de- 
stroying the public stores had consumed with fire aljout twenty dwelling- 
houses, with many stores, barns, and other buildings, and that the enemy 
on their retreat colli-cted and drove off all the live stock — viz., cattle, 
horses, and sheep — which they could find, and Uiat the destruction of 
said property had reduced many of the wealthy inhabitants to poverty. 
Having notified the inhabitants, they from day to day examined the 
losses of each sufferer, on oath and by other evidence, and allowed! to 
each his damage at the time said property was destroyed. They found 
tliat by reason of the price of articles the inhabitants ha<l been obliged 
to pay large sums over and above the value in pnwuring the necessaries 
for their families, that many of them had their teams forced from them 
to renu»ve the public stores, etc. Tliey gave the name of each sufferer, 
with liis loss alloweii, annexed to his name, which amounted to the sum 
of sixteen thousand one hundred and eighty-one pounds one shilling 
and four pence, which report was accepted by the Assembly and ordered 
to be lodged on file, to jwrpetuate the evidence of the loss of each iierson, 
that, when Congress should order a compensation, to make out the claims 
of sufferere. 

** ' On the receipt of this communication the pay-table were directed 
to draw an order on the treasurer for the sum of five hundrc-d pounds in 
favor of the selectmen of Danbury, as aforesaid, who could not suUist 
without such relief. 

" 'In 17H7 the sufi'orors in Danliury, having received no further relief, 
again petitioned the General Assembly of Connecticut, upon which jajti- 
tion Hon. Andrew- Adams and others were appointed a committee. 

** ' The chnimian of said committee reported that fur want of exhibits 
and documents they were unable niethodiailly and correctly to state the 
facts or losses and estinnitc of damages, and also, for the want of pn»|>or 
certificate-* fmm the treasurer and secretary of state, to report wliat had 
already been done for their relief, but were of opinion that the houses 
and buildings and necessary household furniture destroyed by the enemy 
ought to bo paid for by the State at their just value, and that the only 
manner in the iwwor of the State, at that time, was to pay the same in 
iVe»tent tarKif ; which report was in October, 1787, accepted by tlie House, 
but rejected by the Upper House.' 

" In 1792 the General Assembly made the award of 
land. This territor*' is in Ohio, and has since been 
known as the Western Reserve. 

"This list of sufferers, with the amounts of los-sct, 
we herewith give, as tiwarded by the first-named 
committee. 

Mr. John McLean ;l.Mo;,M 

Capt. Ezra SUirr 11.4SO.00 

lupt. Daniel Tavlor 4,aiiOO 

Col. John I". Cook 4,707,60 

Major Kli .Mygatt 5S».™ 

(apt. James Clark 4 Wlfii 

Major Tavlor...- 3-5<»4 '" 

Comfort ilovt, Jr 3,'i5K.77 

Thiiddeus Iteuedicl, Ksq 2.01II.UI 

Itenjaniin Slurry S4!».t»0 

David Wood 2,VA:H 

Joseph Wildnian 2,11X7.(10 

Dr. John \Vm.d 1,97" W 

Matthew Ilenedict 1.(17J .'Ji 

llev. Kbenezer White - l.fVlT iJi 

Jonah neoediet 1,W7 '.o 

.Matthew Ilenedict l.ir.'O.ir, 

Jabez lt..ck«ell l.lv."«i 

Zudock Beneilict Ma.ii 

"Tiie total loss as thus determined by the com- 
mittee amounted to nearly eighty-one thousand dol- 
lars. 

"There were two Matthew Benedicts, father and 
son, who figure in the list of losers. The latter, who 
was great-grandfatlier of Benedict Bmtlicrs, the shoe- 
dealers, lived wliere is now the homestead of Mrs. 
Henry Benedict. It is said that he owned a smiiU 
hat-shop which was burned by the British, although 
Francis' ' History of Hatting' says hatting was begun 
in Danluiry in 17S0, or three years later tlian the ad- 
vent of the British. The senior JIatthew lived with 



DANIU'KY. 



191 



Jonah, another son. The junior's estate inchidetl tlie 
Concert Hall iiroperty, whieh was given by the family 
to the First Churcli society for the use of the society. 
We have not been al)le so far to locate the residence of 
either Jonah or Zadock Benedict, who were brotlicrs 
of Matthew, junior. Tiie fornicr is said to have lived 
at the lower end of Main Street. 

"Still another brother was XoIjU- P.riHclict, wlm 
raised a coiii]iany of one hundred men at the bejjin- 
ning of the war. He was captured in November, 
1776, at Fort Washington. Nathan was {'apturcd in 
the Danbury tight, and taken to the Sugar-House 
prison. Jonah was in his brother'.s eom|iany at Fort 
Washington, and was captured there. He suffere(l 
from the imprisonment to such an extent tliat it was 
believed he was dying, and then he was released, 
being brought to Danbury on a litter. In the ' (lem^- 
alogy of the Benedicts in America' it is said lie ar- 
rived here about two weeks before the burning of tlie 
village. He an<l his brother were taken out of tlie 
house that dark Sunday morning and tied to trees in 
the garden, while the house was burned. 

" Joseph Wildman lived wliere miw resides Hon. 
F. S. AV'ildman. In the award of laud to the sutfercrs 
he received fourteen hundred acres in Ohio. So little 
did he value it that he sold it in exchange for a horse. 
A part of the tl(jurishing city of Sandusky is on tbat 
land, and is now worth millions of dollars. The sin- 
gular sale was made with the right of redemption 
within thirty years. About a year nr sn after the ex- 
piration of that time, and when the property began 
to be quite valuable, Joseph's heirs unfortunately dis- 
covered this clause in the deed. 

"Benjamin Knapp, who figured s<i cunspicuously 
as the entertainer of generals, liveil until 1S;14, when 
he met his death at the heels (jf a eolt in lieaver 
Brook District, ^fr. Amos ^lorris, who was then in 
the prime of life and as now a resident there, gave 
the wounded man shelter. A doctor was called, who 
saw that the injury was fatal, and recomnu'uded that 
Mr. Knapp be taken liome at once. He was comfort- 
ably placed in a cart, and ^Ir. Morris brought him 
home, where he died at the age of ninety-fiur years. 
He built the house on White Street, now owned by 
Mr. Joseph Bell, for his son, Noah Knapp. Benjamin 
Knapp is remembered by our older citizens as a little 
old man in knee-breeches and gray stockings, lie 
owned a number of cows, besides the shoe-shop and 
tannery. 

"Samuel Morris, father of the venerable Amos 
Morris, wa.s an army-teamster. lie was employed in 
drawing the army stores from New Haven to Dan- 
bury. His brother, Jacquin, was not equally eminent 
for patriotism. In fact, Jacquin t<iok advantage of 
the presence of the British army to join its ranks. 
He went away wdth them, and served through the war. 
Shortly after that he returned to Danbury <jn a visit to 
his mother, who was living in Beaver Brook District. 
"The first intimatinu of his iiresence was given to a 



little niece, wdio in crossing the bridge over Still 
River, near her grandmother's house (and where is 
now the grist-mill), was startled by the appearance 
of a man's head from under the bridge. The 
man, learning who she was, told her to call her 
father. She did so, and then the stranger revealed 
that he was .lacquin Morris, the deserting Danbnrian. 
He was not immediately recognized by the brother, 
having changcil considerably, but on uneuvering his 
head a bare spot on his sealji, well known to the 
family, was fiuiid, and he was received. He was 
obliged to kee|) him.self secluded, and during his stay 
was secreted in the garret of his mother's house. 
Some yeare later he nuide a second visit home, but 
did not remain long. 

" As an olTset to this lo.ss Danbury gained three citi- 
zens — and, so far as we can learn, they were good 
citizens — in the persons of three deserters from the 
British army. One of these was Harry Brockleton, 
who lived in Dum])ling Hole, now Mountainvillc. 
The (ithers were privates. Thonnis Flynn was the 
name of one of the latter. He settled in South 
Street. 

" The following anecdote of Brockleton is related 
by Mr. A. B. Hull. He traded a snuiU piece of land 
for a horse, and the horse for potatoes. His wife, 
Hannah, said she would make some poetry on the 
occurrence. Her jioetry was: 

" ' Elisir 2>r(iprietatis I 
Iliiny Brockli'toii snhl his laud fur a horse, anil his lioi-se fnr nutatoes.' 

H.irrv said be woulil like to make some poetry, 
which lie did. as follows : 

"'.\^ the ihiltlren of Israel were passing' ttii.m^li the uiMerness. tlie 
1.1 ■nl seut them manna: 
When Harry Bro.kleton waiite.I a uife, the devil sunt liiin Haiinali.' 

" Mr. .V. I'l. Hull, mentioned above, enjoys a dis- 
tinction which can scarcely be claimed by any other 
citizen of New England or of the country at large. 
He is aliout sixty years of age, and yet is f/ic son of a 
E'rohitlonary so/dici: His father was seventeen vears 
old when the British Imrned l)anbury. He joined in 
the ]iursuit of Tiyon through liidgefield, and was in 
all the lighting. In escaping one of the dashes of the 
enemy he found himself back of a rock, in company 
with two boys a trifle younger than himself, who were 
having their first experience in battle. While wait- 
ing there he discovered that a Tory was in a brake 
near by, watching with ready gun for them to re- 
appear. Putting his bat on the end of his gun, he 
pushed it out beyond tlie rock. Imiiieiliately the 
Tory tired, the bullet ]iiercing the hat. The next in- 
stant he plunged towards the rock, when the three 
boys fired sinniltaneously at him. At the ilischarge 
he sprang several feet in the air and came down full 
length upon his face, but turned in a tl.ish upon his 
back, and lay there motionless in death. .Vlter the 
battle Mr. Hull's father went ovvT the ground ti) look 
for the bodv. He found it where it had fallen, but it 



192 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



was stark nake<l. He saw that tlic tlirt'O bullets 
liad taken cfleet in the Tory's body, — one at the na- 
vel, and the two others at sueli anjrles as to form tlic 
letter ^^ 

" During this catastrophe to Daalmry there was an 
army hospital in existence here. It was established 
the month before, and was not touched by the British. 
The location was on what is now called Park Avenue, 
at the junction of Pleasant Street, on the lot now oc- 
cupied by Mr. Henry X. Scribner, and just west of 
his house. All that property wa-s then owned by 
Samuel Wildman, grandfather of Mr. Samuel C. 
Wililman, who leased to the government the laud for 
the use of the hospital. Mr. Wildman lived then in 
the modcrni/ed house on the avenue which stands on 
the east corner, opposite Mr. Scribner. There are 
several pear-trees in this garden which were set out 
by Samuel Wildman over a hundred years iigo, and 
which now yield abundantly. 

" The soldiers who died at the hospital were buried 
in a plot of ground now forming the grounds on the 
south side of George PueU's house on Pleasant Street, 
near to the corner of the avenue. The soldiers who 
occupied the hospital were principally French. The 
place where the dead were buried was held sacred by 
Mr. Wildman, who would not have it plowed. Some 
years after it was rented, the tenant, beingeither ig- 
norant of the burial or extremely jiractical in his 
views, cultivated the ground. His plowshare turned 
up nniny bones. Relies in metal of the occupancy of 
the hosi)ital have been found under the soil in Mr. 
Scribner's garden. 

"The hospital it-self was a one-storied building, 
with a large garret in the steep roof. The first floor 
was divided into four rooms; the garret Wiis one 
room. The building wits torn down many years ago 
by Mr. Sanniel C. Wildman. 

"A volume entitled 'Connecticut During the War 
of Revolution' furnishes some incidents of interest to 
Danbury. In fact, Danbury largely figures in the 
book, nuich of the matter, however, being the .same 
that we have already presented. The book wius com- 
piled in 1841 by Royal R. Hinman, who was then 
secretary of state. The matter pertaining to Danbury 
was furnished to Mr. Hinman by Reuben Booth. 
Wc learn from tliis book that Danbury's grand list 
in in^>, at the beginning of the Revolution, was 

"In May, 1777, tiie month fcdlowing the burning, 
Governor Trund)ull i.ssued, at the suggestion of the 
General Assembly, a proclamation. The docunient 
is a sorry confession of man's inhumanity t4) man, 
especially to his neighbor. It apjiears from this 
l)apcr tliat a lot of sliiftless and mercenary wretches 
took advantage of the appearance of tlie enemy here 
to burn the houses and steal the portable property 
of Danburians and others who escaped the raid of 
the British. The proflAmutlon calls upon these grace- 
less ortieuders to immediately restore such proi)erty 



and make good such losses, or suffer the severe penal- 
ties of the law. 

" We have mentioned the death of a young man 
named Barnum in the Sugar-House prison, in New 
York. His father. Col. Joseph Barnum, was seriously 
affected by the dci)lorable fate of his boy, and became 
so full of the spirit of vengeance that on the next day 
after getting the news he loaded his gun and started 
out to avenge himself on sym]>athi/,ers with the 
British. Seeing a Tory at work in a field the half- 
crazed father fired at him, wounding him severely. 
' He had previously been a professedly pious man, 
but frequently after the loss of his son concluded 
his devotions in his family by invoking a curse upon 
"old Kingtieorgc and his hellish crew." ' 

"Several writers say that Xehemiah Dibble, who 
occupied the old mansion which entertained (ieu. 
Tryon and received the dying breath of Wooster, did 
not escape punishment for his Tory symi)athies. 
They tell that shortly after the retreat of the British a 
number of young men took hold upon Dibble, and, 
carrying him to Still Kiver, near where is now the 
railroad, immersed him several times in the water, 
giving him what they called a 'thorough ducking.' 

" In the record of the General Assembly, May ses- 
sion, 1777, there are the following interesting entries: 

" ' Tliaddeus Benedict, of Daiibiirj', represented to the Assembly tliat 
the British tnwps, wlion in Diuilmry, Imrned iiis dwelling.liouse and 
several other houses kept for public entertainment, and stntetl tliat lie 
hn<l provided u convenient house in the centre of sjiid town, and a-^kcd 
for a license U^ keep a puMic house, which waj grunted by saiti .\s<cmbly. 

*' ' Mary Hoyt, the wife of lauac Hoy t, then late of Danlairy, showed 
to the Assembly that she had ever been a good Whig and a truw friend 
to the rights of her country, and that her husband, when the enemy 
entered said Danburj", being an enemy to liis countr>', wont off and 
joined the British, by which lie bad justly forfeit***! all his estate, lioth 
real and personal, anil that the selectmen hail seiKod ujRin all the per- 
sonal estate of her husband, by means of which she was depriveil of th» 
necessaries of life, aiul asketl the Assembly t«i order that one-third part 
of all the clear movable estate should be given to her, an*l the use of one- 
third part of all the real estate, for her natural life, for her suplMtrt. Tli» 
.\sseiubly orileretl that said 3Iary Hoyt shoulil have and enjoy one-third 
part of the pei-sonal and real estate *luring the pleasure of the Assembly,* 

" At an adjourned session of the same bod^v in Feb- 
ruary, 1778, occurred the following: 

"'John Marsh, of Panburj', stated to the Assembly that when (be 
British troops went into Danburj- ho through surprise jolntsl them and 
went away with them, but soon made his escape and returned home, and 
wiu* committed to gn*d, an<l pmyinl pirnlon for the olTen«\ which w« 
gnmted him, by his Ukkiug the oath of fidelity, au*l piiylng the c*kst of 
lirvwocution.' 

"It appears from an item in the report of the (ien- 
eral Assembly that an attack on Danbury was antici- 
pated several weeks before from the Hudson Kiver 
direction. Two weeks before the attack the Governor 
sent a letter to (Jen. Silliman instructing him to keep 
a .strict watch U|)on the enemy, who were preparing 
in New York to go up the North Kiver, with a view, 
undoubteilly, to destroy the stores at Danbury. On 
the night of the 27th the General As,sembly received 
word that there were alarming symptoms from the 
North River, and almost immediately after that Dan- 
burv was burned. 



DANBURY. 



103 



"In the March (1778) session of the Assembly oc- 
curs tlic following: 

" ' Hannah Ciuircli, of Panlmry, the wife of Asa nnireh, ftJieli) late 
of sail! Danbury, sliewi'ii the Governor and conneil that her hnsband had 
joined the British army and was tlien in New Yorii, and that she liad im 
estate to snpport lier, and jiruyed for lilierty to f^o to New York to her 
hnsband. Tlie Governor and i-onncil j;ave Iier Hberty to <;o to New Y'oric, 
with sneli necessary apparel as tile committee of inspeetion of said I)an- 
bnry shall think projier. A rid f^en. Silliman was directed to grant a dag, 
or juiBsport, to the said Hannah aceordiiigly.' 

" The t'ollowiivi;-niinicd are the prisoners taken from 
Danlmry at the time of tlie mid: John l!;irtrain, Na- 
than I!eneil;et, Heiij;imin 8perry, John Porter, Jona- 
than Starr, M'illiam Roberts, .Taeob (iray, and A:iron 
Gray Kiiajip. 

"In the May (1777) session is the following record : 

"'Enth Peek, the widow of .lesse Peck, I then I bile .,f Danbniy, stated 
to the General Assembly that her husliaiid, with three- sons, in tin- si>iinj; 
of ITTIi enlisted in the serviee of the Stale, and all went throiiKh the 
fatigue of the campai;;n. Two of the sons were t^ikeii liiisoiiei^ at Fort 
Washington and sutlered the hardships of captivity in New Y'urk ; one 
son had the smallpox in the worst manner iiossible, in the most si-aree 
time of gold, the (then) last winter at New York, who st.irted for home 
and froze his feet, so that he became a cripi)le. Another son was sent 
home by the British about the 1st of Jainiary, 1777, infected with the 
smalliKix, of which he soon died, after his arrival; the hnsband, who 
bad ariived home a short time previous to his son, took the disease, and 
also died after a long continement. One other son also took said disease, 
who by the goodness of God recovereil ; whereby said Ruth was griev- 
onsly atllicted, and the tow n of Danbury expenderl the sum of tweuty- 
Bix pounds twelve shillings and six pence in their sickness, and held a 
claim upon the small estate her hnsband had left for the payment of it, 
nnd, if paid by her, wouhl leave her with a faniily of small children, and 
needy indeed; and prayed the Assembly to |.ay the sum afoicsaiil," 

" In the January (1778) session were given tlir liil- 
lowing depositions regarding the negro who \\;is 
killed in Miij. Starr's house, and who, we should 
.judge, was a slave whose owner was si'cking remuner- 
ation. Here are the entries: 

"'Ebenezer White, of nanbury, of lawful age, testities and says that 
on or alxiut the 2Cth day of April, 1777, at evening, there being a inini- 
ber of gentlemen at his house belonging to the Biitish army, amongst 
which was (uie whom lie undeistooil wa.s the Eail of I'";ilkland's son, who 
told him (the deponent) that he was the first that entend Maj. SLirr's 
house, and foiuel a number of men in the house, among whom were tw u 
negroes, all of when; they instantly killed, ami sit lire to the house, and 
gave this for a reiuson why Ihey did so,— that it was tbeii slant prac- 
tice, where they found per.ple shut up in a house ami In ing upon tlu-ni, 
to kill them and to burn the house; andfnrlloi llo- depmieol sailli that 
the said young gentleman tcdd him that one ol the in ;;n.es, aloj he loi.l 
nin him through, nwc- up and attempted to shoot him, and that he the 
said Earl of Falkbind's son cut his head olT himself; which negro, the 
deponent understood since, wa.s Uie propirty of Mr. .Samuel Smilli. ol 
Eeading; and further the deponent 5,aitli not. 

"'D.i.vm uv.,(au.2i;. 177S. 

"'The Rev. Mr. Ebenezer White, the deponent, piusorially ;ippeai ing, 
made oath to the trnth of the above written de]iosilion. 

"'Sworn to before me, Thaddeus Benedict, .lustice of the Peace. 

"'Ebenezer Weed, of Ilanliuiy,of lawful age, testilii's and says that on 
or about the 2i;tli ilay ,d' A]ail, 1777, he being at home across thi' road 
opposite to JIa.i. Daniel Starr's house, he saw a negro at the house, w liicli 
he knew hi be the ]iropeity of Mr .Samuel Smith, id' liuading, about a 
half hour, as near as lie can judge, before the Brili-li lroii]is came to said 
house; and further the deponent saith that in the evening of said d.iy 
he heard a man helougiiig to the British army say that tliey had killed 
one dani'd black with the whites, in said Starr's house; ami further the 
deponent saith not. 

"'Daxbvrv, ,Ian, 2r,, I77K. 

"'Sworn befi.re Tluiddens Benedict, Justice of the Peace. 



'"Anna Weed, of Danbury, of lawful age, testifies and says that on or 
about the ^Otli day of .\pril, 1777, she being at home across the road 
opposite to Maj. Starr's house, she saw a negro at said lionse, which she 
understood was the propeity of Jlr. Samuel Smith, of Reading, but a 
short time before the British troops came up to the house; ami futtlier 
the deponent saith she heard one of the British soldiers say " Here is a 
dani'd black in the house; what shall we do with him?" Anotlur an- 
swered, " Damn him. kill him," and immediately the house w as in 
flames; and further the deponent saith not. 

'"Daxiiuky, Jan. 211, 1778. 

'"Sworn to before 'rhaddens Benedict, Justice of the Peace.'" 

Kill. I. OF REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS. 

"It will 111' rememberi'd th:it in Mr. Kobbins' ser- 
mon he spoke of ii (•oiiip:iny of one hundred men 
being rtiiscd in l):iiiliury and ordered to the Northern 
army, at Lake ( 'h;iiiiphnn. He said that they went 
away leaving their friends to believe tlnit )ierh;ips 
they might never return, but they came back stifcly, 
wliile during their tibsence tin epideniie rtiged in the 
village and carried ofl' many of their friends. 

"The company was raised by Noble lieiiediet, who 
was made captain. The men were recruited in jMay, 
1775. It is the only org:inization contributed by Dan- 
bury to till' w:ir. It joined the Sixteeiilh Kegimeut, 
commanded liy Col. ll:ivid \\':iterbury. The follow- 
ing is the list of the comptmy : 

" Captiiin, Noble Benedict. 

" Lieutenants, James t'lark, Ezra Stephens. 

"Ensign, I):iniel Heacock.'' 

"Sergeants, .Tohn Trowbriilge, Elijih I'tirnnni. Eli- 
jah Hoit, NtitlKiii Taylor, .loliii .\mbler. 

" Corporals, A;iriin Stone, .fonah Benedict, Dtivid 
Weed, Mosi'S \^'iil. 

"Musicians, Joseph Hamilton, drunimer; Itiissel 
Bartlett, Nathaniel Peck, tilers. 

" Privates, Setli Barnum, Eleaz Benedict, John 
Barnum, Eli Barnum, .liimes Bonghton, Jositih Bur- 
chard, Samuel Beiinet, Laziirus Barnum, llez lien- 
edict, tiilbert Benedict, Win. Benedict, David 
Bishop, Eben Barnum, .Vbrtim Barns, Joseph Bough- 
ton, John Coinstock, Enoch Crosby, Samuel Ciirtiss, 
Wm. Combs, Isiiac Coller, Thomas Campbell, James 
Clements, Samuel Cook, INIilcs Canty, Henry Covel, 
John Chapman, Elnathan I'Ay, Eliph Kerry, John 
Guthrie, Wm. Griffin, Dnike Hoit, Tlniddeiis Hoit, 
.Joshua Hinckley, Jonathtin ILiyes, John llolcomb, 
Wm. Htiwkins, Francis Jackson, Thomas Judd, .lohn 
.fohnson, P>enj:iniin (xorluiin, John Green, Henry 
Knapp, Elisha Linctdn, .John Linly, .Itinics Lincoln, 
Nathan Lee, Thomas ^Morehouse, Thadileiis Jlore- 
house, Done Merrick, John Morehouse, Sylvtinus 
Nehson, Isiiac Northrop, \\'ilson Northro]i, .losliini 
Porter, Wni. I'orfer, Elkanah I'eck, Farrel Picket, 
Caleb Spencer, Samuel Siiencer, Eli Stephens, S:imuel 
Sturdivant, Daniel Segar, Levi Sttirr, John Stephens, 
Jalicz Starr, James Scovcl, Stephen Scovel, Peter 
Stringham, Isaac Sniilh, Thonuts St;irr, l-',plir:iini 
Smith, Levi Stone, Stephen Townseiid, S:imuel 
Townsend, Stephen Trowbridge, .Uishuti 'laylor, 
Thomas Weed, S;iniuel C. Warren (or W;irdeni, 



194 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Major Warren, Thomas Wheaton, Jonas Weed, 
David Sturdivaut. 

" The captain of the above company was father of 
the late Archibald Benedict, and he lived in the 
house now occupied by the venerable widow of Arch- 
ibald, on North Main Street. The captain was a 
stutterer, and many anecdotes based on this infirmity 
are related of him. We givv one of them. When 
he was at Lake Champlain with his company the 
countersifrn in use one night was the word ' Ticon- 
deroga.' The captain came across a sentry, who, 
halting him, demanded the countersign. 'T' was a 
bad letter for the captain to overcome, and in his mad 
eflbrts to clutch it he lost all memory of the word 
itself. In this dilemma he shouted to the sentry: 
' S-s-s-s-say the word, and I c-c-c-c-can tell it.' His- 
tory does not tell what the sentry did, but, as the cap- 
tain returned safely to Danbury, it is presumed 
the matter was compromised satisfactorily. 

"James Clark, first lieutenant, lived on South Main 
Street. His wife, on the coming of the British, sunk 
her silver-ware and some other articles in the well, 
and llrd with lur family to a more congenial lati- 
tude. 

" Ezra Stevens, the second lieutenant, lived in Pem- 
broke District. He was great-grandfather of Erastus 
Stevens. His son Eli was in the company as a pri- 
vate. 

"First Sergt. John Trowbridge lived at the upper 
end of Main Street; he was a grandfather of Truman 
Trowbridge. Second Sergt. Elij)!! Barnum lived at 
the south end of the village. Third Sergt. Elijah 
Hoyt lived where now stands the residence of Charles 
H. Merritt, on JIain Street. 

"Corp. Jonah Benedict ha.s already been treated of 
as far as our information goes. Corp. David Weed 
lived in King Street District, near to where Aaron 
Pearce now lives. 

"Joseph Hamilton, the drummer, lived in Pem- 
broke District, and a very patriotic portion of this 
town it ajipears to have been. 

" Private Scth liarnum lived in King Street, op])0- 
site the Baptist church. Jolin Barnum and Eli Bar- 
num lived in the same district. Samuel Curtis lived 
near to where Ezra Mallory & Co.'s hat-factory 
stands. He was once sexton of the First Church. 
I)rake Hoyt and Thaddeus Hoyt lived in Pembroke 
District. Thaddeus for a number of years kept tlie 
town-poor on contract, as was then tlie custom. 
Thomas Judd lived in Great Plain District, his house 
standing where now Granville Taylor lives. Benja- 
min (iorliam lived in Miry 15rook District. John 
Cireen liveil at the junction of Elm and River Streets. 
John Lindley lived in King Street District. Thad- 
deus Mori'house lived on Main Street in a house now 
owned by George E. Cowperthwait, anil standing 
ne.xt north to his residence. Stephen Trowbridge 
lived, we are told, on^e corner of Main and Liberty 
Streets, where is now Benedict & Nichols' Block. 



Levi Stone belonged in the Middle River District. 
Joshua Porter came home from the Northern cam- 
paign all right, but lost his life by Tryon's troops in 
Maj. Starr's house. John Ambler, the fifth ser- 
geant, was a great-grandfather of Rev. E. C. Ambler, 
and was at that time a man of advanced age. The 
grandfather of Rev. Mr. Ambler, Peter Ambler, and 
two of Peter's brothers, Stephen and St[uire .Vmbler, 
were in the war, but not in this company. The family 
lived in Miry Brook District. 

" Ensign Daniel Heacock was a grandfather of Col. 
Samuel Gregory. He lived in Bethel. His home is 
still standing, being near A. B. Blackman's house. 
Col. Gregory has in his i)Ossession the powder-horn 
which Plenry Knapp, private, carried in the com- 
pany's campaign. Mr. Knapp live<l in the Westville 
District. Jabez Starr kej)! the tavern which stood on 
property adjoining The Kcics office. David Weed 
lived in Westville District, where Mr. Anson Com- 
stock's house now stands. Daniel Segar lived on the 
Mill Plain road. Stephen Townsend lived near the 
New York State line. 
j " Young Lockwood, who went to meet the British on 
[ their approach to Danbury to learn their strength, 
' and was captured on Hoyt's Hill, was left there on 
the flight of the British. It is said that while li\-ing 
in Norwalk, some time before this, he did a favor for 
(iovernor Tryon, on the occasion of an accident to 
.the Governor's carriage when he wius driving through 
Norwalk. The Governor was writing a parole for 
him when the alarm of the approach of the Ameri- 
cans under Wooster came upon him, and the paper 
was dropped. 

" It must not be understood, however, that thi-se 
men were all that Danbury gave to the war, but the 
company was the only organization going from here 
of which there is any record. On a previous page it 
was stated that two sons of Aaron Gunn, living at the 
upper end of Main Street, were drafted into the army 
during the war of 1SP2-14. Previous to the draft they 
enlistcil and served for several months at New Jyon- 
don. When drafted they were a-ssigncd to <luty at 
the same place. Uncle ,\mos Morris and tiie late 
' Frederick Whit* were dratteil at the same time. At 
New London the command had the choice of mess- 
ing inside or outside the fort. The Gunn party of 
Danbury boys chose the outside, and boarded with a 
widow-woman who gave them a bed and cookeil their 
rations daily for the sum of six cents each. No mesa 
in New London fared so well as the Danbury mess, 
thanks to the knowledge of the country gained by the 
two Gunn boys during their previous location in the 
place. 

"One day an officer of the reginuMit visited their 
quarters at dinner-tlnu>, and was amazed at the sight 
of their table. One i)rominent dish thereon was new 
potatoes, and that before the same were scarcely in 
the market and totally unknown to the comniis.sary. 
" ■ Why, boys, how's this ?' he exclaimed. ' Here 



DANBURY. 



195 



you've got new potatoes ! Why, there's not anotlier 
moss in tlie command with new potatoes. We can 
draw notliing- but old potatoes. How is it tliat you 
draw new iiir'S?' 

"'I'll tfll you, major, how we draw them,' spoke 
U|i ^VIlit^•, in a coutidential tone: 'we draw them by 
the tops.' " 



CII.VTTEI! XVIII. 

• DANBURY (Continued). 

VIEW OF DAXBrRY IX lsir,-2(l. 

Ix the tolldwin.i: i-hapter, taken from the Dunhnni 
^Vof.?, will l)e I'uund located all the dwellings and 
stores which, in lSl;j-20, stood upon the present site 
of the village. 

MAIN .STREET. 

"It is likely that, with few exceptions, the jiicture 
was the same at the beginning of the century. Main 
Street was then as now the princi]ial thoroughfare. 
Running from it on the east was North, White, and 
Liberty Streets; on the west, Franklin, Elm, West, 
and Wooster .Streets ; South Street at the foot. Tiu' 
other streets were River aiul Town Hill. Deer Hill 
Avenue was then but a lane, chiefly used for tlu' 
transfer of farm products. 

" Edit Side. — The first house, on coming into Main 
Street at the nortii, on the e.ast side of the street, was 
occupied by .\ar(pn <iunn. It was washed away liy 
the Kfdianza disaster in 186S>. Mr. (Junn had two 
sons who were drafted in the war of 1812, and entered 
tlie army at New London. 

"The next house stood on the <-orner of .Noilli 
Street. It was occupied by Benjamin liarnuni, ami 
was a large, roomy building. Some years ago it was 
moved north on Main Street, and still stands there. 

"On the opposite corner, where is now the Porter 
estate, lived Noah Hubbell, grandfather of Mrs. 
.John Carpenter. Between there and what is now 
Patch Street there was but one house. It was occu- 
pied by William Patch, Jr., father-in-law of its picsent 
occupant, Oliver P. Clark. 

" Next to him was a small tenement owned by 
Mary Daniels, an aunt of the late W. A. Daniels, ami 
was then occupied by a family named Barnum. 

"John Gregory's house came next. None of his 
descendants are living liere. 

" Where Wildman's Lane or Cinirt now is were two 
houses, since gone. One of these was occupied by 
Benjanun Cozier and the other by William Patch, 
father of the William living above, and grandl'alber 
of Mrs. A. P. Tweedy and Mrs. (i. D. Koote. 

"The next premises were those of .lohn Nickerson, 
a lay preacher in the Methodist church. Nickerson 
was an active in:iri, and consequently well known to 
his fellow-citi/.ens. 



"Then eame another tenant-house, which w:is occu- 
pied by Zar Patch. 

" Following the tenement was the home of Arebi- 
liabl Benedict, now occupied liy his veiurable widow. 
He was a son of Capt. Noble Benedict, our Uevolu- 
tionary hero. 

"The residence now occupied by Harrison Flint 
was then the home of the late Enoeli .Moore. It was 
built by Amos Stevens. 

"Next in order came the home of \\\v\ (Jregory, 
now owneit by Mrs. Henry Benedict, and alter this 
a school-house. It stood on the north line of what is 
now the grounds of E. T. Hoyt's Innne. .Many years 
ago it was removed to Franklin Street, where it con- 
tinued to be used as a school until about fifteen years 
ago, w hen it was turned into a tenemeid. 

"Deacon Joseph Piatt Cook, son of the Uevolu- 
tionary colonel of the same name who was in com- 
mand of Danbury when Tryon came, occuiiied the 
next house. It stood on nearly the same ground at 
jiresent occupied by the residence of William Jabine. 

" Russel Hoyt lived next to Deacon Cook, in the 
house now occupied by his son (Jranville. 

" Just south of the house was a store wliere Daniel 
B. ('ook sold shoes, shirting, sug.ir, and other gro- 
ceriis. The building was suljsequently removed to 
^Vhite Street, and is now occupied by Avery Ilay- 
niond's market. 

"Next came the home of Col. Russel White, which 
stood on the site of the present residence of his son, 
William R. White. Col. White was a ])r(]mineiit hat- 
manufacturer. 

"Xirum Wildman lived next, in the house now 
occujiied by his grandson, John W. Wildman. 

" Where the residence of Giles JI. Hoyt now stands 
stood the home of Rev. Ebene/.er R. White, grand- 
father of William R. White and Ebene/.er R. Whit- 
tlesey. Between and jpartly in front of these two 
bouses stood a small building once the store of Burr 
iS; Wliite, but at this time occupied by the worshi|)ers 
in the Sandemanian CInirch. Previously dissension 
liad arisen in the body because of the second marriage 
of an elder, and the congregation divided. 

" Next came the hat-manufactory of White Brothers 
& Co. It stood near the banks of the Still River, its 
site not at present being occupied. 

"Across the river, and on the corner of White 
Street, stood the giant old home of Benjamin Knajqi. 

"Wfd Side. — (Joing back to the north end of the 
street ami returning on the west side, the first bouse 
was the home (if Steplien .Vmbler, tile husband of 
Miss Munson. He was the grandfather of Mrs. \. 
A. Heath and O. P. and W. H. Clark. He did active 
wiirl< in the war. It is said that he ami five brothers, 
lying down on a thirty-six loot stic'k of tindier, would 
just cover its baigth. His Innise stood umler tlu' hill, 
next to the graveyard, and was long sim'c torn down. 

"The graveyard itself was tln>n there. It was not 
only o]ieMed to relieve the Wooster Street grounds, 



196 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



but to aecomniodate the districts of Middle River, 
Kin<r Street, and Penil>roke, whicli tlieii, being spar- 
iiifrly settled, had no burial-plaee in their distriet. 

" Andrew Akin occupied the house now owned by 
George Downs. 

" Next to it was tlie home of Mary Daniels, who 
owned property on tlie other side of the street. The 
phiee is now oeeupied l)y V. E. IJarnum. 

"John Foot, father of Mrs. Ezra .\l)l)ott, lived in 
the next house. 

" Where Abijah Knapp's home is stood Capt. Foot's 
hat-shop. 

"Adjoining this was a tenement, now owned by 
Harmon Kiiapp. 

" Following eame tlie home of .\sa Hodge, now 
ocoui)led l>y George W. Hoyt. 

" Thaddcus Morehouse lived next north of where 
now stands the home of G. E. Cowi)erthwait. 

"Adjoining was a small tenement, which closed its 
existence in a summary and tragic manner. We do 
not know who occupied it at the time. It perished 
in 18.'5(). It was at the time that a strong anti-slave 
feeling was exhil)ited in tlie North. An Abolitionist 
address in the Baptist church called forth a mob, who 
stoned the church, breaking the windows, and threat- 
ened tiie life of the speaker, Rev. Mr. Colver, who 
Wijs visiting here. Danbury's trade wjis then largely 
in the .Soutli, and it was natural its people should be 
in .sym|)athy with that section and averse to anything 
calculated to disturb its peace. The family occupy- 
ing the tenement were strong anti-slavery people, and 
had given shelter to runaway slaves. This coming to 
the knowledge of our citizens, a number of them 
made a descent ui)on the house in the night-time and 
leveled it to the ground. The family escaped. 

" The next house was occupied by Knapp Bough- 
ton, who distinguished himself by winning for a wife 
the young woman Parson Robbins wanted. He wa."* 
father of L. H. Hr)ugliton. His place was removed 
to make room for tlie spacious residence of S. H. 
Rundle. 

" Mr^. Boughton, mother of Knai))), occupied a 
house adjoining his. It was afterwards owned by 
Nathaniel Bishop, and was removed. On the south- 
east corner of this lot was a brick building occujiied 
by Knapp Boughton as a store. It was removed a 
long time ago. 

" Mrs. Elias Boughton occupied a place wlure now 
stands tieorge C. AVhite's residence. 

" The next building stood on the corner of Frank- 
lin Street, where Burr Roland now lives. It was 
occupied as a hat-Rnishing sh<>\> bv Rus.sell and Eli 
T. Hoyt. 

"On the opposite corner stood the residence of Wil- 
liam Cook, who was a ]irominent member of the 
Masonic order. Mrs. William I). Morris' dwelling 
now occupies its site. Mr. Cook's luiuse was removed 
to l'at<h Street. • 

" Nrxt to Mr. Cook lived Starr Nichols, grand- 



father of Mr. .Iriliii Nichols, of Nichols & Hine. ]lf 
was a large liat-manufacturer, and an active man in 
all enter|)rises. 

"Following this was a tenement. It was taken 
down, and the present residence of Judge Lyman I>. 
Brewster occupies its place. 

"Next came the residence of Samuel and William 
Tweedy, father and .son. Samuel was the grandfather 
of Edgar S. Tweedy. They were cutters off of fur, 
and their shop stood north and in rear of their 
home. 

" Adjoining their liou.se was the place of Gerehom 
Nichols. 

" Where Charles H. Merritt's residence now is stood 
the house of Capt. Elijah Hoyt, grandfather of Wil- 
liam and .Mbert Hoyt. 

" Daniel B. Cook, son of Col. Joseph Piatt Cook, 
the soldier of the Revolution, lived where does now 
L. P. Hoyt. 

"Next to this place was a store occupied by E. M. 
White. It was removed to White Street. 

"Following was a house belonging to Najali Wild- 
man. 

"Next south of Najah W'ildnian stood a hmi^e 
where A. N. Wildman's residence now is. 

"On the river-bank stood a mill. It was built in 
the last century by Daniel Comstock for a grist-mill, 
and occupied by Samuel C. Dibble. Afterwards for 
many years it served as a hat-forming factory, and 
was owned by Nirum Wildman. To-day the spot has 
again become the location of a grist-mill, — that of G. 
S. Disbrow. For some years it was used as a mill. 
There was considerable feeling at one time in the 
community occasioned by this mill. The occu|>ant 
wanted to build a waste-weir to empty into the 
stream at a point just below the opposite side of the 
street, but Mr. Knapp, who lived on the corner and 
owned the land, would not give him the right of way. 
The only alternative was to ta)) Mad River just above 
its junction with Still River, near to where is the rear 
of Nichols i^c nine's factory. The plan did not work, 
however, as the grade did not give suHieient fall to 
carry oH' the water. As the gri.sl-mill was a matter of 
considerable importance to the people, public senti- 
ment took a hand, and Mr. Knapp was induced to 
consent to the emptying of the weir in Still River in 
the rear of his house. The mill-building was last oc- 
cupied l)y Holly & Wildman, wool-luit maiuil'acturers. 
It was destroyed by fire in IStW. 

" The building on the corner of Elm Street now 
owned by H. N. Fanton was at that time the liome- 
sfead of Samuel Tweedy. If has been made into 
stores and built on to considerable since then. In its 
rear stood a hat-factory occupied by Tweedy iV Bene- 
dict. 

"Bfhcrrn While and lAbrrtij .Streets.— ThvTi- have 
been more changes in that portion of Main Street be- 
tween these points than in any other jiart of the 
thorouglifare, an<l far less in Main Street as a whole 



DANBURY. 



197 



than in any other street, except, |i(rlia|is, SdUth 
Street. 

■ " In I8I0 there were hut eii;lit liiiih.liii<;s im the east 
side of Main Street betwei'U \\'hite and Liberty, where 
is now an almost nnlirolcen hunk of business ]daees. 
The space not inimeiliately ueeupied l)y these l)uild- 
inj:s was used for gardens and fiehls, jirineipally pas- 
turage, wliile that portion in the neighlioriiood of tlie 
raih'oad buihlings, u]i as far as W'liite Street, was 
swamp. Except in front of the Imihlings the wall 
the lengtli of the block was a stone fence. Mulh'in, 
dock, niilk-wecd, and bramldes were conspicudus pro- 
ducts. 

"The first building, ])assing dnwn the street, was a 
small brown tenement. 

"Close to it was the ilwelling of Mrs. Betsey I'ene- 
dict. It stood where is now Sehoppaul's liakery. 
She owned a store-building, wdiich was next in order, 
and was then rented by Irel Andiler, Previously, Kli 
T. Hoyt ami his brother IJussel occupied it. It stood 
where is now the station cif the Danliury and Xor- 
walk Railway. 

"There was no other structure until the dwelling 
of Lemuel W. Benedict was reaclu^d. It stond where 
is now the house oeeu])ied by David Pearce. 

"Mr. Beneilict's neighbor on the south was Samuel 
H. Phillips. Near his house was a little store run by 
Mr. Phillips. The same building now stands. Ft be- 
longs to the estate of the late Sturges Selleck, and is 
now occupied by Mrs. M. Harris. Mr. Philliiis was a 
well-known character. He was de|)uty postmaster of 
Danhury, and kept the ottice in his store. Conse- 
quently, his place was a re.sort for the various lunun- 
aries, and Mr. Phillips perhaps heard more men- 
dacity than any other citizen of |)aiibury. He was 
a quiet man, of a studious turn, and, having a well- 
balanced mind, was rarely snr]iriscd into stati's of un- 
due feeling. One day a wonum apparently very 
anxious for a letter came in and gave her name. 
There was nothing for her. 

" 'I wish you'd look again,' said she, ' for I'm sure 
there must be a letter here for me.' 

"He comidied, carefully going over the stock-in- 
hand. 

" ' There is no letter here,' he said. 

"'Well, that's strange,' she muttered. ' I was sure 
it must be here. When do you sup|i<ise I'll get one?' 
HLstory does not give his answer. 

"Another well-known resident was the lU'xt neigh- 
bor to Postmaster Phillips. He was Eli Mygatt, a 
heavy gentleman in knee-breeches. His dwelling 
stood where is now Baldwin Bros.' drug-store, and just 
' south of it he kept a drug-.store himself There must 
be something in the locality favorable t(j the existence 
of the drug-busine-ss, as it has been used for that pur- 
pose by difierent parties since the day Uncle Eli be- 
. gan his enterprise. Both his residence and his store 
! have long since pa.ssed away. Uncle Eli had charge 
of the Franklin Library, as it was kept in his store. 



He dill not do an extensive business, and made no 
effort to. 

" < In the corner of 3Iain and Liberty Streets, wlu're 
n<jw stands Benedict & Nichols' Bhjck, lived JIathew 
Curtis. Mr. Curtis was a butcher, and had his slaugh- 
ter (|uite convenient, it being on Liberty Street, in the 
icar of his house, and wdiere now stands the Disciples' 
church. ;\Ir, Curtis did not have a market: no one 
did in that day. lie followed the course lately re- 
vivcil bvUrriii Lesscy, of selling his meat entiridy 
from a wagon. The slaughter was a favorite re.sort 
for the boys of that day, who are now gray-headed 
men. and it was also a place frequented by frugal 
housewives (jf very limited means, where a sheeji's- 
liead or ]duck could be got for a mere song, and a 
whole beef's liver tor two or three pennies. 

" Wt-f/ Si'lr. — On the corner of Elm Street, the 
premises now owned by .T. S. Taylor, stood the tavern 
(d' Dr. Jabez Starr, a prominent Revolutionist. Dr. 
Starr's swinging sign bore the sim])le inscription 
'The Inn.' It was the head<iuarters on training-days 
of the up-town military companies, which consisted 
of a cavalry and an infantry organization. The in- 
fantry useil to para<lcin the square fronting the tavern. 
(In one of these occasion.s — in 1812, we believe — a 
corporal was to be elected. It ap|iears that the ladies, 
who favored the military, had the privilege of select- 
ing the candidate for this honor. Their suffrage was 
given in behalf of a blushing youth from (Jreat Plain 
District, then eighteen years ohl. On his election be- 
ing announced, it was incundjcnt on him to step to 
the front and pledge himself to faithfully perform the 
duties of the office. The ladies were assendded in 
front of the residence of Samuel Tweedy, on tin- oppo- 
site corner, and the youth, in making his acknowledg- 
ment, was obliged to face them, — an ordeal that very 
nearlv prostrated him, but he got through with it. 
The eighteen-year-old boy was Deacon Eli T. Hoyt. 

"Peck iSi Wihhnan's grocery was then an unpre- 
tentious dwelling, little dreanung of the glory it was 
in time to ripen into, with a gorgeous landscape as a 
forepiece. 

"The dwelling and church in the lane, both the 
priqiertv of the Sandeiiianian Society, were standing 
then. 

"The St. (leorge Tavern, now the property of !Mrs. 
Urana Barnum, was then occupied by her father, 
William L)obbs. Long before the period of wdiich we 
write it had ceased to be a hostelry. 

"Next in order was the residence of Moses Hatch, — 
or .fudge Hatch, as he was called. It is now owned 
bv his grandson, Alexander Wihhuan, an<l is unoeeu- 
jiieil. He had an office built on the street-line, and 
now moved to rear of the post-oftice building. Moses 
Hatch was a prominent member of the bar. He de- 
fended Amos Adams, a negro executed in Itanbury in 
1817 for ra]ie. Mr. Hat(di dieil at the early age of 
forty-one, at the thresludd of w hat promised to be a 
brilliant career. 



198 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



" The residence of the venerable E. Moss White 
stood where is now the library huildinfr reared by the 
liberality and public spirit of liis sons. He was liotli 
a successful farmer and merchant of Danbury, a man 
well known, thoroughly trusted, and sincerely re- 
spected by his fellow-townsmen. The old homestead 
became tlie residence of the bite Col. N. L. White, 
and after he vacated it it was used by the lil)rary as- 
sociation until the present buildinfr was started, wlien 
it was moved to Library Place, where it now stands. 

" Benajah Starr occupied the present residence of ■ 
Hon. Roger Avcrill. ! 

" Next to him lived Deacon Thoma.s Tucker, «rrand- 
fatlier of the late Col. White. It is now the residence 
of Mrs. ttcorgc W. Ives. 

"Next came the residence of Asel Benedict, ^rand- 
father of the Benedict Brothers, shoe-dealers. The 
present residence of Eflgar A. Benedict occupies its 
site. 

"Mrs. lluldab Starr's house followed. Her prem- 
ises took in the corner of West Street. Tlie dwelling 
and lot were bought in 18(54 by J. S. Taylor, who 
built up the present block of stores and tenements. 
The ohl homestead is among these, but its identity is 
completely lost. 

From IJberfij Street to the Court-House. — Maj. Seth 
Comstock lived in a substantial residence on the corner 
of Liberty Street. He was a merciiant, and hail a 
store just south of liis dwelling. Maj. Comstock was 
a man in good circumstances, and once in his life 
created quite a sensation in tlie community. He had 
a son doing business in New York City. The son 
wa.s to be married, and desired the ceremony to take 
])lace in liis fatiier's liome. He sent word to that 
effect, directing his father to fix up the place in the 
best possible style, and he would make good tlie ex- 
pense. The major accordingly proceeded to make 
the homestead into a wedding-bower. Carpenters, 
painters, and ui)holstcrers were set to work, and for 
days the transformation went on. Sunnucr-liouses, 
arbors, and grottos were put up in the garden. The 
entire front of tlie house was changed by elaborate 
additions placed thereon, and the premises blossomed 
into the appearance of a small paradise. The place 
was daily visited by Danbury i)eople, who were filled 
with ])ride and admiration as they viewed it. Even 
abroad went the lame of the change, and people from 
iieiglil)Oririg towns came to .see the (Comstock palace. 
The transformatiort wils all the talk of the day and 
supplanteil every other subject. The wedding was in 
keeping with the ])reiiaration therefor, and filled the 
street in the neighborhood with curious people. 

"Among those who came from out of town was a 
young man hailing from the extremely rural district 
of Wolfpits, below Bethel. He was barefooted and 
timid. He had heard of the grand house and the 
beautiful garden, and he wanted so much to see them 
that he walked to T)aiibury for that purpose. But 
when he got here and saw bow grand was the place 



he dared not step on the premises. More than that, 
he feared to go on the same side of the street, but 
kept on the opposite side. Even at that he shrunk 
from stopping in front of the place, so timid was this 
rural lad. He walked slowly up the street and then 
back again, feasting his eyes upon the architectural 
magnificence and bucking against numerous people 
in his eagerne-ss to look alone at the house. That was 
fifty years ago, and the barefooted farm-boy .so over- 
come by the display that he dared not stop in front of 
it is Mr. Charles Hull and the present owner of tin- 
property. 

"The transformation of the jilace into a bridal- 
bower cost a number of thousand dollars. In the 
l)lace of the residence and his store .stands Mr. Hull's 
block of business places. 

" Itachel Barnum's dwelling came next. It stood 
where is now Almon Judd's store and home, 

" Next came the residence of Friend Starr, father 
of Charle-s ¥. Starr, and now occujiied by the latter. 
Mr, Starr had a shoe-store where the Pahiiuio<|ue 
Bank now is. The following anecdote is related of 
Charles F, Starr when he was a boy : One of his 
duties was to go to the pasture and bring home the 
cows. He rode a horse for this purpose, and, being 
of a social turn, generally came home with several 
lilaymates perched on the animal behind him. In 
fact, the horse was full of boys. Old Mr. Starr got 
out of patience, finally, with making an omnibus of 
the steed, and he told Charles one day that if he came 
home at night with any boys behind him on the horse 
he would severely punish him. When the cows came 
in that evening, there was the horse as full of boys as 
ever. But every mother's son of them wn» in front of 
Cluirlti. That conscientious youth was poised well 
back on the animal's rump. His father gave up the 
point. 

" Where JIartin H. Griffing's residence now is livnl 
Zalmon Wildman, father of Hon. F. S, Wildman, 
Just north of his Inmse was a small hat-finishing shop, 
and on the south was a store. The ilwclling was re- 
moved to the rear, on East Liberty Street, where it is 
used as a tenement, 

"The Pahquioque Hotel was then a private resi- 
dence, and was occupied by Elijah Sanford, grand- 
father of Librarian C, H. Sanford. He had a sadillerj- 
at the north end of the building. In company with 

Friend Starr he conducted a tannery, which st 1 on 

Liberty Street, at the junction of Railway Avenue. 

" Abel B, Blackman lived in the house now occu- 
pied by the family of the late I>ynian Keeler, Mr, 
Blackman was a shoemaker, and had his shop on the 
north side of his house, 

" David Foot's hou.se stood on the site occu]>icil by 
Dr, W, F, Lacey. Mr, Foot was a tailor. His shop 
stood in the southwest corner of his door-yard, where 
is now the doctor's drive-way entrance. Mr, Foot was 
a prominent man in that day, and was for many years 
a trying ju.sticc of the peace. 



DANHUKV. 



199 



" Benjamin Smith lived wliere is now tlie residence | 
of Samuel Stebbins. 

"His neighbor on the south was Horace Bull. He 
liveil where now stands St. Peter's clinrcli. His house 
was removed to the sinee-o])ene(l Centre Street, and is 
now the parsonage of St. Peter's eliureli. He was the 
father of the ehildren's great friend, Miss Mary B\ill. 
Mr. Bull was a tailor. Pie was also a noted singer, 
and for over thirty years was tlie chorister of the 
First Congregational Church. He was the first milk- 
peddler Danbury had, peddling on the street from a 
cart and ringing a bell at the customer's door. This 
was in 18")ll, we think. Up to that time i)eoplc bought 
their milk from neighbors who nwucd a cow. sending 
the children for it; and at this time every fourth 
family had its cow. A tribute to Mr. Bull's musical 
talent was a remark .ludge Dutton, then of tbc ."^u- 
perior Court, nuide when in Danbury. He said. 'I 
heanl Mr. Bull ring his bell this morning, and there 
was really music in it.' Mr. Bull's sales amounted to 
about forty quaits a day. 

"There was no hou.sc bctwi'cn his ])lacc and what 
is now the Turner House, but was tlu'n a tavern kept 
by David 'Wood. The land lying between, and run- 
ning clear liaek to Town Hill Street, was a vacant lot, 
boggy at the front with meadow at the rear. Tiiis 
piece belonged to the First Congregational Society, 
and the use of it was given to the pastor. 

" Joseph Moss White, father of Col. IC. :Mos-^ White, 
lived where is now the C. F. Bailey liomestead. 
Mr. White was a surveyor, and held a county otticc 
as such. 

"Maj. Comstock's stcjre was an important centre of 
business aside from its traffic in mcrchandisi'. In the 
day of which we write there was no bank liere. and 
the only means of exchange was through an agency 
of a distant l)ank. The Phwnix I'.ank, of Hartford, 
had a branch in Litchfield, and 'Sir. Comstock was its 
agent here. Twice a week the stage plying Ijetween 
Norwalk and Litehtiebl jiassed througli Danbury and 
took up the money and bills collected by agent Com- 
) stock and carried tliem to Litclificld. The major did 
a business also in iron-ore. This was received from 
the mines at Brewster and jiiled up on the ground in 
! rear of his place. Mr. Hull has frecpiently found 
pieces of this ore in excavating on the prenuses. 

"Where now stands the store long occuj)ied by the 

late Samuel Stebbins stood a shoe-shop, which as 

early as 1805 was occupied by Col. Ebenezer D. Starr. 

'Zalmon Wildman, who lived where now stands 

j the residence of M. H. (iritfing, was a4n'ominent man 

t in the history of the town. He was appointed ]>ost- 

' master in 1S05, and held the oflice for a period of 

[thirty years, when he resigned the position on being 

I elected to Congress. This election oceurrcil in the 

ispring of 1835. In the winter following be died. 

I Mr. Phillips was Mr. Wildman's deputy, and to him 

Mr. Wildman gave the income from the otficc. 

"From Wcsl to Woostt-r ,S/>'eets. — The first building 



was a small one, and stood on the corner. Next to it 
was a store. Both structures stood where is now the 
garden of Mr. V. S. Wildman. The first was us,m1 f..r 
various purposes. Parly in the century it was used 
as a condj-shop by (Ircen & Barnum until l.'^l.") ; after 
that it was occupied by a party luimcd Leggett for 
I'ui-cutting. It also was used as a barlier-slioi>, a 
scliool, and a stone-cutting-sbop. Subscipiently, Wil- 
liam (iray used it as a tailor-shop. It now stands on 
the Danbury and Norwalk Kailway line, oii]iosite the 
l'rcight-<lepot, where it is dccupicd as a tenement. 
The store was built in 18tMI by Col. Timothy Taylor, 
who occujiicd it. In ISIS it was rented by Amos and 
Samuel Stel>l)ins, wild did Imsiness tlnac until 1S39, 
wdien the building was torn down. Amos died some 
ye:irs before this, and the Imsiness was conducted by 
his brother Samuel, ^\'heu this place was remove<l, 
Sir. Wildnuin jmt up the building across the way, 
where tbc late Samuel Stelibins did biisiiu'ss until Ids 
death. 

"Next to the store, and wliere is iinw the Jlctlio- 
dist parsonage, stood the h(jme of Alaiis(]n Haridin. 
He was a lawyi'r. 

" Between this and wdiere is now Mrs. Amos Steb- 
bins' residence there was no building. It was an open 
meadow with a ]iond at the front. In 1S3() or there- 
aliout Thonuis T. Whittlesey i>ut up two buildings 
wbciv now stands the Baptist church. One of these 
was built for a conference-room for the First Congre- 
gational Society. In 1S.'58 it was occupied by Bene- 
dict i_t Nichols, who remained there until 1842, wdien 
they took the building now occupied by Almon Judd. 
In 1S52 they built on the corner (d' Liberty Street, 
which they now own. After they vacated the coufer- 
ence-lmilding it was liought by .Tudge Homer Peters, 
who remcjved it to the foot of Liberty Street, where 
he now occupies it. Tin- other building was used at 
one time for the pulilication of the Danbury Recorder. 
It stood on part of the ground now occupied by the 
Baptist church, and wdu'u it was built the Iniihling 
was moved south, where it still stands. 

" West 5j</f.— Where the hou.se of Mrs. Amos Steb- 
bins stands stood at the beginning of the century a 
house occui>ied liy Dr. Daniel Comstock. He was 
the [ihysieian of the village then, and a man of con- 
siderable mental attainments. There was an addition 
to the house in which, from 1812 to 1815 or there- 
about, was published a pajier by Nathaniel Skinner. 
In the last-named year he removed his office to 
Hridgepin-t. 

"Tlie next house was the house of Maj. Ezra Starr, 
who distinguished himself in the Revolution. It was 
built on the site of the one burned by Tryon's troops. 
In 1830 tlie property came into the pos.session of Starr 
Nichols, who moved back the m.ajor's house and built 
the om; now <jwneil and occupied by Hon. D. P. 
Nichols. Maj. Starr had a large family, but none of 
its members have a residence in Danliury now. 

"The next house was occupied by Col. f^lias Starr, 



200 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



jind is now tlie residence of Edward Allen. Tlie 
coloni'l was a teacher, and his school (private) Wius 
in the next Imildin;;, now a tenement, and twenty 
years ago occupied hy L. H. Bonfrhton ii.s a slioe- 
store. 

"There was no other building until near the corner 
of Wooster Street, where stood the ' Academy,' a 
public school of the higher order. It is now a tene- 
ment belonging to St. Peter's i)arish, and adjoins on 
the north Vaughn & O'Brien's carriage-factory (the 
old church). For many years the lamented Irwin 
taught there, and a number of our gray-haired citi- 
zens drank in knowledge at that fountain. 

" East Side. — ^The i)resent court-house was built in 
182U-2-1. Its predecessor was a box-shaped aflair 
of two stories, with a little chunked cupola on its 
roof. The first Hoor was used for some time as a 
place of worship for the Univcrsalist-s and until they 
built the structure across the way that in later years 
became the church. of St. Peter'.s parish. In front 
of the old court-house stood the whipping-])ost and 
stocks, and both institutions passed away with the 
building. The stocks fell into disuse a long time 
before the whipping-post was abolished. Whii)pings 
were frequent in the early days of the century. The 
punishment was inflicted by justices' decisions as well 
as by court decrees, although much lighter in the 
former ca.scs. The whipping w;is generally done by 
the deputy sheritT. The late .Varon Seeley and Samuel 
"Wildman as deputy .sherills, and Levi Starr as con- 
stable, presided at the post. 

" The principal whipping-day wiis that which fol- i 
lowed the close of the court session. The victims ] 
were relieved of their upper clothes in the jail. Then 
a blanket was placed over their bodies, and they were 
marched across the street to the post. The prisoner's 
hands were tied about the ])ost above his liead, the 
blanket removed, and his suspenders let down. Then , 
the sheritl" took position with the whip, carefully 
mea-suring the distance so the lash would just lay 
across the back in the stroke and not lap around the 
side. The number of blows adjudged the culprit, 
varying from five to twenty-five, were then adniinis- ; 
tercd. Blood was rarely drawn by the lash, but the 
stroke made heavy marks. These were red on the 
backs of white persons, and white on the jiersons of 
negroes. The whipping over, the victim's suspenders 
were put u\), the l)lanket rejilaccd over his back, and 
he was taken back to jail. There were ca-scs where 
the hanils were not tied to the post, but simply clasped 
to it. The whiiipings were conducted in public, but 
were not largely attended, there being but few present 
t<i witness the ]ierformance, and tho.se being mostly 
young boys and idlers. 

"The last known ca.se of whi))ping in this section 
was in Brookfield. The victim was a Danbury man. 
There was a reunion in Brookfield of the veterans of 
the war of 1812-14, tad the attendance from neigh- 
boring towns was quite large. The village store, which 



sold New England rum as well as other groceries, wa^ 
doing an immense business. There were two open- 
ings in the counter above the money -drawer, — one for 
silver, and the other for bills. When the money was 
received it was i)Ut through these openings. The 
Danbury man (whose name it is not necessary to men- 
tion) lounged about on the counter, a most innocent- 
looking party. He had in his possession a bit of stick 
with tar on the end of it. When the merchant and 
his assistants ran to the door to look at the doings 
outside, he would ])usli the stick down into the open- 
ing for bills, and by the help of the adhesive tar 
would draw up one. At night the merchant discov- 
ered the loss. The Danbury man who had lounged 
on the counter was suspected. He was followed to 
Danbury, arrested, and the money with tar-mark< 
found in his possession. He was taken to Brookfield, 
confes-sed his crime, and was publicly and severely 
whipped. 

" West Side. — The present handsome jail-building 
was erected in 1872. Its predecessor was of stone, 
and was built in 1880. The building before that wa~ 
a frame structure with barreil windows, out of which 
a modern housebreaker wouUI have made his exit in 
less than no time. 

"There was no building between the jail and the 
present estate of the late Aaron Seeley. The ' saddle- 
fivctory' was not built until 183(j. At the time it wa- 
put up it was considerable of a building, and its bu^i- 
ness bade fair to be an extensive industry. It was | 
occupied by Elias S. Sanford and William B. Fry in 
the manufacture of saddles and harness. The firm 
had a store in New Orleans. The manufacture wm- 
carried on for about four years, when the failure oi 
the firm broke up the business. In 1840, or thei-i 
ab(mts, Stone & Wadhenis rented the front of tin 
building for a .store, and remained there three or four 
years. James S. Taylor and his brother Granville 
did business there after that, and wlien they left the 
building became a tenement. Several years ago the 
greater part of it was destroyed by fire. 

" The store on the Seeley estate stood where is now 
the residence. It was at one time occupied by .Vmos 
and Samuel Stcbbins. 

"Next to that was a tavern built of brick. It i" 
now the residence of Mrs. George Meeker. The tin 
ern was built by Maj. Whiting at the close of the last 
century. Henry S. Whiting, a son of the builder, 
kej)! the tavern until 1810, or thereabouts, when the 
late .\aron Seeley became its host, anil renuiined in 
charge some fimrteen years. The hotel was a i)"i>ular 
resort, and a stopping-place for the stages that ran 
from New York to Litchfield. In those days its capa- 
cious yard an<l stabling were the scene of much activ- 
ity. Henry Whiting went to Herkimer, N. Y., from 
Danbury, engaged there in the tavern business, and 
died there. There is none of the family in Dan- 
bury. 

" The house next to the tavern, and now known as 



DANP.l'RY, 



201 



the Bedient i)lai'o. w;is, until 1S30, occuiiied by two 
brothers, Darius nnd .hAin St;nr. 

" Till' next l)uil(liiiLi sIimkI wlnre James Dimin now 
lives. It was oeeuiiieil liy Nathaniel Wood, wlio was 
a shoemaker and liad a shop in his yard. 

"Just north of William H. Clark's residenee, and 
on his property, is a hriek dwcdling whieh was Iniilt 
by Fairehild AVildnian, who keiit a store thrre for 
many years, and it was also oeeupied by Warden 
Clark and Xelsou Crane tVir this purpose. In lS(;.'i it 
was converted into a dwelliiif;-. < )n its site stood a 
buildinir owned by Zaehariah (Iriswold, who oeeupied 
it about 1S20 for a suspender-mannfaetory. It was 
not a successful venture, althoui;h Mr. Criswohl did 
quite a business at one time. 

"The present resideiu'e of Mr. ("lark dates back 
fi'om the last century. At one time in tlie last decade 
of the eighteenth century a room in it was used as the 
office of the village [laper, and tlie building itself was 
the dwelling of one of the ]>roprietors. Mr. Clark i 
retains a door in which are the nails that held the 
various ju-ints which it was once customary to tack 
on tlu' printing-office door. For nniny years the 
place l)elonged to Hiram Barnes, the famous stage- 
man, and from it.s gates his four-in-hands have gal- 
lantly trotted, to the great delight of the village 
youth. 

"The house now occui)ied l)y Charles H. Hoyt was 
long the residenee of Everett Anie.s, grandfather of 
Mrs. Hoyt. At the be.sinning of the century it was 
occupied by Joshua Benedict, who was a saddle-man- 
ufacturer and made saddles in tlu^ building. I 

" His neighbor on the south, and in the house now 
occupied by Charles Bigelow, was Dr. Daniel M. Car- 
rington. Mr. Carrington liad an addition to his resi- 
dence in which he dispensed drugs, and which busi- 
ness gave him the title of 'Doctor.' Dr. Carrington 
was a prominent citi7-en, and was several times sent 
to the Legislature. 

"In the time of whieh we write Town Hill Avenue 
had but three houses. It was not an avenue then, 
but simply a lane, running around from Liberty 
Street, as it does now, and connecting with South 
Street. It was then commonly known as ' Xiggers' 
Lane,' although the hill itself bore its jiresent name. 
Why it was called Town Hill we do not know. Per- 
haps because there was no town on it, nor any likely 
to be. 

"One of the three houses was owned and occupied j 
by Agur Hoyt, father-in-law of the venerable Amos 
Morris. He lived on the east side of the street, wdiere | 
L W. Stillman's house now stands. I 

'There was a low-browed house whicdi st<i(]d acros.s j 
the way. It was occupied by Aunt Liz Henry. Aunt , 
Liz was an aged maiden, of decrepit form, popuhirly 
supposed to be a witch, although no more direct evi- 
dence of this than mere surmise hatched from the 
brain of the super.stitious was ever laid at her dingy 
door. Her house stood where Lawrence Smith now 
14 



livi's. and a part of it is, we believe, incin-poratcd in 
his building. 

" Near to when' Turner Street now intersects Town 
Hill Aveiuie stood a building occupied by ;i negro 
named Peter Stoekliriclgc. It is renuirkable what a 
great matter a little tire kindleth. As near as we can 
get at it, the disagreeable name of the lane canu' from 
this single fandly of coloreil people. Peter was a 
piolifie man, and he had a large family ol' interesting 
children. He was commonly known among the Jieo- 
plc of that <lay as Peter Goathead. 

" There were no more buildings until the foot of 
Liberty Street was reached. There, where is now 
I'aihvay Avenue, stood the extensive tannery of Starr 
I'i: Saufjrd. Of both of these men we have already 
s|ioken. The business of the tanner, like that of the 
fuller, has ccpueentrated at jiromineut centri's since 
that day. Then tanneries and tulling-sh<ips were 
distributed throughout the land, Danbury having sev- 
eral of each. The Starr & Sanford tannery, with its 
vats and bark-buildings, extended almost to where is 
now the railway-track. 

"The only dwelling on Liberty Street then was oc- 
cupied by Mrs. Betsey Starr, widow of Col. Ebenezer 
Dibble Starr, wdio was a shoemaker. He died in 
ISIG. It stood where is now liurr Uockwcll's ]ilace. 

WKST STREKT. 

" Xort/i Side. — The first house was the dwelling of 
Elijah Cregory, where L. S. Benedict now lives. He 
was a blacksmith, and liad his shop in one corner of 
the yard. Mr. Gregory was a somewhat j>romineut 
man, and was sent to the Legislature. The house 
was a large frame building. It now stands on George 
Street, wdiere it has become a tciu'inent. 

"The next house was that in which Jcdin Fry lived, 
and where now stands ] ii'. W. H. Rider's residenee. 
He was a hat-manufacturer, and had his shop on the 
premises. Prim' to his occupancy Benedict (Trcgorv 
owned the premises. This was in 1>!12. In 1S27, 
Fry, Gregory & Co. occupied the sho]). After this 
Mr. Gregory went to Dayton, < )hio, where he died. 
Ohio, and especially Dayton, called away a number 
of people from I)anliury in the first years of the 
present century. 

"Next came the place of Ezra (iregorj', grand- 
father of Mr. L. P. Hoyt. He lived where C. H. 
I'eed now does, and had a small tannery in the rear 
of his house. He was a shoemaker. 

" Next to him was the home of LTude Mathew 
Gregory, now occupied by the family of the late 
Ephraim Gregory; he was a farmer. Between the 
two places is now New Street. Tliis street was opened 
mainly through the exertions of Thomas T. Whittle- 
sey, and it was named after him, but the name was 
subsequently changed by a bcjrougli-meeting. 

" Nathan Gregiu-y lived wdiere is now the large 
double house owned Ijy Mrs. Charles Benedict. He 
was a fuller of cloth, and the buildings used for 



202 



HISTORY OF FATin-rKLH TOT^NTV, rOXXHCTICUT. 



fulling stood on the premises. The manufacture of 
cloth in those days was strictly a domestic industry. 
The wool or Hax (linen) was bought of the stores. 
The housewife spun it into threads on her s|)inning- 
whecls. It was then woven into cloth, and after that 
taken to the fuller, who dressed anil colored it. The 
process was something similar to the making of rag 
carpets in a later day. There are fine linen sheets 
preserved in Danbury to-day which were made from 
the Hax seventy years ago. 

" Rev. Israel Ward owned the place now occupied 
by Uncle Ira Dibble. He was the pastor of the First 
Congregational Church, and lies buried in the Wooster 
cemetery. He died in 1812. After his death the 
liouse passed into the possession of Samuel Dibble, 
the father of the present occupant. He was a miller, 
and his first mill was on Main Street. His second 
and last mill stood where is now Wliite's fur-factory, 
on Beaver Street. Mr. Dibble was ' always noted tor 
taking honest toll.' In those days people got their 
flour principally from the mills, buying or raising the 
grain and giving a portion of it to the miller for 
grinding. Kye-flour was the staple, although corn- 
meal was considerably used. Renjamin Kna[)p, who 
figured as a caterer to several of Tryon's ofiici-rs, wa.s 
remarkably fond of Indian meal, and it was said of 
him that a pudding of that meal graced his dinner- 
table every day in the year. Wheat was not a com- 
mon grain then, and its flour was used principally for 
pie-crust and the tiner grades of pastry. 

" The remaining house on that side of the street 
was occupied by Caleb Starr, grandfather of Charles 
F. Starr and Mrs. F. S. Wildman. His house stands 
at the junction of Harmony Street with West. He 
was a farmer, and owned a great deal of land. 

"iSoii/h Side. — Col. Taylor, merchant, lived where 
now stands the residence of Mr. F. S. Wildman. It 
was a story-and-a-half house, of double ])atlcrn, and 
had a long sloping roof, although the roof did not 
run so near the ground as was common in the houses 
of that day. SubsecjUently the house passed into the 
pos.session of Seymour Wildman, uncle of Frederick. 
The latter tore it down in 1K42, and built his present 
place. Before this the old house wa;> occui)ied by 
several families. Judge Reuben Booth lived there at 
one time, and Miss Eunice Seeley kept a school there 
for young women. She subsequently moved to Ro- 
chester, where she died. There was no other house 
until that of .\ndrew Beers was reached. He lived 
where Charles Hull does now. Mr. Beers was a 
delver in ;Lstronomy and a prominent cultivator of 
weather. For several years he jirepared an accept- 
able almanac, which had a circulation throughout the 
United States. Andrew Beei-s(Philom) was a familiar 
aililri'ss to many families. -His almanac was the origin 
of the ' Middlebrooks.' A remark attributed to him 
and in general curri'ncy seventy years ago was the 
information that 'gitos wouhln't start to grow until 
thunder shook the earth.' 



" Mr. Beers lies buried in the old Episcopal church- 
yard, in South Street. There is the following inscrip- 
tion on his headstone : 

" ' In Menirtrj' of 

Andrew Bci'r», Ksf(., 

lUirn in Nrutuwn, 

.\UgUBt 10, 171'J, 

Dieil in Ditnlinry, 

Sept. 20, 1S24, 
7.0 ycare, 1 month. 
Life and tlie grave 

T\v«» different lc«8onB Rive: 
Life teaclieji how to die. 
Death iiow to live.' 

" The next house was that of Joseph Benedict, who 
was a tailor. His house stood where now S. A. Bai- 
num lives. It was moved back on George Street, 
where it still stands. 

"Next came the dwelling of Joseph Hfiyt (iregory. 
where Allen McDonald now lives. Mr. Gregory w:i< 
a hatter, and had his factory by his house, lb- 
moved to Indiana in 1830, and there died. 

" Farther on, and where now stands L. Wildman- 
place, lived Abial Phillips. Samuel Dibble livid 
there before he bought the Ward ]dace. The house 
was removed years ago. Division Street wiis then an 
open road containing no dwellings. 

" The hist house on West Street stands there now. 
close to the pond. Sixty years ago it was occupi 
by Kzra Boughton ; it now belongs to Mr. 
White. Jlr. Boughton was a dresser of 
had his works by his home. 

"The hou.se owned and occupied by William II 
Clark was once owned by Stiles Nichols, and tli' 
paper printed in the building was the JtrpuliUm, 
Farmer, which at one time was published by Mr. 
Nichols. 

" David AVood owned the house now occupied by 
George B. Benjamin, Jr. Sixty years ago it wa-s a 
tavern under his management. He subsequently 
kept the tavern where now stands the Turner H<iu.<e. 

" Next to his place were the dwelling and hnt- 
factory of Ezra Wildman. The house is now occu- 
pied by Berlin St. John. The hat-sho|> is a tenement. 

" Next was the dwelling of Miss Ann Benm-tt. 

" Following it came the residence of Eliakini 
Peck, father of S. S. Peck. It still stands. Mr. Peck 
wiis a blacksmith, and his sho]> stood on the corner 
where is now the old Episcopal church tenement. He 
was a strong Episcoi)alian, a man of marked hospita- 
ble traits, and his shop and home were the re.<ort of 
people fond of entertainment and given to discussion. 
In those days there were no fires in churches, ami the 
worshipers in the Episcopal church (then on South 
Street) used to go to Mr. Peck's home Sumlays, 1h'- 
tween service, to get warm." 

JI.MN STKEET. 

"FmM tSiilr. — The first building on the south of th< 
court-house was the dwelling of Jesse Skcllingcr. 
He had a carriage-shop next to it. The place was 



Mr. A. M. ,J 

cloth, and \ 



DANBUKY. 203 



subsequently occujiieil by Jobn Ridtr, t'atber nf ! " Following was aiiotbcr siiimU ihvclliiifr, the luunc 

George E. Rklcr. Tbo carriage- tat-tory is goiii'. 'Hh' nf wliose ()ecu|jaiit \vc dd imt kimu-. It lirlniiiis to tin; 

residence is at present occupied by Dr. S. (i. (irilliii. estate of E. S. (u-illia, and adjniiiiiig was the lioiiieni' 

"Next to it was a small building owned, ami occu- E. S. Grifiin, who recently died at an advanced age. 

pied as a silversmit!i-.sbo]i by Jobn S. Blackiuan, "West of t^amuel Bninker's ])lace was the dwelling 

father of F. S. Rlacknian. The luiilding, in an en- ' of Comfort Hoyt, wbo was a farmer, 

larged form, is still used for this piiri)osc. and is con- "Beyond that was meadow-land until wliere is 

ducted by the son. The senirjr's wares were of the now the home of ^^rs. A. N. Sharp. Then stood the 

genuine metal, with<int doubt, and many of the residence of Walter l)il)ble, farmer, 

spoons he sold si.xty years ago with his name upon " ( )ii the corner of the street holding to Stephen 

them are now in the possession of the (ddcr liimilics. Bate,^' place and ('oalpit llill road >tooil a house 

His dwelling is now the property and hcjme <]f Freil i occU]iied by Thomas Flynn, wliicdi was torn down. 

Tweedv. "Next came the home of Hany Taylor, which 

"Next came the residence of Matthew B. Wliittle- >tood a short distance east at' the house occupied by 

sev, father of E B. Whittlesey, and the site is now hi^ grandson, Charles Taylor. Mr. Taylor was a 

occupied 1)V him. Mr. A\'hittlesey was a lawyer. farmer. 

"The [irescnt dwelling (jf < icorge P>ates. whicii " His next neigldior was Lcnnicl Taylor and next 

comes next, was the ])ro|ieity of E. S. Sanlbnl, the to him wa> .loci St(jne, who did not apjiear to have 

tanner, who had a shoe-shop there. any particular oc(ai|iation, but at one time carried 

" Next cami' a dwelling, whose occu|iant's nann' we the mail between Hanhnry and New Haven, 

do not know. It still stamls. " Xaii/i Sidr, i/niiii/ irrs/. — ('ajit. Ezra l>ibble lived 

"Capt. .John Rider lived where now (icorge St. where is now the residence (d' Stephen Bates. He 

John resides. was grandfather to Miss Mary lUill. lie was a large 

"Samuel AVildman and Fairchild, his son. lived in fanner, and owned nearly all tlic land in that neigh- 

the liouse occupied by Samuel C. ^\'ildman, son of the Innhood. lie was noted for his geiu'rous help of the 

latter. needy. 

" The store and dwellinu: cd' .Tohn I)odd came next. " There was no other luaisi- until the idace (d' .\nnjs 

It is now theprojierty of Mrs. Edwin Taylor ami Jlrs. Hoyt was reached. He was a tanner and shocnuikcr 

William H. Rider. and a ileaeon. The widow of his grandson, E. C. 

"Following this was the house of Epapliras W. H<jyt. now ociaipics the place. 

Bull, a promising young lawyer, who went to Ohio in "The present home of Ira .Morse was then occu- 

181t), to grow up with the great West, and shortly after picil liy ( 'apt. Peter Starr, grandfather of Mrs. Mor.se. 

died there of a fever. The house was later owned He was a blacksnutli and a ]ironnnent citizen of that 

by Curtis Clark, and is now owned liy Mr. JIurphy. day. 

" Capt. .Tanu's ( 'lark owned a small dwelling next "East of ('apt. Stan's |ilace was the residence 

south, wdiich is at |irescnt the ]n-operty of Patrick (since reniovi'd | of I >aniel Frost. 

Burke. "The old Dilible In.nsc came n<'Xt. It was built 

"Following this was the residence of Philo Cal- Ixdbre the Kcvidution, and became famous in local 

lioun, fatlier of the president of the Fourth National history as the hou.se where Wooster died. 

Bank in New York (.'ity. "Next came the home of Wm. Chapel. He was a 

"Next came the McLean phu'c, a Kevolutionary cabinet-maker, and carried on a small Ijusim-ss. His 

house, whicli still stands. place is now the property of Mrs. Rotf. 

" On the corner of South Street, in the yard of the " No other bnihling occaipied the interval between 

house occupied liy the late Charles Rider, stood, liity his place and the old ICpiscopal ehuich which stood 

j or more years ago, a store kept by a man named (iris- in the west end id' the present gravi'yard, which was 

I wold. It was burned down, and was not rebuilt." its churchyard. The South Centre District s(diool 

stood close by, as at inesent. 

sofTH STKKKT. "Deer Hill Aveuuewas a hme tlien. It was not 

I "SoufhSide. — The nmst |>romineid house on the om'-half the width it is now, and tlie most travid was 

street then, because in full view of JIain Street, was done li\ farm-te:\ms and cattle. The only house iu 

■ the residence of Daniel Taylor at the beginning of its entire length was ocenjiied by Jlunson ( iri'gory. 

the century. Mr. Taylor was a luittcr. The h<m-e It stood wdicrc E. A. Honsnuin now lives, ami was 

was a relic of the Revoluti<in. It is now ociaipicd l>y lorn down some years ago. Rev. William Andrews 

Myron Clark, ami has changed but little in tlie past lived here during his pastorate id' the First Church, 

century. " Wooster Street was not considered a street, but a 

[ "Going south, the dwelling of Eliakim I'.enediel. road. It had no house nntil that of Kli .larvis was 

I farmer, came next. It still stands. reaehed. It still stands, and is owned by ( leorge E. 

[ 'Third was a small dwelling, which is at |iresent Kider. .Vearly op]iositc lived lOli Wilibnan, a farmer. 

* occupied by Reubei\ Tompkins. The ]ilace is now owimmI by Wilson Small. 



204 



IIISTOllY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



" Lovers' Lane contained one house, — a small one. 
It stood near to whore is now Beach Wilson's ])lacc. 
Lovers' Lane was a popular name for this road many 
j'ears ago, and everybody in Danbury knew of it. 
As late as twenty years ago a good part of it was 
shaded by overlianging branches. It is not now a 
walk for the sentimental, and perhaps not more than 
half of our citizens know where it is. 

"The house now owned by Mrs. B. Crofut, on the 
Mountaiuville Road, was in that day occupied by 
Benj. Griffin. 

" There were but three houses on White Street. 
White Street runs through a section called Barren 
Plain. It took this title from its sandy soil, which 
was not fit to cultivate. The bridge over the Still 
River, although generally known as the White Street 
Bridge, is yet called by many, especially older citi- 
zens, ' Bar'n Plain Bridge.' 

"There were no dwellings on the north side of the 
street, unless we count the i)hice of Mr. Knapj), cor- 
ner of Main Street. On the south side the first house 
was a small dwelling, owned by Abel B. ( iregory, who 
was a farmer. It is now occupied by Michael Zieg- 
ler, and stands on the corner of Canal Street. 

" Next came the large house of Noah Knapp, son ! 
of Benjamin Knap]). It is supposed to have been 
built (in the close of the war, if not before it. Noah ' 
was a farmer. The place is now the property of .Tn- 
seph Bell. 

" There was no other dwelling on the road until 1 
where is now Nursery Avenue. A large dwelling, 
the property of Zalmon Wildman, father of Fred- 
erick S., stood there." 

KLM STREKT. 

" At the east end of this street, on the north side, 
the first house was the dwelling of Zclotes Robinson. 
He was a butcher, and began the peddling business 
with a wheelbarrow. Hcwsus among the fii-st jieddlers 
of meat in Danbury. Alvin Ilurd also lived there. 
He was a hat-manufacturer. The house stood where 
is now Darins Stevens' place. Mr. Hnn'.'s factory 
stood on the river, where Conductor A. Pulling lives. 

" On the corner of River Street was the next house. 
It was occupied by Dorastus Green, a laborer. 

" On the south side there were but two buildings. 
One of them wils the dwelling of Rory Starr, father 
of George Starr, the ])resent occupant. The other 
was his shop, and is now Daniel Starr's box-sho]). i 
Mr. Starr was a builder, and a very extensive one, ' 
too. He did most of the building in those days, [ 
when houses with their gable-end to the street began 
to nuike their ai)i)earanee here. Many of our older 
substantial residences were constrncte<l by Mr. Starr, 
the most conspicuous being the residence of Mr. F. 
S. Wildman, which we believe was the last he put up. 
Mr, Starr was elected to the Legislature, serving in 
both the House and ^hc Senate. He was a Metho- 
dist, and an active member of the local church. 



"That portion of Elm Street which runs over 
Rabbit Hill contained but four houses. These were 
small, and it is not known who occupied them. Two 
of them were tenements, belonging to Col. Ru.ssel 
White. One of them is now occupied by John and 
Charles Meedcr. Another stood where F. McCready 
lives, and the other is G. S. Disbrow's. 

" In one of these houses lived a man who was noted 
in the village as shiftless and improvident. He was 
a wagoner by professicm, but scarcely by i)ractice. 
His wife was entirely opposite in nature. She was 
both industrious and fi-ugal, and, like such people, 
had an ambition. Hers was to have a home of her 
own, or a homestead, as she termed it. Her want 
was frequently, if not daily, ])resented to her hus- 
band. Finally, becoming impatient with her de- 
mand, he told her one day, — 

"'My dear, I would get you a homestead in a 
minute if I had anywhere to put it.' 

"This covered the sulijcct completely, and the poor 
wonuin never again put in licr petition for a home- 
stead. 

" Rabbit Hill was thus called because its gravel 
pit* and clumps of brush were the home of that 
animal, 

"Gallows Hill is tlie ma.ss of rock at the head 
of the street, near the pond." 

KIVEB STREET. 

" The classical name of River Street, in the early 
days of the town's history, was Pumpkin Ground. 
The hill which skirts its we.st side Wiis in spots de- 
voted to the culture of that plain-looking but excel- 
lent vegetable. 

" River Street was a mere lane, and ran to the east 
of its present location. Dora-stus Green's house. 
which stood on the corner of Elm, had a well within 
eight feet of the front door. The present roadway 
now covers the well. Rabbit Hill was so steep in 
that day that a half-cord of wood was about all a 
team could haul up it. Mr. Green's hoii.se sat iiercheil 
upon a high bank. The street was o))ened by Col. 
Russel White for the convenience of his factory busi- 
ness. A good part of the hill on the west side be- 
longed to Rory Starr. The house now occupied by 
the venerable widow of Monmouth Lyon stood there 
then. 

"Richard Lovelace, who was a miller, lived o]ipo- 
site S. C. Holly & Co.'s faetorj-. The house still 
stands, 

" Next to him lived Wm. Earle. His place also 
remains. 

" There were but two more houses, both of them 
opposite E. S. Davis' factory. One of them was 
occupied by Jonathan Leggett, a fur-cutter. The 
other was the dwelling of Sergt. Joseph Moore. Both 
yet remain. 

"At the farther end of the street, near White's 
factories, lived Anthony Buxton." 



DANHTTvY. 205 



BKAVKli STREET. ! water. Tlie jMiiiit on the Souiul was \Vcst|M,i(. A 

" Tlicri' wiTO luit twii liiiuscs nil tliis ,-trrel Iwliii-li >iirvi-y \va^ even iiiaile, the line lolhiwiiii;; near tn that 
is iiiipuhirly kiiowii as Kuse Hill). One ui' these was ut'the [iresent laihuad as far ih>\vii as luMhliiij;. wlierc 
oceu|iiecl hy Ephraini Benedict, ami is unw nwiieil Uy i it crossed over to the SaiiiratiieU Valley and theiiee to 
his j.'randdanjrhter, Mrs. K. I'lilley. West|ii)rt. It was |ini|iused to use Xeversinic Toiid as 

" Lower down the hill lived Samuel Curtis. His a leeder to the canal, 'I'lie le\ els taken >liowed Main 
house h;i.s been giuie tor years. He was for a long .Street at the ^Vooster House to be three humlred 
time sexton of the First Church, and was known to and seventy-five feet above tide-water, and Xcversink 
the youin;- and old "f lii^ day as siiii]>ly 'Sam.' " to be twenty t\-et above Main Street. Muidi was said 

and ilonc about the canal project, but it |Was finally 
xoRTii STUKET. deemed to be inex|.cdient l..'caiisc of the h.'avy lock- 

"There were but two houses on North Stn^et sev- iug that would be necessary, and was abandon, d. 
enty years ago. ( hie of these stood where now lives "The next project under consideration w.i- a rail- 

Mrs. Patience Stratton. It was the piroiierty of K/.ra ' road. This agitatimi began in l>i'''>, — the same year 
Barnum, a farmer. The second house was a small ! nf the survey of the Hartford and New Haven road, — 
building, since removeil, whicli stood on Mrs. Bene- and in that yi-ir the charter was obtained from the. 
diet's lot. Legislature. The idiarter was grantcil to ' Ira (Ircg- 

".Vt a hder day, fifty years ago or thereabouts, ory, Kusscdl Hoyt, Eli T. Hoyt, Edgar S. Tweedy, 
there was a hat-factory on the street. It stood near David M. lienedict, Ephraini (Iregory, Curti-i Clark, 
the bridge, on the north side." Frederick S. Wildman, Elias .*<. Sanford, (ieorge W. 

Ives, with such other persons as shall associate with 

Fli.\XKl.lx .STREET. ^j^^.^^^ j.^^. jj^.^j pur]iose.' These Were to be incorpm-- 

" There was but one house nil the north siile of this ated as "The Fairliclil ('ounty Kailroad ('ompaiiy.' 

now pretty well ljuilt-U]i street. 'I'his was the dwell- with a cajiital stock amounting lo two hundred tliou- 

ing of Stephen Gregory, and i> now occupied by sand dollars, or three humlred tlionsaiid didlais if 

Harris L. Crofut. neces.sary, and the tbilowiiig-nained were authorized 

"On the south side the hrst house was that now to rec<Mve subscriptions : Russell Hoyt, .larvis Brush, 

owned by Mrs. Betsy Rosebaum, on the corner of Aaron Seelev, Ephraim (iregory, Starr Nichids,( ieorge 

Rose Street. In the rear stood the Metliodist meet- t'lapp, Starr I'erry, Isaac H. Seeley. Nathaniel H. 

iug-house of that day. Wildinan, William .1. Strci't, and Henry Sherwuod. 

"(ieorge Lovelace lived next, where (ieorge W. The road was authorized to run from I )anbury by the 

Wilson now lives. most direct and feasible rollti' to some suitable point 

" The third and last house on that side was occupied at tiilc-watcr in cither the town of Fairfiehl m- the 

by Darius Barnum. It stood nearly opposite Mr. E. S. town of N(U-walk. 

Davis" place." "This was all down on paper and looki'd nice 

I enough, but the trouble had not licgiin. The charter 

was got and a survey made, and everything scemeil to 

indicate a speedy completion of the road. lUit a gen- 

erati(m was toiiassbel'me the lio]iefid project! n-s should 

DANBURY (Continued). ^^-e a railroad from Danbury to tide-water, and belbrc 

lutonml ln,i.r<.v.m<.nt.s-a»iul frum Dani.ury t„ Westi.<.rt-The Fuir- that glad consummation a mountain of worry, oppo- 

fleia Kailroad Ct>mpnTi.v—XfW Y.iik to .\lliany rill Diiiil.nry— Interest- sitioU, and disciiuragelnent was to be painfully scaled, 
iiig rigme.s— Tho Diiiit.nry an.l N.mvalk Ui.ilrt.ad— Tho Kidgidickl _^^ j,-j ,||^, |..|^,^, ,,f.,ll entill>rises l.emtitim;- a .•.inilliun- 
Branch — Mis.enaiieD.is. . ,. , ,. . .. i !■ ■ i i i-^ + i 

ity, a f.'W ..Illy ot its pn.fessed friends were l.dt to do 

" As the town grew and its business grew the demand the work, w bile the mass either stood idle or suggested 

for a better means of transportation began to make obstacles with a fertility of resource that was as amaz- 
itselffelt. There are in every age and in every com- , ing as it was exa.sperating. Conspicuous among the 

munity, fortunately, progressive spirits who are al- workers for the project were Eli T. Hoyt an.l the late 

ways restless, because they are always lo(d<ing I'or Aanm Seeley. 

something better than what is alri'ady jiossesse.l. "The r.iad as it was first contemi.latcd ami as it 

Danbury was blesse.l with this element, and those linally took shape wer.' twn .lillerent pr..jects. Most 

who composed it chafed under the limitations of the of our read.'rs are n.it aware that in Danbury's tirst 

stage-coach and the slow-plo.hling road-wag.ms. inception of railway communication with the outer 

"In bSio, when the Erie Canal project was being worhl the somcwdiat c.dossal project of a through-line 

agitated, the public attention throughout the country from New "i'ork to Albany by way of this (.lace was 

was directed to the snl)jeet of inside watcr-cimmuni- entertained, and that the Danl.iiry ami N..rwalk Rail- 

i cation, and the agitation reached Danbury, being way is to-day part of that selnine, ami all. in fact, 

[ drawn here by tlie iirogressive spirits of that day. It that is left of it, 'I1i.' propos.'d r..ute was to niii from 

' was propo.sed to run a canal fr.mi Danbury to the t hi.'- New York by b.iat t.i Wils..irs I'oint, on tin' Snuml, 



CHAPTER XIX. 



206 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Idur iiiiK's l)eli)\v Xorwalk. Tlic harbor tliort' war* the 
best in that seetion, aiul would be acccssililc for the 
greater |)art of the most severe winter. From the 
Point to l)anl>urv the rail Wiis to run, and tliencc to 
West Stoekbridge, Mjiss., where the line would con- 
nect with what is now the Boston and Albany road, 
and whieli wa-s then liuilding from Albanj- to West 
Stoekhridge. This, of course, wa.s before the day of 
the Harlem road and in the beginning of railway en- 
terprise in this country, — at a time wlien railways were 
mainly opposed on the very substantial grounds that 
cattle would get on the tracks and be killed. 

" We shall speak first of the line from Danbury to 
tide-water, known in the charter as 'The Fairfield 
County Hailroail.' The survey was made by Alexan- 
der Twining, of New Haven, in the summer of lS;i5. 

"Two surveys were made, — one along the Sauga- 
tuck River to Compo Point below Westport, and the 
other along the present route to Belden's Neck (Wil- 
son's Point). The di.stanee on the Saugatuck route 
was about twenty-three miles, and on the Norwalk 
route to Belden's Neck it was twenty-six miles. In 
point of distance to New York, however, the latter 
route had tlic advantage in that it was seven miles 
nearer to that city by the cliannel than the former. 
It is not necessary to speak further of the Saugatuck 
route, as it was abandoned. 

"The Norwalk survey, as first made by Jlr. Twi- , 
ning, was considerably changed before the work on 
the road commenced. At this end of the route it was 
first designed to leave Bethel out, running the road 
through Mountainville along the line of Simpaug 
Brook, and coming into the borough across South 
Street and parallel with Main on the east to Turner 
Street, where it was designed to have the station. Mr. 
Twining recommended, however, that, instead of fol- 
lowing the Simpaug, the road branch to the east and 
run through Ura-ssy Plain into Bethel, and thus secure 
an important station with but a little increase in dis- 
tance. The suggesti(m wa.s accepted so far as Bethel 
Wiis concerned, but the route at the south end of the 
village was not materially changed. Some one did 
speak of the line which is now occupied, but it was 
scouted at the time. The great flat between the lower 
bridge and Bethel was a bog, and some very wise citi- 
zen said at the time that two twelve-foot rails could 
be pushed down into it their full length without 
touching bottom. The route along the east of Main 
Street was strongly opposed by the owners of seven- 
teen homesteads, who gloomily anticipated destruc- 
tion to their cows and pigs by crossing the track. Mr. 
Twining hinted that the difficulty in building the 
road at Hubbell's Hill could be avoided by following 
the Norwalk valley into its extension Sugar Hollow 
and thus come into Hanbury on the west side; but 
this was not ftirther considered. 

" While tlii'se surveys were going <in the frieu<ls of 
the project had thel* heads full of a through New 
York and .Mbany lim', and, although their charter 



provided for a road from Danlmry direct to tide-water 
only, they dreamed of the through-line and worked 
for it. It wiis, to speak mildly, a stupendous enter- 
prise for a town of less than six thousand inhabitants 
to take hold of and attempt to carry through, for as 
yet there was no organized eftbrt in this direction out- 
side of Danbury. But the progressive ones of that 
day worked hard for success, and earned it even if 
they did not receive it." 

FROM NEW YORK TO ALBANY TM DANBURY. 

" .Vs we have said, during the project of a road from 
Danbury to tide-water the projectors never lost sight 
of the feasibility of a through winter route from New 
York to Albany. This was a crying demand in both 
cities, and the Hudson River for a railway-line was 
not thought of ; neither, in fact, was the route through 
Putnam County, now known as the Harlem road. .\nd 
a railway-line between the two cities by way of Dan- 
bury was not so much out of the way, after all. 

" The distance by the Hudson River, the most direct 
route, is one hundred and fifty miles; by way of Dan- 
bury it is but fourteen miles greater, as the following 
will show : 

MilcK. 

From Now York \ty stcamlwat to Boldon's Nock 40 

B}' niilwny to Danttur>- 2G 

From Daiilmr)' to Went Stockliritlge 08 

From West Stockbriilge to .\lbany 30 

Whoto distance 104 

" Mr. Twining recommended this through-route 
and Messrs. .Varon Seeley, Eli T. Hoyt, and .larvis 
Brush, to whom the surveyor made his report, pub- 
lished a card indorsing the .same. 

" It may not be uninteresting to our readers of thi.-- 
day to know what were some of the grounds on which 
was ba.sed a calculation in favor of a railway-line 
front Danbury to New York, and we herewith give 
the views of the gentlemen above named, as well a- 
their estimate of the through-business. It present- 
most interesting reading, we think, to thisgeneratii>n, 
and the figures contemplated and those realized make 
entertaining comparisons. The committee advance 
these views in favorof direct rail-communication with 
tide-water : 

"* Tlio town of Dftnliur.v* rolitiiiiiH a iHtpuliition of nlMillt GOtiO. ami th 
village of Danbury is tlie ccntnil |»oinl of ImsiiivM for a fertile an>i 
(lea^u'Iy-ixntnlated lerritor>* of 200 wiiiaro miles. The present nnnainl 
of Iranslxtrtation fnim this and the adjoining towns, as ascertained by 
intpiiry of |H'rs4Mis enxageil in bnsiness, is 7000 tons. This amount hM 
actually been lrans|Kiile.l diiHng the |>ast year. Much, however, hi* 
been necessarily overlooked in the estiniate, and the amount has l>e«n 
for the last ten years, unil is now, Kraduiilly incri'Hsing. Tliese conpider*- 
tions alone, without Inking into the i^slimale the imimlse which experi- 
ence has shown will l»e given by a railroad to nil bninchcs of buslni.ss,cn. 
able nstostjite with conlidence that the trans|H)rlation nisiii this rvuiil, U|ioD 
Its flnt o]tening, will l>e 10,tKHl tons. The regular price now pni<l fur 
fn'ight to those evclnsively engaged in transiHirtation from I>anbury to 
Saugatuck anil Norwalk is $.*i pi'r ton. Assuming the minimum price 
for trnnsportatinh n|N)n the railrxtad to Ite 93 per ton, the anninil revenne 
from this source alone will l.e SUV'*'. I" which may be adde.1 for freight 
from the towns sontli of Dunleiry, which will pr>il<aMy W nearly cpial 
upon eithor route, J'.ailK),— making in the whole Slj,ooo, and the ililTir- 
onco twtwoen that amount and tho price now paid, Iteing $20,000, will be 

* Tills inclnded Bethel. — EniToR .Vcirr. 



DANBURY. 



2()'J 



a cleiir giiin to the public. The proseiit mimiier of psissengers from Now 
York tu Piiiibniy, as iiscertaiiied by a reference 1o the books of the pru- 
priotors of the staf^i'-liiies ami other sources, is l(i,riU(). The prirc of juis- 
eage now paiil, siiul which It is not proposed to diniinisli, is one duHur. 
The number of piisHcnt^ei"s from the intermeilijite townj, we estim:i.tc lOOll 
more, f<n- which tliere is now pjiiil from fifty to seventy-five cents ; e?,ti- 
miiting the fare at the average price of sixty-two Jiml a lialf cents, ilir 
amount is SH25, — making the amount of revenue to l>o (h-rivi-il fmui 
passengers, Sl(i,i>2'). These e^stimates are based upon tlie fads ;is they 
now exist; but wlien wo take into consi«hM'ation the iniiea>ed atnount 
of trans(Kirtation and travel to be created by tlie increased facilities fur 
conimnnii-ation, it may safely be assumed that tin- in(orn<' from all 
sources of revenue will be greatly increased. For instaTice, we have 
stated that the present annual number of passengers fnun I)aid'ury to 
New York is lii,iiiH.i. This includes very few from the towns east of Itan- 
hury, and n()ne from the southern portions of Litchfudd <_'oiuity and the 
eastern jiart of the counties of Dutchess and Putnam, in the State of 
New York. Itut the proposed road wouM undoulitedly draw to itselt -(// 
the travel from the entire regit)n, which, it is not uniejisoiuilde to ^np■ 
peso, would increiLse the number of passengers to liO.iMHI, — tlius yicldini; 
from pjLssengers alone an income of S20,(hXi per annum. A rapid fxteti- 
sion of business ahuig the whole line of the road, and throughout The 
]ioi tiou of country within the sphere of its influence, may also be confi- 
dently anticipated. In the instance of heavy articles also the increiL^ed 
amount of transjiortation will, in our Judgment, far exeeeil tlie estimate 
here made. We refer especially to the articles of coal and plaster, the 
former of which is now used in the interior ti) a very limited extent, but 
would, upon the opening of the proposed roa<l, be extensively substi- 
tuted f(U- Wood. In relation to the annual expenditures, the experience 
of other roads enables us to i)resent an estiLiuite upon whieh we may 
safely rely. The annual expense of repaii-s may be i)ut at SJ'>ii(i. The 
cijstuf transporting freight to the amount with which this road will r.iui- 
meiice will not exceed thirty-five cents per ton. One trip and i>iie ictiirn- 
trip jier day will be sufficient to accommodate all the jjassengej-s with 
■which the roarl will open, which, at S7.on per trip, for :ii:j days, makes 
for the year $H;!r.. The salaries of the othcei-s in the employ of tlie com- 
pany may be set down at S^idOU per annum, the exjiense fur drivers and 
keeping hurses,* fur freight-wagons, i-tc. cxilusivi- uf passeturer-ciirs. 
$;i5(Ki, making in the aggregate, lor all exii.iiscs uf the cuiiipany, 
$V.i,mo. 

•■'We present the following recapitulation : 

Income from freight §.'12,(HiO 

Income from tiaiispuilntiun of p;issengers 2M,nilti 

Sf.')2.()(i(i 
Deduct annual expenses of repaii-s, etc i:i.(;'.lO 

Net annual profit *;ssi.;i()5 

Thus yieliling a dividend of nearly ten per cut. tu the stockholders.' 

"Ot'tlu^ route through to Albany the comuiittee 
further say : 

■"Tliei-i' is, however, another ami more enlarged view which we take 
of this subject. The road, aiconling tu tlie original design of its pro- 
jectors, ends at Danbury. and the company, by their charter, are author- 
ized to construct it to that place only. Hut in the courseof their in. piiries, 
the under>iigned have become convinced that this road is in the liin' «f the 
very nearest practiciible route fnr a railinnj between the cities of AVir York awl 
AllKmy.umi that by extending it northward through the valley of the 
Housatonic to West Stockbridg.-,— a distance of sixty-eight miles only,— 
and intersecting at that place the railri)ad from Albany to West Sturk- 
bridge, already commenc-d, the great objei.t, su h.ng desire.l, of ejecting 
au open wintrr-cuuimunication between the cummercial and pulitical 
capitals of tlie Empire State will be ai^complished. With a view tu this 
object, Mr. Twining, the engineer by whom our road wsis surveyed, has 
examined the country between the northern termination of the Fairfiehl 
County Railroad and the prui)used point of intersection with the Albany 
and West Stockbridge Railway. The result of his examination will be 
found in his report. 

" ' Actual surveys have demonstrated that a raihoad betwrrn the tu-. 
<:itieB must, fur a portion of the distance, pass through the valley of the 
HousaUuiic. And it has never be.-u prop. .sed, nor is it indeed posMbb-, 
to enti-r the valley with such road at any point farther north than at or 
near Caniuin Falls, forty-four miles north of Danbury. It is immaterial, 
however, at what point any other practicable route enters that valley, 
becanee it being true tliat it must be bnmght thus far east proves that 

* It was designed to run the road by liorse-puwor. 



in regard to distance nn other route ever can possess any materia! ad- 
vantage over the present. 

"'That the business of this purliun ut cuiintry wlii'h llie (■\lriidiMl 
road wuuld intiusect will afl^Lud an ample reiuuucratiun to the stuckhohi- 
ers there can be no re;u<onal)le iloubt. Of its value as a channel of inter- 
course between New York and Alliany rm estimate has been or can bo 
made. \\'luii ue look at the imuH lis.- iiuiiibei"s daily jiassing between 
the two ( ities, and retlect that this uuniliei-, great as it now is, is daily 
augmenting by the increase vf population and wealth thruugbuut the 
coiintiy and by the opening of new lines of i-oniniuniralion tu ;iii indit- 
irdte extent at the noi'th and west, we are admonished that its value 
lannut be c'alcuiated, and that all attempts to make an estimate must 
fail.' 

" Thrrc an.' some figures in tlir rrport ut Mr. 'J'wiu- 
iuL-^'s surviy t'roin Danlmry to tiiK'-watfr whirh arc ot 
full as niueli interest to us of tn-ilay as they were to 
those who watehed the l)ro,oTess of the sehenie. It 
must he borne hi mind that this was not a steam-rail- 
way, but really a horse-railway. In tliat ilay loco- 
motives were in l)ut litth' use in this eonntry. and 
nothing, eomparatively, was known of tbem in \rw 
Eughind. My. Twiniui^V estimate for the oradino- of 
the road was $78(i9 a luik', or $20;i,;iS*) for the entire 
distanei'. 

"In his estimate for the superstnuture — that is, 
the traek — is an item, ' Horse-])atli.' wliieli was to 
cost $]-2'', a mile. The horse-path was to !..■ of plank. 
The followiu^^ is his estimate for tiie ajipointments of 
the HKul: 

Si\ iiiiiiiiL^es Jul piisseiigcrs S4.'>iMl 

FiftiH-n wa^iins tnr Imnleiis o,25(l 

Thirty lioi-si'S :!,iHlll 

Harness OOO 

TwM ilfiiiits. with carriiigc-hdiisi-s ami stiililes S,)H)lt 

iiTM> hiill-wav station, witli dittii 2.7511 

T..tal S24,lllO 

'• It will 111- licou by the above tlint jiiissoiiger-cars 
I'oiilil tjicii be bmiu'lit tor $7oO ;i])icc(', tiiul tVi'ight- 
cars wi-fciii the iiitirki't at #M;")(I t'at-li. 

" Jt was projioscd to make two trips tulay caeli way. 
The ears were to be drawn by horses, two to etieh ear. 
The time re(|uire(l to intike the trip was estiintited to 
lie three hours. As to how the I'reight-wtijioiis were, 
to run, or how many to a train, w:is not ileterniined 
on, as the roa<l was but then in its inception, and 
before matters prouresseil to tiiiy dei;ree locomotives 
came into use. 

"While these estimates were being maile the 
'through-line' was worked :it. Mr. Twining ami the 
origimitors of the road were firnily convinced that 
the line wonld pay and thtit it was a necessity. There 
was no rail-route between New York and Albany, 
tirnl in the winter, when navigation Wiis closed in the 
river, there was no eonnuunication between the two 
cities except by stage. The Danlmry people >oiight 
lo stir up enthusiasm at points along the projioseil 
route. 

" In December, IS.'Jo, a public meeting w;is lielil in 
Kent, the next town above New Millbrd. It wtis a 
hirge meeting. Delegates were present from all towns 
along the proposed line from Danlmry to West f^toek- 
bridge. A projtosed charier (granted the tidlowing 
year) had been draltcd, giving to the eomptiny i-h;ir- 



208 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



tered the right to construct a road to Bridgeport, or 
to the New York State line in the town of Ridgefield, 
or to Danl)ury. The Kent meeting determined on 
the route to Danhurv, and appointed Aaron Seeley, 
Peter Pierce, and Jay Sliears a eonimittee to employ 
an engineer and have a survey made and an estimate 
of cost prepared. 

"In March following the committee secured the 
services of E. H. Brodhead, an experienced civil en- 
gineer, to make the survey. He entered ujion his 
dutie-s as soon as jjossible, and was accompanied along 
the course hy 5Ir. Seeley, of the committee. 

" Twenty-one days were employed in this work. 
Not only the line proposed, but several diverging 
routes, at tlie suggestion of citizens living off' the line, 
were looked after. The line was carried, also, south 
of'Danbury to the New York State line in Ridgefield, 
at the place of E. Bouton, a distance of about eleven 
miles from here. The line in Danbury began at the 
Main Street Bridge across Still River, and Mr. Brod- 
head's survey ran it through Beaver Brook District, 
thence along the line of the Still River to its conflu- 
ence with the Ousatonic (Housatonie) at New Mil- 
ford. From there it followed pretty much the line 
now occupied by the Housatonie road to West Stock- 
bridge, where wa.s met the railway known iis the Bos- 
ton and Albany. 

"The route from Danbury to the New York State 
line followed the course of the Still River, ])assed 
through Miry Brook District and entered the Sugar 
Hollow. Tlie ascent through the Hollow was, ac- 
cording to Mr. Brodhead, thirty-five feet to the mile. 
At Sugar Hollow Pond the line diverged to Bennett's 
Ponds, and thence passed through Titicus- to the 
neighborhood of South Salem. This route was not, 
however, an important item in the consideration of 
the road. The main thing was to get the line to Dan- 
bury through the (Jusatonic Valley, where it would 
connect with the Fairfield County road, to tide-water. 
The line from Ridgefield to West Stockbridge was 
eighty-one miles; from Danbury to West St<)ekbridge, 
seventy miles. A[r. Brodhead estimated the entire 
cost of the road, the longer distance, to l)e $l,247,50i). 

"These figures exceeded the exi)ectation of the 
committee, but did not dampen their ardor. They 
made up their report and presented it to the conven- 
tion, and with it a circular which was to go before 
capitalists who were looking for investments. 

"The cin'ular a.ssumed that, viewed in connection 
with manufactures, the unusual watcr-i>ower, and the 
cheapness of the land thereto, the Ousatonic route 
was to be preferred to any other route, especially one 
nearer to the Hudson River (this referred to the Har- 
lem and .Vlbany scheme). But the committee, wish- 
ing to make no uncomplimentary eomjiarison, simply 
say that, feeling confident that wliile the counties of 
Putnam and Westchester undoul>te<lly surpass the 
Ousatonic Valley as m agricultural country, yet they 
feel confident it is numufactories that must give busi- 



ness to a railway and profit to the stockholders, and 
so, without comparing this route with the one farther 
west, they invite capitalists to examine for them- 
selves. 

" The committee were very much in earnest, even 
to the extent of using italic. 'Should the capitalists 
of the cities of Albany and New York prefer the 
western route,' say the committee, 'we appeal to the 
peopleof the Ousatonic Valley to come forward in all 
their strength, and, relying upon their own resources, 
to construct it road to tide-water.' 

" The people of the valley eventually came forward 
in all their strength and constnicted a road to tide- 
water, but not as the committee expected, and cer- 
tainly not a.s they de-sired. 

"Messrs. Hoyt and Seeley attended a big railroad 
meeting in Albany just previous to the Kent meeting. 
They went there to present the Ousatonic Valley 
route, and to learn what could be learned of the con- 
dition of the railroad pulse. Hi Barnes drove them 
there in a carriage. While in Albany a heavy snow- 
storm fell, and made it impossible for them to get 
back as they went. 5Ir. Barnes was equal to the- 
emergency, however, and very soon succeeded in trail- 
ing oft" his carriage for a sleigh, hy which the return- 
trip was made. At any gathering of railway sympa- 
thizers which presented an opportunity to ventilate 
their favorite scheme these two men might be founil 

"While these movements were being made, Bridgi 
port, which was not thought of by any one as a rail- 
road point, began to realize that there was danger ol 
losing something. The something in question was all 
the business of the Housatonie Valley. 

" When Bridgeport got on high ground where it 
could look ofl' some other direction than seaward, it 
saw that by way of Danbury and Norwalk was so 
much more direct for a line to New York than liy 
way of itself that should the road be built then- 
would never be the ghost of a chance for it to get thi' 
business of the upper Housatonie Valley. It wouM 
all go the shorter route. 

" Danbury as yet had no road to tide-water. If 
Bridgeport could Imild a road from New Milford to 
itself, then it would stand a very good chance to taki- 
the business of tin- Housatcmic Valley should a road 
be put through it. Alfred M. Bishop, father of Wil- 
liam D. Bishop, was considerably interested in the 
])roposed road, ami eanu' to Danbury to talk over the 
matter with our jieople. He oflered to carry through 
the Fairfiehl C'ounty railway if DaTd>ury would raise 
one hundred thousand dollars for that purpose. There 
were those in favor of doing it, of course; but there 
were so many more op])ased to it that the scheme 
fell through. He next tried Bridgeport, and that city, 
being a trifle more awake than we, or a trifle less 
honest,* we are not sure which, pledged two hundred 

• When Uie IJino ciimo for l!ii» niuiifj- to \te pniit Bridgeport (H>iiglit to 
rcpiuliftto, niitl tin* Inw wan rnl]i<<) in to foR-t- it to kt-rp its wonl. wliii h 
iip|>«anMl to l>o (Mjimlly n* giKRi iis ilv iHind. 



DANBriiY. 



209 



tlKJlisniiil ilcilUirs tor :i road IVdiu tlicif to New Mil- 
tnrd. 

"This ]iniftic:illy killccl tin- Daiilpiirv rnutL' I'rum 
New York to All)any. In 1S40 tlic railway tVuni 
Bridgeport to New Miltord was enmjdcted and 
opened tor use. Two ycar> later it was exti'iided 
to tlie State line, and lieeaiiie the winter-route t'rnni 
.Mhuny to New Ycjrk. rin the steamer ' Xinirod,' 
C'a])t. Brooks, to Bridgejioi't. ami as sueh was oeeu- 
liied for a number ot' years. It was ten years later 
before the Dauliury and X(jrwalk road took fcjrm. 

"The reader remembers, jierluqxs, that there were 
two objeetive points at tiile-waler, — one at AVestport 
and the other below South Noi-walk. This end of 
the line was rampant for the road, but there was not 
so much interest taken below. Jt was desirable to 
get one hundred thousand dollars from the other end, 
and our railway eonimittee made several journeys 
with that objeet in view. W'estjiort wanted the road, 
but its anxiety was not a liundred thousand dollar,^' 
worth. Xorwalk felt lln' same. Year after year 
pa.ssed away in this state of affairs, and then Xorwalk 
peoide awoke up to tlu' lull iniportanee of the line, 
and the money was suliserilu'd. 

"Work on the road was b(;:un in the fall of ],s.')(). 
Beard, C'hureh & Co, were the contractors. Deacon 
John F. Bearil being the senior of tin' tinn. The 
total cost of constrnctiug ami ec|ui]ipinir the road was 
three hundred and seventy thousand ei,nht hundred 
and twenty-one dollars. The ecpiipment consisted of 
three locomotives, four fii'st-class and two second- 
class pa.ssenger-cars, eight box-, sixteen plattbrm-, 
and three hand-cars. ( )n tlie 1st of JIarch the road 
was so far completed as to lun tiains. The station in 
Danbury was a subject (d' considerable discussion. 
The down-town subseriljers wanted it in that neigh- 
borhood, while the up-town subsi-riliers wanted it 
where it now is. As the hitter's stock was nim-h 
more than the former's, they carrieil the day : where- 
upon the dis.satisfaction was so great among the dis- 
apjjointed that the successful ones took tlieir stock otf 
their hands. 

"We of this day, enjoying tlu' coni|jlcted line, 
little realize what the tbunders endured and had to 
contend against to get the road through. There was 
trouble in securing tln' right of way, in the construc- 
tion, and in the payment of the subserijitions. ( >ne 
notable ca.se in the last-named class is worthy of 
mention. Down at Beldeu's Xeck lived a Xew Y(irk 
nu'rchant, and in Xorwalk village lived another. 
The former we will call W,, ami the latter 8. 8. 
subscribed five thou.sand dollars. W. was then seen, 
and was told what S. had done. He said S. could 
take twenty thousand dollars' worth of stock just as 
well as not, and, if he did so, he, W., would guarantee 
him six per cent, from the earnings of the road, pro- 
viding S. would let him vote on his stock. W. then 
took five thousantl dollars' worth. S, was seen, and 
tohl what W. had .said. Lpon that he made his sub- 



scription twenty thousand doU.us. When the money 
was called tor the eager W. refused to jiay, ami suit 
was brought by the company to forie him to k. ei) 
his word. W. claimed that the din'ctors had violated 
the terms id' agreement in several ]iarticulars, and 
l>elic\iil he could annul the snbseri]ition ; but he 
failed, and the comjiany rccovcreil. 

" The following were the otlic'crs of the new road, as 
rec(jrded in the first printed report of the comjiany : 

" Directors, Eli T, Hoyt, Jonathan Camp, Frc(l- 
crick S. ■\Vildman, Charles l.saacs, E. S. Tweedy, 
W'm, ('. Street, L. F. Hoyt, Wm. K. James, AVm. 
.\. White, Ebenezer Hill, Frederick lielden, D. P. 
Xiell..ls. 

" President. E. T. Floyt ; Tr.'asnrer, (Jeo. W. Ives;, 
Serretai'v, E, S, Tweedy; Snperintemlent, Harvey 
Snuth. 

" Tiu' president, treasurer, and secretary were <d' 
Danbury; the superintendent was of I'idgefield. 

" Mr. Hoyt served as president ipf the comiiauy 
until Aug, I'.'i, LS(i4, when he was su|icr.seded. He 
determined his salary, fixing it at two hundred and 
fifty dollars a year, and refusing any increase. Edwin 
Lockwood, (d' X'orwalk. was chosen president, and 
served until .Tunc l-'^, 1^7:1, when U. P, Flower, the 
pn >ent im innbeut, was elccti'd. 

■■ .Mr. Tweeily continued as secretary uidil Aug. ii, 
lS(i4, when Harvey Williams was elected to the otHce. 
Mr. Ives served as treasurer until that ]ieriod when 
the two offices were merged in one, Mr. Williams 
being both secretary and treasurer, and continues as 
suidi at this writing. 

" ^Ir. Smith served as supcriidcmlent until ]>ros- 
trated by a paralytic stndvc in l.S.")!(. .John W. Bacon 
was appointed in his place July 14, ls."ill, and served 
until Jan. 1, 1X7C>, wdicn L. W. Sandiforth, the present 
incumbent, was chosen. 

" Wlu'U the road was opened the rails for some dis- 
tance this side of Redding were laid on the ground, 
the earth being frozen .so hard as to bear the weight 
id' the train. This was done because the iiim|dction 
had been delayed for a considerable time beyond that 
set for its finish, and people were anxious to see a 
train go through. 

"The first conductor was Henry Panks, who died 
sonu' years ago. He was a nmn of nuirked suavity of 
manner and .speech. Many anecdotes are told of him 
illustrating this jjlea.sant quality. ( )n leaving Xor- 
walk he would observe, 'Those who are about to pro- 
ceed on the train will ])lease take their seats.' X"ow- 
a-days it's ' All 'board 1' 

"When coming to Xorwalk station it was his 
custom to notify the passengers of th(> fact by im- 
pressively rcnuirking, as if in the presence of some 
great mechanism, 'The train will ])re.sently reach 
Xorwalk Bridge.' After leaving liefhel he would ex- 
plain, ' We are now approaching the village of Dan- 
bury, which is the terminus of the road.' 

"The citizens of Winidpauk were very much 



210 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



offendod by his pronunciation of their station, wliich 
he unfortunately called Wiime]i;i;(k. 

" In 1844 the New York and Ilartfonl mad was pro- 
jected. It was to pass throufrh Danbury and thence 
to New York rin >\'hite I'lains, N. Y. We can now 
see what a splendid piece of iirojierty it would have 
become had it lived. But it fell through, and a goodly 
portion of the contemplated line between here and 
Hartford is now occupied by the survey of the New 
York and New England Railway. 

" The committee appointed to secure the survey of 
the roa<l made an estimate of the business in the cir- 
cular to the public which they issued. Our readers 
remember it. Tliese figure.s, made in 1835, are in- 
teresting comi)ared with what the road did the first 
year after it was finished, 18r)2— 5.3. The circular esti- 
mated its first year's business in freight to be $32,000. 
The passenger-traffic the circular fixed at $10,()2o, 
making a total of i-'42,62o. The first rei)ort of the busi- 
ness of the road showed that the earnings for the first 
fifteen months of its existence were §51,237.70. So 
the authors of the circular had made a remarkably 
close estimate. The second rejjort covered a period 
of eleven months, in which the earnings were $52,- 
706.68. The through-fare was seventy-five cents. 

" It is not often a new road so fully answers the 
expectation of its projectors as did the Danbury and 
Norwalk road. The directors, in the report referred 
to above, say, — 

" ' T!ic result of the ox|Mjrience of tlie eompany since the cominoncemcnt 
of the operationR upon the road hiu been fully to corrotiornte theopinioD 
uniformly expresaod by the tlireclors, llmt the Piinbury and Norwalk 
Railroad will prove a ttnccessful and prolltable enterprise, and the fuvor- 
nblc incronse of the iMwt year demonstrates that, but for the disa^itrous 
AoimIh And the unusual expcndilurc« rendered necessary thereby, the net 
earnings for the year would have warranted two divideu<ls of three per 
ceut. each, paid interest and taxes, and left a suqilns of ^VJ4U.* 

" The floods referred to were three in number. 
The.se occurred iu the fall of 1853 and the spring of 
1854. They were disastrous in effect, delaying travel 
for sixteen days, and causing an expense of four 
thousand dollars for temporary repairs, and nine 
thousand dollars in addition for a thorough recon- 
struction of the damaged i>ortions.* 

" RuUjefirhl Brniirh.— In 1870 a branch road from 
Branchville to Hidgefield Village was built, with a 
view to accommodating the business of that place. 
Heretofore the connection had been made by stage. 
The distance is four miles. 

"In 1872 another l)ranch was built, running from 
Bethel to Hawlcyville, to connect with the Shcpaug 
Railway, which runs from Litchfield to Hawlcyville. 
This wius done to control thi' business of the Shepaug 
valley. The length of the branch is six miles. The 
cost of both these extensions was at the rate of forty 
thousand dollars a mile. 

" The business of the road increased from year to 



* The cani|>-inet>tlng Kt^unidnit Bniuksldo Park, in Reildiufcnrettwnnl 
Ity this et>mpiiny. 



year, and the careful management that signalized its 
course made it one of the soundest cor|)orations in 
the State." 



CHAPTER XX. 

DANBURY (Continued). 

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORT.t 

The First Baptist Clinrch— The Second Baptist rhurch— Mill Plain Bap- 
tist Church — The ^lethodist Kpiscopal Churcli — The First Conifreya- 
tional Church — The West Street Church — St. James' Kpi^opal Cliun-h 
— The Finit Univer«alist Church — The Sandenianian Society — The 
Catholic Church— The Disciples of Christ Church— The German Meth- 
odist Church. 

THE FIRST liAPTIST CHURCH. 

The following sketch of this church is taken from 

the minutes of the first se.ssion of the Fairfield County 

Baptist Association, in October, 1838 : 

" The Fir?t Baptist Church iu Panburj' was constituted Nov. 16, 1785, 
with thirteen members,— seven males, six females. There were formerly 
two branches couueclHl with this chiiivh, — one in New Milfonl, the pres- 
ent New Milftird Church ; the other iu Fredericksburg, N. Y., the present 
Patterson Church. In 1790 tlio church hiul about one liundreil and 
twenty niemlwra ; from 1815 to 18-'to its average number was fr»>m fifty to 
sixty; but after this period a division threatened llie di-struction of the 
church. In July, 1837, there were only twenty-two menil'ers, — ft ve nuilcs, 
soventecn females. Theirpreseut jMistorwasordained with them Nov. 15, 
1837. Since that time there has tieen ndde<l twenty-six. Their prospects are 
now very encouraging: whole uumtier, forty-eight. They have licensed 
three to preach the gospel, — Noah Sherwood, now in Western New York ; 
Nathan Benedict, now in Northern Connecticut; John Mitchell, now in 
Michigan. They have had five pastors, — Brother Ferris, ordtuued in 1788; 
Brother Norton, onlained in May. 1780 ; Brtdber Wadhams. ordained iu 
February, 1791 ; Brother Bulkly, imlained in May, 1800 ; and their pres- 
ent pastor. Brother Lucius Atwuter." 

The following additional history of this chiinli w;us 
furnished by Rev. S. G. Silliman : 

"The following is a list of the members of the church 
in September, 1798 : Matthew Wilkes, David Pcarse, 
Benjamin Bcar.ss, William Bundle. .Joseph Hamilton, 
Jr., Oliver Kiiapp, .lo.seph liearss. Nathaniel Harniim, 
Israel Stevens, Matthew Wilkes, .Jr., Oabricl Har- 
num, Benjamin Bcar.ss, Jr., Joshua Pear.se, .lohn 
Bebee, James Knapp, Jr. Their fir-t moderator, Sep- 
tember, 1798, was Israiel Stevens, and clerk James 
Knapp, Jr. That is the first meeting of which any 
record can be foiinil. 

"June 26, 1842, it was ' \'i,/ol. that wc pull down 
the old meeting-house for the purpose of erecting a 
new meeting-house, and work in as much of the old 
one as is thought proper." " 

According to old minutes of .V.ssoeiations, " Brother 
Ferris wa-s ordained in 1788," and "Elder Enorh Fer- 
ris" was present from that church in 1701 ; " Brother 
Norton was ordained 178!t;" " Elder Nathanael Nor- 
ton" was present at the Danbury .Vssociation in 17","1. 
But I judge tliat lu'ithcr of them w:is pastor, for thi-ir 

t Tills rhiipi.r. exioptiiii: 111.' in-l..iy of Ihi' Kir-1 lta|ili^l i l,ui. Ii and 

the t.ernian MelhodiMt church, is taken frt>m tb< lunins of llie f*<iH- 

hurtf ltei>ul>ticitH, Uiruugh the courtesy of ila editor, Mr. F. W. llartnim. 



DANBURY. 



211 



names urr preceded in tlie luiiuitt'S (if the AsMieiutioii 
tliiit year by the name nf " Elder Xathanael Fineii." 
Rev. Nathan Bulkly was orthiined in ISOO, and was 
pastor till 1830; Rev. John Mitehel was pastor in 
l.s:il; Rev. Lucius Atwatcr, in 183X, and till ISIT; 
Rev. Fred L. Barlow, in 1851; Rev. Henry I\I. I'.ar- 
low, in 1852; Rev. D. F. Chapman, in IS75 and l.^Tii. 
The remainder of the time since 1M47 tin y have had 
occasional supplies, or unordained men liav<' (H'cu|>ied 
the i)ulpit. Alan.son A. lloyt is church clerk ; ( ieorfre 
W. Wilkes is society's clerk. There are now thirty 
memliers, — ten nuiles, twenty females. 

In 17!)0 there were present, as messengers Irom 
the First Baptist Church of Danlmry, Fld<'r Na- 
thanael Finch, Elder Nathaniel Norton, Elder Enoch 
P"erris, in the ahove order, and in ITilO tione of thcni 
were present, and as "Deacon David Pearse" is the 
only officer among the delegates of that year, they 
were dotditless then without a jiastor. 

In IT'.llt re|iorteil une hundred an<l twerity-ti\e 
members, and in 17'.n tin'y report only tifly-two 
members and no pastor. 

SECOND BAPTIST ClltlllCH. 

Just after tlie conclusion of the tri'aty id' peace 
which terminated the war of the ReV(dntion, on Nov. 
ix, 17S5, the first Baptist church within the limits 
of the town of Danbury was eon,stitut<'d in tin- dis- 
trict of King Street. For years this churc h was pros- 
]ii'rous, new mendiers from time to time being addeil. 
Tlie mother-i hurcdi still nmintains its visibility, and, 
though rednciMl in niendiersliip, is still struggling to 
slreiiglheM the things which remain. 

There were residing at this time, in the westnii 
part of the town — Miry Brook District — a nnndier oi' 
persons who were attached to this faith. Among 
these were Peter Andjler, Bracey Knapp, ami lienja- 
nnn 8hove. Meetings were occasionally luld, before 
a chnrdi was organized, in the dwellings of some ol' 
the mendiers (if the faith. Revival influences ciin- 
verted many who liave long since departed this life. 

Ab<iut the year 17.SS a church was organi/.ecl under 
the name of the Ridgetield and Miry P.ronk Baptist 
Chunli. The Second Bajitist Church of Danbury 
was constituted from this, April :;. 17!l(l. Soon alter, 
it was adndfled into the Hartford Baptist Associa- 
tion. Tlie nuiiilier of constituent iiienibers was aliont 
twenty. 

The first regular ]iastor was Rev. Thaddens limn- 
son, who continued from the organization until 17113, 
when he removed to Schoharie Co,, N. V, The first 
deacons were Benjamin Shove and Daniil Wildiiiaii, 
who were appointed Oct. 2, 17!»0. Tii Maich, I7'.i;:, 
Calvin Peck was added to the number. 

The first meeting-house was_ erected in 17'.M, on a 
lot presented to the society by Bracey Knapp, and 
was situated in Miry Brook District, about two miles 
and a half west of Danbury. The building was 
twenty-fciur feet sipiare, with galleries. Its architec- 



ture and interior arrangements were of the most 
]irinutive style. It had no .steeple, and no permanent 
seats inside. Loose boards made a floor. The gallery 
had no railing or .stairs, and was reached by means of 
a ladder. The seats below were boards resting on 
logs and stones. The pulpit was made of oak boards, 
and was elevated two steps above the main floor. 
l'co].le came to the churcli on foot or horseback, with 
tlu' cxcejition of an occasional ox-cart. 

Rev, Mr. Bronson relini|uislied the iiastorate of the 
( hurch in 1793, after which, during live years, they 
wen- probably without a jiastur. .\iiiong those who 
ministered to the churcli during this period were 
Ib'vs. Daniel Wildman, .lustus Hull, and- I-'lias Lee. 
The King Street (lastors. Revs. Fim h and Bulkly, 
were also accustomed to visit and encourage the new 
interest. 

I'lie name of Rev. .Tnstus Hull deserves special 
niriition. lie was then a young man of uiinsual 
mental vigor and ministerial gift. He dispensed the 
Word with great power, and liis service was long kept 
in fresh remembrance. 

When, sulisequently, the cullege-bred preacdiers 
came among them, the old people felt, in smne in- 
stances no doubt without reason, that while the col- 
lege anil seminary had given polish and stronger 
grasp (if truth, their graduates had lost the freshness 
and convincing energy of their predecessors. When 
,1 preci-e yiiung man read an elaborate discourse to 
thciii the remark used to be made, " lirotlur II ill 
would take otf his coat and beat that." 

In the year Utl.'^. Rev. ISennett Pepper, then a licen- 
liate, came to Miry Brook, He ]ireaclied from that 
time until November, 1S(I7, without ordination, at 
which time he was ordained to the gospel ministry, 
;ind continued his services to the diurch. On the 
occasion of the ordination Rev. Nathan Bidkly was 
designated to give tlie charge, Rev. .lacob St. .lohn to 
make the ordaining jiraycr. Rev. Daniel Wildman to 
preach the sermon, and Rev. Ezra Fountain to make 
the concluding prayer. The churches of Franklin, 
Carmel, North Salem, Bedford, Milton, First Dan- 
bury, Newtown, and Bristol were represented in the 
council. 

About the year l.Sll3 the chnrdi was called In pass 
through a season of trial and darkness, growing out 
of an attempt to modify the accepted artiides of faith. 
The original articles, bearing date of .Ian. 24, 17',I5, as 
to their subject-matter and form of statement, are not 
ditferent in any essential partiiailar from those now 
received by the church. The records do not show the 
name of the mover of the proposed idiange. The new 
.arlicles proposed were, however, rijeetcd. They as- 
serted that Christians should be unlike the world even 
ill " politeness of behavior," forgetting that the very 
term "gentleman" owed its (irigiii to Christianity. 
They contained erroneous ductrines in the statement, 
" Wo believe that civil governineiil is by providence 
and permission, and not of divine origin or appoint- 



212 



HISTORY OF FAiaFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



mcnt, and that we find ncitluT precept nor example 
for the disciple voluntarily filling oftice in earthly 
states." It reflects credit upon the little church that 
they recorded their faith in the refinins; influences of 
our holy religion, and in the truth that "the powers 
that he are ordained of frod," by rejeetin}r these in- 
novating articles and adhering to their original stand- 
ards of faith and practice. 

In the early part of Mr. Pepper's ministry there 
were large accessions to the church. This period is 
the first revival season succeeding the outpouring of 
the Spirit in which the churcli had its origin. 

Shortly i)receding the ordination in 1S07 some im- 
provement-s'werc made in the meeting-house. The 
side walls were jdastered, a railing ahd stair made for 
the gallery, and the floors were nailed down. A 
better ]>uli>it was also constructed, and new seats were 
introduced with backs to them. 

Mr. Pepper's pastorate closed in 1809. At one 
period during his connection with the church his 
conduct was considered unbecoming. But on the 
whole his nunistry was a success. One difficulty 
arose during this time on account of the course taken 
by Kli frregory, who had been made a deacon in 1806. 
Deacon Ciregory was opposed to a distinctive minis- 
terial order, who should appropriate all the time 
allotted to the service of the sanctuary on the Lord's 
day. He claimed that God, having called diflerent 
gifts into the Church, they should have expression, 
without regard to, or rather ignoring, any other pastor 
or teacher. He a-sserted in addition that any male 
member of the church might with pro]>riety be ap- 
pointed to administer the ordinances in the absence 
of a settled minister. He objected to the payment of 
a salary to a minister, claiming that the support of 
those who labored in behalf of the church would be 
contributed by free-will ofl'erings of the members. 
These opinions were disai)i)roved of by a majority, 
and, Deacon Gregory still tenaciously adhering to 
them, a council of churches was called, which coun- 
cil convened June 3, 1807. The council did not coin- 
cide with Deacon Gregory's views, and psissed resolu- 
tions not ae<'eptable to him. They were accepted by 
the church, and he was excluded. 

The resignation of ^[r. Pe|)per was followed by 
another period of destitution, the church depending 
on supplies for about four years, until May, 1813, 
when Rev. Oliver Tuttle, a licentiate from IJristol, 
Conn., was called to the pastorate. His ordination 
took ])lace in May, 1814. 

Towards the end of the year 181.') " a reformation 
broke out in the community." It marks the second 
revival season of the history of the church. Deep 
seriousness pervaded the hearts of many who were 
out of Christ, which issued in a transformation of 
heart and life. 

Mr. Tattle's ministry extended over a period of 
nine years, from 1813«to 1822. In .Vugust of the 
latter year he resigned his charge ;nid ninowd to 



Meredith, N. Y. During his pastorate Deacon Peter 
Barnum was baptized into the fellowship of the church. 
He, with Deacon Benjamin Amliler, was baptized the 
same date, .July 28, ISlfi. 

Timothy Weed and Thomas Wildman were elected 
deacons Dec. 13, 181ti. George Benedict was baptized 
by Mr. Tuttle, Sept. 21, 1817. Some statistias of the 
membership of the church at this date may be of 
interest. From the minutes of the Union Baptist As- 
sociation, which convened at Danbury in 1817, it ap- 
pears that the membership of the church was then 
seventy-eight. In 1818 it was seventy. In 1820 
there was a marked decrease, the reported number 
being fifty-six. 
' George Benedict wa.s licensed to preach the gospel 
on the 12th of May, 1822. In August of the following 
year he was ordained as pastor of the church. His 
eminent gifts in prayer, exhortation, and Christian 
conversation are testified to by a cloud of witnesses 
in this and other churches which enjoyed his minis- 
trations. Mr. Benedict resigned the pastoral charge 
of the church in May, 1831, to accept a call from the 
church then worshiping at the corner of North and 
Forsyth Streets, New York, now known as the Stan- 
ton Street Baptist Cliurch. 

The labors of Mr. Benedict were very successful in 
New York. Nearly twelve hundred persons were 
baptized by him, and nearly as many funerals were 
attended, during his ministry in the city, extending 
from 1831 to Oct. 28, 1848, at which time he passed 
away in the calm triumphs of faith. The scri|>ture 
employed by Rev. Dr. Cone upon the occasion of his 
funeral was an epitome of his character and life : " He 
was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost and of 
faith ; and much people were added to the Lord." 

Dec. 7, 1823, Peter TSarnum was elected deaenn of 
the church. The mcnd)ership liad increa.sed fpim 
fifty-six, reported in 1820, to one hundred. 

During Mr. Benedict's ministry, ,\ug. 31, 1823, Ed- 
ward C. Ambler was baptized. On the same day 
John Jennings and James St. John received the 
ordiinmce. Mr. .\mbler subsequently entered the 
ministry, and was ordained at New Milford, Conn., 
Oct. 1, 1840. He luis since served the following 
churches as pastor: New Milford, Conn.; Fislikill, 
Patterson, and Pleii-sant Valley, N. Y. ; Mount Bethel, 
Millington, Westville, Woodstown, and Columbus, 
N. J. He was appointed chaplain of the Sixty-sev- 
enth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers during the 
first year of the Rebellion, and filled the position with 
great eflicicncy until compelled to resign from the ef- 
fects of imprisonment and exposure. His services on 
the field during the war, and those of his wife in the 
hospital, deserve the grateful remembrance of all. 
.Mr. .\nibler, after the war, wius for a time pa.stor of 
the Baptist church at Stanford, N. Y., but afterwards 
returned to Danbury, and has since supjiliol the pul- 
pits of the King Street and Mill Plain churches. 

Rev. John Jennings, wlm w:is niiivi-d into meni- 



DANBURY. 



213 



bersliip at tlie saiiic time with 'Sir. Aiiililt'r, was 
licensed to jircaeli .luiir 17, lS2i;, niiil was (nilninid at 
Beverly, Mass., wliieli was his first remihn- |iast(irate. 
He was suhseijueiitly st'ttleil at (irattun, Worcester, 
and J'lteliburg, Mass, He left the hitter phice and 
served tlie American Tract ^ncicty I'ur simie years. 
Afterwards he became pastor of the Ba)itist ehnrcli in 
AVestfield, Ma.ss., and there continued until his death, 
wdiieh oeeurrecl some five years a,;;o. 

During the hitter jiart of Jfr. ISerieilict's ministry 
the subject of tlie removal of the location of the 
meeting-house was discussed, the sei'ond .generation 
feeling that a more central location should be chosen, 
reasonin.ir that tlu' church must follow the people, and 
the Word of lAt'v be dispensed where the streams of 
population have their confluence. These ideas pre- 
vailed, and in the year 1S2!I the foundations of a new 
hou.se were laid on Deer Hill. A lot sixty by Ibrty 
feet was donated to the society by Peter'Audjler. A 
neat and convenient building, with gallery, steeple, 
and bell, was erected, and was dedicated t^ejit. 2S, 1S.'51, 
the Rev. Tlnnnas Lareomb preaching the dedicatory 
sermon. In July of tlie follnwing year Mr. Larcondi 
was called to the pa.storate. A general revival was 
]'revailing in the church at the time, and eleven eon- 
verts were baptized the first .Sabbath of the month 
following his settlement. ^Ir. Larcomli resigned the 
pastoral charge in the early ]iart of the yiar IH'V.i. 
He removed to Saugerties, X. Y., ami iVom tlience to 
I'hiladelphia, where for a numlicr of years he con- 
tinued his usefulness. He has entered upon his rest. 

Kev. Robert Turnbull, a native of Scotland, suc- 
ceeded Mr. Lareomb in Danburv. He was a graduate 
of the University of (ilasgow. He arrived in New 
York in 1833, and soon after accepted thr c.ill of this 
church. At the end of one year and a half he ac- 
cepted a call from the Hcjiue Mission Society to oc- 
cupy a field in Detroit, Jlich. About thirty member.s 
were added under Jlr. TurnbuH'sniinistry. Xehemiah 
Gillett and Benjamin Ambler were appointed deacons 
Jan. 25, ls;:!4. 

The next regular pastor was Rev. (»rs(]n Spencer, 
who entered upon his charge in ilay, is:!.'). IDs res- 
ignation followed after a few months' service. After 
leaving Danbury he liecame a convert to Mormonism. 

After the resignation of Mr. Spencer the church 
had no pastor until April, 183(5, when Rev. Jonathan 
G. Collom aceepti'd their call. He continued with 
the church three years. During the second year of 
his pastorate over seventy persons were ccju verted, 
among them being Starr Hovt. Jlr. Hovt died Sept. 
18, 1849. 

During Mr. Collom's nunistry Rev. Nathaniel 
Colvin visited Danbury for the ]nir]>ose of pleading 
in behalf of the brethren of different color who were 
in bonds. Mr. Colvin was one of those champions of 
the slave who argtu'd that a peace which rested on 
injustice to millions of his fellow-creatures ought to be 
disturbed. Danbury was larizelv concernecl in the 



Southern hat trade, and Mr. Colvin's lectures evoked 
open o|>positioii, and in one instance mob violence 
was the result. An attack was made upon tlie church 
iluring service, and stones wer<' freely thrown, win- 
dows lirokcn, and ^Ir. Colvin narrowly escaped per- 
sonal injury. He lived to see slavery overthrown, and 
to preach to hundreds of freedmen. He gave theo- 
logical instructions to a large nundier of cidored nun- 
isters in a building foiinerly useil as a slave-pen, and 
which has since been oi'cnpie<l by a theological scIkjcjI 
named in his honor, — Colvin Institute. ^Ir. ('olloni 
resigiu'd dining the fourth year of his pastm-ate, and 
entered upon tlie charge of the Baptist church at 
Penibert<ni, N. J. From thence he removed to Wil- 
mington, and again to Mount Hollv, N. J., where he 
died. 

The Rev. Addison Barker was Mr. Collom's suc- 
cessiu'. He accepted the call of the church in August, 
18;!!), and continued three years in the pastoral otliee. 
During this time the church enjoyed a good degrei' (d' 
prosperity. The resignation of Mr. Barker was ac- 
cepted with great reluctance by the church. 

The Rev. Daniel H. (iilliert was next called to tlio 
pastoral charge, and entered ii]ioii it in June, 1842. 
After a few months' service he was compelled to re- 
linquish it on account of an attack of bleeding at 
the lungs. He sought a Southern climate, which, 
however, proved insuflicienl to arrest the work of 
death. 

Mr. (iilbcrt was young and gifted, and his brief 
ministry was not without results. 

In the following September the Rev. William R. 
Webb acee|)ted a call. His ministry covered one 
year and a half, and was marked by eminent tokens 
of divine favor. 

After the resignation of Mr. Webb, Rev. Rufus K. 
Belhimy was called to the pastoral charge. He was 
then ministering at Rimdout, N. Y., and signified his 
acceptance of the call May '.>. 1.S44. His gilts both as 
pastor and preacher were peculiarly acceptable. Dur- 
ing his ministry the question of a removal of the 
clinrch from Deer Hill was agitati'd. There seemed 
a necessity for more room, especially for the aeeom- 
modation of the Sabbath-sehoid ami Conference 
meetings. Arrangements were at first made to add 
to the ohl building. It was, however, decided to 
purchase the present site and Imild a larger edifice. 

Ajiril 1!1, 1847, negotiations were made with Thos. 
T, Whittlesey to purchase the present site, being lots 
south of his dwelling, for $1800. The Deer Hill 
]>ropeity, e.\ee|jting the burying-ground, was sold 
for S2oOil, The present building was erected at an 
e.\]M'iise of $(IS.'{(i. The subscriptions and ])roj)ertv 
of the ehnrcli amounted to $4'iOri, leaving at tlie 
com]ilctioii of the building a delit of $2301. The 
building committee were Thomas Ambler, William 
Jlontgoinery, Levi S, Benedict, Charles Hull, Samuel 
G. Raymond, and Josejih L. Ambler. 

The new eililice was dedicated ,lan. 5, 1848, with 



214 



HISTORY OF r AIRFIEJil) COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



the following order of exercises: Reading of Scrip- 
tures, by the pastor, Kev. Kufus K. Hellamy ; Prayer, 
by Rev. Wni. Reid ; .Sermon, by Rev. .lolm Dowling, 
D.D. ; Concluding Prayer, by Rev. Wm. DennLson. 
In the following April Jlr. Bellamy tendered his 
resignation and accepted a call from the Baptist 
Church at Chicopec, Mass., and has remained there 
since. 

The retrospect from this point is in the highest de- 
gree encouraging. Times of trial and discouragement 
followed, but the period, taken as a whole, was one of 
steady and substantial progress. The Sabbath-school 
grew to a permanent and vigorous condition. 

The Rev. Aaron Perkins accepted the (rail of the 
church while ministering at Poughkeepsie, N. Y.,aud 
entered upon his duties in May, 184S. Many were 
added to the membership of the church during his 
connection with it. His resignation was accei)ted 
March 7, 1852. 

The Mill Plain Uajitist Churcli was constituted 
during Mr. Perkins' ])astorate. A meeting was held 
in the Danbury church, Sept. 11, 1851, to consider 
the matter, and it was voted e.vpedient for the brethren 
residing in Mill Plain and vicinity to call a council 
for the purpo.se of organizing a church at that place. 
At a sul)sefiuent meeting nineteen persons were 
granted letters to form the new interest, which was 
duly recognized, under the name of the " Baptist 
Church of Mill Plain," by a council which convened 
Sept. 24, 1851. 

Deacon Thomas Wildman died during Mr. Perkins' 
pastorate. His death occurred Feb. 28, 1852. Nathan 
Seeley and Eli Barnum were elected deacons .\ug. 4, 
1849.' 

The Rev. W. S. Clajip next received the suffrages 
of the church in a unanimous call to the pastorate, 
extended April 11, 1852, and which was accepted on 
the l()th, he then being ministering to the Mount 
Olivet Baptist Church, New York City. He occupied, 
during the more than five years which he stayed in 
Danbury, a place in the atleclions of the church and 
community whidi it is the lot of but few ])astors to 
obtain. A great revival occurred during his minis- 
tration, and Mr. Clapp gave the right hand of fellow- 
ship to the largest number ever received at one time 
since the church was organized. He resigned Aug. S), 
1857. 

The next succe-s.sor to the pastoral office was the 
Rev. Henrj- K. Green, who was called Oct. 3, 1857, 
and soon afterwards commenced his ministry. He 
resigned in February, 1850. 

G. M. Hoyt wan elected deacon Fell. 6, 1850. 
March 4, 1800, Henry Crofut and L. S. Benedict were 
elected deacons. The latter, however, never served 
the church in that capacity. 

From the time Mr. Green resigned until August 
the church wius without a settled jiastor. During the 
interval Mrs. Anna JRore died, her death occurring 
in May, 18.59. She wiis baptized at Suffield, in this 



State. For many years she was the only one in tlie 
village of Danbury professing this faith. Both the 
churches in the town — one at King Street and the 
other at Miry Brook — were remote from her. She 
frequently walked to Kiug Street church on Sunday. 
She died highly esteemed. 

After Mr. Green's resignation the church was sup- 
plied for several weeks by Rev. O. W. Briggs, who 
afterwards declined a call to the pa.storate. Rev. M. 
S. Riddell also received and declined a similar invi- 
tation. In the autumn of 1859, Rev. Geo. M. Stone, 
then at Madison University, spent four months with 
the church sis a supply. At the expiration of that 
time he received a unanimous call to assume the 
duties of the pastorate. It Wius declined at the time, 
but in 18()() a renewed invitation wiis accepted. He 
entered upon his duties in August, and was ordained 
on the 19th of September, Rev. Mr. Turnbull, of 
Hartford, |)reaching the sermon. He married Miss 
.\bbie B., daughter of Nathan Seeley, in .-Vpril, 1861. 
His pastorate embraced a period of unusual interest, 
including the four years of conflict for the restoration 
of the Union. The record of the church during this 
period was one of honor. Elliott Taylor, Charles (Js- 
born, and Col. Henry Stone died in the service of 
their country while members of the church. Others 
served honorably and returned. A daily raorninj: 
prayer-meeting was held for months during the dark- 
est period of the struggle, in the Conference-room i>l 
the church. The summer of 18tJ2 was spent by tin- 
p;i.stor in Europe. June, 1802, Jabez Amsbury and 
John Green were elected deacons. The seven years 
embraced by his pa.storate were signalized by display> 
of divine grace. 

In the summer of ISOd extensive repairs and change- 
were made in the church edilice. The building wa- 
lengthened, the side galleries were taken away, and 
the interior walls frescoed. In July, IHOO, thmugli 
the efforts of a few of the brethren, a beautiful organ 
wiLs given to the church. The Sabbath-school wa> 
sustained with an interest and enthusiasm which in- 
creiused every year. 

The removals by death during Mr. Stone's pastorate 
included many of the most worthy and efficient mem- 
bers of the church. From August, 1800, to August, 
1800, the number of deaths wius thirty-six. Dea<on 
Ambler died April 16, 1807. His wife survived him 
but a few days. 

In August, 1800, Mr. Stone was attacked with bh'ed- 
ing of the lungs. He partially resumed his duties 
after a little re-st, but was compelled in the following 
s|>ring to reiiuest a respite for the summer. 

While spending the summer in Minnesota he be- 
came convinced of the desirableness of spending some 
time in that climate, ami in July, lH(i7, tendere<l lii- 
final resignation, which WiUS reluctantly accepted. 
Mr. Stone gained the love of the entire community. 
His removal to thc^Ve.st wa-s attended with beneficial 
riwults t<j his health. He wius settled for two years at 



DANBURY. 



215 



Winona, Minn., three years at Milwaulcee, Wis., and 
seven years at Tarrytown, X. Y. He is nnw pastor 
of the Asylum Avenue Cluireli, Harttijnl. F<ir a 
jieriod of fifteen niontlis folldwiiii; his resignatinri Ihr 
church was without a ]iast(>r. 

Minor R. I)einin>r became a mcmluT in ^larch. 
1S()1, anil afterwards became l)astor nf the liajitist 
Churcli in Marll)oro', Mass. June l(i, ISii.s, Vict(ir 
W. Benedict was licensed by the church to jiri^aeh, 
and has since preached for the Kinjr Street and ]\Iill 
Plain churches, and is nnw pastor of the church at 
Crotou Falls, Js. Y'. 

At a covenant-meetiuL'- held Oct. 1, ISC.X, it was 
unanimously voted to extend a call to Rev. A. ( '. 
Hubbard, then pastor of the First Raptist t'hnrcb of 
Cincinnati, Ohio. The invitation was acee|ited, and 
he entered upon his lal)0rs Nov. 1">. 1S(;.S. 

The pastorate of Rev. A. C. Hubbard bas bmi (nie 
of frreat success. From the time lie tn.ik cluirice of 
tile eluirch U]i tn the present the nieinliership has 
steadily increased, tlie financial alfairs have been 
manajced with ability, and all thinifs have, in the 
main, been prosperous. Mr. Hubbard is a Imrn min- 
ister. He has tlie talent for ciinductin,^; the work; 
he ha.s ability, h-aniiMj;, and. above all, tiiat cpialily 
which attracts and attaches to him all with whom he 
comes in contact. Jle is popular outside of his own 
church, and all people honor him for his upritclit car- 
riage, his integrity, and his straightforwardness. 

The tenth anniversary of his ])astorate was cele- 
brated on the 17th of Xovember, 1.S7S. In his sermon 
that morning he gave a few statistics which will serve 
for closing the history of the church. The additions to 
the church during the ten years were 272, of which 
179 were by baptism. These numbers may now lie 
given, up to to-day, as about 300 and 200 respectively. 
There have been dismis.sed by letter in tliat ten years 
at least one-third more than were ri'ceived liy that 
agency. The smallest number U[ion the roll in the 
pa-st eleven and a half years was li'.lS: the largest, 
40lj. The present nmiilier is 4(10. 

Of tlie financial condition of ilic church Mr. Hub- 
bard spoke in liis sermon on the above occasion as 
follows: When he assumed the jiastorate there was 
a debt upon the church of .§4000. This was after- 
wards increased by over .$1000 more. This has been 
cleared oft" by the most earnest etiiirt. He estimated 
that at least SoOOO more had been raised and ex- 
pended on improvements. The average annual cur- 
rent expenses in the ten years was J5270S ; the debt 
and improvements, $10,000; benevolent ni.erations, in- 
cluding those of the 8unday-seliool. .•:;o700, making 
a grand total of §43,:«to. 

The Sunday-school of the church has been eciually 
prospercjus. The present superintendent, Mr. J. Ams- 
bury, with his able co-workers, have the proud satis- 
faction of knowing that no school in the village has 
had a more prosperous time. The records of the 
.school up to 1871 are missing. Since that time they 



have been faithfully kept, and they show the largest 
attendance at one time to have been 327, in IS70; the 
largest average attendance was, in 18.S0, 2.S7. The 
number of scholars on the roll is 47.'i. The collec- 
tions ill the school have aggregated nearly ?;1300. 
The library of the school now numbers si.\ hundred 
volumes. This has grown from a few books pur- 
chased iVir $().3"), whiidi money was raised by Rev. E. 
0. Aml>ler, who started the first Sunday-school of the 
church in 1M7. 

MIIJ. PLAIX B.U'TIST CIIfKCll. 

The Baptist ('liurcli at Mill Plain was constituted 
during Mr. Perkins' past<n-ate. Members living in 
that vicinity had long desired a church at Mill Plain. 
A meeting was held in the church at Danbury, Sept. 
11, IS.'il, witii special reference to the subject. It was 
then voted expedient for the brethren residing in Mill 
Plain and vicinity to i-all a council for the purpose of 
organizing a eliurih at that phu'e. At a subsequent 
ehurcli-mc\'ting nineteen persons were granted letters 
to tbrni the new interest, which was duly recognized, 
under the iiano' of the " Bajitist Church of Mill 
Plain," by a council which convened Sept. 24, 18.31. 

MKTIIiiMI.sT El'ISCdPAL CIUIU'II. 

In the month of June, IJS'J, the Rev. Jesse Lee, 
known as the pioneer of Methodism in New England, 
visiteil Danbury. His sojourn was but for a day. 
He improved his time, however, by preaching two 
sermons in the court-house. ( hily a few were willing 
to hear him, and most of them out ot curiosity. He 
was jirobably the first Methodist to set foot in Dan- 
bury. Subsequently other Methodist itinerants occa- 
sionally found their way to the village, usually preach- 
ing a sermon in the court-house and then passing on 
to other fields. 

It was not an easy matter for them to find enter- 
tainment in Danbury. l>r. .labez Starr is supposed 
to have been the first who would allow a Methodist 
lireaeher to sit at his table or sleep in his house. 
Some of the surrounding towns were more willing to 
open their homes to tliese men of "strange doctrine," 
and thither they were <ibliged to go for food and 
shelter. 

Some time in the year ISOX a society was formed 
in the ccntri' of the town. Hitherto there had been 
a " class" in the southwest jjart of the town, now 
known as Starr's Plain. This society was organized 
under the' jiastoral charge of Rev. Noble W. Thomas 
and Rev. .lonathan Lyon, whose large circuit em- 
liraced this region of country. 

During the following year, under the earnest labors 
of Levi Bronson, a local preacher and class-leader, 
together with the preacliers of the circuit, the little 
society succeeded in building a small and plain house 
of worslii]!. The deed of this property locates the 
church oM laiiil boumleii as follows: " Xortherly by 
Joseph Robertson and Daniel Scofield, including the 



216 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUXTV. CONNECTICUT. 



lane running from the highway to the meeting-house ; 
easterly by William Tweedy and Justice Barnum ; 
southerly by said Tweedy ; and westerly by Joseph P. 
Cook, Jr." The "highway" spoken of is now called 
Franklin Street, and the " lane" is the road leading 
to the Tweedy factories on Rose Street. Among the 
trustees of the society were Jabez Starr, Peter Hack, 
Charles Houghton, Levi Rronson, and Caleb Benedict. 

For nearly thirty years the little church on the liill 
was the centre of Methodism. Some are still living 
who speak with enthusiasm of the good times enjoyed 
in the humble house of the days gone by. Those 
•were certainly noble men and women who stood as 
the representatives of Methodism wlien she was de- 
spised by the nuisses. 

Among those who bore the burden and heat of the 
■day may be mentioned Revs. Rory Starr and John 
Nickerson, local preachers connected with the church 
from its early history. By their upright living in the 
■comnuinity, by i)rudence and zeal in the church, they 
gave character to the denomination they rei)resented. 

Many are the pastors who came and went during 
that period of Danbury Methodism ; but the rule of 
the denomination demanding a change every two 
years nuide it imjjossible for any of them to become 
identified with the general interests of the town. 
Their names linger in many households as precious 
memories. 

In the year 1835 a new site was i)urchased on Lib- 
erty Street, and soon the church now owned by the 
Disciples was erected thereon. 

At the Conference of 1836 Danlmiy Methodism 
•ceased to foim a circuit and became a station. Hith- 
erto her ministers had given only a part of their ser- 
vice here, l)Ut the Rev. Jacob Sluiw was api)ointed to 
Danbury with the intent that he should live here and 
work, and he did this with great success. At the be- 
ginning of his pastorate the whole membership num- 
bered one hundred and fifty-eight. At the close of 
Lis first year he reported over three hundred. 

The revival of 1837, just referred to, was probably 
the most effective and abiding ever experienced by 
the society. The current of religious thought and 
feeling ran deeply ; men and women were strangely 
awakened, and were brought out into a positive re- 
ligious life. Miicli of the fruit abides to this day, and 
many more have gone U]i higher. 

At this time the othcers of the church were as fol- 
lows: Local preachers, John Nickerson and Rory 
St^irr; cxhorters, Alvin Hurd, Stephen H. Barnum, 
John Comes ; leaders, George Andrews, William Hill, 
George Starr ; stewards, Wm. T. Scofield, Jonathan 
Couch, Unilerhill Nelson, Joel Sanford. Among the 
trustees were John Nickerson, Rory Starr, Jesse Cro- 
fut, Pliilo Wildman, Underhill Nelson, and Thomas 
Stocker. 

Rory Starr departed from the church militant to 
the church triumphanton Thursday morning, Feb. 27, 
1845. John Nickerson ceased his labors on earth and 



entered into rest on the 20th of March, 1848. As was 
fitting, the records of the church make special men- 
tion of these two worthies : " Being dead they yet 
speak." 

The pastors who served the society during its stay 
in Liberty Street were Rev. Jacob Shaw, two years ; 
Rev. H. Wing, who after a few months sickened and 
Wiis obliged to resign; Rev. J. Crawford, who sup- 
plied the ])ulpit tlie remainder of the Conference year ; 
1840-42, Rev. Sylvester H. Clark; 1842-43, Rev. 
James Floy; 1844-45, Rev. Fitch Reed; 1846-47, 
Rev. John Crawford; 1848-49, Rev. Robert Jessup; 
18.50-51, Rev. John B. Merwin; 1852-53, Rev. \V. C. 
Hoyt. 

During the pastorate of Kcv. Mr. Hoyt the building 
now occupied by the society was erected, and the old 
building sold to the Disciples. 

At a meeting of the trustees of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church held Wednesday, April 27, 1853, to act 
upon ])roposals for building tlie new Methodist E])is- 
copal church of Danbury station, there were present 
Sturges Selleck, Samuel Stebbins, William T. Scofield, 
Allen McDonald, AVilliam W. Stevens, George Hull, 
Thomas S. Barnum, and James W. Nichols, Joel B. 
Sanford being absent. 

On motion of W. T. Scofield, it was voted that the 
board accept the proposals of Barnum & Starr for erect- 
ing the new church, seventy-four by fifty feet, for nine 
thousand three hundred dollars, provided the money 
can be raised to meet the several payments as they 
become due in said proposals. It wiis ftirther voted 
that Sanuu'l Stebbins and George Hull be a building 
committee, with power to make the contracts with 
Barnum & Starr, to sui)erintend the erection of said 
church, and to do any other business to be done by 
the trustees in relation thereto. It was also voted that 
Sturges Selleck and Rev. W. C. Hoyt be a committee 
to circulate the subseri|)tion-pa]ier drawn uj) this day 
for five thousand dollars. At a subseipient nu'eting 
the size of the church was enlarged to seventy-eight 
by fifty-six feet. 

At the opening of the new church the society num- 
bered about three hundred, including probationers. 
The Sunday-school was in a prosperous condition, un- 
der the superintendence of George Starr, consisting of 
nearly fnrty otliccrs ami teachers and one hundred 
and fifty seludars. 

The pastor, lU'v. W. C. Hnyt, in his report to the 
Quarterly Conference, says, "The numbers gradually 
increase. The Bible-cla.sscs are interesting. The in- 
fant cla.ss is well sustained. The teachers are gener- 
ally in their places, and labor faithfully for the good 
of their scholars. The friends of the school have 
much to encourage them." 

In the spring of 1855 the New York East Confer- 
ence of the MetluHlist Episcopal Churcli, consisting 
of nearly two hundred ministers, held its annual ses- 
sion in Danbury. The changed feelings of the ])eople 
towards the preachers of the denomination was beau- 



DAN BURY. 



217 



tifully illustrated by the cheeriulnt'ss witli which the 
homes and churches were oj)ened for their entertain- 
meut and service. The Conference passed resolutions ; 
highly comjjlimentary to the town and the hospitality 
of its eiti/ens. "What hath (Jud wrought" in behalf 
of Methodism ! 

Since the erection of the new building now occu- 
pied the following pastors have officiated in the order 
named: Rev. E. E. Griswold, recently deceased ; Rev. 
George W. Woodruff, a man sui f/cneris and successful 
in his pastorate; Rev. John Miley, now professor in 
the Drew Theological Seminary ; Rev. John Pegg, 
Jr. ; Rev. John Crawford, whose home is with us still ; 
Rev. W. T. Hill, now presiding elder of tlie Xew 
Haven District, who under the extended pastoral term 
remained three years ; Rev. Thomas H. iSurch ; Rev. 
W. F. Hatfield, who was removed in the spring of 
1873 to White Plains, N. Y. Rev. J. L. Peck suc- 
ceeded Mr. Hatfield, anil remained three years. Rev. 
P. Pilsbury followed Mr. Peck, and remained one 
year. The present pastor is the Rev. Si)encer H. Bray. 

At the last report, rendered in April of this year, 
the membcrsliip nundjercd si.x hundred and fifty full 
members and eighty-five jirobationers, making a total 
of seven hundred and thirty-five. 

The church was enlarged and improved during tlie 
year 187(i, and now has very pleasant Sunday-school 
rooms and a fine auditorium. 

FIR.?T CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 
On Sunday, July 9, 187(3, Rev. J. J. Hougli, then 
pastor of this church, preached a historical sermon, 
from which the following is taken : 

"The history of this churcli stretelies back over a 
period of a hundred and eighty years. For more 
than three-quarters of a century had the First Church 
of Danbury been in existence at the time of the 
American Revolution. Two generations liad re- 
ceived instruction and guidance from its pastors, 
while as yet there was no thought among the colo- 
nists of a separate nationality. Could the founders 
of the church now return, they would find no trace of 
the work of tlieir hands. Not a familiar house, or 
even a forest-tree, would greet them. The landscape 
they might recognize, for the everlasting hills, the 
valleys, and the streams are unchanged, but evcry- 
tliing else would be to them new and surprising. The 
luxurious homes, the busy factories, the stores, the 
railroads and telegraphs, the schools, the present tem- 
ples of worship, the altogether new and changed life 
of their descendants, the diflerent styles of clothing 
worn, would all be to tliem subjects of won<ler and 
surprise. 

"In the year 1696— the year of the formation of 
this church — Danbury had been organized as a town 
but three years, although its earliest settlement was 
in 1(;84, when it was known by the Indian name of 
Pahquioque, or, as I find it in the old colonial records, 
Paquiage. 
15 



"From the records of a General Court held at 
Hartford, May 14, 1690, I take the following extract: 
'Upon the petition of the towne of Danbury this 
court granted them lilicrty to endjody themselves into 
churcli estate in an orderly way, with the consent of 
neighbour churches.' Pi-evious to this act of th • 
court a meeting-house had been built, proljably on 
the theory tliat the logical order was the procurement 
of a cage before catching a bird. The site (jf the first 
meeting-house was on ' the Town street' I now Main 
Street), a little north of where the court-liousc now 
stands. Its dimensions were about those of an ordi 
nary farm barn, — thirty by forty feet. It is recorded 
that ' every person belimging to the town was ]iresent 
at the raising and sat on the sills at once.' It is suji- 
posed that Mr. Seth Shove was ordained pastor at the 
time the church was organized, in 1096. The court 
grant (juoted above is the only record in existence re- 
specting the origin of the church, not even the num- 
ber of the original members nor their names being 
known. 'Rol)liins' Century Sermon,' preaclied in 
1801, characterizes the first pastor, Mr. Shove, as a 
' very ]>ious and worthy man, who was very successful 
in his exertions for the promotion of peace, virtue, 
and religion.' 

" By a council of the colony authorities assembled 
at Hartford, Feb. 6, 1707, a time when the French 
were trying to excite the Indians to hostility against 
the Englisli, it was ' Hi-so/inl, That for the preserva- 
tion of the frfintier towns of Symsbury, AVaterbury, 
Woodbury, and Danbury, order be sent to tlie inhabi- 
tants of those towns to provide with all i)Ossil)le speed 
a sutticicnt nundier of wcU-fortificd houses for the 
saftie of themselves and fannlies in their respective 
towns.' In obedience to this order the town put in 
posture of defense the house of Rev. Mr. Shove, 
which stood on an eminence near the church, 
and the house of Mr. Samuel Benedict, at the 
lower end of tlie street. The colonial records show 
that the sum of ' five pounds in country ]iay' was 
granted the town of Danbury the following year 'in 
consideration of the charge of said town in fortifying.' 
In connection with the defenses provided, obedience 
to the following order by the council, of the .same date, 
may have contributed to the 'safetie' of the jicople : 
' Rcstnlred, That these towns do every of them main- 
tain a good scout out every day of two faithful and 
trusty men to observe the motions of the enemy.' 

" Mr. Shove's pastorate was terminated by his death, 
Oct. 3, 173.5. The inscription upon his toml)stone is: 
'Here lyes buried ye body f)f Rev. Mr. Seth Shove, 
ye pious and faithful pastor of ye church in Danlniry 
39 years, who died Oct. 3d, Anno Domini, 173-7i, tetatis 
sua; 68.' 

" The church records were consumed when the town 
was burned by the British in 1777, consequently there 
are no writings to acquaint us with this early j>eriod 
in the history of the church ; but we may infer an in- 
crease of population and the growth of the church 



218 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



unik'r Mr. Shove's ministrj- from the fact that the 
first mceting-housc gave place to a larger structure 
in 1719. Its dimensions were thirty-five by fifty feet. 
It occupied the same site as the building it replaced. 
The continued growth of the town and of the church 
is further indicated by the enlargement of this new | 
meeting-house in 1745, during the ministry of Mr. 
AVhite, fifteen feet being added to the front, making 
its dimensions thirty-five by sixty-five feet. 

"March 10, 173<i, five and one-half months after 
Mr. Shove's death, Mr. Ebenezer White was ordained 
pastor. In Robbins' sermon this commendatory state- 
ment appears: ' Universal harmony prevailed between 
the people and their minister for twenty-five years. 
The people of the town were considered by all the 
neighboring towns as eminent for morality and reli- 
gion, for regularity of conduct and constant atten- 
tions on the institutions of charity.' 

" During the pastorate of Mr. White, the Fairfield 
East Association, in session in Danbury, July, 174-5, 
licensed as a preacher of the gospel David Braiuard, 
who wiLS then under censure of Yale College, having 
been e.xpelled for saying of Tutor Whittlesey, ' that 
he had no more of the grace of God in him than that : 
chair.' (As Tutor Whittlesey wa.s afterwards pastor of ' 
the Centre Church, New Haven, it is to be hoped j 
that Brainard was mistaken in his harsh utterance.) 
The Association justified itself for its action in a 
lengthy document ; but if this were needed, a better 
vindication wa.s the very useful work done by Brain- 
ard in his ministry. In a short career of five and 
one-half years he gained renown as a missionary 
apostle to the Indians. He died in 1747 at North- 
ampton, in the family of President Edwards, by 
whom sliortly afterwards his biography was written. 

" After preaching acceptably to the church for 
twenty-five years, Mr. White changed his theological 
views, adopting substantially the Sandemanian belief. 
He was complained of to the Association in 1763, ' as 
holding and teaching false doctrine, and presented to 
the council of the Consociation for trial.' The council 
met at Danbury Aug. 1, 17ti3. The church {a major- 
ity of whom su;;tained Jlr. White) objected to the 
authority of the council on the ground that it was a ( 
Congregational Church, and not amenable to any 
outside body. The objection was not allowed ; from 
which we may infer that councils in those days (at 
least in Connecticut) were something more than 'ad- 
visory.' After a five days' session the result reached 
was 'that Mr. White should have a three months' 
probation to sec if he would not preach to the ac- 
ceptance of his hearers.' He did not, however, give 
satisfaction, and on Jan. 3, 1764, a joint council of 
both the Fairfiehl Consociations met to consider his 
case. Mr. White, with a majority of the church, de- 
nied the jurisdiction of the council and renounced 
the platform ; but the council went forward and found 
him guilty of hereby, tad put him on probation again 
until the last Tucsdav in March. .\t that time the 



council met again and dismissed him from his pastor- 
ate under censure. The majority of the church still 
adhering to Mr. White, the council recognized the 
minority as constituting the First Consoeiated Church 
in Danbury, and left the seceding majority to them- 
selves'. At the solicitation of Mr. White the council 
convened again the following September to state upon 
what terms he could be relieved from censure. Tin 
terms given were declined by Mr. White, and he wa~ 
never restored to fellowship. 

"The seceding party, declaring themselves inde- 
pendent of Consociation, formed a new church organ- 
ization, which received the name of the ' New Dan- 
bury Church.' Retaining Mr. White as piu^tor, they 
built a meeting-house in 1768, which nine years later 
was burned by the British. The church was greatly 
weakened by the loss of their meeting-house and by 
defections to the Sandemanians, am(mg which wa.-^ 
that of Rev. Ebenezer Russell White (son of Rev. 
Ebenezer White), who in 1768 had become colleague 
pastor with his father. In 1779, Rev. Ebenezer 
White died, and shortly thereafter the 'New Danbury 
Church' became extinct. 

" The name White has been a prominent and hon- 
I orcd name in Danburv for the last century, the line 
of Rev. Ebenezer White's descendants having been 
continuous to the present, and finding its representa- 
tives in Danbury to-day in the families of Mr. Wil- 
liam R. White, Mr. Thilo White, and Col. Nelson L. 
White. 

" This church, weakened by the secession of a ma- 
jority of its members, did not secure another pastor 
after the dismi.ssion of Mr. White until two years 
had elapsed. In February, 1765, Mr. Noadiah A\'ar- 
ner was ordained pastor, but his pastorate was brief 
and much interrupted by efibrts that were made to 
secure the return of the .seceders, he on two occjusion- 
consenting to relinquish his pulpit for several month- 
that candidates might be listened to by both partie-. 
it being understood that if a man was found upon 
whom all coubl unite Jlr. Warner would resign in his 
favor. Variances about pecuniary matters and a lack 
of the spirit of concession thwarted these efl'orts, bni 
I they disturbed the relations of Mr. Warner to thr 
church to the extent that he sought a dismission at 
the expiration of the third year of his pastorate. 

" From the sociiiy records, which date back to 1 75.'), 
it appears that on April 3, 1760. a call to the pa.«torati' 
was given by the church and society to 'the worthy 
Jeremiah Day,' who had for a few weeks supplie<l th'' 
pulpit, but, the vote of the society standing twenty- 
eight opposed to the call to forty-seven in favor, and 
the vote to give him a yearly salary of seventy-five 
pounds, with a settlement of one hundred and fifty 
pounds standing forty-six in favor, opjxised forty- 
three, he did not accept. Doubtless this ri'sult seemed 
disappointing at the time, but Providence w;l< not 
altogether unkind, as by his brief connection with 
the church he gained for himself a wife, he being 



DANBURY. 



219 



married the following yenr to Jliss Luey AVood, one 
of the young-lady members of the ehureh. 

"In the summer of 1770, Mr. Ebenezer Baldwin 
accepted a call to the church. The earliest reeonls of 
the church in existence begin with the minutes of the 
council that convened for his settlement, Sept. 19, 
1770. The sermon upon the occasion was j)reached 
by President Daggett, of Yale College. The brief 
statement of Eobbins' sermon respecting Mr. Bald- 
win is that "he officiated with great reputation to the 
ministry till a sudden death terminated his labors, 
Oct. 15, 177(3, — a man of great talents and learning' 
(he was the second scholar of his class in college), 'a 
constant student, grave in his manners, a constant 
and able supporter of the sound doctrines of the gos- 
pel.' (After the defection of Jlr. White, xoiiiidiirs-'i in 
the faith would beyond question be the first ijnalifica- 
tion demanded in a pastor.) During his ministry of 
six years there were added to the full eommuuion of 
the church lifty-four. Ten were admitted to tlie half- 
way covenant. 

" The practice of the churches of that day was to 
allow baptiz.ed persons who did not profess conversion 
to assent to the church covenant, which act brought 
them into connection witli and under the jurisiliction 
of the church, although they did not join in com- 
munion. 

"Mr. Baldwin married sixty-eight eoupk's. He 
baptized one liuiidred and thirteen eliildren, and 
attended one hundred and lorty-nine Ihiierals. The 
summer of 177o was a period of great mortality in 
Danbury, and of the one hundred and tliirty deaths 
in town that year eighty-two were within the limits 
of the First Society, and sixty-two funerals were 
I attended by Mr. Baldwin in the three months of 
j June, July, and August. 

, "The pastorate of Mr. Baldwin covered those 
! exciting years in the national history that preee<led 
and marked the commencement of the Revolution. 
At that day no class of citizens was more conspicuous 
for patriotism, or more powerfully contributed to 
arouse the spirit of resistance to the despotic acts 
of the British government and to prcjiare the minds 
of the people for the great struggle of the Revolution, 
than the Congregational clergy of New England, and 
among them Mr. Baldwin was conspicuous by his zeal 
: and signal ability. Almost all the writing for the 
; public prints at that day was done by the clergy. 
In 1774 he prepared and published a spirited address 
[to the people of the western ])art of the colony to 
arouse them to a sense of the danger in which their 
liberties were involved. In November, 1776, on the 
day set apart for Thanksgiving in the colony of Con- 
necticut, at a period which he regarded as the most 
calamitous the British colonies ever beheld, he 
preached a sermon designed to wake up the spirits 
lof the people in the important and dangerous strug- 
igle in which they were engaged. This sermon had 
at the time great celebrity. So excellent, encouraging, 



and appropriate was it that it was called for and 
l)rinted at the expense of a leading member of the 
Episcopal Church. A coi>y of it is preserved in the 
archives of tlie New York Historical Society. Mr. 
Baldwin, with the other ministers of tlie Association, 
arranged a series of circular fasts in the churches rif 
Fairfield County, in the spring of 177ii, on 'account 
of the threatening aspect of the jiuldic affairs.' 

"A memoir of Mr. Baldwin, i)re])ared liy his 
brother, Hon. Simeon Balilwin, formerly judge of 
the Sui)reme Court of Connecticut, may be found in 
Sprague's 'Annals of the American Pulpit.' Mr. 
Baldwin's brother Simeon and James Kent, after- 
wards Chancellor Kent, of New A'ork, and author 
of ' Kent's Commentaries,' were memliers of a class 
of young men who studied under the direction of 
Mr. Baldwin while pastor of this church. Chancellor 
Kent, in a Phi Beta Kappa oration given at Yale in 
l.S.'il, paid a beautiful tribute to the memory of Mr. 
Baldwin. Speaking of the tutors in that college, he 
said, ' And suffer me for a moment to liring to recol- 
lection from among this class of men the Rev. Eben- 
ezer Baldwin, of Danbury, for it is to that great, 
excellent nmu that the individual who has now the 
honor to address you stands indebted for the best part 
of his early classical education. Mr. Baldwin was 
tutor in this college for the period of four years, and 
he settled as a minister in the First (Jongregational 
Church of Danbury in the year 1771*. He was a 
scholar and a gentleman of the fairest and brightest 
hopes. He was accustomed to read daily a portion 
of the Hebrew Scriptures, and he was extensively 
acquainted with Greek and Roman literature. His 
style of preaching was simple, earnest, and forcible, 
with the most commanding and graceful dignity and 
manner. His zeal for learning was ardent, and his 
acquisitions and reimtation rapidly increasing, when 
he was doomed to fall prematurely in the flower of 
his age and while engaged iji his country's service. 
Though his career was jiainfully short, he had lived 
long enough to attract general notice and the highest 
respect bydiis piety, his learning, his judgment, and 
his patriotism. He took an enlightened and active 
interest in the rise and early progress of the Ameri- 
! can Revolution. In the gloomy campaign of 1776 he 
was incessant in his efforts to cheer and animate his 
townsmen to join the militia which were called out 
: for the defense of New York. To give weight to his 
i eloquent exhortations he added that of his heroic 
example. He went voluntarily as a chaplain to one 
of the militia regiments, comjiosed mostly of his own 
parishioners. His ofHce was pacific, but he nevertlie- 
less arrayed himself in military armor. [ was present 
when he firmly but atfectionately ba<lc adieu to his 
devoted parishioners and affectionate jiupils. This 
was about the 1st of August, 1776, and what a mo- 
ment in the annals of this country! There never 
was a period more awful and portentous. It was 
the verv crisis of our destinv. The defense of New 



220 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



York had become desperate. An enemy's army of 
thirty tliousand men, well disciplined and well 
eijuipped, was in its vicinity, ready to overwhelm 
it. Gen. Washington had, to oppose them, less than 
eighteen thousand men, and part of them were ex- 
tremely sickly. Nothing could have afforded better 
proof of patriotic zeal than Mr. Baldwin's voluntary 
enlistment at this critical juncture. The militia, 
much reduced by sickness, after two months' service 
were discharged. Mr. Baldwin fell a victim to the 
sickness that prevailed in the army, having only 
strength sufficient to reach home, where he died on 
October 1st, ' honored by the deepest sympathies of 
his own people, and with the public veneration and 
sorrow.' " 

WEST STREET CIIUKCII. 

This church originated with Mr. Horace Bull. He 
was impressed by reading a series of letters, pub- 
lished in the New York Observer, on the duty of large 
churches to colonize. They were written by Rev. Dr. 
Humphrey, of Jlassachusett^. He claimed " that tlie 
activity of a church would be increased by such a les- 
sening of its members, and that new churches would 
draw in strangers, and thus increase the number of 
church-goers." Mr. Bull bad a little property, and 
he gave one-third of it to start the enterprise. He 
had been for many years a member of the First Con- 
gregational Church, and contributed to its permanent 
fund, but was in no way distinguished e.^cept as a 
leader of singing. It was no part of his wish to 
deprecate other churches, but only to extend more 
widely the influence of a joyful gospel. Twenty 
memliers joined him in leaving the "old hive;" one 
came from the Methodist Church, one by letter from 
Poughkeepsie, and another from New York City. 

" At a meeting of individuals in favor of forming a 
new organization for religious worship, held in the 
basement of the First Congregational church in Dan- 
bury, May 20, ISol, on motion, Horace Bull was ap- 
pointed chairman, and a committee of two, consisting 
of Henry Lobdell and L. C. Hoyt, were appointed to 
confer with the Universiilist Society to engage their 
house of worship, now St. Peter's Hall, for one year, 
and were authorized to correspond with Mr. William 
C. Scoticld, of New Haven (Theological Seminary), 
and, if they deemed it necessary and expedient, to 
engage his services as pastor for the term of two 
months from the first day of .Tune." 

At a meeting held on the evening of May 23, 1851, 
the committee rcporteil that tliey liatl hired the I'ni- 
versalist church for one year, and that Mr. Scoticld 
would i>rcach eight Sabbaths. Permission having 
been obtained from the First Church, by a vote of 
fourteen yeas to seven nays, to attempt the experiment 
of forming a new church, it was resolved to go forward 
notwithstanding that the First Church granted it.-< per- 
mission only with th^ coiulition that it was not to be 
held responsible " either for its succc.-*s or support." 
After voting to hold the first religious services in the 



! new place of worship, June 1, 1851, the meeting ad- 
journed. In 1851, .July 9th, the church was organized 
by a Congregational Ecclesiastical Council, meeting 

, in First Church. Oct. 15, 18.54, the corner-stime of a 
church edifice was laid. This building is now in the 
l)ossession of the Catholic Church, west of tlie park. 
May 6, 1852, the new church building was dedicated. 
On .June 18th of same year rules of government were 
adopted and a resolution passed to organize an eccle- 
siastical society. 

Mr. Scofield was ordained to the gospel ministry 
and installed pastor of the new church on Sept. 15, 

I 1852. Thus it will be seen that within about a year 
from the preliminary <neetiiig the infant society had 

' attained to a formal and regular ecclesiastical organi- 
zation, built a house of worship, and obtained a set- 
tled pastor. April 26, 1854, the pastoral relations of 
Mr. Scofield with the church were dissolved by mutual 
consent. From this time until the spring of 1858 the 
church wius without a settled pastor. During the in- 
terim, however, the pulpit was supplied for more than 
two years by the Rev. E. S. Huntington, a friend of 
the church and a resident of Danbury. 

In 18.57, frimi .Inly 1st until September 17th of tli. 
same year. Rev. William Page su])i)licd the ]iul|iit. 
From November, 1857, until April 1, 1858, Rev. S. H. 
Howell made the suj)plies. The Rev. David Peck, of 
Woodbridge, received a call March 26, 1858. On 
June 23d, Mr. Peck was regularly installed. Mr. 
Peck served acceptably until Jan. 2, 1861, when h<' 
was dismissed at his own request. Rev. Ezra D. 
Kenny was invited to supply for three months. Mr. 
James Robertson, a licentiate of Union Theological 
Seminary, New York City, also was engaged to suji- 
ply for a time. On Dec. 20, 1861, the church voted 
to engage Mr. Robertson for twelve months. His ser- 
vices were .so acceptable that the church voted to have 
Mr. Robert.son ordaine<l March .SO, 1862. As the con- 
gregation grew and their wants increased, the neces- 
sity of a larger and more commodious building be- 
came apparent. Meiusures were taken to construct 
such edifice, and the result was that in May, 1865. the 
new West Street church was dedicated. July 1. I>*65, 
Mr. Robertson severed his connection with the church. 
The Hev. Henry Powers was immediately called, and 
began his duties as acting jiastor. He was inslalle<l 
April 15, 1868, and was dismissed at his own rc<iuest 
after serving about nine months. May 30, 186!», .Mr. 
D. A. Ea.ston, a licentiate from Andover Theological 
Seminary, Ma.-'sachusett.^, began to supjily the pulfiit. 
On June 3d he received and accepted a call as stated 
preacher. Mr. Easton was finally called to the pas- 
torate and accepted, and Dec. 29, 186I>, he wiu* or- 
dained to the gospel ministry, and installed p-astor of 
the church Oct. 10, 1870. Mr. C. A. G. Thur.-iton, a 
licentiate of Andover Theological Seminary, Mas.«a- 
chusetts, and more recently stated ])reacher at Brad- 
ford, N. H., began his duties as as.sociate pastor and 
preacher with .Mr. Easton, who.se health, being im- 



DANBURY. 



221 



paired, rendered him unable to perform the duties of 
the pastorate witliout assistance. Sept. 20, 1871, Mr. 
Ea-stoii was dismissed as pastor on account of ill 
health, but, ])reserving membership of tlie cluircli, lie 
often supplied tlie i)ulpit and greatly ai<led in clear- 
ing oft'a funded debt which was burdening the cluncli. 
The Rev. S. B. Hershey, the present pastor, was in- 
stalled Oct. 27, 1874. 

ST. J.AMES' EPISCOIWI. CHURCH. 

The earliest records of 8t. James' C'luirch, Danlinry, 
now in possession of the church go back only as far 
as the year 1812. Tlie second missionary sent to this 
State liy the venerable "Society for the Propagation 
of the Gospel in J'oreign Parts," — a society still in 
vigorous existence in the English Church. — the Rev. 
Henry Canes, a graduate of Yale in the class of 1728, 
and who went to England for holy orders iu 1727 and 
became missionary to Fairfield late in the autumn of 
the same year, souglit out the churchmen scattered in 
the contiguous regions. In his first reijort, made to 
the society in 1728, he speaks of a " village northwest- 
ward of Fairfield about eighteen miles, containing 
twenty families ; the name of it is Chestnut Ridge 
(Redding), and where I usually preach and lecture 
once in three weeks." He also visited Ridgefield and 
Danbury as often as his duties would pernut, and 
stated that there were in most of these ])laces seven, 
ten, or fifteen families professing the doctrine of the 
Church of England. 

About 1763 the first Episcopal church was erected 
in this place, and opened, on its i)artial comi>lction, 
by the Rev. Ebenezer Dibble, a native of Danbury, 
and missionary at Stamford and (treenwich. Occa- 
sionally ministrations were held here by the Rev. Mr. 
Learning, and by the Rev. Mr. Beach, of Newtown. 
A charitable layman, Mr. St. George Talbot, residing 
in the province of New York, who jiresented the 
church with a Bible and Prayer-book and had assisted 
the people here towards the erection of their church, 
was one of the gratified congregation at the opening 
services. In 17(>!l the faithful missionary at Newtown, 
reporl^ing his occasional services in the newly-erected 
church at Danbury, speaks of the edifice "with a 
decent steeple" and large enough to accommodate 
from "four hundred to five hundred people." In 1777, 
Gen. Tryon, eommaniling a detachment of two thou- 
sand of His Majesty's troops, penetrated to Danbury, 
a ])laee which the commissioners of the American 
army had selected for depositing military stores; and 
while both church and meeting-house there were used 
as depositories, his troops are said to have taken the 
stores out of church and burned them in the streets, 
saving the sacred edifice, but they devoted the meet- 
ing-house to the flames. In 1784 the Rev. Samuel 
Seahury, D.D., was consecrated Bishop of Connecti- 
cut in Aberdeen, Scotland, the first American prelate. 
In 1794 the Rev. David Perry, of Ridgefield, resigned 
the pastoral charge of the parishes of Ridgefield, Red- 



ding, and I)aid)ury, and in due time the Rev. David 
Butler succeeded him in the cure, and the licv. Elijah 
G. Plum fnnn 1808 to 1812. Bishop Jarvis conse- 
! crated the church here Oct. ti, 1802. Bishoj. lloliart, 
of New York, olliciated in Danbury on a Sunday in 
August, lsl7. Ill 1X()!I till IT were reported 70 families 
and 22 comnmiiicants. In 181G, 41 communicants. 
In 1822, 44 communicants. In 1824, 49 conimnni- 
cauts. 

The Rev. Reuben Iliilibard was instituted rector, 
Se]4. 1, 1812, to 1819; the Rev. Ambrose S. T(idd 
from 1819 to 1823; Rev. Samuel B. Hall from 1823 to 
1836. In 1836 only 40 communicants an<l 5 families 
of the original churchmen were remaining. Up to 
this time tlie parish had had clerical service's once iu 
three or four weeks, and from 1808 had always been 
associatc<l with ('lirist ('liurch, Redding, ami part of 
the time also with Ridgefield. The Rev. Mr. Hull 
confined himself to Danbury and Redding, and after 
the chapel, n<iw St. Tliomas' church. Bethel, was 
built, in 1835, the services were divided Iictween the 
two alternately once in four weeks. The year 1836 
was the first time that the parish of St. .lames' 
Church and St. Thomas' Chapel had atteinptcd to 
have the service-: of a clergyman the whole time, and 
this came near failing for the want of means. From 
Easter, 1838, to Easter, 18:i9, Dr. Short officiated half 
the time in Brodkfield and the other half here, and 
the Christian Knowleilge Society aided in the |)ay- 
nient of his salary. The Rev. David H. Short was 
reetiir from 18:i6 to 1840, and the Rev. Thomas T. 
Guion from 1840 to 1847. In 1844 the first church 
built at the lower end of Main Street, a wooden build- 
ing, the frame of which has been converted into a 
dwelling-house, was abandoned, and a new church 
was erected in a central jiosition on West Street near 
Main. The Rev. Henry Olmstead and the Rev. John 
Purves were associateil with the Rev. Mr. Guion, re- 
siding in Bethel and having charge of the chapel there. 
In 1844 the whole parish, including Bethel, reported 
100 families and 13(1 communicants, with 80 Sunday- 
school scholars and 20 teachers. In 1846, on the sepa- 
ration of Bethel from this parish. Rev. Guion re- 
])orted 75 families, 65 communicants, and 45 Sunday- 
school scholars, with 9 teachers. From 1847 to 18.54 
the Rev. William White Bronson was rector. In 1853 
he reported 70 families and 77 coinmnnicants. F'rom 
1854 to 18ij4 tlie Rev. I. Lcander Townsend was rec- 
tor. In 1855 he reported 70 families and 107 com- 
municants. In 1859 the church was enlarged by the 
addition of a chancel and nrw furniture, the latter 
being used in the new stone church. In 1863 he re- 
ported 130 families and 189 communicants. Tlie Rev. 
Mr. Townsend was also rector of "Deer Hill Insti- 
tute," a church boarding-school for boys. The Rev. 
Dr. Hawley entered upon his duties on the 1st of 
March, 1864. He reported this year 145 families and 
278 communicants. In 18()7 the present chapel and 
the chancel and tlie first bay of the nave of the new 



222 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



stone church was erected, and in 1872 the nave and 
the tower were conijjleted all save the stone spire. 

An ex-editor of the (Jkurcli Ri'vieiv sjteaks of this 
sacred edifice as "one of the most bountiful churches 
in the countrj-." Tlie memorial and other windows 
were made by Messsrs. Moore, Doremus, Henry E. 
Sharpe, Morgan & Bros., Slack & Booth, and are 
among the finest specimens of their best workmanship. 
The present rector, Ilcv. Arthur .Sloan, assumed charge 
May, 1875. 

FinST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. 

On the 9th day of December, 1822, a little company 
of men, twelve in number, — as were the earliest dis- 
ciples, — met at the school-house in (ireat Plain Dis- 
trict, in the town of Danbury, to organize a Univer- 
salist .society. 

These twelve men were Ebenczer Nichols, William 
Patch, Miles Hoyt, Philo B. White, Stephen Ambler, 
Zadock Stephens, Ira R. Wildman, Thomas P. White, 
William Peck, Joel Taylor, Andrew Andrews, Stephen 
Gregory. 

Pri'viiius to this time Universalism had taken root 
in Danl)ury, in consequence of the preaching of itin- 
erant ministers, or missionaries, who traveled through 
thLs part of the country from time to time, holding 
services in towns where o])portunity offered, speaking 
in public halls, in school-houses, private dwellings, 
and, when no otiicr place could be found, in barns or 
in the open air. In 1807, jirobably in Scptcndjcr of 
that year, the Kcv. Hosea Ballou, one of the fathers 
of the Universalist Church in America, having jour- 
neyed into Connecticut for the purj)o.se of attending 
the annual meeting of the United States Universalist 
Convention, which was held at Newtown, Se|)tember 
loth, Kith, and 17th, conducted religious services in 
Danbury, preaching in the court-house. This was 
the first service ever conducted in Danbury by a Uni- 
versalist clergyman of which any record has been 
found. There are traditions to the effect that the 
Rev. John Murray, a discijile of We-slcy, who first 
planted Universalism on the shores of the New- 
World, preached once in Danbury before the be- 
ginning of the present centurj', but of this service 
the present psistor can find no written record. 

After 1807 occasional services were held in the town 
by various itinerant ministers, mnong (ithers the Rev. 
Solomon Glover, of Newtown. At this time the so- 
cial ostracism, amounting in !<ome cases to actual per- 
secution, which had been meted out to the Methodists 
in England, to the Baptists and Quakers in America, 
and to every religious sect at some period of its his- 
tory, fell to the lot of the American Universal ists. 
Their testimony wa.s not taken in court; they were 
pronounced little better than athei.sts ; were charged 
with being haters of religion and teachers of immoral 
doctrines. One of the twelve men who organized the 
society in 1822 attendM the meetings for some time 
in secret, " going across tlie swamp to the court-house. 



in order not to be seen," as he often afterwards con- 
fessed. Such a jirofound impression wiis, however, 
produced upon his mind by the new truths which he 
believed he had heard that he wiis no more iLshanie<l, 
but proud, to be seen going to the Universalist meet- 
ings. Those were the days when good, pious. Chris- 
tian souls, not doubting that Universalists were infi- 
dels and were doing the work of Satan, prayed that 
the Lord would " uncover the bottomless pit and 
shake the Universalist minister over it until he re- 
pented of his errors." It was the retort of one of the 
Universalist pioneers that even in this prayer, seem- 
ingly so profane and mercile-ss, there was, after all, a 
recognition of divine goodness, in the admission that 
a pit without bottom .should yet be provided with a 
cover. 

After the organization of the Universalist Society 
it was for a year or two without a regular pastor. 
Visiting clergymen on preaching tours spent the 
Sunday here on frequent occasions, and preaciied, 
.sometimes in the court-house, occasionally in other 
places. Sometimes a clergyman would arrive late 
Saturday evening, and messengers would be sent out 
notifying the little band that on the morrow they were 
to have a minister. 

Some time in 182-1 the Rev. Thomas F. King, fatlur 
of Rev. T. Starr King, was engaged to preach a i>or- 
tion of the time in Danbury, preaching also at Nor- 
walk during his engagement, which continued about 
two years. In 182G the Rev. Zelotus Fuller i>reached 
occasionally at Danbury, and was succeeded by the 
Rev. Daniel E. Morgan, who preached one sermon 
every Sunday for si.x months. Then, for a period of 
four years, occasional services were rendered by tlh- 
Itev.s. Geo. Rogers, Solomon Glover, Meuzies Rayni'i 
(a convert from the Episcoi)al Church), T. J. Wliii- 
comb, Tlu'ophilus Fiske, Gilman Noycs, and Nelie- 
miah Dodge. Dec. 29, 1830, the Rev. John Boydcn 
was called to become the pastor, and preached in 
Danbury about six months, when, finding his various 
duties more than he could longer undertake, and 
desiring that a pa.stor should he engaged wlio should 
give his entire time and attention to the Danbury 
congregation, he askcjd to be releiusod from his en- 
gagement, and the request was granted. During the 
ministry of Mr. Boydcn a choir was gatliered under 
the leadership of the late Stephen A. llurlburt. who 
served as chorister for nuiny years with zeal and faith- 
fulness. 

The subsequent pastors of this congregation have 
been as follows : 

1831. — Rev. G. W. Brooks, for two months only. 

1831. — Rev. L. F. W. Andrews, for about the sanu 
length of time. Mr. .\ndrews was subsecpiently en- 
gaged with Hon. P. T. Barnum, as e<litor of a paper 
wliich Mr. liarnum published. Mr. Barnum was for 
several years the clerk of tlie Universalist Society. 

1831-32.— Rev. G. W. Brooks, re-engaged. 

1833.— In August, Rev. L. W. F. Andrews was 



DANBURY. 



223 



called, and declined a re-engagement, Mr. Brooks' 
engagement having expired. 

1834.— Rev. Allwrt Case. 

183.5. — The church was without a pastnr. 

1836-38.— Eev. S. C. Bulkley. 

1838-40.— Rev. James Cook. 

1841-43.— Rev. S. B. Brittan. 

1843-4.5.— Rev. J. K. Ingalls. 

1847. — Rev. Hcman Burr. 

1846. — In the latter part of this year the puljiit was 
supplied for a time by Rev. R. P. Ambler. 

1847. — No settled pastor. 

1848.— Rev. Timothy Elliott. 

1849-51.— Rev. Geo." H. Deere. 

1852-56.— Rev. 8. C. Bulkley. 

1856. — Rev. Mr. Bulkley's engagement closed early 
in the year. Rev. Edward Smiley was engaged early 
in June, ordained in July, but remained only till No- 
vember. For two years following the church was 
weakened by the general prostration of business, and 
during this time was .shephenlless. 

1859-60.— Rev. Robert C. Brown. 

1861. — No settled pastor. 

1862-65.— Rev. J. H. Shepard. 

1866-67.— Rev. Abel C. Thomas supi>lied tlic iiuljiit. 

1868-70.— Rev. William G. Haskell. 

1870-80.— Rev. D. M. Hodge, the present pastor. 

A church edifice was erected for this congregation 
on Main Street, corner of AVooster, in 1833, anil dedi- 
cated in September of that year by the Rev. Matthew 
Hale Smith, assi.sted by other clergymen. This build- 
ing wa.s afterwards sold to the Catholic Society, and 
is still owned by them. The edifice on Liberty Street 
now occupied by this congregation was luiilt in 1851- 
52, and dedicated in tlie spring of the latter year. 

The first deacons of the church were William I'atcli 
and Zadock Stevens. 

Nearly all the members of the original church or- 
ganization are now dead or have removed from town. 
In fact, the church has been unusually suly'ect to loss 
by these causes, especially the latter, notwithstanding 
which it has had a slow but steady growth ; during 
the ministry of the present pastor a goodly number 
have been added to the member.ship of the church, 
and many children have been bajitized. 

This church observes one Sunday in June of each 
year as Hose Sandaij, when the church audience-room 
is profusely decorated with flowers and children are 
christened or baptized. 

Tlie officers of this church at the present time are : 
Pastor, Rev. D. M. Hodge ; Deacons, Stephen Bates, 
N. B. Dibble, Timothy H. Foster, Luman L. Hubbell; 
Clerk and Collector, Foster Jarvis; Treasurer, A. A. 
Heath ; Executive Committee, Joseph T. Bates, T. H. 
Foster, Andrew J. Williams. 

The church at the present time is united and pros- 
perous, and is doing a good work in the community. 
It strives to work in harmony and peace with all who 
love the Lord Jesus Christ. 



THE SANDEMANIAN SOCIETY. 
Barber, in his "Connecticut Historical C<illections," 
published in l.'<36, says, — 

" In 17(',4, Mr. TjMltfrt .SiUMl(ni;ili. u Tuitivu of Pcrtli, in Si .illiiiiM, .v man 
of learniiij; iilni MiptMiuraliilitics, who li.id 8unKi coriespon<Ienn- Willi Mr. 
White anil sonu' other ministeiti iu thi* country, ranie from his nativr 
land, landed at Boston, .lud catno to Itaiihiiry near the cUiBe of the year. 
After tarrying several weeks he returned to lii.ston, where he soon ory.-m- 
izedachureh. Ho returned to Danlmry and gathered a chureli, July, 
1705. The principal doctrines which he taught wero siiuilar to those of 
tlie Christian ('luireh. His distinguishing tenetwas, 'that faith is a mere 
intellectual hclief;' his favorite exi>re.ssioll \v.i.s, '.-1 hare belif/ n/ bate 
Inith.' Ho maintained that his church was the only true church, then 
arisen from the ruins of .\utiehiist, his reign being near a close. The 
use of means for mankind in a natural state he pretty much exploded. 

■' Mr. Sandeiuau died in 1771. Tlie next year his church moved to New 
Haveu. Here it apjiears they were in a flourishing condition for three 
or four years. The house iu which they worsliiped is still standing on 
Greysou Street. 

"When the Revolutionary war hroke out the Sandemanians. who were 
royalists, became objects of suspicion. They were brought up befon- the 
civil authority on several occasions, and at one time were iiupusoued. 
These proceedings had the elTect to break up their church in ttii> idace; 
nearly, if not ijuite, all their peojilo moved away. 

" Iu July, 177-1, several persons who had been members of that idiiirch, 
together with a number who belonged to the society at New Ilanbiiry, 
united and formed a new Sandeniauian Church. That continued and in- 
creased for many years, till i\Iarc!i, 17'.H, when they divided into two 
churches." 

The i'ollowing is from a more recent account given 
of the Sandemanians: 

" They meet on the Sabbath and the Thursday afternoon of each w eek 
to exhort and to exidain the sacred word. Their church is provided with 
a large circular table, which occupies nearly half the area of the build- 
ing, at which the several niembei-s seat themselves, each one provided 
with a copy of the Scriptures, and as thi'y individually feel disposed they 
read and comment thereon, the females not partaking therein, being but 
indifterent sjiectators of the pi'oceedings. They also add to tlieir former 
exercises jirjiyer and singing; and aftel" which they assemble at one or 
the other of the brothers' or sisters' houses, wdicre they paitake of a 
feast. . . . There are probablyatpieseiitabonttwentypiimitive followers, 
of strict morals and chaste deportment, even to a proveib. It ajipears 
that none have joined them latterly. 

" This sect, like most others, have divisions among them, one party of 
which g» by tlio name of ' Osbornites,' from Mr. Levi Osborne, their 
present teacher. These are very few in number, reduced by deaths, and 
from the circumstance of none uniting with them. The other party go 
by the name of ' Baptist' Sandemanians, from their belief in, and practice 
of, haptisiu. The Osbornites appear to have been the most numerotis of 
the two classes, having had formerly a considerable number of members, 
consisting of some people of intlueuee." 

There are said to be but four hundred persons of 
this denomination in the world, forty of whom are in 
the United States. Those of this belief in Great Brit- 
ain are known by the name of " Glassites." 

The following is copied from the monunicnt of Mr. 
Sandenian, in the burying-ground opposite the court- 
house : 

" Here lies, until the resurrection, tlie body of Robert S.knpf.m.vn, a 
native of Perth, North Britain, who, in the face of continued opposition 
from all sorts of men, long boldly contended for the ancient l''ailh, that 
the hare work of .lesus Christ, without a deed or tlioiight on the part of 
man, is sufficient to present the chief of sinners sjmtlcss before God. To 
declare this blessed Truth, as testified in the Holy Scriptures, he left his 
country, ho left his friends, and after nuich patieut sufTering finished his 
labors at Panhury, Ai>ril 2, 1771, JE. Oo years. 

"Deign'd Christ to come so nigh to us 
As not to count it shame 
To call us Bl-elhren, should we blush 
At anght that bears His name? 



224 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



' " Nay, let «8 IwQBt ill His reproacli. 
Ami glory in His Cruss: 
^Vln•Il Ho appfars, oik' ftiiille from lllni, 
Will fur o'erjiay our loss." 

Rev. Nathaniel West, in his " Analj'sis of the Bible," 
says, — 

" San DF.M ASIANS, — Followers of Sir. S^iiidcinan, who was himself a dis- 
ciple of Mr. .John Glass. The Sandcniaiiiaiis now usually include the 
Glawites, or followers of Mr. Glass. Place, cliietly Scotland, there being 
a few in England, the Unit(Ml States, and British North America. 
Numben) in all, about '.MOO." 

"GLASsiTts. — A IsKly of dissenters from the Scotch Church, named 
ofler their founder, BIr. John Glas.^ or Glas. Mostly in Scotland, where 
they number 21;lC." 

AVc went to what is now called the Wooster Street 
Cemetery, and after a long search through the sadly- 
neglected ground found the grave of Mr. Sandeman 
in a good state of preservation, located west of the 
jail and near the fence which incloses it. From the 
appearance of the stone we should judge that it must 
have replaced an older one. The inscription tliereou 
is not, in some respects, correctly quoted in Uarber's 
" History." We give it verbatim. 

As near as we can ascertain, after the death of Mr. 
Sandeman, the church was presided over by Elder 
Nathaniel Bishop, who died in 1857. After the death 
of Elder Bisho]), Mr. William B. Ely, an esteemed 
citizen of Danlmry, tilled the position until his death, 
which occurred in 1860. Mr. Ely was an active mem- 
ber of the church for upwards of fifty years. Since 
his death the church h.as had no regularly-appointed 
elder. Although the members do not number as 
many as formerly, the services are kept up with the 
old-time regularity. 

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. 

The first mass said in Danbury was at the house of 
James Doyle, in Grassy Plain, by the Rev. Father 
Smith, of New Haven, in the year 1838, and services 
were held at irregular intervals from that date until 
the years 1845 and 1S-Kj. Tiie nc.vt mti-ss said was by 
the Rev. Father Brady, then in charge of the mission 
of Norwalk and .'Stamford, at the house of John Hart, 
on Franklin Street, in the years 1S47 and 1848. 

At the next mission, in 1849, mass was said at the 
house of John Spain, then living in South Street. At 
the next mission, in 1850, ma-^s was said at the house 
of James Croal, on Deer Hill. The same year ma.-^s 
was celebrated by Father Ryan in the court-house. 
The services in the court-house were disturbed by 
some American people. The academy owned by Rev. 
John Irwin, Second Congregational Society, wa.s ob- 
tained for the use of the Catholics for tlie rest of the 
year. The next mission was in 1851. Rev. Father 
Ryan purchitsed the Univer.-<alist church, corner of 
Morris and Wooster Streets, at a cost of tliree thou- 
sand dollars. Some improvements were made the 
same year. The Catholic Cemetery was purchased in 
18.53, at a cost of two hundred dollars. 

In 1857 a lot was ]nlrcliiised at the corner of Main 
and Centre Streets, and a i>arsouage erected thereon. 



In 1858 or 1859 a piece of land on the west side of 
Main Street was purchiL^ed for two thousand dollars. 
' In IStil some improvements were made on the old 
I church, now known as St. Peter's Hull. In 1802 the 
I present church wtis purchased of the Congregation- 
' alists for two hundred dollars, and remodeled at a cost 
1 of two thousand dollars. In the following year im- 
I provements were made on St. Peter's Hall. 

During tlie pastorate of Rev. P. Sheridan he in- 

! stituted two Catholic schools, — one for boys and one 

for girls, — tind the attendance was about two hundred. 

He also pureluused a piece of land and added it to the 

cemetery, and also improved it materially. 

In the fall of 1864, the debt of the church having 
reached about six thousand dollars, Fatlier Sheridan 
resolved to liquidate at least a i)ortion of it, and con- 
sequently inaugurated a grand fair at Concert Hall, 
from which the net proceeds were three thousand dol- 
lars. He then commenced collecting funds for build- 
ing a new church. The church was commenced in 
1869, and in September, 1871, the corner-stone was 
laid by the bishop. Right Rev. F. P. McFarlaiid. The 
sermon on the occasion was preached by the Rev. 
Father Hewitt, of the Paulist Fathers, Fifty-nintli 
Street, New York. It is a singular fact that the walls 
were built before the laying of the corner-stone, in 
consequence of the absence of Bisliop JIcFarland at 
the (Ecumenical Council at Rome. The church is a 
mas.sive structure, and ])lca.santly located on Main 
Street, near the park. 

The following is a list of the pastors from 1851, 
wlien Father Ryan was here, to the present time : 
Rev. Father O'Farrell, 1852-53; Rev. John Smith, 
1853-57; Rev. Peter Kelly, 18.58; Rev. Thomas Drea. 
18.")8-61; Rev. Ambrose Manahan, D.D., lst;i-()2; 
Rev. P. Sheridan, 1863-July, 1874; Rev. John tiuinn, 
1874. 

The present officers are the following: Rev. M. P. 
Lawlor, pastor ; Rev. Michael J. Burns, associate pas- 
tor; Michael Darragan, Thomsus Moran, trustees, 
elected annually. 

The St. Patrick's Library Association was estab- 
lished in 1858. 

The St. Peter's Catholic Benevolent Society wa.'* 
organized in July, 186.5. Thomas Johnson, Presi- 
dent ; Thomas JlcCue, Vice-President. 

St. Vincent De Paul Total .\bstinenee and Benev- 
olent Society was organized August 6, 1866, willi 
twenty charter members. Tlie iiresent niegibcrship 
is .seventy-five. Charles Doran is the president, and 
Michael J. Griffin the vice-president. 

The Young Men's Father Mathew Temperance 
Society was organized in 1878 with about sixty mem- 
bers present. 

THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST. 

This church dates its origin back to 1817, when I^ovi 
O-sborne and wife and Uz Wildman and wife left the 
Sandemauian Society, in consequence of some differ- 



DANBURY. 



enee of religious opinion, of which they had been 
honored members, and fonne<l tlie nucleus of the 
present society. 

Mr. Osborne, hearing of a society in Xew York- 
called the Diseijiles, visited their cliureh ami was baji- 
tizcd by Henry Errett. Keturniiig to Danliury, lie 
baptized his wife and Uz Wildnum and wife, and 
their services were held in Mr. Osborne's house. Mr. 
Osborne officiated as elder frcjm this time until his 
death, in 18.31. He was the leading spirit of the en- 
terprise, and for many years the members of the 
church were called "Osliornites." 

The society soon began to increase in numliers, and 
a room over Mr. Oslidnic's weaver-shop was fitted up 
for a place of worship. In 1S40 a church building 
was erected on White Street. In 1853 the church 
belonging to the Methodist Society on Liberty Street 
was purchased, and occujiied in January of the follow- 
ing year. 

Tile following ministers of this faith have preached 
here: Porter Thomas, A. (}. Comings, Matthew S. 
Clajjp, William Tichenar, Ephraim A. Smith, Francis 
M. Craig, E. B. Osborne, J. M. Yearnshaw, W. W. 
Belding, N. W. Eaton, Theodore Brooks, Alfred N. Gil- 
bert, Joel A. Headington, W. L. Haydon, W. R. Spind- 
Icr, W. B. Craig, and J. L. Darsie, present pastor. 

The elders have been as f<illows: Levi O.sborne, 
John Benedict, Edward B. Osborne, Starr Benedict. 
John Abbott, Abel Foote, E. A. Mallory, Lewis B. 
Stevens, Edgar S. Morris. 

In 1854 a division oceurre<l in the cliureh, and 
thirty-five members withdrew and met in a hall on 
Main Street, known as Christian chapel, calling Leslie 
R. (built as pastor. The congregations were, however, 
reunited in 1809. The church is now in a prosperous 
condition, and has a membership of over two hundred. 

fiER.MAX METHODIST CHURCH. 

This church was first estaldished, under the leader- 
ship of Henry Stapleburg and Henry tirabert, in the 
year 1875, in Benedict & Nichols' block, corner ot 
Main and Liberty Streets. The need of a German 
church society had long been felt by the Protestant 
Germans of Danbury, that they might hear the go.spel 
expounded in their own tongue, as many of them 
were unable to understand and fully comprehend the 
word in the English tongue, and the English ebureb 
was the only church they were inclined to attend. 
By the efforts of the above-named leaders, about 
thirty Protestant Germans were brought togetlier and 
organized a society at the above place in 1875, and 
Mr. (irabert was appointed by the pastor of tlie 
nearest German church (then located at New Haven) 
as a local preacher, an<l fille<l the pulpit three Sun- 
days in each month, the fourth being the visit of the 
pastor, Rev. Mr. Hendigcs, and who as often as pos- 
sible sent ministers and tried to supply the pulpit 
every other Sunday. The sodety flourished in in- 
terest, although not rapidly in luimbers, for the first 



year, the expenses being paid by the liberal donations 
of its memliers. A Sabbath-school was established 
at the same time of the church o|)ening, and uuui- 
hercd about twenty-five scholars. 

The ])ressure of the times and expense of sustaining 
the church caused the society to give up their un- 
dertaking in the year 1877. Its members then re- 
sumed their places again in the English churches, 
principally the Methodist. 

In the .spring of 1S78, Hemy Stapleburg built a 
small two-story dwelling-house on the rear of his lot 
and residence, corner of Rose Hill and Henry Street, 
tiu' lower part occupied by a German family and the 
upper story to he used as a church. The dimensions 
were about twenty by twenty-lix'e feet, and the room 
was comfortably fitted up for a chapel. This was a new 
opening for the society, as I\Ir. Stapleburg gave them 
till' use of the room for the purpose of worship, which 
exjiense was quite an item to the little band, who 
were trying to worship under their own vine and fig- 
tree in their own tongue. 

Early in the fall of 187S the room wa^ coni]ileted, 
and once more an effort was made to establish a 
church on a firmer footing. Other ^Methodist Ger- 
man families were induced to come to Danbury to 
w<irk at hatting, and so increase the mendjcrshi]) of 
the church society. Mr. (irabert filled the ]iulpit 
every other week, and other ministers from aliroad 
were sent by the pastor at New Haven, Conn., to fill 
it at other times, he coming once a month and ad- 
ministering the sacrament. 

Signs were evident that the growib of this cliureh 
was more rapid than at any period since its formation, 
in 1875, and the little room was too small to accom- 
modate them longer than tbrougli the winter of 
1878-70, and on the first Sunday in .\]iril, 1879, the 
.society again occupied their (dd njoms, corner of 
Main and Liberty Streets. 

Jlr. (irabert, in the winter of 1879-80, found his 
labors through the week in tlu' fiictory and in the 
liuljiit on Sunday were too arduous. He called a 
meeting of the society in the beginning of the month 
of March, and submitted to the ])astor and people the 
necessity of a regularly established church with a 
]iermanent [lastor. Application to the German Con- 
ierenee held at New York in the second week of 
April was made for a permanent minister and organ- 
ized society, and the (Jonferenee, hearing the reports 
from this mission and its pastor, ap])ointed to the 
(ierman Church of Danbury the liev. Jacob Kindler, 
then residing in Mount Vernon, N. Y., where his 
family still resides. Mr. Kindler was a chaplain in a 
New York regiment during the early part of tlu^ war, 
and is an old cavalry officer. At the battle of Bull 
Run lie sustained injuries through the falling of his 
horse, breaking tlie cliaiilain's hip-bone. 

The church is now regularly ordained, and has a 
membership of about fifty and a Sunday-school of 
about the same number. 



226 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COrXTV, CONNECTICUT. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

DANBURY (Continued). 

Orpinlz^tlon of this Tuwn — Pnqtiiago — Swainpfiold — Recortls of 1777 — 
Firet Town-JIectiug after llio Revolutiou— Firet Officers Elected after 
the Revulutiuu — The Burough uf Daaluiry — Orguiilz^tion — Firbt 
OIBccra — Wardens from Organization to 188() — Kxtracbi from Records, 
etc. — Kar-Mttrks. 

The town of Daiibury was constituted at a General 
Court held Oct. 13, 1687. The following is an extract 
from the reeord.s : 

'* This Court named tlie new towne at Paquiage* Panbury, and granted 
tiieni a freedom from county rates for fower yeares from this date ; and 
tliis Court grants that tlio Itownds of the said towne of Dunbury sliall be 
six miles square, provided it doe not pr<yudico any former grant to any 
jiartii-ular person made by this Court. 

" This Court grants the Danbury brand shall be two eyes as followeth 
II." (Col. Rcc.) 

The early town records! were destroyed when the 
town was bilrned by the British, hence we are unable 
to give anything of a documentary character prior to 
that time. 

RECORDS OF 1777. 

The following is the first record which appears in 
the old town-book after the destruction of the town : 

'*.\t a town-meeting legally named, held in Danbury, Oct. 1, 1777, 
Cap. Daniel Taylor chosen moderator. S'' meeting was by vote a(^oumod 
to the Cth instant at four of the Clock in the afternoon. 

" 31AJ0B Taylob, Clerk.''* 



The next entry is as follows : 



"To the Ishabitasts of thk Town- of Dandl'bv: 

*' GFXTi.rjiKX. — It being represented to the General .\8semMy of this 
State at their Sefisions in May last that the public Records of your Town 
wore consumed by Fire, and said .\fisembly appjiiited us the Subscribers 
to look into the flatter and Ascertain the right of every individual own- 
ing Lands in said Town, to facilitate its matter, beg leave to recom- 
mend to you, Gentlemen, to call u Town-meeting and ap|K>int a Com. 
in the several imrts of your Town, who shall as soon as may be collect 
nil the nect»»ury Deeils and Surveys and other Conveyances of Lands in 
said Town, and where any Deeds or other Conveyances arc lost or con- 
sumed by tire, so that the title cannot 1*0 otherwise ascertained, then 
the Committee, with the assistance of those whoso title is thus lost, do 
bound out said Lands, mentioning who it atljoins upjn; also to notify 
the persons on whom such lanils do at^oin to be present at the Time of 
bounding out the same, and to adjourn your Town-meeting to the SDth 
day of December, and when sjiid doings of said committee shall be pub- 
lickly read in their cases where there is any Dispute, at which time aud 
place wo will attend. 

"Daniel Siifrmax, 

" I. 9I0SF.I.Y, 
"NFIir.ulAli BeABDSLEr, 

**Lf.murl Sanforp, 

"Calkb Baldwin, Jb, 

" CommiUct. 
" Dandvby, Nov. 12, 1777." 

* A potltion wu prasontcd " in behalf of the plantation of Paiiniago 
that the same may bo constituted to l>o a towne and to be named Swami>. 
field," their south bounds to bo " by the north bounds of Fairfleld and 
Norwalk, the north bounds llalfeway ti> Weaiittnucke, the east bounils, 
holt way to Stratford river, the went bounds by York line." The petition, 
dated Octol>er 0th, Is signed by Thiunos I'itch, Jehu Burr, John Burr, 
and Thomas Bennydlck. Tliey state that " there are twentie families In- 
habiting at Taqulage, and moru tiesinible persons a commlug." Samuel 
Hayes, of Norwalk, was deputed to pn-sent the peliUou to the court. 
The ruuuo substitutes! by the court for that prui)osed by Uio |wlltion was 
probably adopted from DunlR^y, a village In Kssox, flvo milefl (h>m 
Cholmaford. (C. J. Iloodley.) 

t Tho Prubato reconls were saved. 



At a town-meeting "legally named," held Nov. 18, 
1777, the following were appointed a committee, as 
recommended by the General AsHeinl)ly, to assist per- 
sons in collecting the necessary conveyances, etc. : 
Daniel Taylor, Comfort Hoyt, Benjamin .Sperry, Na- 
than Gregory, David Bougiiton, Joseph Wildmaii, 
Benjamin Boughton, Jr., David Wildman, Samuel 
Nichols, Alexander Stuart, John Starr, David Hoyt, 
Jr., John Dunning, Benjamin Stevens, John Gregory, 
Richard Shute, Noah Hoyt, Ezra Stevens, Jos. Bar- 
num, Matthew ].,inley, Richard Barnuni, Samuel Ben- 
edict, David I'erce, Samuel Weed, Thomas Stevens, 
Thomas Starr, Eli Segar, Benjamin Shove, Lemuel 
Benedict, Daniel Wildman, Daniel Wood, Thaddeus 
Brownson, Daniel Wood, Jr., Thomas Taylor, John 
Benedict, Isaac Benedict, Jo.seph Starr, Ephraiin 
Barnum, Nathaniel Hoyt, Jos. Beebe, Nathaniel 
Benedict, Thomas Benedict, Benjamin Benedict, 
James Seely, and Nathan Taylor. 

At the same meeting it was also voted " to have one 
committeeman in each School District to ]>roeure 
clothing for their quota of men in the Continental 
Army, viz., Major Taylor, Silas Hamilton, Justus 
Barnum, Elisha Dibble, Nathaniel Starr, Benjamin 
Dunning, Matthew Dilks, Nathaniel Gregory, Na- 
thaniel Benedict, Thomas Stevens, Thcophilus Bene- 
dict, Daniel Wood, Andrew Comstock, Epliraini 
Barnum, and James Seely." 
i At said meeting it was also voted "that the Select- 
' men draw money of the Collector to pay for the afore- 
said Articles and give him their obligation therefor." 
Then " the meeting by vote adjourned to the 29tli 
Day of December ne.xt at nine of the Clock in the 
morning. Test, Major Taylor, Clerk." 

THE FIRST TOWN-MEETING AFTER THE BRITISH 

INVASION". 

The first town-meeting held after the burning of the 
town at which town officers were chosen was on Dec. 
15, 1777, when the following officers were elected: 

Constables. — Comfort Hoyt, Jr., and to collect the 
county-rate, Thomas Taylor and .Justus Barnum. 

Grand Jurors. — Zadock Benedict, Elijihalet Bar- 
num, Andrew Comstock. 

Selectmen. — ^Major Taylor, David Hickok, David 
Boughttm, Elijah Hoyt, Ezra Dibble, Jr., Capt. Com- 
fort Hoyt, Jo.scph Benedict. 

Listers. — Benjamin Hickok, Oliver Benedict, David 
Wood, Daniel Com; tock, Jonas Benedict, Nathaniel 
Starr, Paul Hamilton. 

Tijthingmcn. — Joshua Knapp, Ebcnezer Picket, Jr., 
Nathaniel Gregory, Joseph Elmore, Ezra Dibble, 
Matthew Starr. 

Surreijors of Hir/hways. — Comfort Hoyt, Jr., Jo- 
seph AVildman, David Boughton, Jr., Eliakiin Starr, 
Samuel Beneiliet (4tli), Timothy Benedict, Ebcnezer 
Hickok, Jo.seph Starr, John McLean, Alexander 
Stuart, Samuel Nichols, Samuel Stevens, Lemuel 
Linly, Elcazer Benedict, Eli Segar, B. Knapp, Thad- 



DANBURY. 



deus nriiwiison, Loniuol 'Wootl, Jr., Doiijainin Stevens, 
Jr., SaiiuR'l iStunk'vant, and David AVecil. 

Fence- Viewers. — Daniel Hoyt, Thaddeiis I'arniim, 
Caleb Church, Josiah Vining, Natlianiel Hoyt, 
Matthew Bariuim. 

Srii/er nf Wihihla. — Jarcd Patehcn. 

Scaler oj Lcatlier. — Jose[)h Benedict. 

iSi-'a/ersof MrKsi/res. — Ezra Dil)l)le, Thaddeus Bruwn- 
son. 

Puuiid-Knper. — Daniel Church. 

THE BOROUGH OF D.^NBURY. 

The ciuirter of tlie borough of Danbury was granted 
upon the application of Moss White and otliers at 
the May session of the Legislature iu 1822. The first 
borough-meeting was held at the court-house, Wed- 
nesday, June 2(i, 1822, when the following officers 
were elected: Darius 8tarr, Clerk ; Daniel B.Cook, 
Warchn ; S.uuuel Tweedy, Moss White, Elijah (ircg- 
ory, David Foot, Samuel Wildman, Willan Patch, 
Burgesses; Alanson Hamlin, Treasurer; Matthew 
Curtis, Bail it!'. 

At a meeting held July 5, 1822, S. P. Clark, Sam- 
uel C. Dil)l)lc, ,Tohn Foot were appointed haywards. 

At a special borough-meeting held Jlay 8, 1823, 
Reuben Booth was appointed agent to oppose the ])e- 
tition of Comfort Hoyt and others praying tlic (ien- 
eral Assembly to repeal the whole or in jiart tlie re- 
solve incorporating the borough of Daidiury. 

The following is a list of the wardens and clerks 
from its incorporation to 1880 : 

W.\KDENS. 

1822-23, 182(;-31, D. B. Cooke ; 182-1-25, 1838-30, 
Samuel Wildman; 1832-35, Eli T. Hoyt; 1836-37, 
Chandler Smith; 1840-41, Samuel Tweedy; 1842-43, 
Edward Taylor; 1844-45, Elias S. Sanford ; 184(i-4S, 
1850, 1852, Samuel W. Jennings ; 1849, (_)liver Stone ; 
1851, 1854-55, Stephen A. Hurll)urt; 1853, David B. 
Booth; 1850, Ezra P. Bennett; 1857, Samuel Mal- 
lory; 1858-5ii, Wm. H. Tweedy; 18G0, Geo. E. Cow- 
perwait; 18(il, Wm. T. Lacey ; 18G2-()5, J. Anisbury ; 
1800-08, 1874, Edward S. Davis; 1809-73, 1878, (di- 
ver P. Clark ; 187.>-77, 1879, James Fry ; 1880, Levi 

P. Treadwell. 

CLERKS. 

Rotation in office does not seem to have been the i 
rule so far as the office of borough clerk is concerned, 
for there have been but five from the incorporation 
of the l)orough, in 1822, to the present time, viz.: 

1822-38, Dana Starr; 1839-71, W. P. Comstock ; 
1871-74, 1870-77, A. B. Hull; 1875, 1880, A. C. 
Seeley; 1878-79, W. T. St. John. 

EXTRACTS FROM RECORD.?, Etc. 
I).\Xl!UltY. 

The folliiwing is a copy of the title-page of an al- 
manac published here in 1792 : 



THE 
F.-MniER'-S DIARY; 

Olt, THE 

UNITED ST.ATES 

ALMANACK 

For ihe Year of our Lord Christ 

1792. 

Being liissextile r)r I.e.ip \'e:tr. 

And i6th Ye.ir of .Vmerican Indepcmitnco till Jn'y 4: 

CalctiLited for the Meridian of Danburv, in the Stath of Connfcti- 

ccr, Lat. 41^ 51' north. Luii. 72^ 54' west ; but will serve 

iiiditfcreiuly for any of the adjacent Slates. 

Containing, besides all that is usual and necessary, many things 
which are unusual and not necessary, — tilings which were never before 
pilljlished and probably ne\'cr will be ay.iin, — which, if not read within 
a year, will be nowhere to be found but in an old Almanack the last 
resort of superannuated rubbish. 

I!Y JOSEPH FELAND, nilFOM. 



rublished in Danbury. By Douglass & Ely; and sold Whole- 
sale and Retail at their Printing-Onice. 

In tlie FKniier.i' Joiiniu/, Jan. 18, 1791, Timotliy 
Taylor announces the dissolution of the firm of 
Cooke cfe Tayhu'. 

In the same issue, an advertisement of a " Scheme 
of a Lottery for the purpose of extending and im- 
proving the Woolen Manufact(^ry in the city of Hart- 
ford." " 

Joseph Clark "informs his customers and others 
that lie continues the business of clock- and watch- 
making at his shop in Danbury." 

Eliakim Peck advertises an " ax-manufaetory," and 
" warrants his axes to be as good as any ever made in 
this country." 

Ciirrington & Mygatt state that they have " molasses 
for sale cheap;" John Dodd will give the " highest 
price for Continental Loan-(.)ftice Notes, etc. ;" and 
Eliakim Benedict, Jr., will i)ay the " highest price for 
all kinds of liatting-furs at his shop, a few rods from 
tlie church in Danbury." 

The following advertisement also apjiears: 

To be sold ; Twenty years' time of a likely Neguo IJov, five years 
old. Inquire of the Printers. 
Danbury, Dec. 21, 1790. 

The "institution" of slavery was not unknown 
among the good jicople of Danbury, for under date 
March 1, 1791, ai)pears the following notice: 

TO BE SOLD. 
TWO NEGRO SERVANTS, VIZ.: 

A man and woman. The man is an able and willing fellow, well ac- 
quainted with farming business, and is exceeding handy with a team. 
'I'lie wench, his wife, is neat, and understands all manner of house 
work. Any person desirous of purchasing the above-mentioned ser- 
vants may call on the Printers for further information. 

March 1, 1791. 

ADVERTISEMENTS OF 1702. 

The following advertisements appeared in the 
Farmers JnuriKd of Dec. 22, 1792: 



228 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



The SuDSCRiDBRS to the 
DANnuRY LIBRARY, 

A RF, rcqucficd to meet at the hoiifc of Mr. Fatrchild White, on 
•**■ Tuefd.iy evening, the firft of January next, prepared to pay in 
the amount of their Subfcriptions, and tranfact the necefifary bufinefs 
of the Company. 



Danburj*, Dec. i, 1792. 



TIMOTHY LANGDON,-) Com- 
NATHAN DOUGLAS, V mit- 
LAZARUS BEACH, J tee. 



O. BURR, & Co. 

Have juft received the following articles, which they will fell on the 
lowcfc terms for cafh or country produce, and all forts of yarn, rags, 
thnims. &c. paid in hand, as it is not their with to fell on credit: 



Twilt'd and plain Coatings. 
Ladies ditto. 

Scarlet & other colored Cloths. 
Wildbores, Camblcts, 
TwilI'd & plain Velvets, 
Linnens, 

Cambricics and Muflins, 
Callicocs and Chintfcs, 
Together with a variety of other articles of Dry Good>: Alfo an afTort- 
ment of 
SADDLERY and HARD WARE, 

and 

CAMEL'S HAIR, for Hatteks. 

The higheft price given for 

MUSKRAT, CAT, & RAlilJIT Skins. 

Danbury, Nov. 15, 1792. 



St. Croix Rum, 
Brown and Loaf Sug.ir, 
Gin, by the cafe, 
liohca Tea, 
Pepper, Alfpice, 
Ginger, Allum, 
Copperas, 
lod. 8d. & 4d. Nails, 



CARRINGTON and MYGATT, 

Have entered into partncrfhip with 

NAJAH TAYLOR, in the GOLD and 

SILVER-SMITH BUSINESS, 

Under the firm of 

Mygatt, Taylor, & Co. 

TX/HERE may he had any work in that line, on the mofi reafonablc 

terms, and made in the ncwcft and moft approved fafhiuns and 

ncaleft manner. 

CASH paid for Old Silver, Brafs and Copper. 
Danbury, Decembers, 1792. 44 

N. B. A good workman at CLOCKS, will meet with good encour- 
agement at faid fhop. 

Noah Hoyt, jun. 

T T AS a large and beautiful fiorc of GOODS on hand. Said Hoyt 
■^^ wifhes to purch-ife 1,000 runs of LINEN and TOW YARN, 
for which nine pence per run will be given for linen yarn, and fix pence 
per run for tow yarn. 

jftS* All kinds of Hatting Fur will be received in payment for 
Goods. 

Danbury, Nov. 34, 179:; i. 



'"PHOSE pcrfons who arc indebted to the Subfcribcrs on Note or 
■*• Book (whofe accounts arc become due by agreement) will do well 
to notice this advertifement, and call and fettle (or at Icaft make fome 
pay) in order to prevent coft which will politively be m.-ide in cafe of 
neglect, without the trouble of writing 3 or 4 Dunning Letters upon the 
occafiion. All kinds of counir>' produce received in payment at the full 
value, if not more. 

HOG's-BRlSTLES taken in at faid Store, and Twenty Shillings per 
hundred paid in Cifh for COTTON .ind LINEN RAGS in quantities 
not left than one hundred weight. 

CARRINGTON cS: MVGATT. 

Who have for Sale, a^ ufual. 

An affortment 0/ 

Goods, Drugs & Medicine, and 

Paintcr*s^nd Dyer's Colours, 

On reafonable tcrmi. 

Danbury, Dec. 8, 1792. 44 



LELAND's 

ALMAN'.VCKS. 

For 1793, POR Sale at this Oppice. 



LOST, laft Mond.iy night, a red and white filk HANDKERCHIEF. 
Whoever will return it to the Printers, or to Mr. Major Taylor, will 
oblige a poor Woman, who has nothing but thanks to offer as a rew.trd. 
Danbury, Dec. 15, 1792. 

PHILADELPHIA, DBCBMBER 15. 

PRICE OF STOCKS. 

6 per cents, 20/3- 

3 per cents, 12^. 

Deferred do. 13/6. 

Final fcitlements, so/. 

Shares Bank of United States, 36 

A LL perfons who owe State Taxes to the Subfcriber, arc hereby 
^*' notified, that unlcfs they fettle with him within a week from thi-* 
date, either by giving their notes oC hand for the f.tme, or otherwifc 
making full payment of the ballances due to him, muft depend npu:i 
paying him full travelling and levying fees; as he is determined \v< 
Rate bills fhall be fully clofed in a very fhort time. 

JOSEPH M. WHITE. 
Danbury, Dec. 15, 1793. 45 3 



A WATCH LOST. 

LOST ycftcrday, between the top of Elwcll's-hilt, and the hill by 
Mr. Oliver Stone's, a filver Watch — maker's name George Clark, 
a ftccl chain, with links and rings, the fcal was loft out of it-i cafe^ 
Whoever fhall find faid Watch, and will deliver it to the Primer 
hereof, or to Mr. Deforeft, at Elwill's hill, fhall be gcncroufly rcwardt ! 
for their trouble. 

ELIJAH HAWLEV. 
Danbury, Dec. 8, 1792. m, \ 



ANXIOUS to make a fettlement with their cuftomers, without put- 
ting them to coft, they once more take this method to call upon 
all perfons indebted to them, cither by note or book, whofe accounts 
have become due by agreement, to make a fcitlement by the loth d.iv 
of January next ; and as the prcfcnt prices of produce cannot with pm 
priety be pleaded as a delay of payment, thofc who neglect to make .\ 
fettlement by the time mentioned, muft expect to be put to coft, without 
further notice. All kinds of mcrchant.ible produce will be received in 
payment, at its full value. 

N, B. Cafh, and the higheft price, will be given by ihcm for good 
WHEAT, PORK, &c. and a generous price for HOG's BRISTLES. 

Danbury, Dec. 15, 179::. 45 

FOR SALE, 
T^HE STORE, formerly occtipicd by MCllULS an. I 
DIBBLE.— It ftands in Danbury, in Bethel focicly, about three 
miles S. E. from the town, on the public road to Fairfield— is an excel- 
lent ftand for bufiness, and is built convenient for H.ATTINGanJ 
TRADING— will be fold with or without the Hattrni^ Tools. For 
further parti:ulars enquire of ZAR DI BBLE. 

A". B. All thofe indebted to the late partncrfhip of NICHOLS and 
DIBBLE, cither by note or book, muft depend on fettling with ihem by 
the ift day of January next, or their accounts will be put into an At 
torncy's hand to collect, without further notice. 

Dec. to, 179a. 45 3 

Elcazcr Tnylor, 

PRESENTS his compliiuents to thf>/i ^entletnen whont he hnt ftif- 
plied -vith the Farmer's yaurnai, and informs them he is n<- 
ready to receive the bMLinee due him to the ^th in/t. — and ivhile hf 
returns his thanks to tk>fe who have made payment according ; 
agreement, he is under the painful necefftty of requiring of others a'i 
itnmediate fettlement— othertuife he fhall be forced to have recomrfe 
to an expenfive mode if collecting his arrearages. 
Danbury, December 27, 1793. 



DANBURY. 



229 



EAR-MARKS. 

The following are speeimens of ear-marks used in 
the early days to distinguish sheo]) : 

"Justus liiirmiurs car-mark is a crop in eiuii ear ami ii iiii 1^ tiitiicr t!n.> 
near. Kntered August 'M, 1778." 

" Aliijali Itrtruuurs ear-uiarli is Step under tlie oti' ear, and Iialf-peuuy 
Ibreside tlie same, and Iialf-peuny fureside tiie near ear. Kiitercd Det-emr 
5tli, 177S." 

" Julin Gre^'ory, Iiis ear-mark is a crop on the near ear and twn liall- 
pennya under the same. Dee. tl, 1778." 

"Khen' (Gregory's ear-mark isacrop on the near ear,and a lialf-pemiy 
under Hie s;uue. Dee. 9, 1778." 

" Ktdtert Boneilict's ear-mark is a step under each ear. Kntered Dee. 
2S, 177.S." 

" Andrew Conistock's ear-mark is a llalf-penny foi-esitle the near ear, 
step under same. l>ec. 2.S, 1778." 

" Natluin Starr's ear-mark is a swallow loik on the near car. Knti-retl 
January 5, 17711." 

*'t:ieazer Taylor's car-mark is a half-penny under near ear, a crop on 
the off, and a nick uniler the olT. Entered May 30, 177«." 

"Ebenczer "Whitlock's mark is a >pade in the end of the iij;ht ear. 
Entered Dec. 2:1, 1770." 

ROADS. 
At a regular town-meeting held in 1800 it was 
"voted that men's labor on the highway should lie 
rated at seventy-five eent.s per day, and the same for 
a good and sufficient team, except from the liOtli of 
September to the 20tli of Deeember, when it should 
be but fifty-eight cents per day." This provision was 
undoubtedly intended to save the town from being 
elieatetl by the short days. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

DANBURT (Continued). 

MISCELLANEOUS— TUE PKE.SS, Etc. 
The Danhury Press— The Farmers' Journal— The Uepublican Journal— 
The Farmers' Chronicle— The Beligious Moniti>r and Theological 
Scales— The Sun of l.iherty- The Farmers' Journal and Colnnd.ian 
Ark— Tlie New England liepuhlican— The Danliiiry Itccordei— The 
Herald of Kreechmi— The Herald of Freedom and Gospel Witness— 
The Ojunecticnt Repository — The Danbury Giizctto— The Datdiury 
Chronicle and Fairfield County Ilemocrat — The I)atd)ury Tinn's— The 
Hatters' Journal— The Junta— The Jeffersonian- The Danbury News 
-The Danburian- The Danbury Globe— Tlie IVople— The Danbury 
Democrat— The Danbury Rupiiblican— The Oas-Liglit Ojinpariy— 
Wooster I'ouncil, No. 2s, R. and S. 31.— Crusade Conimanilery— Eureka 
Chapter— Union Lodge— Washington Division, No. 1, S. of T. — fllelno- 
lial Lodge, No. I'Jl, I. O. C. T.— Samaritan Lodge, No. 7, I. O. of 0. F. 
— .\gricultiinil Society— The National Pahqniociue Bank- Danbury 
National Bank— The Savings Bank of Danbury— The Dnion .Sav- 
ings-Baiik— The Fire Department— The Water-Works— The Kohanza 
Disaster— EIniwooil Park- Wooster Cemetery— Population from 173U 
to 1880— The Danbury Library. 

THE DANBURY PRESS. 
The FannerK' Journal was established in March, 
1790. The publishers were Edward Ely and Nathan 
Douglas. It was jiublished in a building near the 
court-house. In .January of 1793 the firm separated, 
and Mr. Douglas commenced a paper under the title 
of the lirpuhlican Journal. This venture does not 
seem to have proved altogether a profitable one to 
either party, for in December of tlie same year Mr. 
Douglas disposed of his paper to Mr. Ely, who then 



consolidated the two papers and issued the result ;is 
Tlic Faniicrf:' Chronicle. How long he continued its 
publication is not known. Jlr. Doughis, alter dispos- 
ing of his paper, made a specialty of joli-priuting. 

The Religious Monitor tnid Tlieotoijieal Si-ales, a. 
monthly religious magazine, was started in 1797 by 
Douglas & Nichols, and was continued for several 
years. The copies e.xtant show it to have been well 
edited, and it probalily reached a large circuhitiou. 

The Sun of Liberti/, a Kepublican jiaper, edited by 
Samuel Morse, Danbury, wasestalilished in .July, 180(1, 
and continued until October 8th, when it was removed 
to Norwalk. 

The Farmers' Journal and Voluriibian Ar/:, an eight- 
[jage weekly pajier, was sttirtetl in February, 1803, by 
Stiles, Nichols & Co. This paper does not seem to 
have had a long run, jis soon after we find that Mr. 
Nichols went to Bridgeport and published the Farmer 
of that jihiee. 

Tlic New England Hepuldiritn was established by 
John C. Gray in July, 1804. This paper was ex- 
ceedingly neat and good-looking, but there is no record 
of the length of time it was published, although it 
must have continued for several years, as the copy in 
the possession of the writer is No. 41 of Vol. III. 

The Danbury Recorder was established in 1821! by 
Orrin (!)sborn ; it was in after-years iniblished by ^\^ 
& M. Yale in the building just south of the jiresent 
Baptist church. It was a small paper, but handsomely 
gotten up and ably edited. 

The Herald of Freedom was started in Bethel, then 
a part of Danbury, in October, 1831, by P. T. Barnum. 
We may note here that Mr. Barnum, for an tdlcgcd 
libel on a citizen of Bethel, was tried in October, 
1832, found guilty, and sentenced to imprisonment 
for si.xty days and fined one hundred dollars. The 
sentence, so far as imprisonment was c<iriceriicd, was 
immediately carried out, Mr. Barnum being confined 
in the jail, from whence he continued to edit his paper. 
His release was nuide the occasion of a grttiid ovation 
by his friends. It is but fair to state here that the 
jury, in finding Mr. Barnum guilty, did so on mere 
technical grounds, believing that the utmost |iunish- 
ment he would receive would be a small fine, and 
were its much .astonished as was Mr. Barnum at the 
severity of the sentence. The fine of one hundred 
dollars was subsequently collected from Jlr. Barnum 
by the State attorney, Mr. Ferris, of Stamford. In 1832 
a theological department was added to the paper, un- 
der charge of Rev. L. F. W. Andrews, a Univer.salist 
clergyman, and tlie name changed to Herald of Free- 
dom and Goxpcl Witness. In 1833 the paper Wiis niox'ed 
to Danbury proper, and the religious deiiartment of 
the paper and the latter portion of the name drojiped. 
Its publication was continued here till November, 
1834, when the paper was removed to Norwalk and 
published by other parties under a new name. The 
office of publication in Danbury was oil the east side 
of Main Street, opposite the park. 



230 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



The Connecticut Repository was established in 1832 
by Alanson Taylor. It lived but a short time. 

The Danbimj Gazette was started in 1833 by AVilmot 
& Lobdall. This paper liveil only tlirec years. 

In May, 1836, The JJaiibiiry Chronicle and Fairfield 
County Democrat waa started by Edward Layden. In 
1837 he disposed of his paper to Jlr. E. B. Osborne, 
who in July of the same year established The Danbury 
Timeg, its office being the same as that which had been 
occupied by the Recorder. Jlr. Osborne continued its 
editor and proprietor till lS4o, when he disposed of 
the jiaper to his brothers, Harvey and Levi, and re- 
moved to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where he published 
The Daily Press and Weekly Telegraph. 

The Hatters' Journal was started in 1855 by Gran- 
ville W. Morris, but it was continued only a few 
months. 

The Junta, a small campaign sheet, w;is published 
here for a short time in 184G by Edward Taylor. 

The Jeffersonian was established in 1860 by a num- 
ber of gentlemen as a Republican paper, with W. A. 
Croftut as editor. The office was in Hull's brick 
block, near the Wooster House. In about a year Jlr. 
Newtown obtained an interest in the paper, and the 
previous owners sold out to Mr. B. F. Ashley, who 
took the editorial charge. He conducted the paper 
alone till December, 1865, when Mr. J. H. Swertfaeger 
purchased an interest. In 186G, Mr. Ashley retired, 
and Mr. Swertfaeger continued the paper alone till 
March, 1870, when he sold out to the publishers of 
The Times. The Jeffersonian was from the first a 
seven-column, twenty-four by thirty-eight, paper. 

In March, 1870, The Danbury Jeffersonian was pur- 
chased by James M. Bailey and Timothy Donovan, 
the proprietors of The Danbury Times. The two pa- 
pers were consolidated and became The Danbury News, 
with Mr. Bailey as editor. The paragraphs which 
gave the paper its reputation originated in The Times 
a year or two before the consolidation. Mr. Bailey 
continued this style of writing in The Xeios, but not 
to the extent he subsequently followed it. The News 
started with a circulation of nearly fifteen hundred 
copies, which on the 1st of January, 1873, liad reached 
nineteen hundred, — all this being strictly of a local 
class. In the beginning of that year the paper was 
sought by outside parties, and in February found its 
way to eity news-stands. In August, 1873, the circu- 
lation reached its highest figure, — thirty thousand. 
In October, 1873, the office was moved to a building 
erected for its uses, and a special edition for outside 
circulation was then begun, and continued until the 
close of the year 1879. In February, 1878, Mr. Bailey 
bought the interest of his partner, and became the 
proprietor of the business. The News is in a highly- 
prosjierous condition, and has attained a national and 
almost world-wide reputation. As a paragrapher Mr. 
Bailey stands without a superior, and The Danbury 
News ranks with The Detroit Free Press, The Burling- 
ton Hawkeye, and other journals of its class in the 



United States. As a local journal, also, it is unsur- 
passed. 

The Danburian appeared in 1874, but its stay was 
of short duration. 

In October, 1878, The People, a Greenback cam- 
paign organ, was started by T. Donovan, but was dis- 
continued after the November election. 

The Danbury Globe was started by W. Frank Page, 
May 4, 1874, and was conducted by him until his 
death, in January, 1879. It is now edited by .1. A. 
Wilcox. It was Kcpublican in politics until July 13, 
1880, when it became an independent paper. It is a 
good local journal, and justly merits its success. 

The Danbury Democrat was started June 1, 1877, by 
Levi K. Wildman, who still conducts it. Mr. AVild- 
man set his first type in the office of The Herald of 
Freedom, a paper publislied in Betliel — which at that 
time was a part of Danbury — by P. T. Barnum. The 
Democrat is a local sheet of merit, and an advocate of 
Democratic principles. 

The Danbury Republican was established by W. B. 
Bartram, March 22, 1879, ius an indejjcndent Republi- 
can journal. JIuch energy and good judgment must 
have been used during the first year of its existence, 
for it at once advanced to a prominent place in j)ro- 
vincial journalism, gaining a wide circulation and a 
large advertising patronage. Although a sheet of 
large proportions when started, it was a few months 
later considerably enlarged, and on Aug. 3, 1880, was 
changed to a somi-weckly. It is an earnest advocate 
of the princii)les of the Republican party, and the 
able editorial management of Mr. Bartram has placed 
it in the front rank of the provincial press in the 
State. 

G.\S-LIGIIT CO.MPAXY. 

The Danbury Gas-Light Company w:is organized 
in 1857 with Henry Benedict president, and gas was 
first used in Danbury in November of the same year. 

SECRET SOCIETIES. 

Wboster Council, No. 28, Royal and Select Masters, 
was chartered by the (irand Council of Connecticut, 
June 6, 1865, with the following charter members: 
Edmund Tweedy, Joseph Treadwell, Wm. F. Bar- 
num, L. K. JIansfield, John M. Hart, Charles W. 
Skiff, Abijah Abbott, Amos N. 8tebl)in8, Charles 
Benedict, D. B. Booth. The present officers are as 
follows: James H. "Welch, T. I. M. ; C. H. Gunn, R. 
I. D. M. ; F. R. Nash, I. P. C. of W. ; E. D. Taylor, 
C. of G. ; E. D. Ritton, Comp. Treas. ; W. G. Ran- 
dall, Comp. Ree. ; P. W. Ambler, Comp. Cond. ; 
Milo Dickens, Comp. Sen. 

Crusade Commandcry, No. 10, Knights Templar, was 
ehartereil by the (irand Commandcry of Connecticut 
in Mardi, 1871. Tiie present officers are as follows: 
James B. Wihlmau, E. C. ; Charles H. Gunn, Gen.; 
P. W. Ambler, Capt.-Gen.; F. R. Nash, Prelate; F. 
S. Blackburn, Ree. ; E. S. Davis, Treas. ; O. H. Swift, 
Senior Warden ; J. D. Stevens, Junior Warden ; E. 



DANBURY. 



231 



« , 

D. Ritton, Standiiril-Bearer ; A. F. Cl:irk, 8wi>nl- 
Bearer; E. 1). Taylor, Warder; E. Eaton, Sd Guard; 

D. H. Miller, 2d (iuard; James Coles, 1st Guard; 
Mile Dickens, Sentinel. 

Eureka Chapter, No. 23, R. A . M., was dedicated June 
14, 1857, with the following charter memliers: Miles 
Hoyt, Starr Perry, John Foot, John Oregorj', Joel 
Taylor, George Seeley, D. P. Shepard, IMatthew K. 
Gilbert, Alva Taylor, Frederick S. Wilduian, El)ene- 
zer Nichols, Ira K. Wilduuvn, Eleazer Taylor, Daniel 
Doble, Joseph Hitchcock, John Ferguson, Martin 
Mead, Charles Dart, James Beehe, Comfort ^VIlitl<lck, 
Thomas P. White, Zar Taylor, Oliver Shepard. 

Ebenezer Xichids was the first High Priest ; t)liver 
Shepard, first King; and Ira R. Wildman, first Scribe. 
The present officers are as follows; C. H. Gunn, 
M. E. H. P.; F. R. Xa.sh, K. ; C. I. Allen, Scribe; 

E. C.Oakley, Capt. of Host ; M. W. Scott, P. S. ; 
E. D. Ritton, Sec. ; E. S. Davis, Treus. ; J. D. Stevens, 
R. A. C. ; C. A. Crawford, Master 3d Veil ; A. M. 
Steele, Master 2d Veil ; S. S. Bedient, blaster 1st 
Veil; P. W. Ambler, Sentinel. 

Union Lod'/e, A". 4, /•'. ai/il _(. ,1/!, was organized 
during the troublous times of the Revolutionary 
struggle, its charter being issued March 23, 17S0, 
upon application of twelve members, whose names are 
given in the same. They were Sallu Pell, William 
Joyce, James Clark, Landierton Lockwood, John 
Berrien, F. Wainwright, Christopher A. Babcock, 
William B. Alger, Joseph AVillsea, Christopher 
Duveknick, Thaddeus Benedict, and James Scon- 
gall. 

The present officers are M. AV. Scott, W. M. ; A. 
B. Holley, S. W. ; J. Y. Stet.son, J. W. ; J. H. Welch, 
Sec; S. C. Holley, Treas. ; A. O. Knapp, Senior Dea- 
con ; .1. Xobic, Junior Deacon; T. Scofield, Senior 
Steward ; S. JI. Vcrsory, Junior Steward ; Rcjlxrt 
Tappan, Tiler. 

James E. Moora Post, Ko. IS, G. A. i?.--The charter 
of the post was signed Sept. 27, 18(17, l)y Edward Har- 
land, the present Adjutant-tieneral of Connecticut, as 
Department Commander. It was first known as Post 
No. 4, District No. 4, Department of Connecticut. 
The name was afterwards changed to Steadman Post, 
No. 4, Department of Connecticut, and later to the 
present name. Seventeen members signed the ajipli- 
cation for a charter. 

The first officers were: Comman<ler, Capt. Samuel 
G. Bailey; Senior Vice-Commander, Samuel M. Petit; 
Junior Vice-Commander, Grandison D. Foote ; Adju- 
tant, J. Bradley Ridge ; Quartermaster, E. K. Carley. 
The present officers are : Commander, Gen. James 
Ryder; Senior Vice-Commander, Col. Samuel Greg- 
ory ; Junior Vice-Commander, William Henry Hitch- 
cock ; Adjutant, Charles J. Bennett; Quartermaster, 
William B. Sharp; Chaplain, George Roff; Surgeon, 
Albert A. Nash. Tlie membership numbers one hun- 
dred and fifteen. 

Capt. James E. Jloore, after whom the pest was 



named, was killed July 1, 1803, at the battle of Get- 
tysburg. 

M'is/ihii/f,,,! Dh-isUiu, XoA,S. of r.— Ajiril 10, 1X43, 
the (Trund Division of the State of New York granted 
a charter for the first division of this order in the State 
of Connecticut, and April 2.')th the officers of the 
Grand Division of the State of New York instituted, 
at Danbury, Washington Division, No. l.Sousof Tem- 
perance, with the following charter members; Wm. 
Adams, Elbert Birdsall, Juda P. Crosby, John T. 
Earl, Ira Hodges, John D. Raymond, J(din Scribner, 
Amos Bishop, Robert Browning, Joel Clark, Joseph 
P. Foote, Charles Me;uler, Hiram Sturdevant, Thur- 
man Trowbridge. May 11, 1S44, the Grand Division 
of Connecticut was organized, and in 1S4.">, by unani- 
mous vote, AV;u-<hington Division surrendered to New 
York and was reorganized under the banner of Con- 
necticut. Until Jan. 1, 1853, it continued in a most 
flourishing condition, when all traces of lu'r records 
are missing until Aug. S, 18(34. Some time during this 
period she surrendered her charter, and on the Sth 
day of August was reorganized with the following 
charter members: Juda P. Crosby, Peter M. Holms, 
Sanuiel ( r. Raymond, Amos Purdy, Aaron Morehouse, 
Charles Burr, Charles Hinman, Rev. W. T. Hill, H. W. 
Hinnman, John Whittlesey, Elias B. Stevens, Joseph 
Roliins(Ui, William S. Cnjsby, Henry Hinnman, Silas 
Tyrell, Alfred Short, JI. D. Smith, Rev. J. H. Shep- 
ard, Benj. C. Cables. From this time until the present 
she has continued harmonious and prosperous. From 
organization to date .she has admitted 17(jl mendiers. 
The first Worthy Patriarch wa.s Juda P. Crosby. The 
present (July, 1880) Worthy Patriarch is John Clapp. 

Mi'iiiiiridI LoJ:/'\ Xo. I'.ll, /. 0. of G. T., was insti- 
tuted Friday evening, March 22, 1878, by Mary F. 
Peek, Stale Deputy, assisted by W. W. Perkins, J. P. 
Blacknum, C. B. Taylor, E. H. Bennett, and Ella Peck. 

There were twenty-fiiur charter mcnd)ers initiated. 
The charter mcndiers were Ira Wildnum, James 
Hyatt, Joseph Brown, Robert Davis, Charles H. Moffet, 
I'^rederick A. Brush, Andrew J. Frazer, Vincent King, 
Henry Policy, Mrs. William Know Is, Mrs. .J( dm Smith, 
William Knowls, Edward Scofield, Frederick P.ailey, 
Charles S. Bray, Frederick Hull, Samuel A. Clark, 
William Wildman, Charles Cables, Mrs. Ira Wihhuan, 
Mrs. James Hyatt, Mrs. Joseph Brown, Mrs. J. W. 
Corsie, Jlrs. A. B. Hull, Miss Emma Squire, Miss 
Julia Hoag, Miss Nancy Russell. The Worthy Chief 
Templars since its organization are Ira Wildman, 
James Kelly, Joseph Brown, William Knowls, Fred- 
erick Brush, John Benton, and L. W. Godfrey. 

iSamarifan Lodi;c, Ao. 7, /. O. if 0. F. — This lodge 
was organized April 14, 1842. It surrendered its 
charter in 185f>, but was reorganized Sejit. 1, 1.S73, 
with the following officers : D. B. Booth, N. G. ; S. G. 
Barley, V. G. ; Charles Bennett, Sec. ; John P. Alibott, 
Treas. The present officers arc C. T. Anson, N. G. ; 
William C. Hart, V. G. ; H. E. Comes, Sec. ; John II. 
C(jsier, Treas. 



232 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
The Danlniry Agricultural Society was organized 
in the summer of 1869, and lia.s since lield annual 
fairs for the exhibition of stock and farm-produce as 
well as articles of useful and ornamental industry. 
The society has been very prosperous. It is free from 
debt, and receives annually from admission-fees and 
disburses for j)remiums a greater sum than any other 
similar organization in the State. More than sixteen 
thousand admission-tickets have been taken at the 
gates during the continuance of a single fair. The 
grounds are |)lcasantly located and supplied. with all 
the necessary buildings. There is also an excellent 
half-mile track. Much credit is due the enterprising 
progenitors and those through whose influence it has 
been sustained and prospered. 

BANKS. 
XATIO.NAL PAIIQLIOQUE BANK. 

This bank wsis organized as the Pahquioque Bank, 
May 1, 18.54, with the following board of directors: 
Aaron Seeley, William Montgomery, Charles Hull, 
Hiram L. Sturdevant, L. H. IJoughlou, W. F. Taylor, 
Oliver Stone, Frederick S. Wildman. Capital, 
$100,000. Aaron Seeley was the first president, and 
his son Augustus was the first casliier. It was voted 
that subscribers should pay fifty ])er cent, on subscrib- 
ing and ten per cent, every sixty days afterwards until 
paid. Oct. 2.'), 1854, the capital was increased to j!200,- 
000, and in 18')" to $2.50,000. Augustus Seeley resigned 
as cashier in January, 1857, when his brother, Wil- 
liam P. Seeley, succeeded him, and is the present in- 
cumbent. Aaron Seeley remained ])resident of the 
bank until his death, in 1872. IJarnabius .Vllen then 
became president, and continued in the otiice until 
January, l.S71>, when he wa.s succeeded by the present 
incumbent, ISarzillai I?. Kellogg. It was reorganized 
as a national bank March 25, 1865, with the follow- 
ing directors: Charles Hull, B. B. Kellogg, A. S. 
Pcarce, James E. Hoyt, Aaron Seeley, W. F. Taylor, 
Bamabits Allen, W. F. Lacey, Nathaniel Selleck. 
The present board of directors are as follows: B. B. 
Kellogg, M. H. Griffing, Henry Crofut, S. C. Holley, 
B. A. Hough, C. F. Starr, Benjamin Selleck, Charles 
Hull, and Barnabas Allen. 

DANBURY NATIONAL BA.NK. 

The Fairfield County Branch Bank, located at Dan- 
bury, was organized for business on the 24th day of 
August, 1824, by the election of Zalmon Wildman, 
Esq., as its first president, the several directors being 
elected by the mother-bank at Norwalk, Conn. The 
election of cashier was delayed until Sept. 20, 1824, 
when Curtis Clark, Esq., wivs chosen and began his 
duties immciliatdy. The business of the bank was 
conducted in the house of Dr. Daniel Comstock, who 
then lived in the building now occupied by Mrs. Amos 
N. Stebbins. July 29, 1825, action was taken by the 
directors in regard to building a banking-house, and 



Aug. 29, 1825, David Foot was appointed a committee 
to procure the necessary stone for the vault, hearth, 
steps, and underpinning, and on Nov. 17, 1825, he was 
appointed the agent to superintend the building of 
the banking-house, which was done, and is now the 
residence of Mrs. Charles E. Andrews, corner of Bank 
and Main Streets. May 20, 1826, Zalmon Wildman 
resigned the office of president, and June 22, 1>12(1, 
Samuel Tweedy, Esq., was elected president, anil wa- 
re-elected each year as president till July 7, 18;M. 
when David Foot wiis elected and served that year, 
and June 20, 1835, Samuel Tweedy Wiis again elected 
president, and was re-elected to the oflice each year 
until the Branch wiis merged into the Danbury Bank, 
July 1, 1844, and was re-elected as i)resident of tlie 
Danbury Bank each year until June, 1864, when the 
infirmities of age required his declination as a director 
of the bank. 

June 12, 1827, the following-named persons were 
elected directors of the bank (the record of the elec- 
tion ofdirectors previously being at Norwalk) : Samuel 
Tweedy, Elijah Gregory, Elijah Sanford, Thomas T. 
Whittlesey, Samuel Wildman, Richard Randall, and 
Henry Beers. The following names ap2)car as directors 
of the Branch Bank for a year or more : Abel 1!. 
Blackman, Reuben Booth, David N. B. Baldwin, 
Friend Starr, John F. King, Isaac H. Seeley, .Vbner 
Gilbert, Starr Ferry, Samuel Stebbins, Starr Nichols, 
James Brush, William Hawley, Chandler Smith, 
Russel B. Botsford, Russel Hoyt, Eli T. Hoyt, Edgar 
S. Tweedy. 

Curtis Clark remained as cashier until 1837. .hiiie 
20, 1835, Geo. W. Ives was appointed a.ssistant cashier, 
and remained as such until 1837. Aaron Seeley, Esq., 
was then apjiointed cashier, an<l remained such until 
the Branch Bank was merged into the Danbury Bank, 
in 1844, and as cashier of that bank until June 1, 
1854, when he organized the Pahquioque Bank. He 
was president of that bank until his death, in 1872. 

On Dec. 12, 1842, it was unanimously resolved by 
the directors of the Branch Bank to ajjpoint Starr 
Ferry, Esq., a committee and agent to do all the neces- 
sary business of obtaining signers to a petition to 
dissolve the Branch Bank and attend to the ap- 
pointing of commissioners, and do everything neces- 
sary to eft'ect and complete a separation of the Branch 
from the bank at Norwalk. 

The above action wius successful in the obtaining of 
a charter for the Danbury Bank at the session of the 
State Legislature in 1844, and the appointing of Nel- 
son Brewster bank commissioner, and E. B. Bennett 
and Harvey Smith committee to divide the stock and 
assets of the two banks. 

The first board of directors of the Danbury Hank 
was as follows: Samuel Tweedy, President; Russel 
Hoyt, Isaac H. Seeley, Eli T. Hoyt, Starr Ferri", 
Samuel Stebbins, Edgar S. Tweedy. Hours of busi- 
ness, 9 to 12 A.M. and 1 to 4 p..\i. Discount days, 
Mondav and Thursdav. 



DANBTTEY. 



233 



The following names uppcar as diroctors, for one or 
more years, of the Daiibiiry Bank until its reorgani- 
zation as a national liank, Ajiril 1, l.Sli') : 8amuel 
Twecrly, Isaac H. Seeley, Starr Ferry, Edgar S. 
Tweedy, Lucius P. Hoyt, Judge Brownson, Daniel 
K. B. Baldwin, Charles F. Starr, Lyman Keeler, 
Pieree A. Sutton, Basse! Hoyt, Kli T. Hoyt, Samuel 
Stebhins, Reuben P>ootli, Abner (lilbert, Niram Wild- 
man, Smith Tweedy, William Wildman, Charles 
Hull, Henry Benedict, Frederick S. Wildmau, Amzi 
Rogers, Samuel C. Wildmau, Levi S. Benedict, George 
Starr, George Hull, Oliver Stone, Elias S. Sanford, 
W. R. White, Roger Avcrill, David P. Nichols. 

Lucius P. Hoj-t was elected vice-president of the 
bank Dee. 27, 1802, and continued as such until his 
election as president, June 18, 18()4, and continued as 
such until the reorganization as a national bank, 
April, ISl').), and has annu.ally been re-elected as 
president to this date, July, 1880, the liank Iiaving 
had but four presidents since 1824, viz. : Zalmon 
Wildman, two years ; Samuel Tweedy, tliirty-seven 
years ; David Foot, one year ; Lucius P. Hoyt, six- 
teen years. 

The bank has had but four cashiers in its history 
since 1824, viz. : Curtis Clark, thirteen years; Aaron 
Seeley, seventeen years; Ephraim Gregory, one year; 
Jabez Amsliury, twenty-five years. Cieorge W. Ives 
was assistant cashier, appointed June 20, LSSo, and 
resigned 18^7, and Augustus Seeley, Dec. 1, 1X02, 
and continued as such until his appointment as 
ca-shier of the Pahquioque Bank, June 1, 18.54. 

The original capital of the bank was 875,000, of 
which amount but seventy per cent, was called in 
until June 20, 1830, when ten i)er cent, was called 
for, payable Aug. 1, 1830, ten per cent. Oct. 1, 1830, 
and ten per cent. March 1, 1850. 

In 1851 it was voted to prosecute a petition for an 
addition to the capital stock of the bank at the next 
session of the Legislature of the State, which does not 
seem to have been granted; but in .June, 1854, we find 
theysuccessfuUy prosecuted tile petition, and the capi- 
tal stock was made up to S200,(l00,— the Wooster Bank 
having been merged into the Danbury Bank at that 
time, — and in June, 1857, itw-as again increased $100,- 
; 000, so that its chartered cai>ital jiaid in at that time 
1 (1857) was 8300,000, whicli, with tlie funds belonging to 
! ecclesiastical societies, wliich all became stock in the 
i Banbury National Bank in 1805, was 8327,000, at 
I which figvire (July, 1880) it remains. The surplus 
of the bank is $73,000, thus making its capital and 
surplus 8400,000, July, 1880. 

The average dividend paid by the branch l>ank is 
not known, as all dividends were declared at Xorwalk 
by the mother-bank. The average dividen<l declared 
by the Danbury Bank from 1844, when it was char- 
tered, to April, 1805, when it became a national bank, 
, was 81%'jj per cent, per annum and one extra dividend 
; of llj per cent., or, in all, SiVcr per year. From 1865, 
when it became a national bank, until Julv, 1880, 



the average dividend has been lljIjV i)er cent. i)er 
annum. 

The first board of directoi-s of the Danbury Na- 
tional Bank was : Lucius P. Hoyt, President ; (Oliver 
Stone, Lyman Keeler, Roger AveriU, George Starr, 
George Hall, Samuel C. Wihlman, Frederick S. 'Wild- 
man, David P. Nichols; Jabez Amsbury, Cashier; 
Robert Hoyt, Teller. Its present officers arc Luciu.s 
P. Hoyt, President; Directors, Lucius P. Hoyt, Roger 
Averill, (Jeorge Hull, Wm. K. White, George Starr, 
Samuel A. Rundle, David P. Nichols, Henry T. Hoyt, 
of Danbury, and Henry S. Peck, of Brookfield, Charles 
H. Merritt having also been a director fir two years 
since its being a national bank ; Jabez Am.-.bury, 
Cashier; (ieorge H. AViiliams, Teller. 

The present banking-house was erected during the 
fall of the year 1855, and the business of the bank 
commenced to be done in the new bank Jan. 10, 1856. 
The building committee was Edgar S. Tweedy, Ly- 
man Keeler, and George PIull, and the structure was 
built from plans made by I\Ir. Austin, of New Haven, 
who had a short time Itefore planned the building 
known as the Wooster House. 

PAVIXCiS n.\NK.S. 

T/ic Snvii>f/s Bank of Panhiinj was incorporated 
June 25, 1840, and the tbllowing were the first ofiicers 
and directors: Frederick S. Wilduuin, President; Eli 
T. Hoyt, John Irwin, Vice-Presidents; George W. 
Ives, David P. Nichols, Lucius P. Hoyt, Aaron Seeley, 
ISIathew Seeley, Jr., Edgar J. Tweedy, Directors ; 
Henry Benedict, George W. Ives, Secretary and 
Treasurer. William Jabine was elected secretary 
and treasurer March 30, 1801, and Henry C. Ryder, 
the present incumbent, -Vug. 1, 1873. The first diqiosit 
was made by Reuben Booth Pearce, July 14, 1841), 
of 825. Present amount of deposits, 81,71)0,640.08. 

The present officers and directors are as fidlows: 
Frederick S. Wildman, President (Mr. Wildnuin has 
been president of the bank since its organization); 
E. S. Tweedy, William II. White, Vice-Presidents; 
Roger Averill, John W. Bacon, George Raymond, 
George Starr, William Jabine, Lynum D. Brewster, 
Henry C. Ryder, Directors ; Henry C. Ryder, Secre- 
tary and Treasurer; George B. Benjamin, Jr., Teller. 

Tlir Union iSiivini/s linnl: of DunJuirij was incorjio- 
rated in June, 1806. The fdlowing is the list of the 
original incorporators: John Shethar, Secretary; 
Charles Hull, Martin H. Griffing, Samuel C. Hidlcy, 
Almon Judd, Lucius H. Boughton. Elijah Sturtevant, 
William H. Clark, Amos N. Stebbins, James Bald- 
win, William S. Peck, James S. Taylor, tleorge C. 
White, Norman Hodge, Orrin Benedict, Alfred A. 
Heath, Francis H. Austin, William F. Taylor, Levi 
Osborn. James S. Taylor was elected president, and 
Charles Hull vice-president, but declined, and Mar- 
tin H. Griffing was elected instead. First trustees: 
William S. Peck, F. H. Austin, A. N. Stebbins, W. F. 
Taylor, John Sliethar, Samuel C. Holley, Lucius H. 



234 



HISTORY OF FATT!FTKLD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Boughton; W. F. Olnistead, Treasurer and Secre- 
tary. 

AV. F. Olmstead continued as secretary and treas- 
urer until 1873, when L. P. Trcadwcll was elected, 
and has been re-elected up to the present time. Sam- 
uel Stebbins was also re-elected president, and con- 
tinued to 1873, when S. C. Holley was elected, and is 
the present incumbent. 

The first deposit was made by Mrs. Margaret Popper, 
of Sherman, on .July 23, 18(50, of S140. The deposit-s 
during the first year amounted to $32,200, and now 
aggregate about S43o,000. 

The present corporators are M. H. Grifling, F. H. 
Austin, Henry Crofut, Samuel C. Holley, A. A. Heath, 
Norman Hodge, William F. Taylor, William H. Clark, 
Almon Juild, .lames Baldwin, William (}. Street, E. 
P. Bennett, M.D., William C. Bennett, M.D., Wil- 
liam J. Rider, George E. Ryder, F. A. Hull, C. H. 
Merritt, Luman L. Hubbell, A. T. Cla.son, M.D., 
James B. Wildman, D. G. Penfield, Ed. M. Baldwin, 
L. P. Treadwell. 

Present officers: S. C. Holley, President; Henry 
Crofut, Vice-President; L. P. Treadwell, Secretary 
and Treasurer; Almon Judd, George E. Ryder, Wil- 
liam J. Rider, Luman L. Hubbell, F. H. Austin, 
Norman Hodge, David G. Penfield, Trustees. 

FIKE DEl'ARTMENT. 

The first reference to a fire department in Danbury 
we find in the Republican Journal, under date Nov. 
11, 1793, being an advertisement, as follows: 

O- Fire ExaixE.-iS' 

A SUBSCRIPTION li;w been sot forwanl in tliLs town for the purpose 
of procuiingii FIKK ENGINK, iiiiii wliicli lias met with ttiewurmcfltRp- 
probution of evorj* genllumiin to wlioni it Iiiw I*e» presented. Tile En- 
gine propoBed to be pili-clinscd wili disclmrgo 80 gnllons per minute nnd 
throw it 100 feet in height. 

Ah soon AS three linndred dollars nre subscribed for (iibont sixty of 
which arc now wanting) a meeting of the 8ub«cril>ore will bo held, und a 
committee appointed to purchase said engine, and for such other pur* 
poses as may be deemed neeessnry. 

To suggest to the enliglitened inliabitants of this town the usefulness of 
a Fire Engine, and to exitatiute on tlie invention of a machine which 
under Providence has saved the lives and pr^iierty of millions, would bo 
Justly deemed an insult to their uuderstauding. 

Tlie sulwcilption is still to t»c seen at the store of Messrs. Cunniughom 
X Mygi\tt, where those who arc dcsimus of subscribing are requested to 
call. 

Danbury, Nov. 11, 1703. 

At a borough-meeting at the court-house, Mond.iy, 
July 14, 1823, a by-law was pa.sscd to appoint one or 
more fire inspectors, ts hold the office until the an- 
nual borough-meeting, nnd their duties were defined. 

.Vt the annual meeting. May 10, 1824, it was 

" Fotet?, That Samuel T«-eeil.v, .lohns )n Wildman. aiul Xinim Wiltlmou 
be a committee to in<iuire into the prul»able expense of an engine or on- 
ginui, and to devise tlie best methiMl to procuroone or more for the benefit 
of this borough, and re|tort at a future meeting of Uio liorough all the 
facts with their opiliijii thereon." 

At the annual borough-meeting, May 8, 1826, Na- 
thaniel Bishop, Mose White, and Jesse Crofut were 
appointed fire inspectors. 



At a borough-meeting Oct. 6, 1828, it was 

"ro(e</, That Russel Hoyt nnd Samuel Tweedy lie a committee to cor- 
respond with the prt)prictor of the engines bnilt at Canaan, for the pnr- 
p<ise of ascertaining on what terms one or more can be purchased, and 
reiKirt at a future meeting." 

The meeting was adjourned to December 1st, when 
it was 

" Voteil, That the warden and burgesses be directed to send to Canaan 
for one or more engines to be tried." 

At a borough-meeting, Jan. 20, 1829, it was 

" Vi)leii, That a tax of two and a half cents on the dollar be laid on the 
polls and taxable property within the Ijorough, on an assessment-list 
lately made out by direction of the borough, payable by the loth duy • l 
February next, to purchase two fire-engines. 

" Voteti, That Eliiis S. Sanford be and is hereby appointed collector of 
the above tax at two per cent, premium, to be paid into the treasury by 
the 20tli of March next. 

" Voted, That the wanlen and burgesses be directed to make such regu- 
lations as to the locality of the engines, and also as to forming companies 
to take care of nnd manage the engines, and also to \&y out the suri'li. 
of the tax, if any after paying for the engiues. 

At the session of the General Assembly held at 
Hartford in 1829, upon the petition of Daniel B. Cook, 
and warden, and burgesses, the borough was author- 
ized a second fire company, not to exceed sixteen men, 
and at a meeting of the warden and burgesses, July 
13, 1829, 

'* Voted, That two fire companies be formed and organized within said 
borough, to he denominated Fire Company No. 1 and Fire Coniftauy 
No. 2. 

"Alio voted. That Company No. 2 shall consist of twenty-five men, ID- 
eluding officers, and No. 1 of sixteen meu, including officers." 

At a meeting of the warden and burgesses held .July 
13, 1829, the following persons were appointed officer* 
of Fire Company No. 2; Moss White, Foreman; 
William Patch, Assistant Foreman; EliT. Hoyt, Sec- 
1 retary. The following jx-rsons were appointed fire- 
men and attached to said Company No. 2, and to be 
deemed memlicrs of said company : .John Foot, Daniel 
Anderson, Samuel Barber, Rory Starr, Thomas M. 
Gregory, Alfred Benedict, John F. Baird, Stan 
Nichols, Edward Tweedy, Enoch Moore, Sands Per- 
kins, liklward Holmes, Underbill Nelson, Stephen T. 
Gregory, Davi<l P. .\bbott, Samuel J. Downing, Henry 
C. Lobilcll. 

The following persons were officers of Company 
No. 1: Elias S. Sanford, Foreman; John Fry, .Vssist- 
ant Foreman ; Ephraim Gregory, Secretary. The 
following per.-Jons were appointed Firemen, attached 
to said Company No. 1, and to be deemed members 
thereof: Samuel Stebbens, Jfoses Yale, Lucius H. 
I BoUghton, Thomas F. Whittlesey, Timothy H. 
Hickock, Alfred Gregorj-, Samuel C. Wildman, Darius 
Starr, Nathaniel Wood, Gilcad G. Taylor, Hubbell 
Wildman, Frederick S. Wildman, Benjamin Smith. 

Aug. 22, 1829, the following persons were added to 
No. 2: Samuel G. Boughton, Henry Benedict, Darim 
Dikemnn, Zar Stone, Russell Dobbs; and August 27th 
Charles \. Jump added to No. 1 ; Sept. 3, 1829, Emcr)- 
Shadbolt to No. 2. 

The present organization is as follows : Matthew 



DANBURY. 



235 



W. Scott, Chi«f Engineer ; George T. Oakley, First 
Assistant; Jesse W. Day, Second Assistant. 

Washingfnn Hooh-nnd-Laddcr Co. — Nathan Bene- 
dict, Foreman; Frank E. Moore, Assistant; William 
H. Stott, Secretary ; G. Frank Bailey, Treasurer. 

Kohanza Hose Co., No. 2. — John Scott, Jr., Fore- 
man; Tliomas A. Hull, Assistant ; Edward Loli<lell, 
Secretary ; Lester Comes, Treasurer. 

Htimnne Hose Co. — Thomas Deakin, Foreman ; Au- 
gustus Parsons, Assistant ; Augustus Hurgin, Secre- 
tary ; William Small, Treasurer. 

DAXCURY W ATE 11- WORKS. 
The subject of introducing water into the borough 
for domestic and other uses early engaged the atten- 
tion of the citizens, and in 1834 the Danbiiry Water- 
Works Company was inaugurated. In 1851 a com- 
mittee was appointed by the borough "to inquire into 
the expediency of supplying the liorough with water 
for Are and other ]iuri)oses, and report to a future 
meeting." This committee made an examination of 
"Mountain Pond," and reported the "source of sup- 
ply unreliable, and the project of bringing water 
therefrom entirely impracticable." 

The first movement which accomplished any prac- 
tical results was begun in the spring of 18G0, when a 
communication from J. ^\^ Bacon was pulilished in 
the Jefferson tan, calling attention to Kcdianza Brook 
as a water-supply, and stating results of experiments 
made by him as to quantity of water, together with 
details of plan of i)roposed reservoir and system of 
pipes for introducing water from this source. Mainly 
through the exertions of Mr. Bacon, a charter was 
obtained from the Legislature early in the season of 
1860, which was acccptcil by the borough on the 17th 
of May. Contracts lor the entire works were signed on 
the 22d of May, and in the following December water 
was let into all the pipes, and the utility of the works 
for fire or other purposes fully shown to the satisfac- 
tion of all. Over nine miles of pipe were laid during 
the first year, and a supply-reservoir of about six 
acres constructed, tlie whole at a cost of about thirty- 
seven thousand five hundred dollars. 

In 1866, the storage capacity of the small reservoir 

being found insufficient, a larger reservoir, flooding 

i over thirty acres, was built farther up the stream at 

an expense of about seven thousand dolhirs. Both 

of these reservoirs were swept away on the evening of 

I Jan. 31, 1SG9, causing a great destruction of property 

1 and loss of life. The reservoirs were rebuilt the same 

year. 
I The water-supply of Danbury is one of the best in 
I the country, and to Mr. John W. Bacon is the credit 
due for its successful introduction. 

THE KOHANZA DI.SASTER. 
The following account of this terrible disa.ster is 
; taken from the Danburij Times : 

"At a quarter to seven oVlock, on Sun<lay evening, Jan. 31, 1S09, the 
(lam to the upper reservoir of the Kolmnza Water gave way, au'i the vast 



body of water was hurled down upon the lower pond, sweejiing away the 
dam and bringing their united strength down into the valley below, 
carrying with it huge masses of ice and scattering destruction along its 
course. .\t Flint's dam the tide obtained fresii impulse. The dam was 
swept away in an instant; the large body of water there contributed it.s 
power to the destruction. The water, ice, and broken timber swept down 
the line of Mill River through the village, and cieated the most appall- 
ing disasterever happening in tliis vicinity. Ten lives were lost and titty 
thousand dollars' worth of property Wits destroyed. The Main, North, 
and White Street briilges were destroyed, and the bridgeson Patch Slicet 
and Balniforth .Vvenne were badly tlamageil, the latter by the water and 
ice setting np tlie creek which it si»ans. The briilge crossing the Still 
Kiver, opposite Lacey, Uoyt & C'o.'s factory, wjus bjidly racked and ilis- 
phaced. Five buildings were swept from their foundations or denudislied. 
Of these, two were dwellings, standing on the nmth side of Main Stiect, 
near the stream. The one nearest the stream wsis owned by Olivei' Stone, 
and wius occupied by James IJ<itliwell, wife, and two chiMreu, and by 
Edward Clark, wife, and three children. The other Imililing wa-s owned 
and occujiied by 3Ii-s. Betsey llusted, who rented the ui)per story to John 
Chambers and family, who were absent at the time of the disaster. Mis. 
Hasted anil the occujiants of Mr. Stone's house were drowned. With the 
Bothwells boarded two sisters (who were also sisters of ftlrs. C'larki, 
Fannie an<) Betsey Ilumiihrey, who were away from home at tlic lauir of 
the disaster. One of them. Miss Fanuy, in attempting to cross White 
Street bridge, nearly a mile below her home, was overtaken by the flood, 
and shared the fate of the rest. The lost were Mrs. Ilnsted, Mrs. Both- 
well, Ida Bothwell, aged eight years, Edward t'laik, Mary Clark, .aged 

eight years, George Clark, aged two years, Clark, aged live years, 

and Fannie Humphrey, aged twenty-eight years, Mrs. Clark and Nettie 
Bothweli, aged ten years. Starr's slaughter-house. Chase's factory, and 
Sunderland's carpenter-shop wi-re denu>lished. Two tenements belong- 
ing to lIcEidiick Jlarnum, situated ou North Street anil occupied by the 
families of Vt:-viy Disbrow and Daniel Htiyt, were considerably datnageil 
by the ice. The water-work dams .are ruined. The upper dam lost 
one hundred feet of earth, and the lower dam was entirely carried away. 
In the valley west of Clapboard Ridge, and northwest of thetitwn.are 
the receiving and sni>plying reservoirs of the Kidianza Water. Tlic 
natuial stream at this point is about f»uir feet wide and lias an average 
depth of about four inches. The lower dam is about three miles from 
tlie centre of the village, and tlie upper is about a mile and a ipnuter 
beyond. Tlie lower dam was built upon the inaiigiiiation of the works 
in l.snn.and the up]itT in IMJd. The lower Jiond contained about 7'.. 
acres of water, and the upper about '20 acres. The greatest depth of 
water in both places was about 'J.'■^ feet, or the average depth about S feet. 
The length of tii>t dam wiw 40 feet; height, '20 feet ; cost, $17110. Length 
of second dam, COO feet ; height, 22 feet ; cost, S4,')00, Each dam was 
built of eaitll sloped Vx^ to 1 on outside and 2 to 1 ou inside, and the 
whole of inside lined witli stones. The thickness of the dams at tiie 
low est point was OO to lOli feet ; at the water-line, 20 to 22 feet." 

ELMWOOD PARK. 

The beginning of the pleasant trysting-jdace known 
as Elmwood Park was made in 1801. At that time the 
road pa.ssed on the east side of the park and formed a 
bow, and in the year 1801 a petition was jiresented to 
straighten the street at this point. Maj. Ezra St;irr, 
of Revolutionary memory, who lived on the premises 
where now is located the residence of Hon. 1). P. 
Nichols, and who owned tiie land from here ilown to 
Wooster Street, generously donated the land ttlong Ids 
premises, on the condition, however, that it should 
ever after remain a "common." The " jiark" hence- 
forth became a sjxjt of considcniblc importance, as 
here were held the trainings of "yc olden time." 
There were two military organizations in l);inbury at 
that time, — an artillery eomiiany iind a com]>any of 
cavalry, the former of which rendezvoused at the tavern 
kept by Ebenezer White, which stood on the site of the 
]ircsent Turner House, and the latter on the corner of 
Elm and Main Streets. 



23G 



niSTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



The little park remained with no particular atten- | 
tioii being paid to it in matters of improvement or or- 
namentation until 1851 or 1852, when a movement was 
started for making it a central park by running a 
road on the west side. This ])rojeet was stoutly op- 
posed by the residents in the upper portion of the 
town, but finally suceeeded. Two thousand dollars 
was subscribed for the i)uri)0sc, and in 1853 the work 
begun. Among the leading citizens who manifested 
a lively interest in the matter are mentioned the names 
of Augustus Seeley, W. P. Seeley, and Aaron Turner. 
The trees were given by Mr. James Harvey, and were 
dug by Noah Atkins and Fred. Bevans. 

After a few years interest in the park waned, and, 
as predicted by those wiio opposed it in the beginning, 
it passed back to the borough. It, however, proved 
to be comparatively inexpensive, as the fence fairly 
rotted away, and it became "a mere irregular entangle- 
ment, uncarcd for, unsightly to the eye, not useful for 
any purpose." Finally, however, after about a score 
of years of inattention and neglect, a movement was 
started for the improvement of the little spot, princi- 
pally by A. P. Sturges. The good work inaugurated 
by Mr. Sturges went on, and on July 19, 1879, the 
place, beautified and improved, wa.s reopened as Elm- 
wood Park. It is finely shaded, has a band-stand and 
an immense fountain, and, taken all in all, is one of 
the finest parks to be found in any village in the 
county. What Bushnell Park is to Hartford, Seaside 
to Bridgeport, is Elmwood to the present village of 
Danburv. 

Tlie following anecdote is related by the Danburij 
News : 

*■ When tho Into Uncle Snni Jennings wns wnrdcn hi- got n cntp of Imy 
from tlio gronntl. Ho lind previously Issurd a jiroclanintton forbidding 
tlio olwtrnction uf tlio liigliwn.vti of tlio village. One aHornoon lie loaded 
liis cni I with the Imy, but, it being late, ho left tlio load in the Btreot for 
tho night. A number of unknown paitit^, in the fear of tho law and 
Willi a most eoninieii'lable regard for its iutegiity. drew the cart to tho 
]iound in tho night, pitched tho liny over into the inclu«ure, then toiik 
the eart to jiieL-e.' and i>aiwcd that over, and then llnished up by reloading 
the hay and leaving the wliulc within t]ie pound. 

** The feelingH of Warden Jennings when he discovore<1 the location 
of Ms hay the next morning can easily 1h> innigincd. But ho issued no 
niaiiifestu nor offered any reward for tho apiirehun^ion of the net<;int. 
lie remembered where he had left liis curt the night before, and silently 
went to work to i>itch the hay outside, to take the cait apart and get 
that over, and then to put tho uinchinory tugellier again and reload the 
hay. 

" That was in tho ' good uld times.' " 

WOOSTER CE.METERY.* 

The visitor to Danbury is impressed with two things 
in its favor, — first, its good care of the living; second, 
its good care of the dead. Tlie first is demonstrated in 
its facilities for eihicating the young and in providing 
for the helpless ; the secimd is sliown in the beautiful 
appearance of its cemetery. 

Perhaps there is no i)lace in Connecticut that can 
show a burial-place having so many advantages, both 
natural and artificial. The general contour of the 

• Cont: it utcil by E<lgar 9. Tweedy. i 



ground is a ridge running the length of the place in 
part circle from east to nortli, inclosing a basin within 
the circle and a terrace outside. There are several 
small ridges surrounding the main ridge. The basin 
is flooded by a neighboring stream and divided into 
miniature islands covered with trees. From jwintson 
the main ridge the lake of islands is in jilaiTi sight, 
and presents a very pictiirestiue view to the oltserver. 
There is also a drive around the water. 

In laying out the roads and grounds for burial 
purposes, the taste displayed by the architects is ad- 
mirable. Advantage has been taken of all the points > 
presented by nature, and art has smoothed the rough I 
places and developed tliem into beauty. The great 
bulk of those owning lots have been equally jcaloii- 
of their appearance, and in many instances the-, 
spots have been made very beautiful. The gren! 
wealth of foliage in the cemetery strik&s the visitor 
as being remarkable. The most hardy variety of trees 
and shrubs have been selected, and, while the .shade " 
is abundant, it docs not entirely hide many of tho 
other attractive features of the place in a distant 
view. The grounds arc wHthin the village, and ar. 
consequently visited quite frequently, especially on a 
pleasant Sabbath, when there is a large number uf 
visitors. 

The DanbuiT Cemetery Association was organized 
in November, 1850, under a law of the State relating 
to cemeteries, with si.xty .shareholders at twenty-five 
dollars a share. The first purchase of land was made in 
December of that year, of William K. Clark, the ])iecc ' 
containing sixteen acres, for which three hundred 
dollars was paid ; and another piece, five and one- 
fourth acres, for eighty dollars, of C(d. E. Moss White. . 
Additions were made from time to time, and there 
are now about fifty acres in that part of the cemetery 
which is improved. 

In the spring and summer of 1851 the grounds were 
laid out, roads made, and trees secured. Most of tlie 
evergreens were obtained from William Mann's nurs- 
erj' in Bangor, Me., .some of a suitable size to trans- 
plant, others, from six to twelve inches in height, set 
out in a nursery and transferred to the grounds when of 
a suitable size. Beneath the surface the soil is good 
and free from stone.s. Many of the knolls were quite 
barren and forbidding in exterior, but by the free use 
of muck, ii.shes, and manure a thrifty crop of gnuss 
appeared thereon. It was predicted by some that 
trees would not grow on this land, so naturally poor 
did it appear. 

Where the lake now is was a muck-swamp filled 
with bogs and bushes. These were collecfeil and 
burned, and the nuiek removed to cover the barren 
soil. The water which fdrins the lake .sets back fmiii 
the North Meadow stream, and, during a freshet, fill? 
the lake. A dam at the outlet keeps the water at u 
proper height. There is a fine spring, which never 
fails, on the ea.st border of the lake. 

The improved grounds are nearly inclosed by a 



DAXBURY. 



237 



substantia! stone wall, which is banked on the inside. 
Most of the material in the wall was lnou'ilit Ironi 
" Tamaraek Woods." 

On April 27, 1S.54, the Wooster jMonunient, whose 
top is conspicuous from a distance, was finished, and 
dedicated with appropriate ceremonies' to per]>etuate 
the memory of Gen. Wo<ister, of Revolutionary fame. 
The occasion was one of uncommon interest in this 
part of the State. There were fully ten thousand 
people present as witnesses of the ceremoniis. The 
Masonic lodges of the State and neighl)oring States 
were represented. His I-lKcellency, the ttowruor, 
with notables from abroad and military organizations 
from Bridgeport, New Haven, and Hartford, jiartici- 
pated in the affair. The Masonic display was the 
most imiKising ever made in the State. Hon. Henry 
C. Deming, of Hartford, delivered the oration. 

In 18(52 the reception-vault was built, unci four 
years later the massive stone columns at the entrance 
to the cemetery were erected. 

In Xoveiidier, 18(57, the association purchased of 
the late "William Augustus White about twenty-five 
acres, at thirty-five dollars per acre, lying on the east 
side of the road leading to Nortli Meadow and op]io- 
site the improved grounds. No improvements Inive 
been made on this plat, but the .setting out of ever- 
greens and other trees in places that will not be 
accejitcd tor I)urial purposes. 

The grounds were laid out and iinprovenients made 
by ami under the direction of George W. Ives and 
Edgar S. Tweedy. Mr. Ives died in 18(>2. His 
remains rest in the nortlieru point of the main ridge, 
and are marked by a massive granite cro.ss of simple 
design, in the liase of which is inscribed the following 
testimony i'roin his fellow-citizens : 

" Tills liiDnuiiK'iit is elected to George W. Ives l.y liis fiieiuls as a testi- 
muuial of tiie sen'ices in laying out and be.iutityiiig this cemetery, iiml 
in rememiirance of his public ami private worth." 

Since his death Mr. Tweedy has had the supervision 
of tlic grounds. 

POPULATIOX OF DANISURY. 

l7.-in l r.ot 

1774 o/.^C 

jif-i 2!747 

Kw JJ.'Z'.'.JZ""ZZ"^^Z!!!i!!^""!';'! -t'lKD 

l«in :(ii„ii 

18-'0 : ;,,K7:i 

1830 4:)11 

1S4II 4>,()4 

1850 .r,.ic,4 

ISOO 7':)4 

1870 ^l^;,■.i 

1H80 11,U1'J 

THE DANBURY T.IIlliAKY 

as it exists to-day, with its commodious and elegant 
building on Main Street, the dwelling-house adjoin- 
ing, its books and other )iroperty, including its in- 
vested funds, is substantially the gift of one family,— 
that of the late E. Moss White, of Danbury. The 
late William Augustus While, of Brooklyn, son of 
E. Moss White, by his last will and testament be- 
queathed the sum of ten thousand didlars, to be paid 



five years after his decease, for the establishment of a 
jiublic library in his native borough <jf I>anbury. 
The Legislature of Connecticut, at its session in isdi), 
passed an act incor|ioratiiig the Danbury Library, 
which ai't was ajiprovetl by the Governor, .luiu: '<, 
18(59. 

On the 1st <if June, 1870, Alexander M. White, of 
Brooklyn, brother of William Augustus Wbiti', and 
sole executor of his will, placed at the disposal of the 
trustees of the library the house on Main Street, in 
which be was born and in whiidi his parents died, to 
be used liir library ]iuriioses until a suitable building 
could be eri'ctcil upon the [iremises. At the same 
time, Mr. White also notilied the trustees of his will- 
ingness to give a plot of ground fitly feet on JIain 
Street by one hundred and lifty in depth, on which to 
erect a suitable building, and also the suiu of live 
thousand dollars, besides an ecjual amount t'l be given 
by his brother, George tiraiiville White, towards the 
erection of such a Imilding, so soon as the citizens of 
Danbury would join in erecting, free of debt, a suit- 
able building uiion this ground. At this iime Jlr. 
White directed that repairs be luaile upon the huiise 
so given, and that suitable furniture be purchused at 
an e.Kpen.se not to exceed five hundreil dollars, the 
cost of such repairs and purchases being paid by him. 

In 1871, Alexander M. White made a further dcnia- 
tion of five hunilred dollars tor the jnirchasc of books. 
A donation of live hundred dollars by the late Charles 
H. Merritt and of fifty dollars by Miss H. E. Merritt 
f<.ir the jiurcbase of books was made and accepted. 

The library continued to occupy the hou.se fiirnicrly 
the residence of E. Moss White till the fall of 187(5. 
In May of that year Mr. Alexander M. "White noti- 
fied the trustees of his desire to see a suitable build- 
ing erected upon the site fin- library uses, and of the 
offer of his brother, George Gi'anville White, to eon- 
tribute five thousand dollars for this jiurpose. To this 
amount Alexander M. White generously ofi'ered to 
add fifteen thousand dollars, making twenty thousand 
dollars in all. Mr. Wliite sulisciincutly oliered to re- 
move the old dwelling-house to the rear of the library 
lot at his own expense and to fit it up for rental, also 
to donate additional ground on the .south side and 
rear of the library lot, and directed that jilans be ob- 
tained fi)r a building costing from twenty thousand 
to twenty-live thousand dollars. 

Of all these several gifts and donaticms the trustees 
have thankfully availed themselves. Not only the 
twenty-five thousand dollars phiced at their dispo.sal 
by the Messrs. Alexander AVhite and George (iran- 
ville White has been, in accordance with their wish, 
expended upon the buihling, but in October, 1^78, 
Mr. Alexander M. White, to insure the utmost possi- 
ble perfection in the complcti(ni of the new structure, 
made a further donation of fifteen hundred dollars. 
Upon receiving a vote of thanks from the trustees i'liy 
this amount, he added three thousand five hundred 
dollars for finishing, furnishing, and purchase of 



233 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



books. Tliese contributions, Mr. W'hito desires it 
understood arc, like otliers comiiifr through him, from 
the iumily of the late E. Mos.s White. 

The present building was erected from plans fur- 
nished by Messrs. Lamb & Wheeler, of Newark, N. J. 
It was begun in 1877 and completed early in 1879. 
The first story is rented for oflice.«, leaving the entire 
second story for library uses. It is heated by steam 
throughout, and ha.s received the approval and ad- 
miration of some of the best architects and autjiori- 
ties upon architecture in tlie country. It is a monu- 
ment to the generosity and philanthropy of a single 
family, and a public benefaction of which all the in- 
habitants of Danbury have every reason to feel proud. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

DANBURY (Continued . 

llntliiig ill Danbury— Otiier Manufactures — rrejseiit 3Iauufacturc8— The 
Execution of Anthony — Trial and Execution of Amos Adonis. 

HATTING IN DANBURY. 

Thp: following history of the hatting business in 
Danbury is condensed from W. II. Francis' History 
of Hatting, published in 1860, and continued from 
that time to the present by Mr. Bailey, in the Dan- 
bury News: 

" It is said to be a sober ftict in history that the first 
building ever erected in this country as a hat-shop 
wa.s built in Danbury, and the first hat ever made in 
these United States was made in this town. Be this 
as it may, certain it is that in the days of the Revo- 
lution, when the town was but a hamlet, when pro- 
vincial'-s blade was cro.sscd with that of royalists and 
a little phalanx of stout hearts w'erc contending for 
the inborn rights of man, when the seeds of future 
glorious empire were being planted in the furrows 
plowed by the cannon-ball, harrowed in deeply liy the 
iron war-horse, the tramp of wheeling and charging 
columns, moistened and enriched by the generous flow 
of the life-blood of patriots, we find that in 1780 
Zadoc Benedict was making hats in a small red shop 
standing near the grounds now the site of the depot, 
in Main Street. AVith limited resources and capital, 
he kept up the fire under his solitttry kettle and em- 
jiloyed to work up his 'stock' the services of one 
fotirncyman and two apprcnticet, turning off hats at the 
rate of three per day, or one and a half dozen per weel; 
two hats being an average for a good workman in a 
day. 

"This is according to the statement of some of our 
oldest citizens al)out the first that was done at hatting 
in Danbury, and, although hats had undoubtedly been 
made here long before this, still we shall take this iis 
the starting-point and regard it its the commencement 
of what has since proved an important and extensive 
trade. 

" 1787.— Col. Russell White and Oliver Burr, firm of 



Burr & White or O. Burr & Co., carried on what wa.s 
then considered an extensive trade, employing thirty 
hands, variously engaged, and turning off hat-! at the 
rate of fifteen dozen per week, or seven hundred and 
fifty dozen per year. The hats of this period were 
without elegance, being heavy, rough, and unwieldy. 
They sold at from six to ten dollars each, — enough to 
buy two or three fine hats now. One man could make 
about nine hats per week. 

" The manufacturer bought the skins in a bundle. 
The fur then had to be taken from them by hand and 
assorted. Then it was bowed into ' bats,' with the 
old ' bow,' ' pins,' and ' catgut,' and these ' bats' were 
made into hat-bodies. After the hats were made 
(everything being done by hand), they were distril)- 
uted to the ladies living in the vicinity in order to 
have the hair that remained sticking in the nap re- 
moved by tweezers. 

"Among the men employed by Burr & White were 
Eli Benedict and William Babcock, who afterwards 
went to New Haven. 

" 1791. — In the Farmers' Journal, published at Dan- 
bur)', in this year, we find the following advertise- 
ment : 

"*T0 DE SOLD DY 

0. BUUR t COMPASr, 

ONE llUNDKED WEIGHT OF 

GOOD HAT wool., 

AND SEVERAL PAIBS OF WHITE 

ENGLltill RABniTS, 

Whose Increase i« onmiingly fust and llie (kins for fur in great demand, 
and their flesli of the most dellcalc kind ; and to conclude tlio whole of 
their excellencies, tiieir keeping requires nothing hut vegetaltlitt, such as 
weeds, grass, iwtatoes, turnips, etc., etc. Tliey nce<l no drink. 
'"Also, given as usual twenty iwiice per run for coanw woolcnj>-am. 
'"Danbury, May 18th, 1701. • 

"ISOO. — In Bobbins' century sermon, delivered at 
Danbury, Jan. 1, 1801, we find these remarks: 'In 
the manufacture of hats this town (Danbury) much 
exceeds any one in the United States. More than 
twenty thousand hats, mostly of fur, are made an- 
nually for exiiortation.' Thus, more than half a 
century ago,.our fathers took the lead in the manu- 
facture of hats, and to-day their sons are not behind. 
" 1802. — The first hat-store at the South in connec- 
tion with nuinu facturing at Danbury was established by 
two active and well-known men (now deceased), Zal- 
mon and Seymour Wildman. They had one store at 
Charleston, S. C, firm of Z. & S. Wildman ; another 

< at Savannah, Ga., firm of Wililinan it Iloags. Zal- 
mon Wildman manufactured in the shop of Zadoc 
Benedict after the decease of the latter, in 1803. He 
also some years later carried on quite extensively the 
finishing of hats for the Southern market, near the 
grounds now the site of the I'alKiuioquc Hotel, in Main 
Street. 

" 1803.— During this and following years, Samuel 
H. Phillips, George Benedict, David Wood, William 

' Babcock, Ezra Wildman, Ebcnczcr and John D. 
Nichols, Boughton & Starr, and others, carried on 
hatting in different parts of the township. The fash- 



DANBURY. 



239 



ionable hat of this year was six inches deep and two 
inch brim. 

"ISO;"). — Clark & Benedict carried on the liatting 
l)usiness in tlie red building situated in West Street, 
and now occupied as a dwelling ; Gersham Nichols 
at the same time, in a building near the residence of 
Oliver iStone, in Main Street. 

" 1807. — Noah Kockwell commenced manufacturing 
with his 'plank' shop in the cellar of the house now 
occupied by Mrs. Rosaboom, in Franklin Street. 
Also, Hoyt Gregory had a shop in West Street. All 
these numufacturcrs carried on the busiTiess on a 
limited scale, employing, probably, from seven to 
eight hands each, and turning off hats at the 'rate of 
four or live dozen i)er week, or two hundred and tifty 
dozen per year. Among the men in the employ of 
Hoyt Gregory were James Seal and Thomas I'cck, 
who eventually engaged in an extensive business at 
Boston. 

" 18U8-0. — There were fifty-six hat-oliops in opera- 
tion in the township of Danluiry, averaging from three 
to five men each. l\Iany farmers \vere interested in the 
trade, setting up a kettle and hiring journeymen. It 
is but a few years since the trade was centralized and 
the bulk of capital concentred in a few large estab- 
lishments. 

"1812. — We have our venerable citizen, now presi- 
dent of the Danbury Bank (who went into business 
as early as 1800), and James Benedict, firm of Tweedy 
& Benedict, carrying on business in a shop situated 
on the ground where the house of Mrs. Sprague now' 
stands, corner of Main and Elm Streets. Hands 
employed, 30. During the war the trade between 
hat-dealers and the Northwest Company was cut off. 
John Jacob Astor .sold at auction, in the city of New 
York, a large quantity of furs which liad been seized. 
James Benedict, hearing of the sale, attended and 
bought five bales (one thousand pounds) of 'old coat 
beaver' at one dollar per pound. The price imme- 
diately advanced to five dollars per ])0und. 

" We must remember that at this timejiat-tinishing 
was a very small part of the trade here ; in fact, 
hardly any hats were sent to market finished and 
trimmed, but were sent in the ' rough' to the city, 
there to be made ready for sale. In this year a ma- 
chine was invented for blowing fur, and first used in 
Messrs. Tweedy & Benedict's establishment. It con- 
sisted of a wire drum, in which the fur was placed, 
and the machine moved with a crank by hand. Small, 
simple, and imperfect, it was thought to be an im- 
portant invention at that time ; now it wcmld be 
laughed at as a child's plaything. 

"1814. — Judson and Russell White, firm of White 
Brothers, conducted a large business here. Capital 
invested, $50,000. Hands employed, about 50, making 
probably about two hundred dozen hats per month, 
or two thousand dozen per annum. This firm had a 
warehouse in the city, where the hats were sent to 
be sold. 



"Among those who learned the trade with the White 
Brothers was Starr Nichols, Esq., now deceased, who 
afterwards became a prominent townsman, contrib- 
uting in a great measure to the advancement and 
building up of Danbury. Soon after his 'time was 
out' he commenced business for himself Doing very 
little at first, but steadily increasing, he pushed for- 
ward with that zeal which ever afterwards f<n-med so 
prominent a trait in his character, until, when tlie 
White Brothers retired from business, he took their 
place and carried it on with increased energy, em- 
jdoying fifty 'makers.' He met with sevir.il re- 
verses of fortune, but at the time of his death (185()) 
was engaged in a lucrative business in a hat-store in 
New York City, and to-day he is rcmembereil as one 
of the most prominent men in the trade. His benevo- 
lence and active perseverance are well worth imi- 
tating. • 

" 181G.— Two of our citizens, K. & E. T. Hoyt, mer- 
chants in the place, receiving, as the custom was, 
hats in exchange for their goods, taking a few hats, 
went South and opened a store at Charleston, S. C. 
The hats were made by Tweedy & Benedict, and fin- 
ished partly iu the old finishing-shop yet standing on 
the corner of Main and Franklin Streets. The Messrs. 
Hoyt began on a small scale, the sales at first amount- 
ing to but 815,000 or $20,000 per year. But as the 
trade increased in importance throughout the country 
they took advantage of it, and through their efforts was 
built up a large establishment, increasing until at one 
period the yearly sales reached .S100,000. Tlie business 
continued in the hands of some of the Hoyt family 
until the death of John E. Hoyt (son of Ilussellj, 
some twelve years since, and is yet in active o[)eration 
under F. T. Fanning. David H. Bonghton was the 
fir.st partner taken into the firm, and the following 
individuals were from time to time connected with 
the same house : David M. Benedict, Edgar S. Tweedy, 
F. T. Fanning, Lucius P. Hcyt, and A. E. Tweedy. 
This hat-.store was connected with manufacturing in 
Danbury up to 1854, and afibrds an example of i)ros- 
perity and continued success, with close attention to 
business as the caiLse. 

" In the fall of the .same year, 181G,Zalm( 111 Wilclmau 
(who, as before mentioned, was engaged in the South- 
ern trade as early as 1802), with Ezra M. Starr, — the 
latter still one of our most respected aMil inlluential 
citizens, — started another hat-store in Charleston. 
This firm also commenced with about $20,000 as the 
yearly .sales, but an enterprise like this, in the hands 
of such thorough and aclive business men, could but 
succeed; they were soon firmly cstablisheil, and went 
on extending their trade and enlarging their opera- 
tions, until we have as the anumnt of sales per annum 
$G0,000. Hats worth here ninety dollars jier dozen 
were taken South and sold at one hundred and twenty 
dollars per dozen. 

" 1817. — Capt. John Foot, witli one Mr. Hodge, man- 
ufoctured hats for the firm of Wildman & Starr, em- 



240 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



ploying six or eight men, and getting up about six 
hundred dozen per annum. Elins Houghton, Abel 
Hoyt, and others, carried on hatting in Danbury about 
this time. The hats were tlien eiglit or nine ounces 
in weight. The price for nuiking them — that is, the 
Kussia hat — was ninety-two cents, or five shillings six 
pence, Yankee currency. 

" 1824. — Among the manufacturers of this period 
were Isaac H. Seclye, Wliitc & Keelcr, Hatch & 
Gregory, Josej)!! Taylor, Hugh Starr, and Tavlor & 
Dibble. 

" 182.5. — Fry, (Jrcgory & Co. conducted at this time 
an extensive trade, working up §80,000 worth of stock 
per annum ; capital invested, $50,000 ; hands em- 
ployed at making, .30 ; trimming, 10. This firm also 
had a store (now occupied by Mr. Osborne) in West 
Street, where the hands emi)loyed traded, receiving 
orders instead of cash for their work. 

" In 183,3, Fry, Gregory & Co. sold out their make- 
sliop to William Montgomery, who had commenced 
hatting in 1S32 with Edward S. Brockett. Mr. Mont- 
gomery made the hats for Fry, Gregory & Co., wlio, 
having finished and trimmed them, sent them to their 
store in Charleston for sale. Mr. Montgomery carried 
on the fur-hat trade until 18-53, when, building a 
large factory in connection with the buildings already 
on the ground, he entered into the manufacture of 
wool hats in company with Charles Henedict and .Tar- 
vis P. Hull. Mr. Hull soon withdrew from the firm, 
and it is now that of Benedict & Montgomery. 

" From an old bill dated New York, June 5, 1825, 
we find that .Tocl Taylor bought of E. & H. Raymond 
one hundred Spanish wool bodies at thirty-four cents 
apiece. 

" 183.5. — Mr. Alvin Hurd, having learned the art of 
making silk liats from two Englishmen in the city of 
New York, returned here and set up the business in 
the shop of Starr Nichols, manufocturing for the firm 
of Swift & Nichols, with five men employed, thus in- 
troducing into Danbury the art of making silk hats. 
This branch of the trade increased so that in fact it 
became the most popular one of the day, and in the 
years intervening between 1810 and 1850 was carried 
on almost exclusively, Messrs. Tweedy & White, Wil- 
liam Montgomery, N. H. Wildnian, and others being 
engaged in it. After 1850 it gradnally decreased, and 
now nothing is done here at this branch, the soft hat 
taking its place. 

" During 1835 and several following years Messrs. 
Fry & Gregory, together with Samuel SprouUs, kept 
in operation a large wholesale establishment in New 
York City. 

" 1840.— Hoyt, Tweedy it Co. had a factory at the 
north enil of Main Street, and were also connected 
with the hat-store established at Charleston by the 
Hoyts in 1816. Since 1840, under Edgar S. Tweedy, 
John R. Hoyt, F. T. Fanning, Lucius Hoyt, A. E. 
Tweedy, William R. White, and others, the firm has 
been known successively as that of Hoyt, Tweedy & 



Co., Tweedy, Hoyt & Co., Tweedy & Hoyt, A. E. 
Tweedy & Co., Tweedy & White, and now (since 1857) 
Tweedy, White & Co. 

" 1841. — After the napped hats had gone out of fash- 
ion, Medsrs. Niram Wildman and John Pry went to 
Roxbury for the purpose of getting information con- 
cerning the wool-hatting. They called on Col. La- 
throp, in that place, wlio was then considered the best 
manufacturer of wool hats in this section of the 
country. Having obtained the necessary information, 
Messrs. AV^ildman & Fry returned and commenced the 
manufacture of wool hats in the old building .some time 
since removed from the grounds of Mr. Fry, employ- 
ing five? men as makers and two women as trimmers, 
turning off from eight to ten dozen per day, tiie bodies 
being formed in the 'old factory.' Wildman it l'"ry 
subsequently sold out to Cliarles Fry and David Wild- 
man (the latter now deceased), who continued the 
manufacture in a building in Main Street, since re- 
moved. 

"1846. — Nathaniel H. Wildnian was at this time 
manufacturing fur hats. He kept up the manufacture 
until a few years since, and is now engaged in a liat- 
store at Augusta, Ga. Trunuvn Trowbridge employed 
a number of hands, also Frederick Nichols. 

"1849. — Mr. Nathan Benedict came from New York 
with one of the fur-hat forming machines. When it 
was rumored that such a machine was to be brouglit 
here it created considerable excitement among the 
mechanics in the trade, and when it actually did 
arrive a majority of hatters were opposed to it. It 
was put up by Mr. Benedict in the old Hurlbut fac- 
tory as an experiment, under the patronage of A. E. 
Tweedy & Co. But very little wjus done the first 
year, and the enterprise progressed slowly ; but a< 
the public confidence in it was strengthened the old 
prejudice died out, and its ])opularity increased. 

" 1852. — S. A. Brower & Co. started the business of 
paper-box making in Danburj-. Until the soil hat 
came into use hats were packed in wooden cases alone. 
Now one dozj.'n hats arc jdaced in a paper box, and 
these, to the number of six, .are i>laced in a wooden 
case. This mode of packing hats for transportation 
is a little more expensive than the former, but it is at 
the .same time more safe, neat, and convenient. 

"Mr. E. S. Davis, who bought out Brower & Co. in 
1852, now carries on the business quit*' extensively. 
At first the demand W!us very small, but .as the manu- 
facture of soft hats increased so did that of paper 
boxes. Mr. Davis now occupies the whole of the new 
building seventy by thirty and three stories high (near 
Tweedy Brothers). Capital invested, $7000; sales per 
nnniun, $25,000; paid out to hands per month, i?2<Ni; 
hands employed, 11. Boards or straw paper used per 
annum, 125 tons ; number of pajier boxes of all sizes 
made per annum, 216,(»00. The 'boards' are manu- 
factured in the neighboring towns of Brookfield, 
Newtown, and New Milford. 

" 1853.— James S. Taylor, of this town, patented his 



DANBURY. 



241 



machines for felting or sizing hats, to which tlioir orig- 
inality and perfect operation has been satisfactorily 
applied. The-ic machines have been introduced into 
general use among the best and most extensive wool- 
hat manufacturers in the United Htates. It is a fact 
worthy of notice that these machines have been in- 
vented, perfected, and brought into general use in less 
time than |)erhaps ever before recorded of any otlier 
invention of the same relative value in tlie mechanic 
arts in this or any other country, and it is owing to 
this invention of Mr. Taylor's that our w(i(d-hat man- 
ufacturers have been enabled to snpjdy the increasing 
demand for the finer qualities of that artiide. 

"'The Taylor's Patent Hat-Felting Company have 
about three hundred of these machines in use in va- 
rious parts of the United States, felting at least six 
dozen hats per day ou each machine, equal to 1800 
dozen per day for the three hundred machines, or 
540,000 dozen, on an average, per year, being 6,480,000 
hats!' They have secured the patent on the machine 
in various European countries, and now have machines 
in constant operation in several of the largest estab- 
lishments in Kngland, where an agency is about being 
established. ' The largest single day's work performed 
by these machines was, probably, 171 tlie shop of Wild- 
man & Cros])y, in 185(5, they having sized on two sets 
of machines fifty-four dozen hats in one day, the ma- 
chines being (qierated by lour men, working only ten 
hours.' A Frenchman, J. Raptiste L.acillc bj- name, 
and many others, have invented machines for sizing 
hats and sold their patents for large sums, but the 
machines failed, not having been brought to perfec- 
tion, and the Taylor machines have taken the ])lace 
of all. 

" 1855. — Abi jah Abbott commenced the manufacture 
of band-boxes for Messrs. Benedict & ^lontgomery. 
Mr. Abbott now cmjiloys four hands, making thirty 
thousand large paper boxes per year and consuming 
fifty tons of boards per annum. His sales amount ta 
five thousand dollars per annum. 

"The making of wooden cases is a large item, and 
three firms, George Starr, George Stevens i*c Co., and 
Raymond & Ambler, are constantly employed. 

" In 181)0 there were but eight manufacturers of fur 
and wool hats in Danbury. Wc have now twelve, 
and the largest of these is twice as large as any at 
that date. There have been many changes in the 
firms since then, — many new firms started and failed. 
These we have endeavored to look u\< and obtain re- 
liable infornuition about them. 

" In 181)0 there were two firms of the Tweedys, — 
Tweedy, White & Co., and Tweedy Brothers. In 
1864 the first firm was changed to T. E. i<e E. Tweedy, 
and the second was clianged to William H. Tweedy 
in 1861. In 1867 both these firms were merged into 
one under the name of Tweedy & Co., and after four 
years of business a stock company was formed under 
the name of the Tweedy Manufacturing Company, 
which is its present designation. 



"Giles M. Hoyt's factory in 1860 was in Grassy 
Plain, which was then a part of Danbury. In 1874, 
Jlr. Hoyt removed to the shop on White Street now 
occupied by Nichols & Hine. It liad then just been 
vacated by Lacey & Downs. In 1S7S he moved again 
to his present location, in the old laundry-building 
near the Danbury and Norwalk Railway. 

"A. T. Peck was in the winter of 186:! engaged in 
hutting with his brother-in-law, Anson Taylor, in the 
old comb-factory which stood on the site of Bcckerle 
and Co.'s new factories. Mr. Taylor had j'ust received 
a patent for combining pieces of waste silk with fur, 
and they were manufacturing hats under this patent. 
It was said that a hat, after being 'jacked up,' was 
nmde to look like a silk hat, and at a much less cost. 
They were made in all styles. Mr. Taylor died soon 
after the manufacture began, and Mr. Peck then went 
out of business. 

"In 1864, Shethar & Lacey built a small shop near 
the Phienix factory, and ran it for a few years. 

"The T^nion Hat Company, composed of W. H. 
Youngs, H. C. Ely, Kellogg Nichols, and Cyrus Ray- 
mond, started in that building in 1869. In 1872 they 
discontinued business. It was oci-uiiied between this 
time and 1875 by Casper Zeigler, and in that year 
William Bcckerle took it. He remained here one 
year, and in 1876, after taking into i)artnership C. H. 
Piex, T. F. Fay, and J. H. Shuldice, he removed to 
the old comb-shop near Pahquioque Avenue. This 
shop soon i)roved too snuill for the firm, and from 
time to time they added to its capacity by building 
on numerous additions and erecting small buildings 
for make-shops, coloring-shop, etc. In December, 
1879, the establishment was totally destroyeil by fire. 
Work was immediately resumed, and now the new 
factories, exceeded by but one establishment in town, 
arc nearly complete. 

" In 18()5, .1. ( I. Meeker began business as a hatter in 
a factory on Canal Street. This building, for a few 
months jirevious to this, had been used by journeymen 
hatters, who took out work from our larger firms for 
manipulation in one branch only. They were not 
wdiat might be called manufacturing hatters, and for 
that reason we have not secured their names. In 
1877 this factory was completely destroyed, and the 
next year the present commodious and enlarged 
building was completed and occupied by D. W. 
Jleeker, a brother of the first named. He still car- 
ries on business there. 

"As early as 1844, Ran.som Brothwell, father of 
Theodore Brothwell, had a shop in Mill Plain. He 
started it earlier than this, but this is the first we can 
find of him. It was situated on the present farm of 
Oliver Burchard, and some time after (in 1848) he 
removed to a factory on the site of the jjresent black- 
smith-shop. 

" The next we find of hatting in that hamlet is a 
shop run by P. A. Sutton. This changed hands many 
times, being owned successively by A. Solomon, now 



242 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



of Norwalk, Harry Jennings & Son, and Stone & 
Downs. The latter were burned out in 1867, and 
Mr. Downs tiien retired. IJenjamin Stone then Ijuilt 
the shop now oecupied by H. M. Senior & Son, ran 
it for about nine montlis, and tlicn went to New 
Jersey. C. B. Prindle occupied it next for about six | 
months, and Senior bouglit it in 1871. John Harvey 
was a partner of Senior for one year. In 1878 the 
present firm was formed. 

" In 180(), C. B. Prindle and Edward Gage took out 
work to size. The original shop stood just west of I 
the present building. In 1869, Mr. Gage went out, 
and Mr. Prindle took it. ' Prindle & Co.' soon after 
became the title of the firm, and they finished hats 
complete. In December, 1877, the Mill Plain Manu- 
facturing Company, a joint-stock corporation, took 
the factory now standing, which was l)uilt in 1871. 
In 1879, Mr. Prindle went it alone, and is now doing 
business there. 

" It is related that at the time of Mr. Brothwell they 
were making what wjis known as the 'coney' hat. 
These hats were always worth just a dollar. If no 
money Wiis forthcoming on pay-day, the men were 
given as many hats as there were dollars du'e them. 
These they spent at the stores the same as cash, and 
the storekeepers sent them to New York to sell. Mr. 
Brothwell never used the neat packing-ca.ses of to-day, 
but used to go out and knock boards oft' the fences 
and make eases. 1 

" In 1860 the old firm of Crofut, Bates & Wildman 
was Henry Crofut. From that time to now there have 
been four different partners besides Mr. Crofut. First, I 
Rollo Nichols was admitted, under the firm-name of 
H. Crofut iS: Co. Then George K. Nichols w;us ad- 
mitted, then Joseph H. White, the firm still retaining 
the old name. The present firm is Crofut, White & 
Peabody, the Messrs. Nichols being both dead. Jlr. 
Peabody was admitted in 1878. 

" The firm once occupied the factory on West Street, 
which was burned in 18C4, in addition to the ' Pah- 
quioque' shop. 

" Tlu' firm of E. A. Mallory & Co. in I860 was formed 
of Mallory and P. A. Sutton. In 1864, Mr. Mallory 
associated with him his brother, Samuel Mallory, and 
this firm continued till 1866. .Samuel Mallory then 
retired, and until 1872 E. A. Mallory wsis again alone. 
In that year lie took in his son, Charles H. Mallory, 
and this coMi]irises the present firm. 

" In 18(i2, Mr. S. C. IloUey began the manufacture 
of wool hats in the .shop then standing at the Main 
Street bridge, which had before that been used by 
Crosby & Wildman. For a short time J. H. Cesner 
was his partner. In LSlio, Mr. A. N. Wildman con- 
nected himself publicly with the firm, and the 'Co.' 
was added to Mr. HoUey's name. In 1868 the factory 
was burned. The same year they built the factory 
on River Street now occupied by them. Mr. A. B. 
Holley became a memBerof the firm in January, 1876, 
though the firm-name was not changed. 



" Shethar & Lacey was the name of a new firm which 
purchased the Montgomery factory, on White Street, 
in 1865. For one year they continued business, and 
then admission to the firm was given to Henry Starr 
and Thomas Lawrence, under the firm-name of Shet- 
har, Lacey & Co. One more year passed and this 
firm dissolved, and in its place was the firm of Lacey, 
Hoyt & Co., composed of W. F. Lacey, Theodore Iloyt, 
Moses Collier, Ives Bushnell, and George Downs. In 
1872 the firm went out of business. Lacey, Downs 
& Co., the company being C. H. White, then formed 
a copartnership and manufactured hats for a time. 
Lacey & Downs were before this time associated in 
the fur-cutting business iu the Pli<eni.\ factory, re- 
cently destroyed by fire. Their hatting experience 
continued but a short time. 

" Elijah Sturdcvant continued the business at the 
factory in Beaver Brook District until Aug. 31, 1S73. 
On tliat date the building was totall)' destroyed by 
fire at a loss of sixty thousand dollars. For four 
years the ruins lay about as the fire left them, and it 
was in 1877 that the place was rebuilt. James S. 
Taylor then took the factory, and from that time to 
this a desultory trade has been carried on there, a 
young firm running through one trade and then suc- 
ceeded by another, which was in turn run out by 
another. None of them seemed to have had niudi 
success*. In 1879, D. E. Leowe & Co. took it, but in 
1880 they dissolved. Mr. Taylor has always occu|)icd 
part of the factory as a forming-shop. 

" Nichols & Hine were burned out in Bethel in the 
spring of 1878. In the fall of the same year they 
came to Danbury, and took the old Lacey, Downs & 
Co. factory on White Street, where they still remain, 
having been eminently successful. 

" We now have given the hat-manufacturers since 
1860, so far as we can trace them. Next in order 
come the fur-cutters. The firm of W. A. & A. M. 
White, which was the jirincipal one in the trade at 
that time, is still running. Their factory was totally 
destroyed l>y fire in 1874. It w;is immediately re- 
built with brick, and is probably one of the most con- 
veniently arranged est^iblishments in the country. 
The firm-name remains the same, though new blood 
has been added to it in the persons of the sons of the 
original Whites, who bear the same names. 

" W. F. Lacey and George Downs went into partner- 
ship with Stephen Hurlbut in 1862 under the name 
of llurlbut & Co. In 1864, Mr. Hurlbut left the linn 
and started in business in Peck's comb-shop, where 
Beckerle & Co.'s factories now stand. He continued 
business until 1869, when he wa.s killed by a runaway 
team. 

" Pett'r Robinson, in 1S6.'), began the fur-cutting busi- 
ness in a shop belonging to the Tweedys. In 1K67 he 
purchased a building at Beaver 15rook, and admitted 
to partnership Mr. John Tweedy. In 1870 the busi- 
ness was so extensive that greater accommodations 
were made necessary, and the firm imrchased the fac- 



DANBUllY. 



243 



tory of Benedict & Montgomery, on West Street. 
This shop w;is burned down in 1874, and in the same 
year they went to their present quarters in the Hull 
& Belden Co.'s factory, on Canal Street. Jlr. Tweedy 
had in the mean time retired from the firm, and John 
Starr was taken in in 1871. Mr. Starr died in 1870, 
and (). de Conieau took his place. He remained a 
member of the iirm one year, and, in 1877, Jlr. Kob- 
inson's oldest son, E. T. Robinson, was taken into the 
firm and sent to England, where they cstablisheil a 
branch otiice. The manufacture of hat-eases is also 
an important factor in the business. In 18(j(), Mr. 
George Starr was the only person engaged in the busi- 
ness in Danbury. Besides cases, he made blocks, tools, 
etc. In 187(i his brother, Daniel Starr, jiurchased 
the business and still continues it. The Danbury and 
Bethel Hat-Case Company began to manufacture 
cases only in 1876, and still continue. 

"Through the kindness of one of our oldest resi- 
dents we have been enabled to trace some of the old 
hatters. 

"1787. — William Babcock, who was employed by 
Burr & AVhite in this year, died in New Haven. 

" 1803.— Samuel H. Phillips lived opposite the Dan- 
bury Savings Bank, where Meyers' store now stands, 
and died there. George Benedict was a son of Elia- 
kim, and lived and died in Danbury. David Wood 
lived and died ojiposite the Capt. Ryder place, or on 
the site of the old Church of England, on the corner 
of Main and South streets. Ezra Wildman, who was 
a great-uncle of Samuel C. Wildman, moved to Clarks- 
field, Ohio, and died there. Ebenezer and John D. 
Nichols died in the South. The firm of Boughton & 
Starr we cannot trace. Mr. Boughton is believed to 
have been ISlias Boughton, who lived on the site of 
George C. White's residence. 
] " 1805.— The firm of Clark & Benedict sbi.uld ha\e 
' read Benedict & Clark. Saline P. Clark lived down 
town, near the old Carrington place. He was an 
unele of Starr Clark, who spends his summers in Dan- 
bury. Benedict was the son of Peter Benedict, who 
lived in Mountainville, on the place now o\vne<l by 
E. S. Benedict. Gersham Nichols was the father of 
1 Starr Nichols and the great-grandfather of John 
: Nichols, of the ficjn of Nichols & Hine. 

"1807. — Noah Rockwell died in Danliury. II<iyt 

Gregory died here, and we believe has no descendants. 

"1812.— James Benedict, of Tweedy it Benedict, 

I retired from business to a farm on the Hudson River, 

and died there. 

" 1816. — David H. Boughton was a son of Elias 

; Boughton, and died South. His remains were brought 

home and interred in the burying-ground up-town. 

David M. Benedict lived later in life in the house now 

owned by Lucius P. Hoyt, and died there. He was 

also buried in the up-town burying-ground. Ezra M. 

I Starr lived and died in the house now occujiied by Ira 

I Morse, on South Street. Mrs. Morse was his niece. 

IS] 8. — Capt. John Foote lived near the present 



residence of Harmon Knapj), Main Street. Abel 
Hoyt was father of Giles M. Hoyt, and died in Betliel. 

" 1820. — E].iliraim ( Iregory was a son of Elijah (_!reg- 
ory, a blacksmith, who lived where L. S. Benedict 
now lives. His shop stood on the site of St. James' 
Church. 

"Mr. John Fry is still living, a hale and liearty old 
man, in the house where his first shop stood, on New 
Street. 

" Alvin Hurd, who was a j>artner of Mr. Fry in 1818, 
died in August, ]8Gi). 

" Benedict & Montgomery consisted of Charles Ben- 
edict and William Montgomery. The firm closed Iiusi- 
ness in 18(11. Mr. Benedict is still living in Danbury, 
on Deer Hill Avenue. William Jlonfgomery moved 
to Baltimore some years ago, and is still in business 
there. 

".Toel Taylor lived for many years in Great Plain. 
He was father of Mr. James S. Taylor. He died in 
1870. 

"Nathaniel H. Wildman was in the southern trade 
in Charleston. He closed up liis business in 18l!l. 
He lived and died in the old house yet standing in 
rear of Wildman's Block, on Main Street. He was 
the father of Alexander Wildman. His death oc- 
curred in 1877. 

"Charles Fry and Truman Trowbriilge are still 
living and working at the trade. 

"The firm of R. & E. T. Hoyt doing business in 
1816, was Russell and Eli T. Hoyt. The former died 
in 1S(!8. The latter still lives in the homestead on 
Main Street, a num ripe in years, still preserving good 
health, and one looked up to by all men as an example 
of what an industrious, useful, honest life can do. 

" John R. Hoyt, who was one of the sons of Russell 
Hoyt, succeeded the old firm. He was a brother ot 
Lucius P. and T. Granville Hoyt. He died in 1848. 
This old firm of Hoyt Brothers eventually consoli- 
dated with the Tweedy family. The firm of Hoyt, 
Tweedy & Co. was the consolidation of the two. 

" A. E. Tweedy dic<l in February, 18(!4. His cousin, 
Samuel Tweedy, died in 1868. It is told of Mr. A. 
E. Tweedy that his funeral was the largest ever held 
in Danbury. Niram Wildman, who was a partner of 
John Fry, was grandfather of A. N. and John Wild- 
man. He lived where the latter lives now. 

"Frederick Nichols is lirother-in-law of Giles M. 
Hoyt. He now lives in New York. 

" The White Brothers, mentioned in 1814, were .Tud- 
son and Russell White. Russell died fn 1888, and 
Judson a few years later. Russell White Wits the 
father of Jlr. William R. White. 

"Edward S. Brockett, who was in business in 1S;^2 
with William Montgomery, died in Norwalk in 1872. 
He was for many years the trying-justice of Danbury, 
and his reputation extended into the whole country. 

" Isaac H. Seeley is mentioned in 1824. Mr. Seeley 
died in January, 1880, a man full of honor and ripe 
in years. White it Keeler were Col. E. Moss White, 



2U 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



who was tlie father of the late Col. N. L. White. He 
(lied in 186.3. His i)artncr was Timothy 15. Keeler. 
Mr. Keeler died somewhere between 18,3.") and 1840. 
Josepli Taylor was a mannfaeturer in Wildcat, Bethel, 
now icnown as Elniwood. He was succeeded in basi- 
ness by his sons, Reuben and Stephen. Reuben Tay- 
lor still carries on hatting in a small shop in Elmwood, 
where he makes the now popular napped hat, which 
is a revival of the old style when his father was in 
business. Joseph Taylor died in 1874. The Taylor 
& Dibble mentioned were Elias Taylor and Scott Dib- 
ble. Their shoj) wiis where John Jolinsoii's barn now 
stands. They died many years ago, leaving no direct 
descendants in Bethel. 

"Mr. M. H. Grilling was a prominent hatter in 1846. j 
His factory was in what is now known as Mountain- 
ville, on a site just south of where Mrs. Betsey Crofut 
now lives. He continued in business for ten years, 
and then sold out to Henry T. Robinson. Mr. Rob- 
inson did not succeed, and soon abandoned the enter- ^ 
prise. Mr. Griffing learned hia trade in 1843 with 
Elijah Patch, on Great Plain. Mr. Patch's shop stood 
near the present residence of Mrs. Fanny Wood. 

" George A. Andrews was auotlier hatter, who car- 
ried on business in Great Plain a few years ago. He 
lives now in Bethel. 

" Wolfpits, in Bethel, was also for many years — 1824 | 
to 1850 — thesceneof a flourishing hat-trade. Among 
the manufacturers then we find Eli Morgan, Abel 
Hoyt, Leazer Taylor & Son, (^iiarles and Roderick 
Dart, and Hugh Starr. In Elmwood we find David 
Sherman and Beers Crofut. 

" A summary of the amount of work done in 1859 
by all the factories is as follows: 

Nuiiiltcr of liiinds cmplovoJ 1,204 

Il;il,.. iiiiuli' (iloions) 123,870 

I'uj-rull ?ai»,0OU 

" Now the statement is as follows : 

Niinilcr of ttamls employed l.wto 

Untw nnulo (dozens) 4'Hi,iKMl 

I'lij-roH $l,0Oll,U.JU" 

OTIIEU MANUFACTURES. 
Some time before 1800, Ephraim Washburn and 
brother built a mill for making paper on or near the 
site of the old Sturdevant factory. This mill after- 
wards passed into the hands of two brothers named 
Ward, and tliey sold it to Daniel and Setli Comstock. 
The latter was father of the late Pliitander Comstock. 
They continued business there for some years, when 
the mill wits burned. The e.xaet date of this destmc- 
tion we cannot learn, but it was some sixty or more 
years ago. Among the employees of Comstock was 
"Uncle" Jerr,' Wilson, father-in-law of Capt. Ed- 
wards, who died two or three years ago. Mr. Wilson 
cnlisteil in 1812, and Selh Comstock, being a nuijor, 
was allowed a servant. He made Jlr. Wilson his 
servant and kept him in the shop, but he got a pen- 
sion and bounty, .\fter this shop was burned Deacon 
Oliver Stone purchased? the site and built a hat-shop, 
which he sold to Elijah Sturdevant. 



In 1852, Nelson Flint, Calvin S. Bulkley, and Anizi 
Wheeler started a mill for air-dried straw-board in 
Beaver Brook. The firm dissolved after a shr)rt time, 
and Mr. Flint continued alone. In 1867, George 
McArthur, with his tlirec brothers, Robert, John, 
and William, pureha.sed the mill and continued the 
manufacture of straw-board. The original building 
was a small one, thirty by thirty feet, and was built 
for a woolen-mill by Samuel Morris. He was not suc- 
cessful, and gave up woolen for hatting and then 
comb-making. In 1870, Me.Vrthur Brothers built an 
addition to the first building and, gradually giving 
up straw-board, made straw wrapping-paper. In 
1872 a second addition was built, and in 1875 hard- 
ware and wrapping-pa[)er were made. L.i-st year 
more machinery was added, and manilla paper was 
manufactured. 

The first paper-mill, however, was one which stood 
on the stream back of the homestead of the late E. S. 
Hull. It was long before the present oldest inhabi- 
tant can .remember, but we learn from one gentleman 
who remembers his parents telling of the mill that it 
was run by a man named Washburn. 

The manufacture of boots and shoes was another 
industry which once occupied a prominent position 
in Danbury. It was of recent birth. In 1869, C. H. 
Merritt built and occupied iis a boot- and shoe-factorj- 
the brick building now standing at the north end of 
Main Street. The same year he took into partuorship 
Lucius R. Sprague. In 1870, Mr. Spraguc retin-d, 
and Mr. Richard W. Cone went into the firm. This 
firm remained in the business until the latter part of 
March, 1880, when they closed up, sold their macliin- 
erj', and the factory will soon be occupied in hatting. 
The firm in its busiest seasons employed nearly two 
hundred hands. 

As far as we can trace back we find an oil-mill on 
the south side of what is now known asCrofut's I'ciiul. 
or Oil Mill Pond. In 1812, Friend Starr, father ol 
Mr. C. H. Starr, used to make linseed oil from the 
flax raised in this section. It wius quite a prosperous 
business at one time. The mill was pulled dnwii 
many years ago, — so many, in fact, that none of our 
' old citizens remember it. Many of them have indis- 
tinct recollections of this building in their early 
youth, but the date of its destruction is- lost. 

On the north side of the dam stood a saw-mill 
owned by Friend Starr and Benjamin and Faireliild 
Ambler. The former was the father and the latter 
the uncle of Rev. E. C. Ambler. Mr. .Vmbhr remem- 
bers going to the mill to carry his father's dinner, and 
help about the work at times. He also relates an 
anecdote of Mr. Starr which we think worth rei>ub- 
lishing. Mr. Starr was an Episcopalian, but for sonu' 
reasons he was temiiorarily Dtlendcil with the chureli. 
and used to go to hear Rev. Mr. Trumbull, the Baptist 
pastor. One Sunday, after Mr. Starr had come in, 
1 Mr. Trumbull arose and gave his text: "Friend, 
' friend, how camest thou hither not having a wedding- 



DANBURY. 



245 



garment?" Mr. Starr at first thought this rather per- 
sonal anil manil'estcd his disapproliation plainly. But, 
the minister proceeding, he saw that the text was not 
intended for him, and he became calm. 

The manufacture of sewing-machines Avas another 
industry for which Danbury was once well known. It 
was a machine patented by Walker B. Bartram. The 
first nuuiufactnrers were the Bartram & Faiiton Sew- 
ing-Machine Company. They started in the old sliirt- 
fiietor}' on Ives Street in l.Stio. The lu-xt year they 
purchased the brick building on ('anal Street now 
occupied by P. Robinson tfe .Son, and moved there. 
The comjiany continued running with varied success 
until 1872, when it was reorganized, and many of onr 
people, poor and rich alike, took stock therein. In 
two years more (1874) the company failed, and the 
stockholders mourned for the faded dreams of furtu:ie. 
In the summer of 1815 (the cold summer) Eli Seger 
lived in the red hou.se on the Jlill Plain road, now- 
owned by the Terry family, which stands on the 
corner of the old road leading to the fair-ground en- 
trance, across Fish-Weir bridge. The lower jiart of 
this house Seger used for manufacturing nails, living 
, in the upper part. Seger was grandfatlier to Rev. E. 
I C. Ambler. Soon after this date he moved to Ohio, 
where lie died. 

Comb-making was another industry which was 

once extensively carried on here, and which is now 

' extinct. In 1810, Nathaniel Bishop started a comli- 

faetory on the site (U- just back of Peek & Wildnuui's 

j store. He kept a large number of hands at work for 

I twenty-five years. 

Foote & Barnum began in 1814, in a .shop that 
stood near the corner of Main and Centre Streets. 
Otis & Whiting had a shop just this side of St. James' 
Church, West Street. Alfred Gregory, Peck & (iil- 
lett, and several others had small shops scattered 
about town. The comb business — the value of the 
goods and the number of hands employed — exceeded 
that of hatting from 1820 to 1831, and continued 
about equal till about 1837. 

In 1847, T. T. Peck occupied the woolen-mill on 
West Street, near Beaver Street, and was burned out. 
The shop was rebuilt and the business carried on till 
1852, when it was removed to A. T. Peck's old shop, 
where Beekerle i*l: Co.'s factories now are. 

Barnum & (ircen w-as another firm who carried on 
business in 1812, on the corner where Hon. F. S. 
Wildman's garden now stands. 

Daniel Taylor, it is claimed, was tlie first man to 
make combs in Danliury. His factory was in the 
then Wildcat District, Bethel. In the same locality 
there were at one time seven shops in operation, — 
Azarael and Charles Smith, Daniel Taylor, E. Hull 
Barnum, T. T. Dibble, S. B. Peck, and Amnujn Tay- 
lor ; in Bethel Village and Grassy Plain, Daniel Bar- 
num, George Clapp, Amnion Benedict, and several 
others. In 1820, and from then to 1837, there were 
many small shops scattered along the road from 



Beaver Brook to Newtown, and from Xewtown to 
Danbury liy the Bethel road. In 1852 the business 
died out, mainly because the cond)-makcrs in Massa- 
chusetts combined their capital and skilled lalior and 
killed off the small nuiuufacturers in other parts of 
the country. 

The present manufacturing establishments, arc as 
follows : 

Hiit-Mtimifactiiriiiij ComjMiucs. — C. H. Merritt, E. 
A. Mallory & Son, Tweedy Manufacturing Company, 
D. E. Lowe & Co., S. C. Holly i*i Co., Rundle iSc 
White, Nichols & Hine, G. M. Iloyt & Co., Crofut, 
White & Peabody, Gardin c'i Co., Beekerle .S: Co., D, 
W. Meeker, H. M. Senior. 

Fur-MdjiiifactiiriiKi Coiajjunlca. — N. A. & A. M. 
White, Lacy & Downs, P. Robinson & Co. 

Paper-Box Mi-UinfiirtiiriiKj Oimpanies. — E. S. Davis, 
Theodore Clark, Aliijah Abbott. 

PldiiiiKj-Mith mid Luiiihi-r. — D. Stevens & Co., Fos- 
ter Brothers. 

Ilid-Iiii.r Miiiiiifucturhuj (_'i»iip(tiiirs. — Daid.iury and 
Bethel Manufacturing Co., Daniel Starr. 

Shirt-Mitiiiifactm-iiiij Cnmpiuiy. — Reed, Stevens & Co. 

MacItine-SliopK. — Danbury Iron-Works, Turner Ste- 
vens & Son, Fanton Brothers, R. A. Belden & Co. 

Hot-Air Ftiriiai-rs. — E. S. Jlorris it Co. 

THE EXECUTION OF ANTHONY. 

"There have been two executions in Danbury. 
Both of these (iccurrcd within a period of twenty 
years, and liotli were of negroes convicted (jf rape. 
Tiie first was a man named Anthony, a free negro, 
living in Greenwich. He jierhaps had no other name, 
as 'Anthony' is alone used in the indictment and the 
warrant for execution. His crime was committed on 
the 7th of Jfarcli, 17'J8, and he was hung in Novem- 
ber following. 

"The following is the eojiy of the indictment from 
the graiul jury, for eoi>y of which and of the warrant 
that follows we are indebted to Mr. A. P.. Hull: 

I "• Tlie Grjiml .Iiitoi-> Inr tlie bndy of .sniil County of Faiififlil.oii their 
ofiths Jiicsfut iiiiil say tliat ;it (iiffiiwicli, in Ksiiil County, on tlie w'v^ht 
next suci'eeilini; tbe 7th ihiy of March. A.n., IT'.'S, .\ntIiony a Fiee nt-^'ro, 
tlu'ti ronlinjc in s-ai»l Greenwich with fiuce and anns wilfully wicUod 
and feloinously did make an assault in and upon the liody of Mary 
Knai'p of i^aid (Ircenwirh, a maid under the age of nineteen yeai's, then 
an<l there in the Peace of God and of this State, . . . being against tho 
I'eace and contray to the form, force and eflect of the laws of this State, 
entitled "An Act for the Punishment of Rape." On this indictment the 
said Anthony was arranj^ed before the liar of this Couit, ami on such his 
arrain{j:ement was put to plead. Pleaded not (guilty and for tlial put 
himself on God and the Country. The issm- with tlie evidence wits com- 
mitted to the Jury, duly impaneled and called upon to pju^s between the 
State of Connecticut and the said Anthony the Prisoner at the Bar, which 
Jurors on their oath do say that said Anthony, the prisoner at the bar, is 
guilty of the ciinio charged against him in the said indii tuient where- 
upon it is consi<lered hy the court and this court uo join sentence and 
against the sjiid Anthony, the Prisoner at the liar, that he go from hence 
to the Goal from whence he came and from thence to some open and con- 
venient iilaee for execution then to be hanged between the Heavens and 
the earth until he shall be ilead.' 

"This was at Danbury, Aug. 10, 17i:l8. Anthony 
remained in the jail here until November 8th, when 



246 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



he was called forth for execution, 
the warrant for the sheriff: 



The following is 



"'To tlic Sheriff uf the county of Foirfleld lu the State of Coiincelicut, 
Greeting: 

"* Whereas one Anthony a free Negro Man residing in Groenwicli in 
eaid comity Itoforo tlio Supremo Court holdon at IMnbury witliin the 
said County of Fairfield on tlic siconil tucsdiiy of Auguit 1708 was 
legally convicted of the crime of a llape Committed on tlie Body of Marj' 
Knapp of Greenwicli afor<Baid a maid under the ago of nineteen years. 
And thcreui>on lie the said Anthony was hy tlie consideration of said 
Supremo Court adjudged and sentenced to be Hanged by his neclc be- 
tween tlio lleaveu anil the Kartli on the Eighth Hay of November next 
between tlie tiours of Ten o'clock in the forenixin and three o'clock in 
the afternoon of said Day until lie should bo Dead. All of which by the 
records of said Supreme Ctmrt appears. And Kxecutiou thereof renuiins 
to be done. These are therefore in the name an<i by the Authority of 
the State of Connecticut to Will A Command you that on the Kight day 
of November next ensuing some time between the hours of Ten o'clock 
in the forenoon & Three o'clock in the afternoon of said Day you have 
him the said Anthony forth of the Common Goal in said Fairfield County 
where he now remains in Custody untn some open i^ convenient place 
for execution and liini said .\nthony then A there Cause to be Hanged 
up by hbt neck between the Heavens and the Karth until ho shall be 
Dead. For which purpose this shall be your Legal A suflicient wan-ant 
liereofyou may in no wise fail A makedue return with such yourdoinga 
thereon Kndorsed. 

" ' Dated at Windham tho ISth day of September, a.d. 1798 & in the 
23d year of the Indopcuccdence of the United States uf America.* 

"There is no record of the return from the .'sheriff 
called for in the closing paragrajih, and tliere are 
those who dispute that Anthony was hung here at 
the time. 

" But the execution took place in Danbury on that 
day. We liavc the evidence of an cye-witncs.s, and 
the .sermon jircached on the occasion. 

"At ten o'clock of that morning, November 8th, 
Anthony was removed from the jail and taken to the 
Congregational church, late the concert-hall building. 
The church was crowded to overflowing with specta- 
tors, as, despite the tragic character of the event, the 
town iussumcd a holiday ajipearancc. Anthony was 
placed at the front, under the pulpit, during the 
preaching of the sermon. Rev. Timothy Langdon 
was the pastor, and delivered the discourse. 

" Upon the close of this he personally addressed 
the prisoner. He said, — 

" ' Anthony, it is by your request that I speak on 
this occlusion, and this is the last addrcs.s which I shall 
ever make to you. From the sentence pronounced 
upon you by the court, and from the preparations 
with which you are surrounded, you must sec that 
you liavc but a very, very short time to live. Your 
situation is truly deplorable. Whatever your crimes 
may have been against (Jod and human society, yet, 
seeing your present comlition, I pity you as a man, I 
pray for you as a Christian, and am now to address 
you as a minister of the gospel. I must therefore be 
faithful, and use great plainness of speech.' 

"Then followed a description of the enormity of 
his sin, committed in the light of knowledge, and 
after that an earnest exhortation to tlic sinner to re- 
pent, to look to Cliristfto die ' in a Christian temper.' 
We judge from these worils that Anthony was in an 



impenitent frame of mind, and that he was doggedly 
meeting his wretched fate. 

" On the close of the sermon the civil authorities 
carried the pristmer to the place set apart for his ex- 
ecution. This was at the head of Elm Street, near 
the pond. The gallows was erected on land belong- 
ing to Samuel Dibble, and from the fact of this ex- 
ecution the place took the name of 'Gallows Hill.' 
There was a great crowd present, of course, as it was 
a public execution, and the first ever had here. 
People from quite a distance were in attendance, and 
nearly all tlie town-folks were present. Sheritf Di- 
mon, of Fairfield, was the county sheriff and he offi- 
ciated. 

" The gallows consisted of two uprights set in the 
earth, some seven inches square, hewn from our native 
forests, with a cros-s-timber on the top, and a jdatform 
hinged to one of the uprights at a height to make 
about six feet fall. Suitable steps were provided to 
pass on to the platform from the ground. Ropes at- 
tached to the platform passed over the cross-piece and 
were secured at the foot of one of the posts. Benjamin 
Grifl'en, the father of the late E. G. Griffen, seemed to 
have charge of this department. 

"The prisoner was a.sked if he wished to say any- 
thing, and shook his head. The usual order from the 
Governor of the State (required in every case where 
life is taken), called the death-warrant, was then 
read. An appropriate prayer was offered by a clergy- 
man of the Methodist Church from the vicinity where 
the crime was committed, he having been Adams' 
spiritual adviser. He was a good out-door speaker, 
and was plainly heard, il was said, on the post-office 
steps on Main Street, near De Klyn's bakery. 

" Every condition and requirement of the law 
having been complied with, the prisoner was a.ssisted 
up the steps and on to the i)liitibrm by the deputies. 
His eyes were covered with his cap, and the rope, 
previously prepared for the prisoner and worn through 
the day on his neck, was connected with another sus- 
pended from the cross-piece. 

"The next was a thrilling scene. The hangman 
had placed a ])rop under the platform to steady it. It 
appeared to be a fence rail, or about titat si/e, and his 
duty now was to remove it. He found some ditlieiilty 
in doing so, and when he did the victim shuddered 
and gave a shnig which was felt and involuntarily 
repeated by a large part of the spectators, even on the 
other side of tlie river, on the west. At this instant 
the voice of the sherifl"was heard, 'Deputies, do your 
duty I' whereui)on their swords were seen waving over 
their heads, the ropes were severed, the drop fell, and 
the victim, suspended iu mid-air, died w^ithout any 
apparent struggle. 

"Soon the liangman climbed the upright, and, sit- 
ting on the plate, so adjusted the ropes that the body 
was gently lowered into his coffin and buried on tlic 
ground near by, a grave being previously jirepared. 
It was only about eighteen inches deep. The next 



DANBURY. 



247 



morninfc it was found to have been o|n'iu'(l, and the 
body was gone, leaving the box in the ground. A 
fresh wagon-track on the road was traced out through 
White Street towards New Haven. It was said our 
authorities were privy to this arrangement." 

TRIAL AND EXECUTIOX OF AJIOS ADAMS.» 

An executiim of anotlier negro for tlie same crime 
as that for wliich Anthony was executed, took phice 
in Danbury on the 13tli day of November, 1817. These 
two are the only judicial executions that have ever 
taken place within the limits of Fairfield County, 
with the exception of that of Hoyt, hanged in Bridge- 
port in the summer of 1880. There have been three 
military executions in the county, — two at Redding 
and one at Newtown. 

At a court holden at Danbury within and for the 
county of Fairfield, on the third Tuesday of Septem- 
ber, 1817, before Chief Justice Hon. Ze])heniah Swift, 
and Associate Justices Hon. Calvin Goddard and 
Hon. James Gould, came on trial Amos Adams, a 
black man, charged with having comnutted a rape on 
the body of Leiea Thorp, of Weston, in said county. 

On Wednesday, the second day of the term, the 
grand jury, consisting of the following persons, was 
summoned by the sheriff pursuant to an order of 
court, and the oath administered in the usual form : 
Thomas Tucker, Foreman, Eliakira Benedict, Paissel 
White, Elijah Gregory, Samuel H. Philliiis, Sanuiel 
Tweedy, Jr., Moss White, Ezra Wildman, Elias Starr, 
Darius Starr, Elijah Sanford, David Foote, Comfort 
Hoyt, Andrew Beers, John Rider, Abel B. Blaekman, 
Horace Bull, Amos Hoyt. His Honor the Chief 
Justice then charged the jury in a somewhat lengthy 
address, in which he portrayed in forcible language 
"the dreadful effects of this detestable crime," and 
closed with the usual instructions to the grand jury 
as to the manner in which their proceedings were to 
be conducted. The grand jury retired, and after a 
short absence brought into court a bill of indictment. 

On Thursday, the 18th day of Sejitemlier, the pris- 
oner was arraigned, and to this indictment plead " Not 
guilty." He was then infin-med by the court that if 
he desired counsel he could have any gentleman of 
the bar assigned for that purpose. He answered tliat 
he wished to have Moses Hatch, Esq. Mr. Hatch 
then observed to the court that the prisoner was ready 
I for his trial, and requested that Asa Chai)man, Esq., 
I be a,ssociated with him. The court immediately as- 
signed him. The attorney for the State requested 
that R. M. Sherman, Esq., might be appointed to as- 
sist him on the part of the State, whicli was accord- 
ingly done. 

Two of the panel were challenged by the prisoner, 
when the following jurors were sworn: Seth Sher- 
wood, Foreman, Billy Comstock, Samuel Stebbins, 
Clark Gregory, Abel Smith, Noah T. Ferry, Ebenezer 



Nearing, David Osborne, Thaddeus Abbott, Sher- 
wood Fanton, Isaac Wilson, Robert Piatt. 

Samuel B. Sherwood, Estj., attorney for the State, 
then proceeded to tlie examination of the witnesses in 
behalf of the State. 

The trial was short. Tliere being but little defense 
for his* counsel to ofter, they confined themselves to 
asking a few questions of the witnesses, and the case 
was submitted to the jury without argument. The 
jury retired, and after a few minutes brought in a 
verdict of " Guilty." 

On Thursday, the 25111 of September, tlic prisoner 
was brought intf> court and sentenced to l)e lianged on 
the 1.3th day of Novendier. 

On the day appointed lor his execution he was 
' lirought from the jail, guarded by the military, and 
taken to the Congregational church (afterwards Ccm- 
cert Hall), where a sermon was preached for the 
' occasion, by Rev. Mr. Andrews, from the text, " One 
■ sinner destroyeth much good." After the services at 
the church were concluded he was again placed in 
charge of the military and conducted to the gallows, 
which had I)cen erected at the junction of what arc 
now called Elm and Beaver Streets, on the slight ele- 
vation of ground on the west side of the hist-namcd 
street. 

After the re(|uirements of the law had been fulfilled 
the body was buried in a shallow grave at the foot of 
the gallows. The morning after the execution it was 
noticed that the grave had been disturbed, and inves- 
tigation showed that the l)ody had been dragged out 
of the coffin and taken away. But little eflbrt wa.s 
made to discover the resurrectionists, and the excite- 
ment soon abated. It is said that the skeleton is now 
in the medical college at New Haven. A fe\v years 
since, as workmen were digging for the cellars of 
tenement-houses on this ground, small jiortionsof the 
coffin were found. 

In this connection it may be proper to state that, 
several years after, another negro was arrested, tried, 
convicted, and sentenced to be hanged for the same 
offense in Danbury, but by an act of the Legislature 
changing the law he escaped execution. 



• Contiibuted by A. B. Hull. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

DANBURV (Continued). 

CIVIL AND MILITARY. 

Representatives fmni ir.!l7 to ISSO — Danbury in the Rebellion— Tlie S»il- 
'liers' Monnment — Military Recm-il, 

REPRESENTATIVES FROM 1607 TO ISSO. 
1097-1701, Thonina Taylor; 1702, Ensign Th.imas Taylor, Sergt. Josiah 
Starre ; 1703, Josiah Starr, John Cornell ; 17()4-G, Sergt. .lusiab Starr ; 
170C-7, Ensign Thomas Taylor, Josiah Starr; 170«, Josiah Starr, 
James Boebee; 170), James Becbee, Wakefiebl Dibble i 1710, James 
Beebee, Josiali Starr; 1711, Francis Barnum, Joj-iah Starr, ('apt. 
James Beebee ; 1712, Josi;ih Starr, .\brabaui Wileman, James Bene- 



248 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



dick ; 1713, Capt. Juiiies Boebcf, Liout. Josiali Stnrr, Francis Bnni- 
Imin ; 1714-liJ, ( 'apt. Josittli Stjirv, Francis Barnliain, Capf. "Juiiies' 
Beel)e ; 1710, .loliii Gregory, Sumucl Knap, Fntncirt Barnum, Iticliard 
Itiirnniu ; 1717, Francis Barnum, Al>ra1tam Wildnian, John Gregory, 
Ricliard Barnum; 1718, James Beebe, Jolin Gregory; 1710, Jolin 
Gregory, Ismel Curtice, James Boebe ; 1720, John Gregory, Israel 
Cui-tico, Abram Wildman ; 1721-22, Samuel Knapp, Kicliard Bar- . 
nuni, John Gregory; 172.'t, Jolin Gregor}*, Abmm Wildman ; 1724, 
John Gregory, Alirani Wildman, James Benedict ; 172o, Jolin Greg- 
or>*, Capt. James Beebe; 172(i, John Gregor}-, Cnpt. James Beelie, 
Josepli Gregory ; 1727, Capt. James Beebo, Jolin Gregory : 1728, 
Capt. Jiimes Beebe, Eben Z. Ilickox, Jolin Gregory ; 1729~;i0, Thomas 
Benedict, Capt, James Beebe, John Gregory; 17;jl, John Gregory, 
Capt. Jamea BeeU-e, Jtdin Starr, Tiiomas Benedict ; 1732, John Greg- 
orj*, Capt. Jnnies Beebee ; 1733, John Gregory, Jolin Stjirr, Tliomas 
Benedict; 17:14, James BeolH% John Starr, John Gregory, Tliomas 
Benedict ; 17;Jo, Jolin Gregory, John Starr. James Bebee ; 1730, 
James Beebe, Tliomas Benedict; 1737, John Gregory, Thomas Bene- 
dict, James Beebe; 1738, John Benedict, Thomas Benedict, John 
Gregory, James Beebe; 1739, Capt. .James Beobe, Thomas Benedict, 
John Benedict; 1740, Capt. James Beebe, Thomas Benedict; 1741, 
Cupt. Jnnies Beebe, Thomas Benedict, Katbuniel Stephens; 1742^3, 
Capt. James Beebe, Tliouuu* Benedict ; 174-1, Thomas Benedict, Capt. 
IClieiiezer Hickox, Cupt. James Beebe, Capt. Tliomas St/'phons; 1745, 
Capt. James Beebe, Thomas Benedict ; 174(1, Tliomas Benedict. Capt. 
Josiuli .Starr, Capt. James Beebe ; 1747, Capt. John Benedict, lluniel 
Benedict; 1748, Capt. James Beebee, Thomas Benedict; 1740, Capt. 
James Beebee, Capt. John Belieilict, Joseph Peck ; 17o0, Thomas 
Beneiliet, Capt. John Benedict, Benjamin .Sperry ; 1751, Thomas 
Benedict, Comfort Starr, Daniel Benedict, Samuel Gregory; 1762, 
Samuel Gregory, Comfort Starr, Thomas Benedict, Capt. Josiali 
Starr ; 17o3, (.'apt. Daniel Bencdictv Comfort Starr, Thomas Benedict ; 
17G4, Thomas Benedict, Elienezer Jlickox, Capt. Daniel Benedict; 
176.'>, Capt. John Benedict, Capt. Daniel Taylor, Capt. Daniel Bene- 
dict; 17."tO, Tliomiis Benedict, Comfort Starr; 1757, John Starr, Com- 
fort Stair; 17ot<, Comfort Starr, Thomas Benedict; 17o9, Comfort 
Starr, Capt. Lemuel Bebee ; 1700, Comfort Starr, Daniel Benedict ; 
17Cl-G'2, Comfort Starr, Thomas Benedict; 170^1, Capt. Daniel Bene- 
dict, Joseph IMatt Cook, Samuel Dickinson, Samuel Taylor; 1704- 
C5, Samuel Dickinson, Cupt. John Benedict, Daniel Taylor, Jr. ; 
1700, Capt. Daniel Taylor, Samuel Dlckmau, Tliomas Benedict ; 
1707, Joao|ili riatt (ijok, Capt. Daniel Taylor; 170^, Capt. Daniel Tay- 
lor, Joseph I'latt Cook ; 1709, Capt. Daniel Taylor, Capt. Daniel Bene- 
dict, Joseph I'latt Cook ; 1770, Joseph I'latt Cook, Capt. Daniel Tay- 
lor, Baiiiel Starr; 1771, Joseph I'latt Cook, Daniel Starr ; 1773, Capt. 
Daniel Starr, Capt. Thomas StD]ihcns, Col. Joseph Piatt Cook, Capt. 
Daniel Taylor; 1774, Col. Josejili Plutt Cook, Capt. Daniel Taylor; 
1776, Col. Joseph Piatt Cook, Thomas Taylor, Jr., Capt. Daniel Starr ; 
1770, &d..Fo8eph Piatt &>ok, Capt. Daniel Taylor ; 1777, Kichard Shute, 
Capt. Eli Mygatt, Miy.. Eli Jlygalt ; 1778, Col. Josejih PlatI Cook, Capt. 
liaiiiel Taylor; 177'J, Col. Joseph Plait C.<X)k, Capt. Daniel Taylor, 
Cujit. Noble Benedict, Calit. James Clarke; 17fO, Col. Joseph Piatt 
Couk, Capt. Daniel Taylor, Col. Ely Mygatt; 1781, Col. Joseph Plait 
Cook ; nS'J, C«l. Joseph Plait Cook, Col. Ely BIygatt ; 178;!, (ill. Joseph 
Plait Cook, Capt. Daniel Taylor, Dr. Sallu Pell; 1784, Col. Joseph 
I'latt Cook, SliO- Eira SUirr, Col. Ely Mygatt ; 1786, Col. Ely Mygatt, 
^IiO. Benjamin llicoek, Capt. Daniel Taylor; 1780, Cupt. Daniel Tay- 
lor, Joseph M. While, Col. Ely Mygatt, MaJ. Benjiuuiii Ilickox ; 

1787, Capt. Daniel Taylor, Capt. James Clarke, Col. Eli Mygntt; 

1788, Col. Eli .^lygalt, Joseph M. While ; 1789, Col. Ell Wygall, Cupt. 
James Clarke; 17'.K>, Col. Ely BIygatt, Zad<K:k Benedict, James 
Clark; 1791, Ely BIygalt, James Clark; 1792, Eli Mypill, Eliaha 
Whlltelsey; 1793, Elislia Whlttelsey, Justus Bariinni, Ely BIy- 
gatt; 1794, Ellshu Whittlesey, Eli BIygatt, Josegili .11. While, Ileu- 
janiin Ilicmk ; 1796, Elislia Whilllescy, Ell .Mygatt, Tiniulliy Taylor, 
Isaac Jo»»; 17!H'., Eli BIygatt, Isaac Joes, Thomas P. While; 1797, 
Thomas P. While, Daniel BI. Carringlon, Elislia Wlliltel^<'y, Ben- 
jamin Hickiwrk ; 1798, Justus Barnum, Benjamin llickoek, Elislia 
Whittlesey, Thomas P. While; 1799, Elislia Whilllesey, Thomas P. 
While; IMm, James Clark, Thomas P. White, Elislia WhiMlcMy. 
Cnifort S. .Mygatt; l.MJl, Eliiba Wbilllesey, Epaphras W. Bidl, 
Timothy Ta.llor, Ell BIygatt; lNr2, Ellsha Wliitlle,iey, Comfurl S. 
Mygatt ; 1M>3, Thomas P. While, Daniel 11. Cook, James Clark ; 18<>», 
.Siniiiel W. Pliilliiifl, El>aplints W. Bull, Daniel N. Carriiigton, James 
Clark ; 18(», Eluiphms W, Bull. N'oali Iloyt. Thomas P. White, N'a- 
Ihall Si'eley ; 18<in, E|nptmis W. Bull, Beiijaniln W. Ileacock. Eliaklin 
lienedicl. Ami* Cook; 1807, Ellakllu Iknedlcl, Blorao White, Ely 



BIygatt; 1808, Ebenezcr Kichols, Epaphras W. Bull, Eliakim Bene- 
dict, Moss White; 1809, Joseph P. Cook, Friend Starr, Eliakim 
Benedict, Jonas Benedict ; 1810, Friend Starr, Daniel P. Carriiigton, 
Daniel B. Cook, Xatlian Cornwall ; 1811, Daniel B. (}ook. Xathiin 
Cornwall, Ephniim BI. While, Benjamin Hoyt; 1812, Fi lend Starr, 
Elias Starr, .\lanson Hamlin; 1813, Samuel Wildman, Elijah San- 
ford, Samuel II. l'liilli[is, Phineas Taylor; 1814, Friend Starr. Daniel 
Conistock, Jr., llussell Wliite, Daniel Hoyt; 1816, Elijah Gregory. 
Friend Stirr, Eleazer Benedict, Jr., Eli Taylor: 1810, Elijah Gregori . 
Eliakim Peck, Peter Ambler, John S. Blncknian ; 1817, Friend Star: 
Elijah Gregor>-, Phineas Taylor, Nathan Seelye; 1818, Samiii 1 
Tweedy, Jr., ZalnKin Wildman, Eden Andrews, Blathew Wilkes; 

1819, Friend Starr, Zainion Wildman; 1820, Eden .\ndreWB, Samuel 
Tweedy, Jr.; 1821, Elijah Gregorj-, Eden .\ndre»s; 1822, Eltjidi 
Gregory, Reuben Booth ; 182:1, Stnrges .Selleck, James Knapp ; 1824, 
Eli Taylor, Samuel Tweedy; 182.'i, Zadock Stevens, Samuel Tajlur: 

1820, Elijah Gregory, Oliver Shepurd ; 1827, Itussell Iloyt, Iwiac II 
Seelye; 1828, Nathaniel Bishop, George Clapp; 1829, William I!. 
Comstock, Starr Ferry; 1830, Kory Starr, Abel Iloyt; 18;!1, Hory 
Starr, Ira Benedict; 18:12, Peter Biirnum, Rory Starr; I8.^^, Eli T. 
Hoyt, Kusscll Lacey ; is:!4, Eli T. Hoyt, Starr Ferry ; 183.6, Epliraiin 
Bl. White, Abrum Slow ; 18:t0, Ephraim W. White. Hiram Benjamin ; 
1837, Peter Barnum, David D. WilJman ; 1838, David D. Wildman, 
Isaac II. Seelye; 18:!9, Ephniim .M. White, Charles S. Smith ; 1840, 
Starr Nichols, Levi Beelsr ; 1S4I, Orrin Knapp, Henry 0. Judd ; 184J, 
William Peck, Nalbaii Seeley. Jr. ; ltH3, Sherman FeiTy ; 1844, Hi- 
ram L. Stimlevant, William C. Shepard; 184.'>, Eilgar S. Tweedy, 
Starr Iloyt; 1840, Lewis S. Iloyt, Charles W. Couch ; 1847, liicliani 
Osborn,,William A. Judd; 1848, Benjamin Stone, Horace E. llickoek ; 
1849, Cyrus S. Andrews, Eli T. Hoyt: 1860, N. II. Wililmau, Josepli 
Taylor; 1851, George Ferry, H0U17 O. Judd; 1852, Ezra M. Star- 
Charles S. Smith; 1853, George Hull, Pierre A. Sutton ; 1S64, Fn-I 
erick S. Wildman, John D. Hart ; 1866, Nathan Seeley, Orrin K iiapi- 
18.60, S. Tweedy, F. S. Wildman ; 1867, Giles Bl. Iloyt, William 11 
Hoyt; 18.')8, George Starr, D. F. Com-dock ; 18.69, Jndali P. Ci.jsbv, 
John Armstrong; 180O, David V. Nichols, Thiulileus Bninson ; IStl. 
George Starr, James S. Taylor; 18G2, Abijah E. Tweedy, Aar-n 
Pearee; ISO:!, Alfred N. Gilbert, David B. Booth; 1801, David II 
Booth, Orrin Benedict; 1805, David P. Nichols, William H. TweeJv 
1800, Samuel Blallory, J. S. Taylor; 1807, George H. Davis, S. Mal- 
lorj-; 1808, l-Mwanl K. Carli-y, Roger Averill ; 1809, Walker 1! 
Bartnuii, John Tweedy; 1870. Henry N. Faiiton, Lyman D. Brew. 
Bter; 1871, Henry N. Fiinton, Edwin R. Huminisloii ; 1872, David 1'. 
Bool, Henry L. Head; 1873, Isaac Smith, Charles II. lieed ; I'd 
Henry Perry, Thaddeils Ibsniey; 1875, Levi K. Wildman, Xalhioi 
B. Dibble ; 1870, Norman llwlgc, Charles II. Crxoby ; 1877, Charle" 
H. Crosby, Nntliaii B. Dibble; 1878, Lyman D. Brewster, E.lwar.1 
Davis; 1870, Lyman D. Brewster, Charles H. Hoyt; 1880, BoiOaaiin 
F. Bailey, David P. Nichols. 

DANBUKY IN THE REBELLION. 

Tlic following excellent history of D.-inbury in tlir 
war of the Rebellion i.s an a(l<lre!i:i which \va.< tlcliv- 
ereil l)y J. M. Bailey, of the Dnnbunj JVVim, at tlio un- 
veiling of the Soldiers' Monument, May 27, 1880: 

"Danbury was very quiet throngli the winter that preceded the war 
There was a talk of war, to K' sun-, but foiir-nniis of those » ho talke,l i ; 
did not believe in its iHissibillty. It wiH simply New England ol.Hiuen. 
arriving at a buret in the idpe. There was an impreKsion, I remeiiiU i 
that every State would secede excepting those which formed New En;:- 
laml, and this would uatunilly bring the war prosiKHrt down to a ver> 
narrow rom|iass; and then, again, there were those here who werr «ur. 
Cuniiecticut alone wmild remain In tlie I'ulon, while every other SUi- 
would go out. This made many of us confident there was to tie no war 
at all, and left us untrammeled in dcterniiuiug the number of the enemj 
we could slay In Imtlle. 

"These malten. were thoroughly aud ably diBCUmed when the weather 
wos sunicieiitly mild to |iemiit with safely tlio occupation of the depot 
and Concert Hall sle|iB. 

" It was a gloomy winter, however,— gloomy Iwcanso business was In- 
lomipled by the uiicoitainty of tlio immediate future. The summer and 
fall precluding had l«en seasons of prosiierily. Our staple industrj-, hai- 
ling, was at full tide. Every shop wos crowded with orders. Lnri.- 
pricM wore pall for help, and large profits were made. I camo to Dan- 



DANBURY. 



249 



btiry that year, and I remember the snrpriae I felt in seeing so many 
people indulging; in waternieluns ami swi-et potatoes. It seemed aa if a 
millennium had set in, to \vhi<:h there never wna to come an adjourn- 
ment. Strangers were moving into town, and in every part of tlie village 
buildings were going np at a Uvely rate. 

"After the November cleL-tion all this changed. Trogiesa came to a 
stand-still as ahriiptiy as it" it Inid been mounted with an air-brake. Hat- 
ting went under, and drajj;gtHi with it, as is its custom, every other branch 
of industry. Men had little to do but to stand around and talk. And 
the result was as sure as taxes. Dyspepsia set in, and gloom followed. 
Dunbury's liver was full of gall, and Danbury's blood crawled sluggishly 
through its veins. Sumter was the blue pill for tlie occasion, and most 
thoroughly did it do its work. 

"It wiis three o'clock on the afternoon of Satunlay, April 13, ISGT, 
when Iianbury received the news of the fall of Sumter and thi? first vic- 
tory for the secessionists. All that day anxious men intested tlie tele- 
graph-<;'ffice in search of the intelligence they tlreaded to meet. M'hi-n it 
came there was a shock. It was as if the batteries that i)layed against 
the doomed fortress had been galvanic, with their wires niuning through 
our hearts' very centre. 

"The next forty-eight hours were full of compressed life. They were 
mental yeast-cakes. No excitement ctjnaled it since that Ajuil <lay 
nearly a century dead when the face of a foreign foe was turned our w ay 
anil the tramp of an enemy's feet pressed our borders. 

"Now we knew theie was to be a war. Even tiic mckst ranguine of a 
bloodless ending to the trouble gave up the hope of peace, but not the de- 
termination to win it. In that first flush of indignant shame i)aity lines 
Went under, and only tlie fact of the outrage and the desire to avenge it 
appeared aU've the sea of jtatiiotic passiou that swept over Daubury. 

"You all know how thronged Blain Street is on a Saturday evt_'ning- 
"We have a sort of national reputation in this particular. Hut, as com- 
jiiired with that Saturday night nineteen years ago, the one id the pree-i-nt 
IS ;is barien of life as a law library. 

"There Wiis but little sleep in Danbury that Saturday night; there was 
noue whatever the next day, although there wore eight churches here. 
St. Peter pave way to saltpetre in the theology of the hour. 

*' Danbury showfd its colors promptly on tiie reception of the news 
from Sumter. The first flag appeared from the residence of Hon. Koger 
Averill, and others immediately tollowod, — in such numbers, too, that 
tlie village looked like an army with banners. An interesting incident 
occurred with the unfurling of Ooverniir Averill's flag. Many present 
distinctly remember the venerable Col. Moss White. Several years before 
the war he wiis stricken with paralysis, and never recovered from the 
shock. He moved about with great dithculty, and lost all control of 
Terbal expression except two words, iu the foini uf an injunction, wbii-h 
were, *Como all!' Vii seeing the flag he tiUiotL* bis breast with bi-th 
hands and cried aloud again and again, 'C'unie all I Come all !' .\nd the 
record shows that the able-bodied ineu of his native town almost liter- 
ally responded to the cry. 

"On the Slonday following the eventful Saturday, President Lincoln 
issued a call for seventy-five thousand troops to march ti_» the defense of 
the government. On Wednesday, Governor Ituckinghani's call for Con- 
necticut's quota of this number was receivetl in I)anbury, and on Friday 
— only forty-eight hours later — our dear old mother had a company of 
her eons, nearly all armed and equipped, on their way to the State ren- 
dezvous, ready for action. These were the Wooster Guards, tlie first com- 
pany to leave Danburj', and tlie first in the State to report for duty. Is 
not this something to be proud of? Glorious as is the minie the dead 
"WooBter left us, it rei.eived new brightness from the lustre of this act. 

"The day the Wuoster Guards departed for New Haven was an event- 
ful one in the histoid of our b'wn. It might have been called both tioud 
ami Black Friday, — Gootl because of the devotion to principle thus mani- 
fested. Black because of the gloom in the hearts of those whose tiying 
I mission was to stay at home and tmit. 

"It was only for three months that this di-votcil company were to bo 
gone, but the eye of atfection saw every bitter possibility crowdeil « itliin 
that brief B|'ace, and hearts stood still at the sight. 

" You may rest assured that a hearty godspeed accompanied Danbury 's 
first offering upon the nation's altar. People were sutTering umler a 
mighty tension of excitement, and any escape that presented itself was 
[ironiptly used. And so when this first company went awiiy then? wos a 
parade, and the touching off of powder, and the waving of hats, and a 
j shouting and yelling as if every man had a telephone of his mvn and 
1 wanted a doctor. 

"The town's military hall was then on the top floor of 1>. P. Nichols' 

building, corner of Main and White Streets. There the Guards assem- 

l bled and received recruits, and prepared for the advance. But it «as in 

i 17 



Concert Hall, on the spot where to-day was unveiled the mnmnnetit, that 
the brave band were conserraterl to the holy cause of national Hie. and 
the God of battles was invoked to wiilch over them. It was a ttiiinqih- 
antmai"ch to the hall, and a triumphant march from there to the laihvay- 
statiiin, and all along the route the way was hedged in with sympathetic 
and eftervesccnt humanity. At the station itself the (-urrents becanie an 
ocean into which the Guards were absorbed as completely ;is if Ibey had 
gone down into a real ocean. Every man in that company wiis a hero 
in the eyes of the multitude, and every nianifestatiim of approval uas 
showered upon them. It wjis a wonder to iis iiow the train i-ver got 
away fix>m the station with its precious freight without crushing scores 
of humans in its moving. But it did move away free from all obstacle, 
and the Guards went out from among us with hearts so full of purpose 
that grief found no entrance therein. 

"Capt. E. E. WiMman was in command; Jrsso D. Stevens wan first 
lieutenant; John W. Bussing was second lieutenant. These three men 
are still with us. I am going to read to yon the mu.ster-roll of that band 
who took their lives in their hands to go out upon an untried enteipii-e. 
I wouhl like to repeat from this platfoim the name of every volunteer 
from our town, but linio will not permit it. The chief interest centres 
about this company because it wilm fhe jhst. This is the li«t : 

"Sergeants, Andiew Knox, Milo Dickens, William Moegling, Samuel 
M. Petit. 

"Coritorals, George B. Allen, E. S. Davis, Alexander Kallman, Nalban 
Couch. 

"Musicians, Edward H. Daiin. Grundison D. Foote. 
"Privates, John Allen, Harris .\nderson, C. H. Andereon, John Bo- 
gardus, Cliarles A. BoiTum. .lames HH/zard, William H. Blizzard, Thomas 
T. Bussing, James Biadley, Theodore B. Benedict, A. H. Byington, Georgo 
W. Banker, Charles A. Bengor, Nirani Blackman, Thonuis D. Brown, 
Henry E. Buckingham, William K. Cowan, Lemuel B. Clark, William 
K. Doane, Josiah L. I'ay, Ed. H. Day, Joseph L. Dunning, Ezekiel Eaton, 

C. Fieldstone. Denis Geliven, Clnistopher Grimm. Charles A. (Jordon, H. 
W. Gibbs, Carl W. Hillbrandt, William 0. Hoyt, W. P. Hoyt, David B. 
Hoyt, Alfred II. lloildinott, TlmniJis Hooton, Otto Hagement, Jam<-s 
Howath, Jesse L. James, Earnest T. Jennings, Isaac N. .Tennings, George 

D. Keeler, Morris A. Krazynsky, William J. Murphy. Emil C. IMargnifV, 
James Martin, Andrew B. Nichols, Horace Purdy, Francis W. Piatt, 
Joseph W. llayinoud, James Iteed, James K. Ross, Timothy Itose, George 
L. Smith, Alson J. Snath, Benjamin F. Skinner, David Sloane, tirandison 
Scott, Louis Shack, Eli D. Seeley, .Augustus Staples, George Sears, James 
II. Taylor, J<»seph Tammany, Daiius A. Veats, Edgar L. Wildnian, How- 
ard W. Wheeler, John Waters. 

"The papeis of New Haven spoke highly of the apjiearance of the 
company, and lauded the promptness with which it re8iK»n«led to the 
nation's cry for help. It is a grout deal to be the first in an enter[nise 
fianght with danger, because the ilanger itself is uiitiied an<i all the 
more formidable. It was a brave thing fiir the fitmilies of these men to 
give up their own. but both those who went and those who sent them 
had no lack of the spirit whicli constitutes heroism. 

"There are two incidents recorded in the New Haven Junntnl of that 
time which vividly show how blight and clear burned the fire of patiiut- 
ism on the altar set up in Danbury. I quote from the Jnnrnnl: 

" 'The men are in the best of spirits, and are determined to vindicate 
the untarnished huiior ot old Connetti^-ut. One of them received a 
letter fnmi his wife, Saturday evening, saying, "I do wish, Koburt, you 
could return ; but if it is not consistent with honor and duty, go! Guod- 
by.and remember always to be faithful to our country, ami to fight man- 
fully for our glorious flag." Said the brave fellow, trying hard to rei)ress 
a tear as ho peruseil the i)recious missive. "Who couldn't fight when 
mtrh a wife commanded it?" .\nother member of the company was met 
by his father on the green, who said, as he handed him a wallet cuntain- 
iiigsonie thirty dollars in gold, "My son, take your father's blessing 
and this slim puise. It is all I can gi\e you. Do your duty. It is hard 
for your aged niother and me to pari, with you, but God bless you, go ! 
If you fall, give your dying blessing to your comrades. Good-by."' 

" These are specimens t)f the men who went iu that first company from 
I>atibury, and of those who gave them up. Of the mjiterial that com- 
posed this land the larger i>art reappeared to credit in subsequent organ- 
izations. Some of tbem reached distinction as officers. Many cd' tlteni 
are with us to-day. Many have passed through the Valley of the Shadow. 
Olio who marched in the ranks on the departure from Danbury does not 
appear in this list. He was objected to on account of age, ami although 
lie tried in various ways to be mustered in was not successful. This was 
Nelson L. White, afterwards lieutenant-colonel of the First Oonneclicnt 
Heavy Artiller}*, and now gone to his eternal rest. 

" Another prominent name is that of William Moegling, who euteied 



250 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



\ 



the ElevenHi Rpj^imont ns captain of one of the ooinpanios, became the 
]{cutcii»iit-<;(>U)tiel, wno twice woundH, cniiiu humu tlisabletl, and died 
here on tlio 20th of October, 1804. 

"The eucftiiipiiioiit of the Firet Regiment, to which thia company woa 
H-v^igned, wan, wiiile in the State, a ruthcr pleasant affair, Bonietliing in 
the lino of a picnic. Tliis was the experience of all the reyimento. TIio 
food was good, every man liad n phite, knife, and fork, the tents woie 
clean, beds were furnislied 1 1 hK-0[> uiH»n, passes were fre<iiient, the uui- 
fomis were new. and there wvtf plenty of admirers. After leavinp the 
Stale and getting into the tleld another and an entirely different order 
of thinjirs developed, and the progress to it was riomewhat like falling 
down HtJiire. There was but very little applc-«ance in the fiehl, and 
scarcely any cologne, while the nnin who had a knife and fork was 
looked upon with considembic snapieian. Straw ticks gave way to bare 
ground, and shoo blacking to stono bruitics, and if a man had a whole 
crown to Ilia hat ho flattered himself that he was d..ing very handsomely 
liy the government. When the news lenched the Seventt-onth Connecti- 
cut, reclining in the frozen mud of Cliantilly, Va , of the complaint of a 
newly HI rganized regiment at home that only one bundle of straw was 
given to each nmn, very heavy gloom settled upon Chantilly, and may 
be there yet. All the misery of wur is not confined to the baltle-tield, 
although that appeals to bo the generally received impression outsiJe 
the army, 

" The FiiBt Connocticut left New Haven for Washington on the 0th of 
3Iay. Gen. Scott's comment upon it was brief but to the point. He 
said, ' Thank GihI, there is one regiment un bund n-ady for service !' 

"Early in the morning of July 'ilst the regiment went to the front, 
and Danbury received its baptism of flro in the war of the Union. All 
that day the regiment was marched and countormarched In the multi- 
tude of changes in itoeitioii, and much of the time it was subject to a 
severe Are from the enemy, but came out of that dreadful dijykster with 
■cftrcely a mark. The only loss the Danbury company sustained wa« 
the capture of two of its members, Alfred H. Hoddinott and Isaac N. 
Jennings. 

"The regiment was mustered out of the servlro on the 31fit of July, 
and the Wooster Guards were given a jiicnic reception in Jnmoe Nichols* 
woods, in Great Plain District, on Saturday, August 3d, at which there 
was great rejoicing and an unlimited supply of sandwiches, in Ciinnccliou 
with music, jvoetry, and pies. 

"Within ten days from the departure of the Woostor Guards for New 
Haven n second company for three months' s^srvice was formed and ready 
to deport. This was on the 'iOth of Apiil. The organization wiut called 
the Danbury Kille (Vnipany, and was commiindcd by the gallant antl 
lamented James E. Moore. His first lieutenant was Samuel (i. JJailey, 
and his second lieutenant Charles H. Hoyt. Lieut. Hoyi resigned six 
weeks later and F. W. Jackson, a sergeant, was promoted to the vacancy. 
The company was nnisteicd into tho United States senico us Company C 
of the Third Regiment, and numbered Boventy-soven men. The de- 
parture of this Itmly of citlzon-soldiora was sfgnuUzcil by a general ont- 
IKJui ing of the petipio of Danbury. The company was escorted through 
tho village by a »]iirited cavalcade, and at the roil way -it tal ion there were ' 
elabotale preimrations f.ir an enlhusiaslic: send-off. A platform was ! 
i-rected, wlihh was na>unt**d by the clergy, wlio tired tin- hearts of tho 
volunteers and uthcrs with new zeal, and a band of music added to tho 
electriciiy. Tho com|Miny depaitetl amid u volley of cheers and a buret I 
of music, while the air was whito with tlio waving of handkerchiefs 
mnist with tearw. I 

" Ah, it is something to have lived in Ihoao days uf dcliiium! ' 

"The company was muslcrcHl into tho survico on the 14th of May, at | 
Hu'tford, ond on tho 2Jth of that month left the Slate for Washington. | 

"The Diinburj- Uillo* bmk uu acllvo part in tho Inigedy of Hull Run. 
The regiment was ex|»osod to a severe fiic, and acquitted itself most 
creditably. From its ranks Dunbury oflen-d her flmt living sucrilico. 
This was John R. Maii«h, fourth sergeant uf the com|>any, a name that 
liea<t<t Diinbury's list of martyrs in ttiu war for tho Union. He wiis 
vtnu-k and ktlU-d by i\ piece of flying shell. Privalo A. K. Branson was 
made a prisoner. 

"Of the Rifles Bovenil aflerwMrds rendered distinguished scrvico in 
other citmnmnds. Chief was the gallant captain who crowned his unsel- 
flsh devotion by yhdding up hia life at the head of his coni|>Nny on the 
Mood-tntunitiHl fiehl of Gi-tlysburg. Theie also Unmnon gave up his life, 
dving by the hide of his leiflvr. Cori*. Milton Daniels and I'rivate Henry 
tinivii IxH-ame captains of the I>iinl>ury comiVLuy in the Seventeenth. 

"The Itifles returned to Danbury on We Incsitny evening, the 14th or 
August. OnSatnnlay.tho 174^ they were enteitHined by ■ grave dining 
at CHI Mill, and by B|>eeches and music in Concert Hall. 

"1 have B»iJ that there wms CJn^iJelltble demuuatrBtion when (he 



Rifles went away. lu tho escort on that day was a company of young 
men whose very hot blood found some expression in tho impulsively sug- 
gestive title of Zouavus. Tlie Zouaves numbered sixty members on that 
day, and they aveniged nearly six feet in stjituro. They were In some 
ret-iwcts the most remarkable body of men sent to Ilie war from Danbury, 
The larger i>ortion of them were the full-bloo<led and high-spirited boys 
of the period, full of Life and dash, and a crcnlit tu the eiist side of Main 
Street any afternoon or evt-ning. 

Tlie Zouaves became Comjiany A of the Fifth Regiment, and were the 
first company of thi-ec-yoars* men to go out from Datibur^'. 1 think the 
author of that rather vigorous poem, 'Tramp, tramp, tramp, tho buys are 
marching,' nmst have been a member of the gallant Fifth. Nowhere 
else Could he have gut more liispinttion. Colt's facb>ry was to have fur- 
nished tho regiment with revolving arms. Nature gave them their 
revolving legs, and never before or since was Nature more gODerans. No 
bo»ly of men from Danbury equaled this company in the extent of ser- 
vice. TU'iH i» a distinction indei-d among a number of bodies no one of 
whom bi-ought discredit uikhi our dear old town, and nii«it of whom 
were subject to sevoro tests of physical endurance and courage. 

'•The Zouaves were commanded by Capt. Henry B. Stone, the liouton- 
ants wore James A. Bottd, firvt, and William A. Daniels, second. They 
loft Danbury for Hartford on the 10th of May. Tlic demonstration made 
over their departure exceeded that made on either of tho preceding oc- 
casions. Nearly all the Zouaves were well known and well liked in this 
community, and they had a large following of friends. It was the biggest 
day Danbury witnessed in that Vidumc of big days. >Iany of you re- 
member it. There were several locjil organizations in the line of march 
through tho village. One of them wits the Home Guards, another was 
the Union Cadets, u third the Anderson Guards, which was comjKtsed of 
Irish citizens. In nddilijn to these wore the Are companies. Most of 
the Zouaves had ' run with tho machine,' and ran with itouthusiastically, 
too, you may be sure, and so the Are-lads wore out in force. Then there 
were the village bniss band and u long line of horsemen. Twenty ycan> 
ago Danbury didn't think it couhl parade with any decency whatever 
unless it was u-stiaildlc of a hoi so. There were tho ringing of the bvlb. 
the discharge of cannon, the stniins of music, flights of orator>\ and 
cheers tliat made the checror^ hoarse for a week after. What added a 
deep significance to tho atTair was tho prusjwct that the juirting was ti> 
be ft)r a much longer period than three months, and to tho hearts of thos*- 
left behind, shivering in the verj- glory of tho parade, three months 
looked long enough, looking forward to it. Well for those poor souU 
bravely fighting d<-»wn their pain that they could look no further into 
the future than they did ! 

"The company was originally designed to apply to tho three m >nths 
quota, but bolV>re its muster-rxdl was complete<l the quota was full, and 
it was then a choice with them whether they would cnrvill for Ihn-*' 
years or stay at home. You will readily comprehend how sovcio a tost 
to their zeal was this choice. But they were equal ttt it, as they proved 
themselves to Ihj equal to every lent tho military genius of friend or fw 
subjected thorn to. 

" The Fifth left Hartford on tho 20th of Juno for the seat of war, or 
rather for the war-juWA, for it was a regiment that saw but precious few 
op|K>rtnniiies for lilting tlown. In the years of iti* service the regiment 
marched over Afteen hundred miles, at one lime being i>n the move for 
nineteen cousocullvo days,aiid nmrching liioncday the unusual ilintauce 
of forty-five miles. It took in more scenery than any other regiment 
fitmi Cunnocllcut. It began in Virginia and braught up in North Caru* 
lino, by way of Tonnopece and Georgia. Tho only reason why it did not 
seo the Yosemito Valley wiis because there ImpiH'ncd to bo no fighting 
there. It fought eleven battles, among them Iwing t^cdar .Mountain,— 
whore it met its heaviest loss, — Chancellornville, and Gettysburg. Six 
of tho Zouaves were killetl outilgbt or were fatally wounded, and nine- 
teen of Ihem otherwise woundeil, Of the original com|viny only tlirce 
dioil In thosorvicoframdisejuio, which shown the supcibtr physical condi- 
tion of the men. Perha|)« nocomfmny fiom Danbury witnessed so many 
changes In its ofTlccrs as did the Z^'imves. 

" lis first commander, Henr>- B. Stone, was promotc<l to be Uoutcnont- 
colonel. He was wounde4l at the battle of Cedar Mountain, and died un 
the 2yth of January, lnr.2, frxtni the effects of that wound. His bra*cr>' 
was without a flaw. Kiret Lieut. lk*lts was also promoted to U* lieutenanl- 
colonid. Second Lieut. Daniels was nmito first lieutenant, and uas mut- 
tered out of the service l<ecHuse of disability. First Sergt. Tbei-dore Dibble 
woamiulo a captain, Second Sergt. Lewis K. C'urley, who recently died, 
became the quartermaster of tho regiment, and made a model officer In 
that dtnicult and very important department. Thinl Sergt. George N. 
lUiymund was nuido a first lieutenant. Fuuith Sergt. James Stewart 
reached a cni t_uucy. Cori>. Edgar A. Stratton was praoiotcd to be flist 



DANBURY. 



251 



lieutenant, and Corp. A. M. Whitlock, to be second lieutenant. Two 
privates, W. H. Biitsford and E. A. Sage, were iMoinotcd to be firet lieu- 
tenants. The firet assistant surgeon of the ref^iniout was Pr. W. <_\ 
Bennett, wliu be* inne a bri^^ade surgeon. The conipiiny largely re-en- 
listed at the close of the three years' term, ami sj aened until the close 
of the war. It received fifty-nine recruits, making its total strength one 
hundred and sixty-five men. 

" After the departure of the Zouaves from Banbury there came a lull 
in n)!litary operations here. There was no pressing demand for tnn»p8, 
and no organization was forming. "We had done our share of the work, 
and were now wailing to see how things were going to turn out. Per- 
haps what we had done would bo sufiicient. At any rate, there was 
nothing more to do but to wait and look and speculate. An army had 
gathered in Virginia, the coming battle-ground, and the hosts of friends 
and foes were on the eve of what the greater imrtinn of us believed 
would be the decisive battle of the war. Tliose were days of eager watch- 
ing, but the feeling was of that intense nature that found little outward 
expression. 

" At la>^t it cinie. There was an awful crash, and then a siun-k, — such 
a dreadful shock ! The battle of Bull Run was fouglit, and — bist. Our 
spU-nilid army wsis shamefully beaten and driven back in defeat and 
dismay. 

"The waiting was over, the watching at an end, and the strong, faith- 
ful heart of our sturdy town smothered its giief an<l went bravely to 
Work to build anew. 

" Military Hall again blazed with light and sonmleii with tlie tramp of 
■volunteer feet, anil the drum and fifi^r awakened the echoes of our streets. 
Benjamin F. Skinner and Williiim MopgUiig, fresh fnun the disastrous 
battle-tield, received authority front Governor Buckingham to recruit a 
company for the then forming Sixth Uegjment, and fell to work at once 
to execute tlie commission. 

"On the night of August I9th a large, enthusiastic public meeting wiis 
held in Concert Hall with a vit^w to stimulating enlistments in the new 
company. Thirty names had already been enrolleil, and foift-teen more 
were added that night. Wiiliiu a week the cmupany wus completed, and 
on the astli of August it departed for New Haven. Although recruited 
for the Sixth, it w;is assignetl to the Seventh Kegiment, and became 
Company D in that organi/.ati,)n. B. F. Skinner wius chosen captain, 
Joseph Donning first lienteuant, and Thomas Ilnotcji second lieutenant. 
These three were memlters of the first cnnipauy of tliree nmnths' men. 
Three weeks later, September l.sth, the regiment left the State for the 
front. 

" Tlie Seventh served the greater part of its time in tlie far South. It 
was the first to land on the soil of Snitli Carolina, and its tlag wiis the 
first national color unfniled in that State since tlie beginning of the war. 
Governor Buckingham promulgated tlie fact in a special order, and it 
Was read to every Connecticut regiment in the field. This alone was 
glory enough, but tiie Seventh did grand service Iliruughoiit the war. It 
saw more fighting than any other regiment in which Danbury had a 
company, taking part in nineteen engagements, chief among which weie 
the battles of Morris Island and Fort Wagner, and those about Bermuda 
Hundred. The Seventh was a ' fighting regiment' in the fullest sense of 
the term. The Datdmry company Ixirc itd full share of the work, as the 
casualties shi'W, its loss in killed and wounded being greater than the 
average of the companies. The com[iany had none of its commissioned 
officers on its retnrn, and yet there were but twi> promotions from the 
ranks. Capt. Skinner resigned in February, lJ^f4, l'"irsl Lieut. I'luuiiiig 
left the service in tlie first year, and Second Lieut. Hooteu lost his biave 
life in battle an the 14tli of June, 1S02. First Sergt. Theodore C. Wiid- 
iiian was pn-moted to be first lieutenant, and Private William W. New- 
man reached the same office. In view of the service of the cuu- 
pany, the changes in position were rennirkably few. Most of the 
company re-enlisted im the expiration of its three yeai-s' term, and served 
until the close of the war. Its losses exccedeil those vf any company 
Danbury sent to the war. Eleven of its members were kilb-d outright, 
twenty-seven were wounded, of whom ^ix lUed from the effects of wounds 
and twenty-one died with disease, of which number six died in the Ari- 
ders-uiville prison. The company entered the army with one hundred 
and five men and received sixty-three recruits, 

" On the 24th of August an itlier comiiany was r»rmed. There lias 
always been much that was mysterious surruumling this organization. 
It has no record, and not even its officers are fully known. No trace of the 
company is in the pjtssessiou of the State authorities. It participated in 
but one battle, but suffered severely. Like a gourd it grew up and went 
down in one day. It disbanded with considerable ostentation. In fact, 
the disbandment covered moie ground than all itsser\i;e. But (uiedaik 
spot dims its glory. Thesjarsof the wounds receive J in that battle are deli- 



cately concealed fromsiyht, and are only visibb- to the pulili'^ when tlie 
survivors are discnveied in s« imniing. The battle of ('liarcojil Unn tiudi 
place on ttie 24th of August, IKGI. 

" Immediately following this tragedy came the inception of the fifth 
company in Danbury's cmitrilnitiiin to the army. In spite of the rather 
inauspicious fact that the organizer was an enterprising undertaker, the 
formation of the company went rapidly forward, and undi-r almost as 
great a strain of excitement as signalized tiie former enrollment. 

"On the 2nth of Septendtcr thq cuiipauy left Danbury for Haitlord, 
where it remained until the Hith of December following, when it went 
to the front as C<unpany A of the Eleventh Kegiment. It was com- 
manded by Capt. George A. Southmayd. His fii-st lieutenant was Samuel 
G. Bailey, and the seciyiid lieutenant Cliarles H.White. The company 
was called the Aveiill Ritles. the name being adopted in htuior of 
Hon. Roger Averill. It left I)anbury to goto Haitford on anati uial fast- 
dny, September 2bth, and returned heie on Thanksgiving Day, Novem- 
ber 2Kth, for the purp.)se of receiving a stand of colors, a gift from Gov- 
ernor Averill. The exercises took place in Concei t Hall, where the mon- 
ument now stands, and there are tliose here this evening who vividly 
renumber all its details and will look back uimui iluit November evening 
with peculiar sensations. 

" As a part of the Eleventh Regiment the Averill Rifles partieipafed 
in ten serious engagements, (.'hief among these were Antietani, Freder- 
icksburg, Drury's Bltitf, an<l before Petersburg. Its losses were ten killed 
or died from wounds and twenty-two wounded. Sixteen of tlie mcmbei-s 
died with disease, three of tliem while prisoners I'f war at Andersonville. 
The company was the largest from Danbury in the service. It was 
orginally one hundred and one strong, and during its term it received 
one hundred and six recruits, making the total two hundred and seven. 
It re-enlisted in 1SG4, and was mustere.l out in De<ember, isn5. It met 
with many changes, Capt. Southmayd resigned m the summer of 1S(J2. 
First Lieut. Bailey \v;vn promoted to the vacancy, and light after re- 
signed. Second Lieut. While was promoted to his place, and resigned. 
The company lost these three officers within the space of two weeks. 
First Sergt, Henry J. McDonald 1 oca me major, Second Sergt. D. B. Jlaiis- 
field was made a second lieutenant, Fourth Sergt, Nathan Cornwall and 
Voi-\t. George Csissidy fii>t lieutenants. Fmm the ranks David A. Hoag 
rose to be captain,. Itdui II. SnilHn t() be first lieutenant, Peter W, Ambler, 
Christian (Juieii, and Sylvester C. Piatt serond lieutenants. Cbaihs i'ar- 
ker, a recruit, w;i.s appuinted a quartermaster. 

" A c<mipany of German citizens in this regiment was commanded by 
Cajst. William Moegling, who w;is promoted to be lieutenant-colonel, and 
was twice wiuinded. From the effects o( these wtninds lie was obliged 
to return home, and here he «lied on the 2(;)th of October, ISfH, one of the 
bravest of Danbury's volunteers. There were seven Danbury citizens in 
Capt. Moegling's company. 

"The Eleventh was one of the crack regiments of Connecticut. It was 
always to be dein-nded up m, and won the hearty approbation of its 
brigade ccunmamlers. When it appealed in \ew York city on its way to 
t!ie front it had 'piite a leception, and its soldierly bearing won the praiso 
of the city press. 

" The five companies whose histories I have briefly sketche 1 comprise 
the number of organizaii ms that Danbury furnished to maintain the 
nation's life in that first year of the war. 

" In the regiment of cavalry raised that summer there were a score of 
Danbury men. In fact, our town was represented in every company in 
the t'-oop. There were also recruits from herein every regiment but tbo 
Second that went out of the St^ite that year. 

"On the :id of December, ISfd, Andrew Knox, of Danbury, rec^^-ive I 
authority from Governor Buckingham to raise recruits for the service. 
He immediately began the work, and in a very short time had secure I 
forty-five volunteers. With these be reported at Hartford for duty. 
They were assigui-d to f'ompany B of the First Heavy Artillery, whidi 
had then emerged from the Fourth Infantry. Neljon L, White was the 
lieutenant-colonel of this admiiable regiment. Knox \va> made secoinl 
lieiiti-nant of the company, and was jtromoted shortly after to be first 
lieutenant. When I have occasio:i to write his idiitiiary I will spirak 
more paiticularly of him. 

*' Danbury is not considered to be specially connected with tliis regi- 
ment, and yet there were fifty-five residents of our town in Li-ut. 
Knox's company, or more than there were in any company organized 
here with the single exception of Company K, Twenty-third Ue;;imeut. 
I do not incluiie in the count those who belongeil to the (pH>ta ol the 
town and enlisted here, but simply thuse who had residence in Danbury. 

" I cannot close this record of the yeai's wm k without a word fir tlie 
newspapers of the day. Theie is a mournful pleasure in looking over 
them and pondeii.ig on their magnificent opportunities for snubbing 



252 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



tnitli. Tliey contain full accounts of nil the battles, and one in reading 
the flgnres iu the Ii.st of ciutiialties cnnuot help udniiiing tlio resources 
of the Sontli, whatever he may think of itn jH.Iicy. I dare Boy there 
were na niniiy Southerners killed in that flrbt year of the war «8 we Imd 
men fi^^hting in nil the years. I recall one case whoro It stated that a 
Union man killed //urryyitf 8cceseiunl»td at uno shut. It led me to be- 
lieve that the rebels foUKht In bales like yuu wmietimes see codfiuh in a 
gnicery. and 1 couldn't help Hhiidileiin^; when I thought how tltin their 
bodies mu^t bo. At the eanie time I wished thut I owne*i that guu. 
Jleally, our government did not need one-tontli the troops it raised. 

*' The second year of the war, 18C2, pit-wed half away without witness- 
ing any orgiuiizing action in l>aiibury. That winter will ever bo known 
OS having oiiginuted the balmy condtlit>ii of afTairs along the course of 
the Potomac. All that time the announcement of 'All quiet along the 
Potomac' was new and fresh, and gave quite u charm to current litera- 
ture. 

" Occatlonolly there was a de«;ent uiwn the village of some recruiting- 
agent with his dazzling proMpcctus. People were getting used to the war 
and all that pertained tu it potwible fur thein to know, and even the Dan- 
bury horue patiently faubniJtteif to banneiD and drums. 

" In the summer of 18G:i there was a cull for three bundre<l thousand 
moio troops, to servo for three years, and Danbury again bestiired herself 
to gather lier sons and send them foith to the flght. There was a public 
meeting in Concert Hull one July evening. It was a notable gathering 
in tliut it had a live Governor to address it, and a live lieutenant-gover- 
nor to preside over it. Governor Buckingham, the noble hero, was here 
that night, and Lieut.-Gov. Averill was called tn tlie chair. Both of 
them nuide addrcssoa which were a])pc»ls that sliired the ardor vt Dan- 
bury us it had not been stirred since the Bull Bun disaster. 

"It was a tremendous meeting,— the biggest yet held. A largo num- 
ber could not gain admittance to the hall. The building was full. It is 
said there were ovur a thousand perwiins in there that night. You who 
remember the old hall will agree with nio that tlie ushers must have 
had years of expel icnce in iMtxing sardines. When the speaking woe 
over there wiw a call for volunteers. A tall man went forward. He had 
the typical military figure,— tall, slim, stmight. Ho wrote his name on 
the |wper presented. It was the first name, and was read to the audience. 
It was that of James E. Moore. The announcement of this name was 
received with a storm of applause. Little did he who wn>te it, or those 
who clieered it, anlici|ttte the tragedy that a year later was to <)uench bis 
life. Other mimed rapidly followed, auil the fiist stej) for the formation 
of the Wildnian Guanis was taken. The name was adopted in honor of 
our fidlowHitizen. Fredetick S. Wihlman. The iiunmand thus started 
soon liecome a full company, and took the designation of '(" in the 
S4;venteenlh Begimentof Lonnectkut Volunteeis, then being raised by 
this county, and the only distinctively Fairfield Otunty regiment re- 
cruited. Its headquartera were ot Bridgeiwrt. On the 28tli of August 
it was mustered into the United States service, nnd on the 3il of Sep- 
tember it left the State for the front. 

"Cupt. James K. Moore was the commauiler of this company. The 
first lieuteimnt was Wilton II. Daidels. The second lieutenant was 
Hour}' tjulen. The company numlwretl one hundred and two on leaving 
tlio State. During its term of service it received seven recruits, nuxking 
its total nunil>er one hundred and nine. Its battles were not many, but 
Its record shows that it made the most of itsopiMtitunities. The regiment 
was assigned lo the Army of the Potomac, where It Bor*ed until after the 
battle of Gettysburg, when it was transferred to tho Department of the 
South and did duty U'foro Charleston and in Floiido. The Daubury 
company first canu' under lire at Clnincellorsville, where it hud one niem- 
Iwr fatidly wounded and two less seil-msly. Its second engagement was 
Gettvsbuig. Here its exiM^rienco wiut mottt Utter, its loss in that fight 
was the mt*t serious Huntaiued by any Danbury company in any one en- 
gagement fought. If I recoiled aright, the comiHiny went into the but- 
tle with forty-four members. Of these eleven wore kille^I outright or 
died shortly from tho offects of wounds. Elereu wor« otherwise woundml 
and eleven were captured, leavlitg eleven survivors. On that tleld tho 
bmvo captain gave up his lifi*. and three of his sergeants i>uii»hed with 
him. The com|niny"s nvsualties duiliig Its thive years of siTvico were 
twelve killwl outright or fatally wounded, twelve otherwiso wounded, 
and s«'ven <11im1 of diiMMUic. There were but few promotions. Both l|t«u- 
tenftuts, Ihinlfls and Qulen, l>ecunif (ajitnin of thi> coutiNiny, the formur 
rvnlgning in March, l»t'4. Sergt. William I.. Daniels was made fli«t 
Ib'Ulenant. 

" The ailjulant-genenil of the State, in his report of tho Mrrlce* of tho 
Conn«H:tlcut troopA, si^caks 1% the fulluwlug dhillnctive Icniit of thu 
Seventeenth : 

"'Tims ended Uie honoral Ic scnice of ■ regiment the supeilor of 



which in Intelligence, moroJe, courage, and endurance was not found in 
tho army. Tlie commonwealth of Connecticut will ever cherish tho 
memory of its dead ami honor Its living.* 

"Tho Fifteenth Regiment went into the scrvlco at the same time with 
tbe Seventeenth. <riie late Dr. E. F. Hendrlck was an nsbistant surgL-ou 
in this regiment, whitdi bad fifteen of (*ur clti/Arns. One of these was 
Charles S. Gray, who entered the service as a sergeant and was promoted 
to be second lieutenant. 

" In September, D<i;2, Dauburj' completed her last organizations for the 
war. These were two companies enlisted for a term of nine months. 
Both companies were recniited for the Twenty-third Kegiinent. Each 
contained eighty-three members. The first was Company B. Its cajv 
tain was James U. Jenkins. Tho first lieutenant was the lamented 
Frederick Starr, who was fatally woundetl in the battle of I.a Fourche, 
La. Tho second lieutenant was William II. lU-tts, who was promoted to 

I be first lieutenant on the death of Starr. Sergt. Henry I. Smith became 

! second lieutenant. Tho company's less iu the service were two from 
wounds and three from disease. 

"The second company was mustered in as Company K. It was com- 

j manded by Capt. Samuel G. Bailey. The fiist lieutenant was Edwin H. 

I Neaiing, and the second George Quien. Tho Quleiis may be calleil a 
family of ofllcei's. All its available force, three sons, went into the ser- 
vice, and all were otficers. Tho casualties of Company K were the cap- 

I ture of Capt. Bailey and the deaths from di.-tease of four members. 

"The regiment served in I^onisianaand faithfully discharged tho dutlcfl 
ussignetl to it. Snniuel Gregory was the adjutant and Eli Ferry tho ser- 
geant-mioor of the regiment. 

j " I have here prepared a tiible which shows tho strength and the loss 

I of Daubury in the war for the Union. Although our village bad organi- 
zations ill but seven of the thirty regiments from the State, it had repre- 
sentatives in nearly all of them. In this table is given tho strength of 
the Danbury companies and the nunibt;r of Danbuiians in other com- 
panies of the same regiments: 

Regiment. Danbur}- Cu. Other Cos. Total. Wounded. Killed. 

1st 78 I 70 

:id 77 •! 7U 1 

:Jd I. L. Bat 2 ... 1 

1st CttV 38 

1st H. Artilleiy «» ... 2 

lid ** " 12 ... 1 2 

r.tli 1G6 8 17a VJ G 

r.ih 47 ... <l 4 

7th ItW aO 204 2-* I'J 

Mil IH 

•Mh 12 

Itith* a 

nth 207 21 228 22 10 

i 12th 21 

i:nh fi 

14th 4 

loth 15 

ITth IVJ I'J 128 12 12 

I 20th ^^\ 

ZUi DJO li 181 ... 2 

24tl.1 1 

29th Colored 2^ 

3Uth " 1 

Total. 97U 300 I'-HM 01 5« 

"Tills shows that Danbury had six companira Iu the army whoso total 

membership was OTlt. In other companies were 300 of her citizens. 

I making a grand total of l:jfit), or ntvir/»/ oin>»irlh of her jutpuUttioH. Of 

these 5(J were killed, 01 were wounded, and KO died of disease, the total 

of casualties l>eing one-sixth of the contribution. 

''This is thu record over which Panbur>- exults while It mourns. Iti 
all the towns of this suffering, enduiing, biuve little State there is none 
that presents a grander reconl than this. Fiom tlie hour when Uie 
shame put on Sumter thrilletl her loyal heart, she never fallenil in tho 
way once set l>eforo her. Then.- can no one now or in the future yet to 
come, however distant it may grow, loy the finger of repp>a<--h u|»on our 
dear old mother, or cay that in aught (HTtaining to the welfare of iier 
own or of the land she so dearly lovi-s her loyalty had lackfng. 

" Front out tbe team that fall for those who Iu the shock of Ijatlle went 
the n>yal road to doath she looks w itit grateful pride uiiou the work so 
bravely, so uobly wruughl, and laj's thcrooD lior earnest brucUicUon." 



* Sorgt. S. L. White was made captain of C4>mpAn,T D. Ho died ot 
wounds, 
t All deserted. 
I Dr. Warrcu of Daubury, surgeon. 



DANBUKY. 



Z53 



MILITARY RECORD. 

The following reeorfl of those who enlisted in the 
war of the Rebellion from this town is taken from 
the "Catalogue of Connecticut Volunteer Organiza- 
tions," which was jirepareil from the nn'ords in the 
office of the adjutant-general : 

E. E. Wiliiman, captain Co. E, Ist K(.'},-t. ; must. .\pnl 19, INCU ; discli. 

July 31, 1861. 
J.D.Stevens, lirst lieutenant Co. E, 1st Regt. ; must. .Vpiil 19,1801; 

Jisdi. July 31, 1801. 
J. W. Bussing, second lieutenant Co. E, 1st Regt. ; must, .\pril 19, IsGl ; 

iliseh. July 31, 1801. 
Andrew Kno.\, Co. E, 1st Regt.; must, .^pril 19, Isill ; ilis.h. July 31, 

1801. 
Milo Pickens, Co. E, 1st Regt.; must, .\iuil 19, ISOl ; iliscli. July 31, 

1801 
William Moegling, Co. E, 1st Begt. ; must, .\pril 19,1801; disch. July 

31, 18GI. 
S. L. Peltit, Oj. E, Ist Regt. ; must, .\pril 19, 1801 ; discli. July 31, ISCl. 
G. B. .\llen, Co. E, 1st Regt.; must. Apiil 19. 1861; discli. July 31, 1861. 
E. S. Davis, Co, E, Ist Regt.; must. April 19, ISOl ; disch. July 31, 1801. 
Ale.\andiM' Kallman, Co. E, Ist Regt. ; must April 19, ISGl ; disch. July 

31, 1801. 
E. H. Dunn, Co. E, 1st Regt.; must. April 19, ISCl ; discli. July 31, 1801. 
G. Foot, Co. E, 1st Regt.; must. April 19, ISOI; disch. July 31, 1801. 
John Allen, Co. E, Ist Regt. ; must. April 19, 1861 ; disch. July 31, 1801. 
Charles H. Anderson, Co. E, 1st Regt.; must. April 19, ISCl ; disch. July 

31, 1801. 
John Bogardus, Co. E, 1st Regt.; must. April 19,1801; discli. July 31, 

1801. 
C. n. Boerum, Co. E, 1st Regt.; must. April 19,1801; disch. July 31, 

1801. 
James Blizard, Co. E, 1st Regt. ; must. April 19, 1801 ; disch. May 9, 1801. 
William Blizard, Co. E, 1st Regt.; must. April 19, 1801 ; disch. June 10, 

1801. 
T. F. Bussing, Co. E, 1st Regt.; must. April 19,1801 ; disch. July 31,1801. 
James Bradley, Co. E, 1st Regt.; must. April 19, 1801; disch. July 31, 

1801. 
Aaron H. Byington, Co. E, 1st Regt.; must. Ajiril 19, l.sci ; disch. July 

31, 1801. 
George W. Banker, Co. E, 1st Begt. ; must. April 19, 1801 ; disch. July 

31, 1801. 
Charles A. Benger, Co. E, 1st Regt.; mu.st. April 19,1861; disch. July 

31, I.SOl. 
H.E.Buckingham, Co. E, 1st Regt.; must. April 19,1801; disch. July 

31,1801. 
W. K. Cowan, Co.E, 1st Regt.; must. April 19,1801; disch. July 31, 18C1. 
L, B. Clark, Co. E, 1st Regt; must. April 19, 1801 ; disch. July 31, 1801. 
W. R. Doane, Co. E, 1st Regt. ; must. A|iril 19,1801; disch. July 31,1801. 
J. L. Day, Co. E, 1st Regt.; must. April 19, 1801; disch. July 31, 1861. 
E. H. Day, Co. E, Ist Regt.; must. April 19, 1801; disch. July 31, 1861.- 
J. S. Dunning, Co. E, 1st Begt. ; must. April 19, 1861 ; disch. July 31, 1861. 
Ezckic] Eaton, Co. E, lat Regt.; must, .\pril 19,1801; disch. July 31, 

1601. 
T. C. Kieldstone, Co. E, 1st Begt.; must. April 19,1801; disch. July 31, 

1801. 
C. Grimm, Co. E, 1st Regt.; must. April 19, 1801 ; disch. July 31, 1801. 

C. A. Gorrlon, Co. E, Ist Regt. ; must. April 19, 1801 : disch. July :il , 1801 . 
W. H. Gihlw, Co. E, Ist Regt.; must. April 19, 1801 ; disch. July 31, 1801. 
C.W. Hilbrandt, Co. E, Ist Regt.; must. April 19,1801; disch. July 31, 

1801. 
W. 0. Iloyt, Co. E, 1st Regt. ; must. April 19, 1801 ; disch. July 31. 1801. 
W. P. Hoyt, Co. E, 1st Regt.; must. April 19, ISOI; disch. July 31, 1801. 

D. B. Hoyt, Co. E, Ist Regt. ; must. April 19, 1861 ; discli. July 31, 1801. 
Alfred H. Hoddinott, Co. E, 1st Begt. ; must. April 19, 1801 ; disch. July 

31, 1801. 
Otto Hagement, Co. E, Ist Kegt.; must. April 19, 1801; disch. July 31, 

1801. 
James Howath, Co. E, 1st Regt.; must. April 19, 1801; discdi. July 31, 

ISOI. 

E. P. Jennings, Co. E, 1st Regt. ; must. April 19, 1801 ; discli. July 31, 

1801. 
James Martin, Co. E, 1st Begt.; must. Ajiril 19,1601; .liscli. July 31, 
18G1. 



Horace Purdy, Co. E, 1st Begt.; must. April 19,1801; discli. July 31, 
1801. 

F. W. PlatI, Co. E, 1st Begt.; must. April 19, 1801; discli. July ;;l, IsOl. 
Joseph W. Baynioud, Co. E, 1st Kcgt.; must. April 19, 1801 ; cli>cli. July 

31, I8GI. 
J. »•. Ross, Co. E. Ist Regt. ; must. April 19, 1801 ; disch. July 31, 1.861. 
T. Ross, Co. E, 1st Regt.; must. April 19, 1861 ; disch. July 31, 1801. 
O. S. Sniilh, Co. K, 1st Regt.; must. April 19, 1861 ; ilisdi. July 31, IsOl. 
Elson J. Smith, I'o. E, 1st Regt.; must. April 19, UCl; disch. July 31, 

1861. 
B.F. Skinner, U). E, Ist Regt.; must. April 19, 1861; disch. .luly 31, 

1861. 
D. Sloan, Co. E, 1st Regt. ; must. April 19, 1801 ; disch. July 31, 1801. 

G. Scott, Co. E, 1st Regt.; must. April 19, ISOl; disch. July 31, 1861. 
Lewis .Shack, Co. E, Ist Regt. ; must. April 19, 1801 ; disch. July 31, 1801. 
Eli D. Sceley, Oi. E, 1st Regt; must. April 19, ISOl ; iliscli. July 31, 1861. 
A. Staples, Co. E, let Regt; must April 19, 1801 ; disdi. July 31, 1861. 
G. Sears, Co. E, 1st Regt.; must. A|iril 19, I.S6I ; disih. July 31, 1861. 

J. H. Taylor, Co. E, 1st Regt. ; must. April 19, 1801 ; disch. July 31, ISOI. 

D. A. Veats, Co. E, Ist Regt.; must April 19, 1801; disjh. July 31, 1801. 

E. L. Wildmau, Co. E, 1st Regt; must April 19, 1801; dis-li. July 31. 

1861. 
John Waters, Co. E, 1st Regt. ; must. April 19, 1861 ; discli. July 31, l.sol. 



Setli J. Crosliy, must .\pril ; 



O'llllHltUf C. 

!, I.SOl ; di.scli. July 31, 1801. 



THIRD REGIMENT. 
Company B. 
Measner, Herman, must May II, ISOI; disch. .\ug. 12, ISOI. 

0»"P'tiiit C. 
(^MuMeral iaio tcrcke Miij 14, 1801.) 
James E. Moore, captain ; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Samuel G. Bailey, liret lieutenant ; disch. .\iig. 12, 1801. 
Charles 11. Hoyt, second lieutenant; res. June 10, 1801. 
Frederick W. Jackson, sergeant ; pro. to second lieutenant; disch. Aug 

12,1801. 
Walter C. Sparks, sergeant; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Henry C. White, sergeant ; disch. .\ug. 12, 1861. 

John B. Marsh, sergeant; killed in hattlc of Bull Run, July 21, 1801. 
Ehen L. Hariium, corporal ; discli. .\ug. 12, 1861. 
Seneca Edgett, corjioral ; disch. .\ug. 12, 1801. 
Milton H. Daniels, corporal ; disch. Aug. 12, I8GI. 
Heury U. Leach, corporal ; disch. Aug. 12, 1801, 
Armstrong, Samuel B., disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Dauchy, Robert S., disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Davis, William H., disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Divenuy, Owen, disch. .\ug. 12, 1801, 
Ely, John G., disch. Aug. 12, 1861. 
Foley, Patrick, disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Gray, John, discli. .\ug. 12, 1801. 
Hall, William, disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Hale, Minot, ili.scli. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Horau, Thomas, dis.-h. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Hoyt, Edgar II,, disch. .\ug. 12, ISOl. 
Jackson, William. 
Keeney, John, disch. .\ug. 12, 1801. 
Keeuey, Thoma.s, disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Lee, James E., disch, .\ug. 12, 1801. 
Louden, George, disch. Aug. 12, 1861. 
Mansfield, David B , disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Moore, John, disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Monroe, Alsop L., disch. Aug. 12, 1S61. 
Moffatt, Ahram, disch. Aug. 12, 18GI. 
McKey, Thomas, disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
McAvoy, Lawrence, disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
McGowan, Michael, disch. Aug. 12, 1861. 
Osborne, Lewis W., disch. Aug. 12, 1861. 
Pratt, David J., disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Quien, Henry, disch. Aug. 12, 1861. 
Rourke, Philip, disch. .\ug. 12, ISGl. 
Raymond, Amos, disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Rogers, Isaac B., disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Boouey, Tliaddy, disch. Aug. 12, 1861. 
Sherman, Bennett, disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 



254 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Tsylor, Jniiieti B , illscli. Aug. 12, IgCl. 
Taylor, Willmni H , iliach. Aug 12, 1801. 
Wiirrcii, Edwanl S., dUcli. AuK. 12, 1801. 
Wilson, Harve}', rliscli. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Woo.lnin, ChnrlL-i H , ilisch. Aug. 12, 18C1. 
Youup, George B., (liifcU. Aug. 12, 1801. 

FIRST REGIMBN'T CWALRY, COSSECTICUT VOLUNTEERS. 
Keyes, Willium, luust. Dec. 19, 1804; not taken up on rolls. 
Larkiu, John, muat. Do?. 10, 1804 ; not taken up on rolls. 
Lee, Ge<trpe, muHt. Doc. 10, 1801 ; not taken up on rolls. 
Lynch, John, niimt. Dec. 20, 1804; not taken up on rolls. 
Mack, Janu-s, munt. Sept. 10, l.'^Ol; not taken up on rolls. 
3IiiIone, James, must. March 7, 1805; not taken up on rolls. 
Stokes, IVrcival, must. Dec. 22, 18&4; not taken up on rolls. 

FIRST CAVALKV. 
Company B. 
Samuel Flight, ninst. Doc. 2, 1861 ; disdi. Kor. 2, 18G4. 
John Duoley, must. Aug. 20, 18J4 ; diach. Aug. 2, 1805. 

Cfrnpantf C. 
I). W. Knowles, most. Dec. 9, 1861 ; tliach. Jon. 23, 1803. 
J. D. B<-nnctt, must. Dec. 10, 1804; must, out Aug. 2, 18C'>. 
Wni. Miller, must Dec. 10, 18M ; must, out .\ug. 2, 1SC5. 
Charles )li<MleIon, must. Dec. 10, 18C4; uiUKt. out Aug. 2, 18(». 
W. L. Munsun, must. Jan. 8, 1804; must, out Aug. 2, 1803. 

Oampauy i>. 
C. Wood, must. Nov. 2, ISCl ; must, oat June 20, 1802. 
Joseph Williman, must. Dec. 5, 1861 ; muftt. out Sept. 13, 1802. 

Company F. 
George McForn, must. Dec. 11, 1804 ; must, out Ang. 2, 1865. 

Compant/ G. 
Henry Wells, must. Sept. 10, 1804 ; pru. capt. March 10, 1865. 

Vompiiny II. 
C. II. Jennings, must. Dec. 14, 18G5; must, out .\ug. 7, 1805. 

Company I. 
II. n. rerr>-, must. Doc. 21, 1803; must, out .Iune2:!, 1865. 
J. C. Thonukin, must. Dec. 21, 180.1; must, out July 18, ISO.'i. 
William II. Moure, miut. Dec. 18, 1804. 
James Russell, must. Dec. 24, 18C3. 

Company L. 
C. n. Benedict, must. Dec. 24, 1803; must, out Ang. 2, 1803. 
Henry Foster, must. Apiil 7, 1805; must, out Aug. 2, 1865. 
Willium I'elidly, must. Jan. .'., 1804 ; diwi Oct. 12, 1804. 
F. Thomson, must. Jan. 3, 18l>5 ; must, out Aug. 2, 18(;5. 
Solumuu Wheeler, must. Dec. 18, 1803; must, out Aug. 2, 186A, 

Company 31. 
8. Knppi, ninst. Aug. 2G, 1864 ; must, out Aug. 2, 1805. 
William .\dams, must. Nov. 27, 1863. 
Janu'S .Vguew, must. Dec. 21, 1804. 
John I". Iloycs, must. Dec. Ill, 1864. 
Thuuiaa Feeliey, must. .Se|)t. ID, 18C4. 
J. Hill, must. Dec. 10, 1864. 
William Johnson, must. Dec. 16,1864. 
John Ijirkins, must. Dec. 16, 1864. 
James 5Iack, must. Sept. lu, 1804. 
John Maloney, must. March 7, 1805. 
John Willoughl.y, must. Dec. 10, 1804. 

THIRD BATTERY. 
M. Ilarilond, must Sept. 7, 1864 ; nuul. out June 23, 18CS. 

FIRST ARTILLERY. 
Nelson L. Mlille, llcutonant<oloncl ; must. May 23, 1861 ; intist.ont Nor. 

19,1864. 
Ell F. liemlrick, second ossistantmurgcon ; apiiolntcd Sept. 3, 18G2 ; tmtu. 

to Fifteenth Regt., Jan. S, 180:1. 

Amp'injr It. 
Andrew Kno\, second lieutenRnt; must. May 12, 1862; pro. to first Ilea- 
tenant. May 2), 1862 ; must, out llkrch 15, ISOS. 



Andci II., must Feb. 4, 1862; dlKb. Feb. 13,1865, at expira- 

tion of tciin. 

Andrews, Daniel N., must. Feb. 11,1802; rc-onl. Fob. 12, 184^ ; dtsch. 
for disability. Sept. 2, 1803. 

Benedict, Granville W., must Jan. 21, 1802; disch. for dlsalility, Nor. 
18, 1802. 

Brown, Robert, must. Jan. 22, 1802 ; re-col. Feb. 5, 1864 ; must, out Sept. 
25, 18ia. 

Dickens, Slilo, must. Feb. 4, 1802; re-enl. Feb. 5, 1804; must, out Sept. 
25, 1805. 

nefreu, Thomas, nnist Feb. 11, 1802; disch. for disability, April 1, 1802, 
at Fort Richardson. Va. 

Jenkins, Ichnbod E., must. Jan. 22, 1802; disch. Feb. 13, 1805, at expira- 
tion of term. 

Keeler, George D., must. March II, 1802; disch. fur disability, July 18, 
1862, at Washington, D. C. 

McDemiott, James, must. Feb. 4,1802 ; disch. Feb. 13,1865, at expiration 
of term. 

McDermott, Cliarles, must. March 4, 1862 ; disch. March 13, 1865, at ex- 
piration of term. 

Sluldoon, James, must Jan. 22,1802; re-enl. Feb. 5,1804; must, out 
Sept. 2.'>, 1S05. 

O'Rourke, Philip, must. Feb. 4, 1803; re-enl. Feb. 5, 1864. 

rotter, William R., umst. March 11, 1802; died March 30, 1802, at Fort 
Richardson, Vn. 

Pettit, Samuel M., must. Feb. 4, 1802; re-cni. Fob. 5,1804; must out Sept. 
25, 1805. 

Boff, George N., must. Feb. 5, 1802; re-enl. Fob. 5, 1804; must, ont Sept. 
25, 1805. 

Rooney, TliaddeuB, must Feb. 4, 1802; re-enl. Feb. 5,1864; must out 
Sept. 25, 1805. 

Scott Grandi9<in, must March 11,1862; disch. March 13, 1865. at expira- 
tion of term. 

Sherman, Thomas G., must Feb. 25, 1862 ; died Ang. 1, 1862, at Ilarnson's 
Landing, Va. 

Smith, Alson J., must. Feb. 4, 1862; disch. fur disability, Sept. 2, 1862, 
at llaltford. Conn. 

Sinrks, Walter C, must Feb. 4,1862; re-«nl. Feb. 5,1864; must out 
Sept. 25, 1805. 

Sweeney, John, must. Feb. 4, 1862; disch. Feb. 13, 1805, at expiration of 
tonn. 

Shopard, aiarles, must. Jan. 22, 1862; disch. fur disability, April 1, 1862, 
at Fort Richardson, Va. 

Tillotson, William, must. Feb. 26, 1862; disch. March 13, 18GS, at expira- 
tion of tenn. 

Wood, Binun, must Feb. 11, 1802; disch. fur disability, April I, 1802, at 
Fort Richardson, Va. 

Wood, George L., must Jan. 22, 1802; disch. for disability, April 1,1862, 
Fort Richardson, Va. 

Allen, John, must Sept. 6,1864; must out Sept 26, I8G5, at Wiu.liing- 
ton, D. C. 

Bevans, George, must. Sept. 1, 1864 ; disch. Juno 29, 1805, by order Sec- 
retary of War, at Richmond, Va. 

Blissard, Fnincis, must. Sept. 1, 18r4; disch. June 29, 1805, by onler Sec- 
retary of War, at Richmond, Va. 

Costello, Sliihael, must Sept 1, 1804; disch. June 29, 1865, by order Sec- 
retary of War, at Richmond, Va. 

Crowfoot, Elienc/er l\, must. Sept. 1, 1804; must, out Sept 25, 1805, at 
Washington, D. C. ■ 

I>anieK Henry L., niiist Sept. 1, 18l>l ; disch. June 29, 1866, by older 
Secretary of War, at Richmond, Vo. 

Fonniug, James, must. Sept. 1, 1864 ; must out S«t>t. 26, 1863, Washing- 
ton, D. C. 

Illckock. William F., must. Sept 1, 1804 ; must out Sept 25, 1866, W;i>h- 
ington. D. C. 

Ilaviland, Daniel, must Sept 6, 1804 ; disch. Jan. 29, 1805, by order Secre- 
tur>' of War, Richmnnd. 

Iloddinott Alfrol II.. must Sept. 7, 1804 ; diach. June 29, 18C3, by order 
Se*:reloty of Wor, Richmond. 

HoyI, Daniel J., must .Sept 7, 1864 ; dhicb. June 29, 1865, by order Secre- 
tary nf War. Richmond. 

Hefrvn, Thoma^ must. Sept. 8, 1864; disch. June 29, 1805, by order 
Secretor>- of War, Richmoml. 

Lowory, Fnincis. must Sept. 6, 1864; disch. Juno 29, HfOi. by order Sec- 
retary tif War, Richmond. 

Lee, ItuU>rt O., must Sept 12, 1864; dls:h. June 29, 1865, by order Secre- 
tary of War, Richmond. 



i 



DANBURY. 



I'OJ 



McKay. Daniel, must. Sept. 7, 1SG4 ; disch. June 2!}, 1805, by order Secre- 
tary of War, Ridinioiid. 

McKay. Thomas, must. Sept. 7, 1SG4 ; disch. June 20. 1SG.3, by order Sec- 
retary of War, Richmond. 

Mager. Lopold, must. Sept. 1, 18G4; diacli. Juno 'j'.l, ISGO, by order Secre- 
fciry of War, Riihninnd. 

Parsons, l>aviii, nuist. Sept. 5, 1SG4; disch. June 2^J, ISGJ, I ly order Sec- 
retary of War, Richmond. 

Stoker, Henry, must. Sept. 1, 18G4; disch. June 29. 18Go, by order Secre- 
tary of War, Richmond. 

Sherman, Bennett, must. Sept. 7, lxC4; disch. June 20, 18G.5, by order 
SecretJiry of War, Richnion<l. 

Sinine, Eiisha A., must, Sept. 7, 1SG4 ; disch. June 20, 18G5, by order Sec- 
retary of War, Rii'hnutnd. 

Wildman, William, must. Sept. 1, 18G4; disch. Juno 29, 18G5, by order 
Secretiuy of War, Richmond. 

Waterman, Charles !>., must. Sept. 5, 1SG4 ; disch. June 29, 18Go, by order 
Secretary of War, Ridimond. 

Waterman, Harrison, must. Sept. 5, 18G4 ; disch. June 20, 18G.'), by order 
Secretary of War, Richmi'iid. 

Wilson. Albeit R., nmst. Sept. 7, \Si'A ; disch. Juno 29, 1SG5, by order Sec- 
retary of War, Ricliinoud. 

Compmiy D. 
T>. B. DeForest, must. Jan. 1, 1864 ; died Feb. 2.1, 18G4. 
William Harris, muht. .Jan. 1, 1864 ; must, out Sept. 25, 18C5. 

Comp'imj E. 
James Kain, must. Jan. 5, 1S64 ; died Jan. 17, 1SG4. 

Company F. 
Henry Brown, must. Aug. 17, 18G4; must, out Sept. 5, 1SC.3. 
J. Fitzs-inimoTi, must. July 5, 18£4. 

Companr/ II. 
Ira Buckley, must. Dec. U, 1863 ; must, out Sept. 25, 18G5. 
C. Sirriue, must. Dec. 5, 1863; must, out Sept. 25, 18G5. 

Compaiuj I. 

Bartrani, George 0., must. Jan. 5, 1H(;4; must, out Sept. 25, 18G3, Wash- 
ington, T). C. 

Croal, John, must. Jan. 5, ISW; disch. for disability, June 2?>, 1865, New 
Haven, (?onn. 

Curry, Jeremiah, must. Sept. 7, l.sr,4; disch. Juno 3fi, 1SG5, by order of 
War Department. 

Ferry, John, must. Jan. 5, 1SG4; must, out Sept. 2:-, isr>5, Washington, , 
B.C. 

Hoyt, Amos L., must. Jan. 5, 18*34; must, out Sept. 25, 18t"h5, Washing- 
ton, D..C. 

McCoy, Jamee, must. Jan. 5, 18G4; must, out Sept. 25, 1SG5, Washington, 
D. C. 

Mooney, William, must. Aug. 24, 18iV4. 

Robinson, Thomxi O., must. Oct. 3, 1.SG3; disch. for disability, Feb. 11, 
1X(U. Fort RicJiardson. 

Scollin, Francia, must. Sept. 7, 1SG4 ; wounded April 2, 1SG5 ; disch. June 
30, 1865, by order of War Department. 

Strail, George, must. Sept. 7, lSti4 ; disch. June 30, 18G5, by order of War 
Department. 

Veali, Henry B., must. Jan. 5, lstV5; must, out Sept. 25, 18G5, Washing- 
ton, D. C. 

Wilson, Chas. H., must. Jan. 5, ISi^o ; must, out Sept. 25, 1865, Washing- 
ton, D. C. 

H. Scollin, must. May 23, 18G1 ; disch. May 22, 18G4. 

Company L. 
J. Acker, must. Dec. 24, 1863; disch. Sept. 25, 18C5. 

SECOND ARTILLERY. 

Co7npauy D. 
F. Hawley, must. Jan. 5, 18G4; disch. Oct. 3, 18G4. 

Company M. 
S. T. Wheeler, must. Feb. 8, 1864 ; wounded and must, out Aug. 18, 1865. 
John Hender, mu.st. Sept. 14, 18G4. 
Benedict, John F., must. March 5, 1X62; re-enl. Feb. 5, 1804; wounded; 

must, out Sept. 2.5, l.S(>5. 
Hawley. Miram B., mufit. Feb. 4, 1862; re-eul. Feb. 5, 1864; must, out 

Sept. 25, 1865. 



Comes, George C, must. Jan. 5, 18G4 ; must, out Sept. 25, is(i5, Wiishing- 
ton, I>. C. 

Comes, Kens, must. Sept. 1, 18G4; must, out Sept. 25, ISGJ, Washington, 
D. C. 

Richardson, Frederick, must Sept. 1, lsG4; died Juuo 4, 1864, at Regi- 
mental Hospital, Fort Drury, Va. 

Ryan, John, must. Jan. 5, 1S64; in ho-*pital at New Haven, March 30, 

1864. 

FIFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 

Comi'any A. 

William C. Bennett, fii-st assistant-surgeon ; must. July 23, 18G1 ; pro. to 
surgeon; disch. June 28, 1863. 

Henry Burton Stone, captain ; must. July 22. 1861; pro. to lienteuant- 
colone! ; died Jan. 2(1, ISG3, of wounds receive"! at Cndar Mountain. 

James A. Belts, Jr., first lieutenant; must. July 22, 18G1 ; pro. to lieuten- 
ant-colonel. 

William A. Daniels, second lieutenant; ninst. July 22, 1861 ; pro. to lirst 
lieutenant; wounded July 20, 1864; must, out Oct. 21, 1864. 

Theoriure H. Dil'ble, sergeant; must. July 22, 1861; pro. to captain; 
must, out July 20, 1^!64, at expiration of term. 

Ed. K. Carley, sergeant; must. July 22, IHGl ; pro. to quartermaster 
must, out July 19, IMo, Alexandria, Va. 

George N. Raymond, sergeant; must. July 22, l8iU; pro. to first lieuten- 
ant; must. out. 

James Stewart, Jr.. sergeant; must. July 22, ISdl; wounded June 22, 
18(14; pro. to captain; must, out July 10, lsi;5. 

John 0. Shnfeldt. sergeant; must. July 22, ISfU ; wounded Aug. 0, 1862 ; 
disch. fi>r disability, Oct. 29. 1862. 

Daniel Odell, corponil ; must. July 22, isni ; disch. July 22, 18il4, at ex- 
piration of term. 

Edgar A. Stratton, corporal ; must. July 22, 1S61 ; pro. to first lieutenant ; 
must, out Nov. 1, \s\A, at expiration of term. 

James L. Conklin, nniaician ; must. July 22, 186! ; disch. for disal'ility, 
April G, 1S63, Stafford Court-House, Va. 

Martin C. Vaucor, wagoner; must. July 22, 1861; ilisch. for disability, 
Oct. 18, 1862, WashingUm, D. < ". 

Anson, Charles II., must. July 22, IS61 ; re-enl. Dec. 21, 1863; must, out 
July 19, 18G5. 

Atlakeskey, Theodore J., must. July 22, 1H(;1 ; disch. July 22, 1864, at ex- 
piration of term. 

Bradley, George A., must. July 22. 1S61 ; woun<led Aug. 9, 18G2; re-enl. 
Dec. 21, 18G3; must, out June 12, 1hi;5. 

Byers, James, must. July 22, 1861 ; killed at Cedar Mountain, Va., Aug. 
9, 1SG2. 

Crofut, Horace S., must. July 22, 18G1. 

Drew, Robert N., must. July 22, isiil ; re-enl. in Co. F, First Cavalry. 

Duiant, Charles H., must. July 22. isr.i ; re-enl. Dec. 21, 1863 ; must, out 
July 19, 1865. 

Johnson, Gilbert N., must. July 22, 1S61 ; re-enl. Doc. 21, 1S63 ; must, out 
July 19, 1865. 

James, Thomas A., must. July 22, 1861 ; disch. for disability, Jan. 24, 1863, 
Washington, D, ».'. 

Loonds, George B., must. July 22. 1861 ; wounded Aug. 9, 18G2; disch. for 
disability, Dec. 5, 1862, at tNederick, Md. 

Leach, Isaac K.. nnist. July 22, 1861 ; wounded Aug. 9, 18G2; disch. for 
disability, March 30, 1S(;3, Philadelphia, Pa. 

Patch, William H., must. July 22, 1861 ; disch. July 21, l8tVl, at expira- 
tion of term. 

Smith, George C, must. July 22, 1861 ;discb. for disability, Nov. 14, 1862, 
Frederick, Md. 

Sloan, Oliver, must. July 22, 1861 ; re-onl. Dec. 21, 186.3 ; must, out July 
19, 1KG5. 

Scott, George, must. July 22, 1861 ; disch. for disability, June 13, 18G2, 
Winchester, Va. 

Sullivan, James, nuist. July 22, l!^61. 

W'ildman, F. M., must. July 22, 1«61 ; disch. for disability, July 27, 1861, 
Hartford, Conn. 

Wiseman, Daniel, must. Jan. 9. 1S65. 

Josepli Farndl, must. Dec. IG, 18t;4. 

Henry Russell, must. Dec. 19, 1804. 

T. Mooney, must. Dec. 19, 1864. 

SIXTH REGIMENT. 

Oftnpnny C. 
Adams, William, must. Feb. 9, 18G5 ; must, out Aug. 21, 1865. 
Belchouer, Christopher, must. Oct. 22, 18G3; killed May 20, 18G4, Drury's 
Blult, Va. 



256 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Bnron, Charles, mnst. Feb. 20, 1865 ; muat. out Aug. 21, 18t. 

Conn. 
Laufler, Kudolph, must. Oct. 22, 1863 ; died Jan. 22, 1805, Salisbury, N. C. 
Mohr, William, niuut. Oct. 22,1803; disth. for JisaUlitj-, May 22,1806, 

New Uavou, Conn. 
Mulic, .Augustus, muat. Aug. 22, 1863 ; must out Juno 20, ise5, Smitb- 

Tille, N. C. 
Mullor, CharlG.4, must. Aug. 1, 18G3. 

Palmer, John, must. Juno 11, IHiW : niuBt. ont Aug. 21, 1865. 
Vogcl, George, must. Oct. 22, 1S63; uis^iiig Blay Hi, 18M, Drury's DIuflT, 

Va. 

CompaHij D. 

Berry, Henrj- C, must. Oct. 22, 1863 ; must, out Aug. 21, 1865, Now 

Haven, Conn. 
Bradley, James, must. Oct. 22, 1803; must, out Aug. 21, 1865, Now 

llavon, Conn. 
Bruce, Junics, must. Oct. 22, 1863. 
Samuel Le Brocg, must. Oct. 22, 1803 ; died Jan. 3, 1804. 

Company F. 
James Wagoner, must. Oct. 23, 18C3 ; discli. June 8, 1864. 
John Dobeon, must. Oct. 27, 1863 ; discli. Aug. 21, 1865. 

Ormpany G. 
Patrick McGeo, must. Oct. 17, 1863; wounded ; must, out Aug. 21, 1865. 

Onnpanij 21. 
Charles Borsal, must. Oct. 10, 1803. 
Charles Graham, must. Oct. 23, 1803; died Sept. 7, 1804. 
Peter Miller, must. Oct. 10, 1803 ; died at Andonwuville, Aug. 24, 1864. 

Compatty I. 

Morris, Theodore, corporal ; must. Sopt 6, 1801 ; died July 12, 1862, Beau- 
fort, S. C. 

Eenge, Frank, must Sept 5, 1801 ; disch. Sept 19, 1804, at expiration of 
term. 

Hoyt, George H., must Fob. 27, 1804 ; must out Aug. 21, 1805, Now 
Haven, Conn. 

McCarty, Dennis, must Oct 27, 1863 ; must out Aug. 21, 1865, Now 
Haven, Conn. 

Pa» towise, Jacob, must Oct 16, 1863 ; wounded Aug. 10, 1804 ; must out 
Aug. 21, 1865, New Haven, Conn. 

Purdy, William B., must. Feb. 27, 1804 ; muat out Aug. 21, 1805, New 
Haven, Conn. 

Salar, William, muat. Oct. 12, 1863 ; wounded Aug. 14, 1804 j must, out 

Aug. 21, 1805. 

Company K. 

N. Weiss, must Dec. 10, 1803 ; killed Aug. 16, 1804. 

SEVF,ST1I REGIMENT. 
Company b. 
Benjamin V. Skinner, captain ; must. Sept. 5, 1801 ; re.. Feb. 29, 1804. 
Theodore C. Wiblmau, sergeant ; must. Sopt. 6, 1801 ; pro. Brat lieuten- 
ant July 4, 1801; disch. Oct 20, 1864. 
Henry J. Broas, sergeant ; must. Sopt. 0, 1801 j disch. Sept 12, 1864, at 

expiration of term, 
Auguatus Staples, sergeant ; muat Sopt 5, 1861 ; disch. Sopt. 12, 1804. 

at cx[>initlon of term. 
William Turnbull, corporal ; must Sept 0, 1861 ; trans, to Inv. Corps, 

April l.i, \»IA. 
Eli D. Seeley. corporal ; must. Sept. 6, 1861 ; died March 12, 1864, Now 

Haven, Conn, 
Darius A. Veall, corporal ; must Sept 6, 1801 ; ro-enl. Dec. 22, 1803 ; killod 

Blay 14, 18M. 
Charles Gordon, corponil ; muat Sopt 6, 1801 ; wounded Juno 14, 1802 ; 

enl. l«t U. S. Art., Doc. 12, 1862. 
Lewis A. Wygant, conwral ; must Sept. 6, 1801 ; died Aug. 4, 1802, Hll- 

Uin Head, S. C. 
Alexander, Thomas T., muat Sopt 5, 1801 ; disch. Dec 12, 1803, at expira- 
tion of term. 
Allen, James I,., must. Sept. 6, 1861; rc-onl. Dec. 22, 1803; died of 

wounds, July 12, 1804. 
Armstrong, Samuel I'., muat. Sopt. 6, 1801 ; ro-onl. Dec. 22, 1803; died of 

wounds, Jan. 1, 1H<>5, Annaitolis. 
Banker. George W., must Sept 6, 1801 ; re-cnl. Doc. 22, 1863; died of 

wouDils, July 20, 1865. 
Bcvens, Charles H, miut Sept 6, 1801; re-«nl. Doc. 22, 1803; died ol 

wounds, July 20, 1805. 



Uroas, Francis E., must Sopt 6, 18C1 ; t«-enl. Dec. 22, 1803 : dlod of 

wounds, July 20, 1805. 
Collomore, Warren, must. Sept. 5, 1801 ; died Aug. 6, 1802, Hilton Hca I 

S. C. 
Crofut, William, must Sept 5, 1861 ; killed at James IsUnd, S. C, Jun< 

14, 1860. 
Dironny, Owen, must Sept 8, 1801; re-enl. Dec. 22, 1862; mnst out July 

20, 1805. 
Eaton, Joseph, must Sept 5, 1861 ; disch. Sopt 12, 1804, at expiration uf 

tenn. 
Faircbild, Jerome, must Sept 5,1861; ro-onl. Dec. 22, 18C3; must, out 

July 20, 18G5. 
Hall, Seeley, must Sept 6, 1801 ; ro-«nl. Doc 22, I8C3; must out July 2o, 

1805. 
Hall, William H., must Sept 5, 1801; re-«nl. Dec. 22, 1863; must out 

July 20, 1805. 
Holmes, John T., must Sept 5, 1801; wounded; died June 2d, 18i,:j. 

Charleston, S. C. 
Jones, Leonard, mustkSept 5, 1861 ; re-enl. and trans, to U. S. Navy. 

April 28, 1864. 
Jackson, Eiiwin, must. Sept 6, 1801 ; died March 21, 1804, Bcdloe's 1- 

land, N. Y. 
Lessey, William H., muat. Dec. 22, 1802; died Oct 19, ,1804, Florenc, 

S. C. 
Lahey, John, must. Sept. 5, 1801 ; wounded Juno 14, 1802 ; disch. for dis- 
ability, Dec. 12,1802. 
Mohan, Charies F., must Sept. 5, 1801 ; rc-onl. Doc. 22, 1803; must out 

July 20, 1865. 
Mehan, Jos., must. Sept, 5, ISGl ; must, out July 20, 1805, Goldsboro", N, i ' 
Martin, James, must. Sept, 5, 1801, 
Martin, Lewis, must, Sept. 5, 1861. 
Mildem, John, must Sept 6, 1801 ; ro-enl. and killed at Dmry's Bloff, 

May 16, 1804. 
Nosh, Frank R,, must. Sept 6, 1861 ; must out May 22, 1865, Hartford, 

Conn. 
Parke, Henry, must Sopt 6, 1861 ; disch. Sept 12, 1864, at cxpirati..n 

of term, 
Shelton, Daniel R,, muat. Sept 6, 1801; rc-onl. and killed at Drur> - 

liluff. May 10, l.-ilX. 
Veali, Wheeler J,, must. Sept 6, 1801 ; re-enl. Dec. 22, 1803 ; wound. : 

mnst. out July 20, 1805. 
Waterman, George B., must Sept 6, 1801 ; rc-onl. Dec. 22, 18'. \ 

wounded ; mnst. out July 20, 1805. 
Waterman, Joseph, muat. Sept 5, 1801; dlod of wounds, July 16, 1802, 
Wobb, George, muat. Sept, 5, 1801 ; wounded Juno 14, 1862 ; re-enllstel ; 

must, out July 20, 1805. 
Webb, William F., must Sept 5, 1861 ; rc-onl. Dec 22, 1803 ; must out 

June 19, 1805. 
Guireppe, T,, must Oct 10, 1863; wounded Juno 17,1804'; must out 

July 20, 1805. 
Boyle, J., muat. Oct 24, 1863; trans, to Navy, April 28, 1864. 
Jamsun, Charles, must Oct 21,1803; died at Andetaonville, Ga., April J 

1804. 
King, Joseph, must. Feb. 15, 1864 ; must, out July 28, 1805. 
McCarson, J., must Oct, 28, 1803. 
Tooomey, S,, nuist Oct. 20, 1803; wounded; muat out Jvily 20, 1805. 

Company F. 

H. Bondols, most Oct 24, 1803; wounded; must, out July 20, 1865. 
J. Petit, must Oct 27, 1803; wounded ; nmst out July 20, 1865. 
S. Rleciardi, must Oct 27, 1883 ; died Oct. 29, 1804. 
K. Schinedhauser, muat Oct 20, 1863 ; must out July 20, 1865. 

Comp<my A. 

J, Brown, mnst, Oct 24, 1863; trans, to Navy. 

William BrU-n, must. Oct 2«, 1803; trans, to Navy. 

John O. Berg, muat. out Oct. 28, 1863; disch. July 10, 1865. 

E. Fischers, must. Oct. 27, 1803. 

K. A, WanshaOr, must Oct 23, 1863 ; killod Oct 13. 1804. 

ComjNiity B. 
P. Kolley, must Jan. 6, 1804 ; must, ont June 5, 1865. 

Company G. 
W. II. Coley, must Sept 7, 1861 ; died June 22, 1864. 
H. Boyaen, muBt'.Oct 28, 1803 ; trans, to Navj-, April 22, 1864. 
T. Wallett, must Oct 24, 1863 ; ti»ii8. to Navy, April 27, 1864- 



DANBURY. 



257 



Compantj H. 

L. Strauss, must. Oct. 24, 18G3. 

Jnnifs Siilliviili, must. Oct. 24, 1863; tran.s. to Niivy, Apnl 2.<, !SI14. 

Thomas Siillivn met. Oct. 24, 1803; trans, to Nav.v, April 28, 1SG4. 

J. P.TIioiiipsoii, must. Oct. 24, 1803; must, out May 31, 1805. 

Cowinjittj I. 
George Buyer, must. Oct. 24, 18G3; must, out July 20, 180o. 
W. L. Coltun. must. O.'t. 30, 1803; must, out July 20, 1865. 
Eilwaril Eiigan, must. Oct. 30, 1SC.3 ; wounded May 10, 1861. 
William Foley, must. Oct. 24, 1803; (Viscli. Dec. 12, 1804. 
M. F. Fcely, must. Oct 23, 1803 ; died .^ug. 0, 1864. 
R. W. Patterson, must. Oct. 2(1, 1803; trans, tu Navy, April 28, 1804. 
Hugh Ward, must. Oct. 20, 1863 ; must, out July 20, 1865. 

Company K. 
Bctbkn, Charles, must. Oct. 20, 1803; killed at Bermuda Hundred, Va., 

Jan. 2, IsiH. 
Brother, Henry, n)nst. Oct. 23, 1863. 
Gerald, William, must. Oct. 31, 1S0:1 ; must, out July 20, 1865, Oolds- 

boro', N. t'. 
Heyne, Paul, must. Oct. 26, 1863 ; killed Juno 2, 18M. 
Eulen, George, must. Oct. 26, 1813; must, out July 20, 1865, Gnldsljoro', 

\. C. 
Letter, Cunrad, must, Oct. 27, 1803. 
Rest, Theodore, must. Oct. 23,1803; wounded May 14,1801; must, out 

JulyJO, 1S6,'>, O..ldslioro', N. C. 

EIGHTH REGIMENT. 

Companij A. 
George Lomlon, must. Sept. 27, ISOl ; must, out Dec. 3, 1805. 

Conipnuy D. 
James Carpenter, must. July 14, 1804. 

Compattj/ E. 
J. B. Semmons, ni\ist. Sept. 25, 1801 ; died Nov. 10, 1862. 



F. Gurtman. uiust. Julv 



Company F. 
,1864. 



t_iiiupany if. 
William Mcllougal, must. July 20, 1804 ; must, out Pec. 12, 1865. 

Company II. 
N. E. Hickok, m\t8t. Oct. 2, 1861 ; captured Oct. 29, 1804. 
A. Van Warner, must. Aug. 10, 1864; captured Sept. 18, 1804. 
j Seymore, George W., must. Sept. 23, ISOl ; discli. for disahilily, Dec. 18, 

1802, N. Y. 
' Comb, SylvanuB C, nnist. Sept. 2'), 1861 ; disch. for disability, Oct. 7, 
1862. 
Millard, John ('., must. Sept. 23, 1801 ; iliscli. Sept. 22, 1864, at expiration 

of term. 
Raymond, Henry, must. Sept. 23, 1801; died March IS, 1862, Hattcras 

Inlet, N. 0. 
Henry, William, must. July 13, 1864 ; must, out Aug. 27, 1865, Fortres.^ 

Monroe, Va. 
Thomas Connor, must. Sept. 27, 1861 ; jiro. to 2d lieut., March 3, 1865. 
P. Shaughniess, must. Oct. 30, 1801 ; died Aug. 14, 1802. 
E. Murray, must, Oct. 30, 1801 ; disch. Apiil 8, 1802. 
I E. Murphy, must. Oct. 30, 1801 ; must, out Aug. 30, 1863. 
J. I. Cain, must. Nov. 25, 1.SC1 ; died April 2, 1864. 

Company I. 

Frederick, W. Jackson, captain ; must. Sept. 21, 1861 ; res. May 5, 1 862. 

Taylor, Henry H., must. Sept. 21, 1.861; died Jan. 12,1862, AnnapolLs, 
Md. 

Roemln, Cliarles A., must. Sept. 21, 1801 ; disch. Sept. 20, 18C4,at expira- 
tion of term. 

McKay, John, must. Sept. 21,1861; disch. for disability, Feb. 0, 1.863, 
Frederick City. 

Pratt, Joshua, must. Sept. 21, 1801 ; re-enl. June 11, 1804 ; must, out Doc. 
12, ms. 

Company K. 
Hart, Thomas, must. Doc. 2, 1801 ; re-enl. Jan. 0, 1804 ; trans, to Co. D ; 

must, out Aug. 3, 180.1. 
Dikeman, George S., must. March 20, 1802; died Aug. 21, 18i;2, on board 

steamer. 



Patchen, Charles T., must. April 1, 1862; died Sept. 10, 1802, New Or- 
leans. 

ELEVENTH REtilMENT. 

Ciniijuiiiy A, 

George .\. Southmayd, captain ; com. Nov. 27, 1801 ; res. July 18, 1S02. 

Samuel G. Biiiley, first lieutenant ; must. Nov. 27, 1801 ; pro. cajitain ; res. 
Aug. 2, 1802. 

Charles H. White, second lieutenant ; com. Nov. 28, 1861 ; pro. first lieu- 
tenant; res. July 27, 186,5. 

Henry J. McDonald, sergeattt; must. Nov. 27, 1861; woundeil; pro. 
major; must, out Dec. 21, 1865. 

David B. JIansfield, sergeant ; must. Nov. 24, 18i;l ; re-enlisted ; wounded ; 
pro. second lieutenant; discli. Ajiril 25, 18ik>. 

Irving Stevens, sergeant ; must. Nov. 24, 1801 ; wounded ; disch. for dis- 
ability, Dec. 3, 1S62, Hartford, Conn. 

Ira Taylor, must. Nov. 24, 1861; re-cnlisted ; wounded Jlay 14, 1802; 
must, out Dec. 21, 1805. 

Christian G. Post, must. Nov. 24, 1801. 

Franklin Cbo-k, must. Nov. 24, 1861 ; wounded ; disch. Oct. 23, 1804, at 
expiration of term. 

.Sylvester C. Piatt, must. Nov. 24, 1S61 ; rir-cnliati-il ; pro. to 8cc<ind lieu- 
tenant; must, out Dec. 21, 1.8(i5. 

Edwin Babbitt, must. Nov. 24, 1,801; ro-enl. Dec. 13, 1804; must, out 
Dec. 31, 180.5. 

Ambler, Peter W., must. Nov. 24. 1801 ; re-enlisted; pro. to second lieu- 
tenant; must, out Dec. 21, 1805. 

Bassett, Frederick, must. Nov. 24, 1801 ; rc-eid. Jan. 1, 1864 ; must, out 
Dec. 21, 1865. 

Bassett, Samuel, must. Nov. 24, 1801 ; wounded May 4, 1803 ; discli. Nov. 
2i;. 1804, at expiration of term. 

Beardslee, John B , must. Nov. 24, 1861 : re.<?nlisted ; must, out Dec. 21, 
1805, City Poiut, Va. 

Bradley, Philo P., must. Nov. 27, 1801; ro-enlisted ; nnist. out Dec. 21, 
1,805, City Point, Va. 

Burns, Edward, must. Nov. SO, 1S6I; disch. to enl. in T. S. Army, Oct. 24, 
1802. 

Carley, Lewis, must. Nov. 24, 1861 ; rc-enlisted ; must, out Dec. 21, 1865, 
City Point, Va. 

Conliey, James, must. Nov. 24, ISOl ; re-cnlisted ; must, out Dec. 21, 1805, 
City Point, Va. 

Conficiy, Edward, must. Nov. 14, 1801 ; wounded Sept. 17, 1862 ; disch. for 
disability, Dec. 10, 1862. 

Crittenden, Romeo, must. Nov. 20, 1801. 

Case, John, must. Nov. 14, 1861. 

Curtis, Edward, must. Nov. 27, 1861 ; trans, to Inv. Corps; disch. Aug. 
14, 1805. 

Fields, Elijali, must. Nov. 24, 1.901 ; disch. for disability, Aug. 8, 1862. 

Foley, Thomas, must. Nov. 14, 1801; re-enlisted; must, out Dec. 21, 1865, 
i City Point, Va. 

Foote, Grandison, must. Nov, 20, 1801 ; re-enlisted ; disch. July 6, 1805, 
Manchester, Va. 
' Green, Patrii-k, must. Oct. 24, 1801 ; re-enl. June 1, 1804 ; must, out Dec. 
i 21, 1S05. 

' Ilaunlton, William II., must. Oct. 24, 1861 ; re-enl. Jan. 1, 1864; must, 
out Dec. 21. 1865. 

Hawley, Is.aac H., must. Oct. 24, 1801. 

Hawkins, John, must. Oct. 24, 1861 ; re-enl. Dec. 14, 186.3 ; must, out Dec. 
21, 1805. 

Iloyt, Kdgar A., must. Nov. 14, 1861 ; disch. feu- disability. May 2y, 1862, 
at Newliern, N. C. 

Iloyt, William F., mutt. Nov. 27, 1,861 ; disch. for disability, Oct. 27. 1862, 
at Newliern. N. C. 

Hiird, Henry E., must. Oct. 24, 1861 ; disch. for ilisability, March 10, 1803, 
at IIai,tford, Conn. 

Leach, William, must. Oct. 24,1801 ; disch. for disability, Aug. 9, 1862. 

Mollory, Prentice A., must. Oct. 24, 1861 ; disch. for disability, Sept. 28, 
1802. 

M.dlory, Joseph B., must. Oct. 24, 1801 ; rc-enlistcd ; killed at Cold Har- 
bor, June 3, 1804. 

Mantz, William, must. Nov. 20, 1801 ; ro-enl. Jan. 1, 1804 ; died Feb. 28, 
1804. 

Melviri, .lames, must. Oct. 24, 1801 ; disch. to enl. in U. S. Army, Oct. 24, 
1862. 

Milsoii, William, must. Nov. 14, 1861 ; disch. Oct. 3, 1864, at oxpirivtion 
of term. 



258 



HISTOKY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Morgnn, Orlando, must. Nov. 27, 1801 ; diacli. for disal.ilit.v, Oct. 4, 1SC2. 
McGuiini,-98, l". M. E., miiBt. Oct. 24, 18C1 ; discli. fur disubility, Oct. 18, 

18C2, Wiiahington, I). C. 
McJolin, John, niuBt. Nov. 27, 1801 ; dlscli. for disability. May 8, 1803, at 

Old Toirit, Va. 
Qiiicn, Christian, must. Oct. 24, ISOl ; rc-«nlUt<jd ; woundud ; muni, out 

June 10, 180.5. 
Robertson, Aaron, must. Nov. 27, 1801 ; ro-enliatod ; died Fob. 20, 1804. 
Kockwell, Lorc>n/.o D., must. Oct. 24, 1801; disch. for disability, Feb. 6, 

180:), Washington, D. C. 
Sands, James, must. Oct. 24, 1801 ; re-enlisted ; wounded ; must, out Juno 

10, 1865. 
Smith, Kus-scll, must. Oct. 24, 1801 ; trans, to Inv. Cori)a, July 1, 1803. 
Snifttns, John, must. Nov. 2"!, 1801 ; pro. to first lieutenant. 
Stevins, Asa, must. Oct. 24, 1801. 

Stevins, Edward, must. Nov. 27, 1801 ; disch. for disnbitity, Jan. 10, 1803. 
Thompson, John ('., must. Nov. 27, 1861 ; disch. for disability, May 29, 

If 02. 
Walker, Edward, must. Oct. 24, 1801 ; re-cni. Dec. 13, 1803; died at An- 

dersonvillo. 
Whcelor, Solomon B., must. Oct. 24, 1801 ; disch. to enl. in V. S. Army, 

Oct. 24, 1802. 
White, Cyrus N., must. Nov. 14, 1861 ; disch. for disability, Dec. 27, 1803, 

at New Haven, Conn. 
Michael Coyle, must. Jan. 21, 1804 ; wounded ; must, out Dec. 21, 1861. 
Wni. Dikemnn, must. Jan. .1, 1804 ; died Aug. 7, 1804. 
P. D. Fagan, must. Jan. 20, l.f 04 ; died Nov. 28, 1804. 
John Fay, must. Feb. 10, 1804 ; killed June 3, 18M. 
H. Howley, must. Feb. 0, 1804; nnist. out Dec. 21, 1805. 
S. Hamilton, nnist. Feb. i), 1804 ; woumlcd ; must, out Sept. 10, 1865. 
Hugh Lynch, must. March 15, 1804 ; must, out Dec. 21, 180i>. 
Charles Woostcr, must. Feb. 10, 1804 ; must, out Doc. 21, 18C5. 

Company C 
A. Bergman, must. Oct. 25, 1801 ; disch. March 26, 1804. 
O, Erniisch, must. Dec. 2, 1801 ; died March 21, 1862. 
John Koonoy, must. Dec. 2, 1801 ; must, out Dec. 21, 1805. 
1'. Simon, 1st, must. Dec. 2, 1801 ; disch. June 24, 1802. 
P. Simon, 2d, must. Oct. 24, 1861 ; must, out Dec. 21, 1865. 
J. Van Gal, must. Dec. 2, 1801 ; died Fob. 22, 181.4. 
John Maghr, nmst. Dec. 29, 18G4 ; died Dec. 21, 1805. 

Company X. 
Ucnry A. Hull, must. Dec. 13, 1801; ro-cni. Doc. 13, 1S03; must, out 

Dec. 21. 1805. 
John I'enly, must. Oct. 24, 1801 ; disch. for disability. May 30. 1802. at 

Newberii, N. C. 
M. Knis/.ynskek, must. Oct. 24, 1801 ; pro. to captain ; disch. May 25, 

1865 ; wounded. 
E. H. Bnrnum, must. Dec. .3, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 8, 1802. 
S. S. Germans, must. Oct. 24, 1801 ; discli. March 30, 1803. 
W. Pendleton, must. Oct. 24, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 8, 1802. 
W. Snifflns, must. Due. 13, 1801. 

TWELFTH KEGIMEST. 

Company 11. 

Sevang, Frederick, must. April 5, 1864; died Feb. 4, 1806, at Sullsbur}-, 

N. C. 
Hoyt, William 0., must. Nov. 19, 1801 ; captured October, 1864. 
Dikcman, George, must. Nov. 25, 1861: disch. Feb. 17, 1802. 
Edgcit, C. H., must. Nov. 19, 1801. 

L. McAvoy, must. Dec. 18, 1801 ; must, out Aug. 19, 1865. 
A. D. Plait, must. Doc. 12, 1861 ; disch. Feb. 17, 1802. 

Peter Hiley St. Jan. 8, 1802 ; wounded ; must, out Aug. 12, 180S. 

E7.ra Woleman, must. Doc. 28, 1K02; must, out Aug. 12, 18(i5. 
J. II. While, iiiUBl. Nov. 25, 1802; illsch. Juno 27, 18«2. 
George Slawion, must. Marvh 1.5, 1804 ; disch. Oct. 3, 1804. 

Company E. 
O. S. nikeman, must. Nov. 25, 1801 ; dlach. Feb. 17, 1802. 
C. H. Edgelt, must. Nov. 1», 1861. 

Patrick Foley, must. Nov. 28, 1801 ; must, out Aug. 12,1805. 
L. McAvc.y, must. Her. 28, 1801 ; musl. out Aug. 12, 1805. 
A. II. Phitl, must. Dec. 12. 1801 ; dl»<h. Feb. 17, 1802. 
Peter Ililey, must. Jan. 8, IHg; wouiidol ; must, out Aug. 12, 1805. 
E. Waterman, must. Dec. 28, 1801 ; must, out .\ug. 12, 1865. 
J. H. While, must. Nov. 25, 1801 ; disch. Juno 27, 1862. 



Company F. 
W. H. Waterman, must. April 27, 1864 ; must, out Aug. 12, 180.'>. 
Charles Albin, must. Jlarch 20, 1804. 

B. Daveniiort, must. Jan. 7, 1805. 

George Jacobs, must. Jan. 12, 1805; must, out Aug. 2, 1805. 
Peter Mullin, must. Jan. 5, 1805; must, out .\ug. 2, 1805. 
James Slawson, must. March 24, 1864. 

C. Snyder, must. Jan. 3, 1865 ; must, out Aug. 2, 1865. 

THIKTEESTH KEGIMENT. 
Company C. 
3. W. Raymond, must. Feb. 10, 1802 ; must, out Juno 6, 1803. 

B. T. Wilson, must. Dec. 30, 1801 ; disch. May 31, 1803. 

Company D. 
Thomas Hart, must. Dec. 10, 1864 ; must, out April 25, 1860. 

C. O'Brien, must. Feb. 20, 1804 ; transferred. 

FOURTEENTH REGIMENT. 
Company B. 
John Palmer, must. Dec. 17, 1804. 
John Smith, must. Dec. 17, 1804. 
Thonins Slocum, must. Doc. 17, 1804. 
Thuinas Weaver, must. Dec. 17, 1804 ; disch. May 31, 1805. 

FIFTEENTH REGIMENT. 

Company B. 

C.S. Gray, must. July 17, 1862; pro. to second lieutenant; nniKt nil 

Juno 27, 1805. 
J. H. Burwell, must. June 18, 1802; died Oct. 19, 1865. 
George Barker, must. Aug. 2, 1862 ; must, out June 27, 1.805. 
S. C. CarpenU-r, must. July 28, 1862 ; must, out June 5, 1865. 
William Pendly, must. July 2.5, 1862: disch. Feb. 4, 1863. 
George U. Morgan, must. .\ug. 4, 1802 ; must, out June 7, 1805. 
George W. Higgins, must. July 29, 1802 ; must, out June 27, 1805. 
H. D. Burroughs, must. Sept. 2, 1864 ; must, out June 27, 1805. 
E. E. Sanford, must. July 25, 1862 ; must, out June 10, 1865. 

Company E. 
John Clark, must. Dec. 31, 1804. 

Company F. 
John Brown, must. Aug. 18, 1804 ; must, out July 20, 1805, 

Company K. 
E. Bradley, must. Sept. 14, 1804 ; disch. April 26, 1805. 
P. Kiernnn, must. Jan. 10, 1805. 
T. Sullivan, must. Sept. 9, 1804 ; disch. Oct. 29, 1804. 

SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT. 

Company B. 

Dow, Charles E., must. Sept. 7, 1804; must, out July 10, 1805, Hilton 

Head, S. C. 
Gray, Abel B., must. Aug. 24,1864; must, out July 19,1805, Hilton 

Head, S. C. 
Hull, Henry S., must. Sept. 5,1804; must, out July 19,1805, Hilton 

Head, S. C. 
Ives. George W., must. Sept. 5,1804; most, out July 19, 181.5, Hilton 

Hcail, S. C. 
KInner, George A., must Sopt 5, 1804; must out July 19, 1865, Hilton 

Head, S. C. 
Searle8,John H., must Sept 6,1804; must out July 19,1805, Hilton 

Head, S. C. 
Soymour, Goorgo W., must Aug. 15, 1804; disch. for disability, Juno S3, 

1805. 
Jo«hua L. Day, commi88or>" -sergeant ; must. July 10, 1802 ; disch. March 

0, 1803. 

Company C. 
James E. Mooro, captain ; must. July 18, 1802; killed July 1, 180:1, i.,; 

tysburg, Pa. 
Milton II. Ihinlels, llrst licutonnnt ; must. July 18, 1862; pro. to caplain: 

res. Morch 0, 18r>4. 
Henry Quien, second lieutenant; must July 22,1862; pro. to caplain; 

disch. May 1.5, 18I-.5. 
William O. Dauchy, sergeant ; must Aug. 0,1862; killed July 1, 1863, 

Gettysburg, Pa. 



DAXBURY, 



259 



August E. Bmnson, sergeant ; must. July 22, 1802; died July 5, 1.^03, of 

f wounds received at Geltj'sburp, Pa. 

IWillidln L. Daniels, seigeant; must. July 10, 18C2; pro. to fii-st lieutenant ; 

I must, out July li), ima. 

[George Scott, corporal; must. July 19, lSli2; must. <'ut July I'.t, 1S(>5, 
Hilton Head, S. C. 

Benjamin S. White, corporal ; nuist. July 24, lSli2; discli. for disai'ility, 
Jan. 3(1, ISIB. 

Edward S. Warren, coriwral ; must. Aug. 8, l.St;2. 

IGeorize Pickens, cori)oral ; must. Aug. S, 1S(J2 ; must, out July 1:1, 1st;,), 
Hilt.)n Head, S. C. 

William E. IlaliK*in, corporal; must. Julj' 28, l.si',2; discii. for disability, 
Dec. 2.', 1S(;2. 

jLewis A. Ward, corporal; must. Aug. 13, lSn2; must, out July I'j, LSI'..'., 

i Hilton Head. S. C. 

JJustin S. Keeler, musician ; must. July 19, l,StV2 ; must, out July 19, 1S0.J, 

1 Hilton Mead, S. C. 

Jloratio G. Jenkins, musician ; must. July 19, 18tV2; nnist. out July 19, 

! ISia, Hiln.n Head, S. C. 

Bailey, .lames M., must. Aug. IS, 1862; must, out July 19, 1805, Hil- 
ton Head, S. I'. 

iBrotlierton, Chailcs, must. Aug. 14, lsr,2; must, out July 19, ist;,'), Hilton 

I Head, S. C. 

[Brouson, Ortiii L., must. Aug. 15, 18112 ; must, out July 5, lsi;,5, New 

I York. 

BussiTig, Freilciick It., must. July 19, lSfi2 ; discli. for liisal.ility, Jan. C; 

I 18(13. 

iBenedict, John II., must. Aug. 12,18(12; wounded July, 18(13; trans, to 

! Vet. Kes. Corps, Jan. 1, 18(15. 

IBradley, George F., must. Aug. 11, lSf,2; nmst. out Jan. 19, lSll.'i, New 

' Haven, f'onn. 

Bradley, David, must. Aug. 8, 18C2; discli. for disahility, Dec. 18, 18(13. 

Bradley, Lewis, must. Aug. 0, 18(V2; must, out July 19, ISC,,"), Hilton 
Head, S. C. 

Bouton,Johu W., must. Aug. 9,18('>2; wounded July,lsil3; must, out 

. July 19, ISd.-). 

IBarber, George W., must. .\ug. 11, 1SI12 ; wounded Jul.v, 18(13 ; must, out 
July 19,1811.5. 

Booth, Henry, must. Aug. 14, 1862 ; trans, to Inv. Corps ; must, out Juno 
2(1, Isd',, Wai-liin.gtou, D. C. 

Curtis, William II,, must. July 2.3, 1S112; disch, for disaliilit.v. Dec. 31, 
1802. 

Clark, William A., must. Aug. C, 1862; trans, to Inv. Corps; must, out 
Aug. 19, 1S(1.5. 

Clark, Samuel G., must. Aug. fi, 1862; disch. Nov, 19, 1803, 

Day, Amos C, must. July 19,1802; must, out July 19,1805, Hilton 
Head, S, C, 

Downs, Samuel M., must. Aug. 0, 1S02; must, out July 19, 1865, Hilton 
Head, S. C. 

Delevan, Smith, must. Aug. 0, 1862; died July 15, 1803, of woumla re- 
ceived at Gettysl)Urg. 

Ferren, Charles /,., must. July 23, 1862; died Jan. 21, 1.803, Philadelphia, 

' Pa, 

Fairchild, Alpheus B., must. July 28, I.S02 ; must, out July 19, 1,865, Hil- 
ton Head. 

Feeks, Thaddeus, must. .\ug. 0, 1802; must, out July 19, 18(1.5, Hilton 
Head. 

Foot, Joseph I., must. July 23, 1S(J2 ; trans, to Yet. Kes. Corps, March 15, 

! 1804. 

iFry, Robert W., must. Aug. 4, 1SC2; must, out July 19, 1865, Hilton 

' Heail, 

• Goodale, Fieilerick W., must. July 20, 1802; must, out July 19, 1805, 
Hilton Head. 

Gaming, Jidin, must. Aug. 9,1802; must, out July 19, l,s6,5, Hilton Head. 

Griffln, Louis 1!., must. Aug. 4, 1862; disch. for disahilit,v, March 13, 

18113. 
Humphriesi, William, must. Aug. 11, 1862; must. out. July 19, 1865, Hil- 
ton Head. 

' Jenniugg, Oscar S., must. July 22, 1862; trans, to Inv. Corjis, Sept. 1, 

1803. 
Knapp, Edgar L., must. July 19, 1862; must, out July 19, 1865, Hilton 

Hcail. 
Kyle, , lames, must. Aug. 12, 1802; must, out July 19, 1SI1,5, Hilton Ilcail. 

■ Kellogg, Norman, minit. July 3(1, 1802; must, out Jiilv 19, Ista, Hilton 

Hrad. 
Morris, Theodore L., must. July 31, 1802; must, out July 10, 18G5, Now 

! Yoik. 



McIIugh, John, must. July 20, 1802 ; wounded July 13, 1S03 ; must, out 

July 19, 1805, Hilton Head. 
Otis, Willian) F,, must. July 19,1862; must, out July 19, 1865, Hilton 

Heail. 
Oshorti, Lewis P., must. Aug. 25, 1862 ; died Oct. 31. 1864, Floiida. 
I'urdy, Oi'orge S., must. Aug. 12, 1862; must, out July I'.l, 180.5, Hilton 

Head. 
I'urdy, Daniel H,, must. Aug. 14, 18112 ; died July 15, 1S03, of wounds 

received at Gettysburg. 
Iticc, Kufua S., must. Aug. 19, 1S02; dlsrh. f..r dis.ibility, .Tail. 17, 1S03. 
Kyan, Patrick, must. Aug. 11, 1.S02; trans, to Inv. Corps, Aug. 1, 1803; 

must, out June 28, ls(15. 
Small, Charles S.. must. Aug. 14, 1862 ; died 0. t. 1, 1862, Fort Trumbull, 

Conn. 
Sears, George, must. Aug. 10, 1802; disch. for disability, June 10, 1865, 

Jacksonville, Fla. 
Stilsi.n, David F., must, Aug. 14, 1802 ; trans, to luv. Corps, IVc, 1.5, 1.863, 
Taylor, Ilichard D , must. Aug. 14, lst',2 ; kilh-d July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, 

Pa. 
Warren, William H., must. July 26,1862; must, out July 19, 1S05, Hilton 

Heiul. 
Wilio\, Charles II., must. July 23, 1802; must, out June 8, l,s(15, llait- 

ford. Conn. 
Wood, George L., must. July 22,1862; must, out July 19, 1S05, Hilton 

llea.l. 
W..oil, (i,-orge W., must. July 19. l.sOi; uuist. out July 19, 1SI15, Hilton 

11. •ad. 
Wheeler, Moses A., must. Aug. 4, 1862; must, out July 19, 1S05, Ililtou 

Head, 
llawb-j, Henry P., must. Jan. 11, 1864 ; must, out July 19, 1805, Hilton 

Head, S. V. 
Wilcox, Arthur B., must. .Ian. 11,1804; must, out July 19, 1865, Hilton 

ll.^ad, S. C. 

CV)»jj)n)if/ /). 

Dikeman, G.-orge, must. March 1, 1865 ; must, out .fuly 19, ISIV., Hilt.jn 

Head. S. C. 
Van Ambiirg, M., must. .Tan. 24, 1865 ; must, out July 19, 1S65. 

Oboy, Bryan, must. Aug. 20, 1S02 ; trans. b.Vet. Res. Crps; must, out 

June 28, 180.5. 
Collins, Stephen, must, Sept. 12, 1804; must, out July 19, 180.5, Hilton 

Head, S. C. 
Kiiiiiey, Richard, must, Sept. 3, 1804; must, out July 19, ISC5, Hilton 

Head, S. C. 

Contpnity 11. 

Moore, William, must. Sept. 2, 18(U. 

Cotuptuiy I. 

Confroy, Eilward, must, Feb. 28, 1S64; must, out July 19, 1805, Hilton 

Head, S. C. 
Magill, Bernard, must. Dec. 21, 1804; must, out July 19, 18(1^5, Hilton 

Head, S. C. 
Medbury, John, must. Feb. 3, 1805 ; must, out July 19, 1805, Hilton Head, 

S. C. 
Kiernan, Patrick, must, Jan. 10, 1805; forwarded March 4, 1805; not 

taken up on rolls. 
Sullivan, Thomas, must. Sept. 9, 18(U; disch. Oct. 22, 18(H, New Haven, 

Conn. 

TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT. 

Compiniii D. 
Samuel Gregory, adjutant ; must. Aug. 22, 1S02; res. F<d.. 2S, 1SC3, 
Eli Ferry, sergeant-major; must, Aug. 20, 1802; disch, Aug, 31, 1S03, 
James II. Jenkins, captain ; must. Aug. 10, 1802 ; .liseli. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Freilerick Starr, til St lieutenant; must. Aug. 10,1802; died June 24, 1863, 

of wounds received at La Fo\irciie, I.a. 
William II. Betts, second lieutenant; must. Aug. 18, 1802; pni. to first 

lieutenant ; disch. Aug. 31, 1S03. 
Henry L. Smith, sergeant; must. ,\ug. 16, 1S02; pro. t)) second lieuten- 
ant; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Oliver R. Jenkins, sergeant ; must. Aug. 10, 1862 ; disch. .Kiig. 31, 1803, 
Harry L. Read, sergeant ; must. Aug. 10, 1862; disch. .\ug. 31, 180,3. 
Cliarles 1!. Pickering, sergeant : must. Aug. 21, 1802 ; discdi. Aug. 31, 18G3. 
Azariel C. Fuller, sergeant; must. Aug. 19, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1803, 
John S. TliMUipson, must. Aug. 23, 1802 ; disch. Aug. 31, 18(a. 
John W. Hodges, must. Aug. 20, 1862; disili. Aug. 31, 1863, 
Abel B. Gray, nmst. .Vug. 10, 1862 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 



2G0 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Eliiu N. Oaborn, miiist Aug. 19, 18C2; dlsch. Ang. 31, 1863. 

Ilornae Duunia, must Aug. 21, 1SC2: disch. .\ug. 31, 186.1. 

Daviil li. H.i.vt, must. Aug. 20, 1863; dlscli. Aug. 31, 1>I«3. 

Kilu'tn Bnrnuni, must. .\ug. 16, 1HG2; di^ch. Aug. 31, 1SC3. 

U..I>cTt h. StraltoM, mu»t. Aug. 20, 1WV2 ; llisth. Aug. 31, 1803. 

Joseph D. lliiihoi), must. Aug. 16, l«fi2 : discli. Aug. 31, 1803. 

George L. Smith, must. Aug. 18, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 

John R. Smith, must. Aug. 22, 1802 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 

Armstmug, Edwiird, must. Sept. 1, 1802 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 

Ambler, Osciir W., must. Aug. i% 1802 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 

Bell. Joliii !>., uiust. Aug. 19, 18G2; discli. Aug. 31, 180.3. 

null, Andrew, must. .\ug. 2), 1802; disch. .\ug. :il, 1.HC3. 

Barry, Heurj-, nmst. .\ug. 10,1802; disch. .\ug. 31, 1803. 

Builev, Williiim E., must. .\ug. IS, 1KG2; disch, Aug. 31, 1803. 

Buler, Josepli T., must. Aug. 19, 1802; dlsch. Aug. 31, 1803. 

Bradley, George C, must. Aug. 20, 1802; disch. Ang. 31, 1803. 

Boll, George, must. Aug. 18, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 

Barloir, William E., must. .\iig. 2(1, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 18C3. 

Crofut, Charles \V., must. Aug. 19, 1802 ; died .\ug. 10, 186.3. 

Conklin, Eugene, must. Aug. 22, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 

Oimstock, William E., Ang. 19, 1862; died March 28, 180:1, La Fourchc, La. 

Clark, TheiKlore, must. .\ug. 20, 1802; ilisch. Aug. 31, 1803. 

Clark, Kraud« F., must. Aug. IS, 1S02; disch. Aug. 31, 180.3. 

Carlson, William \., must. iMjpt. 1, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 

Cowan, EdwanI, must. .\ug. 19, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 

Downs, Williiun W., must. .Vug. 22, 1802; dlsch. Ang. 31, 1803. 

Dunham, Frederick M., must. Aug. 18, 1802 ; disch. .Vug. 31, 1803. 

Deforest, George W., must. Aug. 18, 1802 ; died Juno 19, 1863, La Fourche, 

La. 
Cilhert, Egbert W., must. Aug. 20, 1802 ; tUnch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Griffith, Edwin JI., must. Ang. 20,1802; disch. Ang. 31, 1803. 
Green, Charles, must. Sept. 1, 1802; ilisch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
llodge, Beuben C, must. Aug. 21, 1862 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Hodge, Hiram II., must. Aug. 21, isr.2; disch. .\ug. 31, 1863. 
Hoyt, Charles II., must. Aug. 22,1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Hoyt, Daniel E., must. Aug. 22, 18r.2 ; dlscli. Aug. 31, 1863. 
lloyt, William P., must. Aug. 20, 1862; dia:li. Aug. 31, 1883. 
Hull, Graham E., nmst. Ang. 20, 1862 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Hine, Edward A., must Aug. 26, 1802; lUsch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Hawley, Henry, must. Ang. 19, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Ilawley, (lark, nmst. Ang. 22, Isi'.i; disch. .\ug. 31, 1803. 
Iladden, Hiram H., must. Aug. 20, 1862; disch. Ang. 31, 1863. 
Hoyt, George W., must. .Vug. 10, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Hagan, James G., must. Aug. 16, 1802; disch. Ang. 31, 1863. 
Kinncr, Augustus, must. Ang. 22, 1862; disch. Ang. 31, 1803. 
Knupp, Michael F., must. Aug. 10, 1862; died Aug. 14, 1803, on board 

trans|M>rtation steamer " Chancellor." 
Knopp, John, Jr., must. Aug. 20, 1862; disch. Ang. 31, 1803. 
Knapp, Ini S., must. Aug. 20, 1862; dlsch. Aug. 31, 18IU. 
Lehwald, Jacob, must. Aug. 26, 1862; disch. \vg. 31, 1863. 
Lockwooil, Hiniiu, must. Aug. 22, 1M02 ; disch. .Vug. 31, 1863. 
Mallony, William I'., must. Aug. 18, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 186;i. 
Murry, Bichurd M., must. Aug. 22, 1862; dlsch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Maynard, James L., must. Aug. 21, 1862: disch. May 8, 18t;3. 
Slanley, Ira B., must. Ang. 26, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Northrop, Lewis H., must. Sept. 1, 18«i; disch. Ang. 31, 1863. 
Noble, Jidin F., must. Aug. 22, 1862: disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Boseboom, Burton L , must Aug 22, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Buymoml, John M., must. Ang. IM, 1^62; ilisch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Sturgis, Henry 11, must. Ang. 21, 181.2: disch. Aug. 31, 18Ik). 
Smith, William, must. Ang. 29, 1862: ilisch. Aug. 31, 1H03. 
SanfonI, Thi-odore, must. Aug. 22, 1862; disch. .\uk. 31, ISIVl. 
Scott, Sylvester J , must. Aug. 20, 1862; dlsch. Ang. 31, 186:1. 
Trowbridge, Olivur E., must. Aug. 20, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Tompkins, Beulwn, must. Aug. 29, 1862; discli. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Veats, Henry D., must. Aug. 20, 1862; dlsch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Wood, Frederick F., must. Aug. 21, 18i:2; disch. Aug. 31, 18IT3. 

Wheeler, AUd M ust. Ang. 29, 1862; dimi of wounds, Juno 24, 18C3. 

Wheeler, Theodore, must. Aug. 22, 1862; lUsch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Wygant, Edgar, must. Aug. 2tl, 1M'i2; dlsch. Ang. 31, 1863. 
Wildmnn, Exni G., must. Aug. 19, 1862: disch. Aug. 31, 18C3. 
Waterman, Charles B., must. Aug. 20, 1862; dlsch. Aug. 31, 1863. 

CXimpauii E. 
Chnrln H. Downs, must Mag. 29, 1862; dlscli. Ang. 31, 1863. 

Company F. 
David K. Leach, must. Ang. 30, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 



Oompanif O. 
Bamum, George W., must. Aug. 20, 1802; dlsch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Dikeman, William H., must. Aug. 2:1, 1862: disch. Aug. :il, Iwa. 
Dikcninn, Edgar H., must. Aug. 23, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Goodiilc, Ennu, must. Sept. 7, 1862 ; died June 8, 186.3, La Foiirche, I, i 
Hamilton, Starr, must. Sept. 24, 1862; I'.isch. Aug. 31. 1863. 
Uostan, .lames i;.. must. .Vug. 20, 1862 ; ilisch. aljoilt June 10, 1863. 
Stone, Russel W., nmst. Aug. 23, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Wheeler, George W., must. Sept. 7, 1862; disch. Ang. 31,1863. 
Waterman, Harrison, must. .\ug. 23. 1862 ; ilisch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Woodrnd', Albert, must. Aug. 2:1, 1802 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
White, Joshua J., must Oct. 31, 1862. 

Company K, 
Samuel G. Bailey, captain ; must. Aug. 20, 1802 ; captured Juno 23, l.-u.. 
George Qnteu, second lieutenant ; must. Sept 6, 1862 ; disch. Aug. 81, 

i8(a. 

Thomas SIcKay, sergeant; must. Ang. .30, 1862; disch. Ang. 31, 1863. 
John Allen, sergeant; must. Sept. 10, 1862 ; dis;li. Aug. 31, 18IB. 
Charles H. Frank, corporal; must Sept. 9, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Henry A. Buckingham, musician; must Aug. 29, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 

186.1. 

Hnycr, llcnrj-, must. Sept. 9, 1862; disch. Ang. 31, 1803. 
BursUy, Elbert, must Aug. 29, 1862; disch. Ang. 31, 1863. 
Bush, Peter, must. Sept 10. 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1861. 
llartmni, George, must. Sept. 1, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Crual, .lames C, must. Sept 11, 1802; disch. Ang. 31, 18l>3. 
Crane, John W'., must Aug. 30, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Croal, John A., must. Aug. 28, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1860. 
Carmody, Michael, must. Sept. 3, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Davis, JIartIn, must. Aug. 28, 1862; disch. Dec. 3, 18ta. 
Deslirow, David, must. Sept. 0, 1862; di«:h. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Desbr..w, Charles E., must. Sept. 10, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Dunhivy, Patrick, must Sept 10, 1S6J; dlscli. Aug. 31. 1863. 
Daniels. Henry, must Sept 11. 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Kvarts, Joseph E., must. Ang. 30, 1862 ; discli. Aug. 31, 1863. 
GalTiiey, John, must. Sept II, 18<i2; disch. Aug. 31, 18G:I. 
Ilaviland. Michael, must. Sept 10, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
llnlshuKler, Frank A., must Sept. 10, 1862. 

Iluyt, Henry A ust. Sept. U. 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 

Ilabernian, John, must Sept 11, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 

Husk, .Iiicob H., must Aug. 21, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 

Jackson, George A., must Aug. 20, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 

Miller, Mathew S., must Aug. 2-<, 1802; dUch. Ang. 31, 1861. 

Monroe, Stephen, must Aug. 29, 1862; disih. .\ug. 31, 1802. 

McKay, Frauds, must Aug. 30, 1862; disch. April 4, 1863. 

Mabie, Eluathau N., must Aug. 21, 1.802; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 

Mansfleld, Philo F., must. Aug. 20, 1862 ; disch. Aug. 31. 1863. 

Morrison, Kichanl, nmst .\ug. 2.8, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 

McAuliy, Francis, muet. Aug. 26, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 

JlcXabb, UolR-rt, must. Sept. 3, l.^ivi ; dlsch. Aug. 31, 186:). 

Perry, Philander L., must. Sejit 1, 1862 ; ilisch. Aug. 31, l.'«). 

Itobiiison, Thomas G.. must Ang. 28, 1862 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 

Rogers, George W., must. Ang. 29, 1802. 

Slevenstin, Samuel, must. Aug. 28, 1862 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1SG3. 

Sproal, Charles, uiust Sept. 6, 1K62; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 

Selleck, George B., must. Aug. :», 1862; dlsch. Aug. 31, 1803. 

.Smith, Francis B., must Sept. 9, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 18*a. 

Stevens, Frederick W., must Sept. 1", 1.862; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 

Smith, Heman I'., must. Sept. 6, 1862; disi:li. Aug. 31, 1803. 

Serrine, Orrin, must Sept 1, 1802 ; died Aug. 29, 1862, New Haven, Conn 

Taylor, James II.. must. Aug. 28, 1862 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 

WoikI, Cyrus, must. Sept. 10, 1862; died. 

Wheeler, Selali T., must. Aug. 29, 1802; dlsch. Ang. 31, 186.1. 

Williiiiann, Joseph, must. Sept. 10, 1802; dlsch. Aug. 31, 1803. 

Wheeler, Moses, ninst Aug. 20, 1862; dlsch. Aug. 31, 18C3. 

FIFTEENTH REGIMENT. 
Company K. 

Edwin Bradley, must April 22, 1861 ; dl.sch. April 26, 186->. 
TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT. 
Compauy F. 
C. B. Array, must Dec, 22, 180:1; dlsch. March 20, 180.-|. 
A. Prince, must Dec. 22, 1803; must out Oct 24, 1803. 

Company If. 
J. Barker, must January, 1S6.J ; must, out Oct, 24, 1805. 





(XJ&-yC/KV 



DANBURY. 



2(51 



Co,„l„u„j I. 
Chnrlps Smith, must. Dec. 27, 1804; must, out Oft. 24, 1SC5. 
AVilliaia Johnson, must. March 27, l.SG;!. 

THIRTIETH liEGIMENT. 
Cominniy A. 
Josppli W. E.hviuds, must. Oct. 13, lSi;3; clisch. May 27, 1S0.5. 

The folldwiiig tlec-casod soldiers are Imrieil in 
■ Duiilniry : 

AVIIO.STER CEMETERY. I 

Capt. Macy Pcniing, Tapt. S. L. White, Tlmmas G. Bohinson, Orrine Si- 
rinc, Abel B. (Jray, .\hcl JI. Wheeler, Henry H. T[iyloi-, Aaruu L. 
Robertson, (;rahani E. Hull, fhri^toplu-r Ciiui, Ceorjie Reebe, Wil- 
liam li. Iia%is, John R. Smith, Jo^sejih W. Raymund, t'.i|]t. Samuel 
11. Starr, Thomas li. Ree.l, James llowartli, C.l. A. Chichester, Theo- 
dore Morris, Amos 5Iorris, Cajit. William K. Comstuik, Sanaiel T. 
Scribner, William E. Doane, AVilliam Leach, William I>iUeman, 
Michael H. Knapp, William E. Comstock, Prince A. Halstea.l, E. 1!. 
Cluise, John S. Morris, .\hram Cambell, Col. Nelson L. White, George 
B. Gray, Dr. Williuum, William \. Daniels, Ji)lin Snithn, Garitiner 
E. Greene, Hr. E. K. Hen>luck, Amos T. Punly, Chailes A. Kiehls, 
Amos Iloyt, William Mant/, Henry Taylor, Charles A. Small, George 
Sears, William Patch, William F. Page, Stephen M mroe, Chauniey 
L. Rowland, Thonnis S. Weed, William L. Hyatt, I.ient. S. S. Stevens, 
Capt. S. G. Bailey, Keros Comes, Sidney II. Tliomltson, I'apt. G. M. 
Goilfrey, Capt- B. F. Skilinei-. Edgar Knapp, George Haviland, Wil- 
liam A. Clark, Homer B. Wildnum, Theodore Burnum, Fred C. Bar- 
num, William A. Carlson, K. W. Jndson, George F. Bailey, James 
Blissard. Capt. II. C. Hall, Augustus S. Trowbridge, William H. Gar- 
rett, Ed. Iloyt, Charles Crolut, Moses Wheeler, Jose|.h Bishop, Capt. 
James E. Moore, Col. W. E. Moe.gling, Robert S. Stratton, War of the 
Rebellion, George W. Stratton, War of 1S12, Richard W. Stnitton, 
War ot Bev<duli.ui (all of cuie family I, Samuel Doy lis, John B. Byer- 
ley, Lieut. Fred Starr, Ileiiiy Itikeman, Edgar K. Carley, 

CATHOLIC CEMETERY. 
Edwaid Ccuvan, 51. Carmody, .loseph McMalum, Jlichael JlcMahon, 
Tluuuas Kinney, Patrick Barrett, P.atrick Lilley, John McCauley, 
Thomas IVlley, James Kyan, Fiauk McCauley, Henry Scollins, J. 
Ward, Bleycrs, John McGuire, Patrick Daniels, N. McGnire. 

WOOSTEK STREET BURTISG-GROUND. 
Henry B. Crofut, Henry Ilawley, Challes Wilson, David F. Slilson, 
Charles Dikeman, Lieut. Thomas T. Urmton. 

NORTH MAIN STREET. 
William Pendley, Giandisou D. Foote. 

THE SOLDfER.SVJMOXUJlENT. 

This <rr;inite shaft, commemorative of the patriot 
dead nf Daiilmry, stands on the plot of grniiiid made 
vacant by tlie removal of the First C'ongn'jiational 
church, at the intersection of West with Main Street, 
and was unveiled with appropriate ceremonies June 
27,-lS,'(0. It is of "Westerly granite, and stands, 
eonii>leted, thirty-two feet high. It is a circular 
column resting upon si.x pieces consisting of lower 
base, plinth, mould, die, cap, and eolunm mould. 
These several parts make a combined height of ten 
feet. The column is twelve feet high, with a diam- 
eter of twenty-six inches; the cap surmounting the 
column is two feet, and upon this rests the figure 
of a soldier bearing a flag in his right hand, while 
against his left side rests a cavalry sword. The figure 
is five feet eight inches high, and the staft'of the flag 
is two feet higher. On the die on the side facing 
Main Street is the inscription : 



TO OUR BROTHERS, 

BELOVEI>, HoNORF.n, UEVEUrD, 
WHO DIED THAT 

Orn CovNTRY Mkiht Live. 



On the West Street face is 



THE DEFENDERS 



THE UNION. 



The other two siiles are lilank. 

Tlie shaft or column is encircled with a liand, on 
which are engraved the names of prominent battles, 
as follows: Bull Run, Wilderness, Antietam, Fred- 
ericksburg, Gettysburg, C'haneellorsville, Ajijuimat- 
to.x, Petersburg, Port Hudson. 

The whole, excei)t the figure, is of gninite. The 
figure is of Italian marble and was carved in Italy. 
The price of the whole was four thousand d<jllars, liut 
the committee secured it for three thousand five hun- 
dred dollars, the builders donating five hundred dol- 
lars towards the cost. In a western town is a monu- 
ment nearly like it, which cost seven thousand dollars, 
and engravings of it show it to be not half .so hand- 
some. The peojde of Danbury are to be congratulated 
on securing this handsome work of art as a nienioritil 
to her noble dead. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



JOIIX ^\'. BACON. 

■Tobn W. P.acoii, born in Hartford, June 9, 1827; 
grtiduated at Trinity College in 184(5, taking the first 
ap])oiiitment in his class. Soon after his graduation 
he became principal of an academy in Essex, Conn., 
which position he resigned to conimenee the study of 
law in the office of Hon. Isaac Toucey, in Hartford, 
remaining with him till the spring of 1848, when he 
adopted the profession of civil engineering. In this 
capacity he was einjdoyed on the first surveys of the 
present New York and New England Kailroad from 
Hartford to Willimantic, remaining during tlie builfl- 
ing of that part of the road, taking charge, among 
other important work, of the present Union Depot 
and Connecticut River Bridge, at Hartford, and of 
the heavy rock-cut at Bolton Notch. 

After the completion of this work he spent two 
years on the surveys and construction of the Danbury 
and Norwalk Railroad, and was then recalled to Hart- 
ford to assume the position of superintendent of the 
Hartford, Providence antl Fishkill Railroad, between 
Providence and Waterbury, also a part of the lu-eseut 
New York and New England road. Five years were 
spent in this capacity, when he went to Western Vir- 
ginia to take charge of the operation aiiil devebip- 
ment of extensive coal-mines and salt-works at West 
Columbia, on the Ohio River. Here he remained 
about two years, when he returned to Danbury to 
become in July, 185',), .superintendent and chief engi- 



262 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



neer of the Dauburj' and Norwalk RailroaJ, con- 
tinuing in tlie position until Jan. 1, 1877. In tlie fall 
of that year he was a])p()intctl by Governor Hubbard 
one of the board of railroad eoinmissioners, which 
office he still holds. 

During his residence in Danbury, Mr. Bacon has 
been active in the promotion of desirable public im- 
provements. The present water-works were origi- 
nated and engineered by him in 1860, as is testified to 
by the inscription on the stone slab at the lower reser- 
voir. At the completion of the works he became one 
of the board of water commissioners, continuing as 
such till 1876, since ^^hich time he has been secretary 
of the board. Until quite recent years the borough 
was without a public hall, and, to supply this long-felt 
and growing necessity, Mr. Bacon, in 1800, organized 
a joint-stock company called the " Danbury Public 
Hall Company," which imrelia.'^ed the old Congrega- 
tional church, standing where the soldiers' monument 
now stands, and fitted it up with a pleasant and com- 
modious hall, whicli well served the public demands 
until the building of the present opera-house, in 1873. 

In 1871 the agricultural society of the town seemed 
likely to cease to e.\ist, and the organization of the 
company conii>osing the present Danbury Agricul- 
tural Society is due to the efforts of John W. Bacon. 
Under his direction a stock company was formed, of 
which he is now president, which has so conducted the 
affiiirs of the society as to lead to most conspicuous 
prosperity and success. Its annual fairs are attended 
by crowds so immense as to totally eclipse in point of 
number the attendance at all similar exhibitions, not 
excepting even that of the State Fair. This unprece- 
dented prosperity, it is believed, is mainly attributa- 
ble to the inflexible enforcement of the rules ex- 
cluding the sale of intoxicants, to the exclusion of 
wheel pools or other gamblinjj; devices too often per- 
mitted at such exhibitions to absorb the money of the 
unwary, and to the faithful performance of all that is 
advertised. 

Mr. Bacon has been a director of the savings bank 
of Danbury since 18(!3, and for many years a member 
of the Board of Education. 

Dee. 20, 1852, he was married to Miss Caroline E., 
daughter of Dr. llussel B. Botsford, for many years a 
leading physician in Danbury. Miss Botsford was 
granddaughter of Matthew B. Whittlesey, formerly 
a leading lawyer of the place. The children of Mr. 
and Sirs. Bacon are Sarah \\'., Eliza W.,— married 
May 14, 1879, to G. Mortimer Bundle, son of Samuel 
H. Bundle, of the firm of Bundle & White, — and 
John Russel Bacon. 

Mr. Bacon is still in vigorous health and in the full 
possession of matured faculties trained and disciplined 
by a most varied experience. In him is exeniplitied 
the aphorism, "The shallows inurniur while the 
depths are dumb." Quiet and uiuissuming, one re- 
ceiver the impression that beneath that quiet exterior 
there is force, energy, and a resolute determination 



which overcomes all obstacles, and on his countenance 
is stamped the impress of truthfulness and fidelity. 
With urbanity of manner is combined great force of 
character and unyielding determination in the face of 
difficulties, and a gentleness of manner which shows 
that great force of will is not inconsistent with kind- 
ness and consideration for the feelings of others. 
Long may he be spared to Danbury to the enjoyment 
of the love and respect he has so deservedly won ! 



CHARLES HULL. 

Charles Hull, one of Danbury's most successful 
merchants and business men, traces his descent through 
a long line of ancestry from George Hull, a settler in 
Dorchester, Miiss., in 1630. 

His ])aternal grandfather, Chapman Hull, was a 
farmer in Redding ; married Esther Buckley, and had 
three children, — Morris, Henry C, and George. 

The father of the subject of this sketch, Morris 
Hull, was a man of more than ordinary ability, and 
at the time of his death, on the threshold of manhood, 
had already laid the foundation of a prosperous ca- 
reer. His advantages for an early education were 
limited to the common schools of the vicinity of his 
boyhood home_, but his eager desire for intellectual 
improvement induced him to devote many of his even- 
ings and much of his intervals of leisure to the ac- 
quirement of knowledge, and when yet a vcrj- young 
man was found qualified and engaged to teach school 
in Danbury. 

He began his career as a merchant in Redding, re- 
moving thence to Huntington, where he remained 
two years, and then removed to 5Ianlius Square, in the 
central part of the State of New York, and was the 
pioneer merchant of that place. Near this place ho 
built a warehouse on the Erie Canal, and the place 
was called Hull's Landing after him, which name it 
still retains. He saw opening before him a bright 
career as a merchant in the ra])idly-growing country, 
but was |)crniitted to enjoy the prospect but a short 
time. Going to New York City to replenish his stock 
of goods, on his way home he visited his grandmother, 
in Redding, at whose house lay his eldest son stricken 
with fever. Watching at the bedside of his prostrate 
son he contracted the malady, malignant typhoid, of 
which he died, at the age of thirty-two, leaving u 
widow and six small children dependent almost en- 
tirely upon their own exertions for their support. 
The business and effects of the father and husband in 
the new country were disposed of, and the following 
spring the family returned to Redding. 

At the age of seven Charles was "put out to work" 
with a farmer, remaining four years, and as evidence 
that they were not years of unmixed pleasure or of 
pampered, nurturing ease, and as indicative of the 
character of the man whose prolrtje he was, one inci- 
dent will suffice : Charles was very fond of the Sunday- 



DANBUKY. 



263 



school. The one most accessibk- to him was hcUl at 
the church, three miles away by road, and more thau 
two miles across lots through the woods. This school 
he was desirous of attending;, and was permitted to do 
so on condition that he W'Ould carry his shoes in his 
hand until he came to a certain stone wall close by 
the church, when he might put them on, wear tlieni 
through school hours and to the stone wall on his 
return, taking them off at this point and carrying 
them in his hand home. Charles accepted, performed 
the conditions, and attended Sunday-school. Four 
years later, at the age of eleven, he left this home, go- 
ing to Hedding Ridge. Here he found employment 
with the builder of the Episcopal church (yet stand- 
ing), iilaeing the stones in the trenches upon whi<-h 
the foundation of that edifice rests, and to receive as 
conipen-iation the munificent sum of twenty-five cents 
per day. Tliis Charles sujjposed was inclusive of 
boanl, but upon this jmint he was anytliing but agree- 
ably enlightened, while at supper on the day his task 
was finished, by a conversation between his emidoyer 
and wife, during which it transpired that he was to 
be charged for board. By a simple and not unreason- 
able comjHitation it was estimated that a fine healthy 
boy would eat twenty-five cents' worth per day, espe- 
cially as he worked hard, and as his wages amounted 
to just that amount the account was easily balanced. 
But the wife — a mother mayhap — the woman always 
tenderer than man, thought "the boy ought to lune 
something," and "the boy" was given twenty-five 
cents. Twenty-five cents for performing all the labor 
attendant upon the laying of the entire sub-founda- 
tion of a church, together with what coarse food he 
ate while doing the work, was his entire compensation. 
But we dovibt if Napoleon ever received with jironder 
triumph the crown from conquered jx)tentate than 
was experienced by Charles when these his first earn- 
ings wore placed in his hand. This was young Hull's 
first experience, and the les.son taught was not lost, 
for in his next engagement, in which his services were 
given for his board, clothes, and schooling, eacli item 
of compensation was fully stipulated in the agree- 
ment. 

At the age of sixteen Charles wont to Norwalk to 
learn the trade of tinsmith, which he spent four years 
in acquiring. During these years his evenings, in- 
stead of being devoted to recreation and jileasure, 
as were the evenings of most of the aiii)rentices a.sso- 
ciated with him, were spent in hard work, attending 
to customers and in mastering the business, and so 
proficient did he become that during the last years of 
his apprenticeship he was given almost entire charge 
of his employer's business. The concern in wliieh he 
was employed failed during the great dejiressiou of 
188(>-.S7, and with but twelve cents in his pocket he 
turned his steps from New Haven, wliitlier he had 
gone in pursuit of employment, to Danbury, thirty- 
six miles distant, which he reached by the way of Red- 
ding, the home of his grandmother, having walked 



the entire distance, forty-three miles. In Danbury 
he found work at his trade, as forenuin in the shop of 
Jlr. A. Rogers. 

In the spring of 1843, with a thorough knowledge 
of his trade, with little capital, but with invincible 
courage and untiring industry and energy, he began, 
in a small way, business for himself. For thirty-seven 
years he has conducted the business of tin-, iron-, and 
copper-ware manufacturer in Danbury, and kept in 
connection therewith one of the largest general fur- 
nishing stores in the State, and in his career as a 
business man presents a useful le.sson to the poor, 
struggling but ambitious boy, starting as he did with 
nothing but willing hands, a stout heart, and a deter- 
mination to succeed, and l)y industry, foresight, and 
economy accumulating a fortune and indeiiendeut 
position among men. •■- 

While Mr. Hull's business interests have always 
been large, varied, and engrossing, lie has yet found 
much time to devote to the public. During the war 
a portion of the time he was selected as agent to look 
after the interests of his town ; he was a director in 
the Danbury Bank when it was a State institution, 
and one of the originators of the Pahquioque Bank, 
of which he has always been a director. He is also 
director in several of the large manufacturing corpo- 
rations of Danbury ; has been selectman, and for 
several years past has been town agent. 

We relate an incident in Mr. Hull's life which, if 
it neither "jxiints a moral" nor "adorns a tale," is at 
least illustrative of the vicissitudes, the ups and 
downs, of life. While the subject of this memoir was 
yet a young barefooted boy working among the farm- 
ers of his native town, he one afternoon strolled into 
Danbury. lie had oiten heard of the palatial resi- 
dence and aristocratic family of the late Seth Corn- 
stock, Es(i., and as he .sauntered u]) the main street 
his attention was attracted by an imposing array of 
carriages before the mansion. Tlie occasion was the 
marriage of Mr. Comstoek's son, a broker in New 
York, and was being conducted with mucli pomp and 
ceremony. One of the features was a carpet laid from 
the door to the carriages for the guests to walk on. 
Charles had nevqr seen anything of the kind before, 
and it made an impression upon his young mind, and 
led to indulgence in mental speculations. What 
those speculations were doe.i not transpire ; visionary 
enough they seemed to him, no doubt, but how they 
ajipear viewed retrospectively we leave to be inferred, 
affording to the reader these data: To-day Mr. Hull 
owns the ground whereon that mansion stood, to- 
gether with the fine block of buildings covering it, 
built by himself 

Mr. Hull was married Nov. 1.8, 1841), to Mi.ss Han- 
nah K., daugliter of Thomas and Klizabetli Ambler, 
of Danbury. Their children are Harriet E., now 
Mrs. Alexander McNie, (rf Winona, Minn., Mary E., 
now Mrs. Granville W. Hoyt, of Danbury, Frederick 
A., Thomas A., and Sarah M. 



264 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



ROGER AVERILL. 

Roger Averill was born in Salisbury, in Litchfield 
Co., Conn., on the 14th day of August, ISO'). His 
father, Nathaniel V. Averill, and his mother, Mary 
Whittlesey, were natives of Washington, in the same 
county, and were worthy representatives of the best 
type of the New England character. 

Mr. Averill received his early training on the farm, 
and was thoroughly impresseil with a sense of the 
value of time and of the importance of personal 
effort to achieve success. Habits of industry were 
formed in youth, and continued in practice in alter- 
life. Every facility Which the best common schools 
could furnish was placed within his reach for the 
acquisition of knowledge and mental improvement ; 
and fortunately for him his native town had within 
its limits two valuAle public libraries, to which he 
had free access. These proved to be of inestimable 
advantage in supplying him with the means of ac- 
quiring knowledge from books. They were often 
consulted and much read, and greatly contributed to 
the proper unfolding and moulding of his character 
and shaping his .subsequent life. 

At the age of eighteen years Mr. Averill com- 
menced teaching a common school, and at the same 
time he began the study of the Latin without the aid 
of an instructor. Self-reliant and ambitious, he made 
considerable progress in preparatory studies before he 
fully decided to take a college course, and his friends 
had no knowledge of his wishes or his intentions in 
regard to an education. His older brother, Chester 
Averill, then a graduate of and a professor in Union 
College, New York, learning that some progress had 
been made in preparatory studies, favored his contin- 
uance in them, with a view to a full course, and fur- 
nished the necessary and apjirojjriate books. Thus 
encouraged and strengthened, he at once decided to 
go to college, and applied himself vigorously and 
wholly to the work of preparation. 

In 1828 he became a member of the freshman class 
in Union College, and graduated with honor and dis- 
tinction in 18.32. He remained at college a resident 
graduate for a few months, and then returned to Sal- 
isbury and opened a select .school, which proved to be 
a complete succe-ss. The number of a|)plications for 
admission was greater than could be accommodated. 
The people of the town took measures to erect imme- 
diately a suitable permanent academy to meet the 
public wants. Mr. Averill continued as ]irineipa1 of 
this school for one year, and when it was in a full 
tide of prosperity he abandoned school-teaching and 
commenced the study of law. 

He entered the office of the Hon. Samuel Church, 
then a judge of the Su|>reme Court, who afterwards 
became chief justice of the State of Connecticut. He 
was admitted to the bar of Litchfield County in IS.^I'i, 
and at once opened an office for the practice of law in 
Salisbury. He had immediately his full share of the 
law business of that and the neighboring towns in 



that part of the county, and had the confidence and 
support of his fellow-citizens, who conferred upon 
him many official trusts and responsibilities. 

He represented the town of Salisbury in the ficn- 
eral Assembly in 184.3. He removed to Danbury in 
1849, where he now resides. Since his removal he 
has held various public and responsible offices. Two 
years he was judge of the Court of Probate for the 
district of Danbuni', twelve years a tru.stce of the 
State Normal School at New Britain, and a member 
of the State Roard of Education for three years. 
Four years, from 1862 to 1866, he was Lieutenant- 
Governor of the State of Connecticut. For many 
years he has been and now is a director in the Dan- 
bury National Bank and a trustee of the savings 
bank of Danbury ; also a director and treasurer of 
the Danbury Mutual Fire Insurance Company from 
the time of its organization in 18.51. 

In 1868 he represented the town of Danbury in the 
Legislature of this State. 

He has been twice married. His first wife was 
Miss Maria D. White, of Danbury, who died in Feb- 
ruary, 1861, leaving four children, — two daughters 
and two sons, the latter being members of the legal 
profession in practice in this State. His present wife 
was Miss Mary A. Perry, of Southport, Conn. 



EDWARD SMITH DAVIS. 

Edward Smith Davis comes of Welsh ancestry, who 
settled in Hartford as early sis 1640. His grandfather 
was captured during the Revolution a.s one of the 
prominent citizens of Bloomficld and released on 
parole. His father, Caleb Smith Davis, was a farmer 
in Bloomficld, N. J. He served in the war of 1812- 
14. The sword worn by him as major is still in the 
possession of his son. His children were Louisa J.. 
Charles M., Joseph H., Edward S., and Mary W., all 
of whom are living and all save one have families. It 
is a rcmarkalile (act, worthy of record, that there has 
been but one death in this family in fifty-eight years. 
E. S. Davis remained with his father until his twen- 
tieth year, receiving academical educational advan- 
tages. At this age he went to Boston to engage in 
the manufacture of p.aper boxes, the business being 
at this time in its infancy. He took charge of busi- 
ness already established by his brother-in-law, S. A. 
Brower, the pioneer paper-box maker in this country, 
who is still living at an advanced age. The biisine.ss 
was in charge of an agent, whom young Davis soon 
discovered to be conducting it dishonestly, much to 
Mr. Brower's loss. 

In 18.')2, Mr. Davis came to Danbury, borrowing six 
dollars to defray the expenses of the journey. He 
came to engage in his present business of box-making, 
with Mr. Brower as silent partner. This copartner- 
ship lasted one and a half years, at the end of which 



J 




'lioio. hy J. H. Folsoni, Danbory 



_.-^i%-7^^e^<^ 



I 



.i^^-^. 



'•*^ 



\-?*a 





DANBURY. 



265 



time Mr. Davis bought Mr. Brower's interest, and has 
since conductod the business alone. 

May, IS')/), Mr. Davis was married to Jane H., 
daughter of Bracy and Hannali Scofiekl, of Danbury. 
Their eliildren were Samuel A., Robert \V., and Ed- 
ward S., Jr. Mrs. Davis died in .Se])tembcr, 1S74. 
In Xovendjer, 1875, Mr. Davis married Hannah, 
daughter of Elijah Gregory, of Danbury. Their chil- 
dren are Herbert R. and Anna L. 

Mr. Davis has been elected to the office of burgess 
for two terms, and four times to the position of war- 
den of the borough. In 1878 he represented his town 
in the State Legislature, and again the I'oUowiug year. 
He has been appointed assignee in the failure of sev- 
eral firms and is trustee and guardian for nnnor chil- 
dren, holding considerable sums of money in trust. 

In 1861 he was a member of the Wooster Gunrds, 
which played a j)romineut part in the late war. At 
the call of the President the company was called 
together by its captain, and a vote was taken as to 
whether they should offer their services to the gen- 
eral government. To their honor be it said, every 
man in the eomiiauy voted atHrmatively. This de- 
cision was at once telegraphed to the (Jovernor, and 
theirs is the i)roud record of having been the fir.st 
company in Connecticut to thus offer their services. 
They became part of the First Regiment Connecticut 
Volunteers, and did duty aniund Washington and 
I)articipated in the first Bull Run battle. Mr. Davis 
served during the term for which his company en- 
listed, and was honorably discharged. 

For three years he has been Commander of James 
E. Moore Post, Grand Army of the Republic. 

Mr. Davis luis done something for the improvement 
of his adojited town. He liuilt the factory now occu- 
pied by him, also the Montgomery factory, besides 
many other buildings. His own elegant residence he 
erected on one of the most — in fact, on the most — com- 
manding sites in tlie town, overlooking, as it does, the 
entire borough of Danbury, besides extensive pros- 
pects in every direction. 



JOHN F. BEAKD. 
.Folin F. Beard was born March fi, ISOfl, in Trum- 
bull, Fairfield Co., Conn. His grandfather, .Tames 
Beard, a native of Derby, New Haven Co., Conn., 
was a lawyer by profession, and for many years a 
judge f)f the County Court. He was married to Miss 
Holbrook, of Derby, and became the father of seven 
children, among whom was Dr. Daniel Beard, father 
of the subject of tliis memoir. He, also, was a native 
of Derby; was educated to the medical profession, 
and practiced during his lifetime both as a j)hysician 
and surgeon. He was appointed military surgeon of 
the troops stationed at Bridgeport under command of 
Gen. Foote, and served during the war of 1812-14. 
He was an enthusiast in his profession, a too close 
18 



application to which terminated his career Oct. 2t), 
1815, when but forty-eight. He was married early 
in life to Miss Betsey, daugliter of Dr. Spencer and 
Betsey (Frink) Fields, of Oakham, Mass., and Iheir 
children were: Spencer F., Algernon E.. .Tolui F., 
Elizabeth F., Catherine J., Isabella M., William ».)., 
and Mary A. 

At his father's death .John was but eleven years 
old, and, the family lieing ])oor, ho was obliged to 
rely almost wholly upon his own abilities for his sup- 
])ort. For the first two and a half years lie found a 
home witli an uncle, wjiom he assisted in the manage- 
ment of his farm, receiving as pay for his services 
his board and clothing. From this time until his 
marriage, at the age of twenty-three, he worked at 
<lifferent kinds of labor, principally farming, laying 
up but little in the way of money, but adding nuich 
in the way of experience to the little stock of knowl- 
eilge which he had managed to acquire during a few 
years of desidtory attendance at the district school. 
For two years after his marriage he labored as a 
farm-hand, leaving it to engage in hat-manutaeturing, 
which he followed for about seven years, when he 
moved on the farm, then known as " Hearthstone 
Hill," where he has ever since resided. His wife was 
Miss Lois A., daughter of Hiram Wildman, of Dan- 
bury, and their children were Pxlwin W. (deceased), 
William S. (deceased), Martha M. (now Mrs. Somers, 
living in Galesburg, 111.), John P. (resident of Dan- 
bury), Mary A. (now Mrs. S. C. HoUey, Danbury), 
and James B. (resident of Council Bluffs, Iowa). 

Mr. Beard's principal business has been tliat of 
farming, but he has always taken an active interest in 
jiublic matters of his town, and has often been called 
to the position of selectman and several times elected 
justice of the peace. 

When the Danbury and Norwalk Railroad was pro- 
jected, to further the enterprise Mr. Beard took the 
contract to build it entire. Owing to the immense 
amount of work of various kinds involved in the con- 
struction of a railroad, he found it necessary to take 
partners, in order that responsil)le heads might push 
the different departments of the work — bridge-build- 
ing, cutting, filling, etc. — at one and the same time, and 
although, financially, the enterjirisc was a losing one, 
which it is but justice to Mr. Beard to say was at- 
tributed to the want of integrity on the part of those 
he formed connections with to further the work, yet 
he had the satisfaction of handing over to the com- 
pany the road in eom])lete running order to the <lriv- 
ing of the last bolt. This road has given communi- 
cation with the outer world to Danbury, which before 
its construction was an isolated inland town, and per- 
haps no one thing has contributed more to the devel- 
opment of the place. Mr. Beard was one of the 
originators of the Danbury Agricultural Society, the 
most prosperous society of the kind in the State, and 
for nine years its president. He was for two years a 
member of the State Board of Agriculture. In 1831 



266 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



he joined the First Cougregat : ' ; ich of Dan- 

bury, and the year following was made a deacon in 
the same, in wliieh capaeity he has acted till the pres- 
ent time, and for ten consecutive years Wius superin- 
teudentof its Sabbath-school. His wife and daughters, 
also, are members of the same cliurch. 

In polities, 5Ir. Beard has been a Whig, and since 
the formation of the Ivepublican party luis affiliated 
with it. 



JAMES WHITE NICHOLS. 

James White Nichols, son of Ebenezer Nichols and 
descendant of Samuel Nichols, a resident of Wood- 
bury in KItIO, was born Oct. 15, 1809, in Danbury, in 
the room in which he died iSept. 17, 1875. 

His father wius a farmer on the old Nichols farm, 
occupying the house in which his son lived his entire 
lifetime about the time of his first marriage. The 
Nichols family were extensive landholders in the early 
days of Danbury. 

James W. Nichols was not a liberally educated man, 
although well up in the English branches, and when 
a young man taught school several terms in Danbury. 
He had no other occupation than farming. The deli- 
cate state of his health, however, permitting him to 
perform only the lighter work of his calling, he 
devoted much of his time to writing and other liter- 
ary jiursuit-;, for which he had a decided jiredilection. 
He was married July G, 1845, to Miss Phebc Hawley, 
of Danbury, who died Jan. 26, 1869. Mr. Nichols 
was married the second time to Miss Henrietta S., 
daughter of Daniel 15. and Zemiah (Hays) Burton, 
of Woodbury. The issue of this union was a son, 
James H., born March 27, 1871. 

From an article from the pen of H. B. AVild- 
man, schoolmate of deceased, published soon after 
Mr. Nichols' death, we make the following extracts: 
. . . "Mr. Nichols wius a rare man, highly esteemed 
by his friends and neighbors, who often bestowed upon 
him offices of honor and trust. He bad always a 
genial smile and kindly word for everybody. He was 
both poet and artist, and his song was like the rippling 
of a summer stream or like the murnuir of the evening 
zephyrs that fanned through the shades of his be- 
loved 'Oak t'ottage' home. Contented in his situa- 
tion, he lived and breathed an atmosphere purely his 
own. He cared not for the ambitious world around 
him, nor for the literary luspirants quarreling and 
toiling for fame and glory." Mr. Nichols wrote some 
of the sweetest ])octry that ever emanated from un- 
pretentious bard, and it is matter of regret to us that 
we are not in timely receipt of specimens promised 
for this sketch, that they might become inscribed upim 
the page of enduring history. 

"He Wiis a faithful member of the Methodist 
Church, a devout worsfrtj)er and a true Christian, 
and was ready and willing to go when the summons 



came. His patience and fortitude during his severe 
and painful illness was most conspicuous; during all 
that trying time he was never known to make the 
slightest murmur of uneasiness or impatience." . . . 



CHA I'TKll XXV. 

DARIEN. 

Geographlcnl — Topographical — Names of Pioneers — Revolutionary Inci- 
dent — The Capture of the Rev. Pr. Mather — Poetical Narrative — Old 
Documents — A l)i^triljutiou Ilitl of 172-1, etc. — Pioneer Merchants — 
The First Gritst-Mill — The Pioneer Post-office. 

Darien is located in the southwestern part of the 
county, and is bounded as follows : On the north by 
New Canaan ; on the ea.st by Norwalk ; on the south 
by Long Island Sound ; on the west by Stamford. 
The soil of the town is a rich, gravelly loam. The 
surface is undulating. 

The town was settled contemporaneously with Stam- 
ford, of which it originally formed a part. The fol- 
lowing is believed to be a list of the pioneers who 
located in this town, taken from Huntington's " His- 
tory of Stamford :" 

Aaron Andrews, or Andreas, bought land here in 
1G57, with (iarret Eivis. He is called a Dutchman. 
The name Andrews and .\ndrus occurs often, and 
also interchangeably. Jeremiah Andrews is said to 
be of Bedford after 1687. 

John Austin was one of the eleven Greenwich men 
who in 1656 acknowledged allegiance to the New 
Haven jurisdiction, to constitute part of the Stamford 
colony. The name is usually spelled Astin and -\sten 
on the records. A son of his, Samuel, died here in 
1657, the year, al-so, of his own death. His inventorj', 
taken by Richard Law and Angell Husted, Sept. 5, 
1657, was presented in court in Stamford by his widow 
" Katherine Astine," May 13, 1658. It amounted to 
£78 8)1. ill. Several of this name are rejtortol on the 
land records during the first century of the town. 

Francis Bi-own was here early. Savage tells us that 
he had been a servant of Henry Wolcott, of Windsor, 
and bought out the rest of his time in 1640 and was 
a small trader in 1651, and that he bought and sold 
lands in Farmington in 1656. He seems to have been 
a ]icrtinacious stickler for the largest liberty to the 
individual. In 1662 be headed a petition to the Gen- 
eral Court at New Haven respecting the franchise of 
all the citizens, respecting equalizing the rates of the 
several colonies then under the jurisdiction of New 
Haven, and respecting the colony school. The court 
rather curtly gave him to understand that " whatever 
liberties or privileges our laws do allow them, that 
they should have." He then desires a special court 
in Stamford for the settlement of these questions. 
In 1663 he is sworn a constable for the town of Stam- 
ford in tlie CJeneral Court of Connecticut, and in 1665, 
1667, and 1669 he represented the town in the Gen- 





'^Jra./,. 



I 



DAKIEN. 



267 



eral Assembly. He married, licre, Martha, widow 
of John Chapman, and Iiad one son, .Tosepli, to wliom 
he gave huid in l(iS3. In 1(5813 lie is reported in a 
gift of land to his son .Toseph as now of Rye. 

John Dililile died in 11146, and his widow married, 
the next year, "William Graves, of [Stamford. The 
two sons, Samuel and Zachariali Dil)l)le, probably 
came with their father. Zachariali married, May 10, 
IGCt), Sarah Waterbury, and had a son, Zaeliarry, 
born in IGiiT. His wife obtained a divorce in 1672, 
and afterwards married Nicholas Wclistcr. 

John Green, who lost liis wife Mary here in 1057. 
He was declared freeman of the Ci)iinccticut colony 
in 1062, and represented the town in 10i>!t. Joseph 
Green mortgaged lands here, in lOol, to Thomas 
Morehouse, and William Green appears on the rec- 
ords as landholder iti KS'iO. His land was next to 
Daniel Scofield. 

William Hill was here in lO'irt. 

Francis Holmes was a resident here 1648, as ap- 
l)ears from the testimony against Kol)ert Penoyer. 
His will, on record at Fairfield, dated Scjit. 6, 1671, 
makes meiiticju of his wife, Ann, and his children, 
Stephen, John, liicliard, and Ann, wife of Samuel 
Dean. Stephen Holmes has lands assigned him by 
the town in 1667. Kichard Holmes witnesses here 
June 17, 1658, the will (.f Henry Akerlcy. The 
name of John Holmes is on the land records often 
before 1660. 

Cornelius Jones was evidently here in 1(!.")7. He 
married the widow of Thomas Halt, or Hyat, as is 
evident from the receipts which three of Thomas 
Hoyt's children gave him. On r)ec. 17, 16')7, there 
is a record made of the age of his children, probably 
by a former wife. Tlicre are six of them, aged, re- 
spectively, eleven, ten, eight, six, and three years, 
but the margin on which the names are written is 
gone. His will, found at Fairfield, is dated June 2, 
1690, and mentions his son Josepli and his grand- 
child Ruth " Hyat," explaining also wliy he does not 
make bequeaths to his daughter, Mary Hyat. 

Nicholas Knapp had land here in 164!», as ajipears 
from the land-records. His wife, Eleanor, died Aug. 
16, 1658. Savage thinks he may have come in the 
Heet with Winthrop and Saltonstall in 1(!;!0. His 
children were Jonatluiii, born Dec. 27, I6:)l ; Timo- 
thy, Dec. 14, 1632; Joshua, Jan. 5, 1635; (_'alcb, .Fan. 
20, 1637; Sarah, Jan. 5, 1039; Ruth, Jan. 6, 1641; 
Hannah, March 6, 1043. After coming to Stamford 
he liad probably Moses and Lydia. After the death 
of his wife, Eleanor, he married, March 9, 1659, Unity, 
widow of Peter Brown, who had also been the widow 
of Clement Buxton. He died in Ajiril, 1670, and 
liis will, now in the Probate records of Fairfield, dated 
the 15th of that month, names the children in the fol- 
lowing order: Jloses, Timothy, Caleb, Sarah Dis- 
brow, Hannah, Lidea, Ruth, and Sarah and Unica 
Buxton, daughters of Clement. 

Edmund Lockwood, Oct. 14, 1050, sold all his right 



and title in Stamford to Ann Akerley. How long he 
had licen liere at that date docs not appear. He was 
jirobably a son of Ivlmund, of Cambridge. His ehil- 
drcn were: John, Daniel, Edmund, Mary, and .Abigail. 
Under date of March 24, 1098-99, the town grants the 
children of Edmund Lockwood, deceased, lilierty to 
take up as much laml for their father's estate in tlie 
second " lotment" at RnnkiMhcag as he ha<l in the 
first division there, "his lotment in the first division 
being not to be found." He died here Jan. 31, 1092, 
as a|ii)cars from inventory of his estate now on record 
(book 1st, page 119), amounting to throe hundred and 
five pounds. This name has been numerous and 
jirominent here to tlie present day. It now stands 
next to the Scofield name in numbers. 

.lonathan Lockwood was liere in ll)59, as appears 
from his testimony in court, at Fairfield, Fel)ruary 
24th of that year. He is reported as then twenty- 
four or twenty-five years of age. This corresponds 
with the presumption that he was son of Robert lyock- 
wood, of Fairfield, and that he is the son born in 
Watertown, Sept. 10, 1034. His children were .Jona- 
than, Robert, Gershom, Joseph, and John., He sold 
his estate here in 16(i5, and was afterwards a promi- 
nent citizen of Greenwich, representing that town in 
the State Legislature for four years. 

Joseph Lockwood went, in 1044, to Poundridge, 
where ho luul sons, — Jo>e]pli, .lames, Solomon, Israel, 
Reul)en, and Nathaniel. His wife was Ilannali, 
daughter of Solomon Close. His oldest son, .loseph, 
had two sons, — Major Ebenezer, of Poundridge, who 
lived until 1821 and w;is tlie father of the Hon. ]'>.ra 
and Horatio Lockwood ; and Joseph had also sons, 
among whose descendants are the Hon. Alliert, of 
Sing Sing, N. Y., and Gen. Mnnson Lockwood, of 
White Plains. 

Tiiomas Lyon was here as landholder in 11150, as 
appears from land-records of Daniel Scofield. 

Joseph Mea<l, of Stamford, sells his house and land 
to John and Daniel Weed. From his testimony 
given in court at New Haven in 1000 it appears that 
he was born in 1630. He went to Greenwich, which 
town he represented in flic (jonnccticut Legislature 
from 160)9 to 1671. 

Jonathan Mead sells land in 1050, and in 105:) also 
sells lan<l to Henry Smith. 

Obadiah Seeley was early a resident here, as sev- 
eral entries in the records show. In 1051 he acknowl- 
edged payment of a debt due him from .lohn r>are- 
son. He died in 1607, and his inventory, taken in 
1005 by William Newman and Robert Usher, men- 
tions his widow, Mary, and his sons, Obadiah, ('urne- 
lius, and Jonas. His widow, Mary, had been the 
widow also of .John Miller, of Stamford. He was 
probably a son of Robert Seeley, of Watertown, who 
settled afterwanis in Wethcrsfiehl and became fpiitc 
famous as a lieutenant in the Poijuot war, and still 
later of the New Haven force under Sedgwick and 
Lcverett ag.'iinst the New Netherlands. This name 



268 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



has been well represented in all its generations in the | 
town. 

Thomas Stevens died here in 1G58. He had been 
a landiiolder as early as 1049, as ujjpears from the 
land-records. His will and inventory of estate are 
on record, dated Nov. 30, KJO.S. His property was 
bequeathed to his wife for the cliiUlrcn; but if she 
should marry, she was to have her third and the rest 
to be divided,— the oldest son, if deserving and of 
godly carriage, to have a double i)ortion ; if not, to 
share ei|ually with the rest. 

John Waterlmry came bore soon after tlie settle- 
ment, and liad land rec()rde<l to liim in lOSO. He 
died in 16o8. He had lands here as early as 1650, as 
appears from assignment of lands of that date. His 
inventory bears date in April, 1659, amounting to 
£185 12.V. His sons were John, Jonathan, and David, 
and possibly still others. Those three malce over to 
their fatlicr-in-law, Joseph Garnsey, in 1074, a parcel 
of land then in possession of John Miller. His 
widow had married Joseph Garnsey, in May, 1001, 
when she attested his will. Tliis is one of the most 
numerous, as well as respectable of the Stamford 
names, down to the present day. 

Richard Webb probably came to Stamford from 
Norwalk about 1054. The "Mill" in Norwalk was 
that year abandoned as worthless, and we find Mr. 
Webl) liere, soon after, engaged in the Stamford 
" Mill." He was probably a son of Richard, of Nor- 
walk, though he is not mentioned in his father's will, 
of date 1055. Mr. Webb was a man of some estate 
and note, representing the town in the Connecticut 
General Court as early as 1007. The will of Kicliard 
Webb, Sen., of Stamford, is on record in Fairfield, 
having date 7, 1, 1675-76, and the death of Richard 
AVcbb is on our town records as occurring March 15, 
1075-70, eight days after the will. The inventory of 
liis estate bears date April 29, 1670. His legatees 
were his wife, Margery; Joseph, who took the mill 
in Stamford, but who was to run it jointly with the 
widow ; Richard, who had the uplands at Wescott's; 
Joshua, who took lands in Newfield, and the tools, 
which were in Huntington, L. I.; Caleb and Samuel, 
whose legacy was to be in the care of their mother; 
and Sarah. In a deposition of Richard Webb, made 
Nov. 22, 1007, he is said to be " aged forty-four years 
or thereabout." Joseph Webb died here in 1684, 
leaving children,— Joseph, Mary, Hannah, Sarah, and 
Margery. His inventory, dated March 8, 1084, makes 
his wife's name Hannah. This name is among the 
most numerous and reputable names on the Stamford 

list. 

John Clock, William Crissy, George Gonim, Daniel 
Gray, John Hobby, John How, Josiah Hull, Ricliard 
Lonensburg, Samuel Palmer, John Reed, Samuel 
Richards, David St. John, Selleck, Thomas Talmadge, 
Jlichael Waring, William Wardwell, Eliiwph Whit- 
ney, Gilbert Woolsey, Rev. Moses Mather are also 
names of early settlers. 



REVOLUTIONARY INCIDENT. 

During the Revolution a large number of the inhab- 
itants of this district were Tories. Dr. Moses Mather 
was preaching in the Congregational church on Sun- 
day, July 22, 1781, when a party of Tories completely 
surrounded the church and took most of the people 
prisoners, only a few young men escaping through 
the windows. Two shots were fired at these; but 
they dared fire no more, as three guns was the well- 
known signal of alarm in this part of the country. 
All the males were then tied two and two and led out 
of the church, with the venerable Dr. Mather at their 
head. The Tories also carried ofi" some forty horses 
belonging to the congregation which had assembled, 
and marched the prisoners to the Sound shore, where 
they were embarked for Lloyd's Neck, on Long 
Island. From thence they were taken to New York 
and confined in the Provost prison, where they un- 
derwent the most severe treatment. The following 
contains a portion of a poem entitled 

A Poelifal Jlcl'ilioii .// Ihc Capture of the Congregation at 
Middteaex, witli an Arcoinit of their Sufferimj; ete., ichilc 
in captitily ; hi) Peter St. John. 

"Now to reluto 'tis my intent 
A Biul and Irapoul event. 
On what I wi ite you inny rely, 
Ab I've the history lying by. 
July tho twenty-second <luy. 
Wliero Oiristiiuis meet to King and pray, 
In seventeen hundred and eighty-oue, 
An horrid action was begun. 
Wliile to tlic I.onl Iticy ting and pray, 
The Toiie.s wlio in ambuHli lay. 
Beset the liouRo with brazen face ; 
At Middlesex it »ns the place. 
A guanl \va8 placeil the house before, 
Likewise ttehiinl and at each door. 
Then, void of shame, those men of sin 
The sacred temple entered in. 
The Itev. Mather cloBcd his Iwok : 
How did the congregation look? 
The reverend i)riest. the man of God. 
Severely felt the smarting rvnl, — 
Not by a whip do 1 pretend. 
But by abuses from those friends. 
How muHt he feel to see hi* sheep 
Thus worried, whilst llicy sib-ncc kcepi 
ThiMje demons plnndereil what they could. 
Either In silver or In gtdd. 
The silver buckles, which we use 
Both at the knees and on the shoos. 
Them cailKIs took theui; in their rage 
Had no resl»ect for sex or age. 
And OS they all were searching round. 
They w»veral silver watches found. 
They who were placed as guanls without, 
Like raging devils ranged al>out, 
Ti-Hjk forty hon*es to the shore, — 
Not many either less or niorv. — 
With bridles, smldles, pillions, on: 
In a few minutes all was done. 
The men which hence they took away, 
I'pon this sacreil awftil day. 
Was fortyM'igh!. l-esldes two more 
They cluuict.*! to tind uisjn the shore. 
When 1*1 the shore they wer« conveyed, 
The orders given they obeyc<l. 
On board the shipping they wore sent. 
But grrolly feared the sad event, 



DARIEN. 



269 



As well they niiglit, bemuse thi-y knew 

Their captors were the I>evirs crew. 

They huisted sail, the .Suuiul tln-y crussM, 

And near Lloyd's Nc-i-k they anchored tirst. 

Then every man must tell his nnme; 

A list they took, and kept the same. 

Now tweiity-fuiir of titty men 

Were ordered home aj^aiti; 

The twenty-six wlio stay'd behind, 

Most cnudly were tlify contined ; 

On buard the brig were urdered quick, 

And were confined beneath the deck. — ■ 

A nasly hole, with filth besinear'd. — 

But 'twas no more than what they fear'd. 

But to return whence I left otT, 
They at onr misery made a scoff, — 
Like racing devils tore about, 
8«earinK they'd tear onr vilala out; 
That they'd nu (juarter ever give, 
Kor let a cursed rebel Hve ; 
But would their joints in pieces cut; 
Then round the deck like devils strut. 
Oh, human nature, how depraved ! 
Can any mortal e'er bo saved. 
So void of good, HO full of evil, 
And wholly bent to serve the Peril? 
July the four and twentieth day, 
We all were sent to Oyster Bay. 

^ if 4i if/. :lf -lip 

Wo to t!io ferrj' came at last, 

View'd by spectators as we past: 

The gazing rabble, Tory throng, 

Would curse us as we passed along. 

Ten thousand curses round us rung; 

But some would laugh, and some would sneer. 

And some would grin, and gome would leer. 

A mixed mob, a medley crew, 

I guess, as e'er the Devil knew. 

To the provost wo then were haul'd. 

Though we of war were prisoners called ; 

Our irons now were ordered oft', — 

The standers-by would swear and scoff. 

But oh, what company we found ! 

With great surprise we looked around ! 

I must conclude that in this place 

We found the worst of Adam's race ; 

Thieves, murderers, and pickpockets too, 

And everything that's had they do. 

One of our men found, to his cost. 

Three iiounds of York money lie had lost,— 

His pockets picked, I guess, before 

We had been tliero one single hour. 

« « :i: * « * 

Full eighteen days, or something more, 
We fairly were exchang'd before; 
Of the oxcliange they let us know, 
Or from that place of bondage go. 
That of the number twenty-five, 
But just nineteen wore left alive ; 
Four days before December's gone. 
In sevcuteon hundred eighty-one." 



OLD DOCUMEXTS. 
The following arc given as beinjj 
documents : 



interestinfj old 



A DLSTItlBUTDlN BILL OF 1724. 

A Distribution Bill to lluth Scofield, wife to Joshua Scofield and 
daughter to Jolin Young, lato of Stamford, dec'd, for her part or por- 
tion, as follows: 

To particulars rec'd at marriage. 22. 10. 

To a bever hat, 3. G. 

To warming pan, 0. 

To a wodden mortar, 6. 

A knife, C. 



A groat bible. 

A parcel of old books. 

An almanac, a baskut, and whettitDUe. 

A grindstone to a tree. 

A tub. 

A Raiser, C Sisoi's. 

I'a mittens. 

A piece of land iipon ye esist si<le of Norutnn Nerk, gnuth of ye country 
roml, being twenty-i»ne rods in breadth at ye nnith end of highway. 

Two shilliugis and one j^euney of John Dean's bill. 

Two pad locks. 

The above distribution made Ijy us dijitribu tors uu'ier oath this 4 day 
of Feby. 1724. 



Samuei, Weed, 
Jonas Wkei>. 



AN EARLY DEKD. 



Whr-renn, the Town of Stanifoid in their Annual Meeting in Dec 112Z 
being hiwfnljy warned and cunvenod, voted nu follows, viz ^ town did 
Vote, the Town do impower the townsmen, or any three of thcni to agree 
with Jojshua Scofield & to e.xcliange that piece of laml which Mr. Elisha 
Holly seipiefltered to the uso<jf the Town, on the East side of Stony 
Brook, as also a piece of salt marsh on the East s^ide of Richard Scofield's 
Mill Pund fiir the convenience of a Highway down to Scofield's Mill or 
any other way bo for the best I>enetit of the Town And agreeably to the 
above vote the Si-lectmen agreed with me the "i Joshua Scofield of Stam- 
ford to exchange the land which now makes tlie Highway from the 
countiy road to the 'i null for the above ■' seiiue.steied land A nd whereas 
I the '1 Joshua Scotiekl on my part gave to the Town a well executed 
Deed for ^ Highway, but they neglecting on their part to give me a con- 
veyanie for th** "^ scjuesteretl land, thesjime remains yet my due There- 
fore, To all persons to whom these Presents shall come Greeting, Know 
ye that I the ^ Joshua Scofield of Stamfuiil in Fairfield County in C-on- 
necticnt State, for divers causes <fc considerations mo thereunto moving, 
more esjHjcially for the Parental Affection Love and good will which I 
have \' do bear towanls my loving it dutiful gramlson Gershom Scofield 
of Stamford afore'J, do give grant convey & confirm unto him the <i Ger- 
shom Scofield, & to his Heirs & assigns forever, all 1113' right, Title &. l)e- 
niantlti which I have to the ■* sequestered land, Iluunded according to the 
Bill of laying out as follows Easterly by Yming's, his land westerly by 
Stony Brook, or the line granted by the Town of Stamford to the ^ 
Y'oung's to set a fence, southerly by the cove called GooJwife's & north- 
erly by tlie country road laid out it sized to two Acres. 

To have and to hold tlie alwve Given & Granted right, Title, Demand 
to the above desi'ribeU Premises \uito him my -^ grandson Gei-slmm Sco- 
field A to his Heirs & Assigns forever to his A- their own proi)er use ifc 
behoof liB an Estate of Inheritance in fee simple, free ■& clear from all 
incumbrance whatsoever, in witness & confirmation whereof I have 
hereunto set my hand & seal the IGth day of Augiuit a.d. 17S3 
Signed Sea,led A delivered in presence of 

AbRM DAVE.NPORT ) ,^„j.^ SCOFIELD [l.8.] 

JoSlIlA SCOFIEI-II Jk) 

State of t'onneeticnt as Stanifonl on the «lay of the date above Person- 
ally appeared Mr Joshua Scotield, Signer and Sealer of the alwve written 
Instruiuent A acknowledged the same to be his free Act A Deed l)efore 

Abcm Davesport 

A6sist 

Gershom Scofield's 

Deed of Gift from 

Joshua Si-otield 

Kec to Record Dec' Htli 1"S3 

A Recorded in Book K, 

Page Hi 

by John Hart, Jun"" 

Toirn Clerk 

EARLY MERCIIAKTS, Et.-. 

The first stores in this town were kept at "Ring's 
End," and among the first merchants are mentioned 
the names of Nathaniel Clock, Bell & Waterbnry, and 
Jones & Jarvis. 

The first merchant at Darien was Rufns Scofield. 
The first merchant at No.sota was one (Jorham. 

The first grist-mill wa.s built by Kicliurd Scofield, 



270 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD .COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



and occupied the site of the mill now owned by Ben- 
jamin Fitch. 

The fust postma-ster was Rufus Bell, in 1814. There 
wa.s but one post-office in the town, and that was lo- 
cated in a building which stood nearly opposite the 
present parsonage of the Congregational church. 

Among the first physicians were Warren Percival 
and Dr. Richmond. Tlic present physicians are 
Samuel Sands and R. L. Bohannan. 



CHAPTER XXYI. 

DARIEN (Continued). 

ECCLESIASTICAL, CIVIL, AND MILITARY HISTORY. 

Congregational Cliurcb — Presbyterian Cliurcli — St. Lnkc's CliurcU — 
Metl)u(li»t EpiscoiMiI Clmrch — Incoritorutiou of tlio Parish — Organi- 
zatidn of tlie town— Selectmen from 1820 tolSSl — List uf Town Clerks 
— Rel)resentative8 from 1820 to 1880 — Darieu in tlio War of the Ke- 
bellion — List of Soldiers. 

How early separate religious services were held in 
this town no existing records sliow. Probably for 
years before Dr. Mather was settled here, in 1744, 
there had been preaching, with more or le.ss regu- 
larity. 

At a society meeting, held in the first society of 
Stamford, Dec. 20, 1733, l>y vote '" the society agree that 
those particular persons that pay to the minister at 
Five-Mile River shall be discharged from paying their 
proportion of Jlr. Wright's rate during the term of 
three months, provided they bring sufficient proof to 
the society's committee that they pay as much to the 
minister there as their proportion to Mr. Wright for 
the time above said." 

In 1734 forty-six planters on the west side of Nor- 
walk River petition for a new society. The next 
notice taken of this project, as far as records show, was 
simultaneously in Stamford and at the May .session of 
the Legislature, in 173G. Sixty-nine jjctitions, repre- 
senting eighty families, and a list of five thousand 
eight hundred and eighty pounds, made a formal re- 
quest to be incorporated as an ecclesiastical society 
by themselves. The petition was negatived, only to 
be renewed in October of the .same year by fifty-six 
men. The urgency of the jietitioncrs led to the ap- 
pointment of a special coniinitteo to examine their 
claims. In May, 1737, the committee report favor- 
ably, aijsigning as proper boundaries of the society 
the Five-Mile River on the east and the Noroton on 
the west. In October of this year the act of incor- 
poration was pa.ssed. It is curious to note upon what 
frail boundaries they relied. The moment they leave 
the rivers, which tiicy might prtsumc to be permanent, 
they fix upon the most perishable objects, in the most 
indeterminate of localities, to answer as iiermancnt 
bounds for the society. Off the west side of the parish, 
to separate it from the older society of Stamford, they 



define, as the westernmost limits of Middlesex, "an 
old chimney about two and a half miles east of the 
Stamford meeting-house," and "so to run a strait line 
midway between Stephen Bishop's house and David 
Dibble's house," and thence to where the Noroton 
crosses the Canaan line. But this separation was not 
to be a peaceable one. Though no blood seems to 
have been shed in the struggle, there were many 
earnest and clamorous apj)caLs and remonstrances be- 
tween the parishes themselves and between the par- 
ishes and the Legislature; so that the peaceful settle- 
ment of the Sliddlesex seceders was not accomplished 
before the summer of 1741, about a dozen years after 
the need of such a society was felt and its incorpora- 
tion demanded. 

Eleven somewhat lengthy documents now on file in 
the State library at Hartford testify to the great in- 
terest shown in both the old and the new parishes in 
the proposed division. These papers indicate the most 
obstinate determination on the part of the first society 
not to allow any further alienation of any i)art of their 
ecclesiastical jurisdiction. Assuming a sort of inde- 
feasible right to the territory, the society, by a unani- 
mous vote of all excepting the seceding portion, de- 
clared that they would " not grant to the people at the 
east end of the town the liberty of a society apart." 
They also appointed Capt. Jonathan Iloyt and Mr. 
Jonathan Maltby as special agents to the Legislature 
to rejjort the reasons of the town against forming the 
new society. But the seceders at length prevailed. 

The names of the petitioners to the " Five-Mile 
river pcticion," dated the second Thursday of October, 
1730, are Thomas Reed, Edmond AYaring, Jonathan 
Cristy, Jonathan Bates, Robert ]Mills, John Reed, 
Joshua Scofield, Isaac Bishop, .Tonathan Bell, Joshua 
Morehouse, John Bates, Jonathan Petit, David Sel- 
leck, Nathaniel Bates, Edmond Waring, Jr., Joseph 
Pengban, Tliomas Reed, Jr., John Petit, Joseph Whi- 
ting, John Reed, Jr., James Sla.son, Jr., David Bates, 
Elias Reed, John Raymond, Nathaniel Selleck, David 
Scofield, Samuel Richards, Joseph Waterbtiry, Jonas 
Weed, Deliverance Slason, Charles Weed, Theophilus 
Bishop, John Andru.s, Nathaniel How, John Dean, 
David Waterbury, Ebenezer Bishop, Zaehariah Dib- 
ble, Thomas Bishop, Samuel Brj-an, Nathan Sturgis, 
Benjamin Dibble, David Slason, David Dibble, Na- 
than Selleck, Nathan Waring, Samuel Brinswade, 
Ebenezer Green, John Bolt, Jacob Waring, John 
Waring, Daniel Reed, Abraham Raymond, Comfort 
Raymond, Isaac Wood, and Samuel Reed. 

The first record of a society's meeting in Middlesex 
bears date Juno 1.5, 17851. Ensign Nathan Bell was 
its moderator, and Joshua Morehouse was ajipointed 
society's clerk. The meeting w.as held at the house 
of John Bates. At an adjourned meeting held June 
21st, Thomas Reed, Jonathan Bates, Daniel Reed, 
Isaac Bishop, Jonathan Selleck, Samuel Reed, and 
Ensign Jonathan Bell were appointed a committee to 
"caryon" the building of the "metting-hous." They 



DARIEX. 



271 



were instructed to make the house fifty feet long, 
tliirty feet wide, and twenty feet post. 

They then voted a tax to meet the expenses of tlie 
huilding, and to pay Mr. I?urkinj;haiu " for His 
lireaeliiiig the time agreed." .Jonathan Weed was 
appointed collector. The society records from this 
date to that of the organization of tlie church show 
that the following ministers labored here either sim- 
ply as sup])lies fir as candidates: Eev. Mr. Birdseye, 
Gideon Mills, Ebenezer Mills, David Judson, Mr. 
Ells, and Mather. At a meeting held Dec. 11, 1741, 
the society voted, by a large majority, — forty-two to 
four, — to settle Mr. Judson. But to give every nuiu 
in the society au opportunity to vote, Jlr. Jlorehouse, 
the clerk, was ordered to carry a i>aper with the vote 
"about and read the same to tliose persons that lie- 
long to said society which were not at said meeting, 
that they might have ojiportunity to subscribe to the 
same." 

At their meeting Sept. 1, 1742, while Mr. Matlier 
was .still preaching as a candidate for settlement, we 
find this vote : " Ye Society by m.ajor vote granted to 
ye Rev. 'Sir. Right (Wright) to preach in any jiart of 
Middlesex parish on any needful occasion as often as 
he shall see fit." 

A record of the doings of this society in 1747 re- 
specting the seating of the meeting-house explains 
more fully the process of this custom than any record 
now existing of any other purisli in town, and is worth 
preserving as a curiosity of the times. Besides, it 
indicates some of the principal men of that day in 
this part of the town. 

By the first vote the society decided to seat the 
meeting by a committee. 

" "2. pr vote yc society a Inued ye fiist pue to be ye luest iii Dignity. 

"3. pr vote tlie 2 pew to 1)0 2 liiest in Illgnity. 

"4. pr vote, tlie fore seiit uloweil to lie tlie ?t hieet in Dignity. 

"o. iir v.,»te, tlie front pew, I.y yc great Dorr to be ye 4tli liiest in 
Dignity. 

•' 0. pr vote, the corner pew at the norwcst to be ye .Tlh liiest. 

'' 7. pr vote, to be yo Gth hiest. 

*'S. the west pew nex ye norwest to be ye 7th biest. 

'■ '.Ith per vole, loth jier vote, lltli per Vote, 1 jtli per vote, l:i per Vote, 
Civpt, .Tohu Kiiiinent. Capt. Jona. Bates, Left. Jona. Bell, sr., Sanil Bishop 
and Daniel Keeil rho.sen a coniety ami u pointed to seat yc meeting lions 
as the society shall by tlieir vote direct. 

"U. pr vote Mr. David Tilttle, Mr. Thos. Becd, Cpn. .Tohn Kainient, 
Mr. Edmun Wearing, Mr. .lona. Bates, IMr. Nathan Selleck, Mr. .Teams 
Slaiion, and Mr. Jona. Bell all to sot in ye fore pew. 

"15. and Decon Bishop also by yo vote of ye society to set in his seat 
be fore ye pnlpit. 

" 10. pr vote, the Society Imjxiwerr-il the coniety to seat ye remainder 
of ye house a ei.irdiii to their own discretion." 

The above record is of date Aug. 'J, 1747, and the 
next meeting of tlie society Wii.s held " genewary ye 
2.Stli, 1747—48." A record of this meeting is also so 
characteristic of the times as to justify insertion : 

" Voter! yt Mr. .loiia Bell <ir any other man agreed npoii to sing or time 
ye salm in his ahsetiee in times of imbiickt woi-ship may tnne it in yo 
old way or new which suits you best, vote yt Elijah .Jones shall tnen 
ye Balms in times of woii^tbip in Mr. Bell's absence. Vote yt Left. Jona. 
Sclleck shall Reed the salnis ill Mr. r.ell's absence." 



CHURCIIE!?. 

(•OXGr,EG.\TIONAl, I'lUbrll. 

This churcli was organized .June 5, 1744, with the 
fidlowing members: Rev. Moses Mather, David and 
Martha Tuttle, Thomas and Jlary Reed, Edward and 
Elizabeth Waring, .Tohn and Hannah Reed, John 
Raymond, Daniel and I'Jizalieth l!eed, ,Tohn and 
Mary Smith, Jolin and Catharine Waring, Samuel 
and Mehitabel Brinsmade, Eliakim and Anne Wei- 
ring, Natliau and Mary Reed, Isaac Bisliop, Joseph 
Waterbnry, Nathan and Sarali Selleck, Joshua and 
Anne Morehouse, Samuel Bishop, Ciuirles and Su- 

' sannah Weed, Theophihis and Sarah Bishop, Xa- 
thaniel and Sarah Bates, James and Elizabeth Sco- 
field, John Reed, Jr., and wil'c, Desire, Elias, and 
JIary Reed, Elijah Jones, Sarah, wile of Samuel 
Reed, Sarah, wife of Thomas Reed, Elizabeth, wife of 
S;unuel Richards, "Widow Rachel Raymond, Rebecca 
Raymond, Widow Martha Reed, Elizabeth Reed, 
Joanna, wife of Jonathan 15ates, Abigail, wife of 
David Bates, Mafy, wife of Eliaseph Whitney, Mercy, 
wife of Ebenezer Brown, Mercy, wife of John Pettit, 
Rebecca, wife of Jonathan Crissy, Elizabeth, wife of 
James Slasou, Hannah, wife of Deliverance Sla.son, 
Mary, wife of David Weed, Abigail Andrus, Widow 
Sarah Crissy, and Jona. Bell. The first church edi- 
fice stood until about 18:!S, when it was superseded by 

I the present structure. 

i The following ministers have officiated for this 
church : Moses Mather, D.D., ^^'ilIiam Fisher, Eben- 
ezer Piatt, B. Y. Messenger, Ulric Maynard, Ezra D. 
Kinney, .Touathan E. Barnes, F. ,\lvord, ('. S. W.alkcr, 
R. B. Snowden, Robert ('. Bell, and B. F. Bradford. 

riKST I'ItESI!VTi:i!I.\N ciiuucir. 

This new organization was made Nov. 4, 18G.3. The 
following list of members were from the First Con- 
gregational Church in Stamfiird: Isaac Weed, Ben- 
jamin Weed, Rufus \\'eed, Mrs. Sally Weed, Mrs. 
Mary Weed, Jlrs. Phebe A\'eed, Mrs. Hannah Weed, 
Miss" Mary ^V'eed, Miss Rebecca Weed, Mrs. Sarah W. 
Crissey, Mrs. Abigail W. ]5ishop. The following 
were from the First Presbyterian Church in Stamford: 
William A. Cummings and iiis wife, Louisa Cum- 
inings. Mrs. Anna E. Ballard and Mrs. Martha Har- 
ris, from First Presbyterian Church, New York City. 
Lewis E. Clock and his wife Eliza, Miss Eliza Clock, 
and Mrs. Hannah Waterbury, from the Congrega- 
tional Cliurch of Darien ; and Miss Fanny Kenneily, 
Ironi the Jlethodist Episcopal Cliureh of Stamford. 

This church commenced worshiping in the chapel 
which had been built here a (|Uarter of a century ago 
as a union chapel for all evangelical denominations. 
Tiie present church edifice was dedicated May 31, 
]8()G. James William Coleman was pastor in l.S(;8, 
and since he left there has been no settled pastor. 

,ST. LUKE'S (iirucii. 
Services of the Episcojial Church were held here in 



272 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



1854 by the Rev. W. H. C. Robertson, an English 
gentleman. 

Tlie pari.sh wiw organized in .\ugiist, 185'}, with 
James E. Johnson senior warden, and N. A. Scofield 
junior warden. Tiie vestry \va.s composed of John 
AV. Waterbury, E. A. Weed, and Isaac H. Clock. 

The corner-atone of the cliurch edifice was laid 
Aug. 11, IS-W, by Rev. Mr. T. Todd, of Stamford, and 
the church was consecrated by Bishop Williams, 
March 27, 18tJ3. 

The rectors of the church have been as follows: W. 
H. C. Robertson, George D. Johnson, and Louis H. 
French. 

METHODIST KriSfOI'AL CUVKCII. 

Meetings were held by this denomination as early 
as 1788, a.H evidenced by the certificates of tliat date 
which Samuel Quinton Talbot gave to Joseph Waring, 
Jr., Gershom Raymond, and Edward Raymond. J&sse 
AVaring and Ezra Shison also received similar certifi- 
cates in the same year from Cornelius Cook. These 
certificates were to the effect that the above-named 
were " members of the Methodist Congregation." 
During the next six years tlie following ministers 
issued similar certificates to relieve the bearers from 
paying their ministerial rates to the Congregational 
Church : Jes.se Lee, Daniel Smith, and John Clark. 
Tlie number of certificates is.sued were nine. 

The i)a.stors of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as 
far back as we can secure information, have been 
George L. Fuller, C. E. Miller, Linsley Parker, E. — 
Walt, G. B. Stillmau, G. B. Duscnberrie, J. T. Lang- 
lois, present pastor. 

THE FitiEyns. 
This sect at one time held services in this town, and 
in 1811 erected a house of worship. The church has, 
however, long since been abandoned. 

FITCH'S HOME FOR SOLDIEUS. 

This institution was chartered in 1864 to provide for 
the disabled soldiers of thcTwelftli Senatorial District 
of tlie State. It takes its name from its founder, Benja- 
min Fitch, Esq., of Darien, who contributed towards 
its endowment and support about one hundred thou- 
sand dollars. It was fimnd that it Avits not needed for 
disabled soldiers, and in Februarj-, 186-"), the trustees 
— Hon. Morgan Morgans, Jo.sejih B. Hoyt, and Charles 
Starr, of Stamford ; William A. Cummings and {'harles 
Brown, of Darien ; E. C. Bi.s.sel, of Norwalk ; Stephen 
Hoyt, of New Canaan ; M. B. Pardee, M.D., of South 
Norwalk ; Charles Marvin, of Wilton; and P. Button, 
of Greenwich — decided to open here a home and 
school for the orphan and destitute cliildren of fallen 
or ilisabk'd soldiers. Mr. Eitch, in addition to the 
building used for the ordinary piirposes of such an in- 
stitution, gave to the home a fine brick building for a 
librarj', and a gallerj' of p.iititings and statuary. 

When no longer needed for the soldiers or soldiers' 
children of the Twelfth Senatorial District of the 
State, the funds of the home are devoted, by the char- 



ter, " to the support of aged and infirm persons of said 
district, and to the support and education of orphan 
children of said district." The charter expired in 
1878. 

SELECT.MEN FUOM 1820-1881. 
The following is a list of selectmen from the organ- 
ization of the town to the present time : 

1S20, .r.iliii 1!.I1; 1S2U-21, John Weed; 1820-32. Henr)- Hul«»: 1821-22, 
John Bell, Jr.; 1822-20, John Weed, Jr.; 1820-33, Enoe'wilmol; 
1830-32, William II. Bates; 1831-:i2, Jeremiah Andrews; 1832-35, 
Abraham ('l.»!k; lR!2-30, Holly Bell; 183T^!l, William Anilrews; 
1837-10, Jacob Ixwkwoojl; ls:i7-4«, Jnhn Holmes; 18.3!!, Daniel 
Beers, Elislia Seely; 184K-12, Edward ScoBeld; 1844-47, Joseph 
Mather: 1S49-M, Benjamin S. Iteed; 1650, Nath.inicl A. Bouton; 
1851, G. C. Wnterburj, Isaac Weed ; 1852-55, Hcnrj- (iorhani; 1852, 
Rich. Bates; 1852-.'V4, Henry Slorehonse ; 1854, George Mather; 
1855^9, George B. Stevens; 1856, Charles A. BaU-s; 1850, Oiarlei 
Hoyt; 1857, Nathan Kobcrts; 1857-00, John N. Scolicid; 1858-59, 
Walter H. Bates; isr*, Isaac L Hoyt; 1801, John D. Farrington ; 
18C2, Legniw Wintore ; 1803-08, Ira Scoflcid ; 18C4, Edwanl 0. Page ; 
1807-7(1, Holly Bell ; 186S-09, Ira«cofleld, S.imnel Sanils. Holly Boll ; 
1870, Ira Scofield, Samuel .Sands, I. N. Scofield: 1871-73, Ira Sco- 
field, Samnel Sands, Charles Brown: 1874, Ira Scofield, Samnel 
Sands, fliarles A. Bates, Jr. ; 1875, I. Scofield, Charles Brown, diaries 

A. Bates, Jr. ; 1870, 1. Scofield, Charles Brown, Stephen 8«cly; 1877 
-79, Ira Scofield, Charles Brown, Charles A. Bates, Jr. 

TOWN CLERKS. 
Joshua Morehouse, Darius K. Scofield, Joshua Scofield, Edwanl Scofield, 
Abram Clook, George H. W'allace, Charles H. W'aterburj-, James N. 
Gorluim, Ira Scofield, Henry Gorhiim, John S. Waterbury. 

REPUESENTATIVES FRO.M 1821 TO ISSO. 
1821, Thnddens Bell; 1822, Henry Bales: 182:i, John Weed, Jr.; 1841, 
John Bell; 1825, Abnihani Clock; 1820, Thaddcus Bell; 1827-28, 
John Bell; 1829, Jonathan Bates; 1830, John Bell; 18.31-^2, Holly 
Bell; 1833, Edward Scofield; 18M, Johu Weed, Jr. ; 1835, Edward 
Scofield; 1836, Holly Dell; 18.37, Nathahiel H. Wildman. Holly Bell ; 
18.38, PMw.-ird Scofield; 1839-411, William Audreos; l.>m, Edward 
Scofield; 1842-45, Gilbert G. Waterbury; 1840, Isaac L. Hoyt, Daniel 

B. Fayerweather; 1847, Isiac L Hoyt, John S. Adams; 1848, Ben- 
jamin S. Bead, .\lfrod Perry; 1849, Ira Scofield, John Sherwood; 
1S.V), Benjandn S. Heed, Ansun Ryan ; 1851, Lester St. John : 1852, 
Benjamin S. Reed; 18.VJ-54, Gilbert G. Waterbury; 18.55, Thomu 
Reod ; 1850, Holly Bell ; 1657, Nathan Roberts ; 1858, Charles Brown ; 
1859, Nathan Robert*; 1800, Charles Brown; 1801, Holly Bell; 1802, 
Bc[\jaiuin Weed; 18G:t-G4, William A. (>inimingB; 1805-07, Henry 
Morehouse; 1808-70, Ira Scofield; 1871-72, Henry Morehouse; 1873, 
Ira Scofiehl; 1874, F. W. Ikiuggorhoff; 1875-70, John Hilton; 1877, 
Vincent Colyi>r; 1878, Charles Bniwn ; 1879-So, Vincent Colyer. 

SCHOOLS. 

For present condition of the schools, sec General 

Historv. 

(iRAXD LIST, 1879. 

Number. Value. 

H..UMW 42i f786,!»'J0 

A. res of land _ 0568 4.18,13)7 

Mills aiKl Slorvs _ 33 32,5110 

HorsCT -. 273 11^510 

Neat cattle - 558 13,147 

Slump 58 290 

Carriagi* ISO 1.3,745 

Timi-pieres 78 3,905 

Musical inslninienta 0,415 

Kundtnre 17,900 

Bank slink »2,9« 

Money al Inlcrcat 30,80,5 

lulnide 18,060 

In viwiels 0,100 

Kisherie. 20,913 

All other pn>|>erty 1,100 

Ten porcont. 14,738 

Sl,525,rrl7 
AI«lo 0,127 

81,519,520 
PolU 146 







^^'^C^:z/' ^^^^^^^^-z.*^-^ 



DARIEN. 



MILITARY RECORD. 

TENTH REGIMENT. 

C()?»j)flHy G. 
Ho.vt. IsanL- L., i-aptuin ; nuist. Oft. 2, ISnl ; (lii'.I M^mli 2ii, 18IV2. 
Wliitnc.v, Cliail.-s S., must. Oct. 2, 18G1 ; Jiscli, Oot. 7, l.Si,4, at expiration 

of term, 
llowmaii, William II., must. Oct. 2, l-Sni; died May 2i;, I.SC.2, Newbeni, 

N. C. 
Clock, CliarU* H., mn.st. Oct. 2,1801; wounded A\ig. IC, 1SC4; died uf 

wounds, Sept. II, 1804. 
Benedict, Lewis H., must. Oct. 2, 1801 ; died Oct. 0, 1802, Wa.sliington, 

N. ('. 
Byxter, Itaymond. must. Oct. 2, 1801 ; re-etd. Jan. 1, 1804 ; noist. out Aug. 

2.% ISia. 
Clark, GoorRe II., must. Oct. 2, 1801 ; disci.. Oct. 7, 1804. 
Howe, William II., must. Oct. 2, 1801 ; died ilct. S!, 1S02, Wasliiugton, 

N. C. 
Meeker, .Seth II., must. Oct. 2, 1801 ; disch. Oct. 7, 1804. 
Northrop, Charles E., must. Oct. 0, 18C1; rc-eiil. Feb. 0, 1.<G4 ; must, out 

Aug, 25, 1SG5. 
Tucker, J.din W., must. Oct. 2, 1801 ; died April lo,, 1802, Newlicrn, N. C. 
Vincent, Gilljert, must. Oct. 2, 1861; discli. Sept. II, 1802. 
Waterlairy. ('harles F., must. Oct. 2, ISCI ; disch. for disability, Dec. I'.l, 

ISOI. 
Wel.l., Henry L., must. Oct. 9,1801; re-enl. Jan. 1,1804; woundcl; must. 

out Aug. 2:1, ih;.".. 
Weed, Alfred, must. Oct. 2. 1861 ; re-cnl. Feb. 0, 1K04.; must, oul Aug, 

2'., ISC.-i. 
Whaley, .lames A., must. Oct. 2, 1801 ; died Aug. :i, 1.804, Andersonville. 
Wood. William A. (1st), must. Oct. 2, 1801; re-enl. Jan. I, 1804; must. 

out Aug. 1.*), 180.">. 
Wood, Caleb, must. Oi t. 2, 1801 ; re-enl. Jan. 1, 1804 ; nnist. out Aug. 1,1, 

ISO-.. 

ELEVENTH KEGIMENT. 

Ciniiptniij ]{. 

Henderson. Frcdelick, must. JIarcli :31, 1X04; died Feb. 5, 18G0, Fortress 

BInnroe, Va. 
Jackson, Thomas, must, fliarch 31, 1804; wounrled June 18, 1804; must. 

out Pec. 2;.. 1865. 
Johnson, Edward J., must. March 20, 18G4. 
Laverick, William, must. March 29,1804; disch. for di*ibility. I>iv. 17, 

1804. 

Compituij K. 

Williams, Barnabas P., niust. March 29, 1804. 

Williams, David, must. Miirch 31, 1.8G4; must, out Dec. 21, 1805. 

TWELFTH REGIMENT. 
Company B. 
Dailey, Slichael, must. March 20, 18C4. 

SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT. 

Compttmj D. 

Charles A. Ilobl.ie, captain ; must. July 18,1802; wounded; must, out 

July 19. 1805. 
Joseph E. Moorehouse, sergeant ; must. July 18,1802; pio. to captain; 

must, out as first lieutenant July 19, 1865. 
John S. Dayton, corporal. 

Martin Ca.sh, corporal ; must. July 23, 1862 ; must, out July 19, 1805. 
Ball, John W., must. Aug. 12, 1862; must, out July 19, 1.H05. 
Bates, Jann-s II., nuist. Aug. 9, 1802 ; died Marili 13, 180.5. 
Bates, George R., must. Aug. 8, 1SG2 ; must, out July 19, 1805. 
Dibble, William II., must. July 21, 1802; disch. for disability, June 3, 

1864. 
Hoyt, Lorenzo L., nnist. July 25, 1862; must, out .^iig. 5. 1805. 
Hoyt, Edward S., must. July 24, 1862; died Aug. 27, 1864, Andersonville, 

Ua. 
Jolinsou, Ellas, must. .iug. 11, 1862; diod Oct. 20, 1802, Fort Kearney. 
Murpliy, ThomaJi, nnist. July 23, 1862; must, out July 19, 1805. 
Mills, Willinin E., must. Aug. 11, 1862; must, (uit July 19, 1805. 
Mon-house, Alfreil, must. July 26, 1802; must, out July 19, 1805. 
Northrop, William H., must. July 25,1802; wounded ; died Nov. 9, 1804, 

Florence, S. C. 
Stevens, James E., must. .Inly 23,1802; disch. for di8.iliility, Nov. 23, 

1802. 
Scohcld, Frank, must. July 2:1, 1862; must, out July 19, 1865. 



Seeley, Albert o., must. Aug. 9, l.%2 ; died Jan. 9, 186.5, Annapolis, Md. 

Slanson, Harvey, must. Aug. 11, 1S62; must, out July 19, 1805. 

Vincent, Jacob W., must. Aug. 5, 1802 ; died Nov. 28. 1.S64, Floreru-e, S. C. 

Void, Joseph, must. July 22, 1m;2; wouuiled; died Feb. 2.5, 18G5, New- 
Haven, Conn. 

Whitney, George A., must. July 20, 18i'.2; nmst. out July 19, 1805. 

Whitney, Heniy P., nuist. Aug. 8, 1802 ; must, out July I'.l. 1K05. 

Whitney, Morauda H., must. .\ug. 9, 1802; wounded; must, out June 
14, 1865. 

Wce.l, Raymond, must. Aug. 11. I.s02 ; died July 7, 1861, Frederick, Md. 

Comjunnj IK 
Kcef, William, must. .Ian. 20, lsi;5; must, out July 19, 1805. 

CnniJKDI/t C. 

Brannsauger, Fred., must. Jan. 5, 1864 ; must, out .Inly 19, 1865. 
Davis, .\lbert G., must. Sept. 6, 1804 ; must, out July 19, 1865. 
Finch, Smith H., must. Sept. 6, 180.1; must. luU July 19, 1865. 

{ 'nmp'Uiii II. 
Care, Thomas P., nnist. .\ilg. II. 1802 ; pro. to tii>t lieutenant; must, out 

July 19, 1805. 
Whitney, Horace, must. .\ng. 12. l.s(;2 ; pro. to second lieutenant ; nui.^t- 

oiit (as sergeant) July 19, IMio. 
Scotield. Franklin H., must. Aug. 7. 18(;2; trans, to Inv. Corps, Jan. 15, 

1.804. 
Sellick, Ben jainin, must. Aug. 6, 1.^02; wounded .(iily, 18(;3; nuist. out 

July 19, l.si,5. 

C'lmpiiiiii J. 

Ilomans, William, must. Pec. 30, 1S04 ; must, out July 19,1865. 
TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT. 
Cviiijmiiil I. 
St. J.din, Ben.jamln, must. Sept. 9, 1802 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Vanverse, Isaac E., must. Nov. 3, 1862 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 

FIRST REGIMENT CAVALRY, CONNECTICUT VOLUNTEERS. 

Slayer, Charles, nnist. Dec. 31, 1804 ; not taken up on rolls. 

SECOND LIGHT BATTERY, CONNECTICUT VOLUNTEERS. 
Treat, John B., must. Feb. 24, 1804: must, out .\ug. 9, 1865. 

Cnmpaiiy }{. 
Bonleur, Charles, must. Sept. 23, 1801; re-enl. Pec. 24, 1803. 

Cotujunii/ I. 
Larocke, Frank, must. Nov. 12, 186:1; must, out Aug. 21, 18115 

C<'iitp<ni!l K. 
(islerwaltcr, Ileinricli, must. Nov. 11, 180;{. 
Wallace, James, must. Nov. 14, 1.8o:i; trans, to U.S. Navy, April 28,1804. 

O'li'l'Oiiy ij. 
Morris, John F., must. Sept. 5, 18(;l ; w.uinded June 14, 1802 ; re-eul. Dec. 

22, I. so:!. 
Atwater, Silas T.. must. Sept. 5, 1801; re-enl. Dec. 22, 1803. 
Fortune. Phillip.s, must. Sept. 5,1801; rc-cnlisted; killed at Drury's 

Blull", May 16, 1864. 
Roberts, Nathan S., liiiist. Sept. 5, 1861 ; disch. to accept appointment in 

U. S. C. T., Aug. 21, 1803. 
Weed, Is.iac, must. Sept. 5, 1.S6I ; re-enl. Dec. 22, 1803; missing May 16. 

18i;4. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 



HON. CHARLE.S BROWN. 
Charles Bmwn, son of Dr. and Elizabeth (Leeds) 
Brown, was liorn on the same farm in Darien, Conn., 
where he now resides, Deo. ii^, 1809. His father died 
when Charles was about three years ohl, and lie re- 
mained 5vith his mother until he was si.\teen years 
of age, diligently availing himself of the meagre op- 
]i(irtunities a eountry lad enjoyed for aeijuiring an 



274 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



education, which were summed up in three months' 
attendance (or less) at the winter's term of district 
school during the year. When si.xteen he went to 
New York, and was duly apprenticed, in the solemn 
manner of those days, to one Samuel Webster, a ship- , 
joiner. Staying with him until he was of age, and 
thoroughly familiarizing himself with his trade, he 
shortly afterwards went into business on his own ac- 
count and prospered. Continuing steadily at work, 
personally supervising and attending to his labor, 
Mr. Brown remained in Jfew York until he was 
forty-five years old, when, tiring of the city, and 
having accumulated sullieient property to allow him 
to take some leisure, he retired from business, and, 
returning to Darien, purchased the old homestead of 
sixty-five acres, and has since resided there, building 
his present cheerful residence in 1851. He has added 
to the old home by purchase, and has now the satis- 
faction of owning a typical New England farm, where 
beauty, thrift, and neatness vie with each other for 
supremac)'. 

Mr. Brown is })leasant and social, and enjoys to a 
great extent the confidence of his fellow-townsmen. 
He has held various town oflSces, and has been select- 
man for ten or twelve years. He also represented 
Darien in the State Legislature in I808, 1860, and 
1877. Mr. Brown in his early life was what was 
known as a "Henry Clay" Whig, and since 18.50 has 
acted with the Republican party, deeming liberty the 
inalienable right of every human being. 

Mr. Brown married, Sept. 29, 18.33, Miss Ann E. 
Conkling, of New York. She died Feb. 23, 1856. 
Their children were Ann A. (Mr.s. Josejih E. More- 
house) and Helen A. (deceased). May 27, 1857, Mr. 
Brown married Miss Caroline Burt, of Orange Co., 
N. Y. She died Oct. 13, 1872. Their only child, 
Jane B., married Charles E. Vail, and now resides in 
Stamford. Mr. Brown was married, Oct. 16, 1868, to 
Ella A. Russell, of New York City. Mr. and Mrs. 
Moreliou.se reside with Mr. Brown, with their three 
children, — Charles W., Helen 15., and Henry B. 

Mr. Brown is a man of marked probity of character, 
intelligent and high-minded, of good executive ability, 
and is justly esteemed one of Darien's most progres- 
sive citizens, ever active in everything tending to 
elevate, improve, or educate hunutnity. 



CH.VPTER X X Vir. 
EASTON. 

Oecgraplilcnl— Topographlcnl— Tlio SuttU'inoiit — Xames of rioiM'cre — 
Ruvululloimry liiclrlent — A RcuiarkuMo IMiriioniciion — Tho Tomb of 
Saxniiel Staples — Ecclceiuatlcal — (.'Ivll anil Miltliiry llUitor)'. 

Easton is located near tlie centre of the county, 
and is bounded as follows: On (he north by Redding 
anil Newtown; on the east by Monroe and Trumbull; 
on the south by Fairfield ; on tlie west by Weston 



and Redding. Its surface is moderately hilly, and 
its soil fertile. 

The first settlements in this town were made in 
about the year 1757, by inhabitants of Fairfield. 
Among the early settlers were : 

Samuel Staples, the founder of the free academy 
which bears his name, died in 1797, about four years 
after the founding of the school, aged seventy-seven 
years; Rev. James Johnson, the first Congregational 
minister here, who died in 1810, aged seventy-six 
years ; Deacon Wm. Bennett, Hezekiah Banks, 
Samuel AVakeman, John Wheeler, Moses Sturgcs, El- 
nathan Williams, Zalmon Burr, Daniel Wheeler, 
Thomas Sherwood, Benajah Bennett, Daniel Jackson, 
John Jack.son, Nathan Jackson, Benjamin Beardsley, 
Josiah Brinsmade, Josiah San ford, .John Sherwood, 
Wm. Prince, James Prince, Dr. Gabriel Baldwin, 
Matthew Hubbell, Timothy Hubbell, Nathaniel Hub- 
bell, Stephen Hubbell, Seth Hubbell, Moses Burr, 
Joseph Willson, Edmund Jennings, Levi Foote, 
Nathan Wlieeler, Nathan Gould, Daniel Lyon, Ez- 
born Hull, Miles Merwin, Lyman Merwin, Jeremiah 
Osborn, Nathaniel Seeley, Ebenczer Secley, Ezarr 
Sherman, Lewis Goodsell, David Pendleton, Thad- 
deus Jennings, Enoch Jennings, Daniel Glover, 
Thomas Turney, David Turney, Nathan Wakenian, 
Joseph Seeley, Abbie Ogden, Burr Gilbert, John 
Davis, Stephen Lyon, Abram Lyon, Thonuis Lyon, 
Josiah Lyon, Xehcmiah W. Lyon, died 1860, in his 
one hundred and first year, Baraik Taylor, Daniel 
AVakeman, Ezekiel O. Banks, Job Perry, Hezekiah 
Thorp, Samuel Thorp, John Olmsted, Daniel Holmes, 
David Treadwell, David Silliman, Nathaniel Davis, 
Seth Hill, Miles Oakley, David Thorp, David Seeley, 
Zaccheus Lyon, Isaac Hubbell, Capt. Daniel Fayer- 
weather, of Revolutionary memory, Ariel French, 
Justus Bennett, Stephen Seeley, Ephraim Seeley, 
Ebenczer Hubbell, Nathaniel Lyon, Samuel Wheeler, 
Zachariah Somers, Thomas Patterson, Edward Lacy, 
Nathan Bennett, Matthew Sherwood, David Taylor, 
Xehemiah Deforest, Stephen Blaekman, .\rulrew 
Lyon, Stephen Cfregory, Lewis Edwards, Edward 
Duncombe, Solomon Burton, Zachariah Lacey, Ste- 
phen Bennett, Isaac Bennett. 

REVOLUTIONARY INCIDEXT. 

When the British went to Danl>ury a small boy 
named Miles Merwin was discovered by them, and 
a young officer caught him and threatened to take 
him away with them. An older officer told him to 
let him go, and lie scampered off. This was while 
Closes Bun, an old Tory, was yoking up Samuel 
Wakeman's oxen for the British to take away : they 
took them away. Jack, slave of Samuel AVakeman, 
was going to the blacksmith's shop to get a horse 
shod and met the advanced guard, who chased him 
into the woods, where the darkey got away and 
stayed in the woods several days before he could be 
induced to come out. 



EASTON. 



275 



Moses Bun's house had a trap-door in his floor, so 
that the Tories or regulars could drop into the cellar 
in case of being in danger. 

(lould Diinon, ■who was a iieiitnil, \v:is lookid up 
to make him join the army ; he heard <it' it, and went 
and secreted himself in an old house, now deniolishe<l. 
Dr. Uriah Patrick lived there last. He was tracked 
by heavy frost to the house, but secreted himself be- 
tween a large jilate of wood and the chimney. The 
])lace was known and several balls were fired into the 
])late, and at last he was dragged out and taken off. 
The house was torn down about forty years ago, and 
the balls were found in the [date. 

REM.\RKABLE PIIEXOMEXOX. 

The following account of a remarkable phenom- 
enon which occurred in this town is taken from the 
Connecficnt Journal, under date Dee. 24, 1S07: 

" On Muii.I;y, llio l-ltlT inst., iit alwut tlic l.irak r.f ihiy ,jr a link. .ift. r, 
thi> WfdtliiT being iHodt-rato nml csilm, jiml the atmosplicro sniiicwliiit 
cloudy ami foggy, a iiit-teor or fire-ball passing from a norllierti point ex- 
ploded over tile western part of this State vitli a trenienrluus repitrt. At 
the same time several pieees of stony substance fell to the eartli in Fair- 
field County. One mass was driven against a rocic and daslied in small 
pieees, a l>eek of whir li rem.ained on the spot. About three niiles distant, 
ill the town of Weston (now Easton), another large piece fell upon the 
eal1h, of whieli a mass of aixiut thirty pounils' weight remains entire, 
and Wiis exhibited the same day at town-meeting. A small mass lias 
been sent to Yale College ami examined by .a number of gentlemen. It 
was immediately perceived by Professor .Sillinian to contain ji m-lal. and 
on presenting it to a magnet a powerful attraition pro\ed il to be non. 
This is, we believe, the first instance in the I'nited States in whirji the 
substjiuce of this siteeies of meteor has been found on the eartli, thougb it 
lias often been fonml iu Europe. Fortunately, the facts respecting this 
wonderful iihenomenon are capable of being ascertained and verihed liy 
precision, and an investigation will, we uiiderstami, be commenced for 
the purpose. We rei^uest gentlemen who may have observed if, in dis- 
tant parts of the State, to favor the public with their observations. It is 
desirable to ascei-tain the course or direction of the meteor, the point of 
compass in which it ajipeared in different places, the general appearance 
and velocity, tlie manner of its explosion, and the time betwei-n tin- r'x- 
plosion and tlie report." 

THE .STAPLES ACADEMY. 
This aciidemy, which for more than three-quarter.s 
of a century has ranked among the leading educa- 
tional institutions in New England, was foumlcd by 
Samuel Staples iu 1798. Under date of ( )ct. Ki, 17i».S, 
the following advertisement appeared in the Annrican 
Tekijruphe, published at Newfield (now Bridgeport) : 

"Stai'Li:*s Fhee School is now opened iu "WESTOX (n<iw Easton) 
under the care ami inspection of .lanies Burnet, A. li., i ^IK. tJIPKON 
WHEELEU. In this school are tauglit the first rudiments of the ETig- 
lish I-anguge, English Grammar, Wiiting, the Latin ami (Ircek Lan- 
guages, CIratory, Geograldiy, Mathematics, etc. Strict attention paid to 
the dept>rtnn>nt and morals of childien and youth. 

' Price of instruction, one dollar jter quarter. The poor are instructeil 
gratis. IJ )aiil t<i be bad in good fauiiles aa cheap as i[i any cjf the ueigh- 
boring towns. 

"Anoukw Elliot, "j 
"JoSRPn XoYKS, - Trusti^es. 

"NaTII.V.N WUEIJLKIt. J 

"Oct. IC, 1708." 

Samuel Staples lies buried in Easton, ami his tomb- 
stone bears the following inscription : 

"In memory of Mr. .Samuel Staples, who died Feb. 'JI, 1TS7, in the 
79th year of his age. He was possessed of a Plentiful Fortune, wbi. ii lie 



Pevoted to Pious and Charitable Purposes, Especially T1h> Founding of a 
flee .School for the Education of Poor Cliildren and Youth in F.viurir.rn. 
Also a Considerable Sum for the Support of the Oospid in tlie Parish of 
NoitTH r.\ll[Flt:Ln, And a large Estate for tiie i)nr[iose of Schooling Poor 
Cliildren at the DilTerent Schools in Westox. He was A Steady Attend- 
ant on the Woiship of Gon, A Friend to llie I.ilieities of his C.nintiy, 
liolh Civil and Sacred, And lelt tliis Jloital Sci-iie in llulnbju Hope of 
Eternal Bliss Tlir-mgli Jkscs Chuist our I.oitn." 

Hon. Isaac Toucey, Oovernor and United States 
senator, received the rudiments of his education at 
the free academy in Easton, and oflercd to give five 
hundred dollars toward erecting a suitable monument 
to the memory of Mr. Staples. 

CIVIL iiisTony. 

The first town-meeting was helil on the first Mon- 
day in August, 1S45, on " the green near by the meet- 
ing-house." AValker Sherwood, moderator. 

The following ofBccrs were elected: Edwin Hill, 
Town L'lcrk ; D;niiel 1!. Fayerwcather, Walter Lyon, 
Jiiirr S. Wheeler, Selectmen ; Eli Adams, Treasurer ; 
.lames Baldwin, Treasurer of T. D. Fund; John 
S. Adams, Walker Sherwootl, Loan Agents of T. D. 
Fund ; Charles Wheeler, Town Agent ; JL Burr, 
Burr Bennett, George Knapp, John S. Rowland, 
Elihu N. Taylor, S. W.Banks, Constables; Judson 
^\'indon, James D. Johnson, Samuel Jackson, Grand 
Jurors; A. AV'. Thorpe, Alfred Perry, Samuel Jack- 
son, John S. Adams, Tythingmcn ; Benjamin Hall, 
Curtis Cole, Burr Bradley, D. B. Fiiyerweather, Jo- 
seph Silliman, Poundkeepers ; Albert (jusline, H. B. 
Hall, John Wells, Haywards; Ge<n'ge Knapp, Ezra 
B. Seeley, J. D. Johnson, Fence- Viewers; Ransom 
Lyon, Sealer. 

The following is a list of selectmen from the organi- 
zation of the town to 1881 : 

IK-IC, Orando PiuTy, Walker Lyon; ls4ll-4;i, .Samuel .lacks.ui; 1S4G-00, 
Walker Slierwood; 1.S4'.), D. B. Fayei weatlier; ]S4S-.'.U, Willis 
Wlieeler; lS51-oG, John Eil wards ; IK.-il, Eli .\daius; l«.>:i-,'ir>, James 
lialdwiii; ISW, Jesse Wakeman; ISoli-.V., Edward Hill; LSoO-oS, 
Sherwood Lyon ; 1S57, Charles Wheeler; 18.-.7, P. )t. Sherwood ; 1S58, 
N. S. Silliman; ISM-lJll, Mullett Seeley; 185'J-OU, 1S0:I, David W. 
Sherwood; ISC.I-i;;i, Fhiyd Tucker; 1801-02. LSW, Dinion Uradley; 
l.sOJ-04, Isaac P.Wheeler; l.SOli, J.S.Cole; l.s(;4. Burr Bennett; 1SG.1 
-CO. .Samuel W. Wheeler, Philo Hall; 1807, J. S. Kowlaml; 1807 
-OS, M'illiam Wakeman; IsOS-Oll, Philo B. Sherwood; ISO*.), John 
Wh.ader; 187(1, C. W. Blakeniau, Johu Wheeler; 1871-72, JoscliU 
E. Fields; 1871, F. It. Wheeler; 1X7:!, Joseph W. J.dilison; 1S74, 
G. liradley Sanfoid, William Wakeman; 1S7.'.-7C, 'William Ward; 
187.'»-71i, Bennett Seeley; 187.J, Edwin Godfrey; 1870, W, W. Jen- 
nings; 1877, Johu S. Uowhind; 1877, E. N. Taylor; 1877-73, Wil- 
liam W. jL-unings; 18711, George Ihirr Tucker. 

REPRE.SENTATIVES FROM ISJO TO ISSO. 

l8oU-"il, Anson liyan ; 1852, James Johnson ; 18o:l, Samuel W. "Wheeler; 
l.s.''i4, Sherwood Lyon; LSo.'), J. S. .\danis ; 18'.0, George Whalen; 
1S.')7, David S. Edwards; 1,S58, Charles Wheeler; 18.VJ, Philo U.Sher- 
wood; 18011, John S. Uowlaml; 1801, Philo Hall; 1802, Aha/, lirad- 
ley; 18o:i, Isaac P. Wheeler; 1804, Burr lienmdt ; ISC'j, lUiarles E. 
liradley; 1800, C. W. Blakeniau ; 1807, E. P. Fisher; 180S, Dinion 
Bradley; ISO'.I, Edwin Wheeler; 187(1, Floyd Tucker; 1871, liansom 
O. Smith; 1.872, George S. Burr: 187:i, Francis L. Staples; 1874, 
Joseph E. Fiehls; 1.S7.J, Uobert G. Galloway ; 1870, Eliliu N.Taylor; 
1877, .lohii Wheeler; 1878, Arlliur Tucker; 187'J-SO, Joseph W. 
J'dinsou. 



276 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



RELIGIOUS. 

CHRIST CIIIIICII.* 

This church was organized a.s early as 1763, under 
tlie care of tlie London Missionary Societies, and was 
supplied with ministerial services by it for about 
twenty years. In 1784 it seems to have been reor- 
ganized by the appointment of .John Nichols as clerk, 
Benoni Dimon, Calvin Wheeler, and Moses Burr as 
vestrymen, and Ezra Winton and Robert Downes as 
wardens. The Rev. Philo .Shelton, the first Ej>isco- 
pal minister ordained in the United States, was then 
called as rector, and continued to 1818. 

Among the early members were Seth Gilbert, 
Thaddeus Gilbert, Thomas Colycr, Jonathan Colcy, 
Thomas Trcadwell, Nathan .Jackson, Alexander Piatt, 
Hezekiah Osborn, Increjise Burr, Andrew (iilbert, 
Nathaniel Davis, David Thorp, Daniel Coley, Gould 
Nichols, Eliphalet Nichols, Peter Nichols, Ephraim 
Nichols, Samuel Wheeler, John Wheeler, Adin 
Jackson, Andrew Winton, Hezekiah Thorp, Joseph 
Winton, Ebenczer Nichols, .Toseph Trcadwell, Gould 
Bradley, Joseph Darlinfr, William Burr, Joseph Burr, 
Alexander Nichols, Andrew Gilbert, and others. 

The first church edifice was erected in 1763, — a 
rude structure, — and was never completely finished, 
though it stood until about the year 1850. It was 
known a.s the North Fairfield Episcopal Church at 
Gilberttown. In 1873 a new chaiiel was built, near 
the academy at the centre. It has always been rather 
a missionary station than an independent parish. 

Through the untiring efibrts of Mrs. Henry Perry, 
of Southport, a fund has been raised as a memorial 
of the Rev. Philo Shelton, the first rector, who was 
the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Perry ; this sum 
amounts to four thousand dollars, the income to be 
applied to the salary of the rector of the )>arish. 

The following rectors have officiated for the church: 
The missionaries of the Church of England to the 
Revolutionary war; Rev. Philo Shelton, from 1784 to 
1812; Rev. Eli Wheeler, during 1813; Rev. David 
Belden, 1813-16; Rev. Josei)h D. Wclton, 1816-1!). 
Then occiusional services were held by dilferent cler- 
gymen until about 183.5, when the Rev. D. G. Tom- 
linson took charge for four years ; Rev. Dr. Darkin, 
1840, for one year ; Rev. Charles Todd, one year ; Rev. 
William Atwill, 1842-44; Rev. H. V. Gardner, 1849- 
51 ; Rev. Enoch Huntington, 1851-.53. 

At this time tlie i)arisii received from the Legisla- 
ture the corporate name of Ciirist Church, Easton ; up 
to this time it was known as the Ejjiscopal Society of 
North Fairfield. Since that time the rectors have 
been Rev. Alfred Louderback, lS61-<]2; Rev. Henry 
Zell, from February to November, 1863, when death 
closed his ministry ; Rev. William L. Bostwiek, 1864 
-65; Rev. John N. Marvin, 1S().V71 ; Rev. Cliarles W. 
Kelley, 1873-75; Rev. David M. Elwood, 1876-79; 
Rev. WiUiam H. Bulkley, 1880. Present ..tli.-.rs: Eli 



Winton, William Ward, Wardens ; Arthur M. Oak- 
ley, James Ni(!hols, Vestry. Present number of mem- 
bers, about thirty. 

THE B.il'TIST CUURCII.t 

The Baptist Church of Weston (now Easton) was 
constituted April 13, 1831, and recognized as such 
by a council consisting of Rev. Elisha Cusliman, John 
Cookson, J. H. Linsly, Alfred (latcs, Mr. Duxborough, 
Mr. Roberts, and Nathan D. Benedict, who had met 
for the purpose of setting a])art Brother Alva Gregory 
to the work of the gospel ministry. It consisted of 
sixty-seven members set off from the Baptist Church 
of Stratfield, — viz. : Deacon David Silliman, Sr., 
Stephen Jennings, Sr., Eli Adams, Stephen Jen- 
nings, Jr., Cyrus Silliman, Stephen Blackman, Reuben 
B. Gilbert, Andrew Leavenworth, Seth Gilbert, Nor- 
man C. Sherwood, Isaac Jennings, Samuel Gregory, 
William Rowel, Thomas Peck, Horace Lyon, George 
Lyon, Alonzo Gilbert, Ezra Silliman, Josiah Piatt, 
Harvey Rowel, Isaac Turney, Isaac Thorp, John Cal- 
vin, Ruth Reach, Lucy Gilbert, Eunice Edwards, 
Hannah Wildman, Charity Judson, Polly Silliman, 
Orra Sherwood, Deborah Silliman, Naomie Mallett, 
Anna Beardslee, Anna Turney, Mahala Austin, Char- 
ity Blakeman, Pamela Fayerweather, Abigail Haw- 
ley, Esther Beers, Sarah Hall, Ruth Secley, Caroline 
Gilbert, Maria Silliman, l{oda Hayes, Hannah Hayes, 
Mercy S. French, Miriam Leavenworth, Huldah 
Adams, Clarissa Silliman, Asenath Beardslee, Hannah 
Silliman, Ruth Lyon, Clarissa Rowel, Betsey Silliman, 
Sally Lyon, Laura Lyon, Ruth Hawley, Harriet 
Thorp, Claris.sa Rowel (2d), Phoebe A. Peek, Jemima 
Jackson, Eliza Turney, Eunice Turney (2d), Abigail 
Leavenworth, Priscilla B. Dimon, Clarissa Silliman 
(2d), Eleanor Lyon. 

The first officers were : David Silliman, Deacon ; 
Eli Adams, Clerk. The first minister was Rev. Na- 
than Wildman ; the present minister is Rev. J. M. 
Phillips. 

Name and time employed of each minister : Nathan 
Wildman, three years; William Dennison, thirteen 
years; Jacob Gardener, two years; John Warren, 
twenty-one years nine months ; Jabez T. Bender, two 
years four months; James M. Phillips, three years. 

The present officers are : Morris Banks, William W. 
Jennings, Deacons; David Silliman, David W. Sher- 
wood, Trustees; M. W. Silliman, Clerk. The mem- 
bership at present numbers one hundred anti thirty- 
two. The first church edifice was erected in 1830, 
the second in 1849, and the third in 1874. There was 
expended on the second edifice for repairs, $2775.50; 
on the third, $1607.93. 

Legacies amounting to $1275 have been left this 
church by the following: Naomie Bennett, for land 
used as the parsonage, seven acres, $500; Mrs. Greg- 
ory, for a Sabbath-uchool fund, $175; Miss Julia 



• Contriliutod I..V Mr. Ell WInloii. 



t Contriliutwl lij- M. W. Silliman. 



EASTON. 



277 



Seeley, $500, and Miss Abba Leavenwortli, $100, for 
the use of the church. Rev. Russell .Tennings has 
paid nearly one-fourth of the pastor's salary for sev- 
eral years past. 

The following have been licensed to preach from 
this church : Edmund Turney, Hawley Gill)ert, Her- 
vey >!-illiman, >^her\vood Lyon, Jolm S. Mallette, .John 
Sammis. 

For two or three years after the organization of the 
church an extensive revival of religion visited it, 
materially strengtiiening the church, and encouraging 
flic new field of labor, which ]iroved timely, for soon 
some of the number were dismissed to form a Ba]>tist 
church at White Hills. The cluirch, now enjoying 
the indefatigable labors of its jiastor, Rev. Wm. 
Dennison, had many additions. 

The church was soon again called to part with 
about seventy-five of its number to constitute the 
Baptist church of Stepney, in 1848. • Since that year 
we have lieen visited with many precious seasons of 
refreshing by the Holy Spirit, leading many t(p walk 
the narrow way with us, and, ere we were exjiecting, 
many were called to the better land. During the 
stay of each pastor we have witnessed the fruit of his 
labors by the ingathering of many ; so tliat none can 
say, " I lal)ored with the Easton Baptist Cluirch in 
vain;" for which we sincerely thank the Great Head 
of the Church. 

TIIK CENTRE METHODIST EnSCOP.M, SOCIETY 

of Easton was organized in the winter of lS4r!-44. 
Tlie first oflicers were Eli Wakeman, Clerk ; Hanson 
Lyon, Daniel C. Salmon, and Ira Sturges, Building 
Committee; Ranson Lyon, Emery Sherwood, Daniel 

C. Salmon, Harry Fanton, Bradley Williams, William 
Cogswell, Thomas Goodsell, Trustees; Ranson Lyon, 
Treasurer; William Cogswell, Collector. The first 
minister was William H. Bangs. Tlic cliurcli l)uibl- 
ing was erected in 1844. 

The present officers are as follows : Iverson C. Fan- 
ton, Clerk; D. S. Fanton, Treasurer; B. F. Banks, 

D. S. Fanton, William F. Lockwood, A. C. Lyon, 
William Cogswell, I. C. Fanton, Trustees; B. F. 
Banks, W. F. Lockwood, M. W. Salmon, Society's 
Committee. Number of present members, one liun- 
dred and four. The church was repaired and re- 
modeled in 1871. 

This church and Lee Chapel church form one 
parish, Lee Cliapel church being much the oldest. 

MILITARY RECORD- 
TENTH REGIJIENT. 
Comjinuy H. 
Harris, John, nnist. Nov. 19, 18(54; must, out Aug. Ti, 1SG5. 
Jones, Thomas, must. Nov. 22, 1864 ; fanng by Byntolieu oC cuurt-nmrtiitl, 

Tvh. IS, 1SG5. 
Kerrigan, John, nmst. Nov. 22, 1SG4; must, out .\ug. 25, 18C5. 

SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT. 
Company D. 
Jennings, .Mosei B., must. .\ug. 12, 1801 ; must, out July 19, IfCJ. 



Marsh. Thomas .\., must. Aug. 9, ISOl ; voundod and trans, to Vet. Res. 

Ctirps; disch. for disahllity, Aug. 12, 1S(;.5. 
Quick, Charles E., nmst. Aug. 9, ISr.l ; wounded May 2, 1803; must, out 

July r.i, 1SC,">. 

i'lniip/niij II. 
Mallett, diaries S., uuist. Sept, 1, isc.l ; uiuat. out July 19, 1805. 

f_'iitiqiiitiii K. 
Birehum, Henry, must. Aug. 20, ISOl ; disch. for disability, Oct. 29, 18C3. 
Canfiehl, George, must. .\ug. 15, ISlU ; disch. fur disability, Dec. 10, 1862. 
Edwards, Robert, must. Aug. 15, IKOl ; must, out July 19, IXCw. 
Hall, D,avid, Jr., must, Aug. 7, ISOl ; must, out July 19, 1S05. 
Lord, James, nuist. Sejit. 1, 18(il ; trans, to Invalid t'orps; must. t.'Ut Aug. 

11,1805. 
Tillisou, Jesse, must. Aug, 9, 1801 ; must, (Uit July 19, 1S05. 
Harris, John, must. Sept, 10, 1804; forwarded Oct. 2(1, 1804; not taken 
up on rolls. 

TWENTY-Timill REGIMENT. 

William Corning, must. Aug. 8, l.sol ; disch. .\ug. :il, 18(;.). 

Buckley, Ocrshom B„ must. Sept, 8, 1801 ; ilisch, Aug. ;n, 1803. 

Burr, William H., must. Sept. 9, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 

Edwards, David S., must, Sept. 8, ISCl ; died July 19, 1803, at New Or- 
leans, La. 

French, Levi, must. Sept, 9, 1.801 ; Jisch. Aug. 31, 1803. 

French, Almon H,, must. Sept, 9, ISOl ; disch. Aug. 31, 1.8C3. 

Hill, I'al-k, must, Aug. 25, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 

Hill, Beach, must, Aug. 25, 1801; disch. Aug, 31, 180,"!. 

Hani, Eli, must. Aug, 25, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 31, ls(i3. 

Hall, Charles, must. Sept. 9, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 

Jennings, William W,, must, .\ug. 25, 1801 ; disch. .\ug, 31, 1803. 

Keeler, Peter P.. must. .\ng. 31, 1801 ; ilisch, Aug. 31, 1863. 

Mar^h, Joshua, must. Sept, 8, 1801 ; discli. .\ug, .31, 1803. 

I'erry, John L,, must. Sept, 8, 1801 ; disch. .\ug, 31, 1803. 

Burs, Aide R,, must. .\ug. 25, 1861 ; disch. Aug, 31, 1803. 

Earle, George M., must. Sept, 10, ISOI ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 

Freeborn, Edwald K., must, Sept. 10, 1861 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 

Sherwood, Charles H., must. Sept. 10, 1861 ; disch, .^ug, 31, 1863. 

Taylor, Ormel P., must. Sept, 10, 1861 ; disch. Aug, 31, 1863. 

W.ide, Josepli S., must. Sept. 6, 1861. 

Wanzer, Jjimes M,, must. Sejit, 10, 1801 ; trans, to Thirteenth Couu, Vols, 
to serve out time. 

Coiiipiiiiy K. 

Edwards, John. must. Nov, 24, 18(;l ; disch, Nov. 24, 1S04. 

McFarland, John, must. Nov, 24, 1861 ; re-enl. Jan, 0, 1864, 

McFarland, Robert, must. Nov. 24, 1861; discli, for disability, Jan, 6, 
1803. 

SECOND LIGHT BATTERY CONNECTICUT VOLUNTEERS, 
Seeley, Frederick 0,, must. Aug. 0, 1S02; must, out Aug. 9, 1865. 
Biil'khard, Louis, must. Aug. 13, 1862; must, out Aug. 9, 1865. 
Banks, Bradley, must, Aug. 6, 1862; disch. Aug. 19, 1803. 
Garmo, John L. D., must. Aug. 13, 1802 ; trans, to Inv. Corps, Jan. 5, 18(;4 ; 

must, out July 14, 1865, 
Lynn, Joseph, must, .\ug, 6, 1862 ; trans, to Vet Res, Corps, Jan, 17, 1865 ; 

disch. June 29. 1865. 
Shariit, Andrew J,, must. Aug, 9, 1862; must, out Aug. 9, 1865. 
Turney, Albert E., must, Aug. 9, 1802 ; must, out Aug, 9, 1805. 
Ward, Johnson B., must. Aug. 6, 1802; must, out Aug. 9, 1805. 
Reardon, Patiick, must. Nov, 19, 1803; must, out Aug, 9, 1805. 
Seavey, Thomas, must. Dec, 22, 1803; must, out Aug, 9, 1805. 

ARTILLERY. 

Coii'jutmj M. 
Lovejoy, Fredeiick P., must. Feb. 4, 1801 ; le-enl. Feb. 5,1864; must, out 

Sept. 25, 1805. 
McDermott, James, must. Feb. 4, 1,S61 ; re-eiil, Feb, 5, 1864. 
Patterson, Franklin, must. Feb, 4, 1861 ; rc-enl. Feb, 5, 1804; must, out 
Sept. 25, 1806. 

SECOND ARTILLERY. 
Company C. 

Stewart, Thomas B., must. Jan, 2, 1804; wounded Se]it, 19, 1804 ; must. 

out Aug. 1,8. 1865. 
White, Edward, must, Dec, 21, 1863; nuitt, out June 20, 1865. 



278 



TirSTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



■Uliito, George, must. Au;;. jk, i--s»ia. 

Company E. 
Croft, Georgo W'., must. July 22, 18C1. 
Howard, Willimi), muBt. July 22, 1801. 

Company II. 
Gilbert, AR'Ort P., uiiibt. Sept. 23, 18G1 ; discli. for disability. Fob. 2C, 

18G4. 
Gilbert^ Isaac W., must. Sept. 23, 18GI ; disch. for diaability, May 14, 
1862. 

Company L 

Edwards, Bobert, must. Sept. 21, 18C1; disch. for disability, May 12, 
1862. 

Company K. 

Bucklej', David, must. Jan. 5, 1864 ; must, out Aug. 18, 1865. 



CHAPTER XXVIIL 

FAIRFIELD. 

Geogmphical— Tiipograpbit-al — The Peqnot* — Driven to tlie S\vumi>^ 
The Battle— J^^ge^ Ludlow— The First Scttlemonts- Indian Treaties— 
Indinu Deeds— The Fairfirld Patent — The Departure of Ludlow — Tho 
Bevotutiun — The Burning of Fuirfiuld — Ineidentii. 

The town of Fairfield is located in the southern 
part of the county, and is bounded as follows : On the 
north by Kaston and Weston ; on the east by Bridge- 
port ; on the south by Long Island Sound ; on the 
west by Westport and "Weston. The surface of the 
town is undulating, and the soil is very fertile and 
generally free from stone. 

TUE PEQUOTS.— THE DISOOVERY. 

To the renowned IndiauTfighter, John Mason, and 
the intrepid and talented Roger Ludlow and the sol- 
diers who accompanied them on the expedition against 
the warlike Pequots, is due the honor of having dis- 
covered this section. These were the first white men 
Avho set foot upon the soil of Fairfield. 

The Pequots, after the disa.strous conflagration at 
Mistiek, fled westward and secreted themselves in a 
swamp near the present village of Southport, in this 
town, where they awaited the certain attack of the | 
English. And they had not long to wait. Mivson | 
and Ludlow had resolved to utterly exterminate this , 
tribe, whose ferocity at that time stood without a par- ' 
ullel in the history of Indian nations. With that dc- I 
termination which knows no failure, the little band ; 
of soldiers followed hard upon the retreating form of 
the red brother. Their location in the dismal, miry 
swamp was in some respects an advantageous one. It 
served as a sort of ambush, and tlie miry nature of the 
place rendered it ahnost imj^wsible for the Kngli-sh to 
a]>proach. In this dismal place were secreted about 
eighty Pequot warriors, with their women and chil- 
dren and about two hundred other Indians, including 
the Fairfield Indians. The Hon. Gideon H. Hollister 
says, — 

" Daogcruiu as It waa, Lieut. Durenp*prt ntshed Into It with his men, 
eager to encounter tho I'cquuts. Tbu sharji arruws uf the enemy flow 
frum placcfi timt hid the archers, wouotling the soldiers, who, iu their 



haste to retreat, only sunk deeper in tho miro. Tho Indians, made hohl 
by this adventnre, pressed hard upon them, and would havo carried off 
their 8eal|>s had it not been for tho timely aid of some other Kngli(«hmen 
who wadod into the swamp, sword iu hand, drove l>ack the IVr|uot8, and 
drew their disabled frionda from tho mud that bad threatened to swallow 
them up. 

"The swamp was now8uiTounded,andQ tikirniish followed that proved 
so destnictive to tim saviiges that the Fuirfield Indians l«rgged for quar- 
ter. They said — what was (trobably true — that they were there only by 
accident and had never done tho Englisli any harm, and that tliey only 
wished for tlie privilege of withdrawing from tho swamp and leaving 
tlie Pequots to fight Jt out. 

" ThouuiB Stitnton, wlio knew their language, was sent into the swamp 
with instnictious to offer life to all tho Indians who bad shed no Kng< 
lish blood. 

" When the sachem of the Fairfield Indians learned the terms pro- 
posed by Stanton, lie came out of tho swump, followed by little parlies 
of men, women, and children. Ho and his Indians, lie 8aid, had shed 
no English bloud. But the Pequot warriors, made up of choice men, and 
burning with rage against the enemy wlio lia<l dt-stroycil their tribe and 
driven them from their old haunts, fought with such desperate bravfcr>' 
that tht! English were glad to confine themselves to the border of the 
swamp. 

" There now Hprung up a controversy among tho oflflrors as to tho best 
mode of annihilating the little handful uf Pequots. Some advised that 
they should plunge into the swamp and there fight tliem. But tlio ex- 
periment of Davenport discouraged others from so foolhanly a course. 
Others suggetitL'd that they should cut down the swamp with the 
Imtcliets tlioy hiul hntught with them ; others, that they should sur- 
round it %ith pnlisade.'f. Neither of these propositions w*a8 adopted. 
They finally bit upon a plan that was more easily executed. They cut 
down the bushes that grew upon a little neck of firm upland that 
almost divided the swamp into two parts. Iu this way they so lessened 
the area occupied by the Pequots that by stationing men twelve feet 
apart It could all Ije surrouuded by the troops. This was done and the 
sentinels all statii>nod before nightfall. Thus keeping watrh on thi< 
iKjrders of tlie morass, wet, cold, and weary, thesjMiers i»jvs-*eil the night 
underarms. Just before day a dense fog more than shroudetl them in 
almost total darkness. A friendly mist it proved to the Pequots, for it 
doubtless saved the lives of many of them. At a favorable moment they 
nished upon the English. Capt. Patrick's quarters were first attacked, 
but he drove them back more than once. Tlieir yells, more terrible from 
the darkness that engulfed the scene of the conflict, were m unearthly 
auti appalling, the attack was so sudden and so well sustained, that, but 
foi the timely interference of a party sent by Mason to relievo him, 
Patrick would doubtless havo been drivon from hts station or cut In 
pieces. 

" The siege had by this time given place to a hand-to-hand fight. As 
Mudon was himself marching up to aid Patrick, tho Pe^iuots rushed 
uiM>n him from tho thickets. He drove them back with severe loss. 
They did not rt^snme the attack upon tlie man who had recently given 
Uiem such fearful proofs of his prowess, but turned upon Patrick, broku 
through his ranks, aud fled. AlHjut sixty of the Potpiot warriors r«-ape<l; 
twenty lay deml upon the field; one hundred aud eighty were taken 
prisoners. Most of tho pro|>vrty that this fugitive remnant of tho trilw 
had attempted to carry with Uicm fell Into tho hands of the English. 
Hatchets of Htone, beautiful wampnni-belts, iKtIished Ik>ws, and feathorod 
arrows, with the iiteusils employed Itj' the women in their nido laltonif 
Itccame at once, as did the women themselves, the property uf the con- 
querors. Tho caplivea and the booty were divided between Massochn- 
setts and Connecticut. Some were sent by Massachusetts to tho Wi>0t 
Indies, and there, aa slaves, dntggcd out a wrelche«l yet brief existoncu. 
Among the raptlves taken in this battle was tho wife of Monouotto and 
her ohlblrcu. With muih dignity, she lagged them to save her honor 
inviolate and losiuirc her life and that of her ofispring. She huil been 
kind to the giris whohadltceu taken from Wethon«field,and for Uils sho 
aud her little ones were rccomm ended— not In vain— to tho mercy of tho 
Governor of Slussachusetts.*' 

Thus ended the Pequot war, this being the last 
stand made by the tribe against the allied powers of 
Massachusetts and Connecticut. 

The advent of Roger Ludlow was an important 
epoch in the history of this town. He saw with that 
intuitive glance characteristic of the man the natural 



FAIRFIELD. 



ro 



advantages of this section, and, comparatively speak- 
ing, tlie war-wlioop of the conquered Peqiiots had 
scarcely died away ere the great lawyer and statesman 
had bade adieu to the comforts and conveniences of liis 
home at Windsor, and with a few pioneers was thread- 
ing his way tlirough the "wilderness, anxious to rear 



civil division of Connecticut. Ludlow settled on the 
jiremises now occupied by Mrs. .John (lould. 

IXWAN TREATTE.?. 
The first treaty with tlie Pecjuonnoeke Indians for 
hinds in this town was consummated May 11, iG31), 






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their homes on the fertile lands at ITnqowa.* These 
•were soon after joined by a number from Watertown, 
Mass., and not much time elapsed ere, under the wise 
guidance of Ludlow, the little plantation grew into a 
large town, and has ever since remained an important 



* Sigaifyiug gojtvther. 



and ten years later, June 24, 1G49, a second treaty 
was made for lands extending from the soutliwest 
bounds of Stratford, six miles along the sea-coast, to 
the Sasco fields, and six miles north into the country. 
The quitclaim deed to these lands w;is given March 
10, 1G.3G, and JVln'uary 11, I(i01, the Sasco Indians 



280 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



gave a quitclaim deed to the Sasco lands. The boun- 
daries of these lands were " from the soutlnvest bounds 
of the land called Unqowa to the northeast bounds of 
the land called Maximus (Bankside), and straight up 
into the country si.x miles." 

The deed to these lands were given in consideration 
of " thirty coats, 2 yards ai)iece of cloth, and the same 
in wampum." This was signed by I'onocamus, Min- 
koe, and James, and witnessed by Wenans and Mana- 
chem. In deeding these hinds tlie Indians always 
reserved " the liberty of fishing, hunting, and fowl- 
ing in any river or stream within the town bounds, 
only they were not to set traps to the injury of the 
cattle." The Fairfield planter always pursued a hu- 
mane and equitable course in dealing with the In- 
dians, and it was agreed that "tlie Indians should 
have a certain amount of laud within tlie English 
bounds set apart to them to plant on for their liveli- 
hood." 

In 1668 a tract of land lying along the northern 
portion of the town was purchased. Tliis was called 
Northfield. Soon after, a number of small lots were 
laid out along the coast; extending across tlic town 
north of these were a tier of jjiisture lots ; north of 
the pasture lots a half-mile common, and north of the 
common were laid out the long lots reaching as far 
north as the present Redding Centre. These " long 
lots" were about eleven miles in lengtli and a few rods 
in width. Six hundred and fifty acres were reserved 
for church purposes, and three hundred and twenty- 
five as school land. 

In 1680 a quitclaim deed was executed by the In- 
dians to all the lands which had been purcha.sed, of 
which a/a<- simile is given on i>agc 279. 

THE FAIRFIELD PATEXT. 
The following is a copy of the patent granted May 
25, 1685 : 

•'The General Cjurt of Connecticut have furmorly granted to tlic pro- 
prietors of the inliRlillants of the town of Fnirtlold nil those laniln, loth 
meadow and upland, within tho«e almtnicnl§ uiwn the Be« towards the 
south, alrnut seven miles in hrendth, and in length frum the sea into the 
wilderness twelve miles, and U|i.in Stnitfonl lionnds vu tlie eiist, and the 
wilderness north, and on N'orwalk Iwuiids on the west, only a parcel of 
land Ktwecn these Iwundsand Saugntnck River, that is likewise grnnteil 
to the said Fairfield; provided the said Snugatnck do not exceed two 
miles from the bounds of the said Fairfield, the said lands having been 
by pnrcliBse or otherwise lawfully ohtaine.1 of the Indian natives, pro- 
prrietont; and whereas the proprietors, the fontfiitd inhnhilants of Fair- 
field, in the colony of Connecticut, have nuwle application to Uio Gover- 
nor and company of the said colony of Cmnecticut niiJ<mble<l In court. 
May 25, 108.'-, that they may have a patent fur conllrmntlon of the afore- 
said land, so purchased and grantinl to them, as aforesaid, and which 
they have, and stood seited, and quietly itossessinl of for many years last 
post, without interrui)tion; now for a more full contlnnalion of the 
aforesaid tract of lanil, as It is butted and bounded as nfonwiid, unto the 
present proprietors of the said Township of Fiiirfleld, in the po«ses>ion 
and enjoyment of the premises, know ye that the said Governor and 
comiuny assembled In General Court acconling to the commission 
granted to us by His MnJ.aly in our charter, have given, granted, and 
by these prondsc b> give, grant, ratify, and confirm unto Major Mather 
IJold, Mr. Samuel Wakemau, Mr. Jehu Burr, Mr. John Burr, Mr, Thomas 
Staples, Mr. John Green, Mr. Jtaoph Lucknow, Mr. John Wheeler, Mr. 
llichani Uubliell, >Ir. Gorge S-juier, ami Mr. Isaac Wheeler, and the 
rest of the prtssent proprieton of the Tow nship of Fairfield, their llel^^ 



successors, and assigns forever, according to the terms of East Orecnwii;h 
in Kent, in free and common sosage, and not in capitte, nor by kidghl's 
service ; they to make improvements of the s.ime os they are capal>lc 
according to the custom of the country, yielding, rendering, nud paying 
therefore to the Sovereign Lord the King, his heirs and succcsBons his 
due according to charter. 

" In witness whereof we have caused the seal of the colony to Ik? here- 
unto atllxed the 2Gth of Blay, 1685, in the first year of the reign of our 
Sovereign Lonl Jnnie^ the Second of Kngland, Scotland, and Ireland, 
King. Defender of tlie Faith, &c. 

" By order of the General Court of 0>nnectlcut. 

(Signed) " Robert Treat, Gov., 

"Jons Alles, Sec." 

THE DEPARTURE OF LUDLOW. 

Through the wise guidance of Mr. Ludlow the little 
plantation increa.sed in importance, and nothing of 
any particular consequence occurred until 1665, when 
tlie border settlements were thrown into a state of 
excitement caused by the belligerent attitude of the 
Dutch and Indians. 

" Fairfield having demanded protection from the 
government of New Haven, and receiving none, 
held a town-meeting, and unanimously resolved to 
send troops and carry on the war themselve.s indepen- 
dently. This action of the inhabitants seems to have 
incurred the displeasure of the government. Their 
conduct was treated as reprehensible and seditious, 
and Robert Bassete and John Cliapman were charged 
with " fomenting insurrections and were treated as 
the leaders of the project. Ludlow must have known 
that these accusations were aimed at liim, as he was 
the principal man of the town. He felt that he liad, 
without any moral guilt, incurred the displeasure of 
the colony, and that, unless he sliould make some 
liumiliating concessions, his behavior would not be 
likely to escape public censure. It was quite evident 
that his ]i(ipiilarity had already reached its meridian. 
Proud and sensitive to a higli degree, he brooded over 
the change that had taken place in his prospects, as 
well for promotion as for usefulness, and at last came 
to the conclusion, not without many keen regrets, tn 
leave the colony where he had held .so conspicuous a 
place for nineteen eventful years. On the 2(!tli nl 
April, 1654, he embarked at New Haven with hi- 
family and eflects for Virginia, where he p:i.s.«ed in 
obscurity the remainder of his days." 

I TUE REVOLUTION.— THE BURNING OF FAIRFIELD. 

The first reference to the war of the Revolution is 
under date Dec. 29, 1774, as follows : 

I "Ate Legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Fairfield, held 
by agreement on the 'iHth day of I>eceinlter, a. p. 1774, ElK'nezor Silllmaii, 
Esi)., Sltwlerator, this meeting having iluly considered the Agreement 
and As.s,»ciatlon entered into by the Contitientnl Congress Lately hold at 
I>hiladelphh^ do heartily approve thereof and adopt the Same, Al:d take 
this opitortunity to Kxpress their most grateful sense of the g(K«l service* 
of the worthj Pelcgales from this C^ilony who attended said Congress; 
and pumuant t" the Eleventh .\r11cle, said Agreement and Association, 
nn»ke choice of the following Gentlemen to Ik' a Connnittee for the pur- 
poses therein ntentioned, viz.: tioM Selleck Silliman, Jonathan Sturges, 
Job Biu-tnuu. .\ntlrew Ib>wland, Samuel Shinier, Jnnnthan Mulkley, Klijali 
AIk-1, Increase Bradley, Kllpbalet Thorn, .\aron Jennings, Benjamin Lacy, 

' Daniel Wilson, Azariali (jdell, David IlubWdl, Zaiinon Bradley, John 



FAIRFIELD. 



281 



Hiibbell. Tliomas Culilc, Joseph Hunford, Stophen Gorhani, Tha^ideiis 
Bun-, Junathan Ferris, David Pimmi, Ji^lm Wilstni, Joseph Strong, 
Albert Sherwood, Muss Kent, Samuel Wakeman, John S^uier, Ichabod 
AVlieeler. El>enezer Bartrani, Ji'iiathati Dinion. Jabez Hill, George Burr, 
Hezekiah Huhhc-ll, Beiijaiiiiu Wlieeh r. J.t.sei.h Hide. Jeremiah Slier- 
Momi, Daniel Andrews, llezekiali Bradley, Jo^cpli Bradley, Ephraim 
Lyon, and John Alku. 

"Voted, That if any Person or Persons Shall, directly or indirectly, with 
intent to divide, disunite, or otherwise prevent us from Strictly comply- 
ing with and conforming to said Agreement and Association, Publish, 
Vend, or Sell, or otherwise ilisposo of Any Books, Pamphlet, or publiea- 
lioris in the Town directly ten<ling ttiereto; Such Pereon or Persons 
Stiall lie dealt with and exposed in the same wayward manner as is pre- 
vcrihfd in sai 1 Eleventh Article for such Persun or Persons as violate 
said Agreement and Association. 

^'■Votedy That it is expedient a County CVmgress be lield to advise and 
Consult on the most effectuul measures to carry the said Agreement and 
Association into Execution. 

■ToM, That Col. Gold S. Silliman, Jonathan Stnrgcs, Andrew Row- 
hind, Esq., Mr. Job Bartram, aiul Thaddens Burr be a committee to 
attend at Same at Such Time and place as they shall ajipomt, agreealde 
to the other Towns in this Ct.iunty who sliuil adopt sai'I meastnes. 

■' lo^-.?, That Col. Gold S. Silliman, Jonathan Sturge-, Amirew Row- 
land, Esq., Mr. Job Bartram, and Tliad* Burr, Esq., be a Committee of 
Correspondence for this Town. 

" Ordered by this meeting that a Copy of y- foregoing vote? he sent by 
the aforesaid Committee of Corrcspondcme to one or more of tlie Printers 
that they may be made be Publick. 

"Test: N.\THA.\ Bvlklky, 

"Totcfi CkU:' 

The following is a copy f*^ ii letter sent from Boston 
to the "Patriotic Inhahitants of the Town of Fair- 
field:" 

"Boston. Xov. 24, 1774. 

"Gf.nti.emfn,— The Testimony wliirii the Patriotic Inhabitants of the 
T*>wn of Fairfield have given of tlieir attendance ^) the Common ami 
Glorious Cause of Liberty by their liberal Donation of Seven hundred 
anil titty bushels of <;rain by Cap'. Tiiorp has aflfordeii nnudi Comfort, as 
well as Seasonalde Relief, to their friends in Bostm, who are now Suf- 
fering under the Cruel Rod of Ministeiial Tyranny and Opi)ression. 

"The Sympathy of our friends is a great Support to ns under our 
Tryals, notwithstanding the greatness and severity of them ; and we trust, 
tlirough the favor v)f our God, We Shall be enabled to persevere in our 
Opposition to the Enemies of Ameiica, and so Answer the Hopes and Ex- 
]ie>-tation8 of our friends of Whose generous Donations We trust We Sliall 
ever retain a greatful Sense. 

" We are particularly obliged by the Assurances you give us that yon 
are not insensihle of our sufferings, and the liope you express that you 
shall yet consider your Selves bcpund to alfurd us Such Succor aiid Relief 
as your Circumstances and our Wants may Demand. 

" May a Kind Providence bountifully reward your liberality and kind- 
ness, and the Blessings of him that was ready to perish come down and 
reet on the heads of the generous Inhabitants of the Town of Fairtiehl. 

" We hope the inclosed Acct. of the manner in wliicli the ('ommittee 
are distributing the Donatimis of our Friends antl Benefactcus, iti whose 
eauee (as well as our owni this Town i-^ Suffering, will meet with your 
Approbation, as it will albird great satisfaction to 

"Your Obliged Fru-nd A Humble Serv'^. 

"Henry Hill, by Older 

of Committee of Dnnatijne. 

" To Jon» Sturges 
at FairfieM: 
G34 Bushels Rye 
IIG Buehels Wheat 

750 Busliels. 

Reed 3 p' Shoes of Cap'. Thorp 



"To Mr. Jonathan Sturges 

and others Committee for Collecting 

Donati .ns in the Town of Fairfield, 

0)nuecticut. 

*' Pr. favor Capt. Stephen Thorp," 

"The above is a true Copy of the Orig" Letter A Subscription. 
" Recorded pr. Nathan Bulklev, Town Clerk, Dec. lOtt', 1774 " 

19 



THE BURNING OF FAIRFIELD. 

The following ueeount of the hurninir f*i this t<»wn 
is takt'n from the historical address (h'livrrcd hy Ilev. 
E. E. Kiinkin, D.D., at the Eairfield (V-ntL-nnial C\)ni- 
niemoration, in 1879 : 

"On Saturday evening, tlie ;Jd day of July, thi- liiit'i^U Ileet weighed 
anchor ofi' the port of Whit estone. eh-ven miles east of New Vork. During 
the spring it had made a destructive raid upon Virginia, and returned in 
tlrne to aid Gen. Clinton in his successful assault ujion Verplauck's and 
Stony Pt)int on the 1st of June. 

"The New York Sons of Liberty had been informrd of prcpaiations for 
afresh departure, and sent couriers to New Tiondon to wiirn that city of 
the coming invader. 

" Sunday, the 4tli of July, was a warm, calm day. Our peojile were in 
their churches, and the vessels could scarcely have iijipcared in view be- 
fore tlie night came on. Tlie light bree/.e had no power to move them 
swiltly on their course. There were two large men-of-war, the 'Camilla' 
and 'Scorjiion,' and forty-eight row-galleys, tenders, and transpoits. Sir 
George Collier commanded the fieet and Gen. Tryi-n the land forces, 
about liGtlO in number. Brig.-Gen. Gartli had sjiecial charge of the 
Hessian regiments, the Landgraves and Yaegeis. The English forces 
consisted of two Inidies of Fnsileers, the Guards, the Fifty-fourth regi- 
ment of foot and tlie King's .\niericafi regiment refugees enlisted in the 
British army. Early on Monday morning the squadron came to anchor 
near New Haven, where, on tliat day and Tuesday, the troops pursued 
their desolating work. On the evening of Tuesday the fieet left New 
Haven, and during that niglit was moving toward Fairfield. About four 
o'clock of Wediicsilay a gun from the fnrt on (irovei's Hill announceil 
its approiich, lait it seemed to be pa.'^sing by, ami about seven o'clock th« 
people who were anxiously watihing it were rejoicctl to sec that it was 
steering westward, proceeding, as they thought, to New York. Soon 
after a very thick fog c^ime on, duiing which the vessels were obscureil 
from view, but when this dispersed, between nine and ten o'clock, it was 
sc-en wi.h consternation that the whole fleet was under our western 
shore, where they came to aiuduu- at the Pines, which havi; since dis- 
appeared, a little to the cast tif Mclun::u'ft Point. From Gen. Tryon's 
report it appears that he, with the m:iin itortion of tin- trocps, landed 
there, and that the Hessians, uruU-r Gen. Garth, made their disemliarka- 
tion at the water front of Sasco Hill, over which tlu-y marched to take 
possession of the western section of the town. 

"Tryon, with the troojis immediately under his command, marched 
along the beach and turned up the Beach Lane, somewhat galled by the 
guns of Grover's Hill. They pursued their way to this point where we 
are now assembled, and where, on the site of our town-hall, the court- 
house was then standing. 

" Tiie Biitiali general Wiis guided by George Hoyt, who wav hrother-in- 
law i}{ Mr. Benjamin Bulkley. 

"His liouse, since demolished, stood on the ground where Mr. John 
Glover has liis home, and Gen. Tryon ma<le his headiiuarters while here 
With this, the dwelUt>g8 of Capt. ^L^llthie, Justin Holiart, and Nathan 
and Peter Bulkley were saved from the fire. These are now in the 
possession of Edmund Holart. Miss Hannah Hobart, and the Denison 
estate. 

"The line of the cunthigiaticui e.\ti-ndr<I from Mrs. Gould's house to 
Mill River, in the viiinity of Peny's Mill, including hotli tlie streets 
and their immediate neighborhood, and extended westward thi'ough the 
lower roail at Green's Farms. 

" To silence the guns at the fort where Lieut. Is;uic Jai vis hnd a gai- 
rison of twenty-thiee men, a galley had been di.spalched. but although 
there was constant firing thnaiglanit the night of Wednesday, and sev- 
eral detachments of troops trit^d to take the furt by assault, it was gal- 
lantly defende<l and heUl uut to the etid. 

" As the troops marched up toward the centre of ttie town young Sam. 
Rowland, then ten years of age, saw them from tlie steeple at the Epie- 
coiMil church, but he w;us soon sent honte from his dangerous position, 
and his grantl-idiildren to-day repeat the stoiy they heard in their child- 
hood from his lips. Mrs. Gen. Silliman. from the home uf her temporary 
widowhood on Holland Hill, heard the fiitt guns of the contliit and set 
out (or a safe asylum in Trumbull, where a few weeks later her second 
Son, the distinguished Yale professor, wjis born. 

"Before the hiudiug was effected. Mrs. Esther Jennings, the young 
wife of Peter Buir, went eai ly hi the pasture fields near McKenzJe's 
Point and ilrove the cattle tliere feeding to a safe refuge oti Greenfield 
Hill. Thither and to Faiifield Woods many of the little children, with 
much fumitui'e, were remjved in carts and chaises, while some of the 



282 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



women roniaincd to gunrd (he dwellings. Tho company who had charge 
of n Rcld-picco whcclfd it ton good poHitiou (iii Iliin's highway. Tho 
men ill the vitlagx iitnl funn-huui^cs gi-u;i|K-(l their iiuiiiUot!' itiitl uniniu- 
nltion, and rulliud under cununund of Cul. M'hiting itt tho rt'itdczvons 
un Runnd Hill. 

"Tr.vun'ii march to the green was tho signal of their resistance, and a 
small rompiiiiy, under Ciipt. T)iiimas Nnsti, made u brilliant attack upon 
the English trunjM, hring from Wdiind the fences, and killing a few who 
were hud in »Iiiillt)w graves hy thoir comrades on the meeling-hoiiso 
grounds. Thi'so afterwards wore roniovod to permanent rest in our 
ancient comoteiy. 

" About this time it wouKl appear that the fiittt house was fired, the 
one belonging to Isaac .Icnnings, on whoso site Mrs. Ksther Huntington 
nuw lives. Then came the ling from Gen. Tryon and tho reading of that 
address of wliicli I have siK)kon. Col. AVliiting sent back this spirited 
reply : 

" ' Oinnecticnt having nobly dared to take up arms against tho cniol 
despotism of Britain, and as the tinntes have now preceded tho answer 
to yonr Ihig, they will peivist to oppose to tho utmost that iwwer exerted 
against injured innocence.' 

"In resistance of an organized army who held possession of the town, 
it woti impossible for tho militia to concentrate an efTectnal force. Tlie 
night was coming on, — that Wednesday night of tho 7th, whicli wit- 
nessed scenes of ih-l anehery and cruelty such us Fairfield has never 
known at any othor iteriod of her history. The Hessian general held 
the western portion of the town, and his regiment of Yaegers are do- 
scribed as skulking nn<I yelling like the wild savages of the forest. The 
detacliments broku nj) into snuttt sijunds, and »oiiie of tho governor's 
guanis engaged in a dame in the .Sun Tavern on the gn>en. Most of 
the soldiers were piu^ing in little companien from house to house, pil- 
laging and wasting provisions, breaking up ghiss, earthenware, and fur- 
niture, stealing the watches, jewelry, and slioe-buekles fmni tlie persons 
of women, taking from them even their aprons and handkerchiefs, and 
with o:ith» and ribaldry grossly insnIlUig Ihem. Many sohiicrs wore 
drunk with liipior or strong rider they had stolen. Tryon reports that 
they lay on their arms during the night, and Dr. Dwight. wlio was not 
un eye-wiincHs to those scenes, desjiibes in eloijuent langiuige a terrific 
thunder-storm. Knou^h it is for us to hear the •;iins thundering through 
nil its dark hours in tho dehMise and attack of the littht fort, and to see 
one after another of the pillngeil houses full before the llnnies whirh the 
Jhilish geneml's troops hud kliidleil. The burning cinders that fell that 
night, wet with the Ivats of women then made homeless, nnitt ever in 
the record of history blacken Tryou's name. 

"Tlie militia <!id all they wore able to accomplish, keeping up a run- 
ning fire, and more were on their way to join them. So the signal of 
retreat wns sounded early on Thursday, and in the course of timt morn- 
ing of tho Sth of duly the squadron wiw otT for Huntington, only to 
rross the Sound again, and on the sul 8tM|uent Sunday repeat their ter- 
rible work at Norwalk. H was on the morning of the Htli that the ro- 
mnining private edifices and all the puMic buildings were consumetl. 
Moro destniction wonhl doubtless have been ofleclcd but for the whole- 
some fear of the ambiiHh of the watchful militia. 

*• Tho enemy dreaded tho stone walls, fences, and shnihborj'. On this 
account the idd mill of Peter Perry, which had gnnind the corn of tho '. 
[Mjople for a hundred years, was still h>ft to do ii<i unrk. Thnmgh tho 
exorlioiiM of the wonieu who kept watch'somo fires that had been kindled j 
were put out. This whm diuie four times by Mnt. Lucretia Redfield during j 
that Wetlnesday ni|£ht. and the house she then saved standi tiMJay a ; 
pleasant abode occupied by Btmie of the name name. The Nichols family, 
always jiroverbiitl for notable housowifer)*, employod large hanksof yarn 
then s>»ukiug In prepnnvtioii for tho dye, and with it extinguished tho I 
fianu's that had lK>gun to commme their home. j 

"There were burne<l acourt-housi? and jail, three churches, two schooj- \ 
houses, ninety-seven dwellintcn, Mixiy-seveu barns, forty-<i^ht wtores and 
^ho|«— In all, two hundred and i-ighti en bnitdlngM. The gathered labors 
of the field, the liookn, pajK-rH, pictures, the widl-itrcsiTved proilucts of 
tho splnnfng-wheel and needle, the pnvlous lielrhMmis, tokens uf love ' 
and menmrlals of frioudithiii, how were thoM' brought Into destruction as J 
in a moment I 

" The siNirks, cindem, and half-bumetl feathers floating In the summer 
air, — what sicknetw mnint tliey have Itnnight to many heart*! 

" Some things had l>een removi'd to wife places In-yond the n-ach of the 
fire. IwuM- Ihirr. tlie jeweler, hi I the watcheit left for repair nt his shop 
within the stone tlsHures of hi;* well, and placed hi^ Dlhle and some of 
his own prtH-iouH goo^ls with thenft 

" Pnident Phillls, servnnt of Judge Sturges, took the wet linen from 
the wush-tub and hid It among the currant buihc*. Pewter dishes, kept 



bright by constant scouring, wore thrown into the Iwttom of wells, to he 
recovered when the danger was past. One hxiking-gtass is still as re- 
flecting as over. It was hid<ten in an uncnoHed rye-field, and when, a 
few days later, a black nuui cut tlie swath that revealed it standing there 
upright, ho saw his own figure in tho sunshine, ond mistaking it for 
Satan, whom he feared, he threw down his sickle in terror and ran 
away. 

" Tho sadness had by that time been mollified, the people had begun 
again to provide means for living. They made new homes, some In 
warehouses or out-buildings that hail been spared, son\e rearing them 
again uiwn the old foundations. The large grant of State lands (on this 
occount called thi' burnt lands) in Ohio ti-mpted a few to find new homes 
in the West. Some of our own ix'rople thus changed their place of resi- 
dence, and their descendants arc there abiding to this day, adorning their 
nncestral teachings by lives of honor and usefulness; aiifl of the stock 
transplanted in this nmnner from our neighboring town of Norwalk 
sprung the two brothers Sherman, one presiding to-day over our nation's 
treasury, and the other commanding it^ army. 

" The life of Fairfield was not extinguished In its burning, nor did tho 
energy tif the town expire. Its source of strength was too deep to be 
reached by the kindled brands, too hish to be fatally affected by the 
ascending flames. The town rose from its asha-*, and has had an honor- 
able history down to tho present day. Fmm the fire that consumed Sir. 
Kliot's dwelling one l>ook was rescuetl, the church record, running l>ack 
tt» 101)4. In his clear handwriting he inscribed within it a brief account 
of tho events which, after the lapse of a century, we now recall. 

" As in concluding this address I reiwat h'a wonls, they may convey 
to us the spirit of submission unto (jod and trust in Ilim which tttrength- 
ened this ]>coplo to pass through the furnace of calamity. In subse- 
quent times of prosperity and safety these sentiments have mtt Ik-oii 
wholly lost. May they always prevail, and may the intelligence, sober- 
ness, and industry of our people render them fit dwellers in those plcasiuit 
places chosen more than two hundred and forty years ago by the founders 
of our beautiful town. By maintaining these principles In peace and 
purity, and through a wise and constant exercise of that public spirit 
which clinracteri'/ed our fathers, we will show how greatly wo prize this 
rich inheritance, made more precious by the refining fire. 

'*A Lint of the Persons icho suffered hi/ the encmt/ i"« burning the 
town of Fairjiefd, oti the 7th aud ^th dnyn "/ J'dy, 17711, and 
had their taxcn abated by the Committee njypoiitied by the 
(jciieral AsneiuUy fur that purpose. 

List, 1781. List, 1782. 

£ «. </. £ : d. 

Anthony Annibil 20 '^0 7 ti 

Pavid Annibil 18 .14 IJ 

KlUah AIk-I 30 Vi 28 11 G 

tJeorgo Allen „ 33 7 6 '..'8 11 « 

David Allen 66 HA 77 2 li 

Eben Ihtrtiam 44 II U 42 15 U 

John Allen ^H t*. (I G 18 

Nehenduh Huddlngton 23 21 U 

Andrew Bulkley 20 i:9 

Jame» Bulkley 20 21 

^^aller Buddington 23 5 24 1.1 

Peter Burr 70 1 81 7 (i 

Samuel Beein !.. 55 2 G t;0 8 G 

Joseph Ihers 31 19 37 19 

Abipill Burr 3 12 3 8 

Bavid Burr 22 10 28 6 

William Ihiddingtuu 21 21 

Bavid Burr 4 4 

Wukeiiian Burr 25 21 

Samuel lUirr 4J 17 G 44 17 r. 

Job Bjirtn.m U 12 7 (i II 19 

Prif^illa Iturr 24 G 32 G C 

ThaddfUf. Burr 145 1 4 1G7 IG G 

David Been. 65 2 « C! 2 C 

Ann Bi n. 2fi lit 25 

William Bimou „»... 51 60 2 

KliwilH-Ih (iold 48 8 39 1 C 

Peter Weiidzieh 22 8 27 8 

David Jennings 39 GO 61 18 

liuuic JarviH 4^1 9 22 0« 

3I1W.H Jennings 70 6 02 18 

AhiK'iil Jennings 4 2 2 14 9 

Steploii J.nniugv _ 70 2 9<J 

Jenniiidi Jennings 4<» 6 50 10 O 

I.»ttir..p l^wid 40 10 48 10 

Sliirnet. Lewis 72 19 « 73 7 

Johulhan Lewis 130 19 132 12 G 

lle/.ekiah Mrholls 64 19 CO 11 

Tl aKT. Mdudls 20 16 19 3 

KI<ii7.or ((■•N)rn, Jr 12 6 

.Marble tMnmi :W 2<i 2 2 

Daiiitl th.tH.rn 9t( 5 9 74 G 

John Parnua 18 21 



FAIRFIP^LD. 



283 



List. 1781. List, 17S2. 

£ «, 'I £. ». d. 

Nathaniel Parsons ]H 5 1 .'» o 

John Piinitt 24 (I (t 2:J 

Samiii-I IViifii-Iil bi S ;i M M :t 

Jolin KnliertBoii 2G :i'J 

Sariim-1 Kowland 35 VA W.\ Hi :i 

Aii.liew Kulaiui 4S ;i HI HI 7 

Samuel S'luicr IS '1\ 11 

.Inhn Stu.-.IIry >i7 Vl S7 12 i» 

Seth StiiT^'-,> 44 7 -M 10 G 

.Ii».-I.li S.|iiiei- 25 14 :t-". 1 O 

Tli..iiiii.sSlai.U'S 74 10 r.i; 4 

Kliciiezer Stiirges 21 Hi 

.Inhii Sijiiier, Jr ?,! 5 C 'M 17 o 

Jii.Noii Stuitjes ti;i 10 71 2 n 

.InM-|.li stiir;i<-s (children) :U Hi :J5 l:', n 

.h.tmthaii Sting*?8 00 2 l-'tT 18 M 

Saimi«-1 S.|iiier S5 4 H K-'i IS (i 

H.'/,rKi;ili Siiiitrc-s 157 4 II Hi 5 o 

SamiM-l Stiir-es l:i 4 li fi O 

Samu.l Siiir.ilcy i:i T." « l-t 1'' o 

.lus.'ph Smith.." 40 14 C. 4il 5 )1 

Klii'hali't Tlmrp 3o 4 M 14 o 

AmhI Tnilv 19 H) o 2S 1 

Isaac Tucker 18 

Steiilii-ii Thorp 30 4 31 14 o 

Juliti Turiiev f'.l 1 (1 5S 2 ti 

Ehcii \Vakr'i,,an II'.) IS i;7 S i; 

Aii.ln-w Walieman 124 17 IH'. 4 li 

.Tal-e/. Tht.rp 52 13 ti tin s r, 

lH:ia.- Turiwv 34 8 :'.7 S (I 

lU-uhcu Ilurr 27 2 U 31 3 li 

\Vak.-mau liurritt S5 11 o 

.Inhn \VilH:nu8, Jr 14 27 .''. 

\Vii;;ht WWiiv 4 o 31 II 

John ."MiisMii 25 lU 2S S o 

TliiiiiKis H. Wakcmau 17 G 

GREEN'S FAK3I8. 

List, 17SI. List, 1782. 

£ s. <l. £ .-. d. 

LSiirali Andrew.s S 10 o 7 14 

Ahraham Ainhews 72 o G GO n 3 

Ge.T^'e I'altersoii 21 21 It o 

Walter ('arson 'J U 13 IS 1 

Natlian Gmifri-y r.2 S G '.IJ 15 3 

KI..-ii--7.or .Ifssup 141 3 o Hil 10 

Moss Kent IGl O 105 8 (I 

Eunice Mou'house 05 G ti S4 o 

El.cn Moicliouse Ill G G '.U 17 3 

Grunian Morelioiise 21 14 U 4:i 

Samuel Smith 21 27 2 G 

Giih'on I^Iorehoiise 45 GO 35 HJ 

.Ie?;sup Wak email 32 5 It 

John Mniehuuse 57 14 C4 18 C 

" Alate.l i.y the Assembly the sum of £4088.12 in the year 1781. TIio 
sum of £4088.12 tu be apportioned to the sufferers of s;iid town." 

The following highly interesting account of the 
burning of Fairfield is from the pen of lU'V. Au- 
<lrcw Eliot, being a copy of a letter written to his 
brother, Rev. John Eliot, of Boston. Kev. Mr. F/liot 
at that time was pastor of the Fairfield church : 

"Fairfikld, July 15, 1770. 

" I>F:\n Buothf.r, — I sit down to write to yon some aecumt of the f:ad 
and awful scenes wiiich have been exhibited in this once ph-a-sant and 
delightful town, now, alas ! a heap of ruins, — a sad spei taclc of dejiola- 
tion and woe. 

" It wa.s in the hej^inning of wheat-harvest, a season of c.xtraoi-dinary 
ljilK)r and festivity, — a season which promised the greatest plenty that 
has been known for many years, if within the memory of man. Never 
'lid our tields hear so ponderous a load, never were our proMpects w illi 
regard tt> su-stenance so bright. 

" The IJriti.sh fleet and army, with the American refugees that had 
possessed and plundered New Haven, set siul from that distressed place 
on the Ot!i iiistant. About four o'clock tlie ne.xt morning the approach 
of the fleet was announced by the firing of a gun from a small fort we 
liavo on Grover's Hill, contiguous to the Sound. They seemed, however, 
to he passing by, and about seven o'clock we with plea-surc beheld them 
all to the wo:*tward of us. steering, as we thought, to New York. A very 
thick fog came on, wliich entirely deprived ns of the sight uf them till 
between the hours of nine and ten, when, the mist dealing away, we 
beheld the whole fleet umler our western shore, and some of them close 
in Kenaie's Point. They presently came to am^lior, and lay till aboitt 
four in the afternoon, when they began to land their troop-t a little to the 
east of Kcnsie's Point, at a place called the Pines. From thence the 
troops marched along the beach until they came to a lane opposite the 
centre of the town, through which tliey pDceede!, ai;d in about an hour 



paraded in their divisions on the green, between the meeting-house and 
court-house. From thence they detached their guards, ami, dividing into 
small parties, began their infernal hui^iness. Their commanding otficens 
were Sir George Collier by sea, Gens. Tryon and Garth l>y land. 

"The approach of the fleet was so sudden tluit hut few men could be 
collected, though the alarm-guns were firtMl imniedialely on the di>sipa- 
tiou of the fog. There was no thought of opjiosing their landing, as our 
force wjis nothing to theii-s. Our Utile [laity, liowevei, putted themselves 
so jls to annoy them to the best advantage, expecting they would land at 
the I'oint. WIk'Ii our people found them landing on tbe left, and niaii-h- 
ing in the rear to take po-se.-rsion of the town, they inuiiediately retiealetl 
to the com t-honse ; and, as the enemy advanced from the beach lane, 
they gave them such a waiin reception with a licbl-piece, which threw 
both round and giape-^hot.and with their nun-ketry.as quite flisconcerted 
thein for.s)me time. The column, liowi-ver, quickly recovereil its soliiiity, 
and, advancing rai'iily. liuced cmr .--mall boily to retieat to tlie heights 
I'ack of tlie town, where tliey were joined by nunibe:s coming in from 
the country. The enemy were likewise gaHed very much, as they turned 
fn>in tlie beach to the land, by the cannon which played from Grover's 
Hill. 

"The town was almost cleared of inhabitants. A few women, sume 
of whom were of the most respectable families and charactere, tarried 
with a view of saving their property. Tliey imagined their sex and 
character would avail to such a purjiose. They put some confidence in 
the generosity nf an enemy whi) were once famed for generosity and jio- 
liteness, and tliought that kind treatment and submissive beliavi^r 
Would secure tliem against harsh treatment ami rough nsnge. Alas! 
they were miseraldy mistaken, and bitterly repented their confiilenco 
and ]ii'L'Sumption. 

" Tbe He&sians were first let l.tose for rai'ine an<l plunder. Tiiey en- 
tered the houses, attacked the peisons of Whig and Tory indiscrimi- 
nately ; breaking open desks, trunks, closets, and taking away every- 
thing of value. They robbed wnnien of their buckles, rings, bonnets, 
aprons, and handkercbiers. They abused ttieiu witli the foulest and nijst 
jirofane language. thre;iteneil their lives without the least regard to the 
nuist earnest cries and eutreaties. Looking-ghisses, china, and all kintls 
of furaiture were suun dashed to pieces. 

"Another party tliat came on were the American refugees, who, in 
revenge for their confiscated estates, carried on the same direful business. 
They were not, however, so abusive to the women as the fornu^r, but ap- 
]ieared very furious against the town and country. The Britons, by what 
I could U'arn, were the least inveterate; some of the idhcei-s seemed to 
pity the nii?fortnnes of the country, but in excuse said that they had ni> 
other way to gain theirauthmity over us. Individuals among tbe British 
troops were, however, exceedingly abusive, especially to women. Some 
were forced to submit to tbe most iiuhdicate and rough treatment in de- 
fense of their virtue, and now hear tbe brniM's of lion id conflict. 

" .\bout an hour before sunset the conflagTati^m began at the house of 
Mr. Isaac Jennings,* which «as consumed, witli the neigliboiing build- 
ings. In the evening the house of Klijah Ahel,t Ksq., sbt^rift" of the 
county, was ctuisumed with a few otheis. In the night sevi'ral buildings 
in tbe luaiu street. Gen. Tryon was in various jjarts of the town-plat, 
with the gooil women begging and entreating him to spare their hoiii-es. 
3Ir. Sayre, the Chnrch-of-England mis.-ionary, a gentleman fiindy and 
zealously engaged in the British interest, and who has sulTcred considei- 
ably in their cause, joinecl witli them in these entreaties; he begged the 
general to spare the town, but was denied. Ho then begged that some 
few Imiises might lie spari-il as a shelter fir those who could provide 
habitations nowhere else; this was denied also. At length Jlr. Tryon 
consented to have tbe buibliiigs of Ulr. CurrJ and the writer of this 
epistle. Both had been plundered ere this. He saiil, likewise, that tlie 
llou^*es for public worship should htt spared. He whs far from being in 
good temper during tbe whole affair. Gen. Garth, at the other end of 
the town, treated tlie iuhal itaiits with as nuich humanity as his errand 
\\<>uld admit. 

" At sunrise some consideiable part of the town was .--landing, but in 
about two bonis the flames becaUH! geni-ral. Tbe burning-parties ear- 
ned on their business with horrible alacrity, headed by one or two per- 
sons who Were horn ami bred in the neighboring towiiff. All tbe town, 
from the bridge by Col. Gold's to the .^lill River, u few houses excepted, 
was a heap of ruins. 



* The house on this site was the first rebuilt, and is occupied by Mrs. 
K. L. Huntington. 

f The house otrcupying Ibis ,'ile is known to-day (Is^ll) as the Benson 
House, 

I " he lionie of 0. V. Jones. Tse , o:cupics X\a\\ tlXi. 



284 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



" About eight o'clock tlio CDcmy soutidod a rotrcat. Wo hod some eat- 
isfftctiun, aniiilHt our sorrow aiitl iliBlrc&s, to sco that tho nteeting-houso 
and a few other buildings ri'inuinud. But tlic n-ur-guanl, consisting uf a 
I'Uiiditti tho vilest that was evur h-t h>osc among men, set firo to every- 
thing which (Ion. Tryon had left,— tlie large and elegant meeting-house, 
tho minister'!* houses, Mr. IJurr's and several other houses which had 
receiveil protection. They tore tho protection to picccH, damned Trjoii, 
abused the women most shamefully, aud then ran off in a most disgrace- 
ful manner. Happily, our people came in and extinguished the llaiiic» 
ill several houncs*, so that we are not entirely destitute. 

"The rear-guard, whicli tiehavcd in so scamlalous a manner, were 
chietly German Iroopi', calh-d Yuugers. They carry a smiiH ritle-gun 
and Ught in a i^kulkiug niunner, like onr Indians. They may be prop- 
erly called sons of plunder and dcvaatatiou. 

" Our iKK)ple on tho heights back of tho town were joined by numbers, 
but not equal to the numters of the enemy. They were skirmishing all 
the evening, part of the night, and the next morning. Tho enemy were 
several times disconcerted uu'l driven from their outi>o8ts. Had they 
continued lunger in tho town it must have been fatal to them, for tho 
militia wore collecting from all parts. 

•■Our fort* yet stamls. The enemy sent a row-galley to t-ilence it, and 
there was constant tiring between them all night. One or two attempts 
were mmle to take it by paities of troops, but it was most bravely and 
ubstimitely defended by I.ieut. Isaac Jarvij,f of this town, who had but 
twenty-three men besidi'S himself. 

"Tho militia followe<l these blootly incendiaries to tlie place of em- 
barkatinn, and galled them considerably. The emtiarkatlon tottk placo 
about twelve oVlork, and they set sail for Long Island about two or 
three in the nfleriioon. 

" Many were killed on Uith 6idc:s. Tho numbers cannot be ascertained. 
They carried off some prisoners, but no person of distinction. 

"One particular I would mention. After Tryon had hegun to burn, 
he sent out the proclanuition which you havo in t)io Hartfurd paper. In 
the midst of hostilities, while the flames were raging and bullets Hying, 
wlio should Come out with the Hag but Mr. Sayrel A spirited answer 
was sent in, and the people wero so enraged that hostilities should be 
going on in the time of negotiation, iind that Mr. Snyre should be the 
bearer of such an insulting i)roclHnuition and at such a time, that tho 
said gentleuuiu w;is ulligcii to quit the town when the enemy left it. 
His whole family wero obliged to got with him, leaving the greatest 
part of their substance behind, which became fuel for the flumes indis- 
crimiiuUely scattered by tho rear-guard. The reply which Gen. Tryon 
made to Mr. Sayro when he asked to go with him was, ' You may go on 
board the ships, sir, but I cannot pn>miHe you any help or assistance.' 



* ThU was on Orov. [ ii : : n Gcorgc'e Hotel. 

t He lies In the old bur^ inj^-gixiund with this above him : 

"This monument is erected 

In memory of 

Isaac Jarvis, 

who deiMirtcd this Life 

20th June. a.d. 1788. 

Aged 32 years A 5 months. 

•* Let fmntic Mtrth be pensive hero, 

Let mortals mourn their tlnal doom. 
Let friendship |my the tribute's tear. 
For Isaac moulders in the Tomb," 
t Dr. E.E. Rankin, in his Falrfleld historical dlsconrsc, states that "Mr. 
Say re with his wife and eight children, stripped of every i<arthly poe- 
sctsiou excepting the clothen they were wearing, found refuge on tHwrd 
the Ittllish fleet, and after serving a church in Nova ^k'otia he closed his 
earthly ministry. According u> their tombstones, they must have ro- 
lurneil to and resided in Kalrfield, iis in the old burylug-grxtund am the 
fidlowing: 

"^Tliocomiptihleof 

James Donnic Snyre, 

son of Jiimes Sayre, 

Minister of the Gospi-I. A, 

Samh his Wife, who fell 

asleep on tho 25th Day of 

Mny, A. P. 1703. Aged 

almost 17 years. 

"'Young man I Trust not thy youth, heulUi.orntrength. Trust In the 
lA>Tt) with all Uiy Heart, aud remember thy Creator, who is alto thy 
Bo lecmer.' " 



" Tlie Church-of-England buildlngg was consumed, but by whom or at 
what time I am unable to say. 

'* L'nconneried with them, unsolicited on my part, through the inter- 
ceshion of Mr. Sayre, my house and projMirty received a protection in 
Gen. Tryon's own handwriting. A sentinel was plucinl there some part 
of the time. Ilut sad experience convinces mo to how little pnriiosu all 
this was. My proju-rty was plundered, my house and furniture all 
consumed,^] though a Imly was so kind as to show them the protection 
which, like others, was torn in pieces by the rangers. 

"Our friend, Joseph Itertram, mos shot through the breast; old B!r. 
Solomon Sturgis,*! an Iiish servant of Mr. IVntleld, and a negro man 
belonging to Mr. Lewis, were put to deiith by the Itayonet. 

"The distress of this poor people is inexpressible. A most pleasant 
and delightful town in flames ! What a scene did the Sth of July pre- 
sent ! 

" But I must forbear! Everj'thing I have written you may depend 
upon as a fact: my pen has not been guided by prejudice, whatever my 
feelings arc; aud should you publish the letter, every reader may l>e 
assured that there is not the least deviation from what actually took 
place upon this melancholy occasion. 

" Yours, etc., 

" Anorew Emot." 



CHAPTER XXIX. 
FAIRFIELD (Continued). 

Witclicroft — Goodwifo Kiiu|>ii — Iler Trial — Hpr Execution— The I>aHt 
IVnwn CondciiiiHMi for Witclicmfl in Colincclicut — Mercy Dinbrow 
Tried at Fairfield in 1G92 — Sentenced to Death — Parduneil — "Annt 
Nab," the Witcli. 

In the cnnfci-sion of Goody Basset, of Stratford,** 
slie spoke vajjuely of others who " lield their heads 
full high," but who were in truth equally guilty with 
lierself. This was thought to have reference to a 
woman in the neighboring village of Fairfield, who 
tlionccforward became the subject of suspicion, and in 
October, 1(J53, about two years and a half after the 
death of Mrs. Basset, was arraigned for trial. Her 
case caused great e.\cit«ment throughout that portion 
of the colony, and Mr. Ludlow, with three other 

Another stone i« to " Mrs. Sftrah Sn)Te, raiuort or Rev, James Sayre 
and daughter of Jantes Dennic, who died in 1707." 
Anottier ie very ]ihtin and to 

" Rev^ James Sayre, 
departed ttiin Life 
Fcbl IS"", 17D8. 
.ait. 63." 
Wliile tlio fourtli stone is to 

" Mi>s Elizabeth Sayre, 

Daughter of 
Kct' James & M" Sarah 
Sayre, 
departed tills Life 
FelJ 27, not. 
JEt. 18." 
Uriah Bulklcy (ace "Colonial 18") marrle<l Jane Sayre, one of this 
family, aod they were tho parents of eleven chlldrun. 
^ This dtoiMl by Mr. Henry Rowland's. 

t Mr. Jonathan S. Burr, of DrvH>klyn, stales of hi.^ Rranilfiithcr (Rer. 
.\ndrfw Eliot) that " directly after the condagration he rvmove<l with 
his family to Holland Hill, where he taught ncluxd and remained a con- 
siderable length of time. Tho house where he lived stood almost 
directly opposite tho dwelling of Mrs. Mary Bibhins." 
f Has numerous descendants in' Falrfleld to-day (1880). (Sco"Colo- 
I nial No. 0.") 
I "SeeStiatfordhlstoo'. 



FAIRFIELD. 



285 



magistrates, was desired by the General Court to go 
down to Fairfield to officiate at the trial, and to " exe- 
cute .justice" there as cause luight require. The Mr. 
Ludlow named in this order was the distinguished 
Roger Ludhiw, who served at different times as Dep- 
uty Governor of Massachusetts an<l tVinnecticut, and 
whose name is still held in respect in flic hitter State 
as the first resident member of the legal profession, 
and the framer of its earliest code of laws. His home 
was in Fairfield, so that he was well acquainted with 
all the actors in this melancholy tragedy, and it is in 
part to events growing out of it that his sulise(ivu'nt 
removal to Virginia maybe attributed. A full ac<'ount 
of the affair is afforded by a number of dejiositions 
which are given at length in the New Ilavcu Colonial 
Records. From these we gather that the trial of the 
accused, who is designated simply as Kna]>]i's wife, or 
Goodwife Knapp, took place in the autumn of Km)!, l)e- 
fore a jury and several "godly magistrates," jirobably 
the same named in the order of tlie General Court. 
The trial histed several days, and there were nuuiy 
witnesses, but the most convincing evidence against 
the accused was given by Mrs. Lucy Pell and (Joody 
Odell, the midwife, who, by direction of the court, 
had examined the body of the pri.soner, and testified 
to finding upon it certain witclunarks which were re- 
garded as proof positive of diabolical dealings. Piesent 
also at this examination was Mrs. Jones, wife of the 
Fairfield minister, though whether as one of the com- 
mittee or as a simple spectator is not clearly stated. 
' The result of the trial was a verdict of guilty of 
witt'hcraft against Goodwife Knajip, and sentence of 
death was passed upon her. In the interval between 
lier condemnation and execution she was visited by 
numbers of the townspeople, some of whom pressed 
her to own herself a witch and to reveal the names of 
her supposed accomplices, considerately reminding 
her tluit, while there might have been some reason 
for her silence during her trial, since a confession then 
would have prejudiced her case, there could now be 
none, as she was sure to die in any event. The pains 
of j)erdition were held up as her certain portion in 
case of refusal. 

Upon one of these occasions, the minister and a num- 
ber of the town folks being present, the jioor woman 
replied to her tormentors that she " must not say 
anything that was not true, she must not wrong any- 
body," but that in case she had anything to say be- 
fore going out of the world she wi>uld reveal it to the 
minister, or to Mr. Ludlow, at the gallows. IClizabeth 
Brewster, a bystander, roughly answered, " If you 
keep it till vou come to the ladder the devil will have 
you quick, if you reveal it not till then." 

"Take care," was the indignant reply of the pris- 
oner, " that the devil have not you, for you cannot 
tell how soon you may be my comitanion. The truth 
is," added she, "you would have me say that Good- 
wife Staples is a witch, but I have sins enough to 
answer for alrendy, and I hope I shall not add to my 



condemnation. I know nothing against Goodwife 
Staples, and I hope she is an honest woman." 

On being rebuked for these words by Richard Lyon, 
one of her keepers, on the ground that their tendency 
was to create discord between neigliliors after she was 
gone, she replied, " Goodman Lyon, hold your tongue! 
You know not what I know : I have heoi fished wif/ial 
ill private more than i/mi an- itirare of. I apprehend 
that Goodwife Staples hath done me some wrong in 
her testimony, but I must not return evil for evil." 

When further urged and reminded that she was 
"now to die, and therefore should deal truly," this 
convicted witch burst into tears and implored her 
persecutors to cease, saying, in words that lingered 
long in the memory of those who stood by, and can 
hardly be read even now without emotion, "A'ecfc, 
never poor creature was tempted as I am tempted ; praij, 
pray for vie .'" Under such a pressure it is not sur- 
prising that her fortitude sometinu's wavered, and 
that a frivolous confession, afterwards recanted, was 
made by her, implicating Mrs. Staples. 

A clue to the spot where Goody Knapp was exe- 
cuted is furnished by a renmrk of one of the witnesses 
in the depositions already alluded to, who describes 
it as being between the house of one Michael Fry and 
the mill. Fry's property was near the eastern border 
of the settlement, hence the locality referred to must 
have been between the present sites of liridgcport and 
Fairfield. 

On the way thither the Rev. Mr. .Ione<, who walked 
by the prisoner's side in the procession, again exliorted 
her to confess her guilt, but was rejiroved liy her com- 
panion, Mrs. Staples, who criecl, " Wliy bid her con- 
fess what she is not? I make no doul)t but that if she 
were a witch she would confess," ami also intimated 
that for her own part she had been troubled with 
doubts as to whether there really was any such crea- 
ture as a witch. 

Beneath the gibbet the heart of Goody Knajq) again 
failed her, and after all was in readiness she was al- 
lowed to descend the ladder and repeat a confession 
in the ear of Mr. Ludlow, similar to that already re- 
ferred to. If her expectation was to obtain a reprieve 
she was disappointed, for the executioner shortly did 
his work, and her body hung suspen<led until life was 
extinct. It was then cut down and laid upon the 
green turf beside the open grave, while a number of 
her own sex cliLstered around, sonic waiting to take a 
last look at the face of their unfortunate neighl)or, 
but the greater part intent only upon satisfying their 
base curiosity respecting the witchmarks of which the 
witnesses had spoken. Kneeling beside the corpse 
was Mrs. Staples, who, to borrow the langutige of one 
who was present, " wringing her hands, and taking 
y" Lord's name in her mouth," called upon all within 
hearing to listen to her solemn protestation of the 
innocence of the murdere<l woman. 

Pointing to the supposed witchmarks, she declared 
that thev were naui;lit but >uc!i a^ >be licrself or a:iy 



286 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



woman might have. " Ay, and be hanged for them, 
too," was the rejoinder of one of the older women 
present. 

The question of the guilt or innocence of the de- 
ceased continued to be discussed with acrimony for a 
long time. Jlr. Ludlow saw fit to repeat the story 
told him by tlic dyinf; woman, and to add, upon his 
own responsibility, tliat Thomas Staples' wife was 
not only in all probability a witch, but also " made a 
trade of lying." On this Staples brought suit against 
Ludlow for defamation of his wife's character, and 
after listening to the evidence a New Haven court 
bad the good sense to allow the plaintiff damages in 
the sum of fifteen pounds. Had similar spirit been 
shown at a later period in Massachusetts, much 
suffering miglit have been averted. 

The last pereon condemned to death for witchcraft 
in Connecticut was a woman named Mercy Disbrow, 
who was tried in Fairfield in 1692, Governor Robert 
Treat, Sccretarj' Allyn, and other eminent person- 
ages being i)resent and assisting in the proceedings. 
With her were indicted three others, — the widow- 
Elizabeth Staples and Goodwives Miller and Clawson. 
In the indictment of Mercy Disbrow she was charged 
with " familiarity with Satan, the grand enemy of 
God and man," and with "conspiring to injure in a 
preternatural way the bodies and estates of divers of 
his majesty's subjects." 

From the testimony it appears that all tlic sickness 
and every accident occurring in the neighborhood for 
months previous were laid to the charge of these unfor- 
tunate women. They were believed to have the power 
of the evil eye, to torment their victims, whether by 
throwing them into convulsions and by pricking them 
with pins, or by appearing to them at midnight and 
dancing in fantastic guise at the foot of their bed. 
Their power was also thought to extend to animals. 

In the end all were accpiitted excei)t Mercy Disbrow, 
who wiis sentenced to death by tlie Governor. A 
petition for her pardon was, however, extensively 
signed, and must have been granted, since a number 
of years afterwards she was still living in Westport. 
Tlic real rea-son for her escape was doubtless the gen- 
eral revulsion of feeling following the Salem tragedies, 
which occurred about the same time. 

"AUNT NAB," THE VVITCII.* 
When a small boy, the writer has often had pointed 
out to him a small building a few miles north of Green- 
field Hill, where it was said that " Aunt Nab," a noted 
old witch, once resided. She had such a reputation 
for practicing tlie " lilack art" that the community for 
miles around was afraid of offending her. It w:is said 
tliat there would some casualty surely happen to any 
jiersou so unfortunate jis to make her angry. All sorts 
of incredible stories were told of her revengeful acts 
towards her enemies, and all mysterious happenings 

• Cuntiibutvd l.y A. B. Hull. 



in the neighborhood were ascribed to her wonderful 
powers. 

Tradition relates that she at one time, for some un- 
accountable reason, did not exercise the diabolical 
power attributed to her. A number of persons with 
carts loaded with hay were going from Redding to 
the seaboard and stopped at the brook near her hou.se 
to water their oxen. When leaving, one wheel of 
Uncle John II. 's cart came off, and the bay had to be 
thrown oft' and loaded again. While thus engaged 
" Aunt Nab" came out and ridiculed them. Uncle 
J(din told her to go into the hou.se, but she continued 
the derision and laughed all the more. At last, the 
patience of Uncle John being completely exhausted, 
he gave her a severe cart-whipping. The neighbors 
looked on with amazement at what they conceived to 
be an act which would lead to a fearful retribution, 
and told the old man that something terrible would 
befall him before his return; but he, with an oath, 
declared that if he had any I'urtlier trouble about it 
he would surely kill the old witch. As nothing un- 
usual happened to him, .she was either unable or 
afraid to do him an injury. 

We remember to have listened with breathless si- 
lence to stories told of her by one of her con- 
temporaries. The following, which was believed 
to be true, we distinctly recollect : In the immedi- 
ate vicinity of this notable jjcrsonage resided an 
old gentleman of sterling character and worth, 
enough of a Presbyterian to defy witches or devils, 
and of muscular power and courage "to grapple with 
foes material or ghostly." Our hero w;us a farmer by 
])rofession, and after he had forced the rugged soil 
to yield its scanty crop, and the grain was safely gar- 
nered, he frequently mis.sed quantities from his bins. 
He watched the witch in vain. She eluded his grasp, 
and vanished into air whenever he discovered her in 
the darkness of night. These ])etty depredations 
continuing, he, becoming impatient, at last con- 
structed an ingenious trap in liis granary, and, lo ! 
the next morning, when he went to his barn, there 
stood witchcraft embodied and visible to human eyes. 
It ai)peared to be the veritable "Aunt Nab." The 
lord of the manor passed her without saying a word 
or ajiparently noticing her. Afterdoinghis "chores" 
he was quietly leaving, when the giiost in the trap 
called out, " Uncle Thonnis, for (lod's sake let me 
go!" Uncle Tliomas was, liowever, deaf ami blind 
just then, and after breakfast went out to interview 
his game. The old woman made a full confession, 
and promised reformation. Siie was released with the 
solemn warning of Paul to the Ephcsians: " Let him 
tliat .stole steal no more." 

After a few months a daughterofl'ncle Thomas, who 
was a prepossessing young lady of fifteen summers, 
wius awakened from her quiet slumber at midnight. 
A fien<lish form stood bejide her couch, and in an 
instant seized her by the lower limbs and with super- 
human effort hurled her bodily through the door into 



FAIRFIELD. 



287 



lier father's apartment. The ftuuily, being thus unduly 
alarmed, sought the caiLse. But the daughter was in- 
sensible, and the witch invisible. The girl suflered 
intensely for weeks, and gradually drew her knees to 
her chest, and was in that condition for years, help- 
less and a burden to her friends, but intelligent and 
skillful wiih needle and pen. Years alter "Aunt 
Nab" "shook otf the mortal coil" the bonds were 
loosened from the afflicted girl, and she became 
straight and strong, f^hc confirmed the above state- 
ment, and fully believed " Aunt Nab" was her tor- 
menter. 



CHATTER XXX. 

FAIRFIELD (Continuedi. 

COLONIAL ]IOU.SF,S.e 

The houses which are at present standing that were 
built in the old colonial times, and were spared from 
the conflagration of July S, 1779, are : 

1. The old house nearly opposite the old burying- 
ground in the rear of town-hall. It has not yet been 
ascertained who built it nor when it was built. The 
first owner.ship was of the Bulkeloys; probably it was 
Tlionias Bulkeley (second son of the Rev. Peter Bulke- 
ley, of Concord, Mass.), who came with his father-in- 
law, the Rev. John Jones, first minister in the Prime 
Ancient Church (Congregational), in 1044, and died 
in 1()50. The Bulkeleys deserve more than passing 
notice, as through them our history has been greatly 
augmented. 

The Rev. Peter Bulkeley, B.D., was of honorable 
descent. He was of the tenth generation from Robert 
Bulkeley, Esq., one of the English barons, who in the 
reign of King John (who died in 1210) was lord of 
the manor of Bulkeley, in the county-palatine of 
Chester. The names of the lineal descendants from 
Robert, furnished by Charles Bulkeley, Esq., of New 
London, a grandson of Gershom, gathered from a 
sketch on the names and titles of nobility, were: 1, 
William; 2, Robert; 3, Peter, who married Nicholaus 
Bird, of Hampton ; 4, John, who married Andryne, 
daughter and heir to John Colley, of Ward, and died 
in 1450; 5, Hugh, who married Hellen Willjriham, 
of Woodley; 6, Humphrey, who married Cyle, daugh- 
ter and heir of John Matten ; 7, William, who mar- 
ried Beatryce, daughter and heir to William of 
Bulansdale; X, Thomas, who married Elizabeth, 
daughter of Randelle (trovenor; 9, Edw-ard, D.D., of 
Woodhill, who married Olive Islby, of Lincolnshire ; 
lu, Peter, of Concord. He (Peter) was born at Wood- 
hill, in Bedfordshire, Jan. 31, 1583. His father, the 
Rev. lidward Bulkeley, D.D., was a faithful minister 
of the gospel, under whose direction his son received 
a learned and religious education suited to his distin- 

* By Mrs. Katf E, Perry. 



guished rank. Aliout the age of sixteen he was ad- 
mitted a lucndier of St. John's CiiUege at Cambridge, 
of which he was afterwards chosen fellow, and from 
wliich he received the degree of Bachelor of Divinity. 
He succeeded his father in the nunistry in his native 
town, and enjoyed his rich benefice and estate, where 
he was a zealous preacher of evangelical truth about 
twenty years, and forthe most part of the time lived 
an unmolested nonconformist. 

At length, his preaching meeting with distinguished 
success, and his church being very much increased, 
complaints were entered against him by Archbishop 
Laud, and he was silenced for his nonconformity to 
the re(iuirements of the English Church. This cir- 
cumstance induced him to emigrate to New England, 
where he might enjoy liberty of conscience. He ar- 
rived in Caml)ridge in 1034 or 1035, and was the 
leader of resolute and self-denying Christians who 
settled with him at Concord, where he expended 
most of his property lor the good of his people, and 
tlierc lie died March 9, 1059, aged seventy-six. He 
was twice married: (1) To Jane Allen, daughter of 
Thonnis Allen, of Goldingt(jn, whose nephew was 
lord nuiyor of London. This marriage resulted in 
ten sous and two daughters. (2) To Grace Chet- 
wood ; they had four children. 

By the first marriage their eldest son, Edward, was 
born in England. He was a highly educated min- 
ister, and was the father of four children, of whom 
Hon. Peter Bulkeley (appointed to offices of great 
distinction) had a son Joscjdi, who married the widow 
RebeccaMinot, daughter of John Jones, and Thomas, 
brother of the Rev. Edward Bulkeley, married Sarah, 
another daughter of Rev. John Jones. They had 
five children, four of whom are oti the Fairfield 
(Connecticut) records. The Bulkeley property was 
quite extensive, occupying the place of the present 
John tiliiver and the two houses known as the Deni- 
son prfi])erty. 

Joiuithan,t the eightieth descendant of the first 
Bulkeley settler in America, born Sept. 21, 1731, 
nmrried Hannah Hoyt, daughter of James Hoyt, of 
Norwalk, Conn., June, 1702. They occujiied the old 
building which was on the site of .John Glover's 
house, an illustration and description of which are 
found in Barber's " Cidlection of Connecticut Rem- 
iniscences." 

Gn the 7th of July, 1770, Governor Tryon, with 
his army, sailed from New Haven to Fairfield, and 
the next morning disembarked upon the beach. The 
Hessians who aceomjianicd Tryon were his incendi- 
aries. To them he intrusted the wielding of the torch, 
and faithfully they obeyed their master. When the 
people fled from the town, not susiiecting that their 
homes would be burned, they left most of their furni- 
ture behind. The distress was, consequently, great, 



t Sec Bulkeley's Genealogy. Dr. RaiiUiTi in liis Historical Discourse 
chills hiui Beiijaiiiiu, 



28S 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



for many lost every earthly possession. Among the 
buildiiigH saved was that of Mr. Bulkeley. Tryon 
made it his headquarters. The naval officer who liad 
eharjie of tlie British ships, piloted tliem to Fairfield, 
w.i-s Mrs. Bulkeley 's brother (George Hoytl, and he 
had requested Tryon to spare tlie house of liis sister. 
Tryon aniuioscod, and, fooling his indel)tedness to 
her brother, the general informed Mrs. Bulkeley that 
if there was any other house she wished to save she 
should be gratified. After the enemy left the enraged 
militia, under Capt. Sturges, placed a field-piece in 
front of the dwelling, and then sent Mrs. Bulkeley 
word tliat she might have two hours to clear the 
house anil leave it, or thoy would blow her to atoms. 
She found means to communicate a notice of lier sit- 
uation to Gen. Silliman (see " Colonial," No. 45), 
who was about two miles distant. He immediately 
Avent to town and found one hundred and fifty men at 
the common. By threats and persuasions lie induced 
them to withilraw. The next day Col. Benjamin 
Talmadge, with his regiment, arrived from White 
Plains, and, encamping on the smoking ruins, made 
Tryon's quarters his own. Mrs. Bulkeley was not a 
friend of the enemy. According to her testimony 
under oath, she was badly treated by the .soldiery, 
notwithstanding she had a protection from Gen. 
Garth, the second in command. Tliey i)lundered her 
house, stripped the buckles from her shoes, tore a ring 
from her finger, and fired the house five times before 
leaving it. The four houses on the opposite side of 
the street now standing were saved through her in- 
tercession. 

The occupant of this house, opposite the cemetery, 
in 1779, was Peter Bulkeley (see Dr. Rankin's "His- 
torical Discourse," July 8, 1879). The houses built 
at the colonial period embrace two styles of archi- 
tecture, — the one long and one short roof, and the 
gambrel or hip roof. This Bulkelev house has the 
one long roof, and has never been remodeled. This 
antiquated structure has been the shelter for the an- 
cestors of the numerous Bulkeley families in South- 
port and adjoining towns. Passing out of the family, 
it has been used as a tenement-house for years. It 
may lie interesting to know that two thousand or 
more peojile can trace their ancestry to the Thomas 
Bulkeley who settled in one of the two (the/)ne which 
was Tryon's headquarters, or No. 1, colonial) houses 
already mentioned. 

No. 2. This was also built at an early date on the 
Bulkeley domains, and was owned by members of the 
family for several consecutive generations. At the 
time of the burning of Fairfield it belonged to 
Nathan Bulkeley, son of Joseph and ICsther Bulkeley, 
born Jan. 1(5, 1718. He married Sarah, daughter of 
Joseph Perry, Sr. (sec "Colonial," No. 9). He was 
active in Church and State and a prominent man, as 
he was deacon in the Prime .\ncienf Church and 
w;is town clerk for thirty-two consecutive years. His 
daughter Esther married David Judson. She inherited 



these two (houses 1 and 2) from her father. In 1786, 
Nathan Bulkeley resigned his deaeonship, owing to 
ill health, and David Judson was chosen in his place. 
He was also town clerk from 1791 to 1794. He was 
a jironiinent man, iis may be inferred from the inci- 
dent of his conferring with Dr. David Hull and Hon. 
R. M. .'^herman on the question as to whom there was 
in Fairfield to care for the interests of the church, 
the academy, and the library, which they had close 
to their hearts, when their declining years forbade 
them bearing their part of the enterprise. 

Mrs. Esther Judson willed this property to the 
second wife of the late Dr. .Jeremiah T. Denison, an 
excellent and worthy physician of the homroopathic 
.school. He died in this house in 1879 in the seventy- 
fourth year of his age, mourned both by the profes- 
sional and social circles, where he was extensively 
known and universally respected. He was born in 
180(1, and was a son of Capt. Henry Denison, who 
for twenty years was the honored president of the 
New Haven Bank. Dr. Denison graduated from 
Yale College in 1824. Immediately after he pro- 
ceeded to Europe, and in Paris and London devoted 
himself to medical and surgical science. Having 
familiarized himself with the methods in vogue at 
the principal scientific institutions in Europe, he 
returned to his native city to complete his curric- 
ulum at his own Alma Mater under the preeeptor- 
ship of the late Prof. Knight, with whom he was an 
especial favorite, and into whose family he afterwards 
married. In 1827 he took his degree in medicine, 
and commenced the jiractice of his jirofession at 
AVareliouse Point, Conn., from whence, after two 
years of successful practice, he returned to New 
Haven, and became professionally a.ssociated with 
his old preceptor. Being thoroughly qualified by 
theory and practice, he availed himself of a favorable 
oi)cning for a permanent location in Fairfield, Conn., 
where for nearly forty years he was known as a suc- 
cessful physician and an honorable and honored cit- 
izen. 

About twenty-five years before his death the prin- 
ciples of homa'opathy were pressed upon his atten- 
tion, and his earnest and rigid investigation resulted 
in his ado]>tion of Hahnemann's system of science, 
for which he underwent rolentle.'<s persecution. He 
was one of the founders of the Connecticut Homa'- 
opathic Society, and was elected its first president in 
18.')1. His respect for the conscientious convictions 
of others was most exemplary, never allowing differ- 
ence of opinion and belief to mar personal friendship. 
He was a genial gentleman, and underwent many 
alllictions, which he bore with Christian resignation, 
and his loss was sincerely mournetl by the community 
in which he lived, where his virtues were so conspicu- 
ous. (See Republican Standard, Bridgeport, Conn., 
May, 1879.) 

Dr. Denison was also judge of Probate in this town, 
and was a person of fine a;sthetic tastes. He remod- 



FAIRFIELD. 



289 



eled and newly covered the house, addinj; tlie veranda, 
and so modernized it that it has the ai>peaninee of a 
more recent structure. 

House No. 1 has beh>n<;cJ to this estate for several 
years. Dr. Denison willed both of these houses to his 
relatives, who are awaiting a disposal of the same. 
No. 2 has been occupied for several months by Dr. J. 
Dobson, who was elected to occupy the professor's 
chair of physiology in the United States Medical Col- 
lege, in New York City, to the regret of those i-itizens 
in Fairliehl who enjoyed tlie lienefit of his skill as a 
physician and the pleasure of his acquaintance as a 
scholar and gentleman. 

No. 3 was built by Justin Hobart in ITOr). Ho was 
a native of Hingham, Mass., and son of Kev. Nehe- 
miah Hobart, who died when JiLstin was eight years 
old, and a brother. Rev. Noah Hobart, adopted him, 
and on l>eing called to accept the jtastoratc of the 
Prime Ancient Church, brought him hither. 

An account of the calling is given in the church 
record, which is here given: 

" Att a meeting of yo IJrothrou yt' conumuiicants nf yo Cliiucli in ye 
Prime Society in Fail tielii, on WetliK-Sflay, yt- .'.th Jay of Jan'y, a. I). iT:i^;j, 
Duacon William Hill riiosen Mod.irator,* EluMir SilUman clmson SL-iitie.f 
put to voat at s'l meeting wlietlier ye eliincli make clioice of ye Rev> Mr. 
Noah Hobart for ye head & pastor. In ye artirmativo nom. eon. 

"Tnt to voat at s' meeting whether ye Onliiiatioii of ye Itev'i Mr. Ho- 
hart he attended on Wednesday, yo 7tli Day of Fehriiary next ; it in yo 
allirmalive nomne Cou<o. At s'l meeting alae And" Burr, Esur., Deacon 
Lothrop Lewis, & Mr. Ebeii' Sillinian were chosen a com'" to call aeon nsil 
to Ordain ye s"' Rev^ Mr. Hobart on 8"^ D.ay. 

"The Consociation of the county of Fairfield eat at Fairliehl Keli. Ctli 
& "til, 17;J^^, at the Desire of the Church of the Prime Society in wiid 
I'lace to ordain .a pastor over them." 



The members of the council given, it is 
stated that, — 



further 



" The comuiitteo of the society piodmed in council tlie doings of SJlid 
.Society, by which it appeared that flir. Noah Hobart, a candidate for the 
ministry, who for some time had been laboring among them, has a iiuaiii- 
nioiis call of y*' s^ Society to the work of the ministry in s'' Phu-iL A copy 
of the doings of the church of s'' .Society was their call to ye s'' 3Ir, IIo- 
liart to be their pastor. 

'* Mr. Hobart produced a certificate under the hands of Sundry minis- 
ters, who, from their personal acquaintance with the said Mr. Hobart, do 
signify his being one of a virtuous conversation, in full coimunnioii with 
their churches, and of desirable ministerial accomplishments. The Coun- 
cil, after u .serious ami impartial examination, are well satisfied with Mr. 
Hobart, both in respect to orthodoxy and ministerial ipialilicalions, and 
do heartily concur with the s'* society and churcli in re>lu.ct to their 
motion." 

The ordination was conducted according to the 
motions, and Mr. Hobart labored with them fnnn that 
time till his death. 

The recorder wrote in the record, — 

'■The Rov* Mr. Noali Hobart dietl in this Town on Monday, De- 
cember (Jtli, ITT.'l, at half.pa.st 4 o'clock. He was born at Hingham, in 
Vie Mtmuiclntfielts, Jan'y 2d, ITO.j-lJ, old stile, and wa.s orilained to the pas- 
toral charge of thischurch Veb'y Ttli, \~'->'r^i. There were baptized during 
his ministry 909 persons." 

His body rests under the slab in tin- old Imrying- 
ground containing the following inscription : 



* See Colonial, \o. 



t See Colonial, No. 44. 



'' In Memory 

of 

The Rev. Noah Ib.l.art, 

A.M., 

Orilained Pastor ..f the liret 

Churched' Christ In Fairfield, 

February Ttb. 17-'.2, 

III which station 

He aerveil Cod & his (ieneration 

with Fitlelity and Usefulness 

until December Gth. 1773, 

When he was taken 

From the approaching trouble 

To receive 
The mercy of God thro' Christ. 



"Remember ttielll who have spoken unto you the w.nd of Cod, whose 
faith fidlow." 

As Rev. Noah Hobart was mini.ster in this place 
ami introduced the Hobart family here, his history 
was worthy of a space. 

It is related that .Justin Hobart was brought up to 
mind the strict letter of the law, which in tliosc days 
contained such regulations as these : 

" No one «/ei// noi on the Sabbath-day, or walk in his garden or else- 
where, except reverently to and from meeting." 

" No one shall /roce/, cook victuals, make beds, sweep house, cut liair, 
or shave on the Sabbath-day." 

A neighboring minister was to officiate in Ftiirfield 
that Sunday, and in entering the town it seems that 
his horse had .assumed an unlawful gait. Mr. Hobart 
stopped him, telling him that he would better aecom- 
liany him home, which the minister did. After a 
while meeting wtis ctilled. Mr. Hobart asked him if 
he would attend church. The minister thought he 
would, so they walked on together into church, when 
Mr. Hobart turned to seat his comrade; but what 
Wits Mr. Hobart's surjirise to see the minister jiass on 
and ascend into the [lulpit and commence services, 
which was the first intimation he received of the mis- 
sion of his professional friend. Mr. Hobart's feelings 
may be better imagined than described. 

This was one of the houses saved through the inter- 
cession of Mrs. .Jonathan Bulkeley. 

The court-house, shops, barns, most of the dwell- 
ings, and the churches being burnt, services were held 
in various houses till some place of worship could 
be reliuilt. The court-house was first built in 1720, 
burnt in the genertd conflagration in 1779, and re- 
built in 1704. Divine services were held in Mr. Ho- 
bart's house for some time, and then in the house used 
for courts till the church was rebuilt, which was 
in 17S."). 

.Justin Hobart and his wife, Hannah Penfield Ho- 
bart, both died in 1X0',), having lived heyoml their 
"threescore years and ten;" and Justin Hobart, 
Jr., and his wife, Desire Rurr, became the owners of 
the property. He was town cl(>rk for one year, from 
18],'i to l.*<14. That generation having passed iiway, 
their daughter Hannah is the present owner and 
occupant. 



290 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



No. 4. This house was built in 1766 by Isaac 
Tucker, who sold it to Capt. Jonathan Jlalthic. 
The latter was owner and occupant during tlic Revo- 
lutionary times. Mr. Henry Rowland, in writing 
some reminiscences, states that his " Grandfather 
Maltbie's was reserved fcir a 'cook-house.' After 
the conflagration the inliabitants of the town re- 
turned, wlien tlie British liad gone on board their 
ships. A number of tlie British soldiers were killed, 
and buried where they fell. Fatlier used to tell about 
the hands and feet appearing just above ground in 
front of the meeting-house, which proved to be a 
British ofliccr buried in his regimentals (not far from 
'Colonial' No. 4). Grandfather Maltbic, on return- 
ing to his house (he wiis a sea-eaptain in the East 
India trade), found all their valuable china scooped 
off' tlie shelves on to the floor and broken into pieces, 
and everything upside down. In the kitchen, in 
the fireplace, hung a large bniss kettle filled with 
their hiuns, but they dare not eat them, fearing they 
were poisoned ;" so tliey started anew witli provisions. 

Mr. Rowland, in his pleasant narrative, — wliidi in 
this case relates to human nature (which was about 
the same sixty years ago as it is now) and the slave 
system, as well as to the owner of No. 4, — says, 
" Abimt as soon as I could handle a broom my 
mother used to hire me to sweep the gra.ss around 
the house with a stub whisk-broom. If in vacation- 
time, I made a short job as I could. If school-time, 
between the sessions, — ray pay was a fourpeuce ha'- 
penny (C)] cents), — it took me several days, and I 
thought I was making money. I began work as soon 
as the spring grass needed it. Old Kitt (colored 
man) would lend a liand sometimes and take his pay 
in a drink of cider. He was brought from (tuinea, a 
slave, by (irandfather Maltbie, who gave him to 
mother, and when slie married, father bought him of 
her for a i>iece of land in the field, and he (fatlier) 
gave him his freedom ; and lie afterwards w;us em- 
ployed on our ]ilaee till he got so old lie could no 
longer work, and died, as near as we could reckon his 
age, about one hundred years old. His wife was 
Dinah, who had, I think, seventeen children, all dead 
now e.xccpt one. He was looked upon as one of our 
family, and wjls clever to us boys. We had a care for 
him as long as he lived. 

Ca])t. .Jonathan Maltbie's son inherited this i)lace 
and sold it to Justin Hobart, Jr. (See No. 3.) His 
son, Edmund Hobart, is the present owner and occu- 
pant. He hai filled tlie ofiices of judge of Probate, 
town treasurer, an<l j)ostmaster. 

No. 5. No records of tlie liuildiiig of this house 
have been found. Henry Rowland settled in Fair- 
field in 160!(. His son Samuel (1st) was born 1679, 
and died 1748. Samuel (1st) left a son Samuel (2d), 
born 1703, died 1782. The latter Samuel left a son 
.Vndrew, born 1737 and died 1S02. Wliether it was 
built for a Rowland is unknown, but Andrew Row- 
land was the possessor and occupant in 1771'. He 



' married Elizabeth, daughter of Governor Fitch, of 
Norwalk, where his monument is, which contains this 
inscription : 

" The Hoirijtc Tliomaii Fitch, Esqr., Govr, of the Cttlony uf Conncctf- 
I cut. £iiiiiieut antl dixtiiiKuidttcd Hinoiig uiortHlH Utr great nl>iiilie«, lurgo 
iu:<iuireinciit(i antl a virtuous chanictcr; a clear, Htroli); scnlate mind: an 
accurate, extetirtive acr)iiaititancc uitli law anil civil gavernuient ; a 
happy talent of jiresiding ; close application and strict fidelity in the dU- 
chargc of iinportunt truths ; no less than for his employments, by the 
voice of the people, in the chief offices of state, and at tlic head of the 
colony. Having served his generation, liy the will of God fell asleep, 
July 18th, Ann Domini 1774, in the 7oth year of hi^ age."* 

Mr. Henry Rowland — who has a handsome resi- 
dence contiguous to the grounds where the Ejiiscopal 
Cliurcht stood in 1779, and on which site a spacious 
hotel of great reputation was burnt some years later, 
and which is known now as the "hotel lot" — narrates 
the following: "My father (born in 1769, therefore 

i ten years old at the burning of the town) in our boy- 
days used to interest and amuse us in stories about 
tlie Revolutionary war, eaiLsed by excessive taxation 
and a colonial representation, which led the country 

; into a revolt. The town of Fairfield Wiis mucli larger 
than it now is (1880) before it was burnt. There was 
a large Episcopal church standing in the ' hotel lot,' 
fronting the street leading to the depot. In the 
steeple of this church father went to the top to have 
a good view of the landing of the British on the 
beach. While father was enjoying the sight a towns- 
man appeared up there to watch the movements of 
the enemy, who, surprised to find a boy tliere with no 
anxious concern (the troops were marching up Beach 
Lane), said to liim, ' Unless you make your escape, 
you'll be killed. Make hsiste, you young rascal, and 
get away.' leather went down into the street in hot 
liaste, and saw great commotion among the people. 
He mounted his old white mare and put for out of 
the village double quick. Up the street he went, 
turned the corner at the meeting-house, and pushed 
on as fast as the old mare could carry him towards 
Capt. Jennings', J witli the bullets whizzing by his head 
without hitting. The troops had now reached the 
green. He turned Capt. Jennings' corner, put for 
Smith's Hill, — now Deacon Joseph Lockwood's, — 
where Capt. Smith had a six-pounder on wheels, 



* S«e BulMr'a Connecticut Ilittorical Collscllant. 

t This was the seconil EpiscoiuU church in Kairfleld, tlie first huvinf; 
been located on the grounds on Mill IMain now ownei by 31 r. Frederic 
Sturges. nearly opiKislte his mother's, Mrs. Mary Sturges, and near the 
htnise occupied by Mrs. llurr demons. This cbur\-li cbangeil its site 
every time a new one was built, as the third one was located on Uio 
green on Mill I'lain, the fourth was in Soulhiiort. The pieseni one in 
Kaiifield is a now orgnni/Jition, lieing'St. I'aul's; UieoUier four bore tho 
name of Trinity, which wtw foundetl by 

*' Mr. Abraham Adams, 
who dec'd Aug. ye 9lh, 1729, 
in yo KHh year of his age. 
Having Wen a wttrthy Founder 
and liberal Benetiictor to 
Trinity Church." 
Ills boily was buried in the burying-gn»und in the rear of the first 
EpiscoisU church, umler the alwve inscripUon. 
I Now Capt. Isaac Jennings \lStW). 



FAIRFIELD. 



291 



banging away, liit or miss, at tlie British assembled 
on the green. Father was gone tliree days aiming 
the cedars, living njion apples. On his return he 
found the ehureh from which he made his exit and 
the town all burnt, except a few houses, and the 
smoking remains and live coals in the cellars. ]Iis 
father's house (now Benjamin Belts') was among the 
saved. Grandmother Rowland remained in the Iiouse ; 
the other inmates fled. A British officer with his men 
went to fire it, when she told them of a favor she had 
done years belbre to a British officer, and in eonse- 
ijuence her house was S])ared. 8he was a heroic 
woman, to stand alone at her post in danger. Her 
husband and children, she knew not where they were 
nor in what condition, but he (Andrew Rowland) 
lived till 1802, and his wif.> till 1.820." 

This heroine rests not )'ar from the gate in the old 
burying-ground, under this slab : 

" Elizulicth R.i»hinil, I 

tin- « iiiow of .\iicirfw Uiiwlunil. T.!^ii; I 

ali.l iliuighu-r of tin- laic Guvcnicir Fitdi, 
of tliis Stall.-, (licil Jl.ircli li'Jtli, IS2:i, 
in her STlh year." 

Andrew Rowland (1737 to 1802) was educatc<l at 
Yale College, and was a lawyer. State attorney and 
judge of Probate, and justice of peace. He left a 
famous will, which is recorded in the Probate Rec- 
ords. An extract from the preamble reads: 

" I order my execiiUn-s to iiiter my Inuly in a Christian manner, that ' 
there he no funeral sermon nor pall-ljearers. I onler tliere he no Jires- 
ents given on the occasion, anil desire there he no euloginm or panegyric 
from pulidt or otherwise at any time wliatever; in my opinion, they do 
no g<iod. I direct an inscription on my grave-stone, to contain the month 
and day and year of my deatli, ancl the year of my age." 

Among the items of di.stribntion is mention of " a 
large landed estate lying S(juth of Lake Erie, and 
conveyed by grant by the (fcneral Assembly to me 
and otliers, of one half-million acres of land." There 
are also items by which a valuable projierty is con- 
veyed, but space forbids a full copy. 

His son Samuel (third of that name), 1760 to 1837, 
was prepared for college by the celebrated Dr. Dwiglit 
at Greenfield Hill. He graduated from Yale. He 
was a lawyer and turnpike surveyor from Fairfield to 
the New York line. He was town clerk fnnn 1794 to 
1813, and from 1814 to 1837. 

His son, Mr. Henry Rowland, is a iirominent flour- 
merchant in New York City, though he spends several 
months yearly in Fairfield. He is a public-spirited 
man, and is much attached to his native town. He 
has three sons : Henry Edwards Rowland, who grad- 
uated at Princeton College in 1872; Samuel Kowland, 
who is active in Church and State, full of the sjiirit 
of his fathers; Aniory Edwards Rowland, who grad- 
uated at the scientific school at Yale College in 1873. 

Mr. Andrew Rowland di-sposed of this "Colonial 
No. 5" to Gershom Sturgcs, who in time transferred 
it to Andrew Joy (now of Bridgeport). He sold it 
to Miss Sarah White, who in her younger days " kept 
school," " where," as Mr. Rowland says, " the ele- 



ments of life were taught, including sewing and knit- 
ting, to the boys as well as girls. In those days the 
juvenile duties were great. Many a cliild broke down 
under its burden, and resurted to a corner of the 
school-rotnn, where an old cpiilt ami jiillow were used 
for naps to such as could not keeji their eyes open." 

Sliss White was a very methodiciil person, as her 
journal for fifty years shows. It has |)roved of value 
to the citizens for reference. For several years she 
wove in personal matter ; after that it was but a nar- 
ration of general facts, — the wind and the weather. 
Her system of keeping accounts might be advan- 
tageous to all who would adopt it. All money re- 
ceived or paid out was entered, with t/ic date of the 
transaction. One time she was callc(l upon to renew 
her insurance. She had done so, but, for some cause, 
the policy hail not been forwarded. A reference to 
, her books ctiused her lawyer to sttite that her method 
I of doing business would stand a legal test and was of 
I as much value :is a receipt from the firm or companv. 
A fisherman's bill was not iiaid ovi-r the seconil time 
ior the same reason. 

S<nneof these journals are in the |>ossession of Mrs. 
Jane Kippen, daughter of Samuel A. Nichols (see 
"Colonial," No. 18). Miss White lived in this house 
several years, when she was gathered to her fiithers in 
a ripe old age, but not till she had willed her posses- 
sions to two Misses Wakeman, from whom this prop- 
erty was purchased by Mr. Benjtimiii Betts, lieing near 
his store and also contiguous to his lather's (Mr. Moses 
Belts) premises. BIr. Moses Betts was town clerk from 
]S(i3 to 1867, and held offices of trust in Church and 
State for many years. He was engtiged in mercantile 
business most of his years, wdiich numbered at their 
close seventy-six. His wife also died the same year 
(1880). (See No. 13.) 

No. (5. Here a little prefatory history is necessary, 
to apj)reciatc the subsequent matter: William Redfin, 
or Redfield,"- w;vs, in 1()39, the owner of a house and 
four acres of land on the south side of Charles River, 
;d)out six miles from Boston. In 1(14(5 he disposed of 
that property, and shortly after is supposed to have 
removed to Peipiot, the present site of New London, 
with a party of settlers, under the leadership of John- 
atlian Brewster, son of Elder William Brewster, of the 
Plymouth (,'olony. The name of William Redfyn re- 
apjicars, at least in this new settlement, in 1(>')3, in 
connection with the transfer of certain lands to said 
Redfyn; and here the name appears to have become 
changed, inasmuch as in the New London records the 
forms are used interchangeably in the .same deed or 
document. William Reilfin died in 1(1(J2. His son 
James was apprenticed to a tanner (bnuiiil to him for 
five years), but does not apjjear fully to have acciuircd 
the trade, on account of his employer, Hugh Roberts, 
breaking up his business. We find James afterwards 



* Taken from the Redtield Genealogy, which was the tlrst one evor 
compiled in this country. This was done in 1S19. 



292 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



exercising the vocation of a weaver. He resided (1) 
lit New London; (2) near the fort in Saybrook ; and 
(3) at New Haven. Also he appears to liave been an 
inhabitant of Martha's Vineyard for a year (1671). 
He liad tliree sisters, one of wliom (Lydia) married 
Tlioniiw Bayley, who was slain in tlie disa.strous In- 
dian ambush at IJloody Brook, ifass., Sept. IS, 1675, 
under ('(nnmand of ('apt. Lotlirop, in King Philip's 
war. .lames Rc<lfiebl, the first (born 164()), came to 
Fairfield about 1693. Here he married, for his second 
wife, Deborah, daughter of John Sturges, who was a 
freeman of Fairfield as early as 1660, and a promi- 
nent man in tlic community. He had a son James 
(2d) Ijaptizi'd in Fairfield in 1696. He made over his 
Fairfield i)roi)orty to his son James (2d) during his 
life, and is said to have resided near Hyde's Pond, 
which was entirely drained and filled up by Mr. Fred- 
eric Sturges in 1879. 

James (2d) was the father of James (3d) and John. 
The latter son married, in 17">8, Mary (Hull) Jennings, 
widow of Dr. Sctli Jennings, whose daughter, Esther 
Jennings, married Peter Burr, of Fairfield. 

Probably this liouse was built by John Redfield. 
At all events, his family occupied it in 1779, and were 
among the sufferers from the brutalities of the British 
soldiers under the infamous Tryon. Mr. Redfield was 
away from home, but in the house were his aged step- 
mother, his wife, Lucretia, and a child. A party of 
the enemy, with three officers, came to the house and 
ordered it to be fired, alleging that one of their men 
had just before been taken prisoner in that vicinitv. 
Jlrs. Redfield by exertions succeeded in extinguishing 
the fire, although the burning was four times at- 
tempted. 

During the night the British soldiers roamed through 
the village without the slightest control from their 
officers, and three of them entered the house of Mrs. 
Redfield, wliere they destroyed the furn iture, ransacked 
and plundered the house, anil rilled the jiockets of 
the inmates. Even the gray hairs of Jlr. Redfield's 
widowed mother did not protect her from plunder and 
gross insult, and his wife was saved from shameful 
violence by the opjiortune entrance of two men, one 
of whom stated that he had lieen a prisoner in that 
town, and had exi)erieneed civility and kindness from 
its inhabitants. These men remained and protected 
the family through the remainder of the night. 

Tlie committee which was afterwards ap])ointed to 
estimate the losses sustained by the inhabitants of 
Fairfield by conflagration and plunder on this occa- 
sion re|>orted the loss of John Redfield, £38 2*. 4</. ; 
Widow .Sarah Redfield, £31 15». 6(/. ; Mrs. Lucretia 
Redfield, £28 3». 4./.* 

The widow of t'apt. John Redfield married Henry 
Marquand ; he probably died here, and wa.s buried 
in the old burying-ground. His tombstone in the old 
ground bears the following: 

• StoUi Piiiwn at Uartfunl, Rcvolutialiary War, vol. xv., Mlo 2M. 



" In niemor}' of 

IIonr>' ^larqimnil, 

Born July Bill, 17:i7, cm llio 

Ihluliil lit GiiL-riiKcy, 

mid dioil July the 12, 177-2, 

after a residence of eleven years 

hi America. 

Thia Stone 

Erected to commeniomte his memory 

by his only son 

Isaac Maniunnd, 

July 4. Isos, 

JE SI). 

In memory of 
Gurdon Seymour Marquand, 

son of 

Isaac & Mtibel Marquand, 

llorn September, ISOt, 

and die<l ir> May, isuj." 

Isaac Marquan<l married Mabel Perry. ("Colo- 
nial," No. 9.) An old journal written by one of 
Oapt. Edwin Sherwood's ancestors says that Henry 
Marquand w;ts a Frenchman and came from the West 
Indies to the United States and married Widow Red- 
field. Their son was a jeweler, and married Mabel 
Perry. They were the parents of Henry, Josiah, 
Frederic, etc. 

The widow, Jlrs. Marquand, must have sold this 
])lace to Joscqdi Perry, as the late Samuel Perry stated 
that he went there to live when only five years old, 
and he would be eighty-eight if living. He married 
a Redfield descendant, and his daughter married a 
Redfield, as the following .shows : Sarah Redfield 
(probably reared here) married William Bulkeley, of 
Southport, son of William and ICIi/.abcth Burr Bulke- 
ley. The last named was one of the largest property- 
holders of the borough of Southport. He built the 
house (see "Colonial," 50). in which Miss Emily 
Meeker resides, and owned all the land on the east 
side of the bridge, including the woods to the water's 
edge, also the land where Mr. George Bulkeley now 
resides, the Congregational cliurch, the railroad sta- 
tion, and all the laud east of it to the main road. He 
died in 1787, aged forty-one.t His son William (who 
married Sarah Redfield), born in 1768, inherited the 
paternal homestead, which was not burned during 
the Revolutionary war. He built the store, now im- 
proved, occupied by W. B. Meeker, keeping a country 
supj)ly -store and sending market-boats to New York 
City. LTpon a business visit to the city he was taken 
ill with the yellow fever, brought home, and died in 
1808, aged forty. Mrs. Sarah Redfield Bulkeley died 
in 1842, aged seventy -six. They had seven children, 
one of whom, Henrietta, born 1797, married Samuel 
Perry, of Fairfield, a eabiiict-rnaker and undertaker. 
They were the owners and occupants for several de- 
cades of " Colonial No. 6," both of them attaining a 
life of not far from fourscore years. They left two 
daughters, — Emily, who married George Ryder, Esq., 
of Danbury, and Sarah, who married Daniel Marsh 
Redfield, of Portchester. He is the son of the late Mr. 

t See Bulkeley Genealogy*, page 197. 



FAIRFIELD. 



298 



Isaac B. Kedfii'ld, and grandson of Daniel Marsh, of 
Litchfield, Conn. The latter couple resided with Mr. 
and Mrs. Samuel Perry till their decease, when they 
became the owners, and have continued their residence 
here since. 

It is peculiar in structure, being a doul)le house, 
having but one stairway to reach the second story, 
and that accessible only through the kitchen. The 
piazza is supported by Ionian pillars. The whole 
house has been well preserved, and bids fair to stand 
another hundred years. 

No. 7. This house was built by a Nathan Beers, 
who died in 1813, in his seventy-ninth year; his wife, 
Abigail, lived to be ninety. This property has been 
in the Bcer.s family for generations. 

As this i)artof the town was wdiere they originated, 
a few wiirds for the race will appropriately come in 
here. They were noted for their longevity, judging 
from their tombstones. Nathan Beers, son of the 
aljove Nathan, died 1835, in his seventy-ninth year; 
his wife, Mehetable, died in " 1824, aged seventy-one 
years one month and thirteen days." Another of tlie 
Beers family is thus epitaphed : 

"In this spot 

are deposited the remains of 

"William Pitt Beers 

(Late of .\lhan.v, in the State of New York). 

Ciilled to the Tonjh 

in the meridian of life and of nsefnlncss, 

his memory will be cherished 

in the affeetions of a bereaved faoiily 

and a nnmerous circle of 

relatives and friends. 

He died lath Sept', ISIO, 

Aged 44 years." 

Captain David Beers died 1826, aged eighty-one. 
One stone in the old burying-ground contains, — 

" Here lies the body 

of Lientenallt James Bears, 

ilied 1772, aged 79." 

This house (No. 7) is owned by Mr. Abraham 
frould aud Mrs. Eliza Beers, relict of .Tames Beers, 
and occupied by the same parties. 

Mr. Samuel Beers was once high-sheriff in the 
town. His grandson, Mr. W. A. Beers, wichls tlic 
))en gracefully as contributing editor of the Soufhport 
Timrs, which has the following history : " The first 
paper published in Fairfield was issued as the Snidli- 
port Advertize)-, published by Messrs. J. H. AVood, J. 
F. Jennings, and Thomas Bradley for one year, after 
which the name wa.s clianged to Southport Chronicle, 
with the same proprietors excepting George Baker, 
the jjresent editor of the Stamford Adrorate. Two 
years later the original partners withdrew and Mr. 
Baker associated with him Mr. Benjamin F. Bulkc- 
ley. Three years later the Chronicle Association was 
organized, C. M. Gilman, Esq., editor, with a capital 
of three thousand dollars. It is now an independent 
con.servative paper, having for editor Rev. Henry A. 
Van Dalseni, of Southport. Contributing editors, 
William A. Beers, of Fairfield; William H. Smith, 



of Mill Plain; Chas. H. Gray, of Greenfield. (Sec 
"Colonial," No. r>U.) 

By the etibrts of W. A. Beers the Times has ae- 
f)uired its popularity, and his articles are IVeipienth' 
copied in the New York papers as works of much 
merit. 

No. 8. This "colonial" was built by David (")sborn, 
where he brought his wife Mary Beers (see " Coltniial," 
No. 7 ) Osborn. Here were their three .sons — llezekiah, 
Daniel Beers, and David — born, whtmi their parents 
saw make a beginning in life. Hezekiah built him a 
house, occu|iied now' by Mrs. Burr demons (belnng- 
ing to Mr. Frederic Sturges), and there he brought 
his wife, Nancy, daughter of Peter and Sartih Brad- 
ley Perry. (See " Colonial," No. 0.) Hezekiah fol- 
lowed the sea and was caiitain of a vessel. He moved 
to 151ack Rock; from thence they accompanied their 
children to Verona, N. Y., where they died. She 
was nearlj' one hundred years old. The sons went 
to Kansas, and were there located at latest reports. 
Daniel, born May 5, 1779, took the Jiouse built for 
He/.ekiah, and brought his wife, Sally Wakeman, a 
near descendant of the Rev. Samuel Wakeman, an- 
ct!stor of most of the Wakemans in town, of whom 
Andrew P. Wakeman is at present a prominent and 
efficient town officer. Here were born Jlrs. Eben 
Burr,* of Fairfield, and Mrs. Lyman Wilcox, of 
Illinois. David married Rebecca Sturges, daughter 
of Benjamin Sturges, to whoiu the grant was given 
on Mill River for a fulling-mill. He (David Osborn) 
built the house occupied by Miss Rebecca S. Carew, 
and, in company with his father, David kcjit a coun- 
try store on the corner opjiosite the new graded 
school-house and Miss Carew's. There was also a 
slioemaker's shop attached to the store. The father 
died in 1813, aged seventy, with the typhus fever, 
which was then an epidemic. Two bachelors, Jona- 
tlian and Aaron Beers, were afraid t(j jiass a house 
where there was a victim of the disease, but they 
both took it and died with it. The son David died 
in 181"). 

The store w'as moved to the premises now owned by 
.Mr. Charles Smith, son of Master Elnathan Smith, 
who was aide-de-camp to Gen. Washington. He 
afterwards taught a select school on Mill Plain. 
There is one lady living (Mrs. Elizabeth Meggs, now 
seventy-nine, who was born on the spot where St. 
Thomas' church (Catholic) now stands, since it was 
removed) who attended his school, and who relates 
that he would in his last years go to sleep, and the 
children would tickle his nose. While the store stood 
on the Smith premises it was occupied by Maj. .Sam- 
uel Beers (brother of Mrs. Mary Beers (.)sborn and 
father of Mr. Henry J. Beers), who was deputy 
sheriff of the county and kept the jail, and there he 
died. 

This store was then moved to the iiremises of Mr. 



* See " Special Houses," No. 2. 



294 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Samuel Perry (see " Colonial," 6), who used it in his 

cabinet business or as a shop. It was moved ajrain on 
the highway above Mr. Ebenezcr Hurr's and converted 
into a dwelling, owned at present by James Flanagan. 

From the family of David and Mary Osborn have 
descended four generations, wliicli constitute a goodly 
portion of Fairfield and form a worthy line. 

In ISTC) a centennial i>arty was held here, whidi 
proved to be a family gatliering, as many of the 
grandchildren and great-grandcliildren formed a large 
share of the company. Dre.sses were there that prob- 
ably were worn in tlie same house one hundred years 
before, and had figured at balls and jiarties at that 
date. Tlie oldest dresses worn originally belonged 
to Miss Abigail Burr, sister of Gen. Gerslion\ liurr. 
" Hats and cloalcs that had ridden on horseback with 
their owners five or ten miles to hear some famous 
divine expound the doctrines of Christianity were 
present ; also ancient wedding-dresses were displayed, 
looking as well as when they decked the brides for 
whom they were made, all of whom have long been 
sleeping the peaceful sleep that knows no waking."* 
These garments are stored away carefully for future 
use, — fitting habiliments to wear in these old liouses 
once in a liundrcd years. 

The Osborns have been very numerous in Fairfield. 
Among the stones in tlie old graveyard one reads, — 

" Here lyos Buried 

tho Body iif 

Cap* John Osborn, 

wliu ilol>artcd this lifo 

Octl»lh, A. D. ITOO.inyo 

78th year of liis ago." 

The name has undergone changes, as the following 
is found : 

" Here lyw yo Body 
of Mn(. Ahigail Ofbutij 
wife to Mr. Sannicl 
0*buH, Aged about 44 
ypttnf. Dwc* AugllBt 
ycSth, 1 7 2 4." 

A new stone-cutter or improvement in spelling is 
shown on her husband's stone : 

•' Here Lyes Buried 

the BiKly o( M' 

Siimuel OAorn^ 

who dejmrtcMl this 

I-ifo April 2nil, Anno Doml 

1752, Agwl 72 Ycare." 

The next stone underwent more changes, as that 
was to 

" Benjamin <W>oni«, 

who ileparted this Lifo 

July ye 2.', 1770. 

Aged 47 Ycari." 

Longevity was a feature among the Osborns. 

Deacon Daniel O.sborn died in 1804, aged seventy- 
nine years. He was tlic politest of husbands. In 
those days it was the custom for milkmaids or house- 
wives to do the milking, so he used to drive up the 
cow, hand Mrs. Osborn llie pail, and brush away the 

* Thun wrote an eyc-wltne« to the Brilffepori StiimUirJ. 



flies while she milked. Mr. Howes Osborn died 1807, 
aged eighty-five. Mrs. Howes Osborn died 1S12, aged 
eighty-one. (See " Colonial," No. 48.) Hon. Thomas 
Osborn was member of Congress, and served two 
terms in tlie House of Representatives. His residence 
was that occupied at present by Mr. Henrj- J. Beers, 
of Fairfield. Hon. Thomas Osborn wa.s a lawyer. 
He and Deacons Cliarles Bennitt and Samuel A. 
Nichols were executors on Hon. Roger M. Sherman's 
estate. Mr. Osborn's son, Arthur D., is a la«-yer and 
clerk of the courts in New Haven, Conn. 

This colonial property fell by purchase or otherwise 
to Capt. ,r. AVakcman Davis, who had five children 
born here, of wliom one son, William, die<l from eat- 
ing stramonium-berries. The next day there was no 
more stramonium on the place, as a scythe cropped 
every plant of the species. 

Capt. Davis made repairs on the place, which after- 
wards came into the possession of Jlr. Walter Jen- 
nings, now a resident of (ireen's Farms. He was an 
extensive landliolder in ]\Iill Plain, owning the prem- 
ises of Aaron Oould and property in possession of 
Charles Smith, also a portion of Andrew Thorpe's 
property. The name of Jennings is associated with 
real estate in the same district to some extent to this 
day, the princi[)al representative being Horace Jen- 
nings, who has been engaged in the grocery business, 
but, sutlering greatly by three fires, has turned liis 
attention to agriculture. 

Mr. Walter Jennings sold this colonial to Andrew 
Thorpe (son of Capt. Sturges Thorpe), who went to 
New York in his youth, learned a branch of cabinet- 
making, and l)ecaine a member of the firm and 
amassed a handsome fortune. He built a fine country- 
seat on the site of his father's (Capt. Sturges Tliorpe) 
hou.se, facing the green on Mill Plain, whicli he occu- 
l)ied till his death, which occurred July 4, 1877. His 
property remains undivided. 

Mr. Tliorpe wished to improve his property by ex- 
tending bis lawns, so he exchanged this colonial with 
Mrs. Charlotte Burr and her sons, David and Cliarles 
Bulkeley, for their home contiguous to his grounds. 
He removed their house and fences, while they 
moved into tlie colonial, which they occupied for 
some twenty years, when Burr Perrj- purchased it and 
newly covered it and made a square twii-story house 
of it by raising the long roof side and changing the 
chimney. It is now used for a teneineut-house. 

No. 9. What remains of the old house on the Perry 
homestead has the following history : It, with the mill- 
property, belonged to Richard Ogden, and is recorded 
in 1680. In 17(i') tlie mill was burnt; it then stood on 
what is now called Laurel Brook. Some of the oak- 
timbers which helped form the dam rejiutefl as the 
first in Fairfield are yet on the original foundation. 
Proofs are given of a dam's being there, as the old 
deeds are given of land lying in the old mill-pond. 
Mr. Ogden was too jioor to rebuild the mill, so the 
town bought back the site. 



FAIRFIELD. 



295 



It was next purchased from the town by Joscj)]! 
Perry list), son of Nathaniel and Hester Lyon I'erry, 
and fjrandson of Richard, the first Perry settler, who 
received " May ye 18th, 1649," a grant from tlie town 
of " one common lott, contayning two acres and ten 
rods, more or less," etc. "Also one parcel of land in 
the Newfield" (now Bridgeport). "Also one jiarcel 
of meadows in ye meadows before ye town," etc. 
" Also one parcel of meadow by tlic harbor." 

In Book B, Town Records, page 120, it is found 
that May 1(), 1704, "the town grants liberty to .Toscph 
Perry to erect a grist-mill on ye Mill River att such 
a ])lace and upon such conditions as ye couimittee 
hereafter named sliall agree to. Ye committee arc as 
follows, viz.: Capt. John Wakeman, Mv. Peter lUirr, 
Jolm Edwards, John Sturgis, and John AVliccler." 
Page 13;i, Book B, states ".Tose]di Perry proiioseth 
for liberty to erect a grist-mill or mills upon ye Main 
River near ye place where his present mill stands. 
Ye town, having considered his proposal, do grant 
unto him, ye said Perry, liberty to erect a grist-mill 
or mills on ye main stream or river where he shall 
think titt, near ye place where his present mill stand, 
and only upon ye same terms and conditions as are ex- 
pressed between him and ye town in ye late covenant 
about the ]iresent mill." Joseph Perry nuide ])Ur- 
chases in 1705, and in 1709 obtained a permit to trans- 
fer the building of the mill to Mill River. Tradition 
states that the mill, on its original site, was protected 
by a fort from devastation by the Indians, and tluit 
one man, while acting as sentinel thereon, was killed 
by an Indian. It is also stated that a band f)f In- 
dians set out to destroy it, but a few of the cobmists 
at work in a coi'nfield, concealed by the liigli corn, 
apprehending their danger, made a great noise, wbieli 
caused the foe to beat a hasty retreat, fearing they 
were greatly outnumbered. 

In 1705, Joseph Perry also bought the Ogdcn home- 
stead, contiguous to the mill, and in all |)robal>ility 
moved thither. Joseph married three times: (1) 
Sarah, daughter of John Bulkley ; (2) Deborah, 
daughter of Daniel Burr (1st); (.3) Mary, daughter 
of Michael Clugstone, and granddaughter of Hev. 
Samuel Wakeman. Joseph was the lather of twelve 
children. It is not known whether they were all 
born in this house. The original deeds granted him' 
from the town from 1705 till 1751 of the "common 
and undivided lands" are in possession of Messrs. 
David Beers and Burr Perry. He (Joseph 1st) lies 
ill the old burying-gnmnd under the simple inscrii)- 
tion, all in capitals: 

" Here l.ves Buried 

the lioily of M' 

Joseph Perrj', 

■wlio ileparted ttiis 

life August ye 9tli, 

1 7 .5 3, 

in the 77tli Year 

of His Age."* 

* His inventory amounted to seven thousand five hundred pounces, iitid 
includes a uogio weueh and a negro girl, liut does li'^t ineludc the mill, 



His son Joseph, .Tr., married Sarah, daughter of 
Peter Bulkeley (2d), »f Fairfield. They had four 
children. He died eleven days later than his father, 
leaving a widow and three childrcn.t The eldest, 
Peter, was born Jan. 24, ]7.'!9 ((). S. ), and married 
Sarah Bradley in 171)8. They were the parents oi 
fifteen children. Betsey, the last of tliem, married 
Samuel Sherwood, of Brooklyn, N. Y., and died in 
1878. She was the last of four generations interred 
in the old burying-ground, whose record (of the four) 
extends back two hundred and one years. Peter's 
si>ter married David Hubbell. (See "Colonial," 21.) 
His (Peter's) children were bajitized Kail, JMiah, Pol, 
and Job. His father intended that the name of the 
latter should be Jo, Init the clergyman, not under- 
standing, baptized him Job. He repaired the house, 
and, judging from his account-book, he must have re- 
modeled it, as the work of repairs licgan in 17(iO and 
extended to 1763, at an expense of £159 14<. 

This is considered the oldest house in town. It 
must have l)een newly sided with cedar shingles, 
which are yet on two sides of the building, tliough in 
some cases holes are worn entirely through them. 
Everything was probably fitted up in fine style for 
the times in which he lived. The beaufet, with its 
einiilar shelves and rounded-top sash-door, with its 
euri(]iis pane of glass, the cranes, and trammels, yet 
remains. The tiles alxjut the fireplace have been 
taken for old-time relics. 

Among the one hundred and fifteen items of ex- 

licnse on the house are : 

£ s. ,1. 

To 4:.(in of Shingl.-s U l.i ii 

" 4 Day's work 12 

" A W'eek's board 6 o 

" 14(K)0 teTjpennv nails 7 18 

" A box of mass r, 7 (i 

" 00-' of While Lead 2 10 

" ;!(KM)foiMi>eniiv brads li o 

" lOOil of Sboit Shingb-a 1 J 

"laKlOLalb Nales 2 8 

" 5d(r/,entilo 12 

From these extracts prices can ))e compared with 
the present rates. 

In the old church record ke|it at I)eac(in Josejih 
Lockwood's, written in the beautiful handwriting of 
Rev. Andrew Eliot, is the following: 

" Mary, daughter of James and Kli'/abeth Bulkley. 

" Jonathan, son of Walter and Ruth Iliuldington, liaptized at the 
house of IVIvr Perry, .\ug. 10, 1779, the church having been consumed 
by tire July S, 177'.l." 

After Peter Perry's death his son Job bought the 
liomestead of the heirs, and ])laced his son Alfred 
thereon in 1811, and he in 1815 brought hither his 
wife, Ann Dimon (see " Colonial," No. 10), who died 
in 1850. In 1854 he married Mary Godfrey, widow 
of Walter Andrews, of Easton. She is the last sur- 
vivor of that generation of Job's family, either of 
husbands or of wives. In 1835, Alfred built the 



which had been sold previously to his son Joseph. It alsii includes a 
quantity of silver. It is dated Sept. lil, \~r,.i. 

f Joseph Periy, Jr.'s inventory amounted to six thousand two hun- 
dred pounds, including s*lue silver. Both fittlier ami son were wealthy 
f.i the tinojs. 



296 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



present dwelling, occupied by Burr Perry, who mar- 
ried (1) Laura H. Gildersleeve, daughter of Dr. 
Thomas Gildersleeve, of New York, in 1866. She died 
in 1869. (2) Kate E. Peet, in 1870, a descendant of 
Capt. Thomas Nash (see " Colonial," No. 13) and Col. 
John Burr, both of Fairfield, and also of Thaddeus 
Peet, one of the first settlers of New Milford, Conn. 

Alfred moved the old dwelling to the northwest a 
few feet, and removed a portion of the house ; the 
rest hiis been devoted to various purposes. An upper 
room is now used for an industrial and Sunday- 
school, with some tliirty-five pupils in attendance. 
The frame bids fair to stand another century. It has 
been in the Perry family to tlie seventli generation. 

The cradle in which Peter Perry's fifteen children 
were rocked, and the clock, made by John Wliitear 
in 1763, which told the hour of their birth, are pre- 
served on the grounds of the first purchaser. 

The mill being built in 1709, in 1760 Peter Perry 
repaired it at a considerable expense, building a new 
water-wheel, repairing the dam, etc. In 1811, Job 
Perry tore down the old mill and built a new one, 
when he introduced Oliver Evan's* machine " for 
elevating grain and meal, and conveying the same 
from one part of the mill to another, and for cooling 
the meal and attending the bolting-hopi)ers," for 
which he jiaid a license of twenty-five dollars, but 
which proved a fraud. 

There was no change in the mill till 1849, when 
Alfred Perry added a burr-stone at the cost of seventy- 
one dollars in New York. In 1850 he imported two 
more run from France, for one hundred and one 
dollars and fifty cents. In 1866 his nephew, Burr 
Perry, had possession, and in 1868 raised the mill 
several feet, put in entirely new machinery, and added 
the turbine-wheels at the expense of two thousand 
dollars. The first toll-dish used in the first mill in 
this section still hangs in Perry's mill, having been in 
existence abnut two hundn'd years. 

Peter Perry built a mait-liouse in 1762, from which 
he sold malt at four English shillings j)cr bushel. 
The greatest number of entries in his account-book 
was for meslin (a mixture of wheat and rye used for 
bread-making). The prices seemed to fluctuate same 
as at present. 

Peter Perry was a business man, and amassed a 
goodly estate. He was a miller, merchant, and owner 
of vessels, an extensive land-owner, and an excellent 
financier. Having preserved all his papers and ac- 
count-books, — which also are journals of events, in- 
terlarded daily, — much light is thrown on the doings 
of a century ago. He held several offices in the dis- 
trict, but his aspirations were not in that direction. 
He was industrious, energetic, able, and i>ious, and 
brought up his family in like manner, and, like most 
of his descendants, felt that a " simple steadfast life 
alone is glorious." 



Peter Perry's sons. Job and Walter, married sisters, 
— Sarah and Elizabeth Sturges, daughters of Joseph 
Sturgea (who married Sarah, daughter of Ebenezer 
Dimon), who was taken prisoner by the British and 
died of the smallpox on one of their pri.son ships. 

As several from Fairfield died on the prison ships, 
the following is given : One of the prison ships was 
the "Jersey," anchored on the present site of Brooklyn 
Navy-yard. This ship was of sixty-four guns, dis- 
mantled, and moored about twenty rods from shore. 
Her port-holes were closed up, and two tiers of holes, 
twenty inches square, barred with iron, were cut in 
her sides. For a long time the average number of 
prisoners on board w.is one thousand. Their allow- 
ance of rations was two-thirds the cfuantity issued to 
British seamen, but with no fresh vegetables of any 
kind. The rations were mostly cooked in an immense 
boiler called "the great copper," the meat being boiled 
in sea-water, which corroded the copper and rendered 
the food poisonous. There was .some relief for those 
of the prisoners who happened to jiossess anj' money. 
An old woman known as "Dame Grant" came along- 
side on alternate days, in a boat rowed by two boys, 
and sold fresh bread, vegetables, etc., prudentlj' re- 
quiring that the cash be placed in her hands before 
the goods were delivered. 

The prisoners had no means of washing their linen 
except by dipping it in sea-water and then laying it 
on the deck and treading on it. No light or fire was 
furnished, and every night there was a struggle for 
the places nearest to the small grated openings. 

The prisoners lost almost every feeling of humanity 
for one another, and the principal anxiety of the vol- 
unteer nurses seemed to be to claim tlieir perquisites 
by robbing the dead and dying of their clothing. One 
captain, a new prisoner, finding there were several 
cases of smallpox on board, inoculated himself, using 
a common brass pin for a lancet. There were eleven 
thousand five hundred deaths on tl\e-ie prison ships. 
An armed guard was necessary in the well-room to 
compel the prisoners to work the pumps enough to 
keep the hulk from sinking. The highest privilege 
that was granted a prisoner was to go ashore as one 
of a burying-party.t 

The Sturges line is ils follows: John Sturges, born 
about 1624 or l(i2.'>, died in 1700. He married Deb- 
orah Barlow. They had at lea-st seven children, one 
of whom was Joseph, born about 16o3 or 16.")4, and 
died May 12,1728. He married (1) Sarah Judson ; 
(2) Mary Sherwood. He had at least twelve children, 
of whom Solomon, one of the elder ones, baptized 
Jlay l'>, 169S, died July 9, 1779, married, March 8, 
172'), .\bigail Bradley. They had three sons — Heze- 
kiah, Joseph and Judson — and seven daughters. 

This family stood in excellent repute. The house 
in which Solomon lived stood over the cellar in Miss 
Mary Nichols' field, near the large elm-tree by the 



• "FHllior of luilla iu Uie Cailt'd Slutco.' 



t S<c Dr}-ant'a UnltcJ SUIoi Iltatorj-, vol. ill. poge 630. 



FAIRFIELD. 



297 



street. When he heard the British liad hiiulcfl, lie 
called for liis horse, which was brought, when lie 
mounted the same and started for his eatt !e, wliieh were 
down near the beaeh, with the hopes of restyling 
them from plunder; hut, the British spying him, one 
of their solders leveled a gun at him, and the shot 
wounded him, so that be was unable to rearh home. 
He erawled uniler a tree, unable, from his wound, to 
go farther, when another British soldier ran liini 
through with a b.ayonet, so that he died. He is the 
Solomon .Sturges referred to in Kev. Andri-w Eliot's 
letter preserved in Vol. III. of Massaehusetts Hislor- 
ieal Collections. 

Solomon's son Hezekiah and family struck for 
safety. They were farmers of goodly estate, with 
plenty of excellent provisions. A Tory ]iassed by, 
and, seeing a light, peeped in the window, where tlie 
enemy had a tcmptingsujjperset of baked pig, turkey, 
chicken, ham, etc. There was aKso a quantity of wine 
in the cellar, brought there by a privatcersman. Tlie 
enemy partook of this freely, and after they gratifie<l 
their physical wants they gave way to fiendish deeds, 
and burnt all that was not otherwise plundered and 
destroyed. 

In the winter, when snow came, Hezekiah .'^turges 
drew timbers on tlie sled and built anew. He put up 
the frame for a large house, and finished as means 
and time would permit. The kitchen ran the length 
of the liou-ie; over this was a chamber of like dimen- 
sions, which was seated and used liy the Ejiiscopa- 
lians for public worship till they could erect a church, 
which they did; and this was the third Episcopal 
church in Fairfield. A descendant of his (JIary 
Nichols) still owns the premises. 

Among his posterity were Capt. Solomon, who died 
at sea; Edward, who lived where George Chapman 
now does.; Samuel Sturges, who resided on the prem- 
ises of Mrs. Morris Wakeman ; Capt. Eben Sturges, 
who died at Jamaica, West Indies, with tlie siiiall- 
]iox; and Dimon Sturges, whose sister married Capt. 
IS. Lothrop Sturge.s, from another branch of the 
Sturges family. The latter was a son of the cele- 
brated Judge Jonathan Sturges, who resided o|iposile 
tlie Catholic church, where Jerry Toomy lives, and 
was father of tlie late Jonathan Sturges. (See 
"Special Houses," No. 5.) In Dimon Sturges' 
family, Solomon and Eben were bankers in Ohio, 
and were also large real-estate owners and men of 
unlimited intluence. 

WaltiT Perry, who married Elizabeth Sturges, lived 
in Southport, on the premises now owned by Jlr. 
Oliver H. Perry, who has the deed of the premises 
conveyed to his grandfather, Peter Perry, from .Tohn 
Cannon in the last century. Miah Perry and his 
wife, Elizabeth Dimon, married in 1787, lived where 
Nchemiah Jennings' meat-market now is. These two 
brothers were engaged in the mercantile tra<le and 
shipping. Job Perry, who married Sarah Sturges, was 
a merchant and miller in Weston. Seth Perry was a 
20 



merchant in Black Rock. David Perry was a mer- 
chant in North Carolina. 

Of Peter Perry's daughters, " Sail" married David 
Ogden {see "Colonial," 11); Nancy married Heze- 
kiah Osborne (see "Colonial," X); Mabel married 
Isaac Marquand. They were the parents cjf Henry 
Marquand, the banker in New York, and Frt'deric, 
best known as the founder of Marquand Chapel, at 
Yale College, also a very large donor to the same in- 
stitution. Pol married Henry L. Pen(ield,and Betsey 
married Samuel W. Sherwood, of Brooklyn, X. Y. 

Of Peter Perry's grandchildren, Francis D., son of 
Miah Perry, is president of Southport National Bank; 
Oliver H., sou of Walter, is a leading othcial in the 
Southp(irt Savings Bank, and has been )iromiiieiit in 
(.'linrcli and State aftiurs. His sister Narcissa married 
.) udge Samuel Hitchcock, of New Haven ; Emily mar- 
ried Dr. Chandler Smith, of Danbury. .lob and Sarah 
Sturges Perry's children were all born in Weston, 
t'onii., and were all millers or merchants. Alfred 
was a miller, and occupied the old Perry homestead; 
Munson was a miller and niercliant, moved to Soniers, 
N. Y., and was the father of ten children, — Talman, 
a miller, afterwards a lumber-dealer in Bridgeport; 
P.urr. a merchant at Black Bock; Orando, iniller in 
Weston ; Davi<l, a merchant in Bridgeiiort, engaged 
in the wdiale-fisheries, and owning shares in various 
vessels; Emetine, who married Epliraim Gregory, a 
hatter in Danbury. These are all dead, but their de- 
scendants are numerous and prosperous. 

Of Peter Perry's great-grandchildren, Jidiu Iloyt, 
, son of ( )liver H., is a lawyer of the firm of Woodward 
& Perry, of Norwalk. He is a graduate of Yale, a 
director in the Southport National Bank, also of the 
savings bank, and is an ex-member of the Legislature. 
Winthrop H., brother of John Perry, is also a grad- 
uate of Yale, a thorough scholar, with bright pros- 
pects for a suecessl'ul iirofessional career. Henry, 
another brother, graduated from the Yale Scientific 
School. Kov. Talman Perry (Presbyterian) is located 
in La Prairie, Canada; Thomas Perry is a civil engi- 
neer in Illinois : Frederic M. Perry is the well-known 
hatter in Bridgeport ; Miah Perry, of Weston, is an 
ex-member of the Connecticut Legislature. 

No. 10. This house was built by Daniel Dimon 
about 17o.'>. Building was his business; his reputa- 
tion as an architect (cariK-nter in those days) was ex- 
eelleut. He was the builder of the llou^e owned by 
Jlr. O. W. Jones, also of the Fourth Congregational 
Church, built 178.'). This was taken down in 184i) to 
give place to a more modern structure. Mrs. So[ihia 
Edwards, of Brooklyn, daughter of O. VV. Jones, wrote 
in 18.')() the following, suggested by the occasion of 
tearing down this place of worship: 

LINKS ON LE.VVIXG THK 01.0 ClUItlH, 

Farewell, olil tiTii|'lc uf (uir 8ii cs ! 

Oime is tliy umifiit lui iii ; 
N"n more siitmiiil thy spiie will Jilay 

The siirisliiiif ami tlie stunn. 



298 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Tliy vencrmted wnlls have stood 

TIinMit;!! sixty-flvo long yeiin*, 
Vliilc fiillifrs wlcep who plniitod thee 

With niiiigleU hupc:« itiid ft-ars. 

Farowcll, each dear, fniniliar thing ! 

Thy ever-fftithful vnne, 
Thy lofty pul]>il» large square pews, 

AVe ne'er sliall see again ! 
A stranger has usnrped tliy placo 

And sluloii thy ohl hell, 
And we muHt bill tliy microd courts 

A final, Bad farewell. 

Here have we met each Sabbath day 

To licnr God's holy word ; 
Together here have joined wiir liearts 

To Hiipplicato the Loixl ; 
And here, in grateful sungsof pruisc, 

Onr vuites oft In bloml, 
To Ilini fmni whom nil LlDssingft come, 

Ours aud our fathoiti* friend, 

Tlie Spirit oft, we trust, ban been 

"Within tliih hallowed place,^ 
Kevived the Christian'^ faith and Ioto 

With gentle dews of grace ; 
And many souIh have taHted hero 

The joy of sine forgiven. 
To whom thi» earthly house hoe boon 

The very gate of heaven. 

And must Time's rapiil, ccnsclcw course 

Blight all thing*, with decay? 
Tlie deaie»t relics of the past 

Forever fade away ? 
Mu»t all the niiglity works of man 

But share this cummon doom, 
And lie in beauty, youth, and strength 

Goto the silent tomb? 

Oil, could thiH temple of our sires 

It^ thrilling Htory tell, 
or nnwit who've trod it« well-worn aisles 

And b>vi-J it^ courts so well, 
AVhate'er (ln-ir wi-al, wliate'iT their woo, 

It would thi.-< truth reveal- 
That they reixjse where nevermore 

Life's changes they can feel. 

And is there, thou, no blighter world 

Beyond this vale of tears, 
■\Vlioro Time can never steal away 

Tho objects love endears? 
" Yes," sweetly whisper* heavenly Hope, 

" A homo of sacred rest, 
"Where all who are the friends of Christ 

Shall be fnrover ble»t." 

>*uw, dear ohl temple of our sires. 

As wo thy nilns see, 
"With cheerful splilts wo will give 

Our last farewell to theo; 
For while our temples perish hero, 

In faith we'll raise our eyes 
To that fair house, not made with handii, 

Eternal In tho skleti. 
Feb. 14, 1850. 

In Revolutionary times Daniel Dimon wa.9 an offi- 
cer, aiul was away on duty, while his wife, a delicate 
woman, was left to care for her family the best she 
could. 

Bradley l>imon <»ccupiod this house for several 
years, but after his decease the name became detached 
from the property. Ann, reared here, daughter of 
Daniel Dimon, married ^Alfred Perr>-. (See ''Colo- 
nial," Xo. 9.) 



The Dimons bore an old and respected name in 
town. An old stone in the old ground commemorates 
one thus: " Capt. John Dimon, died in 1704;" an- 
other thus: "Capt. Moses Dimon, died in 1748." 

As the Dimons were people of good repute in town, 
the following may be interesting to various families. 
This is found in the West burying-ground: 

"Jesse Dimon, 

died in Augusta, Go., 

Nov. 1, 1822 

Aged 52. 

Robert Dimon, 

son of 

Jesse & Bethia Dimon, 

died in Augucita, Ga., 

Aug. 21,1K23. 
Aged 23 y'rs & 7 nioe. 

John Dimon, 

sou of 

Jesse & Betliia Dimon, 

died in Brooklyn, L. I., 

Nov. 20, 1835. 

Aged m. 

Elizabeth Dimon, 

daughter of 

Jcpse & Bethia Dimon, 

wifu of Samuel S. Adams, 

died in Katon Rapids, Slich., 

Sept. IT, 18C1. 

Aged 63." 

Mr. .Marvin Hull purchased this estate, and in 1874 
I built a new house, the old one being removed to the 
westward. The Hulls are of an old family; the first 
entry on the records of tlic Prime Ancient is: **Thco- 
philus Hull, and Mary his wife, renewed covenant, 
Aug. 26, 1694." (See "Special Houses.") 

A stone on Greenfield Hill commemorates the name 
thus: 

"K.II. 

In Memor>* of 

Doct' Eliptialet Hull, 

born April the 8^\ 1738, 

And died Novem' U^\ 17W, 

in the 62*^ year of his oge, 

Unlvernally lamented by all 

who knew him. 

3Iay he sleep in Jrsrs aud awako 

in glory." 

No. 11. This was built by Jonathan Ogden, who 
had three sons — Sturges, Abel, and David — who set- 
tled near him. Sturges nnirried Zoa Thorpe, probably 
a descendant of Stephen Thorpe, wlio had )iis dwell- 
ing burnt during the conHagrution (tf Fairfield, and 
who afterwards purchased Chancellor Kent's jdace in 
■\Vestport, now owned by Mrs. Mary 13urr Hedenberg. 
Sturges Ogden built the house on the corner, at the 
entrance to Oak Lawn Cemetery. 

David Ogden married Peter Perry's "Sail." and 
built the house on the opposite side of the street. 
Their (laughter Betsey married Samuel Morehouse 
(see " Colonial," Xo. 39), whose father owned the prop- 
erty known :ls Phipp's, where he built the first sloop 
or (fchooncr in these parts, which he sold for three 
thousand dollars, — a large fortune in those days. His 



FAIRFIELD. 



2'J9 



grandson, Deacon Samuel Jloreliouse, now owns this 
0{!;(len property, wliieh has been occupied some years 
by Francis Louis. Mr. Morehouse is principal of a 
ward scliool in New Yorlc, — a position lie lias held for 
years. 

Ebenezer Burr and his sou, a lawyer, clerk of the 
County Court and ex-member of the Legislature, were 
descendants of this family of Ogdens, who occupied 
several houses on Mill Plain. 

George Ogden lived by tlie railroad, crossing where 
Jlr. Dickinson resides, and hi.s father, Maj. Abel < )gden, 
lived next to the Kcdfield house ; the latter built in 
1795. He was a carpenter, and had just married at the 
time he raised his house. He and his lady were out 
one evening, when some one came in and announced 
a fire was on the Plain. The major coolly remarked, 
" It makes good work for the joiners." The historian 
fails to state his speech on finding tlie (ire consumed 
his future home. 

In the Fairfield west ground is an Ogdeu monu- 
ment, containing on the face : 

" Aliel Ogileii, 

die<I Jan. 14, IKOl, 

iEt. 811. 

Betsey, liis wife, 

Died JIn.v 17, 1S54, n't. 74. 

In the grace ami temler pity uf 

Christ, here restetli the hiiilv of 

Iliivi.l Ogili ettiir uf St. Shirk 's 

Chuirli, New Caiuuin, whu lieparteil 
the tilth d.ay of .lime, JlllfCCXI.V. 
Ann Elizabeth, his wife, depaited the tillh <l.iy ..f .ruly, MDCCfXLI. 
E<hvard Nasli, his sen, ilejiaiteii the niiilh day ..f Oetciher, MDCCCXLII. 
Have mercy on their souls. That Ixni^ht tlieiji with Thy Mood. Amen. 
Stnrgis Ogden, deliarteil .Sept. x.vviii.. Ml>CC<'XX\'II., at. 'ST. 
Elizalieth Ogdeu departed Jan. Ill,, MDCCCXLVIII, aged lU. Jesus 
mercy !" 

On the back is this : 

" Liierelia S. Ogden, 
Hied Oct.3I,l»C0,a't.5i" 

Jonathan Ogden's daughter Mary married Eleazer 
(son of James and Elizabeth Whitehead Bulkeley) in 
1785. He was born in 1763, but in 1776 he enlisted 
to go aboard the " Defense," an armed vessel in the 
country's service, which he did duty on for thirteen 
months, and for which he received a pension. Again 
he went on board a vessel as a privateersman, which 
he followed for two years. In 1779 he enlisted in a 
guard, which was stationed on Kinsey 's Point. Stand- 
ing alone on the place now occupied by Oliver Perry, 
Esq., he saw two hundred British land, who at once 
commenced .to burn Fairfield. After this he followed 
the sea through various vicissitudes. He and Miah 
Perry owned a vessel for a time, when he bought out 
Mr. Perry's part and continued in the coasting-trade, 
increasing this business according to his means, and 
as his sons grew up placed them in business with 
himself under tlie shipping-firm of E. liulkeley & 
Sons, of New York, from 17.S8 till the present. (See 
Bulkeley Genealogy.) He took a lively interest in 
the perpetuity and welfare of his country, and after 



the war he was engaged in commercial business till 
he died. 

Elcazcr wa-s the sixteen liuudred and fifty-si.xth de- 
scendant from Peter I'ulkck'y, and was the father of 
six sons : ( 1 ) .Jonathan, born in 17.S6, married Jliranda 
Thorp (of a numerous and active family line as a 
whole in Fairfield, and wlm lias intermarried in all 
the old families), and was active in all public matters. 
He served in the war in 1812 and received a jiension. 
He was several times a member of the State Legisla- 
ture, and was one of the committee for suijeriutend- 
ing government works in Southport Harbor. (2) 
Andrew, born in 1789, married Sally Dinion ; also was 
a member of the State Legislature three times, and 
had a lively interest in his town, State, and country. 
(3) Lot, born 1794, married Enieline Jennings. (4| 
Moses, born 1796; married Catharine Bulkeley. He 
was a sea-captain of very high rejiute both on sea iiiid 
laud, and jiad a worthy position in the commerce of 
our country. (5) George, born 1800; married Eliza- 
beth Andrews. He lived in New York, and had the 
principal man.agement of tlie business of the firm. He 
now resides in Southiiort. ((!) Charles, born 1804; mar- 
ried Elizabeth Beers, daughter of Capt. Aliel Beers, of 
Mill Plain. (There are but twoleltof this large Beers 
family, David and Abigail, who reside on Mill Phiin.) 
All of these sons were captains and engaged in the 
firm of E. liulkeley & Sons, which amassed for each 
a large property and was a distinguished business 
association. 

Of Eleazcr's sons, Moses occupied this "colonitd," 
where his sons Oliver and Frederic were born ; the 
latter dying, Mr. Oliver Bulkeley is the owner of this 
property, which he repaired and painted about five 
years since. This is his farm-house now occupied by 
William Price. Mr. Oliver Bulkeley married Amelia 
Gilbert, of New Haven, and has a handsome residence 
in Siiuthiiort. He is not engaged in any active busi- 
ness, l)ut is a patron of art and literature, and is the 
benefactor of many in a very quiet and inconspicuous 
way. 

This house was occu])ied some years liy Walter 
Bulkeley, who married Betsey Siuith, si.ster of Cliarles 
Smith (1880), of Mill Plain, whose history is sorrow- 
ful. She was the mother of several children, three of 
whom — Theodore, John Henry, and Edgar — were lost 
at sea on a passage from Bordeaux, France, to New 
Orleans. One other son, Horatio, died in Matura, 
Cuba. The other of her children all died, also her 
husband and her adopted ones and a brother; and 
yet her days were not shortened by all these bereave- 
ments, for she dwelt more than fourscore years in the 
land (she died 1877), and many can rise and bless her 
good works, especially the sick whom she soothed and 
comforted. Her own physical sufierings were not 
small, but her Christian fortitude sustained her. 

No. 12. This is known as the Silliman jdace, situ- 
ated at the entrance to Oak Lawn Cemetery. It was 
built a few rods from the rotid, with a large baru in 



300 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



front. Tradition locates tlie first Perrys on tliis 
ground. It is authentic tliat it was in the Ogden 
family for many years. One of the daughters, Kllen, 
daughter of Sturgcs Ogden, was tlic sole heir to the 
estate. She married a sea-captain, Ebenezer Sillinian. 
They left no issue, but he willed four thousand dollars 
to the Stratfield church. His journal, which he kept 
for years, was indicative of his occupation. It mat- 
tered not what occurred, the direction of the wind 
was given. They arc reported as living entirely by 
themselves, and as free from work as possible. 

Everybody used wood for fuel in those days, so 
when the winter supjdy was provided they saved all 
the large chips, which they used as plates. One side 
becoming soiled, they were reversed, and, that side 
becoming likewise, they were consigned to the fire, 
thus obviating dish-washing. This was related to the 
writer by various parties. In the winter season eight ' 
loaves of bread — the capacity of the great brick oven 
— was their usual baking, which did not recur often. ' 

Dr. .Teremiah T. Deni.son (" Colonial," No. 2) related 
that when he began i)racti<-c in Fairfield, some forty 
years since, he was called there, a distance of some 
two miles. After attending the patient he was asked 
what was the charge. Tlie doctor stated twenty-five 
cents (half-price, as he thought, from appearances, 
thev were poor people), which they paid him daily 
till his patient recovered. The doctor found in a day 
or so he had been deceived by ajipearances, as they 
were quite wealthy for the times, but studied to avoid 
care and labor. 

The widow survived the captain several years. At 
her decease the property, most of which was sold to 
difl'erent owners, was divided among numerous rela- 
tives. The present owner is Mr. Henry Hanks,* who 
has made it comfortable by repairing with new win- 
dow-casings and sa.sh. The old shingle siding yet 
remains, weatherbeaten and pray. 

No. 13. This house was built by Dr. Rogers, a phy- 
sician of considerable celebrity. His wife wius a 
Miss Tennant, sister to Rev. William Tennant, who 
preached on (Jreenficld Hill from 1772 to 17S1, then 
removed to Philadelphia, leaving his silver door-plate 
behind. Dr. Rogers had one son, who went to Savan- 
nah to purchase slaves. While out riding, his horses 
ran away, upsetting and injuring him fatally. 

Dr. Wm. B. Nash, who studied under Dr. David 
Hull, also occupied this house. He was a son of 
Capt. Thomas Nash (•'5d), of Westport, who married 
Mary, daughter of William liurr, of Fairfield. This 
Thomas Nash gave the site to the Congregational 
Society where the church now stands in (ireen's 
Farms. He was born in 174:j, and died in 1815. He 
was a man of influence, courage, and energy. He was 
chosen deacon in 17<!8 in the .same church in which 
his father and grandfather had served in that office, 
and was captain probably of the same company. 



* Sod of Mr. Uc7«kiiih Bonks, of Grcenflold. 



It is related that when Fairfield was burned, in the 
time of the Revolution, Col. Whiting, the command- 
ant, having withdrawn the Americans to the Round 
Hill, north of the village, called for a captain and 
thirty men to volunteer for the purpose of recon- 
noitring the enemy ; that Capt. Thomas Nash im- 
mediately stepped forth, followed by more than one 
hundred men. The colonel would allow only thirty 
to go. However, more fell in after they left the hill. 
Capt. Nash advanced to the fence nortli of the street, 
near where the meeting-house now stands, and ordered 
his men to lie behind the fence in the tall vegetation 
until the enemy were near the centre of the street, 
when, as he gave the word, they were to rise and^rf, 
load and fire, and then run. This they did \yith such 
efl'cct, and so unexpectedly, that none of his party 
were injured until they began to a.scend the rising 
ground towards the north, where one was killed. 
Afterwards, when a squad of the enemy approached 
to burn his house at Green's Farms, he alone, or with 
but little help, dragged the company field-piece to a 
rising ground near the house, loaded it with grape, 
and fired upon them. They, su.specting he had a 
company to sa«tain him in so daring an act, re- 
treated, and this house was saved, and is yet stand- 
ing (near Green's Farms church), with its large 
veratida and railing above it. 

At another time, being on a scout in the night, with 
only three men, he discovered a whaleboat secreted on 
the shore, which he thought indicated an enemy near. 
He therefore stove in the boat and searched for the 
foe. Perceiving a faint light from the window of a 
cabin in a cornfield, he ordered his army of three to 
pa.ss raj)idly round the cabin, making all the noise 
they could with their muskets against the building, 
by which the inmates deemed them.selves surrounded 
by a real force. Capt. Nash then approached the 
window and told them to hand out their arms and 
ho would spare their lives. They complied, and 
handed out sixteen muskets, which he securefi, and 
told them to lie down until morning, when it ap- 
peared that he and his three men had surrounded 
and taken fifteen Tories and one British soldier. 

Thomas Nash (3d) inherited a fine estate, but, 
owing to many losses sustained by the Revolution 
and investments in Continental currency, he spent 
bis last days in straitened pecuniar*' circumstances. 
His father, Thomas Nsish (2d|, born in 170H, married 
Rebecca Hull, of Fairfield, in 1731. He inherited an 
ample estate. 

An inventory is given on the Fairfield records 
of 1748 of his property, amounting to £0372 l."!*. 
He kept well what he inherited, and W!is a highly 
respectable and influential man. His father, the first 
Thomas Nash in Fairfield, was admitted to the Prime 
Ancient Church under Rev. Joseph Webb, Jan. 4, 
1712, and had three children — Joseph, Thomas, and 
Sarah — baptized there the same day. Shortly after 
this (17151, when another child was baptized — and no 



FAIRFIELD. 



301 



more recorded after it — it is inferred tliat the new so- 
ciety was organized.* Tlioinas Nash was the first 
deacon of that church, and probably continued throuirli 
life in the office, also held l)y son and grandson. The 
ancestor of these Nashes died in Xew Haven in 1U.58. 
In the records it is stated : 

" It is orilerod tliat Thomas Niish slinll kci-iro tlu' T..\nn- MusUilUiin 
his huiiils, Slid liiok to tliciii wi'll, tlmt tiny lie iilwuvs in k"'>iI olilcr fitt 
for service, fiml tlu- Towiio to .illovv Iiiiii wliiit is Just for his cure ami 
pains." 

Thomas Nash's name appears as a land-owner in 
Fairfield in 1701. His body lies in the burying- 
ground on Green's Farms, near Talcott Wakeniiin's, 
and his resting-place is marked thus : 

" Here lyes Inuieil ye hotly 

of Capt. Thomas Nash, 

Peacon of Fairtiehi West ravish, 

who departed this life June ye Sth, 

Anno Doui' 17-18, in y" 

GOth year of his a;re," 

Thomas Nash, Jr., has this tribute : 

" In memory of 

Capt. Thomas Nash, Jun% 

Deacon of y" Church of Christ 

in this place, who died 

Aug. 2<>°'l, A. D. 1707, aged 

61 years wanting V2 days. 

Here appears the Place of Bones, 
Of gashful souils and monumental Stones, 
Inscrihed with grinning Deaths on rural Throns. 
But stop the Hearse ; this is the destined Place 
Where lies his Ancient Body in the Dust. 
Thou yawning Grave profound, receive thy pri-y. 
And feed thy AVoruis with this delicious clay. 
Thr'w on the Earth, how piercing is the Sound! 
W^eep on dear friends and ease the Wound. 
This kind relief the Social Passions crave: 
Jesus himself wept at a good man's Grave." 

Dr. William Burr Na.sh studied with Dr. David 
Hull till he attained his majority (1807), when he was 
licensed to practice, and settled in Greenfield (in this 
colonial).! After a residence of ten years in (freen- 
field, he removed to Fairfield, and entered into a 
partnership with Dr. Hull, wdicre for nine years he 
continued to reside, with a large and increasing prac- 
tice. He lived in the house occujiied by x\rthur Ben- 
nitt, and in 182.5, real estate being so low through the 
country, he (Dr. Nash) could hardly give it away. 
At this date he removed to Bridgeport, and for it time 
resided in a house situated on the corner of Main and 
Bank Streets, where the city bakery now stands. At 
that time there were but one or two other physicians 
in the city, and his practice soon became very large, 
not only here, but in the surrounding towns, tind his 
travels were very extensive and laborious. 

Dr. Nash's son, David Hull Nash, born in 1811, 
graduated as an M.D. at Yale College in 1834. His 
medical studies were under the supervision of his 
father. He married Susan E. Sterling, and com- 
menced practice with his father. He is now the old- 

* Known as Fairtield, West Parish, now Green F.arms. 
t He married, in 18IJ7, Ruth M. Eliot, daughter of Uev. .Andrew- 
Eliot, of FairBeld. 



est practitioner in Bridgeport. Few men have been 
engaged so many years as the late doctor, w ho during 
his long life was very successful. J 

At the ]ieriod in which Dr. W. B. Nash entered pro- 
fessional life applicants to practice medicine were ex- 
amined and licensed by a committee of yihysieians, 
and the degree of M.D. was not worn by them. Yet 
in later years it was conferred on him by Yale (.'oUcge. 
He accidentally fell, in his eighty -seventh year, and 
fractured the thigh-bmie, which resulted in his death, 
1872. 

The recorils of the Nasii family were collected by 
Rev. Sylvester Nash, A.M., rector of St. .Tolin's 
Church, Es.sex, Conn., in 18.53, wdien there were three 
thousand three hundred of the Nashes named. The 
compiler wished very much to have a portrait of Dr. 
W. B. Nash for a frontispieee, but, with his character- 
istic modesty, he could not be induced to comjily. 

As the descendants of Thomas Nash (Ist) remained 
undispersed in and about Fairtield for more than a 
hundred years, they are known as the Fairfield branch. 
At jircsent the only descendants left in Fairtield are 
Jennings, Perrys, Bibbins, and Bennitt. 

Capt. Burr Nash, son of Thomas Nash (4th), lived 
in Greenfield, then on Mill Plain, afterwards in 
Bridgeport, and from thence he removed to New- 
York. He built, with others, the steamboat 
"Marion," which he commanded. Afterwards he 
returned to New York, then removed to New Haven, 
wdiere he carried on, until his death (1848), the same 
business (blacksmith) that his ancestors wrought at 
in the same place two hundred years before. 

After Dr. Nash left Greenfield, Buckingham Sher- 
wood was the owner. In time Moses Betts (see " Colo- 
nial," No. 5) purchased it, and kept a country store 
there. He disposed of it to Col. Murray (of the New- 
York militia), whose daughter, Agnes Murray, is the 
occupant. 

No. 14. The house on the premises, with the store 
.and ])ost-office, was originally built and owned by 
Samuel Bradley, grandson of Francis Bradley, who 
settled in Southport, west of the tide-mill, in 1664. 
The first Francis Bradley had a son Francis, who 
moved to (ireenfield. He had a son Samuel, who was 
called ":Marchant Bradley." He lived where Wil- 
liam Lobdell now does. Tradition says he com- 
menced life with a "jug of rum and a liddle," that he 
bought beef and pork as far back in the country as 
Litchfield County. This he shipped to Bost(jn, where 
be would be gone six weeks to attend to his ciirgo. 
He died in 1771, aged seventy. This Samuel Bradley 
seems to have taken up nearly all the hill, and the 
land known as the " mile of commons." 

Samuel's grandson, Walter, moved into this house, 
which was the custom-house for the port of Fairfield. 
(The commission given him by the powers in ofiice is 
in possession of Dr. M. V. B. Dunham, a popular 

J Sec hiogral'liy in history of Bridgei'olt. 



302 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



allopathic physician, who occupied this house when 
he first began practice, in 1870, in Greenfield, and his 
son was born there.) Walter Bradley also kept store. 
His daughter, Priscilla, married William Burr. 

AVilllam Bradley, brother of Priscilla, bought out 
the heirs, and in time his widow sold the house to 
Barzilla B. Banks, prcjont owner. No one would 
ever mistrust its age, it is in such excellent repair. 

No. 15. The house nearly opposite, of the Tomlin- 
sons' estate, was built by the Rev. Setli Pomcroy. 
His tombstone in the Greenfield ground contains the 
following history : 

*' Here lies buried 

tlio UoJy iif the 

Bevi 31 r. St-lli Poiiioroy, 

Onlfliiied to the work of y" ministry 

In tliis I'arish Dccc' y* 8th, 1757, 

WIio departed this life 

July the 1st, 1770, in tho 

37ih year of his nge." 

It is thought this house Wius built prior to 1765. 
At Mr. Pomeroy's decease Capt. David Hubbell 
bought it and built a store there. The Rev. William 
Bclden purchased it in 1812 or thereabouts, and occu- 
pied it till 1821. He wua the la.st teacher of any note 
in the academy, which was built for Dr. Dwight in 
1785 or 1786. 

Mr. Belden sold the house to Walter Perry (see 
" Colonial," 9), of Southport. The next owner wivs 
Joseph Nichols, who transferred it to George AVilson. 
It came to his wife, Ellen Bradley Wilson, who sold 
it to Mr. Sinclair, of tlie New York Tribune. He sold 
it to Mrs. Sophia Bulkelcy, widow of Hczekiah R. 
Bulkeley, who hjis occupied it since 1863. 

No. 16. Samuel Bradley (1st) had a son Hczekiah, 
who built the large gambrel-roofed house standing at 
the southwest corner of the green or parade-ground 
in 1755. He had a large farm, bred horses, and had 
more tlian twenty slaves. The second owner Wiis 
Hczekiah Bradley, Jr., the tiiird was Rufus Hoyt, 
who married a daughter of Capt. David Hubbell, 
neither of whom lived over a few montiis. 

The next owner was Mr. Charles Nichols, who pur- 
chased the house in 1822. He married Polly, daugh- 
ter of Jonatlian and Molly Wakeinan Banks. (See 
"Colonial," 32.) The Nichols arc an old family in 
Fairfield. The first settler of that name was William. 
He married Abigail Ward, and died young. She was 
the owner of one of the " long lota." Their bodies 
(arc supposed to) lie in P^iirfield old ground. His 
(William's) only child was Ignatious, born lfU)5; mar- 
ried Abigail Staples. They were tlie jiarent-^ of Na- 
than, Ignatious, Jr., Ephraim, Abigail, and Hester. 

Ignatious, .Tr., is buriiil in ( Irirnticld, under this 
inscription : 

"ll.'T.- lyiK l.iiri.'.l 
the l«i.ly of Jl r. 
Igniitiuiis NickolU; 
who Depnrtid tills Life 
l>ec. ye 17, KJd, in 
73 year of kla b^." 



Ephraini Nichols wiis born in Greenfield, Conn., 
and married Rebecca, daughter of Onesimus Gould.* 
They were the parents of Ebenezer, Hczekiah, David, 
Peter, John, Jesse, and Ephraim, besides five daugh- 
ters. Ephraim died in 1782. His son, Ephraim, Jr., 
has a history on his tombstone in Greenfield burying- 
ground : 

"To 

the memory of 

Ephraim Nichols, 

who died 

January 23, .\.D. 1S52, 

aged 94 yearfl months 

and 8 days. 

In Ills youth he took |)art in 

tho toils and stnlggled of the 

American Revolution. 

Many nolde qualities of miud and * 

heart adorned liis life and endeared 

him to liis family and friends. 

He ilieil in the Christian Faith, 

and in the hope of a blessed 

Immortality. 

I am a stranger with thee and a sojourner, 

As all my fathers were. Psahn ^xxix. 12." 

One Ebenezer lies in Greenfield, with this tribute: 

"In 

Memory of 

Ebenezer Nichols, 

who left this world 

Aug. 10, 1810, 

In the G91h year 

of hid age.'' 

One of his grandsons. Rev. George W. Nichols, 
A.M., in his " Fragments from the Study of a Pas- 
tor," states that his grandfather " enlisted as a com- 
mon soldier at the early age of nineteen years, and, 
joining the Continental army, proceeded to the city 
of New York, and was there at the memorable time 
of the declaration of independence. He was present 
when the soldiers demolished the statue of King 
Cteorge that stood in the Bowling Green, near the 
Battery, on Broadway. He was present also when 
the battle was fought at Flatbush, L. I., and saw the 
British take possession of the fortifications on Brook- 
lyn Heights alter they had been quietly abandoned 
by the Americans during the night of Aug. .30, 1776. 
He iu-wisted, likewise, in erecting the fortifications at 
Red Hook, which was done during the night, that our 
army might, if possible, take advantjige of the enemy, 
and while engaged in his trying duty at this period, 
sullering from exposure and hardshi|>, was visited 
with sickness, and spent some time in tlie city hos- 
pital. But, though sutl'ering much from sickness and 
exposure, being sometimes obliged to sleep out upon 
the ground, in consequence of the scarcity of beds and 
tents, yet did the old soldier still keep to his post of 
duty and sacrifice. He still continued with the army 
as they marched on through the county of Weat- 
che-ster, after the city had been evacuated by the 
Americans. When, shortly after, the famous battle 
was fought at White Plains, he was there, and stood 
amid the smoke of the cannon, while balls from Brit- 



• Sec " Special IIouBca." 



FAIRFIELD. 



303 



ish muskets flew on either side of liim. After tlie 
occurrence of tluit signal defeat, he still foUuwed on 
witli the army, eneam]jin}j; with them at Tarrytown 
and North Castle; and then, leaving the army, he 
retired to his native town, arriving there on Christmas 
day, 1776. Afterwards he enlisted again in the ser- 
vice, and set out from his home once more to join the 
army, which had already proceeded on its way for tlie 
purpose of taking Gen. Burgoyne. Cn arriving at 
Ridgefield news was received of the capture of Kiir- 
goyne. Thereupon he retraced his way towartls 
lionie. This was the last of his participation in the 
Revolutionary contest. He then came home, and 
soon after took up his abode upon a small farm of a 
few acres, which he purchased with the avails of his 
industry." Here he erected the "old homestead," 
where he spent his long life ; here he brought his 
youthful bride, Miriam Bradley; here he brouglit up 
his family, — William, Sauuicl, Charles, and Bradley. 

These Nichols were all blessed with large families. 
One of John's (brother to Ephraim, .Ir.) daughters, 
Mrs. Ruamah Nichols, wife of Samuel Merwin, now 
eighty-nine, cooks her dinner if necessary. She re- 
mendiers sixty first cousins. jMrs. Charlotte Banks, 
wife of Bradley Nichols, eighty-six years old, per- 
forms all her domestic duties and " runs the i'arm" 
herself. She has two daughters, — !Mrs. William 
Bradley (see "Colonial," 17) and Mrs. Zalmon Wake- 
man, both of Greenfield. 

Charles Nidiols married in 181') and I)uilt the liouse 
owned by EIi/.al)eth Bulkeley, in which he lived till 
he purchased tliis " colonial." Mrs. Mary Nicliols, wife 
of Isaac Milbank, inherited this property from her 
father. Mr. Milbank's father came from Essex County, 
England. His home there was a .stone dwelling, 
" Panfield Hall," which has stood eight hundred years. 
It still retains its old coaches and its old styles. 

This hoiLse ("colonial") has never been repaired; 
its lower roof has never been reshingled, even. The 
covering is shingle sides, with the large wrought nails, 
but is protected by an excellent coat of paint. A bay- 
window and a veranda have been added, and a few 
changes made inside ; otherwise it remains as built 
one hundred and twenty-five years ago. 

No. 17. The house opposite Mr. Milbank's was built 
by Samuel Bradley, Jr., somewhere between 17.")0 and 
1760. He was a merchant, or, as they expressed it in old 
colonial times, "kept store;" he was also justice of the 
peace, and in consequence was called "'Sijuire." He 
had tliree sons: (1) Samuel (3d), who was a priva- 
teersman and died during the Revolution; (2) Zal- 
mon, who built the house known as the "Capt. Bald- 
win house," now owned by Mr. A. R. T. Nichols. 
Zalmon also was in the commercial business, and 
was engaged in the West India trade with Joseph 
Squire, of Fairfield, dealing largely in liecf and pork ; 
(3) Walter is associated with house No. 14. 

A man named Frazier broke into 'Squire Nichols' 
store, and was found guilty of theft, for wliicli he 



suffered the penalty of death, as he was hung on a 
gibbet erected on a knoll not far from the late Capt. 
John Gould's. Crimes met witli heavy penalties in 
those days. 

The store on this ground was in a greater danger 
from a meml)er of the family, Samuel (3d), who went 
into tlie roimi wdiere no tire was allowed at any time 
with a lighted candle in his hand and i)Ut it in a cask 
on the counter, wdrieh afterw'ards he found contained 
gunpowder. He went liack and took out the candle 
in safety, showing he had courage. 

The projierty ilescended to two sisters, Iliilduh and 
Lucy Bradley, and they willed it to Maj. William 
Bradley, who remodeled it in 1845. His three chil- 
dren being married, he and his wife are the sole occu- 
pants. 

No. 18. The first minister of the gospel on Green- 
field Hill was the Rev. .Tohn Goodsell, whose ashes 
repose in the Greenfield cemetery under the slab with 
this simple inscription : 

"Here lies Ituried tin* lioily 

•jf tlip l!ov. M' 

J.ilia Oixiilsell, 

who departed this life 

December SG"", 17t«, 

Agcil 57 yciirs." 

The Rev. John Goodsell'ss:)!! Lewis in 1772 built a 
house whicli was used as a tavern before and after the 
Revolutionary war. It has been a house of great 
resort, and became famous from its associations. 

Mr. Alexander T. Nichols has kindly loaned for this 
work a legal abstract prepared by John H. I'erry, a 
lawyer of note, containing the "transfers of property, 
j whether by Deed, Will, Distribution, or by way of 
Mortgage, arranged for the most part in tlieir chron- 
ological order." The historic parts are interlarded as 
they occurred. 

(1) The premises in question were owned by Lewis 
Goodsell in fee simple, and unincumbered in 1772. 

(2) Lewis Goodsell gave a warranty deed to Zal- 
mon Bradley, ,Iune lo, 1778, for the consideration of 
seventy pounds. 

(3) Zalmon Bradley gave a warranty deed to Eunice 
Goodsell, wife of Lewis Goodsell, June IS, 1778; con- 
sideration, seventy pounds. Eunice Gooilsell died 
sinne time between June 16, 1778, and Nov. 28, 1794, 
leaving heirs, — Peter Goodsell, Lewis Goodsell, Jr., 
Sarah Lyon, wife of Joseph Lyon, and probably two 
others, whose names are diflicult to be ascertained. 
There is no record of a will or of the granting of ad- 
ministration on her estate. 

i (4) Peter Goodsell ([uitclaimed his share to Lewis 
Goodsell, Jr., Nov. 28, 1794, for a consideration of 
four pounds and divers good causes, etc. 

(•■i) Joseph Lyon, Sarah Lyon, and Lewis Goodsell 
quitclaimed their shares to L'jwis (i,K)dsell, .Ir., April 
23, 1796; consideration, ten jiounds. 

t (6) Lewis (ioodsell, Jr., gave a warranty deed to 
Joseph Bulkeley, Jr., April 23, 1796; consideration, 
fifteen pounils. 



304 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Joscpli Bulkeley lived in this house sixteen years. 
AccortUn<j to the Bulkeley Genealogy, he lived to be 
over one lumdrcd years, lie was the son of Daniel 
and Hann.ih Hill Bulkeley. When he first moved 
into the house lie-itrnbably routed it, us his son Uriah 
states he bought portions of the place as he could ob- 
tain them of the heirs. Ke said, " We all moved into 
the place Oct. 28, 1786, my mother riding on a bed in 
grandfather's cart, with my brother three weeks old, 
and all the furniture they liad at the time. My father 
taught school for about two years in the district 
school-house, on the southeast corner of the green. 
His business — keeping tavern — wiis so good that in 
1787 he raised up the front of the house, put windows 
up-stairs in front, made a double piazza, with stairs to 
the ball-room, plastered the chambers, — which had 
not been done before, — took down the chimney to the 
lower floor and rebuilt in a better manner, with free- 
stone licarths," etc. 

In another place he says : " These houses [in Green- 
field] were all built on one plan, with back roofs de- 
scending to tlie height of the kitchen." The usual 
style was tf> have the well, with the old well-sweep, 
in front of the house, as was the hatchway-door. The 
roofs were, most of them, raised the same year except 
the old tavern. 

In 1788, Joseph Bulkeley bought of his father-in- 
law, John Hubbell, the store which stood on the 
cftrner where Ilejiry Gjodsell now lives. He hired 
men and teams to draw it on to his premises. Mr. 
Uriah Bulkeley further states: "It was done with 
much dilRculty, as the road at that time, and years 
after, was full of rocks. He at first left it the whole 
width on the green, west of the house, not connected, 
as there were some fruit-trees where it at last stood." 

In 17J)1, Joseph Bulkeley went to New York and 
bought a small assortment of goods and began store- 
keeping. He succeeded pretty well, and next year 
went to New York and took with him his son Uriali, 
ten yeai*s old. He describes this trip seventy-seven 
years later, showing the only method of going to New 
York except by private conveyance at that time: 

" Wo went tu Mill River (now SouUtport) nuiX to New York in a small 
(Ucip. WiiUor rorry, niiutor, liin brother David, Imnd, Joli IViTy (tliuso 
were Petor I'crry'd sons), my Tatlicr, inyseir, and one female, ivuiiiengors. 
Tlie b1ik>|i, only twenty tonn, mills and vessel old, wind fresli nt N. E. 
When uo gi>t to Xorwalk UlaiuU It ttUiit in so thick with enuw Uiat wo 
could hardly see the leugtli of the vessel, a heavy rolling sea, anil every 
ioul on board deailly sea-siL-k except the remalo. Could lianlly find any 
one to steer, but wc drifted along Itiruugh tlio Sound to Ilart Island, 
whrn it bn)kf away, and wont on lo KikorV (then Ilewlel's'l Island, and 
anrhored. Dent down next uiornhig, went into Burling Slip to tho lieai), 
and otir tvownprlt lay Itnlf-way arruMs I'eurl Street, then Queen Street, at 
tin- ftHit of Juhn Street, on the corner of which woa Rogora •£ Woolsey's 
hanlware-«tore, with a large gilt padlock for a sign, which waa my guide 
bark to the F^ltHfp, as I lived on board. 

" After al>out a week wo starteil for homo, wind S.E. In going through 
llell-GiMe, cK*e-hftuled on the wind. There was a large wiKwl-ttloop 
coming down iHifore the wind wltli no one forward to lotrk out Wo 
hnlb-i| them, but could make no one hear unlit cb«e on to us. Sho Ju»t 
grazed our side, and hur l>ow»prit caught into the aftor-leatrli of our 
mainsail and unHhi|ii>e4l our lioori^bruko the gaff in three pieces, and 
ti>ok the whole s»il olT her bowsprit; look off our boat which was tn 
tow. 



"We made out, as the tide was with ub, to get up, under our jib, 
agnimtt Kiker's Inland and anchored. The nloop anchored near whore 
the old Husjar frigate was sunk. Our boat Imd drifted ashore; they 
picked it up, and towed it back with the mitiuMail, and Helllud for the 
damages. Father and myself wont ashore and blept. There was a tre- 
mendous giile tliat ni{,'ht. 

"Next day waa pleasant. Mended and bent our sail, and started for 
home. Anived at tho dock nt daylight next morning, walked home, 
and commeiicod at Dr. Dwight's Academy to learn 
" ' Arma virumque cano.' " 

A smart boy for ten years ! The schools of to-day 
(1880) do no better in education than in 1792 unless 
Uriah Bulkeley was a grand exception its a pupil. 
He continues : 

" Tho store and tavcni, with its (*ign of a horse, which is no better 
than n cariL-aluro — did protty giKMl business that winter, — maybo pro- 
ducoil some jealuutty anmng the old storekoeiH-rs, who perhaps folt as if 
the store wos encn>aching on llieir rights. 

'* Father next spring brought a largo supply of goods, but within a 
few weeks after lil^ return some one (or more) bruke info the store and 
tofii; about one thousand dollars* wuith of drygtxxts and faricy articles, 
and left tho st'>ro bare and a amsidorablo debt due in New York. To 
show the sympathy of the world, next day after the loss wos known, us 
I was driving cows, a son of my fathor*s friend met mo and said, 
' Well, your dad has lost his goods ! I guess you will liavo to come to *t 
now.* 

" I remained at school and father paid his debts notwithstauding.*' 

He further states: 

*' My father did not keep store in Greonflcld after his loss, but moved 
the store back to connect with the houBe at tho southwMt corner of the 
bar-room, and movo«l the ohl bar fnun the northwest corner, whoro it 
remained till William Shaw moved it away. Father used it for a dining- 
room when he had much com|iany.** 

Again he says (in 1869) : 

" I am pleased tosco tho old homo of my youthful days fitted up in 
such good style. The old tavern has had a great many customers of the 
noblest of tho laud and Toreign countries. I recollect Talleyrand, and 
the S|ianish minister plenipotentiary (Don Onis, or a similar name) 
dining there. The lawyers and jvidges of the court at Fairfleld fre- 
quently cumo up and spent Sunday, among whom I recollect Judges 
Iteeve, Kdmunds, Chapnuiu, Uriah Tracy, Gideon Gninger, Ephralm 
Kirby, Rostwick Whittlesey, Thaddeus Benedict, Pierp<uit EilwardK, 
Ditvel of Nor^N'alk, Dnggot, Nathan and Nathaniel Smith of New Haven, 
and nearly every* judge and lawyer that attended the court, Ilufus King, 
our minister to Kngland, Joel Barlow, minister to Fnince, Cun. Rufus 
Putnam, ono of tlie finttseltli'i-s in Ohio. I recollect him fur his having 
holster and pistols and a bearskin on hissaddle. I think there have l>een 
mon.' visitors in the old houRC of the best class than almost any other 
public-house in a country place, owing, probably, in part, to the great 
reputation of Dr. Dwight's academy nnd to tlie beautiful s.'enery on the 
hill, which cannot beHur|>asseil for beauty, if it is in grandeur." 

In connection with the hotel and Dr. Dwight's 
school he is quoted further: 

"Those were lively times at Greenflehl. Tho old house of 'entertain- 
ment* was full to overlbiwing. In the winter they would have a danco 
altout once a month, having Mo«4's Sturges to fiddle, wine and plum-cake. 
Dr. Dwight always came in, took a glass of wine and a plocoof cake, told 
Homo plunsant storj', and left within half an hour." 

Joseph Bulkeley moved to Black Hock, and .'iold 
the tavern in 1810 or 1812. His son Uriali married 
Jane Sayre,* of Fairfield ; she died in 1831. He died 
at Dobb's Ferry, X. Y., July 23, 1874, aged ninety- 
two. Dr. Dunham relates he saw him a few months 
before he died, when he stated he "did not wish to 
live to be an old man." He has one son, William 
Henry Bulkeley, a bookseller in Louisville, Ky., 



* Sec note to Eliot's letter. 



FAIRFIELD. 



305 



where lie resides. He lias one ilaushter, the wife of 
Henry ( lonlon Harrison, tlie arehiteet of Gan.len City. 

It is related of Uriah IJulkeley that when he was 
niairii'il everything was conducted in royal style, even 
the wood burnt in the fire-place was planed, and, 
gossiji now adds, " was gilded at both ends." 

17) .Foseph Bulkeley, Jr., gave a warranty deed to 
Medad Bradley, Mareli 23, 1812; ccnisideration, six- 
teen hundred dollars. 

(S) Medad Bradley mortgaged this jiroperty to 
Gershoni Burr to secure the .sixteen hundred dollars, 
.^lareh 2S, 1812. 

(0) Gershom Burr quitelainied to Medad Bradley, 
April 3, 1817; consideration, sixteen hundred dollars. 

(10) Medad Bradley mortgaged to Thomas Bartram 
to secure twelve hundred dollars. May 7, 182"). 

(11) Thomas Bartram quitclaimed to Jledad Brad- 
ley, March 10, 1826 ; consideration, one dollar. 

(12) Medad Bradley gave a warranty deed Nov. 2, 
1827, to Sturges Morehouse; consideration, eight 
hundred and fifty dollars. 

iXfi) Sturges Jlorehouse mortgaged to Isaac Banks, 
Oct. 27, 1.^38, to secure twelve hundred and seventy- 
five dollars. Isaac Banks, the mortgagee, died about 
.Ian. 1, 1841, leaving a will, in wdiicli William Nich- 
ols and Horace Banks were executors. 

(14) William Nichols and Horace Banks, executors 
on the estate of Isaac ]5anks, deceased, quitclaimed to 
Sturges Morehouse, March 12, 1841 ; consideration, 
one hundred dollars. 

(15) Sturges Morehouse gave warranty deed to 
Hezekiah Phillips, March 12, 1841 ; consideration, 
five thousand dollars. 

(IG) Ilez. Phillips gave warranty deed to D. Burr, 
March 17, 1845 ; consideration, fifteen hundred dollars. 

The property is now definitely described as " con- 
taining three acres more or less," as all transfers do 
after this date on this estate. 

(17) David Burr mortgaged to Nathan ]5ulkeley to 
secure three hundred dollars, April 17, 1845. 

(18) Nathan Bulkeley quitclaimed to David Burr, 
Sept. 11, 1847; consideration, three hundred dollars. 

(19) David Burr mortgaged to Samuel \. Nichols 
to secure six hundred dollars, Sept. 11, 1847. 

(20) David Burr also mortgaged to P. T. Barnum to 
secure one hundred and twenty-five dollars, April 
21, 1849. The W(n'ld knows the showman's histiuy. 

(21) David Burr gave a warranty deed, subject to 
mortgage, for six hundred dollars, Dec. 13, ]S.')0, to 
Lewis Nichols ; consideration, three hundred and fifty- 
two dollars. 

(22) Lewis Nichols quit(daimcd to Eleanor B. P>urr, 
Dec. 13, 1850; consideration, three hundred and fifty- 
two dollars. 

(23) David Burr and Eleanor B. Burr gave a war- 
ranty di>ed to Frederic S. Lyon, Nov. 5, 1851 ;* con- 
sideration, thirteen hundred dollars. 

* Editur of Connecdcul ncptthllcaii, Nui walk. 



(24) Frederic S. Lyon gave warranty ileed, subject 
to mortgage, for six hundred dollars, Nov. 1, 1852, to 
Rebecca A. McLellan; consideration, fourteen hundred 
dollars. 

(25) John G. D. McLellan and Pu'bocea A. :\IcLel- 
lan mortgaged to secure five hundred dollars, Nov. 1, 
1852, to Samuel Betts. 

(26) John G. D. and Ilebecea McLellan gave a 
warranty deed, subject to two mortgages, for six 
hundred dollars and five hundre<l iloUars, to Henry 
B. Banks, May 1, 1854; c<>nsi<leration, twelve hundred 
and seventy-five dollars. 

(27) Henry B. Banks died intestate soon after the 
above conveyance. Administration was -granted on 
his estate, July 26, 1854, to his widow, Maria C. B. 
Banks. 

(28) Maria C. P.. Banks gave a liargain-and-sale 
deed, Ajiril 26, 1855, to Peter H. Shaw and Anna M. 
Shaw his wii'c ; consideration, one hundred dollars, 
and conveyed "the equity of redemption possessed by 
Henry B. Banks at the time of his decease." 

(29) Maria 0. B. Banks (luitclaimed to Rev. Peter 
H. Shaw an<l Anna Jlaria Shaw, Ajiril 26, 1855; con- 
sideration, ten dollars. Anna Maria Sh.aw, wife of 
Peter H. Shaw, died Feb. 17, 1860, leaving two chil- 
dren, — William K. Sluuv and Isabella O. Beard (wife 
of Ira Beard), — and probably intestate, no will or set- 
tlement of hers appearing on record. 

(30) Peter H. Shaw quitclaimed to Wni. K. Shaw, 
April 14, 1860; consideration, one hundred dollars. 

(31) Ira Beard and Isabella G. Beard quitclaimed, 
Sept. 21, 1860, to Samuel Betts; consideration, ono 
dollar. 

(32) AVilliam K. Shaw quitclaimed, March 5, 1861, 
to Samuel Betts; consideration, one dollar, and other 
values considered. 

(33) Samuel A. Nichols, " Trea.surer of the Town 
Deposit Fund of the Town of Fairfield," quitclaimed, 
March 6, 1861, to Samuel Betts; consideration, six 
hundred dollars. (See " Biographical," Fairfield.) 

(34) Samuel Betts gave a warranty deed, Aug. 5, 
18(il, to Rev. Samuel Nichols; consideration, twelve 
hundred and fifty dollars. 

The Rev. Samuel Nichols, D.D., died July 17, 1880, 
in his ninety-fourth year, at his residence on Green- 
field Hill. The degree of D.D. wits conferred on him 
I by AVilliaius College. He was probably the oldest 
Episcopal clergyman in the I) uited States, and was at 
his ordination the three hundred and eighty-seventh 
of that sect ordained in America. He wa.s born Nov. 
14, 1787. He graduated from Yale in 1811, and was 
not only the htst survivor of liis class, but, with one 
exception, the oldest living graduate of the college. 
He was the oldest living presbyter of the diocese to 
which he belonged (that of Bishop Potter), and was 
believed to be the oldest one of the Prot(!stant Epis- 
copal Church in the United States.f 

t Krciiiii^ PosI, July, 1880. 



306 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTS', CONNECTICUT. 



In his early days he was associated with the Rev. 
Viriril Barbour in charge of the school at F.airfield, 
Jlcrkitner Co., N. Y., then under the special patronage 
of Trinity Church, of New York. Afterwards for 
twenty-two years he was rector of a St. Matthew's 
Clinrcli at Bedford, Westchester Co., K. Y. His was 
a blameless life, res))eeted by all denominations, ever 
charitable to the poor, and universally beloved. He 
left a reputation which was a testimony of his Chris- 
tian eliaractcr, his learning and fidelity, and liis de- 
votion to his family and friends. 

He married Susan N. Warner of New York, and 
they were blessed with several sons and daughters, of 
wliom are the Rev. George Warner, Effingham H., a 
lawyer, William, and Alexander; the latter is an ex- 
niember of tlie C<innecticut Legislature. These sons 
have ama.ssed a goodly fortune, are men of talent and 
of trust, anil have had a test of the confidence of men 
of means for many years which has never been abused. 
They are shrewd, excellent business-managers of great 
capacity and foresight, and have a well-established 
office in New York City. Susan W. Nichols, a sister 
of the above, is a skillful artist and excels in oil- 
painting. They are all possessed with fine a-sthetic 
tastes, and are liberal patrons of works of culture 
whetlier of literature or of art, to which their own 
pens and pencils contribute. 

(.35) Rev. Samuel Nichols quitclaimed, .July 20, 
1868, to Alexander R. T. Nichols; consideration, one 
dollar, and otlier divers good causes. 

(30) Rev. Samuel Nichols quitclaimed to Susan 
W. Nichols, July 20, 1868; consideration, one dollar. 

(37) Susan W. Nichols quitclaimed to Susan N. 
Nichols, July 20, 1868 ; consideration, one dollar. 

(38) Susan N. Nicliols died March 22, 1872, leaving 
a husband, the Rev. Samuel Nichols, and several chil- 
dren living, and a will which is recorded in Kings 
County surrogate's office, in the State of New York. 

(30) Phinea.sT. Barnum quitclaimed, Aug. 25, 1874, 
to Alexander R. T. Nichols and the devisees of Susan 
N. Nichols, being John J., Susan W., and >[aria S. 
Nichols; consideration, one dollar, which released 
mortgage No. 2(1 above, the note secured thereby hav- 
ing long before been paid; so that the present owner, 
Alexander R. T. Nichols, at last has a clear title to a 
much entangled property. These transfers are given 
to show what changes ))roperty may pass through in 
one hundred years, also tlic variation of values on the 
same property. 

This pro|)erty is contiguous to that of the Rev. 
Samuel Nichols, D.D. Dr. Nichols' house was built 
for the Rev. Richard V. Dey, 182.3-1828, who officiated 
during those years as piustor of (Jrcenfield. 

No. 10. The house occupicil by Mr. Charles P. 
Bradley was built about tbe same time its the others 
in Greenfield. It was owned in 1786 by Mr. John 
Jennings, an old blind man, who was a blacksmith in 
his youth, afterwards by Josiah Jennings, who mar- 
ried Heron, of Redding. William Bradley owned 



it in 1823. From him it came to his son, Charles T. 
Bradley, the present owner. This house has been 
so remodeled by new sidings, verandas, etc., that it 
misleads the uninformed jus to its anti()uity. 

No. 20. Deacon .Joseph Bradley built this house. 
It de^scended to his son Joseph, who left three heirs 
on this place, — Burr, Grisel, and Polly. They being 

deceased, it wa.s set off to , the only daughter, 

the wife of Lloyd N. Sherwood, wlio are the present 
owners and occupants. 

As near as can be ascertained, this house was built 
in 1746, and was honored with a centennial party of 
some one hundred and thirty persons dressed in cos- 
tumes of 1776 early in the Centennial year. Here is 
to be seen an old coat-of-arms of the Bradley family. 

No. 21. The Hubbell home was built by Oorshom 

Hubbell in . It fell to his son Moses, and then 

to the late Uriah Hubbell, and is now occupied by 
the widow and daughter. It seems that the first 
Hubbell in America was named Richard. He lived 
in New Haven, Conn., in 1647. Having been ad- 
mitted as a planter, in 1G80 he settled in Fairfield, 
where he died in l()il2. 

Dr. Dwight settled in Greenfield in 1783, and kept 
his academy at first in Gcrshom Hubbell's shop, 
wlicre his grandson's widow now lives. Mr. Uriah 
Bulkeley relates, in his " Musings of Memory," that 
" Gershom Hubbell was a leather-breeches maker 
and dresser, and his daughter made the best gloves I 
ever wore." The academy building was built for 
Dr. Dwight in 1785 or 17S6. "Joseph Bulkeley, Jr., 
although a schoolmiister from his eighteenth year, 
went to Dr. Dwight's school after he was married, to 
study surveying and navigation. The doctor had the 
reimtation deservedly of being a first-rate teacher, 
and scholars came from all parts of the world to his 
school. It is thought he had always an eye to the 
presidency of Yale College. He had a cliuss which it 
was his ambition to teach superior to any graduate of 
Yale. Some of them were David Hill, E/.ekiel Webb, 
Jonathan Pomcroy, Parson Bartlett, an<i Lemuel S.m- 
ford, from Redding; David Rogers, Abraham Daven- 
port, of Stamford. In the next class were two Henry 
Livingtons, from Poughkeepsie ; James Anaram, from 
Richmond ; Dubois, from France ; Joel R. Poinsett, 
Minister to Mexico and Secretary of War; Dexter, 
from Ncwburyport ; William AVilliams, from Nor- 
wich ; Charles Dcnison, iif New Haven; .John Ila- 
CDck, from North Carolina ; Charles Hobby Pond, of 
Milford, afterwards Lieutenant-Ciovernor of the State; 
Wilson, Richard, and Philo Hubbell, of Briilgeport ; 
two Capers, from South Carolina ; Henry Baldwin, 
afterwards judge of the United States courts, also his 
briither Michael ; A. Toinlinson, wiio wore a suit of 
white broadcloth. Dr. Dwight had a class of young 
ladies, said to be the most beautiful ever in a class 
together, — two of Dr. Rogers' daugliters ; three Miss 
Burrs, from Fairfield ; Miss Young, of Bridgeport ; 
Sally Nichols, of Newtown ; and others." 



FAIRFIELD. 



307 



Olio of the pupils never returned lioiiie, as this 
tombstone in Greenfield ground testilies. 

" In RK-!iiory uf 

William Jorilaii, a Native of N*i>. 

CaiBliiia, * .Stu.loiit at the (irc-i-nliclil 

Academy, who lUed July 'JGtIi, 17'.t4, 

Aged 15 year^, 2 months All days. 

Sweet youth, alike to friends and strangers deiir. 

On tliy green turf I'll drop tlie tender tear; 

This hist poor tribute let me daily pay, 

As licre I ponder o'er tlie uneonseious elay ; 

As here I feel thy distant hrotluM-'s pain 

Ami see thy hapless weep in vain. 

In vain thy soul was lilight, thy bosom kiml, — 
In vain the tears of those thou leav'st behind ; 
Cold is thy form and ilark thy lone abode. 
Yet thou but tread'st the path thy Saviour trode, 
Willi him fond hope again beludd thee rise 
From transient slumbers to supelior skies." 

Tlie manuscript quoted from s:iys : " Wednesday 
afternoons we spoke a short speech, and after clioos- 
injj; sides and spelling the winners hud a ipiarter of 
an hour to play before the otiiers were let out. WjL'd- 
nesday evening Dr. Dwiglit lectured on religion, and 
published tliem in four volumes of theology." 

It is related of Dr. Dwight that occasionally he 
would ride to New Haven to ]U'each. When he left 
Greenfield, the women were milking; when he got to 
Fairfield, the women were milking; when he got to 
Newfield (now Bridgeport), the women were milking; 
when he got to Stratford, the women were milking ; 
and in Milford, which is known as Sleepy Hollow. 
It conveyed to his mind the indtistry of these [daces, 
in which, in his estimation, (irecnficld bore the palm. 

For the benefit of the citizensof to-day a word con- 
cerning Dr. Timothy Dwight may not be amiss. He 
was born in Northampton, Ma,ss., Jlay 14, 1752, and 
died in New Haven, Conn., Jan. 11, 1817. It is said his 
mother taught him the aliihabet in one lesson, and he 
read the Bible when he was but four years of age. 
Latin he studied by himself at six, and was nearly 
ready for college at eight. He entered Yale at thir- 
teen, in 1765, and graduated in 17(59, and for two years 
wa.s a teacher in New Haven. He became a tutor in 
his college at nineteen. Dwight taught mathematics, 
rhetoric, and oratory in the college for six years. In 
1777 he was licensed to preach, and became a chap- 
lain in tlie army, where he labored for the spiritual 
interest of the soldiers, and increased their enthusiasm 
by such productions as " Columbia." He was a mem- 
ber of the Ma.ssachusetts Legislature in 1781, and his 
popularity would have detained him in civil life had 
he not deliberately preferred the ministry, the duties 
of which he accepted at Greenfield, Conn., in 178;?, 
and discharged twelve years. A.s his salary was in- 
sufficient for his support, he established an academy, 
to which he devoted six hours of eacli day, and till 
such a building could be erected he used the shop 
above mentioned. On tlie death of Dr. .Stiles he was 
chosen his successor as president of Yale, and was in- 
augurated in September, 1795, and held the ofliee 



until his death. Besides being professor of br/fcs- 
/tifirn, oratory, and theology, he taught a class prepar- 
ing for the ministry, preaching in the college chapel 
twice every Sunday. " He was untiring in industry 
and research, of a great system and woiidcrfiil memory ; 
as a teacher, remarkable for his skill and success; ius a 
writer, interesting and sensililc; anil as a ])reacher, 
sound, strong, impressive, and at times higlily elo- 
(pient."* His poem "Greenfield Hill; in Seven 
Parts," published in 1794, will long be cherished in 
that village, although the original copies arc exceed- 
ingly scarce. The heads of the arguments arc: "I. 
The Prospect; II. The Flourishing Village ; III. The 
Burning of Fairfield ; IV. The Destruction of the 
Peipiots ; V. The Clergyman's Advice to the Villagers ; 
VI. The Farmer's Advice to the Villagers; VII. The 
Vision; or, I'rospect of the Future Happiness of 
America." 

No. 22. Near the northern limits of the town are 
the Sherwood premises. Here was a house built by 
Eletizcr Sherwood, a son of Jijseph Shcrwotid, the 
original owner of Mill Hill, a descendant of Thomas, 
who is the first Sherwood recorded in Fairfield, he 
having bought land in 1653, and from whom has come 
a worthy host of descendants. He came from Sher- 
wood Forest, iu Scotland. This Eleazer married Mary 
Sipiire, of Fairfield, and settled on a farm mentioned 
above. The old colonial house was torn down not 
long ago, Imt some of the same material was used in 
the present structure, which stands on the same site. 

It is worthy of mention that some of the people of 
Fairfield, fearful that tlieir hard-earned possessions 
would be destroyed, removed them to Mr. Sherwood's 
ipiarters, but the British, who were on their way to 
Daiibiiry, passed along this street, destroying prop- 
erty without mercy. In this case, however, Mrs. 
Sherwood fed them to the best of her ability, and 
thus was favored in having her own property saved. 

At Eleazer's decease Hezekiah became owner ; he 
also built a dwelling, which stands in sight of Mr. 
Kli Sherwood's. He died twenty-nine years ago, 
aged seventy-four. Eli Sherwood (the father of 
Dciicon L. F. Sherwood, merchant and postmaster in 
Southport) was the late owner. 

No. 23. This house has been in the family for three 
generations only, and was built by Joseph Sherwood 
somewhere between 1750 and 1769. When the Brit- 
ish entered this house for plunder on their Danbury 
route, they tore up Mrs. Sherwood's silk dresses. 
Tliey shot at Joseph Sherwood himself, but hit his 
hat only; Vmt they took him prisoner with the inten- 
tion of taking him with them, but he was lame, having 
bad his leg broken for some time. He complained that 
he was unable to march. To convince them of the cause 
of his impediment in traveling, he exhibiteil his broken 
(though then well) leg; whereupon they released him. 
This i)lace descended to his sou Joseph, Jr., and from 

* See .\merieau Cyclopa'dia. 



308 



IITSTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



liiui to Solomon or Salmon, who is the present owner 
and octiiitant. 

No. 24. This was built, about 1755, by Ensign 
Jehiel Sherwood, who had several children, all of 
whom were born here. Among them was one Stephen, 
born in 1775, who bought out the other heirs. All 
his children were also born here. This dwelling is in 
good repair, and is owned by Miss Sarah Sherwood, 
who is the present occupant, and sister of Mrs. Eliza 
Beers, wlio has a life-right in " colonial" Xo. 7. 

No. 25. Built by Samuel Whitney, who was the 
owner when tlie British passed there, this house was 
vacated temporarily, but no depredation was com- ; 
mitted by the enemy further than the appropriation ' 
of the food and drink left behind in the hasty de- 
parture of its inmates. This property was afterwards 
owned by David Fanton, who sold it to Charles Wake- 
man, who repaired and uprighted it. He dying, it 
fell to his brother, Eli Wakcman, who uses it for a ten- 
ement-house. Frederic Thorp is present occupant. 

No. 2G. This is an old-fashioned, long-roofed, red 
farm-house, and was l)uilt by Jolm Banks in 1755; 
owned next by liis daughter Ellen, who married 
Samuel O. Banks. Tlie third owner was Mary Banks, 
who .sold it to Eli Sherwood (see No. 22), and he to 
Jonathan Banks. The next transfer was to Thomas 
Goodsell, tlie great-grandson of the Rev. John Good- 
sell. (See No. 18.) The next owner was William B. 
Sherwood. The cightli and last is Wilson Sherwood. 
Tlie British made a visit to this suljstantial home, but 
were satisfied with plundering without destroying it. 

No. 27. Moses Banks was the builder of this house. 
He left a fine farm to his son, Timothy Banks, which 
is now oceui)ied by T. Minot Banks,* a man whose 
scholarly perceptions exceed his financial ability ; and 
sister. In building, it was contenijiorary with the 
above houses. 

No. 28. This was built by John Banks, and was 
next owned by Nathan Banks, born 1760, died 1847. 
His wife, Mabel Bradley Banks, attained tlie age of 
ninety-five. He had a farm of one hundred acres, 
but he was not sufficiently robust to cultivate it per- 
.sonally, so he taught a select school here for years. 
He held some rank in the army,- and conducted 
twenty prisoners ("Red-coats") from Fairfield to 
Hartford, all jiarties walking every step of the way. 
In tills liouse is the following record of his services in 
the Revolutionary war: 

" l«t tour, to Strutrord aiiil Grootrfl fnmiii, under Col. Whiting, In 17TG. 

"M U>nr, tu Fnirflt'lil, umlor Ucul. Nutliun S«eley, in 1T77. 

*'3d lour, to lloncnock (now Groonwtcli), QDiler C4ipt. St. John, in 



1778. 



"4th tour, when KalrtloM And Xorwalk wore burnt. In 1779. 

" jjtli tour, to Fnirtli'lil, under Cnpt. luiac Jnnis, in 17K0. 

"6tli tour, to Conipo, uudor Eiuign Johiul Sherwood (Me No. 24), In 



1781." 



* Tlie flrnt Bankii in Faliilold vm* John, who ]nircba«eil land thoro in 
1049. Fl^ini hint nre deM>endcdprol>nh1y all the Banks. They were so 
itunieruuti that two iliatrictB in niotown are niunmi for tlicui : the North 
uid 8<iuth Bank! Pittrict. Longevity, honoaty, Induslr)', and fnigallty 
are prviniueut traits In thUf line of Mttlera. 



It is now owned by Miss Pamelia Banks. Among 
her relics she had an olil-fashioned clock, but one daj , 
while absent, a boy on the place utilized (?) the leaden 
weights and pendulum to melt for bullets. She had 
two cannon balls — "British reminiscences" — for a 
long time, one of which disappeared; the other Dr. 
M. V. B. Dunham exhibits among his curiosities. 

No. 29. The house built by Deacon Daniel Banks 
is considered to be one hundred and fifty years old. 
He died in his one hundredth year. Late in'life he 
lived around among his children, but went home to 
the house he built to die. His son Lyman also died 
there, aged eighty-one years. His tomb in Greenfield 
is marked thus : 

"In 

BJcmorj- of 

Dea. Daniel Hanks, 

died Jan. IG, 1839, 

in the I'W year 

of his age." 

Lyman Banks had three sons, — Lyman, Sereno, 
and William. Lyman was taken sick and died while 
a student at Yale; Sereno went to a neighbor's to 
sLssist him in removing a rock, but the lever, a large 
crowbar, slipped from the fulcrum and struck him 
(Sereno) in the pit of the stomach, which resulted in 
his death. The son William died not far from the 
age of eighty.t 

This liouse has been repaired, and the old stone 
chimney replaced by a small brick one. The kitchen 
now awaits repair from a recent fire- The present 
owner of these premises is Mrs. Sarah S. Sherwood. 

t In addition to the ahovo akctch of the Bonks family tifo following Is 
contributed by Mr. A. B. Hull : 

"Banks. — Tiie aru-cstor of all of this funiily-name in Kairflchl County 
was Jolm Banks, who ninrrit'd a daughter of Charles Taiiitor, of Wcthens- 
flcld, whoro ho was town clerk in 10-1.1 ; removed soon afler to Falrneltl, 
of wldoli town ho was repre^iontative soverul years between 1C51 and 
ICCO ; removo<l to Rye, N. Y., and was representative fnmi that town 1670 
to 1C73. lie made his will Dec. Vi, 1GS4. In it he uienliouod suns- 
John, Samuel, Obadiali, and Beiijaniin — and daughters — Susannah 
Stnrgos, Hannah, wife of Daniel Burr — and sister. Blarj* Taylor. Ho had 
a son, Joseph, not mentioned in this will. Oliuiliali died in Fnirfleld in 
February, 109], and Benjamin tlie next year. Of Sjininel nutliing retlablo 
is known. B«»th at Fairfield and Greenwidi those of tlie name are nu- 
jnerons, and also at Redding, whoro some of JoAeph's descendants s«t' 
tied. 

"Gershom Banks was born May 1, 171'.:. He was married Uiree times, 
and his children were Daniel, Marannuh, Thomas, Jane (who died in 
infancy), Gershom, Joseph, Jane, Noah, EI(Jali, Hyatt, and I-iiuic. Ger- 
shom Banks, Jr., married his ciiu»in. Until, daugliter of BiMijamin Banks 
April 20, 1774. Tiieir children were Uuth, Mary, llulduh, Noah,Gerahom, 
niarlcs, Lucy, and Cynthia. 

" The children of Beiijauiin Banks were Molly, Benjamin, llezekiuh, 
Mabel, Kiith, Kstlier, Kllen, .\nna,anil Jonathan. 

" This family wiui noted for longevity. Benjomin Banks died at the 
ago of one humlriHl and two yeaiv, and lib oldest great.gronds^>n, Kev. 
Daniel Banks, preache«l his funeral s4'rmon. His olduit child, 3lolly, 
widow of y\o*r» 0g,lcn, livtMl to the ago of one hundre.1 ami three. When 
the British numlied to Danbnry in 1777, Mary, daughter of (3er»hom 
Banks, Jr., was a child lew* than a year old, and wiis w ith otberx, w-omen 
and chihlren, together with wuch articles as could he hn*tily collected, 
conveyed in an iLXM-art to a place of safety. Get*luini Banks, Jr., and lii.i . . 
hrothor-in-law, Jonathan Banks, were capture<l ami taken to New York, 
but were soon lll»en»te«l. The house wiui plumlered of everything of 
value. The daughter, Jlary, who had such an early ex|>vrionce of the 
horrora of warfare, married, flmt, Francis Bradley, Jr., and afterwards 
Eira Hull, of Bedding." 



FAIRFIELD. 



309 



No. 30. This house was built by Gersliom Thorpe; 
date not ascertained, l)ut, from tlie traditions and 
records in families in Greenfield, its being a "colonial" 
is undeniable. When the British made their raiil in 
these parts, the owner, Gershom Thorpe, hid beliind 
the chamber-door. His wife, full of courage, met the 
foe at tlie door. They asked if there was a man or a 
gun in the house, to which she replied, "No." .She 
fed them, and they passed on and took prisoner Ben- 
jamin Banks, who was driving oxen near by. They 
conveyed him to Danljury and to New York, where 
in time he was exchanged. He returned, married, 
settled, and multiplied. 

This house is small, but large families have been 
Ijrought up in it. The second owner was Eli Thorpe, 
son of the builder, Gershom Thorpe. The third 
owner was James Goodsell, grandson of the Rev. 
John Goodsell, first pastor in Greenfield. The fourth 
owner is the present occupant, Mr. Simeon Banks. 

No. 31. The old house on these premises was built 
by Gershom Banks, who attained the age of eighty, 
and his widow that of ninety-seven. It has been 
moved from its former site to give ]ilace for a new 
structure, thougli it is to be preserved for a storage- 
house. A large family has also emanated from this 
old dwelling. It is now owned by Aliraham Banks, 
grandson of the luiilder, and his wife is a (hiughter of 
James Goodsell, once the oAvner of "No. 30." 

Jonathan Banks, brother of Benjamin Banks, 
above, heard the British w-ere advancing in tliis direc- 
tion, went into his house, seized a robin-gun, and 
started to alarm the neighbors. A.s he opened the 
door to this house to go to the next he met a British 
soldier, who asked him what he was going to do with 
that gun. He replied, " .Shoot robins." The soldier 
responded, " Shoot ' Red-coats.' " He took Jonathan 
prisoner with liim to Danbnry, and then to the fa- 
mous "Sugar-house" in New York, where he had the 
smallpox. In time he and his l)rother Benjamin were 
exchanged, and he came home to his father, wlio 
built the " colonial" No. 32. 

No. 32. The first owner and builder of this house 
was Benjamin Banks, who was born in 1703 and died 
1805. He had the two sons above, who were taken 
prisoners. One of them, Jonathan, was the next 
owner, and his wife, like himself, had a rough experi- 
ence. She was Molly Wakeman, daughter of ( iershom 
Wakeman. As soon as he heard the enemy was at 
C'ompo he mounted his horse and started in the defense 
of his country. A bullet struck him in the forehead, 
as he rode to join the forces, and he fell dead. His 
wife fled, leaving the children of his first wife to care 
f<ir themselves. Molly, the eldest, took the rest of the 
children and the cow and passed up a back lane to 
the woods, where they spent a week, subsisting on the 
milk of this cow. They were terribly anxious about 
the animal, fearing that it might make a noise and 
discover to the enemy their place of secretion. After 
a week they returned to tlieir home, where in time 



Molly became Mrs. Banks. These were the grand- 
parents of Mrs. Isaac Jlilbanks, in lunise "No. 17." 
.lonathan's daugliter was the owner next ; afterwards 
it fell to Zalmon Bradley, who is the present proprie- 
tor. It was converted into a barn some years since, 
and in a few years this landmark will disai>i)ear. 

No. 33 is located in the northeastern part of Green- 
field. It was built by Jabez Thorpe, — a name which 
is of consideralilc antiquity in England and exten- 
sively known in this section. They had more of a 
maritime taste or were merchants. Capt. Stephen 
Thoriie was left homeless through the disaster at 
Fairfield, July 7, 1779. He jnirehased after it Chan- 
cellor Kent's home in Westport. Andrew Thorpe was 
a merchant for many years in New York. He died 
suddenly at his mansion on Mill Plain in 1876. 

After Jabez Thorjie, Zalmon Price had possession ; 
later, Samuel, son of Nathan Bradley. The present 
owner, William Bradley, ca])tain in the State militia, 
occupies the house alone; it has undergone repairs of 
late, so that it is quite habitable for those of hermit- 
ical inclinations. 

No. 34. This is known as tlie " Lobdcll" house, 
though it is very cjld, having been liuilt by Samuel 
Bradley (Isti, who died in 1771. Here his first capi- 
tal was "the jug of rum and a fiddle." Rum was a 
common article in those days, and one of the staples 
of trade. As near as can be remembered witliout a 
wearisome search of records, David Downes was the 
next owner, and he was succeeded by Eliphalet 
Meeker. The Meekers belong to an old family. Many 
of the descendants live in the western part of Green- 
field jiarish, and many lie in Greenfield l)urying- 
' ground. One is commemorated thus: 

"IlEllE LYES BURIED 

THE BODY OF DE.\CON 

D.WID MEEK.\U, 

who <li*i).irtc(l this 
Lite .\l«il jc 1V\ 

17 5 4, 

In tin; 07'1> year 

of his age." 

The present owner is William Lobdell, who was 
born in Westcliester Co.,N. Y. This house is in good 
re|>air, but its ancient style of large beams and low 
ceilings is preserved. 

No. 3">. This was an old-fashioned long-roofed 
house built by Hezekiah Price about 1770. He too 
lies in the Greenfield ground, with this slab above 
him : 

"In 

Bli-hioty of 

M' Ilczcldiili I'licc, 

who died 

.\l>rll l.i, 181C, 

in tlie 73 year 

of ills age." 

His wife's stone is separated from his by a cedar- 
tree. It reads : 



310 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



"Diod 

on the 29 of Nov., 1843, 

Eunice Trice, 

widow of 

llozekiiiti Price, 

& dnughtcr of 

Duvid Beers. 

in the 100 year 

of hor age. 

She lived a life of piety & devotion to ttie service of God, and died in 

tile lio|M3 of a gloriuufl resurrection." 

Their son Hezekiah inherited and remodeled it. 
His daughter, Jlrs. Betsey Calligan, is the present 
owner and oecupant. 

No. 36. This liouse is of Bradley origin. Its 
present owner is A\'illiani Hawley Bradley, son of 
Capt. Hezclciah Bradley, who was son of JIaj. Me- 
dad Bradley, who w.ts the son of Ilezekiah 15radley, 
sou of Samuel Bradley who occupied the house " No. 
34," owned now by AVilliam Lobdell. It is difficult 
to ascertain who was the builder. It is a very old 
domicile, and in fact uninhabitable. The Bradleys 
were in the " colonials" so near of blood kin, and so 
numerous, and lie so thick in the Greenfield ground, 
that a few inscriptions are here given : 

" In Memory' of 

Abigail Bradley, wlio Died Sept. 1, 

1777, in her IS" Year, 

Sarali Bradley, who Died FebruJ 28'', 

1775, in her &>*" year, 

and Abigail Bradley, who Died Oct. 

lU", 1779, in her 1" year. 

All daughters of Hezekiah & 

Abigail Bradley 

Stay, thou ntaiden, etay ; 

Learn bow earthly joys decay. 
Here three lovely ei:iter>i sleep; 
Bead their fartt, and, reading, weep. 
Swift the hours, deceiving, Hy ; 
Death unseen is ever nigh : 
Soon the form of healtbiei^t bloom 
Think Iiow soon may find a tomb. 
Wisdom, then, and heaven to gain, 
Kurly seek, nor reuil in vain." 
"In memory 
of 
Duct' Aaron Burr Bradley, 

born April 2Z\ 17C9, 
died Febninry lU", 1814." 

This is a simple inscription. The following is as 
short as can be found: 

" Samuel Bradley, Ks^i'. 

Obt. Aug. T.I, ISOJ, 

JEt. 70. 

This Bradley house stands on Burr's Highway, and 
is on the estate of Eldad Gould, a sea-captain, who 
accumulated rjuite a property. William H. Bradley's 
daughter married George Gouhl, whose death was oc- 
casioned by a stone falling on his head while in a 
well, injuring liini fatally. 

No. 37. Another hou.se on Burr's lligliway, a large 
dwelling, wits built by Eliphalet Lyon, who lived to 
be ninety-four. He was a weaver, and very skillful 
in the art. One day Dr, Dwight came t<i .see him and 
brought a piece of carpet lie had obtained in New 
Haven, and asked if he could weave like that. Mr. 



Lyon, after raveling a piece, replied that he could, 

and stated that if he (the doctor) would go home and 
cut up his old clothes in strips, sew them together, 
and bring them to his shop, he would weave them. 
In a few days Dr. Dwight came in with his rags, 
which were woven into carpeting, which was the Jirsl 
carpet spread (hum on Greenfield Hill ! 

This Eliphalet Lyon had a daughter, who was mar- 
ried to Samuel Wilson. They were tlie parents of the 
present Samuel Wilson, the gunsmith, who is now 
ninety-six years old. He was born in this house 
("No. 37") in November, 1784. He heard a sermon 
for the first time in his life when he was four years 
old, and that was Dr. Dwight's; he is the only man 
living who ever heard that celebrated divine. He 
related the storj- about old Frazier's .stealing goods 
from Samuel Bradley's store, and said that his father 
went to see him hung. He also relates that Martha 
Harvey was a witch who lived but a .short distance 
above Mr. ililbaiik's, who used to get the cows over 
the great girt to the barn. People were so afraid they 
did not venture to piuss by there. He states that as 
he first remembers Fairfield it looked pretty shabby, 
as the tall black chimneys were standing, and old 
barns riddled with bullets. His father drew con- 
siderable of the timber for the Congregational church 
which ropl.iced the one burnt during the conHagra- 
tion. In his younger days there were four or five 
stores in Greenfield Hill which took in a great deal 
of flax, raised in the country about there. When he 
was a boy he was accustomed to avoid school liy run- 
ning away to the blacksmith-shop, which a Green- 
field wit has said always go together in the country, 
and it is a question in which lies the most redeeming 
virtues (the school or the blacksmith-shop). From 
the knowledge he gained from his oKservation of the 
workers in iron, he took up the trade of gunsmith in 
1812, when it took a week to make a gun. He made 
the first rifie-gun in the county, and the third tme he 
completed is owned now by Eli Adams, of Easton. 
He must have met with some ridicule in his first 
work, as Darius Grant, a skilled blacksmith, exam- 
ined one critically, and said it was the straightest gun 
he ever saw. He .set up a target, which he hit every 
time. 

Again, a neighboring woman, to test him, challenged 
him to hit one of her turkeys. She otferetl to set it 
up. He accepted the challenge ; the second shot killed 
the bird, antl she was, to use Mr. Wilson's words, 
" awful mad." His shot-guns sold at from five to ten 
dollars, and his rifles for thirty dollars apiece. He 
had more orders than he could fill, so he bought guns 
in New York t4) meet the demands of his customers. 
He ])urchased long bars of iron of Miah Perry, who 
wa-s in the mercantile busincfw opposite, where N. Jen- 
nings luus his market, where JellifT's new brick build- 
ing stands. He bored out the barrels from solid iron. 
His tools cost him one thousand dollars. He stood in 
one place to file so long that he wore an oak plank 



PAIRFIELD. 



311 



floor so thin that one day when he brought his foot 
down to close tlic vise itgave w;iy;iii(l he wenttlirouirli. 
He never was out of work. He liad ordi'rs from Nor- 
wallc, I)anl)ury, New Haven, and various jilaees. 
Some of his guns went to Irehind. 

In addition to his guns, of wliieh lie made entire 
one hundred and repaired more than tive hundred, he 
did a great amount of iron-work. He made twelve 
sets of saw-mill work, except the crank. He had a 
fine position offered him in a i)aper-mill and any price 
for compensation and men for assistants, but. Ids wife 
being sick, and having the farm to attend to, he would 
not accept. He never was a nulitary character, but 
was a private in the State militia. His life has been 
very unassuming, yet remarkable. He has been blind 
about six years, owing to close ajiplieation to his work 
and much reading, of which he was very fond; other- 
wise he is well and hearty. 

Eliphalet Lyon, the builder of this house, was 
great-grandfather to iMrs. E. L. Huntington, of Fair- 
field, svidow of the Rev. Enoch Huntingtoji, and to 
her brother, Jlr. Morris Lyon, an enunent teacher in 
New York, a graduate of Yale, and a founder of the 
Memorial Library in ISTti in his native town (Fair- 
field). 

Eliphalet Lyon, Jr., was the second owner of this 
house. He left three heirs, ]\L-s. Eben Hill, of Nor- 
walk, and Horace and Ramsen Hill. The present 
occupant is Barlow Hill, deacon of the Congrega- 
tional Church in Greenfield and grandson of Eliph- 
alet Lyon, Jr. 

No. 38. This dwelling was erected by Ebenezer 

Hill in 176o., He married Sherwood, who lived 

near Oak Lawn Cemetery, from a house long since 
torn down. They were the parents of nine children. 
In those days there was no conveyances other than 
ox-carts, so that the only way of carrying children 
was by the extension of the saddle called the pillion. 
Mrs. Hill often visited her parents with one child 
very easily, by taking it in her arms on horseback. 
When the second was born she sighed, feeling that 
the liome visits must be foregone, but she trained the 
first child so it would sit on the pillion, wliile baby 
No. 2 rode in arms. When baby No. 3 was added to 
the family, she despaired again when tliinking of her 
youthful home, but she trained the two former so they 
could ride behind, while the third rode in arms. 
When No. 4 was added, No. 1 had become old 
enough to remain home, so she was permitted to 
always make her filial visits to the parental roof 
At the time of the conflagration two of these chil- 
dren were very ill. One died that night, the other 
two or three days later. The parents, however, in 
their solicitude had the cart and oxen in readiness, 
so that if the torch should be applied to their house 
no time should be lost in preserving their little ones. 

Of this family, Ebenezer, Jr., studied theology to 
please his father and Dr. Dwight ; he preached but a 
few years, having a parish in Saratoga County, or in 



that section. He then devoted himself to politics, 
was judge of Probate, State Senator, and Congress- 
man. 

Another son, Jabez, who attained the altitude of 
six feet, was out in the meadow one day, when he 
started for home. Instead of crossing the bridge, he 
shortened his route by wading through the river while 
in profuse i)crs]nration. The result was a s])eedy 
termination, with cholera morbus for an agent. In 
the Greenfield Cemetery is this tribute to him : 

" In moinnry nf Mr. .labez Ilill, 

Son of f'iil't. Eh.MU'Zcr Hill, 

\v1m>, after siii f\rinciating sickness 

of four days, tlied .\ugust 2^, ISUT, 

.\geil 27 yeaivs, 1 month & I'J days. 

" Another proof. Header, lliat life ran be ensured by nought beneath 

the sun. For those virtues wliieli serve to ornnient and happify domestic 

life in hiiu eoneeuter'd. 

" llis usefulness extended its benign cfTeets to all around and seemed 
tt) demand for him protracted years. But suddenly cut otf amid pros- 
pect** bright uf wealth and worldly bliss, by virtue .and honest industry 
produced, ho was consigned by the unrelenting hand of Death to nn 
early grave." 

The postliuinous daughter of Jabez Hill married 
William, who is generally known as "Postmaster 
Sherwood." He at one time Avent to England as 
agent for the Jennings to secure the immense wealth 
which is in that family-name. They are the owners 
and occupants of this house, which was made of ex- 
cellent mtiterial. Some of the rooms up-stairs and 
down were wainscoted in the best manner, being free 
from even a diminutive knot. The thumb-])ieces to 
the doors were alter an extremely odd jiattern. There 
was a bullet-hole in the side of the building, but when 
repairs were made in 1844 the mark of service was 
removed. The house then lost its uniformity on low 
roofs, and gained a conformity on being raised so that 
the eaves were i)arallel. One of the fir.st town clerks 
in Fairfield was William Hill, who served to 1()84. 

No. 39. This bouse was built by Ezekiel Hull, 
whose memory is at jiresent associated with but few, 
as nearly all of his contemporaries passed away years 
ago. He lies in (ireenfield. A stone thus inscribed 
marks his resting-place: 

" In 3teniiu'y of 

Capt. Ezekiel Hull, 

who (lied Oct" 7">, 

1S()2, 

Aged TO years." 

There are not a dozen alive who knew him, and his 
house was found with difticulty. 

John Philips was the next owner, — a zealous leader 
in the Methodist Church. His first wife was the 
grandmother of Tom Thumb. Mr. Philips siild to 
Azariah Coggswell, who died there. His heirs sold to 
John BrothwcU, who is the present owner and occu- 
pant, and who posts a notice : " This ])lace is tor 
sale." 

Ezekiel Hull had a son, Thomas, for whom he built 
a house nearly opposite. One of his (Thomas') 
daughters married Sanford, from Redding. They 



312 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



occupied it for a time, tlicn sold it to Turner, 

who disposed of it to Samuel Moreliouse, who sold it 
to another Samuel Moreliouse (no relation to the 
former one) ; he died here. His son, Abel Morehouse, 
came into posse.ssion, and he also died there, leaving 
one son, John Morehouse, the present owner and oc- 
cupant. 

No. 40. A house in Fairfield Woods known as Abel 
Jenningrs' place was once a tavern. It is su[)posed it 
was built by his father. From some records it is 
known to have stood in the Revolutionary war. After 
Abel Jennings, of whom Nelson Jennings bought 
it, his sisters owned it. It met with various transfers, 
and was under considerable mortgage when Christian 
Richards purchased it. He is an intelligent German, 
and has been the occujiant thirty years. 

No. 42. This " colonial" was erected by David Jen- 
nings, in 1762. It fell to the heirs and passed out of 

the family in 1832, when Turner purchased it. 

He disposed of it to Thomas Merwin, who is the 
owner and occupant. 

No. 4.'i. This is also Jennings' property. It was 
built by Levi Jennings, between 17C0 and 1770. It 
descended to liis son David, who died here. His 
widow, Mrs. Eliza Jennings, with her family, is the 
present occupant. It was remodeled by her son, 
Richard Jennings, in 1877. He states there has 
never been a ijuarrel or a family feud in that house, 
which fact is deserving of a place in history. 

Much of this property in this section (" Jennings' 
Woods," properly " Jennings' Farms") was owned by 
Joshua Jennings, who settled in Fairfield in IGoo. 
From .Tosliua Jennings, who died in 1716, have 
s|irung the many .Jennings who have done much to- 
wards pojiulating Fairfield, extending commerce and 
civilization, and enacting our laws. 

Joshua Jennings and his wife, Mary, left .seven sons 
and two daughters. Some report the marriage of 
Joshua in 1647 in Hartford, but it has not been fully 
authenticated. Tlicir numerous descendants are traced 
down through the Proliate and church records. 

The house occupied by Burr Lyon, deceased, was 
owned and occupied by Isaac Jennings, and was the 
first house burnt by Tryon. Jennings' wife was sister 
to Col. Abraham Gould, who was killed while defend- 
ing Ridgefidd. Interesting records of the family were 
obtained, through necessity, of each connecting with 
Joshua, to .secure his individual share of the immense 
fortune reported to be left to his posterity in America. 

In 1846 a preliminary meeting was held in South- 
port, and steps taken for a general meeting, which wits 
held in Fairfield town-hall. A committee of five was 
ap])ointed, — William Sherw(jod, of Fairfield ; David 
Coley, of Wcst|)iirt ; Gould Jennings, of Norwalk ; 

, of Bridgeport ; and Augustus Jennings, of 

Southport. The last named was secretary. They 
were instructed to raise funds to investigate the 
rumors by examining records in England as well as 
in this country. 



William Sherwood, 1".- 1. .-. « N... ;- , \i.i- intrusted 
with the duty of proceeding to England, and with 
the counsel of the Hon. David Holfman, the United 
States Jlinister, and others he obtained records from 
the Tower of London, the British Museum, the Doc- 
tors' Commons, and church records at Acton Place, 
where the great millionaire, William .Jennings, was 
buried. He obtained a mass of information concern- 
ing the English family, but did not show any connec- 
tion to Joshua Jennings of 16.56. The efforts made 
here enabled the family to interest the different 
brandies, so that each were enabled to show their 
connection with one of the seven sons of the first 
Joshua. These records are ]>rescrved, with those ob- 
tained from England, by Judge William Sherwood. 
Many of the descendants of Joshua are occupying the 
land set to him when the long lots were laid out. 

Green's Farms, which was formerly Fairfield West 
Parish, is composed largely of peoi)le of that name ; 
still, there is a large number of them in the township 
of Fairfield. There is not a burying-gronnd but has 
its old freestone of a hundred years ago and the white 
marble of to-day to the memory of a Jennings, among 
whom were Deacon Moses Jennings (Congregation- 
alist), who died in 1813, aged seventy-nine; Dr. Seth 
Jennings, who died years ago ; Cajit. Abraham Gould 
Jennings, who visited all ports and dealt in the East 
India trade. 

Deacon U. B. Jennings and Capt. Isaac (member 
of the Connecticut Legislature), of Fairfield, and Mr. 
Augusttis Jennings, of Southport, are three brothers 
in the Japan ]>apcr-ware business. The late Capt. Jo. 
Jennings, of Southport, and his sons wer« more or less 
engaged in commercial business. One, however, M. 
J. Fred Jennings, is a Southport druggist. The Jen- 
nings name is associated with thrift and prosperity. 

No. 43. In the family Bible in this house is the 
record, " Daniel Willson was born July 26th, in ye 
year 1747, and w;is married to Sarah Squier in ye year 
1769," when this house was built. Their son David 
was .second owner. 

David Willson, Jr., next in the genealogical line, 
hcired it. He dying, his sister, Eliza Willson, is the 
owner and occupant. She is a lady of intelligence, 
and her mind is replete with Revolutionary reminis- 
cences. Her mother was but six and a half years old 
when Fairfield was burnt, and the family escaped to 
the hills for safety. They lost everything, but were 
timnkful that no one of their family was among the 
missing. Their house was opposite the Burr Belts 
place, in Fairfield, and was occupied later as a bel- 
lows-factory. After the conflagration the Willsons 
built farther back. Capt. Daniel Willson's, of Black 
Rock, was raised in the foreno<m, and this Daniel 
Willson's in the afternoon, of the same day. 

In this latter house may be found some rare old 
books. Among them are to be seen Josephus, in four 
volumes, printed by Shober & Loudon for John M. 
Gibbons and Robert Hodge (MDCCLXXV.). On 



I 



FAIRFIELD. 



313 



the fly-leaf is the iuiti)y:ra|>h of "(}. S. Silliinaii, 
177o." The Ixidks were ol)taineil at an auction lield 
for tlie disposal of (ien. 8illinian's [iroperty. 

No. 44. This property is located on Holland Hill. 
A title was given l>y Robert f^illinian to Ebcnezer 
Silliinan, Jan. 7, 1740. 

" Daniel Sillinian, the first of the name who settled 
in Fairfield, was understood, in the traditions of the 
fanuly, to have been an emigrant from Holland." 
" The Sillimans of I''airfield were settled from the be- 
ginning upon an eminence about two nules from the 
village of that name, and ealle<l — in consc(iuence, 
probably, of the reputed origin of Daniel Sillinian — 
Holland Hill."- 

The first Daniel SiUiman, who died in ICIMI, had 
three sons, — Daniel, Thomas, and Ivobert. The 
father, dying in l(ji)0, left iniincnndiered an estate 
amounting to two hundred and one pounds. Thomas 
died in 1092; his brothers were his administrators. 
He ajiparently left no children. Daniel, Jr., died in 
1697, leaving six children, of whcnu John was a mer- 
chant and had a large estate. He married Ann Burr. 

Robert married Sarah Hull, probably the grand- 
daughter of Rev. John Jones. He (Robert) died in 
1748, leaving three son.s — Robert, Jr., Nathaniel, and 
Eljenezer — and four daughters, — Ann, Sarah, JIartha, 
and Rebecca. Ebenezer nuirried Abigail Selliek, 
daughter of Abigail Selliek, in 172S. Their chihlren 
were Gold Selliek, born 17;)2; Ebcnezer, born 1734; 
Amelia, 1730 ; Hezekiah, 1739 ; Jonathan, 1742 ; Abi- 
gail, 174S ; Deodate, 1749. He was called " Date." 

The father of this family lies in Fairfield cemetery, 
and his resting-place is marked by a freestone slab 
containing this inscription : 

" III Blemory of the HouWe EbeneziT .Sillinifin, Esq'. For ni.iny years 
succL'Ssivfly a iiiemhcr of the Council ami one of the .Iiiilges of the Sii- 
IHtioiir Court, in the Colony of CouneetiL-iit. lUstinguiished with a clear 
unilenstantUnjj^, a sedate niintl, aiul dignity of iIelK>rttnent, well versed in 
Jurisprudence, learned in the Law, and relijiiously iiprij,'ht, he sn.stainM 
those high TituST.-* (and acted in other important Itelatious) with Houoiu- 
to hitn«elf, to his Family, and to his Country. 

" And having served his generation, hy the w ill of Ood fell asleep, in 
the OMth Year of his age, on the ll'l' Oct', 177."). 

" ' I have said ye are gods, but ye shall die like men." " 

His wife's resting-place is thus marked : 

"In 
Memory of Sirs. 
Abigail .Siltiniau, 
Late A'lialdc- Consort 
of the Ilointnrable 
Ebenezer Sillimatt, Ksi|. 
She died March 10 a.I). 1772, 
Aged 05 Years one month, wanting one day. 
IIow lov'd, how valu'd once avails thee not; 
To whom related or by whom begot: 
A heap of dust alone remains of thee, 
'Tis all thou art, and all the proud sh'll be." 

This Ebcnezer Silliman was a graduate of Yale 
College in 1727. He was the proprietor of a large 
landed estate, and an influential man in public aftairs. 
In the Congregational Church records it is found that 



Mr. Ebcnezer Silliman was admitted as member un- 
der Rev. Joseph Webb, Dee. 24, 1727. At a meeting 
held in Fairfield, "ye 5th Day of Jan'y, A.li. 173-;, 
Ebcnezer Silliman was chosen Scribe," when they 
voted whether a choice be made of "ye Ri'v' Jlr. 
Noah Hobart for ye head and pastor" of stiid church. 
Later we find that " in 170.S Ebcnezer Silliman and 
Dr. John Allen were apjiointed a committee to take 
an account of the church stock," showing that he 
held a pliice in Church as well as in State. Of his 
children, (told Selliek was a graduate of Yale College 
in 1752. 

"At a clinrili meeting, Apiil L'.'., 177(1: 

" I o/e</. That Messis. Ileodate Silliman. Peter Hendrick, Samuel Sturges, 
David .Vllen, IVter Jennings, James IVntield, Israel liibbins, Jeremiah 
Jennings, and any others of the church or society who are skilled in 
psalmody, be <Iesired to sit together in the gallery on the Loid's day :lnd 
le.ad the congregation in that part of diviin_' worship, they to agree among 
tliemselves as to the person wlio is to pilch tlie lniie.'"f 

Amelia's h.istory is found on a tombstone in the 
Fairfield cemetery : 

"This niunmnent was erected by oribi of William lluri in commemora- 
tion of his honored mother, .\melia, who lived the partner and widiiw 
of El>enezer Burr, sou of Sanniel and Eliziibeth Ituir, late of Fairtield, 
deceased. Also lived tlie Jiartner and died the widow of Abel Coubl, son 
of Samuel Gould, late of Failtielil, deceased. Was diUlghter of Elieue- 
zer Silliman, Ksii-. late of Fairtield, deceitsed ; was burn in New Y'olk, 
17:ir., and died iii the ye:ir t7'.l4, aged .")S yeais." 

This " colonial" passed from Ebcnezer Silliman to 
Joseph Noyes, a lawyer, known as " 'Siiuire Xoyes," 
and stepson of (Jen. Sillinian's. 

Mr. Noyes, in 1799, disposed of it to Daniel Wil.-*in, 
who transferred it to his mother, Sarah Wilson. 
From her it Ciime to a son, .lohn S. Wilson, in 18<>3. 
Distribution was made in 1870 from the estate of 
John S. Wilson to William 8. Wilson, who is the 
present owner anil occupant. J. A. Wilson, the son 
of the latter, is principal of the Mill Plain graded 
school, — a position he has successfully occupied three 
years and has entered on his fourth. 

The Wilsons, too, belong to Fairfield's early .settlers, 
as the tombstones testify. A few inscrijitions are here 
given : 

" llele lies Unried 

the body of 

Mrs. Sarah Willson, 

Second wife of 

Mr. Nathaniel Willson, 

and daughter of 

Mr. Uobert Silliman, 

who was born IVJnmrij 17, 

1728, ami departed this 

Life July 2:1, 179."j, 

Aged 07 yeai-s 4 nnuiths 

and 20 days." 

" Here lyes Buried y 
Body r»f Mrs. Maiy 

■Wills Wife to M' 

Nathaniel Willson, 
Jun% Who Iteparteii this 
life Octi>' lllth.l74fl, in ye 
25th Year of Her Age." 



21 



■ From Fisher's Life of Benjamin Silliman. 



f F.'oui the Congregatiomil Church Kecords, Fairtield, Couu. 



314 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD rOT-XTV rONN-Fr'TTCUT. 



" In 3Ienior>' of 

Mr. Datiifl Willson, 

who was born Atig\ist 6tli, 

1747 and depiirtoJ thit} 

Lifu Aug. 17, 1795, 

aged 4S Yeure and 

1 1 da.va. 

Dentil 18 a debt to iintuio due, 

Which I have paid ; and so must yon." 

The age of this house is variously estimated at from 
one hundred and twenty-five to two hundred years. 
It is in good repair internally, and, with a good coat 
of paint, would htst several generations. Tlie fasten- 
ing to the door is a peculiar contrivance which the 
descendants of the original owners would like to pos- 
sess, as there is notliing like it in the country. 

No. 45. Tliis was built for Gen. Gold Seliick Silli- 
man, who was born in 1732 and graduated from Yale 
College in 17;J2. He married Martha Davenport in 
1754. They united with the Prime Ancient Church, 
Fairfield, March 3, 1754, siie liaving before been a 
member of the church at East Haven. She died in 
August, 1774, leaving one son, William, who was taken 
prisoner (by the British) with his father in 1779. She 
was buried with the Sillimans, and this is her inscrip- 
tion : 

** Here lies bulled tlie Body 

of M" Miirthn Silllmnn, 

Wife of G. Sikck Sillinian, 

Ejuj', who died .Vufust firel, 

1774, agctUl yeara 1 moii. & 23 D. 

Sweet Soul, we leave thee to thy Rest ; 

Enjoy thy Jesus and thy God, 
Till we, from Bands of Cliiy releust. 

Spring out ,t: Climb the Shining Rond, 
While the dear Dutt she leaves Itehind 

Sleeps in thy Ilosoni, Sacred Grave. 
Or does she seek, or has she found her Babe, 
Amongst the Infant Nation of the blest, 
And elaspt It to her Soout to Satiate tliere 
The Young nniternal Love. Thrice happy child. 
That saw the Light & ttirned its Eyes aside 
From our illm Regions to the Eteniul Sun 
And led the Parents' Way to Glor)'. — Watts." 

Gen. Gold S. Sillinian married, for his second wife, 
in 1775, Mrs. Mary Noyes, widow of Rev. Jolin 
Xoycs, of New Haven, ami daugliter of Rev. .Joseph 
Fish, of Stonington, Conn. She liad three sons 
by her first marriage, — Joseph, John, and James. 
Joseph was owner or occupant of "colonial" No. 
44. John graduated at Yale College in September, 
1770; was licen.xed as a preacher, October, 17S3 ; was 
ordained to tlie work of tiie ministry and installed 
us piLstor over the church in Norfield, then a i)arish 
of Fairfield, May 31, 178G. He continued his public 
ministrations till March, 1S06, when his health failed 
liim, so that he was unable to perform the duties of 
his ministry ; and, seeing no prospect of speedy 
restoration after a lapse of more than a year, he took 
a dismission from his pa.storal relation May 2l), 1807. 
With much wetikncss he resumed pul|)it labor Sept. 
4, 1808. For many ycata he was employed iu vacant 
societies within the couutj'. He supplied his former 
charge a part of the time. At length he engaged for 



them without intermission from year to year, and 
continued so to do for about fourteen years, and then 
liro|iosed to the people that they .should look out for 
a young man to settle with them, which they did. 
He continued to preach occasionally for ministers 
and vacant congregations, but never moved his resi- 
dence.* 

In August, 1790, Daniel Osborn was chosen deacon 
in room of Gold Seliick Sillinian, deceased. After he 
gradiuiled from college he engaged a short time in 
business, and then studied law and "became a suc- 
cessful practitioner at the bar, as is indicated by his 
holding the office of prosecuting attorney for the 
county. He had interested himself in military affairs, 
and at the outbreak of the Revolutionary struggle was 
a colonel of cavalry in the local militia. But during 
the most of the war he held the rank of brigadier- 
general, and was charged with superintending the de- 
fense of the southwestern frontier of Connecticut, 
which, on account of the long occupation of the city 
of New York and Westchester County, as well as 
Long Island, by the British, Wiis a post requiring 
much vigilance and efficiency. He took the field at 
the head of a regiment early in 177G, was in the battle 
on Long Island, and both iu that retreat and on the 
retreat of the American forces from the city of New- 
York his command was i)Iaced as the rear-guard. He 
bore a perilous and honorable i)art in the battle of 
White Plains, and on this, as on several other occa- 
sions, narrowly escaped the balls of the enemy. 
While serving in the camp of Wiushington, Gen. Sil- 
liman enjoyed his confidence. Gen. Sillinian descried 
the British fleet when approaching to land the troops 
for the destruction of the military stores at Danbury 
in 1777, and, rapidly collecting the militia, he, in 
connection with Gens. Arnold- and Woo.ster, intt'r- 
posed a resistance to their ])rogress, sustaining the at- 
tack of superior numbers in the conflict at Ridgefield 
and harassing the enemy on their way back to their 
vessels. The estimate that w-as put upon the value of 
his services is attested by the enterprise undertaken 
by the British in conjuiution with the Tories, whicli 
resulted in his being detained in captivity for iiearly 
a year." 

The Sillinian biographer quotes the account of the 
capture, as taken from some of the family papers, 
thus: 

" My father's vigilance made him obnoxious to tlio Tories, and he w as 
so much an (tl«tacle in the way of British incursions that it l>ecame an 
important object to make him piisoner, esjieclally as the British In Xew 
York were, as it now appears, al«out to devastate the cojist nf New England, 
plundering and burning their towns and dfstrxjying their rt^ources; anil 
as Connecticut, on acct>unl of its strenuous opiKwIlion to British aggres- 
sion on the rights of the colonies, was, in their view, (iccullarly worthy 
of chastisement. It was deterndned to make this hated colony the flnt 
omiM:t of their resentment. 

" A secret Issit-expwlillou was sent by Sir Henry Clinton from New 
York, manmsl chictly by Tories. This craft was a whole-l»oot ; the crew- 
were nine in number, and only two of them were foreigners. They en- 

* From lettcra, chiefly of n moral uid religioiu lutttiro, to fileods of 
various conditions, by Rev. John Noye« (1E44,I. 



FAIRFIELD. 



315 



tered Black Rock Harbor, at Fairfield, drew ui) tlicir boat into tlie sedge, 
and. leaving one of their number as a guard, the remaining eiglit pro- 
ceeded across tlie hills, two niiles, tu uiy father's house, which at the 
midnight hour was all iiuiet. and the family asleep. 

*' On May 1, 1770, Tietween twelve and one o\ lock A.M.. the house was 
violently assaulted by large heavy stones banging against both doors 
with oaths, imprecations, and threats. 5Iy father, being awaked from 
a sound sleep, seized two lojide«l guns stiiudiug at his bedside, ruslied to 
the front windows, and, by the light of the moon, seeing armed men on 
the stoop or portico, he thrust the nnizzle of a musket through a pane 
of glass and pulled the trigger; but there was only a fla^h in the pan, 
.and the gun di-l not go off. Percussion-caps were then unknown, and 
nuiskets were fired by flint anil steel. Instantly the windows were 
dashed in, and the ruffians were upon him. The doors were ojn-ned, and 
he became their prisoner. William, his son, although ill with ague and 
fever, was aroused from his lied, and became also their captive. These 
rude men, bearing guns witli fi.xed bayonets, follow el my father into the 
bedroom, a terrific sight to his wife, she being in bed with lier tittle son. 
Gold Selliek (Jr.), not yet eighteen months old, lying upon her arm. 
The invaders were soothe<l by my father, as if they were gentlenien 
soldiers, .and were desired to withtlraw from the presence of his wife. 
They sulkily complied, and my father, by t^>ssitlg my mother's dress over 
a basket containing the sacramental silver (to he used that ilay) of the 
church, of which he was deacon, thus a>ncealed from them what would 
have been a rich prize. He also secured some valuable papers bel'oi-e he, 
with his son, w.is hurried off to the boat, leaving my mother discunsidate 
and almost alone." 

In the mean tiinr she I'etircd to tlie hon.se of" jNfr. 
Eliakim Beach, at North Stratford, now Trumbull, 
seven or eight miles distant, where "Benjamin Wlli- 
man, the most eminent oCAmerican teachers of natural 
science, ■was born." In later years, while speaking of 
his mother, he says: "Her cheerful courage contrib- 
uted to sustain her; and I ought to be grateful to my 
nolile mother and to my gracious ( !oil that the mid- 
night surprise, the horror of rudians armed for aggres- 
sion, and the loss of her husband, as perhaps she 
might fear, by the hands of assassins, had not pre- 
vented my life or entailed ui)on it physical, mental, 
or moral infirmities." 

Gen. Silliman died in 1790, ten years after the 
family reunion. This bereavement brought upon his 
wife much trouble. Slie was obliged to decide how 
Iter sons were to lie educated ; the eldest was not 
quite thirteen, and the other not (juite eleven. There 
was considerable ])ropcrty in land, farming-imple- 
ments, carts, carriages, lior.ses, cows, oxen, sheep, and 
swine, but there was no income without labor. There 
were some slaves, — some by purchase anrl some by 
descent, — about a dozen in number. The slave- 
mothers served in the kitchen and the laundry; the 
boys and girls were waiters. The principal slave was 
an able man with a master, but without was Ixilcl and 
impudent; his wife was kind and faithful. 

(ten. Silliman would liave been much better oft" 
with his legal business alone than with the horde of 
servants, who consumed the products of the farm anil 
were, in general, triflers, and some of them ilishonest. 
His resting-place (in Fairfield's illustrious ground) is 
marked by a freestone slalt : 

*' Gold Sellick Silliman, Esq., attorney-at-Iaw, justice of tlie peace, and 
during the late war Colonel of Horse and Itrigadicr-Genrral of militia, 
died July til"', 179(1, aged 58 yeais, having discharged these and other 
public oftiees with reputatiipn and dignify, and in private life 8li(»ne the 
affectionate husband, tender parent, e.vemplary Christian, and man of 
fervent piety." 



Mr. Benjamin Silliman was reared in Fairfield. 
,\ltcr a year's absence his father, mother, and two 
children were reunited in their home (on Holland 
Hill), where he prepared to enter Vale f'oUege, which 
he did in 1792, the youngest of his elass, save one 
aged thirteen. He graduatcMl in ]79t). In 179<S he 
resumed his residence in New Htiven, and engagetl in 
the study of the law. In 1799 he was appointtxl a 
tutiir in Yale College. In the same year he entered 
upon the duties of that office, and remained in the 
instruction and government of tlic institution until 
lX,'j:3, when he fully resigned, having made an over- 
ture for a resignation in l.S.')0, which was not accepted. 
He gave, by invitation of the eor|ioration and faculty 
of the college, lectures on chemistry, mineralogy, and 
geology till 1855. 

A freestone slab in the Fairfield ohl burying-ground 
contains an epitaph which gives his and his brother's 
history : 

" In memory of 
Gold Sellick .Silliman, Esi|., 
who died in Brooklyn, N. V., 
June .3, 180S, in his 01*' year, 
ami of 
Beiijanun Silliiuaii. LL.I),, more than r>n years profess ir <if Katuial 
Science in Yale t'ollege. who died in New Haven. Ccuin., 
Nov. "I'M SM. 
in the SC"> year of his age. 
"Their renniitis are interred in the ida.-es of their de.ease. Kmincnt 
for honor, gencrnsify, affection, patriotism, intelb-etnal iiilture. and 
Christian principle, they wi-n^ bound together threugh life by the strong- 
est of fraternal ties. 

" They were sons of Gen. Gold Sellick Silliman, who died 170(1, and 
grandsons of the Honorable Elienezei- Silliman, deceased in 177.'i. s^n of 
Koberf Silliman, deceased in 1748. and grand>on of Itani.l Silliman, dc- 
crased in II'.OII. All of F.airfield. 

" The children add this to the records of f heir :tle i-st-TS, ,\.L.. 1.877," 

After (ieii. Silliman's death an auction was held, 
from which many relics are in vtirious families of 
Kairficlil to-day. The family Bible, even, was owned 
by Mr. Israel liibbins, but was afterwards restored to 
the family at the request of one of tlie Sillim;in de- 
scendants. 

Mrs. Mary (Noyes) Silliman married, in 1804, Dr. 
John Dickinson, of Middletown, which became her 
home. She died July 2, ISIS, in her eighty-third 
year. Her son Benjamin, in speaking of her, stiys: 

'■ she w;is a heroic woman, and encountered with firiruies.; the trials 
and terrors of the .American KevoUition, iu which my father w as largely 
concerned. .She ilid not lose her selfs-outrol when, three 7nont!is before 
my birth, the Inuise wa.s a-ssailed by an arineil banditti af the uudnight 
hour, the winilows demolished, and my father an<l elder hall-brother 
were torn away from her. and my father detained for a year at Flatlmsh, 
I.. I., as a inisoner of w.ir. I!le.sB"d M.ither! In lier wi.lowhood, after 
my fatlier's death, in 1790, she stiuggleil on in embariassed circum- 
stances, and gave my brother and myself a puMic education, for ming our 
mintls at home to purity anil piety. Whatever I have of goml in me I 
owe, under God, mainly to her, and I look wifh niiiigb'd reverence and 
delight at her lovely picfure whii h smiles upon nie still. "^ 

The projicrty passed out of the Silliman name not 
far from the beginning of the present century. 

Nathan Hayes was the second owner. Tlien it 
came into possession of James rciilield (who lived 



* Fisher's Life of Benjamin Silliman, vol. i. p. 2' 



316 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



and died tliere), a man of much respectability in 
Fairfield, judging from the records and tombstones. 
The ne.xt owner was Lydia Penfield, who sold it to 
Lewis Penfield, of Bridgeport, who repaired it. He 
disposed of it to Bradley Nichols, of Nichols' Farms, 
who now occupies it. 

It has been rei)aired and newly covered, yet it is 
a historic dwelling and in an excellent condition. 
The school-house stands near, where the Pillimans 
attended school, and tradition was teaching the pub- 
lic that this was the identical school-house of a hun- 
dred years ago, but the inhabitants who gatlicred 
their lore from the desk against the three sides of the 
h'jusc, and the plank benches held by four sticks 
S'jreading at their contact with the floor, state that 
this is another structure, erected in 1835 on the orig- 
inal site. 

. No. 46 is a "colonial" built by a Uriah More- 
house in 1773-75. It fell to John Morehouse in 
1827, and to Uriah Hill Morehouse in 1836. The 
present owner is John Gould Jlorehouse, whose 
claim was valid in 1844. His wife (Mi-s. J. G. 
Morehouse) was born in " colonial" No. 44. 

The first settler bearing this name was Thomas 
Morehouse, T\ho was located in Wethersfield in 1640, 
and joine<l the colony at Fairfield in 1653, when he 
purchased a tide-mill of Henry Jackson, together 
witli the privileges granted to said Jackson by the 
town in 1648. 

It appears that Tht)mas Morehouse was deputy at 
the General Court at Hartford at the autumn session 
of 1653. He died in 1658. In his will (on tlie Pro- 
bate records in Fairfield) he names four sons and sev- 
eral daughters. These sons are the heads of the 
various lines of Morehouses through the country. 
They were Samuel, Thomas, John, and Jonathan. 

Samuel was lieutenant and county marshal from 

1675 to 16S7. He was the ancestor of the More- 
houses now living in the town of Fairfield. His sons 
were Samuel, Thomas, John, Daniel, and James. 

John, the son of the first Thomas, was ensign in 
the company of soldiers raised in Fairfield County in 

1676 for the campaign against the Indians that year, 
and afterwards removed to Southampton, L. I. Of the 
next generation, Ejdiraim and James settled in Litch- 
field Co., Conn. 

John Morehouse, of the fourth generation, had two 
.sons, who survived him,— Uriah, born in 1740, and 
William, born in 1749. Uriah had one son, John, 
who was commissioned ensign in 1813, andcaptsiin in 
1814, of a company of volunteers organized for local 
defense. William's sons were Deacon William ( father 
of Stephen Morehouse), William B., late of Green- 
field, antl Mayor John B. 

Of the many descendants, Gould went to Saratoga 
and died there ; another wa-s judge of the Supremo 
Court in New York. , 

The sea-wall and the breakwater at Black Rock were 
in j>rogress in 1837—10, having for contractors Jona- 



than Scranton, Madison, John G., and Uriah L. More- 
house, of Fairfield. This ]iublic work, near the 
dwelling-house, was built by ^\'ellb and Beach Downes, 
of Monroe. It was continuetl in 1847 by .lohn G. 
Morehouse as contractor, under the general superin- 
tendence of Capt. William H. Swift, United States 
engineer, and finished in 1849. 

The oldest gravestone in the Fairfield grounds yet 
discovered is, from its date and initials, — "S. M. 
1687," — supposed, from its location, to be Samuel 
Morehouse. The people of that family-name are 
numerous and of stability both in Church and State 
affairs. 

No. 47. This "colonial," in Southport, stands nearly 
opposite Mr. Oliver Bulkeley's mansion, and was built 
a long time before the Revolution. The information 
given in regard to it is that it originally belonged to 
James Bulkeley, son of Peter and Hannah (Ward) 
Bulkeley. He was born Aug. 3, 1729, and married 
Elizabeth Whitehead, Jan. 16, 1738. The next owner 
rememltered was Darrow, who died here. Some of 
his family history is given on his tombstone, which is 
near the gate in the old (Fairfield) cemetery : 

"Tliis stone was erecteil by Capt. Kleazor Biilkcloy to tlic mentor}- of 
liis fntlier, Mr. .luniea llnlkcle.v, who ilieil Koli. :!, IMtl, OBe<i 73, nnd Mrs. 
EliuilK'tli, Ilia mother, who diiii Juno 27, 18' '.I, ii«c<l 71. Likewise to hi« 
Bister Miir.v, wlio died 1770, nged 22 year*, nnd to liis brother Andrew, 
wlni died 17S8, aged 14. Also to Brotlier Moses, who diinl 179C, aged 2", 
and his brother James, who died at Solfolk, In Virginia, Sept. 13, IStM, 
aged :17." 

The second Mary in this family — the first died 
voung (the eldest and younge-st of the eleven children 
were called Mary) — married Capt. Joab Sijuire. They 
removed to Ohio in 1817. They exchanged this " colo- 
nial" for a i>lace near the shore with Benjamin Dar- 
row, who died in this house, leaving three daughters, 
one of whom married Levi Downes, who dispo.sed of 
it to Joseph Furniss, present owner and occupant. 
^ No. 48. The house now occupied by Charles Rock- 
well was the old farm-house kept by John and after- 
warils by his son Howes Osborn, who married Mary 
Bulkeley, daughter of Peter and Hannah Ward 
Bulkeley. The old stage-nmte was piust tlieir door, 

and in the rear of Edward's house, tun. Wa.sh- 

ington was entertained there with others, as it was 
considered as a public inn. 

A deed conveying a portion of said estate to John 
Osborn is dated on the first day of August, in the 
ei"hth year of the reign of <nir sovereign lord George 
the Second of Great Britain and King, .Vnnoque 
Domini 1734. Signed, John Norris; signed, sealed, 
and delivered in presence of Lothrop Lewis, Andrew 
Burr. 

A tleetl from Job Bartram to Howes Osborn con- 
veying a certain negro woman, named Time, for fifty 
pounds, about thirty-five years old, is dated .Vjiril, 
1778, and witnessed by Moses Jennings, Elipha't Bar- 
tram, Jr. 

A deed from Ebenezer Wakcman, Jr., to Howes 




r^T^.^ ^^n^/^ 



FAIRFIELD. 



317 



OslMirii, fonvcyiiig a negro man, Fortin, lor lit'ty 
pounds, is dated in Fairfield, Jan. '2t\ 17.S2. 

IMr. Howes C)sl)orn died in l.'^07, aged eiglity-five, 
and his wife in 1812, aged eighty-one. 

No. 41). There is an old building on the ]ireniises 

of Mrs. Brown, known as the Powder-Honse. 

This stood oil Jennings' property. The e(d(iiiy useil 
this structure, made of stone, for a magazine. Here 
at one time a worthless fellow, for some miseonduet, 
was imprisoned. Owing to a stroke of wit, h<iw- 
cver, his incarceration was short, as he drew his knife 
across a stone to produce a spark, which, in case it 
came in contact with the powder, would produce an 
explosion. As he continued the attempt he exclaimed, 
" Free toleration, or no toleration ! Free toleration, or 
no toleration !" The officers, valuing the pciwder more 
than hi.s head, permitted him to go free. 

No. 50. It is not known who liuilt tliis house. 
Capt. William Bulkeley, born in 1741,<lied in ITS", 
owned it and the store ojiposite. Jle disposed of it to 
Capt. Josluia .lemiings, who sold it and went West. 
Wakeman B. Meeker was the jnirchaser; he sul)se- 
quently died on these jiremises, and his estate has 
never been settled. His sou carried on the store and 
shipping business for years under the name of W. B. 
Jlcekcr it Son. 

Xo. •")!. This house, I)etween Clreenfield and South- 
port, was used as a tavern in Kevcjlutionary times. 
In later years it was owned by Timothy Bulkeley, 
horn in 17S7; he remodeled and repaired it. .\fter 
his death his widow disposed of it to Elijah (iray, tlic 
present owner. His son, Charles H. Cray, i» one of the 
contributing editors to the Soiitlipoii T'tmcs. 

Tlie reader will perceive that very little of this 
matter can be gatliered from Probate records, or from 
books in general, as this has heretofore been unwritten 
history. The data have been carefully collected and 
compared. In nuiuy iu.stances none could be given, 
and the only authenticity was from the circUTUstances 
connected with the subject in question. 

For information concerning the "colonial houses" 
credit is due Jliss Hannah Hobart, Miss Eliza Hull, 
Mr. Henry Rowland, Mrs. Jane Kij^pen, Miss K. S. 
Carew, Mrs. Isaac Milbank, Mr. A. R. T. Nichols, 
Mr. Henry Bradley, Mr. Samuel Wilson (tlie gun- 
smith), Mr. John G. :Morehouse, Jlr. T. Minot Banks, 
Mrs. Elizabeth Meggs, Mrs. Abigail Sturges, Mr. Oliver 
H. Perry, Mr. Winthrop H. Perry, Capt. Julius Pike, 
Mr. David Beers, Mr. J. Frederic Jennings, Mr. Au- 
gustus Jennings, Mr. Ebenezer Burr, Jlrs. Ebenczer 
Burr, Mr. Daniel Maloney, and the various jieophi on 
the colonial premises. 

Manuscripts were also kindly furnislied by Mr. 
Henry Rowland, Mr. A. R. T. Nichols (who also 
loaned the " .Musings of Memory," written by Uriah 
Bulkeley in his eighty-seventh year), and Mr. J. (r. 
Morehouse. Extracts are given from " Noyes' Let- 
ters," " Life of Benjamin Sillinian," Bulkeley Oenc- 



alogy, Barber's "Collections," Nash (leiicalogy, ]!uir 
(ienealogy, and the Eiinilil'iiin Sluinhii-'l fur the pa>t 
thirtv years. 



CHAPTER XX XI. 

FAIRFIELD (Continued). 

SPECI.VL IIOrSES.s 

1. Thr lloiiir of the Late lie,,,. .l,hn r,'.-»i'./.— " This 
family was connected with the earliest settlement of 
the State. By these first settlers for three generations 
the mime was spelled Gnhi, but for some reason por- 
tions of the family have changed to (Imil'l ; yet most 
of those holding that name have no cdunei-tion with 
the C.ilds. 

" Maj. Nathan Gold marrit-d Martlia, wid<pw of 
Edward Harvey. They had one son, ami (laughters 
Sarah, wlio married .John Thompson ; Deborali, who 
nuirried (feorge Clark; Abigail, who married .Imia- 
than Sellick. 

"Maj. Nathan flold removed from St. Ivlmonds- 
bury, in South Britain, to Fairfield, Conn., in the 
nagn of Charles II., and was one <if the first settlers 
(if the town. H(2 was a wealthy and educated gentle- 
man, and is often mentioned in Smith's ' History (jf 
New York.' 

" In the first volume of the town records of Fair- 
field we find him a landholder in 1(>4!), and in Kio:! a 
|)nrehaser of fifteen separate pieces of land, sonn- of 
which remains in possession of his descemlants to 
this day. He was one of the petitioners (nineteen in 
nundjer) named in the charter of Ci>nneetieut, dated 
April 12, in the fourteenth year (jf the reign of Charles 
II., which petition was signed by no gentlenum unless 
he hadsu-tained a high reputation in England befiire 
he came to New England. He was an assistant or 
niendier of the council from 16.')7 to l('>i14, and ' de- 
jiarted this life into the mantions of Rest upon the 
day of Rest, on Saboth, it being the 4th day nf March, 
l(i'j:5-04.' Inventory of hi.s estate, £400 a«. M."'\ 

There is a gun in the possession of T. S. Gidd, of 
Cornwall, which is said to have been brought by this 
Nathan Gold from England. 

There are " two sermons occasioned by the death of 
Maj. Nathan Gold, one of the picms mid worthy 
magistrates of Connecticut C(dnny, wlm deceased at 
his own house in Fairfi(dd, the fourth of ^lareli, 
1(59:}." These sermons are in the handwritingof Rev. 
Joseph Webb, minister of the Congregational ( 'hurch 
in Fairfield in 1700, and one of the founders of Yale 
College. The numuscript was presented to Mrs. 
Elizabeth Gould, by the Rev. William .\. .lohnson, (d' 
Salisbury, Conn., Aug. .5, 1870. His liody, in all 
probability, is interred in Fairfield's illustrious bury- 



» f'oiitributed l>y Mrs. Kate E. Pfrry. 

t From History of I'orinviill, l>y T. S. Golil. 



318 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COIXTV, CONNECTICUT. 



ing-ground, but at t}iat diito it was iniiiracticablc to 
furnish toiubstonc^. 

Aloiif^ tlie salt meadows of Connecticut stone is 
scarce, and |)r(}bal)ly there was neither time to be 
spent in search of suitable stone, nor engravers to cut 
the inscription, nor means of conveyance. His son, 
Nathan Gold, Jr., married Hannah, born in Hartford, 
Dec. 8, 1G63, daughter of Lieut.-Col. John Talcott 
and Helena Wakeman. He died Oct. 3, 1723. A low 
)ilain stone contains this simple inscription : 

" Here lies tlie Ilody of 

tlie HononiMf NiitliiiTi Gold, 

Knq', Licvt -Governor in 

His Majesties Colony of 

Connecticut, Dec* Oct^ 

the 3d 1 7 2 3 

iEtatis Sum CO." 

In the list of town clerks prepared by Daniel Jla- 
loney is this statement : 

''Natlmn Gold, choaon 1G84, sorvod to 170G, — twenty.tw'o years. He 
was to^vii clerk and deputy governor, with Peter Burr for assistant; 
served from 170G to 1724, a period of eighteen years." 

He was also chief justice of the Supreme Court in 
1712. 

On the church (Congregational) record is found: 

"The tirst volume extant; the earlier records, botli of the church and 
town, aix* lost, carried to Virginia by Mr. l.udlow in 16.>1.* This state- 
ment was generally believed, but, the earliest town record being found 
in Kairfteld, it is believed the early church records were burnt." 

This volume was rebound in May, 1868. On the 
old cover was the following inscription : 

"This Booko of Records belongs to the church of Christ in Fairfield, 
of which I am Pastor. — Josr.pii Wr-na. Itought in the year 1704; cost 
lie. in money, |mid for by the church." 

In this record is the following : " 3Irs. Sarah Gold, 
wife of the worshipfull Capt. Gold, admitted Feb'y 
10th rroj." which for people of to-day is interpreted 
1705, Old Style. She was second wife of Nathan 
Gold, Jr. She died Oct. 17, 1711. 

Another item from same rect)rd : 

" Jenny, nogro girl belonging to the Uonomblo Kallian Gold, Esq., 
I): G: bapl. June ath, 1717." 

The slaves were baptized and admitted into the 
church, married, and were recorded right along with 
the rest. Their names and their families also are on 
the town record. 

The children of Nathan Gold, Jr., were : Abigail, 
born 1087, married Rev. Thomas Hawley of Ridge- 
field; John; Nathan; Samuel; Joseph; Rev. Hcz- 
ekiah, born lOW, married Mary, daughter of Rev. 
Mr. Ruggles, of Guildford, (they had thirteen chil- 
dren); Oncsimus, had ii daughter Rebecca, who mar- 
ried Ephraim Nichols (sec "Colonial," 18), of Revo- 
lutionary note; David; and Martha. 

As Samuel inherited the premises under dcscrip- 
titm (No. ], "Si)ecials"), his family is here given: He 
marricil Esther Bradley. Their children were David, 
born in 1717; EatUfc-, 1719; Abigail, 1724; Abell, 

• See Trunihull's History of Conneitlcut. 



1727-1769; Col. Abraham, 1732-1777, who inherited 
the Gould homestead. He married Elizabeth, daugh- 
ter of Capt. John Burr (she died ISl."), aged eighty- 
four), and had children : .Vbigail, born 1754, married 
Isaac Jennings (whose home is now Capt. Isaac Jen- 
nings') in 1770; Hezckiah, born 1756, who in 1789 
was walking on a plank from the wharf to the ves.sel 
in New York ; the end of the plank dropping off from 
the vessel, he struck his breast and was drowned. 

Anna, who married Silliman ; Abraham, born 

in 176G ; Jason, 1771 ; John B., died at .sea in 1781 ; 
Daniel, died at sea off the coast of France in 1796 ; 

Elizabeth, married Curtiss, of Newtown; Sarah ; 

Deborah, married Osborne, died 1785. 

Col. Alirahani Gold was killed on his horse by the 
British at Ridgefield in 1777, and his body was 
brought on horseback to Fairfield for burial. 

The homestead was inherited by Jason, who changed 
his name to Gould. His interest in the family is 
I shown by the stone set up to his father and family : 

"A. G. 

This stone is erected by 

Jasan Gould 

in memory of hi^ honored Father, 

Col. Abraham Gould, 

Who fell in defense of his Country at Itidgefield, .\pril 27tli, 1777, 

aged 4'l years ; 

and of his deceased brotlior, 

John Durr Gould, 

who died ut sea, 1781, aged 20 ; 

and of 

Hezekiah Gould, 

who was drowned at Kew York, 

Oct. 20th, 1789, aged 30 ; 

and of 

Daniel Gould, 

who was drowned off the coast of 

France, Doc. 28, 1700, aged 20." 

The sword used by Col. Abraham Gold is in the 
possession of his great -grand.son, .Vbraham Gold Jen- 
nings, who resides in Brooklyn, N. Y., and his sash 
and coat were deposited in the Trumbull Gallery at 
New Haven. The sword is straight, silver-mounted, 
three-cornered, and at his death was found stained 
, with the enemy's blood. 

Jason had a son .John, born in 1801, who possessed 
the ancestral acres, and died in 1871. 

Hon. John Gould held many ])ositions of public 
trust; was member of the House of Representatives 
from Fairlield for several sessions, and member of the 
State Senate from the Tenth District in 1847; rail- 
road conimissidner from 1854 to 1861 ; in 1864 ap- 
pointed United States marshal for Connecticut by 
President Lincoln, and held the oflicc for four years. 
His willow, 5Iary Wakeman Thorp, daughter of Capt. 
Walter Thorp, died in 1879. His daughters own and 
occupy the homestead. 

At his death being announced the world did him 
honor in various ways. One obituary reads: 

I "The Hon. John Gi.uld diml of apoplexy at his reoidence in Fairfield, 
Sept. 5, 1871, agi'd seventy year*. Capt. Gould has Ikh-u for many years 

' oDo of our most pnuuinent and useful rlllzens. He has been inlniste^l 
by his fellow-towDsmen Mith many important oOlccs of trust, which h- 






it 

















I 



FAIEFIELD. 



519 



alw«T5 ailed with integrity aed E-ielity. ... A contemp>rai7 says of 
Mm: 'Capt Goald was a natanl ggntleman always dignia^U and coor- 
te«:.as in hi- icaiiDer^ and kia-ily ia his ce^cTXniriii towaris every joe. 
By his indostry and enterpriser in earfy life he a^^ni.n*.i a rvasonahle 
C5mp«ence ; SJ thax. acart from his patUc duties, be le-i a life of e»?m- 
rorative ease al his nse res'icnce ia Fairnel'L He was a man of Dxes 

-tijnaUe private character and a meniLerof the Cvagre^tioEial Chuni 

:- his tratire town. 

~ * His death is laxnente*! by his nameroas friea-is ia all fsins of the 
"^ite. aad to his iunily. wh-j were t^aderfy atta^ed to him, the loss is 
irreparable." . . . 

- It will le l;ns before Fairneld can Ujast a finer gentlesiin. a ki&ier 
friend, a n>^re cserd ciazen. an-i a tDOt^ npririit man than her >:etarted 
son, John Gould.'' 

At a meeting of the Connecticut National Bank. 
Capt. Jonathan G>>ifrer, oi' Sjuthport. pDncmneed 
this eulogv : 

-Cart. John G-MiM was a man whnse whole paUic life had challe-nze-i 
Vie adimrati->a c-f the p-^:ple of ihe State. Iti whatever sTati:.a he was 
■illed t>. his condncs evinced the strongs evi-ience of i*>aad judstueDt 
^lid tm^itichiog fidelity, and whenever ia the -\s6einl*ly or Senate of the 
^taie bis acti-jn o^maianded the fullest relias-^e. iiis of-itd.c:s a&i conn*el 
were largely s»jnzht and c?nsie-i in, .\s zeaeral railr.ai c^niniis&ijner 
his supervision gave wufideiice to these who traveler! oa the rv;*is c^f the 
Slate. When President Linoln app-jintai him faiteo States nsaishal 
fcr this Sute. the lec^h and the Iai hailed his api>:in:inent with ac- 
clailae-i apprvvaL Thnr-agh years of fneQ*i!hip he wsts Lever kn-.'wn !.> 
":ner an unkind woni of any one a-^r to any one, and his home character 
■^as the same as at-fTja.!. No matter what the prov<>:ati>>a. his i^>Ie 
manhcc«i seemed to rise aiove it. His genial and pltasan: aai^re always 
triamciied. Is has leea well and truly ^ai-i. ' John tj-.^^ild was one ^-f 
Xamre's nohlemen.* Of commanding perst-n and graceful carriage, he 
■^ on the tehoMer a: sizfat, creasins impres ^ jns the aj-.is; Lavorable.~ 

Bes-:>lurion= were passed acknowledging the traits 
set forth al»Te. with expressions of sympathr. and 
passed to his familT. 

Among the many res<jlntions of T;yiau= institutions, 
the board of directors of the Connecticut National 
Bank, at Bridgeport, met at their banking-house in 
Bridgeport, Sept. 5, 1S71, and passed the following: 

'^ Bemired^ Tbas the death of Mr. G-Dold, who was for nearly a qoarler 

f a centnry a memcer of this hrard. is re^aried by ns as an irrefoiaUe 

1 :SE to our inslitation a&i to the memiers iniividually : that he was ia 

• - -s. nal eodowments an-i STac>^a! and co^irte'jus manners, as in the 

-ss of his nn^ieistandia^ the manline^ of his sen^lilities. and 

■ jity of character, a worthy representative of an old colonial 

1 tme New England geatieman. who adortted the societr ia 

e lived. . . . 

.. ^.r.-eii, Tba£ a o^py of th^e resi-dntioas le transmitted to both the 

--;. :,ife:s of this city for pclli.-atfc-'n. an-i that they also Le placed 

- J«: n the records c-f this lank." 

Capt. John Gould, his wife. Marr Wakeman Thorp, 
w;:;; other members of the family, lie in Fairfield 
East burying-ground. 

There have been four houses on their homestead. 
Th- first was burnt by the British ; this was once the 
h >me of Governor Ludlow. The second was a tem- 
porary house, which was improvised out of a corn- 
house till they could have a better one. The third 
was removed about \>fVi to give place to the last, 
which is a stately mansion on a rise of ground which 
gives a commanding appearance and dignity to the 
estate. The lofty trees, extensive lawns, and the 
house, with its large Corinthian pillars, constitute a 
charming cotintry residence. 

The families of Goulds and Thorps so intermarried 



that Capt. Gi3uld"s daughters state truthiully in say. 
ing : ■■ My father lost his father : my mother lost her 
mother : then, in due time, my mother's father mar- 
ried my fathers mother, and the father's daughter 
married the mother's son,"" 

Here is a museum of curiosities, many of which 
were f>urchase<l in foreign parts by their grandfather. 
Capt. Walter Tiiorp. Amiing them are elegant china, 
decanters and wine-glasses, antique yet handsome. 
als«j articles made of tortoi-e-shell. spectacles, fr.inie 
and bows, snuff-box. and other things made t > order 
from the shell he furnished. Many of the anicles are 
one hundred years old. others older. Here are the 
family pictures, p<:>rtraits, siihouertes, etc, A domestic 
asked a member of the family if one of the ancestors 
was nlortd, as she saw a black picture ' silhouette 
among the group. 

Among the curiosities is a pair of scales for weigh- 
ins money, which seemed essential in the days when 
our captains rrade>l at all \xtni and we had no es:ab- 
IL^hed currency of our own. A paper accompanies, 
with a table of coins and this statement : 

"Otie Ounce c<f G-.-Id is worth Five Poan-ls One Shilling and Fottr 
Peace, Lawriil Money ; and an il»ua're of Silver- Six Shillings and Ei^t 
Peace. One Pennywei^Ut -of G-^Id is w.»rth Five Shilling and Three 
Farthing; A Pennyweirfit of silver. Foot Pence, t'ne Giaio of G-jld 
is worth Two Pence Half-fenny. 24 G.-ains make 1 Peno.vw eight ; 20 
Pennyweights 1 Ooisj^e: 12 Ounces 1 PoanX 

-The Oisi-jmary >letli-,^ of receiria* Oodd in Pa.vments is to take any 
of the atove Pieces f_r the Talce esprwsed in this Tatle. pr'>vi.ied they 
fall short Two Grains only; bat if a greater Naml-er of Grains than Two 
are wantiag. then every Grain short of fell Wei^t is \.> l^e allowed for 
at the Bate of Two Pence Half-penny, Lawful Jl'.-nvy. each Grain. 

- The coins are Crxl'wns, Hall-Crowns. Shilling, Sii-pence, Spanbh 
Dollar. Half I>;I!ar, Quarter ^f a IVillar, Five M.ii're Pie--e. l>jcble Jo- 
hannes. I>oaiil>jn. a Tw;-ani-a-balf M--i i-r^. Single Johannes. Two Pis- 
tole Piere, Mojiore- A giiin-ja. Haif Johannes, a Pist.,!e. Half JlMd-jre. 
Half Guinea, vuarter ■:■€ a Johannes, Three English Farthings, and Eng- 
lish Half-fence, in greater or le^ numter, in Pivtportion-" 

Oa the back of one of the rates of coins adopted 
by the Chamber of Commerce. Aug. 7, 1770, the rates 
of stages from Xew Y'jrk to Philadelphia are given : 

"The Flying Machine, kept by John Men>rean. at the Xew-Blazing- 
Star Ferry- near Xew York. Sexs -j? -luring tiie summer season - frvm 
Powles-H->:-k f.-r PhlLauelp-hia every Monday, W,^ines*3ay, an-i Fri-jay 
Mornings. From the Irst -jf }iovemler to the fi!^ of May it perform,s 
the J-otimey only tvi i ^ a week, and sets c-ot on Mondays and Thuiviaj s- 
The Wag^?ns in Philadeiphis set -ju; fr m the H^-ose of Mr. Joseph Vaa- 
de---rist the same i&omings- .v.- the Stages set o£ early in the m->ming 
fpjm Powles-H^v-k. Psss-rngers wi-uld -io well •■> cirwttf the Ferry the 
Evening t-efore. The Price f.-r «ich Passenger is -1: is. Pr>r. and Gjoos 
as usuaL" 

Probably the people of 1770 never once thought 
that in 1*70 a passenger could leave Fairfield at 7.20 
A.M. and arrive in Philadelphia at 4 p.m. after having 
spent a couple of houis in New York. A knowledge 
of the rates of money and of travel was necessarv- to 
traveling and commercial men. 

In 17-*4> several of the descendants of Xathan Ciold 
removed from Fairfield to Delaware Co., X. Y., some 
retaining the Gold, others changing to GomM. A 
lai^e colony cut their way thr-jugh the forests to the 
sources of the Delaware over the Catskill Mountains. 

Abraham Gold was a prominent man in the town 



320 



IITSTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



of Eoxbury, N. Y. His oldest sou, John Burr, was 
also a prominent man, and quite a hero in the Anti- 
Rent war of 184G. The Fairfield eolony settled on 
leased land ; rent, twelve and a half cents per acre. 

Abraham Gold had six sons and four daughters. 
Jay Gould, the New York baniccr, is one of his grand- 
sons. Another was Daniel Gold, who studied law in 
Delhi, was clerk in tlie New York Legislature, and 
afterwards appointed eliief clerk of the House of 
Representatives at Washington, D. C. 

The Rev. Hezekiah Gold, of Stratford, graduated 
at Harvard and labored in his native town more than 
thirty years. 

Rev. Hezekiah Ciohl, of Cornwall, married Abigail 
Sherwood, of Fairiield, for iiis second wife. He was 
a farmer a.s well as minister, and it is reported " that 
he could lay more green rail-fence in a day than any 
of his parishioners." His eldest son, Thomas, gradu- 
ated at Yale, and was a lawyer at Pittsfield, Mass. ; 
he acquired wealth and held an honorable position. 
His residence was the finest in the village. Here 
.stood the old clock on the stairs, the subject of a 
poem written by H. W. Longfellow, a grandson-in- 
law of Mr. Gold. 

Hon. Thomas R. Gold graduated from Yale in 1786 ; 
he stood at the head of the bar in Central New York. 
For al)Out twenty years he repre.scntcd New York in 
the Congress of the United States. He contributed 
largely to tlie North American Review. 

Dr. Samuel W. Gold graduated at Williams Col- 
lege in 1814, and studied at Yale, where he in 1884 
received the honorary degree of M.D. He practiced 
medicine from thirty to thirty-five years, and then re- 
turned to Cornwall and with his son, T. S. Gold, es- 
tablished Cream Hill Agricultural School, which was 
a success twenty-four years. He was State senator in 
1847 and 1859, and Presidential elector in 1857. 

T. S. Gold graduated at Yale in 18.38, established 
the agricultural school with his father in 1845, and 
taught twenty-four years. He was chosen secretary 
of the State Board of Agriculture at it.s organization, 
in 1866. 

Considering the whole family, Maj. Nathan Gold 
and his descendants, it is seen that from Fairfield 
have emanated a distinguished and honorable family, 
who have been devoted largely to public service, and 
have preserved an unsullied re|iutation. 

Ellen Burr Gould married a Continental officer ; she 
was twenty-eight, he seventy-three. He dying, she 
married another much older than herself, and, he dy- 
ing, married another; so she had three Continental 
officers for husbands. She failed to secure a pension 
on account of remarrying, but Congress, through the 
intercession of Hon. Thomas Osborne (sec "Colo- 
nial," 8), made a special act in her case, so that she 
secured her pension at hust. 

2. The Burr Maminnr-'TTixA\i.wn .says that it was 
built about 1700 by Chief Justice Peter Burr, one of 
the earliest graduates from Harvard. He was chief 



justice of Connecticut, and once lacked but a few votes 
of becoming its Governor. 

The house stood somewhat back from the main 
street, on a slight eminence, beneath a canopy of elms, 
and, with its dormer windows, its projecting gables 
and ivy-covered wings, presented quite the appear- 
ance of a baronial structure, the eflect of which was 
increased by its wide hall with its heavy oaken stair- 
case, or by its ancient chambers with their tiled fire- 
places and heavy oak panelings. 

At the time of the Revolution, Thaddeus Burr, a 
grandson of Peter Burr, a gentleman of culture and 
am))le estate, owned it. He, like many of the colo- 
nial gentry, exercised a princely hospitality. The 
ancient chroniclers recorded with i)riile that General 
Washington, in his journeys to and from Boston, was 
his frequent guest. Franklin, Lafayette, Otis, Quincy, 
Watson, Governor Trj-on, Dr. Dwight, and the poet 
Barlow are on the house's dead-roll of famous guests. 
There Trumbull and Copley dreamed and painted, the 
latter doing full-length portraits of his host and hostess, 
which are preserved in the family, fiovernor Hancock 
was married there ; Madam Hancock died there ;* 
Aaron Burr passed many of his youthful days beneath 
its roof as, the guest of his cousin, Thaddeus Burr, 
and is there buried with the illustrious dead. 

Burr's family was of the "bluest" blood of New 
England, and had been seated in Fairfield for gene- 
rations. His father, the Rev. Aaron Burr, the famous 
Princeton scholar and divine, was a native of Fair- 
field. Judge Peter Burr, before mentioned, was his 
great-uncle ; Col. Andrew Burr, who led the Connec- 
ticut regiment in the brilliant attack on Louisburg in 
1745, was a cousin, and his family for generations had 
filled the various offices of state, from deacon in the 
Puritan churches to magistrates and judges of the 
courts. Nor can one of those who believe in the 
' ancient traditions of the village be made to admit 
that Burr was any other than a bitterly-persecuted 
man, who sufiered the fate of those who came into 
the world a hundred years before their time. Here 
is recorded the dramatic incident of which the old 
mansion was the theatre : 

"Olio sunny morning In April, 1T75, os Tliiidtleus Burr, Golil Scllick 
Sillimnn, ftnij Joniitbnn Stiirgij*, mcmU're of the town coninilttpo of wnr, 
wt'n' iMig«Kf<i In fftrne^t coventution on tlio |Min-ti, ii iiorwniiin, l»rvatlil«w 
Willi liMlo, iliinlu'il lliroiigli the town, iinil thrvw liiniMlf from lii« »t^M^I 
ninuwt nt the feet of the three coniniiltee men, wilh un expirinf; effort to 
thnut towunis them a ixiekil cuvereJ with lin>ail oenN, ali<l fill l>»rk ox- 
hiuisled u|Kin the steps of the poixh. Sillilniin litwki' the |nckct, mid 
aHer « glance at its contenia tnnuMl with Itasliing eye to the eager citi- 
zens who hail gnthoroU. ' Friends,' said he, ' news from your king : hear 
it ;' Ulld read : 

* tlor atono contaiiu : " Thi< atone wu erected Iqr Thaddeus Burr and 
Kuniee Burr to the memory nf their dear friend, Mrs. Lydiii llani^oek, 
reliitof the llunoumhle Thonms llniicnok, K*|., and ilnngliterof Ilan- 
iel llin'-hiniin, Fj**)., of Boston, whiwe remains lie here interred, having 
retired to thii town from the inlaniities of War during the Bloi kadc of 
her native lity in ITT.'i, Just on lier nlurn to the re-eiOoymeiit of an 
ample fortune. On .\pril IJIh, ITTli, she »ii« sciie.1 willi the apoplci)-, 
and ih-scii a life of unaffected piety, unlveraal lioncvoleuce, and exten- 
sive charity, aged G3." 



FAIRFIELD. 



321 



**' WaTF.UTOWN, \\'f.1>NI S1>AV ^[nitMNG, 

" ' Ni'iir 111 „f tliu Clu.-k. 

'"To Al.L FniKNDS OF AMF.rtlCAN LlllF-KTY: Be it kll'fWJl tlillt tliis 

moniinp l>efure lircaU t)f day ii I>ii;;;i<U*, t'nnsistiilf; of al'uiit (uic tlicnsiiini 
or Iwn th'iusaii'l iikmi I:itnk-»l at IMiipps' Farm, at I'aniln i'\'^c, ami niaivlu'il 
to Lex illy too, wlien- they found aconilianytif our colony militia in aruo^, 
upon wiioni tiii-y filed wittiout itrovix-ation, ami liilled six" men and 
woundeil four others, Uy an express from Boston we find another 
bri;;ade ale now upon tile niartli from Boston, supposed to hi' .ilioiit one 
lliousand. Tlie hearer. Trail Bisisell, is cliarged to alarm the counliy 
quite to Connecticut, and all pei-sons are desired to fiirnisli him Willi 
fresh horses us they may he needed. I have spidien with several who 
hiivc seen the dead and wounded. 

"'.I. Pai.mfr, 
•" (<j,e i.flhi: Vmii. n/S'^: 
"Before sunset the FairfieM train-hand, nearly one liiindred strong, 
Get out on its man h to Boston." 

To this HKitisiiiii iif histiii-U' fume, in Jlay, 177">, 
came Miss Dorotliy Quiney, ihiuglitcr of Edmund 
Quincy, of IJostoii, who had moved for tiiree years as 
the belle of the polite circles of that town, and who 
wa.s now the affianced bride of (lovernor John Han- 
cock. A few weeks before, she had witnessed the 
battle of Lexington from her eliaiiilier-window, spir- 
itedly refusing to obey Governor Himeoek's command 
to return to Boston. But, now that her native city 
had assumed the aspect of a lieleagneivd town, she 
had consented to pass the summer in Fitirfield, lie- 
neath the roof of her father's old friend, Thaddcus 
Burr, where she s|)L'nt the stirring days of that event- 
ful summer in the ancient village, whiling away the 
time as best she might. ■ iSlic rode, she sang, she 
boated ; she feasted with the young jieople at the 
beach; she flirted with the village youths; she wrote 
letters, some of which yet exist, to her friends; and 
every fortnight the lumbering mail-coach brought her 
a packet from Philadeli)hia adilresscd in the bold 
handwriting of John Hancock. 

• In the autumn the marriage of (Joveruor Jidin 
Hancock, i)resident of the (.'ontinental Congress, and 
Mi.ss Dorothy, daughter of Edmund Qnincy, of Bos- 
ton, occurred. Here were Governor Hancock, wh.o 
accomplished such an act as led King George to .set 
a price on his head ; he rode up to the mansion-house, 
attended by a retinue of gentlemen, delegates, and 
others, returning to their homes, foUowed by a more 
glittering trtiin, with prancing steeds and costly 
equipage, with coachmen and footmen in livery, and 
attended by gay cavaliers on horseback, the friends 
of the bride. There were Edmund Quincy and his 
friends of Boston, grave sober men and matrons of 
liigh degree, and galhmt young cavaliers, attending 
the stately maidens, the companions of Miss Dorothy. 
Hartford and New Haven, wliich were then the seats 
of refined and cultured society, contributed to the 
train of worth and beauty ; tlie (rovernor and his 
staff' also honored the scene. There was a courtly 
throng, which might have graced a royal i«ilace, and 
the costumes would have been iiresentable at the 
court of King (Jeorge himself. The toilets were 
elaborate; the coifTures sprinkled with diamond-dust, 
the loug-waisted gowns, the shimmer of silks and 



sal ins, the rililions, laces, and niilles, tlie gems 
that sparked on wrist, and bosoms, the glossy 
iineues, the iilum-colored coats and velvet small- 
clothes, the white silk stockings, the elalmrate ruffles 
at wrist and throats, added lustre to the occasion. 
Here the Rev. Andrew Eliot, revered liy every one 
of Fairfield's sons, performed the ceremony. This 
was the last merry-making ever held within its walls. 
During the four years of war wliich followed it was 
the scene of many secret councils of the ])atriot 
leaders, and in the British descent on Fairfield in 
]77!l was burned by order of Governor Tryon.* 

Edmund Quincy was eminent in inililic life, and 
became judge of the [Supreme Court in 1718. tsulli- 
vtm pronounced John Hancock "one of the greatest 
men of his age." The honor wdiieh encircled his 
name received added lustre from his wife. She was 
a leader of taste and fashion iu the best circles of 
society. (Governor Hancock came to Fairfield for 
safety, and was in concealment with Samuel Adams. 
It was not deemed safe for Mr. Hancock to return, 
that the marriage might take place in Boston. While 
ill concealment their meals were privately conveyed 
to them, and they were kept in strict seclusion. 

Alter a time they were permitted to sit at the din- 
ner-table with the family, in expectation of a com- 
fortable repast. Before they had partaken of the 
temiiting food a farmer came in, greatly excited, 
reiiuesting the host to lend him his horse and chaise 
to go for his wife, as "the British were coming." 
This news disiier.scd the feastei's. Aihims and Han- 
I'ock were hurried away to tlieir hiding-place, and 
^Irs. Hancock w;is wont to say it was always a matter 
of wonder to her what became of that dinner, for 
none who sat down to it ever tasted it. The alarm, 
however, was a false rejiort, but there was a time when 
the enemy's balls reaehetl the house that sheltered 
them. 

When her first child was two weeks old Mrs. Ifan- 
coek was conveyed on a bed with it to her carriage, 
to travel from Boston in the w'inter to I'hiladelphia, 
in company with her husband, then chosen president 
of the first Congress. She often sjioke of his reluc- 
tance, from natural modesty, to iiccept the office. 
While he hesitated one of the members clasped him 
around the waist, lifted him from liis feet, and placed 
him in the chair of state. t 

At the burning of Fairfield, "Mrs. Burr, the wife 
of Thaddcus Burr, Esq., high sheriff of the county, 
resolved to continue in the mansion-house of the 
family and make an attempt to save it from the con- 
flagration. The house stood at a sufficient distance 
from other buildings. Mrs. liurr was adorned with 
all tiie qualities which give distinction to her sex, 
possessed of fine accomplishments and a dignity of 
character scarcely rivaled, and probably had never 

* Charles Burr Todd, in the " Hurr Mansion," iu the Sew York Eirniug 
/'.>«(, Jan. ", 1879. 
t Mrs. Ellet's Queens of Aiueiican Society. 



322 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIP^LD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



known what it was to be treated with disrespect, or 
even with inattention. She made a personal appli- 
cation to Governor Tryon in terms which, i'rom a lady 
of her high respectability, could hardly have failed of 
a satisfactory answer from any person who claimed 
the title of a gentleman. The answer which she actu- 
ally received wa.s, however, rude and brutal, and s])oke 
the want not only of politeness and humanity, but 
even of vulgar civility. The house was sentenced to 
the flames, and was speedily set on fire. An attempt 
was made, in the mean time, by some of the soldiers, 
to rob her of a valuable watch, with rich furniture; 
for Governor Tryon refused to protect her iis well as 
to i)rescrve the house. The watch had been already 
conveyed out of their reach, but the bouse, lilled with 
everything which contributes either to comfort or to 
elegance of living, was laid in ashes. 

" While the town was in flames a thunder-storm 
overspread the heavens just as the night came on. 
The conflagration of near two hundred houses illu- 
mined the earth, the skirts of the clouds, and tlie 
waves of the Sound witli a union of gloom and gran- 
deur at once inexpressibly awful and magnificent. 
The sky speedily was hung with the deepest darkness 
wherever the clouds were not tinged by the melan- 
choly lustre of the flames. At intervals the lightning 
blazed witli a livid and terrible splendor. The thun- 
der rolleil above. Beneatli, the roaring of the fires 
filled up the intervals with a deep and hollow sound 
which seemed to be the protracted murmur of the 
thunder, reverberated from one end of heaven to the 
other. Add to this convulsion of the elements, and 
these dreadful effects of vindictive and wanton devas- 
tation, the trembling of the earth, the sharj) sound of 
muskets occasionally discharged, the groans, here and 
there, of the wounded and dying, and the shout.s of 
triumph ; then place before your eyes crowds of the 
miserable sufferers, mingled with bodies of the ndlitia, 
and from the neighboring hills taking a farewell pros- 
pect of tlieir property and their dwellings, their hap- 
piness and their hopes, and you will form a just but 
imperfect picture of the burning of Fairfield. It t 
needed no great effort of imagination to believe that 
the final day had arrived, and that, amid this funereal 
darkness, the morning W(mld speedily dawn to which 
no night WDuld ever succeed, the graves yield up their 
inhabitants, and the trial commence at which was to 
be finally settled the (kytiny of man." * 

"There was also in Fairfield pleasant society. 
Thaddeus Burr, Rsq., was a principal inhabitant and 
a man of wealth, especially belbre his large mansion 
was burned and his jiroperty devastated by the 
British, in July, 177!*. He then converted a store or 
warehouse into a dwelling, and it was a ne^it and com- 
modious mansion. Mr. Burr was hospitable, and his 
wife was an accomplished lady. The place is mem- 



orable, having been a favorite resort of Dr. Dwight, 
afterwards president of Y ile College. He was then 
minister of Greenfield, and gave celebrity to that hill 
both by the splendor of his talents and pulpit elo- 
quence and by the academy for the instruction of the 
youth of both sexes, which he established and con- 
ducted for a series of years with great success. 

" Dr. Dwight generally rode down two or three 
miles on horseback on Saturday afternoon to pa.ss 
those hours of relaxation and take tea with his 
friends, Mr. and Mrs. Burr. His conversation was 
equally entertaining and instructive, — a fea.st for both 
mind and heart. "t 

Jehue Burro was born in England about 1(500, and 
died in Fairfield about 1070. He left four sons, — 
Jehu, .John, Nathaniel, and Daniel. 

Jehu married (1) Mary Ward, of Fairfield; (2) 
Esther, widow of Joseph Boosey, of Westchester, 
Conn. They had several children, of whom was 
Judge Peter Burr, who graduated from Harvard in 
1690, having entered in ItiSO. He taught school in 
Boston for .some years, then studied law, aftei which 
he settled in Fairfield to practice. In 1700 he com- 
menced his public career, which he continued till his 
death. He was several times auditor of the colony. 
He was also deputy for Fairfield, Speaker of the 
House, and justice of the peace in 1701; judge of 
Probate Court, 1723-24 ; judge of County Court, 1708- 
24, except 1713; judge of "the Superior Court, 1711- 
16 ; chief judge of the Supreme Court, 1712, 1723-24. 
This last year (1724) he performed the duties of audi- 
tor, a.ssistant judge of Probate, judge of County Court, 
and chief judge of the Superior Court. He was major 
of the Fourth Regiment. In 1702 he was on a com- 
mittee with Capt. Nathan Gold and others to " en- 
deavor to arrange an amicable agreement with thi 
government of Rhode Island respecting the settle- 
ment of the line between Connecticut and Rhodi- 
Island." He, with Capts. Gold, Curtis, Wakeman. 
Judson, Olmsted, and Stiles, was clothed with full 
powers "to consult, advise, direct, and commaml in 
[ all things necessary for the defense of Her Majesty '- 
subjects, and carrying on the war against the common 
enemy." (See Burr (ienealogy.) 

From the rcenrds, Peter Burr and Nathan Gold 
were two very prominent officers. It would riM]uiri 
many pages to tell of the various public enterprises 
they had charge of or took important part in. 
I In private life Judge Peter Burr was universally 
beloved and respected. As a public man he exerted 
an influeiK'c for good in the colony not exceeded, and 
rarely equaled, liy that of any of the fathers of the 
Commonwealth, and in ability, attainments, and |>ub- 
lic services he was ecli])sed by none. He lies in Fair- 
field old burying-ground. This is the last tributi- to 
his nicniorv : 



• Dr. DwIght'B Travob, »ul. lU. p. 612. 



t Llfi! of Boivj. Silllmnn, vol. i. p. 24. 



i 



FAIRFIELD. 



323 



" Here lyes hitorred 

yc ISoily of yu IIoiiul'l" 

I'l'tor liurr, Kac]', 

Aged itG yours and il mnntlis, 

wlio Dt'l'iirted this Life 

DeccmbLT tlie 20th 

Ann.. I7J4." 

Ho k'lt lour cliildix'ii, anioiig wIkhii was Tlitnlilous, 
who nuirried Abigail, daughter of Joiiatlittu .StUfgL's, 
of Fairfield. They left five eliildreii ; aiuong them 
wa.s Abigail, born in 1720. Her tombstone, in Fair- 
field old ground, eontain.s : 

" Here lies l.nrie.l the Body of 
Mrs. Ahisiiil Hnll, 
Wife of Lyniiin Hull, M. A., 
Itaughter of Thaddens Burr, Esq^, 
ilie.1 July 8, 17o3, aguii "24 years. 
lMiidest,.yet free, with innoeene..' a.ionie.l, 
To please and win iiy art and natttre formed, 
lieni.v..lent and wise, in virtue firm, 
e'onstant in Frion.lstiil*, in Iteligion warm, 
.\ partner teniler, unalTeeted, kind, 
A lovely form with a niui-o li.vely mind, — 
The seelie of life, tlio" short, she iniproveii s.) well 
No charms in human fi.rms could nioi'e e.xeel. 
Christ's life her copy. His pni'e life her gui.le, 
Kaeh part she acted, perfected, an. I dy'd." 

Lyniiin lltiU was one of the .signers of the Deelara- 
tion of Indepeiidenee, born in (Jonneetieut in 172."), 
died in Georgia in 1700. He graduated at Yiile in 
1747, studied medieine, and removed, in 1702, to 8outh 
Carolina, and the same year to iSunbury, Ga., where 
he engaged in the jn-aetiee of his profe.s.sion. At the 
opening of the Revolution he was influential in in- 
dueing Georgia to join the Confederaey. In 177.J he 
was ehosen a member of Congre.ss, and was rc-eleeted 
annually till 17.80. Georgia had in the mean time 
fallen under the power of the British, wdio eonfiseated 
all liis property. He wtis elected Governor of Georgia 
in 1783, and served for one term; after whieh he re- 
tired from public life.* 

Another of their children was Thaddeus, .Ir. At 
the age of twenty he graduated from Yale witli tlie 
degree of .\.5I., whieh also was conferred by the (_'(d- 
lege of New Jersey. He married Eunice Uennie, and 
then spent ten years in scholarly and social pursuits 
and in the management of his large estates. His first 
part in public life was as deputy for Fairfield. He 
was also justice of the peace, and in 1770 was high 
sherilfof the county. In 1775 he was a member of 
the town committee of war. In 1788 he was a dele- 
gate, with Jonathan Sturges, from Fairfielil to the 
State Convention at Hartford, called to ratify the 
new Constitution of the United States and steadily 
voted to adopt that instrument. 

An original portrait of Thaddeus Burr, and also of 
Ids wife, by Copdey, is owned liy Jlr. J. S. liurr, of 
Brooklyn. He (Thaddeus Burr) died in Fairfield in 
1801, aged sixty-five, and lies among the "colonials;" 
his wife died in 180.3, aged seventy-five. The stones 
are richly carved, but contain only the simple inscrip- 

* See Appleton's C'ycl.tpjtHlia, vol. viii. p. 400. 



tion found over a jicrson in far more common walks 
in life. 

.Vnnther (d' Thaddeus and .\bigail Slurgrs Burr's 
children was Gershom, born in 1744, wbu married 
Priscilla Lothrop, of Plymouth, JIass. Their son, 
Gershom, Jr., married (1) Husanimh Young, of Strat- 
ford; (2) Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. Andrew Eliot, 
pastor of the Prime Ancient ('hurch in I'airfield. 
They litid nine children. 

This (rershom Burr diet! in New York in 1.S2.S; he 
was a num of prominence in the State and was briga- 
dier-general of the militia from 1810 to 1824, when he 
resigned. Among his children are Jonatluin Sturges 
BiUT, born in Fairfield, but who went to New York 
City in l.S2.">, when there wa> unwonted activity in 
commerce owing to the ojrening of the Erie (Janal. 
Jlr. Burr found employment as book-kee])er with 
Hinton & Moore, ship-chamllers and dealers in paints 
and oils, wliieli position he occupied for years, then 
bcgtiii business on his own account. Subsequently he 
was a partner with two or three jicrsons, and tlien hi-i 
brolbers Arthur, Fredrriek, and himself formed the 
firm P>urr, Watei'man i*i: (_'o., in the manufacturing of 
patent blocks, which business became lucrative. Mr. 
.1. S. Burr w;is head and senior member from 1844 to 
1877, when he witlidrew. In 1842 he removed to 
Williamsbiirgh, where he has been ideatilieil with the 
social, political, financial, and educational interests of 
the community, of which he has been n moilest but 
eonsjdcuims and influential member. He was elected 
to the Board of Finance, in wdiich he served with 
aliility iind fidelity. 

When the consolid.ition of Williamsburgh and 
Brooklyn occurred (in 18.5.')) Mr. Burr was api)ointcd 
a member of the Board of Education, of which he was 
one of the most useful men fiir twenty-three years. 
He is deeply interested in schools, and has devoted 
much time and energy to i.ublic service in this line. 

AVhen the "Williamsburgh Savings-Bank was estab- 
lished, Mr. Bitrr was one of the original trustees. It 
now has n capital of nearly fourteen million dollars, 
and enjoys the confidence of its depositors. He is 
now, and has been for years ])ast, one of the vice- 
presidents. When the Republican party was formed 
he wtis active in tlie councils of the local organiza- 
tions, and aided very mucli in the ]ir()st^eution of their 
particular objects. He h;is also been treasurer in the 
Refbrmed Church for more than thirty years. 

The following letter is from Mr. J. S. Burr, and ex- 
plains itself: 

" 17S S.)l Til Uth St., B1100KI.V.V, E. V. 
"Sept. 1, l.SSO. 
" Mas, BriiK Pkuuy : 

''l>i:.\i{ Madam, — It gives me pleasure t.. comply with y<.nr request, 
an. I are.iriUngly j.roceed to furnish yon with such recoUeeti.uis of afiaii-8 
rehitiiiK t.p the court an.l justicians of Faiifl.d.l as may come within tho 
scope of y..iii' plan. 1 am proud t.» ilaim a hiithlight in whatever con- 
cerns the gooil name and tamo of tho dear .d.l town, county, and State 
with which all my earliest associati.ilis in life were formeil, and tho 
memory of which had a.lded happiness to my rijKT yeais. 

'■ It is know 11 that the tow n of Fairliel.l was tor a l.mg wliile the capi- 
tal, so to sp.-ak, of the county. In it was the court-house, whore tho 



324 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



judges of variuutj grades diHpcnficd the Justice which is the bulwark of 
siH-ii^ty. 

"Judges Tuppeu Reeve, cliief, with Mitchell and Edmonds, associates, 
formed,! believe, the li{jj;h court in my earlier boyhood. On the days 
the couit was to l»e in regular session it was the custom for the juilgos to 
meet in some place luisigned, and the juroi's in another, on opposite sides 
of the green, in the centre of which stood the court-house. On the hour 
for opening court the boll was well rung. Then presently the high 
slieri/T, Mr. Ebeuezer Dimon,* with his statT of office, issued forth fol- 
I iwe4l by the judges. Directly after came the jurymen, led by the town 
constable, Bfr. Niitlian BeiTS. .\s the pixicefwion entiMcil the courUnmm 
the sheiilT with i lear and distinct voice announced the approach of the 
judicial dignitaiies. Silence then fell on all; not a whisper was heard 
until the judges niirl jury had been duly seated. Judge Reeve then, 
leaiiitig forward <iver the desk, witli slow and measured speech, would 
say, ' Mr. Clerk, open this court.' That olllciitl — Col. Daviil Rurr, a 
portly l>ald.heuded nmn of fine presence and conmutnding dignity — then 
addressed the sheiilT: * Mr. Sheriff, nmke prochunatlon ;' whoreuiion the 
sheriff discliarg(«l the duty in form and manner following: '(Hi yes! 
Oh yes ! this Superior Court is now open. All persons having any cause 
or action pemlingulll take due notice thereof.' Then came the order 
from the liench ; ' Jlr. Clerk, call the jury.' That having been done, the 
parlies to the intnu'dtute case in hand were summoned to answer, or the 
calendar was followed. 

" The demeanor of all concerned in the administration of the law 
while the courts were in session was usually grave, and even reverential. 
Our ancestors were not without cheerfulness, but wheu they met t<i de- 
termine justice, punish the criminal, and protect the innocent, they were 
earnest and serious, as befitted the business ciimmitted to them. 

"Very truly yoni-s, 

"J. S. lilRH." 

The court must liavc been higlily imposing, with 
. the array of |)Owclerefl Iiair, ruffles, long stockings, etc. 

Of the IJurrs mentioned so far, they liave owned, 
or were born in, or lived on, the premises in considera- 
tion (No. 2, "Special"). 

A few weeks after the burning. Governor Hancock 
paid his frieixl ti visit, and wliile tliey were surveying 
the ruins he remarked to Mr. Hurr that he must re- 
build, and offered to furnish the glass needed, pro- 
vided he would build a house precisely like his own 
in Boston. Mr. Burr accepted the offer, and built a 
house the exact counterpart of Mr. Hancock's.t 

It was stated not long since to the histdrian that the 
frame wtts sent to Mr. Burr from Boston by Mr. Han- 
cock as a present, and was unloaded on the green in 
Fairfield. It was an exact reproduction, described a 
few pages back, but when Mr. O. W. Jones purcha.sed 
it, about fifty years ago, he remodeled it, to the regret 
of all, as he destmyed tlie dormer-windnws and gam- 
brel roof and mudernized it, so tliat the historic cast is 
gone. 

There would be no pardon if others of the Burr 
family were omittetl. Parton used the name of one 
Burr (.Varon) for the subject of two volumes, and, as 
his father is a native of Fairfield, Avhat .shall we say 
for several others who have been valuable in State or 
public service? 

Jchue, the first settler, was one who signed the 
deeds with the Indians in the colony, and .seems from 
the first to have taken a higli rank in Fairfield. He 

* High Sheriff £l>enozor Dtmoii resided whore J. J. Jonc« now doc«. 
lie was highly eiluciite<l, and sDoko several languages. French was 



fluent with bim as hi4 native todftln, 

vlciaili ami went West. 

tSeo Burr OoueoJogj'. 



JIo had two M>iis, who wore phy- 



represented Fairfield at the General Court, and was 
also commissioner on educational matters and grand 
juror. 

Jehue Burr, Jr., was born in England in 1625, died 
in Fairfield in l()!t2. In 1670 he wtis deputy from 
Fairfield, having John (his brother) for associate ; he 
was also lieutenant of tlte Fairfield train-band, also a 
member of the "standing council," which is similar 
to the committee of war of later years. He was also 
commissioner for Fairfield, a jiatron of learning, and 
one of the originators of the old school system of 
Connecticut. 

Jehue, Jr., had a brother. Col. John Burr, a man 
of great executive ability and prominent in the affairs 
of tlie colony. He was made freeman in 1664. Two 
years later he was chosen dei)uty, afterwards a com- 
missioner. In 1690 he was senator and magistrate of 
the colony. At this period the witchcraft delusion 
swept over the State. Col. Burr was caiitain in the 
train-band and commissary for Fairfield County in 
the French-and-Indian War. He was concerned in 
the origin of the town of Danbury. 

Nathaniel Burr had a son, also known as Col. John 
Burr. The limits of his farm and the site of his 
house, and the old Council Oak under which he 
bought his land of the Indians, are yet pointed out. 
In 1874 a great-granddaughter was living, who re- 
tained many recollections of him. He wiis born in 
1673, and was commissary of the county in 1704. He 
had to see that " biskett" was provided for the sol- 
diers, keep the war accounts, and keep a stock of sup- 
plies on hand. He was ne.xt deputy from Fairfield. 
In 1723 he was Speaker of the House. He was audi- 
tor, justice of the peace and (Quorum, and judge of 
the County Court, al.so of Probate Court in place of 
Joseph Wakeman, deceased, which office he held 
seventeen consecutive years. He was several times 
commissioned in the military service of the colony. 
Ill 1710 he was major of the forces in the expedition 
to Nova Scotia. In 1733 he was appointed one of the 
judges in a court of Chancery. Col. Burr was one of 
the largest landholders in the State. He was one of 
the i>rincipal founders of the old North Church of 
[ Stratfield (now the First Congregational of Bridgc- 
jiort). He died in 17">0, leaving an estate of fifteen 
thoibsand two hundred and eighty-eight pounds. 

Col. .\iidrcw Burr, son of Jtdin anil grantlson of 
Maj. John Burr, was a lawyer by profession, an a.ssis- 
tant and magistrate of the colony, sewral times 
Speaker of the House, and wielded great influence In 
the councils of the colony, yet his chief di.stinetion 
was created by his numerous and varied military ser- 
vices. In 1731 he was lieutenant, then iiromoteil to 
be captain, then major. In 174-') he took part in the 
most brilliant of the colonial wars, — the Cape Breton 
expedition. He was commissioned colonel in 1750. 
He was deputy for Fairfield, a.^sistant of the Upper 
House, justice of the peace, judge of the County 
Court, clerk in the Lower House, Speaker also, and 



FAIRFIELD. 



325 



sheriff. He also assisted in rovisinir the hiws in 1740. 
His pnl)lic services were so varied and mnuerous tliat 
tlie reader is referred ■ to the Burr ( ieneahigy, by 
Charles 15urr Todd. 

Col. Andrew Burr's life was a jdeasant one. lie 
married (1), in 171!l, Sarah, daughter of Jonathan 
Sturges; they had thirteen ehildreu. He married (2), 
Sarah Stanly, of Hartford; they had one daugliter. 
]Ie lies in the old Imrying-ground. A largo nioss- 
eovered stone, richly carved, nuirks his resting-place : 

"ircro lyes Bill k-il 

tin- Ii...l,v iif 

("'()!" .Viiilrew Burr, 

Who .leiiiirte.l tliis life 

Nov ye Dth, A. D. lVS;i, in ye 

08"' yi'iir of Ilis.Vgf." 

His first wife, the mother of thirteen children, is j 
buried near him. The stone contains: 

" Hon- lyes Bnrioil yo 
Boily III' M" Sariili 
Bnrr, Wili! t.i O.lo 
Auihfw ISiirr, \\lio 
Di'liarteil this Lifp 
Dt'Ct'Ui' if, AiiTio Iloni", 174.'», 
Ageil -Ij years wantiili; l-'J I>'s." 

Eev. Aarnn Burr, son of Daniel (2d), grandson of ! 
Daniel (1st), and great-grandson of Jehuc Bnrr, was 
born in 171G in the northern part of Fairfield. In 
1738 he became pastor of the Presbyterian Church in 
Newark, N. J., and in 174S the second jiresident of 
the College of New Jersey (now Princeton), of which 
lie was one of the principal founders. He married 
Esther, daughter of Jonathan Edwards, who was the 
third president in the same college. Their children 
were Sarah, who married .Judge Tajjpan Reeve, and 
Aaron, Jr. His duties were very .arduous ; his rela- 
tions as pastor to this one church continued twenty 
years. 

In 17')7 he made a trip to Stockbridge, and returned 
home exhausted. College and public duties were so 
importunate that he did not pay sufficient attention 
to malaria, which was tlireatening to jirostrate him, 
but jiersisted in attending to his duties. He never 
recovered from this attack, the malaria running into 
a fever, so that he exj)ired in 1757. Few men have 
heen more sincerely mourned than this one of Fair- 
field's sons. The magnates of the land were at his 
funeral. Governor Livingston, of New Jersey, pro- 
nounced a glowing culogium, and the i>ress and the 
pulpit vied in honoring his virtues, talents, and benef- 
icence. 

In 1762 he published a Latin grammar, used in the 
college long after his death. He abo published sev- 
eral sermons and a work, — " The Supreme Deity of 
our Lord Jesus Christ maiutained." He was more 
noted as a teacher than as a writer. 

His son, Aaron Burr, was one of the most notorious 
men of the United State.s, in war, jwlitics, and law. 



In the Presidential election he and Thomas Jefferson 
had a tie. Ai'ter seven days' arguing, voting, and in- 
vestigating, it was decided that Jefferson should have 
the Presidency and Burr should be Vii-e-1'resident. 
There is so nnicli to say of him it is dilticult to sum 
him up in a line or so. His duel with Hamilton, the 
new government scheme^ in tlie Southwest, and his 
family are familiar to most [leople. He was truly 
" the Napoleon of America." 

Seth Burr, son of Daniel and Ann Silliman, was 
born in 17()1, served through the war of 1770, and 
was present at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at 
Yorktown. A few years after, being in India, he was 
pressed into the British service, and served under this 
same Lord Cornwallis. 

The Burrs have always Ijcen of public service, fur- 
nishing judges, clerks, captains, colonels, legislators, 
and teachers. Three town clerks are of this family. 
— Peter (built tlie Smith house, opposite B. Betts), 
who served with Nathan Gold from ]7fi(; to 1724; 
Thaddeus, from 172G to 1755; David, from 1755 to 
1759. 

Samuel, son of Maj. John and grandson of Jehue 
Burr, graduated at Harvard College in lGi)7, and was 
one of the most famous teachers of his time. For 
twelve years he was master of the grammar-schocd in 
Charlestown, a ju-eparatory school for Harvard, which 
had a reputation in the colonies similar to that of 
Eton and Kiigby in England. His body was laid 
among the illustrious. This is his inscription: 

" Here lyes tlie Body of 51^ Samuel Burr, Ula.ster of Arts. W"as lioni 
ill tliis town of l^'aiilielii .April 2ii(l, in ye Year 1079; was eilucateil at 
Harvanl ('oUeye, in Cambriilge, uiuler ye Fauioun M' W«' Brattle, and 
Tliare lie was ^ladiiate'^ ye fii^t time in ye Year lO'.iT, ye seeolid time iu 
y Year 17IIII, lit Moris est. Who ai'ter lie had .Salved liis generation by ye 
will of God ill y I'sefiil Station of a GraiiiniarSeliooI Miuster, at Charles- 
town, aiioiit Twelve Years, uiion a Visit to this His Native Place, Ite- 
IKirted this I.iti' .Viisiist 7tli, in y year 171!l, aged 40 Years, 4 months, & 
:. Days." 

Catharine, daughter of Silas and Charity (Banks) 
Burr, married Morris Kctchum, a banker of New 
York. He (Mr. Ketchnm) died ISSO.* 

Henry, son of P^phraim and Eunice (Sherwood) 
Burr, who married Mary F. Slabac, was a merchant 
in San P'rancisco, Cal., where he died in 1871. His 
body Wits brought on and interred in Fairfield. Mr. 
Ephniim Burr is eighty-six, hale and hearty. 

Cajit. D;ivld, son of Eben and Hannah (Osliorne) 
Burr, marrieil Ellen Magdalen, of Marseilles, France. 
He was a master-mariner, and was lost with the ill- 
fateil steamer, " Evening Star," off Cape Hatteras, in 
October, IStiG. Capt. William Ktmpp, whose widow 
and four daughters reside in Fairfiehl in a house 
that h:is been standing ninety-six years, was also on 
board. 

A tombstone to his memory contains this (the Ma- 
sons' emblem is above tlie inscription) : 

* See Wcetport. 



326 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



" Capt 
AVilliam Knnpp, 
' sun of 

John and Estlier 

Knupp, 

Born in FairtlclJ, 

Fob. 21, 1S25. 

Lost nt 80.1 Oot. ;i, IfCn ,» 

In tlic Stoanmliip 

' Kvoning Star,' 

M'liich fonn<lorotl on lior passage 

from Now York to Now Orleans. 

"His last wortls wlion bidding ailien to tho officers of the slilp wore, 

' If you sun-ive, and I do not, toll them at home 1 died doing my duty.' 

"'Twas the first time I mourned the dead; 
It was my lieaviest, my worst. 
Wy husband, and was thine llie first?" 

Samuel Burr, brother of David, wsus lost from the 
barque " Palermo" in 1.S.57. Of thi.s family, An<;cline 
married Doacon i^amuel Morehouse (see " Colonial," 
No. 11); Sarah and Eliza married brothers, James 
and Rcnjamin Bulkeley (sec " Colonials," 1, 2, 11, 15) ; 
Cornelia married Andrew P. Wakeinan,t Mary mar- 
ried John Henry Jennings, of prominenec in Green's 
Farms; and William married Catharine Sherwood. 
Emma and Franeis reside in the paternal mansitm. 

In 1878, Fairfield was represented in the Legisla- 
ture by Oliver Burr, of Oreenfield, and Ebenezer 
Burr, Jr., of Mill Plain (Fairfield), who is a promis- 
ing lawyer and clerk of the County Court. 

The Burrs have married into about every old family 
in Fairfield through several generations, and, as they 
have never been dispersed much, there is scarcely a 
fiimily but has a Burr origin. 

3. The Congregational Parsonage. — This wa.s built 
for Hon. Roger Minott Sherman, born at Woburn, 
Mas.«., May 22, 1773. He wa.s the youngest of si.\ chil- 
dren of Rev. Josiah Sherman, the Congregational 
minister of that place. His father was descended by 
four removes from Capt. John Sherman, of Dedhain, 
England, who came to Watertown, Mass., in 1635. 
Hon. Roger Jl. Sherman was a nephew of the Hon. 
Roger Sherman, one of the signers of the Declaration 
of Independence. His (Roger M.'s) mother wjts Mar- 
tha, daughter of the Hon. James Minott, of Concord, 
Mass., who was four removes in descent from Cicorge 
Minott, one of the first English settlers in Dorchester, 
Mass., where he was a ruling elder for thirty years. I 
Rev. J. Sherman preached in Milford, Mass., Goshen, ' 
Conn., and Woodbridgc, where he died, leaving six 
children. 

In 1780, at the age of sixteen. Judge Sherman en- 
tered the sojjhomore class at Yale. In six weeks 
his father died, leaving no property ; so the son's \ 
chances at college appeared of a negative charac- 
ter, hut an uncle (Hon. Roger Sherman) came to 
his relief and rendered necessary aid. He taught 
school in New Haven through the last half of his 
college days, but attended regularly the duties of , 



• In • cyclone. 

t A pivmiuout olBccr In town and State. 



his class, and graduated with honor. He taught next 
in an academy in Windsor, and began the study of 
law under Hon. Oliver ElUworth. He after>vards 
took a common school in Litchfield, and continued 
the study of law under the Hon. Tapping Reeve. 
In 170.') he was tutor in Yale College, and instructed 
the cla.ss that graduated in 1797, at the same time 
studying under Hon. Simeon Baldwin. There were 
several distinguished men, both in his own class and 
the one he instructed. As tutor he was peculiarly 
successful. He resigned that office, and in 1796 was 
admitted to the bar in New Haven. He then estab- 
lished himself in Norwalk, having married Miss 
Flizal)eth, daughter of Dr. William Gould, of New 
Haven. She was sister of Judge Gould, of Litchfield. 
They had two children, twin sons, of high promise, but 
they both died young. In 1807 he removeil to Fair- 
field, where he resided till his death, which occurred 
Dec. 30, 1844. As a jurist he had few equals. 

From 1814 to 1818, Mr. Sherman wiis a member of 
the upper branch of our State Legislature, where he 
showed a high power in debate and a patriotic devo- 
tion to the welfiire of the people. In 1814 he was 
chosen by the Legislature of this State a delegate to 
the convention of the New England States a.s.sembled 
at Hartford for the purpose of devising measures 
suited to the exigency brought on by the war. New 
England sent her most gifted and patriotic statesmen. 
In this galaxy he shone with peculiar lustre, and an 
account of his labors has been published. 

From 1818 to 1839 he was wholly devoted to his 
profession, except that he was now and then a mem- 
ber of the Legislature. He originated and drafted 
many important laws, which have become inwrought 
into the fixed policy of his native State. These refer 
to the administration of justice, tending to abridge 
the cost and delay involved in vindicating our rights 
at law, and to abolish cumbrous formalities. 

In 1839 he was judge of the Superior Court and 
associate judge of the Supreme Court for the re- 
vision of errors in that State. His written opinions 
in the Court of Errors (published in Vols. XIII. and 
XIV. of the Connecticut Reports) are the most im- 
portant monuments to his great intellect which he 
has left to posterity. In 1842 he resigned this office, 
on account of poor health, that he might have the 
genial support of a retired home-life. He died aged 
seventy-one years and seven months. 

Judge Sherman was versed not only in jurispru- 
dence, but in theology and metaphysics, and w.is fond 
of the exact anil natural sciences. He was familiar 
with the theory of government and political economy, 
and with whatever a .statesman should know. Neither 
did he neglect elegant literature. This various knowl- 
edge he made tributary to his profession in eases that 
could be illustrated by it. and sometimes a.stonished 
and delighted his luiditors as he ptmrcd forth its treas- 
ures. He was not only great, but good, and was strictly 
subordinated to moral and religious principle, ^^'ith- 



FAIRFIELD. 



327 



out bigotry, he bt'lievcd in the doetrines of Dwi^ht and 
Edwards. He was a modest, unassuininix, unobtrusive j 
man, and impressed all who l.)eeame acquainted with j 
liim. He maintained the strictest inteirrity and up- i 
ri^^htness in all his public, private, and professional \ 
transactions, and scrupulously adhered to truth, kept 
his promises, abstained from making any whicli he 
could not fulfill, would not sell his couseience for 
office (^r eni<dument, discouraged what seemed to liim 
to be groundless litigation, and was a model of parental 
and conjugal love, tenderness, and lidelity. He was 
an early and powerful advocate of the temperance 
cause, and seemed to be everybody's friend.^ I 

He left a very lengthy will, — covering pages in the 
town records, volume for 1840, page 359, — of which 
the following is an abstract: 

*' I give tliu ' f'diiilmr^h Encyclop.TiIiu,"' Wi/ltstfi's lar^t- fniartn <lic- 
tionary, in 2 vols., Bezii's Greek Testament. Si-utt's ' Family Ililih',' in 5 
vnls. (inurtt). tlio works of Itobeit Hall, in 2 vols., the sermons of Dwight, 
Ciianibers, Saurin, Biinler, Davies, and all other sermons ami treatises 
on Theology, also Hume's 'History of EiighuMl,' and the cuntinimtioii 
of said history, in T2 vols., lettered on tlie hark ' Hume's Knglaud,' the 
I Life and Wrilin^H of .lohn Jay,' Cialib's ' Synonyms,' Jay's ' Politieal 
Ei-onotuy," ISosIii k's ' I'hysiulogy,' Good's ' Book uf Nature,' Olmsled'a 
* Philosojiliy,' in 2 vols., Murray's Grammar, octo., Spanisli and French 
Dictionaries and .Spanish Grammar, one Greek Lexicon, Alexander 
Adams' 'Konian Antiipiities,' Barher's 'Histotical Collections for Con- 
neeticnt, Ma-ssacliusetts,and New York,' and Dufree.-.' ' Nature Displayed,' 
to the First Kcclesiastic Society in Fairfield for the use of tlie minis- 
ters' Ulirary. The said books shall be sdways kejit in said library, and 
sliall never be sold or exchanged. 

"I giveanddevise my homestead, — b.mnded southeasterly on the main 
street in Fairfield, on laud of Sirs. Knaiip and on laud formerly belong- 
ing to Wm. IMmoii, now deceased; sontliwesterly on highway on land of 
AbrahamGould Jennings, and on land formerly belonging to said Dimon; 
northwesterly on highway and laud of saiil Jennings; imitheastorly on 
land of M'm. S. Snuth, together with the dwelliug-liouse and all other 
buildings on said homestead, — and I also give the double windows or 
Itussian lights, the Venetian Idinds, all the fire-grates and stoves which 
^ilall be in use at my decexse, the large metallic clock, the carpet on the 
Btairs, in the front hall, and all the carpels or mattings on the lloors of 
the lower rooms .and iu use at my decease, and no other carpets or mat- 
tings, ami the oil- or floor-cloth which may then be on the tloor of the 
front entry, to the First Ecdesiiistic Society iu siiid Fail field, in trust, 
for the personal use, hal-itjitiou, and occupation of the minister of said 
Society while statedly ministering therein, and every niini>ter of said 
Society while statedly ministering therein, etc., etc. 

"I also give ami betpieath to said Society twenty-five shares of Stock 
on Fairfield County Bank, in the Fairfield County Bank, in trust, to 
apply the dividends thereon and the income thereof to tliu keeping of 
the building and fences of the said homestead in good order and repair; 
and whenever said dividends or income shall be more than is necessiiry 
for that purpose, the surplus may be appropriated to purchasing carpets 
for the front rooms of the dwelling-house, sliould new carjiets be neces- 
sary, and whatever of said income or dividends shallbe more than wanted 
for either of the said i)urpose8 shall be safely kept or invested on good 
Becuiity, to be used or applied for those purposes and for no other when- 
ever the same may become necessary or expedient." 

The balance of his projjerty (which amounted to 
seventy-two thousand and some odd dollars) he willed 
to various institutions and to various relatives 

He is said never to have replied " Yes" or '* No" to 
a question. Once a friend, meeting liiin coming out 
of the post-office, thought sure he would put an in- 
terrogation which would draw out a " Yes" or a "No;" 



* See Dr. Lyman Atwater's Funeral Discou:-Ke of Hon. R. 51. Sher- 
imiii. Fairfield, Jan. 'i, 1S45. 



SO he asked *' Is the mail in?" Sherman replied, 
" Are you expecting a letter?"! 

A townsman, speaking of Mr. Shennau, said, '' He 
was a lawyer what was a lawyer." 

In the Foote Genealogy (published 1S49), page aOD, 
may lie found the following: 

"Mis. Elizabeth Slicrmau, widow of the late Hon. Roger M. Sherman, 
died at Fairfield, Aug. 3, 1S4S, in the seventy-fifth year of her ago. Thus 
has passed away all that renuiined of the family of a man of eminent 
di>tiuiti..ii in theCimrchaud tlie State. Hisvent'rable relict, who has now 
tnll.iwcd him tothe grave, adorned the staVion allotted her by Provi- 
dence by bringing toit intellectual powers and accomplishmeuls not in- 
feiiitr to those of her distinguished husband. Itenuirkable for her con- 
scientiousness, prudence, wisdom, her firmness and steadfiistness of attach- 
ment to the doctrine and ordinances tif the gospel, her /.cal in maintaiu- 
iug religious institutions, her liberality to the poor, and in sustaining 
the missionary and charitable entenuises,— she was in all tliese high 
points of a spirit congenial to his, of ' like precious faith,' his cordial and 
flKcient fellow-helper, with him ' ready to do every good work.' In her 
death tlie poor universally mourn the loss of a great benefactor; the 
Church bewails the removal of a strong pillar; benevolent institutions 
will miss a coastant ami generous patron; society suffers the Krss of a 
bright example and firm supporter of wluitever is pure and lovely aiul 
of good report. 

" In accordance with the mutual understanding and united wishes of 
herself and husband, she lias made tlie following beipiests to religious 
and imblic institutions. She h;LS bequeathed her miscellaneous library, 
liovise, and homestead to the First Ecdesiiistic Society of Fairfield, to- 
gether with a fund of $i."»00 for the piiipose of keeping the siime in re- 
pair, — tlie fi>rmer for the increase of the ministerial library, the latter 
Ibr a parsonage. She has given the law-library of her late husband to 
the county of Fairfield for tliu use of the bar and covirts of said county ; 
54iX)ii to tlie corporation of Yale Ctdlege, on the condition that they pay 
an annuity of S^OI) tji one of lier nephews during hi.s life ; $2un(} to the 
E;ist Windsor Institute; i^Uno ti the American Home Missionary 
So. ii-ly ; S4(X)0 to the American Colonization Society ; H'-HKl to the Re- 
treat for the In^ane at Hartford; S'>UO to the Female Beneficent Society 
of Fairfi^dd." 

A monument to the memory of Mr. and Mrs. Sher- 
man ami two Sons is erected in the East ground: 

" Hon. Roger Miiiot Sherman, 

Judge of the Supreme Court of ConncLticut, 

IMed December 30, 1S44, 

aged 71 years & 7 mo. 

"Eminent as a Civilian, a Jurist & an Orator, Adorne<l witli rare moral 

and <'hrif>tiau excellence, iu life he \%;u> widely belovi-d and revered, and 

' in death greatly lamented. 

" Reviviscemus!'' 

The inscription to his wife reads : 

" Elizabeth, 

widow of 

Roger Minot Sherman, 

Died Aug. 3, 1S4S, 

Aged 74. 

" Likelier dif^tingui^hetl husband iiighly gifted by nature and education 

she WiLs his associate & fellow-helper iu all good wt)rks, A, dying as the 

had lived, in tlie laith and hope of the gosjiel, her death was mourned 

iis a public calamity." 

The portraits of the judge and his wife- hang in the 
parlor of the parsonage, wdaieh has been occupied 
since the demise of Mrs. Sherman by Dr. Lyman At- 
water, now professor in Princeton, Dr. Willis Lord, 
Rev. Alexander McLean, Rev. E. E. Rankin, D.D., 
who at present resides in Hartford as a private citizen, 
and Rev. George 8. Burroughs, who was elected last 
May a member of the American Oriental Society, 



■j- Dr. J. T. Denison. 



328 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



which was organized some fifty years since, and num- 
bers among its members the heading American Orien- 
tal schohirs, with associate and lionorary members in 
Europe and Asia. Mr. Burrouglis lias entered on the 
study of the Assyrian hmguagc.* 

4. Rev. Andrew ElinCs Home. — This was not burnt 
in 1779, from the fact that it was not completed. Dr. 
David Hull, who married a Miss Susanna Eliot, 
daughter of Dr. Eliot, of Boston, purcha.sed it, fin- 
ishe<l it, an<l resided there for a few years. That was 
the only house unoccupied at the time of the confla- 
gration, and Dr. Hull intended to purchase it. There 
were, as near as can be ascertained, only nine houses 
standing at that time scmth of the railroad in Fair- 
field, five of which have been mentioned in the " Colo- 
nial lTouses."t One of these was left standing till 
1874, when Arthur IJennitt had it torn down. It was 
not burnt in 1779, as it was owned by a Freemason. 
The house next to it is always spoken of as the 
Turncy house, from which those of that name in town 
probably originated. The principal ones remaining 
are Albert and Theodore Turney,t who reside not far 
from this old "eoloiual." Rufus Turncy was town 
clerk from 1867 to 1870. 

The present town clerk, Daniel Maloney, was born 
in the " colonial" on the Bennitt place. He served 
from 1872 to 1873, and from 1874 to 1880. He is the 
only one who served iis town clerk who has not be- 
longed to a colonial family, though he was born in a 
colonial house I 

The Turney house was set lire to, but the flames 
were either extinguished or it failed to burn. 

The house occupied by Burr Lyon, deceased, owned 
then by Isaac Jennings, was the first one fired and 
the first rebuilt. 

Dr. Hull must have given up his house to Mr. 
Eliot within ten years, as he lived awhile with Justin 
Hobart, and his daughter Eliza was born in that 
"colonial" (No. 3). In time he purchased the house 
which stood dose to the road in front of the residence 
of Gen. E. S. I'arkcr, who is spoken of in the " Ameri- 
can Cyeloptcdia" as one of the most eminent men of the 
Iroquois nation, and who served on President Grant's 
staff and became commissioner of Indian affairs. 

The present home of Gen. Parker, formerly that of 
Col. Robert C. Wetmore, a descendant of Quarter- 
master Kichard Hubljcll, " one of Fairfield's most 
fearless defenders," belonged once to Dr. David Hull, 
and here stood the " colonial" in which he lived and 
died. This house was fired in common with the rest, 
but was saved from destruction, though the fire 



• W. A. Been, In tho SmOiport Tinu; 1RS0. 

f Tlio other four were the Turney ami Iteiinilt honniv) ; al*> one 
which BtWfcl on the site ofthe ret-lilenre oftho late Mr.Gwtrge A. I'helfM, 
a weultli.v New York niercluiiit ami i*hli»..)wner, o.-cu|tio»l for a long time 
hy Mlas Sully While; alwt one Htanillng In fmnt or the house oerupleil 
hy Gon. K. S, Parker, A pK-Mto of thU home is owned by Sliw EIIza 
Hull. 

X Sons of tho Intc Andrew Turuoy. 



l)urned through into the sitting-room, destroying in 
a great measure the base-boariLs, which Dr. Hull 
would never have replaced while he occupied it. He 
died in 1834, aged si.xty-eight. 

His two daughters, Mrs. John C. Sanford and Miss 
Eliza Hull, are yet li>'ing, and are in possession 
of several portraits of " ye olden time" and articles 
made a century or so ago. He was uncle to Com. 
Isajic Hull, anil brother to Gen. William Hull, born 
in Derby. 

It is said of the doctor that few lived more beloved 
and respected. He was distinguished for tiilent as a 
physician. He practiced in Fairfield more than forty 
years, and was conspicuous as a husband, a neighbor, 
and a member of the Christian Church. 

During the occupation of Boston by the British a 
number of families left that place and look refuge in 
Fairfield. Among them was the family of llev. An- 
drew Eliot (Sr.), D.D., a patriotic and faithful min- 
ister, who himself remained in Boston in the dis- 
charge of his a[)pr()])riate duties. Dr. Eliot was born 
in 1718, and graduated from Harvard in 1737. He 
became pastor of the new North Church in Boston in 
1742, and filled that position till his death, in 1778. 
He was elected president of Harvard University, but 
declined the honor. Some of his family (Mrs. Sarah 
Squire, Mrs. Dr. Hull, and his son, the Rev. Andrew 
Eliot) found a i)erm;tnent home in Fairfield. His 
son Andrew was called to succeed the Hev. Noah Ho- 
bart (see " Colonial," No. 3) in 1774. Dr. .\.twater 
speaks of him as a ripe scholar, a prudent, faithful, 
and beloved pastor. Benjamin Silliman, speaking of 
him, says : " In my early days much company resorted 
to Holland Hill, — not a few hidging-gue,<ts, — and it 
was a favorite excursion from Fairfield, especially 
with young people of both .sexes; and in Mr. EliotV 
family there were sensible and agreeable daughters. 
The reverend gentleman was not forgotten by his 
Boston friends, even by the great. On one occasion the 
celebrated Governor Hancock" (see "Burr Family"). 
" presidentof Congress, drove up to Mr. Eliot's with his 
coach and four horses, and while he made his call the 
coachman drove farther up the road to find a place 
wide enough to turn the horses iind carriage"! 

It is .said that Mr. Eliot came down from Holland 
Hill to build his own fires in the church. The seat.~ 
were mere benches, such as were used in school-houses 
at that era. His salary was three hundred didlars per 
annum. When the parish was destroyed by fire in 
1779 his people told him that, being crippled finan- 
cially, they could not do as well by him as others 
could ; but his noble manhood shone beautifully in his 
reply: "I've been with you in your prosjicrity, and 
I'll stay in your adversity ;" and he stayed. He entered 
the following historical note on the church record: 

"1770, July 7th.— A jiart of the Biitish army, eonsisling of Britnns, 
Germans, and Anieiiean refugi-e*. uutier llic command of Bliy..Gen. 
Garth, landed in this lowu from a Heel commanded hy Sir Gaorgc 
Collier. 



FAIRFIELD. 



329 



" la the evening and niglit of the same day a great part nf the build- 
ings in the town-phit were consumed by said troops. 

"July 8th. — In the morning the meeting-honse, together with the 
Chureh-of-England building, the court-house, piisons, and almost all 
the principal buildings in the Society were laid in ashes. 

" Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathei-s praised Thee, is 
burnt with fire, and all our i>leasrtnt things are laid waate. 

"The Lord gave and the l.urd hath taken away. 

" Ulassed be the name of the I/ord. 

"All things work together for good to them that love fJod, to them 
who lire the culled according to Ills purpose. 
" Alleluia ! 

"The Lord (iotl uninipotent reigneth. Amen!" 

Dr. E. R. Rankin quotrd these notes one liumlred 
years after they were written, and said, " In snh.se- 
quent tiuics of prosperity and safety tliose sentiments 
have not been wholly lost." 

Mr. Silliman, in speaking of Mr. Eliot as a teacher, 
writes: " Jlr. Eliot was a thorough seliolar, and was 
so fully imliued with classical zeal that he was not 
always patient of our slow progress. He, however, 
devoted himself with great zeal and fidelity to our 
instruction in all good learning that was adapted to 
our age and destination, and carried us safely through. 
He was most ftiithful during the more than two years 
that we were his private pupils." (Mr. Eliot pre- 
pared Mr. Silliman for college. ) " Mr. Eliot took great 
delight in reading aloud to u.s from the ' ^Eneid.' 
Being excited and animated both by the poetry and 
the story, he evidently enjoyed the subject, and would 
fain have imparted to us a portion of his own enthu- 
siasm." 

Mr. Eliot, wife, and daughter lie within the only 
inclosure of an iron railing in the old ground in Fair- 
field. The daughter, JIary, aged twelve, died first, 
then the father, whose inscription reads: 

" In Memory of the 

Rev. .\ndrew Eliot, A.M.. 

born at Boston, Slass., Jan. 11, 1V4C». 

Ordained pastor of tlie first 

Church of Christ in B'airfield. 

June 22, 1774, in which station 

he served O.jd with fidelity until 

Sept. 20'!', IMl,-), when he 

rested from his labors, in the C3^ 

year of his age and 32' of his ministry. 

that be wise shall shino as the hiightncss of the firmament. 



"They 
and they 
ever." 



His wife's reads: 



22 



" In Memory of 

Mary Kliut, 

Kelict of the late 

Rev'l Andrew Eliot, 

and Daughter of the 

Hon*'!* Joseph Pynchon, 

of Boston, 

anil Mary his Wife. 

she was Ijorn at 

Brookfield, Mass., 

W'as married July lll'li, 

177-1, 

and died liecenif 10'>", 

1^10, 

in the 02'i year of her age. 

Her flesh rests in hope." 



ni;iny to righteousness as the stars forever and 



Of their daughters, Ruth married Dr. "William Burr 
Nash, Elizabeth married Oershom Burr, Mary mar- 
ried Joy, father of Andrew Eliot Joy, of Bridge- 
port, and Susan married Rev. Nathaniel llcwit, 1>.1-).* 
(See " Colonial," No. 5. ) 

Mr. Eliot's " mother was IMary rynchon, of S[iring- 
fiehl, Mass., a lineal descendant of William rynchon, 
who settled Springfield with Jehu Burr, of Fairfield." 

Among the old toml>stones in Fairfield is the fol- 
lowing, to 

" ^Irs. Sarah Sipiire, 

wife of Calit. Josc'ph Scpiire, 

and daughter of the late Iteverend Andrew Eliot, D.H., 

of HosIoii, 

died 31 May, 171)',i, in lierW"' year." 

They li\ed in the hou.se on the V fir angle of the 
two roads e<jnverging near Capt. John (.oaild's estate. 
This was then a private residence ; only half of it was 
plastered for years. It was the style tlirough the 
State to erect a large frame, and finish as the owners 
were able. 

The name of Squire was one of repute and respect- 
ability. David Squire lost both hands in the Revo- 
lution. John Squire's house stood on the site of 
Cieorge's Hotel. Samuel Squire was commissary in 
the army. Proliably when Andrew Eliot, .Ir., went 
to visit his aunt Mary Scpiire he became interested in 
Miss Sophia Was.son, who lived across the way with 
her mother, in a hou.se lielonging at present to Mr. 
Albert Turney. A tombstone in the old ground to 
her father's memory tells a portion of his history. 

" Capt. .Tolin Wa.sson, 
died at New York, 
Nov. ll'h, 1707, in 

his 4IJJ year; 

was removed to 

this place 3larch 

•2»\ 1798." 

Mr. Eliot called at Mrs. Wasson's one Saturday 
morning, and in au interview with MissSojiliia lusked 
her to become Mrs. Eliot on the following day. It 
came so sudden to her that he consented to call in 
the evening for the reply. On conferring with her 
mother, who favored it, knowing her daughter's sen- 
timents regarding the young minister, she saiil, as she 
was baking, she could as well bake some cake, so they 
could jiass around some cake and wine, and she (the 
daughter) could look and see if she had a white dress 
ready to wear: if she had there was nothing to hinder 
the marriage. He called in the evening, and the re- 
sult was that next morning the banns were duly pub- 
lished in church, and in the evening the white dress 
was worn and the cake and wine passed. This Rev. 
Andrew ICliot (3d) was pastor of the Congregational 
Clinreh in New Milford, Conn., where his people were 
greatly attached to him, and always speak of liim in 
endearing terms. 

After the removal of the Eliot family by death and 
marriage, the house came into possession (by pur- 



* See Uurr Genealogy. 



330 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



chase, probably) of Edmund Darrow. In time, Peter 
Burr Sturgos owned it, and rosidcd tlicro for several 
years. Here lie died, and his heirs disposed of it to 
Mrs. Henry Burr. The house is in excellent condi- 
tion. It was finished with paneling's and mouldings 
of delicate workmanship, which have been preserved 
carefully, and for the time and place it was a suitable 
home for Rev. Andrew Eliot, the scholar, patriot, and 
Christian. 

5. The Home oj the late Ji/hnthan Sturr/es. — This is 
located in the part of Fairfield known a.s Mill Plain. 

The name of "Sturges" is a historic one. The 
earliest account of the family is tliat of Peter Stur- 
ges, who settled in Fairfield in 1(>S0. When Fair- 
field was burned, .Judge .Tonatlian Sturges and his 
family were among the fugitives, leaving all their 
ancestral records, of date prior to and following their 
emigration from England, to destruction. 

Jonathan Sturges (1st) left a will, bearing date 
1711, in which he devised property to his three sons, 
Jonatlian, Peter, and David. For his eldest son, 
Jonathan, he had already built upon the site of the 
old homestead. From conformity of dates and cir- 
cumstantial evidence, it appears that his son Samuel 
graduated from Yale College in 1732. He married 
Ann Burr, and was the father of Judge Jonathan 
Sturges. Tiie latter was a successful lawyer; for 
several years a member of Congress while that body 
held its sessions in Philadeljjhia, and was one of the 
Judges of the Supreme Court of this State until his 
infirmities compelled his resignation. He was greatly 
valued and respected by his fellow-citizens. He mar- 
ried in early life I)el)orah Lewis, born in 1742, daugh- 
ter of Lotlirop Lewis, who came to this town from 
Barnstab'.e, Mass., and married, in 1727, Sarah, daugh- 
ter of Jonathan Sturges (another branch of the Sturges 
family). (See "Colonial," No. 9.) 

Judge Jonathan Sturges ke|>t up the English style 
of going to Circuit Court on horseback witli his sad- 
dle-bags, and would be gone a niontli at a time. His 
life ij well stated on Jiis tombstone in the old ground 
thus : 

" III nu'lnnry i>f tlio 
Ilunonililu Juiiiitlmii SlnrgcH, LL.D., 
who wiw iH^rii .\tig. Zi, 1740, 
uild dioil Oct. 4, 1811), 
ag<Ml 70 years. 
" \\« siHtnino I with higli ropiitutioii from nn OArly period ii nuinltor 
uf tin' DiiMt iiii|>orUiiit ofllros fii tlic gift of liifl nntlvo Stiiti', and wai« an 
utHcicnt ni<-nibt>r of Citiigrttiit under Itie confodi-ititiuti wliicli vindicatiil 
Iho rii;)it« and llir inde)M'ndL-nL-i> of llu- I'nited States. Wide and jintdent 
a» a klateMHun, ilillexilil)' lipri),'lit n» judge, a faithful friend, an atfec- 
lionate parent, and. al^ve all, an exeinplary Chi i-tian, tiis fitendR have 
an alwiireil hope that In )il-< sudden deiith he imtued into glory and re- 
ceived the welcome of liiit divine Mitster." 

The following is found in the " Life of Benjamin 
Silliman," vol. i. p. 24: 

••Judge Jonathan Sturges, n noble gcntleniaii, wa« an ornninent to the 
town, lie waa a gnulnato of Vale |ill Iho clow of 17AII), and, although 
Mvon yam later than my fatttrV cUim of 17S2, lliey woiv IrieuOa aud 



• Gen. G. 8. Silliman. 



contemporaries at the liar, at which both were eminent practitioners. 
Mr. Sturges was a member of tlic House of Representatives of the I'niteil 
States when conveneil in Xew York tu 17H9, in the first year of the 
Prcsideney of Gen. Wasliiiiglon, and the evening years of liis life were 
devoted to the beneli uf the Supreme Court of Connerticiit. 

" Witli a fine person, he had the superior manners of that day, dignity 
softened byaltind and winning courtesy, with the stamp of benevolence. 
Judge Sturges Iiad a large family, sons and daughters; the sons were 
gentlemen in senlimentit and manners, and the daughters refined ladies, 
partaking of the Mended traits of both parents. They wore all amiable 
and intelligent and i)lea.s;int: some of them were lieantifiit. It was a 
delightful female cirvle." 

The eldest son of Judge Sturges was Lewis Burr 
Sturges, wiio resided in Fairfield during tlie early 
part of his active life. He wa-s member of Congress 
for several consecutive years. He resided in the house 
now occui)ied by Mrs. Catharine Beers, whose hus- 
band lies in the East burying-ground under this in- 

: scription : 

"The Grave 

of 

Angustin Prevost Beers, M.D., 

Surgeon of the 

United States Navy, 

who died 

on the Sth of June, 1831, 

aged 28 years." 

The Hon. Lewis Burr Sturges moved to Ohio, where 
he died at an advanced age. 

Ca])t. B. Lothrop Sturges, another son of Judge 
Jonathan Sturges, lived in Southport. In 18(M> he 
built tlie house at present occupied by David Banks. 
He was a farmer and a merdiant. He built a large 
schooner, which when it went out of Soutliport har- 
bor was prophesied to bring back a fortune; but the 
first voyage proved the only one for Mr. Sturges, as 
the French took the vessel as a tropliy in tlie war 
known as the French war, which occurred about tliat 
time. 

Mr. B. ij. Sturges died in 1831 at the old homestead, 
leaving one son, the late Jonathan Sturges, the " mil- 
lionaire merchant," and three daughters. He mar- 
ried Jlary Sturges, who belonged to the family on 
Mill Plain. Her lirother, Dimon Sturges, owned the 
jiroperty on wliich tlie late Jonatlian Sturges built his 
house in 1S41. He purchased these premises from 
Hezekiah Sturges, a son of Dimon Sturges, in 1835, 
for the use of his mother and sisters, the (brmer of 
whom died in 1840. 

.Vlioiit 1841) there were many changes in tlic Imild- 
ings aroun<) the green. The old cliureh (E|iiscopal) 
wa.s entirely obliterated, the society building in South- 
])ort. Many of the old himses were repaired or re- 
placed by new ones, which called out some excellent 
poetic cfi'usions; one was by the late Mrs. Julia M. 
(Beers) Burr, ami another was introduced to the pub- 
lic by the widow of the Rev. 1). H. Short, D.D. 
Ilutli were copied through the jiapers. 

Mr. Sturges did not spend all his time on Mill 
Plain, as this was only his country-seat, he having 
been engaged in commercial interests in New York, 
whither he went in 1823 with such intent. He was 
eminently successf^J. 



FAIKFIELD. 



J'jL 



Having obtained a situation with Mr. Liiman Reed, 

he rose by successive grades to lie tlie liead of the 
firm. He also l)uilt the present stores, and after leav- 
ing busiuess oecujiied the office in the store wliich 
liis sons now hold. He married an aceonijdished lady. 
Miss Mary Pemberton Cady, a descendant of the fam- 
ily who gave the name to "IVndierton Hill," lioston. 
She was the mainspring in his prosperous career. 
She was trained in a literary atmosphere, her father 
being editor for nniny years of T/ir Virr/inin //ini/il, 
one of a few papers published in the whole of that 
State. He died in 1874. 

The late family interments, marked liy l>eautiful 
and appropriate monuments, — viz., the late Mr. .1. 
Sturges, his son, Arthur P. Sturges, a Princeton stu- 
dent, and daughter, Amelia, wife of Mr. Pierpont 
Blorgan, and grandchildren, — are in Fairfield East 
burying-ground. 

The homestead and city mansion are alternately 
occupied by Mrs. Sturges (who is largely assoeiate<l 
with benevoletit institutions) and her son, Henry C. 
Her other sons, Frederic and Edward, have also hand- 
some estates in Fairfield. Herdanghter, Mrs.William 
H. Osborne, and husband, are largely identified with 
the artistic, benevolent, and best interests of New 
York City. 

6. Wah-l-friii, tin; JLiincnf the Oxijaait luunlhi. — About 
thirty-one years ago the Eev. Samuel Osgood came to 
Fairfield to find a boarding-]ilace, and possildy to 
locate for himself a h<ime. Jle purchased a tract, 
not far from Fairliehl tlepot, that no one would hardly 
accept as a gift, it scarcely being a sheep pasture for 
quality, overrun with cedars and cundjered with plenty 
of stones. This property he rescued fnnn the wilils 
and made it to blossom as a rose, and there he built 
a residence after the modern cottage style nf architec- 
ture surrounded by smiling and joyous nature. The 
apparently worthless natural incumbrances upon the 
place he converted into ornaments. The stones and 
rocks made fences, recesses, grottoes, monuments, 
trellises, and landscape-finishings. On a beautiful 
lawn near the liouse is a life-size figure of Dante, 
brought from Italy. It stands on a pedestal bearing 
this inscription : 

" Your own Poets have saiil, 
For wo are also Ilis oflWpiiiig." 

In the rear (if Daiitc is a h-dge of rocks which ap- 
pear as if Nature had some intention in arranging 
expressly tor the purpose for which they were used, 
—to commemorate tlie poets. The names of Emerson, 
Longfellow, Bryant, Chaucer, Tasso, Dante (1265), 
Alfieri, Petrarch, Shakspearc (1504), Ooethe, Schil- 
ler, Corneille, Milton (the day this name was en- 
graved an English oak was set out over the rock 
braring it), Wordsworth^ Kel)le, Scott, Homer, and 
Virgil are carved in individual rocks at various 
angles, about and over which graceful ferns and 
shrubbery throw a charm. The whole combination 



is beautiful and poetic. The inscription, "The groves 
were (Jod's first temples," is very befitting. 

On a solitary rock nut far from the wayside is thi; 
text and injuneticm, " Know thyself," uliich was 
written over the dour of the temple of Apidlo, and 
originated witli the jioct ^Menander. Dr. Osgoiid 
gave this special pronunence, as he felt it should be 
the foundation of every num's character. 

In another direction is the ecclesiastical ])art of the 
ground, in which the beauties of the place are ascriljcd 
on one rock to " God;" on the next to " ( )ur Fatlier;" 
and lastly, " In Christ." " ( Jod our Father in Clirist" 
is the thought that pervades this place. Three stones 
form a complete and natural pulpit. (.)n the rock 
forming the right side is engraved " ( lod is Love ;" 
on the one forming the lelt side is " tilad Tidings." 
The scriptural (juotations in view are: "Blessed are 
the pure in heart: for they shall .see Cod;" "Where 
the spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty ;" " Honor 
thy father and thy mother." Again, one sees "The 
Comforter," "The Holy Spirit," engraved on other 
rocks. 

On another rise of ground is a long stone on which 
is engraved "The Prophets;" on another is "Watch 
and Pray." At the base of the undulation is the key 
to Christian progress, written in stone : " To do justly, 
love mercy, and walk humljly with thy frod." This 
section is called Carmcl, and not far from here is the 
dedication of the ground: "To Tkutii : A Student's 
Otfering," and is on the central grou]) or ledge of 
rocks. This rock bears also the monogram adopted 
l)y Dr. Osgood, in wliicli P is combined with X; the? 
signifying Cti'i and the X r/io, so that the two sig- 
nifications are blended in C/ilr/io, a (Jreek word mean- 
ing " Christ." The P also denotes pur, Latin for 
" peace ;" so the motto of his adoption is " Christ and 
Peace," or " Peace in Christ." 

Another nook is devoted to the faiiuly, where, on 
the various rocks, arc engraved the initials of each 
member of the iiunily, and on the return of each 
birthday a Horal decoration of the corresponding 
stone is the order of the celebration. A large vase is 
the centre-piece. 

Not far distant one is renuudcd, from the long 
stone un<lerlying a bank on which is engraved in 
excellent lettering, "Consider the lilies of the field, 
how they grow," of the Sermon on the Mount. 

On another slope is a circular opening, formed by 
rock and trees, dedicated to sentiment. < )n one stone 
is the word "Psyche," on another rock is " f^trong 
Song of God, Immortal Love," the first line of Ten- 
nyson's " In Memoriam." 

Near the street is the patriotic group of rocks, o:i 
which are noble names of history, "Alfred," "Lin- 
coln, 1S(>.')," and "Washington." On a huge rock 
close by the street a fairy -like structure, called 
"Union Tower," composed of cedar, has a com- 
manding view. On this rock is cut " God and our 
Countrv. 18(J2." 



332 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Dr. Osgood was born at Charlestown, Mass., in 
1812. He graduated from Harv.ard in 1S32, having 
been prepared by Dr. Willard Parker; completed his 
theological course at the Cambridge Divinity School 
in 1835; preached in the West and Soutli about two 
years; took clvarge of llic Unitarian school in Nitshua, 
N. H., in 1837 ; was called to tlie Wcstiuinster Churcli 
in Providence, K. I., in 1842, and in 1849 went to the 
Church of the Messiali, New York, as the successor of 
Dr. Dewey, where he remained twenty years. After 
this he took orders in the Episcopal Church, but, owing 
to various and extensive literary duties, did not take 
the entire charge of a parish. 

Dr. Osgood wa.s a delegate to the International 
Peace Congress ; was a member of the New England 
Society, the Historical Society, the Century Club, and 
the Union League Club ; president of the Fairfield 
Improvement Society, and of the Memorial Library. 
He was also president of the Fairfield Centennial 
Commemoration. He compiled the record of that day, 
which is a valuable contribution to the centennial 
histories of the countrj'. Fairfield was to him the 
loveliest of earthly paradises. In its praise he was 
unceasing, in acts for its welfare persistent, enthusi- 
astic, and lavish. He was a voluminous writer, both 
for periodicals and of books. 

He died April 14, 1880, at his New York residence, 
in the sixty-eighth year of his age. His remains were 
brought to Fairfield and interred in the Oak Lawn 
Cemetery, in a retired spot which he selected a few 
years since, and corresponds with his own home for 
thirty years. Mill River ripples at its ba.se, and the 
native trees sough above him. Last year he had a 
large stone conveyed thither, upon the top of which 
a Maltese cross was erected. The pedestal, a native 
rock, bears this inscription: "God is our Rock. 
1879." This stone, his home, and his literary works 
arc his undying monuments.* He intended to reside 
permanently in Fairfield when he retired from public 
life, and have a common interest with the people. 
His home is a lasting memento of his great intel- 
lect. 

7. The Home of Frederic Branson. — This was orig- 
inally the place where Dr. Dwight lived and wrote 
the poem of " (ireciifield Hill," published in 17!I4. 

When Ur. Dwight loft his charming home for New 
Haven, Dr. Oliver Bronson purchased it. His son 
Frederic heircd this property, the other sons being 
settled elsewhere. 



* Hla tjmlMtoDcfl nn of grnnito. His heiulstonc contains ; 
'• Sannicl rtngoiMl 
Doctor in Divinity, 
Born in Churlntowii, Miiss., Aug. 30, 1812, 
Died Xi-w York til)- April Htli, IKHO. 
" ' I'eoco I loftvo Willi you.' " 
This U hcailcd liy Uic nionogmni bcfuro rcrorrod to, Rignif^ing " Peaco 
inClitlit." « 

On llif fiKjtstono U the Mttltc«D crufis, under wliizli is " Sursutn Cordji," 
wliicli, Interpreted, means " Lift up your hearts." I'ndcr this ore the 
^UUj^ls "S. 0." In monogram. 



About ten years since the old part, built for Dr. 
Dwight, was removed, and a new addition was made 
to the other portion of the house. 

On the eastern slope of Greenfield Hill, in a roman- 
tic locality, lies an estate of some two liundrcd and 
fifty acres, owned by Mr. Frederic Bronson, which 
has been in the Bronson family for nearly a century. 
This is one of the finest country-seats in the State. 

8. The Residence of the Late Governor Gideon Tom- 
linson. — This house is exceedingly plain and unpre- 
tentious. It was erected by Sturges Lewis, of Fair- 
field, about 1780. He married a daughter of Samuel 
Bradley, Esq. ; neither of them lived but a short time. 
It was then occupied by Dudley Baldwin, a promi- 
nent lawyer, who married a sister of Mrs. Lewis, a 
widow of Hanford Wakeman. 

The spotted fever was raging in New Haven in 
1794. Dudley Baldwin went there to see his sister, 
who was prostrate with it. He took the fever, and 
died in three days. A monument in the Greenfield 
ground contains this to his memory and to that of 
others of the family : 

" Saoroil 

to the repose of the dead A 

the meditation of the living. 

Dudley Baldwin, 

an eminent Counselor, 

nn iinlent patriot, 

a faithful friend, 

died2'Jtli Manh, 1794, 

Aged 11. 

Sarah Baldwin, 

his wife, 

whose virtues endeared lior 

to the Ijcst uf husbands, 

died 3 Dec, 1735, 

Aged 37. 

Abralmm Baldwin 

lie.** buried nt Wuslilngton. 

His memory needs no 

marble. Ilia country 

is his monument, her 

constitution his 

greatest work. 

lie died a Senator In 

Congrcjw, 4 March, 1S07, 

Aged 02." 

After Mrs. Baldwin's death the house reverted to 
AValtcr Bradley, who rented it to Hev. Mr. .'^aiiiuel 
Blatcliford in 1790; he preached in this parish a year 
or so, then went to Pcquonnock. It was sold to 
Samuel Broom, of New York, and repurchased again, 
and' was rented to Rev. Mr. Horace Holly, who kept 
the academy and preached here from 180.5 to 1808, 
and was then settled in Boston. Mr. Holly brought 
with him the first piano ever seen in (ireenfield. 

The house was afterwards rented for several years, 
until it was purchased by Gideon Tomlinson, LL.D. 
(born at Stratford, Conn., Dec. 31, 1780), a lawyer, 
who married a daughter of Walter Bradley. " He 
graduated from Yale 1802; became eminent as a law- 
yer at Fairfield ; was a member of Congress 1818- 
1827; Governor of Connecticut 1827-1831; and United 



FAIRFIELD. 



333 



States senator from IS.'il to 1837."* Ho died Oct. S, 
1854. He is described as l)eing a very correct man, 
also slow and sure. 

Mrs. Tomlinson survived liim till ISSO, when the 
house was sold to Miss A<rnes JIurray. The remains 
of both Mr. and Mrs. Tmulinson were interred in 
Stratford. 

9. The Habitation of Burr Slirrvood. — Tins was a 
perfect museum, — not of animals, but of dirt and cu- 
riosities. Mr. Burr Sherwood was really an eccentric 
man, and as long- as his larire monument in Oak Lawn 
remains it will be pointed out for generations, and his 
story told to listening ears. He was born in 179-, 
and was colonel in the home militia. He was a fine- 
looking young man, and rode a milk-white steed the 
envy of many. 

As the changes occurred in the family, such as is 
the lot of all families, in which all parties are removed 
by death or marriage, it happeued that he lived en- 
tirely alone. He dwelt in the house built by his 
father, Abel, from whom he also inherited consider- 
able property. He did his own cooking and his own 
housework, hut one thing was evident: he never did 
any sweeping. His furniture and crockery indicated 
that the family had been in good circumstances, but 
the most motley collection of articles ever gathered 
was there. When away from home he always had his 
hands full homeward bound ; if nothing more, a stone 
in each hand, or a ribbon, a string, a paper, or a bit 
of iron. One room was devoted to papers of all sorts, 
which probably were sent to him on account of his 
connection with the Southport Chronicle. These 
papers were heaped high in one corner of the room. 
He had considerable of a farm, which grew up to 
cedars. All the old iron or wheels or chains, and 
things apparently worthless, he readily purchased. 

Why he took a fanc)' to live thus tjr spend his money so 
strangely, nobody seems al)le to account for. He was 
well educated, and had quite a library, which seemed 
to be devoted to law, love, and piety, with some mis- 
cellaneous works. He also owned a house in South- 
port, not far from the dejxit. He, however, lived on 
Mill Hill till a tragedy occurred there which rather 
intimidated him. One evening he heard a knock at 
the door, to which he responded by opening to the 
applicant, when two men seized and gagged him. He 
was about eighty years old at this time. They injured 
him greatly, breaking out his teeth, etc. He, however, 
managed to escape from the Iiurglars, who came to rob 
him. After that he resided in Southport till he died, 
in March, 1879. He probably then fell down stairs 
and broke his neck, as he was found doubled up at the 
foot of the stairs, as if he liad missed his footing or lost 
his equilibrium. People missed him, so they per- 
suaded the authorities to investigate his mysterious 
disappearance, and they found him as described 
above. He died as he lived, — alone. He was eccen- 

* See Johnson's Cyclopa.'dia. 



trie in his wardrobe as well as in other ways, yet he 
was never known to be discourteous, as h(> was a gen- 
tleman of the old school even to the last. 

After his death his effects were sold at auction, 
which drew a crowd. Many bought some of his arti- 
cles for their intrinsic value, others purchased to se- 
cure a remembrance of the odd old things that shall 
assist in commemorating his eccentricities for untold 
years. 

His neighbor, and jirobably a distant relative, 
David H. Sherwood, is the ailiuinistratcjr of ISurr 
Sherwood's estate. 

The whole of Mill Hill was formerly owned by one 
family of Sherwoods, but by marrying it has passed 
into different branches, and somewhat into the Bulke- 
ley name. 

Burr Sherwood and his brother Abel having de- 
ceased not many months apart, John, David H., and 
Artluir, three brothers, are the representatives of the 
Sherwoods in that section. Capt. Edwin Sherwood, 
of Southport, comes in another line. 

David H. Sherwood and P. T. Barnum ran the first 
mowing-machine (a Ketehum) in this county. There 
could not be found two men in the country wlio were 
so ready with wit or jokes on all occasions as the last- 
mentioned couple. 

Mr. David H. Sherwood has always been interested 
in the Fairfield County Fair. At the time he was 
associated with Barnum everything Irom California 
was so immense, iu grain, fruit, or stock, tliat when 
entering some of the latter for Bariuim, — which was 
no less than some donkeys, — Mr. Slierwo(]d entered 
them as " California Rabbits," — a joke relished 
greatly by the great showman. 

Tlie Sherwood family have married into all the 
families in town from the early date of its settlement. 
(")ue representative in Southport was the late Dr. Jus- 
tin Sherwood, who was a graduate of Yale with Dr. 
Denison, of Fairfield. Their systems of practice were 
antagonistic, yet both were successful and highly es- 
teemed, and they died within a few months of each 
other. 

THE HULL K.\MILY.t 

Joseph Hull, born 1594, of St. Mary Hall, Oxford, 
took his first degree in 1614, and was in 1021 insti- 
tuted rector of Northleigh, a jiarisli adjoining the 
vicarage of his brother William. He arrived at Bos- 
ton Jlay 6, 1635, and was the first minister of Wey- 
mouth, Jlass. He was freeman of Massachusetts and 
Plymouth, a delegate to the ( ieneral Courts of both 
colonies, and the pioneer and founder of Barnstal)lc, 
on Capo Cod. He removed to Maine in 1641, and 
was minister at the celebrated Isles of Shoals, at York, 
and at Oyster River. He died Nov. 19, M\i\'^. Mr. 
Hull remained within the pale of the Established 
Church, and by the Puritans was suspected of episco- 
pal, if not prelatical, tendencies. He was the life- 



t Coutiibutiil l.y A. B. Uul 



334 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



long opponent of the Massachasetts Bay Company, 
and Governor Winthrop informs us that he was a 
contentious man and ran a diflerent course from the 
Boston party in botli civil and ecclesiastical affairs. 
His descendants are found chiefly in Khode Island 
and New York. 

Tlie parentage and birthplace of the Hulls are not 
known. Two well-defined family traditions have 
been traced back to early colonial days. One, trans- 
mitted by the descendants of George, of Fairfield, 
states that three brothers came from Old England, 
and that their immediate descendants located in Con- 
necticut, in Massachusetts, and in Rhode Island. 
It evidently refers to George, John, and Joseph. The 
other tradition, found in the Rhode Island family 
(descendants of Joseph), is to the effect that their an- 
cestor claimed descent from the family long seated at 
Larkebeare, in St. Leonard's jjarish, Exeter, Devon- 
shire. Still another tradition has it that their father 
was also a clergyman, but this may point no farther 
back than to the brothers William and Joseph, both 
episcopally ordained. The probabilities are that 
their fiither wa.s a substantial yeoman or thrifty 
burgher of Somerset, and that he claimed descent 
from the Larkebeare Hulls. 

Mr. George Hull, the second of these brothers, was 
born about 1590. He and his daughter Marie are 
named in the vicar's will. To George wa.s given a 
reversionary interest in an annuity issuing out of cer- 
tain premises in Broad-Wind.sor in county Dorset, 
and to Marie a legacy of ten pounds. He came over 
with the West-Country people in the great ship " Mary 
and .John," Capt. Squeb, which sailed from Plymouth, 
in Devon, March 30, 1629-30, and arrived May 30, 
IGSO, at Nantasket (a point afterwards named Hull, 
in honor of his brother .Joseph), and thirteen days 
before the arrival of Governor Winthrop at Salem. 
They located at Mattapan, and named their planta- 
tion Dorchester. These first comers, chiefly from 
Somerset, Devon, and Dorset, " were many of them 
persons of note and figure," and Mr. Hull was dignified 
then, and always after, with the title of " Mister" or 
" JIaster," " which but few in those days were." He 
took the freeman's oath May 14, 11)33, and it is con- 
jectured that he then for the first time attached him- 
self to the Dorchester Church, and it doea not appear 
that he thereafter took any active ])art in the ecclesi- 
astical politics of the times. The same year he was 
a nuMuber of the town council which established the 
municipal government. In 1033 and 1(534 he was one 
of the raters of tlie town, and he and Capt. John 
Bursley (who married his niece, Joanna Hull) were 
the tax commissioners. In 1635 and 1636 he was 
elected one of the selectmen " for the ordering of the 
plantation." 

Jlr. Hull was deiuity from Dorchester to the first 
(ieneral Court helil at Boston, May 14, l(i34, the most 
notable body of representative men assembled among 
the founders of New England, which curbed the 



power of the theocracy by assuming to themselves the 
right of law-making; and "no country on earth," 
says Judge Savage, " can afford the history of any 
event more interesting to its own inhabitants." 

In 1635 his brother Joseph, rector of Northleigli, 
arrived with many people out of Somerset and Dorset, 
and with twenty-one families, including his own, sat 
down at Wessagusset, now Weymouth, but which 
until the fall of the year remained within the terri- 
torial jurisdiction of the town of Dorchester. Thus 
for a short time the three brothers, George, John, and 
Joseph, were fellow-townsmen. 

During the year 1636, George Hull and family, 
and his son-in-law, Mr. Pinney (who had married his 
daughter Marie), with many others, — in all, about 
one-half of the first comers and grantees, — removed 
to the Connecticut Valley and founded the town of 
\\'indsor. In the same year he surveyed Wethers- 
field, in Connecticut, and the records of Plymouth 
colony disclose the fact that he received a grant of 
land at Green's Harbor Path in 1637, perhaps in com- 
pensation for professional services as a surveyor. 

He was rei)resentative from the town of Windsor 
to the_^r«/ General Court assembled at Hartford, May 
1, 1637, which declared war against the Pequot In- 
dians, and by the spirited measures adopted is mem- 
orable in the history of the times. He continued to 
represent Windsor every year until 164(5, when he 
removed to Fairfield, where he made jiurchase of 
several tracts of land. After his removal to Fairfield 
he was elected deputy to the General Court most of 
the time to the year 1(556. 

He was the personal friend and jmlitical adherent 
of Governor Roger Ludlow. He emigrated with him 
from Englan<l in 1()30, removed with him to Connec- 
ticut in 1636, and, jointly with him, obtained from 
the court in 1638 a grant of the mono]»iily of the 
beaver-trade on the Connecticut River. When Gov- 
ernor Ludlow went to Fairfield, Mr. Hull soon fol- 
lowed, and was selected by the court his assistant or 
lieutenant in the military operations of the year 1649; 
and in l(!ol, and again in 1(553 and 1(554, he was ap- 
jiointed by the General Court as associate magistrate 
for the towns of the "Sea Siile," being in this ca- 
pacity the assistant of Mr. Ludlow, the magistrate. 
Mr. Ludlow embarked for Virginia in 1654, and Mr. 
Hull, though frequently thereafter elected by the 
people as their deputy, is not again ai)pointed an as- 
sistant magistrate by the court. 

He w)is twice married. His first wife — mother of 
all his childri;n_;7-died before his removal to Fairfield. 
She was puituMy Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Rus- 
sell, who died at Weymouth, in 1(540, leaving a small 
estate to his "only fhild, Elizabeth Hull." Af\er 
June, 1654, he niarrit^^arah, widow of David Phip- 
pen, or J"itzpen, of Boston, by whom there wits no 
issue. 

He died in 1659, aged about seventy years. He was 
j)ublic-spirited, active, and intelligent, and as a legis- 



FAIRFIELD. 



3o5 



latdi' ;niil nui,nisti-;ite was instruiiiciital in ostablisliiug 
two of tho tree and ciiliglitoiK'd nmiiuouwealtlis of 
New Enghuid. Cotton Matlici' distiiigui>lir(l liiiu 
with a place in liis groat book, and alsu plaees his 
brotlicr Joseph in liis " Fii-st Chissis" or list of " First 
Good Men." Mr. Trnmhiill, historian of Connectieut, 
groujis him with those whose names are worthy of per- 
petuation, an<l ]\Ir. Stiles, historian of Windsor, tells 
us that he was a citizen of wortli and distinrtinn. 

One of the pioneers of Fairfield not mentioned per- 
sonally was (Jeurge Hull, who was horn in l.-ilKl. 

Cornelius Hull, of Fairfield, C(mn., born i[i ](i2(i, 
married Rebeeea, daughter of Rev. John and Sarah 
Jones, of Fairtield. Sir. Jones was episeopally or- 
dained in Kngland, ami eame in the ship "Defense" 
from ]j07idon in 1()3.') ; was ordained pastor of the 
Cone(n'<l Chureh .\pril (i, Ki.ST ; removed with many 
of his parish to Fairfield in September, 1(1+4. Upon 
the oeeasion of his marriage, in 1().>3, Mr. Hull, liy 
deed of gift dated November UHh, granted to his son 
Cornelius a homestead farm in Fairfield, and Novem- 
ber l'4tli he purchased a homestead lot of three acres 
in the village. Cornelius followed his father's profes- 
sion, — that <jf a surveyor. He was representative to 
the (xeneral Court for nuiny years, — 16.5(5-0(1, 1(;(>2-G,3, 
and l()(i7. In IDT-'J he was lieutenant of the Life- 
Guards, and i:i l('i7('i lieutenant of the Fairfield com- 
pany, and was out in King Philip's war, in which 
service he received a grant of laud in lt>77. He left 
a will dated Sejit. Ki, Kiil.'). 

//'///. — This Fnglisli surname is taken directly from 
the names of places and localities. It is the old Eng- 
lish and Welsh word for the Anglo-Sa.xon hiU, the 
French imintngiic, the Latin iiiims. The oldest estates 
and manors in the West of England giving names to 
famili(s were Hull in Cheswardine, Salop ; Hull in 
Areenefeld, Herefordshire (the La Jliilla (d' Domesday 
Book) ; Hull in I'iereholle, Statfordsliire ; and ///;// in 
Taretone, Devonshire (corrupted into Hole l)y the 
Xorm.an scribes in Dome.sday); and it is probable 
that all bearing the name of Hull, ami also many 
bearing the name of Hill in the West counties, derive 
from families originally resident or holding lands at 
the above-named places. Several of these families 
can be tr.aeed back to the days of the Norman kings, 
M'hen the name was written De la Hull, Del Hull, or 
La Hull ; but the subseipieut adoption of ulktses — such 
as De la Hill, Du Mont, Do Monte, De la Montague 
— has thrown all of these pedigrees into endless con- 
fusion. It was not uncommon for a West county 
family to have an nlia.i down to a comparatively re- 
cent period, — such us Hull alius Hill or Hill uHun 
Hull, — which resulted, in many instances, in the 
final adoption of the more euplionious form of //ill. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

FAIRFIELD iContinuecli. 

MISCfCI.L/VNfOUU.'^. 

FaiificM r.riivi-.vanis— The Bnn.ii-l. i,r S,.ntli]«.it— Tlu- Soutlilioit Xii- 
ti.inal Bank— Tlic Snntlii>oit .SiiviM.L;s-liaiik— Tliu I.il.riirii-s— Tliv I.i- 
l.niij- of 17SII— Tin; (Jireiili.lil Lilnai.v— Mid liivi-r Soiial l.Urrai.v— 
The- Orccnfii-l.l l.il.iaij- of 1H3II— Tlic Soutliiw.rt I'lil.lu: Si-li....l I.il.rary 
—Tin' Lil.rai.v .\ss.niati..ri of Mill I'laiii— The Thii.: (JiwiiHcM I.i- 
hrary — Tlic ScioikI Lil)rary at Suutlipurt — Tlie Meiiioriu! I.ilnjiiy — 
The S, li.iuls— TIr' .s„utli|)uit " Times'— Tlie Kuirlielil AiaiUniy— Thu 
Saiiiii Mi.rlar U^.k. 

.Vs Fairfield was settled so early in our county's 
history the graveyards^ are very (ild. The town 
records and the tombstone inscri]itions are all tliat 
are left to tell llie doings of Fairfield's first settlers. 

The first burials were made in the Pcipionnock, 
Fairficdd old, and Mosquito Hill gronnils. Those in 
the latter had no stones at all to mark the places, 
and, lieing located near the shore (west of Phipji's 
Beach), through the action of the winds and the 
waves they have been mostly washed away. In the 
other two grounds there was often no stone to mark 
the final resting-place of the dead; and if there 
were any, there was no mark intelligible to later 
generations. Then, as people had a little more time 
and could command tools, they improved on their 
first monuments, as tliey made a few rude initials, 
with the date of the year, carved in the stone in its 
original condition. (.)n this account the Pequonnock 
(or Stratfield) ground is a curiosity, tlu' contour of 
some of the stones being very irregular. The first 
feeling of the beholder is that he is in some foreign 
country, — that he is evidently not at home. 

The l)urials of the first era are marked by no stones ; 
those of the second are indicated by the vise of a com- 
mon nmgh stone, unwrought ; the third, by the blue- 
stone imported from England. These stones are of 
cxcidlent quality, and, being susceptible of very high 
polish or having great smoothness, arc not so readily 
covered by moss. The fourth era is marked by free- 
stone; the fifth, by marble or grainte. The fashion 
of carvings, designs of "grinning deaths," willows, 
urns, and monograms seems to mark difl'erent eras 
also. The difl'erent expressions, "In Memory of," 
"Departed this Life," "Died," "01)t.," also seem to 
indicate different parts of the century, as does the 
orthograjdiy, — " Here lyes ye," etc. Then, again, the 
long epitaiih or the reverse, the utmost simplicity, is 
in vogue at various times, an illustration of which is 
here given. The first is taken from Fairfield old 
ground, and is the longest one found : 

" U.MO lies the Bci.l.v of Tliomas, Son to M' Kl.c-ncz. r .* M" Maiy Ber- 
tram. Ho was Born Feliniary 22, .\.I). 17C4, ,V Dieil .luly 2S"', A.D. ITiU, 
Aged ■) months & i; J)jiys. 

" Happy the Babe, who. |iT i\ ilej;eil by Fato 
To Slioiter Lal.cjiir anil a Lighter weight. 
lii'eeivM hnt yesterday the Gift of Breath, 
Order'd to-morruw to Beturn tei Death. 



* E.xtracts from "Fairfield Tombstones," \<y Mrs. Kate E. Perry. 



336 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



"Sinco all tlio downward Tracts of Timo 
God's watc!ifiil Kyo Sun'cys, 
Oil, who Su wbc to ('liooiju our I^ot 
And ICeguluto our waya? 

"Since none Can doubt his Equal Love, 
UnmeoDurnbly kind. 
To Ills unorrhiK, gratious will. 
Be Kvery wisli Resigned. 

*' Good when llo givca, Supremely good. 
Nor L«« whon Ho douies, 
Even Crosses from his Sovereign baud 
Are Blossings in Disguise." 

The shortest is from Fairfield East ground, and is 
simply, — 

"David null, M.D., 
Ob. 1834, JEt. 68." 

Probably there is not a person in town not familiar 
witli Dr. Hull's name and reputation as a very suc- 
cessful and beloved physician. 

The j^enealogist likes the following st>-le. as it as- 
sists greatly in his research (the point referred to is in 
italics) : 

"In Memory of Sirs- 

Dcliorah Osboru, 

Conftjrt of Mr Daniel 

O»born, Jun', & DaN^r 

of Vbl.Abraliam G'iuld, 

wlio de|Nirlcd this Lifo 

July 28, ITS."., Aged 

22 years A 3 dnjrg. 

"'Death is ndeht to Nature due, 

Which I have paid and so must you.' "* 

A few are here given as curiosities in tombstone 
lore : 

" Hero lyes Buried ye Body of 

Benjamin Wynkoop of FaiiUcld. 

He wiw born in Now York 

May ye 5th, n|d stile, 1705, & 

departed tliis Life Sept 1st, 176C, 

in yo Ca Year of His Age." 

To lead tliese old stones intelligibly, it is nccessarj^ 
to bear in mind that "previous to 1752 the English 
legal year began with March 2r>th, though the change 
to January 1st its the beginning of the year, adopted 
by Catholic nations in 1582, had been gradually gain- 
ing ground. To prevent confusion between the two 
styles it became usual to write all dates occurring be- 
tween January 1st and Marcii 25th with double year, 
thus: 'Feb. 22, 173J,' meaning that the year under 
the Old 8tyle would be still 1731, while by the Xew 
Style it wouUl be 17ii2, Under the New Style another 
change took place, by whidi ten days should be added 
to all datCJi previous to 1700 and eleven days to those 
between 170<» and 1752. "t For that reason one finds 
a birth on the church record in near the first part of 
February; on referring to the town record t lie same 
is registered in the la.st part of Jaiuiary, showittg that 
the change was not uniformly adopted. As an illus- 
tration of the above the following is given : 

' .So.' Falrn.M Cn.ui.d. 

f Kodftvld Genealogy gives tliii explauatiuu. 



" Hero lyes Buried ye 

Body of Mrs Ann 
Allen, Wife to Lieut 

Gideon Allen, 
Who departed this life, 
Mur 14th, Anno Dom. 
1"4J^. Aged 72 years." 

The oldest inscription familiar to the historian so 
far reads : 

" Here lyes ye Body 
Joseph Pliippene, 

Aged al)out 26 
years. Died y« 10**1 

of July, 1712." 

The letters are all in capitals. It is a very short 
stone, just high enough for five lines of inscription. 
The margin is broad and richly carved. 

Two others : 

" Here 
liefl interr'd the l«ody 
of Doct' Thomas Hill, 
who died Slarch 8t*>, 
A.D. 1781, in the 3G"' 
Year of Ins Ago. 
"Some hearty friends shall drop a " 
On our drj* Bones and say 
Thotue once were strong as mine appear 
And mine mu^t be as they." 

*' Here lyes ye Body 

of Sarah Burr, 
the DAUGHTER of 

Peter Burr, Esq., 

Aged about IG years. 

Dec. — 

1_7_2— 3." 

The month indicating her death is lost, as the slate 
has scaled off'. The year is stretched across the stone. 
Another : 

*' Hero lies yo Ixxly 
of Abigail, ye wife 
of Joseph Corham, 
who died lanuaT 

yo 23', 172j. 
Agod 31 years." 



tear 



7 w;is *' old stile" 
Another : 



for J. 



Another: 



"In 
Mcmorj- of 
Lieut. Gideon Hawley, 
who died 
Sept 11. 1784. 
Aged years. 
Gideon, son uf 
Gideon A Hannah Hawler, 
died Jan. 6, 17SS. 
Aged 3 years A G months. 
• Death, like an overflowing stream, 
Swet-iis «B away; our llfeV a dream, 
An empty dtit ; a morning llowor, 
(^ut down and wlther'd In a hour." 

"In 

memory of 

Grisid, 

wife of 

Gorsbom Osl>om, 

who departed! Uiis life 

Jttuuar}- UA. 1S2<), 

Aged 70 yearn." 



FAIRFIELD. 



337 



names in 
tlicni, are 



Another: 



"(Jrlsel" and '' (Tershom" were eonunon 
FuirHelti, but tlu-y. like the dinid who bore 
objeets t}f the jiast. 

Another: 

" Ilnrnco 

sun of 

Walter & Lurretia 

Shei-wnn,! 

iK.ni Aug. Ki, ISll, 

& drowiiM 

Junp ir», ISIG. 

*"uf such is the kingdom 

of Gud; " 

" Here lies the 

Body of Pi'ter 

B«iT, son to M' 
Thnd« & M" Abi- 

gsiil Bnrr. died 

Sep' >e i:j«h, 174,% 

in yo lo'*" Year yf 

his Ago." 

The next is a shib, thouij;li it says : 

"Tliis ftl.)nuni.?iit 
is pnt up in Memoiy 
of M^^ Gi'ishuui Burr." 

The next has a lovely faee at the toi> of the stone, 
the inscription beginning with: 

" The Reader 

is heroljy infonned 

tliat tlio Body of 

Thaddeus Burr," etc. 

The next begins : 

"Tlie Cnrniptible of 

James DeTinie Sayre, 

eon of James Sayre, 

Minister of tlie Gospel, & 

Sarah his wife, who full 

asleep on the 2'}^^ Day of 

May, A.I). 1793, Aged 

almost n years. 

Young man trust not thy. 

Y'ontii, health or strength ; Tnii^t 

in the Lord with all thy Heart, 

and remenihor thy Creator, who is 

also thv }tedeemer." 



Anotlier : 



Another: 



Anotlier; 



"In 

]\UMnoi-y of 

Stephen Morehouse, 

who W!is drowned 

Oct. 28, 1817, 

JE. 30 Y'rs & G Mo. 

" Beholrl atul see as you pass by ; 

As you are now, so once was I ; 

An I am now, so you must be : 

I'repare for death & follow me." 

" Memento Mori, 
Here lyes yo Body of 
M"" Joseph Bartram. 
He was Born February 
yc 21", 0. S.. 1728, and Died 
March ye SsH', N. S., 1759, 
Aged :S0 Years & 24 Pay*. 
' Princes, this Clay must be your bed, 
In sjiite of all your towen*; 
The tall, tlie wise, the Reverend head 
Must lie as low as ours." 



Another : 



" Here lyes Burieii 

the Boiiy of ISU 

Ebenezer Jennings, 

the husband of Mrs 

Reberkah Jennings, who 

died April O'^-, ITGS. in ye 

7G Y'earof His Age." 

" Vnd.-rneatli 

this tomb lays tlie body 

of Ebenezyr Burr, son 

of M'illiam & Kuiiice 

Bnrr, who vvius born 

Nov. 8"', 17s:5. and Died 

Apiit Sth, 1784, aged 6 

niunths. 

The parents' Joy in life wa.-i lost 

in (h'ath. 

To be found in Christ.*' 

Another : 

"To the Jlemory of 

Mf3 Althea Lanison, wife of 

The Key! Mi- Jose pi i I.anison, 

and Dau*f of tlie Rev^ M'- .James 

"Wetniore. Rector of Rye in . • 

New Y'ork Province, 
Wlio departed this Life ye 6^^ of Voh^ 17CG, Aged U Yeais." 

Another: 

" In menu)ry of 

Samuel S'lnirr, Essq., 

Who departed this Life 

27*1' Blay, 18(11, 

Aged 8G years. 

" Praises on tombstones are but vainly spent. 

Assured life to come is our best muuunieut." 

Another: 

" In mcniory of Noah Jarvis, son of Mr. Isaac & Mrs. Lydia Jarvis, 
who died May y^ 19, 176C in y" 9'*' year of his age. 
" He on the waves of watere graves 
The last breath he di<l fetcli : 
la bloomitig yontli to tell the truth, 
Death did him (luicUIy snach." 

There was an old burying-ground on Mill Plain, 
thought at one time to contain the oldest stones, but 
the boundaries and the site are now only traditional. 
All that remains of it are five tombstinies,"^ whieh will 
probably be set in the old Fairfield ground. 

As land ^vas plenty, there were no i)artieular l»ound- 
aries given at first to the burying-grounds, but peo- 
ple, with a very few exceptions, buried their dead in 
rows, in a general lot. As the Fairfield ground was 
the most eentral and Hie first church was located 



■■ These stones contain tributes to 



(1) 



(2) 



(3) 



W 



(5) 



" Mr. Abiaham Adams 
who dec'd Aug. ye 9'^, 1720. 
in ye SO'*" year of hi.t age." 

" Mre. Rebecca Brown, 

dee'd Juno ye 3'', 1730, 

In yo "o'*" year of her ago." 

"Mr. Benjamin Lines, 
Dec'd Febniary ye 21*', 1732, 
In ye 44*'' year of his age." 

" David Jennings, son of 

Mr. Josliua and Mrs. Rebecca Jennings, 

Dec'd March ye 9"', 17;i.'i, Agfd H) months.'' 

" Mrs. Esther Lonl, aged G7 years." 



338 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



tlicro, it was natural that it should be the most used. 
Tlic one on Mill Plain \vn.s in the rear of or near the 
first K])iseoi)al cluireh. In all proUability, the burials 
made tliere were on "common or undivided land," 
wliieh in time wius apportioned to various individuals, 
and, as generations succeeded, these portions passed 
to diflerent owners; and, being disused for burials, 
all traces of this ground are lost. Mr. Frederic Stur- 
ges owns the original site of it. 

Another reason : The second Episcojial churcdi 
being l)uilt near Mr. Henry Rowland's, the burying- 
ground in Fairfield was used jointly by the two de- 
nominations. Tlie old ground being filled, a new i>ue 
was a necessity ; but, as the town would not harmo- [ 
nize on the location, two cemeteries were laid out '< 
simultaneously, — one to accommodate Black Rock 
and sudi other jjortion of Fairfield a.s would prefer a 
burial there, and the other to accommodate South- 
port, Mill Plain, and Fairfield. The former (once 
owned by Mr. Jonathan Lewis, who possessed all that 
s(|Uare) WiW in the rear of the Methodist church ; the 
latter was on the Southport road, opposite, in later 
years, the original site of St. Thomas' (Catholic) 
church. 

These cemeteries were calculated for a certain num- 
ber of lots capable of holding a specified number of 
persons, for each of which lots a sum of three dollars 
gave a " warranty deed, fee simple," for all time. 
Many " took up" a lot without paying ; others pur- 
chased, and they or their posterity are holders of the 
deeds. 

As Green's Farms and the Pequonnock ground 
were originally in Fairfield, the early inhabitants were 
buried in them. A very few gravestones were erected 
I)revious to 1700, but they were not in general use till 
about 17."iO or 1740. The grounds mentioned above, 
with (ireenfield ground (Greenfield was the name 
given to Fairfield Northwest Parish Oct. 12, 1727), 
contain the dead wlio.se burials occurred from the 
above dates till 1827. 

The first interment in the East ground is marked 
by a stone which contains: 

"The (Jmve of 

Eliza Durr, 

wife of 

Sillininii Burr, 

wliu lU«l 
Fell. H, 1H27, 
ngc<l 31 yeare." 

The first interment in the West ground was that of 
]{obert Pike, in lt<:!0. 

There is apparently a large vacant space in one 
corner of the old ground, which would make it appear 
to a stranger as if there wa.s no necessity for a new 
ground, but on investigation it will be found that 
this iiortion wiLs used exclusively for slaves and the 
poor. 

The old way of settling a town was to select a site 
for a church, a towu-nouse, a school, a burying- 
ground, and a green or parade-ground, and these were 



for the public benefit. Buying a burial-plot in this 
country is a recent custom, except in large cities. 
Southport, Mill Plain, and Fairfield placed their dead 
in this old ground for years. Some bodies have been 
removed to other resting-places, but the most of the 
illustrious dead of Fairfield for" two hundred years 
lie here. 

In 1865 the citizens who possessed due reverence 
for their ancestors had a mortar-laid wall built to 
preserve this old Fairfield burying-ground. 

It is a wonderful coincidence that many of the 
original owners (and their descendants for three or 
four generations) of the "colonial" houses lie in this 
inclosurc. 

Fairfield West Parish (now Green's Farms), like 
Stratfield, had a graveyard of its own ; likewise Fair- 
field North Parish (now Greenfield) had aground to 
itself, but the latter has more antiquity, as it is said 
this was an old Indian burying-ground. The Indians 
buried their dead six feet deep, but they permitted 
the whites to use their ground, providing they would 
not bury deeper than four feet. 

As the Indians jntssed away the whites continued 
to use it till it was full, and then they would have 
been obliged to extend this old ground or lay out a 
new cemetery had not Southport obviated that neces- 
sity by creating a cemetery of grand proportions for 
a rural community. The East ground was well occu- 
pied, the old, or middle, was disused, the West in- 
adequate, and Greenfield ground was full ; so a num- 
ber of Southport gentlemen — Mes.srs. Benjamin Pom- 
eroy, William W. Wakeman, Jloses Bulkeley, Warren 
D. Gookin, .Jonathan Godfrey, Edwin Sherwood, John 
A. Alvord, Oliver H. Perry and his sister Delia, George 
Bulkeley, and Frederic Marquand — formed an asso- 
ciation, Dec. 20, 1S()5, under the Statute Laws of Con- 
necticut, and purchased a portion of land lying be- 
tween Greenfield and Southport, along the bank of 
Mill River. This has been laid out in beautiful walks 
and drives. The land being undulating, it is diversi- 
fied by " glade and glen" and groves. The grounds 
are sold to parties wishing to i)urcha.se, and in con.se- 
quence many people of wealth have contriltuted freely 
towards making their final re.sting-places compara- 
tively as attractive as their earthly dwellings; so that 
the Oak Lawn Cemetery — named from a huge oak 
near the entrance — is rich in copings, indosures, 
monuments, and tributes to departed friends. Here 
arc stately monuments erected to the bearers of the 
names of Ponicroy, AVakeman, Bulkeley, (Jookiii, 
Sherwood, Alvord, Perry, Black, Nichols, Beers, 
McLean, Osgood, Jennings, Hull, Dimon, Goodscll, 
Ogden, (iodfrey. Banks, and many others. 

A ]Mirtiim of the Eitst burying-ground is elegantly 
laid out, with the inelosures of coping and velvet turf. 
In the sunimcr the dead appear as if incliised in a 
.sarc(>idiagus of flowers labeled in beautifully carved 
marble. Here are the names of Sanford, Curtis, 
Pheljis, Thorp, Gould, Lyon, Rowland, Hull, Brown, 



FAIRFIELD. 



339 



Jonniiifrs, Betts, Smith, Stiirfros, Jones, .Tovsup, Cofis- 
well, Kogers, Wilson, and Tiiiri-, licsidcs liosts of 
others, many of whom were tin- occu]iaiits of tiie lieau- 
tiful mansions of Fairfield wliieli have lieen standing 
from a quarter to half a century. 

It is not an uncoinmon oeeurrenee to find the mem- 
bers of a family buried in three cemeteries, which 
does not greatly facilitate the work of tlic hist(jrian 
or the genealogist. 

In the old ground this iuscriptioii is fonncl : 

" w. I'. 

Tills Monument is fii-ctoti 

liy Slr-i. Jlt.lly Pike 

to coniincniorafe her llii.sli.inil, 

Mr. William ^ikl^ 

•who died April 1", 

l.SW.!, 

in the ."»5''i year 

of his age." 

In the West ground a stone is 

" Sli.ieil 

to tlie memory of 

Molly Pike. 

widow of 

William Pike. 

whoih'lialtcd this life 

loth Sept., I.s:i4, 

A^ed 74 YearH, 

After having diselmrged a ntothei's duty to 

ir. ehildlen. 
" Behold, ami sec what death has done ! 
This is the luco we all must fun, 
Kepent in time, while time .von have: 
There's no repentauec in the grave." 

In the old ground is iound ;i stone erected 

*'In ^leniory uf 

Cap' Eliphalel Tliorp, 

who diparted this Life 

Sept. I", ITUJ, 

in the 5U Year 

of his Age." 

He died fjf yellow fever; he was father of Jlrs. 
Molly Pike. 8he married (1) .Toiiathan Darrow, who 
was taken prisoner by the British, and died on their 
prison ship. He left one son, .Tonatluin. In 1779 his 
motlier took him and her sister and their colored fe- 
male slaves to the woods and remjiined till the danger 
was over. She married (2) William Pike, who w;is 
lieutenant under fien. Wasliington. Of their four- 
teen children there are two living, — Capt. Julius 
Pike, of Southport, who formerly ran a packet from 
Charleston to New York, now is in his eighty-third 
year, tind his sister, Cliarlotte, widow of Jtimes Perry, 
of Fairfield Woods, now eighty-.seven. These chil- 
dren were born in .Southport. Three of them were 
lost at sea, — one a young man eighteen years old ; 
another, Capt. William, who started on a voyage 
with his vessel from Charleston and wtis never 
heard from afterwards ; Capt. Robert, who lies buried 
near his motlier, and has this inscription to his 
memory : 



" The Grave 

of 

Capt. Uohert Pike, 

who (ieparteil this life 

on Ilarm-gat Iteaeh. 

After humanely pie.serving the 

lives of his eiew from shipwreck 

in the inejnorahle gale 

on the li f Ileei-ml.er, ls:!0, 

aged .IT years, 11 int.nths, 
and ft days. 
"Behold, vain moitals, Ih-eting forms 
Beneath this ihiy-eold sod; 
Here lies, a prey to naneeous worms. 
The noblest work uf Gv)d." 

Ill this West ground is this inscription: 

" In nn-inoiy of 

t'apt. John F. Langley, 

who \va.s liorn in New Market, N. II., 

Nov. 20"", ISP.l, 

and, together with his erew, 

waJ4 lost on 

Eaton's Xeek, Long Island, 

in a snow-stoi'in, 

Feb. 4"', lK4.'i, 

Aged 2.^1 yeais, '1 ino., 

.t: 14 UAY.S. 

" He's gone and left ine here below 

To mourn his loss with grief and wo. 

lint God is just: may I he still. 

.sinr-e 'tis my lieavenly Fathei's will." 

.Vnother stone in the same ground contains 

"To the meliiory 

of 

Aaron I. Hubbell, 

Born Fi-lp. 22nd, IMlT, 

and came to his death by the 

Mel.nicholy loss 

of llie schooner * Reeside,' which 

was wrecked in tlie 

severe siu>w-storiil of 

Fkb. Tilt: 4th, l.S4.">. 

on Eaton's Neck, Long Island. 

Aged 37 yeare, 11 mo., 

& 12 Days. 

This stone 

cotnnieniorate.i 

the affectionate regard 

of the bereaved mother of 

him whoso oaithly remains 

repose beneath. 

May he rest in peace !" 

Among the cpittiidis in the East ground arc 

" Died 

in the hopes of the Gospel, 

Eul■etti^ 

wife of 

•Tereniiah T. Denison, M.I>., 

the 7"' of Febrnary, 1>^4, 

In the :!.-! year of 

her age. 

Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord " 



Another : 



" Here rests in hojie 

of a glorious immortality 

the mortal reniains of 

Leander M. Siuiimis, 

who died 

Nov. 5, Ifoil, 

3^. 25 yrs., Dlo., & ti d's. 



340 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY CONNECTICUT. 



"Unvai! lliy Iwsom, faitUfiil tomb; 

Tiiko tliid new treasure to lliy trust, 
Ami give those wu'refi roUcs room 

To sliimlwr in the silent dunt. 
So Jesus slept. God's djing Son, 

PuasM thro* tlio pravo Sc Idost the bed. 
Rest liere, blest satnt, till from his throne 

The morning break and pierce the shade." 

Another: 

*' Copt. 
Rufus Knapp, 

son of 
John & Esther 
Knapp, 
Born In Fairfield, 
Doc. 7, 1813. 
Snilod from Now York 
for Liverpool in tho 
Ship * Leviathan,* 
Nov. 24, 1853. 
We waited, watched, and hoped, but no tidings ever came. 
**Sad, dark, mysterious thy fate and hard to bear, yet pleasant remem- 
brances crowd the memory, and like a halo of light relievo the endncsa 
and best bespeak thy worth." 

There are more ci)itaphs and odd inscriptions in 
Greenfield jiround than in all the other grounds in 
Fairfield. Here arc a few specimens : 

*' In Memorj* of 
Cap* Ebenezer Hill, 

Son of 

Deoeo Joseph Hill, 

who departed this Life 

March 21^, 1798, 

in the 51^*^ year 

of his age. 

lie was virtuous in Life, and resignc<l in Death." 

The next stone contains: 

"In 
Memory of 
Marul, wife of 
Capt. Eben» Ilill, who died 
Oct. 26, 1820, in lier 
75 year. 
"Sho was tho mother of si-v sons and thrco Daughters. 
" In life she was industrious, c<|uinomical, and virtuous, and in Death 
happy." 

Another : 

"In 

Memory of 
Uriah Durr, 
wlio died Oct' 12, 1813, 
.^.27. 
" Learn, ye who view the silont tomb, 
And round its liordcrs tread, 
I was cut down in perfect bloom 
And numtH>r'd with the dead. 
'* As you ore now. so once was I, 
With ynith and health adorned; 
Anil s^K>n like me you here must Uo, 
A hclplc(« prey for worms. 
"Then seize, oh seize, tho transiont hour, 
Make niro your peace with God ; 
Youth, like the morning flower. 
Is blasted in the bud.** 



Another : 



"In 

memory of 

Elijah Itanks, 

who died 

April 12, 1840, 

in the 50"> year- 

of his age. 

'The beloved iMirtner of my heart. 

Which Heaven so lately gave, 
'Tis called witli earth for Heaven to port 

And left nie hero to grieve. 
But soon, ah ! soon, wc*ll meet again; 

In Hfcnvon wo hope to dwell, 
Free from all care and toil and pain : 
Then, dearest one, Farewell !" 



Another: 



Another : 



"Francis Samuel Ilnlkley, 

Born at Dlack Hock, Ct., 

June :i, 1811. 

Died in New York 

Morrh 3i>. 1K55. 

' IVath tear ho9 ffcavy h^«w>ns harti to bear, 

And nio«t it teachos ns what wo have lust 

lu losing thoio who lovod us." 



"A * in glory, 

Henry B. Banks, 

Died 

July 20, 1854. 

JE. 32 Y'rfl^4 mo. 

" Yes, again wc hope to meet thco. 

Where no farewell tours are shed; 

Jesus' precious blood bath bought thee, 

And thou speakest ail-though dead. 

'■ lie being dead, yet spuakcth. — Heb. 17 : 4." 

Another: 

" Sacred 

To tho nieniorj' of 

Abbey Bradley, 

wife of 

Silas Wakcmnn, 

& Daughter of 

Nathan & Cbirine "Wheeler, 

Who Died 

June 19, 1842, 

aged 34 year 

& 8 nK>8. 

" Farewell, my partner & children dear ; 

IVeparo for death while I sleep hero." 

Here is a memento of the late war : 

'* Ahor 

Patri.b 

DrciT. 

Francis B. Morwin, 

Co. I, 23<> Reg* C. v.. 

Died in the servico 

of his Country 

at Lafouiche. La., 

Apr. 17^, 18C3, 

Agc<l 23 yrs. 

All mo. 

Erected by his young associates, 

A lost sail tribute of their affection 

and esteem for their deported comrade.** 

Another : 

" Sacred 

to the memory of 

Hosea HultTrl, M D.. 

who dejtarled thin life 

April 5, A.n. 1825, 

in Iho SO*" year 

of his age. 

Quiescat in paco." 

Kc built the hou:*e occupied Ity Mr. Henry Bradley, 
and resided tliere. He was an antagonist in j»racticc 
to Dr. Rogers. 

St. Thomas' ground is a new one, and in conse- 
quence has had but few burials in it. It is a neat 
little ground, belonging to the Catholic church. 



FAIRFIELD. 



341 



There are some fine stones and monuments lu>re. ( )f 
tlje latter one large one bears this : j 

" Rev. Tliomas Mullen, 

OUit Aug. 0, 1877. 

^tat 33. 

Keipiiescat in Pace." 

He was greatly beloved by his people, and resjieeted : 
by all. He died under these trying circumstances : 
There was some unj)leasantness existing between 
John Conklin and George Allen, whereni>on the 
latter shot the former, the wound proving fatal. 
Rev. Mr. Mullen attended him faithfully as long as 
life was spared, but, being troubled with the heart- 
disease, the excitement was so great that he fell down 
dead. Allen was sent to prison for life. 

There are several very sensible inscriptions in this 
ground ; then, again, there are sentiment and ei)i- 
taphs. Here is one : 

" Martha Ann, 

liangliter of 

Gamaliel & Jane 

Smith, 

Died Nov. 17. 1,S70. 

JE. j'rs, 10 D's. 

May lior .fuul re.'it in jieace ! Amen. 

"W"e love"! licr! Oh. no tungue <'an toll 

IIow nmeli \ve loveil her or how well : 

Goci lovi'.l her too, and thought it hest 

T'.' take her home with liini to rest." 

Another : 

" Father I 

Michael Kincella, 

ilieil Sept. HI, 1872. 

JE. 44 .vrs. 

May Itis .soul rest in peace! 

We miss thee." 

As an introduction to the records of the (.)ak Jjtiwn 
Cemetery, Mr. (). H. I'erry wrote therein an elaborate 
and excellent history of the burying-grounds of the 
town, wdiich has suggested many items in this ])ai>er. 

Associating the present " colonial" houses with Fair- 
field old and the Greenfield bni-ying-grounds, a good 
idea of the colonial times maj' be evolved into an in- 
teresting history. The East and West grounds will, 
with the homes erected in the early part of the cen- 
tury, liring that history down seventy-five yetirs later; 
while the historian in the next century will look to 
the extension of the Ea.st ground and Oak Lawn for 
the people of to-day. 

There are, however, owing to the conflagration of 
1779, many names of note, the bearers of which 
neither lived in "colonials" nor had they odd in- 
scriptions; neither does space give them "special" 
history, but a worthy mention is due them. They arc 
those of Allen, Barlow, Thorp, Lewis, Brewster (of 
whom was C'apt. Caleb, wdio died in 1827, aged seventy- 
nine years, and " was a brave and active officer of the 
Revolution :" so says his tomb.stone), Fowler, Knap, 
Whitehead, Bartram, Benedict, Rev. Joseph Webb 
. (one of the founders of Yale College), Ely, Trubee, 
and Squire. 
The only ground kept now under any system is the 



Oak Lawn, which has a perfect directory. Up to date 
there have been four humlrcd and thirty-five burials 
in it. There is a directory of the other grounds now 
being coin])iled for public use. 

For information on the suliject of burying-grounds 
credit is due to Mr. Samuel Wilson (gunsmith), Mr. 
Charles M. Johnson, Mr. Elienezer Burr, Mr. David 
Banks, Mr. Oliver Perry, Capt. Julius Bike, and Miss 
Annie R. Jennings. 

THE BOROUGH OF 80UTIIP0HT.« 
The charter of the borough of Southport was 
granted May 26, 1831, and the fii'st liorough-meeting 
was held July 4, 18.31. At this meeting the following 
officers were chosen; Jonatlian Bulkeley, Warden; 
Ebenezer Dimon, First Burgess ; Charles Perry, Sec- 
ond Burgess ; Andrew Bulkeley, Third Burgess ; Jus- 
tus Sherwood, Fourth Burgess; Jesuj) Alvord, Fifth 
Burgess; Wakeman B. Meeker, Sixth Burgess; Simon 
Sherwood, Treasurer; Julius Pike, Baililf. The last 
borough-meeting was held Dec. 30, LS.'il. 

THE SOUTHPORT NATIONAL I5ANK.* 

This bank was chartered as a liraiich of the Con- 
necticut Bank of Bridgeport, January, l.s;{2, and 
called "The Connecticut Branch Bank," with Jere- 
miah Stuj-ges president, Jonathan Bulkeley cashier. 
Francis D. Perry was elected cashier Dec. 20, 1830, 
in |dace of Jonathan Bulkeley, resigned. In 1844, 
Jesup Alvord was elected president, to succeed Jere- 
miah Sturges, deceased. In ] 847, Wyllis Atwater was 
elected cashier, to succeed Francis D. Perry, resigned. 

In July, 18.j1, the connection with the Connecticut 
l!ank ceased. The bank obtained an independent 
chiirter, and was known as "The Southport Bank," 
with Jcsuj) Alvord president, and Wyllis Atwater 
cashier. In 1852, Wyllis Atwater resigned as cashier, 
and Francis D. Perry was elected instead. 

Jan. 2, 181).'), the bank adopted the national bank- 
ing system, and was known as "The Southport Na- 
tional Bank." In February, 18()0, Francis D. Perry 
resigned as cashier, and E. C. Sherwood was chosen 
to fill the vacancy. June 10, 18G5, Jesup Alvord re- 
signed as president, and Francis D. Perry was chosen. 

The capital of the bank has been one hundred thtni- 
sand didlars from the organization as a branch to the 
l)resent time. The surplus at present is twenty -.seven 
thousand dollars. 

THE SOUTHPORT SAVINGS-BANK.* 
The Southport Savings-Bank was chartered by the 
(tencral Assembly at its May session of 1854. It was 
organized in September, 1854, by the election of the 
fiiUowing board of managers : President, Frederick 
]Mar(iuand ; Vice-Presidents, William W. Wakeman, 
Edwin Sherwood, Augustus Jennings ; Trustees, .lesup 
Alvord, Moses Bulkeley, George Bulkeley, Oliver H. 
Perry, Ebenezer Jesup, Simon Sherwood, William 

* By vari lus rontiilutois. 



342 



HISTORY OF FAIE FIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Bulkeley, Allen Nichols, Jonathan Godfrey, Samuel 
A. Nidiols, William Bibbins, .Tohn Goulrl ; Secretary 
and Treasurer, F. J). Perry. Only .six of this board 
now survive. 

Dei)osits were first received Sept. 25, 1854, in the 
Southport Bank buildinfr. A new structure was 
erected, opposite the Soutliport National Bank, for 
tlie .savings-l)ank and occui)ied June 24, 1805, nearly 
eleven years after its organization, and then having 
on deposit $28",(j55.41. The present amount of de- 
posits (April 24, 1880) is §524,056.18. 

Present board of managers : President, Frederick 
Manpuind ; Viee-President.s, Edwin Sherwood, Au- 
gustus Jennings, .Jonathan Godfrey ; Trustees, George 
Bulkeley, F. D. Perry, W. B. Meeker, O. B. .Jennings, 
Oliver Bulkeley, I'asehal Sheffield, George Bulkeley, 
.Jr.. Francis Jellitf, Franklin Bulkeley, Benjamin A. 
Bulkeley, Simon C. Shenvood, Royal G. Skiff, John H. 
Wood, Edward Uenshaw, Ebenezer Jlonroe, Jolin H. 
Gorham ; I.,oaning Committee, F. Marquand, Edwin 
Sherwood, and F. D. Perry ; Auditors, L. I-". Sherwood 
and Henry I>avis ; Secretary and Treasurer, O. H. 
Perry. 

LIBRARIES. 

The writer is indebted to Dr. Dunham and Miss 
Catharine \. Blakeman, of Greenfield, Mr. J. F. 
.Jennings, of Southport, and the Bridgeport Standard 
for the following : 

The first public library in the town of Fairfield was 
established about 1790-1800, and disbanded about 
1850. It was originally a stock concern. The only 
account so far advanced is taken from an old bill, 
in which it is stated that Alfred Perry, in 1827, 
" bought of the executors of the estate of D.ivid 
Beer.s, deceased, at jiublic vendue, one share in I-'air- 
ficld Library for fifty-five cents." Some of the books 
of the original librarj* are in the present Fairfield 
Library. 

The second library was established in Greenfield in 
181.3. Each share in the lilirary was sold at two dol- 
lars and fifty cents. The original by-laws, sub- 
scribers, and catalogue of books are in possession of 
M. V. B. Dunham, M.D., of Greenfield Hill. Among 
the subscribers' names are those a-ssoeiated with the 
colonial houses, some of whom took two shares, — viz., 
Rev. William Belden, Walter Bradley, David Hill, 
William B. Nasji, .\. 1). Baldwin, Giileon Tomlinson, 
Gershom and Daniel Wakeman. They each paid a 
yearly tax of fifty cents. For keeping books beyond 
the allotted time there was levied a fine, and every 
one was mulcted some time. 

As i)eople nuiy be curious to know of what libraries 
were composed in the pre-novel age, a ((notation from 
the catalogue is given : " ' Spectator,' 8 vols. ; ' Ram- 
bler,' 4 vols. ; ' Lives of the Poets,' 4 vols. ; Rollins' 
' Antient Historj,' 8 vo^. ; ' Crolebs,' 2 vols.; 'Prac- 
tical Piety,' 'Cliristian Morals,' ' History of Charles 
Twtlrlh; 'Xkar of Wakefield,' 'Life "of Calvin,' 



Clark's 'Palestine,' 'Robinson Crusoe,' Jay's 'Ser- 
mons,' " etc. 

The third library was founded in Southport in Feb- 
ruary, 1830, under the name of "Mill River Social 
Library." In this the cost of life-membership was 
ten dollars. Of life-members there were Jeremiah 
Sturge.', Hezckiah Davis, Julius Pike,* Simeon Sher- 
wood, and .Joseph Bulkeley. 

The fourth was formed in Greenfield in May, 1830, 
when the members agreed to constitute a joint stock 
by subscribing five dollars apiece. This time they 
purchased Arnott's " Physics," " Phrenology," Gib- 
bons' " Rome," " Geology," and works of a similar 
character. 

The fifth was at the Southport public school, which 
was established in 1858 by Mr. Frank D. Brinsmade, 
the principal of said school, who raised by jmblic 
exhibitions a sufficient sum to purcha.se two hundred 
volumes, of which there are only two known to be in 
existence. 

The sixth is the "Library Association of 5Iill 
Plain," abbreviated to "L. A. M. P.," which was es- 
tablished in 1871. The founders were Jliss R. .S. 
Carew, Ebenezer Burr, Jr., and Mrs. Burr Perry. It 
was originated by the latter, and began with no pub- 
lic meeting, but was started with one dollar by Mrs. 
Perry for capital. It has a circulating library of more 
than seven hundred and fifty volumes, hits been suc- 
cessful, and retains its popularity. It is the only li- 
brary organization in the town that has never changed 
its ])rincipnl officers. It has been largely augmented 
throu,-li the donations of Mr. D. M. Redfield and his 
sisters, Mrs. Lounsbury, of Portchester, and Mrs. John 
Abendroth, of New York. 

The seventh library was founded in Greenfield about 
the time the " L. A. M. P." wius organized, and had 
for a nucleus the renuiins of its former libraries. The 
people of Greenfield jireserve a warm interest in iu 
behalf It also numbers over seven hundred and fifty 
volumes, and is a decided succi^s. 

The eighth was organized in Southport in 1S75. 
Two hundred and fifty dollars were subscribed liy 
private individuals, which sum was incre;i.sed by 
yearly dues. This library was given to the tcmiier- 
ance organization. 

Tiie ninth, and last, was the "Memorial Library," 
given to Fairfield in 187(j by Mr. Morris W. Lyi.ii, 
who donated the generous sum of one tliousand dol- 
lars for its establishment. Mr. Lyon is a native of 
Fairfield, but for the past twenty-four years has resided 
in New York, where he still hius a collegiate institute 
for bovs. Tile original directors were: Rev. Drs. E. 
E. Rankin (who, having town, resigned), Samuel 
Osgood (who deceased while he wsis its popular and 
efficient president), Rev. James K. Lombard (present 
president), and Messr.s. J. H. Glover, O. B.Jennings, 
Deacon Samuel Morehouse, and Deacon H. W. Cur- 



* Only living Dicmlwr. 



In! 

B 
m 



m 



gS 



5& 

m 

5s 



SI 



@ 




FAIRFIELD. 



343 



tis (dec'cnscd ). At jircsent it has a ciix-iilation (it'dix- 
tliousand VdliiiiK's. 

Mr. Lyon has recently aihh'd a hirpc >mn tii tlic 
iirifriiial jiift, aii<l proves himself a lie)ielaetiir to the 
literary worlil and to Ids native town. 

The 31111 I^lain sehool also owns tlu' " .Vnierienn 
Cyeloiia'<lia" eoniiilete (this is also in (ireenlield and 
Fairtield libraries) ; so that, with the reference hook^ 
in all the ludilic libraries, tlie readers in Fairlield are 
well nccf)nimodated. But, this being a wealthy town, 
there is not that need of circulating libraries which 
there would be if so many private individuals had 
not such extensive ones of their own. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first rcferonce to schools in the old town records 

is under date of Pec. 27, KJGl, as follows: 

" Wlicroiis y^ town liath fornu-rly voted y* y school-nmster shall liave 
ten pounds towards his wages out of y^ town-rate; and it is now (>rder<-d 
for y fifteen i">nnds y' remains of his wages it shall lie paiil hy y*" master 
and parents of sncli Children as need teaching from six yeai'Soldand 
upwards; and if any shall send tlndrCliililren nnder six years old or 
girls they siiall be esteenu-d pnyahle scholars," 

From that time to the present a lively interest lias 
ever been manifested in the educational training of 
the youth, tiiid the srdiools of Fairiield have ever been 
ranked among the Ijest in the State. 

The idd academy on Greenfield Hill was one of tlie 
leading eihicatioiiid institutions of the d;iy. It w;is 
established by Timothy l)wight, D.D., and conducted 
hy him about twelve years. In IS.'iS it was being 
conducted as a young ladies' seminary, but has long 
since been abandoned. 

For present condition of the schools, see (leneral 
History. 

THE SOl'TIIPORT TIMES.* 
The managing editor (d' this ]n>|iuhir family news- 
paper is Henry A. Van Dalsem, and it is issuetl etirly 
every Friilay morning. It entered ui)on its third 
volume Nov. 1, ISSO, and since its first issue has b(>en 
twice enlarged to meet public demands; which tells 
its own story of successful growth. 

Independent in principles, clean in its utterances, 
and rei>resenting the interests of .S(]Uthport, Fairlield, 
Mill Plain, and Greenfield, it meets with a cordial 
welcome at ])retty much all the family firesides in the 
town of Fairfield. Besides its managing editor, it 
has a corps of contributing editors, who, residing in 
the several villages which make up the townsliip, not 
only write up the current news of their res])cctive lo- 
calities regularly each week, but also contribute orig- 
inal articles of jiertinent interest. Its eoliimns are 
also enriched with frequent eommunicatiotis from th(> 
leading literary, agricultural, and commercial people 
of the vicinity, which makes the journal invaluable 
to many subscribers in various parts of the country 
who claim Fairfield as their native town, and who 

« By W. .\. Beers. 



througli this pleasant medium are kept in regular 
correspondence witli relatives and aeciuaintanees. 

While the T/'wcx presents each week a earel'ully- 
comlensed digest of all that is going (jii in the worhl, 
and is bree/.y and gossipy, strict care is obscrveil that 
its tone shall always be pure and wholesome. Abreast 
with the times as to topics and sentiment, conserva- 
tive in politics and religion, fresh and interesting in 
matter, it merits the success attained. 

THE FAIKFIELI) ACAItE.MY. 

This was organized Nov. -i, 1802. The hirgest sub- 
scrilier was (Jersliom Burr, wlio gave sixty dollars to 
the fund. The first chtirter granted was in 1S(I4, and 
was given to Hon. .Jonathan Sturges and Samuel 
Kowland, P^sq., as they were appointed by the ]iro- 
jirietors of the academy to receive the same. The 
original trustees were Jtmathan Sturges, An<lrew 
Eliot, Dtivid Jndson, Nathan Beers, .Ir., and Samuel 
Bowland. 

The first teacher was William Stoddard, who studied 
medicine with Dr. David Hull. He taught three 
years; salary, five hundred dollars per annum. There 
is one person living who attended the academy the 
first day it was opened to the public, tind she is Miss 
Kli/.a Hull. 

In 1808, Matthew Rice Dutton, who was studying 
under Dr. Heman Humphrey for the ministry, taught 
here and occupied the jiosition two years. He be- 
came professor of mathematics, natural pliilosophy, 
and astronimiy in Yale College. He was ordained 
first over a church in Stratford. He died iii New 
Haven. 

181(1. — Samuel .1. Hitchcock followed as jircceptor 
for two years, with entire satisfaction. He received 
the title of LL.D., and became a professor of hiw in 
Yale College, and was judge of New Haven County 
Court. Died in New Haven about 1844 or 184o. 

1811. — Samuel Turney taught for a short time. He 
was a native of Fairfield. He dieil in 18-_':!. 

1812.— Elihu W. Baldwin tauglit for the enduing 
two years. He was a most estimable man, beloved 
and respected by all. After a long and successful 
ministry he was called to i)reside over Wabash Col- 
lege, Crawfordsville, Ind. 

1814.— A Mr. Worthington followeil for a short 
time, when Dr. Humi>hrey took charge tem]>orarily 
till a i)ermaiient teacher could be found. 

1815. — Orrin Fowler followed. He was horn in 
Lebanon, Conn., July 29, 1701; graduated at Ytile, 
1815; taught tlie Fairfield Academy one year; entered 
tlie Congregational ministry; became a missionary in 
the West; settled in 1819 as pastor at riainfield, 
Ctmu.; was twenty years a minister at Fidl Kiver, 
Mass.; often in the State Legislature; in Congress 
1848-52; distinguished as a temperance and anti- 
[ slavery orator; author of a treatise on Baptism (1835), 
Historical Sketch of Fall River ( 1841 ) ; died at Wash- 
' ington, D. C, Sept. 3, 1852. 



344 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



1816. — George E. Pierce, D.D., born at Southbury, 
Conn., Sept. 9, 1794; graduated from Yale, 1816, and 
taught in Fairfield Academy two years. He gradu- 
ated from .Vndovcr Theological Seminary, 1821; wa.s 
ordained pastor of a Congregational Churcli at Har- 
winton, Conn., 1822 ; president of Wej<tern Reserve 
College, 1834-55 ; died at Hudson, Ohio, May 27, 1871. 

1818. — Henry Button was preceptor for the ensuing 
two years. He was brother of the Mr. Button pre- 
viously mentioned. He was a jurist, born at Ply- 
mouth, Conn., Feb. 12, 1796, and graduated at Yale 
in 1818, was professor of law in Yale (1847-55), be- 
came Governor of Connecticut in 1854, and was a 
judge of the Superior Court and Court of Errors 
(1861-66). He prepared several digests, compilations 
of State statutes, etc. He died Ajiril 26, 18G9.* 

1820. — Kev. William Bcldcn had the academy for 
two years. This school liad a wide reputation until 
Mr. Belden had charge. There were many students 
wlio attended it from the South, as institutions of high 
rank were not numerous through the country. Mr. 
Belden had a large chuss of youths prepared for Yale 
College, but not one of them could pass examination ! 
From that date the glory of the academy began to 
depart. Mr. Belden was settled as pastor of Green- 
field Congregational Cliurch from 1812 till 1821. 

In 1821, "upon the petition of Gen. Gershom Burr, 
Samuel Rowland, and Roger M. Sherman, Esq., agents 
of the proprietors of Fairfield Academy," "at a 
General Assembly of the State of C<mnccticut holden 
at Hartford, a new charter was granted, the former 
having by accident expired." 

1824. t — H. Benedict was preceptor. 

1825.t — C. Whittlesey occupied that position. 

The trustees were men of considerable note in the 
world, and all at this period (1821-30) were of much 
local celebrity. They were the Rev. Messrs. Nathaniel 
Hewit, Edward Hooker, Andrew Eliot, Leonard Ba- 
con, Deacon David Judson, Hon. R. M. Sherman, 
and William B. Nash, M.D. But with all their learn- 
ing, charters, and account books, the first mention of 
a teacher in all the academy records is in 1828, when 
the l>uilding was leascdj to Rev. C. G. Lee, for wiiich 
he paid no rent further than to keep it in repair. He 
taught this school in 1828, 1829, and 1830. 

In 1832-33, A. A. Pettcngill, the late editor of the 
Bridgeport Standard, acted as jjreceptor. The next 
mention in the records after Mr. Lee (1828) of a 
teacher is: "Voted, Tliat Mr. Wallace l)e requested 
to continue his school for another year and that he 
have the use of the academy for that purpose."? 
This was April, 28, 1836. Hon. Thomas B. Osborne, 
lawyer, trustee, and secretary, records in 1838: 
" Voted, That Mr. Tufts, of the Senior Clasa of Yale 



* Fur the above, crc lit it duo E. E. Rniikin, P.D., of nartford, and Mr. 
J. S. Burr, of Brooklyn, 
t S«e Deacon JiidMiu'fl Aocopnt Book. 
I 8co Academy Hook, p. 14. 
l ll<ld., p. 19. 



College, be contracted with to take the place of Mr. 
Carter, as instructor." || 

In 1839, Mr. James Tufts became the preceptor. 
He now is pastor of a charge in or near Rochester, 
N. Y. 1840, Deacon David Judson resigns. The 
Board " Resolved to tender to him their thanks for 
his great services and strict fidelity in promoting the 
interests of this Institution from its first establish- 
ment" (thirty-si.\ years). Capt. John Gould was voted 
in as tru.stee in place of Deacon Judson resigned.*! 

1840-18.50. — Among the teachers of this decade were 
Daniel March, now D.D., with a i)astoratc near Boston, 

Mass., — an excellent instructor; Marsh, who 

died recently while missionary to Turkey (with one 
of these men originated the famous " Iron Horse," his 

graduiiting poem at Yale); Benton; Willis At- 

water, brother of Prof. Lyman Atwater, of Princeton, 
N.J. 

In 1847 it is to be regretted that the boys were very 
destructive, so much so this entry is made in the rec- 
ords : " Voted, That while we desire the jnipils of the 
school to enjoy themselves in all reasonable sport.- 
and recreations, wc strongly disapprove and exhort 
them to refrain from the practice of throwing stone> 
or other dangerous missiles." 

The next meeting recorded is in 1853, and the next 
in 1866, making about two meetings in nearly twenty 
years ! I 

In 1866 the rates for tuition were: For Greek, 
Latin, and higher mathematics, ten dollars per quar- 
ter per scholar. 

Common and higher English branches, eight dol- 
lars. 

Primary department, four dollars and seventy-five 
cents. 

In 1867, E. E. Rankin, D.I)., was elected a mem- 
ber of the board. 

In the decades from 1840 to 1870 the academy 
was under the preceptorship of Mr. Morris W. Lyon, 
a native of Fairfield, a graduate of Yale ; and since 
lie tauglit in tiie academy he has established a col- 
legiate institute for boys in New York City, which 
he has continued for twenty-four years. He alsn 
founded the Fairfield Memorial Library in 1876, to 
which he has donated greatly since. This library 
occupies the lower floor of the academy. He also 
originated the " Commemoration of the Burning of 
Fairfield, in 1779," which was very successful ; Rev. 
Piatt T. Holly, lather of Mrs. L. N. Norton, >LD., 

of Bridgeport ; Chamberlin; Thomas H. Pease ; 

Lewis Beers, a lawyer, who was established later in 

Norwalk, and died, aged thirty-five; Dey ; 

Jloorc; F. S. Lyon, editor of Connecticut Rc- 

■ publican, Norwalk, Conn. ; and Geo. F. Robinson, a 
i graduate of Yale. In 1867, Geo. F. Robinson rc- 
' signed. While he taught here, Mr. Thomas Rowland, 



I Ibid., p. 2U. 
\ Ibid., p. 21. 



FAIRFIELD. 



345 



an iiivciitdr ami Imilder of ludiiitors, |iiv-^oiiti'il tlic 
aciicli'iny witli m iiuaiitity nt' varimis >lia|ii'il Mocks, 
Avliioli, when jiroiicrly arran^xMl, Inniicil a pcrtK-t 
i^lobo or ball. Wlicii nearly arranjifil tlie coins of 
the period, the |ironiinent dailies, and all the names 
of the |)Ui)ils at that time in attendance at the acad- 
emy were placed in this ball. It was then gilded and 
])laced on top of the building, where it is daily seen 
by passers-by." 

In lS(!7,t after varicms conferences and l!ev. L. B. 
Stimson's agitating the question of starting a private 
school, J[r. .\. P. Somes, a native of Lebanon, N. H., 
and a graduate of Dartmouth, was employed, with his 
wife, to take charge of the school, S^IOUO a year guar- 
anteed to them by Messrs. .lohn II. Glover, O. li. 
Jennings, \. W. sjnford, H. T. (.'urtis,J: ]M. (i. Betts,: 
and 1). M. Bunker.J The tuition per cpiarter of 11 
weeks was raised to 4-10 for English, :?] 2 for Latin 
and (ireek, and v<J for the jiriniary. The sessions for 
school were to be from nine o'clock .\..M. to two 
o'clock I'. .M., during which a half-hour's recess was to 
be given. 

In l.'<(;8 the committee, Capt. D. M. Bunker, re- 
ported the board $2") in debt, and Mr. Somes reported 
the want of seats and stove, and suggests that a Web- 
sti'r's I'nabridgcd Dictionary would be a valuable 
acquisition to the academy ! 1 ! The seats and stuve 
were obtained ! ! ! 

In 1S70, Jlr. Oliver 15. .lennings donated $]m to 
the academy tin' the ])urehase of apparatus. 

In 1X71 the income of the school was $12')0, and a 
committee of Jlessrs. O. B. Jennings, Samuel More- 
house, ami Samuel Glover were ajipointed to increase 
the rates <ir guarantee a certain price. As blackboards 
were needed, a better mode of heating and re])airs on 
the building necessary, the tuition rates were raised 
to sfiS, ^12, and $14 per quarter. 

In 1872 this entry is made : " Mr. A. P. Somes, who 
has taught the academy school for a number id' years, 
resigned and left."^ 

The statement is recorded "that so many cliildren 
are sent away to school it was inexpedient to employ 
a male teacher,"|| so a Mrs. M. E. Powers, fnnu Mary- 
land, was emi)loyed, with a salary of ij'.SdO per arnum 
guarantee<l her. The pupils then ninubered twenty. 

In 1873, there being some dissatisfaction with Jfrs. 
Powers, she resigned, and Mr. A. P. Somes returned 
and took the academy, to be conducted at his own 
risk, paying twenty-five cents ])er scholar for academy 
tax. Sehoid reopened Septendjcr, 1874. 

In 187;'), Mr. Somes was to collect an academy ta.x 
of fifty cents per scholar for the use ai' the building. 

187'J. — Mr. A. P. Somes resigned, and Miss Lily 

* Thanks to E. Burr, Jr., for this information. 

t Fur npi)Iication8 to Rev. Ira I'ottiljouc anvl Rev. L. B. Stimson, see 
.Vcadciny Book, pii. L'S-ai. 

I Deeeii.seil. 

^ See Academy Rook, p. 41. 

II Ibi.1., p. 42. 

23 



Huntington'[ completed the scholastic year on the 
same terms as her predecessor. 

An item worth meidioning is tliat during the time 
of Mr. Somes' eoniu'ction with the academy, from 
1807 to 187i), there was not a death occurred among 
his numerous jiupils. 

At an informal meeting of three, the tru>tcci em- 
])loyed Mr. Thomas E. Eochfort to take charge (d'the 
academy at his own risk. In 1880, Jlr. Kochfort re- 
signed, and a vacancy ensued, which jM'omises to be 
indefinite, owing to the high grade of studie; and 
system adopted in our free jiublic sidiools and the 
migratory habits of several of the wealthy fajuilies. 

For more than two hundred years Fairfi(dd was the 
queen of the county: the courts were held there till 
1852, or thereabouts ; its educational advantages f(U' 
both nniles and females ranked very high ; and it was 
formerly a port of entry. It had for these various rea- 
sons an enviable reputation, but time has changed 
all these things, and Fairfield's future glory will be 
accorded from its being a town noted for its health- 
fulness and beauty, as the drift of public spirit id' 
late expends itself mostly on sanitary measures and 
testlietic culture. 

S.-\MP MORTAU KOI'K. 

About three and a half miles from the Sound, and 
near the centre of the township of Fairfield, is a won- 
derful natural curiosity, attractive not only fin' its 
gran<lenr, but fiir the tradition associated with it. In 
visiting Niagara one should obtain the first view by 
looking upward from the fi)ot of the fall ; here one 
should take the first view from the top of the rock, 
looking down into the ravine below. 

Theory asserts that the (jrigin of Niagar.n was 
through the wearing away by the water of the brittle 
stone till it formed the stupendous cataract witnessed 
at this period ; it must assert that here was a modified 
glacier of diluvial structure, w Inch has snlfered greatly 
by some great natural convulsion. 

Approaching this freak id' nature from the direction 
of the Sound, there is not th.e least intimation of any- 
thing unusual till the visitor is brought suddenly 
upon it. G(jnveyances sto]) at the loot of a nnissive 
leilge of immense layers of stone, which a])iiear to 
have been regularly broken, but through some great 
agency have been separated slightly. The impulse is 
to stop and examine the species of stone, to noti' the 
marked difi'erence between the severed strata and tlie 
under surface of the layers as they project beyond 
their supports, the layers being as discernible as the 
component parts of pastry when they are improperly 
incorjxjrated ; in fact, the face of the rock is decidedly 
streaked. The top, seen from above, bespeaks granite ; 
the under layer seems somi-pcrforated by symmetrical 
indentures, as if sand-swallows had attem])ted to build 
their nests in reversed positions. In front of this ledge 

TJ Now Mrs. Wm. Burr, of Green's Farms. 



346 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COU^^TY, CONNECTICUT. 



a cart-path begins, which leads up a gradual inclina- , 
tion, across which are large sto7ics which appear to 
bear grooves caused by inucii usage. The ascent is 
easy, and, tlie top once reached, a distance of a few 
rods brings one to the brink of a rocky precipice, over ! 
which he peers cautiously and passes on mindful of ' 
his steps, watchful that a proper margin is observed, 
so that, in case of a slip or a misstep, he shall not be 
instantly hurled into eternity. 

After traversing a few rods the traditional mortar 
— a round hole in tlie rock capable of containing from 
twelve to si.xteen quarts of corn — is found ; also tlie 
footmarks worn in the rock by the i)erson grinding — 
rather cracking — the corn are identified. This is said 
to be the place where the Indians were wont to carry 
their corn to be prepared for food. 

At this point tlie descent to the ravine below has 
already begun. Another section of the ledge is at the 
left, and contains a cave accessible to an average- 
sized individual, where he may enjoy a dark retreat 
at his option. The contour of the rocks, trees grow- 
ing from the crevices, is worthy of observation. 

The ravine gained, one is desirous of obtaining a 
glimpse of the great precipice over which he so care- 
fully looked a few minutes before. A few feet above 
him is an overhanging rock ; several feet above this 
is another, of similar form, projecting still farther, 
and away above this is still another, from whose top 
a birch-tree a foot and a half in diameter at its root, 
with a uniform trunk of nearly a foot, rears itself as 
if jiroud of its situation and view, apparently as se- 
cure as in a forest on a level plain. At its root ferns 
of the polypod species furnish a bit of trimming for 
a border. Long rock-like shelves appear at intervals, 
upon which one would be secure from northwest 
storms. From various crevices good-sized trees are 
growing, wlicrc it would seem impracticable for plants 
to obtain a root hold. 

The ravine is here blocked by a mass of large rocks, 
whose size is rendered insignificant from their prox- 
imity to those so much greater. These rocks arc 
broken and detached, but if one is dextrous he may 
jiass througli, over jagged edges, underneath a liuge 
rock spanning the chasm, underneath which is a 
small cave, where some animals of rodent jirodivitics 
have reveled in their feasts, and which would furnish 
comfortable quarters for a hunter or a fugitive es- 
caping the law. 

This blockade in the ravine has evidently been, 
ages ago, rock overhanging from the main ledge, and, 
falling, has broken into various immense fragments. 
Tlie wciitcrn portion, having an inward slope upward 
from the base, remains as when first formed and 
located. 



CHAPTER XX.XMI. 

PAIRPIELD (Continued). 

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 

TIic Firet Con^egntionnl Clinrch— Coiigregalional Cliurcli, Greenflold 
--Congropalioiinl Church, Souttiport— Triuity Church, Soulhport— St. 
Paul'H Church, Fiiirtlchl—MothodiBt Episcopal Church, S<mthport — 
Roman Catholic Church, Fairfield. 



FIRST COXGREGATIONAL CHURCH, FAIRFIELD.* 

The foundation of this church was coexistent with 
the settlement of tlic town, and the first pa.stor was 
Rev. John .Jones, from 1G39 to 1GG4. 

" This first date is five years earlier than one which 
apjiears in a history of Concord, whence he came. He 
was one of the two elders of the church in that place, 
being associated with Peter Rucklcy, who had the title 
of teacher, while Mr. Jones was pastor. He was the 
son of William Jones, of Abergavenny, in Moiiinoutb- 
shire. He entered Jesus College, O.xford, in 1()24, at 
the age of seventeen. Coming to New England, Oct. 
2, 1635, he was ordained at Concord, Mass., April 6, 
1(537, sustaining the relation of colleague minister at 
Concord for some eight years. On account of ' the 
])overty and meanness of Concord, together witli the 
badness and wetness of the meadows,' a seventh ur 
eighth part of the people of that place emigrated in 
1644 to Fairfield, and Mr. Jones came with them. 
These Concord people, with the previous colony from 
AVindsor and others from Watcrtown, formed the first 
community, the fathers and mothers of our church 
and village. Few traces are left of this, the earliast 
mini.ster of this church. He bore, according to tra- 
dition, a most highly respectable character. His 
position and education in England gives lustre to the 
occasion of his emigration, for he came when few 
save those who were devoted to the cause of liberty 
were willing to enccmnter for its sake trials and pri- 
vations such as we can hardly estimate. At the aire 
of seventy he fell asleep, leaving six children. 

" A daughter was married to Thomas Bulkeley,t ■■>"ii 
of Rev. Peter Bulkley, and removed with her father 
to Fairfield, where he died in 16r)2. 

" One son, John, graduated at Harvard in 1643, and 
another, Eliphalet, was the first minister of Hunting- 
ton, L. I., where he died about one hundred years old. 

"A copy of the will of Mr. Jones may be seen at 
the Probate office, and is a document of interest. 

"Rev. Samuel Wakeman succeeded Mr. Jones in 
the pastoral office, and his ministry continued from 
166.5 to 1()".I2. He ajipears to have lieen a man of 
mark, and was one of five ministers ap|)ointed by the 
Legislature in 1668 to proceed to Saybrook and de- 
vi.se a way of uniting the churches in some genera! 



* rompilcd chiefly from a hbtoricAl dlacoarvo delivered by Dr. K. ) 
lUlikIn, D.I)., Nov. 2i, 1870. 

t Itulkelt-y lit t-<u)r>idcrcil an the correct orthogrvphy, though the com- 
mon lui-llioil, llulklcy, Imm been commonly accepted. 



FAIRFIELD. 



347 



|ilan of communion and discipline. This was forty 
years previous to tlie adoption of tlie fSaylirook Plat- 
form, and appears to liave been tlie first step towards 
firming a religious eonstitulioii in the State. 

" In 1(J94, Rev. Joseph Welih became jiastor of the 
church, and with his ministry commences its earliest 
reconls now extant. Tlie society records date no fur- 
ther back than l(!!t4, owing tn the tire of 177'.l. 

"The tir.st deacon of the churcli whose election is 
mentioned was Lothrop Lewis, chosen May 2',), 1729, 
and when in June, 173.3, Deacon Lewis declined to 
serve longer, Capt. Moses Dimon was chosen to suc- 
ceed him. May 20, 1739, we have the record again 
of the choosiug of Mr. Lothrop Lewis as deacon. 
There is the name of another deacon on the reconls 
of the same date, for 'the church appointed Mr. 
Lothrop Lewis and Mr. Samuel Rowland a committee 
to take an account of the church's stock which was 
in the hands of Deacon Hill, deceased, and is now to 
be delivered to Deacon Dimon.' So Deacon lliU's 
name jirobably stood in the destroyed records. 

"In Mr. Webb's day some of the inner workings 
of the church and society are seen. Thus, at .a 
church-meeting in May, 1729, it was voted that the 
worshijtful John Gold should set and read the Psalm, 
and in case he be absent or indisposed, that his 
lirother, Mr. Samuel (4old, should do it. 

"The Psalm was set and read in this wise : After the 
minister had given out its number, this chosen leader 
of song whose social position is clearly a high one, 
for he is called the worshipful, rose in his place and 
after reading the first line sung it with the aid of a 
tuning-fork, or perchance a violin, and then reading 
the second line went on with the niiisic, and so on to 
the end of the Psalm. The version used was proba- 
bly the quaint collection of Sti'rnhold and Hopkins, 
for although Dr. Isaac Watts was a cotemporary with 
Mr. Webb, his version of Psalms and hymns did not 
come into use until a later day. 

"It was not until more than thirty years after the 
death of Mr. Webb, and late in the pastorate of Mr. 
Hobart, his successor, that the society voted and 
agreed 'that the rendering of I'salms lino by line in 
ye estalilished religious congregation in this society 
shall be omitted for the future.' ^Ir. Webb's minis- 
try seems to have been a pleasant and successful one, 
although it is evident from souu^ hints in the records 
that late in its continuance both lie and the meeting- 
■ house in which he preached became sadly out of 
repair. 

"The people showed their appreciation of his .ser- 
vices by voting several years in succession an annual 
increase to his salary, and in March, 1732, the society 
voted to call some suitable person t(j assist him in the 
work of the ministry. Mr. Webb died at a place 
called Unity, on the 19th of September, 1732, and 
was brought home the next day and buried the day 
after. He wa.s a Fellow of Yale College from the 
year 1700 until his death. Respecting his family no 



account is found I'lirthcr than several of the memlicrs 
lie in the ohl burying-ground. 

"Rev. Noah Hobart, wdio had been invited to as- 
sist Mr. Webb a few months bef oc he dfjiartcd this 
life, was called Oct. 30, 1732, to lie pastor of the 
church. The salary promised was two hundred 
jiounds, current bills of credit, or in silvi'r money at 
eighteen shillings the pound, ]irovided he resign the 
whole use of the parsonage to the society. This par- 
sonage land seems to have been a somewhat extensive 
tract, and it was ordered by the society to be leased. 

" He accepted the call a!ul eomlitions, and was or- 
dained by the Consociation of Fairticid County on 
the 7th of February, 1733. 

" Mr. Jlobart was born in llingham. .Mass.. .Tan. 12, 
170li. He was the son of David Hobart, ami grand- 
son of Kev. Peter Hobart, first pastor of the eliureh 
in that town. President Dwighl gave this testimony 
concerning him : He possessed high intellectual and 
moral distinction. He had a mind of great acuteness 
and discernment, was a laborious student, was exten- 
sively le[irneil, especially in history and theology; 
a<lorned the doctrine which he professed by an exem- 
|ilary life, and was holdeii in high veneration for his 
wisdom and virtue. His ministry here covered a 
period of forty years, 1733 to 1773, and was one of 
great activity. He was largely engaged iu contro- 
versy, especially with respect to the validity of Pres- 
byterian ordination, which he snccessliilly defended. 
Dr. Sjirague writes of him that he lived to bury two 
wives, eight children, and one thousand and ninety- 
three parishioners. He died in great ]ieace on the 
(ith of December, 1773. having on the Sabbath previ- 
ous to his death preached twice with more than his 
usual animation. During his ministry Daviil R<iw- 
land and Xathan Buckley were elected deacons. The 
ohl meeting-house seems to have been fast hastening 
to decay, and December, 1739, two disinterested jjcr- 
sons, Jlessrs. Edward Lewis, of Stratford, and .Tohn 

Betts, of Norwalk, were appointed a committee to .see 

. ... 

and give their opinion whether it were worth repair- 
ing. AVhatcver the report of this committee may 
have been, the society decided to make repairs, and 
we may judge something of the nature of the building 
by the resolutions that w'crc jiassed. It was voted 
' to ]iut in ui'W sills, two lites between the posts, ex- 
ce]iting where the doors arc ami tliat sipiare wln-re 
the pulpit is dark; the meeting-house to be covered 
with white-wood siding, the seats (benches, 1 sup- 
jKise) to be put closer together, and pews to be built 
in convenient places, to he sold to [lay for these re- 
]iairs.' This luxury of pews (probably square with 
high backs over wdiich the children emild seaieely 
look) seems to have somewhat per j ilex ed and iron bled 
the good people of these early days. A committee 
had to be called in from Korwalk and Strattbnl to 
say who shall have the jiew jilaces and what price 
they should pay for them, and when some persons 
on their own responsibility erected something like 



348 



HISTORY OF FATRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



them in the meeting-house, the society ordered these 
to be removed and such jjcrsons to he hereafter prose- 
cuted. Time and again afterwards at the annual 
meetings of the society, and after a new meeting- 
house had been built, it was voted ' that no person 
should hire one who was not the head of a family, 
tliat no one should hire more than one, and that no 
one should bid for one unless he belonged to Mr. Ho- 
bart's meeting.' 

"Six years after making the repairs alluded to a 
new meeting-house was ordered to be built, its dimen- 
sions to be si.xty by forty-four feet, and twenty-si.\ 
feet in height, with a stee])le one hundred and twenty 
feet high. A bell was sulisequently procured and the 
County Court asked to help obtain it and to use it, 
with which request it is uncertain whether the court 
complied. 

" This bell was rung every night at nine of the clock, 
and afterwards also at noon. Thus the new sanctuary 
was finished, but not to be so lasting as its predeces- 
.sor. The bell that tolled at the funeral of Mr. llobnrt, 
in December, 177:?, was doomed within less than si.\ 
years to fall with the burning steeple on which it was 
hung. 

" On the 7th of February, 1774, the society sent Mr. 
Elijah Abel to Cambridge, to wait on Mr. Andrew 
Eliot, Jr., of Fairfield, and as the result of this mis- 
sion, Mr. Eliot was called to the pastorate of the 
church on the 4th of the following April, and, accept- 
ing the call, was ordained and installed on the 22d of 
June, 1774. On this occasion his father preached the 
sermon, and Messrs. JIather, Dickinson, Wells, Sher- 
wrtod, and Tx-wis, all jiastors of churches in the Con- 
sociation of Fairfield West, performed other parts of 
the service. 

" Jlr. Eliot was the .son of Rev. Andrew Eliot, D.D., 
the distinguished pastor of the North Street Church 
in Boston, and was born in that city in 1743. After 
his graduation, in 1702, at Harvard, he was appointed 
to the office of butler in that college, and at a fire which 
destroyed the old building lost all hisjiersonal proj)erty. 
In 17f)S he was chosen tutor, and in 1773 fellow of the 
corporation, which offices he resigned on coming to 
Fairfield. During his connection with Harvard, he 
l)reached often and with great acceptance at Roston 
and Cambridge, and brought gratifying testimonials 
from the ministers there of his learning, prudence, 
and |>iety, which his ministrj' of thirty-one years 
among this people fully justified. The society prom- 
ised for his support one hundred and twenty pounds 
lawful money and use of the ]>arsonage, he to release 
all claim and demand or use of lands called |)arson- 
age lands, exce|)t the lot called .\])|ilcgate's lot, ad- 
joining the house where John Whitciir, 8r., once 
lived. The early part of Mr. Eliot's ministrj' was 
pn.ssed in the troublous times of the Amcrienn Revo- 
lution. |» 

" The latest record concerning the mecting-hou.se 
built during Mr. Hobart's pastorate is as follows: At 



a church-meeting, April 25, 1779, voted that Messrs. 
Diodate Silliman, Peter Hendricks, Samuel Sturges, 
David Allen, Peter Jennings, James Penfield, I.srael 
Bibbins, Jeremiah Jennings, and any others of the 
church and society who are skilled in psalmody, be 
desired to sit together in the gallery on the Lord's 
day and lead the congregation in that part of divine 
worshij), they to agree among themselves as to the 
person who is to ])iteh the tune. 

"May 6th, voted that the thanks of this church be 
given to Mr. Daniel Osborne, for his services in set- 
ting the psalm for the two years ])ast. Here then we 
have another advance, showing that it is just ninety 
years ago last .Vpril since the occupation of precentor 
ceased, and a choir was introduced into the public 
services of the church. Although the names of only 
eight persons are mentioned, and these all men, — 
])robably young men, — there can be no reasonable 
doubt that the ofherK who were nkillerl in pmlmodij were 
of that gentle sisterhood, without whose presence the 
choir wimhl have lacked the needful constituents of 
full and perfect harmony. 

" There are several pages in the old record in the 
clear and beautiful handwriting of Andrew Eliot. 

"The resignation to the will of God in this dispen- 
sation appears all the more beautiful when we re- 
member that Mr. Eliot's house, which, with a few 
others, had been nuirked for preservation, was by 
some accident consumed, together with his furniture 
and a large and choice library. Thus for a second 
time was he called to pass through the fire. 

"It was on Thursday morning that the church 
building was consumed. 

" On the next Lord's day the church ami the .so- 
ciety met with the pastor and carried on religious 
exercises as usual at the house of Deacon Bulkeley. 

"Afterwards, for five successive Sabbaths, public 
worship was conducted at the dwellings of Diodate 
Silliman, Peter Perry, and Justin Hobart, the Lord's 
Su])pcr being celebrated at the usual time at the last- 
named place. 

" An interval of three weeks followed, in which 
there was no service on account of the illness of the 
pa.stor, and then, after an afternoon service at the 
house of Elizabeth Morehouse, in Jennings' Woods, 
Mr. Justin IIiibarl"s hotise was a]>pointed the stated 
place of public worship, except that once in a month 
it was agreed to hold it in Jennings' Woods. 

"This arrangement continued for a year, until 
Sept. 10, 1780, when the public service was carried 
on and continued afterwards in the new court-house. 

"The conlhigration of Fairfield in I77!' brought 
much distress upon the peuplc, and an abatement of 
society taxt-s was nuide to those not able to |)ay. Mr. 
Eliot received some aid at the hands of his friends in 
Boston, but his salarj- was for a number of years sadly 
behind in its jiayments. The society .sold the iron 
and nails of the burned meeting-house, and applied 
the proceeds to the building of the town-house. 



FAIEFIELD. 



340 



Thither tlicy wero suiiiiiKincil I'nr ludiv th:m five years 
by tile l)eatiiig of a ilniiii, ■ ami iiieaiiwliilr were 
making ett'orts to reliuilil tlnir uwii saiic-tuary. An 
applieatioii was iiuule ti> the General Assembly in 
17.S2 for a grant of one thousand pounds, f'nini eonfis- 
eated estates, and sueh grant seems to have Ijeen 
made to them, as w-ell as to (ireen's Farms and Xor- 
walk. On tlie I'.ith (jf January, 178"). after in(inirie< 
as to the estimate<l eost had been made, it wai voted 
a:id agreed in soeiety meeting, more than twu-lhirds 
of tlif>se ]iresent voting in the atlirmative, to proceed 
to the building a new meeting-house. The honor- 
able eourt was petitioned at its ne.xt session to li\ the 
plaee and set up a stake where it should be built. It 
was further residved to have it made of the s:ime di- 
mensions as the hist, and within the same Ibundations, 
if the honorable eourt approve. A tax of si.\ i)eiiee 
on the pound was laid, and a subseription jiaper 
started. 

"The frame was raised iu June, 17.S.'), and on tin- 
2(5tli of Mareh, 178(), it was so far advaneed towards 
completion that divine servii'e was held in it, the pas- 
tor preaching both morning and afternoon fnnn (Gen- 
esis .\xviii. 17: 'This is none other but the house of 
God, and this is the gate of Heaven.' 

"The appearance of the building on this day of its 
dedication must have been far from ]irepo.ssessing. 
The walls were unplastered, the gallery floors unlaid, 
and with no stairway. There were no casings around 
tlie steeple doors or gallery windows; the only seats 
Were rough benches, and there was no jiermauent 
pulpit. Yet the people acknowdedged God's good- 
ness in bringing them on thus far. It was not until 
some eleven or twelve years after the ineeting-hou-e 
was oc<nipied that it was fully i^ipiipped with a puljjit 
'after ;\Ir. Bulltinch's plan,' and with long \)i;\\!i, 
having a door at each end in its centre, and others, 
like those in the former church, next to the wall. 

"In March, 17'j'.>, the tbllowing residution was 
passed: 

" ' Whrreax, Col. David Ilurr has generously oU'ereil 
to paint the pulpit in the meeting-house at his own 
exiiense, he have liberty to do the same, provided the 
paint be of a light stone color.' 

" It may be in keejiing liere to say that the generous 
si)irit wdiicli actuated Col. David lUirr is still alive in 
the soeiety, as the fence they have [Hit up bears testi- 
mony. Mr. Burroughs, the efficient and persevering 
pastor, endeavors to i)reserve it with various original 
and commendable efforts, which, united with the co- 
operation of the church, must certainly be successful. 

"To return to the old meeting-house in which 
so many were wont to gather on every Lord's day. 
Plight of the long pews iu front and eight in the rear 
were at first reserved in common, but sulisequently 
some of tliese were ordered to be leased. A bell was 

* All iniprovemcnt fin tlii' oM Bvatcm nf ciilliiis tlif iicnplc to rhunh 
by sIrikiiiK two lioiinla lofj.'ther, wliioli «;w iloiic .m cc-itiiiu hills, from 
wliich circumstanco Clnpboiird Hill derives its iiiiiiie. 



procured and rung every day during the .-uiuiner at 
twelve o'click noon, and in the winter at nine o'clock 
at night. 

" Jlr. Eliot pursue! the even te:ior of his way, and 
among the earliest of the many ehildre;i hi' baptized 
was William Henry ISibliin;, who afterwards married 
his grand-daughter and died iu .Fiily last. Daring 
his ministry four deacons were at dillerent times ap- 
pointed and srilenmly lu'daine 1 with prayer and tlic 
laying on of hands: 1 livid .ludsin, .Ian. 7, 17.^7; 
Gold ISelle 'k .Silliman, at a date not ascertained; 
Daniel Osborne, Sept. o, 17!ll); and Jlose^ Jennings, 
1804. 

"Jlr. Eliot died o:i the ::;i;ili of September, ISd.'i, in 
the si.xty-seeond year of his age. He lel'i a widow 
and six children. One of his sons graduated at "^'ale 
t'ollege in 171''.t; was ordained pastor of the church at 
New Mil ford in ISOS, and died in l.S2!l. 

"One of his daughters became tlie wife of Rev. 
Dr. Ilewil ; another of Deacon Bibliin^; a third of 
Dr. Win. B. Nadi, ol' liridgepirt ; and a fourth of 

Burr. His children's children are with us unto 

this day. 

"I'r. Jame-; D.uia thin wrote of him; 'In ^Ir. 
Eliot the bereaved tlock have lost a judicious, afl'ec- 
tionate, and faithful pastm', to whom God had given 
I tile spirit of fortitude, love, and a sound mind, — who 
attended cintinually on his ministry unenlangled 
with the ;liiugs of this life. The steady affection and 
esteem, the deserved eUimation in which he was ever 
held by liis brethren in the ministry, and liis accept- 
ance in the churchei, are honorable teitimonie; t;>liis 
worth, candor, and u:i iffe-ted piety, wdiich, with the 
wisdom that dwells with iiriidence, were distinguish- 
ing jiarts of his character. His aci|ualntaiice with 
gener.il science, his urbanity and friendly and social 
affections, conciliated the eUccm of all ranks.' 

"After Mr. Eliot's dece:ise it was agreed that liis 
salary be continued to the widow s:) long as the min- 
isters of this district siijiply the pmlpit, each one Sab- 
bath, which probably they did. 

"In ]\rarcli, IS'Mi, i\Ir. Porter w.n invited to ]n'e:ich 
on probatiini, and on t!ie 12tli of .lanuary, 1807, He- 
man Humphrey was called on a salary of si.K liuudred 
dollars. His history is well known liy the whole 
church in New England, and his life-labors h;i\c left 
a dee;i and lasting inllueiice I'or good upon the wlioh' 
country. He was ordained .\pril 1(1, 1X07, and dis- 
missed Jlay lo, 1817. After a ministry here of tc;i 
ye;irs he was settled as pastor of (he lirst church in 
Pittsfield, Mass., and subseiiuently liecame president 
ol' .Vniherst College, an office which he lilled for many 
years with distinguished success, lie was the first 
pastor of this church who did not die in the odice. 
Dr. IIumi>lirey prepared tlii' conl'cssion of faith and 
covenant still in use. Two deacons were chosen 
(luring his ]iasti>rate, both in 1810, viz., Elijah Bibbins 
and Koger M. Sherman. The memory of buth of 
' these is fragrant, and to the latter, who adorned the 



350 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Church and State alike by his wisdom, eloquence, 
:iik1 i)icty, the society is indebted for the cominodious 
l>ars()nage which it possesses. 

" In the year of Mr. Hunijihrey's installation a re- 
monstrance wa.s made by thc.society against the removal 
of the court to Greenfield. Another specimen of the 
tnist reposed by the society in tlic generosity of indi- 
viduals appears in the following vote, April 4, ISl.'i: 
' A'oted, that any person may at his own expense paint 
the outside of the meeting-house, under the direction 
of the society's committee.' 

"On the 1st day of May, 1817, Consociation was 
called to dismiss Mr. IIunii)hrey. He was an able 
and faithful minister, and among the fruits of his 
labors were eighty-nine persons who made confession 
of Christ during his pa.storatc of ten years. Of these, 
three remained on the roll as late as 18G7. The last 
of these, Mrs. Deborah Bennett, died early in 1880, 
in New ITaven, at an advanced age. Dr. Humphrey 
died in Pittsfield, amid the scenes where he had pre- 
viously witnessed the greatest and richest trophies of 
the gospel, in the year 18G1." 

The successors of Dr. Humphrey were as follows: 
Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Hewit, Dr. Hunter, Dr. Willis 
Lord, Alexander McLean, Edward E. Rankin, D.D., 
and G. S. Burroughs. Tlie present ehnrcli edifice was 
erected in 1849. 

Engraved on a stone in the foundation of the 
church, near the entrance, is the following inscription: 

'* First Church built about a.d. 1C40. 

"Second Church built a.d. lG7j. 

" TliinI Clnuvli built a.d. 1747, and burned \>y llio Brilish, 1770. 

"Fourth Church built a.d. 17S5." 

On a tablet on the other side of the entrance is the 
following: 

" This amrcli croctcd MDCCCXLI.X." j 

CONGREGATIONAL CHLRCH, GREENFIELD. 

The petition for the organization of this jjarish j 
was granted by the General ("onrt, Oct. 14, ITSS. It < 
wa.s incorporated an the Northwest Parish, and two 
years later its name was changed to Greenfield. At < 
its organization Greenfield Parish embraced all the 
northern part of the original town of Fairfield, and 
in Dr. Dwight's days numbered one thousand. 

CIIUKCn KDIFICES. 

The first move towards the erection of a church j 
edifice was made in 1721!, when it was voted that a 
meeting-house, fifty-two by forty-two feet, and twenty- 
two or twenty-five feet l)etween joint.s, should lie built, 
but it was nut completed and ix'cupied until 174.'V In 
17tiO a new meeting-house was voted, and completed 
in the following year. This was occu])ied as a place 
of worship until the completion of the next church, 
in 1848. This wiu^ destroyed by fire on the night of 
Nov. 14, 185.3. In the following March it was voted 
to build a new church, which is the present structure. 



LIST OF PASTORS. 

The pastors of this church have been as follows: 
Rev. John Cioodsell, who was ordained at the time of 
the organization of the church, May 18, 1726. He 
ofliciated until 1756; Mr. Pomeroy, from 1757-70; 
William Mackey Tennant, 1772 to about 1780 ; Timo- 
thy Dwight, D.b., 1783-95; Samuel Blatchford, 179G- 
97, as supply; Stanley Griswold, 180;?— 1, as supply; 
Horace Holly, 181)5-8; David Austin, 1810-12; Wil- 
liam Belden," 1812-21 ; Richard Varrick Dey, 1821, 
— he remained but a short time, and was succeeded 
for a year or two by Charles Nicoll ; he was followed 
by Nathaniel Freeman, who remained nine years. In 
1840, Bodney G. Dennis preached for some months; 
Thomas B. Sturges, 1842-67 ; R. P. Hibbard, 1868-72 ; 
Henry B. Smith, 1873; he was succeeded, in 1878, by 
I. O. Rankin, who continued six months. Rev. 
Chester Bridgman commenced preaching Oct. 1, 1879, 
and is the present pastor. 

The following persons were pew-holders in the first 
church edifice erected: .Joseph Wheeler. Benjamin 
Banks, Joseph Diamond, Nath:miel Hull, Daniel Brad- 
ley, Benjamin Gilbert, John Thorp, Joseph Banks, 
Samuel Wakeman, Daniel Burr, John Gilbert, Samuel 
Bradley, Benjamin Sherwood, heirs of Eliphalet Hull, 
Joseph Hill, Jabez Wakeman, David AVillianis, and 
Samuel Price. 

The covenant in 1726 was signed by .John Goodsell, 
Cornelius Hull, Obadiah Gilburd, John Hide, George 
Hull, Peter Burr, Daniel Bradley, Theophilus Hull, 
John Burr, Stephen Burr, and Ebenezcr Hull. 

CONGREGATIONAL CIICRCII, SOUTIIPORT. 

The village of Southport was originally included in 
the parish of Fairfield. A general desire on the part 
of its residents to enjoy the privileges of the .sanctuary 
within a more convenient distance led to the comple- 
tion of a church edifice in their village in the year 
1843. 

A meeting of the brethren of the Fairfield Church 
residing in the village was held Feb. 18, 1843, at which 
it was resolved to take the necessary steps to organize 
themselves into a sepamte church of Christ, to be de- 
nominated " The Congregational Church of South- 
port." Letters were accordingly sent to five churches 
in the vicinity, — namely, the First Church in Fair- 
field, the First Church in Bridgeport, the Second 
Church in Bridgeport, the church in Greenfield, 
and the church in Norwalk, — inviting them by their 
[>astors and delegates to meet in council " for the pur- 
pose of organizing a church of Christ in the Borough 
of Southport." 

The council thus called met March 7, 1843, and. 
after hearing and ap|iroving the purpose of the peti- 
tioners, proceeded to organize them into a church of 
Christ. The number of members so organized into 
the new church was twenty-eight. The sermon was 
preached by the Rev. Dr. Atwater, of Fairfield. In 
the evening the house was dedicated to the worship 



FAIRFIELD. 



351 



I if Almighty God, tlie Rev. Pr. Howit, of Bridge- 
port, proachiiig the dedieatioii seriudii. On iippliea- 
tion, tlie cliureh was received into tlie Consoeiation 
of tne Western District of Fairfield (.'ounty, June G, 
1S43. 

The house completed in 1S43 was used by the church 
as its place of worship until 1874, when it was removed 
and the jiresent handsome and substantial stone edifice 
erected on its site. This was completed and dedicated 
Feb. 2, 187(3. The Rev. S. J. M. Merwin, (.f Wilton, 
the first p.astor of the church, preached the dedica- 
tion sermon from the te.xt, " The glory of this latter 
house shall be greater than of the former, saith the 
Lord of Hosts, and in this jilace will I give iieace, 
saith tlie Lord of Hosts." Hez. ii. !•. He was assisted 
in the services by the Rev. Dr. Atwater, the Rev. 
Charles E. Lindsley, and the Rev. George E. Hill. 

The first members of the church were JL's. Eliza- 
beth B. Alvord, Elias P. Benham, Mrs. Rachael M. 
Benham, Mrs. Miranda Bulkeley, Levi Down, Mrs. 
Peggy Lacey, Frederick Marquand, Jlrs. Hetty Mar- 
qnand, Anna Osborn, Mrs. Eleanor Osborn, Jeremiah 
(jsborn, Mrs. Abigail Osborn, Austin Perry, Mrs. 
Emily A. Perry, i\Liry A. Perry, Delia F. Perry, 
Francis D. Perry, Mrs. Ann Eliza Perry, Oliver H. 
Perry, Mrs. Eliza P. Robinson, Mrs. Marj' A. Sher- 
wood, Mrs. Mary B. Sherwood, Mrs. Catherine G. 
Sherwood, Edward A. Smith, :Mrs. Esther M. Smith, 
Walter Thorp, Mary C. Thorp, and Maurice W'akeman. 

The pastors of the church have been as fidlows: 
Rev. Samuel J. M. Merwin, ordained Dec. 18, 1844, 
dismissed May 3, 18.59; Rev. Charles E. Lindsley, 
installed Feb. 29, 18(50, dismisscil Feb. 1(3, 18(59 ; Rev. 
George E. Hill, installed March 22, 1870, dismissed 
Dec. 27, 187(5; Rev. William H. Holman, ordained 
June 12, 1878, present pastor. 

The officers of the church are as follows: Deacons, 
Frederick Maniuand, Charles Lacey, Oliver H. Perry, 
E. Cornelius Sherwood, and Levi T. Sherwood. Su- 
perintendent of Sunday-school, John H. Perry. 

The membership of the church Jan. 1, 1880, was 
one hundred and sixty-seven. 

TRINITY CHURCH, SOUTlirORT.9 
It appears from letters preserved in the archives of 
the society, that in the year 1723, Dr. .Tanu's Laborie, 
a French physician of eminence, who had left his 
native country towards the close of the seventeenth 
century and been "ordained by Mr. Kinglet, anfistes 
of the Canton of Zurich," in Switzerland, taught and 
held service according to the usage of the (Jhurch of 
England, in his own hou.sc in Fairfield, on those Sun- 
days on which Mr. Pigot i)reaehed in Stratford or some 
other place. In one of those letters, Dr. Laljorie says, 
moreover, that he " came to this country as a teacher 
under the patronage of the Bishop of London, t and 

* Compiled principally from an address delivered by Rev. X. E. Corn- 
well, Ang.ln, 18.51. 

t The tVtlluwing extract from the proceedings of the .Society for 1710-11 
13 worthy of notice here: 



being (listiirl)ed by Indians in the vicinily of liostmi, 
came to the colony and county of Fairfield, and began 
by an introductory discourse to act as missionary to 
the English and native inhabitants, but was inter- 
rupted immediately by one of the magistrates." Tliis 
commencement of his ufl'orts in Connecticut was 
probably made at Strallbrd, where he seems to have 
resided from 170-3 till 1717. t But it appears from the 
records of this town that he resided in Fairfield as 
early as 1718; having bought at that time of J\L-. 
"Isaac Jennings" a place known as "the stone house 
on the rocks," jirobably the same of which he after- 
wards said, in the letter just referred to, that he had 
"destinated it to the service of the Church of Eng- 
land." It seems probable, therefore, that some stejjs 
were taken at that time for the formation of an Epis- 
cojial parish and the stated performance of its relig- 
ious services in this town. But I find no record ni' the 
orgjiiiization of a parisli here, separate from tliat of 
Stratford, ii:itil the year 1724. At the close of the 
preceding year, Mr. Pigot, removing to Providence, 
had been succeeded in the mission at Stratford by the 
Rev. Samuel Johnson, who, with anotlier Congrega- 
tional minister, the rector (jr president of Vale Col- 
legia aud a tutor of the same institution, embraced the 
doctrines of Ejiiscopacy in 1722. and wa- ordained in 
England, with his two friends and companions, by 
the Piishoj) of Xorwich, acting in liehalf of the Bishop 
of London. In one of his earliest communications to 
the society from Stratford, Mr. .lolin-ion s:;ated that 
his |)arlshioners in that town had " lately opened their 
new churcli, called Christ Chmvh," and that at Fair- 
field the people were also " vigor:)Usly going fi)rward 
in building a church. "(J Soon afterwards he reported 
that " the church at Fairfield was going on apace," 
and that " the iioojile at New London would also 
build with all expedition." And on the 10th of 
November, 172'), the day of the annual thanksgiving 
of the colony, he ope;ied, with a "suitable discourse," 
the church which the Episcopalians of Fairfield had 
built, and which they then nameil " Trinity Church." 
In that church, which seems to have stood on Mill 
Plain, a few rods northeast of the place where the 



"Tlie Society liiiviiig thought fit to admit into tlieir lioijy several emi- 
nent IMvincs and nther persons of Holland, (Jerniany, Sweden, Switzer- 
land, and fitlier eonnlries, being of tlio Protestant religion ; it has been 
resnived, fir the dignity of tlie Sjciety, and to sle.w them the greater 
respc't, that tlie notice of tlieir admission slumld be sent ttieni, under 
the seal of the said .Society." Page 37. 

J His medical diploma, dated London, 1111)7, wiitten in Latin, and de- 
si rilling him as the son of a celebrated physician of France, was recorded 
by the clerk of the Fairfield County Court in 17o;{. And in 17Ki loavo 
was granted him by the town of Stratford " to build a pew" in the Con- 
gregational meetiiig-honse, where Jlr. lilacUlatcli, one of the struggling 
and waiting churchmen of Stratford, then had "a pew." 

^ In a " registry-hook" kept by .Mr. I'igut and ^Ir. .lohns ni, at Strat- 
ford, there is a record of the appointment, in 17i4, of two wardens jind 
nine vestrymen "for Stratford," one warden and two vestrymen "for 
Fairfield," one warden and two vestrymen " f u- Xewtown," and two 
wardens ami three vestrymen " fir Ripton ;" the warden for Fairfield 
being Dougal Mackenzie, and the vestrymen, .lames Laborie, Sr., and 
Benjamin .sturges. At the same time James Laborie, .Jr., was one of the 
vestrymen for Stiatf ird. 



352 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



country seat of the late Jonathan Sturges now stands,* 
Mr. .Johnson j)rcachcd a part of the time for some 
two years, iliviclin<; his labors for the most i)art be- 
tween Stratford and Fairfield. At tiie same time Mr. 
Henry Cancr, a graduate of Yale College, but as yet 
too young to be ordained, read service in Fairfield 
wlionever Mr. .Johnson preached at Stratford and 
other places. He was "son of the Mr. Caner who 
Iniilt the first colle^je and rector's htmse" at New 
Haven. His parents are generally supposeil to have 
been ('ongregationalists.+ But Dr. Trumbull calls 
England " the land of his nativity."! 

Mr. Caner was ordained in England, and appointed 
missionary to I-"airfield in 1727, having been very 
highly recommended to the society and to the Hishop 
of liOndon by Jlr. .jDlinson, uniler whose supervision 
he had jnirsued his theological studies for some three 
years. And from tlie time of his settlement here until 
the Revolution this parish seems to have been cstab- 
lislied on a permanent foundation, and to liavc been 
generally in a very prosperous condition, exhibiting, 
in the leading fai'ts of its history, a very interesting 
view of the gradual, steady jirogress of Episcopacy in 
Connecticut during those fifty years of ita struggles 
against various adverse influences, British as well as 
American. 

It is to be much regretted, therefore, that by the 
l)urning of tlie diurch and i)arsonage in the conflagra- 
tion of the town in 1779, the ancient records of the 
parish previous to that time were destroyed.? And 
it is hardly less to be regretted that there is also in 
the records of this town a singular omission, extend- 
ing from the year 1722, when the Rev. Mr. I'igot 
began to preach in .Stratford and Fairfield, to the year 
1728, wlien Mr. Caner had taken full charge of this 
parish, and inchuling the whole jjcriod of its organi- 
zation and incipient stages. This singular circum- 
stance is especially unfortunate on account of the 
iin|)ortance of the period in question. It was evidently 
a time of much excitement and change in the public 
affairs of this town. And the omission of all the acts 
and projects of that period from the copy of records, 
wbirb iont;iiiw an account of uunual meetings and 



* The taugilile cviilclii-c>ti of tliu loculity of Uio chiircll were n fow 
tonibftuni-ii, wliich liiivo Jtoon recently removed hikI nre iiwniting rottet- 
tilig in »inn' jiliicn when, they may remain iiluIiHturljeil. Tliey arc at 
prc«ent in potwewiion of Mr. Frc^leric Stnrgei*. One of lliem was erected 
to " Alintimni A.lumd. a Wiiftliy fonntlor and lllieral lM.>nefactur of Trinity 
Churcli," wlio wait prubal'ly burled, according to the tlnioi, near the 
church. 

f President Stiica' Diar)', and MS. Letter of Prof. Kiugsloy to the au- 
tliiir. 

X The name of " Henry Ctmor" was enrolleil In tlio " registry-book" of 
Mr. Pipjl, Ujion the Ii.Hl of conimnni.-nnt« at StmtfonI, " Sept 2, 1T2*J," 
anil tliat of " Henry Caner, Jr.," by Mr. Jolintwin, " Mnn.ii 28, 172.".." It 
may be well to oli*erve here that ■Ahlle the ori^'inal orthography of Mr. 
Cuner'n name wiut tliat whieh In In-re eniploye.1, the received pn.numia- 
tion of it wan donbtlem* In.li.-ated more precitK'ly by I>r. Trnnil.nll, wlio 
WHfto it Onninr, and by the early churclimen of Fairfleid, who Hometimea 
wrote It (baarr. • 

^ With the exception <.f tlio«e which ux loclu.loi iu the registr^'-book 
of Sir. PIgiit and Mr, Johnaju. 



votes of the town during all the re.^t of the time from 
1661 to 1728, in the same book which has the original 
record of annual meetings and votes from 172!t to 
1800, leaves us almo.it entirely to the testimony of one 
of the parties interested in certain important changes. 
It appears, then, from the reports of Mr. Johnson 
to the society, that in the year 1724 the prospects of 
Episcopacy in this town were very favorable in some 
respects. Speaking of the sufferings of ".sundry peo- 
ple of both sexes" wlu) had been persecuted and 
imprisoned on account of their attachment to the 
Episcopal system, and expressing his fear that if not 
soon relieved people would be quite discouraged, ho 
at the same time cx]>ressed his belief that " the whole 
town would embrace the church if they had a good 
minister at Fairfield," and added, " I have a Viist 
assembly every time I visit them." Within a few 
months afterwards he had " in Stratford and the neigh- 
! boring towns more than a hundred communicants;" of 
' whom about forty had been admitted to communion 
by him. And in 1727, just before Mr. Caner took 
charge of this parish, Mr. Johnson informed the so- 
ciety that there were about forty families of Episco- 
palians in Fairfield. These were, according to his 
account, " mostly of the poorer sort ;" as Mr. Caner 
also testified in his first report of the state of his mis- 
sion. It is evident, however, from various circum- 
stances noted in the records of this town, and upon 
tombstones in its old burial-places, that the parish at 
that time embraced some persons who had been, for 
many years previous, men of much consequence and 
influence in the town, and the mo.st of them, if not 
all, Congregationalists. The same fact is manife.'<t 
from the success which attended an ai)]dication made 
t)ie Colonial government at that time by the wardens 
and vestrymen of Trinity Church, Fairfield, for an 
alteration of the laws concerning the support of re- 
ligion. A petition was ])rescnted to the Assembly, 
signed by " Moses AV'ard and Samuel Lyon, church 
wardens, and Dongal Mackenzie, John Lockwood, 
Nathan Ailams, lienjaniin Sturges, and otliers, in the 
name ami behalf of all the rest of their brethren," 
dated May 1.5, 1727, stating that ten of them had been 
lately imprisoned for taxes, contrary to the Hon. 
Governor's advice, ami notwithstanding solemn prom- 
ises before given to sit down and be concluded in the 
aflair; jiraying that the sums of money so taken from 
them miglit be restored; and declaring that if their 
grievances might be redre.«sed, they should "aim at 
nothing but to live peaceably and as becometh Chris- 
tians among their di.-wenting brethren." And, in re- 
sponse to this petition, an act was ]>a;*sed, providing 
that the taxes cidlected from ICpiscopalian'* for the 
support of religion might, under certain circum- 
stances, be paid to the Episcopal missionaries instead 
of the Congregational ministers. This movement of 
the early cliurcbmen of Fairfield, about a hundred 
years after the settlement of this colony, wius the first 
; cflectual step ever taken towards the establishment of 



FAIRFIELD. 



353 



rcliiiidus lilu-rty in ("onnecticut ; ;ii) (il)ji.-ct wliirh it 
requiivil about aiintlier century to aeconiiilisli. And 
tiiat those zealous ehurehnieii, so wortliy of Ikui- 
oralile renR'nihranee, were persons of jioml eluiraeter, 
ajiainst wlioui tlieir adversaries could find no oc- 
casion, may l>c safely inferred from the previous 
existence of a custom disclosed by the early reriirds 
of this town: the practice of expellini;- from its limits, 
bv a public vote, those who from time to time lie- 
came obnoxious on any account to the majority of 
the community; which may be supjiosed to have been 
thus kept very ]iure and select, from the hij.dicst to 
tlie most humble citizen. 

In view of these and other similar indications that 
tlie ]ieriod of the organization of this parish was oiu' 
of muidi excitement and change in the social aspect 
as well as the iniblic acts of this town, it is to be re- 
gretted on all hands that the record of its acts during 
that most interesting period of five or six years is 
wanting in the co|iy wJiich was made from an "old 
l>o(dx," and preserved evidently safe and sound,* hav- 
ing never lost a leaf of what was transcribed. Some 
clue, liowevcr, to the posture of jiublic affairs in this 
town at that interesting crisis may be obtained from 
a record of colonial acts, which is [ireserved among 
old manuscrii)ts in the ofKce of the Secretary of State 
at Hartford. It is in thc^e words: '-May 14. 17l''i. 
On advice of the infirmities of Kev. Mr. Webb, and 
the present circumstances of that society of which he 
is pastor, we" — the General Association of Congre- 
gational ministers convened at Hartford — " could not 
but think that their case called for a sjieedy visitation, 
and tliat nothing less would attain the end designed 
and so earnestly to be desired for that jieoplc, than an 
act of this Hon. General Asscnddy, rciiuiring that 
one or more of the ministry from the several counties 
or associati(nis of this colony be sent to convene at 
Fairfield for the consideration of their states and the 
application (d'pro]ier expedients for their united con- 
tinuance in the faith and establislu^d order of the 
church of Christ in the colony." Whereupon a reso- 
lution was "passed by the Hon. Assembly, that 
Fairfield should call some other orthodox minister to 
help Mr. Webb, that their sorrowful and sinking cir- 
cumstances might be relieved."! 

This interesting record also serves to illustrate a 
remark made not long afterwards by Mr. Caner, in 



» Tlie reliuirk of Dr. Tiuralmll (c. xix ) that " tlic first rui'Dnls rif Fiiir- 
field were burnt," ..;cm'I1i«. liy long repetition, to liuvo t'stalilisheil iiu im- 
pression very witlely that the archives of tliis aneient town are nt>t worthy 
of eNanii[iatioii. IJiit even the writer of a rererit " History of the In- 
dians of t'onneetieot" (I>e Foi-est) niistit have fonml here some inlei-esl- 
ing particulars of iiureha-ses of huni from the natives if he had not trusted 
tuo far tile stiange report that "the r(!eortls of FairtieM have huell (le- 
stroyeil." Page 1(17. 

"The first meeting of the I'lime .\niieiit (Congregational) So<iety of 
rairfleUl," ilistinet from " tow n-meetiiig." was held, arc ordiug to its own 
record, on " the Sltli of December, IT'JT," 

tin the old manuscript ln-ri^ cited the last (dause of this residiition 
has been partially enised. But without that clause the res ilutioii of tho 
Assembly is a very tame response U) tlie memorial of tho Association. 



one of his reports to the society, that Fairfield was 
"the idiief seat of opposition" to Kpisropai-y, a ri'mnrk 
in which he also had reference to the fact that tln^ 
seat of the County Court and its prison weri' in this 
town. 

Some idea of the state and materials of the mission 
at Fairfitdtl, when ]\Ir. Caner took charge of it after 
his oiilination, may fie gathered from a comparison of 
the small number of the communicants whom he 
fiiund here as ii lay re:idcr under ])r. .lohnsmi in 17'i'i, 
namelv ftrclrc, with the number of families belonging 
to the parish in 1727, namely, ,/''<W//. It is manifest 
from such a comparison that few of the early members 
of this parish were originally ehuridiincn. Most of 
them were doubtless converts fr<im the Congregational 
Society. This ajijiears, indeed, from a remark of Mr. 
I'igot, in one of his reports, that "the people of Fair- 
field, Riiiton, iind Newtown, were very licsirous of a 
minister, many of them having conformeil to the 
CInirch of Fnglaud." And the changes of this kiml, 
, by which :i very promising parish had been gathered 
j here before 1727, in part by Mr. Caner himself as lay- 
reader, seem to have increa.sed very raiiidly after his 
aiiiiointment to the mission of Fairfielil. 

The first church edifice, as mentioned above, was 
completed in 172o, and was located on .Mill Plain, 
near the residence of the late .lonathan Sturges. In 
17I1S liberty was given t;i " the members of the Church 
of Knglaud. upon certain conditions, to erect a house 
for ]iublic worship on the highway near the Old 
Fields-<;ate." It was fifty-five by thirty -five feet in 
size, twenty feet in height, "with a handsome stceide 
and spire of one hundred feet and :i good bell of five 
hundredweight." This church was burned by the 
Uritish in 1779, and for about twelve years the jiarish 
was destitute of a convenient place of worshi]i. 

The third church edifice was cre-ted in about the 
year 17illl, and was located on the parailc-ground at 
^lill I'lain. This was oceu]iied until the conndelion 
of the fourth church building, in l.H.I.'i. 

Mr. Caner remained until 1747, when he removed 
to Huston, aiid was succeeiled by Rev. .lose]ih Lanison, 
who officiated as rector until his death. He was in- 
terred in the old colonial liurying-ground. He was 
liillowed in the ministry by Kev. .Tohn Sayre, wdio 
was rector when the town was burned liy tlie liritisb, 
in 17711. 

Tlie fir;t rector of the ]iarish after the Revolution 
was Rev. Philo Shelton, of honored memory, a grjtdu- 
ate of Yale College, who was ordaineil at the first or- 
dination held by Bishop Se;diury, Aug. '■'>, nw. Mr. 
Shelton commenced lay reading here ;d)out six weeks 
after the burning of the t<iwn, whidi he continued 
until his ordination, in 17S.'i. 

Uev. Mr. Shelton served this parish failhfully for 
nearly forty years. He died Feb. 27, 1.^2."i. He was 
btirii in Ripton (now Huntington), May '), 17')4. He 
was succeeded by his son, the Rev. William Shelton, 
who remained until 1829. He was succeeded by Rev. 



354 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Charles Smith. Mr. Smith resigned in 1834, and 
Rev. TC. E. Cornwall, M.A., became rector, and offici- 
ated until 1854. The succe.^sion since that time has 
been as follows: .1. S. Purdy, 1855-57; Rufiis Emery, 
1858-70; E. L. Wells, 1870-76; T. F. Ca.skey, 1877- 
79; C. S. Adams, 1879, present rector. 

ST. PAUL'S CUORCH.* 

Early in the year 1707 the " Society for Propagating 
the Gospel in Foreign Part.s" sent out from England 
the Rev. Mr. Muirson,t who visited Fairfield at irreg- 
ular intervals, officiating at the homes of families by 
invitation. 

Alter the death of Rev. Mr. Muirson, which oc- 
curred in the latter part of 1708, occasional services 
■were held by Revs. Talbot, Sharpe, and liridge, of 
New York and New Jersey ; but until 1722, when 
Rev. Mr. Pigot was sent out, no regular services were 
observed. It was at Stratford that Rev. Mr. Pigot 
was located, whicii town seems to share with Fairfield 
the honor of establishing the oldest Epi.seopal parish 
in our State, services being alternated between tliese 
places, and held at ajjpointed occasions. The form 
wa-s that of the Churcli of England and the house of 
Mr. Tliomas Ilanford tlie place of service wlien Rev. 
Mr. Pigot was present, altliougli the Episcopaliau 
families met formally every Sunday. 

In 1723, Dr. James Laborie, an eminent French 
physician, came here from Stratford, and purchased 
the dwelling of Mr. Isaac Jennings, known as "the 
stone liouse upon the rocks," — i)robal)ly the same 
wliicli he afterwards devoted entirely to the ehurcli, 
— in wiiich he held services on the Sundays when 
Rev. Mr. Pigot was absent. 

The first reliable record of the establishment of a 
separate and distinct organization of an Episcopal 
parish in Fairfield is that of Rev. Samuel Johnson, 
who succeeded Rev. Mr. Pigot in 1724, wiio regularly 
administered tlie rites of the Ciiurch of England, and 
who at this time reports: "The church in Fairfield is 
going on apace." Nov. 10, 1725, the day of annual 
thanksgiving appointed by the civil authorities. Rev. 
Mr. Johnson ojicned with an appropriate service and 
discourse the original Trinity church, whicli was lo- 
cated a few rods northeast of the present residence of 
Mr. .lonatlian Sturges, in Mill Plain. A few tomb- 
stones, until quite recently, marked the spot, one of 
whicli bore the inscription : Abraham Adams, worthy 
founder and benefactor of Trinity Church. 

Rev. Mr. Johnson divided his time between Strat- 
ford and Fairfield for about two years, being succeeded 
by Rev. Henry Caner, who was graduated at Yale 
College, ordained in England in 1727, and appointed 
missionary to Fairfield. From this period until the 
Revolution permanence and prosperity are indicated 
from the facts that the parish included one liundred 



• Contributed l)y WUIlun A. Itoen. 

t lleatlicotu Mulreon (prubablj hltt suii) lira among tlio colonlula. 



and seventy families, and that in 1732 the church was 
enlarged, a gallery sufficient to seat two hundred per- 
sons being added. 

It ajjpears that even these extensive additions soon 
became inadequate, and in 1738 a more complete edi- 
fice was built on the highway, near Old Field Gate, 
where, a few years since, stood the Marine Hotel, de- 
stroyed by fire in 18G0. This second church was a 
fine, conspicuous edifice. Its dimensions were fifty- 
five feet in length, twenty feet in height, and thirty- 
five feet in width, with a steeplet of the unusual 
height, at that period, of one hundred feet. Rev. 
Mr. Caner continued his work here until failing 
health in 1747 compelled him to seek a smaller par- 
ish, greatly to the general regret, as he was singularly 
beloved, and had been very successful in building up 
the church, which at his departure numbered among 
its congregation two hundred communicartts. His 
successor was Rev. Joseph Lamson, a native of the vi- 
cinity, whose ministry of twenty-si.\ years terminated 
only at his death, and whose resting-place is marked 
by a stone in the old burial-ground of the village. 

Rev. John Sayre§ succeeded in 1774. He Wiis a 
talented and successful clergj'man, but, being a native 
of Great Britain, refused to sign articles prescribed 
by the Continental Congress, and seems to have been 
subjected to a temporary banishment to New Britain. 
This suspension, however, was of brief duration, as 
his parishioners soon eflected his return, and he con- 
tinued his offices until Trinity church was destroyed 
by the burning of Fairfield by the British troops, 
July 8, 1779. It is an act of historic justice to Rev. 
Mr. Sayre to state that he used every endeavor to 
avert the disaster by both protest an<l entreaty ; that 
his private effects, including a valuable librarj', shared 
the general fate; and that, though he took refuge on 
a British man-of-war after the conflagration, the 
purity of his motives and acts was above suspicion. 

One month after this terrible calamity meetings 
were held at the house of Mr. John Sherwood (the 
great-grandfather of Mrs. C. A. Short, to whom we 
are indebted for much valuable material in this 
church history), at whicli it was determined to erect 
yet another edifice. Mill Plain being again selected 
for the site. This edifice was the scene of the first 
ordination by Bishop Seabury, the first bishop of 
Connecticut, an event of the profoundest interest to 
all churchnien. The recijiient of this peculiar honor 
was Kev. Pliilo Shelton, who served at the altar thus 
signalized upwards of forty years. He died in Feb- 
ruary, 1825.11 A memorial tablet built in the chancel 



{ From which Somaol Bowland law tho BtlUsh land In Fairfield In 
Jiilr, 1770. 

g Itcv. John 8a)'ro and sovoml of liU family He In the old "coloninl** 
bur.vln;;.^roiln(l. 

I His body van placed, by hit wlnli. nndor tho church, wbkh, when 
torn (liiwn. was ouiveycd to Mnuntiitn (JmTo Omelcrj'. BridgeiJort, Conn. 
Tlie tieU from till* rliiinh wmi ui"'.l in tile rniven*:ill«l rliunli. Weptlmrt. 
for ft lime, when It wntt Nniglit Iiy the Mt'thiwliKt i>r^iiiiiutti<iii, uiel !.■» 
DOW used in their church lo WMlport, 



FAIRFIELD. 



355 



Willi was a ooiispiciKius iinuiaiciit, ami lie is still teu- 
(K'rly remembered by many now liviiifr as " tlie devout 
anil dear old man who tanglit ns the eateehism." 

Kev; William Shelton, the iKJiiori'd son of this 
revered lather, sueeeede<l, reiiiaininj; nntil 1S20, 
when lie was ealled to fst. Paul's Cluireh in Tiurtido, 
wliere, at the age of eig:hty-two, he still ofhc'iates (the 
writer of this has a letter, under date of July 30, 
bS.SO, in wliieh this venerable divine and excellent 
fjentleman tenderly alludes to his own and hisfathei''s 
eonneetion with the eliureh in Fairfield). 

Kev. ('buries Smith took eharue in IS.'SO, eontinu- 
ing four years, until a new ehai)el was built in 1-^outh- 
]Mirt. and Kev. X. E. Cornwall assumed the duties of 
the two I'liurehes. 

RefTidar services at Mill Plain now began to be iin- 
fre'Un'nt, and were finally discontinued; the reason 
for wliieli was that a majority of tlie attendants, wdio 
residi'd nearer Southport, were of o[iinion that the 
Mill Plain church was, in view of the size of the 
]>arisli, a superfluity. A warm iliscussion aro.se, the 
matter was. snlimitted toarl)itration, a decision adverse 
to the minority was rendered, and to the great sorrow 
of F.]iiseo]iaIians in the vicinity, the .'Mill Plain church 
was torn down and portions of it utilized in the con- 
struction of a rectory at Southiiort. As a reminis- 
cence recalling the ]irejtidices of those times, it is 
well to record that the arbitrators whose votes turned 
the scale were Presbyterians, and a tr.idition has been 
handed down that the decision was n<it wholly dis- 
connected with a PuritaiHc desire to put the "Church 
of Fngland" as far away as |)ossible. 

It was nearly twenty years alter that jiractical 
eflbrts were made to revi\(' the parish and build 
another church. The families with Episcopalian 
jireferences living here at that time might have been 
counted on one's fingers, Iiut among them were men 
and women who were full of the spirit that builds up 
the kingdom of Christ. .Ofthe.se, the namei? of Knapp, 
(ilover, and Ogden deserve honor.able place in history. 
To the late Henry A. Kna])p, however, whoso indomi- 
table work, both of soul and hands, was, through numy 
trying years, pre-eminently eonsiiicuous, must be 
accorded chiefest honor for the [)ermanent establish- 
ment of the present parish and church of .St. Paul's 
in I'airfield. 

The sit;" of St. Paul's church is identical with that 
of the old county jail, wliere among criminals were 
incarcerated men who could not ]iay money oweil 
their fellow-men, and from wdience certain offenders 
were led to the wdiippiug-post on the ailjaccnt green 
to receive lashes "well laid on" that the stern justice 
of the period inflicted. It was here that a new jail 
was being built, wdien, luckily for the rural as well as 
spiritual beauty of the village, the county offices were 
ajipropriated by Bridgeport, and the grounil, together 
with jiartially-built side-walls for the new pri.son, 
off'(!red for sale. They were purchased by the parish 
for the nominal sum of one thousand dollars. 



Again might it have been said, "The work of the 
church in Fairfield goes on apace," for presently these 
prison-walls were converted into a sanctuary of Him 
who came not to bind, but to unloose, — a change, too, 
that had the remarkalde precedent recorded in the 
fiftci'uth chapter of Acts, where the prison at Phil- 
ippi, in JIacedonia, was suddenly transfjrmed into 
fiod's tenqilc, and trembling men fell down before 
St. Paul, crying, "What shall we do to be sav<>d?" 
It was this scriptural scene that by its coincidence 
gave the present edifice its name. 

It was a day of rare beauty — Tuesday, May 20, 
l.s,-)(i— that the Right Kev. Bishop Williams conse- 
crated the building to the Ijeauty of holiness; when, 
instead of iron-clamped doors giving emphasis to the 
" rarity of human charity," portals were thrown wide 
in honor <d' One who never put forth His hand to 
scourge, save in the one instance at' the money- 
changers, and whose precept, "Owe no num any- 
thing," was supplemented with the prayer, " Forgive 
ns our debts, as we forgive our debtors." 

The consecration sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. 
Ilallam, from the appropriate text, "He lovetli our 
nation and buildeth us a synagogue." Seventeen 
clergymen, in their surplices, were present, besides 
till' liishop, the church was crowded to overflowing, 
and a lil)eral oflering was made to the funds of the 
new parish. The clergy dine<l at the house of Mr. 
John Clover; other hosjiitable homes were opened 
I to friends wdio had eome from far and near to share 
the glin-ics of the day. Rev. C. S. Leflingwell was 
installed as rector, and the parish increased and pros- 
pered tinder his kindly supervision. He was called 
to a larg(>r fielil, and his place filleil in bsdlt by Rev. 
J^cvi P>. Stimson, who remained for eleven years. 
Rev. Frederick S. Hyde was the next successor, and 
on his resignation, at Easter, 1871, Rev. Andrew 
Mackie, Jr., entered upon the duties, and on June 1, 
1878, was called to a Western parish. July 13, 1873, 
the charge of the parish was accorded to the present 
rector, Re\'. .Tames K. Lonibanl. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SOUTHPORT.'S 
From about the year 180.5 to 1820, Methodist meet- 
ings were held at Green's Farms in the houses of 
Peter Jeiiniiigs and Noah Osboni, and in the school- 
house. ( ireen's Farms formed part of an extended cir- 
cuit, and was visited by the Conference preacher once 
a month. In the absence of the preacher, Bradford 
Crolt, a local preacher, supplied for them. Ebenezer 
Washburn was the first preacher appointed by Con- 
ference ; Samuel Croft was the first class-leader. He 
and I'radford Croft and Joshua and Peter Wakeman 
were among the first official membeis of the church. 
The Crofts and their wives, Mrs. Wakeman, and Mr. 
Straiten were among the first niembei-s of the church. 
In 1820, when the Grecn'.s Farms church was built, 
there were about forty members. They worsliiped in 



^- Contributed I'j' Kev. .lusepli Smitli. 



356 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



that church till 1845, when the present church was 
built at f^duthport, largely by the liberality of Capt. 
Davis, a noble, jienerous, and faitlil'ul C'liristian, who 
is still living. The determination to build the pres- 
ent church was made during the ministry of Rev. 
Zachariah Davenport, still living and greatly re- 
spected; he i)rcaclicd on the circuit that included 
tirccn's Farms during the years 1843—44. In 1845 it 
was dedicated. 

The following is the list of preachers v.'ho have been 
apj)ointed to Southport since the erection of the pres- 
ent church: Charles C. Keys, 1845; Charles Bartlett, 
1840; .lames H.Perry, 1847-48; G. Gilbert, 1849- 
50; Levis. Weed, 1851; William McAllister, 1852- 
.5.^; Reuben II. Loomis, 1854; George Hollis, 1855- 
.5(); Samuel A. Seaman, 1857-58; Seymour Landon, 
1859-GO; David Osborn, 1861-62; Charles Kclsey, 

1863; W. Smith, 1864-65; G. Gilbert, 1866; 

David Nash, 1867-69; AVilliam Stebbiiis, 1870-72; 
L. W. Abbott, 187.3-75; William Brown, 1876; Henry 
A. Van Dalscm, 1877-78; .Joseph Smith, 1879-80. 

The inesent official members of the church arc : 
Stewards, Bra<lley Goodsell, Sr., Benjamin N. Haw- 
kens, Andrew W. Jennings, Lewis B. Jennings, Wil- 
liam F. Northrop, George E. Northro)>, George F. 
:McKcel, A. P. Jennings, Elijah Gray ; Trustees, B. 
N. Ilawkens, A. W. Jennings, L. B. .Jennings, Brad- 
ley (tocxlsell, Elijah CJray, .Josiab Hawkens, William 
F. Northrop, A. P. .Jennings, and George E. Northrop. 
The present number of members is one hundred and 
twelve.* 

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, FAIRFIELD. 
The Roman Catholic Church of St. Thomas was 
consecrated about 1854, under charge of Rev. Father 
Thomas J. Synnot, of Bridgei>ort, and has been a 
distinct parisli about four years. Within a few years 
tlie house, with a list of owners, among whom were 
Rev. N. E. Cornwall, Capt. Rufus Knaj)]}, lost at sea, 
on board the " Leviathan," was purchased by the 
j>arish of St. Thonui.s' Church for a parsonage, and 
the church itself was removed on to these iiremises, 
and, being rcmodeleil in ])art, was re-dedicated in No- 
vember, 1880. 



C H .V P T E \l XXXI V. 

FAIRFIELD (Continued^ 

CIVIL AND MILITAUV. 

Bogor I.tiillow nnil tlit* ncconls— fieloclmen In IGOl — List of Roprcaentar 
tlVM from 1070 to I8SU— MlliUir]' IlUlory— List of SoliUon. 

It ha-s been stated in varioiis historical works that 
when Roger Lu<llow left Fairfield he carrieil with him 
the town records, but such, it seems, is not the case. 

* Tlio 4li;iltcnllon uf tlir litiiUiliK kliiiwn as tho uM MpttMHllst church 
ill Fnirfloia, Nut. 0, IH4:i, is rmiMol in Slim Snnili Wliili-'s J<.iinml. It 
wns (lisiisMl fur eoTunil yiMini ft.r Inck of sii|)iH>rt, imt fur a liitu {Htrioil 
it has tuul service* held in it by the culuruil |ieti|)lc. 



No mentii.ii i^ lual.- in any book of records to this 
effect, either liei-e or at Hartford, as Book A is still in 
the archives of the town, and was filled with grants, 
etc., four years before his departure. If he had car- 
ried away the records, as has been claimed, in all hu- 
man probaVility Book A would have been among tlic 
number. Furthermore, there was no reason for an 
act of this kind. He held no enmity against the 
town which he had founded, and where he had ])a.ssed 
so many eventful years. His feeling of resentment 
could only have been aimed at the General Court. 
Certain it is, however, that its ancient records are 
missing, but it is stated by the old inhabitants that 
some time prior to the Itevolution an Englishman was 
employed to copy the records, and upon the comple- 
tion of his work, the charges made were deemed ex- 
orbitant and payment refu.sed, whereupon he left for 
the West Indies, taking the books with liim. Fur- 
thermore, the ancient documents not destroyed by 
fire have been restored to the town, which exculpates 
Roger Ludlow from censure. 

In 1661, Mr. Gold, William Hill, John Burr, A. 
Knowles, Jehu Burr, William Ward, and .lolin 
Banks w'ere townsmen. 

In the vestibule of the town-hou3e at Fairfield is 
the following tablet: 

BUILT A. n. 1720. 
DKSTHOVICII ) ^ „ J..JJ 
BY TllK liUITISIl/' ' 

iti:mn,T a. d. I7n4. 

UKJIOiiELEI) A. 1). 1870. 

The following is a record of a number of the early 
births, etc. : 

"Mnry Turny, tlie (laiigiitor of Ujl>c:-t Tnriiy ami Itiith Tiiniy, was 

Iwrn tlic nth Dec, 107.1." 
** Miirtliii Tnniy, the dunghtcr of Rolioit Tiiniy, wiis boni tlio f,lh of 

June, liiTG." 

'* Beiijiiinin Turny, tlio soun of Iloltort Turny, was Utriic liie " 

"Benj. Turny liiiirycil Roliecii Keder tlio IGtIl of Nov , 1C71." 

**$iinili MiddletKHik, daiiglitor of Joseph 3liddlch<iok, was born tlie 

I2tli of Nov., lC7r>." 
" Ilaiiiuili Sliildlcliook, the dauglitcr of Joseph Middieliook, was liorn 

tlio 'J.*i June, 11177." 
"John Head, till' sun of Will" Head, won l«ni the Will of .Tan'y, 1070." 
"Daniel Itiirr, the son of Oiiiiiel lliirr, was Inirli tlie:toth of July, 1070," 
"Joseph Middleliuok, Ihu son of JosupU Middieliook, Jr., was liurn yo 

15 April, 1080." 

LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES FRO.M 1070 TO ISSCf 

1G70, .lehu Burr, John Burr; 1071, William Hill, J<diii Burr. John 
Wheeler; 1072, .t.lin lluir. John Wheeler; 107:1. Jehu Burr, .lohn 
Baiikus \l 1074, Jeliu llnrr, John Burr, John BiiiikLv, John Wheeler ; 
lil7:>-70. Jehu llnrr, Joliu Biiiikes, Lieut. Corn. Hull; 1077, John 
llankra, John Wheeler, Corn. Hull; 1078, Jehu Burr, Richanl lluh- 
hell, John Diinkes, John Wheeler; 1079, John Bonkes, Ili'lianl Hub- 
Ix'li.Jehu Burr, Jidin Buiicks; lr>8ii,Jnliu Burr, John lluiieks; 1081, 
Jiihn Wheeler, Itiehanl Unldiell, .lomph Lxkwood; lOS.', Jehu 
Burr, John Baneket, l.leiit. John B;inki-.s, Ser^l. John Wheeler ; 
lus:!, Jehu Burr, .l.din llaukes; |ii.M. Jehu Burr, John Tyler, .lohn 
JVhceler; 108.',, Jehu Burr, Thomas Juanes, John Burr, StTKt. John 
Wheeler; 1080, Jehu Burr, John Burr; 1087, .lohu Wlie. ler, John 
Bnrr; 1688, no Statu rwords ; 1089,JohnIltirr, John Wieeler, James 



+ "Coninienres with vol. iii. of ths Colonial Beconis, the llrst that can 
he found. — SB*;RrTART or State." 
J Secretary of State. 



FAIRFIELD. 



357 



lii-iiiu't; lorill, .Tolm Walicman ; ICnl, Jehu Burr, ftiiiiiiel Wiirrle; 
Ill;i2,l':i|it.5Iiitlu-ivSlnTWo.>il, Nathan Golil,.I"lin Wak.Mimn, Nathan 
Burr: lr,'.i:i, Isaik Wh.-i-h-r, Ji.hu Wakonmn, Natli. Bun; IWU, 
Saniui'l Wakcmali, )':ii(jhal.-t Hill, Nathan «..hl. .h.hii Walc.-juan; 
ir.'.l."., .lami'S Bfnit. Natli. Burr, I,RMit. .lames Beuit ; HiMi;, .l.ilni 
Wak.unan, Ji'sciih Li>ck\V(«>il ; IG'JT. .luhn 'WaUeinaii, I.ti-ut. .lames 
Beiiiiet, Natliaiiiel Burre, Jr.; 1IVJ8, Eusisn rhilip Lewis, Nathaniel 
Burre, Lieut. John M'akeman ; IG'.t'.t, Lieut- James iieunet, Lieut. 
.Tohn Wakeman, Ensijjn Jnlindshurn ; 17iin, ^aiuuel S(jnire, Nathaniel 
Burre, Lient. Juhn Wakeman, I'eter Buire; ITill, Lieut. ,hune.s 
Bennet, IVter Burre, .luhn Wakeuniu ; 17(1-'. Licait. James Beiinet. 
Sanuiel S.iuire, I'eter Burre, Juhn IMwards; l7o:',, Lieut. Juhn Waki- 
nian, .<anin<-I Squire, Samuel Huhhell ; 17U4, ]':nsi;.;u John ()shoru, 
.Serj;!. John Burr, Sanuu-l S.piire, Tliouias Jones; 1711"', Lient. .los«'|ih 
\Vakemaii, Oapt. .lohn \Vakenuiii, John Burr; 17UG, Capt. John 
Wakeman, Lieut. James Bennett. Lieut. Joseph Waketnan; 17C17, 
Lieut. Josejih Wakeman, .lonathan Sturge, (.'apt. John \\'al;eman ; 
17n,S, En.sign Tlii'ophilus Hull, John Burr, Capt. Johi] Wake- 
nuui, Janu'S Belinit ; 17n'.t. Capt. John Osbourn, Janu-s Ih-iuiit, 'i'he- 
ophilus Hull, Uavi.l Shernnui ; ITlu, Capt, ,Ioseiili Wakejuan, Capt. 
John Burr, James Hennett, Sanmel Coueli ; 1711. Maj. John Binr, 
tapt. J.iseph Wakeman, John Khvanls, Samuel Huhhell ; 171.',Ma.i. 
John Burr, Capt. Josej.h Wakeuuin, Capt. Sanuiel Coueh; 171:1-11, 
Calit. Ji.'Seph Wiikemau, Ensign Kieliartl Huhhell, Maj. John Btirr, 
Capt. Jo.seph Wakenuiu , 171j-li;, (.'apt. Joseph Wakei]i;iii, Kiehaiil 
Huhhell; 1717, Maj. John Burr, Capt. .loseph Wakeman, Uiehanl 
Huhhell; I71.'*-V.l, Capt. .losepli Wakenuiu, John Eihvanls,5Lij. J..hn 
Burr; 17;iu, 3Iaj..Iohn Burr, Capt. Samuel Com-h. Capt. Joseph Wake- 
man ; 17;;i, (.'apt. Jo.seph Wakeman, Maj. John Burr, Jonathan Star- I 
gia.s; 17Ji, Itohert Silliman, Cal.t. Jo.,eph Wakeman, Capt. JL.ses 
li.vmati; 17J;1, Maj. John Burr, Kohert Silaman; 1721, Maj. John 
Burr, Koheit Silanian, Khem-zer U'akeman; 17:2."), Maj. .lohn Burr, 
Ehein-/.er Wakeman; 17^11, >Lij. Jolni Burr, Ehenezer WaUenian, 
Capt. John OsIkuu, John l.oiUwood; 1727, Eohert Sillilmm, Capt. 
JohnOsh.uii; 172S, Itoheit Silliman, Samuel Burr, Maj. .lohn Burr ; 
17J9, Maj. John Bnrr, ,S;imneI Murr, Amlrew Burr; 17:111, Sanun-1 1 
Burr,Tha'Mens Burr, Khenev-er Silliman; 17:il, Sauuu-1 Burr, Ehen- 
ezer Silli n, .\nilre\v Buir; 17:1"2, Amlrew Burr, Eheiu'/er Silli- 

nuiii; 17:i:l, Samuel Coueh, .\ntlrew Bnrr,SainiH-l Itiirr; 17:14, SiUnuul 
Burr, Ehene/.er Silliman, Sanmel (.'oneh, ,Iohn Silliimtn ; 17:15, An- 
lirew Burr, Saimu'l Burr, Khem-zer Silliman, John Silliman; nitli, 
Ehenezer Sillilmm, .\nilrew Burr. John Sillinuiii ; 17:57, Capt, Ami. 
Burr, Khen. Silliman, .lohn Burr; 17:iS, Ehen. Sillinnui, Capt. Ami. 
Burr; 17:tl', Capt. .\nil. Bnrr, Ehenezer Sillinutn, (.'apt. Sam'l Burr; 
174(1, Mil,!. Amlrew Burr, Capt. John Kea.l; 1741-4:!, Maj. An.llew 
Burr, S;uuuel Barr ; 1744, Maj. Aiulrew Burr, Tliaildeus Burr, Capt, 
•SamiU'l Uurr; 174.'., Capt. Samuel Burr, 'IhaiUlens Bnrr, (.'ul. An- 
4lrew Jiiu'r, I 'apt. John Head ; 17411, Col. Andrew Burr, Capt. Samuel 
Burr, Capt. , lohn Bead ; 1747, Capt. Samuel Bun-, 'I'liadilens Bnrr, 
Capt. Jidm Bead, David How laud ; 174.S, Thaihleus Burr, Capt. John 
Burr, Capt. John Bead, Capt. Sanuud Bnrr; 174!), Capt. John Bead, 
David Bowlaud, Thad.Ieus Bnrr ; 17511, Capt. .hdin Bead, D.avid Kow- 
land; 1751, Davi.l Hon land, Tliaddeus Burr, Cal>t. Samuel Burr; 
1752-5:'., David Rowland, Ca|)t. Samuel Burr; 1754, .^laj. John Ueiid, 
Capt. Sanmel Burr, David Bowlaud, William Burr; 17.".5, Daviil 
Kowhind, William Bnrr; 17.".fi-.".7, Capt. Thomas Hill, Lothrop 
Lewis, Davi.l B.iwlau.l; 17.".S-.".'.i, David K..wlan.l, William Burr; 
17U0-I.:!, Davi.l li.iwlaml, Davi.l Bnrr, Jr.; 17U4, Davi.l U.iwlan.i, 
Davi.l Burr, Jr., Capt. Davi.l Burr; 17G5, Davi.l Uowlan.l, Capt, 
Davi.l Burr, Nathan Bnlkley ; I'l'.H, L..tlir.jp Lewis, Col. J.>hn K.-ad, 
Davi.l Bnrr, Ehein-zer Silliman; 17G7, Ehem-zer Silliman, Cajit. 
Davnl Burr. Lotlir.>p Lewis; 17GS, Ehenezer Silliniati, Capt. Davi.l 
Bnrr; 17G11, Ehenezer Silliman, Capt. David Burr, 'I'luiddeus Burr; 
I771I. Ehem'Z.'r Siliinuiu. Capt. Davi.l Burr; 1771, Ehenezer Silliman, 
Cai.t. Davi.l Burr, Tha.h!en» Barr; 177-', Ehenezer Silliman, J.. lia- 
than Stiu'tres, Davi.l Bnrr ; 17711, Ehenezer Silliman, Joliatluiii Stur- 
gis; 1774, Ehenezer Silliman, Capt. Samucil S.^uier, Jonathan Star- 
gis ; 177.5-7G, J.uiathan Surgis, Capt. Samuel .S.iviiiT, ThaiMens Burr; 
J777, Capt. Samuel Stiuiru, Maj. Elijah Ahell ; 1778, Tlia.l.h-us Uurr, 
Capt. Samuel S.iuire; 177'J. Cal>t. Samuel S.iuire, George Burr, Capt. 
Sanuu'l Wakenum ; 17xli, (apt. Samuel Wakeman, Brij;-(ien. (;. S. 
.Silliman. H.zukiah Huhhidl ; 17.'<l, Brig.-Gen. G. S. Silliman, Heze- 
kiah Hidih.dl ; 17S-', Miij. Elijah Aliell, Col. Hez.kiali Huhhell ; 17S:!, 
J.uuithau Sturges, Capt. Saniu.d Wakeman, Thomas Nash; 17K4, 
J..mtthau Stuiges, Tha.ldeus Burr; H-'Jo-SO, Col. Elijah Ahell, An- 
drew B.iwlan.l; 17S7, .Samuel Wateiinan, Joseph Strong, .\udrew 
Lowlaml, Elijah .\hell ; 17,SS, Col. Elijall Ahell, Joseph Strong, Thad- 



.Ieus Biiir: 17S11. C.il. Elijah Al..dl, Amlrew It.,«lau.I ; 171)(i-01, Cil. 
Elijah Ahi-ll. An.lrew Uowlan.l. I'avi.l Burr; 17'.1J, Au.lr.-« Ii..w. 
lan.l. Elijah Ah. II ; 17;i:i. An.lrew B.iwlau.l. Davi.l liurr. Elijall Ahell ; 
17114, An.lrew !!,.« lan.l, Le«i.- B. Stiu.nis; 17'.i5, Le«is B. .Murgis, 
Davi.l Burr; 17UI., Amlr.'W li.mhin.l, Wall.r l!ra.ll.-y, L.-wis B. Stur- 
gis, Davi.l Burr, Jr. ; 1707, L.'wis B. Stiiigis, Davi.l Burr. .Ir. ; 17;)S, 
Walter Bia.lh\v. Davi.l Ju.lah. David Burr ; 1711!), Lewis B. Sturgis, 
Davi.l Burr, Elijah Ahell; lSOU-1, L.-wis U. Sturgis, Davi.l Bnrr; 
181I-2, Lewis B. Sturgis, Davi.l Burr, Walti-r Bia.lle.v, Bol.eit Wilson ; 
isici, Lewis B. Stnrgi", Davi.l Burr; 18114, Waller Bia.ll.-v, J.-sup 
Wakeman, B..liert Wils.ui ; 180.5, Walter Bra.ll.-.v. David Hill. Davi.l 
Burr, Samuel l;..wland; LSilG. Walt.-r Bia.lh-y, J..hii Hull, Davi.l 
Bi;:r, Ehenezer Hanks; 1SI)7, Davi.l Burr, Saniii.l l;..whiii.l, Wall.T 
Br;idh-y, .h.liii Hull; LStrS. Samu.-l U.)wlan.l, Aan.u Sh.-rw 1. Ehe- 
nezer Banks ; 18(111, Samuel Ivowlaml, Gersh.uu Burr, Davi.l Burr, 
Samuel B. Sherwood ; ISIO, John Hull, Seym.. ur Tayhir ; 1811, David 
Bill r, Jeremiah .Sturgis, .lam. -s li.-attj ; 181-', Davi.l Burr, Gershom 
Bnrr, Samuel Ivowlaml, Samuel B. Sherwoo.i ; 181 (, Samuel B.iw- 
lan.l. Samuel B. Sherwiuid ; 1814, Samuel B. Sherwoo.i, G.-rsh.un 
Burr, William Th.up; 1.S1.5, Samuel B. Sherw.i.»l, .Samuel B.iwlan.l, 
J.ihu Hull, William K...hinson ; ISIG, David Hill, J.dm Hull ; 1817, 
Davi.l Hill, Gi.leon 'I'omlinson; 181.S, Thounw K. l!ow lan.l, Gi.leon 
T..mlius.iM; Islll. Jeremiah Sturgis, John Hull; IS-Ji. Jesnp Wake- 
mall, Seymour Taylor; l82I-'2-2, Ahrahain 1>. Bahlwin, Jonathan 
Bnlkley; 1823, Jesup Wakeman, Si-yimmr Taj lor; 18-24, B.ihert 
>\ ilson. H.-iiry Sherwoo.i ; 1825, Th.)ma.s K. Itow lan.l, K<.g<-r .^t. Sh.-r- 
maii ; 1.8-2(1, Ahraham 1). Uaklwiu, Boheit Wilson ; 18-27, lioheit 
Wils.in, Oha.liah Beardeley ; 1.8'2.S, David Hill, J.uiathan Bulkh-y ; 
1.8-211, Abluhain D. Baldwin, Amlrew Bnlkley; 1,8:10, Davi.l Hill, 
An.lrew Itulkh-y; l.SSl, David Hill, Jeremiah Sturgis; ls:i'2, J..lin 

S. Wil.s Uavi.l Hill; l.Si:!, David C.i.ik-y ('idi, John .s. Wils.ui ; 

18:14, Davi.l Hill. Holi.-it Wilson ; 18;).5, Davi.l Hill, ll.-/.ekiali Allen ; 
ISliG, An.lrew Bnlkley, Tliomiis B. Ushonie ; 18:17, Davi.l C..l.-y, 
Geo. I'eek; l.s:js, Boger .•>!., shennan, Mosi-s A.Sherwo.id ; 1.^:111, Bulus 
Blakeuian, .l.is.-ph Bartram ; 184(1, Jonathan Bnlkh-y. .lohn G..11I.I ; 
1.S41. Jonathan Bnlkley, lliifus Blakenian ; l,'vl2, J.uiathan Bnlkley, 

Iloiaec Jhiiiks; 1.84:i, J.iseph Bartram, Tl las Bohinson ; 1844, 

B.ihert Wilson, J.iualhan liulkley ; 1845, G(.oi-go l'ei;k, Jonathan 
Go.iri.-y; 184(1. Hoiaeo Banks. Thomas Bohins..n ; 1.847, Oliver H. 
I'eriy. Ira B. Wheeler; 1.'48, Oliver II. Berry, John Bnrr; 18411, 
Oliver 11. I'erry, John Gonhl ; 18.5(1, Thomas B. (I.shorne, ILuuco 
Banks; 1851, Jonathan (iodfrey, Charles Bennett; 1852, Jussup Al- 
vor.l, Horaee Banks; 185a, O. 11. I'erry. (Jeorge B. Ki.s.sani ; 1854, 
J. -ssiip Alv..r.l. Arthur D. Oshorue; IS.55, H. Davis, Zain.ui Wake- 
man, Jr.; 18.0G, W. H. Bihhiiis, John Burr; 1.857, 0. 11. I'eriy. Sher- 
w-.io.l Sterling ; 1858, Jonathan Go.llVey, John Goiihl ; 185'.l, O. U. 
I'erry, Erankliu Smith ; I8II11, Shertt-.)o.l Stuiliug, (.1. H. I'erry ; 1801, 
Sherw.i.nl Sterling, J.ihu H. Glov.-r ; 1KG2, Sherw.io.l Sterling, E.l- 
wiird J. AIV..1.I ; 18(13. Sherwood Sterling, Benjamin I'omeioy ; 18G4, 
Slierwij.i.l Sterling, Oliver H. I'erry ; 18G5-GG, I'him-as T. Barnniii, 
Eianklin Smith; 1SG7, A. N. Beiiedii-t, I-'iank 1!. Wak.-h-y ; I8(i8, 
Henry Hall. John H. Glover; ISGll, Cyrus Slierw.,...!, 1!. L. Bu.hl, 
M.I).; 187(1. L. W. Cli-.rk, Selli Wakeinan ; 1871, Seth Wakeman, 
A.J. Sherw.i.1.1; 1872, I'aseh.al Shettield, J.iseph M. .Moieh.iu.se ; 187:',, 
Seth Wakeman. Charles S. Ercueh ; 1874, Zalni-ni 11. Bia.lli-y. Chaih-s 
S. Eiemli ; 1875, Francis Bulkh-y, Geoi-g.- W. liia.lley ; 187(1, Samuel 
I'ike, Cliaih-s S. Ereneli ; 1877, John Hoyt Berry, .\Ie.\auder li. 
Nichols ; l-s's, John Hoyt Perry, Isaac J.-unings ; 18711, Oliv.-r Bnrr, 
Ehenezer Burr, Jr.; 1880, Isaac Jennings, Jlorris M. Merwin. 

MILIT.-\UY KKCUItD. 

The followinjr list of tliost.' who ciilistr-d from l-"air- 
fioUl was j)r('i)arc(l front r(.-(.-or(ls in tlie adjutant- 
genenil's ollice at Hartford : 

SEVENTEENTH BEGIMENT. 

Compttntf D. 

James Bosw-ortli, scrg(!aiit ; must. Ang. 0, 1SC2 ; trans, to Inv. Coiiw, Nov. 

15, 18(1). 
(Jilhert Woidcn, corporal; must. .Vug. 0, lSO-2; must, out July 10, 1805. 
Henry lluss, musician; must. July '23, 1SG2; must, out .Inly U), 18C5. 
Unr.l, Edwin I)., must. Aug. S, 18U2; must, out July I'.l, 1SG5. 
Howe, Eliius, Jr., must. Aug. 14, 18(12 ; must, out July 11), 1805. 
Lai kin, James, niust. Aug. C, 1802; must, out July I'J, 18(35. 



358 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



riiin, Jncob. Jr., must. Aug. 0, 1SG2 ; must, out July 10, 18C3. 
WilcoXMtn, IMgar S., nuiat. Aug. 19,1802; pro. to second lieutonont; 
ntust. out July I'J, l&G^. 

Conipanif F. 
Riggs, Smith, must. Dec. 11, 18C3; dUch. for disability, Juuc 12, 1SG5. 

Compauy G. 
Bennett, Abner, must. Aug. 19,1803; wounded; trans, to Inv. Corps, 
March 15, 18G4. 

Compnny K. 
John J. McCarty, rnplnin; com. Aug. 18, 1SG2; disch. Dec. 10, 1803. 
John II. Sorris, tll-st lieutenant; com. .\ug. 18, 1802; res. May 12, 18«:i. 
John C. Willis, secoiul lieutenant; com. Aug. 14, 18G2 ; res. Jan. 11, 1803. 
Theodore Xellson, must. .\ug. 13, 1862 ; must, out July 19. 1865. 
Jolin Cuvaniigh, must. \\\fi. 15, 184*2; missing July 3, 1803. 
William Price, nnist. July 31, 1862 ; disch. for disability, Aug-. 7, 1803. 
Monis Biilterson, must. July 30, 18i;2; disch. for disability, Jan. 19, 1803. 
Allen, Janios It,, must. Aug. 4, 18t:2; must, out .Inly l!l, \»\'>:>. 
Allen, George W.. must. July 31, ls^02; must, out July 19, 1605. 
Allen, John, unist. .\ug. 10, 1802; trans, to Vet. Kes. Corps. Jan. 1, 1805. 
Banks, lienjamin, must. Aug. 15, 1802 ; trans, to luv. Cor]>s, Jan. 15, 

1804. 
Brown, John, must. Aug. 19, 1862; disch. for disability. Oct. 17, 1862. 
Cahill, Jlichael, must. Aug. 9, 1602; disch. for disability, Aug. 22, 1803. 
Cari)enter, Kdward II., must. Aug. 20, 1802; trans, to Inv. Corjia, Sept. 1, 

16g:i. 

Cable, James W.. must. Aug. 19, 1862; missing July 3, 1803. 

Coggswell, Eli, must. Aug. 20, 1802; must, out July 19, 1805. 

Dawson, William T., must. July 31, 1802; rejected by surgeon. 

Dougherty, Anthony, umst. Aug. 21, 1802 ; tnins. to Vet. Kes. Corps, Jan. 
1, 180.">. 

Goodtell, Marvin, must. Aug. 18, 1802; must, out July 19, 1865. 

Ilawley, Abijah R., nnist. Aug. 15, 1802; trans, to Inv. Corps, Jon. 15, 
180-1. 

Hawkins. Eliliu S., must. Aug. 14, 1602; must, out July 19, 1805. 

Mule, Miithew, nuist. .\ug. 4. 1802; must, out July 19, 1805. 

Hill, Frank, must. Aug. 20, 1802; nmst. out July 19, 1805. 

Ir\-lng, James II., must. Aug. 4, 1802; nnist. out July 19, 18G5. 

Kelly, James, must. July 31, 1802; must, cut July 19. 1803. 

Lixiney, Peter, nnist. Aug. 19, 1802; must, out July 19, 1805. 

Morris, William, must. Aug, 7, 1802 ; nnut. out July 19, 1805. 

McKay, Frederick, must. Aug. 19, 1802; wounded July 2, 166.1; disch. 
for disabilily. Doc. 20, 180:i. 

Mills, Francis, niusl. Aug. 13, 180-2. 

O'Conner, Jlorris, nnist. Aug. '20, 1602; must, ont July 19, 1805. 

Picker. Michael, must. Aug. 9, 1S02; disch. for disabilily, Jan. 23, 1803. 

Sturll, Charles, nmst. Aug. 20, 1862: must out July 19, 1605. 

ShenvtMid, BoltsfonI, must, ,\ug. 13, 1802; must, out July 19, 1SC5. 

Sherwood, Andrew, must. Aug. 13, 1602; must, out July 19, 1865. 

Slierwoml, Stephen, must. Aug. 27, 1862; disch. for disability-, Jan. 19, 
lso:i. 

Sccrc-y, John, must. Aug. 13, 1862 ; woundcti July 1, 1603 ; discli. for dis- 
ability, May 14, 1804. 

Stewanl, Thomas, must. Aug. 3. 1802; disch. for disability, Jan. 19, 1863. 

Troull, James .\., must. Aug. 10, 1802; must, out July 19, 1805. 

Tyrell, John M., rausL Aug. 14, 1802; wounded July 2, 1SC3; must, out 
July 19, 1805. 

Ells, William E.. must. Aug. 18, 1804 ; disch. Oct. 8, 1864. 

Joues, Charles, must. Aug. 11, 1801, 

TWEXTY-TUIRD REGIMENT. 

Compant/ C. 

Kongslin, George, must. Nov. 5, 1602. 

K^^auer, Henry, must. Nov. .5, 1802. 

Mllnis, Til. .mas, must. Nov. 0, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 

Compa»y D. 
Hull, Henry, ninsl. .■^•|.l. In, 1802; dUch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Ni.li..ls, Fniiiklin W., must. Aug. 2."., 181,2; died July 23,1803. 
WilB>in, JNimuel ii., niual. Aug. 30, 1802; dhich. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Wakcmun, Tyler, must. Sept 10, 1862; dl«;h. Aug. 31, 1863. 

OMlj*fifiy F. 
Sillier, CTiarlu, miul. Oct. 20, 1802. 



Company G. 
Bryant, John, must. Oct. 30, 1802. 
Green, George, must. Oct. 29, 1802. 

Hunt, Gideon L., must. Oct. 29, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Lewis, Sidney E., must. Oct. 31, 1802; discli. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Nolan, Patrick, must. Oct. 29, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Sanze.s I'edro, must. Oct. 31, 1802. 
Sniilh, William, must. Oct. '29, 1802. 
Wall, CliarKa E., must. Oct. 29, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 

Company 7. 
Ahel-n, Daniel, must. Oct. 20, 1802; died July 20, 1803. 
Aiiderst>n, Henry H., must. Oct. 27, 1602; discli. .\ug. 31, 1803. 
Allen, George, must. Nov. 4, 1862. 

At/bach, Paul, must. Oct. 28, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Iliildwin, George II.. must. Sept. 9, 1862 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Bell, Thaddeus II., must. Sept. 10, 1602: disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Biilkhy, David B., must. Nov. 17, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Burke, Thomas, must. Oct. 30, 1802. 
Bell, Miulin, must. Nov. 1, 1862. 
Crossniaii, Bradley, must. Oct. 30, 1862. 
Craig, Abram D., must. Nov. 4, 1862. 

Dinion, Benjamin It., must. Sept. 10, 1802: disch. Aug. 31,1863. 
Doley, Jlichael, must. Nov. 4, 180-2. 

Edwards, William, must. Nov. 1, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Frank, Charles, must. Oil. 30, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Gallaghan, Jiunes, must. Oct. 30, 1802. 
Hoirnian, John, must. Sept. 10, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
IltiwanJ, Henry, uiusl. Nov. 4, 1S62. 

Judson, Charles J., must. Sept. 10, 1862 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Jackson, George, miLst. Nov. 1, 1802. 
Kelly, John, must Oct. 30, 1802. 

Kl.iii, William, iiiust. Oct. 29, 1802. ' 

Kelluni, John, must. Oct. 30, 1S02; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Isuid, Simeon W., must. Aug. 20, 1802; disch. .\ug. 31, 1863. 
Loud, Rllfus J., must. Oct. 30, 1862; discli. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Lockhini, John, must. Nov. 1, 1802. 
Lcgrand, Henry, must. Oct. 30, 1802. 
Laiige, Otto, must. Nov. 1, 1862. 
Miller, Jncob, must. Nov. 3, 1802. 
Miller, George, must. Oct. 15, 1802. 
JIcGuire, James, nnisl. Oct. 30, 160-2. 
;tliins<ui, George, must. Oct. 30, 1802. 

Morion, Francis B., must. Nov. 3, 1802: died April 17, 1803. 
Passmnre, Eilmund, must. Aug. 29, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Kliilialdi, Charles, must. Sept. 9. 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Riley, Henry, must. Oct. 22, 1802. 

Ryan, William, must. Oct. -28, 1802 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Rengir, Augustus, must. Nov. 10, 1802. 

Slawson, Knyeiie, must. Sept. 10, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, IS63. 
Snow, Stephen, must. Oct. 28, 1802. 
Slieuster, Fritz, must. Oct. 30, 1802. 
Sterni, Max, must. Oct 30, 1802. 
Stroh, Carl, must. Oct. 30, 1802. 
Sheiisler, Carl, must Oct. 30, 1802. 
Stapler, John H.. must Nov. .3, 1862. 
Sniilli. Charles, must Nov. .3, 1802. 

Singhi, Martin V., must Sept. 21, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Simpson, Frank, must Nov. 4, 1602. 
Tliom|«oi>, Darius, must Aug. M, 1802. 
Tunny, David, must Sept. I, 1802; disch. Aiic. :il. 1803. 
Van Buskirk, David, must. St-pt. 10, 180.' 
Willialllh Robert W., must Oct. 30, 186::. 
Wilson, Cborlefl, must. Nov. 3, 1662. 

TIIIUD REGIMENT. 
Company D. 
Hendri. k», Frederick B , must. May II, 1801 ; disch. Aug. I'i, 1861. 

FIRST RKGIMRKT CAVALRY, CON'yECTICTT VOLUNTEERS. 
Kane, Patrick, must Dec. 10, 1864 ; not taken up on rolls. 
Jones. Mathew, must Dec. 10, 1801. 

Lawrence, Jnmi^ B , must Dec. 1, 1804; not taken up on rolls. 
Logan, John, ninst Aug. 11. 1604; not taken upon rvlls. 
.Myers, Jiinies, must IVc. I.'., 1903; not taken up on rolls. 
Mnnihy. diaries, miwt Aug. 5, 18C4; not Ukeii up on riills. 
McCune, John, must. Aug. 10, 1804 ; not taken up on rolls. 



w 





^^t>-t^^ 



FAIRFIELD. 



359 



II e, John, must. Tec. 5, 1804 ; disch. aS, 1SC4. 

■\1 Iiityrf, Tln'Uiiis, must. \>vc. .">, lS('i4; not takfii up on rolls. 
Ml Briilf, Joliii, must. T)cl\ 15, 1S(>4 ; li^'t taken up on rolls. 
M iiKter, Itichurd, must. Dec. l.^i, 181)4; not tuki'ii up on rolls. 
I: hinsou, John, must. Dec. 8, 1.S04; not taken up on rolls. 
-mill, ,!oIiu, must. Dec. 14, 1804 : not taken up on rolls. 
-iniits in, Henry, must. .\ug. 11, 1804 ; not taken up on rolls. 
Mitilh, Thouuw, must. Dec. 7, 1.S04 ; not taken up on rolls. 
\^ liite, Patrick, must. .\ug .">, 1S04 ; not taketi up on rolls. 
Williams. .Toseph, must. Aug. 18. 1804; not taken up on riills. 
Watson, William 11.. must. Dec. 1, 1S04; not taken up on rolls. 
W Vlsli, John, must. Dec. l:!. l.si;4. 
\'. itt. Unit, must. Doc. i:j, l,-iC4; nut taken up on rolls. 

SECOND LIGHT B.^TTKIiY. 

A\ illiaui \V. AVaiamore, artiticer; must. .\ug. 1:^, lS(i4; disch. Aug. 4, 

ISO.-., 
lllakniau. Freileiick, must. Aug 20, 1801; must, out Aug. '.I, 180o. 
t..uilil, Willi.im .!„ must. Aug. 5, 1804; nni^t. out .\ug. !», ISO.'i. 
Leigli, Fre.hiirk (i., must. Aug. 12, ISO! ; ilisch. July 17, 18CJ, 
Mooily. Kilnniuil T., must. Aug. .'., 1804; ilieil July ;iO, 180.".. 
Kichols. (Jiileon, must. July 24, 1804; must, out Aug. 0, 180.'>. 
Sterling, David, must. Aug. 5, 1804; must, out Aug. 'J, 180."t. 
Stillnuii], David O., must. July 2il, 1.''04; must, out Aug. 0, ISC". 
Buckley, Xatluui, must. Feh. 10, 1804 ; died JIarili :'.U, 1804. 
Burr, Ahel 31., must. r.4.. 20, ls(,4; nnist. out June 27, 18i;.^. 
Clark, Cliarles A., must. Feh. 10, 1804 ; not taken up on lolls. 
Cra«ford, Jolin, must. Fel.. 10, 1804 ; not laken.up on ndls. 
Crawford, Charles, must. Feh. 10, 1804; not taUrn up lui rolls. 
Dempsey, James, must. Feh. 2;S, 1804. 

^'icllols. Dwight It,, must. Feb. 22, 1804; nuist. out Aug. tl, 180.".. 
Thompson, John, must. Feh. 2;{, 1804. 

FIKST AKTIl.l.KKY. 

Cl'illllXDIII iJ. 

Shcrwooil, Ely J., must. Nov. 0, 1804; wouniled; iliscli. March 1.1, ISOo. 

C'liupaiiy I. 
Clance.v, William, must. Dec. 5, 1804. 
Tompkins, Milliam. nlu^t. Aug. 24, 1804. 

Compnny ^f. 
Beers, Latlirope, must. Feh. 12, lS(i2; Jisch. for disahilily, Aug. 14, 1802, 

Smith, William, must. Dec. 1."., 1S04 ; disch. June 0, 1805. 
SECOND AIJIII.LEKY. 

Coiiipttnii C. 
Mauley, I'hilip, must. Dec. 10, 180:). 

FIFTH INFANTRY. 

Cfiwpttnri .1. 
Shaw, William K., must. July 22, 1802 ; vvounde.l Jlay :!, 18C.:; ; disch. for 
disability, Nov. 17, 181.3. 

Contpaiuf A'. 

Irving, George W'.. must. Nov. 24, iSOl ; re-eril. Jan. 0,1804, Co. D; 

must, otit .\ug. 5, 1805. 
McFarland, I'eter, must. Dec. Ul, ISOl ; died Dec. 8, 1802. 

TENTH KEOIIMENT. 

I '"iiijiinii/ II. 
Green, William, must. Dec. II. I8i;4. 

Hogan, Patrick, must. Dec. 4, 1804 ; missing at Hatcher's Hun, Va., Api il 
1, ISOJ. 

ELEVENTH ItKGI.MENT. 

CompiTlif A*. 

Lewis, James, must. Dec. 13, 1804. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

John C. Schuyler, Co. C, 2!)tli Itogt. ; must. Dec. 14, 1803; must, out Oct. 
24, IsOo. 

George W. Peterson, Co. C, 20th Ucgt.; must. Dec. 10, 180.); .lied Nov. 

14, 1804, 
B. Maticer, Co. C, 20th liegt.; must. Dec. 14, UG3; .;lc.l Apiil 11, I£04. 



Eich. Copeland, Co. C, 20th Eegt.; must. Dec. 14,1803; died June 10, 

1.804. 
Edwaril Luke, Co. D. 20th Eegt.; must. Dec. 15, 1803; .lied Jan. 4, 

1804. 
John T. Thomson, Co. D, 2'.ltli Itegt. ; must. Dec. 10, 1803; trans, to 

U. S. C. T. 
James Holin, Co. D, 20tli liegt.; must. Dec. 10, 1803; must, out Oct. 24, 

1805. 
J. II. Pell, Co. D, 20th Regt. ; must. Dec. 10, J.S03; m.ist. ..ut Od. 24, 

1805. 
William W.-ssel, Co. F, 1st Art.; must. Dec. 3, 1804; must. ..ut Sept. 25, 

1805. 
Sylvanus N. Beckwilh, Co. A, 2.1 Art.; must. Feh. 24, 1804 ; must, out 

Aug. 18, 1805. 
M. Phillii.s, <'o. M, 2d Art.; must. Aug. 10,1801; must, out Aug. 18, 

180.5. 
S. S. Iteynol.ls, must. Aug. 7, 1802; must, out Aug. 31, 1.805, 
George Sniitli, Co. 1, 15tli Regt ; must. Aug. 18,1802; died Nov. 23, 

1802. 
Joseph .Vlexan.iel-. C... .\. 27th Kegt.; nnist. Feh. 23,1804; must, out 

tl.:t. 24, 1805. 
Charles Harrison, Co. A, 20tli Regt. ; must. Dec. 5, 1804 ; must, out Oct. 

24, 1805. 
James Trusty, Co. D, 20tli Regt.; must. Dec. 10, ISC3; must, out June 

12, 1805. 
John Clark, Co. D. 201h Regt.; nuist. Aug. 25, lsC4; must, out Oct. 24, 

1805. 
Charles H. Coh-, nnist. Dec. 10, 1803; must, out Oct. 24, 1805. 
Hiram T. Beam, must. Dec. 15, 1863; discli. March 5, 1805. 
T. 51. Thomson, must. Dec. 10, 1803; must, out Oct. 24, 1S05. 
G. II. Wa.shiiigt..li, 2'.itli Regt. ; must. Dec. 15, 1804. 
James Miiiel, 20tli Regt.; must. Dec. 10. 1803. 

B. Koherts, Co. C, 3lltli Regt.; mu.st. Fil.. 12,1801; must, out Nov. 7, 

1805. 
Samuel Moore, Co. D. 20tli Regt,; must. Dec. 10, 1-03; nnist. out Oct. 

24, 1805. 
Henry Johnston, must. Dec. 15, 1.803; trans, to U. S. C. T. 
Henry Jackson, must. Dec. 10, 18fi3; dis.h. June 10, 1804. 
Thomas Juckson, must. Dec. 18, 1803; must, out Oct. 24, 1805. 

C. II. Scudder, must. Dec. 12, 180:1; disch. July 20, 1,804. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



OLIVER HENRY PERRY. 

Oliver Ifcnry Perry, son of Walter Perry, was l>orn 
at Jlill River (afterwards the borough of t^outhiiort), 
in the town of Fairfield, Feb. 21, LSLi. 

The geneahifry of the Perry family in America, so 
far as it litis been aseertaiiieil, begins with Kichanl 
Perry, the immigrant, wlio is frequently mentionetl in 
the records of the New Haven eolony from KilJII to 
1()47 as "Mr. Piehard Pery," often as u freeholder, 
and at one time "Seerctarie for the Court of New 
Haven." In 1(1-17 he "had liberty to go a voiadge." 
These memoranda indieate that he was a man of sub- 
stance and of note in that eidony, and it is supiiosed 
that he came to Fairfield and was the ancestor ol' the 
Perry family there, — viz., Richard, who died 1().5.S; 
Natlianiel, who died 1()82 ; Joseph, who died 17a!{; 
Joseph, .Jr., who died J.T.'iS;', Peter, who dieil l.Stl4; 
and Walter, who wtis the third son of Peter, born at 
Fairfield, Jan. 8, 1770, and died March 1, 1831. 

Walter Perry was a merchant and ship-owner at 
Mill River, and was a thorough and successful man 



360 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



daughter of Joseph Sturges, who gave his life for his 
country, as t-lsewhcre stated in this volume. They 
had ten children, the youngest of whom was Oliver 
H., the sul)ject of this notice. 

Mr. Perry was fitted for college at the Fairfield 
Academy, under Rev. Chauncey S. Lee, and en- 
tered Yale in 1830, at the age of fifteen, hut was 
ohliged to leave college during his Frcsliman year 
on account of ill-health, and, in consetiuence of 
the death of his father, did not return. He studied 
law at the Yale Law School from 18;i8 to 1841, and 
was admitted to the har at New Haven, Dec. 8, 
1841, but never engaged in the active duties of his 
profession. He was always, however, a public-spir- 
ited and patriotic citizen, and took a lively inter- 
est in everything that concerned the welfare of his 
native village, State, and country. The confidence of 
his fellow-citizens in his ability, fidelity, and incor- 
ruptible integrity is .shown by the many instances in 
which the most important trusts, both public and pri- 
vate, have been C(mimitted to his keeping. In his 
native village he served as the active member of the 
several committees which designed and erected the 
school-house for the graded iiublic school in ISol-S^, 
the building for the Southport Savings Bank in 1864- 
65, and the new Congregational church in 1875. He 
was one of the projectors and original trustees of the 
Oak Lawn Cemetery Association in ISGo; was for 
many years a director in the Southport I?ank under 
its original charter, and also after its organization as 
a National liank, and was warden of the borough of 
Sduthport from 184G to 1854. 

He also filled other posts of duty in the town and 
State, such as quartermaster of the Fourth Brigade 
of Connecticut Infantry in 18.SG; representative from 
the town of Fairfield in the (Jeneral Assend)ly of 
1847, 1848, 1849, 1853, 1857, 1859, 18(i(), ]8(!4;"and 
Speaker of the House of Representatives in 1859 and 
1800. He was an unsuccessful candidate of the Whig 
party for State Senator in 1852, and of the Republi- 
can party for Lieutenant-Governor in 1807. He was 
elected Secretary of State in 1854, and wsis also one of 
the Connecticut commi.<sioners for the survey and 
settlement of the State boundary-line between New 
York and Connecticut in 1859-(!0. In 1854 he pro- 
cured the charter for the Southport Savings Bank, 
was one of its original trustees, and since 1805 has 
been its treasurer. 

In 1875, Yale College conferred upon him the degree 
of Master of Arts. He wa-s one of the number that 
organized the Congregational Church of Southjiort 
in 1843 (which was an ofT-shoot from "ye ancient 
church" in Fairfield), and in 1878 he was chosen one 
of its oflice-bcarers. 

>Ir. Perry was married Sept. 9, 1846, to Harriette 
E. Hoyt, only daughter of Hon. Eli T. lloyt, of Dan- 
bury. Their children are (1) John H., born July 2(", 
1848 ; graduated at "falc College 1870, at Columbia 
Law School, New York, 1872; is now of the law-firm 



of Woodward & Perry, at Norwalk, Conn., and has 
three times represented the town of Fairfield in the 
(tcneral Assembly. In 1874 he was nuirried to F. 
Virginia Bulkley, daughter of (teorge Bulklcy, Esq., 
of Southport, whose ancestry is given in another place. 

(2) Henry H., born Dec. 8, 1S49, graduated at Yale 
Shefliield Scientific School 1809; was a civil engineer 
for two years, and afterwards engaged in trade. He 
was married in 1S74 to Florence P. Sanborn, daughter 
of William Sanborn, of Ashtabula, Ohio. 

(3) Wintbrop H., born Sept. 20, 18.54; graduated at 
Yale C(dlege, 1870; was married in 1880 to Louisa 
Huidekoper, daughter of Prof Frederick Iluidekoper, 
of Meadville, Pa. 

(4) Ilattie H., born July 27, 1858. 

Tliis record of the public life of Mr. Perry would 
be ineoniplete without a tribute to his moral worth. 
A firm believer in the Christian religion, a diligent 
student of the Holy Scriptures, a humble follower of 
the Lord Jesus Christ, a man of prayer, and exemplarj- 
in all the relations of private life, he has always 
sought to promote "whatsoever things are true and 
honest, and just, and i)ure, and lovely, and of good 
report." 

His influence in favor of the cause of education and 
public improvement and "pure and undcfiled reli- 
gion" will never tease to be felt in the community in 
which he resides, and throughout a wide circle of 
friends and fellow-citizens. 



REV. THOMAS BENEDICT STUItGES, 
only son of Joseph Porter Sturges and Laura Bene- 
dict, of Danbury, Conn., was born in Bridgeport. 
Conn. His grandfather, Lewis Sturges, was of Eng- 
lish descent; married and had two sons, — viz., Isaac 
and Josei)h P. He removed to (Jrecnville, Ohio, 
where he followed farming until his death. 

His father was a carpenter and joiner in the earlier 
part of his life, and later was engaged in the lumber 
trade. He was a member of the Congregational 
Church. He died at the residence of his .son, Rev. 
Thomas B. Sturges, of (.ireenfield Hill, Conn., in 1801, 
aged seventy-six years. 

The mother of Rev. T. B. Sturges descended from 
Thomas Benedict, an Englishman of noble qualities, 
who settled in Connecticut at a very early day. She 
died in 1850. 

Rev. T. B. Sturges jirepared for cullege under the 
tutorshi)> of Jlr. Hamlin, now Bi^luq) Hamlin, of 
Ohio, and Dr. Judson, — two noble men long to be re- 
membered by their pui)ils, many of whom are alive 
till this day, 1880. In the year 1831 he entered 
Yale College, from which he was graduated in 18*5, 
and in\mediately went to .Vndover Theological Sem- 
iiuiry, where he remaineil one year; thence to New- 
Haven Theological Seminary, where he remained two 
years. After spending some little time in regaining 
his health, he went to Sackett's Harbor, N. Y., wl er ■ 




^ Cfl^ 4/^^^i^ 




^<2^ve-^^ p^^^^^^l^ 






FAIRFIELD. 



3G1 



he was engaged as a pastor of tlio tVmgregatioiial 
Churcli at that i^laec. Here he mack' many warm 
friends, and woukl have remained, but the lalce winds 
]>roved too mueh i'or him, and lie was eomi>elled to 
resign his pastorate, niiieli against the wislies of liis 
people and his own ineliiiations. It was here he 
formed the aequaintanee of Haiinali W., daughter of 
Chauncey Baker, whom he married, Aug. Iti, 1841. 

Of this union five children have been horn, — viz., 
Edward B., a lawyer in t<eranton. Pa. ; Laura E., at 
home; William H., a mereliant in f^t. Louis; Frank 
C, a lawyer in Wilkesbarre, Pa.; and Annie M., at 
home. 

Soon after his marriage, in the fall of 1841, he re- 
turned to his native plaee, Bridgeport, where he re- 
mained the following winter. During this time he 
preached for the Congregational Church at Greenfield 
Hill, Conn. June 10, 184:2, he was installed pastor 
of that church, and continued in active duty, except 
a few months spent abroad, until tln' summer of 1807, 
when failing health compelled him to resign, since 
which time he has not engaged in any business. In 
18(50 he visited the Holy Land, Egypt, Turkey, and 
other places of interest, and remained six months. 
In 1872 he took his wife and two daughters and 
visited.England, France, (Jennany, (Switzerland, Italy, 
and many other countries, and returned in the fall of 
1876. He now resides in Greenfield Hill, Conn. He 
was a good preacher, and a better pastor. He enjoys 
the confidence of his brethren in the ministry, and 
the love and friendship of those who know him. 



SA.MUEL ALLEN NICHOL.S.* 
Samuel Allen Nichols, son of Hezekiah and Anna 
Penfield Nichols, was born in the town of Fairfield, 
Conn., May, 178!l. His father was a farmer by occu- 
pation. He had five sons and four daughters, of whom 
Samuel A. was tlie youngest. Samuel A. had such 
advantages for an education as the eoumion schools 
of his time afforded. Thus he laid the foundation of 
an education which, aided by a life-long perusal of 
the best books and papers at his command, made liim 
one of the best-informed men oi' his day. 

On the 20th of March, 181(!, he married Wilsana, 
daughter of Capt. Wilson Wheeler, who died at sea. 
Mrs. Nichols was born in I!ridgei>ort, Conn., in 17.S1I, 
and died in Fairfield, Conn., in 1S.">7, aged sixty-eight 
years and three months. Their children are as fol- 
lows : Abby B., Julia B. (deceased ), Anna P., .laiie .\., 
John (deceased), Jcdin (2), Henry (deceased |. He 
was a farmer and dealer in general merclianilise. 
He was by choice and the general bent of his mind 
a Whig and Republican, and as such one of the lead- 
ing men of his town. He was town clerk of Fairfield 
from 1837 to 1SG8, a i>eriod of twenty-six consecutive 
years, and the books kept by him attest his ability; 



selectman several years, and magistrate for many 
years. His efhciency and jiopularity were such that 
lie was elected by a unanimous vole of buth tlie 
oiiposing l)arties. 

Jlr. and Jlrs. Nichols were iiieiiibers of the Con- 
gregational Church of Fairfield for more than forty 
years, and he was elected deacon of the same in ]84<l, 
which position he filled at the time of his ileatli, Feb. 
4, lX(;i. Deacon Nichols is spoken of by tliose wlio 
kiK'w him a.s an upright Christian genlliiiKiii. a iiuiii 
respected by all. He was courteous in his liearing 
towards others, and thus won a host of friends. He 
was a man of trust, and occupied an honoralile place 
in society. He took a great interest in town matters, 
and in a measure the citizens are grateful to liim for 
the elms which beautify the green in Fairfield, as he 
assisted in setting them out, and in watering them 
through a drought till they were self-sustaining. He 
left a family of daughters, who are engaged in eveiy 
good work, and are ladies of education, refineinent, 
and cidture, and one son. He was a firm friend, kind 
and hospitable to the i>oor, and the cliurcli round in 
him a strong pillar. As a husliand he was affectionate 
and true ; as a father, kind and indulgent; as a citizen, 
patriotic and benevolent, and as a man, honest. Mr. 
Nichols built a fine residence, opposite II. J. Beers', 
in Fairfield, which is occupied by his daughters, Mrs. 
Klppen, Anna, and Abby }{. This family is descended 
from William Nichols, an early settler in Fairfield. 
(See "Cohmials," 10, 18.) 



24 



' Bj- .Ml!.. Kuto E. rcTi}'. 



avillia:\[ werb wakeman. 

William Webb M'akemau was the eldest son of 
Jesuj) Wakeman, who was a lineal descendant of Rev. 
Samuel Wakeman, the second pastor, from 10(i.') to 
1002, of the old church of " The Prime Ecclesiastical 
Society" of Fairfield, coexistent with the town itself 
Samuel was the son of .John Wakeman, who was the 
first treasurer of the New Haven colony, and one of 
the founders of New Haven. The genealogical order 
is: .lohn, Samuel, Joseph, Stephen, .lesup, Jesup, Jr., 
and William Webb. Samuel was educated in part 
at Harvard College, and became an able and strong 
man. He was not only one of the ecclesiastical lights 
of his day, but exerted a large inflnerice in .State mat- 
ters as well, and left his impress U]>on the legislation 
of those early colonial times. His "election sermon" 
before the (icneral Court in 108') called forth the 
thanks of that body, with a vote to jirint it at its ex- 
pense. 

Jesup Wakeman, fifth in descent from the ahove, 
was born at tireen's Farms, in the then " West Farms 
Parish of Fairfield," Feb. 12, 1771, and settled in .Mill 
River, a village situated at the mouth of the river of 
tiiat name, in the western part of the town of Fair- 
field, now called Southiiort, and who, with the Perry 
and Bulkley families, by their industry and enterprise, 
may rightfully be called the founders of its prosperity. 



362 



HTSTOItV OF F ATl!FIi;!.I> COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Jesup engaged in trade and navigation, in which he 
was succ-cssful, and died May 4, 1844, leaving for his 
cliildren a comfortable inheritance. He married 
Esther Dinion, daughter of William Dimon and 
Esther Sturges, of Fairfield. They had eight chil- 
dren, — Susan, William Webb, Maurice, Zalmon, 
Jesup, .Tulia, Hetty, and Cornelia. 

William Webb, the subject of this sketch, was horn 
at Mill Kiver, now Soutlijiort, on June 10, 1799. Af- 
ter his education ut the " Fairfield Academy," he first 
went into business with his father at 5Iill Kiver, and 
soon after engaged in navigation on his own account, 
and while yet a young man became master of his own 
vessel. He then embarked in the coast trade between 
New York and Salem and Boston, and while .so em- 
ployed had the misfortune to wreck one of his vessels 
near Holmes' Hole, in which was brought out his 
characteristic coolness and determination, for every 
man on board was sent in safety to the shore before 
he would leave his stranded vessel. He then extended 
his coasting trade to Georgetown, D. C, and to other 
Southern i)orts, and soon, with others, established a 
line of vessels to nin between New York and Savasi- 
nah, Ga. He was also engaged in the China trade, 
and was one of the first that sent his vessels to Cali- 
fornia after its annexation to the United States. 
With the increa.se of capital and of vessels, he found 
it expedient to organize a shipi>ing-house in New 
York, under the firm-name of Wakeman, Dinion & 
Co., afterwards Wakeman, Gookin & Dickinson, and 
subsequently W. W. Wakeman & Co. 

To the prosperous line to Savannah, a few years 
afterwards, Wakeman, Gookin & Dickinson added a 
ship-line to Galveston, Texas, known as the "Star 
Line," and wliich before the war of the Kebellion 
gave place to a line of steamers, by which for some 
years they carried on a large and profitable traffic. 

Besides their heavy shipping intcrest.s, tiiis house 
became largely interested in gold and silver mining in 
California and Nevada, and at one time acted as the 
New York agent for some of those mines. 

On Oct. 2i», 1K:S3, Mr. Wakeman married Mary 
Catharine Hull, daughter of Lyman Hull and Amelia 
Bulkley, of Hull's Farms, town of Fairfield. 

Their children were : Eliza H., married Charles M. 
Taintor, of New York City; Delia M., married 
Dwight Baker, of New York City (both now deceased); 
Cornelia C, married Charks B. Tompkins, of New 
York City; William W., married C. .\iigusta Wood, 
daugljter of Boss Wood, of New York City ; Mary 
C, who died young; Jesup, married Elizabeth Dut- 
ton, daughter of James Dutton, of Utica, N. Y. ; and 
Susan A. 

Mr. Wakeman was by nature a man of great energy 
and force of character, and so he made his influence 
felt, and often paramount, in whatever he undertook. 
Thi.s not only gave him .success in busincs-s, but made 
him a valuable acquisition to any cause that he was 
leil to espouse. In all public movements that ]>rom- 



ised moral or material improvement to the place or 
! people among whom he lived, he was ever ready by 
' labor or contribution to give his efficient aid. 

He warmly advocated, and was one of the com- 
mittee to build, a suitable house for a good graded 
public school in Southport in 1801-52; one of the 
original trustees of the Southport Savings Bank in 
1854, and of the Oak Lawn Cemetery Association in 
1865. 
He became a member of the Congregational Church 
! of Stmthport March 7, 1847, and was elected to the 
! oflice of deacon Jan. 5, 1849. His church life, like 
I his daily life, was earnest and faithful to what«ocver 
! duty called, allowing no ordinary obstacle to hinder 
or defeat its conscientious ])erformance. True to his 
convictions, prompt in his engagements, and 0])en- 
handed to the poor and neeily, he was always found 
a staunch friend on the side of right, and an out- 
spoken foe to whatever he esteemed to be wrong. His 
works live after him, not only in his wholesome ex- 
ample and consistent religious life, but in his testa- 
mentary benefactions to his church, and to the leading 
benevolent institutions of the day, bearing testimony 
to those objects which in his later years lay verj- near 
to his heart. 

Late in 1868 he went to California to look after his 
' Pacific interests, and while there was developed the 
; di.sease which, after his return to New York, put an 
end to his life on the 19th of April, l.S6y, in the 
seventieth year of his age, — a true, earnest, well- 
rounded life. 



HEXRY J. BEEIW. 

Henry ,1. Beers represents an old and honorable New 
England family, and was born in Fairfield in 181lt. 
When a lad of fifteen he went to New York City ; 
and, after serving diligently as a clerk for several years 
with a firm in the wholesale grocery business, a thor- 
ough knowledge of which his natural force and per- 
sistent application enabled him scjon to accpiire, he in 
connection with Peter L. Bogart formed a ])artnersliip 
in the same line. I'ndcr the title of Beers & Bogart 
the new firm started at 177 South Street, from whence 
they removed to 34 Broadway, where they, for upwards 
of twenty years, were widely known as a reliable and 
successful grocery-house. 

Mr. Beers retired from active mercantile life in 18.56 
with a fair competency, and. returning to his native 
town, built the residence which the accompanying iii- 
graving fairly represents. 

With the jmblication of this History, ilr. Beers iii- 
ters upon his seventy-first year, and is as hale and 
liearty as if a quarter of a century younger. 

Hospitable and o|>en-handcd, taking a lively inter- 
est in all that concerns his native town and its peojile, 
he has a large acquaintance, and commands that ster- 
ling regard that comes fron\ manly straightforward- 
ness and good citizenship. 



/ 





z^, 



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y^Tn^ci 



0^.^^!^ 




^e/jM-^j-Y^' JAj^i.'-^^^ 



FAIRFIELD. 



363 




^.pyl_'^.^^/^^ 



•Tosup I>. WaktiiKin was a son of Jesup Wakeman, 
and was born in Soutliport, Conn., June 17, ISOli. }le 
received an academic education. He married Amelia 
A., daughter of James Jarvis, of New York C'ity, 
Dec. 30, 1830, and to them were born three children, 
— viz., James J., Julia F.,and Henry J., — all of whom 
are dead. 

•Soon after his marriafre he settled on a farm, where 
he continued to lead a quiet, unassuming life until his 
death, March (i, 1S78. He was a member of the Epis- 
copal Church at .^outhport. In politics he was a Re- 
publican. He never held any official positions, always 
preferring the (|uiet of home to official honors. He 
was a firm frlcnil, a good citizen, and a kind husband. 
For a more extended history of the Wakeman I'aniily, 
see biography of ^Villiam W. Wakeman. 



CAPTAINS EIiWIX AND CYKU.'* eilEKWOOD. 
- Away back in the early histoiy of Kngland !^her- 
wood Forest has often mention, and from the jiro- 
prietors of that historic ground are descended the 
Sherwoods of Fairfield, Conn. It is an (dd, old 
family of good repute always, and leal and loyal ever. 
Thomas Sherwood, progenitor of the American .Sher- 
woods, came to Fairfield from England before the or- 
ganization of tlie town. He died about 1G75. His 
8on Thomas died about KiOS. His son was Samuel. 
He had a son Daniel. This Daniel had a son who 
bore his own name, D.uiiel, and whose son, William, 
was the father of Ca;)t. Edwin and Cvrus. The 



original place of .settlement of Thomas was Hull's 
Farms, and here for two or three generations his 
posterity was born. Daniel (2d) graduati'il from 
Yale College in 1756. His diploma, yet in existence, 
gives as the faculty at that time : Thomas Clajip, I'res- 
ident, .Tared Eliot, Ben Lord, Solomon Williams, and 
Noah Hobart. He married Aliigail, daughter of 
Deacon John Andrews, of (irecn's Farms. He was 
a farmer and a magistrate, an office of dignity in 
those days. Their children were Abigail, born A)>ril 
21, 17()0, married 1779, died Dec. 24, lS-14, mother of 
four children; Eleanor, born April Hi, 177o, — no 
children; Elizabeth, born July 24, 1771, iHcmI Sept. 
11, 1S2(),— no children; Daniel (lid), born June 8, 
17(51; Ralph, born Nov. 19, 1704; Justice, born Aug. 
13, 1768; Abraham, born May 15, 17(;:i, died Oct. 18, 
1799; Walter, born Sept. 12, 1773, died Oct. 20, 1799, 
leaving no children; Aaron, born Nov. 28, ]76(); 
Stephen, born March 2, 1779, had no children; Wil- 
liam, born March 23, 1777. 

William Sherwood was a farmer and merchant. 
In politics, a Whig. He rcnmincd on the old home- 
stead with his father until his marriage with Abigail 
Ccnich. She was born at Green's Farms, Aug. 14, 
1782, was a member of the Congregational Church, 
and lioth her husband and herself died at Hull's 
Farms. His death occurred in April, ]S44. From 
an old manuscript now in possession of I 'apt. Edwin 
Sherwood we give a synopsis of the American line 
of her descent. Thomas and Simon Couch were ap- 
l>rentices to a tailor in England. (.)iie finishing his 
api)renticeshi2>, the other ran away, secreteil himself 
on board of a vessel, and came to America with his 
brother. They landed at or near New Haven, and, 
holding up a stick, let it fall to direct them. Thomas 
went eastward, Simon, westward, as fiir as (Ireefl's 
Farms. The people at this place wanting a tailor, 
gave him a lot of land to settle with them. This lot 
lay on the hill near the bridge built over one of the 
branches of the New Creek, and commonly called 
Bridge Hill. He soon kept an inn, and, having mar- 
ried, had three sons, Thomas, Simon, and Samuel. 
Thomas received the best education the times and 
circumstances of the family could afiiml. Their 
father dying when they were young, unmarried men, 
Simon and Samuel agreed to send their elder brother 
to England (he having the best education) to receive 
an inheritance of five million dollars, which had there 
fallen. But at this time France and England were at 
war, and Thomas wa.s taken at sea, carrieil into France, 
and never again heard of Samuel settled at Benja- 
min Hill, about a mile northwest of the old burying- 
ground in (irecn's Farms. Simon had two sons — 
Thomas and Simon — and four daughters. Fourth 
generation r Simon Couch occupied his father's 
place at Turkey Hill; had four sons — Thomas, Simon, 
Gideon, Stephen — and three daugliters, Sarah, Eliza- 
beth, and Mary. So far the old manuscript. From 
another record we compile as follows : Simon Couch, 



364 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



grandfather of Mrs. William Sherwood, lived in a 
house on Great Lot, near the sea-nhorc, which was 
burned l)y the British during the Itevolution. He 
afterwards removed to Redding Kidge, and married a 
daughter of old Capt. Nash, who lived near Green's 
Farms, on a place now belonging to Daniel Burr's 
estate. His son Simon was born at Green's Farms, 
in a house which was built by his father, in 1743. 
He married Abigail Chapman, Nov. iO, 1779. She 
was born Oct. 10, 1758. Their cliildrcn were Simon, 
William, and Abigail, mother of Uapt. Edwin and 
Cyrus Sherwood. All of the nine children — Simon, 
William, Edwin, Cyrus, Aaron, Albert, Abby, Eliza- 
beth, and Mary — -were born at Hull's Farms. 

Edwin .Sherwood, son of William and Abigail 
(Couch) Sherwood, was born Feb. 24, 180.5. He had 
a common-school education ; at the age of seventeen 
left his father's farm and shipped as a sailor before 
the niiUit on a vessel plying between New York, 
Boston, and the Southern cities. He was mate for 
two years, and was master of a sloop of sixty tons, 
called "John," owned by Meeker & Sherwood, be- 
fore he was twenty-one. About 1827 he became 
fourth owner of the brig " America," carrying one 
hundred and forty-seven tons, of which he was made 
captain. He ran her about four years; then pur- 
chasing an interest in the schooner "Georgia," two 
hundred tons, running between New York and Sav- 
annah, commanded her four years. Capt. Sherwood 
then superseded the "Georgia" by a brig carrying 
fjur hundred tons, which he built expressly for this 
route and commanded ten years, when he .sold it, and 
hiis not been on active duty since 1845 or 1850. 

Capt. Sherwood is now a director of Danbury and 
Norwalk Railroad, and vice-president of Southport 
Silvings Bank, and, with his wife, belongs to the 
Congregational Church. He married Mary A., 
daughter of Deacon Joseph Hyde, Dec. 12, 1837. 
Their children are Edwin H. and Simon C. Edwin 
H. is a farmer at Omaha, Nebraska, and Simon also 
a farmer at the old home. Mrs. Sherwood w:i.s born 
at Green's Farms, July 12, 1813. .. She claims direct 
descent from Humphrey Hyde, whose name appears 
on the early records of the town of Fairfield as one 
of it.s earlic-'*t tax-payers, having possession of a large 
tract of land in what was called the '" long lots." 
Her ancestors originally came from England, where, 
at dilleront places, they have inipres.sed their name 
on various locations, a.s Hyde Park, and left property 
valued at millions of dollars. Her father, Joseph, 
was horn in 1701, married Arete Jc.sup, and had a 
family of ftmrtecn children, of which Mrs. Sherwood 
was youngest. Her grandfather wa-s Joseph, born in 
17.'!'.t, and marrie<l Betty Sherwoixl. Her great-grand- 
father was J(din, tliird of the name, the father of the 
first being the Humphrey Hyde above spoken of. 
He wa-s born in l(>i>2»and married Rachel Holme*. 
John Hyde (2) wa^ l>orn in IGliS, and married Rachel 
Ramsey. John Hyde, son of Humphrey, married 



I Elizabeth , and inherited from his father vari- 
ous tracts of land, in connection witli his sisters, Han- 
■ nab and Sarah, under will bearing date May 8, 1666, 
and recorded in records of the town of Fairfield on 
the same day. 

Cyrus Sherwood, son of William and Abigail 
(Couch) Sherwood, was born Aug. 24, 1807. He re- 
mained on the farm with his father, receiving a com- 
mon-school education, until he wa.s about twenty 
years old, when he shi|)ped as sailor before the mast 
on a vessel making trips from Southi)ort to Provi- 
dence. Shortly after ho became captain of the sloop 
" Cornelia," running between Southport and New 
York. Following this for a year or so, he discovered 
that it was not good for man to be alone, and mar- 
ried, on March 6, 1831, Sally Bradley, daughter of 
Lyman and Amelia Hull, of Fairfield. For nearly 
fifty years this worthy pair have trodden life's path- 
way together, in peace and harmony with all, and 
with " kindness to all and malice to none" as a guid- 
ing maxim of their life. Soon after their marriage 
they settled on the old homestead of her ancestors. 
He left it once to engage with Wakenian B. Meeker 
and Simon Sherwood as captain of sloop " John." 
Selling his interest, he bought a share, with Capt. 
Joseph Jennings, in the .sloop " Gange-s." He was 
afterwards a mercliant for a short time, but after he 
sold his store to Caj)!. Jusi'|>h .Icnnings he has made 
his home permanently on the farm. 

Mr. Sherwood is a Republican in politics ; has been 
selectman several years, member of the Legislature, 
and magistrate for a number of years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood have only one chilil, Mary 
C, who married John Dinion Bradley, of Easton. 
She hiLs one son, who is named Cyrus Sherwootl, in 
honor of his grandfiither. 

Mr. Sherwood is a good citizen, a staunch friend, a 
kind neighbor, and has the esteem of a large circle of 
friends. 



LYM.\N HILL. 

Lyman Hull, son of John and Eleanor (Sherwood) 
Hull, was born in the town of Fairfield, Aug. 22, 1776. 
He was a farmer, and resided always in the town of 
his birth. He was a ([uiet, undemonstrative man, 
caring little about publicity, and strong in his attach- 
ment for home and its surroundings. In 17!iS he mar- 
ried Amelia Bulkley. Their children were Benjamin 
S., Eliza (Mrs. Simon Sherwood), .Vmelia Eleanor 
(Mrs. Capt. Joseph Jennings), Sally Bradley (Mrs. 
Cyrus Sherwood), Delia Maria (second wife of Capt. 
Joseph Jennings), Mary Catharine (Mrs. William 
Wakcman). 

Mr. Hull was an attendant of the Congregational 
Church, and in his day was well considered by his 
associates. He was upright, generous, honest, and 
blessed not only with a fair share of this world's 
goods, but, better far, with that spirit of content 




» JW"!"'' " ":^ 




'./t6<J Z/^UA>'ZU/-Zrr<(L^ 




EPHKAIAI BURR 



FAIKFIELD. 



3C5 



wliich is mciro than riches. lie dieil Oi-t. 11, 1S22, 
from disease resulting I'rom exposure wliile engaged 
in fanning, leaving to his children the inheritanee of 
an unblemished name. 

The home of Cyrus Sherwood, on the jilaee so long 
owned and oeeupied by Mr. Hull, is represeutetl on 
another Jiage. 



EPIIRAIM BURR. 

The name Burr, formerly sjielled Buer, is of (ier- 
man origin, but the ancestors having lived .several 
generations in England are generally termed English. 
Between the years 1()3() and lI'AO three Puritans, 
heads of families, set sail for the New World, then, 
above everything else, attracting the attention of the 
bold and daring in every country of Europe. The 
fir.st of these to arrive in this country was Jehu Burr. 
He came with AVinthrop's famous fleet in 1630, and 
' on his arrival settled in Ro.xluirv, Mass. ; thence he 
accompanied William Pynchon to the founding of 
Si)rin!rfiel(l, Mass., and eventuallv settled at Fairfield, 
Conn., where hi.s descendants became the firmest iiil- 
lars of the old colonial structure, and ]irominent jn 
both civil and military affairs. The second was Ben- 
jamin Burr, who aided in the settlement of Hartford 
in 163-T, and from whom lias descended a very numer- 
ous and highly respectable family, known as the 
Hartford branch. The third was the Kev. Jonathan 
Burr, founder of the Dorchester Iiranch. He was a 
man of fine education and eminent abilities. 

Jeliuc, or Jehu, Burr was born in England about 
1000, and died in Fairfield, Conn., about ltj70, leaving 
a family of four sons, perhaps daughters, viz., Jehu 
(2d), John, Nathaniel (1), and Daniel. Nathaniel 
(1) was jirobably born in Springfield, J[ass., about 
1640, and settled with his parents in Fairfield; nnide 
freeman in 1664 ; was constable in 1669 ; representa- 
tive during the years 1692, '03, '94, and '95. He was 
a farmer. He was twice married, and had two chil- 
dren by his first marriage, viz., Sarah and Nathaniel 
(2), and six children by his second, viz., John, Daniel, 
Ann, Mary, Esther, and Rebecca. His will is dated 
Feb. 22, 1712, and ai>proved March 5, 1712. 

Nathaniel (2) Burr was Ikh-u in Fairfield, Conn., 
was a lawyer by profession and well reputed in the 
colony. He was deputy for Fairfield from October, 
1697, until 1700. His children were as follows: 
Joseijh and Nathaniel (3), twins, died in infiiucy, 
Sarah, Anna, Nathaniel (4), and E]>hraim (I). 

Ephraim (1) Burr was a native of Fairfiidd, Conn., 
married Abigail, daughter of Judge Peter Burr, Jan. 
7, 1725. Their children were as follows: Eunice, 
Anna, Ellen, Ephraim (2), Ebenezer, Abigail, Sarah, 
and Peter, born Nov. 2, 1754. Ephraim Burr died in 
1"7(), and his wife died in ISIO. 

Peter Burr married Esther, daughter of Dr. Seth 
Jennings, of Fairfield, Conn. Their children were 



as follows: Thaddeus, Sarah, Eunice, .Vnna, Esther, 
Abigail, Mary, Ephraim (2), anil Ebenezer, or Ebeu, 
all of whom were born in Fairfield, Conn., and all 
had families except Mary. 

Peter Burr was a farmer. He dieil July 4, l~^ll). 

Ephraim (2) Burr was l)orn in Fairfield, Conn., 
Oct. 7, 1794. He reiuained at home until lu' was 
twenty-two years of age, except some six months 
which he spent in coasting, and while thus engaged 
he was taken prisoner by the British in the war of 
1812 and retained sixteen days. He then returned 
home and worked on the farm. 

He married Eunice, daughter of Daniel Slierwoml, 
May, 1823. Of this union two children were liorn, 
viz., Henry S. and Frances. Henry S. went to Cali- 
fornia, where he flied in 1871, and left one son, Henry S. 

Cai)t. Burr has been a farmer, and many years ago 
owned an interest in a vessel. Ho was for many 
years a captain of .a company of State militia. He is 
I one of the staunchest Republicans in the town. 
While he is not a member of any cliureh, he gives to 
the support of the Congregational Church. His wifii' 
died .Tune 9, 1864, aged seventy-two years. 



BRADLEY H. XICIIOLS. 

Bradley H. Nichols, son of Ephraim and j\Iary 
(Bradley) Nichols, was born in Fairfield, Conn., in 
Sei)temlier, 1792, and died in the same town, Nov. 8, 
1874. Ephraim Nichols was a tanner and currier 
and boot and shoemaker. Bradley was early initiated 
into his father's business, and followed it viiitil his 
love of agriculture caused him to become a farmer. 
Into this new employment Jlr. Nichols carried not 
only a love for rural life, l)Ut the system ami i)recisiou 
acipiired in the practical business life of his early 
manhood, and was a thorough, successful, and good 
farmer. Through all the changes of his long life he 
never forsook the farm, but continued a live, prog- 
ressive agriculturi.st until his de:ith. He had a large 
stock of vitality, inherited from his Puritan ancestry, 
and, with a genial and social nature, was universally 
a favorite. 

Mr. Nichols married Charlotte, daugliter of Isaac 
Banks, a f irnu'r resident in Fairfield, Jan. 19, 1815. 
Their children were Susan W., who married Zaimon 
Wakenian, an influential citizen of Fairfield, who 
left her a widow in 1865, and Eleanor Maria, who 
married William Bradley, a farmer, and fctrmcrly a 
merchant at (ireenfield Hill. 

Intelligent, of (juick i)erceptions, ever active in 
works of progrc-ss and improvement, Mr. Nichols 
was held in high repute by his many friends and 
those who met him in business relations, and when, 
in the fullness of a hale old age, he was called away 
from earth, all felt the loss of an honest man. 

Isaac Bank.s was born May 2(!, 1766, and married 
Eleanor Sturges, who was born May 20, 1765. They 



366 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



had four children, — Eleazur (deceased), Charity, 
Charlotte, and Horace. Mr. Banks died Dec. 26, 
1840. His wife survived him six years, dying Feb. 
19, 1847. 



CHATTER XXXV. 

GREENWICH. 

Coogmpliicnl — Topogrnphical — Indian Occupancy — Potuquapaen — The 
TnOiun Purchase — Tlic Dt-etl — Grconwich Manor — Patrick and Kcak8 
fLi PatDons — Indian Tronldes — Tho War — The Pionvers — '* Horso- 
neck" — Early Interest In Churcti 5iallcrs— Tlie First Marriage — List 
of Voters in 1C88— Town-I.ist for lr,'.ll-!lf>— K\ti-act8 from Hecords— 
Tlio Freni-h \Var — Karly Mercliants — Pliysiciuns — Lawyers — Post- 
OIHccs. 

This town lies in tlie .southwest corner of the county, 
and is bounded as follows : On the north by Westches- 
ter Co., N. Y. ; on the east by tlie town of .Stamford ; 
on the south by Long Island Sound ; and on the west 
by Westchester Co., N. Y. The surface of Greenwich 
is hilly, and the soil is very fertile. 

IXDI.VN OCCUP.\XCY.— PETUQUAP.^EN. 
Prior to the advent of the white settler this was one 
of the most thickly-settled portions of the Indian 
country, the permanent residents at Petuquapacn 
numbering about five hundred. The ruling sachem 
was Ponus, who died prior to 1640, having long 
wielded a powerful influence among the various 
tribes of the East. AVascussuc, a brother of Ponus, 
WiW the ruling sachem of the Rippowanis, at Stam- 
ford. The tract of land embraced within the bounds 
of what may properly be styled Petuquapacn extends 
from the present boundary-line between Stamford and 
Greenwich westward to the two streams known as the 
Brothers. On the west of this tract, extending to 
Byram River, was Miossehassaky, and still west of 
Byram was a smaller village, known as Huscco, which 
was located not far from the present village of Port- 
chester, N. Y. 

THE INDIAN PURCHASE.— THE DEED. 
The first purchase from the Indians) of land lying 
within the bounds of the present town of Greenwich 
was nuidc by Cupt. Daniel Patrick and Robert Peaks, 
July 16, 1640. The following is a copy of the deed 
which conveyed the lands to Patrick and Peaks : 

" Weo Amogcron, Sachom of Asamuck, and RammHtthone, Naw- 
horone, i'^nchenis of l*atonini-k, have sonhl nnt^i Rulierl Feaksand Panfell 
Patrlcke all theire li^htd and interesln in all ye severnll lands ht'tweno 
Aikamurk liver anil Pnlonnnk, which Patoniucklsa little river which 
dlvidcth ye Ix^nnda hetwcno Cupt. Turner's Purchase and this, except yo 
neck liy yo Indians called Monakewepo. hy us Kli7jibeth neck, which 
neck Is yo petlcolcr ]>crchaM' of Kll7iil>oth Feaks, ye S4l Itoht. Feaks his 
wife, to be hers and her heirs and assigns, forever, or else to he at ye ilis- 
posal of ye afon mentioned purehasers forever, to them and theire 
henlres, executors or luisiglis. and theye to enjoy all rivers. Islands, and 
re sevemll naturall adjnnq|* of all ye fotenientioueil plm-i-s, iieigther 
shall yo Indians fish within a nillle ,>r ain-y english ware, nor invite nor 
lernilt any olherinilians tti sett down In yo foremenlloncd lands; In con- 
sidcmtloD of which lands ye foremeDlloncd purchuen nro to give unto 



ye ahovo named sachems twonty-flve coates, whereof they have reflerve<t 

eleven in part payment; to witness all which, they have hereunto sett 

theire hands this 18 July, IC40. 

"Witness: Keofmni hath sold all his Right 

Robert Ilensted, in y« above wl Necks unto Jeffer.- 

his Ferris as witne^ underwritten : 



liis 



Messenger. 



Ml 
Rubs atielt. 



hU 



f 



' Ainogorono. 



Sapouas 



murk. 

Whawiioron ^^^"^^^''"^ 

mark. 

Akerogue ^^"^^1 
mark. 

hid 

AnipfU- ^^ j^-v* 

hci-ltone .X'*^ 



Whawhorou 



Kefferani 



o^^e 



ranoroliiu* 



Witness or hafliauouea to y lasr 

named 

KicharJ Williams, 

Aiigcll Hiiwtc*!. 

liU 

A. H. 

murk. 



Powifttoh 



s 



sj=>- 



mark. 
" ThoalK've written bill of sale was entered in ye ycare 1080 pr Samuel 
Peck, rocorder.'* 

GREENWICH MANOR. 
The purchase was made ostensibly under the au- 
spices of the New Haven colony, but Patrick, wlm, 
with various others of the early settlers, not regard- 
ing with favor the Puritanical restraints of the church, 
and having received but little a.«sistance from that 
colony wlieii the Dutch laid claim to the lamt included 
within his purchase, signed the following deed: 

" Whereas, we, Capt. Daniel Patrick and Elizabeth Feake.ihily author- 
l/eil by her husUuid Ibdiert FiMike, now sick, have resided two ye.o- 
nl«iut live or six n dim east of the Kew Netherlands, subject to the I-i - 
States General, who have protested against ut, declaring that the SJiid 
land lay nilhiii their limib., and that they should not allow any p<-nion 
to usnrp it against their lawful rights; and whenos, we have cjuaHv 
persisted In our course during these two years, having lieen well assur. : 
that hl< Majesty the King of Kngland hail preteudi..l some to this soii 
and whereas, we undernand nothing theri-of, and rjiiinot any longer pr 
snnio to remain thus, on oicount Udh of this ^trife, the danger coiif- 
uncut thereon, and these Ireaihemus and vllhilnous Indians, of whom 
we have seen so many sorrowful examiiles enough. We therefore In- 
take ounielves under the protection of tho Noble Lonl States General, 



GEEENWICII. 



iCi 



Hi8 Highness the riince nf Oraiiffi', and thf WV-t Iiuliii Comr«ny, or 
their Governor General i.f Sew Netherlan.ls, iironii>iiii.' for the future t^i 
bft faitliful to them, as all honest subjects are bouniltolie; whereunto 
we bind ourselves by solemn oath and sigiiatni-e, provided we ],<■ pro- 
tected against our enemies as nini-!i as p.i>silde. and enjiO' henceforth tiie 
siime privileges that all Patroons nf the New NetherlaTi.ls have obtained 
agreeably to the Freedoms li;4.', IXlh .if Apiil, in Kort Amsterdam. 

• DANIKL r.V'IKICK. 
*' Witnesses, EvERAnnrs TiuoAnDis. 
Johannes Winki.eman." 

Gret'uwifh now lnx':iiiit' :i iniiiioi-, with Putrick uml 
Ffiiks its jiatrixins. 

IXni.W TROUIiI.E.-:.* I 

For five or six ye;irs after the first settlement (UUO 
-4G| the people of ftreenwieh liad iniu'li tremble witli 
their Indian neiiihl>or;. the iiiilire^-t cause lieiii;: nun, 
— "cussed fire-water," as tlie sava:.'-e< called it, — 
bought of the Dutch :it New YcprI;. To bej:in with , 
(1642), some Dutch traders, a drunken Indian, cheat- 
ing in a bargain for furs, and a murdered Imlian, all 
near New York. Next, the killing of two Dutchmen, 
as an ofiset to the murdered Indian. Next ( February, 
1G4:5), by way of retuHation, tlie treacherous and 
indiscriminate butchery, Ity order of the Dutch (xov- 
ernor, of more than one hundred sleeping Indians, 
men, women, and children, who had tied into the city 
for refuge from the jmrsuit of a band of Jlohawks. 
Next (summer and tall of !(;4:'.), in revenge f >r such 
a deed of infamy, a general Indian war, waged by a 
confederacy of fifteen hundred warriors, up tlie east 
side of the Hudson, on Long Island, and on the 
Sound, eastward from New York, as fiir as Stamford, 
— everywdiere murders, burning buildings, desolation, 
all the atrocities of savage warfare. 

Ann Hutchiiisou was among the victims. Says 
De Forest, "Until the la;t moment the Indian; 
came to the hou<e in tlieir usual friemlly manner; 
then the hatchet fell, and the ill-fated woman perished, 
with seventeen others, in tlie ma-saere. To close the 
scene, the hor.ses and cattle were driven into the barns 
the barns were set on fire, and the helpless animals 
were roasted to death in the fiame-." So great was 
the devastation and so wid"-ipread the alarm, that 
the settlements were well-nigh broken up all along 
the shore from Stamford to New York. 

Greenwich at that time being umh'r the jurisdiction 
of New Y'ork, the settlers called on the Dutch Gov- 
ernor, Keift, for help. Acccn- lingly (.lanaary, 1G44) 
one hundred and twenty men, in three vessels, were 
.sent to Greenwich, where their commander wa-; in- 
formed by Capt. Patrick of a large encampment of 
the enemy a short distance inland. It was nearly 
night, but, desiring to surprise tlie Indians, the Dutch 
at once set off, and marched all night in a mistaken 
direction without finding the object of tlieir pursuit. 
Next day the Dutch captain met Patrick; accused 
him of treachery and of purposely giving false infor- 
mation, and finally gave him the lie direct. The al- 



* Contributed by Hon. Myron L. Mason. 



tcrcation requite 1 in Patrick's deatli. Tlic Dutidi 
force soon returned to New '^'ork, having succeeded 
only ill surprising a small Indian village, killing 
eighteen or twenty men, and taking a few wnmcii and 
children ]irisiiners. 

So 111 after, receiving frcdi news of a great body of 
savages at Greenwich, (Juvernor Keift (I''ebruary, 
1(144) dispatched a second expedition in (pic^t of 
them. The force consisted of one hundred and thirty 
men, iiiicha- command of Capt. .loliii Underbill, who 
reached Stamford in the evening an<l in a heavy snow- 
storm, wdiich detained him tlierO all night. Next day 
he made a slow march through two feet or more of 
snow, and alniut eight o'clock in the evening reaehecl 
the Miaaus Iviver, where he rested two hours till the 
moon rose. Cro.ssing the river at, or not far above, 
the present village of Mianus, and ascending the high 
western bank not lar nin-th of the present main road 
betweea (ireenwich and Stamford, he had in front of 
him "Strickland's Plain," lying to the north and 
lun-thwcst of the present village of Caseob. (.>n the 
western liorder of this plain, half a mile distant, he 
could sec the lights of the " long-sought-for Petuqua- 
pacn," — a village containing "more than a hnndrecl 
j)crmanent huts," partially protected by jialisades, 
with nuiuerous outside wigwams, the whole village 
Iviug under a low wooded rise of ground, which sh.d- 
tered it from the northwest winds. The savage i had 
warning of the approach of their enemies, and were 
prepared to give them a warm reception. Only the 
warriors held the village, the women and children 
having lieen sent to a place of safety. 

Spa;-e is wanting for a full descriiition of the mid- 
night battle, which was long and (lcsp<-rately fought. 
The undisciplined valor of the reil man, with his bow 
and tomahawk, was no match for the musket, the bay- 
onet, the broadsword, in the hands of the whites. The 
savages finally betook themselves to their fortified 
dwellings, but not till nearly two hundred of their 
number had fallen. ^Vithin their rude defenses they 
fuuglit obstinately, till the terrible lesson taught to 
the Pequots a few years before recurred to Uiiderhill's 
mind, and the fearfid order, " llnrii \m did:" rang 
through the midnight air. The huts were built of 
bark and other light materials, and took fire as readily, 
almo.st, as tinder. In a very few minutes tlie whole 
village wa< in flames, and its wild and tortured ten- 
ants were yelling and howling in the agonies of de- 
spair and death. Such as darted <iut of the inclosure 
were mercilessly shot down by the soldiers who sur- 
rounded the village; and of the whole body of war- 
rairs wdio were gathered at the spot not more than 
eight or ten, at most, are supposed to have escaped. 

The Dutch passed the night on the fiehl they had 
so signally wcni, "warmed and cheered" by the fires 
which suffocated and roasted their enemies. The 
morning revealed a horrid sight. More than six 
hundred — some authors say more than one thousand- 
dead Sinawoys lay bathed in blood over an area whoso 



368 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



circumference must have Ik .n i nii^i.li nMy less than 

one mile. 

TllK E.4ULIE.ST SETTLERS. 

Daniel Patrick was a fighting Englisliman from 
Mas.sacliusctts ; he liafi bravely seconded Jliuson in 
the Pequot war and iu the great swamp-fight in Fair- 
field. He Avas sliot dead in Greenwich in 1644 by a 
Dutch ofliccr into whose face he sj)at on being called 
a liar. He Ava.s liigh-tein]M'red and reckless, scarcely 
fearing God or man, and indefatigable in promoting 
the interests of the settlement lie planted. It is be- 
lieved that no descendant of his is now living in 
Greenwich. 

During 1640, Capt. Jolin Underbill settled on the 
Patrirk and Feaks' purchase, where he lived till his 
restless nature led him to New York in 1644, and 
finally to Killingworth, where he died in 1672. A 
warrior also, he was wounded at the burning out of 
the Pequots, in which engagement he was with 
Mason ; he fought and defeated the Sinawoy warriors 
in a hard-fought battle; and, like Patrick, he had 
turned liis back on Massachusetts on account of her 
Puritanic restraints.* 

Jetferc Ferris was an early settler, wliose descen- 
dants now abound in " Old Greenwich." Several 
Dutchmen were among the first comers, and one of 
them, Cornelius Labden, left iiis name to a ninety- 
foot i)rccipice, now known as Labden's Rock, over 
which he is said to have plunged on horseback ratlier 
than be taken jirisoner by some pursuing savages. 

Among the first settlers also were the following: 
Robert Hcusted, Andrew Messenger, John Winkel- 
man, Angell Heusted, Richard AVilliams, Evcrardus 
Rogardus. 

The prophetess, Ann Hutchinson, spurned by Mas- 
.sachusetts, lived secluded in Greenwich forests till a 
band of Indians hunted up and murdered both her- 
self and family in 164.3. 

The numerous Jleads, Heustcds, Pecks, Lockwoods, 
et alii, now residing in firecnwich are representatives 
of its early people. Such Dutch settlers as escaped 
the wrath of the savages soon gravitated, under 
political stress, to New York, with their families, and 
few, if any of them, are now represented among the 
jieople of Greenwich. 

Up to 166.') the little settlement, now under the 
jurisrlii'tion of the New Netherlands, showed no 
marked signs of activity. Among the few who came 
in 16.')6 were the ancestors of the Hubbards, the 
.Studwells, and the Hobbys. Peter Disbrow, John 
Coe, and Thomas Studwell settled about this time, and 
Jetrerc Ferris returned from Fairfield, whither he had 
gone when the town was ceiled to the Dutch. John 
Mead and John Hobby settled in 16(i(l. This year 
the settlement numbered about twenty adult males. 

From this time on the settlement increased with 

• III' tiiul nlM> U'en U'urer of <Ii9]iatr)icji to t^^upon Klizittcth, couR- 
ilcliUal fM.>r^-niil to lllo Eurl of I^'tt'WtiT, (iovunior of tbo Dover colony' in 
Ni'W lliiiiii>tililrr, i-lf. 



marvelous rapidity, and not much time elapsed ere 

Greenwich became peopled by an intelligent and 
sturdy class of settlers, who have left their imjjress 
upon their numerous descendants. Meetings were 
held and in 1606 a school-house was built, but no 
record or tradition tells us of ita location or who had 
the honor of wielding the pedagogue's sceptre. 

In 166!) a demand was made by Daniel Patrick, son 
of the pioneer, Capt. Daniel, for all the land which 
had been formerly owned by his father. A com- 
promise, however, was finally cflected, and for a 
horse, saddle and bridle, and fifty pounds he reliu/- 
quished "all his right, title, and interest in any land 
or estate in the .settlement." 

IIORSEXECK. 

West Greenwich (now the borough) was called 
"Horseneck," from a peninsula of high ground, now 
known as " Field Point," west of Cireenwich Harbor, 
and one and a half miles southwest of the borough, 
the peninsula having been a liorse pasture. 

Horseneck was purchased of tlic Imlians in 1672 
by twenty-seven individuals, known as the "27 Pro- 
prietors of 1672," as follows: Ephraim Palmer, Jona- 
than Reynolds, or Renolds, John Hubbe (Hobby), ^ 
Stephen Sherwood, Joseph Mead, John Bowers, 
Joseph Finch, William Rundle, John Mead, John 
Astcn, Jeremiah Peck, John Palmer, Walter RutU'r. 
Samuel Peck, Joseph Seres, Angell Heuste<i, William 
Hul)l>ar(l, Samuel (iinkins (Jenkins), William Ratcrc, 
John Marshall, Jonathan Lockwood, John Renalds. 
Gershom Lockwood, James Seres, Thomas Close, 
Thomas Close, Jr., Daniel Smith. 

CIIUKCn MATTERS. 
The town now seemed to manifest d decided interest 
in church matters, and, although there had been oc- 
casional preaching prior to 1676, this year at a " full 
meeting" it was resolved to call a minister. .\ Mr. 
Nizwale was accordingly called, but, he not accepting, 
two years later, in 1678, a call was extended to Rev. 
Jeremiah Peck, of New Jersey, who was one of 
the twenty-seven proprietors mentioned above. He 
promjitly accepted the call, and in the fall of the 
same year settled in the town, receiving for his salary 
sixty pounds. 

THE FtRST .MARRI.ACiE, Etc. 

The first rcrnnlril marriage in the town is that of 
John Jlead, Jr., and Miss Ruth Hardey, by Rev. Mr. 
Peck, in 1681. In KiS.'i, Lieut. Lockwood dic<l, and 
the town jiassed resolutions of regret. In this year a 
saw- and grist-mill was erected at Dumpling Pond. 
In 1686 the Indians sold nearly their last acre of land 
in the town. These lamls were on the western bank 
of the Myanos, near its mouth. 

During the year 16.S7 permission was given to the 
citizens of the town to build fish-pounds un the sea- 
shore "anywhere outside ye feeULs." John Mead, 
Jr., was elected constable, then the most remuncra- 






- ::?<^- 



'^'■■'<.\:^J<^'. 






** V. 



■ fv.- 




4^ 







Residence of SAMUEL ADAM 







mmL^' 



:f££/viA//c/i Fairfield Co Coiin. 



GREENWICH. 



3G9 



tive as well as iiuportant cittice in tlio .^il'l of tlir tuwii. 
GersliDiii Lockwood and liis lirotlicr ^V illiaia dui-injj; 
this year a.itri'ed to buihl a bridge across the Jlyanos 
at Dumpling Pond, and receive in payment whatever 
tin: ttjWH should sec fit to rjire after tlic worl: was done. 

EARLY VOTERS. 

In l(iS.'< the- legal voters numbered about lifty, ami 
the settlement had increased to three hundred iidiab- 
itants. The tbllowing is a list of the legal voters in 
1688 : " .Tonathan Lockwood, Angell Heusted, Josepli 
Mead, John Mead, Joseph Ferris, John Renalds, 
John Hubbe, Meriani Hubert, Jeames Ferris, Jona- 
than Renalds, John Bowers, Josepli Finch, ^leriam 
Hubert, Jr., Thomas Lyon, John Banks, Tlionias 
Close, Frances Thorne, Nathaniel Howe, Joseph 
Palmer, William Rundle, fxershom Lockwood, .Tolin 
Marshall, Daniel Smith, Jonathan Huested, Ebenezer 
Mead, Eiihraim Palmer, Jeames I'almer, Walter 
Butler, .Samuel Peck, Rev. Jeremiah Peck, John 
Mead, Jr., Henwe Rich, Jonathan Mead, Joshua 
Knajjp, (ieorge Hubliert, .Toseph Huested, Angell 
Husted, Jr., ,I<ihn Renalds, Jr., Peter Ferris, Thomas 
Hubbe, John llulilie, .Jr., Job Ferris, Jonatlian Lock- 
wood, Robert Lockwood, Caleb Peck, Joseph Jlead, 
John Mead's son, Jo.seph Mead, Joseph Mead's son, 
Joseph Knapp, Jr., John Tash." 

In ll!89 it is voted that "ye towne per vote hathe 
agreed to liye a bulle." In 1(591 it was voted to have 
a new »icetiiir/-/ij)iise ; and John Jlead, Sr., Jolm 
Mead, Jr., John Hubbe, Daniel Smith, and Samuel 
Peck were ai)pointed a committee to procure mate- 
rials and Iniild the house. A subsequent meeting 
m.ade its dimensions thirty-two feet long, twenty-si.x 
feet wide, and fifteen feet high. A controversy wliich 
lasted for years c<jneerning the site delayed the put- 
ting up of the building. It was finally built upon a 
small rise of ground northwest of the old biirying- 
grounil in Old (.Ireenwieh. 

TOWN-LIST FOR YEARS W.H-'Ji. 
The following exhibit shows the com])arative wealth 
of the town in Ki'Jl and Kilto : 

i s. (I. 

John UnniU.' lui In il 

Samuel IVck »1 n II 

.Iiwi'lih Ferris l.'il II 

.liUiU'M Ferris ami Stm lii:l II II 

3!.il)cit LcHliwiK..! Ill II II 

.I.Miiith.in Ili'UBti-cl "7 II II 

J.wi'pli Finch ami Son 111.') II li 

.Icihu llohhy 114 l.'. II 

Ant^fdl IleuBted anil Sun Xi 10 II 

.Tohn IlouBtcd :»l II II 

Samuel Ileiistei] 4.t 11) II 

Miisea Ferris 22 II 

IJenjamiii Ferris 24 I) ii 

fiershom Lockwood & Son l.'i:! l."i H 

-InsL'ith Knnpp ^ 7;t II n 

Jonathan Handle 47 .'■ II 

Benjamin Mcuil S7 " II 

Haniel Smith & .Son in! » H 

William Rundle liii 1" I) 

William Hnhlnirt 4il I" » 

Itiith .Mead, willow of .lohn Mead 22 111 II 

llaniel M(.a<l 42 n 11 

Ziiehariali Mead :ill II " 

Caleb Knapp :i',l 111 II 

Thomas Marshall :14 il II 

F.heliezer Mead lllil In II 

Joseph Me.id, the tanner 4.') Ill II 



£ ». .;. 

.lon.athan Whelplev 4.'. li n 

J.diii Marshall i S..n icr, In li 

llenrvRich :» HI » 

John Ferris .V> il 11 

Joseph I'almer :is 12 II 

Jonathan Blead 4."i " " 

,Iohn Marshall, .Ir r.'.l n n 

John Rundle ,« Son 4:i 14 D 

Nathaniel .Mead :ill II n 

'I'iinothy Knapp 47 .'■ II 

John Austen 31 11 II 

.Joseph Finch, Jr 211 n II 

Caleb Peek 2K ii ii 

Thonuaa Close, Jr 2ii n n 

Joseph Heusted 54 ii n 

Thomas Hobliv .i4 In <i 

Ehenezer Kundle -'ill n n 

Stephen Holmes ;U o " 

Thomas Close, Sr Wl " '> 

Angell Heusted, Jr 41 " " 

ElishaMead :W n " 

Thomas Studwell 3li n » 

William Palmer 31 

.Tohn Kundle, Jr .M •'■ " 

James Ferris, Jr 4ll In n 

Thomas BuUer 21 n n 

Gershom Lockwood, Jr 47 n n 

Joseph Lockwood 2.'i n n 

Benjamin Knapp 31 II n 

lieiijamin Hohhy 211 II n 

Joshua ICnapp o4 n n 

Samuel Mead XI 1" d 

Joseph Studwell IS n II 

.lohn Ranks 7i; In n 

Samuel Ly..n. »S HI n 

Thomas Lyon ."^^7 12 n 

Joseph Slead, «(j/ i/(e ^niMcr 2.'> II n 

Joseph (_'lose 24 n n 

Total 2ISS S 11 

The selectmen for this year were Daniel Smith, 
Jonathan Heusted, Joseph Finch, ami John Hubbe. 

In 17o;i it was voted that the town-meetings be 
held one-half of the time at " Horseneck." Prior to 
this time the meetings had been held at " Old (ireen- 
wich." 

The following are extr.icts from the records: 

" .\t a Town meeting hareins Date May ye :'. 1704 the town taking into 
ciMisideration that which hath formerly been Ilcui by ye towne in order 
to Mr. Nattianiel Bowers setling in the towne hath been ineffectual & 
considering Mr. bowei-shath luomised to setel at Horsneck if yeinlmbi- 
tants did not call him to otBco on ye Eiust sid Jlianiis rivor &. being in- 
formed mr. bowers Designs to leave ye town these things considel-ed ye 
h)wne jir vote see cans k reson to invite Mr. Bower to setle at Greenwich 
towne plott on ye west side Miamis river which if 5Ir Bowers sees cause 
to except. Then ye town doth jiromis & Ingage to make suitable pruve- 
sion for himself & for selling him in his ministerial oftiee." 

" At a town meeting, December ye 111 : 17n4 : The Town per vi>te grant 
Liberty unto Corinal hethcut to build tow small sloops sum wlieie about 
Mianos river." 

" Furthermore, moved yetowiieput it to vot whether ."Mr. Uiwers should 
have lifty-five pounds, and it p-asses in the Negative. 

" Furthermore, ye town pr vot t\v not lli-sire .Mr. Bowei-s to continue 
any longer in ye work of ye ministrye in Greenwich." 

" Furlhermore.ye Town per vot grant Liberty unto ye inhabitants on 
ye east sid mianus to bueld a mill upon any strem where they shall think 
convenient. 

" Furthermore, the Town per vot do giant Liberty unto the inhabitants 
of greenwich living on the west side Miunus river, to build a tide mill 
upon Stieklin brook or Coscoh river themselves or to iinploy som other 
pui-son whom they shall think titt and likcwist^ Do grant them use of yo 
stri-ams for that end." 

'• At a meeting of yo Inhabitants of ye town of Greenwich on ye west 
Bide of Myanos river legally named and met on ye nineteenth day of 
June, 170.">. Whereas, yesd inhabitants have had a grant from yi- town 
at a town meeting on ye 9th day of January 17(1-1 of ye stream of ye 
tide or creek of Coscoh river to own a grist mill, or iinploy whom the see 
cause therein the sd inhabitants have granted sd stream to Mr. .loseph 
Morgan to huild a grist mill, and do therein oblige him, his heairs and 
asines to grind for ye inhabitants of ye towne of Greeiiwiidi for alx-ut 
one 12 part ofallthe grain and do grant that toll ami do oblige him and his 
heaires asigns, to grind for said inhabitants what gniin they bring to mill 



370 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



on Tuesdays and FriJays forthwith not to hinder them for strangore 
nnJ do oblige him Ilis heainiand successors liy virtue of ye grant to keep 
a suthcicnt hous for to secure ye gnun y t is brought to s<l mill." 



THE FRENCH WAR. 

In the beginniiii; of this war Greenwich had no 
VdUinteer companv, and several of tlio inliabitants 
were pressed into tlic service. "James Green," says 
the late D. JI. Mead, " now long since dead, used to 
rehite that while a company of young peo])le, himself 
among the number, were quietly enjoying them.selves 
at the tavern (then kept by one Mead, but now occu- ! 
pied as a dwelling-house by Epcnetus Snifhn, Esq.), 
they were surprised by a press-gang and several of ; 
them forced into the service, while he with a few 
others escaped from a window. After this time a I 
regular volunteer company was raised. This com- 
pany seems to have marched directly to Ticonderoga 
in 1759, and joined the Third Connecticut Regiment. 
One of the company, a Mr. Coit, residing in King 
Street, was niounte<l upon a rather sorry nag, which 
by the time the comi)any had reached Nine Partners, 
in Dutchess County, had become quite leg-weary, 
and Coit, thinking perhaps that all is fair in time of 
war, took a noble horse from a pasturage and turned 
liis own there instead, without any whys or where- 
fores with the real owner. His new horse did him 
good service during the comi)any's stay at Ticonde- 
roga, which was but little more than a month ; and 
on his return the company halted, that Coit might 
deliver the horse to his owner. So well pleased wiui 
the latter with the boldness of Coit that be made the 
whole com])any sto]) for the night at his house free of 
expense. After the war Mr. Coit went to Vermont 
and settled tliere permanently ; several years after, 
having become wealthy, he came to Greenwich in his 
carriage, and visited all liis old comrades of the vol- 
unteer company." 

Greenwich formed an association for the relief of 
the soldiers, of which Mrs. Abraham Mead was presi- 
dent. 

An ancient powder-horn is still preserved by Col. 
Thtmias A. Mead, upon which is almost perfectly de- 
lineated the relative positions and forts of the hostile 
armies while at Ticonderoga. This work wa.s done 
by Dr. Amos Mead, who wius surgeon of the Thinl 
Connecticut Regiment, while at Ticonderoga. The 
horn beside this chart has engraved upon it this in- 
scription : 

" Anif« Mead 
Snrgn of ye :M Ouui Reg 
Ticonderoga Octolter 1T.'»9.'* 

At a town-meeting March 2, 1756, it was 

"Furtlicrmorc voted that Mr. Neheniiah 3fcad shunKl have llticrty to 
aetl the Town ntm'k of Powder as sotui as he tan conveniently to ye 
Towns l^Ofl ailvnnlage and lay out all the money Ihat he shall pell said 
IHiwder for, in iiowdur that is good and put the same into Town stock as 
soon m he conveniently can." 

In 1757, Decembe*»«d, Monday, 

" Vote4l to Mr. Kdmund llr»nu and aasocintcs lit>erty to build a saw 
mill on Ilolveueck brook at llaugrooL" 



By this agreement Brown and his associates were 
to build and keep in repair the bridge at Hangroot, 
and be responsible for damages that might thereby 
occur by accident to any person. 

The following record, taken with other similar ex- 
tracts, shows that in 1758 the town-meetings were 
held alternately in all the places of worship in the 
town : 

" At a Town meeting of the Inhabitants of the town of Greenwich, 
legally warned and attended at the House Tluilt by the Professors of the 
Church of Kngland in the Society of Horseueck on the top of the great bill 
on the Third M inJay of Decemtior A. D. 17JS, being yo Ifith clay of wii 1 
montli," etc., etc. 

But on the 15th day of December, 1760, it was 

*' Fnrllier Voted to Build a Town ITouse and leave it to the authority 
and select men how large it shall lie and where it shall stand." 

" Further Voted that the Ruto for building the Town House shall be 
paid by the first day of September next." 

In 1767 the following petition was presented :it 
town-meeting, relating to the dock at Coscob : 

*' To tile benevolent iuh:tbit.iutsof the Town of^reenwich, in Fairfitli 
County, the petition of Nathaniel Close, of said Greenwich, HuuiMy 
showeth, that your Petr. beitig under a necessity of a store-houBc, 
as his performing a weekly Paiiquet or stage boat from here U> 
Xcw York lays l»oth liiiu and the iidiabitauLs under n great di8;idvantag<'. 
in Ilespecl ho hath no pnijier pla_*e to store the elTect-f of his Freighters, 
niu* for theni to store what effects ami pnjdnce they severally bring when 
Ills vessel is not there to Receive it ; which Disadvantage hath been sen- 
sibly Felt during the last summer. He therefore Prays Liberty of this 
meeting, that he may be permittee! to build a store-house of 26 feet by 
:tn, ailjolning the Dank, between the Dwelling house of Mr. John 
Bush ami the Gristmill of David Hush, so as to leave alsjut sixteen feet 
flitm stii 1 mill to sd store, for a cartway, if need be, A that he may build 
it by the bank ii'tjoiuing thereto, ,^ to sd mill Pon<l ; and as your Petr. 
conceives a House s(j liuitt would IncomilMde no particular Persiui, but 
Ite a Geneml pndit to the inhabitants, as weJl as .vour Pelr. He then- 
fore hopes that yiui, gentlemen, in your Prudence will grant his Request 
and your Petr. as in duty bound shall ever pray. 

" X.vTH.\MEL Close. 

" December, 21»t, 1707." 

The above was passed, and the acting selectmen 
were ai)pointed a committee to select the e.xact site 
of the building, which w;is afterwards erected. 

" At a Town meeting of the Inhabltiints of the Town of GieenwKli 
legally warned anil liolden on the ,'dh day of May, 17CS, tliisquestii'ii is 
put to vote, whether this town, in coiyiinction with the Town of N'oi- 
wnlk, ill the Cimnty of Fairfield, will send their agent to the next en- 
suing .Xssembly to prefer a memorial to sd Assembly, that the Court 
House and Goal in said county of Fairfield may be built at said N'orwalk . 
Resolved in the afflrmativo." 

.Vfterwards, in the following October, after the se- 
sion of the As.sembly, in reference to the same sub- 
ject the town voted, that 

*' Whereas, the Town of Norwalk. in corOuncliun with several other 
towns In the Coiinly of Fnirfiehl, Preferred a memorial to the tieneral 
Assembly, lieMat New Haven. iiitVtobor last, and now lyes U'fore said 
.\HseniMy to lie heanl at the adjournment, in January ne.\t, praying Ihat 
the said Town of Norwalk may Ik) the Head or county ti>wn, ,Vc. ; and 
wheri'os Mr. David Itiisli signe<l the s-iiiie as agent, for and in behalf of 
said Town It Is then-fore now votwl and agreed that this Town allow, 
and appnivi-s of the said Davhl Bush's signing said Memotial as agei>t 
for this Town, and he is Iiereby fully Impowertyl and anthorlseil In lb- 
liiinie and behalf of this town to apjieor and Prefer s«l Memoiial to a 
Final determination In the General .\8Sembly, and that it is the earne»-t 
Request and Desire of the Inhabitants of Ibis low n, that the General Ai- 
senibly wouM lake the matteni containe<l In salil memorial unto their 
wise conaideration, and Grant the Prayer thereof, and that a copv of this 



GREENWICH. 



3T1 



vote mity be used in tlie Tryal of sd memnrhil, in ni.lrr v> sigitifyo tlie 
niiii'ls of tlio in]ialiitant3 uf tliis town iu tlie premises." 

In 1773,— 

"Kurtlier voted, tlio Town in sd meeting Grant Lilierty nnto David 
Biisli, npon his Petition for building a mill upon stirkliii's brook Stick- 
lin'a brook under the overseeing of a Commilti'e by sd Town appointed 
to grind for Town Inliabitants, and not to put them by for strangers. 
Voted in tlie alTirnuitive. 

" Kdward llrusli. Nehemialt Mead, and Deliverance Jlead, .Tabez Mead 
jun., Xathanitd Finch, and Caleb Jlcad, enters their protest on ye pro- 
ceedings of sd meeting in sd vote," 

EARLY MERCH.ANTS. 
Anionjr the earliest merchants at Cireenwich were 
J. & B. Brush, in about the year 1827. This lirni also 
liad a store at Coscob. Kna])p & Busli were also 
early merchants there. Jabez Mead was a jnoneer 
merchant at Mianos, and Reuben Fincli at Stanwick. 
The "red store" on West Street was built by Abra 
Smith. On Hound Hill, Xathaniel Kntipp, father of 
0. C. Knajip, was an early merchant. 

PHYSICIANS. 
Among the physicians who have jiraeticed in this 
old town, and some of whom are still here, are men- 
tioned tlie names of Shadraclc Mead, Darius Mead, 
Sylvester Jlead, James H. Hoyt, Barto F. White, 
Joel W. Hyde, D. W. Teller, James H. Brush, Fran- 
cis M. Holly, James L. Marshall, John C. White, 
and Leander P. Jones. 

L.WVYEll.*. ■ 
The first ]iermanent Gamaliel of tlie law in Green- 
wich Wits Julius B. Curtis, who now resides in Stam- 
ford. The present attorneys are Col. H. W. R. Hoyt, 
E. Jay Walsh, firm of Hoyt & Walsh, and IMyron L. 
Ma.son and Frederick O. Hubbard, firm of Mason & 

Hubbard. 

POST-OFFICE. 

The first post-office at Greenwich was established at 
an early day, and was kept in a building which stood 
on the premises now owned by W. H. Knapp. It 
was subsequently removed to the place now occupied 
by Jacob T. Weed. The postmasters have been as 
follows : Isaac Mead, Stephen Holly, Samuel Close, 
Dr. F. M. llf)lly. 

In 1840, J. E. Brush was appointed, and the ofiice 
moved to present site. In 18.53, Samuel Close was 
reappointed, and the office removed to a new build- 
ing, which stood on premises now owned by William 
Scofield. In this building, also, Stephen IloUey had 
ke]it tlie office. In 1861, Mr. Brush was reapjiointed, 
and the office came back. In 18GG, William B. Wes- 
comb held the office three or four weeks, when John 
Dayton received the appointment, and remained post- 
master until 1869, when Mr. Brush was reappointed, 
and is the present incumbent. 

The present postmaster at Stainvick is (Jeo. A. 
Lockwood ; at Round Hill, O. C. Knapp; at Mianos, 
Allen J. Phinney ; at Glenville, Webster Haight; at 

Riverside, William F. Thall ; and at Baiiksville, 

. The office at Riversville has been <liscontinued. 



CHAPTER XXXVI. 

GHEENWICH (Continued). 

THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION'. 

Itesolutions in Answer to f'outiuenfal Congress— Letter to the Delegates 
— Committee of Inspection and Safely — Committee appointed for Sui>- 
plying Necessaries to Families of Continental SoMicrs — Charges 
against Rev. Jonathan 5Iurdock — Incidents of the Ili'Volution — C.iv- 
ernor Tryon's Expedition to Greenwich — Rivington's i'less— The 
King Stieet Skirmish — The British in North Stamford— Tutnam's 
IJiile, etc. 

Thf, first reference to the war of the Revolution 
found iu the old town records is under date Oct. 11, 
1774, its follows : 

"At a Town meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Oreenwich, 
legally warned and llol.len im Teusday, the lltli day of Oct.d>er, Anno 
Dom. 1774, ,\ Letter is Read from the IIonoTable Klipljalet Dyer and 
Roger Sherman, Esq., from ye Continental Congress, at Philadidphia. It 
is proposed to this meeting w hetlier there shall be a committee ajtpoiuted 
to Draw a set of Resolves and an answer to said letter from said Con- 
gress, and to lay the same before the next meeting of this town for their 
approbation. Resolved in the affirmative, .and Dr. Amos Mearl, Slessrs. 
.John Mack.ay, .lesse Parsons are per vote app<dnted a committee for the 
jmrpose aforesaid, on which the town per vote adjourned ttieir meeting 
to the 17tli day of Instant October, to the place where their annual Town 
meetings are lieM in said Town. 

" .\t a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Greenwiidi, in the 
County of Fairtield, & Colony of Connecticut, holden on the 17th <iay of 
llctober, 1774. 

" This fleeting takeing into their Serious consideration the alarming 
state of .\meiicau Liberty, do nnauimously approve of and adopt as the 
Sentiments of the Inhabitants of this Town the Resolves of the Honora- 
ble House of Repiesentatives i>f this Colony, jiassed in their sessions at 
Hartford, in May last. 
I Ami Wheretif, Certain Acts of the British Parliament have appeared 
since the above re.solves were entered int^i ; Particularly an act for alter- 
ing the Government of JIassachusetts Bay, and another for Establishing 
the Roman Catholic Religion in Canada, etc. 

^^Resolceil hij this mri'ting, that those .acts are repugnant to (he free prin- 
ciples of the English Constitution, and in a High Degree Dangerous to 
the Civil ami Religious Liberty of both Biilish ami American Protestant 
subjects, and that notwithstanding the Torrent of False and malicious 
aspersions poured fiu-th by designing men. We beli.-ve and declare the 
Contrivers and Devisors of these and all such unconstitutional acts Their 
Dupes and Emissjtries, ttj be the only enemies to our Gracious Sovereign, 
and the Illustrious House of Hanover that we know of in his majesty's 
dominions. 

••lle'olntl, That this meeting hereby ajiprove of the Honmable Cimgress 
of Delegates from the several American Colonies, and will acpiiesce and 
abide by their Iiual determination. 

"Ili^s'iheil, That as the Province of Slassachusetts Bay, especially the 
T.iwn c»f Boston, is now suttcring under the Iron Hand of DesjKitic 
Power and nuuisterial Inliuence, it is the Indispensable duty of this town, 
in Imitation of ye noble Examides set up by most of the Colony to con- 
tribute t(t the relief of the oppressed and suffering Poor in s«id Town of 
Boston, and that Messrs. David Rush,,Iohii Maekay, Benjamin Me.ad, .Ir., 
Dainel Merritt, James Ferris, Nathaniel Mead, .Ir., Joseph Hobby, Jr., 
i be a ('ommittee to receive and keep an exact account (if all djuuitions 
' that shall be Given by the Inhabitjints of this town, ami Transmit the 
j same to the Select men of the Town of Boston, to be by them appropri- 
] ated for the purpose aforesaid. 

"Ordered by this meeting, that Dr. Amos Jlea<l, Messrs. John Maekay, 
and Jesse Parsons be Desired to write to the Honorable memboi-s of < 'on- 
gress for this Colony an answer to theirs of the 10th ultimo, Intdosing a 
Copy of the Present Doings of this meeting, and transmit another copy 
thereof to the Printer, at New Haven, in order to be published. 
" Recorded by un-, 

"JESSE PAKSOXS, 

"jTou'il CterA." 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



COPY OF THE LETTER TO THE DELEGATES. 

I 

"Gextlkmks, — Wo ncknowleJge tlio receipt of your favor of tlie 10th 
«U., iuelosiiig tlio RcsohitloiiH of tlio IIonomMo Congress, ami witii tlio 
Higliebt gmttitudti receive tlio as8urai)cu of ttio earlieitt intelligence of 
tlio proccciliiigH of your IlonontUti Ilonnl, ub soon us tliey sliiill l>o made 
Public. yVv liavc called a meeting, and eonimnnicated tothent your let- 
ter and ttio»e proceedingi*, and do now inclose their re^iolulions thereon 
" AVe are, Ciuutlcmcn, your tnont ulie4iitiit, Humlde Hervanls, 

*'AMOS MEAD, 
"JOHN MACKAY. 
"JESSE PAHSOXS. 
"P. 8. Upon enquiry into tlie Present Stote of the ningazino of this 
Town, the Inliahitants arc much »ur)irl8cd to And that tlie price of that 
most uecoswiry article for our defence, viz., Gunpowder, is ni)w doubled, 
which wo arc Desired to inentioti as worthy tho uoticc of your llonora- 
ble Board. 
"Tho Honomblo EHphalit Dyer and Roger Sherman, Esqs." 

At the same meeting it was ftirther voted that 

" As tho Town Stock of ammunition want« a supply, there be n Com- 
mittee appointed to examine the state of the Town Stock of Powder, 
Load, Ac, and the Selectmen are appointed u committee for that puriKvso 
and to take care to s^upply what h wanting at tbo expense of tho town." 

On the 8th of Febniary, 1775, it was 

" Proposed to this meeting whether they will send Delegates to attend 
u County Congress at Faii*fleld on tho 10th of Febniar>- instant pursuant ' 
to a letter from Fairfield Committee agreeable to tho Association of tho ' 
Continental Congress, entered into and adopted by the Honorable House 
of Be preventatives of this Colony ami wild Committee to attend on their 
own expenses. Restdvcd in the allirnuitive, an<l that Doctor Amos Mead 
and John Mackay be their Delegates for the purpose aforesaid.^' I 

On the 3d of December of the same year (1775) the i 
following persons were appointed a committee of in- 
spection and safety. They, besides their duties as a 
vigilance committee, were empowered to appoint two 
or more from their own nunil)er to attend the next 
County Congress, should any be culled: Amos Mead, 
Samuel Peck, James Ferris, John Mackay, Tk*njaniin 
Mead, Jr., Nehemiah Mead, Col. Jolin Mead, Koger , 
Brown, Bezaleel Brown, David Wood, Maj. Thomas 
Hobby, Odcll Close, Nathaniel Mead, Jr. 

It was also 

'MWtfff, That no body of men preaume to afisemblo together and go 
upon nny expedition, utdess by onler of tho Honorable tho Continental 
CongresH, tlio Honorable the General AB!»embly, tho County Congress, or 
Committee of Safety for this town, either of whom arc to ascertain tho 
numWr and dirmt the measures." 

"At u Hperiid meeting of the inhabitants of tho Town of Greonwich^ 
legally waniinl and Imhlen on tho 15th day of January, Anno Dom. 177fi, 
Tho Town per vole Add to their Committee of Safety the following per- 
sons, — viz: Israel Knap)>, Jr., Samuid Seymour, John Hobby, Mi^sseiigor 
Palnior, and Peter Meail, Esq. 

" In this mooting comes Jvage UalloCk and presonts himself to sot up 
the Salt Peter worlvs in this town, on oncourogomont Given by act of A»- 
Bcnibly." 

^lareh 11, 1777, the town voted to send for the six- 
pounder and shot for the same, which had been 
jrranted to them on account of a memorial addressed 
to the General Assembly. 

At a special town-meeting of the inhabitants of 
Greenwich, legally warned and lield at the town- 
house in said (Jreenwieh, on ^londay, the 14tli day 
of April, 1777, the town, by vote, made choice of Ne- 
hemiah Mead to be4noderator for this present meet- 
ing. Further, the town, by vote, made choice of 
Messrs. Titus Mead, Nehemiah Mead, John Mackay, 



James F' : li-. r.u- l.dckwood, Roger Brown, Daniel 
Merritt, to be a committee to inspect into and str 
that the families of tI»ose who enter into the Conti- 
nental army shall be supplied with the necessaries of 
life at the prices as stated by law according to the 
Governor's proclamation. Further, that this meeting: 
assist and support the ministers of justice in putting: 
into execution the act of the Assembly re-"^i>ecting tin- 
stating prices. Same was repeated at the next regu- 
lar town-meeting. 

During this year, Col. Enos, of Hartford, was sta- 
tioned in this town with Connecticut troops. Hi- 
quarters were during a part of the time at Palmer'> 
Hill, and a part of tlie time at the old Ksquire Knai)p 
place, now occupied by J. K. Stearns, Esq. Tlie for- 
aging of Col. Enos' troops was so excessive that tie 
town, at a legal meeting, voted : 

*' Wheroaa tho troops of Col. Enos regiment quartered in thit towtt 
have committed great outrages upon tho property of some of tlie Inhatit- 
antdof thi^ town (viz.), in burning rails, cutting young growth of tinitxr. 
etc. Therefore, it is prcqiosed to this nu-eling, whether lliey will rea.'iri 
mend uulo the SeloL-t men of this Town, to apply t«i tho Field Offlcn- 
for utdresB of the aforesaid grievances. Voted in the offlrmalive." 

"At H special Town meeting of tho inhabitants of tlm Town uf Green- 
wich, legally warneii and held in said Greenwich, on Blonday ye I'Jtii 
day of Jan narj', 1778, in pursuance of the Requisition fn>m his Exc-l- 
lency tho Governor, of ye l.')lh of December, 1777, communicato to tl. 
Inhabitants tho Intmduction to. ami the A i tides of Confederation Ji: P- : 
pctnal Union between the State?' of America, that the sense of tla' T«'\\ 
might bo known ther(?i>n, the town by vote uia^le choice of Bc/jilf 1 
Urown to be Moderator of this present meeting. The saiil Anicb-s Inmii^- 
in said meeting deliberately read and considered, were by vote, AVta. O-i. 
(ho one oj)jK»itrnj), accepted and approved. 

*' It is pr\>iKMed whether this meetingis willing, that non-tomml»!(ion<'d 
officer and soldier who is draughted and voluntarily ser\'es in this t\M> 
months ovpedition, receive a pmiMirtio liable part of all the fint-s iiUd in 
consequence of said <lraught. Voted in the aftlrmatlvi', and that C 
Seloctmon receive the said flues of tho Town Tre^isurer and |>ay them ■ ■ 
accordingly. 

"VutL-d that the artillery men may have tho Town House for a guartl- 
house, ami \m\v liWrty tu buihl a chimney to it, and that the Town v ill 
bo at tho cost of having Blasons fur that purp'.we. Tho Town, by T-t 
mode choice of IWzaleel Brown to l>c Ilarmck-Moster, to supply the tro--i ~ 
with W(xmI and other necessaries. Meeting then uiUourncd." 

" At u Town meeting of tho Inhabitants of the Town of Gr«>enwi«h< 
holden in tho Town House of said Gri>enwicli. on Monday the lOth l).t^ 
of Deci-niber, 1778, having made a choice of Bezaleel Brown for BI 
orator, and JattCK Fitch for Clerk, the meeting ailjuurue<l to the Mii-tiii. 
House, Thi^ meeting taking into serious cunsidenitlon the danger . 
distrt-sit of the inhabitants of this town, and the grt'at loiu and dimm. 
sustaliuMl by many of the giHid citizens theroof, occasiono<l chipfly b.t ' 
number of vile altandoned wretclK-s, who have gone uvvr t«> and joiii>". 
the common onemy of the Cnlted Stud's of Americ:i, MgtUm>t the laws of 
tills State, and the liberties and privileges of the p>od |M'nplo thervof. 
Thoreufion, it Is resolvi-d by this meeting, that it is, in their opinlJD, 
dangerous to the safety, liberties, Peace and giKnl Govi<niment of this 
town, that any iht^hi that hath gone over to, and Joint'd, aided, or a»- 
sisti'd the roninion *-iiemy of the I'tiilM States, or taken Pndection under 
thorn to r^nuiin In this town, or to return lo it or over be cnpable of ob- 
tAiuing any settlement In It. Ile^hdvi^nl, that it is the opinion of tbli 
meeting that tho authority and solM^^tmen t»ko all pro|>er and legal slop* 
to free the town of all such vilo Aliscreants. Further the town then 
votedfor Capt. Sylvftuup Mend to bo Barrack-Master for the year ensuing. 
For Mciwrs. Sylvanus 3lead, Isaac Howe, lleuben Rundall, Abraliom 
Mead, Josiah Ferris, Matthew Mtwl, E^lmuml Slead, to be tho Conunitteo 
of Safety." 

*' At a special town-meeting, etc., on tlie 12th day 
of August, 1783, the town voted for Benjamin Mead, 
E*i<j., to be their moderator,'* etc. 



GREENWICH. 



373 



"Tlif town t;ikin;j; iiitu consMeriiticii tlio 'listn-ss tu wliicli tin- iiihub- 
itntits wcri_' rt'iliiceii liy tlie war-ring ami plnink-i id^ of the t'nc-iiiy, iiml 
tilt; constantly quaitciing of trunps for tlie (IcfiMirc of tliis State in the 
tuwn during the hite war willi Great BritaJTi am) the great injury iloni* 
thereliy, and that it was brought to tlie town chiiing the course of a war 
nndertaken for the defence and security of the I'lunnion liheiiies of tlie 
State in which it was nnderstotid and expected that tin- wlnde body sluuild 
bear the extraordinary burden and whereas the General Assembly make 
a grant for the whoU- and make puynierit of a part of the damii^^cM done 
at Danbury accidentally thrown on any particular part and cnn.siiU'ring 
it is altogether just to ns, have thereupon agreed and voted that Hiiga- 
dier-General John Jlead be agent for the town to make use of »uch 
nieasurt's by nienioiial to tlie General Apsetnbly or otheiwise to oMain 
redress of the town giievances in this behalf and ft>r a repair of the 
damages to the sufferers occasioned by the war e\<'eptiiig to those siif- 
fercrswho are known to be inimical to the liherlies and independence of 
the United States of America. This meeting isadjonrned to next Free- 
man's meeting day in September to begin immediately aftii freeinan't* 
meeting is over." 

"At a meeting of the iTihabitant-s of the town of (Jreetiwich convenecl 
in town meeting September the ICth, 17s:i, The inhabitants resumed 
the consideration of tlie grievances jiartly <lisciissed at the preceding 
meeting and on reading a copy of the residve of the Honorable Gem-ral 
Asseuddy of this State on a memorial j)referred to Haid Assembly by the 
representatives of this town in May last, the Inhabitants thereby agree 
in the following propositions: 

^"^ Finl, That the cotiinn.st-ion granted to tlie commiltei- decreed by saitl 
resolve does not rmpowi-r said committee to enter fully into the giiev- 
anccs complainei! of. and damages rlone to the inhabitants during the 
late war (not heretofore estinnited) as it extends only to lossi-s and dam- 
ages occasioned by the enemy but does reach the losses and damages oc- 
casioned by tliis being a garrison-town and its inhaldtants harassed and 
distressed by both iwirties, 

** Second, That from the confidence that the inhabitants of this town 
have in the wisdom and justice of the Legislature of the State they are 
pereuaded that nothing but The misreiireseutations of some men either 
through ignorance of their real siiftering t^ir worse motives could have in- 
duced that Honorable body to appoint a contmittee with such limited 
powers 08 only warranted to eon^ider partUiUy a subject that ought in 
Justice and Kquity to be taken upon ahirgf-r st:ale, 

" Thirdly, That the biirden of a war can ied on for the General defence 
of a State whether occasioned by frienils or foes ouglit to be borne ;is 
eijual as possihle by the citizens at large and that unless the principle is 
adopted and applie<l to the sufferings of tlie inhabitants of the town they 
are so far from being on equal footing with the grt-ater part of their fel- 
hiw citizens in the State that the contrary must doom them to a specii-s 
of oppression iuconipatible with the equitable maxims of h'gislatiun. 

" FoiiHlilij, That the inhabitants of this town do not entertain the most 
distant thought of an exemption from such part of the public burden iis 
they are able to bear but when they view the present alarming situa- 
tion of the town for want of resources occasioned by the check put U|Ktn 
their industry for years pjist and the powers of Providence on their labor 
in jiermilting their crops of wheat on which they chietly deiiended to b.; 
cut off this BCiison should they under these «ircumstances be calletl upon 
for a collection of tlieir full proportion of the state taxes they will be re- 
duced to such hardships as must terminate in uucomloi table iiiin to 
themselves and families; 

" Whereuptui it is agreed and voted by the said iuhabitaut.s that Itrig.- 
Gen, Mead the town agent do i)ur8ue siudi means by memoiials to the 
General At-sembly at the ensuing October session predicleil on the fore- 
going Sentiments or otherwise as he may judge most eligible for the 
purjwse of ol'taining redress of the grievances aforesaid by the apjKdnt- 
ment of a judicious committee invested with such i)()wer :ls the- com- 
plicftted distresses of this town eviilently require or in such other way as 
the Hononible Legislature may in their wisdom direct." 

It was also 

"Resolved by this meeting that it is their opinion tliat the selectmen 
do not take bonds of any pei-sun or i)pr8ons that have gone over to the 
eiiftuiy f<(r the purjiuse of making said person or jK-ixong inhidiitujits of 
this town, or giving him or them a residence therein." j 

On July 12, 1784, the people, having passed tlirough ' 
the troubles of tlie war, and now having some oppor- ' 
tunity to turn their attention to other topies, met and , 
preferred the following solemn charges against their 



minister, the Rev. Jonathan Murdoek. The original 
eo])y of these charges is in the jHissession of Val. 
Thomas A. Mead, and reads as follows: 

" niin-ra^. At a meeting of the Church uf Chiist, in the Wot Society, 
holden at the House of Mr. lienjamin I'eck, in said Society, on tlie VJtli 
day of July, n.s4. The said church VnUd, That the A.-.so< intion of the 
Western District, in Fairticdd (.'ouuty, be called to m.-et on the 'J.ind 
Teusday of August next, at the ln»us« of ('apt. John Hobby, in said So- 
ciety, at 12 o'clock, at noon, then an<l there to Kuijuire into all matter 
of Difference and Grievance Subsisting between Mr. Jonathan Munlock, 
the Tastor, and the Church of Christ in this phu e, and hi giv.- their pas- 
toral advice thereon; and that it was also Voted th:it Amos Mead atid 
lienjamin Mead, Estp-s., be a Comnuttee to call the ?aid Association and 
to hiy all matters .>f llifferencc and Grievance before them. 

" rur>uant to the al'ove said apjudntment take leave to offer the fol- 
low iiig matten* of fact as the cause of the Difference and (Ji ievances svib- 
sisting between the saiil Church atul the said Psistor, — viz. : 

"1st, with liespect to his the said Pastor's public performances as a 
Minister of the (iospel in this place. 

" 'Jd, with Respect to Ids conduct since he was settled in the Woi ke of 
theininistry in this place. 

" 1st, as to the first, it is the opinion of this chuicli tliat the said psis- 
torhath not followed tlie apostolick advice of Studying to nuike him- 
s. If approval. Rightly dividing the word of truth, etc.— for instance, in 
a discourse fnim the i;ith chapter of Luke and the 24th verse, 'Strive to 
enter in at the straight gate, for I say unto you that many will seek to 
enter in and shall not be able.' In which discourse he said that stiiving 
and seeking meant the sanu* thing, and attempted to prove it. In an- 
other sermon against opju'ession and high prices, he observed that it was 
the <rryiijg sin of the land, for which the judgments of tiod were on the 
land; and in the dose observed that everybody had gone into it. so that 
souu- nnist practice it, and couhl nut live without it. He has lately in 
two sermons attempted to desciiite Evangelical Repent:iuer, and did it in 
these wuuls, vi/,.. that it consisted in an unfeigned sorrow for sin A; sir;- 
cell- intention tu lor>ake it. There are marty others that might be 
mentioned. 

"2iuul. His genei-al mode of ju-oof has not been taken fiom the .S'-riji- 
ture or Itciison of things, IJut that he luis hejird so, that he believes it, 
and that he verily believes it. 

";id. That he dwells on general heads and does not ile^.-nd into par - 
ticulai's, or adapt them to the Consciences of the heaieis; but st> lie- 
liveis himself that it hath been fretpiently observed by his hearers that 
a pel-son ndght be a Deist, & not be offended, but join with him. 

"SecoU'lIy, with Respect to his conduct since he was settled in tlie 
work of the mirdstry in this placf. 

" 1st. That soon after he was Installed in tins place he began b> enter 
into a multiplicity of Business, and wickedly neglected his study, and 
h;is ctuitiiiiu'd so to do to this time. 

"•2ond. That although he early took the Oath of Fi.l.dity to this Stale, 
au'l in the begiuidiigof the late War showed nmch zeal in tlie Ameiican 
Ciiusc in the pul|iit as well as elsewhere, yet contrary to his said oath of 
Fidelity, in ITT't, on or about tlie U>th day of .July, he volunt;uily went 
to a Miilish officer with a flagg then at the house late Seth Mead's, in 
this place, ami there acknowledgeil his I'olitical Friendship to the 
liiitish, and that soon after he began to justify trade with the then 
enendes of this Stjite among the people in this place, ari<l Incouraged it 
by his own example. 

":id. In May, ITSO. he was (with his own consent) taken by Dthtncy's 
C.u-e and ParoU-d, ordy to come t<t their lines a piiMiner when tailed for, 
but under no restraint by his parole as to his preaihing or pniyer. Vet 
after that he totally neglected in public to pray fur luotection to us, Dis- 
cretion to our Councils, or Success to our arms, to the great Grievance of 
tiie jieople here. 

"4th. That ho was offered an exchange, but his fiieinlwhip to the Brit- 
ish interest prevailed over his oath of Fidtdity it duty to his country as 
well as ]ieople, and he refused the exchange. 

"i'.th. That on or about the Ktth of October, 1770, his <:owh were (as he 
said} taken fiom him on a Friday night, and on the next Sabbath lu' 
went after them down among the Enemy, he- ohtainetl a permit to tiike 
them, he found them and sold them and bo't British Goods with the 
money &. brought the Goods into this State, ciuitrary to law, an<i in thus 
d(dng he broke the Sabbath, set an ill example, and broke covenant witli 
the church in neglecting his duty on the Lord's day. 

'' ilth. In 17S0, in the summer seas«.ui, he frequently left the House rif 
God in this place vacant in the afternoon of the Lord's day, & without 



374 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



tho consent or the Cliurcli, in neglectof bisdnty here, wontand preached 
to tho Boparato IlaptiHtfl at their place of worship, tlioroby countenancing 
tliat reparation, to tho great Grcifo of tlii;) Church and all the gtwd peo- 
ple here. 

"7th. In 1"S(), between fore and afternoon worship on tlie Lord's day, 
lie sent Mr. Sanmel Peck, jun. and culled Mr. Siliis Mead to hishonse, 
Mr. Beiuaniin Peck being present ; he dunned him for what they owed 
hint, and desired ttiein to do the same to their neighborit. Yet not far 
from that time liu reproved Mr. Tlicophilus Peck for brodiing tho Sab- 
bath only for bringing back a seinion l»ouk in his pocket on the LonFs 
day. In other instances lie admonished 3Ir. Pldlips, the lluptint min- 
ister, against marrying n|»on the Sulibatli as a great Immorality, since 
which he has frciiuently pi-aclbed it himself. 

*'8tli. He bus fre»iuontly and abi-oad knowingly nusreprescnted and 
traduced this Ctnirch ,t society, in perticuhir Capl. Maish, before tlie or- 
daining Couimillee at Noiili Stamford, in declaring tliat this Society had 
never itaid liJm in any tlung but Continental money, wliicli words so 
K|M>ken, ho Mr. Jonutliao 3Iunlock then knew were false, he himself 
being possessed of tho means of knowletlge tliut they were so. 

"yth. He has frequently, as this Church takes it, been giiilty of tho 
bremdi of the Dtli command in denying facts and appealing in an un- 
chiisttaulike manner to the father of lights for coiiflrniution of what he 
Biiid. Viz. :— On or aliout tho 3(Jlh of April last, before tho Society's 
ntecting in this place, he jjublicly declared that the report that ho had 
refused to settle accounts with the |>eople of this society was without 
fouinlation, groundless and false ; which declaiation he, the said 31 r. Jon- 
athan Murdock , at the llouse of Mr. Henry Mead did in a publick inau- 
uor nuike a few days before. 

'• loth. That the foregoing matters of Groivance and many more which 
ndght be nienti'ined have .so disdlected the people in this place that there 
are many who have Icit the Society and gone over to ami joined other 
denominations, and but few who attend Mr. Jonathan Murtlnck's min- 
istry in this place, 

'* 11th. That in the opinion of this church the breach is become so great 
between the said Mr. Jonathan Slurdock & this Church & great imrt of 
the said Society that it can not be healed, but that his uj^efulness is at all 
end in this place." 

Says Mead's " History," " Upou tlicse cliarges Mr. 
Murdock was heard, and lie was dismissed, being 
found guilty, lie appears to have been a man of 
but little mind and energy, and at the time when dis- 
missed had no friends in the church whatever. He 
graduated at New Haven in the class of 1770, with 
Dr. Timothy Dwight, Dr. Backus, David Ely, Dr. 
David Macclure, and Dr. Nathan Strong. Soon after 
his settlement at Greenwich he fell in love with Miss 
Ann Grigg, a bouncing girl of sixteen or .seventeen, 
who was a much greater lover of fun than of Mr, 
Murdock. He persecuted her with epi.stles of love 
by bribing the blacks to bear his mes.s:iges to her, or, 
when that was impossible, by thrusting them under 
her room-door. The blacks gladly carried his notes, 
and greatly enjoyed the reading of them with Miss 
Grigg her.-iclf. Once, on seeing him coming in at the 
door, she hid away in the garret, while a favorite 
negro woman politely informed Mr. Murdock that 
she, in a sjdrit of fun, had climbed up the chimney 
to hide from him. He, innocent of any thought of a 
joke, really believed the story, and i)Ut his head up 
the large winding chimney to find her. Finally rais- 
ing himself high enough in the chimney with the 
greatest difficulty, he not only found her not there, 
but also found his clothco covered with soot and his 
throat exceedingly well choked with hot smoke. 

"He visited considerably in his parish ; and on a 
certain visit at Mr. Theophilus Peck'*, where he was 
obliged, on account of tlie distance, to take dinner, he 



was much surprised, when being seated at the table, 
that Mr. Peck did not ask his pastor to implore llu- 
divine blessing, but that Mr. Peck performed the duty 
himself, using the following words: "0 Lord.' v-- 
have ix wolf in sheep's clothing amongst us. Put a brkth 
in his mouth and a hook in his nose, and lead him back 
to the place whence he came." 

INCIDENTS OF THE REVOLUTION. 

Thus far we have given to our readers the simple 
records of the town-meetings held during these time- 
so trying to true patriotism. jVt the outbreak of tin 
war some, from their loyal and religious zeal, immi- 
diately sided with the enemy. However, they did ndt 
at that time openly avow their design. So little spirit 
was shown on the part of the Tories within the limit- 
of the town up to 17.77 that a vote sustaining tho 
Declaration of Independence and the Continental 
Congress was passed in town-meeting without a di^■ 
senting voice. Yet there were disafl'ected ones, as th. 
event proved, and before the war was finished ninety - 
two men had gone over to and openly joined tiie raiik^ 
of the enemy from the Second Society alone. A com- 
plete list of the names of these was made years ag' ■ 
by one of the committee of safety. The number I'l 
family names in the li.st is thirty-four, and twelve ot 
these names are not now to be found in the town. 
The immediate descendants of the others are but fc" , 
and in many instances the race is quite extinct. Thcrr 
seems to have been a doom upon them and their de- 
scendants. 

After the British had occupied New York ther. 
arose another class of men, much worse than the fir^t. 
This body was composed pf certain lawless characters, 
who seized with avidity upon every opportunity for 
plunder. They committed their depredations upon 
both the Americans and their enemie-s. Old grudge- 
contracted before the war were now satisfied witii rt- 
lentless vigor. Kence the Americans sufl'cred ino.st 
from these wretches. And, inasmuch a-s they did \i\ 
far the greater injury to the Americans, they wer. 
often assisted by Britit^h troojis to carry out their foul 
cruelties and barbiuities, and were always sheltered 
by the enemy when hotly pressed by the citizens. 
They banded together to carry out their nefarious 
designs. Skulking about at night in the woods and 
by-places, they wouki shoot down the inhablttiiits 
when they least supposed an enemy near. Their 
mode of warfare can only be compared with that of 
the Indians in the early history of the country. A 
few instances will show the refinement of blood- 
thirstiness which they had attained about the close 
of the war. 

Shubal Merritt, who.se family is now extinct, waa 
one of these. With one of his boon companions, he 
was once lurking about the village of Rye for the 
accomplishment of some hidden purpose. An aged 
man was plowing a field hard by their hiding-place, 
and as be diligently pursued his labors backward and 



GREENWICH. 



b7a 



forwiinl across the lot tlicv wwe wliiliiig away the 
time by playiiij; cards. Finally, Sliubal proposeil a. 
game to decide which shouhl shoot the victim. The 
result was against ^Imbal, who, as the old man ap- 
proached them slowly with his team, ileliberately 
raised his musket and shot him througl) the heart. 
After the war was over the munlirer sutlered h.is just 
deserts. A son of his victim met liim face to face at 
White Plains, and shot him dead upon the spot, and 
so great was the feeling of hatred to him on the part 
of the citizens that no notice was taken of the act. 

Dr. Amos Jlead, one of the committee of safety, 
was so chased and hunted by these men as to be 
obliged, with dog, horse, gun, and blankets, to travid 
about back in the country foi- a wli(de winter. He 
retraced by night the tracks he had made by day, and 
then, moving otf a short distance in another direction, 
spent the night in the lir.st sheltered place that cuuhl 
be found. At the close of winter he came down to 
look at a field of wheat, but when arriving at a certain 
point he turned back, deeming it unsafe to proceed 
farther. Boon after, one William Saekett, a refugee, 
met him, and told him that live men bent on his life 
had been hidden in that field (d' wheat with their 
uuiskets all aimed at a certain ]ioiiit in the road 
wdiere he must have passed hacl he proceeded on- 
ward. Saekett had not become so liardened but that 
he gave tliis timely warning, and Dr. Mead wisely 
retired again into the country. 

Among the most inveterate Tories were a lamily cd" 
the name of Knapp, living on what is now known as 
the Tracy place. One of them, Timothy Knapp, had 
been paying attentions, with a view to marriage, to a 
daughter of Titus Mead, tlie.n living in the old house, 
at present Mr. Solomon ^lead's, a little northeast »t' 
the village, and on her refusing his hand he proudly 
told her that she should yet sjieak to him and he 
would in his turn take no notice of her. This threat 
was verified in a more terrible way than he intended. 
Horses were the most valuable booty that the refu- 
gees could lay their hands upon, and, knowing that 
Mr. Mead possessed a fine aninud, which he every 
night led up the oaken stairs to liis garret, Knai>p 
with two of his brothers went to the house to take it. 
Mr. Mead had knowledge of their ajiproach, and 
stationed a man wdio was with him at a back window 
lip-stairs. It was at dusk, and when the three men 
had come to the door-steji, after some words, Mr. 
Mead fired, the ball jiassing through the door and 
entering the heart of Timothy Knapp. Without I 
waiting to see the result of the shot, his brothers ran i 
off in an easterly direction, and at the same time the 
man stationed at the back window sprang out and 
ran with all his might. The renuiining refugees, see- 
ing him and supposing it to be their brother, called 
out, "Run, Tim, run!" which made him run the 
faster. At last the daughter, opening the door and 
seeing Timothy lying there, asked him if he were 
badly hurt, and he, making no answer, was found 



dead. She had spoken to him and he bad taken no 
notice of her. t)n finding him dead, wtinl was sent 
to the family that his body was lying as it fell on the 
door-step. They paid no attention to the messenger; 
and after the liody had lain there for a considerable 
length of time, 5Ir. Mead burieil it in a lot belonging 
to the Knapps in a pair of bars, where tlicy must have 
driven over it in going out and in. Afterwards the 
family took up the body and buried it close by the 
house wdicre he was shot, and his lioncs still rest 
there. A line of willow-trees now marks the .spot, a 
littk' way south of the house. 

.Vnother class not so vioU'nf in their individual 
conduct, but equally inimical in otlier respects, were 
those who, under guise of permits IVom the English, 
resided here without molestation from the enemy, and 
in return for this jn'ivilege gave them sutficient and 
well-timed information of the doings of Americans in 
this quarter. There were quite a large numl)cr of 
this chiss among us, and we cannot but deplore the 
situation of our forefatliers, thus situated with sj)ies 
and villainous Tories in their midst and rca<ly enemies 
close at banil. 

(!()VKi:\0!l TRYOX'.S EXPEDITIOX TO (iliEENWICH. 

The attack made upon (ireenwich liy llovernor 
Tryon, and the escape of (Jen. I'utnam down the 
]ireeipicc, are the nio.st prominent incidents in the 
history of the town. It is an exceedingly difficult 
task for a Iiistorian to ctdlcct facts merely from tradi- 
tion, with the assistance of no other record than the 
otficial report of the commanding officer and short 
letters written from a distant i)art of the county. An 
oificer, when forced to retreat after being almost, or 
perhaps quite, surprised at an outjiost, feels in duty 
liound to represent the fiicts in as fiivorable light as 
j)ossible, to avoid discouraging the patriots fighting 
for their country. Putnam, according to his own ac- 
count, spent but little time in the village while the 
enemy wen; here, and the letters are ol)viously incor- 
rect in many prominent points. Here is I'utnanrs 
account : 

"Camp at Keaiuni-.. M:it.Ii 'J, 1770. 

"A (letaclimeiit from the enemy ut Kiiifi's PriiiKf, cniisistiii;; of tlie 
Fomteentli, Furly-fourtli, and Fifty-seventli liritisli lie^imi'nt.-^, (in« uf 
the Hessians, and two of the new levies, niareheil from tlieir liiif> for 
Ilorweneelv on the evening of the '2Mh nil. with the intention of snr- 
Jirisint; the troop.s at that place anil destroying the ^aIt-\vo^ks. 

'* A captain and thirty men were sent from oiir advance lines from 
Horseneck, who discovered the enemy at New Hot helle in atlvanre. 
They retired before them undiscoveied as far as Hyener U, where, it 
growing light, the enemy observed ami attacked them. They defended 
themselves as well as possible ami made their way pood to Sawpitis where 
they took advantage of a commanding jiiece of gronud and nnide some 
little stand; but the superior force of the r-neiny ohIig<-il thetn to retiie 
over llyram bridge, which they took np, and by that means had an op- 
IKirtnnity of reaching Ilor-seneck in .safety. 

" .\8 I was there myself to see the titnation of the guards, I had the 
trool'H f<nmeU on a hill by the nnjeling-house, ready to receive the enemy 
as they advanced. They calne on briskly, and I soon discovered that 
their design was to turn onr flanks and ]iosspss themselves of a detilc in 
our rear, which would effectually prevent our retreat. I therefoio or- 
deretl parties out on both flanks with liirecticms to give me inf >rinaticu 
of their approach, that ^\e miglit retire in season. In the mean time a 



37C 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



column mlvnnccd up tho main roa<1, where the remainder of the troops 
(amountinK to only about sixty) were posted. We liiscliarged some old 
field-pieces which were there a few times, and gave them a small tire of 
musketry, but witliout any ctmsiderablc cflVct ; the superior force of the 
enemy soon oblif;ed onr small detachment to abandon the place. 

"I therefore diiocted the trcMips to retiie and form on a bill a little dis- 
tance fn>m Horsoneclc, while I proceeded to Stamford and collected a 
body of ndlitia ami a few Continental troops which were there, with 
which I returned immediately, and found that the enemy (after plunder- 
ing the inhabitants of the piincipal part of their effects and destroying a 
few salt-works, a small sloop, and a store) were on tlieir return. The 
officer comnninding tho Continental troops stationed at Horseneck mis- 
took my orders and went much farther tlian I intended, so that he conhl 
not come up with them to any advantage. I, however, ordered the few 
troofw that cnme from S^tanifoni to pursue them, thinking they might 
have an opportunity to jiick up some stragglers. In this I was not mis- 
taken, as Your E.xcellency will see by tho enclosed list of prisoners. Be- 
sides these, eight or nine more were taken and sent off, so that I cannot 
tell to which pal licular regiments tliey belonged ; one anmmnition- and 
ono Itaggnge- wagon were taken. In the former there were about two hun- 
dred ronnils of canister, gr»i)e, and ronnd-sliot suited to three-pounders, 
some slow-matches, an<l al'oot two buntlretl tubes; the latter wa.s tilled 
with plunder, which I had the s'atisfactiun of restoring to the ilihabitanta 
from whom it wiw taken. As I have not yet got a return, I cannot tell 
exactly the number we lost, tht)ugh I don't think more than ten sol- 
diers and about that numl>er of inhabitants, but a few of which were in 
arms. 

" LM of PriMmeri Ud-en at IIorMiteck on the 20(/i n/f.— Seventeenth Eegi- 
menl, 15 privates; Forty-fourth do., 5 private* ; Fifty-seventh do., 3 pri- 
vates; Loyal .\merican Regiment, 0; Emmerick Corps, 8; First Battjiliou 
of .Vrtillerj', 1 ; I'lonecrs, 1. Total, 38. 

" N.B. — Seven deserters from Emmerick's Corps." 

The following is from " Barber's Historical Collec- 
tions of Connecticut," being extracts from two letters 
from Fairfield County, dated March 1, 1779, four days 
after the occurrence : 

"The enemy have made an excursion within four miles of Stamford 
by tho best accounts of about fourteen humlrcd or flflcen hundred, under 
tho command of Governor Tryon ; they reached Horseneck on Friday 
morning about ninooVlock. .\t Stainfonl they were iwt alarmed till ten 
o'clock, notwithstanding tlio enemy was discovered at nine o'chwk the 
preceding evening by a snmll guard of Continental lroo|>s at Katt Chea- 
ter, under the command of Capt. Titus Wat»>n, who were obliged to give 
way, though they fuugbton their retreat, and some of them were wounded 
nnd taken pris^morfl. ('apt. Wats^ui was closely pursued by a light-horse- 
man whom he had the good fortune to kill, and by the . . . made his 
cficajw. Gen. rntnam wtu) accidentally at Stamford, but tho Continental 
troops were too much scattered to be collected in season to oppose the 
enemy. About two hundred militia and a few Continental troops fell in 
with the enemy's rear, just as they were IcaviTig Horseneck. al>out the 
middle of tho afternoon, who killed eight or ten of them and took aUuit 
fifty prisoners, who had uuide too free with the liqtior they had plun- 
dereil. They destroyed a small salt-work ami biirnt a schooner which 
lay at Mianos Creek. They plundered the inhabitants of everything 
they could lay llu'ir hands on, broke windows, etc., and many families 
were stii|tt of everything I ut tho clothes they hail on ; even tho house 
where Governor Tryon luol his headquarters wa-s not spared. They re- 
trenleil to Rye on Friday evt-ning, nnd next day to King's Briilge. Their 
retreat was so precipitate that they left bidiiud two wagons loaded with 
plunder." 

From the above reports, and from twenty or more 
different account.*, some of which have been handed 
down by the hottest of the Ti)ries and .some by over- 
zealous Americans, we have arranged the following 
account of the expedition, as being the most consistent 
and reliable. It is neces.sary that we should contra- 
dict some accounts, and even dispute some of the facts 
stated by Gen. Putiutm himself. We ask all, there- 
fore, who would relate the matter in a different man- 
ner to look upon our account in a spirit of leniency. 



remembering that where there is so much disagree- 
ment all cannot be right. 

The headquarters at this time were at the house of 
Capt. John Hobby. Col. Holdridge, of the vicinity 
of Hartford, an officer much disliked by the Amer- 
icans, wa.s in command of the outpost. The house 
Wits .situated a few feet south of the one now occui)ied 
by Henry M. Benedict, Esq., and a small guard-house 
was erected in the corner of the yard, but a few feet 
south of Mr. Benedict's western entrance, close by 
the side of the street, of which the carriage-path ran 
more than its width farther south than it now docs. 

Some say that this outpost was at the house of the 
late John J. Tracy, but this was a hot-bed of Tory- 
ism, and I'urthcr, those giving this account say that 
Putnam arose from the breakfast-table, sprang upon 
his horse, and rode for Stamford ; in which case ho 
could have given no orders to the men who were 
drawn up by the meeting-house, which he in fact did. 
We therefore take this account to be a mistake. 

On the evening of the 2.5th of February, 1779, Gen. 
Putnam was at Horseneck, quartered with the picket- 
guard, where it was his custom to come almost every- 
day to gain information of the doings of the enemy 
below. That evening a ball was held at the house of 
Moses Husted, Pecksland, on the same site where is 
now the residence of William ,\. Husted, Esq. Put- 
nam attendeil, taking a lady on his horse behind liim, 
according to the custom of those days. This lady, 
afterwards Mrs. Rogers, was a daughter of David 
Bush, of Coscob, living in the same house now occu- 
pied by George J. Smith, Esq. It w;w late when he 
aeconipanieil her home, so that he did not leave her 
father's residence for Horseneck until nearly dayliglil 
on the morning of the 2Gth. This fact has led many 
to suppose that his headquarters were at Coscob, 
which is evidently a mistake. 

The day before (the 2oth) a small company of the 
Continental light-horsemen, under Capt. Titus Wat- 
son, consisting of about thirty men, had been onlered 
forward by Putnam to observe the doings of the ene- 
my. They went down nearly as far as New Rochello, 
where, between eight and nine o'clock in the eveninfr. 
they found the enemy approaching, with Delancy'> 
body of Tories in the van. The Continentals retiretl 
before them, but were discovered and come up with. 
By rea.son of supt^-rior numbers they were defeated, 
and many of them were killed. The enemy drove 
them from the stage-road down into Milton, whcr. 
they managed to keep away from their pursuers, cros.-- 
ing the heatls of tl'.e creeks, many of them hiding in 
the swamps. A few of them, with Capt. Wat-^^on, suc- 
ceeded in reaching Byram Bridge, which they had 
time to take up when their pursuers were just in 
sight. Watson, with one or two others, then rode 
directly to Horseneck, with the company of Tories in 
full pursuit. Five of them turned southward and 
were pursued by a body of the enemy, who came up 
with one of the fugitives in the lot recently excavated 



GREENWICH. 



377 



by the Xew York and New ]Iav(M lIiiili'oa<l Cninpaiiy, 
now owned by Capt. Caleb W. Meri'itt. Tlie soblier 
was there shot down and the horse iidm manly Vmteh- 
ered, from which the iiiehisnre lias sinee been known 
as the " Horse Lot." The other tbnr suceeeded in 
reaching the Myanos in salety, where they were set 
.across by Daniel Banks. 

The alarm was given to the picket-guard by ('ii]it. 
Watson, bnt there was little or no tinu' to prcjiare for 
defense. The enemy had been infirnu'il of the weak- 
ness of the outpost, and advanced steadily for it. Sir. 
Matthew Mead, then a boy of twelve, was l)ack of his 
fatlu'r's hon-e, where 3Ir. limli .Mead now lives, when 
he saw them at the top of the hill by Horseneck 
Brook. His father sent liini dII', v.ilh the other chil- 
dren and the cattle, back in the h)ts, where he reached 
a place of safety. The Americans, warned by Cajit. 
Watson, numbering, according to the various ac- 
counts, from one to two hundred, having no cavalry, 
formed in front of the meeting-house and fired a si.\- 
pounder three times — which was a signal of alarm — 
just as the Tories passed the house of Mr. Matthew 
Mead. They then were walking their horses, but 
when they came in sight of Capt. .Jolin Hobby's they 
saw Putnam spring on his horse at the barn with his 
coat on his arm and ride with full s]iee<l to the meet- 
ing-house, where the Americans were drawn U]i. 
They now gave him full chase. Jle stopped a mo- 
ment to order his men to retreat to a convenient dis- 
tance, while lie should ride on to Stamford for rein- 
forcements. Being nearly come up with, he dashed 
on, and by the time he reached the ]irccipice now 
known as Putnam's Hill, the commander of the 
Tories, Thomas Merritt, of Westchester County, was 
within two lengths of him. 

The road, before reaching the brink of the preci- 
pice, then ran nearly east and west, then turning a 
short right angle ran north about thirty rods, when it 
turned directly about and ran south along under the 
precipice to about five rods below the causeway form- ' 
ing the present road, wdiere it again turned eastward. ; 

Putnam plunged his liorsc down this steep, whi(di, 
being overgrown with .stunted bushes, presented a ' 
wild ap])earance, at a headlong pace, across the road 
at the foot of the hill, into the thicket which then 
lay between the post-road and the swamp, now known 
as the "Ten Acres," and pursued a sort of drift-i>ath 
through the thicket till he was beyond the i)resent 
residence of Theodore H. Mead, Esq., wdiere lie again 
took to the road. The hill now presents a totally 
different aspect from what it formerly did, and the 
hardest part of Putnam's descent was after he crossed 
the road running along the side of the- hill. 

Home will have it that he started down the hill 
from the .same point, but took a southeastern course, 
reaching the road at the foot of the stone steps, wdiere ' 
the enemy had full aim at him all the while; others, 
that he rushed headlong down the seventy-four stone 
steps placed roughly one above another for the eon- 
2.5 



vi'iiieiice of foot Jiasscngers, his weight being two 
hundred and forty pniinds. Others, again, claim 
that he fcillowed the road as long as it ran on the to[) 
of the hill, and then set olf in a northeastern direc- 
tion above the Ten Acre;; while the author has liecn 
coolly told that he \\a^ in no danger (if being taken at 
.•ill, ami rode slowly aruuiid the bill as <ither ])eoplc 
ilid. We have carefully traced aiid examiniMl tlie^c 
dili'erent accounts, and have the fullest evidence, by 
the testimony of eye-witnesses, that the account first 
given is correct. (_)ne of the many balls fired at him 
by the Tories from the brink of the hill as he passed 
through the buslie; passed through his hat. Olil Put 
on this occasion could not re!Vain from his customary 
exclamation when in trouble from tlie Tories, wliich 
he slnnited as the l)alls whistled thickly jiast him: 
"(iod cuss yel when I catch ye I'll hang ye to the 
next tree." 

Col. Iloldridge, who was in command of the C(ui- 
tinental s(jldiers, retreated in an nnsoldierlike man- 
ner to Stanwich, wdiile Putnam intended that he 
should retire only a short distance. From the ac- 
count by the Americans of this oliicer, who was a 
Hartford man, he was totally unfit to be a soldier at 
all, much less an officer. 

The citizens hung about the village as near as they 
dared, hiding in the swamps and by-]ilaces during 
the whole day, taking advantage of every opi)ortu- 
nity, l)v some daring feat, to secure prisoners, and 
even fire upon the enemy. 

About an hour after the arrival of the body of 
Tories, (iovernor Tryon, with his full force of abcmt 
twelve hnmhx'd men, tjok full pnss.'ssion of the 
town. He made his cjnarters at (he house of Mr. 
Henry Mead, who then kept a imblic-house on the 
site of the present residence of Miss Harah Lewis 
and Jlrs. Mason. The soldiers, meantime, separated 
themselves into sipiads and pillage(l every house in 
the neighborhood ; a large body ni' them visited 
Coscob, where they destroyed the salt-works, which 
were ujion Bush's Point, a small slooji, and a sloojj's 
store-lxiuse. 

A party of them also entered the Innisc (d' Daniel 
and Joshua Smith, which was situated a little way- 
south of the present parsonage of the iSccond Con- 
gregati<uial Society. They l()und this house deserted 
by all its inhabitants exceiiting a deaf old lady, the 
mother-in-law of Joshua Smith. As they entered 
they saw her standing at the head ai' the front stairs. 
As she could not hear, she disobeyed their orders to 
come ilown, which so enraged the soliliers that one 
of them sprang up stairs and cut her down with his 
sword. After this murder the house was set on fire 
and burned to the ground. This is said to have been 
the only lumse wdioUy burned by the P>ritish. 

The houses of those who held the enemy's permits 
were safe from these dejiredations, but the others 
were ransacked and plundered of every valuable. 
The wagons brought to carry back the ])lunder were 



378 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



filled to thfir utmost capacity. After that, every- 
thiiiir was destroyed. The fanners made {rranaries of 
their jjarret-s, and the enemy, after cuttinj? holes 
thron;,'h the "larret and main floors, shoveled all the 
grain into the cellars, where the cider-barrels were 
knocked in and all mingled in one useless mass. 

The elder, however, was not all permitted to run 
upon the ground, but by the middle of the afternoon 
nearly all the privates had become so drunken with 
it as to be unlit for the least defense, and so little 
guard was kept by the enemy that an American crept 
slyly into the orchard by the Henry Mead house, in 
the midst of the enemy, and fired a ball through the 
clai)l)oards, which whistled close by Governor Tryon's 
head and struck the mantcl-i)iece, from which it re- 
bounded upon the floor. This startled Tryon so much 
that he, witlumt waiting for his late dinner, gave im- 
mediate orders for a retreat. The officers now expe- 
rienced the greatest difficulty in forming their men. 
Many were beastly drunk, and a great number made ir- 
regular marches, so that the Greenwich men managed 
to take several jjrisoners. Though several shots were 
fired at the enemy before, their first man was killed 
in the road opposite the codar-trce a little west of the 
house of William Knai)p. Others were wounded, 
and the enemy was in a full and disorderly retreat. 
The Americans so hotly pressed upon their rear that 
the drivers cut their horses loose from an ammuni- 
tion- and a plunder-wagon, and rode oil' after their 
companions at lull speed. The Americans had just 
taken possesion of them when Gen. Putnam, with 
between one and two hundred Continentals and mil- 
itia, arrived from Stamford, too late to render any 
assistance to the inhabitants. 

This was an eventful day for Greenwich. Houses, 
though not burned, were mined, and in the midst of 
winter, all ))rovision had becTi destroyed l)y the hos- 
tile army, and the Torie), from that time for about a 
year, had almost complete mastery of the town. It 
is absolutely impossible to depict the miseries of the 
people who, loving the American cause, were obliged 
to stay here until the next season. 

It se?ms that Putnam, as well as the inhabitants, 
supposed, from the large number of the enemy, that 
they were to proceed farther on, to .Stamford and 
Norwalk. Hence, Col. Mead early dispatched Mr. 
Titus Mea<l to New Haven to ask of reinforcements of 
Gen. .sillinuin. The messenger arrived at New Haven 
a little before six that evening, and (ien. Silliman im- 
mediately issued his orders. The loUowing is a copy 
of the one sent to Woodbury, taken from Cothreu's 
" History of Woodbury :" 

■' Nrw II.ivr.N. Kt'b. in, 1770, n p.ji. 
"Gr.NT., — Mr. TItuB SIcnd, ft ninn Ij ho di-poinled on, is this niomont 
ftnlvM cx|»r«« fnim Ci»l. Mcml, wltli a niowitgo by wnrU of iiiotitli only 
frtmi C*»l. Mi'imI, fur Uirlr circiinw1»nce» werv snch lliiil C«l. MenJ could 
nut wiho. lit' anys wIhmi lio loft llononot'lc (which wiw furly lliit mom- 
lUK) n Ittxly of iilx^ut «tK huVlrtMl men and A B.>ily of llotvo hml piislxMl 
up tht* rciAii Into nur*onc>--k. nnti wcro on thi^ siiic uf K na|t'i« tAvcrn ; and 
It wns reported that h D-xly of Iwj or tlirce thonsnud more were nut fur 



behind. You nrc tliorcforo directed to muster & march your Keginicnt^ 
furtliwith to Norwalk to o|>|>o8e the enemy, <& where you will i.i.i\. 
further Orders. Luao not n nionieiit neither by Night nor day. 

"G. SeLLFCK SlLLlM \- 

" Brig.-Gcn. of Foot and Col. Ct. of Hone. 
" To Cot. MosLEY A JIajok Bull, Woodbury. 

Of course the early retreat of the enemy rendered 
the execution of this command of no avail. 

The Tories now soon became ])oss&ssed of the en-" 
tire town. Their hcadipiarters were a ])art of the 
time at the house of Mr. .\brahani Jlcad, where Mr. 
Oliver Mead now resides. This, now being the neu- 
tral ground, was plundered by both friends and foe-s; 
and poor and sickening indeed was the lot of those 
wdio were obliged to stay here. 

RIVIXGTOX'.S PRE.?.?. 
Some time during the war a i)aper was published 
in the city of New York by one Pivington. This 
paper was professedly and to all outward appearance 
devoted to the British interests. It was afterwards, 
however, known to have aided the .Vmoricans much, 
and was under the control of Washington him-^clf 
The hostile appearance of the sheet, however, de- 
ceived the .\mericans as well as their enemies, and 
about half a dozen Greenwich men resolved that the 
press should be stopped ; they stole into the city, de- 
stroyed the press, and bagged the type, which they 
brought off with them from the very midst of a watch- 
ful enemy. Messrs. .Vndrew and Peter Mead were 
the principal men of the expedition. It is said that 
they only of the company were able to carry the bags 
of type from the printing-office to the street and llimw 
them across the backs of their horse?. After the type 
was brought to Greenwich it was totally destroyed, 
except enough to print each of the company's nanies, 
which the veterans kept for a long time in niemury 
of their exploit. 

THE KixtJ .«tiu;kt .<kiu.mi.<ii. 
One great disadvantage which the people were >ub- 
jectod to during the whole war was the absolute want 
of bayonets. Few comi)anies could be found wholly 
armed with the-e valuable weapons. But I.ieut. 
Moshcr wiLS the commander of a small company of 
men who were amply i)r(ividotl with them. This 
company may have been larger, but consisted of only 
eighteen soldiers at the time here mentioned. .Seven 
of them were from the farm of Gen. Pierre Van Cort- 
land, of Cortlandtown, about half a dozen of tliem 
from Greenwich, and the remainder from the vicinity 
of the town of Harrison. l)n the 4th of December, 
1781,* Capt. Kichard .^acket, of the same company, 
was taken prisoner, having unwisely separated him- 
self from his company. The light-horse of the enemy, 
under Col. Holmes (a Tory ) and Capt. Kii)p. attacked 
the company. The latter retreated to the vicinity of 
a tavern recently kept by William Merritt, in King 

• llenth's y.m., p. 331. 



GREENWICH. 379 



Street, •wIk'iv they foniHMl ti> withstanil till' charfie of I l>i'. Amos Jfeail, li.-iil piiiicil imicli rx[ierien -e liy 

the troop I if hnr-c. A\'ithout shelter of any kinil, and I aetive service in the Freie-li war. liut if any daring 

upon an ij|irn ]dain, these eighteen men sneeessiiiUy deed was to lie ;r-i-om|dishe 1, wliere hanly, hrave, 

stood eliarge after eluirge from the troop. Jjieut. l and rfHablc men were necessary, tlie three former 

Moslier ordered his men not to tire a shot, liut sternly : were always selected. After all control of the town 

to await the onset. At the first charge ('cd. Ilnlmes, ' was lost to the .Vmerii-ans hy the dc<tni -tive exii;'- 

I . . . ' 

finding himself repnlsed, ordered .Mnslicr to snrren- ■ dition of (iovernor Tryim, it was not safe fur a jnitriot 

der or he wonid cut them all to jiieees. The oidy to remain [inldicly in the linnts lor an ho;ir, yet these 
reply vouidisafcd by Mosher was, •• Cut uml hr three hung aliont the phice, ready to a^si^t the dc- 
daiiuiril .'" and with .-ileiiee he withstood the first and fenseless jmpidation against the hrut.ilitic- ol'the To- 
seeond charge^. l>ut after the third charge he or- ries. Each po^scvsed of his arms, a I'aithfnl dog, and 
dered his men to fire on the retiring troops, which a fieet horse, they spent their time ahont the village, 
they did with tcrrililc execution. ()ue niau was hidden in the hy- and secret place-. The winter of 
killeil and eight dangerously woundeil, ('a|it. Kipp | 17.'^(( was one of the severest on rccin-d. The Sound 
mortally. The horses of C'id. Ilcdnies ami ('a]it. was frozen across, an<l a great amount of snow ac- 
Kipp were also killed under them. Mosher's men, j cumulated, "b'et these men scarcely knew a night, 
taking advantage of the discomfiture of their assail- ] during the early ]iart of that winter, in w liich they 
ants, escaped to a neighboring ])ieee of woods, not ' did not sleep with their horses and dogs anu)ng the 
having a man even wounded. It is said to have been ' sn<iw. During that winter some do;cen or twenty head 
the most astonishing feat, on the part of both the (d'eattk', the most of which belongeil to ^Ir. .Terad 
officers and men, that was enacted iluring tliewinde Mead, wert' taken olf in lia-te by tlie T<n'ies, and driven 
war. Gen. Washington often spoke of tlii- alfair, and towards \ew York. ,Vfter much earnest solicitation 
it was reported all (jver Europe to show the utility of on the part of the owner, the trio eonsenti'd to make 
the bayonet, and that a small body of infantry thus the most daring attempt of crossing the enemy's lines 
armed may successfully resist a strong body of eav- to retake them. There had been recently a st(n-m of 
airy. Several of the enemy were severely Avemnded rain, which had frozen as it fell and rendered the 
before they were fired upon. ' roads extremely slippery and made a hard sharp crust 

upon the snow. The pursuers, therefore, went upiou 
TIIK lilUTIsII IX XOr.TII .-^TAMFOIiD. the ,S(mnd with tlieir horses and kept the ice a.s far 

At one time during the war the nearest American ' ns JIamaroneek, and then, taking the road, could 
outpost to New York in this quarter was at Byram, ' track the cattle by the blood wliicdi had trickled from 
and the enemy being bent upon a depredatory expe- the wounds of the I)ayoncts wdiieh had fori'cd them 
dition to North Stamford and Long liidge, came sud- along. At Mount Vernon they retook tlic cattle, and 
denly in the night and cut every one of the guard to w'ere returning when they found they were imrsued 
pieces. This wdiole expedition seems to have been ! by a body of the enemy under a lieutenant. Their 
marked by bloody and liorrible deeds, and it Is hm'ses were tircil by their swift ride, and they soon 
said that Tarleton himself eommanded the force, knew that their only safely was in separation, and in 
The whole populace around collected and followed that ease, even, one must lie inevitalily taken. Ae- 
the enemy, to attack ami worry them on their re- eordingly they left the cattle and plunged se])arately 
treat. An ambuscade was formed at a defile in in dilfereiit direeiions. Tlie enemy selected J{ichard 
Round Hill, near the residence of Roswell Jlills, Mead, pursued, and took him ju-isoner. This was 
E.sq., wdiere the road passes through steep rocks about the middle of .lanuary, 17S0. Ih' was taken to 
overgrown with thick laurel. At other jilaees on New York and thrown into the fimous Sugar-House, 
their return the British and Tories were soridy pressed, ; wdiere he remained for a period of six weeks until 
but here a deadly fire poured in upon them, kill- exchanged. 

ing and wounding great uund)ers. On that ilay in These three men were lu'ld in high e-tiiiiation by 

the retreat one of their regiments lost their stand- the jiciple. Their known patriotism and courage, 
ard, to their great mortifieation and disgrace. which coubl ever be relic 1 on, caused t!:e other citi- 

zens, hmg alter the I{ev<dutionary war, lo remember 
ANDREW MEAD, IIU.MPIIRKY DENTOX, AND RICH- their acts with the greatest gratitude. 

AILD MEAD. We append the fidlowing concerning the brave 

These men — more, perhaj>s, than any others — de- ami redoubtable old Continental chieftain I'utnam, 
serve the highest i)raisc for their brave and daring being an address didivered liy ('ol. H. \V. K. Iloyt at 
acts. It was not so much their ju'ovince to counsel the ("entennial commemoration of the ride of (Jen. 
and advise as to act. "Old men for counsel and rutn.im at (ireenwieh. Feb. 2ii, 17711. The address 
young men for action." Such men as Dr. Amos , was delivered Feb. 2.;, l.S7il : 
Mead, John Mackay, and Abraham Mead were of 

frvan^ t.^.«..;,.. 4- ti • t 1 "i .. 1 T-i " t " Ji tiiiift giavi'ViH"! Ui tlie town uf Drojl^lvii, in this State, Isniel 

great service to the inhabitants as counselors. 1 bev i „ . , , , , r i- i i •■■, i . i ,■ 

• ' rntiiani Iijis lung rested fivni Iih laliois. Ihrinijrli stiinii jiinl sunshiiiu 
were all past the meridian of life, and one of them, ' to,- nearly ninety years t:ie v.i.rn anil weaiiml loily ol llie old hero has 



3S0 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



slept in iti) wo1l>c[iriicd rcpoflo. Almost ii century, flilod with hLttoric 
ilc«l8 and luilHitiit witl) t)io annals nf ^rrent ovcntD, line gone liy since 
lit' Wild i^illiured to liM futhcra, Itiit Ins fame liiu) nut bcvu lessened, and 
t)io Imlt) that stirruundtt ]\i^ namu has ht'coniu hrightor Mith the Iil|)Hl> of 
time. To-tlay tht» Stiite of his a'topti.m, thixmch hvr hi't;i'*hitnre.' and 
voluntary orpanizaliuiis. and ailjoiniitf; Statcw, Ihiungh tlipir rc|iresuntA- | 
lives, have rint'n up to do honor to hi.i ini'niory. Ills fiery cunrago, his 
gcncmnx qualities, his patriotic zt-al, and his iniporlaiit sorviccs have 
iiiado him a nio»t prominent flgnro animig tin; hcrvtes of thonu days in 
which, amiil the thnnilor of cannon and tliu trend of contending annies, 
the foundations of a great nation were estahUi^heil. His nature and 
education had well lUted him fur leadership in that time of Inrmuil and 
achit-vement. Ilia experience in the I'leneh and Indian waiT, and the 
estimation in which he was held hy the autlioiities, had given him a 
liigh |iosition in the military fttrces of tlie State; and when, at Cam- 
hridge, in 177.'», WaHfiinglon iu*snn»ed connnand of the Itevululiunnry 
army, biinging with him the conimissiiinf o\' the four nuyor-genenils 
imued hy the Conlinenlnl Congre*», Putnam's alone was delivered, iu 
conseqnoncc of a want of confidence In those upon whom the others 
wore to have he»Mi conferred. The incidents of his whole lif« are tingtnl 
with mniancc. Ho wiut funiitiar wixU peiil fiom his early youth, and, I 
had ho live^l in the days of my'h'dogy, the |KipuIar fancy would have 
invested liini witti all the attrihrtes and endowments which were be- 
tfloweil upon the ancient ilivinities. 

"The exjduit uf Gen. rutnam which wc noM ciuumemoratc occurred 
at a period of deep j:li>om and depression in the course of the struggle 
for inde|«;ndence. The spiiit of the colonistti was nnconqueraldi*, the 
rtres of their patriotism were unqnencheil, but their government was a 
rope of sjind. There seemed to he no [wwer in the Continental Congress 
to enforce its recomniendali^ns and resfdulions or to i>n.>vidG for the 
(supplies and payment of the troopH. The value of the Continental 
issues ha»l leeome greatly <lepre*iuti*<l. The luaiww of the people were 
enduring hardship and privation «itli imtience and resohitijn. Occa- 
sional discontent manifested it«self and uintteriugs were hearil among 
the s<ddior>', lu:l their faith was nnfalteiing, their determination un- 
llinching, and, although without ]iay and partially without fumi, they 
renniined steadf:ist to the got-d eautte. 

"The huadt|uaitont of the nrniy for that winter wore at Middlebrook, 
on the Itatilan Kivor, in New Jersey. The luttte-line extended from 
tliA Delaware northerly along the Highlands to ^Ve^t IVdnt, and then, 
turning eu.-<twanl. followed the Connecticut shore as far as Stonington. 
In the fall campaign Savannah luitl been captured l-y the enemy, and 
ihe province of Georgia wa^ under the duntiniun of the Ihitlsti. Above 
the island v>f New York and a portion of L<nig I^iland lloatc*<I the banner 
uf St. George, and foreign sentinels paced their heats from the Hudson 
to the Ku^t Iliver; the Ihitish genuial Pigot commanded to Rhode 
Island; liut, with therto exceptions, the Atlantic coiu^t w:ui iu the pos- 
Hessiuu of the patriots. Sir Heur)* Clinton held t-upreme commaml of ' 
the Drltinh foree-^, and from hli hcailquaiters iu New York City caused 
frequent predatory excni>ious to be made up the fettile valley of the 
Itroiix, along the range of hills that forms the backbone of Westchester ' 
County, and from point to i>oint ulung the shores of Lung Island and | 
Cimneeticut. ] 

'* In 17T», Gen. Putnam had been relieveil from dnty in the IHghlands, 
and was allorvvaids asoigned to the ciimnuuid'uf the forces in Connecti- 
cut. He had the two brigades of Iho Connecticut line, one biigadeof 
New IIami«liire tn>o|M, C^il. Haxen's regiment of infantry, and one of 
the four rogimeiiU of cavalry rontmamle^l by Col. Shelden. His head- > 
i|uurten« were at Keadiit;:, \i\ tbi» county, alKiut six niihti iMJUtherly from 
Danbuiy. Fn'n» this iKiiul he (-upervi?c 1 Ihe military opernliouh in this 
Statu and nndntained conneotl'Ui with the (Vmlinenlal f«in.*es on the 
Huilson. Detachments were stationed at advantageous phices.ono of his 
most impoitant outiNWis Indng located in this vicinity. The tenitory 
from Kingsbridge to Greenwich won knuM n lu* t!iu deWtablo ground, and 
for the iteople witliin its liudt» there m ai^ n-tthing but anxiety and danger. 
Living along the I order of the disputed territory, the iHH>)de of Oitien- \ 
wich were in a nnwl dcplornble condition. Many of her sons were in 
the military service (tf thn»o who wore at home a large pro|>ortioii 
were o|H.'n avowed loyalists, and a third chtsit, w ho wei e living under the 
prtileeiion of Hrillsh iH>rmitii, secretly gave iufornniti m nud ftirnirthed 
BuppUe* to the enemy. It wasn winter of unusual severity. With but few '< 
oxccptlonsi, the jHstide wore weighe<l <lown by |KtTorty. Cold and hunger ' 
were their dally com|Ninions, ond the motit ligld economy was soirrely 
Millh-ient to cupply tlo-m V^tf* the Hcaniieot means for Mip]N)rtlng life. 
The deprtH-latiun of tlie Cmtinental curren<'y, the S4>vere taxation that 
hod bc4<n rraortod to to enable the Slate to |tiiy the proiM»rtiou of the 
1 ullic debt and the expcDseit of tiic geuoial government tluit bod been 



Qfleigncd to her, and the nncertnlo tenure of life and property, had d> - 
Btroyed all enterprise and rendered business nndortakings impus.'tibl'- 
Men moved abuut iu fear and trepidation. Their Idding-plaees were i i 
the tiebls and woods. "No om- knew thi; nv>ment when a bulb-t ftvm 
concealed enemy nilglit t-triUe him down. Families were divi.Ied airai' ■ 
each other ; social ties were disrupted ; old friuudaoDd neighbors rcgunli I 
each other with hatred and distrust." 

GUKEXWICH IN 1779. 
" The physical appoamnce of the town has been greatly changed. Tim 
stately mansions that now adorn the street along which Putnam rode in 
1771> were then rcpiX'Sented l»y the <piaint dwellings of that early day, 
with gable-ends and long, low-slanting roofs. Jiiht beyond the fmit of 
the precipice now known as Putnam Hill, then stiod the resilience of Gen. 
Ebcnezcr Mead, who was a prominent member of the c<miniitten nf 
sitfcty and a soldier in the Connecticut senico. On the summit of llr 
hill, noith of the old Eidscopal church, was the residence of Jal>ez Fitt )j. 
The church itself was a plain frame building without walls, with tli 
rafters showing overhead, and was sj fniil a stnicttirc that it was unaM- 
to williHtnnd the force of the gale by which it was destroyed in liSJl 
The rear of the building stood a few feet from the brow of the hill. Tb- 
main countn' n>ad, as it was then called, led thnmgh the village to i 
point near the e Igoof theprecli>Ice, and then n»n northerly for some thr- • 
hundred feet. At the latter i>oiot It turned shandy to the 8«mth, an>l. 
hugging the side of the hill heiieatli the rocks that frowned alnjve it, <h 
Bcended witli a steep inclination to a point alwut eighty feet st»utli of tli. 
Iiresent causeway. Then, bending again to the east, it trende<l off in tli' 
direction <..f Stamford. Northerly and westerly of the chundi,acn'*w tli. 
point where the passage-woy has since been blasted through the n>clis, 
tlio ground was level and unbroken. South of the church edifice wa» tli. 
graveyanl, in which to-day are seen a few lonely and di-sorle.l ndics r 
the i»ist. Fri-m the rear uf the church, across land now owned by H* v 
B. 21. Yarringtun. a fence mn easterly down the hill along the southci)> 
margin of the old road. IJetwoen the carriage-path and the fence ronyh 
aiul untrimmed st-mes had been pl.iced from time tu time, forming iin 
irregular stairway up the hill. The face of tlie precipice was ctiver- 1 
with a growth of bus'ies. Westerly from the sununit of the hill, an: 
opiRisiie the prcjont rectory of the KpiM:jpal church, was the old laven. 
kejit at that time by Israel Knapp. The origimtt building I* still in . \ 
istence, and is owne<l by J. Frederick HidnuH, the st^mo wing bavin,' 
lK.en conslructe 1 since the |H*ri.Ml of which I now tt|>cak. Still fartb- r 
tuwanis the village stood an ^Id house on the nuithweat corner of tb- 
present homestead of A. Foster Iltggins, and on the lot now occufled !■> 
the Gieenwich Academy was the residence of Moses Ilusteil. At thi- 
houso the AnietKan guanls were frequently quartered. Just easterly of 
the chunh in which wo are imw aieenibled stood the house of Djiidel 
Smith, which was burned by Trjon, and on the lot acrofs the t-t 
l>oeitetheold Town Hall, had l)oen erect e«l another b'inldiDg, the i 
of Jared Mead. His residence f^tooil near the present homestead oi r..^.- 
erlck Mead. Angell Hu-^ted (idj owned a house on the land now m-cu- 
liieil by the Congregathmal cemetery. Uetween that buibling and thiJ 
churrh edifice the house of woivhlp of the Second Cungregnii -nalS-Miety 
—in dimensions thirty-flve by flRy feet— hiul been sUinding since 1730. 
Cnpt. John Hobby kept n public-honso on the projicrty now uwned by 
Prvf. William G. Peck. Clemence Hubby lived on the pite of the Green- 
wich Savings Diuik. Amdher house was situated on the ground now 
occupied by the Lenox lloU(«e, and from that pidnt to RtK-ky Neck, on 
the Sound, there was not a building in existence. Opposite the l.-iin 
House was a buibling, then kept as a tavern, which Is still Mandh-.: md 
i-j occupied by John H. Snifi'en. Ou llie prtqieily of Ja«-obT. We.-i -I --d 
another dwelling, and near the residence of Copt. J. G. Meatl was a 
dwelling-house that Itos been dwlr\»yed within the past fifteen yeore. 
On the bniw of (he hill, on the gmund now occupied by the honn-'iead 
uf Col. Tliumos A. Meud,stoodanother house, then owned by tVd. Kiibnrd 
Mead. In place of the magnificent n>w of trees that now line Puiiinm 
Avennethoroslood thn'eballw.ifxl ton's, two of which still n-nuiin. One 
uf them Is ou iho gnmnd of Col. Thomas A. 3lead, the other f<tand- in 
fn»nt i>f the n-ideiice of the late Peter Acker, and the Ihinl nb""! near 
the dlviiliiig-!lne Utween the gmund0 of Lather P. llul'l>Ard and Prvf. 
William G. Peck." 

PUTNAM'S RIDE. 
" The "iCth doy of Febniary, 1779, Is memoniblc In the annals of Green- 
wich. GubhNi by tlie records and tnidltions thot exist, by the statements 
of eyo-wltue?w)« that have been hande*! down fnmi generation h> gen- 
eration, wc are able to put forth our hands into the shadowit uf the |««t 
uud rc»cuo fivm oblivion the true story of the Incident* of tliat day that 




Res/denceof HAN ford U% 




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iWOOD, Greenwich Fairfield Co. Conn. 



GKPJEXWICH. 



381 



stir til.- Mnn.I at the \-:uf inital. As to a (v\\ miii.>r 'I<-tails ..f rntiiain s 
■.'xploit tlirl't- inay l>c ruoiu t\<v ilisiniti', Imt tlit: iJi;iiii fart is In-yuml qiu-s- 
liun. Tlif momiiig lu-uUo cuM ami firLMiy. A fevlin;: "f llIlt•a^iIlL■^s and ^ 
iinriTlaiii appri'lu-iisi.iu Iiatl gaim-il a plai'o in llie c miiiuiiiity. Unwn 
t..uanl.> \\,<- Uriti^li lines tlu'i ... w;i.^ a iiio\. m.-nt anMii- tlio s.il-ii -ry. 
Ont el" that ic-i,.ji i.f sih-urr ami il.-solaliMii Ihar iiit.-i-v<-ti.-.I caiiii- the 
simul uf iiuuvhiii^ hattaliuns ami thi^ rhitti-r of Miuailioiis uf hursi'iiicn. 
Thi'ir [luriKi.vc ami ih-sliiiali.m \\ci<- iiiikii >\v;i, hut t- thi- in- .ph' i.f 
Grcfiiwith, ai'cti-.(niiii'il tn atai lu. thi-s;- si^iis wcu- oiiiiri.nis nf (laii;.nT. 
ThLM.lIiiial ic<nnKshnw that ..n tiu- evening' nf K.-h. *j:.. n7;i, a niaraiid- 
iiig L'XpL-Jitioii still tfd fmm Kinj;"s Ilriilj;*', (■fimiiiauih-il liy 3!:ij--(icii. 
Tryoii, the Tury Cuivcnii'i- uf Nt!W York. His r.irn- mnsistL-.! uf ah.mt 
fiflL-c'U hvinih'L'd nion, LOinposi-d of Crili^ili an<i Ihs^ian tiuups ami two j 
n--iin.-nt. Mf Ti.iies. At New Ko.-ln-lh- lli.-y wvyv met hy a small hnrly j 
.if (^i.iiliiu-utal ski rill ishcrs. i-oinmati'h'd hy ('apt. Titus WalM.n, \\h,. had 
hft'U Sfiit forward tu rt'L-ijiniuitrc, This coinpany at unci' ictn-atc-d. Iiut 
near Miltuii, in th« town <>f Ky»-, w.is ..vtitaUfii and athickcd. Th.dr 
force hecaiiu' rlivided; a mimhi-r uf tlinii wtie kille 1 A put ion of thi' 
eoinpaiiy eoliceali'd thcnisdvcs in the swamps, and tin- nuiaind-M made 
their escape alung tlte liighway to the Byram l!ivi': . whirh thi.v n-a' lied 
in time Ui destroy the hriilfje hefv)re they \v<-ie ov.-rtaken hy their luii- 
suers. liVLM- tlie hills at full f^allop rude t'apt. Watsnu aii<l his naii- 
pain'oriji, to ^ive warning t,i the few truops then in (Jn-i-iiwi h. (_\d. 
Holdriilge, of Hartfonl Counly. was in onimaml uf the uutp.ir*t. TJen. 
Putnam had arrived btit a few days previou;^, Ui ohtain irdormaiiun jls lo i 
the mililaiy situation, and was then in the villai;.*. At this point neeurs 
the Jirst dis-repancy in the traditions of that day. hnt the pieYailinj; 
cnrreiit of authority seems to indi.ate that his quarters at that lime were 
at the pnl)li.-housu kept hy Israel Knapp, wliich was kiioun in lati-r , 
years as the Tiacy jdace. The enemy reailied (irei-nwjih at ahtnit nine i 
o'clock on the morning' uf tli«' iiiitli. Tlie small body ut Aiueri.aiis were j 
Iiosted across the roail on tlu- eminenei- soiilli uf Ilu' t\iii;;ri'i;alional 
cliureh. They ha 1 two small cannon, ^^i^llo^lt Imim's ur dray;-ropi'S. 
A portion of them were ch-pluyel as skirmish<'rs on eitln-r Hank, h-avinj; 
hut ahunt sixty nn-n t* hohl this pi>siti.>n. A e uih-st h.r.- wnnl 1 have 
heeii madness They had no cavalry ; tin- enrmy uutnunihei ed them ten 
to oni'. The j;uns were lire 1 npon the a Ivan* in;; i oluiuu, and lien the 
order was ;;iven fur retreat. 

"Ill Ihi' van of Tryon's forces mdu Prlain-i-y's corps, comp'.'s.'d uf 
Tories from Westchester Coiinly. who had (■nrulh-il thcms.lvi-s heneatli 
the royal lianners and were the most hitter and malignant enemies of 
the patiiots. At the apjiroach of this Ix.dy, i Iiar-in- at a gallop, the few 
Continentals witlidrew from tlie field, and Pntnain started on his luu^e j 
fur Stamford to obtain leinforcemeiits. Along the fro/.en highway ring i 
the 8teel-shod hoofs of tlio ('ontinciital charger; thundering on in swift | 
pursuit lide tlic eneniy'.-i ilragoons. The une.\iieeted jei.'.e is alniuht 
within their grji^p. Kvery nerve i-t stiained to its ntinust Irnsi-ui. The 
rowels aie driven dei-p intu tin- Hanks of their ste<-ds Their st.Md fl;i.slies ' 
in the sunlight, their soahhards clank loudly in tlie frosty air. Kach 
man, amhitions of the glory of heing the (-afitor of so distinguished an 
officer in the rebel serviee, h^ans hirwaid in his saddle, a.s though to i 
lessen the distance het«een liinis<df and t)ie living lioi^enian. Nearer 
and nearer tu the old heru (vmie the piirsuris. Only a inonient more, 
and the uiad eluise will he ended and the American general will lie a 
prisoner in the hands uf his enemie.s. lint hy this lime the hrow at' the 
hill is reached, and the hold lider— to whom fear is unknown, who ia 
Ills lifelime has bearded the \\ild beasts of the forest in Iheir den, wlio in 
tlie line of duty hiis faced grim death a liiindrc-d tiims w ith umpiailing 
eye — spurs hiH horse riglit onward ju;ro8.s tlie pieLipict'.aiei amid a vull. y 
of bullets from his haflled pursuers lakes his h-ap into hist"iy, 

"Here again tlie local tratlitioiis do not entirely agree. There were 
eye-witnesses to rntnam'.s tide lioth among the eiti/.i-ns uf Oreenwieh 
and the troops under his <:ommanrl. All the traditiujis i-uncnr i\s to the 
HIKJt at which he reachetl the foot uf the hill, hut the place at which he 
began his descent and Ihe precise c >ui-s(; he took are involved in some 
obscurity. One story Is that, leaving the highway, he tiirue i slightly to 
his right, and, p:i».Mng closely by the niu-thea.st corner <d' tlie cliurch, 
rodo near or directly down the stejis. The other .-.l.n-y plaees his indnt 
of divergence from the lifghway aI)out one hnn<ired feet north of the 
church, gives him a southeast <-oUise, and makes him strike the steps ' 
alwut one-third of the iii-,tance from the font of the hill. Itoth iieeonnts ! 
aro based on statements maile luiginally by those who witnessed the I 
occurrence, hut which have been forgotleii ur misunderstouil in the | 
course of frecpient repetition. One thing, however, is certain: whatever ' 
may have been his starting-point, he peifunne I a deed wliieli the n>ugh 
rideis who followed him dared not emulate, whiih is worthy of histoii; 
mention and is a glorious exploit for commemoration. 



" II jv n ,t my pir|>>s..> to des.ribe tl v-n'^ ^f that dav ..f tern.r in 

Oreenwi.h. The Briti-h f.rees si^attered tlimu-h the town an-l yjtr-nt 
the lime in spiulatitui and del)ai''hery. Insult and cruelty, robbery and 
murder, chaiac;eri/eii lla-ir doings. The waiilou th-sti luti ui lA' pm- 
vi^ions and property i.'f every kin 1 proved their hatred and mali-,;nity, 
A detachment went to the Jli.inn^ River aiol burne 1 the salt-wuiks. a 
store, a sehoiiner, and a slo ip. .\t ni;'itfall the order t.> return was 
given. l{einforc<'me:ils hail anivrd. and the Ameiirans followed the 
retreating enem\', blazing Tijion t!u'ir llanlcs and rear, t.ikin;:: ]uisoners, 
rerajituring the I-Iuiniei' [hey had st<den. and liirning the in\avi ui of the 
Biitish into a subt-taulial victurv." 



CHATTER X X X \' 1 1. 

GREENWICH (Continued i. 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTOllV. 

First I'liiigrpgati.inal i'linr.li— SriMinl {'(iiigl('SMti..Ti;il Clniivli— Con;;!.-. 
f;:Uioii:il Churcli, StaiiwiLli — ('on;;rt'};!iti<>iiiil Oiiirrli, Nortli (irccii- 
« icli— StL'i'p lliilliiw l'liu:vli— Clirist rijiiicli— lOnMii.uiiu'l llliiiich— 
St. I'uiil's Chiipul— Calvary ("luri-:!. IImhihI Hill— M.-IIio.li-t Kpis opal 
(:|inrcli,(;rfcinvii:li— Jli'tlii^list Episi-.ipal Cliurcli, Uoinul Hill— SI.'lli- 
o'list Kpis(;oj)al t-'lmrch. King Street— Mftlaalist Kpi-^inpal Cliiirrli, 
Uliuiius— EvanSL'liL-al Lutlienili— Baliksville llnptist— Itapti^t Ciiiirrli, 
King Street- St. Maiy's Unman ('atholie (_1iiireh. 

FIRST CiiXdREiiATIONAL CIlllU'H. 
As early as 104'j (ireenwich wtis taxe<l I'm- iiriMcliiiiu'. 
and there was occasional service held in to\v:i. In 
Kiijo the male inhahitants uumliereil ahinit twenty, 
anil all were obIiL''e(l t'l crmtrihiite /iro rain lor the 
siii);)ort of preaching', and attetidanee <in divine ser- 
vice was enforced liy law. Xon-attendan 'c was pun- 
ished liy a penalty of five shillinirs. The cliiindi was 
or}raid/.ed in 1(i7t*, and in 1()7'") a call was exlende 1 
to Kev. Mr. Wizwell, who de:_dined it. 

I'ASToIt.S. 

Tlie first jnistor was Kev. .leremitih Peck, and his 
salary was ]iaid ;it "fifty pounds with lire-wood, or 
si.xty pounds withont tire-wood." Kev. .Icreiniali 
Peck, KITS-S!); Kev. Abraham Pierson, 1(;'.)I-!I4; 
Kev. Salmon Treat, I(>'j"i-',I7 ; Rev. Josei)li IVIornaii, 
1<)'.)7-1700 ; Kev. Nathaniel Powers, 17ii7, renniinetl 
]irohal)ly two years. Jlr. .Tones snpplied the cliiirch 
fiir a short time after ?Ir. Powers' disnussal, tiiid was 
succe-ded in 171'> by Kev. Mr. Sackett, and probably 
remained alrmt two years. He wa-i snbse |iiently 
jiastor at X^ew Greenwich eleven years. Rev. E])li- 
raim P:>stwick, 1730— i(i; R.'V. Ebenezer l)aven[)ort, 
lliii-G\); Rev. Roliert Jforris, ]78r)-i)4. After 17114 
the piil|)it was supplied by the Rev. Piatt Pufl'ett and 
Rev. Abner Penedict. 

At tlie be;j:iuninsj of the century liev. Saninel 
Sturges was pastor, and remained seven year,~; Itcv. 
John Xoyes, 1810-24; Rev. Charles F. Puller, IS24- 
;i4; Rev. Thoiiiits Payne, 18.37-42; Rev. S. B. S. Ills- 
sell, 1842-53; Rev. William A. Hyde, 18r)4-(;4; Kev. 
W. V. Arms, 18G4, nearly two years {supply); Rev. 
William P. Ilanimond, 18iJ7-72; Rev. .1. S. l'.a\iH\ 
1872-7(j; Rev. (ir.mville W. Xinis. lS7ti 78. Frank 
S. Chihl, .\.:\r., the lire ent pastor, was inslalle 1 Feb. 
27, 18711. 



38:2 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



THE CnURCII EDIFICES. 

The fir^t church edifice was erected in about the 
year 1666, near Greenwich Cove. The second church 
building is supposed to have stood near the Myanu*. 
The third church edifice stood on the elevation of 
land south of the present residence of Mr. Charles 
Husted, and was built by Congre^ationalists, aided by 
the Episcopalians. The present building was com- 
menced in 1855, and completed a few years later. 

The old society and church books arc very meagre 
in their records, and those in possession of the church 
to-day date back less tlmn a hundred years. The 
treasurer's books give us some definite information. 
From them we learn that the annual salary of com- 
mitteemen varied from fifty cents to one dollar and 
a half; in 1830 it was one dollar. The treasurer was 
more generously paid, receiving for his services the 
sum of two dollars. In those days it cost thirty-seven 
cents to sweep the church. 

Among the charges on the treasurer's book we find 
one which denotes the status of the temperance ques- 
tion at tluit date. At the society's annual meeting, 
18 — , the sum of one dollar and twenty-five cents was 
expended on liquors with which to regale the com- 
pany. 

In the early history of the church the peo2)le assem- 
bled for worship at eight o'ch)ck in the morning; 
they brought their heaters and their lunches with 
them. The pulpit wa; high above the lieads of the 
people. Contributions were made by the magistrate 
and jjrincipal men of the congregation passing to the 
dcac<m's seat and depositing their gifts in the cash- 
box. Scats were assigned by an officer. Position 
and dignity in the community determined the matter 
of precedence. 

The following extract appears in the Farmer^s 
Journal, published at IXinlmry, under date Feb. 15, 
1701 : 

SciiKMr. ron LoTTEnv* 
for raiding the rcmniiiilcr of tlio stun graiitol )>>' tlio General ABSombly 
for the bonoflt of tlio Hrat Boc:ioty of the town of (irccnwicli. 

TlllUn CLASS. 

1*200 tickot;4 ttt ono dollar oatjli is) 120U dulluni. 
To bo ilmwn in |tri/x'4 us fulKtws: 

1 piizoof UN) ilonitra 1(X) dollars. 

2iiii/.Mof fii) " 100 " 

:t *• 20 " (Kl " 

4 " 15 " 0» " 

ft " 10 " fiO " 

K " .'» " *» " 

lu " 4 " 40 " 

l."i " :i " a:* " 

351 " 2 " 702 " 

1 first Mnnk. iV^jdolIuni lU " 

1 liwt •' 1».1 " „ iVj •' 

401 1200 

Snbjitt t'l ft tlediit'lion of 12' ^ per cent. 

Tlio dmwlng i» {MMitponeil, to lK>gfii l>>' tlio Atli dny uf April nc!Et, or 
iiouner if the tlcki'tA arc dl'^ix'sc^l of, and Die forlnnnto ndvontnrers 
pnnctunlljT iwld. 

JAnr.7. FiTrii, 
William Fitch, 
Kliih' V. Smith, 

STAMroRD, Jnnnar}' 22, 170t . 



TICKETS 

in the nbovo lottery mny bo lm<! of the managers and at the printing- 
i office, Danbnry. 

THE SECOND COXGREOATIONAL CHURCH. 
In an address delivered by Rev. Joel II, Linsley, 
D.D., Dec. o, 1858, be says,— 

"In March, 1082, the town, by their vote, directed that a nnmbcr of 

home-lots should be laid out at llorseneck, but at the rianie time forbid 

the occupants from seeking any organizjitiiin, civil or roligionH, separate 

I fn>m the town. Twelve years Inter, 109J, the town voted to build a new 

I meetiug-honse, .Ti by 2G, which vote, however, doi-s not seem to have 

I been carried into effect.f Nearly at the same time there began to he 

, disseiihions between the inhabitants on the two ndes of the river about 

the nutintenanee of worship on thi^ side. Two years later, in 10%, 

^Imon Treat was called to settle in the town, with a provision for his 

I preaching every third Sabbath at Uorseneck. — the first recognition of 

I this place a^ entitled to ]>icacblng, — but liu did nut accept the call. 

Eaily iu IGftO, by vote of the t »wn, a home-lot whh granted for u i»ar*iu- 

I a?o at Ilorsoueck. The Kev. J()seph ^lorgan. the next mini.-*lcr, is be- 

I lievod to have como here iu the autumn of KJOO. lie preached at first 

I on both sides of the river, as it had been contemplated Mr. Treat stmuld 

I do; but it soon created dissatisfaction. The iiroprietorsof the town say by 

veto that 'Sir. Morgan j>rearhing part of the time at IIor«eueck an. 

damage to them, and takes away their religious privilegos.'J Mr. 3Ior- 

gan continued the minister of the town four years, till May, 1700. Ho 

I then left the seitlL*mcnt cast of the 3Xiainis, and assigned as a reason the 

want of uniiui among the people. He seems after that to have lalxjred 

' on this side of the river, as we find the inhabitants bestowing u|>od him 

in January, 17fV>, some si>ecial privileges. On the 5th of Slarch follow- 

iug the town was by vote diviiled into two sx^ioUes; and here wo su|)- 

|>oso that wo find the true dale of the fiuindlng of this church. After 

1 this, Mr. Slorgnu continued its pastor till ho was dismisifod, October, 

170:^, by vote of tlie town, whether with or without any other formalities 

does not apjiear^ 

" It \\i\s been ttmught that the disniituiou of Mr. Morgan was the last 
action of the tt>wn iik occlesiastical offain*. There were, howt-ver, votes 
of the town iu 1701) and 1711 f>r provMing a parsonage fur the West 
I StKJety, auil also a vole in 17U1 assigning a location for their church, 
which was near the site wo now o:;cnpy. Three years later, December, 
' 171fi, we find tho town holding a meeting iu the new house, which shows 
that the building is erected and so far advanced towards coniplclion as 
I to bo occupied. It also indicates that tho centre of iH>pulatiou was 
changing from tho east to llio west side of tho river. We ascertain, thou, 
\ with tolerable certainty the following fa'ts: That on the 5th of Slarcb, 
170'», the two congregations be^-iune distinct by mutual agreement. Of 
courxo wo must presume that this churrh was at that lin>e regularly or* 
ganizod, with Joseph Morgan for ltd acting pastor. Its flivt house of 
worship was built by tho town cloven years nftorw*ards, in 171G. Its 
erection was voted through a series of yearv, from 1(>IM to 1713; the 
building itself, however, nu^inwhilo made no progresa. It would l»e 
difllcnlt to say at what time its foundations were actually laid; prvlwbly, 
however, it was sixm after the vote of 1713, which fixe»l its site l>etween 
the dwellings of Joseph Close and Rphralin Palmer. That house stotsl 
fnun 17Hi to Jan. 7. 171>V>, a period of eighty-lwo years. During tho lat- 
ter part of this time it was iu a very diliipidutod state. At length the 



* IjottcrlcB were at tliot time Icgnl. 



t This is understtMid to bo In tlio cast settlement, now called Old Green* 
wich ; and it nuiy here Ik« noteil that in all early votes " tho town*' de- 
scribes this settlenu-nt, then the seat of power. 

J They add, "Wo think it txmvenlont to give Mr. Morgan acquaint* 
ance that u'o w«iuld not have him preach at Horsoneck, but continue in 
the town." 

g The evout hero monlionod took place ouo hundred ond fifty years 
jliieo, — u iktIlmI so far remote as to render It not impntper to intmduco 
nn amusing Incident snitetl to illustrate those early times. Wi* find on 
the reconis of tho town a very significant vote. In Janmiry. 17().'>, the 
inhabitants in the west settlement hal granto<l 3Ir. Morgan, to aid in 
his supjwrt, a tide-mill, now owned ljy Mr. S. Paris, Throe years afler 
this Elionezer Mead. Joshua Knapp, and Caleb Knajip wi-re sent to liiiu 
OS A committee "to see if ho would cease tending his mill in imtsou, and 
pmvldo a miller, si> that he might attend to the p«»ple;" and if he wouhl 
not, the pnK,*i»ss of relief was to l»e of a sumiuary character; "The 0(»m- 
mlttcc wore to consider the pulpit vacant, and at onco proceed to pnjvlde 
another minister." 



GREENWICH. 



383 



house wo arc now in was rovorcJ, ami I>y tin- u-nioval of llie ?cats (Voin 
tlio oKl lioiiM- to til." new was lJl-._-iialv,l so as to l.o oc.ni.ii-.l. It was 
.Iwliiatoil .Ijin. 7, IT'J'.i, liv tin- tlien i.astor, Isaai; I,i-wis. Sr. His ilisi-onrsi' 
on tliat occasion was fonnilcnl on ("Joncsis xxviii. IT : ' Anil Iio ^\;ls afraid, 
and saiil, Ilow ilreaillul is this place] This is none otlier than the hoij.e 
of Go.l, anil this is the gate of ileavoi.'" Eveivtilillg shous that III.' ol.l 
hilihiins hail heeoine unsightly and uneonifoi lahle, and that it liad lieeu 
used to the liist niunient. Hence the hurry of the lelaoval. The hnild- 
ing was (iiiished ttiree yeal^ afterwards, the funds f.-r that |air|.ose Ipeing 
raised hy a tax. The Irrst renting of tin' [lewsf was llecendter, I."<U'2. 
The rental amounted to ahout Sinn. The wh.d.' .■,.st*..r tlie church is 

tluMiglit to have heen IMJt far from ?i;{ ,— a lieavier tax U|~in the ]uo- 

perty of tlie congregation than $'.n,ll»n woulil l-e no« ," 

Tlic following is a list i>t' tlif ]inst(irs nftliis iluift-li: 
Rifliunl Sackc'tt, Sleiilieii Jldiistui, Daniel ( iraii<riT, 
Alirttliuni Toild, Joiuithan Murdock, Isaai- Lfwis, Sr., 
Tstmc Li'wis, Jr., Jucl Mann, J. If. Liiislcy, F. (!. 
Clark, C. K. Troiit. 

The first cIuiitIi edifice was ererteil in tilicmt 171ii, 
tlieseeonilin 1730, and the thinl in 171IS. 'J'he jiresent 
chnreli edifiee was cinnpleted in 18")S, at a eiist of 
abont fifty thousand dollars. The jiresent detieons of 
the ehureh tire C'Inirles Mead, Elktintih Meatl, Mtjses 
Cristy, T. S. rinneo, M.D., William A. Jlowe. 

The jollouing: is a list of nieiiibers IVmu 172^! to 
ISOd: 

172S.— JcMialhan Il.dihy, James Pratt, .Tomithan ll..hli>'s wif.-, Ennin- 
Jle.id, Mary Mead, .Miigail lieyncdds, Ahigail Itniidle, lla\ id 
M,ad, Peter Ferris, .lolin Sloe, wif.' of .lolin .Moe, Sarah Ferris, 
Ke/ia Ferris, Joshua Knaipp, Jr., Ann Mead, Ilannali Jlead. 

ITnn.— JIartha Kmipp, Jahez Mead, wife of J.il !■/, .Mead, Mary lirush, 
Mimlwell liundle, Deborah foril, Sohunon ( 'lose, wife of Solo- 
mon Close. 

1732.— Reuhen Itunolds, linth I!un..hls, I%liialhan Mead, J,.hii Ferris,Jr. 

17:«.t— Ruth Itunolds. 

1774.— EheifZer Mr-ad, Deacon; Elnatlian Mead, Deacn; Tlon].liilus 
I'eck, Tlieopliilus PecU, Jr., Benjannn Meail, Kliphalet .Mead, 
J.uias Slead (chosen deacon April 2.5, 1770], Odle Close, Heiija- 
min Peck, Caleb Jlead, Caleb Lyon, John Holmes, PhinejLs 
Knajilt, Jonathan Knapji, Joshua Reyindds, Kli Uiiiidle Ichosen 
deacon Seji. 22, 1774), Reuben Ferris, Sylvaniis Ferris, Nathaniel 
Mead, Horton Reynolds, Sauniel Rundle, Silas Mead (<hoseii 
deacon Oct., 178:il, Zehadiah Mead, Isaac Howe, Hanmdi To.Ul, 
Na.imi Mead, Eunice Mead, Sarah Mead, Elizab.tii Peck, Pru- 
dence Meail. Rebecca Peck, Hetliia Clo.se, l.ydia Reynohts, Mary 
Mead, Sarah Mead, Eunice Lyon, Hannah Mead, Ke/ia Ilowo, 
Abigail Mead, Martha Mead, Hannah Meail, Pli.-be Rnnillo, 
Haniaih Hays, Amos 5Iea<l, Samiud Peck, Mary Kuapl', Sarah 
Howe, Elizabeth Howe, Anna Mui^ey. 

177-'t. — ISenjainiii Jlead, Mary Meatl, James -Alunlock, Miiuu- Hilliaul, 
Mciry Jleail, Martha Rich. 
-Ke/ia ^Iur<iock. Rachel Brown. 

-Tama Halt, Anna Abrahams, Sarah Mead, Ruth Mead. 
-Hannah Rich. 

-Eli Run.lle, Deacon; .Silas Mead, Deanui; Elijdialel Mead, Caleb 
Mead, Caleb Lyon, Zehadiah Meaii, Amos ."Mead, lienjaniin 
Mead, Thcphilus I'eik, Odlc! Cl.w, Caleb Lyon, .Samuel Peck, 
Benjaniin Peek, Horton ReyiK.lds, Saiinnl lUown, Samuel Run- 
dle, Mary Mead, Abigail Mead, Hetbiali Reynolds, Euidce Lyon, 
Hannah Mead, Abigail Kua])p, Rebekah Peck, Hetbiali Close, 
Rachel Lyon, Martha Meail, Kez.ia How.', Lydia Reynolds, 
Rachel Knapp, Elizabeth Howe, Mary Knapp, Hannah McAll, 
Hannah Mead, Sarah Mead, Abigail Jlea 1, Sarah Jlead, Slartha 



177«. 
1777. 

n7.s. 

17S0. 



* The preacher's stand on that occasion was a joinei's beiadi, with the 
front of the old pulpit placed before him. The day was stormy, and the 
conKregjition is thought to have lunnbeied only about one liundred. 

t The pews joiiujd uiion the walls. The slips were free for many 
years. 

X No records were made of admission to the churcli fi-om Fell. 22, 1733, 
to June 3, 1774, when a list of ineuib.-rs was made by 31r. Murdock. 



Riib. .Ternsha Peck, Abi-ail Ibdioe.s, Abigail Husled, Ruth 
Holme.s, Amah Hobby, Elizabeth Close, Amah Palmer, Eunice 
Knapli, Ruth .Mead, Mary Mead. 

1787,- David Mead, Aniie Blead, Eiieuezer Mead Ichosen dcaiou June 7, 
17'.IS), Rachel .Mead, Henry Mead, Jlary Mead, Hannah I.rwi-, 
Abigail Sackett, Abraham Peck, Nathaniel Reeve, Alualoim 
Mead (chosen deacon Sept. ',l, 17.s!n, Kezia Mead, Ruth Jliad. 

17SS.— .Solomon Kmipp, Deborah Hibbaril, IJilbert Peck, Dcboiali Peck. 

17S9.— Gideon Peck, Eunice Peck, Ezekiel Halsted, .S.dly llal.-li-d, .lolin 
Hibbard, Lydia Mead, Sarah Fletcher, Ezekiel llalsled, Nathan 
Drown, Hannah Jliller, Sidomon Peck, Mary Lyon, Aligail 
Ferris, Ruth Iviialip. Robert Jleriilt,. lames Kiiajip, Ann Daytmi, 
Susan Rich, :Mary Rich, Hannah Knapp, .Saiah Miles. 

17ilO._Mary Lockwood, Rachel .Mcriitt, Abigail Reynolds, Maty Ann 
Rich. 

17'.I3.— Jonah Mead, Yolk Felmeote, llaiuiuh :\Iiad, ll.innah Parsons, 
Martha Jlead, Polly Lyon. 

17H4. — .\nios Lyon, (ieorge Lockwood. 

171.I0.— Jeiusha Graham, Jonathan Mead, Ann Hibbard, Deborah Mea 1, 
Rachel Close, Elizabeth Fletclu-r, Isaac Loofborow. 

17it7— Jo.shua Mead, Mary Mead, Cahin Mead, Abigail Armour. 

17<.l.s.— Daniel Smith, Samuel Peck. 

17'.i'.l.— Mary Mead, Hannah Lyoii, Amos Green, JIartha Jlead. 

Isnn.— Martha Me.ad. 

CO.NCIlEllATlONxVL CIIirRCII, .'^TANWICII ^ 
The ehureh was orpmized in June, 17:io, with thir- 
teen members. The tir.st pastor was Rev. I5enj:iniin 
Strong, who served until March :l, 17(!7. 

The pastors from the orc;aniz;itiiiii of the chiireh to 
the present time are ;is follows: P>ev. l!eni:iiniii Strong, 
.June 17, 1735, to March 3, 17t)7 ; Rev. William Seward, 
Feb. 24, 1774, to Feb. 4, 17',14; Rev. I'latt Riilfett, :\Iay 
2'), 171»(;, to June 30, 183.-); Rev. Daniel Butts, Oct. 2, 
183'J, to Dec. (), 1842; Rev. Alon/.o B. Rich, Ajiril 20, 
1S4S, to Nov. 3, 1854; Rev. Ileiiry (i. .lessup, Ajiril 20, 
1853, to Sei)t. 30, 1802; Rev. John S. Bayne, May 18, 
1800, to (.)ct. 8, 1872 ; Rev. Homer IhMailwell, 1875-78 ; 
Rev. F. C. Potter, Dec. 10, 187!t, present incumbent. 

The present officers of the church are as fidlows: 
Pastor, F. C. Potter ; Deaetms, (iein-ge Derliy, Ale.'C- 
ander Lockwood, and Lewis M. Close; Clerk, Ueorge 
A. Lockwood. For information concerning this 
church we tire indebted to Rev. F. C. Potter. 

CONtiREtJATIONAL CIIUIICII, NOlU'll i; RKKX WICII H 
This church was organized Dec. 25, 1827, with 
eighteen members, tis follows: Hanntih (Close), wife 
of Lewis Mead; Rebecca (Holly), wife of Seyimiur 
Hobby; Sarah (Knapp), wife of Isaac Peck; Ciilviu 
Mead and Deborah, his wife; Hannah (Pe;'k), wife 
of Diirius Mead; Abigail (Rundle), wife of Levi 
Mead; Obadiah Mead and Alia, his wile; Lutlier 
Mead and Annis, his wife; Thizz:i (Mead), wiilow of 
James Palmer; William Loundsberry, Lewis Mead, 
Silas H. Mead, Huldah Mead, Hemau Mead, Susau 
Loumlsbcrry. 

LIST OF MINLSTERS. 

The pastors have been: (.'hamicey Wilcox, .Tune 
25, 1828, to May 5, 184G ; Frederic Munson, Si'pt. 22, 
1847, to April 22, 18.50; John Blood. Nov. 11, 1850, 
to Oct. 12, 18.58; William II. Knouse, M;iy 4, 1S.")<», 



§ The records of this church were destroyed by fire in 1S21. 
II Contributed by Rev. Richard I!. P.ull. 



384 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



to May 3, 1863; AVilliam P. Alcott, Feb. 18, 1868, to 
Aug. 4,1874; Alplieus Winter, June 27, 1876, to Aug. 

4, 1877. Lemuel S. Potwin w;i.s acting pastor from 
Sept. 4, 1863, to March 1, 1865; Solomon U. Siho- 
fickl. May 3, 18G.5, to May 1, 1867 ; Richard B. Bull, 
IVom Aug. 19, 1868, to 1878. 

DEACOSS. 

Silas Harvey Mead was one of the active ones in 
the formation of the North (ireenwich Church, and 
was chosen dc.acou tlie day the church was organized. 
He held his office and performed all the duties of it 
till his death, after a few days' illness, Dec. 14, 1878, 
aged eighty -two, having been in office fifty -one years 
lacking eleven days. He wti-s a man of wisdom, per- 
severance, and success in promoting the interests of 
the church, and was a model for men of that office in 
prayerfulness, self-sacrifice, and diligence. The land 
— twelve acres — on which the church building and 
parsonage stand was his gift, and the position of the 
church early taken against slavery and intemperance 
was largely due to him. 

Obadiah Jlead, one of the first members of the 
church, w;\s chosen deacon and ordained Sept. 28, 
1828, and died in office. He was a man of marked 
ability and usefulness. At the semi-centennial of 
the church the i)astor said of him, " Deacon Obadiah 
Mead, aged ninety-two years and nine months, who 
has been able to be in his place in this sanctuary, till 
within a few weeks, every Sabbath, but who to-day 
can almost sec the boatman who is to ferry him over 
to the shores of bright deliverance." 

Josiah Wileo.v was ordained Sept. 2, 1864, and is 
now in active service. Silas D. Jlead, son of Deacon 

5. H. Mead, was chosen soon after his father's death, 
Jan. 14, 187!l. The present membership of the church 
is al)out one hundred and fifty. 

The church was organized Dec. 25, 1827, and took 
the name of " The North Greenwich Congregational 
Church." It began in self-support, and has always 
paid its bills and kejtt itself free from debt. 

The pastor is su]iported by tax on the a.ssessment 
of the pro]>erty of the society as it stands on the town- 
Jist, after having received such contributions from 
them who are not members of the society, but who 
are willing to ])ay for seats. The assessment is now 
nine mills on the dollar. 

The testimony of the church has always been real 
and earnest on the questions of anti-slavery and tem- 
perance. It has used no fermented wine at com- 
munion since 18.50. 

In the war for the Union and Freedom twenty-nine 
men from the church and congregation put their 
name.' on the roll of honor, six of whom gave their 
lives. 

The Sunday-school was organized in April, 1S28. 
In 1S2'.( it had fourteen teachers an<l forty-two scholars. 
Scluh Savage was chosen superintendent in 1832, and 
has been annuallv chosen to that office since that 



time, nearly forty-eight years. In fitncis for his work 
and the doing of it he has few equals. 

The Ladies' Beneficent Society of the church was 
organized in 1848. All tliat has been done to the 
church since that time has been it.s work. The 
Bible, bell, window-blinds, lamps, cushions, carpets, 
furniture, and stoves the ladies' .society paid for. It 
has also done much of the work needed on the par- 
sonage. Mrs. Silas Husted and Mrs. Silas D. Mead 
have been in the office of first and second directors 
of the society since 1852. Mrs. Amy (Husted) Close 
has been secretary and treasurer for many years. 

The contributions of the church to benevolent ob- 
jects average about five hundred and seventy-five dol- 
lars per annum. 

SlL.vs I). Mead is a lineal descendant of one John 
Mead, who came from England in company with his 
two sons, John and Joseph, in 1642, and after re- 
maining a short time in Massachusetts settled at 
Hempstead, L. I., where they remained until October, 
1660, when they settled in the town of Greenwich, 
Fairfield Co., Conn., where many of the descendants 
now (Nov. 2, 1880) reside. (For a more extended 
sketch of his ancestors see biography of Col. Thomas 
A. Mead.) 

Silas Mead, " the first," second son of the second 
Ebenezer, was born May 22, 1720, and died in the 
year 1817. His wife, Mrs. Mary Mead, was born 
in 1724 and died in 1787. Their children were as fol- 
lows: Silas, Abner, Aaron, Mary, Mary (2d), and 
Calvin. 

Silas Mead, the §rst, settled at North Greenwich, 
and w;us a farmer. He was a member of the Second 
Congregational Church at Greenwich. 

Silas Mead, "the second," was born in 1748 and 
died in 1813. His wife was Sarah Mead, a daughter 
of Deliverance Mead, who was also the sixth s(m of 
the second Ebenezer Mead. Their children were as 
follows : Sarah, Silas H., and Francis, who died 
young. Sir. Mead lived on the "old home" farm, 
and was a substantial citizen of North Greenwich, 
Conn. He was killed by being thrown from a wagon 
near his home; his wife died in 1812. 

Silits H. Mead was born Dec. 12, 17%, at North 
Greenwich, Conn. ; he was a large farmer and a lead- 
ing man in the community. In politics he was an 
uncompromising .Vbolitionist, and by voice and vote 
did all he could to educate the peojde of his commu- 
nity to the idea of human liberty. He united with 
the Second Congregational Church at Greenwich 
in 1826, and immediately took a dcej) interest in re- 
ligious matters. 

The Congregational Church at North Greenwich 
was built in 1S27, and its erection was largely due to 
the interest and etlbrts of Mr. Mead. He was chosen 
its first deacon, which honorable position he lieM 
until the day of his death, Dec. 14, 1878. He always 
took a deep interest in missionarj' matters, and wsls 
very liberal towards all religious enterprises. He 




./>:./ ^. ^y^Ua C'( 




Residence of HON LYMAN AE^ 








■-y ■■ uV'r. 



.^^M^^^^^^^HAtiiM 



■ D. Greenwich Fairfield Co Conn. 



GREENWICH. 385 



was Due 111' (irecnwii-h's Ik'-t :iiiil most iX'^IKv-trd citi- hcl]> tliciu. Vory s;)ijii the miailjcr of |iii|iils so in- 

zons, ami, <lyiii.;r, left tlie ixv'or.l of a (lunil lotmr. cn';isi'd tliat tlif liiiusv \va< lull, ami sonic wrrt' olilijicd 

lie married Harriet Mead, dauirlitcr ol' Jcliial to i-.-niain outside on the w.ill. i\rany li.id been I'ur- 

Jfi-ad. and liail ilio followiii^- i-liil(Ire:i: Sar.ih M. iii<hr(l with hats and shoes for t!ie liril lime, .'^iinn^ 

I who inarrii'd ^^elah SavaL:i', a faranr of Xorth • ireeii- were ehihh'en of Catholic parents, who were funiislu'd 

wicli, and lias two children, \\'illiam L. a;id Roxa with testaments hearin;^' a gilt cross, | ml on them hy 

M.), and Silas I). (2d). Mrs. Jlead died July 1, l.'^7ll. Jfiss Ritch. They took them liome ;nid read them, 

Sir.As D. Me.VD (2d) was born at North Greenwich, and when they moveil away they carried the ijoixl in- 

Fairlield Co., Conn., Jan. ;-!l, ISl!). He receiveil a ' flueiice with them, Init th" hat- and slioc-^ the teaclier< 

common-school and a^'ademic education, lie mar- I'ouud liung upon the cart-stake;. A library coutain- 

ried Emily L., daughter of E/.ekiel Close and Alt'u'a, ing two huadreil volumes, with thirty ISiblcs, was 

Palmer, t^ept. 22, 1S4!I. She was born Dee. 21, IS20, furuL-heil, ami Mr. D.idgc, Uevs. linish, Button, and 

in (xreenwieh, Conn. Tlicir idiildrcn are a.i Ibllows: Crisly have been superintendents. 

Myrtilla, Silas E., Emily Cornelia, Sarah < '. (de- Jli.ss Ititidi carried the library hiime every we 'k for 

ceased), Horatio ]!., Harriet A., and E::ekiel C. two years, when a chapel was built on a new and 

Myrtilla married Livingston Disbrow, a farmer, of beautiful spot, at a cost of about sixteen hundred 

Now Rochelle, X. V. Silas E. married ('ornelia .AI., <l<illars, furnished with blinds and |iainl;'il, and not 

daughter of Josiah AVilcox, and has four children, — one dollar owing ou it, in 1S.').S and iNo'.t; it has been 

Silas F. ( who died at four), ilable \V., Louise C, and kejit iii a very prosperous c:indition ever since, and 

Josiah W. I has averaged about ninety scludars I'or the last twenty 

Mr. Mead owns a i)ortion of his father".; farm, years. The superintendent and teachers all comi- 

which has been in the family for many generations; from two to four mile-;, in heat an<l cold, .summer and 

to this he has added until he unw owns over three wiriti r. 

hundred and f(jrty acres of laud. He has made all l:\ the collections tor Chri.^lian work, etc., the 

the improvements on his farm. average is about one hundred dollar; a year. 

In LS:J8 he united with the Congregational {.'hiireh There is a Saljbath-sehool missionary association, 

at North Greenwich, and has been oiu' of its mo t Monthly letters have been received from missionaries 

liberal su]iporters and lie.-t workers. Ho has taken in Wisconsin and Kansas, and a sum amounting to 

charge of the singing for mm'e than forty years, ami nearly seventy dollar.s luH been contributed yearly t;) 

is to be found at his i)ost of dulv t i-ihiv. In March, their suiiiiort.'- 
1S7S), he was tdiosen deacon, to take the place so long 

ami faithfully tilled by his honored father. ! CllUIsT CIirRCII, C UEHNWK'U. 

He has always lieen identilied with the Sunday- The first Episcojial services were held in this town 

school Interests of his church, and has been a teacher in the latter ]iart of the eighteenth century, and the 

for many years. He is a thorough temi>eranei' uiaii, lirst church edifice was erected in 174!), and stood on 

never having used tobacco or licpiorof any kiml. lie the brow of I'utnam's Hill. This was demolished by 

is very liberal in all matt<'rs ]iertaining to educational a gale in 1.S21. A new church building was erect<-d 

or religious mattor.s, and is, and has bi-en for more in ls:i2, and May 4, 1834, was consecrated by Kt. 

than forty year.s, one of the strong ]iill:ir- of the Con- l!ev. Thoimis Church Brownell, D.D.. LL.l)., bishoji 

gregatK>nal Church at North (irceuwich. of the dioce.-e. The piv-eiit church edihce was 

In jiolitics he was a Whig until 1-S,'»i;, when he erected in ISoli. 

joined th.' Keinildican party. The folhiwing have served the church as rectors: 

Uevs. James Wetmore, Ebenezer Dibble, Amzi 

STEEP HOLLOW CII.APEL. ,, i. i f t, • r i ir x- i i i i>. 

Kogers, Koliert Davis, Jo.se[ili II. >iehols, and Hen- 

The Steep Hollow Chapel Sunday-school was started j.,,,,],; jj, Yarrington. The latter began his labors 

in a small old district scluml-house on the Mianus ^.jti, the parish April 27, l.s:!!», ami is the present 



rector. 

E.M.WNl'EL CIIUUCIL CLEWtLLE. 



River, by Mr. Stickncy and other; from St:uniiu'd, 
about 18o0, and furnisluKl with a library. It was 
kei)t for about two years (in the summer), and then 

given up. This building was eonseerati'il .\]>ril 22. 1842, by 

Soon after, Rev. Mr. P.issel an 1 other- from Old It'- Pi'V- Thomas Chundi Brownell. D.D., L1..D., 

Greenwich and Mianus started it again, and eon- bishop of the diocese. Present, Rev-. Ambrosi- Todd, 

tinned it for three summers, using the same hou;e D.l>., Rev. William C. Jlead, D.D., Kev. John 

and library, when it was again given up. Purves, Rev. Mr. Howell, Rev. B. M. Yarrington: 

In the spring of ISf)!;, Miss Beers, an earnest ('hris- ii'so, of dioce.se of New York, liev. Thomas Colt, 

tiaii lady, teaching in tiie district, with the aiil of D.D., Rev. Mr. Harris, and Rev. IMr. Partridge. 

JMiss Ritch, started it once more, commencing with a , '""^l'- P-VfL's ChtRCH is located at Riverside. 

few scholars, in the same old scdiool-house. Tlu'V in- ' 

vited Rev. Mr. Hyde, D.'acon Hawes, and others to ! «For tln-abuvc' liUtorj- «care indcWfJ to 51. frWy, Esq, 



38G 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



CALVARY CHURCH, ROUND HILL. 

This cliurch was incorporated June 25, 1859, with 
Isaac PiH'k anti Barton White, Wardens ; Nathaniel 
Ferris, Henjajnin Knapp, Jaines Hasted, Daniel Snif- 
fen, Jcinatlian Ilusted, C. W. Merritt, Zalnion Minor, 
and Jolm Purdy, Jr., Vestrymen; James Husted, 
Clerk. Tliis church was erected in the summer of 
1860, and the first service held in it was by Rev. 
Isaac Peck, Aug. 26, 1860. It was consecrated by 
Bishop Williams on Oct. 29, 1860. The baptismal 
font was presented by the vestry of Christ Church, 
Greenwich. 

The following have been rectors: Rev. Isaac Peck, 
Aug. 26, 1860, to Feb. 26, 1865; Rev. William Binet 
(in charge), Aug. 14, 1865, to Jan. 15, 1866 ; Rev. D. H. 
Short, D.I)., July 15, 1866, to Feb. 18, 1867. Rev. B. 
M. Varrington held occasional services, whidi were 
continued by lay-readings by Mark Banks, E.si]., of 
Greenwich, until the coming of Rev. R. H. Barns, 
who was rector from April 24, 1868, to April 24, 1871. 
Rev. C. W. Bolton has been minister in charge from 
Nov. ], 1872, to the present. 

The church was built by the ellbrts and ])er3onal 
contriliutions of Dr. Barton T. Wliitc, resident physi- 
cian of the place. The officers at present (1880) are 
as follows: Wardens, Nathaniel Ferris, Col. T. A. 
Haight; vestry, Benjamin Knapp, W. II. Briggs, Dr. 
J. C. White, H. Thompson, Edward Rcddingtou. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHUKCH, GUEEXWICH. 

The first sermon preached by a Methodist in this 
place was about tlie year 1810, by a Rev. Mr. Cau- 
field, but no regular church organization was effected 
until 1843, as shown by the following agreement: 

" lIVnTfrtu, Tlio menibore of tliu ^U-MitMlist EpisjoiuU Cluircli resident 
in lioi-senock, in tlio town of Groonwicli, Kiiirfiold Co., C-onn., ilosiro to 
nmke prtivision for tlio nunntoniinco of the piililic wuntliip of God nc- 
corilinf; to tlic iisagt'H and doctrines of tlie Melliodist Kpij^copal Cliurcli 
in sutd Homuncck as nniy lie considered ntH:i>s«ar,v ; 

*' Therr/orr^ Wo the undersigned, for the necoinplishniout of tlto above- 
najned ohject, do lierehy hy nintunl ugreenioiit associate onrsclves to- 
getlier as ft religions gttciety for tlio nniintenanco of the puldic worship 
of iitMi acconling io tlie sjiid nsa^es and doctrines of llie sjiiJ Metiiodist 
£pisco|>jiI t'hurcli in snid Honicneck, by tlie name and slyle of the 
llorseneck Mcthotlist Kpiscopal S<Miet.v, I'.v whicli name ami style Iho 
said society is Iti isj calleil and known ; wiiich siiiil society we do lioretty 
constitute to ho suhject tu all the inciilents and liahililies to which re- 
ligions sts'ictii^ and congregations are hy law snhject, and jstMess and 
cijoy all rights, powers, and privileges given hy law to religious societies 
and congregations. 

** And wo lierchy declare this meeting, at which the undcndgned aro 
pri^ent, to lie the t\ni meeting of sjiId s.M;iuty, the sjune lieing holdon hy 
nH all this Utii day of November, A.n. ls-t:l, at the sclliMil-lionse in said 
llotMeneck. Anil wo do hereby apisiint John A. Merritt clerk of said 
society, to ctnitlnne in olHce until another he chosen and sworn in his 
room. .\nd we also ap|iolnt Jonathan .\. CIom', Klisha llalslciul, Gilbert 
Marshall, 8oloun>n S. Ganscty. anil Iteiyjandn Teck, Jr., to tie the com- 
ndtlee of the snid siiclety tu order the alTaint of said so^-iely according to 
law. 

"And we f]o licT«by flx un tlio Bchotd-houflo in llorseneck Soclotj u 
tho idace of holding the ineettn|||of said sisiety until the scs-iety shall 
ollierwise dlrei-t ; ami we dirtrl that the clerk of this society slntll cause 
ttie articltra of association to lie rcconleil in the records of this soiiely, 

" Wo olso appoint Elislia lialstcod treasuriir of tlib society. Wo a\$o 



flx on the flrst Monday of November as tho time when tlio annual meet- 
ings of this society shall be holden until tho society shall othcruise 
direct. 
" Witness our hands thb I4th day of November, a.d. IS-l.t. 

" Solomon S. Gaxsev. 

''Elisiia IIalstcau. 

"Jorix A. Mr.RRlTT. 

"GiLUF.aT Marsiiali.. 

" Jons M. Wked. 

"JO.SATIIAS A. Ci.08e. 

" Bf.njauin Peck, Jr." 

Among other early Methodists in the vicinity arc 
mentioned the name-s of .lohn Avery and wife, Benja- 
min Wilson and wife, Mrs. Matilda Mead, Mrs. Piatt 
Newniiin, Miss Mahala Hitchcock, Mrs. JIaria Mar- 
shall, Mrs. Elizal)eth Palmer, Mrs. Isaac Weed, Mrs. 
Selah Mead, Miss Marilda Fletcher, Mrs. William 
Mead, Mrs. Huldah Tracey, Mrs. Xehe:niah Mead, 
Jlrs. Charity Tuilor (colored), Mrs. Ellen Treadwell 
(colored), Gilbert Lent, Samuel Slagle, Samuel Minor, 
AVilliain Funston, AVilliam McF. Howard, John 
Marshall, William Barniore, Charles Gorse. 

First society committee : .lonathau A. Close, Elisha 
Halstead, Gilbert ^Marshall, Solomon S. Gansey, Ben- 
jamin Peck, Jr. ; lirst clerk, John A. Merritt. 

The first house of worship was erected in 1844, in 
which the society worshiped until 1869, when the 
present edifice wa.s dedicated, the corner-stone of 
which was laid May 12th of the previous year. 

The following is a list of the pastors: Rufus C. 
Putman, Benjamin Bedford; 1847, Rev. Jacob C. 
Washburn, assisted by Rev. B. M. Adams ; 1848-49, 
Rev. Charles Gor.se and William F. Smith ; 1850, 
Rev. AV'illiam McKendree Bangs and J. A. Sellcck ; 
1851, the charge embraced Greenwich and Coscob, 
Rev. .1. A. Selleck, preacher ; 1852-53, Rev. George 
L. Fuller; 18.54, Rev. Philip L. Hoyt ; 18.5.5, Rev. 
George Dunbar; 1856-57, Rev. S. Howland; 1858, 
Rev. E. Oldriu; 1859-<)0, Rev. George HoUis; 1861 
-62, Rev. George Stillman. In 1863 it was connected 
with Round Hill and Stanwich, and supjdied by Rev. 
A. >[eAllister; in 1864 it was associated with Round 
Hill only, and Rev. A. Mc.Mlister returned to this 
charge; 1865, Rev. Moses Lyon ; in 1866, (irecnwich 
was separated from the other charges, and Rev. Wil- 
liam R. Webster was the preacher; 1807-70, William 
F. Hatfield; 1870-73, Arza Hill; 1873-75, Charles 
C. Glover; 1875-76, J. W. Beach, D.D. ; 187(>-77, 
Richard Rust; 1877-80, George Taylor; 1880, C. P. 
Corner. The present trustees are fJeorge Selleck, 
John H. Ferris, .lohn H. Ray, Hanford Lockwooil, 
Thomas P. Hunt, and Joseph O. Merritt. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH,* ROUND HILL. 

Methodism first made its a])peanince in this vicinity 
about the year 1800, through the instruiiientality of 
Nathaniel Husteil and Iteiijamin Loekwood, men of 
means and of large landed estates. 

Mr. Hu.sted savs in his oration, — 



• Compiled rmm an aildrras delivered by N. O. Ilnsted, H.D., at the 
seinK-entenuial of the Round Ilill Mclhvdlst Episjupal Church in 1878. 



GREENWICH. 3S: 



" Nathanirl Hilstcd wiis not ciily a leligi.ms man. Imt a p.-itiint, a man wlicii tlion- was a rai.siiig, tu invite the pciiple from tlu' snnoninling 

Mho iiail icniiiTed servito t<i his e()nnti-v, and haii hcM a (■onlIlli^^ion rountiy, an<I after tlie la^t laftor, or the ti'i-niust ..^tirU of linil ei- «;is put 

nnilor the reini«neil (;eii. Pntiiam. of K<-vohUiunaiy notoiiety. in pl.iee to j; ve it .i name. This lievolveii npon the >ouii-e>t appientie.v 

'• Ilenjarnin I.oclovooil was nineh of the same soil of a f'hrislian an. I of the .ariienter, Avlio, witli a liottle of liijnor in lian.l. elinihe'l to ttie 

patii..t. Tlo.s.. two men. tof;i.lher with tln'ir families, tln-n jilanh'^l hif:he>t point of tlie hiiil'IinK liiat his .onrage wouhl h-ail him. ami llo-n 

Jlftlioiiism liere. Tin- tiist |i|aee h.r liirhlinf; meetiiiss known to ns wa.s , swinging tlie bottle Ihiee tinn's annTml liis lieacl. ^iv.' th. name h. the 

at the lionao of Natlianiel llnste.l, wijero JIary. the wi.low of .lames , l.uihlinn.tlirowini; tlie hotlle to .laslr il in pi.e.s if po-sill... If thi. l.ollh. 

Unsteil, now livi-.s,— a Metlenlist |irearljer l.y the na f Dnimmoml ili.l not lireal<, tlien wlioeur liist s"t the hollle had tlie piivil..Ke of 

eon-Imted ttie seiviees, — ami afterthis jireaeliini; in ji w.io.l-h.t noitliwest i ilrinliin^ fiom it, ami then sive it another throw, ami so <mi until it was 

of the liarn, where Ward Sarles now lives, un.ler an oak-tn-e. The jao- ' hmken. This cnstom, il appears, eMemle.l even to elom li.r.ii-in;;s. At 

Jierty was tlienowrn-<lamloe:npie(l hy \athaniel Ilush-'l. The .piaiterly the rai-in-.; of this frame .\hsohiin San.lswas the Vonn^est apprelilie... 

nieetin;;s were helil in a ciiler-mill then stantling hy tli|. roailside. jnst When all was eompleteil he nionnteil the fialm-. ami, elimhin;; to its ex* 

n\'<t\v- the house now oeenpieil hy :\Ir. Sarles, ami owned hy .^Ir. it. II. P. tretne p.<int or l>iiinai le, he swnny the Imtlle and t;ave the nann' in the 

Archer, of New York City, lienjamin Lockw..od's hons.- was al.so following eonpht ; 

another preaehing-station. There a minister by the mune of Crawford : .. , , , ., 

' ' Here stamis a strong ami elegant frame. 



The Flower of lionnd Mill shall belts name 



was know n to have preaehed. That renowned and eeeentiie eharaeter 

Lorenzo I)ow is known to Inive Jireaehed in this vieinity, as there 

are ]i\ing witnesses who have listened to his peenliar and startling ! Away went the bottle; the eork tlewonl.and the liijiiid went spirting 

words. This lillle land <if brothers, with tleuse whom they gatheieil throngh the air. The bottle stnnk the gronml, Imt did not break, wlienee 

int.. the fold, im.f fr.nn Innise to hinisc-, nnlil they finally eonteniplat..d ' a struggle ensm-d betw.en Samuel llu~t.d ami .anolher man; Sannnd 

building a house of w.nship. liod .saw that a ehnreli was rn^eded here. was the viit.u-aml broke the h,.|lh.. Theehui.jh was iledic ated by the 

Two years, or Iheieabouts, before the ihnr.h Wius de.lii ated, (oie of its late Kev. Noah lA-vings. H.ll. 

ealliest ami noblest workers, Nathaniel llusted, ilied, .Ian. in, \sli;. I '■!]! the eighteen presi.ling id.leis wb.i have jiresidi-d over the district 

need not say he died a true and earnest Christian. wliieh has in. Inded lionnd Kill, only four are now living. Their names 

" IJnt the work whieli had beini started did n..t sto]). His three sons, are as follows : liev. Charles Kletehei-, presiding eliler at inesent ; Rev. 

Jannvs, Nathaniel, and Salnnel, who took his pla -e ami walked in his ,1. II. Merwin, ll.U. ; l!ev. G. II. Kettell, I>.I).; liev. II. 1''. I'ease, super- 

foidsteps, eontinued on in tlur g.md work. Jatnes ami Nathaniel have annnateil. 

followed their father, ami Inive long sinee gone to tlo-ir eternal " of the si\ty-six preacheis w ho h;ive oe. n] ii'd this riretiit sinee Ispt, 

abode. .Ml, as yon know, wele endowed with Christian hearts. Theii- fortwtwo are deeeased, twelve ale sil]iel annilated, nine al e in the etteet- 

homes wele always open to tli(. Methodist minister, the salm- as their ive woik, and three are siipernnmerary. 

father's. The hon.se of Bi-njamin la.ekwooil is still standing as lli,. ■■The rcuiierstone of the present editi. e was laid ml the 'J'Jd (hiy of 

serond landmark of 3tetliodisin, and is now oeenpied hy his grandson, Novembt.r, l.sTl. The old building was then removed, phieed upon its 

who bears his grandfather's name. l!enjaniiii I.oekw I's mi'inbership, ioumlaliiui. ami recovered, a lobby and steeple being added. The I nild- 

it is said, can be tra.-ed hai k eighty years. Some .it the |a>.iphels cd" that iiig eommittee was liev. S. llowland, Kra.stns M. liinlsall, .lohn I'nrdy 

day predi.ted that the Methodist would 'eat them oiil of la. use and cil), N. II. Ilnsted, A. 1", Kaynnuid. .bdiii Turdy ('il) wius treasurer ; Ne- 

liome.' But their propheries jiroved niitrne, as Ihey lived ((Oiifoi table bemiah H. II listed, seeictary. The ground was pniehasedof William S. 

all their d.ays, having snlfieii'iit to .■at and drink. liiowii. The chureli w.as dedieated on the :;lst day of .Inly, IST:!, liev. 

*■ Ma.)or Loekwood, son of IIen.ianiin Loi kwood, has ber-n a iiK-niher of Kphraim Watt preacher in chaige, atel Kev. .lohn It. Jlerwin presiding 

this society for si.\ty-six years. He still holds his eonneition with this elder of the district, 

church, and occasionally tills his place in this time-honored sam Inaiy. ■'The following is a list of th,- pn.si.ling cldeiis fioin l!<IU to IST.si; 

He was the lirst class-Ieaditr after the dedication of the chnieh. He .T ph Crawfoid, Fridioin Garietson. Samind Jlerw in, Nathan Hangs, 

united with the church at a vi-ry early age, and marks the ti by the I'eler i'. Sanford, Lai an Clark, Daniel tlstramler, I'hineas liice, Ularviu 

preachers who were on the circuit at the time when the l:<^v. I'luneas Kichaidson, Nii holas While, Ilelilan Bangs, .lami-s I'loy, William II. 

Rice preached, and the same year that tJen.HulI, (jf the A liiaii army, Noiiis, Kdwin K. (hiswold, Halt F. Tease, .lohn B. Merwin, tieitrge il. 

in the waruflKPi, surrendered to the British in Canaihi willeait si liking Keltell, Charles Fletcher. 

a blow. Jlr. Loekwood recollects distinctly the remarks. d liiolln.r liice '■The following is a list of the preaehei-s in ch.arge from Islll toL-iTS: 

when he hearil of Hull's inghu ions snrremlei. He said h.^ would like hi Billy Hibbard, Kzekiel Calitield, l.unian Andrews, Salmon Lyrjii, Thomas 

have been general instead of Hull; ■ he thought the British would not Innnimond, Benjamin Gi itlin, I'hineas Bice, Cedes Cari)enter,Theodocius 

have got oil so easy.' And now Brother Loekwood slill lives to see tile Clark. Aaron llniit,.bdin lieynohhs, .bdin M. Smith, Samuel I). Feignson, 

ccmnecling link between the old and newly-ilad i hur.h. Klisha I'. .laeid.s, John 51. Smith, .hdin B. JIatthi.as, Fli Hennison, Jarvis 

" From this ptunt Methodism first made its way into Round Hill. At L, Nichols, Ncdde W. Thomas, Nathaniel i'.uter, N. W. Thomas, Cynis 

or .about this time an appointment w,a.s established at the cdd s hool- F,is-, Kli.jah Woolsey. Louis Clark, Ahmza F. Sillick, Ceoige I,. Fuller, 

Iionse which stood in front of this cdince at the .inncti f the n.ads, Seymour Vaiiduseu, William II. Bangs, Nathan Bii-e, liobert Travis, 

and where the sign-post now stands. This building has huig since been .losiali L. Ilii keison, .lesse Hunt, .Tames II. Bonier, Charles F. Peltoii, 

■ leiimlished, and a new one erected opposite and a little hi the s.aith. .1. K. .Still, Itufiis 0. Putney, liobert Codling, Beii.iaiiiiii Bedford, Jacob 

C.uM the old scho.d-honse tell the stmy of the past, it would not (Uily Washburn. Charles Oos-se, William F. Smith, William McKeiohi.- Bangs, 

speak of the womlei-saeciun|dished in literature and s.ience by the teach- ' John A. .Selleck. Joseph Wihley, William Boss, William I'oiteiis. Luiuan 

ings of the veteran schoolmaster and his accompanying rod of coirei tion, .•\iidnis, Iteubcn Han is (sup,), Samuel I'. Fisher. Ilaiiiel Pevinnie, tlliver 

— here it wjus that your honored servant received his early training, — not | V. Ammerimin, Samuel Cochran, Daniel .1. Wi ight. Henry Hattield. John 

only that, but it would tell of many a battle under the Caj'tain of our | Love.joy, Klijali Hibbard. Abraham S. Fraia is, Charles Stearns, Seneca 

salvation, and many a gloiinis victory. llowland, .1, B. Wilcox, George II. thiodsill. Alexamler McAllister, Moses 

"Keturning to the church. The grouml on which this structure origi- I.yon, S. llowland, .lohn T. Havilainl, Fphraini Watt, Frank M. Hal- 

nally stood was deeded tothe society hy two brothers who arc. still living | leek, Thomas W. Bethel, William McNick.>ll, M. N. (llmslead, T. J. 

and honoiahle iiienihers of this church. Their names are Beii.jaiiiin and j Walt. 

Jonathan Ilnsted. The trustees weio originally Benjamin llusted, Ard ■■ The hdlowingare the naimsof the membeisof Ihecdd chur.li daring 

Ileynolds, of Stanwich; Nathaniel lliisted, James llusted, Nehcmiah its history Irom ll^lo to 1S5-S, where the present church record lom- 

Brown, Major Loekwood, and Abel BeynoMs, of Bound liill. The build- niences, as far as have been obtained: Xathaniel Husted, Ituth llusted. 

iug committee were two hridhers, Nathaniel and Samuel Hnsti-d. The ' Benjamin I.ockwood, Jemima Loekwood, Major Loekwood, Cathaiino 

builder was Silas Brumlage. Only one trustee lives to tell us of the fiast ; Loekwood, Susan Loekwood, Nehcmiah Brown, Betsey Brown, Conklin 

hi-s name is Major I kwood. Only one of the building committee lives, ^ llusted, Folly Ann Hn.sted. James Husted, Mary B. llusted, Nathaniel 

—Samuel llusted, who is now eighty-four years of age, and lives in West- I Husted, Mary 10. Ilnsted, Samuel Husted, Nancy Ilushd, .hmathan I 'lose, 

em New Yolk. ] Blary t'lose, Ard KeynoMs, Ann F. lieynolds, Nancy German, James A. 

"The church was dedhah-il to .Mmighly God by Bev. Noah Levings, : IVarsall, Kstlier A. I'eaisall, .hmathan I'. Ilorton, Sarah A. Keonanl, 

II.D.,of the New York Conference, on Thanksgiving .lay, just fifty yeara Klizabeth Arkerinan. Henry Brown, Sarah Brown, Abraham T. Mills, 

ago. It was Anno Domini Is^is, ih,. lii.v. Danic'l IieVinnc being pn'acher JIary L. Mills, Hester A. Feriis, JIary Mih's, Ann Miles, I'enina Close, 

iu chaige, and the liev. Daniel Ostiander piesMiiig elder. The fiaiin^ Lavinia II. .yt. Sarah Dunn, Kliza I'latt, Toin]diiii Ch.se, Sally D. Close, 

was raised in the mouth of August. It was the custom in those .hiys, Bacliel M. I'latt, Ua. lol I'hitl, .hmathan Loekwood, .Sally Ann Lock- 



388 



IIISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



wowl, nnnfonl Lockwood, SiiSAn Lockwood. Elizabeth 3(or, Bonjanua 
lliiHlcd, Seth SculielJ, AUptil Sullcck, Jtmu-g Brown, Jcininm Bruwn, 
Julitt A. Aliuur, Juliii Puniy, Sunili Purdy, G<;ur^o W. Taylor, I>anit;I 
SliiHili. Ge<irKO Wt-uks, Siit^iil Weeks, Neliemiuh Ferris, Is;iuc Irelaitil, 
l:ii7jil clli Ann Ireluiiil, Squids Selleck.Sanniel Toilil, Saniilel Jl. T. Luvins- 
Wrn-, Sjiralt A. Husteil, Hannah Punly, Calviu I'lirJy, /dilinon Jliner, 
Aliee Lockwuoil. Sarah A. Meail, Aln^il Lueku'uod, John Kirk, Julia 
Kirk, Eilwanl Thompson, Eineliiie Thompson, Abigail .T, Hobby, Sally 
Close, Elizal etli Taylor, Sai-ah Wilson. I'olly Lockwa^id, Eliza Pnrdy, 
Fanny Kuscoe, Amy K. IlnsteO, Abby Jane Selleck, ElizulK'th B. Sclleck, 
Itnlli Selleek, Moses Sar;;ont. 3(ary J. Sar;;ent, Samnel Slead, John 
Bank, Kli7.aln'th Mead, §ar»h Banks, Alary J. Dow, Emily A, BriggH, 
Surah Fisk, Dtireas B. Miles, Maripiis Austin, Anna Lane. Naney Lock- 
w<khI, John llayton, David Davton, Washington Toild, Sarah Lockwood, 
Sarah C. >lills, Sanniel M. Todd, William Snittin. Jerome Ferris. Henry 
Lownsberry, Anna Miles, Abby Miles, Catharine Birdsall, Mary K. Binl- 
84111, Jacob Binlsall, Sally A. Birds ill, Erastils M. Birdsall, Alice Itobbing, 
Henry 31. Pearsjdl. Charlotte Close, Mary Lockwood, Henry Close, Kliza 
A. Matthews, William Ibwcoo, Ann Roscoe, Sarali Payton, ,Tames Nash, 
Alfred S. Wright, Alice Hoyt, Hanmrli Cari)entor, William Sherwood, 
Horace Baillett, Catharine C, Bai-tlett, Elizabeth Loiinsberry, Slargaret 
Mor, Jonathan Ilusted, Nathaniel W. Husted. Armenia Husteil, Betsey ; 
Fowler, David Burns, .Miigail Bnrns, Charles Wils^)n, Anna Brown, 
Ezckiel Kcynidds, Susan A. Youngs, 5Inria Brown, Enoch B. Miles." 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHUUCII, KING STREET.® 
The Jlethodist church in King Street dattjs its 
origin from before tlie Revohition. As New York 
I'ity was the birthjihice of Methodism in this country, 
it was quite natural that tlic region about that city 
should feel much of its influence. Some of the oldest 
records to be found mention King Street as n prcach- 
ing-phicc. Later it formed part of a si.\ weeks' cir- 
cuit with such phiecs as White Plains, Tuckahoc, and 
I'ortchester. Francis Asbury, the first bishop of the 
Mctiiodist Kpiscopal Ciiurcli, often ])reaehcd in the 
old school-house whieli once .stood tibout two hundred 
feet south from the present church edifice on the 
Haiirht farm. 

Tile present building was erected in 1829, and dedi- 
cated by Nathan Jiangs, D.D. Some of it,s early 
)iastois were I. C'andee, Peter Sanford, John N. 
Matl'et, Stephen Martindale, Robert Seeney, Nathan 
Kicc, and William .lewctt. Its first board of tru.stces 
were Jesse Daw.son, Daniel Haight, Neheiniah Brown, 
Samuel Pine, Nehemiah Sherwood. 

Its later pastora were .Tohii Edmunds, Joseph Vin- 
ton, J. Rawlenson, John Havehmd, M. I). Buell, 
Charles Harnhart, and J. B. Sheperd. Its present 
board of trustees arc \V. I). .Slaw.son, J. "W. Sherwood, 
J. H. ilaight, John Urecn, Joseph Haight. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAI- CHUUCII AT MIANLS.f 
The attractive and substantial edifice in which this 
society worships to-day stands ujxui a height known 
in the town of (triH'nwIch as Diamond Hill. The 
location is sightly. Westwtird, within the horizon 
that limits the view of an observer standing upon the 
summit of this hill, rise the stately churches and 
beautiful residences of New Greenwich. Turn the 
eye to the southward, and there comes in view the 
long, brightly-gleaming water-line of the Sound. 

* Couliibutol by Rev. J. B. Slio|dior<l. 
t By Kcv. W. W Jlartln. 



Desirable as a situation with sueh a prospect may be 
for a. church-site, one other fact made it still more 
desirable: Diamond Hill is rock — a kind of granite 
rock — suitable for building purposes. Thus out of a 
rock and on a rock the church was built. 

The edifice is Gothic in its style of architecture. 
Its windows are of stained glass, some given a.s me- 
morials of departed friends. Within, the furnishing 
is substantial and siinj)le. The aim has been to pre- 
sent not fancy filigree- work to surprise, but plain 
attractiveness to win, the worshiper. 

The Methodist Society at Mianus is quite young in 
its separate existence. The circuit to which it be- 
longed was for many years called "The Greenwich, 
Round Hill, Roxl)ury, Stanwich, and Mianus Cir- 
cuit." Not until June, 1871, wa.s Mianus recognized 
as an independent charge. The society prior to 1878 
met in the old neglected structure near the junction 
of the Stanwich and Stamford roads. The church was 
gathering her means to build, so the old building suf- 
fered neglect. 

While still a member of a circuit the church aimed 
at a separate independent existence. Her firjt step 
was to erect a new church. The marble slab over the 
main entrance of the church has this inscription : . 

" Methodist Episcopal Cliurch. 
Erected 1808." 

In a report of the Rev. G. II. Anderson to the 
Quarterly Conference for the year 1869, a few sen- 
tences arc found giving a description of the state of 
afl'airs in the society : "The new edifice is enclosed, 
the heavy work done, and the building gradually goes 
on to completion. The trustees gave thcniselve-* three 
years to complete the work ; two have already ex- 
pired. At the end of the third they will probably be 
in their new church, and with debt enough to make 
them comfortable." The following years proved the 
often-reiterated truth that a large church debt makes 
a small society very uncomfortable. 

In 1874 the debt stood thus: mortgages, SlO.OOd ; 
floating debt, $448. In July, 1S7S, the floating debt 
amounted to fifteen hundred dollars. Thus,, after a 
lapse of ten years, although the society had a fine 
church, it had such a debt upon the building that 
matters were tlesperate. 

It was during this year — the second of the pas- 
torale of the Rev. G. A. Graves — that an effort was 
made to lift this constantly-increasing indebtedness. 
The ta.sk .seemed quite htipeless. How could eleven 
thousand five hundred didlars be rai.sed? Too much 
credit cannot be given to this jiastor and his most ac- 
tive colaborer, Mr. J. H. Okershauseii, treasurer of 
the board of trustees, for their persistent, energetic 
efliirts to liquidate the debt. The members of the 
society gave liberally, and its friends were generous 
when they saw a fiiir prospect of success. These two 
men fought this " fair prospect" into existence. 

The church to-day has the property secured. Most 



GREENWICH. 



389 



(if the (Irlit is jiiiiil in casli, tlir ri'iiiaiiiilrr is (.■ovcreil 
)iy ivlialile suliscriptions. A sense of tlKiiikiiiliR'ss 
pervades the society that tlie pro[ierty. vahu-i! at 
tliirty-five thousand dollars, is theirs. It loid;s I'or- 
ward now to |)rosperous times. 

Tlie history of the eliureh estalilishes this, flint 
lionest endeavor, persistently made, can ai'roinplish 
what at first seemed impossilile. 

There is also a Methodist Cliureh at Coseo!), Imt 
our applieatinn for inftirmation concerning it has met 
with no response. 

EVAXGELICAr, LUTIIKUAX (GEmi.W) ST. P.VUI/S 
CliriiCII, EAST POKTCIIESTEi;. 

Thi.s church was organized in ISd;! liy Messrs, 
Philip RoUliaus aM<l August and William .Vlieiidnitli, 
and Hein. I'feitier. 'J'he first oflieers were ilc'iu. 
Pfciffer. Conrad Sehmehl, lleinricli Menirer, John 
Roemcr, and lleinricli (or Henry) Dehmer. 

The ministers have heen as follows: Herrman J. 
Fischer, Jolm Steiner, (J. ]Ioeck, B. Ciinz, W. Kech- 
eidicrg, and ,T. 1'. Hofl'nian. present incundient. 

The present oflieers are Henry Pfeill'er and Conrad 
8climelil lAelteshe), .Air. .lolin Roemcr, ( 'hristopher 
^IiiUer, .laeol) Cunz, and .Icdm Frey. 

The present mcndiers are Conrad iSchmehl, Henry 
Menger, Henry Pfeifler, John Roemcr, Henry Deh- 
mer, Willi. Diehl, John Frey, Philipp Render, Va- 
lentin Haujit, Fricderich Steinmetz, Christoph Miil- 
ler, Henry Schnautz, .laeoh (_'unz, ,l<jhn Mollcr, 
('hristian Roemcr, and .lolin Frey, Jr. 

The above jiersons, Mr. Rollhaus and .Ihr. William 
Ahendroth and August Ahemlroth, are not members 
of this chundi, being membcr.s of the Episcopal 
CJhuridi (English), but they aided largely in the erec- 
tion of the church, whicdi was built in l.Sti.'l, at a cost 
of ten thousand dollars. 

BANK.SVILEE UAPTIST CliriiCH. 

This churcli was organized in 18'):!, and the first 
ileacons were John Banks and Daniel Voung. Suli- 
sequent deacons have been Franklin Holdiy, D. 
liabliage, John Hull, John P.auks, an.l John J. Hull. 
The two latter are the present deacons. 

The church building was erected in \i<^>'^>, at a cost 
of about six thousand dollars. 

The pa.stors have been as follows: Revs. H. F. 
Smith, D.D., W. B. Guiscard, A. J. Allen, J. S. Gif- 
fonl, Warren Lincoln, and the [ircsent incumbent, 
Rev. Harvey Alley, who was selected .Inly 1, 1.S74, 
and to whom we are indebted for the liistory of the 
church. 

The present .society's committee is as follows : 
Jeremiah Green, three years; John Hull, two years; 
Emmett Smith, one year; James Fi'rris, President; 
Isaac Collard.Vice-Pre.sident ; William Snitlcu, Clerk ; 
J. Albert Barrett, Treasurer. Tlie i>rcsent member- 
ship of the cliurch is one hundred and twenty. 



r.Ai'TisT cnrucii, Kixi: stiieet.? 

The King street Baptist Church celebrated its cen- 
tennial in l>i7.'!. I'p to that time there had been but 
three settled jiastors. IClder Fincli, jiastor for about 
forty years, was followed liy Itev. Mr. Raymond, who 
hcM the pastorate for nearly forty-five years, licing 
succeeded by Rev. (_). C. Kirkum. Tlie ol<l house 
still sta;ids, ;ind in perfect preservation, though never 
rejiaired by so much as a shingle. Regular services 
are now held under the pastorate of Rev. A. F. Perry. 

PT. MAKVS RII.MAN CATIIOI.IC riirP.Cll 
\i located at (Jreenwich, and is a flourishing ecclesi- 
astical body. It is under the [lastoral care of Rev. 
Thomas Smith. 



( ' II A p T i: i: X X X \' 1 1 1. 

GREENWICH tContinued). 

CIVIL LEST— .M LSI 'ELLANEOU.?. 

IiiL'(ir])or;itiiiii iif the Town — List nf Jieprc-it'iitutives — Kiii'-MarUs — Tho 
lluiuu^li — Oiyuiii/iitiuu — I'lfsi'itt l.Hliix'if* — I'loLiuIe .ImJgea— Geiifiiil 
List — S(liuol.s~(in-einvirIi Mutual Iiisunttue (_!nnil':iiiy — Jlasoliic — 
Tlietiieeiiuicli W.-itfi- (Vnriiiaiiy— Tin- AcaiU-iuy — fllilitary. 

CIVIL HISTORY, Etc. 

The town of Greenwich was incorporated in Kit).") 
by Governor Stuyvesant. 

liKPUESKXT.XTIVKS. 

The following is a list of reiu-esentatives to the 
(u'ueral Court from KiTd to IXSd: 

IC-ll, .T,.s,-pli M.a'l, WilJialM Itatrlill; ll.Tl, .^.^c■|lll M.'a.l, .lonalluui 
I,..,-li\v.in,l; IC.Tl', 11.. li.,-,,nl; 1117:1, .I.illll Uolli'V, Salg't .Ic.ljll I...,k- 
v,.,.,l, .lohii Baiikes; 11174, Lieut, .Imiatliaii l.oekwuoil; 107;., iu> 
.ee(,nli Hull, l.ic'iit. .Innatliau l,..ekw..ml ; 1I.77-7.H, .l„l,li Baiikes, 
William I'itkin; 10711, .r..liu Meaile; lOsii, .I,,lin Jlea.l, Sr.; lOSl, 
.7n.ii-lili reriis; lOsi, Jiiseph Fenis, Jdliii llulibyes; 108.3, Lieut, 
.loiiatlian Li<kwn"il, .!■ wph Tlieale; 10S4, no iceoni ; 1085, no irc- 
oj.I; lOSil, .lolin Meaii; 1087, nn leeonl ; 1 OSS, no record; lOSl), no 
leeonl; loil'l, no reioiil ; lO'.ll, .l.ilin Mead, .l,.lin Meade, .Ir.; 10',I2, 
no reeord ; ll.ll.l, Lieut, .lolin llower, Saninel I'eek ; 1C'J4, Elienezer 
^\v:u\ ; 101i.'», no leeord ; lO'.nl, no record ; 10'.17, .lolin lloljl.ie, Thomas 
Close; lO'.ls, no record; llV.ni, Samuel I'eck, Kl>enr7.er Jledo; 17110, 
no lecoiil; 1701, John Ilul.I.ie, Thomas Close; 17IJ2, Jonathan 
Fliistis, Elceiie/.er Meed; 17o:l, KhelieziM- Mead, Tlionia.s Marehall ; 
17IU, Ehene/er Meed; 17iri, no record; 17UO-7; Joseph Knap; I70S, 
Thuiiuus Mai-sliall, Joseph Ivnap; 17011, Khenezer Meed; 17111, 
Cersh, Loekwood; 1711, Klienezer Jle.-il; 171-2, Klienezer Mead, 
Tliomas Jlaishali; 171:1, Khenezer Mead, Samuel I'eek, Thoma.s 
Maiahall; 1714, Khenezer Mead, Samuel IVck, J. dm Knap; 171.% 
Caleh Kiiapp, Thoma-s Maislmll, Ueiiiiioni Luckwood; 1710, Samuel 
Peck, Caleh Knap, Kbenezor Mead; 1717, Caleh Knap, Thoniiis 
Marshall, .hishua Reignolds; 171.S, Caleh Knap, Samuel Miles, Joshua 
Keij^iiolds ; 171!), Samuel I'eck, (lershom Loekwooil, Joshua Reign- 
(dds; 1720, Samuel I'eck, Capt. Caleh Knapp, (lei-shoin Lockwood ; 
1721, .lames Iteif^noldti, Geinlioni Loekwooil; 1722, Lieut. James 
Iteignohls; 172:1, Capt. Caleh Knapp, (leishoni Loekwooil, James 
Uei-nolds; 1724, Geisliom Loekwooil, .Limes Ueignohls; 172r., .lohn 
Walton. .lohn Lyon; 17211, .lohn Lyon, flershom Lockwood, Capt. 
Caleh Knapp; 1727, John Lyon, Cershom Lockwood; 1728, Capt. 
John Lyon, Gershom Lockwood, Capt. James Reigiudda; 172'J-:J1, 
Capt. John Lyon, Capt. James Reignolds; 1732, James Keignoids, 
Capt. John Lyon, Nathaniel Hustead ; I7:j:J, James Reignolds, Khen- 



' Coutrihuted hy Ifev. .K. F. Perry. 



390 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



ozer Mciul, Xiitlian Sniitli ; 1V34, Kbcnczor Mea(J, Nntlianiel Peck, 
Jaiiiet) Keigii<>l<l8 ; 17rtd, Jnmcii Rcigiiolds, Kutliiin lIucHleiid, David 
LuckWiHKl ; 17;IG, Jiiinca RciifiiuIdH, Natlmiiiel Peck ; 1737, Kbciiczer 
Mead, Cap!, yathuiiiel Peck, Capt. Janice Reignulds ; 1738, Cupt 
James Rcifjiiuldi*, Capt. Eboiicxer Mead, Capt. Nathaiiifl Peck, 
Jabez 3Icad; 1739, Jabez Sleod, David Lf>ck\vood, Capt. Nathaniid 
Peck; 17W, Capt. Nathaniel Peck, .laliez Mead; 1741, Jabez Mead, 
Capt. Xatlialiiel Peck, Capt. JuliTi Meail, David Lockwood; 1742, 
Jabez Mead, Capt. Nalbaniel Peck, Capt. John Jleail; 1743, Capt. 
Jolin 51cad, Cupt. John Ferria, Jabez Mead; 1744, Jabez Mead, Capt. 
John Mead, Capt. Ebeiiezcr Jlcad ; I74.">, Capt. Ebeiiezer Mead, Capt. 
Jolin Mead, Capt. Israel Kuapp, David Luckwuod; 1740, Capt. Joliii 
Moad, Cjipt. Ismel Knapp; 1747, Capt. Julin Mead, Capt. Israel 
Kuapp, ElHjiiezer Mead; 174.'*, Justus Bush, Capt. Israel Knapp, 
Capt. Jolin Mead; 1749, Capt. John 5Icad, Oersboni Luckwood; 
17o0, Capt. Jolin Slead, Gei-sliuni I.uckwood; 17;'il, Cajit. John 3Iead, 
Capt. Jabez Mead, Ebenezer Meail, Nathaniel Iliiesteii'l ; 17."»'2, lien- 
Jnmin Mead, Jonathan Ilibbanl, Capt. John Mea<l, Nathaniel Hue- 
stead; 17.''3, Capt. Jaliez Mea^I, ('apt John Mead, John Clapp; 17.*>4, 
Capt. John Slead, Ittrnjaniin 31ead ; 17.J.J, Nathaniel Sackct, Bclija- 
niln Mead, John Camp; 17oft-.'>S, John Clitl», Nathaniel Sackct; 
1750, John Clap, Capt. Jabez Slienvood, Nathaniel .Sacket ; 1700, 
Cupt. Jabez Sherwood, Nathaniel Sacket, John Clap; 1701, John 
Clap, Eliphalet Mead; 1702-C3, dipt. Jabez Sherwood, John Clap; 
17C4, Gideon Reynolds, Capt. JalH;z Sherwood, Capt. Thomas 
llobby; 171.0. Capt. Jabez Mead, Calit. Thomas Hobby, Ca|)t. Ja- 
bez Sherwood, Capt. Slessenger Palmer; 1700, Cjxpt. Jabez Sher- 
wood, Capt. Messenger Palmer; 17G7, John Mead, Capt. Edward 
Brush ; 1708, Capt. John Mead, Messenger Palmer, Edward Bi-ush ; 
1700, Capt. John Mead, Capt. EdwanI Brush ; 1770-73, Amos Slead, 
Capt. John Mead ; 1774, Cal^t. John Mead, Amos 3Icad, Peter Mead ; 
1775, Miy. John alead, Peter Jlcad, CVil. John Mead ; 1770, Col. John 
Mead, Dr. Amos Mead; 1777, Col. John Jlcad, John McKay; 1778, 
John McKay, Benjiiniiii 31ead, Jr., Amos 31ead ; 1770, John 31cKay, 
Bezaleel Brown, Col. John Mead, Amos Mead; 17!^'0, John 3IcKay, 
Amos Mead, tVil. John Mead; 17S1, Amos Mead; 17S2-S4, Capt. 
Jabez Filch, Gen. John Mead ; IIK), Gen. John Mead, John 3tcKay, 
Amos Mead ; 17)^0, Gen. John 3Ieml, John StcKay ; 17};7, Gen. John 
9lcad, .John JlcKiiy, Amos Mead; HSii, John BIcKay, Jabez Fitch, 
Amos 3Ieml; I7}S'.), John McKay, Col. Jaliez Fitch; 1700, John Mc- 
Kay, Amos Slead; 1701-02, John 3lcKay, Jabez Fitch, Amos Mead; j 
1703, John 3lcKay, IkMijamin Mead, Aums Mend, Jabez Fitch ; 1704, 
Jaliez Fitch, William Kiiai»l>, John McKay; I70."j, Jabez Fitch, Wil- I 
liani Kna|i|>, KIkanah Mead; 1700, Elkanah Mead, Ehuuezer Mead, 
Vim. Kniipp, Jabez Fitch ; 1707, Ebenezer Mead, Jabez Fitch ; 1708, [ 
Ebenezer .Mead, Shadnich Slead, Elkanah Slead, Elisha Belcher; 
1709, Elkaniih Mead, Elisha Belcher, Win. Kna|ip; 180(1-1, Ebenezer | 
Mead, Wm. Knapp ; IS02, Jabez Fitch, Elkanah Slead ; l."!).'!, Jabez 
Fitch, Elisha Belcher, Elkanah Slead ; 1804, Jalwz Fitch, Elkanah I 
Slead, Neheniiah Wilson; 1^0>j, Nehemiah Wilsan, Isaac Howe; ISOO, 
Neheiniah WilMin, Beiijiimin Brusli. Elkanah Mead, Joshua Ferris; 
1807, Williiim Knapp, Ebenezer Slead, Benjamin Brush, Joshua 
Ferris ; ISlkl, Charles Smith, David Brush, Jaliez Fitch ; IWRI, Nehe- 
miah Wilsjn, David Brush, Isaac Howe; 1810, Is:uic Howe, Nelic- j 
miah Wilson; 1811, Elkanah Slead, Lsaac Howe, Jabez Sleud, Elisha j 
Belcher; 1812, Isaac Hone, KIkanah Slead, Siliu Davis; 1813, Isiuic 
Howe, Silas Davis, Eliakim I.,ockw<iod, IMvid D. Ilnstcd; 1814, ' 
Tlionuw Green, Jala-z Slead, Justus L. Bush; 181.1, Clark Sanford, 
KIkanah Sleail; 1810, Isaac Howe, Enos LockwootI; 1817, Charles 
Smith, Enos IjvUwu.'d; 1^18, Isaac Howe, Clark Sanford, Charles 
Smith; 1810, Stephen Waiing, Knos Lockwooil; 18211-22, Stephen 
Waring, Jared Smith ; 1823, Stephen Waring, SIhls Davis ; 1824, 
Silas Davis, .\muet Slead; 1825-20, Stelihen Waring, Conklin Hilstod; 
1827, Silas Davis, GidcMU Ferris; 1828, SIvphcu Waring, Conklin 
Ilnistod; 18-29, AnI Itcynolils, Samuel Close ; 1830, Silas Davis, Ste- 
phen Waring; 1831-32, Silos Davis. Ikinitow F. White; 1833, Silas 
Davis, .\rl'a Smith; 1834, Joshua Ferris, Barstow F. White ; 1835, 
Silas Davis, Fredeiic Loekwood; ls:to, Cunkliu lliinled, Fnxleric 
Lockwoovl; 18;17, Frederic I^oekwotsl, Soth Lyon ; 18^18, Joshua Fer- 
ris, Zoinui Slead ; 1830, Conklin II UBtwl, Eilwln T. Close; 1840, Zenas 
Mead, GIdeun Close; 1841, Gidiwn Cline, Titus Sleiul; 1842, Titus 
Jleail, Poler Ferris : 18*t, Gideon CK«e, Peter Fen la; 18I4,« Cunklln 
lluste<l, Augustus Slend; 1S40, Augustus Sluail, Isiuic Peck; 1847, 
.\ugustus Sleail, Daniel M. Grillln ; 1848, .\uguslns Mr'ad, Joslah 



• No list for year 1S43 In Secretary of "i 



Wilcox ; 1849-50, Joslah Wilcox, Jonathan A. Close ; 1851, Jonathan 
A. Close, Zaccheus Slead; 1852, Josiah Wilcox, Thomas ^. Slead; 
1863, Titus Slea«l, Ezra Keeler; 18.V1, Samuel Slills, Josiah Wilcox; 
1855, .\. Knapp, Lyman Slead; 1850, A rd Knapji, James U. Iloyl; 
I8.'i7, Joselih K. Uns.sell, G. .1. Smith ; I8;'i8, Augustus Slead, Gideon 
Close; 1850, Gideon Close, Daniel 31. Slead: 18I.0, Daniel 31. Sleail, 
Amos M. Brush; 1801, Allen Sutton. A. R. Ncwnnin; 1802, .\llon 
Sutton, Angustus Slead; 18G3-(H, John G. Reynolds, Edward B. 
liewcs; 1805-00, Jolliam Slerritt, Jabez Slead: 1807, Edward B. 
Hewcs, George T. Hobby; 18(W, John E. SVecd, Jonathan A. Close; 
1800, Jonathan A. Close, JohnO. Wellsto[>d ; 1870-71, John Dayton, 
W. J. Slead ; 1872, Thomas A. Slc.ail, James 31. Kcuney ; 1873, Cor- 
nelius .Mead, Charles A. Newman; 1874, Cornelius Slead, John G. 
Reynolds ; 1875, .loliil G. Reynolds, George Vi. Brush ; 1870, Iknja- 
min Wright, Willis H. Wilcox ; 1877, Cornelius Slead, John G. Rey- 
nolds; 1878, Benjiuuiil Wright, Willis II. Wilcox; 1870, Beujaaiia 
W' right, Lyman Moad; 1880, Cornelius SIcad, Lyumn Slead. 

EAU-MARKS. 

.\mong the par-marks recorded im tlie old town- 
book are the following: 

'* Wm. Price's ear-mark is a sli;> on ye fore-side of the off ear. Re- 
corded Nov. 17, 1717. 

" Jonathan Hobby's ear-mark is a crop on ye side of the near ear, and 
a nick on ye under side of each ear. June 0, 1715. 

" Samuel Peck, Jr.'s ear-mark is a crop on ofT-cirr, and a lialf-pcnuy on 
ye fore-side of the same ear, and one slit on top of yo near car. June 0, 
1717. 

" BenJ. Knaiip's ear-mark is a crop upon yo top of the near car, and a 
slit ujiou the top of the off car." 

Ebenezer Mead, Jr.'s ear-mark, recorded July 16, 
1714, " is a half-penny upon ye back side of ye near 
ear, and a nick above ye lialf-penny on ye same side 
of ye ear." 

Nathan Mead's ear-mark, recorded June 23, I'M, 
is " a crop on ye near ear, and a nick on ye fore-side 
of ye off ear." 

IXCORPORATIOX OF BOROUGII.t 
In pursuance of the charter, a meeting of freemen 
in the borough of Greemvich was held at the town- 
house in said borough on the lOtli day of July, 1S.')4, 
for the choice of officers, etc. Kobert W. Jlcad was 
chosen clerk, and the oath of office wa-; administered 
to him by Samuel Close, a justice of the peace in saitl 
borough. The following i)ersoiis were elected : War- 
den, William L. Lyon; First Burgess, Samuel Close; 
Second Burgess, J. B. Curtis ; Third Burge.-^s, Lewis 
Howe; Fourth Burgess, Alvan Mead; Fifth Burges*, 
Philander Button; Sixth Burge.ss, J. 1). Steel; Tre;i8- 
urer, K'jbcrt W. Mead ; Second Baililf, Jonas Mead. 
The following is a list of officerj from 1855 to 1880: 

1855.— Waiilen, Solomon Stead ; First Burgess, Samuel Cliiee ; Swond 
Burgess, Thomas A. Stead ; Tliirvl Burgess, Alvan Sleail ; Fourth 
Burgess, P. Button ; Fifth Burgeas, Darius Slead; Sixth Bur- 
gess, Lewis Howe; Clerk and Treasurer, R. W. Slead; Bailiff, 
John Dayton ; Bortiiigh Prosecutor, J. B. Curtis. 

1850.— Wanlen, Solonuin 51e«d; First Burgen, Samuel Cloeo; Second 
Bnrges.s, J. W. Doniinlck; Tliinl Burgess, .Mv«n Slead; Fourth 
Burgess, P. Button ; FifUi Burgess, J. E. Bmsh ; Sixth IlnrgMB, 
J. B. Curtis; Clerk and Treasurer, B. W. Slead; Bailiti', John 
Dayton; Prosecutor, J. B. Cunls; llnywald, George A. Palmer; 
Pound-keeper, R. W. Slead. 

1857.— Warxlen, Solomon Slead; First Burgess, Samuel Close; Second 
Burge9.s, J. W. Domini k ; ThinI Burgi'ss, Alvnn Sleiul ; Fniirth 
Uurgeas, P. Button ; Fifth Burgess, J. E. Uriuli ; Sixth Burgess, 

t Cuntributed ly Fred A. Uubtsrd. 



GKEENWICH. 



391 



J. li. Curtis; Clcrli iin.l Treasurer, R. W. Iliail; HailifT, John 
I);ivtoM; l'..uurl-k.-i-|ii-r, K. W. Mciul ; llavniinl. Alvan .Mead; 
Prosecutor, J. B. Cuilis. 

— ^Va^len, Solomon Me.id ; First Burgess, Saiiinel r|,,se: Second 
Burgess, Diiuiel M. Mead; Third Burgess. Alvan Mead; iM.urth 
Burgess, P. Button; Filth Burgess, . I. E. Brush ; Sivlh Burgess, 
,r.B. C'urlis; Clerk, Tre.usnrer, aud I'ouiiddi.'.-per, U. W. Mead; 
Bailiff, .lohn Ila.vtou; Ilayward, Alvau Mead; I'rosec iitor, .1. B. 
Curtis. 

— Wuiclc-u, .lames W. Domini -k; First Burgess, .•^arnnel Close; See- 
..ud Iturgess, Alvau Mead; Third Burgess and Prosecutor, .(. B. 
Ciulis; Fourth Burgess, Daniel M. Mead; Fifth Burgess, (J. I,. 
Fuller; Sixth Burgess, J. II. Reed; Treasurer, ,1. K. Brush; 
Clerk and Pound-k..eiier, R. W. Mead ; Bailiff, .h.hn Dayt.m; 
Ilayward, S S. tl;iusey; Assessors, Thomas A. Mead, Soliunon 
M.ad, J.uias Mead; Board of Relief, William F. D.,miiuek, 
Brush Kua]i|i, Dr. Darius Mead; Collector, Isaac L. Mead. 

— Warden, .Tanu'sW.ltonunick; First Burgess, S:iunnd Closi-; Seconal 
Biugess and Ilaywanl, Alvau Mead ;^ Thirtl Burgess and Prose- 
cutor, ,1. B. Ciirlis; Fourth Burgess, Brush Kiuipp; Filth Bur- 
gess, (1. I,. Fulhr; .si\tli Burgess. Thomas A. Jl.-a.l; Treasurer, 
.I.E. Brush ; Bailiff and Colle,t.>r, John Dajt.in ; Pouml-keeper, 
P. Button;! Assessc.rs, Th.unas A. 3Icad, S.doujiUi .Mea.l, .louas 
Jlead; Boar.1 of Relief, William F. Di.iuiui.k, Biu>li Kuapp, 
Dr. Darius Mead. 

-Wanleu, .1. II. K 'e I ; B irgo.iws, Alvau Mea.l, W. F. Domiuick, .1. 

B. Curtis, Brush Knapp, P. Bnttuu, I). M. Mead; Clerk, R. W. 
3Iead; Tieasurer, ,(. K. Brush ; Assessors, T. A. Mi'ad, Solomon 
Mead, .Tonus Mead, ,Ir. ; Board of Relief, W. V. Donunick, 
Brush Knapp. Di. D. Mead; BailitT, ,1. Dayton; Ilayward, Cil- 
hert T. IL.rton; Prosecutor, , I. B. Curtis ; Collect.u, Ben.iamin 
Wright. 

-Warden, L. P. Ilnl.har.l ; Burgesses, Alvau Mead, ,1. B. Curtis, 
Brush Knapp. L. H. .\iken, JIark Banks, William F. Donunick ; 
Clerk, R. W. Meatl ; As»es.sors, Buish Knapp. .louas ]\Ieail,,Ir., 
T. A. Mead; Board of Relict, Solomon Jlead ; BaililT, .1. Da.v- 
t..n; Ihiyward, Drake Jlarshall ; Prosecul.u, .1. i!. Curtis; Cid- 
lc( tor, J. E. Brush. 

-Warden, I,. P. Iluhbard; Burgesses. Alvan Mead, .1. B. Curli.s. 
Brush Kuapp. I.. II. Aik.uj. Francis Tomes. Soloru.ui Mead; 
I'lerk, R. W. Mead ; Treasurer. J. E. Brush ; Bailiff, .1. liaylon; 
Ilayward, Cillurt T. Morton ; Pro.-ei ntor, .1. B. l ui ti, ; C. lie. tor, 
R. W. Jlead. 

-Warden, L. P. IluUharil ; Burgesses, Alvan Mea.l. .1. B. CnrtLs, 
Brush Knapp, F. T.um-s, P. Button, J. II. Brush ; Clerk, Ste- 
phen G. White ; Treasurer, ,1. E. Bi ush ; Asse.ssiors, Sol.unon 
Mead, R. W. Mead, Jonas Mead (2rtl; Board of Relief, Alvan 
Me:id, Brush Knapp, Dr. S. Mea.l; Bailiff, J. Dayton: Ila.v- 
wanl, A. Il.Miglass; Prosecutor, J. B. Curtis; Collector, J. D. 
Ellioll. 

-Wanleu, I,. P. llnhhard; Burgesses, Alvan Mead. Brush Knapp, 
P. Butt.in, Dr. S. Ulea.l, S. M. Brush, Dr. J. II. Biu,h ; Cl.ak, 
R. W. Jlca.l; Treasurer, l;. W. Mea.l; Bailill.J. Dayh.n; Ilay- 
wanl. .\lvau Mead, Brush Kjiapli, P. Butt .u. Dr. .S. Mea.l, S. M. 
Brush, Dr. J. II. Bnish. 

-War.len,Tli.>masA. Mea.l; Burgesses, II, M. B..u.-.liit, J, (J. M.-ad, 

C, II. Seaman, J.iliii Dayt.ui, W. R. Talhot ; Clerk, I.. P. Iluh- 
har.l; Treasurer, I.. P. Ilulilianl ; Asse.s.sors. Sol.un..n Mcail, 
J..U.1S M..-a.l (2.1), Frank Shepar.l; B.jar.l of R.-li,.f, Alvan 
M.a.l. Brush Knapp, Dr. S. Me;id ; Bailiff, .1. Dayt..u ; Ilay- 
wai.ls, II. M. lieiusli.l, J. O. Slead, C. II. S.-aman, .l.ihu Dayton, 
W. I!. Tall...t; l'r...M-. iih.r, II. W. It. Ih.yt; c,,llect,.r, .1. D. 
Elli..tt. 

-War.len, Tli..inas A. .Mea.l ; Burgesses, II. :\I. Bcueilirt, J. Dayton, 
W. R. Talhot, J. O. Mea.l, W. R. Dunto]., P. Butt.ui ; Clerk, 
Mark Banks; Treasurer, Mark IJauks ; Bailill, .1. Dayt..n; 
Pr.isi-.nt..r, II. W. 11. Iloyt. 

-Wardi.ji, II. M. licue.lict ; Burgesses, P. Buth.u, W. R. Talla.t, J. 
Dayh.n, J. II. Cillespie, William Schotield, Isaac h. Mead; 
CI. -rk, Mark Banks; Treasurer, Mark Banks; Assessoi-s, Sol.i- 
mon Mead, Frank Shepard, Stcphcu G. While; Boaril of Re- 



* Refused to be sworn as liaywar.l, and excused at spe.-ial meeting 
held April 16, ISCfl, when Gilbert T. Ilorton was chosen in his place. 

t Refused to he sworn, an. I excused at special meeting hehl Apiil 10, 
ISCO, when R. W. Mead was chosen iu his j la.e. 



lief. Alvan Mea.l, Brush Kuapp, Dr.S. Mea.l ; Bailill.J. Dayh.u; 

C.illeitor, .1. D. Elli..tt. 
-W;ir.leu, II. JI. Beue.lict ; Burg....s,.s, W. R. Talb..t,J. Dayt.m, W. 

U. Dnuton, RoI.eit Mea.l, S..l..ni..n Mea.l, Tie. mas A. Mead; 

Clerk. 5Iark Banks; Treasurer, Jlalk Banks; Ass.-ss.-rs, Mark 

Bank.s, J. ¥,. Brush, S. M. Brush ; IL.ar.l ..t 11. .lief, Alvan Mea.l, 

Dr. S. 5Iead, Frank Sln'par.l; Bailifl", .1. D.iyt.u. ; ('..ille. l..r, J. 

D. Elliott. 
-Wanlen, J.)lin Voorhis ; Bnrg.-sse.s, S.d.uu..n .M.-a.l, J.,hu Iiayt.ui, 

R.jleit Mead, Frank Shepar.l, J. E. Russ. II, Brush Knapp; 

Clirk, Mark Banks; Tr.asurii, Mark Banks; Assessors, I,. 

P. Ilubhat.l, S. M. Brush, J. E. Brush; B..anl ..f R. lief, II. 

M. Filzgi-ral.l, llcorge Sillick, S. G. White; Collecb.r, M. Mer- 

ritt. 
-Wiir.l.ii, J.dui V..orliis; Burges-scs, Brush Knapj., J..I.11 liayt..u, 

J. !•:. Rus.sell, Robert Miad, S.il u M.'a.l, Fiauk .shepar.l; 

Clerk. Mark Banks; Treasur.-r, Mark Baidcs; Assessors, W. 

R. Dunt..u, S. M. Brush, S. G. White; B.iai.l ..f R.^lief, Ge.ugu 

Sillick, Harry Pc-k, II. M. Fitzgilal.l ; Bailiff, J. Dayb.n ; Prose- 
cut. .r, II. W. R. IL.yt; C..llector, JI. Merritt. 
-War.l.-u, J.ibu A'.jorhis; Bul-gesscs, Brush Kiuij.p, J. Dayt.tn, 

S.l n Mea.l. S. Mead, JI.D., J. E. Riis-cll, Ge..rge Sillick; 

Cleik, Mark Banks; Treasurer, Mark Banks; Assi'ssius., S. M. 

Bnrsh, .«. G. White, H. M. Fitzg.'rahl; B.>anl .if Relief, Harry 

IV. k. Brush Kuapp, George .Sillick; Bailill, .1. Dayt..u ; Pjose- 

cub.r, II. W. R. Iloyt; Cdh-cUir, D. Sherw.....l. 
-War.l.Mi. John Voorhis; Burgesses, S. M. Brush, S.)l..in(Ui Mea.l, 

John Dayt.in, Frank Shepar.l, Harry P.-ck, Geiuge Sillick; 

Clerk, Malk Banks; Treasurer. Mark B;iuks; Asses.s..rs, J. E. 

Blush. Alvau Me;i.l, J.G. Mea.l; B..anl ..f R.^licf, Brush Kiiapj., 

Dr. .s. Jl.a.l. John II. Hay; Bailiff, J. D:iyton; Prosecnh.r, II. 

W. 1!. II. .yt; Collector, D. Sherw.>,i.l. 
-Wai.l.ii, J.rhu V.>orhis; Burgesses, S. M, Brush, John Dayb.u, 

Frank Sliepald, George Sillick, J. G. Miail. .Ii.. 11. M. Flt/- 

g.-ial.l; CI.-rk.Mark Banks; Treasurer. Mark Baldis; Assi-ssois, 

J. 1:. Bru.sh, S..lom.ui Mea.l. G.sirge S. Ray; Board of Relief, 

Alvau Jl.a.l, Harry P.-ck, J. K. Kuss.-ll ; BaililT, S. B. Jlead ; 

Pr..M-.nt..r, 11. W. II. Ih.yt; CilL'ttor, 51. Jlerritt. 
-Wanleu, J.dui Dayb.n; Buive.s.ses, J.G. Jleail, Jr., Ge .rge S. Ray, 

B. P. liriish, /,,phar Jlea.l, George Sillick, JIattln-w Jlerritt; 
Clerk. JIark Banks: Ticiisurer, JIark Banks; AsseKs..rs, .s. M. 
Brush, J. E. Russell, H. JI. Fitzgeral.l ; B.iar.l ..f Relief, SoK.m..u 
M.'a.l, S. M. Jl.a.l, W. II. Jli-a.l; Bailiff, S. B. .M..:ul ; Pr.isecutor, 
11. W. 1;. II. .yt; C.dlector, Ge.ugu W. Ealbrgc. 

-War.l.ij. .I..lin Iiayt..u; Biugc'sses. JIattbi'w .M.-rrilt, Janu'S II. 
P.riish, Z.,phar Jleiul, II. M. Fitzgeral.l, S. Jlea.l, Jl.D., Edwin 
A. Ku:i]ip; Clerk, JIark Banks; Tnasurcr, Mark liiiuks; As- 
sessois. Brush Knapp. B. A. Russell, ,1. G. Mea.l; B.i;inl ..f Re- 
lief, J. Boles, J. E. RTis.sell, S..l..m..u Jl.-a.l: Bailiff, S. B. Jlead; 
Pn.si..nt..r. II. W. K. Iloyt; C..llecl.,r. C. S. Russell. 

-Mar.l.ii, ,hdin Diiyton; Burgesses, JIattliew Jl.urilf, /ophar 
Jlea.l. II. JI. Fitzgerald, S. Jlead, Jl.D., W. H. .M.:i.l, E. C. 
Beue.lict; Clerk, Is:uu; L. Mead; Treasur.-r, Isaac I,. Jlea.l ; 
Assess,.rs. Brush Kuapp, J. G. .M.-a.l. B. A. Ru.ss.dl ; BoanI ..f 
Relief.John Bolcs.J.E. Rnss.-ll, S..l..m.>n Jlea.l; Ii,-iilill,l'harl.-s 
II. Rit.h; Pn.s.-.-utor, H. W. R. Iloyt; Colleclor, C. S. R.i,- 
s.dl. 

-Wanl.-n, E. C. Bcn.-.lict ; Burg.^sscs, M. Jlerritt, Elias S. P.. k, 
J. E. Russell, Ge.uge S. Ray, J. G. JIc:ol, (;e.,rge II. Jlills ; 
Clerk, Fre.lerick A. Iluhbai.l ; Treasurer, Fre.leri.k A. Hub- 
baul: AssessiMs, B. A. Russ.-ll, John Dayt.ui, J. K. Itu.s«ell; 
IL.anl of Relief, .Sol.un.m Jlea.l, Alvan ,M.-a.|, E. A. Kn;ipp; 
Bailiff, \..wal G;ceu; Pn.8ocut..r, H. W. R. ll..yt; C.db-ctor, 

C. S. Ru.-sell. 

-Wanh-n, J.jhn V.,..]his; Bnrgcss.-s, J. G. JIe:>.l, E. S. P.-.-k, (i. II. 
Jlills, .S. G. White, H. B. Marshall, G.-.uge S, Hay ; Clerk, Fre.i- 
eiick A Ilnhliard ; Tre;u.urer. Frt-.l.-ii.-k A. Hid.hani; Assess, irs, 
S. JI. ,Me!ul, J.ihn Dayt.iu; B..:inl ..f H.-liel, ,l:ii-..l. Ri|,pl.-, C. S, 
Russell; Bailiff, N..wall Gn-.n; I'lo,,,-, ub.i , II, W. K. Iloyt; 
Cidlector, B. A. Russell. 

-Wm.len, J.din Voorhis; Burgesses, .1. (; Jlea.l, II. B. JIarsluill, 
JI. Jlenitt, Geo. II. Milks, L. P. J.uus, Jl.D., J. E. Iiu,s.-ll, Ji . ; 

Clerk, Fredeiick A. Hid.banI; Tieas r, Fre.leri.k A. Hub- 

har.l; A.-^sessurs, Seaman Mea.l, Vi.t.ir H. Huss.-ll, B. E. Jlead; 
Board of Relief, Jae.ih Ripple, Nels.m Kiuipp, K. ,\. Kuajip; 
BaililT, C. E. JIe:iitt; Prosecuhir, II. W. R. Iloyt ; CoUectiu-, B. 
A. Russell. 



392 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



PROBATE JUDGES. 

The Oroenwicli Probate District was set off from 
the Stain ford District liy the liCgishiturc in May, 
1853. Augustus Mead was chatted judge on the ■'JOth 
of June, 1853, and held the office until his death, 
April 22, 1864. Tlie Stamford judge acted from that 
time until July 4, 1864. 

Jainfcs II. Bru-sh held the oflice from July 4, 1864, 
to July 4, 1873. 

Jlyron L. JIason held the office as follows : July 4, 
1873, to July 4, 1874; July 4, 1875, to July 4, 1876; 
Jan. 3, 1877, to Jan. 9, 1879. 

Daniel S. Mead, Jr., held from July 4, 1874, to 
July 4, 1875; July 4, 1876, to Jan. 3, 1877; Jan. 9, 
1879. He is the present incumbent. 



GRAND LI.«T, 1S79. 
List of polls and taxable property in the town of 
Greenwich ratable by law on the 1st day of October, 
1879. 

I'ropurtv. YrIuo. 

1447dnclliiig-li.".us<-8 S1.''3I.;K"><X1 

:i(;,12S acres of luiiil l,412,l«a (HJ 

Willfl, Htort'n, iimiiiifuctoricii, etc H:i.Of'0.00 

10;f7 horses, asses, uial inllles 4^,07S.(K> 

380.'> ncaKallle 07,"7i.OO 

Slieep, swliit", and i>i)ultr.v, over cxeinptiou W20.00 

ralTiages, etc 22,21.jJX) 

FarniiiiK utensils, niectinuics* tuole, over exemption (i,92i"i.OO 

CltHrks, watches, time-pieces, jewelry 6,415.(10 

I'lnno-Cortes, inn^ical iiislnunents, etc 12,Ol."».IIO 

Ilouselinlil Inrnitnre anil libraries 19,98.5.00 

Qnnrries. tlslieiies, and mines 17,.SOO.O0 

llridtres, turnpike, ]>lank-road, and ferry stock 3,000.01) 

linnk, insurance, and nninnractnting stock 42,t<7l.OO 

State, canal, and all other stocks (except United States And 

niilr»)a<lsiu this Stale) 3,finOO0 

Itnilroad, cily, and other corporation bonds 2.5,50000 

Amount employed in nier-liamllsin); nnil trade 40,:i75.O0 

Investment in mecbaidial and marnifacliiiiii^ operations. (>2,975.0l) 

Investment in veawls, sleanilioats, and coninierco 21..'ifl(l.tK) 

Monev at interest in tliis and other States 45,055 011^ 

Money lUi band ccceediuRSSO 2.%rt!1.0il 

All oilier laxalde property ].5,.5IK)00 

10 per cent, additional for not handing in list 21,459.20 

Total value S:),O30,259.2O 

Poll tnx S.57:i.0O 

Military tax. 1,188.00 

The principal luanufacturers in the town are Rus- 
sell, liurdsall <V Ward, screws, bolts, etc.; the Ha- 
thorne Woolen Mills; Josiah Wilcox, turners' tools; 
and the Greenwich Iron- Works. 



THE GREENWICH ACADEMY.f 
The Greenwich Academy divides with the Congre- 
gational church an elevation of land which is not 
only the most prominent in the village, but the most 
commanding on the cotist between Maine and Florida. 
It overlooks ii landscape of great variety and beauty. 
The two buildings, by their bold situation and con- 
tiguity, fitly symbolize the two forcc-< of religion and 
education wiiich have been nio.st potent in the devel- 
opment of New England, ami through which she has 
impressed her thought upon a large part of the con- 
tinent. 

The academy was incorporated by a resolution of 
« 

* Ket Bmount after deducting 922,M2 fur Indobtmlaoai. 
+ CoDtillulcd 1-y Mr. Frank 8he|iard. 



the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut in 
the year 1827, Dr. Darius Mead and Mr. Alvin Mead 
being its most energetic promoters. At the fir.^t 
meeting for organization the stockholders elected Dr. 
Darius Mead, Jlr. Joseph IJrush, and Mr. Alvin 
Mead trustees, and in the same year the present site 
was selected, a part of the present building erected, 
and the school put into practical operation, the Rev. 
5Iason Grosvenor being the first principal. 

The academy speedily became a flourishing one, 
drawing pupils from a large section of adjacent 
country and attaining excellent rank in point of 
scholarship. From 1827 to 18S3 the school changed 
principals seven times, passing under the charge suc- 
cessively of the Rev. Mtison Grosvenor, the Rev. 
■\Villiam Bushnell, the Rev. William B. Sherwood, 
the Rev. Elain Clarke, the Bcv. Jlr. Pearson, Mr. 
Alexander Reynolds, Mr. Jeremiah Spencer, Mr. 
Philander Button, Mr. Gilbert Sticking, and Mr. 
William D. Penfield. 

It may be said, without mtiking any invidious dis- 
tinction, that of tho^e teachers Mr. Philander Button 
was the most successful and loft the most lasting in- 
fluence upon the community. A graduate of Yale 
College, he united with fine scholarly attainments a 
rare business faculty and a strength and vigor of 
character which early won and always held the 
respect of the school and the neighborhood. 

From 1863 to 1880, with the exception of a period 
of about three years, Mr. Frank Shepard was prin- 
cipal of the academy. He graduated from Williams 
College in the class of 1856, and under his manage- 
ment, for a number of year.^, the school was greatly 
prospered, the number of pupils exceeding that of 
any previous period of its history, and the efficiency 
displayed in all departments being attested by long- 
continued patronage. 

In 1870, under Mr. Shei)ard's supervision and as 
the result of his energetic efl'orts, the academy build- 
ing was enlarged so as to accommodate more than 
double the number i)rovideil for in the original struc- 
ture, and is now well atlapted for the |)Urposes of a 
high school. It has the great and permanent advan- 
tage of a beautift\l situation, with free aect^s on all 
sides to sunshine and fresh air. 

The course of instruction comprises those branches 
which are commonly recognized as preparatory for 
either business life or a college education, and it i.i 
the )>uri)ose of trustees and teachers to secure and 
maintain a high standard of scholarship. The schol- 
astic year commences the second Monday in Septem- 
ber and continues for forty weeks. For more than 
half a centurj- the academy has been the educational 
centre of Greenwich, training two generations for the 
duties and work of life, and preparing not a few for 
the responsibilities of a liberal education. At home 
and abroad, wherever its graduates have gone, its in- 
fluence has been felt in the interests of intelligence 
and cl'.aracter. 



GREENWICH. 



293 



SCHOOLS. 
For prc^^cnt coiiilitioii of .-ichools, soo General His- 
tory. 

IXSl'RANCE. 

The Greenwich Mutnal Insuranee ('i>in]iany was 
eliartered at tlie May session of tlie Legislature in 
LS.")."), and eomnieneed business July 28, 1S5'). The 
objeet of the company is self-protection, and its busi- 
ness is confined to tl.e town of Greenwich. The ]iresent 
president is Col. Thonuis A. Mead. 

ACACIA LODGE. NO. 85, F. A. M.» 
The lodge was organized .Tune 27, 18o7. The char- 
ter was granted Jlay 12, 18."iS, with the following 
members: Samuel Close, William L. Lyon, Daniel 
Lyon, Frederick Lockwood, Titus ]\Iead, Daniel M. 
Mead, Lewis A. Reed, Charles Wilson, Xeliemiah 
Peek, Benjamin Husted, Bartow I''. White, Abraham 
H. Close, Luke A. Lockwood, Isaac .1. ].,ockwood, 
Edward B. Hewes, .Josejih Jloriic, Lewis Howe, 
Francis Douchy, Ezra Keeler, Denoni rainier. 

The Masters from 1857 to 1880 have been Luke 
A. Lockwood, 18.'>7-.58, 18Gl-(;2, 18(1:!, ISdC, 18(iS-(;9, 
1878-711; Joseph Home, LS.^'.MIO; Edward B. Hewes, 
lS(i4; .lolm N. Lewis, 1805; George M. Lockwood, 
18(;7; Benjamin P. Smith, 1870; Joseph R. Jlerritt, 
1871; Silas S. Downes, 1872-73, 1877; Robert T. 
Merritt, 1874-75; Edward Greenwood, 187(). 

The present (1880) officers are as follows: Oscar 
Peck, W. M.; Elias S. Peck, S. W. ; George (i. Mc- 
Nall, J. W.; Robert Wellstootl, Sec; Isaac L. Mead, 
Treas.; Fred A. Hubbard, S. D.; Samuel Guion, 
J. D. ; Luke A. Lockwood, Chap. ; Benjamin L. Lock- 
wood, Solomon Reynolds, Stewards ; John Riehl, 
Tiler. The number of members on tlie roll is one 
hundred and eighty-eight. 

THE (lUEEXWirn WATER COJIl'ANV. 

This company was incorporated by the Legislature 
of 188(1, and has a cai)ital of sixty thousand dollars, 
with i)ermission to increase to one liundred thousand 
dollars. The reservoir comprises sixty-five acres, with 
a capacity of three hundred million gallons. The 
charter covers Greenwich and vicinity, and the coni- 
l)any have now under consideration the subject of 
supplying Portchester, N. Y., a large and growing 
village adjoining this town, in New York State. As 
far as (ircenwich is concerned, the coni]iany will give 
a fidl supi)ly of water. 

The lake from which the water is taken is at an 
elev.ation of two hundred and eighty-five feet above 
tide-water and finely located, being a sort of natural 
basin inclosed by hills. Across the southerly end the 
coni])any have built a dam four hundred and eighty- 
five feet long, composed of an earth endjankment 
built on both sides of a strong stone wall. The ex- 
treme width of the dam at its base is one liundred 
and six feet, and at the top twenty feet. 



26 



'- Contributed t>y George G. McNuIl. 



The water will pass through a large filterer before 
entering pipes. The filtering-chamlier is divided 
into three sections: in the first section the water 
enters from the lake and filters through charcoal into 
a second chamber filled with spongt's, and from this 
second chamber to a third, from which the mains 
start. 

Tliere will be one hundred and thirty-four feet tn 
the highest pi>int in village, and at the lowest about 
two hundred and eighty-five feet, the water-level. 
There will be a jiressure of from sixty to one liundred 
and twenty jiounds to the square inch in tlie village, 
according to situation. 

The jiresent officers are : President, A. Foster Hig- 
gins ; Vice-President and Treasurer, E. Cornelius 
Benedict; Secretary, George G. McXall ; r)ircctois, 
A. Foster Higgins, Jeremiah Milbaiik, William 
Rockefeller, Luke A. Lockwood, and E. C. Benedict. 

MILITARY RECORD. 
The following record of those wdio enlisted in the 
war of the Rebellion from this town is taken from the 
" Catalogue of Connecticut A'olunteer Organizations," 
which was prepared from the records in the office of 
the adjutant-general at ILirtfurd. 

FIItST c.w.M.nv. 

Cniiqiaiii/ F. 
James riimiiiif^'lmni. piil, Jan. 'Jit. 1S(;4. 
P. l.yiieh, eiil. Jan. 'j.'.*, 1SG;1. 
James Sullivan, enl. Jan. till. 1SG4. 
J'eter Burke, enl. Dec. 12, Isi;:). 
James Custellu, enl. Sept. (1, 1S('4. 
I'atriek (Jc.j-le, enl. Dec. 2;), 1S(H. 
J. Kilwanls, enl. Dee. 14, 1»(H. 
T. (ireelitielil, enl. Dec. j, lsi;4. 
II. Unglies, enl. Dec. 5, lSi-4. 
D. Ilenilerson, enl. Dec. 2;i, 1804. 
Charles Jolinsun, enl. Dec. :l, ls(54. 
Francis Kelley.enl. Sept. R, 1.SG4. 
James Jlott, enl. Dec. 30, 1SI14. 
J. Mnluiney, Sept. 0. 1804. 
R. JleGieger, enl. Dec. ;i, 1804. 
.lames Jlitchell, enl. Dec. Ill, 1804. 
Frank Nagle, eiil. Dec. 12, 1804. 
H. V. Null, enl. Dec. :)1, 1804. 
James o'Hrien, enl. .Ian. 211, 1804. 
V. Ilcjake, enl. Dec. 1(1, 18G4. 
D. Ilu.licel, enl. Dec. 21, lsi;4. 

SECOND LIGHT BATTERY. 

.lames Dnjwn, enl. Feb. 22, 1804 ; nnist. imt Aug. II, 180.i. 
Jolin t.'ain, enl. Feb. 22, 1844; muat. nut Aug. II, 1800. 
Chailes Feley, enl. Feb. 18, 1SC4. 
Dennis Ryan, enl. Feb. 22, 1SG4 t (lied April 20, 1SC4. 

FIRST ARTILLERY. 
Comptiiiij B. 
S. A. McKenzie, enl. Sept. S, ISGl. 

SECOND AKTILLEUV. 
Compiniii L. 

Til a-s Farrell, enl. Feb. I, 1804; must, out Aiig. 18, I8O.1. 

Williunk Ford, enl. Nov. 12, 1804; must, nut .Vug. 1,8, ISGJ. 

George Green, enl. Feb. 4, 1804. 

James Huglies, enl. Feb. 4, 1804. 

I'. Kelly, enl. Feb. ), 1804. 

William Provost, enl. Feb. 4, 1804. F 



394 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Cw"j...»;, .1/. 

C. G. Hurt, cnl. Dec. 13, 1804. 

C)mi-)o8 llonry, eiil, Dec. 12, 18&1; must, out August, 18C5. 

J. Jones, cnl. Feb. 12, 18iH. 

A. Joseph, onl. Dec. 10, 1804; niiflsing. 

llenrj' Miiskoll, eul. Feb. 12, 18G4 ; must, out August, 18C5. 

John C. Fiirroll, enl. Feb. 12, lSfl4. 

A. Jean, enl. !ie|>t. C, I8l>4. 

D. Cuuoy, onl. Feb. 1, 1804. 

rrFTII REGIMENT. 
Company D. 
Frank Milhiril, onl. July 22, ISOl ; Jis.h. July 21, 18C4. 
Snniml Millnril,cnl. July 22, I8C1. 
Clinrles Purdy, enl, Jan. II, 1805. 

Compnwj C. 
Gcorgo Burke, enl. Dec. 8, 1K04. 

SIXTH REGIMENT. 

CompaHf/ D, 
\V. n. Riiley. enl. Sopt. 5, ISnl ; dlach.Sept. 11, 1804. 
W. II. lly.le, enl. Sept. ■'>, l.sin ; pro. to flrst licutenunt, Nov. H, 1SC.2. 
Chnrles Bing, enl. Sept. o, ISGl ; ilisch. Feb. 'J, XsdS. 

E. Buckley, enl. Sept. o, 1801 ; iliscli. Sept. II, 1804. 
Tlionuu Buckley, cnl. Sept. 5, ISOl ; disch. Aug. 10, 1804. 
J. F. Ilns^eniunn, cnl. Sept. 5, 1801. 

A. 0. Ilyde, enl. Sopt. 5, 18r,l ; must, out Aug. 21, 1803. 

Juuies Jones, enl. Sept. .5, 1801. 

Charles II. June, enl. Sept. S, 18G1 ; disch. Sopt. 11, 1804. 

E. I,ockwix>il, enl. Sept. .1, 1801 ; disch. Sept. 11, 1804. 
Julue-s SleGee, enl. Sept. .'>, 1801 ; must, out Aug. 2o, 180-"». 
Irving L. Sniffen, enl. Sept. [i, 1801 ; must, out Aug. 21, 1803. 
U. E. Snyiler, enl. Se|)t. 5, 1801 ; must out June 8, 1803. 

W. II. Sherwood, cnl. Sept. 5, 1801 ; disabled April 22, IS03. 
Cliurles II. Goodlicnrt, eul. Dec. 30, 18U.1 ; niuiit. out Aug. 21, I8G3. 

SEVENTH REGIMENT. 
Company B. 

F. McNumara, cnl. Oct. 31, ISO;! ; must, out July 20, 1SC5. 

EIGHTH REGIMENT. 
ComjHiny D. 
Rieharil Dallo, enl. Feb. 10, 1804 ; must, out Dec. 12, 1805. 
V. Combs, enl. Feb. 10, 1804. 
E. Fanning, enl. Feb. 10, 1804. 
Thomas Mundiiy, cnl. Feb. 10, 1804. 

Company II. 
W. W. Wilkins, cnl. Sept. 2:), 1801. 

NINTH REGIMENT. 

C^mptiny B. 
William Koilc, cnl. Jan. 19, 1804 ; must, out Aug. 3, 18C5. 

Conipony C. 
J. n. Vorhcce, enl. Jan. 18, 1801. 

Company D. 
3. Hamilton, enl. Dec. 22, 1804; must, out Aug. 3, 1803. 

TENTH REGIMENT. 
Company It. 

Gcorgo Gill, enl. Fob. 22, 1804; klllwl June 18, 1804. 
John Sluorc, unl. Dec. 13, 18C3; must, out Aug. £i, 1803. 

Company I. 
David 51. Meoil, com. Oct. 2, 1801 ; pro. to mi\jor ; died Sept. 19, 1802. 
Isaac O. Close, com. (let 2, 1801 ; first lieutenant ; resigned Sept 10, 1802. 
Tbonuis It. Mead, second lieutenant ; com. Oct 2, 1801 ; pro. to cnptoJn ; 

dU.<l Dec. 23, 1802. 
Dalii. 1 P. Jli.rell, eul. Oct 2, 1801 ; dloch. Oct. 7, 1804. 
M'. 11. Marshall, onl. Oct 2, 1801; pro. to flrel lioutcnaut; must, out Oct. 

7, 1804. 
J. A. Lombard, onl. Oct 2, 1801 ; krfled March 14. 1802. 
Benjamin Wright, enl. Oct 0,1801; pro. to first lioutcnaut; must out 

Oct. IS, 1804. 



\f. L. Savage, cnl. Oct. 2, 1801 ; pro. to socond lioutonant ; must, out Aug. 

10, 180'!. 
W. H. Knapp, enl. Oct. 2, 1801 ; disch. Oct 7, 1804. 
D. S. Marshall, enl. Oct. 2, 1801 ; disch. Oct. 7, 1804. 

C. M. Holmes, enl. Oct. 2, 1801 ; kill«l Oct. 13, 180-1. 
William Long, cnl. Oct. 2, 1801 ; died Aug. 11, 180.3. 
William U. Salter, cnl. Oct. 9, 1801 ; died Dec. 2J, 1803. 
1>. B. Ferris, enl. Oct. 2, 1801; disch. Oct 7, 1804. 
George H. Dayton, cnl. Oct. 2, 1801; disch. May 2«, 1801. 
William SnilTcn, enl. Oct 2. 1801 ; died June 10, 1802. 
Thonnul Lloyd, cnl. Oct. 2, 1801 ; disch. Oct 7, 1804. 

II. E. Daker, enl. Oct. 7, ,1801 ; disch. Oct. 7, 1804. 

Willijini Ilird, enl. Oct. 14, 1801 ; disch. Oct 8, 1804. 

J. E. Byxby, enl. Oct. 2, 1801; disch. Oct. 7, 1804. 

Ednniml lluoth, enl. Oct. 2, 1801 ; disch. Oct 7, 1804. 

Emstils Burns, eld. Oct, 2, 1801 ; disch. Oct. 7, 18G4. 

J. H. Burns, enl. Oct. 2, 1801 ; captured December, 1803 ; disch. January' 

1805. 
William S. Chamberlain, cnl. Oct. 2, 1801 ; died May 13, 1803. 
Ludlow L. CliB.ie, cnl. Oct. 2, 1801; disch. Oct. 7, 1804. 
George B. Dibble, eul. Oct. 2, 1801 ; disch. Oct. 7, 1804. 
John DulTee, enl. Oct. 22, 1801; disch. Oct. 7, 1804. 
Alexaniler Ferris, enl. Oct. 0, 1801 ; died May, 1804. 

D. I. Finch, enl. Oct. 5, 1801 ; disch. April 3, 180:1. 
Jared Finch, enl. Oct. 5, 1801 ; disch. April 3, 1801. 
G. S. Funslon, onl. Oct 5, 1801 ; disch. July 23, 1802. 
J. S. Gerald, onl. Oct. 9, 1801 ; died Nov. 14, 1803. 

N. Grcon, oul. Oct. 2, 1801 ; must, out .\ug. 23, 1805. 

James Halt, enl. Oct. 10, 1801 ; disch. Oct. 22, 1801. 

Alexander Henderson, enl. Oct. 2, 1801 ; died Nov. 2, 1802. 

Willani Ilernmnco. cnl. Oct. 2, 1801; must out Aug. 23, 1805. 

Peter Ihiyl, cnl. Oct. 2, 1801 ; disch. Mnndi 27, 1803. 

U. Hubbard, enl. Oct 9, 1801 ; disch. March 18, 1803. 

John llnlibaril, cnl. Oct 2, 1801 ; died Dec. 18, 1802. 

J. W. Hubbard, enl. Oct. 9, 1801 : disch. Oct. 7, 1804. 

Charles Hughes, enl. Oct 2, 1801 ; must, out Aug. 23, 1805. 

T. P. Hunt enl. Oct. 2, 1801 ; disch. Oct 7, 18IH. 

A. A. Ilusted, enl. Oct 2, 1801 ; disch. Dec. 1, 1802. 

N. L. Ilusted, cnl. Oct 2,1801; wounded Aug. 10, 1804; dbcli. Oct. 1, 
1804. 

S. Jarnian, cnl. Oct. 2,1801 ; died Oct 29, 1803. 

William Jarman, enl. Oct 2, 1801 ; died Oct. 2, 1804. 

Franklin Johnson, enl. Oct. 10, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 25, 1803. 

W. H. Lockwood, enl. Oct 2, 1801 ; dieil Sept 20, 1803. 

S. D. Louden, onl. Oct. 2, 1801; must out Aug. 23, 1803. 

William Lowery, enl. Oct. 2, 1801 ; disch. Oct. 2, 1804. 
j M. Lyons, cnl. Oct. 2. 1801 ; disch. Oct 21, 1801. 
I S. A. Luyon, enl. Oct 2, l.SOl ; disch. Oct. 1, 1804. 
I P. Manion, enl. Oct. 2, 1801 ; disch. Oct. 7, 18'V1. 

J. B. Matthews, enl. Oct 2, 1801 ; dlscli. Oct 7, 18C4. 
! C. W. JlcCan, cnl. OJt 2, 1801. 

John McCan, enl. Oct. 14, 1801 ; disch. Oct. 7, 1804. 

James SIcDonald, enl. Oct. 10, 1801 ; dknl March 10, 1802. 

E. 8. Miles, eul. Oct 14. 1.801 ; ■lisch. Feb. 14, 18(0. 
It A. Miller, enl. (let. 10, ISOl; died Sept. 14, 1804. 
A. F. Mills, enl Oct. 10, 1801 ; di.sch. Oct 7, 18lH. 
Henry H. Mead, enl. Oct. 14, 1801 ; die<I April 21, 1802. 
L. Moshier, onl. Oct. 2, 1801 ; died Nov. I.'i, 1802. 
Terrence O'Bryaii, onl. Oct 2, 1801 ; mual. oul Aug. 23, 1803. 
O. Olniste<l, enl. Oct. 2, 1801 ; die<l Feb. 10, 1802. 

Charles Petersen, enl. Oct 14, 1801 ; disch. for disability, April 10, 1802. 

John Renlhslor, unl. Oct 2, 1801 ; die<l May 13, 1802. 

W. II. Hitch, cnl. Oct. 2, 1801 ; must, out Aug. 2.'>, 1803. 

G. P. Ilid.bliis,cnl. Oct. 2, 1801 ; «ounde<l Aug. 10, 1804; di«ch.Oct 1804. 

W. A. Robbins, enl. Oct 2, 1801; wounded; pn>. ailjutanl; must, out 

Aug. 23, 1803. 
William ilulherford, euL Oct 2, 1801; wounded Aug. 14, 1804; disch. 

I>;t 7, 1804. 
John Schufer, cut. Oct 2, 18C1 ; wounded Doc. 14, 1602 ; dbch. Oct 7, 

1804. 
Lewis Schufer, enl. Oct. 2, 1801 ; must out Aug 23, 180.'i. 
W. M. Scott, enl. Oct. 0, 1801 ; wounded Slay 10, 1804 ; disch. Oct 7, 1804. 
S. Selleck, enl. Oct. 9, IsCl ; dl«ch. for disability, Dec. 30.1801. 
P. Sheeraii, cnl. IHt. 10.1801 ; wounded Dec. 14, 1802; disch. Oct 7, 1804. 
Gcorgo II. Studwell, cnL l}ct 10,1801; wuuudni Aug. 31, ISC4; dlKh 

CVt. 13, 1804. 
J. H. Scott, enl. Oct. 31, 1801 ; disch. Oct 7, 18C4. 



GREENWICH. 



395 



Zacll. Tillsiill, fill. Oot. 14, 1801 ; disch. Oi-t. 7, ISM. 

Oe..Tgc E. Tinker, enl. Oct. 2, ISOl ; discli. Oi't. 1, 1804. 

Edward T..li>iid, fiil. Oct. 14, 1805. 

J. L. Tc.riii.'.v, fill. Oct. 14, ISOI ; died Dec. IT, 1.902. 

.1. L. \Viilliicc, ciil. Oct. 2, 1801 ; died Dei-. 10, 1802. 

L. Waterliiiry, enl. Oct. 'J, 1801 ; discli. fur di.ialiility, Dec. 1, 1802. 

.Tolin WehI.er, enl. Oct. 14, 1801 ; ilisoli. Oct. 7, 1804. 

H. J. Weeks, enl. Oct. 2. 1801 ; died Oct. 4, 1801. 

\f. H. \Vilco.\, elil. Oct. 0, ISCI ; wuuniled Aug. 4, 1804 ; discli. Oct. 

1804. 
J. H. Winiis, enl. Oct. 22, 18r.l ; .liscll. Dec. 2ll, ISOl. 
J, n. Brown, enl. Aug. 24, 1.802; discli. f.ir disidiilitj-, May 7, 1805. 
P. Darrett, enl. Dec. 211, 180:i ; must, nut Aug. 25, 1805. 
C. II. Iloyt, enl. Doc. 17, 18C:i; died Niiv. 5, 1804. 
J. Liickwooil, enl. Aug. 14, 1802; died Oct. 28. 1804. 
Samuel Llityd, eiil, Aug. 14, 1802; must, out June 15, 1805. 
Joslinji Lloyd, enl. Sept. 1(1, 180.2; must, out .June 15, 180.5. 
Zacll. Mejid. enl. Aug. 25, 1802; must, out June 15. 1805. 
Silas E. Mead, enl. Aug. 14, 1802 ; must, out .Inne 15, 18115. 
"William Jlorrisun, enl. Aug. 15, 1802; must, out June 15, 1805. 
S. E. >till8, enl. Aug. 14, 1802 ; discli. for ilisal.ilil.v, FcOriiary, ISIK. 
James K. Ulead, enl. Aug. 1, 1802: died March 12, 18ir.. 
Edward Moe, enl. .\ug. 2;), 1802; must, out June 15. l.sio. 
E. S. I'eck, enl. Aug. 14, 1802; must, out June 1.5, 1.805. 
Elias Ringrose. enl. Sept. 9, 1802; must, out June 15, 1805. 
II. Roldiiiis, enl. July 28, 1804 ; must, out .\ug. 25, 1805. 

EIFTEENTII KEGIMENT. 

It. Callahan, enl. Dec. 12, 1804; missing March 8, 1805. 
John Galvin, enl. Dec. 10, 181,4 ; must, out July 20, ISM. 
John Sweeney, enl. Dec. 12, 1804 ; must, out July 20, 1805. 

Compainj A". 
Jonn Ilickey, enl. Dec. 12, 1804 ; must, out July 20, 1805. 
Thum.ia Daley, enl. Dec. 12, 1804; missing. 

SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT. 

Cowpaiiy B. 

C. Stottler, enl. July 21. 1802 ; must, out July 10. 1805. 
W. H. Cox, enl. July 23, 1802; died May 15, 18li5. 

Charles F. Rich, enl. Aug. 10, 1802; must, out July 10, 1805. 
\V. W. Roseue, enl. Sept. U, 1804; must, out July 10, 18(;5. 

Company I. 

D. Oliphaiit Benson, captain ; com. Aug. 8, 1802; ilieil Nov. 10, 1.802. 
Thomas A. Haight, first lieutenant; com. Aug. 8, 1802; 



res. March 28, 
180:i. 

D.AV. Mead, second lieutenant; com. .\ug. 0. 1SG2; pro. to first lieuten- 
ant; res. Dec. 20, 180;i. 

G. C. Peck, enl. .\ug. 14, 1802 ; pro. to first lieutenant ; must, out July 
14, 1805. 

J. II. Held, Jr., enl. Aug. 14. 1802; pro. to second lieutenant; must, out 
July 14, 180.5. 

D. Eagaii, eiil. Ang. 0, 1802; trans. Feb. 25, l.sOo. 

S. S. Chard, enl. Ang. 8, 1802. 

J. W. Rae, enl. Aug. 0, 1802; died Dec. 0, 1803. 

Charh-s A. Ilayton, enl. Aug. 11, 1802. 

II. V. Peck, enl. Aug. 13, 1802; must, out July 10, 1805. 

0. S. Ingersoll, eiil. Aug. 7, 1802 ; must, out June 8, 1805. 

W. A. Baker, enl. Aug. 12, 1802; must, out July 10, 1805. 

Charles P. Piatt, enl. Aug. II, 1802; discli. Nov. 1, 1,804. 

A. M. Worden, enl. .\iig. 8, 1802; trans. Dec. 1, 1803. 

Thomas Brundage, eul. Aug. 7, 1802 ; discli. June 1.5, 1805. 

F. B. Elliott, enl. Ang. 11, 1802; mii^t. out July 10, 1805. 

John Purdy, Jr., enl. .\ug. 0, 1802; must. <ait July 10, 1805. 

Charles E. Purdy, enl. Aug. 8, 1802; must. out July 10, 1,805. 

Harry Alexander, enl. Aug. 11, 1802. 

Brush Hanks, enl. Aug. :!ll, 1802; ilisch. Jan. 5, 1803. 

John B. Barmore, enl. Aug. 12, 18G2. 

P. Barrett, enl. Aug. 11, 1802; discli. March 25,180.1. 

D. Booth, enl. Aug. 0, 1802 ; must, out July 10, 1805. 

W. R. Booth, enl. Aug. I!, 1802 ; discli. Dec. Ill, 1802. 

James Birdsall, lUil. Aug. 8, 1802 ; must, out July 10, 1803. 

A. Barnes, enl. .\ug. 7, 1802; must, out July 10, 1805. 

John Burnett, old. Aug. 8, 1802; must, out .Inly 10, 1805. 

Michael Clark, enl. Aug. 8, 1802; must, out July 10, 1805. 



Thomas Collins, enl. Aug. 11, 1.802 ; must, out June 28, 1805. 

John Ciimiskey, enl. .\.ug. 5, 180.2; killed January, 1803. 

A. Cri.nnna, enl. Ang. 8, l.Si;2; .lied Oct. 25, ls02. 

II. Cumniiiigs, enl. .\ug. 0, 1802; discli. Dec. Ill, 1802. 

Charles Drnnim, enl. Aug. 22, 1802 ; must, out July 10, 1805. 

C. Dayton, enl. -Vug. 11, 1.802 ; must, out July 10, 180,5. 

G. W. Dayton, enl. Aug. 7, lsi,2. 

■William Dove, enl. Aug. 7, 1.^02; discli. Jan. 1, 1803. 

J.jlin Doheity, enl. Aug. 0, 1,802; disch. May 27, ISO,'.. 

W. D. Dcl.I.iis, enl. Ang. 13, 1802. 

Thom.is Edwards, enl. Ang. 11, 180,2; must, out Juiii' 28, 180.5. 

.lohn FaiTell, enl. .\ng. II, 1.802; must, out July 10, 1805. 

.loliu Fay, ciil. Aug. 8, 1802 ; must, out July 3, 1.S05. 

John Ferris, enl. Aug. 11. 1.802; disch. March 0, 1803. 

■W. I. Finch, enl. Aug. 11, 1802 ; must, out July 10, 1805. 

Th..niiis Fitzgerald, enl. Ang. 0, 1802; must, out July 10, 1S05. 

J. R. Flood, enl. Aug. 11, 1802; must, out July 10, 181,5. 

Samuel Fisher, enl. Aug. 11, 1802; must, out .Inly 10, 1805. 

William Frary, enl. Aug. 0, 1802; disch. Jan. 1, 1803. 

T. Grady, enl. Aug. 8, 1802; disch. Nov. 11, 180.2. 

Wm. S. Gregory, enl. Aug. 11, 1.802; killed July 1, 1803. 

.1. lleani, enl. .Vug. 0, 1802; .lied April2l, 18i;3. 

E. Ilusted, enl. Aug. 11, 1802; .li.-d Man h 4, 1.804. 

William June, enl. Aug. 0, 1802 ; must, out July 10, 1.805. 

W. Jarmaii, enl. Ang. 11, 180.2; kilh'.l Aug. 20, 181.3. 

Ell.ert Kinch, enl. 11, 1802 ; must, out July 10, 1805. 

II. Lawrence, enl. Aug. 11, 1802. 

David Light, enl. Ang. II, 1802; must, out July 10, 1803. 

.lames Light, enl. Aug. 1.5, I.S02; .lied April 2, 1,81.3. 

Fitch Lockwood, enl. Aug. II, I.si;2; must, out July 10, 1805. 

J. Lowdeii, enl. Aug. 11, 1802; must, out July 10, IS05. 

Janii-s E. McGuue, enl. Aug. 11, 1802; must out July 10. 1.S05. 

E. J. Marshall, enl. Aug. 8, 1802; .liscli. Jan. 20, 1.X03. 

John Marshall, enl. Aug. 12, 1802 ; must, out July 10, 1805. 

I. L. Mea.l, enl. Aug. 0, 1802; must, out Aug. 5, 1805. 
James McElroy, enl. Aug. 7, lsi;2 ; must, out July 10, 1,805. 
J, T. Moore, eul. Aug. 12, 1,802 ; must. ,,ut July 10, 1805. 
George Morrell, enl. Aug. H. 180.2; must out July 10, 1805. 
r. O'Doherty, enl. Aug. 0, 1.802; disch. Dec. II, 1803. 

L. Palmer, enl. Aug. 11, 1802; must, out July 10, 1805. 

S. Palmer, enl. Aug. 8, 18C2. 

Beu.ianiiii Peck, enl. Aug. 8, 1802; must, out .Inly 10, 1805. 

N. E. Peck, enl. Aug. 12, 1802; must, out June 2.s, 1.S05. 

W. J. Piatt, enl. Aug. 0, 1802; must, out July 10, 1805. 

W. II. Provost, enl. Aug. 11, 1802; must, out July 10, 1805. 

William Pur.l.v, enl. Aug. 0, 1802; .lisch. May 22, 1805. 

V. B. Purdy, eul. Aug. 11, 1802; must, out July 10, 1805. 

J. Iliordan. enl. Aug. 13, 1802; mii-st. out July 10, 1805. 

Edwanl Re.ldiugtoii, enl. Aug. 5, 1802; must, out Juno 20, 1805. 

S. W. Reyiiohls, enl. Aug. 13, 1802; died May 28, 1803. 

John Sackett, enl. Aug. 13, 1802; diacli. 5Iarcli 0. 1803. 
i Whitemau Sackett, enl. Aug. U, 1802 ; must, out July 10, 1805. 
I S. B. Sergeant, enl. Aug. 8, 1802; disch. Sept. 28, 1803. 

J. W. Scofield, eul. Aug. 11, 1802 ; must, out July 10, 1805. 

George Van Ness, eul. Ang. 0, 1802; disch. .Ian. 5, 1803. 

S. Van Wert, enl. Aug. 7, 1802. 

D. W. Warren, enl. Aug. 8, 1802; must, out July pi, 1805. 
Edward Weeil, enl. Aug. 11, 1S|;2 ; must, out .Inly 10, 1805. 

E. F. Wordeu, enl. .\ug. 8, 1802; must, out July 10, 1805. 

II. C. Wordeii, enl. Ang. 7, 1802. 

James Wiight.enl. Aug. 0, 18i;2; must, out .Inly 10, 1805. 
W. L. Wooil, enl. Ang. 11, 1802; must, out .liily 10, isiv,. 
M. A. Lowilen, enl. July 10, 1804; must. ..lit July 10, 1803. 
J.diu Dal.'y, enl. Sept. 0. 1804. 
John Scoflcld, enl. Dec. :i, 1804. 

EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT. 
Contpiiny O. 
James Browning, enl. Fell. 1, 1805. 

TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT. 

i'oiiip'iiii/ H. 
George W. Middletoli, captain ; com. Aug. 27, 1802 ; discli. Aug. 28, 1803. 
James Kiley, first lieutenant ; cm. Aug. 27, 1802; disch. Aug. 28, 180.3. 
Edward H. Taylor, enl. Sept. 8, 18i;2 ; disch. Aug. 28, 1803. 
A. Lockwood, enl. Aug. 30, 1802 ; ilisch. Aug. 28, 1803. 



396 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Anron Goniiong:, cnl.Scpl. 8, 18C2; disoli. Aug. 28, 18C3. 
J. Ilullignii, onl. Sept. 12, 18C2; lliscli. Aug. 28, ISKt. 
Gi'orci- W. Oliuslod, enl. Aug. 2H, 18li2; UiscU. Aug. 28, 1803. 
J. Kjle, cnl. S-cpt. 8, 1S«2; dincli. Aug. 28, 1S63. 
W. L. I-iiigonnt, cul. Supt. 0, 1802; discli. Aug. 28, 1803. 
Williiilu II. Kirris, enl. Supt. I!, 1802; (liscli. Aug. 28, 1863. 
Jiuuc» KufTy, enl. Sept. H, 1»C2: diseb. Aug. 2.^,1803. 
Charlis llculil, eul. .Sept. 8. 1802 ; iliscli. Aug. 2.8, 1803. 
E. Jl. I'ViriH, eul. Sept. 9, 1802 ; discli. Aug 28, 1803. 
I.. Slillwell, cnl. Sept. HI, 1802; discli. Aug. 28, 1803. 
C. II. I'cck, oul. Sept. 8, 1802; diacli. Aug. 28, 1803. 
Jl. Malin, Old. Sept. 20, 1802; discli. Aug. 2.S, 1803. 

A. B. 1'iir.Iv, eul. Sept. 5, 1802 ; discli. Aug. 28, 1803. 
,I«me» Louden, cnl. Sept. 1, 1802: discli. April 21, 18(3. 
John llowl™, cnl. Sept. 4. 1802; dipcli. Aug. 28, 1803. 
^Villiiuil Uo)lc, cnl. Sept. 12, 180> ; disrli Aug. 28, 1803. 
Uiivid Butterwortli, eul. Sept. II, 1802; dfcteli. Ang. 28, 180S. 
M. Cone, eul. Sept. 8, 1802 ; discli. Aug. 28, 180:t. 

John Cnnaon, cnl. Sept. 10, 1802; disch. Aug. 28, 1803. 
Kicliurd Pule.v, cul. Sept. 2H, 1802. 
W. r. Dnjtoil, cnl. Sept. 9, 1802; dicil Aug. «, 18G3. 
3(. Denton, cul. Sept. 8, 1802: di»cli. Ang. 28, 1803. 
P. Dilwortli, cul. Sept. 30, 18r.2 ; discli. Ang. 28, 1803. 
Mwurd Fields, cnl. Sept. :', 18i;2; discli. Aug. 28, 1803. 
G. W. FilK'li, enl. Sept. 9, 1802; discli. Aug. 28, 180;j. 
Jobn Kislicr, eiil. Sept. 22, 1802; discli. Aug. 28, 1803. 
Cliailca Finncv, eul. Sept. 8, 1H02; discli. Aug. 28, 1803. 
Martin Fitxpatiick, cnl. Sept. 12, 1802; discli. Aug 28, 1803. 
X. ro,\, cnl. S.'pt. 0, 1802; discli. Aug. 28, 1803. 
Ilarvcy Halter, enl. Soiil. 2, 1802; discli. Aug. 2.S, 1803. 
Hull Ilodgo, cul. Sept. », 1802; diK:li. Aug. 28, 18IJi. 
S. S. Ilortou, enl. Sept. 9, 18G2 ; disch. Aug. 28, 18C1. 
Charles Ilul.l.ard. eul. Aug. 2:>. 1802; disch. Aug.2,S, 1803. 
.losoph Kdle.v, enl. Sept. 211, 1802 ; diecll. Aug. 28, 1803. 
E. Kilc.v, cul. Sept. 30, 1802 ; killcil Juno 14, 18)a. 
G. E. Lauc, cul.Scpl. 8, 1802; disch. Aug. 28, 1803. 
Tlionias Lullay, cnl. Sept. 12, 1802; discli. Aug. 28, 1803. 
H. B. Liick»vH)d, cul. Sept. 10, 1802; ditil Aug. 12, 1803. 
George Floyd, cnl. Sept. :iO, 1802. 

E. Jlahoncy, eul. Sept. 10, 1802. 

John Jlarslnill, cul. Se|it. 19, 1802; dlicli. Ang. 28, ISCi 

F. McTav.v, cnl. Scjit. 8, 1802 ; diecli. Aog. 28, 1803. 
P. McGuire, enl. Sept. 29, 1802. 

Thomas Milej, oul. Sept. .3, 1802; di»ch. Ang. 28, 180.3. 

B. Stiller, cul. Sept. 1, 1802; disch. Aug. 28, 1803. 
George Mo-nc, eul. Sept. 12, 1802; dbcll. Aug. 28, 1803. 
J. W. »l.«>re, eul. Sept. 2, 1802 ; drowned March 22, 1803. 
J. F. Weinmn, cul. Sept. 28, 1802; disch. Aug. 48, 1SC8. 
P. O'Brien, oul. Sept. 2,1802; disch. Ang. 18, 180:). 

G. SI. I'ulnic^r, cul. Sept. 1, 1802; disch. Aug. 28, 1803. 
\V. F. Palnur. enl. Sept. 1, 1802; discli. Aug. 28, 180.3. 
Isiuic Palmer, enl. Sept. 3. 1802 : disch. Aug. 28, 180;i. 
S. K. Parks, cul. Sept. 1. 18iV2 ; disch. Aug. 28, 1803. 
II. Purtlow, cnl. Sept. 12, 1802 ; dlwl July 9, IKIi). 

A. B. Itider, cul. St-pt. 9, 1802; disch. Aug. 28, 1803. 
S. Slaglc, cul. Sept. 9, 1802; disch. Slarcli 21, 1803. 
Charlt'S Smith, cul. Sept. r>, 1802; disch. Ang. 28, 1803. 
II. B. Stoiic, oul. Sc-pt. 8, 1802; disch. Aug. -at, 1803. 
UichanI Teupenny, cnl Sept. M, 1802 ; disch. Aug. 28, 1803. 
A. Van H.iughtuu, eul. Sept. :«), 1.102 ; dimh. Aug. 28, 1803. 

C. E. WiKhl.nru. enl. Sept. 29, 1802 ; died Nov. », 1802. 
Thomas Wiudiliurii, Jr., onl. Sept. 30, 1802. 

J. G. Wcllstouil, Jr., eul. Sept. 27,1802; diul June 24, 1803. 

S. Wesley, cul. Sept. 10, 1802; di«cli. Ang. 28, 18113. 

A. Wllliauuwn, cnl. S.'pl. 30, 1802 ; disch. Ang. 28, 18B3. 

TWENTY-NINTH KKGIMENT. 
ComjMtny A. 
John Bonk», enl. Dec. 1, 180.3; died Jan. 21, 180,^ 
William O. SlIUs, cul. Dec. A, 1803; must, out O^l. 24, \S0o. 

Oonpmiif D. 
J. H. Orccn, onl. Dec. 7, 1863: niiist. oul 0.-1. SI, ISCkI. 
G. B. Thnnins.enl. Dec. 7, 1803; n^t. out (.tct. 24, 18U5. 
W. II. llli-ks, cnl. Pee. 8, Isal; muW. out Oct. 24, 180o. 
Bciijnmlu Fuller, cnl. Sept. 0, 1804 ; must, out June 17, ISO.'). 



Company E. 
Robert Peterson, cnl. Dec. 23, 1803 ; must, out Oct. ai, 1805. 
Clmlles Moore, eul. Doc. 19, 1863; must, out Oct. 24, 18CJ. 
William SIcad, enl. Dec. 19, 1803; died May 21, 18M. 
II. Jcnuisou, cul. Dec. 19, 1863; must, out Oct. 24, 180S. 
H. W'atsou, onl. Dec. 19, 1803 ; died Juno 21, 1804. 

Compiitiy F. 
Abnim Coffin, enl. Dec. 21, laci; died Slay 23, 1804. 
Isaac Caalin, enl. Dec. 29, 1603; must, out Oct. 24, 1805. 
Isaac Merritt, enl. Dec. 15, 180:5 ; must, out Oct. 24, 18C5. 
James Ilobinson, cul. Dec. 22, 1803 ; must, out Oct. 2t, 1865. 

Compatiy II. 
Alexander Brow n, enl. Dec. 5, 1803 ; disch. Sept 5, 1865. 

THIBTIETH REGI5IEST. 
Compmnj D, 
T. n. Singleton, cnl. Dec. 15, 1663 ; must, oul Nov. 7, 1805. 

Company C. 
E. Quillen, cnl. Feb. 22, 1804; died Dec. 11, 1864. 
Charles Baker, cnl. Feb. 22, ISGl; died Oct. 0, 1604. 
£. Barker, enl. Jan. 27, 1.S04 ; must onl Nov. 7, 1865. 
E. Biaa, cul. Feb. 12, 1864; niiBsiiig. 
E. Garrison, eul. Jan. :I0, 1804; died June 18, 18C4. 
William lliinnibal, enl. Jan. 28, 1804; died Slarch 15,1864. 
Frank Johnson, cul. Feb. V>, 1804; died Starch 2, 1804. 
Willinni Lee, enl. Feb. 10, 1864; must, out Nov. 7, 1865. 
B. Palmer, enl. Feb. .'>, 1804; must, out Nov. 7, 1805. 
M. Thomiison, enl. Jim. 27, 1804 ; must, out Nov. 7, 1805. 
Aaius Williams, eul. Juu. 27, 1864 ; must, out Kov. 7, 180.'j. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



COL. THOMAS A. MEAD. 

■Tolm Mead was one of two brothers who emigrated 
from JCnglaiid about tlie year 1642. The family was 
then an ancient and honorable one, though it is not 
within the author's means to trace tlieir genealogy 
previous to their emigration to this country. 

One of their ancestors liad been the friend and the 
physician of the talented tliuugh not very amiable 
Queen Elizabeth. One of two brothers emigrated to 
Virginia, where the family still exists. The other, 
John Mead, with his two sons, came to New England 
about the year 1(542. The name is spelled Meade a.s 
well as Mead. Many claim that they emigrated from 
Greenwich, Kent Co., England, but we have not 
fallen in with any direct proof of the fact, and this 
town was known by its ])resent inime long before the 
settlement of the Mead family. John Mead and liis 
two sons, John and Joseph, having tarried awhile in 
Ma.'ssavhusetts, first .settled at Hempstead, L. I., where 
they remained until October, KJOO, when the two 
sons came to Greenwieh and bought land of IJiehard 
Crab and others, wliirh Wiis deeded to .folin Mead, he 
being the elder. Either John, the father, never came 
to Greenwich, or if so, he took no active part in life, 
now having become quite an old man. His son Jo- 
seph left no children in this town. He ni.iy have 
died young, or left no is.sue, or may have emigrated 
to a did'crcnt jiart <if the country. 

Jolin Mead, the second, — tlied lGi)6, — .-narried Mi.s3 







/I 



I 




.^J^V^/^:<'^^-^ .^y^Ct^C^C^ 



GUEENWICn. 



!07 



Potter, of Stainf'ord, and lol't, as api^'ars by liis will, 
eight sons and, tradition «ly:^, three daUi;hti-rs, viz. : 
John, Joseph, Jonathan, Ehenezer, Nathaniel, David, 
Samuel, Abigail, Mary, and Snsan or (Su-iannah. 
Ebeuezer, the fourth son of second John, was born in 
1(K.)3, and married Sarah Kiiapp, of Stamford, and 
left Ebenezer, Caleb, Sarah, who married Jonathan 
Hobby, Hannah, who married ,l(dHi Hobby, .Jabez, 
David, Abigail, who married Isaac Holmes, Susan- 
nah, who married Jloses Husted, Jemima, who mar- 
ried Moses Kna;)p. The second El)etiezer was born 
(.)ct. 25, 1602, and died May :i, 1775. He marrii'd 
Hannah Brown, of llye, N. Y., on the 12th of Decem- 
ber, 1717. His children were Ebenezer, Silas, Abra- 
ham, Jonas, Solomon, Deliverance, Amos, Edmund, 
Hannah, Jaliez, Jari'il, and Abraham, second. 

Amo.s Jlead, seventh son of the second Ebenezer, 
was a jihysieian by profession, and was a surgeon of 
the Third Connecticut Itegiment in the French and 
Indian war, and his grandson, Col. Thomas A. Mead, 
has now (ISSO) in his possession a powder-horn, a 
rich s(Hivenir (d' those terrible days. He was a promi- 
nent man during the Revolutionary war, and re])re- 
sented his town a great many times in the Cohjuial 
Legislature, and after the adoption of the Constitution 
of the United States, was a member of the State Leg- 
islature. He was a member of that noble body of men 
who adopte<l the Constitution of the United States. 
He married Ruth Bush. Their children were Rich- 
ard, born Septcnd_)er, 1753, and Thomas, wdio died 
soon alter he had comideted his college course in 
1773. Dr. Amos Mead was a memljcr of the Congre- 
gational Church of Creenwich. He died February, 
1807. 

Richanl Mead was a farmer by occupation, and 
during the Revolutionary war rendered valuable aid 
to the American army. ^Ve <iuote the following from 
thchistory of Greenwich : " Andrew !Mead, Humi)lirey 
Denton, and Richard Mead. These nu'U — uun-e, ]>er- 
luips, than any others — deserve the highest jjraise tor 
their brave ami daring acts. It was not so much 
their i)rovince to counsel and advise as to net. ' O/d 
wen fur (viiiixcl and i/oiiii;/ men for action.' Such men 
as Dr. Amos Mead, John ]\[ackay, and Aliraham 
Mead were of great service to the inhabitants as 
counselors. They were i)ast the meridian of lil'c, 
and one of them. Dr. Amos Mead, had gained much 
experience by active service in the French war. But 
was any daring deed to be accomjilished, wdierc hardy, 
brave, and reliable men were n((cessary, the three for- 
mer were always selected. After all control of the 
town was lost to the Americans by the destructive 
expedition of Governor Tryon, it was not sale lor a 
patriot to remain publicly in the limits for an hour. 
Yet these three hung about the place ready to assist 
the defenseless population against the brutalities of 
the Tories. Each possessed of liis arms, a faithful 
dog, and a Heet horse, they spent their time about the 
village, liiddcu in the by- and secret-place-. The win- 



ter of 17S(I was one of the sevcri'st ou reconl. The 
Sound was frozen across, ami a great amount of snow 
accumulated. Yet these mcu scarcely l;iu'W a night, 
during the early part of that winter, in wliich they 
did not sleep with their horses and dogs in the snow. 
During that winter sonu' dozen (U' tweuty head of 
cattle, the most of which Ijclouged to Mr. .Fared 
!Mead, were taken olf iu haste by tlu' Tories and 
driven towards New York. After murh earnest 
solicitation on the part id' the owner, the trio con- 
sented to make the most daring attempt of crossing 
the enemy's lines to retake them. There had been 
recently a storm of rain, which had frozen as it fell 
and rendered the roads extrenudy slippery, and made 
a bard, sharp crust upon the snow. 'I'lie pursuers 
therefore went upon the Sound with their lojises, ami 
kept the ice as far as JIamaroneck, and (hen, taking 
the road, could track the cattle by the lilood which 
I'.ad ti'ickled from the wounds of the bayiuiets which 
had forced them along. At Jlount Vmion thev re- 
to(dv the cattle, and were returning wlieu they found 
they were pursued by a body of the enemy under a 
lieutenant. Their liorses wia'c tired by their swift 
ride, and they soon knew that their only safely was in 
separation, and in that case even one must be inevi- 
tably taken. Accordingly, they left the cattle and 
plunged separately in dilferent directions. Tlie enemy 
selected Ri(diard Mead, pursued ami took him |U'is- 

I oner. This was about the middle of .lanuary, 1 7S(). 

i He was taken to New" York and thrown into the 
famous Sugar-House, where he remaim-d tor a period 
of six weeks until exchanged. These three men were 
held iu high estimation by the peo])lc. Their known 
jiatriotism and courage, wdiich cnuld ever be relied 
on, caused the other citizens, long after the llcvolu- 
tionary war, to remember their ticts with the greatest 
gratitude." Other facts might be recited and incidents 
given. Richard Mead was twice marrie<l : lirst to 
Sarah Mead, and had one daughter, Sophia, who 
married Peter De Mill ; sccoml to Rachel ^leail, 
widow of Whitman Mead, atid had three children, 
viz., Thoauis A.. Elizabeth R., and Sarah A. Eliza- 
beth I!, tmirricd George Webb, of New "^'ork, and is 
now deail. Sarah A. married .Joseph Brush, of Creen- 
wieh, and died leaving a family of ten children. 
Richard Mead was a man res|)ccted by all those who 
knew him. He died Ai)ril lil, 1S2+. His only S(ui, 
(!ol. Thouuis A. Mead, was born in the same house 
wdiere he now (1880) resides in (ireenwich, Fairfield 
Co., Conn., Jlay 2'.*, 1701). He lias always licen a far- 
mer, ami now owns the same farm his father owned, 
which has been in the fanuly since 1785, and lives in 
the house built by his father in 1707. lie married 
Hannan Seaman, daughter of D.ivid Seaman, (d' New 
York, Feb. 23, 1833. They have had eight children, 
seven of wdiom are still living, viz.: Louisa S., Mrs. 
Thomas Jiitch ; Thomas R., who was a captain of 
Company G, Tenth Regiment, Coiinecticnt A'cdun- 

' teers, was in several engageau'tits, sickiiieil and died 



398 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



at AViisliinjjton, N. C, Oct. 22, 1862; Seaman; Abi- 
frail K., Mrs. Benjamin AVright ; Elizabeth H., Mrs. 
Henry Webb; Delia, Mrs. William E. Mead; Zo- 
pliar ; and Liicinda P. 

In ])()litie,-', ('ol. Mead lia-s always been a Whig and 
Republican, and as such has been one of the leading 
men of Greenwich. He wius an asse,ssor ten years, 
selectman a number of year.^, member of the State 
Legislature two terms, 1852 and 1872, and during 
his last term served on the committee of railroads, and 
county commissioner two terms. He has often been 
appointed an api)raiser for dillercut railroads, a jury- 
man a great many times on important c.ises, and has 
settled a great many estates to the satisfaction of those 
interested. He and wife are members of the Congre- 
gational Church at Greenwich. 

For many years he was i". colonel of a regiment of 
State militia. Li all the variou? positions that he 
has been called upon to till lie has performed his 
duty faithfully, — alike a credit to himself and a satis- 
faction to his c(mstitueuts. 

He reviews the past with some degree of satisfac- 
tion, and looks forward to the future with no appre- 
hension. 



ALVAN MEAD. 

The subject of this sketch is a lineal descendant of 
the sixth generation from one John Mead, who, with 
his two sons, .John and Jo.^eph, emigrated from Eng- 
land and settled in JLissachusetts, in 1642, thence to 
Hempstead, L. I., where they remained until October, 
1660, when all of them settled in the town of Green- 
wich, Conn. (See biography of Col. Thomas A. 
Mead for further notice of the ancestors.) Some of 
the family think that the above .Joseph had children, 
and that he settled in the north-central part of Fair- 
field County, as the Meads there claim to be descended 
from Jose])h. 

The grandfather of Alvan Mead, Ebenezer Mead 
(2d), was born Oct. 25, 1692, and died May 3, 1775. 
He was a representative man of his town, and a great 
numy tin\e^ rei)resente(l his town in the Colonial 
Legislature. He was a farmer by occupation. He 
married Hannah ]Jrown,of Rye, N. Y., Dec. 12, 1717, 
and had twelve children, — viz. : Ebenezer, Silas, Abra- 
ham (1st ), .lonas, Solimion, Deliverance, Amos, Ed- 
mund, Hannah, .labez, .Tared, and Abraham (2d). 

.Tared Mead was the tenth son in a family of twelve 
children, and was horn in the town of (Jrcenwich, 
Conn., in the .same house where he always lived 
through a long and honorable life, and died June 8, 
18;i2. He was a farmer by occupation, and owned his 
father's farm. 

He married Lydia, daugliter of Daniel Smith, and 
had seven children, namely : Zette, Lydia, Alma, 
Daniel, Hanmih, Jareil, and .Vlvan, all of whom are 
now (1880) dead excej^t .Vlvan. He held various 
town offices. Both Mr. and Mrs. Mead were members 



of the Congregational Church at Greenwich, Conn. 
Mrs. Jlead died May 27, 1827. 

Alvan Mead was born in Greenwich, Conn., Nov. 
30, 1794. His advantages for an education were 
limited to the common schools of his day, working 
on the farm summers and attending school winters 
until he was seventeen years of age, when he took 
charge of his father's farm, as he was the only son left 
at home. 

He was a farmer on the same place where his father 
and grandfather lived until 1851, since which he has 
resided in the borough of Greenwich, Conn. He 
married Eliza, daughter of Nathaniel Peck, Dec. 18, 
1821. 

Their children were Ralph I'., wlio went to Cali- 
fornia in 1849, married, and had two sons, — namely, 
Charles C. and Ralph R., — who together with their 
mother reside in l^ortland, Oregon. 

Raljih P. died Get. 7, 1S(;2; Warren H. resides at 
Wichita, Kansa.s, married, and has three children, — 
namely, .Vlvan E., ICdgar S., and Mary P. ; Melanch- 
thon W. died May 30, 1878, leaving a widow and two 
children, I''raiik A. and Frederick B., who reside in 
Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Cornelia ( i., who married Stephen 
G. White, and now resides with her father; their 
children arc Warren P., Lucy M., Elam C. (de- 
ceased). 

In politics, Mr. Mead has always been a staunch 
Whig and Re])ublican. He has been a magistrate of 
Greenwich for many years, besides holding several 
other town offices. His wife was a member of the 
Congregational Church. She died Sept. 22, 18()4. 

Mr. Mead is one of the oldest if not the oldest man in 
the town. He has the entire confidence of his fellow- 
townsmen, and h.as lived a long and useful life. He 
is a regular attendant of the Congregational Church ; 
though not a member, he contributea to its support. 



LYMAN MEAD. 

layman Mead is the son of Zenas Mead and Mary 
I^ashley, and was born in Greenwich, Conn., March 
26, 1824. Ills father was a s(m of Deliverance Mead, 
who was the sixth son of the second I'>benezer Mead 
(see biography of Col. Thonuis A. Mcadi, and was 
born in 1782 (another record .says 1779), and died ■ 
June, 1858. He married Mar>- I^a.shley, and had the ' 
following children. — viz., .Vbigail, who married Jonas 
Mead; Lucrctia, died young; Deborah (deceased), 
Henry (deceased), Julia, married Isaac Peck; Eliza 
(dccea.scd), married Lockwond P. Clark, and Lyman. 

Zenns Mead was a farmer; in politics a Whig, and as 
such was a representative man. He was town treas- 
urer for many years, and member of the Assembly two 
terms. He and wife were members of the Second 
Ciingregational Churcl\ at Greenwich, Conn. She 
died in November, 18(10. 

Lyman Mead was reared on the farm, receiving the 
advaii' I"'- "f a common-school education. He is 




r^m 



^m- 




Z-2''^^^Z-7_ 




I 




9l^^^/'yC^^ /y//^^Z^^ 




/7 




O C^^'-^'^^ 7^/j'7 ^ cVL^^ 




GREENWICH. 



399 



one of tlie subsfantial fanners ami Imsiiifss men of 
tho town, and whatever he has undertaken he has been 
sueeessful in. He has been twiee niarrie<l, first to 
Sarah I''., daughter of Peter Acker, IMaroh 1, 1S:^0, liy 
whom he liad three children, — viz., Sarah M., Julia 
A. (deceased), and Emma F. Mrs. Mead was a mem- 
ber of the Second Congregational Church. She died 
July 20, 1.S.57, having been born March 1, ISIiO. Mr. 
Mead married for his second wife Harriet K., daugh- 
ter of Jabez Mead, Dec. 21, 18'iX. She was born Dec. 
19, 18?,7. Their children are Ida F., Hattie J., Isa- 
dora M. (deceased), Frederick G. C, Xcllie K., Martha 
H. (deceased), Annabelle L., Laura D., Holland E., 
and Lucretia C, all of whom were born cm the farm 
where 51 r. Mead now resides. 

Mr. Jlead has been a staunch Whig and Uepubli- 
can. He has represented his town three times (IS,')."), 
1870, and 1880) in the State Legislature. He has been 
a delegate to county and State conventions. He is 
a director in the (ireeuwich Savings Hank, l)esides 
having been a director in other imiiortant business 
enterjiriscs. He is and has been the tn'asurer of his 
school district for many years. 

Mr. and Sirs. Lynum Mead are members ol' the 
Congregational Church at Greenwich, Conn., and he 
is one of it.s best supporters. 



SOLO.MOX .MEAli. 

Solomon Mead is a lineal descendant on both pa- 
ternal and maternal side from John Mead, an ICng- 
lishman, who came to America and settled in Massa- 
chusetts in 1(542, and at Hempstead, L. I., .soon after, 
where he remained until Octol)er, IGliO, wdien he came, 
in all probability, to (ireenwich, Conn., in company 
with his two sons, John and Joseph. (For a full 
history of Solomon jMead's ancestors, see biography 
of Col. Thos. A. Mead.) 

Solomon Mead is an only sou of .Tosliua Mead by 
his second wife, Hannah Jlead, who was a daughter 
of Deliverance Mead, and was born in the town of 
tireenwich, Fairfield Co., Conn., Jan. 15, 1808. His 
])atcriud grandfather was Xatlianiel Mead, who mar- 
ried rrudcnee Wood and had several <diildren, one 
of whom was named .Foshua. 

Very little or nothing is known of the ancestors 
of Xatlianiel Mead, nujre than that they were goo I, 
industrious citizens and generally nu'udicrs of the 
Congregational Church, as was Nathaniel, who died 
at an advanced age. 

Joshua Mead was born in Greenwich, Conn., May 
10, 1751, married Hantuih Mead Nov. 15, ]8()4, and 
died May HO, 1812. His wife died March 14, 1844. 
They lia.d one child, — Solomon. 

.Tosliua Mead was a good farmer, a true i)atriot and 
citizen, and a mc'iuber of the Congregational Church. 
He rendered valuable aid to the American army dur- 
ing the Kevolutionary war, though he was not a sol- 
dier. He was a strong Federalist and Whig. 



Solomon Mead was reared on his father's farm, re- 
ceiving the advantages of an education such as the 
common .schools of his day afforded, supplemented 
with a few terms at the Greenwich Acailemy. When 
he was sixteen years of age — in 1824 — he settled on 
the place now owned liy Mr. Titus Mca<l, in the 
borough of Greenwich, where he remained until 
about 1845, when he settled on the jdace wln-rc he 
now (ISSO) resides, but which lu- had |)urchasc(l sev- 
eral years before. He began building his jire-ent 
house in 1858, and in December, ISiiO, moved into it. 
He i)nreliased his present place of the Seymour family, 
which he has made one of the most attractive in the 
borough, as it stands on an eminence near the Second 
Congregational church, which is said to be th(> most 
elevated place on the Scmnd between New York and 
Boston. From the oliservatory on his house one has 
a grand view of all the surrounding country, even 
across the Sound on to Long Island. A view of his 
residence may be seen in another jiart of tliis w<]rk. 
Sir. Mead has devoted his attention entirely to agri- 
culture, and has been very successful. 

On the 22d of April, 1850, he married Mary E., 
daughter of David and Elizabeth Dayton. Their 
children are as follows, — viz. : Hannah IMore, Abram 
N., Mary E., Emily J., Solomon Christy, Sarah L., 
Everett D., and Chas. H. (deceased). 

Mr. and Mrs. Mead are members of the Second 
Congregational Church of Grecnwicli, Conn., and he 
is one of its main supporters. 

He was a Whig until 185(), since wliich time In- has 
been a staunch Kepublican. He has held various 
town offices, and is a trustee of the (Ireeuwich Sav- 
ings Bank. He has often been a delegate to cminty 
and State conventions, and takes an interest in all 
matters relating to the best interest of his town. 



COL. CONKI.IX IirSTED 
is a sou of Benjamin Husted and Sarah Dayt(ni, and 
grandson of Benjamin Hust<'d and Sarah Newman, 
and was born in Greenwich, Conn., Dec. 7, 17'.(0. His 
father was a native of Greenwich, Conn. ; was a farmer 
by occupation ; married Sarah Dayton, liy whom he 
had the following children, — viz., David D., Hannah, 
Benjamin, Martha, William, Conklin, Mary, Boswcll, 
and Rachel. He w.as a Revolutionary soldier; was a 
(Quaker in religion. He died August, 18,'!4, at a great 
age. His wife was a member of the Congregational 
Church, and died September, 1838, at an advanced 
age. (For history of Benjamin Husted "the first," 
see biography of .Tames Husted.) 

Conklin Husted worked on his father's farm sum- 
mers and attended the district schools winters until 
he was nineteen years of age, when he commenced 
teaching school at fifteen dollars a month, and fol- 
lowed it more or less winters until he was married, 
April 28, 1834, to Mary Ann, daughter of Abram and 
Mary Close. She was born Aug. 7, 17'.t!l, and die<l 



400 



HISTOKY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



November, 1876. Their children .ire .Tuna E., who 
married William H. Bri^Ks, a farmer in (Jrecnwich, 
Conn., and Eveline C, who married .\llen Brundage, 
a farmer of North Castle, N. Y. They have one son, 
— Chauncey Conklin. 

Mr. Hiisted was a very large and successful farmer, 
and took charfrc of his farm till 1809, when he retired, 
to be sueeeeded by his son-in-law, William H. Briggs, 
with whom he is now (1880) living. In polities he 
was a Jetl'ersonian Democrat until 18.3G, when he be- 
came a strong supporter of the Republican party. He 
has held all the important olfiees of his town to the 
general satisfaction of his constituents, among which 
we mention those of assessor and selectman for many 
years, magistrate for more than twenty-five years ; 
was a member of the board of relief for a long time, 
and during his long life he ha.s settled a great many 
estates. He has been a member of the State Legis- 
lature eight terms, and while there served on impor- 
tant committees. He has represented his constituents 
many times in county and State conventions. He 
always took an active and leading jiart in military 
matters. He was a captain of the fourth company of 
the Third Kegiment Connecticut Flying Artillery for 
many years, was promoted to the colonelcy of the 
same regiment, and had the distinguished honor of 
commanding that regiment which escorted Gen. 
Lafayette from the State line of New York through 
to Stamford the last time the general ever visited 
An^erica. He was always a great admirer of a fine 
horse, and took great pride in military afiairs. He is 
now almost ninety years of age, but his mind is good, 
and he recounts the struggles of a long and useful life 
with a great deal of interest. He has been a strong 
pillar in society, both i)olitically and religiously. He 
united witli the Methodist Episcopal Church more 
than si.xty years ago, and has been one of its most 
liberal supporters. He has held every office in the 
church which falls to the lot of a layman. His wife 
was an adlicrent of the Episcojial Church. Col. 
Hasted reviews the p.ast.with no apprehension of the 
future, and is only waiting to hear his Master say, 
"//'« enough; come up higher." 



CAPT. BENJAMIN IIUiSTED 
was a son of Benjamin Husted and Sarah D.ayton, 
and wiis born in (ireenwieh, Fairfield Co., Conn., 
April 1, 1784. Early in life he devoted liis time to 
general merchandising, and for many years wjis a cap- 
tain of a vessel making trips between New York and 
Boston and the intervening ports; later in life he 
devoted himself to agriculture. 

He was one of the prominent men in town, several 
times representing liis constituents in the State Legis- 
lature, besides holding all the more important town 
9 a member of the ) 
,ve liberally to its s 
He married Olivia, daughter of Samuel Mills. 



Their children were Samuel, Lydia (married Robert 
Scott), Sarah (married Zacharius Close), Benjamin, 
and Mary E. (married .Samuel Dayton). Of these 
only Samuel and Sarah are now (1880) living. 

Capt. Husted died iu Feburary. 1871, ami his wife 
died in 1874. 

JAMES nUSTED. 

The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was 
Benjamin Husted (1), who married Sarah Newman, 
and had the following children, — viz. : Benjamin, Na- 
thaniel, Sarah, who married Titus Reynolds ; Deborah, 
who married Nathaniel Reynolds ; JIartha, who mar- 
ried James Brush ; Rachel, who married John Dela- 
van ; IMary, who married .lona Mead; and Zuba, who 
married Stephen Palmer, all of whom were born in 
the town of Greenwich, Fairfield Co., Conn. 

Benjamin Husted was a farmer by occupation, lived 
an honorable life, and died at an advanced age. His 
son Nathaniel married Ruth Sniftin, and had the 
following children, — viz. : James, Nathaniel, Samuel, 
Benjamin, .loiiathau, Rachel, and JIary, all born in 
Greenwich, Conn. He was also a farmer. 

James Husted, son of Nathaniel, wsls born in June, 
1780, and died Sept. 23, 1852. He always resided on 
the old form, now owned and occu|)ied by his aged 
widow. He was one of the successful farmers of the 
town, and blessed the community in which he lived 
by his generous deeds. 

Very early in life he united with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church at Round Hill, where he resided, 
and became one of its most active and leading sup- 
porters. He was known by his hospitality, and many 
are the ministers who found his house a welcome 
l)lace. He was a steward, class-leader, and superin- 
tendent of tlic Sunday-school for a great many years. 

On the 12th of January, 182o, he married Mary B., 
daughter of Benjamin Husted and Sarah Dayton, and 
granddaughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Newman) 
Husted. She was born in the town of Greenwich, 
Conn., May 22, 1793, and now (October, 1880), like her 
brother, Col. Conklin Husted, retains her faculties 
remarkably well. She has beeti a life-long member 
of the Congregational Church, but attended the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 



oflices. He was a member of the Jlethodist Episcopal 
Church, and gave liberally to its sujiport. 



JAMES UUSTED, Jn. 

James Husted, fourth son of Samuel and Nancy 
Husted, was born in the town of Greenwieli, Fairfield 
Co., Conn., on the 28th of September, 1828. His 
father was the third son of Nathaniel and Ruth 
(Snitlin) Husted. He is a farmer by occupation, and 
now resides in Ontario Co., N. Y. His children are 
as follows, — viz.: Amos, Nathaniel, Eunice, Elizabeth, 
John, James, Samuel, and ilary, all of whom are 
living. 

James Husted left his father's home at eleven years 
of age (1839) to live with his uncle, James Husted, 




BEXJAMIN HOSTED. 




JAMKS IIUSTEJ), .in. 



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i^a~>nr^s^ /t^^ "^M^'fTjl 



GREENWICH. 



401 



after whom ho was named. His advautanos inr an 
cihication were liniite<l to tlie commcui si-IhioIs cif liis 
(lay. He has eoiitinued to reside on the I'anii with 
unelo and annt, e.xeept a tew years wliiU' lie was at 
Tarrytown, N. Y., and Riishville, N. Y., en^a.^ed in 
mereliandisin.!;. (.)n tlie l"2th of Septenilx'r, 1S(!(I, he 
married Htelhi P., dauirliter of Josejili and Sarali A. 
(Mead) Brush. She was Ijorn May 22, IS.'JS, in (iroen- 
wich, Conn. Tlieir eliildri-n are James V. (deeeased), 
.Iiiseph ]!., Sarali K., Kiiiily M., Enniee L., .lames H., 
and Helleii. In polities Mr. Hnsted is a Itemoerat, 
l)tit takes uo active part in pulitieal matters. 



WILLIAM A. IIl'STED. 

William A. Hnsted is an only s(ni of Elnathan and 

Xaney (Close) Hnsted, and was horn in (ireeiiwieh, 

('<inn., Dee. 31, IStll. His grandfather was named 

Peter Husted, who married Eunice Lyon, of Cireen- 




lie was horn. A view of his present house, wliirh hi' 
hiiilt in 1S71, may he seen in another part nf this 
work. Ill polities a Reimhlicaii. 

( >n the 12th of Decenilier, 1S22, he married Susannah 
Caroline Hohhy, daughter (d' Squire Holihy. Slie was 
horn Nov. 2'!, 1S(I8, in the ti^wii of (ireeiiwieh, ( 'onn. 
Their ehildreu are : 

(1) Elnathan, who was a soldier in the lu'liellioii, 
and died Jlandi 4, l.S(i4, leaving a wife and two daiigli- 
ters, — Caridine and Augusta. 

(2) William F., married, ami has four children, and 
resides at Davenport, Iowa, with Lyman 1!., who has 
one son, and is a tanner. 

(.')) (ieorge, died young. 

(4) Susannah. 

(■")) Lyman P>. 

(<i) Sipiire .Terome, who has one son, ami is living 
at Oyster l!ay, L. I. 

(7) ^[ortimer, died Nov. 21, IXTtj, leaving a wife and 
one son. 

(.S) Nancy E., married .lohn Andrews, a lawyer in 
Brooklyn, and has one sou and two daughters. 



wieli. ( 'linn. They had si.\ sons and two daugliters, — 
\i/... I'",lnatliaii, .Vinos, Cyntlia, Peter, Moses, .\ariiii, 
Eunice, and Caleli. iSee historv of .lames llusted, 
Sr.) 

Elnathan Husted wa.s a successful farmer and 
drover, married Naney Close, and hud one son, Wil- 
liam .v. He was a niemlier of tlie Second Congrega- 
tional Church at lireenwicli. Conn., and was a man 
res|)ccted. He died in 182.'), aged fifty years. His wife 
died at seventy-three years of age. 

William A. was reared on his father's farm, anil 
farming has henn his husiness nearly all Ids life, lie 
owns the old homestead of two hundred acres where 



CAI'T. BEN.JAMIN W. HUSTED 
is the only living son of William Husted and ^Fary 
Lyon, and was horn in the town of ( Ireenwich, Conn., 
Jan. I'l, 1S(I,S. His great-grandfather w:is David 
Husted (see history of James Hnsted, Sr.), who had a, 
son .\hraham, whii married Hannah Knapp, and had 
two children, one of whom was William Husted. 
Aliraliaiii was a lieutenant in the Pevolutionary war, 
and was a farmer hy occupation. William Husted w.-is 
horn in 17.s;j, in the town of (ireenwich, (,'onii., and 
died in ]x:is. He married JIary Lyon, and liad the 
lollowing children, — viz., Benjamin W., IsiacI, Han- 
nah, who married Hnsted Holihy ; Pliehe Ann, iiiar- 
ried Caleh W. Jlerritt ; David, and William II.. all 
of wliom are now (l^SO) dead except lieiijamin W. 
and I'hehc .\iin. 

Mr. Husted was a farmer, and lived one mile sniitli 
of wdiere his son ]5enjaiiiin W. now resides, on a farm 
which was in the family several generations. 

Benjamin W. has always heen a jiractieal tiirmer, 
receiving the advantages of a common-school educa- 
tion till lie was lifteen years of age. ()ii the 24th of 
Dec, I.S27, he married Rachel I'., ihinghter of laion 
and Elizaheth (Webh) Lyon. She was liorii Nov. 
It), ISIK). Their (diildren are as follows, — viz., .Inlia 
(deeeased), Israel (i., who does husiness in New York 
City; Theophilns P. (deceased) and ICliphalet I'., who 
is a farmer (twins) ; William E., also a farmer. 

Nathaniel L. was a soldier in ('umpany I, Tenth 
Connci'licnt N'olnnteer Regiment ; served thi'ic years, 
was in all the engagements of his regiment, and was 
wounded in lioth ankles and in his Iclt knee at the 
same time, and received an honiu'ahle ilischarge Oct. 
2, 1.SI14, since which time he has resided at Innue on 
the larm. 



402 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Mary E. mnrried Alexander G. Knapp, who is a 
farmer near Coiinoil Bluffs, Iowa. Mr. Husted set- 
tled on his present farm in 1828. He is a Kopublican 
in politics, though he cast liis first Presidential vote 
for Gen. Jackson at his second election. Mr. and 
Mrs. Husted are members of the Congregational 
Church at Greenwich, Conn. 

He has held several town offices, and was a captain 
of a company of State militia for u great many years, 
and is known as Cajit. Uenjamin Husted. He is 07ie 
of Greenwich's best citizens, a man universally re- 
spected. 

IIANFORD LOCKWOOD. 

The name of Lockwood is traced back as far as 
1470, wlien Annie, only daughter of Richard Lock- 
wood, married Thomas Henshaw, who thereby became 
possessed of a large estate in Staffordshire, England. 
Those of the name in Greenwich, Stamford, Brun- 
dridgc, and probably those of the name at Norwalk 
and other parts of the county, are descended from 
Edmund Lockwood, freeman. May 18, 16.31. Was of 
Cambridge, "Mass., in 1632, and probably removed to 
Connecticut witli ^Icssrs. Hooker and Stone. Lieut. 
Jonathan Lockwood and Lieut. Gershom Lockwood 
were in their day prominent and influential men in 
CJreenwich, Conn. 

Hanford Lockwood is a son of Ira and Clemendine 
(Mills) Lockwood and grandson of Thaddeus Lock- 
wood, and was born in the town of Greenwich, Fair- 
field Co., Conn., two and a half miles north of where 
he now resides, June 7, 1808. 

His father was born at the same place Oct. 19, 1769, 
and died .\pril 18, 1846, having lived nearly seventy- 
seven years on the same farm. He was one of the 
most successful farmers in the town, though not a 
large one. He commenced life poor, but by energy 
and economy became well off. It is related of him 
that at one time during the Revolutionary war he was 
standing guard, though not a soldier, and one dark 
night he lieard the footsteps of something coming, 
and three times said, " Wlio comes there?'' No an- 
swer came, and he fired, when he discovered he had 
shot a colt, thinking it wa-s a Tory. He had four sons 
and one daughter, — viz., Alva, Lydia, Ira, Ralph, and 
Hanford, all of whom were born in the town of Green- 
wich, and all are now (1880) dead except Hanford. 
Lydia married Isaac Ostrander, of New York City, 
and had a large family of children. 

Ira Lockwood, Sr., was a Whig in jxilitics, and was 
a constable and collector of Greenwich a number of 
years. IHiring the earlier ]>art of his life he and his 
wife were members of the Baptist Church, but later 
were members of the Ejiiscopal (Iliurcb. 

Thaddeus Lockwood, grandfather of Hanford Lock- 
wood, was a farmer by occupation, marriwl, and had 
a large family. He <^ed about 1812 to 1814, aged 
ninety-three years. 

Hanford Lockwood worked on his father's farm 



summers and attended the district school winters 
until he was fifteen years of age, when he went to 
New York City, and became a clerk in the employ of 
AVilliara J. Romer, a grocer, for five dollars a month. 
At the end of the first year he had saved more than 
thirty dollars, which lie gave to his father, besides 
having properly clothed himself. This was the begin- 
ning of a successful business life. On account of sick- 
ness he returned home and remained two years, work- 
ing on his father's farm ; subsequently returned to New 
Y'ork, and entered the grocerj'-store of his brother- 
in-law, Isaac Ostrander, as clerk at eight dollars a 
month for one year, then received twelve dollars for 
his second year, and fifteen dollars for his third year's 
work. 

The summer that he was twenty years of age he 
spent at home, and during the fall and winter follow- 
ing taught school at twelve dollars a month, and the 
following spring engaged for one year to teach in what 
was known a.s the Nash District at fifteen dollars a 
month, and "boarded around." He relates that he 
had a good time and made many warm friends. Dur- 
ing this time he made the acquaintance of Susan, 
daughter of James Nash, the man who had engaged 
him to teach the school, and on the 6th of October, 

1830, they were married. In the month of April, 

1831, he commenced business as a grocer in the city 
of New York, and continued in that business for 
twenty-four years, when he retired from active em- 
ployment and returned to his native town, and resided 
on the old homestead where he first siiw the light of 
day until February, 1878, when he settled where he 
now (1880) resides. During his residence in the city 
he made good investments in real estate, which have 
greatly increased in value on his hands. He was a 
first-class business man, and attributes his success in 
life more to the fact that at an early age he became 
interested in the cause of religion, under the influ- 
ence of one Mary Ostrander, and united with the 
Mctliodist Episcopal Church under the ministry of 
the Rev. William Jewett. He is one of the most 
worthy and influential members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church at (ireenwieh. He has held in 
the jiast and holds to-day the various offices of his 
church, such as steward, trustee, recording secretary, 
licensed exliorter, Sumlay-school superintendent for 
many years, and a worker in the Sunday-school as 
teacher or superintendent the most of the time since 
he united with the church. He has always been very 
liberal to his church as well as to other denomina- 
tions, and the poor have in him a true friend, and 
they go not empty away. He is the possessor of more 
than five hundred acres of land, two hundred and 
fifteen of which are in his ])resent beautiful farm, 
called tJrandview. (See view of his place on another 
|)age.) He has been twice married. His first wife 
died Oct. 27, 18G9, and was buried at Stanwich, Conn., 
where a fine marble monument marks her resting- 
place. He married for his second wife Fanny Louns- 




4 




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404 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Josiah AVilcox, the subject of this sketch, remained ' 
at lioiiic, receiving the advantajres of a coninion school 
education, until he was sixteen years of age, when he 
left to leiirn the manufacture of tinners' tools. After 
serving an apprenticeship of some five years, he began 
to work as a journeyman at one didlar a day, and the 
first year he put in three thousand one hundred and 
fifty hours of hard labor, or equal to three liundrcd 
and fifteen days of ten Jiours each. In the month of 
September, 1828, he settled where he now (Nov. 2, 
1880) resides, five miles northeast of Portchester, 
X. Y., in the town of Greenwich, Conn. Here he 
built the first factory for the manufacture of tinman's 
tools in 1828. His factory was thirty by thirty-five 
feet, and this he enlarged from time to time until now 
his buildings are many. ilr. Wilcox manufactures 
shaft-couplings with no weld either in the eye or clip, 
thus making them lighter and stronger, but his spe- 
cialty is at present the manufacture of carriage hard- 
ware, which is equal to supply the demands of more 
than one hundred thousand carriages annually. He 
is also interested in two otiier large factories at South- 
ington. Conn., namely. Peeks, Stow & Wilcox Com- 
pany, with a joint-stock capital of one million dollars, 
and the Etna Iron-Rolling Mills. 

He married Cclestia Wilcox, Aug. 24, 1828. She 
was born in Berlin, Conn., Sept. 11, 1800. Their 
children were George E. (deceased), George E. (2), 
Willis H. (deceased), Caroline O., AVillis II. (2), 
Cornelia ls\., and Josiah X., all of whom were born 
on the old home wliere Jlr. Wilcox now resides. 

Mr. Wilcox was a Whig until 18.56, since which 
time he has been a staunch Re])ublican, and Nov. 2, 
1880, he voted for Gen. .lames A. (iarfield, of Ohio, 
for President. As a Whig and He|uil)lican he has 
five times represented his town in the State Legis- 
lature,— first in 1849, '51, '52, '53, and '54. He luis 
often been a delegate to county and State conventions. 

At seventeen years of age he united with the Con- 
gregational Cliurcii at Rerlin, Conn., and since his 
residence in Greenwich he has been one of the strong 
jiillars and main supporters of the Congregational 
Church at North Greenwich. His wife was a mem- 
ber of the same church, and he is a deacon of the 
same. Through a long and u<eful life he has taken 
a dee;) interest in the cause of temperance, and thor- 
oughly believe.^ that total alistiiicnee is the only safe 
way. For the last twenty years he has been a direc- 
tor in the Portchester Bank. He commenced life a 
poor boy, but by his own energy, supplemented by 
that of his faithful wife, he has reared a family of chil- 
dren, who are universally respected, atid they, as well 
as nniny of their children, are among Greenwich's 
bc-st citi7.en><. 

George E. Wilcox married Sarah I..yoii, ami luus 
two cliiblren, — viz., Gilbert L. and liertha; Caroline 
O. married Henry S. ^nks, of Portchester, and lia.s 
two children, Clara and George; AVillis H. married 
Susan C, daughter of Edward Mead, of Cos Cob, and 



has one son, Robert Mead ; Cornelia M. married Silas 
E. Mead, of North Greenwich, and has three chil- 
dren, — Mable, Louisa, and Josiah W. ; Josiah N. mar- 
ried Henrietta Lyon, of Portchester, and has two 
children, Lillian and Arthur R. He is a cashier 
in the Portchester National Bank, at Portchester, 
N. Y., and the other boys arc identified in the mar- 
utacture of carriage hardware with their father, one of 
whom, Willis H., was a soldier in the great civil war, 
having enlisted in Company I, Tenth Connecticut 
Volunteer Regiment, in September, 18G1, and went 
forth to battle and was in more than fifty engagements 
under Gen. Burnside. He was slightly wounded at 
Strawberry IMain. He was mustered out October, 
1804. 



WILLIAM BRUSH. 

AVilliam Brush is a lineal descendant of Capt. Ben- 
jamin Brush, who was a Revolutionary soldier, and 
who was taken prisoner during the Revolutionary war 
and i)ut in the famous Sugar-House, in New York 
City, where he remained some time. He was a hatter 
by trade, but towards the latter part of his life de- 
voted himself to agriculture. He married Rebecca 
Finch, and had nine children,— viz., Rachel, Abigail,. 
Ard, Ann, Rebecca, Benjamin, Jonathan. Alary Ann, 
and Lucy Ann, the last two of whom are living. 

Benjamin Brush died about 1822, and his wife about 
1824. 

Benjamin Brush (2) was born April 28, 1774; mar- 
ried Rachel Brush June 22, 17i>'J. She was born 
Sei)t. 26, 177i1. Their children were Shubel, Wil- 
liam, Charles, and John (deceived). 

Sliubel married and had three children, — viz., Mary 
A., Rachel A. (deceased), and Harriet (deceased). 
His daughter, Mary A., married George A. Lock- 
wood, and had five children, — viz., Frederick, AVil- 
liam, Cliarlci, Caroline, and twins, names not known. 

Benjamin Brush was a tanner and farmer by occu- 
pation, a AVhig in politics, and a member of the 
Congregational Church at Stanwich. He died in 
Septeml)er, 1852, and Itis wife in March, 1853. 

AVilliam Brush, son of Benjamin and Rachel Brush, 
wa-i born at Stanwich, Conn., Sept. 26, 1802. He 
worked at tlic boot aiul shoe trade and tanner and 
currier till 1832, when he settled on a farm, working 
it summers and at his trade winters until 1838, when 
he settled where he now resides. In politics he is a 
Republican. 

ilr. Brush is a liberal man, seeking to bestow his 
money where it will do good. He is a good citizen, 
and is universally respected. 



JOHN O. UKYNOLDS. 
John G. Rcyn(dds is a lineal descendant of the 
fifth generation from one of ftmr brothers who came 
from England and settled in Greenwich, Conn., per- 



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i 



GREENWICH. 



403 



li:i|is iiHirc tluin two Imiidred yoars -.v^o, or thv latter 
])art (if tlu' sovi-iiteenth century. 

We are imt able to give the names oC the four 
brothers, but they married, and one of them luul the 
followinir eliildren, viz., Natlianiel, Nez.er, Enos, Tim- 
othy, Kebeeea, Deborah, and Al.)i,irail, the eldrst of 
whom, Nathaniel, was the great-prandfather of .John 
(i. Reynolds. This Nathaniel nuirried Sarah Lock- 
wood, and had the fcdlowing ehildren, viz.: Nathaniel, 
born Sept. 7, 174"), died June t>, ISiii'; Kzekiel, born 
Oet. i;!, 1747, died Nov. 24, 1S;«; Abigail, born Dee. 
11, 174!l, died Mareh 27, IS.'W; Benjamin, killed in 
battle in lU'volutioiuiry war; Plio'be, Imrn A]iril Ki, 
17-'i7,(lie(| .luiie 10. 1.S21); .lames, born .Ajiril IC, 17(14, 
died Mareh 2, lS:i;', ; Sarah, born Feb. S, 17(;2, dieil 
-Vug. XI, 1X4!); Philemon, born Fell. 21, 17(:4, died 
.Inly 2.'!, IS.So; !Nezer died young; Deborah, born 
May IZ, 177(), and lived to be nearly one liundred 
years of age; and Loekwood, born Ajiril 20, 1708, 
died June 7, 1.S27. 

The first Nathaniel Reynolds was a farnu'r, and 
owned a large tract of land near Staiiwieh, ( Ireen- 
wich, Conn. This was subdivided among his chil- 
dren, many of whom were farmers also. 

Nathaniel Reynolds (the third) married Deborah 
Hasted, daughter of Benjamin Husted and Sarah 
Newman (see biograjdiy of James Husted), for his 
second wife, and had several children, viz., Aril, Har- 
riet, Benjamin, and Husted. He died in 1K24, and 
she many years later. .\rd Reynolds was born al)out 
a mile south of Stanwicli, Conn., March 20, 17.S1. On 
the 13th of Decendier, 1810, he married Anna Kliza 
Docll, a native of (iermany, who came to America 
and scttU'd in Albany, N. Y., at nine years of age. 
Their children were: Elizabeth P., who married Rev. 
Warner Hoyt, of Danhury, Conn. ; S:dly D., who mar-' 
ried Tomiikins Close, of tireenwicli, Conn. ; Benjamin 
H., wdio was killed at eight years of age; Ann Eliza 
(deceased); John (r. ; Harriet K., married Charles 
S. Guion, of Bedford, N. Y. ; Julia H., who marrieil 
Rev. Senica Rowland, of New York ; and JIaria S. 
(deceased). 

In jiolities Mr. Reynolds was a Whig, and as sucdi 
was one of the leading men of his town. He held 
the various town olliees, such as magistrate and se- 
lectman, and was known as 'Sijuirc Reynolds. He 
represented his town in the State Legislature, and 
took an active part while there. Mr. and Mrs. Rey- 
nolds were members of the Methodist Episco]ial 
Church of Stanwieh, and he was one of the leading 
men of the same. His home was always open to min- 
isters, and many there wore who fouiul it a welcome 
place. He died" Aj.ril 2(i, 1857, and his wife Feb. 25, 
1858, and both lie buried in the jirivato cemetery on 
the " home farm." 

John Godfried Reynolds was born on the place 
where he now resides, a mile south of Stanwieh, in 
the town of Greenwicii, Conn., March 25, 1821. Jle 
received a common-school education, with a i'cw terms 



at the Stamford Academy, at Slamford. Conn. On 
the 2t;th of August, 1851, he nuirried Mrs. Jidia R., 
widow of Augustus L. Reynolds, and daughter of 
Jared Smith. He was a Whig in ])olitics until 185(1, 
since which time he has been a Democrat. He has 
held nearly all of the town otlices to the general sat- 
isfaction of liis constituents, among which we nuiy 
nu'ution those of nuigistratc for a number of ye:irs, 
treasurer for eleven years, and register of voters since 
the ailoption of the present system. He re]ircsented 
his town in the Assembly during those trving vears 
of ISti.'H and '(U, and again in '74, '75, ancl '77. and 
while there occu[iie<l important phices <in dilferent 
committees, and was chairman <>]i eilucation one term. 
He is a trustee and director of the ( Ireenwich Savings 
Bank. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds are members of the 
Episcojial Church at Greenwich, Conn., and he has 
been a vestrynum for nuiny years, and at the jiresent 
time is junior warden. 



WILLIAM T. REYNOI.D.';. 

William T. Reynolds is a son of Ezekie! ami Phelte 
Reynidds, and was born in the town of (ireenwich, 
Conn., July 18, 1814. His paternal gran<lfather, .lames 
Reynolds, was born in Greenwich, Conn., and married 
Abigail Knapp, Oct. 18, 1780. She was born in 
Greenwich, Oct. 4, 1755. Their children were as 
follows: Stephen, Ezekiel, James, Josiali, Silas, 
Nezer or Ebenezer, Enoch, Aliigail, Reuben, Rachel, 
Hanlbrd, Loekwood, Josejih, Sarah, and Anuinda. 
This large family was born in (Jreenwich, and many 
of tliem have jiassed away. James Reynolds, Sr, was 
a ianiier liy occupation, reared his large family to 
industry and economy, and they became some of 
Fairfield County's best citizens. Mr. Reynolds died 
at an a<lvanced age. (See history of .lohn (i. Rey- 
nolds.) 

Ezekiel (second son of James) was born Aug. 7, 
1788; nuirried Phebe Reynolds, Dec. 24, ISdi). They 
have had tive children, all of wlumi were born in 
Greenwich, Conn. Names of their children are as 
follows, viz. : Adaline, wdio married Erastiis Riindle, 
iunl has two sons and a daughter; James, died voung; 
William T., Stephen, and Elkanan M. 

Mr. ReyiKdds was a farmer, is a st;iuuch Rc]iul)- 
lican, and is a memlier of the Methodist E]iiseoiial 
(.'hurch, and so was his wife. He lias always been 
very liberal to tliepoor and to the church. He is now 
(1880) ninety-two years and some months old, and he 
hits lived to see nearly three generations pass away. 
He is living with a bright hope of a hapjiy future, 
when soon the Master will say, " It's enough, come 
up higher." 

William T. Reynolds remained at home until lie 
was married, receiving such advantages for an educa- 
tion as the district schools afforded. On the 2:id of 
February, 1830, he married Mary A., daughter of 
Steiihen and Rachel (Browu) Halsey. She was born 



406 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



in the city of New York, Miiy 29, 1818. Her father 
was a ship-carpenter and merchant, and was born on 
Long Island. Mr. and Jlrs. Reynolds have the fol- 
lowing children, viz.: Louisa II., Mary B., Julia R., 
Sarah W., William E. (deceased), Ezekiel, Jr., Isa- 
bella E., Frederick AV. (deceased), Halsey W., and 
Louis E. 

In the spring of 183G, Mr. Reynolds settled on the 
place where he now resides, and which was formerly 
owned by Mrs. Josiah Brown, grandmother of Mrs. 
Reynolds. He has a fine farm of one hundred and 
twenty-five acres, which is in a good state of cultiva- 
tion. In 18.50 he built his present house, in which the 
family still reside. 

Mr. Reynolds is a strong believer in the principles 
of the Republican party. He and his wife are mem- 
bers of the Congregational Church of Stanwich, and 
he is one of its main supporters. He has never 
sought political honors, preferring the quiet of home. 



I 



JOHN R. GRIGG 
is a son of Henry Grigg and Elizabeth Bush, and 
grandson of Henry Grigg, and was born in the town 
of Greenwich, Conn., Nov. 25, 180.5. His ancestors 
were among the early settlers of Fairfield County. 
His father was born about 1760, wiis one of a large 
family of children, an<l married Elizabeth Bush, by 
whom he had the following chiUlren, — viz.: David 
(deceased), William (deceased), Sarah (deceased), 
Mary (deceased), Henry D., born Jan. 8, 1800, and 
was for more than fifty years on the water as cajitain ; 
Ann Elizji, John R., James, an<l Rebecca, who married 
Nelson Seymour, and is now dead. 

He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and 
was a farmer by occupation. He died in 1844, aged 
eighty-four years, and his wife in.l84C. John R. 
Grigg worked on his father's farm summers, receiving 
such advantages for an education as the district 
schools of his day aflbrded. During many years of 
the earlier part of his life he was engaged in quarrj-- 
ing stone for New York and Fort Schuyler at Frog's 
Point. Since the death of his mother he has devoted 
himself to farming, which is his present em|)loyment. 

He nnirried Opheliu A., daughter of John and 
Elizabeth Banks, April 2(5, 18.'5G. She wiis born in 
Greenwich, Sept. 2, 1809. Their children are Mary 
A. (decea.sed), Matilda (who married Alexander 
Mead), George W., Ann E. (deceased), Grace O., and 
Fannie B. 

In politics, Mr. Grigg is a Democrat. He and wife 
are members of the Episcopal Church at (ireenwich, 
of which he is a vestryman and one of its liberal sup- 
porters. 

Mr. Grigg is a plain, unassuming man, one who at- 
tends strictly to his business and never wits an aspirant 
for any political office, though he has held some minor 
ones. He is generous, Ikind, and industrious, and a 
man universally respected. 



CAPT. GEORGE A. PALMER 
is a grandson of Denham Palmer, who came from 
England in company with his wife and settled in the 
town of Greenwich, Conn., and reared a large family. 

Denham I'almer, the first, was a farmer by occupa- 
tion, living to l)e well advanced in years. His chil- 
dren were as follows, viz. : Denham (2d), Henry, and 
James, and perhaps others. 

Denham (2d) was born Aug. 12, 176(5, married 
Mary Lockwood, who was born Sept. 12, 1767. 

Their children were as follows: 

(1) Maria, born Jan. 1, 1797, married Robert Clark 
and had eleven children ; she died Nov. 2, 1879. 

(2) Lockwood, born April 7, 1798 ; deceased. 

(3) Solomon, born Nov. 7, 1799; deceased. 

(4) Deborah A., born Dec. 9, 1801 ; deceased. 

(5) Frances, born Sept. 10, 1803, marrie<l Chandler 
Comings, of Boston ; died and left four children. 

(6) Lewis, born April 7, 1805; decea.scd. 

(7) George Augustus, born Sept. 5, 1807. 

All of whom were born in Greenwich, Conn., and 
all of them are now (1880) dead except George Au- 
gustus. 

Denham (2d) was a mechanic and farmer. His 
wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and died Feb. 18, 1847. He died at an ad- 
vanced age. 

Capt. George A. Palmer, familiarly known as Cold- 
water George, was reared on his father's farm, re- 
ceiving only such advantages for an education as the 
district schools of his early day afforded. When he 
was about twenty -one years of age he purchased a 
market-boat and ran it between his native town and 
New York City. This, however, was soon laid asidr 
for a new one, which he built himself, named " Loco- 
motive." He was the captain of this for more than 
twenty years, carrying jirovisions to and fro. Tlir 
captain was so thoroughly temperate, even in tho-i- 
early days when drinking was considered more re- 
spectable than it is now, that lie would not carry 
liquors of any kind, beer, or even cider, and on ac- 
count of his strict temperance i)rinciples, received the 
would-be stigma, "Cold-water George"; but to-day 
it proves to be a title of honor, rather than reproacli. 
The captain has been successful in whatever he ha~ 
undertaken, and succeeded better and made more 
money in his trading than any man who carried rum. 
Since 18.50 he has been engaged in farming. In poli- 
tics a Whig and a Republican, and as such has held 
some n\inor town offices. He lias been a wortli\ 
member of the Congregational Church for a great 
many years, — more than filly, — aiyl one of its stron;.' 
supporters. He has been twice married, — first, tn 
Harriet Knapp, daughter of Abraham Knapp, Sept. 
9, 1834. She was born Sept. 23, 1.S09, and died June 
1, 1852, having been a member of the church many 
years. Their children were |1) Darius M., born Dec. 
25, 1836, and is now engaged in business at Port 
Chester, N. Y. ; (2) Elizabeth E., born Sept. 21, 183\ 



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Photo, by HoDrtrickd, Stamford. 



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GREENWICH. 



407 



and died Jan. 4, IS'iO. For liis seconil wife he mar- 
ried Pluebe E., a sister of liis first wife, Mareli 19, 
18;j3. She was born Ajjril G, 1805, and is a member 
of the ehureh. 

JOHN DAYTON. 

.lohn Dayton is the eldest son of David Dayton, 
and grandson of David Dayton, and was horn in the 
town of Greenwich, Fairfield Co., Conn., Feb. o, 1828. 
Nothing is known of his ancestors farther back than 
his grandfather, David, who was liorn at East Hamp- 
ton, L. I., in 1761; married .Tan. 21, 1780, to Eliza- 
beth Osborne, who was Ixirn at East Hampton, L. I., 
in 177<i. 

David Dayton, Sr., was a tanner and currier, and l)00t 
and shoemaker by trade. He settled in the town of 
< ireeinvich. Conn., towards the close of the eighteenth 
centnry, where his children were born. His wife died 
April 10, 1837, and he died Jan. 2;'., 18:58. Their 
children were as follows, viz. : Betsey, born Nov. i\ 
1790; Jacob, born March 10, 1793; siirah, l)orn July 
20, 179.5; David, Jr., born March 6, 1798; Amy, born 
Feb. 3, 180(1; and Mehitable, born June 21, 1802. 

David Dayton, the second, was born in Green- 
wich, Conn., where he followed the occupation of a 
fanner. He was a Democrat of the Jeli'crsonian and 
Jackson school, lint never took any active part in 
politics, always preferring the quiet of home to any 
official honors. He married Elizabeth Brush, March 
6, 1827. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. Dayton were worthy members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Churcli. Mrs. Dayton 
died 8ept. 20, 1863, in Greenwich, the town of her 
nativity. Mr. Dayton died Jan. 26, 1872. He was a 
good citizen and neighbor, a kind liusband and an 
affectionate father. He left the record of an honest, 
industrious life, and a good name as the precious 
legacy to his descendants. Their cliildren are as 
follows, viz. : John, I)orn Feb. .5, 1828 ; Sarah, born 
Feb. 1."), 1830; Cliarles, born Dee. 4, 1832; Henry, 
born Sept. 10, 1834; Mary E., born Dec. 28, 18.36; 
David O., born Feb. 23, 1840; and George, born 
Aug. 22, 1842; all of whom were born in the town of 
Greenwich, Conn. 

John Dayton remained at home working on his 
father's farm summers and attending the district 
school winters until he was eigliteep years of ago, 
when he began to learn the shoemaker's trade, which 
he followed, more or less, till he was twenty-six years 
of age. On the 29th of September, 18."il, he married 
Matilda, daughter of Shadrach Selleck, a native of 
Stamford, Conn. They have one daughter, Mary 
Frances. In the spring of 1852 Mr. Dayton settled 
in the village of Greenwich, and opened a boot-and- 
shoe store, where he is now ((October, 1880) engaged 
in business. In polities he follows the footsteps of 
his fathers, and is a Democrat, and as sucli is one of 
the leading men of liis town. He ha.s been a consta- 
ble for twenty-six years; deputy sheriff six years; 



warden of the borough several years; assessor many 
years; jiostmaster under President Andrew Jidin.^on's 
administration; and mend)erof the State Legislature 
during the years 1870 and '71. The first year he was 
in tlie Legislature he served on the committee of 
State prisons, and the second year on the liumunc 
committee. He has often been a delegate to town, 
county, and State conventions. Jlr. Dayton is a man 
universally respected; even his bitterest political 
oiilKinents are among his warm personal friends. He 
is an honest, upright citizen, and to him mori' than 
to any other man in his town is due the credit of tlie 
great interest manifested by the people of Cireenwich 
in the history of Fairfield Co., Conn. 

His brother, George Dayton, was a soldier in (_'om- 
pany I, Tenth Connecticut Volunteer Kegiment, in 
the great civil war; was in several engagements, 
and was wounded by being shot through his right 
lung at Newberne, the ball passing out below his 
left shoulder-blade, lodging in Iiis coat. At the 
])resent time he is connected with the Broadway 
Fire Insurance Company, New York. 



ISRAEL PECK. 

Among the early settlers who came from England 
and settled in the town of Greenwich, Conn., was one 
Jeremiah Peck, a Prosliyterian clergyman, who first 
settled at Elizabethtown, N. J., and then in (ireen- 
wicli. He had two sons, Samuel and Theophilus. 
Theo|ihilus was a cabinet-maker and joiner by trade, 
married a Miss Mead and had twelve children, one 
of whom was Israel Peek, who was born in (Green- 
wich, Conn., April 9, 1750. He married Lovina 
Purdy; .she was born Feb. 9,1755. Their children 
were as follows,— viz., Israel, Nehemiah, Elizal)eth, 
Rachel, Levina, Israel (2), and Elizabeth (2). 

Israel Peck was a large farmer, a man greatly re- 
spected in the community. He and wife were regular 
attendants of the Congregational Church at Green- 
wich. He was a soldier in the Kevolutionary war a 
very sliort time, but furnished a substitute, which re- 
leased him. He died Jan. 18, 1819, and his wife died 
Jan. 12, 1836. Israel Peck, son of Israel Peck, was 
born on the 7th of December, 1794, married Darinda 
Peck, who was born Feb. 20, 1796. TJieir children 
were JIary, born July 12, 1820, and .Tabez, born April 
12, 1822, and died April 9, 1847. Mary Peck married 
(iilbert Shute, and died March 24, 1867. Jlrs. Darinda 
Peek died Oct. 20, 1871, and Aug. 19, 1873, Mr. Peek 
married, for his second wife, Mrs. Almira M. Piatt, 
widow of Rev. Ebenezer Piatt, and daughler .if Klien- 
ezer Mead. Mr. Peck was reared a farmer, whic-li lias 
always been his business until infirmity caused him 
to sell his farm. He owned the old homestead known 
as "Peck's Landing," which he sold about 1866 or 
1868, and after residing at Port Chester a few years 
settled in the borough of Greenwich in 1873, wliere 
he lias continued to reside until the present time. 



408 



IIISTOllY OF FAIllFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT, 



He was a captain of a light militia company some 
four years. In i)<)litics he is a strong Kepublioan. 
For more than fifty-one yeara he lias been a worthy 
member of the Second Congregational Churcli at 
Greenwich, and one of its main pillars. His wife is 
also a member. 

Mr. Peck is a very strong tcm])erance man, and 
believes that total abstinence is the only true safe- 
guard. 



DAVID BANKS. 

Among the noble band of worthy men whose names 
grace the i)ages of tliis History none have been more 
bold in declaring their honest convictions on all ques- 
tions of moral or religious reform than tlie subject of 
this sketch. He is of English origin, and was bom 
in tlie town of Greenwich, Fairfield Co., Conn., Aug. 
11, 1794. His grandfather, David Banks, was a Revo- 
lutionary soldier, wa.s a shoemaker by trade, and a 
man honored and respectetl. He died at a ripe old 
age. 

David I?anks worked on the form summers and 
attended tlie South Stanwich district school winters 
until he was tliirteen years of age, when he com- 
menced to learn tlie shoemaker's trade with his uncle, 
Daniel ISaiiks. The time thus spent at the district 
sdiool, su])|)lemcnted with eleven weeks some time 
afterwards in studying English grammar, laid the 
foundation for his education. !Mr. Hanks has been 
a great reader and quite a logical thinker, and to-day 
has one of the best-informed minds in the town. At 
the early age of eight years he received religious im- 
pressions by the earnest j)rayers of a faithful school- 
teacher, which took <lcep root, the result of which 
has been an earnest Christian life, devoted to God 
and the cause of humanity. On the 1st of January, 
1815, he united with the Congregational Cinirch at 
Stanwieb, Conn., and at the ju'csent time is a member 
of the Church of the Puritans in New York City. 

He succeeded his uncle Daniel as the jiroprietor of 
the shop at twenty-one years of age, having in the 
mean time become somewhat noted as a first-class 
shoemaker, making a specialty of good fits on fine 
boots and shoes. His business increased, and he was 
comi)clled to liire two men to assist him. He com- 
menced business in the same house where he first .saw 
the light of day, an<l remained there until 1828 or 
1830, when he settled where he now resides. 

He built his i)resent house on temperance principles 
in 182(i or 1828, it being the first house in the town 
put up without the use of rum at the raising. As a 
characteristic of his well-known temperance prin- 
ciples, even in those early days, we mention that 
when his head carpenter came to him and said that 
tlie men loould not work without ruin, he replied that 
the timber could lie %|id rot before one drop of rum 
ehoiild be brought on his prcmueB. He stuck to his 
vow, and the result was his house was put up all 



right, and no one was injured. He continued at his 
trade until 1860, since which time he has been a 
farmer. 

On the 10th of May, 1821, he married Matilda, 
daughter of Rev. David Peck, of Greenwich, Conn. 
She was born May 7, 1797, and died June 17, 1879. 
She was a devoted wife and an affectionate mother. 
Their children were as follows : Zaccheus, Cornelius 
(deceased), Ann (deceased), David (deceased), Al- 
pheus (deceased), Augustus, Elethea, Sarah H., and 
Mary E. 

Mr. Banks has always been an outspoken, bold, anti- 
slavery man, and his own house has often been opened 
for ])rayer and public meetings to discuss the slavery 
question, even when the church was barred against 
such meetings ; but time has wrought a wonderful 
change, and nnch a change. In politics he was a Free- 
Soilcr and Whig till 1856, when he became a staunch 
Republican, and in November, 1880, voted for Gen. 
Garlicld, of Ohio, for President of the United States. 

In 1840 he voted the Liberty ticket, having James 

G. Birney for President and a Jlr. Earle for 

Vice-President. There were only about seven thou- 
sand votes cast for this ticket in the United States in 
1840, but this small party, under different names, at 
different times, has grown until its principles are well 
known and felt throughout the length and breadth 
of our vast domain, and in 1880 elected the rijicst 
scholar and statesman that ever graced the Presidential 
chair. 

Mr. Banks has been very liberal indeed, having 
given more than two thousand dollars to aid the 
missionary cause, besides doing his part for home 
interest. 

NATUAN FINCU. 
Nathan Finch, son of Reuben Finch and Abigail 
Reynolds, was born in the town of Greenwich, at or 
near Stanwich, Fairfield Co., Conn., April 7, 1802. 
His great-grandfather, on his father's side, was 
named Nathan Finch, who, together with his brother 
Jonathan, came from England and settled in the 
town of Greenwich, Conn. Jonathan Finch simn 
after left the town and county, and nothing has c\ ■ r 
been known of him or his descendants, and it is 
generally sui)])osed that he died leaving no family. 
Nathan (1st) niarried and hail a family of children, 
one of whom was named Jonathan, who married and 
had .several children, one of whom was named Reuben, 
who was born iu the town of Greenwich, Conn., July 
19, 1773, married Abigail Reynolds, Oct. 5, 1794. She 
was born in Greenwich, Conn., Nov. 13, 1774. Their 
children were as follows: Reuben R. (deceased), 
Deborah A., Amos (deceased), Nathan, Lockwood 
(deceased), Mary R., Jonathan (deceased), Hannah 
M., Julia E., and George G. (deceased). Reuben 
Finch was a merchant for a great many years, and 
was moderately successful. He also was engaged in 
farming for many years, and reared his children to 



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HTINTINGTOX. 



4(19 



industry iiiul economy. He died on tlie 28th of April, 
1880. 

Natliaii FiiK'li (2d) worked on his lather's farm 
summers and att.'nded the district seliool winters 
until he was twenty years of ag-e, when he entered 
his father's store as a partner with his father and 
remained a few years, when lie heeame a copartner 
with his brother, Reuben R., in general merchan- 
dising in the city of Xew York, wlierc he remained 
about a year, when he returned to his native town 
and entered the employ of .Joseph Brush, nf Cos Cob, 
Conn., where he remained a short time. During the 
next five years he was a nu'rchant at .Sing >Sing, X. Y., 
and the succeeding five years were sjjent at Peckskill, 
N. Y., as a merchant with his brother Reuben R., 
when he again returned home and l)ecame a partner 
with Ids brother .Tonathan in general merchandising, 
which continued sumc three years, when he became 
interested in the stock trade, bought an<l sold, to- 
gether, and with buteliering, in which business he 
remained some fifteen years, since which time he lias 
not been actively cngagi'd in any business. 

He is regarded as an Imiirst, iijin'i//if ritizcu, is 
a Republican in politics, but never aspired to any 
official positions, and is a niendier (jf the Methodist 
Episcopal Church of Stanwirli, Conn. 



art; seijiic-iits wlii<li .in' 



CHARTER XXXIX. 

HUNTINGTON. 

Geograpliical— Turojinipliii'iil— Tin- ri.inoers— Kxtraits from Tnwn lii'c- 
ords— Slav.-rv— Till. Iii.lian Well— List ..f S.-lectineii— List uf Kcpif- 
sentatives— Villajjcs, etc — Ecclfsiustic-al llistitry. 

The town of Huntington lies on the eastern border 
of the county, and is bounded as folhjws: On the 
nprth by the town of Monroe and tlie Housatonic 
River; on tlie east by the Housatonic River, whicli 
separates it from Xew Haven County; on tlie south 
by the towns of Stratford and Trumbull ; and on the 
west by Trumbull and Monroe. The surface of the 
town is uneven, being diversified with numerous hills 
and valleys. The soil is generally fertile. 

I THE PIONEERS. 

Prominent among the pioneers of jriintington was 

: Daniel Shelton, of honored memory, the common 

I ancestor of all who bear the name of .'-ihelton in this 

portion of the United .States. The following sketch 

of this pioneer is taken from a discourse delivered by 

tlie Rev. AVilliam .Shelton, D.D., ,hine 14, bS77 : 

"Tliat he calno fr..iuEin;Iniiil, and IVoiii tin. town of Hij.pi.n (m; as we 
call it, Hiptoii), in ah„ut UW7; was niarii...! in Stratf.>iil in W.ii ■ was a 
vestryman of that vencral.lc parisli, wliicli is among tlie olilcst in tlie 
country; tliat lie was a niercliant and farmer ; that he liad seven ehil- 
llren, and that he was a larse lanil.iwner, as appiare l.y the town records 
and by the tra.lilional knowledge ..f his .les.en.lants ; that he was a de- 

I voted and intellij;ent ehnrehman ami snITered for his attachment to the 
holy principles of the Book of Common Piaver,-are among the oliiefcst 

! 27 



I of our renuniscencfs of him. Hut t" those thi.- 

dear In :iU of ns, as I shall cmlfavnr ti' shuw. 
! " It ig wi'U known that \u: vats th-vatfil tu :uiil was jj;i.vri iicii hy thoHo 
great ami ;iranti jiiincii'lLS of thr rhuit^h of Kiii;lan<i inh<-ritcil h_v lu-r 
I fioin priniilivi- anti<iMity ; ttiat hi- <hil \vh;it in him lay to i>i'oi.a\;ati- antl 
to (h-fenii them in this then new antl hustiU- cmntry ; that hi- w as thmwu 
j into jirison Hume eij^litniih-s from his honu', and carried tiieri' in an isiio- 
. minious manner, for ri.'fi!sing to pay his money to Mipport the prt-ailuii;^ 
i of doctrines and a system of theoluj;y in wiiifh he had ui Ir.ljil i.r , ..n- 
1 fideuee, — arc among tlu' traditions of his lifi-.* This nm^t hav.- hi-i.>n an 
< aslonishnu-nt to a man wlio )uid crossed tlie ntcan to sctth- hinistdf in :i 
1 country regarding whicli it had heen puhlicly proelainn^d that all men 
were Imrn tree and conhl wursliip (lod iii their owTi maiinei-, pnj\i.liMl 
they did n.>t infririgu upon tlie rights of otheis. He Iiad cmr I'mni liis 
I native land, wIulIi had heen distracted by eoiiflirting parties <iii all re- 
ligions .sulijt-cts, the Indepcndi-nts on the one hand, and the euriniit 
Clmreh uf Itumc on tliL' other, both e.jnally Imstile and .Mpjally assailing 
and |«erse< nting the ( hnrch of Knglan-I. He had linked, d.,iiMle>s, fur 
' peace, and had .••ought quiet in a new country, where, as he thought, 
' i»arty animosity di<l not e\i>t. It must have sniprised him, I say. to find 
himself imprisoned and evil treated bet^anse he would not i)ay fur tho 
j t:nppnrt of u system of religion in wliich he did not l.elieve. He was 
: really in tho condition in which this country claimed to be, many years 
I after, when the war-cry was raised against the mother-cnnntry hecuuso 
, she exacted a tax without rt-presentation. 

" He was a member of the (.'hnrcli of England, and yet a r<digiuus so- 
I ciety rudidy took him from Ins farm and thrnst him into jirison, where 
I he Wiis confined at least one in'ght. It is not stated tlnit he refused to 
I contril'ute to the support uf divine religion, for he was at one time a 
vestryman of his parish ( hurch, which Im would not have ln'cn had ho 
[iruved himself so far forgetful uf his ihity as not to promote tlu! temp-jrat 
as Well as sj'iritual interests of religion; ami it is recorded that on All 
Saints' day, in 1122, sixteen Kfiiscnpiilian-s, inhalitants of Ilipton, ad-" 
dre^sed a paper to tlie secretary of tin- Society for the Propagation of tlie 
Gospel in Foreign l'art>, asking for a i>;istor of thidr own, or f.tr stated 
supplies every third Sunday froni the ministers settled in Stratford and 
New Haven. 'We arc eniholdened," they state, 'to liope tliis, hotli ht?- 
cause wc design to si^^t apart a glebe for unr spiritual gui^le when liu 
conies, and also heeaus<' ue sulTer great persecution fortlie Chulch'ssake 
from those who have the civil puwer here, and who have nnide that a 
handle to grasji the ecclesiastical.' The second signature to this docu- 
ment was that of Daniel Shelton, and the fifteenth wiis nmlnul.teiHy Unit 
of his son, Joseph, then twenty-four yeais of age and ripening into the 
fortituile and manlim-ss of defending tho principles in which ho had 
heen educated by his father. Jt is reconleil, also, that the eliler di..'d he- 
fore a clinrch Inid been luilt in Ilipton, under the ministrations of Dr. 
.Iohnsi>n; but he hdt a nanie.it is said, and an ititlueno- behind him 
which lived and was fruitt'nl in good works. 

" His nauie stands among the earliest chun hmen of Stiatf.iid, whicli 
then iiH-lnded Ilnntingtun, and next to the heail <.f the list of those who 
petitioned the Ilishop of London, iu 17(»7, to aid them in the nlid^t of thts 
must rigiil I'le.sbyterians and Independents. Violent opposition antl 
threateued imprisonment lolluwed tlie ministrations of a church mis- 
sionary who had visited the town of Stratford ami ollictatdl and admin- 
isteied the sacraments of Itaptism and the Lord's Supper. These I'cti- 



*"Thfy (the Independents) still persisted with vigor to continue their 
persecution, and seized the body of Paniel Shelton at Ids habitation or 
farm, being about eight miles distant fruin the town, hurrying him away 
towards the town, in orrler to carry him to the county gaol. Piussing l)y 
a Imnse, he reijne.-ted of them that he might go in and warm him and 
take some refreslunents, which was granted ; but they, being in a liurry, 
bid him i-ome along, hut, he desiring a little hniger time, they barba- 
rously laid violent hanils on hisi>erson and tiling his hixiy across a horse's 
back and called for rojies to tie him on the hc)rse ; to the truth of wliich 
several peisons can give their testimony and are ready when tlu'ieiuito 
called; and, having brought him to the town, they immediately seized 
the bodies of Williain liowlinson and .\n liibald Diuila]) and carried them 
all three tu tlie county gaol, it being the Kith <lay of January. ITlH), and 
there confined them until such timt^ as they disbursed such sums uf 
money as the gaoler demanded of them, which money was bust in the 
hands of the Licutenant-tloveinor, Nathanitd (Joiild, Es-i., be promising 
them that the next (Jeiieral OonrI should hear and ditei niim* the matter 
and that the money left in Ids hands should bo dispnsed of as the coint 
should ordi-r; and they were at present leleased, being tho 17th day of 
the same inst." — Docmucntoyy JUstunj nf Connictuut, edited by the Iter. Dr. 
Haicka <ntd the liev. Mr. Perry, 



410 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



tionera capecliilly dosired of flie Wsbop thnt ho would Bend over, with a 
mir«ionftry allowance from the society, 'an exoniiiliiry man in converea- 
tion, fluent in prcacliing, and able in disputation, tliut Ito niiglit Kilcnco 
tliu cavils of their enemies.'*' 

The following were here in 17S0: Stiles Nichols, 
Abigail Reardslcy, Stephen Babbitt, Abial Babbitt, 
John French, Eli Smith, Daniel Bassett, Thadilcus 
Beardsley, Lemuel Beardsley, Curtis Toniliiison, 
Joseph Tonilin:<on, Bcnajah JIallory, Ebenczer Hide, 
Eluathan H. Bostwick, Nathan Clark, Eli^iha Mills, 
Capt. Ueodate Silliman, Maj. Agar Judson, Capt. 
David Judson, Joioph L. Woostcr, Abel Lewis, Eph- 
raim Lewis, Henry Curtis, Joseph Fairchild, David 
Thompson, Lewis Judson, Isaac Judson, Timothy 
Wilcoxson, Wells Judson, Capt. John Judson, Lem- 
uel Judson, Nehemiah Dc Forest, William Beardsley, 
Eli Blackman, Thomas Lattin, Daniel Leavenworth, 
Ephraini Blackman, James Dunning, E. Johnson, 
William Edwards, Joel Blackman, John Wooster, 
Nathan Fairchild, Capt. Ephraim Curtis, Levi Cur- 
tis, Daniel Shelton, Giilgon_and David Tomlinson, 
C apt. Be ach Tomlinson, Capt. ZadianalfXewis, Abel 
Hawley, Hczekiah Beach, Samuel Shel ton, Isaiah 
Nortlirops, Samuel Beard, S. L. Judson, William 
Blackman, Ebcnezer Beard, Everril Lewis, Nathan 
Clark, Josiah Whetmorc, Caleb, Benjamin, Thomas 
Whitmore, and Nathaniel Beardslee, Josiah and 
Nichols Wakelec, Lieut. Elijah Curtis, James Mc- 
Cuue, Nathaniel Lewis, Moses Piatt, John Gilbert. 

The following were here prior to 1793 : Daniel 
Shelton, Jr., Samuel Shelton, Andrew Shelton, Agur 
Shelton, Beach Tomlinson, Abraham Brinsmade, 
John Humphries, Thomas Darling. 

EXTR.ACTS FROM TOWN RECORDS. 

" Feb. 11, 178fl. Mr. Kbenezer Beacli ear-marlc, crop on the near ear 
and lialf-|K!nny, — tlie uper side of tlic same. Transferred to William 
Beach." 

*' Huntington, Jan. C, \'9o, pere.jnally appeared Ebenczer Beach, Esq., 
and declared that Amos, a negro 1)oy, was born in his house on the 20th 
day of August, Anno Dom. 1780." 

"Feb. 11, nyi>. Mr. Stiles Nichols' car-mark, two half-pcunys under 
the near car, anti n Imle in the same." 

"Fobmarj', 1780. Mr. .\l>ijah Ilcardsley car-mark, swallow Fork on 
the end of each ear, and a half-penny fore.*ido the near car." 

" I7t>0. Lieut. Curtis Tomlinson ear-mark, a slit In the end of the oir 
car, and a nick under the same, and a half-Tarmant under side of the 
near ear." 

"James IMinning ear-mnrk, swallow folk on the near ear" (a small 
piece of colored paper illuslrnling the said 'swallow fork' is pinnetl to 
the lutgc uf the old town book). 

" I7'J1. Sanniel 1,. Hurd's enr-maik, crop on the near ear, and a 
bi.'t.-iiMv r..n-si.li- IIh'<.IT ear." 

SL.^VERV. 
Un.kr date ul' 1791, Mr. Daniel Shelton "Declares 
that I'eter, a negro boy, was born on the loth day of 
September, a.d. 17S(i, and that a negro boy namtjd 
Tobc was born the 20th day of March, a.d. 1791." 
The following advcrtiacnicnt is from an old paper : 

"Ran away from the subsciiler eonietime la»t month, a negro slave, 
named Samiition. All pcrNins are forbid liArlM>iiug or trusting him, and 
all masters of vessels ate fisiiid carrying him away on penalty of the 
law. 

J.ilfLS Dl'NMNO. 
" IIl'XTINOTOK, O.t, 21, 1708." 



THE INDIAN WELL. 

The old Indian well is one of the attractions of this 
town, and is indeed, to those who love the strange and 

I curious in nature, a place well worth visiting. It is 
a secluded spot in the mountain-gorge where the rays 
of the sun seldom penetrate. " Silence reigns here 
supreme, broken only by the .soft murmur of the 
stream falling a distance of twenty-five feet. Tra- 
dition says the Indians fathomed the well to the 

' depth of one hundred feet and found no bottom, and 
that they held some superstitious awe and veneration 
for the place. It is an enchanting s|)ot, and thousands 
of pleasure-seekers visit it in the summer to enjoy its 
romantic scenery and seek recreation from the busy 
routine of daily avocations." 

I CIVIL LIST. 

I Huntington was incorporated as a town in 1789, 

and included that portion of the old town of Stratford 

known as the parishes of Ripton and New Stratford. 
i The area of the town was decreased in 1S2.3 by the 

setting off of the parish of New Stratford, which was 

incorporated as the town of Monroe. 

REPRESENTATIVES FROM 1789 TO 1880. 
1780, Daniel Bennett, Capt. Samuel Blackman, Elijah Curtis, Joseph 
L. Wooster; 1790, Eli<lia M iMs^ Ezra Cnrliss, Elijah Curtiis, 
Beach Tomlinson; 



__ 17'J1, Beach Tomlinson, Xyjiejidah De F orest. 

Elihn Curti.-*s, Agur Judsjiii ; 1752, 'j'^»seph~Y. Wooster, Elihu "CuT- 
lis, Klipbah't Corliss, Eli^lia .'Mills; 170.), David Judsun, Ebenczer 
Beach, Elihn Curtiss;"l7'.H, ElialiaJlills, David Nichols, Ellas 
Hawley ; 1705, El|sha _MiIls, Itavid Nichols, Ebcnezer Beach, 
A gur Jud son ; 1700, Joseph Biidsi-y, Henry Curtiss, Stephen 
T5abbilt, TlTaddeus Beanlslcy ; 1707, Oeorge Ilealy, Ia! Grand M. 
Lewis, Henry Cuitiss; 170S, Olhniel De Forest, Le nrand M. Lewis, 
Ebcnezer Beach, Gideon Leavenworth; 1700. Agur JuiHin. Ilcnr?" 
Cuitiss, Ebcnezer Beacli ; ISOO, El-eneaer Beach, Agu r Judwtn, llcnry 
Curtis.*, David Hawley; 1801, Othuiel Dc Forest, Henry Cuiti-, Lo 
Grand M. Lcnis, William .Shelton; 1802, Agur JucInju, Elijah ( iini.s. 
Elisha Beardsley, Daniel B.Newton; IStXl, Agur^Judwin, Elijah Cur- 
tis, L. M. Lewis, Olhniel De Forest ; 1801, Elijah Curll's, Agar Jud- 
son, Sauinel Beanlsle.v, William Shelton ; ISOo, Agur Judson, John 
Wilcoxson, ElUah Curtis, Agur Shele..n ; l.'i<lC. Samuel P. Mills, 
Nathan Wheeler, Le Grand 91. Lewis, Davit) Hawley; 18t)7, Sannicl 
Hawley, Samuel Wheeler, Timothy S. Wi lis, David Hawley ; ISOO, 
David Hawley, Abill Hawley, Abtd French, John Curtiss; ISOO, 
Samuel Juits4)n, Sleplien Biibbid, Kbenezer Beanl.-h-y, Jiwph Shel- 
ton ; IslO, Othuiel Dc Forest, Dcodale Sillluiiin, I'liib. Sherman, .'<ll«s 
"Wheeler; 1811, David Hawley, Ebenczer Beardsley, .Vndrcw I.<>aven- 
worth, Lemuel Juds>n; 1812, Elisha T. Mills, Stephen Babbitt, 
Gideon Beardslee, John Curtiss; 181^ Lemuel .Indson, Nelu-ndah 
Gray, Ephraim SherwcKxl, Juseih Shelton; 1814, Jidin Curlls^ 
Elislui Mills, Jr., Elisha Mills (2d), Joseph WiNWler; 181.1, Lemuel 
Judson, David B. Uubbell, Abel Frem h, Joreljli Sliellou ; 18ll>, 
David B. Newton, Isiucl A. Beardslee, David Shcrwmid, William 
Shelton; IS17, Clark Elliot, Wlllinni Claik, Kli L. Ha« ley. IL-le- 
klah Marks; ISl.^ -Muier Hyde, Siinoul Wheeler, Samuel IVanls- 
Icy, Nathan G. Birdsey ; 1810, Nalbau G. Blnlsey, John Teek; 
1820, Samuel Wheeler, David B. Newton ; 18'JI, Nathan G. Binlsey. 
Andrew Leavenworth; 1.'''22, Samuel Beardsley, David B. Newton; 
182:1, Abner Hyde, Levi Edwards; 1824, Lemuel Beardsley; 182JJ, 
Chrislopher N. Shelton ; 1820, Donald Judsin ; 1827, Nathan G. Bird- 
sey ; 1828, llezekiuh .^laiks; 182:1, Tlniiideus Beardslee, Jr.; 1830, 
Hezekiah Marks; 18.'>l, Tlinddeus Beardslet' ; 1S:;2, Eilwin Shelton ; 
18;13, Sylvester I'lmt; |n:;4, Lewis Downs; DC!.'), Tliaddeus Beanhley, 
Jr.; 18.10, Liuius Gill^rt; 1837. William >I. Hubbell; 1S38, Thad- 
dens Beanlsley, Jr.; 1830, Elisha Shelton; 1840, William L. IleD- 
nelt ; 11^41, Elisha Beanlsley: 1842, Ebenezcr Wakelec; 1843, Peter 
Beardslee; 1844, William A. Judnon; 184.'>, Lemuel Beardslee ; 184(1, 
Thomas Burlock; U47, Stephen Beanlslee ; 1848, William A. Judson; 



HUNTINGTOX. 



411 



1840, Elly Lewis; lS.-.n, William A. .Tmlson; ISol, Elieiiozer Wakc- 
U-y; lS,-,2, Williiint L. Bcniu-tt ; ISM, Orville Biioth ; 1.S,-j4, William 
A. .IiiclBoo ; 1«M, Wells Hul>ln-ll ; ISOO, Jolin V. liiickiiigliam ; 1857, 
Daviil Lewis ; 1S5S, Juhll M. Beardslcy ; Uu'J, Kli .\. lialilu in ; ISCo, 
Samuel V. Buckingham ; Isol, .losepli E. Fieltl; 1N('.2, Z. L. Sheltun; 
ISc;!, Clnistoplier U. SlielUin; 1SC4, Eliem'Zev Wakeley ; ISCi, .Icitl 
Beanl ; IsCll-liS, William L. Beiiintl ; lsi;9, Charles Judson ; 187(1, 
James IJyiiigton; 1.S71. Smith Wlieelor; 187-', Erasliis Beiinelt; 
lS7:!-74, Sauilforil B. Cieks; 187.'., Ui.le.ui M. Wakelee ; 187i;, lloraec 
Wheeler; 1S77, Charles Beanl; 1S7S. lluraee Wheeler; 1870, Frcd- 
eriek G, Perry ; 18S0, gelali G. Blakeman. 

SELECTMEN. 

The record of the proceedings of the annual town- 
meeting cannot be found jirior to 1S4-'). The fuUow- 
iug is a list of the .selectmen IVoni tluit year to tlic 
present time : 

1845, Elly Lewis, Wm.L. Bennett; 1S4C, Daniel Bennett ; IS4(,_(S, Daviil 
Bceiher; 1847-49, llemy B. Lake; 184'.l-.MI, Orville B.iuth ; 
18.';0-.'i2, 1854, ISCl. Charles C. Tumlinson ; 18:,I-3:i, Havid 
Lewis; 1853-55, Wm. A. Jndsoii ; lS55-5i;, 1804, John 91. 
Beardslee; 185G-C0, 18(;2-04, 18117, Wm. I.. Beirnett : lN'.7-i;n, 
Elly Lewis; 1861, Eli X. Baldwin; l8i:-2-ij:i. Wells Iluhhell; 
isc'i-oi;, Lewis B. Gray, James II. Beard ; I8i;7, Orville Bonth ; 
1808, Stephen Beardslee; 1809-71, 187:i, 1878-79, f. G. I'erry; 
1S09, S. P. Buckingham ; 1SC9-71 , AmhiMse .Shellvui ; 1870, Edgar 
S. Wuoster; 1871-72, James Mills, Ilavid N. Lane; 1872, Lewis 
J. Shelton ; 1S7.!, 1878-79, Cha.les Bean ; 187.!, S. G. Blakeman ; 
1874-75. James W. AVheeler; 1.874, S. .M. Wakelee, John Fran- 
ley; 187.'>, 1879, Erastus Bennett; 1S7.'>, Isaac Birdseye; 1.87{i- 
77,.Iames II. Beard, Wells llnlihell.IIoiaee S. Lyon; ls78,Julin 
C. Bnckingliall). 

VrLL--\(!E OF I^JIEI.TOX. 

The village of .Shelton is located in the eastern part 
of the town on the Housatonic, opposite 15irniingham, 
and was named in honor of Edward II. Shelton, Estp 
It is delightfully located, overlooking the Iloasatouic, 
and commands a fine view of the neighboring town 
of Derby. It is the scat of various manufacturing 
establishments, and is one of the flourishing villages 
of Fairfield Cimnty. The incilical ]irofe.ssion is rep- 
resented by Gould A. Slu'lton, M.l)., who is the only 
physician in the village. 

Huntington is a hamlet, containing two ehurchcs, 
located in the centre of the town. 

CONGRE(i.\TIONAL CIIUUCII. 

Huntington, originally in Stratford, was incorpo- 
rated in 178!), and embraced two i>:irishes, Riplon 
and New Stratford (now Monroe). When Monroe 
became a town Ripton took the name iif Huntington. 
The church w;is organized with ninety-two members 
from the Stratford church, Feb. 12, 1724, and the 
pastor, Rev. Jedediah Mills, w;is ordained the same 
day. In connection with the call and settlement of 
Mr. Mills the foUowing vote! was pa.ssed, "without 
contradiction of any person," viz. : " to give Mr. 
Mills eighty pounds towards building his house, — 
forty pounds of it in money and forty pounds of it in 
work, — and in the beginning fifty pounds salary a 
year, and afterwards rising as (!od shall enable us 
and as Mr. Mills shall stand in need, and as this 
society shall think fit, and also one hundred acre? of 
land already given by the town of Strtitford." 

The first meeting-house was probably erected al)oiit 



1720, and stood on F.-intou Hill, about eighty rods 
northeast of the present one. The secund edifice 
stood about twenty rods northeast of the present one, 
which is the third, and w;is erected in ]X.'i2. 

The following are the names and terms of service 
of each minister: Rev. Jedediah Mills, 1724-7(>; Rev . 
Daniel_ElvJ_)Ji.J,7II!*-lSUi ; Rev. Thomas F. Davis, 
ISTWS; Rev. Thomas I'undcrson, lSlS-14 ; Rev. 
Charles X. Seymour, 1.S44-47 ; Rev. Eliakim Phelps, 
D.D., 1847-49; Rev. William B. Curtis, IS.'.O-W; 
Rev. John Blood, 18J.S-()2; Rev. William D. Morton, 
ISO-t-Oil; Rev. L;)ring B. Marsh, l.<;r,9-72 ; Rev. Allen 
Clark, l.H7;i-74; Rev. Lucius H. Higgins, 1875. 

The following are the present ofliccrsof the churcli 
and society : I'astor, Rev. L. H. Higgins ; Deacons, 
George L. Nichols, Oliver G. Beard, Lewis J. Shel- 
ton ; Superintendent of Sunday-school, Eilward S. 
Hawley ; .Vssi.stant Su[)crintcndent of Sunday-school, 
Frank W. Wooster; Church Clerk, N. W. Blackman ; 
Society's Committee, Deacon L. J. Sheltmi, S. B. 
Nichols, D. A. Nichols; Secretary and Treasurer, 
Mr. E. S. Hawley. The number of i)rcseiit members 
is one hundred and forty-five. 

Among the incidents in the history of the church 
are the following:* 

The so-called " IIalf-W;iy Covenant" was used by 
the church till done aw:iy with in 1.^17. 

In 174;5, David Braincrd was e.\iiclled from Yale 
Ctdlege, in part " because he had disii!)eyed orders in 
attending prohibited meetings of those who were at- 
tached to the preaching of Whitefield and Tennent." 
Rev. Jlr. Mills regariling his treatment as unjust rc- 
ceiveil him into his family, and under his instruction 
he studied theology, and, thus fitted, went forth as a 
missiontiry to the .Stockbridge Indians. 

During Dr. Ely's ministry there were additions to 
the church by jirofession every year except six. He 
was a member of the corporation of Y:ile College, 
and about one hundred young men were fitted for 
college under him. 

During Rev. Mr. I'liriderson's ministry of twenty- 
six years two hundred and Iburteeu were jidmitted to 
the church. 

Dr. I'hclps had somewhat of notoriety in connec- 
tion with the "Stratford knockings." He was the 
father of Rev. Au.stin Phelp.s, D.I)., of A:idover The- 
ological Semin;iry, Massachusetts. 

During the winter and spring of I.S77 there oc- 
curred one of the most marked works of grace that 
had l)cen witne--ised for a generation, as one result of 
which nearly forty united with the church. 

The /Sciiflcryood Mission is under the (■■■ire of Rev. 
Friend lloyt, who founded it, and to whose untiring 
energy tiie succ;>ss of the movement is due. .\n effort 
is being made tj organize it into a Missionary Church 
Society. 



* Dr. Ely was a colleague with the Bev. Mr. Mills for Ui: 
ceding the death of the latter. 



412 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



liAPTIST CHURCH.® 

The first churcli was organized Nov. ;i, 1S3S, with 
the lollowing members : Ferris Drew, James Heard, 
AVright Drew, Jesse Gilbert, John G. Beardsley, 
Smith Bcardslcj-, Rebecca Beardslej', Israel Hamilton, 
Fanny Drew, Ann Hamilton, Charity Drew, Phebe 
Olmstead, Emily Hiibbcll, James Drew, Reuben 
Drew, Phebe Drew, Maria Drew, Ann Roardsly, 
Mar>' Beardsly, Lueias Ilubbell, William M. Hub- 
bell, C. Johnson, Samuel Drew, Sarah G. Johnson. 
Pastors : William A. Dennison, Alva Gregory, Judson 
G. Lyman, William B. Knapp, John AVaterbery, F. 
N. Barlow, A. N. Benedict, Charles Nichols, Amos 
Benedict, C. W. Potter, J. G. Gahun, George F. Pay, 
Sumner Tatham, Addison Brainard, and F. Perry. 
The church building was erected in 1839. 

Present officers : Committee, George W. Drew, John 
Tomlin.son ; Church Clerk, Levi Beamas. The pres- 
ent membership is between thirty and forty. 

ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CIIUUCII.* 
The parish of Ripton, in Huntington, and the parish 
of New Stratford, in Monroe, were once a part of the 
parish of Clirist's Cliurcii, at Stratford. St. Paul's 
cliureh at Huntington, was built alJout the year 1740. 
The parish of Ripton was set ofl" from the j)arish of 
Christ's CIvurch, at Stratford, in April, 1749. Rev. 
Christopjier Newton was it.s first minister, and was one 
of a sn)all number wlio went to England for lioly orders 
of the Episcopal Cliurcli,and was ordained by Zachary 
Pearce, Bishop of Bangor, at the chapel of Spring 
Garden, AVestminster, by order of Thomas, Lord 
Bishop of London. He was admitted to the holj' 
order of deacon on the 25th day of July, 1755, being 
St. James' Day. On Sunday, the 27th day of July, 
he was admitted to the holy order of priests accord- 
ing to the manner and form of the Church of Eng- [ 
laud.f He was appointed missionary at Huntington 
in 1755. During his ministry at Ripton Parish he 
officiated some part of the time at Tashua, in Trum- 
bull. 

The first records of Ripton parisli areilafed " Easter 
Monday, April 12, 17H4." Tlie following may show 
the manner in which the minister's salary was some- 
times raised in those days : 

"Votril, That Rov. Sir. N'ewtoira rnle on list of IIM iiliall be Iwoponco 
liniriH'iiny on tlic |>i>tintl, iiicliKliiiK 111-* wimhI ; uith tlilH rcflon'u consfil- 
ured in tlio Vutc. TIhnw wIio tmve n mind to rurninh uny wood may pay 
the huiriM-'iiriy on thu iMinnd in wood." 

The Rev. Mr. Newton's death occurred on Feb. 6, 
1787. He was an able and .sound divine. 

Rev. Abram Lynsoa Clark succeeded Rev. Mr. 
Newton in 1787, and resigned in 1792, when he re- 
moved to Providence, R. I. The Rev. Charles Sea- 
bury succeeded him for one year. 

It ia certified on the parish records that a vote was 



• Contributed liy Mm. .1. ITBticlt.in. 

t TlicM> onk'n) aro pruMrviMl and are at the home of Mrs. Ihtrid Shrl- 
ton, In llunllngtun, wliuac hr.Hliand wan grandnon of Her. Sir, Newton, ' 



passed to employ the Rev. AVilliam Green for onr 

year, and for his services during tliis time he was tn 
be allowed one hundred pounds lawful money. A 
certified copy of this vote was forwarded to Bishoji 
Provoijt, of New York. 

The records also show that at a meeting held June 
24, 1789, it Wi.3 voted to allow the Rev. Calvin AVhit.- 
one Imndred pounds lawful nioney, and the use ol' 
the glebe liou.ses and land, and thirty-three loads ol 
wood. 

In the year 1800 the Rev. Ambrose Todd wa.s set- 
tled, and remained until his death, which occurred 
.luly 25, 1809, in the forty-sixth year of his age and 
the twenty-second year of his ministry. He was 
much beloved by his people, and at his death was 
deeply lamented. The records show that when he 
was called to the jjarish, a vote was passed to call the 
Rev. Ambrose Todd, at a salary of one hundred 
pounds, lawful money, and forty loads of wood. 

In 1805 the Rev. Jlr. Todd was requested to per- 
form divine service at St. Paul's church at Ripton. 
and at St. Peter's church at New Stratford (now 
Monroe), one-third of the time, and the wardens of 
St. Paul's church, at Rii)ton jjarish, were empowered, 
when called upon, to make such arrangements for the 
direction of the new church at New Stratford as 
might seem necessary. The j)eople in New Stratford 
had lieretofore assisted in paying for services in Rip- 
ton parish. 

In the year 1800, St. Paul's Church Society 
voted to sell the glebe house and lot to Rev. Mr. 
Todd. In Augu.st, 1809, the society voted to continue 
the salary of the Rev. Ambrose Todd to his fiimily 
until the fifth of the next December, togetlier witii tin- 
use of the glebe orchard. At the same time and 
place it was voted that the society entertain thehigli- 
cst regard for liis memory, and agree to defray his fu- 
neral expenses and erect a tombstone to his memory. 

June 17, 1811, the two societies voted to call the 
Rev, Mcnzies Kayner to jireach alternately at St, 
Paul's church, at Ripton, and at St. Peter's church, 
at New Stratford, at a salary of five hundred and fifty 
dollars per annum and the use of the glebe lot, pro- 
viding the salary could be raised without taxation. 

The |)eople in the parish of Ripton being desirous 
that the relationship of minister and ])eople between 
them and Rev. Mr. Rayner should be brought to a 
close, a committee was appointed in December, l.S2t>, 
to visit Rev. Mr. Rayner to a.scertain the lowest terms 
upon which he wouhl leave the society. The com- 
mittee reported that Rev. Mr. Rayiii r would join with 
St. Paul's Church Society in requesting the bishop to 
dissolve the connection with that .society in considera- 
tion of two bund red dollars, and that his services shoulil 
cea.se on the la.«t Sunday of December. The di.^solu- 
tion was made by Thomas C. Brownell, Bishop of 
Connecticut. 

On Jan. 8, 1811, a subscription was started and the 
sum of thirtv-five hundred dollars was raised for a 



HUNTINGTON. 



413 



fiuul, the interest of wliieli slioulil lie appropriated 
forever tor tlie support of preaeliiiig in liiptcjii parish 
by an Episcopal elergynum. 

In June, 1811, St. Paul's eliureh was Jestroyed hy 
fire. It originated in eonsei|Uenee of a younj; man, a 
eitizen of the town, shootinj; a dovewhicli wassittini;' 
on some part of the eliureh. 

From the close of Mr. Rayner's reetiir;liip tu tlie 
year 18G4 several diti'erent clerjjymen occupied the 
pulpit for short intervals. 

In 183() the society, being in embarrassed eireum- 
stanees, made application to the bislmii for pecuniary 
aid, that it might lie enabled to have ])reaching con- 
tinued. Since that time it has been a missionary 
society. In 1841 a parsonage was built on the glebe 
property. 

In A])ril, 1804, the Rev. .Tose|jh Covell was called, 
and remained for nearly thirteen years, when he re- 
signed on account of ill-health and infirmities of age. 
He was an efficient Christian minister, a sound di- 
vine, and looked well to the interest of his small 
flock. By good advice and Cliristian ministration he 
was instrumental in adding numbers to the church, 
leaving the small society in a united and prosperous 
condition. During his rectorship the church was im- 
proved in appearance by repainting, reseating, fres- 
coing, and being made more modern in style. The 
e-X]K'nse incurred was nearly twelve hundred dollars, 
which was all subscribed and jiaid as soon .as the 
work was completed. 

Rev. Mortimer Hyde ne.Kt lilled the rectorship for 
two years. Since his resignation tlicre has been no 
regular clergyman, but the (lulpit has been supplied 
by lay-reading and the ministerial services of the 
Rev. Jlr. Duffield, of Monroe. 

The society was once large and tiourishing, but by 
deaths and removals, and the mendiers in the eastern 
part of the town uniting with St. .James' C'luirch at 
Birmingham, it has been rendered unable to keep up 
ministerial services without great sacrifices on the 
part of the membership. 



CHAPTER XL. 

HUNTINGTON (Continued). 

MAXUFACTURINti INTEREST.'^. 

Tlio Ousatoiiii; Water Company — The Perby Silver Coiiipany — Binniiig- 
liam Cuiset Company— The Sliclton Company— Bolls, Tmks, Elc— 
Wilkinson Brothers & Co.V Paper-Mills. 

THE OUSATONIC WATER CO.MPANV. 
CoNXECTifUT is emph.atieally a manufacturing 
State, and, iis in many other i)ortions of New Ens- 
land, the sagacity, enterprise, and perseverance of lier 
citizens are everywhere observable in the manner in 
which they utilize every afforded facility for internal 
improvements and the development of the great in- 



dustries which are peculiar to these localities. As a 
result of such enterprise, villages and towns of rare 
beauty and interest have rapidly sjirung up along the 
margin of her rivers, where the ojicning of the jircs- 
ent century witnessed no indications of busy, bustling 
humanity. But these placc-s, wild ami iiiiforbidding 
as was their natural appearance, have, by the embel- 
lishments of art, lieen remlcred far more delightful 
and desirable than those which weri' often originally 
more attractive. 

Much of the surface of this State is broken and 
hilly, yet it can boast of no mountain scenery prop- 
erly so called. The face of the country is delightfully 
varied by low ranges of hills, and the passage of the 
t'onnceticut and Housatonic and <ither smaller yet 
beautiful rivers through its entire length. There arc 
several elevations in the State dignified by the name 
of mountain, and, although their highest peaks are 
much inferior in height to the mountains in other 
parts of New England, they prescnl many attractions 
and add much to the scenic views of the State. The 
lakes nestling among these miniature mountains in 
some parts of the State are extremely beautiful. But 
the most picturesque scenery is to be found in the val- 
leys of her rivers, where it is ever ehanging and loses 
none of its beauties from the sources of the rivers to 
where they mingle with the waters of Long Island 
Sound. 

A late writer, in speaking of the attractive jdaees 
and manufacturing interests on the Ousatonic — better 
known as Ilonsa tonic — River, says, in reference to the 
great achicvenieiit of the Ousatonic Water Company: 

"At the present day, when niannfactming entorjuise sleeks every 
availahle opportnnity for its Llevelopment, it seems stran[;e that less than 
forty years ago tlio project of utili/ing one of the finest \vator-l)o\vers in 
New Kn^'lanil shouM have encountered vij;oroU8 (ipposition ; yet such 
was the fact, anil hnt for the iiiilonutahle enerjiy anil persevelance of 
some half a dozen individuals the ^teat iiiiprovi-nutit might have shun, 
bered for another generation. 

"A brief history of the enterprise which under the auspices of the 
Ousatonic Water Company, at llerby, Conn., was liriMij;iit to successful 
completion in 1870 cannot fail to prove of interest to our readers, and es- 
pecially to those who desire to find an advantageous Ka'ation for niaint- 
facturing operations within easy distance of New York City. 

"The Ousatonic — or Housatonic, according to modern orthogniiihy — 
is one of the largest rivers in New Englaiut, having a much greater vol- 
ume of water than the Blackstone, (ininnehang, Chieopee, Shetucket, or 
Willirnantic, all bordered by flourishing manufacturing towns, and but 
little less than the Merriiuac, wliii-h drives the countless spindles of 
Lowell. The Housatonic takes its rise among tin: hills of Iterkshire Co., 
Mass., more than one hundred miles above the head of tide-waler at Bir- 
mingham, Conn., and empties into Long Island Sound mar Bridgeimrt. 

"It drains alnint two thousand square miles of teiritoiy and receives 
iniinerous tributaries, some of which are rivers of considerable magni- 
tuiie, such aa Still River, I'oinperaug, Shepaug, etc. These allluetits 
usually connnence their course at the taitlet of large lakes which serve 
as natural reservoirs, equalizing the How of water and insuring an un- 
failing supply at all seasons of the year. The niinimnm average How of 
water dniiug the lowest stages is estimated at not less than five hundred 
cubic feet per second, which is eipiivali-nt to twenty-five hnmired leirse- 
power for twelve hours per day. 

" Aside from the abundance of water wliicii the Housatonic aftbrds, 
the fact tliat it was the last a\ailable large water-power in close prox- 
imity to navigable tide-water along the whole New Kngland coast would 
seem to have been sntticient inducement for its speedy utilization, but it 
is only within a few years that its incomparable advantages appear to 
lijive been fully recognized. 



414 



HISTORY OF FxVIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



" Tho project of dnmming tlio Housalonic Kivor wns first broacliod Id 
1838. and in the following year tlio Slate Lcgiulaturo graiilml a chartor, 
or rnlhor revived au old oiie which had been issued in 1S22 for the pur- 
I>oso of coustructing a canal, and whicli had expired by its ow ii limita- 
tion. Tho provisions of the charter wore liberal, with tlie oxcoptiun of 
one restriction: the company were not allowed to build a higli darn for 
fear of injury to the Bhad-fiMherit.9, wliich were then considered very 
valuatde. Tlie construction of flsh-weii-s was not so well underetood at 
that time as at tlie present day, and penplc were sceptical as to the pmc- 
ticability of indu<;ing shad to perform the acrobatic feat of scaling a doni, 
ovoo with tho aid of mechanical contrivances. 

" To erect a low, tumbling dam at tho only available spot would have 
involvotl the necessity of a canal to bring tho water where it could bo 
made serviceable, and the estimated cost was so great tliat the project 
was abandoned, and for more than twenty years wa8 allowed to rest un- 
disturbed. 

"The matter was again revived in 18G3, and inl8Cl application was 
made to the Legislature to dam the river at any iwiint that might bo 
selected, ami the privilege was granteil after sjitisfying the committee of 
the liegislature that tho rights of navigation and other rights woultl bo 
maintained by tlie building of locks, etc. 

" The next difllculty wos to secure the assistance lif capitalists, and it 
was not until the autmnn of 18GC that the requisite amount of capital — 
S40f),0(X)— was secureil and tho company fully orgauizod for active oper- 
ations. IHr. llenry T. Potter was appointed engineer and suiieriiitend- 
onl, and the great work was fairly inaugurated by the laying of the first 
stone on the 17th of July, 18IJ7. With several interruplions from fresh- 
ets the work progressed, and was nearly completed when the great 
freshet of Oct. 4, ll?G9, swept away neaily onc-quaiter of the dam. In 
the following sjiring operations wore again resumed, and without further 
seiioiis hindrance carried to final completion, the last cai>«touo of the 
noble stiucturo being laid on the 5th of October, 1870, 

"Tho difilculttcs oncountered were of no ordinary magnitude, but 
fortunately the director of the undertaking were men of indomitable 
determination, and each added obstacle Hcemed but a further incentive 
to vigoRnis prosecution of tho woik. Among those must prominently 
concerned, who contiibuted largely, not only of money, but valuable 
time and attention, should be mentioned the names of 3Ir. Kdward N. 
Slielton, Dr. John I. llowo, David W. Plumb, Kdwin 'Wooster, Robert N. 
Itossett, A. II. Ailing, Koyul M. Baasett, William K. Downs, Thomas 
Elmes, and others. 

" On the loth of October, 1870, tho completion of the work was signal- 
ized by u celebration in tho village of llirmiiigliam, participated in by 
tho Govornor of the State, tho mayor of >'ew Haven, and many other 
distinguisheil guests. A iirocession exceeding a mile in length wiui 
fonned, and under military escort p[x>cceded to the vicinity of the dam, 
where eloquent speeches, the recitation of an appropriate poem, and tho 
in<*piriting strains of martial music combined to render the commemora- 
tion worthy of the occasion, and marked the day as one to be borne in 
remembrance while tho sparkling waters of tho liousatonic continue to 
furnish the motive power for tho active industries that contribilto to tho 
welfare of tho entire nation," 

This privilege is located at the heail of navigation 
on tho ITonsatonio River, only seventy miles by rail 
from the city of New York. 

A dam of solid ma.-<onry twenty-two feet in height, 
constructed in the most approved and substantial man- 
ner across the Housatonic River at this point, creates 
the largest and most reliable water-])owcr in the State. 
The river extends over one hundrcil miles above the 
dam, and drains about two thousand square miles of 
territorj- ; on its tributaries are numerous lakes with a 
combined area of not less than fen thousand acres, 
which serve as natural store-houses for water, etjual- 
izing the flow and afl'ording a large amount at all sea- 
sons of the year. This, together with the immense 
reservoir above the dam, five miles in length, insures 
n ])ermanent sujiply^of nut le,«s than five hundred 
cubic feet per second, e(iual to two thousand five hun- 
dred horse-power twelve hours per day. There are 



at present ten mills in full operation, giving employ- 
ment to a large number of hands. 

The water may be used on both sides of the river, 
and as each factory-lot has a frontage on the river, 
water-transportation may be had for heavy freights, 
such as coal, iron, lumber, etc. But little expense for 
grading or foundation would be requisite, and every- 
thing necessary for building purposes is conveniently 
procurable. There are good roads on each side of the 
river. The company own aliout two hundred and 
sixty acres of land below the dam, affording numer- 
ous eligible sites for manufacfuriiig purposes. Since 
the completion of the dam there liave been erected, 
and are now in full operation, ten manufacturing es- 
tabli-shments, including one paper-mill, one zinc-mill, 
two bolt-factories, one shovel-factory, one silver-pla- 
ting works, and one woolen-mill ; also one pin-factory, 
one manufactory of carriage-hardware, and two saw- 
mills ; the whole, however, is using but a small jiortion 
of the actual power. About two hundred acres are 
.suitable for building-lots, and a large number of 
dwelling-houses are already erected. The entire 
property is worth not less than one million dollars. 

As a location fVir manut'acturing purposes this is 
certainly unsurpassed in New Eiiglanil, whether we 
consider its natural advantages or the fact that it is 
but seventy miles distant from New York, with which 
city there is an established communication by steam 
and sailing-ve.'scls, railroad and telegraph. There are 
five trains daily in each direi'tion, both rin New Haven 
and Bridgeport, making twenty arrivals and departures 
each day. 

A great advancement in manufacturing operations 
will undoubtedly soon be witnessed, and it would be 
wisdom on the part of those who contemplate new en- 
terprises of the kind, or desire to remove into a more 
eligible location than they now occupy, to exam- 
ine into the advantagi^s attending the factory-sites 
which are now offered by the Ousatonic Water Com- 
pany. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to find 
any other situation possessing equally advantageous 
features within so short a distance of the great me- 
tropolis, !ind j>rudence would suggest securing the 
favorable opportunity now extended, for such chances 
for i)rofitable inveiitment are not likely to remain very 
long without due appreciation. 

Some of the superior advantages of the location are 
its proximity to New York City, its connection there- 
with by rail and water, — being distant only two and 
one-half hours by rail, — the frequency of the trains 
allowing ami>le time for daily transaction of busini^s, 
and return, from either point. Transportation by 
water and two competing lines of railroad, either 
Bridgeport or New Haven, insures low rates and con- 
nection with all freight-lines throughout the country. 

If we com]>are the rate of freight from Birmingham 
to New York ami the cost of coal at Birmingham with 
the rate of freight from the other New England man- 
ufacturing centres to New York and the cost of coal 



HUNTINGTON. 



41.") 



at these manufacturing centres*, the desirability of the 
Birininiihani location will be apparent. 

The average cost of freiglit Ijctwecn New York City 
and (he principal New England nianufaetining cen- 
tres is about three times as much ]ier hundred as be- 
tween New York and Birmingliuni, and the average 
])rice of coal at the same places more than twice as 
high as at Birmingham, which would make a differ- 
ence in tlie items of freight and coal, lor an average 
mill of one hundred horse-jxiwcr, of about four 
thoiLsand dollars annually. This didcrence would 
pay the rent for a good null-site witli one hundred 
horse-power at Birmingham and leave a margin of 
about two thousand dollars. If we also consider the 
cost of a dam, flowage, and canal, with the repairs 
necessary to keep them in order, — wliich are usually 
part of the expenses of the mill-owner, but which in 
this case are provided and maintained by tlie com- 
pany, — the difference in favor of the Birmingham lo- 
cation will be greatly increased. 

The location in the midst of a manufacturing com- 
munity, with a jiopulation of ten thousand within a 
radius of two mile.s, and the proximity <if other man- 
ufacturing-towns of the Naugatuck Valley, are of 
great advantage in respect to skilled labor. 

For beauty of scenery, health, and ediu-ational fa- 
cilities the location ranks among the first. The l.icau- 
tifnl views U]> either river, Housatonie or Naugatuck, 
which form a junction here, are the sulyect of renmrk 
by all who visit the place. Birmingham lias churches 
of all denomiinitions, excellent schools, bank with 
three hundred thousand dollars capital, savings bank 
with over one million dollars deposit, telegraph- and 
cxpress-ofiices, also gas- and water-works. Jts j)rox- 
imity to New Haven, only ten miles distant by rail, 
adds to its desirability as a place of residence. 

The company own a large amount of real estate in 
the immediate vicinity of their works, jiroviding am- 
ple room for mills and for the accommodation of oper- 
atives; also lots more remote, admirably adapted for 
first-ehrss residences. 

The jiresent officers of the conii)any arc as follows: 
President, E. N. Shclton ; Vice-President, i). W. 
Plumb ; Secretary, D. S. Brinsnmde. \ 

The Derby IS'dver ComiMmij, manufacturers of silver- 
plated ware, was organized in January, l.S?.'!, with a 
capital of sixty thousand dollars, which has since been 
increased to one hundred and forty thousand dollars. 
The company is now doing a large and successful 
business. The present officers are: President, E. De 
F. Shelton ; Secretary, W. J. Miller ; Treasurer, Wil- 
liam E. Downs; Directors, George W. Cheesman, D. 
W. Plumb, William E. Downs, E. N. Slielton, E. De , 
F. Shelton, W. J. Miller, P. McEiicrney. 

Binnint/ham. Corset Companij. — The firm of J. W. 
Birdseye commenced business aljout fourteen years ago 
iu White Hills, Huntington, for the manufacture of 
hoop-skirts, and seven years ago, in April, moved to 
the village of Shelton, continuing in same business. 



They also, two years later, eommencc<l the manufac- 
ture of corsets in a moderate way. 

The business has rapidly iiicreasc<l, and at the pres- 
ent time one hundred dozen enrscts per day are man- 
ufactured, and over two hundred jiersous are employe<l. 
Capital, about sixty thousand dulhirs ; value of present 
annual i>roduct, aljout one luniilred and scvcnty-tive 
thousand dollars. 

Tlie ShcltijH Company, Muiiiifarfitrerx nf Tm-ks, DnUs, 
tic. — This business was established by E. N. Shelton 
iu l.S.'!(i. In 1S.')4 he was succeeded Ijy the i)rescnt 
company, ami the manufacture of small bolts was 
comiiicnccil. Upon the comjiletion of the Oasatonic 
dam, in 1S71, the works were removed to Shelton. 
Aliout three tons of snuill liolts, etc., are made per 
day. 

The officers of the conii)any arc: President, E. 
De V. Shelton; Secrctarj' ami Treasurer, tJeorge 
Blakcman. 

WilUumn. Brtitherx & Co.'x Pcij,rr-Mi/h.— The first 
mills erected by this firm in Slielton were of wood, 
commenced in October, l.S71,and were in operation 
in November of the following year. Nov. 4, 187.H, 
the mills were totally destroyed by lire, lint their re- 
building was immediately comiiieiiciMl, and in four 
months and eighteen days the iiianuracture of ])apcr 
was begun. 

The mills, which are of brick, were enlarged very 
much, anil many radical changes made both in the 
constructi<iu of buildings and also in machiner)'. 
The present buildings cover about an acre of ground. 
Additions have been made, and at the jn-esent time 
the establishment is furnished witli two one-thousand- 
liound and two si.x-hundred-]iound washer-engines, 
and six six-hundred-i)Ound and one eight-huudred- 
pound Goidd beating-engines. The machine-room is 
sixty by one hundred and thirty ti_'et, and has one 
sixty-eight-inch cylinder and one eighty-fbur-inch 
Fourdrinier machine, built by Rice, Barton & Fales' 
]\Iacliine- and Iron-Works, of Wiu'ccster, Mass. The 
jiriishing-room is fifty liy one hundred, and has two 
stacks of super-calenders. The cutting-room is forty 
by fifty, and the dust is remove<l by a Sturtcvant ex- 
j lianst blower. 

There are three large rotary boilers, with eai)acity 
for ten tons of paper per day. About sixty hands 
are employed. ' 

Feb. 1, 1S71I, the firm was changed by t:iking into 
partnership Charles A. Whedon and ( ieorge S.Ar- 
nold, making five in the firm at iiresent time. 

The buildings are protected from fire by a complete 
system of automatic sprinklers (Parmelee's jiatent) 
and the town water- works, with six double hydrants 
in the yard and directly in front of the mill. In 
addition to the town supply of water, they have a 
large Holyoke Machine Company's double rotary 
fire-pump, capable of supi)lying eleven hundred 
gallons of water per minute. Steam for drying, boil- 
ing, and heating is suppliecl from four steam lioilers. 



416 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



This firm are now (May, 1880) building wood-pulp 
works, to l)c run in connection witli the jjresent 
mills. 

The store-house, forty by one hundred and fifty, 
two stories, for manufactured and raw stock, is situ- 
ated across the canal, about one Iiundred and twenty- 
five feet distant from tlie mills. 

The Wilkinson Bros. & Co.'s mills rank among 
the leading establishments of the kind in the coun- 
try, and are such as give character and stability to 
a town. JIanilla, colored, envelope, and hardware 
papers arc manufactured, known by the trade as the 
" Derby Mills." 

Radcllff Brothers, manufacturers of hosiery goods, 
erected their factory in 1874. They employ about 
one hundred and ten persons, and the value of an- 
nual product is one hundred and forty thousand 
dollars. 

The Derby Coltmi- Mills, Kobt. Adams jjroprietor, 
were established in 1880. They employ three hun- 
dred and twenty-five hands, have seventeen thousand 
spindles, and turn out four thousand five hundred 
pieces of goods per day. Value of annual product, 
three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The mills 
manufacture linings, mosquito-netting, buckram, and 
crinoline. 

Among other enterprises may be mentioned the 
Beardsley Building Company, Zachariah Spence, 
machinist, and Church Brothers, manufacturers of 
brackets and wooden-ware. 

Shel/on Wafer Company. — The village of Shelton is 
supplied with water by the Shelton AVater Company. 
The oflicers of the company are : President, D. W. 
Plumb ; General Agent, C. H. Nettleton. 

Sharon Basscll's Bolt-Factory was established in 
1872, and at present employs about si.xty persons. 
Value of annual product, one hundred thousand 
dollars. 

O. C. Maltby & Son, manufacturers of spoons, forks, 
and Jlaltby's decorated cocoa-nuts, is a flourishing 
establishment, and employs about eighty persons. 
The factory building was erected by the late Edwin 
Woostcr, who was drowned in the Housatonic in 
April, 1876. 

mico.r d- Jfowe, nuinufacturers of carriage-hard- 
ware, employ about forty persons, and the value of 
annual product is about one hundred thousand 
dollars. 

The Star Pin Company was established in 1867 at 
Wells Hollow, with Geo. H. Peck, president, and 
Joseph Tondinson, secretary and treasurer. Their 
present brick factory in Shelton wjis erected in 1875. 
They emi)loy fifty hands, and the value of the annual 
product is about cue hundred and fifty thousand 
dollars. 

D. W. Plumb is the present president of the com- 
pany, and G. H. Peak .secretary and trc:usurer. In 
addition to pins, hooks, and eye*, hairpins are also 
manufactured. 



.^11 1.1 lARY RECORD. 
From records in the adjutant-general's office. 

FOUKTEENTH KEGIMEXT. 

Company A. 

Joel S. DriMlIey, onl. Aug. 7, 1802 ; wounJod ; miut. out May 31, 1804. 

SEVESTEEN'TII REGIMENT. 
CompanJ/ D. 
S. .1. Burden, cnl. \vg. 13, 1802; Jicd Nov. 29, 1802. 
F. W. Curlin, cnl. Aug. 9, 1SC2; trans, to Invalid CVirps. 

F. B. Clark, eul. Aug. 11, 1802; must, out July 19, 180.5. 

D. S. Garett, enl. Aug. II, 1802; pro. to second lieutcnnut ; must, out 

July 19, 1SC5. 
Ira C. Norlhnip, onl. Aug. 15, 1802 ; must, out July 19, 1805. 
S. Itounds, cnl. Aug. 11, 1862; wounded and tmns. tu Vet. Corps. 

G. S. Welwtcr, cnl Aug. 0, 18G2 ; must, out June 2, 1805. 
K. h. Webster, cnl. Aug. C, 1802 ; disch. Jan. 27, 1803. 

('. S. Wells, cnl. Aug. 9, 1802; woundeil and discll. Nov. 2S, 1804. 
John Qunlcon, cnl. March 31, 1864 ; must, out Dec. 23, 1805. 

FIFTEENTH REGIMENT. 

Co7nputii/ K. 
Gcorgo Smith, onl. March 30, 1804 ; must, out Dec. 21, 1805. 

Compantf F. 
J. La Solle, cnl. Sept. 6, 1804 ; must, out July 20, 1865. 
FIBST CAVALRY. 

Company D, 
.\mos n. Wheeler, cnl. Nov. 25, 1801 ; dlscli. Nov. 2.J, 1804. 
A. L. Burr, cnl. Nov. 19, 1801 ; discli. Sept. 13, 1803. 
II. N. Burr, enl. Aug. 12, 1802 ; must, out Juno 9, 1863. 

Company G. 
John Guthrie, cnl. Sept. 7, 1804. 

TUIKD INDEPENDENT B.iTTEBV. 
Goorgo Innian, onl. Sept. 5, 1804 ; must, out Juno 23, 18G5. 
D. S. Rockwell, cnl. Sept. 5, 1804 ; must, out June 23, 1863. 
J. SchoUiy, cnl. Sept. 3, 1804 ; must out Juno 23, 1805. 

FIU.ST ARTILLERY. 

Company E, 
F. TomliuBon, cnl. Dec. 5, 1803; must out Sept. 23, 18G5. 

Company F. 
Adam Biegul, enl. Dec. 3, 18G4 ; must, out Sept 23, 1805. 
SIXTH REGIMENT. 

Company G. 
Frederick Miller, onl. Dec. 3, 1864; killed Feb. 22, 1805. 
ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 

Company C. 
J. Grabur, eul. March 22, 1804 ; must, out Doc. 21, 1865. 
Janu's Jackson, enl. Jlarch 24, 1804; wouuiliMlandmust.outDcc.21, 18C"' 
William Smithy, onl. JIurch 2:1, 1864 ; captured. 

Company I. 

Jnmca llassetl, cnl. Doc. 28, 1801 ; must, out Aug. 25, ISO.'i. 
I Henry Moore, eul. March 31, 1804. 
I TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT. 

I Comp<tny D. 

George Inninn, enl. Aug. 27, 1802 ; disch. Aug. 31, ISfJ. 

L. H. Wliilncy, cnl. Aug. 30, 1K02; dL«-h. Feb. 1, 1863. 

Charles lU'aril, enl. Aug. 31, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 

B. Br.ui.*in, enl. Aug. 25, ISia ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 

F. M. Cleninns, enl. Aug. 'M, 1802 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
S. A. Btnedict.enl. Aug. 23, 181.2; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
William Brooks, enl. Aug. 25, 1802. 
L. N. llnuiBon, cnl. Aug. 2.5, 1802; died June 30, 1803. 

C. L. Burrlle, enl. Aug. 3<>, 11*02; disch. Aug. 31, 18C3. 
O. N. nincknmn, enl. Aug. 30, lWi2; dlsih. Aug. 31. 1803. 
T. (\ Cornell, cnl. Aug. 25. 1862 ; kille.1 June S3, 1803. 

' H. L. Durman, cnl. Aug. 2j, 1802 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 




^ a . sLtu^^.TW'.^. 



HUNTINGTON. 



417 



.1. Kwi-ii, enl. AiiK. Wl, ISI'.J; ilisch. Aug. .'SI, ISf;:!. 
JiuiKs lliiMiclI. i-nl. Ati;;. :;S, IS(i2: iliscli. Auj;. ;J1, IsC3. 
S. O. ]Iul>l»ll, cnl. Aug. 30, l.*i; disili. Aug. ai, ISl'.;!. 
K. A. ll..].kiii», .Mil. Aug. :in, ISCi; iliscli. Aug. 31, 1.-iG3. 
11. llu.kiii», onl. Aug .'!«, ISC'; diaili. Aug. 31, 1803. 
CliiUli-s .luil.sfin, i!ul. Aug. 29, 18i;2; (lis.li. Aug. 31, ^XKt. 
0. L. R.)\vli-.v, ful. Aug. 30, 1S02; ilisi:h. Aug. 31, lSf.3. 
J. Scli.ilJy, .■nl. Aug. Wi, l.sO'i; .li,<fli. Aug. 31, l«ri3. 
S. TvtiRT, iMil. Aug. 30, 1S02; .liiicli. Aug. 31, LSKS. 
i;. .■<. Tlu.uiii.s .11, .111, Si'|.t. 2, 1SC2: ilisili. Aug. 31, 1.<C3. 
D. Ufl.ir.1, i-ul. Aug. .30, l,>ir.i ; iliscli. Aug. 31, 1,SC3. 

11. S. WI Icr, oiil. Aug. ;!0, 1.<|-.J: .lisi-h. Aug. 31, 1,<<03. 

All.ert Viilc, enl. Aug. 27, 1S02; ilis.-li. Aug. 31, 1803. 

Compaiiij Ir, 
,1. r. Ilul.lull, ful. >'..v. 12, 18C2; Ir.iiis. t.. luv. Corps. 

NINTH l:E(il.MKNT. 
Compautj F. 
James Il..\viinl, cril. Miircli 31, 18U4 ; must. ..ut Aug. 3, ISM. 

FIFl'II KEia.MEXT. 
■\Villiani Anustic.ng, ciil. Jlarrli lU, 1SC4. 
Williaui King, lUil. March 10, 180-1. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



THE SIIELTON FAMILY OF COXXECTICUT. 

As far as i.s known, the .Sheltiim scattereil thriiii<.'Ii 
the Nortlieru States are deseenchuits of Daniel .Shel- 
ton, and those in the Soiitliern States, wliere the name 
has often been elianfred to t.'hilton, are (k'seendants of 
Richard Shelton, his brother. 

The ohl lionie of tlie Shelton family in Enjjland 

was at Slielton, in County Norfolk, but the branch 

from whicli the American SheUons are descended 

were more recently in Derbyshire. Daniel and Uicli- 

1 ard Shelton came to this country before ItilXt, Kichard 

i going to Virginia and Daniel to .Stratford, (Jonn., 

; where he settled. Jle was one of the non-resident 

proprietors of AVaterbury, Conn., and owned lands in 

I Stratford, Stamford, Farniington, O.xford, Woodbury, 

'• and Derby, lie lived in that part of Stratford called 

; Long Hill. He married April 4, 1(!!I2, Elizabetli, 

daughter of Samuel Welles and granddaughter of 

Hon. Thomas Welles, one of the early (tovernors of 

Connecticut; he died in January, 1728, at about 

sixty years of age. He had two daugliters and seven 

sons. One son died aged twenty-one, the others mar- 

l ried and lived within what were then the limits of 

the town of Stratford. 

The eldest son, .losepli .Shelton, b(jrix .luiie 24, KiOG, 
married Mary, daughter of Josejili IloUister, of Glas- 
tonbury. Josei>li Shelton lived at Long Hill ; he died 
there Aug. 10, 17S2, aged eiglity-si.\. He had four 
daughters and two sons, — Jo.seph, who died aged four- 
teen, and William Slielton, born .luly 2C., 17;5!t, who 
married, Oct. 1, 17C)4, Susannah, daughter of Tiioma.s 
Strong, of Brookhaven, L. I., a descendant of Elder 
John Strong, of the Dorchester colony. Elder Brews- 
1 ter, of the " JIayflower," and Roger Eudlow, Deputy- 



Governor of ^Massachusetts. AVilliam ."^belton lived 
at Long Hill ; he died .Tan. 27, l.Si2, aged seventy- 
three. He had two daughters and six sons. IMiilo 
and Thomas die<l without issue. William, >Tr., grad- 
uated at Yale in 17.SS, was a jdiysician, and lived in 
Huntington. Two of his sons were physicians, — Dr. 
William Shelton, of Stratford, and Dr. .lames Shel- 
ton, of Huntington. 

Selah, son of William Slielton, had eight daughters 
and two sons. (Jcfirge livccl in Ohio and Missouri, 
and Alfred in Huntington, where his di.'sceiidants 
now live. 

George, son of William Shelton, had two sons, — 
Charles, who was for eight years medical mi.ssiinuiry 
in India, and George Wellington, who lives in liir- 
iningham, Conn. 

.losejdi, elilest son of William Shelton, lioru -Vug. 
27, 17()"), niarric<l, Nov. 24, 17'.)l, Charity, daughter of 
Steidien Lewis, of Stratford, Conn, .lo.-^eph .Shelton 
lived .at Long Hill ; lie died Sept. 1. 1S48, aged eighty- 
two; he had three daughters and five sons. 

Tli(! youngest son, Edward Nelsi.)ii .Shelton, was 
liorn Sept. 4, 1S12; he received Ids education at the 
]]ublic school in Huntington and the academy in 
Derby, at Partridge's then celebrated academy in 
Middletown, the last year of its existence, and from 
scientiftc lectures at Yale during one winter. He is 
a man of i)rudence and generosity, of keen business 
foresight and great public spirit, having lieen always 
a leader in whatever was for the welfare of the town 
or the churidi of which he is a member, a man of 
honor and strict integrity, a wise coun.selor, and a 
true friend. 

3Ir. .Shelton's business career has been one of 
marked success. He has been identilied with manu- 
facturing, mining, banking, and various other enter- 
|>rises. He commenced maiiufaeturing tacks, nails, 
etc., iu l.SSfi, at Birmingham, and has continued the 
same successfully to the present time, besides a.ssuin- 
ing responsibilities as chief executive ofiicer of many 
other corporations. He has held the ofBce of presi- 
dent of the Birmingham National liank — formerly 
the Jlanufacturers' Bank — since its organization in 
1848, and that of president of the Ousatoiiic Water 
Com]>any since it vv.as organized in 1861). Nothing 
that Mr. .Shelton has been connected with has so well 
shown to the public liis energy, perseverance, and 
business abilitj- as this. The project of building a 
dam aero.ss the Ousatonic River had long been con- 
sidered, and to Mr. Shelton's eilbrts the fullillment of 
it is principally due. The labor in connection with 
it was very varied and arduous; four distinct etlbrt.s 
were required : first, the securing the land, then the 
charter from the Legislature, then the necessary cap- 
ital, and then the supervision of the work in all its 
details until the result was obtained in tlie clevelop- 
nient of one of the finest water-powers in the country, 
and the establishment of the thriving and growing 
village which, in his honor, is called Shelton. 



418 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



G. A. SHELTON, M.D. 
Gould Abijiih Shelton, the subject of tliis sketch, is 
the fourtli son of Judsou Curtiss :iiul Hannali Lewis 
Shelton, and was born in Huntington, Aug. 19, 1841. 
He received his early education at the common schools 
of his town, but at eighteen years of age, desirous of 
pursuing a more extended course of study, he entered 
Staples Academy at Kaston, Conn., where he remained 
three years under the popular instructor H. W. Sig- 
lar, thus making thorough preparation for a collegiate 
course at Yale, in which institution he matriculated 
in 18(52. During his junior year, he left his class to 
engage in the work of teaching. Late in 1864 he ac- 
cei)ted the position of instructor in the languages and 
uiatheniatics in Mountain View Seminary, at Fish- 
kill-on-the-IIudson ; the year following he was elected 
principal of the public school at Port Washington, 
Long Island, N. Y. Filling his engagements here 
with credit to himself and satisfaction to his ])atrou3, 
he decided to follow' the bent of a long-felt inclina- 
tion, and at once entered the medical school at Yale 
College, from which institution, after three years of 
arduous application, — in the class of 1869, — he received 
the degree of JI.D., immediately afterwards locating 
in the new village of Shelton, in his native town, and 
offering his professional services to tlie iniblic. 

It is not a little remarkable that Huntington should 
have enjoyed a succession of as capable men, of the 
same profession and family name, extending over so 
long a period. William Shelton, Jr., M.D., received 
his degree from Yale in 1788 ; he was a native of 
Huntington, and until his death, .Vug. 29, 1819, en- 
joyed a highly successful practice. He was succeeded 
by his son. Dr. James Hovey Shelton, who, through- 
out life, w.as held in the highest esteem, both as a man 
and as a physician. His labors closed with his death, 
which occurred on May 10, 1868. The professional 
mantle fell upon the nephew of this latter representa- 
tive, and to-day Dr. < J. X. Shelton not only enjoys the 
advantages of the i)restigc of a century, but for his 
own worth and ability, through his own energy and 
succe-ss, he has attained an enviable place in his pro- 
fession and the society in which he moves. For nine 
years he has been an active member of the board of 
school visitors, always taking a lively interest in every- 
thing that elevates the educational standing of the 
schools of his town. For three years ho has been 
register of vital statistics, and is a member of the Fair- 
field County, Connecticut State, and American Med- 
ical Associations. 

Dr. Slielton was united in marriage, June Ifi, 1874, 
to Emily Plumb Capel, niece of Hon. D. AV. Plumb, 
of Shelton. Jliss Capel was born in Uridgeport, Conn., 
Aug. 12, 1847. 

GENEALOGY. 

G. A. Shelton is the son of Judson C, who was the 
son of Samuel Fredariek, who was the son of Daniel, 
wlio was the son of Samuel, who was the son of Dan- 
iel, the first settler of the name iu Connecticut. 



DAVID SHEI.TOX. 

Daniel Shelton, the great-grandfather of the subject 
of this sketch, with his brother Richard, emigrated to 
this country from Yorkshire, England, in the year 
1690. Daniel settled in the town of Stratford, Fair- 
field Co., Conn., Richard going to Virginia. Daniel 
married Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Wells, of 
AVetlicrsfield, Conn., who bore him nine children, — 
Elizabeth, Sarah, Josepli, Daniel, Thaddeus, Samuel, 
James, John, and Josiah. 

Samuel, the fourth son, married Abigail, daughter 
of Philo and Mahitaba Nichol, by whom he had four- 
, teen children, — -Mary, Daniel, Samuel, Elizabeth, Da- 
vid, Abigail, Josei)l), .\ndrew, Sarah, Ann, Josiah, 
Philo, Isaac Wells, and -Vgur. 

Agur, tlie fourteenth child, wiis born .Vug. 11, 1758, 
marrying Abigail Newton, daughter of Rev. Christo- 
pher Newton, who bore him six children, — Polly 
Amelia, Charles, .-Vvis, Abigail, Christopher Newton, 
and David. 

David Shelton was born Sept. 17, 1799, and was 
united in marriage to Jane Perry, June 4, 1830, dying 
June 2, 1872. 

Jane Perry was born March 18, 1811, and was the 
daughter of A. Ilawley Perry, who came to Hunting- 
ton at the age of twenty-one year.' and lived there 
until his death, Nov. 21, 1826. Mr. Perry was the 
son of Yelverton Perry and Patience Tomlinstm, of 
Oxford. He married Polly Leavenworth, March 6, 
1809. Polly Leavenworth was the daughter of Ed- 
mund Leavenworth, the youngest son of Capt. Ed- 
mund Leavenworth, who was the son of Dr. Thomas 
Leavenworth, the first settler of that name in Fair- 
field (^)unty. 

David and .Tane Shelton had but one child, Mary 
Jane, born Feb. 8, 1833, and who was united in mar- 
riage to Edwin Wooster, Maj' 23, 1860. Being the 
only child, great pains were taken in her education 
and training, which were amply repaid in the develop- 
ment of a character of rare sweetness and vivacity. 
In disposition combining amiability and liveliness, she 
was the idol of her parents and the acknowledged 
favorite of a large circle of friends. Her early death, 
which occurred June 4, 1864, no doubt did much to 
shorten her father's life and was the first real sorrow 
of her mother's life, preparing her, as it were, for au- 
other Jieavicr sorrow in the death of her husband. 

Mr. Wooster continued to reside with Mr. and Mrs. 
Shelton, to whom he was gre^itly attached, after the 
death of his wife, until his own unfortunate death, 
April 20, 1876. On the night of .Vpril 20, 1876, he 
was piloting the " Dunderburg" down the river above 
the dam. The niglit wiis dark, and, deceived by the 
light or shadows, in some way he missed the canal 
lock and the boat went over the dam. His two com- 
panions were saved, but Mr. Wooster was drowned. 
He was a man of more than ordinary business ability, 
and by his energy and sagacity did much towards the 
successful completion of the dam. 




DAVID SH ELTON. 





<:^7-Z^;^0^ 



HUNTINGTON. 



419 



Mr. Shelton was from a line of farmers, ami as a 
business man was careful rather than ]nislnnL'. In- 
lieritinir comfortalile prii|i<'rty from his fither ami ai-- 
quirinir a moderate jiroperty l)v hi-; wife, he was inile- 
Iiendent of trade and tralfie, and prefern-d to quietly 
preserve and enjoy that which he had rather tlian to 
strive to aeeumulato. His aeeounts were always 
straijrht and accurate, and he never went into debt. 
In j)o]ities he was a Democrat, as was his father be- 
fore him. Quiet and unostentatious in his mode of 
life, domestic in his tastes, his amiable and modest 
bearinjr endeared him to alarsre circle of friends, whom 
it was his deliarht to entertain. 

Affectionate in disposition, his marital relations were 
most fortunate. In his wife he found a true woman, 
a irenuine friend, — a warm second in the exercise of 
that genuine though modest hospitality that made his 
house a iiivored resort. Few couples perhaps enjoyed 
so smooth and pleasant a life as they. Mrs. Shelton 
still lives at the old Shelton homestead, preserving her 
intellect and activity to a remarkable degree. 

Charles Shelton, brother of David, a graduate of 
Yale College, is now a ]>racti<'ing |>hysician in the 
town of Clieshire, Conn., which town he ha< nqirc- 
sented in the Senate and lower House of the Oeneral 
Assembly. C-hristopher N. and David were graduates 
of the Episcopal Academy at Cheshire. Cliristoplier 
was town representative for a nundx'r of years, and 
prominent in edueati(jnal works. 



JAMES B. DKINSMADE. 

James R. Brinsnuide graduated at Yale in 1>I13; 
went to Easton, Pa.,, as principal of an academy. 
About 1820 came to New York and went into mer- 
cantile business. He died in lx.">7. The last twenty- 
five years of his life were devoted almost exclusively 
to the cause of education for the poor in the city, 
acting in the capacity of a trustee of the Public 
School S'icicty, and of viee-i>resident of the .\mericau 
Sunday-School Union. He lind (our children, all of 
whom died earlv in life without issue except his son, 
J. B. 

He was born in New York City in 1S24 (May 1st), 
graduated at Yale in 1845, was admitted to the bar in 
1847, i)racticed law in Albany till IS.');!, then moved 
to New York and at once ent<'red into a large prac- 
tice. His health failed in 18G8, as the result of .iver- 
work and close api)lication to business. He had 
already acquired some interests in the iron business 
which required attention, and, aliandoning his j)ro- 
fession, he became an iron-nuister, which he con- 
tinues to the present time with succcsi. He has six 
children, — three lioys and three girls, — Henry, 2.'!, 
Mary, 21; William B., Hi ; Eleanor, IS; Alice, 11; 
Charles L., 9. His home in winter is in Brooklyn, 
and in summer at Lake J[aho[iac. 

His grandmother was Mary Beel)ee. Her father was 



Bev. James Beebee, the first minister settled in Strat- 
ford (now Trumbull I. He preached in a ""meet- 
ing-house" wliich stood where the Truiidiull church 
now stands. He was a chaplain to tlic army which 
invaded Canada in the old French war, and he had a 
son .lames, who was a captain in the Revolution, 
and was wounded at Jlonmouth. Ex-Judge Lucien 
Birdseye, late of the Supreme Court of the State of 
New York, is grandson of the hatter. 

Rev. James Beebee had another son, Rev. Henry 
Beebee (both graduated at Yalel. Cren. Henry B. 
Carrington, U.S.A., is his grandson. Gen. Carring- 
ton was the commander of the expedition wdnch 
culminated in the Fort Fetternuin massacre. He was 
retired for wounds received in service, and was de- 
tailed to take the chair of military science in Wabash 
College. He is the author of "' .\lisaraka," "Crisis 
Thoughts," " Battles of the American Revolution," 
and other works. He also gra<luated at Yale in 
184.'). 

Mr. J. B. Brinsmade has in his possession the com- 
mission as captain of militia issued by Governor 
Trund>ull to Jiis grandfather, .\braham Brinsmade, 
and tradition says that he fought at Kidgefield under 
(leu. Benedict Arnold. 



NELSON ][. DOWNS. 

The subject of this sketch isoneof tlie mo/t promi- 
nent self-made men now residing in the town of 
Huntington. His ancestors for generations had been 
tillers of the soil and residents of Fairfield County. 
His father, Lewis Downs, is to this day remembered 
as one of the thriving representative farmer^ of the 
<inti:-ln'lhini period. 

Until eighteen years of age Nelson H. remained 
U|>on his father's farm, doing customary labor during 
the spring and summer and attending the common 
schools during the winter season ; his education, 
therefcn-e, was limited to an acquaintance with the 
ordinary English branches, yet, by his large and 
varied exjjerience in subsequent years, and through 
general reading, he now has a mind well stored with 
much useful information, and ludds that place in 
.society that belongs only to a gentlenuui of esteem 
and intelligence. 

When eighteen years of age, with the acquies- 
cence of his parents, he left the farm and engaged 
in business with his brother, who was then a mer- 
chant in the new village of Birmingluim. In con- 
sideration of health and general ])references, at the 
expiration of seven years Mr. Downs disposed of his 
mercantile interests and embarked in maiuifacturc 
upon his own account, and he has since been more 
or less engaged in this kind of industry. He first 
nuide carriage-joints, next matches, then tacks. He 
was among the first to nuiiuifiicture hoo]i-skirts, and 
the very first to make e(n"sets, in the village of Bir- 



420 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



mingliam. His extraordinary foresight revealed the 
advantages, and with diaractcristic promptness he 
anticipated all others in the erection of the first fac- 
tory on the west bank of Ousatonic ; he was also 
attracted by the beautiful eminence beyond, and 
quickly made purchases to the right and to the left, 
and early erected upon a point commanding a charm- 
ing view one of the most sightly and desirable 
residences to be found in the surrounding country. 
Altogether, Mr. Downs has erected four factories, 
and quite a number of dwellings and other buildings. 
For eighteen years he gave his ])crsonal attention to 
his manufacturing busine^ss, and throughout the whole 
time it was his invariable rule to pay all of his 
employees, every fortnight, with his own hands; he 
failed but once, and then on account of sicknass. 
Using money only as he made it, he conducted his 
aflairs on the pay-as-you-go system, and in all of his 
varied enterprises gave but two notes, and at no time 
executc'l a mortgage on j)roi)erty. His factory was 
the first industry of 8helton, his residence the sixth 
building; and this thriving village owes much of its 
rapid progress, both as to its manufactories and pri- 
vate residences, to the energy and exertions of Mr. 
Downs. 

The family mansion is worthy of special note. 
Beautifully located upon the commanding eminence 
that here runs i)arallcl with the river, the view is 
superb, taking in Birmingham, Derby, Ansonia, and 
miles of the Ousatonic River. In construction it is 
characteristic of the man : from basement to garret it 
is filled with original conceptions and home-like 
conveniences. 

Jlr. Downs, we are told, never had political aspira- 
tions, and, though freciuently urged by his party to 
accept nominations, always declined to do so, and 
never attended a political caucus. Before the war a 
AVhig of the Bell and Everett stamp, he has since 
voted with the Republicans. Ho has held various 
offices of public trust, the duties of which were faith- 
fully and satisfactorily performed. 

Warm-hearted and generous in his friendships, 
liberal and oi)en-handed in his charities, his ready 
and vigorous aid is always counted upon in matters 
of public weal. No work of public utility failed to 
receive his jLssi.stance, and no poor man was ever 
turned away from his door. Although Mr. D.jwns 
is not a member of any church, he has always been 
liberal in his contributions both to the erection and 
support of religious institutions. 

Jlr. Downs has retired froni active business, owing 
to bad health, and is now enjoying that leisure which 
his successful business career has secured him. 

On May 8, 184.'5, he was united in wedlock to 
Elizabeth B., oldest daughter of Abijali Wallace, by 
whom he has had four children, named in the family 
genealogy given below. Mrs. Downs is tin excellent 
lady, justly esteemed by a large circle of acquaint- 
ances. 



GENEALOGY. 

Joseph Downs, born Jan. 14, 171)8, died March 17, 
182.3; Hannah Patterson, wife of Joseph Downs, 
born July 28, 1767, died June 9, 18o7. To this 
couple were born the following children : James, 
born July 13, 1786, died Aug. 27, 1868; Philo, born 
Aug. 1, 1788, died June 15, 1SG2; Lewis, born Doc. 
19, 1790, died March 19, 1870; Ezekiel, born March 
2, 179.'5, died ."March 2S, 18(!(J ; Hepsey, born Sei)t. 2, 
1795, died Aug. 11, 1874; Beach, born Dec. 18, 1797, 
died July 28, 1865; Hannah, born Jan. 8, 1800, died 
Feb. 13, 1853 ; Webb, born July 25, 1802, died March 
9, 1874 ; Eliza, born July 2, 1804, died Oct. 24, 1840. 

Lewis Downs was united in marriage to Mary fiil- 
bert, and to them were born the following children: 
Sidney A., born Aug. 13, 1817 ; Henry L., born Feb. 
7, 1820, died Feb. 10, 1872; Nelson H., born Nov. 
18, 1821. 

Eli Gilbert, father of !Mrs. Lewis Downs, died 
Oct. 18, 1847, at the age of eighty-four; his wife died 
Sept. 2, 1840, at the advanced age of eighty-two; and 
their daughter, the wife of Lewis Downs, lived to the 
ripe old age of eighty. 

To N. H. Downs and wife were born the following: 
Sarah E., born July 30, 1845, who lived but one 
month ; Hattie \V., b;irn Feb. 28, 1849 ; Edward W., 
born Oct. 20, 1852; Lizzie, born Jan. 15, 1863. 

Hattie W. was married to 11. F. Wanning, June 
14, 1869. There were three children, — to wit, Oracle 
E., Frankie N., and Hattie D. 

Edward W. was married to Maggie Barker, May 4, 
1874; at the expiration of two years this union was 
dissolved by the death of his beloved wife, leaving a 
son named Frank We-stley. On April 30, 1879, Ed- 
ward W. Downs was married to Alice Benedict. 

Abijah Wallace Wiis born Nov. 3, 1794, and died 
Dec. 26, 1877. Pauline Wakeman, his wife, was born 
Aug. 15, 1797, and died Sept. 15, 1847. Their daugh- 
ter, Elizabeth B., wife of N. II. Down.s, was born 
Nov. 6, 1821. 



D. W. PI.U.MB. 

Among those thoroughly identified with the busi- 
ness and social interests and general prosperity of 
Huntington, particularly the part embraced by Shel- 
ton, none are more worthy than he whose name ap- 
pears at the head of this sketch. 

D. W. Plumb W!us born Oct. 13, 1808; he is of Eng- 
lish descent, though his ancestors were early settlers 
in the town of Milford, New Haven Co., Conn. His 
father Ni«:d), his grandfather David, and his great- 
grandsire Noah, were all farmers of highly respectable 
standing, and residents of this section of New Eng- 
land. 

When David was five years of age his father re- 
moved with his family to what is now known as North 
Bri<lgeport, wlierj he resided until his death, in 1862, 
at fourscore years of age. He was a citizen of esti- 





^ny^ 




/0/^^:^^/Z^i^z.^t-^:^^zJ2'->^'^ 



HUNTINGTON. 



421 



miible worth, ami uhvays wit'ldod a good intlueiK'e 
in t!ie c<minuinity wliorc lie rosidod. He represented 
Bridgeport many times in tlie Legislature, and in the 
year 1.S41 liotli father and son David were representa- 
tives of their respeetive distriets in the State Senate. 

David's mother, whose mai(h'n name was T'rania 
Welles, was of Stratford. Slie was a desrendant of 
Hon. Thomas Welles, who was ( iov<'rnor cif the State 
in IG'w and lOoS. Slie died in her eiglity-seeond year. 

David was the eldest of eiglit elnldren, wliom we 
name in the order of their birth, — viz.: iJavid W., 
Louisa T. (deceased), Mary X. (deeeased), Hepsy I!. 
(deceased), Sally E., Elias N. (ileeeased), Emily JL, 
and Horace S. 

David enjoyed the advantages of the enmninn and 
select schools of his day, and at twenty-four yeai"s we 
find him selling goods on his own account in a small 
country store in North Bridgeiiort. He chiscd busi- 
ness here in 1S30 to engage in the manufacture of 
woolen goods at the new village of Birmingham, 
where he continued till 1S4S, when, to eidargc the 
business, he removed to Ansonia, and there remained 
in the same line of industry till IXGo, when he dis- 
posed of his interests to the Sladc ^ranufacturiug 
Company. Three years later he I'reeted in Shelton 
his present residence, upon a site that commands a 
view of the grandest business enterprise with which 
he was ever identified. To the brain, nerve, and 
money of E. N. Shelton, D. W. Plundi, and others, 
thousands who once knew nnthing nt' the beautiful 
Ousatonie are indebted for the (i)ppurtunity they to- 
day enjoy for obtaining an easy sujiport — yes, in 
many instances, considi'rable fortune. 

From the lieginning of the enterprise, Mr. Plumb 
has been ]ironiinent in the atl'airs of the Ousatonie 
Water Coin[iany. 

In addition to his varieil business cares and trusts, 
Mr. Phnnb has been active in his investigation and 
elucidation of questions atleeting the nation's history, 
the State's prosperity, ami his county and town's gen- 
ral interests. He rejiresented the town of l)erby in 
the State Legislature in the years '.'!X, 'r>2, '()0, '(i2, 
and '(j4, the only person who has been so freipiently 
chosen to represent the town sinci' the adoiitiou of the 
constitution. He was a senator from the Fifth Dis- ' 
trict in 1841. I 

In ISGO he procured the ]iassage of the act autlior- 
izing the removal of the Bank of Niu'th America 
from Seymour to Ansonia, and in lS(i2 obtained the 
charter of the Savings Bank of Ansonia. The Bank 
of North America on its removal to Ansonia had its 
title changed to that of -'The Ansonia Hank," of 
which he was president for quite a time, and until his 
resignation. He is now vice-president of Birming- 
ham National Bank. In 18(14 he oljtained the charter 
for the borough of An.sonia and the incorporation of 
the Ousatonie Water Comiiany. The latter was j 
strongly opposed by parties wiio were interested in 
shad-flsheries. I 



It will thus be seen that the life of Mr. Plumb has 
been nne of active luisiness enterprises, beginning in 
early boyhood and attaining practical results rarely 
realized as the fruits of one's own unaided exerlinns. 
In addition to business cimcerns and dllicial duties, 
he has '>eiTi thoroughly identified with the growing 
interests of the vill.agcs of Ansonia, liirnnngliam, and 
Shelton. He h.as grown up with them, they liave 
grown U]) with him. By lionesty and constancy of 
purpose, siannl judgment, and strict integrity in all 
dealings, he was enabled to early gain the confidence 
of the community and to successfully terminate mat- 
ters that he undertook. He never stooped to any 
meanness in all his varied transactions: there has 
been no double-dealing. He hates shams of all 
kinils; iiretensions and sui>erfieial seennngs lie ab- 
hors. He constitutes a notable specimen of the 
.\ineriean growth which starts from snmll lieginnings, 
enciuinters adver.sity, yet conquers, and develops into 
wealth, wide jiersonal infinenee, and finamdal control. 

In politics a staunch Reiaddican ; in religion not 
an avowed professor, yet churches and ministers of 
all denominations could testify to his liberality. 

Mr. Plumb has been married twice, but has no 
(diildren, — first to Miss Clarissa Allen, of Derby, who 
diccl in ISli.") without issue ; and in l.S7."i he married 
^liss Louise Wakelee, of Huntington. 



WILLIAM AVIT.KINSON, 
of Wilkinson Bros. & Co., was born in Nottingham, 
Ihigland, in 18;!4. When six years of age his father 
moved to Canada East and bought a farm. William 
remained with his father for ten years, in the mean 
time receiving from the district schoolsagood English 
education. 

At si.xteen years of age William went into the pine- 
woods of the Adirondack Mountains and engaged in 
the hunbering business for one year. Next we find 
him a i)upil at Dunham Flat Academy, where he re- 
mained eighteen months. IqKin qintting school, with 
the capital accumulate<l in the mountains, he began 
the sale of merchandise, traveling through the coun- 
try with a horse and wagon while disiiosing of his 
wares, tjuitting his business at twenty-one years of 
age, he emigrated to the territory of Minnesota, where 
he Ibllowed the trade of a mason for four years. At 
twenty-two he married Mi.ss Elizabetli E. Fay, by 
whom he had one daughter, Emma, now deceased. 
.\s an evideiu'c of Mr. Wilkinson's po|iularity at his 
new home, it is worthy of rem.ark that within four 
years after locating he was elected to the responsible 
ofiice of high sheritt' of the county, which ])ositiou 
he filled for three consecutive terms. 

At twenty-six he went to Pike's Peak,— the year of 
the discovery of gold in that locality. Along with 
thousands of others frcnn the Stat<'s, he found in 
his search for gold a liitter exiierience ami disai)point- 
nient. He was fortunate in losiuL' oidv one-lialf of his 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



capital, which at tliat time amounted to fifteen hun- 
dred dollars. 

Returning to Minnesota lie resumed his business as 
a mason, which he continued until the death of his 
wife, an event that occurred when he was thirty years 
of age. Pretty soon we lirid him in New York City 
with a cash capital of three dollars. At the sugges- 
tion of an older brother, lie invested two dcdlars and 
seventy-five cents in one ream of tissue paper, which 
he disposed of at three dollai-s and twenty-live cents. 
His next sale was one bundle of twenty-four by 
thirty-six ])aper, which was sold to Barnum Bros., 
clothiers, of Cliathani Square. He assisted his brother 
at chores, who was employed at Wui. H. Parson's 
store, and made that place his headquarters, doing 
business in the manner above named for about twelve 
months. At the expiration of this time he and his 
brother Joseph began business on their own account 
at No. 42 Duaiie Street, their joint capital being two 
thousand two hundred and eighty-five dollars. They 
prospered for eighteen months, when AVilliam ]pur- 
chased his brother's interest for eight thousand dol- 
lars. He admitted as a partner his brother Thomjis 
P., who added four hundred dollars to the capital. 
Two years later AVilliain II. Leach was admitted into 
the firm. In 1870, owing to the increase of business, 
larger and better quarters were taken at No. 72 
DuaneStrect. Prosperity again followed, and in 1871 
they decided to build a mill of their own, to be oper- 
ated in connection with the store, and it was agreed 
that William Wilkinson should locate, build, and run 
the mill. His attention was early called to the ad- 
vantages of the power of the Ousatonic Water Com- 
pany, and, after examining the location, he decided on 
erecting the mill at Shcltou, in the town of Hunting- 
ton. A fine establishment was built and and run suc- 
cessfully until the fourthday of November, 1878, when, 
at 4.30 P.M., it was totally destroyed by fire. The insur- 
ance was adjusted on the 28th of November, and in 
the afternoon of the same day work was begun on the 
new mill, and, through the force and energy of Jlr. 
Wilkinson, it was completed and the manufacture of 
paper begun in just four months and eighteen days 
from the date that rebuilding was commenced. The 
total length of the mill is four hundred and thirty- 
five feet, and it covers about two acres of ground. 
Owing to the increase of business, on the 1st of Feb- 
ruary, 18711, two new partners were admitted, — Charles 
A. Whedoii, of New York, and CJeorge S. Arnold, of 
Birmingham, Conn., — and another store, No. 74 Duanc 
Street, New York City, w;is occupied. The company 
deals in all kinds of paper and twines in New York, 
and manufacture .V No. 1 Manillas, all the ditlerent 
colored papers, English harilware and Bristol boards. 
The " Derby Mills " are among the largest in the man- 
ufacture of paper in the United States. They employ 
about seventy hands aad have a daily capacity of 
twenty thousand pounds of paper. In addition to their 
own mill, Wilkinson Bros. & Co. control five others, 



selling them their stock and taking their product. The 
company are at the time of this writing engaged in 
erecting a largo wood-pulp mill over two hundred feet 
long, to be run in connection with the present estab- 
lishment. The firm's annual business is in excess of 
one million five hundred thousand dollars, — an out- 
growth of a cash capital of three dollars, — all of 
which has been accomplished in sixteen years. 

Mr. Wilkinson is a man of extraordinary energy, 
keen judgment, and great foresight. He knows no 
such word as failure ; undertakings which would 
stagger the majority of men are inaugurated by him 
and ijushed through to successful consummation. 
Sliar]) and curt at times when busy, at others he is 
one of the most courteous and agreeable of gentlemen. 
In charity, he is one of the readiest and most liberal; 
he lends substantial encouragement to all enterprises 
that are for the public good. 

He has built two elegant residences in Shelton, 
one of which is occupied by himself and family, the 
other by the relict of a former employee, who lost his 
life while doing hazardous work for the comi)any. 
Mr. Wilkin.son is a living example from which all 
may learn to conquer fortune and meet with general 
success. 

It will be seen that it was by no mere luck or 
chance that he is to-day at the head of such a stu- 
pendous enterprise as the Derby Mills; it is owing to 
early formed habits of economy, persevering dili- 
gence, and unfaltering application to whatsoever he 
had undertaken. Never idle himself, he has no sym- 
pathy whatever with the drones of society. We meet 
with no more apt disciple of the school that teaches 
" whatsoever thy hand findcth to do, do it with thy 
might." 

Mr. Wilkinson devotes himself to his business rather 
than to political affiiirs, and, although frequently 
urged to do so, he has never allowed his name to be 
used for oflice by cither party. 

For his second wife Mr. Wilkinson married Hannah 
Maria Briggs, by whom he has three children, — .John 
A., Frederick Charles, and Albert Theodore. 



HON. UOYAL M. BASSETT. 

This gentleman wiis born in the town of Derby, 
Nov. 22, 1S28. His education was obtained at the 
common district schools, except one year that was 
spent at the Academy of Stiles and French, at New 
Haven, and two annual terms at the Haddem Academy. 

His father, Sheldon Bassett, was one of the leading 
men of Derby, and a pioneer in the business cntcr- 
])rises of Bimiinglmni, which have brought to the 
towns of Derby and Huntington their present pros- 
perity. 

He was long engaged as a merchant, then as a 
manufacturer. He held many official positions with 
credit, but alter the purchase of the Colburns' iron- 
foundry, in IS'iO, he devoted all his time to this busi- 




(A.(^d-£ ./(r? (yg-a^-a /^, 



/• V 




'€i^f?mrJ'' 



^"CP ^->'->T. <^>r c/ .O'^r^i-/^'^^ 



^-ty'-^^^t 



HUNTINGTON. 



423 



ncss enterprise' until his death, which (iceurred June 
20, lS(i4, in tlic sixtieth yoiir of liis age. 

Oil the decease of his father, Royal M., with his 
lirother Theodore, managed tlie iri>n-loun<lry with 
great success, giving steady employment to ahuut one 
hun(h'c(l and twenty-five hands for sixteen years, 
making it a valuable an<l most desirahle estal)lish- 
ment to Birmingham. 

Under its present management it is among the first 
solid manufacturing concerns in the Naugatuck Val- 
ley. 

Royal yi. liassett has been engaged in various 
manufacturing enter])rises, railroads, ami ri'al estate 
operations during more than a (piarter of a century. 
Is now director in three railroad cnmpanies, and 
president (if a Northern railroad. His adaptation to 
this kind of business is remarkabU', and he has man- 
aged with such skill and judgment as to gain the 
confldence and good will of all with wliom he iias 
been associated. 

President of the iron-foundry sixteen years, warden 
of the liorough of ISirmingham for two years, an 
active, efficient, and influential committeeman of the 
Birmingham public schools for twelve years, besides 
filling with honor many other local ]i(isitions. These 
united have placed him am.ong the relialde and 
public-spirited men of his native town. 

The Ousatonie water entcrjiri.se, which is the out- 
growth of iShelton, and makes an enterprising and 
flourishing spot in Fairfield County, was encouraged 
and fiistered by !Mr. Bassett. He was one of its active 
company workers, also one of the original incorpo- 
.rators of the company, and is now one of its directors. 
He was also one of the incorjiorators of the Derby 
Gas Company, located in fshelton, and being now a 
stockholder and principal director, idcntiiyiiig him 
largely with the interests of this infant village, for 
these reasons he very properly deserves the place 
accorded him in this history. 

In all his business transactions he has proved him- 
self a thoroughly upright man, and lias been remark- 
ably successful ill his large and diversified pursuits. 
Mr. Bassett's motlier was Harriet Hull, a niece of 
Gen. William Hull, of Detroit notoriety. In I808, 
Koyal M. was married to Mrs. Fram-es .f. Stratton, 
of Bridgeport, by whom he has had three children, 
two sons and one daughter. 

Mr. Bassett has never mingled much in politics, 
though he has always been a warm Democrat, an<l 
has represented the Fifth Seiiatcjrial District in the 
Legislature witli crcclit to himself and honor to his 
party. 

t^ocial, affiiblc, of great gentlemanly bearing, liberal, 
and ever willing and ready to forward any needed 
work for the public good, he stands among the popu- 
lar and influential citizens of his native place and 
the adjoining town of Huntington. 



EDMTND LEAVEN WOUTII.s 
Edmund Leavenworth was born in Huntington, 
Conn., Dec. 14, ITGtj, and was closely identified with 
the affairs of the town for nearly three-i|Uarters of a 
century. His early life was spent in ;ictive work on 
his father's farm and in shipbuilding. Having a 
constitution naturally robust, this early training de- 
veloped a fine physique and great muscular strcn.gth, 
ami he became very fond of athletic sports, jumping, 
wrestling, huntiiig, and horse-racing. He was fond 
of deer-hunting on horseback, and made freipient 
visits to Long Island to enjoy this sjiort. He wa.s the 
owner of many fine horses at difterent times, and races 
on the road lying along the river-bank near his resi- 
dence were of frequent occurrence. At these races 
many of the best horses of the surrounding country 
were eomiietitors. With Mr. Leavenworth, however, 
these sports were but the spicing of a very activi' and 
busy life. His place was noted for tlu' amount n{ 
husiness done there. ,\t all hours of the day men 
and teams could have been seen busily engaged, 
some scoring and hewing and others hauling timber 
for the bnilding of bridges, wdiarves, and shi])s. In 
these pursuits a large number of horses and oxen 
were employeil, and, trne to his taste, Mr. Leaven- 
worth took |iartieular pride in the best animals that 
Could be obtained. His judgment of such stock was 
remarkably good. Indeed, his judgment of work- 
manshi]! in scoring and fitting was such that journey- 
men, as reconimendation to themselves, would refer 
to the fact that they had hewed timbers for Edmund 
Leavenworth. He built several sloops at his ship- 
yard, the last two of which were fitted out fir the 
West India trade, but, being captured by French pri- 
vateers in the war of 1S12, involved him in financial 
ruin. His claims for indemnity were covered by the 
" French Spoliation Bill," but these claims were never 
paid by the United States government. 

(icnial, warm-hcarte(l, lienevolent, strongly attached 
to his friends, he possessed great personal popularity. 
His iidltiencc in town affairs was such that he could 
command a majority fi)r any measure he wished to 
carry. He was elected selectman fijr thirteen succes- 
sive years, and the poor of the town were never better 
cared fin' than during this time. In his political pref- 
erences he was Democratic, having never voted any 
other ticket in his life. He cast a vote at every Presi- 
dential election from Washington's to Buchanan's, 
and in later life referred to this fact with great pride. 
At (juc time he left New London in a sloop on the 
morning of clcetion-day ami arrived at the voting- 
place (Stratford) fifteen minutes ln'fore the polls were 
closed. 

Mr. Leavenworth was truly an original i-haracter, 
having attended school but three days. Familiarly 
called " Uncle Ed" l)y those who knew him late in 
life, he is still quoted as the author of pithy and quaint 



* This immo is sunu-liiiios tiix-lU"! witlmiit Un 



424 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



remarks, expressions, and anecdotes. His manners 
and language were uiii)()li.slied, but the roughness was 
outward rather tlian within, for there was a kindness 
and sympathy within him wliich but few possess. 

In his maturer years he inclined more to the ways of 
religion, and, his choice being the Episcopal Church, 
he united with them, and was a nicniber of that com- 
munion when he died. Fairfield County doubtless 
contained many more highly cultured than Edmund 
Leavenworth, but it had very few who were more 
whole-souled and generous and ready to help the suf- 
fering in time of need. 

Although but twelve years of age in 1777, when his 
father, Ca])t. Ednuind, was ordered to Fairfield with 
his comi)any, he volunteered to go, and served as a 
waiter to his father in that cam])aign, joining the 
company as a private April 2, 1777. When his father 
with his company was again ordered out, in 1779, 
Ednuind again enlisted as a private, and served during 
the camjiaign. 

He died in Derby, Jan. 20, 18/57, aged ninety-one, 
and with his two wives, only son, and eldest daughter 
lies buried at White Hills. He was married to Mary 
Judson, Jan. 5, 1786, and to Amy Tondinson, Oct. 

26, 1823. His children wore : Hepsey, born Nov. 17, 
17S0, died Jan. IS, 1865; P.dly, born Aug. 27, 1789, 
died May ;n, 1.S71 ; Delilah, born Jan. 1, 1791, died 
February, 1876 ; Maria, born March l.'{, 1794, still 
living, 1880 ; Laura, born Sept. 29, 1796, died Jan. 

27, 1865; Edmund, born Dec. 8, 1801, drowned in 
Ousatonic River, June 13, 1823. 

CEXEALOGY. 

Edmund I^eavenworth was the son of Capt. Edmund 
Leavenworth, the son of Dr. Thomas Leavenworth, son 
of Dr. Thomas Leavenworth. The last-named is the 
progenitor of all the Leavenworth families in the 
United States. 



IIEXRT GLOVER. 

Henrj- ( Mover, youngest son of Simeon Glover, of 
Newtown, Conn., wa.< born Nov. 19, 1816. 

In early life he .served an api)renticeship to the 
blacksmith trade, after whidi he studied for the min- 
istry. On account of the weakness of his voice, which 
broke down under the effort to preach, Mr. Glover 
abandoned the idea of preaching and turned his at- 
tention to the school-room, following that profession 
for a number of years, teaching in Rridgeport and 
Westport. His health failing him in the school-room, 
he entereil the .stove business in Rridgeport about the 
year 1850. This he followed for seven years, remov- 
ing to Brookfield to engage in farming in 1856. 
There he lived for four years, when, having an oppor- 
tunity to sell to advantage, he did so and returned to 
Bridgeport, where he entered a foundry. Preferring 
farm life, however, for which he had a decided taste, 
he only remained in the foundry a year, when he pur- 
chased a farm in the town of Huntington, where he 



lived for six years. Again meeting with a good offer, 
lie sold this farm and bought one near the village of 
Huntington Centre, where he died Oct. 1, 1879, fall- 
ing dead from his chair from heart disease. His 
mother also died suddenly from the same cause. 

In Huntington Mr. Glover engaged in the dairying 
and ganlening business, making a success of it and 
gradually improving and beautifying his quiet coun- 
try home. 

In religions belief Mr. Glover was a L'niversalist. 
having joined that denomination when quite a young 
man. Forbidden to preach on account of the weak- 
ness of his voice, he always took an active interest in 
church matters, and was an official of his church or- 
ganization at Bridge])ort for many years. He wijs a 
man of sterling integrity, living strictly up to his 
Christian principles. In manners genial, by nature 
kind-hearted, he gained both the respect and the es- 
teem of his neighbors and acquaintances, and wa~ 
called upon several times to fill offices of public trust. 

In politics, Mr. (Jlover was a Republican from the 
first organization of that party, and was alive to all 
the questions of the day. 

Mr. Glover was married March 20, 1838, to Henri- 
etta Smith, daughter of Henry A. Smith, a son of 
Fitch Smith, of Derby, Conn. The union was blessed 
by two children, — Henry Fordyce, born Dec. 2, 1842, 
and Theophilns Nichols, born Aug. 9, 1847. 

Henry Fordyce Glover succeeds his father in tin- 
management of the farm and dairv', and is a man 
strong in nerve and body. 

Theophilus Nichols Glover is a minister of the Uni- 
versalist faitli, and fills the puljiit of that church at 
Dowagiac, Michigan. 

Simeon, father of Henry Glover, was married three 
times. His third wife, Mary Gregory, bore him four 
children, — Ives, Mclora, Nancy, and Henry. Simeon 
was the son of Henry. Henry had three sons,^ 
Simeon, Elias, and Solomon. Henry was the son of 
Henry, who was the son of John tilover, who came 
to Newtowu from Stratford. 



REV. THOMAS PUXDERSON.» 
The name and the pleasant face of one long since 
glorified will awaken many tender and endearing 
recollections in the minds of surviving friends in his 
former ]>arishes, in the ministry, and in the church at 
large. " His record is on high." To those who knew 
him best, in the favored intimacy of home, no earthly 
record nor speaking likeness is needed to keep him 
ever clearly in sight. To those less favored in the 
intimacy of acquaintance, no better memorial can 
be offered than the following biograi>hical sketch, 
l)rei>ared for the AVi/' Yuri- Obsrri-er by the late Rev. 
Dr. Hewit, of l?ri«lLaiH,rt. a neighboring pastor and 
a beloved friend. 



• By the Bev. RoUin S. Stooe. 



X'** 






\ 



ri ■ .r t':v.ij:ip:r^0K 



riU.\TIN(!TOxV. 



425 



"The late Rev. Thomas Punderson was born in 
Kew Haven, Conn., Doi'. 2>i, 1783 ; a descendant of 
John Punderson, (Jiie ol' the oriirinal seven pilhirs of 
the First Church, tlien under the ministry of John 
Davenport; was graduated at Yale ( 'ollege, Septem- 
ber. 1804; was licensed to preach the gospel in LStit'i; 
spent a jiart of the summer of 1S(I7 on a missi<m 
to the northwest portion of the State of New York ; 
was ordained to the work of tlie ministry in the 
Second Congregational Cliurcli and Society in Pitts- 
field, Mass., Oct. 20, 180!* ; was married to Miss Betsey I 
Day, of Catskill, N. Y., May 4, 1813; was dismissed", ' 
in consequence of the reunion of the Secon<l with the 
First Church, Feb. 215, 1817 ; was installed ]iastor of 
the church and society in Huntington, Conn., Nov. 
18,1818; was dismissed Jan 1, 1S44, and died Aug. 
1, 1848. 

"Being a corporate member of the American Board 
of Commissioners for F'oreign Missions, he attended 
the annual meeting in September las-t at BuH'alo, and 
while on his way home he was taken ill of a bowel 
com])laint, from the efiects of which be did not re- 
cover. On TJinrsday morning last, .July 27th, a stric- 
ture of the large intestines took jilace, tbllowed by 
acute pain, and terminating fatally on the morning of 
Tuesday, Aug. 1, in the sixty-fifth year of his age 
and the thirty-ninth of bis nunistry, leaving a widow 
and four children (a son and three daughters, one of 
whom is married) to mourn their irrejiarable loss. 

"He was aware of the severe and dangerous nature 
of his last illness, and when it was evident that his 
recovery was hopeless, lie manifested the same calm 
and even temper which he exhibited througli life. 
AVith the tcndi-rness of a husband and a father, and 
with the faith, hope, and sublime frani|uillity of a 
saint, he blessed bis wife and chilili'en, one by one, in 
the name of the Lord ; and when bis I'ailing voice 
had sunk to a scarcely audible wliisper, he exclaimed, 
'Grace, 'tis a charming sound I Glory to God in the 
highest !' and expired. 

"The character of !Mr. Pundersim is more easily 
apprehended than it can be described. He was a 
transparent nuin, — ' an Israelite indeed.' His ])iety, 
his integrity, his benignity, his humility, liis disinter- 
estedness, his cheerfulness, bis consistency, — indeed, 
all his qualities, as a man, a Christian, and a minister 
of the gospel, — were evident as the light. He iniUnl 
with God. In his own house he was a pattern for our 
imitation in all that is amiable in domestic life, and 
his dwelling was the home of purity, comfort, and 
thankfulness. In the house of God lie was a good 
minister. He was sound in the faith once delivered 
to the saints, and he preached the distinguishing doc- 
trines of grace with an unction which tlie lore of tlie 
truth only can impart. He was not ambitious, neitlier 
was he covetous or envious. Patiently, meekly, ear- 
nestly, constantly, he sought the present peace and 
Uiture salvation of all the souls committed to his 
care. He loved his work, and he loved bis people. 
28 



No one hath aught to lay to his charge; nor is there 
any one kimwii who insinuated even that he was not 
an examide to believers in every good wor<l and work. 
Few ministers of the gospel, if, in<leed,any tliere are, 
wlio may with more coiitidence than he exclaim, ' I 
am pure of the blooil of all men.' 

"His funeral was attended on Thursday, the 3d 
inst.. by a large concourse of the inbaliitants of the 
town, of all denominations, and from the towns ad- 
joining, and by bis neighboring brethren. The deep 
solemnity oltlie jH-o]ile through all the services, from 
the <lwelling-li(nise to the church ami from the church 
to the grave, gave impressive witness to the universal 
conviction that be was a man of God, and that lie 
had gone to receive from the lips of the Lord, whom 
be bad served in his life and glorified in bis death, 
the ]ilaudit, 'Well done, tbou good and faithful ser- 
vant ! enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.' " 

To the foregoing obituary sketcli by Dr. Flewit, a 
member of Jlr. Punderson's family adds the reminis- 
cence that in his missionary bmr in the State of New 
Y'ork in the summer of ]8t»7, S])oken of above, "he 
was accompanied by the Rev. Dr. Beniiet Tyler," 
afterwards |)resident of East Windsor Seminary, 
Conn., and that " he preaciied in Rochester when that 
place contained but one frame house, an<l the only 
building capiable of accommodating a congregation 
was a barn, which was used on that occasion in lieu 
of a church." 

The present writer recalls a temperance meeting 
which he had been invited to address in Mr. Punder- 
son's ])arish full fifty years ago, when a mere sopho- 
more himself, and how, at the close of his youthful 
and perhaps useless etl'ort, the beloved pa-stor came to 
his su[q>ort with a rousing and most effective home- 
made and imin-omptu sjieecli. He drew a striking 
compariscm Ijctween the ravages of strong drink and 
those of beasts of jircy let loose in a community and 
destroying many a precious life, while yet the people 
did not seem to be at all alarmed and did not bestir 
themselves to cheek the dreadful .slaughter. 

Near the close of his cpiarter-century pastorate in 
Huntington, when so many churches were wearying of 
their old ])astors and longing after smart j'oung men, 
he (Uie day preached a mildly satirical sermon from 
the com]daintof the Israelites in the wilderness, "Our 
soul loatlieth this light bread" (Num. xxi. o). If 
tbey did not see the quails falling njiiiid the camp 
that ilay, tbey were servecl with a dish of "strong 
meat" well flavored ami prepared. 

His long, (piiet, uneventful life wm yd full of telling 
imintH, — full <if gentle luunor and silent force, — not 
tame, dull, monotonous, at all ; "not slothful in busi- 
ness: fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.'' Y'ears 
after bis decease, and at the grave of bis noble wife, 
a venerable deacon said, in answer to the inquiry 
how the church had prospered since lie left it, "We 
made a great mistake wlu-n we let Mr. Punderson go." 

He belonged to a generation not at all inferior to 



426 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



the present, but very unlike. — a generation of min- 
isters not adapted to the wants of our more bustling 
and aggressive age, but in their day and generation 
faitliful anil beloved, and whose praise was in all the 
churches of the land. 

Having lost by death one daughter and an only 
son, and having survived her luisband nearly twenty- 
eight years, Mrs. Punderson died in New Haven, 
April 30, 187(), and was buried in Huntington, by 
the side of her husband an<l among the friends of her 
youth. Two marrieil daughters still survive her, — 
Mrs. Emily P. Ritchie, of Brooklyn, and Mrs. Frances 
P. Gilbert, of New Haven. 



JOHN I. HOWE, 
the eldest son of William Howe and Mary Ireland, 
was born in the town of Ridgefield, Conn., July 20, 
1793, and died in Hirmingham, Conn., Sept. 10, 1876. 

He remained at home, working on his father's farm 
in the summer and attending the district school in 
the winter, until the age of nineteen, when lie com- 
menced the study of medicine with Dr. Perry, a 
physician of that town. He was graduated at the 
medical university of New York about the year 1814. 
He commenced the practice of his profession in the 
city of New York, and for several years was one of 
the resident physicians of the New York almshouse. 

On the l.')th of May, 1820, he was married to Cor- 
nelia A., daughter of George Ireland, of New York. 
He continued in the city until the year 182'.>, when he 
was compelled, by a severe illness, which seriously 
impaired his constitution, to abandon liis jirofession 
and his residence, and removed to North Salem, N. Y. 
It was a most bitter disappointment to be obliged to 
resign a profession to whieh he was admirably adai)ted, 
and in whieh he had secured a very honorable posi- 
tion. 

For two or three years before leaving New York he 
became engaged in\>xpcriments on India-rubber, with 
a view to its application for the jiurposes to wliieh it 
has since been so successfully applied, and in 1828 he 
obtained a patent for rublier compounds, in his own 
words, " So far as I know, I was the first j)erson who 
attempted to utilize rubber by combining other sub- 
stances with it, but I did not happen to .stumble upon 
the right substance." 

While engaged as a physician at the New York 
almshoiLse he had seen English pins made by the 
old manual process, and had heard of a machine hav- 
ing been invented for that purpose. During the 
winter of 1830-31 he employed himself in a series 
of experiments with a view to constructing a pin- 
machine, whieh resulted in a rude model. Acquiring 
in these efl'orts gradually the skill and exi)erience in 
mechanical drawing upon which so much depends in 
perfecting the dctaiU of complicated mechanism, in j 
the winter of 1831-32 he succeeded in building a 
machine at the establishment of Robert Hoe & Co., i 



in New York, that was successful as a working model 
and would make pins, though in an imperfect way. 
This machine was patented in 1832, and in the same 
year it was exhibited at the fair of the American In- 
stitute, and attracted considerable attention. The 
Institute awarded him a silver medal " for a machine 
for making pins at one operation." In the winter of 
1832, Dr. Howe began to construct a second machine, 
which was completed in the .spring of 1833. I'or the 
purjwsc of securing patents in iuiropc he sailed for 
England in May, 18.33, and reached London after a 
passage of thirt)' days, then considered short. Patents 
were secured in France, England, Scotland, and Ire- 
land during the year, and in January, 1834, Dr. 
Howe left London for Manchester, where he was en- 
gaged in building nuiehines according to the princi- 
ples of his invention until the spring of 183"), when 
he returned to New York. 

In December of that year the "Howe Manufactur- 
ing Company," named after its founder, was organ- 
ized for the purpose of manufaeturing ]>ins by means 
of Dr. I lowe's machines, and he was appointed general 
agent of the company, and in that capacity had the 
management of its manufaeturing department until 
1863. The company, in 1836-37, built five machines 
for making what are called "spun-heads," which ma- 
chines were all altered into solid-headers, and were 
run successfully for a short time, when they were 
superseded by a new "rotarj-" machine, invented by 
Dr. Howe. The first rotary was completed in 1838, 
but the patent wiis not taken out until 1840. In 1842 
the American Institute of New York awarded Dr. 
Howe a gold medal for the "best solid-headed pins," 
whieh were made on this machine. 

Previous to this — to wit, in .\iiril, 1838 — the com- 
pany had removed their manulaetory from New York 
to Birmingham, Conn., for its advantages in water- 
power. This removal compelled Dr. Howe to locate 
in Birmingham, where he continued to reside until 
his decease. 

In 1842, Dr. Howe invented an important improve- 
ment in the ojieration of sticking pins in paper, which 
consisted in the construction ami operation of "crimp- 
ing-bars." Dr. Howe's skill and devotion to the 
business compelled success. The early years of the 
business were years of struggle and toil. Skilled 
labor, appropriate tools, and perfect machinery were 
not at command as in these days. The language of the 
historian of Derby is well deserved : " Dr. Howe, with 
a persevering courage, contending against prejudice, 
inexperience, and poverty, knew no defeat, and must 
be placed at the head as the first practical and suc- 
cessful pin-manufacturer by means of automatic ma- 
chinery, however worthy may be his numerous prede- 
cessors and competitors, especially Sloeum, Fowler, 
Atwood, and others;" as also that of Dr. J. L. 
Bishop in his "History of American Manufactures:" 
Dr. Howe was " the inventor of the first practical 
automatic pin-making machine," "and has contrib- 




-^/^ 



( 



CHAllLES HUBBELL, 



the subject of tliis sketch, was born in the 
town of Huntington, Fairfield Co., Conn., 
Jan. 5, 1817. Christopher Hubbeil, his father, 
was a farmer of but moderate means, and gave 
to Charles little besides an ordinary education. 
Being a man of more than ordinary industry, 
who stoo<l not back at small difficulties, he 
gradually accumulated a comfortable property, 
and gave to his children good educations. In 
the matter of education 
and schools he was 
ever interested, and the 
meeting of the district 
school board never found 
him an absentee. In 
disposition Mr. Hubbeil 
was quiet and domestic, 
always finding some- 
thing to do on the farm. 
In politics an earnest 
Democrat, as were all 
liis people, he gave the 
principles of that party 
staunch support, but 
never entered into poli- 
tics as a debater or office- 
seeker. As a neighbor 
and a citizen he was a 
good man, ready at all 

times to face his duty and perform it to the very 
best of his ability. 

On Sept. 10, 1848, he was united in marriage 
to Miss Charlotte A. Shelton, born Jan. 9, 
1828. Charlotte A. was the daughter of Wm. 
Shelton, son of Jeremiah, the son of Daniel, 
who was the son of Thaddeus, son of Daniel 
Shelton. Daniel Shelton came from Deptford, 
Yorkshire, England, and settled at Long Hill, 
Huntington, ab<iut 1690. 

Mrs. Hubbell's motlier was Lucy Johnsou, 




CHAS HUBBELL 



daughter of Ebenezer Johnson, a tailor and 
farnaer of Huntington. 

Christopher Hubbeil, father of Charles, was 
married twice. His first wife was Ann Wells, 
to whom he was married Dec. 23, 1802, and 
who died May 18, 1814. By her he had three 
children, — John, born Oct. 27, 1803; Betsy Ann, 
born Nov. 4, 1805 ; Maryette, born Dec. 6, 1807. 
John became a sea captain, and dial in the 
We-st Indies, — it is sup- 
posed, of yellow fever. 
Betsy Ann married Mr. 
Blakemau, and died Nov. 
22,1835. Maryette mar- 
ried Mr. Webb Downs, 
of Monroe. 

Sept. 14, 1815, Chris- 
topher Hublx;ll was mar- 
ried to his second wife, 
Melissa Tucker, who 
bore him three children, 
— Charles, born Jan. 5, 
1817 ; Wells, born June 
17,1818; Jane Melissa, 
March "2, 1826. 

Mr. Hubbeil found in 
Charlotte Siielton a faith- 
ful liulpn)ate, to whose 
industry he owetl much, 
and to whose affectiouate influence his cMldren 
owe much. He die<l Aug. 31, 1878. His chil- 
dren are: Amanda M., born Nov. 1, 1850, 
married to Geo. P. ]iid\vell, Oct. 28, 1874; 
Therasa J., born Oct. 11, 1854; Warren C, 
born March 22, 1860. Warren succeeds to the 
management of the farm. The only male repre- 
sentative of his branch of the family, he prom- 
isee to worthily follow his father's example of 
temperance and industry, and is justly held in 
esteem by the community. 



A 





F. G. PERRY. MB PERRY. 

PREDKRICK G. AND MILES B. PERRY. 



But a little more than one decade ago " the lowing herd 
roamed slowly o'er the lea" where now is heard the 
buzz and whir of machinery, the rattle of the busy loom, 
the heavy thud of the massive trip-hammer. The site 
of the present thriving and busy village of Shc-ltou was 
" seeded down to grass, its soil undisturbed save by the 
farmer's plowshare." 

Samuel Leavenworth Perry, son of Abner Perry and 
grandfather of P. G. and M. B. Perry, was born Feb. 
18, 1702. Growing to manhood's estate he married 
Anna Davidson and located among the rugged hills 
of Huntington, opposite Birmingham, where the town 
of Shellon is now located. Undismayed by the rugged- 
ness of it.^ aspect, he built the house now (ieeu])ied by his 
grandsons on one of the most conimaiiding building 
sites in the vicinity, and commenced the laborious task 
of felling timber and removing the stone. Dying Jan. 
18, 1828, at the age of sixty-six, his son Garry continued 
the improvement of the estate, and by his energy and 
industry was enabled to make his family comfortable 
and prosperous. Garry Perry was born Sejit. 13, ]7!l2, 
and was married to Sallie Birdseye, of Stratford, Nov. 
24, 1824. His wife lived not quite a year, dying Oct. 
9, 1826. Mr. Perry remained a widower until Oct. 11, 
1837, when he was married to Fanny Bennett, daughter 
of Isaac Bennett and Mary Johnson, of Easton. By 
this marriage he had two children, Frederick Garry, 
born Sept. 2!), 18:58, and Miles Bennett, b..rn Oct. 6, 1840. 

Mr. Perry was a man of delicate strength, industrious 
habits, and considerable force of character ; a prominent 
member of the Presbyterian Church, taking an active 
part in church and school matters of his day. He died 
at the age of fifty, Sept. 8, 1842. 



The early education of Frederick and Miles Perry 
was received at the schools in Birmingham, Frederick 
finishing his education at Franklin, N. Y., and Miles 
at the academy at Easton, Conn. They engaged in 
farming until 1873, when they entered the coal and 
wood business in Shelton, in which they are at present 
engaged. 

Dealing with all alike, they have increased their 
business from the sale of one thousand tons of coal the 
first year to six thousand tons for 1879. The fact that 
these gentlemen live together, keeping no accounts with 
each other, but hold their property in common, fittingly 
illustrates their feelings towards each other. 

Frederick Perry was united in marriage to Miss Mary 
E. Beach, Dec. ^1, 1870. Miss Beach is a daughter of 
David M. and Emily Buckingham Beach, of Trum- 
bull. David M. Beach is son of Eli B. Beach, and he 
a son of Daniel Beach, a soldier of the Revolutionary 
war, Frederick G. Perry has had two children, Jessie 
Bennett, born April 25, 1872, dying Aug. 22, 1872; and 
Emily Blakeman, born July 19, 1874. P. G. Perry 
served the town as representative during the session of 
1878-79; also as selectman and town agent. 

M. B. Perry has never taken jiart in public politics. 
Indeed, it can be said of both that they are disposed 
rather to quietly look after their own atfairs than those 
of their neighbors or the general public. In politics 
both gentlemen are Re|iublican3. 

The children of Samuel L. Perry were Anna Maria, 
Charlotte, and Garry. Dr. John Tomlinson married 
Anna Maria, by whom he had one child, Samuel Perry; 
and upon her death married Charlotte, by whom he had 
two children, John B. and Anna Maria. 



MONEOE. 



427 



iite<l effii'iently to the e^tablishniont of an important 
branch iif American niannfactures." 

His lite was essentially a honie-lif'c. To know jiini 
as he was it was essential to enter tlnit circle. He 
was a devonrcr of hooks, mostly scientitic; hut there 
were few subjects that eseapeil his tliouj^htful i)ivesti- 
gation. A jierseveraiicc that wnulil not turn aside from 
its object, that woulil not he batllcil or thwarted, that 
come what would his |iur|iose must he ai'complished, 
was his most characteristic trait. Hittidence haulked 
his public utterance, l)Ut those who have read his 
wonderfully clear and readily understood descriptions 
of eomidieated nuichinery know how thoroughly lie 
was master of this aecompli.shment. 

While a resi<lent of F.irmingliam, Dr. Howe hchi 
many ofliees of trust, and interested himsell in all 
new business undertakings. Ks])ecially was he inter- 
ested in that great enterprise wdiieh resulted in the 
damming of the Ousatonie River, and contributed 
by his nn:)ral ami nmterial aid largely to its success. 

In the war for the preservation of the Union he 
was responsive to every call, and contributed lifteen 
hundred didhirs to the families of soldiers who were 
at the front. 

During the latter years of his life he alternated be- 
tween his hooks and his tiuits; in the cultivation of 
the latter, and in the ]uopagatioM of new sjiecies, he 
found genuine [ilca~ure, leaving as a legacy more 
than fifty new kinds of ]iears. He died in his garden, 
under the branches of a favorite peach-tree, his basket 
partly filled with sjiecimens of fruits intended for ex- 
hibition at the Internatiomil ICxjiosition at Pliiladel- 
phia. Thus peacefully and alone he passed away, 
in the place where he had spent so many hapjiy 
hours. It was on a beautiful Sunday morning in 
Septendier. Life rounded and full was ripe tor the 
gathering along with his fruits. 

It is good to contemplate such a life, warm in its 
friendshij)s. faithful in its relations, clear in its con- 
victions, unbending in its integrity, winning tlie es- 
teem of the wise and the approbation of the good. 

Dr. Howe's descendants at the time of liis death 
were two grandsons and two granddaughters, the 
children of his only (laughter, Mrs. William E. 
Downes. 



CHAPTER XL I. 



MONROE. 



Geograpliical — Topograpliical— Stn-anis— Suiface — S^n\ — Rdiiiliiscelifos 
of Monroe, by Rev. T. T. WatiTnian— Kavly Settlers— Tlioir Loratiolis 
—Incidents— Piililic and Seleet Sehools— Initial p^vcnLs- St. Peter's 
Church— Mineral Ileposit— Civil History— Organizatiun of Town- 
First Town-^reelitig— Oftieers Elected — Representatives to the General 
Assembly from IS24 to l«8t. 

This town lies in the eastern part of the cininty, 
and is bounded as follows : On the north by Newtown 
and the Housatonic River; on the east by the Housa- 



tonic and the town of Huntington; on the south by 
Huntington and Trumbull; and <in the west by 
Easton and Newtown. The surliiee of the town iii 
generally uneven, and in some portions exceedingly 
rough. The soil is good and well adaptcil to grazing. 

KEMINISCENCES OF ONE IIUNHRED VE.\R.s IN 
MONllOE.^ 

The following excellent address is not taken entire. 
Some extracts not strictly historical have been elim- 
inated : 

" The flight of time, bearing with it all we have of possession, friend- 
ship, and life, is full of instruction. The p.a*t is the present as it was and 
is. It is all stern reality. In this sense, in tlie words nf Solomon, that 
whii li hath been now is. 

" To-ilay, :ui a church and congregation, we record the passing awjiy of 
:;,l.j:l,Li(K),(XMt secomls, 51,oGO,l«.iO minutes, S7*l,oou hours, 3r,,oix) days, or 
one hundred years of our religious history. This histoiy commenced iu 
the organization of this church, Dec. 14, 17(>4. Of the order of e.vercisea 
on that occii.siun, the place in which the persons by whom those exer- 
cises were conducted, the sentiments uttered, the emotions expressed, 
the portions of Scripture read, the hymns sung, the prayers offered, the 
sermon preached, we have no record. Tradition is silent. To my knowl- 
edge no one lives to tell us of that day and that scene. 

"Were it otherwise we might give reality to the enactments of that 
interesting hour by a sketch of tlio men, women, youth, and children 
who then entered into solemn covenant with each other and with the 
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Gathered amid joy and tears, anxieties 
■and misgivings, and yet with buoyant and blessed hope to plant, on this 
then wilderness hill-top, a branch of the true vine, which to-day is and 
to-morrow ami still to-niorrow we trust will be, all who on that day 
wept and rejoiced around tliis then new altar of the Lord, this then 
new <ominunion-table, have mouldered back to dust. Unknown to ua 
by name, in their works they live, and by all that is dear in the past and 
grateful in the present of our existence ;us a churcli, they with the em- 
jiliasis of ' a hundred years ago' greet us in love to-day. 

" We remember their deeds of Christian heroism and love, and, bid- 
ding them ' All hail !' we render thanks unto God and bless His holy 
name. 

" In atlemptiug to signalize the hallowed associations of this hour, I 
shall notii-e some particulars connected with the earlyhistory of our State 
and county, and some as identified with individuals and incidents in our 
advance as a church and congregation. 

" The settlement of our State commenced in 1G35, or two hundred 
and twenty-nine years ago; that of Stratford, — which then embraced 
Newficdd (now Bridgeport), North Stratforil (now Trumbull), New Strat- 
ford (now Monroe), and Ripton (now Huntington), — in 163(1. 

" The Indians were numerous at that date in this section. Their 
luimber in the .State was computed to bo twenty thousand. Of these 
some four thousand were trained warriors ; three hundred of this class 
were in the limits of Huntington. Some of these were friendly and 
greatly aiiled the first settlers by teaching them the mode of cultivating 
c'lrn and of securing other means of subsistence. Others, not a few of 
them, were intensely hostile, and against them and their depredations 
the settlers had constantly to watch and in stern b.attle array to fight. 
, A yell of an Indian at morning, noon, or midnight Wiw a doleful sound 
i in the ears of fathci-s and motleus and neighboi-s, e.xposed and wholly 
unprotectetl as they were, of all tlii.s wo in our quietude have no just 
conception. 

" The Inrlians prepared the ground for corn with the clam-shell or a 
small piece of wood sharpened for tlie purpose, and cultivated it with 
the same implements. They leveled laige forest-trees such as they 
w ishc-d for their canoes, some of which accommodated forty or fifty ineu, 
by fire and their stone axes. 

" In 103it it is stated there were not more than five plows in tliisState. 
The price of a cow was one hundred and fifty dollars, of a pair of oxeu 
tw»t hunilred dollars, and at one season that of corn was three dollars 
per bustiel. 

"In H;.'i7 Uie snow lay from the 4th of November until the 23d of 



* By T. T. Waterman. Delivered on Dec. 14, 1864, at the centennial 
celebriition of the organizatitui of the Congregational Church, Doc. 14, 
17G4. 



428 



IIISTOIIY OF lA in FIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



March, and was ut times throo or four foot deep. TIio whole inlaud of 
our State was a perfect wildoriices, — no roads, nu dwolUngs, no cultivated 
grounds. Wolves, bt-ars, foxes, deer, moose, wild turkeys and fowl of 
various descripttous, an<I Indians were tlio tenants. Aside from tht>se, 
all wm solitude, silcnre, and gloom. Thus, too, was it for nearly one 
hundred yeiira from li'^JO. 

'■ In the year ITl.'i thirty-eight towns liad been incorporated. Nino of 
these were in Fairfield County,— Stratford, Fairfield, Greenwich, Stam- 
ford, Norwalk, Woodbnry, Banbury, Newtown, Kidgetield. The popn- 
lation of the State wna then sevonteen thousand; one regiment of militia 
in each county, four regiments in the State. IJut one cloth-mill in the 
State, and all its operator conld do was to full the cloth, which waa worn 
unshorn an<l impressed. 

"The lii-8t i)riuter in the State was Thomas Short, 1709. Ho settled in 
New London, in 171ii printed the Say-Brooke Platform, and soon died. 
The next printer wa** Tiniuthy Green, of Cambridge, JIiiws,, and son uf 
Samuel Green, the fii-st printer in North America. Ho 8etth;d in Now 
London, 1714. 

" During this period, near 10-17, the use of tobacco was nnfortnnately 
introduced, and to prevent, if possible, its disgusting prevalence, no per- 
son under the age of twenty years was permitted to use it, unle^ under 
medical treatnunit. All persons over twenty years of age wore prohibited 
* using it in company, or when traveling with others, and but once a day. 
Had this wisely -tlesigned proscription of this noxious weed prevailed, the 
henltli, niannei>, and thrift of thousands would have been greatly pro- 
moted, the worse tiian useless expenditure of millions of dullarn, and 
the melancholy fact that the cultivation of corn and substantial vegeta- 
ble crojw is being supplanted by this impudent and rampant twenty-four- 
inch loafed and vile worm-bearing narcj^tic, and this on our bejut soil, 
would have been prevented. Hut then, as now, fleslily apj)etite proved 
itself a mighty spoiler of man's dignity, rctinenient, and peace. Not a 
few then, as now, could let decency and tlirift and money go to nnike 
their tobacco-jpiids and their i)uffing sure! It was thought strange 
in 1>>17, and if possible is more strange in 1804, that an intelligent nuiii 
could consent, by chewing It, to make a sink of liL'* stomach, a sink- 
drain of his throat, and a sink-spont of )iis mouth, or by smoking it a 
fireplace of liia mouth, a chimney of his nose, and a smoke-house of 
bis brain! 

"In 1040 such were the disappointments and sad forebodings of the set- 
tlors at New Haven that they fonned a iiurixjso to leave the country. 
They had invitations to Ireland and to Jamaica, in the West Indies, and 
actually, it is said, entereil into treaties for the city of Galloway as a 
I>lace of settlement. Tliey were providentially prevented fn-m execut- 
ing tlieir designs, and in 1804 what spot more attractive and beautiful 
and far famed than that tlion sad and gloomy and about to be forsaken 
New Haven? 

" At this time the settlements were almost exclusively on the line of 
the sea-shore. All was labor, sacrifice, exjtosure, watchfulness, and war- 
fare. Every man must be drilled as a soldier, — a soldier when ho stood in 
Ilia door ; a soldier when ho sat at his meals; a soldier when he wont to 
his corn-field ; a soldier when he entered the place of worship ; a soldier 
by day and by night. Those were tiays of unconceived peril and en- 
durance, und thus for some one hundred and fifty years in our State. 
Incidents surj^assing fiction, and acts of hen^ism by man and woman 
and child, characterize those eventful days. What was then attempted 
and accomplished for the sjikc of liberty' and ti-uth, home and country, 
end in preparing this our Wautiful heritage for us antl our cliildron and 
childron's children, is replete with instruction and counsel. All this 
may be forgotten by us and be unknown to our descendants, but ft will 
all live In our history and In the tM>ok of Go<rs acconnt. 

"For holy faith, triumphant zeal, and beneficent design the record 
Btands unsurpassed in the nnnals of man. If through party prtyudice, 
sectarian zeal, or any other infiuenco any jiersons chix>so to l>e ignorant, 
so let them be ; or If any cho^tse to know only to prevent, divide, it nioy 
be denounce, so to let them ilo. May God enable ns and ouni to know 
and rovero His name in these wonderful darings and doings of our 
fathers in this State from 1G:tr> to 1776. 

" In the nddst of all this endurance and borolsm on the soa-eliore, 
bunting and exploring expeditions into the Interior were not Infre- 
quent. The hills alNiiit us. as Ilagburn ami Barn and Blom'e, attracted 
early notice, ond wore favurito splits, being at an early dale partially 
cultivated and settled. In \1'*5, as tradition affirms, Mr. Samuel Lewis, 
with his family, moved from Stratfonl and settled on this tlion forest- 
-COTcred and wild bnt beantfAil hill ; his residence was north and west of 
the green, on the street running north. Mr. Frederick Lewis, the father 
of 31r. Hcuo' Lewis, was then two yoars old. He died in 1825. 

" The mother of Mr. Henry Lewis was Uio widow of Uio sou of Deacon 



Henry Hawley, one of the first deacons of this church. The family 
name of Mith. Lewis was Scott ; she was a member of this church. 

"Tlio landed estate of this early and enterprising settler, Mr. Sannn-l 
Lewis, or portions of it, are now in the |>osses4fion of the respc*ted roprt- 
sentative of the third generation of this family, who is present toHJuy. 
Mr. Siiuiuel Lewis gave distinctive proof of his interest in this church 
and society byjiresentingtlie Kev. Mr. Itexfonl a lot of ground, on which 
he erected the tenement which is standing, a memorial of the first pastor 
of this church. 

"Capt. and Deacon Henry Hawley, as wo infer, was from Stratford, 
and a direct descendant, if not sun, of 3Ir. Samuel Hawley, one of tlo' 
prominent first settlers of Stratford. The tra<litionary record of Deacon 
Hawley is highly commendatory. He was intelligent, industrious, patri- 
otic in the colonial son'icc, evangelical and consistent in his Christian 
profession. He resided nejir Mr. Samuel Lewis, north and west of tli' 
green; the niinsof hi."* homestead still speak the place. He probab!'. 
settled hero as early as 1756, and was, we supiwse, at the organization ■ i 
the church, and then or soon after apiMunted its deacon. By name he i- 
identified with a family of many infiuential branches, and which, in it- 
public and piivato relations, has been and is known and felt throughout 
this county. I cannot say that any of his Immediate descendants renniin 
in this town. The name frequently occurs in our list of members from 
the commencement to the present time. 

" Gideon Hawley an<l Elias Hawley were early and prominent setthr- 
in the more western portion of the town. Their inllTienco was felt ii- 
members of this society and church; they lived to bo aged. Gen. Kli 
Hawley, who years past has done this society valuable service, and whv 
is now eighty-seven years of age, is of this branch of the family. 

"The wife of Deacon Henry Hawley — Kuth, I believe — was sister of 
Deacon John Judson, and, in the language of tradition, was mighty 
prim,— that is, as I take it, a smart, bright-eyed, neat, precise, well-to-do 
lady, one who in woi-d and deed causcnl her influence to be felt, if not 
feared. She was, I infer, a good wife fur a deacon, as she certainly was 
the wife of a good deacon. 

"The family of Deacon Judson, wo suppose, was among the earlier 
settlers. Ho lived on Kim Street, nearly op[>osite the residence of Mr. 
Hiram Beardslee. He is sjUd to have Ikhmi wealthy, a large luudholdi r. 
and, us the phnise is, ' no fool.' As wo infer from tradition, ho was a nntti 
of strong common sense and firm adherence to right, just, and equal law. 
He wasa justice of tlie peace or judge, and, as ho wore his leathern upnn 
in court mther than silk and French broadcloth and a wig, was calletl tb' 
' lioatliern-apron judge.' 

" It is re|Mirted that some guilty of witchery wore arraigned befoi 
him for various misdemeanors. As ho was too honest to be bril>ed unl 
too bold to bo frightened by invisible things or by dead men, he prove"! 
himself too much for Beelzebub strategy, wizard legenlemain, and pn'- 
hme hobgoblinisro. As the roconl is, he put the criminals ond witchi - 
through by law. Ho lived to bo somo eighty years of ago, and was im 
infiuential and early deacon in this church. His descendants still oxi-t 
in Now Y*>rk, — none of them, I believe, in this town. 

" It is given as an illustration of the infiuenco of his decisions agaiuf i 
the impudent claims of Bi)irit mtHlium^ ami tiealers with the unwen 
world, fortune-tellers, midnight wonder-tloers, apparitions, voices, glioct*. 
and the like hanim-scanims, that among the inhabitants of this to^^n 
there is little cre<lit given to the«e absunl and c<uisummately sill> 
nen-a ainimtoron wl/xat\la uupouados quas tuno deail man and womana 
ono ]>uoluveiUi delusions. 

" In one instance a young lady of ono of the famlllos wo notice to-^loy 
was t*)ld, as a means of deterring her from a discharge of her duty, 
frightening her Into the faith, in going atone to a certain place in tin- 
evening that she would meet a nnui witii his head cut ofT coming towarl- 
her. * Ah, indeed !' said this Judge Juds«m heridnc ; ' 1 should Ik? mu' h 
more altu-med if I should meet a man with his head on !' That is noble 
womanhtsMi 1 It is men with their heads on tluit we all, oe]>ecially young 
women, have reason to fear. 

" Capt. Joseph Moore, whoso residence was on tlio northeast corner of 
the green, on o lot now owneil by Deacon N. Wheeler, has a reputation 
among the flrnt settlers in this centre. Ho was a man of p<-cniii»n 
means, and. In the language of the day, ' head of the hi'ap.' He in sail 
to have iK'cn verj' clever when ho was pleased and had his i^wii way. lb- 
was a shrewd and coudcal genius. He at least had influence and goii- 
ortMilly. 

" The original meeting-house, tt seems, was at first located by a oom- 
mttteo apjHilnteil for the purpose to Imj one-half mile west of this, near 
Mrs. Williiun Buacher's ruaidonco. Capt, Moore and others were disMtl^ 
fled, ami procured the ap|*ointnicnt of luiother committee, who located It 
on this hill. Capt. Mooro donated tho land for its site, and ab» for oar 



i 



:moxr()E. 



429 



present comninii or green. Tlin'ugh llioiiglitlessness ur to save labor | 
tli^' heautifiil turf ami tiiangular form of this rommoii hns at tiinos. ami 
for liig)i\vay purposes, lieon disfi^ired in a nianuer wliii-h we believe, 
cituM (.'apt. Monro he present ami witnes-* the same, woubl call fortli fmni , 
him emphatic words and gestures. Happy is it for some who thus err 
in working out their highway tax that tlie doctrine uf spiiit mciliums 
is false; otlierwise the spiiiti'f tho old and t>t)'iu gi-nth'man to their 
sorrow might bo after them. ! 

"A daughter nf ('apt. Jloore traditi(»n signalizes as a noted belle, in i 
pei-soual charms, attainments, and general attractiveness surpassing all 
other female youth in tliis st-ctinn. She marrird the Rev. Mr. Mon- 
son, a brother of BIrs. Kexford, « ho was pastitr itf a cliureh in Lenox, I 
Blass., and afterwards reniovcd to this i>lace, and here tiled. fAmnections ' 
of this family still resiilo in this jilaee, and are membr-i's I'f the church, j 
!Mr. Slonson, of New York, son of this lady, gave fifty didlars tiwards 
the erection of this house of wui-ship. i 

"Capt. Moore was appointed t* superintend the building nf thi> meeting- I 
house, which was raised on the 21st and '2'2d days of June, ITiiO, sonm I 
five years after the organization of the church. It occupied ground a j 
few feet in advance of this editice, encroaching ujHin the green. The ; 
house, tradition states, was some seventeen years in the process of com- | 
pletion. This delay was tlu- result, no doubt, of the dit^icnlty of procuiing 1 
materials, and specially of securing lalmrers, as the young men (many 
if not most of them) wore in the ranks fighting the battles of our freedom. ' 
" Cajit. Moore, being a white-oak aiitl pei-severitig kind of man, liebl i 
it on its course, and in HSii, as wo juilge, it was conipleteil and dedi- I 
cated. The last religious service held within its walls was on June i:i, i 
1847. This house, which happily succeeded it, was raisetl July 20, 1H47, 
and was deilicateil Dec. 15, 1.S47, seventeen yoai*s ago to-morrow. 

"Previous to the erection of the regular meeting-house, tin-re wsm a 
temporary building, in form like a barn, in which divine services were 
held. For a time the Rev. Jedediah Mills, of Ripton, who has honorable i 
mention for energy, elofpience. anil zeal in the history of this State, ■ 
preached to the jieojile here every thinl Sabbath. Ori;;inalIy the settlers I 
here attended meeting at Ript(Ui, being, many of them, until 17t>4 mem- i 
bera of that church. ! 

Reference is made to houses built with fireplaces and rooms conveni- ) 
ent to be occupied by persons fnun a distance during intermission on ' 
the Sabbath, and thus called • Sabbath-day houses ' In the one noted iu I 
this place, or in a portion of it. an old Mrs. Tooley lived, sweejiing and : 
looking after the things of the meeting-house. 

"Alm-'st immediately on the organization of the church the Rev. 
Elisha Rexford was ordained its pastor. This happened on the 9th of 
January, lG(i-'>. twenty-six days after the event i>f organization. We j 
infer from this that Mr. Rexford must have been with the church, prob- 
ably as a sujiply, previous to its ftirniation. No doubt he was ha|ipily in- 
strumental i[i consummating the interesting event. 

"Mr. Rexford, its I understand, wts a graduate of Yah' College, and 
married us his first wife a Miss Monson, of New Haven. In tradition ho 
bears the repntttion of a wise and good man, punctual, intelligent, and 
consistent iu his ministrations, sound iu doctrine, c(.u-rect in practice, 
e&jnomica] and frugal, loyal to his country and to freedoni, acting as 
chaplain in the Revolution, respected and beloved liy hi-* people, until 
his death. April .1, ISiiS, or for a period of forty-four years. 

"In his pa.st<)ral relation he numbered some four thousand five hun- 
dred and seventy-six Sabbath services and many occasional week-day 
niinistrations. An interesting revival occurred during his ministry, 
which glacldeiied his own soul and greatly strengthened and refreshed 
ilie church. The infiuenco going forth from a wise, thoiightful, kind 
iind true-hearted man of God day by day, and week by week, aiul Sub- 
hath by Sabbath, for Imty-four years, — and such years as were those from 
1765 to 1808, — and thus in his daily conversation, example, i)reaching, 
and counsel in seasons of bereavement and death, of marriage antl of 
burial, may be silent with him in the grave, unthought of by us as the 
moss-covered stone telling the spot where his dust reposes; that intlu- 
ence was and still is immensely great. Felt by those who with him 
have hero worshiped and with him have gone to their home above, and 
felt by u^who here live and worship to-day,— ay, and will be felt along 
down successive generations of those who will cimie after us ! 

" lie for a lime gave his attention to the subject of educatitm, having 
had, as I understand, a select school for both sexes in this place. 

"Mr, Rexford was seventy-one yeai-s of age when he died, and must 
have bteu tweuty-sevcn when he was ordained as p;istor of this chundi. 
" The letter of Mr. Rexford to this society in which he tendered his 
resignation of his pastoi-al office is extant, and breathes a spirit of love 
to the truth and to the best good of this peoide worthy of his office and 
his age. It is dated Doc. 29, 1807. 



"Another fiimily of infiuence in the society and church bore the namo 
Itefitrest. At an early period they settleil iu the south paitof the i>arisli, 
and renii'vid here in or befon* the year 177*1. Mr. Oefiuvst built arid 
Icept a public-house and store on the west side of the green,— the first 
stoii' npened in the centre, thetrading previous to 1770 having passed to 
Hipton. This Mr. Deforest was father r.f Deacon William Deforest, of 
Riidgeport, and Lnckwooil Deforest, Esq., of New York. He was a so- 
cial and stirring old man, and a faithful overseer and tutor of the boys 
and their manners when nide and boisterous, ami when throwing stones 
at the meeting-house or marking.; on the feti.-es. He entertained the 
officers of a French force of some five liundreil lueo u hi' during the Rev- 
olutionary war were quartereii Un- n lew uieks <>ii lIli^ bill. He nanieil 
his son Df Lazon. after one of those oMiieis. 

"This family was we infer, descended ''""' the llugueiK.ts, and b^id 
a natural ease aiid gentility of address, and piditene^s uf manii-r,— 
matteis which all Frenchmen, if not all .\merieans, regard. 

"The family left in thi' year ISOO. They still exist and are influential 
in Bridgeport and in New York. Two of them, William aud Lockwood, 
gave each fifty dollars to aid in the erection of this house. One of these, 
Deaccm William Deforest, I remember as one prominent in the church in 
Bridgeport, of which my father was long pastor. Ho was a gentleman 
of fine appearance and genial manner, kind, shrewii, and sympathetic. 
His ipiick-uttered words, expressive smiles, and graceful gestures would 
interest childien and men in advanci-d life. He lived to a good old age, 
and ilieil a few years since iu the triumph of Christian faith. 

"The memory of ("'apt. Nathan Booth, who resided in Elm Street, is 
embalmed in a <lonation of ten pounds made to the church to meet tho 
expenses of the communion-table. This somewhat singular yet etfectivo 
legacy increased, and wius sufficient a few years since to furnish the neat 
silver set for our cnnimunion-talde. It is still on interest as a fuml in the 
tre;isnry of the church. 

" Mr. Booth is said to have bi'eu .social, snniewliat set in his ways, 
blunt, and facetious in his intercnui-se uith others. He was a great foo 
to card-playing and gambling, the favorite employment of idlers and 
heedless tines. Hi' was plain-spoken on these topics, and has left a 
recoid which it wouM be well if many youths ami persons more ad- 
vanceil would in this day heed. He was, moreover, fond of music, and, 
as I infer, a good singer aud leader of the choir in this church. 

" The descemlauts of this somewhat noted nnni are still with us in the 
persons of Mr. William Booth, his great-grandson, and Elisha Bi>oth. a 
great-great-grandsiiU. To the one the society credits a donation of ono 
hundred and ten dollars towards the erection of this church, and to the 
other the fa^or of .iding chorister for a series of years. Of him, as in tlio 
fullness of his warm heart he proves himself full of song, it may he said 
he comes honestly by it. May he and his still live here to sing and pray 
aud praise ! 

"There was anotlii-r family of this name, Zechariah Booth, noted for 
social influenci-. Tiny resided in Elm Street, and t>pposite to Mr. C. T. 
Crane's. This family, I believe, is not now represeuted in the place. 

•' Honorable mention is made of u Mr. James Judson, who was father 
of Mr. Levi Judson and Miss Betsey Judson. At an early date he settled 
hero and built or occupied the house next east of the Wakeman place. 
The family is still represented by membership of children and grand- 
children in this church, and highly respectable branches of tho same are 
in other towns. Miss Betsey Judson still lives, a constant attendant upon 
divine service here, ami manifests a strong love to the church and 
society. She has been connected with the church fifty-one years. Mr. 
Levi Judson, lier brother, is some fourscore years on, and iu the sunset 
of his days. 

"Special allusion, too, is made to the family of Beardslee, aud particu- 
larly to an early settler on Bagburn Hill, reported to mo as old Capt. 
j Beardslee,— captain, I suppose, iu the C(donial service, and a true patriot. 

"Mr, Samuel B. Beardslee and Judge Beardslee, Esq., once a promi- 
nent lawyer in this idace, and Mr. Agur Beardslee, formerly a deacon of 
this church, are descendHuts immediat(dy or more remotely from him. 
This family, Mr. Samuel B. Beardslee, Mr. Elisha Beanlslee, Ctd.Sauniel 
Beardslee, and Dr. Edward M. Beardslee, is .■<lill pronnnent in this church 
and society. 

" There must have been a good deal of power and mu(di of the spirit 
of 1004 in that same old captain (ui Bagburn Hill a hundred years ago. 
He speaks, in a subscription of some six hundred and fiu-ty-two dollars 
by his grandchildren or great-great-grandchildren, in behalf of the erec- 
tion of this meeting-house. He speaks from Sabbath to Sabbath in our 
sweet-toned and sweetly-touched uielodeon, aud in the alto notes of our 
choir, and in all our services to-ilay, and we trust will continue hero 
thus t»> speak iu his children's children uutil time shall be no more. 

" Capt. Robert Lewis and family are remembered and nanieii with re- 



430 



HISTOItV OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



spect lie built the rcdidoncc aow occnplod by tlio Miases Lcwis^ though ' 
an entirely <listinrt family. Ilia »on, Lii-ut. Lum-aiirl Mui-so Lewis, is 
nuticed as an intelligent, influentiul iniin. This family hns, I believe, 
bfcon\e extinct. They are nevyrtlick-ss well renioniliuiTil. 

'' A family of fk>nic note in nankiMl jigthtt ('arpenter family, and ns having 
lived during ur at the close uf the Itcvolntion iu the Wakcman place. 
The father wns a soldier in the Revolntionary war. This is said to have , 
been a talented family. A daughter, by her own energj' and efforta, 
became noted as a teacher in New Haven, and afterwards at the South. 
Mr. Carpenter was for some time mail-carrior b«-tween New Haven and 
New Milford, — an office of importiuice, and even dii^tinction, in those 
days. Then the news traveltrd on wwiry-footed horses, not, as now, on 
the breathings of steam or the wings of the lightning. Then, day by 
day, on wildrrncM i-oa«Lt, 'mid coM, and sleet, and snow in winter, and 
burning heat iu summer, the newnman must Honnd his horn on time at 
each expectant farm-residence or village-office. Welcome then was the 
sound of his voice or his horn n8 he cauio with tidings from near and 
afar. In all this 3fr. Carpenter was a man wlio could and did w*>l] fnttill 
his trust. The family is gone, being now unknown here. 

"A Mr. Cole, whose name often occurs in the filed accounts of this 
Bociety, was a blacksmith. Ills shop was near the residence of llcv. Mr. 
Bcxford. He in sjiid to have been a singular or very peculiar man. He, 
for some rejLson, in hardening iron neemed to have hardened his heart, 
}Iis family were interested in and attended church. 

"Deacon Wheeler, of Ripton Parish, was committee on land-titles, then 
a great and resi>onsible business. He hatl, from liis ofhce, a 8]>ecial in- 
fluence in this town. He was a prominent man, — a num of integrity and 
promptness, au<l shrewd iu trwle. 

*' His son, Nathan Wheeler, the father of our respected friend, Deacon 
Nathan Wheeler, of this church, purchased the Monson — originally the 
Capt. Bloore — estate, and removed to this place. He lived and died in the 
Monst^n liou^e, the ruins of which mark the noi-theast corner lot of the 
green. These grounds are still iu possession of the family, being owned 
by Deacon Wheeler. 

"A deep interest has ever been felt by this family in this church and 
society. The valuable lot on which this edifice stands was given to the 
society in 1847 by Deacuti Nathan Wheeler, who generously added a sut>- 
scription of one hundred and thirty-five dollars towards its erection. 
The sister of Deacon Wheeler, Mrs. Betsey Smith, was also a contributor 
to this object, and has in times |)ast and recently manifested a deep and 
valimble interest in the house itself, and in the general welfare of the 
church and M)ciuty. 

"Thus the owners of the Capt. Moore estate have twice furnished a 
spot of gixtund u]>on which this our ark of God has rested, lleliove me, 
ns blessings came ui>on the house of Obed-e<lon> fur attentions to the ark 
uf the LonI, so will blessings come upon all who in love and faith sustain 
ttic house of God and its worship. 

" Samuel Wheeler, Kin\., was a cousin of Deacon Natliau ^Vhcoler and 
son of Mr. Joseph Wheeler. Ho for years traded in this place. He was 
father of Mr. Henry S. Wheeler, who was a dovolcil mcnilter of this 
church anil society. He genenmsly remembered its necessities in his 
will, and bxlay speaks to us in the continued ministrations of this pul- 
pit, and will continue so to speak while years, and even centuries, roll 
by. A memor>- thus embalmed in the 8er\ices of the house of God is 
fragrant indcc^l. 

"The mother of Henry S. Wheeler, the first wife of Sanuiel Whoeler, 
Esq., was, I am informed, a daughter of Dr. Kitch, of Norwalk, and sister 
of the mother of the late celebrate*! Pnife-iwir Knight, of Yale College. 

" In this conue''ti<tn it is pn>|>er and just that reft-n^ttre be nnute to Mr. 
IIcnr>' T. Curtis, whoso ilonations and laltors in behalf of this edifice and 
this church and society shine so conspicuously on mir reconls. He Is 
connected by marriage with the fandly of Henrj- S. Wheeler, and has 
most effectively co-oiK)nited witli that devoted man In elevating and i>er- 
potuoting the ser^'lces of this our sanctuary. Though gone from our 
town, ho lives in our gral*^ful romembrances. Such bouovolonco aud 
Buch laltors never die. They have their rewanl. 

" 1 haveheard, too.of ai^ingularand eccentric, and yet talented, kind of 
genteid and eIo<inent imiuimt |H>rlpatetii- or stn-et-nnimerwho years since 
came to this town from Windham, iu this State. Ho was nutetl for his 
somewhat imiM»siug drow, — hlsockei) hat, buckskin brooche«,and largo 
knee-buckles in antique stylo. He had gn'at remnirces for convunniitlou 
and cxtem|K)rur>' addn^^scs, was keiMi at an Impnmiptu and lightning 
retort, was full of curious tigiirtt* of speech and rennirks, and by original 
nod not always reven>ulial tooches tendtnl to unko up. if not tt) astonish, 
more stupid thinkcm. As be pametl a m-h(H>l house such was his power, 
I have been t^dd, Uiat Uio lioys would at limits forui in a line and, |taying 
him their rcaiHJcts, ho would wldreas thent and poas on his way. He was 



a friend and admirer of Mr. Rexford, of whom lie once remarked, in hU 
quaint and significant style, that he was a good man, a peculiar man: 
he was the friend of lK>th worlds. 

"This man was a poet, and the following is given as a sarcastic im- 
promptu Comment upon a careless lawyer after his being summoned as a 
witness in a case before Justice Adams, in Kipton, and which went by 
default of the writ : 

" ' \ court were had, 

The writ was bad. 

And could not be amended ; 

The plaintiff lost 

His oxpecte<I cost, 

And 60 the matter ended.' 

" This strange genius, around whoso historj" a deep mystcriousnoss 
gathers, was, through disapp*)intment iit his early hopt-s, proliably insane, 
and was thus lost to the standing and influence which his talents and 
connections in life rendered him signally capable of sustaining. We 
refer to him to remind you what a lafiting intluenco the most pennilosa 
and obscure person may have upon the thoughts and mannera and char- 
acters of a community. 

" My father was in his early ministrj' pastor for ten years in Windham, 
and the family name of Maiming was of note there. The name is now 
of note in Western New York, and descendants of this same strange man 
known here have charactt;r and induence. How and why a descendant 
of that family should so live and die here in this town is a mystery. Be- 
lieve me, there is a cause for all this, and it may well lead us all to i>onder 
our ways lest our descendants be, like him, mere mysterious wanderers 
or paui>ers in the world. 

" ' Ho sleeps the sleep of death. 
Gone to his long and last account. 
Unknown to us, but known to God.' 

"The regularly reported pastoi'S and acting pastors of this church are 
eleven in nnnd*er, and as follows: Klisha Itcxford, John Noyes, .Vsahel 
Ncttleton, Channcey G. Lee, Amos Bassetl, Daniel Jones, James Kant, 
Robert D. Gardner, Lewis M. Shepard, Edward B. Emerson, George C. 
Pruddon.* 

" The church, as reported now, numbers thirty-four males and seventj* 
one feutales ; total, one hundred and five, — the largest number ever 
on its list. Thus is the seal of God's covenant love visiblu ui>on the 
event ot its organization, one hundred years ligo. The little vine then 
planted in this wllilerncss still lives anil flourishes, from its branches 
rich clusters have been plucked for the ujiper sanctuary, while its influ- 
ence in beloved members gone hence fur and near is widespread. There 
is scarcely a family in the congregation which has not iu il one or more 
members of the church ; in some instances all the members of the family 
aro members of the church. In not a small portion of the familit-s in 
the congregation Intth heads of tliL^ family are In covenant with us. 
Most, too, of the youths over fifteen years of age arc one with us in 
Christ. With rare exceptions, the families of the congregation are reg- 
ular attendants upon the sauctuar}* and contributors to the support of 
the same, and to different benevolent olyects, 

" l>uriug the current year, the bist of this one hundred years of our 
history, our contributions for home and other objci'ts have equaled, il 
Is computed, six huudi-ed dollars. During this year, tbruugli the enter- 
prise anrl l>enevolence of the general conwniltce, — Mr. Charlo* T. Cnme, 
David A. Nichols, and Samuel C. R-ardslee, — the Int^-riorof tliis house 
has Wen handsomely and beaulifully refitteil. In tlit> the niemlK'P' of 
the chnnb and society and of the female sewing society have cheerfnlly 
ami generously ciuitribuled. Such sonicesand benevolent aid live od- 
This day, too, gruels us a united church and people. Pence and Joy. 
brotherly love, and friendly co-o|>eration iu a remarkable degree bore 
reign, tlie language of each, one and all, being — 

"' I love Thy kingdom, Lord; 
The house of Thine abode; 
Tlie Church our blest Redeemer maile 
M'ith His own prei-Ious bloml.' 

" These are pleasing comments n|H>n the fniits of the orgaoiMtioo 
which has lived one hundred years this day all told, ami whirli, we trust, 
will live with increasing faith and unity and zeal centuries on cenlurie* 
,vet to come. 



• The sncccasors of Ur. Pruddon have boon T. T. Watemwo, 0. S. St 

John. William B. Curtis, .\lfrvd Wotorman, Dighton Mtises, and lleT. 
Chalea 1>. Hultert.— Ko. 



MONROE. 



431 



" The preacliing of tlie word has tlius not been void. Tlie faithful 
preacliitig of tliat word, as it has bet-nhere seen and hunorod, is a stand- 
ing testimony in its efti-cts to the life-giving energies and joys thereof. 
Honored and hai>i)y is tlie people who thus sustain ami rejoice in a dis- 
tinctive, searching, and nnconipromieing dispensation of the word of God. 
"Nor lias this church been blessed only in its ministers; it hits been 
epecially so in its deacons. Of these, as recorded, theie have been six- 
teen: Henry Hawley. Edmumi Lewi.s, Peter Curtis, Elijah Curtis, John 
Jndson, Peodate Sillinian, Daniel Wilcoxson, John Wllcoxson, James 
McEwen. Agur HeanUlee, Elihu Curtis, I)aniL-l Tonilinson, Ebeuezcr 
Lewis. Nathan \V. Wheeler, Daniel Nichols, and Isiai; Itarr. 

" Of Henry llawley and John Juilson wo have before spoken. 

" Peter Curtis was an early settler on Bagburn Hill. In intelligence, 
enterprise, patriotism, and faitli as we infer, a leprrsentntivo man. Ho 
was sound in the faith and in practice, — a man of prayer and constant 
in his attendance upon the sanctuary; a lover of the chunh. He was 
the great-grandfather of Mr. William Curtis and C'harh's Curtis, still 
residents on portions of tlie original estate. 

"Thi* name Curtis is iili'ntified with the past and priMut history of 
■our church and town. It i:^ titled in Church and State, in law, iioiilics, 
education, medicine, agriculture, and military display. Some five liun- 
dred and ninety dollars is credited to tliis name in behalf of tbf -ii'ition 
of this church. Whether Deacon Peter Curtis iscc^nnectcd witii the ;iii- 
cestrj- of all this numerous generation I am not infoinnd. 

Daniel Wilcoxson resided, and probably was an early setttler, on Barn 
Hill. He was wealthy, a man of ability and faith. His son, Daniel Wil- 
coxson, was a graduate of Yale College, and for some two years waa a 
teacher in Bermuda, — a gentleman of taste and intluenc. Tradition 
Btates that he introduced the first piano into tliis town, if not the first 
in this county. This simple relic of the juist is in poi^session of Mr. H. 
Beardsiee. It wjis manufactured by Ball, Tottingham (now IiOniii>n), 
and presented to Miss Sylvia Curtiss, in ttie year I811J, — sixty-two years 
ago. Datiiel was accidentally drowned, being tlirowa from liis hoise in 
crossing Leavenworth Bridge, — the first I'ri'lge built i>ver the Ib'U>atonic 
Kiver. 

"Elihu Curtiss, son of Peter Curtiss, lived beyt>nd East A'illage, on or 
near what was called Webb's place. He was fitted for college, A large 
landliohier, a man of ability and of wide political influence, lie was often 
a member of the State Legislature ; was esteemed as an honest and ex- 
emplary man ; was a warm supporter, I infer, i>f the chunh aTid of pul>- 
lic worship. 

"James McEwi-n was an early settler, and resid'-d nn the brantifnl 
northern slope of Bagburn Hill, on the corner v>ppt)site the residence of 
our friend Charles McEwen. The mins of his homesteari are still visi- 
ble, and some fruit-trees stand to memorialize the spot. His mind ran 
in a remarkable degree upon the Bible, with which, as illustrated by 
Brown's 'Commentary,' — a largo folio volume, — he was remarkably 
familiar. He was a man of great faith, social and quiet, and a great loss, 
as we may well infer, when he died. It is stati-d of him that he was 
absent but one Sabbath foi- years from the sanctuary. He was found dead 
in hiscorn-fieldinor near the year 1815. His descendants, ius represented ' 
in our midst, ai-e known and esteemed by us, a gianddaughter, Mrs. ' 
Samuel B. Beardsiee, and a grandson, Mr. Charles McEwen, being mem- I 
bersof this church. | 

"Ebenezer Lewis lived in Walker's Farm District. He was a man of I 
property, and remarkable in prayer ami exiiortation. His daughter 
married the fath.-r of Mr, W. Plumb, and in that family he is honorably | 
represented in the church. 

"Elijah Curtiss, a son of EUhu Curtiss. and grandson of Peter Curtiss, , 
—and gnindfuther, I believe, of 5Ir. William and Charles Curtiss,— a ! 
man of marked ability, slirewd and influential, went to the Legislature 
several times ; was a true patriot, strong in the princii)Ies of the gi)Kpel, , 
and a great supporter of public woi-sbip. It is reported of him that fur | 
years lie did not fail to attend meetings on the Sabbath. His name and | 
faith still live,— the third in one family desc ent who suslain.-d a deacon- j 
ship in thii^cbunb. 

"Edniond Lewis, son of Deacon Benjamin Lewis, W!is a devotedly i 
pious and exemplary man,— one of whom the worhl look knowledge 
that he walked with God. Ho had no children, and gave an imp(u-tant 
legacy to this society. In the support of the preaching r.f the word I 
this legacy speaks his praise, and will speak it while this church and 
society sliall exist. 

"Deodate Sillinian lived on the road west of Upper Stepney. He is re- ! 
ported as a nnin of deep social feelings, given to pleasantry and wit in 
conversation, and yet a man of dev.ut feelings, ainl one deeply interested 
in the welfare of tlie ehurch and sorh-ty. He was uncle to the late eiiu- 
neut Benjaiiiiii Sillinian, professor in Yale College. 



"John Wilcoxson, nephew of Deacon Wilcoxson, livetl on Barn Hill ; 
was a man of faith and prayer. He died in 1820. 
' "As far as tradition affirms, all these deacons were men i>f ability and 
worth. They were, b»>, blessed, we believe, with exoTiiplary wiv.'j^, who 
with them loveil and helped enstain the church. 
I "Atdifl'erent periods, when the society wa-s feelde and supplies Were 
not td)tained for the pulpit, divine service was maintained by tho deacons. 
In this they were sustained by tho members of the church and society 
and their families. This is named as one of the great moans of preserv- 
ing the church. It speaks volumes for the intelligence and energy of 
I the deacons and tlie true-heartedness of the peojde. Even the young 
I peojde, it is said, were punctual in attendance, and thus most happily 
anrl eflectively aided in the work of building up this temple of the Lord. 
"The bell, or the lli-st one, if there have been two, must have been 
procured early, — probably in I78r., the year wIkju the first house, as we 
infer, was dedicated. I find in the filed accounts of the society charges 
! for repairing the tongue of tho bell lus far back Jis 179.''>, if not earlier. 
[ The piesent bell dates 182G; if so, it has pealed forth its joyous notes for 
some thirty-eight years — or some two thousand times — sis Sabbath after 
I Sal'bath has rolled by. The tongue, worn by fn-ijuent utterance, on the 
I last Sabbath loosed its hold, dropped fi*om its I'hice, and wiia reveren- 
tially silent during the day. It has been refitted, and stands again ready 
J to do its joyful work, wo trust, for a hundred yeais to come. 

*■ The singingof the congregation and ihnreli has ever been, we judge, 
I well sustained and of more than a common order. It was early con- 
ducted, we believe, by Capt. Nathan Booth, — certjiinly for a number of 
' years by Mr. Abel French, who was an esteemed and active member of 
1 this society. More recently it has had the valuable services of Mr. Elisha 
Booth, aided by Messrs. Elisha Beardsiee, Cliarles McEwen, Hiram 
I Beardsiee. William Curti^s. Dr. Edward M. Beardsiee, Miss Wheeler, 

Page, Curtiss, the Miss Beardslees, and others well known by all. 
I "Many a sweet psalm and hymn lias iluring the five thousand and 
two hundred Sabbaths of the one hundred years now closing here sent 
forth its sweet utterances of penitential joy and excellent praise. Many 
a time, with help of the flute, clarionet, bugle, antl more recently the 
melodeon, have voices sweet sounded forth ' Old Hundred.' * Wimlham,' 
'Deumarke,' ' Wells,' ' Mear,' ' ('hina,' ' Delight,' ' Mortality,' ' Majesty,' 
' Lenox.' and the anthem, 'See the Purple Bannere Flying,' — tunes which, 
amid all the revolutions and changes and boasted improvements in sacix-d 
music, remain unsurpassed in power of musical and devotional efl^ect. 
M'hile, then, we would have what is i.'.jnd in tho new, let us at the same 
time remember and honor what was, and is, so precious in the old. 

" Among the teachers of select and private schools I find reference to 
Rev. Mr. Rexford, a clergyman, who succeeded him, Legrand Moore 
Lewis, Samuel Monson, Miss Hannah Howley, Miss Nancy Wright, Mr, 
and Mi-s. Atwell, Miss Lyon Judson, Samuel B. Beardsiee, Dr. E. M. 
Beardsiee, Dr. R. Grey, and 3Iiss Wheeler. The elements of knowledge 
were thoroughly taught in these nni-series of intelligence and good 
morals. The schools of those days, though far iiderior in advant;igea, 
were wiju^leifully effective. 

"To the close of the hist century, and sonn-what into tliis, there were 
but few if any four-wheeled vehicles. Journeying and juLssing to and 
fro was performed on the saddle, — side-saddle antl pillion, — on horseback 
or on foot, or on the ox-sled and cart. 

"Then the conveniences for warming scliool-houses and churches as 
now enjoyed were unknown, the only stove being the small han<l fout- 
stove, some of wdiich, as curiosities, still exist in our miilst. Not long 
since, a stranger here iiiquireil of a fiieiid, ' What is that squiire tin tlung 
i[i a fiiMue that woman carries about in church V 

" Then there were but few roails and bridge^^ and means of conmnini- 
cation by travel or by letter. The celebrated Juilge Swift, of this State, 
then a meml>er td' ('ungress in Philadelphia, in his anxiety to hear from 
h<)nio by mail, the time being some three weeks, said, in a note to my 
father, tliat the best idea he ever hail of eternity was given him whilo 
waiting for the mail. 

"Then friends comitaratively neai' by i;icli i'tber were far apart, and a 
few miles from a tiver or shore settlement was like being in th<- distant 
« ildcriiess or on (u- beyond tho Rocky MiuintaiuR. 

"Well do I remember, tjuito within this century, when thought-s of 
the wilderness West, as in Centiul or Western New York and Ohio, wore 
full of dread and alarm. Then a sung, the churtis of which, as I remem- 
ber il, — 

" ' We'll travel tliPiugh the wild wood, 
We'll hunt thebuflalo. 
And we'll camp on the banks 
Of the pleasant Ohio,'— 
seemed like an utterance id' tlie ages to lonie. 



432 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



" No legs (liBtinctly do I remeiiilwr the firet four-wheeled, one-h'trso 
wagon seen in Brulgepoit. I watt i|»ntf small, — not au high as the wheels, 
— Bay in I8I0. It attracted iw nmch attention as a locomotive haj« more 
recently. It was thought a wonder that the fore and litnd wheels would 
run in the same track, and that it could he turtied ahout without taking 
it to pieces. That wagon wtu* owned by Capt. George lloyt, the then 
cashier of the Bridgeport Bank. It was brt)ught, I heliovo, from some- 
where in the county near here." 

ST. PETEU'S CHURCH.* 

At the beginning of the j>re;ient century the parish 
of New Stratford (now Monroe I wa.-; incorporated witli 
the town of Hipton (now Jluntington), and for a long 
time these two organizations were .siibstiiiitially one, 
having the same reetor and a united intere.st. The 
earliest accounts of this parish are therefore much 
scattered and necessarily few, many of the records 
being in the adjoining town and mingled with other 
statistics, and later ones imperfectly kept or not kept 
at all. 

We have no means of knowing who composed the 
families and members of this church at its organiza- 
tion, and the first real intimation of its existence as a 
parish dates at the commencement of this present 
century. In an old number of the Churchman's Maga- 
zini', under date of September, 1S07, we find a pub- 
lished account of the con.secration of this church. 

It seems, from the account given, that Bishop 
Jarvis and a number of his presbyters, on tlic IGth of 
September, 1807, tissembled in Bridgeport, where he 
consecrated the Episcopal church there by the name 
of St. .John's. On the day following, the 17th, the 
bishop proceeded to the church in Trumbull, and ad- 
ministered the rite of confirmation to forty-one per- 
sons. " On the 18th the Episcopal church at New- 
Stratford (Monroe) was consecrated by the bishop, and 
named St. Peter's church. Prayers were read by the 
Rev. >[r. Burhans, and an api)ro|)riate sermon was 
delivered by the Rev. Mr. Baldwin. At this church 
the rite of confirmation was administered to thirty- 
six persons." After its consecration it continued for 
many years in connection with the church at Ripton, 
the same rector oflieiating in both places. Five years 
after the consecration of this church we find, from 
Bishop Jarvis' address in .Tunc, 1S12, that "Mr. Ray- 
ncr has been regularly dismissed from the church in 
Hartford, and hath been chosen rector of the parish 
in the town of Huntington." 

The first parochial report of the.se two parishes 
foun<l in i)rint is in ISbl, when Mr. Rayner reportt^d 
for the two jiarishes one hundred and filly families 
and only seventy-two communicants. Five years 
later, in 1820, the number of communicants in the 
two (larishcs amounted to about one hundred, and in 
1825 the same number is still given. 

In 1827, Bishop Brownell says in his convention 
address, "The Hev. Mr. Hayner having made an ar- 
rangement with the parish of Huntington for a dis- 



* Compllod tnm a memoriAl wrmon delivrrod by Rot. Jam«0 Bdward 
Coley, in November, 1872. 



solution of his pastoral connection with that parish, 
I have given my consent to the same, and the parish 
of Huntington is now vacant."! From these data it 
will appear that Mr. Rayner held the rectorshij) of 
the two parishes about fifteen years, — from 1811 to 
1826. For a short time he remained rector of this 
parish alone, but from 1827 to 182SI no mention is 
made of the parish of Monroe in the conventional 
reports. 

In the report for 1829 it is stated that Mr. Ros.siter 
had taken charge of this parish in connection with 
Trumbull, and in his report for 1830 he gives the 
number of communieant.s as thirty-two, and in 1832 
as fifty-one. From 1834 to 1838 we find that the Rev. 
Mr. Roasiter had charge also of St. James' Church, 
Newtown, in addition to his charge of Monroe ; but 
from 1838 to his decease, in 1846, — a period of eight 
years, — he ministered in this parish alone. The hold- 
ing of full services in this parish, with the exception 
of a short period by Mr. Rayner in 1827, commences 
with 1838. Mr. Rossiter's whole rectorship here, in- 
cluding his connection with the parishes of Trumbull 
and Zoar, extends from 1829 to 1846, — a period of 
seventeen years. He died November 2.5th, and was 
buried Nov. 26, 184(} (Thanksgiving Day), aged fifty- 
nine years, eleven months, and seven days. 

Mr. Ro.ssiter was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Betts. 
who remained in charge of the pari.sh three year>. 
During his rectorship the chancel arrangements were 
altered and a silver communion-service purchased at 
a cost of ninety-eight dollars. About the same time 
the font was presented to the church by the late Jlrs. 
Rossiter, the ex|)cnse of which was thirty-five dollars, 
and about the same time the chandeliers are reported 
as a gift of Mr. George Lewis. These little items are 
here mentioned to show that a commendable spirit of 
improvement and interest was manifest under his 
rectorship. 

The Rev. Mr. Betts was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. 
Hoffman, who was rector just three years, taking 
charge of the parish at Easter, 1850, and resigning it 
Easter, 1853. He was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. 
Godfrey, who wtts rector one year. 

At the convention for 1855 the Rev. Jlr. Judd is 
reported as ofticiating In Monroe, which he contlmied 
to do till 1858, when the I{ev. Seth Davis a-ssumed the 
charge, which he held until death released him. It 
was during the incumbency of the latter (1859) tliat 
great improvements were made in this church, by the 
addition of a recess, chancel, and by other renova- 
tions wlilch the church reiiulred. 

Mr. Davis died in Monroe, July 6, 1H62, .aged sixty 
years, and was suceeedeil by Rev. .Tames Edward 
Coley, who remained until Sept. 5, 1877. Since tliat 
time the church has had no settled rector. Services 
are now heW by Rev. Silas B. Duflield, as a supply, 
this being bis third year. 

t CoDvention Report for 1827. 



MONROE. 



433 



The present officers of the church are as follows: 
Wardens, F. W. Wheeler and 8aiiiuel 8. llurd ; Ves- 
trymen, Orville B. yherwood, AVilliani A. Clark, 
Hobart E. Beardsley, Benjamin S. llnrd, Homer 
E. Clarke, AVilliam B. BeardsU-y, Agar Beardsley, 
i^aniuel (1. Huntington, Henry W. Edwards, Walter 
Beardsley, Charles Staples, JIartin .J. Mullett, and 
Frank Beardsley. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHtllCH, ,STEPXEV.« 

Previous to the erection of the present house of 
worship there was a class in Lower Stepney, wiiich 
was formed by Burton Beach, wlio then resided at 
Daniel's Farms, and led the class some time after its j 
formation. He subsequently became a mendier of 
the New York Conference, and is still a highly-es- 
teemed superannuate(l mend)cr. 

Lewis I'enfield afterwards tij(]k idiarge nf the class, j 
which position (as leader) he held for many years; 
and he became the chief pmmoter cif ^Metliodism in 
Stepney, he and his brothers, Andrew anil ^V'illiam, 
bearing for some time the principal financial burdens 
of the church, and they were active in its spiritual 
prosjierity. 

At the time of its fiirniatiim the class at I>(iwer 
Stepney was connected with the Daniel's Farms 
church, the preacher from that church frequently 
holding services in the school-house ami in a build- 
ing owned and fitted up by the Pennfields. 

The erection of a cliurch being contemidated, on 
the 28th of November, ISyG, on the aiiplieation of 
Lewis Pennfleld and others, Ira Ferriz, preacher in \ 
charge, ap|>ointed the tollowing i>ersons trustees of 
the Methodist E[iiscopal Church in Stepney : Lewis ' 
Pennfield, Abram S. Johnson, Elam Beard, Albert 
Johnson, and William I'ennfield. Lewis Edwards, 
Esq., donated the gri>un<l on whicli to erect the 
church. 

An unoccupied barn lielonging to the Pennfield 
brothers, in Lower Steimey, was used as a shop, in 
which were jjrejiared all the l)uilding materials for the 
church, but it was all consumeil liy fire. The Penn- 
field brothers, upon whom the loss mainly fell, com- 
menced again the erection of the church, which was 
dedicated in July, 1839. Bvv. Geo. Coles preached 
the dedication sermon ; Nathaniel Mead w:us the 
preacher in charge. 

The church, since its formation, has been bles.sed 
with not a few gracious revival seasons. Under the 
labors of Rev. Mr. Mead, during the winter fidlow- 
ing the dedication of the church, there was a great 
revival, which resulted in a large accession to the 1 
mendjership. Li 1842, during the first pastorate of 
Rev. Mr. Stebliens, a revival occurred at Cutler's 
Farms, resulting in a large ingathering. During 
the pastorate of Rev. H. N. Mead, of 1855-56, there j 
was a large accession. Mr. Mead was assisted in the 



* CoiitiibutL'.l l.y Iti-v. r. T. IMallurv. 



revival work by Rev. Elbert (")sborn. There were 
also revivals under l{ev. "Sir. Lovrjoy in 18(i."i, and 
Rev. Mr. Laine in \Xi)[) ; while more or less revival 
infiuenee has attended the labors of all the [lastors. 

In 1850 the parsonage was purcliascil, during the 
pastorate of Rev. L. D. Nickersou, and in 187;!, 
under the pastorate of Rev. D. Osliorn, (piite exten- 
sive repairs were nnide. 

In 1870, under the adnunistration of Rev. D. Nash, 
the (diurch edifice was rejiaireil and very much im- 
prove<l. The church property now consists of a pleas- 
ant and eommoilions house of worship and a neat and 
comfortable parsonage, both free from debt. 

MIXEUAL DEPOSIT. 
The following reference to the mineral deposit in 
Monroe is from Barbor's "Historical Collections" : 

" Monroe is mucli ct'Iebratod for its fxtensive deposit of minerals. 
More than fifteen years siuee, a sliaft was snnk a few feet on tlio farm nf 
Sir. E[iliraim Lane. Tliis revealed a rich variety of interesting mineral 
siiIiBtancos. Ananig them wore tuu{;sten, telhirinm, native Ijismutli, na- 
tive silver, niaynetie ami common iron pyrites, copper pyiites, galena, 
blende, tourmaline, etc. It is greatly to he desired that tliis locality 
should be further explored. Four miles soutli of this spot is a vein of 
tluorspar about two feet in widtli. 

" The vein is nnleli penetrated hy ciuartz, mica, feldspar, and tab-, liut 
it has been hitherto examined only on the surface. It is prim ipally 
massive, and its strut-lure foliated or coarsely granular, but it presents 
well-defined cubical crystals. Its colors vary from white to deeii violet 
and purple, ami are piiucipally various shades of the two latter. But 
tlic most interesting »-ircumstance relating to it is its splendiil pliosplior- 
esceneo. Tlie light emitted wlien it is tlirowu in a darli place upon a 
hot shovel is III'' pan-Ill i-meralil .irrra ; pieces of an inili in diameter be- 
come in a few seconds fully Illuminated, and tin- light is so strong and 
enduring that when carried into a room lighted hy candles or by ditl'uso 
(not direct) light of the sun, they still continue distinctly lumimms, and 
the light dies away very gradually lus the mineral cools. 

" Mr. Lane has also discovered on his land a locality of beryls, some of 
which are very large. Native sulphur luis been found near the surfaco 
of the earth." 

CIVIL HISTORY. 
Tlie first town-meeting was held June 16, 182.3, 
when the following ofticers were elected: Capt. Levi 
Edwards was moderator; Selectmen, Daniel B. Hub- 
bell, Samuel Beardsley, and August Lewis; Town 
Clerk, Samuel Wheeler; Trea.surer, August Lewis; 
Constables, Fred. Nichols, Asa B. Beardsley, Alonzo 
Chapman, Win. Beach, and Roswell Wells; (irand 
Jurors, Wm. Richards and Ceo. L. Sherman ; Tyth- 
ingmen, Nathan Sherman, James Clark, Aliel Haw- 
ley, A. Slierman, and Henry Lane; Haywards, Benj. 
M. French and Andrew Judson ; Sealer of Weights 
and Measures, John Curtis. 

"ro(c<;,That Abel Babbitt's pound be a lawful pound, and that the same 
Abel be Key Keeper of the same," 

"Vulfil, That Philip Ni. hoi's yard be a lawful pound, au.l that Philip 
Nichols be Key keeper." 

"lo/t((, That Kphraim Sherwood's yard be a lawful pound, ami that 
said Kphraim be Key Keeper." 

"Vuled, That swine bo allowed to go at large on the common with a 
good and sufficient ring in the centre of their nose.'' 

REPRESENTATIVES FRO.M iso.i To l.Ssn. 

18'24, Kbonezor Beardsley; 18-2.")-2ll, Cyrus II. Beardsley ; I.S07, Levi Ed- 

wiinlsilKog. Ileni-y I.um : ix-«.l. Agur Lewis; ls:io, Ezra Beardsley ; 

IKSI, Cyrus 11. Beardsley; IsSi, William Wheeler, ,Ir. ; l«:i;i, Levi 

Edwards; Is;,!, Charles Cuitiss; ISI'.r., Levi l-jhvards; \K'A>, Cyrus II. 



434 



HISTORY OK FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



BeardBloy; 1837, Cliorlos Curl i- 1 Muk l.i avonworth ; 1839, 

William Beach; 1840, Roswcll W.IIb; I'^U, Juilaon Curtis; 1842, 
Samuel ('. Beardsleo; 184:1, Agur Cable; 1M4-46, Cynis II. Heards- 
Ice; 1847, Agur Ileardslcy (2(1); 1848, Jameg W. Bcnr.lalcy; 1849, 
David Beach ; 1850, Eli D. lieaidnlee ; 1851, Charles Ulackmnn ; 1852, 
Ephniim Leach ; 18.^>3, Stephen French ; ISfi-l, David Beach ; 18oo, 
Giles 0. Kcclor ; 18S0, Lewis Sherman ; lSr>T, David Wells ; 1858, Wil- 
liam Hubbell; 1859, Charles B.Clarke; 1800, Charles L. Hubbell; 
1861, Waito Clarke; 1862, Burr Wheeler; 1863, I'rcsUm D. Peck; 
1864, Judson Curtis; 18&'., D. F. Whitlock ; 18GU, C. L. Bnstwick ; 
1867, Charles W. Curtiss ; 18(.S, Willis Turner; 1809, Kli D. Beurds- 
loy; 1870, Burr lEawley; 1871, James C. Johnson; 1872, William II. 
Curtiss; 1873, John Powell; 1874, Frederick W. Whoolor; 1875, 
David Warner; 1870, Ileury C. Biker; 1877, Lucius D. Lane; 1878- 
79, Charles B. Wheeler; 1880, Kdwavd M. Beardsloy. 

MII.ITAUY KECOKD. 

From records in the mljutant-generars office the 

following list is taken : 

FIRST CAVALKY. 

Comimny D. 
John Davis, en!. Dec. 1, 1861 ; must, out Aug. 2, 1805. 

Compajty H. 
J. 51. Turney, enl. Nov. 25, 1803; must, out Oct. 2, 1865. 

Company L. 
V. Foley, enl. Dec. 2, 18c;4 ; must, out Oct. 2, 1805. 
William Brown, enl. Nov. 28, 1804. 
J. Burke, enl. Dec. 12, 1804. 
Bobert Lee, enl. Nov. 28, 1804. 
Thomas O'Neil, enl. Dec. 12, 1804 ; disch. Jan. 9, 1866. 

MISCF.LLANEOUS. 
William Riley, Co. C, Ist Art. ; enl. Dec. 12, 1804. 
G. A. Moses, Co. G, 10th Begl.; enl. Nov. 1804; must, out Juno 0, ISO,'.. 
C. Ilolmes, Co. C, 11th Itegt.; enl. Slarch 24, 1864; must, out Dec. 21, 

1805. 
George Sherman, Co. B, 13th Regt. ; enl. Feb. 1, 1862 ; disch. July S, 1862. 
John Lewis, 11th Regt.; enl. Dec. 9, 1864. 

M. Pryor, Co. A, 15th Regt. ; enl. Dec. 1, 1804 ; must, out July 20, 1805. 
James Cook, Co. A, 15th Kegt. ; onl. Dec. 1,1864; must, out July 20, 

1805. 
Thomas P. King, Co. H, 15th Begt.; enl. Nov. 30, 1804; must, out Dec. 

13, 1805. 
William Riley, Co. K, 13th Kegt. ; enl. Feb. 22, 1861 ; died Juno 8, 1865. 
John Dunn, Co. C, 6th Kegt. ; enl. Doc. 1, 1864. 
James Ryan, Co. C, 5th Regt,; enl. Nov. 29, 1864. 

J. P. Tonilinson, Co. A, 8th Begt.; enl. Sept 27, 1861; transferred to In- 
valid Corps, July 1, 1863. 
Cliarles Holmes, Co. C, 11th Regt.; enl. March 24, 1801 ; nuist. out Dec. 

21, 1805. 
6. Knowlca, Co. C, lltli Regt. ; onl. Nov. 29, 1864. 
11. A. Smith, Go. A, 8th Regt. ; enl. Oct. 1, 1801 ; disch. Nov. 25, 1861. 
H. Lake, Co. A, 8tll Regt.; enl. Sept. 2i, 1801 ; diach. Feb. 5, 1802. 
A. Lcnvouworth, Co. D, 17th Regt.; enl. Aug. II, 1802 ; disch. Fob. 19, 

1804. 
Edward Nichols, Co. D, 17lh Regt.; enl. Aug. 7, 1802; must, out July 19, 

1805. 
H. n. Nichols, Co. D, 17th Regt. ; onl. Aug. 9, 1862 ; transferred to In- 
valid Corps; disch. July 1, 1805. 
Ira Peufleld, Co. D, I7th Regt.; enl. Aug. II, 1862; must out July 19, 

1806. 
W.R.Smith, Co. D, 17th Regt; enl. Aug. 8,1862; must out July 19, 

180.'.. 
John B. Waylan, Co. 1>, 17th Begt; enl. Aug. 8,1802; disch. Oct 8,1803. 
W. Mall.iy, Co. E, 10th Regt.; enl. Dec. 15, 1804; must out Oct. 25, '05. 
J. W. Froucli, Co. A, 14th Regt.; onl. A\ig. 11, 1802; must out Jlay 31, 

1865. 
R. W. Whltcomb, Co. A, 14tli Rogt.; onl. Juno 9, 1802 ; miut out March 

1, 1863. 
William Winn, Co. A, 14th Rogt. ; enl. Dec. 12, 18('>4 ; must out July 20, 

1865. W 

W. II. Adam^ Co. D, 17th Itogt.; onl. Aug. 8, 1862; discli. March 13, '03. 
J. )1. Saylor, Co. D, I7th Rogt. ; onl. Aug. 6, 1862; disch. Doc. 23, 1862. 
W. r. Bnulloy, Co. D, 17th Regt; onl. Aug. 11, 1802; killed July 1,1863. 



J. W. Booth, Co. D, nth Bogt. ; enl. Aug. 11, 1862 j must, out July 14, 

1865. 
W. S. Clark, Co. D, 17th Regt ; onl. Aug. 7, 1862 ; died May 2, 1863. 
J. W. Clark, Co. D, 17th Begt. ; enl. Aug. 8, 1862 ; disch. June 21, 1864. 
Eugene Hubbell, Co. D, 17th Rogt.; onl. Aug. 11,1802; diseh. Fob. 2> 

1863. 
G. B. Johnson, Co. G, 23d Regt. ; enl. Sept 8, 1802 ; died July 4, 1883. 
P. Pamieleo, Co. G, 23d Regt; cnl. Aug. 27, 1802; disch. Aug. 31,1803. 
W. H. Wheeler, Co. G, 2;!d Regt; enl. Aug. 29, 1862. 
J. N. Wheeler, Co G, 23d Regt; enl. Sept 2,1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
C. K. Lyon, Co. 1), 7th Regt. ; onl. Sept. 6, 1861 ; must, out July 20, 180S. 
A. Downs. Co. K, 2d Regt.; cul. Jan. 5, 1804; died Sept 18, 1804. 
J. II. Taylor, Co. 11, 2d Regt. ; enl. Jan. 2, 1864; must, out Aug. 18, 1865. 
H. D. Burr, Co. H, 2d Kegt j enl. Jan. 2, 1864 ; must out Aug. 18, 1865. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

CHARLES B. WHEELER, 

son of Eli and Cyntlia (Banks) Wlieelcr, was born in 
the town of Ka.ston (formerly We.stoii), Fairfield Co., 
Conn., April 11, 1821. His father wsis a farmer in 
Ea.ston, married CVntha Banks, and had a family of 
seven children, of whom Charles B. is the thinl. He 
died at the age of fifty years. 

Charles B. remained at liome, working at farming 
summers and attending the common school winters, 
until he was sixteen years of age, when he commenced 
to learn the boot-and-shoe business, which he has fol- 
lowed more or less ever since. In 1851 he began to 
matiufacture for himself, and during our great civil 
war manufactured boots and shoes for tlie United 
States army, and had in his employ about seventy-five 
men. He is still engaged in the boot-and-shoe trade. 

In polities he is an uncompromising Republican, 
and as such is the leader of his party in his town, 
lie has twice been a member of the State Legislature, 
being the first Hei)ublican representative ever elected 
in Monroe, one term of which he was chairman of the 
committee on federal relations. In 1870 he was selected 
by the Legislature to be a commissioner of Fairfield 
County fi)r the three years ensuing. He has been a 
selectman of Monroe, collector of the town taxe.s for 
twelve years, commissioner by appointment by the Su- 
l>reme Court, ch:iirman of the Republican committee 
of the town for a number of years, lieside.s othej- town 
offices. He was a candidate for the Stjite Senate in 
1872, and though defeated he ran far ahead of his 
ticket in many towns. He is a prominent member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and lias held 
various offices therein. He married I'annclia, daugh- 
ter of Elam Beard, Nov. li>, 18.'>1, and at the present 
time is living in Upper Stepney, town of Monroe, 
where he settled Sept. 5, 18.50. 

The Wheeler family is one of theolde.st in this part 
of the county, having settled in Fairfield County with 
the first colonists. The innther of .Mr. Wheeler is 
still living, and is in good health, at the advanced age 
of eighty-six yejirs. She resides with her son Ezra B, 




'^^^'^^^f^,' ^ 






/l^^/^t/^^^^rO-^y^ 



^ 



MONROE. 



435 




FREDERICK W. WIIEEM-:!;. 

Intimatply coniicctcl with the early sfttlemciit ami 
development of Fairfield Co., Conn'., inav lie Iniind 
the name of Wheeler, from wlmm have' ileseemled 
some of the best citizens of the eonnty <,r .State. 

Frederick W.Wheeler is the only si,ii of Ch^umcey 
Wheeler and Laura .T. Lum, and was horn in the town 
of Jlonroe.Conn., in Au.ijust, 1841, at the "ol,l home- 
stead," whieli has been in the family for five jrenera- 
tions. "His great-frrandfather was named .losejdi 
Wheeler, his .trran.lfather William Wlu^eler. and his 
father Chauncey (who died April 2i), IXSll. n-e.l sev- 
enty-six), all of whom were industrinus men and is,„h\ 
citizen.s, and left the best of legacies, • a good nan'.,..' " 
His advantages for an edm-afion were su<di as the 
common schools of his town atlorded, which he dili- 
gently improved. At an early age he engaged in 
business, dealing in horses and cattle, which, achl.Ml to 
farming, constitutes his chief business at prcs,.nt. 
He i.s one of the leading agriculturists in the town, 
and his judgment is often sought in matters ,,f busi- 
ness. 

Very early in life >rr. Wheeler took an active part 
1" piditical nmttcrs, being b.ith by choice and iidicrit- 
ance a Jert'ersonian Democrat. He- was elected in 
18t)(j to the otiice of selectman, and continued in that 
position for five consecutive years. Jn 1.S7l' h,. was 
elected town clerk, and hehl tl'iat jM,siti„M nutil Is?!! 



In 1874 he was chosi^i to represent his f<jwn in the 
State Legislature, where, by his genial disposition, 
rare integrity of character, and sound judgment, he 
made many warm friends. 

He is a member of St. Peter's Eiiisco])al Churcli of 
Monroe, and has been warden for several vears. 

Li ISdl he married KstcUe E. Brew.ster, a lineal de- 
scendant of the •• :\raytlowcr" pilgrim, and five chil- 
dren are the fiuit of this h.'ipjiv union. 



PIl. E. M. BEARD.'^LET, 
(inly sun of Samuel ]!. and .Vbigail Mel^wen, was born 
in Danliury, Conn., jMarch 5, 18:^8. He is a lineal 
desci'udant of Samuel li<'ardsley, who was born at 
Stratforil, Conn., .lune I'll. 1718. He was a farmer in 
Stratlbrd. He married Anna French. They had a 
large family of sons and one daughter. He died 
dune L'(», 17;mi. 

One of his sons was named Samucd, who was born 
in Monroe, Conn., May 14, 1700. Like his father, 
he was a fanner. He married JMicIk-, .hnight.M- of 
Sihis Curtis. She' was born .Ian. Ill, 17(17, and died 
in ixri7. He was a soldier in the Revoluticuiary war, 
and was several times u representative to (he State 
Legislature. He was nuigistrate and selectman of 
his town for a great nniny years. He and liis wife 
were esteemed members of the Coi]gregational Church 



436 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



of Monroe. He died July 20, 1836, aged seventy-six 
years. Tlicy had six cliildren, viz., — Silas C, Elisha, 
Agur, Samuel B., Xancy, and Maria. Sila-s C. was a 
farmer, and died at seventy-six. Elisha was a farmer, 
and died at seventy-eight. Agur was a farmer in Mon- 
roe, and died at eighty-one. 

Samuel B., the father of Dr. Kdward M., wa.s born 
in Monroe, Jan. 22, 1795, graduated from Yale Col- 
lege in 181.5, and followed the noble profession of 
teaching for more than forty-seven years. He taught 
at Snow Hill, Md., from 1815 to 1819, then in 
Bridgejiort for many years ; then he went to Danbnry, 
Conn., and taught several years, then returned to 
Monroe and taught a .select school until ISOl. He 
was a very successful teacher, as hundreds of his pupils 
will attest. He was, as his fathers before him, a Jef- 
fersonian Democrat until the repeal of the Mi.s.souri 
Compromise, when he became a staunch Whig, and 
later a Kei)ublican. He married Abigail, daughter 
of Lemuel JIcEwen, Feb. 20, 1819. 

They have two cliildren, — viz., Edward M. and 
Elma A., who married John G. Stevens, now of Mon- 
roe, Conn. 

Mrs. Beardsley was born in Monroe, formerly New 
Stratford, Feb. 27, 1798. She is still hale and hearty 
and living with her son Edward M. Samuel B. died 
Sept. 17, 1S7;{. 

Dr. E. M. Beardsley was educated by his father, 
and graduated from the Y'ale Medical College in 
1844. During the time he wa.s getting his education 
he was an assistant teacher to his father, and in that 
capacity made nuiny warm friends. Soon after iiis 
graduation he was engaged in the drug business for 
some two and a half years in New Haven, when he 
returned to Monroe and followed the profession of 
teaching and the practice of medicine until 1861, 
since which time he has devoted himself to his pro- 
fession. His practice has been very extensive, reach- 
ing far into the adjoining towns, and many are the 
families in >[onroe and elsewhere that look to him 
with gratitude for his wise and timely aid. 

Of late he has retired from the active duties of his 
profession and devotes himself to agriculture. In 
politics he has always been a staunch Republican, 
but has never taken an active part in politics. In 
the fall of 1879 he was elected by the Rejiublicans 
of his town to the State Legislature. He served as a 
member of the committee on foreign relations. He 
married Elizabeth A., daughter of David O. Gray, 
of Jlonroe, .Vpril 22, 18,55. They have seven chil- 
dren, — viz., Samuel B., Kdwanl (i., Charles M., Sarah 
A., Louis B., Elizabeth A., and Mary L. 



JAMES C. JOHXSON. 

The subject of this sketch is the only son and eldest 

child of Albert and Mary L. (Wlicelerl Johnson, and 

was born in the town of Newtown, Fairlield Co., 

Conn., Dec. 8, 1833. His father was a son of Jo.seph 



W. Johnson, and w;i- Imrn in Newtown, Conn., 
March, 1798, and died at his residence in the town of 
Monroe, Fairfield Co., Conn., on the 14th of Febru- 
ary, 1871. He was a farmer and cooper by trade, a 
ma?i universally respected by those who knew him. 
In ]iolitics a Democrat, and in religion he and his 
wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. He married Mary L. AV'heeler, and to them 
were born three children, — viz., James C, Mary J., 
and Huldah F. Mrs. John.son still resides on the 
"old homestead" with her daughter, Mrs. Huldah 
F. Edwards. 

James C. Johnson was reared on the farm, and 
early learned those principles which have been the 
chief characteristics of his life. His advantages for 
an education were confined to the common schools of 
his town, except a few terms spent at an academy. 
During the time spent in obtaining his education he 
worked on the farm and in his father's cooper-shop 
summers, and went to school winters. He taught 
school two winters, and now recalls with pleasure the 
time thus spent. 

On the 26th of September, 1855, he married Mari- 
etta C, daughter of Miles and Eh>isa Beardsley, of 
Trumbull, Conn. She was born in Trumbull, Conn., 
June 8, 18,'?4, They have four children, — viz.. Miles 
B., Mary E., Seymour .!., and Merwin W. 

Mr. Johnson purchased his present farm of one 
hundred and thirty acres in 1856, built his house in 
the summer of 1857, and in September of that year 
settled where he has continued to reside, and where 
his children have been born. He has made nearly 
all the im])rovements on his farm, and is to-day re- 
garded one of the best men and farmers in this town. 
He is a man well proportioned, about six feet in 
height, and will weigh about two hundred pounds. 
He possesses great force of character and a vast 
amount of energy. Physically he has not his .supe- 
rior in the town, and probably no man of his years in 
the town or county has done more hard manual labor. 
He enjoys the respect and confidence of his fellow- 
townsmen, and he is generally regarded one of the 
leading men in the town. He is one of the leading 
Demr)crats of his town, and as such luis been con- 
stable, magistrate, assessor, and a member of the State 
Legislature in 1S71. Mr. and Mrs. John.son are mem- 
bers of the Congregational Church of Monroe Centre, 
and he is one of the liberal sui>porters of the same. 
Very little is known of his early ancestors in this 
country, but it is well known that President Andrew 
Johnson atiil Hon. Jxs. E. Johnson are descendants 
of the same Johnson in this country. 




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NEW CAXAAX. 



437 



CTTAPTER XLTT. 

NEW CANAAN. 

THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS.— TIIK OLI> I'AKISII. 

Geofc'iupliical— Tojiograpliiciil— Tilt' FiisI S.ttl.iii<nts— Organi/atii.n of 
•'Canaan Parisli"— Tlit' rinnreis— Tlif 1-iist Mtfting-Hnusn— The 
rriniitivt- Dw.-llings— Rpvnluiiuitaiy lTici*kMit— " Yi' OM Training- 
Days"— Slavery— Tlie Whipping-Pust an.l Stu.ks- ri..nfer Moirliaiits 
— Early Physicians — Iinlustrial Purf^uits — Pm.t and SIh-l- Jlamit'ac- 
tiiring, Ktc. 

Tin: st'ttU'inent of X'cw ('anaaii was (Inul)tli'ss 
comnienceJ soon after the year 170(1 l)y inlialiitants 
of Stamford and Xorwalk, and the iiaincs of the ad- 
venturous settlers may be found in tlic history of 
those towns elsewhere in this work, as it farmed a 
jiortiou of the old parishes until its ineorporatiou. in 

i7;n. 

New Canaan is fu-st noticed in the Stainf<.)rd reeords 
asadistinet parish Dec. X, 17o0, when John Houton and 
others ask liberty of moving out of town to join with 
a part of Norwalk in order to lie a sn<-iety. The per- 
mission, however, was not granted; yet in the Ibllow- 
inir year, under date Decend)er 14th, Ebenezer Heeley 
and Nathaniel Ronton are appointed tythin^nieu for 
the new society. In the followin;j: year, 1702, Ebenezer 
8eeley ami J<tlin Houton are elmsrn tyihim:nn.'ii for 
" Canaan Parish." 

At a town-meeting in Stamford, held I)ee. 27, 1733, 
it was voted that "the town agree that there shall be 
a eommittee chosen to agree with those nu'ii that have 
land lying where it may be thought needful for a 
highway for the convenience of Canaan ])arish to go 
to meeting, and to lay it out wlure tiicy think it 
may be most convenient." 

The first meeting of the New (.'anaan socii'ty was 
held July 1, ]7'51, with Jnhn Houton moderator and 
John Betts, Sr.. rlrrk. Tiie following is a list of the 
Stamford settlers in New Canaan as appear in 17o2: 
John, Nathaniel, Daniel, Eleazer, ami John Houton, 
Jr., John Davenport. John Finrh, Nathaniel Green, 
James Hoyt, Job H<»yt. Joshua Hoyt, Eliphalet 
Slason, Eliphalet and Ebenezer Seeluy, Tlios. Tal- 
madge, David Stevens, and David Waterliury. 

The late Prof. Samuel St. John says, — 

"The next year there were forty-seven moinliei-s,— thirty on the Nor- 
walk and seventeen on the Stamford side. The first question discussed 
by lliern was the expedieuey of building a meeting-house for the pnhtii: 
Worship uf God. Decided in the attirmative, twenty-four to uiie. They 
were unable to agree upon the place where the building should be erected, 
and they appointed a suitable pei^oii to represent tliein in the General 
Court to be lield in October, to request the Hon. Assembly to appoint a 
committee to fix a placr for the liuuse. It Wiis deci(ieil that the liouse 
fihould be bviilt at the Iowi.t end uf Haines' Kidge, tlie house t.i be thirty 
feet square and of a lieigbt suitable for one tier of galleries. \ building 
committee was appointed, who were either to let out the worlv ' by tlie 
great' or hire men by the day. They levied a tjix of ten pinco on tlie 
pound in the list. Then follows a list of niembera, with their assess- 
ments. In February, 17;J2, they appointed a committee t>^ make applica- 
tion to the reverend eldore of the county for advice and direction in order 
to the calling and settlement of a minister. They were directed to Kev. 
John Eells, of Milford, wIkj preached among tliem nine montlis on pro- 
bation, and in June, i;;i:i, was settled among them as their minister, re- 
siding on Clapboard Hills. After this time the society's meetings were 



devoted to such business as devolves upon it at tlie present day, with sev- 
eral items which are now managed by the town, such as taking char':r of 
the schools, laying out highways, etc. Their meetings were commonly 
wanu'd to be lield at 'sun two lioiiis high at night.' Clocks and watches 
«ere probably not common, and wc find an appropriation of two shil- 
lings nine pence to Imy an hour-glass. 

*'At this time all inhabitants of the parisli were members, and were 
taxed for its support; it is not strange that soiui.- should have bcL-n restive 
and souglit relief. One membi-r petitioned the Legislature tntliat effect, 
Iiut met there a committee fiom the society, wlio succcsslnlly opposed 
the petition. They assessed tlieniselves as high as nim.-tc.-n iii-in'_' nn the 
I'ound. and collected it by 'stress' if necessai'y. 

"The building of the meeting-house wxs a severe draught on their 
slender rc-siourci-s. As the expunsrs of the society were defiaynl by tax, 
the seats were connnon property, but the society was accustomed to 'seat 
the nieeting-house.'as it was termed, according to ' rate ami ilignity.' By 
Vote, thry gave Rev. Mr. Eells the seat next to the pulpit, on the women's 
side. Similar seatings vf the meeting-house appear in the records of 
stanilnid and Xoiwalk. It was the custom to appoint some person to 
'set the p^alm. " 

SINCING ]!Y RULE. 

" In lT;'.;t tliey voted to 'sing by rule,' or that which is called the new 
jr,i// ' in the congiegation." Hunting tun says this change from the old to 
the new way of singing had been introduced in 1721. Theeight or nine 
tunes brought ovei" by tlie pioru>ers * bad Iiecome barbarously perverteil,' 
and the Rev. Thomas Walter, of Roxbury, Mass., cumposer, in that year 
pnblislied ' Tlie Grounds and Rules of Mufic Exi)lained, or an introduc- 
tion t.. the Arte of singing by Note.' Tlie bouk contained twenty-four 
tunes harmonized in three parts. 

" After six yeai's' ' experience' {as it was termed) witli ^Ir. Eells, some 
began to bo di^sati.•^fied, ami in IV-ln the society appointed n cunnniltee to 
acquaint Jlr. Eells and see if he would give his enu^ent to have a vote 
tried to see wlio is easy ami who is ntieaxtj with him. The test showed 
twenty-four UHeaxt/. In 1741, Mr. Eells was dismissed. Tradition assigns 
to him .ability, learidng, and piety, together with certain eccentricitiea 
deemed inconsistent in a minister of the gospel. lie continued to reside 
here until his death, in 17So. 

" The society pioceeded promptly to fill his phu;o. The Rev. Robert 
Silliman was ordained February, 174i;. 

TIIE ANCIENT MEETIi\G-II0U8E. 

" Pining his ministry there was sucli increase in the congregation as 
to require an addition to the meeting-house eleven feet on each end and 
twelve feet on the south side. They also built a society -house north of 
tlie meeting-house, twenty-one by sixteen feet, with seven-foot posts. 
This Wiis probably to accnuiniodate thuse who came to meeting from a 
distance, and was furnished with a fireplace, where they might spend 
the time between services, the meeting-house being witliout any device 
for heating. 

" In 17.^0 tlie society resolves to build a new meeting-house, fifty feet by 
forty, with one tier of galleries and turret (belfry). This stnicture was 
so far arlvanced us to be deemed fit for use in 175'J, though the galleries 
were n"t made until 17>^7. In 17'.t7 the turret was completed and the 
first bell obtained, wlucti was to be rung not only on the Sabbath, but 
alsii at nine o'clock every evening excejit Saturday. The new house was 
built a short distance no it h of the old one and about one hundred and 
fifty feet southeast of tins ])iesent building. For ninety yeais it was in 
constant use as a place of woi-ship. Every Sabbath, Thanksgiving, and 
fast-ilay itscnirts were well filled with dev.mtwoishipers, and the memory 
of the old meeting-house will ever be hallowed. It WEis built in the style 
quite comninn in tliat <lay, precisely like the one then in Stamford, except 
that the latter had a spire that rose from the ground. Opening the double 
donrs, on the south side, we entered an area of small square pews, whose 
flours were elevated about eight inches above the lloor of the central por- 
tion of the room. This latter w;is at first filled with slips on each side 
(if the centre or broud aisle leading up to the pulpit. A narrow aisle 
pjissed quite around these slips, furnishing access to the pews which oc- 
cupii'd the entire walls except where the f/oo?s on tlie east, the south, 
and the west sides, the stuirs leading to the galleries at tlin corners, and 
the imli}it at the centre of the imrth side, occupied the space. The slii)3 
in the centre were afterwards (in 180?ij converted into square pews. The 
galleries were deep, filled with square [lews along tlie south wall, and else- 
where with the long slips. The choir was rangeil along the front, and 
sometimes extended nearly the entire length of the galleries, the bsiss on 
the west, tlie trebin on the east, and the tenor, tir ' counter,' with the 
leader on the south. Tin- iiuljiit wxs ii hexaycmil structure, placed upon 



438 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



a pillar, about eight feet above the floor, and reached by a flight of stairs ; 
it was neatly finished and puinted white. Almve it was 8UB]>endcd a 
canopy or sounding-board, hexagonal in shape, ubont seven feet aliove 
the floor cf tlie pulpit, with a screw at the top of tlie iron rod supporting 
it, so that its lieight uiigtit be adjusted to tlio proper distance for reflec- 
tion of tlie sound. Tlio armngcnient was indeed stiff and awliward, and 
was often severely criticised. 1 remember liearing one clergyman — a 
man of large size — remark that he would as soon get into a hogshead 
and preach from the bung. The deacons' seat was directly bonoath the 
pulpit, access to it being had througli the minister's i>ew. 

" To resume the historj' of the palish : When their minister, Mr. Silli- 
man, had served them a quarter of a century, some uneaaiiitM began to 
manifest itself. A vole in .\pril, 176H, showed foi-ty.si.\ ' easy' and thirty- 
seven 'uneasy' with him, but nut long after they voteil. twenty-four to 
fifteen, that they would employ Mr. .Sillinnin no longer. Mr. Sillininn 
api>ealed to the General As-sembly ot Hartford, and the society appeared 
there by their representative. The Legislature sent a committee to see 
how peace could bo restored, who advised Mr. Silliman to ask for a dis- 
missal, and in June, 1772, ho was dismissed. 

" In the succeeding winter Mr. William Dnimmond, born and educated 
in Scotland, was settled us minister. He remained five years, and was 
succeeded by Rev. Justus Mitchell, who by his scholarship and devotion 
to his calling and to the cause of educatiiui secured the prosperity of the 
entire community and gave the parish a deslniblo fame throughout the 
State, A spirit of toleration manifested itself, and tho records show 
many instances of the release of persons, who preferred other modes of 
worehip, from their resiwnsibililies to this society. The pews were 
rented t*) defray expenses and relieve from ta.\ution. Mr. Mitchell died 
In ISOC." 

TllK I'RIMITIVE DAVELLINGS. 

Amonji the first hoiise.s erecteil williiii the present 
liinit.s of this tdwn were a few rudely-eonstrueted 
buikliiigs, on what is now known us "Claphoard 
Hills." Several of the first lioiises were also built at 
" Canoe-Hill." Following more closely the western 
slope of the river, a cluster of houses was built on the 
upper part of Haines' Ri<l<^e, among whieh were the 
old residences of Col. Enoch St. John, Elnathan 
Lockwood, Mr. Moses Comstoek, Mr. Uriah Reed, 
and Mr. Aaron Comstoek. Three of these have been 
demolished and one so remodeled as not to appear like 
an old house, while one remaiu.s essentially uuehanged 
in aspect. 

The settlers from Stamford followed similarly the 
course of the Noroton River, as also, still further west, 
that of Mill River. A single .style of arehileeture 
was almost universal, not only here but throughout 
New England, in those days. The house was of two 
stories in front, jiresenting two eligible chambers, 
while the rear roof sloped off to the height of seven 
or eight feet from the ground. \ ma.«si ve stone chim- 
ney Wits in the centre, with its huge fire|)lace admit- 
ting baek-logs and foro-stieks four feet long, and still 
furnishing warming-room within its jambs for all the 
children. Here was tlie jionderous crane with its as- 
sortment of trammels of varying lengths for pots and 
kettles, the iron andirons, tongs, and peel with its 
handle four feet long, terminating in a large hemi- 
spherical knob (this was used for cleaning out the 
coals from the brick oven, which occupied a |>art of 
the deep recesses of the old chimney), the .spider, the 
skillet, the griddle, — all over the open fire. No pro- 
saic, economical cooking-stove or range had yet made 
its appearance. 

The rooms of these old-time houses were ranged 



around the chimney, — the keeping-room and parlor, 
on either side in front, the latter with its beaufet dis- 
l)laying the glittering pewter plates and platters and 
a slender a.ssortment of china cups and saucers ; the 
kitchen in the rear, with bed-rooms on either side; 
the hall in front, witli winding stairs leading to cham- 
bers above. The.se all eoiiimunieated by doors, so that 
on festal occa.sions, in families moulded not according 
to the strictest sect of the Puritans, this arrangement 
furnished ample scope for merry games and dancing. 

INCIDENT OF TUE REVOLUTION. 
The following incident was related to the late Dr. 
Edwin Hall, of Norwalk, by Miss I'liebe Comstoek, 
who lived at Canoe Hill during the Revolution. She 
used to go over to her uncle's and climb an apple- 
tree from which Norwalk could be seen distinctly. 
Went to meeting at New Canaan. In ciises of alarm, 
whieh was given by firing three guns in succession, 
tlie men left all and hastened to the parade. Such 
alarms often came. Her father would run in and .say, 
"Now, girls, unyoke the o.xeu and turn them out," 
and in less than five minutes would be oflf to the pa- 
rade. They used to carry their guns to meeting : no 
more thouglit of going to meeting then without their 
guns than we do now without our psalm-books. "They 
never had an alarm without repairing to the parade; 
and they did not go slow, neither." The alarm at the 
burning of Norwalk came al)out daybreak. Went to 
the apple-tree ; saw the (lames ; heard the guns. Her 
father and four brothers were engaged in the defense; 
the " dreailfullest day she ever saw ;" the guns kept 
firing a long time ; " a dreadful fight." She saw the 
" red-coats" take up several of their dead or wounded 
and carry them to their boats ; saw the steeple of the 
meeting-house fall in. 

TUAI.NI.NG DAYS. 

The first Mondays of May and Sei)tember were by 
statute training-days, and every able-bodied man of 
a certain age was required to appear for inspection 
and drill. At ten o'clock they assembled on tho 
" parade-ground," which wius an open field given to 
the town for this purpose. The commanding officer 
sent his eompliiiieiit.s to the minister, with a recpie.st 
that he would favor them with his presence, which 
he did, antl opened the exercises with prayer. Soon 
after they adjourned for dinner. There were two 
companies,^-onc uniformed, called the grenadiers, 
the other the militia. The music was fife and drum, 
and when, after wondrous evolutions, they marched 
down the ridge to the meeting-house hill, the martial 
ardor of the boys wius at boiling-point. 

The Thank.sgivings were much like those of the 
present day, exce|)t that the house of God was well 
filled and the Thanksgiving anthem fell upon en- 
chanted ears. The public exercises began with the 
reading of the (iovernor's iiroclamation. (It had bcea 
read two successive Sundays before.) It was an awe« 



NEW CANAAN. 



439 



inspiring doi-iuuent, especially as it eldsed witli the 
ominous injunction, "All servile labor ami vain rec- 
reation are on said day by law forliidden." After 
tlie service the reunited families gathered round 
tables loaded with a bewildering multiplicity of dishes, 
among which roast turkey and pumjikin-pie held their 
long-established pre-eminence. There, amid repre- 
sentatives of three or perhaps four generations, this 
family festival held high carnival. Long may it keej) 
its power to recall the sons and daughters of New > 
England to the old homesteads. j 

SLAVERY. 
Many of the early families were owners of slaves, 
and when the Emancipation Act was i)assed by the 
State, only those liorn after a certain date were ex- 
empted, leaving the others still under the ban of this 
hated bondage. 

THE AVniPPING-POST AND STOCKS. 
This evidence of civilization stood at the angle of 
the road, southeast of the Congregational church, and 
here the strong arm of the law administered the re- 
quisite number of lashes to the luckless wight who 
chanced to fall a victim to its degrading punisliment. 

EARLY MERCHANTS. 
One of the earliest merchants was 8anuiel 8t. John, 
in a building which stood near the Congregational 
church. Other early tradesmen were Nathan f^eeley, 
Husted i*t Hoyt, Nash & Hnyt, Raymond iS: Com- 
stock, etc. 

PHYSICIANS. 

Among tlie ]iioneer physicians were Daniel Ron- 
ton, Josejih Silliman, S. S. Noyes, and Lewis Rich- 
ly ards. The latter was in active practice about fifty 
years, and Dr. Noyes about sixty years, when he died 
at an advanced age. The present physicians are 
Theodore Roberts and W. G. Brownson (homir'op.ath- 
ists). 

INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS. 
"The occupations of the early inhabitants of New 
Canaan were purely agricultural, with artisans enough 
barely to supjily their own wants. The tailors and 
mantuamakers, and even shoemakers, were accus- 
tomed to circulate through the town semi-annually, 
making up the requisite wardrobes of the families. 
The farmers were exceedingly patient, hard-working 
' men ; their farms reipiired clearing not only of trees 
and bushes, but of the numerous stones which in this 
diluvial soil almost covered the face of the earth. To 
dispose of these stones, they built walls inclosing 
small fields. They raised wheat (until the Hessian 
fly destroyed that crop), rye, corn, oats, and jjotatoes. 
Timothy or herd-grass was introduced at a compara- 
tively late period. Their hay consisted of the harsh, 
low meadow-grass and the natural grasses of the up- 
lands near their barns. The great problem with 
' j them was, how to winter their stock. They supple- 
mented their tender sui)ply of hay with cornstalks and 



husks and oat-straw. Their stock in the spring were 
emaciated, and many of them died of " horn distem- 
per," which generally meant starvation. The old 
wooden plow was a rough, heavy, clumsy instrument, 
and I remember hearing discussions among the work- 
men on the probability of the introduction of an iron 
plow which was then in use in the West of that day, — 
that is, Central and Western New York. I rejoice in 
having lived to see the toils of the husbandman re- 
lieved by the steel plow, the tooth-harrow, the horso- 
rake, the mower and reaper, and other machines 
which iKjt only lighten labor, but make it moi'e etJi- 
eient. Nor will we forget the spinning-jennies, 
power-looms, and sewing-machines which relieve the 
women of the present day from that incessant hard 
labor which in the case of their grandmothers, to- 
gether with the inevitable care of the household, 
crushed their physical energies and suppressed every 
rising aspiration for intellectual and a'sthetic culture. 
Let the spinning-wheels, large and small, go to grace 
the elegant parlors of New York — and I would 
that they were gifted with speech I — to portray the 
scenes of unrepining toil enacted at their sides in days 
gone by ; and perhaps gentlemen might profit by a 
jilnw or Hail of the olden time in their offices." 

BOOT- AND SHOE-MANUFACTURING. 
But there came a time when the enterprise of 
New Canaan was turned in the direction of manufac- 
turing boots and shoes. The town was dotted over 
i with little shops and ranked among the foremost in 
that manufacture. " Niles' Register," giving an ac- 
count of the town in 1818, states that fifty thousand 
pairs of boots and shoes were annually sent out. 

The following are now engaged in this business: 
Benedict & Co., J. F. Bliss & Co., George Lockwood, 
.T. & T. W. Benedict, H. A. Pinney, W. G. Webb & 

Co. 

Bniediet d' Co. — This firm is a successor of Benedict, 
Hall ct Co., and has a reputation second to none in 
the country for the manufacture of a good quality of 
goods. 

J. ct- T. W. Benedid. — The business of which this 
firm are the lineal successors was commenced in 
about the year 1779 or 1780 by James Benedict, in a 
small way in a shoj) attached to his dwelling. 

There, with a nundjcr of apprentices, he made shoes 
for the New York market. In those days there were 
only about four ditferent styles made, whereas now it 
would be impossible for any one to find out the num- 
ber. James Benedict was in course of time succeeded 
by his son, Caleb Benedict, who in turn was followed 
by his sou, C. S. Benedict, who in turn was followed 
by his sons, the present firm of J. & T. W. Benedict. 
This is a representative institution of the town. 

Prominent among the obsolete concerns was that of 
Ebenezer Ayres, who was a large manufacturer in 
1820, and was finally succeeded liy his son, Hebron L, 



440 



HISTORY OF rAIIlFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Jarcd and Amos Ayres, brothers of Ebenezer, were also 
early manufacturers. 

CLOTHING MANUFACTURERS. 

JI. B. Rogers &■ Co. — This business was established 
about twenty years ago in a small way, in connection 
with a country store, by Comstnck, Kugcrs & Co., and 
was continued by that firm until within a few years, 
when it passed into the hands of the present firm. 
This is a large establishment, and justly merits its 
present success. 

George Lockwood commenced business in about 
1840. Tlie firms of .1. F. Bliss & Co. (J. F. Bliss, 
Stephen Bishop, James Fairty), AVilliam G. Webb & 
Co., and H. A. Finney, although not among the old- 
est established in New Canaan, are mostly represent- 
atives of the shoe-manufacturing business. 

THE NEW CANAAN NURSERIES. 

The New Canaan Nurseries were established in 
1848 by Stephen Hoyt, of New Canaan, and D. C. 
Scofield, of New York. In 1 .Sf)*;, StcjOicn Hoyt bought 
out I). C. Scofield. He then took his two sons, James 
and Edwin, into tlie business, and increased the busi- 
ness until over one hundred acres were covered with 
nursery stock. This nursery is, and has been for 
many years, the largest in New England, and, in fact, 
east of Syracuse, N. Y. 

The nursery has no specialties, but grows a general 
assortment of fruit, forest, and ornamental trees. The 
plantings for a few years past have been about one hun- 
dred thousand apple-trees, ten thousand to fifteen 
thousand cherry-trees, twenty thousand i>ear-trees, 
one hundred thousand to one hundred and fifty 
thousand peach-trees, one Imndrcd thousand, or over, 
currants, and strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, 
etc., in large quantities, while forest- and evergreen- 
trees have claimed a large i)lace. The nurserj' at 
present embraces three hundred and fifty acres, and is 
rapidly increasing. 

The senior i)artner, Stephen Hoyt, died in 1879, 
aged seventy-nine years, and the business has since 
been conducted by liis sons, James and Edwin. Tlieir 
sales extend over New England and many of the 
Southern and Western States. 

As stated above, this is a representative institution 
of its kind in the United States, and much credit is 
due its cnterjirising progenitors and those through 
whose industry and ijcrseverance it has secured its 
present enviable reputation. 



CHAPTER XLIir. 

NEW CANAAN (Continued). 

ECCLESIASTICAL AND EDUCATIONAL. 

Tlio Congregational Church — St. Stark's Epittcopal (liurcli — Tho Metli- 
odist £pUcol>al Cliurch — The Itaptiht Church — Tho Cniversaliat Church 
— Ronum Catholic — Methodist Protestant, Silver Mines — Mothoilist 
Kpisco|>al, Sc'lleck'B Comcn* — Early Kducational Regnlationu — Tho 
New Canaan Academy. 

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 

As the history of the parish was really a history of 
the Congregational Cliurch up to the time the parish 
was incorporated as a town, and as that history has 
been thoroughly detailed on previous pages, the 
church narrative will be continued from that time 
(1801). 

Upon tlie organization of the parish the society 
henceforth devoted itself solely to the care of the tem- 
poral affairs of the church. The pastors from Mr. 
Mitchell have been as follows : Rev. AVilliam Bonney, 
1808-31; Rev. Theophilus Smith, 1831 until his death, 
in IS.'JS; Rev. Frederick G. Williams, lS54-.')9; Rev. 
Raljih Smitli, 18(iO-(i3; Rev. Benjamin L.Swan, 1864 
-6G ; Rev. Joseph Greenloaf settled in 1871, and is 
the present incumbent of the pa.storal office. The 
present church edifice was erected during the ministry 
of Mr. Smith, and wiis dedicated in 1843. 

ST. MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
The first Episcopal church building erected within 
the present bounds of New Canaan was raised May 
13, 1762, on land obtained from Mr. Hustcd, about 
three-quarters of a mile northwest from the present 
church edifice. Says the late Profe-ssor Samuel St. 
John, — 

"There had been a discussion respecting Its location on or adjoining 
the paradc-gnnind. The building was soon rendered fit for use, hut wm 
not completed fur many years, nod fur that retuson, pruhably, was never 
consecnited. At this time the churcli-pe*iplo here wore accustomed to 
attend senice at Nurwalk and Stanifoi-d, and the rates which were col- 
lected of churchmen in this parish were iwid over to the rectors of thuM 
churches. In 1701 they urganizetl theniM-lvea Into a distinct juirish. 
From tliat time there iiave been regular records kept. The first warylenfl 
were Stephen Iletts and l>unlap Coggshull, and there were thirty -four 
heads of families who cousitlennl tiienisetves as belonging to tlie church 
and contributeil to its support. Services were held atiout one-fifth of tlie 
Sabbaths, but the church languished until the project vros conceived and 
executed of building u new church edifice nearer the village. The lot 
whereon the present building stands was purcliosed of Mr. Kiclianl Fay- 
er^veather. The building coniiniltee wen.' Samuel Raymurid, Ktlward 
Nash, David S. Knight. Tlie biiilditig wim finished and consecrated Mo/ 
G, 1H34; the oltl one hiul lieeii taken di»wn the year Iraforo. 

" At this time tho Itev. Cliarlea Todtl was n>ctor, diviiling his tisw 
e<iually Imlween Ibis churcb and the one in lUdgefleld. lie resigned hii 
charge in 1H:t£, and was ftdlowed by Rev. Jacob L. Clark, who also bad 
tho care of both churches. After his rvsignalion, In 1837, Rev. Darid 
Ogdon was called to give his undivided attention to this church. In 
18.12 ill liealtli comlH'lled him to give up his parish, and he died in 1&45. 
The succee<ling rectors were Rev. Willtuln Kveri-tt, I84.'i-I6; Itcv. Dr. 
Short, lMG-62 ; Rev. William I..uig, Isi'2-M ; Rev. William II. Willionu, 
lX56-«« ; lU'V. William C<x.k, ISiK-S:!; Rev. William A Ues Orlsay, 1864 
-74; Rev. Isaac W. Ilaliolu, fjuler, ll<7o-7». Rev. T. U. Fogg bcvasM 
rector in 1879, and is the present incuinlMuit. 

"Tho church edifice was remodeletl and the spire eroctod daring the 
pastorate of Rev. William II. Williams, and rco|>onodMay,18&8. In tba 



NEW CANAAN. 



441 



winter of 1S73-T4 the interior wa-s frescoed and two windows placed in 
tlio clmlicel. Tlie Sunday-SLlioo] was organized in IWri, nnder tlie siijier- 
iutenilcncc of Miss Estiier Betts." 



THE AIETHODIST ClUUCir. 

The first Methodist society estjiblislicil in this part 
of the county was at Dantown, in 17S7, by Kev. 
Samuel t^. Talbot. It is lielicvcd tliat tliis wa-s the 
first Methodist society orjranized in New Kngland. 
Among the first members of this ancient churcli were 
Samuel Dunn and Rhuania, his wife, 1787; Sarah 
Selleck and Hannah L)e Forest, 17M7 ; John Slavvson, 
Elioda Slawson, Enoch Stcven.s, and Khuania Bishop, 
]7i)!l; Betsey Jones, Susanna Fancher, Anna Kusco, 
John and Rebecca Hant'ord, Benjamin and Nancy 
Seeley, Sarah Jones, Polly Stevens, Thir/.a Potts, 
Dorcas Coo, ISOt); Millieent Raymond, 1810; Seth 
and Nancy Olmstead, 1812; Nancy Avery, Agnita 
Dunn, Nathaniel Dunn, 1814 ; Anna Slawson, Ruth 
Dunn, Sanlbrd Dunn, Betsey Dunn, Harriet Stevens, 
1819; Isaac and Lois Jones, John and Sarah Seeley, 
Isaac Potts, Sanibrd and Betsey Selleck, .lohn D. and 
Betsey Slawson, Betsey Brown, Abigail Penuoyer, 
Caroline Monroe, Samuel and Nancy Selleck, Mary 
Dunn, Catharine Jones, Martha Hoyt, Lsaac and 
Nancy Selleck, 1812. A church edifice was erected 
in ISdO. 

The first Methodist society in New Canaan was or- 
ganized in 1808, at Silver Mine, and the following 
were among the first members: Capt. Kbenezer C'rofiit, 
Nathan and Sally Monroe, Abigail Beers, Daniel 
Betts, Luther Comstock, Silas and Hannah Hayes, 
Abigail Raymond, Delia Dickens, Miles Root, Ne- 
hemiah Stevens, May Gronisey, .Joseph Fitch, Amos 
Dickens, Daniel and Esther Chase. The aljove-named 
persons were all members of the church jiriw' to 182'J. 

From 18H> to 1833, New Canaan formed a part of 
the Stamford circuit, which is the oldest in New Eng- 
land. In October, 1833, the first Jlethodist house of 
worship, which is the present town-hall, was dedi- 
cated. From 1833 to 1831), New Canaan was united 
to Norwalk in a circuit under the pastorate of two 
ministers. These were Rev. Elijah Hibbard, Rev. 
Abram S. Francis, 1833; Rev. Luther Mead, Rev. 
Abram S. Francis, 1834 ; Rev. David Stocking, Rev. 
John Crawford, 1835. In 183(J, New Canaan was set 
off by itself its a station under the pastorate of a sin- 
gle minister. 

This denomination of Christians has made rapid 
progress, endeavoring faithfully to do the work of a 
true church of the Lord Jesus Christ. The present 
house was dedicated Dec. 21, 18o4. 

The following are the successive pastors of the 
Methodist Church atid their terms of service: Revs. 
J. Crawford, 183(1 ; Clark Fuller, 1837 ; S. \V. King, 
1838-39 ; J. W. Selleck, 1840-41 ; Charles F. Pelton, 
1812; Jesse Hunt, 1843; James H. Romer, 1844-45; 
A. H. Ferguson, 1846-47; J.D.Marshall, 1848-49; 
Jacob Shaw, 1850-51; L. D. Nickerson, 1852-53; 
29 



Harvey Hustcd, 1854-55; Mark Staple, 185(;-57; J. 
L. Glider, 1858-59; C. B. Ford, 18(10-01; A. H. 
Mead, 18(J2; William T. Hill, 1803; J. M.Carroll, 
18G4-G0 ; William F. C(dlins, 1807 ; S. M. Hammond, 
1807; S. M. Hammond, 1808-70; 15. T. Abbott, 1.S71 
-73; I. M. C:irroll, 1S74-70; A. V. R. Abbott, LS77, 
present incumbent. 

Till-: UNIVERSALIST CIU'RCir. 
I'niversalist preaching began in tlie town in 1X32, 
Mr. Hillyer, and afterwards Mr. Hitchcock, officiat- 
ing. They have no separate organization. 

THE ROMAN CATIIOLir cnUHrH. 
Services according to tlie Roman Catholic forms 
of worship were first held here in a hall in the vil- 
lage, subsequently in the town-hall. Their church 
was built in 18(53. Clergymen from Norwalk, princi- 
pally, have otficiated tit this church. It is at jircsent 
under tlie charge of Father Russell, of Norwalk. 

THi: BAl-TLST CIU'RCII. 

The first person in New Canaan professing faith in 
Christ through baptism by immersion was baptized bv 
Rev. John (!ano, of New York City, in the year 1772. 
Stion after, as Elder (Jano was bajitizing in Stamford, 
where a Bajitist Church was organized in 1773, Bap- 
tist meetings were held in New Canaan, and have 
been held at varying intervals to the present time. 
The records of the Canaan ])arish have several votes 
cxemiiting Baptists from paying society rates so long 
as they remain of the persuasion. 

Nov. 4, 1871, the First Baptist Society of New- 
Canaan was incorporated. Their house of worship 
was opened Feb. (I, 1773, the service of recognitio:i 
being held in that house the 13th day of M:irch fol- 
lowing. Their pastor is the Rev. E. M. Ogden. 

THE METHOKLST I'ROTESTANT CHURCH OF SILVER 
M1NE.« 

This church was organized in the year ls;{7, bv 
Revs. Henderson and Langdon I the latter the col- 
league of the former), tit the house of Mr. Ezekiel 
Beers, .\mong the first members were Amos Dickens, 
Delia Dickens, Hannah Hays, Abby Beers, Sarah A. 
Beers. 

Religious services were held at the house (jf Kzckiel 
Beers and at the school-house, under the charge of 
Revs. Timberman and Wade, Griswoldand Lent, and 
W. H. Johnson until the year 1844, when, under the 
latter, the .society enjoyed a wonderful revival infiu- 
enee, and F. L. Aiken, Lydia B. Aiken, Perry Beers, 
Sandford Beers, Charles Piatt, Michael Harrison and 
wife, with many others, united, thus greatly increasing 
their strength numerically. 

In the year 1844, Rev. J. J. Smith assumed the pas- 
toral charge, and the society proceeded to build a 
church. In the month of August of the same year 



• Co:.t ilmte.l liy T. L. Dil.Lle. 



442 



IITSTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



the house was dedicated, the Rev. Zenas Covel offici- 
ating, takinjr for his subject, "Tlie prayer of Solomon 
at the dedk-ation of the teuiple." 

The first board of trustees was composed of Amos 
Dickens, F. L. Aiken, AVilliam S. Beers. 

Rev. Smith was followed in the pastorate by Rev. 
Witzel and Joshua Hudson, each retaining it for three 
years, — tlic time prescribed by discipline. Their suc- 
cessors have been Revs. O. C. Dickerson, R. R. Diossy, 

Grossman, J. H. Painter, E. Jones, P. Weaver, 

G, B. AVray, N. Britton, M. Staple, J. Holden, I. 
Brown, T. L. Dibble. 

Latterly the church has been less uniform as to the 
length of time she has retained her pastors, owing 
largely to the change of boundaries of the work of 
which she has been a part. . She has prospered, 
though subject to so many changes. The ])astor for 
the longest period was Rev. M. Staples, he being con- 
tinued for seven years in succession. 

A iQW of her first members yet live; others have 
passed away. At present her membership numbers 
f jrty-six. The present officers are : Clerk, J. 15. Alil- 
ler; Trustee-, A. P. Beers, Henry Harris, AVilliam E. 
Lane, William Reynolds, F. L. Aiken ; Treasurer, F. 
L. Aiken ; Pastor,*T. L. Dibble. 

There is also a Methodist Episcopal Church at Sel- 
leck*s Corners, but we have been unable to obtain any 
data concerning it. Rev. William T. Gilbert was 
pastor in Mareli, 1870. 

KDLCATION.— T^^! NKW CANAAN ACADEMY. 

" Among !lio cnrly svltloi-s of Sew Caiiiuin were vcrj* few men of liter- 
ary ciillurc. Neitlicr the teiiipestiiotitt liiiii>s uliicli Iiiul fiigrot>scd tlicir 
I'orliostt iittcntjoii nortlioirHltMiilLTiH'riinmry rpwHti-cculinilalluwerl tlu'iii 
llio aJvitnlu^i-s of any HclioliiHtic tmiiiing. itut the New Knghinit fulhci? 
(jiiitl our i.iuiieo:8 u'c:c uiiioiig thi-iii) tn%v that the only Mjiy tu cslabliHh 
)icro aikI pfrpedintt! a ttnciety which coiihl ^uli^fy their hopi'in wouM l»o 
hy iiKniiis of a careful, thorotif^li, anil getieml eihu-alion of their children. 
The fniidaniental luutt of the colony required, under severe |)ennltic5, 
every town lu provide incuuM for tho early iublnitUon of their children. 
The statute rriuN: 

"'Tlio bi'Il-c1 men of every town shiill haven vi;iilnnt eye over their 
brethren and neiKhUtrs to (•oe, fin>(, tliut none of them shall suffer so 
niuuli hurharit^ni in any of tluir funiiltef nn not to endeavor to teach, hy 
tlieiuhelve!* uv utliern, their childriMi and uppieiilice^i to much lenrning as 
may etiiilde ttn-in pi.rfeetly to read the Kuglirili tongue iind knowh^ilgi* 
of the capital laws, u|K)n penalty of twenty dliillingn for encli neglett 
therein.' 

"It Hod Ntill further provi«!i'd that *ever;}-tovn having flay liouso- 
holders in it HluMild forthnitli apiHjint one within the town tti teach nil 
Bueh children an Hlinll rt>!kirl lo him to wi lie and read, whorto wages shall 
Iw paid either hy the | nretitit or maalent i>r flurh children, or hy tlie in- 
haliiant.-i in gyneral.* Amutig the earlie.it functions diiH-harged hy Ca> 
nnnn parinh in the npiKiititmeiil of school comndllcirs. ir/icrc the flrst 
iiclioid-lu)U«te wan built and tr'fii amnut now be nncerlained. It was 
doublleM, like their flr^t nteelIng*houae, cxceeiUngly jlaln, with no 
neMllew room in it, and no Uftolotu excen^ivo adorning. At thU day wc 
can have no adeiiiwile cunreptiou of the extreme difltculty utlending 
IhtMie early educational nieaoureti, 1 ut their binuenco on succeeding 
gi^Memtlouf) hns been incalculable! Kor n more extended education than 
that furni»hc<l by U(« cummort— ur, am It is now termeil, dinttict— wtIkmiI 
no provision was mnde for nn*ny yearn. Ituv. Juotun 3Iitrliell, whi> was 
(•■'Itleil in the mtni^tiy hero In ITK), kept n select s.-IuhiI during a con- 
sldenible time. £lght young men fnim New t*nnnan and n large nund>er 
fn)m other places were flttod for college with him. Kliplmlet St. John, 
»<1., who gniilualiHl nt Yul4t)ollcge In 17UI, dovutud lihnsolf to teaching 
nt hi.4 ri'sidence on Ilrushy Itidgc, and though tlie school consisted 
nialidy of young men from New York fitting tbemscdvea for huslaeNi, 



stlU some citizoiiB of Now Canaan and adjoining towns availed them- 
selves of the advantagcit of thi^ school. 

"The New Caunan Academy was Cbtallished in l81o, and the building 
erected in 1810. The teachers were, enrccesively. Rev. Herman Paggett, 
Rev. James II. Linsloy, Rev, John Smith, Dr. Samuel W. Beldcii, Rev. 
Dr. Milton Badger, Rev. Thoophilua Smith, Hon. Pavld L. Seymour, 
I'rcsident Julian M. ?turlovant, Rev. Dr. Flavtd Bascom, Rev. Dr. Al- 
fred Newton, Rev. John C. llai-l. Rev. William B. Lewis, Prof. Ehenezer 
A. Johntion. 

"This academy a1>out 18.14 was converted into a private boarding- 
school, and was owned and taught successively by Mes.-trs. Silas Dnven- 
IK>rt. Daviil S. Rw^kwell, and Rev, .1. L. Gilder. Tho academy was re- 
vived in 1859, taught by Rev. J. C. Wyukoff for soveml yewrs, afterwards 
by Mr. Thomas rease, and wna broken up during the last year of tho 
civil war. Twenty-five persons have gmduated at Yale Cidlego from 
this town, a majority of whom would have not enjoyei) the privilege of 
a collegiate cducalion had not tho academy cnal leil them to fit tliem- 
Bclves here. Betides Ihet-e gntduntes, a nmch larger number of young 
men were fittcil for bur^ine^s ; young hiili^-s aliwi enjoyed in the academy 
the advantages of a thorough course of study. It raukc«d second only 
to the churches in elevating Iho liluudard of oioral and intellectual cul- 
ture in the town."* 



CHAPTER XLI V. 

NEW CANAAN (Continued). 

CIVIL A.\D JIILITAIIY.— LODGES, Etc. 

Organization of Town— The Firat Towu-Moi'ting— OIBconi Klcclcd — 
Scieclinen, Representatives, Town Clerks. an<l Treasurer!* from Or^n- 
izotlon of the Town tolSSO— Present Town Offlcials — Hormony Loilce , 
Xo. 07, K. and A. M.— Wooster Lcnlge, So. 37, 1. O. of 0. K.— Friemlsliip 
Division, No. 10, S. of T. — First National Bank — Xew Canaan Savinpt 
lliink— Doanl of Triidc— IVjstniafiteri^ from 1818 to the Present Time — 
Military' Uecord. 

The town of New C'iin:iiin was incorporated in ISOl, 
and embraces the same territory formerly within thi- 
bouiuls of " Canaan parish." 

THE FIRST TOWN-MEETING. 
The first town-meeting in New Canaan was lieM 
June 2i', ISOl , when the following officers were clio.sen : 
Samuel St. John, Town Clerk and Treasurer; I.saac 
Richards, Joseph Silliman, and Joseph Seeley, Select- 
men ; Aaron Comstock and Samuel Bolt, Constables ; 
Phineas Smith, Nathan Seeley, Selleck Scofield, Tliad- 
dcus Seymour, and Mutlliew Fitch f?regory. Listers; 
Seth llickok, Peter Bishop, and Israel .Slawson, (iraml 
.Turors; Nchemiah Lockwond, Seth Kellogg, Fence- 
Viewers; John llickok. Sealer of Leather: James 
Lockwood, Sealer of Measures; Nathaniel Fitch, 
Scaler of Weights; .\aron. Comstock, Keeper of the 
Pound; Claus Weed, Jr., Jesse llickok, Tything- 
nien. 

SELECTMEN FUOM 1801 TO ISSO. 

The following is a list of the selectmen from tlie 
organization of the town to 1S81 : 

Isaac Richanis, IWH-!), lsl!)-20-2i ; Ji«eph Seelev, 1801-4 ; I«ac n<ne- 
(11,1. IKV'.-IO, 1H12-15 ; Jewe IllcliunlK. lP0,'>-7 ; Kniw Wce.1, lSH-1" ; 
Nathan S.-ely, 1811 ; Saninel llimll, ISll ; Dartl Stevens, 18I;;-lj; 
Jiinn-. T 1-;<I«, 1M4 ; .loimllian n. IlentHliit, ISl.VHi, IH19-2I"., 18;l:;-34 : 
Aaron ConntttK-k, 1817-18; Kl'enezer IJanfunI, 1817-18; Kleiu-zt-r 
Croful, 1817-18 ; Stephen llo) t, 1819-UO ; Seth Weed, 1823-30 ; Ellplii.- 



• Tlis ahove (ketch nf tho aciiilcinjr wu t«kon ttom the excrllcnl od- 
drem delivere<l hy the Into Prof. Sniuncl St. John, July 4, 1870. 



NEW CANAAN. 



443 



let St. Jolm, 1S2« ; Holly .'fanforil, 1S27-31 ; Josepli Sillimiui, 18:i2 : 
Hczekiah .-it. Jnhn, 18:i;i-:W ; Ilaiifonl Davonpnrl, 1833-34; Wiilt.-i 
Oonistock, 1S35-38; llHutoril Carlcr, 1835-tS ; D:mu-\ li.nstwii-k, 1S40 
^1 ; .'inmiii-l H.iyt, 1K4J ; .lohii liiiym.iiiil, 1S43-44; Jiimcs 1'ntlis.iii, 
1S44; Ili-zn.Ti L. Ayies, 184r)-4n ; (■l:iiil,'s Kayniuml, 1845-47.1807- 
S8;,\ltri-dIi:iyni,.iMl, I84i;-.W; Calcl.S. lleiiciliit, 1S47: Aiidn'W llcm- 

diot; 184S-.-11 ; Thi.luasliayin 1, IS4;l; Tzal llM>t.-.l, IS49; SvlvaTius 

Sooly. 1S,')(J; .lohn Warrc-ii, IS.'jil ; liurliiis D. rniily, 18,M, 1871-77; 
Stephen Ili.yt, I.-."il ; I'l-ti-r .Smith, l852-5',l ; William L. Waniii;, 
1863-70 ; Siiiiiuel C. Silliiuali,.Tr., l.s.'.i;; Xilir-miah E. W.iil, ISOIMK; 
Pavi.l IS. Hiiyt, l.sill ; G.-nrge l„iclcn->....l, 181)2; Ira 1'. D.avia, 18(13; 
Benjamin Hiiyt, 18(:4-(;'.); .\ntlrr\v K. (VnnstiM-k, 18i"4-t;i;; Samuel 
K. I,c.d;\v,...(l, 180.8-74 ; Josepli F. Silliman, 187:1 ; Tlmjiia.s JI.Faiity, 
18'ri;-7'.l. 

The present, ISSO, Uiwn officers are as follows: ]!. 
D. Purdy, Thomas .M. Fairly, William L. '\V;irin,u-, 
Seleetmcii ; Junius Beneiliet, Town Clerk :ui(l ilegis- 
trar; Thomas Kaymonil, Town Treasurer; J. Craw- 
ford, F. E. Chichester, S. N. Raymond, xVssessors ; 
Lewis K. Iloyt, Solomon Lockwood, Edwin lloyt, 
Board of Relief; (ieorgc S. Johnson, Isaac Lea, 
Henry (). Taylor, S. Henry Hoyt, ('onstaliles ; T. 
Hawlcy, il. Terrell, William Wardwell, John E. 
Whitney, firtind Jurors; Rurlinj;- I). I'urdy, .Ir., Rus- 
sell L. Hall, Registrars of Voters; Charles Raymond, I 
Samuel X. Riaymond, Auditors of Town Accounts; 
Joseph Greenleaf William E. Husted (1S,S(I), L. if. 
Monroe, Edwin Hoyt (1881), W. G. R.rownson, 1!. I). 
Purdy (188:i|, Board of Education; Thomas Ray- 
mond, Treasurer of Permanent School Fund ; Tlios. 
Raymond, Treasurer Town Di>posit Fund ; Joseph 
Lambert, Josei>h F. Sillimau, Thomas H. Borden, J. 
L. Raymond, Justices of the Peace. 

TOWN CLERKS. 

Sii fl St. .l"liri, 1801-24; E.lward Nash, l,S2(;-3r); .Joseph Silliman, 1835 

-3D; .Samuel C. Silliman, .Jr., 18411-41, 1843-47, l84'.l-52; David S. 
Rockwell, 1842; John B, I.amhert, 1848;* Lucins .M. Monroe, 1854- 
50; Noiih W. Iloyt, 180(1-58, 18(15-7.! ;t Sellerk Y. St. .hihn, 186U-04, 
1873-75; Au5;n>t(is S. Dann, l,s7il-77; .Inniiis lien.^di. t, 1S78-7',|.J 

TOWN TREASrREU.S. 
Samuel St. J.din. .luuc, 1801-25 ; Isaac; IiiLliard.s 1825 ; Stephen Hoyt, .Ir., 
182(i-3',l; ( 'hallos liaymoml, 1840-52 ;? William E. Kayjnond, 1845 ; 
Benjamin IloyI, 1.853-75 ; .Vngustus .S. Dann, 187(1. i| 

REPREiSENTATIVKS TO THE GENERAL A.S.SE.MBLY. 

180I-OG, Joseph Sillinian; 1.8(j(;-o7, I..,iiac liieliarda; 180.8, Joseph Silli- 
man; 1800, Sauniel St. John; 181(1, Josejih Silliman; 1810-ll),<[ 
Samuel St. John; 1817-18,** JJathan Seely; 1810, Isaac Ilielratds; 
1820, Nathan Seely; 1821, Stephen Hoyt; 1.S22-28, .Samuel Kay- 
lliond; ]S2'.(, Watts Comstock; 1830-33, .Samuel liayimmil ; 1834, 
Edward Nash; 1835, Joseijh Silliman; 1830, Stephen Iloyt, Jr.; 
1837, Samuel liuyinond; 1838-39, Watts (Junistoek; 1840, Stephen 



• Resigned in Fehruary, 1840, and .Samuel C. Silliman, Jr., appointed 
in his place, 
t Resigned Mareli 4, 1873, and S. Y. St. Jolin appointed. 
{Present (I8Mi) incumhent. 

I E.\ceiit the year 1845. 

II Present (lS80) incumhent. 

If A special session was called l.y the Governor, John Cotton Smith, on 
j the fourth W-ednesday of January, 1815, to consider a memorial from 

Mnasachusetts, New H,impshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island to protect 

the petitioners against improper legislation by Congress. Delegate to 

the convention, Samuel St. John. 
i *• A Constitutional Cunvenlion was held in 1.818, whi.li disioiitinned 

the October session of the General Asseaiblv. Delegate to the conven- 
^ tion, Nathan Seely. 



Hoyt, Jr.: 1841. Samuel liayin.nd: 1842-45, no choice; 184(1-47, 
Hanford Cader; 1.S48, Burling D. Purdy; 184:1, Timolliy E. I!ay- 
mond; 1850, Josepli Silliman ; 1851, (h-orge Gi^arln.art ; 1852, Carlisle 
Lockwood; 1.853, .Samuel K. I.o.kwood : ls54. llenjamiii N. Heath; 
18.55, .Samitid K. I.ocUwoo.l; ls5(l, Iteiijamin Ibiyt; l>.57-58, Noali 
W. Iloyt; 1.8.-.0, William E. Ih(yruonfl; ISdO-lll, ltenj((niiii N. Ilealh; 
18112, Benjamin ll.jyt; lS(;i, Ehenezer J. llichards; 18(11. si.-ph.Mi 11. 
Pardee; 18(;5, Apolhis Comstock; l.SIKl, Cali-I. S. Iie((ediil ; 18(17, 
Charles Raymond; 1808, Elienczer .1. Kirhaids; 18('0, Fiaiici^ I.. 
Aiken; 1870-71. Mark Stiiples; 1872, Caleb S. Benedict; l,s7:i-74'. 
Burling D. I'uidy; 187.5. Justus F. Il.iyl; ]87(l,tt Burliti- 11. I'urdy; 
1.S77, William E. Husted; 1,878. S. Y. St. Jolm; l.s7'.l, Saniuel N. 
llaymoiid. 

rO.ST-dFEICE. 

The New Cauaiiii post-ofllcc was es(:dili.>lied .Ian. 
1!', 1818, and Saimiel St. .rolm w;is ;ipp(jinte(l post- 
master. The followiiifi is :i list of incumliciits of the 
cilice from its e.staljlishnicnt to the ]ircscnt time: 

Sanniel St. John, appointed Jan. 10, 1818. 
Edward Xash, appointed Jan. 25, 18_'5. 
Erastus Seely, itjipoiuted March 8, 1833. 
Thomas S. Husted, a|.pointed Nov. 23. 18.33. 
Cliarles Rayiinuid. ((ppointcd March 2(1, 1830. 
Tliom.as S. H((sted, appointed July 3, 1.841. 
Charles Raymond, a|. pointed Sejit. 4, 1844. 
Bi'iijaniin lloyt, ((piiointed Dir. 12. I.s40. 
Sanniel C. Silliman, .Ir,, ai'poiuted June 23. 1.8.53. 
Henry B. Hoyt, a|ipointed Sept. 3, 1.853. 
Noah \V. Hoyt, a]ilioiiited A|uil 2(1, 18(11. 
Stephen II. Pardee.; J a].|ioiuted Aug. 24, I.sdC. 
Noidi W. II. ►yt, appointed Manli 22, 1800. 
Noah W. Hoyt, (eappoiutedi? Dec. 11, 1872. 

IIAltMONV I.liDGE, NO. r,7, F. AND A. M. 

This lodge was instituted May 30, 182."). Tlie fol- 
lowing were the charter members, those imirked 
with an asterisk ('■') being deceased: Horatio Weed,* 
James Stevens,* Samuel Carter, Jr.,'' Eliphalet Weed,* 
Daniel Bostwick,* Darius St. John, Ebcnozcr (,'artcr, 
Jr.,* Henry Chambers,'' Rufus Richards,* Haiifm-d 
Carter,* Timothy E. Raymond, Jacob Reed,* John 
J. Brown,* Stephen Bctts,* Samuel Carter,* Josejih 
Watson,"' Samuel Raymond,* Richard Fayerweather,* 
Caleb Benedict,* Anson D. Peiuioyer,* John Seeley,* 
Thaddeus M. Keeler,* ls;iac Lockwood,* Hiram Tal- 
madge,* (_!aleb S. Benedict, Enos H. Weed,* John F. 
Raymond, Lcaicler Slawson.* The first officers were 
as follows: Samuel, Carter, Jr., M.; John Seeley, 
S. AV. ; Eliphalet Weed, J. \V. ; Caleb BenediJt, 
Treas. ; Horatio AVeed, Sec; James Stevens, S. D. ; 
Rufus Richards, J. D.; Darius St. John, S. Stew.; 
Caleb S. Benedict, J. Stew. 

During the Anti-Masonic excitement the clnirter 
was surrendered to the Grand Lodge, and at that time 
Mr. C;ilel) S. Benedict was Master. It was restored in 
May, 18()0, and iU: Cahd} S. Ik'uedict was blaster. 
Present Master, Samuel H. Raymond. Present 
members, eighty-eight. The. officers for 1880 are as 
follows : Samuel H. Raym'ond, W. M. ; Justus K. 
Raymond, S. W. ; Henry (i. Benedict, J. W. ; Noah 
W. Hoyt, Treas. ; Theodore W. Benedict, Sec. ; Jolm 



-j-f Constitution amendecl making January session. 
X^. Mr. Pardee wiis appointed postmaster by Piesidcnt Johnson, but 
never entered upon the diuies of the ollici-. 
^ Present incumbent. 



444 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Ostrander, S. D. ; E. Willard Lounsbury, J. L). ; 
Francis M. l?liss, AVilliam Patterson, Stewards ; Wil- 
liam IMrUuflie, Tiler; Caleb S. Benedict, Lucius M. 
Monroe, Benjamin X. Heath, Trustees. 

FRIENDSHIP DIVISION', NO. 10, SONS OF TBM- 
I'EHANCE. 

■ The divi-sion was instituted Jan. 8, 1845, by Caleb 
S. Benedict, Joshua Smallhorn, William G. Webb, 
Chauneey Foot, Stephen Hoyt, William Watson, 
Almadurus Brower, Floyd T. Rasco, Timothy E. 
Raymond, .\bram Crissy, Jr., Joseph Bouton, Ben- 
jamin Heath, Benjamin Baraelaugh, Stephen Han- 
ford. L. L. Beecher at that time was Grand Worthy 
Patriarch. Caleb S. Benedict and Stephen Hoyt kept 
with the division until their deaths, about two years 
ago. William (i. Webb is now a member; Chauneey 
Foot is now in Wilton. AVilliam McKendriek is at 
present Worthy Patriarch. The present membership 
is two hundred, and the division is prosperous. 

There is also a lodge of Odd-Fellows here, but we 
have been unable to secure its history. 

THE FIKST NATIONAL BANK. 
The First Nation.al Bank of New Canaan was or- 
ganized in 1805, with Watts Comstoek as president, 
who officiated in that capacity until his death, when 
Stephen Hoyt was chosen to fill the vacancy. The 
present president is Russel L. Hall, and the |>resent 
cashier S. Y. St. John. 

THE NEW CANAAN SAVINGS BANK. 
This bank was organized in 1859, and Samuel A. 
Weed was chosen jiresident. He was succeeded by 
Watts Comstoek, Stephen Hoyt, and Henry B. Rogers, 
the present incumbent. 

THE NEW CANAAN MESSENGER. 
This paper was established by William W. Gilles- 
pie, one of the publishers of the Stamford Advocate, 
in January, 1877. It was printed in connection with 
the Advocate, and edited by Frank E. Weed. About 
a year later Mr. Weed was succeeded by L. M. Mon- 
roe. August 9th the paper was purchased by Kirk & 
Weed, and four weeks later Will W. Kirk became 
the editor and publisher, and has continued as such to 
the present time. This is the iirst paper ever estab- 
lished in New Canaan. It is a lively local sheet, and 
justly merits its present iKipularity. 

BOARD OF TRADE. 

.Vlivc to the interests of the town, the enterprising 
citizens have during this year (1880) organized a 
Board of Trade, which will doubtless accomplisli 
much la-sting goi>d. 

The following were the first oflScers; President, W. 
E. Raymond ; Vice-'Presidcnt, W. G. Brownson ; Sec- 
retary, Will W. Kirk ; Treasurer, J. F. Silliman ; Di- 
rectors, L. M. Monroe, F. E. Weed, B. P. Mead. 



MILITARY RECORD. 

The town responded promptly to the call for troops 
during the late Rebellion of 1861-65, and the follow- 
ing is a list of those who entered the service : 

FIBST REGIMENT HEAVY AKTILLEBY, COXNECTICi;! VOLUN- 

TEEllS. 
Francis M. Jennings, muet. out. 
JolinAVal:*li, must. out. 
Alfrcil Ilownnl. 
AVarren S. Pulnior, nniBt. out. 
AUiin J. B. Siniit, must. out. • 

I'utrick Wclcli. 

SECOND COSSECTICUT ARTILLERY. 
John J. Abbott, died of wounds. 
Cliauncey E. Brown, must. out. 
George W, Bn)wn, wounded, died. 
Enog S. Benedict, woundeii. 
Omngo S. Brown, wounded, Fctt. 6, 1SC6. 
Tlionub^ Milncs, must. out. 
EniBtus Ruscoe, wounded, muet. out 
CbarleH Hnscoo, mui§t. out. 
Frederick D. Painter, kille<l. 
Santuel B. Ferris, kilted. 
Willium B. Sliaw, uiuctt. out. 

TinUD REGIMENT, CONNECTICUT VOLUNTEERS. 
Charles A. Seymour, CJiarK-s Doulons, Edward D. Arnold, Peter Bennett, 
John T. Fancher, Charles llunnewell, Chark*s 11. Harting. Enoe 
KeHogg, William 11. Laire, Henry Mttrrs, William H. OtTen, Georg« 
Slier^voood, George J. Stevens, Williaut II. Seeley, Walter II. Wor- 
rell, Robert Wilson. 

FIRST REGIMENT CAVAiUY. 

Weston Ferris, George Youngs, George Weed. 

FIFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY, COXXECTICUT VOLUNTEERS. 

Lewis Slauson, dis<-harge4l. 
Isaac Vailein, re-ciilisted veteran. 
Henry Ilcatoii, killetl. 

SIXTH BEGUrENT INFANTRY. 

ShevelDBC Arnold, must, out, 
Andrew P. Bartow, discharged. 
John MertiiiK, must. out. 
Josepti Jones, died. 
John Seeley, ilied. 
KdwanI M. Ilarting, killed. 
Samuel Bouton, must. out. 
Mntlhew Slur]>hy, must. out. 
Alanson Monroe, wounded, must out 
John Wagner, nnist. out. 

SEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 
John II. Bishop, re^jnl. veteran, must, out 
Robert L. Keith, must out 
Freilerlck Reel, must out. 
Watson Goodwell, must out. 



EIGHTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 
Jonies Conly, roK>nl. veteran, must out 
Rol>ert N. Hoy, nnu>t. out 
Herbert Vivian. 

Barney (Conner, trans, to U. S. Navy. 
Aaron G. Sherwtxsl, discharged. 
William M. Sloan, disclmrgol. 
Samuel A. Wcol, tn>ni. to Inv. Corin. 
William King. 

TENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY, CONNECTICUT VOLUSTEEBS 

Cliorlcs H. Harding, nnist out. 

George W. Smith, flret lieutenant, reslgnott 

Bradley S. Keith, must out 

John 31. Benedict 

Oliver L. Ayres, discharged, disability. 

Frederick Banzhof, discharged, term expired. 



I 



NEW CANAAN. 



445 



Juhn Barber, dist harged, term expirej. 
Saiinu'I R. BarkiT, re-enlisted, nuist. out. 
James W. Beuedirt, must. out. 
Isaac Bowe, le-t-iilisted, must. uut. 
Alfred L. Brower, died. 
Jidin J. Brown, disdiarged. 
Joseph M. Brown, ditni. 
Eli Burchard, dieif. 

George W. Burtis, re-enlisted, must. out. 
Jolin Buxton, discharged. 
John Parrah, disrliurged. 
Edgar Davis, term exi)ired. 
Roliert Dunn, died. 
John Ilagle, re-enlisted, must. out. 
Patrick Hannaherg, term expired. 
Charles L. James, discharged. 
Andrew F. Jones, re-enlisted, wounded, must. out. 
George Kellogg, discharged. 
Alfred Ivellogg. re-enlisted, died Oct. 18(U. 
Sidney R. Lounsbury, re-enlisted, muist. out. 
Albert M. Mahoney, re-enlisted, wounded, must. out. 
John BIrPhei-son, re-enlisted, must. out. 
George Murphy, term expired. 
Bernajd Murphy, discharged. 
William H. Offen, re-enlisted, must. out. 
Henry F. Pennoyer, term expired. 
SamntI S. Rubey, disch. Dec. IS. 18(;i. 
George Scott, re-enlisted, must, out, 
Jolin E. Seeley, re-enlisted, must. out. 
William P. Smallhurn, term e.\pired. 
Orriu II. Stephens, ro-enlisted, niust. out- 
Marcus Smith, discharged. 
Christal Wagner, re-enlisted, died. 
Andrew Wakeman, re-enlisted, must. out. 
Charles Weed, disch. Dec. 19, IStU. 
William A. Wood (2d), caplurt^l, must. out. 
Leonard W. Fancher, discharged IHOr*. 
Isaac L. Tucker, niust. out. 
Henry Tucker, must. out. 
Joseph E. Wells, dischiUgc*! 1SG5. 
Walter H. Worrell, must. out. 
George Johnson (2d). 
John Wilson, substitute, must. out. 

ELEVENTH REGIMENT, RKCRL'ITS. 

Charles Fishor, must. out. 

John Harris, must. out. 

Peter O'Brien, wounded, discharged. 

TWELFTH REGIMENT. 

Alonzo P. Abbott, re-enlisted, must. out. 
George Alden, rc-eidi.sted, must. out. 
James J. Everson, re-enlisted, must. out. 
Joseph H. Everett, re-enliated, must. out. 
Patrick Furmen, disidiargeiJ, disability. 
John Wel.sh, re-eidisted, must. out. 
Patrick Fitzpatj-ick, discharged. 
George Howard, must. out. 

THIRTEENTH REGIMENT. 

Apollos Comstock, captain, wounded, must. out. 

William E. Bradley, first lieutenant, honorably discharged. 

Jonathan Austin, re-enlisted, must. out. 

Aaron Benedict, died, 

John W, Brown, woun<led, discharged ISGS. 

Eli Dann, discharged, 

Wilber F. Gil.ler, discharged. 

William W. Jones, ro-enlistod; must. out. 

Edward A. Lajmiau, discharged. 

Edwan! Monroe, term expired. 

Williiim H. Monroe, discharged. 

Charles Nichols, rc-onlisted; must. out. 

William H. Seeley, discharged. 

Francis E. Weed, re-enlisted; must. out. 

Israel Wood, discharged. 

Liims Wood, dischargud. 



FOURTEENTH REiilMENT. 
Jean Paul, must. July 2:.. 1864. 
John Steven.-*, transferred. 
Chailes J. Hanford, died, 
Andon Menku, 

SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT. 
Elias Buttery, ilied. 
James L. Dyer, discli. for disability. 
Genrge F. Olnistead, must. out. 
Joseph H. Lf)ckwood, must. out. 
Andrew Scofield, must, out, 
He/ekiah Wood, must out. 
Patrick Nniton, must. out. 
Sylvester Albin, must. out. 
Ilufus S. Benedict, must. out. 
Jesse W. Tucker, nmst. out. 
Enos Kellngg, taptaiu; must, nut, 
J. Irving Benedict, tirst lieutenant; resigned. 
James H. Aj'res, second lieutenant ; must. out. 
Francis M. Bliss, sergeant; resigned. 
Isaac N, Crissey, wounded; trans, tu Inv. Corps. 
Warren S. Palmer, ilisoh. for disability. 
Samuel Couistiick, died. 
Peter Bennett, disch. for disability. 
George J. Stevens, must. out. 
Levi St. Jidiu Weed, nuist. out. 
Joseph F. Seeley, disch. for disability. 
Norbert Bossa, must. out. 
Isaac B. Brown, must, out. 
Charles A. Weed. died. 
Mile.s O. Jones, trans, to Vet, Res. Corps, 
Janu^s L. Hudgos, must. out. 
David M. Avery, wounded; must. out. 
Juhn Arker, must. out. 
AA'illiam L. Brown, disch. for disability. 
Andrew B. Benedict, must. out. 
John George Banzhof, nuist. out. 
Robert Bishop, disch. for disability. 
Lurin AV, Britto, nivist. uut. 
John L. Byingtcn, discharged. 
Lewis B. Benedict, disch. for disability. 
Frank Britto, discli. for disability. 
William C. Bell, must. out. 
David C. Comstock, Jr., discharged. 
Andrew Crabb, must. out. 
Stephen Comstock, nuist. out. 
Lyman W. Crabb, nuist. out. 
Levi Dixon, dis« h. for disability. 
William H. DeForre.st, rlisch. for disability. 
Thomas Driscoll, disch. for disability. 
Sanuiel E. DeFuirest, must. out. 
Maximilian DeFislieur, disch. for disabilitjr. 
Christian Faber, must. out. 
Sannu'l W. Fox, must. out. 
John Greeuewald, nuist. out. 
Augustus Ganning, tlisi h. for disability. 
Samuel Gray, nuist, out. 
Orriu Harrison, nuist. out. 
John S. Hixas, must. out. 
William Hartung, died. 
John Kaiser, must. nut. 
Eliphalet Blead, killed. 
Alanson F. fllonme, disch. for disability. 
Orson C. Ogden, disch, for disability. 
Samuel S. Osborn, disch, for disability. 
Christophers. Olnistead, died. 
Henry Peatt, disch. for disability. 
George H. Pidts, disch, for disability. 
Ebenezer J. Patttuiden, must. out. 
George Patterson, died. 
George E. Purdy, must, out, 
Seth Remington, must. out. 
Jcdin W. Raymond, disch. for disability. 
Arza Raymond, must. out. 
Cyrus Raymond, njust. out. 
(". Edward Riiym.ind, disch. for disability. 



41 1". 



HISTOKY OF FAIKPIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



£<t\VHnl Riclmrds, died. 
l>c Witt C. Kuscue, must. out. 
Lewis Itaudle, divd. 

Clmiincey Rnymoud, disch. Tor disiiUUty. 
Floyd S. Riiscoc, must. out. 
Ju8tii8 M. Sillinmn, iiuiBt. out. 
Charles K. ScfU'V, mu8t. out. 
Jiimes A. Snialthi^rii, must. out. 
Gcorgo H. Wood, diwi. 
Francis Weinberg, must. out. 
Williitni Wils<in, must. out. 
3Iartiti Wnssiu":, disdi. for disatijlity. 
Siiuire A. M'iiterbnry, dii»L-h. for di^iI'iUty. 
Georgtj K. Wutorbury, tnms. to Vet. Re;*. Corps. 
Harry WJitcrbury, must. out. 
Gcoi'gf W. AVcihI, must. out. 
Cbnrlcs L. ItartiAV, must. out. 
.Tolm Binbnll, diml. 
Charles Crnfoot, must, out, 
William ?>. Fitch, mtLst. out. 
. Patrick IiinL*, must. out. 
Charles Vitenheiiuer, must. out. 
William Wriglit. 

TWENTY-KIGIITH RKGIMEXT. 
Joseph C. Cronk, must. out. 
.Tos4>ph Thomson, must. out. 
Joseph Adams must. out. 
Daniel Wakoman, disch. for disability. 
Nelson R. Copes, must. out. 
George W. Thomson, must. out. 
William JefTorson, must. out. 
Perry Williams, must. out. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



PROFESSOR SAMUEL ST. JOHN. 

Professor Samuel St. John was born in New Ca- 
naan, March 29, 181.3, and was in his sixty-third year 
at the time of his death. He graduated at Yale Col- 
lege in the class of 1834. In 1838 he accepted an ap- 
pointnient as jjrofessor of chemistry, mineralogy, and 
geology in the Western Keserve College, at Hudson, 
Ohio, in which office he remained until 1851. He 
was principal of the Cleveland Seminary for j'oung 
ladies from 1852 to 1856, and during this time was 
professor of dicmistry and medical jurisprudence in 
the Cleveland Medical College. In 1850 he was ap- 
pointed professor of chemistry and medical jurispru- 
dence in the College of Physicians and Surgeons in 
New York City. This position he held until his 
death. 

When appointed to the New York college he made 
his home in his native village, and continued to take 
an active interest in all enterprises undertaken for 
the luMiifit of the place. He was one of the first and 
best friends of the New Canaan Railroad. He became 
IJrcsidcnt of the company, and to liim is greatly due 
the success of the enterprise. One of his last con- 
spicuous public services was the writing of a "His- 
tory of New Canaan," which he read at the celebra- 
tion of the Centennial Fourth of July, and which is 
an enduring memorial M his interest in New Canaan 
and its people, as well as of his literary skill. 



Professor St. John married, in 1840, Amelia P. C. 
Curtis, who died December, 1856, in Cleveland, Ohio. 
Their children were Walter, died in infancy ; Eliza 
C. ; Samuel B. ; George, died in infancy. Samuel I?, 
was liorn in 1845. He graduated at Yale College in 
1806, at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New 
Y'ork, in 1870. He was hou.sc surgeon of the Belle- 
vue Hospital and Manhattan Eye and Ear Hospital, 
New York ; surgeon of the New York Dispensary, 
Northwestern Dispensary, New York, and to the Eye 
and Ear Intirniary, New York; attended the hospi- 
tals in Edinburgh, London, Berlin, Vienna, and Paris 
in 1872 and 1873. He is a member of the New York 
Ophthalmologieal and American Ophthalmological 
Societies (whose rules prohibit the announcement in 
print of any specialty). 

In 1835, Dr. St. John visited Europe in company 
with Dr. Parker. He went to Europe a second time, 
and once more in 1873 he visited the Vienna Exposi- 
tion in company with his son and daughter. He died 
Sept. 6, 1876. 

AVe cannot, here, give anything like a comprehen- 
sive analysis, or pay adequate tribute to the char- 
acter of one who, for his profound learning, useful 
life, labors, an<l noble example of unscUishness and 
integrity, was an honor not only to New Canaan, but 
to Connecticut, which has lost many better-known 
citizens, but none of more solid attainments or more 
real worth. Very rarely does the loss of a citi- 
zen occasion such a deep and heartfelt sorrow, such 
wide-spread and universal sense of bereavement in 
any connnunity, as did the death of Professor Samuel 
St. John in the town of New Canaan. It is another 
proof that real goodness, real nobility of character, 
will compel recognition in everj' class of society, and 
when such a one is taken away there is no exception 
to the general sorrow, and the humble, the proud, the 
poor, the rich, the vulgar, the refined, the reckless, 
and the thoughtful, all unite, for a time at least, in 
one common bond of mutual grief. AVell is it for 
those on whom the lesson makes a permanent im- 
pression, who arc able to grasp the full meaning of 
such a life, and who resolve to make it a model for 
their own. 

Dr. St. John was loved in New Canaan as few men 
are loved in any community. A native of the vil- 
lage, he ever regarded New Canaan as his home, no 
matter how far away circumstances led him in the 
active labors of his life. New Canaan was the scene 
of his childhood and youthful memories, and in his 
riper years, when circumstances permitted. New Ca- 
naan was his chosen and permanent home. He was 
known and beloved by everybody in the town, young 
and old alike. He was a warm friend of every pro- 
ject having for its object the good of the town, and 
devoted his time, talents, and means to promote its 
interests. He was a true patriot, loving his country 
and her institutions with loyal affection, but his 
scholarly and ]ihilosophical mind, his broad culture 



NEW CANAAN. W, 



"rich with tlie spuils of tinii'," :iii(l witli the re-^ults wlio \v:is at that time (nie of tlic Icailinu; uicn-liaiits of 

of liis own ohservatioii, and orii;inaI ivseareh in tlu> tliis phice and vicinity, and continued in llie iiicrcan- 

doinain of science and learninir, made liini more than tih' business as a clerk and for himself lor ahout 

willing to keeii ah)of from active connection witli tlie eighteen years, lie has often been elected liy the 

management of jiartisan struggles. people of New Canaan to varions <ittiees ol' (rust and 

In cuuforniity with recomnu'ndal ions of the Presi- responsibility, — town clerk fr>r nine years; lifteeu 

dent's jtroclamation, that some snitable history be years continuously elected a magistrate, whether the 

written of eacli town in the United States during the town went Democratic or Kep>il)lican, and was finally 

Centennial year, supplemente<l by an urgent invita- obliged to refuse to qualify to get rid of it. because of 

tion of a committee of his townsmen, and upon the its interference with his other duties; was among the 

positive assuran<-c that he would be interfering witli very first magistrates, if not the rrn/ jirxl, in the State 

the prerogative of no (jhc, lie consi'iitcd to write the to try a case under the "Elaine Law," so called, 

" History of New Canaan," whicli he delivered on the passed in l.S."i4; was elected to the ]>egislatiirc in 

Centennial Fourth of July, as before stated. From 1S78, and served in the session of l.S7'.t, the lirst that 

this address the historian of this work has largely met in the new State-House, at Hartford. 

drawn for material for the history of (hat town, for In ISoit the New Canaan Savings Bank was char- 

which line credit lias elsewhere been >;ive!i. The fered, and upon being orL'ani/.ed he was chosen its 

I . . . 

closing words of Professor St. .lohn's liistorical ad- treasurer, in wliieh capacity he served seventeen 

dress are significant, and we caniiut do better, per- consecutive years, and then was clioseii iti president 

haps, than to reproduce them \\rw : "We who are for two years, but resigned before the expiration of 

now assembled here, gathering uj) the influences of , the seeimd year. 

this occasion, nmst soon be numliered with the con- In ISti.') the First National IJank of New Canaan 

gregations of other days. The time of our departure was estalilished, and he was chosen its cashier, in 

is at hand, to make room for our successors in the the- wdiich capacity lie has served until the pre-cnt time. 

atreoflife. It may lie that our jiostcrity will assemble In bSij.S the New Canaan Kailroad was organized, 

here to review their ]iast. Shall it be amid joy or nml in tlie following year he was chosen one of its 

sorrow? The answer is in jiart left to us. May he directors, and served continuously until, in 1.^7ii, he 

who, at the di.stancc of anotlier century, shall stand was chosen to fill the vacancy made by the death of 

here to celebrate this day, still look around uiioii a Professor Samuel St. Jidin (who had been president 

free, happy, and virtuous [jeople ; and may the God I from its organization ), and continues in that capacity 

of our fathers give us grace to so administer the trust to the present time. 

committed to us that our record shall enable the his- i The New Canaan Cemetery Association was organ- 

torian to rank us with theiii as having been faithful ized in 1S('>7, of which he was chosen one of its direc- 

to the principles which they established I" tors, in which he has served continuously to the pres- 

j ent; and upon the death of Capt. Stephen Hoyt, its 

first and only president until liis death, which oc- 

SELLECIC Y. ST. JOIIX. : ^.^^^y^,^\ ;„ February, 1S7.S, Mr. St. John was chosen 

Selleck Y. St. John, the oldest child of Zadock I Lis successor, and still act* in that c.iiiacity. 
and Mary W. St. John, was born at South Salem, ' In December, 1840, Mr. St. John was married to 
Westchester Co., and State of New York, on the ' JIary A., daughter of Holly Seymour, of New Ca- 
10th day of Febrliary, 1819. His father was the | naan, who died in 188:!, leaving a widow and five 
third son of Samuel St. John, of Ridgebury, Conn., j children. His widow dieil in I.S49. leaving tiie two 
where he was born in 17'J3, and died at Lewisboro' youngest children, a son and daughter. It was the 
(formerly South Salem ), 'Westchester Co., N. Y., in nuither's dying rec|uest that lh\ St. Jidin and wife 
1865. should give up their own home and come back to tlic 

His mother was the (dilcst child of Fbenezer Sel- old homestead, whicli had been in the family from the 
leek, of Lewisboro', where she was born in 1801, and : earliest settlement of the town, where her (diildrcn 
where she died in 187ti. His parents were married had been born and reared, ami make a home for llie 
Jan. 8, 1818; they liveil together fiirty-seven years, | young brotlier and sister. The promise was made 
and had four sons. The fatlier's death was the lirst I and sacredly kejit, and from that time until the 
in the family. j present, a period of over thirty years, there has 

Until thirteen years of age the subject of our scarcely been a time, however short, but that they 
sketch had only the ordinary advantages of a common have had tliis brother and sister or their children, as 
school ; then for the best part of two years he was ! well as other nieces and ne|diews of himself and wife, 
lavored with the advantages of an excellent practical | as members of their fiimily, and in which they have 
academy, eondnefcd l>y his cousin, Samud S.St.. fohn, | always been treated with love and kindness, as if 
Esq., at Kidgefield, Conn. ' their own. 

.- At sixteen years of age he entered as a clerk the They had only two children id' their own, and both 
^tore of Seymour Couistoek, Esq., of New Canaan, are nowdeceased,— Amanda, born in lS44,died March, 



448 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



1879, leaving one little girl, Josie May Martin, to the 
care and affection of her <rrandparents ; Hannah, born 
in 1854, and died in 1800. 

During the last thirty yearpi of his life Mr. St. 
John has often been chosen to act as e.xeeutor, ad- 
ministrator, assignee, or trustee of estates and guar- 
dian of minor children. Perhajjs no man in the 
town has ever been intrusted with tlie care and cus- 
tody of other people's money to such an extent and 
such large amounts, and up to this day he has never 
failed at the proper time to account for every dollar 
of the millions thus confided to him. 

Another feature of his l)usincss life in which he has 
great reason to congratulate liimself is the fact tliat, 
while acting so prominently in a fiduciary capacity, 
and especially during the late war and just after, when 
so many had money to invest, and there were so many 
schemes to answer this great demand, some of which 
were worthy, and an innumerable number of unworthy 
ones, its was natural, his advice was often sought by 
men and women as to what or where they should in- 
vest their money. And he has the proud satisfaction 
of knowing that no person, and no estate of which he 
had charge of the investments, but that have already 
or can now realize one hundred cents on the dollar. 
And it was not because he was not thoroughly 
tempted, as thousands of other men were, constantly 
besieged and im))lored' to take the agency of this, 
that, or the other thing, with large and tempting com- 
missions offered as the price of his advice and influ- 
ence. Happy man ! A million dollars would be poor 
]>ay for the blotting of .such a record and memory as 
that. 

On the temperance question Mr. St. .fohn lias been 
a " radical" from early boyhood, having signed the 
pledge when only fourteen years old ; that was the 
"old pledge," which covered alcoholic beverages only. 
.\ year or two later, alone and by himself, without per- 
sua.sion or influence of any sort, never having heard 
a discussion or lecture on the subject, but simply read- 
ing an article in a newspaper that accidentally came 
into his hands, he resolved to abstain from everything 
that could intoxicate, and from that time until 187fi, 
a period of over forty years, no intoxicating liquors 
passed his lips, and then only as he took other poisons, 
from the hands and l>y the ailvice of a trusty friend 
and iihysician. Forty-three years ago this summer 
ho and and six other young men — all under or about 
twenty years of age — organized the New Canaan 
Young Men's Total Abstinence Society, and circu- 
lated the first |tle<lge of that kind in the town, which 
lias borne good fruit. .\nd, what is a remarkable fact, 
six of lliose men are still living, one only liaviiig 
fallen from grace, wiio died several years ago. 

During the winter of 1840-41 he was induced to 
attend and listen to a lecture on slavery. He went 
to the meeting with a«trong ])rejudice against aboli- 
tion and abolition lecturers; but what he heard made 
a profound impression upon his mind, as it was well 



I calculated to do, the argument being principally moral 
and biblical. When leaving the house an intimate 
friend said to him, "What do you think of that?" 
meaning the lecture. The answer was, " I hardly 
know what to think, but it xwms to be God's truth." 
" Well," said the friend, " what are you going to do 
about it ?" " I don't know ; try to do right. If I be- 
come convinced that slavery is contrary to right and 
justice and cannot be reconciled with the 'Golden 
Rule,' then I shall be an abolitionist. I must be!" 
And yet hoping, almost praying, that he might see his 
way clear to " do right" and yet not be obliged to be- 
come an abolitionist. It soon became known that he 
was on the anxious seat, and his friends became as 
anxious to save him from wliat they thought would be 
utter ruin and disgrace ; those that were real friends 
labored in season and out of season, kindly, calmly, 
and ]5rayerfully ; pretended friends sneered and proph- 
esied and even threatened, and this only added fuel to 
the fire, for his w:t.s a nature that might be won, but 
could not be bullied or bribed. It is impossible in 
these d.iys to comprehend or hardly believe the strife 
and struggles that the abolitionists of forty years ago 
had to endure and surmount. It produced alienation 
of long-time friends, broke up the aflections and har- 
mony of churches and families. His experience was 
only that of thousands of others. Friends tried to 
persuade, dear relations, with blood-connected ties, 
begged and prayed that he would listen to reason and 
save himself and them from disgrace, irnmten of 
the Gofpel of Jesus of Nazareth interfered with advice 
and remonstrance. And finally the culmination came 
one evening, when calling U])on the one minister who 
of all others had his love, confidence, and veneration. 
When, with a kind and loving seriousness and prayer- 
ful earnestness befitting the attempt to "snatch a 
brand from the burning," his reverend friend (and 
he knew and felt it was a rent friend) pictured and set 
before him, as only a master hand can do, the grand 
and glowing prospects that were opening before him 
as a young man, in business relalion.s, in society, a:id 
in the church, everything a1mo.st that an intelligcMt, 
ambitious yimng man might be supposed to asjiirc to, 
wits apparently almost ready to fall into his hands, 
the interview enrlcd. Mr. St. John had expected to 
attend an anti-slavery meeting that evening and had 
stopped on his way. He was staggered for a while; 
he saw and felt the deep and sincere earnestness of his 
friend ; knew he was a good, esteemed, and earnest 
minister of the Gospel, and that he ought to know a 
great deal better about such a question of morals than 
himself; knew and admitted that many and most of 
the consequences so dreaded by his friends would 
come upon him, and yet he did not half know the 
consequences that would follow him as an open and 
avoweil abolitionist, and well he did not, for he 
thought he had all he could bear. He piL-ssed out of 
his friend's door into the darkness of night with a 
heart full almast of agony and eyes raining tears 




-'--»\<§-V 



^ r,/^^. 



NEW CANAAN. 



449 



down his face. As he went slowly ilown the street 
he reasoned with himself. Worldly ease and ambition 
tempted him to frive up and yield to the entreaties 
and try to helieve that the slave was hi'tter otV as he 
was than he would he to he a " free ni^'fjer." I'lit a 
(/w)(/ spirit said, "How about the Mrohlen Rule?' 
ean a slaveholder be doing what, and as he would 
that, others shouhl do unto him? and John Wesley 
says, ■ Ameriean slavery is tlu' sum of all a iUauies,' 
and I hrlicvr it! I irill hi' nn abolitionist and aeeejit 
the eonsequenees. Thank (lod for tliis di-eision ! / 
Lninr I am right." And from that moment there was 
never anything that eouhl amount to a temptation to 
turn baek. All that was ])ropliesied came upon him, i 
and mure; but all the trials and ditlieiilties were or- 
dained for good, as is promised to them that are faith- 
ful to frod and humanity and a good eonseienee, and 
now this chapter of his experience in life is regarded 
and cherished as the brightest, and crowded with 
pleasant memories. 

< )f eoin-se, as may Ije inferre(l, from tin- time of his 
cojiversion he voted as he prayeil and talked and 
wrote. He acted with the poor, despised " Liberty 
party" famities until the organizatio]i of the " Free 
Soil" party, then with them until the organization of 
the llepublicaii party, wdio.se grand and glorious mis- 
sion was to first stop the spread, then strangle, and 
finally, with Hashing sabn> and glittering bayonets 
and thundering cannon, in the hands of a million 
"Boys in Blue," stamp out for aye and evermore the 
American system and "sum of all villanies." With 
this party he stood from tlie first, and stands to-day 
with " malice towards none and charity towards all." 
In bS8() he united with the IMethodist Ejdscopal 
Church, where he still worships. Creed and pro- 
fe.ssions he regards much less than the every-day walk 
and conversation, and, while reverencing the Bible, he 
has no fears that it will be sacrilegious to have the (dd 
one revised and corrected, fully believing that we have 
as good and learned men as they had two hundred 
years or more ago, that are cai>able of revising it in 
the interests of truth, righteousness, and revelation. 
He has no anxiety either about what science has al- 
ready developed, or will develop, in reference to the 
truth of what is esteemed Bible teachings, for wherein 

I truth is really found God will be (bund also, ami He 

i can be trusted to take care of His own. 

From his earliest recollections he has been (bnd of 

I reading, and in his sixteenth year stdiscrihed for Mr. 
Greeley's New Yorker, a weekly literary paper, whi(di, 
he insists, he has never seen excelled. He continueil 

' that until its publication w;is suspende(l. He has 

' been a constant reader of the Trihiine from its start, 
has taken the daily regularly for twenty-eight years, 
aud considers himself under ol)ligations to Horace 

\ Greeley for more and better sound common-sense in- ' 

■ struetion in morality, social as well as political, tlian 
all other persons or sources combined. In addition to 
the popular magazines and other monthly issues, he 



averages, besides the I)/iihj Tribiine, at least one weekly 
every day, Sunday included, and has one of the largest, 
if not the largest jirivate library of miscellaneous books 
in the town. 

His farm, whicli, when he came into possession, had 
been without a proptM- head for seventec-n years, and 
had become almost a waste, ha-s been cleared up, 
drained and fenced, buildings renovated and ad<le<l to, 
until it has become one of the best farms in tlie vicin- 
ity, and is now an un]iretending I.iut comfortable a:iil 
dcliglitfnl country home. 

He was re-eleetcil to the Legislature in 188(1. 



C.\bEI? .«. BENEDICT. 

The Benedicts are of English descent, and came to 
tills country at a very early day, settling in Norwalk, 
Conn. 

The great-grandfather of Caleb 8. Benedict, also 
named Caleb, was one of the earlit^4 settlers of New 
Canaan. He died in ]"<!], at the age of fifty-two. 
An arm-chair used by him Ts in the possession of the 
family. .lames Benedict, one of his sons, died at 
the age of ninety-five. He was the founder of the 
shoe business in New Canaan. His youngest son, 
Caleb), was the first to liegin the nianufacture of peg 
shoes in tliat place, having bought the right to do so 
from parties in New York. His was a town-riglit, 
which jiermitteil him to manufacture in New Canaan 
only. He from a small beginning manufactured 
quite extensividy at last, probably to the amount of 
one hundred thousand dollars per annum. He was 
married at about the age of twenty to Miss Ellis, 
daughter of Hezekiah St. .Toliii, of New Canaan. 
There were filteen children, of whom (_'aleb S. was 
the eldest son. He was born in New Canaan, Oct. 
28, 1808, and was reared to the trade of his fathers, 
working in his father's establishment until his mar- 
riage, Nov. 0, 182G, to Miss Hannah E., eldest daugh- 
ter of Deacon William and Polly (Mills) Crissey, of 
New Canaan, when he engaged in business on his 
own account. The children of the la.st-recordeil mar- 
riage have been eleven in number, of whom eight are 
living, — namely : Harriet E., now Mrs. H. D. I^oek- 
wood, of Stamford; Mary .1., now Mrs. William E. 
Hustcd ; ,Iose]ili I. ; Junius C. S., Jr. ; Polly M., now 
Mrs. fieorge Kellogg, of Ocean Grove ; Theodore W. ; 
and Henry G. The three decea-sed are Harriet E., 
William C, killed in battle of Murfreesboro', and Ed- 
ward 8. 

Three years since, Mr. and Mrs. Benedict eclel>rated 
their golden wedding, at which there were |)rcsent 
ninety-nine guests, the major part of whom were 
their descentlants. 

The life of Mr. Beniclict has been one of active 
business; considerable of his time has been given to 
the interests of the public, having at various times 
held almost all of the town offices. In IsCiJ he was 



450 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



elected to the Legislature, representing his town again 1 
in that body in 1872. 

The manufacture of the establishment with which 
Mr. Benedict is connected does not exceed thirty ' 
thonsand doUar.i per annum. Associated in business 
with him are several of his sons. 



EBEN'EZER .1. RICIIAUDo. 

The Richards are of Welsh e.vtraction, and trace 
their descent in this country from Samuel Richards, 
who w!is one of tiie original settlers in Norwalk, and 
who was great-grandfather to the subject of our 
sketch. 

James Richards settled in New Canaan some years 
before the Revolution. One of his children, Jesse, 
youngest but one of a large family, was married to Miss 
Lydia, daugliter of Jesse and Ly<lia Hickok, of New 
Canaan. His children were six by his first wife; his 
second marriage was to Clarissa, daughter of Judge 
Ebenczer Lockwood, of Westchester, N. Y. 

Elienczcr J. Richards was the only child of this 
second marriage, and was born April H, 181(i, in New 
Canaan. His opportunities for acquiring an educa- 
tion were such as are afforded by the common school, 
with one term at a higher institution of learning in 
New York City. 

Possessing talents wliich would have enabled him 
to reach success in professional life, lie has clung to 
the calling of liis father, that of farming, from choice, 
believing tiuit to bo a business requiring quite as high 
order of talent to prosecute successfully as the learned 
professions. Mr. Richards enjoys the reputation of a 
successful farmer. 

Ebenezer .J. Richards was married somewhat late 
in life to Miss Julia M., youngest daughter of Han- 
ford and Mabel (Fitdi) Carter, of New Canaan. 

Mr. Carter was a man of more tlian ordinary talent 
and force of character, and rei)resented his town a 
number of times in the Legislature, and was for many 
years one of its selectmen. 

E. J. Ricliards has liilcd many town offices, and in 
18G3 represented his town in the Legislature of his 
State. 

AVILLI.\.M KDt;.\ll U.VV.MOND. 
AVilliam Edgar Raymond, third son of Samuel Ray- 
mond, wius born in the city of New York in 1821. 
His grandfather, William Raymond, moved into tlie 
parish of Canaan aliout the year 178.>, from Norwalk, 
settling on a suuill tract of land in the ejtstern i)art of 
the township, wlierc lie built a house in whicii he lived 
and died, lie was a descendant of one of three 
brothers who immigrated to this country from France 
in the early settlement of the colony of Connecticut. 
Two of the brothera#«ccording to tradition, settled in 
New I^>ndon, the third in Norwalk. William Ray- 
mond was a soldier Ln the French-Canadian war, and 



his discharge and receipt arc on file in the comptrol- 
ler's office at Hartford. He came into the |)arish ( f 
Canaan a cripple, from wounds received in battle, and 
was comparatively a poor man, but he reared quite a 
large family of children, — sons and daughters, — all of 
whom, with the exception of the youngest son, Samuel, 
went to other States and settled, and their numerous 
descendants have made honored uame-s for themselves 
and families. 

Samuel Raymond early saw his situation, — that his 
father's few acres of rough laud would not give him a 
living, — and prevailed on his father to allow him to 
do something for himself. On the rocky farm of one 
Matthi.as St. John, young Samuel began the real batth' 
of life, remaining with him until he w;i3 bound out tu 
learn the trade of shoemaker. Mr. St. John after- 
wards married his oldest sister. At the age of twenty 
Samuel purcha-cd his time and went to Walton, Del- 
aware Co., N. Y. Here he remained one year, and 
returned to his native town and commenced the man- 
ufacture of shoes, in which he was moderately su:;- 
cessful. 

In 1808 he was married to Polly, daughter of Jacob 
Selleck, a well-to-do farmer of New Canaan. Jacob 
S3lleck became the purch:ucr of "the Shaker Farm" 
when that society sold out and removed to Lebanon, 
N. Y. It is now owned by the sons of the late C'apt. 
Stephen Hoyt. The children of Samuel were Char- 
lotte, Cliarles, Thomas, and William E. 

Samuel Raymond was a man prominent not only 
in his native town, but also in his county and State. 
He was well versed in the laws of the State, some of 
which he drafte<l, while many were pasi^ed duriii<r his 
membership in the Legislature. He represented New 
Canaan in the Legislature thirteen years, with one 
year in the Senate, and his influence was second to 
none. An extensive reader, retaining all he read, he 
could cope in debate with the ablest niend)ers of his 
day. A strong partisan, but not an extremist, he wsis 
thoroughly honest, and no party measure ever received 
his encouragement or supjiort if in his view there was < 
anything wrong in it. Party caucuses never succeeded 
in whipping him into the traces, and for his adherence 
to what he conceived to be the right, which was con- 
trary to the views of his party in a matter relating to 
the banks of the State, he was at one time "read out." 

For ni.any years previous to 18-12 he had been en- 
gaged in the mercantile business. That year he was 
elected sherift', and sold his business to liis three sous. 
This business was in a short time bought by the twn 
youngest sons, who remained together several year-, 
and was finally bought by William E., who continued 
it down to 18o7, when he sold out and went to Iowa, 
where he had a large interest in government lands. 
He went West with the intention of engaging in 
banking, but, not liking the way they did business Id 
that new Slate, in the autumn of the same year he 
returned to C^innccticut. 

In 1859 he was elected to the Legislature, and the 





I'Luto. by Wilson, BridgQport, 



-^J'^.A 




I 



{JUi^jjUi %J^to 




c^^ 





NEW CANAAN. 



451 



same year he eiijiafreJ in nianuf'ucturiiii;-, folldwiiiLC it 
to 1875, when lie retiiccl. lu l,S7;i he was elected 
■State treasurer, faithfully and satisfactorily ]ierforin- 
\n<i the duties of that oflir/e for four successive years. 
The jiresent t'nur and a half per cent, bonded indebt- 
edness of the State was rec;ininiendeil in his last report 
to the (xcneral Assembly, and liy its adopticju many 
thousands of dollars iiave l)een s:ived to the tax- 
[layers. 

William K. Rayiunnd ha; tilled viniuus oliiees of 
trust and responsibility. At present he is an active 
trustee of the New ('aiiaan UailruMil ; is a bank 
director and an lionorary member of the .\nierican 
Board. 

(Sanuud liayiniind died in lS()"i, at the advanced aire 
of nearly ei.i;hty-two, and is still well remembered. 



lU'SSKI.I- L. II.ALL. 

Kussidl L. Hall was Ixn-n Aua:. 18, ISIW, in Warren, 
Litehtield Co., Conn., and is of Welsh descent. J lis 
early life wasspent in layinu: the fiundatidii ufthe edu- 
cation which has enabled him to become thesncce^sful 
business man he is to-day. Ilis education was both 
common scluxjl and academic. At the ajre of sixteen 
lie bcfran the trade of cal)inet-maker, in fioshen, 
Litchfield Co. As an apprentice lie worked for George 
8. Brewster for nearly five years, receiving as com- 
peusatiiin twenty-five dollar^ lirst, witli five dollars 
advance each year, rc/eiving for the last year forty- 
five dollars. 

In IS-jIj he came to New Caauan, the phico of Ids 
present abode, an<l in the following spring embarked 
in business on his own account. His success lias been 
uniform, and he stands to-day one of the prominent 
men of his adopted town. 

Elnathan Hall, his great-grand father^ was a large 
landholder in the western part of Fairfield County at 
an early day, and just before the Revolution pur- 
chased a large tract of land in Vermont, wliicdi he 
divided among his children, some of whom went there 
to live. His youngest son, Elnathan \j., moved to 
Fairfichl C(ninty, wdiere he learned the trades of tanner 
and shoemaker, which business, in conneetion witli 
farming, he followed through life. His wife's name 
was Huldah Stoni', of Hanbury, and their children 
eight in number, all of whom are living, the youngest 
about sixty, the eldest nearly ei.iihty. 

Norman S. Hall, father (d' Kussell, was a native of 
Litchfield County. His business was that of tanner, 
princii)ally. His wife was Jfary A., clde<t daughter 

of Russell and Hurd Stone, of Kent. Tlieir 

children were Russell L., Harriet E., E/.raS., Amelia 
Sophia (deceased), Mary J., Charles W., Laura 1., and 
Lucy M. (deceased). 

Eassell L. Hall wa.s married Dec. -I-i, lSo7, to Jliss 
Betsy A., eldest daughter of Reuben and Sarah (Sco- 
field) .Tones, of New Canaan. Their children are 
Julia M. and Lewis C. 



Mr. Hall has filled with satisfaction to his c<institu- 
ents various ofliccs of trust in his town. He has been 
treasurer of New Canaan Savings Rank fur some time, 
and in 1878 he was electeil president uf First National 
Bank of New Canaan, having previously filled the 
ofhee of vice-president of the in-titutiun for several 
years. 

CAPT. STICI'IIEX IIOYT. 

Ca]it. Sfeiihcn Hoyt was born in New Canaan, .Vpril 
7, 18U0. He was the mily son of Stephen ami INdly 
(Carter) H<iyt, and had Ibur sisters. Of these, I'dly 
married Bradley Keeler ; Hannah, Alfred i^eeley ; 
and Sally Carter, Benjamin Hoyt; while .Inlia, the 
youngest but one, died unmarried at the age uf nine- 
teen. An only son, Steidien enjoyed all that parental 
and sisterly love could ju'ovide, while he, on his part, 
contributed, tr) the extent of his ability, tn their com- 
fort and luqipiness. His parents, in comfortable cir- 
cumstances, planned to give him a collegiate educa- 
tion, but "Man proposes, (bjil disposes." \'ouiig 
Stephen's eyesight failing him in part, he was obliged 
to abandon study and seek other pursuits. 

When twenty years of age he taught the winter 
term of wdiat is known as the White (_)ak District 
School. The sjiring following he entered mercantile 
life, taking his father's interest in the store kejit by 
Husted & Hoyt. The business was carried on in the 
corner-store now owned by S. C. Weed, — the only 
store at that time in the village of New (_'anaan. At 
the end of about five years JL'. Husti'd sold his in- 
terest to Edwin Nash, wdio remained in the firm until 
his death, in 184'). In 1837, Benjamin Hoyt became 
a jiartner, and budness was conducted under the lirm- 
nanie of S. ^^ B. H(jyt. In 1S4(I, Stephen s(dd his 
interest to .Vmlrews Weed, that he might give his 
entire attention to the cultivation of his farm liought 
three years before. 

\{ twenty-three he was married to Sally, daughter 
(d' Caleb Beneilict, comnieneing housekeeping in a 
new building built liy his father opposite the old 
home. 

In 1824 he wa^ elected captain in a coiiqiany of 
militia, serving three years, during the time marching 
his company to N<irwalk to do honor to Cen. Lafay- 
ette, then making the tour of the States. 

As a merchant lie was obliging and jiopular, and 
quite successful, but on acconnt of his large and 
growing family, wdiich he felt could be better trained 
in the counlry, he abamhmed mercantile for farm 
life. This he did against the opposition of his 
fatlnr's family, wdio idolized him and wished him to 
remain near them. 

in polities he was a Whig, and repres<'nled his 
jiarfy in 183(1 and 1840 in the State Legislature. .As 
selectman he served several terms, and for many years 
was treasurer of the town deimsit fund. He was 
an earnest ailvocate and defender i>t' human liberty, 
and joined the Free Soil party in 1848 and the Re- 



452 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



publican party in 1856. He was, during the Rebel- [ 
lion, a thorough Union man, giving of time, money, 
and voiee, aiding his town to raise its quota, and in 
assisting the families of those who had gone to the 
front. After the war he withdrew from aetive politics ! 
and devoted himself to the improvement of his farm. 

He was a man of high moral character, and entered 
heartily into any project having for its object the ele- 
vation of mankind or the im])rovemcnt of his town. 
He took a resolute stand in 1840 in connection with 
the, in his town, unpopular Washingtonian reform 
movement. Signing the pledge, he banished from . 
his table and fields cider, as well as all other intoxi- I 
cants. In this new and unpopular sphere he showed 
the same resolute determination characteristic witli 
him in all his undertakings. He spent much of his 
time and money in attending and sustaining State, 
county, and town temperance organizations, and for 
years was rarely absent from their weekly meetings 
held in the town. 

He was one of the fourteen charter members who 
organized Friendship Division, No. 10, Sons of Tem- 
perance, in New Canaan, in 184o, — an organization 
which has existed upwards of thirty-five years, with 
a membership at the present writing of nearly two 
hundred. .\t his death he was one of the few charter 
members wjio remained true to the great principles of 
this reform. 

Capt. Hoyt took great interest in the New Canaan 
Railroad, giving much time and money towards its 
construction. He was stockholder and director of 
the First National Bank, and for several years its 
president, and for many years director and loaning 
committee of the savings bank. He interested him- 
self in forming the Union Cemetery Company, of 
whicli he was chosen president. To this work he de- 
voted much time and labor, and advanced the money 
necessary to make the survey, lay out the drives and 
walks, and for other work necessary to bring the cor- 
poration into a self-sustaining association. 

The cemetery was dedicated in 1872. The elm-tree 
standing in the triangle of the road as you enter the 
village of New Canaan from the oast wa.s planted 
there by Capt. Hoyt in 1870, and the stone coping 
surrounding it was caused to be placed there bv Jlrs. 
Dr. W. I'arker. 

As a farmer Cai)t. Hoyt was eminently successful. 
His farm, bought in 1837, was known as the Shaker 
F'arm, comprising at that time one hundred and sixty- 
three acres of worn-out rocky land, with poor fences 
and outbuihlings. He entered at once upon the 
work of im]>rovement, and long before his death had 
the satisfaction of bringing about a complete trans- 
formation, the rocky. uni>roduetive fields giving place 
to grass, orciiard, and tree-covered, fertile ones, and 
the old tumble-down fences and buildings entirely 
replaced by new. In 1842 he cultivated a few onions, 
increasing thequantity of ground until five acres were 
annually cultivated, yielding from two thousand five 



Imndred to three thousand bushels. In 1846 he 
started the first milk-route in New Canaan. In 1848 
he formed a partnership with a Mr. Scofield for the 
purpose of starting a nursery in New Canaan. Seeds 
were sown and every arrangement made for growing 
nursery stock. This was the beginning of the cele- 
brated nursery of Stephen Iloyt's Sons, now carried 
on by James & Kdwin Hoyt, who have more than one 
hundred acres exclusively devoted to the growing of 
young trees. 

Kind-hearted and liberal, no man of his generation 
in New Canaan was more identified with its interests ; 
and he was ever ready to lend a iielping hand to those 
seeking his aid. He gave employment to a large 
number, many of whom were with him continuously 
for nearly thirty years. 

Of his ten children seven are still living, thrive 
having died in infancy. 

Oct. 23, 1873, Capt. Hoyt celebrated his golden 
wedding, which was participated in by nearly two 
hundred guests, and was a social occasion long to be 
remembered. 

He died Feb. 24, 1879, thus ending the career of 
an energetic, persevering, and good man. 



AAUOX JKLLIFF, Jii. 

Aaron Jellifl", .Ir., was born in Wilton, Fairfield Co., 
Conn., March 2, 1839. His father, also named Aanm, 
was a hatter by trade, following it for some year> in 
his native town, Wilton, also in Pennsylvania. Re- 
linquishing the hat business, he began in a small way 
the manufacture of wire sieves. 

He was married to Miss Caroline Dunning, of Wil- 
ton, and became the father of nine cliildren, of whom 
Aaron w;is the fifth child and fourth sou. His second 
wife was Mrs. Bartram, of Redding. Of this uni"ii 
there wiis no issue. 

Aaron Jellifl" Jr., learned the business of sie\' • 
making from his father, whom he assisted up to and 
after his marriage, which took i)lace on his reachini 
his twenty-first birthday, to Samantha, daughter 'f 
Major and Hannah (Keeler) Dickens, of Reddirij;. 
The only child which has been born to them is 
George H., born Dec. 18, 1861. After his marriage 
Mr. Jelliir commenced the nuinufacture of brush- 
blocks in Georgetown, soon after removing to Wilton, 
where he continued the business until 1868, when he 
connected with it the business of making eoal-sieves, 
weaving his own cloth and making his own frames. 
To this small business he has added from time to 
time, until now the product of the factory consi.sts of 
coal- and flour-sieves, of muzzles, wire-doth, and the 
celebrated "Rival Ash-Sifter." This latter business 
has reached such proportions as to crowd out the 
brush-block business almost entirely. 

In 1869, Mr. Jellifl moved to the town of New Ca- 
naan, and took jio.sse.ssion of what is known :is Water- 
bury's Mills, which, in company with his lirother 




&k 



OtA^<r^^ 



J 




•^///' 




riioto- by WiUoo, BridgaporU 



Q^^^»-v>x^ '^ ^<^^^»^ ^;^^t^^ 




a^to 




'/. 



Phow. l>j G. S. Nurth, Soath Norwalk. 



z^^ C^Z-L, ^<:?-^C^^^' 



NEW CANAAN. 



453 



C'hnrU-^, he had recently purelui^nl. The iirci]jerty 
was ill a sad stateof dilaiiidation, — " Nothing' local, as 
one mijrht say," but the wlnde having, not a mild, but 
a strong and most pronounced, flavor ot'decay. ])Ut the 
brothers were not of the kind easily disconrajted, and 
set about repairing the place as well as their limited 
means would allow. First they were obliged to build 
a house to live in, which done they turned their at- 
tention to the mill, finding it necessary to sul)stitute 
a new wheel lor the ones in the mill in order to get 
the iiower reijuisite Cor their business. They put in a 
" Letle" wheel twenty -three inches in <liaineter, by 
wliicli they get over fifteen-horse power, and by the 
aid (jf wliich they do all the sawing and planing for 
their frames. 



S.\MUEL COMSTOCK. 



Sanuiel Conistock is descended fniin the pioni'er of 
that name who was one of the earliest settlers of 
Norwalk. 

Abijah ('omstock, the jiaternal grandfather of 
Samuel, settled in New Canaan on the farm which 
has ever since been owned and occujiied by his 
descendants. His wife's name was Deborah liene- 
diet, and their children were eight, four sons and 
four daughters, of whom the father of our subject, 
also luimed Samuel, was the youngest ; he was a far- 
mer by occupation, but bore the title of major, jirob- 
ably of militia. He was also engaged in mercantile 
pursuits to some extent. He was born .July 15, 1767; 
married, Dec. 0, 1793, to Catharine, daughter of Jon- 
athan and Sarah (Green) Clock. .Joseph Green, 
father of 8aruh, was a soldier in the Rev(dution:u-y 
war and was killed at Compo, April ;!0, 1777, in the 
fifty-seventh year of his age. 

The children of .Samuel and Catharine (Clock) 
Comstoek were eight, four sons and fcjur daughters, 
as in the preceding generation, of whom the subject 
of this memoir was son. He was born .July 4, 1802, 
and died March 11, 1871. 

The fanuly of which he w.as a mend)er consisted 
of Del)orah, Dinah (deceased), Hannah (deceased), 
Ruth (deceased), Samuel (deceased), William (de- 
ceased), David, a Congregational minister, now liv- 
ing retired in Stamford, Conn., and Thomas An- 
thony, living in Brooklyn, and the father of Antliony 
Comstoek, agent for the Society for the Suj>pression 
of Vice. 

Samuel Comstoek's edu<-ation was deriveil from tlie 
common school of his native town jirincipally, with 
a short academical term in New Canaan Academy. 
At his father's deatli, wliich occurred wlii'U he was 
sixteen, he was obliged to withdraw from his studies, 
which he never afterwards found time to resume, and 
assume charge of the farm, us the eldest son. 

His father, just previous to his death, wliieli oc- 
curred suddenly, had been engaged in rejjairs and 
improvements at considerable expense, which left 



the estate somewhat encumbered. This encumbrance 
young Samuel, by his industry, prudence, and fore- 
sight, ably assisted by his motlier, an energetic woman 
of excellent judgment, soon renifived, and was able 
to assist his younger brother. At the age of thirty- 
five Samuel was married to Sarah, daughter of David 
and Cynthia (Abbott) Comstoek, of Norwalk. Their 
children were Hannah (deceased), Sarah, Eliza, 
.Tosephine, Clementine, and Samuel. In politics 
Mr. Comstoek was a Whig, but, altlumgh taking a 
lively interest in political matters, he persistently re- 
fuseil office. 

In religious matters he was very liberal. He wa.s 
a regular attendant at the Ccjiigregational eliurih in 
New Canaan, and a member of "the society." 

Dinah Comstoek, second sister of Samuel, was the 
wife of Rev. Chester Isham, at the time of his death .set- 
tled over Trinitarian Church, Taunton, Mass. Uuth, 
the youngest sister, kejit a young ladies' boarding- 
school ill New Haven for more than twenty years. 
Tills school was started by Dinah (Mrs. Ishaui) and 
Ruth C<uiistoek, and was known as Dwight I'lace 
Seminary, also as Miss Comstoek's school, and on the 
death <if ilrs. Isham was continued by Ruth Com- 
stoek, as stated above. The school had an enviable 
reputation, and educated ladies from all parts of the 
United States. 



FRAXCLS E. CHICHESTER. 

Throughout the entire history of the southern por- 
tion of Connecticut the name of Chichester figures. 
It is an English name and found among the original 
settlers of Norwalk. The paternal grandfatlier of 
Francis E. Chichester was David Chichester, aud on 
his mother's side, Enos Weed, both natives and life- 
long residents of the town of New Canaan, Fairlleld 
Co. 

David Chichester was a soldier in the Revolution, 
and took part in the battle of Ridgelield. The action 
was quite severe, David, however, escaping with no 
greater damage than two bullet-holes through his 
coat. His widow' after his death was a pensioner of 
that war. David was the father of a large family, all 
of whom reached an advanced age, the youngest 
being sixty before a deatli occurred among the chil- 
dren. 

Enos Weed was three times married, — first to a Jliss 
Powers, of New t'anaan ; his sec(Uid aud third wives 
were sisters, named Andrews, of Daricn. 

The eldestson of David Chichester, Isaac,was a Pres- 
byterian minister, and at his death was setth'd at Ben- 
nington, N. Y. Alanson Chichester, third son, was tlu' 
father of the subject of our sketch. He was a liirmer l)y 
occupation, a man of much force of character, though 
retiring in his manner. He was married early in life 
to Salty, eldest daughter of Enos and Kesiali ( Powers) 
Weed, of New Canaan. Their eliildreu were Han- 
nah, Francis E., George A. (merchant in Danbury), 



454 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Sarah (deceased), David N. (living on the homestead 
in Pound Ridjre), and Jliiry P. 

Francis E. Chichester was tlie eldest son and was 
born Nov. 15, 1822, in New (lanaan, where he lived 
until his fifth year, when his father removed to Pound 
Ridge, Westeliester Co., N. Y. Here Francis re- 
mained till his marriage, Jan. 29, 1845, to Jliss 
Adelia J., second daughter of Frederick and Polly 
(St. John) Barrett, of Bedford, N. Y. 

Francis' boyhood was .spent in helping his flither 
with his farm work and in attending school. After his 
marriage he returned to his native town and began 
farming on his grandfatlicr Weed's farm, working it 
on shares at first, afterwards buying it, it being his 
home at the present time. The children of Mr. and 
Mrs. Chichester have been Amelia J. (now Mrs. 
Samuel JT^. ■\Vlialcy, of New Canaan) and Helen F. 
(deceased). 

In politics Mr. Chichester is Republican, and by 
his party has l)een elected to fill various town offices. 

Tlie entire family are members of the Congrega- 
tional Church of New Canaan, to the support of 
which they liberally contribute. 



CHAPTER XLV. 



NE-W FAIRFIELD. 



GeograpliicM — Toiwfrnpliical — Originnl Gmiit — Ebenezor Hurt — First 
Survc.v — Iiidini) Villiigo — Tntlfim niiryinp-Grouml — The Pioncore — 
Tlio Prniii Coinpnny — Kcclo«iuitticnl — Fin*t Crtiigregftlioiial Cliiircli — 
hht of Iteprcsc'iiUUived. 

The town of New Fairfield lies in the northern part 
of the county, and is bounded as follows : On the 
north by Sherman ; on the east by Litdifield County 
and the town of Brookfield ; on the south by Dan- 
bury ; and on the west by Putnam Co., N. Y. The 
.surface of the town is generally hilly, and the soil 
fertile. 

This town was granted to twelve proprietors, who 
made a division and allotment of riglits and surveyed 
it about 173(i-.'J7. The grant comprised the present 
towns of New Fairfield and Slicrman, called the 
" Lower and the Upper Seven Miles." The choice of 
location in tlie allotment was won by Ebenezer Burr, 
of Fairfield, who, not having explored the township, 
chose the centre lot in the " Lower Seven Miles," 
which, when located and surveyed, included a large 
j)art of wliat is now called " Short Woods," a moun- 
tainous portion, and the least valuable of any of the 
townshii)s. The remains of a dwelling occupied by 
some of the descendants of Elienezer Burr still exist 
near the residence of Richard Barrett. 

The southea.stern portion of the town,ea.-<terly from 
Wood Creek, was surveyed by Thomas and John Ed- 
wards, of Stratfonl.itl 17'i7. Tlu'irsurvey comprised a 
tract of two hundred and tliirly-six acres, and included 
a part of the farms now owned by B. B. Kellogg, Esq., 



and Mrs. H. G. Betts. This portion of the town was 
then called the " Apple-trees," from some ajiple-trees 
which it is said were planted by the Indians, and 
were standing witliin the recollection of persons now 
living. On a portion of this tract surveyed by the 
Edwards were an Indian village and l)urying-ground. 
JIany stone implements and curiosities of Indian 
workmanship are turned up by the plow in cultivat- 
ing the soil, some of which have been presented to 
the Smithsonian Institution, at Washington, by Mr. 
B. B. Kellogg. 

The ridge of land northerly from Neversink Pond 
was surveyed by Unesimus Gould a little later in the 
same year of the Edwards survey. A large tract of 
swamp-land, covered with pine, now known as " the 
Pine Swamp," had previously been surveyed by 
Tliomas Reed. Gould's survey commenced at the 
soutliwest corner of Reed's pine swamp, and running 
westerly over the hill to near the south end of " Bear's 
Pond," and then soutlierly by the swamp around the 
south end of the ridge by Neversink Pond, thence 
northerly to the place of beginning, taking in all the 
upland. 

In the swamp northerly from Neversink Pond was 
formerly a heavy growth of white cedar. This was 
considered of so much value by the first proprietors 
for the purpose of making pails, tubs, and wooden- 
ware, which were all home-made, that this tract was 
surveyed and divided into twelve lots, which still re- 
main as originally surveyed. The title to some of 
these lots is rather vague, in consequence of their not 
having been distributed or properly conveyed in the 
settlement of the estates of the proprietors or their 

descendants. 

THE PIONEERS. 

Among the early settlers were Medack Roger-, 
grandfather of D. B. Rogers, of Danbury, Jeroe Scud- 
dcr, who lived in what is now Centerville, Thoma- 
Burse, the Beardsleys, the Penfields, Squire Tread- 
well, grandfather of L. P. Treadwell, treasurer of the 
Union Savings Bank of Danbury, and Amos R. Ste- 
vens. The latter was in the war of the Revolution, 
and W!Ls an ancestor of Hon. Ezra Stevens, who 
represented this district in the State Senate. The 
Manzer family were at one time prominent in the 
affairs of the town. There were five sons in the 
family, to each of whom the father gave a farni. He 
was a large landholder, and owned nearly the whole 
northeastern part of the town. The names of otlier 
settlers may be found in the history of the Congrega- 
tional Church. The Kelloggs were early and promi- 
nent settlers. (Sec biography of Hon. B. B. Kellogg. ) 

THE DR.^IN COMP.\XY. 
A iK'titiim for the organization of this conqiaiiy was 
granted by the Superior Court in September, ISSO, 
and S. L.' Warner, of New Milford, and R. B. Kel- 
logg, of this town, were a|>pointcd scavengers. The 
petition was presented by proprietors of the extensive 



NEW FAIRFIELD. 



455 



su-:iiii|i-l:iiiils situated in tlio towns of Xew Fiiirfield, 
Jirookliflil, and Xl'W MiU'ord, with i-rrtain described 
bounds name<l, for the i)Uri><ise of draining and ini- 
jjrovinj; sueh lands. 

ilessrs. Warner and Krlb\<;g were ibreeted by the 
court to call a meeting; of the imiprietors, to be held 
at Mr. Kellofig's residence, to appoint a third scaven- 
ger and other officers. The meeting was held < >ct. 1 1, 
1880, wdicn D. H. Wanzer, of Xew ^Milford, was elcetcd 
tbird scavenger, C. D. 11. Kellogg clerlv, A. E. Knowles, 
of Xcw Milford, collector, and 1!. Jl. Kellogg, treas- 
urer. 

These swamp-lands comprise a tract estimated to 
contain near three thousand acres, a large portion 
now unimproved and unprodin-tive, except lor a 
growth of wood on some i)ortions, most of which has 
sprung np since it was partially drained under a grant 
from the Legislature passed in 1842. 

Previous to that time it had been a vast quagmire, 
uuich of it covered with water the greater part of the 
year, a feeding- and resting-place for the wild geese 
and ducks in their migrat(iry fliglits I'rom the sea to 
the northern lakes and return, the paradise of the 
niuskrat, the mink, and the otter, and where the far- 
mers sometimes turned their swine during the summer 
months to feed on the wild roots which grew in abun- 
dance in this water-covered mar.sh, losing sight of 
them for weeks, and sometimes months, until time 
for fattening in the fall, when after a long and weary 
hunt they would be found in a semi-wild state, but in 
a much improved condition. 

The commissioners apjioiuted in 1842 made a survey 
of the stream, having to navigate it in a boat, and also 
of what was called the "outlet." This is a narrow 
gorge between what is known as the Cireen Pond 
Mountain and the high ridge directly east. , The ob- 
struction nuiy have been formed by a sli[i from the 
mountain in some former period, thereby causing the 
inundation of a large tract of land, the water gra<l- 
ually wearing a partial channel through the obstruc- 
tion in the course of years, leaving the accumulated 
vegetable deposit a store-house of undeveloped wealth, 
waiting for the intelligence of some age to appreciate, 
develop, and utilize its fertility. 

The conunissioners had the prejudices of many of 
the then proprietors to contend against. They looked 
upon it as a Nazareth out of which no good could 
come. Many a stray steer or cow liad broken from 
its enclosure and wandered into the treacherous bog, 
and found a resting-place for its bones, or if discov- 
ered in season been hauled out with ropes by the 
combined strength of the neigldioring fanners, who 
often, after a hard day of labor, were called upon at 
sunset or dark to assist in [mlling from the mire. It 
seemed to them "casting bread upon the waters" 
with no hope of return. 

The commissioners had the stream cleared of ol)- 
structions and deepened the outlet, copending about 
fourteen hundred dollars, which was paid by an as- 



sessment on tlu' proi)rietors. The draining was only 
partially accomplished, but the result fully pmved the 
wisdom of the )irojectors. i^onie of the moii' elevated 
])ortions have been cultivated and now made into val- 
uable meadow, and, with further improvement which 
the scavengers now appointed have in view, it is be- 
lieved the whole can l)e converted into most valuable 
lands for meadow ami general agriculture. 

FIIiST C(:iN(iI!E(iATll(\,\b CII tHiCII.s 
The church was organized Nov. [>, 1742. The first 
pastor was licnajah Case, and on his settlement two 
hundred aeri-s of laud were given him by the town- 
proprietors. 

When Ml'. Case was st'ttlcd, or how long he re- 
mained jiastor, we have mjw no means of ascertain- 
ing, as the first leaf of the church records' was lost 
years ago. The first entry on the society's record was 
in 17.3.3. There had been a dilliculty with Mr. C.ise, 
it ajipears, tliroughout most of his jiastorate. The 
society was trying to settle it with him, and voted to 
leave it to outside parties. At the same time they 
were extending invitations to their " Danbury neigh- 
bors" to join with them in society business and 
privileges, referring to a district on the north part of 
Danbury, called I'endirokc, some of whom acceded to 
their invitation. Tlie ])robability is that Mr. Case'.s 
pastorate extended to ]7"i.3 or thcreab(iUts. 

Rev. James Taylor was installed pastor in 17.38, 
and in ]7(>4 (■om])laint was made against him that he 
left the doi'trines and ]irinciples of the church, and 
had drawn oil' a j)art of the i)eople, and met in a 
IH'ivatc house for worship. The following is the pro- 
test of a part of the society: 

" WJiei-e/is, At a nit'Ctiiii,' of tlio South Soricty jli N('\v FairfieM, Hc'Ceni- 
bcr thy Otli, 17H+, thr SocifI,v. b.v a nisOor vote, iiivitfd Mr. .lames Tajlor 
into thf (iiL'ctiii;:;. house to jiifjich, although Ik- has, nolwilhsIainUng his 
caiiijiatioii vows, ojR'uly (lesLMttil liis jiastoial oirin-, tast otl with yeeni- 
irij; rontt'iiiiit the rchjiiims foiistitiitiou of ttiis itilouy, ami separatnl 
fidlii tiir Filst Chuixli in this .Socit-t)*, ami has with otlicrs set up and 
maintahiHa nit-i-linj: in a inivato house on the Lol'il's tl.av, to the liistulh- 
anei: of tlajse thjit wolship in the meeting-house, ctmtiar.v to a law of 
this colony in that ease luaile ami ] loviUed ; ami it is Juilgeil hy a united 
eouiieil of Iiotli (!onfioeialio!i8 in this eonnty of Faiitield that he, ye sd 
Mr. Taylor, oufiht not to I'O employed or eneoiirajied in exereising any 
I'art of the ministerial olTiee. The sutiseriheis, looUing upon sd BIr. 
Taylor to he an intruder into ye saered woik of the ministry, think 
ourselves in duty hound to enter a protest against sd vote, :ls witness our 
hamls on ye sd ilate above. 

"JoUN liEAKnSLKK, NKIir-MIAn ItEARDSLKi:. 

"OliAniAlI IJF.AnTiSI.CE. I'KTKK I'K.NflKLD. 

" UhNJAMlN* TAVLort. GtIU;oN ItKARDSLEK. 

".I.niN FAinrini.n. Jo:^iaii liKAitnsi.EE. 

" Ei.NA'iiiA.N IIai-l. DAvin \Vaki:lee. 

"I»AMEt, Smith. Setii Tieowiumhoe. 

"I'HiNEA.s liEAnnsr.F.E. Elijah FAiioiin.n. 

''Hezekiaii Odf.j.l. 
"•Test: ' .Samcel TitownniDOE, 

" .S<ieiV/;/'fi C/trt." 

A vote was passed in society's meeting " ye 21st 
day of JLiy, l/fio," that they would not employ Mr. 
Taylor any longer, and Mr. Taylor would not give up 

* Contributed by D. B. llogcrs. 



456 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



the use of the parsonage land till in 1768, when 
Rev. J()soi)li Peck wa.s called a,s pastor. 

The names of the first members cannot now be 
given on account of the loss of some part of the first 
records. Doubtless, some of the following names 
found, under date of IToS, are of the first : Renajah 
Case and wife, Deacon Samuel Trowbridge and wife. 
Deacon Pardee, Thomas Hodges and wife, Samuel 
Wheeler and wife, .John Reardslee and wife, 01)adiah 
Beardslee and wife, Elnathan Hall and wife, Jabez 
Hall, Samuel Gregory and wife, Nathaniel Barnum 
and wife, John June and wife, Andrew Fairchild 
and wife, Tiiomas Brush and wife, Caleb Trowbridge 
and wile, Hezekiali Odell and wife, .Tames Baker and 
wife, .John Mitchell and wife, Joseph Rundle, Josiali 
Bass, Thomas Cosier, Eben Stevens and wife, Jon- 
athan Weeks and wife, Edward Lacey and wife, 
Abel Barnum and wife, Noah Smith and wife, Daniel , 
Smith and wife, Mary Comstock, Dorothy Pardee, 
Jemima Beardslee, and Eunice Beardslee. 

In 1775, Mr. Peck was dismissed at his own request. 
In 17St), Rev. Jledad Rogers was installed ])astor, 
and in 1818 a revival began in the busiest season of 
the year, and about one hundred were converted. It 
has always since been spoken of as the "great revival." 
There have been sciisons of revival at different times , 
since and additions to the church. ; 

The i>resent nundicr is not far from fifty resident 
meinljers. Many in years past have removed to vari- 
ous parts of the West and elsewhere. 

In the last century the minister was supported by 
tax in part, and in part by a farm of about two hun- 
dred acres. The taxes were not always paid, from 
poor individuals, eonseiiuently the minister sulfered 
and the society was getting behind in paying him. At 
one time a receipt was given by one of the ministers 
for one thousand dollars as balance for a long term of 
years. At some of the society meetings a committee 
was appointed to see how much the minister would 
be willing to accept in lieu of what was due liim. 
One hundred dollars in money was frcriuently all he 
would name for a year. 

The following are extracts from the records of the 
society taken at random : 

" Hoc. 1, IT.'iO. — Vittcd, To niljourn tbia meotiug to Monday noxt, nt nun 
ono liuiir high, ut the ttctimil-huU!«L<.'* 

At another time, 

" Vtili'il^ To ailJoiirM m\ mt-etfilg tlio 13th of Inslnnt April, nt sun 2 
hours iiljch tit night, nt ye ik-1iimi1*Iii>iim>. Put to vote to give Sergeant 
IleKekiiih Stevciii 2 shillings & 2 |>cnco fjr sweeping the nieeUng-huu:fe 
A shutting the tlintrs ami w intlonit Tor ye cufeulng year J)ast, ete. 

'* \\>tetl, Tu give Leetl & Jal>e.th llnll fiiur i<hillingM for sweei ing the 
meeting-liuMse A kec|iil)g the kee of the Uore, & oiM^iing ,V vliuttiug the 
dole A f<liultiiig the uiutlous for ye year ciutuiug. 

" 171M.— I'uln/, To Mr. Klinha lluhl^ml lOa. Uil. to sweep the meeting- 
house A shut doora k uiiidnws <m1 house to he swept onee iu 2 weeks). 

'•i'K.— Volnl, To Elisha Ilubliard £1 4j. A M. for sweeping, etc., if he 
do it well. 

" rotefl,Tu giro Eleozcr Osborne S3.00 for sweeping Uio rao«ting-UouM, 
etc., iu iixa." ^ 

They were in the habit of renting the pews from 
1755 to 1798, when we see no more record of the fact. 



Rev. Ebenezer Davenport preached for the society 
in 17Gfi ; it is not known how long. They were much 
pleased with him, and made him an offer of settle- 
ment, but he did not accede to the proposal. They 
also made proposals to a Mr. Mills and to a Mr. 
Barrett. The society voted that the grist that was 
brought first to the mill should be ground first. They 
also voted on the subject of schools and dividing into 
districts, etc. 

Tlie following are the dates of ordination and dis- 
missal of the several pastors of the church in New 
Fairfield after the Rev. Benajah CiU«e: James Taylor, 
1758-()4; Jo.seph Peck, 17(59-75 ; Medad Rogers, 1786- 
1822 (he died in 1824, aged seventy-four); Ahram 
O. Stansbury, 1823-20; Daniel Crocker, 1827 (died 
1830); George Coan, 1833-35; Benajah Y. Morse, 
1835-38 (supply) ; David C. Perry, 1838-44 ; Henry 
H. Morgan, 1844-49 ; Lewis Pennell, 1849-53 ; Aaron 
B. Lcffers, 185.5-58; Ezra D. Kenney, 1859-61 (sup- 
ply) ; William S. Clark, 1861-63; Daniel D. Frost, 
1863-65; Stephen A. Loper, 186-5-<)7; Charles B. 

Dye, 1868-71; Erastus B. Claggctt, 1871-77; 

Lum, 1880. Enoch Knapp, Deacon. The present 
church building Wits erected in 1836. 

REPUESENTATIVES FROM 1764 TO ISSO. 

1TG4, Ephmim lluhbel, Copt. Elenzer Iluhhcl, Capt. EInathnn Hall; 
1T(>:>, Willinm Bams, Cupt. Kleuzer Ilulihel, Capt. Elniitluin Hall; 
ITOi;, I '.ipl. Klenler JIuhbel, Kph. IIuMkI. Dan Towner, .las. Pcittcr ; 
1T»;7, Pan Towner, Junies Potter; 17»iS, Dan Towner, Janice I'otter, 
>'elielniHh Iteanlsley, Kph. llubliel; 1709, James^ Potter, John Tiifie; 
1771), Capt.. liL.*. Putter, Cajit. Neheiniah Iteanlslee: 1771, Kph. liul>lK>l, 
Alex. Stewait, Capt. Nuheluiah Ueanlslee, Zacheus Towner; 1772, 
Ziicheua Towner, Alexander Stewart, Capt. James Potter, AIe.\ander 
Fail-child; 1773, Alexander Stewart, Alexander Falrchihl; 1774, 
/iicheiia Towner, Capt. Neheniiuh lteanb*Iee, Alexander Fairchild; 
177.'i, Ephraiiu llubbell, Capt. Nehenilah Ikanlnlee, Alcxiiiider 
Stewart, ('apt. Itan Towner; 1770, Kphniini llubbell, Capt. Ndie- 
niiah KeanlKley; 1777. ('apt. JlUne^ Potter, SItg. Neheniiah lleard-Ioy, 
Samuel IliinKcrfnifl, Alexiiuder Stewait; 1778, Kplinum llublell, 
John Page, Nehemiah lleanlsley, Stephen Hams; 1770, Oipt. Janiei 
Potter, Stephen Barns; 17^0, Stephen Borna, Col. Nehemiah lliunls- 
lee, Capt. James Porter; 1781, Capt. James Potter, Nehemiah Ui-anl*. 
Jee; 1782, Stephen Barm-s, Klea/er Hubbell, Nehenuah IhanUh-y, 
Capt. James Putter; 1783, Neheiniah Beanlsley, Capt. Janu-s Putter, 
Doct. James Poller; 1 7.''4, Stephen Dame;, Capt. Willinm i;. llub- 
bell. Col. Nehemiah lleanlsliy; I78.'i, .Stephen Hams, Capt. i;;i.vlonI 
llubbell, AniuB llnisli ; 17tn. Stepheu Barns, Col. Nehemiah U nl- 
ley. Janii's Putter; 17S7, Col. Neheiniah Beanlsley, (7apt. Jaiu. - i l 
ter; 1788, I'ol. Nehemiah Beardsley, Capt. Jame< Potter, K; i . u 
llnbl>ell, Stephen Barns; I78», Ephmim llubbell. Col. Kelieniiah 
IKanlsley, Gideon Allyn; 17011, Gidmm Allen, Zacliens Tu»ner, 
Jame.* Potter; 1791, Zocheus Towner, Samuel Allen, James !'■ iter, 
Xelieniiah lleanlsley; nvl, JanienXotter. Samuel Allen, Nib. [iiisli 
Biarilsh'y ; I7!i:i, Janiea Potter. Nehemiah BeuliWey ; I7'.i|, Sl.|.lien 
llariiB, fii.hH.n All.n, Ani.wj llrusli ; 17'.r., .lani.-s S< uBebi, Si. plirn 
llarns, James Potter; 1701'., Stephen Barns, James S.-..tielil, Anic* 
Ilnisli; 17'.I7, J.«eph Beuine, Sti'phen Ilariii», Alexan.ler St. wart: 
17;ii, J,«eph llciinie, Jumra Potter, Stephen Barns, Amos Ilnisli ; 
n'Ji*. Jiwcidi Halve, James Potter, Stephen Barnes; INW, Stephen 
Iku-Iics, James Potter, Nehi'mlall BeanUley; U'OI, Samuel Allen, 
Ji.vs4pli lleane, Jr., Nehemiah Beardsley ; XWi, Nehemiah B.nr.ls- 
ley, Samuel Allen, Stephen Ihiriics, Jiweph Benrce; lisf2, J. s«-ph 
Bearce; IflU, Alwl Gngorv'. Isaac Knnpp; UOj, Abel Gr.^- ry; 
|8<:i',, .l,.^eph^^illimun,l'liab Men.l ; 18117, Al^il Gregory, Levi 11. ..ne; 
18<>s, Jos.'ph ILnrxe, Kliukiiu Sash; IMW, At el Greg.>r}. S..iiiu.l 
Bla.knian, Jonathan Bnlkley; 181(1-12, Abel Gregory, Samuel T. 
Barnham; 1813, S. B. Darnuin, Abel Gregor}'; 18H. Soicirl T. 
Bamhsm, AWl Gregory; 1815, David lane, Alel GrejoDr; ISH 



I 



NEW FAIRFIELD. 



457 



Swl.Vf Iti.lii] \. Sii 1 T. llaiiiiini; 1SI7, S;iiim.-1 T. l!iLri]iiH], 

Jal'fZ Tiviuhv.U; Isls, .hilip/. Tii-;uIul11, Bciijiuiiiii Ikurru; l.sl'.l, 
ftiiiin.'l T. H;uiiiuii ; Isai, Julmz TreiiduvU ; 1X:>1, S:imiu-1 T. liiir- 
lium; lSli2, Diivi.I Liuie ; lS2;i, Tliadiieus Bariuim; ISJi, Siuiiiu-] T. 
Buiriiirn; 1S25, Eliius Stoijliuns ; 18-20, Suiiiui'l T. Iliiiniini; 1S27, 
Anizi Rogers; 1,S2!<, Stephuu Hopkins; 1820, Diivi.l lliuimiii ; ls:;il, 
li.il.iMt Phitt; 1S31, Anizi Rogere; ls:!2, RcMilieii Iloilgu; l.s:i;!, .I.al.cz 
Tivaihvfll. Jr.; ls:!4, Diiuic-l Ball; IS.!.-), Alwl M. SIn-rw.«i.l ; ls;i«, 

.Sii I T, naniiini ; l>';i7-3s, Levi IViifiiiM : ls:!'.l. .lal.rv, Tnri.hv.Ml ; 

IMii, Kajis Wih.iii: 1841, no nronl; 1S42. Ilanfonl M. KoMokk; 

1M;!-14, no r.-roril ; Is-lo, Daniel B.all ; ls4i;. Walt.r I!. Kanloii ; 1S47, 
Levi IVnlicW; 1H4«, Norman Ilojgu ; 1K4<), Xatlniii li. WIhx-Kt; 
ISoil, Mc'daci K. Kellogg; 1851, George W. Wils,,ii; l.so2, Kdwin 
Hodge; 18'.;!, Lntlier Mead; ls.i4, Jledad R. Ki-IIok-; Isf,.'), W. H. 
Waiizer; 18.")i;, Ama-sa Barnum ; 1H57, T. D. Rogers ; ISoS, Willis H. 
Wanzer; lS,i!l, Norman Hodge; 1860, Lnther Meail ; 18(,1, Havid 
Treadwell : 1SG2, Mai-shall Treadwell ; 1863, Hendrick H. Wildjiiaji ; 
lsi,4, Kzra .Elevens; 18C.J, Himon Bisbrow; 18lin, Covil Tnadvv.ll: 
1N(;7, Kzra Stevens; 1SG8, Renlien Hodge; 18(;'.F, llinjiiaji Kna|.|i; 
ls7"-71, Lewis L. Hopkins; 1872. Ren 1. en Hoilge; 187:;. Willis 11. 
Wanzer; 1874, Hiuman Kinipp; 1875, Lewis L. Hoidiins; 1.^7i',, 
William J. Kellogg; 1.877, Edward Treadwell ; 1878, Uimoii Disbi'ow ; 
1.^7',i, 11. H. Wil.lman : Isso, Amos Hodge. 

MILITARY RECORD. 



Nathaniel Coneli, 



FIRST REIilMENT. 
.■nl. Apiil 19, 18i;l; iliseli, .Inly :il, 18i;l, 



Compiiiuf E. 
J. K. James, enl. April l;i, l.S(;l ; disch. Jnl.v 111, 1,81.1. 
THIRD REGIMENT. 

James M. Ballard, enl. May 14, 1801; diseli. Aug. 12, 18(11. 
George \y. liarnum, enl. May 14, 1S(;1 ; diseli. Aug. 12, 18(il. 
I. B. Basely, enl. M.ay 14, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 12. 181,1. 
Ilerny S. Bealdsle.v, enl. May 14, 1801 ; diseli. Aug. 12, l.sc.l. 
Alfred L, l!..n./dict, enl. May 14, 1801 ; .liseh. July 21, 1801. 
.Samuel Berry, enl. May 14, 1.801; diseli. .\ug. 12, 1801. 
George W. Beehc, enl. May 14, ISOl ; diseli. Aug. 12, 1801. 
F. Bevins, enl. May 14, 1801 ; disch. July :il, l.-iol. 
Horace Bourne, enl. M:iy 14, 1801 ; disi-li. .\ug. 21, 1801. 
A. K. Bronson, enl. May 14, l.sOl ; disch. July 21, l.sol. 
Clark T. Bn.nson. eul. May 14, l.-^Ol ; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Edwin liuin-. .nl. Jlay 11, Isill; di.s,|i. Aug. 12, l.sfil. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

BARZILLAI BULKLEY KELLOGG. 

B;ir/.ill;u Bulkley KcUogir was burn Di-c. io, l.Sl.S, 
at the iilil lionK'.steaJ, in the e;i.8teni part oi'Xew Ftiir- 
fiehl, F;iirfifh.l Co., Conn. Hi.8 aiicc.8t(ir.s were Entr- 
li^h, I);ini(.'l Kclhiiig, of tlir sevfiitli ]irrviims Ln'ncra- 
tioii, lifinjj one nf the orijjinal settltTs of Xiirw:ilk. 
His jrivat-srandfather, Martin Kellogg, settled in New 
Fairlielil about 17().'), the towiLship having been siir- 
voyecl aliout twenty-eight years |irevionslv. 

liarzillai 15. Kellogg was reared on tlie farm, n niv- 
iiig a eoinmcin-sehool and aeadeinie ednciitioii, and 
taught in tile imblie sehools. In .Septembi'r, bS44, he 
was iii;irried to Emeliiie, daughter of Danitd .lohnson, 
of Brookheid. 81ie died April 21:1, l.S8lt, having reared 
a family of .seven ehildren. 

Jlr. Kellogg has lieeii largely engaged in liuihling 
and real estate operations and in various pnlilie im- 
provements. In LS.JS lie was elected State sen:itor for 
30 



the Eleventh 8enatori:il l)istrie(, :uid for iiKiiiy ye:irs 
he has been justiee of the ]ieaee ; was an aetive siij)- 
porterof the suiipression of the Reliellion ; Wiiseleeted 
first selectman of the town in bSilIl, re-eheled contin- 
uously for ten ye;irs, ;iiid :ig;iin in bs.so. . He is ;it 
jireseiit acting in the intere~ts of the ilrain com- 
l>any for improving tlie swam|i-hinds of Wood ( 'rei-k 
"S'alley. In l.^ilO lie was m;ide a iliri^ctor of the X;i- 
tional Paluiuiocjue B:mk in Diinlniry, ;ind clci-tcd its 
president in l.S7'.i. 

KELLCIGG GENEALOGY. 

1. D;iniel Kellogg, one of the original settlers of 
Xorwalk, Conn.,* married, in 111.")."), Bridget Bouton, 
d:uighter of ,Tohn Bouton. 

2. ,'<:imuel Kellogg, born Feb. Ill, KiT-'!, married, 
Sei)t. C. 1704, Sarah Piatt, daughter of I)e:icon .Tohii 
I'hitt. 

;!. ,M:irtin, lioni iMiircli 2;!, 1711, iiGinied ]\Iary 

; he died July 7, ]7-')(i. She m;urii>d (2d) March 

22, 17.'')7, Caj)t. Samuel Ilanlord. ol' New Canaan 
I'iirish. 

4. Martin, born Oct. 10, 1 740, married, :\lay ]:',, 17(i2, 
IMercy Benedict, born Ajiril l::, 1742, chuighter of 
James Benedict, of Danbury, wdio w;is born in 1710; 
Mercy Kna])]), his wife, was born about 171.'1. 

5. Martin, l)orn Sei)t. H, 171")P., married Rachel Ste- 
vens, of Danbury, born in 17l)(!. He died ^fav '.i, 
l.Sl:{; his wife died .\pril 2;i, l.'^:!l. 

(). Hanford Martin Kellogg, l)orn Oct. 2, 17.S.S, mar- 
ried S:irah Bulkley, of New Fiiiriield, born Nov. 27, 
17112; died Feb. 6, IsrA. He died June 11, 1.S70. 

7. Barzillai Bulkley Kellogg. ln)rn Dec. 2.''), l.Sl.K, 
marriiul Emeline Johnson, burn ,Iuly I'.l, l.Siil ; dieil 
April 2:1, l.S.Sd. 



ALEXANDER lUICKI.EY lilUI.'^U. 

Alexander Buckley Brush was born in New Fair- 
field, Fairfield Co., Conn. His great-grandtather, 
Thomas Brush, w:is l)orn in 171"), ;iHd settled in 
Greenwich some time :interior to tlie KevoUition, 
coining from Long Island, moving to New l'':iirHeld a 
short time afterw:irds. Thoni;is Brush's laniily con- 
sisted of eight children, one of whom was ,\mos. The 
latter w:is nnirried to Miss Hannah I'earsc, who bore 
him eight children, among whom was Ely, fathiT of 
tile suliject of this brief sketch. He w:is :i liu'iner 1)V 
oceup;ition ; served in the w:ir of the Kevolntioii as 
minutc-iiiiin ; w:is nuLrricil to Itilhi, daugliter ol' S(e- 
])licn llavis, of New Fairfield. Their children were 
,\h'.xander B. and Hannah Eli/.;il)eth (Iriivcs. 

.\lc,\;inder B. Brush was born in l.S2'.l, on wdnit li;is 
been the homestead of the Brush family for three 
generations. In 1874 he was marrieil to Mary Ivouisa, 
(hiughter of S. Merwin Mead, Esip The issue of this 
union has been three children, — .Mc.vandcr .V., Ella 
M., and Anna L. 

» See Hall's History of Norwalk. 



458 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Mr. Brush's occupation is that of farming and stock- 
raising. He is one of the representative men of his 
town, anil lias filled numerous local offices; is on the 
.school committee and a selectman of hi.s town. 



and served for a time in the militia at Bridgeport, 
his neighbors in his absence harvesting his crop for 
him. His first wife died about 1817, and in 1818 he 
married Lits.sey M., daughter of Abijah Watkins, 
who bore him two sons, — viz., Marvin E. and Hen- 



ENOCII KXAPP. 

Enoch Knai)p, grandsim of .lonathan and son of 
Dr. Isaac Kiia|ip, was born in Greenwich, Fairfield 
Co., May 29, 18(15. He is of German extraction, the 
first of the family settling in this country early in 
the eighteenth century. His grandfather, Jonathan 
Knapp, also a native of Greenwich, wa.s a farmer by 
occupation. His family consisted of twelve children, 
— eight sons and four daughters. The fourth son was 
Dr. Isaac Knapp, born in Greenwich, who at about 
the age of twenty-five settled in New Fairfield, where 
he married Amy, the daughter of Amos and Hannah 
liriish. Their children were seven in number, five of 
whom are still living, — namely, Enoch, Sarah Leech, 
Ezra B., Dr. David A., and Euphemia H. Theresa 
(deceased) and Isaac H. (deceased), the latter leaving 
one son, — Smith H. 

Dr. Knapp was the first of the profession to prac- 
tice medi<'ine in New Fairfield, and became one of 
the most ])rominent physicians in the county, being 
particularly .successful in treating malarial fevers, at 
one time very prevalent in liis circuit. lie died in 
1838. " i 

Enoch Knap|) was educated in the schools of his 
town, with one term at the New Canaan Academy. 
In 18.'?8 he married Rachel A., daughter of Deacon 
Sceley and Louisa Rogers Barnum. Their children 
were: Almira E., Sarah T., Charlotte L., Mary C, 
Isaac Seelcy, Frederick Enoch, Mary Louisa (de- 
ceased) and Isaac S. (deceased). 

Deacon Sceley Barnum wa.s a son of Deacon 
Ephraim Barnum, of Bethel, Conn., who for many ' 
years was an active member of his church. 

The father of Miss Rogers, the Rev. Medad Rogers, 1 
wiis a minister in New Fairfield, where he preached | 
for nearly half a century. I 

In his calling — that of farming and cattle-raising , 
— Mr. Enoch Knapp has been very successful. He 
is an active member of the Congregational Church of 
his town, to the support of which he liberally i-on- 
tributcs, and in which he has officiated lus deacon for 
twenty years. 




HENDRICK U.WILD.MA\ 
is the second son of Hezekiah Wildman.orWellman, 
the latter of wiiich wa.s probably the original name. 
He was born March 2'), 1790, in the town of Sher- 
man, which at that time was a part of New Fairlii'ld. 
-Vt the age of twcnty-tive years he married .Marllia 
AVakcman, by wliom lie had one ilaughtcr, I'lielie 
Jane, who married Napoleon B. Turner, of Ridge- 
bury, Conu. He was drafted during the war of 1812 



drick IhuLson Wildman, the subject of this memoir, 
who wa.s born in the town of New Fairfield, March 
2."), 1830. He attended the district school until he 
wiLS about thirteen years of age, when he took a course 
of three years' study at the New Fairfield .Vcadcmy, a 
portion of the time working for his board by doing 
chores for the principal. At the age of twenty years 
he commenced teaching district .schools winters, and 
followed that occui>ation about twenty years, teach- 
ing school during the winter and working upon a 
farm in the summer. Jlr. Wildnuiu has been acting 
school visitor for twenty-four years, constable of his 
town during one term, a.s.scssor of taxes five terms, 
three times member of the hoard of relief, register 
of votes fifteen years, town auditor twelve years; he 
hits held the otfices of commissioner of the .Superior 
t'ourt and justice of the peace on an aggregate of fif- 
teen years, was contractor for keeping the poor of the 
town from 1870 to 1876. He was elected to the 
House of Rejirescntatives at the General Assembly of 
18(i3, and re-elected in November, 1878, for the ses- 
sion of 1879, serving on the committee on education. 
He look an active part in the licbatcs of the House, 
and Wits noted for his clear and concise manner of 
expression in such debates. 
Mr. Wildman was married Oct. 14, 1852, to Eve- 



I 




Photo, hy J. H. Fi>liM>iu, Daiiburv. 



^J /S. s,^^ 




rhiit". 1j^ J. II. I olsoni, Paiib'iry. 



(^ae^^^ Ly'^f-'<^AjrL_. 



4 




1 



h' ^^^ ■ ■■ot.c:i^s-.>git; 



Res- of WILLIAM PL A TT. Newtown, Faihfibld Co. Conn . 



NEWTOWN. 



4 no 



line, (liui<rliter nf MMttliew L. and Elizii Pejirce, of 
New Fiiiriicld. Tlicy have IkhI six cliililrc-n, lour <if 
whom are niiw living, — to wit, I'hclie C., Heuilriek 
IIlulsoii, Jr. (now eonstahle nl' Xew Fairliclil I, Liieius 
1'., ami Ijillic < !. The ntlier twn ehililii'ii <lie(l in iii- 
t'aiiey. 

Though not ailiiiitted to the bar. Jlr. AVildman is 
recognized by the t'raternity a- a jiretty good lawyer, 
and has some loeal |irai-tiee in that capaeity. lie is 
a mendjer of the Grand Lodge of Odd-Fellows of tlie 
State of Conneetient, and has filled nearly all tlie 
elective otiiees in the suliordinate Indue. 



C II APT El! XL VI. 

NEWTOWN. 

Gt-ographical — Tupognipliiral — Indian Name — Luc-atiuu nf Imlian Til- 
lage — The IiKiian riin:liat5e — Early Ki-rord;^ — Fiist Ofticprs — Layiiif; 
out of Lands— First C.ristOIiU — Penalty for Non-.atlendance at Town- 
Meetings — " Piti'liiiig" for Land — Fnlling-Mill — " Beating ye Drum" 
— Town Stock of .\nininnitiun — Ear-ninrks — Taking Care of the Toll 
—Tlie Pioneei-s— Early Births— Town-Houses— The Hanging of Itoliert 
Kifimiw— Old Lawyers— Merthants — An Adverlisemenl of 1792— 
Villages." . , 

I 

Thi.s town lies on the northeast boidrr ol' the 
county, and is bounded as follows : On the north by 
the town of Brookfield and the county of New Haven ; 
on the east by New Haven and the town of Monroe ; 
on the south by Monroe and Easton : and on the 
west by Redding, Bethel, and Brookfield. The sur- 
face of the town is hilly, and consists principally of 
gravelly loam, which is very productive. 

"The Indian name of the town was I'ulitatuek. 
The principal seat of the Indians appears to have beeu 
at the junction of the I'olitatiick with tlie llousatonic 
Kiver." 

THE INDIAN PUnc]|.\SK. 

This town was purchased of the Indians by deed 
dated July 25, ITOo. It is signed by Indian chiefs, 
who bear the euphonious names of Manquash, Mas- 
sumpas, Nunnawauk, etc., and they testify by their 
signatures or marks that in consideration of four 
guns, four coats, four blankets, forty pounds of lead, 
ten pounds of ]iowder, and a few other comparatively 
valueless articles, they do give a tract of land eight 
miles long and six broa<l, more or le.ss, bounded by 
what is called the Great Kiver, to William Junos, of 
Stratford; Justice Bush, of New York ; and Sanniel 
Hawley, Jr., of Stratford. 

The earliest record in the old town book is as fol- 
lows : 

"At a meeting of the Proprietors of .\ew Towne, held Sept. 2J, 1711, 
legally met at y house of Peter Uubhell, yt was then voted that Peler 
Huhbell should he Towne (Clarke for the year ensuing. 

" Volt,!, That Ahrahain Kind.erly should be fonstahh- for y year en- 
Miing. 

" Voted, That Ebenez: Prindle A Thomas Sharp shall be surveyors of 
high wjiys for the year ensuing. 

" Voled, That Joseph G?aye ami Daniel Foot<' shall hr feme-viewers for 
the year ensuing. 



" I o/('(?. That Thomas Lake shall slip his twenty acre division, and take 
it up mu the west side of the rhoad, agjlinst the heiterjiart of Nrwhaveu 
pl:iitis, westeily of said plains, to be laid out by the comnuttec iip-in tlie 
said lake charge. 

" r..(.-.;. That each proprietor ccntiiiiiin;; III.' iiunilier of f,.rt\-riglit 
shall forthwith, as soon as can conveniently be done, have four acres 
of meadow apeice laid out by the cominittee, the slid committee ti> lay 
out tlie same in the great meadow at the south end of the town, laying 
on the deep brook, and thomeadow at the nortti end uf the town, where 
it may be as C'Uiveniont either under mount tnm or elsewhere, .is also 
four ai Tcs of meadow for the ministry, .as the rest are laiil out ; and it is 

to Ik' iindeist i and it is voted that swanipdand that is suitalde is ac- 

I rpl,-d as mead'iw, and so t« be laid out, tile said committee to size the 
wlinle meadow and swamp-laiel, and the propriet^irs \o draw for ye 
lots ii.s hatii been usual unless they order otherwise. 

"I()(«;, That M' Pheneuii Fisk is invited to come to tliis place to 
preach a sermon amongst us, .and that we may disconise liini about set- 
tling amongst ilsa minister of the gospel fiir half a year or some other 
space of time, as may he agreed on, for a Trial; ami that Lieut. W" 
Adams be the person tei invite him on that design, and wait upon liiiii liere 
as soon as ran be conveniently attended to." 

GRLST-iMtLTo 

"Pec. yi- -P''. 1711, it w.ii; voted that .Teremiali Turner should have 
liberty to biiilde a grist-mill, and the Town to jiromise to give y^ .s'> Tur- 
ner 4<l acres of land adjoining to y^ mill."' 

Under date Dec. 14, 1711, is tlie following record: 

" At a meeting of y iiiliabitaiits ,.f \i-\vt..n, b-^^allj' no-. ■It, at y home 
of lianiel Foot, VotcJ, That Jlr. Uenj, Sliellnan, Ebenezer Piniall, and 
,Saniiiel Sanfiu'd shall .agree with .leremiah Turner, and draw an agree- 
mi-nt w ith ...ai.l Tinner concerning a grist-mill upon the sai.l brooke." 

Ilec. 14, 1714, an agreement was enti'icii into for the 
building of a grist-mill between the town and Samuel 
Santord. The document closes as follows : 

" S.-t t.i our hands and seals in N.w t.m, this 4'*' .lay of December, 1714, 
and in y^ fii-st year of our Sovereign Loril George, ,t.;. Signe.l, sealed 
in presence of Joseph flr.ay and Peter llubbell. 

'•Samuel S.^nf.iuu, Th.ik.is Hkn.mtt, .\im.\nAM KiMiir.nLv, Danikl 
Foot. 

" Recorded by Jos. Peck. He. urd.-r, .s.-pr. 21, 1715." 

PENALTY FOR NON-.\TTENDANCE AT TOWN iMEET- 
INdS. 

Dec. 80, 1712, it was again 

" r<.^'.;, That all and every iicrson or pei-sons duly and legally notified 
to give y.' attendance at y^ respective town-meetings yi hereafter shall 
be, ami shall refuse or neglect to attend on y." s** Town-meeting, at Time 
and place, sh.all pay y." sum of three shillings to y^ treasury of ye Town, 
except y fine bo remitted and returned by th.- Town." 

At the same meeting it was 

" Vule.l, That all that abs.-iit th.'lusidves fr..ni y town-meeting when 
legally warneii shall paye a fine of 'i shillings to the town treasury e.\ceiit 
they give rea.sonable satisfaction." 

.SAW-MILL. 
March 17, 1712, it was 

" Vo(«J, That Uenj. Sherman and Capt. J..hn llnlly aiul .l..hii Seeley 
shall have liberty to gat a saw-mill on the deeii brook south ..f the 
towne." 

PITCHING FOR LAND. 

At a meeting of the inhabitants of Newton, legally 
warned, held April 2, 1712, it was 

" Voled.Fov to take the fore acres .leviti.m that is to be lai.I ..ut by 
pitches. 

" Voted, That the proprietors shall go, S in a company, ami draw by 
figures, as 1, 2, 'i, 4, 5, G, 7, 8, till the whole number of 4U lots ho lai.I 
out. 

" r.r/.<(. That .M'. J..lin r.h.vei shall have bis pit. h at tlo- ivale i.f his 



460 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Iiome-lot to the liigli wnye weet, and nortli so fiirr na it-will liold out, and 
the s*^ Glovor will pay to the town treiwurt-r I'J f^hilliugx tor hiw pitch. 

" Voti-d, That Abruhaiu Kiniberly shnll titku hirt i)itch at the rero of his 
home-lot so fur as it will hold out. 

" Vottti, That Abi-ahani KIniburly .shall draw for all the propriotore of 
the towne. 

'* Vott-d, That if any of the proprietors arc aheent when the time 
come for to pitch they shall loose their pitch, and the next shall take it 
successively. • 

** VoU<I, That Soinuel Faris shall bo a comuuttoe man in the roume of 
Ebenezer I'rindlo. 

" Voted, That the 7 dayo of Apl. shall be the day for the company to 
pitch, aud successively till they have done, excepting fowl weather 
hinder." 

FULLINOMILL. 
Ill 1712 it wa.-i 

" Votfil and aijreed. That .Tosoph Dudley shall have liberty tt) get a full- 
ing-mill on the deep brooke above the saw-mill, and the use of half an 
acre of land alniut his mill, pi-ovided he tlo nut damnitle the saw-mill, 
so long as he muintain a sulllcient fulling-mill thereon the deep 
brook." 

BEATING THE DRUM. 

December "ye 9th," 1712, it wa.s 

" Vol^d, That Stephen Pamerly shall have the use of an acre and a half 
of land wbieli is the burying-ploce, provided ho clear tho busllos and 
fence it, ami sow it with Ktiglish gras^f^eed. 

"Fo/«/, That Nathaniel ]*nmorly is to beat the drum fur the year en- 
euing. 

"Voted, That Peter llubbell do keep a house of Entertninnient for the 
year ensuing." 

TOWN'S STOCK OF AMMUNITION. 
• " \t a lawful town-meeting of ye inhabitants of Xewtoii, held March 
ye 7Ui^ l";t|, voted by ye inhabitants that a rate unil tax of one penny half- 
penny shall bo levied u|M>n the rateable estate of ye inhabitants abovo 
ff*, to defray ye charges of providing a Town Stock of ammunition, viz., 
powder, ImllcUf, and flints. 
"Entered by .Jos. Peck, town clerk, y" Date above." 

EAR-MARKS. 
The following are s])ecimens of ear-marks used in 
the early times to di.stingui.sh sheep, cattle, etc. : 

"Joseph Peck's care-mark for his cattle A other Creatures is a half- 
penny en ye inner side of the noare euro. Rccoriled June y* o'*", 1714, by 
me, John Glover, Towu Clerk. 

Caleb Dayton's ear-mark wa.s "two liiilf-pcnnies 
uj)on the fore-side of each eare. Kccortleil .lamiary 
11, 1714, pr me, Joseph Peek." 

Benjamin Dunnon and .Samuel Karris were grand 
jurors in 1712. 

January y' 12"', 1712 "(13. The town grants ."^amuel 
Sanford liberty to "set a grist-mill U])(m y" Pond 
brook for to grinde y» towne graiuc. Recorded by 
me, John lilover. Recorder." 

TAKING CARE OF THE TOLL. 
In December, \~V>, " John Lake was cho.sen and ap- 
pointed a committee man for to take care of the town's 
I)art of the toll of .Sandfiird's mill, so-called, l>elonging 
to the inhabitants of Newton, for y" yeare ensuing, 
and give an account to y* select men, and that he is 
to have one bushel of good wheat for his service." 

riONEKRS. 

The following were among the residents of the 

town of Newtown in 1712: John Lcaveiiwurth, Moses 

Johii.son,Ephraim llawlcy, Jedcdiah Ilawley, Henry 

Botsftird, Henry Botsford, Jr., Daniel Foot, Jedc- 



diah Parmelee, Ebenezer Johnson, Jo.seph Peck, 
Joseph Peck, Jr., James Birsec, Nathaniel Birsee, 
Jeremiah Jol»nS(5h, Thomas Northup, Thomas Pearce, 
Jonathan Hubbell, John Piatt, James Bahlwin, Ben- 
jamin Northup, Ebenezer Piatt, Stephen Parmelee, 
JIatthew Sherman, Josej)!! Benedict, John Botsford, 
Joseph Benedict, Jr., Nathan Baldwin, Gideon Bene- 
dict, Caleb Baldwin, Samuel Pearce, Capt. Thomas 
Tousey, Samuel (iriffin, Samuel Sommers, John L.tke, 
I5eiijaniiii Dunning, Daniel Booth, Stephen Burritt, 
J()ho.s<)|)liat I'riiidle, Capt. Thom;i.s Bennett, Eilward 
Fairchild, .John (iolat, Stephen Ilawley, Joseph Bots- 
ford, Ephraim Prindle, Noah Parmelee, Joseph Prin- 
dle, John Blackman, Thomas Skidmore, Jeremiah 
Northnip, Lieut. John Northrup, Josc])h BrigtoU, 
Moses Botsford, Elienezcr Prindle, Benjamin Dun- 
ning, .Tr.. Samuel Sanfonl, Lemuel Camp, Peter Hul)- 
bell, John Hull, Job Sherman, Abel Booth. 

EARLY BIRTHS. 
The following births are recorded : 

" Abigail Sherman, ye dauglitcr of Matthew Sherman, by Hannah, liis 
wife, Ixirne November ye lli''', 1711. 

** Relfckah Sherman, ye Daughter of Matthew Sherman, by Hannah 
his wife, born July y« 9''', 171.5. 

We find the following reference to a "fair" in the 
town records under date of April, 1785 : 

"The town Toted to prefer a memorial t«> tho next General Assembly 
petitioning for a charter twice each year in this town." 

TOWN-HOUSE. 

The first vote concerning the erection of a town- 
house was taken Dec. 8, 171)6, and .Jonathan Booth. 
Ebenezer Ford, and Nathaniel Nichols were ap- 
pointed a committee "to examine into what place is 
most convenient to suit said house, and also what said 
house will cost, and make report at the next meeting." 

Tho first town-house stood on the site now occupied 
by Trinity church. The second occupied the present 
site of the residence of Mrs. Charles Brisco. The 
third was over Baldwins & Beers' store. The fourth, 
and present, was over the store owned by Norman P.. 
( tlover. 

HANGING IN NEWTOWN. 

The first and only execution that ever occurred in 
Newtown was the hanging of Robert Thompson as a 
spy in June, 1777. The following is a eo|)y of the 
warrant for his execution, and the certificate of the 
officer commanding that the execution was duly per- 
formed : 

[ska I..] 
" 7b Lieut. Sitmurt ItictMrdA, o/ Cyil. Wyllu' It'Ulidion, in CoHtiiieHtid Service: 

"Grkktiso; 

" H'Arn-iM, Robert Thom|)8f>n. of New Town, in the State of Conne*-tl- 
cut, was, on the 21 day of .\pril, -\n. Ptjm. 1777, iKjfure a General C4tiirt- 
Mortial, holden at Panbur}', whereof (.^donel Charles Webb was PreiJ- 
dent, accus'd of Spying. out the State of tlic Army A Country* with Intent 
to give Intelligence thereof to the Knemy A of entlsing Sunilry I'enMitis, 
Inhabitants, A Dwellers in Connecticult, into tlio Knemy's Serriro, of 
which crimes Sundry* PnK^fs were exhibited A Pi\Mhu-e<l iK'forc Said 
Court, and the Said Thi>m|K*on fully hoanl In his Defence: and Said 
C^>urt, u|ion Consideration therettf gave Sentence that Said ThomiMoo 



NEWTOWN. 



461 



was guilty of a bieach of the 19 article of the 13 Section of the Uules & 
Regulations I'f tiie Army, * also of a Kejiulatiou of Congress of the lil of 
August, 1776, ami that he Suffer Heath, wlii.li S.ritciicc i^ approvetl, and 
Kxecution thereof remains to ho (loin-. 

"These are, therefore, to require A- onler you, the said Samuel lti«-li- 
artls, to cause the Said Sentence to he exciiitc'l hy hanging tlie Said 
Thonil.sou hy the Neck, in New Town aforesaid, on the Xinth day of 
,Tuuc. Inst., hetween the Ilonrj. of Eight in the nioniing ,V; Si\ in the 
Afternoon; for «*hicli this Shall he your Siilficient Warrant. 

"Uiven under toy Hand .V Seal in New Haven, the Si.\tli Hay of .Inne 
1777. 

"Sam. II. r.iRS(iNS, 

" Xrvvrow.N, June '.I, 1777. 
"In obedience to the uithin warrant. 1 did, on this day, heing the 
day of June, 1777, direct a Seigeant of the detachment under my com- 
niaud to draw out twelve scddiers of the detachment, and with their as- 
sistance perform the execution of the within-named Koheit 'fhompson, 
which execution I saw liuly performed on said day ; and on the applica- 
tion of his friends I consented to have th.-m t.ikc down the h.i.ly for in- 
lenueut at their discretion. 

" Saml F.L Krcii.vliDs." 

OLD .-iTTOIiXEY.^. 

Among tlio prdiiiiiifiit hiwyvrs wliei wcrf citlRT 
born or practicfil their profo.'<si(iu in Xewtowii, Wiis 
William Etlmonds. He servt^d in tlie Rfvolutioiiarv 
war, and was wounded at the li.-ittle of llidfrefield 
and lay on the field over iiiolit. lie afterwtirds 
became judge of the Superinr ( 'mirl. 

Among others who have praetii'ed here were Asa 
Chapman,* Samuel ('. lilaekniiin, Col. Timothy She]i- 
herd (who was in tlie war of 1S12|, IVnjamin F. Shel- 
ton, D. R. Heers, Isaae M. Sturges, Henry Dutton, 
Charles Cha]iman, Frederiek D. Mills, Amos .<. Treat, 
F. B. Swift, and James A. Wilson, t 

The flither of Gen. "William T. Sherman tilso 
studied law here, in the olliee uf .Judge ,Vsa Cha])- 
man ; so also did ex-Governors Clark Bissell, Hol- 
hniok Curtis, and .[. B. Thorntdii. 

PHYSICIANS. 

The first disciple (if ^Eseulapiiis in Newtown was 
■ Dr. Gideon Shephenl. He was followed by Bennet 
Perry, Oliver Bancroft, .Icdin .ludson, Thomas L). 
Shepherd, C. H. Bodth, Hr. Slieltoii, Dr. Skidmore, 
George Judson, Krastus Erwin. Tlmiiias Duttnii. and 
Graves. 

Dr. Thoniiis Chambers was an early physician lieri\ 
and was known as the "stick" doctor. 

The present iihysicians are Monroe Judsoii, F. N. 
Bennett, William E. Bronsoii, (.'elest A. Benedict, 
William C. Wile, ;ind ( iecjrge T. lirown. 

MERCIIAXT.s. 

The first merchant in Newtown was David Curtis, 
who kept a store on the site n{' i\\r present store of 
Sanford & HawJey. The old building is .standing, aiid 
oeeu|)ied l)y the JJcf office and a tin-shop. He was 
succeeded in the same buibling by Elijah Nichols & 
Son, who remained a number of years, when it passed 
into the hands of Nichols i^: I'rince. This tirm was 



succeeded by .Tosepli Nichols, son of Elijah. .Toseph 
finally sold to Baldwin i<: Beers, and removed to New 
York! 

This firm continued nearly half a century, when 
they were succeeded by Henry Sanfiird, whi> carried 
on the liusiness fifteen years, when he associated with 
him Eli C. Barnum. This i)artnership continued 
about six years. 

This firm was succeeded by Sanford & Hawley, the 
present firm. Mr. Henry Saniiird is a veteran in the 
mercantile business in the town, having conducted its 
business on this site over forty-three yetirs. 

Ezra 3[organ, fiither of D. N. Morgan, the present 
(b'^.SO) mtiytir of Bridgcpcu't, was a merchant in this 
town for over forty years, ;ind did niiu'li to advance 
the material interests of the town and <'ounty. 

ADVERTISEMENT OF 17»2. 
'J'he llinnwing advertisement ap]iearc(l in the Far- 
iiii'iv Jdiiniiil. published at Danbury, under date Dee. 
22, 17!»2 : 




Bell-Foundery, 



.Smitiieky, 



Jewellery, &c. ■ 

nPHE Subfcribcr refpectfidly informs the public, that he carries on, 
-*- at his fhop at the head of the ftreet in Newtown, the GOLD- 
SMITH'S bnfniefs in all its branches: Cafts Bells for "Churches. — 
Makes and repairs Surveyor's Inftruments, — Church Clocks, and 
Clocks and Watches of all kinds — where orders will be punctually 
alLeiided. and all favors gratefully acknowledged, by the public's 
humble fervant, ZIBA BLAKSLEE. 

Newtown, March 27, J792. 10 



* See chapter on the bar. 

t Still in practice at Sandy Hook. 



VILLAliE.S. 

The village of Newtown is j)le;isantly located on ail 
cle\ated ridge a little north id' the centre of the town, 
ami is an iminjrtant station for the Housatonic Rail- 
road. Tlic main street, uptjii whicli is located the 
business of the village, is one of the finest in this sec- 
tion. It contains two churches, Ei)iscopal and Con- 
gregational, and an academy. 

Siinilij llodl: is ;i manufacturing hamlet located 
on the I'ohttitnck Brocjk, a fine mill-stream which 
furnishes an abundance of water-iiower. Here are 
locateil the New York ISelting ;ind Ptieking Works, 
besides other industries. 

HiiirliiiriHr is a small hamlet tind a station on the 
Housatonic Railroad, located in the northwestern 
part of llic town. Cold Spring is ;t post-odice in the 
sontheni ]iart of the town. 

fii Baiber's "History," pnlilished in 1S:!,S, he savs, 
"The borough of Newton is situated on the southern 
termination of a ridge of elevtited land. ,\fter as- 
cending tiie ridge from the south there is a broad tmd 
level street about eighty rods in extent. The bor- 
ougli is mo.stly built on this street; there are about 
fiirty or fifty dwelling-houses, three churches, — one 



462 



IIISTOlir OF FAIItl'liaD COUNTY, CONNECTICTT. 



Congregational, one Episcopal, and one Methodist, — 
and four mercantile stores." 

Of 8an(ly Hook he writes, "The flourishing village 
of Sandy Hook is situated about one and a half miles 
northeast of the eentrc part of Newtown, at the foot 
of a rocky eminence, a bluff, from the top of which 
is a fine prospect of the surrounding country. A fine 
mill-stream (the Pohlatuck) runs in a northerly 
course through the village at the base of the bluff, 
which rises almost perpendicularly to the height of 
one hundred and si.xty feet. Near Mr. Sanford's cot- 
ton-factory, at the northern extremity of the village, 
some traces of coal have been discovered. The vil- 
lage contained, in 1834, one cotton, one hat, one comb, 
and two woolen-factories. There was also one ma- 
chine-shop and one establishment for nuiking brass. 
The village contained about fifty families in 1834; it 
is at the present time rapidly increa.sing." 



CflURCIIES®- 



CHAPTER XL VII. 

NEWTOWN (Continuedi. 

LODGES— SCHOOLS— CIVIL AND MfLI 
TARY HISTOllY, Etc. 



The CongregationnI Church — Trinity Chiireh — The Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, Sandy Hook — Otlier Cliun:lies— Granite Lodge, I. O. G. T. 
— Alpha Juvenile Temple — Olive Brauch Temple — Myrtle Temple — 
Schools — The Newtown Savings Bank — The Newtown Bee — The 
Chronicle — Slanufacturca — Railroads — Civil History — Militar>' — Rep- 
resentatives — Selectmen. 

The following is an abstract from the address de- 
livered at the centennial of the Congregational 
church : 

" What has the past to tell us of the history of 
our world from the Ijcginning up to the year 1700, 
when the authentic hi.story of this town and church 
(as preserved in the documents and records) begins? 
I say from the beginning, for I propose to begin at the 
beginning, as every historian should. Wc need not 
wait long for an answer to this <]uestion. The oldest 
and the best history of this town, and all towns and 
all parts of our world— written by inspiration — replies, 
'In the beginning God created the heavens and the 
earth, and the earth was without form, and void.' 
The elements which compose the soil of this conti- 
nent and of this town, then, were bnmght into 
existence by the creative act of God, and for a time 
— a long time (we know not how long) — were form- 
less, confused, and unfa.shioned. But He who created 
■was not idle, and in the successive periods of creation, 
80 vividly and beautifully described in the first chapter 
of Genesis, Ue separated earth from water and light 
from darkness. 

" Ue gathered the waters together into yonder seius 
and lakes and rivers, and depressed the land into these 

* A large portion of tbo church hjstoxy wu ooDtributod by Ber. J. P. 
Bojt. 



valleysor uplifted it into these hills; and when, finally, 
the firm world stood forth with its rocky skeleton, He 
covered it (in the course of ages) with the soft soil, 
and then clothed this huge body with the verdure of 
trees and shrubs and gra.ss, each having its seed within 
itself. Finally, he placed on a selected portion of the 
earth man, created-in His own image, and made him 
lord and poss&ssor of all. When God saw what He 
had made He pronounced it very good. I believe 
this town wii-s iiicliuled in the survey, for these hills 
then rose toward heaven as now; the same streams 
flowed through these valleys, and these places now so 
familiar to us were then fully prepared for our habi- 
tation. The dust beneath our feet is as old as the 
world ; the rocks in our glens, the bowlders upon our 
meadows, yonder lake, hollowed out from the midst of 
the surrounding hills and filled with the water of 
heaven, this air, this sky, the stars which will look 
down upon us to-night, all are as they were in the be- 
ginning, or rather at the end of the beginning, when 
God looked upon the rolling earth and pronounced it 
finished." 

PURCHASE AND SETTLEMENT OF NEWTOWN. 

" Thus it came to pass that a company of men from 
the then important settlements of Stratford and Mil- 
ford bought a tract of land of the Indians living on 
a stream called the Pootatuck, which soon after was 
incorporated its a town, and, in distinction from the 
old town, Stratford, from which it was taken, called 
Newtown. This town, then, from the time of its crea- 
tion, waited for its name, and so its nominal existence, 
six thousand years at lea.st; but during all this time 
it was an object of care to Him who created it, and 
with whom a thousand years are but as one day. 

"The town was formally settled in 1700, the first 
nucleus of a village being, as I am told, on the plain 
near Mr. Philo Clark's residence, but afterwards 
changed to this hill. (On vol. i., page 90, of the town 
records is a plan of the original thirty-four home-lots 
on Main Street, each lot sixteen by forty rotls, with 
the names of the original owners.) On Dec. 19, 1710, 
William .Tunos and Mr. Bush sold their share for 
twenty-two pounds ten shillings (about one hundred 
dollars) to thirty-seven men named in the deed. 
Among these thirty-seven names I find the following 
names of families still residing in the town: Hawley, 
Prindle, Nichols, Curtiss, Sherman, and .Tuilson. 
Freegrace Adams is also named, but most of them 
have no descendants or representatives of their name 
living among us. In the next year — i.e., in 1711 — 
a grist-mill was erected by vote of the town on Pond 
Brook, and afterwards another on Pootatuck Brook. 
In 1717 the first school-house was built; it was 
twenty-five feet .s<iuare and stood nearly opposite this 
church ; it was used also its a town-house. Other 
framed buildings soon followed, and the tow^n of New- 
town, now fully organized, took its place in history. 
Homes were established, marriages, births, and deaths 



NEWTOWX. 



463 



occurred, and the foundation laid for tlie life and 
liappiness of future generations. 

"The tirst white child born in Xcwtown was Jere- 
miah Turner; his grave is near Hawlcyville. Tfe 
was born in 170i1 and dieil in 177^, aged sixty-nine 
years. The large elm in front of Mr. liussell 
Wheeler's house, which is over one hundred years 
old and has sheltered si.x generations, was planted 
about the time of his death, and thus is a connecting- 
link between us and the settlement of this town. 
May woodman and time alike s])are that tree I 

" This town, which had its origin in the way related, 
is one of the largest, if not the largest, in area of the 
towns in tlie t^tate. Although once a new town in 
fact as well as name, it is now one <>i' the oldest ol' 
the towns, — older, ej/., than our neighbor, Water- 
town, by seventy-five y<'ars, and oldi'r than this 
nation by seventy years. It has always had an hon- 
orable history. Newtown was prosj)erous, jiopulous, 
and intluential before Bridg<'port luul a name, and it 
has given to the w<irld men and women who have 
lived and do live in deeds and Words. ( lovernors, 
cabiuet-otlieers, k'gislators liavc lived here, and 
one-half score of generati(jns of men, women, and 
children unknown to fame, but known to (lod. Oh 
what an intluence has been e.Kcrtcd by the nuxny 
thousands who have ha<l their homes In-re ! What 
revelations would be umde if the past should speak 
of them and tell us the story of tlieir hardsliips and 
trials, their sorrows and ,joys! 

" 'TliinU .if all Ihusf who eisl Inive limn 

Liviiif^ where thou art even linw, 
lioukiiij; iilion life's liiisy scene 

With glance aa careless ami lit;ht as thou. 
All these, like thee, Jiave liveil and moved, 

Have seen what now thou looke.st upon 
Have feared, hoped, hateii, uiouiiied, or loved, 

And now IVom mortal si>iht have gone.' 

"We do think of them to-day, and, thinking, we 
are made s(demn by the thought that we are but a 
part of the long procession, — that we, too, are pa-ssing 
away; that we .soon shall be numbered with the gen- 
erations that are gone, ami our successors will some- 
time be asking ' the days that are ])iist' about us. 

" If the days that are jiast be comjiared with those 
that are present, wdiat wonderful changes will a])i)ear! 
Imagine that the Indians who sold this town to its 
original proprietors, or those original proprietors 
themselves, should awake from the sleeji of the cen- 
turies and survey this goodly land, what would they 
see which they did not see in 17oii or 17(1') ? In the 
place of forests and swamjis are meadows ami cul- 
tivated fields ; in place of log huts or wigwams arc 
substantial, and often costly, houses ; in place of a few 
red men or hardy settlers is a pojnilation of over four 
thousand. Where tlie Pootatiick rolled its silent way 
to the ' Great River' arc large manufactories, which 
supply all parts of the country and the world with 
articles then unknown, while the railroad and tele- 



graph and our printing-presses would call fortli cx- 
clanmtions of astcniishment and many ([Uestions. 

"Hut I must not forget that wc are asscmlded to- 
day not to be questioned Ijy our predecessors or an- 
cestoi's, but to question them. ' Ask now,' says our 
text, ' of the days that are past.' Let us, then, con- 
tinue to ask iine.stions of the jiast. This mornin.g we 
asked what the ptist could tell us of history U]) to the 
time and during the time of the settlement of this 
t<iwn. 

" It would be interesting to recount many more facts 
and traditions which have come down to us from co- 
lonial times, but it is impos.silile, in such an outline as 
this, even to allude to them. We therefore hasten to 
ask another question, — viz. : 

•• What has the past to tell us of the history of 
the town, ami especially its eliundies, IVom 17(10 (lor 
our ecclesiasti<'al history begins almost with the cen- 
tury) <lown to the present time? Here we enter upon 
abroad and almost lioundless field ; we can cull only 
a few of the more important facts and ,join them, as 
links in a eliain, binding us to the past." 

THE CONGKEtiATIONAL CHURCH. 

"That a church was early founded in this town we 
cannot doubt, and it is jjrobablc that a rude church 
e<lificc was built about 1710, succeeded by a better 
building, fifty by thirty-six feet, erected in 1717 at the 
intersection of Main Street and a ' lane running east 
and west,' probably where the libcrty-]iole now stands. 
But the first allusion to (diurch matters which I have 
been able to discover in the abstract of the town 
records before me is dated 8ept. '24, 1711, when, at a 
meeting of the proprietors of Newtown, it was voted 
to invite Mr. Phineas Fisk to preach one year ' on 
trial.' 

"Mr. Fisk, it seems, declined the call, and so, on 
May 21, 1713, or at an ad,journed meeting held soon 
after, a call was exteniled to Rev. Thonuts Tousey, of 
Wethcrsfield, to preach for one year at a sahiry of 
thirty pounds, afterwards increased to sixty jwunds 
and the proceeds of sonu' land which the society 
agreed to break up, sow, and harvest." 

THE rilt.ST PASTOI!, HEV. THOMAS TOUSEY. 

" Mr. Tousey graduated at Yale College in 1707. 
He began his ministry here in or about 1714, and the 
formal organization of a churcii occurred soon after, 
probably on Oct. 17, 171o. An old record states that 
thirty faiiiilii's were then iiiclude(l in the ]iarish. For 
a time there seems to have been harmony and good 
feeling in the churcli, but in \~'2'A there apjieared 
signs of restlessness and dis.satisfaction ; som(> ileclared 
that they could not ' sit easy under him' (1 ipiote from 
the town records), and others that they 'were fif a 
ditl'ercnt persuasion,' meaning, doubtless, that they 
fiivored the Church of laighnid. The result was that 
Mr. Tousey went to England, received a commission 
as captain in the king's army, and on Iiis return re- 



464 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



signed the pastoral office; he remaiiu-il in tlie place, 
however, and took an active part in cluireh matters 
and in town polities until his death, which occurred 
March 14, 1761. His grave has been identified, but I 
have not been able to decipher the moss-covered epi- 
taph. I notice that lie was selected to fix the bound- 
ary between New Milt'ord and Newtown, and also ap- 
pointed in 1743 to oppose the formation of a new 
ecclesiastical society in Newbury, now called Brook- 
field. He lived, I am tohl, near the present residence 
of Mr. C. H. Peck, and was the ancestor of Governor 
Tousey (whose father lived at the head of the street 
where Mr. Charles Morehouse now resides) and of all 
bearing that name who have at any time lived in our 
town, and also of many of our citizens bearing other 
names. He was an eminent man, and I regret that 
so few memories and traditions of Iiim are preserved. 

" In .luly, 1724, just one hundred and fifty -six 
years ago, the society called Rev. John ncach, of 
Strattbrd, giving him in settlement one Inwulred and 
twenty-three acres of land and a home-lot of four 
acres, a house forty by twenty feet, and a salary of 
sixty pounds, afterwards increased to one hundred 
pounds. 

" In 1735, soon after tlie erection of tlie first Epis- 
copal church, the t'ongrogational Society, stimulated, 
pcriiaps, to such extravagance by the growtli of the 
other society, added to their church six ' fasiiionable 
pews' (fashionable being spelt on tiie records ' fation- 
able,' and adjoining 'agining,' showing not tlie ignor- 
ance of our ancestors, but the unsettled state of 
English ortliograi)hy before the days of Webster). 
The other seats were merely rough lienches, and were 
prohably un-' fationable.' Before this luxurious(?) ad- 
dition to the church edifice had been made, the society 
liad called another mijiister, in the person of Rev. 
Elislia Kent." 

PASTOKATK OI" UEV, KLISIIA KENT (1733-1740). 

"The vote Wiis taken Jan. 3(1, 1732, and is signed 
by six,ty-four males, all apparently active members 
of the society, showing that, notwithstanding tlie 
witlidrawal of Mr. Beucli and his party, the society 
was vigorous, large, and strong. Tiiis is further shown 
by the fact that Mr. Kent's .salary in 1740 was two 
hundred iiounds, and his successor's, in 1744, three 
hundred pounds, or about filteen hundred dollars, — 
a large sum for those days, even if paid in what were 
called ' bills of credit.' The society, it apjiears, al.so 
gave Mr. Kent one hundred and four acres in settle- 
ment, provided (and here I quote from the record) 
'that Mr. Etisha Kent shall give good security that if 
he shall see cause to alter his principles from ye foun- 
dation on wliich he shall be settled, he will ]>ay ye 
above Presbyterian party ye sum of four iiundred 
pounds lawful money,' or about two thousand dollars. 
You will obser>'e tha^those shrewd men did not in- 
tend to lo.se their minister again without making him 
pay roundly for the trouble he would cause them. 



"But they did not foresee the trouble he would 
make in another direction. About ten years after his 
.settlement certain charges were alleged against liim ; 
there was a long and tedious investigation on the part 
of the church and a.ssociation, and he finally was dis- 
missed. The documents relating to the trial and to 
the man are very voluminous, and after a somewhat 
careful perusal I am in doubt (and it seems to me 
that his associates were in doubt) as to his innocence 
or guilt. I cannot but think that he was harshly 
judged, and .so misjudged. He appears to have lived 
a useful life ever after, and was much esteemed by 
his church in South East, N. Y., where he died July 
17, 177<i. He was the grandfather of Chief Justice 
and Clianeellor Kent, one of the most eminent men 
of his day, and great-grandfather of Elisha Kent 
Kane, the renowned Arctic explorer." 

I'A.STOBATE OF REV. DAVID JUDSON (1743-1776). 

" Mr. Kent's successor was Rev. David Judson, who 
was ordained in September, 1743. For many years 
the church and society were united and ]iros|)erous 
under Mr. .ludsoii. I note a few items of interest: 
In 1745 the cluireh edifice was repaired at an expense 
of two hundred and thirty pounds; glass was inserted 
in sashes, — something new for those days; a bell of 
five hundred pounds' weight was procured, and ap- 
parently Wits melted and recast and rehung on the 
3d day of July, 17fW. This bell cost twenty-seven 
pounds four shillings. It still hangs in the steeple, 
and for more than one hundred years has summoned 
the people to the sanctuary and tolled the knell of 
the departed. I saw it recently, and read upoii it 
this inscription: 'The gilt of Ca|). .\mos Botsford 
and Lt. Nath. Briscoe; John Witter, fecit 17i;8.' 
Perhaps some one who now reads this will follow 
their example, and put a new bell in the steeple to 
record his name and speak his fame with its iron 
tongue for one hundred years to come. 

"Mr. Judson and the majority of the church, it 
would seem, were not favuraMe towards the Saybrook 
I'latform, and some items recorded have led me to 
think that they sympatliized with the Sandemanians, 
or Glassites; but no definite action was taken, and 
the church .soon returned to the orthodox faith. 

"Mr. Judson died, after a long ministry of thirty- 
three yeai-s, Sept. 24, 177ii, aged sixty-two, of a disea.se 
caught, as it is said, while visiting the -Vmerican camp 
in the Revolutionarj' war. His grave is in our ceme- 
tery ; a cypress, evidently self-sown, grows out of the 
heart, as if to keej) his memory green. 

" There is among the records of the church a time- 
stained and faded, but very valuable, record of the 
birtlis, marriagtw, and deaths for a quarter of a cen- 
tury, in Mr. Judson's handwriting: the last entry is 
that of Mr. Judson's own death, made by some 
friendly hand. 

"The following summary of Mr. Jud.son's min- 
istry may he of interest; it was compiled from the 



i 



NEWTOAN. 



4r.;> 



nnciunt rccdril retVnvd to: Ministry tV<ini 174.3 to 
177f), tliirty-tlnve years; iiuirri:iires, 1748 to 177fi, t\vo 
liimdri'd and twenty-six, or ye;irly seven ; deaths, 1 7'iii 
to 177(i, three hundred and seventy-eij;lit, or yearly 
nineteen; baptisms, 1744 to 177ii, eiL'lit Imndred an<l 
eighty-seven (inehiding thirteen slave-chililren owneil 
liy seven masters), and eight adults, — only eiglit, — 
sl\o\ving how almost universal infant liaptism was at 
that time. The average numher oJehildren baptize<l 
yearly in this eliureh was twenty-seven. Reeeived 
into the ehureh: ((/) On owning the covenant, from 
1743 to 177li, ninety ; (l>) liy letter, 17.'i7 to 177(), five; 
(c) by profession, 17."i7 to 177(i. one hundri-(l ami 
sixty-nine (or yearly eight). Total additions in 
twenty-three years, two hundred and sixty-four, 

"There were probably one Imndred and titty fam- 
ilies eonneeted with this eongregation at that time, 
and over two hundred members. All the eight hun- 
dred and seventy-nine eliihlren whose baptism is re- 
corded liy Jlr. Judson are now dead ; the last survivor 
was ;\Ir. Lampson Birch, who was baptized ( )et. 27, 
1771. (His widow reached the advanced age of one 
hundred and two, and died in bS7!). ) 

" In the year \7'i>i (the record continues) tlu're were 
thirty-four deaths, nearly double the usual nnndier. 
(_>f these, oni' was a child of IJeut. Winton, 'which 
waded into Taunton I'ond and was drowned, aged 
.■seven years;' another a son of Alexander Itryon, 
who died in tlie Revolutionary army ; and another a 
son of William Xorthro]i, about twenty years old, 
'who was lost in the armie by the sword of the erie- 
mie in Seiitember.' This was the year (d' the ca|Jture 
of Louisburg and of the expedition against Ticonde- 
roga and Crown I'oint. 

"In tlie church in that year (177■'^) 'Watts' I'salms 
were adojited to be used altogether in public W()rshi|>, 
and Deacon Xorthrop read the Psalms and Kbcne/.er 
Ford and .Tames Klackmau tuneil tliem.' 

"Among the baidisius recorded is this: 'Venus, 
negro (diild belonging to Abner Booth, baptized Oct. 
26, 174.'1' 

"Among the marriages this: 'Peter Negro and 
Ginny Negro (Negro being usc<l as tlie family name), 
servants to ilatthew Curtis, wer<- married April 'A, 
17.52.' 

"Negro slavery in Newtown I How strange this 
reads ut the jiresent day, when not a slave exi.sts in 
the United states. 

"There is also in this ree<n-d a, long list of deaths, 
with the diseases whicli ended life, — a, list enunicrat- 
ing all the ills to which flesh is heir. If I should 
give the list many, perhaps most, of the present native 
inhabitants of this town would learn when, where, 
and of what their ancestors died, for there is searcidy 
a family name in Newtown but is ineluiled in this list. 
This is one thing that ought to unite all the residents 
of this town in their interest in and atl'ection for this 
church ; in this church your ancestors were baptized, 
and by its ministers thev were marriecl and buried. 



This church is the eeclesiastii-al homestead of all New- 
town. Let me suggest that measures be taken to eopy 
ami preserve this old record ; it is becoming nn>re and 
more ille.trible every year, and yet more and more val- 
uable every year, I have deposited it for safe-keeping 
in the town clerk's olliee, 

" It is sup]iosed that the church ediliee of the ( 'on- 
gregational Society was occu|iied by troops duiing tin- 
war of the Revolution, and the vane now on the sti'e- 
ple bears the nnirks of bullets then tired. This town 
was intensely loyal to the 'loving and loved Sov- 
ereign Lord, King (u'ca'ge,' as he was styled, and in 
177o ]ircsented an able protest to the State Legisla- 
ture against the action of Congress. (See town rec- 
cords, vol. iv., pagis .''.Il-:14.) The town, however, 
furnished its quota. 

" This society at the close of the Revolutionaiy war 
was ill a low condition, on account of the loss in men 
ami means occasioned by the war, and the parsonage, 
whieh must have stood on or near the site of the 
present Ejiiscopal chiiii-h edifice. Was sohl to jiav its 
debts." 

PASTORATE OI'' HKV. Z. II. SMITH ll7s:i-n;)8l. 

" /ephaniah II. Smith was the next minister. Pie, 
as well as all his predece^s^r^ ami most of his suc- 
cessors, was a graduate of Yale College. His pas- 
torate began in 17.S::1. A tax of one ]ienny on every 
]iound was assessed in order to ]irovide him a settle- 
ment. A bouse on the main stn-et was also Vmilt for 
him in 17S<i (the same iiow' owned by Jlr. ( ieorge 
Stuart), but he made the .soeiety a ]Hior return for 
their generosity. The rei-onls show that he trie(l to 
break up the church organization and to form a Saii- 
demanian Church U]ion its ruins. He caused those 
who opposeil him to be excommunicated, and finally 
aliandoiieil his charge without being dismissed, leav- 
ing the cliiiridi almost a wreck, floating upon the 
troubled sea without a pilot and almost without a 
crew. But a few faithful souls remained in tlie ship, 
and, although diseoura.ged, they nobly stood at their 
]iost and n'scucd the Zion they loved from litter de- 
struction. Mr. Smith removed to ( llastonbury, in 
this State, became a lawyer, and died in 18o(i, aged 
seventy-seven. His daughters still reside there, and 
have become known to fame by their refusal to pay 
taxes unless allowed to vote. They are also known 
as ai'complished scholars, and have recently pub- 
lished a translation of the Bible from the original 
Hebrew and (ireek, tor all of wliicdi Newtown can 
claim its share of the honor. 

"The ehiindi edifice, whieh until 17'J.'1 had stood in 
the middle of the street, nearly o]iposite its present 
location, was moved back to its present site, the Kpis- 
co]ial Soeiety (since it was for their aecommodatiou) 
hearing the ex|iense and doing the work." 

I'ASTOUATK OF IIKV. .IKUi: CLARKK. 

".lehn Clarke was the next ]iastor. He resided 
just opposite the present parsonage. He was in- 



466 



HISTOEY OF FATllFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



stalled in 1799, the services being held (by invita- 
tion) in the Episcopal church. The Congregational 
Church was now at the lowe.st ebb in its history ; it 
was so completely demoralized that it was reorgan- 
ized, and eom])aratively few were found who were 
willing to identify them.selves with it. 

" In 1808 an attempt was made to build a new 
Congregational church edifice, and in order to raise 
funds a public lottery wius held, authorized, as was 
the custom of the day, by the I^egislature. As might 
have been expected, this ill-advised course did more 
harm than good, and during the war of 1812 the 
church was so deeply involved in debt that a tax of 
seventeen cents on the dollar was a.ssessed to meet 
expenses. The church edifice was only partially fin- 
ished, and for want of support Mr. Clarke resigned 
in 181(i; he died in 1839. 

"Several candidates .supplieil the pul])it from 181G 
to 182o, among them Kev. Lauren P. Jlickok, D.D., 
since president of Union College, and Kev. Mr. Bur- 
ritt, whose labors were blessed in the conversion of 
at leiLst sixteen persons who united with the church 
and greatly strengthened it; but still the membership 
was comparatively small, and many recorded as mem- 
bers were absent from the place." 

r.\ST0K.\TE OK UEV. WII,r,I.\M MITCHELL. 

" Rev. William Mitchell Wiis elected pastor and 
installed Jan. 14, 1825. Mr. Mitchell was a faithful 
and laborious pastor, — one of the best, I .should 
judge, the church has had. During his ministry 
there was a powerful revival, chiefly in Taunton, 
which resulted in many conversions and twenty ad- 
ditions to this church. A ' Ladies' and Gentlemen's 
Missionary Society' was successfully established, also 
a temperance society. The church and society, how- 
ever, unfortunately lost about one-half of the fund 
(which had accumulated during successive pastorates) 
by the failure of the Eagle Hank in New Haven. 
Although crippled by the loss, five hundred dollars 
were spent in repairing the church edifice and eighty- 
five dollars in procuring the communion-set now in 
use. 

Mr. Mitchell resigned and Wivs dismi.ssed May 31, 

1831. He moved to Vermont and then to Corpus 
Christi, Texas, where he died of yellow fever, Aug. 
1, 18G7." 

PASTORATE OF REV. S. 51. URMSTOX. 

" Bcv. N. M. Urm-ston's |)astorale began Dec. ."), 

1832, and ended Ai)ril 1, 1838. He, as well as Mr. 
Mitchell, lived at the head of the street where Mrs. 
Bennett Fairchild now resides. Nothing of special 
interest occurred during his pastorate. The church 
records abound in accounts of trials and excommuni- 
cations ; it is to be regretted, I think, that names and 
facts were not suppressed. It is better to hide a 
brother's fault than to nnike it the subject of a 
lengthy record. It is well that the church should be 
purified and cleansed, but not at all ueces,sary to pre- 



serve the filth and the rubbish. 'Let the past, then, 
bury its dead from our sight.' 

" Mr. Urmston, after leaving Newtown, preached in 
Cornwall and Sherman, in this State, and then went 
to Ohio. I received a card from him recently ; he is 
very feeble and infirm, and may not be living now. 
He was succeeded by several temporary supplies — Rev. 
Mr. Leadbetter, Rev. Mr. Ambler, and others — until 
184o, when Rev. Jason Atwater became stated sup- 
ply." 

PASTORATE OF REV. JASON ATWATER. 

" Mr. Atwater, like Mr. Mitchell, was a conscien- 
tious and faithful psistor. He resided where Mrs. 
Booth Tcrrill now lives; indeed, there is scarcely a 
building in Main Street that does not .seem at some 
time to have been occupied by a minister of this or 
some other church. The interests of the churches in 
general, and of this church in particular, were dear to 
Mr. Atwater, and he labored hard and successfully in 
this his chosen field. At first there was a decided adr 
vance under his leadershi]); the broken walls of Zion 
were literally and figuratively re])aire(l, for after a 
three years' eflbrt twelve hundred dollars were rai.sed, 
and the church edifice, which had again become some- 
what dilapidated, was renovated, \nit in good repair, 
and dedicated anew Jan. 7, 1847. The congregation 
increased in numbers, and a new life seemed infused 
into the church. But a decline or a reaction set in, 
and the question of abandoning the ground and re- 
moving the church to Sandy Hook wiis seriously agi- 
tated. A council, however, advised against it, and 
God set his seal of approval upon the decision by 
graciously reviving his work and adding to His church 
thirty-five mendiers, many of whom have been, and 
are now, the most valued and useful of our number. 

" In 1802 the basement was fitted up and new .seats 
and a new pulpit provided for the audience-room of 
the church, at an expense of five hundred dollars. 
There seems, however, to have been another reaction. 
Some of the strong arms ujjon which the pastor leaned 
were taken away by death or removal, and, .somewhat 
discouraged, Mr. Atwater accepted a call to South- 
bury. He showed his continued love for and interest 
in this church by leaving it a legacy of one hundred 
and fifty dollars at his death, which occurred in ISGO." 

RECENT PASTORATfS. 

" The remaining pa.stors of this church until the year 
1874— Rev. W. H. Moore, Rev. W. F. Arms, Rev. D. 
W. J"ox, Rev. H. B. Smith — are yet among the living ; 
their work is not yet done, and of them and their 
work, therefore, we will not sjjcak at length. Mr. 
Moore's jjastorate lasted from 18,56 to 1862, when he 
was dismissed to be a bishop over our Connecticut 
churches. He still fills the responsible position of 
State secretary. Mr. Arms' pastorate was very short, 
only about a year, from May, 1S63, to September, 1864. 
He went from here to CJreenwich, Conn., then re- 
moved to Pennsvlvania, and is now in Sunderland, 



x\EWTUWN. 



467 



Mass., pastor of a cIuutIi of more than three liuudreil 
iiiemliers. Mr. Fox was the first ininister wlio occu- 
jiieil your pleasant ami ediiniKMliuus |iarsi>iiaire, which 
eost aliout two thiiiisanil ilojlars hut is now wiirth 
more than twice that aiiiinint. piuviiiir our Saviour's 
words, '(.4ive, and it sluiU he iriven.' No society or 
individual loses hy a generous act. .Mr. Fox. like his 
predecessor, Mr. Moore, was the registrar of this Con- 
sociation ; his liealth unfortunately soon failed and 
he was dismissed; he is now pastor of a clinrch in 
New .fcrscy. 

"This church, therefore, had time pastors dining;' 
the late civil war, in striking contrast with the Uevo- 
liitionary i)eriod, when it had one pastor for a third 
of a century and until he ilied. 

" Rev. Henry V>. Smith was the next pastcjr, from 
18(17 to isy:!. From here he removed to (ircen- 
tield Hill, thence to Statrordville, f'onn., and is now 
living in South Amherst, Ma.ss. He was a faithfid 
pastor and an earnest worker, es]iceially in the Sah- 
hath-sehool." 

THE PRESENT PAST0R.\TE, 

'' The present pastorate has heen the longest this 
church has had in more than one hundred years (with 
two exceptions). Your minister* iireached liis first 
sermon in this iduLrch .Tan. 11, 1874. The previous 
year the interior of tlie church had been remodeled 
and beautified, as you see it to-day, at an exi)euse of 
two thousand five hun<lred dollars. Since then seventy 
have l)een added to the ehureh and fourteen hundred 
dollars to the fund (five hundred dollars being donated 
hy Miss Sarah Blackman, of New Haven, a descendant 
of the first pastor, Rev. Thomas Tonsey). The debt 
resting on the .soeiety has been ]iaid ; we aii' at peace 
among ourselves; this church, I am assured, numeri- 
cally and financially, is now more prosperous than at 
any time for a century |)ast. And yet it never needed 
the help of all its members and friends more than 
now. H" tills help is. given, this church nuiy recover 
wdiat it has lo.st and be in generations to come what 
it was in colonial times, before the war for our liberty 
draine<l it of its resources and members. If so, we 
will be thankful ; if not, wu will be hopeful and still 
do our work. For this church has a work to do; it 
is a ' free union ehurcdi,' where all who hive our Lord 
and cherish a hope of immortality and heaven may 
have a home ; where an evangelical gospel shall be 
preached, but each one be j)ermitted and expected to 
think for himself 'We preach as those who must 
give an account,' but we 'judge not, that we be not 
judged.' God is the Judge of all. < hir motto is, 
'In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in 
all things, charity.' Brethren and friends, if all you 
who are, or ought to be, interested in the- welfare of 
this church do your wdiole duty its future is assured. 
Such is the past and |iresent of this church ; the past 
has told its story. 



* Rov. J. P. Hoyt. 



"One hundred years from now the pastor of this 
church (who will he be'?| will doubtless )ir<'pare a 
centennial sermon similar to this, ami to him we will 
commit the recoid. What will that record be? What 
will be the future (jf this nation, this town, and of 
this church '.' AVill the changes of the future be as 
great as those of the past'? Who will com]irise this 
audience oiu' hundreil years hence'? When the con- 
gregation is disnussed on that day and the people go 
to their homes, how will this street ami village look 
to tliem ? What will be the religious sentiment of 
the place and day '? Will the immortal soul then be 
estimated at its true value? We cannot answer these 
questions ; they belong to the future, ami to the future 
we leave thcMii. We have performed our task; we 
have las directed in the text I asked iiuestions only of 
the ' days that are past,' and we have recordeil the 
answers. .\nd now, />//t«v W /o the jmst. We break 
the connection again; we busy ourselves with the 
present; we leave the future with God, praying that 
he will bless this ancient church, this loved town, 
with its churches, and schools, ami interests, thi.s il- 
lustrious commonwealth, this great tuition, and trust- 
ing that when another century has rolled by, and we 
for many years have slept witli our fathers, church 
and town and State and nation may be stronger and 
purer and better than now." 

THINITY CHURCH.t 

The first church building was erected in 17:1:!, ami 
stood in the road nearly opposite the present brick 
town-house. Eev. Dr. Beardsley, in his " History of 
the Church in Connecticut," remarks, — 

" It is said that the frame of the building in New- 
town, tw'enty-eight feet long and twenty-four feet 
wide, was raised on Satur<lay, the roof boards were 
put on the same evening, and the next day the liand- 
fnl of churchmen assemldeil fpr iliviue service under 
its imjierfect protection, sitting upon the timbers and 
kiu'eling upon tlie ground." 

Previous to the erection of this first church build- 
ing, jiistory informs us that, because there was no 
suitable place for assembling, the Rev. John Beach, 
rector, invited the few ]irofessors of the Church of 
England to meet in his own house, where for a t'on- 
siderablo time he conducted the church services; and 
the first sermon preached by him was under an 
immense buttonliall (or sycamore) tree that stood on 
the green in front of the jiresent residence of Cliarles 
C. Warner, ICsip 

1)1 174ii a second church building was erected, 
wdiich Dr. Beardsley says — doubtless quoting the 
words of Eev. John Beach in his repin-t to the Proi)a- 
gation Society — " was a strong, neat building, forty- 
six feet long and thirty-five wide." 

Forty-four years passed away, during which time 
the peojile continued worshiping in that church, hut, 
probably owing to its prosperity and growth, it wa.s 
f Contriljuted by E. L. JoLnson. 



468 



HISTORY OF FxVIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



found to be too small to accommodate the worshipers, 
and wo find from the jmiish records that a society's 
meeting was held Nov. i, 1790, when a vote was taken 
" to build a new church house." 

Wc find that then, a-s now, there were obstacles in 
the way of pushing such things along, for at an 
adjourned meeting, held Nov. 2."), 179(1, an effort was 
made to rescind the aforesaid vote, which was de- 
feated. At a meeting hchl Dec. :H0, 1790, " Voted, That 
if we do build a new church, that it shall be erected 
where the town-house now stands." 

Pa.ssiug along until Oct. 3, 1791, it was " Voted, That 
we will build the church by signation, provided we 
can get subscribed one thousand pounds lawful money 
by the second Tuesday in Novendicr next." At an 
adjourned meeting held Nov. 8, 1791, "Voted, That 
the bigness of the church-house shall be sixty-eight 
feet by forty-eight." 

March 5, 1792, another meeting was held, when it 
W!is voted that the ])rice of the c(mimon timber for 
building the church be four pence per square foot, 
brought to the place of building and well dressed; 
and a committee was also appointed to appraise the 
extraordinary timber. 

This church was finished in 1793, and received its 
name at a parish-meeting held June 17, 1793, when 
it was voted that the new church be called "Trinity." 
It stood ju.st north of the present site of the stone 
edifice. No record can be found giving an account 
of its consecration, but it was consecrated by the 
venerable Bishop Seabury, the fii'st bishop of Amer- 
ica. It was said to have been for a long time the 
largest house of Episcoi)al worship in the State, and 
tr.adition recor<ls that it excited the wonder of the 
surrounding country, so that people came from all 
directions to visit it ; and for more than three-quarters 
of a century it stood a noble monument of the liber- 
ality, public s|)irit, and i)icty of the nu'u who erected 
it. 

At the time of its erection Rev. Philo Perry wits 
rector, on a salary of one hundred pounds per year, 
ofliciating one-fourth part of the time in lirookfield, 
and the salary was provided for by a tax of three per 
cent, on the ]>ound on the grand list of the town. 
Stoves and fire in church were then unknown, and 
for twenty-seven years the worshipers had no tax to 
pay for fuel, but at a meeting held Jan. 24, 1820, it 
was " Voted, That a committee of three be a])pointed 
to erect a stove in Trinity Church." In this church 
were held three Diocesan Conventions, in the years 
IROl, lSO(i, and 182(). 

Although missionary wiirk had been done to some 
extent in Newtown as far back as 1722, and i>erliaps 
previous to that year, yet there could proi>crly be 
said to be no church organization here until 1732, 
when the Rev. John Beach, then a young man, who 
had been settled fo» eight years among the Inde- 
pcndent.s at Newtown and very popular with all 
classes, publicly informed hi.s people of a change in 



his views in favor (if tin Church of England. He 
was entered as a communicant at Stratford, hLs n.itive 
place, Eiuster Day, April 9th of the same year, went 
to England for holy orders, and, returning with them 
in September, 1732, 'commenced his work, and in six 
months after speaks of having forty communicants. 
His rectorshi]) extended over a ])eriod <if fifty years, — 
from 1732 to 1782. 

He was followed by Rev. Philo Perry, rector from 
1787 to 1798. He wa.s succeeded by Rev. Daniel 
Burhan.s, D.D., rector from Aug. 5, 1799, to Nov. 1, 
1830; Rev. Samuel C. Stratton, 1831-39; Rev. S. S. 
Setocking, 1841-48 ; Rev. William Carmichael, 
1850-52; Rev. Benjamin W. Stone, D.D., 18.')2-fl6 ; 
Rev. Newton E. Marble, D.D., 1857-78, when he 
was obliged to resign on account of physical infirmi- 
ties ; Kev. Thomas W. Harkins, Oct. 14, 1878, to 
Oct. 1, 1880. 

From the report made to the Diocesan Convention 
by the rector in June, 1880, there were then one hun- 
dred and eighty-nine families and three hundred and 
thirty-one comnumicants in the i)arish. At the meet- 
ing of the Dioce.san Convention in June, 1880, a new 
parish was formed within the limits of the present 
Trinity Church, Newtown, to be known as St. John's 
Parish, Sandy Hook. 

We have no means of a.scertaining who were the 
first officers of the church. The officers at the present 
time are as follows: Wardens, Beach Camp, William 
B. Priudle; Vestrymen, Simeon B. Peck, Charles 
Skidmore, Philo Clark, E. Levan Johnson, Hobert 
B. Camp, Albert W. Peck, Homer A. Hawley ; 
Clerk, Daniel O. B^ers; Treasurer, Frederick San- 
ford. 

The first movements towards building the i)resent 
beautiful stone edifice, that stands just south of the 
site of the old church building, were inaugurated at 
a parish-meeting held Sc))!. 12, 18(it), but the building 
was not completed until January, 1870. The first 
sermon delivered in the new church was by the 
rector. Rev. Newton E. Marble, D.D., on Fel). 6, 
1870, from 2 Cor. v. 17: "Old things are passed 
away, behold all things are become new." 

Heretofore the ehurche-s erected by the parish had 
been temporary structures, as all wood buildings are, 
and could hi-st but a comparatively short time, but 
the noble edifice of which wc now write will stand 
sound and solid when centuries have rolled a\v;iy and 
the many generations that have worshiped within its 
sacred walls shall have mouldered to dust,— unless it 
shall be destroyed by some unforeseen catjustrophe or 
convulsion of nature, — a nol)le monument to the 
memory of those men and women who contributed 
of their time and means to accomplish so desirable 
an end. 

METUODIST El'ISCOP.\b CHURCH, SANDY HoitK. 
As nearly a-s we can luseertain, about the year 1800 a 
class wius formed and Methodist preaching wa-s givea 



I 



NEWTOWN. 4G0 



by two Idi'uI liri':U'luTs, Levi liuiisnii and Jnscpli I!:iiii;s (ilinl lu'l'e), ISfSS; X. ^[cailc, IS.'iil— Kl; S. J. 

rieiTi', ill a linuso that stooil iipou the grouiid wIutc StcMiiiis, 1x41-42; L. (Mark, (i. 1j. Fuller, 1X4:1; A. 

Trinity eluireh now staiKls, ill Newtown Street. Tlie S. Jlill and (1. L. Fuller, in 1X4+-1.") ; S. W. Suiitli, 

first |pi'earliiii^' liy an itinerant minister was liy .'-^am- 1X4(1-47; ]>. I). Xiekerson, 1X4X ; X. ( ', I, .wis, IS4'.l 

ucl M. Erwiii, of the Methodist K]iiseopal (.'liurtli, — ")(l. 

uliout the year 1804. linrinL' the year IX.'iO tin- eliureh ediliii' at Xew- 

Iii IXOf) a class was fornied as a nueleiis to furiniii"^ ' town was scdd and a more eoniiiiodiiuis one liuilt at 

a cliureh organization. Here t.illow ihr names ol'the Sandy Hook, a small village one mile and three-qiiar- 

origiiial elass-paper : Isaae Sanliu-d, Ann Sanfonl, ters cast (jf Newtown, at a eost of three thousand 

Benjainiii Curtiss, Pcdly C'urtiss, Sally ( 'iirtiss, Aniea tliree luindicd dollars. The Kev. Or. Kennedy 

Summers, Hannah ( iamley, Sarah Fyon, .laeoK Kay- I preached the dedication sermon, and the following 

niond, Hannah I'l:itt, Nciniah Sanford. Saliia Kooth, havelilli'd the pulpit to tlie year IXXO: W , H. liaiigs, 

Polly Nap, Betsey Hand, I'.cach Ucnnett. Sarah An- IX.'.l-.".!' ; F. Lovcjoy, lX."i:;-.".4 ; \. .McAlister, 1X,V) 

<lcrson. -.')i; ; (iidman, 1X.'j7; Inaijamin Kedford, LS.'iX ; 

The circuit over wliicli the ilincrants traveled was li. K. Heyiiolds, IX.IO'-IIO ; Kdwanl Oldine, lX(il-(;2; 

from !Milford to New Milford, and from Dantown to ."s. H. I'latt. IXilli-iU; S. ( '. Laiid^, IXii,"); \',, A. (iil- 

the Housatonic Eiver, about forty hy fifty miles. At man, IxiWI-Im: F. W. Lockwooil, ixcx-d'.l; A. M. 

this time there was but one Mitlioilist ICpiscopal Slnrnnin, 1X7(1; Sylvester Smith, 1X71-72; without 

church Ijuilding, and situated at I^aston. supply, 1X7;;; .loscpli W. rattisson, bS7-l-7'i ; .Tames 

A (dass was formed at Flat Swamii lucstcrn part of Tavlor, 1X7(;-7S: C irncll S. Dvkiman IX7!)-,X(I 

I ' " 
Newtown) as early as 1X2.S. Ciixaiit preaching was i This chiireh recommended Luman Sanford for ad- 
had, mice in about four week i at school-house or at mission into the Conference about IX.SD; Isaac San- 
private dwelling. There was circuit ]u-caching in ford, 1X4(1 ;< 1. .\. Hubbell, lX4o (now presiding elder 
Newtown once in two weeks on a wick-day. In ix;!l in New Haven Histricti ; S. H. I'latt, 1X.'>:;; \\'illiam 
John Lovejoy held a love-feast at the town-hall. It T. Hill, lX."i.") i now presiding elder in Bridgeport Dis- 
was on this occasion that the s]ieaking of a certain trii't). 

female produced such an inipris>ii,n that some of the This clinrch has Deman I'.lackmau ami Edgar 

citizens said the Methodists shall have a church. I'.iitt as local preachers; lueal deacons, Thomas ( 'liii- 

.\boiit this time trustees wcri' a]ipointed, viz. : Friah ger, H. L. Wheeler. 

Hays, of BnjokfieM, Isaac Siaidilcr, .\Ians.in (iilliert. The presiait otlicers are Ezra I'atch, Henry L. 

Ebenezer Blacknian, /.era IJIackman, and r.cnj'aniin Wheeler, Silas E. Fairchild, Jslias S. Sanford, B. B. 

Curtiss, .Fr. They entered at once upon the work of I C'urtiss, Trustees, 
building a church edilice, wliifli was dcdii-iteil bv 



A\"illiani Dvkiman in Ix.'il, situated mi Newtown 



OTHER ClItrRCIIF.s:, Etc. 



Street, s(]Uth of Dick's Hotel. '"'"' 'Hsintegration (as we may term it i cd'the Con- 



Here follow a list of preachers who have lalHUcd in 



rregational Church must ha\c enconraL''cd tin' Metli- 



the circuit from 1S(.|,-) to 1X.-,(I: I'etcr Monarty. Sam- '"'''*' '"cthren to form a separate church organization, 

uel Mcrvine, 18()o ; Nathan Fehh, Oliver Svkes. for we are informed that their first class met in 18(l(l, 

ISOtl; .1. M. Smith, /alnian Eyoii, 1X(I7; N. W. 'In' first prea<'hing services being held in the house of 

Thomas, Jonathan Lyon, ]8(IX; I!illy Hubbard, I.saac -^'''"'- I'll"''"' I'^i^'k, .just above the village, ami after- 

: Candor, ISOil ; Nathan Emery, .Icdi'n Ru.ssell, 181(1; , wards in the old town-house. Their first mceting- 

I A. Hunt, O. Sykes, J. lieynolds, 1X1 1 ; Seth ( h-nville, I '"""*^' '^^'""^ '"-''"' ^^^"^^ Briscoe's residence. Since that 

i G. Lyon, S. Beach, lx|2; .\, Hunt, II. Eaines, IXl.'!; ' time there have been eighty-six ministers of that de- 

E. Washburn, R. Harris, 1814; Elijah Bobbins, Ben- '("iiiination who have .supplied the pulpit, .•ith.a- in 

jamin English, 1815 ; R. Harris, bSIfi ; K. Harris, E. ''"' "''' -'^''■tl""li'*t church at Newtown (which was 

Canfiehl, 1817; Samuel Bushnell, .\. Pierce, 1818; dedicatd in 18;!l ) or in the iirescnt cluiivh I'dilice in 

BeardsleyNorthrup, David :\Iillcr. ixp.l; Bela Smith', ^-""h' l'""'^. wliicdi was built in lx.-,(i. 

David Miller, 1820; Bela Smith, .lames ('(deman, -^ Fniveisalist Society, (jiganizcd early in the ccii- 

\ 1821 ; Labem Clark, Eli Bennett, 1X22; l.abcm ( 'lark, *'"'.^'' ''"''' •' connm>dioiis house of worship in the 

; John Nixon, 1823; E. Dcnniston, .loliii S. Pierce, '''■"^''■1' part of the villag.-, but afterwards sold it to 

1824; E. Denni.ston, Julius Field, 1X2.'); S. (). Fergu- ""' ''alliolie Society, and now hold no sepanite ser- 

son, W. V. Buck, and Lucky lsu|iplv), 182(i; ^■''■'■■'- ''''■''' churcdi cilificc, with tlu' small P.aptist 

Eli Bennett, W. V. l!in-k, 1Xl'7 ; .lohii Lovcjoy, J. H. '''n"'''!' in '^''>'"' and the Fnion chapel in 'I'anntou. 

Ronier, (). Sykes (supply), 1828; Jchn Lovcjoy, .1. '•(''■'■''■'I ''.^ H"' .generosity of .\Ls. Polly Beers in 

j H. Rome;-, 182i); Horace Bartlct, Charles Sluiinan, ''^''■'^' ''"ii'l'li't''^ tin- 'i-^t "'' ehuiche-, St. James' 

1 1830; John Lovejoy, 1831 ; Luther Meade, (). Sykes ^'I'apid, which once crowned /,,ar Hill, having years 

' (supi-'.v), 1832; J. Flunt, J. B. Beach, 1833;'j. Bower, •^^" '"'''" abandoned. 

\ J- H. Beach, 1834; H. Humphrey, John Davis, is;i-,; _ . „ ^T7 • . , n . 77 V 

T I TV . . 1 . J 5 1 « piiMii- tliy vein- Ib.jO the societi* l>uilt a narsuiiuKc at a cost of eigh- 

, John Dyknuan, lS3(j; C. Silliman, 18:17; .bdin D. i,.,.„ i,..„.i,«i >iuiims. 



470 



IIISTOllV OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



The Catholic Church is now so strong that a change George Pearce, Samuel Pearce, Emma Hoyt, Lillie 
to the phiin near the depot and the erection of a larger Cook, Harry Cook, George Hoyt, Bertha Cook, Mag- 
huilding and series of buildings is in contemplation. : gie Ilininsliuid, .lulia Kininshmd. 



MASONIC. 

For liistory of Jliram Lodge, No. 18, F. and A. il., 
and Hiram Chapter, see Appendix. 

GRA.VITE LODGE, NO. 122, I. 0. (1. T. 

This lodge was instituted May r>, 1800, with fifty- 
seven members, as follows : Kev. F. W. Lockwood, 
Mrs. 0. P. Gately, Mrs. M. A. Tomlinson, W. AV. 
Perkins, Silas N. Beers, Martha A. Akley, Sarah N. 
Beers, George R. Couch, Charles M. Parsons, Ezra 
J. Hall, Cornelia M. Tucker, Sarah Woflenden, Mary 
C. Tenant, Ella C. Gateley, M. Ella Coucli, .Julia S. 
Gibson, .\nnic Wliitc, Mary C. WoH'endon, Mary K. 
Beers, Mary F. Peck, Grace Nichols, Emily Sandford, 
Augustus Allen, Eliza Crofut, Mrs. N. R. Couch, 
Sarah E. Northup, Eva E. Jlay, Ann E. Sanford, 
Arthur 1). Allen, Ann (tillett, Mrs. Sarah Wheeler, 
Abel F. Gillett, Mrs. Z. S. Peck, N. R. Couch, Annie 
B. Northup, Mrs. M. C. Perkins, I-'annie E. Hurlbut, 
Julia H. Towlc, Charles E. .Tones, Frederick Beehler, 
Chester Hard, lOmily A. J5ennett, Robert M. Prindle, 
Charles Hurlbut, Mary E. Hougii, Annie E. Booth, 
John J. Haight, William Brewer, .James E. Pareons, 
Sarah E. Haight, P. H.Skidmore, H. B.Smith, John 
]). Bolan, Annie M. Sherman, Reba J. Lockwood, 
Bella Judson, Sylvester Beers. 

The first regular meeting was held May 14, 18G9, 
with the following officers: W. W. Perkins, W. C. 
T. ; Julia H. Towle, W. V. T. ; Rev. F. W. Lockwood, 
W. Chap. ; Charles M. Parsons, W. Sec. ; Mrs. O. P. 
Crately, W. A. S. ; Silas N. ]?eers, W. T. S. ; Sarah 
N. Beers, W. T. ; Ezra J. Hall, W. M. ; Julia S. 
Gibson, W. 1). JL ; Eva E. May, W. I. G. ; George 
R. Couch, W. O. G. ; Emily a! Sanford, W. R. H. 
S. ; Cornelia M. Tucker, W. L. H. S. ; Charles E. 
Jones, P. W. C. T. Since the lodge wius instituted 
two hundred and fifty members have been enrolled. 
Among the fruits of its cftbrts are three lodges of 
juvenile Temples, — Ali)ha, No. 1, being the first lodge 
of juvenile templars instituted in the State, and 
located at Sandy Hook ; Olive Branch, No. 14, at 
Newtown, South Centre District, and Myrtle, No. 2(5, 
at Newtown, North Centre District. 

Aljilin Juieiiile Tciii/i/e, Xo. 1, w:us instituted March 
0, 1S71. The charter members were Curtis P. 
Gately, Ada J. Leiand, William H. Perkins, Julia 
H. Gibson, Olive P. (lately, Sadie D. Gately. 

Olive Branch Temple, Ao. 14, was instituted ^lay, 
1874, with following charter members: Chas. John- 
son, Lee Johnson, Annie Henderson, Susie Beers, 
Willie Partridge, Willie .lohnscm, Freddie .Johnson, 
Julia Henderson, Jtobert Tomlinson, .lolm Tondiii- 
son, Clarence Minor, Pusie I. and Edith J. Wason. 

Myrtle Temple, Ko. 2(i, was instituted Jan. 1, 1879. 
Charter members: Wallace Hoyt, Willie Hoyt, 



SCHOOLS. 
The first reference in the old records to schools ap- 
pears under date " Sept. 13, 1727," when it wa-s 

** Agreed and Voted, That tlierp sliall Ite School-liouse erected between 
y Dftto above ff* and December next ensuing >" «■' Date, and y Changes 
riHtng in building b"^ schuol-house Sliall be Det'i-ayed by y town Ratea 
of y Inhabitants of 8^ town, 

"Tcot: Jos. Peck, 

" Cttrk." 

For present condition of .schools, see General His- 
tory. 

THE BOHOIGU OF NEWTOWN. 

The borough of Newtown was incorporated in -May, 
1824, and on the 2d of the following month the first 
officers were chosen. These were : Clerk, Charles 
Chapman ; AVarden, Asa Chai)man ; Senior Burgess, 
Benjamin F. Shelton ; Junior Burgesses, Eli Bennett. 
Oscar Glover, Thomas Blackman, Squire Dibble, and 
David B. Botsford ; Treasurer, Henry Beers ; Baililf. 
Theophilus Nichols; Haywards, Thomas Seely, John 
Rogere, and Harry Sherman ; Pound-keeper, Squire 
Dibble ; Street Inspectoi-s, MePherson Sherman and 
Elijah Botsford; F'ire Inspectors, Arcillus Hamlin. 
Philo Whitney, and Oscar Keelcr ; Collector of Taxes, 
.Jolin .rolinson. 

There hsxs been no meeting held in the borough to 
elect officers for some time. 

NEAVTOWN SAVINGS BANK. 

This institution was organized July 1, 18.55. The 
first board of trustees were Walter Clarke, Henry 
Beers Glover, David B. Beers, Theoidiilus Nichols, 
Jerome Judson, Henry Baldwin, Alva B. Beecher. 
Henry Sanford, Moses Parsons, Zerah Fairnian, 
Samuel Curtis, James B. Blakslec, Sailer P. Barnum, 
Monroe Judson, Charles ¥. Blak.slee, William Beard, 
Henry Baldwin. The first ofliccrs were: President, 
Henry Beers; Vice-Presidents, David H. Johnson, 
Edward Starr, Samuel B. Peck ; Secretary and Trea- 
surer, Henry Beers ( Mover. 

The present board of trustees is as follows : Charles 
C. Warner, Simeon B. Peck, Hezekiah Peck, Pliilo 
Clarke, Henry Sanford, William L. Terrill, .Varoii 
."^aiiford, Monroe .ludson. John Juilson, William N. 
Nortbnqi, \\w\ Stilson, E. M. Peck, C. B.Sherman, 
H. B. Northroi). D. G. Beers, William Botsford. 

The first ileposif in this bank was made by Henry 
Beers Glover, in trust for JIary Gover; amount, $2. on. 
Present amount of deposits, $344,1 21. .'57. 

NEWSPAPERS. 
Thr Xnr/oini Her was established by .\. A. liensel, 
June 27, 1877, with John T, Pearce as editor and 
manager. It was continueil by Mr. lU'iisel until .Vpril, 
1878, when Mr. Pearce became .sole owner. In Sep- 
tember, lS7it, it was purcha-sed by .\, II, llawkiiis, 





^ ■ ,111 11 1 , 11 u n iL^^ 



_ ..'jjaa JiMiD Pi^ssiUifla i3£)5i»JiP^\Kiy-5 4«7vc;}ixs, ?ji2WT®wiia, ©©jh^j. 



NEWTOWN. 



471 



wild conducU'd it until February, 1880, wlieii Mr. 
I'rarcf resumed its ownershiii and editorial iiianag'e- 
iiient. Mareli l.'i, 1880, it was pureliased by H. A. 
Van Dalseni, wbo piililisbed it a ti'W moutbs, wbeii 
Mr. Pearce again assunieil enntnd, and is its ]iresent 
editor and iiroprietor. 

The Bee is a lively loeal journal, and is in a pros- 
jierous eondition, baving a g<Mjd eireulation and ad- 
vertising patronage. 

The Nciiioicii ('/tronick was establislieil ^larcb L'7, 
1880, by J. A. Maddigan, and is now eoudiicted by 
liini. 

THE NEW YORK BELTIN(i .-VND PACKING COM- 
PANY. 

This is the largest institution ot its kind in tbc 
world. "The making of vuleanizeil rubber fabrics 
adapted to meebanieal purposes," says the Si-ieii/i/ir 
American, "is here earried on in a wav wliieli indi- 



is in either water, steam, or compressed air, together 
with a variety of valves, gaskets, and rings for similar 
use; hose for fire-engines and watering gardens, be- 
sides heavy steam and brewers' Ixise ; wagon- and ear- 
springs, gas-tubin.g, solid vuleanite enieiy-wheels, 
eorrugated mattin.tr and mats, cushions i'or billiard- 
tables, ete. A full list of their productions w-ould, in- 
deed, nuike a formidable catalogue, but the interest 
therein to the general reader would be enhanced by 
the reflection that in so few years a eomparativ<'ly un- 
known substance had eonn- to play so important a part 
in our industries.'' 

We illustrate one of the most wonderful machines 
for nuuiufaeturing vulcanized rublier belting, etc., 
wdiereby perfectly smooth surfaces and great soliditv 
are insured. This press will take a belt six feet wide 
and fifteen feet of its length at once ; it weighs eighty- 
five thousand pounds; the steam is let into the bed 
and platen so that the temperature can lie readily 




THi; NEW YORK I!EI.TIN(i AND PAf'KINC (DMI'ANY. 



cates the full fruition of Charles (xooclyear's anticipa- 
tions, whether we consiiler the (piantity and variety of 
goods made or the highly imjiortant relations which 
these productions hold to all industrial pursuits, for 
ill nuuiy cases they meet wants never before satisfied 
and fit neeils for which no equally good substitute 
could be devised. The articles regularly manufac- 
tured at this factory include bands or belting for run- 
ning machinery, from the largest belts ever made 
down to the smallest sizes in use; packing, to nnike 
tight joints in pumps, engines, etc., where the W(n-k 



regulated; the platen is stationary, and the bed is 
lifted by hydraulic pressure. Tlie most inivel feature 
of this great jiress, however, is th.at it is arranged with 
appliances at each end for stretching the belts, so 
tluit, while the belt is under the full tension of the 
heaviest strain it may be ilesired to jmt upon it, it 
may at the same time be compressed between the hot 
plates, and thus .set its fil)res as firmly as a bar of steel. 
They man\ifaetured the immense driving ami ele- 
vator belts for the Buckingham elevators at Chicago, 
which have been running i>crfectlv for more than 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



twelve years; also those for Armour, Dole & Co., | 
Chicago, and VaiKk'ibilt'.s great elevators of the New 
York Central anj Hudson River Railroads, New 
York, being the largest belts in the world. They 
have just manufaetured (1880) an elevator belt thirty- 
six inehes wide and two thousand five hundred feet 
in lengtli, which will Aveigh over eighteen thousand 
pounds. Tiie company own the patent for this 
stretcher in combination with the press, as they do 
many other patents of great importance in the busi- 
ness. The principal Goodyear patent on vulcanizing 
expired in ]S()"), but this company had then been 
many years maiuifacturing, and had obtained subse- 
quent patents for improvements, some of which are 
of great value in their present manufactory. 

The offices, salesroom, and warehouse of the com- 
pany are at 37 and 38 Park Row, New York. John 
H. Cheevcr is tlic treasurer of the company and gen- 
eral manager of the business. Mr. D. C Gately is 
superintendent of the works, which are located at 
Sandy Hook. 

In addition to tlie numerous establishments men- 
tioned above are the following manufactories : Blan- 
ket factory, owned by Sturtevant & Son, of New 
York ; combs and buttons, Sanniel Curtis & Sons ; 
button-factory, .lolm (irilTen ; and tlic establishment 
of S. A. Blackman A Co. 

RAILROADS. 
The town is well supplied with railroads. The 
Housatonic extends northwest tlirough the centre of 
the town, with stations at Botsford, Newtown, and 
Hawlcyvillc, intersecting at the latter place with the 
Sliepaug Railroad, which crosses tiie nortliern part of 
tlic town. This road extends from Litchfield, in 
Litchfield County, to Bethel in this county. Tlie 
New York and New Englan<l Railroad, now in iiro- 
cess of construction, will also intersect with the above 
roads at at Hawleyville. 

civil, AND MILITARY IIISTOllY. 
KErUKSENTATIVES FROM 1747 TO ISSO. 

The following is a list of the representatives to tlie 
Ciencral Court from Newtown from 1747 to 1880: 

1717, Cnpl.TliomnsTimBio-, John Nortlm.|.; \HH, C»|it. TlmniBS Toimc.v, 
Henry Glover, Ilinth Pick: I711I, Henry Glnver, .lulin Norlhnii', 
JmIiii lA'UVenttwortli, Cn|»t. Juhn GIuvit; IIM, Opt. John Glover, 
Culi'l' Ilivhlwhi, Cnjit. Kjihrnini Peek; I7ol, Ciipt. Thnnitu Toui»ey, 
Nathaniel N'Ukols, Diiniel llimtli,John nnlitr.iril; I T.-i2, Daniel ll.K>th, 
r'npt. Henry Glover; I'-Vi, Leninel Camp, Heath Peek, Daniel BiMith, 
Capl. Henry Glover; I'M, Daniel Booth, aipl. Henry Glover; 17,'m, 
Dnnlol DMitli, Capt. Henry Glover, t'aleti l{alilw'iu,CHpt..lolin Glover; 
17a«, Daniel U<vlh, I'apt. Henrv' Gluver, Caloh Uahlwin, Aln>l Duolh ; 
17.'i7, David Booth, John llotehfonl, Daniel llootli, John Glover ; 
17.'.s, Daniel IbMth, Henjaniin OnrllK, ('apt. Hofiry (Mover; 17.'iti, . 
Daniel IhMitli, Itietianl Fairnian, (*apt. Henry Glover; 17G0, Daniel 
llooth, l'a|>t. Henry Glover, Jonuthan llootli ; 17(11, Ihiniel lluoth, 
(apt. John Glover, (nh'h llaMwin, ItlehanI Kail man ; 17IVJ, Daniel 
Uootli, itieliatxl Kalrman, Caleh ItiUiluin; I7(V>, Daniel llooth, Capt. 
AniiM Ilnlxronl, Abel Ikn'tli, (apt. Henry lilover; lTn4, Oliver Tonnoy, 
4'apt. Henry Glover, Daniel IkHtlii; 17(1.'>, Uiehanl Fuirinan, Capt. 
Henry (plover, Oliver TAuoy; 17ri(;, Hichnnl Fairman, Capt. Henry 
tilover, Oliver Tonsey; 1707, (.'apt Henry Glover, Oliver Tonwy, 
Heath Peck; 17(>l(, Capl. Henry Glover, Heath Peik, Uiehanl Fair- 
man; 17G0, BIctianI Foimiaii, Capt. Henry <ilov 177(1, Capt. 



Henry Glover, Daniel Booth, Abel Booth ; 1771, Capt. Henry Glovor, 
Rieliard Fairnian, John Clianillor; 1772, Oliver Tonsey, Mivj. John 
Chan<ller, (^'apt. Henry Glover; 1773, Maj. John Chandler, Peter 
Nichols, Capt. Henry Glovor; 1774, Capt. Henry Glover, Oliver 
Toiltiey, Capt. Peter Nichols; 1775, John Bea<-li, Jr. ; 1770, no record; 
1777, Capt. Caloh Baldwin, Henry Peck ; 1778, Miy. Caleb Baldwin, 
Capl. Joseph Smith, Henry Peck; 1770, Slaj. Caleb Baldwin, Col. 
John ('handler, Hein-y Peck; 1780. Uicimrd Fairman, Henry Peck, 
Miy. Caleb Baldwin: 1781, Col. John Clianiller; 17S2, Col. John 
Chandler, Henry Peck, Maj. Caleb Baldwin, Amos Northrop; 17sa, 
Col. John Cliandler, Heliiy Peck, Mi\j. Caleb Baldwin, Capt. Jal>ez 
Botsford: 17S4, Neheniiali Strong, Gen. John Chaniilor, .lolin Beach, 
Henry Glover; 1785, (ien. John Chandler, Capt. I'eter Nichols; 17stj, 
Gcit. John Cliandler. John Beach, >Iaj. Caleb Baldwin; 1787, John 
Beach, Abtjah Cni-tis; 178S, (ten. John Chan<ller, John Beach, Capt. 
Pct^r Nichols; 1780, Ab^ah ('nrtis, Jotbam ShemiQll, John Beach; 
1700, Jolin Ilencb, Wni. Kdmi>n<l ; 1791, Wm. Kdniond, I'eter NiclioU j 
1702, Wni. E<lmond, David Baldwin, Jolin Beach; 170;!, John Beach, 
Wm. Kdniond; 1704, William Kdlnond, John Be.icb, David Baldwin; 
no."), William IMniond, David Baldwin; 170(;, Wm. Wniond, David 
Baldwin, Zacli. Fen is, (;ideoii IW>tsford: 1707, Wm. Kdmond, David 
Baldwin, Zacliariab Fen is ; 1708, David Baldwin, John Beacli ; 1700, 
Gideon Hotsford, David Ualdwiii, Zu.b. Ken is; ISCK.I. Gideon IVilsfoni, 
Zacli. KeiTis; ISOl, .\sa Chapman, J>din Saiifonl, William E«lniond; 

1802, Zacli. Ferris, Wm. Edmonils, David Baldwin, Gideon Botsford; 

1803, Asa Cliajiman, Samnel C. Blackman, John Sanford, David 
Meeker ; 1804, Isaiali Faircliild, Gideon BotofonI, John SanfonI ; isa'i, 
Simeon Beers, Gideon Botsford, Jabez Bennett ; 1800, Gideon Bots- 
ford, ,\ino8 Skidniore, John Sanford, David Baldwin; 1807, John 
Sanforil, David Baldwin, Samuel C. Blackmon; ISOd, Davi.l Bald- 
win, Asa Chapman, John Sanford, Simeon Beers ; 1800, David Ifciltl- 
wiu, William M. Beds, Silas Faircliild; 1810, ,Iolin SanfonI, .Samuel 
C. Blackmail. David Baldwin; 1811, Gideon BotsfonI, Simeon Beers, 
Jolin Sanford, Timothy Shcpard; 1812, Joseph Nickols, Timothy 
Slicpiird; 18l:t, John SanfonI, Timothy Sheiiard, .\sa Cliapman; 
1814, Asa Chapman, John S.inford, Joseph B. Wheeler; Isl.'i, .\sa 
Cliapman, John Sanford, David Meeker; 1816, Josiah Faircliild, 
Marcus Botsford, John Sanford, Samuel Beers; 1817, Jlareiis Bots- 
ford, James Bennett, l.amson Biireli ; 1818, Gideon BotsfonI. Joseph 
B. Wheeler, Ilelinett I'eri-y, Jacob Bee in ; 1810, Joseph 11. Wheeler, 
Jeremiah Beers ; 182", Tiiiiotliy Shepunl, Jacob Beers ; 1821. Timothy 
Shopanl, Zacliariali Clark, Jr. : 1822, Philo BotsfonI, Timothy Sliei>- 
ard ; 182:1, Isaac Sciidder, Jacob Beers ; 1824, Jacob Ik-ers, Jonathan 
S. Faircliild; 1825, Benjamin Iliinl, Jonathan S. Fain-hild ; l^'^JO, 
Jacob Beers, Benjamin Hurd; 1S27, Jacob Beers, Jidili Nortlinip: 
1828, Bi-njainin HnnI, Henr>- Duttoii ; 1820, Jacob Been*, David 11. 
Belden: IKIO, Jacob Beers, .\Ik'1 Beers ; 18:U, Jamw B. Kairniali, J. 
B. Botsford ; 1832, Moms Parsons, Joseph Bmitli ; 18;!3, Henry Bass, 
Lemuel Beeis; 18.'14. Henry Dnttoii, (icorge Bradley: lh;0, Daniel 
BfitsfonI, Lemuel Beers; 18.30, Oliver Nortlinip, Daniel Skidniore; 
18:17, John Juilsoii, Cliailes Johnson; 18:18, Lemuel Beers, BotsfonI 
Terrell ; 18:10, .\iistin N. BotsfonI, Samuel B. Peck ; 184(1, .\lvah B. 
Beecher, John B. Bi'era; 1841, Josiah S. Tonilins«ui, Abel B. Tern4l; 
1.842. Henry Nichols, E7.ra Morgan; 184:1. Oliver Sinners, Charles C. 
Warner ; 1844, Levi Peck, K/.ra Patch ; 184.'i, Charles Peck, David 
SanfonI; 18-10, Isiuic M. SturKii, David I. Nortlin.p; 1 M7, ( barlM 
Dikemnn, Alonzo Shennan: 1848. Kuwell Wheeler, Thoinus 0. 
Chandlers: 1849, .Iidin B. I'isk, Moiime Juilsm; 1850, Aaron San- 
fonI, ( 'liaile.- W. Wanier; 1H.-.1, Geuce llenediil, Carlos B. 11.. Ill, 
IS-Vi, Oliver S liners, /enih Kaiiinan : 18.'i3. James Blackmail, .\loDWi 
TayUir; 1S'>4, Kliott M. Peck, William Plait; Ix-Vi, D. II. Johii«iii, 
Walter Clarke ; 18."il., Stephen W. Illaiklnan. B.ilsfoni Terndl : IS-I", 
AIh'I T. Peck, Hiniiii Camp; IK'iS, David SanfonI, Olivers. Bolsf.ird; 
18.-,9, Charles C. Warner, Eli J. Morris; 18C0, Gi-orge W. Bnulley, 
David B. Nortlinip; 18(il, .\lolixo Slierinan, Herman Fain'liild; 
1802, Kini Morgan, Zenill Fairnian; 18C:l, Cliarles 11. P.-ck, Edwin 
Clarke; 18(4, Zendi Fairnian, John M. IV-anlsley : ISiVi. Samuel ('. 
Clover, Chesler F. Tolles; 181.0, B. D. Briscoe, William A Bradley; 
1807, .lohn .M. Beanlsley, Tlienni B. Apiiell ; 18r.8. Ezni Morgan, 
Kolicn A. Clark ; 1800, P. 11. Skidniore, Cynis D. Fainliild : 1870, 
Silas B. Wheeler, ChnrlosC. Wanior; 1871, Harrison Twitchell, Wil- 
liam II. Glover; 1872, Lawrence Mitchell, K. S. Blarkman: 1873, 
Wheeler Drew, KdwanI Taylor; 1874, Abel B. Prilulh-, William I. 
Tern II: 187.i, Slnu-on B. Peck, James A. WiUm; 1870, Bennett 
Blackmail, John O. Dolohery; 1877. Samuel Baninni, George WlB- 
Um : 1878, John Mooiiey, George W. Br.\illey : 1870, Jerry CaWf, 
John II. Blackman; 1880, John Grinin, Griffin P. Lillis. 



NEWTOWN. 



473 



SELECTMEN FROM 1712 TO ISSO. | 

TI-, Ebciiezer Prindle, John Glover, Alualium Jiimliorly, Jeremiah 
Tvirncr, John Griffin ; 17i:i, Jostjpli IVck, Kbt-nczer Smith, Freegrate 
Adams, Jost'ph Gray, James Hard; 1714, Khenezer PriiidU*, Joseph ! 
reck, Kbeiiezor Booth, Mobl's Johiinon. Freegraeo Adams; ITIJ, Jo- j 
f^oph Peck, EliftieztT Booth, Thomas Bennitt, Jumes ILuxl, Peter 
Iluhbell; ITlt), Tlionius BenTiitt, Pctt-r II iihhell. Joseph Gray. J.-h 
Sherman, Beiijainin Oiinning; 1717, Tlmniiis Bennitt, Jolin Glover, 
Joseph Peck, Benjamin Iiunning, Janifji; Turner; 171S, Thomas Ben- 
nitt, John Glover, Joseph I'e.k, Benjamin Dunning; 171'.'. Thomas 
B.'inutt. JoM'pli I'ecU, Peter Ilnhhell, .Inthuin Bo.ith. J..hii J. Gillet ; 
17-JO, Thomas Bennitt, Joseph Peck. J(.tiiam Booth, I'et.-r Ilubhell, ' 
Benjamin Dunning; 1721, Thomas Bennitt. Joseph Peek, Jotham j 
Booth, Epliraim Pcck;il72Li, Thomas Bennitt, Samuel Beers, I 
Ephraim Perk, John \orthroii, John I^eaveuwoith ; 17-;t, Ebenezer i 
B.ditli. Kphraini Peek, Samuel Bootli, Thomas Skidmore, Abraham 
Bahhvin ; 17-J4. Peter Hubbell, John Noithrop, Ephraim Peck, 
Samuel Beer>, John Leavenwoith ; 1725, John Nortbiop. John Bots- , 
fonl. Benjamin Duiininj,'. Jotham Booth, Ephraim Peck; 1720, John I 
P.'-Iisfunl. John Northn'p, Benjamin Dunning, Jt.hn Booth, Ephraim , 
IVck; 1727, J.ihn B itslord. Jolm Nortlirop, Ephraim Peek, John | 
Booth; 17iS, Joliu Botslord, Ephraim I'eck, Natliaii Baldwin, I 
Thomaw SkiUnutre, Eplnaim Iluwley; 1729, Joseph Peck, Job 
Sherman. Nathan Baldwin. E[)liraim Hubbell, Ephraim I'eck, I 
James Norlhroii; 17;ill, Thomas Bennett, Daniel Sherman, Joseph , 
Botsford, Mo^es Stils )M. Jolm Gillet; 17:11, Joseph Botslord, Capt. 
Bennett, Nathan Baldw in. John Northrop, Benjamin I)iinning; 
17.S2, Joseph Pei;k, John Northrop, John Botsford, Jnhn Leaven- ! 
worth, Thomas Tousey ; 17;j:i-;i4, John Northrop, Xathan Baldwin, i 
Joseph Bot>rord, John Glover, Obadiah Wlieeler; 17:i:>, nbadiah , 
M'lieeler, Joliu Glover, Caleb Baldwin, Stephen Burwell, Epliraim ' 
Peek; 17.JI'., Caleb Bahlwin, Sleplien Burwell, John Northrop, Dan- j 
iel Booth, Jolm Butsfurd ; 1737, Job Sherman, Tliomjis Skiilmore, j 
Benoni Sherman, iibadiah Wheeler, Benjamin Norttirop; 17:iS, 
Thonnis Skidmore, Job Sherman, John Northroji, Ephraim Peek, ; 
Benoni Sliornian; 17-'I!-', Ephraim Peck, lletiry Glover. John Lake, ■ 
Lemuel Camp, Juhn Northrop; I74i». John Lake, Joseph Botsford, \ 
Nathan Baldwin, John Glover, Thonuis Skidmore; 1741, Joseph 
Bristol, John Blaeknian, Abraham Bennett, Heth Peck, Jtdui | 
Beei-s; 1742. Joseph Bristol, J(dm Gluvei", Sanmel Gnltin, Abraham I 
Kimberly, Nathaniel Nichols; 174;i, Samuel Griffin, Abraham Kim- 
berly, Joseph Smith, John Gillett, Henry Glover. Thomas Leaven- i 
worth; 1744, Thomas Skidmore, Caleb Baldwin, Lemuel Camp, ' 
Aliraliam Bennett. Nathaniel Briscoe; 174'>, Ephraim Peck, Jv)hti | 
Lake, Joseph Botsf.-rd, John Botsford, Heth Peck; 1740, Nathan j 
Baldwin, Jolm Northrop, Abel Bootli, Nathaniel Brisc.e, Thomas , 
Ford; 1747, Daniel Booth, Nathaju.d BiisLoo, Nathaniel Nichols, 
Heth Peck, Benjamin I)unning; 174s, Junies Kean, John .Shepunl, ■ 
Joseph Bristol, Henry Glover, Gideon Botsford ; 1749, Capt. Obadiah | 
"Wheeler, Lem'l Cami), Jno. Glover, Dan'l Bootli. Moses Stilson ; 1750, 
Heth Peck, J. Lake, N. Nichols, Donald Grant, Amos Botsford ; 1751, 
Heth Peck, Amos Botsford, .Tohu Lake, Abel Booth, Henry Glover; 
1752, John Botsford, Abel Booth, Thomas Leavenworth, Joseph Bots- 
ford, Benjamin Wallory ; 17.V1, Benjamin MallMry,Tlioniii.s Skidmore, 
Mathew Curtis, Nathaniel Nichols; 17.'>4, Ephraim Peck, Bichard 
Fairman, James Ilurd, Nathaniel Briscoe, Abel Botsford; 17oo, Na- 
thaniel Briscoe, Abel Botsford, Thom;ta Skidmore, Jonathan Nor- 
throp, Gitleou Botsford; 17ot;, Jonatlian Northrop. Amos Botsforil, 
James Hurd, Abel Judsoii, John Blackman ; 17.'i7, Kicluud Fairman, 
Abel Judson, James Hurd, .John Botslord, Heth Peck ; 17.*)S, Kichard 
Fairman, Abel Booth, Abraham Kindjeily, Anms Merchant, John 
Shepard; 17.VJ, Abel Booth, Abraham Kimberly, Amos Merchant, 
llelli Peck, JiUiathan Bonth ; 17r,ii, Abiaham Kind.erly, Heth Peck, 
Abel Booth, Jonathan Booth, Nathaniel Br iscue ; 1701, Nathaniel 
Briscoe, Jonathan Booth, James Hurd, EphraiLii Bennett, Caleb 
Baldwin, Jabez Huid; 17lj2, Nathaniel Briscoe, Ephraim Bennett, 
Jabez Hurd, Amos Botsford, Caleb Baldwin, Henry Glover. John 
Sterling; 170:1, Jabeii Ilurd, Nathaniel Nichols, .lonatban Booth, 
Caleb Baldwin, John Sterling, Ebenezer Ford, Theodore Nettletoii; 
1704, Benjamin Curtis, Daniel Booth, Joseph Peck, John Beers, 
Benjanun Dunning, Ebenezer Fiud, Caleb Baldwin; 1700, Ephraim 
Sherman, Jotham Sherman, Peter Ferris, Jo>iah Beardslee, Benja- 
min Dunning, Caleb Baldwin, Oliver Tousey; 1700, Daniel Booth, 
Benjamin Curtis, J<»seph Gnnn, John Bt-eis, .labez Baldwin, Gideon 
Botsford, Bichard Fairman; 1707, Peter Nichols, George Terrilt, 
Joshua Northrop, John Beach, Samuel Beers, Ebenezer Ftird, Oliver 

31 



Toncey: 170>f, Ebenezer Ford, .\bner Hard, I>aniel Baldwin, Abel 
Booth, Anios Noillir.ip, Ebenezer Bristol; 1709, Daniel Baldwin, 
John Chandler. Jtdin Blackman, Gideon Botsford; 1770, Lemuel 
Sherman, John Beers, Jolm Chandler. John Beach, P. Nichols ; 1771, 
J. Beers, L. Slierman, P. Niehids, A. Hard. E. Sherman, J. Kairchibi ; 
1772, Amos Hard, Ephraim Sherman, Caleb Bablwin, William Bur- 
well, Jonathan Fairchild; 177:!, Waite Northrop, Peter Nichol^ 
Daniel Baldwin. Daniel Booth. Abel Botsford; 1774, James Bhick- 
nian, Zadok Slierman, Bicliard Smith, Thoimus Skidnufri', Jabe/, 
Baldwin ; 177."i, Benjamin Curtis. Zadok Sherman, Thotuas Skidmore, 
.Totliam Sherman, Jabez Baldwin; 17715, John Beach, lleiiiy IN-ek, 
Diiniel Bonth. Abel Botsford, Daniel Baldwin; 1777, Henry Peck, 
Abel Bc.tsford, Bichard Fairman. Ephraim Slierman, William Bur- 
well, Nathaniel Biiscoe, Abijah Curtis; 177S, Bichard Fairman, 
Gideon Botsford, Joseph Wheeler, Henry Fan man, Jabez Botsfi^'rd, 
Eli Dunning, Henry Peck; 1779. Caleb Baldwin, John (.'Imndler, 
Jabez Botsford, Nathan Burritt. Mathew Curtis, Josh. Noithrop, EH 
Dunning; HSll, Capt. Elijah Botsford. Mathew Curtis, Abel Botsford, 
Asa Cogswell. Bichard Fairman, Bichard Smith, Eli Dunning; 1781, 
Joi-eph Wheeler, Joshua Northroji, J.'siah Beardsb-e, Abed Baldwin. 
Uiidiard Fairnian, Abiabam Bennett, Georgia Sndlh; 17^;2, Bichard 
Fairman, (.'ah-b Balduin, George Terrell, Anms Northrop, Gideon 
Botsford, Henry Peck ; 17Ki, (;eorgc Terrell, Jonathan Northrop, 
Jabez Botsford. Aluaham BcTinilt, Bichard Smith; 17S1, Jabez Bots- 
ford, Jotham Shernutn, Caleb Baldwin. I'eter Nichols, Benjamin Cur- 
tis, Nehemiah Strong, Abel Ilurd; 17^"., •'"'"' Beach, .lohn Glover, 
Jabez Botsford. Caleb Baldwin, William Edmonds, Henry Peck, Ne- 
hemi.ah Strong; 17.S0, Abijah Curtis, John Smith, Samuel Ferris, 
Abel Botsf.>id, Da\ id Baldwin, Ebenezer Smith; I7S7, David Bald- 
win. Joshua Northrop, William Kdmonds; 17sS, Al ijali Curtis, David 
Baldwin, Cyrenus Hard, Jabez Botsford. Henry Peck ; 17s9, Solomon 
Glover, Abijah Cuitis, Andrew Beeis; 179li, Jotriah Curtis, Joel Camp, 
Jotham Sheiman ; 1791, Jotham Sherman, J. Beach, Gideon Botsfoid; 
1792, John Sanford, Ezra Booth, Gideon Botsford ; 179:J, Ezra Booth, 
Zachariah Feriis, Dr. Bennett Perry; 1794, Ziuhariali Ferris. M»»ses 
Shepard. David Sleeker; 179."i, Moses Shepard, Solomon Glover, Jabez 
Botsford; 1T90. Simeon Beers, Luther Harris, Mas* s Shei)ard; 1797, 
Luther Hariis, Amos Sheinian, Simeon Beers; 179S, Ca[it. Joseph 
Wheeler. Josiah Fairchild, Abel Botsford ; 1799, Asa Chapman, Abi- 
jah Curtis, Joseph Ferris; ISiiit, Capt. Luther Harris, Jo.seph Ferris, 
Moses Botsford; iSUl, .lolham Sherman, Gideon Botsford, Pliilo 
Curtis; !S0_', Pliilo Ciiiti-, Jotbam Sherman, Gideon Botsford ; IW., 
Philo Tousey, Gideon B.d.-ford, David Meeker; 1S()4, John Sanford, 
Capt. David Meeker, Elienezer Beers; 1^05, Simeon Beers, David 
Meeker, Peter Lake ; lS(lG-7, Amos Skidmore, Gideon Botsford. Philo 
Curtis; iJ^O-i, Gideon Bol.sf.ud, Philo Curlis, Silas Fairchild; IHI9, 
David Meeker, Silas Fairchihl, Birdsey Gb.ver; 181(1-11, Birdsey 
Glover, David Sleeker, Samuel Beers: 1812, David Meeker, Samuel 
Beers, Luther Hariis; liSLJ, Da%iii Meeker, Samuel Beei-s, Lamson 
Birch; lsl4. David Sleeker, I.amson Birch, Zachariah Clark ; ISIfi, 
Marcus Botsford, Zachariah Clark, Lamson Birch ; ISIO, Abijah Cur- 
tis, Marcus Botsford, David Meeker; 1H17, Marcus Botsford, Amos 
Skiilmore, Abij;ih Curtis; ISIS, Da\id Tousey, Atloniram Fairchild, 
Amos SkiduHire ; l.sl9, Amos Skidmore. Joseph Wheeler, Adtuiiram 
Fairchild ; 1S20, Abijah Merritt, Clement Faircliild, Amos Skidmore; 
18-Jl-2:5, Clement Fairchild. James Fairnian, Abijah Merritt; LS24, 
James Fairman, Abijah Men itt, Isaac Scn<lder ; lS2o, Isaac Scudder, 
Abner Nettleton, .\ustin Booth ; 1820, JaTn<-s Fairnian, Isiiae Scuilder, 
Abijrtli Merritt; 18'27, James Fairman, Benjanun Hard, John North- 
rop; 1S2S, Wheeler Fairchild, Daniel Blackman, Abel Beers; 1S29, 
Abel Beers, .\sa B. Beunlslee, Benjamin ('.Glover; IS.iO, Abel Beers, 
Asa B. Beardslee, Jabez B. Botsford; ls:Sl-:i2, Abel Beers, Jiihn 
Nnithroii. Abner A. Nettleton; ls:i:i, J(ihn Northrop, Lamson Birch, 
Abijah Meriitt, James Nieh.ds; IS:U. Abijah Mc-nitt, John Norlb- 
n>p, Philo Curtis; ls;o, Oliver Nortlirop, Daniel Botsford, Thomas 
Blaeknian; ]»'M, James B. Fairman. Israel A. Beardslee, Abijah 
Merritt; ls:J7, James B. Fairman. Israel Beanlslee. Abijah Meriitt; 
1S:JS, James B. Faiiman, Abijah Merritt, Henry Beers, Israel A. 
Beardslee; 1S;J9, James B. Fairman, John B. Beeis, William Beard; 
1k4(), John B. Beers, William Beard, James B. Faiiman; ls4I, Wil- 
liam Beard, .losiah S. Tonilinson, James B. Faiiman; 1842. William 
Beard, Jas. B. Fairman, Josiah B.Tomliusou; lS4:i, Philo Cm tis, Wil- 
liam Beard, Oliver Noithntp; ls44, Wm. BeanI, .hiines B. Fairman, 
Moses Parsons ; 184o, Zar Wiiitou, Oliver Northn.p, Chas. Peck : LS4li, 
Oliver Noithrop, Isaac Blackman, Sam. B, Peck ; 1847, Clias. (.'hirk, 
Oliver Northi'op, Chiis. C. Warner; IS4S, Oliver Niuthrop, ('hiis. Clark , 
ThoS-O- Chambers; lH-!9,Chac.<'. Warner, Levi Peck, Chas. Skidmore ; 



474 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



1850, Chnrlcs Dikcman, Charles C. Wanier, T,ovl Peck ; 1851 , amrlcs 
C. Wnnicr, Oliver Somere, C'lmrles Dlkcniiui ; 1^52, Charles C. War- 
ner, Ilnrt Shcpanl, Oliver Soniers ; IKfct, Clmrles C. Wariier, John B. 
Peck, Joseph Blackii-.rtii ; 1S54, John B. Perk, JoBopli Blacllnmn, 
Hart Slieimrd; ItCir,, Hart Sliopani, Glover Hawley, Lewis 8 Uris- 
coe: 185C-o7,EIi J. Morris, Jose])li IJInckmun,IlolslordTeriill ; 1858, 
Ilolsror(ITeirill,OlivorSomcr»,Kli J. Morris; 185n-(il, Oliver Sinners, 
Davjtl Saiifoi-il, James Blackinaii ; 1K02. l>avia Sanfonl, Zerah Fair- 
man, James Blackman; 18<)3-C-'>, Dnviil SanfonI, Zenili Fainiian, 
Hiram Camp; 18(;g. I>avi(i SanfonI, Zerali Kairman, l>avi<l Somers ; 
18C7-C8, Zerali Fuirman, William h. Terrill, Bradley D. Briseoe ; 1809, 
Zcmli Fairman, Kli J. Morris, Oliver Somura; ls70, Zerali Fairnmn, 
Kli J. Slorris, Samuel C. Glover ; 1871-72, Zoruli Fainiian. Samuel C. 
Glover, Wheeler Drew; 1873, Alicl B. Priuille, Stcjilien W. Itlacklliali, 
Charles K. Beei-s ; 1874, Zerali Fairman, Lawrence Mitchell, Stephen 
Blackmail; 187.'>, Kzra L. Joliiistm, Charles C. Twitcholl, Ilobert X. 
ITawiey ; 187r>, William X. Northrop, Charles C. Twitcholl, George 11. 
Botsfuril ; 1877, William N. Northrop, liohert N. llawley, Lawrence 
Mitchell; 1878, William N. Northmp, William I. Saufoid, William 
Hoy; 1879. William N. Northrop, John L. lluj^hes, William 1. San- 
ford ; 1880, William N. Northrop, William I. Sanford, Kdson W. 
Wilson. 

TOWN CLEKKS. 

1711, Peter IluMiell ; 1712-1:!, .lolin Glover; 1714-T8, Joseph Peck; 
n;l9-C4, John Niiithnip; 1705-90, Caleh Baldwin; lsno-4:), Cnleh 
BaUlwin, Jr; 1814-IC, Isaac Biers; 1847-tU, Henry Sunford ; 1850- 
03, Monroe Judsoii; 18.*,4, Sailer P. Barnuiii; 1 856, Isaac Blera; 1850- 
59, I>avid B. Biers; 18CII-U2, Alfred D. Tynill; 1813-70, Chailw C. 
Warner; 1871, Kcuhcu Beldeli; 1872, Heiirj- T. Nichols; 1873-80, 
Charles H. Peck. 

JMLIT.AIIY UKCORD. 
From records in the Adjutant-Gcneiars otiice. 

FOUKTEENTII REGIMENT. 
Company A. 
George A. Bradley, onl. Aug. 18, 1802; discli. Feb. 26, 1803. 

FIFTEENTH KEGIMENT. 
Compony X). 
William Weible, enl. Sept. 13, 1804 ; must, out July 20, 1805. 

SEVENTEENTH BEGIMENT. 
Compauy C. 
William Curtis, eiil. Aug. U, 1802 ; died Dec. 3, I8G3. 
C. G. Curtis, enl. Aug. 11, 1802 ; must out July 19, 1805. 
A. D. Fairchihl, enl. Aug. 12, 1802 ; must, out July 19, 1805. . 
Iia Sliennau, eiil. July 22, 18U2; must, out Oct. 24, ISO^L 
Charles Wo»>8ter, eiil. July 22, 1802; disch. July 31, 1803. 

Compumj Z>. 
O. 0. Milton, enl. Aug. 12, 1802 ; must, out July 14, 1SG5. 

Cvmp<ttiy Ft. 
i. Gonlon, enl. Aug. U, 1802; killisl July 1, ISKl. 
M. V. B. Glover, eiil. Aug. 14, 1802; died May 1, 18IW. 
H. B. Bigel.iw, enl. Aug. 11, 1SB2; must, out July 19, 18C:l. 
C. C. Chlpniau. enl. Aug II, 1802 ; must, out July 19, lm:l, 
M. Colgnn, enl. Aug. 14, 1802; wounded; must, out July 19, 1803. 
Oliver lion us, inl. Aug. 9, 1802 ; diach. June 23, 1803. 
James Ijigali, enl. Aug. 5. 1802: disch. Jan. 22, 181^1. 
W. A. Gordon, eul. Aug. 12, 1802; wouudeil; transfelTed. 
Dennis Hayes, enl. Aug. 13, 1802; must, out July 19, 1805. 
J. Illckey, enl. Aug. 9, 1802; dle<l May 9, IS-'vl. 
M. McMiihon. enl. Aug. U, 1802; ilisch. July 17, 180:). 
A. Nurthnip, eul. Aug. 12, I8G2; wounded; must, out July 19, 1803. 
-M. V. O'llalloran. enl. Aug. 11, 1802; disch. Sept. 1>'., 1801. 
H. A. S. I'eel, enl. Aug. 14, ISI12. 
P. Smith, eul. Aug. 1 1, 1802 ; disrh. l>ec. 15, 1802. 
A. Schiiver, enl. Aug. 12, 1802; must, out July 19, 1805. 
G. II. Silencer, enl. Aug. 14, l«i2 ; must, out July 19, 1805. 
L. Shaughrless, enl. Aug. 1 1, 1802 ; must, out July lU, 1805. 
J. Welch, eul. Aug. I'A I8<;2; luiuing. 

TWENTV-THinO nEGIMENT. 

l.\>mpa»y C 
Julius SanfonI, captidn ; com. Si'pl. Ill, 1802 ; captured June 24, 18G.1. 
J. F. Peck, wcond licutellknt ; com. Aug. 25. lMi2 ; pr^mioleil to Urst llee.- 
leouit ; captured Juno 24, 1803. 



8. Edgett, onl. Sept 10, 18R2 ; captured Aug. 31, ISC*. 
C. N. Squieni, enl. Aug. 25, 1802; dis^li. Aiig.31, 1803. 
J. GrllHn, eul. Sept. 10, 1802 ; disch. Aug. 31, 18l>'i. 

E. F.iSaurord, onl. Aug. 18, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
A. L. Peck, enl, Aug. 2."., 1802 ; ilisch. Aug. 31, 1801. 
11. Nichols, enl. Sept. 12, 1802 ; disch. Aug. 31, 180:1. 
K. Fairchild, enl. Sept. 12, 1802 ; discli. Aug. :il, 1803. 

C. Booth, Jr., enl. Aug. 25, 1802; ilisch. Aug. 31,1803. 
S. L Ikiotli, enl. Aug. 2.'>, 1802; discli. Aug, 31, 18C:i. 
J. M. Beers, eul. Sept. 11, 18G2; disch. Aug. 31, 18IL3. 
G. Brisctie, eul. Sept. II, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 18g:1. 
Charles Briscoe, eul. Sept. 11. 1802 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
N. Clark, enl. Sept. Ill, 1802 ; discli. Aug. 31, 180:1. 

H. B. Ciigor, enl. Aug. 20, 1802 ; ilisch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
G. B. Camp, eul. Aug. 311, 1802 , disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
M. Corhit, eul. Sept. 8, 1802. 

A. Diniiiu, enl. Sept. 8, 1802. 

II. 11. French, eul. Sept. Ill, 1802; disch. Aug, 31, 1803. 
T. B. Fuiichild, eul. .Sept. 2:1, 1.802 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 

D. A. Gillott, enl. Aug. :«l, 1802 ; died Feb. 20, 180:1. 
T. Gneruscy, eul. Aug. 25, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 18lj3. 

F. N. IlawUy, eul. Sept. 10, 1802. 

Henry Jolinsou, enl. Sept. 14, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 

M. Keenau, enl. Sept. 10, 18C2 ; disch, Aug. 31, 1803. 

John I.illis. enl. Sept. 13, 1802 ; died July 0, 1803. 

M. Lillis, enl. Nov. 5, 1802 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 

V. McDaliiels, eul. Sept. 11, 1802. 

P. Sloakley, enl. Oct. 27, 1802. 

D. Jl. I'eik, eul. Sept. II), 1802 ; diseli. Aug. 31, 1803. 

N. J. Peck, enl. Aug. 24, 1802 ; drowned June 0, 1803. 

B. H. Poet, eul. Sept. 6, 1802; disch. Aug. ;!1, 180:). 
A. Taylor, eul. Sept. 10, 1802; ilisch. Aug. 31, 180:1. 
I). 11. Wood, enl. Sept. Ill, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 180;). 

Company G. 
Edwin Beneiiicl, enl. Sipt. 7, 1802; must, out Aug. 31, 180:1. 
U. Beera, eul. Sept. 2, 1802; died July 5, 18C:). 
II. A. Gilbert, enl. Dec. 2, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 

G. 11. Gage, enl. Nov. 12, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
J. JUGnilli, enl. Nov. 10, 1802. 

P. D. Olmsted, eul. Dec. 2, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 18C3. 
S. B. Wood, eul. Nov. 11, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 

TWENTY-NINTH KEGIMENT. 
Company F. 
John Jones, eul. Dec. 22, 1803; must, out June 28, 18G5. 

Company I. 
James Evans, enl. Dec. 31, 18C3; dlc<l Nov. 19, 1804. 
Jame« Adams, eul. Jan. 4, 18IV4 ; must, out Oct. 24, 1805. 

Company A*. 
James Uuwloy, olll. Jan. 5, 1804 ; died Feb. 20, 1804. 

Company D. 
Thomas O'Brien, enl. May 11, 1801; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 

FIRST BEGIMENT. 
0. Cuuklin, cut. Nov. 10, 18r>4. 

SECOND LIGHT BATTERY. 
H. Lillia, cilL Feb. 19, 1804; must, out .\ng. 9, IKiVi. 
Jalnc« Nichols, enl. Feb. ir,, 1801 ; must, out Aug. 9, 18G5. 

FIRST REGIMENT ARTILLERY. 
C»nj>any F. 
0. S. ShephenI, enl. May 23, 1801 ; ilisch. July 20, 1801. 
.lohn HuMiell, enl. Jan. 5. 1804 ; ilieil Sept. 23, 1864. 

(^tmjHiny M. 
II. E. Nichols, enl. Malrli 0, 1802 ; must, out S«pt 25, I8C5. 
M. Farrell, eul. Feb. 10, 18<rl. 
A. Flannognn, enl. Feb. 10, 1804. 

C. E. Ullbort, eul. Feb. 13, 18C4 ; must out June 1, 18Gj. 
M. Sheiihenl, enl. Jan. 6, VA. 

FIFTH REGIMENT. 
Co'iijKiiiy F. 
William Couley, eul. July 22, 1801 ; disch. Jan. C, 1803. 
J. II. Falkner, eul. July 22, 1801; dlwb. April 24, 18C2. 



i\ 




Photo, by WUion, Bridgeport. 




NEWTOWN. 



475 



B. W. MatllR«s 



SIXTH KEC.IMENT. 
Compoint F. 
(■Ml. Aug. 20, ISC;!; must, out Aug. 21, 1S03. 



t'omptiuij K, 
James Sulliran, eiil. Jan. J, \^fi^; must, uut Aug. 21, 1S(',5. 

SEVENTH KEOniEXT. 
(_\>m]nlnl/ it, 
J. Brown, fnl. Sr-pt. 7. l.'*!',! ; juust. out .liuif 2ts 1S0.">. 
L. U. Edwiirds, eul. Sept. 7, LSIU ; iliscli. St'pt. 12, 1804. 

0)HJJJ((»// JI. 

Carl AikiTuiaii, enl. Xov. II, l«G:i; WnuTiilcil; ilii.l Sept. 14, 18f)4. 

EIlillTH liEOIMEN'T. 
Company F. 
A. B. Clark, cnl. Dec. 17, l.sr,;i; must, out Dec. 2, LSIB. 
Williaui lliivis, i-ul. Ik-c. 17, 1803; must, out Dec. 12, 1803. 
C. 1!. Slifiwood, eul. Dei-. 17, 1803; must, out July u, 1SC5. 
V. E. Suiitli, enl. Dei-. 17, 1S03; disch. Nov. 7, ISO.'). 
Frederick Wensle, enl. Feb. 11, 1S04 ; must, out Bee. 12, 1805. 



t'. H. Payne, enl. Bee. i; 



Compitmi Jl. 
, 18(Ki; killed June 2, 1804. 



C>i>H2mni/ T. 
H. C. Hall, enl. .Sept. 21, Isol ; ])ro. to capt. Co. F; killed July 11, 1KC4. 
J. D. Seeley, enl. Sept. 21, 1X01 ; disch. July 22, ISOj. 
S. W. Urowu, eul. Sept. 27, IHOl ; must, out Dec. 12, 1805. 
S. A. Evarts, enl. Sept. 21, 1801 ; rejected. 
U. Gilbert, eul. Sept. 30, 1801; must, out Sel)t. 12, 1SC5. 
George Hawley, enl. Sept. 27, 1861 ; disch. May 11, 1802. 
J. Kiley, enl. Sept. 27, 1801 ; di,«eb. July is, isoo. 
Bobert Tappan, eul. .Sept. 21, 1801 ; must, out Jlay '0, 1805. 
H. Tongue, enl. Se|>t. 21, 18C1; must, out Sept. 21, I8&4. 
J. B. Weed, eul. Sept. 21, 1801; disch. July 1.'., 1805. 

KINTH EEGIMEST. 
Compaitij I. 
James Hawley, enl. Oct. 1, 1801. 

TENTH EEOIMENT. 
Vi'Vipiniif II. 
Thomas Johnson, enl. Jan. 10, Isoj; mu>t. out May 20, 1805. 

ELEVENTH KEIIIMENT. 

.David Andrews, enl. Oct. 24, ISOl ; killed April 24, 1803. 

Cotiipitiiii I'. 
Fritz Meyer, enl. Jan. 27, 1SG5. 

Companij O. 
L. H. Fain liild, enl. Dec. 12, 1.S01 ; disch. June 7, 1802. 
J. W. Green, enl. Dec. 1, l.Mil ; dis.-h. Bee. 21, 180,5. 
0. S. lluiibell, enl. Bee. 1, ISO! ; wounded Sept. 17, 1802. 
B. E. Lewis, enl. Dec. 1, 1801 ; wounded; disch. Dec. 20, 1802. 
George McLean, enl. Bee. 12, 1801. 
H. L. Nichols, eul. Dec. 1, 1801 ; died Aug. 24, 1802. 
F. E. Smith, enl. Bee. 1, 1801 ; wounded ; disch. Feb. 3, 18C3. 
i 

TWELFTH ItEGIMENT. 

C<imp(nnj K. 
John Tappan, erd. Nov. 19, 1801 ; captured Oct. 10, 1864. 
I G. B. Botsford, enl. N.iv. 10, 1801; disch. June 27, 1802. 
n. Newman, eid. Jan. 12, 180.5. 

THIKTEENTH REGIMENT. 

\ Cotnpayty B. 

I W. G. Hawley, eul. Dec. 22, 1801 ; disch. June 27, 1S02. 
! C. L. Briscoe, enl. Feb. 5, 1801. 

j John Kane, enl. Jan. 0, 1802; eai>tnred Sept. 10, 1804. 
I CD. Peck, enl. Feb. 1. 1802; re-onl. Feb. s, l.si,4; must, out April "5 
j 1806. 

Bore-ell Taylor, crd. Jan. 22, 1802 ; disch. Jan. 0, 1805. 

Compiinij D. 
, E. M. Hull, enl. Dec. 17, ISOt. 
j George Bimelow, enl. Bee. 17, 1801. 
• ; Charles Munson, enl. Bee. 22, 1801; ilied Aug. 20, 1.80.3. 
^- Tyrell, enl. Bee. 17, 1801 ; must, out Se|.t. 13, 1805. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

IIEXRY .SAXmUD. 

This worthy ■(Icscoiuiaiit of .Tosi.ah 8anfonl w;\s 
born in Xowtown, Jnno 2, 1822. 

He remained with liis jiareiits until he attaiiie<l liis 
fourteenth year, in tlie mean time enjciyino- tlir licn- 
etits of tlie iieigliliorliooil seliool ami tlie wlicilesDiiie 
praetieal lessons daily tauglit l>y his fatlier's |ireee|)ts 
and example. It was a part of his father's relit^ions 
belief, to whieh he tenaciously lield, that children 
should be made to form habits of industry, to be ap- 
|)li(Ml not only to lujoks but to business ]nir.suits. 
The father was jovial, and cncimrap-ed his chililren 
in their, legitimate sports, yet tlie main object of liis 
training was to prepare them for life in its reality, 
anil with Henry, no less than with his brothers and 
sistere, was this parental treatment made available in 
the near threescore years tlutt lie has battled witii 
the world. ^ 

At fourteen years of age he wa.s placed liy his 
father at Baldwin & ]ieers', who kept a general store 
in the village of Newtown. He remained with this 
firm seven years at fifty dollars per aninim, and 
from this scanty allowance he was expected to pur- 
chase clothing, keep in pocket change, and lay by 
for a rainy day. 

Eeaching his majority, his employers engaged his 
services for two years at one hundred ami lifty 
dollars per annum. 

Just here it is projicr to remark that Henry's de- 
])ortment had been such that at eighteen he virtually 
did the whole business of the establisliment. He did 
all the buying, and at regular intervals would make 
out his bills, visit New York, make his purcha.ses 
and payments. Once a year a statement of the busi- 
ness and the transactions for the twelve months was 
rendered to his employers. 

At twenty-three, with assistance (by indorsement) 
from his father, he purchased a one-half interest, and 
continued the general management as lieforc. J'roud 
day for tlie young inerclumt, who was now a partner 
in one of the oldest mercantile establishments in the 
town of his nativity. 

The lessons of promptness and general application 
of that old father were strictly adhered to, and the 
reward followed. For fifteen years the ytmth Henry 
did not lose from any cause exceeding fifteen days 
from his business. Will the youth aspiring to fortune 
and honorable station pin this fact upon his memory 
anil emulate the example'? 

In the natural course of time other purch:ises, — the 
remaining half-interest in stock, then again the 
building and grounds; another period, the old store- 
house torn down, and new and more extensive ones 
erected. A gradual, legitimate, and certain increase, 
— the result of those habits of economy, apjdication, 
industry, and constancy of jiurpose that made uji 



476 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



the characteristic* of tlie man whom wc ari' sketch- 
ing. Was it from sclfisli motives tliat Henry Sanford 
was so aspirin;^ in liis youtli? Tlien notice his walk 
when a mature man. 

Property after property was bought; improved, and 
resold at a small advance upon original purchase. 
Why? That the town might present a more at- 
tractive appearance to its citizens, its visitors. 

Together with Aaron Sanford and M. C. Hawley 
he erected the beautiful (Irand Central Hotel, and 
hundreds of summer boarders annually thank tliem 
for their enterprise. 

But the crowning, the grandest effort of his life is 
the handsome monument to his nerve and constancy 
of purpose tliat attracts every passer-by. We allude 
to that solid, beautiful, grand old structure, tlie Holy 
Episcopal church, which stands witlun the centre of 
the village. 

For four years he unfalteringly prosecuted the work. 
Through favor and disfavor, obstacles and difficulties 
at times absolutely appalling were finally trium- 
phantly overridden. Imagine a town of eight hun- 
dred voters; a church to be built that cost fifty tliou- 
sand dollars; invitations extended to all ; the greatest 
official of the sect e.xpected ; a fair day, and only 
five single individuals, including the rector and offi- 
cers who were to officiate, being present at the solemn 
and ancient custom of laying the corner-stone, and 
you have some conception of the encouragement, 
rather the discouragement, Henry Sanford encoun- 
tered while prosecuting this his grandest achievement. 

For years he had been a vestryman and the church 
treasurer. The old building was tottering. It was 
suggested to rejjair it. 

But by persistent appeals Mr. Sanford got his 
brethren to agree to put up a new structure, and as 
trea-surer and financial agent he carried the project 
through to successful consummation, with but one 
prominent and efficient ally with whom to divide 
any of the labor attending details of the construc- 
tion. This coadjutor was Mr. Siliis N. Beers, whose 
brain and pencil first put upon paper what wjis 
so accurately followed by the mechanics, under the 
joint surveillance and superintendence of the two 
Christian friends. 



JULIUS SAXFOUD. 

This son of Josiah Sanford was subjected to the 
same vigorous, wholesome training of his brothers. 
Having a fondness for machinery he was longer re- 
tained in his father's factory than were his brothers. 
When about eighteen years of age, however, he re- 
paired to Naugatuck to learn the machinist's trade in 
the shops of Warucr & Isbel. Having served his 
apprenticeship, he returned to Sandy Hook and en- 
gaged with Moses Parsons to learn the hatter's trade. 
He remained witli Mr. Parsons several years, be- 



coming in the iiaaiiuhile thoroughly acquainted with 
the procc-ss of hat manufacture. 

On leaving Mr. Parsons, Julius obtained from him 
his daughter Mary in marriage and his good-will in 
business, and immediately began in the same village 
manufacturing on his own account. 




For a time he made nap-, fur-, and silk-hats com- 
plete, and in abundance; but owing to reverses oc- 
casioned by the failure of contracting parties in New 
York, and at the suggestion and with the co-operation 
of his father, he changed his business to the special 
and more profitable branch of manufacture, — "form- 
ing" wool-felts for .soft hats. He was applying him- 
self with ardor to this industry at the time of the 
great crisis that was pending just prior to the break- 
ing out of the Rebellion of 18t>l. 

When it absolutely became apparent that the 
Southern States were seriously meditating on the 
dis,solntion and destruction of the nation and cradle 
of liberty, that they were positively bereft of patri- 
otism, reason, and justice, — when this news, wafted i 
as it were by the wings of the wind, came to his eais 
he answered with alacrity in response to the nation's 
call, and enlisted upon the side of liberty and the 
perpetuity of the Union, and the preservation of 
American institutions. He was complimented by his 
feliows-iu-arms in a unanimous vote that lie should 
accept the captaincy. 



NEWTOWN. 



47' 



It is also worthy of nott' tluit his sword contained 
the following inscription : " Presented to Captain 
Julius 8anl'ord by many citizens of Newtown, Conn." 
The Twenty-third Connecticut Infantry had no 
braver or more pojiular ofHcer than the ca]>tain of 
Company " C" of Newtown. 

The fortunes of war, however, were disastrous; for, 
while guarding a large amount (jf stores at Brazier 
City, La., Capt. Stanford and all of the guard with 
him were compelled to capitulate to a superior f<jrce 
of the enemy. The surrender did not take place, how- 
ever, until the stores were destroyed by fire. Capt. 
Sanford was incarcerated at the military prison of 
Camp Ford, near Tyler, Texas, and sufl'ered all the 
rigoi"s of a prison life for fourteen months. His ex- 
istence during this period was only made tcderable by 
indirect benefits that were secured through Masonic 
infiuence. Fortunately, friends and fellow-prisoners 
of Cajit. Sanford were the recipients of favors that 
were obtained through the above-named fraternity. 
I'])on his return home Capt. Sanford took early steps 
to gain membership with an order that w-ould not 
sufter sectional animosity in time of war to deter its 
brotherhood from practically illustrating the beautiful 
features of its mission. 

He applied himself with assiduity in familiarizing 
himself with the principles and work of the frater- 
nity, and prosecuted his work with such success as to 
early become a master spirit and blaster JIason in 
the society. He w.as a charter member and a Wor- 
shipful Master of Hiram Lodge of Newtown. 

After the war Capt. Sanford was nitire domestic in 
his taste. Always fond of his family and attentive 
to their wants, and to gratify the wishes of his wife, 
he removed to New Haven, Conn., and, with other 
business, assumed charge of a nuisie store, where he 
remained until his death, Nov. 1, ISTli. In politics 
and religion, Capt. Sanford was in full sympathy with 
his father and brothers. He died from disease con- 
tracted while in prison. 



FREDERICK SANFORD. 
This representative of an old New England name 
is the fourth sou of .Tosiah Sanford, and was born in 
Newtown, Sept. 18, 1825. A full account of Mr. San- 
ford's varied business and traveling experience would 
make quite a little volume in itself, and one of no 
mean interest. Complete data can be had for this 
did the limits of this sketch admit, for, by nature, by 
education, and long hal)it, he is methodical, and his 
day-book is a complete history of his life, his busi- 
ness, his travels, what he has seen, anil whom he has 
met. Like thousands of others of New England, he 
left its crowded walks to seek elsewliere his fortune; 
returning, however, content and satisfied to remain 
under its old roof-tree. So the year 1880 finds him at 
the old homestead, where for five generations his fam- 
ily have lived. His education was received at the pub- 



lic and private schools and the academy of his town. 
At eighteen he was jjlaced with John H. Tweedy i^ 
Co., of Danbury, to learn the mercantile business. 
These gentlemen manufactured clothing for tlieir 
wholesale and jobbing houses at New York City and 
Charleston, S. C, and in conjunction carrieil on a 
general store. In 184."), .Tohn II. Tweedy withdrew 
and was succeedi'd by Edgar S. Tweedy, from which 
time Frederick was in charge of the business until 
his majority, when he went with Alvah Merriam, 
who carried on a general couutry store at Woo<lbury, 
remaining with Mr. Jlerriam two years. In Sei>tem- 
ber, 1849, hi^ went South, and engaged in book-keep- 
ing for the hat-jobbing bouse of I). A. Andder, at 
Charleston, S. C. Receiving a very excellent ofli'r 
from Haviland, Ilarral & Co., he went to live with 
this firm. These gentlemen were wdiolesale druggists, 
with branch houses in Atlanta and Augusta, (ia., and 
a house in New York under the firm-name of Havi- 
land, Keese & C'o., and a fine retail st(n'e, in addi- 
tion to their wholesale house, in Charleston, lly 
reason of their having been long establislicd and 
well and favorably known, Haviland, Harral i^' Co. 
had an exceptionally fine class of customers, and Jlr. 
Sanford looks upon this period of his life as a 
very pleasant one, indeed. The S<aith at this time 
was at a high degree of prosperity, and he had many 
opportunities of becoming familiar with tin- lialiit-i 
and customs of the people, and seeing tiie diU'erent 
phases of slavery and the manners and customs of the 
slaves, and especially their (juaint religious doings and 
their jollifications on Christmas and other holidays. 
At ditfereut times of life, and during dilferont tri])s 
South and West, Mr. Sanford has visited nearly 
every section of the American Union, and witnessed 
some of the most im])Osing of our political and 
national pageantries and "receptions," and has heard 
Webster, Clay, and Calhoun on the floor of the Senate. 
His first initiation South was an attack of yellow 
fever, from which, by the skill of his physician, the 
celebrated Dr. Kobertson, and good nursing, he reco\- 
ered. The following season he had the " break-bone" 
fever, after which lie was considered pretty well accli- 
mated. His father's health failing, he returned home 
just in time to see him die, July 2(1, 1851. 

At the solicitation of his fanuly, and to assist in 
winding up his father's estate, he remained in New- 
I town, engaging in the manufacture of hatting-felts, — 
j first with his brother Henry, then Henry antl Juliits, 
I aiul then alone from 1859 to 1865, wdien he leased his 
! factory to Horr & Mitchell, wool-hat manufacturers, 
of Boston, Mass. These gentlemen operated his fac- 
tory till January, 18(57, wdion it was destroyed by fire. 
Since this time Mr. Sanford has retired from active 
business-life. 

Keared as a Whig, he votes and acts witli the Re- 
publican party, but his ac(piaintance with and knowl- 
edge of the [icople of dilferent sections of our common 
country jirevent his taking an active part in the sec- 



478 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONXECTICUT. 



tional politics of the day. He has filled many town 
offices and other positions of trust. He is a member 
of Trinity Episcopal Clmrcli, being the present treas- 
urer of tluit society. 

Tlie peculiar management and training of liis chil- 
dren by Josiah .Sanford is elsewhere remarked, and 
perhaps its effect is not more marked upon any of 
them than the subject of this sketch. He has kept a 
cash account and diary since his fourteenth year, and 
has not been of one dollar expense to his father since. 
As before remarked, this diary is a complete kaleido- 
scope, as it were, of the events of his life. 



JO.SI.\K .SAXFORD. 

Samuel Sanford, the father of .Josiah Sanford, had 
a shop opposite the old Sanford homestead, where 
Frederick Sanford now lives, and was engaged in 
the manufacture of sjjinning-wheels, reels, and looms 
for spinning thread and weaving cloth, carjiets, etc. 
He was succeeded by his son Josiah, who followed 
the same business till the year 1830, when he entered 
into tlie manufacture of broadcloth, cassimercs, and 
satinets, in tiie village of Sandy ilook. He remained 
in this business, extending it from time to time, till 
1842. Between the years 18.30 and 1842 he did a 
very heavy business, building and causing the erec- 
tion of a large part of the village of Sandy Hook. In 
addition to his factory he ran a large general store, 
and bought a considerable tract of land and ran an 
extensive farm. 

jMr. Sanford was married to Polly, daughter of 
Cajjt. Enos Johnson, Aug. 7, 1816. Mr. Sanford wiis 
a nuin of great force of character and originality, a 
leading member of Trinity Ejiiscopal Church, and one 
of the founders of Xcwtown Academy. His mainigc- 
ment of his children was especially noticeable. If the 
boys wanted spending-money he gave them a job of 
work and ])aid them for it, thus making them earn the 
money, and letting them estimate its value by the 
labor it cost them. He would give them opportuni- 
ties of earning money and then borrow it of them, 
giving them his note, drawing interest in regular 
form. In settlements tiiey prodncc<l the note and he 
had them to reckon up the interest themselves, re- 
fusing to settle until it was done properly. Thus he 
instilled into them correct ideas of value and the ne- 
cc-ssity of strict business habits that in after life has 
served them well. He died July 2tj, 1851. His chil- 
dren were eight in number, — viz., Edwin (dceciused), 
Julius (deccised), Henry, Frederick, Charlotte (Mrs. 
George B. Wheeler), Margarette (Mrs. Albert North- 
rop), Josiah, Augusta. 

Josiah Sanford ((!) was the son of Samuel Sanford 
(5) by his second wife, Charity ( Foote) Bristol. Sam- 
uel Sanford (•'>) was born in 174.'t. His cliildren were, 
by his first wife, (Abiali Iiuuning), — viz., Anuit (1), 
Isaac (2), Josiah (3), Betsey (4), Sarah (5), Joel (6), 



Kuah (7), Azubah (8), Artemesia (9), Abigail (10). 
By his second wife: Abiah, Ann, Josiah, and Philo. 

Samuel (5) was the son of Samuel (4 ), who was born 
A|)ril 1, 1704. His children Ity his wife, Hannah (lil- 
bcrt, were Tiiomas, Amos, Mary, James, Hannah, 
Sarah, Samuel, and Louis. 

Samuel Sanford (4) was the son of Samuel Sanford 
(3), who was born March 12, 1G80, who married 
Esther Baldwin, and whose children were Nathaniel, 
Samuel (4), Ebcnezer, Esther, John, David, Stephen, 
Job, Hannah, Rachel (Mrs. Ebcn Booth). 

Samuel Sanford (.'}) wius son of Samuel Sanford (2), 
who was born April 3, 1C43, and who married Mary 
Brinson. His children were Hannah, Thomius, Sam- 
uel (3), Sarah, Mary, and Thomas. 

Samuel Sanford (2) was son of Thomas Sanford (1), 

who married Sarah , and whose children were 

Ezekiel, Sarah, Mary, and Samuel (3|. Thomas San- 
ford died October, 1681. The date of his birth is un- 
known. 

To Julius, son of Josiah, were born Ellen Louisa 
(Mrs. Sherwood S. Thompson), Katie, and Gertrude. 
Henry Sanford married Mary E., daughter of Dr. 
Cyrenius If. Booth, Nov. 9, 1845, to whom were born 
Annie E. and Sarah E. 



GENEALOGY OF THE SANDKOUDS.* 

Sandfonl Manor of England is one of those very few 
Shropshire estates which can be said to be held by 
the lineal descendants of its earliest fcolfce. 

Thomas de Sandford, a Norman follower of William 
Duke of Normandy, is mentioned on the roll of Battle 
Abbey, Oct. 14, 1066. His son, Sir Thomas dc Sand- 
ford, held under Iving Henry I. the nninors of ."land- 
lord and Rothal, and the former is still held by his 
<lcscendants. The armorial bearings of this family 
are quarterly 1 and 4 per chevron sa and erm, in chief 
two boars' heads coupcd close, or 2 and 3 quarterly 
per fesse indented azure and ermine. Crest, a falcon 
with wings endorsed preying on a i)artridge jipr. 
Motto, Ncc tcinere Nee timide. 

.\notlicr family of almost ei]ual antiquity, but who, 
unlike the preceding, usually dispense with first letter 
" d" in their name, are derived from John de Sanford, 
Lord of Great Homede, county Hertz, whose name is 
met with in lliV.I and 1220 in ancient records. He 
was father of Gilbert de Sanford, Lord of (Jreat Ho- 
mede, and chamberlain of IJuccn Eleanor, the wife of 
King Henry III., and daughter of Raimond Bcrenger, 
the last Count of Provence. 

The former of these families are undoubtedly the 
ancestors of the Connecticut Sanfords. Thom.aa San- 
ford, sometimes spelt Sampford or Samfonl in the 
records, came to Boston about 1631. He first appears 
in Dorchester, Mass., in 1634, and went to Jlilford, 
Conn., in 1639, and died there in 1681. His name 



• Colitrilutnl \>y II. U. Saiifortl. 




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/f£S. OF F. SANFOf^D. /V£WTOin/N Conn. 



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NEWTOWX. 



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appfiirs ainoiif; tlio-^c who first iirfraiiizc'il the town. 
His ohk'st son, E/t'kicl, and ihuiirlitcr, J^arali, wtTc 
born in Jlassaclmsctts. 

Record as follows : 

Thomas SanConl, horn ; died ( )etoher, KiSl. 

Sarah (maiden-name unknown to writer), horn ; 

died IGSl. Children: Kzckiel Sant'ord, hm'n about 
1G.'?5; married Rebeeca Wiekla, April 2"). l(il>.'>; die<l 
KiS-S. Sarali Sanford. horn Ki.'iT ; married Uiehard 
Shnle. Mary Santbrd, born .Ian. Ki, 1(>41 ; iinuuir- 
ried. Samuel Sant'ord, born ,\pril •'ill, 1(14:; ; married 
Hannah Hrinson. Thomas Sanibrd. liorii Deeemljer, 
l(i44; married Elizabeth Payne. Ephraim Sanfbrd, 
born May 17, ll}4(! ; married Mary Powell. Eliz.abeth 
Sanibrd, born Anu;. 27, ll!48; married Oliadiah Al- 
lyne. 

K/.ekiel Sanibrd, ' born li'>:',r, ; died ]i',A?,. Kebeeea 
Wickla, born ; married A]iril 2o, Kid"). Chil- 
dren: Sarah Santbnl, born March o, KIlJC; married 
Cornelius iinll. Ezekiel Sanibrd, .Jr., born March (1, 

]<!(i8; married Rebecca . Mary Sanibrd, born 

April 8, 1071); married Theopihis Hull. Rebeeca 
Sanfbrd, born Dec. l;^, 1()72 ; married John Seeley. 
Thomas Sanford, born May 2, lt)7.'). Martha Sanftu'd, 
born .Tune 20, 1(577. Elizabeth Sanfbrd, liorn Sept. 
(1, 1(17'.). 

Cornelius Hull, born . Sarah S.iulbrd, born 

March 5, KSf.G. 

Ezekiel Sanford, ,Ir., born March (i, lililX ; died 
March, 17211; married Rebecca (name not known to 

writer), born . Children: Josei di Sanford . born 

about 1697; marrieil Catharine Fairchild. Lemuel 
Sanibrd, born Dec. Kj, IGili) ; ni;irried Ivebecca 
Squires. Zacliariah Sanfbrd, bcn-n >.'(jv. 24, 1701 ; 
married Ann Hull. Ezekiel Sanford (;5), born .Inly 
27, 17(14. Samuel Sanfbrd, born Feb. 20, 1707 ; mar- 
ried Sarah Meaker. Ephraim Sanibrd, born Feb. 12, 
1708 ; married Elizabeth Mix. Rebecca Sanfbrd, born 
Nov. 21, 1710. Abig-ail Sanford, born Aug. 20, 1714. 
Elnathan S;infbnl, born Sept 1, 1717. 

Ji£Leph_S:yifiiri.l, born about 1(!07. Catharine Fair- 
child, born ; married Feb. 11,172."). Children: 

Neliemiah Sanford, born March 10, 172(). Elnathan 
Sanford, born Oct. 11, 1727. Phebe Sanford, born 
Nov. 11, 1720. Ann Sanford, born Feb. !.'>, 1732. 
Timothy Sanford, born i'Vb. 8, 1734. .JosejdiSan- 
ford^born^ June 20, 173(i. Nathan Sauiibrdj born 
Aug. 1,'), ifSSrTameTBauford, born Dec. 14, 1740. 
Stephen Sanfbrd, born July 1(1, 174:!. 

NelYei'mah Sanford, born March 10, 172(j; aged 
ninety; died Novendjer, 1815. Elizabeth Morehouse, 

born ; married March .'», 1747; died July 31, 

1810. Children: (iershom Sanford, born Aug. 2(1, 
1748 ; died early. Litt'e Sanford, born Aug. 30, 17")0; 
<lied Dec. 3, 181."). Phebe Sanford, born Aug. 20, 
1752; single; died early. Ann Sanford, born Oct. 2, 
1755; died Jan. 8, 184(). Catharine Sanford, born 

* Ezekiel selUed in Faiificld, Oinn., ami Uied tliere. 



Oct. 31, 17."iO; died Nov. 17, 1843. Nehemiah San- 
ford, born (_)ctol)er, 17(12; died Dec. 2(1, 1S44. 

Lille Sanford, born ,\ug. 30, 17."iO; dieil Dec. :l,- 

181.'i. Huldah lihicknian, liorn ; marrieil I7S'). 

Children : Jolm R. Sanford, burn .laiiuary, 17SS : died 
l.S.')(). Jerusha Sanford, liorn January, Xl'Mi; died 
182-"). Josei)h Sanlbi-d, born April 12, 1702; died 
l.S(14. Laura. Sanford, liorn April, 1704; died lS."i7. 
(ilover Sanford, born March, 1707; died 1.S78. 

.John Ji. Sanford, born Jaiuuiry, 1788 ; died 18.'ii). 

Rebecca Clark, born ; married 1M2, Children: 

Cieorge Sanford, born 1814. Harriet U. Sanfbrd, born 

; died early. Julia E. .Sanford, born ; died 

early. 

.Joseph Sanlbi'd, burn April 12, 1702; marrii'd 

JIaria Young l.S:iO; died 18(14. Children: .lane K. 

Sanford, born .Se])t. 22, 18:12. i\[artha Ann Sanford, 

I born June 11, l.S:!."i. Rebecca M. Sanford, boi-ii J^'b. 

18, 1844. 

linshnell Rostwiek, born ; married, 1821, I^anra 

Sanford, born April, 1704. Child: .hilia F. Rnst- 
wick, born .July 20, 1823. 

( ilover .Sanford, born March, 1707. Retsey I^ake, 
bi.)rn . (.'hildren : ('harles H. Sanfbrd, born 

, March 24, 1823. Honu-r R. Sanibrd, born June, 1824. 
I^'rederick S. Sanford, born l'"ebruary, l.s2(i. Edwin 
G. Sanford, born May, 1832. Charlotte E. Sanfbrd, 

,' boi-u May, 1838. 

Jycmucl .Sanford, born Dee. Id, l(iOO, son of J^zekiel 
Sanford, Jr. ; married Rebecca Squires, May 12, 17:!0. 

j Children: Hezekiali San ford, born March 1, 1731. 
Rebecca Sanford, born (Jet. 20, 1732. Sarah Sanford, 
born Sej)t. 11, 1734. Anna .Sanford, born Oct. 10, 
173(;; died Dee. 4, 1743. Lydia Sanford, born May 

19, 1738. J.jeimui_Jitnibrdj l)orn April 18, 174it. 
Ezekiel Sanford, born June 30, 1742. Anna .Sanford, 
born (Jet. 7, 1744. Eunice S:uifbrd, born Sejit. 10, 
174(). Rhoda Sanford, liorn Feb. 20, 1740. 

Siimuel Sanford, born Fell. 20, 1707, son of Ezekiel 
.Sanfbrd (3); died Nov. fi, 17(J8 ; marrieil Sandi Jfeaker, 
Jan. 11,1733. Children: Daniel S:inlbrd, born Feb. 

I 2.">, 17:>4; nuirried Esther Hull. Setli Sanibrd , liorn 
Aug. 18, 173.1; nuirried Iiel)ecca Rurr. Mary .Sanfbrd, 
born Feb. 1(1,17:18; married Timothy .S:infbrd. Daviil 

; Sanford, born Nov. 1(1, 1730. Abigail Saiifoi-<l, born 
.Jan. Ki, 1743 ; married .John Hawley. Samuel .San- 
ford, . I r., born April 24,1745; married Sarah Olm- 
stead. Sarah S:inford, born May (i, 1747. lOsther 
Sanford, born .\pril 0, 1740. Ezra .Sanford, born 
Feb. 26, 17ol. R:ichel Sanford, born Feb. 2, 17.')3. 
l\'ter Sanford, born May 18, 17.")6 ; married .\bigail 
Ivceler. 

Ephraim .Sanibrd, born Feb. 12, 1708; marrieil 
Elizabeth Mi.K, Oct. 7, 1730. Children: JUizabeth 
Sanford, born .luly 1, 1731. lltudiel Sanford, liorn 
July 23, 17;':!; married Stephen AFead. .Miigail S;in- 
ford, born Jfay 10, 173'); nuirried Daniel .Jackson. 
Hannah Sanford, born March 3, 1737 ; married David 
Lyon. .John ,'^anford, born .\pril 2(1, 1730. Oliver 



480 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Sanford, born Sept. 17, 1741 ; married Rachel Coley. 
Lois Sanford, born Sept. 14, 1743; married Joseph 
Lyon. Tabitlia Sanford, born Feb. 28, 174C. Hul- 
dah Sanford, born April 25, 1748. Ephraim Sanford, 
Jr., born May 25, 1750. Augustus Sanford, born July 
12, 1753; died 1788. Esther Sanford, born April 24, 
1755 ; died early. 

The following are the Newtown Sanfords, most of 
them descended from Samuel Sanford, second son 
of Thomas and Sarah Sanford, of Milford, Conn. : 

Samuel Sanford, born April 30, 1643 ; died 1691. 

Hannali Brinson, born ; married April 16, 1674. 

Children: Hannah Sanfiird, born Feb. 2, 1675; mar- 
ried James lliglit (as sijelled in the record). Thomas 
Sanford, born Sept. 29, 1678; died March 3, 1679. 
Samuel Sanford, born March 12, 1680 ; married Eas- 
ther Baldwin, daugliter of Nathaniel Baldwin, and 
sii?ter to Ester Baldwin, who married his cousin, 
Samuel Sanford, of Milford. Sarali Sanford, born 
July 10, 1682. Mary Sanford, born April 16, 1685; 
died Feb. 2, 1703. Thomas Sanford, born May 4, 
1687 ; married Rebecca Barry, of Farmington ; died 
1730. (See will in New Haven, probated Nov. 4, | 
1730.) 

Samuel Sanford, born March 12, 1680; married 
Eastlier Baldwin, 1683; went to Newtown in 1711. 
Children: Nathaniel Sanford, born Dee. 3, 1702; mar- 
ried Elizabeth Seeley ; died April 14, 1768. Samuel 
Sanford, born April 1, 1704 ; died May 7, 1750. Ebon- j 
orer Sanford, born Feb. 22, 1705; died Aug. 2, 1718. 
Esther Sanford, born Feb. 10, 1707. John Sanford, 
born Oct. 17, 1709; died April 14, 1785. Daniel San- 
ford, born Nov. 1, 1711. Stephen and Moses Sanford, 
born 1713. .Job Sanford, born Jan. 10, 1715. Han- 
nali Sanford, born Jan. 6, 1717. Rachel Sanford, 
born June 13, 1720; married Ebcn Booth. 

Nathaniel Sanford, born Dec. 3, 1702; married 
Elizabeth Seeley, Oct. 16, 1728; died April 14, 1768. 
Children : Natlian Sanfor<l, born Sejit. 8, 1729. Abel 
H. Sanford, bai>ti7.ed March 25, 1733. Ruth Sanford, 
l>aptized May 12, 1737. Esther Sanford, baptized 
May 27, 1744. 

Samuel Sanford, born April 1, 1704; married Han- 
imh Gilliert, June 16, 1731; died March 7, 1758. 
Children: Tlionia.s Sanford, born JIarch 3, 1732. 
Amos Sanford, born Ot. 18, 1733. Mary Sanford, 
born 1735. James Sanford, born 1736. Hannah San- 
ford, born 1740; died March 4, 1758. Sarah Sanford, 
born 1738; married Jonah Piatt. Samuel Sanford, 
born 1743; married Abiah Dunning, and second wife, 
Charily Bristol. Lois Sanford, born 1750; married 
Samuel Stevens. 

Amos Sanford, born Oct. 18, 1733. Mary Clagston, 

born ; married Jan. 13, 1757. Children: David 

Sanford, born Nov. 9, 1757. Betsey Sanford, bom 
March 23, 1759. Caleb Sanford, born Aug. 22, 1761. 
Ezra Sanford, burn May 8, 17ti3. John Sanford. 

Samuel Sanford, born 1743; died Nov. 26,1817; 
married, Aug. 19, 1765, Abiah Dunning, born . 



Children: Annett Sanford, born March 12, 1766. 
Isaac Sanford, born Feb. 2, 1768 ; married Anna 
Bristol. Josiah Sanford, born Sept. 6, 1769 ; died 
1780. Betsey Sanford, born Sept. 26, 1771 ; married 

Downs. Sarali Sanford, born July 26, 1773 ; 

married Thomas Lyon. Joel Sanford, born March 
23,1775. Ruah Sanford, born 1777 ; died 1779. Ruah 
Sanford, born Dec. 1, 1779; married James Bennett. 
Azubah Sanford, born June 3, 1781 ; married Andrew 
Winton. Artimisia Sanford, born 1783 ; married Eli 
Winton. Abigail Sanford, born 1785 ; died 1792. 

Second marriage : Samuel Sanford, born 1743 ; 
married widow Cliarity (Foot) Bristol. Children: 
Abiah Ann Sanford, born Feb. 10, 1790; died JIarch 
13, 1861. Josiah Sanford, born June 9, 1793; died 
July 26, 1851. Philo Sanford, born July 11, 1796; 
died Feb. 23, 1873. 

Jonathan Sanford settled on Walnut Hill, in New- 
town or Sand Hook ; he was grandson of Ephraim 
Sanford, son of Tlioma.s and Sarah Sanford, of Mil- 
ford. The following is the record. 

Ephraim Sanford, born May 17, 1646; married 
Mary I'owell, daughter of Thomas Powell, New 
Haven, Nov. 18, 1669. Children: Mary Sanford, 
born Sept. 28, 1670. Samuel Sanford, born Jan. 26, 
1672; died early. Samuel Sanford, born May 9, 1674. 
Ephraim Sanford, Jr., born May 11, 1677; died April 
17, 1728. Thomas Sanford, born Jan. 29, 1679; died 
April, 1713. Nathaniel Sanford, born Oct. 10, 1682; 
died 1747. Zachariah Sanford, born March 14, 1686; 
died 1713. 

Samuel Sanford, born May 9, 1674; married Ester 
Baldwin, born Nov. 14, 1676, eldest daughter of Na- 
thaniel Baldwin. Children: Hannah Sanford, burn 
June 28, 1696; married Joseph Gunn. Samuel >:iii- 
ford, born May 29, 1698 ; married Abigail Holbr.M.k. 
Joseph Sanford, born July 5, 1701; married ilary 
Clark; settled in Litchfield. Mary Sanford, born July 
5, 1702; married Jonah Northuji. Jonathan Sanford, 
born July 13, 1704; married Hannah Piatt; settled in 
Newtown. Stephen Sanford, born Nov. 20, 1706. 
David Sanford, born May, 1708; died 1708. David 
Sanford, born Sept. 8, 1709; married Rachel Str^' 
died Jan. 16, 1751. Esther Sanford, born No\ 
171 1 ; married Samuel Bristol. Abigail Sanford, born 
Oct. 14, 1714; married Pierson. Elizabeth San- 
ford, born Dec. 13, 1716. 

Jonathan Sanford, born July 13, 1704, settled in 
AValnut Hill, Sandy Hook, Newtown ; married Phcbe 
I'latt, July 8, 1725. Children: I'hebe Sanford, born 
Aug. 1, 1726. Hannah Sanford, born Aug. 27, 1827. 

Second marriage ; Jonatlian Sanford, born .Tulf 
13, 1704; married Hannah Piatt, born 1705, died July 

8, 1775. Children: Jonah Sanford, born ; died 

Sept. 8, 1788. Solomon Sanford, born ; died 

Feb. 23, 1784. Jonathan Sanford Jr., born March 
20, 1737; died May 1, 1807. 

Jonathan Sanford, Jr., born March 20, 1737. Chil- 
dren : Salmon Sanford, Huldali Sanford. 




I 



jE<yryv^ ^^^.r^ 



NEWTOWN. 



4S1 



Solomon Sanford ; married Midiitablo Nortlnip. 
Childri'ii : Amos Nortlmp 8anford. OWve Ann Saii- 
ford. Josiah Sanf'ord. Jerusha 8aiiford. 



D. C. (iATELV. 

Dennis C. Oately, s\ii)eriiitende]it of the New York 
Beltiiis; and Paolcin;: ( 'unipany, situatccl at Newtown, 
Conn., was born in Roxbiiry, Mass. (now a part of 
Bo.ston), Aajr. 12, ]S1(>, in tlie same lionse where Men. 
Joseph Warren, who was l;illed at Hunker Jlill, was 
liorn. Dennis was aliout twelve years of af;e wlien 
liis fatlier died, and tlie mother Ijeinj; left with a lartre 
family Dennis was taken into the family of >~up|dy C. 
Twin;;, a eommission merchant of lioston, with whom 
he remained three years, atiendinf; sehool and doing 
errands, and was commended for his faithfnlness, which 
in hiter years was testiticd to liy his early benefactor, 
whom he always reverenced. At the aire of fifteoi he 
was apprenticed to Lonis A. Lauriatt, a noted French 
rhemist, but, preferrinir a more active life, a year later 
he chose the trade of honsewrijiht. He served till he 
\vas twenty-one with the iirm of .James Sinclair iV ('(j. 
Being slight of physiipie he <iften lahcjred beyond his 
strength, but ])ersevcred and learned tin- trade in all 
its details, finishing up all the idee w(n-k, and olten 
retained till after the family moved in. As he was 
careful and painstaking he made many friends among 
the owners of fine estates about the city of Boston. 
"Brookline," the fine house of Gen. LynKin,he helped 
to build, and was the last nuin to leave the premises. 

In April, 184(>, a gentleman by tlie name of ,7ohu 
Haskins (an early inventor in rubber), knowing Den- 
nis from his having worked on his house eight years 
previous, recommended him to the superintendency 
of a small rubber factory in Roxbnry. After a few 
months this company failed, and he was ]daccd as 
keeper till a new company was Ibrmed, called the 
" Boston Belting Company," under the firm of Tap- 
pan, JlelUirney & Cheever, as prineij)al agents. From 
a beginidng with fifteen men he continued with them 
till they employed one hundred and forty men. Dur- 
ing tills time, by carei'ul savings, he built himself a 
house, where he placed his mother, who eared for him 
till he married. At the age of thirty-five he was mar- 
ried to Oline F. Perkins, daughter of William Curtis 
Perkins, of Maine. His motlicr lived to be nearly 
ninety-two years of age, and was tenderly cared for by 
Dennis, who wiW the only surviving child hut one of 
nine children. April, ISoli, ten years after the " Bos- 
ton Belting (Jompany" wa.s organized, Jlr. Cheever 
retired from the firm and went to New York. Mr. 
Gately received and accepted a liberal offer from the 
"New York Belting ami Packing Company." It was 
with reluctance that he left Jlo.xbury, where he had 
been identified so long, to begin anew among those 
who looked with .suspicion upon all he did. 

The intention of the New York Company was to 
retain Mr. Gately in New York City, where a special 



jiart of the business was to be carried forwanl in the 
manufacture of the lighter articles of rubber goods, 
but difficulties arising at Newtown among the work- 
men and between the former superintendent and the 
senior member of the company, made it necessary for 
Mr. Gately to take the factory at Newtown in charge, 
and the old factory burning down the first season, the 
business, after rebuilding, Wits transacted wholly at 
Newtown. 

As the years passed on Mr. Gately made several val- 
uable in.vcntions, which have contributed largely to 
the advantage of the company in the manufacture of 
their goods. The company now employ nearly three 
hundred operatives, doing tlie largest business of the 
kind in the United States. 

Mr. Gately 's business career and his present busi- 
ness and social standing are eminently worthy of con- 
templation, showing, as they do, what ]iersisteiit atten- 
tion to details will do. His entire success is due to 
this characteristic. What he did was well done, fin- 
ished, and ]iroperly finished. Genial, kind, ami 
unassuming, this same considerate and painstaking 
phase of Mr. Gately's character, during twenty-five 
years' residence in his adoi)ted town, has secured to 
him the esteem of its citizens, and has conspired in 
all the degrees and relations of life, whether as son, 
father, husband, frieml, or citizen, to secure to him 
respect and alfection. 

His children are six, — viz.: Caroline Ryder, Ella 
Catherine, Curtis Perkins, Sarah Dennis, Charles 
Lincoln, and Harry Grant. 



LEMUEL FAIRCIIILD CAMP. 

Lemuel Camp (1), the great-great-grandfather of 
Lemuel H. Camp, came to Newtown, it is supposed, 
from old Jlilfonl about the time of the first settle- 
ment (1.H07). lie had nine children, — viz.: Joel (2), 
John, Samuel (who died in the French war), Silas, 
Julius, Pliebe (]Mrs. Sirenas Hard), Heppie (Mrs. 
Amile Peck), Allie, or .Mice (Mrs. Sims), and Clarisa 
(Mrs. Josiah Blackmail). 

Joel Camp (2) was born Oct. 20, 17^.4, and died 
October, 177y. He married Ellen Jacksf)n, by whom 
he had eight children, — viz. : Deborah (Mrs. Matliew 
Sherman), Lemuel (.'!), .lolin, Susan (Mrs. Joseph 
Wheeler), Jacob, Phebe, Silas, and Samuel. 

Lemuel Camp (8), in addition to his occupation as 
a farmer, was a school teacher and surveyor. A man 
of |)robity and intcdligenee, he won the confidence of 
his neighbors, and was a general peacemaker :is well 
as arbiter of disputes in the neighliorhofid. He mar- 
ried Sarah, daughter of Samuel Dibble, by whom 
he had ten children, — Joel Trowbridge (4), Cyrus, 
Dibble, Polly (Mrs. Samuel Fairchild), ,\dali (second 
wife of Beers Fairchild), JIaria (Mrs. John Smith), 
Beach, Hiram, Sarah .\iin (Mrs. Zacharia Clark), and 
Marv Ann. 



482 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Joel Trowbridge Camp (4) was born March 1, 1794, 
and was married to Polly, daufrhtcr of Zadoc Fair- 
child, April 13, 1819. His children are Lemuel Fair- 
child (5), Lucia (Mrs. Johu li. Smith), Edwin, and 
Samuel Burtis. 

Mr. Camp is now living with his son Lemuel F., at 
the advanced age of eighty-seven. He has been a 
man of great industry, following farming and making 
u])on his own farm the implements required. Very 
fond of the retirement of his hemic he has never been 
on a railroad car and never farther from home than 
Hartford. 

Lemuel Fairchild Camp, the subject of this sketch, 
was b>)rn Dec. 8, 1820. His youth was that usual to 
the New England farmers' boy, working upon the 
farm and attending the district school. When twenty- 
one years of age he was quite desirous of going West, 
but, his father strongly opposing the step, he decided 
to content himself among the rocky hills of his native 
town. His father ]iurchasing the i)lace of his present 
residence about this time, Lemuel was put in charge. 
April 4, 1855 he wa.s united in nnirriage to Sarah 
Jane, daughter of Amos and Mary Ann Lake. Since 
this time, by the safe and sure way of industrj' and 
good management, aftiiirs have prospered with Mr. 
Camp. The old house on the place at the time of 
inirchase has been torn down and a new one erected, 
comfortable barns have been built and orchards 
planted. Fond of home, like the most of the old New 
Englanders, Mr. Camp is happy in the society of his 
family. Possessed of a taste for stock, of which he is 
a fine judge, he gives considerable attention to buying 
and grazing cattle for the markets, and it is not often 
that superior stock cannot be found upon his jiremises. 
In politics Mr. Camp is a Republican, is a member of 
the Ejjiscopal Church, and, as might be expected, is 
a director of and stockholder in the Danbury Agri- 
cultural and Manufacturers' Fair Association, — the 
only stockholder, by-the-hye, in Newtown. 

His children are Carrie .Vinelia (deceased). Alma 
Jlcdora, Mary Alice, Amos Trowbridge, anil Sarah 
Annie. 

WIM.IAM I'LATT. 

Among tlic original thinkers and ])rogressive fruit- 
growers of Newtown none outrank William Piatt, 
Es(]., a view of whose residence ai)|)ears upon another 
page. Mr. Piatt is a native of Litchfield County, 
but for thirty years he has been a resident of New- 
town, and in the several capacities of manufacturer, 
farmer, and fruit-grower he has been decidedly suc- 
cessful. 

Iniismuch a-s Mr. Piatt entertains ])eculiar religious 
views, and employs the local press as a medium to 
impress others with his belief in well-written and 
forcible paragraphs, he is termed the "Newtown 
Philosopher." It is anpractice of Mr. Piatt to prepare 
at frequent intervals short articles, — sometimes ap- 
peals, sometimes protests; these he jiosts in manu- 



script at the public places in the village. It will per- 
haps be interesting in the town's history to insert at 
least one of these characteristic j)aragraphs, which 
we clip from the Danbury Neics : 

"Nothing is right that is not fair." "Platform 

[ lectures arc never fair, and they are in direct ojiitosi- 
tion to Christ's jilain teaching." " Go and tell him his 
fault between thee and him alone. A person will re- 
ceive a rejjroof with thankfulness from another when 
the two are alone, which if administered in the pres- 

j ence of a third person or a crowd would excite anger; 
and further, the party reproved may have con- 

j sciousness that his actions were not subject to censure, 
and he justly deems himself mistreated when repri- 
manded by a hireling, before whom he can make no 
explanation or vindication without being an offender 
of the common law. If platform preaching or lec- 
tures were ever allowable, they are not needed now, 
for the printer has placed the lectures of Him 'who 
si)ake as never man spake' in the hands of all."' " No 
toll-gates on the way to Heaven." Mr. Piatt is an 
industrious, cultivated, and useful citizen, frank aiul 
courteous in his manner. 



CHAPTER XLVIIL 

NOKVTALK. 

Goograpliicul — Tupogniphicnl — The First rurcliaso — Firet Indian Deed 
to UogtT LiuHuw — liiJian Deed t>^ Cupt. Patrick — The Liullow .\gree- 
meiit — Conflrmiitiori iif Patrick'tf PtirclK-xMe — A(i-«i^nineiit liy l.itillow — 
Deed from lEuiickiiigliciige — The I'lilenI — The Pioneers — Original 
GrnntH of HoniU'Lotii— Plan of Ancient Settlemout. 

NoKWALK is a coast town, and is bounded as fol- 
lows : On the north by New Canaan and AN'ilton ; 
on theea-stby Westport; on the south by Long Island 
Sound ; and on the west by Darien and New Canaan. 
The surface of the town Is uneven and Its soil fertile. 

To the Intrepid and talented Roger Ludlow, whose 
history is interwoven with the pioneer events in this 
section of the State, is due the honor of having made 
the first purchase of lands of the Iiullans within the 
hounds of the present town of Norwalk. This pur- 
chase was made on the 2<>th of February, 1(>40, and 
embraced that portion of the town lying between the 
Saugatuek and Norwalk Hlvci-s. On the 2(ith of the 
following April a subsequent purchase was made of 
the central i)ortion of the town by Capt. Daniel Pat- 
rick. The western portion of the town was not jiur- 
chased until IGol. 

FIRST INDIAN DEED. 
The following is a copy of the first deed from the 
Norwalk Indians to Roger Ludlow : 

I.NDtAN DEED TO CAPT. PATUICK. 
"An Agreement betwixt Daiiiell PHtriek and Mnlmckem. nnd Nnnt* 
make And Penienate lIewnoni|K>m indiitnx of Norwnke iind .Mnkent'inh, 
tlie Mlid naiiictl I'lilricke tiutli Uuigiit of tlio !>nv<.tl threi.- iri<liiiiirt, tlie 
gniiilid railed Saciinyle nApncke, aIIv Meeaiiwortli, tliinlly .\Miniit'>«i«, 
foiirltily nil the land aitjoyningo to the nforem«ntioned, as fan* up in tlie 



I 



i 



NORWALK. 



483 



I'liiitry a,-^ an iii'li;iii can •,'iir in a ilay. frmn sun lisiiigo to f;iiii scttiilgf ; 
aii'l tune Isliiii.Is noiTf ailjoiuing to tin- s:iyvd caiaiitynayueck, all 
b'tiiiuliHl on tlif wfst (siilo with noewanton r.n the vast aulo to tlie middle 
of the liiver of Norwake, and all trees, meadows, waters and natnndl 
aitjnnct.s then-niito lieloii';iMKe, for him and his fi>ievci-: for whitli Lands 
the sjiyed Indians are to leeeive i.f tlie saw-d I);uiiell I'atiirlie, of wani- 
]aiiii, tenn fathoms, ImtL-hetts thiiM-, howes three, whi^i sliiiips euine ; 
Mxe glasses, twclfe tohaekoc pipes, line- Unifes, tenn diills. tenn needles ; 
this as full satkfaetion, f..r the atoiementi.med lande, ami for the pea-i-- 
al'le possession of which the afoienn-iilioncd mahachemill dutli pnunise 
and undertake to silence all ojiposers ni' this pim-hiise, if any KhoiiM in 
his time act, to witnesse which, on hnth Nides, hiuuls are inlen.h;iny:eaMy 
liereunto sett, this -^Otli uf Aprill, liUu. 




maike nnromake. 



" witnesses, 
"Tohi ffeap 

".Tnhll How 



f// 



"markir." 



THE LUDLOW AGREEMKNT. 
The toUdwiii;,' is a co|iy of tlic u^iMvenicnt of Jlr. 
Ludlow with the phuiters of Noi-wulk : 

" A ( M|.vi.. nt' tlic :ig[OL'inciit ami articU-s ma-le Iiftwfcn Roi:;ci- Taidlmv, 
of Fairfiflil, anil Xatliauicl Kli, ami Ritlianl OliiR-stfil, with tliu rest, 
for tlio sottliiise ami phinliiif^e of Nurwalki-. 

"Aitiilcs of agreeniflit made lietwecn K.igcr Liiillowo, of Fairfielil, 
esquiru of the one paile, an.l Natlianiel Eli, of Ilartfoid, in tli.' liiver of 
Conneetieiit, liitlmni Olmsted of the same in tin- hehalfe of themselves 
and Rithaid Wel.h, Natiiaiiiel Kithaiils, JIathew Marvin, Ititliard Seamer, 
Thomas Speneer, Thomas Hales, Nathajdel Riiskoe, Isaeke Graves, Kalpli 
Keeler, John Ilullow.ay, Kihvard fhurcli, .loliri Rnskue, an.l some others 
about liJantinge Norwalke, over the 13Ih day of .Inne, lir.il. 

" Imiirimis, the sayed Nathaniel Kli an.l Uithar.l Olmested, doe cove- 
nant, and premise, and agree, that they will set upon the lilantinge of 

the sayed Norwalke, witli all eonvenient speed; will we and staeke 

some hay npon the s.aye.I Norwalke tliis winter, to the end that tlnty may, 
ill the sjiring next at the farthest, breake up some ground to plante the , 
next season followinge; and that then they will I.egin tn build an.l in- 
habite theirwith some consideralileeompauii-, an.l t.i invite an orthoiloxe 
and approve.! minist.'r with all e.Miveiiient spe.^.le that they may he; and 
that the plantati. Ill shall not he taken up under thirtie approved fami- 
lies, in a sh.irt time to he settleil their, anil so to eontimie ; and that, or I 
the like eonsiderahle compaliie; and that they will not receive in any 
that they he obnoxious to tlie publiiiue go.i.1 of the C.immonwealth of 
I Connectieut. And npon that eonsideratiou the sayed Roger Ludlowe is j 
[ willinge and doe agree to surrender the purchase of the sayed Norwalke, 
1 whith he bought of the Indians, of the saye.l Norwalke, some years 
since; which cost the sayed Roger l.u.nowe tifteen pounds, some years 
since, as by the purchase will appeare ; whith sayed fifteen pounds is 
promised to be payed to the sayed Roger I.inllowe or his assignes by tlie 
sayed Eli and Olroesteil their assignes, shortly after the lirst plantingo 
I thereof, with consideration for the sayed fifteen jiounds from the ilis- 
bnrsinge thereof unto that time ; as also that the sayed Roger shall have 
a euuvenii-nt Lett laied out for his siinnes, accordinge to the valine of 
■MU: in the pru;wrtion of Bates as they goe by themselfcs ; and that it 



shall !"■ ..ne of till- fn>t, tie- publi.pi,- , liaig.s l..-iiiue borne by the sayed 
I Lett, an.l proportioiiabl.'y by tli.liis.dfs ; ami that il shall !.■ iiiie of the 
tirst L..tt8 that shall bi- I.aie.I out. Witness our lian.ls, 

" Uo.;n: l.ll.j.owF."' 

Till' riiUiiwiiio- is ,1 co|iy nf tlie eonfiriiKitinii ofCujit. 
Patrick's pui-cluisc : 

"A true an.l ]..olV'.t C.ipy .>f the .nnfii nialion ..f lb.' pur. has.. <if the 
nn-a.l.iws an.l Ian. is a.ljoininge lyiiige upon the other si. I.- of N.irwake 

I liiver. 

" Mt:iiwni>iil<t. Wlieareas Aash.iwsha.k and f'liailioamer, Iii.lians, are 
the surviviiige propriators of the I.an.l Ivinge on the other si.h- of Nor- 

! wake River, whith p.ayed Lan.l was fullie bargained for, an.l s..l.| unto 
Captaine I'atrieke, of Greenwich, and whereas the saye.l .\ashiiwshake 
an.l Chachoamer, lioe testifie and attirme, with other Inilians, that their 
w;ts left nnpaye.l by the saye.l Captain Patricke twoe Iii.lian coates. and 
town, fathom .if wampam, now these are t.i crtitie, that I, Aniinunpp, 
Ali.as I'arrott, so named and knoweil to the Eiiglish, have by order ami 
Appiiyntmerit of the Aiushowshake ami Cha.-b.iamer, i.-c.dv.'.I of ifstr. 
Stephen Goi.di.-r, .)f new Haven, inar.diant. the saye.l two .'oates. and 

I f.iwre fatlii.ni of wampam ; and doe by tlu-ii .ml.-r an.l in th.ir names, 
hereby acipiitt an.l discharge the saye.l Mstr. Stephen C.o.lier, of all 
dues or demands or any claims to be made by us, or any In.lians what- 
soever, unto any farther thinge or things in or about the saye.l jinr. hase 
of L:mile made tirmely by f'aptaine I'atiicke, and now hereby eonlirmeil 
nnt.i the sayed Mstr. G.i.i.Iier, an.l his heirs an.l assignes: in witness 
« h.-re ..f I the saye.l Aiinanupp, Alias Pnrrolt .loe hereby sell iny hand 
the tirst day of July, lllOli. 
" Witnesse 



Josnr.v ATTW.VTKlt. the marke 
Tiio.vi.AS KiMUEni.iR. 



^ 



•f Aiuiainipp. 



I 



of Antliitunn. 



'' Memontmiian. Their is a comiterparl of the afoi(siy<>d wiitt.Mi ar- 
tiekles ami agreement and suhseriheil, hy Nath'a Eli and Itithd ttlme- 
steU." 

ASSIGNMENT P.V LUDLOW, 

"A ropy ..f the assignment uf Norwalke, purdur^ed hy Mstr Lndh.wr, 

unto Korwalke inliahitants, April tin- l.itli, lt'..')4. 

'' Mvim.nuithtiu. That the sayed Kot;er Lndlowe, doth hy these pres- 
seiites, assij^n ami sett over unto Natluiniell Kli and the rest of the In- 
hahitants of Norwalke, all my title, interest, elaiim- and demands what- 
soever to the plantation .)f Norwalke aTid every part thereof, and doe 
acknowledj;e my solfe satisfied for the .s;inie. \Vitn.'-;s my hand the day 
and year ahove. 

" J{'' LlIII-OWK."" 

DEED FROM KUNCKINGHEAli K. 

The following is the deed from RunckiiilieuLje : 

"This Indenture made the loth of Kehrnary, lO'il, H.tween llunckin- 
heage. riamikin, and Maj^ise, and Townttmi, and Winnapncke^ and 
iMay;uslieto\\es, and Concuskemnv, an<l Wampasuin, and SiLSM-akiin, ami 
Kunckennnnetl, and I'okessake. and .Shoakeeum, and Soamuuatnm, and 
Prodax.and Matumpun, and Coekenoe-ile-Long-Islaml, Indians, of the 
one Tartie, and lUchard Weh, Nathaniel Kli, Matthewe Marven, senr., 
Nathaniel Uichardfl, Isa.ku More, Thomas Fitch, Thonnis Males. lUehard 
Holmsted, Kichard Seamer, llali«h Keeler, Matthew Marven, Junior, Na- 
thaniel llaies. Kdwurd Church, Joseph Kiteh, Planters .,f Xorwake, for 
the use and bchalfe of said Town, WiTNKssKTir, that tlu- said Ilunekin- 
heage, and riamikin, (etc., etc.) . . . H.\vk, and in aiul for the con- 
eideratiuii of Thirtie Kathum of ^Vami>uni, Tenn Kettles, Kilti-en (Viates 
Teim payr of Stockings, Tenn Kiufes, Tenn Iloidies, Twenty I'ipes, Tenn 
Muckes, Tenn needles, lo them in hand paid, IIavk. and Kvery of them, 
for themselves and their hoyers, (.iianted, Itai gained, Sold.iussigtied, Kn- 
feofled, and contiiined ; and hy those Presents doth Itargain, grant, sell, 
enfeoffe, assigiie, sett over, and coiifirme, iintti the said Itiehard Weh, 
(etc., etc.) . . . all their lands calle.l and knouii l.y the name u( Itunek- 



484 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



lnhi>agc, Itooaton, or by wlmtsoovcr nftmo or nftmcs the same is cnlled or 
known, Lying nnd boitndetl on the East upon y liuui puivliaSod of Cnp- 
tiiin Piitriiirke, 80 <.-u1Ib(], on tlio West Ijoiindeil wHli tito Urook C4illed 
Pnn)|>4)Hkc.'>tiiiiike, wliich said BnK>k nnd pajsujigp, tlie TJounds Wojit, Ev- 
teniietli up into tlio (\mntry liy marked Troi.'s; «nd tt » fur as tlm said 
Itnmrkinlionpo, nnd tlio rest ubuvy nicntionod, Imth nny Ittglit timl pro- 
inifiif; iitid tlio nfiircsaid I*an<i l>oundod with tlio llrook cjilled lus afure- 
ntid Panipahkeslmnke, fntni tlie nforesaiil pa-wige nnd path dnwn along 
totliuSca. And tlic afuresaitl Land Itoniidcd on the South with tho Sea; 
and on tho Korth the Mocliakcs Countrj* ; with all tho Islands, Trees, 
pastures, nieadinge, water, water coiiraes, Itiglits, momhois, and Appur- 
tenances whntsoever, To Have and to Hold, and quietly and peaccaMy 
inj*>yi oil *'**> afore?al<I lands, etc, . . . unto the aforesaid Itirhard Web, 
otc. . . . nnd to tlifir hoyers forever. And tho afuresald liuiickinhoage 
and Piamikin, nnd Magisc, and Townotnni, Winnepucke, Mngushetowes, 
Conku6kenow,Wanipa8Hni.Sassoakun,Ituiickenunnutt,Poke8*'ake,Shoa- 
kccuni, Soananiatuni. Prodax, Matunipun, 0>ckcnoe-<le-Longo-T8land, Do 
by thc^o presents, acknowledge to have received the nfnresaid Thirtiu 
fathum of Wanipum^otc, ... in full satisfaction. In witness whereof 
the altove said imrtles have for thoninelvi's, anrl every of tlieni, sett to 
their hands, the day and year nlwve written to this present Indenture 
"Signwi and delivered in the prcsonre of 

"Stei'hen Beckwith, 
*'Samukl I.rMES, 

" Samuel Ely. 
his 




Magi 



C^ 



3 



mark, 
his 




^*-^ 



ki'uoe, 



his Towno 

a kum, 



9 



mark . 
his 



pucke, 



'^-v^jj) 



mark, 
his 



^ 



his 



'■ n 



mark. 
hU 



:>^ 




knn, PokaHsake. 



Itunc 

"Rocordwl February y« 24th, KuvD. 

Pr. Joiis Copp. Roconlr." 

THE PATENT. 

Thirty-six years oUtpsed nftcr the settlement of the 

town, before the (Jeneral Court jjranted the patent. 

It bean* date March 30, 1686, and wan as follows: 



"Whereas tho Gcnerall Court of Connecticut have formerly granted 
unto y* proprietors inhabitants of Korwalk, all tho*e lands iMtth uu>iidow 
nnd upland, ^vitllin these abutments, upon the Sea on the South, and to 
rutin fn.in the sea towards tlie north, full Twelve miles, and abut on the 
WildernoFs on the Xt)rth, nnd on Fairfield bminrls on the Eiist, and on 
Stamford Itounds un the West, the said land having been by purchnfie or 
otherwise lawfully ohtninod liy the Indian native proprietois; and where- 
as tho proprietors Inhabilants of Norw*alk liave niaile application to tho 
Governor nnd Conipnny of the Colony of Connecticut assembleil iit C«iurt 
Mny tho 14, 1085, that they may have a patient for confinunlion of the 
aforesaid binds to them so purchased and gmnted to them as aforesaid, 
and which they have stood Bei/cd and quietly possessed of for more than 
twenty years last past, without interruption; now, for n more full con- 
Armiition of Ihc aforesjii-l Trntts of hind, as it is butted and U>unded 
aforesaid, unto the present proprit'toi^ of the Township of Norwalk, — 
Know ye thnt the snid Governor and Company, assembled in Genendl 
Court, according to tho commission, nnd by viituc of the jwwer pnuited 
to them, by our late Sovereigne Lord King Charles tho Secmir/ of Bleasc 1 
memory, in his lute patent bearing date the throo nnd twentieth day of 
Aprill in tho fourteenth yearof liissaid ni(0<-'!^tic*sRcigne, Have given and 
granted, and by these presentsi do give and grant. Ratiflo nnd Confinue, 
unto ^Ir. Thontas Kitch, Mr. Tlionins Ilnnford, Capt. Richard Olmsteml, 
Mr. Thomas IJennedick, Mr. Wnlter Ilovt, Mr. Matthew Miinen, Mr. 
John Kuscoe, Mr. Natlinniel Hayes, Itlr. I>aiiiel Kellog, and Sir. Thouin-i 
Seamore, and the rest of the present proprietors of tho Township of N'or- 
walk, and their heirs nnd assigns forever, and to each of theni, in such 
propotHou as they have already agreed upon for the division of the eanu-, 
nil thnt aforesaid tract and parcell of land as it is butted and bounded \ 
together with all tho woods, upland, nrabic lands, nu-adows, pastures, 
ponds, havens, purts, waters, rivers, ailjoining Islands, fishings, huntings, 
fuwlings, mines, minernllw, quarries, and preciouB stones, u|K>n or within 
the said tract of land, and nil other profits and coniniodities thereunto 
belonging, or in any wise nppi^rtaiiiing; and do also grant unto the afore 
named I^Ir. Thouuis Fitch, and Mr. Thunins lianford, . . . A'c, tliat the 
aforesaid tract of land shall be forever hereafter deeme<1, nnd reputeil, 
and b»s an entire township, of itself— To have and to hold tlio said 
tract of lanil, Ac, . . . acamling to the tonour of his mftjestie's nuuior 
of East Greenwich in the county of Kent in y' Kingdom of Knglani), in 
free and common socoage, and not in cnppitee nor by Knight senice; 
yielding and paying therefore to our Sovereigne Lonl the King, bis hiirs 
and auccer^ors, only the fifth paituf nil the Oar of Gold andf^ilver which 
from time to time, an 1 at nil times hercufter sluill bo gotten, had, ur 
\ otherwise obtnineil; In lion of all reuts, fcrrlccs, duties, and demands 
I whatsoever according to Charter. 

"Ix WITNESS whereof, we have caused the seal of tho Colony to 1*0 here- 
unto affixed, this eighthday of July, KJKC, in the second yearof the Reign 
of our Sovereigne Lord Jasif^s the In-cond, by the grace of Gwl, of Eug- 
Innd, Scotland, Frauce, aud Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, Ac. 

"RoBEBT Treat, 

" Gortrnor. 
" March SOtli, 1G8C, pr. ortler itf the ilMveruor nnd Company of tho Col- 
ouy of CoDocticut, signed 

" Pr. mo John Allyn, 
" Secretary. 
*'Tlio above M-ritton !•* a tnio copple of }•• original, being examined 
and compared therewith, July Sth, 1U8G. 
** A true cople of y Record, 

"ElEAZAB KlMBEKLV, 

*' SwrWarjf. 
" Recorded Doc. 2l8t, 1708, 

"Pr. me John Copp, 
" lircordcr.** 
THE PIONEERS. 

Although the purcha.se of tlie Indians waa made in 
1640, the permanent settlement of the town was not 
efleeted until 16r>l. Trumbull, in his history of Con- 
necticut, says, '* A few families seem to liave planted 
themselves in the town, about the time { 1040) of these 
purchases." llollister states that " the better evidence 
appears to be that a few bold planters had taken po8- 
! session soon after these grants were made, and had 
' continued to hold it until the arrival of the company." 
; in 1651. n(»th of those authors have failed to cite any 



NORWALK. 



485 



authority for these statements, ami certain it is that 
no reference is made in tlic town records to tlio settle- 
ment of the town until 1(>51. 

The agreement of the settlers with Mr. Ludlow 
bears date June 19, ir).">(», but tlic iiernument settle- 
ment did not take place until ICiOl. As early as Feb- 
ruary 15th of that year the sturdy pioneers were all 
in their wilderness home, as appears in the deed from 
Eunekinheage and the other Indians. 

There is a tradition that a portion of the planters 
spent the winter of 1(350 here, which is doubtless 
true. 

The only names extant of the original settlers are 
those mentioned in the agreement with ]\Ir. Ludlow, 
as follows: "Nathaniel Eli, Rithard Olmstead, Ri- 
thard Webb, Nathaniel Rithards, Mathcw Marvin, 
Ritbard Seamer, Thoiiuis Spencer, Thomas Hales, 
Nathaniel Ruskoe, Isacke (Jraves, Ralph Keeler, 
John Ilidloway, Edward Church, John Ruskoe." 
This, of course, is not a complete list, as the article 
states that the agreement is entered into between 
Mr. Ludlow and those mentioned above, and "some 
others." 

The following is the most perfect list of the early 
settlers that is known to be in existence, Ijcing a table 
of " Estates of Lands and Accommodations," nuide 
in 1655 : 

George Abldtt, Robert Beacham, Stei)hen Beck- 
witli, John Bowton, Matthew Campficid, Nathaniel 
Eli, Thomas Fitch, John Griggorie, Samuel ILiles, 
Thomas Hales, Walter Haite, Nathaniel Haies, Rev. 
Thomas Hanford, Richard Homes, Ralph Keeiler, 
Walter Keeiler, Daniel Kellogge, Thomas Lupton, 
Matthew Marvin, Sr., Matthew Marvin, Jr., Isacke 
More, Jonathan Marsh, Widow Morgan, Richard 
Olmstead, Nathaniel Richards, John Ruskoe, Mat- 
thias Sention, Sr., Matthias Scntion, Jr., Matthew 
Sention, Thomas Seamer, Richard Webb. 

In a list of accounts in 1654 arc the following 
names, which do not appear in the preceding list of 

estates, viz. : ■ Bryant, Edward Church, Josei)h 

Fitch, Edward Nash, Richard Raiment, Richard 
Seamer, Giles Whitinge. 

In 1656 the following names also appear: Owen 
Morgan, William Reid. 

In the table of home-lots, the following names also 
appear: Thomas Benedict, Sr., Thomas Benedict, Jr., 
John Benedict, Thomas Betts, Richard Bushnell, 
Samuel Canipfield, Christopher Comstock, John 
Crampton, Thomas Fitch, .Ir., Joseph Fenn, John 
Gregory, Jr., Jakin Greggorie, Samuel Haies, Eph- 
raim Lockwood, Joseph Ketchum, John Keeler, 
James Pickett, Joseph Piatt, Mark Sention, Robert 
Stewart, Samuel Smith, Thomas Taylor, Thomas 
Ward. 

The fidlowing notices of the first settlers of Nor- 
I walk are from Hinman's "Catalogue of the Names of 
I the First Puritan Settlers of the Colony of Connecti- 
' cut:" 



" .\lil.ott, Cioorgc, 1C4S.« 

" lii-tkwith, Stt'pluMi, IGIO. 

'■BL-liliiig, Juhn (sen i.f John, of Wttliersfi.-lil, wh.i .lifd IfiTT). 

" Hoiifilit-t, Thuiii.is, \m± 

'• I!i;tts, Thunias, tiiiiir.inl, lU.'.U.t 

" CaiiiticM (ur Ciiniplu-Kl), iMatthcw, u niaf^istiati- ami jii<I;;<-; nut only 
a leailnif^ man tlioii-, Imt in tln^ ri.l..ny. Ono uf tlit- si,i;ni.-is i.f the pc-ti- 
liuu to Kiny Chailes II. fur thcculuny ; in UK-Z uppuintutl with CiuKI and 
Sherinuri to hold courts at Fairliclil. 

" Ely, Nnthanicd, Hai tfoni, 10 ;,". ; coTistahh-, \&,t ; una of tlu- sctlh-is of 
Nurwalk, hilt afteiwards reiuuvrd tu Sprinyticld, ]\Ia.s8 

" Kit.-li, Thoinii.«, a hrutlii-r of Uuv. Jauifs, at Sayhrouk, and of Jost-ph, 
of Windsor. 

" llri'gory, John, a di-pnty, ICUi-CS. . ' 

" Iluyt, Walter, Windsor, 1040. 

" Kfidi'r, Ualph, Ilai tford, iGM, viewer of diimneys In 1045. 

" .Marvin, Matthew, stirveyorof highways in 10:i'J and 1047 ; an original 
propiietor and settler in Hartford heforel03tl; removed to Nurwalk; 
deputy to tlie (ielieial Court from Norwalk in l(io4. 

■■Olmsted, Kiehard, Hartford, 104(1, eoiistahle 1040, fenee-viewer 10411, 
deputy in 100-2-0;j; moved to Norwalk and w;is maile a military othcer. 
In IliOd was apjitdnteil with John Itanks and Josei)h .Indsun, whu were 
appointed hy the General Court to run the lines Ijetween I'aiilield ami 
Stlalfurd. 

■■liiehards, Nathaniel, of Hal tfurd, in the colony in lo:i'.l; euiistahle in 
1041 and li;4'J; oideler .it the town in 1044, deputy in li,4:;. 

'■Senehion, or St. John, Mattliia.s, 1040. 

"Seymour, Kicliaid, llartlord, lOJS), ciiimney-viewer in 1040,. 

" Wehh, liiehard, Haitfurd, U'liiU, on the flrst gland jury at the lleneial 
Court in the culuuy in 104 1. Also a juror in 104:j-44, seleelnian in 104S, 
surveyor of highways in 1049. He soon after removed to Stamtord ; wiui 
made free there in lOiiJ." 

The following list of first settlers is taken from the 
flrst book of grants and ileeds : 

"Kli/.aheth Wel.h, reliike of Hichal.l Wehh, in 1077, empluye.l her 
' IJeUived hiolhei Juhn tiiegoiy tu make an agreement with Thomas 
Itutler uf Haittuid, and his wile,' they ' laying claime to the estate of my 
deere hnshand, Ki. hard Wehh, deeeiused.' (Fol. 51.) 

'■Kiehard Jionies, of Stialluril, Oct. l*.', 1057, huuglit of Alexander 
IJiyaii, uf Millord, the home-lot which wa.s Thomas Smith's, and Mareli, 
100.1, the hinds uf Steliheli lieekwitll, planter, of Norwalk. 

'■filatthevv C'amidield, late uf Norwake, now resident in Newaike, in 
the etdony of New Jeisey, (gave a deeil) to his son .Samuel, .\pril 1, 1001). 

•'Samuel Hales, now of Weathel-stield, late of Norwake, sold to John 
riatt, .May 14, lOO'J. 

" Thomas ISarnani, of l-'airtiehl, had a grant hefore lOO.i. 

" Joseph Smith, late of Long Island, hunglit uf Samuel I 'ampfield the 
nurlh pall uf his hume-hit in 1075. 

" Samuel Smith, in 107:;, a parcel of land in Indianfleld. 

"Samuel liehliiig, Fell, as, 107:'., Ijuught twu parcels of lan.l in th.. 
Neck l.lanting-fii.hl. 

"James I'ickit, in 1074. 

"Tln.nuLS lietlB, Jr. (I'd. 55), in 1077, houglit of l!.-iijamiii F..|in, of 
Milh.ril, the huus.' and li..mc-l..t formerly helouging t.. hij hi.,th.l, 
J.jseph Fenn. 

"llichar.l IJaym'.n.l remove.l to Sayhro..ke, gave a deed to his son 
John; in 1077 enil»oweii..l his ' well-heloved hruther Tlioimi.s lletts, uf 
Nurwalk,' to rec.u'd all his divisions, etc. ; an.l in 1070 gav.- hy will all 
liis lanils in Norwalk ■ unto those cliil.iren which my son John Itaymond 
allrea.iy have or may Inn., hy Mary Itaymond, his present wife.' 

"John Iteeile, 'of liie,' Ujiight uf Ilicliard ll.>m..s. 

*' ■ .lames !\liller and iMal tha his w ile, uf Uy, in the county of Fairtleld,' 
Dec. 2(3, lOSI. 

"Andrew Messenger, June '.is, losO (fol. 85), hunglit lan.l of Walter 
H.,yt. 

"Samuel I'anitiel.rs house an.l four acres, hetwi.-n 'rh..mari Ihdts and 
Epluaim I..I. kw.i.i.l, llec. 17, 10.SI. 

"Th.iniiLs Hyatt, in 1079, hought hmd uf James .Miller (.hinies Miller 
and Martha his wife, of Ky«, Dec. '.iO, IC8H. 

"Junathan I'eikins hunglit of Nathaniel liichaiils, Feh. 23, 1077." 

* Ilate of the first mention in the colony recui'.ls. 

t Mr. Hininan r.feris to Widow Uetis, lOiiO, and John lietls, 1648. 



486 



IIISTOllY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



FOHT POINT. 

" In 1689, John Gregory gave a deed to his son 
Thomaij of a piece of land ' Lying on the West side 
of Norwalke Towne plott, 2 acres, bounded East by 
the common land banck ; Went, Norwalk river; 
South by the poynt of common land where the In- 
dian Fort formerly stood; North by Thomas Bctts' 
Marsh Meadow.' " 

ORIGINAL GRANTS OF HOME-LOTS. 
The following is a record of the original grants to 
the pioneers ; 

" Richart) Olmstead, four acros one rood. Bounded east I13' common 
IaihI, west by towirii liigtiway, nortli by Tliomiuj Halo'd humc-lot, south 
by NiLtlmiii*--! Eli'tt lionic-lut. 

"Tlioimw VitcU (]mrrhiuio»l the lot laid out to r/hvanl Church \i\ 1C55), 
four acres. Bouu<lod east by tuwu bigbway, west by Dnnbd Ki'Uogg'a 
]lunl(^-lot, north by Nutliaiiiul llichardH* huuio-lot, uouth by Matthew 
Slurvju, Sr.'ej, home-lot. 

"Nathaniel £11 (wtld U> Thomas Botts), four acres two roods. Bounded 
cast by the coniuion, west by town highway, north by Ricbunl Otnisted's 
liouie-lot, wiulb by tho other highway. 

''Samuel Hulcs (.sold to Robert Stewart, of Ulilford, in ir»r>0), four acr^B. 
Bounded oaat by the *Comiuoniugo,' west by highway, north by 'the 
Couiuioiiingu,' Hotith by Matbiiu Suutiou's houic-lot. 

"John IMatt (in 1(>G;{), four lu: res two roods. Bounded oast by high- 
way and coniuiou himl, west by Kphniiui Lockwood's hoiue-lot, uorth 
by Samuel Cauitleld's lot, south by Thouuis Fitch, Jr.*s, home-lot. 

"Isacke More (sold to >Iark Sentiou in lOtlO), four acres. lk>unded 
oast by town highway, weat by ' tho coafo [cove] bimcke/ north byOeorgo 
Abljott's liumc-lot. 

*' Richard Seaiuer (aflorwanls his wm*s, Thomas Seamer, by exchange) ! 
Bounded oiist by the common, west by tttwn's highway, north by towu*s 
highway, south by Richard Webb's houie-lot. 

"John Bowton,f«iur acres. Rounded eiut hy Sir. Hanford's and Jolin 
Ruscoc's hiiniL-hit, west by highway, uorth by highway, south by Thomas 
Lupton's home-lot. 

" Matthew Marvin, Sr., four acres. Bounded cast by town's highway, 
west by Daniel Kcllog's homo-lot, north by Thomas Fitch's honic-lot, 
south by meetiug-house yard and Itlatthew Marvin, Jr.'s, home-lot. 

"ThouuM Luptoii.four acres. Bounded cast by RiclianI Homes and 
Mark Sentiou's liome-b)t, west by Mathlas Sention's honie-btt and com- 
mon, north by John Ifciwteii's liome-btt, south by George AblKitt's lot. 

"Jonathan Jlursh, two jiarcels, four acres. The greater bounded east 
by highway, 'the coafe bancke' of Norwalk River, north by the com- 
moninge, south by Thomas Wanl's homo-lot; the les:* b(.iunded east by 
comnioimge, west by the aforesaid highway, north by commonage, south 
by commonage. 

"Walter llaitc, four acres. Bounde<l east by (own highway, west by 
*tlie common by the bancke coafe,' nortli by Mathias Stention's homo- 
lot, south by George Abbott's liouu'-lot. 

" Nathaniel Uicbaitls, foui acres ono rood. Bounded east by town 
liighwuy, wi-si by Norwalk River ' r<)afo bancke,' uorth by Isacko More'a 
liome-b>t, south by Thoma** Kitch'H home-lot. 

*• Mntthiai* Seuiiou, Sr, iNUight of Mr. Steeilc, nf Fariiiiugton. who 
nninicd the widow of Rlchurd i^eainer, four acres ; granted lii addition 1, 
April G, lOiil, tlvt' ui-res. B(.Hindt.-d eiut by common land, west by town's 
highway, north by Samuel Hale's home-lot, now Robert Stewart's, south 
by 31atthcw Camtleld's home-lot. 

" Ralph Keeiler, four acrt« ono rood. Bounded oast by common and 
neck fence, we»ft liy town highway and RdwanI Nash's home-lot, north by 
RichnrtI Webb's home-lot, south by town highway and K<lwanl Nash's 
liomt^-lol. 

" Mr. ThomaH Hanford, four acres. Bounded cnst by town's highway, 
west by John Howten s homo-lot, north by towu's highway, south by 
John Ruftctte's houie-lot. 

" Nathaniel C'nmpfleld, flvc acre*. * Bounded oast by common, west by 
t«>wu'8 highway, north by )[attliitu« S4^>ntlou's homo-lot, soutli by RIcharO 
Oluinted's, that was Thonuis Hale's honu^lot. 

'- Sanniel i'umplietd Uip|miviilly in li>7(>), four acres. Btuinded east by 
Br»>okL' HMamp of common gr-'uiul, wewt by common higbway, north by 
Ralph Heeler's honi'-!* " ■» I'lt-nias Bet(s*,»outli by John riatt'shonu*- 
lot. 



"Thomaa Benedick, Sr. (recorded March 1, 1G60-70, having poeseasod 

it some years before), purcliascd nf 31 r. Hanford ono acre one dxmI, of 

I John Ruscoe two n;H>ds,of John Rowteu ouo rood, — four acres. Bounded 

, east by Mr. llanford'sand John Ruscoe 's. west by John Bowteu, north by 

town highway, south by Richard Homes. 
j "Samuel Haies (two parcels, the last a piece of salt meadow in tho 
I rcjir of the first), five acres. Bounded east (first) by common highway, 
west by * the l»aiicke,' north by comniou laud, south by Ralph Keelers 
home-lot, that wan Thomas Ward's salt niea<low ; l«ounde<l east by bank 
of Boid home-lot^ went by ' Norwalk River coafe,' north by 'coafo of said 
river up to the bancke,' south by ' the crecke.' 

** John Gregorie, Sr. (four acre* granted, l>ouglit four acres of Stephen 
Beckwitb), eight acres. Bounded east by town highway, west by John 
Raimoud's, north by Mr. Ilaii-s' lot and John Benedict's lot that was George 
Abbott's, south by highway runuiug by ' the confu liaiicke,' and John 
Gregorie, Jr.'s. 

"John Gregorie, Jr., received from John Gregorie, Sr., of tho above, 
one acre two roods. 

"Richard W'eb, four acres. Bounded cast by common land o^jeliiing 
the neck, west by town highway, noilh by Thonuis Seauier's home>lot, 
south by John Rnyuioud's home-lot, that was Rulpli Keeler's. 

" Daniel Kellogg, four acres. Bounded east by Matthew Man-in, Jr.'s, 
Matthew Mar\in, Sr.'s, and Thomas Fitch, Sr.'s, homo-lob^, west by Jo- 
seph Feun's homivlot and a bank of commou land, north partly by Na- 
thaniel Ricliards' home-lot, and by the * coafe-baucke,' south by town 
highway. 

" Matthew Marvin, Jr., three acres two roods. Bounded east by * meot- 
ing-house groene,' west by l>anicl Kolbjgg's home-lot, north by Matthew 
Manin, Sr.'s, home-lot, south by town highway. 

"Christopher Comstock, Jan. 27, IWl (then of Fairfield), bought of 
Thomas Betts, ' being then » planter inliabiting in Norwalke,' his ' house, 
hoiui-lot, etc., with halfu the laud lying to the Siud houwc, laid out to said 
Belts, or belonging to the acooninuKlalion of Nathaniel Eli" (folio 13), 
four acres. See ' Nathaniel Eli,' who sold this lot to Thomaa Botts, 
which Thomas Betts, in ICiil, sold to CliriHtophcr Comstock. 

"Epiimim Lock wood, Dec. :K), 10(4 (folio l:t), bought tho home-lot 
of Jonathan Mai-she, ' For and in consideration of one mare and sucking 
colt/ ' his bowse with tho shelfes, drvsi iHwrib, etc.,* al*^> * the yards, 
hovoUs, and tonn fniit-trees gnawing u|H)n the orchard ; ami als^i the 
home-lot containing ouo aero more or loss.' ForlMuudariessee Jonathan 
Marshe. 

** Thomas Betts (bought Nathaniel Eli's home-lot ; sold half to Christo- 
phor Comstock ; also Iniught hou^e and h»mie-lot of Ibdph Keeler ; re- 
corded about IGOO), four acres. Bounded eavt by common upland, west 
by common highway, north by John Keclor's home-lot, south by 
Samuel Cauipfield's home-lot. 

"Tbonms Wanl, ..f Noiwulk (Sept, 1, lOiVi, R*dd to Ralph Keeler his 
' dwelling howseau'lhowses, etc.,' leserving* tho wiukshop for the ulnnle of 
his wife, if she ^hall have occtulon, till the '-*Tth of Supleutber, hWit*,' Miid 
Ward reserving to hims«If ' to uike away at his pleasure, the locks u|K»n 
thedwi'ltiug housy doan-s, and the younger-nursery tr\-cs, and twoo 
boards lying ui»on tho coller l>eameH.' Folio 2). Boundaries not given 
save on the uorth, which is bounded by Jonathan 3luntbe. 

"Thomas Bouetlict, Jr. (Uuight of Joseph Fenu, ItiTl, * now home- 
lot, lying by tho side of the crt-eke or river ialte«l the t_V>afe'>, four acres. 
Bouniled east by highwjty, leading to tho |Hdnl, we:«t by ' Biun-kc of the 
coafe,' north by Joseph Feun's laud ii>ljoining to his homodot, south by 
cartway leading out of I>aniel Ivellogg'smemlow. 

"Richanl Raimoud (inhabitant i>f Salem, in the juris^lirtion of Matta- 
chusftts IJjiy, Ihuight of Ralph Ki-eter, (Kt. JO, UMii, ' My howwing, con- 
laineil at present in my Ihuue-loit, or cow yanl,' etc., * tho howse, fion>s, 
doareH..glaMSO windows, sbelfen, or ought else nece«N»rily fasteuiHl to- 
gethur'), four acre*. Boundetl east by John Grugorie's lot that wa» 
Gettrge .\bbotl's, west by common land, north of John Beue*llct'i«, that 
wiu« George AblKUI's, stuith by ' A highway running Ut the sen l«ncke.' 

"Jakiu tireggorie (in llilifl, grant of honn-lot ujilaud and lowland), 
four ucrus. Bounded east by oimmou upland, wi**>t by common high- 
way, north by commou upland, south by Thomas Taylor's home-lot. 

"John Platl, of Norwalk (Iwnghl of Thonuis Luplon, March, 9, H'^ 
sidd in 11174, to John Bowteu), fourncres. Bounded east by ' Recro of 
Thonuis Lupton's house-lot ninl Richanl Homes', west by 3Iatthias Scn- 
tion's land, north by John B..wteu's lawl, south by George Abbott'i 
land. 

"John Cmmpton (' l-ecnuso he wa« a stmldier In the late Indian war,* 
IfiTD), throe acres. ltoulide<t eiu.t by bi^'hway, west by Sjtmuel I»ene- 
dici's houu-hit, north by Thonuu Bvtts, Sr.'s. home-lot, south l-y Jame* 
sutler's home-lot. 



NORWALK. 



487 



"Thoniiis Fitcli,.Tr. (May 20, 1071. bought uf Sanuit-l Camtii-ldi. liume- 
Int. fivf acies. IVmiiilfil (•a^^ Iiy uplaml nt" the runiiriuii, \ve,-st l>y iown 
hi;;li\vay, iiortit \>\ J-'sejili .S-ii1ioii'> l..t. soiitli l.y Kulianl Oliiif^ti-.rs. 

*'Sanim*l Smitli I'soini.'' to IMattlirw IMiirviii, Sr., Iiarl ;;iven liiiii liV 
sai.l Marvin, AuR. 20, 16T4, folio la.'Iiafl.- my liuim-lut mi-l h:i\U- my 
ordiiird as it lyetlT). 

"Joseiili Kotclmuj, six acrt-s. ItuuinU'il ca.st by Epluaiin liUL-kwiinil 
ani.1 coiniiioli land, west liy Tlioiiisis Tayloi's hoiiu'-lut ami roiinuon huiil, 
north \>y hishway, south hy .TaiiR's I'ickt-t's hmd. 

■^ "ThuniiiM Taylor (,lu)nie-litt »>f uiilaml ami lowhufl. a,i>. Hm"), four 
a<:res. Ittminled east l>y cumiiiuu latiil, wt-sl l>y coiiuiioii liii^liway, imrlh 
by Jakin Crt'^oric'ri. 

" UobiTt Stewart (Jan. 22. 1074, boiii^-ht tin- '2mii ]ioiiii.I lot t;rant.'<I U> 
Rirhani IliisluK'H'). lloumlu'l east by himls ot Samui-l ('aiiifiilil, wt-st 
by lamls uf Samuel (JauifieKl, nuith by lamis of Samin;! CamliclJ, suiith 
by coniinori hi^Iiwjiy. 

*'.Io!in Ruscoe (urigiiia! ^"1"'. ''"' i'-'oi.l..-il Ki-b. 0, 1GS3), four acrt-s. 
lioumlnl east by town !iij;hway, wust by lot fornit-rly Thunuu* Luiituii's, 
nnrtli liy Mr. Ilamlfunl's home-lot, south by Hichanl IbamV bom«-lot. 

" ' At a nieL-tinj;".- heihl the 27lh uf March, — Oj, grantr.l ami vuti-.I unto 
Tho. ifetts a lioine-lott .if four arres, lyingc next to Ralph Ki-t-iUMV liouic- 
lot, the said Tho. IJi-tts having at tlio eaied niet-tiiige rosiyncd that hmrie- 
lott lying by Will Ruscov's unto tlu- Towm's hamls,' 

"At the same meeting 'granted ami voted unto M»tr. Fli-nu that home- 
lott lyiii.^ by Will lliisiov's lioUK-lott, whi. !i Tho. ]!,'tl> hath ie.>i-ned 
Uii.' 

'• Thomsus Benedict, Sr., in 1000, bought i>f Samuel Canipfiuld his house- 
lot, granted him by tliu towu, between Thomas IScIts atnl Kiiliraini Lock- 
wood. 

'*5Ir. Buckingham's home-lot, fv>ur acres. Rounded ejist by lainl of 
Tlionias Betts and tlie common fence, wcM, by town's highway, north by 
)i iiu-lot of Thomas Seamer, south by home-lot of heirs of John Ray- 
i:^-iid. Sr., decejLsed. (The lot originally laid out to Richard Webb.) 

".John N.'ishe (in If.sy, u grant in tlu> rear of Robcit Stewart's). 
l'..iinded ca.>t by common land, west I'y Robert Stewart's home-lot. 

"James I'ickett (home-lot in lt;T2), four acres. Bun ruled eiust by coni- 
iiii'ii land, the said lot taking in the water-brook, west hy common high- 
u;iy, north by John KeiderV home-hd, tiiat WiLs ErUvanl Ketchanr's, 
^ iitli by Judah Gregory's home-lot. 

"Samuel Benedict (in 107s, u home-lot upon l)r-y HilH, four acres. 
]:oiiiided east by highway that leads to saiil hill, we>t by town highway, 
.-"uth by Thomas Benedict, Sr.'s, hoine-lut. 

" John Benedict (in 1G7S, hunu-dut njH.n I>ry Hill ), four acres. Bounded 
ii^t and west Tiy highway, noith by Ridieit Stewart's lot, south by 
Tiiomas Bett,s, Sr.'s. lot. 

" Thomas Beiierlict, Jr. (honu'-lot between Itayle Hill and Strawberry 
Hill), four acres. Bounded ciif-t by highway upon Strawbeiry Hill, west 
by highway leading to the old connnon highway, imrtli by Samuel 
Smith's lot, south by John Gregory, SrVs, lot. 

"Joseph I'latt (recorded Jan. 11, lOU'.l, grant of ^i\te^■rl acres lying at 
"W. Rocks, west siilo of highway leading up to r^aid Rocks). Bounded 
partly l.y land of James Miller-, north by Kbenezer Mention, west on 
highway, south partly by land of Samuel Belts and James Miller. 

'■Samuel Smith (I'eb. 2U, lOJSil, grant of homo-lot adjacent to Straw- 
I ny Hill), four acres. Bounih'd e:wt by highway, west and nortli I'y 
In^iiway, scmth by Thonms Btuiedict, Jr.'s, lot. 

•Sauniel Sention (May 12, 10S2, Uurght honie-h>t of James Jupp), four 

a< MS. Boumled east by John iiregory, Sr.'s, lot ami eomuion land, west 

. by common hind, north by Johrr Biiwteii, i^r., that wius Georgu Abbott's, 

I south by highway running by the * (.'oafc Banckc.' said lot purehasud by 

Jujip of Richard Seamer. 

"James Beebe (himie-Iot, fol. TiW, between two holluws in the land that 

, lies against Judah Gregory's and John Hoyt's on the lelt hand of the 

j path or highway leading to the mill), two acres. Bounded eiust by path 

or liighway, west by the bank, north by a hollow and common land, 

I south by a hollow and common land."* 

' * The several grants made to each person previous to the recording — 
; about 107(1 to 1090— are generally recorded together. Thus: after tho 
' record of Rev. Mr. Hanford'a home-lot, follow records of several parcels 
i of land granted tu Mr. Hauford, e.<j.: 



Acres. 


Rnoils. 






lu 


2 


at I'inu Hill and ^oaka 


tuck Piaiiie 








iu the Neck. 




5 


1 


Neck ami Fniitfiil .Sin- 


iig. 


4 


2 


Coast Divifrion. 





i)Ei:i).<. 

INDIAN DEKl) To ROGKP. I.t'DLOW. 
[Kast side of Nurwalk Kiv.-r] 

**A copyief of a deede of s- J- m;id.- by Noiwalke Imiians, unto Ma.>ter 
Roger Lndlowe, of >'aiilield, as Inllowetli, 20th Kebniary, li;iO. 

"An agreement made between the Indians of Xoi uidUt- anil Roger 
Ludlowe: it is agreed, that the Indians nf Xoi-walke, foi- and in consid- 
eration id" eight fathom of warnjuim, hi\e cuatcs, term hatcht-ts, tenn 
hoes, tenn knifes, term sissois, tenn jewse haTpes, tenn fathom Tobackoe, 
thiee kettles of (-i.M? hands about, term looking gl:Ls.ses, have granted all 
the lands, meadows, p;i.>tui inge, trees, whatsoever there is, ami grounds 
hetweene the two Rivi-rs, the one called Norwalke, tho other Soakatuek, 
to the middle of sayed Rivers, fronr the sea a ilay's walke into the coun- 
try; to the sayed Roger Ludlowe, and IiIh lieiis and a.«signes for ever; 
and that noe Indian or other shall challenge or- cluini any ground within 
the sayed Rivers or limits, nor di>turli the >ayed I'.ogi-r, his heir's or a.s- 
signes, within the preiinets aforesaitl. In wilm-ss whereof the parties 
thereunto have intereliaugeably j^ett their hands. 



'* Witnesse 



the marUu 






Ti.niakergo 
Tukaiieko 



the lii.'ilkr ,,f 



Koori: I.roLiiWE. 



the liiaike .>f 



tVv^ 



111.- lIMllvl- .il 



I']..\X OF Tilt: .VXCIEXT PLANTATIOX. 

In the j>laii lit' the ancient settlement (if Xiirwalk, 
(see page 488), as ilrawn liy tlie Rev. Edwin Hall iu 
1847, we lind tiio aneieiit nieeting-hdu.se, tliirty feet in 
length and eijihteen wide, with posts ten feet lii;j:h, 
and nearby the Imuse uf Mr. Ilanfiird, wliieh Ralph 
Keeler and Walter Ilaite agreed to build, and for 
which jNIathew .Marvin, .Jr., " undertook to lay in two 
thousan<l good siithcicnt shinkles." There, too, arc 
the old paradc-grouiul and the ancient country road 
from Stamford to Kairfield. 

In the assignment of the home-lots the leading men 
were placed near the meeting-house, for here we find, 
just north, on one side of the road, is the lot of Ma- 
thew Marvin, Sr., with tliat of Nathaniel Ely, directly 
opposite. Adjoining Nathaniel Ely, on the same side 
of the street, lived Richard Olnistead, and opposite 
was the lot of Thomas Fitch, which he bought of 
Edmund Church in llitio. Here also are the dwell- 
ings of Nathaniel Richards, Tlionias JIales, Isack 
More, and Nathaniel Campbell. Scmthwest may be 
seen the lots of Deacon Thomas Benedict, .John Bow- 
ton, AValter Haitc, etc. 



rlunthig FlelJ. 
Mea<It>\v. 
Meadow Field. 
Otiii-i- Bide of the Itiver. 
Meadow at Tlarreii Marsli. 
I'pluiid I>lalii of the Meadows. 
Out-meadow. 
Neck I'laMtiiiE Field. 
Saukatuck Hill. 
Indian Field. 
]ta\le Hill (Hall), 
oiiginal phtntertj. 
f These " copies" wele recorded in the book of deeds in the year IGT; 



Acres 


Roods 


1 


1) 


1 


U 


2 


2 


2 


1 


5 


u 


4 


2 





II 








35 





G 


:! 


■4 


II 


And so on ft 


rail the 



488 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



CHAPTER XLIX. 

NORWALK (Continued). 
SKETCHES OF TIIK ORIGINAL INHABITANTS.* 

George Abbott, whose name heads the list of the 
first white settlers of Norwalk, probably emigrated 
from Dorchester, England, with his master. Doubt- 
less lie was a Freiicli refugee and a relative of the 
Abboths of Andover, Mass. He was one of the first 
Puritan settlers of Hartford. His name is not in the 
catalogue of cmigrauts to America. It first appears 
in the colonial records of Connecticut, 1G40, as a ser- 



restrictions imposed by the British government upon 
those who had been in rebellion against kingly au- 
thority. In 1648 he was at Ipswich, Mass.; in 1G.51 
he was an inhabitant of Norwalk. Here he resided 
ten years, and removed to Fairfield ; and the court 
gave the inhabitants of that place liberty " to take in 
a cohabitant with them, Robert Bcachani, who lately 
lived in Norwalk." March 29, 10.55, he was upjiointed 
by the people of this town field-gate keeper for the 
year ensuing. Feb. 5, 10.57, the town voted that he 
should enjoy that parcel of laud lying between his 
I home-lot and " Coafe Bancke" as his own, under a 



Satrt' Baltt 




MAP OF ANCIENT NOllWALK. 



vant residing in Windsor. There he was fined for sell- 
ing a "pystoll and powder to the Indians, and bound 
to his good behavior." Eleven years later he was an 
inhabitant of Norwalk. In 1072 he w:js the father of 
seven children. He never held ofliee. In ItlOO he 
had an estate of one humired and twenty pounds. As 
his name disappeared from the town records after 
1644, he probably died about that date, aged about 
seventy-four. 

Robert Beacham, or Beauehamp, wag in Ipswich, 
Mass., 1648. I'robtbly he left England, as many 
others did, under an assumed name, to avoid the 
• Ckmtrlbuted by Vr". 8. Bonton, Xf\. 



' condition. In the first property list he was taxed on 
one liundred and seventy-three pounds. He was not 

\ made an elector in Fairfield until 1664. 

Stephen Beckwith, — or Beckett, a.s Hutton has 
it, — aged eleven, was the youth pointed out as S. B. 
in the records, who was brought to the colony of 
Ma.ssacliusetts in the ship " Francis," Cutting, nuister, 
1634. His name appears in the colonial records in 
1649, at which date he Wiis twenty-six years of age, 
and a resident of Hartford, from whence he emi- 
grated to Norwalk. The town records do not show 
that he owned a home-lot. His estate in 1673 was set 

, in the tax-list at five pounds; in 1690 he had in- 



NOKWALK. 



489 



creased the same to fifty pouiuls. It is believed tliat 
a jKirtiun of liis estate was situated in the town of 
Fairfield. Proljably lie removed there with Beaeham. 

John Boiiton, or Bowton, was one of the first orijr- 
inal inhabitants of Norwalk. ilis name is found 
in Hutton's "History of Emigrants from IGOO to 
1700." He, with about nine or ten otiiers of tlie first 
settlers of the town, thoujrh tliey eame from England, 
were French refugees. April, lOIio, at the age of 
twenty, he embarked from Gravcsend for the Massa- 
chusetts colony, in the ship '' Assurance," and landed 
in Boston the following December. He resided in 
Newtown and Watertown nearly sixteen years, and 
then went to Hartford ; thence to Norwalk. His an- 
cestors are authentically traced back to the latter i)art 
of the twelfth century. He was a lineal descendant 
of the Boutons of Chantilly, France, and a brother of 
Noel, born lOyO, who was the son of Nicholas, born 
1598, who was a dcsceiulaut of Jean Bouton, whose 
name often appears in the French annals.* 

John Bouton was married when he came to Nor- 
walk, and was the father of Ivichard and Bridget Bou- 
Aoli. His wife died soon after his arrival here. His 
^/fiecVmd wife was Abigail Marvin, daughter of Ma- 
thew, by whom he had at least five children, — viz. : 
John, Mathew, Rachel, Abigail, and Mary. His third 
wife was the Widow Stevens, whose first husband was 
killed in the "direful swam])-fight." By her he had 
two sons, — Richard an<l Thomas, Richard by the 
second wife being dead. 

John Bouton was made fri'eman in l(iii4. He was 
selectman in 1671, 1(;74, l(J7o, and lij70, and surveyor 
also in KiG'J. In 16SG he was elected one of a commit- 
tee to settle all differences between Fairfield and Nor- 
walk about the " head-lynes," and elected to rcju'e- 
sent the town in tlie General Assembly from 1071 to 
lfi83, and also in lOS.J. He was living in 170.'5 or 
1704. He died at the age of about ninety. 

Thomas Betts' name first apjiears in the records 
of Norwalk in KJoG. Probably he iwrived here about 
1651 or 1652. He was living in tUiiltbrtl in 1650. 
Without doubt he was a brother of John, whose name 
is also in the records of Guilford in 1648. At the 
date of settlement in this town the brothers had been 
in the colonies about twenty years, having arrived 
about 1636 or 1G37. There is a family tradition that 
they came from Buckingham, England. The late (}. 
W. Betts had a Bible said to have been owned by the 
family in England, brought here by Tliomas or .John. 
Thomas Betts was a repre<entative from Norwalk to 
the General Assembly in l(i!»2, 16!)4, 1704, 1705, and 
1707. tie was an efficient member of the First 
Church, and his descendants have always been noted 
for their puritanical proclivities. His estate was set 
in the list of 1687 at one hundred and ninety-six 
pounds. 

* lie luJvanceil the liunors of liis hoii.so, anil wxs cieaterl Marquis of 
Chamilly and, 17li:!, marshal of Franco. Sue Dictionnaiie di'S G<m4icau\ 
Franfais, in the Astor Literary, city of New York. 

32 



Benedict, — the order of the Benedicts, or benedic- 
tion, a blessing. Thomas Benedict, iir., was a lineal 
descendant of'WiUiam Benedict, who resiiled in Not- 
tingham, England, in the year 1500. Thomas Bene- 
dict, of Norwalk, of the fourth generation, from Wil- 
liam, was also born in Nottingham in 1617. He 
emigrated to New England at the age of twenty-one, 
and settled in Massachusetts. From thence lie re- 
moved to Southliold, L. I. In 1()65, Thomas Bene- 
dict and family crossed Long Island 8ound and settled 
in Norwalk. He was thrice chosen town clerk, and 
for several years selectman. He represented his 
adopted town in the colonial Legislature in 1670 and 
1675. Ho was elected .deacon of "ye Prime iSociety" 
of Norwalk. Thomas Benedict, Sr., of Norwalk, is 
the progenitor of the numerous family of that name 
in this country. He died in 1600, aged seventy-three ; 
his widow lived to the age of one linndred and six. 

Francis Bushuell was a carpenter. At the age of 
twenty-si.x he left England in the ship " Planter," for 
New England with his wife, aged twenty-six, and one 
child, aged one year, April 4, 16;j5. He carried with 
him to the port from whence he .sailed a certificate 
that he was no " subsedy man." In 1G5.'! he arrived 
in Norwalk. Oct. 12, 1675, he married Hannah Ley- 
man, daughter of Thinuas, for his second wife, by 
whom he had at least two children, — viz., Hannah 
and Mary. His estate in 1693 was nominal. He 
seems not to have been a member of the church, and 
never held office. 

INIatthew t'anfield, or t'anipfield, was in New Haven 
in 1646. His name is not in the history of emigrants, 
nor is it known at what date he came to North Amer- 
ica. Proljably he did not arrive until 164.3 or 1644. 
He was a magistrate and judge in Hartford, and a 
l)roiiiinent man in all official business. He was one 
of the signers of a petition to King Charles 11. of 
England for the colony. In 1662 he was appointed 
one of three to hold courts in Fairfield. He was 
made a citizen of Norwalk in l(i54, and elected a 
deputy in 1654-56, assistant in 1658-63, deputy in 
16G4, and deputy commi.ssioner. He removed from 
Norwalk to New Jersey in 1669. 

Christopher Comstock was a resident of Fairfield, 
about ten years after the settlement of Norwalk. 
Probably he came from Hartford to Fairfield, though 
it is evident that he was not one of the colony why 
founded that si'ttlement. It is not now known when 
he arrived in America, or where he resided in old 
England. He probably, on his way from Boston or 
its vicinity, tarried a short time in the Hartford 
colony to prospect. From thence he proceeded to 
Fairfield, and after spending a few years in that town 
removed to Norwalk, for on Jan. 27, 16G1, Christopher 
Comstock, then living in tlu^ former place, bought of 
"Thomas Betts land laid out to said Bettri or belong- 
ing to the accommodation of Nathaniel Ely." Later, 
in 16G3, he marrii^l Hannah, daughter of Richard 
Piatt, of the town of Mllford bv whom he had six 



490 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



I 



children. In 1673 his estatp was rated at one hundred 
and forty-six ])oiin<ls and in KiitO at two lunidrod and 
one jjounds. He was approved of to " Ivcpe an ordi- 
nary for the entertaining of strangers." He was a 
sergeant of the town militia, was of puritanic stock, 
and his descendants have ever been noted for their 
attaelinicnt to the religious principles of their ances- 
tors. He died Dec. 28, 17(12. 

John Crompton was also one of those who came to 
Norwalk after the settlement of the town. He came 
to America from England between 1623 and 1638. 
He came lierc about 1655 or 1(556, and married Sarah 
Kockwell, of Stamford, Oct. 8, 1676. by whom he had 
three children, viz., Sarah, Abigail, and .John, born 
Jan. 7, 1682. In 1679 he was voted three acres of 
land " because he was a souldier in the late Indian 
war." He was the owner of but a small property. 
He never held office in the town. 

Joseph Fenn came to Norwalk probably in 16.54 or 
16.55. JIarcli 27, 1665, in "town-meeting it was 
voted unt<) Mstr Ffenn that home-lot lyine by Will 
Eascoe's home-lot, which Tiionias Belts hath resigned 
up." Joseph probably was a brother of Richard, who 
was living "over the river at ye Plantacion .ag't Jame.s 
Cittie," Virginia. 

Several emigrants named Ely came to the British 
colonies as early as 1()22. In the parish record of 
"St. Michael's, Barbadoes," appear the names of 
James Ely and wife, with tiiree children and thirteen 
slaves. February, 1623, Walter Ely was living in Vir- 
ginia. The ])arish muster shows that he and wife 
settled there in 1622. One Eelie, aged fourteen, came 
to Virginia, which then included New England, in 
the " Primrose," having been examined as to his 
" conformitie to the Church of England." The name 
in the records is also spelt Ella, Eeles. All of them 
embarked at Gravcsend, England, and were doubtless 
all branches of the same family. It hius been thought 
that Nntlianiel Ely was an offspring of one of the 
families named, and that he was born in America. 
But this is a mistake, for Nathaniel did not emigrate 
to this country until 1635, while the other persons of 
the name arrived in the colonies from ten to fifteen 
years prior to the latter date. 

Nathaniel Ely's name first appears in the colonial 
rccorils of New I'ligland as a resident of Hartford in 
■16.35. He landed in Boston, probably late in the fall 
of that year, and went directly to Hartlbrd, where he 
remained about sixteen years, and was constable in 
1630. From thence he removed to Norwalk in 1650, 
having been one of the fourteen persons who agreed 
with Rodger Ludlow for the "settlement and jilan- 
tinge" of the town, the agreement being dated .Tune 
19, 16.50. He removed from Norwalk to Springfield, 
Ma-ss., .iboufl660. His estate was set in the tax-list 
at two hundred and ninety-three pounds, — no mean 
sum for those times.* ■ 

Tliomiv* Fitch i>robably came to America with his 
brothers Joseph and James, who crossed the ocean in 



! the ship " Defense," which sailed from the port of 
London, England, in July, 16.'!5. Although his name 
docs not appear in the list of emigrants with those of 
Joseph and James, it is conjectured that he came to 
the colonies, as others did, under an .assumed name. 
He was a follower of Cromwell in the civil war against 
Charles I., and after the accession of Charles II. was 
proscribed for his disloyalty towards his government. 
Dr. Nathaniel Bouton .says Thomas was a younger 
brother of Joseph and James, but it is a mistake. 
Joseph was the youngest of the three brothers. His 
name is set in the register as being only fourteen 
when he embarked for North America. Joseph set- 
tled in Widson, and James (the minister) was pastor 
of the church in Saybrook, and alterwards was settled 
over the church in Norwich. 

There were a numerous family of the Fitches, or 
Fittz, in Buching and vicinity, Essex Co., England. 
Five or six of the name emigrated to James City, Va., 
j as early as 1618 or 1620. 

Thomas Fitch was not among the first settlers of 

Norwalk. He was made freeman in 1657, in 16oy 

I selectman, and town-clerk or recorder of lands in 

I 1656. He represented the town in the General ,\s- 

' sembly but once before he was seventy, after which 

age he served in 172(>, 1727, 17251, and 17.30. He was 

the largest tax-payer in the town in 1673. His estate 

was assessed at three hundred and fourteen pounds. 

Three brothers by the name of Gregory, or trreg- 
gorie, sailed from Loudon for Virginia, — viz., Ben- 
jamin, Alexander, and Thomas. The latter two are 
recorded as being respectively twenty-four years of 
age. They may have been cousins, but it is more 
probable that they were twin-brothers. Benjamin 
was but fifteen when he left Gravesend, England, in 
the ship "Globe," in August, 16.35, Alexander em- 
barked from the same port in October, 1631, and Ben- 
jamin in 1635. Others of the name are fonml in the 
colonial records. John was a brother, if I am not 
mistaken, f)r the above named. It is not known when 
he left the mother-country. His name first appears 
in the annals of this town as one of the original in- 
habitants. He represented Norwalk nine times in 
the Legislature at its May sessions, and eight times 
at its October .'fessions. 

Nathaniel Haise, of Norwalk. of whom the records 
are almost silent, was among the original settlers of 
the town. His origin, or from whence he camo to 
this country heretofore, was unknown to the historians 
of Norwalk. The record of emigrants shows that 
"Anto" Haies, aged twenty-four, end)arked froA 
England, .August, 16S.5, in the ship "Safety." for the 
British colonies in North .Vmerica. James, agoA 
twenty-eight, left the same place, October, 16.35, in 
the "Constance." John, aged thirty, sailed in the 
"Hopewell," June, 16.34; and Robert, aged nineteen, 
March, 16.35. William Haise, aged twenty-four, who 
left Gravesend in .\)>ril, 1635, in the ship "I'aul," of 
London, probably was a cousin of the above named, 



NORWALK. 



401 



iill (if wliDiirwcre inlialiitiints of f<t. Kutlieiiiie and 
vicinity. 

Nathaniel liaise was a man of gooil estate. In 
1687 lie was taxed on two hundred and fifteen jiunnds. 
He held no puUlie otiiee, liut Saniiiel, his oldest son, 
represented the town in the < ieni'ral Assenilily from 
lU8(i to 170;5, — in all fifteen times. 

Walter Hoyt, or Halt, was deseendeil IVom a not 
very numerous family of that name in " Ilnunster or 
Curry-Ilivel, county of Somerset, England." The 
family history claims that he was a siiu of t^imon, 
whose name first appeared in this country in l()2il, as 
being in Salem, Mass. It is also found in the records 
of Doreliester of Ki.'iO, in those of Scituate of Ki.'W, 
and in those of Windsor of lG:jil, where it is recorded 
as deacon of the church in that place. Walter could 
not have been the son of .Simon; he naist have been 
his younger brother. It cannot be sluiwn that Walter 
came to America before Ki.'i'J or 1(>40, at whicli date 
Simon had been in tlie Massacluwetts ccjlony ten 
years or UKjre. Walter was living in Windsor with 
his wife and three cliildren in l()4(t, at which date he 
could not have been more than twenty-two years of 
age. SiuKju came here (|uite young; so it is con- 
cluded that he eould not have had a son at that date 
old enough to be the father of three children. 

Walter Hoyt removed from Windsor to Hartford, 
thence to Fairfield, and settled in this town in 1(152 
or 1()53. He was dejiuty fnnn Norwalk to the Gen- 
eral Assembly of Connecticut twelve times, and held 
various offices in the gift of the people of the town. 
He was, in 1090, the possessor of an estate taxed at 
two hundred and forty j)ounds. He diei! in Xorwalk, 
aged about seventy-seven. 

Samuel and Thomas Hales, brothers, left England 
for this country in Ki.'jS. Samuel, before he removed 
to Norwalk, resided for a period in Koxbury, Ma.ss. 
He went thence to Hartford, Conn., thence to Nor- 
walk. He represented the town in the General As- 
sembly in KJoO, 1().J7, and IGGO. Thonnis left no otH- 
cial record whatever. The brothers were owners of 
considerable real estate in ll).")5. In l(i73 they are not 
mentioned as having any estate. I'roliably they re- 
moved from the town some time before the assessment 
of 167?. was laid. 

Between 1()23 and 1635 eighteen of the name of 
H(jmes, or Holmes, emigrated from England to the 
British colonies in America. Of this nundicr was 
Richard Holmes, who left the port of London in Feb- 
ruary, 1734, in the ship "Hopewell," Thomas Wood, 
master, and in the year 1657 settled iu Xorwalk. Octo- 
; ber 12th of this year Holmes came from Stratford to 
i this town, and bought of Alexander Bryan, of Mil- 
ford, the home-lot formerly owned by Thomas Smith. 
In March, 16(53, Holmes bought all the property of 
Stephen Beckwith in Norwalk. His estate was taxed 
in 1673 at one hundred and fifty pounds. In 1676 he 
I was the father of two children. In 1678 the town 
j granted him liberty to erect a saw-mill upon Five- 



Mile River. He never held any ollicial position in 
the town. 

Heretofore it has licen uncertain from what jiart of 
England the Rev. Mr. Ilanford cmigrat<Ml. In .\pril, 
l(i3.'), a person named Eglin Ilanford, aged forty-six, 
with two ilanghters, endiarkcd on the slii]) " Planter" 
for X'ew JCngland. He carried with liim to tlie port 
of departure a "certificate of the minister ol' Lndbu- 
rie, in Sufiblk County, of his conformitie to the or- 
ders and disciiilin of the Church of England, anil 
that he is no subsedv man, and that he hath taken 



the oath of Al 



egance supreme. 



It is 



very proba 



ble that Rev. Mr. Hanfbrd was the son of Eglin. As 
there were no educational institutions of learning of 
a higher order in this country at the date of his emi- 
gration, may he not have left his son Thomas in (_)ld 
England to finisli his education, or until tliey were 
provided here? Cotton Mather says Rev. Mr. Han- 
ford was one of the class of ministers who, not having 
finished their education at home, came over here to 
perfect it before our college was come to maturity to 
bestow its laurels. Probably he did not arrive in 
America until 163S-oi>. 

Mr. Ilanford comiilcted his course under Rev. Mr. 
Charles Cliauncey, of Scituate, second president of 
Harvard College, about lli-l;!.' The sanle year his 
name stands in the list of all tlujse persons able to bear 
arms in the Plymouth colony, and this year also he 
witnessed the will of Edward Foster, of Scituate. 
He was made freeman in ^Massachusetts, Jlay 22, 
1600. Two years later he commenced to preach in 
this town. In 1653 the selectmen contracted for the 
building of his house, and in 165() the inhabitants voted 
to pay him as their minister " threesciu'e pounds, — 
viz., thirty pounds in wlieat, jiea-;, and barley, at lour 

shillings per bushel, eight pounds in , and the otlier 

twenty-two pounds in beefe and jiork." In 1670 the 
town voted to "hire a man to make a comely cover 
for Mr. Hanford's desk in the meeting-house at the 
town's expense." In his advanced age (1686) the 
people voted that they "desire Mr. Hanford to pro- 
ceed, though grown old in the work of the ministry, 
until the Lord shall dispose of him." " Winnepauk, 
an Iiulian, of Xorwalk, in 1(!!)7 deedcil ti his friend 
Thomas Ilanford, minister, his island against Rower- 
ton." The name of his wife is now unknown. He 
married the second time in Xew Haven, Oct. 22, 1661. 
Mr. Hanford had the largest e-itate of any of the in- 
habitants of the town. He died in X'orwalk iu li>;)3, 
aged about seventy-three or seventy-four. 

Uaniel Kellogg was one of the first inhabitants of 
this town, though he may not have arrived until the 
spring of 1651. His home-lot adjoined Matthew 
Marvin's, Thomas Fitche's, and Josei>h Fenn's. In 
1655, he "took to wiffe Bridget Bouton," daughtiT of 
John Bouton, Sr., by his first wife, by whom he Iiad 
four daughters and two sons at least, David and 
Samuel. He was chosen townsnum several times, 
and re]>re?euted X'orwalk eight years in tlie (Jencral 



492 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Assembly, between 1670 and 1683. His estate in 
1673 was listed at one hundred and twenty-five 
pounds. It is more than probable th.at Daniel 
Kellogg wa.s a brother of Nathaniel Kclloek and 
Joseph Keldy, both of whom were living in Farm- 
ington in 1649 and 16')4. 

Thomas Lupton was a.ssigned a home-lot with the 
first emigrants of Norwalk, but did not arrive until 
a year later. It is not known whom he married. He 
was the father of two cliildren, and probably had 
others. He was selected in 166S to " look after the 
young people in the meeting-house" on the Sabbath. 
Doubtless he was a brother of Davie, who left Eng- 
land, October, 1635, and Joseph, who sailed July, 
163.'>. His estate wa.s listed in 16S7 at one hundred 
and fifty pounds. 

Ephraim Lockwood was without doubt a brother 
or other relative of Capt. Nicliola.s, wlio made several 
trips to Virginia. It is not impossible that Ejdiraim 
came to America as a hand on the ship commanded 
by .the captain. He married, June 8, 1665, Mercie 
Sention, daughter of Mathi.xs Sr., of Norwalk, by 
whom he had five sons, viz., .John, Daniel, Ephraim, 
.Joseph, and ICliphalet. His estate wa.s set in the list 
of 1687 at one hundred and twenty pounds. 

Ralph Keeler and his brother Walter came from 
the port of I..ondon, England, to the colonies in 1635 
or 163G. Ralph was in Hartford in 1639, and a 
viewer of chimneys there in 1645. In September, 
1665, Thomas Hand sold liim his " dwelling-house 
and houses, reserving the workshop for the aliode of 
his wife till the 27th of September, 16G6, also reserv- 
ing the locks upon the dwelling-house doares, and 
the younger nursery trees, and two boards lying upon 
the colter beams." Dec. 18, 1653, he was one of the 
contractors to build Rev. Jlr. Hanford's house. He 
was to " fell all the timber and hewe what is to be 
hewe." His estate in 1673 was set in the list at fifty- 
three pounds. 

Mr. Savage doubts if there was such a person as 
Walter, but the name occurs in the list of the first 
emigrants to Norwalk. If Mr. Savage had been the 
possessor of the records of this and other towns, he 
would not have had so many doubts about those 
whom it was his business to have known. 

Mathew Marvin, Marvyn, or JIarvynn, came to 
New England with his family in the fall of 1635, 
having left (iravcscnd in Ai)ril of that year. The 
record of his family is given by Hutton, viz., Mathew, 
aged thirty-five, Elizabeth, aged thirty-one, husband 
and wife; children, Elizabeth, aged thirteen; Mathew, 
eight; Maria, six; Sarah, three; Hannah, si.x months. 
All of them came in the ship " Increase," Eea, master, 
the husband having taken the oath of " A llgeanse and 
Snpremacie" "conformable to the government and 
disciplln of the Church of England." Mathew 
Marvin was in Harlford in 1639, and seems to have 
been one of the early proprietors. He had other 
children born in Hartford, — viz., Abigail, Samuel, 



Rachel. While a resident of that place he was 
plaintiff in a case against Mathew Beckwith for 
defamation of character, and recovered damages in 
the sum of fifty pounds. The same wa.s remitted by 
the court and i>laintift' on Beckwith's making a public 
retraction of the slander. 

Marvin and family, it seems, came to Norwalk in 
1651, having followed the first emigrants, and may be 
said to have been of the original number. His home- 
lot joined the meeting-house yard and Daniel Kel- 
logg's and Thomas Fitche's. He was deputy from 
Norwalk in 16.54, and assistant magistrate in 16.79. 
He was the posse-ssor of a large estate in 1673, which 
had doubled in 1687. 

Isaac More sailed from Gravesend, England, at 
the age of thirteen, in the " IncreiL^e," Lea, ma.ster, 
under the guardianship of Mathew Marvin, with 
whom ho went to Hartford, and from thence removed 
to Norwalk. In 1660 he sold his home-lot to Mark 
Sention. .Vpril, 1654, Goodman More was chosen 
townsman for the ensuing year. In 1657, Isaac 
More, witli three others, provided a good and suffi- 
cient " wolfe-pit." Whom he married and when he 
died are not now knov.n. He owned and resided on 
property on what is known as Marshall Street, in this 
city, and was a lineal descendant of Danver, who 
settled in this town in 1651. 

Isaac Moi-e was living in Farmington in 1649, 
and was presented to the court " for sergeant by the 
souldgcrs," and was approved. In 1665 the court 
" frees More from training, he having been formerly 
chief-officer of the Train Band" of that place. 

Widow Morgan's name is in the list of the first emi- 
grants, and this is all that is known of her, if thcstate- 
ment.« of others are to be taken. Savage, in his history 
of emigrants, says she was a myth. She may have ' 
been tn him, for he doubts if her name is to be found 
anywhere in the records of Norwalk. But it is there, 
and Mr. Savage or anybody else may read, if he be 
disposed to. Widow Morgan i)robably married after 
her settlement here, but whom is not known, as the 
old church records were destroyed in the Itevolution- 
ary war. Or she may have died in the town soon after 
its settlement. 

Jonathan Marsh, — or as it is in list of emigrants, 
Jno. — aged twenty-six, embarked in the " Plain 
Joan," Bncham master, for Virginia in May, 1635. 
He w.as ])robably from the parish of Benendon, 
county of Kent. He brought " .\ttcstjicon of his con- 
formitie to the order and disciplin of the Cliurch of 
England." No trace of him is to be found after his 
arrival here until he appears in Norwalk. In 16.'J7 he 
owned real estate here, situated and bounded by the 
river; and eng.aged to build a corn-mill ; and he was 
to have upland adjoining the mill. In 1658, Good- 
man Marsh "agrceil to attend the town 3 days in the 
week. These days he is to attend that he may fetch 
and carry corn to the mill." This is all that is known 
of his history in England and America at present 



■^ 



NORWALK. 



493 



Kichartl and Jolin OInistedd were tlie brother and 
nephew iif James. Juriies eaiiic to New Enj^hmd 
"Phmtaeou there p t'ert: from Capten Mason, have 
fendred and taken the oath of allegeance according 
to the l~<tatute." Both emigrated i'rom Ilraintree, 
county of Essex, England, June, UVo'2. Rieliard and 
liis Ijrotlier John probalily came to tlie cohmies unch'r 
assumed names, as tlie name of neither is found in tlie 
catalogue of emigrants in which that of James ap- 
pears. After the death of James his executors, desir- 
ous to carry out that which they conceived to he his 
wish, gave to his "kynsinan," Richard and .Tolni < )lni- 
stedd, five pounds eaeii. 

Kichard was one of the petitioners for the i)hniting 
of Xorwalk. He was [)rominent in all the puVilic af- 
fairs, and was the first rei)resentative of the town in 
the (ieneral Assembly, having been fourteen times 
elected to that position. He was a .sergeant of the mi- 
litia iu 1()53, and lieutenant of the company in lOoi). 
lie wa.s in Hartford in 1G40, constable in 1(;4(), and 
iliputy in 1G(;2 and lOGo. He removed to this [)lan- 
lation in IGriO, and was one of three ajjpointed by the 
court to run the lines between Stamford and Strat- 
foid. His home-lot was bounded by land of Thomas 
Hale and Nathaniel Ely. He was appointed, Feb. 21, 
1G70, selectman of the town. In 1G73 he was the pos- 
sessor of a moderate estate ta.xed one hundred and 
nineteen pounds. 

Joseph Piatt was a French refugee. He did not 
settle in Norwalk until about 1G99, at which date he 
received a grant of .sixteen acres lying at West liocks. 
Feb. 21, 1G98, the town " Granted unto Joseph Piatt, 
as he was a souklier out in the .service against the 
common enemie, the town, as a gratification for his 
good service, do give and grant unto him ten acres of 
land, to take it up a mile from the town, and whcarc it 
lyes free nor yet pitcht vij)on by any other i>er.sons." 
Dec. 16, 1713, " Capt. Joseph Piatt was one of a com- 
mittee to make a settlement of a highway or road to 
Kidgefield. He had only one son, — viz., John. 

Joseph Piatt represented Norwalk in the tfcneral 
Assembly a perio<l of sixty-five years, or from 1705 
to 1790. He has no list of property, either in lG7:i or 
1GS7. As he wa.s styled the " \V'orshi]dul," the infer- 
ence might be drawn that he was exempt from taxa- 
tion, in view of services rendered to his constituents. 

Nathaniel It icharils sailed from the mother-country 
for New England in the same shi]i in which James 
and Richard Olmstead crossed the Atlantic, June, 
1632, he also having a certificate from "Capten Ma- 
sou" that he had taken the oath according to the stat- 
I ute. He was of Mr. Hooker's company at Newtown, 
1 Cambridge, 1G32. He was one of the i)roprietors of 
the Hartford com|)any, as his name ajipears in the 
records of that town in 1G3'). He was jurynuin there 
in 1643, 1644, and 1G46, and constable in 1641 and 
1649, orderer of the town in 1G44, and a deputy to 
the General xVssembly in 1643. He probably came to 
the Norwalk colony some time during IGol. In 1GG4, 



Mr. Richards bought Jonathan Mar.sh's mill and all 
the land adjoining it. He was elected s<leetman I'eb. 
21, 1G70. He never reiiresentcd this town in the col- 
onial Legislature. He had an estate in 1673 of two 
hun<lred and sixty-eight pounds. In 1G,S7 his name 
is not in the table of estates; hence it is concluded 
that he died between l(i73 and 1687, aged about sixty- 
two years. His descendants have always been noted 
for their steady and imlustrious habits. 

John Rusco, son of William and Rebecca Rusco, 
husbaiul and wife and four chihlren — viz., Sara, 
Maria, Samuel, and William (aged one year) — " im- 
liarked in ye 'Increase' from London, April, 163"), 
for New England. They were certificated as from 
I'illerway, county of E.sscx, by the Minister of ye 
first tliat William Rusco, husbandnuui, was no Sul)- 
sedy man." After due investigation it is concluded 
that John Rusco was a son of William, born in this 
country within a year or two after their arrival in 
Roston, early iu the fall of 163"). Although .lohn's 
name stands in the catalogue of the first emigrants, 
he could not have been over thirteen or fourteen years 
of age. Probably he came to this town with the older 
settlers. ,\s his home-lot was not set oil' to him, but 
had transferred to him that wliich was formerly set 
off to another, his grant was not one of the original 
few, — it was not recorded tintil 1()S3, while the other 
original grants were recorded about 16()'i or 1670. 

William Rusco, at this date, lived iu Norwalk, as 
Jlr. Fenn's home-lot was next William Rusco's.'* 
From 1673 to I().S7 his estate had increased from one 
hundred and fifty to two hundreil and fifty i)ounils. 

Richard Raymond's name first appears in the 
records of Norwalk in 16")4. He was, no doubt, a 
French refugee, and may have come to North Amer- 
ica under an assumed muiie, as there is no record of 
his departure from England. Angu.st, 163'), one 
Arthur Raymond, aged twenty, sailed from London 
in the "Lofty," tiraunt, master, for Virginia. It is 
conjectured that ,\rthnr was a brother of Richard, 
whose name appears in the records as an inhabitant 
of this town. He removed to Norwalk from .Salem, 
RIass., and from here to Saylirook. In 1662 he was 
living at Massachusetts Bay, at wliich dafi' he " bought 
of Ralph Keelcr his housings, home-lott, or barn- 
yard, and the house, fiores, doars, glasse windows, 
shelves, everything i'astencd together, — four acres." 
It seems he returned to Norwalk, as in 1677 he em- 
powered Thomas Belts to recoid all his lands to the 
children of his son John by Mary Raynnjud, his 
|)resent wife, the year before this transaction. John, 
his son, seems to have borne all the family honors. 
His estate was taxed (1690) at two hundred pounds. 
He "tooke to wiffe," Dec. 10, 1664, Mary, daughter 
of Thomas Betts, by whom he hail two sous, — Jolm, 
who died when a child, and .John (2d), liorn nine 
years later. 

* Soc IIiiU, page CO. 



494 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



St. John, Matthias, and Matthew Sension probably 
cmifrriitcfl from Hiintinjrdon, England. It seems that 
Matthias came to Norwallc a short time previous to 
the arrival of Matthew. It is conjectured that the 
St. Johns of Norwalk wore descendant.s of Attorncy- 
(Jeneral St. John, who married a relative of Oliver 
Cromwell and followed his fortunes during his reign. 
The only ground for the conjecture is the fact that 
the attorney was of the same name. When the 
brothers settled in America is not known, though it 
is believed they jireceded Nicholas Sension, aged 
thirteen, who sailed from London, April, 1()35, in the 
"Elizabeth and Ann Roger," Cooper, master, under 
the protection of Jo. Whitney, who came in tlie same 
ship with his five children, aged respectively eleven, 
nine, eight, six, and one, all of whom brought with 
them a certificate that they were " no subsedy" men. 

Matthias' name is among the original settlers of ' 
the town, and March 5, Ifio", he was one of them 
" to make a sufficient wolf-pett." Matthias, Savage 
thinks, was a myth ; but he was in Dorchester in 
IfiSi) and a juryman at Hartford in 1043 and 11)44. 
Otherwise tlie brothers were not prominent in public 
aftairs. 

Several of the Webb family emigrated to this 
country in the early part of the sixteenth century. 
Richard embarked for Virginia from Gravcsend, Eng- 
land, in the " Primrose," July, 1635. He was of the 
number of more than one hundred who took the 
oaths of " Allegeance and Supremacie," and " fetch 
off by Mr. Secretary Windebanks' warrant." Pro- 
bably tlie men were political rebels, and were obliged 
to take a special oath to the home government. He 
is reputed to have been living at Cambridge in 1632. 
The date of his departure from England disproves 
that he was in the country in that year. His name 
appears in the records as juryman at Hartford in 
1643 and 1644, and selectman in 1643 ami 1644. 
About this time he wa.s fined for not apjicaring at the 
appointed hour for the sitting of the court. In 
1640 he was one of the executors of the will of James 
Olmstead, and was deputy from Norwalk fourteen 
times, from 16r)3 to 167i>. 

When or how Thomas Seamer, or Seymore, came to 
the colonies, or his origin in the old country, is not 
now known. There is a good reason for tlie prevalent 
opinion that he was a French refugee who escaped 
into England, and soon thereafter emigrated to 
North America and was a member of tlie Hartford 
colony, as it appears that Richard, a brother, was lo- 
caU>d there in 1639 to 1646 at least. In 16!M) he pos- 
sessed an estate set in tlie list at one hundred and 
eighty-four pounds. He was never honored by his 
fellow-townsmen with responsible official positions. 



CHAPTER L. 

NORWALK (Continued). 

UNPUBLISHED TRADITIONAL FACTS IN THE UIS- 
TOKY OF NORWALK.« 

TriHlitions— Hcininisccnces— One Iliintlrcd Ycare .\eo— Tlio Burning of 
Norwalk— The Indian City of Nuninmkc ami its Foundoni— rampaB- 
kcsliank— Incidents of tlie Revolution— The Norwalk Indians— Indian 
Cemeteries— Tho Cannibals of Norwalk. 

Til}-; first white emigrants to New England, though 
educated under despotic laws in the Old World, in 
the New adopted a system of town organizations, 
simple, pure, and natural, relative to property, edu- 
cation, and equal rights. Those town republics sowed 
the seed which brought forth republican government 
on this continent. Their codes of laws are the votes 
found upon the records of those ancient towns, and 
framed to maintain the peace and union of those 
local republics, and to preserve the "liberty of civil 
affiiirs." The first ancestors of Norwalk established 
one of those republics in this town in 1651. 

The tourist, to fully appreciate the scenery of this lo- 
cality, should sail down Long Island Sound and tra- 
verse the range of hills stretching from the Rocks, 
north, to the country "butted on the sea" south. 
These outlooks are the most picturesque in Connecti- 
cut. 

The first emigrants to Norwalk, in their journey- 
ings hither, pa.sscd through the interior of the coun- 
try, to avoid crossing the numerous deep rivers which 
empty into the Sound. From the rocks north of 
France Street they first beheld the land of their 
adoption, and were delighted with its hills and vales 
and running brooks. On the night of their arrival 
the company ate and .slei)t beneath their shadows. 
At early morn they i)roceedcd southward to take pos- 
session of the rude log houses built by the few pio- 
neers who had preceded them. The early emigrants 
were not without some culture. The old town records 
show that every man of them could write well, and 
they had legislative, executive, and judicial capacity, 
and the ability to organize the town's finances and to 
marshal the people into " training-bauds" for the com- 
mon defense. 

Three classes of emigrants from England settled in 
this town. The first were nonconformists; the sec- 
ond, "subsidy men;" the third, tliose who were dis- 
tasteful to the ruling powers, and who were transported 
as rebels or left England under a.-*sumed names. Half 
the first colonists of the town were of the fir.st ; the re- 
mainder—excepting Richard Webb, who was carried 
on shipboard, " fetched ofl'by Secretary Windcbank's 
warrants" — were of the second. 

Though nearly all the early settlers of Norwalk em- 
barked from England, yet they were not all of Aiiglo- 
Sa.xon blood, .\fter the revocation of the Edict of 
Nantes thousands of the best people of France fledjlo 

• Contributed by W. S. Benton, Esq. 



J 



NORWALK. 



495 



England, ami the govorniiK'nt riTiivc<l tlu'ni with 
open iirnis and eneouragcd their emigration to her 
colonies in North Anieriea. Our tir.st ancestors were 
aliout eijually divided between the (niul and 8axon, 
all of whom were inil)ned witli the 8axon ideas of 
eivil and religious liberty and an enlightened view of 
justice. 

The ani-ient records of the town dn not show a 
single instance of sjiecial or class legislation. Their 
every act was based upon the broadest principles of a 
government by and for the peo]jle. If tlie cdmmon 
land was to be ajiportioned. or the cattle to roam in 
the common fields, or the wheat-fields to l)e guarded 
or fenced, the rights of the jioorest persons were as 
sacredly protected as tho.se of Governor Kitcli (U' the i 
wealthiest man in the plantation. Our ancestors, in i 
their ditficulties with Fairfield and Stamford, instead 
cif an armed defense, instructed their deputies to the 
(ieneral Court to come to a "loving and neighborly 
issue and agreement," and, if not accepted, then the 
cases were to be taken into the court. There nuiy be 
powers that object to this sort of diplonuicy because 
of its puritanical la' scriptural origin. 

REMINISCENCES. 
The first wdiite settlers of Norwalk located on the 
plain east of the river, near Old Fort Point, upon 
which they reared log houses and a block-house, or 
fort, for common defense. Our ancestors were often 
summoned from their labors in the fields to disperse 
the Indians, whose only object, ap]»arently, was to 
purloin the Indian jjuddings which the women were 
making. 

The savages found within the purchases made in 
1640 and KioO were only reniinints of tribes which 
once inhabited the country around and east of the 
Connecticut River, and probably other localities. 
They had been overj)owered and driven from the 
graves of their ancestors by other more numerous 
and more warlike tribes, porti(Uis of whom had taken 
up their abode about Korwalk Kivcr, and whom the 
first settlers named the Xorwalk Indians. On this 
point we are not left entirely to tradition. That the 
Indians, probably less than a hundred, who lived here 
were from various tribes is evident I'rom the facts that 
many of their implements found in the Old Indian 
Field were made of various kinds of .stone, none of 
which are to be ("ound within the limits of the town, 
that the rude earthen bowls found in some of their 
graves were made of red clay, and that their modes of 
burial were diverse. 

The early colonists Inid not been very successful in 
bringing the aborigines into their views of govern- 
ment previous to the settlement of the town. lint the 
members of the Norwalk colony, many of whom had 
been in the country from sixteen to thirty years, had 
i learned much of the Indian character. As time passed 
they more fully comprehended the principle of liberty 
which they had manfully battled for in the Old World, 



and this mailc them more successful than othrrs had 
been in their ell'orts to civilize the Indians. 

Our ancestors partook of the uneasiness rife among 
the colonists in IGtiO, and appealed to the (u-neral 
Court to settle their " difierences." They also dis- 
ciplined the militia and a])|ioiMled Thomas I'itcli to 
watidi the Indians; and that is about all there was of 
it, ibr the Norwalk Indians, tliough at times troulde- 
sinne, were never warlike. We have searched the 
ancient records, and have not found an instance of a 
Norwalk Indian's injuring any of the white inhabit- 
ants. Nor is there any evidence that they were in 
the direful swamp-fight in 1(177 as enemies, though 
there is indirect testimony that some of them acc(jm- 
jianied those who enlisted for that service from this 
tow 1 1 . 

The early fathers brought with tlicm all the .Vnglo- 
8axo]i traits of energy, iierseverance, industry, patriot- 
ism, an<l indomitable will, controlled by the fear of 
God. Their mission was [leace and good-will lo all 
men ; they warred oidy when necessity re(piired. 
Their policy towanls the red man was the same as 
that pursued by VV'illiam I'enn. They first tauglit 
them to plow and plant and reap the fruits of their 
laboi', and made it an otfense even to trespass upon 
their grounds. Then they taught them wlio that 
Great Si)irit was wliom their fathers had ignorantly 
worshiped. 

Until this time our ancestors had generally enjoyed 
peace. But they were now called upon to tiicc King 
Philip, a personal foe of the English, who had excited 
his own tribe an<l his neighbors to a general rising 
against the whites. Tlie town now contaiiu'd less tlian 
fifty white men, live of whom volunteered t<iwards 
filling the (piota jdedged by the Connecticut colony 
to chastise the Narragansetts, who, in violation of 
their treaty obligaticms, were secretly assisting Philip 
to lay waste with fire and tomahawk all the settle- 
ments of the colonists. Ordy the su<ldenness of the 
blow saved the settlements from extermination. 

In 1774 the Indians had nearly disappeared from 
tlie town; only nine remained. In 17'.)(l there were 
none. Prol)ably a few of them removed to other 
localities, but that nearly all the tribe died here is 
evident from the mimerous shell-graves found in the 
Old Field. 

Fifty years ago a descendant of the tribe came to 
view the graves of his anccsters. As he stood on Fla.\ 
Hill his great height, broad shoulders, and Indian 
(•ostume, in the absence of the nu'n, frightened the 
women and chihlren of the neighborhood. It was 
just l)efore the close (d'day. He turned to th(^ n<irth, 
to the cast, to the s'>uth, then towards the setting sun, 
as if to converse with the (ireat Spirit. Tlicn he de- 
l>arted. Whence he came and wiiither he went no 
one could tell. 

The charge, oft repeated, tluit our fatlurs were cruel 
and exacting in their dealings with the Indians of 
Norwalk is without fiiundation. All the huts in their 



49G 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



history show that they were governed hy Christian 
iind patriotic principles in their intercourse with 
tliein. To be sure, tliey resented every encroach- 
ment upon their civil rights with patriotic fervor. 
Anil their mantles have fallen iijion tlieir descend- 
ants, as more than a hundred battle-fields in tlie his- 
tory of the town during; the past two hundred years 
bear witness. 

In the French war there was no lack of patriotism 
on the part of the people of the town. Upon receiv- 
ing- information that a battalion of regulars was to be 
quartered here, the people in town-meeting voted to 
tax themselves for their .support. Many of them 
joined tlie army and were at the reduction of Louis- 
burg, July 2"), 17o8. 

In the Revolutionary war the inhabitants also met 
in town-meeting and called upon all the able-bodied 
men to exert themselves to fill up the battalions or- 
dered by the Continental Congress; they provided for 
the support of the families of those who should enlist. 
They closed their appeal in the following quaint lan- 
guage : "That the virtuous sons of liberty cheerfully 
and readily engage in said service, so that peace and 
rest may once more be restored to the United States 
of America, by means whereof this meeting have 
reason, by the blessing of God, to exi)ect the same 
may be effected." 

The aged people are familiar with the name of Capt. 
Ketcham, who in the hvst war with England, at the 
battle of Niagara, captured Gens. Drummondand Rial, 
officers of the British troops, and their suites, and con- 
ducted tiiem to the rear of the American lines, which 
event, more than any other, contributed to the suc- 
ce.s.s of our arms on that day. Who is not also familiar 
with the name of Frank Gregory, who Headley erro- 
neously says wivs a native of New Haven, but who was 
born in Norwalk, where he resided until he entered 
the naval service in ISOO? Here are the tombs of his 
ancestors. In the last war with the English he wa.s 
taken prisoner and impressed into their service, but 
soon escaped. In the great Rebellion Com. Gregory 
hastened to Washington at seventy years of age and 
otJ'ered his .services to his government ; which fact 
alone is sufficient to immortalize his name. 

When Tryon crossed from Long Island to destroy 
the town the patriotic, old and young, shouldered their 
muskets and met his forces with a determination un- 
surpa-ssed in the annals of the Revolutionary war. 
From the moment the enemy landed they were a-s- 
saulted with so much spirit at every step of their 
progress, by the town militia and the Continentals 
then quartered here, that he left, according to his offi- 
cial report, one hundred and ten killed, wounded, and 
niis.sing behind him in his retreat. 

The engagement at Norwalk may be said to have 
been a series of battles. The British were repulsed 
on Flax Mill, at Pudding Lane, and at France .'Street ; 
they were beaten at every point of attack. The burn- 
ing of tlie town was a great disaster to the people. 



Historians have made this fact prominent, and have 
lost sight of the patriotism, zeal, and courage dis- 
played by the few regulars and the town militia, and 
the successes gained by them on that memorable day 
over Gen. Tryon's soldiers and the Tories who led 
them through the town. We call it the battle of 
Norwalk, for such it really was. Ere this the event 
shoubl have been commemorated by the erection of a 
monument to perpetuate the names of those who fell 
on that day in defense of the town and the cause of 
liberty. Who found fault in the Revolutionary war 
with the patriotism and the institutions founded by 
the first white ancestors of Norwalk ? They were the 
" nullifiers," who opposed all taxation and i)aying any 
interest on obligations for raising funds to arm and 
equip Continental soldiers and for the support of their 
families. The Revolutionary fathers said they \verc 
"inimical persons, and riotous, and dangerous to the 
liberties and independence of the L'nited States of 
America." 

Norwalk in IG"" sent five men to the front; in the 
Rebellion six companies, being about a twenty-fourth 
part of its entire population. 

ONE HUNDRED YEAUS AGO. 

July 10, 1779, Gen. Tryon's fleet, which had been 
moored in Huntington Bay, L. I., was discovered by 
the coa.st-guard stationed at the cove headed, with all 
sail set, for the we^t shore. The guard sounded the 
alarm by firing three muskets, the signal being re- 
peated from hill-top to hill-top until the inhabitants 
of the town were thoroughly aroused, .\fter the 
women, children, and household goods had been 
placed in carts and started for the forast miles away, 
the men shouldered their muskets and proceeded to 
the parade-ground, where they were detailed by com- 
panies to various localities to watch the movements of 
the British. 

On this date, at nine o'clock in the evening, Gen. 
Tryon landed at Cow Pasture with two thousand five 
hundred British troops. July 11, 1779, one hundred 
years ago, the battle or series of battles of Norwalk 
were fought and the town devastated by the British. 
There were in the town less than four huiidred patriot 
troops to op|>ose the ailvance of the enemy, one hun- 
dred and fifty of whom were Continentals, commanded 
by Gen. Parsons, and the town militia and volunteers 
commanded by Capts. Betts and Richards. 

All the particulars of Gen. Tryon's advance from 
Cow Pasture to trrammon's Hill and of his retreat 
have been fully given by the historian, but the inci- 
dents along the line of the advance of Garth's regi- 
ment of Tories, after landing at Old Well, have never 
become published fact.s in the history of the town. 

Historians disagree as to the date of the battle of 
Norwalk. Barber erroneously a.«serts that it occurred 
on July 17, 1779, and he makes Capt. Bitt", in his 
deposition before Justice Betts, say that it was on 
July 12th. Gen. Tryon'3 official report gives the cor- 



I 



4 



NORWALK. 497 



rect diite: lie says July 10th. Thoy crnsscd the , diet, situated near the iiiterseetioti of the turn]>!ko 
8iiund with a fleet of twenty-^ix sail and aneli()re<l road with West Street, the British paid no atteiilioii 
near the mouth of Norwalk Harhiir. The troops to the assaults of the patriots upon their rear and left 
hinde<l ahoiit niiu' o'elork in the <'Vi'niiifr, sle]>t upon flank, so intent were they U]ion erossini; the ford 
their arms at ( 'ow Pasture that ni.!;lit, and early next ' north of the hridge in advanee of the volunteers. lint 
morniny, Svmday, the 11th, moved aeross to Fitehe's , at the residenee of Deaeon Benedict a larjj:e niunher 
Point, on the east side of Norwalk Harhor. where of ( iarth's men partook freely of the wine and eider 
they were joined by the Kinu;"s Ameriean I!eu;inu'nt, ' phieed on th(> front ]ioreh of his house for the patriots 
Tories, who were ordered to eross over in flat-boats to who had been on siuard all ni,u;ht, as the story u'oes. 
<.)ld ^\'ell. They landed soutli of Washinj^ton Street, The deaeon never relatcil the incident withnut smiling 
and Tryon onh'reil a house near the slmrc l)nr:ied as a and remarkinjr that a drnnkcn person, berelt of the 
.signal that he had disemliarked and was ready to use of his limbs, was as liarmhss as a corpse. While 
carry out the orders of his superior. i the Tories were regaling themselves the volunteers, 

(ien. (xarth. upon landing and seeing the i>eoideon who hail all the morning clung to the rear and flanks 
the height< al>ove the ])lain, seems to have entertained of (iarth's troops, at double quick crossed the ford 
the iilea that the patriots were intrenched upon Flax north of the present bridge and joined their eo]nrades. 
Hill, and that it would be necessary to dislodge theni wlio had held their own against Tryon"s for<-e for five 
before attempting to join Men. Tryon at the bridge, hours, at tlu' liusiness centre of tlie town. 
So he divided his regiment, and its left wing, as a ' <ien. Tryon moved from t'ow I'asture to Fitehe's 
feint, charged through the fields, and the right filed Point at tliree o'clock in the morning. Following the 
into the shore road to Marshall and .\nu Streets, shore, about four o'ldock he readied tlie down town 
tlience to West Street, forming a junction witli the ' road, where he met the Continental troops and militia, 

lett at the interieetion of Spring with West Street, who slowly and in g 1 order retreated to (irunimon's 

near the stone church. Here there was severe fight- ' Hill, thence to the business jiart of the town, still 
ing, and the enemy became disconcerted, but sue- , pursued by the enemy. Nor were thcydislodged until 
ceedcd in gaining the summit of the first hill. Tint the junction of ( iarth's an<l Tryon's divisions north of 
at the foot of the second they became panic-stricken, the bridge, wdien the patriots retreated in excellent 
so sharp and rapid was the fire of the patriots, com- order to tlie rocks, where some hasty preparations had 
mandeil by ('apt. Richards, secrete<l behind the stone ' bi'cii made for the final battle. 

walls on the eastern .slope of the hill stretching from i ,\t ten o'clock in tlie forenoon the battle of the 
the main road to Round Hill. In this encounter tlie rocks on France Street conimenced, lasting till twelve 
enemy lost three men, and several more were wounded, noon, at which hour Tryon ordered his army to re- 
Here fiarth massed his trooj)S, as if expecting another treat. .\s it did so it was pursued by the Contincn- 
attack from the volunteers, then filed his men into j tals and a portion of the volunteers and town militia, 
the field formerly the homestead of the late Deacon who clung to his rear until he was in sight of the place 
Nash, and repeated the mameuvre, probably to eon- ; of diseniharkation the previous evening. With the 
ceal the place of burial <>i' his dead. Their remains , order to retreat came also the order to complete the 
were disinterred when excavating for the foundation devastation by fire of the remainder of the dwellings 
of the house now owned by L. H. Moor, Es(|. ' ' of the people, whiidi order was mercilessly executed. 

At this juncture of affairs a I?ritish officer appeared Six houses only were left standing on their line of ad- 
on the brow of Flax Hill. After surveying the situ- ' vance and retreat, — four on the east and two on the west 
ation a few moments he commenced to llonrish his side of the harlior. These were spare<l through tlu^ 
sword, as if giving orders to the enemy to advance. iiitcr]iosition of women who claimeil the protection of 
This he repeated several times, to the amnsement of the Briti.sh on account of the loyalty of their husbands 
the patriots, who with deliberate aim fired their mus- to King (ieorge. The enemy destroyed all the salt- 
kets, when he stretchi'd himself upon his steed's neck pans of the people along the shore, and towecl to their 
and gallo])ed out of sight, his cocked hat and tall fleet every whale-boat in the harbor, with the niaga- 
plunie appearing as if transferrcil from the head of zine and stores gathered in the town for the army. 
the rider to that of the horse. All the whaling and other vessels moore<l at the docks 

Having interre<l their dead, (iartli resiime(l liis line or in the river wire burned. 
of advance through the field to Sound Hill, and on its Tryon's ollieial re[iorf of the battle of Norwalk says 

summit |)laced a field-gun. Here he remained inac- he retired his men in two c()lunins to the place of his 
tive about an hour, then filed his men into (!edar first debarkation unassailed. This is not the fact. Tin- 
Strci't, tlienee down the hill by the old malt-house to ]iatriots who participated in tlie battle ever claimed 
Main Street, though some of the eye-witnesses (dainu^d that tlie J5ritish were harassed from the moment 
that tlie enemy passed through (iarner Street. Prol)- , of their advance until they left- our shores, and that 
ably both versions are correct, as in all his jirevious ; (ten. (iarth's force was beaten on Flax Hill, and the 
movements (iartli divided his force. i combined forces of the enemy at France Strei^t after 

From Main Street to the residence of Thomas Bene- two hours' severe fightin<r. This was the verdict of the 



498 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



old people of fifty years ago, who were eye-witnesses 
of all that transpired on that memorable day. Barber 
is again in error when he says six houses only were 
left undestroyetl by the JJritish : thcie was only that 
nuinluT sjjarcd on the line of their advance and re- 
treat. Tryon's official report says the greater part of 
the dwoUing-houses were set in flames. There were 
more than thirty houses which were not burned, 
having been situated principally off the roads over 
which the enemy passed on the day of battle. The 
British and Tories burned, all told, on .July 11, 1779, 
eighty dwellings, two churches, cighty-.seven barns, 
seventeen shops, and four mills, in addition to the 
property heretofore enumerated. : 

At the date of the battle of Norwalk the town had 
been settled about one hundred and twenty-five years, 
and its ta.xabic property had increased from a few 
Imnilred pounds to three huiuhcil thousand dollars in 
177!l. The damage done by the .s.acking of tlie town 
was estimated, by a committee appointed by the Gen- 
eral Assembly of the State, at about one hundred and 
sixteen thousand dollars, in consideration of which 
the general government awarded to Connecticut a 
large tract of land in Northern Ohio, which was 
partly settled by emigrants from Norwalk. 

Historians tell but half the truth when they desig- 
nate July 11, 1779, a-s the date of the burning and i 
not of the battle of Norwalk. The enemy were re- i 
l)elled or held in check at cver>' point of attack. It 
took, according to Tryon's report, five hours for his 
troops to dislodge the patriots at the business centre. 
8o far as we know, but two men were killed and but 
one wounded or captured on our side, while the Brit- 
ish, according to Tryon's ofiicial report, lost twenty 
killed, ninety-six wounded, and thirty-two missing 
or unaccounted for. 

Gen. Washington, at the date of the invasion of 
Norwalk by the British, was encamped with his army 
on the banks of the Hudson Kiver. On or about , 
July 9th he dispatched Gen. Parsons to Norwalk to I 
assume command of and "give confidence to the 
militia and guide their movements." One day's 
ride brought (ien. Parsons here, giving him a day or 
two to marshal his troops for the defense of the town. 
Hut, finding the force present inadc(iuate in nnmbcrs 
and discipline to cope with Gen. Tryon's experienced 
froo|»s and Hessians, he placed in position, on the 
hill near the rocks, the battery of six cannon brought 
from Salisbury by Thaddeus Betts two ycai-s previous. 

Gen. Parsons, witli the few troops at his command, 
determined to meet the enemy in andjuscade.s, the 
objective point being the rocks; the line of retreat 
of all the patriot troops engaged was in that direc- 
tion. There nearly all the volunteers, militia, and 
Continental troops united for the final conflict. The 
result of the fight with Tryon's troops on France 
Street, sent to dislodjre <ien. Parsons's and Walcott's 
command, shows that the jilan of battle was skillfully 
laid, and that it was no ordinary aftair, considering 



that there were less than four hundred patriot sol- 
diers opposed to at least three-quarters of Tryon's 
force of two thousand five hundred trained troops 
landed at Cow Pasture and Fitche's Point the night 
of the Utth of July. 

The late Dr. N. Bimton was good authority in our 
local historical matters. He was personally ac- 
quainted with all the Revolutionary sires of his time, 
and was verj* particular to note all the authenticated 
facts and incidents communicated by them. In his 
two hundredth anniversary discourse of the settle- 
ment of Norwalk he says that the militia and Conti- 
nental troo])s, headed by Gens. Parsons and Walcott, 
were on the hill near the rocks, whence they fired on 
the enemy at Grummon's Hill. To drive the former 
from their position Tryon dispatched a large body 
of troops, who were met by our soldiers in France 
Street, and greeted them with so warm a reception 
that their progress Wiis checked, and ere noon they 
were on the retreat. 

Gen. Walcott came to Norwalk in advance of his 
command. Gen. Parsons came here to direct the 
movements of the militia. Probably the former 
came to as.sume the supervision of the Continental 
troops of Gen. Butler's brigade stationed in the town. 
It is very doubtful if Gen. Walcott's command ar- 
rived in Norwalk after the battle. The greater prob- 
ability is that as soon as the British were on ship- 
board Gen. AValcott retraced his steps with a view of 
intercepting his command. If any troops arrived, 
they were the remainder of (ien. Butler's brigade. 
If there are any well-authenticated facts as to the 
arrival of patriot troops the day following the battle, 
we have to the present time been unable to find them. 

The following quotation from (Jen. Parsons' letter 
to Governor Trumbull, dated at Stamford, July 17, 
1779, is conclusive on the point. The general says, 
"The depredations of the enemy upon the sca-coiust 
of th(« State Gen. Walcott has doubtless particularly 
informed you of;" then adds, "The destruction of 
Norwalk is what I have been a witness of." 

Those historians who have given July 12th as the 
date of tlic destruction of Norwalk were probably 
misled by Barber, I'rom the fact that he makes Tryon 
say that he landed on the 12th. 

Dr. Hall and nearly all the modern historians of 
Connecticut have given the same date a.s being that 
of the burning of the town. Even the yorwa/t (iuicllc, 
.Viint I'hebe, and the omniiireseut Onesimus, who waa 
always in the wood-pile when anything was about to 
transpire, and upon whose assertions much of the 
history of the event is ba;sed, also say that it occurred 
on the 12th. If Aunt Phebe and Onesimus in this 
instance failed to be correct, it is not impossible that 
other portions of their statements are also incorrect, 
— at least somewhat odoreil, as both liad the name of 
having been rather visionary and superstilitms withal. 

The date of the burning of the town was settled by 
Dr. Nathaniel Boutou in his historical discourse deliv-/ 



NOKWALK. 



409 



cred in Jsorwalk in 1S51, in which ho says, "On 
Satnrflay, tlie KHli, the Britisli tlrct a|i|icaiiMl in our 
liarliiir," ami "as tlu' morning of tiii' .'^alil>atli dawnuil 
the British troops were seen iMinccntratiiii; from botli 
sides of our liarbor at (irumnu)n's Hill, and the roar 
of cannon and fire of muslcets, in strange contrast with 
the usual stillness of the Sabbath, deepened the terror 
of the scene." The doctor fixed the date of the event 
with no dispute in view. 

Whatever we have or may say in relating the remi- 
niscences of Norwalk wliich have gained credence 
and been incorporated into its local history will be in 
no spirit of unjust criticism, but with a view to arrive 
at the truth and to show the im]irol)ability <]f some of 
the stories which for more than aijuarter <if a century 
have been supposed to I>e facts. ICvery statement in 
the history of the town not sustained by at least a 
probability should at once be discariled from it, the 
mystical features of which have obtained credit since 
the death of those who participated in the engage- 
ment of July 11, 177'.'. and sanctioned by Dr. Hall's 
history, made up in part by interviewing the very 
aged people of the town. 8ome of these reminis- 
cences were incredible, as were some of the incidents 
related of (ien. Washington and <d' Dr. Franklin 
when they were said to be journeying Ihrough Xor- 
walk. 

Gen. Washington may or may not have ]>a.ssed 
through the town on or about .Tune :i(i, 177o. soon 
after his appointment by Congress coniuianiler-in- 
chief of the Continental army. He made the tour of 
the Northern vStates very soon after the adjourunu^nt 
of the first session of the first Congress, with the view 
of harmonizing the discordant elements rile in the 
country, and of observing the nnitcrial growth ami 
condition of the pcojile since tlic idose of the lievcjlu- 
ionary war. .rames Seymour. Sr., related that (li'U. 
Washington passed through the town soon after he 
was inaugurated President of the new republic, and 
when ojiposite his residence he saw an imi)roved plow 
by the roadside and alighted from his carriage, seized 
its handles, and examined it closely, making nuiny in- 
quiries as to its efficiency. 

It i.s important to know on whicdi of tliese occasions 
Miss I'hebe Comstock saw (!en. Washington, in order 
to prove her reminiscences of him correct and worthy 
a ])lace in the aninils of the town. 

It will be neeessiiry to examine one of Miss Phebe's 
stories of an earlier date in order to test hi'r memory 
relating to those given by her eoneerning the buriung 
of the town in 1779. 

At the age of sixteen she and her slave O'ne, it is 
said, rode into town on horseback to see Dr. Franklin, 
the philosopher and sage. ]u tlu' summer of 1778, 
Br. Franklin was in the northern counties of Eng- 
land, and while at the Lake of Derwcnt, it is said, for 
the gratification of the persons with him, he smoothed 
its ruffled surface with oil, which he carried in the 
head of his cane. Perhaps this story preceded his 



return to America, and as he passed through the 
country the children wen' eager to see the nnm who 
hud ]ierfornied so wonderful a feat in the old country. 
Hence the story of his smoothing the rijiplecl waters 
in Norwalk. 

Ocbdier, 1723, Pienjauiin Franklin left lioston to 
seek his fortune. He visite<l it three times from that 
date, making the jouriu'y each time by water. Dur- 
ing ]7fio he ])lanned a tour of the noithcrn c(donies 
to examine the ]iost-oHices. This is the only time 
that he was in Norwalk. So there should be no cre- 
dence given to her story as to her seeing I)r. Franklin 
quieting the ripple(l wafers on the church green in 
file town with s]iirits of turpentine. The story was 
a creation <if her childish dreams. She or < )'nc never 
saw him, for the very good reascui that they were both 
born alHiuf 17113, the vear Dr. Franklin inspected the 
post-otHces. 

The true accounts of the events of the battle cd" 
Norwalk were corroborated by all those enL'aged. 
When Tlnmnis Benedict, Nathaniil Raymond, 
Thomas Walter, ami Daniel Hoyt, .loscpli and 
Major Warren, Samuel Richards, and many others, 
related incidents of the Revolution and the burning 
of Norwalk, eaidi confirmed the story of the others 
as to tinu\ ]daee, and the nature of the occurrences, 
thus establishing the facts beyond controversy. 

This is not the case when Miss Comstock and Cnes- 
imus ndated their adventures during the same jieriod. 
Tlieir wonls stand n]Hin their naked assertions. They 
never had the credit among their contem]ioraries of 
seeing a tithe of what they claimed they saw, par- 
ticularly during the lOth and 11th of July. 177;i. It 
is not to he presumed even that Dr. Hall, when ques- 
tioning !Miss I'hebe Comstock, did not understand 
what she said. He gave her statements just as he re- 
ceived them from her lijis, and was well aware that 
the la<ly was giving an account of her own acts, not 
those of her nuither. So Dr. Hall did not get the 
afiair of raking salt-hay mixed or muddled, for he 
was remarkable in comprehending the ideas of others 
in eonvi'rsation, and noted for exactness of statement. 

When it is said that Miss Comstock and her slave 
wi're on the meadows raking salt-hay when the British 
fleet anchored in the harbor in 177!', the critical 
reader knows that it was not the fact, — first, for the 
good reason that when Norwalk was lai<l in ashes the 
inhabitants were in the midst of their grain harvest ; 
second, our people were never in the ]iraetice of cut- 
ting salt-hay until the grain was stori'il. August and 
Set)tend)er have from time inunemorial been the 
months for cutting and stacking salt-grass. The 
statement, then, that Onesimus and his mistress gave 
the fir.st alarm when the P>ritish were about to invade 
] the town is simply a cannrd. 

The British shipping was seen by the coast-guard, 

early on the morning of the 10th of .Tuly, advancing 

towards the. north shore, and they gave the usual 

' alarm, ('an there be a (irobability even that tlie twain, 



500 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



after tlie commotion caused by tlie morning alarm, 
went down to the meadow to gatlier grass and stayed 
there all day? Who believes that this colored oracle 
looked up about sundown and beheld the British fleet 
in the luirbor? 

Neither were they on the meadows after the town 
w:ia burnt. If they were, and the ]>e(iple rallied and 
captured two " red-coats," where is the history of the 
event recorded ? Who ever heard the account except j 
from the lips of these persons? The whole .story is 
an improbability. The statement of Onesimus that 
he saw the harbor full of British vessels numned by 
red-coats gives a positive denial to the assertion of 
the colored oracle, for the enemy were never in the 
harbor in force after July 10, 1779. No doubt but 
he had a great scare, and mounted his horse and rode 
home, but it was long after the war. But, as the 
statement appears, Onesimus, wlien he reached his 
home, tells tlie elder Phebp tliat the British had 
come. Here Miss Piiebe is lost sight of, and the 
slave and Mrs. Phebe proceed to the hill, and she 
climbs into an apple-tree, — sweet, of course, — and 
from her lookout sees the red-coats carrying their 
dead and wounded to their boats ; which supposes 
they may have been moored on Clrumnion's Hill. 
But it so happened that they were ancliorcd at Cow 
Piisturc and Fitche's Point. Who is so simple as to 
believe that Mrs. Comstock from her perch saw the 
river, or Grummon's Hill even? It is about six 
miles from the hill where she sat to Cow Pasture; 
even with a powerful eye-glass she could not see either. 
A\'hich are we to believe? Miss Pliebe says she got 
into the apple-tree and saw the enemy ; Onesimus 
says that it was the elder Phebe who climbed the 
tree the red-coats to see. Doubtless the statements 
are the result of impressions derived from conver- 
sation of older peojile heard at so early an age that 
tlie listeners were fin;illy led to believe that they had 
really seen all which they related of the events of 
1779." 

With these facts before us, their reminiscences of 
the British landing and burning of the town should 
no longer have a place in the history of Norwalk. 

IlKMINLSCEXCES OF THE IXDr.AN CITY OF N.\RA. 
.MAKE AND IT.S FOl'.VDEU.'*. AND OF THE I'AM- 
rA.SKE.-illArK— I.NCIDEXTS OF THE llEVOLUTIOX- 
Aliy WAR IX TIIEIH LOCALITIES. 

One mile south of the city of South Norwalk, and 
midway between it and Five-Mile Itivcr landing is an 
inlet or arm of the Sounil, now known as " The Cove," 
which from the commencement of commerce between 
New Amsterdam and the New England colonie.s has 
been a safe anchorage for vessels in the carrying trade 
from the northea-sters which at certain seasons of the 
year sweep acro.ss it. This inlet, or the stream which 
empties into it, was known by the Imlians as the 
Pampaskesluiuk. Later the inhabitant.s called it Hoof 
and Horn Creek, from the fact that cattle often per- 



ished in the brook at the crossing of the highway. 
The Pampaskeshauk was the west bound of the pur- 
chase by Richard Webb, Nathaniel Ely, and others, 
of the Indians, Feb. 15, 1651, which said, "Brook 
and passage the bounds west e.xtcndeth up into the 
country by marked trees; and the aforesaid land 
bounded on the south with the sea, and on the north 
with the Mohakes' Country." As the Mohegan In- 
dians possessed the country bordering on the Hudson 
River, probably the purchase from the Norwalk In- 
dians by Webb and Ely extended to Byram River. 

The first white settlers of Norwalk named this 
stream Rooton Brook, Rooton being the name of the 
territory bordering uj)on it on the west. Its course 
from the cove is due north through Ely's Neck, and 
it forms the west bound of this city from Springwood 
to the west corner of Bouton Lane and the old Boston 
Turni)ike. This country, " butted on the sea," is the 
teiritory over which the " Cow- Boys" and Tories raided 
in 1778 and 1779, and is one of the most pieturesi)ue 
localities in Norwalk. It is surrounded on the north 
and west by promontories covered with oak, chestnut, 
walnut, maple, and the North American cedar, the 
slo])es of which and the plain west and south in olden 
times yielded good crojjs of the cereals and pasture of 
large herds of cattle, which were exchanged for mer- 
chandise with masters of vessels coasting between 
" Manhattan Island" and the settlements on the Con- 
necticut River. One mile west of this locality is sit- 
uated the "Cove in the Rocks," though now i>artially 
obliterated. In 1781 it wa.s in the parish nf Middle- 
sex, and in the town of Stamford, over which the Rev. 
Dr. Mather presided as its pastor. 

I never visit the " country butted on the sea" with- 
out reviving the thoughts and emotions experienced 
on my first visit to it in boyhood, when from cliff and 
tree came audible sounds, making the hairs to stand 
on end, questioning, " From whence and whither go- 
ing?" And !us the sun sank behind the hills the 
shadows of objects animate and inanimate would 
lengthen into fantastic forms. If I ran or walked the 
phantoms were present whispering, "This is sacred 
ground. ]Iero are the graves of the sachems and the 
tribe over whom they ruled, whose spirits for two 
huiulred years have made this place their abode. 
Tread lightly on their graves. If the tomahawks, 
arrows, mortars, pestles, wampum, or bones are dis- 
turbed, rebury them so deep that they shall never be 
molested again by sacrilegi<ms hands. The avarice 
of the white race robbed us of the right to life, liberty, 
and country. For a few valueless trinkets it took 
from us our heritage. By war and the intrnduotion 
of firo-water it depopulated our village as with the 
bc-som of destruction. The implements and the hu- 
num bones buried here are the seals that the title of 
the red man to the soil is still unrevoked." 

Upon the point of laud lying between the Pampas- 
keshank and Norwalk Rivers are the remains of the 
ruins of an Indian city of no mean dimensions of the 



NORWALK. 



501 



Naramakes, a clan of the once-powerful Mohepian 
nation, a remnant of wliirli were in existence after 
tlie settlement of Xorwalk in l(i"i!. Winne])anke, — 
wlio sold tu Kev. :\Ir. llanford, in IC'.KI, his island 
" Lying airainst Hooton," — C'aelienoes, and Karanuike 
wi're sachems of independent elans of the Mohegans, 
after whom their respective villages and the territory 
possessed hy tliem were named. JFaliackems, >Ia- 
touwacks, Swanoys.and othcndanswlio held sway over 
tlie country l)etween Norwalk and ^Fanhattan Island 
were also independent clans of tlie same nation. 
The " Mahackems," or " Makcntons," sold their lands 
to Capl. Patrick, as did Maraniacke a portion of his, 
all of which was conveyed in the same deed. The 
first named lay west of the Pampaskeshank, and the 
latter east of it. These varicrus elans, though inde- 
pendent, seem to have lieen under a sort of I'ederal 
government, similar to that of the I'niled States of 
America, for the common defense. Pancroft the his- 
torian says that the "country between the hanks of 
the (>)nneetieut and the Hudson was possessed hy in- 
dependent villages of the Moliegans." The Indian 
city referred to, without thi- least donht, was one of 
those independent villages, and was named after Nar- 
anuike, its founder, a descendant of whom was one of 
the signers of the deed to Patrick, llciu'e, may not 
Norruck, Xorthwalk, and Norwalk — names hy which 
the river and adjacent country were kno^i hy our 
ancestors — have heen a perversion of Xaramake? It 
is an error which those unacquainted with the Indian 
dialect nnght naturally have fallen into. Tradi- 
tion says that Xaramake, wliose nanu:' stands second 
in the deed conveying to "Daniell Patrick" certain 
lands in 1G40, was a descendantof a chief of the same 
name, whose possessions had heen n-iluced by con- 
quest to the small territory purchased hy Patrick. 

There is a reasonable certainty that tln' Indian 
name of the land "butted on the sea," at the date of 
the settlement of the town by the whites, was X'ara- 
make. Trund)ull says that the In<lians often named 
places after their princiiial men. But De Forrest de- 
nies that they did so. Nevertheless it was a fact as to 
certain localities in this town. For instance, Jlamachi- 
mon's and Chashenoe's Islands still retain the names 
of those sachems wdio sold them to the " Inhabitants 
of Norwalk." X'o historian has ever intimated that 
the Norwalk River derived its name from any pecu- 
liarity in the eidor or in the ebb and How of its waters 
into Long Island Sound, or the beautiful islands which 
guard its mouth, or the natural scenery of the coun- 
try bordering upon it, has any signitieanee from whicli 
it could have derived its name. Hence we conclude? 
that the Indian name of this town was Xaranuike, and 
that it was named after the ancestor of one of the sa- 
chems who deeded to Capt. Patrick " tlie ground called 
Sacunytenapueke, Meeanworth, Asumsowis, and all 
the land adjoining to the aforementioned, as far up in 
the country as an Indian can go in a day ;" probably 
to the south bound of the land po.sscssed by the Uam- 



,, poos at Ridgefield, lying west of the X'aramake River. 
N'aranuike, after disposing of his lands to Capt. 
Patrick, removed to Ridgetield and joincil the tribe 
known in history as the Kampoos. When this tribe, 
in 1708, sold its possessions to a company of settlers 
from X'orwalk and Miltbrd, he went to the I'ar West 
and was lost sight of 

The Indian city of Xaramake was sitnateil upon 
IVlden's or Wilson's Point. Its boun<laries can now 
be more easily traceil than many of the landmarks of 
the (irst settlers of the town. lOast of the residence 
of the late Mrs. Wilson is a plot of land of several 
acres known as Piatt's Jleadow, ujion which were lo- 
cated the wigwams of the tribe, beneath the soil of 
whicli are found fragments of earthenware, shells, 
stone hatchets, mortars, iicstles, arnjw-heads, and 
stones laid by human hands. 8cniih of this is another 
jihit of land, which must have been used by the tribe 
as a feasting-ground, beiu'ath the surface of which 
are the bones of animals and birds and oyster-shells 
from two to si.K feet deep. To the left of this is a 
]iiece of arable land used by them as a garden, in 
which they eultivatiMl every species of herbs for medi- 
cal purposes. The elder 1)1'. McLane's attention 
having been called to this field, he said that there was 
no disease to which the human race was subject but a 
remedy could there be found, (irasses an<l weeds 
cannot thrive in the soil, as it is thoroughly impreg- 
nated with shell-lime. 

The renunuder of the land in Ibis locality has the 
ajipearance of having lieen a common field for the 
sepulchre of their dead. Probably each head of a 
family had ai)|iortioneil to him a certain cpiantity of 
land for cultivation, which was also useil as a family 
burying-ground. X'umerous skeletons of the Xara- 
makes have been e.\hume<l, all of which were found 
in the same jiosition, with the head elevated and 
facing to tlie east. That this tribe was distini't from 
those buried in the Old Indian Field is evident from 
the fact that in the latter the skeletons are found in 
various ]iositions and I'acing north, S(uith, east, and 
west. I''roni this lact the inference i.s that previous 

' to the time when our ancestors settled here Xaramake 
was a sort of city of refuge for fhe disaffected of the 
tribes in the surroumling country. The bones dis- 
covered in the vicinity of this ancient city indicate 

that they were of lan;e stature, and their skulls that 
I . . 

thev were of larger brain than the averajre of sava-res. 

There were indeed giants in the land. The bones 

of an Indian taken from a shell-grave on this held a 

few years since, wlien set mi, measured seven feet live 

inches. Though it may si'cm incredible, we have for 

it the word of C E. Wilson, who says that Dr. Mc- 

Lane also saw the skeleton. It may be asked, From 

whence came this i)eople'? No doubt they descended 

from the Five Nations, as both buried their dead 

facing the east. Further, the implements fouml in 

the shell-graves of Naramake are more elaborately 

wrought than those haind in the graves on the Indian 



502 



HISTOllY OF FAIHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Field. As the Five Nations were superior to other 
tribes in artistic skill, in government, war, and the 
knowledge of the geography of the country, so it may 
be implied that the inhabitants of this Indian city, 
who showed equal skill [jarticularly in the finish of 
their implements, were of the same blood. Mr. C. E. 
AVilson presented to the writer several Indian relics 
found at Naranuike. The arrows and spear-heads 
formed from basalt are superior to anything of the 
kind yet discovered in the Old Indian Field or any 
other locality in this town. 

Upon tlie heights above tlie west bank of the Pam- 
paskeshank are also the ruins of two lesser villages of 
the same elan. As there is no feasting- or burial- 
place in the vicinity, it may be inferred that they 
were places of defense or outposts of the main city. 
These promontories still indicate that they have been 
at some period fortified, from which is an outlook 
towards tlie east, south, and west of unsurpassed gran- 
deur, from whicli also is seen the entrance into Nor- 
walk Harbor, around which stand as sentinels Cack- 
enoes', Mamachimons', Chackanenos', and numer- 
ous other islands. Further to the east is " Cackenoes 
de Long Island Sea," over which the Indians passed 
in their frail canoes, but which is now studded with 
every species of vessel in the carrying trade between 
centres of commerce. Still farther on is seen " Cack- 
enoes or Long Island," which may also be seen on a 
cloudless day with the naked eye, its banks of pure 
white sand in contrast with its verdure of tbrest and 
cultivated fields, together with the church-spires of 
the town of Huntington and Eden's Neck Light- 
house, the headquarters of Governor Tryon in 1779, 
at which date a personage of large frame and ener- 
getic will resided at the base of the outlook described, 
who, though a professed religious character, rode sev- 
eral miles just to say to a relative, " Ask your wife if 
you may be rich." Indeed, he was literally lord of 
about all he surveyed. His j)ossejjsions were bounded 
east by the Pampaskeshank, south and west by Long 
Island Sound and llootou Kiver. In the year 17()!) 
he reared a new domicile on a rise of ground sloping 
towards the river, the chimney of which for more 
than a hundred years has been one of the ranges to 
designate "(Jreat Koeks," and not unknown in these 
days to i)ersons who angle in the tleep waters of the 
Sound, and to the harbor-masters who pilot vessels 
through the " Middle Passage." This Jiouse wa.s well 
protected from the cold winds of winter by the hills 
and forests on tlie north and west, and fanned by the 
gentle breezes of midsuninier from the " Cackenoes 
de Long Island Sea." Its locality is one of the pleas- 
antcst and most desirable places for a residence 
within the purchase made by Daniel Patrick of the 
chiefs of the country in 1(540. It will be nece.ssary to 
describe that new house. It was a two-story frame 
Imilding, with a long steep roof in its rear. The 
main timbers were oak, fourteen inches square and 
covered with chestnut shingles, with the butts four- 



teen inches to the weather. The chimney was situ- 
ated in the centre of the building and constructed of 
rough stone, with cross-sticks of oak. Its inside was 
plastered with lime made of clam- and oyster-shells 
found in the Indian graves in the vicinity of the city 
of Naramake. The windows were few and small. 
The main fireplace faced one of the front windows, 
from which its owner could see Long Island and the 
waters intervening, and the movements of any friendly 
or piratical vessels sailing up or down the coast. We 
have thus particularized this house and its owner, as 
both have a history in connection with the Ilevolu- 
tionary war. Ten years later Tryon's hcathpiarters 
were in the vicinity of Huntington, L. I., from 
whence his army raided upon the defenseless inhabi- 
tants on the west shore from Greenwich to Fairfield, 
destroying their dwellings and carrying away their 
jn'oduce and running off their cattle to replenish his 
commissariat. 

Tliough the dweller of Pampaskeshank had fre- 
quently been in communication with Tryon's com- 
missary, yet he had not had the pleasure of a per- 
sonal acquaintance with the British commander. His 
introduction to him was as follows: He was the 
owner of a trading-vessel. When returning from 
Boston with a cargo of general merchandise, he was 
met by Tryon's fleet midway of the Sound and his 
vessel captured and himself made a prisoner, where- 
upon he commanded his captors to take him before 
Tryon, the result, it is said, being he was soon re- 
leased, but not till the enemy had unloaded his cargo. 
Tradition says that he received therefor in British 
gold more than it wa-s worth. This incident brought 
the dweller of Pamp:iskcshank and Tryon's commis- 
sary into more intimate business relations, which the 
former used to bis pecuniary advantage. When for- 
aging upon the inhabitants of Long Island failed to 
furnish subsistence to the Briti.sh army, Tryon siMit to 
the main land trading-parties who usually landed at 
midnight at Wilson's or Belden's Point, and the house 
at Pampaskeshank became their rendezvous. But 
they were exceedingly cautious when approaching 
the shore. Unless the signal indicated that the coast- 
guard were at a resjiectful distance they remained in 
the otKng. But if a light from the fireplace rcHected 
through the window, they ventured to land and en- 
tered the house, when its owner proceeded to drive 
sharp and jirofitablc bargains for produce and cattle 
from his domain, which could only be designated by 
his mark, that of a "crop of the Iclll ecar." Tryon 
found in his new-made friend a loyal subject of the 
British crown. So he iiijtructed his commissary not 
to molest his friend's property or run o(f cattle upon 
which his mark was found. It may be inferred from 
what has been said that the dweller of Pampaske- 
shank was no friend of the patriots of the Revolution. 
He stood in the same attitude towards them and the 
government that many stood in the late Kebellion, 
neutral or indifferent, but used every device to pro- 



NORWALK. 



503 



cure contracts, or became blockade-runners, l)y which 
nieaiis they became suddenly wealthy at the expense 
of the blood of the patriots of the government. The 
personage reforre<l to was not really an enemy of the 
country, as his eldest son served in the Continental 
army. 

Tlie followinji is a copy of an order, in Tryon's own 
handwritintr, found by workmen, when repairinj; his 
house in 1798, between tlie roof-boards and ralters, 
and decides his status in the Revolutionary war: 

"Pfliver tho Iwf. sniin, iiiij v.-gctiiMcs, j.Kviuiisly ..nl.Tt-il, to my 
commissary. Srinl tlu-m to the iisiial plui c of siiiiimrnt. 

"llRS. Tiivnx." 

Upon the territory lying between the P;im]iaske- 
shank River anil " Rooton Point" resideil iti tlie Rev- 
olution certain persons whose sym]i;itiiies were with 
the British troverninent, and whose residences were 
the rendezvous of the Tories, Cow-l?oys, ami the for- 
aging-parties from Tryon's army. Here congregated 
the Tories and the disatfected towards the patriots for 
several miles south and west of it. This was the centre 
from which radiatecl the jiartii's which plumlered the 
inhabitants of the mtiin land. Here originateil the 
frequent false alarms that cxciteil the fctirs of the 
patriots. Here also congregated after nightfall dis- 
loyal men from Cranberry Plain and from thethickly- 
settleil jiart of the town and from the jiarish of Jlid- 
dlesox, whose plottings made the ptitriot^ feel tluit 
their lives and property were insecure. This state of 
affairs led the inhabitants of the town, tit a .special 
meeting, reliriniry, 1782, to devise measures to meet 
the exigency. The meeting voted to raise ninety 
men to serve si.K months, who were distributed ;is 
follows: Eighteen east of Norwtilk River, eighteen at 
the going on of Stephens Island, eigliteen at Old 
Well, eighteen at Flax Hill, tind eighteen at Jliddle- 
sex, the aUotment of which shows that the objective 
point was not only to guard the coast, but to keep in 
subjection the disaffected persons-residing within the 
territory jiurchased by (."apt. Patrick of the Indians. 
The men for this special duty were cnrolleil in their 
respective localities by men appointed for that [tar- 
ticular duty. But said rolls were never put upon the 
town records, liut were left in the hands of the com- 
inanclers of the companies and were lost. The writer, 
when a lad, saw in tho garret of the house in which 
he resided a roll of the guard stationed on Vhis. Hill, 
— viz.: Walter, Thomas, Daniel, and John Hoyt, 
Eliahim, (Jeorge, Hezekiah, John, and Nathaniel 
Raynnmd, Eliahim Smith and Eliahim, .Jr.. Hoi>kins 
and Jloses By.Kbee, Joseph, Joshua, and AN'illiam 
Houton, Nathan Knapji, and Bte]ihen Wood. The 
following are the ntimcs of the gutird of IMiddlesex, 
as rehearsed to the writer by old people who died titty 
years ago : Daniel, Eli, and Moses M. Warren, John 
and William Reed, Nathan, Nathaniel, and Josiah 
Hoyt, Eliahim, Joseph, Niithan, Joseph, Jr., Warren, 
David, Gershom, and Samuel Richards, Nathaniel 
Street, and Paul Ravniond. The oeeupation of the 



j coast between tho Panipaskeshtuik and Roottm Point 
by the British army from Long Island w;is fur strateg- 
ical reasons, as they were not only :ible to gather su))- 
plit's for their army, but to communii'iite with their 
main force on the line of the Hudson River by 
relays. 

Kitty years .ago, Thfimas, Danitd, and Walter Hoyt, 
William Boutoii, and Stephen Wood, tiged residents 
fif Flax Hill, used to rehearse to the children of the 
neighliorhood their exploits with the red-coats and 
Tories of the Revolution. They having on one occa- 
sion received reliable information that the British and 
Tories had arranged to meet at midnight at a certain 
house lietwecn the I'ampaskeshank and Rooton Point 
to organize a raid to capture some of the jiatriots, the 
guard of Flax Hill tiinl Miildlesex rtiUicd and ]iro- 
ceetled to c:iiiture the woidd-be captors. They sur- 
rounded the house in which the Tories h.ad congre- 
gated. They watched for the enemy till morning 
without avail. When at a respectful distance to- 
wards their homes, the enemy emerged from their 
conceidment ami ran for their boats; but those left 
in charge of them, having become alarmed at the 
prcdonged absence of their comrades, rccrosseil the 
Sound, upon which the enemy fled into the ftjrest 
and the guard gave up the pursuit. On another oc- 
casion the guards started in the night to arrest several 
persoTis near the coast who were charged with the 
crime of jiiloting Tryon's raiding-jiarties through the 
) country, but upon their ajiiiroaeh they fled, as usual, 
: and could not be found. ( )ne of the Tories whom the 
guard was \-cry desirous to ca])ture did not return to 
his family until the close of the war. He was reported 
as liaving tlcil to Canada. But very soon after the 
surrender of the British iirmy at Yorktown he re- 
turned to his family. A short time previous to tlu' 
Ijurning of Norwalk was heard in i[uick sneccssion 
the report of three muskets, the signal that the enemy 
were landing, which brought every patriot in the town 
to the coast. The affair, however, was but a ruse of 
the Tories for the purpose of seeing what would be the 
etfect upon the jieoplc, that Tryon might judge if it 
would be jiractictible to cope with the rebels when he 
was prepared to land his army. Finding that they 
had been deceived, they pursueil the Tories, and were 
about making them prisoners when they passed from 
view. 

Sunday morning, July 22, 1781, a company of I'.ritish 
troops landed on the west shore of the Pamjjaske- 
shank, and, with a few disati'ectcd persons, proceeded 
to the parish church of IMidillesex for the purimse of 
nuiking prisoners of the congregation. But those 
members most obno.xious to the troops and Tories 
being absent from the morning service, the enemy hid 
behind the fences until the afternoon services began, 
when they emerged from their concealment, environed 
the church, and doubly guarded the door with bayo- 
nets crossed to iirovent egress, over which, it is said, 
Dr. Marther Icapcil into the arms of the enemy. The 



504 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



men were all taken out of the church and tied in 
couples, with their pastor at the licad of the column, 
and marched down to the coast and conveyed to Long 
Island, thence to New York, where tliey were con- 
fined in the old Provost prison for several weeks. As 
soon as the inforniatioh of tlie capture of Dr. Marther 
and his people was known, the inhabitants and the 
coast-guard rallied, and piu-sued and exchanged sev- 
eral shots with the enemy, some of whom were seen 
to fall. 

For several years after this transaction it was sup- 
posed that tlie enemy carried away their dead. Nor 
were they undeceived until about 1790. A party 
while in pursuit of game found a cave in the rocks in 
the southern part of the parish of Middlesex, the 
exploration of which satisfied them that it had been 
the hiding-place of the British and Tories in the 
Kevolution. The i>arty were surprised to find in it 
the remains of .several human beings, probably the 
skeletons of the enemy who were seen to fall when 
retreating from Middlesex church, whom their com- 
rades secreted until a favorable opportunity should 
offer for their removal to Long Island, but which the 
vigilance of the patriots prevented thorn from doing. 
So this cave became their sepulchre. Among the 
articles found by the explorers of the cave were an 
axe, a toot-horn, several heads of spears, parts of one 
or two old king's arms, pieces of iron hoop, and stones 
placeil for a fireplace beneath crevices in the rocks, 
through which the smoke escaped. Also were found 
large tiuantities of bones of fowls, cattle, sheep, and 
pigs. The Indians were not unfamiliar with the loca- 
tion of this cave, as many of the im|)lements used by 
them were discovered within and about it. 

The Revolutionary war was now near its end, leaving 
the |)eople in extreme poverty and in un))leasant re- 
lations towards those of their neighboi"s who had been 
the instruments of despoiling them of their hard 
earnings to enrich themselves and keep the British 
army from starving. There should, though, be some 
distinction made between the Tories and Oow-Boys 
who infested Norwalk in the Revolution. The for- 
mer usually were men of property, — substantial men. 
They were charged with the crime of giving " aid and 
comfort to the enemy" by disposing of the products 
of their farms for British gold. It was indeed a crime. 
The Cow-Boys were men of little or no means, — ad- 
venturers, thieves, — who raided through the country 
to plunder the inhabitants of their cattle, grain, and 
other products, which were taken to the country 
" butted on the sea," shipped in flat-boats, and towed 
by the enemy to Long Island. They were not only 
guilty of theft, but they were guilty of murder also. 

During and for several years after the Revolution 
there resided in the country " butted on the sea" 
persons who sympathized with the English. Tiiey 
were deeply imbued *ith the principles of a consti- 
tutional monarchy for the United Colonies, to be pre- 
sided over by some member of the royal household of 



King George. They were members of a secret so- 
ciety organized in the colony, the object of which was 
to establish a monarchy, not only for the United 
Colonies, but for all the British provinces of North 
America. Of this class of persons was the resident of 
rami)askeshank, who was a firm friend and patron of 
the Church of England, to which he gave of his 
means to extend the gospel into new settlements, and 
was one of the chief supporters of that church in 
Norwalk and a warm friend of Rev. Mr. Leaming, 
its pastor. He reasoned, " I have sworn allegiance 
to the King of England. That oath is as liimling 
upon my conscience as the vow to serve my Maker." 
The house in which he died was demolished twenty- 
five years ago, the chimney of which was suffered to 
remain standing for the purposes heretofore stated, a 
drawing of which was taken in 184.5 for Graham's 
Maf/azinc, and at the time excited a lively interest in 
the min<ls of those who were familiar with its history 
and its surroundings. The drawing exhibited its two 
fireplaces, the flues of which, it hiis been asserted, are 
united into one above the cross-sticks, leaving a jog or 
set-off, upon which two persons can stand unperceived, 
and that there was a trap-tloor leading to a recess in 
the cellar of ample dimensions to accommodate sev- 
eral persons, used as a hiding-place by the Tories and 
Cow-Boys in the Revolution. It is said that one 
Miles Capstie, who resided in this old house, whom 
the sheriff of the county wanted, evaded him for 
several months by concealment in the places de- 
.scribed. There is not the least trutli in these state- 
ments. An examination of the old chimney stamps 
the whole iis a creation of the imagination. Though 
the lone dweller of Pampaskeshauk was no friend of 
the patriots, yet it would perhaps be far from the truth 
to assert that he wiis not a good man in other respects. 
He contributed to sustain the cause of morality and 
the church, and w:is ever kind to the poor. He de- 
parted this life in 1-821, aged ninety, and his remains 
were buried in the northeast corner of his farm, near 
the road leading to Middlesex, over which the British 
marched when proceeding to capture Dr. Mathers and 
his people, in a locality selected by himself in vig- 
orous manhood. The i>lat of ground, triangular in 
shape, was a fit representative of his character, and 
its surroundings in harmony with its rough points. 
His grave is protected by ledges of rock in the midst 
of a forest of cedars, through wliich the winds sing a 
perpetual requiem over the remains of the departed. 

Tilt: XORWAl-K INDIANS. 
The Norwalk Indians, when selecting sites for set- 
tlement, invariably had an eye to the beautiful in 
nature. They sought for some promontory from 
which they might have an extended outlook over the 
surrounding country. On the southern exposure, 
near its base, contiguous to a bountiful supply of 
wood and water, ihey arranged their vill:iges. This 
gave them good drainage and protection from the 



NORWALK. 



505 



north winds, leaving the phiins beneath for cultiva- 
tion and burial-purposes. 

The form and extent of those villages maybe easily 
determined whenever the fields on whieh tiiey were 
situated are jdowed. J'y following the line and ex- 
tent of their shell-heaps south of and parallel witli 
the wigwams or streets, we arrive at their lengtli and 
may reckon the number of their houses upcju each 
line. 

Most all the villages of the M(diawks in this town 
were built U]ion straight and i)arallel lines, each line 
containing an even number of wigwams, excepting 
the first, on which ajijiears to have been an odd num- 
ber, which proliably was the residence nf the chief of j 
the tribe or the council-chamber in whieh they dis- ! 
cussed measures of war or peace. Though tlieir tondis ' 
were several yards south of their tenements, they 
showed a due regard for the line upon which they 
were established, and in almost ever)' instance they 
are found to have been parallel with the streets of 
their villages. ' 

Upon the settlement of the town by the whites, 
the Indian trails were fenced by the owners of the 
land which they bounde<l, and they became the 
"king's highways." On the lines of the principal 
ilohawk village west of Meadow Street, on the land 
owned by the writer, is a ledge of loose and solid 
granite, ujion which, probably, in the time of the [ 
tribe, was situated a factory for mortar-pestles and 
stone hatchets. The writer, when (piarrying stone j 
for the fiiundation of the house on the iiremiscs, 
found several i)estles, stmie in an unfinished state, 
and three hatchets. Within a few rods of this work- 
shop the writer in 1SG7 unearthed a cubical disii or 
tray formed of red clay. A survey of the Indian 
village at Elv's Neck shows that the rules were 
observed in the arrangement of their graves, shell- , 
heaps, excepting that the village was situated upon a 
half-circle, the ends of which rested upon a straight 
line running north and south. 

Several years ago the present owner of Ely's Neck 
plowed up a curious specimen of the liandiwork of 
the Indians, whicli was taken away by some person. 
Probably it now adorns some relic-hunter's cabinet. 
Its length was thrice its width, and it was two inches 
thick, and appeared to have been composed of some 
sort of cement. Its face was divided by grooves into 
squares upon which were inscriptions. The propor- 
tions of their manufactureil articles show that they 
may have been familiar with numbers on (piantity. 

IXDF.W CEMETEItlE.S. 
West of Xorwalk River and south of I'erie Island 
Creek are three old Indian cemeteries, all within nat- | 
ural boundaries. The first is situated between Pine 
and Judy's Creeks ; the second, between Judy's 
and Village Creeks; the third, between Village 
Creek and the Pampaskeshank Brook, each plat 
being bounded cast by Norwalk Kiver and west by 



the range of hills encompassing the city of South 
Norwalk and extending to the cove. lOach tract 
was ])robably the patrimony of a sachem <if the 
Mohawk Nation. 

The skeletons of the aborigines exhumed in the 
centre and south cemeteries are invariably found be- 
neath clam- and oyster-shells, witli their war-im]ile- 
ments, and fiicing towards the morning sun, the 
shells having been deposited there for the same pur- 
pose that their implements were. Probably it was 
in part an lionorary custom, and for the men only. 
It apjiears that at the death of a male of the tribe 
the living held a sort of a wake over his remains 
around his grave by feasting upon clams aud oystcr.s, 
the shells of which, and those uneaten, they tossed 
into the pit, witli the i<lca that the occupant would 
not only need his bow and arrow to bring down game 
in the other world, but to remind him to hunt for 
shell-fish along the shores beyond. Not all the In- 
dian graves are filled with shells. Those found to be 
so held the remains of a sachem or chief, or other 
honored members of the tribe, the death and burial 
of whom attracted larger numbers than usual to the 
feast. Hence it is concluded that the quantity of 
shells in any particular grave denotes the man's 
staniling in his tribe. 

THE CANNIBALS OF NORWALK. 

Within the limits of tlic old Indian cemetery, lying 
between Washington and Concm-d Streets, in this city, 
graves have been uncovered, of which over thirty were 
found to contain mutilated human bones. The writer 
has carefully examined more than twenty of the num- 
ber. The shells in these graves are of unusual pearly 
whiteness, which cannot now be accounted for. Every 
one of these graves is filled to the surface with shells 
and mutilated bones. Doubtless at the feast of human 
flesh large numbers were in attendance, and, as these 
graves also are filled to the surface, they were occa- 
sions of especial interest and numerously attended by 
those who enjoyed a chowder of human flesli and 
shell-fish, the refuse of which they threw promiscu- 
ously into the place prepared for its reception. In 
this class of graves no Indian implements have ever 
been found. 

This is indeed a mysterious subject, and can be 
solved only uiion the hypothesis that Norwalk, before 
the advent of our am-estors, in KiSO, was inhabited at 
some time in the past by a race of cannibals, proliably 
the ancest<jrs of the class whom they found in posses- 
sion of the country at that date. We are not ready 
to believe that they ate their kith and kin, tliough 
there is one fact which might be construed that tliey 
did so, which we will notice hereafter. 

The great Moliaw'- Nation in tlie height of their 
glory were cruel and oppressive, particularly towards 
those against whom they warred. Tliey exacted 
tribute from those whom they had conquered, and 
when thev entered the eountrv of their enemies to 



506 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



demand its payment they sent out runners in ad- 
vance who cried aloud, " We have come to suck your 
blood!" The historian gives an instance when those 
of the same nation ate their fellow-beings. After the * 
burning of Schenectady by the French and Indians, 
in tiie w'inter of KiftS, thoy were pursued and over- 
taken by the English and Mohiiwks, and after the 
engagement tiie Indians, under Col. Schuyler, burned 
about thirty corpses of the enemy which they scalped 
and roasted and ate. 

A critical examination of this kind of tombs has 
not brought to light the remains of a single Indian 1 
woman or child. This fact seems to indicate that I 
they were either eaten or that they were cremated. 
The writer inclines to the belief tiiat it was their 
custom to burn them. Most of Chestnut Street was 
a. large flat rock, but now removed, which bore the 
a))pearance of having been cracked and sealed by ex- 
cessive heat. It is now thought that it was an altar 
upon which the savages roasted their victims or cre- 
mated their women and children. 



CHAPTER LI. 

NORWALK (Continued). 

TIIE llEVOLUTIO'N. 

The first reference to the war of the Revolution 
which ajjjjcars in the town records is under date Dec. 
.">, 1774, and is as follows : 

"Dec. Tj, 1774. IVftereoji, This meeting hove taken into consideration 
tliu matters contaiiietl in the association eomo into l>y the Continental 
L'ongreffl held at I'hihulelpliia the 5th day of September, 1774, and ap- 
proved of hy tile lower hoime of lut^embly, and recouinieiidcd by them to 
the wcvenil towns in tliM colony, to ap|ioint committees for the puqwses 
in the eleventh article in sd asaoeiation contained. Do opprove of the 
8i\me. nod In pursnance thereof do appoint Klialtim Raymond, John 
Cannon, Thadds. lietls, Stephen St. John 2d, Lemuel llriHiks, I':iiplialet 
Lockwood, N'ulhl. Benedict, Sjimuel Oniniati, Uoold Hoyt, Tlios. Betts, 
07.iiis 3Ierwine, IMiinehus Ilanford, I)iniiel iti-lt^. j r.. Bhickleucli Jesup, 
Er.ra (jregory, John Carter, James Rh-lianls, Samuel Richards, Gershom 
Raymond, Ami lloyt, a comndttee for the purpose in it^ Eleventh Article 
contained, during the pleasure of the town.*' 

Feb. 6, 1775, it was voted, " That those persons which 
have been warned by the committee of inspection, to 
bring in their arms, shall not vote in choosing a com- 
mittee of inspection at this meeting." 

At the same meeting were chosen Messrs. Phinehas 
ILtTiford, Stephen St. John (2|, Thaddeus Betts, Na- 
thaniel Benedict, Osias Merwine, Lemuel Brooks, 
Thoma-s Fitch, I'riali Rogers, .labcz Gregory, Seth 
Seyinore, Timotliy Fitch, Daniel St. .loiin, Blackleaeh 
Jesup, Daniel Betts^ Jr.. Claj) Raymond, Ezra Greg- 
ory, James Richards, Moses Comstock, Samuel Cook 
Silliman, Samuel Richards, and Jesse Raymond, a 
committee of inspection during the pleasure of the 
town. 

At the same meeting it was voted, that they disap- 
prove of ye unnecessary use of Gun-powder, and rcc- ' 



ommend it to the committee of inspection to take 
care of the matter. 
Oct. 14, 1776, it was 

" Votedy That the select men give a proper reward, to the persons ap- 
pointed and ordered by the authority to set tlie watches, for their ser- 
vice, and draw an oriler on the town treasurer for the payment thereof. 

" AlUff voCfd, That the select men make such provision for the watches 
as tliey shall think proper in regaiil to housing." 

Dec. 2, same year : 

" The select men are directed to transport six cannon such as they 
shall judge ber^t for the defense of this town, from Salisbury ; and provide 
carriages for the same, and also, usuttlciont quantity of ball for the se- 
curity of the town." 

During this period the oppressions of those who had 
the control of the sale of brcadstuffs and other neces- 
saries of life, became too tyrannical to he borne with 
patience by the citizens, and under date of 5Iarch 12, 
1777, the town voted that, 

"The inhabitants by vote agree that they will assist the officers of this 
town in currying into execution one certain law of thi:4 State, entitled an 
act to prevent monopolies and oppressions, by excessive and unreasonable 
prices for many of ye nocessiu-iea ond convenicuceB of life." 

At the same meeting 

"The iidial itant..* by nnuor vote approve of what the authority and 
select men have d()ne, in regjird to hiring seventy-five men as a vs'atch or 
guard to this town." 

RECRUITING FOR Tilt: COXTIXENTAL ARMY. 
Lender this date the following record also ap])ears 
concerning the eiilistiiient of men for the Continental 
service : 

" HVierrrw, The slow progress iniidc infilling np the continental Bat- 
tallions to be nnsed by this State, and Ihe vast inijK.rtanre of their being 
immediately completed, etc., was on the 18th day of 31arcli, 1777, taken 
into consideration by liis Honor the Governor and the Council of Safety ; 
and thereon voted and resolved by said boanl, to ascertain tiie quota or 
proportion of each town to completes'' l>uttallions and to promote and 
encourage said enlistment. Lest any should lie embamwwMl by a pros- 
pect of leaving their families without a security of their being prtiperly 
provided for, it is by said IsHirtl earnestly recommendeti to the several 
towns ill tlii^ .Slate to engage and limniise such soldiers lu* shall under- 
take in wl service, and have not time and opisirtunity to lay out their 
money and make provision for their families (such as have any), that 
their said families on their reaiotittble request, shall be supplied in their 
aliscnce with necessaries at the prices stated by law ; and that each town 
severally appoint a committee for that purjKis*', to see tliein provideil for 
and supplied acexinlingly, on snch wddlers hslging. or from time to lim« 
remitting money to saitl committee for that pur|K»se, and without any ad- 
ditional expense; and the necessary I'XiH-nse ntlending the same, to b« 
liorne by Ihe town respectively, etc. ; It L- therefore reconinielnh..l by this 
meeting that nil the inhabitants, of every niiik and condition, vigorously 
exert themselves In eneouraging, pnimoting, and forwarding the filling 
up tlie t|uota or proportion usceitoineil by said bourvi for this towo. In 
order to complete said llaltallions; and also voted, that Messrs. SIcphuK 
St, Jirhn 2d, Thomas 1lene<lict, Phinehas Ilanfonl. Jesse Ravmond, 
Thudds. HnblKll.OliverWhltlock, James KIchards, and Xehemiah B«B«- 
diet Ikj a committee for the purlsmes conlained in said res<^lve^ witli full 
power and authority to engage and promise to such stddieriis shall inIM 
In s<i serv Ice that all mattei-s and things contained in s<l re».ilve respect- 
ing them sliall be punctually p.rf..riiied agreeably thereto, and it is re«- 
ommcndnl by this meeling that the virtilou..< s.ins of liljcrty cheerftlllj 
and readily engage in sd service nt this critical time, so that fs-aco and 
rest may once more bo rtstored to the United States of America; by 
means w hereof this meeting have reason, by the blessing of God, to a*^ 
pect the same may tie cITcctod. 

" .Messrs. Kli Ree<l, Asa Hoyt, John Gregory, Jr., Levi Taylor, N'athU 
Iliiblell, anil Moses Comstock are appointi..d a committee to endeavor IB 
find the nuiiiU'r of s ddioin enlisted in the coDtiucnlul army In thlt 
town, and report to tliU meeting. 



NORWALK. 



507 



"This meeting isadjounit-d to meet Tuegtlaj',at 2 o'clock." 
"Met according to the fuii^goiii-,- arij^iirniiuMit. Duct. Tliailds. Betls, 
Moderator, present. 

" Voted, Tliat it is the desire of this meeting that the recrniting offi- 
cers in tlie Continental service rctjuest the several Ciijitaiiis of the mili- 
tary companies in this place to warn their n-spectivf companies and 
liinisLdioldei'b to muster as soon as may lie, to heat up for volunteers ; 
and the inhahitants are desired to incunrage tlie enlistment hy their liber- 
ality. The companies and iidiabitants of the first society are d'.'sired to 
master together on tlie parade of the first company." 

At the same meetiug, 

"Uezekiali Hanfonl, John 1-ockwood, Jr., Hooker St. John, Levi Tay- 
lor, Tliadds. Hiibliel!. Al.ijah Betts, James Olmsted, Samuel (iates, Ahijah 
C'omstock, Timothy Ree{l, Levi Hanford. Janu-s Lockwood, and Gershom 
Richards were appointed a committee to proeuic and collect such arti- 
cles of clothing as is requested by a resolve of the Uovernor and Council 
uf Safety for the use of the soldiers in the Continental urmy. and deliver 
the same to the select men in order that th(^ same nniy bi- forwarded ac- 
cording to said resolve." 

At the same meetirifr, 

"Voted that the Committee formerly ap]iointfd to procure provisions 
for the families of those soldiers which are gone into the army from this 
town go on and procure the same for such families, at the rate set by 
law ; and in case they are obliged to give mure, the select men to order 
the treasurer to pay the overplus. 

" Dec. 1, 1777. Matthew Marvine added to the Cunmiittee for provid- 
ing for the familie-s of those that are in the army," 



The foHowing action was taken 
Articles of Confederation : 



in 



reiranl to the 



"Voted, Messrs. Thomas Fitch. Thaddeus Itctts, St.-phen St. Jolm, Da- 
vid Comstock, Joseph Chaimnm, Xehemiah Mead, and Samuel (iruman 
are appointed a committee to revise the articles of Confederation pub- 
lished by C^jngress, and make report to this lueetinj^, wliieli is to b.> 
adjourned." 

"Jan. 13, 1778, at one of the clock, Met according to the lV>regoiiig ad- 
-jourmnent. 

'* Blackleach Jesup was chosen to supply the families of ye soldiers of 
tlie Continental army, in addition to the former committee. 

" Whereas, His Excellency the Governor, on receipt of the articles of 
the confederation published by Congress, for tlie approbati.m of the sev- 
eral assemblies of the Vnited States, sent a copy of the same to this town, 
in order for the town to show their sense relative thereto, 

" It is voted by this town that they are sensilde of the great difficulty 
of concerting any plan of union with so many ditlerent States, under so 
many difl^erent cireumstances, free from objection, and without being 
liable to exceptions; yet the articles contained in said confederation 
generally appear to this town to bu well framed, and calculated to form a 
union for the general benefit of the wliole; yet, notwithstanding, this 
town beg leaver to submit to ye consideration of the General Assembly 
whether the method of sujiplying the common treahuty, contained in the 
eighth article, and the mode of raising a continental army, in the ninth 
article, is so just and equitable iis may be devised. 

" VoU;d, also, that a copy of this be sent forthwith to the General As- 
sembly to show the sense of the town in the prenuses." 

•' Aug. 10, 177s.— lofcd. That tlie committee heretofore appointed to 
procure clothing for the officers and soldiers in the ConIinent;tl army 
are desired to luocurc money on interest, to purclia.se said idothing as 
soon as may be ; and the select men are ordered to pay ilie interest and 
cost of procuring the 8;ud money, out of tlie town treasury." 

"Aug. 10, I7T8. — M'lureuK, On a division of salt belonging to the town, 
there is yet a small part remains on hand, and the inhabitants agree and 
vote that the seleM men shall pay the expense that has arisen on ed salt 
out of tlie said remainder ; and if there is still any remains, to deliver the 
same ttt ye families of such siddieis belonging to this town as are in the 
army." 

" lid Monday in March, 177*,).— Dr. Betts not being present, Capt. James 
Richards chosen Moderat'.)r. 

" Votfil and aijreed. That all fines and forfeitures that shall be collected 
out of the alarm li?.I, ami militia companies, and light horse, in this town, 
for neglecting to turn out at the time the enemy landed at Tarry Town 
last Deer., and at the time the enemy came to Horseneck htst Feb., and 
Khali hereafter neglect t.i turn out, shall be delivered by tlie town treas- 



urer to the Captain of the company from which the same shall be aA- 
leeted, and this vote to coritiniic in tVine duiiiig the phasure of thi- 
towii." 

":jd Monday in June, 177!', at 4 o'clock. Col. Thomas Fitch, Capt. 
Eliphalet Lockwood, and Samuel C. Silliman, Ks(p, were chosen com- 
mitlee to meet a County Convention at Fairfield, to consult tlie a^ldl■e^s 
from tlie Continental Congress respecting the depreciation of the Conti- 
nental currency, eti-. 

At the same meeting, 

^'^Voied, That the inhabitjints of this town shall be put into as many 
classes as their cota of soldiers in the Continental Army, and each class 
to provide clothing for one Nuldier." 

TOWX-IIOUSE. 

At the same meeting (l.'^t Monday of August, 1771>), 

" VnUd, To have a town-liouse built as soon as conveniently may be. 

"The dimen.'^ioiis to be forty-five feet by tliiity. posits !^i.\teen feet; 
lower story twelve feet in height, a convenient chiiiiiie\ at each end 
and to be set on the Westerly part of the Town House Uill." 

Aug. 10, 177it, 

"IViM, That we will strictly and punctually adhere to the recommen- 
dation of s-i cciivtMitioii (of the County) with respect to putting a stop to 
the dei)reLiati'Ui of the Continental Currency; and also abide by any 
such measure as s'' convention shall hereafter adojil for such purjiose." 

" -^Ith Day of June, 17su. Doct. Thaddeus Betts chosen moderator. 

"VuUd, Tiiat we will tax ourselves to raise money to hire the number 
of Soldiers to compleat the quota of this town fur the Continental Army. 

"lVe(?, That Cul. Matthew Mead, Capt. Nathan Gilbert, Capt. Samuel 
Keeler, Lt. James Belts, Cupt. Solomon Morehouse, Lt. Jer. II. Ells, and 
Capt. Itanl. Richanis be a committee witli full power to enlist such a 
number of able-bodied men as shall be snfticient to com|ileat tlie quota 
of this town for the Continental Service during tin- war, or three years 
resolved by the General Assembly hist May ; and that they engage such 
sums, and in such a way as their discretion ami judgment sliall direct, tu 
such as shall app*-ar to engage in said service; and that the same be done 
forthwith, and a report thereof be made to this meeting at their adjourn- 
ment." 

At the same meetiiifr, 

"\'u(ed, That we will take thr late emissi.-n uf paper money finitted by 
this state, equal to silver and gold in all payments whatever." 

"Nov. i;ith, 17SU. The inhabitants grant a tax of sixpence lawful 
money on the pound. ^ in silver ami gold equivalent, upon tlie polls and 
ratable estate of the inhabitants of this town,<iii the list for the year 177U 
to be paid in beef, polk, wheatlloiir, or money ; the beef to W delivered 
before the IGtli day of December next, and the pork and flour lielore the 
ir>th of January next, to the person or persons that, may be appiuuted to 
receive the same or the money; the beef, pork, and flour at the prices 
mentioned in one certain statute law uf this Slate, intituled an Act for 
Collecting and Storing a quantity of Precisions for the use of the Conti- 
nental army, an-1 the forces for the defense of this State. 

"4tli day of Dcj., 17S1. The select men are directed lo deliver tlie sum 
of ninety pounds in State money, which they have now in their hands 
to the c(]llectoi-s ami receivers of provisions, fiir them to lay out in pur- 
chasing Ciusks and beef. 

" The Select men are desiretl to iihe money to iirucure this town's quota 
I'f Sohliers for the Continental Army ; ami the low n enya^e.s to indem- 
nify them in doing the same. 

" T!ie inhabitants grant a tax of (uie penny on the [louutl, on the list 
of 1770, to be paid in wheat & rye flour and Indian corn, agreeable to one 
ceitain ^tatute, Ac." 

The foHowing action was taken conreriiing inimical 
persons : 

" The authority and select men .are directed to send for the committee 
respecting inimical jiersons, at the expense ol this town." 

The eomnuttce reported as folhtws: 

* On Aug. 2r>, 1770, they had levied a tax of two shillinga and sixpence 
on the iwumi to defray the charges arisen and arising on the town. 

On the i:Jlli of March, 17«o, they had laid a tax of twopence on the 
pound to hire soldiers for the continental army. — Hall. 



508 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



" We the subscribers agreeable to (in act And appointment of the Hon- 
orable Gc'ii'l jVsseiiiMy, tiiivitig bct?n called nyntii and requested by the 
Civil authority and select men of the Town of Norwalk, to cnquiro into 
the chorncter and conduct at a number of i>orwins whose names nro con- 
tained in a list or roll by litem presented to ns as Inimical and Danger- 
ous to the Liberties and Indepeutlence of the United States of Anu'rica, 
anil we, hiiving duly e.xiiniiucd into the prcmixe^, are of opinion that the 
folluwiiif; p(M-8ons whose luinics arc hcrenfler expressed are inimical and 
dangerous as aforesaid, and therefore rivo judgment and order that their 
names be enrolled in the town clerk's ollice in 8*> town of Xorwalk as 
dangerous and inimical a-s aforesjiiJ for the purposes mentioned in an act 
of the Gen'l Ahsembly of this J^tate, entttnled, An Act more effectually 
to prevent robberies and plunders from our open and secret enentica, 
vizt. : Obadiah Wiiglit, Nathan IJurwell, Jr., Thomas Ilanford, Nathan 
Jarvis, Tliomas Fairwealher, David Itolt, Peter White, Ilezukiah Whit- 
ney (-ill), Natlum Gregory, Philip Scribner, Ilezekiah IJelden, John 
Itoldiu, Kdward Nash, (iershom Itaymoml, Jtiuics Fitlio, William IJolt, 
Ehenezer Clmrcb, David Lambert, Gould Hoyt, Abraham Wliitney, John 
Saunders, Jr., Garner Ulmstud, Richard Patrick, Nathan Filch, all uf 
Norwalk afores;ud; each of the above named persons liaving first been 
duly notified and cited to appear before us at time and place by us ai> 
pointed for that purpose, — to shew reason if any they had, why their 
nanu'S tJiouhl not be enrolled as aforesaid. 
*' Done at Norwalk, tliis 20tb Day of April, A.n. 1771, 

"By us, "Damfi. SnpRHAN, 

" Bkxja. IIbnman, 
" To the Town Clerk " Asnw. Adams, 

of Norwidk." " Ixcukask Moski.y." 

"Dec. 4, 1781. Jamea Solleck, Thos. Benedict, Eli Itecd, E/.ra Bene- 
diet, David St. John, Aaron C. Comstock,& Matthew Jlerwine, are chosen 
u committee to pnrcbuse clouthingfor the soldiers bchmging to this town 
in the Contineutjil Army; and directed to liiro money on in- 
terest to purchase the same; and the town engages that the same shall 
be made good to them willi inteiest, as the same was at the time of 
hiring." 

" At the same meeting the select men and military officers are to look 
into the affair of the Continental :>oldiurs; and the select men are to 
clasa Ibu inhabitants for such a unmlier as they shall find wanted for the 
quida of thifi town ; and also to cla&t the iidiabiiants for such a nundH3r 
of »ddiorg as shall be wanted in a State regiment at Ilorseueck for one 
year." 

THE BURNING OF NOKWAI.K. 

Norwalk, together with Fairiiekl, Danbury, and I 
other towns, suttered severely during the war of the 
Revolution. Its proximity to New York, tlien in the 
possession of Governor Tryon, rendered its situation 
hazardou.-i in the extreme. On the evening;: of tlio 1 1th 
of July, 177I», (i()vernor Tryon api)eared with his fleet 
before Norwalk, and inunediately onlered the British 
torch to be applied to the town; and not much time 
elapsed ere the dwellings of the eolonists, the public 
stores and magazines, ves.sels in the harbor, and otiier 
eonibu-stible |>roperty were a mass of smouKleriug 
ruins. Various opinions have been advanced a-s to 
the real animus which prompted this wliolesale de- 
struction by Governor Tyron of an unguarded* town, 
but the most reasonable would seem to be that it was 
in retaliation for the ])lunders committed on Long 
Island — whidi wa-; then in possession of the British 
— by Long Island refugees then in Connecticut and 
the Americans. These refugees would jtilot the 
whale-boats of the Americans to the Long Island 
shore for plunder, and the people of Connecticut, it 
is said, were repeatedly warned by the English (Jov- 
ernor that this uidawful |)lundering and robbing 
must cease or he wouM burn its coast-towns. 



• The princl[«l male portion of the town wna serving in the ConUnentuI 
army In oilier vections of tho country. 



I The inhabitants in whose minds was still fresh the 

I ravages of that July night when the torch of the in- 

! vaders reduced these defenseless towns to ashes, were 

slow to open their dours to the return of their Tory 

neighbors, as the following vote, under date Feb. 24, 

1783, shows: 

" Put to vote whether these persons wlilcli have gone off ond joined 
' themselves ^^ilh the enemy should return back and inhabit in tbit town. 

" Past in the Nt-gative." 

At an adjourned meeting, a fortnight from the 
I above date, 

! *'Eli Reed, Danl. Betts, Jr., James Benedict, Justus Ilayt, Saml. Scy- 
more, Lt. Joseph Rockwell, Thonuis Betts, Jr., A Enoch .Scribncr, were 
apiioiuted a ciuumitleo to assist the civil authority and select men, in 
; keeping out of this town any suHpeclcd or t^au^ient pi^rsons who shall 
I attempt to reside witbiu (lie lindts thereof; and make information of 
I such persons to the antliority and select men ; & take their direction in 

all proceedings with them." 
! "Dec. 1,1783. Iler^eklah Rogers, Job Bartram, Isaac Keoler, Saml. 
Deforest, Justus Hayt, Matthew Gregory, Saml. Comstiwk, Stephen Betts, 
Eli Reed, were ap^Hiinted a committee to take directions from the select 
men <if tliis town, and deal with those persons who have been to the 
enemy and returned, accoixling to their directions." 

" LaHt Mon<lay in I>ecember, 1783. I'o/fi/, Tliat the select men and 
f'oniniitteit arc to act their discretion respecting those iM;>reons which have 
juyned thu enemy, notwithstandiug any fonncr votes." 

DEFENSE OF NOKWALK. 

The people, ahirmed lest at any time their town 
might be invaded and again plundered by the Brit- 
ish, under date Feb. 18, 1782, voted as follows: 

" That a sufficient nunibor of men be raised, by lullstment, for a suffi- 
cient guarti in this town. 

'* Col. Thos. Fitch, Col. Matthew Mead, Capl. James RiLhards, Capt* 
Eliph. LockwocHl, A Mr. Hooker St. John are chosen a commitiec to a»- 
certaiu the number of uieu wanted fur a guard, and lay a pliui for raising 
thu same. 

"To the inhabitants of the town of Norwalk now assembled in town 
meeting: Wo the sulwcribors being apiKdntiKl to lay a plan f<tr raising a 
nuud>er of gmirds sufficient to defend this town, with a sum of twelve 
hundred and forty [Htiinds lawtul money gnuited to this town by the 
(Jenenil Assembly fur that pnriHise, beg leave to ReiH>rt : That there be 
forthwith raided by iuli.ttnient for the town, of ^ix months uidi^>r«* !H«on«r 
discharged, ninety men including cori>orals; and that there bo apiMiintod 
one Captain, and one Ensign f«ir the pur|Kjft<< of defending this town; 
and that a Captain have £0 lawful money per month ; an Eui^Iku £3 5 
|ter month, a Corporal £2 4 0, and a Private £2 (» |ier month ; and thftt 
we find that the said sum will amount, for six niontlns to tin* sum of 
Eleven Ilundrefl and fifty-threo jwunds Ten SbillingM: and that 18 b« 
stationed at the lower end of the town on the East ^^dt• of the rivor ; and 
|M at KctchuiuX one-bnif tbeieof to keep centrv" at the f:i'lngi>n at Sto- 
phens L^land; and 18 at the Old Well, and \H at Flax Uill.and 18 at 
Mbldlcsex; and that officer* or pi ivateti, at tlu-ir election, have one-half 
of their wages in piovii-ions at the following pHi-ea, viz. : fresh beef, a'yl; 
salt beef, 4d ; Hour, at '2V/I per p«>und', and that there l-j a C4>qiof»l 
to each class; and that the officers be npixduteil by the authoHty and 
seleet men ; all uf which is sulmittcd by your most oInmI'I humble 
sorv'ts." 

" Aug. I, nS'2. Whereas the wages given by this town to the Guarti to 
serve for tht* defense of thiit ti'wn for the term of Ave months onlea 
Rimner discharged, are found innutllcieiit to induce a suffit ieiit nnml«r to 
engage In s^ service, it is therefore voted and agnn-d by this town, that 
the officeiB already engap'd in said ser\i»e receive, in atldillon lo tlie 
wages given, the usual rations for such officers hereafter; and that the 
s'd*:iers already enga^'ed, receive fn-m this time, In addition, ration* as 
usual, and that those who shall hereafter enlist inUts^ serviL-e to the '.f>(h 
of August next, shall receive 408 per month to that time, uuIcm booovt 
dlschargiHl, and rations; and that such a number of s* guanl to duty, in 
the day time, lu the Captain shall judge pro|«'r: and at all times when 
he shall Judge It necessary for the safely and defense of the town. 



NOllWALK. 



509 



"The authority and select men Ui maintaiu a Lieutenant to serve in 
the guard & in this town ; and to havt' bis iiay and rations in i>riiiiortiun 
to the other office is." 

At tlie sauiL' nK'etiii<r, 

"tt^/c'?, Tliat on a coniplaint being made to the autliority and select 
men of this town, against any oltiLcr ur soMier in the guard, of his or 
their n.it being faillifnl in d..ing th.-ir duty, tin- said authi-iity and Mdrt t 
men fliall cause the s'l officer or soMier t.. bo calh'd befoi.- tlieni ati-I .-x- 
nmine into tlieir conduct, and ou i>Tooi of their misconduct, nniy dismiss 
them from service." 

May 0, 1782, 

"IVtoM'liat IliiTf slmll !»■ ;i cunimilli'i- .ippoint.'l tu liire lliriv sol- 
diers to servp ill tlic coiitiiieiitui jtniiy for ttn_- t^-nii of one your." 

The following upplu'ation fur rclirf in (.'onsoqnenfc 
of the burning of the town was uiaili- umler date Aug. 
11, its;!: 

"This town taking into con&iilirnition tlio iii;iri,v :inii t^roiit iH.stiTwsi'p, 
ditficllttiefi, anil losses a number of the inlial'itants have snstaineil, met 
with, and are reduced t^), hy means of the etiemy's lairiiin^ np, clestroy- 
iiig and plundering them of tlieir most neeessary propeity during the lato 
war with (ireat Bi-itain ; and the very great injury and danuige done to 
the town liy means thereof; an<l that the s.ame was brought on the town 
during the eiUirse of war undertaken by the din-rtion anil order of the 
inhabitants of this State united with the other States, and the common 
consent of the inhabitants of this Sljite, for the lU^fense and security of 
the (ronimon liberties, privileges, and tVeerhtm of this State; in which war 
it was then undeistood and fully expected the inisfortuiu'S accidentally 
thrown on any particular part during the course of the war. as it was un- 
dertaken for the defense and security of the whole, and considering that 
it is altogether just, equitable, and righteous so to be, have thereupon 
agreed and voted tlnit < 'ol. Stephen St. John, Esq , he agent for the town 
make use of sucii measures as he shall judge proper, by memorial in 
conjuncIioTi with other sutTering towns, or separately, to the General -Vs- 
sembly, or otlierwise. in luder to obtain redress of the town's grievances 
Bustiined and met with durijig the course of the war, and for a repair of 
the damages done hy the enemy, to be made to the individual sufierers, 
excepting to those sufferers who are known to be inimical to the liber- 
ties and independence of the United Strifes of America." 

In 1792 the Legislature allowed these sufferers the 
sum of .£2fi,0r)(! 0.<. hi. in lands in the present Htate 
of Ohio, known as the " Conneetieut Reserve." 

KEMINISCENCES. 

The following reininiseenees tif tlie burning of Nor- 
walk arc taken from Hall's "Norwiilk:" 

"Thomas Benedict, who was aged eighty-two, 
March 14, 1847, says, 'After the burning of I<\iirfield 
the enemy was expected here. They came Saturday, 
while the people were harvesting. While he was 
driving the team, John Saunders, one of the Tories, 
came along and said, 'Oh, boys, you are too late to 
harvest.' Saunders had finished his harvest. The sun 
was about two hours high, and Saumlers was in high 
spirits at the coming of the enemy, as one of his sons 
was with the enemy, and he expected his jiroi>erty 
woulil be spared. But it was all burnt; and the other 
son with his negro went off with the enemy. 

" 'Our soldiers were collecting fast, and stopped at 
his father's house, which stood where Mrs. Phillips 
now lives. A tub of wine and a bowl stood on the 
stoop ; as they came along they stopped and drank, 
and were very merry. His father's family hastily 
packed up what goods they could, put them on the 
cart, which he drove that night up to Belden's Hill, 



I to Thomas St. .John's. He and the oxen had worked 
haril tli;it day, and were very tired. At "Sir. St. .lohn's 
a party of liglit-liorse (Mine in the night. He fell 
asleej); some of them took out his silver brooch and 
carried it off. Saw the first smoke of the burning of 
Norwalk in the morning. Heard the guns " [lop, pop, 

! pop, a good while." The first hou.se burned was where 
George Day now lives. The house where Mr. Bene- 
dict now lives wa* occupied by the British as a hos- 
pital for the wounded, and therefore was not burnt tit 
first. When the British retreated they set it on fire, 
but our pcfiple rallied soon enough to jiut it out. The 
liouse was built by ]Mr. Benedict's grandlather. On 
liis return to X(n-walk saw a British soldier that had 
been killed ; Seth Abbott shot him as he was getting 
over a wall. " Xow," says Abbott before he fired, 
" if I kill him, it will go right through his heart." 
He fired, and the soldier fell backwiird, dead. The 
British, when they landed on the west side, marched 
uj) to near where Capt. Daniel K. Nash now lives. 
A tall British sohlier was shot there. 

" '3Ir. Leamiiig used to preach on the wickedness 
of resisting the king, and most of the Tories were of 
bis congregation. According to his creed and preach- 
ing, we " were only a parcel of rebels." There would 
not have been so many Tories but for his preaching 
up such doctrine. He went off with tlie Britisii.' 

"Mrs. Benedict, wife of Thomas, aged eighty-one, 
November, 1840, daughter of Phineas Waterbury, 
lived at Rooton River, at the head of the pond ; saw 
the British Hcet when they came fmm Long Island to 
the burning of Norwalk. There were twenty-six sail, 
— sloops. The enemy used to come every little while 
to the jilacc where she lived to drive off cattle. One 
night she heard the cows low and the dogs bark and 
some one hallooing, 'The Tories are after the cattle;' 
'The Tories have got all our cows.' Her mtither 
raised the window and called out, "Turn out the 
guard! Turn out the Guard!' so loud that peo[ile a 
mile distant heard her in two jilaces. One of the 
Tories called to her tf) be still, or he would shoot her. 
'I am not afraid of you,' she answered; and called 
out again, 'Turn out the guard! Turn out the 
guard !' The man fired, and Mrs. Benedict heard 
the ball whistle; but the Tories ran for their lives, 
frightened off l)y her mother's call for the guard. 

"A month after this, one tiight while her brother, 
aged twenty years, was on guard with others, she 
heard the dogs bark, and tlieii a challenge of ' Who 
comes there?' The answer was, with an oath, 'A 
friend to King (ieorge;' and imniediately guns were 
fireii and there was a trampling of steiis down the road. 
One came and said that her hrothcr w;i.s wounded, and 
presently he was brought in dead, shot through the 
head. Three were killed, who were all in their twen- 
tieth year, two wounded. 

"One night the enemy entered her father's house 
when they were in bed, seized her father, and car- 
ried him a i)ri.soner to New York ; they would not 



510 



HISTORY OF FAIKFIKLD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



stop to let him dress. They came into her room ; she 
told them they were only children there. 'D — n 
her!' said one; ' lift up the bed.' They thrust their 
bayonets under the bed and went off. 

"Daniel Nash, aged seventy-seven, son of Daniel, 
son of Mirajali, \va.s told by his grandfather that his 
grandfather was the first male child born in the town. 
What his name was he docs not know. (It is among 
the genealogical records, John Nash.) His sons' 
names were John and Nathan. From the last John 
proceeded all tlie Nash families in this region. Na- 
than had no children. He was the first churchman in 
the family. This account Daniel Nash had from his 
grandfather, who was brought up by said Nathan. 
The reason of his change was this: lie had been 
brought up in great abhorrence of religious forms, 
and when at a meeting of ministers one of tliem read a 
portion of tlie liiblc, Natlian much disliked it, and so 
resented it that he went occasionally to church, say- 
ing that they might ju.st a.s well read prayers as read 
the Bible, and so turned churchman. 

" When the Revolution broke out Daniel Nash 
was a boy, about four years old, at Patchogue, L. I. 
Remembers the time when the tea was tlirown over- 
board at Boston. Remembers hearing, l)efore Nor- 
walk was burnt and aftcrwanls, what was the reason 
why Governor Tryon burned it. Some of the Long 
Island people were refugees on the Connecticut shore 
(Long Island was in possession of the British). These 
refugees used to pilot the Americans when they went 
in whale-boats to Long Island for phiiidor. Gov- 
ernor Tryon said if the people on this side did not 
stop that, he would come over and burn the town ; 
and he did burn it. 

"Nathaniel Raymond, aged ninety-four, May 1, 
1S47. Hiis lived near the Old Well wharf all his 
days ; was a corporal in the guard ; a Revolution- 
ary pensioner; lay often on the rocks at Belden's 
Point ; was at New York among the Connecticut 
troops when the British landed at Flatbush, and in 
the lines across the island after the British crossed 
into New York. When the British came to burn the 
town they landed at Fitche's Point Saturday night. 
He carried such of his household effects its he could 
down near the pottery called the village and hid 
them in a swamp, then carried his father and mother 
and some of their effects back some three miles in a 
cart; returned, and with fourteen others, volunteers, 
under their own commaml, took arms, and went up to 
the hill where .lolin Raymond lived. In the night 
the British fired a ball at them at random. It struck 
the ground near them. Sunday morning the harbor 
was full of boats. They landed at the Old Well; 
cinvsed the fifteen volunteers over John Raymond's 
hill, by where Cajit. D. K. Nii-sh now lives, and so 
over to Round Hill, dragging a field-piece, which 
thi'y fired at the vohinteers from the top of Round 
Hill. When the British landed, tlie volunteers fired 
at them from John Ravmond's hill. Saw Ctrum- 



mon's Hill 'all red' with the British; there was 'old 
Tryon and all his tribe.' The two parties of the 
enemy met near Grummon's Hill and went up to 
France Street, where was a skirmish. There were 
about thirty American regular soldiers in town. Ja- 
cob Nash (the grandfather of C'ai)t. Daniel K. Nash) 
was killed there. He was a regular soldier, at home 
on a furlough. Our men had an old iron four- 
pounder at the rocks, which the British took and 
spiked. The Rev. Mr. Learning was 'as big a Tory 
as ever there could be on earth.' He continued 
j)raying for the king in ])ublic worship till the inhab- 
itant.s forbade him. Very numy of his congregation 
were Tories, but the people never molested such as 
did not commit any ho.stile act. The violent Tories 
were seized and shut up in Pudding Lane, some car- 
ried to jail. The Tories were the informers and 
l)ilots of the enemy, and those who went off often 
came back with i)arties, i)lun<lpring, driving off cattle, 
and carrj-ing away such men as they were able to lay 
their hands on. 

"Mrs. Mary Esther St. John (widow of William), 
aged ninety-four in November, 184<5. When Fair- 
field was burnt her father was harvesting down in the 
Neck. Exi)ecting the British to come here imme- 
diately, they left the harvest; but when the British 
crossed to Long Island her father rallied hands and 
went down to his harvesting. Saturday, near night, 
the alarm-guns fired. Her husband rode down to the 
Neck and returned ; his horse wiis wet with sweat, as 
though he had been in the water. She was about 
putting some bread in the oven. A woman who lived 
with Mr. Belden came running in and aske<l, ' Are 
you going to stay ?' ' No, I am going out of the way.' 
'Well,' said the woman, 'I shall stay; I will go to 
Governor Tryon and plead for the house. When he 
was governor he stayed with us one night, with his 
attendants and horses. I will tell him of that, and we 
are friends to the government.' Mrs. St. John said, 
'If you are going to stay, take ray dough.' She took 
it, and presently came running for the oven-wood. 
Mrs. St. John and her husband and family, with what 
cHects they could carry, went u]> into the woods at the 
East Rocks. They had a bedstead, which they set up ; 
milked the cows which they drove with them, drank 
the milk, and stayed there that night. In the nuirn- 
ing the guns were firing ; the smoke of the burning 
houses rose. Her husband said, ' The work is begnn ; 
they are burning the town.' The woman sueccciied 
in saving Mr. Belden's house. She told Mrs. St. John 
that she went uji to Grummon's Hill, where (iovernor 
Tryon sat, with chairs and a table, writing his orders. 
She begged for the house; he wrote her a protection, 
and sent with her a file of soldiers. When she reached 
the house it liad already been .set on fire in two places, 
but the .soldiers put it out. 

"The town-house, which .stocxl where the present 
one stands, wius in the Revidution occupied a.s a guard- 
house. The troops, on their passage to New York, 



\ 



NORWALK. 



511 



used to lodge there. She saw many of them not more 
tlian fifteen or sixteen years old. Sir. Leaminjj she 
knew well. She atteude<l his ehuroh. He continued 
to pray for the king as long as he dared to. He went 
away with the British. It was sad to live in the midst 
of war, but what was the most uiijilea-sant of all was 
tlie dirterence of sentiments anionic neighbors and kin- 
dred. Mrs. St. John lived, in the Revolution, on the 
old St. John jdace, nearly opposite Governor Bissell's. 
Her house that was burnt in the Revolution stood be- 
tween the site of the ])resent hf>use and the widow 
Buckingham St. John's, at the foot of Grummou's 
Hill. The latter place was then occupied by a family 
named Grunnuou." ! 

The following from the columns of the Norwalk 
Giizcttf are valuable contributions to the historic lit- 
erature of the town. The first article is editorial, and 
the latter is from the pen of Rev. Dr. T. S. Childs : 

"Dr. Hall, in giving the narrative of Miss I'hrebe 
Comst(»ck and of her colored servant < )nesimus, has 
mixed two diflerent incidents, both of which were re- 
lated to us many score times during our childhood by 
' Miss Phoebe' and ' 0-ne,' as both used to be familiarly 
known and called. 

" On the landing of the red-coats, as the British 
troops were always called, 0-ne was raking salt hay 
on what for more than a century has been known as 
the Comstock Salt-Hay j)lat, near the present Keyser 
Island. He saw the British fleet make its way up past 
Smith's Island and come to anchor between Xeyser's 
and Calf Pasture. A yawl-boat filled with soldiers 
was rowed up to near where he was, when, seeing the 
decks of all the vessels, or ' sloops,' as O-ne termed 
them, covered with soldiers, he ran for his horse, 
which stood saddled under a tree, and, mounting, 
I put the animal to his fastest paces till he reached Old 
Well, where he gave the alarm, then ran his horse to 
the bridge, where the general alarm wa,; sounded by 
firing guns, etc. He then rode as hastily as possible 
to his home, then with the elder Mi.ss Pha'be on the 
crest of the hill northeast from the present residence 
of William L. Waring, Esq., of New Canaan. On 
I reaching home, all the cattle, including the horses, 
oxen, and cows, were hastily driven fill' and into the 
Whortleberry Hills woods, where the modern Miss 
PlKt'be, whom Dr. Hall interviewed, and her elder sis- 
ter stayed out all night watching them so they should 
neither fall into the hands of their Tory neighbors 
(who used to steal cattle for the British, and who were 
their greatest dread) nor stray away. Next forenoon 
the younger Mi.ss Plnebe returned home for food, leav- 
ing her sister still in the woods with the cattle, where 
they had watched all night. 

" On gaining the crest of tlie hill at her home she 
saw the smoke from the burning of Norwalk. She 
climbed an apple-tree and could plainly see the sol- 
diers — red-eoats — moving about and houses burning. 
She watched the meeting-house, then staiuling at or 
near the present home of Charles S. Lockwood, on 



East Avenue, and saw the steeple fall in. It was the 
' dreadfulestday' she ever experienced, she oft repeated. 
Her father and four brothers and O-ne ha<l gone down 
and taken their guns to assist in the defense, and the 
women were left all alone at home. The men-folks 
were all enrolled' in what was called the 'guard.' 
Miss Pho'be and 0-]ie never varied in their story to 
us that the larger portion of the British fori'cs landed 
on Calf Pasture Beach and marched up jiast the late 
William Marvin's residence. This body was joined 
by a smaller force, which had rowed to Fitche's 
Point before landing, and formed a junction witli the 
nuiin body just below the present railroad bridge on 
lower East Avenue. A third smaller detachment 
rowed up in their small boat.s and landed at Old Well 
(South Norwalk), on the flats just below and very 
near the |>resent Raymond Brothers' coal-docks. 
This body, whose progress was resolutely resisted, 
marched around by Flax Hill to West Avenue, and 
ultimately formed a junction with Tryon, who had 
established his headquarters on the crest of Gruni- 
mon's Hill. Rev. C. M. Sellick now has the chair 
which the Phoebe Comstock traditions say Tryon sat 
in on that occasion. All testimony agrees in that he 
sat there coolly viewing and enjoying the devastation 
of the town, in full sight of the terror-stricken women 
and children, whose male guardians were all engaged 
in harassing the enemy from every possible place of 
concealment and safetj'. The only regular fight of 
the day amounting even to the dignity of a skirmish 
was, according to Aunt Pluebe and O-ne, in the rear 
of the present house of William B. K. Lockwood, 
Escj. The main body of the little band of our town's 
defenders were retreating towards the Rocks, heavily 
pressed by the red-coats, but contesting every rod of 
the way by concealing themselves behind stone fences, 
trees, and bushes, but on reaching the rear of the 
Lockwood ])lace they made a stand, and quite a 
lively engagement ensued. But, overwhelmed with 
the opposing numbers, they continued their retreat 
up the Rocks road. The bullets and splintering done 
by the musket-fire may yet be seen in some of the 
rear portions of Mr. I.,ockwood's house, which is still 
preserved. 

" Jlany of the British soldiers got wine and cider 
and were very drunk. The houses were robbed before 
being set fire to, but ' up town' the people had moved 
their valuables to Silver Mine, Belden's Hill, or the 
Eocks, and buried all their silver and small things. 
Some few had delayed, or having sym]>athized with 
their Tory minister. Rev. Mr. Learning, supposed they 
would be safe from molestation ; lint, finding the red- 
coats as alert to rob them as the colonists, had to 
throw their silverware and small valuables into the 
well and flee. Six houses only were savd in the town. 
One stood where the Rev. S. B. S. Bissell now resides. 
One was the old Horace Taylor house, ou West Ave- 
nue, and where George Washington subsequently 
stopjied anil stayed all night on his trip to Boston. 



ft I-' 



IIISTOHV Ol" I'MKl li;i.l> COrNIV, CONNKCTirUT. 



This luniso was lomnvoil iVum llu' silr of .liinu's II. 
KmipiiV nv-aidoiit'i', but in now MUiiuliii}; tin the liill 
wivit of A. .1. l'rol\it'n, Aiuillu>r tmo whs tlu> oKI 
' Toiniiiy l<(<iit<(lit't' I11111.H0, Htill sUiiiiliiiK iu>\t bolow 
Ml-!*. I>i', Lynot". Tlio Uouoilicl rnmilv Irmlilions 8iiy 
llml (his liouso \V!is s(i old thri) IhnI a new house had 
hi'i'ti Inillt, into whii'h tin- liiiiiily had niovod, loaviuj; 
Iho <'oloivd si'ivant.s lslavi\s) to oocu|iy the old houso, 
which is now staudiujj. This was attt>ni|iti>d to lip 
lmriio)l liy st'tliufj: lliv to a straw hod, hut 0110 of (lu< 
«"(dort>d uxMi who had hid away, soi'injf tho snu)ko, (tot 
hacK iuto (lit< houso, throw the huruiiij; hod haok into 
tho yard, and saved Iho houso, and lator in tho day 
thoy l>rout;h( two woundod lod-ooats thi>i'o lo ho tivatod 
hy thoir ai'ni\ sui'j;oon, and tho follow in.u: winlor IuyIi'c 
faniilios woiv oi-owiUhI iuto it for »lioltor. This |ii-o|>- 
orty had ooutinuod in possossiou of tho Uonodiot 
family tVoni tho l)i-st sottloniont of Norwalk (h>wn ti> 
within tho last do/on or Iwonly yoai's. Whon lioovfio 
Washington stayoil at tho old Taylor houso all nijjht 
tho nows spivad rapidly arotiml, and Miss I'hoho 
hoard of it and rodo down on a pillion hohind D-no to 
got a sight of him, Sho told lis that ho had Just 
startod to oontiniio his ooaoh-rido to lloston. Ho had 
four horsos with outriiloi». Whon ho .not opposite 
Tommy Itonodiot's oidor-mill ho had his oarriago 
stoppoil and askod t"or a drink of tho now oidor thoy 
woro thou making. A pail was brought him, niid, as 
no dippor was handy, ho stoixi up in his ooaoli and 
dnuik tho oidor out of tho pail. Si sho had a ival 
i;ood look at him, and toll woU paid for lior horsobaok- 
rido ilow u iVom tho oountry to .soo tho groat tioorgo 
Washington. .Vnotlior houso that osoapod tho ooiilla- 
grution was on tho northoast sido of Pudding l.auo, 
now Main Strtvt, and lornurly known as tho old 
Whitney phioo. .\ groat many houses lielonging to 
tho Tories wolv also luirmsl, w liieh so filled them with 
indignation that many aOorwanls joinovl tho oolonists 
in resistaneo to tho Hrilish rule. .Vnother was Iho 
anoiont homestead of tho oarliivst MotI family, and 
whieh eanie into tho po-ssossion of tho writer some 
thirty years ago and was our n<sidoneo down to tho 
perioil of the late war. This house was <juito a (irt*- 
tentious struoture tor ihivso days, and the r»>d-ooats 
sot tiro to it— MS the t'aniily legends run— on the broad 
sholv»<s of tho untliMin-d milk pantry. Those buriuti 
into and dropptsi to tho ground, and tho tirt< wont out. 
Tho otilonists from near this houso poured a lively 
musket-lire on the rtsl-oojitsiHiining up West .Vvenue, 
and this led to several shots being lirtsl tnun the liold- 
pieee tho artillery had in position elose by Tryon on 
top of (iriimmon's Hill. t)noofth»>se Kuglish solid 
shot was sulvsis^uontly dug up nearly ton t'lvt Indow 
tho surlaoo adjoining this houso, and is now in our 
piissession. It is an Kuglish '.)-pound solid shot, 
I'rom Iho Molt house they envssed the river at tho 
t'oni (HOW Itrady's ItrWgi'l on their way to (irum- 
moii's Mill. Several sloops and small sailing-oralt in 
tho harlmr wer»> also eaptunil and buniiHl bofor\> the 



enemy ivhippecl and set sail lor thoir rondervoiis 
again for llnntington Harbor. 

" From Long Island the enemy made freipient in- 
eui-sions all along our ("onnoctieut shore, being fur- 
nished with inlonnatioii by Tory residents as to whore 
oatlle. stores, anil supplies might bo stolon. It was 
one of those small raids that snrprisoil .Viint Pho-bo 
and O-no, as related by Ur. Hall, and an aoeoiint of 

j whioli wo have rv<poatodly hoard both ndato. Tho 
writer has in his piwsossion tho veritable side-saddle 
upon whioh .\nnl Pho-bo rtido that famous raeo from 
tho .salt meadow to town. It was a gill from her to 
his mother. .Viint Pluebe's father always kept good 

' horsos, and sho oould mount and ride a horse either 
with or witltuut u saddle as good as any of her 
luHithors, 

"Tho llrst notioeof tho landingof tho Hrilish foives, 
at tho time of tho town's dostruetion, was undoubt- 
edly given, as related, by t>-ne. It was on Siliinldi/. 
.Inly II, 177!>. Tho tieot, as it larily saileil into tho 
outer mouth of our harbor from Long Island, must 
have boon observed by many, but it was always eou- 
oodinl by our old people that O-no was entitled to tho 
erodit of niniiiiig his horse to tho bridge and giving 
the lirst inl'iinnalion to tho people and guaril that a 
largo foroo of the enemy wore disembarking. O-no 
was also a servant to the Uov. Mr. Ihirnott, jiastor of 

I tho (.'ougrt>gational Ohnn-h, and who also aottnl as 
ehaplain to the (.'oiitinontal troops during various 
periods of the Kevolutionary war, ami used to aeoom- 
pany the ' lighting parson" whenever he went away 
with tho troops. O-ne was a slave owned by the 
l\imstooks, and thoy lonnni him to their minister for 
this servieo. lie was |iur»'hased by the father of .Vnnt 
PInobe whon he was four years old, and one Kuglish 
pound was paid for every pound avoirdupois of his 
physical weight. Mr. William I.. Waring, of Now 
t'anaau, who has roeently administon-d on the t'oin- 
stook estate, has this enrions doeumont now in his 
kooping. Parson Huruelt rx'sided 011 l-iist .Vvenue, in 
tho first plaeo north of tho pn'sont homo of Town 
Treasurt<r K. H. llurnott. and sot out tho stately and 
venerable elms whieh at this bite period iMustitute the 
ohief attraetion of the old homestead. 

".\n interesting and instruolivo lesson is atl'orvliMl 
by the attitude and pivsilions taken by the two load- 
ing olorgymen of tho town at that period, and tho 
|iolonl inlluonoo exerted by either upon tho minds of 
the people. The Kpiseopal olorgymau renniinod loyal 
to tho king's eauso. and was aeeuse<l of having boon 
tho oaiiso of so many of his parishioners joining tho 
Toritv*, so great and aotivo wius his personal inlluonoo 
among his people. Tho t.\ingr»'gationnl, on the other 
hand, in season and out of season, pr»>aolied. praye«l, 
talked, walked, and fought against what he believe*! 
to be unwarranted Hrilish usurpations, and his piHi|do 
unitodiv tollowod his leaohings and pnietieos. Tho 
Norwalk minister. Hov. Mr. Hurnelt. the Oarion min- 
ister (thou MiddlosoxK Kev, l>r. Mo.ses Mahor, and 



NOIIWALK. 



il.'i 



tli(! HtiiinCoril miiii'<l.<;r, |{i:v. I)r. S<i:i\i \\'r\U, li;i<l 
CHpc'-iiilly ;ifiK'T<'l lli'- Torict, anil llirnii^rli inrnniiii- 
tiofi riiriiiMlii;(l Ijy IIk'Ki |iriiv<>l<i-'l lli<^ iiiiil<:'li<:lii)ii'i i>f 
the I'riti^li iiiitlioriticH, aii'l I here i' no iloulit tliiit. 
them; tiiililliry raiflM witi; iiia'lc ivc:i irmn' in llic Hjiiril. 
of retaliatory iiuni»iliincnl< lor llic liafliifj^'.' of llii'Mr; 
rilielliouM iMiniilcrH tlian (or llie (rratitiealion oC lln-ir 
natural lliimt. lor [iliinilcr. 

" To them; patriotic iniiiiHt<'rK in (.'real, mr'amri- iiiiixt 
!)!■ ijue till! Iiintorie itieed at' priiiMe IxMloiveil upon 
Norwalk l>y tlial einini'iit lii->t,orian llainroft, who 
oni;e einpliiLMiwrd tlirr Cael. to u( pir.<onally that our 
town «(:nt more men into the Uevoliilioiiary war in 
proportion to our population than any oilier town in 
tile oM thirteen Htalen. ()uriniMi rii'ihrMl to the Cront, 
niUMket in hand, on the firit note of alarni, M lioyn 
now ruti to a (ire. 'I'lure wan no waitintr then (or 
C(juii>in(rnl, ilraCt, or honiity, hut every nian and hoy 
old enoiijfh to hold a rnu-tki-l liurrieil to the (>oint of 
daii(.'er witli an intenH(^ ea^^erneHH horn of tliOHi; dayx 
of lii(.'h-liorn palrioli.^in." 

iMn.vi.srj or NoitWAr,K,» 

"Tlie war had hi'en in pro;;rexx over four yearM, 
The hrunt of it liad heeii tran-derred to the Mouth. 
I'rovo><t anil f^Jainphidl were Mr'iiiirin;.' the f'arolina^ 
and (/eor>;ia. At the North, pSir (lejiry (Jlint.oii wiim 
Hondin^r out hi*< niaraudinj.'-j>arlie( on expelitioni of 
plunder and ih^lruetion. (iover/ior and fJiii. 'IVyon 
wa« a (it h-ader in thi« work, lie wa-s familiar with 
tliin rejfion ; two yi^ari helore he had led hi^ troopx 
to Dunhiiry, and from Itirlj^elield had heaten hi>t re- 
treat to the Hound. He now unilerlook to nweep the 
Coniicetieut (oait. 

"Till' Kourlh of July eame that y<-ir M77!») on 
-unday. 'I'lie jxfople of New llaviii had made their 
arrun;{ein(;ntM to eehdiratc the day on the following 
Monday, the oth. On that day, howeviT, Tryon 
landed hi« foree< at Weit llavin and made hix attaek, 
with coiiHiderahle di(lif;ulty, on Si-w JIavin. Tlie 
injury here waM not ;/reat, and 'I'ryon withdrew and 
made [jreparatioin to strike Fairlii-ld. Tlii^ In- did 
on 'i'hur-iday, the 8th, The plae'i; wai plutidered, an'l 
over one hundred and fifty liNihlin^fM, dwelliii}(B, hartiH, 
etc., were huriied. They afterwardn attacked (Jreeri'M 
Parmn and then Hailed ai-roMH the Hound to Huntinjr- 
ton, whence they recro'ned ami landed at .N'orwalk. 
There i« a euriouM di»ere|iancy a< to lime here. IVeni- 
dcnt Htilen, llolliiter, and the modern liinl,/»riei jren- 
erally, we hclieve, make the landing' to have hi;en on 
Sunday evening, tlie llth, and the hurning of the 
♦own on Monday, the 12th. Vet Ktilet in another 
' Mtry, uiifhfr 'July II, 1771), I^ord'M JMy,' KavH 'he 
WM interrupted in middle of the sermon with new« 
of hurninK of .Vorwalk.' In Dr. Ifall'.H ' IIi«tory of 
Norwalk' thf' witne^He* aj^ree that the enemy ' eame 
Saturday, while the people were liarve-dinjf.' 'They 
landed at Fitehe'n I'oint Haturday night,' and the 

• lly lUv, Ur. T, H. ClilliiK, 



town wax hiirnl on Kiinday. Itiit the deeif.ive evi- 
dence HeeniK found in the im m'tiinl'. iictit iiji hy the 
iiihahitantjt to tlie Mencral AH»einl)ly kooii after the 
dinaxt^'r. Tlie«e all (ix the date of the r|cdru<lion of 
the place fjii the llth of July; thi/ wai on Hunday, 
Tlii». reconcile-, another didiculty. Jf, a*; i« j-taled, 
<ieii. I'ar-oiH and hi<^ (Joiitinenlal i did not arrivi' <>\i 
the groiiiid until .Monday, it kIiow** why no lie. re cf- 
fi'ctual re«i,*tance wan inadc'.t At all event-i, it f.ff.iii' 
clear that the landing wan made on Haturday night. 
'.Sunday morning the liarhor at Lower .Norwalk woa 
full of hoatH.' Tryon and hi*-, forciM took poi^ienirm 
of (irumnion'f. Hill, where, 'with chairs and a tahle, 
he .at writing Ui* ordi-r«' anil over»<eeing the di:itrue- 
tioii of the place. 

" That n-markahle hi>it/)rian, Hamuel I'cter^, in hif, 
' Ili.ftory of t'onnecticut,' hhvk, ''icn. Tryon n^paireil 
to .Norwalk, where, having hy proclamation enJoine/| 
the inhahitatit", to keep within their hou-iir-, he ordered 
Ncntinel-, I/: he f.t.itioiicd at every door to |<revent dix- 
orderM, - a ten<lernei»i, however, they in>^iilti;d hy (iring 
upon the very men tliu.* appointed to guard them. 
The conMC'iuenire wim d(rf<trui:tion to them.'ielvetf and 
the whohr town, which wa* laid in a^^hcf.' 

"The fal-fily of tlii'* explanation in evident, — 1, I5e- 
eaUHc the hiirning, according to the te«limony here, 
wai in execution of previous tlireatx for «oine of the 
actn of the ' n-helM' of the place, a». he called them ; 2. 
ThiireiM no evideu'-eofanyi^uch firing from the hou)M;H; 
'i. The whole raid wa". one of hiirning and plunder. 

".Six lioineH only wi-re Mpan-d ; one hundred and 
thirty-live were de-troyed, he.iide4 eighty-nine har/in, 
twenty-live idiofH, live ve«>(eh, and four mill«. The 
(>eople (led to the hilln and woodi north of the t'jwn. 
('apt. .SteplKMi l}ett< with a handful of men made an 
inedeetual reiif^tance, four men heiiig killed. The 
Congregational and Kpi.Hcopal ehurchen wirre h';th 
destroyed, although the ICpincopal clergyman, .Mr. 
Learning, woj* a utrong frieml of the royal government, 
and, with other.< who sympathized with him, withdrew 
with 'i'ryon wlien he lelt Norwalk, or, w. hi.^ friend)* 
put it, he ' wan removed hy (ien. Tryon.' 

t W«! Irav<. w.«i'! .(ii'^U'iii on tl.lK jK.lrit, t/ijt we Imv: let tia/l li«n: Uj 
Ifiak': 111'! Uf.t iv^.'.it y iiiv.-.-.lij^itif(fi. Trym iiiui wrttli;!. t/t (i<:ti. l*utw/iw, 
aiid, r<'f*rrr|jtj< Iv. lirDl'li «tj'-r'«v«, ti;i/l wd'l, ''Hurftly It U Uid*: f'lr ra- 
tl«»lial Alii'-ii'-ani) l/> wIkIi f'lr n ri:uuitm Willi Itii; I«ir.r(it KUI*', aii'l t/. 
ii/l'»|i! im'.li riMrtwni'!* (ut will iij.<;'-«llly .-n-yrl l»."' I';irw,rii! at a lat-rr 'laU- 
ariifwi;r*.'<l, "Hlr, f hIiiiiiM liavu (riil'l an irtirllijr alU-iitl'.ii I/, yiijr ii..lll« 
l<rtU;r lia.l I Ivil .-iil.-rl»iifi'r'l Kflti': liojw: 'if a (Hjrwmal (ut.:rvlfW wllh ytti 
III y./lir *I'it.'':llln li|MiIi 111'! (l"f'!JI»'!l':«!»! biwIiH 'if OiIIIl':' Il'-'lll, t" 'IX'!.:!!!/! 
yiiir nuiotiir'pi viriiKiiali/:!! ii[i.iri tin; r'!l>';lli'/ui! wiifii;ii anil f'.rriililal.l'' Ii'mIv 
'ir Im^K aii'l f^irli! wli'i wirri; iiiiiii"!'! I.y yotir firmrlaiiiati'.riA t/i ririiialii In 

tll'HM! ll';l|ll'!IH! \t\iW-¥., ail'l Wll'l, if tll'rV lltl/l 1>'!'-Il «lltf'T'!'i t/l iJ>ltlti tlU'! ifl 

th'! Mijiiy/ii'ilit 'if tlial jMrfw.x- will' h tli'-ir a«'! aii'l M!X '!iilitl'-'l tli'-m V, 
i-%\n-j:l Uitui ».ivili7>''I fiall'iriN, ym iili'l-ml4*!'lly tnntitim-A WiiilJ (T'iV: tlii 
w/iurK'! of Jlritaiir« v'-ti!raii tr'i"/]"), ami |ilii'--l« from y/ii tli'/W! laiiri;U 
wall will' li tlial Ji<:ry <;x|i4!'liti'>ii vt |ii'!titifully 'T'lWii's'l yiii. IJut y/ur 
i!ii'l'l''ii 'i'-iiartiiP! froMi S'/rir'ilk uu'l lli<! |iarli'Ular all'^rili'ili y.ii fiai'l t/i 
yiiir Ji^irwinal vjiUrty wlii!li at that |.la/'!, aii'l tli'! |ini'li!lit firwiiljtl'ili yiu 
t.A.k Vi miff'-r 111'! t'lwn of Hlanif'ir'l t/i ',-ii' ajKr ttc; ':iiiifla;<rati'iri V> wlildi 
yon liaii 'i'!V'*ti!'i Fairfl'!l'l aii'l .N'orwall*, (iri:Vi!liti:.| «iy wliliirn <,it Ititi! li'rail. 
TlilH, I li'i|H*, will Hiilfl'-l'.-ntly ai<'il'i;.'iy>! for my 'i'riay In ^tmvc-.rlm^ your 
la«t I'tU.-r." 



514 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



• sg. 



"The memorials before alluded to represent 'that 
many of the inhabitants of Norwalk went over to the 
enemy' during the war. Their estates were confis- 
cated. Some trouble arose about these afterwards, 
necessitatini? the intorforenec of the General Assem- 
bly. The disposition made of a part of one of them 
will be seen in the action of the Assembly ou the pe- 
tition of Abraham Benedict, given below. 

" The destruction of the town seems to have been fin- 
ished by noon of Sunday. Tryon withdrew his forces 
and recrossed the Sound. The character of this raid 
may be judged from the following testimony and me- 
morials copied Irom the originals in the State Li- 
brary. 

"The first is that of Capt. Bctts himself: 
"'FAIRFIELD COUNTY, I 

"'Norwalk, July 26, 1779. i 

" ' Capt. Stephen Betts, of Col. Z. Butler's Regt., in ye 
Continental service, personally appeared and made sol- 
emn oath 'that on the 11th inst., while ye enemy 
invaded Norwalk, he with about fifty Continental 
troops and some militia engaged a superior number 
of ye enemy, which obliged them to give way to un- 
equal force. As they retreated, John Waters, a Con- 
tinental soldier, fell into ye enemy's hands, delivered 
up his arms, and begged for life. But ye enemy, not- 
withstanding, assaulted him with a bayonet, with which 
they stabbed him in sundry places, and then one of 
them presented his Piece and aimed (as ye Captain sup- 
posed) at his Body, but missing that ye ball sliattered 
his arm. Whereupon finding no (Junrter he made a 
strong eflbrt to escape, which he hapi)ily effected. 
Soon after ye above accident John Lick (Rich?), an- 
other Continental soldier, was shot so as to fall, and, 
as ye enemy were nigh and crowded fast on our People, 
he desired ("apt. Betts to leave him, as they could not 
take liim olf without ye greatest Hazard. Capt. Betts 
saw Lick no more, but says Capt. Eels, of Col. Wylly's 
(?) Regt., told him he .saw Lick after ye enemy had 
retreated, about two hours after Capt. Betts saw him. 
He was then dead and ye top of his skull torn off, sup- 
posed to be blown off by a musquet to dispatch him, 
and further saith not.' " 

" ' Before me, Thaddeus Betts, Justice of Peace.' 

" Abraham Benedict made a personal nieinorial that 
' he had his dwelling-house burnt down and consumed 
by the cruel and barbarous enemy on the 11th day of 
July last p.ost. Tliat before that time he could but 
just support himself and his wife and a numerous fam- 
ily of small children, by reason of a slender constitu- 
tion that he has labored under for many years past, 
and that . . . by means of having his house burnt 
U|>, and the loss of considerable part of his house- 
hold furniture and all his provisions, has reduced him 
so low that he is altogether at present unable to build 
him a home, an<l that he finds it almost next to im- 
possible (by means of so many dwelling-houses being 
burnt by the enemy in said Norwalk) to get a cover- 
ing or shelter to screen himself and family from the 



' inclemency of tlie approaching season. . . . That on 
the 11th day of July last past one Ebenezer Street, 
then in said Norwalk, joined the said enemy and went 
with them over to Long Lsland, and that on the said 
Ebenezer Street's homestead, in said Norwalk, there 
stands a small barn which your Honor's Distressed 
Memorialist is extremely desirous to obtain for the 
purpose of making a dwelling-house of it, to cover 
himself and family, and that said barn and the other 
estate of the said Ebenezer Street has lately been 
adjudged and declared forfeit to his State by a special 
County Court held at Fairfield,' etc. 

" The memorialist goes on to say that he thinks he 
can so join the barn ' to his chimney,' which has been 

I left standing, 'as to take advantage of it and of his 

' cellar, and that he can so fix up said barn that he im- 
agines he can tolerably well live through the approach- 
ing winter in it.' So he wants the barn appraised as 
confiscated ])ropcrty and sold to him, which the As- 
sembly ordered to be done. 

" Oct. 18, 1779, a memorial signed by one hundred 

I and twenty-one persons was sent to the General As- 
.sendjly asking relief, by exemption from taxes and in 
such other way as the Assembly should see meet, on 
account of the destruction of their |)roperty, etc. The 
names of the signers connect us with a large number 
of Norwalk's present families. They are such as 
Betts, Butler, Raymond, Mallory, Fitch, Hanford, 
Smith, Gregory, Gruman, Seymour, Marvin, Bene- 
dict, St. John, Lockwood, Hoyt, Jarvis, Hyatt, Whit- 
ney, Comstock, Beers, .Jennings, Quintard, 'Heirs 
Rev. Mr. Dickenson,' and many others. 

" In answer to the memorial the Assembly appointed 
Col. Benjamin Hinman, Col. Nehemiah Beardslce, 
and Mr. William Heron to inquire into and estimate 
the losses of every individual in said town of Nor- 
walk, in consequence of the late hostile invasion of 
the British troops. 

"Later, in 1792, the Assembly voted to the suf- 
ferers by Tryon's raid half a million acres of land, 
owned by the State and lying south of Lake Erie, — 
the tract afterwards known as New Connecticut. The 
valuation allotted to Norwalk, as the greatest sufferer, 
was over twenty-six thousand pounds. There are 
families here, we believe, who are still enjoying the 
benefit of that apportionment. 

" It is diflicult to estimate the influence of Tryon's 
incursion during that memorable week, from the 5th 
to the 12th of July, on the future history of the war 
and of the country. Like the Indian barbarities, it 
tended to intensify and consolidate the hostility to 
England, and to strengthen the ])atriotism that had 
so little to expect from the success of its enemies. 
And so in the long outworking it is sure that the 
bitter los-ses of that day, so hard for us now to realize, 
were not a waste and the lives that went out were not 
lost. But those lives deserve a memorial that they 
have not received. Is there anything nobler in the 
history of war than the act of that Continental soldier 



NORWALK. 



515 



wliose very name is obscure, — John lAck or John 
Rieh, — who, wounded and pressed hy tlie enemy, 
'desired (.'apt. Px'tts to leave him' and save Ids own 
life, and who was found I>y ('apt. Kcls, 'after the 
enemy had retreated,' with his skull blown otV liy a 
musket to dispateh him'? Noble fellow! lie de- 
serves a monument. Let him have it." 

OKIGIN OF "YANKEE DOOKLE' IN AMERICA. 

It is a sober fact in history that tlie now world-wide 
fomous song of " Yankee Doodh" was composed in 
derisiciu of the Connecticut troops whicdi served the 
Entrlish army at Albany in 17'iS, in the war atrainst 
the French and Indians. All the culonial tmops 
were under the command of C'ol. Thomas Fitch, sou 
of Governor Thomas Fitch, of Xorwalk. 

The dress, marching, aecoutrenu'Uts, and general 
appearance of the Connecticut troops greatly anmsed 
the officers of the English army, as well as the ciiizcus 
of Albany. An Albany newspaper wrote of the ncw- 
comci-s that "some wore long coats, sonn' wore sliort 
coats, and others were witli no coats at all. Their 
dresses were as varied in color as the raiidiow. Some 
of the men had their hair croj>pcd like Cromwell's 
Ronndheads, others were in wigs or wore curls in the 
style of the cavaliers." 

Dr. Shackburg, attached to tin' Englisli army, in 
derision of these nuitley-arraycd Connecticut regi- 
ments, composed the first four verses of the now 
famous song ancl called it "Yankee Poodle." The 
music was not original witli Shackburg, but was an 
adaptation from a song composed upon a noted lady 
in the reign of Charles I. in England, preserved in 
nursery rhyme : 

*' Luiy Lufkt-t lost lier pixkct; 

Kitti.' FWicr f.iiiiul it; j 

Nottiing ill it, nothing in it ; ' 

But tilt* Ijiiidinij; roun-l it." I 

It is supposed to have been written to satirize 
Cromwell, and first a])peared in his time beginning: 

'■ Yankee Pooille came tc t"\vn 
I'linn a Kentisii p(in.v : 
He stnrk a featiier in liis liat. 
And called him SlacCMiDni !'* 



CHAPTER Lll. 

NORWALK (Continued). 

DOCUJIEXTARY AND CIVIL HISTORY. 

BOCUMENTARY HISTORY.? 

The following are extracts from the ancient rec- 
ords of tlie town, and refer to a variety of interesting 
subjects. From these records the reader may learn 
the amount paid Ijy the ancient dwellers in the town 



* For a Lirge poi^ion of the following compilation the editor is iu- 
deltod to Rev. Edwin Hall's Ancient Uistoincal Records of Norwalk. 



for " fetching the cows ;" the sum paid as wolf-boun- 
ties; the attention given to " keejiiug young peoi>lo 
still in meeting;" the amount alloweil for "Ideating 
ye drum" on Sunday, etc. 

SWIXE IN TllK ri.ANTING-FIELP. 

"At a meeting !(th of May, 1(J53, it is agreed and 
ordered, that if there shall be found any swine in tlie 

1 and jdanting fiehl without youkes on, such 

1 have been agreed upon formerly, that it shall 

1 lawful for any inhabitant to kill any of such 

aforesaid swine Lieing found in the tibove said woods, 
alter the date hereof, jirovidcd the jier.son killinge 
any such swine shall immediately endeavor to in- 
forme tlie owners of such swine, that they may ttike 
them and make meate of them ; and this order to 
continue untill the companie shall repeale it." 

MR. II.VNFonii'S iiorsE. 
"Deseniber the ISth. lO.'i.'i, agreede by the Towns- 
men about Jlstr. Hanford's house with Ralph Keciler 
and Waltar Ilaite as followeth, — viz., Ralph Keeiler 
is to fell all the Timber, and hcwe wliat is to licwe, 
and frame all. The timber to lie laied by and 

shinckles to be laied by in ,t and he to raise the 

house, and to hange the .shinckles with jiinues, and 

1 them 1 ill clay and to make the mortar, and 

1 house is to be in lenth 21! feete, and liredth III 

and for the saied worke, he is to have in 

wdieate ;it the marchants price, rest in current 

pay, and he is to finish the by the lOtli of Aprill 

nc.\t ; and the said 1 is to do all the worke 

belonging to the Frame, in such convencnt time 

as may sute Keeiler, for whi<-li worke he is to 

have ye for which worke he is to put it in his 

rates, proviile 800 of board, at 7s a hundred for 

it im Ujipon furtlu'r consideration the aforesaid 

frame is to be HI foote in lenth, and IX foote in 
bredthe, and Ralph Keeiler is to have 20 more; and 
!Math. Marvin, Jr. now hath undert.-iken to lay in 

2000 of good stiff shinckles at Ralph Kecilers 

ready to have at .'' 

THE POUND. 

"It was ordered and voted allso at the f<iresaicd 
meetinge, that there sliall be a gooil and sufficient 
pound or pinnefohl erected anil sett up, a.s soon as the 
season will jiermitt ; at the jilace where the Towns- 
men .shall a])poynt, the saied pound to be thirtie foote 
square, six foote in height, six rayles in every lenth ; 
the sayed rayles to be 11 foote in lenth, and the postes 
to be about 10 inches squtire ; and for the saied ]iound 
the Townc are contented, and doe jircmiise to pay, to 
any that shall undertake to finish, sayed pound, the 
some of Twoe pounds. 

"Memorandum: tluit in regard there is a conveni- 
ence to have the saied pound made and that with ex- 
pedition, — Xath. and Math. Canifield, Nath. Richards, 

+ Obliterated. 



516 



HISTORY OF FxVIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



and Thos. Fitch have undertaken to have the saied 
pound maid at-cordinge to the agreement." 

FELLING TIMBER. 

" Agrecde and voted at tlie aforcsaycd meotingc, 
that if tiiere shall be any timber felled in any of the 
commonage belonging to the Town of Nouwake 

or uncorded beyond the space of three mounthcs, 

from the date hereof, that is to say Desember 29th 
1653, then it shall be lawfuU for any planter to use 
and carry away the said timber as their proper owne. 

" Agreed and voted also that if any timber shall be 
found in the commonage afore.^ayed, lyinge and con- 
tinuing above three mounthcs after it is hewcn and 
corded, that then allso it shall be lawful and free for 
any inhabitant or planter to take it and carry away, as 
their proper owne. 

" Agreed and voted at the aforesaied meetinge that 
if any inhabitant shall fall or cause to be fallen any 
tree into any common cart way, and not cause said 

tree to be removed within the space of howrcs, 

so as it to be noe annoyance to the saide cart way, 
that then it shall be lawful for any of the inhabitants 
to remove the saied tree, and — planter that did fall 

the saied tree to the that removed the tree 

the some of in good current pay." 

nUnXISG THE WOODS. 

"And that the Townsmen shall see the woods 
burned in the fitting season; and of the time of 
burning to give convenient notice to the inhabitants 
that they may secure their fences." 

TOWN OFFlCEIiS IN 1054. 

" At a meten helde by the inhabitants of Norwake 
on the 13 April, 1004, when they maid choycc of JJr. 
P"itch, and Goodman Moore to be townsmen for tlie 

insuen yere ; at the same time they chose Ely 

as constable for the ensuing yere." 

MAKING PBAISS. 

'■ At a meetinge holden the 24th of April, 1().34, it 
was ordered and agreed and voted that there shall be 
a drain made through every man's lott in the meadows 

and of the lottcs in the meadows on the other 

side that whenever tliose men that are chosen to 

appoynt the same, and also tlie breadth and depth 
of the same to be made as such indilferent men 

chosen upjioynt ; provided also that wiienever 

the saied druincs are to be made, there shall be allow- 
ance aflbrded to every man, in meadow, for the losse 
of the grounil by reason of the said drains; also that 
the same drains are al.so to be kept and sustained by 
the owners thereof, for perpetual aa they were ap- 
poynted ; and those men that arc to vewe and ap- 
poyent the saied drains Mr. Camlield, Natli. Eli, 
Tlio. Fitch." 

AI.I.OTMKNTS OF L.\NT>. 

"Ordered allso that the allottments to beginne to 
be layed out as following : Vidclicett to beginne 



at the end of the hither plaine where .Tohn Greggory 
mowed the last year, &c." 

THE MILL. 

"At a meetinge held the 6th of January, Ki"^, it 

was voted and agreed, that the "' mill shall desist 

* and not to be caryed on, and Richard AVeb, 

Tho. Fitch, Nath. Richards, shall send ujion the first 
opportunitie to Leeiftenant Swaine, and acquaint him 
with the minds of the Towne concerning saied mill. 

" Voted, ordered, agreed, and concluded at the 
aforesaied meetinge, that the three undertakers of 
the mill in the behalfe of the Towne, with Leeiftenant 
Swaine, should with all convenient speed agree with 
the said Leeiftenant Swaine for the desystinge and 
leavinge of the said mill, as well as they could ; and 
what charges the saied agreement amounted to, the 
said Towne would satisfy & pay." 

TOWNSMEN IN 1055. 

" At a meetinge held the 29th of March 165.5, 
voted and agreed that Richd. Web, and Richd. 
Seamer, are chosen Townsmen for the ensuinge yeere. 

" Agreed and voted also at the saied meetinge that 
Walter Haite and Ralph Kceiler are to worke the 
fence for the yeere ensuinge. 

" Agreed and voted that Robt. Beacham is Gate 
Keeper for the yeere ensuinge." 

THE TOWN HERD. 

" At a meeting held y' 30 of May 1G55, agreed and 
voted that all dry cattle excepting 2 yeer ould heffers 
shall be herded together on the other side of Norwake 
river; and ther keej) by the owners of the cattle; 
every man kcjting according to his proportion of cat- 
tle ther herded. It is also agreed at y" same meeting 
that for the lodging and wonting of y° sayed herd in 
the place fore named there shall be a pound erected by 
the first Wednesday in .Tune, every man .sending in 
help for y'' efecting of the pound according to his pro- 
portion of cattle ther herded. It is also agreed that 

there is * to be employed in keeping the herd * 

but suficicnt able man. It is also agreed that whoso- 
ever, after lawfully warned, shall neglect his day in 
keeping, shall forfeit five shillings to y* use of the 
towne, and for every our that a man is defective after 
sun lialfe an our hye, by not going forth of the towne 
to the keeping of his herd, he shall forfeit si.\ pence 
for the town's use." 

FETCHING THE SMITH'S TOOLS FROM H.\RTF0niv 

" At the same meeting agreeil and voted by the 
towne of Norwake to give Matthew C'amfield and 
Nathaiiiell Hayes six and twenty shillings for the 
fetching of the tools pertaining to the Smith from 
Hartford, and is to be payd the next rate." 

LANDS AND ACCOMMODATIONS. 

" The estate of lands and accommodations in 

the hands of as followeth |in 1665|: 

• Oblllenited. 



NORWALK. 



5]^ 



£ «. i B. 

Mstr. llanfunl :)oil ml Matt. Jlarriii, jr i:i',) 10 

Nalli.Eli •^•J.i 111! Tluw. Ilalua US OtI 

. Illiitli.l'iUiiiifii-lcI -is:! 1(1 Wiiltcr llaitu ublitoiatod. 

Nathl. Kicliaras -JSJ (111 Dim. Ki'ilc.s:(;i> " 

Ki. Ii. Wi-b K5 111 Niilli. Iliiii-s " 

IsiiikeMore 'iVi (M) .Ii.iiiitli. Miiisli " 

Jlath. Miirviii, sen 27!) (Id Kiil|ili K.-iili-r " 

Sam. Ilak-s -J.'.!! Oil .I..I111 1!.i«t..ii, 

Thci. Fit.h ;114 (III Ititlicl. lI.iiMiw 

Kiiha.dliiist.il '.il'.i 10 Matliiw Si-iitiiili " 

Matliias S.-iiti.in, siMi 1811 (HI Mti-|.li. l!.-ikwith " 

.TiiliiiCriaHiili.' ISS III Tims. ScaiiUT " 

R.il.t. IVai himi 17:', (III TI1..S. Lii|it.m 

Jdliii Itiiskiie l.-xl (HI Wi.l. Moit'iin 

JIalli. Sclltinli.jr l.Ml oil Tu ilispuso of 2110 110 

Ral|ili Kcfiid- l.'>ll 00 

Uec>. AWiitt 7J 110 .Siimni total is 547J 00 



L.VPDEliS ritdVIJlED. 

"At a iiU'Cting lioldcii the 21st nf .Itnuuirv, Kiri."), 
by the inhiibitants (if Xiir\v:ikc, vnti.'il and njirccd tluit 
every liimsflioli]or shall iirnvidc, erect, and sett uji a 
good and suffieieiit ladder reacliiiifr ii]it(i the idiinuiey 
above the house, the said ladder to be made and sett 
up within one nioiinthe after the date hereof, and tiitit 
if any householder shall be defei'tive herein, the stiid 

householder shall of five shillings to the use of 

the town. 

" At the same meetinge, it was fuUie agreed, voted 
and concluded, bet;veen the inhabitants of Js'orwake 
of the on? syde, and Waltar Ilaite of the other syde, 
that the said Waltar Haite is to erect and sett up a 
good and sufficient gate leading into the nietidows of 
the other side, &e. . . . 

"Feb. 5, 1057. Voted and agreed tlitit lloht. 
Beachani .shall enjoy and possess that iiareidl of lande 
lyinge betweenc his home lott and the (Joafe Bancke, 
as hi.s owne ; being given and granted liy the Towne 
at the saied meetinge ; and the stiied Kobt. Beaeham 
has promised and ingaged to keepe and niaintaine the 
gate leadinge into the neeke for the yere ensuinge. 

"March 5, Ki.'iT. At the saied meetinge, Isacke 
More, Matth. Sention, Mark ISention, Ed. Nash, with 
consent of the Towne, have undertaken to make and 
provide a good and sutlieient widfe-idtt ujion the other 
side in some convenient place, &e. 

"(1657.) iNIemorandum. That .Timathan Marsh 
does ingage to build a corne-niill and sutlie- 
ient 

"Memorandum. That Jontithan Marsh is to have 
upland to be laied out tidjnininge to the mill 

" At a Towne meetinge held the iirst day of March, 
— 58, agreed with Goodman Marsh about grinding 
our corne, and he hath agreed to attend the towne '.i 
dayes in the week, that is to say, the 2d, the 4th, and 
the (5th day of the week, and these days he is to at- 
tend, thiit we may have to fetch and carry 

corne to the mill." 



THE INDIANS. 

"At a Towne meetinge the LSth of April, Kioo, 
voted and ordered Leeiftenant Olmsted and Thos. 
Fitch are to take care and h)ok after the [ridians 

are permitted to plant butt such as jiroperly 

belongs to the towne ; that those that doe jilant doe 



j speeilily make np the fence, and so allso kee]> it up 

sutlieient, and also that noe Indian within a 

I quarter of a mile of the towne. 

NAll.S Kolt THE MEETIXG-IIOISK. 

" At a Towne meetinge held the 22d of May, '55, 

voted and instructed the Townsmen to procuer 

navies, witli all speed, for the ineeting-housc, and at, 

as reasonalile rate as they can Towne's accniint. 

AU.so, Thos. Fitch, sen. and Leeiltenant Olmsted tire 
desired to be helpful unto Ntith Richards in — the 
proeuriuge helpe for the making up the mill Daiiine." 

THE cows TO PASTfRE. 

" i\[emorandum. The cowe keeper began to herd 
the cowes the second Jlonday in May, being the Stli 
or !t|li day ; and the dry herde began to be driven out 

liy '.', nu'U to Booton, that was Marke Mention, 

Math. Sentiim, and Walter Haite to be al- 
lowed (id. a turne." 

ADMITTING Mil. REED. 

I 

"At the iiforesayed meeting, voted and agreed that 
JIatli. Beed is tidniitted tii ciimc into the tnwne ;is an 
inliahitant." 

Mf.ST COME TO T0WN-MEET1NG,3. 

"Anno l(i5(I, Ajiril 1st. At tlie same meeting 

agreed and voted, that all ihe inhaliitants nf Niirwake 

shall all lie jiresent at the town meetings lawfully 

• warned, ;ind answer to their names, upon the Ibrfcit 

of 12 pence a man, on such default; and there re- 

inayn till the townsmen or townsman shall the 

meeting, upon the .sttme forfeit." 

Jlli. IIANFORD'S SAI.AKV. 

•" At a meeting held by the inhabitants of Norwalke 
(1(!5()), agreed and voted, that Mr. Hanford shall have 
three score pounds allowed for the yere insuing, by 
them tor his rate, antl he is to be paid :is followeth: 
30 iKiunds in wheat, and petise, tind biirlcy, at the 

prices 4 shillings per liushell for wheat and 

barley, and lor ]iease, 3 shilling per bushell. The 

other 30 pounds is to be jiayed, .S pounds in and 

the other 22 pounds is to be payed in lieefe and pork 
at the common currint jirisc that it brings, when it 
is dew." 

THE MEETING-HorSE. 

j " .Xt a meeting of the inhabitants of Norwtike, the 
3d of January (l(i50) agreed :ind voted, that there 
shall be ;i meeting-house built by the joint cimcur- 
renee of the inhabitants, 30 fofit in length, :ind l.S 
foot in . . . to be set upon |iosts in tlie ground, 12 
foot in length, that there be 10 foot distance from the 

ground to the to the efl'ect of the liuilding, the 

inhaliittints having engaged 48 daj's worke, 

which each is to perliirme as he may be called there- 
unto by chosen and appointed by the towne ■ 

to call them forthe, provided that the said men give 
warning two davs at least beforehand." 



518 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



WOLF-PITS. 
" At a meeting held on the 16th of September, 1659, 
voted and agree that it shall be lawful for any person 
or persons to make any wolfe pitt or pitts in con- 
venient i)laees, and wliat wolfcs sliall be taken and 
killed by the sayed j)ersons, they shall be allowed for 
every wolfe 10s. by the towne." 

CL.\rBO.\BDISG THE MEETING-HOUSE. 

"At a meeting held the 12th of December, 1660, 
the towne liath agree witli IMr. Fitch, and Goodman 
Iticliard.-i, and Jolm Kusco, to clapboard tlie meeting- 
house with inside .so hy as the window ; to find the 
bords, and to have 3/. (is. for the doing of itt ; tliis 
worke to be don by the last of January next." 

BIFFICULTY WITH FAinFIEM). 

" At a meeting lield the 6th of May, 1664, voted and 
agreed, that the deputies made choice of to attend 

the General Court are autlmrized by the said 

vote, tliat if they have an opportunity to issue the 
difference between the Towne of Faierficld and our- 
selves eoucerningc the bounds, they are imjKjwcred 
to issue the same, either by agreement with them 
according to former propositions propounded unto 
them, if accepted, and if not accept<>d, then to issue 
it in the court if it maybe; and Thonms Fitch is 
voted to be assisting in the busine.s.s, etc. 

" At the same meeting, voted that the Townsmen are 
hereby empowered to hier a man, or man and horses, 

at the towne charge, for the sending for Mstr. B , 

and bring him again to Fairfield, for so many times 
as he may be procured, while Mstr. Ilanford is ab- 
sent." 

ADDITION TO TUE MEETI.NG-UOUSE. 

"At the same meetinge (1664), voted and agreed, 
that there shall be an addition made and sett up to 

the meeting-house, and that ende sett up aud 

joined unto the fore part of the meetinge house, the 
saycd Ijuihling to be in breadth 20 or 22 foote, aud in 
lenth 16 foote at least; and the towne engages, aud 
every person to worke twoe days a man, if need be ; 
and there being appoynted Thomas Fitch, sen., and 
Matliew Marvin, sen., to call out so many men as they 

think fitt to fell and cutt tlie timber, and allso 

to summon each to drawe tlie saied timber." 

NATII. lUClIARDS BUYS TUE MILL. 

" At the same meetinge, the Towne doth approve 
and consent unto Natli. Kiciiards of his purehasingc 
and buyinge of tlic mill and land, both upland and 
meadow of Jonathan 5Iarsh ; the saied Nath. Kich- 
ards being to give and pay unto Jonathan Marsh for 
the saycd mill and all that belonges unto the saycd 
mill, with the upland and meadow, being 6 akcrs and 
2 ruode-s of upland lying upon the mill hill, and 3 
parcells of meadow, and called C'ranbury swamp, &c." 

llENItT WIIITNEYS MILL. 

■ M the saved Meetinge (July 24, 1665), Henry 
Whitney hath agreed and Ingagcd with the Towne, 



to make, build, and erect a good and sufficient ground 
corne mill, and that at the mouth of Norwake River 
by the falles; and that upon certain conditions, which 
conditions are to be fullie drawn up, by Thoma-s 
Fitch, Leeiftcnnant Olmsted, Mstr. Fenn, Mr. Whit- 
inge, to confirme . . . signed l)y the Towne or thosse 
they shall depute their . . . whicli conditions were 
fully agreed upon at the sayde . . . between the 
Towne and Henry Whitney. . . 

" Also at the .sayed meetinge the Towne voted and 
granted unto the said Henry Whitney a Homelott, 
consistinge of twoe akcrs, the .sayed lott to be laved 
out upon the mill plaiue upon the right hand of the 
path leading down to the old mill, being over the 
Kunlett 2 or three rodd from the sayed Kunlett and 
also from the cart way ; and so the grant of the other 
Lott is relinquishede." 

BEATING THE DRUM. 

"Also (1665), Walter Ilaite has undertaken to beatc 
the drumm for meetings when all occasions required, 
for which he is to have 10s. Also Tho. Hennidict hits 
uiulertaken to have the meeting house swept for the 
yeere ensuing; he is to have 20s." 

HOW TO DEAL WITH THE STAMFORD MEN. 

" It was also voted and agreed, August 26, '66, that 
such men of our inhabitants as docgoeto cutt hay on 
the other side five mile river, the towne will stand by 
them in the action to defend them, and to beare an 
equall proportion of the damage they shall sustaine 
upon that account ; and if tliey shall be afrontcd by 
Stamford men, the towne will take as speedy a course 
as they can to prosecute them by law, to recover their 
just rights touching the lands in controversy ; and 
also they have chosen and deputed Mr. Thomas Fitch 
to goc with the sayed men when they goe to cutt or 
fetch away, to make answer for and in behalfe of the 
towne, and the rest to be silent." 

JIKNDING THE FENCES. 

"At a towne meeting in Norwalk, March the 2oth, 
1667, it was voted and ordered that it shall be left to 
the townsmen from ycre to yere, to appoint a time or 
day, at or before the 10th of JIarch, for the securing 
of the fences on both sides, and that they shall give 
notis to all the inhabitants the night before ; and the 
drumb to be beaten in the morning; which shall be 
accounted sufficient warning for every man to secure 
his fence, or else to beare his own damage." 

FETCHING THE COWS. 
"At the same meeting (Oct, 17, 1667), voted and 
ordered, that al\cr the field is cleared, the townsmen 
shall hier Stephen Hcckwith, or some other man, to 
fetch the cowes out of the neck; and that iie that 
shall be hired shall give warning by sounding a home 
about twelve of the clock, that he that is to accom- 
pany him may repaier to him." 

WOLVES. 

" Also at the same meeting in Norwalk, Oct. 28, 
'67, it was voted and ordered, that the townsmen, 



NORWALK. 



519 



for every wolfe that shall be killed in this town, e}i;her 
in pits or otluTwise, the hea<l or eare.s being brought 
and shewed, after this present day till the town rates 
are made for the defraying such charges, shall have 
twenty shillings for every such wolfe." 

TRAINING. 

" At a meeting of tlie inhabitants nf Norwalke, May 
the 7th, llUiS ; being met together upon an occasion of 
trayning, and having some otlier business to transact 
touching towne officers, did unanimously agree, tluit 
wliat (iiders should be made and concluded of at tlie 
aforcsaycd meeting, should stand in as full forse as if 
it had bin legally warned." 

KKEPIXG THE YOUNG PEOI'LE STILI. IN JlEKTINli. 

" At a meeting of the inhabitants of Norwalk, July 
the 13 : '68, Tho. Lupton was chosen to look after the 
young people in the meeting-house on the Lord's day, 
aiultodoe his best indevnr to kepethem from playing 
and unsivill behavor in time of jiublik worship." 

THE HERDSMEN. 

" At a towne meeting in Norwalk, March the IG, 
1668, it was voted and agreed, that there shall be 
two herdsmen hired, one to keep the dry heard and 
the other to keep the milch heard for this whole 
sonier. 

" At the same meeting it was voted and agreed that 
Steven Beckwith is to keep the milch heard this somer, 
and is to have twelve shillings a week for his paynes; 
and half a jiound of butter for every cow as part of his 
pay, and the rest in wheat, j)ease, Indian corn, at 4s. 
6d. ; 3s. 6d., and eight groats per bushell." 

DIFFICULTY WITH ST.\MFORD. 

" Sept. 30, 1668. Voted and onlercd, that the depu- 
ties that ar clicsen to goe to the court in October ne.Kt, 
shall doe their best indevor tiuit the diferance between 
Stamford and Norwalk may be brought to an issue. 

" At the same meeting it was voted and ordered 
that it shall be left to the towns men to send a letter 
to Stamford to signifie the towns intensi(m about tlie 
difference of Bounds." 

MAKING A FENCE FOR A WINTER WHEATFIEMl. 

" Dec. 4, 1668. It was agreed and concUuled that a 
fence shall be made and sett up for y' taking in 
of a winter wheat field, which sayd fence is to begin 
at the gate by gooilman Nash his house, and to Ivun 
along by the highway that goes to stony hill, and to 
end at the creek that comes in between Matthuo 
Camfield his Island, and Nathaniell Richards out 
meddow, which fence is to be made good sufitient 
fence ; eyther postes and Rayls, or stones or logs ; 
but not hegg; and this to be finished by the last of 
September next ensueing, and to be layed out and 
divided by Mr. Fitch, Daniell Kellogg, and Christo- 
pher Comstock ; and also it was concluded that the 
first lott should begin at the gate ; which first lott was 
drawn bv 



1. M.ittliew Marvin, Sr. 

2. SaiiuH'l Sfiisiiiii. 

3. Hubert Stuwart. 

4. SaniiK'l Csiiiifii'M. 

5. Tliuinas I^iiptnu. 

6. Thonuis Fitch. 

7. Thomas Si'iuner. 

8. Eiiward Niusli. 
0. Mr. Ilanfnrd. 

10. ilatthias St'usinn, 

11. Thomas Bi.-riiijJick. 

12. George Alihet. 

13. Walter lla.vtc. 

14. Tliomas Uetts. 
1.5. Daniell Kello-. 



16. Christoiilier Comstok. 

17. Mr. Fiteh. 

IS. Nathaniel Hayes. 
10. Joliu Giegory, Sr. 

20. Mark Sension. 

21. John Raymonii. 

22. Wi.l.low Wel.h. 

23. M.attliew Marvin. .Jr. 

24. N.ithaniel Ki.-har.ls. 
2.1. Riehartl Olmstead. 
2fi. John lioiiton. 

27. John Gregory, .Ir. 

25. John Piatt. 
20. John Rnseoe. 

:J0. Richard W'holms. 



31. fllatthia-s Seusinti, Jr. 

" Ralph Kcelcr did promise and iiigage to fence 
forty Rodd of the aforesayd fence provided that he 
may sett it u]> against bis own land." 

ASH-HOUSE. 

"At a towne meeting in Norwalk, .lanuary the 22d, 
'6!l, it was voted and grante<l that Thomas Oviet of 
Milford shall have liberty to set a house by the water 
side before John Gregory's senr., to put ashes in." 

THE INDIANS. 

" At the same meeting it was voted that Mr. Fitch, 
and Matthew Marvin, junior, are desired and ap- 
pointed, and it is left to their discretion, to treat with 
the Indians touching the lands between the West 
brancli of the Norwalk river and Saketuk river; to 
git it to be marked out and bounded twelve miles up 
the contery at the letist, and that it may be dun and 
finished accoriliug to law, and being so bounded and 
marked, the Indians are to have their 4 coates." 

rOUK CO.^TS TO MAMACIIIMON. 

" Pec. 2."), 1669. Voted and concludc<l tliat Mama- 
chimon shall have fowre cotes paid to him by the 
towne, when he shall have settled the bounds of the 
land up the country, 12 miles at the leaste, against 
all claims whatsoever." 

UNDIVIDED LANDS. 

" At the same meeting voted and agreed that till the 
lands within the bounds of Norwalk that are at pres- 
ent undivided, shall for futor be divided onley to such 
as are the present proper Inhabitants of this towne, 
according to estate given in, only excepting y' division 
of six acors the 100 to home lots already granted. 

j " At the same town meeting voted and ordained that 

I until such time as y' Indian fence be made up so as to 
serve the feild, their sludl not any of our inhaliitaiits 
let any Indian have any parte of his property neither 
less or more to plant U])on, eyther on this side or the 
other, upon the penalty of 20/' an acre so sett; and so 

j proporsionaly for every greter or lesser (]uantity ; and 
the same order to stand in force against any person 
that shiill cither hier or exchang anv land of the In- 
dians for the tutor; and this to stand in force from 
yere to yere until it be repealed. 

I " At the same meeting it was voted and ordered that 
the eorne feilds, on both sides ar to be layd in by the 



520 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



next tliirsday com scnit, and the fences to be made up 
sufficient." 

INDIAN I.ANI). 

"At the same meeting it was voted and ordered 
tliat no person or persons whatsoever inliahiting in 
tliis towno shall for futor improve any land of the 
Indians witliin the indian feild eyther by liiring, or 
exchanging girts, or any otlier way, under the penalty 
of twenty shillings an acor yerly, for every acor so 
improved, and so for every greater or lesser quantity. 

" At a towno-meeting in Korwalk, April the 12th, 
1670, it w-as voted and agreed that the order yt wa.s 
made March 15th, '69, to prohibit exchanging of 
lands with the Indians, shall be suspended for the 
next sonier, & that any that have a mind to exchange 
with them may soe do ; but not to hold it any longer 
than the next Indian harvest, and then the aforesaid 
order to stand in as full forse as before." 

llOrXDABIKS. 

"At a towne-meeting in Norwalk, June the first, 
1670, it was voted and ordered that Licuteut Olmsted 
and John Gregory, senr. ar to be joyned with 3Ir. 
Mr. Fitch and Mathu Marvin Jun. to git tlie bounds 
marked out between Norwalk river and Saketuk river 
as is expressed in a former order; and being so done 
to such satisfaction as their is exprest in that former 
order, the Indians are to receive six cotas at the town's 
charg." 

THEATING WITH STASIFORD. 

" At the same meeting voted and agreed that Mr. 
Fiteli and leuetent Olmsted and Daniel Xellogg are 
chosen a commitee to goe to Stanford to treat with 
the inhabitants their, to se if they and we can come 
to a loving and neighborly issue and agreement, about 
the division of bounds betwixt them and us; and the 
said committee is to make these projjositions to the 
men of Stanford, eyther to divide betwixt five mile 
river and pine brook; that is to say in the middle 
betwin both ; or else to divide in tlie middle betwin 
Saketuk River and the bounds betwin Stanford and 
Greenwig." 

JOHN GREGORY. 

" At the same meeting it was voted and concluded 
that their shall be two men chosen to prosecute the 
case against John Gregorie, senior, as touching the 
lands lie howlds from the right of James the Indian, 
eyther by law or otherwise, as that they may howld 

and maintaine the rights which the town or 

any other land which lie claims in the like natuer, as 
the island called C'okkanus Island." 

TOWN OFKICKBS IN 1C70. 

"At the same meeting [Feb. the 21, 1670) Matthu 
Marvin, Junior, chosen to swcpe tiie meating house, 
and to luive 20». for his pains, and Walter Haytc 
chosen to beate the drume, and to h ive 10». for the 
sayd imployment ; Tho. Bennydyck senr. chosen 
townc clerk, and to li*ve 20i>. for his ])ains; Mr. Fitch 
& John Bouton chosen survaiors, Leuteii' Olmsted, 
Ensign Tho. Fitch, Nnthaniell Richards, Daniell 



I Kellogg & Tho. Bennydick, senr. chosen celect 
I Jneu." 

THE GU.AKD. 

" At the aforesayed meting it was voted and ordered 
that it shall be left to tho five men, to procure a hand- 
some and convenient seate made and sett up in the 
meting house, for a garde to sitt in, in the most suit- 
able place, with all such convenianccs for their Arms 
as tiicy shall jug necessarj-, and the charg to be borne 

by the towne." 

■ 

BURNING THE WOODS. 

" At the same meeting voted and agreed, that the 
I townsmen shall bier a man to burn the woods, onely 
they shall not give above 12«. for that service." 

COVER OVER MR. HANFORD'S DESK. 

I "At a town meeting in Korwalk, November 17tli, 
1670, it is voted and agreed that there shall be a man 

' or men hired to make a comely and convenient cover 
over Jlr. Hanford's desk, in the meeting house, at the 

, town's charge." 

THE BRIDGE. 

" At the aforesayed meeting [Jan. the 1st, 1671] it 
was voted and agreed on that there shall be a bridg 
made over Norwalk river; the charg shall be born 
according to the list of estates then in being of every 
inliabitant in the town of Norwalk. 

" At the same meeting voted tiiat it shall be left to 
the select men in this town, to improve their best skill 
to see what will be contributed by the several towns 
adjacent towards the building of a bridg over Norwalk 
river; it was further voted that the select men shall 
send to .scrjent Andrues of Newhaven, to git him to 
come over to give us advise about the bridg, & the 
town will bear the charg of his coming and going." 

RECOMl'ENSE FOR BAD COATS FOR MAMACHIMON. 

"Feb. 9, 1()71. Voted and agreed that inasmuch 
iis Mr. Fitch have given a rate to Manutchimon to 
make him a recompense for the badness of the former^ 
coats he received, that the prise of it shall be p)it into 
this town rate that now is to be made." 

DIVISION OF LAND, AND LAYING OVT IlOME-I.oTS. 

" At the same meeting voted and agreed that Nath. 
Hays & Tho. Fitch, Junr, shall fall in with the rest 
of the inhabitants in the hu-t devision that was agreed 
on to be laycd out, notwithstanding their former 
gratuety ; onely they are to take it up in the woods, 
because they have received already in the neck. 

" (John Piatt & Thomas Bennydick, senr. were to 
lay out the last division, according to the grant; and 
also to lay out the home-lots.) 

" It was voted and agreed that only the proper in- 
habitants that are now in being shall have a home 
lott, and all such shall Injoy one according to a 
former order. 

" Agreed on that all those men that now draw lota 
with their neighbors, shall stand to their lotts that 
now thev draw. 



NORWALK. 



521 



" Agreed on tliat the first lot shall begin at the 
hether end of Drye Hill, as soon as the hill shall be 
found capabliMif lotting, by those that are to lave out 
the lotts, and on this side the liill l)y the path that 
goes to Cramberry plain, and so baek again on the 
other side of the hill honiward, & so all the rest of 
the land in that order. 

" Agreed that those that do not draw lots with the 
rest of their neighbors sliall take them up with their 
devision of six acors to the hundred ; if it be their to 
be had; if not, then they shall full in with their 
neighbors whear they shall end, or at the side of them 
whear it shall be most convenient. 

" Further agreed tliat it shall be left to the .'i men 
that are to lay out the lotts, that they shall size them 
so a.s they may be nuide most eipiall, aeeording to 
their best discression." 

EST.M'E KOR TIIK I'lIIMiKEN. 

" At the aforesaid meeting voted and agreed on, that 
every one of our inhabitants that have not a.s yet had 
any estate tor their ehildring, shall have five pounds 
for every chikle now in being; to be added to their 
father's estate, it this is to take j)lace in the land that 
is now to be laycd out in y'' In<liaii feild, ami not 
before." 

THE EST.\TES OF LANDS .^N'D .\CrOMMori.\TIOXS OF YE 
TOWN OF NOUW.\LK. 
Lmpuimij:. ,£ s, tl. 

.Ti»hri GrtKOf.v. S'" -"'-i t*' " 

Niitlianifl Ha}"' ll'i u 11 

Thniiias I.uptiiii 70 » 

ItiL-liant Uuluies ].'>l) u o 

.loliii Riiscue l.^in u 

Mr. IlautonI ;i(HI 1} )i 

Tlionia.s ISenn.vdick, Sr ].'>() il ii 

John Ilinitau 10(1 n 

Juliii BfiinvdiL-k, Jr l.'ilj u 

Uaiiiil Kcliogft 12.". 11 (J 

JIaltliew Slarvin, Jr l:l'.l 111 

Mr. Thciiias Fitch, Sr :il4 (1 

Natlianit'i Hichards 'iliS II U 

Mark Si:iisi(Hi •.'.'i-.i 11 

Jalni^s Sension 17.'> II 

Matliu aiarviii, Sr lii'.t n ii 

Tliuliias tirey:ni-_v .'in (I 

John Olnisteil..'™ .'.ii n il 

Andrew McssiMigt-r 2.^> II 11 

Samuel I'anili.ld 2:1.1- Il II 

Richard Oliii^n-d lla 10 II 

I'hri-tnph.T r,,uiatiK:k Hi! 10 

Tli.'iuasS.-aiiKT 1110 II 

Widd..\v Wehl. 2.1.1 II 

.lolili llayilioiid 1,10 II 

Edward Nash IGli 10 

Juhii Keiler oO o o 

John (;n!g()r3-,.Jr .10 o 

Judali Gref^ory .Ill II o 

Jakin Gregory ;10 II o 

ThumasTuylcr .1j II il 

Saniuell Smith 7(1 

George Ahhet 71 II 

Walter Hayte 1112 ll o 

Malhias.Sensioil HI 11 

Ralph Keiler .1:1 10 

Samuel Haye8 100 li 

John Huyte liiO II n 

Thomas Jle(t« 14ti 10 

Samuel lientiydiek ilo 

Ephraim Loekwood 70 

Thomas Fit«;h,Jr 150 

John I'latt IC,8 i:i 4 

Suninel Sension IliO 

Rohhart Steward 2110 o o 

Jonathan I*irkii» Jo u 

Jaun-s Picket Ill 

Samuel Keiler 53 10 

I'eter Lnpton .10 

Krann-s Huslmell Ill (I 

.laiiM's ulm^ted .10 

.Tames lieniiydi.k :17 

llaniel lieniiydiek :iO 

34 



£ ». d. 

Joseph Gregory 50 

.Inlm Nash 50 

Tlionurs Hiet 5 

Steven Beekwitli 5 I) 

.hdin Crainldon :t li .S 

James Milier .'^ii o 

Thomas Barnuni 40 ii o 

Thomas lletts, Jr 10 li 

Jolin llelding .1 II o 

William Lees ;i II 

Samuel Beldiiig ;; u o 

T.VVEBN-KEEPER. 

"At the same meeting Christopher Com.stork was 
chosen and apjiroved of to keep an ordin:iry for thr 
entertayning of strangers." 

CHESTNUT IIII.L. 

"At the aforesayed meeting, March l!>th, 1G71, it 
was voted and agreed on that Chestnut Hill is to be 
resarved for a feild for the Indians, if need be, and if 
they shall e.xeept of it." 

COlKENoES ISLAND. 

" AUsoe at the same meeting [Feb. 20, 1(>72], it 
was voted and agreed on that the sayd Island called 
Cockenoe, is to lye common for the use of the towne 
as the other Islands doe." 

THE CHILDREN oK TUE TOWN. 

John Gregory, Jr., have cliil- Tlionias llennydick, Jr., 2. 

dring, :i. Daniel Kellogg, G. 

John tiregory, Sr., 1. :Mathew Marvin, Jr., G. 

Nathaniel Hayes, 7. George Abbot. 7. 

Thomas Liipton, 2. Matthias .Sensiun, 7. 

Richard Holms, 2. Keih-rs, :i. 

John Kuseoe. 5. Samuel Hayes, 1. 

Mr. Hanford, G. Jachin Grcgor.v, 2. 

Tliomas liennydii-k, Sr., C. Thomas Tayler, 2. 

John Uonton, 5. Jndah Gregory, :i. 

John Hayte, 1. Samuel Camtield, 1. 

Thomas Belts, 8. Thomas Fitch, Jr., 4. 

Ephraim Loekwood, 3. Thomas Seanier, 7. 

.lohn I'latt, 3. John Kaymoml, 1. 

Saniuell Sension, 2. Eilward Nash, 2. 
Robbart Steward, 5. 

THE SOLDIERS IN THE INDIAN WAR. 

" At a Town meetinge .Tanuary the 12th, 1670, the 
Towne in consideration of tlie good service that the 
souldiers sent out of the towne ingaged and performed 
by them in the Indian warr, out of resjiect and thank- 
fulnesse to the sayed souldiers, doe with one consent 
and freely, give and grant unto so many souldiers as 
were in the service at the direful swamp-fight, twelve 
acors of land ; and eight acors of land to so manv 
souldiers as were in the ne.xt considerable service; 
and fowre acors to those souldiers as were in the next 
considerable service ; the sayed souldiers having lib- 
ertie to take up the s.ayed granted lands within the 
l)ounds of the town, provided that it lie not upon 
those lands that are ]irohibiteil, and also such lands 
as are pitched upon before the date hereof by the 
proj)rietors or proprietor; provided also the sayd 
grant is only to such souldiers as shall within one 
yeere, and possess tind inijirove the sayd lanils," 

JOHN ROACH, A SOLDIER IN THE "DIREFUL SWAMP-EIGIIT." 

" Whereas the towne of Norwalke having given 
and granted unto John Roach as a gratuety being a 



Fjvr/ 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



souklicr in the late Indian war, the parcell of land, 
consistinj;e of twelve acres more or less, laved out 
upon the West side of the West Eocks so called, &e." 

DANIEL BENEDICT, A SOLDIER IN THE SWAMP-FIGHT. 

" Grilnted by the plantation unto Daniel Benedict 
as a gratuity, being a souldier in the Indian warr, 
twelfe acres of land and lyeth in three parcels; 
whereof one parcell lyeth upon the hill and plaine 
of the other side of Norwalke River, not far distant 
from the West side of the cart path leading to the 
meadow field &c. Feb. 16, 1C77." 

THOS. GltEGOKY, A SOLDIER IN THE INDIAN WAR. 

"Granted by the plantation unto ThoS. ftregory as 
a gratuety, being a souldier in the Indian warr, eight 
acres of land, and lyeth in two parcells, the first par- 
cell lying upon the West Rocks, containing six acres, 
&c. Feb. 25, l(i77." 

THOMAS HYATT, A SOLDIER IN THE INDIAN WAR. 

" Feb. 19, 1682. The Towne granted unto Thomas 
Hyatt, libcrtic to resign seven acres of land which 
the town hath formerly granted him respecting as he 
was a souldier in the Indian warres, and he had taken 
up the same upon Clapboard Hill, soc called; namely 
to resign the same up to the towne, so a.s to take it up 
elsewhere." 

JOSEPH PLATT, A SOLDIER. 

" Feb. 21, 16i)S. Granted unto Joseph Piatt, as he 
was a souldier out in the service against the common 
eneniie, the Town, as a gratification for his good ser- 
vice, do give and grant unto him ten Acres of land, 
to take it up a mile from the town, and wheare it lyes 
free not yet pitcht upon by any other persons." 

JONATHAN ABBOTT, A SOLDIER. 

" AUso granted unto Jonathan Abitt as he was a 
souldier, ten Acres of land, to be taken up whear it 
lyes free not yet pitched on by any persons." 

FOR A BIAN SENT OUT TO THE WARRES. 

" Feb. 21, 1698. The town granted to James Betta, 
as he sent out a man into the warres, and was at 
charge and expense of money on account of iiircing ; 
the towne does grant unto the sayd James, five acres 
of land, &c." 

SAML. KEELER, A SOLDIER IN THE .SWAMP FIGHT. 

"Granted by the plantation of Nor^valke, unto 
Saml. Keeler, with respect to his service, as he was a 
souldier in the late Indian warr, one parcell of land 
lying upon Clapboard Hill, so called, containing 
twelfe acres more or less; and lyeth bounded East 
and West the common North Tho. Hyatt Land, South 
Ebenezer Sention Land. Recorded May, 1681." 

JOHN CRAMPTOS, A SOLDIER IN THE INDIAN WAR. 

" John Crampton hath granted him by the towne 
as he wa-s a Souldier in the late Indian warr, two 
Roodes of land more or less, and lyeth bounded in 
the Eft.st by the highway, West Saml. Bennydict's 



home lott, North Tho. Bctts' house lott. South, James 
Miller's house lott. 

"John Crampton hath granted him by the towne, 
as he was a souldier in the late Indian warr, eight 
acres foure roodes of land, more or less, and lyeth 
upon the est branch of Norwak River, not far distant 
from that meadow called Webb's meadow, &c." 

JAMES JIPP, A SOLDIER IN THE INDIAN WAR. 

".lames Jupp hath granted him by the towne, a.-^ 
he was a souldier in the late Indian warr, eight acres 
of land, and lying upon the hill called Clapboard 
Hill, &c." 

John beldino, a souldier. 

"Dee. 12, 1676. Granted unto John Belding the 
remainder of the swamp that shall be left, when his 
Father Hales is laid out, and to be a part of the land 
that he is to have for his being a souldier." 

JONATHAN STEVENSON, A SOULDlpK IN THE DIREFUL 
SWAMI'-FIGUT. 

" Feb. 20, 1677. Granted by towne vote unto Jona- 
than Stevenson libberty to take up 4 acres of his 
twelve acres given him by the town for his being a 
souldier; and that against Tho. Hiet's home lot, on 
the Ea-st side of the aforesaid lliet, joyning unto 
him ; onely due care is to be taken by them that lay 
it out, that the towne be not deprived of the benefit 
of the springs for their cattel in the winter season." 

THE DIREFUL SWAMP-FIGHT. 

" This was in King Philip's war. After some suc- 
cesses of Philip there wa.s a general rising of the In- 
dians against the English for an extent of nearly 
three hundred miles. The Indians were perfectly ac- 
quainted witli the situation of every English settle- 
ment. They lurked at every unguarded i)a.ss, crept 
by night into their barns, gardens, and out-houscs, 
concealed themselves behind fences, laid in wait in 
the fields. The whole country, save some few towns, 
was a wilderness. Parties of Indians would plunder 
and burn n town, carry the inhabitants away captive, 
and then retire into the forests and swanii>s. Brook- 
field had been burnt ; Hadley, Decrfield, and North- 
field had been attacked, and numbers killed; Capt. 
Lathrop and ninety or a hundred men had been am- 
bushed and slaughtered between Hadley and Deer- 
field ; Springfield had been attacked and partly de- 
stroyed. The Narragansetts, who had made a treaty 
with the English, now harbored their enemies, and 
many of their warriors, after having been engaged in 
these marauding expeditions, had returned wounded. 
There was the clearest evidence that the Narragan- 
setts were preparing to join ojienly in the war. They 
could muster two thou.sand warriors, and had a thou- 
sand muskets. Should the Imlians all engage in the 
spring in such a warfare as they had hitherto carrie 
on, there was scarcely any hope but that nearly all 
the English settlements must be cut off in detail 
without the possibility of successful resistance. 

'■ It was therefore determined to attack them in the 



NORWALK. 



523 



wiiittT, thcmjrli siieh ;iii i'iitcr|irisc was lull (if liazanl. 
Shiiulil any disastor befall the tr(io[is of the eolonies, 
it niij^ht he (liffi<'iilt (ir imiidssilile to send them sne- 
eors or siqijilies, on aeeoiint of the (lee[i and jiathless 
snows and tlie exposures of the winter and the wil- 
derness, besides the danj^er from the Indians. lint 
dreadful iieeessity eompelled tlieni to make the 
attempt. 

" Massaehusetts furnished five hundred and twenty- 
seven men, Plymouth one liundred and fifty-eight, 
and Conneetieut three hundred men and one hundred 
and fifty Mohegau and Pequot Indians. The Con- 
neetieut troops had marehed from f^tonington to Pet- 
tysquamscot. Here they e.xpected shelter, but the 
Indians had burned the buildings and kille<l the in- 
habitants only a day or two before. This was on 
Deeend)er 17th. The weather was eold and stormy. 
The next day they marehed, and formed a junetiou 
with the Massaehusetts and Plymouth forees. Here 
again they were obliged to spend the night uneovered 
in the open field. The next morning, at break of da)', 
the army marehed towards the Narragansett fort, 
whieh was in a deep tangled swamji, fifteen miles 
dLstant. The snow was deep, and the weather ex- 
tremely eold. At one o'eloek they reaehed the 
enemy's fort. It was on rising ground, in the nndst 
of the swamp, surrounded with palisades, and, out- 
side fd' these, with a he<lge of brush a rod thiek. The 
only entrance whirh appeared practieable was over a 
log wdiieh lay five or six feet from the ground, and 
this entrance was defended in front by a fortress of 
logs 'and on the left by a flanker.' The Massaehu- 
setts troops, wdio were in front, mounted the log and 
rushed on. A few entered the fort. The fire from 
the log house and flanker was so hot that a sufficient 
nundier could not force their way through to support 
them, and those who had entered were cut down. 
The deep snow and the tangled thicket rendered it 
impossible for the whole body of troo])S to come up 
at once, and it was a considerable time before all 
could be brought into action. At length tlie Con- 
necticut troops, wdio formed the rear, mounted over 
the log and rushed into the fort, f^ome others forced 
their way to the opposite side id' the fort and suc- 
ceeded in making good their entrance while the atten- 
tion of the enemy was engaged in front. A long, 
bloody, and dubious conflict ensued, but tlie enemy 
were at length overcome, and what were not killed in 
the battle fled to the swamp. Three hundred Indian 
warriors perished on the spot. Ma?iy were wounded, 
and perished from their wounds and from the eold. 
Nearly the same number were taken prisoners. It was 
a dreadful day. 

"The victory was dearly bought. Hix captains fell 
in the action, and eighty men were killed or mortally 
wounded. One hundred and fifty were wounded, wlu) 
afterwards recovered. After burinng the fi)rt and all 
that it contained, the little army, just at the setting 
of the sun, carrying about two hundred dead and 



wounded, inarched back to their liead(|uarters. The 
night was c(dd and stormy. It was midnight before 
they got in. Xone could have their wounds drcsse<l 
till they reached their headquarters. Many died 
wdio might otherwise have recovircd : many perished 
with colli and fatigue. AVell might the lathers of 
this town call it ' //» ilircful Kiraiiip-liiilit.' " 

TIIK \V.\TrlI. 
"At a townc meeting \ovember y' '.K 11177, it was 
agreed that y" watch should be laied down, until such 
time as there is more danger ajiering; and that we 
will stand by y" constable if any trnbble should arise 
ujion that account." 

THE MII.I.ER. 

"At y' aforesaid meeting, it was voted and agreed 
on between the townc and the miller, John Whitne, 
that the townsmen are to carry their corne to the mill 
uiion the third and sixt days of the weak, eomonly 
called tusday \- friday ; which days he is to attend to 
grindin, & if the sayd John can clcrc the mill of the 
corne that is brought in the aforesaid two davs or 
before, then the rest id' the days of the week he may 
take to attend to his own occasions; but if he cannot 
clcre the mill of the corne then scasoiuddy brought 
in, he must clere it before he leaves." 

S.VW-MILL. 

"Also at y" same meeting, granted unto Richard 
Holms liberty to erect, set up, and imjirove a saw-mill 
upon five nule river, and liberty tin- tindjcr one mile 
on this side of y' sayd river; onlly the sayd Uichard 
is not to jiass over y' sayd grant to any but such as 
the town shall ajiprove of; this saw-mill is to be set 
up i*i finished within two yers after this date, or else 
it is forfit; and the said Uichard is to sell his hoards 
and jdanks to the townsmen as the doc at other towns 
to their neighbors, and whcar their are saw-mils." 

THE SCUOOl,. 
" At a townc meting May the li'.ith, l(17.s. voted 
and agreed to bier a scolc master to teach all the 
ehildring in the towiu' to lernc to Rede and write; & 
that Mr. Cornish shall be hierd for that eervice, Ik 
the townsmen arc to hicr him upon as reasonaldc 
terms a.s they can." 

NEW MEETINO-noUSE. 

"At a tow'tie meeting De.sember 17, 1(178, it was 
voted and agreed that the towne will leave the differ- 
ence about wliere the meting house shall stand tinit is 
now to be erected, to three honest indiferent judisious 
men ; and they are to vew the places in conlroversy, 
and to hear all Kesons & arguments on both sides, & 
the towne ingages to sit down satisfied with there de- 
tarnnnation, as to the place of its standing. 

" And ftirthcr it was voted and agreed, that the hon- 
ered deputy tlovernor, the iMinered Major ( ioold, with 
the Rev. Elder Buckingham, shall he the men that 
the towne shall put this matter of difference too, res- 
jicctingthc place whcar the meting house shall stand. 



524 



IIISTOKY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



At the same meeting voted and agreed, that the meting 
liouse that is to be erected shall be forty foote square, 
& sixtene footc betwin joynts, and the Rofe of the 
sayed house to be built after the manner of Faierfild 
meting house." 

TAVERN-KEEPER. 

" At the same meting, Malhias Sention was chosen 
tokeepan ordinary for the entertayning strangers, &c." 

MEETINGHOUSE COMMITTEE. 

"Also voted and agreed (Jan. .31, 1678), that the 
si.K men that ven' formerly choosin to oversee the 
work aboute the meting house as a eommite for that 
cerviee, should now be named and recorded ; that is 
to say, Mr. Fitch, senr., Thos. Bennydiek, .«enr., Na- 
thaniel Hayes, John Bouton, John Piatt, Thos. Fitch, 
junr." " ' 

IIUII.DI.NG THE MEETING-HOUSE. 

" At the sayd meeting, the towne by a vote doe give 
and grant unto the above sayd eommite full power to j 
let out the said meting house that is to be erected ac- 
cording to their best discression; & the dimensions 
formerly agreed on ; as may best advantage the sayd 
work ; and in the same to have respect to the inhabit- 
ants for to improve l,hem, both hands and carts, as 
they are capable of, so as may best advantage the 
work. And allso to set a prise of their work by the 
day, eyther in the labor of a man, or carting. Allso 
provided that what hands or carts are warned out to 
the work, & shall not attend to the work, having two 
days warning, by the committee or any one of them 
by appointment from the rest, the laboring man shall 
forfeit two shillings by the day, and a teme fower 
shillings; and what charges shall arise upon the 
sayd work, the town ingages to di-eharge it by way 
of rate. 

"Allso at y" said meeting it was voted and agreed 
that it shall be left to the eommite that is to overse 
the work, to take the next convenient .seson to send 
for the .Tentlemen y' is chosen to put an end to our 
diferences about the meting house, & to take eare for 
their comfortable and honorable entertainment ; and 
what chargis shall be expendid aboute it shall be 
ilefrayed by the towne." 

HEATING THE DRUM. 

" At a towne meting — February y" 18, 1078, 

Robbart 8tuard ingages y' his son James shall beate 
the drumb on the Sabbath and on other ocatious; is 
to have it for that cerviee." 

WllRKING AT THE MEETING-HOUSE. 

" At a towne meeting held at Norwalk March 4th, 
1678 or '79, it was voted that the C'omitty Chosen By 
the Town, viz. : Mr. Fitch, Thomas Bennydiek, senr., 
Nathaniell Haye-s, John Bouton, John I'latt, Thomas 
Fitch, junior, should goe on with the worke Comitted 
to them, in rell'erance to the meeting house, and to goe 
on with the worke forthwith, according to their best 
Discression." 



CEDAB SHINGLES. 

" At the aforesayd meeting it was voted and agreed 
that the Committee shall and may gett or procure 
Ceadar shingles for the Meeting House, if they can 
be procured upon Rciisonable terms." 

SITE OF THE OLD MEETINO-IIOCSE. 

" At the afore .said meeting (23 April, 1679), it was 
voted and agreed by the inhabitants of the town of 
Norwalk, that all the common land commonly known 
and called and im])roved for a meeting house yard, 
wlieare the old meetinghouse now standeth. Bounded 
on the south by Jlr. JIanford's Lott, on the North 
with Mathew Marvin, senior's Lott, on the east with 
Thomas Seamer's Lott, on the West with Mathew 
Marvin, Junior's Lott, shall, as at this present it is, 
for ever be improved for that end and use ; namely 
of setting up a meeting house there; unless that 
every particular proper Inhabitant shall freely con- 
sent to any other improvement thereof 

" At the same Meeting it was allso voated and agreed 
by the towne that all that Common Land, commonly 
known and called Goodman Hoyt's hill ; every part 
and i)arcel of it, shall, as heartofore, forever for the 
future, be common, and not be improved to any 
other u.se; unless it be for the setting up of a watch 
house there ; without the consent and approbation of 
every Individual proper Inhabitant." 

3IEET1NG-H0USE COMMITTEE. 

"At the same meeting it was voted and agreed by 
the towne that Daniel Kellogg shall be joyncd with 
the comittee in the acting and transacting of the 
business and worke committed to them in carrying 
on of the worke of the meeting house, according to 
the former order of the towne in that case." 

THE COMMITTEE STRENGTHENED. 

" At a Towne meeting October the 4th, 1679, it was 
voted and agreed that there shall be suitable persons 
chosen to strengthen the eonunittee to carry on the 
worke of the new meeting house. 

" At the aforesayd meeting, October 4th, 1G70, voted 

and agreed that Haite and Robbart Stewart are 

added unto the committee as committee 

men for the carrying on the worke of the new meeting 
house, and to have eijuall power with the rest of the 
committee that was formerly chosen for the afore- 
sayed worke." 

STRAY HORSES. 

"At the aforesayd meeting, the town did Declare 
and manifest they would stand by the act of the select 
men in the act of selling the stray horses for the use 
and bennefitt of the Towne. At the aforesayd Meeting 
it wa.s agreed and voted, that the Money for the stray 
horses souled. shall be improved for to Defray Townes 
Charges ; and the overplus to remaine in the Treas- 
urer's hand for the use of the Towne." 

WARNING TO TOWN-MEETINGS. 

" At the aforesayd meeting, it wits voted and agreed 
that if the select men shall be necessitated to send to 



NORWALK. 



Peter Clapiim to warne liiin to meetinsis, those that 
arc sent shall be allowed one shilling for every warn- 
ing. 

" At tlie aforesayd meeting it was voted and agreed 
that tlie Towne wonkl stand by Saniuell Smith, Towne 
Treasnrer, in ease of need, to straine any tliat either 
negleet or refuse to pay." 

THE W.VTf'U. 

"At the sayd meeting (Fi'li. 2(>, l(i7'.i| tlie Towne 
engageth to bare the Constalile harmless from any 
damage in forebareing the wateli until sulOi time as 
ye eonstable with ye seleet men shall see eause Ibr to 
sett up a wateh." 

POUNDS. 

"At the sayd meeting it was voted that tliose 
pounds as are now erected within the I'.ounds of Nor- 
walk, shall returne to the towne. 

" At the aforesayd meeting it was voted and agreed 
that there shall be noc pound or pounds either begun 
or i)erfeeted for that end, for to eateh horses, within 
the bounds of Norwalk, on the penalty of 2lts a weeke, 
see long as they are soe improved, without the appro- 
bation of tlie towne." 

M.VKKING COI.TS. 

" At the aforesayd meeting it was voted and agreed 
that Jaehin Gregory, John Ilayt, John Keeler, ami 
.Tosei>h (iregory shall be the masters or overseers of 
those pounds lieing by five mile river side, who are to 
be sw'orne to a faithfull performanee nf the trust eom- 
mitted to them ; wdio are to mark all eidts and yeer- 
lings as they apprehend belong to the owners of sueh 
mares as .shall be brought in, with their owners markes, 
and also they are to bring in all sueh strays, or un- 
marked horses, as they shall take in those pounds, 
unto the towne." 

UN.M.\UKED HORSES. 

" At the afforesayd meeting it was voted and agreed 
that all unmarked horses, as either have been sould or 
shall be for the future sould, the one half of the priees 
for wdiieh they are sould for, shall be to tho.se by 
whom they are taken ; the other half of the price to 
the use and benefitt of the towne ; and none of those 
horses that are taken, are to be any way marked or 
disposed of out of the pound without the approl)ation 
of the Master or masters of the jmund, on the jienn- 
alty of the forfeiture of twenty shillings." 

DETERMINING THE PL.\CB FOR THE NEW MEETING-UOUSE. 

"At a towne meeting held the 3d of May, 1079, 
there was a writing Presented by Mr. Thomas Fiteh, 
senr., and Thomas F"iteh, Junr, unto the towne to be 
read ; and was read ; whieh they did say and affirm 
was the award and determination of the (ientlemen, 
namely. Major Treat and Major (iold, Uespeeting the 
place for the setting up of the new meeting-house. 

"At a towne meeting held at Norwalke, June the 
2d, 1680, voted and agreed by the towne that they doe 
close in with, and accept of, the act of the ( tenerall 
Court in refferenee to a lott for the settlement of the 
place of the new meeting house. 



"At the afforsayed Meeting, agreed and voted that 
the towne will choose some honest, Juilicious, Indiffer- 
ant men, for to see this act of the Generall Court, in 
refferenee to a lott for the settlement of the jdace of 
the meeting house put into execution; and it is also 
left to the selectmen to procvii-e those men : and the 
time when the matter shall be put in exeeution in 
ease of need." 

inilDGE. 

"At the afforsayd meeting (I)cci'nd)er the 2.Sth, 
lG8(t), John Whitney, .Tames Pickett, Thomas Benni- 
dick, .Tunior, were chosen a comnuttee to determine 
the ])lace of erecting a Bridge over Norwalk River; 
they or any two of them concurring as to the place, 
whither at the great rock below the lower eart path ; 
or Below the falls; and the abovesayed committee 
have power to call forth and improve hands and 
teanies for the carrying on and finishing the .sayed 
Bridge: viz. a sufficient horse bridge; and that with 
as nuich expedition as may be convenient." 

BEATING THK DRUM. 

"Zerubbabell Uaite hath undertaken to beate the 
drumue for jiublick meetings, and aLso for such stray 
horses as arc lirought in to be sould, for which he is to 
have fourteen shillings; and ten peiu-e a time that 
stray horses are lirought in to be s<iuld." 

TOWN DUCiM (KlSl). 

"At the aforesayed meetinge, the towne by voate 
ordereth the seleet men to purchase of Francis Bush- 
nell a drum for the towne's use; and also the TraiilT' 
band to have the use of the same a convenient time, 
untill the .saide companie shall jirocure one ; and pro- 
vided the sayd drum can be procured uj)on Reasona- 
ble Tearmes." 

REMOVING THE DESK AND SE.\TS OF THE Ol.D MEETING- 
HOUSE TO THE NEW ONE.— BEGINNING TO MEET IN THE 
NEW MEETING-HOUSE. 

"At a Towne meeting in Norwalk, held the .sth of 
November, 1081, the Towne agreed and voted with a 
unanimous consent, that with all convenient speede, 
the eommittce for the new meeting house have power 
to, and are desired ami ordered, with the help of such 
inhabitants as at the i)resent meeting engaged one 

day's worke ujion to remove the de.ske, and 

seates, and plankes of the old meeting house to the 
new meeting house, and theeir to fix them as well as 
the .same will accommodate the sayd new meeting 
hou.se; and the Towne i'ov the future to meet in the 
sayd new meeting house to weight upon the Lord in 
his divine publique worshippe as o|iportnnitie ]ire- 
sents." 

KEEPING ORDER IN MEETING IN THE yE.\R Ulsl. 

"Thomas Barnum was chosen and appoynted, for 
to oversee and to keep good Decorum amongst the 
youth in times of exercise on the Sabbath and other 
l*ubli(|ue meetings; and the Towne doe impower him 
if he see any disorderly, for to keej) a small stick to 
correct sucdi with; onclev he is Desired to do it with 



526 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



clemency ; and if any are incorridgable in such dis- 
order, he is to present tlicm either to their parents or 
masters; and if they do not reclaim tliem, then to 
present such to authority." 

.\TTENI)IXG TOWN MEETINGst 

" At tlie same meeting it was voted and agreed hy 
the towne, tliat all persons tliat are members of Towne 
Meetings, that shall neglect to attend meetings when 
they are legally warned, within one houre after the 
time prefixed by those that warne them, they shall 
pay one shilling as a fyne, &c." 

FINING THE M.^JORITY FOR UNLAWFUL ACTS. 

" At the same meeting it was voted by the towne 
tliat all that land yett lying in Common ; namely a 
full, mile out round from the corner of Richard 
Olmsted's common fence and a mile out round from 
the house of William Lee.s, the sayd land to ly for 
ever in Common ; and if the Major part of the towne 
.shall give, grant, or sell any land now soe lying in 
common within the said limit.s, they shall |)ay five shil- 
lings a rod, for every rod so given or sould, aii<l so pro- 
portionably, for any other (luantitie, they shall pay it 
to the Minor part of the towne. 

" At the same meeting it wa.s voted and agreed by 
the Towne, that there shall be a division of six acres 
to the hundred granted to all the inhabitants, with- 
out tlic limits of the mile excepted in the former 
order; to take it up where they can find it; iirovided 
they are not to prejudice any highway into the woods 
or to men's peculiar proprieties already taken up; 
only those as have a former grant of land and have 
yett not taken it up, they have a month's time to 
pitch where they can find it, beyond the limits before 
expressed; viz. a mile, and then tliis order to take 

SELLING THE OLD MEETING-HOUSE. 

" Feb. 19, l(i83. The Towne voted to make sale of 
the old Meeting House ; and forthwith at the sayd 
meeting the Towne sould the sayd house unto Josiah 
Oregorie for the some of fowre ])ounds, to be payd to 
tliem in one yeere, in currant merchantable pay, for 
tiie u.se of the towne." 

NEW SEATS IN THE MEKTING-HOUSE. 

" At the aforesaid meeting, the towne voated to 
have the meeting-house seated more comfortable 
seates, according to the forme the seats are at the 
present ; much as to the same manner, both for order 
and forme. 

" At the aforesaid meeting, the town voated the for- 
mer committee that were improved to finish the meet- 
ing house, as now to goe on to new scaling the sayd 
iiouse complcatly and sufficiently, according to their 
discretion ; the forme of the same above -saved lieing 
described ; giving and granting unto the said com- 
mittee full power to improve the inhabitants, their 
persons, and Teenies to carry on the worke, and to 
procuer materialls where it may best be had ; and to 
make rates for the defraying the charge." 



SENDING A MAN TO HARTFORD. 

" Desember the ICth, l(i84. The Towne voted and 
agreed to improve Samuel Hayes with as much conve- 
nient speed as may be to travell up to Hartford 

what light and guidance may be had counsell 

about lands that is in controversy between the 

Towne and Fairfield, &c." 

CATALOGtrE OF LANDS. 

A Cattolop of n ilivision of land ngrced to bo inytl out at three acors to 
thu hundred ; witli the sevcrall lotts as thoy were drawn by the inhab- 
it4ints. 

Imprimis : 

Robburt StewnnI, 1. Mark Sonsiou, 21. 

Rnlph Kciler, 2. Saniuid HiiycB, 22. 

John Kciler, ^. \ Thomas Seamer, 23. 

John Gregory, Sr., 4. Janied Scn^ion, 24. 

Chribtopher Comstock, 5. Nntliank-1 Richards, 2'). 

John I'latt, 0. Th<.nia8 Belts, 26. 

Samuel Caniflold, 7. John Benuydick, 27. 

Ephmim Lokwood, 8. Lieutenant Olmsted, 28. 

John Gregory, Jr., 9. Kdward Nanh, 21). 

Thomas Benuydick, Jr., 10. Daniel Kellog, 30. 

RichanI Ilidnm, 12. Maltliu Marvin, Sr., 31. 

Samuell Itcnnydick, 13, Matlhu Slarvin, Jr., M. 

Thoma-t Lnpton, 1.'). John Kuscoe, :i3. 

John Boulou, IC. Ge.irKe Abbet, 34. 

John Hayt, 17. Mr. Ilanfurd. :i.'.. 

Mr. Thomas Fitch, \i. Miitlliias Sension, 3G. 

Samuel Sension, 10. Thonia^i Fitch, 37. 

John Raymond, 20. Nallianiel Hayes, 38. 

SCHOOL. 

I "August the 20, inSf). Voted by the towne tiiat 
' they would hyer a schoole nuuster for a Quartere of a 
I yeere; and allow him wages after the Hate of thirty 
I pounds a yecrc, which is to be payd by the inhabitants 

accordi'hg to their lists of estate." 

" At the same meeting the towne by vote did leave 

it with the select men or the major part of them, for 
I to liyor a schoole master; and allso to obtaine a house 

for that use, and to fitt it with conveniences for schoole- 

ing." 

SEATING TIIE MEETING-HOUSE. 

" December the 24th, 1686. Voted and agreed by 
the towne that the seating of the meeting house shall 
be for the gencrallyty to be seated according to the 
lists of estates by which the men payd in tlie defray- 
ing the charges about the building and finishing the 
said Ikwsc. 

"At the same meeting the towne did manifest that 
the seat or pew under the Pulpitt sliall be seijucstered 
for such as are orderly con.stituted or officiate in the 
place or office of a Deacon cjr Deacons. 

" At the same meeting the towne did vote John 
Gregory, senr. and Mr. Fitch, and Thomas Bctts, 
.senr., for to be seated in the round seat. 

" At the same meeting the town did vote that their 
should be five more seated in the round seat with Mr. 
Fitch, John tiregory, and Tlionias Belts, senr., and 
fowre in the seat behind, and five in the long seats 
throughout. And also the cross seat to be reputed 
the third seat of the long seats, and foure to sift in the 
savd scat." 



NORWALK. 



SEATING THE KING'S COMMISSIONEE. 

. " At ii towiie iiK'etiiig liclil ill Norwalk, December 
the 28, KjSC, At the s;iytl iiieetiiig the towiie hy vote 
did add one niore person to every seat than is ex- 
pressed in a former vote, bareing date Deeenili' 24, 
IfiSG. At the same meeting tlie towiie did vote Mr. 
Tliomas Fiteh, for to be seated in tlie meeting house 
iu the upper great round scat, as he is tlic King's 
Comnussioner. 

" At the same meeting the towne made elioyse of 
John Bouton, senr. for to help in seating the meeting 
liouse, in the roimie of Mr. Fitcli, lii' refusing to attend 
tlie sayd work. 

" Feb. ISth, 1G8G. Zcrubbabell lloyt did ingage to 
beat the Drum and maiutainc it, and that on all pub- 
lique occasions ; and to .sweep the meeting house for 
the yeere insuing, and is allowed for his labor two 
and forty shillings." | 

MB. n.\NFORD GROWING 01.0. 

"March 25, 1()86 or 87. The towne did by vote 
manifest and declare that tiny doe desire Mr. Ilan- 
ford to proceed in the worke of the ministry, and 
to continue in the sayd work, untill the Lord by his 
providence shall dispose of him otherwise; — proinis- \ 
ing to indeavor to our ability for to give him due iu- 
couragement." 

DEPUTY TO THE GENERAI- COURT. 

'• At a towne meeting held in Norwalk, May the Otli, 
1686, voted and agreed l)y the town to allow Samuel 
Hayes, who is elected deputy for the towne I'or to at- 
tend the generall court, the said Samuel Hayes is 
allowed thirty shillings for himself to be paid as the 
country Kate is payd the next yeere, and tenn shill- 
ings for his horse, journey, &c." 

LINE BETWEEN NORWALK AND FAIRKIKLD. 

"At a towne nieetting held iu Norwalk, June the 
17, 1687. Whereas we having received a note from 
Captain Samuel Eells, Captain Beard, and Mr. Jud- 
son, in order to the measuring of a seventh mile as 
some ungroundedly call it, and likewise a dividend 
lyne betweene Fairfield and Norwalk : Whearfore the 
towne by these presents by vote doth declare that they 
shall not comply nor agree with the aforesayd person.s, 
viz.. Captain Eells, Captainc Beard, Mr. Judson, as a 
committee, or any other persons in the measuring of 
any mile, or running any dividend lyne ujion any land 
of ours lawfully purchased by us; Allso doe hereby 
forewarne any person or i)ersons on any land of ours 
soe to do at present." 

LANDS SEQUESTERKII FoU THE INDIANS. 

"December 12, 1687. Voted and agreed that three 
acres of land shall be sequestered for the Indians on 
the other side of the river, lying on the left hand of 
the roade leading towards Stamford." 

DIVISION OF OVER RIVER LAND. 

"Dec. 12, 1687. All common land Over the River, 
leaving suthcient for highways, to be laid out by lot, 
to the inhabitants, according to their estates. 



"Three score acres of the same sequestered for the 
Indians. 

" A division granted of 20 Acres to the hundred. 

" Nathl. Hayes, and Sergt. John Piatt, a committee 
to lay out the division; lots to be granted to those 
only who are jiroper inhabitants. Samuel Keeler 
allowed to 'come off from the divisimi ( )ver the 
River, and to ' |>itch at the foot of tlie hill on the right 
hand of the path commonly called Ponasses.' Also 
Jachin & Thos. Gregory, 'liberty to come off from 
their division, and to take on the West side (jf the 
path, ' bounded North by Ponasse.s path ;' also Richd. 
Cosiar, 11-2 acres on the north side of the iiath com- 
monly called Ponasses." 

DRAWING OF I,OTS. 
Tlif imiiilier vi' Luis iiiul tlu- ordtM- us tlK\v weio drawn, of that Division 
..!' LiiMil ovi>r Ni.rwalk Rinr, litl.iw tliu patli lea.ling tu tlif Jl.a4i>« 
fu-lil. 

William Li'cs, 1. Rubeil Stewart, 27.. 

Sanuirll Siiiitli, -. .Inlui L.ickwoud, 2S. 

William Sliiulivaut, 3. Ral|.li Ki'eler, ai. 

Thumas Betts, Sr., 4. Juliii Ruscoe, liil. 

JLiltliijis Sfiisioii, .'). Daiiiell KellDffg, :il. 

.Inlin Gregory, .Ir., (>. John I'latt, ;!2. 

Mark Sonsion, 7. John Bcnnicliik, :s3. 

Jalllos Stewart, S. Widow I.uiiton, ::4. 

Tliumas B.ni.liek, .Jr., 9. Saiiinel ISetts, :i:). 

Samuel Ha.ves, 10. Thomas Bem-ilick, Sr., 'it*. 

.lohn liett.i, 11. E.lwarii Nash, 37. 

John Ahitt, 12. .hjhn Keeler, 3S. 

Mr. Tliomas Fitih, 13. John Whitney, 39. 

J..hn Crampton. 11. Thomas Belt.s, Jr.. 40. 

Walter Hoyt, l.'>. Christopher Conistock, 41. 

John Gregory, Sr,, 10. Joseph Keteham, 4*2. 

John Bell.lin. 17. Mr. Thomas llaul'ord, 43. 

Matthew Marvin, l.t. Daniel Uetts. 4-1. 

Francs Bnshm-ll, 19. John ReeM, Sr., 4.->. 

Nathaniel Hayes, 20. James Olmsti.a.l, 4(1. 

John R.aymond, Sr,, 21. Thomud Fiteh. .Ir,, 47. 

Thomas llyett, 22. Thomas Baninin, 4S. 

J.-inies Jnpp, 23. John Ronton, St-,, 49. 

George Ahbitt, 24, Elizabeth Seiision, .^»0, 

Thouiiis Seainer, 2.J. Andrew Messenger, ;JI. 

Richard Holmes, 21!. John Buuton, Jr., 52. 

ESTATES. 

The Estates of C^imnmnage of the Iiiliabitants of Norwalk, Presented 

and Accepted b,v the towne, Jan, 3, 1GS7, 

£ «. <l. 

John Gregory, Jr 100 

John Gregory, Sr 243 o lo 

J..,.^eph Gregory 100 

Nathaniel Hayes 21.i 

Tli.imas Liiplon l''l' " 

Richard Holmes l.M 

J.,lin Knscoe 2.-|0 II 

Mr. llanloid 3(»l I) 

Thec.phihis llaidord .')" 

Thoniiis ll..in.lick, Sr l-')3 

John llonton, Sr 1.S4 l,". 

John Kenidi.k HI" 

TlKimiw llenidick, Jr 100 

Thomas liett-s.Jr VJ l', 2 

Daniel KcOlogg 9(1 

Matthew Marvin, Sr 2114 5 

John Ke..ler 100 

J..nathan Rockwell .'.0 

Riehaid I'.wiar .TO 

Daniell Belts 119 11 2 

Ral|ili Keeh-r 170 10 ll 

Thomas lielt.s, .Sr 190 10 in 

Samuel lleltH 324 2 

James Bi'tt,s :>') 2 

Kphraiin Lockwood 120 

,Iohn l,ockw..o.l M 

John Plait. Sr 'iOH 13 4 

Ebenezer Seiision 130 

James Jnpp SS 

John Crauipton .13 8 



528 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



£ •. <f. 

Thoinns Ilvott 55 

KlisalK-th SL.iision 15() (I 

SaiiiMi-l Smith '.'Ol 15 

Mr. Fit.h 304 n 

.Mill Fitch 117 (I 

Joseph Kotcham 117 

JIark Si-lislon 302 

Goorgc .\liitt, Sr 12.i 

John .\bliitt MOO 

Wnltir Hovt -Ifi 

Zonililinlioil Iloyl .50 

Maltliius Seiision.Sr IM 

MattliiiL< Siiisiou. Jr .50 

Sumiiol Kedtr 103 10 

.lohii llt-Wiii 170 

Jaiiifs .Stewart 60 

SKvcli llfckwith .54 

.Toliii Whittliey 110 

William Stiirdivant 160 

Saniuol Cniiifli'lil 1.55 

Thomas GrcKory 100 

.lohii Rcod.Sr 125 

Willinin I.eos 103 

Jiichiii Gregory 100 

John lli'tts G9 li 2 

Bobcrt .Stewart 223 

Andn-w Mes^iengor 225 

Thomas Fitch 200 

.Tohn Olmeteil 1.59 15 

Christoiilier Comstock 201 10 

Hani.ll Coni-tock CO 

Th(iina.s Sennier 184 15 

Joliii KayDiuiiil, Sr 200 

John liavmoiKl, Jr .50 

Kdwanl Nash 210 

John Nush 100 

John Ilonton, Jr 50 

James Browne .50 

SaniuoM Hayes 160 

Samnell Bell.lin Il-l 

Tetir Chipimm 100 

Tlionms Jliirwin 100 

.lonathan AM.itt 60 

.Samnel Itenidick 50 

Tlionuw liarnnm 40 

Franies Buslincll 10 

James Benidi.k 37 

Dauiell Bcnidick 36 

FOKTIFYING THE MKETING-IIOUSE.* 

" At a towiic meeting held in Xorwtilk, A]>ril the 
30, 1090, the towne voted and agreed, that the Meet- 
ing house sliould be the plaee to be fortified, and a 
garrison to be erected in order to the security of the 
towne. 

"The committee for 'carrying on this wr)rk were 
Serjt. Jolin Phitt, Serjeant John Belldin, John Uus- 
coe, and Saml. Hayes.' Tlicse had jiower to propor- 
tion to every inhabitant liis allotment of work, and to 
take them in ' the order of house rows,' beginning ' at 
John (ircgorie's' and 'so along that row,' and 'the 
first man's proportion to begin at the south gate, and 
80 goc along in the same order.' " 

SCHOOL-KEEPING. 

"Feb. 21, 1692. Thomas Hanford, junior, was 
chosen to the work and imploynient of a school- 
nni-ster, for to learn childeren for to reade and write, 
and to begin present on tiiat work, and to continue 
on sayd work one moneth ; and then at the beginning 
of next somer, to enter the saycd work againc, and in 

* This was just after tlie destruction of Schoncctxuly and SiUnion Fulls. 
The countrj' was In great alarm : the fnjntior tiiwns were everywhere in 
peril. A special AsseniMy had been called on tho 11th of April, which 
detomiineil that tliero was a necessity for the iitmoot oxertiuns to pre- 
vent the settlement of tho French at Allmiy. " It was ordered that a 
constant watch should tie kept in tho several towns, and that all tho 
males in the colony, except lb« aged and inllm), should keep watch in 
Iheir tunis. If the aged and infirm wi<re more tliaii £50 in the list, 
they were to procure a man in their turns, to watch and guard in tlleir 
stead." 



case hee and the towne can agree, for five months 
more. And he to be allowed and payd one pound, 
ten shillings for each moneth that he shall attend to 
the sayd work and imployment." 

KILLIXG WOLVKS. 

" Jnne 7, 1693. Agreed and voted that there shall 
be allowed and payd unto any person who shall kill 
any wolfe or wolves within the bounds of the towne, 
the sum of 12s. more than is allowed to be payed by 
the towne. This order to stand in full force a twelve- 
month." 

DEATH OF MR. HANFORD. 

"At a towne meeting, Dec. 26, 1G93, voted and 
agreed for to allow unto Sirs. Hanford, widow of Mr. 
Thomas Hanford, deceased, for his labor and work in 
the ministry the sum of sixty ]>ounds the yeere ex- 
pireing the first of March next." 

DISTUlnUTING MR. HANFORD'S ESTATE. 

Distributed to Elnathan Hanford for his part and 

portion out of his father's estate, viz., ye Reverend 

Mr. Thomas Hanford, late of Norwalk, deceased, viz. : 

£ t. 

To one eighth part of the Homo lott or homestead 13 15 

To pasture lott 18 00 

To half vo Indian Brook land 00 

To half the Stonny Hill lott, ye east end of it ID 00 

To thirty acres and half at White Oak Shade 7 13 

LISTS OF VOTERS AT T0WN-51EET1NGS. 

" On the 4th of December, l(i94, an order was taken 
' that all jjersons who are members of town-meetings, 
who have a vote and suffrage in towne affaires,' who 
should not attend town meetings when legally warned, 
and within one hour after the time, should i)ay a fii>e 
of two shillings. 

"The following is the roll, with the names checked 
according as they were ]iresent or absent at .some 
subsequent meeting : 

Jolin Gregory, Jr. EUuiezer Web. 

Nalhll. Hayes. Thomas Hanford. 

James Hayes. Daniell Ik^tts. 

Richil. Holmes. Ralph Keeler. 

John Ruscoo. James lletts. 

Thomas Riiscoo. Samuel Betts. 

Elicr.er Hanford. Daniel I.tM-kwiKxI. 

John Beiiidick, Jr. Matthias Si-nsion, Jr. 

John B<iuti>li. John IMatt, Sr. 

James Browne. Jolin Piatt, Jr. 

Tliunios B<-tts. El»enezer Sension. 

Daniel Kellogg. James Jupp. 

Matthew Man-in. John C'nunpton. 

Mr. William Hojliw. Thomas HyatU 

Jonathan Abbitt. John Stewart 

Samuel Smith. Andrew Messenger. 

Samuel Kellogg. Thomas 11cno<lick. 

Mr. Thomiui Fitch. Thomas Fitch. 

John Fitch, Sr. John Olnntead. 

Joseph Ketchum. .Inmes Olm-'tead. 

Joseph Sensiou. CtiriMtoplier t'.imstock. 

John Abbitt. Samuell Ileldin. 

George Abbitt. Siuntiell Hayes. 

Zembbabell Iloyt. Motthew Si'amer. 

Walter lloyl. nenjamln Scrivener. 

Matthias Sension, Sr. David Monroe. 

Samuell Keeler. Rlchanl Cosiar. 

John Raymond Jr. Thomas Soamer. 

John Beldin. Joseph Gregory. 



NORWALK. 



529 



James Stewart. 
Stephen Beckwith. 
Ji.sepli Rockwell. 
.Tcliii Whitney. 
AVilliuni StunUvaiit. 
Aiiiirew Lvuii. 
James Seiisimi. 
Jettathaii Roekwell. 
AVilliani Lees. 
John Betts. 
Jachin Gregory. 
John Keeler. 
Tlionnw Itoekwell. 



John KaymonJ, Sr. 
Saiiiuell Raymonil. 
Kihvani Nash. 
John NiU-ih. 
Is;uK' Sherwood. 
John Ri'eil, Sr. 
John Hee.l. Jr. 
J..hn Butler. 
Ehene/er Canitlel'i. 
Eirhanl Wood. 
I'eter i'hippuni. 
Josei)h Goldsmith." 



I'ltoCUBINi; A MINISTER. 

" At a towne meeting held in Norwulk, January the 
l(5th, 1694; at sayed meeting, the towne made elioyse 
of ten of their inhabitants as the Towne eommittee, 
viz., Serj'nt .John Piatt, Mattliew Marvin, Serj'nt 
Christopher Com.stock, t^erj'nt .rnhn Ronton, Samuel 
Hayes, John Beiiidiek, James Olmsted, Ivnsign .lohn 
Beldin, Ralph Keeler, Samuel Smith; and eommis- 
sioned they their said eommittee, in the hehalfe of the 
towne (viz.) as followeth ; they are to excrri.sc their 
best prudence for to look out for, and endeavor wliat 
in them lyetli, in tlie use of all lawfull mcanes, for to 
obtaine a faithfull Minister and Dispenser of the word 
of the Gospell to us in this phiee; and in order there- 
unto, they are to send forth their requests or invita- 
tions according to their be=!t priidenee and judgment 
to that end, either by writing or by messenger, or both, 
as the major part of the committee shall agree ; and 
they their sayd committee are to onler and take care 
for his entertainment when ol)tained ; wdiile the Towne 
doth hereby engage for to discharge and ])ay all nec- 
essary charges arising therefrom." 

REPAIRING THE BRIDGE. 

"Feb. 20, l()94-95. The towne made choyse of 
Matthew Marvin, John Whitney, and Thomas Betts, 
for to take exact view of the Bridge over Norwalk 
River, and to repaire the same, eyther by erecting a 
new bridge or liy repaireing the old, according to their 
best judgment and prudence in tliat matter; desiring 
them to be as s])eeily on the sayd work as may I)C, and 
as the season will permitt; and they the above named 
persons are and have hereby granted them full power 
for to warn forth anil to call to the carrying on the 
said work, either handes or teames, or both, as occa- 
sion sludl require, tind as they sliall see meet for the 
carrying on and ettecting sayed work, for the com- 
pleat repayering the stiyd Liridge." 

MR. STONE EMPLOYED AS PREACHER. 

" At a towne meeting lielil Deeendier the •'Jth, 1094, 
it was voted and agreed by the tf)Wne, Anilrew Mes- 
senger was chosen collector for to give notice to the 
inhabitants for the bringing in their proportions when 
the rate shall be made by the townsmen, and to see 
that the whole of the thirty pounds due to Mr. Stone 
for his half yeere's preaching the word, be duly and 
truly jiayed according to tiie towne's engagement with 
the sayed Mr. Stone ; and tlie sayed .\ndrew for to 
act according to the law directing in such cases." ' 



OBTAINING A MINISTER. 

" At a Towne meeting held in Xorwalk, 2d of April, 
1(19.') ; at sayed meeting it was voted and agreed, and 
liy the towne <leelared as their mind, that the com- 
mittee formerly chosen ffir to act for the towne for 
the obtaining a minister, have hereby full and free 
liberty from the towne for to move to whom or whear 
they shall sec cause, for the obtaining of tlie end pre- 
mised ; without any restraint or limitation to any per- 
son or persons ; this to stand full and good, notwith- 
standing any former act of tlie towne contrary to this 
present order, vote, and declaration of tlie mind of 
the town." 

riRl'lIASING A MINISTER'S LOT. 

" May 23, l(!9'i, voted and agreed by the towne, 
that thiit lott obtained of Joseph Gregory, shall be 
for the accommidnting of a Gospell minister for the 
towne; and that it is allso agreed by the towne, that 
at such time as (rod shall jilease to bring in unto us 
such a minister, then and at that day that he shall be 
called to office and ordayned pastor of the church in 
Korwalk, then the aforesaid lott shall be and remaine 
to him, his lieires for ever.* 

"At a towne meeting, held July the 2d, lG9r), at 
sayed meeting it was voted and agreed upon by the 
towne, that that land, jiasturc, and swamp lying in 
the generall field, granted to the ministry, shall be 
cleared and fenced, and mtide for improvement for 
pasture and meadow. 

"Also at the same meeting it was voted and allso 
granted by the town unto the minister, to him and 
his heirs, a parcell of salt marsh meadow lying in 
the bounds of Xorwalk, and that over the river on 
the west side of the towne, &c. — the sayed parcell of 
meadow the towne engages for to fence and make 
capable of iuiprovenient, itc. 

" Also, at the same meeting, the towne by vote hath 
given and granted to the minister ten acres of land 
for plowing, and that in the township of Xorwalk on 
the east side of the brook called the north brook, and 
on the X'orth East part of Mathew Marvin's Boggy 
Meadow, to be to him and to his heires for ever." 

THE MINISTER'S FIREWOOD. 

"At a towne meeting, July 17, l(!9o, it was voted 
ami agreed l)y the towne for to allow and i'reidy give 
Jfr. Buckingham his firewood annually, and at all 
times, soe long as he shall continue to carry on the 
work of the ministry in Norwalk." 

MINISTER'S SALARY. 

" Also at the above meeting (July 17, 109o), it wa.s 
voted and agreed by the towne, for to allow ;tnd pay 
SO/. j)er yeer, after the two first yeeres abiding with 
us, unto Mr. Steven Buckingham, respecting his car- 
rying on the work of the ministry. The said 80/. to 



* This was the lot hetween Capt. Daniel Ilanford's and the residence 
of the late ilanfonl Fitch. It was occupied by Rev. Stephen Bucking- 
ham. Tlie ruiiroad now crosses it. 



530 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



be annually payed by the. town by way of proportion ; ' 
extraordinary cases only excepted." 

THE MINISTKU'S HOISE. 

" December 18, 1695. At the suyd meeting the 
Towne did manifest and by vote did agree, that they 
would build a house for tlie minister, with as much ! 
speed as might be with conveniency ; and the dimen- 
sions of tlie sayd house arc as followeth : two and 
fourty loot in length, and two and twenty foot in 
breadth, and two story high, or two lofts, and double 
chimneys ; and a comely porch to syd house ; and a 
seller under one end of the syd house; and stone the 
syd seller ; the saved hou.se is allso to have a comly 
gett at each end of the same ; and all to be decently 
finished upon the towne's cost." 

THE MINISTKICS SALARY.* 

" At a towne meeting held in Norwalk, October the 
Stii, 1007. At sayd meeting it was voted and agreed by 
the towne that the eighty pounds .sallary granted to 
Mr. Buckingham, the towne doth agree to pay it as 
followeth, both for specie and price, vizt. ; wintcr- 
wiieat, at five shillings per bushell, Indian corn at 
two shillings and si.x pence per busliell. Rye at foure 
.shillings per bushell, i)orke at three peuce fartliing per 
pound ; biefe at two pence per pound ; all good and 
merchantable, none of the inhabitants to pay above 
one-third part of their rate or j)roportion in Rye. 

" Allso at the same meeting the towne by their vote 
did manifest their desire that the Reverend Mr. Steven 
Buckingham should be ordaynud p.'ustorof the church 
in Norwalk before winter; in case tixc sayd Mr. Buck- 
ingliam will please to give the towne a dispensation 
soe long as till the la.st day of May next insucing for 
the completing and finisjiing the house, and allso till 
the next Michaelmast for the fencing and cleareing of 
the land engaged by the towne to be fenced and 
cleared for improvement." 

CONODBBEJJCE OF THE TOWN WITH THE CHURCH IN SET- 
TLING THE jMINISTEK. 

" Allso at the same meeting tlie towne made choy.se 
of Matthew Marvin and .Tames ( )lmstead for to signifie 
unto the Reverend Elders at tiie time of ordination, 
the desire and good agreement of the towne with the 
church in ordayning Rev. Mr. Steven Buckingham." 

* Tho ilood of thu lauds graiitod to Mr. BuckingliRm m his BOttlemeut 
tioara doto April 7, I6UD: 

" 1. Ono lioniflot, 4 arroa, bound K. liy tho liind of ThoH. Botla & tlio 
common Tenco |)artl>', W. Tho towns highway. N. Tlio honiolot of ThoH. 
S«amor. S. land it li>uiieli>t ul hoira of John Raymond, Honr,, Doi-d. — 
with tho houso whirh h now hnllt. 

"2. Land in tho fluid; swamp it upland 10 acres; one half to him and 
hill hulni forovor; tho othor half uftur his docooso, to rotiiru to tho town. 

"3. Ton ocroN of uiiland lying in tho woods; lying near tho Towno 
over tho North RnMik so i-aliod. 

"4. Thrvo Hcoro acroa of land in the woods — bounded by marked treca, 
ai^oinint^ part of the land of Saml. ilaycs, and Ensign John Beldln, 
al»vo I'iKNinut Hill. 

" *». Sivit iiHinih mt»adow, **Acres, lioundoti E. by tho cove. A N. A N. 
W. by tho lunk of upland. S. by a fence and a small crock near John 
Bouton's meadow. 

" G. Throe Hundred |K)Uuds right in commonage." 



A CALLEBY IN THE MEETING-HOUSE. 

"Oct. 25, 1697. Voted and agreed to erect the 
foundation of a gallery in the meeting hou.se, over 
the fourtli part of sayd house; speedily, before the 
ordination if it can l)e accom])lislied. Anil have 
made choyso of Ralph Keeler, and Samuel Keeler, 
and John Whitney to doc the work, and to doe it soe 
as in their best judgment, best for the strength and 
conveniency of the gallery, &c." 

ENTEKTAININO THE ELDER.S AND MESSENGERS AT TIIE OU- 
IIINATION. 

" Allso (Oct. 25, 1607 J. The towne made elioyse of 
Matthew Marvin, Serjnt. John Piatt, and Saniuell 
Hayes, and John Bennidick and Thomas Bett.s, who 
are by the towne desired to take care for tiic providing 
of a comfortable entertaynment for the Reverend 
Elders and Messengers when heare at the time of or- 
dination ; the charge of their entertaynment to be 
payd by the inhabitants of the towne." 

FLAX FOR THE DRUM-COBD. 

"Allso voted and agreed for to allow to John 
Crampton for the yeere insueing, for beating the 
Drum on all publique occasions, and allso to sweep 
the meeting liou.se, and to kcepe the house cleane and 
decent ; and the towne engages for to allow and to 
1 pay unto sayd Crampton two pounds ten shillings for 
his labour ; and the towno allow the townsmen for to 
furnish the sayd Crampton with soe much flax as may 
make necessary cords for the towne's Drum ; to pro- 
cure the flax where they can, and the towne to pay 
the cost of the flax-" 

INDIAN DEED TO MB. HANFOBD. 

I " Know all men by these presents, that I Winni- 
pank, Indian Sagamour of Norwalk, do freely Give to 
my beloved friend Thomas Hanford, senior. Minister 
of Norwalk in y'' County of Fairfield, in y' (^)lony of 
I Connecticut, my Island of Land Lying against Rower- 
I ton, containing Twenty acres more or less, with all 
y trees, Herbage, and other Appurtenances thereof; 
which s*" Island is bounded on y' East with y' Island 
called Mamachimins, and Chachanenas, and on y° 
West witli the ))oint of Rowertoii ; I the said Winni- 
pank Do by this my act and Deed, Alienate the s* 
Island from all claims of English or Indians, and as 
being my peculiar propriety, never by deed of gift, or 
sale made over to any, but now by this my deed I do 
give it freely to my beloved friend Thomas Hanford, 
senr., to possess, improve, to liim and iiis heirs for- 
ever. In confirmation of this my act or deed, I have 
set to my hand & seal this second day of December 
Anno Domini One thousand six Hundred and Ninety. 



1 

I of J Wluiilpank. 

CJ 



'*S[»piod, Boalol, iiml dollvortnl lu \VIiuii|Mmk Indian, y* subicrlber 
tho p!T«oi»cp of ncknowlwlgod y abuvc Iiwlrumont 

".luiiN (iBKaooRV, to U» Ilia free act and deed, bofor* 

":>AMi.ri. llANiuitu. mo in XorwolU. 

" Do*:. ^Mli, 1G98, Katiian Gold, AjsW,** 



NORWALK. 



531 



IIUNGIIY SPRINfi. 
" Feb. 23, 1(!09. Voted aiul aijrcod that Thomas 
Seaincr sliall he warned tor to Lay (>])en to the use of 
the towiie the Spring caHed Iliinsry 8])ring ; for free 
])iissing of man and l)easts to the sayd spring ; he to 
remove any fence or ineumljrance in the way to sayd 
spring, tliat is or was l\v him sett iiji or erected." 

THE I'lilCE OK FUSE W(IOI). 
"Feb. 2n, U',U<.\. It was voted and agreed tliat all 
)>ersons as carry tire wood to Jlr. lUickiMgliam, sliall 
he allowed for each load of wallnul woocl three shil- 
lings and six pence, and for each load of oake w<iod 
is allowed two shillings and six pence." 

BlIILUING A SCHOOL-IIOU.SB. 

'' Xovember 27, 1(>90. Agreed that the towne 
wouhl build a schoole liouse as soon as may be with 
convenicncy ; and the dimensions of sayd Iiouse is 
agreed to be as followeth : the length 20 foote; tlie 
breadth thereof eightcene foot; and at least six foot 
betwcene joynts itc. iS:c." 

CEKT.WN TOWN CIIAKdES IX liV.ltl.* i 

.. .;. 

lliiniiiiK tlif wiwds, .Si-rjt..I..lin PlaU one .lay ;; i; 

Siiiiil. IS.'lilcn one (iiiy Imruiiig wnotls — oir- ihiy (iiinl ^iu uf si.-vrii 

ollicis ill siurct'ssioii) '2 fi 

Saiiiucll Siiiilli fur tiiwiic^ hiirrcs -J C, 

.l"lin I'liitt for a |ioiitmI c.f l.iittBi- li 'J 

Til.) «;.!..» Il.vi'tt n :iil pail i>t a w.illi' :i 4 

All..\vfii t._. .laiiii.s Uayt.'S fur tlax 2 puuinls for the T.>wiK''ij l>vum 

.k'liv.-i.-.l t.i J.iliii Craiiiptdn 2 

Saiiiiifl Kl-cI.t fur jiH-ii.Uiig the tuwiii- barres 1 (J 

(il.VUOES FOR WOLVES. 

£ ... ,/. 

EiLsislio BoMcn, five wolves '1 In u 

Sanill. IM.li-Ti,.iiic wolf In (I 

Suml. Uavi's, on.- wolf Ill ll 

.).i9li Ilo..k«.-ll,oii.- :!il of a w.ilfe :i t 

TIio. Gre;_'..ry, om; Wolfe .'. In 

Sanil. Smith, one wolt'e. In n 

KItzar Ilaiif.n.l, one Wolfe In o 

Eheiiezer Smsioii, a o.l of one wulfe :.t 4 

roWDEIt AND LEAD. 

"April 10, 1700. It was voted and agreed by the 
inhaliitants and liearby deidared as the towne's act, 
that there sliall be a rate made and levyed fortliwitli, 
for the procuering of powder and lead for the towne 
store or magazine; to be levyed in money, a half- 
penny on the pound." 

CERTAIN TOWN ACCorXTS (De.- 3l), ITul). 

£ .?. (I. 
Joseph Kotchuni, fur ruiuiiii;; the Ivne h.-tweaii Staiiifonl ami 

our town.; .'. I) ;t r. 

Ttni, Olio tiay hurniiif: wno.Is 2 (j 

Alls., half one 8iile of the pound : allso rfoliie rayle.s carrying 

to lhi. towne Banes,— all 9 : 

Allso, a jiint of niiii 1 

Samuel Keehr, one .lay hurning wooils 11 2 

His horie to till' Court at New Haven 7 

Allso on.- .lay renewing the houn(lnuf the piirclia-He; him uii.l 

hishorwe 4 

Allso a pint of niui (I I 1 

Samuel Hayes, his horee to Hartfonl (I 1(1 ! 

One thiiil of a Wolfe :i 4 | 

Samuel Bel. lin, two-lhirils of a wolf. li S ' 

Serj't. .I..hn Uavm.iii.l, .inc-8i.\t part of a wolf 1 S 

Zemliahell Uovt, half one wolf. ,'> II 

Allso hliriiin;; the Islanils O IS 

Matthias Sension. for heating t!io drum I '1 

Allso a druui-oortl '•i 

JOHN COPl', SCHOOLMASTER. 

"Dec. .'iO, 1701. Voteil and agreed by the towne 
that they would have a schoolcmaster for the next I 

* The town eicrk had turned over several leaves, ami made this record ! 
out of its order. ' 



yeere insucing in case he c;in be obtained. Allso 
voted and agreed that 5Ir. .lohn Cojip shall be the 
person for that work in case he can be obtained on 
reasonable termes. 

" Allso voteil and agreed, that for the jiaying of the 
charge of a schoidemaster shall be as followeth : that 
all children from the age of tive yeeres old to the age 
of twelve yeeres, shall all pay an e(|iiall ]>ro]iortion ; 
excepting the feamalc; all that doe not goe to schoole, 
.■ind all youtlis above the ;ige of twelve years as goe in 
the day, shall jiay eipially with the others above sayed ; 
and all iiiglit sehoollers shall jiay a third jiiirt sue 
much as the day schoolers; and the schoolers to pay 
fifteene pounds; and the reniaynder of the idiarge of 
schoole master's sallary sliall be payd by the towne 
according to their list of estate in the publique list ol' 
the Collonie." 

I'AVMKNT OF THE ToWN I!ATK IN ITnl, 
" Voted and agreed, that the town rateshall be jiayd 
in maner as followeth, vizt, in wheat at os. per bushl, 
Indian conic at 3s. per bushell, tla.x at Oil per pound, 
oats at is. ,Sd, rye at 3s. Gd, Barley at 3s. per bushell, 
and not to ])ay to any, above athird jiartof their debt 
in tiax, oats, Barley, but two thirds of all be in wheat 
or Indian corne." 

THE ISLANDS. 

" Whereas the inhabitants of the towne of Norwalk, 
have had jiossession of several! Islands lying adjacent 
to their tiiwiiship, and allso improvement of them 
forty yeares, and longer, without being interrupted by 
any persons hiying elaime and prosecuting their 
(daimc in due forme of law, the sayd towne having 
had qniett possession long before the sayd law of pos- 
session was enacted, and ever since ; the select men 
and justice doe in the name of snyd towne and for 
their behool'e, enter and record unto the .said towne, 
them their heires and assignes for ever ; namely Oock- 
enoes Island known by .stiyd name, and Maniaciiiinons 
Island, and the Long Island, and C'amfiidd's Island, 
known by sayd names, and all other Islands lying in 
or adjacent unto the towneshiiip of Norwalk ; to the 
legallity of this record we whose names are hereunto 
sett and sub.scribed, our names and hands. 

".Iamf.s OLM.'iTEAi), Justice and Iteconler. 

"Sa.muel S.mith, 

" Thomas Betts, 

"S.VMUELL Belden, Townsmen. 

"Samuell Betts, 

" .Sa.muell JIauven. ) 

" Recorded this 4th day of January, 17G2-3. 
" From Book 2 & 3." 

SITTING IN THE DEACONS' SEAT. 

" .Ian. 14, 1702. The towne did by their vote, allow 
John Gregory, senior, liberty to sitt in the Deacon's 
seat before the jniliiitt, for the advantage and benetitt 
of his hearing the word preached. 

"Allso at the tiViove sayd meeting the towne did by 



532 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



vote grant and allow, unto Matthew Marvin, liberty 
to sitt in the Deacon's seat before tlie jtulpitt for the 
bencfitt of his hearing the word jireaihcd." 

HOUSE SHEDS UY THE MEETING-HOUSE. 

" Jan. 14, 1702. Granted liberty to those inhabitants 
out-dwellcrs, for to erect shelters for their horses for 
the Saboatli and piibliqiic oeciisions, by Matthias 
Scnsion's jr. Lott in the common, not to hinder or 
obstruct his passage to his barne and yard, or to his 
shop." 

IJJ CASE OE FIXE BY THE SERGEANT MAJOR. 

" Feb. 2G, 1702, it was voted and agreed by the towne 
that in case the present select men shall be fyned by 
the Serjnt. Alajor, for the townes defect in not having 
their proportion of amies and ammunition in their 
towne stock according to law, the towne engages to 
pay the fyne, and that by way of rate." 

THE MEETING-HOUSE DELL. 

"Feb. 3, 1703. The towne voted that the Bell 
should be feteht from Ralph Keeler's and forthwith 
hung u|) in the meeting house for to be wrung thcr for 
the ])r()bation of the goodnes of the Bell. 

"At the same meeting the towne made choyse of 
Ralph Keelcr and James Stewart to hang the bell in 
the meeting house, and to doe all that is nec&ssary 
respecting the hanging thesayd bell, and allso to put 
a new tongue into the bell if it shall in there judg- 
ments soe need it." 

RINGING THE in;i,I. AND HEATING THE DULM. 

"Dec. 1704. William Lees did engage with and 
unto the towne to beat the Drum or ring the bell, and 
that on all puldiiiue occasions. And also to sweep 
the meeting house every week decently ; and the towne 
engiiges to allow and pay unto sayd Lce.s the next 
yeere the sum of one pound ten shillings." 

KETCIIING ARMS FROM STAMKOIin. 

" Allso the towne engages to pay any damage that 
may be done, or happen to be done, in the armes that 
are to be feteht from Stamford; and ailso to pay those 
persons as shall fetch them, reiusonable satisfaction for 
their labor." 

SEATING THE MEETING-UOUSE IN 1705. 

" Voted, that the meeting house shall be seated with 
as much conveniency as may be ; and that the order 
or method of seating the meeting house shall be in 
the iict of the towne bareing date Feb. 21, 1G1)8 ; only 
further agreed that noe person shall be degraded, or 
brought lower than they are now seated. 

"Allso voted and agreed that the first long scat in 
the gallery of the meeting house shall be accounted 
and deemed ius the fifth long seat below, and those a.s 
sitt below have liberty there to sitt still. 

" Also that there shall be twelve men seated in the 
long seat of tlie gallery ; namely, tiic first seat of the 
gallery. 

"Also, there is to be two seats of the gallery seated 
on the woman's side of the gallery, if need be. 



" Allso, the towne made choyse of Thomas Betts, 
senr., Samuell Smith, senr., and Ralph Keeler, senr., 
they to seat the meeting house according to the order 
of the towne." 

SEATI.SG THE SIEETISG-IIOCSE IN 1700 

"The towne made choyse of a committee, vizt. ; 
James Olmsted, .John Benedick, senr., Samuel Smith, 
senr., ZorubabcU Hoyt, Thomas Betts, senr., Kbenezer 
Sension, .Joseph Piatt, persons with whom the towne 
have left that afliiire, vi/.t., the .seating of the meeting 
house; and they the sayd committee to order and de- 
termine that matter according to their best discretion ; 
they to have respect to age, fjuality, and the estate-s of 
persons in the publique list, and the towne to abide 
their determination." 

ALLOWANCE TO MR. BLCKINGII AM INSTEAD OF HIS YEARLY 
FIREWOOD. 

" Feb. 28, 1706-7. Voted and agreed by the towne, 
to allow Mr. Stephen Buckingham twenty pounds pr. 
year, to be ])aid in specie :is his rale is to be payd in, 
he freeing the towne from the obligation they are 
under, in finding or [iroviding his firewood." 

MR. nUCKIXGHAM S AGREEMENT THERETO. 

"The town of Norwalk, performing their above 
mentioned engagement, as to summ and price, are 
now freed from the obligation concerning tire wood 
to me. 

"S. Buc'Kixr.nAM." 

CUTTING SEDGE. 

" Dec. 18, 1707. The Towne by their present act, 
do prohibit any person or persons cutting any sedge 
or Crick-thatch, on any of the towne's right, before 
ye first day of September, annually ; and if any per- 
son shall presume to act contrary to this act, he or 
they shall, at^er the first half load, forfitt twenty 
shillings for every half load ; to be paid by the per- 
son or persons delinquent, half to ye use of ye town, 
the other half of said twenty shillings to the com- 
plainer who shall prosecute the same to eflect." 

SCHOOL-KEEPING IN 1T07-8. 

" Feb. 10th, 1707-8. Voted and agreed, that there 
shall be a schoolmaster hyred according to law. 

" Also, voted and agreed, that ye school m!L<ter 
Hired shall attend and keep ye schoole two months 
on this side of the river, and ime month on ye other 
side. 

" Also granted liberty to those our inhabitant.s over 
the river, to erect a schoole house in a convenient 
place, not prcjudissing the highway." 

THE TOWN KEEPING OOOD HOCKS. 

"Also voted (1707-8), and agreed, that there shall 
be no votes passed nor any grants made by the towne, 
nor any record made of any votes, after nine of the 
clock at night."* 

• " In 1708, John Dcldon, Suniiel Keclor, Malthew Soymour, MalthiM 
St. John, and uthor iiihulalunta uf Nurwalk, tu tlio uuniUsr uf Iwen^- 
fivc, purcliojivil 11 largu tnn't Iwlwocn tliut lowii aud Danbury. Tliofml^ 



NORWALK. 



KEEPING ORDER IN TOWN-MEETING. 

"Dec. IGth, 1708. Voted and agreed that there 
shall be a moderator chosen, wIki shall have power to 
|iut to vote all matters or atlaires that are then in ail- 
jitation, and also to endeavour to keep good order and 
deeorum in speaking; a)id all who are disorderly in 
speaking, to lie by words corrected by the moderator; 
an<l al.so that if any ])ers()n shall, notwithstanding, be 
so liold as to proceed in disorderly sj>eaking, when 
corrected by the moderator, he shall sutler by lyne, 
imi)osed on ye delin(iuent by ye moderator and the 
jnajorily of the townsmen, to the sum of live shil- 
lings, to be levied by distress on the estate of the 
delinquent." 

OVEl! ItlVKK IUinYI\'(i-(a!otNI). 

" Dec. ]li, 17IIS. The town grants to ye inliabitauts 
on the west side of Norwalk River, a piece of ground 
for a burying place, on any convenient jiiece of laml 
in commons; and John Benedick, senr., Zerubaliell 
Hoyt, and Thomas Betts, senr., are appointed a com- 
mittee to appoint the place." 

SITTING IN THE (IRKAT TEW. 

"Feb. 10, 1708-9. The town votes Mr. !^amuell 
Hayes into ye great ))Ue, to sitt in U]ioii |inblii|Ue 
days, &c." 

STR.XY .I.VDES. 

"Mpreh 4, 1708-i). The town makes choyse of 
John Steward to claim and sell all stray jades for the 
town (when no better claim appears), that shall be 
brought out of ye woods to ye town by the Horse 
Hunters, and that the horse hunters shall have half 
of what ye horses shall fetch, when they are .sold."* 

TUH TIUE-MILL. 

"Dec. lo, 1709. The town grants by a major vote, 
to Joseph Birchard, Thomas Betts, John Betts, and 
John Gregory, jr., the liberty to Damm U]i ye crick 
lying before ye sd Gregory's, with also the jirivilege 
of the stream that runs into ye said crick and through 
the said damm : provided that they the said Joseph, 
&c., . . . do sett upon the .said work in order to the 
erecting a grist-mill upon the damm that they shall 
so erect, within one year from tiiis date ; and do ac- 
complish the work of the said mill within the term of 
three years from the day of these presents; and so 
1 long as the said undertakers do maintainc a good suf- 
ficient grist-mill, the said stream shall remain to them 
and to their successors that shall so maintaine ve 



I 



chase was made of Catoonah, the chief sachem, and otlier Indians, wlio 
were the propiictois i>f tlnit jiart nf tlio country. Tlic deed licars date 
Sept. 30, 1708. At this session [1700] it was ordained tliat it sliould be a 
distinct ti.wnship h.v tlio name of Riil(;etielil,"— Tkv.mbixl, p. 4i;0. 

* In Uinnian's catalogue of names of I'utitati Hctllcrsi, und<-r Mattliew 

Gri8W(dd, is noticed " a severe lausuit Iietween .said tlriswidd and Reinolil 

Marvin." " Tlie arldtrators avvard.-d tlnit one-lialf the liorses slionid he 

: equally divided hetween them, and that the other halt slnaild go to the 

I colony, and Marvin should look them ui>, an i appointed a conmiitteir to 

I soil the hcn-ses and execute the award." I'pc.n this .Mr. Ilinmaii rennirks : 

"Thearhitrators must at least have resided at Duleh Puiiil, if they were 

I not Dutch justices." This record may explain the matter without the 

necessity of so unchaiilaldc a snppoBition. 



same: they to grind all grain into good aiul sufficient 
meal for the town, for the toal sttited in ye law ; and 
not to grind for any strainger coming with his grain 
to said mill, so long as any of ye inhabitants of this 
Townc's grain is lying in said mill unground; except- 
ing any of said inhabitants shall allow any strainger 
their turn." 

A I'LATFonjI TO THE GALLEItT. 

"Dei'. l'>, 1709. The town by major vote grants to 
.lohii Bartlet, .Tames I.,ockwood, and Samiiell Keeler, 
jr., a lilierty to erect and build on ye west side of the 
meeting-house, a platform from ye gallery unto the 
n<jrth window upon the cross plates; and with others 
that shall present, for a sufficiency to erect upon the 
same four |)Ues, which shall remain and continue for 
their use, to seat themselves in ye time of |)ublique 
service : and that during the fall term of ye town's 
jdeasure; so that whenever they shall see cause to 
jnake any alteration of that matter so as to deprive 
them of their seats, the town engages to allow such 
charge, that the said buildings shall be advantageous 
to ye town, as by indiflerent persons may be ailjudged ; 
they relimiuishing all otherseats in the meeting-hoiLse, 
during ye time of their sitting." 

THE MEETING-noUSE BELFIIY. 

" At the same meeting, the town granted to Samuel! 
Keeler, jr., twenty acres of land in one place, tind 
twenty-six acres of land more, to take up in ye woods, 
— upon condition thai he the said Keeler do erect a 
Belfree upon ye top of our meeting-house, and com- 
j)leatly tinish the same; and hang the bell that is now 
hung upon ye mecting-house, or any other that may 
be obtained seasonably Ijcfore ye said belfree is fin- 
ished ; and to cloa.se ye sides of the upright where 
now ye bell hangs; all to be compleated by the last 
of .June next insuing; the town to ])iovidc stntf for 
ye closing ye uiiright, and to cart the same, with the 
timber that shall by the said Keeler be ]irrpared for 
ye belfree, to ye nieeting-house ; and also find ye nails 
that will be wanted lor ye whole work ; also the sayil 
Keeler to fraime in ye top of ye turret a good suffi- 
cient cedar stump to (ix a weathercock on, if ye town 
see cause; or a iiinnacle." 

GREGG); Y'S POINT. 

"Dee. ;i9, 1710, the town granted .some land to Joiin 
Benedict, ' which gratit is by way of exchange with 
the said .Tolin Benedict for ii free jiassage for ctirts, 
horses and men, as tlu'y may have occasion, unto ye 
point of land extending itself into ye harbor, which 
passage is limited to ye way that is and hath been 
improved, along through ye said Bennediek's land 
unto ye said point, wliicli privilege is to remain to the 
town forever; which point is known as commonly 
called Gkegory's Point.'" 

SEATING SEVERAL PERSONS IN THE .MEETING. IIOISE. 

"Dec. 29, 1710. The towne grants liberty to Wil- 
liam Sturtevant, Jonathan Wood, Uiehard Cosier, 



534 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Andrew Lyon, John Fillio, Thomas Austin, to sitt 
upon ye seat joining to the Little puc, in ye North 
East corner of the meeting House, and their wives to 
sit on the opposite seat, joyning to y* North West 
corner of y" meeting house. 

" Allso to Sanill Carter to sitt in ye seat be- 
fore y" liinde i)illar, with .lohii Marvin, &c., and to 
Jauies Hayes to sit in y' seat wlure Lt. William Lees 
formerly satt." 

THE BKLL RUNG AT NINE O'CLOCK AT NIGHT. 

"Dec. 11, 1713. Tlie town grants to Zcrubbalnll 
Hoyt twenty-si.x shillings in pay, or two-thirds 
money, for his ringing y° bell at nine a clock at 
night, for y' year ensuing; and the said Hoyt ingages 
to performe the same." 

A HIGinVAl- TO ItlDGEFIELD. 

"Dec: IG, 1713. The town by majority vote made 
choice of Capt. Jos^eph Piatt, Capt. John Raymond, 
and Ensigne James Stewart, for their committee to 
make a settlement of a highway or road to Kidgc- 
field, if they and the committee of Ridgeficld can 
agree; and doth fully impower said committee to 
make restitution to sucli persons that .s*" highway may 
take land from within the limit.* of Norwalk town- 
ship." 

ATTENDING MEETING IS RIDGEFIELD. 

"March 1, 1713-14. The town by a major vote 
frees Jonathan Wood, senr., from paying any rate to 
y" ministry in Norwalk, for y° future after this year's 
rate is paid, jirovided y° said Wood attends y' meet- 
ing in Ridgcfield on y' Sabbath and so long as he 
continues so to do." 

A SADDATH-DAY HOUSE FOR JOHN TAYLOR. 

"March 1, 1713-14. The town by a major vote 
grants liberty to John Taylor to erect a small house 
for his family's conveniency on y' Sabbatli, on such 
part, of y' town's land near y'^ meeting house, as y* 
select men shall allow or find convenient." 

A NEW MEETING-IIOUSE. 

"Dec. 11, 1717. The town Ijy a major vote deter- 
mines to build a new meeting house, of such dimen- 
sions as shall hereafter be concluded upon ; to be 
erected on y'" north end of Ensign James Stewart's 
Home lot. 

" At y' same meeting the town by a major vote 
grants a rate of one penny in a pound in money to be 
leavied upon the inhabitants of the town, to be col- 
lected this year, and put into y' hands of ye town 
treasurer, to be improved by the committee that siiall 
be chosen and appointed for managing ye business of 
ye new meeting house. 

" At the same meeting ye town by a major vote de- 
termined that what money is granted by the town, 
viz. (ye penny on ye pound) to be colectod this year, 
shall be layed out th buying nails and other neces- 
saries for the new meeting house. 

" At the same meeting tlie town by a major vote de- 



termines that the accomplishment of yc work of s* 
meeting house shall be indeavored for within the term 
of four years. 

" At the same meeting the town by a major vote de- 
termines that wliat is found neces.sary to be done in 
repairing tlic old meeting house to make it comfort- 
able for the time being until the said meeting house 
be built, be out of liand done." 

WIIETHER TO REPAIR THE OLD MEETINU-IIOUSE. 

" Jan. 9, 1718-19. It was proposed by way of vote, 
tliat those that were for repairing, and for making an 
addition to the old meeting house, should signifie their 
minds by pa.ssing out of ye house first, and be num- 
bered ; and that those who ware for erecting a new 
meeting lumse, on the place where John Keelcr's 
barn stands, should pass out of the hou.sc afterwards 
& be numbered. Upon tryall of which, those that 
were for repairing and adding to the old house were 
in number twenty si.\ tliat passed out, and Lt. Taylor 
dechired himself to be of that mind thougli he ])assed 
not out. And those that were for the meeting house 
to be erected :us aforesaid, were in number thirty that 
passed out, and Ca[)t. Piatt and mysellc declared to 
be of ye same mind with them, tho not passing out. 

" This meeting is adjourned to ye ne.xt Jlonday 
morning come sevennight at Eight of ye clock in yc 
morning. 

"Test, John Corr, 

" Town Clerk." 

HOW TO SETTLE THE DIFFERENCE ABOUT THE OLD HOUSE 
OR A NEW ONE. 

" At a town meeting convened by adjournment nn 
the 19th day of January, 1718-19, in Norwalk, in the 
old school House, 

"The Town by major vote determines to leave the 
whole affaire of ye present difierance in the town re- 
specting the Repairing the old nu'Oting liouse and en- 
larging ye same by addition ; or the building a new 
meeting house, and determining the place where the 
new house shall be erected, unto a wise and judieiims 
committee of three persons hereafter nominated and 
chosen ; all which charge of the s"" committee to be 
defrayed by ye town. 

"Upon Tryall of ye minds of ye town upon the 
above vote, it was proposed that those y' were of tlic 
mind to pass s'' vote into their act, should move out 
of ye house. Upon tryall of whiehe. Forty one per- 
sons went out of yc house, and eight persons y' were 
not in ye house when yc proposals were made, came 
to me and declared themselves for ye said act. The 
negative vote was proposed in ye same numner, and 
no person or persons appeared to move out ; the 
number of ye persons y' remained in the house, M 
near as I could come at, were in number Twenty six. 

" At ye same meeting, the town by a major vote, 
made choisc of Majcir Peter Burr, Major Samuel Ealg, 
and Mr. Jonathan Law, Vm\., for their committee, 
with whom thev would leave the whole affair of their 



NOKWALK. 



535 



(lifference above expressed, and to make a decision 

tlifreof. 

" At the same meeting' tlio tuwii liy Majni' vote De- 
termines tliat any two of tlie alxivesaid committee 
agreeinjr, their determinations sliall be as l)inclin<; to 
the town to fulfil, as if they all three concurred and 
signed their result. 

" At y' same meeting y' town by a major vote have 
chosen Capt. John Raymond, C'apt. Joseph IMatt, Lt. 
Matthew Seamer, Ensigne Sand, ('onistoek, Mr. 
Samll. lietts. and Mr. John JIarven, a committee to 
represent y" town in laying before »■* committee the 
sureonistances of y' town in their present diflerences. 

" At the same meeting y' town by major vote makes 
choise of Mr. Copp to entertain the (iefmen Com- 
mittee afore chdsen, when e(]mc to tciwo. 

" .Vt the sanje meeting the tdwn by a major vote 
makes choise of Jnhn t'opp to g<i forth with y" gen- 
tlemen y" said committee iu order to obtain their 
coming over with as much expedition as may l)e. 

" At the same meeting the town by a major vote 
impowers the town's committee afore cliosen to render 
and pay to y' Gentlemen committee, honoral>le re- 
ward for their service (in these atfairs) for the town ; 
for which the town treasury shall reburst y' s* charges." 

BEGIN.NIXG THE NEW JIEKTINlMlOL'SE. 

" At a town meeting convened in Norwalk .\ugust 
17th, 1720, The town by a major vote resolves and 
concludes that men shall be hired to raise the meet- 
ing house, such men and so many as !\rr. 8andl. 
Grummon, carpenter, shall think needful ; in y" town, 
and by y' advice of the Committee. 

"The town, by a major vote, resolves and oblidges 
themselves seasonably to grant such leavies by way 
of rate, on y' inhabitants of y"" town, as shall be suffi- 
cient to discharge all such necessary charges, as the 
committee appointed to manage that affair of the new 
meeting house, as already have or shall find needful, 
to contract for the aceom]dishmcnt of y' underpining, 
raiseing, covering, and eneloseing s'' house, at or before 
the first day of March next ensueing the date hereof. 

" Tlie Town, at y' same meeting, by a major vote, 
determines that tlie new meeting house shall be raised 
fronting East, and to y' street." 

THE SEI'OXIP SlilociL DISTHlrT.* 
"January 30, 1720-21. The town by a major vote 
determines to have two schools attended and kept for 
the year ensuing, one at y" south end of y" town, and 
the other at y'- north end , at y'-' two res|)cctive school 
houses now in being, in y" winter time ; and y" sum- 
mer schoole at y" south end, and at y" sciiool house 
on y' west side of y' river. And y'' country money 
shall be divided according to lyst by y'' military lyne." 



* On tlic 4th nf January, 1710-20, the town voted that the winter 
school Bhunld be kelpt half of the time at thi- olil sclujol-hunae, and the 
other judf the time at the new school-house at the nulth end of the 
tjwri. 



G.\TI1ERING OYSTERS. 

" Dec. 4, 1721. The town by major vote prohibits 
all persons whatsoever excei>ting the jn'oper inhalj- 
itants of y^ town, rakeing and gathering of Oysters 
within y* harli<iurs, ccives, or any other place, apper- 
taining and being within the limits of our township. 
And any such person or jiersons as shall be (bund 
rakeing or gathering oysters within y'" aforesayd limits, 
shall sutler the jienaltie of three shillings per bushell." 

EIGHT OF COJIMOXAGE TO YOl'XG MEX OF TWENTY-ONE. 

" Dee. 4, 1721. The town by a major vote resolves 
and determines that a copy of a certain vote passed at 
a town meeting convened in Xorwalk Dec. 15, Hi9S, 
in the words following, — to wit: 'Also granted that all 
the town born children, shall, as they attain y* age of 
Twenty (me years, all of them have a fifty pound right 
of commonage in the town, and also as are twenty one 
years of age to have it in this last division granted.' 
— .V true copy of y" town act lost, 

"'Test, Ja.me.s Olmstead, 

" ' J'oirn CkrI:' 

— shall be put on record, and be of as good force 
and efficacy as the original was before it was lost; 
and that no female shall have benefit by this act, by 
their being Ijorn in y'' town." 

SKLLIXG OYSTERS TO OYSTKRVESSEl.S. 

"April K), 1722. The Town Resolved, that whoso- 
ever of y' inhabitants of the town shall directly or 
indii-ectly sell any oysters, or give leave to any vessel, 
men, or any other iicrsou or j)ersons to gett oysters 
within y'' town l)ounds, or shall carry and put on 
board any oysters, shall incurr a penalty of five shil- 
lings pr. hundred, and so in proportion for greater or 
less quantities." 

SEATS TAKEN FROM THE OLD MEETIXG-IIOUSE FOR THE NEW. 

"March 11, 1722-23. The town gives liberty to 
y" committee for the new meeting house, to take from 
y*^ old meeting house such seats and boards, plank, 
and other things, that may be needful to use in the 
new meeting house." 

THE TOWN MAGAZINE. 

"At the same meeting, the town by a major vote 
determines that a suitable place shall be made in the 
new meeting house to ]nit ye towns magazine in, and 
remove the same as soon as may be." 

SEATING THE NEW MEETINGHOUSE. 

"June 3, 1723. The town left the business of seat- 
ing the new meeting house to a committee of seven ; 
viz. Capt. Jrjseph Piatt, Lieutenant .Samuel Marvin, 
Serjent John Benneiliet, 8amuel Kellogg, Taeutenant 
Matthew Beymor, Captain Samuel Hanfbrd, Mr. John 
Betts, Sen." 

MRS IlANldRI) STII.I, AI.IVE-t 

■ " .\t ye same meeting, the town voted Airs. Hanford 
into ye pue with Mrs. Ruekinglmm. 



f " From the first settlement of the town to 17;J2, a term of more than 
eighty years, there was no general eickiiess in the town. From 1715 to 



536 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



"December 11, 1723. The town voted Capt. Sam- 
uel Hunford to sit in ye pue witli Captain Olmsted 
and Captain Piatt." 

NO TOWN-MEETING TO BE HOLDEN IN THE NEW MEETING- 
HOUSE. 

"At the same meeting (Dec. 11, 1723), the town by 
a major vote resolves, that no town meetings shall be 
warned to convene at the new meeting house, nor at- 
tended and held within s'' house ; nor that any act or 
acts of the town shall ever be accounted of any value 
that shall be passed witliin the walls thereof. Also 
determines that no other improvement shall be made 
there, but what is consistent with, and agreeable to 
the most pure and special service of God, for which 
end it was built and now devoted." 

SKI.IJNG THE OLD MEETING-HOUSE. 

" At the same meeting, the town by a major vote 
determines to make sale of the old meeting house. 
Mr. John Bartlett, Ensign Samuel Comstoek, and 
Mr. James Lockwood a committee to sell and dispose 
of the same." 

A SCnoOL-DAME AT SAUGATUCK. 

"At the same meeting, the town grants liberty to 
Drye Brook and Sawkatuck inhabitants to improve a 
School Dame among tliemselves to schoole their chil- 
dren in ye summer .sea.son, and also grant to them 
their proportion of ye country's money. 

"At ye same meeting ye town grants that the refuse 
boards left at ye new meeting-house, be used about ye 
school-house neerr ye Mill plain." 

THE OLD BELL HUNG UPON THE NEW MEETING-HOUSE. 

"At the same meeting the town by major vote de- 
termines to hang ye bell on ye new meeting house, 
and there to be rung upon necessary occasions until 
there appear a suitable opportunity to sell the same." 

MR. JOHN COPP IN THE SECOND PEW FROM THE PULPIT. 

" At the same meeting, the town by a major vote 
grants ye seating of John Copp in ye second pue 
from ye pulpitt; and his wife in ye third pue on ye 
woman's side." 

Mil. THOMAS FITCH IN THE PEW WITH THE .JUSTICES. 

"Mr. Thomas Fitch, Jr., is by major vote of ye 
town seated in ye pue with tlic Justices, and the town 
desires that he would read ye psalme, and set ye tune 
in ye time of publiquc service." 

SIB. THOMAS BENEDICT TO SET THE PSALM TUXES. 

" December 2, 1724. The town by major vote de- 
sires Ensigne Tlionias Bennedick, Jr., to sett ye tune 
to ye Psalme, at such times as that part of service is 
to be performed in ye publik worship of God; and to 
read ye Psalms needed, ye town also scats ye said } 



1710, tlicrc ilieO iu Ihia Inrgc U>wii twelve poraonB only. Out of tlio truln- 
liand. contnntliiK nf one liiin<lre<l uien, there diet! not one |»or»on from 
1T1G lo 1T;UI, liming the term of fourteen yenrs. 

" M™, IlRnfonl, nlict of the llnit niliili>ler of the town, <lieil Sept. 12, 
1730, ft^cd one hundred youra." — .Vafitucrijito of Iter. .Vom-j Itu-liHi'm. oi 
Tmmlmirt i/utory. 



Bennedick in ye 3d Innir scat at ye end of ye middle 
alley. 

"The town votes Mr. Benjamin Lynes into ye pue 
at ye S. \V. corner." 

THE PARISH OF WILTON BEGUN. 

" December 7, 1725. The town by a major vote sig- 
nifies their willingness that the inhabitants of Kent, 
Belden's Hill, and Chestnutt Hill, and so upwards, 
become a Parish or village by themselves; if the 
Generall Court (upon their application) shall see 
meet so to establish thoni ; and in order for ye .settling 
ye bounds of said village, a committee from each 
party shall take a view and present to the town where 
they think the bounds should be stated; that the 
town may consider upon it, and, upon their liking, 
establisli tlie same. 

"At the same meeting, ye town by a major vote 
made choise of ye Worshipfull Josei)h Piatt, Esq., 
Captain Raymond, and Lieutenant Seymor committee 
for to joyne with a committee from ye said inhabi- 
tants, in viewing where ye bounds may be best fixt for 
said upper village, and make a report to ye town of 
their opinion therein." 

STONE STEPS FOB THE MEETING-HOUSE. 

"February 18th, 172.5-6. The town by a major 
vote determines that they will have stones obtained 
for ye makeing of steps at each of ye doars of ye 
meeting-house. Joseph Piatt, Esq., Mr. John Bart- 
lett, and Ensigne Thoma.* Bennedick, Jr., to see to ye 
obtaining of s*" stones, and get ye steps made, &c., at 
the town's cost." 

DIKFICULTV WITH THE REV. MB. BUCKINGHAM. 

"At the same meeting (Feb. 18, 1725-6), the town 
by a major vote determines that something shall be 
done in order to regulate ye difficulties ariseing in the. 
town about ye Reverend Mr. Buckingham. 

"The town by a major vote made choice of Josei)h 
Piatt, Esfj., Mr. Jame.s Brown, Lieutenant Comstoek, 
John Copp, Deacon John Benedick, Jr., Mr. John 
Betts, Sen., and John Betts, carpenter. Committee to 
present the grievances of the town to the ministers of 
the county." 

MR. BUCKINGHAM'S SALARY STOPPED. 

" A bill was brought into ye meeting of ye follow- 
ing tenure, — viz. : 

" Att a town meeting regularly warned by the select 
men of ye town of Norwalk and convened at the new 
school-house at the north end of said town, Feb. 18, 
1725-26, the town by their major vote agrees and re- 
solves, that for the future no colector in the town of 
Norwalk shall be obliged tocolect Mr. Buckingham's 
rate in the specie as has been usual ; ami that the in- 
habitants of the town shall not be under any obliga- 
tion, by force of any vote, to pay any provision for 
the answering of their severall proportions of s'' Mr. 
Bucking's sallary ; and do hereby determine and fully 
agree, that all votes and grants of that kind shall be 
wholly null and void. 



NORWALK. 



537 



" Read off to yo town, put to vote, and passed in j 
the affirmative." 

THE ASSOCIATION OF MINISTERS CALLED. 

"Feb. 2S, 172o-2(5. The town accepts what ]\[r. 
Cop]i & Jlr. James Brown (with concurrence of ye 
rest of ye comniitlce) have done, in obtaining from 
ye Reverend Mr. Davenport, Mixlerator of ye Assoei- [ 
ation (ye Reverend Mr. Wclib and Mr. Chai>man i 
adviseing and consenting therewith), letters of notifl- 
eation to ye ministers of ye county, for an Associaticm 
of s'' ministers at Norwallc, on ye eiglif h day of Marcli 
next; and resolves to liave ye said letters of notifica- 
tion sent to the Reverend persons to whom they are 
directed ; and make provision for ye entertainment of 
&■* ministers when they come, which charge shall be 
defrayed by the town." 

THE OLD rULPIT. 

" At ye same meeting, the town l)y a m.ijor vote, 
grants to the inhabitants of ye U]iper society the old 
]iulpit upon free gift." 

A MINISTER ALLOWED TO SAUOATUCK. 

" At the same meeting, the town liy a major vote 
grants to ye inhabitants about Sawkatuck, liberty to 
improve some meet person or minister of ye gospel to 
preach among them, &c., they paying their full dues 
to ye support of ye "ministers of ye town." 

MR. BUCKINGHAM'S LETTER TO THE TOWN. 

"At a town Meeting convened in Norwalk, March 
22d, 1725-20,— 
"To the Town of Norwalk now eonven'd together, 
•I being heartily concerned for ye difiicult state of the 
town, and thinking sincerely within myself, that a 
loving accommodation of ye dilliculties and ditfer- 
enees at present between ye town and myself, will 
be everyway most conducive to ye |ieace and union 
of the town, and the satisfaction of every member 
therein; and so, in the whole, most declarative of 
the glory of God, and most for the interest of re- 
ligion, more especially in this |)la<-e, I thereupon, 
with Christian concern, move to ye town for an ac- 
commodation of ye s'' difficulties. 

"S. BuCKINCiHAM. 

" The Town most gladly receiving Mr. Bucking- 

j ham's desire, do heartily fall in with his motion for 

j an accommodation of ye difficulties ; provided the 

Rev. Mr. Davenport, Mr. Cook, and Mr. Ciiapman, 

do propose any meathod for such an accommodation, 

which they do think to be erjuivalcnt to, or nuiy 

answer, the advice of the late association of Norwalk. 

"Read off to ye town and by a major vote past in 

I ye affirmative." 

THE COUNCIL FOR ADVICE. 

"March 30th, 1726. The town mett, and by a 
major vote requests the Reverend Mr. Sacket to joyne 
with ye Reverend Mr. Davenport, Mr. Cook, & Mr. 

1 Chapman, in that affair refer'd to them ye last meet- 

. ing before ye adjournment." 



A SUPPLY FOR THE PULI'lT. 

"The town by a major vote grants to Mr. Tlioinas 
Fitch, jur., Thirty shillings pr. day for two days and 
a half preaching with us in times [last ; and also for 
what days he may be so improved by us for the 
future." 

THE COUNCIL. 

"March the 31st, 172(;. The Town mett, and by a 
major vote made choice of Mr. James Brown to ofl'er 
in ye towp's behalf in ye jjrcscnt affair now before 
the Reverend Cientlemen, viz., ye Rev'd. Mr. Daven- 
port, Mr. Cook, Mr. C'hapman, and Mr. Sacket being 
present." 

THE TOWN CLOSES WITH THE ADVICE OF COUNCIL. 

" At the same meeting, the town having had read 
off to them the advice of ye late association of ye 
ministers of ye County at Norwalk, for ye Calling of 
a council of the elders and also of the messengers of 
the churches in the County ; and also the further ad- 
vice of ye above Reverend Gentlemen, to pursue s'' 
ailvice, as most agreeable to rule and order, and most 
conducilde to an orderly and decisive determination 

of our difficulties, tlie town closes with ye advice 

afores'' & by a m.ajor vote determines that a council 
of ye elders, (.*i also of the messengers of the Churches 
in this County shall be called." 

CALLING THE CONSOCIATION. 

"The town by a major vote determined that a suit- 
able person shall be sent to ye Rev'd Mr. Stodard of 
Woodbury, Moderator of ye last council in this 
county, to olttain letters of notification to ye elders 
and messengers of the churches in this county, to 
convene at Norwalk on the first Monthly evening in 
May ne.Kt, according to ye advice and discretion of ye 
late association at Norwalk ; and that due provision 
be made for the entertainment of ye said council 
when conveneil ; tlie whole charge to be defray 'd by 
the town." 

THE CO.MMITTEE TO REPRESENT THE TOWN liEFORE CON- 
SOCIATION. 

"April 27, Anno(iue Domini, 172(1. Tlic ffiwii ap- 
pointed Mr. James Brown, Joseph I'latt, Esq., iS;, 
John Copji, their committee to appear in behalf of 
the town lieforc the Consociation, and to manage the 
whole affair relating to the difference between ye 
Rev. Mr. Buckingham & the town." 

THE TOWN DISSATISFIED WITH MR. UUCKINOII AM'S CON- 
VERSATION. 

"At a town meeting convened in Norwalk, August 
12th, 172G, at ye same meeting, the town by a major 
vote do signifie their dissatisfaction with tlie former 
and latter conversation of the Reverend Mr. Stephen 
Buckingham, vi/.. : before and since ye determination 
of council ; as also with the determination of tlu' 
council in tliat affair. 

"At ye same nu'eting, the Reverend Mr. Bucking- 
ham appeared, and read oil' before ye town then con- 
vened the folhnving proposals, and directed in manner 
following." 



538 



mSTOEY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



MB. BUCKINGHAM'S PBOPOSAL. 

"To y'towii of Norwnlk, witli y" Church appertain- 
ing thereunto: 

" Being apprehensive of disquietincnts among many 
respecting my continuance in y" service and work of 
y" ministry among you, tliese are to signilie to you 
that if you are disposed, and do so agree to call a con- 
sociation of y" elders and messengers of y" churches of 
this county, whereby I might have a regular discharge 
from y" work and service of the ministry and y" care 
of your souls ; as by a like consociation I was regu- 
larly established in, and unto y' same; and that the 
said consociation shall allso take cognizance of such 
publikc scandalls that any of y" members of this 
church may lye under, in breaches of severall com- 
mands of the morall law and other Scripture rules ; 
that so, whatsoever of that nature may appear may 
be orderly removed and y° chhs. peace establislied, — 
Under which surcomstanees once obtained I shall 
freely lay down y" work and service of ye ministry 
among you. 

"Stephen Kr(Kix(iii.vM. 

"August 12th, 1726." 

THE PEOrOSAL VOTED TO HE IKIiEGlLAK. 

"Sept. 14, 1726. The town according to adjourn- 
ment met, at which meeting it was propo.sed to the 
town whether they would call a consociation accord- 
ing to foregoing proposall of tlie Rev. Mr. Bucking- 
ham, presented to y" town August 12th, 1726. 

" By a major vote y" town deterniinc.s_ the above .s'' 
proposal to be irregular, and therefore, by a major 
vote, resolves ye above question in the negative." 

A COMMITTEE TO TUEAT WITH MR. BUCKINGHAM ABOUT 
Ills SAI-AItY. 

'■ Uoc. 1, 1726. The town determines to have a 
committee chosen to treat with the Reverend Mr. 
Buckingham, rcfering to his salary, and the act of the 
town upon the same, Feb. 18, 1725-26." 

BUILDING A TOWN-nOUSE.« 

" Dec. 9th, 1726. The Town determines to have a 
house built upon such place as the town by major 
vote shall agree to determine, that may well entertain 
the town to meet in at their town-meetings, and 
others as the town shall or may have occasion from 
time to time : and also for the entertainment of a 
generall sehoolc. 

" At the same meeting it was put to vote whether 
they would build a town-house 'between the meeting- 
house and Mr. Street's,' or whether they would 'build 
an addition to the upper school-hou.se ;' upon which 
18 voted for the former, and 33 for the latter." 

MK. BUCKISGUAM'3 "KItEQUEST VISIT AT YE HOUSE OF 
MK. LINES." 

"Jan. 2.')lh, 1726-27. The town determines that 
something shall be^ue respecting ye yet renmiuing 

* Allt'r the town were shut cmt of the nie«tfnc.tioii0o. tlioy nipt sexi- 
onilly ill ye •* North," ur " Upper," HcliooLhouoo. 



difficulties about ye Reverend Mr. Stephen Bucking- 
ham, in order for the obtaining relief; and in consid- 
eration of ye difficult surcomstanees of ye church and 
people of this town, by reason of the s** Gentleman's 
frequent visit at ye house of Mr. Lines, with some 
other remarkable oceurrances, the town have by major 
vote agreed that a council of elders and messengers of 
this county be called, in order to hear the grievances, 
and quiet the uneasiness of the Chh. and peeplc 
herein. 

" At ye same meeting the town made choice of 
John Copp, Mr. James Brown, and Mr. Saml. Betts, 
committee to represent ye town before s"* council when 
convened, and to manage the whole affair respecting 
y° premises aboves""."! 

LAND TO WILTON PARISII. 

"At a Proprietors meeting convened in Jsorwalk, 
Feb. 1, 1726-7, the proprietors by major vote grant to 
ye Parish of Wilton, Tenn Acres of land, to be layd 
out where ye proprietors alow land to be taken up, to 
be to ye use of ye Presbiterian or Congregational 
ministry among them forever." 

PABSONAGE. 

"Feb. 12, 1728-29. The Proprietors grant Tenn 
Acress of land to be layd out West of ye High way 
that loads up from Isaaac Hayes's to Strawberry Hill, 
and North of the high way that lead up by ICbenezer 
Hyat's lott, towards the said Hayes's, where it can be 
most conveniently had, and that not prejudicial! to 
any High waycs ; which Tenn acres of land ye .said 
proprietors grant for the use of a Dissenting Pre-sby- 
teriaii or Congregational minister, that now is or shall 
be improved and ordained to that work in ye ancient 
and prime society in ye township of Norwalk from 
time to come. 

" At the same meeting the Proprietors grantetl to 
the Pari.sh of Wilton, five additional acres : si.x acres 
' Westward of Canfield's Hill ;' si.x acres ' about ye 
AVoIf pits;' and six acres' Where it may be most con- 
venient about ye White Oak Shade, for ye use and 
Improvement' ' of a Dis.senf ing, Presbiterian or Con- 
gregationall minister thereabouts Improved and set- 
tled in that work, and so from time to time." 

GRANT TO CANAAN PARISH. 

"April 3, 1732. The Proprietors by major vote 
grant to the Inhabitants of Canaan Parish all ye 
common land where their meeting house standeth, 
and Thirty Rods from the meeting house, that ii 
common and highway there, so long as they shall 
support a meeting hoiLse in said place." 

GRANT TO THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND PROFESSORS. 

"Feb. 11, 1733-4. The Proprietors by major vote 
grant to such persons in the Town of Norwalk that 

t Soon after this d«le some drew off to the Cliurch of England, aad 
tliii FInil fVingroKnliunul Sinlcty »a» urgslilK^I iilulor Ihe nljlo of "Tbi 
Prime .\nticnt Socirty." Tiio town then ccnaeJ to nmnagc tlie ecci««l- 
OAtical afToire. 



NORWALK. 



cy^'j 



are professors of the Church of England by law estab- 
lished, One Kood of land on such part of the plain 
before Lt. Lees, as the committee hereafter named and 
chosen by sd proprietors shall think most fitting, stake 
the same out, for them to build a Church upon, for ye 
worship of God in that way ; and for a burying yard; 
to be for yt use forever ; Provided they liuild a Church 
on any part of it. 

"Oct. 5, IToO. Nchemiah-Mcad and Joseph Lock- 
wood, Jr., i)urchased of the I'roprietors a small parcel 
of land ' Near the Mill Brook, where their Tann fatts 
now stand ;' and ' At the same meeting the Proprie- 
tors by major vote, grant to ye professors of the Church 
iif I->ngland in Norwalk, seventy one Poles of land ad- 
joining to ye aforesaid land, as ye same is staked out 
liy sd committee; who are hereby ordered to execute 
a deed in proper form and manner for tlieir holding 
the same' A deed of the same is on record in Book 
of Deeds from 1753 to 17(52. 

"8ept. 2.3, 1760. A Deed fnmi the Ciimniittec of 
tlie proprietors, to the Chh. Wardens of St. Paul's 
Church, an<l the rest of the professors of the Chh. 
aforesaid, ' for the use and benefit of a burying yard, 
a small piece of common undivided land in sd Nor- 
walk, situate and adjoining Northerly and Westerly 
of the land formerly granted by sd proprietors unto 
sd professors on which sd Chh. is built, in quantity 
fifty-eight poles of land,' 'bounded Easterly by liigh- 
way and land belonging to s<l professors, Southerly by 
sd land of sd ])rofessors, and partly by glebe land and 
common land. Westerly by sd gU-be land, and North- 
erly by common land or highway.' '' 

DEED FROM THE FOUXDEIIS OF ST. PAIL'S r.\KISII.« 

"... Sundry persons, all Professors of ye Chh. of 
England, . . . intending the same . . . lor ye first 
Glebe lands to endow sd Certain Parrish Chh. called 
St. Pauls, in the township of Norwalk . . . Know YE 
that the sd Saml. Cluckston & Kalidi Isaacs, John 
Belden, Jonathan Camp, . . . in great reverence and 
regard U> the Chli. of England as established by 
law, and her excellent Doctrine, service, unity, antl 
order, preferable to any other upon eartli . . . have 
founded the Parish Chh. aforesaid . . . and for the 
endowment thereof, do by these ju-esents, truly give, 
grant ... to ye Society for Projiagating the Gos[)cl 
in Foreign Parts, a liouse and tract of land lying 
within ye bounds of Norwalk, in ye main street, sd 
land contains by estimation about one acre, be ye 
same more or less; and is bounded as followeth, viz. 
South and East by highway. North & west by common 
land ... in trust ... to say, as soon as there shall 
be a rector according to the order of the Chh. of Eng- 
land ... ye premises shall be and inure to ye use of 
such Rector incumbent and his successors as ye glebe 
land of sd Chh. in fee simple forever . . . &c. 25 
March, A. Dom. 1747." 



* Book of Ei'cordl from 1740 to 1T47. 



GE.^NTS TO THE mOFESSOItS OF THE CHURCH OF EXGLASD 
OF LAND Ul'O.V STI'.AWnEKItY HILL. 

"At a proprietors' meeting, Ai)ril li, 1747, Kal]di 
Isaacs & Saml. Cluck.ston, who are Church Wardens 
& liave represented to this meeting tliat those of the 
Proprietors (jf the Church nf Englan<l rcciuest that 
the Proprietors at this meeting would grant ye >'' Pro- 
fessors of the Chh. of England, Five Acres of land 
. . . at a place called Strawberry hill ; and this nu'ct- 
ing having taken s*" request into consideration ; being 
minded to oblige s'' Professors, Do hereby grant to s'' 
Church Wardens and the rest of s'' Professors said 
Five Acres, to be laid out by a committee ap])(jinted 
for that purjiosc, for the snjjport of a missionary set- 
tled according to y' canons of y" Church of England, 
from time to time forever. 

" June 14, 174S. The Proprietors granted to the 
same Two acres and a half, adjoining the above for 
the same uses." 

MIDDLESEX. 

" A|iril (1, 1747. Whereas the Proprietors of Nor- 
walk, did by their vote ye 12 Feb. 1728-9, vote and 
grant six acres of land South East from the land that 
was called Woods-land land. Westward of Canfield's 
hill, for ye use & improvement of a di.ssenting Pres- 
byterian or Congregational mini^t.'r thereabouts im- 
proved & .settled in the work & so from time to time ; 
and there being now a minister settled by some of the 
people of Norwalk & Stamford and the jieople of Five 
mile river that have united with ye people of Stamford, 
supposin.^ that s*" land belongs to them for ye support 
of s'' minister, and thereupon a question being put to 
this meeting, whether s'' land ought to be improved 
by those of ye s'* society that lives in ye bounds of 
Norwalk for ye use aforcs''-, pas.scd in the atlirmative 
by a Major vote." 

TOWX-nOl'SE. 

" Dec. 8, 174G. The town agreed and voted to erect 
a town-house on ye southerly side of the road near 
where the old town-house stood (34 feet long, 24 feet 
wide)." 

SOLDIKliS IN THE KItENCH WAlt. 

" At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the town of 
Norwalk, Nov. 2, 1757. 

"Capt. Thomas Benedict is chosen ^Moderator of s"* 
meeting. 

"At ye same meeting, upon infornuition of 350Reg- 
idars to be posted in this town for Winter quarters, 
towards defraying the charges of the same the Town 
by vote grant a Rate of one penny upon pound of all 
the rateable estate. . . . The Select men . . . are by 
vote appointed to take care of the aforesayd Regu- 
lars." 

Gi;AIUl-IIOt;SE AND HosriTAL. 

" Feb. 20, 17511. Voted that the Town shall provide 
fire wood, &v., for the Guard House and Hospital ; 
and the select men for the time being are ai)pointcd 
to take care of the same, so far as it relates to the 
town." 



540 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



SAYBROOK PLATFORM. 

"One Saybrook Platform given gratis to each min- 
ister in this town ; the select men divide the remain- 
ing part according to list." 

AGAINST ItlOTOUS rKOCEEMNGS. 

" Nov. 12, 1765. Whereas there have been diverse 
routs and tumultuous and riotous assemblies of dis- 
orderly people in the land, and some in this colony ; 
and there arc diverse reports of many threatenings of 
such furtiicr tumults and riotous assemblies, to the 
intent of doing inischicf to the persons and properties 
of diverse people, and especially against some in tlie 
principall places of rule and government; all of which 
are contrary to the peace, and to subvert all order and 
government ; and wliereas the inhabitants of the town 
of Norwalk, in general town meeting assembled, tak- 
ing these matters into serious consideration, think it 
their indispensable duty to bear proper and publick 
testimony against such unlawfuU proceedings; and 
accordingly do declare their utter abhorrence and de- 
testation of all such routs, tumults, and riotous assem- 
blies, and such alarming threatenings of mischiefs; 
and as they think themselves bound in loyalty to the 
King, and for the security of the privileges of the 
colony, and of the lives and properties of yc subjects, 
do hereby further declare, they will use their utmost 
endeavor, in all proper and legal ways, to prevent and 
suppress all such disorders, so far as appertains to 
them to be aiding and assisting therein." 

BUKVISG-GKOUXD ON MILL HILL. 

" Last Monday of Dec. 1767. At the same meeting 
the Inhabitants by major vote give and grant all their 
right and title to the burying place on Wliitney'shill, 
so called, to ye inhabitants of the First Society." 

MEETING OF rorLAIl PLAIN AND NORFIELD CITIZENS. 

" Jan. 8, 1776. Whereas, information hath this day 
been made to this meeting, that there are numbers of 
the inhabitant.s of this town, living at Poplar Plain 
and parts adjacent, have united with numbers of the 
inhabitants of Fairfield, living in Norfield Parish and 
the Western part of the town of Fairfield adjoining to 
this town, and have unwarrantably Ibrnied themselves 
into a body, and call tliemselves a committee, and 
determined that every person that is in debt shall not 
be liable to be sued for the same, nor be liable to pay 
any interest on obligations, but be discharged there- 
from ; and that justices of the peace shall not sign 
any writ, or grant any executions, and the officers 
shall not serve either writs or executions; and have 
also in case r^ny creditor shall attempt to sue for his 
debt or require interest or obligations, or a justice sign 
a writ, or any officer serve the same, they will unitedly 
prevent and oppose with all the force and strength 
they can procure the same. — This meeting, taking into 
consideration the aforesaid matters of infornuition, 
and the aforesaiil illegal resolves and determinations, 
are of opinion that the same have a direct tendency 
to 6Ct aside all law, and leave us in the hands of a 



mercilos set of ijun, and to throw us into confusion 
and distraction, and to deprive us of all our valuable 
and constitutional rights. We therefore do hereby 
vote and agree to use our utmost influence, power, and 
strength, to disapprove and to discountenance every 
such illegal measure ; and do everything in our power, 
unitedly, to aid and a.ssist the authority in suppress- 
ing the same in every proper and legal way." 

SALTPETBE-WORKS. 

"At the same mooting, the select men are directed 
to erect Salt Petre works, and carry on the making of 
Salt Petre at the expense of the town, agreeable to 
the law of this colony; unless some particular person 
or persons shall appear to do the same." 

MAGAZINE. 

" At the same meeting the selectmen are directed to 
erect a magazine to keep the warlike stores belonging 
to the town, 'and that on the hill between Mr. Learn- 
ing's house and Ebenczer Lockwood's.'" 

COMMITTEE OF INSPECTION. 

" May 20, 1776. Whereas, complaint is made to 
this meeting by the committee of inspection in this 
town, that some inconveniency has arisen on account 
of the difficulty of having the major part of said com- 
mittee collected on sudden and special occasions, 
voted, that any seven of s** committee shall have 
power to act in said capacity on any sudden and 
special occasion." 

DONALD McAULEY'S SALT. 

"Oct. 14, 1776. Whereas there has been great un- 
easiness among the inhabitants, with respect to the 
great rise of salt; and there being a large (piantity in 
the possession of Donald McAuley of this place, which 
the inhabitants of this town are necessitated to have 
for their use at some price ; the said Donald McAuley 
therelbre came into this meeting, and agreed with the 
inhabitants, that he would not itsk them more than 
twelve shillings, lawful money, per bushel, out of the 
said quantity, for their own consumption ; and if the 
market price shall be lc-<s, any time hereafter, he will 
accept of the same. Upon which the inhabitants 
consent that any one person may purcha.se salt of 
him accordingly." 

RECOKDS OF MARUI.\r.ES, BIRTH.", AND DEATHS 
DOW.V TO THE YEAH 1700. 

The following records are from Hall's " Ilistor)- of 
Norwalk :" 

"Thos. Seamer, the Sonne of Rieh'd Seamcr, of 
Norwake, tooke to wiflTe, llannaih Marvin, the daugh- 
ter of Math. Marvin of the sanu', January, 16.')3.» 

* " Tlio following Items oonconilng tlus family of M«ltli«w HftrrlOf 1 

have roccivwl from T. R. Miiniri, of Boston, fioni » record of the UAmm 
of |icnlonB iK-nnltlcd to eniturk nt tlic port cT London after Chriatmo^ 
UM, coululnoil in n MS. fulio, at tlio Augmentation olBce (so railed) 
Under tiie date of KMIi Apili, IKM, i« tlie r.illc.«lcig entry: 'Tliels partlei, 
lioreaftur explosFcd, arc to lie tranttiiorted to New England, imbaiked io 
the Increase, lEoleit Leu, Master, having taken tli« oath of ailegianc* 



1 



NORWALK. 



511 



" Haiinaih Seamer, the Daughter of Thos. Seamer, 
home the 12th of Desemher, Ki.H. 

" Abigail ISeainer, the Daughter of Tho.s. Seamer, 
borne in January, 1655. 

" Mary Seamer, and Sarah Seamer, beinge twinns, 
daughters of Tlios. Seamer, borne in the month of 
September, 1C58. 

"Thos. Seamer, the sonne of Thos. Seamer, borne 
in September, 1660. 

"John Bowten of Norwake, tooke to witfe Abigail 
ilarvin, the daughter of Math. Marvin, .senr. of the 
same, January the 1st, 1656.* 

and supremacy, as also being confornialile, Ac, whereof they broujjjlit 
testimony per certif. from the justices auil ministers wiiere tlieir abodes 
have hitely been. The following names arc inchuled in said list: 

'Mnisb-indman, Matthew Marvyn, Age:i")yr8. 

" Uxor, Kli/abetli Slarvyn, ^I 

"Elizabeth Marvyn, :!1 

" Matthew Marvyn, 8 

" Marie Marvyn, C 

"Sara Marvyn. :i 

"llanna Marvyn, }.^ 

" Reinold Mar\-in, who removed to Saybrook in 1030, and his brother, 
Matthew Marvin, were among the original setllei^ i>f Hartford, t^onn. 
Matthew reiiresented the town of Norwalk in the General Court in 1(534. 

" The children of .Matt. Marvin, i^r., were as follows : 

"1. Matthew, horn in England, .about \Git~. 

"2. Mary, born in England, about 1020, nuuried to Itichard Bushnell, 
of Saybrooli, in 1G4S. 

"."J. Sarah, liorn in England about 1I5;>2, married to William Goodridge, 
of Weathersfleld, 1648. 

"4. Hannah, l>orn in England about 1034, married to Thomas Sey- 
mour, of Norwalk, January, 10.");J. 

"5. Abigail, born at Hartford, Conn., married John Itouton, of Nor- 
walk, January, 10.'»G. 

"0. Samuel, born at Hartford, February, 1G47-1S, 

" 7. Kachel, born at Hartford, ' close of 1040.' " 

* " The name of John Boutou appears on p. 17 as among the first set- 
tlers of Norwalk. .\t what time he came to this country the family have 
no record. He was a French Protestant, and it is said there are many of 
the same name still living in France and Germany, and that a great 
similarity exists between the families there and here. He had five chil- 
dren after his marriage as hero recorded, — viz., John, JIatthew, Rachel, 
Abigail, and Mary. He must also Lave had children by a previous mar- 
riage. 

'* His son .Tolin had two children, Jakin and Josejdi, and perhaps more, 
althougli no others appear on the record. 

"His grandson. Jakin, had two children by his fii-st wife, Joseph and 
Sanih ; and by his second wife, two sons, Esai:xs and RIoses, and seven or 
eight daughters. 

"Joseph, his great-grandson, married Susanniili Raymond, Aug. 25, 
1748. daughter of Joshua Rayneuid, ami had eleven children, six sons 
and five daughters. The sons were William, .Joshua, Joseph, Seth, Ira, and 
Aaron. The daughters were Rebeckah, Betty, Nancy, Susannah, and 
Deborah. He was an officer in the expedition sent against the French 
Provinces in 17.38-50, and kept a journal of the service, which was un- 
fortunately lost in pulling down the old family numsion, a few years 
since, which stood on the spot where Deacon John Bouton, his grandson 
now resides. 

" William, the son of Joseph, the fifth descendant from the flrst John, 
was married to .'Sarah Benedict, Feb. 1.'., 1700, by whom he had fourteen 
children,— viz., Isaac (who died), Isaac, William, Betty, Esther, Sally, 
Clara, Seth, Joseph, Susannah, John, Mary, Ann, and Xatluiniel. 

"Joseph, the son of Joseph, was killed at Ked Hook iu the Revolu- 
tionary war. Seth, his brother, wiis killed by fulling from a tree. 
Joshua listed in tlio anny at the age of fourteen, as a drummer, wius 
taken prisoner, and kept on board a nuin-of-war till the peace, and ar- 
rived home just in time to see his father before he died. He afterwards 
followed the sea, ami was a skillful and able captain. 

"The descendants of the fourteen children of William are very nu- 
meroue.— ConiniMincnto; Inj S. II'. DeiieitMr 



" John Bowten, the sonne of John Bowten, borne 
the last day of September, 1659. 

"Matthew Bowten, the sonne of John Bowten, 
borne the 24th of Desemher, 1661. 

" M.str Thomas Handforde, pastor to the church of 

Norwake, tooke to witTe the widow Mary ; 

married unto his saved wille at Newe Haven, (jctober 
the 22th, 1661. 

" Theophilus Handforde, sonne of mstr Tho. Hand- 
forde, born in July, the 2E)th, 1662. 

"John Haite tooke to witl'e, JIary Liinlall, the 
daughter of Henry Lindall, deacon of tlie ehureh of 
Newe Haven, late deceased, the 14th of September, 
1666. 

"John Haite, the sonne of John Haite, borne the 
21st of June, 1669. 

" Ephraim Lockwoode tooke to wiffe Jlercie Sen- 
tion, daughter of Mathias Sention, sen. of Norwake, 
the 8th of June, 1665. 

" John Lockwoode, sonne of Ephraim Lockwoode, 
born the 19th of March, 1665, &i. 

" Daniell Lockwoode, .sonne of Ephraim Lock- 
woode, born the 13th of August, 166.S. 

"John Kaiment, tooke to witfe Mary Betts, the 
daughter of Thos. Betts of Norwake, the lOtli of De- 
scmbcr, 1664. 

"John Raiment, sonne of John Raiment, borne the 
9th of September, 1665. 

" Sarah Lockwoode, the daughter of Ephraim Lock- 
wood, borne the 3tli of Nouvember, 1670. 

" John Piatt, the sonne of John Piatt, borne in 
June, 1664. 

"Josiah Piatt, the sonne of Jnhn Piatt, borne the 
28th of Desember, 1667. 

"Samuell Piatt, the sonne of .lohn I'latt, borne the 
26th of January, 1670. 

"Thos. Taylor tooke to wifte Rebeehah Kettchani, 
the daughter of Edwd Kettchani late of Strattforde, 
deceased. The sayd Thos. was married unto the 
sayed Rebeehah the 14th of ffebruary, Anno 1677./'^' 

" Thomas Taylor, the sonne of Thos. Taylor, borne 
the 26th of November, Anno 1668." 

TIIOS. BENEDICT'S CHILDREN". 

" Mary Benidict, the Daughter of Thos. Benidict, 
Junr., borne the 4th of Desember, Anno 1666. 

"Tho. Benidict the sonne of Tho. Benidict, Junr., 
borne the 5th of Desember, Anno 1670. f 

f " Thos. Benedict. Sr., w.is born in Englaml in 1017, and came to New 
England at tlie age of twenty-otu-, and settled in the Mas,sachusetts Bay. 
Ho afterwards removed to Southliold. L. I.; Ilicnco to Huntington, and 
tlience to Jamaica, from whence he removed to Norwalk in 1005. Ho 
had nine children, — viz.: Thomas, John, Samuel, James, Daniel, Betty, 
Mary, Sarah, and Rebeckah, all <)f whom removed with him to Norwalk. 

" His son Thomas had six children ; his son John had nine; Samucd 
had seven, James seven, Daniel four, Betty (nniriied to John Slauson, of 
Stamfiu-d), two, Mary (married to John Olmsted, of Norwalk), ten, Sarah 
(married to James Beebe, of Stnitford), twt>; Rebeckah was married to 
Doctor Samuel Wood, but wo have no recortl of lier children ; making 
tho number of grandchildren of the said Thonuis Benedict, Sr., forty- 
seven, exclusive of the children of his daughter Rebeckah," 



542 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



" Daborah Taylor, the daughter of Thomas Taylor, 
borne in June, 1671. 

" Christopher Coniestoeko tooke to wiffe Hannah 
Piatt, tlic (laughter of Richard Piatt of MiUbrd, and 
was married October the Gth, 1663." 

CriRISTOPnER COMESTOCKE'S CHILDREN'. 

" Daniel Comestocke, the sonne of Chri.stopher 
Cgmeatocke, borne the 21th of July, Anno 1664. 

" Hannaih Coniestoeke, the daugliter of Christo- 
pher Comestocke, borne tlie l-">th of July, Anno 1666. 

" Abigail Comestocke, the daughter of Christopher 
Comestocke, borne the 27tli of January, Anno 1669. 

"Mary Comestocke, tlie daughter of Christopher 
Comestocke, borne the 19th of February, Anno 1671. 

" Samuel Haite, the sonne of John Haite, borne 
the 17th of October, Anno 1670. 

"John Penidict, Junior, tooke to wiffe, Phebe 
Griggorie, the daughter of John Griggorie, and wa-s 
married the 11th of November, Anno 1670. 

" Phebe Benidict, the daughter of John Beni- 
dict, .Junior, was borne the 21th of September, Anno 
1673. 

" John Olmested tooke to wiffe JIary Benidict the 
daughter of Tlioma.s Benidict, and was married the 
17th of July, Anno 1673. 

" Jamc.? Pickitt, tooke to wiffe Rebecca Kceiler, the 
daughter of Ralph Keeiler, late of Xorwake, and was 
married the 17th of July, Anno 1673. 

" .lames Sention tooke to will'e Rebecka Pickett, 
the daughter of John Pickett, of Stratford, and was 
marrictl the lust day of Dcscniber, Anno 1673. 

"Samuel Raimont the sonne of Johh Raimont born 
the 7th of July, Anno 1673. 

" Rachell Bowten, the daughter of .John Bowten, 
borne the l.'jtli of Desember, Anno 1667. 

" Abigail Bowten, the daughter of John Bowten, 
borne the 1st of April, Anno 1670. 

"Mary Bowten, the daughter of John Bowten, 
borne the 26th of May, Anno 1671. 

" John Taylor, tlie sonne of Thomas Taylor, borne 
in the mountli desember. Anno 1673. 

" Joseph Taylor, tlie sonne of Thomas Taylor, 
borne in the niounth of Desember. 

"Mary (friggorie the daughter of Jakin Griggorie, 
borne the Tith of Desember, Anno 1()69. 

"John Griggorie the sonne of Jakin Griggorie, 
borne the twentie fiftli of January, .\nno 1670. 

"TliomiU'* (triggorie the sonne of Jakin (iriggorie, 
borne the 17tli of January, .Vnno 1672. 

" Robert Stewart tooke to wide Bethia Rumball the 
daughter of Thomas Rumball, of Stratford, and was 
married the 12th of June, Anno 1661. 

" James Stewart the sonne of Robert Stewart, borne 
the 19th of .March, Anno, 1662, 63. 

" Abigail Stewart, the daughter of Robert Stewart, 
borne in August, the middle mounth, Anno 1666. 

" John Stewart, the sonne of Robert Stewart, borne 
the 18th of March, Anno 1868, 69. ' 



" Deborah Stewart, tin- daughter of Robert Stewart, 
borne in May, 1669. 

" Elissabeth Stewart, the daughter of Robert 
Stewart, borne in the latter ende of September, Anno 
1671. 

" Phebe Stewart, the daughter of Roljert Stewart, 
borne the middle of il'ebruary. Anno 1673. 

" Joseph Piatt the sonne of John Piatt borne the 
Seventeenth of February, Anno 1672. 

"pjjissabeth Griggorie the daughter of John Grig- 
gorie, .Tmiior, borne in .January, Anno 1665. 

" Sarah Griggorie the daughter of .John Griggorie, 
Junior, borne in Desember, Anno 1667. 

"Jonathan Griggorie the sonne of John Griggorie, 
.Junior, borne in June, Anno 1671. 

"Abigail (iriggorie, the daughter of John fJrig- 
gorie, junior, borne in June, .Vnno 1672. 

"Mary Handford, the daughter of Mstr Thos. 
llandford, borne the thirtieth of November, Anno 
1663. 

"Hannah Hanford, the daughter of Mstr Thos. 
Ilanford, "borne the twentie eighth of June, Anno 
166.'). 

"Elissabeth Hanford, the daugliter of Mstr Thos. 
Hanford, borne the ninth of January, Anno 1666. 

"Thomas Hanford, the sonne of Mstr Thos. Han- 
ford, borne the eighteenth of July, Anno 1668. 

"Elcazer Hanford, the sonne of Mstr Thos. Han- 
ford, borne the fifteentli of September, .Vnno 1670. 

"Elnathan Hanford, the sonne of Mstr Thos. Han- 
ford, borne the leaventh of October, Anno 1672. 

"Samuell Hanford, the sonne of mstr Thos. Han- 
ford, borne the 

" .Judah Griggorie tooke to wiffe Hannah Haite, the 
daughter of Waltar Haite of Norwake, and was mar- 
ried, October the twentieth, .\nno 1664. 

"Hannah (iriggorie, the daughter of Judah (irig- 
gorie, was borne the twentie fowrth of September, 
Anno 166.5. 

"John Griggorie, the sonne of Judah Griggorie, 
was borne the 17th of March, .\nno 1668. 

" Percie Griggorie, the daughter of Judah Grig- 
gorie, was borne the eleventh of ffebruary. Anno 
1671. 

" Danniell Kellogge tooke to wifl'e Bridgett Bowten, 
the daughter of John Bowten, and was married at 
Norwake, .-Vnno 1665. 

"Sarah Kellogge, the daughter of Danniell Kel- 
logge, was borne in (februiiry, .\nno 1665, 6. 

" Mary Kellogge, tlie daughter of Danniell Kel- 
logge, was borne in February, Anno 1662. 

"Rachell Kellogge, the daughter of Danniell Kel- 
logge. was borne in tl'cbrnary, .Vnno 1663. 

"Elissabeth Kellogge, the daughter of Danniell 
Kellogge, was borne in Auguste, .Vnno 1666. 

"Thomas Haite, the sonne of .foliii Haite, borne 
the fifth of January, Anno Domine sixc hundred 
scaventic foure. 

" Mary Haite, the daughter of John Haite, borne 



NORWALK. 



543 



the first of September, Anno Domine, fixe hundred 
and seaventie seaven. 

"James Beuidicto tooke to wifl'e Sarah Grogorie, 
the daughter of John ( (regorie, Sen., of Norwake, 
ami was married tlie tenuth of Jlay, Anno 1()7(). 

"Sarali Beiiidicte, the daugliter of James lienidict, 
borne tlie seventli sixe of June, Anno 1(177. 

" llannaili Benediet, tlie daughter of Thos. Ik'uidiet, 
Juu., borne the eighth of January, Anno Danii. I(i7il. 

".John Benidiet, the sonne of Joliu Beiiidiete, 
borne the third of Mareh, Anno l()7o, 7(1. 

"Johannah Benidiete, the daughter of Sanuu'll 
Benediete, borne the twentie second day of Oetober, 
Anno 1078. 

"Samuell Benidiete, the sonne of Samuell Beni- 
diete, borne the fifth of Mareh, Anno 1(174, 7o. 

"Sarah Piatt, the daughter of John I'latt, borne 
tlie one-and-twentieth of May, in Anno one thous'd 
>ixe hundred seaventie eight. 

"Thomas Hyatt tooke to wifl'e Mary Sentiim, the 
ilaughter of Malhias Sention, of Xorwake, and was 
married about the 10th of November, 1(177. 

"RebeL-kah Hyatt, the daughter of Timmas Hyatt, 
borne in the beginninge of Oetober, Anno 1G7S. 

" P^franeis Bushnell tooke to wide Hannah Seamer, 
daughter of Tho. Seamer, of Norwalke, and was mar- 
ried the 12Lh of Oetober, 1675. 

" Hannah Bushnell, the daughter of Ffrancis Bush- 
nell, borne the 22th of Augst, Anno. Donue, 1()7(). 

"Mary Bushnell, the daugliter of Ffraneis Bush- 
nell, borne the 21tli of Deseniljer, Anno. Domi. 1679. 

"John Cram jiton tooke to wifle Sarah Roekewell, 
the daughter of John Roekewell, of Stamford, and 
was marrii'd the 8th of Oetober, 1(176. 

"Sarah Crampton, the daughter of .Tohn Cramiiton, 
borne the 10th of September, 167!.). 

"Elissabeth Webb, the widow <if Ritehard Webli, 
formerly of Norwalke, deceased the twenty fowreth 
of January, 1680. 

" Benjamin Skrivener tooke to wifle Hannah Cramp- 
ton, the daughter of John Cramjjton, of Niirwalke, 
and was married the 5th of JIarch, 1679, 80. 

" Thos. Skrivener, the sonne of Benjamin Skrivener, 
borne the thirtie one of March, one thousand sixe 
hundred and eighty-one. 

"Elizabeth Comstoeke, borne tlie 7tli of Oetober, 
one thousand sixe hundred and sevcntie foure. 

" Mercie Comstoeke, the daughter of Christc. Com- 
stoeke, borne the twelfth of November, one thousand 
sixe hundred seaventie sixe. 

"Samuell Comstoeke, the sonne of Christe. Com- 
stoeke, borne the si.xe of February, one thowsand sixe 
hundred seaventie-nine. 

" Ephraim Loekwood, tlie sonne of Ephraini Lock- 
wood, borne the first of May, one thowsand sixe hun- 
dred and seaventie three. 

"Joseph Loekwood, the sonne of Ephraim Lock- 
wood, borne the first of Aprill, one thow.sand sixe 
hundred eightie. 



"John flitch, the sonne of Tho' flitch, Sen., tooke 
to wiffe Rebeekali Lindall, tlie daugliter of Deacon 
Lindall, (ormerly of Newe Haven, and was married 
the third of December, one tliowsand sixe hundred 
seventie fowcr. 

"John ftitcli, the sonne of .John flitrli, was borne 
the twentie nine of Septeml)er, one thowsand six hun- 
dred seaventie seven. 

" Rebeckah flitch, the daughter of J<ilin flitch, was 
borne the fifteenth day of January, 1(179. 

".lolin Whitney, the sonne of John Whitney, was 
borne the 12th of March, 1676, 77. 

" .Joseph Whitney, the sonne of John AVhitiicy, was 
borne the first of March, 1678. 

" Henry Whitney, the sonne of John Whitney, 
i was borne the 21tli of flebruary, 1680. 
j ".lohn Keeilcr, the sonne of Ralph Keeiler, for- 
merly of Norwalke deceased, tooke to wiffe Hittabell 
Roekewell, the <laugliter of John Roekewell, formerly 
of Stamford, and was married the ISth of June, 1(179. 

" EIissal)eth Keeiler, the daughter (if .lulin Keeiler, 
was borne the 19th of March, 1678. 

" .Toseidi Ketehum tooke to wifl'e Mercy Lindall, 
tlie daughter of Deaenn Lindall, formerly of Newe 
Haven, and was married the 3th of Aprill, 1679. 

"Sarah Ketehum, the daugliter of . I oseiih Ketehum. 

. o 1 

was borne the 19th of fl'ebruary, 1(581. 

"Nathaniel Ketehum, the sonne of Joseph Keteh- 
um, was Ixirn the 2.''tli of January, 1679. 

"Deborah Haite, the daughter of John Haite, was 
borne the 28 of Desember, 1679. 

" .Josiali Gregorie, the sonne of Judah Gregoric was 
borne the 13th of July, 1679. 

"Benjamin Gregorie, the sonne of Judah Gregorie, 
borne the 26 of March, 1682. 

" Aliigall Crampton, the daughter of .Tohn Cramp- 
ton, borne the 9th of August, 1681. 

"Samuel Sension, of Norwalk, deceased, and dyed 
the I4th of January, 1684. 

"Sarah Sension, the daughter of Samuell Sension, 
deceased and dyed the oth of January, 168.3. 

"Abigail Comstock, Ihf daughter of Christopher 
Comstock, deceased and dyed the 9tli of tfebruary, in 
the yeere 1689. 

"Sar.ih Sturdivant, the daughter of William Stur- 
divant, born the 9th of Ap.ill, 167.H. 

" John Sturdivant, tlie sonn of William Sturdivant, 
borne the 20th of July, 1676. 

"Daniel Comstock, the sun of ('hristupher dim- 
stock, tooke to wife Elissabeth Wheeler, the daughter 
of John Wheeler, of Ffairficld, at the Black Rock, the 
13th of June, in the yeere 1()92. 

"Jonathan Abhitt, the sonn of .lonathan .Mihitt, 
borne the 6t!i of April, in the yeere 1697. 

"Samuell Bencdicke tooke to wifl'e Rebeckah An- 
drews, the daughter of Thos. Andrews, formerly of 
Faierfield, and was married the 7th of .July, 1678. 

"Thos. Benydicke, the Sonne of Samuell Benydicke, 
borne the 27th of March, Anno 16S9. 



541 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



" Abraham Benydike, the sonne of Samuell Beny- 
dicke, born the twentieth-one of June, Anno 1681. 

"Thomas Grcgorie tooke to wifle Elissabeth Par- 
die, the daughter of George Tardie, of Newe Haven, 
and was married the twenty-five of Dcsember, Anno 
1679. 

"Martha Gregorie, the daughter of Thos. Grcgorie, 
born the tliirtee one day of Aprill, .'Vnno 1680. 

" Samuell Gregorie, the sonne of Jaekin Gregorie, 
born the 10th of Mareh, one thousand si.ve hundred 
seavcntie five, seaveutie sixe. 

" Sarah (Jregorie, tlic daughter of Jaekin Gregorie, 
born the ir)th of September, 1678. 

" Matthew Gregorie, the sonne of Jaekin Gregorie, 
borne the 17th of Desember, 1680. 

" Jaekin Gregorie, the sonne of Jaekin Gregorie, 
borne the 10th of May, 1682. 

"Sarah llaies, the daughter of Samuell Haies, borne 
the 19th of September, 1673. 

" Isake Haies, the sonne of Samuell Ilaics, was 
borne the 27 of August, Anno 1682. 

"James .Tupp took to wife Anie Hickens, the 
daughter of Tho. Hickens, formerly of Stamford, de- 
ceased, and was married the 2th of .lanuary, 1682. 

" John Keeiler, the sonne of .John Keeiler, born the 
26th of Desember, 1682. 

" John Crampton, the sonne of John Crampton, was 
born the 7th of January, 1682. 

"Samuell Keeiler, the sonne of Ralph Keeiler, for- 
merly of Norwalke, deeea.sed, tooke to ivilfe Sarah 
Sention,the daughter of Markc Sention, and was mar- 
ried the 10th of Mareh, Anno 1681, 8.2. 

"Nathaniel tfitch, the sonne of John ffitch, borne 
the sixth of Nov., 1682. 

" Thomas Barnam, the sonne of Thos. Rarnam, born 
the 9tli of July, 1663. 

"John Barnam, the sonne of Thomas Barnam, borne 
the 24tli of fVebruary, 1677. 

" Hannah Barnam, the daughter of Thos. Barnam, 
borne the 4th of October, Anno 1680. 

" Ebbinezer Barnam, the daughter of Thos. Bar- 
naul, borne the 29tli of May, 1682. 

" James Beebe tooke to wide Sarah Benydieke, 
the daughter of Ths. Benydieke, Sen., of Norwalke, 
and was married the 19th of Desember, 1679. 

" Sarah Beebe, the daughter of James Beebe, was 
borne the 13tli of November, 1680. 

"Elissabeth Sention, the daughter of Marke Sen- 
tion, borne the (ith of Desember, 1656. 

"Sarah Sention, the daughter of Marke Sention, 
borne the 18th of January, 1659. 

" Danniell Kellogge, the sonne of Danniell Kcl- 
logge, was borne the scavcnth of May, Anno 1671. 

"Samuell Kellogge, the sonne of Danniell Kel- 
logge, wa-s borne the latter end of (feliruary, Anno 
1673. 

"Samuell Sention tooke to wide Elissabeth Ilaite, 
the daughter of Walter Uaite, and was married in 
September, 1663. 



"Sarah Sention, the daughter of Samuel Sention, 
borne in January, Anno 1664. 

"Thos. Sention, the sonne of Sam'll Sention, borne 
in Oetober, 1666. 

" Elissabeth Sention, the daughter of Sam'l Sention, 
borne in Aprill, Anno 1673. 

" Joseph Griggorie, the sonne of Judah Griggorie, 
borne the sixteenth of July, Anno 1674. 

"James Pickett, the sonne of James Pickett, borne 
the seavcnth of May, Anno 1674. 

"Hannaili Piatt, the daughter of John Piatt, borne 
the 15th of Desember, Anno 1674. I say the fifteenth 
of Desember, Anno 1674. 

" John Whitney tooke to wife Elissabeth Smith, the 
daughter of Richard Smith, and was married the 17th 
of ^larch, 1674, 75. 

" Eliphalett Loekwoode, thesonneof Ephraim T^ock- 
woode, borne the twentic seaven of ft'ebruary, 1675. 

" Abigail Haite, the daughter of Zerrubabell Haite, 
borne the second day of flebruary. Anno 1675. 

"Mercie Seamer, the daughter of Thos. Seamer, 
borne in November, one thow-sand sixe hundr'd sixtie 
sixe. 

"Mathewe Seamer, the sonne of Thos. Seamer, 
borne in May, one thowsande sixe hundred sixtie nine. 

" Elissabeth Seamer, the daughter of Thos. Seamer, 
borne in Desember, 1000 sixe hundrede seaventie 
three. 

" Rebecka Seamer, the daughter of Thos. Seamer, 
borne in January, 1000 sixe luimiredc seaventie live. 

" Eiddia (iriggorie, the daughter of .Tudali Grig- 
gorie, borne the ninth of January, one thowsand sixe 
hundred seaventie sixe. 

" Mary Griggorie, the daughter of John Griggorie, 
Junr., borne in Desember, 1674. 

" John Piatt, Jun'r., of the towne of Norwalke, 
tooke to wife and was married unto Sarah Lockwoo<I, 
the daughter of Ei)liraini Eoekwood, of Norwalk, in 
May, in the yeare of our Lord one thousand six hun- 
dred and ninety-five. 

" Sarah Piatt, the daughter of John Piatt, Jr., Ju- 
nior, was borne on the thirtieth day of March, 1697. 

" Elisabeth Piatt, the daughter of .John Piatt, Jr., 
was lK)rue on the eleaventh ilay of .lune, in the yeare 
of our Lord one thousand six hundred and ninety- 
nine. 

" John Piatt, the sonn of John, borne the 2d day 
of Aprill, in the year of our Lord 1702. 

" Abigail Piatt, the daughter of John Piatt, born 
the 12th day of Feb., 1707-8. 

" Elisabeth Raymond, the daughter of Serjnt. John 
Raymond, born the two and twentieth day of August, 
in the yeare of our Lord 1697. 

" Hannah Raymond, the daughter of the abovesayd 
Serjnt. John Raymond, wits born the two and twen- 
tieth day of July, in the yeare of our Lord 1700. 

" John Raymond, Jr., took to wife and was mar- 
ried unto Elisabeth Sension, the daughter of Samuell 
Scnsion, on the 7th day of Mareh, 1690. 



I 



NORWALK. 



545 



" John Raymond, son of the above, born May 19, 
16!)3. 

"James Olmsted, son of Jiimes, born Jlarrli 10, 
l(!7()-7. 

"Samuel Olmsted, son of James, Ijorn May !■'>, 
1083. 

"John Olmsted, son of James, born Auj;. 14, 1(!1)2. 

" Xathan Olmsted. Ijorn Ajiril 27, l(i7S, married 
Sarah Keeler, danj^hter of Ivalph Keeler, Dee. 7, 
1702. 

"Edmund M'areins took to wife Eli/.al>etli liuiitcju, 
ye daughter of Serjeant Jolm Bouton, of Norwalk, 
Oet. G, 1098. 

" Edmund Wareing, son of Edmund Warcing, liorn 
Sept. 10, 1700. 

" Isaac Wareing, born .Tan. 1.3, 1702. 

"John Wareing, born Dee. 21, 1704. 

"Solomon Wareing, born Ai)ril 24, 1707. 

"Mary Wareing, born Dee. 22, 1708. 

"Xathan Wareing, born Fell. 0, 1710-1 1. 

"Jacob Wareing, born Jan. lo, 1712-13. 

"Michael Wareing, born July 10, 171.'). 

" Eliakim Wareing, born July S, 1717. 

"Elisabeth Wareing, born March S, 1719-20. 

"Abigail Wareing, born April 19, 1723. 

" (The above) born 'in Ovster Bav, in Queen's vil- 
lagc.' 

" In Norwalk, Hannah Wareing, ye daugh'r of s'd 
Edni. Wareing, born Sept. 7, 172-3." 



CHAPTER LIU. 

NORVTALK (Continued). 

MISCELLANEOU.S. 

The South Norw.ilk Savings-Bank— The Fairfield County Savings-Hank 
—The rairflflil County National Bank— Fii-*t National Bank, South 
Norwalk— Gill Well Loilse, No. 10-:, T. and A. M.— Butler Lodge, No. 07, 
I. 0. 0. F.— Fairfield Fin; Insurame t'oniiiany— The .South Norwalk 
Sentinel — The City of Norwalk — Organization — First OfTii-ers— Otfifers 
from Organization to Present Time — Reiiresentatives- I)eseiii)tioii. 

THE SOUTH NORWALK SAVINGS-KANK. 

This bank was incorporated in May, 1800, as tiic 
"Mechanics' Savings Society of South Xorwalk." It 
was changed to its present name in 1809. 

The first board of managers were D. K. Ntisli, A. 

E. Beard, C. F. Tolles, Eben Hill, J. A. Weed, T. L. 
Peck, C. B. White, F. H. Nash, F. Belden, L. Dibble, 
D. Hatch, L. H. Moore, M. B. Pardee, T. B. Griffith, 
George Seymour, H. H. Elwell, Alfred Knapp, Wil- 
liam H. Benedict, H. M. Prowitt. 

The first officers were: President, D. K. Xash ; Vice- 
President, A. E. Beard ; Secri;tary and Treasurer, O. 

F. Tolles. The present officers are as follows : Presi- 
dent, Dudley P. Ely; Vice-Presiilent, Alden Sidmans; 
Secretary and Treasurer, John H. Knajip ; I\Ianagers, 
Dudley P. Ely, Alden Solmans, John H. Kiiajip, F. 



H. Nash, William IT. Benedict, Burr Knapp, Edwin 
Adams, Henry I. Smith, Oliver \\^ AVeeil. 

The first deposit was made Aug. 27, IStiO, by John 
Fairweather; amount, twenty-five dolhirs. The de- 
posits. May r>, 1880, are $ir)l,(;i0.89. 

I). K. Nash continued president from organiziition 
till July, 1800 ; William H. Benedict was then elected 
president, and so continued to Fel). 1, 1877, when 
Dudley P. Ely was elected, and has continued till 
present time. 

THE FAIRFIELD COUNTY SAVI.\(IS-I!AXK. 

This bank was orgiinized Aug. 21, 1874. The first 
board of directors were William K. .Tames, Samuel 
Lynes, 51. 1)., Edward Merrill, Alfred H. Camp, 
Thomas H. Morison, Martin S. Craw, .lose])!! W. 
Hubbell, Winfield S. Moody, Sherman Morehouse. 
The first officers were President, William K. James; 
Vice-President, Samuel Lynes, M.D. ; Secretary and 
Trctisurer, Charles H. Street. The present officers are 
as follows : President, Winfield S. Moody ; Vice-Presi- 
dent, JIartin S. Craw ; Secretary and Treasurer, Lester 
S. Cole. The ]ire.sent board of directors are Winfield 
S. Moody, JMartin S. Craw, Joseph W. Hubbell, Ed- 
ward Merrill, Alfred H. Camj), Edward H. Nash, El- 
bert Curtis, Sherman Morehouse, Charles E. St. John. 

The first deposit was made Oct, 1, 1874; amount, 
one dollar. Deposits present time, $295,000. 

THE FAIRFIELD COTXTY XATIOXAL IIAXK. 

This bank was organized July 20, 1824, with the 
following officers and directors: President, Henry 
Belden; Cashier, John J.Barnard; Directors, Henry 
Belden, Moses Gregory, Ebenezer Jessup, W. J. 
Street, Wm. St. John, Clark Bissell, David Holly; 
Directors branch of the bank at Danbury : Samuel 
Tweedy, Zalmon Wildinan, David Foote, Friend 
Starr, Daniel Comstock, William Hawly, William 
Meeker. 

Presidents and cashiers from organization to present 
time. Presidents : 1st, Henry Belden ; 2d, Clark 
Bissell; 3d, A. E. Beard; 4th, Charles Isaacs; .^th. 
F. St. John Loekwood. Cashiers: 1st, John J. Bar- 
nard ; 2d, E. M. Morgan ; 3d, Henry T. Morgan ; 4th, 
Thomas Warner, Jr. ; .5th, John A. Morehead; 0th, 
Getn-ge E. Miller; 7th, Charles H. Street; Sth, Lester 
S. Cole. 

Present board of directors and officers: President, 
F. St. John Loekwood; V^ice-President, ,Iosepb W. 
Hubbell; Cashier, Lester S. Cole; Directors, F.St. 
John Loekwood, .Joseph W. Hubbell, Wm. S. Lock- 
wood, Eli B. ISennett, Wm. 15. E. Loekwood, Lewis 
J. Curtis, Charles E. St. John, John H. Perry. 

Capital, $300,000; .surplus, $.')8,000. 

FULST NATIOXAL BANK OF SOUTH NORWALK. 

This bank was organized Sept. 1, 1804. The first 
directors were Algernon E. Beard, Leprelette H. 
Jloore, Winfield S. Hanford, Chester F. Tolles, Wm. 
H. Ferris, Frederic Dimon, Lorenzo Dibble, Tall- 



54G 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



iii;iilgc liakir, and Jonah J. Millard. The first offi- 
cers were President, L. H. Moore ; Cashier, J. J. "Mil- 
lard. Dudley P. Ely \va.s eliosen president in April, 
ISfi."), and lia.s held the othce to tlio present time. 
.Tonali .f. Millard was chosen cashier at the time of 
the organization of the bank, and has held the office 
since. The present directors are Dudley P. Ely, An- 
drew .T. Crofut, Winfield S. Ilanford, Edward K. 
Loekwood, Alden Solmans, Edward Scofield, and 
.John Dingoc. 

The bank has alwavs i>aid eight per cent, per 
annum on its capital stock, in semi-annual dividends. 

Capital stock, $200,000; present surplus (April, 
1880), 1^.3,000. 

OLD WELL LODGE, No. lOS, F. AND A. M. 

This lodge was instituted in September, 1869, but 
worked under a dispensation in 1868. The following 
were its charter members : Theodore Wilcox, M. ; 
Samuel Comstock (2d), S. W. ; Frederick A. Kayser, 
J. W. ; Cliester F. ToUes, Treas. ; William S. Kha])p, 
Sec. ; George W. Knight, S. D. ; William B. Kecd, 
J. D. The following is a list of the Masters of the 
lodge from 1868 to the present time: Samuel Com- 
stock (2d), George W. Knight, Robert M. Wilcox, 
William H. Raymond, Thaildeus Guyer. 

The present officers are as follows : Thaddeus Guyer, 
Miister ; CJeorge W. Smith, S. W. ; Nathaniel Bouton, 
J. W. ; Walter C. Quintard, Treas. ; Robert M. Wil- 
cox, P. M., Sec. ; James M. Warden, S. D. ; John W. 
Bogardus, .1. D. ; R. E. Kinney, Sen. Stew.; Royal L. 
Comstock, .Tun. Stew. ; William Goodwin, Tyler. The 
lodge is now in a ))rosperous condition, and hjis a 
membership of one hundred and forty-four. 

BUTLER LODGE, No. 97, I. 0. 0. F. 

This lodge was organized Sept. 23, 1875, with the 
following charter members: S. G. Briiiton, L. E. Den- 
nis, C. S. Diver, Thomas F. Wilson, F. P. Stahell. 
First officers: S. G. Brinton, N. G.; Thomas F. Wil- 
son, V. G. ; L. E. Dennis, R. S. ; C. S. Diver, P. S. ; 
F. P. Stahell, Treas. Noble Grands from organiza- 
tion to tlie present time: S. G. Brinton, L. E. Den- 
nis, H. S. Rood, AVilliam Russell, William II. Saun- 
ders, William H. Duncan, John \Y. Mains, John H. 
Battcrson, Louis J. Blake. 

The pn-sent officers are Louis J. I$lake, N. (i. ; 
Abram H. McChesney, V. G. ; Franklin .\. Smith, 
Rcc. Sec; Henry Philipson, P. Sec.; William H. 
Duncan, Treas. Present number of members, one 
hundred and eight. There have been one expelled, 
sixteen suspended, three died, and two reinstated. 

FAIRFIELD FIRE IXSUUAXCE COMPANY 
was organized in South Norwalk in 1869, under the 
name of Fairfield County Fire Insurance Company, 
which was ciianged iu 1874 by act of Legislature to 
its present title. The company has a full paid-up 
cash capital of two hundred thousand dollars, and 
has DOW and has had many of the leading capitalists 



of the town as its directors. It paid heavy lo.ss claims 
by the Chicago fire of 1871, and contributed seventy- 
five thousand dollars on its policies to the great Boston 
calamity of the year following. 

This company commenced paying dividends in 
1872, and up to January, 1880, had paid eighty-two 
per cent, upon its capital stock in dividends to the 
stockholders. 

E. A. Woodward, of South Norwalk, was first 
president of the company. Henry R. Treadwell, of 
Westport, was next, and W. S. Hanford has filled the 
presidential chair since July, 1872. The present 
directors are W. S. Hanford, F. AV. Bruggerhof, H. 
R. Treadwell, L. Ingersoll, Tallmadge Baker, L. H. 
Biglow, John H. Knapp, H. E. Bowers, Alden Sol- 
mans, A. BIcakley, D. P. Ely, Winfield S. Moody, 
William W. Watson. 

Present officers : President, W. 8. Ilanford; Vice- 
President, Tallmadge Baker; Secretary, H. R. Turner; 
Assistant Secretary, A. L. Frisby. 

THE SOUTH NORWALK SENTINEL 
was established Nov. 17, 1870, by E. A. Horton, who 
was also the founder of the Derby Trunscript. The 
])aper had run but a short time under Mr. Horton's 
sole proprietorship when a joint-stock company was 
organized under the firm-name of the "South Nor- 
walk Printing Company," with D. P. Ely for presi- 
dent, and Mr. Horton as manager and superintend- 
ent. 

The paper w.a.s subsequently edited by C. Y. Arnold, 
and later by H. E. ^Ving. He was succeeded by Rev. 
H. N. Durney, pastor of the Congregational Church, 
who contributed the editorials up to the time when 
the joint-stock company was dissolved and the con- 
cern purchased by E. A. Horton and James Golden, 
the latter from New York City. 

Uj) to this time the paper had not paid its expenses, 
but had lost money, and wjis almost bankrupt. This 
change was made in February, 1873, and with it came 
a change in the fortunes of the paper. Horton & 
Golden ran it a little over a year, when Mr. Horton 
retired, and R. H. (iolden, a brother of James, took 
his interest. The firm then became Golden Brothers, 
and its business Vi-aa successfully conducted by them 
till April, 1879, when another brother, John F. Gol- 
den, was added to the firm. 

The office was at this time removed from its former 
location, opposite the railroad depot, to the building 
on Washington Street erected by ticn. Nelson Taylor, 
and known as the " Sentinel Building." At the same 
time the stationery and paper business wiis added to 
that of )>ublishiug, and has proved successful. 

The paper is independent, published every Wednes- 
day, and devoted mainly to giving the local news and 
considering matters and topics of local interest. It 
ranks well up among the weekly papers of the county, 
and is among the successful busine-ss concerns in the 
city in which it is published, where it has a strong 



NORWALK. 



547 



influence and is considered one of the leading insti- 
tutions of tlic ]ilaee. 

CIVIL HISTORY. 
riTY OF SOUTH NORWALK. 

Tlic city of Xorwalk was chartered at "Slixy session of 
1S70, and orjranizcd Aul'. l.S, 1870. Tiie lirst election 
for city officers was held Auj;:. 17, 1S7(), as fdlows: 
Mayor, Dudley P. Ely ; C'ouncihucn ; First Ward, Tall- 
niadge Baker, Thonuis Ouyer, Leaiider (i. Wilcox, 
Franklin B. Purdy ; iSceond Ward, .lolm L. ilichards, 
Rol)ert H. Rowan, .1. L. Hopkins, Wintichl S. Ilan- 
ford; Third Ward, Henry II. Elwell, (icorge Benedict, 
Hartz 'A. Norton. 

The officers since have l)een as follows : 

IST-2.— Jlayor. DmUfy I'. Klv ; C.juiuilmpii : First Wnid, TlioTrLts Giivcr, 
Lorenzo IJiMjlc, Willi;iiii U. WiK-ox, iliiiry M'. LestL-r : Sect. ml 
Wanl, .I.iliii L. Kicliiiiils, Uobert I. ToMes, S:uiiii(.l F. l\-cli,E<l- 
wiii A. Wliitiuan. 
1S"3.— Mayor, Builley P. Ely ; Coiinrilmen : First Ward, Tluimas Oiiyer, 
Jlorris Jt. Norton, Henry W. Lester, Nelson .1. Craw; .Secoml 
Ward, Robert I. Tollcs, .Tolin L. Kicli.-irds, fieorgo Nowell, 
.Samuel F. Peek ; Third Ward, George W. Snntli, Ji>se|.h It. 
Eaymond, Ilemy H. Khvell, Francis H. Nortli. 

1874.— Mayor, Walter C. Qnintard; f'ouncilnien : First Want, Th as 

Onyer, Monis }|. Norton, Nelson J. Craw, lleniy W. Lester; 
Second W.ard, Robert II. Rowan, J.ilni L. Richards, R.d.ert I. 
Tolles, I'hester F. Tollea ; Third Ward, Joseph K. Itaymoud, 
Henry H. Khvell, Henry Seymour, Chaili'S K. Doty. 
ls7o.— M,ayor, Wultei- C. Qnintard ; Conncilmen : First Ward, Morris M. 
Norton, Thonnus tlnyer, Nelsiui J. Craw, Francis F. Byxbee; 
Second Ward. Ilnrr Nasli. Thonnis I. Uaynu^nd. .lames 31. Lane, 
Winfiehl S. Ilanford ; Third Ward, .lonah .Tonathan Millard, 
Joseph R, Raym.nid, Ilanford Wilcox, Charles K. Doty. 
1S76.— Mayor, Waller C. Qnintard; Conncilmen: Fiist Ward, William 
U. Dnucaii, Charles W. lloyt. Nelson J. Craw, Henry I!. Fitch; 
.ScccMid Ward, Tliomi.s I. Raymoinl, Havid li. S.llick, Winfleld 
S. Hanford, James M. Lane; Third Ward, Cliarles E. Doty, 
Henry H. Elwell, Josejth li. Raymond, Henry Seymour. 
1877.— Mayor, Dudley P. Ely; Conncilmen: First Ward, William T. 
Craw, William S. Bouton, Henry R. Fitch, Jolin 1'. ZelnlV; Sec- 
ond Ward, 1>. R. S.dlick, Thom.as I. Raym.nid, r.'t.'r L. Cun- 
ningham, Charles W. Smith; Third Ward, E.lwin Adams, .I.din 
H. Ferris, .lam.-s L. Russell, George W. Smith. 
1.S78.*— Mayor, Dudley P.Ely; C.iin. ilnicn, T. Hiker, 1>. L. Cunning- 
ham, C. F. Hallock, John II. Kuapp, W. T. Ciaw, I). It. Sellick. 
1S79.— May.ir, Winfiel.l S. Hanf..i d ; Conncilmen, C. F. Hall..ck, William 
T. Craw, P. L. Cunninjjham, John L. Richards, 0. W. Weed, ] 
C. Swart/.. 
I.S80.— Mayor, Walter C. Quintar.l; Conncilmen, .Vn.lrew J. Crofnt, Lo- 
renzo Dil.hl.-, An.lrew Th..iups.m, Charles M. Lawrence, Buir | 
Knapp, Gould H.tyt. 
1881.- Mayor, Christian Swartz; Conncilmen, Charles F. Hallock, Eben- 
ezer Hill, Henry I. Smith, Ileury R. Fitch, Jeremiah Dunuovan, 
Jr., Ebcnezer P. Harvey. 

W;ilter T. Buckingham \v:is elected city clerk Aug. 
17, 1S70, and served till Ajji-il, 1872; Kdwiii Wilcox, 
l.S72-7.'J; John W. ('r;nv, 1875 to Aug. 7, 1.87G; Ed- i 
win Wilcox, Aug. 7, 187<;, to present time. 

REPRESENTATIVES FROM 16M TO IS.SO. 
1653-64,1058-00, ier.-2-n9, Rieharil Olmtsead; 10.-|+-r.0, Matliew Cami^ 
field; 10,-.4, Mathuw Marvin; H;,-iO, Ri.hard Webb; 10.10-57, 1000, 
Samuel Hules; 10,)0, Nathaniel Ely ; I0.-.7, Isaac Moore; lO.VS, Na- 
thaniel Richards ; 10.-.8-C1, Ii;07-08, 1070-74, lloO, I07S, 1081, Walter 
lloyt ; 1050, 100i-0:i, 1005, 1007-71. 1074-75, 1077, 1078-81, 1035, John 
Gregory; loot), John Douglass; 1070,1075, Thomas Benedict ; 1070, 



* Charter amen.led ; luimber of conncilmen rwluced to ti.x. 



1072, 1074-75,, 1077, 1073-80, 10s:i, 1). Kell..gg;lfl71, 107.!, 108.5, John 
Bouton ; 1072, Nicholas lloyt ; 1072, 1070, 1078, Ii;li4, Mai k Sension ; 
lloll, Th.imas Fit.di ; 1078, in.so-80, 1i;;M-'.i2, llllll. J..hn Plait ; 10.S6- 
87, 1089, 1002-17o:i, Samuel Hayes ; lOSO, li;s..)-90, Christ..pher C.im- 
Btock ; 1091, Samuel Smith; 1091, Edwar.l M.-sseuger; 1091, 17(15, 
J..lin Beldiug; 1091-9:i, 11.99, Janu's Olmst.'a.l; 1092, li;94, 1704-5, 
1707, Th.. mas Belts; 109:i, 1710, Sauniid li.'tts; 1094, 1097, Mathew 
JIarvin ; 1095, Jakin Gri-g..iy; 1090, I7on-o, Andrew M.'s.senger ; 
109.S, J.din Kecler; 1701, 1703-4, 1700, 1709,Saluuel K.'.der; 170.5-22, 
1724-39, 1745^0, 174.S-.5.5, 1757-02, 1705-70 (fifty yeais), .losej.li 
PIatt;t 1705, 1707-8,1711,1714, 1717, 1719-20, 1722, I7:i:i, 17:).5-;i7. 
Samuel Ilanford ; 1700,1710, I71.«-19, J.din C..pp ; 170S-10, 171.5-10, 
J..hn Bells; 1711, 1714,1720, 172.1, 172.5-30, .Sanoi.-l c..msl..ck ; 1712- 
n. Mathew .Seymour; 1714, Samuel Kellogg : 1715, 1717, J..hn Read ; 
1710, J..hn Raymond; 171.8, John Barthtt ; 171S, Sannnd Marvin; 
1720, 1750-57, .lames Brown; 1721-24, 1720-27, 1729, 17:i2-:!3, 17:i,5, 
17.!8-4o, 1742, I74i;, 174.8-49. 1751, James L..ckwo,id ; 1722, 172.5, .lohn 
Bene.lict: 1724, Eliphalet L...kw.Kiil ; 1724, Slalhew Gregory; 1720- 
27, 1729-;iO, Thomas Fitch ;t 1728, Benjamin Hi.diox ; 17:)(l-34, 
JoM'ph Pilchard: 17;il. 17.10, 1739, 1741-l:i, John Bidts; 17:i4, 173.s. 
J. ihn Marvin; 1734, Danicd IL.it; 1730, 1741-.54. 1700-OI, Saniu.l 
Fitch; 1737,174(1, 1744, Th. .mas Bene.lict ; 173S, .lanu-s CV.msb.ck ; 
1739-4(1, Samuel Clnckstou ; 1741, J.din Bel.liiig; 1747-48, Elna- 
Ihan IIanf..rd ; 1749. Nehcmiah Mea.l ; 1751, Ila\i.l Lamhert ; 17.53- 
.5.5, 1757, James Filch; 17.53, Noah Taylor; 17.'i4, Tlieophilns Fitch ; 
17.55,1701-04, Peter Locdiwood ; 170(1, Joseiih Belts; 1751.170:1-70, 
Tln.mas Fitch, Jr.; 1702, Nathaniel Benedict; 1707, Joseph Hall; 
170.8, Asa Spaulding; 1708-75, 17.S7-S9, 1793, Thom.aa Belding; 1722, 
Uriah R..geis; 1774-70, 1784-80, Dr. Tlui.lih'ils Belts; 1777, M..ses 
C..m.st...k; 1777, Dauiel B.-lls^ Jj:.xJ7j:s-7tLJ783, Clapp Raymond; 
1778, 17.s(l-,S5,St.?pl.eu St. J.din ;J 1777, 1779-.S9, 1791-92, 1794, Samuel 
C. Silliman; I779-.S1, Malhew Mead ; 1779, 17s2, James Richards; 
17sl,17.sO, 1790-91, 1794-90, Eliphalet Lo.kwoo.l; 17.80-S.s, Ileze- 
kiah R..gers ; 1790-92. Job Barlram ; 1792-93,179.5, .Samuel Coni- 
sh.ck ; 1794-90, Taylor Sherman ; 1790-99, Mattlnw Marvin ; 1797, J.din 
Cannon; 1797, ISIJO-l, Joseph Silliman; 179.8, R..ger M. Sherman; 
1799, Isaac Richards; 1.8110-4. 1S"9-10, William .M. Bells: 1!::01-2.1.SM, 
Phineas Miller; 1804-8, 1SII-I2, Jabez Greg..Ty; l.soo-O. Stephen 
St. .l.jhn; 1.80:i, John Ilanford; 180.5, 1807, George Raymond; 1807, 
Sli.phcn Lockwood ; 1808, 1818, 1S2(1-21, 1823-24, 1827,? Jl.ises Greg- 
ory ; 1KII8, J.,hn Taylor; 18li9-10, 1814, Jacob Osborne; LSI], Samuel 
Bow ton; 1812-1:1, 1.82.5-20, Thomas Reeil; 1S13, lsl.5-2(i, 1822, 1824- 
25, 1.S27-28, 1834, Benjamin Isaacs; 1813-14, M.ises W. Reed; 1814- 
10,1818, Jidiu Eversley; 1814, Lewis Mallory; 1815, Is:iO, Thad- 
dens liclt.s; 1810, 1,828, Samuel B.Warren; 1817-18, William J, 
Stri'et; 1818, Dan Taylor; 1819, Andrew Hanford; 1821, James 
Qnintard ; 1822-23, 1835-30, Noah Wilc.x ; 1820, 1831, Davi.l Roberts; 
1829, 18.3.5, Charles W.T;iylor; 1829, 1,841, l,s.50, Clark IJissell; 1830- 
31, 1848, Kli B. Bennett; I,8:i2-:i3, John D. Loun.Isl.ury; 18:12-33, 
1»:;7, 184:!, 1840, Th.inias B, Butler; l.s:!4, .Samuel C..mst..ck ; 18:!C- 
38, Lewis Gregory; 18:18, Timothy T. M.'rwin; 18:i9-40, 1844^5, 
1850, Algernon E. Beard; 18:19-40, Joseph W. Hnbbell; 1841-42, 
Henry Sellick; 1842-4:1, Matthew Wilc.ix ; 1844, (.'harles Th.imas; 
1845-40, William S. Lockwo.id; 1.117, Samuel Janis; 1847, Asa Hill ; 
1848, Harvey Pennoyer; 1849, Gould D. Jennings, William H. Bene- 
.lict ; 1851. Ehenezer Hill, Henry M. Prowitl; 1S50, Clark Bissell, 
A. C. Beers; 1851, Ehenezer Hill, Henry M. Prowitl; 18,52, Thomas 
Robinson, Thomius Guyer; I85:J, Ira Gregory, El.en. Wilson; 1854, 
.st.-phen Raymou.l, Thomas Guyer; I.s.5.5, David C..mst.ick, Jr., Burr 
N:i8h ; ls:.0, Asa Hill, Dauiel K. Nash ; 1857, J.isiah M. Carter, Wil- 
liam T. Craw ; 1858, Daniel K. Na.sh, A. H..in.-r Byiugton ; 1,859, A. 
Ibinier Byiugton, William T. Craw; 1800, WilliAm T. Craw, Samn.d 
E. CMuisteail; 1801, Josiah M. Carter, P. L. Cunningham ; 1802, Josiah 
M. Carter, Eben.'zer Hill; 1.803, William C. .Street, J..seph II. Jen- 
nings; 1804, William C. Street, Chester F. Tolles; 1805, Chester F. 
T.illes, F.St. .lohn Lockwood; 1800, FSt. John Lockwo..d, Ehenezer 
Hill ; 1.S07, Asa B. Wo.nlwanl, D. Webb; 1808, George S. Bell, Ren- 
ben Ho.lg..; 1809, A.sa Smith, Isra.d M. Bullock ; 1870, Martin S. 
Craw. Tallmadge Baker; 1871. Martin S. Craw, Lewis F. Bi'ers; 
1872, F. SI. John Lockw.io.l, Thomas Guyer; 187.1, Thomas Guyer, 
Moses Hill; 1874, E.lwar.l P. W.-e.l, Thomas Guyer; 1875-70, James 
W. Hyatt, Wiutlebl S. Hanfonl ; 1.S77, Allen Belts, Tallma.lge Baker; 
1878, Allen Belts, Edward P. We.sl ; 1879, Robert H. R.iwan, James 
G. Gregory ; 1880, Charles H. Street, Robert H. Rowan. 



f Chosen assistant. 



(Died May 9, 178,5. 



J Ouivontion. 



548 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



THE CITY OP SOUTH NOUWAI-K. 
This place has a population of about five thousand. 
It is situated on \orwalk River, one and a half miles 
from the head of navigation, and about two miles 
from Long Island Sound. The New York, New Haven 
and Hartford Railroad runs through its centre. Its 
depot in the city is the terminus of tlie Danbury and 
Norwalk Railroad, and is only forty-two miles from 
the Grand Central depot in New York City, thirty 
from New Haven, and twenty-two miles to the Dan- 
bury depot. Its water-faeilities arc unsurpassed. 

A large and commodious steamer leaves the dock 
at the foot of Washington Street every morning, ex- 
cept Sundays, for New York City, returning at six 
r. M. Two freight-steamers make tri-weekly trips 
between this city and New York. Within the city 
are ample dock accommodations for vessels drawing 
from ten to twelve feet of water, at which are con- 
stantly moored in tlie busy season sailing-crafts of 
every description discharging lumber, timber, and 
every kinds of building-materials, coal, and wood, 
and receiving cargoes of various sorts for other ports. 
Here tlie oyster-trade is a large factor of wealth. .\t 
certain sea.sons of the year the docks are crowded 
with vessels engaged in transporting oysters to New 
York City, Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford, and to 
foreign countries. It is computed that at least two 
millions of dollars' worth of bivalves arc planted in 
the waters of Norwalk, three-quarters of which are 
owned by citizens of South and Ea.st Norwalk. 

Tiie city of South Norwalk is really the entrepot 
of nearly all the commerce of Norwalk, Wilton, 
Ridgefield, Bethel, Danbury, and the southwestern 
portion of Litchfield County, from whence it is car- 
ried by the Danbury and Norwalk Railroad. 

This city is the centre of an extensive and lucrative 
hat-manufacturing interest, giving employment, prob- 
ably, to fifteen hundred operatives of both sexes, 
many of whom come from the surrounding towns by 
rail. For about seventy-five years South Norwalk 
has been noted throughout the country as one of the 
centres of this trade. The hats produced in this 
locality have found a ready market in all the States 
of the Union, Mexico, and the States of South Amer- 
ica, because of their superior texture and styles. 

There are in the city ten extensive hat-establish- 
ments, two fur-cutting, and one hat-body forming 
company: Crofut & Knapp (two factories), Adams 
Brothers, Swift & Palmer, A. Solomons, Benedict 
Brothers, Brown & Co., ¥. Volk, Craw, Brother & 
Volk. 

Two large iron-foundries in full blast, one boiler, 
jiump, and engine- works, one lock-factory, the largest 
in the country, whose goods find a market throughout 
the civilized world. 

Two steam saw-mills for cutting up lumber and 
furnishing sash, windows, blinds, and doors for build- 
ers in all the surrounding country: Burr Knapp, H. 
E. Fitch. 



One paper box and two wooden box factories : R. 
H. Rowen, W. Fitch, C. T. Tolles. 

One shoe- and boot-manufactory, doing a large and 
thriving business, and giving employment to about 
seventy-five hands of both sexes : Lounsbury Bros. 
& Rockwell. The company had, till Ely's Hotel wa.s 
built, the most attractive building in the city. 

One corset establishment, but recently erected: 
Goldsmith & Co. When in order will give employ- 
ment to three hundred hands. 

One boat-building eomi)any and one marine rail- 
way company. 

One factory for the manufacture of ink : J. Pennell. 

Two carriage-establishments, which turn out the 
most stylish carriages to be found in the State : H. 
Tilly, C. A. Mulings. 

Three cigar-factories and one eigar-box factory : 
C. Smarts, L. Lowder, Iloyt & Comstock. 

One printing establishment, — the South Norwalk 
Printing Company, — doing a prosperous business un- 
der the management of the Golden Brothers. 

SCHOOLS. 

The schools of the South Norwalk Union School 
District rank among the best in the State. 

CHURCHES. 

Three live and prosjierous churches exist within 
the bounds of the city, and in the outlying districts 
are two union chapels, occupied in turn by the pas- 
tors of the Congregational, Methodist, and Episcopal 
Churches. Combined, they have a membership of 
about twelve hundred. 



CHAPTER LIV. 

NOHWALK (Continued). 

MISCELL.\Xi:OUS. 

Norwnlk Savingn Sotlttjr— Nalionnl Bank of Norwalk— Central NnUonal 
Bank — Old Ailvortisomonta — SleunilMtnts — Moronic — St. Julin'D L«<lgo 
— Wtuthington Chnptor — Clinton C<»ninii»niUT.v — Washington Council 
—Our Brothera' lK)dgc, I. 0. 0. F.— Tlio Norwalk InsuninL-c Companj- 
— Juilges of Prnl-atc — The H<)rough of Norwalk— Orgnuization-Kirht 
Olliccnt clectt'ti— The Vlrv Doiiartment— Woter-Works- llonie lUiil- 
rood— MaiMifuilnrcs— The rrcua — The Norfolk Ga/ettc— The Nor- 
wnlk Hour— The Democrat— The Schulte Munlor- The Drawbrldgo 
DIaaator— UoD. Clark Biaacll. 

NORWALK SAVINGS SOCIETV. 
Tm.s institution was organized in September, 1849. 
The first board of trustees were Clark Bissell, Stiles 
' Curtis, Josejih W. llubbcU, William S. Loekwood, 
Charles Isaacs, Thomas C. Hanford, William K. 
James, Jonathan Camp, Eli B. Bennett, .V. E. Beard, 
Gould D. Jennings, Ste|>hen Olinstead, Charles C. 
Betts, William C. Street, .Vsa E. Smith, of Norwalk; 
Charles Marvin, Samuel P. Handle, of Wilton ; Eliph- 
alet Swift, John W. Gaylor, of Westport ; Ira Seo- 
field. Holly Bell, of Daricn ; Watts Comstock, Hczron 
L. Ayres, Caleb S. Benedict, Charles Raymond, of 



NOR WALK. 



549 



New Canaan. The first board of officers were : Pres- 
ident, Clark BissoU; Viec-Presideiitti;, Stiles Curtis, 
Josei)h W. Hubbell, William S. Lookwood; Secre- 
tary and Treasurer, Thomas Warner, .Ir. 

Clark Bissetl continued a-s president until his death, 
in ISfiT. William S. Lockwood was elected June 16, 
1858, and continued until .Tuly, 1871. He was fol- 
lowed by William C. Street, .July 10, 1871, who held 
the office until July 27, 1878, when he was succeeded 
by Edward P. Weed, who continued in office until 
bis death, April 18, 1880. T. Warner, Jr., remained 
secretary and treasurer until March 1, 1856, when 
Joseph W. Hulibell was elected, an<l continued until 
August, 1870. George E. Jlillcr I'lillowed, and is the 
present incumbent. 

The present board of directors are : William B. E. 
Lockwood, F. St. John Lockwood, ( ieorge M. Holmes, 
Robert B. Craufurd, Samuel E. Olmstead, William C. 
Street, Asa Smith, George E. Miller. 

The first deposit was made Oct. '.), 1840; amount, 
thirty dollars. Present amount of deposits, $1,620,000 ; 
present number of dejiositors, 4:!25. 

THE N.\TION.\L I!.\MC OF XORW-ALK. 

This bank was organized in September, 1857. The 
first board of directors were Elienczer Hill, Charles 
IS. White, John A. Weed, Stiles Curtis, Jonathan 
Camp, Samuel Lynes, F. Belden. E. Hill was j)resi- 
dent from organization, in 1857, till his death, in 
1875. Stiles Curtis has held the office from 1875 to 
date (May, 1880). Charles G. Rickard was cashier 
i'rom September, 1857, till March, 1858, since which 
time R. B. Craufurd has been the incumbcTit. The 
bank was reorganized as a national bank in 1865. 
The capital from date of organization to 1879 was 
S300,000, when it was reduced to !ii!240,000. 

The present board of directors are Stiles Curtis, 
Ebenezer Hill, Edward I'.eard, E. K. Lockwood, E. 
J. Hill, W. Randel iSmith, one vacancy. 

The officers are : President, Stiles Curtis ; Cashier, 
R. B. Craufurd. 

THE CENTRAL N.\TION.AL B.ANK 
was organized Sept. 15, 1876, with a capital stock of 
one hundred thousand dollars. The first board of 
directors were A. S. Hurlbutt, T. H. Morison, J. P. 
Beatty, H. F. Guthrie, G. M. Holmes, Charles Smith, 
P. L. Cunningham, W. R. Smith, S. Morehouse. The 
first officers were : A. S. Hurlbutt, President; T. H. 
Morison, Vice-President; William A. Curtis, Cashier. 
Present officers same. 

The present board of directors arc as follows : A. 
S. Hurlbutt, T. IL Morison, H. F. Guthrie, G. M. 
Holmes, Charles Smith, P. L. Cunningham, S. More- 
house, E. L. Boyer, G. S. Hutchinson. 

Dividends semi-annual, — January and July. 
OLD ADVERTISEMENTS. 

In No. 1, Vol. I., of the Norwalk Gazette, under 
date of May 6, 1818, A. N. Beers advertises that he 
has for sale paints, oils, carpenters' tools, etc. 



Asa Lockwood advertises Jamaica and St. Croix 
rum, maccaboy, Rai)[)ce, and Scotch snutf, etc. 

June 10th, Betts & Cannon advertise black and 
colored Canton crapes, Jamaica rum, Italian lus- 
trings, French brandy, candirie dimities, Holland 
gin, etc. They advertise tabby and Manchester vel- 
vets, blue and yellow nankeens, black, blue, bottle- 
green, and " mixt" broadcloths ; and should the cus- 
tomer want Jamaica or St. Croix rum, American and 
French brandy, or Holland gin, he has only to make 
his wants known, for these are tor sale in the same 
establishment. 

Under date of July 29, 1818, William J. Street an- 
nounces that he "has just returned from New York, 
etc., and that he will sell fine 6-4 Cambric Dimity at 
37 1-2 cts. per yd. ; 6-4 cambric muslin for 37 1-2 cts. 
per yard ; good domestic shirting for 20 to 25 cents 
per yard ; 1 doz. super London made vests, $2.25 
each ;" also " 1 doz. ready-made Pantaloons ( Jefierson 
sheeting), SI per pair; 20 doz. pocket Hhkfs., good 
size and (juality, 6 cents each ; 100 elegant fans from 
2 to 3 each." 

The following advertisement also appears: 

ACCOMMUDATK )X PACKETS, 

to s.iil 

From Edenezer D. Hoyt's l.iiidini; at Norw.^Ik for Peck Slip, New 
York. 

SLOOP ELIZA, PENN'OYER MASTEK, 
Will ccinmence sailing from the above landing on Tuesday, the 12th 
day of May next, .nnd return on Saturday. 

SLOOP MARY, BRYANT MASTER, 
Will sail on Thursday and return on Tuesday. 

SLOOP UNION, LROWxN .M.^STER, 
Will sail on S.tturday and return [he Thursday following, each vessel 
performing their weekly trips through the season. 

For freight or pas5.:ge apply to the subscriber, or to either the cap- 
tains of their respective vessels. E. D. HOYT'. 
Norwalk, March 5, iSiS. 

STEAMBOATS. 
In 1824 the first steandmat was put on the line from 
Norwalk to New York, called "John Marshall," in 
honor of the chief justice, and was about eighty feet 
long, with a capacity of thirty or forty passengers. 
Fare, one dollar. Three years later the late Com. 
Vanderltilt started an opposition boat called the 
"Nimrod," and the fare was reduced to one shilling, 
which continued about two years. The "Nimrod" 
was commanded by Capt. Brooks, of Bridgeport. The 
"John Marshall" was superseded by the "Fairfield," 
commanded by Capt. Peck. The steamer " Adelphi" 
now runs between Norwalk and New York. 

ST. JOHNS LODCE, NO. G, F. AND A. M. 
The original charter of this lodge was obtained 
from the Provincial Grand Lodge in New York, and 
bears the signature of R. W. George Harrison, Grand 
Master, dated May 23, 1765, appointing Benjamin 
Isaacs, Master, Steiilicn St. John, Senior Warden, 
and Jehiel Ketcham, Junior Warden, of said lodge, 
" to be held at Norwalk only, and that until such time 
a.s a Grand Master shall be appointed for the Colony 



550 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



of Connecticut." The records of the lodge previous ; 
to 1779 are supposed to have been destroyed when the , 
town was burned, in July of that year. Tlie records i 
from Sept. 8, 1779, to the present are in roguhir order. 

At the convention preliminary to forming the 
Grand Lodge, which was liold in New Haven in 
1783, tills lodge was represented by David Lambert, 
but at the subsequent convention, wlien the constitu- 
tion was adopted and signed, the name of a delegate 
from this lodge does not appear on the minutes. 
Their present charter wa.s issued by the Grand Lodge 
of Connecticut, Oct. 17, 1793. 

The following is a list of the first one hundred and 
tliirty-two members of the lodge: Benjamin Isaacs, 
1st W. M.; Stephen St. John, 1st S. W.; Jehiel 
Ketcham, 1st J. W.; Ebenezer Whitney, Jesse Betts, 
Samuel Brooks, Ilezckiah Bclden, John Betts, Peter 
Betts, Samuel Burral, William S. Bctts, Samuel Baker, 
Willis Cliff, Joshua Disbrow, Daniel Finch, Alvin 
Hyatt, Prentice Ilosman, Thomas Hill, Stephen Lock- 
wood, David Lambert, Mathew Mallory, Auley Mc- 
Aulcy, Mathew Marvin, Nathan Pollock, John Kitch, 
Mathew Reed, William Reed, Eleazer Scott, Josiah 
Thatcher, 2(1, Stephen Thatcher, Timothy Whitney, 
Zebulon Williams, James Whitney, John White, , 
Joscjih Allen Wriglit, Dunlap Coggesal, John Clarke, 
Stephen Betts, .John S. Cannon, John Cannon, Jr., 
Aaron Hoyt, James Hurlburt, Shubal Gorham, James 
Hamlin, Ephraira Marvin, David Crosby, Daniel 
Bull, Jacob Reed, Eli Crosby, Adonijah Stanesbor- 
ough, David Aiken, 3d, James Sackett, Nathan Gil- 
bert, Jeremiah Burgess, Thomas Sears, Samuel De 
Forrest, Samuel Middlebrook, Charles Jarvis, .Tames 
Richards, Jr., Benjamin North, Lambert Lockwood, 
David Dunning, Nathan Paddock, Eben Olmstead, 
Timothy Foster, Jabez Gregory, John St. John, .3d, 
Peter Hendrick, Nathan Douglass, Stephen Jarvis, 
Henry Jarvis, Joseph Cable, Benjamin Kceler, Jon- 
athan Cass, William Beers, Joseph Bouton, Timothy 
Benedict, Zalmon Sanford, Samuel Daueliy, Joseph 
C. Fields, Benjamin Sanford, David Olmstead, 3d, 
Aaron Keeler, David Jackson, Jr., Nathan Dauchy, 
Jr., Josiah Thatcher, Jr., Ebenezer Lockwood, Jona- 
than Knight, Jesse Benedict, Jr., Isaac S. Isaacs, 
William Maltby Betts, Samuel (Jibbs, Phiiieas Miller, 
Nehimiah llanford, Henn,' Chichester, Jotham War- 
ring, John Smith, William A. Cannon, Rev. George 
Ogilvie, Alexander McNabb, Stephen Rockwell, Sam- 
uel Seely, Samuel Jarvis, Moses Gregory, Daniel 
Seymour, William Fancher, Taylor Sherman, William 
Pike, David Keeler, John C. Ketcham, Stephen 
Fields, Stephen Bishop, Hezekiah Hyatt, Stephen 
Belknap, Jacob Osborn, Benjamin Brooks, Clapp 
Raymond, Jr., Gould Hoyt, Jr., Hezekiab De Forrest, 
Seely Conklin, Joshua King, Woleott Down, St. Louis 
De Fontaine, Benjamin Isaacs, Lemuel Brooks, Jr., 
Jesse Jarvis, David Olmstead, Philip Brailley, Sam- 
uel Howes, Ebenezer Jessuji, Jr., Gabriel Allen, 
Eleazer Wood. 



The following is a list of those who have held the 
office of W. Master from its organization until the 
present time: 17G5-75, Benjamin Isaacs ; 1776-79,1783 
-84, Stephen St. John; 1780-82, Ebenezer Whitney ; 
1785-87, David Lambert; 1788-92, Matthew Reeil; 
1793, Samuel Burrall; 1794, 1798, 18(l(i, .fonathan 
Knight; 179.3, Isaac S. Isaacs; 1790, 1810, Phineas 
Miller; 1797, Taylor Sherman; 1807-8, Josiah 
Thatcher; 1809, AVilliam M. Betts; 1811, Moses Greg- 
ory ; 1812, Daniel Church; 1813-15, 1818, William J. 
Street; 1823-24, Stephen Smith; 1816-17,1819,1821- 
22, Joseph Keeler; 1820, William G. Betts; 1825-26, 
Henry Solleck ; 1827-28, Phlh. Price ; 1829-30, 1841-42, 
Asa li. Smith ; 1831-32, 1836-40, 184.5-48, James Ste- 
vens ; 1833-35, 1843-44, Henry W.Smith ; 1849, George 
F. Da.skam; 1850, John A. McLean ; 1 851, Dimon Fan- 
ton; 1852, Eli K. Street; 1853, William I). Camp; 
1854, 18G9, Samuel Lynes: 1855, William W. Storey; 

1856, Thomas B. Butler; 1857, Asa Smith; 1858, F. 
St. John Lockwood; 1859, Edward P. Weed ; 1860, 
Albert H. Wilcoxsen; 1861, 1873-75, Alfred H. 
Camp ; 1862, John H. Aiken ; 1863, Levi Warner, Jr. ; 
1864, Claude Guthrie ; 1865-66, 1868, James W. Sto- 
rey ; 1867, Theodore Wilcox ; 1870, Isaac Church, Jr. ; 
1871, David Pollard ; 1872, 1877-78, A. C. Golding ; 
1876, Jesse I'ollard; 1879, Mark Harris; 1880, G. 
Ward Selleck. 

WASlilXGTON CDAPTER, No. 24, ROYAL AUCll MA- 
SONS, 

was instituted by virtue of a charter granted by the 
Grand Chapter of Connecticut, May 10, 1827. Its 
number was then 25, but was afterwards changed to 
24. It has always been located in Norwalk. The 
following companions have held the office of High 
Priest: 1827, 1846, Henry Selleck; 1828, Phineas 
Miller (died In ..ffice); 1828-46, William J. Street; 
1847-49, Elijah Gregory; 1850-52, James Stevens; 
1850, Edwin Hoyt ; 1850, John A. McLean ; 1853-59, 
George F. Daskam ; 1856, Samuel Lynes, M.D. ; 

1857, 1861, 1864, William W. Storey; 1858, 1860, 
Asa Smith; 1862, Albert II. Wilco.xsen ; 1863, Ed- 
ward P. Weed; 1865-69, Stephen .Merrill; 1.H70-76, 
Augustus C. Golding; 1871-72, Robert M. Wilcox; 
1873, George W. Smith; 1877, William A.Sainiuls; 
1878-80, William Randell Smith. 

CLINTON COMMANDEUY, No. 3, KNIOIITS TEMPLARS, 
and appendant orders, was instituted by a dispensa- 
tion from De Witt Clinton, (irand Master of Knights 
Templars in the United States, bearing date Feb. 9, 
1827, to be located in the town of Washington, Litch- 
field Co. In the year 1847 it was removed to Nor- 
walk, where it hits since been located. Clinton was 
one of the three encampments (as then called) which 
formed the Grand Encampment of the State, Sept. 
13, 1827. Two eonnnanderles which have since been 
formed from it are Hamilton, No. 5, of Bridgeport, 
May 10, 1855, and Crusader, No. 10, of Danbury, 
March 21, 1871. 



NORWALK. 



551 



The following is a list of Sir Knights who have 
held tho office of Eminent Commander from its or- 
nranizati<in, in 1827, to the present date (those marked 
with a star are deceased) : 1827-47, Daniel B. Hrins- 
made;* 1847-53, James Stevens;'' 1S5;1-(!1, George 
F. Daskam;* ISGl-GG, 1868, 1870, 1S74, William W. 
Storey ; L'^li?, 1S73, Asa Smith ; 18611, David M. 
Lane; 1871, 1876, Angustus C. Golding; 1872, James 
^V. storey; 187'), David Pollard; 1877-78, Kdwin 
Hoyt ; 1870, G. Ward Selleck ; 1881), Dwight Wangh. 

WASIIINGTOX COUXrlL, ROYAL AM) SELECT 
MASTERS, 

was chartered liy the Grand Council of Connecticut, 
May 10, 1841), the first three otficei's being .lames 
Stevens, ,Iolui A. ilcLean, and Henry W. Smith. It 
lias always held its meetings in Xorwalk. 

OUR BROTHERS' LODGE, I. 0. 0. F. 
The fdllowing history of this lodge is taken from 
an historical address delivered l>y l)r. Asa Hill in 
October, 1871 : 

"On the 19t)i of October, 1S42, tliv K. W. 0. D. 51. Ocorgo Waltfrs, as- 
--irtted by U. W. tiiaml Wiinleii c;ib:^on London, l\ G. Wilson, P. G. Ste- 
vrns, of t)ie Grain) Lodge of l)io State of <.'onrieiticut, togetjler witll a 
iiiini))er of BroDiers frimi I'eiiuonnc Lodge, No. 4, of Bridgeport, pro- 
. ceded to iiislitnte tliis lodge, under tlie name of 'Onr Brotliers' Lodge,' 
No. Ill, 1. O. O. 1''., anil in anipje form dejivered to t)ie )odge a c)iarter 
li.r t)ie same. The niimes of the charier memlters wele as follows: 
i.'liolwell J. Gnimaii, Asa E. Smitli, Steplien 0)iiistead, It. S. Pennoyer, 
and J. Taylor Hunt. The liist ollicers of tlie lodge wele as follows: C. 
.J. Grunian, >■. G. : Asa E. Smith, V. G. ; Stephen Olmstead, Sec.; K. S. 
Pennoyer, Treas. The firbt hateli of candidates initiated were as follow.s: 
Samuel It. Bunting, George W. Kaymoml, Kli K. Street, Win. K. Bissell, 
Eli Curti.'*, K. Osborn, E. Donnelly, and II. Ila.y. These pereons were 
s.verally appointed to fill the svdiordinale (jttiees, and tlie lodge, thus 
liiily utlieered, commenced a singillai ly prosperous career, the twenty- '■ 
ninth anniveisary of which we tliis evening celebrate. 

"Tlie first lodge-room was but a small affair, located in Olmstead's 
Block, ill Slain Street, yet it answered the necessities of the case sutfi- 
■ iently well. The furniture was simple and plain, and the brothers, 
warm in tlieir ' first love,' were content to work and wait until the ac- 
cession of greater numbere and more ample lueaiis allowed them to im- ' 
prove and expand their borders. 

"Aflerawhile the Jtlaee became too strait for tliern, and the lodge- 
room was enlarged and to some extent enibellislied. This room served 
us for a niiniber of yeiii.s, and until tho Gar.iiU building was erected, 
when we transferred our lieadijuarters to our present beautiful lodge- 
room. It is a matter of no little interest tlius to recall the leading facts i 
of our early history and mark the course of our oiiwaid progress. Itwas 
in this old lodge-room that many of our most substantial and worthy 
inemliers were iniliated into the order, and it is still fragrant with pleas- 
ant associations. It is within the memory of the speaker when the death 
of the first Odd-Fellow made our little band so sail and touched the I 
sjniiigsof ^Miipalliy in all our lieaits, and an tidd-FelloW's funeral wiis 
for the first time in this town witnessed by our people. 

"Primarily to Brother ('. J. Grunian more tliali to aii,v otiier person ' 
arc we imJebted for tho orgaiii.:ation of this lodge. He expended his 
time and money lavishly to get the lodge in working order. His zeal 
was tireless, his attendance reguhir and uniform, and the ardent iiu- 
pulsee of his nature found alaindant room for tlieir exercise in the 
growth and expansion of the brotherhood. Indeed, tlie ver,v name of 
'Our Brot)ieis' Lodge,' at once so beatitifiil and suggestive, I fjelieve, 
originated with him. 

"We mention his name in this connection with special prominence 
Iwcause we are enjoined in that good oil hook that we all elierisli iLS the ) 
guide of our lives to render ' lioiior to wtioni honor is due.' 

"It is to )iim also, more than to any other member of our order, that 
w-e are indebted for the existence of an ailditional branch, known us 
Kabaosa Eneanipment, No. 0. The Jietitioners for this enealnpnient 



charter were Cliolwrll .1, liiiiiiKui. .biliii G. Oiiiglcy, Win. H. rhvclaiid, 
Ilciiiy W.. Smith, James A. IJuiiilard, and I'etei I., ('unniiigliani. Two 
of the persons « hose names were al'liendcd to tliis petition Iuim' ;.iiice 
deceased, to wit: John G. (iuigley and Win. II. Cleveland." 

The ]iresent number of members iSejit. 27, ISSO) is 
two hundred and seventy-eight; iiinds on hand, 
eleven thousand six hundred and sixty-four dollars. 

THE NORWALK FIRE IXSUltAXOE CO.MI'ANV. 
This company has ;i cajtital of one hundred thou- 
stiiid didlars, and is officered as follows: President, 
William C. Street ; Secretary, George K. Cowles ; Treas- 
urer, Samuel Lynes. The following is the boitrd of 
directors : William C. Street, Asa Smith, G. (i. Bishop, 
E. S. Tweedy, Samuel Lynes, M.D., Stiles Curtis, Wil- 
liam S. LockwiHid, E. B. Bennett, A. E. Smith, S. E. 
Olmstetid, K. C. Bissell, John Osliorn, F. S. Wild- 
man, C:. K. t^owles, D. P. Nichols, S. Y. St. John, 1). 
M. Marvin, D. P. Ely, Henry I. Hoyt, and ( leorge B. 
St. John. 

.TI'DCES OF FROBATE. 

The f dlowing is a list of the judges of Probate of 
the district of Norwitlk : 

1802-15, Taylor Sherman; ISlo-lf*, Clark Bissell; 181S-2S, William M. 
Belts; lS-.;s-:i5, Benjamin Isaai-s; 1835-;i". Stephen Smith ; 1837-38, 
William St. John; 18:18-12, Benjamin Isaacs; 1842-13, Cyrus A. 
Mead; 184:1—14, tleorge A. Ilavenport; 1S44-4.5, Benjamin Isaacs; 
184.'"i-lC, Sidney B. Ueaidsley ; 184r>-47, George A. Davenport; 1847- 
49, Tlionias B.Butler; 1849-.'ill, Orris S. Ferry; 18oO-78, George A. 
Davenpoit; 1878, Asa It. Woodward. 

BOROUGH OF NORWALK. 

The borough of Norwalk was chartered on the first 
Wednesday in May in 18.'!6. Tlie first officers were 
elected .luly 11, 183(>, as follows: Warden, Joseph W. 
Hubbell ; liurgesscs, William S. Street, JIatthias Hub- 
bell, Stephen T. Brewer, Stiles Curtis, Levi Chirk, and 
Timothy T. Merwin ; Treasurer, Charles Thomas ; 
Bailiff, .Tames Stevens ; Haywards, Levi Clark, .Jason 
Merrill, AVilliam Cleveland, Richard Camji, Daniel 
Xash, Bobert Cameron, John Wassoii, Lewis Whit- 
ney, and James S. Kellogg; Pound-Kee|)ers, Eli San- 
ford, Ntitlum .Ttirvis. Matthias Hubbell, and Bucking- 
ham Lockwood ; Inspector of Coal, Wood, and Hay, 
James Stevens ; Insjiector of Grain, Edwin Lockwood ; 
Inspector of Butter, James Porter. 

The present otticers of the borough (elected Dee. 1, 
1879) are as follows : Warden, James W. Hyatt ; Bur- 
gesses, (ieorge B. Cowles, Charles C. Belts, Homer 
Merrill, Darius W. Couch, John Keena, and Frank 
Street; Borough Treasurer and Treasurer of Water 
Fund, llobert B. Crawford; Ctdlector, Elbert Curtis; 
Bailiff, .lames Finney; Board of Registration, George 
N. Ells and Jacob Turk ; Insj)cctors of Elections, 
Charles H. Wheeler, .Tohn A. Honneker ; Water Com- 
missioners, Augustus C. Golding, Winfield S. Moody, 
Isaac Selleck, Jr. ;* Clerk, Joseiih F. Foote ;t Chief 
of Police, John O. Sullivan ; Policemen, Daniel J. 
Bennett and William Sheldon. 



* Ajipointed rice Carlyslo T. Weeks, resigned, 
t Olhciated for nine successive years. 



552 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



The first fire inspectors elected after the organiza- 
tion of tlie borough were Charles Isaacs, Henry Sel- 
leck, and Gould D. Jennings. 

FIEE DEPAKTMEST.' 

The present fire department of the borough is a vol- 
unteer one, and consists of a chief engineer with two 
assistants, one engine, one hose, one hook-and-ladder, 
and one fire-police company. The ai>paratus consists 
of one steam fire-engine, one hose-carriage, one hose- 
crab, two hose-jumpers, one hook-and-ladder truck 
with all its appurtenances, and about nineteen liun- 
drcd feet of good rubber hose. The companies and 
apparatus are all in good serviceable condition. 

The formation of the department for 1880 is as fol- 
lows: Chief-Engineer, Joseph B. Ells; Assistants, 
Koyal L. Adams, Frank S. Fancher. 

The companies are: 

PiicENix Engine Company, No. 1, William 
Hands, foreman, with fifty members. Tliis com])any 
was organized Dec. 15, ISoS, and has been in con- 
tinual active service ever since its formation. It first 
ran a second-class Sickles piano machine. In 1870 it 
Wivs furnished with a second-class steam fire-engine of 
Cole Brothers' make, with which it has done much 
eflicient and good service. At present the engine is 
lield in reserve, by reason of the borough having a 
good and powerful sup])ly of water through tlie pub- 
lic water-works; therefore at present the company 
runs a hose-crab on occasions of fire. 

Hope Hose Company, No. 3, F. McKeon, foreman, 
ha-s about thirty members. The company was organ- 
ized in tlie spring of 18o9 as an auxiliary of Pha?ni.\ 
Engine Company, and assumed the name of Phccni.x 
Hose Company, but changed its name to Hope Hose 
in 1877. The company run a handsome four-wheeled 
hose-carriage and two two-wheeled jumpers. 

Pioneer Hook-and-Laddeu Company, No. 1, 
Edgar S. Wilcoxscn, foreman, has thirty-two members. 
It was organizeil in January, 18U1. It runs a fine and 
handsome truck well supplied with ladders, hooks, 
etc. 

The Fire Police, Capt. A. J. Meeker, numbers 
thirty men. Is a comparatively new company, having 
been organized to fill a gap long felt in tlie depart- 
ment, — viz., to protect and ])revcnt the active firemen 
from being interfered with or crowded by the idle 
persons usually attracted to a fire, and also to handle 
and care for any property necessarily removed from 
any burning building. 

The department is a good and efficient one, and has 
proved its worth on many occasions. It is always 
prompt in answer to duty calls, and ever ready for 
hard, rariiest work. 

W.\TER-W0RKS. 

The movement to introduce a supply of pure and 
wliolesome water into the borough of Norwalk was 
begun early in 1870. "The General Assembly of the 

• CoDltibutotl by Joacph B. Elb. 



State, of that year, was petitioned to grant authority 
to tlie borough to introduce water, and the represen- 
tatives of that year, and certain citizens of tlie borough, 
interested themselves in the procurement of a charter 
for that purpose. The charter was approved July 15, 
1870, containing a proviso that it should not be bind- 
ing upon the borough until accepted by a vote of the 
citizens of the borough at a meeting duly called for 
that purpose. A special meeting was held Aug. 24, 
1870, and the charter for the introduction of water 
was accepted by a vote of three hundred and thirty- 
four yeas to sixty-five nays. 

A special meeting of the borough was held Sept. 2, 
1870, and Thomas H. Morison (re-elected Dec. 5, 
1871), Samuel Lynes, M.D., and William K. James 
were elected commissioners, and Charles H. Street 
treasurer, of the water fund. At the same meeting, 
the borough, by vote, authorized the water commis- 
sioners to issue the bonds of the borough to the amount 
of one hundred thousand dollars to defray the expense 
of the introduction of water. It becoming evident to 
the commissioners that the above sum was insufficient, 
application was made to the borough for authority to 
issue the bonds of the borough to a larger amount, 
and on April 20, 1871, at a borough-meeting called 
for the purpose, it was voted to petition the General 
Assembly for power to issue the bonds of the borough 
to the amount of seventy-five thousand dollars addi- 
tional. The Legislature, at its May session, 1871, ac- 
cordingly amended the water charter of the borough, 
granting the necessary authority to issue the bonds of 
the borough to the amount of seventy-five thousand 
dollars additional, and the borough, in a special meet- 
ing called for that purpose July 1, 1871, voted to 
authorize the commissioners to do so. March 2, 1872, 
at a special meeting for that purpose, the borough 
voted to petition the General Assembly to j)ledge its 
credit for an additional twenty-five thousand dollars. 
Power was granted by the General Assembly at its 
May session, 1872, to do so, and the borough, in 
special meeting for that purpose Aug. 17, 1872, voted 
to authorize the commissioners to issue the bonds of 
the borough for an additional twenty-five thousand 
dollars, making in all the sum of two hundred thou- 
sand dollars. 

The water is unusually pure and wholesome. It is 
taken from the Silver Mine Brook, in New Canaan. 

nOnSE RAILRO.VDS. 

This road was chartered in May, 1862, witli the 
following members: Asa Hill, Le Grand Lockwood, 
Edwin Lockwood, Samuel (!. Blackman, Edward C. 
Bissell, Charles Isaacs, and Chester N. Carr. Tlie 
first officers were: President and Manager, Le Grand 
Lockwood; Asa Hill, Secretary. The first directors 
were Le Grand Lockwood. Edwin Lockwood, Thomas 
D. Richards, Asa Hill, Samuel G. Blackman, Ed- 
ward C. Bissell, A. H. Byington, C. E. Lockwood, 
Levi Warner, elected September, 1862. The length 



NORWALK. 



553 



Lander, 
Shehaii, 

E. Olm- 



of track is two ami a quarter miles, extending from 
Norwalk to 8oiitli Xorwalk. Tlie present officers 
are: President and Manager, .lames W. Hyatt ; Sec- 
retary, Edwiu G. Hoyt; Directors, James W. Hyatt, 
Burr Smith, C. E. Hyatt, Edwin G. Hoyt, Hart Den- 
ton, Levi Warner, L. W. Sandcforth. 

MANUFACTUIiKBS OF XOmVAI.K. 

According to the census ruling of 1880 the follow- 
ing is a list of all whose business amounted to live 
hundred dollars and upwards during the year 1879: 

Boj-Mahrs ( IFwot^).— William E. Fitch, Chester 
F. Tollcs. 

Box-Mnlcr [Paper). — R. H. Rowan. 

Bo.r-Ma!:er (Cigar ^<wts).— Giles Hanlenlieck. 

Boot.1 and S/iocs.—A. N. Hoyt &. Co., lienedict i^' Co., 
H. S. Brown, 5L Carew, C. H. Harvey, Jolin Hchaub. 

Carriage- Maters. — Mulling Bros., Edward Nelson, 
Jehiel G. Rockwell, E. Seymour, Henry Tilly. 

Corsc/.<i. — Rotch & Goldsehmidt. 

Children's Carriages. — F. Boylstf>n. 

Cigars. — Hoyt & (Jlmstead, Alexander 
Xorwalk Bridge Cigar Cmnjiany, P. F. 
Daniel H. Sims, (_)ld Well Cigar Comi)any. 

Foundries (Iron). — A. C. Arn<jld & Co., S. 
stead & Co., Lockwood & Wheeler, N. L. ^Vustin. 

Foundry (Brass). — McSIahon J5ros. 

Furniture. — John Bouton, AVilliam Lockwood, E. 
Quintard's Son. 

Fur Cut/er.-<.—J. J. Arch, Martin J. Bates, Jr., R. H. 
Millard. 

Gas. — Norwalk Ga.s-Light Company. 

Granite- Works. — Philo ^V. Bates, Donnelley & Co. 

Hatters (Fir). — Adams Bros., Brown, Sherwood & 
Co., Benedict Bros. (G. <S; W. H.), Crofut & Knapp, 
John Judson, Smith & Palmer, A. .Solnuins, Frank 
A. Volk, S. Versoy. 

Hatters (Straw). — Beatty Bros., Dennis Dexter. 

Harness- Mei}:ers. — P. H. Dwyer, Charles Miller, .T. 
F. Peekwell, J. F. Rourke, James L. Ferris. 

Hearse- Maker. — William Youle. 

Hat-Bodies. — The Hat-Forming Com|>any. 

Ink-Manufacturers.-^— S. W . Pennell & Bro. 

Iron Fence. — Wm. H. Duncan. 

Iron- Works. — Norwalk Iron-Works Company. 

Locks. — Norwalk Lock Company. 

MacJiinist. — John Cotter. 

Muc/iinists' Toots. — C. W. Le Count. 

Muriate Works.— C. J. Taylor, .). ^\^ ('avanagh. 

Mil! [Saw- and GV(V/-).— Allen Betts. 

Mill [Saw- and Wood-Turning). — Henry F. Guthrie. 

Matches.— 3. M. Rose. 

Paper-Milt.— .\. E. Ells. 

Pattern- Makers. — Tliomas Village. 

Printers. — Byington & Co., Golden Brothers, Nor- 
walk Printing Com|)any. 

liubljcr- Works.— J. H. Buckley & Son. 

Sash and Blinds.— "R. F. Bates & Co., Raymond 
Johnson, Jr. 
36 



Sasli a/id Blinds and Pl<ntiui/-Mill. — lUirr Knapp. 

Shirt- Manufacturers. — Jlorison A: Hutchinson. 

Shoe-Manufacturers. — J. T. ('onsins, T. Cousins, 
Lounsbury Bros. &. Co. 

Wood- Working. — George H. Rice. 

Beer, Cider, Etc. — E. & W. Comstoek. 

Union Manufacturing Company (felt), The Louns- 
bury & Bissell Manufacturing Company (felt), Nor- 
walk Mills (cassimers). 

TIIK NonWALK GAZETTE. 

In May, 1800, a printer named Picket came to Nor- 
walk from Dunliury and established the first newspa- 
per in Southwestern Connecticut. His iiublieation 
was about the size of a modern sheet of letter-paper. 
It was a great novelty in the section about Norwalk, 
and a subject of discussion and interest all over the 
State. It was printed upon an old-time P>en Frank- 
lin Ramage press, with wooiUn platen, and reijuiring 
four impression-pulls Ibr each jiaper; so that, almost 
literally, the more sul)scril)ers tlie jiaper had the worse 
its owner was off. Its few stray numbers now in ex- 
istence are curiosities indeed. The latest news from 
New York City averages ten days prior to date of 
publication. The latest intelligence from "Washing- 
ton is a full mouth old, and the late-<t news from Eu- 
rope more than three months past its date. 

In 1818, Roswell S. Nichols and Philo Price pur- 
chased the Picket concern. From that date to this 
the Gazette has been issued every week witliout a 
break, subject to frequent changes of proprietorship. 

The new firm of Niehids & Price eidarged the 
Gazette to a paper nineteen by twenty-four, and con- 
tinued its pul)lication some four ye.ir-, when it was 
sold to their young apiirentice, Scth W. Benedict. 
Mr. Price went to New York and started the Chri.^tian 
Messenger, and Mr. Nichols to Bridgeport I then New- 
fleld), to start or join in the publication of a p:iper 
there. Mr. Benedict, in I8:'.:2, sold it in turn to his 
apijrentice, James Keed, and Benedict went to New 
York and started the Ecangclist. Mr. Reed held it 
for about two years, and, desiring to go to New 
Orleans, disposed of his interest to Timothy T. Mer- 
win. Merwin, then a jirominent lawyer in Norwalk, 
soon wearied of editorial drudgery, and sold it to 
William G. Hycr. Mr. Hyer, subsequently becoming 
an Episcopal clergyman, S(dd the paper to .1. I'. Am- 
merman, a brother-in-law of P. T. Barnum. Am- 
merman soon sold to the late .ludgc Stejilien Smith, 
and Smith sold, after a few months, totieorgc Taylor. 
In 18.30, Taylor sold it back to James Keed, who con- 
tinued its proprietor till January, 1818, wlien he sold 
it to James H. Hoyt and A. Homer Byington. In 
July, 1840, Byington sold his interest to Hoyt, but in 
July, 18."il, he repurchased the entire projierty, and 
soon after admitted Henry W. Hyatt to a part owner- 
ship. Hyatt was associated with Byington sonu? 
three years, and then h'ft the Gazette to assume the 
1 pro[irieforship of the Litclifield Encjuircr. In April, 



554 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



1858, Josc))h B. Ells and George N. Ells became joint 
owners. From that date to the present (18S0) the 
Gazette has been conducted under the firm-name of A. 
H. Byington & Co. 

During the Gazette's long and eventful historj', 
clergymen, lawyers, doctors, congressmen, and teachers 
have alternated as its editors. James Reed, now of 
the Aihtabitla (Ohio) Tekijrajili, during his first owner- 
siiip, emi)loyed the then Dr. Thomas 15. Butler, wlio 
subsequently became Chief Judge Butler, as his chief 
writer. Rev. Dr. Edwin Hall and his brother, Storrs 
Hall, gave the paper more or less editorial aid at dif- 
ferent times. The late United States senator Orris S. 
Ferry and Dr. .Vsa Hill wore practically editors of 
the Gazette during the ownership of lloyt. From 
1851 to date its editorial and business management 
has been conducted entirely by tlie present firm of 
A. H. Byington & Co. 

The Gnzctte proudly numbers among its past and 
present contributors articles from time to time from 
many of the finest writers and best thinkers in the 
country. It has always maintained a high character 
for newspaper enterprise and ability, and is widely 
known sis one of the leading and influential journals 
of the State. 

THE NOUWAI.K not R. 

In 1860, B. W. Maples, a commuter on the New 
York and New Haven Railroad, was expelled from 
the cars of the company because he had mislaid his 
commutation ticket and refused to pay the single-trip 
fare demanded h\ the conductor under the regula- 
tions of the company. Because of such expulsion, he 
instituted proceedings against tlie company in the 
courts. The usual delays followed, and numerous 
newspaper articles favoring the company were pub- 
lished. Thinking there wa.s something other than 
spontaneity to account for such articles appearing 
just previous to each time fixed for a bearing of his 
case, Mr. Maples determined, on his own i^art, to ap- 
peal to the press, and wrote a brief statement of the 
facts, which he sent to numerous newspapers ; but all 
but one refused to print. He then decided to have a 
newspajier of his own, and tried to pnrcha.se one al- 
ready established. Not succeeding in this, on May 
(j, 1871, he issued the first number of The Wenlport 
Hour. The paper was issued bi-weekly for ten months, 
and has since been published on Saturday of each 
week. 

In December, 1874, Mr. Maples reached a favorable 
decision of his suit, and would have tlu^i discontinued 
the Hour had he not found, to his surprise, that its 
receipts e.xceeded the ex]ienscs. 

In 1873 The Hour was removed to Norwalk, and in 
1874 The WenljMrl A'lrertij'cr\fas consolidated with it, 
and the paper has since carried both names and is 
dated at Norwalk and Wr~tport. It has reached a 
large circulation. Mr. Maples is .still its editor and 
manager. It is thoroughly independent, and through 



the able editorial management of Mr. Maples has 
reached a large circulation. 

THE Di;M(lCIt.\T. 

The Democrat was started Jan. 10, 187", H. H. 
Barbour editor; it was publi-shed by B. AV. Maples. 
Mr. Barbour disposed of it to Thomas Toliill, Oct. 
27, 1877, and Otis R. Pickett wa.s placed in the edi- 
torial chair. 
Dec. 1, 1877, Mr. Tohill sold it to Charles V. Ar- 
, nold, who consolidated it with The South Norwalk 
' Champion. He continued it one week, when Mr. 
Tohill resumed the otfice and ri^instated Mr. Pickett 
I as editor. 

Jan. 1, 1878, William R. Palmer became associated 
j with Mr. Pickett by purchase of all of Tohill's in- 
j terest, and the name of the publishers changed to 
Pickett & Palmer, Palmer being the local editor. 
The size of the paper was increased from sixteen by 
twenty-two, six columns, to eighteen by twenty-four, 
seven columns. 

Marcli 20, 1878, William R. Palmer assumed full 
charge of the pai)er, both as editor and pro|)rietor. 
I The Democrat has a large circulation, and is un- 
compromisingly Democratic. 

THE SCIIULTE MURDER. 

A murder was committed on Roton Hill, near South 
Norwalk, about G..30 p.m., Dec. 27, 1878. The victim 
was John Schulte, a wealthy and eccentric German, 
who first came to South Norwalk in February, 1877, 
when he bought a farm of eight acres for the exorbi- 
tant price of eight thousand iloUars. He came to his 
house to live in October, 1877. Here, together with 
his companion and servant, Wm. Bucholz, he occu- 
pied two poorly-furnished rooms. In the rest of the 
house the family of Jlrs. Waring lived. Schulte fur- 
nished the provisions, which Mrs. Waring cooked for 
the two men, who ate them in the proprietor's bed- 
room. Bucholz was twenty-two years of age. He 
had a fair coniplexion, an intelligent expression, and 
some education. The old man lived the life of a re- 
cluse, busying himself chiefly in reading German 
books, playing on the violin, and making experi- 
ments in photography. He had the name of being 
wealthy and of carrying large sums about his persim, 
having occasioiudly shown a jioeket-book bursting 
with bank-notes. Common report did not err in at- 
tributing riches to him, as he owned property in 
Germany to the amount of over a quarter of a mil- 
lion dollars. The rumor that he carried large sums 
of money also received verification. There was about 
seventy-five thousand dollars on his person the night 
of the murder. 

When .Schulte came to New York from (fcrmany 
he brought a young German man-servant, named 
Seigfried Greenew'ald, with him. At the Sun Hotel, 
in New York, Bucholz, also a German, met (Jrcene- 
wald, and learned from him that he intended to leave 
Schulte's employ. During this conversatii>n they 



I 



NORWAl.K. 



talked about Schulte's money, and Bueholz remarked 
that it he were in GreenewaUl's phiee he woidd run 
oft' with [Schulte's coat. Very soon alter this we find 
William Bueholz acting as companion and srrva?it of 
the eccentric miser. 

(^n the day of the murder Sehulte went to Xew 
York. Pie returned at G.ll P.M., and started to walk 
home, accompanied by Bueholz, who had met him at 
the depot. This was the last seen of Sehulte alive. 
About seven o'clock Bueholz rushed excitedly into 
the house, and, falling, half fainting, on the floor, 
cried, ". 'Sehulte is dead, dead, down in the woods, — 
dead ! The tramps have killed Hchulte !" 

The neighbors were aronscil, and, with Buelndz, 
they Went to the ]ilace where the lio<ly lay. They 
found Sehulte lying on his lace near the foot-]iath. 
There were two terrible wcmnds on his head, eitlier of 
them fatal. They had the appearance of having 
been nnide with a hatchet or an a.xe. In his inside 
vest-pocket was found a package containing alxiut 
twenty thousand dollars, mostly in German money. 

At the hearing before the coroner's jury Buclndz 
had little to testify, save that lu- was walking ahead 
of Sehulte, wdien, hearing a cry I'rom him, he turned 
around and at the same time was struck a blow in the 
face, lie then ran to the house. \t first he was not 
the subject of any general suspicion, the murder 
being laid to tramjis. The State Attorney, .Tames II. 
:01mstead, however, suspected him I'rom the first, and 
gave onlers for his arrest, wdiich took place Jan. 21, 
1879. The testimony showed that he had given Paul 
Herscher, a saloon-keeper, four twenty-dollar l)ills to 
keep. These bills bore a series of numbers given in 
a memorandum found among Stdiidte's papers. In 
■explanation of his possession of this money, Bueholz 
claimed that Scludte had paid it to him on the night 
of the murder. Tliis and some minor eircumstanees 
gave the case against Bueholz a black look ; the jury 
of inquest returned a verdict against him, and he was 
.confined in the Fairfield County jail. \ true bill 
was found again.st him by the grand jury. The first 
trial began at Bridgeport, Conn., on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 
1879, Chief .Instice Park and Judge Sauford on the 
bench. 

Upon this trial evidence was brought out which 
jiroduced great .sensation. A witness named Ernest 
Stark, a German detective of I'inkerton's agency, 
Philadelphia, testified of having been arrested in the 
city of Bridgeport, under the name of Edward Som- 
ers, during the month of March, 1S79, charged with 
the crime of forgery. At a prelimitniry hearing be- 
fore the City C(nirt he demurred, and was bound over 
to the Superior Court for trial under bonds, failing to 
obtain which he was committed to jail, where he soon 
i ingratiated himself into the good graces and gained 
I the confidence of William Bueholz. 

In the course of a conversation with him Bueholz 
disclosed the hiding-place of some of Schulte's money, 
in the barn U]ion the Waring premises. Mr. Stark 



then procured bail, went to the Waring place, and 
found the money in the ]ilace designated. He then 
returned to Bridgeport and freipiently visited Bueholz 
in prison. At one of these interviews Stark told him 
that some one was about to purchase the Waring prem- 
ises, in hope of finding some of Schulte's money, 
whereupon Bueholz inlbrmed him where another 
pocket-book was concealed. Stark then, in company 
with Robert Pinkerton, jiroeecded to the place, and 
found it, together with several jiieces of gold e<iin. 
All the money found hidden amounted to fifty-five 
thousand dollars. At no time did he admit to Stark 
of having murdered Sehulte. 

Bueholz in this, as well as on the two following 
trials, was defended by Gen. W. R. Smith ami .Vlfred 
E. Austin, Esq., of Norwalk, and Charles Bollman, 
Esq., of New Haven, the Slate being represente(l by 
State Attorney Obnstead, of Stamford, and Nelson 
Taylor, Jr., of Norwalk. 

At 4.15 P.M., on Friday, the 19th, Chief Justice Park 
finished liis charge to the jury, and for the first time 
in the history <if the Sui)erior Court of Fairfield 
County the jury lielil an all-night session. \t twelve 
o'clock on the following day they at last came out, 
and returned a verdict of murder in the fir.st degree. 

Gu Get. 15, 1S7<,), a new trial was granted for the 
following reason : Joseph II. Lockwood, one of the 
jurors, had conversed during the trial with cme Thomas 
Bour concerning the case. For tiiis offense both were 
arrested and fined in the City Court of Bridgeport.* 

The secoiul trial began Feb. 17, ISSO, with Cliief 
Ju.stico Park and Judge Martin on the Ijcnch. The 
jury retired to their room at 1 P.M., Monday, March 
15th, and after remaining until 8.30 .v.m., Thursday, 
the ISth, reported a disagreement, and were dis- 
chargc<l. 

The third trial began A]iril 10th of the same year, 
with Judge Beardsley and Judge Culver on the bench. 
The charge was given liy .fudge Beanlsley, and on 
May 7th the jury returned a verdict of munlcr in the 
second degree. Bueholz was sentenced to States' 
prison fiir lifi'. 

TllK DIl.\^VBllIDGK DISA.^TER. 
The following fiicts are gathered from tlie Jlriih/r- 
porl Farmer of May K! and 17, 1X5:!. The most dis- 
astrous railroad accident which ever occurred in this 
I part of the country took place at the South Norwalk 
\ drawbridge on I'riday morning, May 5, 1,S5;!. The 
train was the Boston express, which left New 'i'ork 
at S A.JI. 

The New York and New Haven Railroad crosses 
the harbor of Norwalk at South Norwalk, one thou- 
sand and eighty-six feet east of the de])ot. On the 
bridge over the channel of the harbor, and one hun- 
I dred and fifty-three feet from the next abutment, there 
j is a draw, which revolves horizontally upon a central 
abutment, and leaves, when open, two passage.s of 

* See Conn. Gen. ?tjittile, t^lisiii. b, .see. 10. 



556 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



sixty feet each. The hrlclge was under the care of 
■\Villiam Harford, who was in the employ of the com- 
pany as bridge-tender. 

At the time of this occurrence the draw was open, 
and the draw-tender was just about to close it. It 
had been opened about fifteen minutes before for the 
passage of the steamer " Pacific." 

The fact of the draw being open was communicated 
to the train by a signal, which consisted of a red ball 
elevated upon a pole. Unless this ball was in sight, ] 
the trains were forbidden to go ujK)n the bridge. ' 

The train did not stoj) at Norwalk, and, being about 
eight minutes late, was hurrying on its way to make 
up lost time. The engineer was at his post, the con- I 
duetor in the second passenger-car, and unocccupied. i 
The absence of the ball or signal was unnoticed, or, if 
noticed, was unheeded. The train passed the depot 
and around the curve at a rate of not less than twenty 
miles per hour. When it reache<l about three bun- i 
drcd feet of the draw, two sudden sharp alarms of the j 
whistle were blown ; the engineer, Edward W. Tucker, i 
the fireman, and the brakeman leaped from the train, 
which rushed on into the open draw. The engine, 
tender, baggage-car, smoking-car, and two i)assenger- 
cars, together with about half of the next car, plunged 
some twenty feet into the watery pit below in one 
mass of wreck and ruin. Persons who were near and 
saw the catastrophe say that the noise of the crash 
and the wail of the struggling and dying passengers 
were heartrending to a degree which language is 
utterly inadequate to describe. 

The water being at full tide, nearly all iu the for- 
ward car were drowned. The number of lives lost 
wa-s forty-four, and twenty-five were rescued from the 
wreck alive, but badly injured. Among the killed 
was Dr. Samuel Beach, of Bridgeport, of wliom the 
Farmer of May 10, 18);5, says: "He was a physician 
of acknowledged skill, and had an extensive practice. 
His loss will therefore be felt and mourned by a large 
circle who regarded him as holding a more intimate 
relation than that of a mere friend." 

Several otiicr physicians, who, with Dr. Beach, had 
been in attendance at a medical convention in New 
York, were killed also. These were Dr. W. C. Dwight, 
of Brooklyn ; Dr. John O. Grey, one of the most prom- 
inent in Springfield, Mass.; Dr. Smith, also of Spring- 
field ; Dr. Abel S. Pierson, of Salem, Mass.; and Dr. 
Welsli, the leading physician of Hartford, Conn. 

The calamity caused great excitement, and indig- 
nati<m- meetings were held, one at Norwalk, and 
another at New Haven. The Legislature took the 
matter into consideration, and adopted a resolution 
requiring all trains to stop at least one minute before 
passing any draw. 

UON. CLARK BISSELL. 

Hon. Clark BisselTwas eighth in line from John 
Bissell, who was born in ].'>!ll, and came from Eng- 
land to Plymouth, Mass., in 1626 or 1628, removing 



from thence to Windsor, Conn., in 1636 or 1637. The 
traditions are that the ancestors of the Bissells were 
Huguenots who fled from France about the time of 
the mas.sacre of St. Bartliolomew (1572) and settled 
in Si)mersetshire, England. There seems to have been 
a branch in Worcestershire. The name tliere was 
sometimes spelled Byssell and Bysell. The family 
coat-of-arms is thus described in " Burke's Complete 
Armory" : " Gul on a bend or ; three escallops sa ; 
crest, a demi-eagle, with wings displayed, sa, charged 
on the neck with an escallop, sa; ten besants, — four, 
three, two, one." 

(^'lark Bissell was Itorn in Lebanon, Conn., Sept. 7, 
1782. He was eldest of three sons. His father was 
a farmer in straitened circumstances, and was unable 
to afford his cliildren any further advantages of edu- 
cation than were furnished by the district schools of 
almost a century ago. With these his eldest son was 
not content, and, the village clergyman offering to 
give him instruction if lie could get time to learn, the 
lad obtained Latin and Greek grammars, and, in the 
intervals of labor, at morningj noon, and night, fitted 
himself for college. When he went to New Haven 
to commence his collegiate course, his parents gave 
him a " homespun" suit of clothes dyed with butter- 
nut, and nuule from the fleece by his mother's hands; 
and thin viiu all they could give him. 

Mr. Bissell maintained him.self while in college by 
teaching in the schools about New Haven, and grad- 
uated with honor and four hundred dollars in debt. 
This was in 1><0(!. In the autumn of that year he 
went to Maryland, and spent about a year there as 
tutor in the family of a Mr. Singleton, on the Eastern 
Shore. Returning to Connecticut, he taught school 
at Saugatuck (now Westport) for another year, pur- 
suing, meanwhile, the study of law under the in.struc- 
tion of Hon. ."^amucl B. Sherwood. Having succeeded 
in paying off his debt, he entered the oflice of Hon. 
Roger M. Sherman, where he completed his prepara- 
tion for the bar, and in 1809 was admitted to practice, j 
In June of that year he removed lo Norwalk, ami tlio 
following extract from a letter written by Dr. .bin. i- 
tliau Knight, father of Prof Knight, of Vale College, 
will show at once the manners of the times and thoj 
auspices under which Mr. Bissell commenced life ia 
Norwalk : 

"Mr. Clark Bissell, who was lately licensed as 
att<^)rney, came in town yesterday, and lives with me. 
He has the character of a rejJUt^ible young man. R. 
M. Shrrman, Esq., with whom he has last studied, 
has given him letters of recommendation to the civil 
authorilie* of the town." 

In April, 1811, Mr. Bissell wsis married to Sally, 
daughter of Hon. Samuel B. Sherwood. For nearly 
half a century she was to her husband a loving wife, 
a faithful companion, and a sympathizing friend. 
She died Feb. 27, 18.56. 

Mr. Bissell, by unwearied industry and scrupuloUB 
fidelity, rose rapidly in his profession. In 1829 he 




HON. CLAKK BISSELL. 



I 



NOllWALK. 



5a7 



was sent from Norwalk to the Legislature, and at the 
session of that year was elected a judge of the Su- 
preme Court of Errors and Superior Court. He oc- 
cupied this position till IS'.VJ, when he re-igned, the 
salary of our highest judicial oflices heing at that 
time only about one-third of the income of a respec- 
table lawyer, and entirely inadecjuate to tlie supi)ort 
of a growing family. In 1842 and 1S43 he repre- 
sented the Twelfth District in the Senate, and in 1847 
and 1848 ho was successively elected Governor of the 
State. While holding this office he accepted the ap- 
pointment of Kent professor of law in Yale College, 
the duties of which position he continueil to dis- 
charge till ill health and advancing infirmities of age 
compelled him to resign. In 1S.")0 he represented 
Isorwalk in the General Assendily, a controversy con- 
cerning the lower shire-town in Fairfield County, to 
which Xorwalk was a party, and which was not ter- 
minated till 1853, being then i)ending. After his re- 
tirement from the law school, Mr. IJissell remained 
at his homo in Xorwalk, occupying himself mainly 
in reading and association with his children and 
grandchildren, till ho sank peacefully to rest on Tues- 
day, Sejit. lOj 18-37, aged seventy-five years and eight 
days. 

Such is a brief sketch of the life and public services 
of Governor Bissoll. It is not too much to say of him , 
that in every department of duty to which he was 
called his woz'k was well and faithfully done. As 
chief magistrate of this Commonwealth his sound 
judgment, his purity of purpose, his unaflected de- 
meanor, won the confidence and respect of all parties. 
As a member of our highest court of judicature, his 
learning, probity, strict impartiality, and uniform 
courtesy conferred additional histri' upon the dignity 
of the bench. In the Legislature, though he seldom 
mingled in debate, yet the breadtli and solidity of his 
views, his good .sense, his keen wit, — sparingly but, I 
if needful, effectively used, — always placed him in j 
the first rank. As a lawyer he deserved the high rep- 
utation which by common consent was assigned him. 
He was a most efiective advocate before a jury. 
Ready of sjioech, earnest and impressive in manner, 
clear in arrangement, and possessed, withal, of a 
caustic humor, .sometimes playl'ul, but when directed 
against fraud or falsehood often withering, he had j 
but few equals in forensic discussion. His industry 
was untiring. He prepared his arguments with great ; 
assi(Uiity. He never forgot his client in himself. 
Those who secured his services were sure of his every 
honorable effort. And, at the same time, he was 
faithful to justice. He would not knowingly prose- 
cute a fraudulent or unju.st cause. An anecdote illus- 
trating the estimation in which he was held in this 
respect by those who knew him best is this : An em- 
ment lawyer was retiring from [iractice; among his 
clients was one individual a part of whose claim, 
there was reason to suspect, was tinctured with con- 
•scious fraud. He went to his counsel and said, " As ' 



you are going out of i^ractice, what other lawyer 
would you advise mo to employ?" " Well," was the 
reply, " I have generally sent my clients to Judge 
Bissell ; but there is this jiart of your case," and ho 
mentioned the suspicious portion. " If you go to 
Judge Bissell, you hadn't bitirr sai/ aiii/f/iin;; to Iiiiit 
iihoiit flits." 

His duties in the Law Department of Yale College 
were discharged with the same fidelity which charac- 
terized him in all other relations of life. His lectures 
to the senior class were of the highest order of that 
species of intellectual effort. A letter from one of the 
faculty says, "The lecture-; which he delivered to the 
senior class were, in my opinion, the best and most 
thorough ever given in this country. 1 wish they 
might be given to the public." 

It is, however, as a citizen and a man that the mem- 
ory of Governor Bi.ssell is most higlily cherished l)y 
his fellow-townsmen. For half a century he was 
ready with heart and hand in every good work. 
Was there a public improvement renuired? It was 
unneco.s.sary to (ink his assistance; every one counted 
on his assistance as a matter of course. Was aid 
sought for some one in misfortune? It was known 
lieforehand that no meritorious appeal was made to 
him in vain. AVere wise iMiunsels needed in muni- 
cipal affairs ? From no source could they bo obtained 
more surely than from him. And these things were 
rightly ai)iireciated by the i)eople of Xorwalk. The 
gathering multitude, the closed stores, the suspension 
of business, the ilags droo]>ing at half-nuist on tlie ilay 
of his funeral obsequies, testified to the common feel- 
ing of a public loss. 

Governor Bi-sseU's religious character was a matter 
peculiarly between his God and himself. He made 
no parade of piety. For many years a member of the 
Congregational Churcli, he adorned his profession 
with a consistent life and conver.sation. As a man 
he possessed the resjvect of all, the love of many. His 
integrity was unbending. He never sacrificed princi- 
ple to expediency. He had no small arts to win i>op- 
ular iavor, yet his character was full of wininng traits. 
A defective vision, nuiking it difficult to distinguish 
even members of his own family at the distance of a 
few foot, sometimes gave him an air of reserve to those 
who were unaware of the defect, and who would oc- 
casionally moot him without receiving the customary 
token of recognition ; but to those who knew him well 
there was no reserve about him. To the younger 
members of his profession ho was ever a friend, ready 
with counsel and kind words of encouragement. To 
his family ho was all that a husband and father could 
be. In his social intercourse his courteous, unobtru- 
sive manners, his fund of anecdote, his genial humor, 
ma<le him always a very agreeable companion. He 
was especially fond of the society of very young ])or- 
sons, and we liave hoard that in his last sickness, when 
his mind, wa:idering from the scenes around him, 
yielded to the illusions of disease, he fancied he was 



558 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNT r, CONNECTICUT. 



playing with little children and tossing them in his 
arms. His memory is the meniory of the just, and 
his rest is with God. 

Mr. Bissell was the father of six children, — Samuel 
B, S., Edward 0., George A., Mary E. (Mrs. C. C. 
Betts), Charlotte Charity (wife of Hon. O. S. Ferry), 
and Arthur H., who died in infancy. 



CHArXER LV. 

NORWALK (Continued). 

ECCLESIASTICAL. 

First CoiigreRfitionnl Clnirch of Nurwalk— Firet Congregdtionftl Church 
of South Norwalk— The Kpiscopnl Church— Baptist Church— The First 
Methodist Episcopal Churcli— ThoSecoud Methodist Kpiscopol Churcli. 

FIRST C0X(3nEGATI0XAL CHURCII OF NORWALK. 

This church was organized in the year 1652, and 
as a society separate from the town in 172(3. Its his- 
tory prior to the organization of the society will be 
found in the town records elsewhere in this work. 

The following is a copy of the call for organizing 
the society apart from the town.* 

" To Lt. Matthew Scymond, in Norwalk, Greeting, Ac: 

" I'liTHuant to an act of ye Gciicrall Assembly, piwsod in October, 172C, 
entitled an act fordirectii)<;how dociotiu!! shall meet and form themselves 
after other BOfiuties are diawa off from them, 

"In Ilii Jlajentic's name you are hereby reqtiired to warn alt ye 
inliabitanta of ye Prime Ancient Society, in ye township of Norwalk, to 
meet together on ye firat Friday of March next ensuing ye date hereof, 
at eight of yo clock in ye morning, then ami there to act any thing 
proper and lawful for them to act when so met together. 

"Joseph rLArr, 
" Dated at Norwalk, Feb. ye 27, " JuMicc Pi. 

Anuot|no Domini, 172C-TT." 

The society met and made choice of "ye Worship- 
full Joseph riatt, Esq.," as moderator. 

At the same meeting it was voted that measures 
should at once be taken to supply " ye vacancy of our 
]>ulpit : '* 

" Til e society, considering yo awfnll frowns of heaven upon them for 
niontliH pa»tt, and are still obvious, conclude! it their incumbent duty to 
(>ot apart a day for the humbling and aluuing their souls K<forc the Lord 
by fasting and prayer for reilrcss. by tlieir major vote do apiKdut WeU- 
nes^lay, ye l')th of thitt in^tint March, fi»r that Ndcmiiily ; and demro 
Rev. Mr. Davenport, Mr. Cjok, Sir. Siwkelt, Mr. Hauley, and Mr. Stur- 
geon to grant us tholr prcsonco aod osaistanco in carrj'ing on yo work of 
6^ day." 

Mr. Buckingham's rate due last year voted to be 
paid as heretofore, "any act of ye town to ye con- 
trary notwithstanding." 

The following extracts from the society records are 
given as showing the action taken at various times 
upon such subjects lis came up for consideration : 

" Mnn-h Ifl, I72G. Tho ».Klely detornilnett to liave an Association 
Qunnuu, at leuat uf yo ltllnl.<tlerH of this county called, nnd to atuMiciatti 
with UK (in Wedne9«lay ye 22d of thU tuotant, Miuch, to ailvtiM>, direct, 
and guide unln yo weighty affair before us," 

" Marcli 23, 1726. According tn adjournment yo society met. Tlio 
Rcvd Mr. C(»k, Mr. Cbapmafl[Mr. Sackct, & Mr. Ilnuley niMociatvd with 
the iHK-iety. 

* Extrocta from Dr. Edwin llall's Norwalk. 



" Tho Bocfoty, by major roto, desires yo Itovd. Association to give them 
an answer to ye following question, viz., Whether it be proper or expedi- 
ent that tho Kovd Mr. Buckingham be introduced into ye work of ye 
ministry' in tht^ society or not." 

"The Prime Ancient Society in Norwalk moving this Question for 
resolution to us ye subscribers oiuMicialed at their desire in Norwalk, 
Maix'h 23, 1726-27, viz.. Whether, &<•„, — We are of opinion that inasmuch 
as yo Rovd Mr. Buckingham Imth resigned hiH pastoral charge here, con- 
sidering ye distressed circnntstanccs of yc place, and that under the 
countenance of yo lato Council in this place, wiio also have signified 
themselves persuaded that the interest of religion and edtllcation of sonts 
are the great ends of ye GoHpel minii^try, and sorrowfully affected with 
the consideration of thnse ends in this place being greatly olwtructed and 
dituidvantagcd, We are uf opinion Ihut it i» not pro[M.'r or expedient that 
tlie slI Kovd. Mr. Duckinglmm be introduced into yo work of yc min- 
istry in this society, for ye reasons above alleged. 

"S.\ML. CooKE, 

"DA^tlEL ClIATMAX, 

"TnoM,\8 IlAi'Ltr, 
"UiciiAnn SOCKET." 
" There was nominated by some persons in tho meeting, viz., Mr. John 
Curtice of Wetlicrsfield, Mr. Gilbert Tenant in yo Jersey, Mr. Dunbar of 
lU^ton, and 5Ir. Channcey, Jr., of Iladley ; and ye S<K'iety crave of the 
Revd. A(<8ociation their particular direction concerning them, or any 
other that they shall see meet to direct to us as a person to Iw opplyed to, 
with an invitation to a probationary improvement among us in yc min- 
istry." 

"We yc sulwcribers associate at Norwalk, March 23, 172f»-27, being 
applied to by ye Prime Ancient Society in si Norwalk for advice and 
direction* Ac., . . , We are of opinion that as to Mr. Tennant now iu the 
)m]>rovement in ye ministry in the New Jersey, it may not ha so proper 
Ut make appliciition to him for the supply of a vacancy here for tliis 
reason, viz., Ik-canse ye paucity of Gospel lalwjurersin those parts: which 
requires us rather to wish their increase than to take any methods for ye 
decrease of their numbers; CMpecinlly considering our minitttr>' from time 
to time caruestly solicited to 8en<l Gospel labourers unto those parts, 
more than we have been capable of supplying them with ; and do advise 
that this society wonbl soon as may be, endeavor to inform themselves 
whether there may bo a probability of obtaining Mr. Dunbar of Boston ; 
and upon puch a probability attained, to make application to him foryo 
purpose afore sd ; and if there shall not be a protabilUy of ohtaining tho 
sd Mr. Dunbar, we advise that the sjciety make application either to ye 
sai«l Mr. Curtice or Mr. Channcey, as upon consulting the ministers next 
neighbouring either of them, they may be encouraged. 

"Saml. COOKF, 

" D4XL. ClIAPMAN, 

"Thomas II.iilct, 
"RiCHAttD Sackct." 

" May 10, 1727. The Society . . . determines to send a meet iH-njon to 
Bfr. Channcey Jr. of Iladley, as nimn ooneulling ye ministers ncighlwnr- 
iiig to him he nw»y be encouraged ; and In case 3Ir. Channcey cannot bo 
obtained, thon to apply himself to yo sd ministers for advice to some 
other suitable pers<jn to apply to, and tliat he do his utmost endeavor to 
obtain one according to such diroclion, or to act about yo whole accord- 
ing to the iKwt of his discretion, to supply yo vacancy In our pulpit, at 
least for a probationary- Improvement in the ministry among us. 

"... Sir. James Brown to proceed upon yo business as above ox- 
pressed ." 

"June 20, 17-27. The Society by nu^Jor vote agree to give the Rcvd. 
Mr. Moses Dickinson a cull to supply tho vacancy tn our pulpit, 

"... Made choice of Cttpt. Joseph Piatt, Km)., to goto yo Rovd. Gentle- 
man, and endeavor to obtain him pursuant to w^ rote. 

" Made choice of Mr. John Bortlett, Capt. Jowph Piatt, and Mr. Thoji. 
Fitch Junr,to provide for, & to tn-at with y» r* gentleman when ho 
comos." 

"July 10, 1727, Tho Society having hod n?pt»rt made from y» late (■■tii- 
mltlee of y cirrunistances of y Revd. Mr. Moses Dickinson, who buth 
iMM-n with ns ui»»n a prol'ationary improvement, wiih which report tlo'V 
are well satisfied as to the gentleman's circumstance*; and do htt- ly 
give tho s^ Rovd. Gentleman a call to y» work of y mini-trj- amon . 
provided y Revd. Klders now convened in this phu-e pivo their api 
tion thereunto, vole<l in y" afflrmativo 7.'>, Contra 39." 

"The Society detemiiues to move lo the Rev. Klders forareaoh 
H|Kvling tho rlrcumstiuirfs of y Revd. Mr. Dickinson, and whtther trov 
advisv to tho cull olwv s^. 

"There being severall persons of this Society under acniploi respecting 
the relation they stand Id to y* Revd. Mr. Buckingham, that la to say. 



jS'ORWALK. 



r.o 



« lirtlier B'* gentleman lie regularly discbarKed fi-um liis pn^turall rolntiim 
to y Chh. and people of tliis jtlacc ; tlio Smu-ty taking this nuitler into 
(■(MisidLTiitiun, do inovf to y* Revd. Kldt'vs convened, tliat tln-y would 
givi- tlu'ir opinion in the premises, that sueli persons ni;iy ri'ieive satis- 
farliun in that nialter.'" 

'•July 20, 1727. Tlu-Hoii<-ty i.M-.iviiigfr.'m ,v Ilcvd. KIdi-i-sa^^sniiate<],an 
answer tf y foregoing mutter of hrniple, and it was read off as followeth : 
"A Quorum of Fairfield Asaoeiatiun Oeca-sioualy cunvi.uie<l in Nor- 
wallv July 19tli, 17J7. 

" Wln-rea-s it is Signifyed to us from ye records of ye Soi iety that there 
are severall pei-gons of this Soiiety un<ler Scruples respecting the rela- 
tion they stand in to ye Rev-1. Mr. Ituckinghani. Tliat is to s;iy wiietlier 
ye said*-ientleman he llegularly Discliarged fnmi his pastorall Itelatimi 
to ye Church and i.i-ojde of this place ; and tliat .mr opmi >[i in this case 
is desired. 

"la ans\\er wliereunto wc Declare tiiis to he our Opinion that the 
Kevtl. Mr. Buckingham hath been regularly Hisrliarged from his pas- 
toiall Relation to ye Churcli and people of this place ; And olhr upon it 
asf(dloweth; viz. (1) The Condition of this Chun h and j.eople hath been 
for u considerable time greviou^Iy pei|dex'i iV liivided; whereof a very 
gieat i>art have been so distanced in affection Uwm tlieir bate pastor, that 
the Cure v( it after a Considerable time of Tiyall, liath appeared eveti 
to be Dispaired of; Whereas also it appeared to us, that Saveing P^nds of 
yo GoBjiel Ministry here may not generally bo attained, which in ye 
Judgment of late Counsel and in our Opinion is Cause Justifying ye pas- 
ter's Resigning bis pastorall l.tflice, as to ye Kxercise of it in ye place of 
his Improvement ; AVe jirojiose the following Sciijitures to he well Consid- 
ered. Kphe. 4: 11, 12, Our ascended Lord gave ye gifts of y Ministry 
to men for ye Kdilying ye Body of Christ : Wh.-rey-- Kdifying yo ]Sody 
is eNprest-ly Set riuwn jis a main End ol CiojsjKd ^Unistry. Now tlie prin- 
ciple End being Generally ( Histructe I, and that after u Ciuiveiiient Time 
of AVaiting, nniy be well inteipreted as a lall from above to y^ Minister 

that Iiatli been improved, Iliunbly to yield himself to that Christ 

our Lord and ye interest of immoi'tal Souls may increase and tlourish ; 
John 3d. ;iOth. We have also considered James lid, li'.th. Where envying 
and strife is, there Confusion and every evil work. Now this we have 
thought ye Malancliolly Condition of tin's IMace; <Sc have been lleaiiy to 
account the Method of ye Council in their late Doinys accepting ye Revd, 
Geutlenian's Resignation, A supplying the Sanction of their authoiity 
tliereuntt) ti» he a proper and probable Remedy of ye unhappy Jtisteniper 
of this place. (2) The Revd. Rlr. Buckingham, ns we understand, appear- 
ing in tlie late Council, affected with ye Sorrowful state »)f ye place and 
ye itnprobability of his futui-e service here, I»id Seriously. Suleninly, A 
willingly resign his pastorall Relation to ye Cliurch and i)eoide of the 
place ; which wa-s in his power to Do so fur jus ('oncerns an act of his. 
And the s' Resignation being willingly made by him, we apjirehend no 
injury Done him, Because an injury to a willing mind cannot bc! Done. 
"We projiiise John i'.d, iiUtti, he must increase, but I must Decrease. 
Which example of that Great man, than whom a greater was not Born of 
Women, We do understand presidential even to ye ministers of ye Gospel 
in our Times, when this continuing in the exercise the drosjiel ministry 
may be justly thought to interfere witli the flenerall Spiritiiall good of 
Precious Souls. 

" 3. The Resignation ftfye Revd. Mr. Buckingham in ye presence of ye 
society's ciun'tee, before ye council, ye authority wheretif we suppose not 
proper for ye giH>d peojiU* of this place to question, who Inive come into 
our ecclesiastical constitution and accepted our articles of adnunistering 
Cldi. discipline ; yet for ye satisfai tion of any of our people (tf this iilace, 
\^ ■ mention ye fifteenth Chapter of ye Acts; and thence observe, that ye 
• ■ 'uticil at Jerusalem (ye jiattern for Chh. councils iu Gospel times) in tlie 
diUiculties that had arisen, in ye < hurcli of Antioch, itc, did undertak(^ 
t' determine that difference, in authmitative way. Acts lo: 2. 'To 
" iiom we gave no such comnnindmeut.' Xow commandnn-nt i.s a word 
iM-< i-ssarily implying authority — see aUo verse 2.S, ' It seemed good to 
ye Iltdy (;ho.>it A to us to lay no greater burden,' Ac, which expression 
to us implies authcjiity, cai'rjing an obligation in it on ye Chh. and 
I'eoplc that ajiplyd to yp council, see also verse 2t> ; ' Fi'om whicli if ye 
kie[) yourselves ye shall do well ;' whence followeth yt ye Chh., which 
apidied to the council at Jerusalem, if they ditl tiot observe tin- order of 
inuucil, they should not do well, for that ye conclusion of coum il were 
}•■ highest authority, not to be controlleil or disputed. 

"4. The Resignation of ye Revd. Mr. Buckingham being authorized 
by his proper judges, that is to say, y(? council of ye elders & Chhs. of 
lliis county, the bond ot his relation to this societj', as pjistor, is dis- 
s'dved & ceaseth (whereupon It followeth that ye bond of ye relation of 
tliis Chh. and every uiendK'r therwif to ye sd Mr. Buckingham, their late 
pastor, is also dissolved and ceaseth). 



" Unto ye above we only add as ye Rev. Mr. Buckingham liath foim- 
ally<bclaredhim>elf willing to be directed by ye ministeisuf this count) y ; 
now tlien as vve aeci.'unt it on his part a good observance of order, for tlie 
future to forbear the exercise of ye pastoral otlice, to say, preaching and 
administeiing any sacraments in this placr- ; so uls'. ye good A Chris- 
tian people of this ]dace «ill, in our opinion, r-how tlK'inselve.s men of 
order to contribute llieir part to su<h a direction of our ;issoeiation. 

"Our thoughts in ndation to ye m diou of this society to the Revd. Mr. 
Moses Dickinson, we ofier as followeth, vi/.t : 

" That we are all glad of an opportunity now U> signify the great re- 
spect and value we have for ye Kevd. Mr. Moses Dickins'in, and the satis- 
fying prospect «e have of his well answering ye necessities of this <iesti- 
tuto society, and with all cheerfulness assure ye good people thereof, of 
<)ur good approbation of tliis society's having their eyes upon the Revd. 
au'l valuable gentleman for ye work of ye ministry here, whensoever it 
apijeai^s to us that ye condition or proviso of ye Presbytery releasing Iiim 
from a pastoral relation to ye peojde of Maidenhead, Ac., appears abso- 
lutely A in fact to be by judgment of that Presbytery completed. 

" .\ true copy. 

" S,\Ml CT. Cook. 

'*The fioviety by a vote of Ki-hty eight, none appealing in the nega- 
tive, do invite and .all ye Revd. gentleman to ye woi k and lalior of ye 
niinistry ain<-ng them. 

"Agreed and concluded to defray the charge of traiisport.ation of ye 
sd Mr. Dickinson and family, whensoever he may be (ditained to move 
unto us." 

A coiiimittre ii]iiu)iiilr(l i'or this |HiriHisr and to 
provide a lioiisL\ etc. 

"... Appointed ye Worshipfull Joseph I'latt. Kb-i, to attend ye Revd. 
Mr. Dickinson home into ye Jersies, an-l also to endeavour the ohtaining 
fnmi ye Revd. Presi>ytery there, the Revd. Mr. jti. kinsorfs discharge 
from ye ('hli. and pe..ph. at Maidenhead." 

On tin.' sncicty book is recorded at li-n.i^th tlie min- 
utes ()t' the Fairliehl Association, in a nieetin.cr at Wil- 
ton, Auji;. 2i\ 1727, in which they a])prove (tf tiie 
doinixs of the conneil at Norwalk; and, it a|»]tearing 
that Mr. Dickinson was now dismissed hy his I'resUy- 
tery, the association advise the society ol" Nnrwalk to 
repeat their call, whirh Ihey did in fnil I'nnn nn Nov. 
1, 171^7. 

"Jan. Ill, 1727-2.'!, The society grants ten pouuils ti> :\Ir. .lames Brown 
fyr liis service at ye General ('oiirt, iu answering ye memorial against 
the select men, preferred at >'ew Haven in Octolier last to the General 
Court by Mr. Stephen Bnckiuiiham. Also granted 2ns. to Lieut. Samuel 
Comstock, which he paid to Mr. Fowler, lawyer, to assist in ye cause 
above said. 

"May 10, 172S. Made choice of Joseph Piatt, Es<[., to represent the 
inhabitants of ye said society, to answer ye memorial tif :\Ir. Ste|dien 
Buckingham. Made choice of Thonuis Kite h, Esq.. Mr. James Brown, 
and John Copp, comniittei^ to prepare what is needful to be sent to Capt. 
I'latt, who is now at ye said Assembly, by a safe hand, if sindi can be 
obtained, or else to send a man directly from hence to Capt. I'latt. 

" At u meeting of ye Piime ancient Society of ye Town of Norwalk, 
convened May 7, 1729. . . . Made (dudee of Mr. James Brown and Thos. 
Fitch, Ks.].. to apjiear in behalf of the society at the General <V.ui-t. to 
be held at Hartford this present m-uith; there to answer a Petition 
exiiiliited to sd court against the town of Norwalk by the Revd. Mr. 
Stephen Buckingham. 

"The society impoweis Mr. James Brown (that if he finds ye above- 
named Mr. Filch engaged on ye petitioner's side) in emph'V or improve 

I (if he see it needfulj an attorney at Hartford to aid and assist him in ye 

I premises." 

" Dec. 22, 1720. The society, by major vote, determines that a receipt 

I from under the hand of ye Revd. Mr Canor, brought by any of yo Church 
of England in this society (so declaiing the(ns<dves, and intending lus ye 
law* in that ciise menti-nts), for so much paid him as he or they are 

* At a General Assend>ly held in Hartford, May, 1727, it vv;i.s enacted, 
. . . That, "If it so hapi-eu that there be a society of the Church of 
England where there is a person in orders according t-' the Canons of 
the Church of England settled and ald-ling among them, and performing 
divine service, so near to any person that hath de.^ lared himself cd' the 



560 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



dfiscst by tin's society In the mhiister^s rate of said society ; which receipt 
or receipts, so dclive^€^^l to yo collector of tho mtiiii^tcr's nite, Blinll be a 
suflicieut dis^'hurgc to ye faid collector as if gatliured liy sjtid collector 
and paid the said Mr. Cunor, aud thereby obtained hia receipt for tho 

"At a meeting of yo Primo Society* in Jlonvalk with tho Profcesoi-s 
of the Church of England inh.il>it]int8 of said eoeicty, U-;;alIy warned 
and being convened at ye old SL-liool-bouse in said s.iciety, Kob. 2, 1T4G- 
47 . , . Grant a rate of one penny tho pound on all jjoIIs and ratable 
estate of all tho inhabitants within ye limit:} of said Bociety, towards 
completing ye town-house ; said bouse to be improved for school society's 
meetings of ye inbabititnis in said society, as pr grant of ye town at tUeir 
last annual meeting." 

" Dec. 14. 1747. Voted, that Saml. Fitch, Esq., slmll sit in ye pew next 
yo pulpit htaii"8, with the rest of yo authority." 

" Dec. 17, 17r)0. Determine to glaze the mceting-housc with sash-glass 

7 tt 9 inches ... A rommittco appointed to perform the same ; and 

are impowcred to sell and disiwso of yc glass and lead belonging to ye 
windows, in order to purchase glass and other nniterials for yo same." 

*'At a meeting of tho I'rime Ancient Society in Norwalk, assembled 
Dec. 2r», 1754, . . . Tho society by vote manifest their willingness that bis 
Honor the Governor should chooso any place in yemeeting-houso to erect 
a pew for bim-s-elf and family. Ye society send 3 men to treat with his 
Honor in the affair. 

" .\t the same meeting, yo said society granis the head of two fore 
seals in the meeting-house, on yo women's side, to erect n pew for hia 
Honor the Governor to sit in ; which is left to the discretion of David 
Benedict, Doc:t. Uriah Rogers, and Mr. Joseph Piatt, a committco ap- 
pointed to build said pow at yo society's charge." 

*' Dec. 10, 17o5. Tho aocioly by vote desire the Justices to remove and 
sit in tho \tow with their wives." 

At the same meeting the society desire the com- 
mittee appointed to erect the Governor's pew to do 
what tliey shall think proper to adorn the pew where 
the f^rovernor now sits, in lieu of building a pew. 

In February, 1704, the society, with the concurrence 
of Mr. Dickinson, voted to take measures to procure 

Church of England, that ho can convonjontly and doth attend the public 
worsliip there, then the collector, having first indifferently levied tho 
tax as nfortrsaid, shall deliver tho taxes collected of such persons de- 
claring Ihemselves, and attending as aforesaid, unto tho minister of the 
Church of England living near unto such persons; which minister shall 
liave full |>i)wer to roceive and recover tho eanie, in order to his suppoi^ 
in the place luislgncd to him." 

The same act gave power to any society of tho Church of England to 
levy on themsulves greater tuxes at their own discretion for llie support 
of their minister. 

** And tho parishioners of the Church of England, attending as afore- 
said, are hcnrby excused from |>aying any taxes for Ibe building meeting 
houses for the present cstubltsliod churches uf this government." 

The General Assembly held at Hartford, May 8, 1727, enacted "That 
wliero there are such dissenters as are commonly called Qunken), who 
do attend t)io worhhip of God in such way as Is allowed by said act [in 
the 7lli of Queen Anne, a.i>. 1708] within Ihiii colony, or are so situated 
that they may and do attend tlie service out of the limits of this gov- 
cnmient in any such nieeting ufor( said, and shall prtHluce a certificate 
Ttom such a society uf their having joined theiuMdves to them, and that 
they do belong unto their si»ciety, that he or they shall be excused from 
contributing to the support of the establishetl ministr>', and fmm con- 
tributing or paying any tax levied for tho building any meeting-house or 
bouses in the society where they dwell." 

Tho Genorul Assembly held at Now Haven, Oct. 9, 1729, also granted, 
"Tlutt for Che future the Mime privlh'gi* ami exenijillon from the charges 
afuroaiti as wivt granted by this Awenildy In ^lay last unto the |H>opb' 
called Quakers Is lie.eby alloweil unto them [the penpte call<Hl Unptisis] 
umler the like rogulMious, any law, usage, or custom to tho contrary 
nutwithnlanding." 

"At this lime," aays Pn.>f, Kingsley, "there were in Connecticut but 
two or tbreo congregations of Eplwi) pal ions and two of Baptists, all of 
Mbii-b were smalt, and no i-ongMigation uf Quakeni." 

•The m:h<^>ls wore managed l»y the Prime Ancient Society; their 
votes concerning dl^ttrictd, scbo^d-houAoa, &c , at their annual meetings 
t>elng put ou record from time to time. 



a colleague ; provided that means for the support of 
such colleague could be furnished by subscription, 
without laying any burden upon the society as such. 
In March report was made to the society that such 
subscriptions were furnished, 

Mr, Tennent having preached some Sabbaths on 
probation, the society, by vote, unanimously invited 
him to settle a?* cnlleague with Mr. Dickinson, Nov. 
13, 1764. 

" Doc. 17, 1704. Thomas Hiuiford appointed to collect Mr. Learning's 
rate." 

Mr, Tennent wished to retain his connection with 
the Presbytery, which the society, by mutual under- 
standing, allowed, provided Mr. Tennent should 
" unite with us and with the Association in the Ec- 
clesiastical constitution of the colony." The Pres- 
bytery, however, understood it otherwise, and ap- 
pointed a time and a committee of their own for the 
installation, AVhereupon, June 12, 1765, after a suit- 
able preamble, the society voted thus : 

"This society, by a copy from tho minutes of the Presbytery, aro in- 
formed tliat 9Ir. Tennent declared his acceptance of the call of the soci- 
ety, upon condition that ho sbati still cantinuo a member of the synod of 
New York and Philadelphia, and of New Ilrunswick Presbytery ; . . but 
at the same linic pixtfessed his desire and intention to bold communion, 
and bo in connection, wiih the lEevd. aj^sociation aforesaid, as far as is 
consistent with his ciuitinuing in )ii-4 rehttiou to said synod: and that 
thereupon the said Presbytery had presumed that this church and soci- 
ety complied with the condition annexed by Mr. Tennent, to bis accept- 
ance of their call (which was made on very diflerent tonus) ; and accord- 
ingly have assumed to themselves a right to apjioint and did ap)Kiint the 
time of in-tallmcnt, and a committee of their own to u(yi4ial»- therein. 
On couhideration of all which, this society is of opinion, that the annex- 
ing tho condition afores;iid to the acceptance of the call afurc^id, is a pro- 
IK>sal snbversivo of tho foundation on which the agreement and proceed- 
ings of the society wore predicated ; and the proceedings of the Presby- 
tery in consequence thereof is an attempt to draw tho church and soci- 
ety off from tho coustitutiDu in which they uro unite<l, aud to lead Ihcm 
to renounce the relations they stand in, and cstoi-m too sacred to be vio- 
lated : and do also view such ap]>ointment uf the time and jK>iison!*r>r 
installment, as an ini|>08itiiui on the sm'iety ; and Uierofore is t'l I ' 
treatetl with neglect. Therefore, the society do declare, that they can- 
not comply with the aUivesaiil conditions and ai>i><iinlment ; but aro 
obliged to look on Mr. Tennenes annexing such embarrassment to his 
acceptance, tantamount to a denial of tho Invitation made liim,etc.,t't< ." 

In consequence of this the society appointed a 
committee to rent the house and land which tliey had 
])urchascil as a ]>arsonage for the colleague pastor. 
An explanation followed: Mr. Tennent declared that 
he never expected or intended that the society shoulil 
be under the power of the Presbytery ; and signified 
his readiness to accept the call, if this explanation 
should prove satisfactory. Whereupon the society 
voted their approval and desiretl his settlement, add- 
ing, in their v«tte. June IJt, 17rtr), that ** Nevertheless, 
it is expected, that before his installment, a certificate 
be produced from the Revd. Presbytery aforesaiti. »f 
Mr. Tennent's being release*! from them, agreeably to 
the tenor of the above proposals, in order to make 
way for a regular settlement here, and a full union 
with the as.sociati(ni lu-re, on the constitution *»f this 
colony." 

" Dec. IC, 17(15. Nathan Burwull, Jr.. to collect Mr. LoamlngV rate. 
** Doc., 170C. Ebenezcr Church to collect 3Ir. Learning's rate. 



NORWALK. 



5G1 



"Doc. 14, 17G". Gonltl Hoyt cliosou culloctor of 5Ir 
year's rate, likfwi^e for the piet-ent year's rate. 

"Dee. 'iO, 17C.S. Aaa lloyt chosen colk-etor of ye Cluirch of E 
l>lnfessols. 

" Dee, II. i:r,9. (I( 
])rofe,*soIS. 

"Dee. 10, 1770. 

"D.'c. 1.% 1771. 

" Doc. -21, 1772, 



I'r Olmstei] to coll. 'it of tlo^ ri 



Learning's last 

huel 

Hell of Eiislan.l 



.lolin Saunders to collect Jlr. l,eaniin;;'s rate. 
I^Iattliew Keed. collector of 3Ir. Learning's r.ate. 
Mieajah Nash ehusen to collect Mr. Learning's rate 
(afterwards excused and Lsaac Camp chosen in his room). 

"Dec. i:i, 1773. Garner Olmsted chosen colle. tor of tax on ye jirofes- 
8ors of ye t'liurch of England. 

"Dec. H, 1774. Garner Olin.^ted collei tor of ye prolissois of ye 
Church of England. 



"Dec. 11, r 
of England. 
"Dec. 11, 17 

rrofessoi-s. 

"Dee. ¥,17 
professors. 

•■ Dee. 14, 1 



Daniel C'hntch colle 
Saml. White chosen 
Harnahas Merwiiu^ C 



torof ye professors of ye Church 

ollector r.f ye Clinrch of England 

of ye Church ..f Elrglanii 



John .Sannders collector of yii'. Learning's rate." 

Before the next anniuil meeting tlio town w;is bnnit 
by the British, .ind Rev. Mr. Leaniing retired with 
the invach-r.-; to their fleet. 

" Dec. 11, 1700, I'ntto vote, whether the society will repair the meet- 
ing house according to tlie report of those pei^ons desired to view the 
same; that is to say, to put on a new roof, alel new side (ho house, and 
to make new window fianies, so far as should he necessary. Passed in 
the atlirnnitive," 

"Dec. 1,'), 1771. The comnuttee heielof.ire appointed to repair the 
meeting house, aro reijuested to do the sann- in the month of May next, 
etc., , . and then to colour ye sd house." 

"Jan. S, 1772. Wlicrc.as the Itev. Mr. Treat, of New York, applied to 
the committee of this society, desiiing them to c;dl the socii-ty together, 
tlnit he might inform them that a call is presented to the Rev. Jlr. Teti- 
neut in t'harles Town in South Cartdiua, and to ncinntiiit the s iciety 
A\ith the reasinis for the al)plication made to Mi-. Tenia-nt, and also to 
know whether the society will ci>ncur with Mr. Tennent iLi calling a 
council to deh.horate upon the affaits of the call ; and also liii tlier signi- 
Jietl that it was the earnest desire of the Rev'il Mr. Tcnuc-nt that the so- 
ciety sliouhl he conveneil for the luirpose aftuesaid; and wdiereas the 
society being now eimvened in consequence of stl re<piests; and the 
Kevil, Sir. Treat having informed this meeting of the call from sd 
church in Charles Town, t^c. 

"The question was put whether this .society will concur with the 
Revd. Blr. Tennent in calling a council for the purpose aforcsd. The so- 
ciety having taken these matters into consideralion, aiel seriously delib- 
erated upon them, are of opinion, that as there doth not appear any 
cause arising in the society, or any nnitter subsisting between Mr. Ten- 
nent and the societ.v that makes it necessary or exjiedient for the society 
to desire a council, Therefore the suciety Resolve the alK>ve question in 
the negative." 

".Ian. 14, 1772. Whereas the Consociation of the We,-lrrn Di,strict of 
Fairfield County, now met in this society to consider and deterndno a 
case of no less imlKirtance than the expediency of the Rev. Jlr. Tennent's 
dismission from the pastoral relation to this church and sociirty, in con- 
sequence of a call, etc. . . . have notified this society of sd meeting, so 
that they nniy have an opportunity In be heard if they have anything to 
offer in the ca.se. . . . Voted and agreed by this society that the reasons 

offered for Mr. Tennent's dismission are altogether insnfticient, etc 

and that they are entirely against Mr. Tennent's being dismissed, and tlo 
not consent to the sd Sir. Tennent's dismission from us; and that a copy 
of this vote be presenteil to sd ccinncil speedily, to signify our niiinls in 
yc aforesaid case." 

"Jan. 22, 1772. [The society consideiing at length the rc;u<ons offered 
by the Consociation ; and] Having seriously weighed the several nndters 
and proceedings with the etfocts and eini.se<|nenees which may probably 
follow a non-compliance, are of (tpinion that considering the same, and 
the steps taken to effect it, has remiered Mr. Tennent's usefulness in this 
society much Ie!,s than it otherwise might have been, if not altogether at 
an enil, Therefore, in c<uuplianc(> with his earnest request, and in defer- 
ence to the opinion ami advice of tlie venerable Coninril, etc., . . . do sig- 
nify that if ho desires the council to bo convened, or shall convene the 
Bumo for their approbation thereof, or for his discharge from any other 
r<dation uv connexions, this socii-ty has m^thiiig to object." 



In October, ITTS. Mr. Ci)tton was empbived to 
preach till tlie next annim! iiieetino', and on I>i'e. Ill, 
177M, "the eiiiiiinittre ai>iMiinte<l t<i lonk cmt lor an- 
otlier minister to preaeh on probation are ilesired to 
return the society's tlianks to Mr. Cotton for his gootl 
service here, and to pay him honorably tor the same." 

Dec. G, 177(1, Mr. Kittlctass was |ireachino; here. 
May 11, 177S, tlie society voted to invite Mr, Feiiii 
to preach ; in December, 177-'^, to invite Mr. Ivobin- 
son. -\pril, 17X0, the committee were directed to hire 
Mr. Moiirdock; Aug. 27, 17S2, to invite Jlr, TiiUar; 
Dec. 9, 1782, voted that Mr. Tullar shall be invited 
to settle here as a minister in this society; but Dec. 
2(), 17S2, this vote w;i< reconsidered and nuelc void, 
"by rea.son there were but few people at the former 
meeting." 

Sept. T), 178;}, desired the committee to invite Mr. 
William Lockwooil to preach in the society. June 
17, 1784, Mr. 8]>alding had been emidoyed, and was 
desired to iireach two or three months longer. Dec. 
I'i, 1784, the committee were directed to invite Jlr. 
Sherman to preach on prr)bation. 

Second Tuesday in October, 178"), the society called 
Rev. Jlr. Burnet to be their mini.-iter, to be installed 
" on the second day of November next." 

MTNISTEHS. 

Thomas Ilanford began to preach in l(;.'i2; or- 
dained in l()r)4, and died in IGli;!, after laboring in the 
ministry here forty-one years. 

Stephen Buckingham was ordained Nov. 17, 1(J'.I7 ; 
resigned Feb. 24, 1727, having labored in the minis- 
try here about thirty years. 

Moses Dickinson was installed in 1727, anil died 
May 1, 1778, in the eighty-third year of his age, 
having been pastor nearly fifty-one years. 

William Tennent was installed collea.irue jiastor 
with Mr. Dickinson in 1765. Having been called to 
Charleston, S. C., he was dismissed in 1772, after a 
ministry of seven years. 

JIattiiias Burnet, D.D., was installed Nov. 2, 1785, 
antl died ,lunc .'JO, 180(1, in the twenty-first year of his 
ministry in this church, and in the fifty-eighth year 
of his age. 

Roswell R. Swan was ordtiined Jan. 14, 1807, antl 
died March 22, 181 i), in the thirteontit yt;ar of his 
ministry, anil the forty-first year of his age. 

Sylvester Eaton was ord.-iined Oct. 4, 182(», atid <lis- 
mi.ssed Feb. 28, 1827, in the seventh year of his min- 
istry. 

Henry Benedict was installed Aug. 13, 1828, and 
dismissed Feb. 22, 18:52, in the fourth year tif his 
ministry. 

Ivlwin Hall, D.D.,was installed June 14, 1832, ami 
altera ministry of twenty-three years was tli.smissed 
April 24, 1855, to accept the professorship of sy.stem- 
atic theology in the seminary at Auburn, N. Y. 

William B. Weed was instalh'd June 27, 18.55, and 
died Dec. lo, ]8(;(l, in the sixth year of his ministry. 



562 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Joseph Aiulerson w;ls installeil April 3, 1861, and 
dismissed Oct. 12, 18G4, in tliu fourth year of his 
ministry. 

Thomas S. Chikls, D.D., was installed Feb. 6, 1866. 

Kev. Mr. Dunham. Rev. John A. Hamilton, in- 
stalled April 8, 1874 ; present pastor. 

FIKST CONGREGATIOXAL CIIUKCir, SOIITII NOR- 
WALK. 

This church was organized Jan. 3, 1836, by Rev. 
Edwin Hall, with the following members: John Ron- 
ton, Daniel K. Nash, James Warner, lietsey Bouton, 
Sally Nash, David Low, Mary Low, K. CWliceler, 
Sarali B. 'Wheelor, David Swords, Hannah Swords, 
Stephen U. Ferris, Raymond Benedict, Nancy Bene- 
dict, Ruth H. Bouton, Ann Raymond, Arnot A. 
Nash, Deborah C. Nash, Jacob Nash, Anna Nash, 
Esther Benedict, .Vnn Downs, Thomas Guyer, Han- 
nah (iuyer, Maria Warner, Mary C. Warner, Ja^sper 
W. Smith, Jane C. Smith, Sally Hawloy, Hannah 
Rockwell, Harriet B. Benedict, William H. Benedict, 
James Quintard, Sally Quintard, Margaret Quintard, 
Sally Seymour, Sarah E. White, Mary A. (Juintard, 
Esther M. Bouton, Samuel G.Warren, Almirah Bou- 
ton, Sarah Bcmton, Eliza Knapji, 8u-ian Warren, Sam- 
uel F. Richards, Betsey Bouton, Mary White, Mary 
Guyer, JLiry Guyer (Benedict), Sally Raymond, Mary 
Brown, Polly AVood, Ira Seymour, x\.sa Benedict, 
Ruth Benedict, Dinah Smith, George Benedict, Sarah 
J. Benedict, Amaryllis Tliayer, Nancy Hoyt, Lydia 
Smitli, Julia Ann Benedict, Stephen S. Comstock, 
Lydia Warren. 

Tile first deacons were .John Bouton, Daniel K. 
Nash, and Stephen G. Ferris. The churcli edifice 
was erected in 1835. The following is a list of the 
pastors: Rev. James Knox, April, 1836, to April, 
1839; Rev. John B. Shaw, 1839 to 1841; Rev. Fran- 
cis B. Woodworth, February, 1842, to February, 1844; 
Rev. Z. K. Hawley, April, 1844, to May. 1848; Rev. 
S. Ilaight, July, 1848, to September, 18.3I ; Rev. D. 
A. Austin, October, 1851, to February, 1866; Rev. H. 
N. Dunning, February, 1866, present incumbent. 

The present officers are Stejihen G. Ferris, (Jeorgc 
Benedict, Clarence N.xsh, Edward Beard, Nelson 
Dickerman, and Marshall Tollcs. The church has a 
membership of about four hundred and forty-six. 

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
The Episcopal Church of St. Paul's Parish was in- 
corporated in 1737, and a small building erected, which 
was afterwards converted into a parsonage, and a 
larger one, fifty-five by forty feet, erected in 1743. In 
1779 this was burnt, together with the town of Nor- 
walk, by Gen. Tryon ; but in 1780, when the people 
had been inipoverishe<l and scattered by this disaster 
and the removal of their p:ist!)r, the parish erected a 
temporary church edifice, and in 1785 rebuilt upon 
the former foundation. JThe building was consecrated 
by Bishop Seabury. In 1840 the society unanimously 
resolved to build the edifice now erected, seventy-seven 



by fifty-five feet ; tower projecting nine feet ; vestry in 
the rear, nine feet ; height of the steeple, one hundred 
and fifty feet. 

The following is a list of the clergy who have 
officiated in this parish since its incorporation : 1737, 
Rev. Henry Caner, a missionary of the Society for the 
Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts; 1738, 
Rev. Richard Caner; 1749, Rev. John Ogilvie ; 1751, 
Rev. John Fowie ; 1756, Rev. Dr. Dibble, of Stamford ; 
1758, Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Leaming, who wius removed 
by Gen. Tryon in 1779; 1780, Rev. Dr. Dibble, of 
Stamford; 1784, Rev. John ISowden, D.D. ; 1789, 
Rev. Mr. Foot; 1790, Rev. George Ogilvie; 1797, 
Rev. AVilliam Smith, D.D. ; 1800, Rev. Henry Whit- 
lock; 1811, Rev. Bethel Judd; 1813, Rev. Mr. John- 
son; 1814, Rev. Bethel Judd; 1816, Rev. Reuben 
Sherwood ; 1830, Rev. Mr. Atwater; 1830, Rev. Jack- 
son Ivemper, D.D. ; 1835, Rev. James C. Richmond ; 
1836, Rev. William Cooper Mead, D.D. The present 
pastor is Rev. C. M. Selleck. 

THE NOKWAI.K BAPTIST CHURCH. 

This church was organized .\ug. 31, 1837, in the First 
Congregational church, the council being comi)osed 
of delegates from the churches in Weston, Danbury, 
Stamford, Stratfield, and Redding. The first officers 
of the church were: Deacons, Noah Weed, Andrew 
Turney; Clerk, Alonzo C. Arnold. The first pastor 
was Rev. William H. Card. The constituent mem- 
bers were Noah Weed, William Wakeman, Andrew 
Turney, Josiah Raymond, Jr., Alonzo C. Arnold, 
Mrs. Abby Fitch, Mrs. Betsey Gaylor, Mrs. Eliza 
Mills, Mrs. Sarah Stephens, Mrs. Catharine Fitch, 
Mrs. Charity Smallhorn, Mrs. Mary Knapp, Miss 
Emily Knajip, Miss Haniiali Knapp, Miss .Iiilia 
Burchard. 

The church edifice was commenced in the spring of 
1839, and dedicated March 11, 1840. 

Name and term of service of each pastor : 1838-39, 
Rev. William H. Card; 1840-47, Rev. James J. 
Woolsey; 1847-50, Rev. J. Chaplin; 1850-51, Rev. 
N. Boughton ; lS51-.-)3, Rev. J. J. Woolsey; 1853^56, 
Rev. William C. Ulyat; 1856-59, Rev. L. D. Gowen ; 
1859-Cl, Rev. George W. Liisher; 1861-73, Rev. (i. 
W. Gates ; 1873, Rev. E. D. Bcntley. 

The present officers are : Pastor, Rev. E. D. Bentley ; 
Deacons, A. Ambler, D. M. Fillow, C. P. Turney, R. 
.\. Fillow, and S. Arlington; Clerk, .1. L. .Vndiler; 
Treasurer, R. A. Fillow ; Prudential Committee, 
pastor, deacons, and clerk. The number of present 
members is two hundred and fifty-four. 

The church was originally composed in part of 
members of the Milton Baptist Church, wiiich dis- 
banded at the time this church was organizeil. It 
worshiped for a time in the academy, then stainling 
ou the green, afterwards in the town-house, until 
their church edifice was dedicated, in 1840. The 
pastorates of Revs. Woolsey, Gowen, and Gates were 
those in which the church made the most progress. 



i 



NORWALK. 



563 



111 18"(! the i-liurch l>uililin;i \v:\s nitiivly n'liiivuted 
and reiuoik'leil inside, and refuniislu-d, tlic repairs 
eostinir about limrtet'ii tlioiisand dollars. The Hun- 
day-sehool has a menihership of two hundred and 
twenty-five, and has been fifteen years under the 
suiieriiitendeney of ,7. L. Anilder. 

FIRST JIETIIUDIST El'ISClirAL CHUUCII, SOUTH 
NOR WALK. 

The lirst Methodist sermon was preachr-d in this 
placr in 17S7 by a yoiiiiir minister nanieil Cornelius 
Coidc, but Alethodism was f(irmally introdueed into 
Norwalk — as, indeed, in New England — by Jesse 
Lee. Stevens, in his " History of Methodism," says, 
"On the 17th June, 17S'J, Jesse Lee preaehe<l his 
tirst sermon in New Enijland at Norwalk, ('oiin." 
He was denied the use of either house or barn for 
this purpose; so, taking his stand on the public high- 
way, under an apple-tree and surrounded by aliout 
twenty hearers, he says, "I preaelied on .lohn iii. 7: 
'Ye must be born again.' " Li his diary he wrote, 
"After preaehing I told the people that I intended 
lieing with them again in two weeks. Who knows 
but I shall yet have a plaee in tliis town wliere I may 
lay my head ?"' 

The organization of a ehun-h oi-enrn-d in 17'.M), and 
the serviees were held in the olil reij sehool-house 
that stood on the site now oeeujiied by the store of 
Nash Brothers. Here a remarkable revival oeenrred 
in ISlii. In this year the society felt strong enough to 
en'ct its tirst house of worshi]>, on the site of the 
jiresent church. Tliis l)uilding remaineil until bS4o, 
when a new one was substituted for it, capalde of 
holding about four hundred and lifty persons, and in 
1S.3(3 was enlarged, and is the one now occuiiied by 
the society. 

One name stands conspicuous among the early mem- 
bers of the cliiirch, — viz., that of .\bsalom Day, a man 
of unusual ability. Dt'Voted to all the interests of tlie 
church, he served it with great fidelity and success. 
Gideon Wilcox was also a prominent member and 
officer of the church in its early days, and gave to it 
three sons, — Noah, William, and iMatthew, — who each 
served the church faithfully and well. 

Norwalk continued as a part of a cinuit, served by 
two or iiKiiv itinerant ministers, each preucliing in 
regular turn, until 18.'i4. Among these were Elijah 
Hebbard, Abram S. Francis, and others. The pastors 
that have served the church since it became a station 
are as follows: LS.'U, Luther Mead; l.S3r)-3(;, Davis 
Stocking; 18;i7-3.S, Josiah L. Dickcrson ; IS;)!), Cyrus 
Fos.s; 1840, William Thatcher; 1841, Oad N. Smith; 
1842, L. C. Cheney; 1848-44, Harvey Husted ; 1845- 
46, William C. Iloyt; 1847, Jacob Shaw; 1848-19, 
Buel Goodsell; 18.'>0-.')1, S. W. King; 1802-58, Mor- 
ris Hill; 1854, L. A. Nickerson ; 185,5-5(), F. Bot- 
tonie; 18.57, George C. ('revy; 18.58-5!), Hart F. Pease; 
18(50-61, J. J. Woolley ; 1862-63, Albert Nash ; 1864- 
65, L. P. Perry; 1866-68, W. H. Siinonsou ; 1869-71, 



D. A. (ioodsell; 1872-78, W. H. Thomas; 1874, F. P. 
Tower; 1875-77, \\'. H. Simouson (second term); 
1878, W. H. Boole; bs79-8<), J. V. Saunders, the 
present pastor. 

Among the niembershij> who have taken a deep 
interest in and rendered substantial aid to the church 
was the late ,Mr. Ebenezer Hill, who long and faith- 
fully ministered to the temjioral and spiritual welfare 
of the churcli until called to his !iea\enly reward, in 
the year 1875. 

The present ollicers of the church arc: Trustees, 
Ebenezer Hill, Willi:im H. Duncan, Burr Nash, C. F. 
Hallock, .1. P. Trelliiir, Charles Smith, Dr. IVIossinan, 
Seth Ivemington, James Golden; Stewards, C. H. 
Wheeler, Henry I. Smith, James A. Brown, .lohn B. 
Wheeler, .1. S. Dunning, L. P. Foote, Franklin A. 
Smith, ('harles E. Seymour, ,T(dni W. Powell; Class- 
leader, William S. Bailey. The ])resent membership 
is three hundred and fifty. 

There is connected with the church a flourishing 
Sunday-school, of which Thomas [. Itaymond is the 
superintendent. It has fifty-one officers and teachers, 
two hundred and eighty scholars, and four hundred 
and twenty-five books in its library. 

Since the organization of the church three others 
have been formed from it, — viz., the Second Meth- 
odist Episi'Ojial ( 'hnrch, at N'cjrwalk, the Third Jlefh- 
odist Ejiiscopal Church, at Kowayton,and the Fourth 
Methodist Episcopal (_'luircli, at East Norwalk, each 
of whiidi, like the parent church, is in a flourish- 
ing condition. Thus, if ninety-three years ago Meth- 
odism was planted in Norwalk by the hand and heart 
of Jesse Lee, every door barred against him, and 
only the highway to receive him, it has grown an<l 
flourished until now it has four churches, over oiu; 
thousand meinbers, and an eipial unniber of Sniiday- 
school children. The prophecy of the old pioneer 
of Methodism has been fnltilled when almost a cen- 
tury ago he wrote, " Who knows bill F m:iy yet have 
a place in this town where I may lay my head?" for, 
were his return to earth a possible event, lie would 
see that hi' had not laliored in vain. 

SEfiiXli .MI5T1I0DIST El'ISCOPAL CHURCn.-> 
Althongh the congregation had met as an organiza- 
tion for .some time previous to ]8(i], with Dr. Asa Hill, 
local elder, as preacher, it appeared for the first time 
on the minutes for that year, when the first Confcr- 
' ence preacher was sent to them. No more delinite 
history of the organization or of the first officers ap- 
pears on record, nor :iny account of the number of 
members. 

The (diurch building was erected in 1860, and dedi- 
cated Dccemlier 6th of that year by Bishop Janes. 
The pastors have lieeii : 1861-62, Nathaiiiid Mead; 
1863-65, Samuel H. Smith; 1866-68, John S. Breck- 
enridge ; 1869-72, I. Simmons ; 1873, John Pegg, Jr. ; 

* d.ntiiljutcil by n. W. Muples. 



5(J4 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



1874-76, Robert H. Jones; 1877-78, C. S. Williams; 
187!) to (lute, C. 8. Wing. 

The above is all the information given by the 
meagre and miserably-kept churcli records. From 
other sources I have gathered the following: 

Among the first members were ,\ugusta Ambler, 
Eli/.a .1. Ambler, Gerardiis P. .\clams, Sarah L. .Vdams, 
William 8. Atlierton, Mariette .Vtlierton, Joliii Aus- 
tin, Samuel K. Bunting, Margaret Bunting, George 
T. Brady, Susan Brady, Theodore Brush, Oebelia 
Brusii, David Bctts, Jonathan Bett«, Ann E. Bett.s, 
Addison Brown, Cordelia Brown, Oscar S. Brown, 
Clarissa M. Brown, Elizabeth Brothcrton, Cynthia E. 
Beers, Rel)ecea .\. Beers, Sherman Cole, Susan Cole, 
Eliza Cole, Mary A. Crowe, Eliza J. Chinery, Amanda 
Cook, Zilla A. Denney, George W. Downs, Daniel 
Fitch, Sarah E. Fitch, Rebecca Fitch, Edwin W. 
Fitch, Elmira Fitch, Ann E. Fitch, Susan Finney, 
Bradk'y Gilbert, Hannali Gilbert, Horace S. (Jibbs, 
Asa Hill, Susiin Hill, Zalmon Hoyt, Emily Hoyt, 
Garrett Haulenbeek, Catherine Hauleid)eck, Edgar 
Jennings, Mary Jennings, Jemima Kellogg, Albert 
Jlorehouse, Laura B. Morehouse, Louise Morehouse, 
Sarali E. Mosier, lOlizabeth Murray, Leah Murray, 
Caroline Murray, Silas B. Meeker, Rosina A. Meeker, 
Elizabeth Merrill, Mary E. Xa.sh, David W. Nash, 
Eliza A. Nash, George Nash, Betsey I'latt, I'latt Price, 
YMza A. Price, Joseph B. Seribner, Harriet Scribner, 
Mary F. Selleck, Phn>be A. Selleck, Lucretia Smith, 
I^sther A. Westerfield, William B. Warren, and Sarah 
A. Warren. The present membership is five hundred 
and thirteen. 

There is also a flourishing Roman Catholic Church, 
but we have been unable to obtain any material for 
its history. 

MILITAKY UECORD. 

Tllinn KEGIMENT. 

Comjjany A. 

Douglass Fowler, C[>|>tiuii ; com. Moy 14, isni ; iliscli. Aug. 12, 1801. 

Gilljcrt Bogtiit, flret lioutcnnut ; com. Miiy 14, 1801 ; dlscli. Aug. 12, 1861. 

Stoplicii D. Uyxbee, secoml lieutenant; com. Slay 14, 1801 ; discli. Aug. 

12,1801. 
Jameti I,. Itutscll, cnl. May 14, 1801 ; discli. Aug. 12, 1801. 
JuliTi W. Craw. enl. Mjiy 14, 1801 ; discli. Aug. 12, 1801. 
W«in n. Smitli, enl. May 14, 1801 ; dish. Aug. 12, 1801. 
WatiKUi Olnintn'l, enl. May 14, 1801 ; discli. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Jtdiii Wlittenian, enl. Sliiy 14, 1801 ; dinjli. .\iig. 12, 1801. 
Tli.Jiinw S. WiK^.i, enl. Jliiy 14, 1801 ; dl^cll. Aug, 12, 1801. 
Theralorc L. .Smilli, enl. May 14, 1801 ; iliscli. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Itufus Bullery, enl. Stay 14, 1801 ; discli. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Aiken, JuiU'lih, enl. May 14, 1801 ; discli. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Allen, Fniin K enl. May 14, 1801 ; discli. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Ayers, Aliiion I!., enl. May 14, 1801 ; discli. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Baker, Henry, enl. May 14, 1801 ; discli. Aug. 12, 1SG1. 
Bialiop, Jiiculi, enl, .May 14, 1801 ; di«li, Aug, 12, 1801. 
Itirdrall, CliarlcB, enl. May 14, 1801 ; Mxh. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Ili»lu.|., llirnm II., enl. May 14, 1801 ; di«.li. Aug, 12, 1801. 
Beers, William W., enl. May 14. 1801 ; di,«ili. Aug, 12, 1801. 
Benger, William, oiil. Jlay 14, 1801 ; diseli. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Berry, Joliii. enl. May 14, 1801 ; diwli. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Beers, Cliailes, enl May 14, 1801 ; discli, Aug. 12, 1801. 
ttitlsford, George, enl. May M, 18«1 ; discli. Aug. 12, 1801. 
lViiil.>n, William, enl. May 14, 1801 ; di«<li. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Bulkley, David, onl. May 14, 1801 ; discli. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Cleadonen, Andrew J., enl. Mit)' U, 1801 ; discli. Aug. 12, 18C1. 



Cometock, Zalmon M., cnl. May 14, 1801 ; discli. Ang. 12, 1801. 
Crowe, Joliii M., enl. May 14, 1801 ; discli. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Dixon, Samuel, enl. May 14, 1601 ; discli. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Engcl, Philip, enl. May 14, 1801 ; distil. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Fairweather, George N,, eiil. May 14, 1801 ; discli. Aug, 12, 1801. 
Frodcricks, Jacob, onl. Slay 14, 1801 ; discli. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Frey, Charles O., cnl. Jlay 14, 1801 ; discli. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Fitzsimmons, Philip, enl. Slay 14,1801; discli. Aug. 12, 1801. 
(iray, William H,, enl. Slay 14, 1801 ; discli. Aug, 12, 1801. 
Guthrie, Sidney, enl. Slay 14, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Griffltli, Raymond, enl. Jlay 14, ISGl ; diadi. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Ileiidricksou, .\braui, cnl. Slay 14, 1841 ; discli. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Hill, Charles, enl. Slay 14, 1801 ; discli. Aug. 12, 1801. 
IIoichkiB.1, Woosler, enl. Slay 14, 1801 ; disch. Aug, 12, 1801. 
Hodges, Stephen, enl. May 14, 1801 ; discli, Aug, 12, 1861. 
Hard, William II,, enl. Slay 14, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 12, 18G1. 
Hyatt, Heiiiy E., cnl. Slay 14, ISOl ; discli. Aug. 12, 1801. 
JohliBon, Thomas, Jr., enl. Slay 14, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Kirk, Nathaniel S., cnl. Slay 14, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Laillg, Charles, enl. Slay 14, 1801 ; disch. Aug, 12, 1801. 
Laniboit, John, cnl. Slay 14, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Lyons, Slelancth S,, enl. Slay 14, ISCl ; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Slanii, John W,, cnl. Slay 14, 18C1 ; discli, Aug. 12, 1801. 
Blaconlcss, George \V., enl. Slay 14, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Slagec, SVilliam. enl. Slay 14, 1801 ; disch. .\ug. 12, 1801. 
Mead, John D., enl. Slay 14, 1801 ; di<cli. Aug, 12, 1801. 
SIcrwin, Francis E,, enl. Slay 14, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Sloiehnuse, Albert, cnl. Stay 14, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Kelson, Newton B, onl. Jlay 14, 1801 ; dilch. Aug. 12, ISOl. 
O'Coner, James, Jr,, enl. Slay 14, 1801 ; discli. Aug. 12, 1801. 
O'Concr, James, cnl. Slay 14, ISOl ; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
O'Coner, David F., cnl. Slay 14, 1801 ; diseli. Aug. 12, 18CI. 
Olmsted, George F,, enl. Slay 14, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Pelhani, Jlarcus L,, enl. May 14, 1801 ; disch, Aug. 12, 1801. 
Piatt, Oliver, enl. Slay 14, 1,801 ; disch. Aug, 12, 1.S01. 
Boss, Alanson, enl. Slay 14, 1801 ; di.sch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Seymour, George W,, cnl. Slay 14, 1801; disch. Aug, 12, 1861. 
Soarles, Stephcuson, cnl. Slay 14, 1801; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Sliannon, Edward, enl. Slay 14, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Shaw, George W., enl. Slay 14, 1801 ; disch. Aug 12, 1801. 
Smith, John, onl. Slay 14. 1801 ; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Smith, George W., enl. Slay 14, 1801; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Smith, Francis, enl. Slay 14, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
St, John, Oscar, enl. Slay 14, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Sweetser, Eilmond, enl. May 14, 1801 ; disfh. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Taylor, Alexander H , enl. Slay 14, 1861 ; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Tilden, Albert, enl. Slay 14, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 12, 1861. 
Tucker, George, cnl. Slay 14, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 

FIKST KEGIJIENT CAVALRY. 

Frederick Starrero, must. Doc, 30, 1803. 

John Sliillignn, must. Nov. 2i, 1801. 

John O'Neil, must. Dec. 23, 1863. 

George F. Daskam, must. Aug. 8, 1862; must, out Aug. 9, 1865. 

FIRST ARTILLERY. 
Company B. 

Jolin Karrell, i Oct. 21, 1804; must, out Sept, 25, 186.'.. 

Thomas Flood, must. Oct. 21, 1804; must, out Sej.L 2j, 180.".. 
Kdwar.1 Hall, must. Oct. 1.',. 1804 ; must, out Sept. i".. 180.'.. 
William Hyland, must, Oct. 21, 1804 ; must, out Sept. i'., 186,'., 
Charles .Slorrcll, must, Oct. 31, 1804 ; must, out Sept. 2.'., 1805. 
John Shochuu, must. Nov. 10, 1864; must, out Sept. 25, 1805. 

OunjHTHir ^. 
Ueury J. Miller, must. Oct 14, 1S04; must, out Sept. 25, I8G3. 

0>mpanti L. 
Jacob Alllngtun, roust. Doc. 14, 18G3; must, out Sept. 25, 18C>. 
John Burns, must. Oil. 20, 1801 ; disch. Jan. 0. 186.'.. 
James Cullen, must, Nov. 2. 1804; disch. Jan. 0, 180.".. 
Patrick McFarland, must Oct. 25, 1804; disch. J»n. 0, 1865. 
Charlc* B. Vandenburg, must. Oct. 29, 1804 ; disch. Jan. 0, 1805. 

SEl-OND ARTILLERY. 
Oompamii L. 
John Btiyce, must. Feb. 8, 1864 ; diM^h. Aug. 18, 1805. 
Iticlmnl Cruwr.ird, must. Feb. 8, 18H. 



NORWALK. 



5G5 



Jc.lin Clark, must. Fob. 8, 18C-J. 
J.pliii Diivi.lsoli, must. Feb. S, lSf,4. 
Tliciliuis Daley, must. Feb. I!, 1SC4. 
.Tubu Euinifisou, tiuist. Feb. 4, 1S04. 
Gfcu-gi- Fiss, must. Fub. 4, 18C4. 
C'liark-s Hart. must. Feb. 8, 1804. 
Thomas Mac-k, must. Feb. 10, lurA. 
Patrick HagcH, must. Feb. Ul, 18(14. 
JaiUfS WilsiMi (2il), must. Fvh. II, ISM. 
A. li. .\lliiu, must. Jan. 2.% I8C4. 
\Villiaui D. Floial, luust. Fob. S, lsfi4. 
JulMi K. Williams, must. Due. 20, 1S04. 

FIFTH REGIMENT CONNECTICl'T VOLUNTEEIW. 
Orris S. Ferry, colonel ; coiu. .Tuly 2^1, 1801 ; \>\ik to biigadiei-yeneral. 
Geurfic Lasher, chaplaiu ; com. July 2:1, l.^l'.l ; res. liec. 11, IStJl. 

SIXTH REOIMEXT. 

CotJijuniij C. 
Henry :Meyer, must. Oct. .5, 1SG3. 
Frank Salbuch, must. Oct. '.I, I8G3. 

.*EVK.ST11 REGIMENT. 
Coinpiiiiif D. 
Thomas Ilortou, seconil lieutenant; com. !sei>t. 

14, I,S02. 
Edward Ayres, nuist. Sept. .">. 1801 ; nnist. out July 2l>. IM',.'). 
Jnlin T. Byxbee, must. Sept. o, 18(il ; died Sept. 1. lsi.2. 
John IloMgbtiUi, nnist. Sept. 5, 1801 ; disch. for disabilily. 
William Fagei], must. Sept. 6, 1801. 

William Hully, nuist. Sept. 5, 1801 ; disch. for disability Jan. ."i, ISO 
Samuel K. Lyons, must. Sept. .i, 1801 ; must. (Uil July 211, 1805. 
John F. Jlorris, must. Pec. 22, 1802; must, out July 2n, lso,">. 
George W. Kaymond, must. Sept. 10, 1802; must, out July 20. 180.*. 
<'harles S. Scott, must. Sept. 5, 1802 ; must, out .luly 20, 180.'".. 
Oscar Smith, must. Sei>t. 5, 18G2 ; killed June 17, 1804. 
Albert Van T.issell, mu.st. S.-pt. .5, 1802; d.sch. May 7, bSO.'.. 
Charles II. 'Weed, must. S.'pt. o, 1,80.2; umst- out June I'.i, ISO.".. 
John A. Ames, must. Feb. ;i, 1804; wounded June 17. 1804; inu; 

July 20, 1805. 
Sanmel W. Waterbury, must. Jan. 29, 1804; wouinled Jan. I'.i, 

must, out May 22, 1800. 



ISOl ; killed Juno 



Peter L. Cuhninghani 

2:i, 1801. 
Joseph J. W 



EIi;IlTlI REGI.MEXT. 
lieutenant^olontd ; com. 



Oct 



ley, chaplain ; com. Oct. ." 



1801 ; res. Dec. 
JIarch l:!, 1802. 



1801 ; r 
Conqtttinj 11. 
Douglass Fowler, captain; com. Sept. 2:1, 1801 ; r,.s. Jan. 20, ISO:). 
James L. Russell, first lieutenant ; com. Sei.t. 2:i, 180.1 ; pro. to captain, 

Co. G; res. Jan. 3, ISOIi. 
Thom.is S. Weep, second lieutenant; com. Sept. 2o, 1801; j.ro. to first 

lieutenant; must, out Oct. 24, 1804. 
J. T. Crosby, i.ro. to second lieutenant; res. .\ug. 27, 1802. 
George II. Tucker, must. Sept. 2.1, ISGl ; must, out Dec. 12, 18C,'i. 
Charles G. Fry, enl. Sept. 2:1, 1801 ; must, out Dee. 12, 1805. 
John W. Wliitman, enl. Sept. 2i, ISGl ; must, out Dec. 12, ISCJ. 
M. S. Lyon, enl. Sept. 2:!, 18G1 ; died Malcli 4, 1804. 
Oliver B. IMatt, enl. Sept. 2.1, 1801. 
Anthony R. Caulield, enl. Sept. 21, ISGl ; pro. second lieutenant Co. F; 

wouniled ; res. July ::o, 1804. 
J'.hn B. Houghb.n, iiil. S.-pt. 2:'., 1801; tians. to Inv. Corps, April I, 

1804. 
William A. Sanunins, enl. Sept. 10, 1801; dis.li. for disability, Jan. 2, 

1802. 
Edgar Allington, enl. Sept. 2:i, 1801 ; must, out Dec. 12, 1805. 
John W. lionghtim, enl. Sept. 30, 1801 ; disch. Jan. :«, 1800. 
Timothy Cahill, enl. Sept. 21, ISOl ; disch. Oct. I, 1804. 
John Cockfer, enl. Sept. 'ii, ISCl ; died Aug. II, 1.801. 
William G. Crockett, enl. Sept. 21, 1801 ; must, out Dec. 12, 1805. 
John Doran. enl. Sept. 21, 1801 ; must, out Dec. 12, 1805. 
James E. Ells, enl. Sept. 2:1, 1801. 

George II. Fayerweather, enl. Oct. 8, 18C1 ; disch. Feb. 10, 1803. 
Stephen li. Ferris, enl. Sept. 25, 1801; died Feb. 18, 1802. 
John Ilickey, eld, Sept. 25, 1801 ; disch. Sept. 22, 18o4. 



George A. Iloyt, enl. Sept. 25, 1801 ; died .Sept. 9, 18C4. 

James 0. Jennings, enl. Oct. 7, 1801 ; must, out Dec. 12, 1803. 

Martin W. Knowlton, enl. Sejpt. 23, 1801 ; must, out Di'c. 12, 1805. 

John J. Leonard, enl. .Sept. 21, 1801 ; di.sch. Sept. 22, 1804. 

Chail.'s E. Merrill, enl. Sept. 2.1, 1801; died .Sejit. 3, 1S03. 

Patri.k Monehan, enl. Sept. 2:1, 1801 ; must, out Dec. 12, 1805. 

I'eter Monehan, enl. Sept. 2.3, l.sol ; must, out Dec. 12, 1805. 

Marcus L. I'elham, J.ro. to first lieulenant ; nuist. Sept. 2 1, 1801 ; disch. 

Dec. 2'J, 1804. 
Peter Rowel, enl. Sept. 2:1, 1801 ; die.l Jan. 7, 1802. 
William Raymond, enl. Sept. 2:1, 1801. 

Gould .Sauiulers, enl. Sept. 21, 1801 ; disch. March 10, I8(;3. 
Alon/.o F. Swor.ls, enl. Oct. 7, 180.1; disch. Oct. I. 180.5. 
Sylvaiois H. Shelden, enl. Sept. 27. 1.801 ; disch. Nov. 2, 1801. 
Calvin A. Smith, enl. Sept. 30, 1801 ; disch. July 19, 1805. 
Edwin Sweetzer, en!. Sept. 2:1, 1801 ; must out Dec. 12, 1805. 
K. E. Th.im.is, enl. Sept. 21, 1801 ; killed June 2, 1804, at Cold Harbor. 
Ileuiy C. Taylor, enl. Sept. 2:1, ISOl ; die.l Apiil 20, 1802. 
Charles Tiernan, enl. Sept. 21, 1801 ; must, out Dec. 12, 1805. 
Charles W. Hurst, enl. Feb. 19, 1.801; must, out Dec. 12, 1805. 
Albert S. Weed, enl. Nov. 25, 1803 ; disch. for disability Feb. 2, 1805. 

Company 1. 
Frederii-k Green, enl. Feb. 23, 1S04 ; nmst. out Dec. 12. ISGo. 
1). P. Palmer, enl. Sept. 25, 1804 ; must, out Dec. 12, 1805. 
Amos Wade, enl. Feb. 25, 1804 ; must, out June 21, 1805. 

ELEVENTH IIEGI.MENT, CO.MPANY II. 

.Samuel Hun.lagc, .-ul. Dec. .00, 1.S03. 



leit II. Wilco.\ 
March 0, 1805, 



SEVENTEE.NTH REGIMENT. 

enl. Aug. 1, 1801; pro. to lieutenant-colonel; died 



Vom,Hu„j B. 
Ilcioy liurrjs, enl. July 2:1, 1802 ; killed July 2:1, 1802. 
John I>. Il.jyt, enl. .Inly 22, 1802; disch. Oct. 5, 1804. 
William II. Aldrich. enl. Aug. 31, 1804; must, out July 19, ISOo. 
Lewis E. Bates, enl. Jan. 2, 1804; disch. Dec. 10, 1804. 
John W. Bishop, enl. Aug. 21, 1804; must, out July 19, 18C5. 
John Cheal, enl. Nov. II, 1804 ; must, out July 19, 1805. 
Arthur M. Dudley, enl. Aug. 11, 1804; must, out July 19, 180,5. 
Ib.bert N. Morehous.', enl. Aug. 11, 1804; nnist. out July 19, 1SG5. 
Charles Marvin, enl. Sept. 10, 1.S04 ; must, out July 19, 1805. 
Andrew Perry, enl. Aug. 2:i, 1804; must, out July 19, 1805. 
James E. Parks, eiiL Se]it. 11, 18C4; must, out July 19, 1,805. 
JohuM. Smith, enl. Aug. 11,1804; must, .uit July 19, 1805. 
Ale..vander J, White, enl. Sept. 22, 1804 ; must, out July 19, 18G,5. 



James Sault. enl. Jan. 25, 
W. J. WestcrlieUI, enl. An, 



Vomjjany D. 
1805 ; must, out July 19, ISM. 
;. 19, 1S02; must, out July 19, ISGi. 



Ottiijxiiuj F. 

Enoch W.I0.1, captain ; cum. Aug. 9, IS02; res. March 21, 1801. 

Allen Henry, first lieutenant; com. July 2:1,1.802; pro. to major, Feb- 
ruary, 1804 ; must, out July 19, 18G5. 

William A. Kellog, second lieutenant; com. Aug. 9, 1802; res. JIarch 
25, 1.S02. 

William S. Knapp, enl. Aug. II, i,s02 ; pro. to first lieutenant; res. Dec. 
1, lso:i. 

Charles K. Holy, enl. Aug. II, 1802; j.r... to sec 1 lieutenant; res. Aug. 

4, lso:i. 

N. Haymond Giiffith, enl. Aug. 9, 1802 ; disch. July 27, 1.804. 

Oscar St. John, enl. Aug. 12, 1802; must, out July 19, 180.'.. 

Charles K. L nis, enl. Aug. 12, 1802; must, out July 19, 1865. 

E. J. Campbell, enl. Aug. II, 1802. 

Albert Morehouse, enl. Aug. 8, 1802; disch. Feb. 1:1, 1803. 

John B. Holland, enl. Aug. 11, 18G2; disch. Feb. Ul, 1803. 

George W. Shaw, enl. Aug. i:i, 1802 ; pro. to BccouU lieutenant ; must, out 
July 19, 18G5. 

Thcdore Urusli, enl. Aug. 11, 1802 ; must, out July 19, 1805. 

Frank .8. Middlchook, enl. Aug. II, 1802; pro. to second lieutenant; 
must, out as sergeant-m.ijor, July 19, 1805. 

S. I!. W ilco.v, enl. Aug. 9, 1802 ; must, out July 19, 180,5. 

Thomas Ilea.n, enl. Aug. 12, 1802; must, out .Inly 19, 1SC5. 



566 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



George Ilyatl, ciil. Aug. II, 18G3 ; must, out Juno 2S, 180S. 

R. J. Allen, eul. Aug. 9, 1802; trans, to Inv. Corps, Sept. 1, 1803. 

J. II. ArniBtmug, onl. Aug. 9, 1»02 ; died Oct. iil, 1803. 

Lewis .\i'nolil, ciil. Aug. 13, 18112 ; iliod Sluy 2, 1803. 

Nilsou llfjioli, eul. Aug. II, 1802 ; dieil July 20, 1803. 

John Bulger, oril. Aug. 9, 1802; niUBt. out June 1, 1805. 

J. II. Ilnttersun, eul. Aug. II, 1KC2 ; must, out July 19, ISdo. 

Alarliu Hropliy, oul. Aug. 20. 1802. 

W. F. BeueUiet, eul. Aug. 23, 1802; musl. out July 19, 1805. 

Edwin Ilnruiii, eul. Aug. 13, 1802 ; muni, out July 19, 1805. 

Aloxandor Bundy, onl. Aug. 13, 1802. 

Tbeuduni Orvtiicrlon, onl. Ang. 18. 1802; must, out July 19, 1805. 

D. Cudnioro, onl. Aug. 13, 1802; muiit. out July 19, 18M. 
John A. Comstock, cnl. Aug. 12, 1802; nui«t. out July 13, 1805. 
John Cnliill, enl. Aug. 13, 1802 ; must, out July 19, 1805. 
I.egnuid ('uni,it.)ck, oul. Aug. 12, 1802 ; diacli. Dec. 7, 1803. 

C. 11. t'aslle, enl. Aug. U, 1802 ; must, out Aug. 28, 1805. 
leaac Ciim]), cnl. Aug. 11, 1SC2; dlscli. July 19, 1803. 

E. CnliiU, eul. Aug. 8, 1802; must, out July 19, 18iV5. 

A. W. Cutler, enl. Aug. 21, 1802 ; must, out July 19, 1865. 
Austin Cockclor, oul. Aug. 9, 1802; must, out July 19, 1805. 

F. W. Duy, cnl. Aug. 11, 1802; wounded Jliiy 2, 1803. 

B. S. Dowd, cnl. Aug. U, 1802 ; must, out July 19, 180.5. 
Julm Ouggftn, cnl. Aug. 11, 1802 ; must, out July 19, 1805. 
Jlicliuel D.mglieity, cnl. Aug. 12, 1802; discli. Jlurcli 17, 1803. 
W. II. Downs, cnl. Aug. 11, 1802 ; mu.it. oul July 19, 1803. 
Diivid Fields, cnl. Aug. 12, 1802 ; must, out July 19, 180,".. 
John FnyrcwojUher, enl. Aug. 9, 1802; must, out July 19, 1805. 
>V. ^V. Gilbert, onl. Aug. 13, 1802; must out July 19, 1805. 
Willluni Umcc, eul. Aug. 19, 1802 ; wounded July 3, 1803. 
Henry II. tiriiy, enl. Aug. U, 1802 ; discli. Oct. 21, 1804. 
Alfrcil Godfrey, eul. Aug. 9, 1802; trans, to V. S. S. C. 
Williiini O. (iodfrey, enl. Aug. 18, 1802 ; must, ont July 19, 1865. 
John I,. Ituyes, enl. Aug. 14, 1802; discli. July 0, 1805. 
George Uojl, cnl. Aug. 22, 1802. 

'William Ileuuilgun, cnl. Ang. 15, 1802. 

Sylvcilcr Kcelcr, enl. Aug. 11. 1082 ; must, out July 19, 1805. 

J. Kellogg, eul. Aug. 12, 1802 ; must, out Aug. 28, 18G5. 

W. K. Keyser, cnl. Aug. 9, 1802; must, out July 19, 1805. 

Jitmcs 11. Lonnsbury, enl. Aug. 13, 1802; must, out July 19, 1805. 

James Lyons, enl. Aug. 18, 1802; must, out July 19, 1805. 

J. Lonnsbury, cnl. Aug. 22, 1801 ; died Juno 23, 1805. 

Ibonnis M< i.uugblin, cnl. Aug. 8, 1801 ; died Mliy 28, 1803. 

\V. .McDonulil, enl. Aug. 8, 1801 ; must, out July 19, 1803. 

Willium MiCormick, cid. Aug. 8, 1801 ; uuist. out July 19, 18(V>. 

Murtin SInllignn, onl. Aug. 8, 1801 ; must, out July 19, 1805. 

J. W. Mctcair, onl. Aug. 12, 1801 ; killed July 2, 1863. 

John JlcCnuley, eul. Aug. 12, 1801 ; dlscli. Scidcmbor, 1802. 

9. Newell, enl. Aug. 12, 1801 ; mnat.oul July 19, 1805. 

P. I'unleu, onl. Ang. 9, 1801 ; must, out July 10, 1805. 

B. N. I'orry, enl. Aug. 2:1, 1801 ; must, luit July 19, 1805. 

G. S. Patrick, enl. Aug. 14, 1601 ; must, out July 19, 1805. 
R. A. Rogers, inl. Aug. 11, 1801 ; must, ont July 19, 186'.. 
\V. A. Ucyntdds. eul. Aug. 11, 1801 ; must, out July 19, 1805. 
W. II. Knyuiond, cnl. Aug. 13, 1801 ; must, out July 19, 1805. 
M'. A. Reid, enl. Aug. 19, 1801 ; must, out July 19, 1805. 
John Ryan, crd. Aug. 8, 1802; must, out July 19, 1805. 

C. L. Smilli, cnl. Aug. 1.3, 1801 ; discli. Dec. II, 1802. 
llonry Shorwuuil, cnl. Aug. 14, 1861 ; ditch. March 29, 1803. 
Luuic A. Sniitli, enl. Aug. 11, 1801 ; must, oul July 19, 1805. 
tisciir Siidtb, cnl. Aug. II, 1801 ; uiusl. out July 19, IfK. 

a. W. Sniltb, cnl. Aug. 11, 1801 ; must, out July 19, 1865. 

L. W. Smith, Fill. Aug. 8, 1801 ; disch. Jan. 2U, 1803. 

\V. W. It. Slunlou, enl. Ang. 19, 1801. 

J. K. Sterciiii, cnl. Aug. 2(i, 1801 ; mual. out July 19, 1865. 

John Tmiy, enl. Aug. 21, 1801 ; must, out July 19, 1805. 

A. V. Tnyl.ir, cnl. Aug. 11, 1801. 

Ilcury 1. Webb, cnl. Aug. II, 1801 ; tnun. to Vet. Res. Corj*, March 13, 

18C4. 
Ojk-ar Weetl, enl. Aug. 8, 1801 ; must, out July 10, 1805. 
Jnuios Whitney, onl. Aug. 20, 1801 ; must, out July 8, 1863. 
Henry Brjtls, eul. Dec. 341, 1MVI; must. lUit July 19, 1865. 
C. M. Urutlierton, enl. Aug. 31, 18i;4 ; must, oul Junu 8, 1865. 

Charles Cargill, enl. Btarcli 9,^hG4 ; «l. oul June 14, 1805. 

Tbonioa Farrell, cnl. Doc. 13, IH63 ; must, oul July ID, 1805. 
Ilyruii Gn-cn, cnl. Dec. 19, 186.3; must, oul July IV, 1805. 
II. P. lleoru, cnl. Fob. 20, 1803; must, out June 10, 1805. 



Company G. 
Edgar Aiken, cnl. Aug. 21, 180-1 ; must, out July 19, 1805. 
S. P. Elwood, cnl. Scj.t. 1, 1804 ; must, out July 19, 1805. 
Jnmea GaUney, eul. Aug. 19, 1804; must, out July 19, 1865. 
S. L. Ilully, cnl. Aug. 27, 1861 ; must, out July 19, 1865. 
Robert Roberts, cnl. Ang. 15, 1804 ; must, out July 19, 1865. 

Company JI. 
Will. II. Muther, Jr., eul. Aug. 23, 1862 ; must, out July 19, ISM. 

F. McNully, cnl. Aug. 25, 1802; must, out July 19, 1805. 
William Smedley, cnl. Aug. 27, 1802; died June 20, 1863. 
A. F. Thomson, enl. Aug. 22, 1802; disch. Dec. 10, 1802. 
Anthony Coinstock, enl. Dec. 30, 180:t; must, oul July 19, 1865. 
S. R. Rusco, eul. Dec. 30, 1863; must, out July 11, 1805. 

Company I. 
Robert Bones, enl. Nov. 10, 1804; must, out July 19, 1805. 
C. A. Clark, enl. Dec. 28, 1804 ; must, out July 19, 1865. 

G. II. Meeker, eul. A,iig. 11, 1804 ; must, out July 19, 1865. 
William Filch, enl. Aug. 13, 1804 ; must, out Se|it. 13, 1804. 
A. Sayrcs, cnl. Feb. 1, 1803; must, out dlay 11, 1865. 

TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT. 
Comp<niy E. 
Andrew G. Armstrong, eul. Nov. 7, 1802 ; must, out Ang. 31, 1803. 
W. H. Perry, cnl. Nov. 7, 1802; miuit. out Aug. 31. 1»i;:!. 

C'onfjMiiy G. 
i. A. Comslock, cnl. Oct. 27, 1862; must, out Aug. 31, 1803. 

TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT. 
Company A. 

0. W. Thomson, eul. Dec. 28, 1863 ; must, out Oct. 24, 1865. 

Company B. 

C. Nash, eul. Dec. 1, 1863 ; died Aug. 10, 1864. 

A. Burton, enl. Dec. 4, 1803; must, out Nov. 0, 1805. 

Company C, 
Andrew Nosh, enl. Dec. 14, 1803; dbicli. Nov. 5, 1865. 
J. y. Aulhony, cnl. Dec. 14, 18o:> ; must, out Oct. 24, 1865. 
Amos Canieuler, eul. Dec. 14, ISIKI. 

George E. Green, onl. Dec. 14,1803; must, out Oct. 24, 1805. 
Charles Jackson, enl. Dec. 14, 1863 ; must, oul March 2, 1865. 

Company E, 
L. O. Drake, eul. Dec. 18, 1803 ; must, out Oct. 24, 1805. 
JiMclih Fogg, enl. Dec. 21, 1803; must, oul Oct. 24, 181.3. 

1. J. Wilson, enl. Pec. 21, 180.3; must, out Ocl. 24, 1865. 

B. Milton, enl. Dec. 21, 1863 ; must, ont Oct 24, 1865. 

Company F. 

D. Chippie, onl. Dec. 21, 1863; must, out Oct. 24, 1805. 
George Spywooil, eul. Dec. 21, 18(3; must, out Oct. 24, 1865. 
William Fnuucs, enl. Dec. IK, 1863; died Sept. 30, 1804. 
William II. Hathaway, enl. Dec. 19, 1803; must, oul Oct. 24, 1863. 
Lewis Jackson, enl. Dec. 20, 1803; must, oul Oct. 24, 1805. 
Thomas Johuson, cnl. Deo. 9, 1803; must, oul Oct. 24, 1866. 

Company G. 
John Bailey, enl. Dec. 24, 1863 ; must, out Oct. 24, 1865. 
D. Cankllu. eul. Deo. 29, 18(0; must, oul Oct. 24, 18(V5. 
II. Delierly, eul. Dec. 29, 1803; must, out Ocl. 24, 1805. 
Silas Fluyil, enl. Dec. 2".l, 181.3; innsl. oul Oct. 24, 18<VV. 
E.l\vin Hall. eul. Doc. 29, 180.1; must, oul Ocl. 24, 1805. 
N. llumiolii, cnl. Dec. 29, 18i:i; must, onl Ocl. 24, 18(». 
lU'iijulniu Hugoe, enl. Dec. 29, 180:1; must, out Oct. 24, 1805. 
Rols.-rl Mniilcy, cnl. Dec. 20, I.HOli; must, out Ocl. 24, 1865. 
J. II. Raymond, eul. Dec. 24, 1863; must, out Oct. 24, 1865. 
RoU'i-t S<\uhT, enl. Dec. 2S, 1863. 
Jamco Soiilh, enl. Dce.29, 1803. 

Company II, 
Slephcn Farrow, enl. Pec. 30, 1803 ; must, out Oct. 24, 1865. 
Henry J. Jackson, enl. Dec. 1.1. 18K1; killed O.t. 27, 1861. 
Jacob Pigay, cnl. Doc. 30, 1863 ; must, out Ocl. 24, 1865. 

Company K. 
II. Parker, eul. Dec. 31, 1803; diKh. Feb. 11, 1865. 



I 




^^^:/^^^C(%oc^ / 




NORWALK. 



5fi7 



TniRTIETII BKGIMKXT (COI.OKEH). 

Ctiitip'iiiii .1 . 

James Wljiliiey, fill. Ii.-c. 14. l!SC.:l ; must, ...it .Inn.. 'JT, 1SC3. 

SEVENTH HKCIMENT. 

CrniipinilJ D. 

Tli.imas lltiiten, s.^roii.l li.-titcnalit ; c.-.in. Sept. 5, 1S(U ; Uille.l June H, 

1SG2. 

riE TEKXTll It KG I iM KNT. 

T, Beiieiliet, oiil. Ainil I'.l, ISIU ; miist. out July 'M, ISUl. 
T. I>. Ilri.vm, .111. April 111, lsi;i ; must, out .lul.v .■II, IKOl. 
Tli.imiis H....t.)ii, eul. April I'.l, Isi'.l : must, .nit Jiil.v ;U, l.-ii;]. 
George Keeler, eiil. Apiil 10, Isill ; must, out .lulv :'.!, Isfil. 
Jann-s Keiiil, eul. Apiil I'.l, ISlil ; must, out July :U, l.Sr.l. 
Ji.sepli TenimiT, ..ul. April l'.l, l.Slil ; must, out July :U, Isr.l. 
II. W. Whcclor, oiil. April 10, ISlil; must, out July 31. Lsnl. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

DUDLFA' P. ELY. 

Diullry P. Ely, nf .'■iouth Nonvalk, Cumi., was 
lioni in t^iiiislnifv, Ihivtiord ('(i., Ccinii., Nnv. l(i, l.'^l", 
Mini was till' yomiprst cliilil of linijaiiiiM ICly, a 
liiniirr in I'omtortalilo cironnistanccs ami a jiroiniiiont 
man. He has a woll-autlionti(.-ati.'il o;enealogy show- 
in;;- liiiii 111' French iuici-stry. Kiclianl Ely, his fore- 
latlirf, was tlie first Anierican of the name. His 
uroat-unclc, Daniel Ely, wtis i-olunel in the .Vmeriean 
army chirin.g the Kevulutidnary war, ami harl the 
I'rench enat iif anus cniiraveil on his sworil hilt, 
unihiubteilly to gratify a feeling of pride in his line- 
age. Mr. Ely deseeiids on his mother's side from 
Bigot Eggleston, who was horn in England about 
15.S0, and eame to Amoriea in ITiliO. He landed at 
Dorchester, Mass., ttnd remaiiu'il there until 1G35, 
when he, with a eompany of si.\ty, removed to Wind- 
sor, Conn., and intide the first settlement in Con- 
neetieut. In the records of the town of "Windsor it is 
recorded that "He d. .Sept. 1, 1074, ncre 100 yeres of 
age." 

Jlr. Ely attended common school until he was 
about fourteen years idd, when he was sent to Hart- 
ford, where he received two yetirs' tuition tit the 
school of Mr. Oliiey, the author of Olney's geography. 

When he had completed his education he Wiis not 
content to follow farming, but, as all his brothers 
had done, and despite all cftbrts and intlnence to 
]iersuade him otherwise, he resolved to leave home 
and take his chances for success. ]Ie fir.st obtained 
eiMpIoyment in a .store in his native town, which 
position he filled for about a year and ;i half, and 
then, being but a W'W months over eighteen years of 
age, he was engaged by a Mr. Toby to take the 
entire charge of a store in West Hartlaiid, Conn., 
where he remained a year. Having fnllilleil his 
engagement with Mr. Toby, Mr. Ely next turned his 
mind towtird the great metropolis, and Jan. l;i, 1.S37, 
found him in New York City. He went into tjie 
employ of his brother, Xatliaii C. Ely, as book-keeper, 



which position he filled four years, when he became 
Ids partner. I'rcvious to this Mr. lOly had received 
no ])ecniiinry aid li'nm any source other than his 
salarv. When he became jiartner with his hrotlicr 
he received, un.S(dicited, fnun his fatlier two hundred 
and fifty dollars. Though unexiiected, it was fully 
ajipreciatcd, and proveil a kind help to him, and he 
has never forgotten tliis act of kindness. (This 
amount was aceonnted for in the seltleiiiciit of his 
father's estate many years at'terwards.) This was tlie 
only pecuniary aid he ever received other tluin usual 
mercantile credit. 

He remained in partnership with his hrother fur 
several years, when, that gentleman retiring, Mr. 
Ely associated with him two gentlemen from Boston. 
He shortly tiftcr purchased their interests and con- 
ducted the business alone till l.SliT, when he ceased 
his connection therewith. Although he has passed 
through many panics and financial crises, he never 
failed to meet his obligatitms at maturity, and never 
iisked special ftivors of his creditors. He was ;i heavy 
loser by the Rebellion, his losses thereby amounting 
to over !?.')0,(X)0. 

Nov. 28, l.'^44, Mr. Ely married Miss Charlotte W., 
daughter of Jeflery O. Phelps, of Simsbury, Conn., a 
most estimable lady, who lived about fourteen years 
thereafter, and bore \\\X' children, till girls. .She died 
Oct. 3, 1858, in Brooklyn. 

Mr. Ely's father-in-hiw, .Tiidgc I'helps, w;is an 
officer in tlir war of LSI:;, and well known through- 
out the 8tate. lie died in LST'.I, aged eighty-eight 
years. 

Mr. Ely removed to South Norwalk May 1, 18('>1. 

April 2.'), ISlio, yix. Ely was elected President of 
the First National Bank of South Xorwalk. He still 
holds the office. 

Since Mr. Ely became a resident of South Xorwalk 
he has held various offices of trust ;ind honor. When 
the village of Old Well was transformed into the city 
of South Norwalk, he was elected niiiyor, and twice re- 
elected, and, after a time, was again elected, ;ind re- 
elected, thus serving five terms. He is at the |iresent 
timePrcsidentofthe First Ntitional Btink, Presiilent of 
the Korwiilk (his-light Company, President of the 
South Norwalk Savings Btuik, Treasurer of tlie Alden 
Mining Company, and a director in several other 
institutions. He lias alwtiys taken ii lively interest 
in agriculture, and was for several years President of 
I the Fairfield County Agriiailtural Society. 

l\[r. Ely owns considerable rctil estate in the city 
and town where he resides, iiududing the elegant 
hotel recently completed ut South Norwalk. He 
owns over half of the cajiital stock of the First 
National Bank, is the owner of a large amount of 
giis company, insurance, ;ind other stocks. 

Beginning with nothing, Mr. Ely to-day pays, and 
for some time has paid, the largest tax of any one in 
the city or town, the assessed valuation of liis prop- 
erty lieing nearly $20O,(Hl0. He was one of the 



568 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



original subscribers to the government for the first 
issue of bonds during tlie civil war, subscribing at tlic 
time wlien many were fearful as to the result of the 
contest, and consequently as to the payment of the 
bonds. ITe made a largo amount of money in real 
e.state ojierations in Broolvlyn, N. Y., a few years 
since. lu attendance upon business he is prompt 
and diligent; has no extravagant habits; is social in 
his disposition and unassuming in his manners. 

Mr. Ely's mother died in 1850, aged seventy-three, 
and his father in 1852, aged eighty-five. He had five 
brothers and three sisters, all now being dead except 
one brother. His eldest daughter, the wife of Hon. 
J. E. ■\Vheclcr, of Westport, died in 1808, at tlie 
early age of twenty-two years. 

We can only enumerate the more prominent busi- 
ness transactions in the life of Mr. Ely. Commencing 
at the lowest round of the ladder, by strict attention 
to business, and a scrupulous regard for square deal- 
ing, paying every cent of his just obligations, taking 
no advantage of tlie many op])ortunities tliat offer in 
a business career to make money by tlie technicalities 
of the law, he has risen to wealtii and influence. 
His example illustrates what application, combined 
with business tact and honesty, can do. He has 
always taken a lively interest in the growth and 
prosperity of his town and city, and is ever ready to 
lend a helping hand and iissist any enterprise that he 
can witli a proper regard for his own interests and 
those of his fellow-townsmen. 



EDW.VRD p. WEF.D. 

Edward 1'. Weed, only son of Jolin A. and Enie- 
line (Chichester) Weed, was born in the town of 
Norwalk, Conn., April 7, 1834. He received his 
education in the private schools of Norwalk, attend- 
ing among others tlic reputable one of Dr. Hall, and 
wlicn a youth commenced clerking in the drug-store 
of his father, whom in time he succeeded in business, 
and which business lie continued until his death. 

Mr. Weed was at various times called to fill places 
of honor and trust : was twice elected member of the 
Legislature, wius chosen warden for the borough 
several tinu^s, was cliief engineer of Norwalk fire 
department, and intrusted with various other public 
positions. For many years he held the oflices of 
president of Norwalk Savings Bank, and vice-presi- 
dent of the National Bank of Norwalk. 

As a citizen he was quiet, unobtrusive, and un- 
assuming, and in his pleasing way made many strong 
and loving friends. 

As a business man his judgment, talents, and 
integrity were well known and appreciated, and his 
advice sought for, li.stened to, and heeded to advantage. 
Broad and liberal in his views, he had the utmost 
charity for those dilfeling fnmi him in opinion, and 
from the natural kindness of his disposition all 
benevolent objects found in him a ready respondent. 



Mr. Weed was always frank and outspoken in poli- 
tics, ever clinging to the constitution as the bulwark 
of our liberties, and cherishing the Democratic princi- 
ples enunciated by Thomas Jefferson as the only means 
of perpetuating the American re2)ublie. 

Mr. Weed was united in marriage, Dec. 19, 18(55, to 
Miss Sophia Lynes, of an old and highly respected 
Norwalk family, which traces its ancestry to the early 
days of the commonwealth. This union was bles-sed 
with two children — Samuel Lynes and Edward Chi- 
chester. 

Mr. Weed died suddenly, April 18, 1880. He re- 
ceived the three first degrees of Masonry in St. John's 
Lodge, No. 6, Norwalk, in 18.5() ; wius .Junior Warden 
in 18.')7, Senior Warden in 1858, and Worshipful 
Master in 1859. He received the chapter degrees in 
Washington Chapter, No. 24, R. A. M., in the year 
1856, and held the office of High Priest in 1863. He 
received the degrees of Royal and Select Master in 
Washington Council, No. 17, in 1858. 

Si>ecial meetings of the directors of each of the 
banking institutions to which Mr. Weed belonged 
were held immediately after his death, and we can in 
no more fitting manner indicate the esteem in which 
his immediate associates and intimate friends held 
liim than by transferring to these pages the resolu- 
tions following, which, among others, were pa.ssed at 
those meetings. The Directors of the National Bank 
of Norwalk said, — 

"Resolved, That by the death of Mr. AVced, the 
Board of Directors of this Bank has lost one of its 
most faithful and trusted members, whose integrity 
of character, fidelity to the interests of the Bank, and 
.lound business qualifications were fully recognized 
and valued ; while, in the broader social and business 
relations of life, where his honorable principles, strict 
integrity, and kind and genial manners endeared hira 
to all who knew him, his death will be most deeply 
felt and deplored." 

The Directors of tlie Norwalk Savings Socirry 
passed this resolution : 

" Resolved, That in recognition of his pcrsf>nal 
worth and faithful services as President and Director 
of this society, we hereby express our regrets and snr- 
row at this painful event. As a friend whose fidrlity 
was never questioned; as a counselor whose wisdom 
commanded our respect ; ius a man whose name was 
synonymous with honor and integrity, \\v drplore his 
death as a great and irreparable loss." 



IIOX. JAMES W. I1Y.\TT. 
It is among the most pleasing tasks of the historian 
to place upon the pages of history for the perusal of 
coming generations the records of "self-made" men, 
and to show the results of the labor of those who, 
deprived in early life of those advantages which many 
claim to be necessary qualifications of success, of 
powerful friends, liberal education, and inherited 



H 



tl 






/ ^ 



Photo, by Readmau Urns . N'oi-walk. 




'<^^. 








/ 






/ 



NOR WALK. 



.jt!0 



wealth, yet, by their own ability, determined will, and 
persistency "f purpose, linve eiirved out a niche in the 
granite column of life, and won success wliere many 
jiossessed of those advantages have falteredand i'ailed. 
]S'o better t'Xeniplar for the truth of this can lie 
taken than the one nf \vli<iin \vc now write. .Tanu's 
William Jlyatt was born at Xorwalk, Conn., Se])t. 
1!', bSST. lie attended the common schools of the 
villgae until he was eh'vcn years did, when he cnm- 
menced the active laisiness of life by enlcrinu: tlie 
employ of A. X. Holly, of Stamford, I'min., and 
working; in a lundier-yard at fifty cents a week. Step 
by ste]> he rapidly and steadily rose, and \\v find him 
from l.SfiO to 1S72 a trusted (derk : tirst, in the gro- 
cery house of liishop i**: Waterl)Ury, in Stamford, 
afterwards with Legrand Lock\vci(}il & ( 'o., bankers in 
New York City. Here he displayed that skill in rapiil 
calculation whicli to-day makes him (inc cjj' the lust 
accountants in tlie State. 

Mr. Hyatt removeil tu Xiprwalk, Conn., in 187.'-!, 
and has since made that his resilience. From his 
return to Xorwalk !Mr. Hyatt has had positions of 
trust jdaced in his charge in ra]>id succes>ion. The 
same vear he was elected justice of the peace. Jan- 
uary. 1.S74, he was elected vice-president of Daubury 
and Xorwalk Kailroad Company; in June, 1S74, 
elected president of Xorwalk Horse-Car Railroad 
Company; in (October, 1S74, ele<'ted selectman; in 
1S75, represehteil Xorwalk in the State Legislature, 
and was appointed by (ioveriiur Hubbard bank com- 
missioner to succeed Hon. G. H. Landers, resigned. 
In 1870, Mr. Hyatt was again elected representative, 
and in 1877 was (diosen warden (jf the borough of 
Xorwalk. lie was appointed bank commissioner by 
Governor Iluldiard for the term of two years in 1S7.S, 
and received the same apiiointniciit from Oovernor 
Andrews in 1880. He was re-eU'cted warden of Xor- 
walk in the same year. 

Mr. Hyatt was brought up under "olddine Whig" 
influences, and acted with the Ri'piihliean party until 
1872, when he siipi)orfed Horace (Ireeley for Presi- 
di'ut. Ho has since been i<lcntifie<l with the Demo- 
cratic party. 

Mr. Hyatt is an attendant of the Episcopal cluirch, 
and is a member of the Masonic fraterity ; hehl one 
term the otlice of " Worshipful Master" of Sagamon 
Lodge, Xo. .■371, F. and A. M., of Xew York city ; was 
twice thereafter re-elected, but refused to serve. 

Mr. Hyatt was united in marriage, Dec. 2."), 18(50, 
to Miss Jane M., daughter of George Hoyt, E.si]., of 
an old Xorwalk family. They have three children 
living, — .lolin, Jane, and Harry, — aged respectively 
ten, six, and two and a half years. 

Mr. Hyatt is of nervous tein])eranient, active and of 
[lostive character, (juick to resolve and to act. He is 
a discriminating sliideiit of human nature. Strong 
and loyal in his friendshiiis, he is justly jHipular 
with all classes, and, as his record shows, a man who 
is trust, -d and held in high esteem. He is a hard 



worker, wastes no time in acting or speaking, l)Ut 
ccnncs directly to the pijint, dning business in a clear, 
straightforward way, and accomplishing much, tliougli, 
by his systematic habits, he is never in a hurry. In- 
dustry, economy, and perseverance are his guiding 
principles. 



nu. APA IIII.T,. 

Asa Hill was born in Xorwalk, Conn.. Xov. 2li. 181."). 
He was the youngest of six children. His niotlier dieil 
when he was only three years old. Shortly alter this 
event his father removed to lIuMtingdon, L. I., where 
Asa remained until about fourteen years old, when he 
went to live with his oldest brother at Danbury, 
Conn., and attendi'd district si liool the next winter. 
This was liis graduatin.i.' course in scliool education, 
and at liftecn years of age he commenced the active 
care and duties of life. 

His was an earnest nature, and feeling the neces- 
sity of a broader and deeper knowledge than his lim- 
ited ojiportunities had given him, and desirous of 
Ijecoming more intelligent thai he might be more use- 
ful, he surrounded himself witli liooks and mastered 
the contents of all that came in his way. licligious 
in his nature, his preference was works on divinity, 
but scientific and philosophical ones were also almost 
literally devoured. I'efore his twentieth birthday he 
was noted fiir his attention to business, liis zeal and 
activity in religion, and his earnest searcli for knowl- 
edge. 

Alioilt this time came the ]iivotal event of his life, — 
one that marked and opened a life-career. While 
acting as nurse to a dying brother, under treatment 
of Dr. Howell Rogers, of Colchester, Conn., he made 
the aciinaintanec and I'rlendsliip of tliat celebrated 
physician, but was not a little astonished when the 
doctor projiosed that he should come and study medi- 
cine with him. On reflection he accepted, and com- 
menced at once the elementary studies with his ac- 
customed energy. While thus assiduously working. 
Dr. David P. Kiiapp. who was practicing dentistry in 
Danbury, suggested to him its study, ollering to give 
him instruction. Thinking it might aid liim fi])an- 
cially, ^Ir. Hill soon entered the ofliee. Here he con- 
tinued for several months, aci|uiring the use of tools, 
making and slia[iing his instruments. X love fin- the 
profession developed. In those days dentistry had 
not risen to the position it now occupii's. There 
were no dental sidiools nor colleges, no dental maga- 
zines, and few text-books. With his steadiness of 
purpose Mr. Hill plodded on until he had acijuired a 
superficial knowledge of dentistry, made a case of 
instruments, and returned to (Colchester and his med- 
ical studies. I5y means of his new art he gained a 
scanty supiiort, and, allhough thcr/ were times wlien 
money was all gone, lie steadily jierscvered in liis 
course of study. 

After several months of earnest labor, and after 



570 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



much deliberation, he determined to give his wliole 
time to dentistry, and, finding that Norwallc presented 
a good field, located there, — temporarily, as he sup- 
posed, but for life. At the first meeting of the 
American Dental Society, in Boston, Dr. Hill became 
a member and received the diploma of the society. 
Shortly after he became associate editor of the New 
York Dental liecordcr. Continuing in this capacity 
for four years, he became for a time both editor and 
publislier. The subject of plastic fillings for teeth 
was at this time much agitated in dental circles, and 
to produce a substance fitted for the purpose was not 
only a great desideratum, but an exceedingly difficult 
thing to do. Many were the costly experiments, re- 
sulting in failure, made in all parts of the country. 
Dr. Hill early commenced to experiment, and after 
years of anxiety and trial brought out what has been 
since known to the profession as " Hill's Stopping." 
The first production was soon given a standard place 
in every dentist's oflice, and now, under a new and 
changed formula, the perfected work is kept as a 
most valuable secret. In 1847, Dr. Hill received the 
honorary degree of D.D.S. from the Baltimore Den- 
tal College. In the same year he was elected repre- 
sentative from Norwalk, and in 1856 was chosen to 
the same office. Up to the time of his death, which 
occurred Nov. 28, 1874, Dr. Hill was largely a con- 
tributor to dental journals. He built up a lucrative 
practice, and the proceeds of that, and his valuable 
invention, placed him in circumstances to gratify his 
taste for experiment and study. His marble-staining 
process was a novel and peculiar result of study. But 
would we do full justice to the many ramifications of 
this remarkable and versatile character, wc would 
needs have to occupy much more space than can be 
allbrded. He was a member of the Masonic fra- j 
ternity, of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, i 
and w:is active in the Order of Sons of Temperance, ' 
]iresiding ofliccr of the Grand Division of the State, 
and representative to the National Division. 

From early youth Dr. Hill was subject to deep 
religious convictions and a belief that he should 
preach the gospel. For many years he put oflT that ' 
duty, but at last was convinced it was a call from 
(tod, and was licensed a^ local preacher in the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church, and afterwards wjts ordained 
deacon anil elder. While engaged in erecting a 
church edifice in Norwalk, he organized the Second 
Methodist Episcopal Society, serving them as pastor 
for three years, declining any compensation. 

Dr. Hill was married in -Vpril, 1842, to Miss Susan, 
daughter of Hon. Charles Isaacs, of an old and hon- 
ored Norwalk family. Their only child is Rebecca 
Isaacs, familiarly known to her circle of friends as 
Betta. She married Ira Cole, who was born in Wil- 
ton, Fairfield Co. All in all. Dr. Hill was a true I 
tvpe of the highest wder of self-made men, at all 
times the staunch friend of those who, in any sphere, 
were striving for a higher good, and his generous 



nature and warm sympathies carried his benevolence 
into many a household, causing Iiis name to be re- 
vered as a public benefactor and a lover of his kind. 
He despised all "shams," and whenever he was en- 
listed in anything gave it the best gifts of his earnest 
nature. His wonderful eloquence and skill in im- 
promptu speaking was frequently called into exercise, 
and many will renieniber how his audiences hung 
spellbound as his beautiful language portrayed still 
more beautiful thoughts. With pen, as with tongue, 
he was wonderfully gifted, and, with his intense enjoy- 
ment and love of music, we see how he could and did 
produce some of as sweet gems of poetry as any 
author of his day. Perhaps no one in his broad ac- 
quaintance enjoyed a higher popularity, was more 
cherished, more dearly beloved, or of a higher Chris- 
tian character than Dr. Hill. As a Christian, as a 
scholar, as a writer and speaker, as an inventor, as a 
friend, a husband and father, his memory will be 
fondly and tenderly remembered by all who knew 
him. 



J.\C0I5 LOCKWOOD. 

Jacob Lockwood, son of David Loekwood, was of 
an old Fairfield county family which located in 
Stamford. His grandfather, Timothy Lockwood, was 
a soldier in the Continental army, and was shot by 
the Cow-Boys, while acting as voluntect picket, dur- 
ing a visit home on a furlough. His maternal grand- 
father, Samuel Tryon, served through the French and 
Indian wars, was in the Revolution, and afterwards 
fought with Ccn. .Vnthony Wayne against the Indians 
on the then Western frontier. 

Mr. Lockwood was born Jan. 30, 17!t4, in Stamford, 
where he spent his childhood and acquired the educa- 
tion afforded by the schools of that place. When he 
had attained a suitable age, he varied his labor on the; 
farm by teaching district school during the winter 
months. He married, on Feb. U, 1S22, Fanny Ray- 
mond, daughter of Steiihen Raymond, who was bom 
in Norwalk. For over forty years this worthy couple 
walked liarmoniously together through life before 
they were separated by Mr. Lockwood's death. 

Their only child, Wm. Raymond, was born Jan. 11 
1823. He married Mary E. Roberts, of an old famil] 
of Darien. Their cliildrcn — William, Fannie, and 
George — are living. 

Jacob I>ockwood was an agriculturist, and, by judi- 
cious calculation, economy, and thrift, from a very 
humble beginning ro.>>e to have more than a competency 
and to have title-deeds of many a liroad acre. He 
shrank from i>ublicity, but was a .selectman and filled 
various other town offices. He wiLs ajipointed quarter- 
master-sergeant in the war of 1812, his commission 
dating April 21, 1814, but, through noncomplicity 
with some dishonorable trans.ictions of a superior 
officer, was discharged September 20th of the same 
year. He was an honorable man in all business re- 



I 




^^2fS^' 







'^^, , 




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NOllWALK. 



571 



lations, and while he deemed himself entitled to his 
own, would not exact from a debtor a dollar more 
tlian was his due, and ever, under all eireumstanees, 
Jacob Loekwofid's wcjrd was as good as his bond. In 
the faunly relation he was a kind husband and father, 
and his name amonfr his associates was a synonym 
for worth, integrity, and justice. In his life he was 
called upon to administer on many estates, and was 
noted for his skill in unraveling the com[>licaled 
conditions in which he found numyofthem involved. 
Mr. Lockwood died Dec. 21.!, ISil.j. His wife survives 
him. 

CII.\IILES ISA.\CS 
was born in Norwalk, Conn., June 7, 17!t"). His an- 
cestors for many years were leading citizens of the 
town, and origiiuiUy, like other Puritan families, came 
to America from England. His father's name was 
Isaac B. Isaacs. His mother's maiden name was 
Su.sannah St. John. He could claim kindred not 
only with Gov. Thomas Fitch, from whom he was 
immediately descended, but with John Fitch, who 
preceded by some time Robert P'ullon in the inven- 
tion of the steamboat. 

When but two years old he lost a nuist estimable 
mother, and at the age of ten years his father, who 
was wealthy, sent him to a boarding-school in Fair- 
field, in this county, where he reuuiined several years. 
He was then sent to a school of higher grade in 
Cheshire, Conn., where he graduated. Jlr. Isaacs 
then commenced for himself the work of life. The 
first position held by him was teacher, holding that 
jilace in the " Down Town" school of Norwalk as 
early as ISIS. By his conduct he made the position 
lioth infiuential and honorable. From the files of the 
Norwalk (iazcl/c we find that on Aug. 17, 1S19, he 
entered into a copartnership with his oldest brother, 
Benjamin, in the grocery, drug, and medicine trade. 
This partnership lasted for a number of years. la 
the same files mention is made of his being collector 
of ta.\es in 1S24, deputy sherilf in ISIil (wliich posi- 
tion lie held several years), of his dealing alone in 
hardware and groceries in 1S3S, [jostnuister in 1841- { 
184u, and member of Court of Burgc.s.ses in 1844. ! 

In April, 1845, Mr. Isaacs was elected high sheriff" 
on the Whig ticket, and in a strong Democratic 
county, by his personal popularity, received a majority 
of seven hundred. He was re-elected in 1848 by 
equally as decisive a vote, running far ahead of his | 
ticket. When collector of taxes, if he fiiund any 
who said "they could not pay up," he would (luietly 
pay for them, and in all of his official relations he 
was very po]>ular and made many staunch friends. 
Not less widely and favorably wius he known as an of- 
ficer of Fairfield County Bank, of which he was di- 
rector for many years, under the presidency of Henry 
Belden, Esq., and president for full twenty years. In 
his business transactions, if perchance he olTendcd 
any one by his blunt, olf-hand ways, he always en- 



deavored to make amends and bring about cordiality 
again. 

Nowhere ilid Jlr. Isaacs feel more at Ikjuu', or di>- 
tinguisli himself more, than in his connection with 
the courts of justice when Fairfudd County bar found 
no superior in any county in Connecticut. He was 
honored by the friendship and intrusted with the 
nujst important business of its best men. He was a 
strong and ardent politician, throwing all the ener- 
gies of his intensely positive nature into the cam- 
paign, whether in town, county. State, or national 
contests. He knew no such thing as fear or defeat, 
and this applied to all the relations of life. One of 
the most distinguished men of the county, who knew 
him well, says, "(.Charles Isaacs was a Roman, and 
llti' iiiihhxt JldiiKtii of tlicm ally 

In social life lie was lively, cheerful, aiul full of 
fun. He delighted in practical jokes, but his kind- 
ness of heart prevented his being severe in them. He 
was very fond of I'hildren, and, indeed, of all young 
peoiile. JIany a young num owes his financial pros- 
])crity to the generous aid liirnished him, when start- 
ing business, by Jlr. Isaacs; nor was his generosity 
contiued to them, but reached, in S(]inc way, every 
circle of society. 

In (ifficial relations firm and jirompl to duty's call, 
in friendship true and loyal, a tender husband and 
loving father, in all circumstances and everywhere a 
high, chivalric gentleman, Charles I.-iaacs lived re- 
spected and loved, and died July IS, 1872, leaving an 
lumcst and unblemished name and life. 

He married Rebecca, daughter of Henry and Re- 
becca (Fitch) Betts, Nov. 20, l.**!.'). They had one 
child, Susan, born May 2S, ISUI. She nuirricd Dr. 
Asa Hill, whose portrait and biography are to be found 
elsewhere in the history of Norwalk. 



TIIfi.MA.s r.i;NI':D[CT. 
From a period dating back to at least 1500, it is 
said that the first son of the Benedict family has been 
christened Thomas, and the first American progenitor, 
Thomas, was the oidy son fir three successive gen- 
erations, and trausidanted the name from old to 
New England. He w;ls born in Kit", of reported 
Huguenot ancestry, and emigrated from England in 
KISS, nuirrying, shortly after his arrival, JIary Brid- 
gum, his sister-in-hiw, who came over in thi' same 
vessel with him. Stopping not long in Massachu.setts 
Bay colony, he went to the wild, and in winter inac- 
cessible, shores of Long Island, where he was com- 
nii-ssioned magistrate, or, to use the quaint ohl rec- 
ords, " empowered to act in point of government," 
and "invested with magisterial power on the islaiul." 
" He was a pillar in the church, the arbiter of differ- 
ences, civilized or savage." "All sorts of offices clus- 
tered around him, forced on liim by the popular choice, 
and everywhere he wrought righteousness." After 
divers changes, this woriliy pioneer settled ]ierma- 



572 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



nently in Norwalk, Fairfield Co., Conn., about 1665, 
where all his children married. From them sprang 
a most numerous family. Mr. Henedict was at once 
chosen town clerk, and occu])ie<i tliereafter almost 
continuously till his death some ollicc of public trust. 
In the patent granted by the General Court in ]()86, 
confirming the title of Norwalk to its territory, his 
name is inserted as a patentee. He died at Norwalk 
" aged aboute 73 years." 

Thoma.s (2), born in Southold, L. I. ; married Mary, 
daughter of Andrew Messenger, Esq.; moved to Nor- 
walk in ltl()5-G(! ; wits made a freeman in 1669. Hedied 
at Norwalk in November, 1688-8!). 

Thomas (3) was born in Norwalk, Dec. 5, 1670; 
married Rachel, daughter of Samuel and Rachel 
(Marvin) Smith. He held many local offices, and 
was ensign ; died May 10, 1748. 

Thomas (4), born in Norwalk, Oct. 29, 1701 ; married 
Deborah Waters, of .laniaica, L. I. He hehl many local 
offices, was highly respected, and died Feb. 11, 1757. 

Thoma-s (5) was born in Norwalk, Feb. 25, 1725; 
married Hannah, daughter of Capt. John Raymond, 
of Norwalk. Up to this time the Rencfliets of this 
line seem to have devoted themselves to agriculture. 
Rut this Tliomas was a merchant in Norwalk. His 
house, store, cider-mill, and distillery were destroyed 
.Tuly 11, 1779, when the British, under Gen. Tryon, 
burned the town. Died Feb. 21, 1802. 

Thomas (6) was a lad of fourteen when this event 
occurred, and his reminiscences of it are recorded 
elsewhere in this history. He married, Oct. 8, 1795, 
Mary, daughter of I'hineas Waterburj-, and died Jan. 
5, 1852, at the lionorable age of eighty-seven years. 
His love of instrumental music amounted to a pas- 
sion, and in many respects his memory is peculiarly 
remendjered by his a.ssociates. He left the savor of a 
good name to his descendants, and a comfortable share 
of this world's goods. 

Thoniiis (7) was born Oct. 7, 1797, on the old home- 
stead, in the same house where his father and grand- 
father were born, now standing in the borough of 
Norwalk, Conn., and resided there until he wa.s 
twenty-six years of age. He married, JIareh 26, 
1820, Su.san, daughter of Henry and Rebecca (Fitch) 
Betts, of Norwalk. In 1823 he removed to the place 
now'occupicd by him at East Norwalk, where all his 
children were born, save Mary, whose birth occurred 
at tlie old home in 1821. His other children arc 
Thoniiis (8), born June 27, 1824, married Cornelia A., 
sister of Hon. Smith M. Weed, and, although residing 
in Norwalk, is most of liis time engaged in mining in 
Mis.souri; Elizabeth, born Jan. 5, 1827 (died in in- 
fancy); Sarah C. (Mrs. Richard Parmelee), born Feb. 
10, 1832; Julia W. (Mrs. George (). Keeler), born 
Sept. 3, 1834; Edwin, wlio was born Oct. 24,1839, 
married Sarah W. Raymond, of Southport, Conn. 
He enlisted during the hite civil war in the Filth 
Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, and servc<l f<iur 
vcars. He now resides in Dakota Territory. 



Mrs. Benedict died June 16, 1876. Dec. 10, 1876, 
Mr. Benedict married Betsey Ann Betts, of Wilton. 
She died Nov. 11, 1879. 

Mr. Benedict is a man of originality of character, 
vivacious and pleasant in his social relations, and pos- 
sessed of much kiridne-ss of heart. He was never 
" made a frecdman," which is done by taking the oath 
of allegiance to Connecticut and the United States, 
and consequently hsis never exercised or posses.sed the 
right of suffrage. During his life Mr. Benedict has 
been engaged in milling, carpentering, farming, and 
otlior active pursuits. Always industrious, economi- 
cal, and saving, he has added much to his handsome 
patrimony. The declining years of his life are cared 
for by his daughter, Mrs. Parmelee, and with as vig- 
orous, clear, and active intellect as he has ever pos- 
sessed, Mr. Benedict is at the present time (August, 
1880) a remarkably good tyjie of the sturdy New 
England race, which has placed its impr&ss on the 
whole broad continent. Fertile in resources, prompt 
in action, with physical powers to carry into execu- 
tion the plans of the mind, the children of this New 
England race are connected with and stand in the 
van of every |)rogressive movement for the benefit of 
mankind. May he be long spared to fill his place in 
the town of his birtlv. 



CAl'T. JOSEPU W. HUBBELL. 

Joseph W. Hubbell, son of Aaron and Sarah (Silli- 
man) Hubbell, was born Oct. 22, 1800, in- Fairfiehl, 
Conn. His grandfather, a farmer, was born in Fair- 
field County, was a member of the Legislature, and 
died in middle life, much respected. 

Aaron Hubbell was also a farmer, and was born, 
spent liis life, and died, at the advanced age of eighty- 
seven years, in Fairfiehl Couuty. 

Joseph ^\'. was reared on the farm of his ancestors 
till his fifteenth birthday was pa.ssed, when, desirous 
of a more active life than the quiet seclusion of rural 
occupations, he entered the store of Benjamin 
AVheeler, of Bridgeport, as clerk. His new avocation 
continued four years, two of which were spent in the 
employ of Mr. Wheeler and two in that of Isaac 
Burroughs. Another and a more responsible position 
wiLs awaiting our young merchant: he became cap- 
tain of a ve-ssel running from Bridgeport to New York. 
In this new sphere, navigation, he was engaged nine 
years. While occupied in this pursuit he married 
JIary Ann, daughter of Wm. Parrott. of Bridgeport. 
Dee. 23, 1823. In 1829, t'a|)t. Hubbell ceased hi> 
mariner life, and on July 29th removed U) Norwalk 
and formed a i)artnership in the milling and mercan- 
tile business with Thos. C. Wardin, of Bridgci>i.ri. 
This |)artnershi]) )>roved a profitable one, and cnri- 
tinued till the death of Mr. Wardin, in 1851, wli. n 
("apt. Hubbell purchased the interest of his late part- 
ner, and continued both milling and merchandising 
till he lost both mill and the bulk of his property by f I 



if. 



•i 



■\ J 




(i^o^li?-m^U t^(p€-n^AcJr~^ 







<APT. J.i.SKPH W. HVBBKLL. 



i 



J 




ANSON RICHAKDS. 





-^ ./^ ^^ 



a^ty^ 



I 



NORWALK. 



573 



a great freshet. After this he only continued the 
mercantile part of his business, building a store for 
that |Hirj)Ose. In 1S5G he went out of merchandising 
and became the treasurer of the " Xorwalk .Savings 
Society." For fourteen years and over he transacted 
the duties of that position with care, frugality, and 
honesty, and to the entire satisfaction of liis associates. 

Capt. Hul)l)cll has been a magistrate for a period 
covering many years, a selectman for eight years, 
an a-ssessor for two terms, member of C'i>;ineeticut 
Legislature, and was in early life a Whig, but since 
the organization of the Kepulilicau jiarty an I'arnest 
su]iporter of its princi])les. 

For forty years and U|iwards ('apt. lliibbell has 
been a director of the P'airlield County i'.anlc and 
its successor, the Fairfield County National Bank. 
At the present time (July, 1S>>0) he is vice-president 
of the same. Both Caj)!. and Mrs. llul)bell became 
members of the Episcopal Church in ISii.'l. lie was 
vestryman for over thirty years, since then a warden, 
and is now a senior warden. j\[rs. ]Iubl)ell died May 
8, 187(5, and was buried in Norwalk Cemetery. In 
disposition Cajit. Hubbell is kind and genial, a hos- 
pitable friend and generous giver to a deserving cause. 
In businc-is lie was accommodating, but careful, 
economical, and conservative rather than jiroiie to 
rush hastily into new scheme^ of brilliant promise. 
He is enabled, by the prudence of his earlier lifi', to 
have a competency of worldly possessions to cheer his 
latter days, and may well be happy in the esteem and 
contidence of his manv friends of vears. 



AN.SOM RICII.\RD.S. 

One of the old-time families of N(jr\valk, Conn., is 
the Kichards family. Most of its members have pur- 
sued the even tenor of their way as quiet agricul- 
turalists, living to a hale old age. 

Anson Richards, second son of Samuel ami Mercy 
Richards, was born in Norwalk, June 12, 17!t4. 

Samuel Richards, Sr., his paternal ancestor, was 
born April 27, 1770, and died Oct. 2, 1840, much 
respected. 

Samuel Richanls, Jr., older brother of Anson, was 
born Nov. 14, 1791, and died Dec. (!, 1871. He was a 
stirring, representative man, holding nuiny and prom- 
inent positions. 

Anson Richards remained with his father on the 
farm wdiere he now (August, 1880) resides at the ad- 
vanced age of eighty-six years. In the common 
schools of his early youth he was an apt scholar, and 
wdien about seventeen years of age wentto New Canaan 
as clerk in the emi)loy of Richards & St. John, in a 
general country store. Here he remained two years. 
Returning to his birthplace, he assisted his father in 
agriculture, and after his father's death carried on the 
farm. 

Mr. Richards never sought or cared for oflice. The 
<mly one he ever held was secretary and treasurer of 



Union Cemetery Association, left, vacant by the death 
of his brother Samuel. 

Mr. Ricliards married Mrs. Azetta I'erkins, daugh- 
ter of Isaiah Snutli, of Stamfonl, (lotm. They had no 
oflspring. Mrs. Richards was born in 1807, and died 
July If), 18i;i. 

With the same ipiietude and tran<iuillity as that in 
wliich his life has jiassed, Mr. Richards is awaiting 
the summons for his "going honu'," secure in the 
rectitude of a well-ordered life, which has dealt justlv 
with all and held malice for none, and in possession of 
a competency more than sufficient to supjdy all the 
wants of his remaining years. 



IiAVID M. FILLOW. 

David M. Fillow was born in Wilton, Conn., Jan. 
5, 1810. His great-grandfather, James, was of French 
ancestry, andw'as probably the lirst of the name ever 
in America. He dieil in 1717, at the advanced age of 
eighty years, in Westport. where he was buried. He 
had excellent heidth until a short time previous to 
Ills death. He was social in his numners and believed 
a laugh much better me<licine than i)hysic. He 
married Mary, daughter of Ciarner Olmstead. His 
two sons, nenjanun and Elijah, survived him. His 
old homestead has but recently passed out of the 
possession of his descendants. 

Benjamin Fillow was born in Norwalk, and was a 
small boy at tlic commencement of the Revolutiim, 
of which he held vivid recollections. He was proba- 
bly a soldier of 1812. He was a farmer, highly re- 
spected, was a consistent member of the Methodist 
Church. He never aspired to piditical distinction, 
was quiet in his tastes, preferring the home-life of the 
farm to any other station, but was held in high esteem 
in tlie community wdiere he lived for his upright life. 
His latter years were j)assed in that portion of Nor- 
walk now included in Westport. He married demons, 
daughter of Denton (rregory. This union was blessed 
with fcmr children, three of whom — Lewis P., IMnebe, 
and James — grew to maturity. His death occurred 
Jan. (i, 18')2, aged eighty-six years. 

Lewis P. was born Feb. 15, 1787. Like his father, 
he was a farmer, and a representative one. Hi' was 
independent in politics. He nuirried Lydia Moore- 
house, daughter of Stephen Moorehousc. Tlieir ten 
children — si.x sons and four daughters — all lived to 
maturity and married. In the relations of life he did 
well his Jiart, and his memory is cherished by a large 
circle of descendants. Though jioor in world's goods, 
he left an honest name, and passed away March 1, 
ISGl"), aged eighty years. 

David Moorehousc Fillow was, as a lad, on the 
farm with his father, and had no such opportunity of 
acquiring education as the children of this genera- 
tion, for David was the eldest son of a large family, 
and the work of earning a livelihood kept both father 
and son busy, and the only time of school he could 



5T4 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



get was in the three months' winter term, and never a 
day after he was fifteen years old. The winter he 
was fifteen, insteadof going to school, lie learned shoe- 
making, and worked at that trade winters thereafter, 
his father receiving his wages, until he was twenty- 
one. 

Mr. Pillow married Jane, daughter of Thaddeus 
AVaterbury, of Wilton, Dec. 5, 1830, but did not com- 
mence housekeeping until tlie next year, when the 
young couple commenced the new home life in what 
is now Wcstport. Here they lived eight years. At 
that time he removed to his present place, which wiis 
l)urchased from his father. For almost forty-one 
years he has kept his residence here, acting well his 
part, enjoying much happiness and enduring many 
sorrows, and in his way doing much to make the his- 
tory of that part of the town. His first wife died 
Nov. 9, l.SGl). She was mother of six, four of whom — 
Lydia Ann (Mrs. Thaddeus Waterbury), Lewis Burr, 
William F., and David A. — are living. 

Nov. 25, 1868, Mr. Pillow married Mrs. Nancy J. 
Whitney, daughter of Reuben DIake, of Greenwich. 

Mr. Pillow has for years been a member of the 
First Baptist Church of Norwalk, and from his con- 
sistent walk, honesty of purpose, and steady follow- 
ing of Christian princi|)les wits called to the position 
of deacon, which olhce he has held for the last four 
years. 

In politics Mr. Pillow is a Democrat, and is always 
loyal to his principles, and, from his conscientious- 
ness, would vote that ticket as well alone as if every 
one else in town voted it. 



CHAPTER LVL 

BEDDING. 

Orjrnnizntirtn— TopoRrnphictil — Tlio luiliiiiis — Cliicken Wurnipe— Tlio 
Firet Gmiit of LAnds — Subscquont Gmiite— Cnpt. SAmucl Coucli'a 
PurchoRO. • 

The town of Redding is an interior town, lying near 
the geographical centre of the county, aiul is bounded 
as follows: On the north by Daubury and Bethel ; on 
the east by Newtown and Easton ; on the south by 
Easton, Weston, and Wilton ; and on the west by 
Wilton and Ridgelield. It is watered by the Sauga- 
tuck, Aspetuck, and Norwalk Rivers, and their tribu- 
taries, all of which flow in a southerly direction, 
mingling their waters with Long Island Sound. The 
surface is hilly and the soil is generally good, par- 
ticularly on the ridges, which arc very fertile. 

INDIAN.*. 
The tract of land embraced within the bounds of 
the present town "f Reclding was claimed by a small 
anil unimportant tribe'of Indians, composed of a few 
stragglers or disaffected members of the Rotatucks of 
Newtown, the Puugussetts of Milford, and the Mo- 



hawks of New York. This motley tribe had their 
village near the present residence of Mr. John Read, 
and was presided over by a chief bearing the eupho- 
nious name of Chicken Warrups, or Sam Mohawk, a.s 
he was .sometimes called. It is supposed that he was a 
sagamore or under-chief of the powerful Mohawks, 
one of the tribes of the celebrated lesigue of the Iro- 
quois, which inhabited New York, and who for some 
reason fled from his tribe, and settled on Greenfield 
Hill. Here he killed an Indian, and fled to Redding. 
He was a shrewd, cunning, and important character 
in the early history of the town, and the original 
deeds were executed by him and one Naseco, a subor- 
dinate chief. 
Their signatures were as follows : 

his 
Chickens, a/ias X 
Sam 5I0HAWK mark, 
his 
Naseco X 
mark. 

TUB FIRST GRANT OF LANDS. 
The first grant of lands was made to Mr. Cyp- 
rian Nichols in lfiS7, in that part of the town now 
known. as Lonetown. The following is a copy of the 
grant and survey : 1 

" At a General Court lield at Ilnrtron), Oct. 13, 1G87. 

"Thi3 Court grants Mr. C.vpriun Nit-hols Iwo Inindrcd ncrca of land 
where he can lind it, provided ho take it up where it nia.v not itn-judice 
atiy former (^ratit to any particular person or plantation ; and the sur* 
veyors of the ne.\t plantation are hereby appointed to lay out the tmme, 
he paying for it. 

* " Caleb Stanley." 

Capt. Nichols "took up" his grant in that part 
of the "obling" which is now Lonetown, as is shown 
by the following document : 

" 3lAKCif 1. A.n. 1711, 
"Then laid out ye Grant of two hundred acre* of land granted by yo 
General Court to Capt. Cyprian Niclioln, Oct. 13, lOST, a* follow..!, — vi/.., bo- 
ginning at a great Chestnut tree niarkt.il on ye south and west ^ide, and 
J. K. set upon it, standing at ye south end of Wot»lf Ridge, a little ls>low 
Daubury bounds, thence running west one hundred rods to a Walnut 
tree marked on two sides, then running south one mile to a red oak n " 
niarketl, tlieti nitining east one hundred rtnls to a black oak tree niurl. !, 
then running north one mile to the Chestnut tree first nienlione<l. An 
heap of stoned lying at ye root of each yo treea. Wo say tlieu thus laid 
out by us, 

"Thomas IIoyt, 
" Damel Taylor, 
" S«rr<'yoni of f/t Ibini a/ Daubmrjf. 
" Kntercd in ye public book of Kn- 
Irys for Surveys of hand, folio H, 
pernezekiah Wyllys, Secretary, 
March 21, ITIl." 

SUBSEQUENT ORANTS. 

The next grant of land in this locality was made i 
to Daniel Hilton, May 7, 1700, of two hundred acres, ' 
and on the 10th of October, 1700, a grant was made 
to Richard Hubbell, of one hundred acres, as follows: 

"March 3rd. a. p. I'll- 
" Then laiil out ye Gninl of two hundred ncrea of land nioile by ye Gen- 
eml Court to Sir. Daniel Hilton, May 7, 17110, and yo Grout of one hun- 
dred acrt*. granted October 10th, 1700, by ye General Court to )Ir. liichard 
Hubbell, all In one jiiecc as followeth, — viz.. Beginning at a Walnut lre« 



REDDING. 



Oi.) 



marked, ami J. R. upun it, standins a littlo way Ninth Kiist from yr IIo;^ 
Ridge ^etwcen Daiilmry and Fairfield, tlu-nce runiiiiis two Iinndred ami 
eighty rode iiorthtTly to a lU-d Oak trer* niarkod, im yo West side of 
Stadly Riilgc. tlience riinniiii; r;isterly oim hiuidredand eighty-four rods | 
to the Little liivi-r at two Elm Staddk-siind a UoilOak, marked, thence run- j 
ning Southerly, weat of ye rivt-r, ami hnunded upon it. two iunidred ami | 
eigitty rods to a hitter M'alnut tree marked, thence running one hundred 
nnd sixty rods westerly to the Walnut tree first metilioned, thus and j 
then laid out Ity ut^, 

" TniiMAS lIoYT, 
" I>.\N1EI. T.WI.OR, 

" St!rrf;/ors of (he Toini of Dniihuri/." 



iinnute the tenth minute ended ; hut I, standing near tlie watch, spoko 
and said. 'Tlie timf> is out, and it's Ciijit. ('uuili's hi I, hut I am cert;iiti 
Tliomas Hill hid twenty shillings more.' " 

IMr. Road, Intwe'vcr, did ii(»t siircred in liis attciti])! 
to liMvc tlir sak' srt aside, and the lands wtTi* ad- 
judgt'd tff tht_- purcliascfs. ('apt. i '<»urli sncnis tr> havi' 
dispDsrd *>f an interest in a part oi' liis pnrehasL* t<> 
Tlionias Nasli, of Fairfield, and in 172-'^. the two re- 
ceived a joint patent for the same. This patent is 
a eurious and valuable doennient and is fxiven entire: 



Mr..Todd in his "History of Reddin^^" says, "These 
grants were i>nreha8ed, jirobably before ilivy were laid 
out, by IMr. Jidni Head, one of the earlie.st aetual 
settlers of Redding." 

CAPTAIN SAMUEL COUCH'S PURCHASE. 

In 1712 it was ordered by the General Court that 
all lands lying between Fairfield and I)an!)ury, not 
already " taken up" by settlers, should be sold at pub- 
lie auetion in the town of FairfieM. This, however, 
was not sold until August, 1722, when it was bid olf by 
Capt. (.V)uch for himself and Nathan ( iohl. The in- 
habitants of Redding claimed that no notice of the 
sale had been given, and the result was that they grew 
very indignant, and in the following year presented 
the following protest and jjetitioa to the < Jeneral Court 
then convened at New Haven : 

''To TIIF. IIoSait'BLE THK GENERAL Col RT: 

"John Read, in btdialf of himscdf and the rest of the fanners or pro- 
i'lietors of farms hetween Panhury and Fairfield, humhly sheweth, 

"That the Iloirhk' Nathan Gold, Esq., late deceased, and Peter Hurr, 
Es(]., as Agents for ye Colony, held a Vendue lately at Fairfield ahuut ye 
time of ye Superior Courts sitting yr in August hist, and 8<dd to Capt. 
Samuel Couch, who hid for himself and for sM Nathan 0(dd, fl^q., all 
ye land hetween Fairfitdd and X>anbury not hefore dispusetl of for tho 

sum of . Yr humble pet'rs conceive the same oufjht not to ho 

ratified, because ye same w;w done bo unexpectedly und without suffi- 
cient notice, nunc of us most nearly concerned knew any thing of it; if 
ye order of ye Gonentl Court had been freshly passed, yo leas notice was 
need full, but lying ten or twelve years, Bufilcient notice was not given, 
aud well considered it can't bo good. Tiie incnnvcnience.s are intoler- 
able, the place is now growing to be a village apace. Ye lands purchased 
are but ye over and over for farms. 

"The remaining Scraps will be a very le:iu and scanty alh-wance for 
a comon, and (are) absolutely necessary to accummudate the place with 
hiways, and some strijis left on purpose fi>r ye use and ye wurveying of 
the farms. Several farms interfere through ndstaUes, aud such intcrfers 
must he supplied elsewhere; now in snch circunistaucea it wjis never 
the hard fate of any poor place to have ye sluidy Rock at their door and 
ye path <»nt of town or about town sold away fn.ni them by ye Genonil 
Court. Therefore humbly praying yo Hon'ble Court to grant ye same to 
ye proprietoi-s of farms there in proportion for a comnnui and hiways. or 
if the same seem too much, since Home persons have bid a sum for our 
hiways, we pray to buy them at first hands, and will pay tliis Hou'hlo 
Court for the same a.s nnich as ye Court slijill sett u]iou, and remain your 
honor's most obeilient sei vants. 

" .Inu. Kkad." 

When the matter came before the court Mr. Jona- 
than Sturgcs deposed as follow^■< : 

"Some of the Company began to hid for s'd land, and some of tho 
Company desired that Mr. Stone, who was there present, would pull out 
his watch and that the time for bidding sln>uld be hut ten minutes, and 
the watch was laid down on the tahh<. For a litUe time the people bid 
but slowly; but when tiny peneived tlie ten minutes to be near out, 
they began to bid very briskly, and when it cumc to the last minute tho 
people bid more quickly, and at the la>st they bid so quick after one 
another that it was hard to distinguish whoso bid it wiis. At the verv 



" Whereas, the Uuvei nor and Coni|i;uiy ..f ihc Fn;;iisb Cuhuiy of Cun- 
neiticut. in Oi-ueial Court asseniblel at llai tford the Stb diiy of Mav, 
Anno l»omini, 1712. did order and enact that all those hinds O.ving within 
tho said (.'olonyl between Danbury on the north, and the towns of Fan- 
field and Norwiilk on tlie south, should he sold at I'uldic Vendue, and by 
saiil act did fully authorize and empower the Hon^'''' Nathan Gcild and 
Peter Burr. Esq., Iiotli of the town of Faiiiield aforesaid, to make sale 
and dis]i(]8e of tho s'd same lands accordingly and wliereas tha s'd 
Natlian Gold and Peter Burr, in imrsuance and by force and virtue of 
the aforesaid act, did l>y their deed in writing, exeiuted in due fi.rm, 
bearing date tliis first day of May, Anno Ilonnni IT'JJ. for ;i valinible 
sum of money p.iid by Samuel Conch and Thomas Nash, both of tlie 
town aforesVi, Grant, sell, and convey unto them the sM Samuel Coudi 
and Thomas Nxsh, one hundred acres of s'd land bounded and butted as 
follows, that is to say, lying within six rods of the north hounds line of 
the townsliips afores'd, and on both sides of the roud that leads from 
Norwalk to Danbury, and lying the whole lengtli of the one hundred 
acres formerly hdil out to sM Thomas Nasli. and bounded westerly by 
tho sVl Tliomas Njish, and from the northeast corner of s'd Niisb, his 
hound heinga black-oak stump that stands on the land aurl a small box- 
wooil tree marked in course, running nortlierly sixty-eight ilegrees, east- 
wardly tliirty-two rods to a white-oak staddle; theno^ South forty-three 
degrees aud thirty minutes, eastwardly fifty rods to a rock, and stones 
on the same, that stands on the ea.-stward side of a brook that runs by 
the souUierly end of Umpawaug Hill, hetween the sM brook and Dan- 
bury road, and from s'd Ilock to run North sixty-eight degrees, East- 
wardly eighty-six rods to a ni;iss of stones; then South twenty-two 
degrees, Eastwardly one hundred and thiiteen rods to a white-oak sap- 
ling, marked, standing on the aforementioned North bounds line of 
Fairfield : then by s'd line one hundred and forty rods up to the South- 
East corner of s'd Nash, his one hundred acres, Danbury road being 
allowed ill above measure of six rods wiile, and the hivvay by the Town- 
sliip's line of six rods wide, aud wliereas the sM Samuel Couch and 
Thonijvs Nasii liave humbly desired that they may have a particular 
grant of s'd Governor and Company made (by Patent) unto them, their 
heii-s, ami assigns, f<'r the same land bounded, bulteii, and descrihe'I, 
under tlie seal of the s'd Cuhuiy, know ye, therefore, that the Governor 
and Company of the s'd Colony, in pursuance and by virtue of the 
powers granted unto them by our lute Sovereign Lord, King Charles tho 
Second of blessed memory, in and by bis 3Iaji'stie's letters-patent under 
the great seal of England, hearing date the three-and-lweiitieth day of 
April, ill the fourteenth year of his s'd Majestie's Reign, have given ami 
granto 1, and by these presents, for them, their heirs, and successois, rlo 
give, grant, ratifie, and confirm unto tliem the s'd Samuel Slouch and 
Thoniius Nasli, their heirs and assigns forever, all the s'd peice or parcell 
of land, containing one hundred acres, ho the same more or less, hutted 
and hounded jis ufores'd, and all and .'lingular the woods, timber, under- 
woods, lands, M-nters, hroidis, ponds, fishings, fowliiigs, mines, minerals, 
and preeiinis stones upon or within the s'd piece or parcell of hiiid here 
l>y granted or mentioned, or intended to be granted as afores'd, and all 
and singular the rights, members, hereditaments, and appurtenances of 
the same, ami the reversion or reversions, remainder or remaindei-s, 
profits, privileges wluitsoever, of and in the s'd peice or parcell of land 
or every or any part thereof. To have and to lioM the s'd one hundred 
acres of land heieby granted, willi all and singular its appurtenances, 
unto them the s'd Samuel Couch and Thoimis Na.sli, their heirs and 
assigns, to aud for their own prujier use, benefit, and behoof from tho 
day of the date hereof, and from time to time and al all times fi.rever 
here after as a good, sure, lawful, absolute, indefeasible estate of Inherit- 
anctr in Fee simple, without any condition, limitation, use, or otlicr thing 
to alter, diange, or make void the same. To be holdeu of our Sovereign 
Lord, King George, his heirs ami successors, as of his Miyoitie's Manoi- 
of Ejtst Greenwich, in the county of Kent, in the Kingdom of England, 
in free und common soccage and not in cappitee, nor by Knight service; 



5TG 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUxNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



they yielding and paying tlierofor to our Sovereign Lord tlio Kint, bla 
heirs (iiid succossora forever, only the fifth part of all the oar of Gold 
and Silver, whicli, froni'tinic to time ami iit all times liereaftcr, shull bo 
gotten, hiul, or otherwise olitainoil, in lieu of all rents, servicos, duties, . 
and dcnmiidH wlmtsoever, nixording to charti-r, Jn witness whereof, we 
the s'd Governor and Company liavy caused tlie Seal of tlio s'd Colony to 
be liereuntu afllxcJ the fonrteentli day of May. Anno Gcorgo, Magna 
Brittannia', ice, Annoque Domini 1723. 

" G. Saltonstaix, 

" Goventor. 
" Dy order of the Governor : 

" Ur.ZF.KlMl M'YI-LVS, 

" Sfcr<.'/«r</." 

Subsequently Capt. Couch purchased of the Indians 
a tract of hmd lying in Lonetown, contiguous to the 
estate of Mr. John Head, and which a few years later 
he sold to that gentU*man. The deed was given by 
Chickens, and some of its provisions caused consider- 
able trouble to the colonists in later years. This deed 
is as follows: 

'' Know all men whom it may concern that I Chickcu an Indian Sag- 
ganiore living between Fairfield, Danbury. RIdgefield, and Newtown, at 
a i>lnco called Lonetown in the county of Fairfield in the Colony of Con- 
necticut, in New England, for and in considemtion nf twelve i)ound8,8ix 
shillings, already paid unto nic by Samuel Conch of Fuirflehl, hu^band- 
nian, have given, gniiiled, harguined, sold, confirmed, and tlrnily made 
over unto said Samuel Couch, his heirs and apsigns forever, all the hinds, 
lying, being and tsituate between the aforesaid towns of Duiibiiry, Fair- 
field, Newt(>wn, and Itidgefteld, except what hns been by letters patent 
from the Governor ami Company of this Colony of Connecticut umdo 
over unto any person or persons or for any particular or public use. To 
have and to hold unto the said Samuel Couch, and to his heirs and assigns 
foiever thouforcsiiid granted and described lauds ornnpaton ted premises, 
with all the privileges and appurtenances llnireunto belonging, or any 
manner of way appertaining, aflirming mys«df to be the true owner, and 
sole proprietor of said land and have jusst, firm, and only right to disi)o«o 
of the santo. Reserving in the whole of the same, liberty for myself and 
my heirs to hunt, fish, and fowl uiH)n the land and in the waters, and 
further reserving for myself, my children, and grandchildren and their 
posterity the use of so much land by my present dwelling-house or wig- 
wam as the General Assemlily of the Colony by themselves or a Commit- 
tee indifferently appointed shall judge ncce^8;iry fur my or their [wrsonal 
improvement, that is to say my Children, children's children and pos- 
terity, furthermore I the said Chickent* do covenant, promise, and agree, 
to and with the said Samuel Couch, that X the said Chickens, my heirs, 
e.\ecuton», and adminiatnttors, the said described lauds and bargained 
premises, nnto the tuiid Samuel Couch Ids heirs, etc., against the claims 
and demands of all nntnncr of persona whatever, to wnrrant and forever 
by these presents defend. In confirmation of the al»ovo premises I tho 
saiil Chickens set to my hand and seal this 18th day of Febnmr}' Anno 
Domini ouu thousand seven hundred and twenty four five Aunoquo 
Regis, etc. 

his 

*' Chickens, X Saggamorr." 

nmrk 

Although the lands Avere adjudged to the pur- 
chiLsers, the people did ntit submit quietly, and in 
1720 presented tl»e following unsuccessful petition to 
the General Court : 

"To the Honorable tho Gonornl Cjurt to bo hidden at Ilartrord on tho 
SocontI Thursday of May, 172.>. 

TIIK P.ARXFJTT PnAVER 

Of the Inhabitants, anil of thoso that have ramis in a cortiUn tract of land 
lying between Fairfield and Panbury, Newtown nnd Richfield, with whom 
the rn)priolor>' of a certain division of I^nd in Fairfield ImiKtrtunately 

"Wnrni:AS tho Honorable General Assembly of this Cohmy bath In 
fevoral of tlh-ir Sessions, been pleased out of their great goodness A 
generosity to give unto iK>mo of your linmblo Petitioners dt to oUiors of 



thorn to sell certain Farcolls of Laud between tho aforesaid towns &. 
many of your Petitioners that they might get a comfortable maintenanco 
& thereby be better able to serve their country have removed from their 
fonner habitations with great families of Children unto sd Land where 
wo by yo blessing of God on our Industry have (passed) through (the) 
many difiiculties that generally attend such new & WcKKlen llnbitatiuns 
and have now yet to go through, which are by us insuiK-niblc — but re- 
flecting upon your Honor's accustomed Goodness, ready proteetion, and 
willing encouragement towards all such that have been under yo liko 
circumstances as we now ure, makes us far from despairing of Living 
liko rational Creatures and Christians in a vcrj' few years, and under our 
present Circumstances we have often the neighboring Ministers prcacliing 
ye word of God to us. and when your Honors shall Ih- pleased to grant 
this our earnest & necessarj' rei^uest our number of Inhabitants will im- 
mediately be greatly renewed & we soon able to obtain a 3Iinister &. give 
him an honorable support— and that is to grant the vacant land that lies 
in slips and pieces between yo Land already given and sold to your Pe- 
titioners to lye for a jiorpetual Comon for ye gocwl of yo Parish: other- 
wise your poor Petitioners living at a great distance from any place 
where the public worship of God is attended, must be obliged and their 
Posterity after them to be soon as the Hathen are— without the outward 
and ordinary means of Sitlvation, tho Thought of which makes us now 
most importunately addrc-w your Honors with this our R*-»|upst making 
no doubt but yt ye desire your Honors have A the groat care you have 
always taken to promote & encourage Religion— will also now be moved 
to grant your (>oor Petitioners their Request, it being no more than your 
Honors have often done even nnto every new Plantation, many of wliich 
are not nor never will be comparable unto this. Your Honors, granting 
us this our Request, and it will be as we humbly conceive the most profit- 
able way for ye g<Kjd of this Colony to dispose of ye land for a perpetual 
comoUffor ye good of a Parish than any other way whatsoever: for a 
flourishing and large Piirish such as wo are assured this will nuike will 
soon pay more into yo Public Treasury than the whole of the Land would 
do if it were now to be sidd : and not only so, hut your i>oor Petitioners 
& their Posterity preserved from Heathenism & Infidelity: for if your 
Honors should not grant tho Land for a common for tho goo4l of a Parish 
your|H)or Petilionere— the most of ns at least, must be shut within tho 
compass of our own land, & cant possibly get ofT unless wo trcs|>ass, or 
gain tho shift yt tho birds of the air havo-, neither to market nor meet- 
ing &■ wo & our Posterity forever unable to have a settled Minister & your 
Honors may ensily conceive how greatly disadvantageous to our Tont- 
IMtral Interest, which is k» great an act of cnielty and hardship that 
never yet was experienced from your Honors A your Pelili onors hunddy 
bog they may not: hut yt they may bo sharers with Iheir ncighbora in 
your Honor's thoughtful care and regard for them — 

"Ami if your Honors In their Prudence and Wisdom shall think It 
Inrst to sell the aforesaid Land your Petitioners humbly beg they may 
have tho first offer of it, who are always reaily to give as much as any 
sliall orwilllet it lye for a perpetual Common, A your humble Petitioners 
iH'g and most earnestly dl■^ire tho Ijiml may not Ik> sold from their doors 
or « onfirmed b* any yt pretend they have Umght it : for whatever pro- 
tondiHl sale there has been made thereof alnrady wo humbly conceive 
that it wiis not with tho i>n'per power A Legality that it ought to Iw con- 
firmed: and as for its being purchased of the Indian (who both English 
and Indian acknowh-dgo has a good Indian title lo it viz. Chicken, fa by 
what we can learn by tho Indian himself A ye clrcumsljinces of, a slight 
peice of iwllcy A wo fear Deceit, ye latterof which the Indian ronst^intly 
aflirms it to be, for his design as he saith, and Udng well acquainted with 
liim, living many of ns noJir bini havo^ great roJUH>n to bfliev«* him, wa* 
to sell but a small Quantity, aUnit two or thn-e hundred acres, but in ye 
lived ye whole of the land is comprehended, which when the Indhin 
hoani of it he was grwitly enraged, and your Petltlonern humbly beg yt 
such a sale may not bo confirmed, lesl It prove greatly disadvuntagoous 
to this Colony A cause nmch bloodshe*!, as instances of ye like nature 
have in all Probability In our neighlK»ring Provinces — 

•* Your Petitioners nnwt earnestly A heartily Wg that your llonora 
would think on them A grant them their request,* your PeUtioncri at 
in duty bound shall evor pray— 



"John Rrad, 
TiioMAft Williams, 

STei'Mt-.N- MonrnorsE, 
Bknjahin IlAMULirros, 

BkNJAMIN FUANKLIN, 

3Io8C8 Knapp, 
Nathan Lvon, 
Rlnajaii Ham^ 



Will'm Hill, 
Dan'll CnorooT, 

KdRNRZCR Ul'LL, 

Asa Hai.l, 
Josr.PH BIeeker, 
Dan'l Lyon, 
TiioHvs Hill, 
George Hull. 



REDDING. 



577 



*' Aiirl WL', ye Propiietoi-s of a certain Divi^itui of L;iii<l in Fiiirfield 
calli'd vt-' Loii.iiliits must heartily join with yiiiirirnnnr's aliuvr PctitinniMs 
ill tln'ir nvetlfiil Ki.MHit'st to you, & iis wo your Ininililc lu-titiouers Iiriri;; 
well ac<in;iintfd witli the Lirirunistaiice.s of tlinn — llu-y ln-inv; oui- (.'liii- 
drcii Fricridr, A Nciglilioi-s & loiu'friicil <^n;atly for tlieir welfiuv do earn- 
estly bej;; that your Honors would eonsidi-r how nirdaiK-holy a thiu^' it i;-, 
thai the.se jioitr pcoide sliouM livi- desiitnte of the means of grai^e for 
want oidy of your small fnrouraj^t-nieiit uliieli to give tlnni would not 
only b'.' most certainly veiy plca^inf; to AlmiL;hty (iod hut would likewise 
entich this Colony if a large & Kich Parish will' any ways cuntriimto 
thereto, A jus yon r Petitioners Land runs t.> it adjoyns to y*^ aforesaid 
Vacant Land, Wo for the <;ot)d of a Parish, therehy to advantage your 
above poor Petitioners are willi[|i^ A very n-ady to ijivi- in Two miles of 
our land adjoining to tlie afuresM Vavant Land to he «itliin tlie Pari-^h ; 
& arc iissnred if your Honors would <^vau\. the aforesM I.auti to be for a 
('omon there soon would bi^ a Flouriihin;^ I'ari-ih ; \' being so well ac- 
quainted with the Circumstances of the above Pelitiom-rs thatwiM^ant 
but earnestly it Pathetically entreat your Honors to ;^rant their Keque^t. 

" &. your Petitioners ;is in Duty bound >hall ever I'ray : 



" Moses Dimu.v, 
John Hide, 
Tho. Hii,i„ 
CoiiNKLit's Hill, 

KlI/ARKTI! Ik'RR, 
JoX.V Stirgis, 
John Smith, 
Tn.vn's IUrr, 
Andrew Birr, 
8.\-MiEL Wakemax, 
S.viuEL S(jrinF,s, 
Kzekiel Sanford, 
JIoBERT TlRNEY, Jr., 



Joseph Wilson-, 
John W'nEr.LEK, 
John Sjl rues. 
Joseph Wheeler, 
TlloilIAS Saneiuid, 
John ^Iorehoisk, 
Joseph IIowland, 
William Hill, 
Nathan Goi.n, 
John Cold, 

KoiIERT Sif.MMAN, 
HaMEL Moi:i;hoI se.' 



ClIArTEK LVI [. 
BEDDING (Continued). 

The Fiivt Dwilliii^s— Sketflics of the V.iiiuiis F.iiiiili.-s: A.lanjs, liaiiks, 
Bail.iw , Buitlctt, Bartriun, liatfS, Bi-aili, IS.mil'.H. I, lii'tls, liurr, Biinitt, 
Bm-tnii. flMitli.'M, C.Mnh, llarliiii,', Kainliilil. F.islcr, Gulil, Goiliani, 
Gray, (Jrillc-ii, Hall, HawlfV, Hill, Homii, Hull, Jatks.Mi, I.fe, L.ynli, 
Loril, Malliuy, Mearle, MeekLT, Ml-nlialit, J1,>1 .■hui.sr, I'l-ij-.v, I'latt, 
Rcail, Il>)gfr?, Rniasey, Saiifunl, Sniilli, Stuwo, t-tc. 

THE 1'IONEEU.S. 

There i.s ii tradition tluit tlie first tliree dwellings 
in this town were l>uilt at aliout tlie same period, — 
cine in tlie Boston District, on the site ol' the present 
residence of Noah Lee ; one in the eeiitre, on the site of" 
Capt. Davis' j)resent residence ; and the thinl in Loue- 
town, huilt by John Read, on the place now oc-cuiiied 
by .\aron Trcadwell's residence. 

Altliongh the settlement increased gradnally and 
gave evidence of a healthy growth, still there is 
no anthentic record of the inhalntaiits until ll'I'.i, 
when we HikI the following names: Nathan Pickett, 
(iersliom Jlorehouse, John Hall, Francis Hall, Tlolicrt 

Chauncey, Wcdcott Chauncey, Daniel ,* AVil- 

liam Hill, Jr., I'liiliji Jiidd, Natlian Adams, Stephen 
Jlorehouse, Benjamin Fayerweather, Thomas Bailey, 
Thomas Williams, Asa Hall, Joshua Hall, David Cro- 
fut, John Read, Isaiah Hull, Moses Knnpp, Benjamin 
^turges, Samuel Hall, John Read (2d), ISurgess Hall, 
Lsaac Hall. 

The following sketches of the early families of Red- 



ding are taken suljstantially from >Ir. Charles Burr 
Todd's excellent " History of Redding." Some addi- 
tions and corrections are made hy Thom.-is Sanford, 
Esq., of Redding, and Mr. A. B. Hull, of Dauliury. 

TlIK KAKLY FA.MILIES (IF UEIiDIXCJ.t 

Joseph Ai^lams remov<'<l when a ycpung man from 
Boston to Fairfield, ami married, soon after, Joanna 
Disbrow, of Fairfield. About 17(>0 he removed to 
Redding, and settled in Lonetown, on the farm now 
owned by his grandson, Stephen. His children were 
Steplum, baptized Aug. lo, 17112; Hezekiah, baiitizetl 
Sept. ;!0, ]7ti4; Ellen, baptized Nov. 17(m; Abigail, 
baptized March G, 17l)8; Joseph, hajitized A]iril 2S, 
1771 ; Israe l, bajitized .Ian. 10,177;'; A_ai;on, baptized 
July 1(), 177'>; Njdluin, baptized Sept. l!, 1778. Of 
these children, Stephen enlisted in the Continental 
army and never returned. Hezekiah marric(l Betty 
Parsons, and hail children: Betsey, wlio married 
John (iray and si'ttled in Norwalk ; Ste]ihen, now 
living in Redding, at (he age of eighty-nine ; Lem- 
uel, now living in Redding, aged eighty-six ; .\aron, 
wdio removed to the West; and Elinor, who mar- 
ried Hawley ,Tudd. It is related of Ile/.ekiah Adams 
that, too young to enlist as a K(ddi<-r in tlie Revolu- 
tionary army, he entered tlie service as a teamster, 
and on one occasion drove a wagon loaded witli 
S|)anish milleil dollars to Baltimore. 

Abraliam ,\dams, brother of .loseph, was eontem- 
[lorary with him in Redding. His wife was Sarah 

. Tlieir cliildren were Ann, liaptized ]\Ia.reh 

G, \HM^; Deliorah, ba]itized .\.pril 2S, 1771; Sarah, 
baptized .July :!!. 1774 (died in infancy) ; Sarah, bapi- 
tized Oct. 211. 177(1; Fli, liaptized Jan. ao, 17S0. 
Family record nii'ntions a son Abraham. 

Jesse Banks, a son of .loseph Ranks, of Fairfield, 
removed to Redding at an early day ; married, June 
11, 17G:!, IMabel Wheeler (town reconl says Mrhitablc 
Wlieeler). Their children were Hyatt, liorn Dec. 
9, 1764; Jesse, born Oct. 2'.t, 176(>; Joanna, born 
July 27, 17G8; JIabel, born (Jet. 2, 1772 (died in in- 
fancy) ; ^lary, born .lune 2:!, 1774; Mabel, born Nov. 
17, 1770. 

.Tesse married, r)ee. l-"), 1787, Martha Summers; 
Mabel married Kbenezer Foot, Aug. 2!>, 17'J7. Seth 
Banks also appears in Redding contem|)<)rary with 
Jesse; marric'd Sarah Pickett, Nov. 20, 1776, and 
liad children: ilehitable, born Jan. l.*"), 1778, and 
Tliomas ; and perhaps others. 

Tile Barlow family in Rechling is descended from 
John Barhiw, who appears in Fairfield as early as 
Kills, and died in 1G74. . ^aiiiuel Barlow , son of Sam- 
uel Barlow, of Fairfield, grandson of .(ohn Barlow, 
he a son of the first settler of that name, removed to 



t Tlit'8i! uoti-s, arranged alphalictk-ally, are not intt'iiiifd as cninpleto 
liistories I'f the families iiieiitione.l, but ratlu^r as sketehe.s of the early 
setllei's i»f the town, and as aids to the geneahigist in his researelies. For 
connjleto histories, the iii<iuirer should eonsult tho aiieietit reeords of 
Nor\va!k, Stratford, Fairtield, and Danbury, as well aa those of Redding. 
— ToiiD, 



578 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Redding about 1740, and settled in what is now Bos- 
ton District, near the present residence of Bradley 
Hill. He married, first, Eunice, daughter of Daniel 
Bradley, of Fairfield, Aug. 2, 1731. Their children 
were Daniel, born Nov. 24, 1734; Iluliainah, born 
Jan. 22, 1737 ; James, born Jan. 2'.), 1730; Jabcz born 
March 21, 1742. After the death of his first wife, 
Samuel Barlow married Esther, daughter of Na- 
thaniel Hull, of Redding, Aug. 7, 1774; she died 
Aug. 28, 1775, aged fifty-four years. Their children 
were Nathaniel, born May 13, 1745; Aaron, born 
Feb. 11, 1750; .Samuel, born April 3, 1752; Joel, the 
poet, born March 24, 1754; Huldah, born . 

Mr. Samuel Barlow purchased his farm of James 
Bradley for two thousand five hundred pounds. It 
consisted of one hundred and seventy acres, with 
" buildings thereon," and was bounded on the north 
by tlie first cross highway from the rear of the long 
lots, — without doubt tlie road leading from Boston 
through the centre to Redding Ridge. "This north- 
ern boundary," says Mr. Hill, "together with the 
familiar names of the old owners of property on the 
other side of the farm, and also the names of such 
familiar localities on the farm as 'the boggs,' and the 
'flat ridge,' and the 'up-and-down road,' leading to 
each from the main road, mark this farm jmrchased 
by Samuel Barlow as being unmistakably the present 
property of Bradley Hill and the heirs of Gershom 
Hill. There was on it at the time a good .substantial 
dwelling-house of respectable size, erected by a pre- 
vious owner, and which stood about four lunulred feet 
west of the present residence of Bradley Hill, on the 
same side of the street. Tlie house was demolished 
in 1823. Having purchased this property, Jan. 2, 
1749, he undoubtedly located his family on it the fol- 
lowing spring, .as in subsequent deeds he is recognized 
as a resident of the ' Parish of Reading.' It was here 
that Aaron, Samuel, Joel, and Huldah were horn. It 
was here he lived and died, and from liere he was 
buried in the old cemetery west of the Congregational 
church in Redding Centre." 

Of the children of Samuel Barlow, Daniel and Ru- 
hamah died early. James settled in Ridgefield, on a 
farm of one hundred and thirty acres conveyed to 
Iiim by his father March 30, 1770. He had four chil- 
dren : Samuel, who removed to the South, Lewis, 
Abigail, and James, who settled in Vermont. 
Jabez, the youngest son by the first wife, settled in 
Ohio. 

Nathaniel Barlow married Jane Bradley, who was 
born May, 1744. Their children were Gershom, 
bora Oct. 21, 17(J5, died of consumption, Sept. 24, 
1794; Esther, born Sept. .30, 1767 (a deaf-mute), died 
May 10, 1783 ; Sarah, born Jan. KJ, 1770, died April 
11, 1845; Jonathan, born April 14, 1772, died Aug. 
28, 1775; Betsey, born Aug. 2, 1778, died Sept. 9, 
18(;4; HuUlab, born April 3, 1780 (a deaf-mute), 
died Aug. 29, 1787. Mr. Nathaniel Barlow died Dec. 
20, 1782. 



Aaron Barlow settled in Redding, on Umpawaug 
Hill, on a farm purchased by his father several years 
before. He was a man of ability, tall and of impos- 
ing bearing, and served in the capacity of a colonel 
in the Revolution. He removed to Norfolk, Va., and 
died there of yellow fever. His children were El- 
nathan, who died young ; Elnathan, died in the war 
of 1812 ; Samuel, removed to Ohio ; Stephen, a law- 
yer in Ohio; Daniel, lived and died in Redding; 
Aaron, died at sea ; Esther, died at Norfolk, of yellow 
fever; Joel, died in Redding; Rebecca, lived and died 
in Redding; and Thoma-s, called after Thomas Paine 

I by his Uncle Joel. 

I Thoma.s was educated and adopted by his uncle, the 
poet, and accompanied liim to France as his private 
secretary. He was also his companion on the fatal 

' journey to Wilna. After the death of his uncle 
Thomas returned to America and established liimself 
as a lawyer in Pittsburgli, Pa., and died there. 

Samuel Barlow, the third son by the second wife, 
W!is a soldier in the Revolutionary army, and died at 

. Rhinebeek, N. Y., on his return from the expedition 
against Ticonderoga. A stone to his memory was 
erected in the old cemetery in Redding, near the Con- 
gregational cliurch, and which is still standing. 

Rev. NatbanielBartlett, second pitstor of the Con- 
gregational Church in Redding, became a resident in 

I 1753, and so remained until his death, in 1810. He 
married, June 13, 1753, Mrs. Eunice Russell, of Bran- 
ford, Conn. Their childi-en were Russell, baptized 
June 9, 1754; Daniel C, baptized Jan. KJ, 1757; 
Anne, Feb. 25, 1759 ; Eunice, April 20, 1761 ; Jona- 
than, Oct. 14, 1764; Lucretia, Marcli 27, 1768. Rus- 
sell married, Feb. 28, 1776, Rachel Tavlor, and had 
children : Clare, baptized March 30, 1777, and Flora, 

! baptized Aug. 29, 1779. Daniel C. married Esther 
Read, Jan. 7, 1778, and settled in Amenia, N. Y., 
where some of his descendants now reside. Rev. 

I Jonathan married, first, Roda, daugliter of Lemuel 

' Sanford ; second, Betsey Marvin, of Wilton ; and" 
third, Abigail, daughter of LemueL San ford. He had 
no children. 

David Bartram removed from Fairfield to Redding 
as early as 1733, in which year he ai)pears as sur- 
veyor of highways. He was a farmer, and settled in 
Lonetown. He had five sons and three daughters 
born in Fairfield, — viz., David, Paul, James, Daniel, 
born Oct. 23, 1745, John, Mabel, Hannaii, and Bet- 
sey. All the sons settled in Redding. David mar- 
ried, -Vpril 30. 1762, Pliebe Mnrehouse, by wliom he 
had Joel, David, John, Jonathan, HuUla, He]>sy, and 
I'hebe. (Family record.) Paul married, Sept. 19, 
17.56, Mary Hawley. Their children were Joseph, 
born Jan. 28, 17.58 (died in infancy) ; Mary, born May 
12, 1760 ; Sarahj born Aug. 6, 1762 ; Eunice, born Jan. 
3, 1765; Eli, born March 30, 1767 ; Ruth, born Jan. 
7, 1769; Ezekiel, born July 9, 1770 (town re<'ords); 
Ezra, baptized May 9, 1773 ; Joseph, baptized March 
10. 1776. (Family record mentions a daughter Olive.) 



REDDING. 



579 



Of tliose cliildrcn, Mary mnrriod .Tabcz Burr, and re- 
moved t(i Clarendon, Vt. ; 8arali married Milo rai- 
nier, and removed to tlu' same i>laee; Eunice nuirricd 
Daniel Parsons, of Keddini; ; Eli marrieil Dolly Lyon, 
of Redding, and about 1804 removed to Delaware 
Co., N. Y. His children were William, Belinda, 
Pliebe, and Lodema. Ezekiel married Esther, daugh- 
ter of Jonathan Pansons, of Redding. Their children 
were Mary, .Tared, Milo, Clarissa, Elizabeth, Jehu, 
Sarah, Elias, Ezra, Phebe, and Noah. (_)ne of his 
sons, .Jehu, studied hiw and rose to eminence in the 
profession ; was judge, rei)reseutative, and senator. 
Ezekiel moved to Ohio at an early day and settled in 
Marion, where he resided until his death, JIarch !.'>, 
184i>. Ezra was a sailor; married Elinor, daughter 
of Chauncey Merchant, of Redding, and, quitting 
the sea, removed to Delaware Co., X. Y., where he 
died slnsrtly after, leaving children: .Joel JI., Ezra, 
Uriah, and Lucy. Joseph removed lir.st to A'ermont, 
and afterwards to Tioga Co., N. Y. Olive married 
.Tustus Stillson, of Redding, and removeil to Groton, 
N. Y'. 
.''James Bartrani, sun of David, settled in Redding; 
was a private in the Revolution ; married Hannah 
Morehouse, who became the mother of twenty-one 
\ children, ten only of whom survived. These were 
Isaac, Ixn-n April 1.5, 17-")S ; Noali, burn 17(10; James, 
/ born 1770; Aaron, born Fcl). 21,1784; Lucy, Han- 
nah, Betsey, Irena, and Anna. 

Of these children, Isaac settled in Redding; mar- 
ried Molly Hamilton, by whom he had children as 
follows: Isaac, Harry, David, Willis, Chasie, Lucy, 
Polly, and Huldah. Aaron also settled in Redding, 
nuirricd Eunice Jenkins, and raised a large family of 
children. 

Daniel, fourth son of David, also settled in Red- 
ding, was a tanner and currier by trade, and built 
the first works of the kind in the town, on the ground 
now occuiiied b}' Walter M. Edmonds for the same 
jmrpose. He married, Oct. 10, 1708, Ann Merchant, 
of Redding. Their children were Esther, born April 
16, 1770; (furdon, born Oct. 2-^, 1771 (died in in- 
fancy); .\nna, born .Jan. 23, 1773 (died in infancy); 
Elinor, born iMarch 1, 1774 (died in infancy); (iurdon, 
born Sept. 21, 177G; .Vnna, born .\ug. 10, 1778 (nuir- 
ricd Mead; .settled in Ridgefield); Elin<ir, born 

Feb. 4, 1780 (died in infancy); Friah, born Jan. 9, 

1782; Elinor, born Oct. 28, 178.3 (married Nash; 

settled in JIari(m|; Jnlilla, born Nov. 12, \7H'} (nuir- 
ricd Bangs; settleil in Central New York ) ; Ix-vi, 

born Nov. 20, 1787; I'helie, born Hept. 10, 17!»0(nnir- 
ried Curtin) ; David, born Juno •^), 17!)."). 

At the time of Tryon's invasion, with nearly every 
other man in the town cajiable of bearing arms, 
Daniel ISartram joined the militia ami nuirchcd to the 
defense of Daidiury. Being absent several day.s, he 
sent word to liis wife that she must get some one to take 
the hides from the vats or they would spoil. There 
was not a num to be found; and so the brave wonum, 



leaving her four small children to anuise one an- 
other, caught her horst', hitched him to the bark-mill, 
grounil the bark, took the hides out, turned and re- 
jiaeked them, and had just seated herself at the 
dinner-table wdien Iier husband rode u]i, having 
gained leave of absence for the purpose of attending 
to the matter. 

Jidm Bartram, son of David the first, married, 
Hept. 19, 17')0, Charity Bulkley. Family reconl men- 
tions two eliildren, — Sally ami Sanuiel. 

Elias Bates was received to church-mendiership in 
Redding Jan. 19, 174.'); his wife, Sarah, March 4, 
1748. There is no hint of his jirevious residence, and 
he probably came here direct from England. His 
children recorded in Re<lding were .Justus, bajitized 
July 20, 1747, and Sarah, bajitized Feb. 2, 17.'>2; by 

a second wife, Tabitha , Walker, baptized .Ian. 6, 

1700, Elias, baptizcil Feb. 10, 17iil, died in infancy. 

.lolin I'.ates, probaldy son of I'lias, nuirricd Esther 

. Tlu'ir cdiildreu were Ezra, baptized March 

2.'i, 17iiO (died in infancy) ; .lidin, baptized .July 25, 
170)2; Sarah, bajitized May 5, 1704; Esther, ba]itized 
Aug. 23. 1707; Nathan, bairfizcd March 2."), 1770; 
Aaron, July 1, 1772; Martlui anil Slawson, .Jan. 20, 
1778. 

.lustus Bates, son of Elias, married Hannah Coley, 
May 23, 1770. They had one child, Elias, baptized 
Oct. 4, 1772. who nuirricd, Nov. 9, 1793, Lydi:i An- 
drews, of Redding, an<l was the fathi'r <i( three chil- 
dren : Walker, born .Tunc 4, 1790; Amaziah, born 
May 17, 1801 ; Harriet, born May 21, 1804. 

.John Beach, missionary of the Church of England 
in Redding, -was born in Stratford, Conn., Oct. 0. 170(l. 
His father was Isaac Beach, son of the John Beach 
who came from England in 1043. He graduated from 

Yale College in 1721. He married, first, Sarah , 

who died in 17.">0, and, second, Abigail Holbrook, who 
after his death returned to Derby. He had in all nine 
children. Those who had families were .Tosi'ph, liorn 
Sept. 20, 1727; Plu'be, born 1729 (married Daniel 
Hill, of Redding; died 1751, leaving a son Abel); 
.Toll n, born 173.4 (married Phebe Curtis; died in 1791 ) ; 
Lazarus, h;n'n 1730; luid two children, — viz., I^azarus, 
born 170l>, ami Isaac, liorn 1773. 

Lazarus inherited his father's land in Reddin,!;, at 
Hopewell, near which he built his house. Lazarus 
Beach, .Tr., was of a literary turn, and edited a paper 
at Bridgejiort, and afterwards at Washington, D. C. 
On his journey to the latter place he lost his trunk 
or valise, containing tlie Beach manuscripts and all 
liis materials gathered for the purjiose of writing a 
memoir of his distinguished grandfather. He built 
the house now standing near Mr. (iodfrey's. Isaac 
Beach built tlii' house now oecupii'd by Hull B. 
Bradley. The Rev. Jidm Beach lived alxmt thirty 
to forty rods south of the chureh, jirobably on the 
site of the old Capt. Miinger house, wdiich has long 
since disappeared; the trr/f is still used by Mr. E. 
P. Shaw. Lucy, daughter of the Rev. John Beach, 

s 



580 



HISTOKY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 




married Rev. Mr. Town.seiul, niul was lost at sea on 
lier passage to Nova Scotia, proljably at tlic time of 
the great exodus of loyalists after the Revolution. 
Till' mother of James Sanford, Hr., was tlie daughter 
of Lazarus and granddaughter of Rev. John Reach. 

The Benedicts were a Norwalk family, and settled 
quite largely in Ridgefield. The first of the name 
found in Redding was Tliaddeus Benedict, wlio was a 
lawyer and town clerk for a term of years. His liouse 
stood in tlie lot adjoining the Congregational parson- 
age, near the site of the present residence of Joseph 
Squire. His law-office was under the great elm in 
front of his house. He married Deborah Read, July 
12, 177o, daughter of Col. John Read, who bore him 
several children. 

Lieut. Stephen Betts, a prominent character in the 
Revolution, lived on Redding Ridge, in a house that 
stood on the corner, nearly opposite the former resi- 
dence of Francis A. Sanford. He was an active 
Whig, and was taken prisoner by the British on their 
march to Danbury, in 1777. He had a son Daniel and 
two or tliree daughters, of whom there is no record. 
IJia-a.)" D.m iel was a merchant for a while in Red- 
ding Ridge, and then removed to New Haven, where 
some of his children are now living. 

Among the earliest settlers of Redding were Jehu, 
Stephen, and Peter Burr, sons of Daniel Burr, of 
Fairfield, and brothers of the Rev. Aaron Burr, presi- 
dent of Princeton College. They all appear at about 
the same time, — viz., 1730. In October of that year 
Stephen Burr was elected a member of tlio First 
Society committee of the parish. He married Eliza- 
beth Hull June 8, 1721. Children : Grace, born Dec. 
12, 1724; Elizabetli, born Jan. 17, 1728; Ilezekiah, 
born Sei)t. 1, 1730; Sarah, born Nov. 9, 1732; Martha, 
born March 24, 173'); Esther, born Feb. 5, 1743; 
Rebecca. He married, second, Abigail Hall, of New 
Jersey. He lived in a house that stood where Dr. 
Gorham later built liis residence. Hia.aubi son. Hc ze; 
— kiahjdied December, 1785, unnuirried. Of the 

Daniel 



daugliters, Grace marriecTDanicl Gold, Elizabeth 
married Reuben Squire, Sarali married Joseph .lack- 
son, Martiia married Zacariah Summers. Esther 
married Antony Angcvine, and Rebecca married Scth 
Sanford. Deacon _Stcphcn j ?urf died in 1779. Of 
him {^>\. Aaron IJu^ wrote in his journal in Paris: 
" ^ly uncle Stephen lived on niiik-iiunch, and at the 
age of eiglity-six mounted by the stirrup a very gay 
horse and galloped oft" with me twelve miles without 
stopping, and was, I thought, less fatigued than I." 

Peter Burr first appears in Redding as clerk of a 
society-meeting hehl Oct. 11, 1730. His children 
were Ellen, baptized Sept. lit, 1734; Sarah, baptized 
Feb. 21, 173(! ; Ezra, baptized Jan. 2,1737; Edmund, 
baptized Sept. 28, 17t)l. Peter Burr died in .\ugust, 
1779; his children shortly after removed to Virginia. 

Jehu Burr and wifj were a<lmitted to church- 
membership in Redding Dec. 24, 1738. None of his 
children were recorded in Redding, and none, so far 



iis known, settled there. He owned property in Fair- 
field, and probably spent the last years of his life 
there. 

Jabez Burr, son of Joseph Burr, of Fairfield, and 
his wife Elizabeth appear in Redding as early as 
1743. Their children were Elijah, baptized May IS, 

1743; Nathan, born Jan. 1, 174.3; Jabez ; Eze- 

kiel, born March 23, 1755; Stephen, born Jan. 16, 
1757 ; Joel, born Sept. 9, 1759 ; Eunice, Huldah, and 
Hannah. Jabez Burr died in 1770. He is said to 
liave settled in the Saugatuck Valley, near the pres- 
ent residence of Stephen Burr, and to have built 
there the first grist-mill in the town. Of his chil- 
dren, Elijah married Roda Sanford, April 2, 17(J7, 
and had children, — Lemuel and Elizabeth, — and by 
a second wife, Eunice Hawley, married April 27, 
1773, Joseph, Roda, John, who died of yellow fever 
in the West Indies, and Lucy, who married Jonathan 
Knapp, of Redding. Nathan, the second son, re- 
moved to Pawlings, Dutchess Co., N. Y., in 1792, 
and there founded a numerous and wealthy family. 
Ja))ez, the third son, married Mary, daugliier of Paul 
Bartram, and removed to Clarendon, Vt., in 1786. 
He had one son, Aaron. Ezekicl married Huldah 
Merchant, of Redding, who bore him three children : 
Aaron, who lived and died in the house now owned 
by Capt. Davis; William, who removed to Kentucky 
in ISIO; and Huldah, who married Daniel Mallory 
in 1806 and removed to the West. 

A son of William Burr is now president of the St. 
Louis National Bank. Another son, George, a teller 
in the same institution, was the companion of Prof. 
Wise in his late fatal balloon ex|)edition, and shared 
the fate of the aeronaut. Stephen Burr married Mary 
Griflin, of Redding. His children were Clara, Mary, 
Sleplien, and Ezekicl. Joel Burr married Elizabeth 
Gold, and settled in Ballston Springs, N. Y. 

William Burritt and wife were admitted members 
of the chur<-h Dec. 9, 1739. No hint of their previous 
residence is given. Their children recorded at Red- 
ding were Mary, baptized Dec. 16, 1739; .Vbijah, 
Jan! 18, 1741; Roda, Oct. 24, 1742; Sybil, Feb. 19, 
1744. Gershom Burritt appears at the same time. 
His son Solomon was baptized Aug. 5, 1739; Noah, 
Jan. 31, 1842; Nathaniel, Oct. 17, 1743; Isaac, July 
21, 1745. 

Benjamin Burton, son of Solomon, was l)aptized 
Dec. 19, 1742. Ruth, a daughter, was baptized Oct. 
7, 1744. Solomon Burton and his wife were church- 
members July 5, 1741. 

Samuel Chatfield and wife were admitted cliurch- 
mendiers July 29, 1733. Their children recordini 
were Samuel, baptized July 29, 1733; Daniel, bap- 
tized .\ug. 31, 1735; Sarah, .Vpril 17, 1737; Martha, 
baptized May 20, 1739. 

Capt. Samuel Couch, of Fairfield, wiLs one of the 
largest landholders in Redding at one time, and wits 
largely instrumentjil in its settlement. He was, how- 
ever, never resident here. Ebcnezer Couch appears 



EEDDING. 



581 



liere as early as 17;-i!>. His cliiMren recorded were 
Daniel, baptized July 29, ]7;{!l; Adea, baptized .Sept. 
1ft, 1742; Elijali, baptized .July ■2V,, 1747; Tbesde, 
Jan. 2(), 17")-">. 

The tbllowing ehiblren of .lob m ( 'oiieh and his wife 
Elizabeth are recorded: John, baptizcil March 20, 
174X; Stephen, Jan. 21, 17').">; Adria, ba])tizeil April 

20, 17"« ; F^lizabeth, baptized .Tuly 17, 17r)7; Samuel, 
baptized Aul^ :10, 17."iS. 

At an early day nearly the entire district of Couch's 
Hill was purchased by Mr. Si mon j 'ouch^ of Fairlicld, 
who gave his name to the district purchased. His 
wife was Abigail Hall, a nuanbrr of a notable Fair- 
field family. His will, dated March 2, 1712-1:!, is still 
in the possession of Jlr. Xash ('oucli, of Cinudi's Hill, 
who is a lineal deseen<lant. In this will he gives his 
" jS'egro man .Tack" and "negro maid .Tiiuie" to his 
wife, in addition to other bequests. Ilis children 
mentioned in the will were Siuiiin. Jr. . Thomas, Abi- 
gail, Hannah, Sarah, Isabtd, and I)ebor;ih. Thomas 
was lost at sea while on a voyage to England. SiiUQi! 
settled on his father's t^sbite in Redding; married, 
Jan. 27, 17o;-!, Rebecca, daughter of ('apt. Thomas 
Xash, of Fairfield. Their ehiblren. as given in the 
genealogy of the Nash family, were Aljigail, baji- 
tized Feb. 10, 1704 (died voung) ; Simon, born Jlay . 
IS, 17')-') (settled at Green's Farms) ; Thomas Xash, 
born April 18, 1758 (settled at Redding); Rebecca, 
born Jan. 31, 17()1 ; Abigail, ba])tizcd Jan. 27, 17(>o ; 
Lydia, born Oct. 20, 17(;7. Deacon Simon Couch 
died April 2',, LSOit. 

Thomas Couch, of p^iirfield, removeil to Redding 
prior to the Revolution, and settled on Umpawaug 
Hill. He married, Ajiril 2, 1772, Sarah, daughter of 
Jonathan Xash, of Fairfield. Their idiildren were 
Sarah, born .Vug. f), 1773 (died young) ; Thomas, born 
Sept. 23, 1774; Jonathan, born Feb. 13, 1777 (father 
of Maj.-Oen. Couch, distinguished in the war of the 
Rebellion) ; Sarah, born Sept. IS, 177i>; X'athan, born 
Sept. 25, 1781; Esther, born Dee. 14, 1783; Moses, 
born Oct. 2, 178(5; Edward, born :\rarch 7, 1789; 
Hezekiah, born March 14, 1701 ; Mary, born April 

21, 1793; John, born .Inly 28, 179.). Jlr. Thomas 
Couch died in Redding in 1817. 

At the outbreak of the Revolution, Thomas Ccaudi 
enlisted in the patriot army, and was one of the band 
of heroes who were present with Montgomery at 
the siege of (Quebec He lelt liis wife with their young 
children in Fairfield. When Tryon moved on that 
town, Mrs. Couch liad what furniture and grain she 
could gather put into an ox-cart, drawn by two yoke 
of oxen, and started for liedding, where she owned 
land in her own right. She followed on horseback, 
carrying her two children in her arms. At the close 
of the war Thomas joined his wife in Redding, where 
they continued to reside until death. 

Simon Couch, brother (d' Thomas, settled in Red- 
ding, on Umpawaug Hill, about the same time. He 
married, Jan. 7, 177(!, Eleanor, daughter of Jonathan 



Xash, of Fairfield. Their children were Elizabeth, 
born Oct. 9, 17711; .Ie.s>up, born Aug. .'!, 177S: Sctli, 
born Aug. ".1, 17^(1; EIraiior. born Aug. 20, 1782; 
Simon, born Dec. 1, 1784 ; Xash, Imrn A]iril 2.3, 17S7 ; 
Priscilla, born Jum' 27, 1790; E<hvard, born .July 14, 
1792; Simon A., born Dec. (i, 1794; (.'aroline, born 
June 23, ISO]. Simon Oaudi died Ajiril ](!, 1829. Of 
the children, Simon and Jessuj) graduated at Yale 
College. Jessup graduated in 1802, and in 1804 re- 
moved to Chillii'othc, ( )hio, where he practiced law 
until his aiipointmcnt as judge of the Superior Court 
of Ohio in 18]."); this ofKce he continued to hold until 
his death, in 1821. In the war of 1812 he was also 
aide-de-camp to Governor Jleigs, (}f ()hio, and bearer 
of ilispatches to Gen. Hull. 

Simon (!'onch, his brother, settle<l at Marion, Ohio, 
where he iiracticed nu'(licine until his death, in ]S2ti. 

ICunice Darling, daughter of .loseidi Darling, was 
ba[)tized .Ian. 2"), 17.'{() ; lienjamiu was bajitized April 
13, 1738; JIartha, Jan. 11, 1741; .loseidi, X'ovend)er, 
1743. 

Thomas Fairchild removed to Redding from Xor- 
walk in 173.3 ; was one of the original members of the 
chundi. His wife, Mary, was admitted Jan. 29, 1738. 
Their children recordeil were Timothy and AVilliam, 
baptized Oct. 22, 1738; Sarah, Aiiril 12, 1741 ; Abi- 
jah, Jlay 27, 1741; Mary, Oct. 27, 174.'). 

Abraham Fairchild, ])robably brother of above, 
came from X'orwalk in 174(), and built the first full- 
ing-mill in the tiiwn, near the site later occupied by 
Deacon Foster's woolen-mill. His wife was Sarah 
Scribner, of X'orwalk. Their children were Abra- 
ham, born .Ian. 1, 174-') (died aged seventeen) ; Ezekiel, 
l)orn Oct. 20, 174(i; Daniel, born Dec. 20, 1748; Isaac, 
born Jlarch 4, 1751 ; David, Ijorn .Tunc 5, 1753; Sam- 
uel, born July 9, 1755; Stephen, born JIarch 7, 175S; 
RaclK'l, bora Feb. 2, 170] ; John, born JIarch 1.5, 
1704; Ellen, born Oct. 10, ]7(>7. Six of these brothers 
were in the Revolutionary army at one tinu'. David 
was captured by the British, and confined in Trinity 

church, X'ew York. Tlie smallpox was eommunicated 
[ ' ^ .... 

to the prisoners, — it is said with design, — and he 

with many others died of the disease. Stephen was 

wounded at Ridgefield, but recovered; married Lizzie 

Fitch, of Wilton. Their (diildrcn were Daniel, Kier, 

Isaac, Ellen, and Stephen. Ezekiel married Eunice 

Andrews and had four ehihlren, — Abraham, Sarah, 

Abigail, and liurr; Daniel married Betsey Mead, and 

removed to the West; I.saac married Rachel Banks, 

and removed to Liberty, X'. Y. ; Samuid married Xab- 

bie Piatt, of Redding, and had two children, — Aaron 

I and Betsey; John married Abigail Wakemau, of 
Weston, and had children : Eli, David, Raclud, Moses, 
Henry, and Eliza; David married t'harlotte Guyer, 

I of Weston, and had children: Eli, William, David, 
Mary, and John. Rachel married Seth Andrews, of 

I Redding; Ellen married Minott Thomas, a Baptist 
clergyman. 

Stephen, Samuel, and John built a grist-mill at an 



582 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



early day on the site of the one later known as Tread- 
well's mill. It was carried off by the great freshet of 
1807, and the large stock of grain it contained was 
scattered over the meadows below. They also owned 
a saw-mill just below, and sawed plank for the sol- 
diers' huts in the Revolution. 

Reginald Foster, the founder of the family in 
America, came to this country in 1638 with his five 
sons, — Abraham, Reginalil, William, Isaac, and Ja- 
cob, — and settled at Ipswich, ICssex Co., Mass. Jacob 
Fo.ster was the ance.-^tor of the Redding family. Jo- 
nah Foster settled in Redding about 177o ; married 
Hannah Benedict, of Ridgefield, and shortly after re- 
moved to that town, and tliere resided until his death, 
in 181o. His son, .Joel Foster, was born in Redding 
Nov. 8, 1780, and lived in Ridgefield with his parent.s 
until liis marriage with Esther Seymour, in 1802. In 
1803 he removed to Redding, and bought of Jloses 
Fox a small place on which was a fulling-mill and 
other conveniences for cheapening cloths. This mill 
stood a little below tiie present bridge over Nobb's 
Crook Brook, and the ruins of its dam are still to be 
seen. In 1804, Mr. Foster built an addition to his 
fulling-mill building, which was leased to Zalmon 
Toucey, of Newtown, and in which Toucey erected a 
carding-machine, paying a yearly rent of twenty dol- 
lars. 

How long Mr. Toucey's lease continued is not 
known, but he probably soon relinquished it to Joel 
Foster, as the latter continued the business until about 
the time of the opening of the war of 1812, when a 
company was formed, styled Comstock, Foster & Co., 
who built a woolen-factory a few rods below the old 
fulling-mill, and continued the manulacture of woolen 
goods during the entire period of the war, being very 
successful. Tiie company, a few years after the war, 
wiis bought out by Joel Foster, who continued the 
business until the burning of his factory, in 1843 or 
1844, wlien he retired. Jlr. Foster died in 1854, aged 
seventy-four years. He had four children, all born in 
Redding: Daniel, Betsey, Eliza, and Charles F. 

Daniel, Samuel, and Stephen tiol d (now written 
Gould), brothers, members of a Fairfield family that 
had been prominent in Church and State for several 
generations, were among the early settlers of the town, 
though none oftheir descendants are now found among 
us. Daniel appears first ; he marrie<l Grace, daughter 
of Deacorl^^^)hon Burr, and lives where James Lord 
now lives. His children, as named in the will of 
Deacon Burr, were Abigail, who married Richard 
Nichols; Esther, wlio nuirried Nathaniel Northrop; 
Sarah, who married David Turney ; Mary, who mar- 
ried Seth Price; and Elizabeth. 

Samuel tiold settled in Lonetown, and built the 
house now owned by Seth Todd. He was a soldier 
iu the Revolution, and was wounded at the skirmish 
in Ridgefield. Some <4° the oflicers of Putnam's com- 
mand had their quarters at Mr. Gold's during their 
encampment in Redding. He married Sarah Piatt, 



of Redding. Their children were Hezekiah, Daniel, 
Burr, Aaron, Sarah, Polly, and Grace. Stephen Go ld 
settled on the farm later owned by Timothy Piatt in 
Lonetown. He is called captain in the records. He 
did not long remain a resident of Redding, but re- 
turned, it is said, to Greenfield. 

Isaac Gorham and his wife, Ann, first appear on 
the parish records Jan. 2.5, 17G2, when their son Isaac 
was baptized. There is no hint of their former resi- 
dence, but they were probably from Fairfield. There 
is no further record of children. 

Daniel Gray and wife were admitted church-mem- 
bers Dec. 5, 1742; John Gray and wife, Feb. 9, 1744, 
on the recommendation of Rev. Mr. Dickinson, of 
Norwalk. 

The only child of Daniel Gray recorded was James, 
baptized May 8. 1743 . The children of John Gray 
were Hannah, baptized July 1, 1744; Joseph, July 
15, 1753; Eunice, Jan. 2, 1755; and (by a second 
wife, Ruamah) Eunice, baptized April 13, 1760, and 
Joel, Sept. 11, 1763. 

Stephen, son of Stephen and Sarah Gray, was bap- 
tized May 10, 1747 ; also Huldah, a daughter, Dec. 
14, 1760; Hannah, Oct. 3, 1762; Sarah, June 17, 1764. 
James Gray, only son of Daniel, married Mabel Phin- 
ncy, Feb. 9, 1764. Their children were Jesse, bap- 
tized April 14, 1765 ; perhaps others. 

John firiffin appears in Redding as early as 1736. 
His children were Sarah, baptized May 9, 173G ; 
Annie, baptized Oct. 22, 1738; Jonathan, ba])tized 
Nov. 23, 1746. He settled in West Redding, near the 
Danbury line. 

The Halls were among the earliest settlers in Red- 
ding, the name appearing on the earliest petitions 
from the parish. In 1730, at tlie distribution of the 
estate of Samuel Hall, he is said to be of Chestnut 
Ridge, in Reading. His children, as given, were 
Ebenezer, Johannah, Jemima, and Rebecca. Isaac 
Hall, whose farm lay contiguous to Samuel's, was 
one of the original diurch-nu'nibcrs, and was reeom- 
meuded by Rev. Mr. Chapnum ; he died in 1741. 
Asa Hall and Rachel, his wife, were admitted March 
23, 1736, on the same recommendation. There is im 
mention of children. 

Josejdi Hawley and wife were admitted churcli- 
mcmbcrs in Decendjer, 1740, on recommendation of 
Rev. Mr. Gold of Stratford. Their children recorded 
were Mary, baptized Feb. 7, 1742; Ruth, Nov. 5, 
1746; Eunice, Oct. 25, 1750. Josei>h Hawley died 
Dec. 12, 1771, aged sixty-si.\ years. Willia m llawlcv . 
who appears in Redding as early as 17<'i2, wius prob- 
ably his son. He lived where James .Miller now lives; 
married Lydia, daughter of Capt. Thomas Na-sh, of 
Fairfield, .Inly 12, 1758. Their children were Lydia 
(died in infancy) ; Joseph, born June 23, 1762 (settlecl 
in Redding); Lydia, born Dec. 13, 1763 (married 
.\aron Sanford, of ReddingI; William (died in in- 
fancy); Bille, born Feb. 9, 1767 (removed to the 
West); Hezekiah (died in infancy); Hezekiah, bora 



EEDDING. 



583 



March 10, 1772; Lciuucl lilicil vouiil', of smallpox). 
Williaiii Hiuvley diod Feb. H;, 17',I7; Mrs. Lydia 
Hawlcy died April iC, l.Sli'. 

The founder in Ameriea of (he Ilill family was 
William Hill, who on Iiis arrival liere, about 1G32, 
settled fir.st at Dorchester, Mass., and shortly after re- ! 
moved to Windsor, on the Connecticut River, where ' 
lie bouirht land and set out an orcluird. At an early 
day lie removed to Fairfielil, and w.ns among tlic early 
settlers of that town. He died in llJoO. His children 
were Sarah, William, Joseidi, Ignatius, James, and 
Elizabeth. William, the second' child, married Eliza- 
beth . Their children were Sarah, William, .Jo- 
seph, .John, Eliphalet, Ignatius, and James. Wil- 
liam, the third, married , and had children, — 

Sarah, William, Joseph, and David. William Hill, 

the fourth, married Sarah . Their children were 

Joseph, William, and David. Deacon Josc|ih Hill, 
born April 1, lii'.)9, marrieil Abigail Dimon JIarch oO, 
1731. The children of this marriage were Abigail, 
born March 21, 1732; Sarah, born Aug. 21, 1733; 
David, liorn April 22, 1737 ; Ebeuezer, born Feb. 2(i, 
1742; Jabez, born June 17, 1744; .Muses, born .Tan. 
11, 1748. Of the sons, only Ebeuezer, Jabez, and 
Moses married. Ebeuezer nuirried Mabel Sherwood, 
Jan. 17, 17()"). Their children were David. Ebeuezer, 
Setli, Dimon, Joseph, Mabel, Eleanor, Jabez, and ' 
lOsther. El:)cnezer. his secon<l son, married Sarah, 
ilaughtcr <if JS'athaniel liajlgw ybrother of Uie_X'oet,Jii_ 
May, 17'.ll. He removed to Redding early i'inifc, ami 
settled in Boston District. His children were Mabel, 
Nathaniel B., Genshom, Ebeuezer, Moses, and .labez. 
.Tabez Hill, son of Deacon Joseph Hill, settled in 
Weston; was a major in the army of the Revolution; 
married Sarah, daughter of Col. .John Read, of Red- ' 
ding. The children of this marriage were Sarah, .John 
Read, and Moses. Sarah married Tinnithy Piatt, of 
Redding. John Read settled in Rediliug at an early 
day, and became one of its wealthiest ami best-known 
residents. He began his business career by engaging 
in the numufacture of lime, ami on his relirement, in 
1823, purchased the "manor" of his grandfather. Col. 
.John Read, where he continued to reside until his 
death, in 1851. He married, March 23, 17;)0, Betsy, ' 
daughter of Aaron Sanford, of Rc^ddiug. Their cliil- 1 
dreu were Aaron Sanford, Moses, AVilliam Hawley, 
Betsv, John Lee, Morris, Lvdia, and Joseiih. 

Moses Hill, a son of Deacon Joseph Hill, married 
Esther, daughter of Ebeuezer Burr, of Fairfield, June j 
17, 1773. The children by this marriage were Wil- 
liam, Abigail, and lOsther. William married Betsey, ! 
daughter of Nathaniel Barlow, brother of the poet, ' 
and had children, — Bradley, Abigail, Horace, Burr, 
and William. 

In Revolutionary days, and before, 'Sipiire Heron 
lived in the now ancient Inmsc on Redding Ridge, 
just south of the Episcopal church. He was a native 
of Cork, Ireland, a graduate of Trinity College, Dub- 
lin, and a man of much ability and force of character. 



It is said (hat he had taught the academy in (ireen- 
field Hill bel'ore coming to Redtliug, and had also 
surveyed the old stage-route from New Ym-k to Bos- 
ton. I cannot determine the jirecisc date of his ar- 
rival here, but it was some time prior to the llevolu- 
fion. In that niemorabli' struggle he sided with the 
king, and was the recognized leader of the com|ian,v 
of Tories on Redding Ridge. At the time of Tryou's 
invasion he opeidy gave aid and comfort to the enemy. 
After the war he became a jirominent charai'ter in the 
town, and, idthough somewhat bigoted and imbued 
with the Old- World notions of caste and social dis- 
tinctions, is said to have exercised a great deal of in- 
fluence in public afiairs, es])eeially at town-meetings. 
" We nuist kei'p down the underbrush" was a favorite 
remark of his in s|icaking of the common people. 
The following story, illustrating in a nnirked manner 
the customs of the day, is related of him: 

At (jue of the annual town-meetings Mr. Hezekiah 
Morgan, a somewh.at illiterate num, was mnuinated 
for grand juror. 'Squire Heron, in laced waistcoat, 
ruffles, and velvet breeches, and aiding himself with 
his gold-headed cane, arose to oj)j)ose the motion. 
"Mr. Moderator," said he, "who is this Kier Mor- 
,<ran? Why, a man brought up in Hopewell Woods; 
he fears neither (tod, man, nor the devil. If elected, 
who will be responsible for his acts? Will you, Mr. 
Jloderator? or 1! Why, sir, he can arrest anybody; 
he can arrest Yonr Honor, or even myself;" and with 
like cogent reasons succeeded in defeating the obnox- 
ious candidate. 

'Sijuire Heron died Jan. 8, 1819, aged seventy-seven 
years, and is buried in the old Episcopal churchyard 
on Redding Rid.irc. His children were William, 
Maurice, IClizabeth, Lucy, Elosia, Margaret, and 
Susan. William never nuirrieil. He lived on the 
old homestead in Redding all his days, and was a 
man much respected in the eommunity. His brother 
Maurice graduated at Yale College, and shortly after 
was killed by a steandioat exi)losion on the Connecti- 
cut River, near Essex. 

George Hull, the ancestor of the Hulls of Fairfield 
County, ap])ears in Dorchester, JIass., in lt;;!0. He 
dieil in Fairfield in lliot). His will, dated Aug. 25, 
1659, mentions sons, Josias and (.'oruelius, and several 
daughters. His son Cornelius married Rebecca, 
daughter of Rev. John .lones, the first minister of 
Fairfield, evidently Nov. 29, 1G53, as that is the date 
he is given a homestead In' his father on the occasion 
of his nmrriage. His will, of the date Sepit. lit, 1(!95, 
names three sous — Sanuicl, Cornelius, and Theophilus 
— and three daughters, — Rebecca, Sarah, the wife of 
Robert Sillinnm, and Martha, wife of Cornelius Strat- 
ton. Robert Sillinuiu was the father of El)enczer 
SiUiuum, and grandfather of (ien. (lold Selliek Silli- 
mau, of Revolutionary fame, and great-grandfather of 
Benjamin Silliman, LL.D., the distinguished professor 
of chemistry and mineralogy in Yale College. 

Cornelius, second son of Cornelius Hull (1st) nnir- 



584 



HISTOllY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



ried Sarah, daughter of the first Ezekiel Sanford. ' 
Their cliiklifii were George, Sarali, Rebeeea, Katlian- 
icl, Eljenczer, Elizatjeth, Martha, Jolin, Eleanor, and [ 
Cornelius. Deacon George Hull was prominent in the 
first settlement of Redding, particularly in the for- 
mation of the church. He was moderator of the first 
parish-meeting, a memher of the first parish commit- 
tee, and first deacon of the church. He also ai)pears 
on numerous committees. He and his wife, Ebcn- 
ezer and wife, and Theophilus and wife were among 
the original church-members in 1733. John Hull 
was admitted .\pril 18, 1730. All of them removed 
from Greenfield Hill. Cornelius, George, and Eben- 
ezer were coniinendcd to the church at Greenfield 
Hill from the first church in Fairfield, and Theophi- 
lus fi-om the church in Green's Farms in 172(i. 

Deacon George Hull married JIartha, daughter of 
Samuel Gregory, of Stratfield. His children recorded 
in Reading are Seth, bai)tized July 29, 1733, and Re- 
becca, May 25, 1735. He died Feb. 9, 170!), aged 
eightv-thrce. Seth Hull married Elizabeth Mallorv. 



His children recorded in Reading are ATilgail, born 
Jan. 28, 1762; Jonathan, Oct. 25, 1763; Eliphalet, 
Dec. 18, 1765 ; Walter, Nov. 21, 1767 ; Lazarus, Jan. 
16, 1770; Hezekiah, March 24, 1792; Martha, April 
28, 1794. Besides these were Elizabeth and Sarah. 
Jonathan married Eunice Beach, granddaughter of 
Rev. John Beach, and was the father of Rev. Lemuel 
Beach Hull, ibrmer rector of Christ Church in Red- 
ing. Martha married David Belden, an Episcopal 
clergyman. Seth Hull died Ajjril 5, 1795. 

Nathaniel Hull was born in 1{!95, and reared Sarah, 
Elizabeth, Esther, Stephen, Nathaniel, Peter, Ezekiel, 
David, -Varon, Silas, and Hannah. Silas married 
Huldah Goodsell, Nov. 26, 1761 ; she died young, 
leaving two daughters, — Hannah and Huldah. He 
married Ellen Ikadley, Dec. 25, 1765 ; their children 

were Bradley and David. His third wife was 

Smith, of Ridgelield, who died leaving no children. 
His fourth wife was Eiizalieth Hoyt, who had a 
daughter, Sally. Silas Hull died in 1803. Bradley 
Hull, son of Silas and his second wife, Ellen Bradley, 
nuirried Mary Chapman, daughter of Jcdediah Hull. 
Their children were Burr, Pamelia, Cliarry, Silas, 
Aaron B., Mary Chapnum (who died in the third 
year of her age), Mary (who also died young), and 
Charles R. Bradley Hull's second wife was Susan 
llubbell. Their children were Bradley H., Moses 
Chapman, Le Grand, and Cornelia. 

The children of Ebenezer were Daniel, Ebenezer, 
Nohcmiah, and Abigail. Daniel married Mary, 
daughter of Stephen Betts, Nov. 10, 1748, and re- 
moved from Redding to Berlin, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., 
in 1770 ; he was one of the first settlers of that town. 
He died Aug. 26, 1811, aged eighty-nine years. He 
had ten children, — viz., Martha, Hezekiah, Justus, 
Abigail, Peter, Esther, Daniel, Stephen, Harry, and 
Ebenezer. Justus was one of the first ministers of 
the Second Baptist Church in Danbury, and is re- 



puted to have been a preacher of more than ordinary 
ability. He was in the ministry fifty-six years, and 
died in Berlin, N. Y., May 29, 1833, at the age of 
seventy-eight. His children were Justus P., Emmcr- 
son, Polly Ann, and Alonzo Grandi.son. The la.st 
named is a physician, and resides in New York. He 
wa.s a successful (iractitioner in Loudon for twelve 
years. Ebenezer nuirried and emigrated to the West. 

John Hull removed to Redding when in middle 
life. He went with the provincial trooijs in the ex- 
pedition against Cuba in 1741, and died of what tl,ie 
historian terms an " extraordinary sickness" which 
broke out among the iroo|)s, represented to have been 
" nearly as uu)rtal :is the plague. Of nearly one thou- 
sand men from New England not one hundred re- 
turned." He directed that his musket carried in the 
wars should be sent home to his eldest son, Timothy ; 
he to leave it to his eldest son, and that it should de- 
scend in this manner to the eldest son as long as it 
existed. Thus it has fallen in regular descent to Mr. 
Aaron B. Hull, of Danbury, the great-grandson of the 
original owner. Before enlisting Mr. Hull made his 
will, dated Sept. 16, 1740, in w-hich he mentions sons 
— Timothy, James, and .Tohn — and daughters, — Anna, 
Abigail, and Esther. Timothy wius born Sept. 4, 
1726, and nuirried Anna, daughter of John Gray, 
Dec. 14, 1749. He died April 29, 1800. His children 
were Hannah, born July 27, 1751, married Samuel 
Mallory, and died in Danbury, Sept. 4, 1836; Sarah, 
born Feb. 5, 1754, married John Fairchild, and re- 
moved We.st; Ezra, born April 5, 1756, and died in 
Redding, JIarch 5, 1837. He married Elizabeth, 
daughter of Onesimus Coley. His chiblren were 
Eunice, born July 6, 1785, married Hiram Jackson, 
died in Kingston, N. Y., May 3, 1862 ; Laura, born 
.Vug. 4, 1788, married John Eckert, and died in 
Springfield, Otsego Co., N. Y., Nov. 17, 1865; Polly, 
born Nov. 29, 1798, died in Kingston. N. Y., Sept. 28, 
187G. Elizabeth, the wile of Ezra Hull, died Feb. 28, 
1809. 

He married widow Mary Bradley, daughter of Ger- 
shom Banks, of Fairfield, June 20, 1810; she died in 
Wilton, April 17, 1854. The children of this mar- 
riage were Ezra Bradley and Charles, who both died 
yimng, and .\aron B. Ezra Hull served in the Revo- 
lutionary war, and jiarticipated in those events which 
transpired during Governor Tryon's expedition to and 
the burning of Danbury. Eunice, fourth child of 
Timothy Hull, was born Aug. 26, 1757; married 
George Perry, and emigrated to Kentucky; John, 
born June 26, 1759, married Sarah Fairchild, died in 
Redding, .\pril 7, ls;{8 (his children were ,\aron, 
E/.ekiel, Hezekiah, Abraham, and Polly); Abraham, 
born March 30, 17t>l, married LoisStiirr, died in Dan- 
bury, Oct. 29, 1831 (his children were Bet.sey, Annis, 
Lucy, and Maria) ; David, born March 22, 1763, died 
in Redding, March 19, 1847 (he married Chloc Lee, 
and had children,— Daniel, Harry, ami Lucy); Sam- 
uel, born June 22, 1766 (he married .Vnna Wakeman, 



REDDING. 



5S5 



and had one child, a daughter Kliza ; he died in Red- 
ding, July 19, 1S40); Hczekiali, Imni Oct. L'2, ITliil, 
died in I)anl)Ury, July 2(i, lx'>'2 I he married Ilannali 
ytarr, and had an only ehihl, u daughter, named 
Kliza); Anna, linrn Dee. 7, 1771, married Lemuel 
lUirr, died in Redding, Dee. 20, 1X40; Abigail, elev- 
enth, and youngest child of Timothy Hull, born Nov. 
17, 177o, married Timothy Perry, died in Miamisburg, 
Ohio, March !(!, 1S44. 

The will o f James, tlie second son of John Hull, of 
the date of A]iril 2(i, 17!l'.', mentions no children. He 
died Feb. 20, ISO"), in the seventy-.<eventh year of his 
age. John married Molly Andrews, Feb. ?>, 17(i;i. 
His children recorded are Eleanor and ^Nlolly. His 
will, bearing date June 24, 1815, mentions no chil- 
dren, but names his grandson, John Goodyear, and 
the son of his grandson, Hull (ioodyear, and two 
others, names not given, but which were undoubtedly 
Munson (ioodyear and Ellen, wife of Harry Meeker. 

Cornelius, the youngest son of Cornelius Hull (2d), 
and" Abigail, daughter of Robert Rumscy, were nuir- 
ried Aug. 24, 17;31. Their children were .redediah, 
Eunice, Grace, Eliphalct, Abigail, Sarah, and Ruey. 
Jedediah Hull was second lieutenant under Col. 
David Wooster in the army which invaded Canada in 
1758. He married Mary Chajunan, May 2, 171)1. He 
died Feb. 14, 17%. His children were Denny, Eu- 
nice, Chapman, Mary Chai)man, and Cornelius, and, 
by a second wife, Jedediah. Denny and Chai)man 
settled in Redding. The children of the first-named 
were Mary, Denny, Isaac Piatt, and Eunice. Chap- 
num's were ilorris, Henry C, and George. 

The Redding records contain the nuirriage of Nehe- 
niiah Hull and Grizzle Perry, Feb. 5, 17()7. Nehe- 
miah, probably his son, married 8arah Jackson. Twin 
daughters were born to them, Dec. 7, 17!12, and were 
nanu'd Sally Betsy and Betsy Sally. The iirst-named 
inarried Tiuyydulus Jlj sonjrf_Z;i^ Hull, and tlie 
other Morris, son of Chapman Hull. 

Theophilus Hull, of Fairfield, youngest son of Cor- 
nelius Hull 1 1st 1, married ^[ary, daughter of Ezckiel 
Sanford (1st). His will, dated June 4, 1710, gives the 
names of sons — Thfo^hilus, Eliphalet, John, and 
Jahesh — and daughters, — Mary and Ann. His oldest 
son, Theoi)hilus, removed to Redding, and was one of 
the first deacons of the church there. From him de- 
scended Zalma^ , Sarah, and Eydia Hull. Zalmon'.s 
sons were Hezekiah, Theoi)hilus B., and Henry L., 
and hi.s daughters Lydia and Sally. The descendants 
of Cornelius and Theophilus Hull, once so numerous 
in Redding, are now, especially those of the latter, 
scarcely represented there, having removed to other 
localities. 

Ei)liraim Jackson and his wife, Martha, removed 
to Redding from Green's Farms, Fairfield, in 1748, 
and were admitted church-memljers the same year. 
He died Ajiril 28, 17(;5, aged sixty-five years. The 
children of his son, Ephraim Jackson, were as fol- 
lows; Aaron, ba]itizcd Nov. 12, 1707; MoUie, bap- 
38 



tized July 23, UOO; Peter, Sept. 8, 1771; Hezekiah, 
Feb. 27, 1774. I)avid .lacUson appear.s in Redding as 
early as 17G.j ; was probably son of E])hraim ; mar- 
ried, Nov. IS, 17(J2, Anna Sanford. Their children 
were Ezekiel, baptized Oct. 21^, 17(;;;; David, Eel). 2, 
17(il>; Anna, Sept. :!0, 1770 (died in infancy); .\nna, 
Sept. 14, 1772; and, by a second wife, Esther, Moses, 
baptized Dec. 11, 1774; perhaps otiiers. Ezekiel, son 
of David, married Hannah tlray, .\pril :{0, 17S() (town 
record). Their children were .Vnna, born Dec. 21, 
j nSG; Hiram, born April 22, 17S8 ; Samuel, born Dee. 
29, 17S9; Clarissa, born Dec. 25, 1792; Laura, born 
Feb. 28, 1794; Harriet, born Dec. IS, 1795. Harriet 
married Cideon H. Hollistcr, of Woodl)ury, and be- 
came the motln'r of Judge Cideon H. Hollistcr, the 
historian of (Jonneeticut. 

William Lee and wife were admitted church-mem- 
bers >Liy 2'^, 1742. Their children recorded were 
Daniel, baptized Jan. 8, 1744 ; Abijah, baptized Sept. 

21, 1745; Abigail, baiitized May 5, 1748; William, 
baptized April 5, 17513; Seth, baptized JIareh 2;3, 
175.5. 

Joseph Lee ami wife were admitted i[ay S, ]7;{7. 
Their daughter Mary was l)ai)tized JTay S, I'i'i. 
I Among the original meml)ers of the church at its 
organization in 17.'i3 appear the names of Daniel Lion 
and wife, of Beujannn Lion and wife (recommended 
by Rev. Mr. Cay), and liiehard Lion and wife. All 
settled in the southeastern part of the town, near 
wdiat is now the Easton line. Tlie reconl of their 
families is as follows; (.'hild of Daniel; Jonathan, 
baptized April 12, 1741. Children of Benjamin: 
Bethel, bajitized May 29, ]7:>!; .rohn, baptized Aug. 

22, 17;i(;; Samuel, baptized Aug. 2ll, 1738; Phehe, 
baptizeil Feb. 24, 1740. Richard Lion died in Jan- 
uary, 1740, ageil eighty-seven years. 

I David Lord was adnntted church-m<'ml)cr in 1744, 
recommended by Rev. Mr. Parsons, of Lyme. His 
{ children were David, bai)tized .luly 8, 1744; Eliza- 
' beth, baptized March 5, 1749; perhaps others. 

.Jonathan Mallory and wife were admitted church- 

j members Dec. 22, 1735, on recommendation of Rev. 

Mr. Chapnuui. She was JClizabcth Adams. They 

were married April 10, 1735. Their children were 

Jonathan, baptized Jan. 11, 173fi; Eliza, baptized 

Dec. 17, 1738; i)erhaps othcr.^. Peter Mallory nuir- 

ried Joanna Hall, Feb. 28, 1737. Children: Rebecca, 

baptized Feb. 5, 1738 (died in infancy); Rebecca, 

I baptized Jan. 1:{. ]7:i9. Ebenezer Mallory and Han- 

luih Keys were married Feb. (i, 1744; no children 

found. Dainel Mallory and Sarah Lee were married 

Nov. 30, 1748. Their children were Daniel, hap- 

j tized Oct. 25, 1750; Nathan, Aug. 25, 1754; Abigail, 

I April 24, 1757; Sarah, May 15, 1763; Joseph, hap- 

I tized Feb. 12, 171)7. Eunice, daughter of Daniel 

I Mallory, Jr., and his wife Kachel, were baptized Sept. 

5, 1779. Samuel and Charles JIallory were born 

Ajiril (), 1780. The mimes of the parents are not 

given. Charles Mallory was the father of Stephen 



586 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIEl.D COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Mallory, United States senator from Florida, and 
later Secretary of the Confederate Navy. 

Stephen Meade , the first of the name in Rodding, 
appears as early as 1755. He married Rachel San- 
ford, daughter of Epliniim Sanford. Their children 
were .Toremiah, boni March 22, 1752; Ezra, bap- 
tized Jan. 1!), 1755; Hantiali, bapti/.ed May 9, 175(J; 
Esther, baptized Aug. 17, 17(50; Thaddeus, baptized 
Oct. 25, 1761; Stephen, baptized Jan. 24, 1768. 
Stephen Meade is called lieutenant and captain in 
the records. He was a man quite prominent in town 
affairs; was elected the first clerk of the town at its 
organization, in 1767, and held other important offices. 
He lived in the centre, on the site of the present resi- 
dence of Thomas Sanford. 

Benjamin Meeker and wife were admitted church- 
members June 4, 1747. She was Catharine Burr. 
They were married July 20, 1745. Their children 
were Witely, baptized June 7, 1747 ; Esther and 
Eunice, baptized Aug. 13, 1755 ; Azariah, baptized 
Feb. 5, 1769. Daniel Meeker married Sarah John- 
son, July 10, 1744. Their children were Eluathan, 
baptized July 26, 1747 ; Jared, baptized Jan. 29, 1749; 
Rebecca, baptized Jan. 20, 1751 ; Louis, baptized 
March 28, 1753 ; Josiah, baptized July 17, 1757. 

About the same time appear David Meeker and 
Robert Meeker. The former married Hannah Hill, 
Oct. 81, 1744 ; the latter, Rebecca Morehouse, Sept. 
19, 1746. No record of children. Joseph Meeker ap- 
pears as early as May 4, 1735, when his son Isaac was 
liai)tized. 

(.Turd on M erchant married Elinor Chauncey (prob- 
"ably iirTairficid^ Dec. 9, 1747. Their children 
were Amelia, baptized Feb. 5, 1749; Chauncey, 
Feb. 25, 1753; John, baptized Aug. 31, 1765; Elinor, 
Jan. 8, 1758; Gurdon, March 16, 1760; Joel, June 6, 
1762; Phebe, May 20, 1764; Silas, May 8, 1766. 
Gurdon Merchant was the first town treasurer, and 
licld other oflices of trust. The family figures quite 
prominently in the later history of the town. 

Gershom Morehouse and wife were admitted mem- 
bers of the church May 8, 1737, on recommendation 
of Rev. Mr. Hobart, of Fairfield ; also Jonathan 
Morehouse, July 5, 1741. There arc no children of 
Gcrsliom Morcliouse recorded in Redding. The 
- (jp i Tt'""" > lfiri'|iiiiisp who married Anna Sanford, 
Jan. 18, 1748, was probably his son. The children of 
the second Gershom Morscliouse were Ezra, bap- 
tized April 28, 1754; Bilie, baptized July 18, 1756; 
Aaron, baptized June 4, 1758; Jane, baptized Nov. 4, 
1760; Ann, baptized June 19, 1764; Hill, bajUized 
May 5, 1765; Lucy, baptized .luly 12, 17(i7; Betty, 
baptized Aug. 6, 1769; Elizabetii Ruth, baptized 
Nov. 10, 1771 ; Polly, May 15, 1774; Polly; baptized 
May 4, 1777. The children of Jonathan Morehouse 
were Joanna and Mary, baptized April 13, 1738; 
Hannah, baptized June 3, 17.'!9; Elijah, liaptizi'd 
March 11, 1742; Phebe, baptized May 27, 1744; 
Ruth, baptized June 14, 1747. 



Ebenezer Perry removed to Redding, probably 
from Stratford, in 1735, in which year he was ad- 
mitted church-member. His children were John, 
baptized May 10, 1741 ; Ebenezer, June 12, 1743 ; 
probably others. 

Daniel Perry, son of .Joseph Perry and Deborah 
Burr, of Fairfield, removed to Bedding about 1770 
an<l settled in the soutliwestcrn part of the town. He 
married, first, Mary, daughter of Peter Sturgis, 6t' 
Fairfield, and, second, Sarah Wilson. His children, 
all by the second wife, were Grissel, born Feb. 10, 
1745-46; Daniel, born April 15, 1747; John, born 
Dec. 30, 1748; Deborah, born Oct. 8, 1750; George, 
born Nov. 26, 1752; Isaac, born Nov. 3, 1754; 
Thomas, born Feb. 21, 1757. Of the sons, two'at 
least, Daniel and John, settled in Redding. Daniel 
married, Feb. 19, 1772, Elizabeth Gorham, of Green- 
field. His children were Timothy, baptized Jan. 
10, 1773 ; Isaac, baptized Aug. 23, 1778j perhaps 
others. 

Timothy Piatt was admitted a diurch-momber May 
10, 1741, on recommendation of Rev. Mr. Chapman. 
But one child is found, — Abigail, baptized April 8, 
1736; married Natlianiel Hill, May 28, 1754. He 
was probably lather of the Timothy Piatt who mar- 
ried the sister of John R. Hill and settled in Lone- 
town, on the farm now owned by Henry Adams. 
Obadiah Piatt, who appears in Redding as early as 
1737, and Jonjis Piatt, who, with his wife Elizabeth, 
was admitted church-member Feb. 5, 1749, were 
probably his brothers. Timothy Piatt died Dec. 5, 
1769, aged si.\ty-two years. The children of ( )l)adiah 
Piatt were Mary, bajitizcd Feb. 20, 1737; Elizabetii, 
May 15, 1739. Jonas Piatt married Elizabeth San- 
ford, Oct. 17, 1747. Their children were John, bap- 
tized Feb. 5, 1752; Daniel, Aug. 11, 1754; Eunice, 
May .30, 1756. He removed to New York. 

Hezekiah Piatt appears in Redding as early as 
A|iril 4, 1762, when his son Justus was baptized. His 
other children recorded were Hezekiah, Jan. 16, 
1764; William, May 18, 1766; Griswold, Dec. 1, 
1767; Robert, Sept. 1,1771. 

John Read, perhaps the earliest settler of Redding, 
was one of the most eminent men of his day. lie 
was born in Connecticut in KiSO, graduated from Har- 
vard College in 1697, studied for the ministry, and 
preached for some time at Waterbury, Hartford, and 
Stratford. He afterwards studied law, and was ad- 
mitted an attorney at the bar in 1708, and in 1712 was 
ai)pointed queen's attorney for the colony. In 1714 
he bought of the Indians a large tractof land in Lone- 
town and settled there. He continued to reside in 
Redding until 1722, when he removed to Boston, and 
soon became known as the most eminent lawyer in 
the colonies. He was attorney-general of Massachu- 
setts for several years, and also a member of the Gov- 
ernor's council. He died in February, 1749, leaving 
a large estate. His wife was Ruth Talcott, daughter 
of Lieut.-Col. John Talcott, of Hartford, and sister of 



REDDING. 



ss"; 



(iovprnor Joseph Talcott. They had six children: 
Until, l)iirn (probably) in llarttbrJ in 1700, died in 
Redding, Aug. S, 170(j (slie was the wile of Rev. Na- 
thaniel Hunn, first pastor of the church in Redding; 
they were married Sept. 14, 17o7); Jolin, boru in 
Hartford in 1701, lived in Redding at tlie " Ijone- 
town Manor," and was a leading man in his day in 
the colony ; was much in pidjlic life, both civil and 
military, and was noted for his ]]ublic s])irit, patriotism 
and piety. He married twice. His first wife was Mary 

, a Milford lady ; his second wife was Sarah J?rad- 

Icy, of Greenfield Hill. His children were William, 
who married Sarah Hawley, of Redding ; Zalmon, 
who married Hulda Bradley, of Greenfield ;~lleze^ 
kiah, wdio married Anna (Jorham ; John, who mar- 
ried Zoa Hilliard; Mary, wife of .John llarpin; 
Sarah, wifeof Jabez Hill, and afti'rwardsof Tlieodorc 
Monson ; Ruth, wife of Jeremiah Mead; Deborah, 
wife of Thomas Benedict, a lawyer; Mabel, wife of 
Levi Starr; and P^sther, wifeof Daniel C. liartlett, 
son of Rev. Nathaniel Bartlett. One of his children, 
a lad of four years, fell into a burning coal-jiit in 17oy, 
and was so badly burned that he survived but a few 
hours. His father wrote a letter to his father in Bos- 
ton, intbrming him of the melancholy event, and his 
father sent back a letter in reply. Both of the letters 
are yet preserved, after a jieriod of one hundred and 
forty years, and are both remarkable for the jiiety and 
Ghristian resignation manifested in them. The other 
chililren of John Read were William, born in Gou- 
necticut about 1710 (was a lawyer in Boston, and 
afterwards a judge in several of the courts there; he 
lived a bachelor, and died in 1780, aged seventy 
years); Mary, born (probably) in Reading, Conn., 
April 14, 1716 (married Captain Charles Morris, of 
Boston, afterwards of Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he 
was for many years chief justice of the courts ; they 
had nine sons and two daughters) ; Abigail, married 
Joseph Miller, of Boston ; Deborah, married a Mr. 
Willstead, and, afterwards, Henry I'aget, of Smith- 
lield, Rhode Island. 

To the above sketch we add that Col. John Read, 
son of the Mr. John Read mentioned, appears iis one of 
the original members of the First Society in 1720, and 
was the Col. John Read so often rclerred to in the 
town records. His "manour" comjiriscd nearly all 
of what is now Loiietown, and his manor-house stood 
on the "exact site of Mr. Aaron Treadwell's present 
residence. He had a fenced park, in which he kept 
deer, nearly opposite tlie [jrcsent n^idence of William 
Sherwood. 

Mr. George Read, of Redding Centre, lias a very 
interesting collection of old papers belonging to the 
colonel, such as wills, deeds, account-books, etc. In 
one of them directions are given his men about feed- 
ing the deer, letting the cattle into the long meadow, 
etc. Another is Mr. Read's commission as colonel, 
and is of sufficient interest to warrant its insertion 
here. It is a-s follows : 



" Thomas Fitch Esq-, Guvornor aiKl Conimantlcr in thief of hU Blaj- 
esty's Colony of CoiincitiL-iit in New ErighunI, to .lolui ]o;ol Ksii-, Greet- 

" Whereas yon are appoinleii hy the Gciieriil An-sernMy of said Colony 
to be Colonel of the Fourth Ile^iitient of Horse in said (Vilony. Iteposin^ 
i*l.ieiial trnst anil confideni e in yonr Loyalty, conraj;*', and j_'ood condnt-t, 
I do hy these presents eonstitiite and ajipoint you to he (\doneI tif said 
Ri-frinn-nt. Yon are tlierefore to take the said Hej^inieiit iiitti yonr Care 
and charge as their Colonel.'and carefully and diligently ti> (lis.harge 
that Care and Trnst in Ordeiing and FM-rcising of them, hoth Otlicers 
and S(dtliers in .\rms .according to t!ie Itnles and Ihscipline of War, 
keei>iiig them in good Order and Government, and cunimaiidinfi them 
to oliey you as their Colonel for his M.ajesty's service, and they are com- 
manded to obey yon accordingly, and you are to conduct and lead foi th 
tilt- said Kei^iment. or sucii Jiart of them ;us y<tu slnrll from tinn- to time 
receive orders for from me, t'r from the t_lovornorof this Cidony for tlie 
time liidng, to Kncouuter, Itepel, Pursue, and Destroy hy force i>f Arms, 
and by all lilting ways and means, alt his Miyesty's Enemies who shall 
at any time Iiereaftei' in a Hostile nninner, attetupt or enterprisu tlie In- 
vasion, Detiiment or Annoyance of this Colony. And you are to observe 
and obey such Orders and Instrnctious as from time to time you from 
.Me, or other your Superior Otlicers, pursuant to the trust hereby Keposed 
in yon and the laws of this Colony. 

"tJiveii under my liaml and the seal of tliis Colony, in New Haven, 
the ;id Day of November, in the 'Mat year of tlie Iteign of our Sovereign 
Lord George the .Second, King of Great Britain &c. Annoque Douis. 
17.J7. 

'■ Hy His Honor's (.'ominand. 

" Thos, FlTl'H. 

" Georof. WYM-ys, Si\-tij." 

James Rogers was a jirominent man in liisday, and 
filled many responsibh^ offices in town. He tiiipears 
as early as i'ii'l. His children were Joseph, born 
Oct. .'il, 17<W; Chloe, born Oct. 24, 1700; James, born 
April 28, 170S; Haron, born Aug. 22, 1770 (town 
record). 

.loscph Rumsey appears in Redding as early as 1747. 
His will, dated Dec. 27, 1754, mentions his wife, 
Sarah , and children, Isaac, Sarah, Joseph, Dan- 
iel, William, and Ephraim. 

Tlic will of Daniel Uuinsey, of Reading, ])rob.ated 
March 10, 1701, mentions his father, Robert, and 
brothers, John Rumsey and Seth Hull. 

John RuuLsey settled in Redding. His children liy 
wife Esther were Abigail, baptized Feb. 10, 1751 ; 
Raclicl, baptized Feb. 25, 175ii; Mary, June 5, 1755; 
Nathan, Aug. S, 1750; David, Jan. 28, 1750; Mary, 
.June 15, 1701 ; Esther, May 18, 17<i4 ; Eben, Feb. 4, 
1708. 

Isaac Rumsey married Abig.ail St. .lohn. May 2.'!, 
17(>1. Children: Abigail, born Dec. 25, 1701; Jere- 
miah, born May 28, 17i;2; Ruth, born Dee. 29, 1708; 
Noah, born JMarch 28, 17(i.'<. 

The Sanford family is one of the oldest and most 
numerous in the town, having been founded by lour 
persons of the name, who removed here from Fair- 
field when the country was first opened to st^ttlers. 
The niimes of the.se four settlers were Nathaniel, 
Lemuel, Samuel, and Ephraim. 

The first two were original member.* of the church ; 
the last two joined it during the first year of its ex- 
istence, — viz., in 1734. According to Savage, Kphraira 
Sanford, who settled in Milford, and married Mary 
Powell, of New Haven, in KiOO, had children,— Mary, 
Samuel, Ephraim, Thomas, Nathaniel, and Zacariali. 



588 



HISTORY OF FAIRriELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Samuel, Ephraim, and Nathaniel are no doubt iden- 
tical with those who settled in Redding, as they were 
elderly men with families when tliey removed here. 

Accordini; to the above-nameil autliurity, Ezckiel, 
eldest son of the above Thomas Sanford, was freeman 
in KJGit and died in 1()8;5, leaving a widow, Rebecca, 
and cliildren, Ezekiel, Thomas, Sarah, Mary, Rebecca, 
Martha, and Elizabeth. Ezekiel,*' eldest son, settled 
in Fairfield, and in his will, dated Jan. 29, 1729, men- 
tions two sons, Lemuel and Ezekiel. Lemuel settled 
in Rediling, as above stated. Thomas Sanford, father 
of Ezekiel and Ephraim, wa.s the first of the name in 
America. 

We shall trace the families of these ancestors in 
Redding in the order of their arrival here. Nathan- 
iel Sanford settled in Umpawaug. His children re- 
corded were Abel H., baptized March 25, 1733; 
Ruth, baptized May 12, 1737; Esther, baptized May 
27, 1744. 

\Vc have no further record of this family. 

. Lemuel Sanfo rd settled in the centre. He was one 

of the first committee-men of the society, and promi- 
nent in public affairs. He married Squire, of 

Fairfield. Their children were Hiatkiali, probably 
born in Fairfield; Sarah, bai)tized Sept. lit, 1734; 
Anne, baptized Nov. 1, 1736; Lydia, baptized June 
4, 1738; L.c.mucl. bagtizcd April 20, 1740 ; Ezekiel^ 
bai)tized July 4, 1742; Anne, baptized Oct. 7, 1744; 
Roda, baptized Feb. 20, 1749. 

ilezekjiUl nuirricd Hannah , and settled in the 

centre, on the farm now owned by Mr. Dclavan. His 
children were Aaron, bapti.ied May 29, 1757 ; Han- 
nah, baptized Aug. 2G, 1759 ; William, baptized Oct. 
14, 17()4; Eunice, baptized June 7, 1772; Huldah, 
baptized May IS, 1777. 

Aaron, his elde.st son, settled in the centre, and lived 
in the house now owned by Mrs. Connors. He was 
the first male member of the Methodist Church in 
New England, and was the leader of the little class 
organized in Redding in 1790. Tlie Methodist preach- 
ers in their rounds always found a home with him, 
and often held their meetings in his house. Later in 
life he became an acceptable local preacher in that 
church. He married Lydia Hawley, daughter of 
William Hawley, Nov. 2, 1780. Tlieir children were 
Betsey, born Oct. 5, 1781 ; Hannah, born May 31, 
1784 ; Aaron, born July 8, 1786 ; Hawley, born July 
16, 1789; Je-s-sc Lee, l)orn July 27, 1791 ; Eunice, born 
Aug. 10, 1793; Walter, born Feb. 18, 1796; Charlotte, 
born Jan. 8, ISdO; Lydia, born Sept. 23, 1803; Wil- 
liam .v., born Jan. 15, 1807. 

Aaron Sanford, Jr., settled on Redding Ridge, in 



• Mr. K. J. Sanfunl, of Knoxrillc, Tenii., scixh nie the following ac- 
count of Kzpklul SnnfoiiL, wliicli liu iIcHvimI fnmi Ilov. Thoninn V. PiivIm; 
Kxi-'kiul 8iiiifonl wuK ail Kliglliili fiiKiiivcr, niiil lin<l clifURo of the on-ctfuii 
of thu »tix:kii<lo fort iit Sit^Iir^k, ut tlir inoulli of t)u> t'oiiiui ticiit Itivcr, 
for pnittvtloii iigiiiiitit liiiliniiH. He iiru<r\Minln rcnioviMl to KiilrlU-liI mid 
liuMt Itip flint ttiill In till' rouiity, ut Mill ItiviT, for wlilcli he rccelvnl n 
lATge grunt of liuiil frnui tlio EiiglUh govornniuut, — Todd. 



the eastern part of the town. He married. Dee. Ill, 
1813, Fanny Hill, daughter of Andrew L. Hill. Their 
children were eleven in number: Andrew IL, Dan- 
iel, Mary, Clara, Henry, Aaron, Fanny, Jesse L., 
Mary, Elizabeth, .Jolin, and .Julia H. 

Hawley, the second son, married Betsey Stow, Nov. 
2, 1814, by whom he liad two children, Rus.sell and 
Betsey. On the death of his wife he married, second, 
Sarah Ketchum, Nov. 20, 1823. The children of this 
marriage were Francis A., Aaron K. (now presiding 
elder on the Poughkeepsie District), Hawley, Lydia, 
David, Morris, and Mary. Walter, tlie third son, 
married, Dec. 6, 1821, Harriet M. Booth. They had 
one son, Charles. Walter Sanford married, second, 
Emily Gorham. William Sanford, the fourth son, 
married Harriet Tuttle, May 2, 1832. Of the daugh- 
ters, Betsey married .Tohn R. Hill. Hannah mar- 
ried the Rev. .Varon Hunt, a Methodist clergy inan, 
celebrated in his day as lieing the first to succes.s- 
fully contest the old colonial law which forbade all 
ministers except those of the "standing order" to 
perform the marriage ceremony. Mr. Hunt was at 
one time located and resided for several years in Red- 
ding. Charlotte married Thomas B. Fantoii ; Lydia 
married Aaron Sanford Hyatt. 

Lemuel Sanford, second son of Lemuel Sanford, 
settled in the centre, near hi.s father. He married, 
Sept. 20, 1768, Mary Russell, of North Branford, Conn. 
The circumstances attending his marriage arc thus 
narrated: He left Redding on horseback early on the 
morning of his wedding-day, but wjls delayed on the 
road, and did not reach Branford until midnight. By 
that time tlie wedding-guests had dispersed and the 
family had retired ; but he roused them up, collected 
the guests, and the ceremony was performed. The 
ne.xt day bride and groom returned to Redding, travel- 
ing on horseback. The cliildren of Lemuel and Mary 
Sanford were Lemuel, born .July 18, 1769; Rlioda, 
born Marcli 4, 1773; JMary, born May 18, 1776, mar- 
ried Dr. Thomas Peek; Abigail, horn 1779 (died in 
infancy); Jonathan R., born Feb. 11, 1782; Abigail, 
born April 18, 1784; Lueretia, born May 4, 1786. 

3IjuJ*sailuel_Sanjord died March 12, isOS, at Dan- 
bury, in the performance of his duties as judge of the 
County Court, leaving a most honorable record. He 
had filled all the ])ositions of honor and trust in his 
native town, and during the Revolution had been a 
member of the committee of supply, the dilties of 
which kept him absent in Danbury and Fairfield 
nearly the whole jieriod of the war. He several 
times represented the town in the (ieneral .\ssembly, 
and also held the office of as.sociate judge of the 
County Court. 

Lemuel Sanford, eldest son of Judge Sanford, after 
being educated at President Dwight's famous acad- 
emy on (ireenfield Hill, returned to Redding, married 
Mary Heron, daughter of 'Sipiire Heron, and settled 
in the centre, on the farm now owned by Albert tior- 
ham. He was a man of much ability, and quite prom- 



REDDING. 



589 



inent in town affairs. He had but two children, 
Julia and Mary. The eklcst, Julia, married Rev. 
Thomas F. Davics, who for a time was settled in 
Green's Farms as a Congregational minister. i\Iary 
married Dr. Nehemiah I'rrry, of Kiilfjelield, the father 
of the present physieian of tliat plaee. 

■Tonathan R., the seeond son, inarrii'd Maria, 
daughter (d' Dr. Thomas Davics, Oct. 17, IXOS. Their 
children were Amanda, Maria (who died in infancy), 
Lemuel, Jonathan R., and Thomas. Mi: .Jonathan 
.Sanford died Aug. 20, IS.^.S. 

In an account of the death of Jonathan R. Sanford, 
puhlished in Crosby's " Obituary Notii'es'' (lS5S),the 
writer says of the deceased, " Through a long life the 
deceased enjoyed in an eminent degree the confidence 
and respect of his fellow-citizens. In ISOS he was 
appointed to fill the office of town clerk and treasurer 
of his native town, and held those ollices liy consec- 
utive annual ajipointmeut from that time to his death, 
— a period of half a century, — besides tilling for sev- 
eral years tlie office of judge of Probate for the Dis- 
trict of Redding. Representing at dilferent periods 
liis native town in tlie State Legislature, lie discharged 
the duties of various trusts, both of a public and pri- 
vate nature, exhibiting in all his acts a .sternness of 
integrity and purity of ])urpose seldom efiualed. The 
consolations of that religion wliich cheered and com- 
forted him through life Were his solace and comfort in 
death." 

The children of Jonathan I!. .'<anford now living are 
Lemuel, Jonathan R., and Thomas. Lemuel married 
Abby M. Hill, daughter of Bradley Hill; their chil- 
dren are Mary Russell, Lillia, Abby, IMartlia, Alice 
Lulu, and Jonathan B. .Jonathan R. married Clar- 
issa, youngest daughter of Deacon Samuel Read ; their 
onl)' child, Hannah Maria, died at the age of twenty- 
four. Thomas married Charlotte A. Hewitt, of Corn- 
wall, Litchfield Co. ; their children arc Thonuis F. 
and May A. 

Ezekiel, third son of Lemuel Sanford the first, mar- 
ried Abigail Starr, Nov. 21, 1778, and settled in Boston 
District, in tlie western part of the town. His children 
were Mollie, baptized Dec. 18, 1774; Rebecca, bap- 
tized April 24, 1777; Ezekiel, baptized Nov. 1, 1778; 
Abigail, bajitized !March 19, 1780 ; perhaps others. 
He is called cajitain in the old records. Some of his 
descendants are now living in Amenia, N. Y. 

Samuel Sanford the first settled in I'mpawaug. He 
is called captain in the records. His children were 
Daniel, baptized April 22, 17.'?4; Set h, baptized Aug. 
23, 1730; Mary, March 19, 1738; Dlmd, Dec. 2, 1739; 
Abigail, .Tan. .30, 1743; Samuel, May .5, 174.'); Sarah, 
May 10, 1747; Esther, April 10, 1749; Ezra, Mandi 
2o, 17.')1 ; Rachel, Feb. 2.>, ]7.")3 ; I'eter, May 23, 1750. 
Cai)t. Samuel Sanford died Nov. 0, 1708, aged si.xty- 
two years. 

Daniel married Esther Hull, Ajiril IS, 17.')8. Chil- 
dren : Eli, baptized Aug. 10, 1701; Chloe, July 5, 
1707; and others. ^Seth married Rebecca, daughter 



of Dea co n Stc pjieji_Burr, April 2o, 17.")9. Her chil- 
dren, as named in Deacon Burr"s will, 1770, were 
Ellas, Ebenezer, .loel, Elijah, Saniiu-1, and Seth. 
Mary married Timothy Sanford, son of .Joseph ; Abi- 
gail marricil John Hawley, Dec. 21, 1702; Samuel, 
Jr., nuirricd Sarah Olmsted, .July 23, 1707 (town 
record). His children recordeil were I'riah, bap- 
tized Feb. 14,1708; Thomas, Dee. 17, 170!). I'elcr 
nuirricd Abigail Keeler, June 1, 17S<l. 

Ephraim Sanford the first settled in Sanfbrdtown 
and was a large landowner there, as is shown by sev- 
eral deeds now in the possession of his descend:ints, 
some of which date back as far as 1733. His children 
by his wife, Elizabeth Mix, according to the i)arish 
record, were Rachel, baptized July 29, 1733; Abi- 
gail, baptized May 18, 1735; £olui. April 29, 1739; 
UUtgj;, Sept, 20, 1741 ; Lois, Sei)t. 17, 1743; Huldah, 
May .'i, 174X; Augustus, July 15, 1753; Esther, April 
27, 1755. His will, dated Jan. 30, 1701, mentions also 
Ephraim, Elizabeth, and Tabitha. 

Ejihraim Sanford, according to the family tradition, 
was the first nuiu having a. store of goods in Redding. 
His goods were brought from Boston. Of his chil- 
dren, Abigail married Daniel Jackson, Oct. 2, 17.55. 

John nuirricd , and settled in the Foundry 

District, in Redding. His children were James, 
Stephen, Ephraim, .John, Eli, Huldah, Lois, lietty, 
I'jlizabcth, and Annie. .lames, the ehlest son, settled 
in the Foundry District, near his lather. He was a 

I teamster in the Revolutionary army, anil was present 
at the execution of .Jones and Smitli on Gallows Hill. 
He married Sarah, daughter of .John Beach, and 
granddaughter of Rev. John l>eaeh, the faithful mis- 
sionary of the Church of I'>nglan<l. He was the father 
of 'Squire James Sanford. .John, .Jr., the fourth son 
of John Sanford, settled in Redding, and was the 

I father of John W. Sanfonl, a. well-known citizen. 
Oliver Sanford, son of Ephraim, married, in April, 
17G7, Rachel, daughter of Deacon David Coley, of 
Weston. Their children were Mary, baptized July 
31, 17(;8; David, Aug. 20, 1709; Ephraim, Sept. 15, 
1771; Abigail, May 29, 1774; Enoch A., April 28, 
1770; I^evi, Dec. 14, 1777; Oliver C, Abigail, Mary, 
Betsey, and Loraine. 

Anna Smith, daughterofSanuiel Smith, of Redding, 
was baptized July 0, 1740, and Seth Samu.el, son of 
Sanuu'l and Lydia Smith, Se()t. 2.S, 1700. The latter 
was the first lawyer who located in Redding. He had an 

j office in the centre, where also he kept a select seluxd. 
He was town clerk for a term of years, and wrote a 
most elegant hand, as will be remembered by those 
familiar with the records of his times. He also filled 
many other important positions in the town. He 

married Huldah . Their c-hildrcn wen; Zahnon, 

bai)tized Feb. 3, 1780. and probably others. 

Robert Stow, the first of the name in Redding, 
settled in Lonetown, on the iiirm now owned by his 
grandson, Sumner Stowe. He married Anne Harrow, 
Jan. 20, 1775. Their ehildrcMi were Daniel, born 



590 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUxNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



July 4, 1779; Abigail, born April 11, 1776, married 
Israel Adams; Sarah, born Oct. 4, 1777; Sarah, born 
Aug. 11, 1781; Sumner, born Sept. 17, 1783; Huldah, 
born Feb. 6, 1787, married Andrew Andrus, of Dan- 
bury ; Abraham, born March 4, 1792; Polly, born 
Sept. 20, 1794, married Moses I'arsons, of Newtown. 
Kobcrt Stow died Nov. 5, 1795. Daniel Stow married 
Lucy Hoyt, of Bethel, and .settled in Redding, near 
his father. His children were Robert, Almira, Sarah, 
Harriet, Lucy, Sumner, Mary, and Polly. Abraham 
settled in Bethel; Sumner died when a young man. 

Other settlers in the town at an early date, l>ut who 
do not appear to have been ])ermauent residents, 
were Daniel Bradley, Thomas Williams, Thomas and 
William Squire (of Fairfield), Ebenezer Ferry, George 
Cowden, Natlianiel Booth, Edmund Sherman, Jona- 
than Sf|uire, .Tolin Wliitlock, .John Truosdale, Fred- 
erick Dikcman, and Jolin. The families of Byington, 
Chapman, Hamilton, Knai)p, Osborne, Dennison, 
Bennett, St. John, Gilbert, Johnson, Abbott, Dun- 
comb, Edmonds, Olmstead, Rider, TreadwcU, and 
Todd figure in later records of the town. 

Benjamin and Isaac Rumsey were early settlers at 
Georgetown. In 1721, Robert Rumsey, of Fairfield, 
purchased a tract of land where now is located the 
village, and subsequently willed it to his three sons, 
Benjamin, Isaac, and Robert, the two former of whom 
became actual settlers. 



CHAPTER LVIII. 

BEDDING (Continued). 

THE WAU OF THE REVOLUTION. 

Extmcts from Town Rcconls— Trj'on's Inviujion — Hollistor's History of 
tho Invnsioi) — Gen. Putnam — Execution of Jolm Smith for Dcsortijn, 
Bnrlipr'B 'Account— Gon. INttnunra Onlont — Rcvnlutionnry Pcnisionei-s 
— Cnpt, Williiim JuJil's Compiiny — Ruvolutionary Acconnta — Willium 
L,VD09 — " Undo Barnoy Kcclor, the Hcssinn" — Boston School District 

The first reference in the town records to the war 
of the Revolution is under date April 2, 1777, when a 
committee was appointed "to hire a number of sol- 
diers to serve in the Continental .\rmy." At the 
same meeting " Hezekiah Sanford, Seth Sanford, 
Daniel Mallory, S. Samuel Smith, William Ilawley, 
Stephen Betts, Jr., Jonathan Couch, Stephen Gold, 
and Hezekiah Read are ap))ointed a committee to 
take care of the families of those soldiers tjiat are in 
the service of their country." May 5, 1777, "'David 
.lackson, Seth Sanford, Thaddcus Benedict, and John 
Gray are chosen Selectmen, in addition to and to sup- 
ply the place of Stei)hen Betts and James Rogers, 
tiikeu prisoners by the enemy in their expedition to 
Danhury." Dee. 17, 1778, the following committee 
was appointed to care for soldiers' familie.-s : Nehemiah 
Hull for Nathan ('olft\''s, Elijah Burr for Stephen 
Meeker's, Ebenezer Couch for Elias Bi.xby's, Nehe- 
miah Sherwood and John Read for Jeremiah Ryan, 



and William Hawley for Samuel Remong. April IG, 
1781, it was voted " to divide the people into eight 
classes, according to their several lists, in order to 
raise seven soldiers and one Light Horseman to serve 
for one year as cojist-guards." Voted " that the si.xth 
class (for procuring men to serve in the guards at 
Horse Neck till ye first of March next) shall procure 
a light-hor.^cman and horse, and that the town shall 
pay said class all it shall cost them more to procure a 
man and horse than it shall cost the other seven 
classes on a medium." 

Aug. 11, 178;?, the following vote appears, an<l Seth 
Sanford, James Rogers, Stephen Betts, Hezqk iah San- 
ford, and John Gray, the selectmen at the time, were 
instructed to carry it into eff'ect : 

" Votedy That ttie sfllect mon of this town be desired to move onl of 
this town nil tliose per8.)ns that have licen over and joined the enemy, 
and liave returned into this town, and that tliey pursue the business as 
fast as they conveniently can according to law." 

The following Revolutionary history and incidents 
is taken chiefly from Todd's "History of Redding" : 

" Two years had passed since the opening of the 
AVar of Independence, — years of alternate victory and 
defeat to the colonists, — when a hostile armament of 
twenty-five vessels bearing two thousand men, the 
flower of the British army, ap])eared ofl" Compo, in 
Westport, on the Connecticut shore. It was the 2(Jth 
of April, 1777. A few days before, news had come to 
Lord Howe, commanding in New York, that a maga- 
zine of munitions of war had been formed by the 
rebels in Danbury, which afl'orded him a pretext for 
a descent on Connecticut, — a step which he had long 
meditated. The region of country covered by the 
proposed campaign had been swept of its able-bodied 
men, who were in the Continental ranks keeping a 
careful watch on His Lordship's regulars, but that 
there might be no balk in the o]>erations an over- 
whelming force of two thousand ]>icked men was de- 
tailed for the expedition. For commanders, Howe 
chose a nondescript genius, one Governor Tryon, and 
two military men of ability. Gen. Agnew and Sir Wil- 
liam Erskine. Tryon had been Governor of New 
York ; he had the further merit of being intimately 
acquainted with Connecticut, and of being consumed 
with an inveterate hatred for, and thirst lor revenge 
on, the Yankees ; he had a special grudge, too, against 
Connecticut, the sturdy little colony having thwarted 
him in a variety of ways. Her dragoons had scattered 
the types of his newspaper organ through the streets of 
New York ; her 'Sons of Liberty' had plotteil against 
him even in his own city; and she had treated with 
contempt his proclamations inviting her to return to 
her allegiance, even printing them in her gazettes as 
specimens of the Governor's pleasant humor. 

" Furthermore, he was well acquainted with the 
country to be traversed. He had been as far inland 
as Litchticld. had i)rol>ably visited Danbury, and had 
been dined and feted at Norwalk, Fairfield, and New 
Haven. He seems to have acted as a guide to the 



REDDING. 



591 



expedition, while his two advisers attended to its 
military details. The tniiips disembarked at Compo 
at four in the al'terniHin, and tlie same day marehed 
to Weston, about eifiht milis distant, where they en- 
camped for the night. To oppose these troops there 
was only a militia corps of old men and boys, not equal 
in number to one-half the invading force. 

"Col. Cook was in command at Danbury with a 
company of unarmed militia, (ieii. Silliman at Fair- 
field, Gen. Wooster at Stratford, ami (len. .\rnold at 
Norwalk, could not muster, all told, more than eight 
hundred raw, undisciplined men. I'nder these cir- 
i umstances Tryofi's e.\])edition can only be viewed as 
a picnic-excursion into the country; and as such, no 
doubt, he regarded it. 

"On the morning of the 2()th his army was early 
astir, anil reached Redding Ridge, where the first halt 
was made, about the tiine that the inhabitants had 
concluded their morning meal. What trans[)ired 
here is thus narrated l)y Jlr. llidlistcr in his admi- 
rable 'History of tlonnecticut,' vol. ii. chap. 12: 

" ' <.)n the morning of the 2(ith, at a very season- 
able hour, Tryon arrived at l;e<lding Ridge, where 
was a small hamlet of peaceful inhabitants, almost 
every one of them jiatriots and most of them I'armers, 
who had crowned the high hill where they ha<l 
cho.sen to build their Zion with a tall, gaunt church, 
which drew to its ai.sles one day in seven the people 
that dwelt upon the sides of the hills and in the 
bosom of the valleys within the range of the sum- 
mons that .sounded from its belfry. By way of satis- 
fying his hunger with a morning lunch until he could 
provide a more substantial meal, he drew up his artil- 
lery in front of the weatherbeaten edifice that had 
before defied everything save the gj-ace of (iotl and 
the supplications of his worshipers, and gave it a 
good round of grape and canister that ]iierccd its sides 
through and shattered its small-paned windows into 
fragments. The only spectators to this heroic demon- 
stration were a few women and little children, .some 
of whom ran away at the sight of the red-coats, and j 
others faced the invilders with a menacing stare.' | 

"Mr. HoUister is in the main a careliil and accu- ! 
rate historian, but a due regard for the truth of his- 
tory compels us to say that he was misinformed in 
regard to the above facts. The following account is 
believed to be correct, our ]iriucipal informant being 
an aged inhabitant of Redding, and a conij)etent au- 
thority : 

"During the halt the main body (jf the troops re- 
mained under arms on the green in front of the ■ 
church. Tryon, Agnew, and Erskine were invited 
into Esquire Heron's, who lived in the first house 
south of the church, and which is still standing, 
though in a ruinous condition. Here they were lios- 
yitably entertained with cake and wine, and with 
many hopeful prognostications of the speedy collapse 
of the 'rebellion.' Across the street from the church, 
in a house a few yards south of the one now occupied 



by Thomas Ryan, lived Lieut. Stephen Betts, a prom- 
inent initriot, and at whose house, it will l>e remem- 
bered, the County Convention was held in 1770. A 
file of soldiers entereil the house, seized him, and he 
was taken with them on their march, .lames Rogers, 
another prominent jiatriot, and .leremiah Haulbrd, a 
lad of ten years, son of 3Ir. Daniel !5anfi)rd, met a 
like fate. The lad, we may remark, was carried to 
New York and died in the pris:iii-ships, .liiiic 'lii, 
1777. Shortly bcfire the army resumed its march a 
liorseiuan was observed spurring rapidly down the 
Couch's Hill road towards them, and ajiproaclied 
within niusket-shot before discovering their presence ; 
he then turned to fiy, but was shot and severely 
wounded in the attempt. He proved to be a messen- 
ger from Col. Cook, in Danbury, bearing dispatches 
to Gen. Sillinum, by name Landiert Lockwooil. 
Tryon had formerly known liim in Norwalk, where 
Lockwood had rendered him a service, and seems to 
have acted on this occasion with some api)roach to 
magnanimity, as he released him on parole and al- 
lowed him to be taken into a house that his wounds 
might be dressed. 

"The statement concerning the firing into the 
church is a mistake, and I am assured that the re- 
verse is true. It is said that the church was not mo- 
lested at all (except that a soldier with a well-directed 
ball brought down the gilded weathercock fnnn the 
spire) ; and the tact that the pastor, the Rev. John 
Beach, as well as several of its most pronunent mem- 
bers, among them the 'Squire Heron above referred 
to, was a most pronounced loyalist, strengthens the 
assertion. 

" The British army, after halting an hour or two in 
the village, resumed its march to Danbury, with the 
capture and burning of which the reader is, no doubt, 
acquainted. 

"Meanwdiile, the patriots in Redding anxiously 
waited the approach of the Continental army in pur- 
suit. At length it came in view, marching wearily 
with dusty and disordered ranks, — a little army of 
five hundred men and boys, led by Brig. -Gen. Silli- 
man in person. They had marched from Fairfield 
that day, and were fully twenty-eight liours behind 
the foe, who was then lying drunken and disorganized 
at Danbury. A muster-roll of the little band would 
have shown a nu)st pathetic exhibition of weakness. 
There wen^ jiarts of the companies of Col. Lainb's 
battalion of artillery, with three rusty cannon, a field- 
piece, and part of the artillery eomjiany of Fairfield 
and si.xty Continentals; the rest were raw levies, 
chiefly old men and boys. It was eight o'clock in the 
evening when the troops arrived at Redding Ridge, — 
an evening as disagreeable as a northeast rain-storm 
with its attendant darkness could make it. Here the 
troops halted an hour for rest and refreshment. .\t 
the expiration of that time a bugle sounded far down 
the street ; then the trani]) of horsemen was heard, 
and presently Maj.-Gen. Wooster and Brig.-Gen. Ar- 



592 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONxNECTICUT. 



nold, at the head of a squadron of cavalry, dashed 
into the vill;iirc. 

"On hearliij; that the Britisli were so far ahead, it 
is said that Arnold became so enraged that he could 
scarcely keep his scit, and his terrible oaths fell on 
his auditors' cars like thunderclaps. Wooster at once 
assumed command, and the column moved forward 
throufrh the mud as far as Bethel, where it halted for 
the night. At Danbury, but three miles distant, 
Tryou's force was slec])iiig in drunken security, and 
might have been annihilated by a determined effort, 
but the command was too much exhausted for the 
attempt. 

" Tryon the next morning was early astir, being 
aware that the militia were closing in on him on all 
sides, and commenced a retreat to his ships, taking 
the circuitous route through Ridgcfield. On learning 
this move. Gen. Wooster, at Ucthel, divided his com- 
mand, one detachment, under Gens, .\rnold and Silli- 
num, marching rapidly across the country and taking 
po.st at Ridgcfield, while the other, commanded by 
himself, pressed closely on Tryon's rear. Tiie suc- 
ceeding fortunes of the patriots — how they met the 
foe at Ridgcfield, how AVooster fell gallantly leading 
on his men, how Arnold performed prodigies of valor, 
and how the enemy were pursued and hara.ssed until 
they gained the cover of their ships — have become a 
part of our national history, and need no recounting. 

" News that the British had landed a,t Compo, that 
they were encamped at AVeston and would march 
through Redding the next day, was conveyed to this 
town at an early hour, and occasioned the greatest 
consternation and excitement. 

" Money and valuables were hastily secreted in 
wells and other places of concealment; horses and 
cattle were driven into the forests, and the inhabi- 
tants along the enemy's probable route held them- 
selves in readiness for instant flight. Herod's emis- 
saries could not have excited livelier eniotir)ns of 
terror in the hearts of Judcan mothers than did 
Tryon's inviusion in tiie breasts of the mothers of 
Redding. He seems to have warred pre-eminently 
on women and boys. The latter especially he made 
prisoners of and consigned to the horrible prison 
ships, holding them either as hostages or on the plea 
that they ' would very soon grow into rebels.' The 
women of Redding iiad heard of this propensity, and 
at his approach gathered all the boys of thirteen and 
under — the older ones were away under arms — and 
conveyed tliem to a secluded idacc near the Forge, 
where they were left under the charge of one (lershom 
Barlow; here they remained until the invader had 
regained his ships, provisions being cooked ami .sent 
in to them daily. 

"Many other incidents of the invasion are current 
in tlie town. 

" On receiving intelUgenceof the landing at Compo, 
C'apt. Read mustered his company of militia and 
forthwith marched to intercept the invaders. At a 



place called Couch's Rock, in Weston, they came 
suddenly upon the entire force of the enemy and were 
taken prisoners. Timothy Parsons, one of the militia- 
men, had a fine musket, which he particularly valued ; 
this a grenadier took and dashed to pieces on the 
stfjues, saying it should waste no more rebel bullets. 

" Mrs. Thankful Bradley, living in Weston, near the 
Redding line, was milking by the roadside when the 
troops surprised her. An officer told her to remain 
quiet and they would not molest her. She followed 
his advice, and continued milking while the entire 
army filed by. AVith the exception of kidnapping 
the lad Sanf'ord, the British behaved with praise- 
worthy moderation during their march through Red- 
ding. No buildings were burned, and no such enor- 
mities committed as marked their descent on Fairfield 
and New Haven, two years later. 

" After their departure nothing further of a warlike 
nature occurred in the town until the encampment in 
Redding, in the winter of 1778-79, of Gen. Putnam's 
division of the Continental army. This division 
comprised Gen. Poor's brigade of New Hampsiiire 
troops, the two brigades of Connecticut troops, the 
corps of infantry commanded by Hjzen, and that of 
cavalry by Sheldon. This division had been oper- 
ating along the Hudson during the fall, and as winter 
approached it was decided that it should go into win- 
ter-quarters at Redding, as from this position it could 
support the important fortress of AVest Point in case 
of attack, overawe the Cow-Boys and Skinners of 
AVestchcster County, and cover the country adjacent 
to the Sound. Accordingly, early in November, (Jen. 
Putnam arrived with several of his general oflicers to 
select sites for the proposed camps. Three were 
marked out, — the first in the northea-stcrn i)art of 
Lonetown, near the Bethel line, on land now owned 
by Aaron Treadwell ; the sec<»iul also in Lonetown, 
about a mile and a half west, on the farm of the late 
Sherlock Todd, a short distance southwest of his 
ihvclling-house ; the third in West Redding, on the 
ridge lying east of Uriah tiriftin's, on land now owned 
by him, and about a quarter of a mile north of Red- 
ding Station. The sites of all three camps may be 
easily distinguished by the ruins of the stone chim- 
neys which formed one side of the log huts in which 
the troops were shcltereil. The ruins of the first 
camp are most distinct, and form perhaps one of the 
best preserved, as well a.s most interesting, relics of 
the Revolution within the reach of the antiquary. 
This camp was laid out with admirable Judgment at 
the foot of the rocky bluffs which fence in on the 
west the valley of the Little River. The barracks 
were so disposed as to form an avenue nearly a ipiar- 
ter of a mile in length and several yards in width. 
.\t the west end of the camp was a mountain-brook, 
which furnished a plentiful supply of water; near the 
brook is a heap of cinders, which probably marks the 
spot where a forge was erected. The camp was until 
recently covered with heavy forests, which explains, 



I 



REDDING. 



593 



jn'rluqis, tlu' scri'L't of its ]iresiTv;itioii. The present 
owner is clearing up the umlerlinisli wliicli has over- 
grown the ruins, rendering it easy ol'aceess to visitors, 
and it will in time, no douht, licronie a favorite place 
of resort, ('niy a lew hcajis oCstuue mark the site of 
the second cam]), whic-h was also laid <iut on the 
.southerly slope <if a hill, with a stream of running 
■water at its hasc. The same may he said of the t'amp 
at Long Ridge. 

" As to the exact location of I'utnani's headijuarters 
at this time autliorities diller, hut all agree in phu'ing 
it on Umpawaug Hill. Mr. Barhcr, in his 'His- 
torical Collections,' says it was the ohl house that 
stood until recently (Ui tlie corner of the road leading 
down to San ford's Station, a sliort distance north of 
Andrew Perry's present residence. Jlr. Lossing, in 
his ' Field- Pxiok of the Revolution,' makes the same 
^tate!uent ; hut I am informeil hy an aged resident 
whose father was an officer in the ]tevolutiouary army, 
and visited Gen. Putnam at liis headijuarters, that they 
were in an old house that then stood hctween the resi- 
dence of the late Burr Meeker and that now occU]iied 
hy Mr. Brady, and that the first-named was his guard- 
house. The question is one of little importance, |)er- 
haps, except to those who demand the utmost ]ii)ssiiile 
accuracy in the statement of fact. 

" Some of the officers were (piartered in the house 
now occupied by Seth Todd, then owned hy Samuel 
Gould; others in u house tluit stood on the site of the 
one recently occupie<l hy Sherlock Todd. <!en. I'ar- 
son's headquarters were on Redding Ridge. 

" While the army lay at Redding several events of 
importance occurred which are worthy of narrating 
with .some degree of particularity. The troops went 
into winter-ipiartcrs this year in no pleasant humor, 
and almost in the spirit of insubnrdination. This 
was peculiarly tlie case with the Conne<-ticut troops. 
They had endured jirivations tluit many men would 
have sunk under, — the horrors of battle, the weari- 
ness of the march, cold, hunger, and nakedness. 
What was worse, they had been ]>aid in the depre- 
ciated currency of the times, which hail scarcely any 
purchasing power, and their devoted tamilies at home 
were reduced to the lowest extremity of want and 
wretchedness. 

"The forced inactivity of the camp gave them time 
to brood over their wrongs, until at length they 
formed the bold resolve of nuirching to Hartford 
and presenting their grievances in person to tlii' 
Legislature then sitting. The two brigades were 
under arms for this purpose before news of the re- 
volt was brought to Putnam. He, with his nsmil 
intrepidity and decision of character, threw himscdf 
upon liis horse and dashed down the road h'ading to 
his camps, nt'ver slacking rein until he drew up in 
the presence of the <lisafl'ected troo[)s. ' My brave 
lads,' cried he, 'whitlier are you going? Do you 
intend to desert your officers, and to invite the 1 
enemy to fcdlow you into the country '.' Whose ' 



cause have you Ijccn iighting and snll'ering so long 
in? Is it not your own ? Have you no ju-operty, no 
jiarents, wives, or children? You have behaved like 
men so far; all the world is full of y<jur ]iraises and 
]iosterity will stand astonished at your deeds, but not 
if you spoil all at last. Don't you consider how 
much the country is distressed by tlu' war, and that 
your officers have not been any better paid than 
yourselves? But we all expect better times, and 
that the country w'ill do us anqile justice. Let us 
all stand by one another, then, and light it out like 
l)rave scjldiers. Think what a shame it would be f(n- 
CcMinccticut men to run away Irom their officers!' 
When he had finished this stirring s|>ee;.-h. he directed 
the ai'ting nuijor of brigades to give the word for them 
to shoulder, march to their regimental parades, and 
lodge arms, which was done. One soldier only, a 
ringleader in the all'air, was conline<l in the guard- 
hou.se, from which he attempted to escapi', but was 
shot dead by the sentinel on duty, himself one of the 
mutineers. Thus ended the afl'air, and no further 
tnnible was experienced with the Connecticut troops. 

" Nothing had so much annoyed Putnam and his 
ofliccrs during the campaign of the preceding sum- 
mer on the Hudson than the desertions which had 
thinned his ranks an<l the Tcuy spies who fre- 
quented his camps under every variety of iiretext, 
and forthwith conveyed the infin-mation thus gath- 
ered to the enemy. To put a stop to this it had been 
determined that the next offender of either sort cap- 
tured should sutler death as an example, an<l accord- 
ing to the usages of war. The time for putting this 
determination into execntion soon arrived. One day 
some scouts from Putnam's outposts in Westchester 
County captured a nuin lurkin,g within their lines, 
an<l, as he could .give no satisfactory account of him- 
.self, he was at once haled over the borders and into 
the presence of the commander-in-chief. In answer 
to his queries, the prisoner said that his luune was 
Jones, that he was a Welshman by birth, and had set- 
tled in Ridgeficld a few years before the war had com- 
menced ; that he had never faltered in his allegiance 
to the king, and that at the outbreak of hostilities he 
had fled to the British army and had been nuide a 
butcher in the camp ; a few weeks Ind'ore, he had been 
sent into Westchester County to buy beeves for the 
army, and had been I'aptured as above narrated. He 
was remanded to the guard-house and a court-martial 
at once ordered for his trial. The result is to be found 
in the ('(dlowing doenment, founil among the papers 
of the late Lieut. Samuel Richanls, [>aymaster in Col. 
Wylly's regiment: 

" ' Feb. 4, 177it. Was tried at a flciu'ral < 'onrt-!Mar- 
tial Edward Jones for Going to and serving the 
enemy, and coming out as a .spy ; foun<l guilty of 
each and every charge Exhibited against him, aiul 
according to Law and the L'sages of Nations w;is sen- 
tenced to suffer Death. 

'■ ' The General ap[u-oves the sentence and orders it 



594 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



to be put in Execution between the liours of ten and 
cloven A.M. by lianging liiin by the neck till he be 
Dead.' 

" Two days after, another court-martial was held 
for a similar offense, as the following proves: 

'"Feb. 6, 1779. At a Gen'l Court-Martial was tried 
Johu Smith of the 1st Connecticut Ke<jinient for de- 
sertion and attempting to go to the Enemy ; found 
guilty ; and further persisting in saying that he will 
go to the Enemy if ever he has an opportunity, Sen- 
tenced to be shot to death, and orders that it be put 
in Execution between the hours of ten and twelve 

A.M.' 

" General Putnam, having two prisoners under 
sentence of death, determined to execute them both 
at once, or, as he expr&ssed it, 'make a double job of 
it,' and at the same time make the spectacle as terri- 
ble and impressive as the circumstances demanded. 
The lofty hill dominating the valley and the camps 
(known to this day as (tallows Hill) was chosen !is 
the scene of the execution, the instrument of death 
being erected on its highest pinnacle. The details of 
the execution, for reasons which will appear, I prefer 
to give in the words of the three different historians 
who have chronicled it. Mr. Barber, in his 'Histori- 
cal Collections of Connecticut,' p. 399, says, — 

" ' The scene which took place at the execution of 
these men is described as shocking and bloody. The 
man on whom the duty of hangman devolved left 
the camp, and on the day of execution could not be 
found. A couple of boys about the age of twelve 
years were ordered by Gen. Putnam to perform the 
duties of the absconding hangman. The gallows was 
about twenty feet from the ground. Jones was com- 
pelled to ascend the ladder, and the rope around his 
neck Wivs attached to the cross-beam. Gen. Putnam 
then ordered Jones to jump from the ladder. " No, 
General Putnam," said Jones, " I am innocent of the 
crime laid to my charge ; I shall not do it." Putnam 
then ordered the boys before mentioned to turn the 
ladder over. These boys were deeply affected by tlie 
trying scene; they cried and sobbed loudly, and ear- 
nestly entreated to be excused from doing anything 
on this distressing occasion. Putnam, drawing his 
sword, ordered them forward, and <'ompelled them at 
the sword's |)oint to obey his orders. The soldier 
that was shot for desertion was but a youth of sixteen 
or seventeen years of age. Three balls were shot 
through his breast : he fell on his face, but immedi- 
ately turned over on his back ; a soldier then ad- 
vanced, and, putting the muzzle of his gun near the 
ciiiivulsive body of the youth, discharged its contents 
into his forehead. The body was then taken up and 
put into a coffin ; the soldiers had fired their pieces 
so near that they set the boy's clothes on fire, which 
continued burning. An officer with a drawn sword 
stood by, while every .soldier of the three brigades 
who were out on the oecasion was ordered to march 
by and look at the mangled remains.' 



" Mr. Barber says in a foot-note that the above par- 
ticulars were derived from an aged inhabitant of 
Redding who was present on the occasion and stood 
but a few feet from Jones when he was executed. 

"Mr. Hollister, in his 'History of Connecticut,' 
takes exception to the above account. In vol. ii. 
page 37o of his work he has the following note : 

" ' The Rev. Nathaniel Bartlctt, who was pa.stor of 
the Congrcgatioiuil Church in Redding for a period 
of fifty years, officiated as chaplain to the encamp- 
ment during the winter, and was present at the exe- 
cution. He interceded with Gen. Putnam to defer 
the execution of Smith until Washington could be 
consulted, the ofrender being a youth of seventeen 
years, but the commander a.ssured him that a reprieve 
could not be granted. Mr. Bartlett was an earnest 
and fearless Whig, and openly talked and preached 
"rebellion," — so much so that the Tories, who were 
numerous in the eastern part of the town, threatened 
to hang him if they ccmld catch him. In consequence 
of these threats he often carried a loaded musket with 
hi]n when on his i)arochial visits. His son and suc- 
cessor in the ministry at Redding — the Rev. Jonathan 
Bartlett, now (185.5) in his ninety-first year — well re- 
members the Revolutionary encampment at Redding, 
and frequently visited it. He is sure that the story in 
Barber's " Historical Collections" about Putnam's in- 
humanity at the execution of Smith and Jones is 
incorrect. Though not present himself, he has often 
heard his father relate the incidents of the occasion; 
and furthermore, he once called the attention of Col. 
Asahel Salmon (who died in 1848, aged ninety-one), 
who was a sergeant in attendance ui)on the execution, 
to the statement, and he declared that nothing of the 
kind took place.' 

"Another historian. Rev. Thomas F. Davies, in an 
historical sermon delivered at Green's Farms in 1839, 
also takes exception to Mr. Barber's statement. He 
says,— 

'"Mr. Barber must have been misinformed. Red- 
ding is my native town, and from my boyhood I have 
heard the history of the proceedings on the occasion 
referred to, and was much surprised at the statements 
in the " Historical Collections." The Rev. Mr. Bart- 
lett, whose father was cha]>lain on that occasion, in- 
forms me that Gen. Putnam could not have been 
guilty of the acts there charged. 

" ' That Mr. Barber may have something to substi- 
tute for the narrative to which I object, I give the 
following : 

"'When General Putnam occupied the house of 
which Mr. Barber has given an engraving, a scene 
occurred which presents the general in a very amia- 
ble light. A i)oor man with a family needing sup- 
port, aiul who lived in the neighboring town of Ridge- 
field, was told by one acquainted with his wants that 
if he would visit General Putnam and hold a conver- 
sation with him, he wouhl on his return, and on proof 
of the fact, give him a bushel of wheat. The tempta- 



REDDING. 



50E 



tion ill tliat time of scarcity and taxes was groat, and 
so also was the fear of iutnidiiii; iijioii so distinguislu'd 
an individual; but the stern necessities of his condi- 
tion at length induced the poor man tn venture. He 
accordingly presented himself at headiiuarters, and 
requested the servant to solicit for him an interview 
with the general. Putnam ])romptIy summoned the 
man to his presence, directed him to be seated, and 
listened with interest while the man with great trepi- 
dation gave the statement wduch accounted for the 
liberty he had taken. Tlie general directed the ser- 
vant to bring some wine, conversed for a time very 
pleasantly with his needy visitor, and then, calling 
for pen and ink, wrote a certificate, in uhicli he gave 
the name of the individual an<l stated that he had 
visited and conversed with (!en. I'utuani, who sinned 
it in his official character. Thus furnished with the 
means of giving bread to his family, tlic distressed 
individual returned to his humble roof; and this 
anecdote, which I have on the vcn" best authority, is 
)iroof that rutnam was not destitute of those kind 
and gentle afl'ections which are so desirable an orna- 
ment of the most heroic character." 

"This diversity of statements has led the writer to 
investigate the matter more tIioroiij;lily than he would 
otherwise have done, and the weight of proof seems 
to be in favor of the correctness of Jlr. Barber's state- 
ment. His version of the affair is the one generally 
prevalent in the town, with the exception of Putnam's 
forcing the boys to become executioners. Nor is there 
anything in the story inconsistent with Putnam's 
known character and temperament. He had Iieen a 
man of war from his youth, in ]ierils often from wild 
beasts, the elements, the wiklerne.«s, and the Indians. 
Long service in the bloody I'^rench and Indian wars 
had scarcely taught him amiability. Bcddiiess, firm- 
ne.ss, promptness, decision, — these were the chief ele- 
ments of his character ; and at this luirticular crisis all 
were needed. There was disaflection and insubordi- 
nation in the army, as has been seen. Desertions were 
frequent, and sjiying by tlie Tories was almost openly 
practiced. To jnit a stop to these practices was vitally 
necessary to the safety of the army ; and, as the pris- 
oners had been tried and sentenced to death by a com- 
petent tribunal, it was Putnam's duty to see that the 
sentence was carried into eifect. If the execution 
was bunglingly done, the fault was with tlic execu- 
tioners, and not with the general. 

"As was to be expected, the citizens of Redding 
felt quite honored by the selection ol' their town for 
the army's winter-quarters, and wc'lcomed heartily 
the dusty battalions as they filed into- canij); but a 
few months' acquaintance opened their eyes to some 
of the ways of soldiers, and caused them to speed the 
army in the spring as heartily as they had welcomed 
it in the autumn. Tlie sohliers argued that, as they 
were lighting the country's battles, it devolved on the 
latter to furnish the sinews of war, and plundered the 
neighboring farmers, whether Whig or Tory, with the 



utmost impartiality. To them a well-stocked poultry- 
yard or a pen of fat porkers oU'eri'il irresistible induce- 
ments. A milch-cow never failed of a circle of 
devoted admirers, while bands of merry rovers occa- 
sionally stole over the borders into the neighlMiring 
towns and harried in under cover of iii^iht droves cif fat 
cattle, which were killed and eaten with as little for- 
mality as they were taken. Witli the morning would 
come the owner complaining of these little peccadil- 
loes, but, as he could never prove property or identify 
the rogues, they usually escaped punishment. Alter 
a time, however, the wary farmers foiled the de]preda- 
tors by herding their live-stock over night in the cellars 
id' their houses and in other secure places. 

"The ringleader in all these forays was Tom War- 
rups, an Indian, grandson of the chief Chickens, and 
one of Putnam's most valued scouts and messengers. 
Tom possessed a great di-al of individuality, and im- 
pressed himself on a succeeding generation to the 
extent that numberless anecdotes are remembered 
and told about him to this day. Some of these, illus- 
trating the Indian character, are worthy the attention 
of the grave historian. Tom had a weakness for liciuor, 
which would have caused his expulsion from the camp 
had it not been for his services as scout and guide. 
(.)ue day he was seen deplorably drunk, and the offi- 
cer of the day in disgust ordered him to be ridden out 
of the camp. A stout rail was brought. Tom was 
placed astride of it, four men hoisted it upon their 
shoulders, and the eavaleaile started. On their way 
they met Gen. Putnam witli his aids making the 
round.sof the camp. 'Tom,' said the general, sternly, 
'how's this? Aren't you ashamed to be seen riding 
out of camp in this way?' — ' Yes,' replied Tom, with 
drunken gravity. 'Tom is ashamed — vera mooch 
ashamed — to see ]ioor Indian ride and the gineral he 
go .afoot.' 

"Tom had a house on the high ridge back of Capt. 
Isaac Hamilton's, now owned by William Sherwood. 
It was built, it is said, in primitive Indian style, of 
poles set firmly in the ground, then bent and fastened 
together at the top. This framework was covered 
with bark and roofed with reeds and rushes. Its fur- 
niture consisted of franiewijrk bedsteads, with bedding 
of skins, woodi'U bowls fashioned from iiejiperage- 
kiKJts, huge W(jodcn spoons, baskets made of rushes 
or long grass, pails of birch-bark, and an iron pot and 
skillet begged or borrowed from the settlers. His sis- 
ter Kunice was his liouseketq)cr. Except in war he 
was a worthless, siiiftlc.-is ftdlow, and lived chielly by 
begging; hunting and trapping were his recreations. 
He would often ab.sent liimsclf from his hut for weeks 
at a time, sleeping in Inirns or in the forest. .\ huge 
overhanging rock about a mile north of Georgetown 
often sheltered him on these occasions, and is still 
known as Warrups' Itock. 

"Tom's neighbor and landlord before the war was 
Col. John Head, son of the early settler of that name. 
Gn one occasion the cohniel had a company of gen- 



596 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



tlemen from Boston to visit him, and planned a grand 
hunt in their honor. Tom w:is always mastor of the 
revels at such times, and piloted tlie party on this oc- 
ca-sion. In their ramhle-; throajrli tlie forests they 
came to a spring;, and, being thirsty, one of the party 
lamented tliat they had left their hunting-eups be- 
hind. Tom at once slip]>ed off his shoe, and, fdling 
it with water, offered it to the guest to drink ; where- 
upon Col. Road reproved him sharply for his ill 
breeding. Tom drank from the vessel while the 
homily was being delivered, and then replaced the 
shoe, observing, with the haughtiness of a king, 
'Good enough for Indian, good enough for white 
man too.' 

" After the war C'apt. Zalmon Read and Tom were 
near neighbors, and the former liad a cornfield in 
dangerous proximity to Tom's cabin; he missed the 
corn and suspect<Hl Tom, and, watching, not only dis- 
covered him to be the thief, but also his ingenious 
plan of procedure. About midnight the Indian would 
come, ba.sket in hand, and, seated on the top rail of 
the fence, would thus address the field : ' Lot, can 
Tom have some corn ?' — ' Yes, Tom,' the lot would 
reply; 'take all you want ;' whereupon Tom would 
fill Ills basket with ears and march olf. Tlie next 
night, a-s the story goes, the captain armed himself 
with- a grievous hickory club and lay in wait behind 
the fence. Presently Tom came, repeated his formula, 
and i)roeeeded to fill his basket ; but when he re- 
turned to the fence, it was occupied by the captain, 
who proceeded to rejjcat Tom's formula with a vari- 
ation : ' Lot, can I boat Tom?' — ' Yes,' the lot replied ; 
' beat him all he deserves;' whereupon the fun-loving 
captain fell upon the culprit and gave him the thor- 
ough beating which his roguery deserved. 

" One more anecdote of Tom must sufticc. One 
day he went to a neighbor's hou-(e and demanded 
whisky. No, the neighbor was of the opinion that 
whisky was bad ft)r Tom. 'Rum, then?' — 'No.' — 
'Cider?' — 'No; cider was bad too; food he might 
have to keep him from starving, but no fire-water.' 
Tom ruminated. 'Well,' said he at length, 'give me 
toast and cider,'^a favorite tlish in those days, — and 
in this way won the desired stimulant. 

" Some years after, when age wiis creeping on, Tom 
and his sister removed to the Indian reservation at 
Schaticook, in Kent, whither his tribe had preceded 
him, and the time and manner of his death were un- 
known to his white brethren in Redding. 

"This is a long digression, pardonaltle in this con- 
nection only because it.s subject was one of the brave 
defenders of his country. 

" Among the papers in the ' Richards Collection 
are -some that are interesting as detailing little cpi- 
sode.-* of camji-life, as well as some that possess con- 
siderable historic value. They are !is follows : 

'■' HKAIMjrARTKM, HraI»IXU, Mo.V 2S, 177!). 

'* Daniel ViiUKlin ftinl Junftlh'n Goro of the 8tli Connecllfnt Regt Ti7«l 
bjr a Urigailc C. M. wliervjf Ll. Col. Suinuer waa PnaiJcnt, Fur SIciUins 



a Cup from Capt. Zalmon Tteiid of Reading, Tho Conrt are of Opinion . 
the charges against Vauglin and Goro aro not attpported. 

•"B. O.' 

" ■ Camp, 2xd Him, Nov. 14, 1778. 

*" Tlio General liavin^ ohtnined iiennisMiun of the Comniamlcr Tn 
Cliief to be Absent a few days from the Division, tho Command will de- 
volve npon 1trig;i<iier Gcn'l llnntin^on. Gen'l McDonjsal is hn[>py that 
it falls npon a Gentleman in whose care for and attention t> the Troops 
he haa the ntnioftt Confidence. The Orders will be issued as usual at tho 
Headiiuarters of the Division.' 

" ' Kr.iDlNO, Dec. IS, 1778. 

'"Liont. Col. Ilutlor of WjIIy's Reg. is promoted to tho command of 
the 2rui Company Itiiltalion aiitl is to be olieyod as sneli. Col. Meijo* is 
appointed Inspector to the I)ivi.iiun ami to do the duty of Adjt. General 
for tho same until fuitlier Orders — yuartormaster Belding of the First 
Conn. Brigade is appointed tinarlennnster of tho Division and is to do 
that duty until further Orders. David Humphrey Ksij. late Itiigailo 
Mi\jor to Geiri Parsons is apiKtinted aide do camp to Gen'l Putnam till 
further Orders.' 

*** As the Division Is now at Rest, Let us not . . . Who haa appeared 
for MS and .\meriea in innumerable instances in the lumr of our Distress 
let pniye:"S be attended, Both Morning and Kvening, in fiitr Weather, at 
snch times .\s the Commanding Officers t>f nriga«les sliiill Direct. This 
order Constantly to be obser^-ed when the Division is Kncampod. Gen'l 
McDo\igal Hattera himself his officers Will give tho Troops tho virtuom 
K.vamplc of Attonding at all times Divine Service. The Gen'l will 1h» 
obliijtMl to the oflicers t*» Desire any persjns whom they know going to 
head (jr. or to hartford to call upjn him.' 

'"Dec.18, 177!>. 

*' ' Quarter blaster Belding of the First C^mn. Brigade is appointed Qr, 
Master of the Division, and is t*i Do timt Duty till further onlers. David 
Humphrey, Ksq., late Brigade Slajor to Gen. Parsons, is appidntetl A l>e 
Camp to Mi^. Gen. Putnam Till further onlera (Capt. Chamiaon of Col. 
Wyllis' Regt. Is to do tho Duty of B.l SI:gor till further orders, and is to 
bo Obeyed accordingly).' 

" ' Feb. l:t, 1770. 

"' The Gen'l Directs that no person 1)0 i>ermltted to visit the Piisonere 
under sentence of Death Unless at their Request as frequent C^implaints 
have been made that they are interrupted in their Private Devotions by 
persons who came for no other Purpose but to Insult them.' 

"'At a Gen'l Court-.Martial held at Bodfoni Oct. 3, 1778, By onler of 
Gen. Scott whereof Lt. Col. Itlaistlen was President. 

*-' Elisha Sntith a private in Capt. Stoddard's Co. 2<l Regt. Light Dra- 
goons was tryed for Deserting to tho Enemy last August and Piloting 
them into atid against (he troops of this State Defrauding the publick, 
by selling his horse and Accontemients in a Treasonable Manner to the 
Kuemy and for Menacing and Insulting his otncent while a Prisoner, 
fonn<l Guilty, and Sentence Him to SnlTer the iwins of Death— His Ex- 
cellency the Commander In Chief .^]>p^»lves the Sentence and Orders s'd 
Klisha Smitli to be Executed next Monday the Pith Inst, at 11 O (Jlock 
A.M. at or near Bedfoni as Gen. Scott shall Direet.' 

Xo date : " * Divine Service will be performed to morrow at the Church, 
to iHJgin at U Clock a.m. Thoso off Duty are to March from Camp so 
as to bo at the Church by that time.' 

"The 'Church' wa.s the Congregational, at the 
centre, and the preacher the Rev. Nathaniel liartlett. 

"' llKAl>QrARTP.Ra. May 27, 177lt. 
" 'Major Geiu-nil Putnam being ^ala>nti to take command ikf one of the 
Wings of the tlrand .Vrmy, before he leaves the Trool* who have served 
under liim the winter |>iut, thinks it his Duty to Signify to them his en- 
tire appnduition of their Regular and Siddier like (Viniluct, and wishes 
them (wherever they may hajipen to bo out) a Snccctssfol ami Glorious 
Cam|>aign.' 

" Ilazen's command seems to have been the first to 
break camp in the spring, as the following proves: 

" Heap (it-ARTERa, REAniNO, March 21, 1779. 
"■Od. Hnzen'a Regl. will march to Springfield in :i DivWona by the 
short«'st notice; the first Division will nnirvli on Moni^ay next, and the 
other lw-> « ill follow on Tbunnhiy and Friday next. Weather permllllng, 
and in coac the delaehe<l lurties Join the Regt. Col. Ha»>n«lll lake with 
hllu one peice of Qinuon and a pruiiortionable Numbcrof Artillery- nieD.* 



I 



REDDING. 



597 



'^Vpril 11th the fo 



owin;: 



order was issued : 



" ' IIeau QiARTKiis, Apr. lltli, 1770. 
"■Theutrirc'irt are Kciut-jt.-ii U, \usv notinu- in Prupiii in-; fur tlie Juld, 
Iliat they iiiiiy \>i: reutiy to h-nw tlicir jiU'Sfnt IJii.utei-s at tliL* Shortest 
Nntici'. The <J. M. Gen'l— as tar as ii is in his puwi-r \\\U sujiply tlmso 
with IVrtmaiitcaus, who have not heen furnished hefore, and those wlio 
liave or t^hall bi; [irDviiled aie un no aiconnt to carry (jhusts or Boxes 
ifito tlie field. Tlie portmanteaus are {^iven hy the piihlick to S\ipeii*eilii 
those of siieli ('utiihei-sonie artiL-ks in older to ci'iitraet the Itaggage uf 
the Army and U'ssen tlu' Numl^er >>( Waygons, wliicli hesiih.'s saving tlie 
Kxpense, is attended witli many utiviuus and most Impoi taut Military 
Advantages, The Geneuil also thJnUs it necessary to give explit.it nolii e 
in time with a view to liave the army as little Enniuibered as possil U) 
in all its movements, and to iirev<Mit Imithening the public umi the 
farmeiTJ more than can he avoiik-d. N'u olhcer wlmse ]>uty does not 
Keally reiiuire him to be on hoisebut k — "ill be permitted tn keep hi»i>ea 
^^ith the Army — it ongbt to he tln> pi ide td" an ofticcr tu share the 
fatigues, as well as the Dangers to which his men are exputeil lUi fmit. 
Marching by tludr sides he will lessen every inconvenience and Kxcite 
ill them a sjiirit of patience and jiei-severance. Inability aloiie can 
justify a Deviation from this neces-siry ]»iactice. Cieri. \Vas.hingt«m 
strongly recuminends to tlie ofiiceis to Divest themselves as much us 
possible of everything Siiperlluous — Taking to the tield only what is Ks- 
M-ntial for Dining and Cumfort. Such as have nut paiticnlar friends 
Mithin reach with whom they would chouse t.. cniifi<te th-ir Itaggiig--, 
will apply to the Q. M. CJen'l who will appnint a place fur their Uecep- 
tiou and lui nisli Means of Trauspurtati.m.' 

"'Kkaoino. May 24. 177'.t. 
"Mien. Parsons orders tin- Ihigade t.) be loady U> Maich to Moimw 
at G o'e'lotk A.M. Complet fur Action.' 

" This brigade seems to liave returncil to the JIij2:h- 
lands via Ridgefield and Bedtbi'd, as (ieii. I'arsons 
dates his next order at Ridgefield, May OOtli : 

*"That Col. Wyllys fiunish aSergt. Corp. and 12 privates to be post id 
SB a Guard this Js'iglit one quarter of a Mile in fmnt of where his I'.i-gt. 
is ciuaitered (in the road leailing to ISedtbid. That Uul. Meigs furnish a 
Guard of the Same Number and Distanie on the road leading to Nor- 
M-alk. The Kevielle to be beat to-niorn-w niuining at the Dawn of Djiy, 
the troops to paratle at -I o'clock half a mile below the nieeiing house, 
on the road leading to Bedford, fijr Mhich place tloy will march imme- 
diately after in the same order as this day.' 

" ' BKDFunip, May ;U.st, 1771). 
"' The troops of Gen. Parson's Brigade to have two Days . . . per man 
from ("apt. Townsend . . . lefresh themselves, ami be ready to maicii in 
two hours to Parade near the Meeting house.' 

" '■ risiiKiLi., June 2, 1779, 
" 'Gen. Pai (J. ins orders that ("unrsr Sturm deliver one gill of Itum per 
man, and two Days provision to the tronp.s of his Biigade, this Day. 
The Qr. master to make return for the same.' 

"' Hn. QfAiiTKits. lhGni,ANi'.«, June (5, 1779. 
'"General McDougal Oi-leisa Detachment of loO 3Ien Properly oili- 
cered from Gen. Par8i>n's and Hiintingtoirs Biigades to parade at 12 
o'clock, with arms, ammunition, accouterments, BlanUc-ts and thiee 
days Provisions in front of Gen. II n, Bd.' (Huntington's Brigade.) 

"' Hn. Qr. June7tli, 177'J. 

"'The Grand Paiade in front of Gen. IIii. Bd. liio men properly OtK- 
i eied fiom lln. Bd. will parade for piipiet at 3 v)'ch>ck lor the future. 
The Belief will parade at K o'clock in the morning. \o i>erson will pa^s 
tlie pifpiet who cannot give a Good Ac'et of liiniselt.' 

"'The Signal of Alarm will be thiee lunnon lir.'d Distinctly by the 
Artillery in the front line.' 

"Tlie iollowing orders show the route taken liy the 
army in the fall of 177.S i'roiu the Highlands t.) 
Redding : 

" ' Hkad (jiAKTicns, Khkpericksdirg, Oct. 10, 1778. 
"'To morniw being the Anniversary of the Surrender of Gen'l Bur- 
goynes and his Troops to the Arms of Ameiica under the Command of 
Major Gen'l Gales, it will be Commemorated hy the firing of tiiirteen 
cannon from the I'ark of Artillery at 12 o : Clock.' 



'"Ilr.Ai) Qi Am-r-its. Oct. 2.', 177s. 

'" Nixon's, Parson's and Huntington's Biigades are tu niaicli to mor- 
row morning at 7 "u'cUfck from the Line under tlie cominaml of M;yor 
Gen'13IcDougall— Orders of March— (ien'l Nixon's Biijiade k';ids, Hunt- 
ington's follows. Parson's biingsnp tin- Kear, Cuniniaiidiiig Othcers of 
Corps will be answerable for tlie conduit of the men while i>u tho 
March. Artillery to March in Centre of eaeh Biigade— the Baggage of 
Gen'l Officers to March in Itear of tlie Troops, the other Baggage will 
march in the same <inler. l'"iuu.i;e and Coinmi>sary Waggonsin tlie rear 
of the Whole.' 

"'Nf.w MrrniRn. Nov. f., 177S. 

" 'The Honorable, the Continental Congress liaving on the 12th of 
October pa^sed a Kesoliition to discourage prophanenes.s in the Army it 
is inserted in this l>ivision for the infoimation of (Hlicers, and Gen. Me- 
D^iugall hopes for their aid and Countenance in Dist-ouraging and Sup- 
pressing a Vice so Dishonorable to human Nature, to the commission of 
which there is no Temptation enough.' 

"'Camp, Nt:w Mir.toitp, Oct. 2ii, 177S. 
" ' His K.\cellency the Ci'mnumdcr in Chief has l>irected the troops to 
remain here till fuitlier ordere— and he in Keadiness to March at tho 
shortest notice as Circumstances shall require. Mhile the Division is 
liepose-1, two days bread will be on store Continually, Baked.' 

" These interesting extracts might fitly eonehide the 
story of the army's eneampnient in Redding. There 
are, however, some entries in the i)arish reettrds, 
proving that amid tlie horrors of war sly (Jupid found 
a elianee to inflict his wounds, that are worthy of in- 
sertion. They are given as entered l>y the Rev. Na- 
thaniel Ilartlett: 

"'iV^li. 7, 177'.'. I Jiiined t<)gotlier ill marriage James GiM'iiis a Sul- 
ilier ill the Army ami Ann Sullivan. 

"3Iareli istli, 17711. I Jtjinetl ti'getlier in uianiage Jeliii I,iiies, a sul- 
iller ill the Army, ami IMaiy Ilcinlrirk. 

'■' .Mareli ;i(l, 177'J. I Juineil in marriage Daniel Evarts a suhliei, ami 
Jlaiy Kuwlaml. 

"' Apr. l.'i, 177il. I.jt'iiie<l ill mariiage Is.-uie Olliiite'i a .suMier. and 
Mary riirsmis. 

'" iXpr. -t*, 177'-*. 1 .joinetl in mall iage Jesse Belknap an artitieer in 
tile army, and Kiiniee llall. 

" ■ May 4, 17711. I .juiiied in uiariiage William Little, .steward to Ceii. 
I'arsons, and I'liehe Merchant. 

'"May 2o, 177fl. Ijuined in mariiage Giles (Jilheit an aitiJieei in tho 
army, ami lleborah Hall. 

" ' Slareh il, 17M1, I juined in mill riage \Villiam Iiaimw a soldier 
and Itiitli Itartiam.' 

" In the nidiith of .Tuni', 17S1, Count, tie Riicluiiii- 
beau and the Duke ile Lauzun intircheil a edhuini «( 
French troops acros.s ('onneeticut and took ]iost in 
Kidgetiehl, within supporting distance ol' NVtisliing- 
ton's army on tlie Jludson. 

"Tlicy passed tliiouo]i Redding on tlie iiKirch, and 
encamped over nioht, it is siiid, on the idd ptirade- 
ground. 

"Their supply-train numbered eight hundred and 
ten wagons, most of them drawn by two yoke of 
oxen ami a htirse. The column attracteil nuudi at- 
tention :is it ninveil, with llasliing tirms iind soldierly 
precision, over the hills and through the valleys on 
its way to Kiilgefield. 

" No coniiilete list of the soldiers furnislied by Red- 
ding to the (Vintinental army can be jirepared. The 
following names ajijiear on the town list of Eevolu- 
tionary pensioners : Col. Asahel Salmons, C'ajit. Zal- 
mon Read, Capt. John Davis, Joel Merchant, Ezra 
, Bates, Calvin Jenkins, Ezra Hull, Stephen Battcrson, 
' Jacob Patchen, and Abraham Parsons ; and ia the 



598 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



town records those whose families were aided were ' 
Nathan Colcy, Stephen Meeker, Elias Bixby, Jere- 
miah Ryan, and Samuel Remong." 

CAl'T. WILLIAM JUDD'S COMPANY. 

The following is the pay-roll of Capt. William i 
Judd's company, Col. Wylly's regiment, which was 
encamped at Redding in 1778-79 : Asa Chapman, 1 
Sergt., Homer Phelps, Joel Smith, Sergt., Thomas 
Peck, Elijah Porter, William Loc, tifer, Eloazer Porter, 
D. Adams, Timothy Keelcr, Levi Hamlin, Elisha 
Hollstein, Stephen Chapman, John Oakley, Conor 
Dunham, Jr., Ebenezer Park, Samuel Hotchkiss, 

Ephraim Taylor, Amos Barnes, Shaw, Joseph 

Hill, Benjamin Potts, David Heydon, Ebenezer Park, 
Abel Scipio, Thomas Swift, and Luther Atkins. 

UEVOLUTIOXARY ACCOUNTS.* 

The following accounts are interesting from the fact 
that they give the names of some of the soldiers, and 
also the prices of clothing at the time a part of the 
army was encamped at Redding in 1778-79 : 

Dr. Boldiera of Capt. JiKhl's coni[inny for State clothing received of 
Lieut. Ridiartis, Kov. 14, 177S. 

£ «. d. 

.Tolin Plainer, 1 pair stockinps, 6a.; Tliiii, 12» 18 

Tiinici .lolihs.ii. 1 Bhirt, 1> 12 

Anus Itariieti. 1 t«liiit, I2x ; htuckiiigs, Gs 18 

Kpliniim Tiolor. 1 shiit, l-^i 12 

Tliuiiiits Tui-t, stockings, i>« ti 

Al el S* ipiti, 1 pair Btutkiiigw, C* 6 

Daniel itluMxck, 1 pair Hluckiiige, 0« G 

CV.rp. W.imlrutl. I Hhirt, l*i« 12 U 

Lieut, tluie will aci;i>uiit with Mr. Kichnnls for 1 

pair btockiiigfi, iif<. 

Deliveruiicu AUuniB,! pair hose G 



4 IG U 



"Camp neak Uradina, Doc. U, 1778. 
" Wc the Btilscriliers, non-conlnli6^ion*Hl ofRccrB and privates of Capt. [ 
William Juiltl'ti company, CVd. Wylly's regimeitt, have roct-ivod of Samuel 
IticliartlH, paynmHterlothe said regiment, the sunia rc-sppclively annexed 
to onr names on account of wages to be drawn fur the muntha of October 
and Noveniler, 1778. 
" Witne&H our hands : \ 

$7 and IIS.OO, Awi Chapman, Sergeant. ! 

3 " a" IHJ, Homer l'lu'l|is, Sergeant. ; 

4 ** 'iS.VO, Joel Smith, Sergeant. I 
1 ThouniB Park. 

:{ Klijuh Porter. 

1 " 7"i.»0, WllliiiMi Lee, fifer. 

1 " 76 IK), Klezer Porter. 

1 *' 7.'..U(i, Deliver. Adams. 

1 " GOlM), Timothy Decker. 

4 " 7.1KI, Levi X llamliii'ti mark. 

4 " H.IHI, Ellilha WeUter. 

1 " U).'JO, Stephen Cluipnian. 

1 John X Oakly'a mark. 

U C. Dunham, Jr. 

1 Kljenezer I'ark. 

3 Siuiiuel llotchkim. 
1 " row, Kpliniim D-tylou. 

1 " GlMHJ. Aino* Darns. 

2 " W.'M\ Shaw. 

4 " GU.IN), Joseph IlllN. 
I *' GO.'.IO, Uciijamin Putt«. 
1 " W.lNi, Davlil Ilydeu. 

1 " GO.OJ, Ebrneier Park. 

2 Abel X ^f >"'• mark. 



• Contributed by A. D Hull. 



Si and 00.90, Thomoa Swift. 

1 " G0.90, Luther Atkins." 
"Received of Samuel Ilichards, paymaster of Col. Wyllis* regiment, 
the sums respectively annexed to our names in part of November pay 
do. 
" Witness our hands. Camp Rradino, Jan. IC^, 1779: 

s. d. 

18 6 Homer Phelps. 

8 6 Joel Smith, Sergeant. 

17 Theodur Andrews. 
8 C Stephen Chapman. 
8 G Charles WoudrufT. 
8 G Samuel Adams. 

8 G George Walton. 

8 G Amos Ilai*nes. 

8 G Jt«ep)i Hill. 

8 C Uenj. Parker. 

8 G Aaron X Moore's mark. 

20 6 Daniel Itluosuck. 

26 6 Prince X Dcnison's mark. 

8 G David Hayden. 

18 6 Joseph Teal. 

8 G Levi X Hamlin's mark. 

14 G Samuel Hotchkiss. 

8 C Daniel Hitchcock. 

20 G John X Adam's mark. 

8 C Elijah Porter, drummer. 
17 Elisha Webetor. 

8 6 Luther Atkins." 

"Re.\dixo, April 2,1779. 
"Received of Samuel Richards, paymaster to Col. Wyllis' regiment, 
ty the hands of Sorgt. Phelps, in State clothing, the sums rcspeetiTcly 
annexed to our names, to he rluducted from the itaymeut of January and 
February, 1779, as witness our hands: 

1 pair shoes, &i. Oif,, David Smith, Corporal. 

1 pair breeches, 20*., Lyman Clark. 

1 pair stockings, Gd., Joseph IHlIs. 

1 pair overalls, l/i*., Joseph Teal. 

1 pair shoes, Ss. G<i., John Adams. 

1 pair stockings, G«., Homer Phelpe." 

*' Cawt Readivo, May 8. 1779. 
" Received of I,ieut. Richards, paymaster to Col. Wyllys' regiment, in 
States clothing, the sums respectively noncxcd to our luunn, to be de- 
ducted out of our next pay. 
" Witness our hands: 

Ovenills, 1(V., Thomas G. Moore, Sergeant. 

Overalls, IOj"., Homer Phil|«, Sergeant. 

Overalls, KM., and fnH-k, Itv., Joi'l Smith, Sergeant. 

Overalls, lO*., David Smith, Cor}K>ral. 

Overalls, lOd., Charles W(»odruff, Corporal. 

Overalls, lo*,, William Lee, flfer. 

Overalls and frtx^k, 'irm., Nicholas Winter. 

Overalls, 10*., Steplien Chapman. 

Overalls and frock, 20«., David Ilyden. 

Ovonills and frot^k, 2fl«., Thomas Twist. 

Overalls and frock, iOn., Elisha Webster. 

Ovenills, 10#., Timothy Culver. 

Overalls, lOi., Kphniim Taylor. 

Frock, 10«., Josejdi Teal." 

"Readixo, April 2j, 1770. 
"Received of Lieut. Richards, paymaster, in State shoos, tlic sums r^ 
epectively annexc<l lo our names, to be deducted from the moutlis of 
January and February t«y. WItnem our hands: 
*. ff. 

1 pair shoos ^ <> Luther Atkins. 

I " 8 C KHjah Porter. 

1 " 8 6 &domon Rwt, 

1 " 8 G Gw.rge Waller. 

1 " 8 C J.>scph Hill. 

1 " 8 G Si'rKeant IMielps. 

1 " 8 6 S'ri;runt G. Morrd. 

1 " 8 Joel Smith, Sergeant. 

1 " 8 LiveriKMjl Wailsworth. 

1 8 C Itenjamin Parker." 



J 



BEDDING. 



599 



" KF.APlNd, April 22, 1770. 
" Received of Lieut. Rieliards, linynut.>iter, in .State overalls at l.'is. per 
pair, an<l lireeclies at 18*=. per pair, the sums respectively annexed to our 
names, to be deducted out of our next pa.v. 
■' Witness our hands : 

1 pair Iileeches, 1S.«., Liverpool Wadswortll. 

3 pair overalls, Ins., Klteiu'zer Drake. 

1 pair ovefalls, 1.')n., Klisha Webster. 

1 pair ovei'alls, 15«., Timothy Culver. 

1 Jiair lueeclies, 18«., David .Sniitli, t'.uporal." 

i{EV(1LUTI(iX.\KV PEX.SIOXKRS. 

William Lyiu'.s was a native of RtM.lilinir; when a 
boy was bound out at Koxbury, Conn., to learn the 
trade of a blacksmith. A jounieyiiian in the shop in- 
duced him to run away and go to Canada, where he 
was promised large wages at peeling bark. The Brit- 
ish had press-gangs out, and lie was pressed into the 
service, lie w;us at sea ab(]Ut live years without l)eing 
allowed to go on shore I'or t'etir he woidd run away. 
He reiiised all inducements given to enlist in the ser- 
vice. He was fourteen years in the British navy, and 
was sttitioned at St. Helena aliout seven years; was 
there when Bonaparte died, and shod his horses. Tlie 
emperor, learning that he was an American, took fre- 
'|iient opportunities to talk with him about this coun- 
try. Mr. Lynes was in tlie merchant service about 
I'ourteen years. He was for a number of years a 
charge to the town of Keclding, ami died on Gallows 
Hill, in Redding. 

Bernhard — or, as he was commoidy called, " Uncle 
Barney" — Keelcr was a Hessian, and left the British 
army when Governor Tryon marched through Red- 
ding to Danbury. He married and settled at Red- 
ding. He had been a gardener to a nobleman in his 
country. He often used to boa.st that King George 
would have to pay liis sovereign I'or him, for King 
George had to pay a certain sum to the rulerof Hesse 
for all the soldiers who did not return. 

On the leaf of an old account-book kejit in Read- 
ing in 181.J-1() is a charge made by the selectmen 
against the State for boarding Eunice VVarrups, as 
follows : 

"To paid Lewis Dcane for boarding her from 1st Nov. 1815, to ICtli 
Jnny, ISIO, being U wk8,"Sl.i;, li7."i." 

There is on another leaf the following : 

"Eunice Warrnps, an Indian woman, was born in this town; is up- 
wanis of seventy years old ; has l;eeu absent fifty years; came from New 
Milfurd, she SJiys, let day of Nov.; came to this town; was warned to 
depart." 

BCSTON SCHOOL IHSTIUCT.* 

In the early part of the present century Boston 
School District was an important part of Redding. 
It was on the main road, the great thoroughfare be- 
tween Danbury and Norwalk, over which most of the 
travel and traftic between the two [daces passed. In 
those days the old Danbury turni>ike was a road of 
consequence. It was nothing unusual for half a dozen 
heavily-loaded wagons to be seen at a time passing 
over it. A daily stage was run to convey passen- 

* By A. B. Hull. 



gers to Norwalk, who went to and returned from New 
York by way of sloop, and afterwards by steamboat. 
The old lumliering stiige-eoach, with its four, and fre- 
quent six, horses, and good-natured, accommodating 
driver, has been superseded by tlie steam-cars and the 
equally good-natured conductor; and the sound of the 
.stage-horn, which, when blown by the strong-lunged 
driver, reverberated over the hill and througli the 
valleys, lias given way to the shriek of the steam- 
whi.stle, while rapid transit has made the old-f;i.shioned 
taverns by the roadside no longer a necessity. The 
old turnpike-gates have also been set aside by modern 
innovation. 

At the Corners, in Boston, was located the earliest 
I>ost-office in town. There was an extensive liat- 
ftictory conducted by Billy Comstoek, afterwards liy 
his son Andrew, who w;is succeeded by the Shelton 
Brothers, N. H. Lindley, and others. In addition to 
the various trades necessary to a country hamlet was 
a ring eider-mill, owned by Daniel Mallory, where 
the farmers occupied a liberal portion of the time in 
autumn grinding their a|)ples into cider, and storing 
their cellars with it. He also owned a distillery, 
where some of this cider was converted into whisky. 
There was a store where large quantities of goods 
were disposed of, ami a hotel where in after-years the 
stage-horses were kept for relays. " Breakneck Hill," 
a mile above this tavern, was the dread of teamsters, 
who frequently h;id to be helped over it by the neigh- 
boring farmers. Subsequently a road was constructed 
farther west to avoid " Breakneck." By the liberality 
of S. Smith (tray, this formidable elevation was 
made quite ])assable by being cut down at the top and 
tilled at the bottom, so that it is no longer a terror to 
the traveler. 

I_ujhis_district .IoeL[5arlow, the [loet and sttttesmtm, 
was born; here he attendetl the common school, re- 
ceived the rudiments of his education, and laid the 
foundation of his knowledge, which afterwards made 
him famous. Elias Bennett, the veteran po.st-rider, 
resided in this district, and for a period of thirty- 
three years, in whatever state of the weather, made 
weekly trijis to Bridgeport and delivered the news- 
papers to his ptitrons. Here also resided Jack Free- 
man, an ageil colored man, better known ;is "Gov- 
ernor," — a title which he received from the fact of 
his being the acknowledged governor of the colored 
inhabitants of the State. He every .summer, on the 
recurrence of Saint Cu (fee's day, Citlled out his sub- 
jects for inspection and review. .lack had been a 
slave, and was manumitted by the laws of the State 
when the act took efl'eet. 

In those days the mereliants exehangiul their goods 
for grain, flax, butter, eggs, and other produce, and 
tciims were constantly on the road conveying this 
produce to Norwalk and other seaport-towns and 
returning with merchandise. Among those engaged 
in the business between Boston District and the sea- 
board was Jack Sturges, an old colored man. He, on 



600 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



his way from Norwalk on that day, fell asleep in the 
cart, and his team, which consisted of a yoke of oxen 
and one of steers, stopped at the foot of "Steep Pitch," 
in the woods just below Georgetown. Some waggish 
persons, hajjpening along, unhitched the steers, drove 
them into the woods, and secreted themselves under 
the cart. A few well-directed thrusts from a sharp 
stick soon awakened Jack, who raised himself up, 
and, seeing the steers gone, thus soliloquized : " Am I 
Jack, or am I not Jack? If I'm Jack, I've lost a 
pair of steers ; and if I'm not Jack, I've found a pair 
of oxen and a cart." 

Many stories arc t(dd of Hiram Barnes, the old 
stage-proprietor of Danbury, and an inveterate joker. 
It was not uncommon, in the hot days of summer, 
for the stage-horses to become exhausted, and some- 
times they died in the harness. On a certain occasion 
one of the liorses fell, and was removed to the road- 
side, where lie soon died. The driver proceeded to 
Danbury with three hor.ses. Barnes imjuired about 
the mi.ssing horse, and was told tliat he fell in the 
harness and died. " You fool," said Barnes ; " why 
did you stop?' Why didn't you keep him going? 
He would have came through all right if you hadn't 
stopped." 

During the time the horses weje changed here an 
acquaintance of Barnes from Danbury, who was re- 
turning from his wedding-tour with his wife in a car- 
riage, stopi)ed at the tavern. Barnes soon got into an 
animated conversation with him about the speed of 
their horses. After driving a))out for some time 
Barnes offered to bet that lie could drive to Danbury 
the quickest. The gentleman had become oblivious 
to everything but horse-racing, and at once fell in 
with the proposition. After going about two-tliirds 
of the distance Barnes said to him, "Didn't you have 
a woman with you when you was at the tavern?" 
— " O Lord, yes," said the gentleman, and immediately 
drove back for the lady. 

At one time a sleighing-party stopped at the tavern 
and called for refreshments, which consisted in part 
of cider and doughnuts, for which the landlord made 
repeated visits to the cellar, and on each return put 
down the amount on a sheet of paper, which for con- 
venience lie put into a Bible near at hand. When 
about to leave tlie party calletl for the bill, and, on 
seeing the amount, were dissatisfied, and declared 
they would not pay it. An appeal was made to 
Barnes. " Pay it, boys," said he. " Don't you see 
it's in the Bilile? and it must be true." The bill was 
paid without further dispute. 



CHAPTER LIX. 

REDDING (Continued). 

ECCLESIASTICAL niSTORY.* 

The Coiigregsjtional Clmrcli — Hirist Clinrch — Methodist Episcopnl 
Cluircli— McthodiHt Eiiiscoiml Clitircli uf Long Kiilge — Bu|ilitit Church, 
Georgetown — The Congregational Cliurch, Georgetown. 

TUE CONGREGATIOXAL CHURCH. 
" The Congregational Church was the first religious ■ 
body organized in the town. As early as .\ugust, 
1729, but three months after they had wrung a reluc- 
tant consent from the mother-town to a.ssume parish 
privileges, we find them providing for the settlement 
of a minister among them in the following manner : 

"'At a Society Meeting held in the Society of Rwlding, Deacon George 
Hull chosen Moclemtor. It was voited that s'd Society would give for 
the Bettleuiont of u minister in tt'd society the sum of seventy pounds, 
and u house, and his woo<I, and hring it up, and the next year eighty 
pounds, and raise live pounds a year till it comes to one hundred pounds 
a year. It was voted, that Kdniond Luin, esfjuire, shall decide the matter 
as to seting the meeting lions, it was voited that sM Mr. Luis should 
come the finst week in October to decide the matter afores'il.* 

"No minister was settled, however, until 1733; the 
first church edifice Wius erected early in 1732. It 
stood a few yards west of the present Methodist 
church, and nearly in the centre of the public square 
or common.! It was two stories high, lathed and 
plastered, and furnished with galleries,- and windows 
of imported ghuss. All that is to be found in the 
church records concerning the building is contained 
in the following extracts: 

"•November 12th, 1";10. H was Votetl, That we will build a meting- 
lionse in saiil society for the worship of God in the Presbyterian way. 
Voletl, That the meting-hous shall be thirty feot long, twentyM^ight fift 
wide, and two stories high, lotci/, That Lemuel Sjinfoi-d, Thomas Wil- 
liams, and Dauiel Lion, (be) elioscu comniittco for (building) s'd meting- 
hous,' 

" ' Feb. 2;td, 1730-^n. You that are of the minds that all those persona 
that do, or hereafter may iulialjt in this | arisli, which prtifess thenis4dfs 
to be of the Church of Kngland, shall have free liberty to c<.nie into this 
meting'llous that is now in building, and attend the I'ublick woi-ship of 
God there, according to the articles of faitli agreed ujain by the assembly 
of Divines at Seabrook, and established by the laws of this Government, 
and be seated in s'd hous according to their estats. 

" 'November 3d, 17;12. Stephen Burr hath undertaken to cart stones 
and clay for the unih-rpinning the meting hous tor lib. Uh* l"»d. Iianiid 
Lion hath undertaken to undei-pin the meeting hous and tend himself 
for J lis. 4s. (Id. Daniel Lion huth undertaken li> git the lath and lay 
them on lor 31b. (Is. nd. Stephen liurr oiid Thenphilus Hull are chosen 
committee to take care of the paisoiiage' (proliably to secure R pamona^ 
for the e.\|s.'cted preacher, as it is not likely that one wos then built). 

" It was as yet, however, a church witliout a pastor. 
Mr. Klisha Kent had been called in October, 1730, 
but had declined, as we infer from the silence of the 
records on the subject. A society-meeting held May 
8, 1732, extended a similar call to the Kev. Timotliy 
Mix, and deputed Deacon George Hull ' to go to the 
Association at Stamford to ask advice concerning the 
settlement of Mr. Mix;' but this call, as in the case 



• The following history of the churchcn waa ctimpilc^l by Mr. Chorlcfl 
Burr Todd, anil puldisheU in his " llisuiry of nedding," is»iie<l in 1880. 

+ The conier.«tone of the old chiin-b may still l>e seen on the common, 
a little sonth of n line drawn from Deacon Abbott's to the store lately 
occupied by Mr. Slamleville. 



REDDING. 



COl 



of Mr. Kent, seems to liave been <leelined. At length 
a unanimous call was made to tlie Uev. Nathaniel 
Hunn, us follows: 

"'.Jan.:n,17;i2-33. At asiuief.v iiK'«-tiiig Ii.-M in the luiiish (of i Keail- 
iiig, Gfurge Hull chosfii Mudeiutor for .s"d meting:, 5Ir. Natli;init;l IIuiiii 
I'y a v.iit nemiue ciminnlkfiite wiis ?n:uli' cliuis of fur the niiiiistLT uf sM 
jiari-li. fiirtherniorL' it was vuileil at sM nu-ting to settle upun tli»? sM Mr. 
Ilunn's .vearl.v sallery US fnUoweth, that i;^. fur tlie tirstyear uf his ati- 
niiiiifttiation, seventy pouu'lK current luuney or liiUs of i'uljlir Cre«Iit in 
Xew Kngland, the sectnul year, ^ieventy-fivo jiouiiils, fur the tliitd year, 
eiglity pounds, fur the fonrlli year, eighty-tive jKiuinis, the fifth year, 
ninety pumids, the sixth year, ninety-five pounds, tlie seventh year, a 
Iiundred pounds, ail in currant money as aforesM, and bo on a hundred 
ponnds a year (hiring tlie term of hiiJ cuntinuance in the niini>tiy itt s'd 
palish, and also to give the sM Mr. Hunn the wlude ami sole i>iiviIego 
of alt the parsonage land belonging tu sM pat ish, and to provide liiui Ida 
lire\vot)d, during tliu term altuves'd, aUo to lind liini a convenient dwell- 
ing-lii>us for the first five years, aldo to give the sM Mi-. Hunn. a hundred 
acies of land on or before the day of liis ordination.' 

'■ Feb. 20, 1732-33, ' it was voted tluit the ordina- 
tion of Mr. Huini sliall be on tlie 21st day of Mareh 
next,' and '.lolni Read and George Hull were chosen 
a eoniniittee ' to represent the i)arish eoneerning the 
ordination of Mr. Hunn.' 

"The Rev. Sidney G. Law, in his Centennial Ser- 
mon, delivered at Redding, July G, 1870, thu.s speaks 
of Mr. Hunn's pastorate: 

'" nia firet reciird is very hliof forsn itiijn.rtarit a niafter, — vi/.. " March 
2lst, ll'-i'i, 1 was sejiaratcLl tu the work uf thi- uiinistry by prayer and 
fitslidg, and the hiying (ni of the hamls of the Pi-e-ihytery," The next 
record gives the cliuice of deacons, viz, : " At a elinrch nu-eting, March 
29, 17iS:l, we made ciioiee of Steplten IJurr fur a deacon, and some time 
after we cliuse Tlieo, Hall tu the same !.ervice. . , ." The next records 
M late to the adoption of Tate and Ilrady's verhion of the I'salnis, first for 
one month, and tlien for the indefinite future. 

'"The fii>l inendiers of the church enumerated hy Mr. llnnn were as 
toilows: Col. .Jtdin Read and wife, Theophilus Hull and wife, (leorge 
Hull and wife, Peter Burr and wih-, Daniel Lion and wile, Daniel Brad- 
ley and wih-, .Stephen Burr and wife, Ehene/.er Hull and wife, John 
Giifien, Nathaniel Sanford, Thomas Fairchihi, Lemuel .Sanfurd, Benjamin 
Liou ami wife, Slary wife of Ilichard Liiui, Isaac Hull, Ksther wife of 
Thomas WillianiS, Esther wife of Bejijamin Hamilton. Tlius it a]ipeare 
titat the chuich was organized «ith twenty-six menihers, including the 
two deacuns, aUunt the time tliat Jlr. Hunn w;i.s ordained, — viz., the iilst 
ot Mareh, 17.1:!. 

'•' Mr. Hunn marrieil Ruth, a sister uf t'ol. Read,* He was pastor of 
the church sixteen years. During this lime he received about ninety- 
two memhcrs into the church, the most of them hy letter of recommen- 
dation from neighhoiing churches. He performed thirty-five marriages 
aud one hundred and ninety-two haptistns. He died while itu a,journey, 
and Wiis hnried in Boston in 17.19, His Miduw, Kuth Hunn, ilied in 17(j(», 
and was Imiied near her hrothei, Od. ,Iohu U.ad, in the cemetery west 
of tin- parson.lge.' 

"Mr. Hunii's administration seems to have been a 
hajipy and prosperous one, and few events of im- 
jiortanee oeeurred during its continuance. 

" In 1738 it was voted ' to finish glassing the meting 
lious, aud to finish seating the meting hous as is be- 
gun, and do something to the puli)it.' In 1739, 
' Voted, That Sergt. .loseiih Lee shall get Mr. Hun's 
wood, and have seven i)ounds for it.' ' Vo/eJ, That 
the place for putting up warnings for society meet- 



* She was a daughter of the Hon. John Rea<l, wlio settled at Lonetown 
in 1714. Both Mr. Law and Mr. Barher are in error in supiiosing that 
the original John Ueail lived ami dieil iii Uedding. He removeil to Bos- 
ton in 1722, and his sipu John succeeded to his title and tu the manor at 
Lonetown, Tlie latter is the one mentioned in these records 
3'J 



ings be changed from Uinpawaug to the mill door.' 
In 1740, ' r(i/'(/. To rectifie the meting hous in the 
following articles, — viz., to put in new glass where it 
is wanting, and to mend the old. To lay some beams 
in the gallery and double fioor. To fasten the met- 
ing hous doors; to make stairs uji the gallery ; to jiut 
a rail on the foreside of the gallery,' and ' that the 
place for parish meeting shall be at the school house, 
by the meting hous fur the future.' In 1741, ' Volrd, 
To seat the meting hous in the lower part with plain 
strong seats.' In 1742, ' Voted, To inipower the parish 
committee to agree with a person to l>eat the drum as 
a signal to call the people together on the sabbath.' 
Again Feb. 1'.. 1743-44, it was ' \'o/r,!, That the 
timber and boards provided for seating the meeting- 
house shall be improvetl to that end for the use of the 
Parish.' 

"Mr. Hunn died in the summer or fall of 1740, 
and tor the four following years the church was 
without a pastor. A call was extended to Mr. Holo- 
mon Mead in March, 1701, without success, and in 
November of the same year to the Rev. Izrahiah 
Wetmore, with a like result. The interim was im- 
jirovcd by the people, however, in building a new 
church, which stood nearly on the site of the present 
edifice. 

" It was probably completed and ready for use early 
in the summer of 1702, as on the 22d of .luiie of that 
year a call w.as extended to the Rev. Sir. Tammage to 
be their jireacber, and the old meeting-house was 
sold to ,Tehu Burr for thirty-four pounds. The copy 
is from the records of a society meeting held at 
Widow 8anford's, .June 23, 17(>3: 

" ' Put to vote whether the meeliiig.Ii<ius(r (ds'd society shall he seated 
in ye fuim following viz. a com'te heing appointed tu Dignify ye pews 
and other seats in s'd Meeting House the Respective memhers of sM so- 
(iety shall sit in s'd pews and seats according to their Rank and Degree 
to he computed hy tlieir several lists aud age. viz. upon ye two last years 
lists, aud to allow three pound per year to he added to a pereon's List fur 
his ailvancemeut in a seat, aud all at ye ilisiTesiou of sM com'te who shall 
he appointed to Dignify s'd pews and seats, aiul to inspect tlie Respec- 
tive lists and ages of s'd uieinheis.' 

"The committee appointed was .Joseph Sanford, 
Ebenezer Couch, and 8te[)hen Burr; but, Messrs. 
Sanford and Burr declining to act, Ephraim Jackson 
and .Joseiih Banks were chosen in their [ilace. This 
committee was unalile to settle the question satisfac- 
torily, and a meeting was held Aug. 11, 17(13, at which 
the following action was taken: 

"'It was put to vote whellier the Dignity of je pews aud seats in 
ye nieetiug.honsi- shoulii he in the following nianlH'r viz. ,ve pew adjoin- 
ing ye pulpit stalls fii-st in Dignity; ye Pew adjoining the giait duurs, 
west side, secund in dignity: the fore seat third in Dignity, the second 
pew west of ye pulpit, fourth, the second seat, fifth: the secund pew 
north from tlie west duor sixth; the fifth pew lioith of ye west dour, 
seventh ; the third ]>ew north of the west door, eighth ; the second pew 
west of ye grait liuois, ninth: the first pew s<inlli of ye west iloor, 
tenth: the third seat, eleventh: tlie secoinl pew south of the west 
door, twelfth : the fonrUi seat, thiiteenth : tlie li-ont seat in ye gallery, 
fourteenth : the fore seat on ye side of the gallery, fifteenth : the pews 
and S4.;its npun ,^ e east end of ye meeting-Iionse of Ivpial Dignity with 
those upon tlie west side in the same ni.anner aud order as they are 
above nieutioued. I'assed in the negative.' 



602 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



"Three months hiter aiiotlior meeting was called, 
and adopted the following plan : 

" ' Thf rcsucL'tivc niembcm of tlie society bIhiU sit in yo pews and scnts 
of tlio meeting Iionso of »M society necoiHlliif; to tlieir rank or ilegroe, 
to be cinnpnteJ by tboir respective lists ttiid ages, viz. uiwti the lists 
given in upon tlie yenra 1751 and 1701 and 1702, and to allow three 
punnds i)er year to bo added to a pci"s,iirs li-^t for liis advancement in 
u seat or pew tlie Respective lists and ages of sM meniben* are to bo 
inspected, al.so to give the committee cliosen at ttiis meeting power to 
scut those timt iU'e new cnuiors, and have not ... in s'd society, to seat 
tlicm at said eommittvc's discn-sion. 

"' Lilvewise to seat ye Widows in s'd Su<-iety at the best of ye Commit- 
tee's judgment, which method of seating sM meeting honso shall con- 
tinuo until s'd Society at their meeting sliall order otlierwise. 

"^Aho ro/et/, Tliat s'd eom'te shall seat tliosc women whose husbands 
belong to the Clinrch of England at their discrcsiun.' 

"ThcUev. Nathaniel liarUctt, the secoud pa.stor of 
the church, was onlatTicd May 23, 1753, the next year 
after the church was built. 

"Mr. Bartlett came to Redding when a young man, 
and continued pastor of the church for fifty -seven 
years. In the War of Independence Mr. Bartlett's 
sympathies were entirely with the ])atriot cause; two 
of his sons entered the army, munitions of war were 
stored in his house, and he liiinself frequently offici- 
ated as chaplain during the encampment of Putnam's 
division in the town in the winter of 1779. Mr. Bart- 
lett died Jan. 11, 1810, and was hurled in the old 
cemetery west of the church. The inscription upon 
his tombstone reads as follows: 

"*ThK Kkv. KATIIANIEt. n.lRTI-litT. 
" ' Itieit Jiiiiunnj 11, 1810, iiijfil 8;J ymtrg, 
" * I am the resurrection and the life ; lie tlnit bcllevctll in mc, though 
he were dead, yet shall he live. — JE8(;8 Christ.* 

"During the entire period of Mr. Bartlett's minis- 
try we liave in the church records but one entry of 
importance, and that is of interest as marking the 
organization of the Episcopal Suciety in the town. 
This entry is as follows: 

"'Til Seth S. Smith of Redding, in i-iiitiK'i'i i o. (..reeling, \\ liereas by 
law the Kpisco|~al CIiiili:h in said Redding is become a distinct society 
wliereby the meniticra of the Piesliyterian church in said Redding have 
Iwcome the first society in said town. These are therefore by authority 
uf tlie Slate of Connecticut to command you to warn and ^ve notice to 
all the momliers of said first society, and all othem wlio by law are 
obliged to contribute towarKts the supp.>rt, and the worship, and the min- 
istry with the same, to meet at the mcolliig-hoiiBe in said Residing on 
Slonday the 'idtli of December at 12 in order to choose a modenitor and 
iKV,eaM»ry ofllceni. 

" ' Rkiidino, Deccmlior 14, 1785.* 

"The Rev. .lonathan Bartlett, third minister of tlie 
church, was ordained ius colleague with his father, 
Rev. Nathaniel Bartlett, in 179(5. The first of the 
church records in his handwriting is as follows: 

*"rub. 3, 170n. I WHS separated to the work of the ministry and or- 
duinml as colleague with my father Nattianiel UiM-lletl over the Coligro- 
gatidiiiil Chiireli in Itedilillg in (josjiel ordiT and form. Ttio minlslcra 
who iwrfornied the work were as follows, vix , — the Rev. Ismliiel Wet- 
nioro cli.MH'n Misleralor, Itibert Ross niaile the ordaining prayer, Klisliu 
Ke.\ford made the ilitrviluetory prayer, Uavld Kly preacheil the Si*mion. 
lm|SMiliuii of hands by N. Bartlett, 11. Rotu, and Rexfnnl. John Kly 
gave llie right hand of fellowship, .Samuel W. Stebbins made the con- 
cluding pniycr.* ^ 

" Rev. Daniel Crocker, of Bcdfonl, N. Y., was 
called in August, 1809, ns colleague with Rev. Na- I 



thaniel Bartlett. He was a good man and a success- 
ful pastor, and served the church fifteen years, being 
dismissed in 1824. The Rev. Charles De Witt Tap- 
pen was called, but not settled. The ne.xt pastor 
chosen was Mr. William C. Knift'en, in 182-5; he was 
dismissed in 1828. The Rev. Burr Baldwin was next 
called, but not settled. The next pastor was the Rev. 
William L. Strong, formerly pastor at Somers, Tol- 
land Co., Conn.; he was installed .Tune 23, 1830, and 
dismissed Feb. 26, 183.J. In September, 1835, follow- 
ing Mr. Strong's dismissal, a subscription was com- 
menced for the erection of the present church edifice, 
which was built in 183G. The expense was not to ex- 
ceed two thousand five hundred dollars, with the old 
meeting-house. In December of the same year a 
unanimous call was extended to the Rev. David C. 
Comstock, but was not accepted at that time. In 
March, 1837, Rev. Daniel E. Manton was called, but 
not settled. In June of the same year the' Rev. Jere- 
miah Miller was called, and was installed July 12, 
1837 ; Mr. Miller was dismissed in 1839. In the fol- 
lowing year, 1840, Mr. David C. Comstock was or- 
dained and installed psistor of the church ; he was 
dismissed in 1845. After him Daniel D. Frost, after 
preaching as stated supply for eighteen months, was 
ordained Dec. 30, 1845; he continued pastor ten 
years, being dismissed Oct. 13, 1856. In 1857 the 
puli)it was supplied by the Rev. Mr. Root. In 18.58 
the Rev. Enoch S. Huntington su])plicd the pulpit 
one year ; he presented the communion-service to the 
church, for which he received its thanks. In 1859 
the church was remodeled and painted, receiving the 
beautiful fresco which still adorns it. In 1860, Rev. 
W. D. llerrick became pa.stor, and so continued until 
1864. After him Rev. E. B. Huntington, and also 
Rev. Mr. Barnuin, ]ireachcd for a short time. Rev. S. 
F. Farmer sujjplied in 1865. Rev. K. B. Glidden was 
installed Sept. 12, 1866; resigned December, 1868. 
In 1869 the Rev. Charles Chamberlain became acting 
pastor. He resigned in September, 1871. 

"Rev. Sidney It. Law, acting pastor, June 1, 1872, 
and after a prosperous ministry of six years resigned 
in 1878. 

" Rev. W. J. Jennings, the present pastor, was in- 
stalled Dec. 17, 1879. 

" The complete list of those who have served it as 
pastors, with the date of their ordination and dis- 
missal, is as follows: Nathaniel Hunn, settled ]Mnrch 

21, 1733, dit^d 1749; Nathaniel Bartlett, settled May 
23, 1753, died Jan. 11, 1810; Jonathan Bartlett, set- 
tled Feb. 3, 1796, dismissed June 7, 1809, died .March 

22, 18.58; Daniel Crocker, settled Oct. 4, 1809, dis- 
missed Oct. 24, 18-24; William C. KnilTeii, settled 
June 8, 1825, dismissal Dec. 17, 1828; William L. 
Strong, settled June '23, 1S30, dismissed Feb. 26, 1835; 
Jeremiah Miller, settled July 12, 1837, dismissed July 

23, 1839; David C. Comstock, settled March 4, 1840, 
dismissed April 8, 184-5 ; Daniel D. Frost, settled Dec. 
30, 1846, dismissed Oct. 15, 1856; Enoch S. Hunting- 



REDDING. 



Gu:-5 



ton, settled 18-")8, di.sniissed IS.'iil; W. P. Herrick, set- 
tled ISGO, dismissed lSi;4: K. li. (ilidden, settled .^opt. 
12, 1801), dismissed Deeemljer, ISOS; (.'luirles ("luim- 
lierlain, settle<l ISlJ'.), dismissed Septembei-, 1871 ; Sid- 
ney G. L;iw, settled June 1, 1S72, dismissed June 1, 
1878. 

" Deaeons : Stephen BiiiT, appointed 17:!-'' ; The- 
opdiilus JIull, apjxiinted 17:t:i ; Lemuel Sanlbrd, ap- 
pointed 1740; Daniel Mallory, apjiointed 174(*; .lo- 
seph Banks, a]>pointed 177t) ; Simon C'oueh, appointed 
177(); Lemuel Sanl'onl, appointed 1785; Stephen 
Betts, appointed 178.'); Lemuel Sanf'ord, a])pointed 
1808; Aaron Read, appointed 18(18; Joel Foster, 
appointed 1820; Lemuel llawley, appointed 1832; 
Samuel Read, appointed 18:12; (.'liarles D. Smith, 
ai)pointeil 18')4 ; Rufus ^[eade, a]ii>oiiited I80-I ; 
Thaddeus M. Aljb.)tt, appointed 18.-,4. 

"The i)resent niembershij) of the ehureh is 110, — 
males, in ; females, ~{K" 

CHRIST CIIURC11.» 
" Tlu' present town of Reddinj; is one of the few 
l)laees in the old eolony ol' Connei'tieut wliere tlie 
E])iseopal ministry is entitled to the distinction (.)f 
liaving been first on the ground, laying foundations 
and not buihling ui)on those already laid. Tlie Church 
of England was not jjlanted in Xew England without 
strenuous and bitter oj)position I'rom tlu' Puritans, 
who were first in the field. l!y old English law, in- 
deed, that church was estnl)li>hcil in all the planta- 
tions; yet it is manifest from the records of the 
colonial legislation of the eluirter governnieiit of Con- 
necticut that jireviously to 1727 the church of which 
the king was a member was not recognized as having 
a right to exist. Congregationalism was the estab- 
lished religion, 'in opposition to which there couhl 
be no ministry or church administration entertained 
or attended by the inhabitants of any town or planta- 
tion, upon penalty of fiity jionnds for every breach of 
this act ;' and every person in the eolony was obliged 
to pay ta.xes for the support of this establishment. 

" In this uncongenial soil the .Vngliean Church of 
Connecticut was planted, — strange to say, not by for- 
eign-born missionaries, but by seceders from the min- 
istry of the Congregationalists. The pionei-rs in this 
movement were Timothy Cutler, rector of Yale Col- 
lege ; Daniel Brown, tutor ; James Wetmore, of North 
Haven ; and Samuel Johnson, of West JIaven, a 
former tutor in the college. These gentlemen, after 
a professedly careful and prayerful examination of 
the subject of ehureh order, discipline, and worshij), 
which re-ulted in a conviction that the English 
Church followed most closely the teaching of the 
Scriptures and the practice of the cluirch of tlie first 
ages, sent to the trustees of the college a formal state- 
ment of their view.s and declared for Episcopacy, — to 
the no small surprise and consternation of their col- 

« Cuntril uti'il t.j TuiWa l.iatorj l..v lU-v. .\hins...[i W\-lt.jn. 



leagues in the college and church. The four went 
to England for episcn]]al ordination, where i'.rown 
died. The three survivors returned in 1722, as mis- 
sionaries of the ' Society lor tlie Propagation of the 
Gospel in Foreign Parts,' .fohuson only l)eing sent to 
Connecticut. The ante-Revolutionary history ol' the 
church at Redding Ri<lge is mostly to be found in the 
archives of this society, as pul)lislied in tlie 'Docu- 
mentary History of tlie Proti'stanl lJpisco]>al Cliureli 
in t_'onnecticul,' and the l!ev. Dr. l!<'ardsley's ' His- 
tory of the Episcopal Cliiireh in Coiiiiecticut,' I'rom 
which sources, mainly, this sketch has been compiled. 
" A letter was addressed to the secretary of tlie S. 
P. G., dated < )ct. I'.t, 1722, signed by John ( Hover and 
twelve otlier heads of families in Newtown, Thomas 
Wheeler, of ^\'<lodllury, and Moses Knapp, of (Chest- 
nut Ridge, thanking the society for the services of 
the Rev. George Pigot, nu.ssionary at Strallord, and 
I earnestly soliciting the appointment of a missionary 
i for themselves at Newtown. 

" The next year, 172.3, Sir. Pigot was transferred to 
Newport, R. 1., and the l!ev. Samuel .lohnson, his 
successor at Stratford, ' accciited all his missionary 
duties in Connecticut.' 

" Jn 1727 the Rev. Henry Cnner |pronounce C'lin- 
ncr\ was sent to Fairfield, of which town Chestnut 
Ridge was a part. Ai'ter having named in his report 
the several villages or hamlets in the vicinity of his 
station, he says, ' Besides these, there is a village 
nortliward I'rom Fairfield aliout eighteen miles, con- 
taining near twenty families, where there is no niin- 
1 ister at all, of any denomination whatsoi'Vcr; tlie 
' name of it is Chestnut Ridge, and where I usually 
preach or lecture once in tliree weeks.' In 1728 he 
I says there are four villages 'about Fairfield,' — (ireen 
, Farms, Greenfield, Poipianiiuck, and Chestnut Ridge, 
three of them about four miles distant, the last about 
si.ticrn. The same year the name of Moses Knai)p 
I appears as a vestryman of the church at Fairfield. 
"In 1721), 'Closes Knap, Nathan Lion, and Daniel 
Crofoot' objected, in a meeting of the [ Presliyterian] 
' Society of Redding' ' against' the ' hiering' any other 
than a minister of the (Jhurch of Ihiglaiid. These 
three names api)ear again in tlie list of Mr. P.each's 
parishioners in 17:i8. The Rev. Dr. Burhams | C/inrch- 
Dian's Mar/dziiic. 1823| says, 'The first churchnuin in 
Reading was a Mr. Richard Lyon, from Ireland, who 
died as early as US^'k' He also says, on the authority 
of 'an aged member of the I'liurcli in Reading,' that 
'Messrs. [Richard '.'I Lyon, | Stephen | ilorehouse, 
|Moses| Knapp, [Joshua] Hall, [\Villiam| Hill, 
[Daniel] Crofi)ot, and [Lieut. SamuelJ Fairchihl aj)- 
pear to have composed the first Church in Reailing.' 
.\athan Lyon died in 17.')7, in the fifty-fourth year of 
his age. Mr. Caner rci)ortiMl in 1728 seven families 
at Chestnut Ridge, the number reminding us of the 
'House of 'Wisdom' with its 'Seven Pillars,' as the 
fir-st Puritan organization at New Haven was named. 
"Mr. Caner was succeeded at Chestnut Ri<lgc, 



604 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



in 1732, by the Rev. John Beach, a pupil of John- 
son in Yale College, and afterwards Presbyterian 
minister at Newtown for several years. As Mr. 
BcAch was a resident of East Redding for about 
twenty years, and pastor of tliis churcli full half a 
century, liis history is substantially that of the parish, 
or mission, over which lie presided. His pastorate 
was the longest of all the ante-Revolutionary clergy. 
He wa.s born in Stratford, Oct. 6, 1700; graduated 
from Yale at the age of twenty-one, and licensed to 
preach soon afterwards. He is said to have been 
selected for the Presbyteriuii pastorate at Newtown 
as a ' i)opular and insinuating young man,' well fitted 
to check tlie growtli of Episcopacy, which wiis tliere 
thriving under the ministry of Caner and Johnson. 
Many churchmen must have 'joined in settling him 
with Prc-sbyterian ordination,' for'm 1722 they claimed 
to be a majority of the population, whereas, for some 
time (i/lcr hh 'settlement,' Mr. Johnson ministered 
to only about five families. ' From these visits . . . 
frequent and earnest discussions resulted between the 
two teachers, the influence of which was .soon evident 
to Mr. Beach's congregation.' After two or three 
years of patient study and meditation he alarmed his 
congregation by liis frc'iuent use of the Lord's Prayer, 
and still more by reading whole chapters from tlie 
Word of God. Next he ventured to condemn a cus- 
tom, common in their meetings, of rising and bowing 
to the minister as he came in among them, and in- 
stead of whicli he begged them to Iviieel down and 
worship God. At length (in January, 17;{1), 'after 
he had been a preacher more than eight years, he 
told tiiem from the puljiit that " from a serious and 
pr.ayerful examination of the Scriptures, and of the 
records of the early ages of the church, and from the 
universal acknowledgment of Episcopal government 
for fifteen hundred years, compared with the recent 
establislimcnt of Presbyterian and Congregational 
discipline," he was fully persuaded of the invalidity 
of his ordination, and of the unscriptural method of 
organizing and governing congregations as by them 
practiced. He therefore, " In the face of Almighty 
(iimI," h.'id made up his mind to 'conform to tlie 
Cliurch of England, a.s Ijeing apostolical in her minis- 
try and discipline, orthodox in her doctrine, and 
primitive in her worsiiip.' He affectionately ex- 
horted them to weigh the subject well, engaged to 
provide for the due admini.stration of the sacraments 
while absent from tiiem, and spoke of his intended 
return from England in holy orders. So greatly was 
he beloved that a large proportion of his people 
seemed ready to acquiesce in his determination. But 
the others, in evident alarm and consternation at this 
' threatened defection from their ranks,' held a town- 
meeting ' to consult' as to ' what was possible to be 
done with the Rev. Mr. John Beach, under present 
diflicultlcs;' ' voted to liave a (day of) solemn fasting 
and prayer; . . . to call in the Ecclesiastical Council 
of Fairfield to direct and do what they shall think 



proper, under the . . . difficult circumstances respect- 
ing the Rev. Mr. Beach, and the inhabitants of the 
town of Newtown ; also that the first Wednesday of 
February (1732) be ajipointcd for the fiist.' 

"The council met, and in spite of Mr. Beach's re- 
monstrances proceeded to dejiose him from the min- 
istry. 'From this resulted a printed discussion' be- 
tween him and his deposers, which ultimately helped 
rather than hindered the Church of England. 

" Mr. Beach returned from England in Episcopal 
orders, and took charge of the Newtown and Red- 
ding mission in the autumn of 1732. From this pe- 
riod his history and that of his mission may be more 
accurately told in the language of his own letters to 
the secretary of the S. P. G. 

**'Nkwtown is CoNSECTici'T, August "til, 1735. 
"'RKVKnEND Sir: I think it my duty to atrqiintnt tlie venprablo 
Society witti tlio present tttiitc of my parLili, nlthuugli tlie allcrBtiuD 
since my \ant li;is not been very cuiieiJenible. I Imve ba|iti/.e(l twenty- 
nine chililren tmil lulmittetl twenty-five pensona more to tlie eomnitinion, 
BO that the number . . . now at Newtown, Reeling, anj the places ad- 
jacent is niiiety-fivo. I preach frequently and administer the Sacniment 
at Ridgefield, . . . about eighteen miles distant, . . . where there are 
alKiut fourteen or eighteen families of vor>" serious and religious i>eoplQ 
who have a just esteem of the Church of Kngland. and arc very diwirous 
to liavo the opportunity of worshiping God in that way. I have con- 
stantly preached one Sunday at Newtown, and the other at Reading; 
and after I have preached at Reading in the day-time, I . . . preach at 
Newtown in the evening; and nlthoiigh I have not that success I could 
wish for, yet 1 do, and hope I always shall, faithfully endeavor (as far 
as my poor ability will allow) to promote that good work that the venei^ 
able Society sent and maintained for me. I am. Rev. Sir, 

*' * Your most liumble sen-ant, 

"'Jolis BE.1CH.' 

"As a specimen of his mannerof defending himself 
against personal attacks we have the following from 
a controversial pamphlet, in reply to John Dickinson, 
of New Jersey, in 1736 : 

'"I have evened the scale of my judgment as much as iKiesibly I 
could, and to the best of my knowledge 1 have not allowed one graiH of 
worldly motive on eillier side. I have siipiiosed myself on the brink of 
eternity, just going into the other world to give up my account to my 
great Judge; and must I be branded for an antichrist or heretic, or 
aiHistate, because my judgment determines that the Church of Kngland 
is most agreeable to the Word of Goil? I can s|ie.ik in the presence of 
GihI, who knows my lieait belter than you do, that I would willingly 
turn Dissenter again, if you or any mini living will show me rejison for 
it, Bui it must be iX'a.H;in (wlier\*liy I exclude not the Word of Gist, 
which is the highest reaa.ui), ami not sophistry and calumny, aa you 
hove hitherto used, that will convince a lover of IruUi aud right.' 

" In 1739 he says, — 

'* ' I have one hundred and twenty-throe communicants, but they lire 
so far distant fmm each other that ctmimonly I can a<lniinister to no 
more than ali^ut llfly at once, which iK-ciisiuns my administering it tha 
more friiiuently , and, though I meet with many disionragenienU, yot 
I have Uiissiilisfaction, that all my communicants (one or two cxcepliHll 
do odoru their ptofcaslon by a sober, rightuoua, and godly life." 

" In 1743, some three years after Whiteficld began 
his famous ' revival of Puritanism,' Jlr. Beach says, — 

•••My people ore not at all shaken, but rather conllrmcl, in their 
principles by tlio spirit of enthuBlasm that ni^es among the Indepen- 
dents roundabout us; and many of the Dissj-nlem, olmening how stond- 
fosl our people are, . . . while those of their own denomination art 
eosilv carriwl away with every kind of doctiine. have conceived a much 
better o|liiiun of our Church than they formerly had, and a citiisidemble 
numbor in this coljuy have lately cjiifoimed, mid several churches are 
now building where they havo no mini-tor. . . . Were there in this 



I 



KEDDING. 



005 



country I'lit uiie of the EpLscopuI order towliom young men miLrlit apply 
for nriiinjilioTi witlioiit the exi>ense anil ilaiif^er of ji voyajje to Kriylatiil, 
many of uur towns nii;;lit lie fjupiilieil wliieli nln^t now remain ilebtitnte.* 
My people are poor, and have lint few ne;;ni slaves, lint all they have. I 
have, after instrnetion, baptized, and s une <if them are conimnnieants.' 

" 111 Oi-tdbcr (if tlie same ye.ir he .-iays, — 

" '1 he^ the venerable .Society's direition iti an affair I am jnst now 
perplexed with. There are about twenty fainilie.s ... at New Milford 
and New Fairfiehl. which are about lifteen miles hence. I preach to 
them several times a year, but seldom on the Lord's day. They fre- 
quently come to church at Newtown; but. by reason of the distance, 
they cau't attend constantly, and their families very seldom, and when 
they can't come to chnrch they meet together in tlndr own town, and 
one <if their mimber rends some part of the comnion pr.ayer and a ser- 
mon. They are now buildiiij; a chureh. . . . Itut the Independent-s, to 
enpiness the design in its infancy. . . . have lately prosecuted and fined 
them for their meeting to worship God according to the common prayer. 
. . . The ca.se of these poor people is very hard ; if, on the Lord's day, 
they eontintle at home, they nnisl be punished ; if they meet to worship 
God according: to the Church of Pingland in the best manner they can, 
the mulct is much greater; and if they go to the Indeliendeiit meeting, 
. . . they must emlure tlic niortihcation of hearing the Church vili- 
fied.' 

"After the (loiith of the Itev. .Tinhtia Iluueynuiii, 
missionary at Newport, II. I., in 17")0, the eliurch of 
which he had the care ])Ctitione(l the society that Mr. 
Beach might be sent to tlicm as tlieir minister. Tlie 
petition was granted, but Jlr. Bcacli felt constrained, 
on account of feeble health, to decline the apjioint- 
ment, fearing, as he said, that 'the people might 
complain that a worn-out nL;ui was imposed upon 
them.' 

" The first church on Redding Ridge, which was 
built in 1733 and was quite small, was in 17r)0 rej)laeed 
by another on the same site, tifty feet long anil thirty- 
six wide, surmounted by a turret, which in 17'J7 was 
replaced by a steeple, in which was jdaced the first 
bell. This church, according to the style of the pe- 
riod, was furnished with sipiare, high-backed j)ews, 
with seats on their four sides; so that some of their 
occujiants had to sit with their backs to the minister. 
And thougli others doubtless besides Bishop Jarvis 
'could see no necessary connection between piety 
and freezing,' there was no heating-apparatus in the 
churches until considerably past the beginning of the 
present century. 'Trinity church. New Haven, had 
no means of being warmeil until 1822, and none of 
the rural churches were supplicil with stoves until a 
much later period.' Many persons in the rural dis- 
tricts -n-ere in tlie haliit of walking several miles, 
barefooted, to church in sumnier, and jirobably did 
not feel the lack of shoes a great privation. So com- 
mon was it for men to go to churcli without their 
coats that the first time Bishop Seabury preached in 
New Haven a dissenting hearer reported that 'he 
preached in his shirt-sleeves.' Often the family was 
mounted, the parents with a child in arms to be 
christened, upon one horse, and tlie old<'r children 
upon another. Sometimes the whole I'amily were 
clustered together upon the ox-cart or sled, and thus 
they went up to the house of God. 



* This letter is dated at "Heading, in New England," as all his pub- 
lished reports are, between 1740 and 1700. 



" In 1750, three years after tlie breaking out of the 
' Old French War,' Mr. Beach, writing from ' Reading, 
Connecticut, in N. Kngland,' says, — 

"' My parish is in a tlouiishiiig londition, in all respects, excepting 
that we have lost some of our young men in the army; more, indeed, 
by sickness than by the sword, for this countrymen do not bear a cam- 
liaign so well as Kumpeans.' 

" Dr. John.son's playful remark to his son, that 
'JMr. Beach had always these seeming inconsistencies, 
to be always dying, and yet relishing mundane things,' 
would seem to indicate that bis friend was not rctilly 
so near death's door ;is he often imagined himself; 
for example, in 17<J1, when he says, 'My |i:iiiiliil and 
weak state of body admonishes nie that, altlnmgli this 
may not be the last time of my writing, yet the last 
cannot be far off;' and he had sujijioscd himself a 
' worn-out man' several years before. 

"Writing from 'New-Town, Oct. i!, 17G4,' he re- 
ports, — 

" ' .My congregation at Reading has increased very little for s une year^ 
past, by rc.'Lson that many who were wont to attend then', though living 
at a distance of I'., .■<, or 1(1 miles, have lately built [eai lij a small church 
lU'ar them, where they can more conveniently meet; viz.. at I'.inbury. 
Kidgbnry. North Fairfield, and North Stratford; which iias very 
1 much retarded the growth of the ciingregation at Heading, whi, h . , . 
now consists of about ;{(I0 hearei:s at one time.' 

I Under date of April, 171)5, he says, — 

I "' I am now engaged in a controversy with some of the Independent 

I Ministers abotit these absurd doctrines, the stun of which is contained 

I in a thesis published by New Haven College last September. . . . They 

expressly deny that there is any law of Grace, which pnunises eternal 

I life n])on the comlitioii of faith, relientance, and sincere obedience; ami 

assert .instification only by the law of innocence and sinless obeilience. 

I Though my health is small, and my abilities less. I make it a rule never 

to enter into any dispute with them unless they begin, yet imw they have 

made the a.ssault, ami advocate sm:h monstrous errors as do subvert the 

(oispel. I think myself oldiged by my ordimition vow to guard the people 

as well as I can against such strange doctrines.' 

" Again be writes in October of the same year, after 
the pul)lii'ation of that precursor of Revolution, the 
memorable 'Stamp Act' of 1765, — 

" ' My parishes continue mnrli in the same condition as in my last. I 
have of late, taken Jiainsto warn my people against having any concern 
with seditions tiinnilts with ridation to the stamp duty enjoim*il upon us 
by the Legislattire at home; and I cati with truth and pleasure say, that 
I cannot disctiver the least inclination towards rebellions conduct in any 
of the Church people.' 

" A year later he says, — 

" ' For H(une time past I have not been without fear of being abused by 
a lawless set of men who style themselves the Sons of Lilierty, for no 
other reason than that of endeavoring to eheiish in my people a quiet 
submission to the civil governtnent. ... It is very remarkable that in 
jiart of this Colony, in which many missions ami Church people abouml, 
there the people are vastly nioie peaceable and ready to render obcdicuice 
to the tioveniinent of Kngland ; but w lieie there is no mission and few 
or m» Church peoph-. they are contiinially calialling, and will spill the 
bust drop of blood rather than submit to the late Act of Parlialnent.' 

" In 17117 he says, — 

" ' It is some satisfaction to me to observe that in this town [Newtown] 
of late, in our electiruis. the Church people make the major vote, which 
is \hc first iristanceof this kind in this Colony, if not in all New Eng- 
land.' 

"Again in 17f)fl,— 

'" Tlicry !iri' in tlicsi- two parishes almnt 'J lOd souls, of wlinm a littl'- 
more tluin half profctt-i tlio Clnin-ti nf Kn^^IiLiid. Ilri'c are ulinit lil'ty 
negroes, must uf whom after iin>|icr iii^triatioii have been haptizyii. . . . 



G06 



HlSTOllY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



IToro nro no liontliciis or Infldclfl. I commonly baptizo about 100 cliil- 
drcii in one year. lunong thcni some black cliilJrcn. My actual commu- 
niLftnts lire :U2. Hero are no Papists or Deists.' 

" III 1771 he writes, — 

" 'In Itontling. my liearcrs ut onco are about 300. There is a mooting 
of Presbylcrltiiis ulK)ut two and and n linlf miles from our Church, in 
which the t-ongrogution is not so large as ours. In a manner all . . . 
who live near the Churcii, juin with us; pcaivc any go by the f'hurch 
to meeting.' 'The Church' (he says in 177-1) 'stands not in the centre 
of the town, but on one siile to aroommodate the Church people, who 
live near, thougli out of tbo bounds of Kcading.' 

" One of the most interesting of his reports is that 
of May 5, 1772: 

"*It it* now forty years since I Imvo luiJ tlie nilvantase of being tl»e 
vouenible Society's Missioniiry in tliis pljicc. . . . Kvery Snnday I have 
performed divine service, and preaclied twice at New Town and Keading 
alternately ; and in tlieso forty yeare I liave lost only two Sundays 
tliroiigli Kickncit.s, altliongit in all tliat time I have been atllicted witli n 
constant cliolic wliicii has not allowed me one day's ease, or freedom 
from pain. The distance between the Church . . . is between eight and 
nine miles, and no very gootl road ; yet I have never failed ... to attend 
nt each place according to custom, through the badness of the weather, 
but have rode it in tlio severest rains and snow-storms, even when there 
has been uo track, and my horse near sinking down in the snow-bauks, 
which has bad this good effect on my parishioners, that they are ashamed 
to stay from Church on account of b.ad weather. ... I have performed 
divine service iu many towns where the Common I'rnyer had never 
been heard, nor the Holy Scrijitures read in public, and where now nro 
nourishing congrcgiitions of tho Church of Kngland ; and in some jdaces 
wlicre there never liad lieen any public worship at all, nor sermon 
preached by any teacher, of any denomination. ! 

"'In my traveling to preach the Gospel, once was my life remarkably j 
preserved, in passing a deep and rapid liver. The relros|>cct of my fa- 
tigues, lying on straw, Ac, gives mo ideasnro ; while I Ilatter myself that 
my laltor ha^ not been quite in vain ; for the Church of England people 
are increased more than 20 to 1, and, what is infinitely more pleading, 
many of them remarkable for j>icty and virtue ; and the Independents 
here are more kno^^ log in matters of religiun than they who live at a | 
distance from tlic Cliurch. Wo live in harmony and jtcaco with each i 
other, and the rising generation of Independents seem to be entirely 
free from every pitiue and prt^ndice against tho Church.' I 

" In a previous report he said, — 

"'They who sot up the worship of God acconling to our Liturgy, at 
Lancslioro', nt Nobletown, and Arlington, proceed chielly from my 
|>arishes. But notwithstanding tlioso frequent emigrations, my congro- [ 
gations increase.' 

" His last report, which was made about six months 
before his death, is dated Oct. 31, 1781, and is as fol- 
lows : 

" * It is a long time since I have done my duty in writing to the ven- 
erable Society, not owing to my carelessncAS, but to tho imi)ossibility of 
conveyance fi-otn here. And now I do It sparingly. A narrative of my 
tRmbles I ilaro not now give. My twoeongregutions are growing, that at 
lEeadiiig being commonly alnrnt 3(Kt and at New Town about (XtO. I l»aiH 
tlzed about I:l'l iliildren in one year, and lately *2 adultj*. New Town and 
the Chiiri-h of Kngland part of Heading are, I Udiove, the only |)arts of 
New Kngland that have lefused to comply with the doings of CongreM, 
and for that rejison have been the butt of genenil hatred. But God has 
preserved us fnun entire destnictlon. 

" * I am now In tho 8*2d year of my age ; yet do constantly, alternately, 
I>crform and preach at New Town and Ueuding. I have l>een (H) years a 
jiublic preacher, and, af.er conviction, in the Church of Kngland 5<> years; 
but bad I Iteen sensible of my Ineniciency, I should not have undertaken 
it. But ntiw 1 rejoice in lluit I think I have done more pxKl t^>- 
wards men's eternal huppinotfs, than I should have done in any oUier 
colling. 

" ' 1 do nujst heartily thauk the veuomblo Society for their liberal 
stipp^irt, and In-g that they win accept of this, whicli is,' I believe, my 
last bill, viz. : £3'Z5, which, acconling to former custom. Is duo.** At 

* Probably *t £fiO per annum for alx jaara and a balf, or Ih>m 177S. 



this age I cannot well lioi>o for it, but I pray God I may liave an op- 
jiortunity to explain myself witli sjifety ; but iimst conclude now with 
Job's expression : " Have pity uisui me, have pity u]Kin me, ye my 
friends !" ' 

" Tradition has preserved a few incidents in his ex- 
perience during the war of Independence. 

" In the autumn of 1775 several officers of the 
militia, having collected a number of soldiers and 
volunteers from tho different towns in Western Con- 
necticut, undertook to .subdue tlie Tories. They went 
first to Newtown, where they put Mr. Beach, the se- 
lectmen, and other principal inhabitants under strict 
guard, and urged them to sign the Articles of -Vsso- 
ciation prescribed by the Congress at Philadelphia. 
When they could prevail n])on them ncitlier by per- 
suasion nor by threats, they accepted a bond from 
them, with a large pecuniary i)enalty, not to take up 
arms against the colonies, and not to discourage en- 
listments into the American forces. 

" Shortly after the declaration of independence — 
i.e., July 23, 177(5 — the Episcopal clergy of the colony, 
fearing to continue the use of the Liturgy as it then 
stood, — praying for the king and royal family, — and 
conscientiously scrui)ulous about violating their oaths 
and subscriptions, resolved to suspend the public ex- 
ercise of their ministry. ' All the churches were thus 
for a time closed, except those under the care of Mr. 
IJeat'h. . . . He continued to officiate as usual' (as 
himself testifies) during the war. 'Though gentle as 
a lamb in the intercourse of private life, he was bold 
as a lion in the discharge of public duty : and when 
warned of personal violence if he persisted, he de- 
clared that he would do his duty, preach, and jiray 
for the king till the rebels cut out his tongue.' 

"Whether the following were separate incidents, or 
are but different versions of one and the same, is un- 
certain. It is related that a squad of soldiers nuirehed 
into his church in Newtown and threatened to shoot 
him if he prayed for the king ; but when, regardless 
of their threats, he went on, without so much as a 
tremor in his voice, to ofler the forbidden supplica- 
tions, they were so struck with admiration for his 
cour.age that they stacked their arms and remained to 
listen to the sermon. 

"A band of soldiers entered his church during .ser- 
vice, seized him, and declared that they would kill 
him. He entreated that, if his blood must be shed, 
it might not be in the house of (Jud. Thereupon 
they took him into the street, where an ax and block 
were soon ]>rei)ared. ' Now, you old sinner,' said one, 
' say your hist prayer.' He knelt down and prayed : 
' God bless King George, and forgive all his enemies 
and mine, for Christ's sake.' One of the mob then 
pleadeil to ' let tlie old fellow go, and take some 
younger man instead.' 

"The following is familiar to the people of Red- 
ding Ridge parish. The old church of 17">(i had a 
single door in the centre, and the pulpit ami chancel 
were at the west end, opposite the door. .V stpiad of 



I 



REDDING. 



607 



soldiers, seven in iiuiiilier (liireil, it is saiil, Ijy 'Sijuire 
Betts, witli a gullun of Freiicli lirandy to shoot Mr. 
Beaeh), gatliered betiire the open door of the eluireh, 
and from oncof tliein m, hnlletwas tired whieh lodged 
in one of the rilis (jf the siiU]iding-li(jard, a fo((t or 
more a.lioV(^ tlie head ni' the veneralde ]ireaeher. As 
the eongregation s|irang to their feet in unfeigneil 
eonsternation to rush from the eluireh, he i|uieted 
them by saying, ' Don't be alarmed, brethren. Fear 
not them that kill the body, but are not able to kill 
the soul ; but rather fear llim wliieh is able to destroy 
both soul and body in hell ;' and tlu'n [iroi-eeded with 
his discourse as if nr]thii]g had hap|H>nod. 

"The 'History of the Eidst'cjpal Church in Connec- 
ticut' informs us that 'the Redding Association of 
Loyalists was a strong Ixidy whose secret influence 
was felt throughout the mission of the venerable pas- 
tor;' but how or in what way tliat iiilluence was e.K- 
erted does not appear. The 'Sons nf Liberty' have 
been already mentioned in Mr. Beach's reports. 

"After the death of Mr. Beach, in ITSi, the Revs. ' 
Richard Samuel Clarke and Andrew Fowder ofticiated 
licre alternately for a short time. Clarke emigrated 
to Nova Scotia with others of the missionaries, and 
many of the meml)ers of their lloeks, in 17X4 or ITS"). 
He I'eturned on a visit in October, 1~><C). The discon- 
tinuance of the stipends id' the missionaries by the 
S. P. G., wdiose charter restricted its lienefaetions to 
the British [irovinces and plantations, was a severe 
blow to the Episcopal churches, which had been 
already greatly weakened by the efteets ol' the war of 
the Revolution. Mr. Beach's congregations were ex- 
ceptions to the general rule, in that they increased 
while others diminished in nundiers; but whether 
few or nnmy of the Redding churchmen formed a 
part yf the thirty thousand loyalists who, ILiwkins 
says, emigrated to the British provinces frnm New 
England and New York, it is im])ossibk' to ascertain. 
It is not probable, however, tind there were half that 
number of churchmen in all New England at the 
close of the war. 

"The next name on the list of nnnisters of this ^ 
parish is Ijrat of Truman Marsh, in IT.Sr), who ' visited 
the Parish every third Suiulay;' but, as he was not 
ordained till 179fl, he must have been (udy a licensed 
lay-reader, though it is not impr(d)able that he 
preached, as some of that class did in those days, 
when there was a dearth of ordained ministers. In 
1794 the Rev. David Perry, M.D., minister of the 
parishes of Redding, Ridgefield, and Danbury, in con- 
sequence of some reports to his disadvantage as a 
clergyman and of some errors in regard to baptism, 
was suspended from the ministry, and the next year, i 
at his own request, deposed. lie returned to the 
practice of medicine in Ridgefield. 

"The revenues of the church were gathered after 
the Revolution much as they were before. 'The ' 
Episcop.al parishes were taxed to build churidies and to 
sustain religious services, and the Diocesan Conven- 



tion assessed tlie jiarishes to provide for tlie bishop's 

I fund. Each parish was reipiin'd to make an annual 
return of what, was called the "grand levy," — that is, 

I its taxable list according to its last enndlment, — and 
U|ion this return rested the right of a lay delegate to 
his seat in the Convention. The resolution wliicdi 
fixed this rule was adcqited in ISli:;. 'J'he lirst ]inb- 
lisheil grand levy appeared in tlie joiinial of ISOi;, 
and from that time onward for filteen years the roll 
of the lay delegates was accoinpanied by the taxable 

{ list of the several parishes which they represented. If 
the list of any parish exceeded ten thousand dollars, 
such parish was entitled to . . . two delegates.' 'i'lie 
grand levy of the Redding parish in 18(l(i was twelve 

I thousand nine hundred and sixty dollars. 

"'It is interesting to note the changes since that 
period in the relative wealth of the elinndi in Con- 
necticut. Til those early days, as nqiorted, Litehlield 
was stronger than W'aterbury or Hartford, Wood- 
bridge was stronger than Meriden, Huntington than 
Derby, Redding than Bridgeport, and Newtown than 
New Haven.' 

"The longest jiastorate since Mr. Beach was that 
of his great-grandsini, the Rev. Lemuel B. Hull, who 
resigned his charge in ISIil), alter twelve years' ser- 
vice. 'In ^'^l^l a fiiml of a little more than three 
thousand dollars was raised.' 

" On the second Tuesday in < )etober, ISli;!, — the year 
in which the present church edifice was built, — the 
Annual Convention id' the diocese at Norwich failed 
to organize for want of two more lay delegates to form 
a ipiorum. 'On the morning of that day, at three 
o'clock, the steamboat " New England," on her jias- 
sage from New York to Hartford, having on board 
seventy-one persons, burst both her boilers near Essex, 
and eight jiersons were immediately killed anil thirteen 
seriously injured. Among those who were fatally in- 
jured were Mr. .Tidin j\[. Heron and Dr. Samuel B. 
Whiting, lay delegates from Christ Church, Redding; 
and they were within a, mile of their landing-place at 
the time of the accident.' 

^ "In the spring of that year several members id' the 
parish withdrew by certificate ; among these was John 
Meeker, clerk. 

" At a parish meeting, •.)ct. 2o, ]S:!4, the vestry were 
instructed ' to take proper [legal] steps to proc-iire the 
Records of the Parish from the hands of the late 
Clerk, without delay.' At another meeting in Decem- 
ber following, the agents of the parish (.lames San- 
ford, .Ir., and Charles Beach) were authorized to 
' pro.seeute to final judgment such suits as they should 
deem iiceessarv for the recoverv of the books, records, 
fnmls, or other property of the Society, before any 
Court proper to try the same.' 

" In (October, 1.83"), lilty dollars were appropriated 
frmn the parish treasury 'to enable the agents to 
carry on the suit commenced against the heirs of .John 
Meeker, deceased.' Some money was thus recovered, 
but the records have never vet been fiund. 



COS 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



" In 1847 the old parish debt of eight hundred and 
seventy dollars (incurred in the building of the church 
in 1833) was paid by subscription. 

"In 1850 the parish fund, about two thousand 
seven hundrc 1 dollars, wliich before had been held 
as a loan by members of tlie parish, was by a consid- 
erable effort, and against the desire and judgment of 
the minority, collected and invested in the stock of 
the Fairfield County Bank. The same year the 
church edifice was altered and repaired at an expense 
of three hundred and eighty dollars and twenty-five 
cents. 

" ' On Advent Sunday' of this year, ' the last Sunday 
of my ministry' (says the Rev. Joseph P. Taylor), 
'the sum of six hundred dollars was collected at 
the offertory for the purpose of building a new par- 
sonage.' 

" ' The above-named sum,' says the Rev. Orsamus 
H. Smith, his successor, 'having been put upon the 
plate in written pledges, there remains of them un- 
redeemed in April, 1853, from fifty to one hundred 
dollars,' which being 'part of the money relied upon 
for the building, . . . the Vestiy were obliged to bor- 
row it, and it remains a debt upon the parish.' The 
new house was finished in October, 1851, and imme- 
diately occupied by the family of Mr. Smith. 

"In 1858 says" the Rev. W. W. Bronson, 'The 
glebe lot was very much improved by the purchase 
of a strip of land [on the west side] and the erec- 
tion of a suitable fence, mainly through the exer- 
tions of the ladies of the parish.' 

" In 1S{;3 tlie organ was repaired, and the broken 
bell replaced by a new one of a similar tone, from 
Menceley's, at Troy. 

" In 1873 the church-spire was repaired, and the old 
(English) weathercock, a relic of colonial times (one 
of whose legs had been shot off by one of Tryon's 
soldiers in 1777), having persistently refused to re- 
main upon his perch, wits excused from further duty, 
and a gilded cross erected in his place. The vener- 
able bird, Iiowever, is still to be seen on one of the 
outbuildings of the great-grandson of the. Rev. 
John Beach, in East Redding. The parsonage was 
adorned in 1874 with a new and spacious veranda, 
in 1876 with a -set of blinds. 

" The noticeable incidents of the present year (1879) 
are the destruction of the church-sheds by fire on 
the evening of the 12th of May, and the acquLsition 
of a baptismal font of Italian marble, purcha.sed 
with contributions of the Sunday-school and other 
members of the ]>arisli, collccteil during the rector- 
ship of the Rev. Mr. Kclley. The number of nomi- 
nal communicants is si.xty-five; of baptized persons, 
about one hundred and twenty. 

"The following is a list of ministers officiating in 
the ]>arish of Christ Church, Redding: Rev. Henry 
Caner, 1727 to 1733* Rev. John Beach, October, 
1732, to March lit, 1782; Rev. R. S. Clarke, Rev. 
Andrew Fowler (alternates), 1782; Rev. Truman 



Mlarsh, 1785; Rev. David Belden, 1786;* Rev. Am- 
brose Hull, 1789 to 1791 ; Rev. David Pern,-, M.D., 
1791 ;t Rev. David Butler, Jan. 20, 1799, to 1804; 
Rev. Elijah G. Plumb, Jan. 30, 180G, to 1811 ; Rev. 
Reuben Hubbard, 1812 to 1818; Rev. Ambrose S. 
Todd, D.D., 1820 to 1823; Rev. Lemuel B. Hull, 
1824 to Feb. 23, 1836; Rev. Edward J. Darken, 
M.D., August, 1836, to Dec. 25, 1837 ; Rev. Charles 
Jarvis Todd, June, 1838, to Easter, 1842; Rev. Wil- 
liam Atwill, May 8, 1842, to 1845; Rev. David H. 
Short, D.D., Easter, 1845, to ISMi; Rev. Abel 

' Nichols, 1846 to 1847; Rev. Joseph P. Taylor, 

' Easter, 1847, to December, 18.50; Rev. Orsamus H. 
Smith, Nov. 29, 18.50, to March 31, 1853; Rev. 
Abel Ogden, July 10, 1853 ; J Rev. James Adams, 
autumn, 1854, to October, 1856; Rev. Wm. White 
Bronson, 18-57 to 1860; Rev. Alfred Londerback, 
May 25, 1861, to Aug. 5, 1862; Rev. Henry Zell, 

' March 12, 1863;? Rev. Wm. L. Bostwick, E:j.'<tcr, 
1864, to June 15, 1867; Rev. John W. Hoffman, 
Dec. 6, 1868, to Nov. 30, 1871 ; Rev. Charles A\'. 
Kelley, Jan. 5, 1873, to April 30, 1876; Rev. Xi- 
menus Alanson Welton, July 1, 1877. 

" The number of communicants belonging to Christ 
Church, Redding, as reported at dllVerent periods, was : 
1809, 55; 1810, 63; 1811, 67; 1815, 61; 1817, 61; 
184.5, 42; 1851, 60; 18-54, 56; 18-56, 57; 18.58, 58; 
1859, 56; 1860, 47; 1863, 55; 1866, 4-5; 1869, 37; 

j 1873, 40; 1874, 55; 1875, 61; 1877, .59; 1878, 64; 
1879, 65." 

JIETIIODIST EPISCOPAL CIIURCII. 

" When Jesse Lee left New York on the mission 

' which was to quicken and vitalize the New England 

churches, his first resting-place was at Norwalk, where 

i he preached on the highway under a spreading elm, 

no house being o|)ened to him. From Norwalk he 

proceeded to Fairfield and New Haven, and from the 

latter place to Redding. He reached this town on 

Wednesday, the 24th of June, 1789, and from this 

[ period we arc to date the origin of the Methodist 

, Church in Redding, although some six months elapsed 

I before it w:i.s formally organized. Mr. Lee thus narrates 

some of the incidents of this first visit : 

i "*I Irnvcloti a stony riinil to Ro<Mlng, ami nccnnliiie to illroctloiift 
cJiHfHl on >>qnirv IteniHlit-t, lint tii' miu not nt lionu-; bo I p>t my liorw 
nntl riMlu to Sir. Itogt-i-s to coiihuU liini iiU>nt llii- niutlt-r. Wliili^ 1 wu 
tnlking to liini Mr. Iturtk-tt, a Congn-gnlional niinistc-r, ru«lc Uy, and, 
bring infomictl who 1 wan, lutkpil me tionic with him. Aftt>r 1 hiul ttcrn 
tliurc A whiU- ho asked DK* ttonic i|netttionn rt-litlivi> to doctrin(-!i, anil I en- 
dcavoivd to infonn him what kind uf doctrines wo lircachoil. He flnid 
Im could not invito mo into the meeling-hunic, boaintw I held what bo 
thought was contrary to the gK«iH<l. 1 told him I did not exiioct an io- 
vitutinn to preach in the meeting-house, but if I was a.<<keil 1 should Dot 
refuse. However, Mr. Rogers s4-nt his son down in a little tinii- to let mo 
know that there was a scho<il-hon8<i thai I could preach in, so I Dia<le tho 
apiMiintment for tiie people at six o'clock. Having met at that hour, I 
prt>ached on Iso. Iv. C: "Seek *c tho LonI while ho may be found," etc. 
j I blefli Ood that 1 had soiuo liberty in proachlag.' 
I 

I * Offlciutiil a short time only, on account of ill health, 

t Suspended Novonibcr, IT!>4. t I'io' "".v «. l*-'>^ 

i Died Nor.-S, 1863. 



REDDING. 



fi09 



"The school-liousc where this first sermon was de- 
livered prolialjly stood on the common, near the nld 
niecting-liouse. Tlie few an<l simple doctrines that 
Mr. Lee preached were the witness of the S|iirit, the 
entire eflieacy of the atonement, and the ])Ossihility 
of fallina; from grace, and they were presented with 
so much force and earnestness as to j)roduee a deep 
impression on those who heard them; yet he had no 
time to remain and note the elleet produced, but rode 
away the next day, carrying his tidings to other com- 
munities. Twice again Lee visited Redding — July 8th 
and September lOtli of the same year — without seeing 
any fruits of his efforts; for, although many were im- 
pressed with the truth of his doctrines, they hesitated 
about coming out o])enly and joining tlie new sect. 
At length, on his fourth visit, Dec. 28, US'.*, he 'joined 
two in society for a beginning. A man who has lately 
received a witness of liis being in favor with the Lord 
led the way, and a woman who I hope was lately con- 
verted followed.' This was the second Methodist 
society organized in Xcw England, the first being at 
Stratti)rd. The two first mendiers mentioned above 
were Aaron Sanford and his mother-in-law, ih-s. Wil- 
liam Hawley. Mr. Sanford l>y tills act became the 
first male member of the Methodist Chundi in Xcw 
England. He was at once ai)pointed leader of the 
class thus formed, and its meetings were held for 
years at Iiis house. After its orgatiization the growth 
of the society was very rapid, cliicHy through the 
class-meeting, and that agency so etfectively used by 
Methodism, the lay-preachers. 

"It is unfortunate that, owing to the loss of the 
earl}' records of the church, w<' can give the names of 
but few of its original nuanbers. From the rec(jrds 
of the First 8ociety I copy the following certificate, 
dated Dec. 15, 178!) : 

■ "'I liereby rprtify that .\aii)ii Salifonl, of Ttcadini;, li.-is r.instanlly at- 
tended tlie Mt-thodist meetings in this touii, ami i'a_\s liis part towanls 
my suiiport tis a minister of the gospel. 

"'Ji:ssr. IjEK.' 

''Similar certificates were given, Feb. ',), ITIK), to 
Hezekiah Sanford, and .Vugust lith of the same year 
to Isaac Sherwood and S. Samuel Smith . 

"From the church book of bajitisins, which has 
been preserved, we learn that prior to 1794 the early 
preachers had baptized children of Daniel and Anna 
Bartram, Silas and Huldah Merchant, Jonas and 
Lucy I'latt, I'anl and Jlary Bartram, Jabez and Sarah 
(iorham, Elijah and Menoma Elder, Aaron and Mary 
<Jdle, John and Sarah Sherman, Uriah and Hannah 
Mead, Benjamin and EIiz:d)eth Knap, Chester and 
Elizabeth Meeker, Charles ami Lucy ]M(n-gan, Ezekiel 
and Easter Bartram, Jesse and Martha Banks, Isaac 
and Betty Piatt, and Aaron and Eunice Hunt, and we 
may safely reckon them as members of the church at 
that time. 

"Early in 1700, Lee organized his first circuit in 
Xew England; it was called the ' Fairfield Circuit,' 
and embraced Norwtilk, Fairficdd, Stratford, Milfonl, 



Redding, Danbury, Canaan, and intermediate places. 
The first regnlarly-apixiinted minister whosi- n.-ime 
ajipears on the society records was .folin liloodgood, 
who was here as early as ,Tan. 21, 17'.'1, — perhaps ear- 
lier. He was a native of the South, ami after serving 
on the Fairfield Circuit one year was transferred to 
the Baltimore ('onference, to which liis ministerial 
labors were chiefiy confined. He died in 1810. Like 
most of his colleagues, he preached in the school- 
houses, under trees, sometimes in the barns, but al- 
ways so fervently, and with such native eloquence, 
that multitudes flocked to hear him. He was suc- 
ceeded at the May (1701) session of the Conference 
by Nathaniel B. Mills and Aaron Hunt. 

" Mr. Mills is described by his colleague, ^Ir. Hunt, 
as 'a man small in stature, intelligent, sound, an able 
]irea.(dier, and rather inclined to dejection.' He was 
born in New Castle Co., Del., FeV). 2:i, 17(i(i. He en- 
tered the Baltimore Conl'ercnce in the spring of 17X7, 
and after a laborious ministry of forty-two years, both 
in New England and the South, was compelled in 
18;!.') to retire to the ranks ol' the superannuated, 
where he remained until his death, in 1S44. His col- 
league, Ilev. Aaron Hunt, was Inn'ii in Eastidiester, 
Westchester Co., N. Y., March 28, 1708, and entered 
the Methodist ministry in 1701, making some of his 
first essays at preaching on the Redding Circuit. 

"In 170.3, while preaching in Redding, he nuirried 
Miss Hannah Sanford, daughter of the Jlr. Aaron 
Sanford before mentioned, and shortly after ' located' 
ill Redding, where he continued to reside for many 
years, and where iiKJst of his large family of children 
were horn. Mr. Hunt was prominent among the 
early Methodist iireachers, and was well known 
throughout the State. During his pastorate the church 
had been encouraged by a visit from the eminent 
Bishop Asbury, who j/assed through Redding in 
.Tune, 1701, during his hasty tour through New Eng- 
land, and preached here ' with much satisfaction,' a,s 
he remarks in his journal. The church received an- 
other and longer visit from him in Septemlier, 170C. 
'The society in that village,' says Mr. Stevens, the 
historian of Methodism, ' had been gradually gather- 
ing strength. They assembled to greet him at Mr. 
Sanford's, where he gave them an enconraging dis- 
course from 1 Peter i. 1.3-1.").' From this time until 
1811 the record of the church is one of continueil 
growth and jirospcrity ; revivals were frequent and 
accessions many; classes were early fornieil at Lone- 
town, Redding Ridge, Sanforiltown, Boston, and at 
Long Ridge, the latter some years later becoming a 
separate church organization. 

"Still the society was without a house f>f wfjrship, 
and the want was beginning to be severely felt. In 
1803 they first leased the town-hall for a j>liice of 
public worship, as api)ears by the following extract 
from the town records : ' At a town-meeting held 
Dec. 12, 1.803, it was voted "that the Town House 
be leased to tlie Methoilist Society for !?1.5 per year, 



610 



IIISTORV OF FAIRFIELD COUxXTY, CONNECTICUT. 



to be used as often and as much as they please for 
]iul)lic worship, and said Society to repair all damafie 
(lone to the Town House while they are assembled , 
therein for public worship." ' Tliis lease was con- ' 
tiiuied from year to year at varying rates, until the ' 
erection of the first church, in 1811. Of the building 
of tliis edifice wo have no data except such as is con- 
tained in this extract from tlic society records : 

"* At a Society mceling of tho Motliodisls, duly warned and held at 
the liouso of William Saiiford in Itedding, on Tuesday the 30th day of 
October, 1810, 

'• ' V'lt <l. That Seth Andrews, Williuni Sauford, and John 11. Ilill he a 
cuniniiltce to said society for the ensuing year, to do and transact all 
temiionil Imsiuess. 

*' * Volutin That our said committee carry around a suliscription paper 
immediately to raise money for tlie purpose of liuilding a Alccting'IIousc 
in said Koddiiig, for tho purpose of Divine Worehip. 

"'Akron SANFOnn, 

"•Cltk: 

" Tiic church was built the succeeding summer. It 
stood on the site of the jn-csent residence of Deacon 
Chiirlos Smith, on land piirchased of Jonathan K. 
Sanford, Esq. His deed conveying the land, dated 
June 6, 1811, was given to Seth Andrews, William 
Sanford, and .John R. Hill, trustees for the Jlethod- 
ist Cluireh and Society in Redding, the consideration 
being one hundred and thirty doUars. No actual 
description of tlie first church is jirescrvcd to us, ex- 
cept that it was built after the usual fashion of Meth- 
odist churches in those days. It had no steeple or 
tower, no ceiling except the roof, and there were no 
means of warming it except by foot-stoves carried in 
by the female worshipers. With the above excep- 
tions, the following description of an early Methodist 
church would probably apply to this in every partic- 
ular : 

"'The huihling was as unpolluted hy pjiiiit within and without as 
when iu tlmhers were standing In their native forest. A gallery ex- 
tended around three sides. At the extreme end of the left gallery was a 
small rtmiu iMirtilioned o(T for class-U)eetings. The pulpit was elevated ' 
about six feet nliove the flo<>r, and in form resembled a large dry-goods 
box, tint breastworks s<> high as almost to conceal the preacher, if small 
of stature, fn)m view. From the pulpit extended a staiix-ju^e conducting 
to tho cla«s-room in the gallery, to which the preacher and the uiemls.>rs 
ropuiroU nt tho close of tho putdic ncrvlccs.'* 

"None of the incidents in the liistory of the old 
church iire so vividly remembered and described as 
tlie (Jtiarterly Jleetings wiiich were held there. The 
Quarterly Meeting to tlie early Methodist was the 
most important of all the institutions of the church, 
and those held in Redding were especially note- 
worthy ; it was a sort of home-coming to the mother- 
church, and at such times all the Methodist homes in 
town were open to the brethren from abroad. The 
presiding elder and the two preachers on the 'circuit' 
were always jiresent on these occasions, and the 
membership was gathered from Danbury, Ridgefield, 
Easton, and Newtown, as well i\s from places more 
remote. The exercises on these occasions began at 
nine o'clock on SabbSli morning with the 'love-feast' 

* Sermon of Rev. J. L, Glider before the New York £aat Conference. 



and the passing of bread and water, of which all par- 
took, as a token of their brotiierhood in Christ. At 
half-past ten a sermon was preached by the elder. At 
twelve M. the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was 
administered. At one p.m. another sermon was 
preached, generally by one of the preachers in 
charge. At the conclusion of this discourse the 
genial elder would proceed to designate to the 
guests their respective places of entertainment. The 
day was usually concluded by a series of prayer- 
meetings, held in the different" districts and con- 
ducted with great warmth and fervor. 

"The old church seems to have been intended for a 
temjjorary structure, and was succeeded in 1837 by 
the present neat and commodious edifice. A brief 
account of the erection of the present building will 
be interesting and probably new to many, though 
little more than forty years have elapsed since its 
timbers were standing in the forest. 

" We find on the society records the following en- 
tries: 

"'The memltol-s of tho Sletliodist Kpisc<tpal Society of Redding are 
hereby notiUcd and warned that a society's meeting for stiid society will 
he held on Tuesday, the 2rith day of instant January, at one o'clo<-k p.m. 
at the Methodist Church in said Itedding, for the purpose of taking into 
consideration the propriety of building a new church in said society, ami 
liKatiug the same near tho intersection of the niails near the town-house, 
apiminting a bnililing committee to sn[)crin1end and carry said object 
into effect, make arrangements to disjioso of the old Imusc if thought 
proper, and to do any other business proper to l>o done nt siud meetiug. 

"'Shbulock Tono, 
'"Jfjwk Hanks, 
"' Aauon Mai.i,ett, 

" ■ Tiut'.ea. 
" ' REBnlNC, Jan. •!«, 1S3C.' 

" A society-meeting was held at tlie appointed 
time, Rev. H. Ilumplireys being chairman, and 
Thomas B. Fanttm clerk. It was then voted ' to 
a|)prove of the proposed plan in the ca;>tion of tlie 
subscription paper to raise subscriptions and build a 
new house. . . . ' 

" It was also further provided 'that the said House 
shall be located somewliere near the four corners that 
intersect at Redding Town House, but the saiil object 
not to take ellect unless the sum of Two thousand 
Five iiundred Dollars be subscribed, and the said 
House be built within eighteen umntlw from the dnti- 
hereof.' 

" • I o/cd. To build a House agn-eable to the alt-ive caption, provided 
a place Iw obtuincMt that is approved by tliecomndttee ap|Hiiuted for that 
puriwse. 

" ' I'o/nf, To appoint a Building Committee of thruo iwrsona to suiier- 
intend, and take charge, and contract for the same House, vir,: Thomaa 
]). Fanton, John It. Hill, and t^ershom Sherwiwil. 

'" Votfit, To add two more to the building Committee, — Je^ve Banks 
and David Dnncomb. 

" ' I o/cd, To ailjourn the niccUng two weeks from this day at one r.M. 

" ' Thomas D. Fanton, 

■•' Cleri: 

" No account of the adjourned meeting is to be 
found in the society records. The twenty-five hun- 
dred tlollars needed was specially subscribed, and the 
buikling was erected in the summer of 1837 and dcd- 



I 



REDDING. 



Oil 



icak'd in December of the same year, Rev. C. K. 
True preaeliin.iT tlic ileilication senunii. 

" [ii l.'^().'<, iliiriuL' tlie |>!isti)rate of Rev. William T. 
Ilill.tlie rliureli was tlioriaiiilily rciinidclcd and refur- 
nished. The iiul|iit was cut dnwn and the aiitiijue 
]ji-\vs rxehaiiiiccl iiir the presi'iil neat and (-(indiirt- 
al)le (ines. Tlie rededieution scrviee at this time was 
jierhaps the most interesting oeeasion in the liistory of 
file eiiureji. Bisliojj .Janes was |insi'nt, and preached 
the (h'dieation sermiin In an audience that tilled every 
nodk and corner of the huildiuL:-. and many old pas- 
tors and friends of the church added hy their pre-enee 
to the interest of tlie occasion. 

"In Septendier, 1870, licv. .\aron Sanford llill 
.^:ave to the church s<ime ten acres of land lyinir in the 
nnrthcrly part of the town, the ineunie fi-oni which 
was to he a|>pro[iriated to the useof liie church. This 
i;ift Mr. Hill sup]ilemented hy another cd' four thou- 
sanii dollars in 1871, ol' which the interest only was 
to he i:sed in meeting the ex]ienses of the (duii'eh. 
This fund is known as the Sanfcjrd Hill Fund. In 
1877 another Itenefaetion <d' five hundred dollars was 
given hy AVilliam A. 8anlord, Esi|., to he apjdied in 
the same manner as the inceeding. 

"Revivals in the ehureh have been frequent and 
attended with gratifying results, — jujtahly in ISl."), 
under the i)reaeliing of Rev. Rtuhen Harris; in 1S22, 
during the jiastorate of .\aron Hunt; in I.S.'IS, under 
that of Rev. .lohii Crawford; in IS.'iri. under llev. E. 
S. Hebhard; and in l.S!;7, nmler Rev. ^\'illiam T. 
Hill. 

" .\ceording to the minutes of the .\nrnnil ('onfer- 
enees, the following ministers were a]i)iointed to I'air- 
fleld Circuit (whieli included Reihling), lieginning 
with its organization, in 171'(): M'MK .Tidin I'.lodd- 
good; 17itl, Nathaniel B.Mills, .Varon Jlunt; 17112, 
Joshua Taylor, Smith AN'eeks ; 17'.)-'>, .Tames Cole- 
man, .\aron Hunt; 17'.»4, Zehuloii Kanki-y, Nicholas 
Sncthen. 

"Those ap]iointed to Redding Circuit were: 17'J'>, 
Daniel Dennis, Timothy Dewey; 171M!, Elijah Wool- 
sey, Robert Leeds ; 1707, David lUick, A ngiistus Jocc- 
lyn; 1798, William That.dier; I7!l'.», David Brown; 
1800, Augustus .Tocelyn ; ISO], Samuel .Merwin, Isaac 
Candee ; ISOl', Janu's Colenuin, Isaac (.'andee; 180.'!, 
James Cami)hell, N. U.Tompkins; 1804, Peter .Mori- 
arty, Sylvester Foster; 1805, Peter Jloriarty, Samuel 
Merwin; 1800, Natlmn Felch, Oliver Sykes ; 1807, 
.lauics JF. Smith, Zalmon Lyon; 180,S, Xoble \V. 
Thoma.s, Jonathan Lyon; ISO'.), P.illy Hihhard, Isaac 
Candee; 1810, Nathaii Emory, John Russell; 1811, ' 
Aaron Hunt, Oliver Sykes, and John Reynolds ; 1812, 
Seth Crowd, (iilbert Lyon, S. Beacdi ; ISl.'i, Aaron 
Hunt, Henry Fames; 1S14, Ebenezer Washburne, 
Reuben Harris; 181o, Elijah Woolsey, Reuben Har- 
ris; 1816, Samuel Bushnell, John Boyd; 1817, Sam- 
uel Bushnell, Thco(h)cius Clarke; 181S, James M. 
Smith, Thcodocius Clarke; ISl'J, J. S. Smith, Phineas 
Cook; 1820, Laban Clark, Phineas Cook; 1821, La- 



ban Clark, Aaron Hunt; 1822, Samuel Cochrane, 
.Varon Hunt; 1823, Samuel Cochrane, .lohn Rey- 
n.dds; 1824, Elijah Woolsey, John Reymdds. 

"To Redding and ]!ridge]iort Circuit : l.S2.'i, ;\lar- 
vin Riclmrdson, H. Humi>hreys, Freileric \V. Siger ; 
1820, !\Iarvin Richardson, H. Humphreys; 1S27, 
Henry Stead, .Tohn Lovejoy, J. C. lionti'Ciie. 

" To Redding Circuit : 1X28, Henry Stead, < ierslmm 
Pearee ; 1820, lObenezcr Washburn, ( lershoni Pearcc ; 
IS.'JO, Ebenezer Washburn, ()liver \'. .Vmmernian ; 
1831, James Young, Josiah P.owen ; ls32. Nicholas 
White, .lesse Hunt ; l.s;!.3, Jesse Hunt, .lohn 11. Beach ; 
1834, Josiah Bowcn, Jidin B. Beach. 

"To Redding anil Newtown Circuit : 183."), Tin m- 
phrey Humphries, Josiah L. Dickcrson, John Davies; 
183(), Hum]direy Humjdiries. 

"Jfandi 2Sth, 1837, the society, 'after dm- delib- 
eration, existing circumstances being considere(l, 
voted to try a station the ensuing year,' which was 
accordingly done, and the Rev. Humphrey Humi)h- 
ries became the first stated pastor. Since then the 
church has enjoyed the undivided care of its ]iastors, 
and ba-i been generally prosperous and agi;ressive. 

"The list of jiastors since 1X.">7 com] irises many well- 
known names and will he read with interest. They 
are as f(dlows : 1 S.'{8, John Crawford ( 2d ), Jlorris Hill ; 
lS.'«)-40, Paul R. Brown; 1841-42, Daniel Smith; 
1843, Phillip L. Iloyt; 1844-4ri, William F. Collins; 
1840^7, .Joseph D. Marshall; 1848-40, .Jacob Shaw; 
ls.-,ii-,',l, ,f,din L. (iildcr; 18")2-53, Friend W. Smith; 
],S.-)4-rM, E. S. Hildiard; 1850-57, Hart F. Pease; 
1858, George C. Crevey ; 1S50, William H. (iildcr; 
1800-01, J(din W. Home; 1802-03, George HoUis; 
lS(;4-0(;, David Nash; 1807-08, AVilliam T. Hill; 
1800, Alexander Graham; 1S70-72, Theodore C. 
Beach; 1.S73, William R. Wclister; 1S74-70, .Joseph 
Smith; 1S77-7S, .fohn Dickinson; 1X70, .lohn Haugli. 

" Of the above list, but one. Rev. Jacob ,'<haw, died 
and was buried in Redding. Of the laymen who 
nobly aided these clergymen in their ministry many 
will be hehl in grateful remendirancc l>y the church. 

"The narncs most familiar to the early member- 
ship, |ierli:ips, were those of the lay-preachers, Aaron 
Sanford, Hawley Sanford, Rory Starr, and Walter 
Sanford; the class-leailers, ,Iohn R. Hill, .Miraham 
('ouch, Urrai Meade, Sherlock Tod<l, and Bradley 
Burr; an<l the olheial nu'inbers, Thomas B. Fanton, 
David S. Duncinub, .\aron Sanford, .Jr., Charles (lor- 
ham. Eben Tri'adwell. and John Edmonds. 

"The presi'iit mcndicrship of the ehureh is 140, — 
nudes, 57 ; females, 02." 

THE .MliTlIODLST EPI.SCOP.M, CllCliClI AT LOX(J 
RIDIiK. 

" Thi' origin of the Methodist Episco]ial Church in 
Long Ridge, as narrated by Rev. Pa\d R. Rrown, pas- 
tor of the (diurcli in 1X42, was as follows: 

" 'One ovciiin,!;, us Fntlter CoU'iiiuTi (h MctiniiUst lUfuchoi) wiw piLssing 
thrunj;h StaiT's Phiiii on his way Ut lliitiluiry, lit- saw u niuri ^it^iug un 
the fence hy tlic \^lly^i"-l"■, au'l iTninii-nd tlif distulicc tc tnwii. The* uutn 



612 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



told liim, and ndded, " Aro yoii a doctor?" — "No, sir." — "Are you a 
lawyer?" — " No, sir." — *' Tho»," said tho man. following up tlic quoalion, 
" what aro you ?" — Father Coleman answered, " I am a Bletiuidist preach- 
er." — " Metliudist preaehor ! WhatV tliat ?" replied the man. — "If you 
will open your house and invite in your nei«thho[s, I will let you liear a 
Slethoilist pre.'ieher the no.\t time I come this way." wa^^ the reply. Tho 
oiTor was accepted, anil Father Coleman preached to them on his next 
" visit. He soon organized a class, an<l amonp tile nienibers of that class 
was tile man who sat njion the fence and ipicstioni'd tlie preaclier. After 
that the dtuis grew into a society, and i[i due time a small church w.is 
built in Long Ridge, which gave way to a larger editico in tlie course of 
a few years.' 

" The first cluirfh was Iniilt when the society con- 
sisted of but eleven members, under the foUowing 
circumstances : Tliey were tussemljh'd for the weekly 
class-meet iiig at the house of one of their number, 
and were speaking of their need of a church, when 
Uriah Griffin remarked that if he had a hundred dol- 
lars in hand he would build them a church. David 
Osborne, the youngest member present, at once agreed 
to furnish the required sum, and the church was built 
the same year. This was in 1S20-2I, during the pa.s- 
torate of Itev. Laban Clark. The little society at 
once became connected with Redding Station as an 
auxiliary, the preacher in charge there having the 
care of its temporal concerns and filling its pulpit 
once in four weeks. In the interim the pulpit was 
supplied by the lay-preachers, Aaron Sanl'ord, Morris 
Hill, Aaron S. Hill, of Redding, Rory Starr, of Dan- 
bury, and others. The society's connection with Red- 
ding cea-sed in 1848, and the same relation was formed 
with the church in Bethel. For several years past it 
has been a separate station. The pastors of the 
church from 1820 to 1848 were the same .is tho.sc of 
Redding, and are given in the history of the Redding 
Church. The pastors since 1848 have been as fol- 
lows: 1848^9, Morris Hill; 1850, Elias Gilbert; 1851 
-52, Charles Rartlett; 1853-54, George Stillman ; 1855 
-56, Samuel H. Smith; 1857-58, John Crawford; 
1859, David Osborn ; LSGCMJl, Sherman D. Barnes, 
local preacher; ISOi-O;?, Elias (Jilbert; 18(54, William 
H. Adams; 18IJ5, .1. W. Bramblee ; 18(;()-(!7, G. AV. 
Policy, local; 1808, Stephen J. Stebbins; 180!), James 
H. Crofut, local ; 1870, Frank F. Jorden.'local ; 1871, 
William P. Armstrong, local ; 1872, Frank F. Jorden, 
local ; 1873, Joseph W. Pattison, local ; 1874-75, Wil- 
liam Cogswell, local ; 1870, Joseph W. Pattison, local ; 
1877-78, Charles A. Wilson, local; 187!t, Henry A. 
Van Dalsem. 

"The membership at present is sixty.* 
"A few yards from Redding Station, on the banks 
of the Siiugatuck River, is situated the old cami)- 
ground, noted for being the place where the first 
camp-meeting of the Jlethodists in New England was 
held. Just when this event occurred we are unable 
to state, but it was abrmt 1810, probably under the 
leadership of Nathan Bangs. The tents of this first 
a.s.semblage were of the most primitive kind, many of 



* The preaont church wllflcc U •itiinted In Dantmrjr, ■ few yanto lYam 
the Bp^ldlng line, hut, as the church wiut so long Idontined with Redding, 
It wu thought pro|tor to preserve its liistor>- hon. 



them being constructed of the branches of trees, and 
others of blankets stretched over a frame-work of 
poles. Meetings continued to be held in this grove 
every year for over sixty years. 

" About 1800, owing to .some diflTieulty in leasing 
the grounds and from otlier causes, the meetings here 
were discontinued, and another camp-ground opened 
at Milford, Conn., on the line of the Naugatuck Rail- 
road. 

" This grove was, however, soon abandoned, never 
having been ])opular with the Methodist ])ublic. In 
1878, after the lapse of nearly twenty years, the old 
camp-ground at Redding was reopened, and that year 
a very successful and well-attended meeting was held 
there. 

"It Wius supposed tluii tliat the grove would be 
purchased and continue to be used for camp-meeting 
puri)oses, but this desirable consummation wtis not 
effected." 

THE B.M'TIST CHURCH IN' GEORGETOWN {XOW EX- 
TINCT). 

" That there was a society of Baptists in Redding 
as early as 1785 appears from an entry in the records 
of the First Society, dated Dec. 9, 1785, wherein 
Michael Wood h,as a certificate given him by .John 
Lee, deacon, as a member of the Ba])tist Church in 
Redding. 

" Similar certificates were given to John Couch, 
Micayah Starr, and Jabez Wakeman, but we have 
no evidence of the existence of a church here until 
1833. On the 28th of January of that year an eccle- 
siastical council was held at the house of Timothy 
Wakeman, in Redding, and a church formally organ- 
ized. The record of the proceedings of this meeting 
constitutes the first entry in the church book of 
records, and is as follows : 

" * chose Klder Thomas Lascombe Moderator, and Elder Nathan M'ild* 
man Clerk. Invited Brelliren present to a ftvat with the Council. Pro- 
ceeded to hear the .\rticles and Covenant, also reajwns why they wished 
to bo constitutetl into a Church. The Council unaninanisly voted to 
prvceed to the constitution. Repaired to the meeling-honse. Introduc- 
tory prayer and sermon by Klder Nathan Wjhhnan. Right liatid of fel- 
lowship in behalf of tlie Council, ami closing prayer by Klder Ttumias 
LnacomtH). 

"•Nathan Wilduan, 

" • Clcrt: 

" There were but eighteen original members, — four 
males and fourteen females. For some years there 
was no settled pastor, and tlie pulpit w:is supplii'd al- 
ternately, once in four weeks, by Elders S. .Vmbler, of 
Danbury, and Stephen B. Bray, a licentiate, from 
Southbury, Conn. Elders N. Wildman, of Weston, 
Erastus Doty, of Colebrook, Conn., and Chandler 
Curtis also preached occasionally. June 3, 1837, the 
church extended a unanimous call to Rev. William 
Bowen, of Manslield, Ccmn., which was accepted, and 
he became the first ptistor of the church. He am- 
tinned to sustain this relation to the church until 
November, 1838, when he was dismissed, owing to 
the inability of the society to meet his salary. The 



REDDING. 



G13 



same month the church edifice was nearly destroyed 
1)V mob-violence, — the only instance of the kind that 
ever occurred in tliis staid and conservative town. 

" It was 183S, the period of the sla.very excitement, 
■when abolitionist and ]iro-slavery nieu engaged in al- 
iriost daily conflict, and men thought to stifle with 
shot-gun and bludgeon the first faint stirrings of the 
national conscience. A few jiithy entries in the 
church records thus wW-y to the aflair: 

'" Nov. iiddi. licv, Xiitluniiol Culver Icctiiiril nn t-iaviTV in our nieut- 
Ing-Ii(nise; was tUr-tllrl'*-!! by luii'iily pciS'iis. 
"'■JTtli. Anotlipi- iLTtiiTf Mil Shm-rv ni"li->tr(l a; 



"".'Sil 
strovi'd.' 



uiulil l.fldrc. 
JU'otilij;-hoilsi-' likiwii u[. liy a liiul., Iiut nut i-iitiri'Iy lU- 



" This is all the infonnatiim the church records give 
us on the sul)ject. but from the fib's of the Xovwiilk 
Gazrttc for that year we glean a full aci'ount of the 
alfair. Tliis article is interesting, as showing the 
manner in which even tlie Whigs handled the ques- 
tion of slavery at that time : 

*" nir:l!-ll.\Nl>F.D OfTliAfa;. — Wr li'ani tli.it .Tmlj^o I.yin-U lia.s lieon ex- 
ercising liis tinniuiary prucee(lin;j:s in tliia vieinil.v within tin.- weeli past. 
Colver. the ahuliti.mist leeturer, lias been h.illing fcjitb, as we ninler- 
Btand. for a nninber of evenings, on the subjei t of tnniieiliate enialieipa- 
tion, in the Baptist cluireli in Iteililing, aiitl in tin? course of bis b-etiire.s 
hail tilUcii oceasioll to exhibit before his amlieiiee the pim-lirnl <im<il<niiiiii- 
lioiiism of the Vice-I'resiilent of the Uniteil .Slates, the Hon. Itiehanl M. 
Johnson. We are infornieil that he accused tliis distiiignislieil perstinage 
of making luerchamlise of tlie olTspiini; of his own loins, of selling liis 
own sons ami danghters into slavery. This so enraged some of his polit- 
ical partisans tliat they determined to aholish the walls which bad echoed 
the nefarious libel iijion " Dick tli- Teciiniseli-Killer." So, after the lec- 
ture was concluded, a keg of gunpowder was deposited under the diurcli 
which liiid been profaned by these abolition orgies, and about two o'clock 
on the niorning of the 211th nit. the church was blown "sky-high," as 
John Raiulolph used to say. It was a small bnibling of tine stor,v. ami 
not worth more than five hundred dollars. Hut uotwithstaiidiiig the 
provocation, and notwithstanding the comparatively trilling amount of 
tlnmage occasioned by this wanton outrage, we most sincerely dejirecate 
the prevalence of a siiirit whicii does violence to the dearest lights of 
every freeman in the land, — the freedom of speech and of oitiuion. We 
are bo apolo,gistH for the intemperate and fanatic /eal of the abolitionists, 
but we deem it the cluty of every ]ness in the land to cry out against 
such violations of the (.^institution and laws. .\ lid. though we would 
denounce in the severest terms the e\asi>etating conduct of the aboli- 
tionists, we would at the same linti- do our utmost to bring the trespas- 
sers upon the rights which the ('onstitnliuu gnaiantecs to every citizen 
uuii the violators of the public peace to cmidign punishment.''- 

"This iiction of the mob, with the dissensions en- 
gendered by it, [irovcd a sad blow to the church, one 
from which it never fully recovered, althougli it con- 
tinueil ill existence for several years. ]-;idcr ,Tohn 
H. Waterbury servetl the church as jiastor tor some 
months in 1830, anil wtis succeeded in 1841 by Elder 
John Noyes, of North Haven. 

"Mr. Noyes' letter of dismission Irom the Haptist 
Church in North' Haven is as follows : 



* A resident of Georgetown at the time gives the following additional 
particulars: About two o'clock on the morning f.dlowing BIr. C'olx'er's 
lecture the inhabitants of Georgetown were staitlcd by a tremendous 
report and rumbling noise, which ,jarred the bouses and bloke the win- 
dows ill the immediate neighborhood. In the niorning this unusual dis- 
turbance was found to have been caused by tin; explosion of a keg of 
powder which had been placed directly under the luilpit.a portion of the 
underpinning of the churcli having been removed for that purpose. The 
pulpit was demolished, the front of the bnibling displaced several feet, 
the winilows broken out, and the walls destroyed. 



"'The Baptist Church in North Haven to the Baptist Ohurcll in Bead- 
iiig: 
"■I>F,.\l! URFrUREN,— Tlii< ceititics that Kcv. .lolin Noyes and bis wife 
.\nii ale members of tliis church in good standing, and as such we com- 
mend them to your Christian atb-i lion and fellowshiii. We have voted 



tliat when they are received by you, we shall 
with us dissolved. 

"'In behalf of the church in North Haven. 



iisider their cfuiueclion 



' 31. F. UoniNSON, 
"•Clerk. 



"'May 1,1841." 

"April 2, \S-i'2, Mr. Noyes was dismissed to I'hil- 
lipstown, N. Y. Rev. (Tcorge Crocker, of Danbury, 
supjilied the puljiit for the succeeding twelve months. 
Elder Daviil Pease was the next ]ircacher, he lieing 
called Feb. 11, 1.S44. His connection with thecluircli 
was short and uneventful. There is no record of any 
other preacher being called; in fact, the society wtus 
becoming too weak to support an organi/ation, and 
shortly after, in Octolier, 1847, was dissolved by the 
unanimous vote of its members." 

THE .VIETII0DI8T 1>H0TEST.\NT CIIIIRCH IX liEOUtlE- 
TOWN (XilW THE Ci.iN(li;E(i.\T10N.AE CIIEUCII). 

"The Methodist Protestant Church in Georgetown 
had its origin in a small schism in the Methodist 
Episcopal Churcli, commencing about 1S18, in the 
New York Conference. 

"Among the mini.sters who seceded from the church 
at this time was the Kev. William M. Stillwell, who 
in 1820 organized a small class of persons in ( icorge- 
town, sharers in his peculiar itletis of church polity, 
but who still retaineil the name of Methodist, though 
called by their opponents .Stillwellites. In 182',) a 
convention was held jind ailopted the name of Meth- 
odist Protestant, and in bS.';!!l the churcli at George- 
town was formally organized as the Jlethodist Prot- 
estant Cluircli and 8ociety of Wilton Circuit. The 
first mciubers of the class, so far as can be ascertained, 
were Ebeiiezer Hill, Banks 8herwooil, David Nichols, 
Isaac Osborne, and Benjamin (lilbcrt and wile. Tin- 
first minister was llev. William M. Stillwell. The 
first entry in the churcli records is ;is follows: 

"' The first Methodist Protestant church in Ui-dding was organized in 
the year of our Lord lh;',0, on the l.'.th of the '.llh month, at a regular 
warned meeting held at the house of Stnigcs llennetl. The following 
ofliceis well' chosen : l>a%id Nichols, chaiinian; .lohii o St. .lolin, secre- 
tary. Jolin O. St. .luhn was duly elected cleik of said society, anil the 
oath way aihliinistered by Walker Bates, Ksij. John o St. .lolin was als i 
elected treasurer of said society.' 

"Aaron (»slioriiewas tlic first sexton. He was to 
open tlic ehiirch thirty minutes before service, sweep 
the house, make the tires, and attend to the lights, 
for a yearly salary of six dollars. 

" Tlu^ present house of wors!ii|i had been built in 
ISoi', prior to the organization of the church, by John 
O. St. .lolin ami Charles Scribner. For a number of 
years the church records show only the ordinary 
routine of bu.sine.ss. In bSol, March lOtli, a society's 
meeting passed th(^ following resolutions: 

" ' Ilt'Mflreit, 1st, That we take into consideintion the aiuonnt of Damage 
sustained by the society, by tli<- Danbury and Noiwalk U. It. crossing 
the sjiciety's grounds near this bouse of worsliiji. '2nd, That the assess- 



614 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



nieut of ilninat^cs hy crossing Iho Bocit-t.\ .- ,_...t.i....H Lo loft to three men, 
—one clitisen I>y tlie trustees, one by the Rail Road contractors, and tlio«o 
two to clioose a tliinl. 3nl, Tliiit tlie trustees be instructed to IiolJ tlio 
contractors or Rjiit Roatl Company responsible fur all duuiago to the 
ftKiety's house of wor«hip.' 

"To these resolutions a meeting liekl Dec. 27, 1851, 
inldeil tlie following: ' Eesolvi'd, by vote of this meet- 
ing, tliat the society's committee be authorized to 
give by deed to the Djinbury and Norwalk Railroad 
Company a right of way across said society's ground, 
for the consideration of one hundred and fifty dol- 
lars.' At a meeting iicld Feb. 19, 1853, 'on motion, 
S. M. Main and Hiram St. .John were appointed a 
committee to circulate a subscription to raise money 
to build a parsonage-house.' A meeting lield Nov. 
17, 1853, voted ' that the society's committee be 
authorized to circulate a subscription-paper, to raise 
money to the amount of si.K hundred dollars for the 
purpose of purchasing Mr. Weed's house for a parson- 
age; and at a subseciuent meeting, lield November 
2()th, the committee were authorized to purchase 3Ir. 
Weed's house so soon as six hundred dollars is pledged 
for that purpose.' It was also voted that the ' horse- 
sheds be located 40 feet scnith of the butternut tree in 
the yard, provided the ground can be obtained for 
one dollar.' 

" At a meeting held Dee. 7, 18()7, Jlessrs. .Tolin R. 
Sturges, J. O. St. John, and Sturges Bennett were 
appointed a committee to ascertain the denomina- 
tional preferences of all the members of the church, 
'with a view to a change of name to that of Congre- 
gational, or tliat of letting it be the Methodist Prot- 
estant Meeting.' 

" This committee reported to an adjourned meeting, 
held December 14th, in favor of a change of name, 
and by a unanimous vote the name of the church was 
changed from Jletiiodist Protestant to Congrega- 
tional. It Wiis also voted to petition the next Legis- 
lature to change the name of the society in accord- 
ance with the above vote, and to secure to the Con- 
gregational Society the property now held by the 
Methodist Protestant Society. The committee ap- 
j)ointed for this juirpose were Jlessrs. David E. 
Smitii, Hiram St. Joiin, and E. G. Bennett. 

"From October, 181)5, to May, 1875, the church 
was su])plic(l by Rev. Samuel St. John, of George- 
town. He Wius succeeded by Rev. Albert H. Thomp- 
son, of Yale Theological Seminary, who supplied the 
pulpit until November, 1876. Mr. Thompson's suc- 
cessor was Rev. C. B. Strong, of Hartford Seminary, 
who remaineil until tiie close of 1877. Tlie present 
pcstor. Rev. C. .V. Nortlirop, began his labors with 
the church Jan. U, 1878, and was ordained and in- 
stalled as pastor Oct. 2, 1878. 

"The present membership of the church is 70, — 
males, 30 ; females, 49. 

" The records of «he Methodist Protestant Church 
give no data of the settlement or dismissal of pas- 
tors. From old members of the church, however, I 



j gain the following names of those who served the 
I church in this capacity (the list is probably complete, 
though the names are not given in the order of suc- 
cession): William M. Stilhvell, Stephen Treadwell, 

I Abram Glasgow, Ste])hen Remington, Shemeall, 

Vredenburgh, James Summerbell, Aaron ti. 

I Brewer, Richard K. Diossy, James Rolliston, William 
! McCutcheon, AVilliam H.Bosely, William Clitf, Sam- 

; uel M. Henderson, .Jacob Timberman, Wade, 

Elizur W. Griswold, Mcrwin Lent, William IT. Johii- 
I son, .John L. Ambler, Joseph J. Smith, .Joshua Hud- 
' sou, Thomas K. Witsel, John H. Painter, M. E. Rude, 
William C. Clarke." 



CHAPTER LX. 

•REDDING (Continued). 

' JIISCELLAXEOUS. 

' Masonic— Ark Lodge, No. 30, F. and A. M.— Lynch Cliapter, R. A. >!.— 
I Odd-Fellows — Anti'Slavery Society — Schools, Public and Private — 
3Innufactiiring Interests — Murder and Suicide — Uiugniphicnl. 

M.\SONIC. 
ARK LODOE, XO. 39, F. AND A. M. 

The first Slasouic bodv organized in this town was 
1 Ark Lodge, No. 39, F. and .\. JI. The petition tor 
[ the lodge wiis presented Oct. 19, 179G, but the prayer 
of its petition was not granted until May 17, 1797. 
! The first Ma.stcr was William Heron. The lodge con- 
tinued to work until May 12, 1S.'59, wlien its charter 
was surrendered. It wjus reorganized Dec. 23, lS(i9, 
with the following charter members: David H. Mil- 
I ler, Charles A. Jennings, Charles H. Canficid, Lewis 
I Northrup, Charles O. 01m.stcad, David E. Smith, H. 
R. Osborn, E. Thompson, Aaron H. Davis, Tuzon 
Jellift; Scth P. Beers, and Waterman Bates. 

The iifcscnt officers of the lodge are as follows : 

Mervin D. Keeler, W. M. ; Augustus W. Merwin, 

': S. W. ; Henry il. Taylor, J. W. ; Aaron H. Davis, 

I Treas. ; David H. Miller, Sec; Rev. Eldward L. 

Bray, Chap. ; Nathan Perry, S. D. ; Henry Ilohman, 

'J. D. ; Lewis Quien, S. Stew.; Eli B. Godfrey, 

J. Stew. ; Waterman Bates, Tiler. 

LY.Xrn CIIAITKB, R. A. M. 

i On Aug. 8, 1801, .a meeting of sundry Royal .Vrch 
Masons was held at the residence of Andrew L. Hills, 
when it was voted to present a petition to the Grand 
Chapter in New York i)raying for a warrant to hold 
a chapter of Royal .\rch Ma.sons in the towns of Red- 
ding and Weston. Said petition was heard and a 
warrant granted. The name " Lynch Chajitcr and 
Heron Mark Lodge" was adopted. The following 
officers were installed : High Prie-sf , Jesse Beach ; 
King, William Heron; Scribe, Nathan Wheeler. 
This chapter met alternately in Redding and Weston, 
and continued its labors until Feb. 4, 1828, wluii its 
charter was surrendered. 



EEDDING. 



G15 



The following nanips a]iiH':u' on the rct-onl: Joshua 
Adams, Jr., Jesse Beach, Willuini Hennitt, I'hitt Ben- 
nitt, Gabriel Baldwin, Henry Barilslev, Eli Bardslev, 
Ebene/.er Beach, Xoali W. Bradley, Hyatt Banks, 
Ezra Bennett, Isaac ISeaeli, Bnrr Davis, Tluinias N. 
Conch, Xathan Goncli, Jonatlum Clinch, Isaac Coley, 
He/.ekiah Couch, Simon A. <_'ouch, Edward Couch, 
Jonathan Crotl'ut, Preston Diirant, Andrew Fairchihl, 
Sturges Fauton, Lemuel Judson, Beach .Tennings, 
Ezra Lewis, Samuel M. Munson, Enoch ^lerchant, 
Daniel JIarsh, Ebenezer Merritt (2d), John B. IMcr- 
ritt, David A. JIarsh, AVilliam Jlorrows, Benjamin 
Meeker, Jos. Oakley, Jr., I'eter C. Oakley, Daniel 
Odle, (i. II. Osborn, Charles Dart, Hezekiah Read, 
Jr., .lohn R. Read, Hezekiah Summers, Eli Sanlbnl, 
Silas jM. Shepard, Jos. S. Shelton, Asahel Santbrd, 
Samuel Tliorp, Wakeman Thorp, Turncy Rolierts, 
Xathan AVheeler, 'Squire Winton, Levi Wheeler, Cal- 
vin WluH^ler, Jr., Ei>hraim Wheeler, Setli ^Vlle^der, 
Alden Winton, Jos. I). Winton, Edwin Wheeler. 

A lodge <d' ()dd-F(dlows was at one tinii' in opera- 
tion at Redding Eidge, liut was long since disbanded. 

ANTt-.SI.A V KIIY .Si >CIKTY. 

One of the earliest anti-slavery societies in the 
State wa.s organized in Georgetown in December, 
1838. Dr. Erasmus Hudson and Rev. Nathanicd Col- 
ver were appointed by the Connecticut Anti-Slavery 
Society agents for the evangelization of tlie State, 
and in October, 1838, entered Fairlield County in the 
furtherance of their mission. Tliey lecturi'd at Sher- 
man, Danbury, Redding, Georgetown, and Norwalk, 
being driven from each place in succession liy mobs, 
who abused and threatened, and in some cases stoned, 
them. At Xorwalk they were burnt in effigy and as- 
sailed with brickbats and all manner of missiles. At 
We.ston they organized tlie first society in the county. 
In Xovember a call was issued for a convention to be 
held in Redding (Georgetown), Dec. lli, l.S;;s. On 
November 29tli, Messrs. Colver and Hudson went to 
Georgetown to hold meetings. They met on Monday 
night in the Ba|)tist church, liut tlie mob was so vio- 
lent that the meeting was adjourned until Tuesilay 
evening. All through Tuesday tliere was great com- 
motion among the enemies of the cause, and this cul- 
minated in the evening, when a mol) coniposed of 
men and boys, some witli pairtti'd faces and some 
wearing masks, surrounded the cimrch and assailed it 
with stones, clubs, an<l hiileous outcries. Being dis- 
persed by tlie citizens, the baud betook itself to quieter 
forms of mischief. Dr. Hudson drove to the meeting 
a beautiful milk-white horse, and on that night his 
tail was shean'd so closely that it rescnd)led a corn- 
cob, and other outrages were committed. At this 
meeting a society was organized, called the George- 
town Anti-Slavery Society. Tlie con.stitntion of this 
Society bears date Dec. 4, 183J<; its officers W'crc: 
President, Eben Hill; Secretary, William Wakeman ; 
Treasurer, John O. St. John. 



SCIIOOL.S. 

The first reference in the town records in regard to 
schools is under date Dec. 'Il'i. 1737. wlien it was voteil 
to have a jiarisli school. It was also voted tluit said 
school be divided into three parts, — that is to say, 
"live montlis in that ipiarter called the Ridge, five 
moiilhs on tlie west side of the parish near the mill, 
and two months at Lonetowne, nnilcrstamling that 
the centre of division is the meeting-house, and that 
Steiihen Bnrr belongs to the west side." The first 
school committee consisted of John Read, .fosepli Lee, 
.Joseph Sanford, John Hull, Nathan Lion, Stephen 
ilorehouse, and Daniel Lyon. 

Dec. I'.t, 17'.'2, appears the following vote: "That 
the schocd money be lodged with the treasurer, and 
lu' to collect the interest arising on the sidiool-lionds 
annually by the first day of Ajiril, the interest already 
arisen and nnjiaid to !>e collected forthwith; and in 
failure id' payment of back interest, he to send the 
bond, or bonds, and collect principal and interest, 
and to conduct in the same manner on neglect of an- 
nual payment of interest on said bonds, and to jiay 
said interest and school money to the school com- 
mittee as it may be ajiiiropriatcd by the committee 
of the districts annually." 

" As to the source or origin of these school bonds," 
says Mr. Toild, "or by whom taken, I am unable to 
give a positive answi'r. The town rd' Ivedding has a 
school fund of fimr hnndred dollars, distinct from the 
State fund, and which dates back to a period beyond 
the reach of nu'inory or traditimi. It is more than 
lirobalde, however, that it was the sum realized from 
the sale (d' lauds i!i Litchfield County in 1733, called 
western lands, and which was divided among the sev- 
eral towns in proportion to their ]ioll-list and I'atable 
estate for that year, ami to be secured and forever ini- 
jiroved for the use of the schoids kept in said towns 
according to law. Redding, unlike most of her sister 
towns, has preserved this fund inviolate, and still uses 
its proceeds in support of her sidiools. In 171l."i came 
the sale of the Western Reserve and Connecticut's 
munificent grant to her common schools, wliicli has 
put them in the front rank of educational forces and 
' contributed so much to the material jirospcrity of the 
Slate. In Oetoljcr of that year tlie inhabitants of 
Redding met and fiu'ined themselves into a school so- 
cietv, in m-ilcr that they ' might have the advantage 
of the moneys arising from tlie sale id' western lands.' 
Peter Sanford, James Rogers, and Simeon Mnnger 
were the first committee chosen by tills society. Prim- 
to 1870 the cost of supjiorting the schools above that 
deriveil from the school fnnds was borne by the pa- 
rents or guardians of the sidndars, but in that year 
the Legislature passed a law compelling tlie towns to 
maintain free schocds, and this plan has since been 
pursued." 

The town is organized into school districts as fid- 
lows: District No. 1, Centre ; District No. 2, Ridge; 
District No. 3, Conch's Hill ; District No. 4, Diamond 



GIG 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Hill ; District No. 5, Boston ; District No. 6, Hull ; 
District No. 7, Umpawaug ; District No. 8, Lonetown ; 
District No. 9, Pickett's Ridge; District No. 10, 
Foundry; District No. 11 (half-district), Georgetown ; 
District No. 12 (lialf-district), Florida; District No. 
13 (lialf-district), Rock House. 

For present condition of schools, see General His- 
tory. 

The Hill Academy was incorporated in 1878 with 
the following tru.stees: Francis A. Sanford, Aaron 
Treadwell, .lolin Todd, X. Alanson Welton, Stephen 
Sanford, Thaddous M. Abbott, and Arthur li. Hill. 
The officers of the corporation are a.s follows: Presi- 
dent, Francis A. Sanford; Vice-President, T. M. 
Abbott; Secretary, Arthur B. Hill; Treasurer, Aaron 
Treadwell ; Auditor, Stephen Sanford. This school 
was founded by Rev. Aaron S. Hill, of New Haven, 
who donated the sum of five thousand dollars for its 
endowment. The first principal was T. 51. W. George, 
of Hartford, who remained until July 1, 1879. At 
present no school is being held, and the fund is left 
to accumulate. 

SELECT SCHOOLS. 

From a very early period to the present time Red- 
ding has had many very excellent select schools. 
Among the earliest were those kept by S. Samuel 
Smith, Esq., at the centre, and Rev. Jonathan Bart- 
lett, in the present dwelling of Mr. Lemuel Sanford. 
This latter school attained a high reputation. The 
first boarding-school was opened by Mr. Walker 
Bates in about 1825. A few years lirter a school was 
commenced at the centre by Eli Gilbert, and in 1836 
two schools were established at Redding Ridge,— one 
by John Osborne, and the other by Aaron B. Wilson. 

Tlir licddinij InMitate was founded by Daniel San- 
ford, A.M., in 1847. It was a successful school, and 
Mr. Sanford remained in charge until 1867, when he 
retired, and Edward P. Shaw became principal, re- 
maining lus such until 1873, when the institution was 
discontinued. A boarding-school was opened by 
Burton Bradley in 18.50, and also one by Miss Polly 
Selleck in 1844 for young ladies, both of which were 
quite successful. 

The MisKS Sanford'a School.— The school for young 
children conducted by the Misses Sanford is the only 
select school now in the town. This is an excellent 
and very successful school, where not only young 
children but more advanced scholars are pupils. 

M.\NCF.\CTURIXrt IXTEKESTS. 
Although Redding is an inland town, and prior to 
1850 was crossed by no railway, still some of the ear- 
liest manufacturing establishments in the county were 
located here. Here were the iron-smelting works of 
Oliver Sanford, at Sanfonlfown, which were destroyed 
by the great freshet in 1805. Abraham Fairchild had 
a fulling-mill as early as 1742, on the Saugatuck, near 
Nobb's Crook. Comstock, Foster & Co. erected a 
woolen-mill in 1812, near the site of the old fulling- 



mill; this was burned in 1843 or 1844. Ephraim 
Sanford commenced the manufacture of carriages in 
about 1800, which was continued by various persons 
with varying success and finally discontinued. 

"Subsequently," says Todd's "History," " Mr. E. 
A. Sanford formed a partnership with Charles Dun- 
comb, and later with G. A. Sanford, by whom the 
business was conducted with varying success. In its 
palmiest daj's this firm did a large business, employ- 
ing from twenty-five to thirty men, and maintaining 
a depot for their goods in New York. Mr. Aaron 
Bartram built a carriage-factory in 1840 (now .stand- 
ing), and in company with Mr. Ebon Wilson did a 
large business for a term of years. Mr. Bradley San- 
ford began the manufacture of carriage-axles in Saii- 
fordtown in 1833, and continued it until 1838, when 
he was succeeded by Jlr. G. A. Sanford.* 

" Hat-making wius at one time a prominent indus- 
try in Redding. To Mr. Billy Conntoek is due the 
credit of erecting the first hat-manufactory, which 
stood near his house in the Boston District. Mr. 
Daniel Gould had a large hat-shop in Lonetown, and 
later Mr. Jasse Banks carried on the business some- 
what extensively in Sanfordtown. He employed at 
one time from twenty-five to thirty men, and supplied 
the Southern and West India market. Mr. Milo Lee 
also cai'ried on the business for a number of years, 
first with Mr. Banks, and afterwards in a factory near 
his house. Bricks were made at one time by Mr. 
Alanson I/yon on Redding Ridge, and in the same 
district a large shirt-manufactory w;is once in success- 
ful o])eration under the management of Mr. Curtis 
Fanton and his son, Henry Fanton. In 1856 the 
Redding Manufacturing Company was organized in 
Sanfordtown for the manufacture of pins and other 
small articles in brass. The large building in San- 
fordtown still known as the pin-factory was built by 
this company ; for a time its prosi)ects for a successful 
career were excellent, but, owing to some mismanage- 
ment on the part of the directors, it soon proved a 
failure. 

"The Hill Limekiln in Lonetown is perhaps. the 
oldest lime-burning establishment in the Slate. It 
wiis probably opened at an early day by Col. Julin 
Read, who was the owner of the tract of land in 
which the quarry is situated. In 1810 it came into 
the possession of JoJin R. Hill, a grandson of Col. 
Read, who conducted an extensive business and ac- 
quired a fortune. Jlr. Hill retired in 1S23, atid was 
succeeded at diderent ])eriods by his sons Aaron S. 
Hill, Moses Hill, William Hill, and John L. Hill. 
These gentlemen conducted the business with the 
same energy and success that had characterized their 
father's management. Since Mr. John L. Hill's re- 
tirement the business has been conducted successively 
by Messrs. Ame-i & Osborne, Barnes, Smith, and 
Philo Wood.t 

• Tliw brnnch of buBiiivtit »* uiFK<»iiiuiiicti. 

t It ia now conducted hy Mr. Wood, and is an cxtcnairc Lutincsi. 



REDDING. 



617 



" In 1842, 'inquire James iSanlord Imilt a foundrv on 
the Aspetuck Kivor, in the Foundry Distriet, anil en- 
tered largely into the nianut'aeture of agrieultural 
implements. He liad before invented an iin|)roved 
hay -cutting machine, in which the cutting was done 
by revolving cylinders furnished with knives, which 
he manufactured here, and which had an extensive 
sale throughout the country. This foundry is almost 
the only one of the old-time industries of Redding 
that remains in successful operation to this day. 

"Tlie xVspetuek River, dashing through a gorge in 
this district, furnishes abundant water-power, and 
this the skill and energy of the Sanford brothers has 
utilize<l in the manufacture of buttons. Their three 
Initton-factories have a capacity of between throe 
hundred and four hundre<l gross of Inittons j)er day. 
They employ twentj'-eight hands, and have made this 
district one of the busiest and most jtrosperous lo- 
calities in the town." 

THE GILBERT & BENNETT MANUF.VCTUKIXG COMPANY. 

The works of the Gilbert & Bennett Manufac- 
turing (.'ompany are located ]iartly in this and partly in 
the .-idjoining town of Wilton, in the village of George- 
town. They manufacture iron and galvanized wire, 
iron, brass, galvanized, and painted wire-cloth, sieves, 
riddles, coal-screens, cheese- and meat-safes, ox-muz- 
zles, galvanized twist wire netting, etc. 

This concern is one of the oldest in its line in the 
country. The business was established by Benjamin 
Gilbert in ISIS. Some years after, a copartnership was 
formed by Wni. J. Gilbert, Sturges Bennett, E. O. Hurl- 
butt, and E. Gilbert, under the name of Gilbert, Ben- 
nett & Co., under which name the business was con- 
ducted until May, 1S74, when the upper mills were 
destroyed by fire, causing a loss to the concern of over 
one hundred thousand dollars. At this time there were 
one hundred and twenty-five persons emjdoyed by the 
company. Immediately after the fire the concern was 
iijcorporated under tlie name of the Gilbert & Bennett 
Manufacturing Company (capital, one hundred and 
seventy-five thousand dollars), with Sturges Bennett 
as president, David H. Miller secretary, and W. W. 
Beers treasurer. 

The main factory, situated in Redding, and built on 
the ground formerly occupied by the one destroyed by 
fire, is a stone and brick building three hundred and 
thirteen by fifty-si.K and a half feet, tliree stories high, 
with a galvanized iron roof. The power used is a fifty 
horse-power water-wheel and a seventy-five horse- 
power steam-engine. In this building are the power- 
looms for weaving shade wire-cloth, twisting-machines 
for making wire netting and fencing. In the centre 
of the building is a powerful saw-mill, where all the 
lumber used in the manufacture of sieves, safes, etc., 
is cut up and prepared. 

The two mills owned by the company situated in 
the town of Wilton are used for drawing wire, weaving 
wire, and galvanizing. The power is improved by 
40 



two water-wheels of seventy horse-power. The force 
of mechanics employed at ])resent is one hundred. 

The officers are: President, Sturges Bennett; Sec- 
retary, David H. Miller; Treasurer, E. Gilbert; Su- 
perintendent, Samuel J. Miller. 



<3: 



BIOGRAPHICAL, Etc.'' 



".lofan Barlow, the poet and statesman, was liorn in 
Redding, March 24, 1754. He received his early edu- 
cation first from the Rev. Mr. Bartlett, pastor of the 
Congregational t'hurch in Re<ldiMg, and second at 
Moor's jireparatory school for boys, near Hanover, 
N. H. He entered Dartmouth College in 1774, at 
the age of twenty, and shortly after removed to New' 
Haven and was entered at Yale. His college course 
was a highly creditable one in many respects. During 
the college terras he was a faithful student, es]iecially 
winning distinction for literary attainments; and 
during the long summer vacations he joined the Con- 
tinental army as a volunteer and aided in fighting the 
battles of his country. He graduated in 1778. From 
1779 to 1783 he was chaplain of one of the Connecticut 
regiments in the Revolutionary army. Shortly after 
leaving the army, in 17S3, he married Jliss Ruth 
Baldwin, daughter of ^Michael Baldwin, Es([., oi' New 
Haven, and in 1785 settled as a lawyer in Hartford, 
Conn. 

" In Hartfiird, Mr. ]5arlow ap[>ears as lawyer, jour- 
nalist (editor of the Amerimn Mercurij), bookseller, 
atid poet. In the latter capacity he jiroduced a re- 
vision of Dr. Watts' 'Imitation' of the I'salms, and 
also, in 1787, his fanums poem, ' The Vision of 
j Columbus.' 

I " In 1789 he accepted from the Sciota Land Com- 
pany the i)Osition of foreign agent for the sale of their 
' lands in Europe, and went to England, and later to 
i France, for this i)urposc; but shortly after his arrival 
i the company made a disgraceful failure, and he was 
again thrown on his own resources. Fortunately, his 
literary reputation had made him (piite a lion in the 
French capital, and he easily succeeded in obtaining 
work on the French journals. Later he endiarked in 
some mercantile ventures, which i)roved successful 
and brought him a competence. He at first ])artici- 
pated actively in the French Revolution, which broke 
out soon after his arrival in France, but, becoming 
disgusted with the atrocities of the Jacobins, he with- 
drew and went over to England. 

"In London, in 1791, he published his '.Idvice to 
the Privileged Orders,' — a work which drew out a 
formal eulogium from Fox in the House of Commons. 
This was succeeded in 1792 by his 'Cons])iracy of 
Kings,' a poem so bitterly hostile to royalty that he 
found it prudent to leave England for France imme- 
diately on its publication. On his return to France 
at this time the privileges of French citizenship were 
conferred on him, before accorded to but two Amer- 
icans, Washington and Hamilton. 

* The foUowiiig ia chit-fly from Todd's " History of Keddiug." 



y- 



G18 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



" In 1793 he accompanied Gregorie, former Bishop 
of Blois, and other dignitaries, to Savoy, and aided in 
organizing that country into a department of the re- 
jiublic. While here he wrote his 'Hasty Pudding,' 
the mock-heroie, half-didactic poem which has chiefly 
endeared him to his countrymen. 

" In 179.1, President Washington appointed him con- 
sul to Algiers, with instructions to ratify the long-pend- 
ing treaty with the Dey and to liberate the American 
prisoners there. Col. Humphreys, American minister 
to Portugal, an old friend of Mr. Barlow, himself 
came to Paris to urge him to accept ; and, proving suc- 
cessful, the two friends left Paris on the 12th of Sep- 
tember, 1795, for Lisbon. From Lisbon, Mr. Barlow 
proceeded to Algiers iki Alicant, and after a year and 
a half of effort succeeded in ratifying the treaty and 
in liberating the captives. He then returned to France. 
During the succeeding eight years he resided in an 
elegant villa near Paris, formerly the properly of the 
Count Clermont Tonnere, enjoying the friendship of 
the chief men of the nation, as -well as tliat of all 
Americans of eminence who visited the capital. 

" But in 1805 the desire to once more revisit the land 
he had left seventeen years before became too strong 
to be resisted longer, and, disposing of his estates in 
France, he returned in .July of this year to America. 
He was warmly received in his native land, and after 
an extensive tour, extending into the Western coun- 
try, he returned to AVashington, where he built an 
elegant mansion called ' Kalorama,' and which was 
widely famed in its day for its beauty and elegance 
and as being the resort of all the famous men of the 
times. At Kalorama, Barlr)w gave his chief attention 
to the cultivation of the Muses and to philosopliical 
studies. Here, in 1808, he finished his great poem, 
' The Columbiad,' which was printed at Philadelphia, 
and was one of the most elegant volumes ever issued 
from the American press. He also busied himself 
with collecting materials for a general history of the 
United States. 

"In 1811, President Madison oflered him the re- 
sponsible position of minister to France, in the hope 
that his reputation and his influence with the French 
government mightsecurc for us a treaty giving indem- 
nity for piust spoliations on our commerce and security 
from further depredations. Barlow accepted the posi- 
tion from motives of the purest patriotism, in the belief 
that his talent.s and position might be made useful to 
his country. He sailed from Annapolis in July, 
181 1, in the historic frigate ' Constitution,' Capt. Hull, 
which had been placed at his disposal by the govern- 
ment. His negotiations willi Napoleon while on this 
mission were conducted through the Duke dc B:LS.«ano, 
Minister of Foreign Affairs, and covered a space of 
nearly a year and a half. Napoleon acknowledged 
the justice of the claims of the United States, and 
expressed a willingneaa to ratify a treaty of indem- 
nity; but he was so absorbed in directing the cam- 
paign against Russia, and in his other operations on 



the European field, that it was very difficult to bring 

the matter to a satisfactory conclusion. 

" At length, on the 2.5th of October, 1812, Mr. Bar- 
low received a letter from the Duke de Bassano, writ- 
ten at Wilna, Poland, saying that the emperor had 
deputed the business of the treaty to him, and that 
if Mr. Barlow would come to Wilna he had no doubt 
but that the treaty might be speedily ratified. Bar- 
low, on receipt of the note, at once set out, and, trav- 
eling night and day, reached Wilna about December 
1st, only to find the village filled with fugitives from 
Napoleon's retreating army, while the duke was out 
on the frontiers Inirrying forward reinforcements to 
cover the emperor's retreat. Disappointed in his 
mission, he hitstened to retrace his steps ; but at Zar- 

Wniwica, an obscure village in Poland, he was seized 
with an acute attack of pneumonia, the result of pri- 
vations and exposure, which terminated his life Dec. 
2(5, 1812. He was buried in the little village where 
he died, and a marble pillar w:us erected by Mrs. Bar- 

I low to his memory. No friendly pen has ever written 
the poet's biography, and his memorj- has pretty much 
faded from the minds of his countrymen; but there 
were few men of his day more widely known, or who 
did deeds more worthy of grateful recognition by the 
American people. 

" ' Stephen Uus.sell Mallory, second son of Charles 
Mallorj', of Redding, Conn., was born in the West In- 
dies in 1814, and came to the United States when but 
three months old. In 1819 he accompanied his father 
to Florida, and was placed at an "old field school" 
near Mobile, from whence he was removed to the 
academy at Nazareth, Pa., where he spent several 
years. He returned to Florida in 18.W, ami estab- 
lished his residence at Key West, where he embraced 
the profession of law. Mr. Mallory has filled many 

] important trusts under the State and general govern- 
ments, and was collector of the customs and superin- 
tendent of the revenue at Key West under Mr. Polk. 
In 1X50 he was elected to the United States Senate 
for the term of six years.' The above is from Glea- 
son's Pictorial Companion for 1853. Mr. Mallory's 
subsequent career as Secretary of the Confederate 
Navy is familiar to the reader. 

" Dudley Sanford Gregory, mayor of Jersey City, 
N. J., an<l prominently identilieil with the early his- 
tory of that city, wius a native of Bedding. 

"Maj.-Gen. Darius Couch was born of Redding 

I parents, in South East, New York, July 25, 1822. 

' The following sketch of his career, taken largely 
from Cullum's 'History of the Officers and Gradu- 
ates of the United States Military Academy,' will be 
read with interest : 

***DariuR N. Ouuch, Iiorn in Xfw York, appoinlcd from New York, 
cadet at United Slam Mllilory Araili-niv from July 1, IM'i, tu Juljr I, 
1S4A, when lie wiu ^a.Iuiited and pnmiotcd in Uie army to brevet second 
lieutenant, K,mrtli Arlillerl'. SaTved in the «ar«itli Mexlcoin 1S4I>-I8, 
beiri(;eiiptt;ed in (he l>attleur Unena Vi^la, Mexico, as w.-ond lieillcnallt 
in C^pL Waiiliinf^tan'a lljtttery, liKlit artillery, for wliicll be was brevelt«d 
fiisl lientonanl for gallant and uiciitolious conduct. PatUcifatiug iB 



REDDING. 



G19 



occupiltit-Vn of the Seminole country in 1852-53, lie l»ljinnetl and executed 
at his own expense a scientific expedition into Central and Noi"thern 
Mexico, the results of which were very crcditalde to his enterprise. He 
married, in IS;^, a daughter of Hon. S. L. Crocker, t>f Taunton, Mass., and 
granddaughter of Isaiah Tlioni!i.M, founder of the .\ntiiiuai ian Society of 
"Worcester, Mass., and author of the " History of rrintins." The next 
year he resigned from the army. At tlie hre.-ikinf^ out tif the Itehellion, 
heing settled in Taunton, Blass., he raised the Seventh Regiment Miussa- 
chusetts Volunteers, and pniceeded to Washington in .July, 1.S01. Was 
made hrigadier-general in August, and assigned to the command of a 
hrigade itl the defense of that city. In BIcClellan's campaign on the 
Peninsula, Gen. Couch commanded the First Division, Fourth Army 
tVrps, holding the left of the line at the siege t>f Yorktown. At the 
hattle of Fair Oaks his hrave division held their ground for more than 
two hours against the comhined attack of the Confederate troops. With 
part of his division he reinforced Hooker in the hot action of Oak Grove, 
June 25, lsi;2, and W!i-s in various skirniislies dniing tlie Seven Days 
until July 1st, on which morning Gen. 3lc('ltdlan posted him on the nntin 
road leading to Hiihmond, where was fotight tlie successful hattle of Mal- 
vern Hill. 

'■ ' Being promoted to the raidi of in.ijor-gcucral, July 4, l.S(j2, he 
joined Pope with his division on the retreat fiom .Manassas, in the Northern 
Virginia campaign. Octoher, 1S6J, in columaml of the Second Army 
Corps, canipaigti of the Rappahannock. At Fredeiickshnrg, Decemher 
I2lh, l:'.th, 14th, and l.'dli, it fell upon Gen, tv>ucli to assault Marye's 
Heights, in wliich desperate work that hiave magniticent Second Army 
Corps lost more than four thousand men. The loss of his coips at the 
disastrous hattle of Chancellorsville, where he wa-s second in comnnmd, 
was very heavy. In Novendjer, 1.S04, he joined Thomas, who was lie- 
^ieged at Nashville, and was iw-igned hy the commander to the command 
->f an army corps. In the hattle which followed he commanded a divi- 
sion, turned Hood's left, and caidured several pieces of aitillery and 
many prisoners. In North Carolina, March, April, and Jlay, aiding 
Sheinian in closing the war. Resigned in June, 1805, the Rehellion having 
licen crushed out. 

" 'The general has for several years resided at Norwalk,Conn,, having 
heen quartermaster-general at Hartford during the years 1877-78." 

" Hon. Gideon II. Hollister, <>( Litchiiekl, is a de- 
scendant of two of our Redding families. He was 
Imrn Dee. 14, 1818, in Washington, Conn., and grad- 
uated at Yale College in 1840 ; studied law in Liteh- 
tield, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1842. 
He practiced law in Litchfield until 1859, when he 
opened an office in New York. He went as United 
folates charr/i- d'affnircs to Hayti when that country 
was under the admini.stration of Halnave. In 1855 
he published a 'History of Connecticut' in two vol- 
umes, (if wliich two editions, of two thousand copies 
each, have been exhausted. He is the author of 
three historical dramas, one of them bearing the 
title 'Thomas a Beeket.' He has also written a legal 
treatise on the law of eminent domain. Mr. Hol- 
lister is now engaged in writing a history of Hayti. 

"Attorney-Gen. Bates, of Jfissouri, was of Red- 
ding ancestry. 

"Judge Strong, of the United States Supreme 
Court, spent his childhood and youth in Redding, 
and made his luaiilen ]ilea here before a justice 
court.* 

"Mrs. Dora Goodale, a writer for Srribner'9, is a 
native of Redding, being a descendant of Col. John 
Read, one of the earliest settlers. She is the mother 
of Elaine and Dora Goodale, the child-poets, whoso 



* He was a son of Rev. William L. Strong, former pastor at this place. 
Rev. Edward Strong, formerly of New Haven, and of Pittslii Id, Mass., 
was another son, and spent a Jioiti-m of his early days in this tow n. 



charming verses have been so warmly welcomed by 
the American public. 

" In the several jirtifessions Redding has been well 
represented. Dr. Asahel Fitch, the first physician 
who settled in the town, is remembered in Fairfield 
County as a worthy man, and one of its most respect- 
able practitioners of medicine. He was among the 
principal pioneers in the formation of the county so- 
ciety, but died soon after its organization. His death 
occurred in 1792, or about that jteriod. I unilerstanil 
that he was the grandfather of Professor Knight, of 
Yale College. 

" Among the physicians of Fairlield County who en- 
joyetl a long antl successful practice was Dr. Thomas 
Davies of Redding. He removed to Retlding in 179.'?, 
on the decease of Dr. Fitch, and there continued in 
the duties of his ]irofes.sion until his death, which oc- 
curred in 1881. Mr. Davies possessed the reputation 
of being among the first of the [ihysicians of the 
county who assumed regular obstetrical duties, and 
so successful were his labors that he became particu- 
larly eminent in that department. ■ 

"The doctor was once summoned as an imiiortant 
witness to apjiear before the court in Fairfield, and, 
not appearing, the sheriff was sent to compel his at- 
tendance. Being absent, and learning on his return 
that the officer was waiting at a jiublic-housc in the 
vicinity, he without notice to the official rode to Fair- 
field and appeared before the court. On thetiuostion 
occurring with the court regarding the costs attending 
the capias, he rerjuested one or two of his legal friends 
to excuse the delinquency. The .juilge ilei^ided, not- 
withstanding, that the law must be observed, and that 
the doctor must bear the expenses. Dr. Davies then 
requestetl a hearing in his own behalf; wliicli being 
granted, he remarked, 'May it please the court, I am 
a good citizen of the State, and since I was summoned 
to attend this court I have introduced three other 
good citizens into it.' 

" The court rejilied that for so good a pica he would 
leave the parties to pay the expenses. 

" Rev. Thomas F. D.ivies, Sr., formerly jrastor of 
the Congregational Church at Huntington, Conn., now 
editor of the Chrialiaii ,Spcrtator, published in New 
Haven, and minister of the Congregational Cluircli in 
Green's Farms, Conn., was his only son. 

" 1j. Sanford llavics, Ksq., who at one time was set- 
tled at Waterbury, was mayor of the city, and held 
the office of judge of Probate and other prominent 
positions, is a son of the Rev. Thoiuius F. Davies. 
Another son is the Rev. Thtimas F. Davies, D.D., 
now of Philadelphia, a clergyman of the Eiiiscopal 
Church in that city. 

"Among the later practitioiier-i of the town. Dr. 
Charles Gorham was very widely known and re- 
spected. He was the son of Meeker (iorhain unil 
Elizal)eth Hubbell of Greenfield Hill, in the town of 
Fairfield. He began the study of medicine with Dr. 
Jehiel Williams, of New Miirord,;ind tifterwards pui«- 



G20 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD CGUiNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



sued his studies at the College of Physicians and Sur- 
geons in New York. He settled in Redding in 1816, 
at the age of twenty-one years, and practiced as a 
j)hysician and surgeon in Fairfield County forty-two 
years. He married Mary, daughter of William King 
Comstock, of Danbury. Dr. Gorham is described as 
a man of more than ordinary strength of character, 
with a well-balanced mind and sound judgment. He 
wa.s fond of scientific investigations, and was remark- 
able for close observation and power of analysis. He 
died at his residence. Redding Centre, Sept. 15, 1859. 

" Dr. Moses H. Wakeman came to this place for the 
practice of his profession in 1858, and still continues 
here in tlic enjoyment of an extensive and lucrative 
practice. He has been, and is, considered one of the 
most successful and skillful physicians of the day. 

" Anna M. Reed, who located a few years .since at 
Redding Ridge, has a large and still-increasing prac- 
tice not only in this but adjoining towns. 

" Among clergymen may be enumerated the follow- 
ing: Rev. Justus Hull, Rev. Lemuel Hull; Rev. 
Tliomas F. Davies, of Thiladelphia ; Rev. William 
T. Hill, i)rcsiding elder of New Haven District; Rev. 
Aaron K. Sanford, presiding elder of Pouglikeepsie 
District, New York Conference ; Rev. Aaron S. Hill, 
of New Haven ; Rev. Morris Hill, of New Haven; 
Rev. Moses Hill, of Norwalk ; Rev. Hawley Sanford, 
of Iowa; Rev. Morris Sanford, of Iowa; Rev. Piatt 
Treadwell ; Rev. Albert Miller, of Iowa; Rev. Leroy 
Stowe, of Milford, Conn. ; and Rev. A. B. Sanford, of 
Brooklyn, N. Y. 

" The following State senators have been natives or 
citizens of Redding: Thomas B. Fanton, elected in 
1841 ; Lemuel Sanford, 1847 ; Cortes Merchant, 1855 ; 
Francis A. Sanfonl, ]8()5; James Sanford, 1870; 
Jonathan R. Sanford, 1877. 

" Thomas Sanford, former high sherilfof the county, 
and at one time nominee of tl)c Democratic party for 
comptroller of the State; Henry Sanford, of New- 
York, superintendent of Adams' E.vpress Company; 
Aaron Sanford, of Newtown, ))rcsent high sheriff of 
Fairfield County; and Albert Hill, city engineer of 
New Haven, are natives of Redding." 



CHAPTER LXI. 

BEDDINO (Continued). 

CIVIL, MILITAUY, AND DOCUMENTARY HISTORY. 

OrgiinixnIIuD of the Parlfili— OrKnnffiillim of llie Town — List of Ilepro- 
soiitallved — Pniboto Juilgcfl — Extmctit fruiii Tuwn neconis — Origin itnil 
Orihugmpliy of Naoio of Town— Militj»r>* KoconI— Ll«t of Soldicir. 

Civil, 11IST0UY. 
TlIK I'AllISll. 

In the year 1723 a petition was presented to the 
General Court praying that the .settlement might be 
organized into a parish, but the opposition of Fair- 



field defeated the ])roject, and, although the matter 
was agitated from time to time, it was not until 1720 
that the parish of Redding was constitute<l.* The 
first meeting of the parish was Iield June 5, 1729. 

THE TOWN. 

The town was incorporated in May, 1707, and on 
the 15th of the following month the first town officers 
were chosen, as follows (Col. John Read was chosen 
moderator of the meeting, and Lieut. Stc|ihen Mead 
was elected clerk for the ensuing year) : Selectmen, 
Stephen Mead, Ephraim Jackson, Daniel Hill ; Con- 
stables, LlaxiiLJiii!!'- Asaliel Fitch, Daniel Hall ; 
Fence-Viewers, Benjaniin Hamilton, Zaimo n Read ; 
Listers, Peter Fairchild , Lemuel Sanford, Jr., David 
Jackson ; Grand Jurymen, Thomas Fairchild, Jona- 
than Couch ; Treiusurer, Gjirdon^Mcrchantj Tithing- 
men, Paul Bartram, Thomas Fairchild, Eleazer Smith, 
Jr. ; Pound-Keepers, Ebenezer Williams, Ebenczer 
Couch ; Sealer of liCather, (j ^rsliom Mo rehoiise ; 
Sealer of Weights, Benjamin Meeker, Jonathan Mal- 
lory. Ephraim Jackson, Capt. Henry Lyon, and 
Gurdon Merchant were made a committee to take all 
proper and lawful methods to clear the highways. 
The town by vote made the pound by Elizabeth San- 
ford's the " town jxiund," and voted " to use the 
school-house by the old meeting-house for ye place 
for holding ye town-meetings in ye future." 

REPRESENTATIVES FROM 1707 TO 1881. 

17G7, Col. Joliii Kcml; 170*, C gpt. Sli^nliun Moiid ; 1709, Col. Jolin Bead, 
C«i>t. Iltiiry Lyon; 1770, Caul. Stci.luii .Mtn d. luniurl Siinl onl.Cul. 
John Read; 1771, (Vd. John Read. Lennifl Sa nford. Hczekluh S »D- 
ford; 177-.', Col. .Mm Head, llezekiiili .Sanf.nd; 177;J, Col.Iolin Reiiil, 
Ilezekli di S anfonl. Lemuel e^anford, .Ianie.H Rogerw; 1774, William 
Hawley, l_^'r_FuiEldiild, Lemuel Sanford ; 177."', Williiim llnulev, 
Lemuel Sanf orjjJITJlh.Xli;^-'-!'''' fm'fonl , .Setli SiMifo nl SH m iK-Hiiui- 
fonl, Jr., Stephen Belts, Jr. ; 1777, LeniutdSanfonl, Daniel Sanforxl; 
1778, Scth Sjujord, Lemuel Sanford. William Heron; 1779, Soth 
Sanford, William Hawley, TmUmm Heron; 17tiO, William Hawley, 
William Hoi<ui. Lemuel Sanford, Seth Sanford; 1781, Capt. Williaoi 
Huwiey ; 17.SJ, Stephen Rettt*, Lemuel Sanford ; 17Xt, Stephen llelts, 
Tliuddcus Renedii-t, Lenioel Sanford; 1784, He/eklah Sanford, 
Thaililous Benedict, Lemuel SanfonI, William Heron; KK.'i, He7e- 
kiah SanfonI, William Herun; 17811. William Hawley, Hez<'kl .h 
SanfonI, William Heron; 1787-«9, Lenimd S^infonl, William llei' i< . 
1790, Thnddeua llenedict, William Herun, Andrew L. Hill; 17'JI, 
llrzekiah SanfonI, Andrew L. Hill; 179i, llezckinh Sanford, An- 
drew L. Hill, Aan>n Harlow; 1793, llelekiah SanfonI, Andieu T 
Hill, Simeon Monger; 1794, Thaildeus IlentHlict, Aaron llarl 
179.*>, Thioldeut* IWni-diet, Aantn Itarlow, William llenm, An•ln>v^ I 
inil; 17'.li;, William Henm,Jumi>8 Rogers; 1797-98, .Simeon Mnni: 
Seth Samuel Smith ; 1799, Shneou Monger, Stephen Jaekson; l-"' , 
Simoon Muiigor, Seth Samuel Sniitli, Andrew L. Hill, Stephen Jie k - 
son; 1801, .\ndrew L. Hill, Stephen Jnekson, Simeon >Iunger, r.-lrr 
Sanford; 1802, 3. Sanniel Sndth, .\ndrew L. Hill, Aaron SanfonI, 
Joshua King; 181U, Seth S. Sndth. Andrew L. Hill; 18*>4, Selli S. 
Smith, Simeon Munger, IVIer SAtir«ml; istv'i, Seth .Samnet Smith, 
AiSrew L. Hill, Simeon Muncer, I'eter Sinford ; Inm;, Andn'W L. 
Hill, Simeon Monger; 1S07, Andrew L. Hill, Simeon 3lunger, Se-th 
Samuel Sndth, Lemuel SanfonI ; 18U8, Andrew L. Hill, U'niuel San- 
fonI ; IHOO-lo, Andrew L. Hill, I^omuel SanfonI; 1811, Samuel 
Whiting, I'eter SanfonI, Andrew L. Hill; 181!!, .\ndrew L. Hill, 
Lemuel SanfonI; 1813, Lemuel Sanford, Samuel Whillng; 1814, 
Lemuel Sanford, Siimuel Whiting, John Meeker; 1815, Jonathan 
R. SanfonI, Samuel Whiting, Siuiwu Munger, Hezekiah Read, Jr.; 



1 I 



• Sm Colonial B«cord<, toI. tU. pp. 231, 232. 



REDDING. 



021 



ISIO, Isaac Bt-'acli, Uezekiitii Rl':w1, Jr., Samuel Whilins;; 1S17, Isaac 
licaili, Bciijiiinin Mot-ker, Joiiatlian Mpckcr, .Ic.liri R. Hill; 181S, 
Billy Culnstock, Aaron Saiiforii, Jr., William Sauford, John Meeker; 
181'J, Hilly Conistork, Ilezekiali Read, Jr. ; IS2II, Isiiac Coley, Jona- 
than R. !>aiil'oril; ISil, Daniel liarlow, Setli Wheeler; 1.S2-', Billy 
ConiBtuck,.Toli[i R. Hill; l.><i!, John R. Hill, .4aron Sanfor.!, Jr.; 
1S24, Eiihraim Sauford. I!<i« land Fanlon; 18i'.. Ilejijaniin Meeker, 
William Sanfurd ; 1820, Joel Merchant, Michael Jennings; 1827, 
Thonnis B. Fanton, Gejshoni Slierivood; 1828, John M. Heron, Wil- 
liam Sanford; 1829, .\aron SanJord, Daniel B.arlow ; 18311, Gershoni 
Sherwood. Curdon Bartrani; 18;jl, Jonathan R. Sanford, Jared 01m- 
stcad; 1832, Ralph Sanford, Walker Bates; lsn:l, Jacoli Wanzer, 
TlniddcHS B. Read; 1S34. Thomas B. Fanton, Bradley Hill; 18:!5, 
Thoniiis B. Fanton, Walker Bates; 18:ir,, Ralph Sanford, Burr 
Meeker; 18.37, Timothy Parsons, Jesse Hanks; 1838, Thom.m B. 
Fanton, Aaron Perry; 18.30, Thomas B. Fanton, Benjamin Meeker; 
1840, Walker Bates, David S. Duncomh; 1,841, Tli,addeus M. Abbott, 
Morris Hill; 1842, Hezekiah Davis, J(din W. Sanf..rd ; 1843, Edward 
Starr, Jr., Barney B.artram; 1844, Cliarh-s Beach, Charles 1). Smith; 
1845, Peter S. Coley, Aaron R, Bartram ; 1 S4i;, James Sanford, Harry 
Meeker; .847, Bradley Hill, Saninel S. Osli<]rn; 1848. Burr Bennett, 
Floyd Tncker; l«4',l, Daniel C. Rider, Henry Conch; 1810, Matthew- 
Gregory, Rnfns Mead; Is.".!, Milo Lee, Frederic k D. Dimon ; 1852, 
Aaron Bnrr, Aaron B. Hull; 1853, Ebene/.er Wilson, Tnrney S.an- 
ford; 1854, Jon.athan R. Sanford, Walker Bates; 1.8.'j5, Cortes Mer- 
chant, Gurden B. Lee ; 1857, Thomas Sanford, Milo Lee ; 1857, John 
0. St. John, David B. Sanford ; 1858, James Sanford, Benjamin S. 
Boughton; 1850, John Edmoml, Matthew Gregory; ISUO, .lacoh 
Shaw, Daniel S. Sanford ; ISfil, Kdimind T. Dudley, Matthew Greg- 
ory ; 1,8(12, Walker Bates, George Oshorn ; 18i;3, John Edniond, Davi.l 
H. Slead; 18114, Walker Bates, Aaron Troa.lwell ; 18i;"j, Thomas B. 
Fanton, William Hill; 1800, Cliarles Osborne, E.lward P. Shaw; 
1807, David S. Johnson, William B. Hill ; 18i;8, Francis A. Sanford, 
B. S. Bonghton ; 1809, Aaron II. Davis, William H. Hill ; 1870, J.din 
S. Sauford, J. R. .Sanford ; 1871, E. F. Foster, Luz.m Jelliff; 1872, 
Henry S. Oshorn, Arthur B. Hill; 1873, Stehbins Baxter. Moses Hill; 
1874, J, R. Sauford, Edward P. Shaw ; 1875, Turm-y Sauford, Henry 
Burr Piatt; 187(1, James .Sauford, I hrin Piatt; 1877, Thomas S.auforxl, 
George F.Banks; 1878, Azaiiali E. Meeker, Daniel Sanford; 1870, 
Harvey B. Rumsey, George Coley; 18SI), David S. Battr.(m, .\zariah 
Meeker. 

PROBATE JUDGES. 

The town was made a Probate district in 1S39. The 
judges have been as follows : Thomas B. Fanton, 
Jonathan R. Sanford, Thaddeus M. Abbott, and 
Lemuel Sanford, present incumbent. 

SELECTMEN'. 

The present selectmen are Samuel S. (.)sborn, Ste- 
phen Sanford, and George Coley ; clerk and trea.surer, 
Lemuel Sanford. 

TOWN-HOUSE. 

The first town-house was built in 17'JS, and stood 
in the centre of the common, near the present build- 
ing. It was thirty-six feet long by thirty in width, 
" twelve-foot posts." It was " covered with long 
cedar shingles, the sides with pine." Peter, Ezekiel, 
and Aaron Sanford, Samuel Jarvis, Andrew L. Hill, 
and Simon Munger were chosen a committee " to re- 
ceive proposals and contract for building the aforesaid 
town-house." The present town-house was erected in 
1834. 

DOCUMENTARY HISTOltY. 

The following e.\tracts from the town records will 
prove of interest : 

Oct. 6, 1768, it was voted to " present a memorial 
to the General Assembly praying that Redding be 
made a county town." 

March 6, 1771, it was " voted and agreed, that 



whereas a Plan hath been proposed of moving to the 
General Assembly in May ne.Kt lor the erecting a new 
county, to consist of the towns of Danbury, Newtown, 
Ridgefield, Redding, and New Fairfield, we are will- 
ing and desirous that said towns shall be erected a 
county, and that we will assist them to endeavor to 
have said county established." The committee ap- 
pointed for this purpose were David Lyon, (iershom 
Morehouse, and James Roger.;. 

"TTrTrctober, 1773, the General Assembly passed a 
resolutidii, " to assert, and in some proper way su])- 
port their claim to those lands contained within the 
limits and bounds of the charter of this Colony west- 
ward of the Province of New York." 

The voice of Redding on this matter is found under 
date of March 14, 1774 : " Whereas it is the opinion 
of many of the freemen and other inhabitants of this 
Colony (and of this meeting in particuhir) that if the 
abovesaid Resolve be carried into execution it will 
inevitably involve the iuliabitants of Connecticut in 
a long, expensive, and fruitless Litigation with Mr. 
Penn ; therefore this meeting appoints as delegates 
Me.ssrs. William Hawley and Peter Fairchild to at- 
tend a meeting to be held at Middletown ou the bust 
Wednesday of Instant March to concert some [ivoper 
methods in order to put a stop to so disagreeable a 
procedure." 

THE NAME OF THE TOWN. 

A difl'erence of opinion has prevailed for numy 
years in regard to the origin and the jiroper way of 
spelling the name of this town. There can be no 
doubt but that the spelling was "Reading" when 
formed into a parish, and Mr. Hoadley, State lil>ra- 
rian, who is gotxl authority, says, " In the original 
bill for making the town, in li;(i7, the name seems to 
have been written ' Reading,' Irut altered to ' Red- 
ding.' In sundry editions of our statutes before 1849 
the name has been spelled both ways, — one way when 
the name occurs as forming a part of the county, and 
the other as forming a part of a Probate district. 
Since 1849 the spelling in the statutes is 'Reading.' " 

In the Eighteenth Connecticut Reports, in the trial 
of Sherwood against the town of AVeston, w'here the 
name of Redding occurs, Mr. Day has the following 
foot-note : " I am glad of this opportunity, as I am of 
every ojiportunity that occurs, of restoring, as far as 
my example will have the effect, the original and cor- 
rect orthography of the name of this town. The 
prevalent corruption (Redding) is not very flattering 
to the memory of Col. Read, whose conteniiioraries 
deemed his services and benefactions to the new cor- 
poration worthy of being held in grateful remem- 
brance by giving it a name derived from him." 

Whether, as Mr. Day, Mr. Harber, and others have 
a.sscrted, and as tradition maintains, it derived its 
name from C(jl. .lohn Read, or whtHher, a-s others 
suppose, it took its name from Reading, in Berkshire, 
England, it should be spelled " Reading." 

Mr. Todd, in his " History of Redding," gives it as 



622 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



his opinion, aft«r a thorough investigation, that "the | 
original name of the town was Reading, and that if i 
historical precedents are to be followed, it should be 
80 named now." He also gives Rev. Jloses Hill as 
authority, from information that lie derived from his 
father, that " at the time of its in(!orporation a meet- 
ing was held, at which it was voted that the name of 
the new town should be Redding." This is confirmed 
by the statement of persons contemporary with Capt. 
Ebenezer Hill, who made this statement; but, as no 
record of such a vote is found, tlie doings of that a.s- 
sertp<l meeting cannot be considered valid. 

Mr. Todd shows good judgment in spelling it Red- 
ding in his " History," because the people of the town 
prefer it, and it has been written that way so long 
that it would not be advisable to adopt the original 

spelling. 

MILITARY RECORD. 

Redding respondeil promptly to the call of our im- 
periled country during tlic late war of the Rebellion, 
and, from oflieial returns in the adjutant-general's 
oftiee, it appears that the town furnished one hundred 
and eight men for the service. The following is the 
list: 

SECOND KEGIMENT AKTILLKRY. 
Andrew H. Sanfonl, onl. Jan. 5, 1SC4 ; died in hospital in Pliiladolpliio, 
June 5, 18C4. 

Comp<iny C. 
Morris II. Sanford, second lieutenant; com. July 21,1802; pro. to first 
lieutenant, .\ug. 1, 1803; pro. to captain; wounded at battle of 
Fislior's Creek. 

THIRD REGIMENT. 

Vompany G. 

George W. Gould, must. Miiy 14, 1801 ; discli. Ang. 12, 1801. 

FIFTH REGIMENT. 

Company A. 

John II. Bennett, must. July 12, 1801; trans, to Inv. Corps, Sept. 1, 

180:!. 
Rufus Meail, Jr., must. July 12, 1801 ; rc.«nl. Dec. 21, 1803. 
Ile/.ckiah Sturges, must. July 12, 1801 ; died Oct. 14, ISOl. 
Arthur M. Thorp, must. July 12,1801; trans, to Inv. Corps, Sept. 1, 

1803. 
Benjamin F. Squires, must. July 12, 1801 ; scried throe years, and was 
honorably discharged. 

SIXTH REGIMENT. 
Company B. 
John Foster, most. Oct 28, 18«3. 

Gtmpany C. 
Francis De Four, must. Oct 28, 1803. 

Company O. 
John Murphy, must Oct. 28, 1803. 

SEVTISTU REGIMENT. 
Company D. 
Andrew li. Nic lu.ls, must. Sept 0,1801; rc^julisled; killed at battle of 

Dniry'« Rlutr, Vn., .May 10, I>'C4. 
Oscar Byington, must Sept 5. 1801. 
'William Nichols, must Sopt 6. 1801; discli. for disability, Jan. 3, 1803. 

CbmjMray /. 
George AV. Peck. on). Not. 4, 1802. 
Henry Clark, cnl. Oct 30, 1H|. 

Jerome Dufuy, cnl. Nov. 0, 18(3; killed at Olustec, Fla., Feb. 20, 1804. 
Emil Diimnd, enl. Not. 2, 1863. 
n. B. Chamberlain, <nl. Nov. 4, 1863. 



Henrj- D. Harris, onl. Oct 20, 1803. 

Peter Hill, enl. Oct 31, 1803; trans, to U. S. Navy, April 28, 1864. 

Robert Iloch, enl. Nov. 3, 186:1. 

Jnbn Milbr, enl. Nov 4, 160.). 

John H Tliomas, enl. Nov. :i, 1803. 

Antoine V.illoii, enl. Oct. 29. 180:). 

Willium Wil«.jn, enl. Nov. 6, 180:). 

William Watson, onl. Nov. 2, 1803; trans, to U. S. Navy, April 28, 1804. 

EIGHTH REGIMENT. 
Comp<inlf 11. 
Aaron A. Byington. corporal ; must Sept. 25, 1801. 
Lewis Bedient, must. Sept. 25, 1801. 

Thomas niKvl.iw, must. Sept. 25, 1801 ; rc-cnl. Dec. 24, 1803. 
William Hamilton, must Sept 25, ISCl ; rc-enl. Doc. 24, 1803. 
William II. Nichols, must. Sept. 25, 1801 ; re.onl. Jan. 5, 1804. 

Comptiny I. 
Franklin Paine, must Sept 25, 1801 ; died Slarch 8, 1802. 
Albert Woodruff, must. Sept. 25, 1801 ; disch. for disability Slay 11, 1802. 
Charles M. Piatt, must. Sept. 25, 1861 ; enl. Feb. 24, 1804. 

NINTH REGIMENT. 
Michael Dillon, enl. Feb. 17, 1804. 

TENTH REGIMENT. 

Comjiany D. 

Francis II. Grumman, must Sept. 21, 1801; died April 1, 1804. 

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 

Company A . 

Nathan Cornwall, si-rgfant; must. Oct 24,1801; re-enl. Jan. 1, 1804; 

pro. to first lieutenant; prisoner at Andorsonville. 
Samuel I). Ba.\tor. miret. Oct 24. 1801; disch. for disability Dec. 4, 1802. 
Charles 0. Morgon, must. Oct. 21, 1801 ; wounded; disch. for disability 
June 3, 1804. 

Company K. 

George Sherman, enl. Feb. 10, 1804. 

TWELFTH REGIMENT.* 

Company D. 

George Green, died June 11, 1803, of wounds received at Port Hudson. 

FOIUTEENTII REGIMENT. 

Oitmpany A. 

George Lover, must. June 10, 1862. 

Company E. 
Wesley Bunks, must. Oct 1, 180:); died Fob. 12, 1864, of wounds ro- 
ceivod at Morton's Font, V«. 

SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT.f 
Company A. 
Waterman Dates, disch. for disability Dec. 18, 1803. 

Company D. 
Edmund Treadwell, taken prhmnor in Florida. 

Company G. 
George W. Ranks, sergeant; disch. Sept. 15. 1802. 
David S. Durtnun, enl. Aug. 10, 1802: pro. to second lieulonant May 8, 

18(1:1; particiimted in battle of Chaiicellorsville ; taken prisoner at 

Gettysburg, July 3, 18lVt; imniled March 1,.1S05. 
Morris Jennings, disch. f.<r disubllity March 20, 1803. 
James M. Burr, disch. for di8;d.ility March 9, 1863. 
Martin Costello, taken prisoner. 

Andrew D. Couch, killed at Chancell.irsvllle >Iay 2. 1803. 
John W. Do Forrest, dis.h. f.>r ilisablllty April 4, 1801. 
Edmund Godfrey, disch. for disiibiilty March 9, 1863. 
George Hull. 
Burr Lockwood. 
Jtdm IxK'kwootl. 
Aaron Peck. 

John M. Sherman, disch. for disability Dec. 10, 1862. 
George Whalou. 

• Date of muster, ttom Nov. 20 IMl, to Jan. 1, 1862. 
t Date of muster ftvni July 14 to Aug. 14, 1862. 




i 



Pliotu. bj J. H. FolBom, Danbury. 




V^-^1^7>^^ 



'-^ 




REDDING. 



623 



TWENTT-TIIIRD REGIMENT* 
David H. Milk-r, major ; ilisdi. Aug. 31, 1803. 

Conip'iny D. 
Obadiah K. Coleman, discli. Aug. 31, 18G3. 
Charles A. Gregory, disch. A\ig. 31, 1SI»3. 

Omipany E. 
Seth P. Bates, sergeant; pro. to fii-st lieutenant; iliscii. Aug. 31, 18G3. 
George W. Gould, eorporal ; diseli. Aug. 31. l^G.J. 
Azariah E. Meeker, liist-h. Aug. 31, l.sr.i. 
Frederie I>. Chapnuin, diseh. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Henry H. Lee, diseli. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Charles AU.in, disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Edward Banks, disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Henry W. Bates, disch. Aug. 31, 180!. 
Charles II. Bates, disdi. Aug. ;!1, ISlVi. 
Smith Bates, diseh. Aug. 31,lSC:t. 
Lemuel li. Benedict, diit'h. Aug. 31, LSI!!. 
Peter W. Binlsall, disch. Aug. 31, 1SI..1. 
William K. Brown, disch. Aug. 31, I8r>l. 
Henry F. Burr, disch. Aug. 31, 181'iJ. 
M. V. B. Burr, disch. Aug. 31, 18a3. 
Aaron Burr, disch. Aug. 31, 186!. 
Ammi Carter, died Aug. 12, 1801. 
William Coley, disch. Aug. :!], 18C.X 
Cyrus B. Eastford, disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
William Fanton, disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Charles A. Field, discli. Aug. 31, 1813. 
8;iinuel S. Gray, disch. Aug. 31, 18Ki. 
.Tames F. Jellitr, discli. Aug. 31, 1803. 
I liarles Lockwood, diseh. Aug. :il, 1803. 
I lihu tislH.rne, rlisch. .\ug. 31, 1803. 
,l..hn Osl.orue, disch. Aug. 31, ISKS. 
lli-nry Parsons, disch. Aug. 31,1803. 
Henry Piatt, diseh. Aug. 31, 1813. 
.^aiiford J. Piatt, disch. Aug. 3], 1863. 
.I.imes J. Kyder, disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
George E. Smith, disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Anton-Stommel, disch. Aug. 31, 1803, 
Jacob B. St. .I.din, disch. .\ug. 31, 180.3. 

C<»itpany G, 
Balpli S. Meade, disch. Aug. 3],lsm. 
Henry WliwUsk, disch. Aug. :!1, \sea. 
George S. Tarhell, disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Almon S. Merwiu, disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 

Onnpani/ K. 
Lyman Whitehead, disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 

TWIiNTV-NINTH liJWIMENT (COLORED). 

CoJiijHiHy .-1. 
Joliu H. Hall, must. March 8, 1864. 

CMnpmvj E. 
John M Coley, must. March 8, 1804. 

Theodore Nelson, must. March 8, 1801; died April 0, 1804. 
Lafayette .S. Williams, must. March s, 1801. 
Edward Yoorhies, must. Mai'ch 8, 1804. 

Companij (r. 
Joseph F. Butler, corporal ; must. March 8, ISM. 
Henry B. Pease, must. March 8, 1804. 
Cato Johnson, must. March 8, 18(i4. 

Feb. 4, 18(52, a meeting was lielil in (ieorgetowu for 
the purpose of electing oflicers for Company E, Eiglith 
Regiment, Second Brigade, Connecticut State Militia, 
the company being known as Company E, National 
Guard. 

David H. Miller, Redding, was elected captain ; Hiram St. John, Wilton, 
first lieutenant ; George M. Godfrey, Wilton, second lieutenant; John 
N. Main, Redding, first sergeant; James Corcoran, Wilton, second 
sergeant; Lewis Northrop, Weston, third sergeant; David S. Bar- 



* Date of muster from Aug. IJ to Sept. 'iO, 1802, 



tram. Redding, fourth sergeant; Aaron O. .Scribner, Wilton, fifth 
sergeant ; William 1>. Gilbert, Wilton, first corporal ; Aaron II. Davi", 
Rediiing, second corporal ; Abtnzo Dickson, Redding, third corporal ; 
Jeremiah K. Miller, Wilton, fourth corporal; Edward Thoini'Son. 
Redding, fifth corporal; Seth P. Bates, Redding, sixth eorpoi'al ; 
George W. Gould, Redding, seventh corporal; Albeit D. Sturges, 
Wilton, eighth corporal. 
Prifalen. — John W. Mead, Ridgefield; Moses Comstock, Wilton; James 
'Lobdell, W'ilton; James F. .lellifl, Weston; Ilezidiiali B. Osboiii, 
Redding; .loseph R. Lockwood, Wilt.. n ; Henry Pardons, Ue.l.ling; 
William H. Canfield, Re.l.ling; Min..t .S. Patrick, Re.l.ling; (Miarli's 
A. Jennings, Wilton ; Edwin Gilbert, Re.l.ling; David E. .Smith, Red- 
ding; Hiram (.'obleigh. Redding; Samuel A. Main, Re.l.ling; .\nt.jn 
Stomuiel, Rediiing; Ge.irge L. Dann, Wilton ; J.muthan Betts, Wes- 
t.in; ChariM Olmsted, Wilton; Charles Albin, Redding; Fre.lerick 
D. Chapman, Redding; Henry Hohnian, Re.l.ling; William 11. Smith, 
Rediiing; William E. Brothwell, Wilton; Azariah E. Meeker, Red- 
ding; ('harles S. Gregory, Re.lding; Cliarlea S. Jleeker, Re.iiiiiig; 
Charles H. Downs, Red. ling; William Coley, Re.l.ling; L.irenzo 
.Tones, Re.l.ling; Henry F. Burr, Redding; Oba.liah P. C.lemaii, 
Redding; Charles H. Canfleld, Redding; John L. Godfiey, Wilton; 
Sylvester Albin, Redding, 

The company uniformed itself and drilled until 
August, 1802. When Governor liuckingham called 
for troops to serve for nine months, the entire com- 
mand volunteered its services, and was accepted. 
The company was immediately recruited up to one 
hundred and eight men, and reported for duty at 
Cam]) Terry, New Haven, whore it was mustereil into 
the United States service as Company E, Twenty- 
third Ilegiment Connecticut Volunteers. On the 
formation of the Twenty-third Kegiment, Capt. Mil- 
ler was promoted to be major of the regiment. 
George M. tJodfrey was elected captain of Company 
E, to fill the vacancy caused by the promotion of 
Capt. Miller, and John N. Main promoted to second 
lieutenant, to till vacancy caused by the jiromotion of 
Lieut, (iodfrey. 

The company was sent with the regiment from New 
Haven to Camp Buckingham, on Long Island, and 
from thence by steamer " Che Kiang" to New Orleans, 
where it was embodied in the Nineteenth Army Corps, 
under Gen. Banks. It was engaged at La Fourche 
Crossing, La., on June 21, 18(5.'i, with a superior force 
of the rebels, liut came out victorious. It was mus- 
tered out of the service at New Haven, Sept. 3, 1863, 
after serving nearlv thirteen months. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

THOMAS SANFORD. 
Thomas Sanford was born in lledding, Fairfield 
Co., Conn., Sept. 27, 1823. He is the youngest of the 
children of Jonathan R. Sanford, and was named 
for his grandfather, Thomas Davies, M.D., one of the 
early practitioners of medicine in Redding. His 
early educational advantages wore very limited, being 
confined to an attendance upon the public schools of 
the town, and upon them, after an early ago, only 
during the winter term ; and two or three terms in a 
private school in his native place. It was his expec- 



624 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



tation to be a farmer, and it was thought that there 
was need of little study of books, but of much work 
for that pursuit. He followed his chosen business on 
the paternal estate till 1850, when he was appointed 
deputy sheriff, continuing in that office six years. In 
18G0 he was elected sheriff of the county. This office 
he held for three years to the great satisfaction of his 
constituents, being a favorite of the members of the 
bar of the county. At the expiration of his term he 
declined a renomination. 

He represented the town in the State Legislature 
in 18.36 and 1877. The latter time he was chairman 
of the committee on the part of the House on the 
school fund, and also served on other imi)ortaiit com- 
mittees. During this session he took some part in the 
debate upon measures under consideration, and was 
very favorably regarded by the members of both po- 
litical parties in the Legislature. After its adjourn- 
ment, the Hartford Couranf, opposed to Mr. Sanford 
in politics, in an article remarking upon the leading 
members of 'the House, paid a tribute of respect to 
him as one of the foremost men of that body on the 
Democratic side. At this session he was appointed 
by the Legislature a member of the committee to 
take into consideration increased accommodations for 
the indigent insane. 

Mr. iSanford has served on several important com- 
missions appointed by the Oovernor. To one of these 
was committed the duty of revising and condensing the 
pauper laws of the State. The existing statutes on 
this subject are the work of this committee, in which 
he took a prominent part. He has also acted fre- 
quently as a member of a committee of the Superior 
Court in the trial of cases and in the assessment of 
damages where lands have been taken for railroads 
and other purposes. 

He was one of the selectmen of the town for ten 
consecutive years until, in 1879, he declined a renom- 
ination. He was also at various times one of the as- 
sessors, and a member of the board of relief and 
agent of the town. Atone time he received the nom- 
ination for comptroller of the State by the Demo- 
cratic party, but failed of an election. 

It is ])roi)er here to remark that Mr. Sanford never 
sought office. His extensive information, excellent 
knowledge of public adiiirs, sound judgment, sturdy 
honesty, kindly heart, and affable manners caused 
the.officc-sto seek him, and he haa never disappointed 
expectations. 

Since his retirement from the sheriffalty, Mr. San- 
ford has been largely engaged in the settlement of 
estates. He hius also held many funds in trust for 
children. While he has pursued the work of culti- 
vating the ancestral acres, his time is mainly occupied 
in attending to business intrusted U) him by his fel- 
low-citizens, who have entire confidence in his ability 
and trustworthines.«. « 

He resides in the old home in Redding where his 
father and grandfather dwelt. He is a member of 



the Congregational Church, and takes a lively inter- 
est and active part in the affairs of the Ecclesiastical 
Society therewith connected, and is an efficient sup- 
porter of the same. 

Mr. Sanford has fine social qualities, is a good con- 
versationalist and a genial comi)anion, and has the 
esteem of a very extensive circle of acquaintances in 
the town, county, and State, and is a worthy descend- 
ant of an honored ancestrv. 



JUDGE LEMUEL SANFORD. 

Judge Lemuel Sanford was born in Redding, Conn., 
Sept. 18, 1816. 

His father, Jonathan R. Sanford, through a long 
life enjoyed in an eminent degree the confidence and 
respect of the community in which he lived. Having 
been appointed in 1808 to the office of town clerk 
and treasurer, he held them by consecutive annual 
appointment till his decea.se, in 18.58. He frequently 
represented his town in the State Legislature, filled 
the office of Probate judge, and discharged the duties 
of various trusts, both of a private and public nature, 
and exhibited in all his acts a stern integrity and 
purity of purpose seldom equaled. 

His mother, a woman of more than ordinary intel- 
ligence and strength of mind, was a daughter of Dr. 
Thomas Davis, long a leading physician of Fairfield 
County. 

The early days of Lemuel Sanford were spent with 
his father, aiding him in the cultivation of his farm, 
and frequently assisting him in the discharge of his 
official duties. Laboring on the farm in summer for 
several sea.sons, he taught the winter school. While 
yet a young man he wjw elected a justice of the peace, 
and still holds that office. During the time his father 
was judge of Probate, Lemuel was Probate clerk, and 
when Mr. Sanford the elder reached the age of sev- 
enty, Lemuel was apjiointed to succeed him in the 
office of Probate judge in 1858, which office, with the 
exception of one year, he has held till the pre;5ent 
time. At the annual town-meeting immediately 
succeeding his father's death he was ai)pointed town ; 
clerk and treasurer, and has ever since held the same j 
with the exception of one year. He served his dis" 
trict (Eleventh Senatorial), in the State Senate inj 
1847 with credit to himself and to the entire .satisfac- 
tion of his constituents. Since the retirement of his ' 
father, in 18.56, he has been clerk and treasurer of 
the Congregational Society of Redding, having bntt 
Bjipointed at that time. He has also filled the otli^ .■ 
of selectman and other town offices. 



J.\MKS SANFORD. 

James Sanford was born in 1799, in the town of 
Redding. His occujjation was first that of a tanner, 
which he followed for some years, when he turned hia 
attention to farming. Inventing a straw- and hay- 




Photo- hy J. U. t'olsom. Uanbuiy. 



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en 

CO 

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o 




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ir 



)Z^'^::f^^ /^L^jz^^M, X,;^:^^ 




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I"li.]li>. I'.r J. U. FolsuiH. Uinbury. 



^^^d^ 



h<-^ ^a^^vt-^^^n-cZ^ 



REDDING. 



G25 



cutter in l.S4;^, he built ;\ fiiumlry for their nuiiiufae- 
ture wliii'h lie ediitiniieil for about fifteen years. He 
married early in life Kli/.u, ilaufrhter of John Freueli, 
of Eastiin. Their ehihlren have been eleven, nine of 
whom are still livinir, namely : Turney, 8eenah, 
James, Sarah, Ste|>hen, Betsey, Abbie, Henry, ami 
Cliarles, Joliu (ileceased), and Perkins (deceased). 

Mr. .lames Sanford has probably devoteil more 
time to publie service than any man now living, and 
quite as much as any man who has ever lived in tlie 
town of Redding. He has been State Senator, rejire- 
sentative, and selectnnin. He has been a member of 
the Episcopal t'hurch in Itedding since a very young 
man, and its senior warden for a great many years. 

Stephen Sanford, the tburth son, was born in Red- 
ding, Conn., March 28, lS:i.") ; ri'ceived liis education 
at the district school, after leaving which worked on 
his father's farm until he attained tlie age of twenty- 
two, when he engaged in business for himself, carry- 
ing on tlie foundry and inachine-slio|) which up to 
this time had been conducted by his father. This 
business he sid<l at the einl of five years to engage in 
the manufacture of honi buttons, which, witli farm- 
ing, has been his business ever since. His residence 
and factory are situated in the eastern part of the 
t(j>vii of Redding, known as Sanfordville. 

Mr. Sanford gives employment to about twenty 
operatives, and inanufacture.i about fifleeu thousand 
great gross of buttons annually. His establishment 
was burned in the winter of 1874, but was rebuilt tlie 
fallowing si)ring. He was married Xov. 2.'i, 181)4, to 
Miss JIary 8., eldest daughter of Francis B. and Al- 
mira Slierwoo<l Banks, of Fairfield. Their children 
are Emory, Berkiiis, and Stephen Ernest. 

Mr. Sanford united with the Ejiiscopal Church 
when quite young, of which he has always been a 
consistent member and of which he is senior warden. 

In jiolitics he is a staunch Democrat; has been 
selectman a number of years and is one of the present 
board. 



JOXATII.VN RU.^SELL SANFORD. 

Jonathan Russell Sanford, son of .Tonathan R. 
Sanford, was born in the town of Redding, Oct. '2'>, 
1811). What education he rei'cived was at tlie district 
school. 

He was married May l(i, 1847, to Clarrissa, daugh- 
ter of the late Deacon Samuel Read, a descendant of 
Col. .Tohn Read. But oni! child was born to them, a 
daughter, who die<l without a moment's warning at 
the age of twenty-five. 

Mr. Saiiford's occuiiation has always been that of 
farming, with the cxceiition of two years in the 
earlier part of his life spent in nu^rcantile pursuits. 

He was a member of the Connecticut House of 
Representatives for the town of Redding in the years 
18.54, '71), '74, anil senator from the Eleventh Sena- 
torial District in 1878-7;). He has repeatedly held 



the office of assessor, member of the board of relief 
of the town of Redding, and registrar of marriages, 
births, and deaths, retiring from the latter office in 
18(i4. Mr. Sanford has often acted as ap|iraiser and 
ecnnmisKioner in estates, and holds at the present 
time the office of clerk of Probate for the district of 
Redding, having held the same continuously since 
18.")1, with the cxeejition of one year. He has also 
frequently held the office of selectman. 

A Jleriden paper, in commenting upon the Legis- 
lature, the qualifications of its members, etc., at the 
close of the first session of ^[r. Sanford's service, 
although opposed to him in politics, paid him this 
tribute : 

"Senator Sanford, rcjircsenting the Eleventh Dis- 
trict, is one of the most popular and deserving mem- 
bers of the iip|.)er House. He has rei)resented the 
town of Redding three terms in the lower House, and 
has correct views regarding the duties of a legislator. 
He intuitively grapples with the most difticult jirob- 
lenis of State legislation, and very readily comes to a 
correct conclusion whether a pen<ling measure is for 
the public good, or whether it is licing advanceil by 
the lobby in the interest of a select {cw. He is an 
energetic worker in the committee room, and although 
modest and retiring in his manner, making no osten- 
tatious display on the floor of the capitol, he exerts 
a wide influence in a (juict, effective way, and his 
vote is always given in the direction of the greatest 
good to the greatest number. This is Mr. Sanford's 
first term as senator, he holding over from htst year 
under the new regime. We hope to see him re-elected 
under biennial retbrni which is to be." 



JOHN AVHEELER 8ANF0RD. 
J(dHi Wheeler Sanford was born at Weston, Fair- 
field, Co., Conn., May 21, 17i)9. His lather and 
grandfather were both named ,fohn. The fbrmer, a 
farmer by occupation, was a man possessed of con- 
siderable mechanical ingenuity, and was engaged at 
various times in the manufacture of lasts, plows, 
etc. He married Lydia Wheeler, daughter of John 
Wheeler, of Weston. His children were Betsey (now 
Mrs. Aaron Lyons, a widow, living in Redding, over 
ninety), Rutli (now Mrs. David Duncomli, over eighty- 
eight), Margaret (deceased), Sally (deceased), John 
W., Eli (deceased), and Lydia Ann (deceased). His 
mother dying wdien he was but eight years (dd, 
John W. remained with his father until he was 
eleven, when he was put out to labor with Daniel 
Holmes, of Weston, living with him four yi^ars. The 
next year he spent on a fiirin and the following he 
went to learn the carjienter's trade, serving an ap- 
prenticeship of five years. The next year he worked 
as journeyman in Orange Co., N. Y. In the spring 
of 1822, March "jtli, he was married to Altha, daughter 
of Ca]it. .Vb(d and .lerusha (Sturges) Faiiton, of Wes- 
ton. The children born to them have been Mary 



C2G 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Ann, George W. (deceased), Harriet S. (decfii.>L(li, 
Flora M., Edward J., and Georgiana. 

For two years after Mr. Sanford's marriage he de- 
voted himself exclusively to his trade. At this time 
he ]iurehased the plaee on which he lives. • At the 
time of its purchase by Mr. Sanford it consisted of an 
old house and out-buildings, and thirty acres of land. 
The contrast must, indeed, be striking between its 
a])pcarance then, to those who remember it.s old tum- 
ble-down, unpainted buildings, its irregular .stone 
fences carelessly thrown together, offering no barrier 
to the free ingress and egre.ss of cattle and swine, and 
the rock- and stump-eovered and ill-defined field, to its 
present thrifty appearance, its commodious, well- 
painted house and snug out-bnildings, it-s regular 
fields ])rotectcd by mathematically correct built walls, 
its well-tilled fields and lu.xuriant orchards ; not a post 
of the original structures remains, and to the original 
purchase has been added from time to time until the 
farm contains one hundred acres of excellent land. 

Mr. and Mrs. Sanford and all the children are 
members of the I']piscopal church of Redding. 

In politics Mr. Sanford was formerly Whig, now 
Republican. He represented his town in the Legisla- 
ture in 1842. He is now living with his consort of 
fifty-eight years, both in the enjoyment of excellent 
general liealth. Their son Edward J. is of the firm 
of Sanford, Cluunberlain & Allen, wholesale druggists 
of Knoxville, Tenn. 

JESSE LEE SANFORD. 

Je.sse Lee Sanford was born Jan. 4, 1831, in Red- 
ding, Fairfield Co., Conn. His father, Aaron San- 
ford, Wits probably as prominent a man as the town 
of Redding has produced. For many years of liis life 
he dill virtually the town Imsine.ss. He held all the 
town office.-* at various times; was either selectman or 
justice of the peace for nearly fifty years. He died 
at the age of eighty-six. 

Je-sse L. Sanford was the fifth son of Aaron and 
Fanny (Hill) Sanford. His education was derived 
from the common school and .\meiiia Seminary, in 
Dutehe.ss Co., N. Y., at which institution he spent a 
year and a half. He remained with his father on the 
home farm until his marriage, March 19, 1863, to 
Miss Fanny M., only daughter of George and Sarah 
(Goodscl) O.sborn, of Redding, when he took u]) his 
residence on the farm joining his father's on the 
north, a portion of wliich consisteil of a part of the 
homesteaii, and devoted his entire time to farming. 
His father-in-law, the late Mr. Osborn, was a promi- 
nent man in his town. An extensive farmer and 
cattle-dealer, lie found time to do considerable busi- 
ness for his town, rcpre-scnting it in the Legislature 
during two sessions. 

The children of Je.'we L. and Fanny Sanfortl are 
Marslial D., Jessie O., Samuel II., Sarah E., Fannie 
O., and George O. 



WILLIAM H. UILL. 

AVilliani II. Hill was born May 1, 184.5, in the town 
of Redding, Fairfield Co., Conn. He comes of along 
line of ancestry, tracing his descent from William 
Hill, the name of his earliest ancestor in this country, 
who arrived here about 1632, twelve years after tlic 
"Mayflower." "Hesettled fora while at Dorchestrr 
Mass., and then after a time removed to Windsor, 
on the Conneticut River, above Hartford, where he 
bought land and set out an orchard. From there he 
very early removed to Fairfield, where he lived and 
died, and his last will and testament is recorded in an 
ancient volume of the records of the ' Particular 
Court' for Fairfield County, in the above-named 
library." (From "Genealogy of the Hill Family." i 

.John L. Hill, father of the subject of this memoir, 
was born June 1.5, 1810, in Redding. He was nuir- 
ried to Miss Harriet X., eldest daughter of David and 
Ruth (Sanford) Duncomb, of Redding, May 4, 184ii. 
Their children were William H. and Josephine E. 
The latter married Rev. E. W. Burr, of the Newark 
Conference. Their children are Harriet and Eugene 
W. William 11. Hill is married to Mary A., daughter 
of Frederick .\. and Caroline (Parsons) Hotchkiss, of 
Sharon, and their children are John R., Carrie L. 
(deceased), Frederick H., and Ernest W. 

John L. Hill carried on the business of linic- 
making for a number of years, but about ten year^ 
before his death he turned his attention to farming, 
purchasing the place on which his family now lives. 
The lime-kiln which the late Mr. Hill operated was 
probably the oldest in the State, luiving been built by 
Col. John Read, his great-grandfather. The farm 
purchased by the elder Hill was known ius the Read 
place, and at the time of its purchase was in a most 
dilapidated condition; but before his death, by his 
energy, he brought it into the present snug and 
thrifty condition, which his son has since maintained. 
He also built the beautiful residence which still 
graces the place. He died in his seventieth year. 
His son, William H. Hill, had every advantage "( 
district school and academic education, finishing his 
education at Mr. Selleck's, in Norwalk. On reaching 
his majority he took entire charge of the extensive 
farm, and enjoys the enviable reputation of being one 
of the best farmers of his town. 

In polities he is Republican, and has filled many 
town offices. In ISti!) he represented his town in the 
Legislature. His mother has been a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church of Redding for more than 
forty years, and to this church the family has attached 
itself as thev have rcjiched vears of discretion. 



li 



WALKER BATES. 

Walker Bates was born in Redding, Fairfield Co., 

Conn., .June 4, IT'.lli, and was the son of Elias Bates, an 

esteemed citizen of the town. He obtained his early 

education in the common school of his district and 




i-Pty 




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I 



REDDING. 



C27 



under the iiistnictinii of Rev. Jduatliaii Barllelt, wlm 
was a native of Kedilin^ and tin- thirteen Vi-ars |)astor 
of the Con^nvj;atic)nal Cliureh tliere, and after his pas- 
torate prepareil many persons for the work of teaeh- 
inn. When still young Mr. Rates eommeneed teaeh- 
inir, an<l pursued that avocation for several years in 
the eoniiMon si hools of this anil adjoiniiifj towns. In 
IS'l'i he o|iened a boarding- and day-sehool for lioys, 
and eontinued it for many years. .\t the same time 
he engaged in agriculture on a somewhat scientific 
plan. His .school was a great success, as he was well 
fitted for the work by his mental acquirements and 
disripline, and Ity an intense interest in the young, as 
will as Ijy his genial manners and a happy faculty 
lil imparting knowledge, thus stimulating the youth- 
ful mind for the work of an educatiir. Xot a few 
who have occupied and are now tilling important and 
honorable stations in life enjoyed his tiiithful tuition. 
He was an enthusiast in the pursuit of knowledge, 
and his pupils caught something of his spirit. His 
powers of conversation were so good and his manner.* 
so affable that the youth gathered around him with 
eager interest, and enjoyed greatly their intercourse 
witli him. He was also an author, and wrote in po- 
etic numbers. Hi- had a Riblc-class in the Sunday- 
school, and had no lack of mendiers. He was a great 
favorite with the young. 

Mr. Bates has filled most of the ottiees in the town, 
and was for a number of years the moderator of the 
town-meetings, over which he presided with efticiency. 
He often acted as executor and administrator in the 
settlement of estates, performing the various trusts 
reposed in him to the satisfaction of tliose concerned. 

He represented the town in the General Assendily 
in 1832, 1S3.'), 184(1, 18.''>4, ]S(;2, and 18(>4, taking, 
too, quite a ]irominent part in the business of the 
Legislature. In several instances, w hen a memljcr of 
that body, he was called by the (Speaker to the chair 
during his absence. 

It may be well said of him that in all the acts of liis 
life, both public and private, he exhibited a sense of 
jhonor and integrity rarely surpassed. 
I Mr. Bales is a member of the Congregational ( !hurch 
in his native town, and for a nund)er of years was 
the leading committee of the Ectdesiastical Society 
therewith connected. 

He is now in his eighty-fifth year, confined mostly 
to the house, and is obliged generally to keep his bed, 
Ibeing a great sufferer from nu'utal and physical dis- 
ease. 



I CORTE.S MERCHANT.* 

I The first record we find of the Merchant family 
jSguring to any extent in matters of public interest 
Jonnectcd with the town of Redding appears in the 
person of Gurdon Merchant, who was the first town 



* Tliis name is sometimes snelled Marcluint. 



tn'asurcr and held many other offices of local trust 
anil importance. He married Eleanor Chauncy, a 
sister of Admiral Chauncy and daughter of the first 
Episcopal ministi'r in Newtown. .Joel Merchant was 
the sixth child of Gurdon and Eleanor Merchant. 
The first twenty years of his life was passed in dissi- 
pation and idleness. After squamlering the whole of 
his patrimony he became disgusted with his mode of 
life, and making a resolve, as he said, never to return 
to Redding until he coidd bring back with him as 
much money as he had squandered, left his birth- 
place and went to New Jersey in pursuit of employ- 
ment. He was so successful as to lie able in a short 
time to ri'turn to his native town, his end accom- 
plished. 

He then erecteil the old stone house now standing 
near Redding Station, and within sight of the Dan- 
bury and Norwalk Railroad, fashioning it after the 
models of the early Dutch settlers wdiich he had seen 
while laboring to replace his lost fortiuie in New 
Jersey. 

He married Molly Sanford, daugliter of David Sun- 
ford, an old Revolutionary sohlier. Tliey had eight 
children, of whom Cortes, the third child, w;ls the 
eldest son. 

Cortes Merchant was born June '.>, 1797. His early 
education was obtained in the public schools which 
the town afforded ; but having drank to the dregs the 
cup of knowledge which they oficred, he received in- 
struction from the Rev. Daniel Crocher, then resi- 
dent pastor of the Congregational Church. 

Commodore Chauncy (when on a visit to his neplipw, 
Joel Merchant) offered young Cortes, then fifteen years 
of age, a mid.shipnum's berth on board the admiral'.s 
ship. This advantageous offer, though at first ac- 
cejited, was declined by the young aspirant upon 
witnessing the excessive grief liis mother evinced at 
parting from her eldest son. 

Arrived at manhood, he, in jiartnershi[> with his 
brother Orton, erected a factory for the manufacture 
of woolen goods. But a disastrous fire sof)n took [los- 
session of both building and stock, and the business 
was discontinued never to be resumed. He married 
Rebecca Rockwell, daughter of Thomas and Deborah 
Rockwell, of Ridgebury, Oct. 1, 182S, after which he 
purchased the farm on IJmpawaug, where he resided 
at the time of his death. 

He first figures in ])ublie matters in the year IS.SO, 
as .seleetnum, wdiich oflice he c<uitiniied to hold at in- 
tervals, with various others of publico trusts and im- 
portance, until the year IXOG, when he was disipiali- 
fied by age from ofiice-holding. 

He was elected by the Democratic party in ]S.">4 to a, 
seat in the State Senate. While there the Nebraska 
bill was i>ending, and he was the only nu-mber wdio 
east a negative vote. The lii-pii/tfirrni Fnrmer of May 
23, 1854, says, "All the members of the Connecti- 
cut Senate but five arc Whigs. The Hon. Cortes Mer- 
chant, wdio gave the only negative vote, is a Democrat, 



628 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



from Redding, in Fairfield County, — a brave and noble 
man, we have no doubt. AV'e wish we had the honor 
of his ao<iuaintanec. We would introdueo him to 
another honest and good man who in the Massaehu- 
sett^i House of Representatives, a few years ago, gave 
the only No in opposition to a series of resolutions in 
favor of the Wilmot Proviso. The latter is proud of 
his vote to this day, and Mr. Merchant, we have no 
doubt, will feel a similar i)lcasure in retleeting upon 
the position he has now taken." — Jotirna/ Courier. 

"All that the i/b«rHa/ says of Mr. Merehant is true. 
He is 'one of the men' who stand firm when the 
timid waver in the presence of an unscrupulous ma- 
jority, Mr. Denining, of Litchfield County, another 
seii.ilor, though not present when the vote was taken, 
afterwards recorded his name against the nullification 
doctrines avowed in the resolutions of the majority." — 
NetB Haven liet/isler. 

The ne.xt year (1855) he was elected a member of 
the House of Rej)reseiitatives. 

In ]iolitics he wils an active worker and a staunch 
Democrat. It was his boast that he had never in his 
life cast any but a Democratic vote, and that he 
never "scratched" a ticket, however personally ob- 
noxious or incompetent to fill the nomination he 
might deem the candidate to be. 

Personally, we can, without exaggeration, call him 
a wonderful man. He was one of the few mighty 
who, ste|) by step, inch by inch, fought and conquered 
in the battle of life, and, by vanquishing all of the 
follies and temptations which a.s.sail man in this 
world of ours, lived up to the golden rule. His word, 
once spoken, carried conviction with it a.s far as bis 
name wiia known. He died Nov. 25, 1874, leaving a 
spotless name and sincerely mourned by all who 
knew him. He was what the poet IJurns very cor- 
rectly styles "the noblest work of <!<m1, an honest 
man." 



EDWAUD MEUCHANT. 

Edward Merchant was born in the town of Red- 
ding, where he resided during a long life, and where 
he died Sept. 24, 1877, in his seventy-first year. 

His father, Joel Merchant, was a farmer, but, besides 
tilling the soil, he carried on to some extent the man- 
ufacture of clothing. Kdward Merchant received 
his education in the district school. He was married 
April 14, 1839, to Betsey, daughter of Azariah and 
Sarah (Coley ) Andrews, of the town of Redding. The 
children of this union wcie Sarah J., Annie, and 
Elizabeth. 

Edward Merchant followe<l the calling to which 
he was reared, that of a farmer, through a long and 
eventful life, enjoying in the fullest the respect of all 
who knew him. 



TIIADDEUS M. ABHOTT. 

Deacon Thaddeus M. Abbott is descended from 
George Abbott, who came from England, and wa.s one 
of the first settlers of Norwalk. He was a land-owner, 
and his name is in the earliest town records of 1653. 
His will, made in 1089, was recorded March 11, 1690. 

Deacon T. M. Abbott Wius born Sept. 3, 1812, in 
Redding. He was the youngest of a family of six. 
His father, also named Thaddeus, a blacksmith by 
trade, moved to Redding soon after his marriage, in 
1788. His wife was Rebecca, daughter of Mar- 
vin, of Norwalk. After thirty years Thaddeus, Sr., 
turned his attention to fiirming, which he followed 
during the remainder of his life. At his father's 
death, which occurred when he was in his twentieth 
year, young Abbott had atten<led only the district 
and select schools of his town. After the above-men- 
tioned event he taught a district school in Ridgefield 
one term, and then attended Mr. S. S. St. John's 
school in Ridgefield for- one year, when he taught 
a term in his native town. This was the last of 
his teaching, and he again turned his attention to 
farming. 

In 1836 he was married to MLss Mary J. Frost, ••( 
Poughkeepsie. Their children have been France- .1. 
(deceased), Ezra M. (deceased), and Charles M. Soon 
after his marriage Mr. Abbott entered the mercantile 
business, in connection with his brother-in-law, E. M. 
Frost, in Redding. This he followed for five years, 
leaving it to engage in farming. About this time 
there occurred one of those incidents which .seem to 
be pure accident, but which tend to shape our lives. 
Wanting a sleigh of peculiar make, .such as he could 
not procure nor find any one to build, he determined 
to make one for himself. His first ellbrt did not suit 
him exactly, and he made another. This was the 
beginning of a protracted apprenticeship to himself 
extending over a period of many years. 

In politics Mr. Abbott started as a Whig, and by 
that party Wius elected to various town ofiices, besides 
representing his town in the State Legislature. In 
1847 he was appointed to the office of Probate judge, 
filling it again iu 1864, after it became an elective 
office. In 1852, Mr. Abbott united with the ('■■»• 
gregational Church of Redding, his wifo joining iit 
the same time. In 1854 he became one of the deacons, 
which position he has since held. 



NASH 1 ni I'll, 

Nash Couch was born Oct. 17, 1794, in Redding, 
Fairfield Co., Conn., on the homestead purchased by 
his ancestors from the Iiulians. His gramlfathcr, 
Simon Couch, and his father, Thomas Couch, were 
both farmers, and quite naturally young N:ish wan 
reared to the same pursuit, which he followed through- 
out a long life. 

Nash Couch was married early in life to Polly, 
daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Morgan) Gorham, of 




KDWAIM) .MKUCUANT. 




T. M. ABBOTT. 




NASH COUCH. 




^ ^^^^^.^.^.^ 



I'lioeo. by ., „. K„|,„,„ j,^__^^^_^ 



-t^y^r^ 



EEDDING. 



029 



ReiUlintr, nnd the ohili.lren liorn totlu'iu were Henry, j 
Jane A., and William. 

Nash remained -with his father, assisting in the 
tillage of the paternal aeres, nntil the death of the 
latter, when he came into possession of the same. 
The distriet in whieh the family reside is known as [ 
Couch District, from the family. At the age of . 
sixty-tive Mr. (Vuich lost the use of his limbs and 
remained an invalid the remainder of his life. He 
wa.s known and respected hy his fellow-townsmen as 
an upright man and good citizen. 



two hundred and sixty-six acres, an<l devotes himself 
to cattle-raising, feeding, and farming, also dealing in 
real estate. He is Eepid)lican in polities, and has 
represented Redding in the Legislature since taking 
up his residence in the town. 



HARVEY BASSETT EUMSEY. 

Harvey Bassett Rumscy was born in jNIonticello, 
Sullivan Co., N. Y., June II, lS;ii>. 

His father, Lewis Rumsey, also a native of Monti- 
cello, was a farmer by oci'Upation, was a Whig in 
politics, as were his ancestors before him, and was 
prominent in the politics of his tcjwn and county. He 
was married at the age of twenty-five to Nancy Bas- 
sett, of his town, but who was a native of Washing- 
ton Co., N. Y. Their children were Harvey B. and 
S. Louisa. 

The early life of our sid>iect was spent in New York, 
assisting his father and attending school. He enjoyed 
educational advantages of the common school and 
academy, leaving the latter institution at the age of 
nineteen to go to the Sacramento valley under the 
following circumstances : His mother's youngest 
brother went to California among the earliest pio- 
neers to that State. Losing his health in the mines, 
he was advised to cross the plains to recover it. He 
went to New Orleans, purchasing there four hun- 
dred and fifty head of cattle and about twenty horses. 
With these he started overland to California. Losing 
his foreman by drowning, he wrote to his nephew's 
parents asking that he be allowed to go by steamer 
and meet him at Sacramento, to assist him on his ar- 
rival there with the stock. The nephew, Harvey B., 
nothing loath, thus found himself, at a very tender 
age, in the then Eldorado of the world. He remained 
with his uncle two and a half years, returning only 
when his presence was imperatively demanded by the 
condition of affairs at home, caused by his father's 
death, which had occurred eighteen months before. 
During his uncle's mining career, he and a jiartner 
took from a place called Rattlesnake Bar eighty thou- 
sand dollars within a month. Mr. Rumsey resided 
with his mother until one year after his marriage, 
after his return from California, when he removed to 
Redding. He was married .Ian. HI, 1S(!7, to .\deline 
Briggs, daughter of (ieorgc and Emcline Briggs, of 
Sherman. Mr. Briggn was a large farmer, and one 
of the most successful raisers and feeders of cattle in 
Connecticut. The children of Mr. Rumsey have been 
Emma and Louie C. Mr. Rumsey resides on what 
was formerly known as the Dudley Place, a farm of 



DK. .AfO.SES 11. WAKEMAN. 

Dr. ]\[oses H. Wakenian is of English descent, and 
his ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Fair- 
held and New Haven Counties. 

His paternal grandfather, Asahel Wakeman, set- 
tled in the parish of Creenlield and followed the 
vocation of farming. 

His maternal gran<ll'ather, Nathan Wheeler, also a 
native of Fairfield, w'as a militiaman in the Revolu- 
tion, and was presi^nt at the burning of Fairfield. 
He barely escaped cajiture by the enemy, who 
attempted to decoy him by taking oti' their red coats 
and calling to him to come towards them, as he could 
have a better view from where they stood. !Mr. 
Wheeler held the rank of sergeant. 

Silas Wakeman, third son of Asahel, was born in 
1S04, in Fairfield. He was married early in life to 
Abbey, eldest daughter of Nathan and t'larine (Brad- 
ley) Wheeler, of Easton, Fairfield Co. Their cliil- 
dren were Moses H., Policy (deceased), Betsey, 
Clarine (deceased), and Abbey B. 

Dr. Moses H. Wakeman, then, was the eldest son, 
and was born in November, 1S29. His chihlhiKid 
and youth were spent on his father's farm, attending 
district school during the winter months. xVt the 
age of seventeen he commenced a course of prepara- 
tory .studies at the old Easton Academy. These he 
concluded in about three years, and at the suggestion 
of his uncle, Dr. Nathan Wheeler, of Patter.son, 
N. Y., entered his oftice the following spring and 
began the study of medicine. He remained with his 
uncle three years, during which period he attended 
two full courses of lectures at the New Haven Medi- 
cal College, receiving his dijdoma from that institu- 
tion with the degree of M.D. Lnmediately on his 
graduation he began practicing with his uncle, and 
in the fall of that year removed to Milltown, Putnam 
Co., N. Y., where he practiced four years. On invi- 
tation of Dr. Charles Gorham, in the fall of bSoS, Dr. 
Wakeman came to ReiUling and entered into ]iartner- 
shij) witli him. This copartnershij) continued until 
the death of Dr. Ciorham, in 1859. 

May .'51, DS()4, Dr. Wakeman was married to ILir- 
riet White, youngest daugliter of Samuel and Mary 
(Sanfordj Collins, of Redding. The children born to 
them have been Mary Collins, Henry V\'. (deceased), 
and Harriet Wheeler. Mr. Collins was own covisin 
to Sir Garnet Wolseley, and during the latter years 
of his life was a merchant in Redding. 



630 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



WILLIAM BURR HILL. 

William Burr Hill wa.s born Jan. G, 1826, in Kcd- 
dinj:, Fairfield Co., Conn. 

Ilis father, I5railley Hill, wa.s a native of Fairfield, 
coming to Redding when a very young man. He 
married Betsey, eldest daughter of Zalnion and Mar- 
tha (Jackson) Banks, early in life, and the cliildren 
born to them were Abbey JI., William B., Mary E. 
(deceased), Martha (deceased), Albert B., Arthur B., 
and Sarah M. 

William B., the eldest .son, remained with his 
father until Iiis twenty-eighth year, when he was 
married to Katy, only daughter of Nathaniel B. and 
Eunice (Hull) Selleek, of Danbury, after which event 
he moved on the farm next west of his father's, where 
he still resides engaged in farming. The children of 
Mr. and Mrs. William B. Hill are Helen S., Na- 
thaniel B., Celia F., Eunice P., Mary E., and Wil- 
liam B. ; besides two deceased. 

At the age of twenty-one Mr. Hill was elected con- 
stable and collector, serving three years, and after an 
interval of one year was re-elected to the same offices ; 
he was elected justice of the peace for four consecu- 
tive ycare, and in lSii4 he w;ls elected to represent 
his town in the Legislature, and again two years 
after. In politics he has been Republican since the 
organization of that party, liaving previously been a 
Whig. 



DANIEL C. RYDER. 



Daniel C. Ryder was born in Redding, Feb. IG, 
1819. His grandfather, John Ryder, a native of Dan- 
bury, was a carpenter by trade, and at the time of 
his death w:us a wealthy landowner. His wife was 
Mary .larvis, and their children were nine, of whom 
Rali)h, father of the subject of this sketch, also a car- 
penter, was the eldest. He was killed at the early 
age of forty-five, by falling from a building, leaving 
a large family of small children. 

Daniel C. Ryder was the eldest of the family, and 
upon him devolved the entire support of the family. 
At the age of eighteen he began farming, which he 
followed but a short time, and then engaged in the 
business of lime-burning. This business he followed 
with varied .success for some years, abandoning it fi- 
nally and giving his whole attention to farming. In 
1838 he was married to Charlotte X., youngest daugh- 
ter of Charles and Sarah (Crane) Prindle, of Rox- 
bury. Conn. Of tluir children, Charles C. is living 
in Brooklyn, and is married to Margaret Bennett, 



daughter of Burr and Sally A. Bennett, of Redding; 
James .!., married to Mary E., daughter of Anson and 
Huldah Fields, of Redding; Charlotte A. ; and Stella 
(decea.sed). Mr. Ryder lives on the farm which has 
been ow'ned and on which have lived three genera- 
tions of his mothir's family named Chapman. His 
great-grandfather, Daniel Chapman, was a soblier in 
the Revolution ; was at Fairfield during Tryon's in- 
vasion ; was taken prisoner there and carried to New 
York and thrust into the prison-ship, where it is sup- 
posed he died, as his family never after heard of him. 
Daniel C. Ryder inherited the homestead from his 
grandfather, Daniel Chapman, having lived with him 
for many years previous to his death. Mr. Ryder has 
always been a Democrat, representing his town in the 
Legislature in 1849. He is a regular attendant at the 
Congregational Church of Redding, a member of its 
society, and contributes liberally to the support of 
the church. 

EBEXEZER F. FOSTER. 

Ebenezer F. Foster was born in Ridgcfleld, Fair- 
field Co., Conn., March 8, 182G. His father, Jonah 
Foster, was a clothier, and followed his calling in his 
native town of Ridgefield. His wife was Timothy 
and Elizabeth (Whitney) Hunt's daughter Sally, and 
by her he had the following children : Mary, Eliza- 
beth, Ebenezer F., Susan, Esther A., Joel G., John 
B. (deceased), Timothy H., and Martin W. 

The youthful days of E. F. Foster were spent in 
Ridgefield, at the common school, at which place he 
laid the foundation of that education which found its 
superstructure in the school of the world. At the 
age of seventeen he went to learn the wheelwright 
trade of one Sunderland, of Sommerstown, N. V. 
Here he remained three years, and then went to work 
for George Crofutt, of Danbury, in the same business, 
remaining with the latter gentleman more or less 
steadily for eight years, going thence to Birmingham, 
into the employ of the iron company of that place. 

The next event in our subject's life wius his mar- 
riage, in 1852, to Harriet, only daughter of David 
and Elizabeth (Keeler) IMatt, of Retlding. Mr. Fos- 
ter, after his marriage, took up his residence in Red- 
ding, where he has since continued to live engaged 
in farming. In politics he is a Democrat, and has 
often been called to fill town offices. In 1871 he wa-i 
elected to the Le;cislature, where he served with 
credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his con- 
stituents, and in 1874 he was elected county com- 
missioner for three years. 



-.!:»#^^:^^|^ 




Plinto. l.y J. 11. F„ls,.„i, L>aiil,urv 





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^^^m^A^lA .;e/^ ^-/^^-^^ 



RIDGEFIELD. 



631 



CHAPTER LXII. 

EIDGEFIELD. 

Geographical — Topographical — Original Nuine Camlatowa — Petition for 
rmxha&e of Lniids — First ludiiui Deed — Fust Grnnt of Liuuts— The 
Settlement — Names of J'ionecrs— Arts Kelating to IIome-)ots — Ttie 
IMi'neer Bluektimith — The First (jiijituiill — Furtlier Purchase from the 
Indians— K\enipti,<n from Taxatiuii— The Perry Family. 

KiDGEFiELD Hc-S ou the woht bordor of the county 
of Fairfiekl, and is bounded as ffdlows : On the north 
by the town of Danlniry ; on the east l>y the towns of 
Danbury and Redding; on the south by the town of 
Wilton and the eounty of Westchester, N. Y. ; and 
on the west by Westchester and Putnam Counties, 
in the State of New York. Its surface is diversified 
by hills and valleys^ and the soil is fertile. 

ORIGINAL NAMK. 

Prior to 1708 the territory end)raL*ed within the 
present bounds of the town of Ridi^efield was in the 
undisputed possession of the red man, and culled by 
him Cnndiifoiva, meaning "Iiigh land." 

In May of that year (1708) a petition was presented 
to the General Assembly by a number of the inhabi- 
tants of the town of Xorwalk for the purchase of 
these lands. The petitioners asked *' libertie to pur- 
chase of the Indians a certain tract of land bounded 
south on Norwalk bounds, north-east in Danbury, 
and west upon York-line." 

The General Assembly granted the prayer of the 
petitioners, " provided it doth not prejudice any 
former grant; this Assend)ly reserving to them- 
selves a power for the settlement and allotment of 
the land so to be purchased among the petitioners, 
and such others as the said Guneral Assend)ly shall 
judge meet." 

THE FIRST INDIAN DKED. 

The tract was purchased for one hundred pounds, 
and on Hept, 30, 1708, a deed was executed by Ca- 
toonah, sachem of tlie Ramajioo Indians, of which 
the following is a copy : 

" To all people to whom these prtsciits shall Come (irettiug dc. Know ye 
tliat I ("at*»ontdi Saeheiii of ltaniai>oo Indians and AKsociales uilhin her 
Majesties province uf New York in Ameiica. For & in CoIl^ilIeratioll of 
y sum of One Hundred Ponn<ls Jis current nioney of taid province. To 
us in liaiid before tlie ensealing hereof well and Truly Paid liy John 
Belden, Samuell Keeler Sen', Miitlliew Seanior James IJrowii Ketijamin 
"Wilson, Joseph Piicliaid, .lulin Whitiie Sen', Mattliiiw Saint John Iten- 
jamin Hi. keck. John Ueelie Samuel Saint John, John lloiit.-n Joseph 
Keeler, i>amuel Smith Junior, Jonathan Sti-v.-ns, Uauieil Otmste.1, Kieh- 
fiid Olmsted, Joiin Stirdevant, Samuel Kceler J uh^ Joseph Itou ton, Jona- 
than Rockwell, Fdmond Wureiun. J"«'p'" Whitne, Daniel Halt, Thomas 
llyott, James IJenedick, Josepii ('ninii)ton, Kbenezer Sension, Muttliew 
Saint John, all of the Town of Norwalk in y*' Ouunt.v of Kairfidd, within 
her Majesties Colony of C«iiinectii:ot in New England, and Tliumae Smith 
Thonina Cunfield, & Samuell Snnth, of the Town of Milford in y (.Vinly 
of New Haven & Colonic aforenaid The Receipt wh.-ieof wc d i herel.y 
auknowledg, and <mr aelvc-s therewith fully Satistied, and Contented, and 
thereof and of every part and pencil theiei'f Do Kxonerat Acquitt & 
discharge the said John llelden, Samuel KeelerSen^ Mattliew Seamor, 



James Brown, Benjamin 'Wilflon, Joseph Birdianl, John ^Mlitne Sen'» 
Matthias Saint John, Benjamin Hickcock. John Beehe, Samuell Saint 
John, John Bouloii, Joseph Keeler, Saniut II Smitli, Jonatlian Stevens, 
I)ani<-I (Unified. Itichard Oltnslcd, John Stirdevant, Samuel Keeler Jun% 
Josc|>li llouton, Joiiiithan Rockwell, Edmond WareiriK. Joseph Whitne, 
DatdcU liait, Thomas Ilyott, Jiimcs Bcnneriick, Joseph ('lampton, Ehen- 
ezer Seii»ion,'5IattIiew Saint Jolin.Thonnie Smith, Thomas Caiifield, and 
Samuel Smith, their heirs executors, adniinistiatois Jctievcr hy these 
presents. Have given, granted hargained, Kohl Alowcd Conveyed and 
Confirnied, and hy these piesents Do freely fully and absolutely give 
grant bargain sell. Alienc Convey and C<.>nfirni unto them the said John 
Belden, Samuell Keeler Jun', Mattliew Seainor, .lames Brown. Benjamin 
Wilson, Joseph Blichard, John Whitne Scn% Matthixs Saint John, Ben- 
jamin Hickcock, John Beebe, Samuel SHint Jolin, John liouton, Joseph 
Keeler, Sanmell Smith, Jonatlian Stevens, Ihiniell Olmsted, Richard Olm- 
sted, Jubn Stiidevant, Samuell Keeler, Josei'h Bonton, Jonathan Rock- 
well, Edmond Waieiiig. Josei>h Wliitne, Daniel Hait, Tliomas Hyott, 
James lieniiedick, Joseph Ci anipton, Ebeiiezer Sension, Matthew Saint 
John, Thoniiis Smith, Thonuus Cantield, and Samuel Smith, their Abso- 
ciates lieire and assigns forever. A Ceitaiii Tract of Land Scituiit Lying 
and being so osteamed within her Jlajeatifs Colony of Conecticott afore- 
said Butted anil Bounded a;5 followeth, at a Rock witli etones Lay'd 
thereon tliat lyeth up fn y« west sideof Norwalk River al'out twenty ro<i 
noithwaid of the Cro.-sing or wliere Danbuty old ("art path Ciotisetli the 
River which salil Rock is the South Eiist Corner and from said Corner a 
line Runneth ni)wardK unio Umpewangu pond to a White Oak Tiee, 
Standing by the Northwest Corner of said Pond, the paid tree being 
marked ami Stones Lay'd about it and is the N«>rth East Corner, and 
from the said (,'orner Tree, anotlier line Running near Two points to the 
North of West into a pond Culled Nesopack and Continues y Same 
Coaiseuiitill it meets witli a second pond Called .\ok keels. Crossing by y" 
south End of both ponds, and from tlience Running Near West until it 
ExteiidH to a place Called Manianas<|uag, where is a Oak Tiee Maiked on 
y Noith Side of the outlet of water that Comoi out from a sort of a 
grassy pond, whicli is known ami (.'ailed hy Said Name, which tree is the 
North West Corner, aiirl from said Tree another line Running South 
bi-aring to y*" East About one mile and a half. Running by y^ Eiist side 
of amdher Mountain Called Asotpiatah untill it meets Stanford Bound 
line, about a tiuiuter of a mile to y^ Eastward of Cross River i)ond, where 
stands a Marked White Oak tree witli Stones about it, ami is y South 
West Corner, and from said Marke<l tree a long by Stanford line untili it 
Comes to Xorwalk purchase and so by Said PurchiLse Bounds to the Said 
Rock at the South East Corner. Containing by Estimation Twenty 
ThuuHand Acres, be it more or less. The Four Corners ol Saiil Tract of 
Land being (.'ailed by the following Indian Names South East Corner 
' Wheer Cock' North East Corner ' Woiionkpakoonk' North West Corner 
' Mamanasqnag" Soutli West Corner ' Narahawmis.' 

"To Have and to Hold the Sai<l granted and bargaineil premises, with 

all tlie appnitenaiices, priviledges, and Comodiiies to the same, belonging 

or in anyuise Apperiaiiiing to them y" Above Named persons, their 

Associates, heirs, and assigns forever, to them and their only jtroper Use, 

bennefitt, and behoof forever. And I the Said Catoonah and Associats, 

for ourselves, our heirs. Executors, adniinistratorK, Do Covenant, promise, 

I anil grant U> and with the above Said jiei-sons, their associates, heirs, and 

. assigns, tiiat beiore the Ensealing here*,)!'. We are the true. Sole, and 

I LawfuII Owners of v" above hargained premises and by Native Right 

I Seized and possessed of the Same in our own proper Jiiglit as a Good, 

I perfect, and Absolute Estate of Inheritance in h'e Simple, and have in 

Ourselves good Right, full power, and Sufticient Autliojiiy to grant, 

bargain. Sell, Convey, and Confirms saitl Bargaine<l prendses in manner 

an atiove said, and that the said John Belden and the rest above said, 

; their Associats, heirs, and assigns, Shall and may fiom time to time and 

at all times forever liereaftel', by force and virtue of these piesents Law- 

, fully and jieaceably and iiuielly Have. Hohl, Use, Occujiie, possess and 

injoy the saitl Demissed and bargained piemisses. 

'• With the appurtenances tree and Clear, and fretdy and Clearely Ac- 
<piitted, Exoiieiated & Itiscbarged id' from alt arid all Mannor of former 
, and other gifts, grants, bargains. Sales, Leases, Mortgages, Wills. Intails, 
' Joynters, Dowries, Judgements, Executions, Incumbrances & Extents. 
I " Kurtheiniore, I the said Catoonah and AsHociates, for ourselves, our 
! heirs, Executors, adnunistratois. Do Covenant and Iiigage y" above De- 
niiBsed i)remiHSe8 to them the haid John Belden and the rest above said, 
their Associates, heirs, and as^igns, against the Lawfull Claims or De- 
mands of any person or persons wdnttsoever, forever hereafter to Warrout, 
si'cure, ami Defend. 

"In \\itness whereof, we have hereunto Sett our hands and Seals 
this Thirtieth Bay of September, in thy Seventh year of the Reign of 



632 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



our Sovereign Laily Ann, Queen of England, &c., and in y year of our 
Lonl God, 1708. 
** Signed, Sealed, and DeUvered in y* preaonce of 

••John Holmes, Jr. 

*'Jo8BPH Selley. 

"John Copi». 



'* GOOTQVAS. 




" G00TQUA8. 
" Mahkf. 

"Tawpozmck. /-X his mark. 

his mark. 
" Catoonaii. J y Sadiems. 

" WoQUACOMiCK. / his mark. 

" Waspaiiciiain. O 1''^ murk. 

1!^ mark. 




'Cawwf.horis 



" This Altovc Written Bill of Sale Ih Acknowledged by y« Grantors this 
SO"" Day of September, 1708. 



** Sami'ei. Hait, 
" Jvstux of Peace. 

"John Copp, 
" Itecorder.''* 



Becorded Febniar}' 3^, 1700-10. 



The next step in the enterprise wa.** to survey the 
land and lay it out into a town-plttt, whirh was ae- 
cordingly done in 170t» by Maj. Tetcr Hurr, of Fair- 
field, John Copp, of Norwalk, and Josiah Starr, of 
Danhury. This committee reported to the General 
Assembly, and tiuit body, under date Oct. 13, 1709, 
made the following grant : 

FIRST GRANT OF LANDS. 

•'WlIEftKAS, Ihi' GtMicrHll Awenibly of this Cwiuiiy, Htddon at Mart- 
ford, Mny 13*^ 17<>H — L'lKjn t|^ pelltiuu uf Sunt|r>' of lliu lnhubltuiit« of 
the tuwn of Norwalk pmyiuB for UlHJrty to purcliKDv uf ihv Itidlunna 
certain Tnu-t uf l.aml Ivliig within thiH Colony Ituiindcd NorthiTly and 
Murthe«iiU-rly with thH Tuwii vf nmibury, Si>uthrrly w itU the Sold Town 
of Norwalk and Wt'»l or Wf»terly with y« line or boundary between tltl» 



Cidony & y province of New York, to the ond they might make a Plan- 
tation there, and settle upon the Same — Did Grant to the «iid Pt-litioii- 
ora a liberty to purclione the same Tract of Laud. 

"And purmiant thcretu y*> said Petitioners did buy and purcliatto of 
Cntoonah n Sachem — and other Indians the afuresaiti tract uf Land an 
by their Deed of Convcyanee thereof under their liandt< and ScaU bear- 
ing Date September 30 1708 now laid before this Ahsenibty had Iteen 
niiulc to iippeiir. And whereas tlio Genoial Atwembly of tblA Colony 
IloMon at HartTord, May y<^ 12"', l7li'J. Did desire and Impower Migor 
Peter Burr 51' John Copp, and M*" Jo^iah Starr to make a Snn-ey of the 
said tract of Laud and to lay out a Town Piatt there and to Make Return 
of their doings therein to tliis Assembly ai this time, and the said I'eter 
Burr & John Copp in pursuance thereof, havitkg taken a view of the said 
Tract of Land, & have thereupon made a lleturn or Report thoroof to 
this Assembly which hath been read and Considered. 

"This Assembly Do now give and Grant to the said petitioners, that 
is to say to the Persons hereafter named viz John BehK-n Samuel Kei-br 
Sen'', Matthew Scamor Itlntthias St John, Benjamin Wilson Samuel St 
Jolin James Bix>wn Benjuniin Ilickcock Joseph Kceler, Samuel Keeler 
J' Samuel Smith Matthew St John Jonathan Stevens Daniel Olmstead 
John Sturdevant Jonathan Bockwell Joseph Whitney Thomas Hyatt 
James Benedict Joseph Cnimplon &. Itichard Olmstead of the said Town 
of Norwalk and Thomas Smith Thonuuii Canfield Santuel Smith <k Kben- 
ez«r Smith of y^ Town uf Milfonl, and to their heirs and assij^ns forever. 
All the ufure Mentioned Tract or Parcel of Land Butted A Ib^unrled us 
fulloweth, that is tu say. On (lie South or Southerly with the wi'l Town 
of Norwalk, On the West or Westerly w ith tlie line or Uniudary K-tween 
this Colony and the Province of New York, On the Ea-Mt or Easterly ]«rtly 
with the line to be continued and Run like unb'thc line between y«said 
Town of Norwalk and the Town of Fairfield from the North End there- 
of unto a certain black Oak tree niarke<l with Letters and liaveing 
Stones layed aliont the Same Standing ujKin the 3Iuuntain, commonly 
caled the West Cedar Slountain and partly with a direct and Stniit lino 
to bo run from said Black Oak Tree tu a certain Large Wliilc Oak Tree 
marked and having Stones luyed alntut il Stan<iing at *>r near the North 
West Otrner uf Umpewange i»ond. And on the North or Northerly with 
a direct Strait Line to be run from the said Wldto Oak Tree to the South 
Westerly Corner of tlio Town of Danbury and continued unto the SaitI 
Line or Boundary between this Colony and the Province of New York 
be the said Tract of Land more or Less, With all and Singular the rights 
McmlKTs and appurtenances tlierottf Ami this .\ssembly do In-reby 
Enact & Grant That the said Tract of Land shall be an Itilirc Township 
of it self, and sluill be Called ond Known by the name of Ridgfield, and 
shall be held and enjoyed by the wiid J<din Bvlden Sjtmuel Keeler S^^ji' 
Matthew Scamor Matthias St Jolin Benjamin Wilson, Sanmel St John 
James Brown Bi-njamin Ilickock Joseph Keeler Samuel Keeler J» 
Samuel Smith Matthew St. John Jonathan Stevens Daneel Olmstead 
John Sturdevant Jonathan Rockwell Joseph Whitney Thomas Ilyait 
James Benedict Joseph Crampton and RichanI Olm^teail of Norwalk 
and Thomas Smith Thcmms Cnnfleld Samuel Smith and Ebenezer Smith 
of the Town of Milford and their heirs and Aw-igus in Eipial and Even 
Shareii, A In- divided acconlingly into U'tts and parcelU fnmi time to time 
by the Order of the Major Vote of them, to be accountetl by Ihu Major 
part of Interests therein. Prvivideil that this act shall not K* eouflnnil 
to the prejudice of imy former Grant of this Court and pmvided always 
—nevertheless that if the said John Behlen Samuel Keeler Sen' Matthew 
.Seanior Matthew St. John Benjamin Wilson Samuel St John Jiunes 
Brown Benjamin Ilickock Joseph Kcelor Samuel Ke^dor J' Simiuel 
Smith 3Iatthew St John Jonathan Stevens Daneel Olmstead Jolin Sturde- 
vant Jonathan Rockwell J«*eph Whitney Thoniim Hyatt James Ihmnty 
dick Joseph Crampton and Rii hard OlmMf tul Thouuis Smith Thimins 
Canflehl Samuel Smith and Ebme/er Sndih their luiis awigm* ctr as!«»- 
ciatcs. IVi not or shall not w ithiii four Years next after the dale of this 
act or Grant. Settle or Dwtdl ujxm the said tnietuf Land toy numl«rof 
twenty Eight families, and after continue and Dwidl there for the S\mc^ 
of four Yean* next foUowing, that then it shall U< in the Liltorty and 
power of this Assembly to grant of tlio said Tract of Lund Settlement 
to any other |>onwns as they shall so cause.'* 

" A true copy of Record. 

" Test 

"Calkb Staslt. 

" ijrcrHarff. 

THE RIDOEFIELD PATENT. 
The following is a copy of the patent issued in 



1714: 



I 



RIDGEFIELD. 



633 



** WREIiEAS the Governour, CouiKill and Representatives of Her 
Mjijesties Culiiny i>f O>iinotti(iitt in Xvw Eii;;laiul in (.Jent-nil Court iw- 
seml.lf.l. Di.i I.y an Art hearing Datt- Octol.M.T'' Anno Domini 1709, 
Grant nnto John lIcMeii, Sannu'l Keeler S^-ti'-, Miittliew Sfamore, Mat- 
llii;i.s iSaiiitjulih, li(;njainin Willfion, Samuel Siiintjolin, Juines Brown, 
Benjamin HirkLock, J'tsepli Iveeler, Samin-1 Keeler, .Inn', Sam' 
Smitli, Matthew Saiutjolin, Jonathan Stt'Venn, Daneel Olmsteti, John 
Stnnlevant, Jrinathan lU>ckwell, Jusepli AVhitne, Thomas Hyatt, 
James Benedict. Joseph Cramjiton, and Itirhaid Olm»tfd, all I'f y ! 
Town of Xorwalk, in y* County of Faiilield in y ('idony aforesaid, 
anil Tlniniim Smith, Thomas Canfield, Sanuifl Smith, and Ehenez' Smitli ' 
of the Toun of .Milfnrd in y* Connty of New Haven, in y^ C.doiiy afore- 
said. One l.Vrtain Trait of land, as Ity the s^aid act duth full appi-ar, thy 
8anu- tnict of land, ht-ins sitnate, butted, and hounded as in tlio said act j 
and Grant Is Kxpret^sed, Viz, On y<" South or Southerly with y said Town 
of NorwalU, On tlie West, or westerly with the line or boundary between 1 
this Colony and the Proviiire of New York, On the East or Eastwiirdly , 
partly with a lino to be Continued and run like unto the line between 
thesairl Town of Norwalk and the Town <,f Kairfield, fn.m the Xurth ' 
end thereof unto a blark Oak tree maik"t uilh lettei-s A having stone-s ' 
laid about the same, Standing npnn tlie mountain CuMinn)nly Called y 
west Cedar mountain, and jiartly «itli a diiect andstreight line to he lun ! 
from tlie said blaek Oak tree tu a Coitain large white Oak Tree marlCt, i 
and having stones laid about It. Standing at or Near the Northwest i 
Corner of Cmpawang Pond, and on the Ninth or Northely ^^ith a direct 
Strait line to he run fmni y- said wiiite Oak Treet' tlieSouthwestCiirncr 
of the Town of Danbury and (Aintinned unto t)ie said line or boundary 
between this Colony, and the Province of New York, Ite the same Trait ' 
of land tTioreor less, all "hi(.Ii appears by the aforesaid Act, And Wherejis i 
tliey. the f^jii.l John Bebleii, Samuel Keelar Sen', Matthew Seamoro, Mat- ! 
thias Saintjuhn, Benjamin M ill^on, Sum' St. John, James Brow n, Benja- 
min Hiikeoik, .fosejih Keeler, Sam^ Keeler Jun'', Sam' Smith, Mattliew ] 
Saintjohn, Jonathan Stevens, Daniel Olmsted, Jt)hn Sturdevant, Jona- 
than Korkvvell, Joseph \Vliitne, Thonuus Hyatt, James Benedict, Joseph 
Crampton, and Hichard i»lnisted<i, Thumas Smith, Thoniiis Canfield, Sam- i 
uel Smith, and Eltenez' Smith pmsnant to the law Title, the Tenure of ' 
Our lands, have nnide apidii.ation for a Pattent, for the Confirmation of I 
the said Trait id' land to them, tlieir heiis and a.ssigns. Know all men I 
Theieforu by these presents, that the Governour and Company of Her | 
Majestic To Colony of Conneclicntt by Viitue i>f the Power Grantetl to I 
them, by our Late Soveraign Lord King Chailes the Second, of blessed 
memory in and by his said M^ijesties Lett" Pattents under the Great Seal I 
of England healing Date the Twenty third day of Apriil in the fourteenth j 
year of his Beign ; Have Given. Grante.l, Ratified and Continued, and ' 
by these presents. Do Give (irani, Ratilie and Confirm both fur them- 1 
selves, their heirs and Successoi-s, unto the said John Belden, Sanniel | 
Keeier Sen', Mattliew Seaniore, Matthias S< John, Benjauun Willsm, i 
Sam' St John, .lames Brown, Benjamin Hn.kcocU, Joseph Keeler, Sam' ' 
Keeler Jun', Sam' Smith, Matthew St John, Jonathan Stevens, Daniel ' 
Olmstetld, John Sturdevant, Jonathan Rockwell, Joseph Whitne, Thomas 
Hyatt, James Benedict, Joseph Crampton. and Richard Olmsted, Tlmnuis ' 
Smitli, Thomas Canfield, Sani'i Snutli and Ebenez,' Smith and to tlieir ! 
heirs and As.-*igns for ever alt, and singular the above mentioned Tiaet i 
of land and Every ] art tliereof, with all and Singular rights proftits, | 
privilidges ('unimoilities. Emoluments and appiiitenances what forever i 
To tlie sai<l Tract of land belonging or in any wise appertaining, To ; 
Have And Tu Hidd the said Tract of land, and every part theieof unto 
them the said John Belden, Samuel Keeh-rSen', Matthew Seamore, Mat- 
thias St Jfdin, Benjamin Willson, Sam' Saintjuhn, James Brown, Betija- I 
min Ilickcock, Joseph Keeler, Samuel Keeler Jun', Sam' Smith, Mat- j 
thew Saintjohn, Jonathan Stevens, JJaniel Olmsleil, John StTinlevant, i 
Jonathan Rockwell, Josejdi Whitne, Thomas Hyatt, James Benedict, 1 
Joseiih Cnunpton and Richard i Unisti-dd. Thomas Smith, Thomas Can- 
tielil, Sanmel Smith and Ebenez' Smith and To tln-ir heiis and assigns 
forever and to tlieir Only proper I-enetitt and behoof, from the ilayof the 
date hereof, and from time to time anil alt all limes forever lierealter as ' 
a goo.l, sure, laufnll, absidnte, and Indefeafable Estate of inheritance in 
Fee Simple, Mithoul any Condition Limitation use or other thing to 
alter, or make vnid the same. And in such Shares and in such pr-opor- i 
tionw, as they either already have or hen-after shall agree for y Division I 
and partition of the same, To Hold of her Majestie, Her heirs ami Suc- 
cesHors, asof her Majesties Mannorof East Greenwich in tlie County of ■ 
Kent, in the Kingdom of England in free and Common s .cage, and not ' 
in I'apitee, Nur by Knight-s service Yielding and paying therefor to Our { 
Soveraign Lady the Queen her heirs and Successors forever, Only y*" ' 
fifth part of all the Oar of Gold and Silver which from Time to Time , 
and titt all times forever hereafter ^halI be there Gotten hail or obtained, 



41 



in Lieu of all Services. Duties and demands what forever acconlinj: to 
Chaiter. In Witness wli'-reuf we have caused the Seal of tlie Colony to 
be hereunto affixed in Hartfonl y-^ Twenty second day of May in the 
Thirteenth year of the reign of (Mir Soveraign Lady Anne, by the Grace 
of God, Queen of Great Biittain Enince ami Ireland, Defender of the 
Faith Ax Anno Domini 1714. 

"G. Sa!,tonstai,i., 

"By His Hoiid Command 

" Hkz: Wvi.Lv.t. 
" »'■(■(/. 
" Recorded in y^ Puldick records of y I'olony of Connecticut Second 
book of entries of Pattents and Surveys of lands Koli > .".i', .".:;. .'4. 

"p' Me/: Wirr^s. 

THE SETTM:MEXT.— XAMES OF rioXEEKS. 

The preHminary steps liavinj^ now been taken, the 
pidueers were next to deL'ide upon the h)eation of 
tlu'ir (utufe home; and the first settlement was nunle 
upon the site ot* the present village of Ridgefiehl. 
A street runniiii; east and west, with the generous di- 
mensions of six roods in width, was at once surveyed 
along the eastern declivity of the ri<lge. On eitlier 
side of this street were h.)eated the homc-h)ts, of two 
and one-half aeres each. In the rear of these lots 
additional lots of live aeres were laid out. 

In the early days the lottery system was in vogue 
for almost all i>uri)ose-i of raising money for i)ublic 
improvement. Manufacturing estaldishmeiits were 
founded in this way, money raised for churches, etc., 
and the good ]»e')ple (tf Uidgetield drew their lionie- 
lots in a h»ttery. In vari<»us records in New England 
it wits styU'd " pitching for hind." 

ACTS RELATIXU TO HOME-hOTS. 
The following interesting extracts are taken from 
the town recorils : 

" The sci-enil Jets JM'>tiii'j to y Home L'litx ,{■ the midil'um inn.h- to the 
Smrie (s tin foUttueth. 

"Nov ]*' 170S A'oted by said I'rnpiietors that a Coiuniettee shall be 
chosen to Lay out the Town Plott. 

"At the Said Meeting tlie said propi ietors by a Major Vole apiiointed 
and ma.ie Choise of M' Samuel Keeler Sen' Matthew Seamer. Joseph 
Bouton with John Copp to Lay out the Town Plott. 

"At the said Meeting Voted by said proprietors that the Home Lotts 
now to be Lay'd out by ^aid Committee shall be Two Acres and one half 
acre. 

"At the wiid Meeting y' Said Propiietoi^s by a Major Vote Hesolvea 
and agrees that there shall be a Division of Land added to the Rear of 
the Home Lotts to the Number of five acres to Each Division. And 
file said Committee is Inipoweieil to act their best Skill A .Judgement 
t»t Eijuali/e the Want of ipnility by adding or allowing ipianlity to such 
Home Lotts & I>ivi?ion of Addition as they in juiigement may find 
wanting. 

"At a Meeting of the said I'mpi ietors Convened in Ntirwalk Nov y 
.s<i' 17ns. 

"The above said Comniitlee niakes a Return of their doings in and 
about the Home Lolts A y addition made to y Itear of y same. With 
an accunt of sm h Disproportion of their <piality, that by all that they 
had dninr in y matter id" equalizing them there still needed a further 
Allowance to some Lolts i\s they were by them Layd out with the Divi- 
sion add4-'d to y Rear of them. 

" Upon which Return made by said Coinmitteo The *aid proprietons at 
y sniti meeting Iiy a Major Vote Impower said Committee to Itegnlate 
that matter according to y best of their judgements to add to such Home 
Lotts A Division annexed. Or Ui any other Divi-ion of Lands to bo 
Lay'd out to any such proprietor, to whom such Home Lott with y 
anext Divi>ion shall fall to when Drawn, that by t;aid Cciiiimitlee shall 
be Judged Wanting in (juality with the Generality of y" best of the 
Home Lots and aiinext I>ivi:^ionti. 



63-t 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUJs'Ty, CONNECTICUT. 



" A t n meeting of y* sniil Proprietors Conronled in Non% nlk November 
y« 25 1708, 

" Voted l>y Siiid proprietors that the Ix)ttorie prepared for y« Distritm- 
lion of tlio Homo Lotts with y* anext Division, unto llie said proprie- 
toFR StuiU at this time be Drawn, Which Lottery is metliodizod as fol- 
loweth : 

" De{;irinlng on tlio Eflst Tear of Lotts, y" soulhormoflt Lott joining to 
tlie Lund Lny'd out furahnrying Yanl— Culling that Lott the first in 
Number, A Bucsevively Northward to the \'i^^ Lott and then beginingnt 
y« NorthermoBt Lott on Iho West tear nnnibcring said Lott y* thirteenth 
Lott and so sucsessively Soiitliward to the Twenty fiftli Lott. 

*' The Dranght of whicli Lottery whs as folluwctli. 



No. 


No. 


1 Snmucl Suint Jolin 


14 John Sturdcvant 


2 Siinuifl Kcoler Juii' 


l.l Tlionuw llo.vt 


:j Jonattiiui R(K-kwc*ll 


K Benjamin Wilson 


4 Tliomiis CiiuficM 


17 Ueiijamin llii-kock 


5 The Propiietors Re8er\-o 


18 Matlliew Saint John 


C Mittlliius Suint John 


10 Joseph Keeler 


7 Josoph Wliitiicy 


2t) Matthew Senmer 


8 Siimucl Smith of Jlilfurd 


21 Jame.s Benne'lick 


9 JimK'^ Itrown 


22 Joseph Cramptoii 


10 John Ilt'i'lcn 


2;! Samuel Smitli 


11 KiL'hiinl Olmsted 


24 Bnnitl Olmsted 


12 Tlioiniis Smith 


25 Samuel Keoler Sen'" 


I'S Jonathan Stevens 





The following location of the home-lots was made 
by the Rev. D. W. Teller: 

Lot No. 1 Wits where Afr. John S. Keeler now re- 
sides. 

No. 2 was immediately north of this, and lying 
between it and the corner south of Mr. Abraham 
Holmes'. 

Nos. 3 and 4 extended from Jlr. Abraham Holmes' 
to the present residence of Mrs. Mary Hatch. 

No. 5 was the one now owned and occupied by 
Mrs. Irad Hawley. 

No. C extended from the south side of Mr. Henry 
E. Hawley's residence to the north side of Mr. Joshua 
I. King's garden. 

No. 7 extended from the north side of Jlr. King's 
garden to the corner of the street north of Mr. Screno 
Hurllmtt's residence. 

No. 8 wa-s the lot now owned and occupied by 
Phineas Lounsbury, Esq. 

No. 9 is now occupied by Philip L. Harhite, Esq., 
and Dr. William S. Todd. 

No. 10 extended from the fence soutli of Sirs. Hyatt's 
house to the fence north of Mr. Samuel J. Harlow. 

No. 11 embraced the town-house lot, Mr. L. C. 
Seymour's house and store, and Mrs. Wcscott's house. 

No. 12 extended from the residence of the late Josiah 
Danchy, I5?q., to the road north of Mr. Isaac O.sborn's. 

No. 13 included the present residences of Mr. Henry 
Mead, Mr. Elijah L. Tliomas, and Mr. Kcclcr Danchy. 

Nos. 14, 1.'), If), I" extended from the fence north of 
the Episcopal diurch to the corner south of the resi- | 
dence of J. Howard King, Esq. 

Nos. 18, 19, 20, 21 extended from the road north of 
Mrs. Sarah Jewitt's to the one south of Mr. David K. 
Hoyt's. 

Nos. 23, 24, 2.'> extended from the corner now occu- 
pied by the carriage- manufactory of Mr. Ebenezer 



Jones to the fence south of the residence of Mr. 
William Benedict. 

It will be observed that lot No. 22 is omitted in this 
reckoning, the reason for which is found in the fact 
that it nowhere appears on the town records after it 
was numbered and drawn. The inference is that it 
was thrown out, for we find Mr. Joseph Crampton, 
who drew the lot, located on the land now owned by 
Mrs. Shaw and Mr. L. O. Northrop. 

The next spring, after the divi.sion of the home-lots, 
the proprietors proceeded to divide such parts of the 
outlying lands its would be most suitable for grazing, 
plowing, and mowing, sliaring equally in each. 

The following will show tlie method of such division : 

•* At a Meeting of said Proprietors Convoued March 1>*, 1708', 
" Tlio proprietors, l>y a Miyor Vote do agree upon a Diviition of Plow 
Land to ho Lay'd out as soon as nniy be. 

"At the said Meeting tlie Proprietoix by a Miyor Vote hoTe chosen 
M' Samuel Keeler Sen' Matthias Saint John and Samuel Smith for 
their Committee — To take a view of what Lands are suitable to h&y out 
for a Division of Plow Land within the Limits of One Slile and a half 
fntm the Center of the Town Plott. and Lay out what Land they so find 
into such Divisions as the Land will allow according to the number of 
proprietors." 
" At a meeting Convened of said Proprietors March 2B^, 1709, 
"The said Committee make Ileturn of their Doings on the Land found 
within y limits stated in y^ Vote passed dlarch the l»*a8 above said, fix- 
ing upon si.\ acres to a Division, and accordingly to their best skill and 
Judgement have LayM out a number of Divisions equal to the number 
of proprietors, allowing to some Divisions more measure than y fixt 
quantity to cqnali/e them with the better Divisions." 

It will bo observed in every instance that the quality 
of the land determined the quantity. No home-lot fell 
below two and one-half acres, but it might consist of 
three or tliree and one-half acres if it was deemed of 
I)oor quality. So also the five'-acre lots in the rear 
might have five acres or more in them. Then there 
would be sections of land not reckoned, and these 
might lie between two divisions, afterwards to be ap- 
propriated to some new-comer. This would apply to 
the outlying lands rather than to the village lots. 

In the spring of 1709, on the 22d of April, Ebenezer 
Smith, of Milford, by a major vote of the jiroprietors, 
was permitted to come in and share equally with the 
twenty-five. He settled on the lot where George 
Smith, Esq., now resides. This property has never 
pas.sed out of the Smith family. 

Joseph Benedict, of Norwalk, was admitted in like 
manner on the 31st of the following October. He 
settled on the lot lying between Mr. William Bene- 
dict's and Mr. L. O. Northrui)'s, and, as originally 
designated, between Mr. Samuel Keeleins and Mr. 
Joseph Crampton's. 

THE PIONEER BI,ACK.SMITir. 
The pioneers evidently anti('i])ated the necessities 
of the little settlement, for under date of May 6, 1712, 
appears the following vote in relation to a black- 
smith : 

" At a meeting of the Proprietors of llidgeAeld at Illdgcflehl May the 
G" A.D. 1712 

"The said proprietors by their M^or Vole Do Grant to M'. BeJiJanilB 
Biut now rniilcut .f \..Tu.,iii n , . rmin nifbi of LauOs, licsirvcd Ij 



RIDGEFIELD. 



635 



t!n-m fura Blucksmitli, wliirli Riglit of I.ind contains one twt^iity-cighth ' 
part uf all the imrclui-sctl Ijaiiil cciituiiRHl witliin the Hniit.s of tlit'ir 
jrr.iiiteii prii|H!cty or township. Witli alsn a piivih'tlge to purchasi:' \s'it!i 
them A like part ur piuportion of the unpurLha-setl lands that lyt-th 
within y grantfd Bcnmlsuf their Township (uf the Native pn>piit;tof8 i 
thereof) with al the Several Pivisiuns already Layed out under said 
Kiffht. ! 

"To he to liini, his heii-s and assi;j;ns ahsnlntely and as fidly t-i have 
To Have Hidd, use oienpie po.sses,-i ;ind inj"V in ii.s lull and free a manner, 
with the rest of the propiietoj-s of said (ii;intcil Township, Provided 
he the paid Benjamin Burt, pay to Josi-ph Keeter of said Towij of Kidge- 
field y* sum of nine pounds in money according to tlio agreement now | 
made with him, And with all convenient sjieed dwell as an iuiiabitant ( 
among iliem in order to carry on tlie trade of a Blacksmitli among them, i 
And foithwitli Supply them with an ahle Imnd, to perform such Smith ' 
work for them, that they stand in need of untill he shall remove with i 
his family among them antl he theieliy ahle to peifi.rm such work 
for them liiniself, or hy otiiers under hi.s care and (.'onimand, And it i 
is to he uniierstood that if the said Biiit (shall at any time hefoie j 
the full Termination of four Years from May the Ninth 17U',) have a j 
Mind to remove from them, he shall not give, grant, hargidn, sell Ui- i 
rectly nor Indirectly make any Alienation olsai I Itiglit of Land granted 
to him, hnt to tuch a peisuu as sliall he found t apahle to carry on the i 
work of a Blacksmith among them. And further the sai 1 Burt doth I 
liereby promise and Oblidge himself faithfully to use his utmost endeav- | 
our to settle a Bhiclisnuth on -said Ilight. If lie shall incIiiH' to remove 
fioni tliem after his continuence among them y^ term of Yc;ue above I 
said. ! 

"The above said y« original Draught of said act. 

"Test tiiriiAKu Olm.steu, I 

Toirn clerk. l 

" Recorded Noveuiber 2>', 1712. 

" Per nie John Copp, 

" J!eau,/err ' 

;Mr. Burt si-ttled on the lot now oeeui-iied by tlie j 
Methodist chuivli. I 

THE FIRST fiRtST-MILL. | 

One of the greatest inconveniences exi)erienced by j 
the early settlers was the want of mills for ^a-inding \ 
grain. The pioneers of llidgefield early took tliis i 
matter into consideration, and under date Jan. ;it), \ 
171(J, the following agreement wa.s entered into for tlte ! 
erection of a grist-mill : 

" T" >ill Chiistini I'lt.plc Uj nhom these P.e^tnit'* »hiU Conw CiTitin'j I 
Know Ye that I Daniel Sherwood of Uidgfiell in the County ..f Kaiiliehl 
and Colony of (Aumecticut in New flugland, For and in (_'on»ideraIi.jn of 
a hill of sakM.f Lands received of the Prop? ien.is of Hidgfield and bear- 
ing date with these iiresents, which i^ to my full satisfaction. For and 
upon which consideiatitui aforesaid 1 the said Daniel Sherwood for my- 
Kelf heirs and ufcigns, Do by the.-e presents engage unto and Co\enant 
with J'' (-aid I'loprietms of Kidgetield theii' heirs ashigns.and associates 
for the faithfuH i>unctual, uidvetsal fulliluMMit of this Covenant, follow- 
ing iu every Condition f_'IaUHe and article heicof \i7.. 

" Implirnis, 1 y^ said Daniel Sherwood do engage for myself heirs and 
assigns to erect a gnod sultieient (.iri>t Milt on tlie Outlet t)f Manumas- 
guog I'ond so calle.l and known by the l*r.)pi ietors of Kidglield. 

" 2''ly I dei larc myself hound hereby io maintain y same and uplndil 
it (or another iu the same place) always in guod ligg, and order for 
giinding. 

"'.j'Hy 1 covenant for myself heii-s and a.'^signs upon y Tevisdays and 
Fridays of every week ! when ever water may be had l»y y u?e of means) 
to grind for Kiid I'loprietors, their hell's, lu-Migns, and ansociates, all sorts 
of their grain, well arid sutliciently, making good and well-ctuiditioned 
meal, and to take hut. and no more, than tlireir (juurtsoul uf each bushel 
of Inilian corn, and two quarts out (tf eai h bushel of wlieat or rye, and 
one quart of each bushel of malt (^that 1, nij heirs, or assigns, shall grind) 
for toll. 

" Fourthly What was of grain shall be hrought to y* said Mill by the 
Baid prupiietors, their heii*s, assigns, or associates on the foreuientioned 
grinding days, more than can he ground on said days, tliat it shall on 
the ne.\t following week duys be gr<.'und without delay, and the said 
Sherwood do hereby bind and oblige myself, heiis, and iissigns, that 



whatever grain shall he brought on or before any of llie said giinding 
daye (on any day) more than tlie null grinds <.n said days, shall he ground 
out of hand, whether men wait au'l attend on tlie ;;iindin;; thereof or 
not. 

"Furthermore (according to the original intent of bdth paities). I y 
said Sherwood do hinrl and Oldige myself, heirs, and asdgii<, by virtue 
of this Covenant (iu case of failure and non-perf irmance of e\<My clause, 
article, and condition, according tt) plain intent, or upon neglect of due 
means, ami all thorough, He;iaonahle, and failhfull endeavouis upon any 
bleaches whatsoever, to rectify, keep, and maintain, y same with e\<'ry 
thing neces--ary ami essential thereunto, iu ;;n,>d trim and older, for tlio 
ends before, covenanted and accordingly improve it) I, the wdd Slierwooil, 
by virtue hereof, do bind myself, heiis, and assigns, to forfeit and deliver 
up y said Blill and Stream untu the said piuprieiois with all its propei- 
ties and apimrtenancesaiid privile.Ig.-s whatsoever iu anywi.-.e thereunto, 
sliall at the tiuie of forfeiture ap[teitain, hereby Covenanting not t.i ex- 
port or carry away any part i)ropcrty or utensill what!*oever thereunto 
belonging and do upju condition of lailuie in cnvenaut fur myself, heiis^ 
and iissigns, give unto the said Pr.ipiietors of Ilidglield their hciis and 
a.<signs all lull power an<l autliority to enter upon, po-sess, and enjoy tho 
same; and to ctuiveit and improve it t^» what end and u>e s lever Ibey 
please by virtue of these presents. In Testimony wheied" I do bind 
m.vself, heirs, and :Ls^igIls, set to my hand and seal this tbiilicth day of 
January anno Dominls 171(1'' 

"DANIEL SliEKWUUD [srAiJ 
" In presence of us 
JoSKFH I'latt 
EUKNKZF.It BaRM-M 

" nidgfield .Tan' .id"' ITir.i" Personally Ap- 
peared Daniel Sherwood y subsciiher to 
this lustrumejit and (iid acknowledj;e it for 
to be his free act and deed ladore me 

"JOSEl'H PL\TT. 

" JnslUc. 
" Received to Itecord and Recorded { 
Jany ^iU'b ITllJi' j.er me i 

"TiroMAS Hailfv, 

j\Ir. Daniel Slierwood erected his mill, as desig- 
nated, on the outlet of IMamanaseo Lake, and was 
appropriated a home-lot immediately nortit of j\Ir. 
Benjamin Burt's. 

Kev. Thomas llauley was dnubtless here prior to 
17i;J; in that year his signature is annexed to a tieed 
as a witness. 

OTHEIl PURCHASES FROM TIIL: INDIANS. 

On the ISth of ^Marcli, 171o, tlie projirietors made a 
second purchase of lands Irom the Indians, astlie fol- 
lowing deed will show : 

'* Kunw all iiirit hii ^/('■."o jirrs.nf^^ that I Tackoia alias Oreueca, iiidian, 
one of the nati>e propiietors and owners of these tiact.s of unpurchased 
lauds Lying above Kidgefiehl in y County of Faiitield atid IVdony of 
Connecticut in New England for and iti con^ide^ati>ln of four pounds 
(-'urrent money of y (Vdony id" Conneiii.ut to nie iu haul pail, or 
secured to be pail by j"- propiietors nf the Town of Kidghehi in the 
County and Cul.iuy aforesaid \i/. SD lUcIiard 0.-«burn Samuel Saint -Kdin 
Benjandn Wilson Thonnis Smith Tlmmas Hauley Jonah KtM-ler, Timothy 
Keeier Noi^^Samuid Smith Daniel Olmsted. Jonathan Rockwell llenja- 
min Ilayt Henry Wbiiue Joseph Noithrup Milt' Samuel Smith Jnahua 
Lobdell Moses Noulu up Benjamin BeiiediJi, Richard Olmsted, Ebene/er 
Smith Jame.s Wallace Daniel Sherwood, Benjamin Burt David Scott John 
Sturdevant Josepli I'latt :*liltord Tliomas Hyatt y lleiis of Thoina-s 
Rockwell deceased Matthew Saint J. dm IMatthias Saiiil John Joseph 
Keeier Matthew Seamer Daniel Arnm James Benedict Ji.seph Benedict 
James Northrup .losejdi Crampttui and Joiuithan Woud, Have and do by 
tliesir presents freely creat ly and absolutely (Irant Sell and ('onfn lu unto 
tho above named \)roiiiietois of the Town of Ridgelield and their heirs 
and assigns for ever a certain tract or paicid of Land btdongjag unto me 
y said Ureneca L>ing Situate being lnjuuded its f«'lloweth vi/, beginning 
at a Wiiile Wood tree stamping abuut four rods west of y Mill and stands 
on the noUli tidj of the outlctt lunning out of Mam;tn:i3 piogg pond on 



63G 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



whtcli tlic Ttlill now «tandt< and from tlicnco running l*,v y Baid Otillett 
till wc conio tu u small Klni Slailillc niaikcd on each sido and standing 
on tlio Kiuit side of y Mill uiitJutI, and from Ihcticc over Titicus to a but- 
tcrnutt tree, and from thoixo niidi'r the Monntaiti as tia iHiiindcd by 
marked trees till we come t ■ a Muck Oak tree marked on each side, 
thence EU'ouing tlH We come t> a mnrk<'d Ihi^ tree Lying by a brook, 
ne^r the lower end of Mopoas Uidge, thence immediately acmsa y* 
brook to a black Oak tree a little btdi^w the Lower En»l of Mopoos 
Kidge, thence over Titicus near u Noithwest line an lis bonmlnd by trees, 
to a small black Oak Studdio Htiinding by a timall brook, nmning ont of 
the Weat hills, tlicnco Directly over the bn>ok near a sauthwe»t line to 
u while Oak tree under y mountain with stones laid about tho Bamc 
which is a corner boundary iiud from hence a Smith or South East lino 
as tiH U>unded to n Snuill Walnut Sladdle standing on a heap of rocks, 
thence something South Eiiwt down ti>w»rd8 y pond ; thence something 
Eastward between the mountjiin and Mamaita8quogg pund to the lower 
end thereof, over a small run then named punch Brook, thence about 
fourty rods South East to a white Oak tree nuirkcd and stones Lay'd 
iiboui the Mime which was the lower corner meeting with the Old Pur- 
chase, all which (|uaiitity or parcel of Lund, I the said Oreneca Have 
Sold and Confirmed unto y al)ovo named propiietors their heiiii and 
atsigns for ever to enjoy y* samo iu quantity and quiility, occonling to 
each mans interest or propriety of Lands in Itiilgefield, immediately be- 
fore the purchat^e heri-'of i.e. a half il^Oit lunn Mhall have but half so 
pi4)d an interest iu the bargained ineniide:^ as a whole li^ht man shall, 
(the said Janien Wallace excepted To Have and to Hold unto them y* 
Kuid proprietors their heir« and assigns for ever, y said bargained jirem- 
lites with ull the jtrivilcdgi's and Appurtenances thereunto belonging, to 
the only use benelit and beliiwf of the saiti propiietors their hcire and 
nwnigiiH for ever, without any Let Claim or molestation from me the said 
Orreneca, alias Tackoni or my heirs E.xecutors admini^^trnturs or assigns 
for ever, or fn»m nny person or iMjrsjiKt, IiKliart or Engli^^h or any other 
by friiiii or under me or them what.-«>ever Lii\ing and Denniud Chiilleiige 
or Claim thereunto iiud I the aU>ve named Oreneca do bind mywlf my 
heirs Executors and admini^tnitots tlinily Ity these presents to free and 
exonerate all the above bargiuned prcmirins from any former and other 
Grant-*, Imrgaius niortgiiges or any other incumbrunces Wliat*>evcr. In 
Witness whereof I the said Oreneca have hereunto Set my hand and Seal 
this 18"> day of Slurch anno Uomini ITIo. 

fii» 
"OREXECA X «'w» TACKOIIA. 
mark 
"Signed scaled and delivered 
in presence of ub 

Kmi'IIalkt Lockwood 

JosKPii Platt 

Ocosiovw.v X »nn'*fc 

" Norwalk within tho County of Fairfield March 18lh day nnno Domini 
17li». Personally appeared Tockora, uliiu Oreneca, imliau the snliscriber 
to this instrument and did acknowledge it to bo hid free act and deed 
before me. 

"Joseph Pi.att, 

" Justice Peace.^* 
" Ituceivcd to Kccord April ITLi and recorded by me, 

"Thomas Uawley, 

" Itfiji^er,^* 

Again, on the 2'2d day of Xovember, 1721, a third 
purcliase wa.s made. The following is the deed: 

" A*Noir all men /»jf lhe»e tWtrntM, that I Tackoie, otherwise Called Nor- 
reiieca Indian do for and in coiiRidenition of the Sum of Six Pounds in 
Money to me In hand |itild or secured to Ih- paid by the Proprietors of 
lti<lKeIbdd, wIkwc nanus hereafter follows viz Thomas IhiwU-y Hii-hard 
Unburn Saniuil Siiint John Ik'njamin Ih>ni>«lict Beiijiuuln Burl Ik-njamin 
Stebblns Elfcnezer Smith Thomas Smith HicliDrtI Mimsled Jonhua I^>l>dell 
Milford Samuel Smith Nathan S^iint Jnhn Henri' Whitny Jonathan 
Itttckwell Ueitjamln llayt Nowk Samuel Sndtli Daniel olmsiead Timothy 
Keeler Joiinli Keeler Matthew Seaniorc Mt*es Northrup Jonathan Al>* 
Iwit Allexnnder lU-Kietcuic Jonathan Wo(n1, Jiihfph BenvdictJanies IV'ne- 
dict James Northrup JtMoph Northinp Jo#'epli Keeler Mallliew St Jnhn 
Thomas UockwrlU lleim, Ih'ujiiniin Wils m Thomns Hyatt, Jidm Slunle- 
rant Ilelra, J<m<'ph PInIt (Gideon Plult IL-nry Dwlght David Scoll James 
Scott Daniel Sherw.xKl, IKi (iivi- 4itunt twrgitin Stdl and by these presents 
have Klven Granted ItarRaiued Sold and fully confinned unt<» the afure- 
hUJ Prtijiriotore vji Thonnu Uawley Itiiltanl 0»l>oru Samuel Saint John 



Benjamin Burt Benjomin Benedict with all the rest before nameil and 
to their heirs and assigns for ever, a certain parcel or Inut of Land lying 
within y Pattend bounds and HUpi>obed Township of said Itfdgetield lying 
and DeH»rribe<l as follows viz Degiuning upon y north side ol the Brook 
at the South End of Titicus or Tomspring mountain fso called) at a great 
Tree niTirked in the Old purchase line. Thence Siuth West tn the South 
End of y long swamp marking trees. Thence to the East r-ide of Round 
pond, and by said I'ond to the North West hide of it. Thence Norwcst 
acrost the Hilts to a brook running into the east end of the Ijong Pond 
marking Trees fnmi tlienco a direct coun» over the brook to a Hemlock 
tree standing on Titicus Kiver by the Sand Bunk near u brook running 
into Titicus on the West side of said Tree which tree is thus marked B 
and thence as the river nins to said Tockore* Old IIouso to a while Oak 
Tree marked near a horse jmund, thence crossing the Kiver to a Tree 
marke<l just on the River Thence acnjss y south end of Mojxms Ridge 
to a great White Oak tree standing ot tho norihernu»»t part itf a swiuiip 
thence crossing the end of the swamp to another morke*! tree crot^ting 
the end of a plain Ridge of Laud over SIopooo bn>ok comeing from the 
noi-th to a white Oak tree marked standing on y* East side of a brook by 
the bank. 

'•Thence eiistorly to tho range of Asproom Mountain and southerly 
down under the mountain to the head of Mamanasco hill to a white Oak 
tree iitnnding on the East side of the River near the Watering place. 
I Tlienci' unilcr Aspn.>oni mountain at lln- f(H»t therrof to Copiw 3Iountain 
and down to the Old line and by said line Westerly to the Mill at the old 
boundary, and from thence to the first mentioned place in the boundaries 
in computing their former purchosed called the New purchase. 

"To Have and To Hold said Granted and bargained premises with all 
the priviledgcs and ajtpnrtennuces to the same belonging or iu any wise 
up|»crtaining I Norreneca say I hnvo wdd and fully nnido over y sjinie 
unto the said Thomas Hawley Richard Osborn S^tmuel Saint John &c 
with the above named propiietors and to their heirs and assigns for ever, 
wlio shall and may for ever hereafter by virtue hereof Enter ujKjn iH'ssess 
and Enjoy J' same Convey Convert alienate and improve the sume accord- 
ing to their Several Interests iu what way and manner, to what use and 
end soever, they the alx)vc named proprietors their heirs and UMtigns 
shall find convenient. Furthenuorc I the said Norreneca do licrcby 
Covenant and Engage to Warrant and Defend y* same for ever to y alwve 
saitl proprietors, their heirs and ossigiut from me my heirs Executors or 
Adminihtrators or any Indian or Indians, whatsoever Laying any Law- 
full Claim or Challenge thereunto. In Trstiraony Whereof I do here- 
unto Set my hand and Seal this 22<* day of Novenibvr Addo IVimini 
1721. 

hit 

"NORRENEKE X Indian, [sfjvu] 
mark 
"Signed Sealed and Delivered 
in jircseuce of us 
Benjamin Stknbins 
Timothy CANnr.Ln 

" On the 22^ of November anno Domini 1721 Norreneca Indian pereon- 
ally api>eared and acknowledged tlic'alH>vc wiittcu Instrument to b« hi* 
free act and deed beforo mc. 

"RicuAnn Osiiorn, 

" JuMkf. 
" Received to Record November 22*^ 1721 and recorded pr me 

"Thomas Hawlkv, 

" Itfjitter."' 

On tho 4tli of July, 1727, a fourth purcha^se wiw 
made. The following is the deed : 

" KnniP all mfH hff ihate prtnenU That We Japorneck «b Mtwes, Indian* 
belongin}: to Wc|K(ck or long |«ond fl> Calle<l JL* RIchanI and Siinim In- 
dians Itelonglng to animawogg do For ami in Consideratinn of dghte^'n 
iKiiinds (n money or »r(M>d9 E<|u(v;dent, two guns, Eighteen ShilHngs In 
hand received, and Three Uitth^ Uhnm, |>aid by y* prnprlet* of Ridge- 
fl.bl. Wh.^M- Namtf< hen-after F*dlow, Viz. Thomas Hanby. Ri.bard O^ 
burn, Sam' Sulntjohn, neujnmin Rentillcl, IhMtjnmln Burl, Benjiiniin 
Stebblns Elwnez' Smith, Thomas Smith, RichanI Olmsted Jiwhua Lob- 
dell, Milf Sani> Smith, Nathan Sainljohn. Henry Whltne. Joniith* Rock- 
w.ll, IhMiJomin Hayt, Jonathan AbUrtt Sen'. Allexand' Re*«.gule, TituJ 
Wm«l, Ji>seph Reue<Uck. James Benedict, Jiintes Northrup, J't^^-ph 
Northnip J***^^! Ix!e, J«w«'ph Kfcb-r, IWnjnmIn Heacock Ikiijamln Wil- 
i»on, Thonms llyatl, John Stiirtle^auts heirs, Ji^«eph Plait, Gide«in PIfttt, 
David Scott, Jamew S-oli, Dan' Sherw.KKl, Norw Sum' Smith, Daniel Olm- 
sted, Timothy Keeler, Jonah Keeler. Matthew Sconiorc, Joseph HoL«rt, 



RIDGEFIELD. 



637 



Moses Northrup, Give, Grant bargain Sell, anil liy these jtrcsents ilo freely 
fully, ami al'Wiliitfly SfU Convoy and Confirm \intii y*' saiil Proprietor 
aiiove named, aeconiing to your sevor' interests in the Proprietysliip of 
Iliilgefielil, a CV'rtain tract, or parcel of land herpafter descrihed, and 
metiti'ined, Namely, all y laiuls included within y lines hereafter ukmi- 
tioned, beginning at a largo Whito Oak tree mark't, Standitig about 
twenty miles three liiindred and five roilds from Coillaiid!* point the line 
agroed upon by the Commission and from thence a line S"utherly par- 
allel! to ye line Call'd twenty miles from Hudson Hiver, till it meet y 
former purchase unide by Cottoona: and again from y^ fore mentioned 
white Oak Tree a line Nortlierly parallel also X<i said Twenty mile line 
till it meet y* purchase made of Takoie, Ct)mprehending all y*^ land. 
Eastward of said lines, till it come to y old purchase lines, to hnve and 
to hold y« said Gratited and bargaini'd premises with all ye piiviledges 
and C<)mmoditie8 to the same belonging, or in any wise appertaining, We 
said indians have sold and fully made overy<^ same unto ye above Named 
Proprietors and to their heirs and assigns forever, in such proportion as 
above, according to their sever' interests to them and theirs. Sole and 
proper nse and benefitt, who slnill an<l may forever hereafter by virtue 
hereof enter upon, possess antl enjoy y same. Convey, Convert, alienate 
and improve it in what way and manner, to what use and soever, they 
the above named proprieto* their heirs and sissigns Shall See Convenient. 

" Furtiiermoro we the said .laporriei'k, Richard Closes and Samm, in- 
dians, do for ourselves and heirs hereby Covenant and Engage to warrant 
and defend y« same forever unto y proprieto" of Kidgefield aforesaid and 
to their hcii-s and assigns forever, from us and our heii^s or any pci-sons 
what forever, whether English or imlians laying any laufull chiim Chal- 
lenge or demand thereunto. 

" In Testimony whereof wo do hereunto set our hands and Seals this 
4''' day of July Anno Domini 1727. 

" JAPORNECK. Am X '"'"■^■. [skai..] 
RICHARD, his X mark. [skai..] 
MOSES, his X mark. [skai,.] 

S.\M, his X "i«ri'. [seal.] 

AVETT HAMS, hi.-^ X »'("■'- [skal ] 
AMMON, hi^ "X maifi. [seal.] 

"Signed Sealed and delivered 
In presence of us 

Jonv Bolt, his y^ mark. 

Petf-r Randall. 

"July 4''', 1727 then appeared y^ persons of Japorneck Hfoses, Richard, 
Sam, Witt Hams, and .\mniou Ind aiis, and did acknowledge the above 
written Instrument to be their free act and deed. Before me 

" Richard Osrvrs 

" J list f. 



' Received to record July 4'^', 17 



anil recorded pr me 

" Thomas Hailf.y, 

" lifjistn 



Two other purchases were made in the year 17:^!*, 
— tiie first on the 7th of ]\Iareh, the second on tlie 
10th of April. Below are the deeds: 

" Kjiotr all men hrj (hcte presents that we Japporneek, Amnion and Wett 
ham«, Samm Moses, I'awgnenongi ami Crow all imlians belonging to long 
pond or Wepack for ami in Considcratittn of a valuable reward paid or 
to be jiaid by y-^ Proprietorsof Ridgefn-ld Have (iiven. Granted, bargained 
SoM and by these presents do freely fully and absidutely Sell, Convey, 
and Confirm unto y proprietorsof Riilgefiehl their heirs and assigns for- 
ever, according unto their several interests or projtrieties a Certain Tract 
or parcell tif laml Supposedly in ye Townsliip of Ridgefteld Lying Situate 
and Butted and bounded as Followeth, Namely, Beginning West at an 
Oak Staildle standing on y^ west side of y^ Outlettof lung pond about si.v 
rods west of saiil Outlett, Near y lower fishing place, from iheni-c South- 
ward along yc line which Mr. Lewis run, and ilown ti) y old purchase 
line; and from said Staildle Northward by said line of Mr. Lewis To 
Titicus river, and bounded Eiist by y former piircluuse made of Jappor- 
neek and by y piirchase nnule Tackora being in breadth, about three 
hundred and five rods. 

"To Have and To Hold said Granted aTid bargained premises with 
all y liberties and privileges to y^ game belonging or in any wise appor- 
tjuning. 

" We say we have sold and fully made over y same unto y^ said pro- 
prieto* of Ridgefield according tu their proportionable interests and 
properties as above, and to tlieir heirs aiid assigns forever, who t-hall and 
may forever hereafter by virtue hereof. Enter upon possess and Enjoy y 



same Convey Convert alienate and improve it, in what way and manner, 
to what nse and end forever they th«' said pmpi ietoj-s tlieir heirs, or 
assigns shall See Convenient. 

"Furthermore We the said Japporneek Ammon and Welt Ilanis, 
Moses, Samm Pawquenongi and Crow do for ourselvefs heirs, and assigns, 
hereby Covenant and Engage to warnint and lUfenil y sdiove Granted, 
and bargaineil premises unto y sabl projuietors, their heirs and assigns, 
from US Our heirs, Executoi^, administrators, or any manner of persons 
or pei'sons what forever, English or indians laying any manner of <'laim 
Challenge or demand thereunto from by, or under ns. or Ours. In Tes- 
timony whereof we do heiennto set our bands and St-als this 7*'' day of 
March Anno Domini 1729. 

"JAPORNECK, fcw X '""'■'■■■ [sfai.] 

MOSES, /MJiX »'»rk. [sea I,. I 

SAMM. /.i> X "'«'■'■■ [sfai.] 

AMMON, his X vmvk. [sFAL.] 

WETT HAMS, ;-j.^X""^'-^'- [seal.] 
rAWQCENONGI, AwX"'^''^"- Isfal] 
CROW, his X Ttark. [seal.] 

"Signed Seah'd and D.divered 

In presence of ns 
JoslAll GiMIERT, 
William Duinkwatfu. 

"March y 7*''. 1729, then appeared persniially y Subscribers Namely 
Jappornjcck, Moses, Samm, Amnion, Wett Hams, !*awijuenongi, Crow, 
and did acknowledge y above written In;-trument to be their free act 
and deed. Before me 

'■ RlCHAUn OSIiUBN, 

" Justice. 
" Received to record March 7'*", 1720, and recorded pr me 

"Tno« Hawlf.y, 

" /iV(/is(." 

" Kuoiv it!l men hi/ the'e preseuts, that we Abtopeer Jlolieus Neshucawpo 
Tawquantose Wawsachini all Imlians behuiging unto Hooppacks, and 
Jacob Turkey Indian belonging to Narraliawtong. For and in coiisidem- 
tion of a vallnable Sum or reward paid by the proprietors of Bidgefield 
which is to our full satisfaction, have given Granted bargained Sold, and 
by these presents do freely fully and absolutely Sell Convey and confirm 
unto said proprietors their heirs ami assigns foiever according to their 
several int'-n-sts tlu^ following Tract or juircell of Land— viz Begintnng 
at Danliury South West Corner Continueing Onr patti-n line till it meets 
y 'J[i mile line between the Government, and then Southwardly by said 
20 mile line, till it cross Titicus River and thence Eastwardly to Dan- 
lairy South West Corner, Bounded all along Southerly liy our fonner 
purchase. 

" Ttt Have and To IIoM said granted and bargained prennses with all 
the priviliges and appurtenances to y same be]i>nging or in any wise 
appertaining we say we have sold, and fully made over the same unto 
y said proprietors and to their heirs and assigns forever, in proportion 
to their several interests, wlio shall and may forever hereafter liy virtue 
hereof enter upon possess and enjoy the same, Convey Convert alienate 
and improve it in what way and manner, to what use and end soever, 
they y said proprietoi-s their heirs and at-signs shall see Convenient. 

" Furthei more we the indians above named do for ourselves ami heirs 
hereby Covenant and engage to Warrant and Defend the same forever 
unto the pro|Mietors itf RidgfieM as above from us (Mir heirs or successors 
or any manner of persmi « hntever English or Indians lawing any lavv- 
full claim Challenge or Demand thereunto. 

"In Testimony wliercof we the above named Indians do hereunto 
Set Our Hands and Seals this in"' day of Aprill .\nno Domini 17'J^i. 

" JACOM TiniKEY, his X '»« '^■- [pe^I-] 
AH TOPPEEH, hisy mark. [se\l.] 

Mt)KEXvS, /ns X "'«''^'' [seal.] 

NESHUCAWPO, his X rmirk. [seal.] 

TAl'Ol' AT< tOSK, his X "'ai7.-. [seal.] 

WAW SACIIIM, his X "'"'■A-- [se\L.] 

WAW CALI, hiK X """'^■- [seal.] 



Two bovs 



CAPT JACOB, /n« X """^■■ 



[seal.] 



"Signed Sealed and delivered 

in presence of ns 
Israel Mead 
Caleh Strono 
Moses Indian his X niari. 
Cuow, his X W'^T^t." 



638 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Two other purcha-ses were subsequently made of 
the Indians, — one on the 2Sth of February, 1738, and 
the otlier on the (ith of December, 1734, — but tliey 
were of lands lying within the limits of the State of 
New York, on the oblong ; and although the deeds 
are recorded on the town records, they are not deemed 
of sufficient interest to be given a place here. 

The eiglith and last purchase of lands by the pro- 
prietors of the Indians was made on the 10th of De- 
cember, 173t). The following is the deed then given : 

"JTflow all men bfi titeseprtaenU tlmt wo Betty y mothor of Jacob Tur- 
key, Capt Jncob Turkey Mokiiuanioso, for and in consi'leration of y 
sum of Hi\ ikiuihIs five sliilliiij^ money to U8 in haix) paid, or secured to 
bo paid l>y Lt Kl>eu' Smitli, Calit Daniel Olnisted, i^ Mattlicw Seanioreof 
KldgefieM in y County of Fairfield and Colony of Conuccticut in New 
Englunil nnd wliieh is to our fall Satisfaction, Do Give Grant Ilargnin 
Sell and by these presents Have Given Granted, Bargained Sold and fully 
conlirin unto y above S** Let Ebon' Smith Cajtt Daniel Olmsted A Mat- 
thew Sealnore and their assmiates, and to their heirs A assigns forever u 
certain imrecll or tract of Lands Lying within y new ]*attent Bounds 
Called in y Townshipttf Ridgefleld, as it is Butted A Bounded on y" east 
by Danbnry Tt»wiis!iil>, north by New Kairtieid, on y* west by yf Govern- 
ment Line Southerly by Our former Purchase made of .Incob Turkey. To 
Have and to Hold said Granted & Bargained pvemises willi all y privi- 
lidge^ A appurlonauces toy Same belonging or in any wise appertaining, 
Wo y« snid Betty, Jacob Turkey, Mokqnaroose. say we have Stdd and 
ynlly nnide ovor y« same unto y* taid Lt Eben' Smith t-'apt Dan' Olmsted 
and Matthew Seamoro, their Associates, and their heirs and a.ssigns for 
Ever, who shall and may for Ever hereafter, by virtue hereof Enter npon 
Posse.ss and Enjoy y Same Convey, Convert, Alienate, and improve y 
Same according to their Severall interest]*, in what way, and manner to 
what use A end S-* Ever they y above named Lt ELeu Suiitli, Capt Daniel 
Olmsted, and Matthew Seamoro, their AS8:>c[ato3, or their liclra and 
assigns Shall See Convenient. 

** Furthormoro we y said Betty, Jacob, Turkey, Mokr)uaroo8e, Defend 
y samo for ever to y« nbovesaid Lt Elieii' Smith, Capt Dan' Olutsted, A 
Matthew Seamoro their a-ssociatett heii^ and assigns fi^im us, our heirs 
Execut" administrnt", or any Inilian or Indians Whatsoever, or any 
manner of persons. Laying any Lawfull Claim Challenge, or Demand 
theiennto. In Testimiuiy whoret)f wo do lioreuntu Set our hands A Seals 
this I9«> day of December A.u. 1739. 

BETTY, Jier X marl:" 

This deed wa.s also signed by other Indians, who.se 
names and marks are fully recorded on the town 
records. 

EXEMPTION FKOM TAX.\TIO.V. 

Although the early settlers of Ridgefleld were a 
liardy and industrious people, and exerted every 
effort to im])r()ve their store of worldly goods, still it 
is evident that their ta.sk wtts not any easy one, and 
that for many years the financial condition of the 
town was at a low ebb, for, in 172i>, we fiml them pe- 
titioning the General A.s.sembly for exemption from 
ta.xation, as the following shows : 

" The towns of .\shford, Hebron, Bidgeflold, New Town, and New Blil- 
ford shall prvceed (o take and nuike a lUt of all tho l>o11s and nitnblo 
estate by their listers, this preAonl year, as other towns In this colony do. 
And if eilliertif tho said towns are destitute of listers as the law directs, 
to do the work, thai then, hi such ctu«e, such town so dt^ililute shall 
sunu'tirne in Iho month i<f June next meet together anil choose a suita- 
ble nnmlier of tlieir inhabitants to Ik< listen*, who shall lie sworn to that 
office aci-onlingly, who shall take the said list and transuilt tho same to 
this AMombly to bo hoMon ut 2tow ilavoD iu October uoxl." 

The petition exempting them for t\io years from 
public taxes was granted, with tiic provision that the 
town should draw no monev out of the treasury for 



the schools nor send no representative to the As- 
sembly during the exemption. 

At the expiration of the two years they found it 
necessary to again request the same clemency, which 
was granted " for the term of two years next to 
come." 

We find no repetition of this request, or anything 
that would seem to indicate financial depression, 
until 1740, when Ridgefleld, together with Litchfield, 
was fined and censured for not sending " tlie sum total 
of the list of the polls and ratable estates" to the Gen- 
eral Assembly. This doubtless may be attributed to 
neglect rather than flnancial depre,ssion. 

The following is the act of the General Assembly : 

" Forasmuch as by one law of the colony entitled, An .\ct directing 
listers in their duty and ofhce, it is provided that if the listers in tho 
resiH?ctive towns in this cidony shall not annually send the sum total of 
tho list of tho polls aud ratable estates of tho inhabitantit of such 
towns to this Assembly at their sessions in October, such town shall be 
doomed by this .\ssembly ; and whereas the listers of the tewns of 
Ridgefleld and Litchfield re^ipectively have not sent the sum tolol of such 
lists of the ivdls and ratable estates in the respective terms to the ses- 
sions of this Assembly in October last, acconliug as it is in said act pro- 
vided : this A.-sembly do sentence and doom the inhabitants of the town 
of Ridgefleld to pay into tho iiubli„- tronsurj' of this colony the sum of 
twonty-liiue {lounds flftecn shillings, aud the inhalilants of tho town of 
Litchfleld tho sum of twenty-seven |)onnds, six shillings, and four pence; 
and the Treasurer is ordered and directed to send forth his warrant to the 
constables of tho said towns, respeclively. to levy and collect the wild 
sums of the inhabitants of the towns to which they belong, and to iwiy 
in the same to the public treasury ; and the said constables aro hendiy 
inipowereii, lespectively, to levy the sjiid sums of the iuliatitanls, and 
rei|uired to [my in the same to the public treasury, as is by law reiinlred 
in cases whore the lists ore orderly returned to this Assembly." 

THE PERRY F.^iMILY. 

One of the old families of Ridgefiehl is the Perry 
family. 

Dr. David Perry, son of Micah Perry, of Fairfield, 
practiced medicine in this town from 1772 to 1822, 
the time of his death. In 1791 he became ordained 
and filled the office as rector of St. Stephen's Parisli 
for four years, on horseback with saddle-bags, prac- 
ticing on week-days and preaching Sundays. 

His son, Neheiniah Perry, >I.l)., succeeded him 
in the town, and practiced for the term of fifty-five 
years. His practice was extensive, being a circuit of 
forty to fifty miles. As a physician and surgeon he 
was one of the most eminent and skillful of his day, 
the last ten years of his life being exclusively con- 
sultation practice. 

His son, the present Nehemiah Perrj-, >LI>., suc- 
ceeded him, and is the third of his family who have 
practiced here for the last one hundred and thirty 
years. 



RIDGEFIELD. 



639 



CHAPTER LXIII. 

RIDGEFIELD (Continued). 

KIDOEFIKLD IN TIIK REVOLUTION. 

Kxtrac-ts from Town Records — Petaileil History of the Invasion — Tlie 
Biittle at UiilgcfiL-hl— WoostiT Jlurtally WoumU-d— Rovolutiunary lu- 
cidcuis. 

TllYON'S INVASION. 

In the beginning of the Revolutionary struggle 
RiilgetieUl was inclined to remain true to the British 
stiindurd, as will he seen by the following resolutions : 

" Fii-st. mieieas application hath been made to the Seh-ct Men of tlie 
To"'n of RidjiefiLdd in CunniTtiiiit Colony by several of tlie iriliahitants 
of 8'' Town, to call a Special Town ^leetin;; in order t > take into con- 
sideration the Rcsohition Entered into liy the Late Continental Congress; 
and the Inhaliitaiits lieing accordingly met the 30tii day of January ad. 
1775 Mr. Nallian Olmstead was choseti Moderator. Tlie Meetiiif; tlien 
pmceeded U) take into Consideration the said Residntiuns, and after ma- 
ture Delilieration in 8aid meetiufj; the question was put, Whether this 
Town will adopt and Conftirni to the Uesolves contained in y" association 
of the C<intincntal Congi'esa or not. Resulved in the Nef;utive Desent. 

" .sVcoHi/. KesoSvcd, N C D That wo do ackuowledvro his Most Sacred 
Majehity Kitifj; George the 3*' to he our rightfull Sovereign and do lierehy 
pnhlickly avow tniv allegiance to him »t his LawfuU successoi's — Ami 
that we will to the utmost of our power. Support liis throne & Dignity 
against Evry Comhiualion in the Universe, 

7V(iVr^ Itesoh-eU N C V, That we do acknowledge tliat the three 
branches of y Legislation (to wit) the King, the House of Lords and 
the House of Commons Convening and acting together have a constitu- 
tional Riglit of Government over the wliole and Every part of the Riiliah 
Empire. 

Fourlh. liesoli-ed "S C I) that tlie Governour Council and Representa- 
tives of this Colony being Indulged with aiul having im Establislied 
Right of Legislation (tho" restiiitedj in and over this Ci>lony, We do 
hereby acknowledge & avow their Right of Government and Legif^lation 
in and over this Colony And are contideiit that tliey jue the Riglitfull & 
Constitutional Rnleis Directors and Guardians of our persons, properties 
Rights Liberties and privilidges and We desire no other jjolilical Guides 
or Guardians tiian Said Assembly and tho Olhcers Constitutionally ap- 
pointed by tiieni, to keep the peace & Order of y^ Colony and to Super- 
intend the Execution of the Colony Laws. 

" Fifth. lifsol-ed X C D That it would he dangerous anil hurtfuU to 
the Inliabitaritsof this Town to adopt the said Congress measures; and 
we do hereby pviblickly disapprove of ami jtrotest against said Congress 
and the measures hy them directed to jis unciuistitutional — as subver^ive 
of our real Liberties — and as countenancing Licenciousncss Resolved N 
C 1) That the Town Clerk be directed to make out a true copy of y above 
s''' votes & transmit them to one or more of the printers in New York, 
that they nuiy be published to tho world. 

" Ttst. Stki'iif.s Smith. 

"At a Town Meeting held in Ridgefield by adjournment April Id'h 
177J from March 7 1775. 

" The Question was i»ut Whether y" Town will Explain their resolves 
of the :J0"» of .Jauuary Lasts, Resolved in the Negative, TJie above Meet- 
ing is dismissed. 

"Test &rv.pui:y Smith, 

" lif(j inter.'''' 

A CHANGE OF SENTIMENT. 
At a town-meeting held Dee. 17, 1775, the following 
action was taken : 

"On Motiiui made Wheither Said Meeting upon Reconsideration do 
disannul the revives .\pril 10''' entered into ami pass<Ml on the .10''' Jany 
1775, And adopt anil approve of the ContiiuMital C^uigross and tlie meas- 
ures Directed to in their association, for securing and Defending tho 
Rights and Liberties of y<^ United American Coliuiics. 

"Resolved in tlio Attirmative Nem Con. 

■'Raid Meeting voted that the Town Clerk make out a Copy of the 
above. Resolve and transmit the same to one of the printers in New 
York, in Order that the same may be maile public in tlie News Papers. 

"Question jiut Wheither s-' Meeting will choo&e of a Comtnittee of 



Inspections agreeably to tho 11''' article of y association of the Conti- 
nental Congress. 

" Resolved in the Affirmative. 

"And Samuel Olmsted Ks.i^ C^«' Philip Rurr Hradloy Daniel Coh-y Epq' 
Jacob Jones Stoidien Sniitli Tiniutby Ke.ler. Ciipt Jomdi Foster Natliau 
Olmsted William Forester, John Renedi. t Junies Scott, Kbenezer J.-neS 
Abraham Retts, Matthew Keeler, Tinu'thy Renedict Nathan Stcvt-na 
Samuel Gates David Piatt Rartiioloinew Weed John Jones D;ini"d Smith, 
Ichabod I)oolittle Abraham Gray Abraham Na;.h. Silas Hall and Azor 
Hurlbut were ehoRcn Committee its abovesiii.I. 

" At a Town Meeting held in Ridgefield Apiil 4"' 1777 Timothy Keeler 
was chosen Sloderatorof Saiil Meeting. Said Sleeting liy a ilajnr Vote is 
adjouriied to the JVIeeting House. 

'■ Said Meeting Pursuant to a request and Resi'lve of the Governor and 
his Committee of Safety, Chose James Scott Matthew Keeler, Tiiuolhy 
Benedict &. Sanuud Gates, a Ctimniittee to provide for the families of such 
soldiers as shall enlist into the Continental Army with necessaries at tho 
l»rices stated by Law. 

" Voted also that tliis T-.wn will Give to each nuin that nball Inlist as 
a Soldier iut" the Continental Service ^for three years or during the war 
being an Inliabitant of this Town, till tlie Quota of the Town to fill tlio 
Continental Aiuiy be Cumplealed) Six pounds LuwfnII mnney lor every 
Year they are in said Si-r\ic:e, to be paid as full.-\v> \i/, Six pound?, at the 
time of their Inli^tmeut. 

"Tho next Six poiimlB to be paid within the second year & so ou 
Yearly I)uring tlieir Continuance in Service. 

'■ ,\nd those that engage, that have families, if they die in Service by 
Sickness or y Sword to hv paid to their Wiilows or Children one year 
after their death. 

" Also the Town by tlieir Major Vote do agree to adhere to tlie Law 
of this State, Regulating the prices of the Necessaries of Life. 

" Voteii that tlio Select Men procum Mt>ney in Loan or Otherwise, on 
the Town Creiiit or in the Towns behalf for the purpose of Encouraging 
Soldiers to Enli-'t into the Continental army And when the sum neces- 
sary for that purpose is known, said Meeting vtite, agree and grant a Tax 
on the polls & Rateable Estate of the Inbabitfints of this Town, on tho 
List of 177t;, in order to repay the money that is or may be so procured 
and Laid Out and either of tho Select Slen for the time being, or any 
other persiui tliat the Select ftlen sliall nominate & Depute, Sliall lie fully 
Authorized to collect tho said tax &c and the same apply to tho uso 
aforesaid. 

" Said 3Ieeting is Dismissed. 

"Test Stephen Smith 

" /iVi/wfcr." 

The following extracts relating to the war oi' the 
Revolution are also from the town records : 

" At a Town Sleeting held in Ridgefield Nov H'h 1777 Capt Jonali Fos- 
ter WHS chosen Moderator of s'"* meeting. 

"Said Meeting by their M:ijor Vote Choso David Olmstead, Samuel 
Olmsted S^"", Timothy Keeler 2\ Ebenezer Jones, John Waterous, Silas 
Hull, L:hal.od Do.dinle, Daniel Rockwell, Bartholomew Weed to be a 
Committee to procure Cloathing, for the SoMieis in the ('ontinental 
Army (that tho Assembly of this State, hath Reipiired the Town to pro- 
vide for). 

"Test SrKi'HEN Smith, 

" Reyista:" 

" At a Town Meeting held in Ridgefield January Sth 177^;^ IJeut Nathan 
Olmsted «as chosen Mnderator of said Meeting, 

"The Question was put in caid ileeting, Wheither the Articles of 
cruifederation and pcrpetnal Cnioii, Drawn up and published by the 
Ibuiouiable, (\uitiiiental Congress be approved. Resolved in tho Athrm- 
alive. 

" Ttst STF.rnEN Smith, 

" AVywf.T." 

"At a Town Meeting held in Ridgefield March 3^ 1778 Samuel Olm- 
stead Esq'' was chosen 3Ifnlerator of siiid Meeting. 

*' By a Major Vote said Meeting made choice of John Benedict, Esqr' 
and Timothy Keeler 2'' to be a Committee to distribute tho Salt, belong- 
ing to tliis Town as follows viz (hu- Quart thereof to each person of tho 
several lamilies of the men or Ilia.t are Inhabitants of this town that 
have taken the Oath of fidelity to the State of Connecticut, and likewise 
to each jH'rson of the famil'ea of the Widows in this Town that arc 
act^ountod ft iendly to the United States of America, and likew iso to each 
person of tlie fanulies of those nn-n ii. this town that are in tho Conti 



640 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



nontfti Army; and saUX Comniitteo are to tnko Cd I^awTull money per 
Quart fur the sunic, of the persons they deliver tlic salt to; and that 
Hnid Committee iittcnd upon y" biintncsd of Dcliveriiii; tho (>alt, on tlio 
afternoon ot each Thurs<lay and Slonday in thitt month till tho whole be 
delivered unt, ami also Keep and Render tnie acLuunts of their doings in 
the premises to the S*deet Men by the flr^t of April next. 

*• ro/«»/ alsi> tluit the C'oniniittcce a|)|>oiiited to take care and provide 
for the familieH of tho Men i[i the Continental Army, Itceeive or draw 
out of the Town TreuBury £6 0» 0^ agreeable to the Vote of tho Town, 
and lay the same ont for tho use and beuetit of the Widow and family 
of £li6ha (Jilbert docoaxod. 

" Ttsi Stephen Suith, 

" HfgitUr.'"' 

"At a Town Meeting held in Riclgeflold 9 Aug 1770 Samuel Olmsted 
Esq' was clioscn Moderator of said meeting. Said meeting v.iis adjourned 
from the Town House to the Sleeting House. 

"Samuel Olmsted Es(i' and M' Robert Kdniond were chosen Dologatcs 
for the Town in orditr to meet in County C\)nvontion at Redding on the 
10'** Instant at the Dwelling House of Lieut Stephen Retts at 8 O'clock 
in the morning in order tooonsult anil aJopt suitable measures to prevent 
the further Depreciation (tf the paper Currency and Raise its value. 

" In siiid Meeting the Question was put Wheithor any person that was 
an Inhabitant in this Town, anil hath Al>8cundcd and gone over to or 
joineii the Enemy of the ITnitod States (and hath returned or shall return 
nnto the Town) be adniitteJ to dwell in the Town, without the Liberty 
A approbation of tlie Town first Inid antl obtained by such person or 
persons. Resolved in the negative. 

" TeM Stki'Iien Smith, 

'■At a Town Meeting held In Ridgeflcld June 29 1780. 

"Daniel Coley E«(jr was chosen Moilerator of said meeting. 

"Said Meeting Granted a Tax of six i)enco Lawful! money on the 
pound on the Town List of 1779 to bo collected by the first day of August 
next and put into the Town Trea.'*ury. i 

" Saiii Sleeting gratited to encli able bodied effective man that shall 
voluntarily, Inlist or hath lately been detach'd to fill up this Towns [ 
quota in the Continental Army thiity Shillings Lawfull money per 
month during tho time they are in said service. Also to each Soldier 
that shall or liath lately been Detach'd for this state service (as a 
soldier) Thirty Shillings Lawfnll money per month for all the time they 
shall be in said service over and above one month ami the money to be 
drawn out of the Town Treasury and piud to them .respectively. Daniel 
Coley Esq' and David Scott was by said meeting appointed a Committee 
for that pur|H)ge." 

" At a Town Meeting held in Rhlgefield Aug 23'> 1780. 

" Timothy Keelcr was chosen Moderator of suld Meeting. 

"Said aieeling by their Major vote Revoked the vote of the Town 
whereby a tax was granted of six pence on tho pound on the List of 
1779 in a Town Sleeting held June 29 H^O. 

"Said Sleeting Voted that they would raise money by Tax on the List 
of 1779 and give to tho Soldiers and nc»n Conimis»ioned officom that have 
been or shall be In the Service of the Continental and this State from 
the first of liiAt March during this years campain. 

"Said Sleeting mado choiso of Itenjamln Smith, William Forester, 
Timothy Keelcr Esq' Stephen Smith and SU'phen Xorris a Committee to 
prepare a SlemoHiil to be prefered to the Oenenil Assembly. Request- 
ing that for the future the methoil of Raising and procureing Soldicre 
for the Continental and State Sor\ice the present war, may be by classing 
mon, viz. all the men from sixteen aud upward — and each class to prx>- 
curo a man for said service. 

" TrV STF.niEN Smith, 

"At a Town Sleelinc; held in Ridgeheld Nov. '^ipk, 1780 Daniel Coloy 
Esq was » lnw.'n M(_Kl«'rnior uf Niid SU-i-tlng, 

"Said Sleeting Vote<i that a Committee should l>o rhoson and as soon 
as miiy be to make Enquiery and Obtain the number of the Men that 
Uic Town is Deflciont respecting Iheir Quota of Soldiers in the Conti- 
nental Army And Thaddeus Rockwell and William Forrister vera 
chosen for tho puritose aforesaid. 

" Alw said Sleeting by their SlaJor vote made Choice of Nathan Smith 
and William Forrister to receive tho salt neceasary fur putting np tho 
Prtni^ions required of this Town to be proviilL>4| fur the Army and to 
perform evt-ry part ntipectingAliil rmvioious agreeable tt> an Act of tho 
General Assembly of this Statu in their last s^^wion." 

"At a Town Sleeting held In Rldgt-neld Fuby «»»> 1781 Capt Jonah 
Foster was Chosen Slodcmtor of sold Meeting. 



"Said Sleeting Voted that the methml for raising and procuring five 
Slen for this Slate Service to ser\'e as Soldiers in Col Reebes Regiment 
at Uorscneck for the term of one year, be by classing the Inhabitants 
into five chiKses. 

"And that three of the classes divided out to procure Soldiers for fill- 
ing up the Continental Army l»e formed into one class. And the three 
committee men living in the southern three classes that were app^dnted 
to chtss the liduibitants liS above expre«8cd b** a committee for the clnss 
in the southern pai-t of the Town and so successively through the Town 
to tho North end thereof. 

" And Samuel Olmsted Esq. Nathan Olmsted and Ibdiert Kdmond be a 
conimitieo for the Southern class. And John Benedict Esq Benjamin 
Smith and John Jones a committee for y* second class. 

" And Col Dnidley Stephen Smith and Silos Hull a committee for the 
third cla«s. 

" And Daniel Smith, Matthew Northrop, and Jonah Foster u commit- 
tee for y* fourth claja. 

" And Daniel Coley Esq, W« Forrister and Capt Seais a committee for 
tho fifth class. 

" Also said meeting Rescdved that the Rejiresentatives of this b^wn be 
and tbey are hereby Instructed to use their Influence in the Honorable 
General AsMvmblv in remonstrating to Congress against a late reB«jlvc of 
Cojigreas respt-clitii the netting of half pay on the suiwniumerary Offi- 
cers lately belonging to tlie Contiocrital Army." 

" At a Town Sleeting hehl in Ridgefield Slarch 23'^ 1781. 
"Col. Philip Bradley was chosen MoUemtor of said meeting. 
"Said Sleeting made choice of Capt David Olniatetl, Col Bradley, 
Ehenezcr Olmsted William Forrister and Stephen Norris a committee to 
procure Soldiers to complete tho Towns Quota for filling up the Conti- 
nental Army and this States service. 

"Said Sleeting ]{esolvcd and Ordered that the several classes that bavo 
procured Recruits for the Continental Army deliver their nuiid Recruits 
to tlie Selectmen at the houses of Clniients Smith and Daidel Coley Esq 
On Wednes<hiy the 2SV* of this Instant at ten oclook in the morning in 
order to be taken to Danbury to be Slustered and delivered to au Officer 
and forwarded to the Continental Army." 

"At a Town Sleeting held in Itidgefield April 13«»> 1781, 
" Cai)t Jonah Fi)ster wua chosen Sloderator of anid Sleeting. 
"Said Sleeting made choice of John Benedict Samuel Olni8te<l Esq, 
Col Bradley and William Forri-^ter u committee (In Behalf of the Town) 
to make a settlement with the Sli-n that weie in service the last cam- 
paign either Continoutal or Slate that were Inhabitants of or counted 
for the Towns Quota ; Or with a committee by Ihem ap|K>inted re*tpecting 
two Grants they say wasmwle them by y* Town at their Town Sleetings 
held in Ridgcfield on y' 29*^ day „f June 178<t and on y« 23"^ of August 
1780 aud make rcpori to a future Town Sleeting." 

The following account of tlie invasion of Connec- 
ticut l)y tlie Hriti.-ih in 1777 is taken from " H<>lli.'<ter*8 
History of ('(innecticut :" 

*' Sir William ilowe luid been informed iliat the 
Americans had large depositories of military stores in 
Danbury and its neighborhood. He determined to 
destroy them without delay, and in casting about him 
for a faithful «n>erator in tliis most invidious of all 
employments who would be remorsele-ss in the use of 
the torch he hit readily upon His Excellency Gov- 
ernor Tryon, of New York. He could hardly have 
made a more admirable selection. 

" Howe was a shrewd judge of character, and knew 
well that nothing so eHectually calls out the latent 
energies of a man of genius as a sudden appeal to old 
and cherished recollections. Now, there was no part 
of the world that could awaken in the mind of Wil- 
liam Tryon so many lively and searching iissoeiations 
as Connecticut. The name of the little republic 
made His Exeelleney's hair bristle with eertjiin sen- 
sations that a soldier ought not to entertain. From 
the time when that irreverent company of Connec- 
ticut dragoons had scattered the type belonging to 



RIDGEFIELD. 



641 



the adniinistration's organ througli the streets of New 
Ycirk, and driven one of liis ])ets, Rivington, with 
hundreds of Tories tliat wore wortliy of being elevated 
to the dignity of governor's horse-guards, he liad felt 
the liveliest emotions at the very sound of the wonl 
' Conneetieut.' In some way it was inseparably con- 
nected in his mind with that eharming society called 
the '8ons of Liberty.' 

" Gen. Howe showed his shrewdness not only in 
selecting his agent for this work, liut also in sending 
along with him, to see that he did not lose himself in 
his explorations into a land that was so dear to him, 
those excellent advisers. Gen. Agnew and 8ir William 
Erskine. Those gentlemen furnished intellectual 
resources for the major-general, and he added the 
warmth of his nature to give soul to the enterprise. 
Accordingly, a detachment of two thousand men were 
selected irom the choice s[)irits of the British army, 
and nominally placed under Tryon's command. They 
emlnirked at New York, and, under the convoy of a 
fine naval armament of twenty-five vessels, passed 
over the waters of Long Island Sound in such high 
spirits as the warmth of an April sun and the pleasing 
anticipations of the business that was to employ them 
were calculated to inspire. They had chosen a time 
when Connecticut was almost entirely deserted by her 
male ]iopuIation, who had gone out to defend the soil 
of other States and stay up the trailing banner of the 
noble Washington. 

" They had left their homes to be guarded, with the 
exception of a few gallant troops, by the crutches of 
the grandfathers and the distaffs of the grandmothers 
who had two generations of descendants in the field 
hundreds of miles away. On this account His Excel- 
lency, who was the very antipode of Gunpowder 
Percy, had nothing to dampen his mood or cloud Ids 
brow. As tlie ships skimmed past the coast-towns of 
Western Gonnecticut the peo]ile gazed at them with 
mingled curiosity and anxiety. Perhaps some of 
them called to mind the doings nl' Wallace, master of 
the 'Rose,' at Stonington ; but no jiarticular alarm 
ajipears to have been excited until the heads of the 
ships began to point towards the island that stands 
out from the Norwalk shore. 

"At about four o'clock they cast anchor in Sauga- 
tuck Harbor, and, with such haste as is consistent 
with a picnic-excursion into the country, two thou- 
sand men, consisting of infantry, cavalry, and artil- 
lery, went ashore in boats, and under the sui)erinten- 
dence of Tryon, with two Tory guides to show them 
the way, moved forward towards Daidniry. They 
marched alxiut eight miles that night, and eiieani|ied 
in the townshi]i of Weston. 

"On the morning of the 2lith, at a very seasonable 
hour, Tryon arrived at Reclding Ridge, where was a 
small hamlet of peaceful inhabitants, almost every 
one of them patriots and most of them farmers, who 
had crowned the high hill where they had chosen to 
build their Zion with a tall, gaunt church, which 



drew to its aisles, one day in seven, the people that 
dwelt upon the sides of the hills an<l in the bosom of 
the valleys within the range of the summons that 
sounded from its belfry. By way of satisfying his 
hunger with a morning lunch until ln' could provide 
a more substantial meal, he drew up his urlillery in 
front of this weathcrbeaten edifice, that had befiu'c 
defied everything save the grace of God and the sup- 
jdications of his worshipers, and gave it a good round 
of canister and grape, that pierced its sides thr<jugh 
and through and shattered its small-paned windows 
into fragments. The only spectators to this heroic 
denionstraticui were a few women and little children, 
some of whom ran away at the sight of the red-coats, 
and others laced the invaders with a menacing stare. 

"The British commander now resumed his march 
for some distance without meeting with the least f>p- 
]iositioii, until he began to ascend Hoyt's Hill, when 
the figure of a single mounted horseman apjieared 
upon the summit of the eminence, with his face 
turned backward, and his gestures and wlxde action 
indicating that he was issuing orders to a large army 
that was clindMug the side of the hill. 'Halt!' 
shouted the leader of the opposition in a voice of 
thunder, while he flourished his sword in the air, 
' Halt, the whole universe ! Wheel into kingdoms!' 
Now, there w.as nothing that Gen. Tryon had such a 
dread of as dying. He prudently commanded his 
men to halt, in imitation of the order given by the 
leader (d'the supposed army that was advancing, and 
sent out detachments on the right and left to recon- 
noitre, and got his two field-pieces that were conse- 
crated by the mutilati<m of the old church in readi- 
ness to give such feeble battle as he cimld to this 
more than Persian array. The reader can judge how 
much His Excellency was rtdieved when the videttes 
r,;>turned and informed him that the wretch who had 
thus disturbed his valor was the only mortal in sight, 
and that no ])art of him was visible except his back 
as he rode towards Danbury with the speed of a 
shooting-star. 

"They arrived in Daid)ury about two o'clock. 
There were a few Continental soldiers in the place, 
but they <-ould not make a stand against this hirge 
invading-])arty, and were obliged to withdraw. Gen. 
Tryon selected the liouse of one Dibble, a faithful 
Tory, for his headqtuirtcrs, who lived at the south end 
of the nuiin street, close by the spot where the mili- 
tary stores had been deposited. As (fens. Erskine 
and Agnew were advancing under the protection of a 
cor|)s of light infantry to take up their quarters at the 
other end of the same street, the party was fired uiiou 
by (()nr young men from the house of Maj. Starr. 
This brave but rash act cost the young patriots their 
lives. They were instantly pursued and shot. A 
poor negro who was caught near them without 
weapons in his hands was also murdered, and the five 
bodies were thrown into the house, which was in- 
stantlv set on fire. 



642 



HISTORY OF FAIEFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



" A man named Hamilton had on deposit at a 
clothier's in the lower part of the villafje a piece of 
cloth, wliich he was determined at all liazards to 
rescue from sccjuestration. He accordingly rode to 
the shop, and, having secured one end of the cloth to 
the pommel of his saddle, galloped rapidly away. 
He was seen by the enemy's light-horsemen, who fol- 
lowed hard upon him, exclaiming, ' We'll have you, 
old daddy; we'll have you.' — ' Not yet,' said Hamil- 
ton as he re<loubled his speed. The troops gain upon 
their intended victim ; the nearest one raises liis 
sabre to strike, when fortunately the cloth unrolls, 
and, fluttering like a streamer far behind, so frightens 
the pursuing horses that they cannot be brought 
within striking-distance of the pursued. Tiie chase 
continues through the whole extent of the village to 
the bridge, where finally the old gentleman and his 
cloth made good their escape. 

" A large quantity of the j'ublic stores had been 
deposited in the Episcopal church, and tlie first work 
of the soldiers was to remove them into the street and 
burn them. Some of the provisions were also stored 
in a barn belonging to Dibble. This building was 
treated with the same respect, as its proprietor had 
the honor to entertain Gen. Tryon as a guest. 
Another barn, belonging to a friend of American lib- 
erty, which had been approjjriated' to the same use, 
was set on fire and consumed with its contents. In a 
few hours eighteen hundred barrels of pork and beef, 
seven hundred barrels of flour, two thousand bushels 
of wheat, rye, oats, and Indian corn, clothing for a 
regiment of troops, and seventeen hundred and ninety 
tents were burned. The smoke arising from the de- 
struction of this property was strangulating and filled 
the whole air, while the streets ran with the melted 
pork and beef. 

■' Tlure was also a large (juantity of liquors in some 
of the buildings. These the soldiers were most reluc- 
tant to destroy, and did not do so until after they had 
drank so freely of them that when the labors of the 
day were ended only a few hundred were fit for duty. 
While llie imliruitcd soldiers piled the fuel around the 
flour and beef and stirred up the laggard flames to a 
fiercer glare, the women and little children could see 
by the fltitil light the mark of the white cross that had 
been distinctly drawn upon the Tory dwellings to sig- 
nify that the destroying angel about to go through 
the town would stay his haml at their door-post.s and 
pass them by unharmed. The same dingy light now 
disclosed a scene of loathsome drunkenness that sur- 
passes description. Hundreds lay scattered at random 
wherever the palsying demon had overtaken them, — 
some in the streets with their faces blackened with 
ftnioke and soiled with earth, others sprawling in the 
door-yards, anil others still, wild with excitement, 
holding themselves U|) by fences and trees or grasping 
fast hold of each other, called loudly with oaths and 
curses to be led against the rebels. 

" In this horrible condition the Revolutionary pa- 



triotsof Danbury saw the shades of night gather around 
their dwellings, and in sleepless apprehension did they 
count the hours as they dragged slowly on. Nor did 
the brigand who led this band of incendiaries pass the 
night in sleep. Tlie faithful few who had resisted the 
temptations of the cup were on the alert, and brought 
him from time to time the unwelcome intelligence 
that groups of patriot farmers were fast dropping in 
from the neighboring villages and towns, and were 
beginning to form into organized companies. What 
if Wooster or Parsons or Huntington or Arnold 
should prove to be at the head of them, and should 
steal upon him while his troops were in that defense- 
less condition ? The thought was horrible ! 

" Thus heavily passed the watches of that gloomy 
Saturdav' night. At last the day began to approach, 
and reason, unsettled for a while in the dull brains of 
the British soldiers, returned to them again. The 
marks of the late dissipation still appeared in their 
swollen faces and bloodshot eyes, but they were now 
able to stand upright, to grasp a musket and defend 
themselves against the farmers who were gathering, 
ill-wcaponcd and undisciplined as they were, to op- 
pose them. Then the British general began to breathe 
more easily and to exhibit in a more striking manner 
the remarkable traits of his genius. He drew up his 
forces in order of defense; he attended to all the ar- 
rangement, and presided over every detail of the pre;)- 
arations that he was making to usher in, with cere- 
monies worthy of the occasion, another Sabbath-day. 
On a sudden, as if by the pulling of a wire upon the 
stage, the curtains of darkness were withdrawn from 
the village, and like a will-o'-the-wisp, and wandering 
zigzag from street to street, from house to house, passed 
the flaming torch of the incendiary. The Congrega- 

, tional meeting-house, the largest and most expensive 
building in the place, is soon discovered to be on fire, 
and one after another the dwellings, stores, and barn- 
of that peaceful community add their tributary lamps to 
that great centre beacon of the town, until every house, 
save those that have the mystic sign upon them, is in 
a broad blaze. Meanwhile, by the light of their own 
homes, mothers, screening their babies from the bleak 
air with the scanty clothing that tln-y had snatched 

' up in haste and denied to themselves, crippled old men 
and palsied women, and little boys and girls clinging 
to their feeble i)rotectors, made such haste as they 
could to save their lives from the fire, taking care to 
avoid the jeers of their comfortable Tory neighbors, 
who looked out from the doors and windows where 
the white cress glared in mockery alike of God and 
of humanity, and to shun at the .same time the unhal- 
lowed contact of the soldiers, they ran, crawled, or 
were carried upon their beds into lonely lanes, damp 
pasture-s, and leafless woods. Having witnessed tin 
destruction of the meeting-house, nineteen dwelling- 
houses, twenty-two stores and barns, and great quan- 
tities of liay and grain that belonged to the inhabi- 

' tants of the place, and having feasted his eyes with 



RIDGEFIELD. 



643 



the fear ami anguish of tlio wnmoii against whom he 
waged this glorious war, Maj.-dcii. TrydU, taking 
a last fond look of the scene of liis exploits, and noting 
doubtless the artistic effect of tlie faint bine smoke- 
wreaths as they curled upward to stain the blushing 
forehead of the morning, withdrew his troops and re- 
sumed his march towards tlic sea-shore. When the 
invader was fairly out of sight, the poor fugitives from 
their several hiding-]ilaccs returned, and. cowering 
over the charred timbers of the liomes that they had 
fled from, warmed their shivering frames and trem- 
bling liands over the ruins of Danbury. 

"In tlie mean time, the news of Tryou's arrival 
flew along the whole coast. Early on tlie morning 
of the 2Gth, (ten. 8illiman with about live hundred 
militia — sucdi as he had been able to gather uiion a 
sudden call — pursued the enemy, and not long after 
the verier.ible Woost_'r, wlr) had .started off at a 
moment's warning to defend the soil of his native 
State from insult, joined him with Arnold and an- 
other handful of militia. A heavy rain retarded tbi'ir 
movements so much that they did not reach lietbel 
till late at night. It wa-; therefore decideil to attack 
the enemy on their return. 

"On the morning of the 27th tin- American troo]is 
were astir at a very early hour. (ien. Wooster de- 
tached Gens. Sillinian and Arnold, with about tive 
hundred men, to advance and intercept the eneniy in 
front, while he undertook with the renuunder, amount- 
ing to only two hundred half-armed militia, to attack 
them in the rear. About nine o'clock he overtocdc 
Tryon's army, some three miles above Ridgclield, on 
the Norwalk road, and, taking advantage of the un- 
even ground, fell upon a wdiob; regiment with such 
impetuosity as to throw them into conlusion and 
break their ranks. Before they could be restored to 
order he had succeeded in taking f )rty prisoners, — a 
number equal to one-fifth part of liis whole force. 
He continued to hang upon their skirts and harass 
them for some time, waiting fir another favorable 
opi>ortunity to make an attack. A lew miles from 
Eidgefield, where the hills appeared to olTer a chanre 
of breaking their ranks a second time, he again 
charged furiously upon them. The rear-guard, cha- 
grined at the result of the former encounter, now 
faced about, and met him with a discharge of artil- 
ler)' and small-arms. 

"His men returned their shot resolutely at first, 
hut. as they were unused to battle, they soon began 
to fall back. Wooster, nniting all the fire of youth 
with the experience of an old soldier who had seen 
hard service in more than one field, sought to insjiire 
them with his own courage. Turning his horse's 
head and waving his sword, he called out to them in 
a brisk tone, 'Come on, my boys; n<'ver mind such 
random shots.' Before he had time to turn his face 
again towards the enemy, a musket-liall aimed by a 
Tory marksman penetrated his back, breaking thespi- 
nal column and lodging in the fleshy |iarts of his body. 



He instantly fell from his horse. His faithful friends 
stri]iped his sasli from his person and bore him upon 
it from the fii'ld. 

" .\rnold and Sillinian made a f irced march to 
Ilidgelield, and arrived there aliout eleven o'clock. 
They threw up a temporary barricade across the road 
on the rising ground, ami stationed their little jiarly 
in such a manner as to cover their right flank by a 
house and barn, and their left by a ledge of rocks. 
Here they quietly awaited the enemy. As soon as 
.Vgnew and Erskine saw what position the .\mericans 
liail taken they advanced and received their fire, and, 
though they sustained considerable loss, they ri'tunicd 
it with spirit. The action lasted about ten minutes, 
when the British gained the ledge of rocks, and the 
.\mericans were obliged to ri'freat. The .Vmeriean 
officers behaved with great spirit. Arnold was shot 
at by a whole platoon of soldiers, standing not more 
tlian thirty yards from him. His !uu-so was killed 
under him, but no other ball took effect. Snatching 
his pistols, he shot ilead a soldier who was nuiking uj) 
to him to run him through with his bayonet, and thus 
made his escape. The Americans kept uji a scatter- 
ing tire till nearly night, when Gen. Tryon encamped 
at Ridgefield. In the morning he set fire to the 
church, but he jindiably did not suiierintcjid this 
piece of work himself, as it was so inartistic'ally done 
that it proved to be a failure. He was more f irtu- 
nate with four dwedling-houses, wdiieh he soon had 
the satisfaction to see wrapped in flames. 

" lie now resumed his march, but Arnold followed 
him uji so closely that he sfion crossed the Saugatuek 
Iviver and marched on the east side of it, while the 
.Vmericans kept ])ace with him on the left. Thus 
thi'y advanced, cannonading each other whenever they 
could find a convenient oi)portunity. About three 
o'clock in the afternoon the gallant Col. Deming, 
with a little party of ('ontinental troops, forded the 
river where it was about four feet dee]), and, unper- 
ceived by tlie enemy, attacked them with desperate 
violence upon the rear and upon the left flank, juir- 
sning tlieiii and keeping u[i a galling fire that did 
them very si'rious harm. Arnold pushed forward 
towards flu- mouth of the river, and, drawing his men 
up in good order U]ion a hill, opened a heavy fire 
ujion the right flaidv of the enemy's rear. The 
.\mcricans could follow them no farther on account 
of the dangerous pro.ximity of the ships. The British 
troops who were marching in the van immediately 
embarked, while the centre and rear formed on a 
hill. While Arnold was discharging his cannon at 
the boats, and while Deming was plying the major- 
general in the rear. Col. Lamb, who was from New 
York, and, of course, one of Flis Excellency's own 
subjects, crept with about two hundriMl men behind 
a stone wall, and gave him a ])arting salute at the 
distance of about one hundred yards. 

"Glad enough was Tryon to get aboard his good 
ship once more, and it is believed that he cherished 



644 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



to his (lying day the recollection of his first visit to 
Connecticut." 

Rev. Mr. Tellers says, — 

" It would be a matter of interest to many to know 
just what kind of a report wsis made of tliis raid by 
Gen. Tryon to ids superior officers, and through them 
to tlie British government. 

" In the June number of the Gentleman's Magazine, 
printed in London in 1777, we have the following: 

"*Gpn. Howe lina triinsi)iitte<l t.) Lord George Gemmine tlio fullowitig 
paiticiiIfirB of a recoril 8UL;ce*ffiiI enterprise for the destruction of stores 
ut tlio village of Diiiiltui-}', in Connecticut, 

*"T)ie troops tiinded wiltiont o[i|)o»:i(ion in the afternoon of the 2-'>th 
of April, aUMit four miles to tlie eilhtwurd of Nor^vaIk, and twenty miles 
from Dnnliiir)'. 

" * In (he afternoon of the 2Gth tlie dctaclinient reached Danbury, meet- 
ing only (.mall parties of the enemy on their march, bnt Gen. Tyron hav- 
ing intelligence that the whole force of the country was collecting to lake 
every advantage of the strung ground he wjus to pass ou \m return to 
the shipping, and finding it impos^^ible to procure carriages to bring off 
any part of the stores, they were elTectually destl^oycd, in the excL-ution 
of which the village was unavoidably burned. 

'" tin the ".iTth, in the niontiiig, the trixtps quitted Danbury, and met 
with little tipiiositioii until lliey came near to Itidgetield, which was oc- 
cupied by Gen. Arnold, who bud llii-own up intrencliments to dispute the 
pjissage, while Gen. Wooster hung ujMin the rear with a sepitrate corjis. 
The village was forced, and the enciny drove back on all fiitlcs. 

" ' Gen. Tryon lay that night at Ridgeficid, and renewed his march ou 
the nioniing of the 28tli. 

*'* The enemy, having been reinfoi-cod with troops and cannon, disputed 
every advantageons situation, keeping at the same time smaller parties 
to harass the rear until the geilelltl hatl formed bis detachtnent ujKin a 
lieigitt within caiillon-shot of the shipping, when, the enemy advancing 
seemingly with an intention to attack him, he ordered the troo|is to 
charge their bayonets, which was executed with such impetuosity that 
the rebirls were totally put to flight, and the detachment embarked with- 
out fillther molestation. 

"* Return of the forces, ordnance, provisions, etc., as nearly as could 
bo ascortaineil, found at the rebels' stores, anti destroyed by the king's 
troops, at Danbury, etc., in Connecticut, April '27, 177T: 

*' * A qiiantit.v of ordnance stores, with ir^ui, etc., four thousand barrels 
of beef and jiork, one thousand barrels of flour, one liundreil large tierces 
of biscuit, eighty-nine barrels of rice, one hundred and twenty pun- 
cheons of rum. 

"'Several large stores of wheat, oats, and Indian corn, in bulk the 
quantity thereof could not possibly be usceitaintHl, thirty pijies of wine, 
one hundred hogsheads of sugar, fifty hog-heads of molasies, twenty 
casks of coffee, fifteen largo casks fllleU with medicine of all kinds, ten 
liarrels of saltpetre, one tluuisand and twenty tents and nuininecs a 
large r)uantlty of hospital bedding, etc. ; engineers', pioneers,' and car- 
penters' tools; a printing-press complete; tar, tallow, etc.; five thousand 
pairs of shoes and stockings. 

"'At a mill (Smith's niillj between Ridgcburyand Ridgefleld, 100 liar- 
rels of Hour and a t|uanlily of Indian corn. 

" ' .\t the hri<lge at the west bnu;e of Norwalk River, and in the womls 
contiguous; liHl hogsheads of rum; suvorul cliosts of arms; paper car- 
Irldgiii ; fleld forges ; .'lUU tents. 

"* Return of the killed, wounded, and missing: 

"'One drnmmer and flfor, i! rank and file, killed; :i Held ofllcora, C 
captains, 3 subalte^n^ 9 sergeants, Vi rank and nie, wounded; one 
drummer and flfcr, '27 rank and file uii&.ing. 

" ' (Signed) W. H..WI:. 

"'The following Is an additional list of tho wounded; 

"Tapt. Thorne, Capt. Iliirnias, Lieut. Hastings, Major ronran, Capt. 
Riilliorfonl, Knsign Menichln.Sei-ond Lieut. Price, Volunteer Vale, Sligor 
Hope, I'upL (Jalder, Knsign Mi^rcer, rrince of WaU>8, American volun- 
teer, C«d. Browne, C^ipt. Lyman, Capt. Secon, ond Capt, Simon Frazcr. 

"•Return of tho rwls'ls killed: Goneral Woooter, Gen. Gould, CaiI. 
Liunli, of tho Artillery, Col. Herman, Dr. .\twater, a man of coDsidorablo 
Influence, Capt, Cuvo, Lieut. Thompson, and KSI privates. 

"' Lint of reliel wounded; Col. Wliiling, Copt Uei^antln, Lieut, Cove, 
and 2,'iO pHvntos. 

"'Takeu prisouerv, 50 privates, including Bcveral committee men."* 



REVOI.UrrOXARY INCIDEXTS » 

" There is a prevailing impression among the in- 
habitants of tiie town that Gen, Wooster's forces first 
attacked the rear of Gen. Tryon's army on tlie fliit 
immediately north of Mr. Lewis C, Hunt's house. 
Facts will not justify this opinion. Gen. Wooster 
made his first attack on the enemy after they had 
ascended the hill commonly known as Scott's Ridge, 
and probably while a part were still engaged at their 
morning meal, for it was at this point that Tryon's 
army breakfasted, 

"The battle was fought immediately north of Mr. 
Samuel Scott's house, and in front of the school-house. 
It was here that Gen. AV^aoster took forty prisoners, 
and it was doubtless here that the two Hessian soldiers 
were mortally wounde<l who died on their way to the 
village and were hastily buried in the sand-knoll north 
of Mr. Zalmon Main's. 

" After securing anil disposing of the prisoners 
taken, Gen. Wooster again overtook the British on 
the flat north of Mr. Lewis C". Hunt's, and about two 
mile-i north of the village of Ridgefleld. 

" It w;is here that the gallant general was wounded, 
at the very beginning of the engagetnent. Indeed, 
tradition says that Gen. Wooster was wounded by a 
Tory in ambush, and not by the enemy proper ; how- 
ever this may be, it is certain that the attack had but 
just commenced. We are not able to learn that a 
single life wa.s lost. 

"About this time in tlie morning, (rcn. -Vrnold ar- 
rived at Ridgefleld with five hundred men, and began 
at once to throw up a barricade across the road at the 
north end of the village, between the northwest corner 
of Miss Sarah Stebbiiis' door-yard and the ledge of 
rocks upon which the house of Mr, William Lee now 
stands. This was about eleven o'chitk in the murn- 
iiig. An hour hiter, or at twelve o'clock. Gen. Tryon 
had reached the place, and a general engagement took 
place. 

"An eye-witness says that sixteen Uriti.sh and eight 
Americans were killed in this engagement, and that 
they were buried in two graves near the hickory-tree 
which now stands just inside the fence, cast of the 
road, in the open lot between Miss Sarah Stcbbins' 
and Mr. Abner Gilbert's. The sixteen British were 
buried in one grave, and the eight Americans in 
another, 

" The wounded were taken into the house now oc- 
cupied by Miss Sarah Stcbbins and tenderly cared for. 
The blood-stains are said to be still scfu on the oaken 
floore. The house it.sclf is a standing monument to 
the battle. The path of one or more cannon-balls is 
plainly tracetl, 

" The bravery of Gen, .Vrnold in this eng.tgeincnt 
amtiunted almost to recklc.ssne.s.s. After the enemy 
had broken through the temporary barricade, and all 



* The following IncUonts are taken fivnl Rot, Mr. Teller's history of 
Ridgefleld, 



RIDGEFIELD. 



645 



liis own soldiers except Capt. Bell had deserted him, 
he still stood his ground, receiving the undivided tire 
of a whole company of the enemy. 

"His horse fell under him, pierced by nine bullets, 
md at the moment of its fall his foot became en- 
tangled in the stirrup. A soldier, taking advantage 
af this moment of the general's disability, rushed up 
to him, exclaiming, 'You are my jirisoncrl' — 'Not 
yet,' quickly replied Gen. Arnold, and, drawing a 
pistol from his holster, shot him dead ; then, regain- 
ing his feet, he hastily retreated amid the repeated 
lire of the enemy. It is commonly reported that it 
ivas a Tory from Milibrd liy the name of ( 'nori wlio 
thus attempted to take Gen. Arnold jirisoner, as also 
that Gen. Arnold said as the bullet sped on its fatal 
mission, 'One live man is worth ten dead ones.' 

" Immediately after this action the British marched 
dirough the street, occasionally ilischarging their ar- 
:illcry, a terror to all but a few Tories, who felt that 
;he long-delayed inoriient of their exaltation had 
?ome. 

" Halting a little below the village, tlu\v proceeded 
:o encami) for the night on the grounds of Mr. Samuel 
Dlmsted, now owned and oceujiied by ]Mr. Hiram .Sey- 
nour, a descendant of the family. 

"The selectmen of the town, in their petition to the 
jreneral Assembly dated May 26, 1777, stated that the 
!neniy, in ]iassing through the town, burned the grist- 
nill and saw-mill of Isaac Keeler, six dwellings, and 
:wo barns, and killed and carried oil' a number of 
aorses, sheep, and cattle. 

" During their stay they also plundered the inhabi- 
;ants of nearly all their provisions and a large share 
)f their clothing, by which many were reduced to 
Dovcrty. The town, unable to relieve all the suffer- 
!rs, aj>i)lied to General Assembly for help. Xehemiali 
Beardsley, Increase Mosely, and Lenuiel Sanford were 
ippointed a comndttee to estimate the respective losses 
)f the inhabitants. After a close investigation, the 
;otal amount was fixed at £262') 1«. i<'l. 

"On the exact spot where Gen. Arnold's horse was 
ihot from under him a tamarack-tree now stands ; it 
■vas placed there to commemorate the event. It is 
nside Mr. Lee's yard-fence, a little southeast of his 
aouse. 

" On their way down the street the British soldiers 
planted a gun in front of the Episcopal church, and 
shot several balls into the house now owned and oc- 
;upied by Mr. Abijah Resseguie, one of which was 
iodge<l in a post on the northeast corner, and is still 
;o be seen imbedded deejily in the solid wood. An- 
Jther ball passed between the feet of a man who at 
the time was ascending the stairs. Frightened by the 
:losc proximity of the unwelcome messenger, he cx- 
jlaimed, ' I'm a dead man, I'm a dead man !' and tra- 
lition says that he actually rolled to the foot of the 
rtairs. But upon examination it was found that he 
was not only nol rlrail, but wholly uiduirmed. The 
reason for cannonading this particular house was to 



dislodge certain parties who were reporte<l to be in 
the building nuUcing cartridge-!. The house was oc- 
cupied by Mr. Timothy Keeler. a sturdy Federalist. 

"The house a few rixls south, on the site of the one 
now owned by Mr. Thaddeus Keeler, was then occu- 
pied by a loyalist by the name of lloyt. It was 
through his interposition witli (icn. Tryon that Jlr. 
Keeler's house was rescued from the tondi of the in- 
cendiary, the reason for it lieing attributed to purely 
selfish motives. The wind was blowing strongly from 
the northwest, and his own house would lie greatly 
endangered. 

"The story is told that Mr. Keeler's house was ac- 
tually set on fire after he had retreated to the woods, 
and that Mr. Hoyt, fearing the effect of the fire on his 
own buildings, obtained pernussion from the British 
officers to extinguisli the flames. After the enemy 
had left, Mr. Keeler, returning from the woods, was 
met by Mr. Hoyt, who greeted him with the exclanui- 
tion, ' You may thank me that your house was not de- 
stroyed.' — ' Xo, sir,' replied Keeler: ' I will not thank 
a Tory for anything. I would raf/tcr thioi/: t/ic J.ord 
for the north wind.' 

" F(dlowing close in the wake of the left wing of 
I the enemy was acomjiany <A half-grown boys, Elien- 
[ ezer Jones, the son of Capt. Jones, of the nundier. 
C'oming up to a large rock standing on an eminence 
in a field now owned by Mr. David Hoyt, -a little 
southeast of Mr. Henry Benedict's, they found a 
British soldier who had been mortally wounded. 
Young Jones returned home and related the circum- 
[ stance to his father, who, in humanity to a fallen foe, 
saddled his horse, rode down to the spot, and brought 
the wounded siddier to his own house, wdiere he W'as 
carefully nursed until he died. Then Mr. Jones with 
his own hands made for him a pine coffin, and buried 
him in the old yard east of Mr. .loel Benjamin's barn. 
" Four of the six houses at tliis tinu> burned by the 
enemy were as fidlows, — viz., the house of Isaac 
Keeler, near Mamanasquag Pond; a house on the 
High Ridge north of Mr. W. O. ISeymour's ; the house 
of Benjamin Xorthro|), a short distance south of Mr. 
fJeorge Haight's, on the opposite side of the road ; 
and a building used by the British for the care of 
their wounded over-night, jireviously occupied by Mr. 
Thomas Seymour. This house stood on the south 
side of the fair-ground, now owned by the Agricul- 
tural Society. The two buildings on High Ridge 
were probably burned in the evening, the one near 
Mamanas(piag Lake in the early part of the day, and 
the fourth — that on the jiresent fair-ground — on the 
morning of their de])arture. The well standing near 
the house they filled with stones, which have never 
been removed. Their object in filling this well is not 
known. It may have been owing to the supposition 
tlnit valuables were secreted there, or it may have 
been, as some sui)pose, that their own dead were 
thrown in it. This last supi)osition, however, is 
scarcely probable, for they are known to have buried 



646 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



those who had died during the night in the upper 
jjiirt of Fhit Rock woods. 

" Among tlio.se who witnessed this engagement be- 
tween Gen. Tryon's forees and our own at the head 
of Kidgefield Street was a young man scarcely seven- 
teen years of age, by the name of Jeremiah Keeler. 
The scene aroused all the patriotic fire witliin his soul, 
and determined liis course for the future. At the 
solicitation of Col. Bradley he eagerly enlisted in 
the regular army, and by his courage and fidelity re- 
flected great credit upon liis native town. With the 
Connecticut line he shared the fatigues and dangers 
of the three memorable years that immediately fol- 
lowed ; shortly after which, being selected by Baron 
Steuben, he joined the light infantry commanded by 
Gen. De la Fayette, under whom he held the post of 
orderly sergeant. He was frecjuently ajjpointed to 
execute difficult and responsible duties; and on an 
occasion of this kind the marquis presented him with 
a sword and his thanks as a testimonial of his regard 
for a faithful and courageous soldier. At the mem- 
orable siege of Yorktown, when La Fayette's brigade 
was employed to storm one of the British forts, Sergt. 
Keeler was one of the first who in the midst of a 
murderous fire scaled the breastworks and compelled 
the enemy to yield. He witnessed the surrender of 
Corinvallis, which virtually terminated the war, but 
he remained faithfully at his post until the disbanding 
of the forces, in 1783. He was mustered out of the 
service in Virginia, and soon after, with the sword 
which Gen. La Fayette gave him, for a cane, he 
walked back to his native town. This sword is still 
to be seen at his late home in South Salem, N. Y., 
just over the State line. Mr. Keeler died February, 
l.SoU, aged nearly ninety-tliree years. 

" The year following this incursion of the enemy, 
Gen. Putnam was ordered into this part of the State, 
just across the Redding line, for the winter, and fears 
of further invasions all subsided. An incident of his 
stay we allude to for the purpose of presenting a pic- 
ture of army-life in that early day, as well as of cor- 
recting what seems to be a wrong statement: 

" It was late in the autumn of 1778 when Gen. Put- 
nam removed his army from White Plains and Peeks- 
kill to Redding, at which place he wiis to establish 
his headi|uarters for the winter. The position thus 
selected win in nuiny respects an advatageous one. 
He was enabled to cover the country adjoining the 
Sound and the southwestern frontier, and at the same 
time to support the garrison at West Point, if neces- 
sary. The house which he occupied as his headquar- 
ters is still standing, although in a dilapiilated ctmdi- 
tion, and is situated on the old Danbury and Xorwalk 
roail, about three miles west of the Congregational 
church, and is now owned by Mr. Meeker. The 
northeast room of the same hoitse was also ut one 
time occupied by Joel Barlow, LL.D., who was a 
native of this town. It was in this room that most 
of his poetry wa3 written. 



"lien. I'utnam had at this time under his orders 
Gen. Poor's New Hampshire brigade, two brigades of 
Connecticut troops, the corps of infantry commanded 
by Col. Hazen, and the corps of cavalry under Col. 
Sheldon. 

" It was while at Redding that the soldiers suffering 
from the want of projjcr food and clothing were so 
strongly tempted to rebel against the authority of 
their commanding officers and, if necessary, at the 
point of the bayonet demand of General A.ssembly 
what they esteemed their rights. 

" We must remember that they were not soldiers by 
profession ; they were simply citizens armed for tlu' 
defense of their country. They had known and ap- 
preciated the endearments of home and all the do- 
mestic enjoyments of life. They were men who had 
been always accustomed to think independently and 
speak out their thoughts without fear or favor. There- 
fore they were restless under the iron discipline of the 
camp and the privations which seemed to them need- 
lessly severe. They were ready to suffer and die, if 
need be, for their country ; there was no lack of cour- 
age or patriotism. No thought of insubordination 
probably ever entered their minds when actually en- 
gaged in battle or in the active duties of military life, 
but now their time was passing in comparative idle- 
ness, and they had abundant leisure to brood over their 
privations and their gloomy prosjjccts. And, as if to 
fill to overflowing their cup of bitterness, they hail 
thus far been paid oil" in the depreciated currency of 
the times, which had proven almost worthless not 
alone to them, but to their families, left in straitened 
circumstances behind them. 

" It wa.s under such circumstances that the Connec- 
ticut brigades formed the design of marching to Hart- 
ford, where the Legislature was then sitting, and de- 
mand redress. One of the brigades was actually 
under arms for this purpose when the news for the 
first reached the ears of Gen. Putnam. Sj>ringing 
into his saddle, he rode to the cantonment, and thus 
addressed them : ' My brave lads, whitlier are you 
going? Do you intend to desert your officers, and to 
invite the enemy to follow you into the country? 
Whose cause have you been fighting and suffi-ring so 
long in? Is it not your own? Have you no ])roperty, 
no parents, wives, or children? You have behaved 
like men so far; all the world is full of your prai.scs; 
and posterity will stand astonished at your deeds, 
but not if you spoil all at last. Don't you consider 
how much the country is distressed by the war, and 
that your oflicers have not been any better paid than 
yourselves? But we all expect better times, and that 
the country will do us ample justice. Let us stand 
by one another, then, and fight it out like brave 
soldiers. Think what a shame it would be for Con- 
necticut men to run away from their officers!' 

" Each regiment received the general with the usual 
salutations as he rode along the lines. When he had 
concluded his address he directed the acting major of 



RIDGEFIELD. 



647 



brigade to give the word fcir tlieiii to shoulder arms, 
to inarcli to their regiineutal parades, and there to 
lodge their guns. They obeyed with promptness and 
ipparent good-humor. A single sohlier only who 
bad been most aetive in the afl'air was eonlined in 
the quarter-guard, and wa^ sliot dead by the sentinel 
n-hile attempting to eseape iluring the suceeeding 
tii.iiht. 

" During Putnam's sta.v at Redding two persons 
ivere executed, — one a soldier, liy the name of Smith, 
ivho was shot for desertion ; tlie other a Mr. Jones, of 
Ridgefield, a royalist, who was hung as asjiy: both 
Hitl'ered on the same day. Tliese e.xeeutioiis took 
place on (tallows Hill, a mile or more from Gen. 
Putnam's headquarters. 

" The scene as deserilicd by Mr. Barber in his ' His- 
torical Collections' is revolting to every feeling of 
luimanity and degrading to the character of the gen- 
eral in command. He says (page 399), 'The man 
on whom the duty of hangman devolved lelt tlu' 
camp, and on the day of execution could not be 
found. A couple of boys about the age of twelve 
years were ordered liy tfen. Putnam to perform the 
[luties of the absconding hangman. The gallows was 
about twenty feet from tlie ground. Jones was com- 
pelled to ascend the ladder, and tlie rope around his 
neck was attached to the cross-beam. (ten. Putnam 
then ordered Jones to jump from the ladder. " Xo, 
Gen. Putnam," said Jones, " I am innocent of the 
crime laid to my charge; I shall not doit." Putnam 
then ordered the boys before mentioned to turn the 
ladder over. The boys were deeply affected by the 
trying scene ; they cried and sobbed loudly, and earn- 
estly entreated to be excuseil from doing anything on 
this distressing occasion. Putnam, drawing his sword, 
orderel them forward, and compelled them at the 
sword's point to obey liis orders. The soldier that was 
shot for desertion was but a youth of sixteen or seven- 
teen years of age. Three balls were shot through his 
breast; he fell on his (ace, but immediately turned 
over on his back; a soldier then a<lvanced, and, put- 
ting the muzzle of his gun near the convulsive body 
of the youth, discharged its contents into his fore- 
head. The l)ody was then taken up and put into a 
coffin. The soldiers had fired their pieces so near 
that they set the boy's clothing on lire, w hich con- 
tinued burning. An officer with a drawn sword stood 
by, while every soldier of the three brigades which 
were out on the occasion was ordered to march by 
and look at the mangled remains.' 

"Mr. Barber says, in a foot-note, that the particu- 
lars of the execution of these two j)ersons were de- 
rived from an aged inhabitant of Redding wlio was 
present on the occasion, and stood but a few feet from 
Jones when he was executed. 

"Mr. HoUister, however, in his 'History of Con- 
necticut,' does not credit the account given by Mr. 
Barber. The following note, taken fitnn vol. ii., [lage 
SJu, will explaiu itself: 



""The Ri'V. X:ithiiiii. 1 Biiltli-tt, wlio \va.s p,-istr>r of tlu- Omig' Clmrdi 
in RodiHllg fur ll period of fifl.v .voars, offiL-iatL'il iu* cliapliiiti to the en- 
raliipniciit (inriiif; tlie wjnter,ainl U"ii.*< present at the e\eeuti>)n. He in- 
tereeileil ^vith Gen. rutnam to defer the e.veeution of Smith until Wash- 
inj;ton eoilld ho eoli^nlted, tlio ofteiider Iieing a jontli <if seventeen 
.ve.TTS; Imt tlie eoniuiandcr assured hiiu tliat a repriive eould not be 
granted. 

" * Ml". IJartlett was an earnest ami feai U-ss Wliig, and openly tallied and 
preached " rebellion ;" so uiueh so tilat the Tolies, who were uuuierous 
in tlie eastern part of the town, threateneil to hang hiiu if they could 
cateh him. In consequence uf these thi-eats, he often carried a loaded 
nnisUet with him when on his juirochial visits. His son and smceasor in 
tlie ministry itt Redding — tlie Rev. .lonatlian Baltlett, now,(ls.Vn in his 
ninety-tiist year — well reun-uiheis the Uevolutionary eiuaiiii'meiit at 
Heddiiig. and fieqneutly \i'iited it. He is sure that the story in Itarliei's 
"llistorieal t'olleclijlis" about Putiiam's iuliumanity at the c\ecnti<ui 
of Smith and .loiies is incorrect. Tliough not present himself, he has 
td'ten heard his father relate the incidents of tile occasion ; and, luithcr- 
more. he ome called the altontiou of Col. Aslibel .Salmon |who died in 
ISJH, aged ninetv-oto). who was a sergeant in attendance upon the exe- 
cillion, to the statemeni, and he declarcil that iiolhiiig of the kind took 
place.' 

"As further evidence of the incorrectness of Mr. 
liarber's statement, wo would offer the tbllowing ex- 
tract from the notes of a sermon preached in the 
Congregational church in Green's Farms by Rev. 
Thomas F. Davies (father of the iiresent Dr. Davies, 
of Philadel]diia), on March 29, 18:!9. 

" Referring to this matter as related by Jlr. Barber, 
he says, — 

"'Sir. Raiber must have ]:eeu nii^infoi ined. Rediiiiig is my native 
town, and fioin my hoUiood I lia\e heard the history vt the proceedings 
on the occasion lel'eried to, and wius much siir|<ii^ed at tlie statements in 
the " Historical Collections." The llov. Jlr. Bartlett, whose- father was 
chaplain on that occa-ion, infoiins me that Gen. I'utnain could not have 
been guilty of the acts tliele charged. 

'"That Mr. Raihermay have suiietliing to substitute for the narra- 
tive to whiih I object, I give the tbllowing: When tjien. rntnam occu- 
pied the house tif which 5Ir. llaiber has given an engraving, ii scene 
occnried which presents the general in a very amiable light. A poor 
mail with a family needing sujiporl, and wlui lived in the neighboring 
town of Ridgetield, was told hy one aciiuainteii with his want.s that if 
he would vi-it Gen. I'utnam and indd a convei'sation with him, ho 
would, on liis return and on proof of thy fact, give him a bushel of 
wheat. The temptation in that lime of scarcily and taxes w;is great, 
and so also was the fear of intruding upon so di^tinguished an indiviilual, 
but the stern necessities tif his condition at length induced the poor man 
to venture. He accorilingl.v luesented himself at headiiuai ten* and re- 
quested the servant to stdiiit bir bini an interview with the general. 
I'litiiam piomplly summoned the man to his presence, directed him to 
he seated, and listen, d with iiiteiest while the man, with great trepida- 
tion, gave the statement which accounted for the libel ty be had taken. 
The general directed the servant to bring some wine, conveised for a 

1 lime very pleasantly with his neetly visitor, and then, calling for pen and 
ink, WRite a certiliciite. in which he gave the name of the individual 
and stated that he bad visited and conversed with Gi'li. rutnam, wiio 
signed it in bis .ilhcial character. Thus fnrni.'hed w illi tlie means of 
giving bieail to bis family, the .'.i,tressed individual retiiined to his 

{ liumblo ro.d": and this anecdote, which I have on the very best au- 
thority, is proof that I'litnam was not destitute of those kind and gentle 

: atlecti.ins which are so desirulde an tunameiit of the most heroic chur- 

' iu.ler.' 

"Among tlie most familiar names in the town a 
half-century ago was that of (!en. Joshua King. He 
was the father of the present Hon. Joshua I. King, 
who in 1S49 reiireseiited the Eleventh District in tht; 
State Senate, and of the late Rufus H. King, a well- 
known merchant of Albany. 

" When Gen. King was but seventeen years of age 
he enlisted in the regular army, and servetl with 
great bravery, and fidelity until the close of the war. 



648 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



"At the time of Maj. Andre's capture, Gen. King 
(tlieii lieiitenimt in the Second Regiment of Light 
Dragoons, under Col. Sheldon) was stationed in South 
Salem. The house whicli was occupied hy Lieut. 
King, and which has been but recently removed, 
stood about one mile north of the Presbyterian churcli. 

"The morning after the capture of Andre he wa.s 
brought to Lieut. King's quarters. Lieut. King was 
at the moment being shaved. After his valet had 
finished the operation and had dressed his hair, Lieut. | 
King turned to his prisoner and politely inquired if 
like services would not also be agreeable to him. 
Lieut. King did not at the time recognize in Maj. 
Andre so distinguished a pereonage, but was never- 
theless impressed with the belief that, whatever his 
rank as a soldier might be, he was at all events a 
gentleman. His dusty and somewhat rusty garments, 
his soiled and travel-stained linen, could not effectu- 
ally hide those distinctive marks which always be- 
tray rcfinciiicnt aii<l culture. 

"JIaj. .Vndre readily accepted the kind offer, and 
was soon under the careful manipulations of the valet. 
As soon as the powder began to fly from the prisoner's 
hair the lieutenant was convinced that he was by no 
means an ordinary man. 

" After being shaved and having his hair dressed, 
he courteously asked tlic i>rivilege of retiring to his 
bed, that he might have his .soiled linen washed. 
Lieut. King assured him that such a step would be 
unnecessary, as he himself would supply him with 
whatever change he might desire. The major, with 
many ex|)rcssions of gratitude, availed himself of the 
lieutenant's hospitality, and soon appeared in a much 
improved condition. The most friendly relations con- 
sistent with their respective positions at once sprang 
up between the two; they walked and talked as incli- 
nation led, and at night occui>icd the same bed. 

"The lieutenant and two of his men were detailed 
to convey Maj. Andre to headquarters. While on 
their way a dispatcli informed Lieut. King for the 
first who his illustrious prisoner was, — that he was no 
less a personage than the adjutant-general of the 
British army ; that he was susi)ected of being a spy 
and holiling a treasonable correspondence with Ar- 
nold for the surrender of We-xt Point. So soon as the 
message was received, Maj. .\ndre eagerly incpiired 
whether Arnold had actually succeeded in making 
his escape, evincing, seemingly, more interest in Ar- 
nold's safety than in his own. 

"After they arrived «t headquarters, Lieut. King's 
relations with the prisoner were no less intimate ; al- 
though closely confined, he remained with him till his 
execution, even walking with him to the gallows. 

" In relating the circumstances afterwards to a 
friend. Gen. King said that when Andre first caught 
sight of the fatal gibbet he gave a sudden start, and 
exclaimed, ' I am recnncile<l to death, but not to the 
mode,' and added, ' it will be but a momentary )iang.' 

"On arriving at the spot the brave and accom- 



plished young officer mounted the cart, adjusted the 
rope to his neck with his own hands, and paid the 
penalty of his unsuccessful espionage. 

" In the year 1817, Gen. King was written to by a 
friend who desired to know the exact facts in relation 
to Maj. AiKlro's capture, etc. The following letter 
Wiis written by (Jen. King in reply, and, although 
previously solicited for publication, is now for the 
first given to the public : 

" ' RlDcEFlBi-p, June 17''', 1817. 

" ' Dkar Sir : Yours of the 9''' is iKiforc me. I Iiavc noted tlie cnn. 
touts and am tHiir^' to e\|)rc.'td the iiidigimliun I Tcel at the idea of Im-Iii;; 
oblijjcd Ui translate a foreign tauguuge to ohtain a true hii«l4iry of any 
part of our ICevoIution. Tlic facts, efO far as I am acquiiinted with them, 
X will Htate to the beet uf my ability or recollection. Paulding, Williams, 
and Van Wort I never saw before, or since, that event. I know nothing 
about them. The time and place whore they stopped Migor Andre seems 
to justify the cluiracter you have diawn of them. The tnitli is, tu the 
impnuleuce of the num, and not the imtriotinni of any one, is to be n^* 
cribed the capture of Miyor Andre. 1 waa the first and only officer who 
had charge uf him whilst at the Headquarters of the 2"** Regiment <-it' 
Light Dnigoons, which was then at Ks<piire Gilliert's in South Salem. 
lie was brought up by au adjutant and four men belonging to the Con- 
nocticut militia under the command of Lieut-Col. Jamison from the lines 
near Tarrytown, a character under the disguiseil name of John Ander- 
son, lie looketl somewhat like a reduced gentleman. His small clothes 
wore nankin, with long white top b<H>ts, In |>art, his undre-vt military 
suit, Ili.s coat purple, with gold lace, worn somewhat threadl>are, with 
a small brinmied tarnished beuver on his head. lie wore his hair in a 
quieu with lung, black band and his clothes sumcwhat dirty. In this 
garb I took charge of liim. After breakfast my Ilarlter came in to dress 
me— after which, 1 reipiested him tu undergo the same ojwrutlun, which 
he did. 

*' ' When the riblion was taken from his hair, I observe<l it full of 
powder. This clrL-um.stiince, with others that occurred, induced me to 
believe I had no ordinary person in charge. 

" ' lie retpiested permission tu take the \n.'*i, whilst his shirt and small 
cloth(!S could be witshed. I tuld him, that was needless, for a change 
wiu» at his service, — which he accepted. 

" ' We were eljse ])ent up ill a bedroom with a guard at tlio door and 
window. There was a S[weious yard before the door, which he defied 
he might be permitted to walk in with me. 1 accordingly ilispused of 
my guard in such a manner as to prevent an esca|>e. While walking 
together, he observi<d, ho must make a confidant of sumeUxly and he 
knew Hot a muie pixiper person than myself, as I luul apjH'aretl tu Is'frielid 
a stnuigcr in distress. .\(ter settling the is)int between ourselves, he 
told me who he was, ami gave nie a short account of himself from the 
time he vviLS taken at St. .luhns in 1T7.> to that time. Ho requested |tGn 
and ink and wrote iinmedialely to tjen' Washington, declaring who ho 
wan. About midnight the express retumcHl with onlers from IJeni Wash- 
ington to Col Shohhui toselid .Major .\ndre immediately ti> Headquarters. 

"*I started with him and before I got to North Salem meeting-house 
met anolher express with a letter directed to the Officer who had Major 
Andre in charge, ami which letter directed a circuitous nmie to llend- 
qiiarters for fear uf re-caiiture, and gave an account I'f .Arnold's de- 
sertion .tc— « ith direi lituis tu forward the letter to (.'ul Sheldon. I did 
so, and before 1 not to the end of my journey, I was joined l>y Captain 
lliKMlgeni Hist, and after by JliOur Talmndge and Captain Itugors. Hav- 
ing giving yuu this clue, 1 proceed with the major's own story. He said 
he cume up the North river in the sluup of war Vulture for the pur)KiM 
uf seeing a penton by lliig of truce. That was not however acCAfmplished, 
Of course he hail t4> come niUiore iu a skilT, ami after he hod done hii 
business, the wind waa so high, the nulcliman w ho took him ashore dare 
nut venture Iu relnrii him on Issinl. The night following Ihe militi* 
had lined the sliuie, so that nu attempt would W made with safely, ooo- 
sc(|iiently he wiis furnished, after changing his clothes, with acuntluuDta] 
hurse and lielicnil Arnuhi's imss and was to take a n>nte by I'cekskillt 
Cnim|KUinil, rinesbriilge. Sing Sing, Tarrjtow n, 4c to New York. 

'" NuthingiK-curred to disturb him on his ruute until he arrived at tb« 
lost place, except at Crunipuund. He tidd nie, his hair stuotl erect and 
his heart was in his mouth on meeting Col Samuel II. Webb of oof 
army plump Iu the face. .\u acquaintance of his said that Ctd Stud- 
del t knew hlni and he thought that he was gone but they kept tliuving 
along and soon luaocd each ullur. Ho then thought himself |>a>t all 



KIDGEFIELD. 



649 



langer and wlnle runiin;iting on his good luck ami hairljrcailtli escapes j 
lie was assailed by three hushnien near Tarrytnwn, who ordered him j 
to stand. lie said to them, " I !io]ie gfiith-nien you belong to tlie , 
luwer paity." — *' We do," says one. — "So do I," says lie, "and by , 
the token of this ring and key you will let luc pass. I am a British i 
:>tliccr on business of imi>oitaiite and ninst nut be detained."' Ono | 
jf them took liis watch from Iiini and then ordereil him ti.i dismount, 
riie moinent that was done, he said he fnuiid lie was mistaken, he must i 
shift his tone. He says, *'I am liapity gentlemen to tind I am mis- , 
taken— you belong to the upper party and bo ilo I,— and to con- i 
vinee you of it here is Gen' Arnuld's ]iass," handing it to tliem. : 
"Damn Arnold's pass," said they. "Yon said yuu were a Biitish | 
utticer. Where is your money?" — "Gentlemen I have- nune alatut I 
me," he repl ed. — "You a Biitisli Officer with a gold watch and no I 
money! let us search him." They did so, Init f.mnd none. Says ! 
une, " lie has gut his nmney in his boots, lets have them ofT and 
see." They tock off his boots and there they found his jxipeis, but 
no money. They then examined his saddle, but found none. He said 
he saw they had such a thirst fur money, he would put them in the m ay 
to get it, if they would bo directed by him. He asked them to name 
their sum to deliver him at King'shridge. They answered him iu this 
way, " If we deliver you at King'sbridge, we shall he sent to llie sugar- 
house and you will save your money." He says, "If you will not trust 
my iionor, two of you may stay with me and one shall go with tlie letter 
I will write, name yuur sum." The sum was agreed up.)n, but I cannot 
recollect whetlier it was bOi) or lUOO guineas but tlie lalter, I think, was 
the sum. They held a consultation a cunsiderabh; time and finally tliey 
ti-dd him if he wrote, a party would be sent out and take them and then 
they should all be prisoners. They snid they Jiad concluded to take him 
to the commanding officer on the lines. They did so and retained the 
watch until Geii' Washington sent for them to Tapjien, when the watch 
was restored to Ulaj. Andre. Thus, you see, had money been at command, 
after the imiuudent eonchisiou of Maj. Andre, or any secuiity given that 
the British wuuld have juit confidence iu, he might have jtassed on to 
Sir Henry Clinton's Ileaikiuarlers with all his papeis ami Arnold's pass 
into the bargain. I do not recollect to have seen a true statement of 
this business in any history that has fallen into my hands. If my 
memory serves uie, Arnold solicited and obtained the command of West 
Puint in consequence or his being an invalid and the reason why his 
negociation wsis not completed by flag of tiuce, I will state what Gen' 
Washington tuld the Frencli ambiissailor, Lucerne. He stated uu his 
route to Hartford, that he dine<l with Gen' Arnold at Haverstraw at 
JoshuaSmith's, where Arinddand Andre met. Geni Arnold shewe^l him a 
letter fn)m Geu^ Robinson directed to Geii' Israel Putnam, ur Officer com- 
mantling West Point re<piesting an interview by flagun business of the first 
importance to the United States. Gen' Arnold asked Geui WiLshington 
if he should go and hear what he had to say. Gen' Washington rei>lied 
that it would be very improper for the Commander iu chief of a post to 
meet anybody himself— he could send a trusty hand if he thought pniper. 
But, he added, I had no more suspicion of Arnold than 1 had of myself. 
This accounts for Maj. Andre's failure to negociate by flag and his (-ubse- 
queut movements. I have thus conii>liLMl with yonr request, giving you 
such facts, viz, what I had from the month of M:ij. ,\iidre and whut I 
heard Gen^ Washington tell tlie French niini=ter so.m aftev the execution 
of Audio.' 

"J. Howard King, Ej^cj., has in his possession the 
chair used by Maj. Andre wliiU- a prisoner in the 
hands of his grandfather, Gen. Joslma King. Maj. 
Andre in all jirobahility oeeii]»ied the cliair wlien he 
penned his celelirated letter to Washington, for by 
reference to Irving's * Life of Wasiiington' it will be 
seen that this letter was written while at South Salem. 
Then it was that he was for the first made acipiaiiited 
with the fact that the papers found secreted in his 
boots had been forwarded to CJen. Washington. 

" He immediately sat down and wrote the following 
lines : 

'"I beg your Excellency will be persuaded that no alteration in the 
temper of aiy mind oruppieheusioiisfor my safety induces melt* take the 
Btep of addressing y.ju ; but that it is to secure myself from the imputa- 
tion of having assumed a mean character for treacherous ])uri)ose8, or 
eelf-iuterest. It Is to vindicate my fame that I speak, and not to solicit 
security. 

42 



"' The person in your possession is Miij. John Andre, adjutant-general 
of the British army. 

" The influence of one t ommander in the army of Ids adversary is an 
a<lvantjige taken in war. A correspondence f<}r this purpose I held, as 
cunlidenlial (in the present instance) with his Excellency Sir Henry 
Clinton. To favor it, I agreed to meet upon ground not witliiu the posts 
of either aimy, a person who was to give me intelli;j;eiice, I came up 
in the 'Vulture' man-of-war for this effect, ami was fetched frnm the 
shore to the beach. Being there, I wjis told ttiat the approach of day 
would prevent my return, and that I must be concealed until the next 
night. I was in my regimentals autl had fairly risked my pei-sou. 

"'Against my stipulation, my intention, and without my knowledge 
beforehand, 1 was conducted within one of your post^i. Tlius was I be- 
trayeil into the vile condition of an enemy within your posts. 

"'Having avowed myself a British olficer, I have nothing to reveal 
but wtiat relates to myself, which is ttue, on the honor of an oflicer and 
a gentleman. 

"'The letpie&t I have made to your Excellency, and I am conscious 
that T address myself well, is, that iu any ligor i»dicy may dictate, a 
deceiicj' of conduct towards me may mark tliat, though unfortunate, I 
am branded with nothing disluuiorable ; as no motive cotild be mine but 
the service of my king, and as I was involuutatily an impostor.' 

"It was here also tiiat, having a talent for carica- 
ture, he amused himself by making a ludicrous sketch 
of himself and his rustic escort under march, and, pre- 
senting it to an officer in the room (probably Lieut. 
King), said gayly, 'This will give you an idea of the 
style in which I have had the honor to be conducted 
to my present abode.' 
I '* Although it is eminently fitting, it is none the le-!s 
j an illustration of the mysterious manner in which an 
overruling Providence arranges the affairs of this life, 
! that the c/ntu' occupied by the illustrious prisoner of 
j Lieut. King shouhl, by mere accident seemingly, fall 
I into the hands of his grandson, who a hundrc(l years 
after the event recorded returns to make for himself a 
summer home on the exact spot where his grand- 
father had first resided after his marriage, and within 
a few miles of the hnuse wherein Maj, Andre was 
I confined. 

"The parish of Ridgebury is situated in the north- 
ern extremity of the town, and is separated froiu the 
village of Ilidgefield by a gorge or ravine and a range 
of rugged hills formerly kuown as the Asproom ledge. 
So distinct and well defined is this dividing-line that 
the two parishes present the appearance of two town- 
ships. This is the section granted the town as part 
compensation for the ohlonff which was set off to the 
State of New York. 

" During the Revolutionary war a goodly niunbrr 
of the inhabitants of this part of the town took nj* 
arms in defense of the country. Upon the appr(»ach 
of the Britisli trofips under Gen. Tryon, on Sunday, 
April 27, 1777, after the burning of the military stores 
at Danbury, most of the people fied thnuigh the rain 
that at the time was failing to a hill about one and 
one-half miles northwest of the present ('ongrega- 
tional church. From their position tiiey could dis- 
tinctly see the regulars, as they were termed, jiass 
through the village. First came a rude body of Hght- 
horse, then three i>ieces of cannon, followe<l by the 
main body, said to be two thousand strong, with three 
pieces of cannon in the rear. As they passed the 
house of Capt. Timothy Benedict, standing on the 



650 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



corner of the road Icadino; to Danbiiry, they fired two 
pistol-shots at some person h)oking out at a window, 
but witliout doing any harm. 

" As the light-horsemen passed through the outskirts 
of the village on the west they fired at several persons 
near the Now York State line. About 9.30 a.m., and 
within half an hour after Tryon's departure, Maj.- 
Oen. Wooster with a detachment of two hundred 
men pursued him on the road leading to Ridgefield 
Village. 

" It appears that a raid lia<l for some weeks been 
expected, and in consequence of a rumor circulated 
to that effect on Sunday, April 13th, just two weeks 
previous, the inhabitants, after secreting many of 
their valuables in wells and caves, fled with such arti- 
elej as they could conveniently carry with them to a 
place of safety on a neighboring hill. 

"The late Hon. Henjamin Lynes, then a lad of 
some sixteen years, and a resident of Redding, was 
taken prisoner by Crcn. Tryon, and compelled to ac- 
company him several miles towards Danbury, when, 
on account of his youth, he was set at liberty. 

" In September, 1780, Gen. Washington having re- 
ceived a communication from Count de Rochambeau, 
commander-in-chief of the French forces then at 
Newport, rcfpiesting an interview at Hartford, Conn., 
he left Verplanck's Point, on the Hudson, on the 18th 
of the month, passed through Peekskill, and spent the 
night in Ridgebury, at the hotel of Ensign Samuel 
Keeler. Mrs. Rebecca Boughton, daughter of Daniel 
Coley, Esq., then about twelve years of age, often 
spoke of having seen him ami his aid on that occa- 
sion. 

"On the 23d of May, 17.S1, AV.ishington again in- 
terviewed Count de Rochambeau, — this time at Weth- 
ersfield, Conn., for the purpose of settling upon a 
definite plan of campaign. It is ])robable that at 
this interview arrangements were made to remove the 
French army to a point in the State near the York 
State line, so that they could at short notice join the 
.\merican army; for during the following month 
Rochambeau and Duke de Lauzun (Lauzun-Biron) 
marched from Newport across the State of Connecti- 
cut and took post at Ridgebury. 

" During their stay in Ridgebury the main body of 
Rochainbeau's army encamped <m the ridge just cast 
of the main street, on land now owned by Samuel S. 
St. John, Est). One division took post on a hill 
about one mile south of the church, near the school- 
liou.se. At this |)oint the army was about equally dis- 
tant from Long Island Sound and the Hudson River. 
Count dc Rocli.imbcau and suite are said to have 
made their headquarters at Ensign Kecler's hotel. 

"Several carts loaded with specie were placed, 
under strong guard, on tlie premises and near the 
dwelling of Daniel Coley, Esq., midway between the 
two divisions. The applies for the whole French 
army were transported in carts, — eight hundred and 
ten in number, — most of them drawn by two pairs of 



I 



oxen and a horse, then designated as a five-cattle 
team. 

" The late Thomas Boughton, at that time too 
young to join the regular army, hired as teamster to 
the French, driving his father's team. He accom- 
panied the supply-train from Connecticut t(T Virginia, 
and wiis present at the surrender of Cornwallis at 
Yorktown. In after-yeai-s he often spoke of the mag- 
nificent display made by Rochainbeau's army on that 
occasion. 

"On the 2d of July, 17S1, Duke de Lauzun left his 
encampment and marched his forces to East Chester, 
N. Y., where he arrived on the morning of the 3d, 
his purpose being the cajjture or destruction of Dc- 
lancy's corps of refugees at Morrisania. 

"Count de Rochambeau, with the main body of 
his army, probably broke camp at Ridgebury on the 
4th of July, 1781, as they joined Gen. Washington at 
Dobb's Ferry on the (Jtli. 

"A liberty-pole erected by the Whigs about the 
commencement of the war was in the night cut down 
by the Tories. This exasperated the former, who at 
once raised another, filling it for several feet with 
spikes and pieces of old iron to protect it against a 
similar disaster. About the year IStJO some two feet 
of this pole was dug up by William M. Lynes, Esq. 
It was in a fair state of preservation, and still con- 
tained many of its iron protectors. 

" During the war several families residing in Ridge- 
bury improved every opportunity to aid King George 
in his efforts to subdue the colonies, or, in other and 
plainer words, were Tories. In some instances they 
converted their cellars into places of concealment 
and security, where such as had made themselves 
particularly obnoxious to the Whigs by their loyalty 
to the Crown could be safely secreted. These hiding- 
places were approached by trap-doors made in the 
floor beneath beds. Through these doors the occu- 
I)ants were supplii^d with food by the less objection- 
able Tories. In some instances they were arrested 
by the government oflicers and imprisoned. One 
went back to England, but returned after the war, 
and was supported by and buried at the exi)ense of 
the town." 



CHAPTER LXIV. 

RIDOEFIEIjD (Continued). 

ItidEcflold Lilt ill Yc Your ITlft-IliilgcBoliI In IMO— Sketch uf tin- Town 
I11I8M. 

Tin: town gradually increased in wealth and popu- 
lation, and in 174<> it had one hundred and fifty- 
six taxable inhabitants, and the "listable estate" 
amounted to nine thousand and one pounds one 
shilling and sixpence. The following is the list 
taken from the old town book : 



KIDGEFIELD. 



651 



lUDGEFIEI.U LIST. 

£ .. ,1. 

Al.I«.lt. .Ir...I,.imthaii f,;, - c 

Aliliiitl, Uiniil 'ja II 

Ahhi.It, Ilaiii.'l 2.; II U 

Al.liolt. LiMNUvl 7i; 14 o 

licllcilirl.Mlllthcw 114 -J II 

liiiit, S .-,:l 17 

IJriiiMlirt. TiiiHiIhv 7,". In ll 

Hurt, I' ." :!:\ 4 

Br.iwii,.loli,i 71 2 11 

li.'iir.li, I, fviil Itfiij 711 1 6 

Iti-milirl, Sr., .Iiinii'S VS\ 12 

lliiii'li. I. AiiKis :;4 II (I 

linn.ks, .r..iiiitliiiii 41 15 (1 

lJi-iiiiil,.lr.. Sjuiiiit'l 47 11! ij 

Ii''iiiiit, Ki'liiiiini 4;( ii ii 

Bi'iuiit. Sr., Sjumiel til IS 

Burt. Itfiijumili lo."» 17 il 

Brnuks, J.. Klu'iifi'.er 7 17 (I 

Bi-iii'cli. I, Ilanic'l 47 I'.i i; 

]k-iiii.lt, (icihlicm 7 y II 

Biiinrlt. Al.iuliam 4:1 Ii ii 

Bi'ii-'iiirt. Jr., .liiiiios (;il Ii; II 

Biniiliit, .luliii Ki II II 

I'tautnni, Israel ;i.'» ii o 

Ciirl.-y, .l,,si-|.li 47 .'. 

<"1.', r.lial,..,! :iil II II 

O.Il-, TiiiiMtliy li.l (I II 

I'uury, Vitus Idi; 1 r, 

riiapiiiali, AlljCTt l.-i 4 II 

Klimis. IlitiiiiunuuiH 24 il I) 

FiistBi, TiiiMillij- :i2 II II 

FH.slcr, .lusiali 4il 14 y 

F,.~t<'r, .Ir., .losiali 34 il (I 

Faninliar, K,.l.i-it 24 II 

F..IIal,-,.l,.»c|.h t,l 18 

t^att-'S, ,'»aiiiiul 4.'i 12 (I 

(Jilli-rl. .Saiiiiii-l 11 4 II 

(;ill...,t,KI„-,i,.,.,.r 2.-* II II 

Grmiiniaii. Kleiif/.er 42 111 II 

Ha" I'-.v. Tlumias .^.l ij ij 

llnyl. n.ii.j lli; IS II 

lla\ili\, Klijah al l.', 

ll,.lialt,.l..»,.,,li :,;i X ,1 

llHliart, .lr...l(,s,-|ih .s|l il ii 

Hyatt, Sr., TlK.lnas 7U H II 

H.vatt, .Ir, TImiiiuus 72 7 

Hyatt, .Ir, Bi'iijaliiiii 2y (I 

Hawlvy, .i.i5i,pli 137 n y 

lla«li-y, N'atluui 31 7 

.Tonus, .lan.li 77 m || 

Isaacs, .SanuicI i;ii o n 

Ki-.-li'i, .lr.,Tiiiuilliy i;3 2 I) 

Ki-.k-r, .Jdliii 27 U II 

Kn-l.-r. .I.uiah 74 1 11 

K,..,|,.r, l.„t ;-,3 .r, II 

Ki-cl.-r. .■silas 35 lo 

K.M'IcT, Martin 4s 12 

Ket'ler, Isaac 7',( 2 il 

KcfliT, .Ir., Jostipli f,0 2 11 

Kcclcr, Samncl 114 li o 

Kcclcr. .Ir. Tini.itli.v ."■,2 17 

Kcclcr, Klijali . IS II o 

I.nliic!!. .l.fliii... 3S S 

L"l"lcll, Cald, 114 14 

l.c>li.l<-ll. Klicnczcr 2« II II 

I.oli.lcll. Samuel 114 12 

ftluichuiisc, Samuel 124 11 11 

Marsha 1, (iifgciry 47 Is 

Mai-sliall. Jaliez 37 u (i 

Meeil. Israel (14 4 o 

Noillinip. Jr j.loBfpli 112 4 (I 

Nortliriip, .Ir.. .lames 40 7 n 

Ncillirup. Eli (17 17 3 

Noithiiip.daliiiell 123 3 

Nurtliiuji. .I,,hri ;,S 14 u 

Niiitliriip, llaviil Sll 111 

Northriip, .Sr., .lames (14 3 

N"rllinip. .lalie/, 34 2 I) 

Norlhiup. Sr., .J.iaeph 42 _ (1 

Kortlinip, .\ar(iti (11 'l4 (l 

Nortlirup, Aliruham 37 13 I! 

Kortiiriip. Isaac 24 17 (1 

N'orthrup, Nathan () l> 111 (l 

Kill th nip. .Ir., Nathan .3S 

Oshi.rn, .lonathan 42 14 (I 

Osliorn, .Inscph 11 so 

(IshiMti. Nathan r,7 14 II 

(l.sh„rn, linliar.l Ill .I II 

(Ishiirn. .leieniiah 4(1 14 

Olnistea.l, Samuel fll 12 (1 

(llnisteail, Capt. Uichaii] "7 III (I 

Olmslcjiii. .l,,lin 311 g 2 

(llmst.a.l. .Ir., Kicliard 60 10 II 

(Umstia.l, Tl]..ma.s 23 (I 

Clmstea.l, AnihriisB 4S S 

(llinsti'iul. Capt. Daniel 7S II! 

llhustea.l, .h.iiatlian 32 II 

(llnisl.iel, Slephen 28 2 

l''Ttman. Itic haril 1 10 

llocUwcll. Buiijaniiu 04 U 



£ «. il. 

Rnckwdl, .h.iiathali m (l y 

ItnckucU, 'riiiinias intl v ii 

lt„. kwcll. .h.liM y2 1.1 y 

Kuckwell, Daniel ,-,4 l- y 

K.ickucll. .lal.e/ 41 (I 

U<iss;;llic. Alc.\amler 47 2 

li.wsgnie. .lac.h 73 y y 

lt<i.s.>ynie, .\hraliam 37 2 (1 

St.'hhiiis, Benjaltiin 2(1S 12 (1 

Smith, Stephen .-,3 ]i; y 

Sheiwnu.i, Daniel, Sr my 4 y 

Smith, .l..nah 11,4 ]ii y 

St. .lohli. S;imnel 3 S II 

Smitll. Ci.leiin 103 1(1 11 

Siuith, Tli.'iuas .',s y 

Stiaki-r. .hisepli 27 

Sniilh. Khciiezer sil Id 11 

.Smith. Daniel .',s 13 (I 

Snulh,,I.ili .r.y (1 

.Smith, Sanillel 143 m y 

Smidi, .h.lin 73 s 11 

Smith. S.imuel ye 3tl 1,7 12 y 

Sheiwo.i.l, Daniel, Jr 41 12 y 

Smith, .Samuel • 114 y Q 

.Sniitll. Samuel ye 4th. Vhitliick, Junalllau. 

Seani.jre, Malliew. Whilhick, Adams. 

Seaniure, Mathew, ,Ir. Whitts.,M, Tln.maa. 

Street, Timutliy. ■\Vhilt.s,m, ,lr., Denjumiu. 

.St. J..hn. Nathan. Wliitnee, John. 

Smith, Isaac. Wliitnee. RicharJ. 

Smith, Ilavid. AVhith.ck, J.iliii. 

.Smith, Jahez. V"(,„(l, Daviil. 

Slierwood, Nathan. Whitlock, Ahriiliam. 

Sett, Ilaviil. Wilts. n, Dai.i.-l. 

Slehhins, .Ir., l!cn.jjimin. \Vhitn.v, Daniel, 

.siehhins, Khen.zer. Wooii, ohadiah. 

Reivinge, Tlamias. M'oo.l, Jr., Ohadi.-ih. 

Velitius. Benjamin. Tongue, James. 

Whilne, lli'iiiy. Barnum, Joshua. 

Whitl.jck, Nathaniel. Nash. El.enezer. 
The Sum Ti.tall ..I' the Listahle Estate of ye T..WI1 i.r Ri,lj;en.d.l in ye 
year 174(1 is fUlMll 1». c.(. 

S.IMUEL Smith, ye 3d. 

Ja.MKS NoUTIlK.iP, 
.Iu\.\TII.\.\ Ol.i.I.STK..\|l, 

Tni'tees. 
Received to record January 23, 1740-47, and Recur.Ie.l pf me 

Ti.M^ Kefi.f.r, 
JUyi^ter. 
RIIXJEI'IELD IN ISnil.s- 

" In eonserjueiK'o of tlie exchange niai.k' by this 
State witli the Htate of New York, in 17:5.'!, lor part of 
8taiiifiiri.l and (ireenwich, of wliat is coiiiinoiily ealled 
the Oblong, one mile and three-(iuarters in width, the 
whole length of the first patent was ent otl' from 
Ridgefield ; the whole town therefore eontains but two 
located Societies, being the first or old society and 
Kidgebnry. The town in its present form is nearly 
in the cominoii figure of a collin. The First Society 
eontains about sixteen thousand acres, and Kidge- 
bnry Society, in this town, aliout eleven tliousand. 
The whole township is about fifteen miles in length, 
the width at south end about three miles and three- 
quarters; at about one-third of the length northward 
it is idioiit five miles wide, and at the north end only 
half a mile ; bounded south by Xorwalk, cast by H(n1- 
diiig and part of Danbury, north by Danbury and New 
Fairfield, and west by the State of New York. There 

* The following is a highly-interesting sketch of Ridgefield ;i.s it aiv 
peared eighty years ago, and is from tin. pen of the Rev. Samuel Cood- 
rich. heing e.xtracts from a manuscript work in the Hartford Athemeuni 
entitled, " \ Statistical vXccoiint of Ridgi-fteld, in the County of FuirfieUl, 
drawn up hy Rev. Samuel (iooilricli from .Minutes furnisheil hy a Num- 
her of his rarishioneis, a.ii. U'01.i." 



652 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



were in the year 1799 ten schools kept in the First 
Society by masters in as many school-houses built 
for that purpose, and the number of scholars taken 
by the visiting committee were four hundred and 
thirty-three. 

" There are three foreigners in tlie town who arc 
paupers, — viz., two men and one woman. One of the 
men, named Yabecomh, wius from Wales; the other, 
named Jagger, is an old man about ninety-five years, 
an Englishman, who served under the Duke of Cum- 
berland at the battle of Culloden in 1745, and was in 
Flanders with the regiment previous to that battle. 

"There is the appearance of sundry Indian graves 
at a place commonly called Nooricus Ridge. There 
is one mountain which rotains its Indian name, As- 
proom (' high or lofty'), and there arc several ponds, 
as Mammcnusquah, Nisoi)ack, Aokeets, and Umpcr- 
wauge. There are no Indians at present living in the 
town, except one, who has learned the mason trade 
and has married a white woman. One died in the 
town about two years since at a great age, not cer- 
tainly known, but supposed ninety-six or more. 

"The general face of the land is gently swelling 
ridges, extending from north to south, though there 
are some broken, abrupt, rocky precipices and a con- 
siderable quantity of very stony land, which is yet, 
and probably will be, reserved to grow wood and tim- 
ber upon. The soils on the ridges are generally com- 
posed of loam and clay, and there is a considerable 
quantity in some parts of the town of a light lime- 
stone soil, but little of gravel. The lowlands, or 
swami>s, of whic'.i there are several, arc generally a 
deep black soil, made by the fallen timber and leaves 
and the wash from the ridges, but they suffer much 
for the want of drainage. The soil was originally 
very fertile and produced plenty of excellent wheat, 
which hius generally failed since the appearance of the 
Hessian fly, though now and then it does well in some 
favorite spots. 

" It at present produces good rye and Indian corn, — 
a considerable more than for the consumption of 
the inhabitants, — flax, large quantities of oats, buck- 
wheat, beans, and peas. Onions grow as well in some 
open gardens as in any part of the State. The land is 
very gf)od for grass. 

"The middle of the township lies about fourteen 
miles from the landing ut Norwalk, and is equally 
distant on the highest land between the rivers Hudtion 
and Ausatonuck, and in particular the hill or ridge 
lying west of and near the town street is by way of 
eminence called the High Itidge (Indian name, Can- 
doto), from which, in clear weather, the mountains 
we.st of the Hudson, and the West Rock, near New 
Haven, may be clearly seen, and the Sound for fifty 
or sixty miles. The waters rise at the foot of this 
hill and run in different directions, discharging into 
the Sound at Fairfield, Norwalk, and Stamford, and 
into the river Hudson by the river Titicus, and 
through the river Croton. The waters also which 



I 
rise in this town discharge into the Ousetonuck at the 
great falls in New Milford. There are, therefore, no 
streams of any considerable magnitude or conse- 
quence before they leave the limits of the town, and 
thus all are frequently during the summer months too 
small to carry mills. There are, however, sfmie ponds 
in the town that have by improvement been made 
sufficient to answer the necessities of the inhabitants 
and more. The town, being a hilly country, furnishes 
a number of excellent small springs of water, which 
is light or heavy according to the .soil from which 
they flow. Some of the springs have in the course 
of ten or fifteen years changed the quality of 
the water, and some few wells, from what cause is not 
certainly known ; it is, however, in one well, attrib- 
uted to its being not long used. The most remarkable 
spring is in the southerly part of the town, and is 
commonly called Silver Sjiring; the water is very cold 
and heavy. It discharges about one-fourth water suf- 
ficient to carry a grist-mill, and is not materially af- 
fected by the freshet or drought. The wells on the 
height of the ridges are commonly from thirty to 
forty feet, those in the valleys from twelve to 
thirty ; but in time of severe drought many wells 
fail of water. There have been but two instances of 
aqueducts in the town, and those only to supply a 
single family each, which experiments have been 
made in the course of this summer, and are likely to 
answer their design. The expense by the rod is about 
four shillings. There are a great many small streams 
in all parts of the town, but most of them in a dry 
season fail, except near the springs which produce 
them. 
"There are in most of the mountains, amongst the 
[ rocks and stones, appearances of sulphur and iron. 
There has not yet any bed been opened that promises to 
pay the expenses of working. There has been several 
attempts to dig after the precious metals, and a con- 
siderable quantity of the ore has been carried away ; 
but to .collect any quantity of the metal has proved 
impracticable. There are several beds of limestone 
of good qualities, and some quarries of a grayish and 
sky-blue stone which is serviceable in building, but 
no freestone. 

" The original timber consisted of the several sorts 
of walnuts and oaks. Butternuts arc plenty, with 
maple, beech, ash, dogwood, elm, sassafras, and a 
number of shrubs, as whortleberries, bayberries, etc., 
stately spruce-trees. In the first settlement of the 
town the inhabitants annually burnt over the high 
rough land for the benefit of the wild feed that grew 
on them, which was a great injury to the old trees 
I and entirely prevented the young from growing ; but 
I since that practice has ceased our rough lands have a 
[ most beautiful thriving young growth coming on, 
' which promises plenty of timber and fuel. There is 
a considerable number of the sugar-maple trees grow- 
ing, but no more sugar made than is consumed by the 
milkers. The common method of perforating the free 



I 



Hi 



RIDGEFIELD. 



653 



is either witli a twist-auger or a narrow chisel. Our 
woods yield lumber fur our maple-tubs, etc., and 
some small quantity for exportation, as heading, 
staves, and lioops. It is probalile with prudent man- 
agement this town will jiroduee suffieient wood for 
fuel for the inhabitants for a century to come. The 
price of wood for fuel has not yet been more in the 
street than one dollar per load, containing lialf a cord. 
There have been several forges set up in the town 
and near it within a few years past, but it is probable 
that they will soon cease on account of the e.xtraor- 
dinary consumption of wood, having in a short time 
more than doubled the price of woodland in the ex- 
tremities of the town. There are five grist-mills in 
the town, two fulling-mills, and several saw-miUs 
carried by water, •which answer for the inhabitants, 
but carrj' on no business on an extensive scale. 

"The price of land has gradually increased since 
the first improvement, liut is not so high as in the 
neighboring towns, for the reasons that there are no 
gatherings of the people for or on account of the 
pulilie business in the town, and our rivers arc so 
small, being at the head of them, that no water-works 
can be carried on to profit on an extensive plan. 
There are Ijut few mechanics and manufacturers, 
traders, or men in the learned, professions, to the 
number of people who follow agriculture, and most 
of the inhabitants raise jirovisions for their own con- 
sumption and some for exportation, for which reason 
the price of labor or provisions is not generally so 
high as it is in more po[inlous jilaces. 

"The people generally manufacture their own 
linen and woolen cloths in their families, using all 
their wool and most of their flax. 

" It is supposed that the quantity of flaxseed annu- 
ally sent from this town is from five hundred to one 
thousand bushels, according as the season is more or 
less productive. The old people love turnips yet 
better than potatoes, and there are considerable 
quantities used every year, — from two thousand to 
four thousand bushels a year; they make good feed 
for sheep and cows that give milk. Potatoes are very 
much used, and increased attempts are making to 
raise them for market; but the distance from market 
is so great that it is not expected tlie practice will be 
general. 

" Our teams used for transjiortation and the several 
branches of industry and husbandry have been gen- 
erally composed of oxen and horses together, and our 
vehicles for carriage have been carts and sleds ; but 
within a few years past wagons drawn by horses have 
greatly multiplied, and the cart, harrow, and plow 
arc more freijuently drawn by oxen alone. The 
increase of cattle is doubtless an advantage to so 
rough a country as ours, and the increase of horses, 
except for sale and exportation, a disadvantage to us, 
if not to every country. 

"Pleasure-sleighs and those for lumber have 
greatly multii)lied since the Revolution. Our grain 



is universally thrashed with flails and cleaned with a 
fan and riddled. 

"The town being originally much covered with 
chestnut timber, that was for about fifty years chiefly 
used for fencing ; since that time the post fences have 
gradually been replaced with stone, and at present 
there is but very little timber cut for that purpose 
except for posts and bars, and there is j)robably 
movable stone enough for the purpose of fencing. 

"This town, by the mode of laying it out at first, 
was cut into small pieces or tracts of land, and, the 
people being generally husbandmen, scarce any man 
has more than he an<l his family want to improve, 
atid of course we have no tenanted lands. There are 
some people who crop it, as is termed with us, — that 
is, plow and sow for a certain share; the common 
custom is to the labor two-thirds and to the land one. 

" Tliere has been for the last forty years a constant 
emigration of the people l)orn in the town to the 
different parts of the United States. 

" In our Revidution many of our young jjcople left 
the town, and some of them now reside in the British 
dominion ; some have returned, and several are dead. 
Tlie jieople of this place have hitherto been so favored 
with the grace of God that there has never been one 
convicted of any crime punishalde by laws of the land 
with death. 

"There have been two instances of suicide, native? 
in the jirime of life, one male and the other female ; 
both were married and had fiimilies. 

" lentil about the year 17t)0 there was a considera- 
ble number of good sheep in the town, and they were 
kept by a shepherd in the summer months, and regu- 
larly twice in the week let to the highest bidder to 
lay on his plow-land during the night season, which 
method of manuring caused the worn land to [iroduce 
excellent croi)s of wheat of the best quality, and great 
quantities of the land belonging to the jiroprietors 
was kept for the sheep to feed upon ; but about that 
time (17G0) the proprietors agreed to divide their in- 
terests in said several lands, and they were soon 
fenced up, since which time the sheej) have gradu- 
ally decreased, and would have become extinct but for 
the encouragement and protection of the Legislature. 

" There are probaldy about half as many sheep 
in the town as there are people. It would be but a 
venture to guess the number of swine; there nuiy 
be not fiir from fourteen hundred or fifteen hundred, 
and there are from one hundred and fifty to two 
hundred barrels of ])ork annually carried out of the 
town, and almut as much beef. There may be from 
two hundred an<l fifty to three hundred firkins of but- 
ter exported and half the weight of cheese (nine thou- 
sand), and about one hundred head of fat cattle driven 
to market on their legs to New York. 

"The making of butter has much in<Tcased within 
twenty years. As it can now be carried fresh to New- 
York market, the price is more than three times than 
it was then. 



654 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



" Tliere is a good tan-work in tliis town, in which 
about fifty vats arc occupied. It lia.s, however, been 
tlie custom for almost all the farmers to tan their own 
leather, and do many other jiarts of mechanical busi- 
ness. There is also a liatting-nianufactory, in which 
about five or six workmen are employed to good ad- 
vantage; it furnishes the inhabitants with hats and 
sends abroad work to a handsome amount. There 
are likewise two boot- and shoe-factories, which will 
probably send abroad five thousand pairs of boots and 
shoes; tlie materials they work are chiefly brought 
from New York or abroad. Cabinet-work is done in 
town for the inhabitants and some of the neighboring 
towns. It has already been observed tliat the inhabi- 
tants manufacture all the wool they raise, and a con- 
siderable iiuantity is brought from abroad. 

" A large quantity of ducking (not for sale, but for 
the Southern market), perhaps three thousand yards, 
at one shilling per yard, is annually made and sold. 
The great quantities of cotton cloths, as muslins, etc., 
imported and sold at a low price, has a tendency to 
discourage making American cloth, though many 
make linen and exchange with the shopkeepers for 
cotton goods. 

" There are no breweries in this town, and the gen- 
eral custom, which used formerly be practiced, of 
making small-beer for family use, is almost entirely 
neglected, except for sake of the lees to make bread. 

" There were formerly deer, bears, wolves, jian- 
thers, and wild-cats in our woods, and beaver in our 
ponds, but they are now extinct. We have red and 
gray foxes, some few raccoons, woodchucks, gray and 
striped squirrels. There were at the first settlement 
great numbers of rattlesnakes and snakes equally poi- 
sonous, but they are almost destroyed. One method 
for their destruction was the turning of swine among 
them, which devoured them. About the year 1780, 
and for several succeeding years, the canker-worm de- 
stroyed our apples and apple-trees in many of our or- 
chards to a very alarming degree; but about the year 
1794, in the spring season, soon after the leaves and 
worms made their a])pearance, there came into the 
orchards several Hocks of uncommon birds, a little 
larger than a blue-bird, of a brown color, and picked 
the worms from the trees, as was also the case with a 
number of flocks of pigeons, which greatly checked 
them, and flic frost which happens sometimes the 
latter end of May entin'ly destroyed them, so we have 
not one canker-worm since that has been heard of. 

"Rcs])ec;ing the bird, it has never been seen with 
us since, except it be the one that ajipcars in the win- 
ter, which, if it is the same, is considerably changed 
in its color. 

" There were a few barberry-bushes in town that 
were for a long time kept for medical purposes; the 
great blast of wheat. about the year 1775 induced 
people totally to destroy them. 

" It is an undoubted fact that a bunch of those 
bushes, not more than an armful blasted several fields 



of wheat, so as totally to destroy some and much in- 
jure others, at half a mile's distance. As to the cause 
of their blasting, it is conjectured that it is their sour- 
ness, as it is observed that wheat delights in light 
sweet soils, which naturally i)roduces the white and 
red clover. It has also been observed that wheat- 
fields lying near swamps producing cranberries have 
been blasted by them ; but it is necessary, in order to 
produce this destructive effect, that the weather be 
moist and the wind blow in a direction from the 
bushes or swamp to the fields of grain, wiien the nox- 
ious eftluvia which the bushes emit fills the air, and 
being of such a nature that as soon a.s it comes in 
contact with the straw it poisons it, and destroys it so 
as to afford no nourishment to the kernel. 

" There arc two places or houses built for public 
worship in the First Society and two in Ridgebury, 
one of which, the Episcopal, has gone to decay. One 
of the houses in the old society is used by the Con- 
gregational ists, and the other by the Episcopalians. 
Mr. Thomas Hawley, from Northampton, wius settled 
in the first society soon after the town Wivs .settled, in 
the year 1714, and was their first pastor and continued 
till the year 17;?!), when he deceased in the ])rime of 
life. He was an able divine, a man of great frank- 
ness and sociability, an excellent scholar, and was 
very useful to the town, not only as a minister but in | 
a civil capacity, serving them as their town clerk, and 
doing almost all their writing business until his death. 

"As an encouragement for his settlement in the 
ministry, in the then infant state of the town, he re- 
ceived one twenty-ninth part of the land to himself 
and his heirs. Some of his descendants are now living 
in the town. His salary was small at first, but in- 
creased gradually as the peojjle became more able; 
but it may be remarked as a capital error in the origi- 
nal proprietors of this town, as in many others, in 
giving away the right of soil. It is probable that had 
what was given to Mr. Hawley been appropriated to 
the ministry and for religious purposes, that the in- 
terest at this day would have defrayed all the ex- 
penses of the society. Some may perhaps think it 
best, and that it endears a people and their minister 
supporting him by tax. Mr. .Tonathan Ingersoll suc- 
ceeded Mr. Hawley in the ministry. He was from 
Milford. He was ordained in the year 1740, and 
fulfilled for many years his duty with ability, ingraft- 
ing himself in the atlections of tlie i)coplc, and was 
universally beloved and esteemed. Some years before 
his decease a shock of the palsy weakened his body 
and mind, but he continued to do his duty in orticc 
until near the time of his death, which was on 2* 
()ctober, 1778, after which time there was a .succession 
of temporary preachers until ()"■ of .July. 1780, when 
Mr. Samuel Goodrich, of Durham, was ordained, and 
is the present pastor. It is worthy of remark that 
the people in this town have always been attaclie<l to 
their ministers, and great harmony and peace lias 
subsisted between them. 



IIIDGEFIELD. (i55 



"The Episcopalians built their first house of pub- i schools. S*", by the forty shillings on the thousiunl, 

ic worship in the year 1740 ; they never had a clergy- as it is commonly calleil ; 4'", iiy tlie produce of tlie 

nan to themselves steadily, but have successively sales of the Western lands ; and histly, in case of de- 

jmployed a number, — tirst, Jlr. Caner, then Mr. i fieiency, by a tax on the scliolars. 

Beach, Mr. Fowle, Mr. Towuscnd, Mr. De Laneey, ' " The wajccs siven to master Us from tiftcen to cisrht 

Dr. Perry, and lastly Mr. Buth'r, who is esteemc<l a dollars per month, accordiiij^ to niiinbci- ol' sclndars 

vorthy man and gives good satisfaction to his people, ami tlie ability of the tcacdiers. There is taught in 

" Kidgcbury ISociety was set off in the year 17li3, our schools reading, writing, aritlimetic, and grara- 

md Mr. 8amuel Camp was ordained to thf pastorate mar, some catechising, and a little m.iiniiTs. It lias 

•are of the Congregational Church in the year, wlio , been remarked that since the visiting commitlee have 

itill continues their minister. He is a man of a. feeble , attended to tlieir duty, our .schools are under better 

lodily constitution, a critical scholar, a sound and regulation and our schidars make greater ju'oticiiMicy. 

irthodox divine, retentive memory, and great logical , There are a number of young people who liave lieeii 

ibilities. There has been in years past a number of i taught in our si-liools wdio have gone into other parts 

leople who call themselves P.aptists, who showed ; and taught with applause. Board for eliihlrcn is from 

nuch zeal in religion and met in private houses for seventy-tive cents to one dollar jier week, and tuition 

vorship. At the ]>resi.-iit they are much on the de- from (ifty cents to one dollar per (piarter. 

dine. A few have joined the Jlethodists. wliosc ' "The number of jioor wlio receive aid from tlie 

ireachcrs, though very zealous, have made but little town do not exceed ten or twelve, of wliieh numiier 

mpression on the minds of the people in this town, not more than two <ir three receive their whole sup- 

Mmost all the peojile attend public worshij) with the , jiort. Those that do are foreigners, being those nien- 

l^ingregatioiialists or Episcopalians, and there is and tinned befiire, one of which was a laborer and the 

las been for a long time ]iast the utmost harmony and other a soldier who wrouglit jcl-uork in cedar since 

riendship prevailing between the several denoiiiina- , he has been in this country till he was near eighty 

;ions of Christians here, wdio frequently w<irship to- | years old, and he will to this day. b;'ing in the iiinety- 

Cether and evince the eiheaey of that spirit whose ; sixth year of his agv, sing a martial air he learned in 

eadiug character is charity. A spirit of litigation I Flanders and iTV '(iod save King G.'orge!' Those 

las al.so greatly abated, and it is worthy of remark I who receive partial aid do some work, and ri'ceivc 

hat at a late session of the County Court for this ' some assistance from relations and particular friends, 

lounty there was not one man from the town during The old soldicT has been bid oil' U> the lo\vr4 bidder 

:he whole term except one of the judge's, and wv never for several years from seven shillings sixjienci' to six 

lad any man living in the town who was a lawyer by shillings jier week. W'e have no poor that :ire (diiirge- 

srofession. ' able but w hat became so by bodily imbecility. 

"The church under the eare of Mr. (ioodrieh con- " We had the last year not more than live taverns 

lists of one hundred and thirty inemliers. i in town, though in years past we have had double 

"The whole number of inhabitants belonging to , that number; they are not much fre-piented by the 

ihe congregations is eight hundred and fifty. I inhabitants of the town. The grog-drinkers and 

"There have been seventeen hundred and fifty 1 firaiidy-tiiiplcrs have found a way to be supplied at a 

japtisms since the year 1743, and one hundred and I cheaper rate than tlicv can (jbtain at licensed inns, 

leventy pay taxes to the Congregationalists. and it is necessary that they sliouM be prudent. 

"About the time that Faille's '.\ge of Reason' came ' " In regard to climate, the height of our situation 

dn-oad. Infidelity presented itself to view, ami, like ' in the atmisphere and the descent of the land to the 

Milton's de.scrijjtion of Death, 'Black it stocid as night, north renders the air, thcaigh cold, exceedingly salu- 

ierce as ten furies, terrible as hell ;' the horror of its , brious. Dillcrent disorders have prevailed in ditfer- 

main 
>v near 



'eatures digustcd the jieople to such a degree that it : cut seasons, owing to different causes. Th 

las not yet had one advocate in this town. I street in the town, being on the highest land 

"The salary given Mr. Ingersoll was seventy-five i it, has ever been healthy; near the lowlands and 

pounds; to Mr. (ioodrieh one hundred and fiffeen ponds in the skirts (d' the town the fever and ague 

pounds and twenty cords of wood annually. The list , and other fevers have prevailed. There are some in- 

)f the town, fifty-one thousand doll"; of the First So- i stances of nervous fevers almost every year, wdiiidi 

jiety twenty-two thousand doll'. l'ubli<' wcjrship is generally proves mortal. The dysentery sometimes 

liere maintained by tax only. ' visits us, but has never made great ravages. Sym|)- 

" Schools in this town arc maintained, 1", in jjart toms of putridity have appeared in sonic fevers, and 
by the produceof the saleof lauds in Litehficld C_!ounty have in some instances proved suddenly fatal, yet 
by the State, and ajjpropriated to the sidiool ; 2'', by never lieen alarming. The smallpox has been fa- 
thc produce of an excise duty laid <in rum and tea, miliar, and has in a great measure left its terrors 
but the act, proving unpopular, was never carried into , since the |iractiee of inoeulati(oi, whieli has been gen- 
general execution. The money paid in by this town , erally adopted by almost .'dl the inlediilaiits. Three 
was returned and ap|:roiiriated iiir the benefit (d' or fiair hundreil have had it in a sea-;on, out (d' which 



65G 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



number from one to two have died ; it is a very smalT | 
expense. People here geiierully marry young, and 
are very prolific; in six families a number of years 
since, all livine; in one neighborhood, there were 
seventy-five children. 

" The number of births greatly exceed the number 
of deaths. There may have been four thousand since 
the settlement of the town. The annual number of 
deaths, on an average for ten years past, will not ex- 
ceed twenty, — about one in a hundred of the inhabi- 
tants. There has been one instance of a man who 
deceased in town one hundred and two years old ; he 
was born at Eastchester, in the State of New' York, 
and came into this town in his forty-fourth year, by 
name Richard Osborn. He was a very religious man, 
slender in body, had l)ecn a justice of the peace and 
deacon in the prime of life, was temperate in his 
habits and diet, but animated in his passions. There 
have been many instances of persons living over 
ninety, and great numbers who survive eighty, and 
considerably active. There are now living in the 
town three over ninety, and twenty who are eighty or 
more. 

" In October a remarkable tliunder-gust, tornado, 
or hurricane passed through the northerly part of this 
society and the south part of liidgebury, destroying 
everything in its course in this and the neighboring 
towns. Eleven buildings were nearly destroyed, and 
three or four entirely. Several dwelling-houses were 
damaged in a surprising manner, but none of the in- 
habitants were destroyed or very materially injured. 

" Our elevated situation occa-sions the earth to be 
covered much deeper and longer with snow than the 
neighboring towns, but we are not exposed to inunda- 
tions, being so near the head of the streams. There 
have been lor several years great swarms of insects 
(especially the rosebug) moving to the northward and 
northwest; some have supposed them to be the Hes- 
sian fly. For several years past a sort of caterpillar 
worm has prevailed upon the trees, both fruit-trees 
and forest-tree.s. In the latter part of summer, espe- 
cially, the wild cherry-tree, many of the red and 
black iush-trees have been destroyed in the swamps 
and low grounds, and if not checked in their progress 
by Providence threaten wide destruction. 

" Our little town has not much to boa.st of superior 
genius or intellects, though nature ha.s been by no 
means niggardly to us in the distribution of her 
powers. The native-s of the town are undoubtedly 
endued with as good natural capacities as any i)eople 
on earth, though few of them have any groat degree 
of acquired learning. The person who happens to be 
most employed by his fellow-freemen in public busi- 
ness soon claims and hits the most notice. .\nd we 
have many persons who never mounted the public 
stage of business, who only want to be called up and 
employed to exhibit talents which by experience 
would shine. 
" Our various mechanics and artificers improve 



gradually in the beauty if not in the strength of their 
various manufacture.-*. In regard to the vices of the 
people, though it might be prudent to draw a curtain 
to hide them, yet they will in one occasion or another 
become jiublic. Robbing orchards and gardens in 
the season of fruit is the most prevalent, and other 
indulgence of fleshly appetites frequently cause re- 
pentance. The amusements commonly in vogue are 
ball, chess, quoit.s, and dancing. The people, by fre- 
quently stirring up, are attentive to their civil privi- 
leges and religious institutions. In liberality the 
people are not deficient, and have always furnished 
their quota for the public service. We have a small 
library of about one hundred and fifty volumes, 
established about five years since, and annually aug- 
mented." 

PKKTCII OK UIDGEFIELD I\ 1855. 

The following racy sketch of this town is from the 
pen of S. C. Goodrich, familiarly known as " Peter 
Parley," being a letter addressed to his brother: 

" Df.ak BROTiir.n, — I grcntly rt-gix-t lliut you could not continiio your 
journey with us to ltiilt;t'fiL-1(l. The weather wan fine, anJ the Benson — 
crowning the earth witli abundance — matlo every lan(l8c»[>e heautifnl. 
The woodH whicli, ob you know, alHnind along tlio route spreiid their 
intense simile over the liLiul, tluiH niitigiiling the heat of the unelontled 
sun, and the frefiuent fields of Indian corn, with their long leaves and 
silken tiewels, all Ilutteiiiig in tlie hreeze, gave a sort of holiday K»ok to 
tile scene. Of all agricuttunil cn>p.s this is the most picturewine and 
the most iniiiosing. Let others Diagnilot|uize upon the vineyards of 
Franco and the olive-orchards of Italy ; I parted with these scenes a few 
weeks since, and do not hesitate to say that, as a spectacle to the eye, 
our niaize-flelds are infinitely superior. Leaving New Haven hy rail, 
wo reached Norwalk in forty minutes; an hour after, wo were at Itiiigo. 
fielil, haxing journeyed three miles hy stage, from the Panhury and Nor- 
walk station. Thus we pel-formed a journey in less than two hours 
which cost a day's travel in our boyhood. You cau well comprehend 
that we had a good time of it. 

" As I approachcil the town I began to rccogDi7.o locttlitieft,— rxittds, 
houses, and hills. I was in a glow of excitement, for it was nineteen 
years since I had visited tlio place, and there was a mixture of the 
strange and familiar all artmnd which was at once pleasing and painful, 
— pleasing liecause it revived numy cherished memories, and |Hiinfnl be- 
cause it suggested that time is a tomb into w-hich man and his w-»rks are 
ever plunging, like a stream fiowing on only to disappear in an uiifalh- 
omaMe gulf. The hright village of b.Mlay is in fact the graveyard of tlie 
jMist generation. I was here like one risen from the dead, and come to 
look on the place which I once knew, but which I shall soon know no 
more. All seominl to mo a kind of dream, half real and half imnglnarj*. 
— now presenting s*Hne familiar and cherished remeud»rance, ond now 
mocking mo witli strange and banting revelatiotis. 
j "Nevoltheless, all things considered, I enjoyed the scene. Tlie physl- 
ognoniy u( the town— a swelling mound of hills rising in a cri'scent of 
mountains— n-as all as I had learneil it by heart in childh.wil. To tin 
north the Iwnding line of As|«..n I.edge, to the east the Ke-lding IlilK 
to the west the Highlands of the Hudson, to Iho south the sea of forest- 
cn>wnoil undiihitions sloping down to Long island Sound, all in a cool 
but brilliant August sun, ond all tinted with intense vordun', prewnted 
a scene to me— tho pilgrim returning to his birthplace — of unrivaled In-* 
lerost. 

" In gononti, tho whole country seemed enitiowervO in trow,— fresh 
and oxulienint, ami strongly in contrast with the womout l«ml« of tho 
old ctiiinlrics,— with o|H<niugs here and there upon hillside ami valley, 
consisting of green mojulow-, or pasture, or l'lo.'ming niaize, or perhaj* 
liat-hes of yellow stubble, for the smaller gntins hwl iH-en alreaily har- 
v«ltHl. As I came within tho precincts of the vilhigi' I could not but 
admire the fields, as well on account of their eviilent richneos of soil 
■ud excellent cultivation as their general ncatnem. Tho town, yon 
know, was originally ble8»e<l or cnimM. as the cose may be. by a m.»t 
abundant crop of stones. To clear the land of these was the Her. nlcon 
task of the early settlers. For many generations they usurped the soil, 



RIDGEFIELD. 



657 



ol-structed thf \>t>\v. dulled the scythe, and now, after nges of labor, they 
!ire fornifd into sturdy wall8, neatly laid, giving to the entire landscape 
an aspect nut only of comfort, lait rt'tiiienu-nt, In our day these were 
rudely piled nj) with fn-qucnt hrcaclies, — tlie tenii>tin^ opcniiifrs for 
vagrant slief-p and hmse yeailing catth-. No better evilenix- can he 
afforded of a general process and improvement than tliat must of these 
Iiave been relaid with sonu-thing of the art ami nici-ty of mason-worU. 
Tlie Mat Olmsteads and Azor Smiths of the past half-century, who Liiii 
stone wall for Oranther lialduin and Con. Kin;; at a dollar a md, wonlil 
he amazed to see that the succeeding generation )in^ thrown tlieir works 
ajiide in (liagust and replaced them hy cunstrurtinns having smn'-what 
of the solidity and exactitude of foTtifii atioiis. 

"As we passed along I olserveil that neai ly all the houses wliirh ex- 
isted when we were hoys had given place to new, and fm- tlie most part 
larger, structures. Here and there \\as an original dwelling. A general 
change had passed over the land : swamjis had heeii converted into mea- 
dows ; sti earns that sprawled across the jath now tlowed tidily beneath 
stone liridges; little shallow pnnrl-*, tlie haunts <if muddling geese, iiad 
disappeared; the undergrowth of woods and copses had been cleared 
away; briers an<l branddes once thick witli fruit or abounding in birds' 
nest-s or perdiance the hiding-pbice of .snakes, hail been extirpated, and 
cum and potat>es flourished in their jstead. In one place wlicve I recol- 
lected to have unearthed a woofichmk I saw a garden, and among its 
redident pumpkins, cucumbers, and cabbages was a row of tomatoes,— 
a i)l;int which in my early days was only known as a strange exotic 
pioihicing little red balls which bore the enticing name of love-apples. 

" At last we came into the main" street. This is the same,— yet not the 
same. All the distances seemed less than as I had niarkid tliem in my 
memory. From the meeting-house to 'Squire Keeb-r's— whl. h I thought 
to be a.piarter of a mile— it is but thirty rods. At the same time the 
undulations seemed more frerjueiit and abrupt. The obi houses are 
mostly gone, and inoie sumptuous ont-s are in thi-ir jdace. A certain 
neatness and elegance have succeeded t<. the plain and piimitivi- eharac- 
teiislics of other days. 

"The street, on the whole, is one of the most I oautiful I know of. It 
is mr>ie than a mile in length and a buinlred and twenty feet in width, 
ornamented with two continuous lines of tiee.s,— elms, sycamores, and 
sugar-maples,— save only here and there a brief interval. Some of these, 
in front i.f the more impo-ing hi>iises, are truly imije.sti-. The entire 
street is carpeted with a green sod soft as velvet to the feet. The higli- 
road runs in the middle, with a footwalk on cither side. These pjt'isnges 
are not paved, but are covered with gravel, and .so neatly cut that they 
appear like plejisure-groumls. All is so bright and so last^'ful that you 
might expect to see some imperative sign-hoard warning yon, on peril 
of the law, not to tread upon the grass. Yet, as T learned, all tliis em- 
bellishment flows spontaneously from the choice of the peoi)le, and not 
from iiolice regulations. 

"The general aspect of the street, however, let nn- observe, is not 
Biimptuons. like Ilartfonl and New Haven, or cv<-n Faii field. There is 
still a certain fjuaintness and primness abimt the [dace. Hero and there 
you see (dd respeitablt; houses, showing the .lini vestiges uf ancient 
paint, while the contiguous gardens, groaidug «itli lich fiuits and vege- 
tables, and the stately rows of elms in front, <leclare it to be taste, and 
not necessity, that tlins eberisbes the reverend hue of unsl>plli^ti^:ated 
clapboards and the veneutble rnst with whieli time baptizes unprotected 
shingles. There is a stillness about tlio town which lends favor to this 
characteristic of studied ru.sticity. There is no fast diiving. no shouting, 
no railroad whistle; for you mu-st remember that the slatiui <if the 
Danbury atid Norualk line is tliiee miles oil'. Few people aie to be seen 
in the streets, and those who do appear move wifli an air of leisure and 
tranquillity. It would seem dull and almost melancholy were it n<)t 
that all around is so thrifty, so li'ly, so really comfcutable. Ibmses, 
white or brown, with green window-blinds, and emhowereil in lilacs and 
fiuit-trees, and seen beneath the arches of wide-sprearling .\meiian 
elms,— the finest of the wh.de elm family,--* an never be otherwise than 
cheerful. 

"I went, of coui-se. b> the old Kecler tavern f^ir h>dgings. The sign 
was gone, and, though tho house retained iis ancient form, it was so 
neatly painted, and all around had such a look of repose, that I feared 
it had ceased from its aiuient hospitalities. I, however, went to the 
door and nipped : it was locked. A bad sign, thought I. Kre long, how- 
ever, a respectable dame appeared, turned tho key, and let nu' in. It 
was Anne Keeler converted into Mis. Kcssefpiie. Had it l;een her 
mother, I should only have said tliat she had grown a little tulbr an<l 
metre dignified ; as it was, the idea crossed my miiul, 

" ' Fanny wiis younger once than she is now !' 



But it seems to me that her matronly graces fully compensated fur all she 
might have lost of earlier preteusii^ns. Slie looked at me yazingty, as if 
she half knew me. She was about impiiring my name, when I suggested 
I that she might call me Smith, and begged her to tell me if she could pivu 
nie lodt;iiigs. .She replied that they did sometimes leceive strangei-s, 
though they did not keep a tavern. I afterwards heanl that the family 
was lii h, an<l that it was courtesy more than cash which imhicetl them 
to keep up the old habit of the place. I was kindly received, though at 
j first as a stranger. After a short time I was found out, and wrdcomed as 
a frieiiil. What fragrant butter, «Iiat white hreail, what delicious succo- 
i tash. they gave me! And as to the milk, it was just such as cows gave 
I fifty years ago, and ujion the slightest encouiagement positively pro- 
duced an envelope of golden cream. Alas! how cows have degenerate<l, 
' es|>ccially in the great cities of the eai th ! In Ni-w York. London, or 
I I'aris, it is all the sunn-. He who wishes to eat with a relish that tho 
I Astor House or Morley's or the Grand Hotel du Lonvro cannot give 
i should go to Itidgefield and put himself under the care of Mrs, Itesseqnie. 
' If be he served, as I w:ts, by her daughter, — a tiling, however, that I 
' cannot promise,— he may enjoy a livi-ly and ple;is;uit conversation while 
' he discusses bis meal. When yon go there—as go you must— do iii>t for- 
I get to order ham and eggs, for tliey are such as we ate in our childhood, 
not a nuiss of led leather .steeped In giease and i-overed with a tough, 
bluish gum, as is now the fashion in these things. As to Idaekbeny- and 
huckb-berry-pies and similar good gifts, you will find them just such as 
our mother maile tifty yeara ago, when these bounties of Pi'ovidence were 
I incluiled in the prayer, 'Hive us this ilay our daily bread.' and were a 
I worthy answer to such a I'etition. 

I " Immediately after my arrival, waiting only to deposit my i aipet-bag 
in my room. I set out to visit our house, — our former home. An 1 lanio 
near I saw that the footpath we had worn across Heacon lienedii t's lot 
to sliorten ihn distance from the street had given place to a highway. I 
entered this, and was approaching the object of my vitit, when I was 
overtaken by a young man walking with a long stride. 
I " 'Whose house is this <ni the bill V said I. 

"'It is mine,' was the reply. 
I "' Indeed ! Y'ou nnist have a fine view from your upper windows?' 
I '" Yes. tho view is famous, and the house itself is somewhat noted. It 
I was built liy Peter Parley, and here be lived many years.' 
! "By this time we had reached the phice. The stranger, alter I had 
looked at the premises a few m()ni<'nts said, 'Perhaps j'ou wonhl like to 
ascend the bill to the north, from which tlie view is very extensive?' I 
gave assent, and we went thither, soon timliiig ourselves in the old Kee- 
ler lot, on the top of High Ilidge, so familiar to oui- youthful rambles. 
With all the vividness of my eaily recollections, I really had no adequate 
idi*a of tlie beauty of the scene as now juesented to us. The circle of 
'' view was indeed less than I had imagined. for I once thought it immense, 
; hut the objects were more striking, nirire vividly tinted, more jiictur- 
esquely disposed. Long I>lantl Sound, which extends for tixty miles 
before the eye, except as it is liidden here and there by intercepting hills 
: and trees, seems nearer than it did to the inexpetienced vision of my 
childhood. I could di^tinguish the ditleient kimlsof vessels on the water 
j and the island itself, stretched out iti a long blue line beyond, presentt^l 
J its clouil-like tissues of forest, alternating with patches of yellow sand- 
hanks along the shore. I Could di>tiiiclly indi. ate the site of Norwalk, 
I and the spires peering through the mass of trees to the eastward spoko 
I suggestive i'f the beautiful towns and villages that line the northern 
banks of tlie Sound. 

"West Mountain seemed nearer and less impt>sing than I bad imagined, 

I but the sea of mountains beyond, terminating in the Highlands of the 

Hudson, more than liilfilled my renu^miirances. The scene has no 

abrupt aiul startling grandi-ur from this point of view, but in that kind 

, of beauty which consists in blending tho peace and quietude id' culti- 

I vated valleys with the suhlimity of inouiitains— all in the enchantment 

of distaiu-e, and all mantled with the viviil hues of summer — it equals 

i the fuin'st scenes in Italy. Tho deep-blue velvet which is thrown over 

our Noilhern bin<ls<apes difters, indeed, from the reddish purple of tho 

Apennines, I<ut it is in all things as i>oetic. us stimulating to the imagin- 

I ation, JUS available to the painter, as suggestive to the |ioet. — to all, in- 

deeil, who fc-el and apjircciate the truly beautiful. As I gazed ui>t>n this 

lovely scene, how did tho nu-mories of early days come back clothed in 

the romance of cldldhood ! I hail then no iilea of ilistance beyond theso 

mountains, no tonception of landscajte beauty, tio iilea of picturesque 

sublimity, that surjiussed what was familiar to me here. Indeed, all n.y 

I first nu'iLsiiies of guindi'ur and beauty in nature were formed u]mu theso 

glorious models now before me. How often have 1 st(«id upon ibis 

mound at the appioach of sunset and gazed in speechless wonder upon 

yonder mountains, ghiwing as they were in the tlood of s;ipphiro which 



658 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



was tlioii ponred upon tliem? I pmy you to excuse my constant refer- 
ence to foreign liimKI'iit ns I liavo juKt left them, it is nuturul to make 
cowiMirJsonK with tlic«e oljecta familiar to my chihihood. Lot mo Kiy, 
then, thut no Hum^els Mur|>n8« our own in splendor, nor hiivo I seen any- 
thing to e<pntl them in hiiltiancy wlieu tlie rctihng orl* <>f day, us if tj 
dhcd gl'try u\i.}n IiLh departure, ]>i>tir!( his rays ujton the ontfltretched 
fleece of cloudy, and tliese reflect their hlu/.o ui>on the mountain Innd- 
Bcupc hclow. Tlicn for a Itrief space, ns you know, tlie heavens seem a 
canopy of burni»)ied gold, and tlie earth beneath a kingdom rubud in 
puriile velvet and crowned with rubies and sapphires. In Italy the eun- 
set sky has its enchantments, hut while these perhaps surpass the sanio 
exhibitions ol nature in our climate in respect to a uort^iin trautpiil soft- 
net« and cxtiuir^ite blending of ntinbow hues, tliey are still inlcrior iu 
gorgeous splendor to the scenes which I have been describing. 

" Having taken u hasty hut earnest view of the gran<l panorama of 
High Hidge, 1 returned with my guide to the house. I fi'Jgned thiriit 
anil begged a glass of water. This was readily given, and I tasted once 
more the nectar of our 'old oaken bucket.' After gtamring ixmnd and 
making a few observations, 1 thanked my attendant— who, by tlio way, 
had nit suspicion that I knew the place as welt a^ himself— for his cour- 
tesy, and took my leave and returned to the hotel. My emotions upon 
thus visiting our early home, so full of the liveliest associations, it would 
Ik? utterly in vain to allenipt to describe. 

" It W08 now Snttirday evening, which I spent (piictly with my host 
and his family in talking over old times. In the morning I i-osc early, 
for it seemed a sin to wo^te such hours as these. Standing on the iiurth- 
ern t^toop of the Keeler tavern, I Inoketl ui»on the beautiful landscai>e 
bounded by the Redding and Danbury hills and saw the glorious marrh 
of niiirning over the SL*ene. The weather was clear, and the serenity of 
the Sabbath wns in the breadth of nature; even the breezy morn soon 
eulicided into stillne^^s, ns if the voice of God hallowed it. The birds 
seemed to know that lie rested on this seventh day. As the sun came 
up the rtutteTing leaves sank into repose; no voice of lowing herd or 
baying hountl broke over the hills. All wai< silent and motionless in the 
street ; everj'tliing seemed to feel that solemn conunand, ' Iteniember 
the Sabbath day,'— save only a stnipping Shanghai cock in 5Ir. Lewis' 
yard over the way, which strutted, crowed, ami chased the hens like a 
very Mormon, evidently caring for none of these things, 

"At nine o'clock the first bell rang. The firbt stroke told urn that it 
was not the smne to which my childish ear was accustomed. Upon in- 
quiry, I learned that on a certain Fourth of July some ten years hack it 
was rung so merrily as to be ciiuked: Had any one asked me who was 

likely to have done this, I should have mud J .... II and ho 

indeeil it was. With a good-will, however, quite chaiacteiiAtic of him, 
he canned it to be replaced by a new one, an<l, thio'gh its tone is dee])er 
and even more nndodious than the old one, I felt diiappolnted, and a 
shade uf sadness came over my mind. 

"On going into the meeting-house, I found it to be totally changed. 
The puljiit, insteail of being at the west, was at Iho north, and the gal- 
leries had lieen trauHiKj^eiito ^<>>t this i;ew arrangement. The Puritan 
pine color <if the pews had given way to white |>atnt. The good tdd uakeu 
fiixir wiw covered by Kiddermiiibter carpets. The choir, instead of iK'ing 
distiibuied into four parts and placed on ilifTerent sides of the gallery, 
was all packed together in a heap. Instead of Deiwoii llawlcy for chor- 
ister, there wiu< a young nnin who ' knew uut Joneph,' and in liuu of » 
pitch-pipe to give the key lliero was a meloileon to lead thu choir. In- 
stead of *Mear,' 'Old Hundred,' ' Ayleslurj',' 'Montgomery,' or *Svw 
Durhiim,* — songs full of piety and puthoe>, and in which tho wliolo con- 
gregation stnmltaneously Juineil,— they sang modern tunes whose name 
unil measure I did not know. The peiformance was artistic and skillful, 
but it seemetl to lack the uiielion of a hearty echo fnun the bosom uf tho 
osseniMy, as was the saintly custom among the fatheis. 

"The congreguiion was no less changed than the placo itself, for, ro- 
mrmlwr, I hoil not tieun in thi^ bnihiiiig for tlvo and forty yearK The 
patilarrtis of my boyhood — Deacon Ulmsleoil, Deacon Benedict, Deacon 
Ilawley, Urunther Italdwin, 'Siiuire Keclor, Nulhan Smith — were not 
there, nor were their types in their places, A few gnty-hnlreil men I 
S4LW having dim and fleeting st^'mblances lo these Anakim of my youth- 
ful imaKiiuUion, but who they were I could not tell I aflcrwards heard 
that uhMil of tht-ni were the companioutt of my early days, now grown 
(o manhood and Itearing tho Imprewi of their iiarentage blent with ves- 
tiges of their youth, thus nt once Inciting and buflling my eiirittsity. For 
thu umst iwrt, however, thooMwildy was com|><ised of u new generation. 
In several Instances I fell aMtiungeimrt of enil>amo«iment as to whether 
the jtonion I sitw was the boy grown up or the |iaiia grown down. It 
pruiluci's a ver^' oild confusion of iileas to rtMill/e In an old nmn boforo 
jruu the playmate of your chlldhooil whom you had forgjtten for forty 



yeans, but who iu that time has been trudging along in life at the samo 
pace nsyourstdf. At first everything looked belittleil, degenerated In 
dimensions. The hiuisc seemed snnill, thegalleiies low, the pulpit mean. 
Tho people u[)|ieared Lilliputian. Theae impressions soon iHtesed off, and 
1 1 egan to recogni/e a few persons around me. William Ilawley is just 
OS you would have expected, — his hair white as snow, his countenance 
mild, refined, cheerful, though nnirked with threescore and ten. Irad 
Hawk-y, though he has hU residence in ' Kifth Avenue,' s|>ends his sum- 
mers here, and btrgins now to look like his father the deacon. I thought 
I discovered Gen. King iu an erect and martial form in one of the pews, 
but it proved to \>e his son Joshua, who now occupies the fiiniily mansion 
and Worthily stands ut the head of the house. As 1 came out of church 
I was greeted with umny hearty shakes of the hand, but in mcst cases I 
could with difticully remember those who thus claimed recogniiion. 

"The discoui-so wus very clever and thoroughly orthodox, as it should 
be, for I found t:iat tho Confession and Covenant of 1760 were still in 
force, just as our father left them. Kven the Eleventh Article stiiuds as 
it was : ' Vou btdieve that there will bo a resurrection of the tiead, and 
a day of judgment, iu which God will judge tlie world in righteousneju 
by Jesus Chiist: when the nghteons shall be acquitted and received tu 
eternal life, and the wicked shall bo suntcuccd to everlasting fire, pre- 
pared for tlio devil and his angels.' 

" I was, I confer, not a little shocked to hear the account tho minister 
gave of the church-members, for he dechireil that they wore full of evil 
thoughts, envy, jealousy, revenge, and oil unclmritableness. He said ho 
knew all about it, and cmhl testify thai they were a great deal worse than 
the world in general believed or conceived them to be. Indeed, he affirmed 
that it took a real experimental Clr istiaii to undei-stand how totally de- 
praved they weie. I wus consoled at finding that this was not ttie settled 
ntinister (Mr. Clark), but a missionary accustomed to jireach iu certain 
lost places in that awful Babylon called Xcw York. Peihaiw tho sermon 
was adapted to the people it was designed for, but it seemed ill suited 
to the latitude and longitude of such a qiutint, primitive iKirish as Ridgc- 
field, which is without an oyster-^^-ellar, u livery-stable, a grog'iihop, a 
lawyer, a broker, a dninkard, or a profane swearer. 

"This circumstance reminded me of an itineruut Boanerges who in 
his migrations h:ilf a century ago through Western New York was re- 
quested to prepare a sermon to l>c preached at the execution of an Indian, 
who had been convicted of munler and wus speedily to be hung. Thin 
he complied with, but tho convict cscai>od, and tho ceremony did not 
take place. The preacher, however, not liking to have so good a thing 
lost, ilelivere<t it the next Sabbath toa pious congiegiilion in the Western 
Reserve, where he chanced to be, staling that it was comi>o«ed for a 
hanging, but, as that did not take plnie, ho would preach it now, pre- 
suming that it would bo found appropriate to the occasion: 

" In thu afternoon we Imd a U-gging sermon from a young converted 
Jew. who undeitook to prove that hi^ tiil>e was the nio«t iuterwting in 
the world and their ronversiou the first step towards the millennium. 
After the sermon they took up a rontiibutiun to old him in getting an 
education ; ho also sold a little stor)'-l>ook of his conversion at twelvu 
and a holf cents a copy, for the benefit of his converted si-ter. I Inwo 
no objection to Jews, converted or unconvetted, but I must suy that my 
reverence for the house of God is such that I do not like to hear there 
the chink of copper which gencmlly prevails iu a contiibution-lKjx. 
Kven that of silver and gold has no melody for mo In such a place. It 
always reminds me painfully of those vulgar pigcon-dualers who wore 
so snmmarily ami so priq>erly scourged out of the Temple, 

"The tdd dilapidated E|)isco|>nl church which you remcniLer on the 
main street— a church not only without a bishop, but without a congro- 
galion — has given place to a new e<lifice and stated ser%ices, with a large 
anil respechilde Uxly of worshiiMus. The Slethodiai.i, who were wont tu 
assemble fifty years ago in Dr. linker's kitchen, have put up a new house, 
white and bri;<ht luid crowded cverk' Snbbath uilh attentive listenorv. 
This church numbers two hundred menilKTS, and is the largest iu the 
jdaco. Though iu lis origin it soemed to thrive i\\mu the outv'u»ts of so- 
ciety, its itoople are now as res|iectable as Ihoee of any other religions 
B.tciety in tho town. No longer do tboy choose to worship In banis, 
school -houses, and by-placee; no longer do thoy uiToct leutUK«ss, long 
faces, and Imise, uncoml^ed hair; no longer do they diet ish Uul gmni- 
mar, low Idioms, and the euphony of a niwuil twang in preoiblng. Tlieir 
place of Worship is in giK>d tiute and giMnl keeping; their dretw is comely 
and in the fashion of the day. The preacher Is a man of o«lucathtn, re- 
finement, and dignity, and ho and the Rev. Mr, Clark, our fiithor'i snc- 
ccMor, exchange pulpits, and cull each other Brother! Has not tho good 
time come? 

"On Monday morning I took a wide range over the biwn with JtMhtia 
King, who, by ihe way, is not only the succvesjr, but in s-juie things tho 



EIDGEFIELD. 



659 



repetition, dfliis fatlier. Ho i*t'i)rc'si'ntsliini in person, a^ I Iiuvo :iIio;iily 
intiiimtt'd, and has many of Iiis <|iialili<'s. He lias icinniii'lcd tlu- ki'""I"'s 
aruiUHl tin- iiM family iiiaiisioii, aiiiplilyiiii^ aii<l i-inlirllisliiu;^ Ilicm with 
mm:li jiul;;imiit. Tin- lumst- iti*t'Il" is iincliatiged, ixrrpt I>.v i)aiiil ami 
tlie iiitrnduction of certain articles nf furniture ami tasteful ilecoiatii'iis, 
— testiimuiialH uf the pniprietiu 's repeatcl visits tn Kumpe, Here, lieiiig 
a liadielDr. lie lias i^atlien-'I sninr ■>!' lli■^ ui.irs. aud here lie receives the 
luciiiheis uf the Kiu'^ dynasty dnw n In X\\r tliinl t;en<'rati»in, all se<'inins 
tu re;;ar(i it as tlie Jerusalein of the family. The suniTuer ;;alheriin; is 
delightful, hi inging hither the retineuieiils of the host society uf New 
Yoik, I'hiladeliihia, and other plarrs. Here I spnit s<iiue pleasant ln)Uis, 
meelinp-, of ccurs.!-. many of the n<'i;:hliitrs, who ( ame to see ni»- with 
alnuist as nnn h iiiiinsily as if T had hcni the veritahh- Joyte Hetli, 

"III all parts of the town I was struck witli the evi<lem-es of ehan;i:e — 
gentlf. ■iiadmil. it is tnie. hut still I esjieakin^ the lapse uf half a I'Mi- 
tury. AloiiK the main street the •ri-nelal outlim- of thin-,'? is tin- t-anje, 
hnt in det;iil all is transfoniie.i, .u" at least nioditie.l. Hlo^si uf the <>M 
liKUses have disappeared, or have unrleij^uiie smdi mutations as hiitdly 
to he recognized. New and mure expensive eflitlces are s^atteri-d here 
and there. If you :isk wlat are tlu- propi ictors. ymi will ho told hv. 
Perry, Joshua Kin;;. Nathan Smith, hut tlu-y are nut thusr whom we 
knew hy these names; they are their sons, pel haps their graitd^ons. 
Ma.ster Stehhins' schuul-lmusc! is swept away, and even tlip pumi aeross 
the road, the scene of many a school-day froIiL.', is eviijiorated. I am 
Constantly struck with the <;eneral desiccation whirh lias passed oV4*r the 
jilace ; m:iny of the hrooks whidi formetl ourwiutirskatinfi-andsliniiis- 
places have vanished. I lonkeil in vain for the pool haek of |ti-acoii Juhii 
Benedict's house, wiiieh I always imagined to he tht s ene of the h;illad : 

'"What shall we havi- fur dinner, Mis. Hond' 

Thcie is heef in the lanier and ducks in the pund : 
Dill, dill, dill, dill, dilled, 
Cum.' h. re and I.- killed !' 

Col. Bradley's house, that seemed once so aufiil and so excln.sive, is now 
a dim, rickety, and teiiatitless editice, for sah\ with all its appuitenances, 
for twciity-tive hundreil dollais. Is it not strange to see this onee pnmd 
tenement the snhject of hliglit and de<ay, and that, too, in the midst of 
general piospeiity? Nor is this all : it has just hi-en the snhji-it of » de- 
grading hoax. I must tell you the >tory, fur it will show Vuu that tin- 
march of i)rogress has invaded even Ri Igetield. 

" Ahoiit three days since there apjieared in the village a man claiming 
to he the son-in-law of (leorge Law. In a mysteriuus manner he agreed 
tohny the Kradley estate. With e<pial mystery he euntia. i.-d to punhasL- 
several other houses in the vicinity. It thi-n h-aKi-d uiit that a grand 
Speculation was on f(»ot : there w.is to he a rajlrojid through Ridgetield ; 
the town Was to he turned into a city, ami a hotel ri-semhliiig the Aslur 
House Wiis to take the places of the old djhipiilateil shell now upon tlie 
Bradley pi'emisi^e. An (dectric feeling soon laii throiigli tin? villaiic, 
speculation hegan to swell in the hosoni of soeit-ty. I'nder this impulse 
rocks rose, rivers douhled, hills inountrd, valleys oscillated. Tliis sober 
town, anchored in eveilasting granite, having tletied the siio( k of ages, 
now treinhled in the hysterical halancc uf trade 

" Two days imssed,and the huhhle hurst ; the iiufT-hatl was ]>unctured ; 
the sham son-in-law of George Law was discovered to he a lawless son 
of a pauper of Daiihiiry. All his operations were, in fact, a hoax. At 
twelve o\h»ck on Saturday night he was sei/ed and taken fmni his hed 
hy an independent ru i ps under ('apt. Lynch. They tied him fjust to a 
buttouwood-tree in the main street, called the Liheity Polo. 

*"No man e'.-r f.-Ii ih.. hatter draw 
In goud upiiiiuM of the law.' 

At III] events, the piisuner de.-med it a gn-at incongruity to use an in- 
stitution consecrateil to the ii;;hts uf man and the cause of freedom for 
the pui[HJse of dei)riviiig him of tlie puMer lo seek happines-^ in his own 
Way; so ahoiit ten o'clock on Sunday morning, finiling it un['leasant to ' 
he in this ^it^Iatiou while the jx'uple went hy, shaking their heads, on | 
their way to church, he managetl to get out Ids penknife, cut his cords, i 
and make a hee-liue for South Salem. 

"Farther on, proceeding northward, I found that Dr. Baker's old 
house— its kitchen the cradle of Uidgefield .Methodism— had departed, , 
and two or three modem edifices were near its site. Master Stehhins' 
house, from its elevated position at Ihu head of the street, seeming like ' 
the guardian genius of the plai'e, still stands, vetierahle alike from itn 
dun complexion, its antique foini, and its histoi ieal reniemhrances. Its 
days may he set at a hundretl yeai-s, and hem-e it is an antirpiity in our 
hrief clironoh)gy. It almost saw tlie hirth of Kidgeficld; it lias proh- ■ 
ahly looked down upon the hiiilding of every other ediliee in the street. 



It jnesided over the fight of 1777. Close hy, Arnold's liuihe wiis shot 
under hiin. and he, according to tijulitiin. ma<h' a living leap over a six- 
harred gate ami escapdl. Near its threshold the Biitish cannon «as 
planted which sent a hall into the northeastern corner-post of 'Squiro 
Heeler's tavern, an<l whiih, covered up hy a sliding shingle, as a relic 
too ])reciouB for the fipen air, is >till to he seen there. 

"The old house I found enilmwered in trees, soiiic—itrimeval elms — 
siireading tln'ir wiile hranclies prutectingly <iver tlie rouf, sl.pop, and fore- 
ground; othei-s, sugar-maples, upright, syinnietiical, and deeply verdant, 
as is tlic wont of these heautiful children of our Anieiicjin furest. Other 
trees— ajtples, pears, pi-aehes, and idunis, bending with fruit— occupied 
the orchard-grounds I'ack of the house. Tlie garden at the left seemed 
a julilee of tomatoes, heets, sipiashes, onions, cucnnihers, heans, and 
pumpkins. .V vine of the latter had invaded a peach-tree, and a huge 
oval pumpkin, deeply rihhed ami now emerging fiom its hron/.e hue into 
a g<dden yellow, swung aloft as if to in-oclaim the victory. By the jkmcIi 
was a thi'k claruhering grapevine, presenting its purjile hunches almost 
to y«>ur mouth as you enter the door. I knocked, and Anne Stebbins, 
my former s daiolmate, let me in. She wa.s still a maiden, in strange 
contrast to the ]irolific and progressive state of all around. She rlid not 
know nie, bnt when I told her how I once saw her climb through the 
opening in the schooldiouse wall overliead. and suggested the blue-mixed 
hue of her stuckings, she rallied and gave me a hearty welcome. 

"You will no doubt in sonie degree comprehend the feelings vith 
which I rambled over these scenes of our boyhood, and yuu will forgive, 
if you cannot a]iprove, the length of this random epistle. I will tres- 
pass but little fiiither upon your patience. I must repeat that the gen- 
eial aspf^-t of the town, in respect to its roads, churches, houses, lamls, 
all show a general progress in wealth, ta:5te, and refinement. Nor is 
this a'lvance in civili/ation merely external. William Hawh-y, a most 
competent Judge, as he has been the leading nierclnint of ttie place for 
forty years, mentioned SLiine stiikiug evidences of this. At the begin- 
ning of this century iiujst of the farmers were in debt and a large part 
i>\' theii- lands were under mortgage; now not hmr farms in the placo 
are thus encumbered. Then it was the custom for the men to spend a 
good deal uf iheir time, and esjiecially in winter, at the stores and tav- 
erns in tippling and small ganibling; this practice has ceased. Drunk- 
enness, profane swearing, Sabbath-bieaking, noisy night-rows, wliicli 
Were cummon, are now almost wholly unknown. There are but two 
town paujiers, and these are not indigenous. Kducation is better, higher 
in its standard, and is neaily universal. Ideas of comfort in the moiles 
i>f lib- are inoie elevated, the houses are improveil, the furniture is more 
convenient and niun- abundant. That religion has nut lost its ln>ld on 
Ihe consijeiire is eviilent from the fact that three Hiaiiishing churches 
exist; that the duties of |)atriotism are not forgotten is evinced by a 
universal attendance at the polU on election-days; at the same time, it 
i.s I dear that leligioiis and political discussions have lost their aceibily, 
thus leaxirig the feeling (»f go.>d neighburhood more general and the 
lone of humanity in all things more exalted. 

" Is there not encouragement, hope, in thcj^e things';? for Ridgefielil is 
not alone in this forward march of society. It is in the general tide of 
IM'ospeiity, eeuiiomical, social, and moral, but an example of what luis 
been going on all over New England,— perhaps over the whole country. 
We heara great deal of the iniijuities in the larger cities, but society 
even there is not worse than fornn-rly : these places— their houses, streets, 
prisons, brothels — are exhausto'l Jis by an air-jJUinp of all their doings, 
good and bad, and the seething mass of details is doled out day after day by 
the penny pre>s to appesuse the hunger and thirst of society fur excite- 
ment. Thus what was once hidden is now thrown open, and seems mul- 
tiplied and magnified by a dozen iiowerful lenses, each nuiking the most 
of it and seeking to outdo all othei-s in dressing up the show for the pub- 
lic taste. If you will rnak(; the cuniparison, you will see that now tip- 
jiing over an omnibus or the foundering of a feirv-boat takes up nioio 
space in u newspaper than did six murdeis or a dozen con tlagral ions fifty 
year* ago. Then the wtirhi's doings couhl he dispatilied in a weekly 
lulio of four pages, w ith I'ica tyi)e ; now they reijuire forty pages of IJre- 
vier every day. Our population is increitseil, — diaihled, iiuadrnjiled if 
yon please, but tho newspaper jiress has enlarged its functions a thou- 
sand fold. It costs more paper and print to determine whether a police- 
man of New York was born in Kngland lu- the United States than nro 
usually consumed in ttdling the story of tho KevoUitiunary war. This 
institutiun — the Press— has. in hict, become a microscope and a min-i)r, 
seeing all, magnifying all, ndlecting all, until at last it requires a steady 
brain to discover in its sliifting and jia-ssing panoramas the sober, simple 
truth. So far as the subject of which I am writing is concerned, I am 
satisfied tliat if our cities seem more corrupt than foiinerly, it is only in 
appearance and not in reality. If we hear more about the vices of so- 



660 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



riety, it is bccaiiao, in tl»o first place, things oro more exposed to tlie pub- 
lic vit'W, ami. in the next place, the moral stnndardH are higher, atnl honco 
tliese cviU are inotlo the ciuhjoct of loudur and more iiotiireahle comment. 
These obviuus objections will solve whatever difRculty there may to in 
adopting my conchisions. 

" Bnt, whatever the fact may be as to oiir larger cities, it cannot bo 
doubted that all over New England at least there has been a qtiiet but 
carncal ami steady march of civilisation, especially witliiu the last forty 
yeans. The war of 1S12 wa-s disastrous to our paii of the countrj', — dis- 
afltrou8, I firmly believe, to our whole country. In New England it 
checlteil the natural progress of stwiety, it impoverished the people, it 
deboned their manners, it corrupted their hearts. Let others vaunt tlio 
glory of war: I sliall venture to say what I have seen and known. Wo 
have now had forty years of peace, and the hapi)y advances I have no- 
ticed, brin^iing increased lij^ht and comfort in at every door, rich or poor, 
to bless the inhalitants, are its legitimate fruits. The inherent tendency 
of our New England society is to improvement : give us peace, giving us 
trauipiillity, and, with the blessing of God, we shall continvie to advance. 

"You will not suppose mo to say that government tan do nothing: 
the i)roBperity of which I speak is in a great measure imputable to the 
encouragement given, for a series of years, to our domestic industr}*. 
When fanning absorbed soiioty, » largo part of the year was lost, or 
worse than hist, because tavern-haunting, tipjiling, and gambling were 
the chief resources of men In the dead and dreary winter months. Man- 
ufactures gave profitable occupati.ui during this inclement period. For- 
merly the nnirkets wore remote, and we all know, from the records of 
universal history, that farmers, without the stimulus of ready markets, 
sink into indolence and indifference. The protection, the encourage- 
ment, the stimulating of any of our manufacturing and mechanical in- 
dustry created home nuirkets in every vallc3', along every stream, thus 
rousing the taste, energy, and ambition of the farraens within reaidi of 
these iwniiding influences. Ridgeflekl is not, strictly speaking, a man- 
ufacturing town, but the beneficent oiwration of the multiplying and 
divon*ifyihg of the twcupations of society has readied this, as it has 
every other town and village in the State, actually transforming tlie con- 
dition of the people by increasing their wealth, multiplying their com- 
forts, enlarging their minds, elevating their sentiments, — in short, in- 
creaHlng their happiness. 

"The importance of the fact I state— tl»o progress* and improvement 
of the country towns — is plain, when wo consider that hero and not in 
the great cities— New York or Boston or Philadelphia— are the hope, 
strength, and glor}' of our nation. Here, in the smaller towns and vil- 
lages, are Imleed the nu^Jority of the iM;ople, and here there is aweight 
of sober thought, just Judgment, ami virtuous feeling that will servo 
afl nnlder and ballast to our country, whatever weather may Iwtido. 

" Ah ] have so recently traveled thmugh sonu* of the finest and most 
renowned portions of the European continent, 1 find myself constantly 
comparing the towns and villages which I see here with theso foreign 
lamls. One thing Is clear,— that there are in Continental Europe no such 
country towns and villages as those of ^'ew England and some other 
portions of this country. Nutonly the exterior, but the interior, is totally 
difTeront. The villages there resemble tlie H<iuiilid suburbs of a city; tho 
people are like their houses,— poor and sul»sor\'ient, muTOw in intellect, 
feeliiig,and habits of thought. I know twenty towns In France having 
from two to ten thousand inhabitants whore, if you except the prefects, 
mayofB, notaries, and a few other jM'raons in each jihice, there is scari'vl^' a 
family that rines to the least lnde|>eudencoof thought, or even a modorato 
elevation of character. All tho i>owor, all tho thought, all tho genius, 
all the exi>ani*e of intellect, ai-o centered ut Paris. The bliNxl of tho 
country li drawn to this seat and centre, leaving tho limbs and members 
cold and pulseless as those of a corpcte. 

" Ilow dlfferoiit Is It In this country. The life, rigor, power, of these 
Unltoil States are difi'us.'d throngti a thousand veins and arteries over 
tho whole |H'Mple, every limb nourished, every member Invigomted. 
New York, l*hiliidelphi:i, and IVwton do not give law to tbi^ country ; 
tlint comes from tho |>eoplo, tho majority of whom rtwemblo tho^e I have 
descritwd at Kidgefleld, — farmers, mechanlot, manufacturers, merehanis, 
in<lo|K;ndent In their circumstances and sober, religious, virtuous In their 
habits of thought and conduct. I inako allowance for tho sinister In- 
fluence of vice, which alKtunds In some pUc(«s; for the dettasing effects of 
demagoglsm in our politicians ; for the corrupllnn of Holfish and degrad- 
ing interests cant Into tho general rurrt»nt of public feeling and opiidon ; 
I admit that th<<m sometime* naKo tho nation swerve for atintufroni the 
|>ath of w|n<tom, l)Ut the wandering Is neither wide nor long. The pre- 
p^^nderalliig national mind Isjuit and sound, and If danger comes it will 
xnanifest lis |K>wer and avert It. 

" Dut I must close this long lottor, and with It bid adlou to my birtb- 



I 



place. Farewell to Ridgefieldl Its s ul i.s indeed stubborn, its climate 
severe, its creed »igid, yet where is the landscape more smiling, the sky 
more glorious, the earth more cheering? Where is society more kinclly, 
noighlxirhood more equal, life more tranquil ? Where is the sentiment 
of humanity higher, life more blest? Where else can you find two thou- 
sand country-people with the refinements of tho city, their farms un- 
mortgaged, their speech unblemished with oaths, their breath uncon- 
taminated with alcohol, their poor>liouso without a singlo native pauper? 
*' Daniel Webster once sjiid, joi^osely, that New Ilampsbiru is a good 
place to come from: it seems to me, in all sincerity, tliat Ridgefield is a 
good pla<'e to go to. Should I over return there to end my days, this may 
be my epitaph : 

"My faults forgotten, and my sins forgiven, 

Let this, my tranquil birthplace, bo my grave: 
As in my youth I deeniM it nearest heaven. 
So here I give to God tho breath ho gave. 

" Yours ever, S. G. G." 

SARAH BISHOP, TUE IIEUMITKSS. 

" Three-quarters of a century ago," says Rev. 
Mr. Teller, "there was sometimes to be seen in the 
village a strango-appoaring old woman, familiarly 
known as Sarah Bishop. Her wliole appearance was 
to the last degree peculiar. Poorly clad, her form 
slightly bent, her face pale and careworn, her brow 
wrinkled and nearly hidden by long locks of gray 
hair, which were allowed to fall carelessly over it, her 
step quick and agile, — she would seem to glide rather 
than walk through the town street in quest of such 
articles of food as were absolutely indispensable to 
the sustenance of the body, or a few crumbs of that 
spiritual bread which is no less indispensable to the 
life of the soul. She is said to have reminded one 
more of a visitant from the spirit-world tlian of a 
being of actual flesh and blood. 

" Her home — if ho?ne it could be called — was situ- 
ated on one of the southeastern declivities of West 
Mountain, about four miles northwest from the viUagc 
of Ridgefield, and just inside the town limits of Salem. 
It was formed in part by a mass of projecting rock, 
and in part by pieces of bark and limbs of trees 
thrown np by her own hands for a covering. 

"No name could better apply to her than hermifcss. 
She was no mere amateur recluse : she was actually 
shut off front all society. Her dwelling-place was 
one difficult to find, and her reticence covered alike 
all the incidents of her past life and her present 
thought. She repelled almost with sternness, rather 
than courted, the sympathy even of those of her own 
sex. She loved solitude; she did not feign a prefer- 
ence for it. 

"The tradition concerning this singular woman is 
that during the Revolutionary war she live<l with her 
parents on Long Island; but, her father's house hav- 
ing been at that time burned and she greatly wronged 
by a British oflicer, she left her home and wandered 
about till she discovered this lonely spot and the lialf- 
formed cave, from which she could not only overlook 
the Sound, but which on a clear day enabled her to 
feast her eyes upon the very hills and valleys which 
surrounded the home of her childhood. 

" The first piece of poetry ever published by S. (i. 



KIDGEFIELD. 



661 



Goitdrirh (Peter Parley) liad this henuites^i for its 
subject. It ran us follows : 

"'Fur many a yo;ir tlio niDiiiitaiii bag 
Was a tlieine uf village \voiHler, 
For she nuide her lnime in the ili/.zy tr;ig 
Where the eagle hore his itIuii<Ur. 

"' Up the beetling clilf she Mas seen at night 
Like a ghust tn glitle away; 
But she eanie ngain with the morning light 
From the foiest wiUi and gray. 

'*• Her faee was wrinkled, and passiiniless seom'J 
As Iier bosom, all bhistrd and dead, 
And her euloiless eye like an irirle gleamed, 
Yet no sorrow or pyinjiathy j-htd. 

'■'Iler loTig i<no«y loekB, as tlie winter drift, 
On the wind were bjiekward ciiat, 
And her shiiveled form glided by so swift 
Yuu had said 'twt-ie a gliost tliat passM. 

'" Her house was a rave in a giddy roek 
Tliat o'erhung a lonesome vale, 
And 'twas ileeply scarr'd by the lightning-shock. 
And swept by tlie vengeful gale. 

" ' As alone on the clifT she nuisingly sate 
The fox at her fingers would snap; 
The crow wuuld sit on lier snou-white pate, 
Anil the rattlesnake coil in her laji. 

'*' The night-hawk lookM down with a uelcume eyu 
As ho stoopM in liis airy swing, 
And the haughty eagle hover'd so nigh 
As to fan her long locks with his wing. 

"' But when Winter roH'd dark liis sullen wave 
From the west with gusty hlmck. 
Old Saral(, deserted, crept eold to her cave, 
And slept without bed in lier rock. 

"' No fire illumined her dismal den, 
Yet a tatter'd B.Ue she read ; 
Fur she saw in the dark m Jlh a ui/.ard ken, 
And talk'd wi.-h the trouMed dead. 

" ' Ami often she muttered a foreign name 
'With curses too fearful to tell. 
And a t;ile of Inxror, of madness and shame, 
She told to the walls of her cell!' 

" Mr. Goodrich further says of her (' Reeollectious 
of a Lifetime,' vol. i. jt. 2VKJ) : 

"'In my rambles among Ilie niunntains I have seen her passing 
through the forest or sitting silent :is a Riatne ujion the prostrate trunk 
of a tree, or perchance upon a stune or mound, scarcely to he distin- 
guished from the inanimate objects — wood, eaitb, and rock — around her. 
She had a sense ot propriety a.s to personal apin-arance, for when she 
visited the town she was decently though poorly clad; when alone in the 
■wilderness she seemed little more than a sijualid mass of rags. My e.\cur- 
BJons freipiently brought me within the wild ])reciiu-tsof her solitary den. 
Several times I have paid a visit to the t^pot, and in two instances found 
lier at honit'. A jilact^ more desolate- in its general outline, more ah- 
Bohitely given up to the wihlernessof nature, it is imposhible to conceive. 
Her cave was a hollow in the rock about six feet square. Excejit a few 
rags ami an old basin, it was without furniture, her bed being the floor 
of the cave and her pillow a i)rojecting point of the rock. It wjis en- 
tered by a natuial door abtiut three feet wide and four f*'et high, and was 
closed in eeveie weather only by pieces of bark. At a distance of a few 
feet was a d-ft, where she kept a supply of routs and nuts which she 
gathered, and the food that was given her. She was rei)uted to have a 
secret depository, where she kept a 'pmntity of antitine dresses, several 
of them nf rirh silks and appaietitly suited to fiishionahlc life, though I 
think this was an exaggeration, At a little distanoo down the ledge 
tliere was a fine spring of water, in the vicinity of which she «as often 
found in fair weather. 

" ' There was no attempt, either in or arouiui the spot, to bestow upon 
it an air of convenience or coinfoit. A snuvll sjace of cleared giound 



was occupied by a bw llniftle^s peadi-trees, ami in summer a patch of 
starveling beans, cucumbers, ami potatoes. I'p two or three of the Jid- 
jaeent forest-trees there clambered luxuriant giapevines, highly produc- 
tive in their season. With the excejition of these feeble maiks of culti- 
vation, all was left ghastly and savage as nature made it. The trees, 
standing upon the top of the clitT ami exposed to the shoik uf the tem- 
pest, were bent and stioping towards the valley, their limbs contorted 
and their roots clinging, as with an agonizing grasp, into the rifts of the 
rocks upon which they stood. Many of them were hoarj' with age and 
hollow with decay; othei-s were stripped of their leaves by the blasts, 
and others still grooveil and splintered by the lightning. The valley 
Indow, enriched with the decay of centuries and fed with moisture from 
the surrounding hills, was a wild paradise of toweling oaks and other 
giants of the vegetable kingdom, with a raid; undergi'owth of tangled 
shrubs. In the distance, to the east, the gathered streams spread out 
into a beautiful expanse of water called Long I*ond. 

"' A jdace at once so secluded and so wild wits, of course, the chosen 
haunt of liirds, beasts, antl rei)tiles. The eagle built her nest and reared 
her young in the clefts of the rocks ; foxes found shelter in the caverns, 
anil serpents reveled alike in the dry hollows of the dills and the dank 
recesses of the valley. The hermitess had nuule companionship with 
these brute tenants of the wood. The birds had become so familiar with 
her that they seemed to heed her almost as little as if she had been a 
etoue. The fox fearlcs-sly j urened his hunt and his gambols in her 
presence. The lattlesnake hushed his monitory signal ha he approached 
her. Such things, at least, were entertained by the popular belief. It 
was sail], indeed, that she had domesticated a particular rattlesnake, and 
that he paiil her daily vii-its. She Wiis accustonu-d— so said the legend — 
to bring him milk IVoni the villages, which he devuuied with great 
relish. 

" ' I>uring the winter she was confined for seveial months to her cell. 
At that period she li\cd upon mots and nuts, which she had laid in fur 
the season. She had no fire, and, deseitcd even by her biute companions, 
she was absolutely alone, save that she seemed to hold cummnnion with 
the invisible woild. She appeared to have no sense of solitude, no weari- 
ness at tlu" slow lapse of days and months; night hail no ilaiknesB, the 
tempest no terror, winter no destdation, for her. When siuing returned 
she came down fiom her mountain a meie shadow, each year her form 
more bent, her lind)s moie thin and wasted, her hair more blanched, her 
eye more colorless.' 

'* III tlic year 1810 tliis stranj^e life ended, ami 
ended in a niauner sadly in keej»ing with all which 
had preceded it. <.)ne stormy night she left the house 
of a Mr. Wilson, living where Mr. Timothy Jones 
now lives, some two miles away, to return by a nearer 
route across the fields to her own wretched den. A 
few days after, much anxiety having been felt as to 
her condition, search was made for her. Not finding 
her in the cave, those in search started down across 
the fields towards the house at which she had been 
last seen. They liad proceeded but a little way 
before they discovered her lifeless body literally 
wedged in between nuisses of rocks. Slic had never 
reached her home. The things which the kind 
neighbor had given her were with Iter. In attempt- 
ing to climb tlie steep and rocky hillside she had 
missed her iboting and perished. 

" The neighbors and friends took up her body, and, 
having prepared for it the grave, buried it in the old 
burying-ground connected with tiie Episcopal church, 
North 8aleni. No stone marks the spot where her 
body rests, but the old cave, still to be seen in the 
mountain-side, will keep fresh and green her memory, 
while that of many who lived in aflluence and died 
greatly lamented shall have perislied." 



662 



HISTOKY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



CHAPTER LXV. 

HIDQEFIELD (Continued). 

ECCLESIASTICAL UISTOUY.* 

The Congregatiunul Church — St. SUiphen's Church — 5U'thodi8t Kpiscopnl 
Chun;h — Coiigrf^gntioual Chuix-h of Khl^ebury — Protcataut Eltiscopul 
Churc-li of Ridgflniry. 

CON(iRE(iATIONAL CIILRCH. 

The Congregational Church was the first Christian 
organization of the town. Under date of October, 
1712, the following act of General Assembly then 
convened at Hartford is recorded : 

" Upon the petition of the liihuhitnnt8 of tlio Town of RidgefieM, re- 
questing thnt tlie charges for the nutiritenaiice of the miiiistr)' in t)ie ttaiil 
town of Uidgefield nmy he levieii in equal proiwrtion niKtn nil the lands 
belonging to the eeveral proprietors in the said Town, 

"Thiji Aw*enilily order that all lands lying in the Township of Ridge- 
fleld he taxed in proportion for fovir years towards the settling and nniin* 
taining of the ministry in the Miid town of Kidgetield." 

As early as 1713 the Kev. Thoma.s Hawley, of 
Northampton, had come to the young scttlomcnt as a 
preacher of the gospel. There were doubtless otliers 
who had preceded him as occasional supplies, but as 
the earliest records of the church were destroyed 
many years ago, the names of such and their terms 
of service arc lost. 

In the year 1714, General Assembly granted "unto 
the inhabitants of tiie Town of Kidgefiold to inibody 
into Church Estate and settle an orthodox minister 
among them." 

Rev. Thomas Hawley was probably formally settled 
over the church as its pastor in the same year, and 
continued his labors among them until the time of 
his death, whicii occurred on the 8th of November, 
1738, in the forty-ninth year of his age. Mr. Hawley 
was a graduate of Harvard College and the ancestor 
of the families of the same name, so well known in 
the town. He lield for a number of years many of 
the important offices of the town, and gained a repu- 
tation tor energy and ability, originating and direct- 
ing many of the enterprises of the early settlers. 

The year following the death of Mr. Hawley, Rev. 
Jonathan Ingersoll, a native of Stratford, Conn., was 
invited to settle in the gosj)el ministry. This invita- 
tion Mr. Ingersoll accepted, and was duly installed 
on the 8tli of August, 1739. Previous to coming to 
Ridgeficld lie resided for some time in Newark, N. J., 
and wius licensed by the Presbytery of New Jersey at 
Elizabctlitown, Feb. 15, 1738. 

At the meeting of the Western Consociation, Fair- 
field County, wiiieii installed Mr. Ingersoll, there were 
present the following ministers : Rev. Robert Stur- 
geon, Rev. Moses Dickinson, Rev. Ebenezcr Wright, 
Rev. John Goodsell, Rev. Ephraim Bostwick, Rev. 
William Gaylord. Delegates: From Bedford, Capt. 
Jonathan Miller; Nonrulk, John Copp, Esq.; Stam- 



* Tho " Ecclcfiaatlcal Hlatory" of Rldgrfleld la ukrn from Bcr. D. T. 
Teller'! excellent " History of RIdgefleld." 



ford, Abraham Davenport ; Greenfield, Benjamin 
Banks ; Wilton, Benjamin Hickox, Esq. ; Green's 
Farms, Samuel Couch, Esq. 
I Rev. Mr. Goodsell od'ered the first prayer and gave 
the right liand of fellowsliip. Rev. Mr. Dickinson 
preached tlic sermon and oU'ered the prayer of ordina- 
tion. Rev. Mr. Sturgeon gave tlie charge, and Rev. 
Mr. Todd, who had been invited to sit with the coun- 
cil, oficred the closing prayer. 

Mr. Ingersoll was a graduate of Yale College, and 
a niiin of a fine mind and a good heart. He served 
the churcli with great faitlifulness until his death, 
which occurred Oct. 2, 1778, in the sixty-fifth year of 
his age. 

In the year 1758, Mr. Ingersoll joined the colonial 
troops as chaplain, on Lake Cliamplain. He is said 
to have exerted an excellent inducncc in the army, 
and to have been highly respected by the soldiers. 

Mr. Hawley and Mr. Ingersoll were buried in the 
Titicus Cemetery. The stones which mark their 
graves bear the following inscriptions : 

"Hero lyes buried 
the body of y Rev. 

Thomas Hauley 

Pastor of y Clinrch 

at RiilgeAehl 

Nov. y 8, 1738 

Aged 42 Yeara." 

•* In Memory 

of the Rev. 

Jonathan Ingersoll, Pastor 

of y 1st Clinnh in Ridgolleld 

who Deceased (!>ct. 2. a.d. 

1778 in y» ti'>. Year of his 

Age, li 4U<>' of his Ministry." 

After the death of Mr. Ingersoll there seems to 
have been a vacancy of eight years, during which 
time tlie pulpit wa.s in part sujiplicd by Rev. Justice 
Mitchell, who, in January, 1783, was ordained pastor 
of the Congregational Church of New Canaan, and 

in part by Rev. Izrahiah Wetmore and Rev. 

Everitt, as the following receipts will show : 

" UlDOEriELD, Dec. 27, 1781. 
" nee' of the GentW the So<lely'« Coniniiltee >'iu« Bushels of Wheat 
being in full for nine Dollars sent Parson Everitt. 

"Pktkh Dvvasck." 

" RiDor.FiKLD, Oct. y 6tli, 1780. 
" Pay the Revi Izrahiah Welmonj Twenty Seven ]>onnds Kleven Shil- 
lings, itnd four pence I.itwfull Money on Dennind with Interest at Six 
per cent per annum, for which this Is our ortlor. 

"SOCIKTTS COMMITTEI!. 

" To 1U;nj.\min Smith, Treasurer of the first Society in Ridgfield." 

On the (jth of July, 1786, Rev. Samuel Goodrich, of 
Durham, of this State, was ordained and installed as 
pastor of the church. The services on this occasion 
are said to have been of unusual interest. The father 
of the newly-.settled pastor preached the sermon and 
gave the charge, both to his son and to the churcii. 
The venerable appearance of the aged, gray-haired 
father was in striking contrast witii the youthful and 
almost boyish appearance of the son. It wius age and 
experience counseling youth and inexperience. It wcs 



RIDGEFIELD. 



GGS 



a man of God who liad borne the burden and heat of 
the day, and was ready to depart, easting his mantle 
upon tlie slioulders of anotlier just entering upon the 
worlc. ' 

Mr. (xoodricli served the ehurcli as its pastor for 
upwards of twenty-five years. He was dismissed Jan. 
:;2, ISll, at his own reipiest, and on tlie :29tli of Jliiy, 
1811, lie was installeil at Worthington, a jiarish in the 
town of Berlin, in this i<tate. He was the father of 
8aniuel U. (Toodrich, the renowed Peter Parley, whose 
sketch of Ridgefield, written in 1S.").5, the reader will 
find elsewhere in this work. Mr. ( tiiodrieh also was 
the author of a nuxnuseripl histury oi' the town, wliieh 
was written and lodged in tlie library of the Athen;eum 
at Hartford, in the year ISUO, extraets fnmi which we 
have also given. 

The labors of Jlr. (ioodrich were cmiMciitly Idesscd, 
and tlie cliurch chuing his ministry enjoyed man}' 
seasons of revival, and large additions were made to 
it. He was for several years a trustee of the Mission- 
ary Hoeiety of Connecticut, and a directin- of the Con- 
neeticut Pilile Society, in botliof whieli he manifested 
a warm interest. He dii'd at ]>rrliii, ('oiin., .\.pril !'.•, 
18'4'>, aged seventy-two years. 

After the dismissal of Jlr. ( loodricli the cliurch was 
again destitute of a settled jiastor for several years. 
Rev. Jonathan Bartlett supplied the puljiit from l.SH 
to 1814, and was succeeded by Rev. .Tolin Noyes, who 
supplieil from 1814 to 1817. During Mr. Kartlett's 
ministry lie proposed to the society to raise a fund, 
the annual income of which should be ajiprojiriated 
for the support of the preaching of the gospel, and, 
as an encouragement to the undertaking, he gener- 
ously gave to the society the sum of fifty dollars. As 
the result of this elfort the permanent J'und of the so- 
ciety at the present time is eight thousand dollars. 

On the 2d of February, 1X17, the church invited 
the Rev. Samuel M. Phelps to become their pastor, 
and t'onsociation was convened on the 20th day of 
March Ibllowing for the purposi^ of his installation 
in June following, and Mr. Pludps was by llieiii reg- 
ularly installed as their minister, according to the 
usages and custom of said I'rcsliytery. Mr. Phelps 
continued his labors here until the month of Decem- 
ber, 1829, when he was by the members of the Pres- 
bytery aforesaid regularly dismissed, and his ministry 
in this jilaee ceased. 

The cliurch, at a reguhir meeting held on the .ilst 
day of .March, 18.31, with great unanimity rescinded 
their vote of secession i)assed l''eb. 24, 1X17, and be- 
came reunited to the ('onsociatioM of the Western 
District of Fairfield County, and on the same day 
they invited the Rev. Cliarles (J. Selleck, of Darien, 
to become their [lastor, and he was ordained and in- 
stalled on the 25th day of Jlay, 1831. Mr. Selleck's 
ministry continued until the (Jib day of September, 
1837. During it the church enjoyed three jirecious 
seasons of religious interest, — viz., in 1831, 1832, and 
1833, — and as the fruits thereof about one hundred 



and eighty persons were added to the church. Mr. 
Selleck is still living. A i\'\\ years since, at an ad- 
vanced age, he removed to Florida and made for him- 
self a home, where he still re-^idcs. 

On the 18th of January, 1S3S, the church and so- 
ciety invited the Rev. Josejih Fuller to settle among 
them, and on the 27tli of February following the 
Consociation met, and Mr. Fuller was regularly in- 
stalled as their pastor. His ministry continued about 
four years,- in which time the church enjoyed another 
season of revival, and about sixty persons united with 
it. On the 17tli of Jlay, 1S42, by the united reipiest 
of IMr. Fuller :iud the cliurch, the Consociation met, 
and Jlr. Fuller was dismissed from his pastoral 
charge. 

After the dismissal of Mr. Fuller the church was 
without a settled pastor for seventeen months, during 
which time the pulpit was regularly supplied, and an 
interesting work of grace ensued, by which about 
twenty, mostly young per.sons, united themselves to 
the church by profession. 

On the ISth of Seiitembcr, 1S43, the church and 
society, each by unamimoiis votes, extended to the 
Rev. James A. Hawley a call to become their jiastor, 
which call he accepted, and on the 2oth of October 
following he was regularly installed as such. His 
connection as pastor continued until Nov. o, 1849, 
when at his retjuest he was dismissed l>y Consocia- 
tion. During the years 184o and 184S the cliurch 
enjoyed seasmis of revival, and as the fruits thereof 
about forty persons were added to it. 

Believing that the best interests of the church 
would be secured by having a settled iia.stor, the 
church and society, with marked unanimity, on the 
fith of May, 18.')0, extended to the Rev. Clinton Clark 
a call to settle among them. The call was accepted, 
and Mr. Clark was duly installed .liine .">, ISod. His 
connection as |iastor of this church continued nearly 
fourteen years, or until April o, 18()4, at which time 
he was dismissed, and soon after entered upon the 
duties of acting ]iastor of the Congregational (_'liureh 
of Middlebury, Conn, wliere he died Sept. 23, 1X71. 

During Mr. Clark's ministry in Ridgefield one hun- 
dred and fifteen persons united with the church, of 
whom seventy-six were by ])rofession. In considera- 
tion of his long-continued services the churcli, by 
resolution, extended to him "our most grateful ac- 
knowledgment and heartfelt thanks for all his labin-s 
among us, and that it is with deep regret that we jiart 
with one who has so long and faithfully discharged 
his duty to us in all tlie ministerial relations." 

Mr. Clark was a. graduate of Amherst College. He 
was a man of sound mind and fervent Jiiet}'. He is 
buried in the cemetery at Ridgefield, in the midst of 
the pcfiplc whom he so faithl'ully served. 

Alter the dismission ol' ^Mr. Clark the jmlpit was 
supplied by various clergymen until tlie fall of 18t>o, 
when the Rev. Samuel <i. Coe, then rcj'enlly dismissed 
from the First Congregational Cliurch in Danburv, 



661 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Conn., removed to Rid^efield .o-s a place of residence. 
He was invited to supj)!)' tlie pulpit, and soon after 
received a unanimous call to settle. He, however, 
preferred to labor with them without being formally 
installed. His wishes in this respect were acceded to, 
and he continued to serve the church until the autumn 
of 1868, when failing health induced him to give up 
active pastoral work. 

Mr. Coe was a graduate of Yale College, of Yale 
Law School, and of Yale Theological Seminarj-. He 
was a clear thinker and an earnest and eloquent 
preacher. He died on the 7th of December, 1869, 
universally lamented. 

The Rev. Pliny S. Boyd was called by the church 
and society to settle. Ho accepted the call, and was 
installed May 11, 1869. Mr. Hoyd was dismissed July 
1, 1871, and soon after was settled over the congrega- 
tional Church of Amesbury, Mjiss. 

The churcli wtis supplied with regular preaching by 
various clergymen until Feb. 1, 1872, when the Rev. 
Daniel W. Teller was called to become the acting 
pastor of the church by unanimous vote. Three 
yesirs later he was invited to be formally settled over 
the church, but preferred serving, as he had already 
done, as acting pastor. He is still serving the church 
in that capacity. The church at present has two 
hundred and twenty-five members, — males, eighty- 
three; females, one hundred and forty-two. 

CHURCH EDIFICES. 

The first house used for religious meetings by the 
Congregationalists was a small building standing 
nearly in front of the residence of Miss Mary Haw- 
ley. It was used also as a school-house and as a place 
at which to transact town business previous to the 
erection of the town-house. 

On the 19th of December, 1723, the following vote 
was passed in town-meeting: 

" Voted unanimously that a meeting liouno shall he huilt. 

"Test. Thomas Hawlf.y, 
" Ile,ji>lrr." 

*' At the meeting above SAitI, it wna voted uunnimously that the mag* 
nitude and jtroiwrllon of the ^leeting-Iioutie aUive siiid sliiill he thirty- 
four feet uide ; on the ground forty feet long, and twenty-eight feet 
between the tiill and the idate. 

"Test. Thomas IIawley, 

" JUijltlrr." 

This house stood immediately east of the present 
building or where the road now passes it. 

In the year 176.') the building of the present house 
began for the first time to be seriously considered, as 
will appear from the following minutes : 

" Dee 26"' 1705. Adjourned to Jnny 1" 1700. The Meeting Resolved 
f5..4jtb) (o Build a Kew Meeting House within y Limits of this Society; 
A appointed W. L; S. O; B. S; S 8; & I I. a comt" to opply to y County 
Court to fix A place & granted a one penny Tax to defray y* Cliarge of 
fixing y place." 

" Dec '.iS" 1707. Qnestioll%ut would y' Society Bnild a Meeting ot y« 
place fixed Ity y County Conit**? Resolved in y* neg ; by a great ma* 
Jority — Ctuestion put would they Build iu y* Meeting House yard. Re* 
solved iu y alT. by more than 2 to 1." 



" Dec lO* 1709. Voted tliat y County Comt" bo called out to fix a 
place to bnild a Meeting house on." 

" Jany IG**" 1770. Question put, ore y* meeting willing y stake set in 
y yarxl be established. A'oted in y aft". 'M to ."iU." 

"Sept 24U' 1770. Voted tliut y old nieeling-house may bo rttpaired by 
Bubscriptio!)." 

" Jlay 1" 1771. Voted to Imild a House 58 feet long & 40 feet broad, 
& 24 feet poaXs & a steeple, — Also Sam'. Smith Esq Samuel Olmsted Ksq 
& .Jn" Benedict were chosen a Conif to take y care of & Jiroceed in 
Building s^ House during y pleasure ofy Society"— Also granted a Tax 
of 6*1 on y £, on y List 1770 to enable sold Comt** to proceed in Ituihling 
B"^ house — Also tliat y Roof of y« House & Steeple bo covered with cedar 
& y« sides with sawed Siding." 

"June 3'' 1771. Voted that if £.')0 be subscribed hyye 1« of July next, 
then the Comt^* to build a steeple, if not to drop it." 

"Aug* 20t'» 1771. Voted to Raise y« House Gratis, if cant be done to 
hire help. Also that they will continue y« Omit** already ap|)oiuted to 
proceed in building y^ House. Also voted that y House l>o set in y 
yard, pnjvided the County Court will estuiilish a place there." 

"Sept lOU" 1771. Question, Shall the Timber be raised within five 
feet west of ye old house i: shall not y Tax of 0*' be revoked? Passed in 
y" air." 

" Dec IS'ii 1783. Benjn Smith A Capt David Olmsted were chosen Com- 
mittoe men in a«ldition to y* Comi«< chosen in May 1771 to superintend 
y Building of the Meeting House in said Society." 

The house was not completed until the early part 
of the year 1800. 

Tlie fulloMtng is a list of tlic nnmes of tho original Proprietors, <& tlie 
present owners, Murch j" 22* A.D. 18O0. 



No. 1. Phillip B Bradley 


No. 10. Timothy Bonton 


" 2. Thomas IIawley 


" 17. Levi Keeler 


Nathan Smith 


John Keeler 


" 3. James Ueseguie 


Jore' Seymour 


Selh Boulon 


Paul Keeler 


Ambrose Barnes 


" 18. Dea» Jn» Benedict & 


" 4. Elxn Olmsted 


family 


James Olmsted 


" 10. Bcnj" Smith 


Jerel' Jlead 


Amos Baker 


Jlulthew Olmsted 


" 20. Amos .Smith 


" 5. Dan' Smith 


Josiah Smith 


Tho> Hyatt 


Thad> Smith 


Benjo Sherwood 


" 21. Jimper Mead 


" 0. Thad' Keeler 


Matthew Keeler 


Jerc' Keeler 


Jonah Keeler 


Benj" Keeler 


" 22. Thad- Keeler 


" 7. Stephen Smith 


Dr X Perry 


" S. Elen IIawley 


" 21. Joshua King 


Klisha IIawley 


Moss Ingersol 


" 9. Tim" Keeler 


" 2.1. Sam' Olnuled 


Nathan Dauchey 


Jure*l Olmsted 


" 12. Bra.lly Hull 


Newtiin Hine 


Jere*" Keeler 


" 20. Nathan K Kellogg 


Ward Slurgis 


James Sturgis 


" 13. Davi.i Scott 


Jacott JtineH 


James .Scott 2^ 


" 27. David Olmsted 


J ere Scott 


Timothy Olmsted 


" 14. Dan' U-e 


Benjo Sauford 


Wakeniau Burrett 


" :J0. Matthew Seymour 


Nelieniiali Banks 


Thomas Scott 


" 15. Sam" Hoyt 


Jareii Nortlmip 


Jiwiah Northrop 


Daniel Smith 2'' 


Nattianiel Seymour 


" 31. John Waterous 


" IC. Uriah Marvin 


Jos<'ph Benedict 


Danl Olmsted 2'' 




to follow-ing is a list of the names 


of the original [•cwholden! A preset 


prietors, March 22'' A.D. 18U0. 




Pew. Name. 


Pew. Name. 


No. 2. Levi Keeler 


No. 8. Nathan Smith 


Hezekiah Smith 


David Olmsted 


" 4. Stephen Mills 


Jiilliceiit Smith 


" 6. Slirhael Warren 


N. 0. Smith 


Jabez Keeler 


Thomas IIawley 


" 7. Dan' I.ee 


" 0. John Benedict 


Wukeuian Burret 


Jared Olmsted 



II 



RIDGEFIELD. 



C(;5 



|^. Iliuil Sniith 
.IiiL .Smith 

10. Tini" Kei-liT 
Bi-njn Smith 
Amos Ilaker. 

11. P. B. Bradley 
C'.il. King 

12. Jl:ittlu-\v Kei-ler 
JuiKih Ki-eler 
Jjisper Mejul 
.Tpsse Bflicdict 



14. Tlin. H.vatt 
.luhii 31 ills 

l.'V. JIoss IngcrsuU 

.Iiisepli Sti'M'iiis 
10. .Samuel l>yliemiiu 
17. Diivid Suiiitjuliii 

.1. th" Cillit'i't 

Snm> U..yt 2'l 

15. EliilKi Iliiujey 
Klieii Hawley 
Ji'tiii Waterotis 



" The foregniiig dranglits were iiiaile hy iis tlie SuIiSL-ribers being ap- 
pointed a Committee for tlie pmlmse tliis ii'l ilay of 5laieli. .\.1>. I.SOU 

" Bfn.im Smith 
" Timothy Kkf.leii 
" Natii.\.\ S:MiTn 

O'liiniiltie." 

The I'ulldwiuf; will iiidicatt- Imw those .seats were 
hoiijrlit anil sold : 
" Rii"iF.FiEi.ri .laiiy 1", A.li. ISilI. 

'■ Be it known tlnit I Nntlian F. Kellogg .lo f.>r the eoll^ia.■|•ati"Il of 
Tn.. Dollars A Fifty Cent.< He. i of Kaiios Tntlle, s. 11, convey .V eonveit 
unto him the !.' Tnttle one Twelfth i«ut of my I'ew on the lower Flonr 
in tlie Meeting lluuse No 2fj 

•'Nathan F Kfi-logi; 
"Test *' Nathan Smith, 

" CltrL 
"Know all hy these presents that I Haxid lUinste.I of Kiilgelielil for 
the consiileralion of Three llolhxrs Iteeeiveil of Tlionnus 11. lioekwell of 
6^ Ridgeliehl to my full .Satisfaetion dotjuit (.'laiin to hint the s'l Thomas 
all my Bight title vt Interest I have in a pew in the (iaiery of the fleet- 
ing House in s'' Itidgetield No S witness my hand this 27"' day of .May 
A.D. ISIIll 
"iriijiecji J;isper SleaJ IJAVlli Oi,.msti;d 

.luhn Keeler 

" Test Nathan Smith 

Sociclif C^ri." 
"To all Peo]iIe to whom these presents shall come iileeting. Know 
ye that we Timothy Keeler, Tinu'tliy (tlmsted, A Jonathan Keeler, So- 
ciety's Comt''-'-' for the first Society in Bidgefiel.l in Faiifield founty (do 
agreeable to the direction of s-i society) for Selling the I'ews in the fjal- 
lery of the Meeting House, do hy these I'resents Cive, fJrant, liargaiii & 
Sell Thaddens Keeler A Jeremiah Mead of s'l Kidgeliel.l the South Kast 
corner I'ew on the South end of the Gallery in .Said Meeting House for 
the consirleration of Nine D.>llars A Kiglity F.inr Cents, to have & to liol.l 
the above Granted & Bargaine.I Premises as their own f.neveras witness 
our hand in Ki.lgefield this 4''' day of Deceluher A.Il. ISUl. 

" Ti.mothy Kt:F.l.F.R 
"Ti.'H.iTHV Olmsted 

"JoN.\THAN KkELER 

" .Sx'iWy'.s Comt^f. 
"Test Nathan Smith, 

"Sfjcie/y's C'/eri." 

The steei)le at first ereetetl alnive the ehurch was 
observed, al'ter a few years, to be leaninjr towards the 
main buihliiiir. In the year LSI.') the following call 
for a society's meeting was issued : 

" Notice is hereby given that a meeting .if the Presl.y terian S.tciety in 
the first .S.)ciely in Ridgefielil will he hol.len at the ."Meeting House on 
the l.l'l. day of Oct at 1 Odock in the P.M. for the pnriH.s.- .,f taking into 
consideration the expediency of taking il.»wii the Sti-eple ..f sai.l Il.niso 
and of making provision for necessary repairs. 

" Mathew Kef.i.f.r, 
".Ikiefmiah Kkfleii, 

" MiiAni.EV. 

" RlDOEFIELD, Ct., Oct. 3, ISl.l. Cnmmillei:" 

The .Steeple was deemed un.safe and therefore taken 
down, and two years afterwards, in the year 1817, the 
present one was erected. 

In the first attempt to set up the new steeple an ac- 
43 



cident occurred which was tittcndcd with great danocr 
to all who were present. The jnists were nearly in 
phice, when the iron hook to which the pulleys were 
attaclied broke, ;uid the whole framework lull to the 
ground. The only damage sustained was the lireak- 
ing of one of the posts". This was s|iliced by iron 
bands, ;ind the ne.xt day it was set up and secured. 

The following j)apers may be of interest to the 
curious : 

"Jany. 21'' isll. • 

T.I firet S..iiety of Biilgefiidd to Timotby Keeler Dr. 

To '20 .linii.-is p' tbi. Cons.i.iation at :i7l,. . ts ST.'.n 

To4 .l.ip'theC.mi" " " " l..'ill 

To baling IK bois.-s " " Sets 1 .14 

To k. -I ping ;i horses one night " 2.'i cts I't 

T.I l.i.iuor ,Vc :i.oil 

SU.l'.l 
" BlD.jEFlEl.n, Bee. G"|, lsii;l. 
"B.'ceive.l ..f Tim. 'thy Keeler .Soci.'ties Treasurer the Sum of Twenty 
Ilollars and Sixty-Five Cents in full of all ilues and demands against the 
first Society .if .s'l Riilgefiel.l for getting the Bell new-cast." 
" Nathan Smith, in behalf of the Bell Coinf''." 

" B.'C^ I'f the Societies C.iintt™ tlirie D'dlars .1- fifty five cents in full 
for sweeping iiie.-ting House the year pa-it p'. me 

"John Keeleu. 
" EiiiuEFiEi.n, Dec. ."i"., l.SdO." 

" To T1M1.ITHY KEEI.rn, Fsij., S^K'it'ticfi Trefisitn-r 

"Sir, Pay .himes Scott Twenty one Shillings and three pence f >r fur- 
nishing flax and luaking a rope for the Clinrch Bell. 

" Hitrit'tii'H Coiltlllittff,^* 

" This may certify that I the subscriber am w iUing to teach singing in 
the Presbyterian Society in Ki.Igefi.'ld, and sing as often as may bo 
jinlge.i necessary by the committee from 3 to C months in the year on 
the Sabbath evening at one Dollar p.-r evening inclu.ling the Sabbath, 
and also to atlen.l regularly on tin' Sabbath at all other tino'S throiigli- 
iint the year tsicknets .tc exc.-pte.l) for twenty-five cts per .lay f.ir taking 
the lead in singing. Haum:y Betis. 

" llllicEFlEl.l), Dec. 27'li 1S27." 

The present church building was altered and re- 
l^aircd in I'S.'!:!, when the whole inside work, including 
galleries and jnil[)it, was taken out ;iud the interior .so 
arranged as to present the a[>)iearance of an entirely 
new house. 

The church, thus re]iaired, was reneuedly dedii-atcd 
to God in the month of .Tune, IS.'U. The dedication 
sermon was ])reached by Uev. .Joel Mann, from Hag- 
gai ii. 9: "The glory of this latter house shall be 
greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts; 
and in this place will I give peace, stiitli the Lord of 
hosts." 

The .sacrament of the L'lrd's Sup])cr was adminis- 
tered on this occasion. The services were solemn, 
and were rendered peciiliai^y interesting by the pres- 
ence of the venerable ;ind Kev. Samuel (ioodrich, the 
former beloved pastor of the church, who was provi- 
dentially present and assisted in the services. 

In the summer of 1.S41 tlie exterior of the edifice 
was thoroughly repaired, and several important addi- 
tions and alterations were made. iSiibseiiuently a 
new bell, a new pulpit and its surroundings, and an 
organ have added their attractions to this more than 
centenary building, still a work of strength and 
giving promise of a long future as a sanctuary of the 
Most High. 



66() 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COU^^TY, CONNECTICUT. 



ST. STEPHEN'S CIIURCII. 

The foundation of the Episcopal Church in Kidge- 
field was laid by the Rev. Samuel Johnson, of Strat- 
ford, the first clergyman of tlie church in Connecti- 
cut, who preached here occiwionally for several- years 
and was instrumental in bringing several families 
into the church. He began liis services here about 
1725. He was succeeded by the two brothers, Henry 
Caner, of Fairfield, and Richard Caner, of Norwalk; 
also by the Rev. John Beach, of Newtown, and Rev. 
James ^Vctmore, of Rye, who remained until about 
the year 1744. 

In the year 1728 tiie Rev. Henry Caner reported 
several small i)arishes or missionary stations beyond 
the bounds of his proper care, one of which was 
Ridgefield, with twelve families. 

The Rev. John Beach, missionary at Newtown, re- 
ported to the Society in London " that he often offi- 
ciated and administered the sacraments in Ridgefield, 
distant from liis residence about eigliteen miles, 
where in 1735 there were nearly twenty families of 
very serious and religious people, who had a just es- 
teem of the Church of England and desired to have 
the opportunity of worshiping (Jod in that way." 

The Rev. .Joseph Lamson, assistant to the Rev. 
James Wetmore, of Rye, odiciatcd at Ridgefield in 
1744, in connection with Bedford and North Castle, 
until his removal to Fairfield, in 1747, where he still 
continued to serve the church in Ridgefield, as far as 
can be ascertained, until 17(i2. He was succeeded by 
the Rev. Richard S. Clark, of Salem, about 1764, 
who held services in connection with Salem and 
Ridgebury. 

In the year 1708 the Rev. EpenetusTownsend took 
the charge of services in Ridgefield, in connection with 
Salem and Ridgebury, and so continued until 1776, 
when, after the Declaration of Independence, he left, 
and was appointed chaplain to one of the. loyal bat- 
talions then stationed in New York, and in 1779 the 
battalion was ordered to Halifax, Nova Scotia. He 
embarked from New York, with his wife and five chil- 
dren, in one of the vessels. A severe storm arose 
soon after leaving New York, and the vessel in which 
he embarked was foundereil in Boston Bay, and every 
soul on board perished. 

All of the clergy of the church who ministered here 
previous to the American Revolution were mission- 
aries of the "Society (in England) for the Propaga- 
tion of the Gospel in Foreign Parts," and received 
annual stipend towards tlicir maintenance. The Rev. 
Mr. Townsend, as well as other missionaries, received 
an annuity of twenty pounds sterling in addition to 
the tax raised among his people for his support. 

As far as ascertained, an interval of about thirteen 
years ]ia.ssed by before the resunij)fion of regular ser- 
vices by a clergyman of the church. 

The following, among others, are from the records 
of the town of Ridgefield : 



" JIarcli 20, 1738. Received of tlio jrcmt>en! of the Church of Eng- 
land in Itidgefleld, the whole of their 31iuibterial Taxes fur the year 
17.17. 

" Koceived per me, John Beach, 

" Muifionary. 

" A true copy of original receipt, 

'•.Timothy Kef-ler, 

" RtgUter. 
" Rccordetl April 3, 1738." 

*'XoRWALK, March 17, 1742-3. 
To Mil John Smith. OMector at Jti^lgefieUl 

" Sir. Please to cross Ale&jrs. Henjiiniiii Unulley, Jonathan Brooks, 
Robert Fuquer, Snmtiel Lobdell. Caleb Lubdell, Klwuezer Lobdell, Jabcz 
Northrop, Richard Osborn, Daniel Sherwood Sen'. Daniel Shcr\vood Jnn'. 
David OHborn, Alexander Ressegnie, Isaac Resseguie, Jacob Ressegiiie, 
Nathan Sherwood, Robert Smith, John Whitlock, Abraham Whitlock, 
and Nathan Whitlock's names out of your book for collecting Minister's 
lates ; and place their dues to account of — 

" Your humble 8er\'ant, 

"Richard Caxkr, 

" SlMtonary. 
" Recorded Oct. 24, 1784 per me — 

"Timothy Kf.rlkb, 

'* liegitter." 

" March 15, 1744. Mr. Samuel Smith. 

" Sir. Please to pay the Ministerial Itatc which you have collected of 
the professors of the Church of Knglund in Ridgefleld, ^) Mr. Josoi>h 
Lamson ; and his Receipt shall be your discharge, from Sir, 
** Your humble servants, 

" Uf,srv Caner, 3fu«tonar^. 
*' RicUAUU Caner, StUsionary. 
" Received to Record, 
" Dec. 24, 1744, and Recorded per me — 

" Timothy Keei.er, 

*' IteyiMer.'^ 

" Ridgefield, April 14, 1744. Then received of Samuel Smith Collector 
of the Ministeital Rate for the town of Ridgefleld for the year 1744, the 
sum of forty Pounds, eleven Shiltinpi and eleven Pence of the old tenor, 
in full of the Kpiscopal parties* Rates in said Ridgefleld. 
£40.11.11. Received per me, 

" Joseph Lamson. 
" Received to Record December24, 1744, and Recorded per me. 

'* Timothy Keeler, 

" licgutcT." 

■ The Rev. David Perry was the first settled minister 
of the church after the Revolution, and entered upon 
his charge in September, 1789, having been ordained 
by Bishop Seabury, Sept. 22, 1789, to deacon's orders, 
and to priest's orders on Hie 16th of October follow- 
ing. 
The following is copied from the church records: 

" At a meeting of the First Kpiscopal Society hohlen at the Town 

House 111 Ridgefleld by adjiiiirnmeiit on the flrst Monday In August, 1789, 

" Votetl, That Doct. David Perry receive lluly Orders for this Society." 

The first church edifice erected here for Episcopal 
worship was about 1740, upon a spot in the Town 
Street which was granted by the [iroprietors of the 
town at a meeting held Jan. 4, 17.39, and w:is situated 
directly in front of what wtis called the Sturtcvant 
lot, and bounded within three feet of said lot; the 
space granted was thirty-six feet north and south, 
and twenty-six feet east and west, its location being a 
little south of the present church lot. 

The following article, in reference to the grant, is 
from the Ridgefield town records : 

" Whereas, at a Proprietor's Meeting Janiiar)" \^ 1740, did by a major 
vote, onler and empower us the sulwnibers, to view ami hsik a sik.i or 
place of ground that may bo coDvcuient and suitable to build and erect 



RIDGEFIELD. 



667 



a Church or Met* tint: House, for tltoso that :ire of the iirofessiou of tho 
Cliiiroli of Knghiii'l ; ami also tn agiTi.' m ith, ami confirm unto them the 
said spot or jiiwe of himl so a^ri'eil upon ; in imrsiiaiKc to, an<l liy virtue 
of Kiid Vote, we have st-t out, anil do ajjroi' with the said i>rofessi)r>i, tliat 
they shall have liberty of a ri-rtain spot of laud in saicl Town Street, on 
til.- front of tliat home lot Iliat was formerly John Stiirtevaut's dect>;ised; 
til.- west sill bounded within three feet of the line or front of Kaid lot; 
whiih Siiid spot or piece of ground is to he in extent, thiity-six feet north 
ami south; and ea&t and we>t, t\veuty-si\ feet. 

" Kieii \liV Or >ISTEP, 

" Matiiii \v Sr.AiioiiE, 
" TiMoTMV Kirrri;, ■ 

■• fount, ifltr."' j 
'■ Keeeived to l{ev.'ord, Jaiiy. h', IT-li-, and recorded per nie — 

'■ Tnn*rii\ KKi;i,rit, I 

This l)iiil(linf; reiii;iiiiril until al'trr tlic Ivi-Vdliition- 
ary war. During the war it was taken liy a <-ijiiiiiiis- 
sary of the American army as a liuiMinu in wliieh to 
deposit the publie stores. In April, 1777, the liuihl- 
ing was set on fire hy the British iorees in tlieir 
retreat fnini Danbury. Though not eonsunieil, it was 
renilereil nntit lor use as a ]ilaee of jjulilie wiirsliiji. 

In .Tune, 17.S4, at a meeting of those friendly tu the ' 
Clinreh of England, it was deemed advisable to tear 
down the old building and buihl a new one. 

The following is the notiee for .said meeting: I 

" To Al.KXAM'KIt KKS.<rGl'IK, o;' lii'hjefuU in Fulrfhld Onniti/, Oir'tiitiJ. 

" It.v iiultiiitil.v of IIr- Slide of (^inlU'CliLiit ; .vmi .ire lielchy IC'iililril 
to iintily iiinl warn all tin- iiilial-itaiits liviiifr witliiii tlio limits of the 
First Soiiuly in Kiil}:elU-lcl, tliat are profefs MB of tlie Cliiin li of Englaml, 
to meet ami hold a J^oeicty uifi-tiiif^ at the Chiireli in s^aid StK iety, on thf 
28'*' day of instant, June, at 3 oVloiU, after noon, (it leing the place of 
worship for said piofessors,) for tlie puiliose of elu.osing Society otfieers, 
repiaiiing the chureli, liiiiiig some pel son to perform Itivino .Service in 
said Episcojial Society, granting a tax for these pnrposes, and any other 
busiuc'es prolier for said meeting to do or act. B.v order of ns — 

'■ I'nil.lL' 1!. 1!i;aih.f.y, 

" Jtt^lke of ri'Gce. 

"Em:xr-zi:n LoniiF.Lt,, 

"I)AVn> PtRKY, 

*• .\Lr;XANr»t R JtF;.ssF.i:llE, 

■■ IVumiml h.li.ilihinlt. 
" KiDGEFlF.l.D, .Tune 10, 17.S4.'' 

The meeting was held according to notice, and it 
was voted not to rejiair the oltl eliureh, to hire a jier- 
sou to perlbrni divine service for four months, and to 
pay tea pounds by way of ta.x on the list of the year 
1783 for the purpose of paying for this and other 
society charges. 

At a meeting held on the 2Xth day of October, 
1784, it was voted to pull d^iwii thi- old church ami 
build a new one, forty feet long, thirty feet wide, and 
eighteeu-fcet jxjsts, a little south of the idd one, and 
on the ground formerly granted liy the town for that 
jiurpose : 

lVjta(, To pay a tax of one shilling on the | ncl on llie li»t oflheycar 

17f4, |jy the fiist day of .\plil, ITS'., lor the imiiiose of creeling a new 
church. 

" l'e(e.(. That Henjainin lloyt, Iv/eUii 1 WiNon, Tha.ldi-ns Sturgcs, ami 
Jonathan Whitlock he uconimiKee to conduct the pulling down and dis- 
posing of the old church, and to manage and carry on the huilding of a 
new one." 

In the mean time, Lieut, IVnjamin Smith donated 
a piece of ground on which to erect a new church, the 
deed to which w;is executed in the vear following, and 



bearing date 8ept, 20, 1785. The plot thus deeded was 
on the northeast corner of his homestead, adjoining 
the Town Street, an<l which now comprises the yard 
in front of the present cimreh. The ground in size 
was seventy-three feet in length north and south, and 
forty-three feet wide east and west, and bounded east 
by the Town Street, north by Xathan Dauehy's land, 
and south and west by his own land. The conditions 
were that it should be forever appropriated to the use 
of said church. 

At a meeting held at the Iiouse of ('apt, Yivus 
Daucliy, on the lilth day of Dccemljcr, 1784, it was 

" IV./.i;, To recoiiM.ler llie aiipointnient of the (.'onimitlcc made at Iho 
meeting held on the '.'Sill day of Octolu-r; and that Heiijamin lloyt and 
Ezckiel Wilson constitute the Committee to carry on the hnildiiig of saiil 
church. 

" VoM, That tho said l.nilding sliall stand .it the north east corn.M- ■•{ 
the .SturtevanI lot so called, adjoining the Town Stieet, in the Tirst So- 
ciety in Kidgclield, on a piece of ground given hy ISenjauiin Smith for 
that Jiurpose. 

" I'uW, That the church shall not exceed forty-two feet in length ; and 
that the width and height he in proportion, according to the judgment 
of the fommiltee." 

The church was subsec|uently erected on said land, 
and the size ado])tcd was fbrty-lbur feet in length and 
thirty-two feet in width, the ends facing north and 
south, with a door on the south :ind east sides, liut 
without a stee]de. A gallery was plaeecl in the south 
end of the church. 

Tlie project of building immediately following the 
Revolutionary war, when the ctTort in raising means 
was difficult from the iin])overishment of the people 
generally in consei|Ueiice of the w;ir, it was n<it with- 
out struggles, fiuaneially and otherwise, that the jiro- 
cess of rebuilding W;is carried forward, and that liy 
slow degrees through a series of years, until it was 
finaily accomplished, for the resources of the parish 
were limited. 

The following are extracts from the jiarish record 
at that time : 

"At a meeting of the first Episcopal Societ.v in Kidgelield, lioKlen at 
the house of Capt. Vim, Ham hy on the first day of Sept. I7s.j. 

" lV.(ci/. That Ehene/er Slel.l.ins he a commiltee, in addition to Benjai- 
mill lloyt, and K/elOel \\ ilson, appointed at a former meeting, to man- 
age the hnildiiig of a, Clinrch. 

" l'..(c.l, Utruusr, 'fhat all peis ins who have undertaken to get timlicr 
for acliurcli,shall have it at the place appoinlcd, hy Tliiirsihiy llie .s"" 
inst. .Septemher; or the Coinmittee shall not be ol^liged to accept it in 
payment of taxes." 

At a meeting of the society, held at the house of 
Capt. \'ivus Dauchy, April 27, I7S7: 

" V;li:l. That said So, i.ly shall |iay a lax of two pence on the Pound 
on the List of 1781'., into the Tre.Lsuiy of said S.ii iely hy fust day of Oc- 

' toi.er next, for the purjiose of carrying on the l.uildiiig a t'hurch. 

' " ll.m. That any person who shall furnish good eighteen inch chest- 
nut sliingh- for the Church, shall he allowed one Pound, four shillings 
per tlumsamJ. That goo.l whitew.iod inch lioaids, shall he valued iit six 
shillings per hundred foot ; three-iiuaiter inch Oalt lioanls at f .ur shil- 
lings and six pence per hundie.l hint. 

•' llem. That the aforesaid articles shall he delivered at the cliiir. h in 
said Uiilgetield l.y the tirst day of .June next ; otheiwise, the I'onimiltee 
shall not lie obliged to take them in payment of taxes towards the hnild- 
iiig a churih." 

At ;i meeting held at the house of ('apt. N'ivtis 
Dauchy, on the lilst day of Sejitcmber, 1787: 



668 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



" Volei7, That Ihc Society Blinll jiay n tax of four Pence on the I'ountl 
on the List of tlie year 17ti7, 1'y the first liay of Apiil next. 

*' Voteil, That Itye at tliree Rtiilling^ and nix pence per hnshel; Corn at 
tliree shillinj;;^ ; Oats at one shilling anil six pence; Buckwheat at two 
sliillings per laisliel ; Flax at seven Pence per i>oimh1, sliall he taken in 
payment of saltl tax." 

The church was not conifortably funiislicd until the 
year 17(11, anil the entire ground-floor was not occu- 
pied with pews until some time alter the church was 
used for divine service ; and at a meeting held March 
30, 1791, it was " Voted, That we will sell the lots for 
the pews in the church," and also " Voted, That they 
shall be sold at public vendue to the highest bidder." 
It was voted, also, "that the coinniitte appointed to 
carry on the finishing of the churcli shall lay out the 
lots for the pews in the same, and advertise and sell 
them as before directed, when and at what time they 
think proper. Benjamin Iloyt and Joshua Burt were 
said committee." 

At a meeting held A|)ril 17, 17il4, a committee was 
ai>pointed to superintend the building of a pulpit in 
the church. 

At a meeting held April 17, 1799, it was 

" Void, That the Society's Committee ho ilirccted to procure materials, 
and hnilil the remaining i)evv8 in tlie diurch, and cliarge tlio same to ttie 
Society." 

In the year 1819 the church was materially altered 
and improved, side galleries were built, and a steeple 
erected on the .south end, in style and form the same 
as the one at the Congregational church. The door 
at the east side was closed, and in its place a square 
pew was built and occupied by Abijah Resseguie and 
others, he then being in manhood's prime, and, al- 
though nearly sixty years have rolled away, he still 
continues in a vigorous old age an honored citizen 
among us, and also continues to hold, as in years past, 
the office of one of the wardens of the church. 

In the year 1820 an efl'ort was made by the parish 
to obtain some remuneration for the damage done to 
tlie former church edifice during the Revolutionary 
war. The following is from the parish records: 

At a meeting held on the 24th day of April, 1820, 
it was, 

" VittttI, Tliat 3Ir. Jeremiali Mead ho an agent for tlie purpotio of pre- 
ferring a i>elition in hetnilf of titis paiii4li to tlie IIiMuinihle General A»- 
senihly of the State of Connecticut, at their session in May next, praying 
for a rcninneration of damage:* enslained in consequence of the iigury 
dune to Ihc fonuer church lielonging to the |iarish, hy hcing used as a 
storehouse for pmvisions hy tlio Conimissnry, in the time of the Revolu- 
tionary War; and that wild Agent ho empowered and instructed to 
cnipluy counsel to advocate said petllion." 

Tlie application, however, proved unsuccessful, 
. and no conipensatiim Wiis ever obtained to cover the 
loss sustained in consequence of the firing of the 
church by the British. 

In the year 1828 a bell was procured of six hun- 
dred pounds' weight and placed in the tower of the 
church, — the first one owned by the parish. 

The church edifice never having been consecrated, 
on the 12lh day of November, 18:il, the Right Rev. 
Bishop Brownell visited the ])arish and consecrated 
it by the name of St. Stephen's Church, and at the 



same time administered the rite of confirmation to 
fifty-two persons, — a large number for this parish. 
It was a year of great religious interest in the cliurch, 
and sixty new communicant.s were added in the 
course of the year, under the successful ministry of 

; the Rev. Charles J. Todd. 

In the year 1832 the square pews in the centre of 
the church were removed, and " slips," or long pews, 
erected in their stead, the square pews on each side 
still remaining. 

On the 29th day of January, 1841, a meeting was 
held and measures taken for the erection of a new 
church, provided a suitable site could be procured. 
A plot of ground directly in the rear of the church- 
lot was generously donated by Isaac Jones, the owner 
of the land adjoining, in size one hundred feet etist 
and west, and eighty-two to eighty-six feet north and 
south, the deed bearing date Aug. 12, 1841. Mr. 
Jones had previously given a strip of ground ten feet 
wide at the south end of the old church-lot. The 
corner-stone of the present church was laid by the 
rector, the Rev. Warner Hoyt, in the presence of a 
number of the clergy and of the inhabit.ints, on the 
12th day of August, 1841. The church was finished 
and consecrated by Bishop Brownell on the 20th day 
of SeiJtcmber, 1842. Tlie organ— the first one in 
possession of the parish — was placed in the church 
and first used at its consecration. 

Thus was completed and consecrated the third 
church in this jjarish, a little over a century after the 
erection of the first church edifice. Its dimensions 
are forty feet in width and fifty-six feet in length, 

I with a projection in front for a vestibule and stjiirway 

of five feet, and with the addition afterwards of a 

chancel of a depth of fifteen feet, making the entire 

present length of the church seventy-six feet. 

Tablets were also placed in the walls of the church 

t in commemoration of two venerable laymen of the 
parish, — one to Samuel Stebbins, Esq., the other to 
Nathan Dauchy, both firm and zealous supporters of 
the church in all its vicissitudes ; the former a dis- 
tinguished and useful citizen of the town as well as 
of the i)ari.sh, for forty years the town clerk, and 
during a period of forty-six years the parish clerk 
and for over forty years the senior warden of the 
church. 

In the month of ,\ugust, 1851, the bell now in use, 
and weighing fifteen hundred and eight pounds, from 
the foundry of Meneely & Sons, of West Troy, N. Y., 
was placed in the tower of the church, the old one 
having been disposed of to a neighboring chureh in 
Georgetown. 

In the year 18.57 measures were taken for an exten- 
sive alteration and improvement in the church, the 
building of a chancel, alteration of the pews, and to 
be so arranged as to admit of a centre aisle, coloring 
and frescoing the walls, the procuring of a new organ 
from the manufactorj' of George Jardinc, of New 

' York, of a sweet tone and finish, all of which im- 



RIDGEFIELD. 



669 



provements were at an expense of about two thousand 
dollars. Tlie eliureh was reojieued with appro]iriate 
services by the Right Rev. Bishop Williams, assisted 
by a number of tlie ueifthboring' clergy, incUuling 
f(]rnicr rectors of the parish. 

In the summer of ISTo the organ was enlarged by 
the addition of several stops and one hundred and 
twenty-six new pii)es, making the present miml)er of 
sixteen stops and four hundred ami fifty pi[ies, the 
addition nearly doubling its I'ajiacity. 

The parish has a fund of a little over three thousand 
dollars, the income of which is d<'Voted towards the 
support of the ministry. 

The first etfbrts made towards the creation id' a fund 
for the sui>port of the ministry in the parish was in 
ISW, when Xathan D.iuchy, I-:-.|., of Troy, X. Y.. a 
native of this town, made an olli-r for that purpose on 
condition that the parish would raise a like amount. 
In order to avail themselves of his generous offer, they 
used persevering exertions and raised the sum of 
twelve hundred dollars, to which he added a like 
amount. Tiiis, with later benefactions from other 
sources, increased the fund to its present amount, — 
three tlionsand and fifty dollars. 

In the year 1X(;;) a legacy was received by the be- 
quest of the late Xancy .Smith, of Xorwalk, formerly 
of Ridgefield, of iive hundred dollars, the income of 
which is to be used in aid of the poor of the jiarish. 

It is also possessed of a convenient parsonage, built 
in 1853, with u glebe of four acres, in the central part 
of the village, of a valuation of aliout six thousand 
dollars. 

The first building erected for a parsonage was in 
1S38, upon a iiiece of ground coutainiug one acre, a[i- 
jiropriated by the hito Philip l{ra<lley, in the northern 
part of the village street, ami which, with improve- 
ments, is now the residence of ( iould Rockwell. It 
was built by a stock company and occupied by tlie 
clergy until it was afterwards sold and the ])rescnt 
one erected, more contiguous to the church. 

The first wardens of the church of whom there is 
any existing record — that of 1788 — were I5eujanuu 
Hoyt and Dr. David Perry. Dr. Perry was also the 
clerk and treasurer of the iiarish from the commence- 
nient of its jjermanent recoril in 17''^-1 until his admis- 
sion to holy orders in 1789. The present wardens of 
the church are Keeler, Dauchy, and Aliijah Re.sse- 
guie, who hjve served tlie church in that capacity for 
a series of years, Mr. Dauchy liaving served the church 
as a vestryman, parish clerk, and in his present office 
for nearly half a century. During a period of thirty- j 
three years he has been a warden of the church. 

The likeness of nearly all the rectors of the present 
century are placed on the walls in the vestry-room. 
On the left hand of the idiaiu-el is a memorial window 
to the Rev. Warner Hoyt, under whose zealous rector- 
ship the present church was built, and who is the only 
one of its clergy thus far who has been removed by 
death while in charge of the duties of the parish. 



Among the many persons not heretofore named, 
with two or three exceptions, as among the early and 
]iromiiient supporters of the churcli who have jiassed 
away may be named the following: ('aleb Lolidcll, 
^'ivus l)auchy, Jacob Resseguie, E/.ekiel Wilson, .bdm 
Jones, Ebenc/.er Stebbins, llackaliah Hurt, Eliphalet 
Brush, X'ehemiali 8turges, Epenetus How, Ji-remiah 
Smith, Jacob Dauchy, Benjamin iSherwood, Benjamin 
Smith, .Teremiah Mead, Daniel .loncs, Timothy Jones, 
Isaac Olmsted, Thaddeus Olmsteil, David Burr, Sam- 
uel B. Grumman, Czar J<ines, John M. Smith, Pliilip 
X'orthro]!, William Sherwood, Steplu'U ( Uni-ted, Wal- 
ter Dauchy, Channcey Olmsted, William Crocker, and 
others. Of the above, Jacob Dauchy served as a war- 
den of the church tuenty-three yeaii., and John M. 
Smith for a period of twenty-seven years. 

The first instance in which the rite of confirmation 
was admini'-tered \va> in 180',), when I'.ishop .Uiraham 
Jarvis visited the parish and confirmeil eighty-six 
persons, which, with those confirmed on subsei|Uent 
episcopal visitations, makes the entire iinmber of five 
hundred and ten persons confirmed in this cliundi to 
the pri'-ent time. The [larisli at the present time 
numbers eighty-five families, about two hundred and 
fifty ba)>ti7A'd members, and one hundred and forty 
communicants. 

The first year in the history of the [jarish in whicdi 
it was enabled to avail itself of a resident clergyman 
with constant services was in 18;i7, under the reetor- 
sliipofthe Rev. Eli Wheeler, who remained until 1831), 
when he was succeeded by the Rev. Warner Hoyt, 
who entered upon the regular charge of the parish 
and was the first occupant of its first parsonage, jnst 
erected ; and the parish has been favored with the 
undivided services of all succeeding clergymen to the 
present time. 

The ministrations of all the preceding clergy, from 
the year 178!(, when the Rev. David Perry assumed 
the charge of the parish, until the year 1837, wore in 
connection with other parishes. The Rev. David 
Perry served the churches in Ridgelmry and Danbury 
a portion of the time. His successors — the Rev. David 
Butler, the Rev. Elijah (1. Plumb, and the Rev. Reu- 
ben Hubbard — each had charge of the three churches 
of Ridgefield, D.inbury, and Redding, giving an equal 
time to each. 

The Rev. Charles Smith, the Rev. Origen P. Hid- 
comb, and the Rev. Charles J. Todd each hail charge 
of the churches in Wilton and Ridgefield, residing in 
Wilton and devoting two-thirds of tlii' tinu' to Wil- 
ton and one-third to Riilgefield. The l!ev. Jacob 
Lyman t^lark took the charge of the church in Ridge- 
field in connection with that of Xew Canaan, minis- 
tering half the time in each until 1837 and residing in 
Xew Canaan, when he accepted a call to the church 
ill Waterbury, Conn., wliiidi brings in to the period 
wdieii constant services were secured to the jiarish, 
under the Rev. Eli Wheeler, as has hec:i hetbre men- 
tioned. 



670 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



The following are the inscriptions upon tablets in 
the church : 

"THIS TABLET 

is orcctod by tho Vcstrj', 

in nioniory of 

XATIIAN DAUCnY, 

a zealous friend iiml supporter 

of this Clinrclt. 

Ho died April 14, 1824, 

in tlie glurions lu'pe of a 

nioSHod iniuiortiility. 

Mark tlie porfcet nmn, and 
behold tbo npri^Iit, for tlio 
end of thill uiati is petice." 

"THIS TABLET 

i^ t'recte<l by the Vestry, 

in memory of 

SAMUEL STEBISINS.Esq., 

Senior Warden of tiiis Church, 

From the year 170^ nntil liis death. 

Ue died JIarch 2T, 1830, 

aged 73 years. 

His untiring activity, 

and Cliristian devotedness, 

in the cause of religion, and 

tho prosperity of this 

Chnrch : are worthy 

of a f;ratefut remctnbranco 

in the annals of 

this Parish. 

BIoFsM are the dead who 
die in the Lord." 

The lettering on the tablets is all in capital letters. 
The succession of ministers has been as follows : 
1725, Rev. Samuel .Tohnson, of Stratford ; 1727, 
Rev. Henry Caner, of Fairfield ; 1735-38, Rev. John 
Beech, of Newtown ; 1740, Rev. James Wetmore, of 
Rye ; 1742, Rev. Richard Caner, of Xorwalk ; 1744, 
Rev. Joseph Lamson, of Rye, with Bedford and North 
Cattle ; 17r)4-(;7, Rev. Richard S. Clarke, of Salem, 
with Ridgeficld and Ridgebiiiy ; May 2(5, 1768, to July, 
177(5, Rev. Ei)enetus Towusend, of Salem, with Ridge- 
field and Ridgebury ;* 1788, for four montlis, Rev. 
David Belden; Sept. 22, 1791, to April 1, 1795, Rev. 
David Perry ; Feb. 14, 1799, to Oct. 1,1804, Rev. David 
Butler; Sept. 15, 1805, to May 1, ISOG, Rev. Russell 
AVheeler; April 2, 1807, to April 11, ISll, Rev. Elijah 
O. Plumb ; Jan. 15, 1S12, to April, 1818, Rev. Reuben 
Hubbard ; June 15, 1818, to April, 1823, Rev. Charles 
Smith ; May 26, 1823, to Easter, 1831, Rev. Origen P. 
Halcomb; May 15, 1831, to September, 1834, Rev. 
Charles J. Todd ; July 20, 1835, to March 2(5, 1837, Rev. 
Jacob Lyman Clark; Au^r. 1, 1837, to March 31, 1839, 
Rev. Eli Wheeler; April 28, 1839, to June 30, 1839, 
Rev. Joseph H. Nichols; July 6, 1839, to Oct. 18, 1844, 
Rev. Warner Hoyt (deceased) ; April 1, 1845, to Oct. 1, 
1845, Bev. Thaddeus M. Eeaven worth ; Dec. 1, 1845, to 
April 1, 1840, Rev. David H. Short ; April 13, 184(5, to 
April 20, 1850, Rev. Henry Olmstead, Jr. ; June 8, 
18.J0, to May 30, 1852, Rev. William Staunton ; .Vugust, 

*Tho above vera misioniffie* of the "Society In England fur Uie 
Pntpagntlon of the Giwpe) in Forflgn Parts" previous to tho Revolu- 
tionary war, and odlclated at ItldgeneU In connection w Itb other stations 
or at inlen'als. 



1853, to Nov. 14, 1353, Rev. Theodore S. Rumney; 
March 1, 1854, to Oct. 7, 1863, Rev. AVilliam H. Wil- 
liams; May 1, 1864, to May 10, 1866, Rev. Curtis.s T. 
Woodruff; June 3, 1866, to May 1, 1868, Rev. Francis 
T. Russell ; Aug. 2, 1868, to Aug. 3, 1873, Rev. Samuel 
F. Jarvis; Oct. 1, 1873, to May 12, 1878, Rev. David 
D. Bishop; July 1, 1878, Rev. Francis A. Henry, 
present rector. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CIIURCU. 

The extensive religious revivals that preceded and 
follow(>d the organization of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church at the Christmas Conference held in Balti- 
more, Md., 17S4, prepared and raised up young men 
who became evangelists and were sent by Rev. Fran- 
cis Asbury, traveling bishop of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, to various parts of the United States. 

As early as 1787 the Rev. Cornelius Cook preached 
in Ridgeficld, and Ambrose Olmstead, Jr., received 
the following certificate : 

"To whom it may concern : These certify that Ambrose Olmsted, Jr., 
Is a constant attendant at public worship (us opportunity offers) with the 
people called Methodists, and that ho contributes his due proportion 
toward maintaining said worshij) & ministry. 

" Certified by nic, ConxEi.iis Cook, 

" MiiMer of the il. E. Chtirch. 
"Nov. 10, A.n. 17S7. 

" Recorded Dec. Ist, 1787, by Dcnjautin Smith, Congregational Society's 
Clerk." 

At the first Methodist Conference held in New- 
York City, June, 1789, the Rev. Je.sse Lee, from Vir- 
ginia, was sent to the Stamford Circuit, in New Eng- 
land. His first sermon was preached in Norwalk, 
on the highway, June 17, 1789. He formed a two 
weeks' circuit, embracing Stamford, Norwalk, Fair- 
field, Stratford, Milford, Redding, Danbury, Ridge- 
field, and other intermediate jilaces, aud the name was 
changed to Fairfield Circuit. Mr. Lee preached his 
first sermon in Ridgeficld, probably on the 26th of 
June, 1789, in a building known as the " Independent 
School-house," situated near Mr. P. C. Lounsbury's 
house, formerly owned by Nehemiah Perry, M.D. 

On Thursday, Jan. 28, 1790, the first " chiss" was 
formed in Ridgeficld, being the third in New Eng- 
land, and was composed of Ichabod Wheeler and wile 
and Daniel Keeler and wife, at Limestone, at the 
house of Ichabod Wheeler, near Taylor's Mill, which 
continued to be n preaching-i)lace for some years. 

On the 27th of February, 17iK>, Elder Jacob Brush 
and Revs. George Roberts and Daniel Smith came 
from Maryland to labor under direction of Mr. Lee, 
who extended his hibt)rs ea.stward to New H.iveu. 

The early records of the societj- being lost, it is im- 
possible to ascertain who were the early members of 
the Methodist Society in Ridgeficld, but we find in 
the records of the Congregational Society that certifi- t 
cjit<?s similar to the one above quoted were issued by '' 
"Jesse Lee, Methodist preacher," to Jeremiah Olm- 
sted, of Ridgebury, Oct. 17, 1789; also, April 1, 1790, 
by Rev. tJeorge Roberts, to Ichabod Wheeler ; Dec. 
24, 1790, by Rev. John Bloodgood, to Daniel Keeler; 



RIDGEFIELD. 



671 



March 30, 1797, to Stephen Mills, Powell Batterson, 
ami Jonathan Stevens; Mareh 27, 171>.S, John Mills; 
Dec. 10, 1804, Tha(l<leus Benedict; Dee. 10, ISO-t, 
Joseph Mead (:5il); Nov. 5, 1S0,3, Sanil. Hoyt (2d) ; 
Dec. 7, 180'), Ahijah Hyatt; March ;J1, ISOli, Benja- 
min Bouton ; Ang. 0, 1807, jMartha Bouton ; Nov. 2.'!, 
1807, Jahez M. Gilbert; JIareh 23, 1808, Danl.Dean; 
Nov. 14, 1800, Amos Baker, M.D. 

For several years there was no preachini; upon the 
Sabbath by the " eireuit-])reachers," but this vacancy 
was most acceptably filled by the f'reipient and viduii- 
tary labors of Ab.salom Day, of Xorwalk, Aaron San- 
fiird and Hawley Sandford, of Reddinfi, Ilory Starr, 
of Danbury, "local (or lay) preachers," and James 
Coleman,"superannuatcd,"of Ridjiciield, who^e name 
and labor.s have been handed down in frrateful re- 
membrance to the children of the fathers. " tUasses" 
were formed in North Street in 180.'>, in tlu' villajic in 
1809, and from 1807 to 1820 the houses of Thomas 
Hyatt, Jabez M. Gilbert, and Amos IJaker, JI.D., 
were the regular iircachinL'-places of the " Metlio(|ist 
itinerants." 

In 1824 the first church edifice was erected, stand- 
ing in the fork of the roads leading to the districts 
called North Street and Titicus, and the "circuit" 
appears under the name of " Bedding and Bridge- 
port." Frequent revivals of religious interest had 
occurred, especially in the years 1810, 1822, and 1828. 
In 1831 a more extensive and powerful work was ex- 
Ipcrienced, resulting in large additions to all the 
churches. Among the converts was Jlr. William 
Crocker, who soon became a very acceptable and use- 
ful " local preacher." 

Tiie Iblhjwing is a list of the ministers sent by the 
New York Conference to the circuits emiiraeing 
Eidgefield from the year 1790 to 1830, at which date 
Ridgefield became a station, with a resident nunister. 

Fairfield Circuit: 1790, J(din Bloodgood ; 1791, 
Nathaniel Burton Mills, Aaron Hunt; 1792, Joshua 
Taylor, Smith Weeks; 1793, James Coleman, Aaron 
Hunt; 1794, Zebulon Kaukey, Nicholas Snethen. 

Redding Circuit: 179"i, Daniel Dennis, Timothy 
Dewey; 170(3, Elijah Woolsey, llol)ert Leeds; 1797, 
David Buck, Augustus Jocelyn ; 1798, William 
Thatcher; 1709, David Brown; 1800, Augustus 
Jocelyn; 1801, Samuel Meruin, Isaac ('andee ; 1802, 
James Coleman, Isaac (.-andee; 180;!, .lames Camp- 
bell, N. U. Tompkins; 1804, Peter Moriarty, Sylves- 
ter Foster; 1805, Peter Moriarty, Samuel Merwin ; 
180(5, Nathan Felch, (Jliver Sykcs; 1807, James M. 
Smith, Zalmon Lyon; 1808, Noble W. Thomas, Jon- 
athan Lyon. 

, New York Conference: 1809, Billy Ilibbard, Isaac 
Candee; 1810, Nathan Emory, .lohn Russell; l.sll, 
Aaron Hunt, (Jliver Sykcs, John R.cyn(d<ls; 1812, 
Seth Crowell, Gilbert Lyon, S. Beach; 1813, Aaron 
Hunt, Henry Eames; 1814, Ebenezer Washburn, 
Reuben Harris; 1815, Elijah Woolsey, Reuben Har- 
ris; 1811), Samuel Bushnel, John Boyd; 1817, Sam- 



I uel Bushnel, Theodoeidus Clarke; 1818, James 51. 
Smith, Tlieodocius Clarke; ISIO, J.S.Smith, Phineas 
Cook; 182l),Labaii Clark. Phineas ( 'ook ; 1821,Laban 
(_'lark, Aaron Hunt; 1822, Samuel Cochrane, Aaron 
Hunt; 1823,Sauuiel Cochrane, John Rcynulds; 1824, 
Elijah Woolsey, John Reynolds, Aaron Hunt Isiipe'). 

From 1825 to 18:i7 it w:is called Redding and 
Bridgeport Circuit : 1825, Marvin Richardson, II. 
Humphreys, Frederic W. Sigcr, .V. Hunt (su])'); 
1820, Marvin Richardson, H. Humphri'vs, A. Hunt 
(sup'), ()livcr Sykcs; 1827, Henry SU'ad, John Love- 
joy, J. (_'. Bontecue, O. Sykcs (su|)c'). 

Redding Circuit: 1828, Henry Stead, (^icrshom 
Pearce ; 1820, Ebenezer Washburn, Gershom Pearce; 

1830, Ebenezer Washburn, Oliver V. Amnu'rman ; 

1831, James Young, Josiah Bowen, ( >. Sykes (sup'-'^) ; 

1832, Nicholas AVhite, Jesse Hunt; 1833, Jesse Hunt, 
John Burton Beach ; 1834, .losiah Bowen, .John Bur- 
ton Beach. 

Redding and Newtown (Jircuit: 18:!5, Huiiiiihrcy 
Hu:Mphreys, .losiah L. Dickerson, .bdin Davies. 

In 1830, as above stated, Ridgefield was separated 
from other appointnn'iits ami became a "stati(ju," 
having as its pastor Rev. Paraeelcc Chaml)erlain, who 
remained two years, and at the close of his labors re- 
])orted a membership of one hundrecl and eighteen, 
"probationers" in(duded. 

In the year 1830 occurred the most extensive re- 
ligious awakening in the history of the church, under 
the ministry of Rev. Thomas Sparks. The curiosity 
of tln^ coiiwuunity to hear the "experience of a con- 
verted sailor" — Rev. (_reorge C. Bancroft — drew large 
audieiu-cs. But the relation of these "experiences" 
was accompanied by such spiritual power, and en- 
forced by such vivid deidaration of divine truth and 
the clear and logical arguments concerning the truths 
; of the gosjjel, as jiresented by Rev. Paul R. Brown, 
that many who came through curiosity were deeply 
convinced of the truth, resulting in the conversion of 
large numbers and the increase of the membership of 
all the churches in the village. 

The large accession to the Methodist (Jhurch and 
eongregati<in nuido it neces,ary to provide ;i larger 
place of worshi]!. Accordingly, in the year 1841, the 
house now standing on the corner of M:iin and Ca- 
toonah Streets was erected, during the piistorate of 
Rev. (Jharles Chittenden. The humble beginnings 
of ninety years ago are represented to-day by a mem- 
bership of nearly two hundrcii. 

Nor has the iuHuence of this church been confined 
to this vicinity alone. Other towns and the distant 
West have heard the gospel preached by the sons of 
those fathers and mothers. Revs. Stephen Remming- 
ton, Thomas B. Rockwell, William Crocker, Albert 
Nash, Ellas (filbert, Alonzo B. Pulling, Miles N. 
Olmsted, ami Frank W. Lockwoixl have been sent 
forth from her bosom as chosen ministers of God, 
while the plains of India have been hallowed by the 
self-sacrilieing laljors and early death of Mrs. S. Mi- 



672 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



nerva Downey, (laughter of Rev. Tliomas B. Rock- 
well. 

The following list of nanie^ is of those ministers 
who have been stationed in Riiljrefield from 1836 to 
187S: 183G-37, Rev. Parmelec Chambcrhiin ; 1838- 
39, Rev. Thomas 8park.s; 1840, Rev. Seymour Van 
Deusen ; 1841-42, Rev. Charles Chittenden ; 1843-i4, 
Rev. Abram S. Francis; 1845— 4<3, Rev. Charles 
Stearns; 1847-48, Rev. Sylvester S. Strong; 1849-50, 
Rev. Nathaniel Me.ad ; 18.')1, Rev. Ira Abbott; 1852- 
53, Rev. Reuben H. Looniis ; 1854-55, Rev. Friend W. 
Smith; 185(5-57, Rev. Josej)!! Wildey; 1858-59, Rev. 
Jcseph WooUey; 1860-61, Rev. Joseph Smith; 1862 
-63, Rev. Calvin B. Ford; 1864, Rev. Samuel F. 
Johnson ; 18()5-66, Rev. James D. Ronton ; 1867-69, 
Rev. George L. Thompson ; 1870-72, Rev. Larman 
AV. Abbott; 1873-75, Rev. Theodore C. Beach ; 1876, 
Rev. John B. Merwin ; 1877, Rev. William Ross; 
1878, Rev. Smith H. Piatt. 

The history of this church would not be complete 
without reference especially to one to whose tireless 
labors, consistent life, and godly example tlie church 
is incU"l)ted more than to any other person for its 
growth and intlnence in tlie community, — Jabcz M. 
Gilbert. The " Methodist itinerant" came preaching 
a universal atonement, man's moral agency, a full, 
free, and perfect salvation from sin, the new birth, 
the knowledge of the " witness of the Spirit," the 
duty of holiness of life. These truths met the wants 
of his .soul ; he accei)ted tliem, liesitated not to join 
the little band of like faith, demonstrateil by a long 
and consistent life the truth of the doctrine he pro- 
fessed, and died leaving a vacancy not soon to be 
filled. A man of firm convictions, strong will, stern 
integrity, deep and ardent symi)athies, liberality 
e<iual to and often beyond his means, the diurch 
found in him a reliable leader, a wise counselor, a 
constant and liberal supporter, the poor a cheerful 
and open-hearted benefactor, and the community a 
recognized example of consistent piety. 

COXGUEG.\TIONAL CIHinCK. 

The Congregational Church in Ridgebiiry was or- 
ganized in tlie month of January, 1769. It was com- 
posed of eightei'n members, " professing the doctrine 
and practicing the discipline agreed upon by the 
General Consociation of the Churches of Connecticut 
at their meeting in Saybrook, 1708." 

It appear.* from the records tliat meetings for pub- 
lic worship were held as early as 1760, in what was 
called the " New Patent meefing-hou.se," which was 
probal)ly built as early as 1738, but there was no set- 
tled pastor until 17(>9, when a council of the conso- 
ciated pastors and ehlers of the Western District of 
Fairfield County — composed of Revs. Jonatlian In- 
gersoll, Robert Sillimau, Moses Mather, Samuel Sher- 
wood, Seth Pomroy, llezekiah Ri|dey, and Ebenezer 
Davenport, together with the following nine messen- 
gers: Mr. Joseph Bishom, of Stamford; Joseph Piatt, 



Esq., Norwalk ; Lieut. Nathan Olmsted, Ridgefield ; 
Mr. Stephen Godfry, Green's Farms ; Capt. Elisha 
Albert, Greenfield ; Lieut. Nehemiah Mead, Wilton ; 
Tlieophilus Fitch, Esq., Canaan; Deacon Daniel 
Andri'ws, Norfield ; Ensign Nathan Read, Middlesex 
— was convened and the church organized. 

At the time of its organization the church consisted 
of the following eighteen members: Rev. Samuel 
Camp, Jabish Smith, Isaiah Birchard, James Nor- 
throp, John Rockwell, Daniel Coley, David Rockwell, 
Timothy Benedict, S.imucl Keeler, Lemuel Abbott, 
Samuel St. John, John Joyce, Jonathan Osboru, 
Samuel Gates, James Sears, John Barber, Thomas 
Frost, and Thomas Wilson ; and the Rev. Samuel 
Camp was ordained and installed as their first pastor. 

Mr. Camjj's salary was " seventy-five pounds law- 
ful money annually." The society also voted to give 
him one hundred and fifty pounds for his settlement, 
to be paid in three equal annual instalments. Mr. 
Camp continued his labors with the church until 
1804, — a period of over thirty-five years, — when he 
\va.s regularly dismissed. He died in Ridgebury 
March 10, 1813. 

After the dismission of Mr. Camp the church wius 
without a settled pastor until 1821, when Rev. Nathan 
Burton was installed as pastor. He continued until 
June, 1841, — a period of nearly twenty years. Mr. 
Burton w;is a member of the church in Ridgebury, 
and was chosen deacon in 1813. After serving in that 
capacity for eight years he resigned the oflice, in Oc- 
tober, 1821, to become pastor of the church. He died 
in August, 1859, aged seventy-nine years. 

3Ir. Burton was succeeded by Rev. Zalmon B. Burr, 
of Wcstport, Conn. He was ordained and installed 
in June, 1843, and remained with the church .seven 
years. After Mr. Burr the society engaged the ser- 
vices of Rev; Martin Dudley, who preached about a 
year. 

The next settled pastor was Rev. Philo Canfield, 
of Buffalo City Presbytery. He commenced his 
labors in August, 1852, and was installed in Septem- 
ber of the same year. Mr. Canfield continuc<l his re- 
lations with tlie church until the .spring of 18.J(i, when 
the connei'tion was dissolved. In August of the same 
year Rev. William W. Page was employed to preach 
for the society one year as a supply. From Septem- 
ber, 1859, to September, 1861, Rev. E. S. Huntington, 
of Danbury, preached for the society. Mr. Hunting- 
ton was succeeded by Rev. F. J. Jackson, who 
preached nearly a year. 

At n special meeting of the church, convened for 
that purpose, December, 1862, a call was extended to 
Rev. John E. Elliott, of Barkhamsted, Conn. Mr. 
Elliott accepted the call, commenced his labors in 
February, 1863, and WiUs ordained and installed in 
May following. He remained with the church but 
two years or thereabouts. 

In the autumn of 1867, Rev. Augustus Alvord, of 
Bolton, Conn., commenced preaching for the church, 



KIDGEFIELD. 



613 



and remained with tlicm until August, 1871, four 
years, preacliiiig as a stated supply, and in September 
of the same year (1871) Rev. 'William M. Parsons, of 
Brooklyn, N. Y., was invited to supply the pnlpit. 
The invitation was acee]ited, and Mr. Parsons has 
c<intinued his labors with the eluireh until the jires- 
ent time. 

Mr. Camp, the first jiastor of the ehureh, was a na- 
tive of Salisbury, Conn. l$ut littU' is known of the 
results of his labors. He lelt on reeord the names of 
thirty-five ehildreu nf members cif tlie ehureli liaj)- 
tized by him fnmi 17(i'.l tn 170'.i, none of whom are 
now living, so far as known. Mr. Purton also reeords 
the names of some twenty "ehildreu of l)elieviiig pa- 
rents" baptized by him. Of those liaptized in infaney 
by Mr. Burton, bnt one is a mendier of the ehureh at 
the present time or residiiiL' in Kidgebnry, tliough 
several are known to be living elsewhere. 

During the long interval between the dismissal of 
Mr. Camj) and the settlement of "Mr. Piurton services 
were regularly held in the ehuri'h, the jiulpit being 
supplied by neighl)oring ministers or a seruKJU read 
by some jierson of t!ie congregation a]i|i(iintrd for 
that purpose; and fn-m ISPj to 1S17 a season (d' spe- 
cial religious interest was enjoyed, thirty-four mem- 
bers being added to the church by a iiubli<' profession 
of faith in the Lord Ji'sus Christ. 

The labors of Mr. Burton were highly apiireciated 
b.V the church and eminently blessed of (iod. From 
1821 to 1843, which covers the whole period of his 
ministry as pastor, one hundred and fourteen were 
added to the church, of whom "some remain unto 
this present, but the greater jiart are falh'ii asleep." 

During tlic pastorate of Mr. P>urr, 1.S43 to ISfiO, 
eight new members were added. From 18.")0 to the 
close of Mr. Canfield's pastoral relations with the 
church, in IS.jG, twenty were added. From l.S.'>(i to 
the present time the additions to the church have 
been " few and far between," — only seventeen in the 
Avhole twenty-two years. 

There have been nineteen deacons of the church 
since its organization in 170!), of whom but one, Dea- 
con James E. Hayt, remains. In October, 17()2, tln^ 
Ecclesiastical Society of Ridgclniry bouglit the land 
on which the church now stands of John Whitlock. 
The consideration was "the love and respect I have 
and do Ilea r unto said Dissenting Society in Ridge- 
bury." 

Previous to this time, it is said, an old Congrega- 
tional cliurch of some kind stood on tlie hill about 
half a mile soutli of tlie present liouse of worship. 
This was probably the "New Pateid. meeting-house" 
before alluded to. But in .\ugust, 1708, the society 
voted to build a " rhnrr/i" forty -si.K feet long by 
thirty-si.x feet wide, to be "shingleil with cedar shin- 
gles, and sided with chestnut or oak." It was fur- 
ther voted that "the new liouse shall stand facing ^ 
the east, and be finished by the first day of July, 
17G9." i 



In February, 1784, it was voted "that we will do 
something towards making the meeting-house more 
comfortable and convenient," and in 17il.'! a commit- 
tee was aiijiointcd to " mark out the meeting-house 
into j)ews and sell them, and to lay out the money 
that shall arise therefrom on tlie house." The con- 
gregation worsliified on rough wooden benehes for 
twenty-four years before the jiews were Imilt, and 
listened to golden truths preached from a plain 
wooden Jiulpit. Tliere were no stoves except such as 
the more elderly females brought with them on tlie 
Sabbath, and these were always replenislied with 
fresh coals from the neighboring fireplaces during the 
intermission. The house was witliout plastered walls, 
liut we never heard that any of the congregation 
complaineil of the Cold. Alter tlie iiitrodurtion of 
pews, the two — known as Xo. 5 — on each sid<' of the 
puljiit were reserved as " honorary ]iews," and the 
two — Xo. 11 — "under the stairs" as "spare pews." 

During the brief service of a Mr. Perkins, wlio 
supjdied tlie puljiit for nearly a year after the dis- 
mis.sal of Mr. (_'am]i, it was voted, in October, 1804, 
that "persons of other jiersuasions may come and 
hear Mr. Perkins preach." 

At a meeting of the society hebl Nov. .".0, 1818, it 
was voted "that the Society grant lilierty to the town 
of Ridgefield to hold their Town-Meeting in the 
Meeting-Housc in said Ridgebury for one Meeting." 

During the summer of 1810, and again in 1834, 
the society repaired the meeting-h<mse Imilt in 1708, 
very much improving its external appearance, and in 
1838 they also thoroughly repaired the interior, en- 
tirely removing the wall, pews, and pulpit, supplying 
their places with new walls, convenient sli]is, and a 
desk of more modern style. They also closed the 
doors on the north and east, leaving but one entrance 
to tlie cliureh. 

In the spring of 1832 the society purchased ten 
acres of land, with tlie buildings staniliug thereon, 
for a parsonage, and Feb. 12, 1838, they sold the same 
to David Ilanfonl, of Norwalk, Conn. 

In the year 1844 the jiresent plea.sant and conven- 
ient parsonage-house was erected on a jdot of ground 
four rods by twenty, pre-iented to the society by Mr. 
David Hanlbrd and the late (xanialicl N. Benedict, 
Es,,. 

The "old church," which liad stood as a sort of 
moral lighthouse fcir more than eighty years, and 
which had been the spiritual birthplace of so many 
souls, was finally (h'molished, and a new house thirty 
by forty-six feet erected in its place, which was dedi- 
cated, with apiiro|iriate exercises, to Almighty (Jod in 
18.')!. It is well furnished, with a bell weighing 
nine hundred pounds, a melodoon, etc., and, though 
there is )ml a feeble remnant of the (church left, yet 
file Word of (rod is faithfully pi'eached every Sab- 
bath and the ordinauees of the gospel regularly 
administered. 

Legacies have been left the society at dill'erent 



C74 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNKrTTCTT. 



times, amounting in tlie aggregate to over seven tliou- 
sand dollars, the income from wliich is approjjriatcd 
to the support of tlie gospel and other current ex- 
penses of the cliurcli. 

In former years the business of "halting" and 
shocmaking was extensively carried on in Ridgebury, 
which gave emidoyment to a large number of people, 
male and female. At the present time there is no 
manufactory of any kind in the jdace, and the 
Protestant population is somewhat diminished. 

Located near the church is a beautiful cemetery, 
containing an acre or more of ground. A part of it 
was used for burial purposes years before the Revolu- 
tionary war, and contains the bones of some of its 
heroes. Within a f(nv years it has been twice enlarged 
and inclosed by a neat and substantial iron fence. 
It is now one of the pleasantest rural cemeteries of 
its size in the State. 

An old burial-ground belonging to the Episcopal 
Society was located on the south and east of their 
church edifice, on the hill three-quarters of a mile 
south of the present cemetery, a century and a half 
ago. In 1800 several of the old tombstones were 
standing. At the i)rcsent time none of them remain. 

PROTESTANT EPLSCOPAL CIIUKCII.9 

An Episcopal congregation existed in the society 
in the northern part of the town called Ridgebury in 
the early ])art of the bust century, and services were 
lield contemporary with those in Ridgefield. It ap- 
pears from the printed reports of the '"Society for the 
Propagation of the Gospel" that prior to 1731, and for 
some time afterwards, Ridgefield, Ridgebury, and the 
Oblong (Salem) were considered in some sense within 
the bounds of the parish or mission of Fairfield. 
The church appears to have been built about the 
middle of the last century, and was located in an ele- 
vated position of the place, on the open space or 
green about half a mile south of the present Congre- 
gational church. The exact date of its erection can- 
not now be as(-crtained. 

In a letter of the church-wardens and vestrymen of 
Salem to the Venerable Society in London, dated Aug. 
31, 1767, they thus state: "That we formerly united 
with the brethren of the Church at Ridgefield and 
Ridgebury, on the borders of the Connecticut Colony, 
anil engaged the Rev. Mr. Clark to read Divine ser- 
vice and sermons to us on Sundays. Since Mr. Clark 
left us, by the advice of the Rev. Mr. Dibble (of Stam- 
ford), and the Rev. Mr. Learning (of Norwalk), we 
have employed the worthy Mr. Epenetus Townscnd, 
who hath for some time alternately read to us and the 
])eople of Ridgefield an<l Ridgebury, whose exemplary 
life, sober conversation, and devout pertbrnumees of 
religious offices highly recommended him to our 
esteem ; and as the poor people of Ridgefield and 
Ridgebury, by the concurrence of the Church Wardens 

• Now oxilnct. 



and Vestry in this memorial, hope to be indulged in 
being included under his care, having formerly a con- 
junction with .some of the neighboring places in the 
Province of New York, experienced the goodness and 
conipa.ssion of the 'Venerable Society' in appointing 
the Rev. Mr. Lamson to officiate among them, being 
many in number, having built a Church in each of 
those places, Ridgefield but eight, and Ridgebury but 
four miles from Salem, but at such a distance from 
Xorwalk that they expect but very little service from 
the Rev. Mr. Learning ; whereupon we have unitedly 
sent our respective bonds to the Rev. Dr. Auchmuty, 
of New York, in trust, obliging ourselves to pay in 
each place, equal to £10 sterling jier annum, in the 
whole amounting to £30 per annum for the time 
being ; and we no longer expect the Society's favor 
than we shall continue to deserve it." 

The Rev. Mr. Townscnd accordingly went to Eng- 
land to receive holy orders, and returned in April, 
\ 1768. In a letter dated the 29th of September, 1768, 
he informed the society " that he arrived at his Mis- 
sion on the 26th of May, 1768, and was kindly received. 
The church-wardens, also of Salem, in the name of 
the i)eople belonging to the Mi-ssion, have returned 
thanks to the Society for Mr. Townsend's aiipointment. 
At Salem and Ridgefield there are one hundred and 
fifty church people, at Ridgefield eighty." 

In a letter to the society, dated Sept. 29, 1769, he 
says, " I have constantly performed Divine service 
equally in my three Churches of Salem, Ridgefield, 
and Ridgebury ; in each of which places people are 
zealous in their attendance on public worship ; and I 
have the pleasure to observe that through the divine 
blessing on my labors each of those congregations is 
somewhat increiused." 

In the same letter he says, " I beg liberty to request 
a favor from the Society, which may perhaps be of 
considerable service to me ; the professors of the 
Church in Conn, are taxed for the support of the 
Minister of the Church in the same proportion as the 
Congregational ists for the support of their minister. 
This tax is levied and collected by the Congregation- 
alists, together with their own, and by them paid to 
such ministers of the Church as are appointed over 
them by the Society. Now Ridgefield and Ridge- 
bury being in Conn, the Committee appointed for 
raising and paying the minister's rate at Ridgebury 
have been in .some doubt whether I am entitled to the 
rates of the Church ])eople there, because it is certain 
they were formerly under Mr. Learning's care, and 
had no written appointment, or anything from under 
the Society's hand to convince them that the Society 
had now included them within this Mission. Should 
the Ven. Society mention Ridgefield and Ridgebury 
in an abstract, as parts of my Mission together with 
Salem ; or should they in a letter to the Church 
Wardens and Vestry of Ridgefield and Ridgebury, 
or in some other method give assurance that Ridge- 
field and Ridgeburj- belong to my Mission, it must 



RIDGEFIELD. 



biO 



be of advantiise to me, as it would remove all doubt 
wliether I wa-; by the laws of tliat ("'i)I(iiiy cutitb'cl to 
the Church pe iple's rates in tliose places." 

The society's abstracts for 1772 say ''that Jlr. 
Townsend, missionary at t^alcm, states his eongrciia- 
tious to be itierea^inic. Ilalli baptized sixty -two in- 
lants and two adults." In 177'i they say "that Mr. 
Townsend is constant in the performance of his iluty 
in his own parishes ami preaches freipiently in the 
parts adjacent. From J^adyday to Michaelmas he 
baptized twenty-one infants ami one adult, and ad- 
mitted two new communicants." 'J'he abstracts for 
177l> add " that one letter from ]\Ir. Townseml, of 
September 29, 1775, gives the account of his mission, 
in which he liath liajitized thirty infants, Ijuried seven, 
and niarrii'd three con]>le in the preceding half year." 

During the interval of the Ivcvcdutionary war tlu're 
was a susjiension of services in Kiilgelmry, as in the 
other .'-tations, by the deiiarture of tlic Rev. !Mr. Town- 
send, in July, 1770, as state(l in the account of St. 
Stephen's church. The last services held in I'idge- 
bury of whiidi there is any existing record was in 
177'.l, where we find the following in the Ilidgelield 
parish n'cord : 

■' M a lii.'ctiiig cif till' riisl E].isi:.niiil So, ir'l v in Ui.lgcfi.lcl, Iir.ia.ii al 
tlif T.'wn Il.mse on tljo -JJ"' ila.v uf .Sri.t. ITS'J, the fMn.Aviiis ucctlix 
amuiig its iliiitij^: 

■■ r.A,;. That lliis S.iciitj- shall ira.v a tax <.f two pi-iirc on tli.' |.ciuial 
on the li-t of rai.l Sotioty h.v tlu' Hist of .Man h amuialh lo Daviil iVn.v, 
as long as lie shall soivo thc-ni in th.- olli, ,• of a Mii.isI.T. 

" ro/,'.(. That tlic Sorirt.v will i-onsiMit that saiil I'l'ii) shall go to lUdgo- 
bury one quarter of the time." 

At a meeting of said society in tlie year following 
the aliove consent, according to the record, was with- 
drawn. 

Thus, after the services of tlie chur(di had been 
maintained with more or less fref|uency nearly half a 
century in Kidgebury, they a]i|'ear to liave been 
brought to a close, as far as any existing record re- 
mains. Removals and deaths wrought many changes 
in the congregation, ifany of those remaining united 
with the Kidgefield church. .Vmong its active sup- 
porters in the latter period of its history were Dr. .John 
Andreas, the Slierwood families, Dr. Stejilien Bennett, 
Neheniiah Stiirges, Elii)halet Brush, and others. Tlie 
two hitter-named families united with the church in 
Ridgefield, and their constant attendance there is still 
in the recollection of many of its memlii'rs. 

The church edifice, which sti>od on the north side 
of the green, and was about tlie size of the lirst one 
erected in Bidgetiehl I'arish, remaineil until about tlu! 
year 1810, when, being mucli out of repair, it wa-i taken 
down and its materials dispose<l of for other purposes, 
with the exce])tion of a stone, still visible, sup[iosed [ 
by many to have been one of the corner-stones. No 
vestige of its foundation now remains. 



CHAPTER LXVr. 
KIDGEFIELD (Continued). 

Misci-;i,i>Axi';i.iu?. 

Ti.wn-JIeeting, IVI.') — Eaily Eiiths — Th.' Sihools — HiiTiaI-riare.s — 
Chauge in the Houu.lary of Ri.lgetieM— The lii Igeliehl Press— Cen- 
sus from IT.'iCi to 1.SSH— State Senators— .Iu<lge cif I'roliate— liepresen- 
t.itives from IT^li to Issd— Town-IIouses— The Pound — leiusalem 
Lodge, No. 411, F. aii.l .\. M.— Jerusalem Chapter, R. A. .11.— Pilgrim 
Lodge, Xo. 4r,, I. O. of (.1. F.— Grand List, 1S70— Military— The SoMiers 
uf Three Wais— HIuster-Koll of Capt. (ianialiel Nortlirop's fVimpany, 
177i;— War of the Pehelliou— .\etiou of the T.iwn— List of Sohliels. 

The following are the ju'oceedings of the town- 
meeting held in ITlo : 

"At a Town Jleetmg Held in liidgefield Dfeemb' ■-" Ann.. Jlonj 171.J 
15en,ianiiii A\'ills.ui, Sanuiel Smith and .Joseph Iteiiediet were hy a Blajor 
vote Chosen Seleet Men for y y.rar Knsuing." 

The following oflicers were also chosen : Consttible, 
Daniel < >lm^tead ; Trustees, .loshna l^ob.lell and .lames 
Xorthrfip; Surveyors, .Tonathan Bockwell, Ricdianl 
Clmstead, and Natlum St. .lohn ; ( 'ollector of Town 
Rate, Timothy Keeler ; Ttivern-Keeper, Jlr. ( )sborn ; 
Fence-Viewers, .Tames Benedict, Josejdi Northrop. 

Richard Osbtnai, Samuel Smith, anil Benjamin and 
Richard (^)lmstead were selectmen in ]71(>. Lieut. 
Samuel St. .lohn, Stimuel Smith, and Daniel Olm- 
stead were "townsmen" in 171. '<. 

Samuel Smith, Thomas Hyatt, and James Ntjrth- 
rui> were selectmen in 1747. In 174',1, ^Matthew Ben- 
edict and Nathan (.)lmsted were selectmen. 

FIILST BIliTIl.-?. 
The following is a record tjf a few of the early 
births: 

"Ezekiel Hawley, son of Tleunoa Ilawl.y. of Itidgeliel.l, was horn on 
Apiill y' l.'ith 1711, being Wednesday." 

" .losejih Hawley, y^ son of Tliouui;, Uawl.-y, w;»s horn mi y* L.uds .lay, 
being May lllth, 1714." 

"Haeliaell Ki'eler, y Ilaugliter ..f Joseph an.l Elizabeth Keel.T, of 
Ridgelield, was born Oct. 4lh 17(n;." 

"Eli/.abi-th Ki-eler, yt Daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Keeler, of 
lli.lgetiehl, was born (Ui y is N..v., 17(IS." 

"Kebeekah.y Daught.T of Jami'.« and J.rusha St, .bjlin, born Aug. 12, 
17G-.* 

" Ebem-zer, y.' s..n of El.enezer and Hannah Smith, born (*i*t "., 17^.-."* 

" Daughter of Matthew and Deborah K.iler was li..r[i O. tob.T y' .'.th. 

nnn." 

"Martha, y .s..n ..f Jlaithu and Dels.iah Keeler, was born Ajiol y« 
111, 171,2." 

"Hannah, daughter of Tiu]..thy an.l JIary K.el.-r, was born S.p. y« 
:ili, 17i;-J." 

"Jonathan, y" s.in ..f Tiiiiotby an.l Mary Keeler, was boin Pts^ y^' 27, 
17('..'>." 

" Klizal.eth, daughter ..f Jess., an.l Mihilabal D.nedi. t, b..rn June IG' 
17o7." 

" Phillip, son ..f Caleb and llilhiah Lobdell, born Oct y 7, 1701." 

THE 8CII00LS. 
The first reference to schools found in the town 
records is in the year 1721, when it was voted that 
"eight ])OUiids sliall be raised for y" supiiort of a 
school." The first scliool-house was erected jirior to 
1720, and stood in the church-green, nearby the pres- 
ent site of the Congregational church. The date of 



' Probably 17C3. 



676 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTl', CONNECTICUT. 



erection of this pioneer house is unknown, but, as 
stilted above, it was prior to 172G, for in that year 
it was voted to repair the school-house. 

This house was occupied until 1743, when the 
scliool Wits removed to tlie town-liousc. In 172.') the 
town was rclciused from paying taxes, " provided they 
draw no money out of tlie treasury for the school." 

It is evident tliat viirious methods were resorted to 
in the early days for the maintenance of the schools. 
The following extract will prove of interest: 

".\t a slieop ineetiiig heM in Ritlgt-field, Dec. 24, 1742, it was voted by 
omnjority tlmt the iinmey cotiiiug for the liireof tlie Slieep tlie Instyear 
eliall he given as a bounty to help niaintuin the town School for over, and 
when the money is Kiitliere<l it shall be delivered to the committee that 
is appointed to take care v>f the bounty money given hy tlic Government 
to support y school. And ordered by the above said vote to let out the 
mdrl money aH y*" money is that conies fr<uii the government, and to iin- 
pi-ove the use thereof to pay it towards y« maintenance of said town 
school forever. 

"Test TiMOTMV Kkeleu,' 

" Clerk." 

" This sheep-hire," says Rev. Mr. Toller, " is easily 
explained. Until about the year 1760 there were a 
considerable number of sheep in the town, owned by 
the town, — Mr. Goodrich says about two thousand, — 
which were kept by a shepherd in the summer months, 
and regularly twice in the week let to the highest bid- 
der to lay in his plow-land during the niglit season, 
which method of enriching the land, it is stated, 
' caused the worn land to produce excellent crops of 
wheat of the best quality.' The money thus obtained 
Wits that which wtxs appropriated by the town for 
school purposes." 

The following receipt appears on town records : 

" Itidgeneld, April 2S"i, ITJ:!, then rci eivod of Capt. Kiiliard 01ni»te.id 
and 5latthew Denedict, Committee of the Donation Bloney Given by the 
Governnietit, y sum of 2.'i£ 14". and Gtt. in onler to jiay the School Mas- 
ter. We say we received it, as Witness our bands, 

"Joseph Kkf.i.f.r, 
"James Benkiiut, 

" Sc/iool CbmrniUM." 

In 1742 the town by a major vote rcleiLsed the 
people of the New Patent (Ridgebury) from paying 
any tax to the town scliool on condition that they 
should keep a school among themselves six months 
yearly. 

At tliis time there was in the town but one school- 
house, and that wits located nearly opjiosite Mr. Ab- 
ner Gilbert's residence. 

Rev. Samuel Goodrich says in his histon,- of the 
town, written in 1800, that the schools of the town 
"are maintained 1" in ])art by tlie produce of the 
sales of lands in Litchfield County by the State and 
appropriated to the schools. 2"''. By the produce of 
an excise duty laid on Rum and Tea, but the act, 
proving unpopular, wiis never carried into general ex- 
ecution; the money paid in by this town was returned 
and a])propriate<l for the benefit of schools. 3''. By 
the 40/ on the thousand, its it is called. 4"'. By the 
produce of the sales or the western lands, and lastly, 
in case of deficiency, by a tax on the scholars." 

Mr. Goodrich also says that the " wages given to 



masters is from I.') to 18 dollars per month, according 
to number of scholars and the ability of the teachers. 
There is taught in our schools Reading, Writing, 
Arithmetic, and Grammar, some Catechising, and a 
little manners. It has been remarked that since the 
visiting committee have attended to their duty our 
schools arc under better regulation and our scholars 
make gretiter proficiency. There are a number of 
young people who have been taught in our schools 
who have gone into other parts and taught with ap- 
plause. Board for children is from seventy-five cents 
to one dollar per week, and tuition from fifty cents to 
one dollar per quarter." 

"At a Tjwn-Mceting held in ItidgeAcld, .March IS"!, lT4i;, at j-" said 
meeting Serg' James Norihrup by a Slajor vote was chosen Moderator. 

"The 6'' meeting by tbeir M.'yor vote ilo agree and onler that there 
shall (h! two women Schools be kept frtim y* tirst of April next till y 
first of Octob' ensiling, y« one of s-" Schools to be kejit at y« T<»wn house 
and y<' other at y house that was built for that jiuriiose, a little north- 
ward of Jonah Smith", 

"Test Tl-MOTIlV IvEELF.n, 

" lirijiKlr" 

" Ilidgefleld, April y« l:!", 1749, then Received of Cal.t KiL-hanl Olm- 
stcad, Matthew Benedict, School Com'^"« of y« Donation money y* sum of 
Twenty six rounds twelve shillings money in order to pay for y* keeping 
School or Schools in testimony hereof we do set our hands 

"S.km" Smith, 
"Thomas IIvatt, 

"JaMKJ$ NoRTIIRor, 

" Se(<?c(H)e»." 

" .\t a Town fleeting held in Itidgefield by .\djournineiit frtun Decern' 
y» IS" to Dccenib' y 24"' Al> 17.'»:!, JIalthcw Benedict bcin;.; Jlodcrotor, 
it was Voted in »'• meeting that there shall bo two 5len Scltoids kejit 3 
Months between this time and y first ol April next one of them at y 
Town house and y other at y* School house near L' Jonah Smith*. It 
was also voted in s' meeting that there shall be thiee School Mistresses 
provided and put into Schools y first of .\pril next and continue therein 
until y first of October next, one of them to be kept in y School bouse 

I near L' Jonah Smiths, one of them in y Town house, and one of tliein 
in or near Ben" Rockwells house. 

i "It was voted in sJ meeting Ihat two Men Sihools shall lie kept by 

: two masters iu (s^ houses or places whei-e y above said men Schools 
are to bo kept) from y first of October next till y next .\niiiial Town 

! Meeting." 

In 1761 five schools were taught in the town, — one 
at the town-house, one at West Lane, one at Titicus, 
one at Limestone, and one at Florida. « 

Dec. 28, 1761, it was 

" Vutedy Tlmt there iK) five Schools kept within the Limits of this 
Society for three months, viz., one at the house near John Northn'I*, 
Ji', one at the Town Uouse, one at the house near Bt^nj" Stebbins, Jr., 
one at Limestone; and one near Matt's Mill, Provided theiie la* a sulfici* 
ent number of scholars at each school, to be Determined by the Schotd 
Coinmi'" (.'apt. Daniel Bradley, Aaron Sorthrup,Tho« lIawley,Theopliiills 
Stebbins, ami Obaitiali Piatt were Clinsen a School Committee. 

" Granted a Bate or Tax of three farthings uiKUl the Pound to Defray 
the Charges of Uie Schools and Society, to bo paid by the first Day of 
May next. 

"John Smith Jn' was Chosen a Collector lo Collect the Society Kate 
and pay the same into llie llnnda of the Comnil'" that lias the charge of 
the School Bonds viz Sam Olnistcad t»i Capt Itichanl Olmslead and 
Stephen Smith." 

Dec. 22, 1762, it was 

" Volett^ That there shall Ite 2'> Scholars to attend e.ich Scb.wl in the 
Society one Day with the other as long as the Schools ar* Continued.'' 

j On the 20th of D.:ceinber, 1763, at a meeting of the 
■ First Ecclesiastical Society, it was voted that the 



RIDGEFIELD. 



677 



sc'hools lie continued tlic same as the previous year, 
with the a<li.litional clause: 

" LilitTtv is alliiwcil l>y the Major vote of the meeting to set up Six 
Sthix.Is ill tlie Soiicty at or near the phlees wliere they were kept hist 
year and to lie kept I'y blasters for tliree Months, anil eaeh Selioul to 
draw an oiplal Share of the ten Shilling upon tlie thonsand allowed hy 
the CJovellinieiit for the use of Sehniils and the Interest upon the Dona- 
tion, provided they are kept two months eolnpleat." 

On the 14tli of Decenihcr, 17117. it was voted in tlie 
said society meeting that the " t>ocicty be Divided 
into Districts for Schooling." 

In 177o it was voted at a society's iiieetiiig 

" Th.at srhools m.iy he kept in the 'a phi.e.. and under the sanie 

regulations as last year, with this addition, that eaeh t'oniniiltee man 
warn the peojile in the Distiiet where he resides to meet at Time and 
Plaec, and the major part of their Votes shall Determine who shall he 
the nnister to keep their sehool, and the t'omnnttee shall he eoiielniled 
thereliy and hire the master. Said distiiet shall by their major vote 
order him to hire ; ami also with this reserve that the distriet up at Tyti- 
chns have Liherty to keeji their seliool at the house near to James 
Smith's, or at any other plaee said Distriet shall agree upon." 

'■ .\t a Tow 11 :Meeting held .Vpril y in"' ITsll voted 

"That the Proprietors of the Frame set up for a Sehool House near 
yn Dwelling house of Jeremiali \ViIs in may have the privilege of appro- 
priating the present Town house towards tini^hing said Seliool House; 
provided the Propiietois of said S. liool llon^e hilly vest the Town and 
the lirst Soeiety with the privilege of holding all their necessary Town 
Pi-opi ietors, First Soeiety and Kreenians !dcetiiigs theiein and that the.v 
(the i)roiuietors of s-l Seliool House) will tinish and eolnpleat .said Sehool 
House and make it I'onvenieiit hy seating y*' same." 

The building above referred to was known as the 
Independent iSchool-House. 

".\t a meeting of the Proprietors of tlie Independent Sehool House 
lioldeu at the House of Widow Cliiin ii, e Smith on April y lil>' 17.S0 
Sila.s Hull Moderator and Jaroh Smith .Inn Cleik protenipoie of said 
meeting, A'oted 

"That the proprietors of y said Iiuleiiemleiit School House will take 
and Appropiiate the now Town House, agreeably to the vote of the 
Town Itesiieitiiig said Town and S.liool House and do wholly and fully 
Invest the Town witli all the Piivileges lespeeting said Sehool House, 
vvliieli are Menti ined in the Town Vote resjieeting y same." 

This was an advanceil school, and for nearly thirty 
years was taught by Mr. Sanuiel iStebbins. 

At present there are fourteen districts, as folhiws : 
No. 1, Scotland; No. 2, liennett's Fiirnis ; No. o, 
Limestone; No. 4, Tititais ; No. 5, West ilountain ; 
No. (i. Centre; No. 7, \Vest Ltine; No. S, Whipstiek; 
No. !l, Flat Rock; No. 10, liraiiehviUe ; No. 11, 
Florida; No. 12, Fariuingville ; No. V.i, North 
Ividgelmry; No. 14, South Ridgebury. 

For present condition of schools, see General His- 
tory. 

BUHIAL-l'LACE.'?. 

The tirst ground set apart for a burial-place was sit- 
uated immediately west of the present residence of 
AVilliam E. Benedict, and two stones are still to bo 
seen, — one marking the grave of Sarah, wife of Rich- 
ard Osborn, Esq., and the other that of Capt. Mat- 
thew Benedict. The former is the oldest in the town. 
The following extract is taken from the town records: 

"At a Proprietors Meeting held in liidgetiehl, Jan. y '.!""■ lT.Vi-?,G. 
By their miyor Vote, Timothy Keeler was ehosen Proinietoi's Clerk, or 
Register for y year ensuing, and sworn aeeording to I.aw before James 
Benediet, Justiee of y peace" Jan. y JT'ii IToo-oG. 



" .\tt y Sleeting above s'-J the Proprietors by their SlajorA'ote do grant 
and by their order do appoint for y town's use a certain Spot or piece of 
land lor their burying place or yard ; s''l spot or parcell of Land Lying 
a little Southward of that lott or homestead that Hilfird Sam'l Smith 
bought of Driiikwateis, and Xoithwaid of y> Cai-patlior llhode thai 
comes over Tittii us liver." 

This spot is the old iiortion of the present ceiiieterv. 
The Ridgebury Cemetery w:is designated its a burial- 
]dace Dec. 17, 1743. The following was the vote of 
tlie town: 

"The town by their major vote, do allow and order y^ spot of land 
lying at y Noith-east coriM-r of .loseph Xorthrops home lot, in y Xew 
Patent, shall be a burying place fury jieople of yi' New Patent to bury 
theii dead therein." 

CHANGE IN THE liOUXDAKV. 

In the year 1727 the people of Ridgetield became 
somewhat exercised over a jiroijosed change in the 
boundary-line between this town and the State of 
New York. It was proposed by Connecticut to grant 
to New York sixty-two thousand acres tilong its 
north and south boundaries in exchange for Creen- 
wich and portions of Stamford on the Sound. By this 
exchange the loss of territory would be so great as to 
materially weaken the township, and. May 13, 1727, 
a petition was presented to the General Assembly for 
the annexation to the town of a gusset of land lying 
northward, wliicli was granteil Jlay 11, 1732. 

THE RIDliEFlETJ) PRESS. 

The idea of establishing a newspaper in Ridgcfield 
was conceived by D. Crosby Btixter. The first issue 
appciired on .Tan. ]:'., 1S7."), printed on a jobber Ave 
by seven in the chase, and w;is entitled Baxter'.'! 
Moiillil)j,\\\{\i the motto, "Tall oaks from little acorns 
grow." ( )n Feliruary llith it was enlarged to eight by 
eleven ; in Mttrch it was further enlarged to eleven 
by iifteen. In March, 1S7G, it was enlarged to a 
quarto sheet, twelve by seventeen, and continued in 
that form till Sept. 1',), 1877, when it was printed on a 
single sheet, thirteen by twenty, and on tlie following 
month still further enlarged to its present size, — viz., 
twenty-two by thirty-one. 

The subscri|)tion-list steadily increased front a 
round dozen on its initial issue until it has now at- 
tained ii circulation of six hundred copies weekly, 
which reaches all the States, and with a limited for- 
eign circulation. D. Crosby Baxter is the editor, 
with whom is a.ssociated Charles II. .farvis, as local. 

CENSUS OF THE TOWN. 

1756, 111.3; 181(1, 2103; 1820, 2301; 1830, 2322; 
1840, 2474; 18:)0, 2237; 18(i0, litlO; 1870, 2213; 1880, 
2028. 

SENATORS. 

The following persons have been elected from the 
town to reiireseiit the I'^leventh Distriet in the State 
Senate : 

183-1, John K. King; ls:t7, Sii ■\ S. SI. John; IS4!1. Joshua I. King; 

\VM, Joliii I), ilynlt; lB(o, I'eler P. Cornell; lS7,i, Lewis II. Uailey. 



678 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



JUDGES OF PROBATE. 
1841, Ilarvcy Smith, one jcar; 1842, William Shcrwdoil, two years; 1844, 
Harvey Sniitli, two years; 1840, Jacob T. Havilaiid, one year; 1847, 
Harvey Suiitli, Olio year; 1848, Ebenc/.cT Hawloy, four years; 1852, 
Ednnnl Couch, two years; 1S54, Henry Smith (2<l), one year; IS-V,, 
Hiram K.Scolt, fifteen yeare: 1870, 1>. Smith Slioles, one year; 1S71, 
Eltjah L. Thomas, two years; 1873, Ilirum K. Scott. 

REPRESENTATIVES TO LEGISLATURE. 

1740, James Benedict, Samuel Smith; 1741, James Benedict; 1742-4^, 
Janu'S Benedict, Daniel Olmstead ; 1744, James Benedict, Kichard 
Olmstead; 174.'i, Timothy Keuler, Joseph Ilawley; 174l>-17, Kichard 
OlniBtcad, Samuel Olmstcad; 174S-4'.I, James Benedict, Samuel Olni- 
stead ; 1750, Samuel fllnislead, Stiidien Smith ; 1751, James Bene- 
dict, Samuel Olmstead: 17.'»2. Kichard Olmeteml, Sanuiel Olmstcad; 
1763-55, Samuel OlniBteail, Stephen Smith ; 1750, Elijah Olmstead, 
Samuel Olmstead; 17J7, Elijah Ilawley ; 17.)S, Elijah Ilawley, Sam'l 
Olmstead, S. Smith ; ll:>9, Samuel (")lnit'tcad, John Benedict, Stephen 
Smith; 17G0, Samuel Olmstead, Stephen Smith; 1701, Samuel Olm- 
stead, Lemuel Ahtwtt ; 1702, Samuel Olmstead, Stephen Smith ; 170;!, 
Tinnilhy Keelor, Samuel Olmstcad; 1704,Sainucl Olmstead, Timothy 
Kceler, John Benedict ; 1706, Timothy Keeler, Stephen Smith ; 1700, 
William Lee, Nathan Olmstead; 1707, Wm. Lee, Nathan Olmstead, 
Sauuiel Olmstcad, Stephen Sndth ; 1708, Samuel Olmstead, William 
Leo; 1709, Samuel Olmstead, William Lee, Philip Burr Bradley; ! 
1770, Samuel Olmstead, Philip Burr Bradley, Benjamin Stebbius; I 
1771, Wm. Lee, Col. Philip Bnir Bradley, Sjimuel Olmstead; 1772-74, 
Col. Philip Burr Bradley, Samuel 01instea<l; 177.% Col. Philip B. 
Bradley, Samuel Olmstead, ("apt. Lemuel Morehouse; 1770, Samuel 
Olrnslcad, Col. P. B. Bradley, Stephen Smith ; 1777, Wm. Forrester, i 
Nathan Olmstead, John Dcnoilict ; 1778, N'athau Olmstead, T. Kceler, ] 
W. Foi-rester, S. Olni.stead; 1779, .Samuel Olmstead, Wm. Forrester, 
Timothy Kceler, Jr., Stephen Norris, John Benedict; 17(:0, Nathan j 
Olmstead, John Benedict, Col. P. B. Br.adley, Capt. Jonah Foster, 
Timothy Kceler, Isiuic Doolittle; 1781, Timothy Keeler, Ichabod 
Doolitllc, Capt. David Olmstead; 1782-S7, Col. P. B. Bradley, Capt. 
David Olmstead; 1788, Col. P. B. Brailley, William Forrester, David 
Olmstead; 1780, Col. P. B. Bradley, David Olnistcwi, Joshua King; 
1790, Col. P. B. Bradley, Joshua King; 1791. Col. P. B. Bradley, 
Joshua Kiut,', David Olmstead; 1792, Juehua King, Wm. Fiirrcslcr, 
Amos Baker; 179:1, Joshua King, David Olmstead; 1794, Joshua 
King, William Forrester; 179.'», Joshua King, David Olmstead, Wm. 
Forrester ; 1790, Joshua King, Wm. Forrester, David Olmstead ; 1797, 
David Olmstcad, Samuel Dauchy; 1798, Sanmel Danchy, Nathan 
Smith, Joshua King, David Olmstead; 1799, Joshua King, Nathan 
Dauchy; 180(1, .lacob Olmstead, Kliphalet Brush, Joshua King, Jv»b 
Smith; 1801, Nathan Dauchy, Jared Olmstead; IS(r2, Joshua King, 
Samuel Stebbius; U03, Samuel Stebbius, Nathan Dauchy, Jr.; 
1804, Nathan Dauchy, Jr., Timothy Kceler, Nathan Smith; 1S0.'>, 
Nathan Danchy, Nathan Smith, Job Smith, J>tiiathan Kceler ; 
1800, Jidi Smith, Jomtthnn Keeler, Samuel StebMns, Timothy Kce- 
ler; 1807, Nathan Sm'th, Timothy Keelor (21), .lobn Jones, .lesso S. 
Brailley; 1808, J. Jones, Jesj^o S. Bradley, Jacob Dauchy, Timothy 
Kceler (2''); 1809, Jacob Dauchy, Timothy Kcekr, Nathan Dauchy, 
Jesse S. Bradley ; 1810, Nathan Dauchy, Aaron Stuart, Daniel Jones ; 
1811, Joshua King, Gamaliel lencdict; 1812, Joshuu King, Benjamin 
Lynes, Matlhow Keeler. Nathan Dauchy; 1813, Nathan Smith, 
Samuel StebMns ; 1814, Daniel Jones, Seth B.>ughtoii, Je.^j*c S. Brad- 
ley, Jeremiah Mead; 1815,* Ji.8Se S. Bmdiey, Jeremiah Meiul; 18U;, 
Jiwhutt King, Timothy Keeler, Wm. Ilawley; 1K17, Wm. Ilawle.v, 
Camaliel Benedict, Matthew Keeler; 1818, Eliphalut Brush, Jabeit 
M. Cilborl; 1819, Ciamaliel Benedict, Bradley Hull; 1820, Benjamin 
Lyneii, KHjah Ilawley; 1821, Benjamin Lyiics, Aaron Loo; 1822, 
Aaron Lee, Lot K.prrwter; 1823, Aaron Lee, Itiah Nash ; 1824, Wil- 
liam Ilawley, HIchard Kaudall ; lKi>, John F. King, Win. Crocker; 
1820, JesaeS. Bnilley, John K. King; 1827, Jesse S. Bnulley. Jubct 
31. Gilla'it; 1828, Jabez M. Gilbert, Lot Forrester; 1829, Jesse S. 
Bradley, Aanm Lee; 18.30, Aaron Lee, Ebcnexer Ilawley; 18.31, 
ElK-m-ier Ilawley, Gamaliel N. Benedict; 1832, Walter Dauchy, 
Thomas St. John ; 18;i;l, Thonuis St. John, William Sherwood ; 1834, 
Kbeneier Ilawley, Gamaliel N. Benedict ; 18;ri-3(l, Aaron Lee, Joaeph 
C. Sears ; 1837-38, Cxar Juuos, Slujor Boughton ; 18:19, Thadeua Kee- 
lor i2'l, Ell KocUwcll; iMo, Keeler Dauchy, Ell Ilockwell; 1841, 
Willlttni Lee, Samuel S. Olmsted; 1842, Willluni Lee, Joseph C. 

• Sytciul SeMian— Abner Gilbert, Jr., NatliaD Dauchy. 



Sear«; 1843, Albin Jennings, Ebonczer Ilawley; 1844, Ebciiezer 
Ilawley, lllajor Boughton; 1845, Harvey Smith, Ilezckiah Scott; 
1840, Chaunccy Olmstciul, Nchcndah Keeler; IH47, Abijali Itesscquio, 
Benjamin D. Norris ; 1848, George Keeler, Fnincis A. Rockwell ; 
1849, David Scott, Richard L. Gilbert; 1850, Hiram K. Scott, David 
Hurlburt; 1851. Kussell B. Keeler, Koliert C. Edmonds; 18.i2, Har- 
vey K. Stuith, James Smith; 18.'>3, Edward Williams, Samuel M. 
Smith; 18.')4, Samuel S. Olmstcad, Timothy Jones; 185.% Jesse S. 
Bradley, Charles Smith; 1850, William Howe, William M. Lynea; 
1857, Benjamin K. Northrop, Hiram O. Nash ; 1858, Jiu;ob Danchy, 
Ebenezer Jones; 1859, Edward II. Smith, Ebenczcr B. Sanfonl; 
1800, William Lee, John T. Rockwell ; 1801, Sanmel Scott, Benjamin 
K. Northrop; 1802, Charles Smith (21), Jared N. Olmstcad ; 18C:i, Ja- 
reil N. Olmstcad, Charles Smith (S', ; 1804, Abucr Gilbert, Samuel S 
St. John; 180), Hiram O. Nash, E. W. Keeler; 1800, Albert Scott, C. 
W. Slanson ; 1S07, Henry Smith, F. A. Rockwell ; 1808, Wm. 0. Sey- 
mour, George Ik>uglitou ; 1809, Wm. 0. Seymour, H. K. Smith ; 1870, 
Daniel L. Adams, Daniel Hunt ; lh71, Peter P. Corueu, John S. Kee- 
ler; 1S72, Elijah L. Thomas, George Boughton ; 1873, II. K. Smith, 
Edward H. Smith ; 1874, P. C. Lounslairy, L. C. Seymour ; 1875, Na- 
than Lounsbury, Ira S. Kceler; 187C, Santuel J. Barlow, Simon 
Couch; 1877, Aaron Lcc, Matthew lictts; 1873, Sercno S. Hurlbntt, 
David II. Valdon; 1879, Benj. K. Northrop, Charles B. Nolthrop; 
1880, .\aron W. Lee, John D. Nash. 

TOWN-HOUSES. 

The first town-house was erected in 1743, at a cost 
of seventy-nine pounds seventeen shillings: 

"The House, voted to be built for y" use of y Town, is to bo con- 
structed in the numncr following — viz— to be one Story high, 20 feet 
long, 18 feet wide, and a chimney at ono end, quite across y« house — to 
be covered with good cedar shingles — 3 feet long, if laid upon sawed 
lath— and if y shingles be 18 inches or 2 feet— if laid on sawed boards 
— to bo well closed with clapboards and door — two good floors, — to 1»« 
well ceicld with white wood Utanls— with three Wiudt)W8-one of the 
said windows to bo on y" back side of y» house— 20 in wide, and two 
feet long, — y* other two windows, each to have 3 feet and ono half of 
glass — and the casement to run into y* wall— a good health— a well 
fastened bench raised w itliiu side of y« house — a good lock and key to y« 
door, — to be well nnderpincd — y jambd and y« top of y« chimney to be 
well painted — 

*' The above said house, Ganmliel Northrop hath made an offer to build 
y« same, according to y« tlescription above mentioned- for 79£ 17s old 
tenure, and to be finished hy y« first day of December nest— To being 
paid 50£ by y« first of April next, and y« said Gamaliel Northrop d.i 
promise. — In witness my hand tlilsifj day of Decemlter, 174.3. 

"G.\x.ii.ir.i. NucTiiROr. 

" In presence of 

'*TlM01IIY KeKLFR. 

"Joseph Folhot." 

This house, says the Rev. Mr. Teller, in his " His- 
tory of Ridgofieid," 1878, "stood in the southwest 
corner of Mrs. Irad Hawley's yard, imniediately in 
front of the Congregational leeture-rooni." In the 
following year it was removed to a point " south (if 
the pound," which was probably south of Mrs. Nathan 
Smith's present residence." 

This continued to be used botli as a school-hou.-ie 
and a town-house until 177fi, when the old house was 
given to the proprietors of the Independent school- 
house to be used in finishing that house, " provided 
that the said Independent .school-house shall be used 
for town and society meetings." 

After the removal of the Independent school-house 
town-meetings were held in the churches until IS-W, 
when the lower part of the Masonic Hall wa.s made 
use nf for that purpose. Meetings were held lure 
uutil the erection of the present town-house, which 



EIDGEFIELD. 679 



was (■(iiiipK'ti'il ill 1$7(!, at a cost of six tlidusaml Veil, Artliiir X. iScncilict ; (.'. of 11., ('lias. A. .Irii- 
(loUars. niiigs; Tiler, Lewis C Seyiiinur. The rliapter iias 

TUE I'dUXD. twenty-three lucuibers. 

The lir.st pound iirobablv stiioil on the church- 

., n . ' , ■ I'lLGiiiii T.diiia;, Ml. -ir,, I. o. 0. F. 

L'reeri, near the first town-house. , - , i. ■ . l . 

Dee. 'lA, 17o3, it was The loil.ii;e was ehartcreil in .Fuly, l.'i47. The first 

" I'tj/ti/, That tlieif be a new Pound Iniilf in y^-lane riortliwanl of where 
Iiavid Sei.ll lives— and to he 3(1 ft. ill leiiKtlj and .'.') feet in lireadlli-aiel 



iflieers oleeted were : N. ( !., .Fames Seott I il | ; V. G. 
Augustus Lyon ; See., Lewis H. Bailey ; Treas.,Seren(> 

to Consist or he huilt with 1 Sills, 4 I'hiles, and four new Potts, and Kislit S. llurlliutt. All of tlielu are livillj;- and lllelllliers ill 
Braees— all of {;oud Sound White oak tiniher, hewn S(|nale and well oooil stalulilio" 
framed t..,i;etlior and to ho .".feet liolween .v sills and i.lales." ^ ' ' '''' 

".Annual Town MeelinK legally Warned and h.il len in I!idf;.field on 
yr 14th (Ijiy ,,f Deeelnher .\.n. IT'.'-"'. 

" Io(f(;, That a Pound ho huilt y Sontli srle III.' Itn. I,s, in the Sh- 



The foUowins;; liave been Noble (irands of tlie loilge 
up t.> the present time: Angu.stus Lyon, Lewis H. 
]l;iiley, Daniel Lovejoy, .lames 1'. Smilli, Sen.nn iS. 

on y west Bi.lc the Path n.^ar Satnu.l Si. Iil.in s liw, llin^ Il.nise, not to JJurlbutt, ILrtllU K. Seott, .r(din I'.orclen, Samuel H. 

eonlaiu ne.re sr..un,l in it than is e.,nal h. h.ily l.-.t s.i.nne." Northrop, John W. Millcr, .SalllUel Lobchll, liirhanl 

This pound wtis loeateil on the spot where Gen. Studwell, IL D. Taylor, ILirvey ,A[. liout Chas. A. 

Arnold's hfir.sc was shot from under him at the battle Smith, Samuel C. Hawley, .lohn It. Slierwood, Wm. 

of Kidgefield. Kennett, Alonzo Byington, Sylvester ('. Canfield, 

.Taeob L. Dauehy, Abram S. Nash, Nathan I'erry, 
Ezra M. Bennett, Fred L. Smith, Wm. K. Hovt. 



JERUS.M.E.M I,(ID(5E, No. 4!i. F. .Wfi A. JI. 
This lodge was eharti'red on the \'Ah day of <.)eto- 
ber, 1,S(I8, with the tbllowing oilieers : I\Lister, Daniel 
.lones; Senior Warden, Daniel ]'out(m; .luiiior 



The oflieers now serving are: N. G., lliram K. 

.Seott; V. (!., Morris G. lUiltery ; .See., (!eo. L Ab- 

, ,.,.,■ ,, ,, ,„ ,, T , I-- bott; Treas,, Lewis IL Uailev. The number cd' mem- 

Warden. I liuip l.radlev; 1 reas.. Gen. .loslma Ivini;-; , . ^ j. t ■ ^i ■ ,' 

,, , ■ . . , , . ; , . , , , „; liers in good standing is thirtv-iiiue. 

See., lieiijtinun S. Sinilli ; I^ennu' Deaeon, .loliu \\ a- 

terolis; Junior Detieon, Jacob Northru[) ; Tiler, Lot ' (iU.AXK LI.ST, 1,S7!). 

Forrester. The first lodge-meeting was lield at the I 41;.'. Im.us.-s, with two aeres to each Si4:i.(;iir. 

house id' Amos Smith, Nov. .'^0, LKIl.S. Abijtih Uesse- , :»n,i]C!i\u\ih,ni!.l''^"^l!^^^ll!^"""'!'Z^^'''l^[^"^^'. ^'u]m 

guie was initiated Get. l:j, 1.S12, and is now living and | iMHoaiMe'::;':.'.';;.'';';; '■J,'!'!:!!*, 

running the old Kidgefield 1 lotel, eoniinonlv known : '^i p. in value .h^ 

, ' . , .' I 17:1 eariiiiK.'s S.llTl) 

as Resseguie's J[otel. IL- is nearly sixty-eight years | Karmine ni.-ii»iis, ete ':i.-,ii 

, 1 - T. r 11- .. . I 'i 1 i I ■ • 1 • ei.H lis, uatehes, ell- 1 4lin 

old in Masonry, flis torni is bent, but his mind is i'ian..s ./xo, 

clear and active as ever. | llaX'i,Hd<''''.!'.'.'"!' "ll'^':'!'!'!'!*?^ .^'n^ 

The following are the names of the Worshipful u.m.is •js,.-,iiii 

. " . . , , Invesle.l in tiaile lll.'lili) 

blasters in the (U'der in wliieh tliev were elected: , investe.i m nianuiaetmos ,'ij()i) 

JL.n.yat inti'i.sl 44,;!:12 

!\l.>n.-y .in hali.I :n,S(ll) 



l)...hut.-.ll..r in.l.d.t.-.lness,. 

Slaking net assi'ssnurit ^1 .i7.; lur. 



Thaddeus Olnistead, .Jacob Dancliy, Jeremiah Mead, 

James S.AVaterous, Lewis Glmstead, WiUitim ( 'rocker, , ^^ _^ 

Philip Bradlev, ])avid Keeler, Krastus S. F.outon, . T.-u per rent, a.l.h-.i " ' lo.'ifii 

Sherwood Mead, lle/.ekiah Scott, IHrain K. Seott, 

David Dauehy, Samuel Seott, ('has. Smith. Jr., Aaron 

G. H. Ffurlbutt, William S. Todd, .'^amuel J. Farlow, iMIblTARY RECORD. 

Jacob L. Daiudiy, (.'has. B. Northrop. the fhemii anii indi.xn v,'\ii. 

The officers of the lodge for the year bSSO are: W. , In the contest known as the Fremdi aid Indian 

M.,Chas. B. Northroii; S. W., A. G. I'addoek ; .1. W., , war Kidgeticld contributed its full share bofji of men 

Hiram K, .Scott; Treas., Lewis ( '. Seymonr; See., ami means. 

Wm. S. Todd. The present membership is lifty. At a town-meeting held ,S>pt. 20, 174.^, "it was 

JERUSALEM (IllAI'TER, RilVAI, ARCJI MA.SONS. ''"''"'' ''>' "' '"■'■i'"' ^■"'" "'"' *'"' f'^''''''' ""'1 l''^"' tliere 

X , , f I Ai' 1.) 1C.1- vi a- was taken up by the soldiers that went for lis to !;nard 

A cliarter was granted Alay 12, LS2->, with oiiicer.s ,, ^ .i , ,,,,'. 

„„ e ,1 ,T- 1 n ■ * T • 1 TtT 1 !-• ' • I H . 11 p pc r t o w 11 s t li c p fcsc 11 1 v ca r s 1 1 Oil l d l.c 1 m 1 il 1 11 a 

as follows: High Priest, Jeremiah ^letid : Ivmg, ^ ,• ' ,, ,, 

■n • , 1, , J -1 iir-ii- ,. T " I town w:iy, jimoiinting to the sum ol Id, old tenure." 

Daviil Btinks; Scribe, Willuim ( rocker. , ,, . , ,,. , , 

,.,, ,■ ,, • 1 1 .1 Ti- 11.-. .-.I .lames liesseguie and Vivns Damdiv, two residents 

Jlie lollowmg intve in-en the ilii;li rrii'sts of the ,• ^i ^ , . , ,.,.', 

, ^ . r, . ,. ,,-ii- ,, , i "' tlie town, are known to have died 111 this war. 
cliapter since its organization: W lilniiii (_ rocker; 

Hezekiah Scott, ].'^27-r>l ; Hiram J\. Scott, LSIjl-7:! ; w.m; op tiik I!KVoi,i;tion'. 

Wm. S. Todd, l.S7:j-.S0. The detailed history of Kidgeheld in the war of 

The following are the present ofiieers: IL P., Wm. ; the Pevolution will be Ibuml on jirevious pages in 

S. Todd ; P. S., F. L. Smith ; King, Sherwood ; this work. Here is ajijiended the muster-ndl of t'apt. 

R. A. C., Chas. G. (JImstead ; .Scribe, Lewis A. Reed ; , Gamaliel Xorthrup'.s eom|iaiiy, A.D. ]77li, probably 

•id Veil, J. L. Dauehy; Treas., Wm. W. .Seymour; the first company organized in the town to serve in 

2d Veil, Samuel J. I'.arlow ; See., Iliram K. Scott ; 1st the war: 



680 



HISTOllY OF FAIEFIELD COUNTY, COXNEfTTrTTT. 



Captnin, Gnmalipl Nnrtlinip. 

Firet Lieuli'iiaiit, JamcD Uetts. 

Second Lii-iitetiiiiit, Jdhn St. John. 

Engign, Kl»(-in'zer <)lnistead. 

Sorgcntits, TtiaddcuH Kcvltir, Aaron Comstock, GaniuliL'l Osborn, Sal- 
mon Ilubliell. 

Cori>oral8, Benigah Xorthnip, Alviii Hyatt, Jobu Tbomaj), William 
Loc. 

DruninitT, .lolin .Ioj*cc. 

Fifcr, Samuel De Forest. 

Privutee, Setli Itaker, John Bennett, Abrnbam Bctts, Stephen Beers, 
Pennis Colliii!*, .\ninmn Craw, ,\rtb«r Forester, 3Iose,H Gilbert, Jared 
nine, David Hull, Newt.in Iline, Levi Keeler, Uriah Kceler, David La- 
ruke, Jerenilali Mirad, 5Iutliew Mead, Natlianiel Northnip, James Nichols, 
Euucll Olnistead, Jeremiah Olnistcad, Isaac OInisteiul, Biirtlioloniew I'ar- 
sons, Stephen Iteniinglon, Silas Rockwell, Nathaniel Sterling, Pliineas 
Sherwood, .\lbett Stuart, Asa Scribner, William Scott, Joseph Trowbridge, 
Peter Tuttle, llezekiah Wliitlock, Eleazer Watnius, Tlmmas Woodbi-idge, 
Israel White, Jaljez Keeler, David Hojt, Joseph Jacksun, Tbi'mus Jarvis, 
Iteulien Jackstui, Lockwoml Keeler, Klijah Kellogg, Aaron Keeler, 
Trowbridge Bennett, Josiah Taylor, Gaiiutliel Benedict, Barnabas Hug- 
lin, Ezekiel Whitney, Seth Hubl>el], Samuel Holmes. 

WAU OF THE KEnKI.LlON. 

Riilgelifld was one of the first towns in the State to 
respond to tlie President's call for troops and to ex- 
press her loyalty to the old flag. 

MILITARY RECORD. 
The following is a list of those who represented the 
town in the war of the Rebellion : 
Avciy, Treadwell, 1st Art., Co. E ; nmst. Jan. 5, 18C4 ; disch. Sept. 23, 

18C6. 
Austin, David, 17tb Kegt., Co. C ; must. Aug. 11, 18G2 ; disch. July lu, 

18G5. 
Austin, Hiram, ITtli Kegt., Co. C; must. Aug. 11, 18G2; disch. Sept 23, 

1863. 
Austin, Jacob, 17th Regt., Co. C ; must. .\ug. 11, 1862; disch. July lt>, 

1865. 
Avery, W. Charles, 17tli Rogt., Co. C ; must. Aug. 11, 1802 ; disch. Jan. 

19, 186.1. 
Avery, William, 17th Regt., Co. C ; must. Jan. 0, 1864. 
Avttunt, William, 17tli llegt.,Co. C; must. Jan. 15, 1862; disch. March 

29, 18«1. 
Brown, Fniiiklin, nth Regt., Co. C; must. Jan. 13,1802; disch. Feb. 24, 

180;i. 
Brown, JefTei-son, 17lh Regt., Co. C ; must. Jon. 12, 1802 ; disch. Oct. 20, 

186:1. 
Brown, Nehcminh, 17th Regt., Co. C; must. Jan. 12, 1862; disch. Sept. 

K, ISIV',. 
Benedict, Charles II, 17th Regt., Co. C; must. Aug. 12, 1862; disch. Feb. 

26, 1803. 
Bennett, Alfred, 17tb Regt., Co. C ; must. July 26, 1862 ; disch. Jan. IT, 

1863. 
BrInkcrholT, B, F., 17th Regt., Co. C; must. July 13, 1802; disch. July 

1!1, iMl'i. 

Boi^amin, C. M.,Dlh Regt., Co. K; musL April 1, 1862 ; disch. April 23, 

1862. 
Bait, Francis E., lOlh Regt., Co. G; must. Oct. 2, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 10, 

1805. 
Bart, Chorles H., loth Regt., Co. G ; must Feb. 20, 1602; disch. Sept. II, 

1801. 
Baxter, Samuel B., lllh Regt., Co. B ; must. Dec. 16, 1803; disch. Oct. 23, 

1864. 
Bales, Francis H., 12th Regt., Co. E:must. Dec. 31, 1801; disch. Aug. 12, 

1808. 
Brown, James P., 13th Regl., Co. B ; must. Aug. 6, 1802 ; disch. June 27, 

1805. 
Bnulley, D. B., 23il Regt., Co. G ; must. Sept. 7, 1802 ; disch. July 7, 1863. 
Burt, Stephen, 23<l Kegt, Co. ; must. Sept. 7, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 

18l',3. 
Barker, William E., Sid Regt, Co. K ; must. Sept. 5, 1602; disch. Aug. 31, 

ISO. 
Itriilley, Benjamin, must. Oct. 23, 1803, 
Bahreng, Ernest, must. XoT. 7, 1803, 



Beore, Charles, 1st Art., Co. E; must. Jan. 3, ISM; disch. Sept. 25, 1865. 
Betis, William !!., 5th Regt., Co. G ; must. March 17, 1862 ; disch. Oct. 17, 

1801. 
Koyle, Richard, must. Oct. 20,1863. 
Burns, John, must. Oct. 20, 1803. 
Burr, Daniel D., 17th Regt., Co. G ; must. Aug. 13, 1802; disch. July 19, 

1805. 
Carney, Lawrence, 17th Regt., Co. G ; must. Aug. 14, 1862; disch. July 

1, 18«:l. 
Crccden, William, 17th Regt., Co. G; must. Aug. 13, 1802; disch. July 

19, 1S03. 

Coe, Henry, 3th Regt.; must. July 22, 1861. 

Casey, William E., 15th Regt., Co. B ; must. Feb. 5, 1862 ; disch. Jan, 0, 

1SG5. 
Canfleld, S. C, 1.3th Regt., Co. B; must. Aug. 6,1802; disch. June 27, 

I8ia. 

Comptim, Joseph, must. Jan. .5, 1864. 

Dauchy, J. L., lltb Regt., Co. A ; must, Oct. 24, 1861 ; disch. Sept. 13, 

1805. 
Do Forrest, Sylvester, 11th Regt, Co. A; must. Oct, 24, 1861; disch. Dec. 

20, 1 862. 

Davis, James W., 12th Regt., Co. E; must. Dec.31, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 12, 

1803. 
Dykenmn, Nirum, 17th Regt., Co. G ; must. Aug. 11, 1862; disch. Nov. 

17. 1802. 

Dove, D. G., 17tb Regt,, Co. G ; must. Aug. 13, 1802 ; disch. July 19, 

1806. 
Dickens, Cliarlcs If,, 17tb Regt., Co. G ; must. Aug. II, 1862 ; disch. Jan. 

14. 1803. 

Dann, I.ovl, 23d Regt., Co. E ; must. Sept. 5, 1802 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Davis, George, must Oct, 24, 1803, 
I Degcncres, Cliarlcs, must, Oct. 22, 1863. 
, Devins, George, must. Sept. 23, 1861. 
Edinond, E. II., 17lh Kegt., Co. G ; must. Aug. 11, 1802 : disch. Fob. 27, 

1863. 
Enright, Jomes, 23«1 Regt,, Co, G ; must, Sept. 7, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 

I8ra. 
Finch, N. A,, 17th Regt,, Co, G; must, Aug. 14, 1862; disch. July 19, 

1863. 
Fiy, .John G,, 17th Reg, Co, G; must, Aug, 13, 1862; disch. Jan. 18, 

186,3. 
Foole, Gains St. John, 17th Kegt., Co. 11; must. Aug. 16, 18C2; disch. 

Nov. 17, 1803. 
Farooii, Robert, 17th Regt., Co. C; must Aug. 12, 1802; dbwh. Mny, 

1803. 
Fox, Aaron, must Sept. 23. 1801. 
Godfrey, George F., 17th Regt, Co. G ; must Aug, 13, 1802; disch, Jul.v 

19, ISO,"., 
Gilbert, Smith, I7tli Regt,, Co. G ; must. Aug. 14, 1862 ; disch. Feb. 14, 

1863. 
Gregory, David, 17th Regt., Co. G ; must Aug. 13, 1802; disch. Dec. 10, 

1862. 
GiUwrt, .lohn, 6th Kept., Co. A ; must. July 22, 1801 ; disch. July 22, 

1804. 
Gilbert, George, 6th Regt, Co. E; must. July 22, 1861 ; disch. Aug. 5, 

1864, 
CiUiert, Edwin B,, ,3th Kegt, Co. E; must. July 22, 1861; disch. July 19, 

186,3. 
Grumman, Freilorick A., 6th Regt, Co. E; must March 3, 1804; disch. 

Sept. 7, 1804. 
Godfrey, Sylrcstor, 8th Kegt, Co. U ; must Sept 23, 1801 ; disch. Sept 18, 

1804. 
Gage, Edwin B., lltli Regt, Co. A ; must Oct. 24, 1801 ; disch. Dec. 21, 

18l». 
Gage, Rhomanzo, lllh Regt., Co. A ; must Oct 24, 1801 ; disch. May 10, 

1862. 
Gilbert, cninrlcs F., 12th Regt., Co. E ; must. Nor. 30, 1801 ; disch. July 3, 

1806. 
Ornniils, John II., I7th Regt., Co. C ; must. July 20, 1802; disch. Aug. 30, 

1804. 
Cray, George, 17th Regt, Co. ; mast Aug. 10, 1802; disch. March 23, 

1669. 
Gilbert, Charles, 23d Regt., Co. ; must Oct 31, 1802 ; disch. Aug. 31, 

I.S63. 
Gage, Seely, ild Kegt., Co, K ; must Sept. 6, 1S02. 
GIblKins, EdwanI, must. Oct. 24, 180:1, 
Cllu.-i il.„il,.s iiiiiiii- iici :-2 lfr.:l. 



RIDGEFIELD. 



G81 



Harrington, John 11 , 17th Rcgt, Co. ; must. Aug. 11, l.sr.2 ; iliscli. 

.luly V.I, 1X0,5. I 

Ho.vt, .lohn W., 17th Regt., Co.G; must. Aug. V2, 181,2 ; lUsih. Juno 2S, 

is(;:i. j 

Hull, Siliis, 17th Regt,, C\). G i must. Aug. l:), lsi;2; ilisL-li. Man li 2.5, | 

i8n:i. 

Holmes, J. W., 17th Regt., Co. G ; must. .Inly 2r., 1S02 ; diseh. June 8, 

1864. 
Hull, Ezra S., 17th Regt., !'(.. G; must. Aug. 12, 1802; (h-eh. Jan. 27, 

l.sia. 
Ilemhirks, Henry, stli Regt., Go. II; must. Sept. 2:i, Lsiil ; iliseh. May 

1, 1865. 
Iliil.l.ell, Frank, 8th Regt., Co. II; must. Sept. 2:1, ISCl; <li»eh. Sept. 22, 

1864. 
HenJrieks, David, must. Sejit. 23. l,8i;l. 
Juild, Horaeo I., 17th Regt , Co. G ; must. Aug. n, 1862 ; iliiieh. Aug. 12, , 

IsCo. I 

Jennings, Charles A., 17th Regt., Co. G ; must. Aug. 13, 18f,2; discii. 

July 1, ISCo. 
Jennings, William 11., 17th Regt, Co. G; must. Aug. U, 1862; diseh. 

Mareh 9, 1S65. 
Jar\is, J. J., 17tli Regt., Co. G; must. Aug. 11, 1,S62 ; di.seli. July 10, 1.86.5. 
Jnercjens. Theodore, 6th Regt., Co. C ; must. Get. II, l«6:i ; disch. Aug. 

11, 1865. 
John, Frederick, must. Oct. 24, 1863. 
Johnson, Samuel J., must. Nov. iy 18r,;l. 
Johnson, William L., must. Dee. 22, 1.8C;1. 

Knapp, Henry, 1st Art., Co. K; nrust. Jan. 5, 1864 ; disch. Sept. 25, 1865, 
Knapp, Lewis, 1st Art., Co. E ; must. Jan. 5, 1864 ; liisch. Sept. 25, 1865. 
Keeler, 0. H., 5th Regt., Co. A ; must. July 22, 1861 ; disch. July 22, 18li4. 
Keeler, Rufus P., 5th Regt., Co. K ; must. March 17, 18i;2 ; disch. Dec. 19, 

1862. 
Keeler, Smith, loth Regt., Co. G ; must. Oct. 0, 1861 ; disch. Dec. 10, 1862. 
Keeler, Eli J., 17th Kegt., Co. G; must, Aug. II, 1862; disch. July 10, 

1865. 
Klinefelter, J. C, 2M Regt., Co. G ; must. Sept. 7, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 

1803. 
Keeler, Oscar 11., must. July 22, 1861. 
Lockwood, Andrew, 17th Hegt., t.'o. G ; must. Aug. 13. 1802; disch. July 

19, 1865. 
I.ee, A. W., 17lh Regt., Co. G ; nnist. Aug. 11, 1802 ; disch. July 19, 1805. 
Lockwood, William H., 5th Regt., Co. A ; must. July 22, 1861 ; disch. July 

19, 1.865. 
Lannon, I'atiick, 11th Regt.. Co. A ; must. Oct. 24, 1861; disch. Oct. 24, 

1.814. 
Lounsbury, P. C, 17th Regt., Co. C; must. Aug. II, 1S62; disch, Dec. 24, 

1803. 
Les, .lort, must. Oct. 22, 1803. 
Jiloyd, Mieliael, must. Jan. 5, 1864. 
Mead, Smith, 5th Regt., Co. A ; must. July 22. 1S61 ; disch. March 14, 

1863. 
Mcli itt, William M., 7th Regt., Co. D ; must. Sept. 5, 1801 ; ilisch. Sept. 

12, 1864. 
Moffatt, Edward, 7th Regt., Co. D ; must. Sept. 5, 1801 ; disch. Sept. 12, 

1864. 
Mead, Benjamin L., 13th Regt., Co, B; must. Feb. 5, 1802; disch. Nov. 

14,1865. 
Mead. Jeremiah (►., 17th Regt., Co. G; must. Aug. 13, 1862; disch. July 

19, 1865. 
Main, James C, 17th Regt., Co. G; must. Aug. 11, 1802 ; ilis. h. July 19, 

1.805. 
Monroe, A. L,. 17tli Regt,, Co. G; must. Aug. II. 1802; disch. Dec. 29, 

l.'<62. 
McConncll, John, 17th Rcgt, (Vi. G; must. Aug. 11, 1.S62; disch. July 

19, 1865. 
Mead, R. N., 17tli Regt., Co. O; must. Aug. II, ls62; disch. Nov. 29, 

1862. 
Mailer, Dennis, must. Oct. 21, I8tk3. 
Northrop, David (2d), 17th Kegt., Co. G ; mutt. Aug. 13, 1862 ; disch. July 

19, 1805. 
Nickerson, B. V., 17th Regt., Co. ; must. Aug. II, 1802; disch. April 13, 

1863. 
Nortlmip, John, 7lh Hegt., Co. 1) ; must. Oct. 30, 1803 ; ilisch. Aug. IS, 

I8li4. 
Osternuin, Frank, must. Oct. 24. 1803. 
Oakley, Miles, must. Jan. 5, 1864. 
Piatt, Alfred, Ist Art., Co. B; must. Jau. 22, 1802; i:iscli. .Sept. 26, 1805. 

44 



Phelan, S. S., 1st Alt., Co. G ; must. Dec-. 9, 1863; diseh. April 7, l.s6.j. 
Piatt, Charle.s, loth Regt,, Co. G ; must. Dec. II, 1863; disch. Aug. 2,5, 

1865. 
Piatt, George, 10th Regt., Co. G ; must. Dec. II, l.«03; disch. Aug. 2.5, 

1805. 
Payne, Tlioni,-us. lltli Kegt , Co. A ; must. 0, t. 24, 1861 ; ilisch. April 27, 

1803. 
Pickett. E. D, 17th Rcgt., Co. G; must. Aug. 9, 1862; disch. July 1, 

1863. 
Prichard. William, must. Oct. 22, 1803. 
Rasco, C. B., 17th Hegt., Co. G; must. Aug. II, 1802; disch. Dec. 10, 

1862. 
Rich, Jared, 17th Regt,. Co. G; must. Sept. 2, 1S62; ilisili. Dec. 4, 1802. 
Rlian, C. A., 17tli Re^t,, Co. G; niu,-t. Aug. 12, l.'<62; disch. July 10, 

1865. 
Roche, James T., 2a Art., Co. I; must. Jan. 29, 1864; disch. Aug. 18, 

1865. 
Rasco, .lames, 5th Regt., Co. A; must. July 22. 1.S61 ; ilis.li. Nov. 16, 

I,'i02. 
Ruggles, Elhert, 13th Regt,, Co. B ; must, Feb. 1,8, 1862 ; ilisch. April 25, 

1864. 
Kuggles, Sidney B., I'.th Regt., Co. II; must, Feb. .5, 1862 ; disch. April 

25,1805. 
Raymond, Amos, 17th Regt,, Co. C; must. July 19, 1802; disch. July 19, 

1865. 
Ruff, Anthony, must. Oct. 22, 1863. 
Rowley, John, must. Nov. 2, 1803. 
Scot, John A., must. Jan. .5, 1.S64. 
Smith, S. 11., 17lh Regt., Co. G; must, Aug. H, 1862; disch. July 10 

1805. 
Stevens, Levi B., 1st Art., Co. E ; must. Dec. 21, 1803; disch. Sept, 25, 

1865. 
Selleck, Eben, Isl Art . Co. I ; must. .Ian. .5, 1864 ; di.sch. .Sept. 2.5, 1865. 
Scofield, U. K., 7lli Regt, Co. D ; must. .<ept. ,5,1861; disch. July 20, 

1865. 
Stone, Irving, 7th Regt,; must. June 11,1863; disch. July 31, 1863. 
Smith, A. V. S,, 8th Kegt, (.'u. 11; nuist. Oct. 16, Isol ; disch. Jan. 20, 

ISM. 
Sturgi-s, Frederick 1, , 13tli Regt,. Co. I! ; must. Feb. 5, 1862 ; disch. Dec. 

12. 1862. 
Smith, Charles, Jr., 17th Regt,, C«. G; must. Aug. II, 1802; disch. July 

19,1865. 
Seymour, Fr. E,, 17tli Rcgt,, Co. G ; must. Aug. 15, 1862; di.sch. April 

20, 1.863. 
Smith, Allen, 171h Rcgt, Co. O ; must. Aug. 13, 1862; disch. July 19, 

1865. 
Stevens, George W., 17th Regt., Co. G ; must. Aug. 14. 1862 ; disch. July 

19, 1865. 
Smith, David E., 23d Regt., Co. E; must. Sept, 5, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 

\MXi. 
Thomas, John, 8th Rcgt , Co. II ; must. March 14, 1861 ; disch. May 19, 

1S05. 
Uliuer, Charles, must. Jan. 5, 1804. 

Van SCO.V, John A., 13th Regt,, Co. B; must. Feb. 20,1802; disch. Nov. 
1 27, 1804. 

Viely, John, must. Oct. 21, 1803. 
Williams, Sylvester, I7th Kegt, Co. G; must. Aug. 12, 1802: disch. July 

19, 1865. 
I Wood, George L., 17th Regt., Co. G; must. Aug. 1:1, 1802; disch. Feb. I;l, 

1SI4. 
Williams, Ilawley, Sth Regt., Co. II ; must. .Se|it. 2:(, 1861 ; disch. Dec. 

12,1.805. 
Williams, Sidney, 8tli Regt., Co. II ; must. .Sept. 23, 1861 ; disch. Dec. 12, 

1865. 
Warren, Rufus, I7lli Rcgt,, Co. C; must. Aug. 11, 1862; disch. .luIy 17, 

1863. 
Whillock, Joseph H,, 17th Regt,, Co. C ; must. July 25, 1802. 
Whitlock, Nephi, I7tli Regt., Co. C; must. July 25, 1862; disch. July 24, 

1805. 
White, E. P., 171li Regt,, Co, O ; must. Aug. II, 1802; disch. Aug. 10, 

1865. 
Woril, George L., must. Aug. 13, 1802; disch. Feb. 13, 1804. 
Wceil, William A., must. Jan. 5, 1804. 
Walters, John M., must. July 25, 1802. 



682 



HISTORY OF rAIRriEI>r» roUNTV, CONNECTICUT. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



SAMLEL SYDNEY ST. JOHN. 
Samuel Sydney St. John traces his descent from 
the original settler of that name, as shown in the gen- 
ealojry of the family herewith aiijjended. 

His father, Thom.is >St. .lohn of the seventh gen- 
eration, married Anna Gray, daughter of Joseph and 
Lydia (Keeler) Gray, of Ridgebury. Sydney was the 
only child, and was born Sept. C, 1806, at Ridgebury. 
His father removed to New York City when Sydney 
was twelve years old, remaining there ten years, dur- 
ing which time his sou enjoyed the educational ad- 
vantages of a large city, graduating at Columbia Col- 
lege in 1828. Sydney, soon after graduating, returned 
to Ridgebury and opened a store. Sept. 13, 1829, he 
was married to Lucy Amy, youngest daughter of 
Eliphalct ami F.unice (Hull) BriLsh. Their children 
were Thomas I'latt (deceased), John Watson (de- 
ceased), and Mary Anna. The last was married to 
Smith G. Hunt, and settled at Brewster's, N. Y., 
where he died, leaving two children, — Sydney St. J. 
and Emeline Keeler Hunt. 

In 1832, Mr. St. John removed to Ridgefield village, 
opening there a classical and commercial school. 
This school was well patronized by the citizens of 
Ridgefield and adjoining towns, receiving also many 
pupils from New York City, many of whom were pre- 
pared for Yale and other colleges. 

In 1837, Mr. St. John was elected to the Senate 
from his district. In 1841 he accepted a position in 
the Mechanics' Society School, New York City, and 
in 1843 he was appointed [jrincipal of the Ward School 
No. 21), in the Fourth Ward, and intrusted with 
the care not only of the several departments of 
tliat school, hut also with the general supervision of 
the other schools of the ward, comprising, in tiie ag- 
gregate, more than four thousand pupils. This posi- 
tion he held until he left New York, in 18.5'J. He 
served as commissioner of schools in the Board of 
Education of the city of New York for tlie years 
1848-49. For seventeen years lie was vestryman in 
the Church of the Epiphany (Rev. Lot Jones), having 
been continued in this church in 1842. In 1859 he 
returned to his farm in Ridgebury. In 1804 he rep- 
resented the town of Ridgi'field in the Legislature. 

In the death of his eldest and only surviving son, 
which occurred Oct. 13, 180.3, Mr. St. John experi- 
enced a grievous loss. Thomas Piatt St. John wils a 
young man of more than ordinary proniisv. His death 
is thus noticed in aa obituary: "Thonuus I'l.att St. John 
graduated at Columbia I'ollcge at the age of eighteen. 
His frank and genial nature and well-developed con- 
versational powers made him an agreeable companion 
to all. Intending himself for the legal profession, on 
leaving college he enttred the law school of New 
Haven, then under Judge Bissell.and continued there 
during two terms. Returning to New York, he com- 



jWeted his studies in the office of an eminent lawyer. 
It wiLs about this time that he entered the arena of 
politics, and with an enthusiasm seldom found in one 
so young. At all the gatherings of his party he took a 
prominent part, advocating what he considered to be 
right witii a fearlessness only equaled by his elo- 
quence. In 18.51, when at the age of twenty-one, he 
represented the Thirteenth Assembly District of the 
city of New York in the Legislature of that State, and 
was re-elected the following year. He was an able 
writer, and contributed frequently to the press in prose 
and verse, often surprising his immediate circle of 
friends by the variety and extent of his reading. He 
was a great admirer of Shakspeare, and would quote 
with remarkable accuracy voluminous portions of that 
celebrated author. Preferring the life of a farmer, he 
accompanied his father on his return to Ridgebury. 
The death of his wife, in February, 1804, was followed 
by deep despondency on his part, and a i)resentiment 
that he would not long survive her. This proved 
but too true." . . . 

The families of Mr. and 3Irs. St. John are true rep- 
resentatives of New England character. As private 
citizens, discharging their duties in such a manner as 
to entitle them to the respect of their fellows, and 
whenever called to positions of trust they have per- 
formed their duties with fidelity and integrity. 

Thomas St. John was i)ostmaster at Ridgebury 
from 1835 till his death ; was for several years justice 
of the peace, and member of the Legislature from his 
town for the yeai-s 1832, '33. He died March 4, 1848. 

Joseph Gray, a native of Redding, Wius one of the 
first to volunteer in the war of the Revolution. He 
accompanied Arn(dd in his perilous nutrch through 
the wilderness, and was present at the execution of 
the boy deserter at Redding. His brother, Lieut. 
Nathaniel Gray, was killed in the battle of Ridgefield, 
Aj.ril 23, 1777." 

Eliphalct Brush was born in New Fairfield. He 
.served in the Revolutionary war, and was the first to 
fire on the British at the burning of Danbury. His 
brother Thonuis in this action had a bullet puss 
through the crown of his hat, without, however, in- 
jury to the owner. Capt. Brush wiw at the battle of 
Long Island, and on its retreat to New York his di- 
vision encamped in Trinity churchyard. His old 
" long gun" is still kept in the family as a cherished 
relic. Capt. Brush was a representative from Ridge- 
field in the Legislature for 1800 and 1801. He died 
in 1847, at the age of more than ninety-seven. 

Eunice Hull was the eldest daughter of Jedediah 
and Mary L'lia]iman Hull. Lieut. Hull wils at the 
assault on Quebec, anil at the side of Montgomery 
when that hero fell. Mary Chapman was the daugh- 
ter of Rev. Daniel Chapman, who was educated at 
O.xford. He was the son of Hon. Robert Chapman, 
who came from England with Lords Say, Seal, and 
Brook. A jiortrait of Mary Chapman, painted in 
1743, is in possession of the family. 




P loll.. 1)1 .1 II Knlsnll,. U.lllllUV 



■z^yrv^-^i 




c>Cc<>^- 




W. W. BKEKS. 



RIDGEFIELD. 



683 



Samuel Sydney St. JolinV earliost i-redilection was 
<or the law. He was ad.nitte.l to the bar while re- 
si.hng in \ew York, and, althouj,^, never „,akin<- any 
pretentions as a j.raetitioncr, yet his counsel is often 
solicited. His last enii.loyment at teaehins has been to 
so tar revive his classical studies as to enable him to 
prepare his grandson for Columbia College, where he 
IS now a member of the soj»homore class. Mr St John 
IS passing the evening of his days in the supervision of 
ins tarm, and in the enjoyment of a librarv well sup- 
plied with the works of ancient and modern authors. 
His tarm and its surroundings jiossess many places 
of historic interest. On the ridge first east of the 
Congregational church the French army under Ro- 
chambeau eucamjied while .,n its wav to tl,e <le.-isive 
conflict at Yorktown ; a little to the" south stood the 
house once owned by Samuel Keeler, where (fen 
W ashington on two occasions sj.ent a night when 
traveling between Peekskill and Hartford; the house 
in which he was born and now lives was fired into bv 
the British under Tryon while on their hurried marcii 
from Daiibury to Ridgefield 

Sept._ 13, 1,8-9, Mr. and Mrs. St. .John celebrated 
the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage, on which 
occasion m(,re than one hundred of their kindred 
ivere present. 



on which he has erected his beautiful resi,lence a 
view of which is elsewhen. shown in this work ' ' 

In 1877 Mr. Valden represented his town i„ the 
State Legislature. In politics he is Kepublh-a„ 

Mr. and Mrs. Valden, also their children, are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Kidgefield 
to tlie support of whicli they liberallv .■ontribute ' 



WILLIAM W. BEERS. 



DAVID II. VALDEN. 
Cavid H. Valden is of Holland descent, and was 
born in Ridgefield, Junt 15, 1S28. His father came 
to the latter place when he was quite a voung man 
and engaged with J. M. Gilbert as a jounievn.an 
tanner and currier, having learned the tra.h-' i.re- 
viously in Philadelphia. 

He was married soon after to JIary, daughter of R 
Stevens, of Ridgefield, and their children were Eliza 
(deceased); Sarah, now Mrs. Wm. Slosson, of New 
Canaan; Maria, now Mrs. John Robinson, of Danbv 
JN. 'i . ; Anna, now Mrs. Levi Snyder, living in Mich'i- 
gan ; and David H., subject of our sketeli. 

David H. Valden was taken when an infant by his 
grandmother, who lived in Tomjikins Co >' Y ' •md 
was kept by her until his ninth year, when'he returiied 
to Ridgeheld. Early thrown upon his own resources 
he developed an independence and self-reliance tint 
have made him the man he is. At the age of eighteen 
he began the trade of his lather, that of tanner and 
currier, and in 1857 he engaged in the busin,.ss on his 
own account in that part of the town of Jiidgefu.hl 
called Titticus. j 

In 1852 he was married to Sarah A., voungest | 

daughter of George and (Slosson) Wec<l of ' 

l^anen, Conn. Their children-Charles H., Lewis 
L., and Minnie D. — are living. 

In 1857, Mr. Valden juirchased the Gilbert tannery 
at ritticus, together with the farm, water privilege 
etc., afterwards buying the Samuel S. Olmstead place' 



William W. Beers was born in Rhigefiel.l Conn 
^cpt. 11,1821. His father, Lewis Beers, ,o|loucd 
armn^ in R,,,efield. He was married earlv in 
hie t« Rhoda, daughter of Samuel an,I Rho.laGiH-ory 
of Wilton. William W. was their only son " ' 
William W. Beers enjoyed the best educational ad- 
vantages the country atibrde.l, and at the a-e of sev 
enteen began teaching in Ri.lgefiehl, teaching after- 
wards in Bethel and Hawleyville, following the 
prolession for thirteen years. 

_ In 1851 or 1802 he began his career a.s a merchant 
■n Branehville, where he continued to reside till his 
death, which occurred very suddenlv, Aug -^O 187<) 
He began in a small way, at first keeping onh- lum- 
ber, o which he afterwards .added coal, then hardware 
of all kinds, and later u general assortment of 
crockery. 

Mr. Beers was marrie.I twice. His first wife was 
1 aulma M. Edmunds, only daughter of Robert and 
Abbey (Darling) E.lmunds, of Ridgefield, Conn The 
issue of this marriage was twins, which were name.l 
Carrie G. (now Mrs. Lewis L. Valden) and Mary E 
l'<,r his second wife he married Louisa, dau-hter of 
Benjamin and Charlotte (Birehard) Gilbert '^of Wil- 
ton. Their children have been Louis (;.'a„,| m 
Louisa. 

William W. Beers was the first postm.aster also 
the first station-agent on the Norwalk and Danlmrv 
Railroail in Branehville. 

Mr. Beers' death cast a gloom over the whole com- 
munity, ot which he was a shining member All felt 
that they had lost a valuable friend and the .stricken 
family a loving father. Strictly upright in all his 
business transaeti.,ns and rigi.ilv honorable he wis 
at the same time kimlly benev.dent, always ready to 
help the poor and needy, and I,is door was always 
open to the worthy but destitute wanderer. 

In matters relating to the church Mr Beers was 
not active, but contribute.! Iil,erallv of his means to 
supi)ort the gospel. Said the <me officiating at his 
funeral, "I have known the deceased only a year 
but at times I have known him to be ardent in his 
feelings relating to Christianity." 



684 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIElxD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



CHAPTER LXYII. 

SHERMAN. 

C«ogn>plncal — Topograrlii'al— Early Scllkra— Pliysliiaiif, etc.— The 
Congregational Church— 51iMioli Church— St. I'olycurp's Churcll— 
Kccollcctions of Morgan Stuart- Tho Uojt Murder- Civil and Mili- 
tary History. 

Sheuman is the extreme northern town in Fair- 
fiekl County, and is bounilcd lus follows: On the 
north and east by Litchfield County ; on the south 
by the town of New Fairfield ; and on tlie west by 
Dutchess Co., N. Y. It is about nine miles in length, 
with an average width of between two and three miles. 
Its surface is uneven, consisting principally of high 
hills and deep valleys. The soil is well adapted to 
the raising of tobacco. 

GRAND LIST FOR 1802. 

The following is the grand list of the town of Sher- 
man for 1802: 

.\llcn, fildoon S381.2C 

Allen, Samuel 'f'S'J 

Allen, James '3., 

Allen, John .^''-^jj 

AckUy, llBvid J^7M 

Brigjis, Zeplianiah .>J7.54 

Darns, Slephen JiJ^il^ 

Barns, William • \m.30 

l;artnim,G iM3 

Ilarns, Andrew '=■'» 

Barns, Gerard ™0<' 

Barlow. David <>(IU.70 

BoBtwick, William * ™-8« 

B.«ptwick, I>avid li.Vi 

Buck, Johiah I'J'O 

Buck, Daniel *'' ™ 

Browiisoii, .\lfrcd l>*"f 

Barhatn, Isaac 9 (.(JO 

Barrit, J.din C'-W 

C.rdrv.John 67 00 

Clark; I. B J«" 

Carco.Joel 28y.« 

Dishruw, .\«a 12;-2« 

IHshrow, Jesse u>.S4 

Dullon, TitUB p. ?1 

Graves, Eura ""!'.'™ 

(iraves, Jeilediah ti;».00 

Geldings, B. Gaiualicl l'J2.3G 

ileddingx, Jonathan 454.8-1 

Geddiug^, Jonathan, Jr 1^7.17 

Geddlngs, William 201.U8 

Geddlugs, Gcolge lii.Oo 

Geddlngs, David 6"-' 

Geddlngs, Zehulon I«2.(.4 

Geddlngs, William H'OO 

Goleham, Mcher 212.M 

(^roham, David "J.GO 

Guvlord, Ebcnezer 7.'l 

Onjionl, Nathan *9.17 

GuylonI, Aaron 6.12 

Oaylold, David "-W 

Ooylord, Daniel 2.1.48 

Cooivill, Mcdml UOO 

Craves, Ruth ""-71 

Gunnings, William ^.M 

linnnings, Andnw 17H W 

Iluiigeirunl, K/,ra •.i4(;.tV. 

Hiinuerfnr.l, Horace '■in'" 

lluiigerfonl. Urhal ^l"™ 

llungerfonl, sirenus. 7ip.(«1 

llungerford, Josinh I:«i40 

llungerroni, Thomiu 184.'JO 

Hungeifonl, Levi l <'*<■«» 

llungeifoid, Ji'sse 77.1X) 

llnai:. Samuel M4.nO 

llul.Wl.John WJIH) 

llul.l«l,Anioy •■"■"J 

Ilolvter, Klienewr^ 9011 

lloVt, Knoch 1I04I' 

Holmes, Thntfonl r. 200.07 

Holmes, Walter 77.1*1 

Hatch, .lohn M.w; 

Haws, K. B .„. HI.W 

Haws, Edmond m 2a.'i.4l 

Havi|..n, Thnnma l.W.UI 

Iluhhel. I.evl l;i2>7 

Iugel».dl,l8iuic l8-><>« 

Kellug, Thoumil. 129.00 



Foeter, Asaph Sr.)..si 

Itichevar, Samuel 102 U 

Stewart, Silvenus 3I>1.85 

Stewart, Elihu 2:ifl.9l 

Stewart, Nehemlah 104.»4 

Stewart. Ahel O.l.-W 

Stewart, Phllo W.OO 

Seelye, Abel ^oeM 

Scelye, Nooh 2:1.74 

Seelye, Benjamin 7*?"**^ 

Sherman, Ele 13|'.'.- 

Sherwood, Ebenezer 2.^3.84 

Sherwood, Isaac 70 00 

Sahins, Jesse • • l.K)..»0 

Leatcli, Ichahod 207.38 

Leach, David '800 

Leatch, William \l>9.ir, 

Leatch, Mary 37.04 

Merchant, John J''l'''^l 

Is'orthnip, Abniham .07.01 

Korthrup, David 611.71 

Northrup, Joh« 185.90 

Northnip, Isaac 135.00 

Northrup, Levi IIO.CI 

Oslsjnrn, Reuben 58.40 

(Jshourn, Reulien.Jr. ^''^ 

Osliourn, .\arou 2.>0.o:i 

I'otter, James 238.37 

I'ottcr, W illiam C 174.92 

I'otter, .lured !H.22 

Peter, Waller. -. ^I**" 

Peplwr, Stephen 213.98 

Pepiicr, Loyal 13000 

Pepper, Dan IJ:;-^ 

Pepper, Azube« 7.. 73 

Payne, An>n ^'l,? 

Payne, Sannlel....^ 88-4 

Page, .hinathan l"'"-' 

Page, William 104.42 

Prindle, Amos '^.'fl 

Pickitt, Benjamin I0.1.08 

Pickitt, Bernil '-9 '7 

Wakeman, Seth I99'-'7 

Wakeman, Gideon....; 2"' ■>" 

Wan7.er, John Sit.Th 

Wauitor, Elvid **y^l 

Wanzer, Ahmham .^^18.19 

■Wlight, Abel 217.38 

Wilcox. William '►..39 

Wing, Thomas 2<*'-'!; 

Wowlnnl, .\sa '■'4.1^ 

W,K)d, John 70.40 

Wanzer, Hustcn '^.'."'^ 

Stewart, Alexander '•• •*43.tH 

Geddlngs, Joseph • o7..V» 

Geddlngs, Jr,.loseph '■'*'*> 

Butler, Timothy VtAI 

Irash, Aseph 14...14 

Graves, Ezra. 67.00 

Akins, James ">-^ 

Hong, Nathaniel ~ ~1. 

Wing, John «•» 

Weaver, Joseph JJ-'W 

Sherman, Jotliam '••7» 

Bartrain, Noah "O"* 

Oshurn, Nathaniel ""••"• 

Barlow, David *"■"" 

Page, Criuh ""'"' 

The list was certified to as follow^s : 

"The wltliin is a tnie List of the Poles ond KateaKl Ijoat.' of the 
Town of Sherman for tho year 1802, Pr us, Bonnit Pickett and Jomos A 
Giddings. Sworn Listers. 

" To Mr David Northrup Town Clerk. 

" Wo hereby cortH>- that the foregoing is a true list of the Town of 
Sherman for the year 1802 amounting to $22,083.80. 
"SncKMAN, May 5, 1V03. 

"GinEos BraHiwLEY, 
•'Joseph Beach, Jun., 

" Sfltcimm nf Utt toirn 0/ .NVir FairJiM 
"STErUEN BaR!(S, 

"Samiel Allen, 
"David Ba*i*w, 

•' S-ltclmcn o/OKlount of S^rrmaa." 

The records also show that at this date James Pot- 
ter was a physician in the town ; David Gorliaiii, mer- 
chant; John Hubbell, innkeeper; Thomas Hareton 
and Abel Wright, blacksmiths; Thomas King and 
Isaac Ingersoll, shoemakers; and Thatford Holmes, 
joiner. 



SHERMAN. 



685 



PIONEERS. 
Amoiifi' the prominent pioneer families are men- 
tioned tlie Giddiugs, Greeleys, Barnes (SSquire Harnes 
was a large landholder), Graves, Gorhams, Hunger- 
fords, Northrup, Lecalers, Aliens, Wanzers, Wake- 
mans, Barlows. 

PHYSICIANS. 

Among the first physicians were Drs. Potter, 
Holmes, Jolin Ortou. Daniel W. Northru|> iir.actioed 
here about forty years. John N. Woodruff, JI.D., 
succeeded Northrup, and is still in active practice. 
He studied his profession with Dr. Northrup and Dr. 
F. A. Kinch. He spent considerable time in Bellevue 
Hospital, New York; also attendcil lectures at Co- 
lumbia College. In addition to the active practice 
of an ariluous ]irofcssi(>n Dr. Woodruff is also town 
clerk and judge of Probate. Dr. Beach practiced here 
about a year, and removed. Dr. Henry L. Mai lory 
is also a practicing physician here. 

THE con(;regation.\l church. 

This church was organized in 17.51. The following 
is a list of ministers: Tlionuis Lewis, ordained 1744, 
dismissed 174G; Elijah Sill, ordained 1751, dismissed 
1779; Oliver D. Cook, ordained 1792, dismissed 1793; 
Maltby Gelston, ordained 1797, died ISoO ; Judson B. 
Stoddard, colleague pastor, ordained 184.'), dismissed 
18.54. For a number of years ministers were fixed 
for a year or two. Solomon J. Douglas was ordained 
October, ISCS, and dismissed in 18G7. April, 1SG8, 
Watson W. Torrey ordained, and dismissed before 
the year was up, on account of his health. James J. 
Hoyt was ordained in .Tuly, 1870, and dismissed 1874. 
Edward P. Hcrrick, ordained in February, 187(5, is 
the jircsent jiastor. The following is a list of deacons : 
E]>hraim Hubbell, 1797; Daniel Noble, William 
Burns, Benjamin Bennett, no date; James Potter, 
1795; William Giddings, 1803 ; JarcJ C. Potter, 1813 ; 
William C. Potter, 1814; Daniel N. Giddings, 1814; 
Jared C. Potter, 1825; Levi Stuart, 1829 (died 1873) ; 
Edwin Hungerford, 1870 (died 1879) ; Hugh Gelston, 
1848. Maltby G. tielston, Theodore C. Rogers, and 
George C. Giddings were ai)pointed in 1879. 

" I have no means of knowing," says Rev. Hugh 
Gelston, "who the members were previous to the or- 
dination of Rev. M. Gelston, April 2(j, 1797. At 
that time they were Deacon tJames Potter, .Tedediah 
Graves, Joseph Giddings, William (Jiddings, and 
Thomas Kellogg, males; Alice Hubbell, Mary Tow- 
ner, Abigail Potter, Ruth Graves, Deborah Barns, 
Ruth Acklcy, Mary Giddings, Mary Kellogg, Lydia 
Giddings, and Esther AVilco.x, females. The present 
number of members is one hundred and thirty-nine. 

"The first church was erected about 1770. The 
present church was erected in 1831!. 

"The number of mend)ers continued to increase 
from time to time until 1821, when a revival added 
thirty-two. There was a revival in 1831 which added 
forty-four, and there were added, in 1838, sixty-nine, 



and in 1841 there were one hundred and thirty- 
eight members." 

UNION CHURCH. 
The church now called the I'nion church of Sher- 
man was built in about 183U or 1837 by subscription. 

Time came when the old church buildint;- needed re- 

• . . . 

pairing, and some of the mendjcrs insisted upon 

having it removed, while others desired it repaire<l 
on the same site. The fight Itecame a bitter one, and 
many of those living renunuber the length to which 
the controversy was carried and the amusing inci- 
dents connected with the alfair. 

.'^T. POLYCARP'S CHURCH. 

Dec. 22, 18i!(), an Episcopal Church was organized 
here under the name of St. Polycarp's Church, with 
the following members : John N. Woodruff", Charles 
Pepper, G. N. Woodruff, William B. Pepper, Royal 
W. Briggs, L. N. Blydeid)urgh, D. B. Mallory, and N. 
E. Northrup. The corner-stone of the edifice was 
laiil, when some trouble arose, and the building was 
never completed. Services were held here by Rev. 
L L. Townsend, the rector at Danbury. A Mr. Peck 
also held occasional services at this place. 

There is also a Christian Church in tlie southern 
part of the town, but we have been unable to jirocure 
any data concerning it, although diligent inquiry has 
been made. 

RECOLLECTIONS OF MORGAN STUART. 

The following article is from the pen of Morgan 
Stuart, formerly a resident of this town, now residing 
in Milan, Ohio. It was prepared expressly for this 
work. 

In the extreme northwestern corner of Fairfield 
Connty, in the State of Connecticut, is the town of 
Sherman. Its history commences in the year 1802. 
At that time the town of New Fairfield was divided, 
and the northern ]>art was set off and formed the 
town of Sherman. The first town-meeting was held 
in 1803, when I suppose the town was organized. 

It must be admitted that there is little about the 
natural features of the country that would attract the 
attention of a stranger. The land is rough and 
broken, made up largely of hillside and valleys, the 
former so steep often as to nuike the cultivation of the 
soil difficult, and many other parts so stony as to re- 
quire a large amount of labor and expense in their 
removal, as the long lines of stone wall show. The 
.soil is generally fi'rtile, and yields the tiirmer a fair 
return for his labor and toil. The land is well 
watered with brooks of clear running water, coming 
down the mountain slopes, and many a (iretty water- 
fall may be seen on the steep rocky hillsides as the 
smaller streams make their way to the beautiful 
meadow-lands below. As will be sup|)Oscd, it would 
require patient, untiring industry and economy to en- 
able the owners of these lands to meet the expenses 
of the family and the education of the chihlren. 



686 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



This tliey were able to do, and in addition tlioy were 
often able to lay by each year a small surijlus for 
future use. In fact, there wa-s seen a tlirift and often 
an independence in means beyond what was enjoyed 
by others in more favored sectioas of tlie country. 
A small sum, as I stated, would be laid by each year, 
witii wliieh a few acres were added to tlie farm, or 
the money was ])Ut out at interest. I have seldom 
seen a people among whom more real comforts were 
enjoyed. 

I need hardly say tliat tlie school and the church 
were among the prominent things in the minds of all 
good citizens in Connecticut. The ])cople in this town 
were celebrated for their support of the common or 
district sdiool, and every child, rich or poor, at suit- 
able age, was gathered into the school-room. 

Tlie school-houses would not compare with those of 
the present day. They were not in the highest style 
of architecture or of much artistic beauty, and 
with few equi|)ments lilcc those of modern times. 
There was no claim to ornament, no cornice, no 
blinds, and tlie interior equally without attractions, 
and I might say without comfort. A monstrous fire- 
place built of rough stone at one end of the room, 
well filled with wood, really furnished all the he.it 
that was needed; but it wa.s unequally distributed; 
it wa.s too hot on one side of the house and on the 
other too cold. " Plea.se let me go to the fire" was 
often heard, and wa,s often not an unreasonable re- 
quest. Coarse oak-slab benches, without backs, in 
the centre of tlie room, and writing-tables around the 
outside, with the same kind of seats in front, with a 
plain l)oard table for the teacher, constituted the 
main furniture of the school-room sixty or seventy 
years ago. With all these drawbacks, good instruc- 
tion was given, and by earnest application of the 
pupils a gooil and substantial education was secured, 
preparing some for the more common business of life, 
and others for the higher schools and colleges, from 
which went out some of the highest talent seen in our 
learned professions. 

These district schools received tlie attention of our 
best men, clergy and others. Our pastor, Mr. Gel- 
ston, made it his business to look after their interests, 
visiting all the schools in the township four times a 
year, noting the standing of each pui)il at the begin- 
ning of tlie term, and the progress each had made at 
subsequent visits. These examinations were very 
critical, and were interspersed with remarks and 
suggestions of great practical value, as he had a 
taste decidedly in this direction. As he was about 
to leave he would invariably address the teacher in 
these words: " Are yo^i ready for prayers, sir f The 
reader will notice that he did not ask the teacher if it 
would be agreeable to liim; he wils not consulted on this 
point. The thought that an objection could be raised 
as to the propriety of sueh an exercise — or I might say 
whether the IJible sliould be read in the school — had 
not been thought of then. It was le(\ for almost the i 



close of this nineteenth century to start a doubt 
wliether God should be acknowledged in the insti- 
tutions for the instruction of our children and youtli. 
The most profound attention and stillness prevailed 
as that minister addressed the throne of grace, in- 
voking the blessing of Almiglity God on the parents, 
the teacher, and the children. Who can doubt the 
■salutary influence of such a man in all the schools 
in the town as four times a year he repeated such a 
visit ? 

It would not be po-ssible to name all the families 
or persons who were prominent in the early history 
of this town, or who were so fifty or sixty years ago, 
which is about the date of these recollections. A 
few only can be mentioned. There were four brothers 
by tlic name of Allen, — Gideon, Samuel, John, and 
James, — who were more or less prominent in the 
the building up and welfare of the church and 
society in its early history. Gideon, I believe, was 
the largest contributor to the society's fund for the 
support of the minister. I ai)i informed that the 
communion service now in use by the Congregational 
Church was a gift from him a long time ago. James 
Allen was also a warm friend of the society, and con- 
tributed liberally to its support. The other two 
brothers, I believe, also gave in smaller sums for 
the support of religion. 

Mr. David Northrop, who lived about two miles 
north of the centre of the town, deserves to be men- 
tioned as one of the early settlers. He had six sons, 
all of whom became prominent business men, and 
worthy and useful citizens. Only two of them are 
now living. Mr. Tliomits Nortlirop, who has long 
resided iu Vermont, during tiie last year paid a visit 
to his native place, and walked all the way from 
Gaylordsville, four miles, although he is eighty-four 
year.^ old. Mr. John O. Northrop only resides in 
Sherman, and is a worthy representative of the fam- 
ily. There are other families of the same name who 
are worthy of particular notice, but the scope of this 
article will not admit of it. 

In the north i)art of the town were several families 
of the name of Giddings. There was Baldwin, Sam- 
uel, David, George, Daniel, Jonathan, and Andrus. 
They were all men of real worth, possessing all the 
suljstantial (lualities tliat make gof>d citizens in an 
eminent degree. I think all, or nearly all, were 
Christian men, and their families such as go to make 
up the best society. "They all died in like faith, 
having received the promises and embraced them." 

There were also the names of Graves, Barnes, 
Hubbell, Briggs, Potter, Hungerford, and Stuart, 
worthy of honorable meiitiim. The two last were 
very numerous, and acted an imi)ortant part in the 
early history of the town, but upon whom I have 
not the time to dwell. Dr. Jcdin Orton, for a long 
time our principal physician and a man without re- 
proach, should also be noticed. William Giddings, 
Esq., near the centre of the town, was one of our 



SHERMAN. 



687 



most intelligent citizens, with a nunici-iius and highly 
respected family. They removed, in 1S;{(I, to the 
State of Michigan, where several of theiu tilled 
places of importance and responsihility. One of 
these I shall have occasion to again mention in the 
course of this article. 

Another name — a name ahove all otiicrs I liave 
mentioned — must have a place in these reminis- 
cences. Without the name of Gelston no history 
of Sherman fifty or si.\ty years since would be com- 
l)lete. His long life and works are so interwoven 
with all its best interests and i)rosperity that it is 
essential ; in fact, it could not be omitted, and no one 
lYould wish to have it omitted. IJack to my earliest 
recollections the Rev. Maltby Gelston w'as tlie worthy 
pastor of the Congregational Church, which was al- 
most the only church at that time in the town. He 
wa.s highly educated, retined in all his tastes, digni- 
fied in his dei)ortment, polite in his manners, and, so 
far as I could see, perfect in his life and example. 
Those of us who were in early life felt towards him 
the highest respect, — I may say, a kind of voneraticm. 
He was not accustomed to use suijerfluous words, was 
precise in all he diil or said, in conversation, in the 
pulpit, and everywhere. Every word was in its proper 
place and the best that could be used. Xo jesting or 
trifling wa.s expected in his presence. 

On one occasion a young man sought his advice in 
an important matter as to his future business for life. 
After stating liis case with great care he said, "Now, 
Mr. (relston, I want yimr candid opinion." Mr. Gel- 
ston re])lied with some warmtli, " Jlr. Pickett, you 
will have my candid opinion if you have any, sir." 
This was said in a tone of voice and manner that 
convinced Mr. Pickett tliat he had nuide a mistake. 
He was wise in counsel, and his opinion was often 
sought where important interests were involved, both 
in the church and in the common business of life. In 
ecclesiastical assemblies no one stood higher, and he 
was often appointed to preside in their meetings. 

While Mr. Gelston was not an elo(iuent man in the 
general acceptation of that terju, there was added to 
the words he spake the power of an example as near 
perfect as is ever seen ; and it may be added that no 
congregation or church was better instructed in the 
fundamental doctrines of the gospel, or, wdicn brought 
under conviction by the Spirit of God, had clearer 
views of their duties or what it meant to become a 
Christian and the responsibilities of a Christian life. 

Those converted under his preaching less frefpieiilly 
fell away, but were firm in their Christian ho|ic, and 
sustained well the jjrofession they had made. 

Two services were ludd in the chundi on the Sab- 
bath, — one at 10.30 A.M. and the other in the after- 
noon, after an intermission of an hour. It may be of 
interest to some to know what the programme was at 
that early day, and I will describe it as it Wius on a 
single Sabbath. It was winter; snow several feet 
deep covered the ground ; the mercury was nearly at 



zero. Many came from a distance. Sleighs drove up 
to the door, and tlie inmates t utered the building; 
others arrived 0:1 foot. Tlic room was cold, as tliere 
was no fire ; stoves Ibr churches had not been much 
thought of. The room was divided into scjuare pews; 
on one side of each was the door for I'ntrance, and on 
the other three sides there were seats with high, 
straight backs. Of course some of tlie audience sat 
with their backs to the speaker, wliicli was (piite 
awkward and unpleasant. I stated tlu-re was no tire 
in the room. This is not strictly true. The women's 
foot-stoves were tlie exception. These were tilled 
with live coals when they left their homes, and were 
passed around to diflerent ones in the pews; so a 
sm;ill ilegree of warmth was cnjoye<l. 

The morning service was closed. Most of the 
]ieople lived miles away. They went to the nearest 
houses to spend the hour, eat tlioir lunch, replenisli 
their stoves with fresh coals, and then return to the 
church for the second service. Tliis was much like 
the forenoon, only at its chise and after the bcMedic- 
tiou they seemed loatli to leave. 'J'he minister then 
draws from the Bible a slip of [laper, and reads as fol- 
lows: "A marriage is intended between Jlr. .lohn 
Laurence, of New Preston, and .Miss Mary Smitli, <if 
this place." With smiling faces they then left the 
church. This marriage notice, or publishment, was 
required l.iy the laws of the State at that early day. 

There were dark periods in tlie history of that 
church while Mr. Gelston was its pastor. It was from 
the beginning snuiU, — only twenty memlicrs. One 
after another had died; only a few had been addml. 
Finally, the last deac<in had been calleil away by 
death, and there si'cmcd no one with whi(di the va- 
cancv could be tilled. .Just at this time a relative 
called to sjiend a Sal)batli. It was communion that 
day. They gathered once more around the table to 
commemorate the dying love of the Redeemer. Our 
jiastor, after he had broken the bread and poure<l the 
wine, left diis seat and passed the elements witli his 
own hand. ,\fter the close of the service tlie friend 
iuipiired with surprise, " Why, my dear brother, where 
were all your officers to-day?" He replied with deep 
enujtion " / /larr none. God took trcnn me some time 
since my last deacon. I trust to-day he is sitting 
down to the nuirriagc-supper of the Land)." " Why 
don't you appoint some, then? He rejilied, "I have 
no material in the church suitable for the place." 

In one of my visits to my venerable friend I sat 
down by his side and listened to this sad story of his 
discouragements in his early nunistry. He said at 
times his way seemed hedged U|> and he was led to 
think lu^ had mistaken liis <'alling. I!ut a brigliter 
sun was to rise. A eliurcli whose foundations had 
been laid broad an<l deep througli the faithful lal)ors 
of this minister of Christ was to enjoy great blessings 
from its Head, llevivals of great power and interest 
were to be enjoyed, and the fruits of his labors were 
to appear in the glorious harvests gathered in. In 



688 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



the year 1831 fifty-five, and in 1838 sixty-one, were 
added to the church. Otli^r revivals of less power 
were enjoyed in the year preceding and which fol- 
lowed these dates. Thus Ood blessed His faithful ser- 
vant, and he enjoyed the fulfillment of the jiromise, 
" They that sow with tears shall reap with joy." 

In December, 1856, in the ninety-first year of his 
age, the venerable pastor of the Congregational 
Church in Sherman entered into his rest. He laid oft" 
his armor and was called to go up higher, — to receive 
his crown. That decision which made him the pa.stor 
of that people in the year 17tW was fr.auglit with im- 
portant interests to them and him which eternity 
alone can unfold. 

GKEEN POND. 

In the southeastern part of the town is a small body 
of water called by the above name. It is about three- 
fourths of a mile long and nearly half a mile wide, 
and forty feet deep, — as will be seen, of great depth for 
so small a body of water. A remarkalile feature of 
it is its great elevation above the valley below : it 
must be more than one hundred feet, and on the spur 
of a mountain. There is little higher land around it, 
only a kind of rim of solid rock, confining its waters 
in their basin. 

The question is and has long been. Whence its sup- 
ply of water? In long dry seasons, from greater 
evaporation, its level is lowered somewhat, but not 
equal to other bodies of water. Tliere don't seem to 
be higher land around enough to keep uj) the supply. 
Some years since I called the attention of Prof. St. 
Johns, then of Western Reserve College, to this sub- 
ject. He said it was quite remarkable in this feature, 
and that he knew of but one other such body of 
water, — this one in Canada. 

The opinion in early times was that it was fed by 
springs from below, which were not influenced by 
rains or drought. This pond is well stored with fish 
and has ever been a popular fishing-ground, and has 
late years been used for picnics as well. 

There is an item of history connected with this 
pond which I will mention. It used to overflow its 
banks at the south end and pa.ss below, watering the 
lands in that direction. At an early day, some sev- 
enty years ago, Mr. William Leach, a man of much 
enterprise, who resided in the valley on the west side, 
conceived the idea of bhusting a tunnel through the 
rim of solid rock on the nortliwcst end and drawing 
ofl" the water to be used for mill puri)oses, three-fourths 
of a mile below. This wa.s quite an expensive under- 
taking, hut W!is accomplished. By means of a gate 
at the artificial outlet, which he could close or open 
as he pleased, or as he needed the supply at the mills, 
the water pa.s-sed down the mountain side, and just 
above his mills he built an embankment or dam and 
formed a mill-pond. From this reservoir in a race 
he carried it to his mills at tlie bottom of the valley. 
It made a fine water-power. Three overshot wheels, 
one below the other, were used, — one for a carding-ma- 



chine and two for his grist-mill. (Later there is also 
a saw-mill and eider-mill there now.) 

This was a great convenience to all the surrounding 
country. But the farmers on the south side of the 
pond felt dam.agcd in their interests, and brought a 
suit in court, on the ground that the water was turned 
out of its natural channel ; and the court, with this 
view of the case, enjoined Mr. Leach from using the 
water. Under this decision the mills would be dry 
mills, and all the community around would be dam- 
aged. Mr. Leach didn't stop here. He got up a pe- 
tition to the State Legislature, signed by great num- 
bers of the people in the countrj- around, setting forth 
that there was no other mill for many miles in that 
locality ; that they raised their own grain, and de- 
pended on it for their bread ; that it really wa.s indis- 
pensable for their comfort and welfare. The ca.se was 
referred to a very able committee, which, after a full 
investigation, reported in favor of the petitioner, and 
that Mr. Leach should have a perpetual grant to use 
those waters for the i)urposes named. The Legislature 
adopted the report, and for some seventy years Green 
Pond has sent out its waters, which have flowed down 
that mountain side, and the wheels of Leach's Mills 
have scarcely ceased their revolutions, and with ad- 
vantages to the country around which can scarcely be 
estimated. 

Mr. Leach plead his own case in Uie trials I have 
described before the court.s and the committee, as I 
suppose. He died about twenty years ago, but those 
mills still bear testimony to his energy and perse- 
verance ; how he pressed forward his work under diffi- 
culties, and how his efforts were crowned with success. 
William Leach should be remembered as a public 
benefactor. 

THE OLD K.\LI,S. 

One of the curiosities of the town was ever known 
by this name. I consider them worthy of a brief 
notice in this sketch. On one of my visits to my old 
home, several years ago, I visited this spot. It was a 
bright June morning. The laurels and honeysuckles 
were in full bloom. Clumps of them could be seen 
at a great distance by their bright and showy flowers, 
presenting attractions not easy to describe. We came 
suddenly and sooner to the place than I had antici- 
pated. There they were, right before us, overshadowed 
by splendid laurels and hendocks, and other deep 
shady trees, shutting out the rays of the sun, and 
forming a dark deep shade over our heads, the air as 
eool as a September day. For a more enthusiastic 
description of the scene than I can give I will copy 

' an extract from a letter I received about that time 
from Hon. Marsh Giddings, of Michigan, on this sub- 
ject, whose boyhood, like my own, had been spent 
near this spot. He says, "Sometimes I go back to 
my old town and home. A few years since myself, 
wife, and daughter paid a visit to The Great Falls in 

i the mountain. Oh, it is a charmed spot! and it wiv 
almost impossible to get Frank away. -The mountain 



SHEBMAN. 



689 



ivy, ten or fifteen feet high, jierleetly shadi'il tlie heau- 
tilul caseade, and tlic bubljling, tunil)liiis;, iiianiing 
waters shooting a lew feet, then dashing against a 
central roek, tlien rii)iiling along a quiet rcsting-iilaee, 
underneath some sliadowing roek, where the speekled 
trout hid himself away. I tell you that all the s]ilen- 
dor of rook, hill, mountain, or jirairie whieh I have 
been charmed with, never have I seen a single spot 
that so entirely entranced me as did that little si>ot, 
with all the memories it brought back to the soul." 

These falls, as I am informed, attract more attention 
hite years than formerly, and are much admired. 
Here the trailing arbutus, one of the earliest spring 
flowers, is found in abundance. 

THE nOYT MURDER. 

The crime for which Hoyt was hung was committed 
on the 23d of June, 187S. It was a bright Sunday 
morning, and Ho)-! went to see his brother-in-law, 
Vanderburg Joyce, just over the line in 8herman. 
He asked Joyce to go fishing, and, being refused, he 
returned home. Before noon he got a butcher-knife 
and sharpened it, remarking to his wife that he was 
going over to Van's to butcher some of the people. 
He arrived there while the family were eating dinner. 
After talking to his father the old gentlenuui arose, 
and, as if Hoyt had been waiting for this, he immedi- 
ately drew the knife and struck his father in the arm. 
Another lunge cut the clothing over the breast. At 
this moment he was seized, and the Joyces, brothers, 
caught the hand which held the knife. In the strug- 
gle they fell, Hoyt on top of his father. He reached 
up his left hand, took the knife from the right, and 
plunged it into his fatlier's ueck just under the ear. 
Then, as if suddenly imbued with a perfect savage- 
ness, he bore down on it with all his strength, giving 
it a twi.st at the same time. The keen blade passed 
around under the chin, severing the jugular vein and 
making a gash about four inches long. Then he drew 
the knife from the gaping wound, and made a lung# 
backward to hit his brother-in-law, who dodged and 
escajied. He was finally secured, and after an e.xanu- 
nation was ('ommitted to jail in Danbury for trial. 

The cruel nature of the man was well known in 
Sherman. Conllicts with his family were of frequent 
occurrence. Once he sliot his wife, and to this day 
she carries the lead in her jierson. He had threatened 
to kill his brother, (ieorge Hoyt. On liis arrest some 
one remarkeil to him that it would go hard with him. 
He replied that it was a good job, well done, and that 
before he was hung two or three others would have 
to die. He was tried the last week in Heptember, and 
at the first ballot the jury voted unanimously for a 
verdict of murder in the first degree. Judge 8anfi)rd 
pronounced the sentence, that he be hung on the 24tl) 
day of October, 187!). His case was immeiliately 
carried up to the Supreme Court of Errors, whi( h 
granted him another trial. In March of 187i) he was 
again tried, and again convicted, and sentenced to 



be hung Jlay 1.'!, 1880, uj>on which day he was exe- 
cuted at Bridgeport. 

CIVIL IirSTORV. 
Sherman was set oil' from New Fairfield and orga- 
nized as a town in 18(12. 

LIST OF REPKESENT.ATIVES FROM ISOfi TO 1880. 
The following is a list of representatives from the 
organization of the town to the present time: 

1803-4, Samuel Allpi] ; ISO.'), Giimuliul B. Gicldings; 18I1C, fiideon Anen, 
Daviil Baitoii; 1S(|7, Ezni Graves: ItOS, Noali Sceley ; 1809, Levi 
Hul.l.el; 1810,Davirl Nortln ii]i, .hiliies A. Giil.liTigs; ISlLLcvi IIiili- 
liell, Kzrit Griives; ISlii, (intiialiel H. Giildiiigs, Ezra Graves; 18l:j, 
O. B. GMJings. Levi Huljl.ell ; 1814, Kuah Seeley, James Allen ; 181.->, 
Jeilediah Graves, .I.iliu Ortoii ; 181(1-17, .ledeiliali Graves; 18I8,.I.)lm 
Ortun. William Gi.Klings; 1810-2-2, Jedeiliah Graves; 182:;, Beimelt 
Pickett; 1S24, William Gi.liliiigs; 1825, Eli Beardslee; 1820, Jedo- 
dialj Gr.aves; 1827-28, Eli Beardsley; 18211, William Giddiligs ; 1830, 
Dan. W. N.utlinip; IS.'il, Jedediah Graves; 18:12, Pliilo S, Wiiudiiig; 
is:i:l, Levi Leaeli; 18:14, Jedediah Graves; 18:i.'>, Ilavid Nortlmiii; 
ls;i;, Edward Briggs; ls:i7, Jonatlian Bartram; lS:iS, Baviil I*. 
Uawes; ls:'.;l, Lewis Beardslee; 1840, Ed%vard lliiggs; 1841-12, 
Henry Sherwood; ISl.l, Levi Northrii|i; 1844. Hull Wakeman ; 
l.>.lr), Willis Briggs; I84I1, David W. Stevens; 1847, Seth Pepper; 
1848, Daviil Gr.ive8; ISl'.l, Sanford H. Gould; IS.'.O, Hevilo Fuller; 
1S.J1, Walter B. Eerris; 1S.'.2, All.crt Barnes; 18.W, David D. Hoag; 
IS.'il, John li. Caldwell; IsiiO, Daniel Wanzer; 18.")0, William W. 
H..ag; 18r.7, Morris Barnes; 1868, Allen Joyro; lSr.!l, William S. 
Wakeman; 1800, Hiehard P. Brady; 1801, David Graves; 1,S02, S. E. 
Bliggs; 180:i, Ephraim Hatch; 1804. Charles A.Biiggs; 1803, Wil- 
liam B. Pepl.er; lS(iO, Henry Sherwood; 18(i7, N, W. Northnip; 
1SI18, Al.rani Briggs; ISCll. J. H. Wanzer; 1870, t:harles Porter; 1S7I, 
Davi.l W. Leach ; 1872, Henry Sliei woisl ; 1873, 1'linrles A. Mallory ; 
1874, S. D. Woolsey; 187.">, Ira Pearce; 1870, Daniel B. Mallory; 
1877. Chailes Northnip; 1.S78, Alhert Barnes; 187'J, Georgo A. 
Barnes; 1S!:0, William W. Hoag. 

MILITARY RECORD. 

riP.ST ItEGIME.VT CONSECTICUT VOLI'STEEIiS. 

Vompani/ A, 

Stnait, George, enl. Ain il 20, 1801 ; pro. to lienteiumt, l:'.th Inf. {'. S. \. 

FIRST ItEGIMENT AKTILLEUY CONNECTICUT VoLCNTEEKS. 

Ciinqmiiij D. 

Grace, Edi\ in, enl. Der. 7, 1804. 

Ciin'j'nn;/ K. 
Piatt, Cscar, eld. .\ng. l.'», 1802 ; pro. to second lieutenant; riiscli. Juno 

18, 18(;.-). 
Lake, David D., enl. Aug. 1.5, 1802; killed June 1, 18tH. 
Ette, Froil., enl. Aug. 15, 1802 ; must, out July 7, 1805. 
Etto, John, Old. Aug. IS, 1.802 ; must, out July 7, 180.5. 
Hodge. Eliziir A., enl. Aw^. 15. 1S02; must, out July 7. 180.5. 
Monroe, Erwin. enl. .\iig. 18, 1802 ; must, out July 14, 180;5. 
O'Connor, John, enl. Sei.t. 1, 1802 ; diseli. for disability. May IS, 1803. 

SECOND KEGIMENT AltTIl.LEKY CONNECTICIT VOLl'NTEEIiS. 

O'liipiniy K. 
Favreai e, Truman P., enl. Dec. 3(1, IStht ; jnust. out July "28, 18(;5, 
Han ingtoii, William, enl. Dec. 12, l.SC:t ; must, luit Aug. IS, 1805. 
Ilavilaud, Cliailes, enl. Dee. ;«1, 1803; died Nov. 1.5, 1804. 
Kelly, KoswaUl, enl. Der. ;10. 1803; must, out Aug. 18, 1805. 
Maloiiey, lUilisom L., enl. Doc. 'M, '80:i; must, out June 28, 18*;5. 
Piatt, Oliver P., enl. Doc. :il, 1303 ; must, out Aug. 21, 1805. 
Piatt, George, enl. Feh. 8, 18M ; disch. for disaldlity, M«n:h 8, 1805. 
Slatery, James, enl. Dee. 30, 18l>i; must, out Aug. 18, 1805. 

SIXTH REGI.MENT INFANTUY CONNECTICCT VOLINTEEK.S. 

CutlljNlHIJ 11. 

Iligg.s, Clark, enl. Sept. 12, 1801 ; le-enl. Jan. 4, 1804 ; must, out Aug, 21, 

1S05. 
Smith, John, enl. Oct. 21, 1-803 ; must, out Aug. 21, 1.S05. 



690 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Compuny G. 
O'firieu, Thoiniu, enl. Dec. T, 18G4. 

Company I. 
Ilodgo, CTiarlcs M., cnl. 8cpt. 0, 1801 ; rc^^nl. Dec. 24, 1803 ; died July 22, 

1KC4. 
Iludgo, Horace, enl. Sept. 5, ISGl ; died March. 2, 1802. 

EIGHTU BEGIMEST INFANTRY CONNECTICUT VOLUNTEERS. 

Company C. 
Sniitll, John, enl. Aug. 11, 1864; miiat. out Dec. 12, 18Go. 

Company F, 
Grair, Leon, enl. Aug. 11,1804: died Oct. 19, 1801. 

Oimpatiy SI. 
Hoyt, Edwin, cnl. Supt. %\, ISCl ; iliscli. Sept. 22, 1804, ot expiration of 

terai. 
Couk, Levi, enl. Sept. ^1, ISCl ; re-eul. Dec. 24, 1803 ; must, out Doc. 12, 

1865. 
Stuart, Robert, eul. Oct. 5, 1801 ■, trans, to Inv. Corps, Sept. 30, 1803. 

TENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY CONNECTICUT VOLUNTEERS. 

Company C. 
Greene, Edwin E., onl. Oct. 22, 1801 ; died Jan. 29, 1804. 
Smith, George, enl. Dec. 8, 1864. 

Company G. 
Moore, John, onl. Dec. 8, 1804. 
Mai-shall, James, cnl. Dec. 8, 1504. 

THIRTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY CONNECTICUT VOLUN- 
TEERS. 
Company Ji. 
Holdridge. David E., cor]'ornI; cnl. Dec. 22, 1801. 
Conger, AVilliam E., enl. Dec. 22, 1801. 

Gardiner, Franklin, cnl. Dec. 22, 1801 ; disch. for ilinuthility, June 27, 1802. 
Huugerford, Martin B., eul. Dec. 22, 1801 ; died Dec. 0, 1802. 

Company Jl. 
Congo, Ethel, enl. Dec. 22, 1801 ; re-cnihtcd ; mnat out April 20, 1800. 

SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY CONNECTICUT VOLUN- 
TEERS. 
Company I. 
Kelly, Nathan, enl. Aug. 13, 1802; disch. fur disahility, Jan. 3, lira. 

TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT INFANTRY CONNECTICUT VOL- 
UNTEERS. 

Company h. 
Hungerford, Levi, second lieutenant; com. Aug. 10, 1862; died Aug. 9, 

186.3. 
Hungerford. John, sergeant; enl. Aug. 9, 1802; di^li. Aug. 28, 1802. 
Dewel, Ik'iOaniin P., cor|H)ral ; enl. Sept. 2, 1862; disch. Aug. 28, 1802. 
Cary, Andrew, enl. Sept. 1, 1802 ; discli. Aug. 28, 1802. 
Curhili, George L., enl. Aug. 30, I8U2; diacll. Aug. 28, 1802. 
(.^•plier, Andrew (i., enl. Sept. 2, 1802 ; illnch. Aug. 28, 1802. 
Dail.v, Henry, cnl. Ang. 25, 1S02; dlu<l Slay 22, 1861. 
llawliy, Morris F., enl.. Sept. I, 1802; din.!!. Aug. 28, 1803. 
Honiniell, Jidin, eul. Aug. 18. 1802 ; disch. Aug. 28, 180X 
Ilongerfunl, Oliver 1"., enl. Aug. 2.'., 1862; died May 2H, 1803. 
Iloyt, Daniel, enl. Aug. 22, 1802; disch. Aug. 28, 180.1. 
Hatch, St'ynniur T., eul. Aug. 3.1, 1862; disch. Aug. 28, 1803. 
Maluney, Francis M., enl. Sept. 1, 1802 ; disch. Aug. 28, 1803. 
I'urdy, ThwKlure, enl. Aug. 30, 1802 ;. discli. Aug. 28, 1863. 
Stratum, Eliphulet W., enl. Sept. 0. 1862 ; Mte.\\. Aug. 28, 1803. 
Stuart, Julin C, enl. Ang. 25, 1862; disch. Aug. 28, l8G:t. 
Turner, Lyman, enl. Aug. 23, 1862; disch. .\ug. 28, 1803. 
WiikiMniin, William S , eul. Aug. 311, 1862; discli. Aug. 28, 1803. 
WhiU'. ¥A 1 II., .-nl. Aug. 30, 18*12; illscli. Aui:. 28. l.-0;l. 

Iliirlians, Julm II , lul. S.'pt. 6, 1862; dlwhnrgeil ; re-enl. July 23, 1803. 

Boyd, John, enl. Sept. in, 18«t. 

Ciiniiuiiigii, John. enl. Sept. 10, 180> ; disch. Aug. 28, 1863. 

Ciininiings. Jauuv, eul. SepL 2, 1802; disch. Ang. 28, 1863. 

Rtiot, Diivl I M.. enl. Sept. 9. 1802. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



JOHN 0. NORTHROP. 

John O. Nortlirop is of English and Scotch descent. 
His grandfuther, Thoniius Northrop, when qtiitc a 
young man, settled in the town of New Fairfield, 
now Sherman, Conn. 

He married Joanna Leach, of the same town, l)y 
whom he had seven children, — namely: David, 
Thomas, Joanna, Amos, Abigail, Isaac, and Abra- 
ham. The first son, David, and father of him whose 
name lieads this sketch, was born in Sherman in 17/)8. 
He became a prominent bu.siness man of his time.lieing 
extensively engaged in stock-dealing and farming. 
He held several local offices and was a liberal con- 
tributor to the church interests. He was twice mar- 
ried. His first wife was Rebecca, daughter of Nehe- 
miah Beardsley, Esq. She was of Scotch descent. They 
had three daughters, Sally, Joanna, and Rebecca. She 
dying, he married her sister Salina, who bore him si.\ 
sons, as follows : Nehemiah B., Thomas, David, E/.r.i 
G., Isaac, and John O., of whom Thomas and John 
O. only are now living (1880). John 0. was born 
June 27, 1804, in the town of Sherman, on the old 
homestead of the Northrop family. His education 
was obtained at the district and select schools of his 
county. 

On Sept. 2, 1829, he married Charlotte Giddings, 
of Sherman, who died Dec. 7, 1869, leaving two chil- 
dren, Sarah Eunice and John Edward, and in 
1870 he married Paulina, daughter of Deacon Hugh 
Gelston, of the same phice. Tlie daugliter, Sarali 
Eunice, married the Rev. J. B. Stoddard. They are 
living in Cheshire, Conn., and have two children, 
Lillie N. and Edward J. The son, John Edward, 
has been twice married. His first wife was Cornelia 
Bostwick, who died March, 1870, leaving one daugh- 
ter, Isabella Northrop. His .second wife is Elizabetli 
Pomstocfc, of Esse.x, Middlesex Co., Conn., wliere they 
arc now re.-iiding, he l)eing a member of Comstoek A: 
Choeney's Ivory JIanufacturing Company, of which 
he is secretary and treiusurer. 

Mr. John O. Nortlirop has followed the occupation 
of his father. He is a member of the Congregational 
Church, and has been clerk and treasurer of the same 
for more tlian tliirty years. 

In politics he is a Republican, though he hivs never 
sought office or taken a very active jiart in political 
atlairs. He is modest and univssuming in manners, 
and one of the leading representative men of his 
town. 



ALBERT BARNES. 
Albert Barnes is of English descent. His grand- 
father was Stei)hen Barnes, of Lyme, Conn., who was 
born in 17;U. He married Annie Phinney, by whcim 
he had nine children, — namely, Andrew, Jell'ersiin, 
Garrett, William, Morris, T.ibiatha, Sally, Lybartus 



i 




Mv^ (^ U'^CruiA 




I 




\,-. - . "r^^ 



. ^tZx^JSc 



ccyt'^^t^^ 



SHERMAN. 



691 



(or Lybartie), and Betsey, — all of whiiiu are now 
deeeasetl (18S0). He was a eonimissary during the 
Revolutionary war, and after the deelaration of peace 
was elected for several terms to the Legislature. He 
died in ISIO. Andrew, his first son, and the father 
of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1773. He 
married Polly, daughter of Jonathan Giddings, of 
Sherman, Conn. They had seven children, as fol- 
ows: Albert, Alfred, Samuel H.. Loretta, Mary, 
L.aura A., and Sarah. He moveil to Jlilford, Omn., 
in lS"i7, where he died .Jan. 3, 1858. 

Albert, whose name hea<ls this memoir, was born 
in the town of Slieniiaii, Fairfield Co., Conn., on 
August (!, b'^O."). His education was acquired at the 
district schools of his town. His occupation 1ms 
been stock-dealing and farming. In LS.'io he nmrried 
Catherine, daughter of Nathan au<l Irene (Downs) 
Gaylord. They have three sons, Andrew (i., (xeorge 
A., and Hiram S. 

Andrew G. was Ixirn Nov. ].'>, 1838. On .Tan. 1, 
lS(i7, he married Harriet, daughter of (Jregory See- 
ley, of Litchfield Co., Conn. They have one son, 
AUjert S. 

George A. was born in Sherman, ( 'onn., ]\Iarch 4, 
LS4L Dec. 13, 1871, he married Kuna L., daughter 
of Isr.ael and Abby (Ferris) Haviland, of Sherman. 
In 1878 he was elected to the Legislature for the 
Assembly of '79. He has been a nuMuber of the 
Board of Education several terms, and since 1878 one 
of the selectmen of his town. He is now living on 
the old home.stead and following the occupation of 
his father. 

Hiram S. married, Jan. 30, 1878, at Lawrence, 
Kan., Miss Nettie, daughter of David D. and Eliza 
(Gardener) Hoag. They are now residing at Minne- 
apolis, Kan. 

Mr. Allicrt Barnes was an " Old-Line " Wliig till 
the organization of the Republican party, since which 
time lie has afBliated with that, and in 1852 and 1878 
lie represented his town in the Legislature. He has 
held the offices of selectman and justice of the peace 
for several terms. 



THEODORE C. ROGERS. 

Theodore C. Rogers is a descenilant of Noah Rogers, 
who in 1(573 married Elizabeth, (laughter of Michael 
Taintor. They had six children. He died at Bran- 
ford, Conn., in 1725. 

His second son, .Tosiali, married Lydia, daughter 
of Thomas (ioodsell, of East Haven, Conn., by whom 
he ha<l si.\ children, as follows; Lydia, .Jonathan, 
Levi, Josiah, Jr., Thomas, and Mary. He was born 
in 1708, and died in 1783. 

Josiah, Jr., married Martha, daughter of Edward 
Frisbie, of Branford. They liad eleven cliildren, of 
whom the Rev. Medad Rogers, the great-grandfather 
of the subject of this memoir, was the tenth. He was 
born at Branford, Conu., in 1750, and in 1777 gradu- 



ated at Yale College. In 1787 he married Rachel, 
daughter of Gamamcil Baldwin, Es(|., who bore him 
four children. The first, Anizi, di<'d in infancy; the 
others were Flora, Louisa, and Amzi. He was a 
dev(mt Christian, and labored faithfully in the min- 
istry, in the town of New Fairfield, for nearly half a 
century. He died in 1824. 




Amzi was born in New Fairfield in 1703. In 1814 
he married Betsey, daughter of Samuel T. Barnum, of 
the same town, by whom he had seven children : 
David B., Samuel T., Theodore D., Ann E., Emily L., 
Harriet A., and Rachel L. He was a iirominent and 
very jiopular man among his townsmen. He took a 
great interest in military affairs, and was colonel of 
the State militia for many years. He and his wife 
both lived to the age of eighty-six years. The chil- 
dren are now (1880) all living. He died May 21, 
1880. His wife die<l June 5, 18,S(I. 

David B. was born in 1S15, and in 1840 marrieil 
Sarah B., (laughter of .Mvah Trowbridge, Escj., of 
South East, I'utnam Co., N. Y. They had eight 
children, three of whom died in infancy. Those liv- 
ing are Charlotte E., Candine C., Flora L., Theodore 
C, and Amzi T. 

Theodore C. was born on .July 11!, 1852, at New 
Fairfield. In 187!) he married Carrie E., daughter of 
Stephen E. Briggs, Esq., of Sherman, who is a son of 
Abraham Briggs, and married Nancy, daughter of 
Xehemiah Stuart. They have had three children, — 
Walter, John, and Carrie E., the latter of whom only 



692 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNF/TirUT. 



is now livin<r. He is one of the most successful far- 
mers in tlie town of Sherman, wlierc lie now resides, 
on his beautiful homestead, near Sherman Centre. 
The Brijrss family belong to the Society of Friends. 

Mr. Rogers is a staunch Republican and an uncom- 
promisini; advocate of temi)crance, not only to the 
proliibition of the sale and use of spirituous liquors, 
but also tliat of tobacco in any form. He is an active 
member of the Congregational Church, and holds the 
office of deacon of the same. He possesses some lit- 
erary proclivities, and is an occjvsional contributor of 
local news items to the press. 



CHAPTER LXVIII. 

STAMFORD. 

Ceograpliical— Topograpliical— Tho Kirat Settlomont in 1C40— OrdiT | 
uuder wliich SettK>niont was inndo — First .\ssigiimeiit of Laiitls — Firat 
romiancnt Soltlfra— Hioiiet'ra from IWO to 1775— First Grist-Mill— 
The I'crflcl}' of the Dutili Trailora— Tlie UiidorliiU Massacre— Stamford 
Id 1085 — Indian Deeds, etc.- Dood of 1045 — Report toGenonil C»nirt of 
Deed of 1645 — Agreement of Poniis and Onax, IGS'i — Agreement witli 
Tupltauco and Penalmy, 10G7 — The Stamford Patent. 

This town lies in the soutlnvestern part of the j 
county, and is bounded as follows: On the north by i 
Westchester Co., N. Y. ; on the east by New Canaan 
and Darien ; on the south by Long Island Sound ; and j 
on the west by Greenwich. 

The surface of the town is undulating, and the soil 
is a fertile gravelly loam. The same holds true to- 
day as written by Barber in 1836 : " Tliis is a pleasant 
and fertile townshi]), rich in the resources of agricul- 
tural opulence, abounding in the means of subsist- 
ence, with the advantages of a ready and convenient 
market." 

THE FIRST SETTLEMENT. 

The first movement towards the settlement of this 
town was made in the early part of tlie year l(i40 by 
a number of .sturdy pioneers from Wcthersfield, who, 
liaving become dissatisfied with certain rules and reg- 
ulations governing that parish, decided to seek a peace- 
ful retreat elsewhere, and under the leadership of Rev, 
5Ir. I)avenp(jrt, of honored memory, wiio had been 
their champion in the distiensions at Wetiiersfield, re- 
solved to locate farther inland, and in tlie following 
year, leaving their old home, pursued their course 
westward, and settled where now is located the borough 
of Stamford, then in the New Haven jurisdiction. 

The following is a copy of the order under which 
the settlement wiis made : 

" irA^TrtM, Andrew Ward and Iloliort C«»o of Wethor^tfleld woro dopnted 
by Wetlientlleld men the ^nU of the Mh month, <x>mmonly coIUhI Oclo- 
iMir, MAO, to treat at Now llavon, aUmt tlie plantation lately purchased 
l>y luUd town cnlled To<|iialns, which l>elnR c«ini*iderod of it was a^e«d 
ujMin hy the said court and Justices afon^«nld that they shall have the 
said plantation upon the toAla following, tlr^t, that they shall rep«y 
unto the luiiti town of New Haven all the chartfes which they have dla* 
hursod atfiul it. which conuu to thirty-threo pounds ha ajt]H--an l>y a note 
or schedule lieniuto annexed ; secondly, that they ruscrve a Afth part of 



said plantation to be di^jiosed of at the appointment of this court to sucli 
desimbie persons a& may bo expected, or as God shall send hither, pro- 
vider! that if williin one whole year such persjus do not come to fill »p 
those lots so reserved that then it shall l>e free for the said pojple to 
nominate and pre^ient to ttiis court B>nio persins of their own clioit:o 
wliich may till up sonic of those ]oU so rc"«yrve 1 if this court approve of 
them; tliinlly, that they join in all pJtnt^ with tills plantition in the 
form of povernnient here seltiod, according to agreement betwixt this 
court and Mr. Samuel Eaton about the plantation of Totokett. These 
articles being read together with Mr. Samuel Eaton's agreement in the 
hearing of tlie said parties or deputies, it was accepteil by them and in 
witness thereof they subscribed their names to tlie articles in the face 
of the court." 

It is evident that the dissatisfied body of persons 
from Wethersfield were thoroughly in earnest in the 
determination to make a settlement here, for the first 
records in the old town book show that each man 
who signed the compact to remove hither was to 
begin and prosecute the design of a plantation " under 
paine of forfiture of 5 lb a man." As an interesting 
relic of that period the entire record, of which the 
above is an extract, is inserted. 

'* 1G40-41. A town l)o(ok of the) freuholdere of the towno (of Stam- 
ford OS it) was afterwards cuUotl, but uovv ItipiHiM-am conlayn(n,iii(g the 
acts) anil conclusions of the companie of WethcrsfTuld men, to {l>egiu a) 
removal thither this M'inter. And aliio their nrntit matteriull acta and 
agreements, touching the place how they came by it, theire rat(ea) and 
accounts, their divisions and grants of land, and records of every man's 
land, and passages of land fRim one to another. 

"First these men whose names are underwiitten have bound them 
s(elves) under the paine of forfiture of 5 lb a man to goe or sonde to 
Ripp(owaii) so begin and i^ecute the designe of n jilantation there by ye 
Kith o(f) may next, the rest, theire familyes thither by ye last of iiovem- 
bo;r) 12 months, viz. Ri Penton, ma mitchell, Tliiir Rainor, Robt. Coe. 
.\nd WunI, Ri Gildenileue, Edni Wood, Jo Wood, .ler Wood, Sam Clark, 
Tho Weekcs, John Wood H, Jer Jagger. .1 .lisopp, JoSciunan, Sam Sher- 
man, Hen Smith, Vincint Simkins, Pan Finch, Jo Northend, 20. 

" And whereas the jiurchase of the place and vewing of it first maydo 
by our friends of new hauen ond we stand indebted to them for it : it (is) 
ordered at the same time That 100 bushels of corno at 35 a biisbell be 
paid in towards it we raised and sent them as followcth, m(r) ma niitchel, 

fcu. p. 

Sergt. M M 14.3 

T. Reiner - 5..1 

Mr. Denton 4.1 

And. Ward 4.1 

Ra. Coe 4.1 

Ri. Gilderslouo 4.0 

Ri. Raw , 3.2 

Jo. Revnoulds 3.1 

Jc. Whitnioro 3 1 

Ro. Bates 3.1 

Ri. Crab - 3.1 

Sa. Sherman 3.1 

Jef. Firries 3.1 

Dan. Finch - 3.0 

J. Northend 2.3 

Ji.nas Wood, U ...^ _ 23 

Eilni. Wiod 2.i 

Jiin Wood „ 2.2 

Sam. Clarke 2.2 

Fm. Bell 2.2 

Jer. Jaggar 2.2 

Jo. Notor M. M 2.1 

Tho. We eks) 2.2 

Jer. (Wo.1.1) 2.1 

Th(o Morohouae) 2.1 

(Ro Fisher) 2.0 

(J... Jiasop^ „ 2.0 

illen. Sniith) 1.3 
Vliiclntl 1.1 
o. Seaman .'. 1 3 

lOO.O 

The following is a highly interesting record, show- 
ing, as it does, the first as,signment of lands and the 
names of the first permanent settlers of ,'>tamfi)rd: 

" Al»o this Is to bo noted that in a (Vill meeting of its comi>iiny there 
was lutouding to come hither tho «am« spring thot wo came, many of 



STAMFORD. 



693 



those twenty-eight men aforementioned and John Jisop were severally I 
considered of, and wliat qnantity of land was meet for every man deter- I 
mined of, the man under consideration aljsenting Iiimself while his ease j 
was in Iiand, and so successively ; atid when lie w:is called in aKain and 
demanded if so much gave him content, and so contentment and satis- I 
faction was by every one of these men acknowledged; and they set ! 
down these numbers of acres of inarch and upland alter the same pro- 
portion as followeth : 

Math Mitchell 28 

Tlnirston Kainer ai 

Mr. Denton 14 

And Ward 14 

Ko. Coo 14 

Ri. Gildei-sleue V-i 

It. Uw n 

Jo. Uenoulds U 

Jo. Whitmorc 10 

Ki. Crab 10 

Jeff. Firrics 10 

Ko. Bates 10 

Sam. Sherman 10 

Han. i'inch 00 

Jonas Wood II OS 

Jo. Northend , OS 

Jer. Jatrger 117 

Edm. W.iod 07 

John Wood, U 07 

fi.-im. Clark 07 

Fra. Bell 07 

Tho. Maiiihall 07 

Jer. Wood C> 

Th.is. Weeks G 

Jo. Seaman (i 

Ito. Kisher 5 

Jo. Jissop 5 

Hen. Smith 3 

Viucint, 3 

270 
During the following sea.son the little .settlement 
was gladdened by the arrival of others anxious to 
rear their homes in these fertile lands, as the follow- 
ing records show : 

" And in town meeting, Dec. 7, was there granted, besides house lots 
as other men had, Tho. Armitage, ten acres ; Jo. Ogden, ten acres ; Wm. 
Mayd, (Mead), five acres ; with woodland as cliosible as those above. 

" Also to these men, besides, house lots as otlnjrs, (Jtdi)n Stevens, Tho. 
Pop, Tho. Hyoute, lieu. Akerly, Jo. Smith, senr., Jo. Snuth, .jun., (John 
Ro)ckwell, Jam. I'yne, Dan. ScoHcld, ^t Jo. Cue ; every of them two acres 
(home lot) and three acres woodland in the titdd now to be inclosed." 

" (Oc)t<>ber 1042, in a general town meeting was given these, foil ow- 
ing) these lots as other men, marsh A woodland, vi/, : ( Jine, Jo. 
Underliill, eight acres ; to Kol'crt Ilustico seven acres; ( ) acres; 
Jo. Miller, live acres, to Jo, Finch, si.\ acres ; ( )ree acres ; & to 
every of tlieni woodland after the same pro(p(Ution, .t to Wiltilam New- 
man two acres marsh & three acres \voodlaud. 

"( )ember 1042, was granted these men every nuui (a house lot .i) 
land in the field to be inclosed, vi/. : Jo. Lum, Jam. Sw(ead), ( ), 

Symon Sciring, A to Jonas Weeile a house and (pn-stine htn)<i in the field 
to bo inclosed. ( ) rierson, Jo. Town(! A Wni. tJraves have had 

every one (a house lot) A Tho. Slawson house lot and three acres in the 
field ( ) and eight men are freeholders as above." 

EARLY SETTI.EIIS. 
Henry Aekiey received Dec. 7, 1(541, two acres, 
home-lot, and three acres of woodland. Savage makes 
him at New Haven in 1040. The colony records 
mention him tliere as rebuked for "building a cellar 
and selling it without leave" in April of that year. 

Thomas Arniitage received ten acres of land, De- 
cember, 1()41. According to Bavage, he belonged to 
Lynn, Mass. He came from Bristol, England, in 
1635, in the ship "James," with the Rev. Richard 
Mather and others, and removed in 1(;87 to Sand- 
wich, Miuss., whence he came to Stamford as above, 
lu 1647 he appears on the list of Hempstead settlers. 
Robert Rates came from Wethersfield with the first 
colony, and is on the list of the thirty who paid one 



hundred bushels of corn to the New Haven "friends," 
who had surveyed and transferred tlie territory to 
them. His lot in Wethersfield, which was thirty and 
a third rods in width, containing one hundred and 
eighty-two acres, was sold in 1641 to William (iib- 
bons. His death is recorded, at Stamford, June 11, 
1675. His will, probated Nov. 1, 1675, makes be- 
quests to his son John, his tlaughter jMary Ambler, 
and son-in-law John Cross. He bequeathed certain 
negroes, who are to be made free at forty years of age. 
Francis Rell is on the list of the twenty-nine set- 
tlers who were assigned land in 1640, when he re- 
ceived seven acres. As his name does not appear on 
the Wethersfield records with the other Stamford 
settlers, it is probable he was still quite young. He 
became prominent here, and has been fully rep- 
resented in every generation since in descendants 
both of his own and of other names. His wife Re- 
becca died here in 1684, and he Jan. 8, 1690. His 
son Jonathan was the first child born in the town, 
and his birth was in 1041. Mrs. Bell's clothes, of 
which the inventory is on record, Book 1, page 12, 
were by the husband's order divided equally between 
the two daughters, Rebecca Tuttle and Mary Hoyt. 
Tlie inventory of Lieut. ]'"rancis Rell, dated January, 
1689, is found on page 116, of first book of records, 
amounting to three hundred and .seventeen pounds 
twelve shillings. His will, on record at Fairfield, 
dated 3, 24, 1(;S9, makes becjuests to his son Jona- 
than, grandson Jonatlian, Mary Hoyt, granddaughter 
Hannah, and " granddaughter Rebecca, whom he had 
brought up," and to his daughter Tuttle's four sons, 
— Jonathan, Simon, William, and Nathaniel. 

Samuel Clark came with the company i'rom Weth- 
ersfielil, and is on each of the first three lists made at 
the time of the settlement. He received seven acres 
of land. Savage supposes he was at Milfonl in 1669, 
thenee removing to Hempstead, L. I.; that he mar- 
ried Hannah, daughter of Rev. Robert Fordham,and 
was living in New Haven in 1685. 

John Coc, son of Robert, received, Dee. 7, 1641, two 
acres, house-lot, and three acres woodland. He was 
born in England, Norfolk Co., in 1022, and he came 
with his father to W;ttertown, thence to Wethersfield, 
and thence to Stamford. 

Robert Coe was born in Norfolk Co., England, in 
1596, and came in the " Francis" to Watertown, JIass., 
in 1634. He was admitted freeman at Boston, Se|)t. 
3, 1634, and is enrolled among the settlers of Water- 
town the same year. He brought with him liis wife 
Ann, aged thirty-three years, and three cliildren : 
John, aged eight years ; Robert, agc<l seven ; and 
Benjamin, aged five. In 1035 he went to Wethers- 
field, where he remained until the settlement of Stam- 
ford. While here he represented the town in the 
General C(mrt of New Haven. He was the deputy 
from the town to tluMieneral Court of Connecticut in 
1656, and was sherilf of the county from 1609 to 
1072. 



694 



HlSTOHr OF FAIRFIELD COUNTS, CONNECTICUT. 



Richard Crabb. — His name first appears on the roll 
of the general meeting of the freemen, at Hartford, 
for the election of magistrates, Jan. 16, 1639; and 
April 9, 1640, he is present as deputy, and must have 
been a man of some note. He ciune to iStainford with 
the company from Wethersfield, and is on the list of 
those who paid tlie hundred bushels of corn to the 
New Haven colony, and of those to whom the first 
assignment of land was made. He received ten acres. 
His land must have been assigned him west of the 
present limits of the town, as he is s])oken of subse- 
quently in the records as belonging to (Jreenwich. 

Rev. Itiehard Denton came with his jiarishioners 
from Wethersfield. His name heads the first list of 
the new colony, and stands third on the list of those 
who paid for surveying tlie tract. He received four- 
teen acres, only two of the settlers exceeding him in 
the assignment of land. 

Jeftrey Ferris, made freeman in Boston in 1635, 
came with the first settlers, is on the list of those who 
paid for the survey, and received ten acres at the first 
assignment of land. Savage says he was from Water- 
town, Mass., where he was made freeman, probably 
May 6, 163."), whence he came to Wethersfield. He 
sold his lot in Wethersfield, of forty-five acres, to John 
Doming. He came with the first eohmy from Weth- 
ersfield, and in 1656 is one of the eleven Greenwich 
men who petitioned to be accepted under the New 
Haven jurisdiction. His will, found on the Probate 
records at Fairfield, is dated Jan. 6, 1664. He wills 
to the four boys he brought up ten pounds sterling 
apiece if they live with any of his children until they 
are eighteen years old, the money then to be put out 
for them until they are twenty years of age. His will 
names also his wife Judy, son James, son Jonathan 
Lockwood, and Mary Lockwood, son Peter's three 
children, and son Jo.soph's two. Judy Bowers, his 
widow, receipts for her widow's portion, March 6, 
1667. His marriage contract with his wife Susannah, 
widow of Robert Lockwood, of date May 28, 1661, 
pledges certain legacies to the children of Robert 
Lockwood, deceased, and mortgages liis Greenwich 
lands and " housings." He died in 1666. The name 
Ferris is from Leicestershire, house of Feriors, tVom 
Henry, son of (iualelielme ile Feriers, to whom Wil- 
liam the Con(|ueror gave large grants of land in the 
three shires of Staflbrd, Derby, and Leicester. 

Tradition invests the emigration of this family to 
this country with the hues of romantic adventure, — 
the ancestress, high born, following her i)lebeian lover 
out into this Western world, to share with him here 
the fortunes which English aristocracy would not 
allow there. 

Daniel Finch, made freeman in Boston, 1631, ami 
enrolled same year among Watcrtown settlers. In 
1636, he was constable in Wethersfield, whence he 
came with the Stamford settlers, 1641, and is on each 
of the three first liata of the colony. He received 
nine acres in the first distribution of land. Savage 



1 



supposes he was from Watcrtown, Mass., and that he 
came in the fleet with (Jovernor Winthrop ; that he 
was made freeman May 18, 1631 ; that he went to 
Wethersfield in 16.35 or 1636, where he was constable 
in the latter year. He also makes him remove in 
1653 to Fairfii'W, where he married, Dee. 25, 1657, 
Elizabeth, widow of John Thompson, and died March, 
1667. His marriage agreement with Elizabeth Thomp- 
son is on the Probate records*^t Fairfield. 

John Finch is as-signed by the town in October, 
1642, six acres, with marsh and upland, as the other 
men. He died here in 1G57. He s<»ld his hou.se and 
home-lot in 1()53 to Richard Ambler. 

Robert Fisher was here early, if not with the first 
colony. He had land assigned him by the town, as 
appears from the testimony of Thomas Morehouse, 
March 17, 1649, in which he says that John Whit- 
more sold to his son John the land which was Robert 
Fisher's by gift of the town. 

Robert Gildersleeve came with the first company 
from Wethersfield, and is on each of the first three 
lists of settlers. He received, in the first distribution 
of land, thirteen acres. While here he was a rep- 
resentative from the town in the General Court at 
New Haven. 

William Graves received a house-lot in the distri- 
bution of November, 1642. 

John Holly was here, as present records show, as 
early as 1647. William H. Holly, Esq., copied from 
the records several years ago the birth of John, son of 
John Holly, in October, 1642, which would suggest that 
the family may have been here even as early. He 
l)Hrcha.sed land on the 26th of 12tli month, 1647, of 
William Newman, and from that date his ]>urchases 
of real estate arc numerous. He was a noted man, 
and much in the public service. In 1679 he gave his 
house and lot to his son Samuel, and land to his son 
John, reserving to himself and wife half the fruit of 
the orchard. He also gave land at the same date to 
his son Increase. In his will, on record at Fairfield, 
his legatees are his wife Mary, and his children John, 
Samuel, Increa.se, Elisha, Jonathan, Elizabeth Tur- 
ney, Bethia Weed, Hannah Hoyt, and .\bigail. 

Thomas Hoyt, or Hyatt, rcceivcil three acres of 
woodland. This name was spelled very variously on 
the records, — Hoyette, Hyat, Hyot, Hioute, Hout, 
Hoyt, Hoight, Hayt, Hiat, Hoit, and Hoyte. Thomas 
"Hyat" died here in 1651. I suppose him and 
Simon to be the ancestors of the Stamford Hoyts. 
The inventory of his estate was rendered in court in 
1()62, amounting to £132 2«. 3(/. The c(mrt gave to 
the widow her third, and made Cornelius Jones ad- 
ministrator, to divide the rest among the six children. 
The administrator wivs so well pleased with the case 
as to take for his wife the widow Elizal)eth,and their 
marriage is on record, 1. 8. 1657. The children are 
recorded as giving receipts to their father-in-law Cor- 
nelius Jones, as follows: Caleb, Dec-. 23, 16()1 ; Ruth, 
then become Mrs. John Wescot, Feb. 9, 1667 ; Re- 



STAMFOKD. 



695 



becca, 13. 8. 1(574, fur twelve itounds eleven shillings 
seven penee ; Thomas, 21. 8. 1(J74, a like sura; and 
Deborah give.s similar reeeijits, 30. 9. lG(i9. These 
reeei[)ts are for their several jiortions of their father, 
Thomas " Hiat's" estate. John " Hiat," of " Younk- 
ers," N. Y., gives receiiit, July (i, 1089, fur twenty 
pounds, current pay, to the said Cornelius Jones, his 
father-in-law. After careful collation of names I am 
unable to distinguish among the settlers the two 
family names Hoyt and Hyatt. Within twenty-five 
years of the settlement I find these dirt'erent ways of 
spelling the same name. (!)u pages 113 and 114, 
Records No. 1, the estates of l)oth Thomas Hyatt and 
Simon Hoyette are receipteil for by the heirs of both. 
In these receipts we have the following different spell- 
ings: Hoyt, 1(562 ; Hiat, 1(!C9 ; Hoyte, l(3tU ; and the 
promiscuous entry of the.se receipts for the two es- 
tates would seem to indicate that they belonged to 
the same family. Joshua, son of Simon, spells his 
name Hyot. When the name became settled in its 
two leading forms, Hoyt and Hyatt, as distinct family 
names, I hardly think the records will show. 

Simon Hoyt was prol)al)l3' here with the first set- 
tlers. I take the liberty of entering his name in one 
of the places whose name has been cfl'aced by time. 
He died here in l(>">7,aiid his name occurs quite often 
on the records of the town. The inventory of his es- 
tate is on record, dated Oct. 9, 1(>07, and amounting 
to two hundred and twenty-five p(ninds. After his 
death his widow Susanna, it ajipears, married a Bates. 
His children, as indicated by receipts given for their 
portions of their father's estate, were Joshua, Moses 
of Westchester, John, Samuel, Benjamin, Mrs. Sanuiel 
Finch, and Mrs. Samuel Firman. In the distribution 
of the estate of their mother, then Susanna Bates, 
Feb. 1, 1()74, besides the above names, ai)peared also 
that of Thomas Lyon, wlio probably had married one 
of her daughters. 

Robert Husted was one of the comjiany wlio re- 
ceived land in October, 1()42. He had come from 
Mount Wollaston, now Braintree, Mass. He is prob- 
ably the father of that Roliert Ilustis who, according 
to Bolton's Westchester, went from Fairfield to West- 
chester in 1(J54. His will, dated .hily 8, l(ir)2, makes 
bequests to his son Angel of all his lands in (.ireen- 
wich, with housings; to his son Rolxrt all his hinds 
in Stamford, with cattle and housings; to his wile a 
maintenance and other bequests ; and to his daugliter 
Ann, ten pounds. In 1()04 his widow, Flizabeth, by 
will makes liequests to her son Angel, of (irecnwich ; 
to Robert, of Stamford, and to her daugliter Ann, the 
wife of Richard Hardy. In the will of Robert the 
name is Husted, and in that of the widow the name 
is written Hustis, and both are eijually distinct, and 
that they refer to the same family is also as clear as 
the form of the name. The names of the children 
are also changed from Husted to Hustis, though in 
the second will the name is spelled both Hustes and 
Hustis. 



Jeremy Jagger came with the first comi)any from 
Wethersfield, and is on each of the first three lists of 
the colony. He received, in the first distribution of 
land, three acres. 

■lohn Jessup canii? with the first colony from 'W'eth- 
ersfield, and is on each of the first three lists of the 
colony. He received, in the first distribution of lands, 
five acres. In 1()G4 he rejjresented Westcliester in the 
Connecticut Assend)ly. His name is spelled on our 
records, Gesseppe, Giseppe, Gesoppe, Gishop. 

Richard Law came with the first settlers from 
Wethersfield, is on the second and third lists of the 
settlers, and received, at the first assignment of land, 
eleven acres. He married Margaret, daughter of 
Thomas and Frances Kilborn, of Wethersfield, who 
was born in 1()12. 

John Lum was here in 1(142, and received a house- 
lot in the distribution of that date. 

William Maydc (Mead) receiveil, Dec. 7, 1(141, five 
acres, house-lot, with woodlaml. The wife and son of 
William Mead died here in l(>'i8. 

John Miller received from the town, in October, 
1G42, five acres, house-lot, and marsh and ujdand, as 
the other men. This name is on Chapin's list of the 
Wethersfield colony, where he was in l(i30. He died 
soon after coming to Stamford, in 1G42, leaving three 
sons. 

Matthew Mitchell came with the settlers from 
Wethersfield. His name stands next, on the first list 
of the colony, to the minister's, and heads both the' 
next two lists. He paid about thi;ee times as much 
as any other of the settlers towards the survey of the 
land, and received twenty-eight acres in the first dis- 
tribution of the land. 

Tlnsmas Morciiouse is on the list of those who 
shared in the first distribution of land, and received 
seven acres. In 1(J49 he was here, as appears from 
his testimony in court. Savage makes him in Fair- 
field in KJoS. His will and inventory are on the 
Fairfield records, Sept. 11, 1().'J8. His wife Isabel is 
mentioned in the will, and children, Hannah, Samuel, 
and Thonuis, the hist of wdiom w'as to be paid his por- 
tion in four years; Mary in five years; and so each 
child one year later; and if any of them die before 
seventeen, their jiart to be divided, if iinmarried. 

William Newnum hath assigned to him by the 
town, in October, 1(142, two acres marsh and three 
acres woodlaJid. In 1(559 complaints having been 
made to tlie court in New Haven respecling the 
"sizes of shoes,"tlie court, liearing that William New- 
man had an instrument which he luid brought from 
England, wliicli"was thought to Ix- riglit to deter- 
mine this question, did order that Ihc said instrument 
should be jirocured and sent to New Haven, to be 
made a 'Standard,' which shall be the rule between 
buyer and seller, to which it is required that all sizes 
be conformed." Mr. Newman was evidently a man 
of note in the young colony, and once represented the 
town in the tieucral Court. 



696 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Jolin Northend came with the colony from AVethers- 
fiekl, and is on eacli of tlic first three listjs of the set- 
tlers. He received in the first distribution of the 
land eight acres. 

John Ogden received, Doc. 7, ]<)41, ten acres, house- 
lot, with woodland, like the first company. In 1642 
he agreed with (iovernor Kieft, of New York, to build 
a stone church for twenty-five liuiidrod guilders. In 
1644 he was a patentee of Hempstead L. I. 

Richard Ogden, brother of the above, went to Fair- 
field, where he became a man of note. 

Pierson received, in the distribution of No- 
vember, 1642, a house-lot. The Christian name is 
obliterated, but that of Henry is given to the I'earson 
who emigrute<l with Mr. Denton in 1644. A Jacob 
Pearson (Pierson) was landholder in 1661. 

Thomas Pop received, Dec. 7, 1641, a house-lot, 
with woodland, the .same as the first company. This 
name should probably be Pope, and he probably 
went soon after the colony settled here over to Hemp- 
stead. 

James Pyne received, Dec. 7, 1641, two acres, house- 
lot, and woodland, the same as the first company. He 
went to Hempstead, L. I., and was accepted as free- 
man from that town of the Connecticut colony in 
1664. 

Thurston Kaynor came with the first company from 
Wetliersfield. His name on each of the first three 
lists stands next to Matthew Mitchell. In the first 
distribution of lands he received twenty acres. He 
sold his lot in Wetliersfield, which contained three 
hundred and thirty acres, to Richard Treat. On 
reaching Stamford he was appointed to the New 
Haven court with senatorial honors. Tliis distinc- 
tion places him among the foremost of our pioneers. 
From Stamford he went to Southampton, L. I., where 
he Wius held in honor. 

John Renoulds appears on the list of the settlers of 
Wethersfield, from which place he |)robably came 
with the first settlers of Stamford. His name is on 
the second and third lists of the colonists. He re- 
ceived, in the first allotment of land, eleven acres. 

John Rockwell received, Dec. 7, 1641, two acres, 
home-lot, and woodland, as the first comjiany. 

Daniel Scoficld received, Dec. 7, 1641, two acres, 
home-lot, and woodland, as the first company. He 
died in 1671. His children were Daniel, John, Rich- 
ard, Joseph, Sarah, the wife of John Pettit, and Mary. 
His widow Mary became the third wife of Miles Mer- 
win. Tlie son Joseph sutl'ered so much from hard- 
ships in King Philip's war as to lose his life in 1676, 
giving his estate to his brothers and sisters. His will, 
dated Sept. 4, 1664, gives to his wife one-third the es- 
tate, with use of the house for her lifetime ; to his 
daughter Sarah, five pounds; and to her two children, 
five pounds ; and to the other four children, Daniel, 
John, Jo.seph, and Mercy, the rest of the estate. His 
wife and two of the sons, Daniel and John, were 
made executors. 



John Seaman came with the first comjjany from 
Wethersfield. His name is on each of the first three 
lista of the colony, and he received in the first distri- 
bution of land three acres. 

Simon Seiring appears on the records, in 1642, as 
landholder, where his name is spelled Cymon. He is 
reported on the list of those who went, in 1644, with 
Mr. Denton to Hempstead, L. I. 

Samuel Sherman came with the first settlers from 
Wethersfield. His name appears on each of the first 
three lists of the new colony, and he received, in the 
first distribution of land, ten acres. He was assistant 
in the New Haven court in 1662, and his reappoint- 
ment for the next two years. He was also sent to the 
General Court of Connecticut, after the union of 
the town colonies, in 1665. In his sale of house 
and land, in 1654, he is said to be " now living in 
Stratford." In leaving Stamford he probably took 
every member of his family, as the name does not 
subsequently occur on our records. The descendants 
of this pioneer of Stamford have numbered many 
very eminent men, among whom are John Sherman, 
the present Secretary of the Treasury, and Gen. Wm. 
T. Sherman. 

Vincent Simkins came with the first company from 
Wethersfield. 

George Slauson came probably from Sandwich, 
Mass., with Thomas Armitage, in 1642. He appears 
in our account of the first church of the town as a lead- 
ing member, and he was also evidently a man of note in 
civil life. I suppose him to have been the representa- 
tive from the town in 1670. He had three children, as 
appears from his will, dated Dec. 16, 1694, — Eleazer, 
John, and a daughter who married John (Jould. He 
died Feb. 17, 1695. His son John married, in 1663, 
Sarah Tuttle, of New Haven, and had a son John 
born in 1664, and Jonathan in 1667. The wife of 
this .John w;i.s killed Nov. 17, 1676, by her brother, 
Benjamin Tuttle, who wjis executed for it the follow- 
ing June. He then married a second wife, Elizabeth 
Benedict, and had a daughter Mary and a son Thomas. 
He died in 1706. He wiis doubtless the ancestor of 
the present Slasou families in town. 

Thomas Slawson in November or December, 11)42, 
received a house-lot, and three acres " in the field," 
.besides. Savage says he did not stay long in Stam- 
ford. 

Henry Smith came with the first company from 
Wethersfield. His name is on each of the first three 
lists of the new colony, and in the first distribution 
of land he received three acres. Whence he came to 
Wethersfield is not known. He was i)romoted for 
freeman in 1670, and died in 1687. He had a son 
John, mentioned in his will, and a daughter Rebecca, 
who married, July 2, 1672, Edward Wilkinson, of 
Milford, and a daughter Hannah, who married a 
Lawrence. 

John Smith, Sr., received, Dec. 7, 1641, two acres, 
house-lot, and woodland, the same as the first com- 



i 



STAMFORD. 



697 



]>aiiy. He and his smi .Tiilin went to Henipsteail, L. I. 
John .Smith, Jr., received, Dec. 7, 1641, two acres, 
house-lot, and woodland, as the first company. In 
KiTo, .Tolin, Jr., in a deposition, ffives his age at sixty 
years, and says that while in Stamford he wa.s called 
Rock John Smith, for distinction. 

John Stevens received, Dec. 7, 1(J41, two acres, 
house-lot, and a woodland, as tlie firstcompauy. The 
descendants of this pioneer liave heen quite numerous. 

Samuel Swain, in Septendier, 1(142, is engaged to 
huild at the common charge of the townsmen a mill, 
as appears from a record of that date, and his name 
occur.3 later in the records. 

.Tames Swead received a house-lot in the distrihu- 
tion of November, 1G42. 

Jolm Towne received in the distriluition of Novem- 
ber, 1(;42, a house-lot. 

('apt. John Underbill h.ad assigned to him in Octo- 
ber, Ui42, house-lot, eight acre-;, and woodland, as 
the others. He was made a freenmn in Boston in 
10.31. 

Andrew AVard.— This name apjiears in the first 
record of the " Corte holden at Newtown. 20tli .V])ril, 
1636." He was one of the five worthies, who thus 
had in their hands the destinies of the in'\\ settle- 
ment at Newtown (Hartford), and so those of the 
State. The record states that he bad been dismissed 
from tlie church of Watertown, Mass., on the 2Sth 
of May last, and he with bis associates are authorized 
to renew the covenant. He continued a member of 
the court until September, 16:'.9. At the session held 
October, 1639, he is nominated by the court to be pre- 
sented for the vote of the county for nnigistrates in 
April next. In 1637 he is reported in the records of 
the General Court as collector of AVethersfield, and 
he doubtless came to Stamford with the AVetbersfield 
settlers. His name is on each of the first three lists 
of the pioiu^ers, and during his life here he was a 
prominent man. He was chosen magistrate for tlie 
colony in 1646 to represent it in the higher branch 
of the New Haven court. His will, still found on 
record in Fairfield, bears date June 8, 16.')9, and 
makes be(iuests to his wife Esther, sou John, daughter 
Sarah, daughter Abigail, and his two youngest sons, 
Andrew and Samuel. It is stated also that his other 
children had received their portions. From this j)iii- 
neer of the town Iiave descended eminent names. 
Henry Ward Beechcr get-s his middle name from him, 
and bis daughter JIary was grandmother of Vice- 
President Aaron Burr. 

Jonas Weed came to Watertown in 1631, where he 
was made freeman, and thence to Stamford in 1642. 
He died here in 1676. His will, on record at Fair- 
field, dated Nov. 2(), 1672, makes his legatees his wife 
Mary, and his children John, Daniel, and Jonas; 
Mary, wife of George Abbott ; Dorcus, wife of James 
Wright; Samuel; John Koekwell for Elizabeth; 
Sarah; and Hannah, wife of Benjamin Hoyt. His 
admini.str.itnrs were his wife Jlary, and his sons 
4.j 



Daniel ami John. Tlie widow died in ](>90. His 
son Jolm married .Toanna, daughter of Kichard 
" Westeoat." The son ,Tonas married, Nov. li, 11)70, 
Bethia, daughter of .Tobn Holly, and to him the 
father gave, in li)71, the house where be was then 
living. The descendants of this .Tonas Weed have 
been very numerous here, and they have, also, always 
been among our prominent citizens. 

Thomas Weeks went from Wetherstield to Hadley 
and returned to Wethersfield, from which i)lace he 
probably came with the first company of settler-i to 
Stamford. His name is on the second and third lists 
of the colonists, and be reeeiveil, in the first distribu- 
tion of land, six acres. 

.lolm Whitniore came with the first company of 
settlers from Wethersfield. His name is on the second 
an<l third lists of the ecdonists, and he received, in 
the first <listributioii of land, ten acres. 

Jonas Wood, Sr., came with the first company of 
settlers from AVethersfield. His name is on each of 
the first three lists of the colonists, and he received, in 
tlie first <listribution of land, eight acres. He was 
among the settlers of Springfield in ll)36, from which 
]>Iaee he went to Wethersfield. In 164S he liring-i an 
action against Thomas Newton, <if Fairfield, when he 
is rejiorted as from Long Island. In !6-"i4 he was in 
Southampton, L. I., as appears from an action against 
him in the court of magistrates at New Haven. In 
that action he is called Hallifax Jonas by Richard 
Jlills, of Stamford, in his testimony. In 16.58, .lonas 
Wood (O) and Jonas Wood (H), both of Hunting- 
ton, L. I., agents for the inhabitants of the same, de- 
sire to join with this colony (New Haven). In May, 
1662, on the petition of Huntington, L. I., be is a])- 
pointed by the General Court in Hartford the first 
townsman and custom-master. He liecaine on Long 

' Island a man of some prominence. His name heads 
the li.st of those to wdiom the t(.iwn of Huntington 
was granted in KifiO. 

Jonas Wood, Jr., came with the first company of 

: settlers from Wethersfield. His name is on the second 
and third lists of the colonists. He received, in the 

; first distribution of land, seven acres. 

I Edmund Wood came with the first company of 
settlers from Wethersfield. His name is on each of 
the first three lists of the colonists. lie received, in 
the first distribution of land, seven acres. 

Jeremiah Wood came with the first company of 
settlers from Wetliersfield. His name is on caidi of 
the first three lists of the new colony. 

Francis Yates is on (Uiapin's list of the residents 

' of Wethersfield, between 1634 and 1673. He went to 

, Stamford, where he stayed until 1644, when he removed 
with Mr. Denton to Hempstead, L. I. 

The healthful climate and fertility of the s;)il soon 
attracted other settlers, and not nuudi time elapseil 
ere the little colony was rapidly being augmented by 
an enferiirising class of people. The following is a 
list of those wlio came in between the veurs 1()43 and 



638 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



the Ijrcakinj^ out of the Revolution: Joseph Arnold, 
Richard Ayres, Sr., Siimuel Haker, John Banks, John 
Beachgood, John Beldin, Matthew Bellamy, Samuel 
Blaekley, Joseph Blaekley, Josiali Blaoknian, Wil- 
liam Blaneliard, Israel Boardman, Richard I5ooloch, 
Kphraim Bostwick, Nathaniel Borden, ]{ichard Bou- 
t'jn. Daniel Brings, Samuel Brooker, Samuel Bryan, 
Richard Chester, Daniel Cliicliester, William Clem- 
ents, John Cluggstone, John Clock, Thonnvs Corey, 
Ciiry Conklin, James Crawford, Nathaniel Cross, 
Cornelius Curtiss, Francis D.in, Richard (Daniels) 
Daniel, John Davis, Rev. John Davenport, Cornelius 
Delavan, Peter Deniill, Anthony De Forest, .lohn 
Di.xon, Dr. Jolin Drew, .lohn Dufrees, .lolin Emery, 
John Fancher, Mary Fountain, Samuel Fountain, 
Eneas Fountain, Jeremiah Gager, Joseph Gale, Jere- 
miah Gaylor, John Gold, Capt. George Gorhani, 
Robert Harris, Benjamin Ilickox, Richard lliggin- 
bottom, AVilliam Hubbard, Samuel Hutton, John 
Ingersol, Samnel Jarvis, John Jefl'roy, Isaac Jointer, 
John Judson, William King, John Ketchum, Henry 
Kimball, Thomas Lawrence, John Leeds, John Lloyd, 

John Lewis, David Lines, John Longwell, Loder, 

John Marshall, Jonathan Maltby, Thomas Mathews, 
Nathaniel Miildh'brook, John Mott, Robert Nichols, 
Hugh Norton, .Vl)ner Gsborne, John Pardee, James 
I'arkerton, Robert Pelton, John Perry, Joseph Pardy, 
George Philip.^, Stephen Piatt, Nathaniel Pond, 
Thomas Potts, Andrew Powers, Josei)li Purdy, Samuel 
( Provost) Provorce, IsaacQuintard, Henry Rich, Zach- 
ariab Roberts, Samuel Richards, Thomas Skelding, 
David St. John, James Hait, .lonathan Selleck, John 
Selleck, John Stone, Charles Stuart, Joseph Stud- 
well, Christopher Sturges, William Sturdivant, John 
Thompson, Edward (Tryon) Tryhern, Charles Thorp, 
John Todd, Jr., Joseph Turney, James Walsh, John 
Water.', Daniel Weseott, John Wescott, Justus 
Wheeler, Joseph Whiting, James White, Nathaniel 
Wiatt, Benjamin Wlieaton, Dr. John Willson, Zophar 
Wilmot, Josejjh Wilmot, John Williamson, Gilbert 
Woolscy, Richard Ambler, Robert Almsley, Elias 
Bayly, Robert Basset, Rev. John Bishop, Peter 
Brown, Thomas Brown, Clement Baxton, John Chap- 
man, Thomas Colgrave, Stephen Chiyson, Thomas 
Caskrye, Samuel Dean, Peter Disbrow, John Elliott, 
John Ellison, Robert Fordham, Joseph CJarnsey, 
William Giflbrd, Richard Hardy, William Hill, 
Thomas Hunt, Henry Jack.son, Edward Jessup, 
Joseph Jone<, John Karman, Caleb Knapp, Joshua 
Knapi>, Edmund, .Tonatban, and Josc|)h I.,ockwood, 
John Martin, Richard Mills, David Mitcbel, Thonuis 
Morris, Daniel Newman, Thomas Newman, Henry 
O'.wicson, William Oliver, Robert Penoyer, John 
Petet, Debrow Petie, Potter AVilliams, G. Rivis, 
Robert Rugg, Richan) Seoficid, Thomas Sherwood, 
James Steward, George Stokey, Hunii)hrcy Symings, 
Charles Tumtor, Gregory Taylor, Nicholas Theale, 
Thomas I'ffit, Robert Meher, .lohn Waterbury, .Ir.. 
N. Webster. 



GIIIST-MILL. 
One of the greatest inconveniences usually met by 
the early settlers of any section is the want of mills 
for grinding grain. The pioneers of Stamford gave 
this matter their early attention, for as early as Sep- 
tember, 1G41, an order was pa.ssed for the erection of 
a mill at a common charge. It was promptly erected 
and " set agoing," but during the same year was sold 
to private parties. 

TUK PERFIDY OF THE DITCH TIIADKKS.— THE UX- 
DERUILL MASSACRE. 

The following concise statement of an affair which 
at one time wore a threatening aspect, endangering 
the very existence of the community, is from the pen 
of the late Rev. E. B. Huntington : 

" Some of the Dutch traders had stripped an In- 
dian, who had been tempted by them to drink too 
much, of a valuable dress of beaver skins. On re- 
covering from his drunken fit, the insulted red man 
revenged himself by killing two Dutchmen, and fled 
to feast his memory with tlie great revenge among a 
distant tribe. He could not be found. The Dutch 
governor at New Amsterdam, Kiefl, sought an oppor- 
tunity to punish the Indians for the revengeful deed. 
The next winter the Mohawks fell upon two of the 
Hudson River tribes, and after killing their warriors 
scattered the remnant in utter destitution to find food 
and shelter from the piercing cold among the Dutch 
on the South. The time for a civilized revenge had 
now come ; and at the instigation of Kicft, with the 
sanction of his counselors, more than a hundred of 
those helpless fugitives from their savage foe were 
sent from tlieir quiet sleep on earth to the spirit world 
of their race by a blow from the Dutdi soldiers so 
sudden that they could not even beg for life. 

" Then Indian blood was stirred. Savage vengeance 
awoke. With almost electric despatch Indian warrior 
pledged to Indian warrior, and clan to clan, the direst 
vengeance on their foe. ' More than fifteen hundred 
warriors,' according to De Forest, rallied from the 
confederacy of eleven clans to constitute this aveng- 
ing army. ' A fierce war blazed wherever a Dutch 
settlement was to be found ; on Long Island and on 
Manhattan, along the Connecticut and along tho 
Hudson.' From Manhattan to .Stamford the coast 
Wiis desolated, Dutch ami English alike atoning to 
the inexorable spirit of Indian revenge for the inju- 
ries that had been heaped upon the Indian's race. 

" Within hearing distance of the Stamford settle- 
ment* were three Dutch settlers who had excited tho 
wrath of the restless and brave Mayano. He nobly 
met them, armed ivs they were, with his bow and 
arrows, and brought two of them to the ground. The 
third only saved himself by a well-directed blow 
which laid the fearless savage at his feet ; and the 
daring of the fallen sachem had made the extermi- 
nation of his tribe a necessity to the safety of the 

• Dctwcpn Greenwich aud SxamTord.—O^OilLtgfian, 



STAMFORD. 



G99 



whites. A company of soldiiTs were inimeiliately 
dispatched to capture tlieiii. At Greenwich tlioy 
were directed liy ( 'apt. Patrick to the reiidezvou.s of 
the maddened Indians, lint on reaching it not a soul 
could be found. I'rocccdini; on into the Stamford 
settlement they find Patrick witli his own former 
comrade in arms, our Capt. John Underhill. Tlicy 
immediately suspect him of having given the Indians 
notice of their apjiroach. They taunt him with the 
treachery. 

"lie who had led liis trusty men so successfully 
against the bravest of the Xcw England savages 
could not brook such insolence from Dutchmen, even 
though in arms. He contcniptu<iusly sjiat in the face 
of their leader and turned to walk away. A pist(d- 
ball brought him to the ground in death, and the 
Dutchmen returned to the pursuit of their savage 
f<.e. 

"Underhill, who had been no friend to the Dutch 
settlers, now sympathi/.eil with their mortal hatred of 
the Indian enemy. He Iiail already signalized his 
bravery in the Pequod war. His was already a name 
of terror to Indians far and near; and to his presence 
our Stamford c(dony had doulith'ss owed their com- 
parative exemption thus far from savage invasions. 
It was no time for him to rest inactive when his 
friends and neighbors were exposed every Iiour to 
some sudden and relentless nmssacre. He offered hi.s 
services to the Dutch Governor, and was at once sent 
into the field. The troublesome Indians aljout Stam- 
ford were the first to feel his power. With one hun- 
dred and tliirty men he .started from New Amsterdam 
on a cold and cloudy morning in the February of 
ICi-ii. They wt're able to laud at Oreenwich Point 
that evening in a furious storm. With the early dawn 
of the next morning the resolute captain was again 
on the march. All day did tlie sturdy Dutch .soldiers, 
under their valiant leader, ]ilod their toilsome way 
through the snow until, at eight iu the evening, they 
had reached the viciidty of tlie hostile camp. Soon 
the clouds gave way, and a clear, bright moon, flash- 
ing from the snowy crystals, lighted their wa_y to their 
horrid work. By a little atlcr ten they filed round the 
southern spur of a ridge stretching towards the north- 
west, and the village, a triple range of wigwams, lay 
repo.sing before them, awaiting their attack. With 
marvelous celerity the captain circles the doomed 
village with his trusty men. \ow spring upon them, 
as hounds unleashed upiui their prey, the stalwart 
forms of more than a huudnvl warriors, all jirepared 
for their death gra|)pb' with the foe. Put neither 
their sudden rush, nor their wild war-cry, could in- 
timidate their as.sailants. Coolly they are received, a 
tenth of them captured, and the rest impetuously 
hurled back. For a whole lnjur the unrelenting 
struggle went on. A hundred and thirty men wrestled 
in mortal strife with more than five hundred of the 
enemy, and when the doomed Indians were at length 
driven back within their line- of defense, one hundred 



and eighty of their fallen comrades were alreaily still 
and stitfening in the blood-stained snow. Nor would 
they yet raise the flag of truce or cry for (piarter. 
Each undaunted spirit, left beneath such shelter as 
his own or his nei.ghbor's wigwam coidd .irive, con- 
tinued the fight. This was the oppdrtunity for which 
ITnderliill was jirepared. He called for fire. Torches 
lighted the wigwams. Indian men, women, and chil- 
dren, issuing from their burning homes, were <lriven 
back to i)erish in the fianu's. Before the morning 
dawned more than live hundred who, the night 
before, had gone to their usual rest, were now sU'cji- 
ing their last sleep with the unconscious deail. 

" By noon of the next day the victors had already 
reached Staniliird on their way home, havin,g in this 
signal chastisement of the Indians of this nei,ghbor- 
hood secured the peri)etual jieaee of the English set- 
tlements." 

r\DI.\\ DEEDP, Etc —THE STAMFORD PATENT, \GS:,. 
The following is a copy of the Indian deed which, 
iu consideration of "twi'lve coats, twelve lujwes, 
twelve hatchets, twelve glasses, twelve knives, fi)ur 
kettles, and four fiithoni of white wami)um," was con- 
veyecl, ,Tuly 1, KiiO, to Capt. Natluudel Turner for 
the New Haven jurisdiction the lands at Stamford: 

" Ciiiight nf Pom:.«, safianiitrt' of Toqiiaiiis, nnil of W'iistiis'iiu', Niiy.'iniino 
of Sliippaii, Ii.v liii^r, N'.'itliaiiif! Tiiiikt. of Qiu'iit'iriorki.', all llic iiioiuHls 
that ln'Iougs to liotli tliL' aliovi* saiil Kag.aiiiores.cxCL'iit a l>if.f nf ;;iouiirl^ 
whirh till- aliov<' said sagamore of Totiuani^ rosorw-il for lii.s ami the rest 
of taiil Imliaiis to plant on — all of wliiih grouials ht'iiij^ fxprrssCHl hy 
nn-aduws. iiplaml. t;ra-^>i, with the livfrs ami trt'cs; .iml in com^idoralioii 
licreof, I, till* sai'l XathaiMLd Turm-r, aniiu to give and biiii;;, or slmuI, to 
the ahove said s^igamores. within Ihi- space of one month, twelve eoatw, 
twelve howes, twelve hateliets, ti\ elve ghusses, twelve knives, fonr ket- 
tles, fonr fathom of white waiiipHiii: all of whi h lands hotlie we, the 
said sagamores, do promise laithlnlly to perform, I'otti for (ail^elves, 
heirs, e.xeeiUors, or .xssigns, .-irMl hereunto we have sett our marks iu 
the ])re8encc of niau,v of the sai<i Indians, they fully consenting thereto. 

, ,,... ( Willi oe Wu.ki s, 

'■ W itness, ' 

|.lAji;s . 




'Owr.voiir, Sa^ainori' Tonus" son. 



" pd in part payment 12 gljissep. 
12 kluves. 
I 114 coats. 

* This exceidion was probahly that h<-autiful headland now* owned 
mainly hy Capt. li. L. Waitc and the Sjolield l.rothers, .Allred and lii.n- 
janiiu. This tiaet, in l(i72, was given to the Kev. Kliphalet .tones, then 
just culled toiissist the Kev. Jlr. liishop. The terms of the gift lire: "Mr. 
.lones shall li.ave that ptdi-e of land at Wesjus whi.-h w;ls improved liy 
Ihe Kiigins in case it he cleai'ed from ;ill Knglish and Kngins, anil this 
land to lie Mr. Jones' proper ri,;;lit in Ine of Ih.-it inece of land granted to 
him lui the west si.le of tlie Southlield,'—//io, (././( n. 



TOO 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



DEED OF 16i5. 

Tlie dond of the eaistern part of the town, given in 
1G4-), is as follows: 

"Tlicsc presents testify tlmt T, Piaiuikiii, Siigimiuro of Kuatnii aud 
owner of all tlio Inml Ijcing betwi-i^n Fivenillt' river and Pinehrook so 
ciUh'il !►}■ tlio Kiiglisli, for ilivoree irusonB iiml consiJenitiuim have given 
and granted unto Andrew Ward and Kirhard Law of Stamford for tho 
nue and property of sayd town, from mo and ntyno to tlicni and tlioirs 
forever, all t^io above sayd lands lying between tho sd Fiveniile river 
and I'inebrook, cinictly to po83e,« and enjoy© in a full and fn>o manner 
uith all the privileges thereto belonging or aportaiiiing, na witness my 
hand tn Stanifonl thiij twenty-fourth day of March, anno one thonband 
^ix hundred forty aud live. 



' PlAMlKIX, 



liis 
mark. 



"Witness 
"Jehkmy .Tauiikr. 
"Georok Slai*on. 

" Wasasakv 



"Maiiailma 



' T0<JtATU8 



1 mark. 
^ n.,„U. 



hJ8 

mark.' 



REPORT TO GENERAL COURT OF DEED OF lG4o. 

" At n genenil court held at >'ew Ilavcn for yo jurisdiction June 0, IG54 
— Sevenil wiillngs recorded eoncerning tnnde in rinestion betwixt Stam- 
ford and Norwalk, wlii.'h u|ion the <h-sirc of Stamford Is ordered to bo 
reconled — this nmy certify that Piumikee, Sjigamoro did n]>on ye twenty- 
fourth of 3Iareli in ye year 1G45 make n deed of gift of nil ye land from 
that whUh i^tctimonly culled ye Pine bi-ook byyo Knglish and that which 
is called Five mile river or Rjwayton, where their planting land doth 
come very near unto ye add land, wiia hy a deed of gift nnide over unto 
Andrew ManI and Iti -hard Law ; which they did rct'eive for ye town of 
Slanifunl and at the same lime did give unto the -^aid Sagamore one coat 
in ye prefence of <!eorge Shi»>n and after yt three more with some qunn* 
tity of toltnin, and ye said Sagamort; did cuuflim ye same by setting his 
hand to n writing then made, ye said Sagamore uiM>n ye gift dbl except 
against setting house** because ye Kiiglish hoggs would be ready to spoil 
their corn, and yl ye cattle in case they c»»me over ye said Five uiilo 
river, to which it was gntnted, yt to inhabit we did nut intend, ami our 
rattle wo intended) tliey should have a keeper, and in case any hurts was 
done they should have sati!tfac(ion, yt this land as aforesaid was by the 
Niid Piiiniikt^-e in ve presence of other four or tivi* Indians resigned for 
ever lo ye Eiigliah, in witness whereof we have set to our hands, Slam- 
ford, flist month 4, 1G54. 

"Andrew Waro. 

*' Richard Law." 

AGREEMENT WITH PONTS AND OXAX, lft55. 

"Our agreement made with Poinis, Sagamon' uf Toqnnmske aud with 
Onnx hi^ eldest s^m : Allho^ there was an agreement nuide before with (he 
said Indians and I'apt.Tiirnernnd the purcliiise paid for, yet the things not 
iM'Ing ibiir, and being very nnHi)ti.<>nt.-d, we cnnie to »n<>ther agreement 
with Qiiax and Pouui for their land from the town plot of Stamford mirth 
al>uut III ndli-fl and there we marked a white oak tree with S. T. and going 
towarti the Slill lliver t>idu we nuirked ain'lber white oak tree m Ith S. T. 
iind fnuii that tree we*t we w.-re hi iiin fioir miles, and from the Mn»t 
marked tr>*e to run four mlloftfastwanl, and fn>m this cast aud west line 
wc are tt> have futthcr to tho north for our cattle to fecti, full two miles 
further, the full breadth— only the said Indians reserve for Ihcmsclvos 
litH.>rl^ of their planting gnnind: and (he above said Indian*, I'onus and 
Onax, with all other Indians that be concorned in It have Hurrcnderod all 



tho Niid land to the town of Stamford, as their proper right, forever, and 
the aforesitid Imlians have set their hands as witnessing the tnilh hereof, 
and for aiitl in consideration hereof, the said town of Stamford is to give 
the said Indians 4 coats, which the IntUans did accept of for full satisfac- 
tion for the aforesaid lands, altho' it was paid before, hereby Ponns' pos- 
terity is cut oil from nmking any claim or having any light to any part 
of the aforesaid land, and do hereby surrender and make over, for ns or 
any of ours forever, unto the Kngli->hmen of the town of Stamford, and 
their itosterity forever, tho land luf it is bnttiMl and Ixmndcil tho Uainds 
above mentioned. Tho said Poniis and Onax his sou having this day re- 
ceived of Itichard Law 4 coats acknouleilging themselves fully tati^lied 
for the aforesaid land. — Witness the said Indians the day aud date hereof, 
Stamford, August lo, ICoo. 
'* Witnesses 
*'AVm Nkwman 

"ItlCtlAKD LaW3 

** PONUS. . 

•*OXAX. ." 

ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT WITH TAPHANOE AND 
PENAIIAY, JAN. 7, 1007. 
** An agreement made this 7lli of January Anno 1GG7 between the In- 
habitants of the town of Stamfoi-d, the luie party, and Taphanee son of 
Ponns and Puwaliay bon of Onax, son uf I'oini^, the other party, for a full 
and tinal e^ew of all <|nestions aU>ut alt and any rights of lamls formerly 
belonging unto I'onus Sagamore of TiHimmis and any of his nice or line- 
age Isurviviiig, and fi^tr a more full conlirnnitiou of tho sales of lands, 
meadows, rights, pi ivileges formerly made by the foresaid Ponns and Onax 
unto the itdnibitants of the town of Stamford, the contents of this agree- 
ment as followeth. That, whereas Ponns Sagamore of Toquams, and 
W'escns, Sagamore of Shippan, sold unto Capt. Nath'l Turner of Queuui* 
piocke, all their lands belonging to cither of the forenu>ntioucd Ponns 
and WescuB— tho said sale expressing all uplands, meadows, grass, with 
tho river)4 and trees belonging to the foresaid Sagamores, except a jiece 
of ground which the foresaiil Sagamore of Totpiams rt-sorved to plant on 
— the said s;ilo specilietl liy a deed under their hands; dated the 1st of 
July anno ItVlU. Also the iKiyment according to the agreement was made 
to satisfaction of the foresaid Ponns and Wescus— these ftirementioncd in 
the dee<| are sidd and alienated frtmi the aforesaiti Ponns and Wcscus aud 
their heirs, executors, administrutois aud asnigiis unto the foresaid Capt. 
Xatli'l Turner, and his heirs, executoix, adminij-trators and a8signs for- 
ever — moreover, after this former agreement in the year Anno l(>5r>, the 
Inhabitants of Stamford and Ponns Sagamore, and fhiax, Sagamore came 
to an agreement, ft»r the convenient settlement of their jilanting ground 
at Shehauge, as iilso how far the l<ouuds of the iuhabitants of StamfortI 
should go, which joint agreement was to extend sixteen miles north from 
the sea side at Stamfonl \ and two miles short of that the said parties 
marked two trees with S T; tho aforesaid Ponus and Onax agrtndng and 
gninted the inhabitants of Stamfonl that their Itonnds should run fnmi 
the aforesaid marked trees four mites east, and frt>m the foresaid marked 
trees four miles west; their whtde hreatlth tti Ih< eight milen and for full 
satisfaction of the foresaid Ponns anil Onax for all and every |Nirt of the 
lands with the l)enlen^ions thereof foremeulioned and the IndianV 
jdanting Land exccpteil, four coats wat pidd and accepted by thti said 
Indians vl/- Points and ftiuix, upon which receipt the said Ponus and 
Onax gave a full surrender of all the laud foremeiiliouiil from them and 
their heitu, vxecutors, administrators, and assigns, and in the behalf of all 
the Indians unto the English Inhabitants of Stamfoixl and tlieir heirs; 
executors, and admitiiHtratois, and i^slgns for ever, quietly to iH><!i»ci!t.t and 
eiOi<y '■> I^'^'*' "■"' '^"" iiiniiuer. I'lito this ngrcement the Indians fore- 
meiiti uied vi;: Poiias ami Onax subHcriheil their nmrk for full conllrnm- 
lion, witncMted by Itichard Law ami William Newmnu. Now tlM.>se pres- 
ents witnewcth, that we Tiiphance, sou of Ponus and Powahay son of 
Onax as aUivemenlioneil, do hertdiy acknou le<lge the several grants aud 
rales of lands and the »(>voral ogreeiueutH thereabouts as aUtve s|M'eifled 
with tlic piiyment for satisfactliui given ft»r the mme, and do hereby for 
us and ouiv fully confirm the said grants aud sales with the dimen»i<>n» 
thereof as hIkivc HiHK-ifled— furthermore we tin' fi>resaid Ta|dnince ami 
Powahav do hereby Udh for U5 and our heirs, executors, adniini?tmtora 
and assigns, gmnt and sunx-ndcT up unto the inhabitants of the town of 
Stamfonl thfir heirs, executors adndnistratoi-s and aNoiguEi forever all our 
lau<l or lands formerly rescr^■e^l to ns for planting at Shehauge and llo- 
quetch with all other lands of any sort aud privilegeji of any kind to ns 
and our predi'c*»*'rB formerly belonging; the said lands and piivilege* 
lying laitween Talomock lu-ar Greenwich on the west and the land for- 
merly granted by Piauilkln to the men of Stamfinl on the east with the 
forvnientloueddlmensiuua of length and breadth; Quietly tJ poseen and 



i 



STAMFORD. 



701 



enjtiy without future molostation by us and ours — In con!-iilerati<ni hereof 
the inhal'itaiits uf Stainfnicl do both for tlieniselves and Iheiis give and 
grant unto the foresaid Taiihauceand Powaliay anil tlieir male issue and 
posterity twenty aere-i planting ground in convenient plaro or phiceH — 
with the&c eomlitioiis lullnwing ayit-od unto— lirMt, that th<.' said Iiulians 
fence tiit'ir grovind with a snftirit.-iit fence— secoiirlly, that they sliall not 
at any time take in other Indian*? or Indian to residr with tlieni — thiiiily 
— ouly Taphance with his wife and children and Penahay and Paharron 
and an old woman called Nowattonnainansfiiquaare allowed — tliirdly that 
neitlier Taphance nor Penahay, nor any of theirs shall at any lime sell, 
or any way directly or indiret tly make ovt-r or tiaiisfer llu- s;iid twenty 
acTes of lanil or any part thereof to any ; hut if the said Taphance and 
they sliall desert and leave the said land, or if in case the said Taphance 
and Penaliay their male issue and posterity shall cease and extiTigui>!i, 
then the forementioned 'Jii acres uf land sliall fall to the iidiahitiuits of 
Stamford, eniediately without any fin tlier eotisideration, as their proper 
right; fourthly, the foresaid Taphance and Penahay hotli for Ihemselves 
and theirs do hereby bind and engage thenisidves nntti a <lcn- and orderly 
subjection to all town orders of St;nnford and the laws of the jurisdiction 
that are or ehall be made from time to time and for the true performance 
of the foresaid covenants and agreements respectively the parties above- 
mentioned do hereby bind themselves and theirs lirndy. In witness 
of truth they have hereto set tlieir hamis the day and date above wiitten. 
"Signer! aiid delivered In 1 ehalf of Stamford. 

TAniANCF. 

I'esahay 



ill presence of 
liichard Beach 
John Ernbi'ey 
8amuei Mills 



J 



Richard Law 
Francis Bell 
Oeorge Slasoti 
.lonathan SeUeck 
John IIollv;' 



In about the year 17ilO a eonfinnation was made by 
C'atoona and Coee of all tbe (irevious grants to the 
Knglish. Especial meiitioii is made of deeds granted 
to the English by Taphassee, Ponus, Peneliays, oM 
Onax, young Onax, a deed to Capt. Turner, and also 
a deed by Hawatonaman. The artiele is signed by 
the following witnesses: John Eye alias John Caukee, 
Poliornes, Renohoctam, Ramhorne,Smingo, Amtaugli, 
Awaricus, Moekea, Papakmua, Simorn, Catena, Capt. 
Manin, Weiiuaeumak, Aipiamana, Pupiamak. 

THE STAMFORD PATENT. 

The following is a copy of the patent granted to 
the Stamford inhabitants by the Connecticut colony 
under date May 2(J, I680 : 

"Whereas the generall court of Connecticutt hath formerly Granteil 
unto the proprietors Inhabitants of the town of Standford all those lands 
both meadow and upland within these aliutinents upon the sea at the 
Bouth. esx-st on the five Mile Brooke betw-eeu Standford aforesaid & Xor- 
walke from the mouth of the sayd Brook till it meet witli the cross pa-ss 
that now is where the country rtiade <Tosseth the sayd path, and from 
thence to run up iiitt> the country till Twidve miles be run out iijiori Iho 
same lyne that is between Stratford and fayrefield; ami uiion the west 
Tatomak Brooke, where the lowermost patli or road that now is to r;reen- 
wich cutis the sayd brooke & from thence to run on a straight lyne to 
the west end of a lyne drawne, from the falls of Standford Mill liver 
which sayd lyne is to run a tlue west poynt towards Greenwich bounds 
a meat mile & from the west end of sayd line to run due noith to the 
present countj' roaile towards Kye and from tlience to run up intu the 
country the same line that it is between \orwalk and Standford to the end 
of the bowndfi, the sayd lands having been by piirchas or otherwise law- 
fully obtayncd of the Indian native proprietors, and wheieius the proprie- 
tors, the afoi-esaid Inhabitatits of Standford in the colony of Connecticutt 
have made applicatit)n to the Gouernor and cfunpany of the sayd c(dony 
of Connecticutt assembh-il In court May "Jri, IfiS-i, that they have a patent 
for continnation of the afoiesayd lands so purchiined and granted to them 
asaforesayd & which they have stood sei/e.l and <|uietly p..ss<-ssed of for 
many years last piLst without Interruption now fnr a more fcdl mnfirnia 
tion of the aforesaid tract of land jus it is butted and liounded aforesayd 
unto the present proprietors of the sayd township of Stanfortl, in their 
poBset^sion and enjoynu-nt of the premises; know ye that the said (louer- 
m>r & company iissembled in yENKiiAL coriiT according to the commis- 



sion granted to them by his Ma'fie in Ids charter have given A granted 
& by these jn-esents ilo give, grant, ratify and <onlirm unto Mr. John 
Bishop, Mr. llichard law, Capt. Jonathan Sillck, Capt. J.ihn Silleck, 
Ideut. Francis Hell, Lieut. Jonathan Bell, ensign John Bales, Mr. Abra- 
haru Ambler, Mr. peter ferris, Mr. Joshua Iloyf. <i"<l the rest of the 
said piesent piopiietoi-s of the township of Standford their heirs, succes- 
sors and assigns forever, the aforesjiyil parcell of land as it is Butted and 
Boiiude«l togetlier with all the meadows, pastures, ponils. waters, rivers, 
islands, fishings, Huntings, fowlings, mines, ndneials, tjuariies and 
pre<-iou8 htiUies upon ur within the said truLt of land and all other prof- 
nts coniodities thereunto belonging or in any wayes ai>pertairnug and 
do grant untt> the aforesay<l Mr. John Bishop. Mr. Bichard lawe. ("apt. 
Jouathan Silleck, Capt. John Silleck, Lnt. francis Bell, I.nt. Jonathan 
Bell, ens. John Bates, 31 r. Abrnham Andder, Mr. peter ferris & Mr. 
Joshua Iloyt .V tbe rest of the juojirietois Inhabitantsof Standford their 
heirs successors and assigns forever that the aforesaid tract id laud shall 
be forever after deemed, leputed & be an Intire Township of it selfe, to 
have and to hold the sayd Tract of laml and prendses with all and singu- 
lar their aiipui-tenances t()gethrr. with the priviledges and Immunities 
and franchises herein given and granted unti> the Miyd Jt>hn Bishop, 
Richanl law, Capt. Jonathan Silleck, Capt. John Silleck, Lnt. fram is 
Bell, Lnt. Jonathan Bell, Kns. John Bates, 3Ir. Abialuim Andiler, Mr. 
peter ferris. A Mr. Juslma Iloyte and other the ]iresent proprietors In- 
habitants of Standfonl their heirs su<cessors and assigns forever and to 
the t>nly jiroper use A belioofe of the sayd Mr. John Lishop, Richard law, 
Capt. Jouathan Sille<k. Capt. John Silh'c k, Lnt. Francis Bell. Lnt. Jona- 
than Bell, Kns. John Bates, Mr. Abiahani Ambler, Mr. peter feriis &. Mr. 
Josliua Hoyte. 

"And other proprietors Iidiabitants of Standford their heirs, succes- 
sors ami assigns forever, according to the tenor of Ka^t Gieenwich in 
Kent in free A cnmon soccage A not in capitee nor by knight service — 

"They to nuike improvment of the same aB they are cajiable according 
to the customs of the country, yielding, rendering and paying therefore 
to our soveieign lord the king his heirs and successors his dues accord- 
ing to charter: In witness whereof we have cause the seale of the col- 
ony to be here unto affixed this Twenty sixth of May One Thousand Six 
Hundred eighty-five iu the first year of the reign i>f our souereign lord 
king James the second of England, s.otland fnince A Ireland, defender 
of the fjiyth. 

" per order uf the General Court, bigned per me, John Allyn Sec'y-"' 



CHAPTER LXIX. 

STAMFORD (Continuedl. 

THE POLDIEKY OF STAMFOUD— THE HEROES OF 
FOUR WARS. 

The French and lu'liau Wars— List of Soldiers— Stamford in the Revo- 
lution—List <if Revolutionary Soldiers — List of Stamford Loyalists — 
War of 1SI2— Li-^tof V.duiileers. 

The record of Htamford's soldiery from the period 
of the French and Indian wars, in the second (piarter 
of the eighteenth century, through the various con- 
flicts which our country has passed, to the clos<* oi' the 
great Rebellion, 1801-65, is one in which the citi/.cn.s 
of this old town may justly feel a i)atri(ilic jiride. 

THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WARS. 

From tlii' town records of this prridtl wv find that 
Htamford was alive to the emergency, and in 17.37 it 
was voted that if the "Lord of I.,ondon shall send 
regulars into this town, the town will hear the charge 
of accommodating them with what shall l)e necessary 
for them." 

In Deeembcr, 17')8, it was voted that ('ol. IToyt, 
Mr. Abraham Davenport, and Ensign Holly be ap- 
pointed a committee to sujtply His Majesty's regular 



:o2 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



forces, now qiiarterod in this town, witli firewood for 
their jiuard-room and hospital, and what bedding 
tiiey slxould think proper to provide them witii, to be 
paid for out of tlie town treasury." In October of 
the same year the government ordered paid to the 
town of Stamford the sum of three hundred and 
sixty-nine pounds and thirteen shillings and four 
pence halfpenny as comjiensation for keeping a 
)>art of Col. Frazer's Highland battalion the last 
winter. 

The following record also ai>pcars: 

"These may certify your Honors, tliat the llighlanil soldiors ordorc<I 
to 1)0 qunrtyred hi tlie town of Stamfonl, iirriveii at saitl town, Nov. 30, 
17r>7, and were quartoroil there until Marcti ;io, '5K. Tiie number of 
tioldieiv, ofticors iui*ln<leil, wai* 2."»0. There were also helonging to tlieni, 
sevciiteen women and nine cliildren. Tliey were at the eost of the town 
provided with house-room, bedding, firewootl, candles Ac, Ac. Their 
officers insisted upon their be'iig kept within a small compass, whicli ex- 
posed ns to mucli more trouble and cost than otliorwise would have been 
necessary. 
"ST.v>iFonn, April 28, 17")8. 

JoN.\ IIoYT, "J Committee to take 

Ana. Uavexpokt, y careof tlie lligh- 
J.s'O. lloLLV, J landers." 

Among the Stamford citizens who participated in 
these wars were the following : Maj. Uavid AVatcr- 
bury, Peter Scofiold, Reuben Scotield, Abijah Weed, 
Benjamin Webb, Charles Webb, Jonathan, Sylyanus, 
and Deliverance Slason, and libenczer and Walter 
Weed. The records in the State library also show 
that the following Stamford men were in these wars: 

In 1754, Charles Knap, ensign, was discharged and 
Joseph Husted chosen in his place. In November of 
this year Joseph Wood was chosen lieutenant of Capt. 
White's company. 

In 17-').5, Company Fifth of Fourth Regiment was 
officered by Samuel Hanford, ca|)tain ; Josejih Hoyt, 
lieutenant ; and Isaiah Starr, second lieutenant, to go 
against Crown Point. 

March 10, 1757, Col. Jonathan Ilait notifies Capt. 
David Waterbury that his ensign, John Waterbury, 
had asked for discharge from liaving fallen from his 
horse and broken his leg. Samuel Iluttou was chosen 
in his place. 

Jonathan Maltby was captaiil of Company Two, 
and on his resignation Ebenezer Weed was chosen 
captain; Ezra Smith, lieutenant; and Charles Knapp, 
ensign. 

In the east part of the town the company caUcd out 
in 1747 ha<l for its officers Jonathan Bates, captain ; 
Jonathan .'^clleck, lieutenant; and Thomas Hanford 
and Nathan Reed, ensigns. 

In the first registry of births, marriages, and deaths 
is the following entry : 

"Joseph Rlshop, uSholger, son of Joseph nishop of Stamford, djod with 
sicknoiM at Lake George, Nov. 25, at night in the year n.^^," 

" Stephen Ambler, a s>ddior in the expedition at Lake George In llot, 
son to Si'rgoant Stephen Ambler, died on his return at Shurun, Oct. lO, 
17.W." » 

" Ezm Halt, of Stnmfoni n sliolger, dyed at Albyny Dee. 2S, 17.V>." 

"Jowipli Korris, a Shunlger frxmi Stnmfoni in ye expi-dition lowarils 
Cniwn jHdnt in ye year 175*"., in his return frxim the exiieililion dyed with 
Mekncss at NowftlfonJ, on Dcccmbor yo IS, 1750." 



TUl'; REVOLUTION. 
The following history of Stamford in the Revolu- 
tion and incidents of that period are compiled from 
Huntington's historical work : 

"At the commencement of the Revolutionary war 
Connecticut numbered but si.xty-seven towns, and 
Stamford ranked in population the sixteenth. Her 
grand list wa-s £34,078 8«., whicli evidenced a still 
higher rank in means than in population. The year 
1775 found her represented in the State Assembly by 
David Waterbury and Charles Webb, both of whom 
had seen service in the old French war, and were 
therefore competent to advise in the present emer- 
gencies of the State ; and, by an unusual stroke of 
good fortune, she was also honored in the Senate of 
the State by the first name among her civilians, the 
Hon. Abraham Davenport, who also had been active 
and influential during the long struggles of the 
French and Indian wars. The long-expected crisis 
had now come. Everything indicated war. Yet 
though there were many reasons why our townsmen 
would be likely to shrink from an earnest contest with 
the mother-country, they were not altogether unpre- 
pared for it. They had both the men and the means 
to begin and prosecute the struggle. 

"At tlie head of our ministers, of which the town 
then counted only five, was that patriot and scholar. 
Dr. Noah Welles, who, since his sermon preached 
Dec. 19, 17G5, to arouse the i)eople over the great out- 
rage attempted against them by the Stamp Act, had 
missed no opportunity of encouraging his townsmen 
to a manly resistance again.st all such oppression, and 
who, though called to lay down his useful life even at 
the beginning of the struggle, yet lived long entmgh 
to preach his annual thanksgiving sermon, Nov. 16, 
1775. In that sermon, a inanuseri2)t copy of which is 
in my possession, he moved his people to a grateful 
commemoration of the goodness of their fathers' God, 
as shown them in 'frustrating the ])lans of our ene- 
mies,' especially in their attempts to secure the aid of 
the Canadians and Indians and negroes, in so signally 
I preserving the lives of our exposed people, in grant- 
I ing the remarkable success attending our military cn- 
! terprises at Lexington, Charleston, and more lately to 
the north, in which, though 'engaged with the best 
British troops,' he assures them we were 'yet never 
worsted,' and in inspiring the remarkable union and 
harmony through the colonies in the present struggle 
for liberty. 

"Nor behind him, in his fervent patriotism, wa.? 
that faithful coadjutor. Rev. Dr. Closes Mather, then 
the patriot ministerof the Middlesex (Darien) Church, 
and so soon to test his patriotism amid the insulting 
I jeers of the ruthless soldiery who were to drag him 
from his own consecrated sanctuary, and still more 
I triumphantly amid the cruel hardships and threat- 
ened horrors of the execrable Provost prison to which 
he wa-s doomed. 
"At the head of our civilians stood the honorable 



J 



STAMFORD. 



T03 



AVirahani Davt'iiport, a man ol' college iMlucatioii, 
long liuniliar with tlie juiblic service in civil lite, well 
grouniled in such legal learning as enaliled him, with 
no misgivings, to rely upon the essential justice of 
tlie lU'Volutionary cause, endowed, incirc than most 
men, with an instinctive reverence for what was right 
and an inflexible |)ur]iose to insist upon it, and, what 
was of scarcely less value to him for the part he was 
called to act, the inheritor of a large estate, and the 
father <jf an educated and now influential family, who 
thoroughly sympathi/ed with him in his espousal of 
the patriot cause. 

"Side by side with liim, ready to the utmi>st of 
their means to sustain any measures which might 
promise to aid them in asserting the rights of the 
colonies against the unjust demands of the crown, 
stood the substantial citizens of the tijwn, — tlie lloyts, 
and Hi^^llys, and Lockwoods, an<l Knapps, and Sco- 
fields, and .Smiths, and Seelycs, and Wariiigs, and Wa- 
terburys, and Webbs, and Weeds. 

"Nor were w-e without military men for the emer- 
gency. There were the Waterburys, then known as 
senior and junior, the former long a colonel in the 
Continental service who ha<l earned some reputation 
for good judgment and nulitary ability in the field, 
and the latter soon to earn, by his personal fitness for 
it, the rank of general of brigade ; and also tlie tw<i 
Webbs, father and son, the one now a colonel, to test 
and [irove his claim still more fully in several well- 
fought battles of the pending strife, and the other to 
jiay the forfeit of his active and not unmeritorious 
service with his own imprisonment and death. Then 
there was the spirited Joseph Hoyt, the leader of our 
minute-men, who only needed to hear that i)atriot 
blood had been shed at Lexington to tly to our ex- 
posed metropolis lor its defense, and wlio was so soon 
to become the fighting colonel of our fighting Sev- 
enth ; and then our captains and lieutenants and en- 
signs, and, still more needed and lielpful tlian they, 
our long list of resolute privates, honoring the name 
of all our principal Stamford families and cheerfully 
girding themselves for manliest defense of their 
homes. Thus with one brigadier, two or more colo- 
nels, a half-dozen captains, a full dozen lieutenants, 
with a number of commissaries and agents of the mil- 
itary power, sustained by a gallant band of the rank 
and file of the army for independence, Stamford, in 
spite of the special temptations to tlic ojiposite course, 
maintained her honor in that great struggle which 
made these British colonies forever free from the dic- 
tation and greed of an unscrupulous foreign power. 

"An incident occurred in Jfarcli, 1774, which 
might seem to forebode indecision and weakness 
among the patriots of the town. A special town- 
meeting had been called to appoint delegates to the 
convention to be held March 27th in Middletown. 
After the meeting was opened by the appointment of 
Col. Abraham Davenport moderator, it was voted 
' that the town will ai)point a committee to meet at 



Jliddlctiiwn on the last Wedncsilay in March, instant, 
there to consult ]iro]ier nu'asurcs to be pursued to 
evade the evils which tlic town ajiprehend they are 
in danger of concerning Su-i(iuehannah.' 

"After this vote, which for aught that apjicars was 
unanimous, f^apt. Fyler Dibble and Dr, .lohn Wilson 
were appointed tlic committee. The ine<tiiig a<l- 
journed to meet again <jn tlie llth of tlie following 
month to hear the report of the committee. At the 
appointed time the adjourned meeting was held. Tlie 
town make an ajijiropriation to cover the exiienses of 
the coiiiiiiittee, and vote that the petition recom- 
mended by the Middletown Convention should be 
signed by the town clerk, Samuel Jarvis, in the name 
of the town, and forwarded to the jVssenilily at its 
next session. 

" This ]ietition was a lengthy argument framed in 
the interests of the Pennsylvanians against the claims 
of Connecticut to tlie territory then hehl by her citi- 
zens and subject to her authority. The convention 
authorizing it was made up of delegate; from only 
twenty-three of the sixty-three towns belonging to 
the State, and their action received but little sympa- 
thy from the mass of the people. Their ])etition was 
couched in terms indicating an excessive loyalty to 
the English government and a readiness to abide by 
almost any decision of the crown. J\Ir. Ingersoll, of 
Pennsylvania, was later an avowed Tory. Capt. 
Dibble and Jlr. Jarvis, of Stamford, also enrolled 
themselves among those loyal .still to the king, and it 
would seem that the Stamford people in mass were 
by tliis action committed to the side of the crown 
against tlie Kevolution, wIkjsc beginnings were al- 
ready felt and seen. 

"But a few months will show how erroneous such 
a conclusion would be. We shall find ample record 
to show that during that long struggle tlie great ma- 
jority of our townsmen were heartily and self-sacri- 
ficingly for the war. Before the oj>ening of hostilities 
on the eventful Ultli of Aju'il, 1775, our citizens had 
expressed themselves unequivocally fin- the patriot 
cause. The insfdence of the crown, exhibited in the 
arbitrary and tyrannical acts whiidi disgraced the rec- 
ords of the English Parliament from the lime (ircn- 
ville, in 1703, acce|)ted Jenkinson's Stamp Act as the 
legal process for collecting revenue in Anieri<'a, down 
to that most odious coercion act whicli closed the port 
of Boston, had most effectually schooled the great 
mass of American citizens to an earnest and impas- 
sioned resistance to any further demands of the Eng- 
glish government. Henceforth not even the Ibrmer 
concessions to the crown would lie allowed ; and the 
people of the several colonies needed only a few 
months of mutual interchange of opinions and ])ur- 
pose to be fully jireparcd for their irrevocable decla- 
ration of independence. To prepare the way for that 
declaration the voice of Stamford was not wanting. 
The Boston P(n-t Bill had been pas.sed, and great suf- 
fering was the result. Cur patriot citizens felt that 



70-1 



HISTORY OF F AIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



the insult and injury done to Boston was also intended 
for themselves and all who had ventured to question 
the right of the British Parliament to issue and en- 
force sueh demands; and they would not meanly 
shrink from an open esjjousal of the eiiuse which had 
already Ijrought down the vengeance of the crown 
upon their suffering brethren. Accordingly, they 
met on the 7th of October, 1774, in the town-house, 
which proving too small for the patriot band, they 
immediately adjourned to the meeting-house, when 
the following minute was j)romi)tly passed : 

"'The iiihabitiiiits uf tlii^ town tjcni^ibly ufTcclftd with tho distress to 
whicli tho town uf Itostnii niiil jirovitico of MoKsacliusclts Buy arc sub- 
Jectud by st'Verul iincoiistitiitionnl nctK of the Britisli imrliiuiieiit ; . . . 
hopiiig to couviiiro tlie jKroplc of tliiscoiitlnctit tlitit iiotwitlistandlng our 
long silence we arc t>y no means unwilling to join with our sister towns 
to assort our just rigliUund oppose every design of ft corrupt ministry to 
enslave America, do declare tliut we acknowledge our subjection to tlie 
crown of Great Ilritaiti and all tho constitutional powers thereto be- 
longing iis establislied in the illustrious house of Hanover; tlujt it is our 
earnest desire that the same peaceable connexion should subsist between 
us and the niuther counli*y as had sulisistod for a long time before the 
late unconstitutional measures adopted by the imrliuraent of Great Brit- 
ain; nnd we hope that sjmo plan will ho found out by the general con- 
gress to effect tho reconciliation we wish for; yet we iire determined by 
every lawful way to join with our sister colonies resolutely tt> defend our 
just rights: . . . thot we are jdeased that acongrcssof ileiuities from the 
colony is now met at Philadelphia, and relying ui>on tlie wisdom of that 
lioily wo ileclttre that we are ready to adopt such rejisonable measures as 
shall by them be judged for tho general good of the inhabitants of 
Auiorica.' 

" This action testifies to the heartiness with which 
our townsmen entered upon the great struggle against 
the encroachments of the mother-country. Before 
the opening of the war the people had been ])repared 
for it. And when the news of the first battle at Lex- 
ington and Concord reached the town it was found 
ready with a prompt response. New York, then rap- 
idly advancing in importance, was thought to be in 
especial danger from an invasion of the enemy. Jo- 
seph lloyt, of Stamford, who had now for about 
twenty years been in military life, enlisted imme- 
diately a company of thirty men and stjirted for the 
city. As no immediate danger was apprehended to 
the city, the company returned to Stamford and re- 
ported only eight days' service. 

"The bill of service thus rendered would in these 
days be deemed a model for economy. I append it 
nVuU: 

£ I. d. 

>Vliolo pay for men's time 20 8 4 

Cash ex|K>udud by Capt. lloyt on thu march 'd 1'i 

Cash oxiiended by l.leill. Wiblp 17 

Cash expeudeil by I.ii'Ut. Kzra I.<ickW(KMl l> 9 

A sliM>p ulth iKtriofthe com|Niuy and 12 men hc- 
lon^iiig to tir-'enwiih, under Capt. Ho>t, fi-um 

New Viirk to Slamfonl 2 11 9 

Capt. lU'jt's horse biro Vi 

28 8' 4 

" The Ezra Lockwood here reported as lieutenant 
is enrolled on the company list lus a private. All of 
the names are found in our nl]>habetlcal list. 

" But not thus easily were our townsmen to meet 

their obligations to the patriot cause. On returning, 

Capt. Hoyt commenced raising another com[)any for 

> the Continental service wherever needed. By the Gth 



of July he had organized a company of seventy-five 
men, who were reported ready for duty. The names 
would indicate that nearly all of them were Stamford 
men. This second company continued in the service 
until Dec. 24, 177.'), and the entire cost of the service 
rendered by them wits reported as one thousand one 
hundred and thirty-nine and a half pounds sterling. 

" A third company was raised here early in the 
spring of 177G. In one of the pay-rolls of this com- 
pany it is called the ' Company of Col. David Water- 
bury, in the regiment of forces of the United colonies 
under command of Col. David Waterbury.' On the 
list David Watirbury is enrolled a.s colonel and caji- 
tain, and Sylvanus Brown as captain and lieutenant. 
The number of days' service is appended to the names, 
and this will indicate the company in the alphabeti- 
cal list at the end of this chapter. 

" In the summer of 177(3 we were also represented 
in the service by a part, at leiust, of another company 
under Capt. Webb, who were stationed in New York 
City. How many other companies or parts of com- 
panies were raised in Stamford, we have no means of 
knowing. Our catalogue of Revolutionary men at 
the end of this chapter, will doubtless fail to report 
many who honored Stamford in the war. Every rec- 
ord, it is believed, which our town and Stiite can now 
furnish has been carefully examined to complete it ; 
and every local record has been sought for the pur- 
pose of reporting fully all engagements and skir- 
mishes and every form of military movement here 
during the struggle. 

LIST OF REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS. 

The following is a list of those who served in the 
war of the Revolution from this town : Jeremiah 

Andreas, Charles S. Austin, Barnes,' Stephen 

Betts, Seth Baker, Thaddcus Bates, Abijah B.iers, 
Daniel Beers, Francis Bell, Cajit. Isaac Bell, .\bra- 
ham Bell, .Tesse Bell, Jonathan Bell, John BjU, Ste- 
])lien Boll, Thaddcus Bell, Benjamin Bcnnet, John 
Besse, Peleg Besse, Stephen Betts, John Birchard, 
Hezekiah Bishop, .Tonathan Bishop, Stephen Bishop, 
.Tacol) Bishop, .Jacob Blancbard, Jesse Blatchley, 
Capt. Daniel Bouton, Isaac Briggs, Bazalell Brown, 
Isaac Brown, Nathan Brown, Roger Brown, Jonathan 
Brown, Stephen Brown, William Brown, Sylvanus 
Brown, Joseph Brothswell, John Bu.vton, John 
Brown, Samuel Bush, John Clock, Nathnnicl Clason, 
Isaac Clason, Samuel Chison, Stephen Chisoii, Ma- 
thew .Clerk, .Jonathan Clock, David Coggins, William 
Coleman, Daniel Coley, Thomas Coucli, Timothy 
Curtiss, Jr., Jeremy Curtiss, Nathan Dan, Squire 
Dan, Capt. William Daskam,' Lieut. Hezekiah 
Davenport,' James Davenport^ John Davenport,* 
Reuben Defreere, Abraham Davis, David Davia, 



> Wu shot but a ihort diatanc* eaat trom Uie atoro on High Ridge. 
' Served under Lafayette. ' . »' ' 

' Shot at KldgeMeld, April 27, 1777, after tho burning of Danbury. 
* A comml-sury with mivjor's commiffiion. 



STAMFORD. 



705 



Ebenozer Doan, Samuel Dean, i^olin DlbbleJ An- 
drew Dogherty, William Duncnmb, William El- 
driclgc, Peter Ferris," .Fonathan Ferris, RaiisforJ A. 

Ferris, Daniel Finney, Fiteli," Tlionias Forster, 

Thomas Fulton, James Fineh, Samuel Garnsey, John 
(iibbs, Taleot Gould, Asaliel Green, Elias Gregory, 
William Grifi'et, lienoiii Gregory, Theophilus llan- 
ford, Thomas Hawley, James Hay, Betliel Heaeoek, 
Ebenezer Heaeoek, Morris Heaeoek, Zadoc Hedden, 
Jared Hine, lOnoeh Hinman, Thomas Hobby,' Abra- 
liam Holly, El)enezer Holly, Jr., Isaae Holly, Nathan 
Holly, Slejilien Holly, John Holme-;,*' Xatlum How, 
Nathaniel How," Bates Hoyt, Ebenezer Hoyt, Elijah 
Hoyt, Lieut. Jesse Hoyt, Jonathan Hoyt, John 
Hoyt, Joseph Hoyt,'" Josiah Hoyt, Nathaniel Hoyt, 
Neazcr Hoyt, Samuel Hoyt, Samuel Hoyt," Sylvanus 
Hoyt, Warren Hoyt, William Hoyt, Capt. Thaddeus 
Hoyt, Silas Hoyt, Salmon Hubbel, Williston Hurd, 
Nathaniel Husted, Thaddeus Husted, Samuel Hut- 
ton, Nathan P. Jackson, William Jaeksou, .luslus 
Jennings, Jonathan Jervis, William Johnson, Capt. 
Ebenezer Jones, Ephraim .Jones, Reuben .Tune, Silas 
June, Thomas .Tune,''' Israel June, Benjamin Inger- 
sol,''' Samuel Ingersol, Isaae Keeler, Loekwood Kec- 
ler, Thaddeus Keeler, Asahel Kellogg, John Kenney, 
Bouton Knapp, Hezekiah Knapp, .Tohn Knapp, Syl- 
vanus Knapp," Usual Knai)p, Timothy Knapji, Wil- 
liam Knapp,'-' JajK^b Knapp, Seth Lee, .Tames Lind- 
say, Holly Lines, John Little, Clement Lloyd, Jacob 
Loder, David Loekwood, Ezra Loekwood, Isaac 
Loekwood,'" Noah Lwkwood, Reuben Loekwood, 
Titus Loekwood," Timothy Loekwood, Charles Lock- 
wood, Samuel Loekwood,'" David Lounsljury, Jacob 
Lounsbury, D.miel McCurtiss, John Mason, Samuel 
Mather, Joseph Mather, Peter Jlead, Theophilus 
Mead, Reuben Mead, Ebenezer Meeker, (ieorge 
Mills,'-' .Tohn Mills, John Mills, Jr., John Nichols, 
Daniel Nichols, Abel Nichols, .Toseph Nichols, Ga- 
maliel Northrup,™ .Tames Nichols, Rul'us Newman, 
John Odell, Roger Olmstead, David Olmstead, Rich- 
ard Pangburn, David Parrot, .Tames Parsons, Elijah 

^ In both the French and Revtiliitiniiary wars. 

*<'ai"tain here in 1781, 

" Cajituin tliinl cunipan.v, Fifth Kt-giinont, April, 177"i, anil was ap- 
pointed major. 

' In the Ilanhur.v fiEht. 

^ Lieutenant in HSU, ami at the close of the war captain. 

1" liieutenaiit-colonel of tlie Ki;;hth Connecticnt Iteginient, regular 
arni.v. He had Iteen cai)tain in 177.'>. 

" Enlisted July G,177.->, and served one iMiinlieti and fifty-eight days in 
177G 118 enitign. He was afterwards a lieutenant. 

12 Shot ius he was returning from hoeing in the field an<l his two sons 
were taken pi isoiiers. 

13 Died in the service. 

^^ Captain of the town guards. 

1^ Born in I7.'-<l> ; a pc-nsioner. He served under Putiniln, ami was with 
him at Greenwich at the time of his f.ilnons plunge on hoi^ehack down 
the steps. 

'« Captain of the town guard in 17.SI. 

J^ Kidisted July (i, 177.'), and after the inurderof his brother by the cow- 
boys, he woR the inexorable avenger of every injured patriot. 

18 Second lieutenant in 177rj, in ('ol. Waterlmry's regiment. 

II Captain. 

20 Enlisted July Ci, 177o, and w as a lieutenant. 



Patchin, Israel Patehin, .Tames Peat, Eidiraim Peck, 
Andrew Powers, Thomas Provost, Daniel Provost, 
Samuel Provost, David Purdy, Isaae Quintard, Da- 
vid Raymond, Elias Reeil, Ketchel Reed, Silas Reed, 
William Richards, Abraham St. John, Justin St. 
.Tohn, .Tohii M. Saunders, Abram Scofield, I'.enjamin 
Scofield, Ebenezer Scotield,'-' Elisha Seolield, Ezra 
ScoHeld, Lieut. Gershom Scofield, Gideon Scofield, 
( lilbert Scofield, Halt Scofield,-' Israel Seolielil, Jacob 
Scofield, Jared Scofield, Josiah Scofield (4th), .Tosiah 
W. Scofield, Joseidi Scofield, Peter Scofield, Peltit Sco- 
field, Reuben Scofield, Thaddeus Scofield, Seth Sco- 
field, Enos Scofield, Sylvanus Scofield, William Seott, 
.Tohn Seeley, I)arling Selleek, David Sellcck, Ebe- 
nezer Selleck, .Toseph Selleek, Simeon Selleek, Dan- 
iel Share, Williiim Selleck, Daniel Sherwood, Thomas 
Skelding, Ebenezer Slason, Henry Slason,--' Na- 
thaniel Slason,'-' William Shelp, Austin Smith, Jr., 
Azariah Smith, Capt. Amos Smith, Charles Smith,-'' 
Charles Smith, .Ir., David Smith (.'W), Daniel Smith, 
i'^zra Smith Kid), I'^bcnczer Smith, Isaac Smith, Lsaac 
Smith, .lubez Sinitli, .Tabez Smith, Jr., Job Smith, 
.Tosei)h Smith, .losluia Smith, Lieut. .Tosiah Smith,™ 
Levi Smith, Nathaniel Smith, Peter Smith,-' Capt. 
William Smitli, Reuben Snifiin, Daniel Stevens, David 
Stevens,-" lOzra Stevens,"' .faeob Stevens, Obidiah 
Stevens, .Tr., Reuben Stevens, Sylvanus Stevens, 
Thomas Stevens, Charles Stewart, Francis D. Swords, 
I William Thompson, John Todd, Samuel Tryon, Isaae 
Wardwell,.TacobWardwell, William WanlwcU, Ben- 
jamin Waring, .Toseph Waring, James Waring, Serj't 
John Waring, .Jonathan Waring,'"' Simeon Waring, 
Thaildeus Waring, Elisha Waters, John Waters, 
Daniel Waterbury, David Waterbury,^' David Water- 
bury, David Waterbury (.id), I^nos Waterbury, Gideon 
Waterbury, Ensign Jolm Waterbury, .John Water- 
bury (oth), .Joseph Waterbury, Peter Waterbury, 
Ejienetus ami David Waterbury, William Waterlmry, 
William Waterbury, Benjamin Webb,-'-' Col. Charles 
Weill), Charles Webb, Jr.,-" David Webb, Ebenezer 
Webb, (Jilbert Webb, Jo.seph Webb, Jr., Hezekiah 
Webb, Samuel Webb, Capt. Nathaniel Webb, Charles 
Weed, Jantes Weed, Abishai Weed, Abijah Weed,-" 



21 First liruteiiiuit in tin- wervice. 

•^ Du-d Irtu July Ki, is-lo. 

'■^ C;i['tuiii Im'IO in 177(J. 

-■• riijituiii nf tlie Iiomo giiiinl in ITsl, aiid wus iionsinticd. 

^ rajitaiii i»f Slut*! jiimidB botwci-ii tlie lines in 1781. 

-'"' IIiuI oud tlmnib btiuck ufl' by u ball, and wah luHUy cut in butb arms 
imc! tliy faci- wluli- wanlin;; uft" tin- strokes of a British ollii i-r, 

-T Kc'piirtcil twu hun<ln>(l aniltliiity-figlit day.i'siTvicu in 1770. Ik- was 
shot at tlie Xorutoti. 

2* Shot at Ki.lK<'ti«'M. 

"J St^rveii line biuulrfd ami firtynint- days in 177r>. 

»' (_'a|itaiii in 1771). 

^ In pni-siiit of tliB British retrfatinji fri>ni I'.inbniy. Ilr saw Woostnr 
shot and Arnold an he kd't hiK falbm hui-sp, takint; his pi-st'ds with him. 

^ Iliid been in the Frenrh war. 

'■^^ l/niuUninut in 177'), served as aiJjntant fifty-two days in 1770, ami was 
still later in his father's rejrimtMit. Ho was a i>risuner in Now York. He 
wtu^i killed un a t^nnbuat in the Sound. 

■** In Ihc old Freucli and Indian war; early entered the Uevolutionary 
service. 



706 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Asahel AVeed, Benjamin Weed, Anuanias Weed, 
Daniel Weed, Hezekiali Weed, Elnatlian Weed, ICzra 
Weed, Gideon Weed," Henry Weed, Jabcz Weed, 
.Tared Weed, Joel AVeed, John AV'ccd, .loHas Weed, 
Jonathan Weed, Ilcz.ekiah Weed (4th), Lieut. Scth 
AVeed, Silas Weed, Stephen AVeoil, Jacob White, 2d 
Lieut. Joiiatlian AVhiting, Gilbert Woolsey, Henry 
Weeks, Samuel Wheaton, Samuel Young. 

STAMFORD LOYALISTS. 
The following is a list of Stamford loyalists : John 
Bates, AValter Bates, William Bates, Samuel Bock, 
Stephen Briggs, Samuel Crissy, Nathaniel Dan, Fred- 
crick Fyler, Walter and William Dilible, Anthony 
Demill, Josejih Ferris, R. Freeze, Thos. Hemford, 
James Howe, Increase, Ebenezer, Elnatlian, John 
William, and Samuel Holly, David, James, Samuel 
(.3d), Stephen, and Jonah Hoyt, Prince Howe^, Sam- 
uel Munson, and John Jarvis, Ciusey and (Jideon 
Lecd^, .lonathan Lewis, Jacob Loder, Gidecm Lowns- 
bnry, J^liucl Merritt, Jesse Mills, .Joshua Newman, 
David Picket, F. Rogers, Isaac Quintard, .TamcsSco- 
field, Jr., Josiah Scofield (3d), Ezra Scofield, Daniel 
Selleck, .John Selieck, Obadiah Seeley, Seth Seeley, 
Josepli Smith, .T. Slasen, AVm. Stone, Admer Stevens, 
lleth Stevens, Henry Stevens, Solomon Tucker, Ed- 
ward Thorpe, David AVaterbury, .John AVatcrbury, 
Sylvauus AVhitney, and Abijah AVeed. 

THE WAR OF 1812. 
Although the war of 1812 was fought principally 
on the great lakes itnd on Lake Champlain, and ex- 
cited no particular local interest in this section, still 
companies were organized and held in readiness to 
any call wjiich might be made for their services. 
The following are lists of those who composed 
these companies. The first list is found on a " mus- 
ter-roll of a company of infantry under the com- 
mand of David AVatcrbury, captain in the Thirty-sev- 
enth Regiment of the United States, commanded by 
Lieut. -Col. Aaron Benjamin, from 31st October, when ; 
last mustered, to the 31st December, 1813." On the 
back of the muster-roll is written, " Don't give up the j 
ship," "Lawrence," "David AVatcrbury": David 
AVatcrbury, captain ; John Brown, first lieutenant ; 
Henry Hoyt, second lieutenant ; Samuel Keeler, third 
lieutenant; Samuel Keeler, Jr., ensign; Alanson | 
Holly, sergeant; Nehemiali Rose, sergeant; Lewis 
Jones, corporal; AVilliam Jones, corporal; James 
Sanford, drummer; Nathan Champlain, drummer; 
David Brown, AVilliam H. Buel, Joseph Clock, Elisha 
Crab, Ebenezer Dennis, John Dean, .lolin A. Dick- 
ens, James Forbes, Elisha Fish, Shadrack Fer- 
ris, Lysandcr Fancher, (ieorge A. Fox, Charles 
French, Charles Gill, AVarren Huchins, Joel Hoyt, 



" Entlrtcd July 0, ITT^i. He wiw the youngcgt nicniber of Cni>t. Huw't 
comjiany, and iluriiiK tlio alwoncv or tlio cai'tulii ho was npiKiintod to Inko 
IiIh place on the ttuJilvii ap|>oaraiic« of n Rung of TorU.«. Ho drow up tho 
comfmiiy iii*nr 1)10 BetoHil-houiw in l>aricii, anil wiut hlniM-KHhot duwu us 
bo fftooO li'lwccn two of hb brothers, llczckluh nnil Judad. 



Daniel Johnson, Reuben Knapp, John Larkin, Moses 
Mountealm, Benjamin Odle, Harry Provost, Isaiah 
Rogers, Charles Rowlson, Amos Stickland, AVilliam 
Stevens, J. AV. Shallenberg, Selleck Scofield, Oliver 
J. Smith, David Tucker, Samuel K. AVeeks, Isaac 
AVilmoth. 

The following is the roll of Captain Elijah Reed's 
Company in the Thirty-fourth Regiment, commanded 
by Nehemiah Lockwood, and bearing date Sept. 
8-13, 1813.* It bears the following minute of the 
captain: Elijah Reed, captain; .lames Clock, lieu- 
tenant; Ralpli Hoyt, ensign; Selleck AVeed, first 
sergeant ; John Street, second sergeant ; Abraham 
'J'ibbet, third sergeant; David Camp, fourth sergeant; 
Holly Bell, first corporal; Roswell Reed, second cor- 
))oral ; Jacob AA'ardell, third corporal ; Isaac Bishop, 
fourth cor|)oral ; George Weed, Isaac AVarren, Seely 
Slason, Isaac Bouton, Charles Brown, Lewis AVatcr- 
bury, Scudder AVeed, Charles AVeed, Lyman Seely, 
Henry Smith, John M. Nash, Raymond Mather, Fred. 
Siiith, David Scofield, Nathan Nash, Samuel Street, 
Lcander Hoyt, Ezra Hoyt, David How, James B. 
AVeed, AValtcr B. Hoyt, Alarza Scribner, David AVeed, 
.Joseph AVood, Jacob Little, Chatnian Smith, -Andrew 
Bixbee, Samuel Holden, Benjamin Little, Jonas 
AVeed, David Holly, Joseph Scofield, absent; Peter 
Stevens, Alvah Schofield, not called on ; Lsaac AVeed, 
Henry AVeed, John L. AVebb, Hervcy AVatcrbury, 
Samuel AVatcrbury, lived remote ; Thomas Robertson, 
not called on ; .John A. Scofield, not called on. 

The folowing list is tliat of a company commanded 
by Capt. Peter Smith, then lieutenant. It is headed 
with these words : " Co. 3, commanded by Peter 
Smith, lieutenant. Col. Samuel Dean's regiment, Sep- 
tember 8-12, 181.3." 

The company was called out on the appearance of a 
hostile fleet, and was stationed fur four days on Ship- 
pan Point. They were allowed twenty cents a day 
by the government — tlie lieutenant commanding re- 
ceived sixty cents a day. Isaac Knapp, sergt. ; Jas. 
Webb, sergt.; John Selleck, sergt.; Luther Knapp, 
sergt. ; Charles S. Gaylor, corp. ; .Andrew AVebb, 
corp. ; Elisha Hawley, corp ; Darius I>ockwoo(I, 
drummer; Lewis Lockwood, fifer; Isaac Ferris, Sol- 
omon Garnsey, .John Andrews, Moses AV. Smith, 
Smith Knapp, Benjamin Hoyt, Jr., Thomas AVeeks, 
Isaac Nichols, AVilliam AVatcrbury (6th), John Han- 
chaw, AVilliam AV. Scofield, James Hoyt, Jr., Jo- 
siah -Austen, -Alanson Provost, Epenetus Scofield, 
-Annanias Hoyt, AVilliam Scofield, Jr., Eber Smith, 
Drake Studwell, James Smith, Jr., Elisha Scofield, 
Gilbert E. AVatcrbury. 

The following were also in the service: John Bil- 
lings, who is still living on Longridge, was at New 
London ; John Dan and Jonathan Dan were also at 



* Tho enemy Appearing hoetilo In tlie Sound by the Tortial order of 
KehemJHh I.ockwood. Km]., liciitenant-cohniel coninmndnnt. I called tlio 
ciniifinv Into service on the Ktli of September, 1813, and on tho 13th, by 
his verbal order dieniissod them. 



STAMFORD. 



ro7 



New Loii<lim ; Kciilicn DiMilc, smi dt' .Inlm, was for 
twenty-throe iiioiitlis u ]irisiiiii'r in the fanums Dart- 
moor Prison; Stephen Ilaight, of North Htanifonl, 
then livinfj; in New York, was in rci^uhir serviee ; 
AUinsoti Holly, enlisted ami served ; Aniasa Louns- 
bury was in the ii;ivy ; ^V'illiam V\'. I/Ounsbury was 
taken jirisoner at New Orleans, in 1812 ; Tyler IMead 
was in service at Saratoga ; Squire Palmer was ser- 
geant at New London ; Samuel Provost was pen- 
sioned for serviee ; Harvey Si'ofield at New Londoti, 
in 1812; Samuel Sherwood, at New London; John 
Sherwood, son of Matliew, was in Canada ; .Tohn 
Burgess, Elisha Leeds, Noah Loekwood, Solomon 
Seofield, Ezad Stevens, Lewis AVaterbury, Sylvanus 
Meed, James Sniffin, James Weed, Seuddcr Weed, 
Henry Snitiin, Silas Weed, Pufus Weed. 

"Among the natives of Stamford who rendered 
good serviee during this war was also Nath.-vniel 
Weed, Esq. At the opening of the war he had just 
become well established in business; but at the call 
of the government he consented to accejit a cap- 
taincy in the army. At the <dose of the war he had 
reached the rank of colonel, and won a good name 
for his uniform promptness and elliciency at every 
pest. Harvey Weed, brother of Nathaniel, was also 
in serviee in this war. He was a lieutenant and was 
appointed paymaster." 

"Captaix Wii.LiAjr Skiudy was an active par- 
ticii)ant in the naval struggles of the war. At its open- 
ing, he was before the mast. He was midshiimian on 
board the 'Hornet,' t'aiitain Nicholas Biddle, in the 
.successful tight with the ' Penguin.' " 



CHAPTER LXX. 

STAMFOKD (Continued).. 

Th.- Iii.li;iris— Einly RmUs .iinl R.-i]lati..i]s— rnfli..l.l.i> nf IVOX— Stiim- 
f..i(l ill 17l)0-Stamfur.l in ls(Xh— Tr..iilili.s i.f the ScKiKtb uink-r tliu 
New lliivc-n .Iiiriscliiti III— Till' (iiviMiwirli Tniuljles— Eci Iraiiisticiil 
Tiou1.1l-s— Thu Fii-st Ileix'ticnl Oiitl.ivuk— Tin- Eiirjged (iuuiiors. 

IXDI.ANS. 

AltiiougIi Stamford was not the scene of any de- 
vastating Indian wars, it nuist not be supposed that 
the pioneers lived in perfect jicace, with no fears dis- 
tracting them of trouble from the red brother. 

A humane policy was pursued with the Indians, 
and everything done that wi.se forethought and just 
judgment could suggest to cultivate their friendship, 
but, notwithstanding all their endeavor.s, tlic settle- 
ment was for a long time in an almost constant state 
of alarm from threatened attacks by roving marauders. 
Several murders were committed by the exasperated 
savages, who witnessed with intense batred and feel- 
ings of revenge the encroachment of tlie pale-faee 
upon their hunting-grounds, but no concentrated war 
was made upon the settlement. 

In 1G75, when Philip, the proud chief of the Wam- 



]ianoags, soundi'd the war-whoop through tlie beautiful 
valley of the Connecticut, and Brooklicld, Deerlield, 
Springfiebl, and other towns were successively plun- 
dered and destroyed by the enraged savages, the cit- 
izens of Stamford were alarmed lest, without warning, 
they too might meet the same fate. Under date of 
Dec. 2!t, pit:'., the following letter was writtcpi from 
Stamf ird to the General Court convened at Boston : 

" Wlioroforf, in expectation tif tlio armies coming: against tliis olien 
(leclureii enemy %ve Iiave been Iritlieito silent, but I>y the lon^ refanl ami 
no intelligence ujhui any pr-isecntion, npoii that ac'connt we aie afraid 
(it) is laiii asiile, wheiehy we shall he much enilanjiereil it' not iiiineil, if 
your honors ilo not hy some spei-dy nn-ans relieve us, for we are ftuntiet^ 
and most likely assaulteil in the tiist iilace." 

On the 19th of Octcjber it is nimoreil that the 
Stamford Indians are in tirms, and the Governor 
warns the citizens to jilace themselves " in a tilting 
posture for all events." 

That the citizens of Sttiniford apprehended danger 
is evidenced by the fact tbtit at a meeting hidd in 
March, KIT"), ;i committee consisting of Mr. Bell, Sr., 
John (ircen, Peter Ferris, John Bates, and Daniel 
Weed were chosen to superintend the erection of a 
fortification and stockade, and at the same meeting it 
was voted the stockading of the town shall be com- 
pleted. 

The town was, bowever, never attacked. The in- 
vasion of Philip einled in disa.ster to the gallant 
chieftain, and not many years elap.sed after the close 
of the struggle ere this section settled down in a last- 
ing peace with the Inilians, and in Hi!;*.') tbe following 
vote was passed by the townsmen of Stamford, for the 
disjjosal of the fortification : 

^ 18 Per. Ih'Jo, per vote outt:ry the town doth sell the fort w<k»'I about 
ye nieetiny-house to Stephen Clason for seventeen shillings ;ind uitie- 
pence. The town by outcry doth sell ye fort gates ye wheels of ye great 
guns ami all ye wooil belonging t<) ye guns it is now sold to Nuthaimll 
Cross and Jonathuu Holly foi- five shillings and si-vpence." 

E.\RLY RULES, REGULATIONS, AND RECORDS. 

Oct. 19, 1041, the i>ionecrs designated si.x of their 
number to administer the atfairs of the little settle- 
ment "according to equity, peace, law, and conve- 
nience." These men wi.'re Mr. Denton, Mathcw 
Mitchell, Andrew Wtird, Thurston Reiner, ami Rich- 
ard Crab. 

At a "general town-ineetiug" held in December, 
H!41, it was decided that the fields of the freeholders 
sliould be fenced. Each man's share of the labor of 
liuilding the said fence was designateil, and it must be 
completed "by the first <lay of A|)ril, 1(142, anil who- 
soever hath not eom])leted bis fence according to this 
order, by that time, forfeit ( ) shillings for every 
rod. Ri. Oildersleeve and Ro. Bates were chosen to 
inspect the fence upon its completion, "under [lenalty 
of forfeiture of five sliillings a man if they do not." 

The necessity of h.-iving roads early claimed their 
attention, as the folltjwing record shows: 

" It was onlereil. That whereas every nuiu uuiu may eoniit [all as his] 
Kight before his lott to the middle of the street to bo his [hut the treca 
he luay] fall for his owti use, if he like not to let them stand so [ 



708 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COU.NTY, CONNECTICUT. 



] tlip crouiid ami clear the way of thorn, and if do not f [nil them 
and cU'ttr] llio wiiy of tlicm, to forflto for every tree not so fallen [ ] 

two stiilHiigs dJxpceuco." 

Under date of June 23, 1651, is the following: 
" Mikill Shaw being arraincd for working on ye Sab- 
bath to break of ye Sabbath, he being subject of it 
anknowledging sin and was sorry for it. So is fined 
2(1. for ye work in which lie engaged." 

At a town-meeting lield Dec. 1-3, 1719, it was " Voted, 
that the town agrees if an person shall kill any dog 
forty rods from his master's house, his master not 
being present, shall have two shillings, provided if he 
be killed between sunset and sunrise." 



£ II. d. 



riemance, William 27 

Clurk, Joseph 'Zt 

Dun, Knin in 27 

Itihl.le, Zechar>- 'IG 

l>fiin, Sainnel 14 

T>fan, John '.M 

Doan, Mathew - 1« 

Kerris, Pttor 118 

yoniN, Joseph 72 

Fcrtis, iVttT, Jr 3'J 

Finch, Isjmc, Sr 27 

Fiiarli, .Vhnihani, Sr 37 

Finch, John 22 

Finch, Samuel 4C 

Finch, Joseph 4i 

Finch, Abi-aham, Jr 35 

Finch, Isaiic, Jr 22 

Garnsey, Joseph 40 

Circon, John j 28 

Green, nenjamin 5a 

Green, Joseph bl 



(Nl 





im 





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3 


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12 


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112 


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STAMFOm) LV /OSS. 



FREEUOLDERS OF 1701. 

The following is a list of the freeholders of Stam- 
ford, iisapiienrs on tlie town records for the year 1701, 
together with financial condition of each : 

£ >. d. 

AniUor, John 92 10 

AixlrewR, Jcromluli HG IH 

AuDtiii, Jolili »4 (14 (I 

Itol.-n, Jutin, Sr 1.T5 (Kl II 

n.l.-iS .ImIiii, Jr -- 00 UO U 

1I.II, .Mm 105 (Nl 

11.11, .I.ilmtliBn BJi in 

lli»li.)|., SteplKMi 1*1 10 

lIlllMip. J.wpli 65 12 

HiBliiip, Kl.cii07.cr 33 00 

lli>li..|>, lli.njiiiiilii 38 111 

llniwii. Jo«ci.li _ _ _^. 87 10 

lliixl..ii.l'lciiiciit 12 (10 r. 

lllmhli-v, Snniucl _... 37 07 3 

CilMV, .I..I111 „. 40 16 D 

Criiwv, J.iiiiitlmn Si 18 00 

Cnw, Nnllmliic! M (10 

Clim.ll, llnliid 04 05 

CliM.n, Suniicl M 12 

Chupoiaii, SIniuu 26 UO 6 



Gold, J.ihii 8R 

llanly, Sjiiiinol 47 

Ilii;):itiKt.<.IIiiiin. Mr 30 

HuIdics, Stciilioli 83 

lli.liiit'it, S.iniuol 18 

H..liiic», .Mill 31 

lliivl, Siiiim.l, Sr W 

Il.irt, Snniiid, Jr 24 

lliiy(. Jciliii I'J 

lliiyt, ll.-iijiiliiill, Sr 12 

lliiyt, IWnjitniln, Jr 62 

lliivt, J..»liim 31 

lln'vt, Siilnilcl (finilhl 3. 

lluily, Samiul, Sr *« 

H.illv, J..I111, Sr 71 

IIlU'v, J..I111 tt> 

IL.tiv, Kll/jilii-Ih 61 

ll<.n'r,J.>imthnn 58 

llollV, J..I111, Jr ~ 30 

llullj-. .Siiiiiicl, Jr »i 

llollv, Ji««|.li 2S 

II1.IIV, J..I111. Jr 30 

Jn^igcr, Ji.imtlinn jj^ 

JuiH', r.'tor "■» 

Jutics.Orp (ori>lian?).» \ 

Kniip, M««c« ^* 

Knap, John HI 

Knap, Caleb - M 



02 


n 


110 





nil 





05 





mi 


11 


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HI 





112 


G 


no 


II 


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10 





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lli 


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no 





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17 


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STAMFORD. 



709 



£ s. ,(. 
I.oiUwoucl. .I..sc|.li Ill II" li 

i.o. kw.i.i.i, ii.iiii.i ;ss iii i; 

I,.,.;U« 1. Ivhumiil '^H 111 " 

Mills, William 'Jl Im u 

}lill>. .lohii 1« i«l II 

N.-«niiiii. ThiiUiiis K:i 1111 II 

r,-ttit, .i..i,M r.i: 07 '.1 

IViK.v.r, Tlioiiiiis Ti (l.'i II 

r,.!!.!' Niilhaliifl :lll IHl 

M;l-^.iii, .Inliii.Sr liil li.'i n 

ShL-i.M,.I<iliii, Jr -iT i:. 11 

.sl:i»..ii, .l..iiiilhivn :'■:! ii" ii 

;«lii.>on, .lames 4;{ il li 

Shwui, Sti-|.li.'n IS II 1) 

SiM-h-v, Ohiidiah 2fi I.K1 II 

Si-rU-v. Julias, .Ir 18 Oil II 

So'lic'l.l, |laiii>-l, Sr lis ll'i II 

S,-.,ti.-l.l, llaiiii'l, Jr .V. Ill II 

.'ii-..ti.-l.l, Wi.l.jw.. 11(1 or, II 

Sc.ti.ld. .Ii.hii i" 11.1 II 

.S,-..litl,l. Hi. liaul .Mi 112 

Smith, .l.iliii 1117 IW Ii 

Sniilli. Ilaiml 14H 11 II 

fiH"vi-ii», nl.a.liali 7'.l 07 li 

St«--MMi», Thcimas IS IKI C 

.S1,.V.M1«, .Insfpll Jli 17 II 

Stoln-, .li.lili it 1111 II 

S,-ll.-ik. Majnr ill IJ U 

s.n.., k, w i,iu»- iiiii II.-. II 

s.d).-.k. Captain 12:i m li 

Sell.-, k. Natliniiii-1 .'.7 a 

f^c-el.-v, .l..iiii», Sr hi; 17 

TlalR-ni, K.lwanl 41 In II 

Tana-v, .I.i.s,.pl, (;:i ir. ii 

\\at.Tl.tirv, Haaji-l l:ill 111 '.' 

Uat.llaiiv. Ji.na lull im n 

\\i-i(l, .lolias, Sr l.''>4 III II 

■\Vhi.,I, WiiU.w '.Hi 111 (I 

^V,■|.,1, Haaiil 'Jli li7 U 

^V,•,■,1, N.ina.l Ti V, II 

\V|.,..l,.I.,si.pli a.'> (Hi ;l 

W.-lili, Saiiiil.-l M 111 II 

Wi..l,l., .I,,».]ih (11 US [> 

AVvLstcr, .l.ilin 41 im U 

WpI-sIct, Ilaiiicl :'.0 II II 

W,i,,,l, Ml IIU 111 U 

Y.iiim;.'^, .IhIim 411 111 II 

Davi-iipurt, Jlr. Ji.hii lim "I U 

Eiitir.il this jstli of Jnaimiy, 17I1U-', liy Saiiini'l llully, iT.-onler. 

The tiillnwiiig- clinice iiion_T;iii, louml in the Now 
York colonial roi'onls of tliis ihitr, will enalilf us to 
estimate the intluenee of !-(tainf(inl in what has siiiee 
become the metropolis of tlie continent. It hoars date 
New York, Nov. 2S, 170<l, and was written hy the 
"Earl of Bellmont," to the Enijlisli Lords of Trade, 
his masters. It will give lis a pretty clear idea of the 
Yankee enterprise of at least one of the Stamford hoys 
of tliat day. The record will also reveal the natural 
results of the nearness of Stamford to the great nio- 
tropolis of the country, indicating thus early in its 
history how strongly our hnsiness men are tempted 
towards the city. 

STAMFORD IX 17110. 

Stamford in 170(1 was a prosperous settlement, and 
ranked among the leading provincial towns in the 
colony. It was the residence of many leading spirits 
in the various professions anil in trade. As an evi- 
dence of the importance of the town, or rattier of the 
enterprise of "Major Sclleck," the following extract 
from a letter written to tlio English I>ords of Trade 
by the Earl of Bellmont, under date Nov. 28, 1700, is 
given : 

"Theresa town called Stamford, in Conn. Colony, 
on the border of this province, where one Major Scl- 
leck lives, wdio has a ware house close to the sea, that 
runs between the mainland and Nassau ( Long Island). 
That man does us great mischief with his ware house, 



for be receives abundance of goods from our vessels, 
and the merchants afterwards take their o]>portunity 
of running them into this town. Major Selleck re- 
ceived at least £10,000 worth of treasure ;ind East 
India goods, brought by one Clarke, of this town, 
from Kid's shmp, and Indged with Solleck.'' 

The following sketidi of Stamford as it appeared 
in 1800 is from the pen of Rev. E. B. Huntington : 

"Connecticut, at this date, had more than quad- 
rupled the number of her towns reported in 1700, — 
from 27 having increa.sod to 118. But Stamford, 
meanwhile, had gone forward in population, from the 
little scattered community of 08') souls to the respect- 
able township of 4-1(55, — a growth nearly eight-fold in 
the century, and the growth in wealth had been even 
greater than in population ; while the advance in 
facilities for travel, and in all the arts whiidi minister 
to the social well-being of a community, had been 
still more rapid than in wealth. 

" The territory had not yet snlferod excision, though 
tlie citizens of the eastern p.-irt of the town were lie- 
ginning to think of caring for thoniselvcs. The north- 
ern end of that portii.in hail already concerted a plan 
for speedy secession. But we find the town exceed- 
ingly loth to surrender a single foot of the territory, 
or a single vote of the subjects that for more than a 
century they had ruled and oared for as inalienably 
their own. The citizens entered U]iou the contest 
with those portions of the town which asked permis- 
sion to leave the (dd jurisdiction and set up for them- 
selves under new auspices, and the struggle was long 
and earnest until the secession of a jiart of New 
Canaan, and the whole of Darieii was finally carried. 
"Now York was not yet so accessible as to stiuiu- 
hite vi'i-y noticeably the business longings and educate 
the business talents of our young men. The days of 
the old stage-coach had indeed been for years wear- 
ing themselves out in the humilrum stylo of tho.sc 
(|uiet and sober times, and Stamford was simply a 
well-to-do town, whose honest and industrious people 
were mainly content with such gains and show as 
they could win from the soil, or as they could coin 
from the sobered prosecution of their varied handi- 
craft. 

" In making up our estimate of the condition of the 
town at this date, let us first see wdio are occupying its 
varied otlices of honor and trust. The list we shall 
report, without giving the ofiifos assigned to the sev- 
eral names. Capt. Isaac Lockwood leads our citizens, 
evidently, as apjiears from tlie uniformity with which * 
at this period he is called to preside in our imblic 
meetings, and with Nathan Weed, .Ir., ho also repre- 
sents the town in the State Legislature. .lohn Iloyt, 
Jr., is still, as Ibr the last twenty-five years, the faith- 
ful clerk of the town, and his large, fair hand-writing 
will be easily legible as long as the accurate records 
shall be preserved. Following these names stand the 
Ion"- list of those wdio iu one way and anotlier were 



710 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



found worthy to serve the town of their nativity or 
a(loi)tion. The list is worthy of preservation. It re- 
ports to us the names of the fathers and grandfathers 
of the present citizens of the town, as tliey sought to 
do their duty here, sixty-eight years ago. 

"LIST OF TOWS OFFICI.^LS Foil THE YEAR 180O. 

" Josiali Smith, Gary Leeds, Amos Weed, Isaac Pen- 
oycr, Steplicn Bishoj), .Jesse Jloyt, Samuel Hoyt (3d), 
Jonathan Bates, Steplien Selleck, Jr., Samuel Whiting, 
Nathaniel Clock, Amos IjOunsbury,Smith Weed, John 
William Holly, Robert Scofleld, Isaac Smith, Jr., Ezra 
Lockwood, Cliarles Knapp, Isaac Quintard, Jeremiah 
Palmer, Zadoc Newman, David Smith (3d), Jeremiah 
Knapp, Jr., Josiah Dibble, Ebenezer Webb, Nathaniel 
Webb, Jolin Nichols, Tliomas Lounsbury, Thaddcus 
Hoyt, James Buxton, John Lounsbury, Bradley Ayers, 
Abishai Weed, Enoch Stevens, Epenetus Hoyt, Reuben 
Jones, Jacob Scofleld, John Davenport (3d), Warren 
ScV)field, Rufus Newman, Warren Hoyt, William 
Weed, Gold S. Pennoyer, Elisha Stevens, Josei)h 
Smith, Nathaniel Waterbury, Elisha Leeds, John 
AVaterbury (3d), Nathan Sjely, John Bell, David 
Foster, Nathan Reed, Nathan Bouton, Josiah Smith, 
John Nichols, Joseph Bishop, Jonathan Brown, 
Charles Weed (3d), Enoch Comstock,Stei)hen Bishoj), 
Benjamin Weed, Jr., Sylvanus Knap, Isaac Lock- 
wood, Josejih Waring, Jesse Hoyt, Shadrach Hoyt, 
Jr., Hoyt Scofleld, William Waterbury (4th), Nathan 
Seely, Israel Weed, Benjanrin Brush, Samuel Mather, 
Enos Waterbury, Gold Smith, Abraham Davis. 

" So many and such are tiie names recorded in 1800 
to transact the business of the town. 

" Tlierc were standing witliin the Stamford limit-s 
in 1800 six church edifices. In the oldest, the First 
Congregational, Rev. Daniel Smith, a young man, had 
just entered upon his long ministrj-, and both as 
preacher and teaclier was laying good foundations 
for hiij work. The Episcopal congregation were still 
worshiping in their first church, standing on the 
rocks, southeast from their present church on Main 
Street. They were still in sorrow over the recent 
death of their first rector. Dr. Dibble, though hoping 
much from the opening ministry of Rev. Calvin 
White, who liad come here to his aid in 1798. The 
Baptists were rejoicing in their new niceting-housc, 
so upright and square, overlooking the mill-pond on 
River Street. The patriarch of their denomination, 
Ebenezer Ferris, was still with them, and with the 
Rev. Marmaduke Earl, in charge over the eongrcga- 
« tion at the Bangall church, wa-s providing for the 
cpiritual training of botli branches of the denomina- 
tion. Two or three Methodist preachers otficiatod 
within the limits of tiie township, though as yet no 
church edifice had been built for their worship, the 
private dwelling of Mr. Isaac Reed, their pioneer, 
still accommodating «11 who wished to attend their 
meeting-; at the centre of the town. In Nortii Stam- 
ford, which by this time had outgrown the old title 



of Woodpecker Ridge, a good congregation were edi- 
fied by the youthful ministry of their third pastor, 
Rev. Amzi Lewis. In Jliddlesex (Darien), the vener- 
able Moses Mather, D.D., the same who for his rev 
olutionary zeal was taken nineteen years before from 
his own pulpit and marched over the British lines 
into New York, was still doing good service in his 
ministerial work. 

" Thus, instead of the simple church and its solitary 
pastor of 1700, tlic opening of this century gives us 
six church edifices with six .settled pastors, and the 
gradual preparation for at least three other places of 
worship. 

" Our schools were under the management of three 
ecclesiastical societies, and the whole territory had 
been divided into twenty-seven districts, and parts of 
three others, so as to bring the school within conve- 
nient distance of all parts of the town. In Parson 
Smith's house, still .standing south of the Baptist 
church, and then the imperial mansion of the town, 
were thus early the rudiments of a town- and board- 
ing-school, in which, for many years, many of the 
youth of the town and not a few from New York 
received the finisii to their preparation for college or 
business. Another of these institutions was soon to 
be opened under the auspices of a son of the town, 
Frederick Scofleld, who graduated in 1801, and began 
here his career as a teacher. The children of the 
centre of the town in District No. 1, which then ex- 
tended from Mill River to the Noroton, were accom- 
modated in that little square structure, with its slight 
cupola on its toj), now standing across Bank Street 
from the Congregational church. The play-grounds 
for these children were all that triangle now inclosed 
by Main, Atlantic, and Bank Streets, the school-house 
being then the only building on the entire opening. 
Some of our oldest citizens of 18G8 remember to 
have used those grounds for their mimic navies in 
summer, and their ringing skate-steel in winter. But 
that Wiis before Ihcy were needed for the various busi- 
ness uses to which this last half century has wrested 
them. 

" Let us look now at the business of the village, 
that part of the town now in the borough. We shall 
find hero four little stores, in each of wliich wc miglit 
have bought whatever the frugal habits of that day 
needed for use, of dry goods or groceries, not except- 
ing even the ' good creature,' which then had not been 
voted contraband. These stores were standing, the 
first just ciust of where the Union House now stands, 
next to Smith Weed's house; the second, on the south 
west corner of the lot where Mr. S. W. Smith's new 
brick block stands, and was in the hands of that early 
woman's rights practitioner, Mrs. JIunday, where 
some of our oldest citizens now living bought their 
first stick of candy and took their first lessons in 
commercial life; the third, where our citizens Hurl- 
butt arc n<jw carrying on their tailoring business; and 
the fourth, on the corner of South Street, where 



STAMFORD. 



(11 



('has. Williams, 7'>q., now lives. Where the Rippo- 
watii Wddlen Mills sttuid then stiidd the villa;.;e grist- 
mill, which for one huuilreil an<l lil'ty-ei^lht years had 
lieeu maintained as the ehief anil mcxt important 
linsiness institntinn of thr town. ( )n the eorner of 
Parson Smith's lot, aliont where our jeweler Weed has 
his handsome front, stood what was called a Iiat-shop, 
the ajre of factories not having yet dawned. The only 
other huilding used I'or business purposes, within the 
]u-esent I)orougli limits, was the slaughter-house of 
the town, standing tlien where Dr. Trowbridge now 
lives, near the northwest eorner of the old burying- 
Int. Of the seventy-seven families then residing on 
this territory, only one remains, in isii.s, in actual 
oceupanc-y cd' the same lot and residence, and that is 
our citizen Isaac Quintan). On all this territory 
there are no signs of an 'Algiers' or 'Dublin,' id' 
canal or of railroad. < )ur thoroughfares were one 
street, cast and west, nearly eoincidijig with our |ires- . 
cut Main Street; and one north and south, where 
Atlantic and Bedford Streets are now. I'esides these, 
on thi^ territory, was only a lane I'mm the gate 
tlien standing on the c-oriier soutliia^t of St. .Tohn's 
Park, leading over to the cov(> and down to Shippan 
Point l>y the Indian Cave, which itself has disajipeared 
in the progress of blasting; anil what was then called 
west South Street, now South, from the bridge on 
Broad Street, down to the landing. Broad Street was 
opened eastward only to Atlantic Street. All other 
parts (d" the territory from Norwalk to Greenwich 
were as well sui)plied with roads as the village itself, 
and since that date about one-half of the roads in the 
rest of the town have been oiiened. The business of 
the town was largely agricultural, the saw-mill, the 
grist-mill, and the tannery being the extent, as yet, 
of our other business enterprises. Darien, North 
Stamford, Long Ridge, and Bangall constituted four 
business centres, each of which was no mean rival to 
the enterprise of the village itself. The old burying- 
ground of the first pioneers still held sepidehral sway 
over the very ground where our main street now runs ; 
and but for the new era of steam, soon to dawn, the 
Stamford of 1 SOS would but little exceed the sketch 
wdiicli indicates its growth in LSOll," 

TIIOUDLES OF THE SETTLERS tJXDER THE NEW 
HAVEN JUIUSDICTION. 

In consequence of the limited franchi.se allowed 
the inhabitants under the jurisdiction (d' the New 
Haven Colony, tlu' little settlement was the scene of 
various internal dissensions, and oidy three years 
after the iirst settlement, in 1()44, a no iiuiinsiderable 
number seceded and removed to Long Island, prefer- 
ring rather to live under the Dutch government than 
remain under the op|)ressive jurisdiction with which 
they liad now become thoroughly acipiainted, and as 
thnroughly dissatisfied. 

This secession was keenly felt, for among the num- 
ber were many of the leading spirits of the movement 



which resulted in the removal from AVetliersfield. 
The following is the list : .Ti'dm Carman, Robert Coe, 
Richard Denton, father and smi, .Teremy Wood, Ben- 
jamin Coe, Richard < iildersleeve, \\'illiam Rayncr, 
.bdin Ogden, Jonas Wood, John Fordham, Thomas 
Armitage, Edmund Wood, Simon Seiring, Henrv 
Pierson; John Coe, Robert Jackson, Thonuus Sherman, 
Francis Yates, and John Ellison. 

By the secession of those who felt themselves e.S])C- 
cially aggrieved under the New Haven government, 
it was hoped that all further disturbance would be 
averted. But such was not the ease. No more 
lenient jxdicy was adopted by the government, and 
finally, in l(i5:!, a formal protest was forwarded from 
Stamford, in wdiich complaint was maile of their rates 
and against various other obnoxious measures. Suli- 
sciiucntly the commissioners, as the record states, 
" caused the town to be called together, and being 
met they found them, for the most part, full of dis- 
content with the present government they are under, 
pleading that they might have their free votes in the 
chciicc of civil oflicers ; making objections against 
their rates; and propounded to have their charges of 
watching and wanling the summer past, with .some 
other work nuide about their meeting-house for their 
defense, borne by the jurisdiction ; and that they 
might have twelve men sent them at the jurisdiction 
charge to lye there all winter for their defense." 

THE GREENUirit TUOUIU.ES. 

In lO.'i.'i, in eonserpu'iicc of what the Stamford set- 
tlers considered "indignities," which having been 
heaped upon them by the ]ieo[)le of the neighboring 
territiuy of Greenwich, a com])laint was made to the 
court against them and jirotcction demanded. 

"The grievances were such as euuld not be toler- 
ated. The greedy Greenwicliers luid made use of the 
Stamford commons for jiasturing their cattle; they 
were disorderly in their daily walk ; they allowed 
both the English and Indians in drunkenness, and so 
bi-ought on much mischief; they protected disorderly 
and vagrant (diildrcn and servants who ran away 
from tlieir proi)er guardians; and they had converted 
their town into a notorious Gretna Green for all sorts 
of clandestine and illegal marriages. To avoid these 
irregularities in future, the deputies ask that the men 
at Greenwich be refiuired to unite under this juris- 
diction." 

An order was at once issued comnuinding the ac- 
cused Greenwichcrs to submit to the authority of the 
New Haven government. A reply was sent which 
seems to luive incensed the court, ami an order was 
issued commissioning two Stamford deputies. Low 
and Bell, to proceed at once to (iri'cnwich and " de- 
mand, in the name of the court, tlu' nuUibia- of their 
nudes from sixteen to si.xty years of age, to be deliv- 
ered with the other males of the jurisdiction to the 
commissioners the next year at I'lymouth." The re- 
bellious Or^'Ciiwiehcr.! seem to have entertained bellig- 



712 



niSTOIlY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTV, rONNECTICUT. 



erent feelings for some time, but finally, in IG")", the 
followinj:^ dcelariition was presented to the court by 
Richiird Law, .John Waterbury, and George Slawson, 
at that time deputies of Stamford: 

" At Oreoinvicli yo IGtli of Oitober, 1C56. 
" Wet? tlie hihabitiinta of Greenwich whose names arc nntlcnvritten <loo 
from this tliiy forwiiid freely yield ourselves, itliu-e and estate, to the gov- 
ornineiit of Kuwhuven, aiibjeeting oiirbelves to the order and dispose of 
tliat general coui-t, both ill respect of relation and government. ]>roinis- 
ing to yield due sul>jecti(m unto the lawful authoritie and wholesome 
lawea of llie jiirisdictioii afore.*uud, to witt of Newluiven, &c. 
''Alifiell llusted, Peter Ferris, 

Lawiaiic Turner, Joseph Ferris, 

John Austin, Jonathan Iteanolds, 

Richard Crab, Hane Petoreon, 

Thoinii^ Steedwell, Henry Nicholstin, 

Henry Accorley, Jan, a JDutchinaii, 

commonly called Varllicr." 

The court then accepted the declaration and 
ordered that they " fall in with Stamford and be ac- 
cepted a part thereof." 

ECCLE-SIASTICiL TROUBLES. 

Among the grievances which seemed to breed the 
most trouble, and which indeed caused the most in- 
tense hatred among various of the settlers towards 
the New Haven jurisdiction, was the limitation of the 
franchise to church members. Then, too, among the 
fundamental laws of the colony was that of allowing 
no one to "maintain or broach any dangeroug error or 
hercKij," which meant sim|ily a forced allegiance to 
what may properly be called the " established church." 

As the years rolled on and the settlement increa.sed 
in numbers, the opposition to these tyrannical enact- 
ments increased with alarming force, until at length, 
in 1G57, the following order was issued : 

" It is ordered that no Quaker ranter or other heretic of that nature bo 
sufTored to c«»ine into, nor abide in the jurisdiction, and that if any rise 
up among ourselves, that they !« speedily suppressed and secured for the 
lictter prevention of such dangerous ern)rs;" and in the following year 
an act was i«LS««d guarding tliechurchee against " the cursed sect of liei^ 
otica lately risen up in the world which are commonly called qnakerB." 

THE FIRST HERETICAL OUTBREAK.— THE EN- 
RAGED QUAKERS. 

The alarm of the government at the innovations of 
the " cursed sect of heretics called Quakers" was not 
without just cause, for "while this latter enactment," 
says the Rev. Mr. Huntington, "was under discussion 
before the General Court, the heresy which it would 
punish was being secretly spread through the juris- 
diction. It found its way into Stamford. Zealous 
disciples of the new faith sought to propagate their 
creed, and found some who were ready to entertain 
and embrace them. Members of the church became 
tainted with the subtle heresy, and still more who 
owed tlie church a spite were glad to fiiul in the fiery 
apostles of this anti-church creed the heartiest sym- 
pathy and support. 

" Nor did the zealous disciples of the new faith 
ceiwe with merely puMishing the new gospel. They 
were hotter still with zeal to mend the old ; they 
went raad for reform. They renounced the old min- 



istry and meetings and worship, and at once a.ssailed 
and wished to supplant the civil government which 
sustained them. So officious were they that the 
church felt called upon, in self-defense, to enter an 
earnest protest; and the central government were 
obliged either to vacate or justift- their authority. 

" Daniel Scofield, then marshal for Stamford and 
vicinity, authorized by the Governor's writ, took a 
I)osse of his neighbors .ind started for the western side 
of the town, now Greenwich, to arrest one Thomas 
Marshall, who for some time had been insulting and 
outraging the majesty of the government. They 
found him at the house of Richard Crabb, who was 
also lying under charge of .serious miscarriages. 

"The arrest wius made, but not without an attempt 
at interference by Mr. Crabb, and a torrent of abuse 
from his enraged wife. Both of these sympathizers, 
with the vagrant heretic, were put under arrest and 
bound over to the next court of magistrates, to be 
held in New Haven in May,lt)J)8. At the ajipointed 
time Mr. Crabb and his accusers appeared in court. 
The witnesses against him were the party who had 
assisted in the arrest of Marshall, and also Mr. 
Bishop, pastor of the church in Stamford. The court 
informed him that he must now answer for his several 
miscarriages : for his many clamorous and reproach- 
ful speeches against the ministry, government, and 
officers; for neglecting the meetings of the Sabbath 
by himself and his wife, for whose offenses, as they 
were justified by himself, he must be responsible. 

" William Oliver, one of the arresting party, testified 
that when they came to Jlr. Crabb's to arrest Mar- 
shall and seize the Quaker books which were sup- 
posed to be in Mr. Crabb's possession, Madame Crabb 
retreated to another room and closed the door against 
them. Nor would she yield until the door had been 
forced 0])en by violence. 

"Then followed an exciting scene. The plucky 
woman who would not o]ien the door of her castle 
now could not shut lier mouth ; nor could the utmost 
expostulations of her more placable husband, united 
with the utmost array of governmental authority 
before her, do it. Neither the one nor the other, nor 
both united, could intimidate the zealous defender of 
her per-sonal rights. We may never recover the en- 
tire speech which that audience were requireil to hear. 
It had not been written, and there was no time for the 
stenographer to be called. It had no formal exor- 
dium, fashioned after the calm rules of rhetoric ; 
there were jirobably but few of those well-rounded 
periods which give so much dignity to discourse, and 
the peroration w;is doubtless as abrupt and pithy iis 
the rest. 

"The door being ojicned the w.ay was dear for her, 
and she used it, apparently, without help or hin- 
drance, and we may be assured that she had no list- 
less or sleepy auditors to the very end. 

"'Is this your fasting and praying?' breaks forth 
the impassioned woman, as she fastens her searching 



STAMFORD. 713 



glance upon the marshal and his. ittfiidants. ' Dn yr last wnnl. ' Xcver, nc-vi-r, shall I ur mine troublo 

thus rob us and break into our houses ? Hi>\veanyou your Stamturd iiiei'tiiii;- more, I shall die hrst. My 

Stamford men ex]ieet tin- lilessiiiir ot'(.Tod? Will He soul shall never he east away to the devil sn easily as 

bear with your mean hypoerisy? You have taken that;' and. with U|jlitteil hands, she invnke(l on their 

away our lands without rii;lit. You have basely heails the most sudden and the dire<t vengeance 

•wronged us, and let me tell you what I see without wliieli heaven eould intliet. \Vhen she had exhausted 

your hireling priests' lielp : the vengeance of (iod herself in these rajiid maledictions, she called for 

Almighty will burst upon you. Ami when it comes drink to revive her strength ; and the ministers of the 

your priest can't help you. He is as Baal's jiriest, law could do no more tlian go tiirough the ceremony 

and is no better than the rest of you. Ye are all the oi' liimliug her. with her husbaml. (jver to the court, 

enemies of (jod and (iod's saints, and their l)loo(l shall " * )n the narration of the case before the court, as 

be on your souls forever.' just stated, tlu' (iovernor, Francis Xewimui, informed 

"Fastening her sharp eye on (ojodman Bell, the Mr. ( 'rabb that these were notorious doings, not to be 

same who from the first liail bein a pillar in the Stam- allowed. Mr. Crabb, for his wife, it ajipears, had not 

ford church, and who had now come over with the olieyeil the summons to attcml the court, altem|jtcil 

marshal, hoping by his fraternal intercession to win an a|)ology. Hi' could not manage his wife, llediil 

back the estranged and now |icrverse hearts of his not justify her evil way, but he would have tli<' court 

erring brother and sister, she contiriueil her bitter in- understand her case. She was a well-bred English 

vective : 'Thou arch-traitor and hypocrite, tlion vil- woman, a zealous |)rofessor of religion from her ehild- 

lainous liar, ( lod's wrath is on you and shall burn ho(]d, ' but when she is suiMcnly sur|)rised she hath 

hotter and hotter on your godless children. t)ut on not power to restrain her passi(jn.' 

you I poor priest-riildi'U fool!' "To all this the worshipful ( iovernor made answer : 

"Springing ne.xt ujion .John Watcrbury, wdio had ' that what he had said did greatly aggravate herniis- 

also accompanied the marshal to aid in the dispi'iisa- carryings, for if she have bci'u a great ))rofessonr it 

tion of justice, she administers to him a similar casti- was certain she had been an ill jiractiser, in which 

gallon. Then she tries the fori'C of her cutting re- you have countcinun-ed her and borne her up. which 

proaehes and sharp retorts n|>ou the marshal. Ibi' may he accounted yours, as having falne into evills ot' 

selling himself to do the dirty work of the <!od- the like nature yourselt', rcvileling Mr. liishopp as a 

forsaken govenunent at New Haven, and of the over- [iriest of liaal and ye nii'ndiers as liars, and yt Mr. 

reaching and heaven-defying and pricst-eairsed crew Bishopp ]ireai-hc(l for liltliy lucre.' 

in Stamford. Then she assailed ( ieorge Slawson, that " Mr. (_'rabb vainly attempted to ex])lain away or 

exem])larv member of the church, a peacemaker, and deny what abundant testimonies c<]rroboratcd. Jlr. 

oiu' tt himi all didighteil Xu honor, and poured upon Bishop, the ]iastor of the church, had been so S(U'ely 

him her heaviest abuse. He had hoped to iniiel her tried that he 'could not continue at Stamford unless 

irritability, and in his most winning way had most some couise Ijc taken to remove and rel'orm such 

gently expostulated with hc'r, reminding her of the gricvam-es.' ilr. Hell felt that an end of all govern- 

former days in which she had walked joyhdly and nieiit had come if the ministers of justice were to he 

Injpefully with (iod's ])eo]ile in Stamford, and in so opposed and in.sulted with impuinty. The ' citi- 

which she had eminted the communion of saints there zens of Stamliird wished the court to preserve the 

the most precious of all her earthly blessings. ]Ie peace among them, maintain the (jrdinances of reli- 

ventured to express the hope that they might a.irain gion and .tiovernment. and encourage their minister.' 

welcome her to their fellowship in thi' ohl church. To all which Mr. Crabb made no further plea. The 

and that she might ag-aiu listen there to the same cimrt scnti'nced him to pay a (inc of thirty |iounds, 

gospel in which she had once testified lua- great in- anil give bonds to the anmunt id' one hnndre(l pounds 
terest. This was carrying his ])ersuasion too far. It ' for his good behavior, and that he nnikc- public ac- 

seemed to kindle her intensest ire. She was now tin- know ledgments at Stamford to the satisfaitiou of 

once put to it for words rapid enough or hot enough Francis Bell and others whom he had ahuscil. Tlie 

to express her rage. Kvery possibility id' indignant remainder of the sentence is missing, and so we shall 

resentment in her soul was taxed to its utmost. Scorn jirobaldy lu'ver know wdnit dls]iosition the court nnide 

and rage and defiance seemed struggling together in of the sharp-tongued Madame t'rabi) who was really 

her utterance for the mastery over each other, and the chief ofi'ender in the ease. 

they seem to have ended the attem])t at her reconcili- " No other ease of conflict with the <^nakeis, which 

atioii. It was a settler to that well-iiu'ant parley in was decnu-d worthy a public prosecution, seems to 

whii-h her womanly temjier rejoiced in securiiig the have occurred in Stamford or its vicinity." 
4ii ' 



714 



UlSTUlll' Vh' FAIKFIELD COUNTV. CONNECTICUT. 



CHAPTKK I. XXT. 

STAMFORD (Continued). 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Thf Staiiifurcl Advocate — The Stamfurd llci-ald — Staiiifuni IJomugli — 
Stamford National Bank — Thp Fii-st National Batik — The Stamford 
Savings-Bank — Citizens' Savings- Bank — Woodland Cemetery — KirePo- 
partment — Yale Lock-Malillfa4:tnring Company — The II. \V. Collonder 
& Co. BilliardTaljlc Manufactory— St. Jolin. Uoyt & Co.— E. L. SicoU 
& Co.— Other Manufactories— Sliip Canal — New York, New Haven 
and Hartford lUiilroad — New Canaan and Stjimfurd Railroad — Union 
Ijodge, F. and A. M. — Kittentiouso Chapter, No. 11, U. A. M. — Wash- 
ington Council, No. G,lloyal and Select Masters — Physicians- Lawyers 
— Kducational. 

TUE STAMFOKI) ADVOCATE. 

Neaiu.y fifty-two years ago the first paper printeil 
in Stamford saw the light. For nearly two centuries 
previously white men had occupieil the ancient 
domains of the Rippowams, and the original handful 
of settlers from old Wethersfield had slowly increased, 
with comparatively few accessions from outside, 
until in 1S2'.1 Itetwcen three and four thousand in- 
habitants were included in the then limits of Stam- 
ford. Though so near the commercial metropolis of 
New York, whose great stride in material progress 
wa-s attracting the attention of the world, Stamford's 
a-s-sociations and traditions made it as strictly a type 
of a New England I'uritan village as could l)c found 
in the bosom of the old Bay State herself liiit the 
day of modern progress was even then dawning, aiul 
the native siirewdncss and sturdy virtues, which had 
been propagated on this soil, were beginning to be 
stirred by the pulses of a wider activity. Many of 
Stamford's energetic youth were longing to enter the 
business arena in the metropolis, and many sons of 
Stamford, who afterwards became wealthy and lead- 
ing merchants, date the first beginning of their race 
for fortune at about the period of which we speak. 
Steamboat communication had begun to supplant the 
stage-coach and the packet-sloops in the pa.«scnger 
traffic to New York, and, with a closer associati,)n 
with the throbbing and bu.sy city, Stamford itself 
began to wake from it.s Rip Van Winkle slumber, to 
be stirred by the first low wasli of the waves of mod- 
ern progress that were soon to become a tide of resist- 
less force. 

It was ap]iroprialely at a ]ieriod like this that the 
local newspaper made it.s appearance. Mr. William 
Henry Holly was then, as he was for ninny years 
afterwards, one of the most familiar figures on the 
stage of village activity. He it was who fir.st started 
the local newspaper, and who conducted it about 
fifteen years. Much of the space he devoted to the 
doings of Congress when in session, to national poli- 
tics, and no inconsiderable portion was given to for- 
eign news, which at that time was peculiarly inter- 
esting to Americans by the gallant struggle for Greek 
independence. DafWel Webster and Henry Clay 
were the big guns of American politics, and their 
doings and sayings filled a large space in the prints 



of the day. The Aiiti-Masonie excitement wa.s in 
full bliist in New York, and affected Connecticut, too. 
for more than once the village streets witnessed some- 
thing approaching a riot when Anti-Masonic emissa- 
ries undertook to make public speeches. Stamford's 
rapid transit to New York was by stage to " Saw 
Pitts," otherwise Portchester, and thence by a crude 
steamer which plied between that hamlet and the 
city. The boat was run by one Cornelius Vandcrbilt. 
whose name and fame as a steamboat manager and 
railroad king afterwards spread over both continents. 

In 18.30, when the Advocate was a year old, the 
borough government was organzined, with Simeon 
Minor, father of ex-Governor William T. Minor. 
as first warden. 

Following Mr. Holly's proprietorshiji came that 
of Mr. Edgar Hoyt, during whose editorial career the 
railroad was completed, introducing at once a new 
and powerful energy into village life, and opening the 
way for a large iriHux of population from outside. Mr. 
Hoyt held the editorial office about a dozen years, and 
was followed by Mr. William T. Campbell, who con- 
ducted the paper from 1860 to 18(57. The paper has 
been in the hands of its present publishers, William 
W. (iillcspie & Co., thirteen years, and during that 
period it hius been enlarged three times, and its facili- 
ties have been increased in a more than corresponding 
degree. During tbe latter decade almost every modern 
improvement known to the " art preservative" hsis 
been added to the concern ; a brick building of ample 
size, exclusively for the purposes of its business, has 
been erected near the post-office, and furnished with 
steam-i)ower. 

How well the paper is appreciated in the commu- 
nity may be judged from the score or more t>f congrat- 
ulatory letters written by the leading citizens and 
professional men of the town on the occasion of its 
celebrating its semi-centennial, Aug. "id, 1879. All 
of these letters expressed in tbe most profuse language 
the warmest ajipreciation of the efforts of the present 
proprietors to furnish a paper worthy of the town, and 
ill keeping with the " age in which we live." 

The .size of the paper at present is twenty-nine by 
forty-five, having thirty-six columns twenty-seven 
inches long. It is Republican in ]>olities since the 
birib of that jiarly, and is strenuous in its advocacy 
of liberty and justice to every citiz«'n. For over 
fifty-one years it has been the most comprehensive 
and faithful historian of the village, borough, and 
town. The marriages and deaths, the triumphs, the 
disasters, the onward march of progress, the notable 
events of every kind are all to be found recorded 
in its pages. TJie names that ap|)ear in its early 
numbera in business advertisements, or as active in 
local affairs, are, most of them, now to be found on the 
memorial .stones in our cemeteries. A journal so 
long and so closely identified with this community, 
and which has demonstrated its capacity to keep 
pace with the general progress, has surely strong 



STAMFORD. 



ri5 



•laiins u|")ii ]iul>lic interest and su[p]"irt, and it is 
vdrthyot'note, as slmwinjj tlie strung' liold tlie Adcot-ate 
las on the cmnniunity witli wliicli it has grown U[), 
liat lialt' a (h)7,en attempts liave been made to estab- 
isli rival papers in the same eomnumity, but eaeh at- 
empt, save its present ennteinporary, met with signal 
ailnre. 

Of late \>"A\-^ ihi- Stiiiiifnri} AiJniratr has become a 
'ainiliar name in nearly every news]>aiier olHee of the 
•onntry, its articles, paragraphs, nietricals, etc., being 
'rei|Uently and widely copieil. 

The following lines were written by nne of the edi- 
tors and ]inblis|ied in its semi-centennial nnndier: 

FIl'TY YE.\I!S OF AllR. 

Hail ta tlie A,lmcitte'» lialf-hiiii.ll ...l yiais, 
AVliosi- liislory on its iiagcs biii:lit aiijiiMi^. ! 
Hail tu the clustering inenmiiis nf its ,V"ntli. 
Its stur»i,v age maik- vigia(iu> I'V tnitli ! 

How oft in days gone by its voice was liearil 
Praising good deeds and eluding those who eiTed ; 
Kinging glad notes with every marriage-bell, 
Voieingtiie public moa[i witli every funeral knell ; 
(jiving to hone.st worth its meed of jiraisr'. 
Placing on victor's brows the wreath of b.ays ; 
Boldly denouncing wrong in every form. 
Maintaining right in sunshine and in stoi-m ; 
Pointing the way whert? civic viitue lies, 
Expi^sing fiand in eveiy shrewd disguise ; 
Recording on its compreliensive page 
Each act and actor on the local stage. 
Impartially it notices as well 
The tK)ozy drnnkaid and the village belle ; 
The pulpit orator, wIiom- jsierciiig voice 
Alarms the sinner, makes the saint rejoice; 
The lawyer's eloquence, whose ]iower can light 
Tlie shades of black and make it seem il'; white ; 
The doct<u'8 triumphs over i-aitlily ills 
( Jiut never mentions those he blindly killsi : 
The schoolboy's spoken piece, the go>-i|,-. hint, 
Are both next morning in the local piiut. 
All things are there,— the little and the big, 
The price of stocks, thr^ weight of .buies's pig; 
The c'pnnng circus, or the minstrel shi>w. 
The church fairs that for free pufls always g..; 
The poliiiciau. with his iixe to grind, 
Wh.), gaining idlice, drops you from his mind ; 
The atigiy man, who " «ants to know.yi.u know, 
Who wiot.lhat piece" that liles his temper so; 
The "s.-tt. i" in the villagi- gro<ery -store, 

Crami 1 Willi .ill niotleru and ancient lore, 

W ilhotit w hose « ImIoiii hiiw the «orld wiis run 

I> one "I 111. stiangesl things beneath the sun ; 

The nian who, guilty of some tlagiant sio, 

Itegs .if the editor " n.it to pill it in ;" 

Till- tortureil husband, lired of househol.l stiile. 

At lust resolves to advertise his wife; 

'riie palh-til mother ol a wayward son 

•Seeking lo hide the deid- his hands have- done ; 

The happy latbei\ ,>ell-approvilig joy. 

Telling the «orld about liis '■ t« id ve-|ionnd boy," 

The rainier wli.i has nils .1 llie biggc-st bect ; 

The man who wants to open a new stieet, 

.\nd for his scheme demands a warm defense, 

To till his pocket at the town's expense; 

The man who thinks the town its liglit.s shoilbl barter. 

,\iid heal the btirden of a city charter; 

And hi', most palliotic of nsall. 

Who vulnnteers fur legislative hall. 

His only wish to serve the public ends. 

Hut still he pa. Us Ibec.incu^ with bisln.ii.b. 



These all have played their parts upiui the stage 
Whose footlight is the journalistic page. 
That beams with eipnil glow upon the scene 
Whether the acting noble is or mean. 
Oiir fifty printed volumes sure must tell 
If our own part was acted ill or well. 

THE .'<T.\JIF01{1) IIEItAI.D. 

The Hcriihl is the ymmger of the twn newspapers 
in cstaniford, having been estjiblished in l.S7."i; but 
although second in point of years, it is imt cimsidered 
by ;iiiy means the least in standing and inHuenee. It 
attr:ieteil no little attention in its very lirst i.ssue for 
the siinndiiess and thdniiighly praetical chanieter nf 
its editorials, ;ind its abundant, sjiicily-written hie;il 
matter. Such was the hivnr witli which it w;is re- 
ceived that its circulation increa.si'd with a rapidity 
not common to local pajx'i's, soon appro .xinmting that 
of its much older rival in the field, and now it claims 
— and RiiweH's " Newspajier Hirectory" gives it — an 
average ]inblie;ition of as many copies ]ier week as its 
competitnr. Its neat typographical appearance and 
tasty make-up have elicited many favorable com- 
ments from its conteinpnraries, and they have given 
it the title of " model loc:il newspaper." (>ns]ieci;il 
occasiiins the Umihl has showed niarkeil enti'rprise. 
einphiying stemigniphei's at lieavy cost when it was 
necessary for full :md accurate reports. Large extra 
eilitions at such times have been eireulati'd. 
I The Ilirdld makes tlie elaini of " aiming tu repre- 
i sent thoroughly the bctiutifiil little fitij where it is 
S located," ;inil of striving to ;idv;ince in every jiossible 
I wav tlie interests of Staiiiford. The general opinion 
seems to be tlmt the chiim is well substantiated. ( )ne 
of its directory-hetids is "t'ity (Jovernment," there 
being given under it the list of borough otliceis. At 
first the words were thought to be ;in error, and ihe 
editor's attention was called to the matter. But he 
persisted in ret;iining the title, and has steadily ad- 
vanced the idea tlnit ;i town of the si/.c and impor- 
tanee of Stamford — larger and |iossesscd of greater 
wealth than some of the cities of the Sttite, iieing the 
seventh on the "grand list" — should be a city in mime 
as well as in fact. Finally, and chietly through thi' 
influence of the Ihrrnld, a ch;irter incorponiting the 
"t'ity of .Stamford" was granted by the St:ite Legis- 
lature in 1879. A\'licn the iiuestion of :i city or no 
I city was submilleil to the peo]ile, however, mistaken 
but well-nie;iiiing "old logyism" pre\ ailed. :ind the 
mea.sure w:is defeated for a time. .\s it was, congrat- 
ulations to the new "city" — "the idcventh in the 
State" — began to pour in, Stamforil receiving moic 
attention from tlie press of (Connecticut than it had 
in the previous twenty-five years of its history. 

The harbor of Stamford had ne\er received I'rom 

time immemorial any ;iid Ir the riiilcil .-states 

government, although the coiiimereial interests of 
the town iind other Sound ports urgently reiiuired a 
lighthousi' at il- dangerous eiilrance :nid a deepening 
of the cliannel. Soon after the public;ition of the 



716 



IIISTOKY OF FAIRFIELD COUXTi', CONXKCTICUT. 



Hernld was begun tlie editor took up the subject of 
liarljor improvement, and so frequently was it brought 
to the attention of the people and the members of 
Congress from the Fourth District, and so persist- 
ently kept before them in the columns of the paper, 
that, as a result in great part of the Jlcra/d's ettbrts, an 
a2>propriation of seven thousaiul dollars was granted 
at the last session of Congress for a lighthouse off the 
harbor. Next spring (1881) it will be erected there.* 
A further appropriation for improving the channel, 
insuring navigation to ordinary vessels at any stage 
of the tide will be urged by the same pajjcr when 
Congress again a.sscmblcs. 

Three years ago the question of jirohibition of the 
liquor traffic — a traffic which had assumed alarming 
proportions in Stamford — was brought to the serious 
consideration of the people by the Kev. Dr. Buckley 
and other true-hearted men who had the public wel- 
fare at heart. The Herald at once threw the whole 
weight of its influence on the side of no license and 
the right, tlie side of law and order, and has battled 
unflinchingly for the cause ever since, making many 
friends by it* course, as well as not a few enemies. 
Stamford for those three years has given a majority 
for prohibition at each election, and the |io\verof mm 
has been seriously crippled. 

In politics the Herald is conservative and inde- 
pendent, and its editor is not afraid to point out the 
faults of either party, and does not hesitate to com- 
mend in both what is worthy of commendation. 
IJrietly, the Herald is on the side of the good and the 
right, in favor of i)rogress, reform, and whatever will 
advance the interests of the people; it is a |)aper live 
and true, and well supported because worthy of sup- 
port. 

GEORGE BAKER. 

Oeorge Raker, editor and proprietor of the Stamford 
Herald, is forty-three years old, ^nd was born at 
Green's Farms, town of Fairfield, in this county. He 
pa.s.sed the usual course of instruction in the |>ublic 
schools, and received a thorough academic education 
in one of tiic be.st seminaries in the State. When but 
seventeen years old he began to teach .school, and, 
giving marked acceptance to parents and scholars, 
continued in this vocation until he was twenty-five, 
when he became a mereliant in Southport and married 
Miss Kmily Jones, of Poundriilge, N. V. Not very long 
thereafter Mr. IJaker, with others, founded a i)aper 
which tliey named the finiilhpnri C/iroiilfle. Mr. Baker 
became editor and continued to hold that position for 
two years, when the paper was sold to a stock company. 
Mr. Baker hud previous to this time quite an exten- 
sive experience its newsjiaper correspondent, and wjis 
at home at once in the editor's chair. He learned the 
]>ractical part of the jirinting business "at the ca.se" 
and press, under abla»instruction, in the Chronicle and 

• Since tlio atiovc wm written Oio Seerelnry of tiie Tmutiiry liiut nH:om- 
meuUod all IncrcoMO of tlie a|>|in»iiHHtiuii to twent^r thoiiAitiid dolliini. 



other offices. After disposing of the Chrnni'le, Mr. 
Baker soon removed to Federalsburg, Md., where he 
established the Maryland Courier. Under his propri- 
etorship and able editing the Courier soon took a 
front place in the ranks of the Peninsular press. The 
health of his family became seriously afiected by cli- 
matic influences, antl after a few years' residence he 
found it necessary to bring them from Maryland to 
the health-giving air of the North. He chose Stam- 
ford as his residence, and the establishment of the 
Hrrti/d was the result. 

Mr. Baker is a large man, of fine physique, pleasing 
address, unblemishe<l moral character, and high social 





'^e^^ 



standing. As an editor he is courteous, but fearl&ss 
in denouncing wrongs and nwcalities of any kin<I. 
From this characteri.stic, his editorial career has not 
been free from jiersonal attacks in cases where " the 
coat fitted" but too well. These, however, do not seem 
to have altered his course of conduct, but he has kept 
on in the even tenor of his way undisturbed. It is to 
be lio])ed that he may continue for many years in tlio 
profession where he can give his ripest years and 
fullest ])owers to the cause of improvement. 

Mr. Baker's early religious training was in the 
Methodist Church, his father having been for many 
years a prominent official in that denomination. He 
was a member of that Church when he became a 
resident of Maryland, and united with it there. Hut 
the ide.'Ls prevalent among Methodi.sts in the South 
bciiiir of ralhiT too demonstrative a character, he 



d 



STAMFORD. 



717 



withilrow Iriiiii cliurcli t'ell<i\vslii[i nml li:is not since 
rriifWfil it. 

Ill piilitirul iiuittiTs 111' lias always lux'ii couserva- 
tive, — nut so finiily wcilileil toiiin' jiarty that he would 
ohey its behests if he lielieved its pritieiples wniiiij. 
As a I'liiiin iiuiu he voleil lin' Ahraliam l>ineoIii, ami, 
with just as stroiiu' rnimi scntiiiieiits, he sujiported 
Greeley, Tildeii, and llanroek. I'olitiral otliee he 
never craved, and his inarest a|i]iriiai'li to any real 
distinetiiin of that kind was wliin a iiiiiiiiiiatiun 
(e(|itivalent to an election | liir tirst selectman of 
Fairfield was teiulereil him. when a younn man, — a 
noiiiiiiatiiin wliicli lie di rlini'd on the ;;roiind that he 
was too youiij:. 1 'uiiiiL; the war he atleiiiptrd to re- 
cruit a com]iany ol voluiitnrs and ^aiii a roiniiiission 
as captain, Imt, secnrini; only twenty men. that patri- 
otic enterprise failed. 

'Sh\ liaker rejoicis in the pleasure which three 
proiiiisiiiii daULrhters, two in yount;' womanhood, af- 
ford. An only son, a hrii;lit and liraiitiful littli' 
lioy, died in 1.S7S. Iicliirr lir had gladdened the lu'arts 
of his [lareiits i[uite one year. 

STAMFORD BOKOrCiH. 

The boroUirh was incorporated in ISMO. The )ieti- 
tiou was headed hy David Dolly, and the jiersons 
named in the act to call tlie llrst moetini;- were ( 'harles 
Hawley, Simeon H. Minor, Theodore Davriiport, and 
Seymour Jarvis. 

The first officers were Simeon D. Minor, Warden ; 
Seymour Jarvi.s, Clerk and Treasurer; Burgesses, 
John W. Leeds, William H. Dolly, Cliarles Dawley, 
John S. Northrop, and David Doyt ; Street ('oniniis- 
.sioners, Isaac (.^uintard, Sr., Sands Adams, Fitch 
Rodgers, Smith Scott, and Peter Smith, .Ir.; Ajrent, 
J. li. Ferris. 

The followinjr is a list of wardens from the organi- 
zation of the borough to bSS] : Simeon II. Jlinor, 
Charles Dawley, J. W. Leeds, William D. Dolly, 
Sands Adams, Theodore Davenport, iC/.ra Scoliidd, 
Henry D. Waring, D. .1. Sanfonl, (Jeorge K. Waring, 
James H. Doyt, Chaiineey Ayres, Jonatlian M. Dall, 
William T. .Elinor. Alliert Seely, Charles Williams, 
George Elder, H. K. Sk.dding, William P. Jones, E. 
Gay, George L. Lownd, James PI. Doyt, William V. 
Hoyt, Robert Swartwout, from lS7:i to IS.S]. 

THE CITY Of ST.'XMKiiIil). 

Tlie Legislature of 1S7'.I granted to Stamford a city 
charter. The town was larger than either of two dy 
three cities of the State, and being virtually a city in 
all but the nanus progressive citi/ens desired to give 
it the title as well. Pul when the charter was suli- 
mitted to a vote of the jicople, non-progre.ssiveness 
carried the day and tin- iii(a>ine was defeated for the 
time. The bormigh limits will .soon be extended, 
however, and then, with an imjiroved idiarter, the city 
movement will again be trieil, and doubtless with 
success. 



TIIIO STy\MI'ORI) .VATIiiX.U, BA\K. 



Were three hundred and sixty-three sul.iscriliers to 
the stock, eighty-lour ol' whom were residents of 
Stamtin-d. In ISlil the capital stock was increased 
ninety thousand dollars. It was changed to the Stam- 
ford Natiomil liank in INil.'i. 

The presidents have lieen .lohn AV. Leeds, who held 
the oliiee until his death, JIarch .S, IS78, George Ft. 
Doyt, and (,'harles A. Dawley, the present imaim- 
bent. The cashiers have been J. F. Henry, lOdward 
Hill, S. K. Satterlee, Charles K. Rockwood, D. R. 
Satterlee, D. ^I. Humphrey, F. R. Leeds, .Tosej)!! ]j. 
Leeds, and (Jem'ge W. < ilendenning. 

Tin-: FIRST NATIONAL BANIC. 
Tills institution was established in ISO,'^, with a cap- 
ital of two Iiundrcd tliousand dollars. The first j)resi- 
dcnt was II. M. Dumphrey, M.I). He was sue- 
ceedi'd liy ( 'liarles W. P.rown, the present incumbent. 
The cashiers have been Charles ^V, ISrown and .V. R. 
Pinkingtoii. 

TIIK .*TAMFi)RI> SAVINciS HANK. 

This Iiank was organized July 21, bS,')]. The first 
pri'sident was Theodore Davenport. The present offi- 
cers are George H. Hoyt, President; A. A. Hollev, 
Secretary and Treasurer; and Charles A. Ilawley, 
Yice-Presiilent. 

The Citizens' Savings Bank was organized in ISlU). 
The first officers wer*' AVells R. Riteh, President; 
, H. 51. Humphrey, Vice-President; and William C. 
Hoyt, Sei-retary and Treasurer. The ]iresent officers 
are the >ame, exee[it vice-president. ( 'harles ^\■. Brown 
is the present incumbent. 

Woolil.AXU CE.MKTFUV. 
The 'Woodland I 'emetery A.ssoeiation was organized 

, in August, bSoii, with the following |iersons: Charles 
Williams, President; William Skiddy, Treasurer; 
H. M. Hum]ihrey, Secretary; George L. Brown, 
Wells R. Ritih, William Pitt, Henry Tafl", J. B. 
Hoyt. Tlieo. ] >a\ eiiporl, .lames L. I/ockwood, (Jliver 
Doyt, and ( icorge A. Doyt. The stock of tlie asso- 
eiatioii was placed at twi'Uty thousand <lollars, which 
was snb.scribed by sixty citizens of the town 

i The association ])urehased a tract of about forty 
acres of land at .a point once called Rocky Neck hut 
lati'r tlie ■■ rplaiids," which was laid out by Mr. B. 
F. Hathaway. 'I'lie cenii'Iery was formally dedicated 
July li'.t, bSlil ; prayer by Rev. P. S. Evan.-, and 
reading of the Scriptures by' liev. William C. Dovt. 
Rev. J. S. Dodge furnished an original hymn, which 
was sung. Rev. Mr. Weed, of the Methoilist Church, 
and Kev. Mr. Francis, of the Fniversalist Church, 
made ap|)ropriato adilre.sse.s. Rev. Mr. Mitchell, of 



718 



IIISTOlir OF FAIRFIELD CUUM'V, CO.NNKCTICLT. 



the Kpiscopal Church, read a poem, and the Hon. 
William T. Minor made the presentation address. 
The services were closed by a prayer and benediction 
from Rev. Mr. Booth, of the I'resbyterian Chureli. 
Woodland Cemetery has been enlarged and beautified, 
and art has vied with natnre in rendering it one of 
the finest burinl-]>laces in the State. 

FIUU DiaWllT.MENT. 

The present organization of the fire department is 
as follows : Chief Engineer, Joseph Gulden ; First 
Assistant Engineer, Byron H. Lockwood ; Second 
Assistant Engineer, William D. Nolan. 

The Jiippowain Fire Companr/ was chartered in 1845, 
on the petition of Sands Seeley, Lorenzo Meeker, 
and James H. Minor. In 1855 the company was 
allowed by special act to ineresise it,s number to sixty 
members. 

Stuinford Fire E>ir/inc Company, Ao. 2, was incori)o- 
rated in 1854, witli the following persons: Andrew 
Perry, Edwin Bishop, G. K. Hiker, T. J. Diuskam, 
George E. Scofield, Jesse A. Reed, J. N. Webb, Thee. 
Lockwood, William Lavender, Francis Dauchy,Theo. 
Hoyt, William W. Smith, C. F. Peck, Tlieo. Daven- 
port, .Jr., and Charles H. Finch, and such others as 
might unite witli them, provi<lcd the number did not 
exceed forty. 

Atlantic Hone Companij, Ko. 1. — Foreman, John AV. 
Fawcett ; Assistant, Justus Barthel ; Secretary, Theo- 
dore Halleck ; Treasurer, James O'Neil. Number 
of members, twenty-seven. 

Gulf Stream Engine Company. — Foreman, Richard 
Bolster; First Assistant, Michael J. Mclntyre; Sec- 
ond Assistant, John J. Reilly. Number of members, ' 
sixty-nine. 

Melief Hook-and-Ladder Company. — Foreman, Mi- 
chael Garrety ; First A.ssistant, James Enright; Sec- 
ond Assistant, Frank J. Guernsey ; Secretary, Robert 
E. Hogan ; Treasurer, 1 'at rick J. Kraniey. Number 
of members, forty. 

I 
MANUFACTURES. I 

Yale Lock- Manufacturing Company. — This business 
was established in 1.S51, in the city of Philadeljihia, 
Ijy the late I^inus Yale, Jr. It was subsequently re- 
moved to Shelburne Falls, Mass., and in 18<58 to 
Stamford. The present comi)any was organized upon 
the removal of the business to Stamford. In the be- 
ginning of operations here about thirty i)ersons were 
employed. The business rajiidly increased, and in 
1880 two hundred and fifty persons were employed. 
The main building wjus erected in 18t)8-(ii), and addi- 
tions have since been made annually. The chief 
specialty of the establishment is fine locks, of which 
they make more than three hundred sizes and styles, 
adapted to almost every possible use. Their other i 
specialti(>s are bank-locks, decorative bronze house- I 
trimmings, post-office equipments, and Weston's pul- 
lev-blocks and hoists. 



They confiiie themselves to good work only, and 
make no inferior grades. 

Tins company are sole manufacturers under the 
patents of the following patentees : Yale, Townc. 
Taylor,Stockwell, Keating, Felter,Shepardsou, Leeds. 
Hermann, Field, ]Morris, Weston, Hull, Bird, Doyle, 
Binge, I^ittle, Bramble, Beidler, I)i)tterer. Arnohl, 
Sipp, and others. They are owners of over one hun- 
dred patents. 

This is a representative institution, and reflects 
great credit upon its enterprising ])rogenitors an<l 
those through whose influence it has been sustained 
and prospered. 

The present officers of the company are as follows : 
President, Henry R. Towne; Treasurer, Franklin 
Underbill ; Secretary, Schuyler Merritt ; Superin- 
tendent, John II. Ames; Mechanical Engineer, T. A. 
We^stoii. 

The U. IF. Collender Company, Billiard-Table Manu- 
facturer.'^. — Tlu^ factory of this company in Stamford 
is now the leading billiard-manufactory in the United 
States, if not in the world. It is one of the principal 
structures in Connecticut, occupies four acres of 
ground, is five .stories in height, and, being sur- 
mounted by two ornamental towers, resembles, a- 
remarked by the Scientific American, " more a modern 
university than a manufactory." This factory em- 
ploys two hundred hands, among them many artisans 
of known ability. Its labor-saving machines, devised 
by Mr. CoUcnder for the construction of tables and 
other requisites of the game, exhibit great inventive 
genius, and arc most perfectly adapted for their use. 
The ba,sement contains the engines and heavy wood- 
working and slate-sawing machinery ; on the first 
floor are the ofBces, packing-rooms, etc.; the second 
is devoted to the manufacture of the broad rails and 
cushions; the third is occupied by a variety of spe- 
cial nnichinery for lighter work ; on the fourth floor 
are the assembling and fitting rooms; and on the 
fifth, the varnishing and polishing departments. The 
office of the company is at 788 Broadway, New York. 

St. Joint, Hnyt & Co., Steam Planing- and Moulding- 
Mill, Lumber- Dealers, etc. — This business was com- 
menced in 185;^ by Richard Fox and John St. .lohii. 
It continued umler the firm-name of Fox it St. John 
until 18()il, when it changed to St. John & Hoyt, and 
was conducted by this firm nine years. William H. 
Judd then became a partner, and it is now conducted 
under the firm-name of St. John. Hoyt & Co., .John 
St. .John, Harvey Hoyt, and William H. Judd. Tlio 
old mill was located on Broad Street. They removed 
to their present location in \><77. The present build- 
ings were erected for their special use, are furnished 
with all the modern improvements, and are complete 
in all their appointments. 

E. L. Nicoll <(■ <'o., steam planing-mill and lumber- 
yard, is a Hourishing institutii>n, and in all respects a 
credit to the industrial interests of the town. 
Amonir <>tlnr iiiMTiiil'iriur.-s arc the Cove Mills, 



SI' WIl'oliD. 719 



Stilhvnti'r ninl Ituxlmrv Knllinii-Mills. Stuiiilni.l "■'''-'■ <"'<"'<■■'• <■'■<""■ tw.. ,.ri,„ k ,-.m , m,. Mh-..,,. , i,i, i ..,ik ..r 

^,, .1 1 1,1 ■ , 1 • 11 ^ 7 11- ""-' '■i'iiili;triv, i;;ivo tlii^ w nrd ' ;ilt KMiiy.' Our lii;iri'-i.T \\;is li.-t lixisf. 

^t()Ve-jM:)uii(lr\-, I lininx ( arnaiic-l' arturv, I lardiiii;- ,. , ■. , , . ,, , „ ,, 

_ -^ • ' l',l./iy sko|itlts li>-;ill i..-f to Ills lunutli. lllr;itlil.-s luixirl.v pc-rviulcil 

Woolen-Mills, Lulli; Kidi^p .Stove-Factorv, lllioll thr nailtimdi- .m eui h »lii.r.-, Thr (unn iii.,v,-,l i„ii,ii.>,tk-all.v along, and 

Brick anil Drain-ripe Wurlcs, Shirt-Fai-torv, Mcili- iin' n.xt niiimii. tii..- «.-,irni -i ■ i,.,,nr,iii, |i..n.i..nins w.-igiit, anj 

cine Laboratory, and ( 'anip - an.l Wax-Factory. ""■ "'"''" "'"" "'"' ""' ^'""'"*"' ""• '""^"S^'*-! l- '- 

The S/aiiiJhrd iS/ii/i ( 'mini w^is constrnctcil liy .Tosc|ili " I'rolialily no event in I lie history ol' Stanilord has 

B. Hoyt anil .Tose|ili I >. W'airen. Tlie worl; was eoin- had iiioie to do iu slia|iii]i; the Intiire ol' the town than 

nienoed in l.siis. It was a iiineh needed ini|iro\ eiiient, the o|iriiinn' of this meat tlioroii^hlaic. \'ery soon 

and reflects li'reat eredil upon its enterprisint;- iiroycid- after the road was built all tears of an unfavorable 

toi-s. result njion the prosperity of the town were ilissii)atcd. 

IvAII.UiiAli. W'r Were soon seen to have bei'ii nnulc a suburb of the 

"That was a new and exeitin- dav for the quiet ■-'■'•" '''>■ * 'in' talent could lind a much readier lield 
vilhi-e when, in 1X44. a s|.rcial town-nieetin- was ' ''"'' '''^ "■''■ '" 'I"' 'ity. and the we.alth and talent of 

called to consider the petition of the llousatouic Kail- t'le city a inncli more attractive home here. Thesinis 

roa.l ( 'ompanv for a road from Itrid-eport to Bvram "'' '"^f^nulord, who had previously I u wont to iro to 

River, alon- the Lon^ Island shore. The town 'came ""' '''t.^' '" '"-'l^'' ll"'"' Ibrtunes, could now return to 

to.i:cther:\Iay -th, and after considering variously the 'i'^''^' '""I '".i".^ ""'i" I"'''''- N""', iind hereafter, 

stran.MV proposal, a-ivc, with a siu-ular nnaniinity. "itbout clian-in,;:: their residence for a week, our sous 

in favorof the road, and instruct their representatives '■'" -'^-i'' themselves of all the aid wliich the city 

in the Assembly to favor it. I'.ut. as is the late with '"'" ."''^''■• 

most novel enterprises, this was doomed to delay ; and " 'I"'"' t'"ll'>win,2 postscript in the ,Sfai„fur<l Snilind 

the restive and ambitions citizens of the town had to of .Inne C, l.SMC, nniy indicate how much we may have 

w.ail four year- re fortlie fnlllllmenl of their desire, .i^'i'ii''"! i" tin"'. :>' 'e.ast, from this iron track: 

But the fultillment came, and w hen, in 1X4,S, the i;rcat "•,lii»t a^^vl■ll,^lo,.|, ■• .llan Kl.iw. r," 11. II, ninc.la.xs lium Nuw YiMli, 

thoroughfare between Boston and .New York was via ('..w n.i.v, wl.fie sIk. was diMaineil l.y the ii,s|.cH-t..r .if tlie «eatl,or. 

\ , , ,. , , 11,11 Ilaiitl^ all \v.-II, tint ratlier nic-aKio in conntt'uaiui- till want iif fresh pro- 

iipeued, under date ot J )eeemlier '.Ith ol that vear, we „ . . , .. " i ,, v v i i , .• i . i 

i ■ ' viskins ami iir.liiiary cxor.'isi', L.-ll New l.nk wliri r it Im liierly stuou. 

find in the /S'Arw/J^v/ .b/c'/cKi'c, then edited by Eiljiar ]tll^ill(•^^ lui.^k. .Siiukt- twu Iniii.lnil v..f<sel> .in .■ i..uii.l up, awaiting 

Hoyt, E.sip, the following- .irraphic note ..n tlie won- favuiablo w^•atllt■r.•■• 
<lcr|•ul event of the first appearance of the iron horse : j;g„, CA.NA.W AND STAMfTlIiO RAIl.KoAU. 
•••tIh- ,iti/,.-.is ..f ti... viii.ag... as w.ii a, ti,.. In., ms, , atti,M-ti-., w i re '"This iiew enterprise was (bartered in lS(i7, with 

iK'ailv Ingliteni'il nut of tli.-ir laopii.-tv nil W.-diL-siiav attt'iii.i.m last, at -^ i ,. , i , i i i ,, . , i 

al,„„tnveoVl„,k,l.y,sud,al,.mihl..s.,..amxswasn..v..,-l„.ar,lt.,issi,o •' ;"'I"t''' "' "'"' '"""'''■'' Hl""^:!"'! dollars, With the 

from any other than a nn-talli.; tliriiat. AiiiniaK . f .viry .lesiiiiiHon ]irivi leo'c id' ilicreasilli; it to twO hundred thousand 

■ttciit careering n.nn.l the fii-lils,MiMMiim .11 111.- ail 111 111. ir till,. I,. iiiil ihiUais. Its track was so far completed that an ex- 

bineils of every size, c.ui.liti.in, ami i mI.ii s.-t ..If at a lull iini l.n III.- . , ■ ., , , , , , 

.,,,,,, . , , , , cursion train was run o\er it, .Inly 4, IMi.s. 

railroad liepot. In a few iiioni.'iits th.- i aiis.- ..f ilie . luiiinutioii appcan-.l • ' 

iu the shape of a lueom.itive, putting .ill it... sti-ani ait.l si iraniiiii; w itli 

its s.i-1-alled whistle at a terrilile rat. ■; Alia' Ii.mI lo the lni-oniotive wei.. I'.XION I.OI»;ii, Ml. f,, F. AND A. i\I. 

a Inniher- and a Ji-a-ssenger-rar, ami tin- lalti-i, we helieve, is one of tli 

moat sideniliil (Ies.-ri[itioii now in us.' .ui any inad in this eotintry. . . 

They have not yet .■.unnienied running r.giilatly to this l.laee, and it is l~li-"., and W .is issucil by"l!r.i. llarri.s. m, Esq., PfO- 

llot prohahle tliat they will .1., so until the load is finished to New York, yiucial ( Uallll .Master of the Most .\ HcieUt and Hou- 

whieh will proli.ilily he aliout the latt.r |iai t of 111.- pi..silit week or the 

first of ne.\t.' 



The charter of t'liion Eodoe bears date Xov. bS, 



" !>,- 



orable Society of Free and Accepted ]\Iasoiis in the 
]irovince of New York." It authorizes Sylvanus Wa- 

y January 1st the road had been cmpleted, ami i,,,!,,,,,., ■■,,„, worshipful and well beloved brother," 

the year 1.S4!) was inaugurated by what was deemed a. .. ,,, |;,,„^ .^ i„^,„.^.^ ^,, ,.,,„„^,, j,;^ wardens, and ai.point 

great marvel, the actual transit of three trains, daily, „„„., „fti,.e,.s, wdth the consent of the brethivn as.sem- 

the whole distance from New Haven to .Vew York ,,|,,,| ;„ ,,,„, f,,,,„, t,, niake Masons, as also to do all 

and back a-ain. The trial trip had been made on .„„| ,.^,,.,.,. ,,„.,, .„.,, .„„, ,|,|„„,, „,,|„.,,ainino lo said 

Monday, Dt'cember I'-'dh, and a sini,h. passaoe in ,,||i,.,,. ^s iisiiallv have and oiioht to be done bv other 

the account of that trip, from the pen of William II. Masters." lie U lo pavoverlolhe Brovineial' ( Irand 

Holly, Esq., who was one of the bonored passcn-ers j;,„|j,,. ,,f x,,.^^. y,,,.,.^ ,„„ ,,,■ ,,„. u,.^, „„„„.,, ]„, ,|,.,ii 

Of the ocea.sion, is worth preserving in our history ,,,,.,. jv,.. ,j,,ve pounds and three shillinos sterling, to 

ofthetiiiK^: ,„. ,||,|,i|,.,| ,,, ,i„. „^,. „|- ti,^, ,;,,„|,| ciiaiitv. This 

"'The train had t.j remain at Coseob Bridge .soni.- ihi.e h.niis f..r till- loili;e Was desionc'd for .'slaniford and Horseneck 

last rails t,. he lai.l over it, ami the delay gave ani,il.. ..ppoituinty t.i tli.. , , ; ;.,.,.,„,i,.|, ,, ,„;,| ,,.,,t^ adjacent. 

BurrounJing people to eome ill and wiln.ss the wiiiiil.-ilnl r.-al. Th.. g.ii- i ' 

eral impression ani.mg then, seeim-d to l,e that the hist train that at- ""' ''eeolds ol the lodliv llolll Mi:! lo I7.X0 are lost, 

tempted to cross this elevated I11.SS would also he till- last, Allsoitsof , tli(! only name of the members for that pl'riod prc- 

old women's stories to frighten the childreu had been put in ciicnlation served beilinthal ill I he charter, Svl vaUUS WatcrburV. 
regarding the safi-ty of this lui.lge, and many a s|.ectator e.v]ieeted lo I ,.,, ,.,,'. . r, ,ii , ' i-.i i , t."l 
eeeour splendhno.-.miotive, eleg.ant car, ami conli.hng titten.lants an.l ' I"' <"11""'II1S' >> -^ I'^t ol Masters ol the lod,-e : .Syl- 
passcngera jdunged into the deep below, viinus Waterbury, John Anderson, Israel Kuaiip, 



720 



HISTORY OF. FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Jabez Fitch, Wm. Bush, Isiuic Reed, Sturges Perry, 
Siiinuel Bush, Noyes Matlier, Alexander Mills, .lames 
Stevens, Isaac I^oekwood, Samuel Keeler, Simeon H. 
Minor, Benj. Iluested, Isaae Bishop, Charles Hawley, 
Erastus Weed, .John \V. Leeds, fourteen years; Peter 
Brown, Sands Adams, A. A. Holly, nineteen years; 
W. H. Holly, Roswcll Hoyt, H. Bulkley, Philip L. 
Hoyt, T. J. Daskam, John A. Scofield, James H. 
Olnistead, Dwijiht \Vau<;li, Charles K. Holly, Dwight 
Waugh, Edwin S. Holly, Charles M. Holly, J. H. 
Swartwout. 

RITTKNHOUSE CHAPTER, NO. 11, R. A. M. I 

This chapter of Uoyal Arch Masons was eliartered 
Oct. 18, 1810, on a memorial presented to them by 
James Stevens and sundry otlier brethren. The first 
officers were : James Stevens, H. P. ; Isaac Lockwood, 
King; and E/.ekiel Lockwood, Scribe. 

The High Priests have been as follows : James Ste- 
vens, Isaac Ivockwood, Simeon H. Minor, Jose])h 
Keeler, Wm. J. Street, Charles Hawley, John W. 
Leeds, Xathan Camp, Wm. Holly, Smith Scott, Geo. 
B. Glendining. Luke A. Lockwood, James H. Olni- 
stead, Dwight Wangh, George L. Lownds, Luke A. 
Lockwood, Sii)sco Stevens, Wm. H. Adair, Dwight 
Wangh, .John N. Lewis, Dwight Waugh, Francis A. 
Manlen, Dwight Waugh. 

WASHINGTON COUNCIL, NO. fi, ROYAL AND SELECT 
MASTERS. 

This council is working under a restored charter 
granted by the Grand Council of Connecticut at a 
regular assembly held at Hartford, on the 9th day of 
May, A. I). 180'). James L. Gould, M. P. G. Master; 
John W. Paul, G. Recorder. 

The Thrice Illustrious Masters have been : 186.5-1)6, 
John W. Leeds; 18GG-G8, Luke A. Lockwood; 1868- 
81, Dwight Waugh. H. S. McConkey, Recorder. 

PIIYSICIA.N'S. 
The first physician in Stamford was doubtless Jacob 
Jloen, or Moene, as his is the first name of a doctor 
mentioned in the old records. Others arc as follows : 
John Drew wa.s here in 1714, Ebenezer Bishop, 
died in 1743, Tliomas Bishop, Mrs. Sarah Bates, Perez 
Fitch, James Coggswell, Walter Hougli, stationed 
here as a surgeon during the Revolutionary war, 
Nathaniel Hubbard, IMatt Townsend, .Tohn Wilson, 
John Wilson, .Jr., Isaac Smith, Darius Knight, James 
Knight, Samuel Webb, Warren Pcreival, Samuel 
Lockwood, John Augnr, Samuel Beach, William 
Turk, Mr. Rockwell (North Stamford), Benjamin 
Rockwell, Uriah Turner, Footc, Banks, Childs, 
Tucker, Close, Nathaniel 1 ). I Faight, Chauncey Ayrfcs,* 
Harris.son Teller, Samuel .Sands (Darleni, Robert 
Lockwood, Lewis R. Hurlbutt, William 1[. Trow- 
briilge,* Joseph How«|» George Huntington, George 
W. Birch,* Russell T. Griswold,* B. Keith, P. E. i 



Holly, James H. Hoyt, H. P. Geib,* E. E. Rowell,* 
C. E. Rowell,* F. J. Rogers,* John A. Rockwell,* 
J. T. Philyis,* Mrs. R. G. Philyis.* 

For list of pioneer and prominent attorneys see 
(^hapter IL The following is a list of present lawyers : 
Joshua H. Ferris, William H. Minor, .lulius B.Curtis, 
J. H. Olnistead, Samuel Fesscnden, E. L. Schofield, 
William C. Strowbridge, Jr., Nathaniel R. Hart, 
Samuel H. Cohen, Michael Kenealy, John E. Keeler, 
H. Stanley Finch, Truman Smith. t 

The following practice in New York, but reside 
here: Thomas G. Ritcli, (i. T. Plympton, Francis A. 
Maseken, Alexander Campbell, R. Stuart Willis, 

Hill. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

It is evident that the early settlers of Stamford not 
only manifested a decided inter&st in religious mat- 
ters, but the education of the youth also received their 
earliest attention. 

As early as Dec. 24, 1670, the following action was 
taken : " ye towne hath agreede to liier Mr. Bellemy 
for a scoole nuuster for this yeare," and "ye towne 
doth grannt and agree to jmt down all peety scools yt 
arc or may be kciit in ye towne which may be i)reiu- 
dicial to ye general scoole. The towne hathgrannted 
Mr. Matlior Bellemy a house lot of about one acere & 
halfe & he is hereby engaged to bouild a habitable 
house u])on it within two years, before he alienate it 
to any one, or els to throw it uj) to ye towne again.'' 

On the 31st of the 11th month (.Tanuary), 1670, it 
was voted in town-meeting " that Mr. Rider be 
admited in to the town for a time of triall to keep 
school as a comite apointed for that end shall agree 
with him, and if after triall the town aprove him and 
he like to stay they may after acoinidate him accord- 
ing to their capacity as they se good. Mr. Seleck, 
Fra. Brown and Jonathan Bell arc chose to treat, and, 
if they can, to agree with Mr. Rider to teach school 
in the towne." 

On the 2d of the 2d month (April), 1671, the town 
grant to Mr. Rider "so much timber of the ould meet- 
ing house as may build him up a room to the school 
house of about ten or twelve foot square, and in case 
he doth remove it shall return to the town." 

The following year it was " voted, the towne is not 
minded to liier Mr. Rider any more." 

** By vutc, tlio town Iiiiayno all tlio ehildroti that vront to aniiy otlier 
tfcoulo this lii8t yenro, oxcopt only BncU tlint went only to larn to kiiitt 
or 80W0, shall pay their pnjiwr (lien* (farteti to the scoole master." 

In 1672 there was but one public school in the set- 
tlement, and that was held in a building which stood 
on the corner of Bank and Atlantic Streets. 

In WM it was voted to build a new house. "The 
old school-house, which had been built of the remains 
of the old meeting-house, and must therefore have 
been a much nobler structure aiid of nicer finish than 
the old rude germ of riven logs and plank covering, 



* Rcflfdonta or Stjimfonl. 



t Ex-UniliHl Slates St-nator. 



STAMFORD, 



721 



wliicli it luul succCfdiMl. \v:is ' liy niitc'i'v' sdld tn tlif 
.same Steven ]iislii>|> who had uiiee, at least, been its 
aekudwledired master. It may show lis the times, at 
least thus nuieli, to rr|iiirt tiie valne of tlie >ale, 
'twenty sluliini;'^ and si.v-penee,' luit we muM also 
report that tlie town reserved for their own u-e ' ye 
dnre hinjis and tlores.' It onjrlit. |ierha|is, also to be 
added that the sehool-honse. now sold, ha<l been ([tiite 
reeently improved by the addition of a stone chim- 
ney, a lu.xury whieli had doubtless been denied the 
home-warmed children in tlicii' home-made clothes, 
<lown to 1(J8'). 

"The progress of the town had now licc(}mc such 
that tlie one sehool-bousi. was thonnht to be too small 
for their aecommodation, and the peojile at a distance 
from the centre were beiiiniiini;- to feel the need of 
schools nearer to their own lioiucs. Little sc-IkjoIs 
were held for a few weeks at a time in two or three lo- 
calities distant from the centre. Temporary schools, 
also, s[)rnni;' np to minister to some hjcal want for 
some pecnliar class id' [in|dls, and it became a <pies- 
tion what school or schools slionld receive the sanc- 
tion or snjijiort of the inddic. at the public expense. 

" In 1702 it was voted that ' Ye town doth say that 
they doth a<-<-ept ye present scoole by ye parson (.Sam- 
uel Holly, the town clerk l to teach to read English 
and to write and arithmitic — is a scoole according to 
lawe.' It is also voted that 

■■■ Ve tuwiic liutli yi\u lihi-ity ti> >c jh'mi,!,- .,1'vt^ e:ust siile nf nurwiiutuii 
Riuer, ami ye people on ye west hiile of ye mill liuer, to hire a woman 
scoole ou boatli bids ye sd liuer : ari'l tliat ye mony collected in ye cuiitry 
Hate shall he di.strihnteil to each scoole ; yt is to say, to ye three scooles; 
one in ye middle of ye towiic and >■■ other two ahove sd, according to ye 
heads in said scoole 1 and ye Kate to be paid I-y ye heads yt Go.-s tu sd 
scools.' ■' 

There are several flourishing private schools, among 
wdiich may be mentioned the Stamfor<l English and 
('lassieal Hoarding School of .lames I'etts, which has 
been in existence over forty years ; George B. Ulen- 
dining's scliool ; the Misses Warren school for young 
children; Mi.ss Aikens' Young Eadies Seminary, 
established in l.^-ij,") ; the schocd of II. U. King; and 
the Catholic school, which was organized in lsii2, and 
is large and flourishing. 

For present conditicjii nl' schools, see lieneral lli-^- 
torv. 



CHAFTEIi LXXII. 

STAMFORD iContinued). 

Indian Name of Town— liepresentativea from IMl to l.«80— State Sena- 
tore— Selectmen from lf;4<l to IsT'.t— Postmasters at Stamforil— Prohale 
District of Stamford— List of Judges to I'lesent Time— Town (.'leiks 
from 1041 to IStfl — (irand List Is7t>— I*opn!atioii. 

civir, msTouv. 
The Indian name of this town was Jilpponmm. 
Upon the settlement by the wliites it was changed to 
Stamford, doubtless from a town in England by the 
same name. 



RKrKK.-^ENT.\T[\'t:s Fliil.M 11141 TO IS.'^O. 

The following is a list of tin' rcprcsentativc-s from 
Stamfonl. from li;41 to IS.Sll: 

KEPKESENTATIVE.'^. 
IMl. Andrew Ward, Francis Bell ; IWJ. Matthew Mitchell, .lolji, Whit- 
more; l('4:i, Jolin Underhill, Kichard (iililersleeve, .lohn Cliapnian ; 
1(U4, Aridiew Wai.l, liohert foe ; U,:.:'.. liicliard Law, Francis Bell , 
ir).'i4-,'')'.. Kicharil Law, FraTieis Hell, .lohn Holly; li;,-.r.. Richard Law, 
Francis Hell ; IG.'iT, Ilichard Law, .lohn Waterbnry, Geor^'e Slawson ; 
11I.VS-C1, liiihard Law, Francis liell ; liK!, Kichard Law, .lohn Holly, 
(ieorjie .Shiw.son; 1004, Kiehanl Law, Fiamis Itell; lIlO'i, Riehald 
Law, Petei- Ihshrow, Francis Brown ; 1000. Kichard Law ; 1007, Kobt. 
I'sher, Francis Brown; lOlis, Fiuncis Brown, John (heeri ; lOOH, 
Knsif^n Francis Brown, John (ireen, Kichard Law; 1070, Lieut. 
Jonathan Selleck, John Green. John Holly, Jonathan Bell; 1071, 
Joseph Theale: 107;;, Richaril Law, Jonathan Selleck: 107:i, John 
Green, Josejih Theale ; 1074, Lieut. Jonathan licdl, Al.iani Amhler, 
Joseph Theale, John Cireen ; lC7.)-70, Jonathan .Selleck, Joseph 
Theale, Ueut. J.aiathan Bell, Capt. .louathan Selleck ; 1077, Lieut. 
Jonathan Bell, .\bram Ambler, Joseph Theale, Jon. Iteyre.lds; 107X- 
7!l, Jose]]b Theale, .\bram Ambler. Jon. Heynolds; lOSlI, .lonathan 
Bell, .lose|.h Theale; lOSl, .hiseph Theale, Ahram liell, Lieut. Jona- 
than Bell, J.ishua Iloyt ; 10S2, .\hram Ambler, Joseph Theale. Lieut. 
Jonathan Bell, Joshua Hoyte; los:), Lieut. Jonathan Bell, Gapt. 
Jonathan Selleck, Joshua Hoyte; 10S4, Lieut. Jonathan Bell. Joshua 
Hoyte ;loS5-.sO,Capl. Jonathan -Selleck, Lieut. Jonathan Iiell,.Ioshna 
Hovt ; 1087, Gapt. .lonathan Selleck, Lieut. Joinithan Hell ; lOSO, Kns. 
.lohn Bates, Samuel Hoyt ; lO'Jii, Samuel Hoyt, Ahram .\mbler; K.ni. 
Jonathan Hell. Ahram Ambler, llainel Weslc.)tt ; lOllJ, Samuel Hoyt, 
llaniel Weslcott. Ahram Amhler; loilil, Saiiniel Hoyt, Ilavid Water- 
bnry ; 10'.I4, Ilavid Wateihuiy, Daniel Westcott, Daniel Wee.l ; lO'-fi, 
David Waterbnry, Han. Weed; I0!)0, Lieut. Jona, Bell, .Ser(;t. Daviil 
Waterbnry; 10»7, Sergt. Ilavid Walerlmry, Sam. Hoyt; IlKIS, Lieut. 
Ilavid Waterbury ; lOii'.l, Lieut. David Waterhury. Ens. Saniuid Hoyt, 
.lonathan Bell ; 1700. Klisha Holly, Lieut. David Walerbury. .Stephen 
Bishop; 17U1, Lieut. David Waterhury. Klisha H.dly; 17ll;i, Samuel 
Webb, Lieut. David Waterbnry : 17(1 ;, Lieut. Daviil Waterhury. Cap!. 
John Clock, Samuel Hoyt; 17o4, Samuel HoyI, Klisha Holly; 1705- 
0, Gapt. Jonathan Selleck, Lieut. Da\id Water!. my ; 17117-s, Gapt. 
.lonathan Selleck, Klisha Holly, Stephen Bishop; I7n'.l. Stephen 
Hishop, Klisha Holly; 1710, J.iiiathau Hates, Klislia Holly; 1711, 
Klisha Holly. Jcdiii Ambler; 171i. Jonathan Uate.s.Jr.hn Stone, Jona- 
than Hell; 17l:l, Klislia llawley. Jonathan Hell; 1714, Jonathan 
Bell, Jonathan Hates, .John St.jiii' ; 1715, .lonathan Hell, Jidin Stone, 
J.diii Hoyt : 1710, John Hoyt, John Sbiiie. Samuel H.iyt; 1717, .lohn 
Hoyt. Jonathan He II, J. dm Slone ; 171S, Samuel Weed, Jonas Weed, 
.lohn Stone; 17l'.i, .lohn Hoyt, .b.hn Stone, .lohn Hell; 17J0, John 
H.iyl, .'ohn St.ine; 17J1, .bdiu Hoyt, Samuel Weed, John Stone; 
172i-ii, J.din Hoyt, .hihn Stnie ; 17J4, John Hoyt, John Stone, Gapt. 
Jonathan Hoyt, .h.nathan Bates; 17i5-;il'., Gapt. Jonathan Hoyt, 
Jonathan Bales; 1 7:;7, Gapt. .lonathan Hoyt, Jonathan Hates, Gapt. 
Samuel HoyI, Samuel W.ed; 17;S--i'J, Gapt. Joiialhan Iloyt, Gapt. 
Samuel Iloyt, Gapt. Jonalban Hates; 17.ill, Gapt. .hdiu Hell; 17;jl, 
Gapt. Jonathan Hoyt, .bdm Hell, John Hoyt. .hmalhan Bates; 1732, 
John Hoyt, Jonathan Hab-s, Gapt. .lonathan Iloyt, John Hell ; 1733, 
Gapt. Jonathan HoVl, Jonathan Bates, Samuel II. .yl; 1734, Gapt. 
Jonathan Hoyt. .Samuel HoyI; 1735, Gapt. .b.natbau Hoyt, Jonathan 
Mallhy, J.uiathan Bates; 1730-42, tlapt. Jonathan Iloyt, Jonathan 
Maltby ; 1743, Gol. Jiuiatban Hoyt, Jonathan Batiks ; 1744, Gapt. J<]na- 
than Hoyt. J.uiathan Maltby; 1745. Gapt, .lonathan Hoyt, Jonathan 
Bates; 1740, Gapt. Jonathan H..yt, .lonathan Mallhy; 1747, Jona- 
than Maltby, Gapt. Nathiiiiiel Weed. Abraham liavenport; 174.S-53, 
Jonathan Hoyt, .\brahaln Davenpiu I ; 1754-55, .buialhan Hoyt, Jona- - 
than Maltby; 17.50, John Holly. Gol. Joinithan H.iyt, .b.nathan 
Mallby; 1757, Gol. Jcuiathan Hoyt. .lonathan Selleck, Abraham 
Davi'iipoit; 173S, Gharbs W.-bb, Jonathan Dibble; 175:1, Charles 
Webb, Abia. Davenport ; 1700-01, Gol. Jona. Hoyt, Abia. Iiavenpcut, 
Gapt, Charles Webb; 1702-05, Gol. .lonathan HoyI, Abia. Davenport; 
1760, Gapt. Charles Wi'l'di, Abraham Davenport, Gol. Jonathan Iloyt; 
1707, Gapt. Gbarles Webb, I'ol. Jonathan Hoyt; 1708, Gapt. Charles 
Webb, Heiyamin Weed; 170'.l-70, Gapt. Gli:irh-s Webb, Jlaj. David 
Waterhury. Benjamin Weed; 1771-73, Charles Webb, Benjamin 
Weed; 1774, llavhl Walerbury, Thomas Young, Gharhs Webb; 177.5, 
■ Gol. C'harles Webb, Gol. David Waterbnry, Henjamin Weed, Thomas 



72'1 



UlSTUili' Ui' rAlill'lELD COU.NTY, CUNNKCTHTT. 



Young; 1770, Cul. David Waterburj*, John Duveiiiwi't; 1777, John 
Davenport, Jolin Iloyt, Jr., Caiit. Sylvi-ster Knni»i>, i'a|>t Iwuic Lock- 
wood; 1778, M»y. John Paven|K)rt, Col. Charles WeMi, Capt. Dnnivl 
Bouton, Ciipt. I8iuic Lockwood ; 1779, Col. Charles \Veltl», Cupt. Daniel 
Boilton; 1780, Col. Charles Webb, Cliarles Wi-cd ; 17SI, Charles 
WV-ud; 1782, Miij. John Davenport, Clmrles Weed; HW. C.en. D. 
Wftterbnry, Charles Weed; 17K4, Muj. John Duven|K>rt, Charles Weed; 
1785, Mnj. John Davenport, Charles Wood, James Davcniwrt; 178G- 
87, Janiea Davenport, (Charles Weed ; 1788, James Davenport, John 
Davenport; 1780, James DaveniH»rt, Col. Jo-soph Hf>yt, John Daven- 
jH>rt ; 1790, Maj. John Davenport, Benjamin Scolield; 1791, Mnj. John 
Davenport, William Kitch; 1702, Maj. John Davenport, Thadileus 
Weed; 1793, Maj. John I>avonport, Bonjamin Scofield ; 1794, David 
Walorbnrv, Thaildeus Weed, Jolin Daveni>ort; 1795, David Water- 
bury, Tliaddeiis Weed, John Davenport, George Milts; 179G, Joshua 
KiiiK,* William Forrester, John Davenport, George Mills; 1797, 
George Mills, Nnyes Mather; 1798, George Mills, Noycs Mather, 
leaiah Tift'any ; 1799, Isaiah Tiftuuy, Isaac Lockwood, Nathun Weed, 
Jr.; 1800, Isaac Lockwmid, XuUian Weeil. Jr.; 1801, Isaac Lock- 
wood, Edward 3IcLaughlin, William Waterbury (4th); 1802, Isaac 
Lockwood, William Waterbury (4tli), Nathan Weed, Noyes Mather; 
18o;i, If.aac Lockwood, John William Holly, Nathan Weed; 1804, 
Nathan Weed, James Stoplions, Thaddcus Bell, Jr.; 180r), James 
Stephens, ThaddeiLS Bell, Jr., Nathan M'eed; 180C, Imuic Ixickwood, 
Thaddeiis Bell, Jr., Josiuh Smith, Nathan Weed; 1807, Thaddcus 
Bell, Kzi-a Lockwood; IS08, William Waterbury (4tli), Lsjiac Lock- 
wood, Jr., James Stephens; I809, James Stopliens, I^aac Lockwood, 
Jr., Smith Weed; 1810, James Steiihens, Nathan Weed, Thaddcus 
Bell; 1811, Thaddous Bell, Isaac Lockwood, Jr, Henry Hoy t, Jr., 
John Weed, Jr.; 1812, Jolin Weed, Jr., Henry Hoyt, Jr., Nathan 
Weed, Simeon H. Minor; 1813, John Weed, Jr., Simeon H. Minor, 
IsoAo Lockwood, John Augur ; 1814, James Stephens, John Augur, 
iBonc Lockwood, Henry Close; 1815, James Stevens, Thaddeua Bell, 
Isaac Lockwood, John Weed, Jr.; ISIG, John Brown, Jr., Solomon 
Clason, I^iac Lockwood; 1817, James Stephens, Simeon 11. Minor; 
1818, Jnmofl Stevens, Thaddcus Bell; ISIO, Thaddous Bell, l^ojic 
iKwkwood; 1820, Thaddeus Bell, John Augur; 1821, Joseph Wood, 
Charles Hawlcy : 1822, Joseph Wood, Daniel J-ockwood; 182;i-24, 
Charles Ilawley, Daniel Lockwooil; 1S25, Isaac Lockwood, T. Dav- 
enport; 182C, Cha.4. Ilawley, Jotham Hoyt ; 1827-28, Chas. Hawley. 
Abel Iteynolds; 1820, Charles Hawley, Simeon H. Minor; 1830, S. 
H. Minor, Wm. Waterbury, Jr.; 18;U, Wm. Waterbury, Sol. Clasun; 
1832, Wm. Waterbury, Selleck Scolield; 1S:B-;1o, Selleck Scofield, 
Koyal L. Gay; l8;iC, Koyal L. Gay, Joshua B. Ferris; 1837, Selleck 
ScoHeld, Joshua B. Fern's ; 1838, Joshua B. Ferris, Soth Clason ; 18:19, 
Selleck Scwfield, S. Lockwood; IMO, Andrew Perry; 1841, Wm. T. 
Minor, Joscidius Brush; 1842, Selleck Scofield, Wm. T. Minor; \S4-i, 
William T. Minor, Jowephus Brush ; 1844, Selleck ScotieM, Wm. T. 
Minor; ls.l5,Stdleck S<ofield, Koyal L. Gay ; 184C, Selleck Scofield, 
Williaju T. Minor; 1847, Am/,i Scofield, Wm. T. Minor; 18-18, He th 
Stevens, S. l/ockwood, Jr. ; 1849, Hcth Stevens, Henry J. Sanrord; 
1850, Stephen B. Provost, Josiuh Smith; 1S61, Seth Miller, John 
Clason; 1852, William T. Minor, S. B. Pi-ovosi ; 1853, James 11. Hoyt, 
Charles Brown ; 1S54, Wells R. Bitch, John Clason ; 1855, J. D. War- 
ren, Hiokford Marshall ; ISof*, f-harles A. Weed. E. P. Whitney ; 1857, 
William W. Holly, Gei>rge I/ounsbury; 1858, Charles II. Leeds, Wm. 
W. Scofield; 1859, Charles H. Leetl.*, George Scofield; 18G0, IL M. 
Humphrey, I. S. Jones; l3ci, W. U. Kitch. I. S. Jones; 18C2, Morgan 
Slorgans, I. S. Jones; 18G3, Selleck Scofield, J. D. Warren; I8G4-C5, 
J. B. Hoyt, Alfred Hoyt; 186)',, J. D. Ferguson, Seth S. Cook; 1807, 
J. D. Ferguson, H. G. Sct.fleld; 1868, W. T. Minor, H. G. Scofield; 
1869,t Pbineas S. JacolM; 1870, James U. Olmstead. Wm. A. Koclor; 
1871-73, Edward Gay, John Clason; 1874, Samuel Fessonden, John 
Clason; 1875, Botoamin J. Daskam, John Clason; 1870, Fraucia A. 
Mardcn, George II. Hoyt; 1877, Ldward Gay, Wm. R. Lockwiwd; 
1878, Charles A. Weeil, Fnincis A. Mardcn : 1879, Samuel Fesscnden, 
Charles A. Weed ; lhK((, Albert G.M'ood, William C. Hartling; 1881, 
Junes D. Smith, George U. HoyU 

STATE SENATORS FROM 10t3 TO 1SG5. 
1645-44, Thurston Kaynor; 1040, Andrew Ward; 1G47, Ricbanl I>aw; 
100&-1701, MiO. Junuthau Selleck; 1760-84, Abraham Daronport; 



* Said, In poncil, to Ixj ftom Bidgoflold. Both namM are probably by 
mistake credited to Stamford, 
t But 000 that year. 



I 1790-97, James Davenport; I8;i0, Chariest Hawley; 1850, Joshuo B. 

' Ferris, James H. Hoyt; 1859, Matthew F. Merritt; 18();i, Morgan 

Morgans ; 1805, Charles W. Ballanl. 

TOWNSMEN OH SELECTMEN FUO.M 1610 TO 1879. 
The following catalogue of " townsmen" or select- 
men is ns complete as the town records enable us to 
make it. From l(i42 to 1(»(>(3 there are no records to 
, show who were appointed ; and in 1073 the records, 
which are otherwise full, make no mention of the 
j choice of townsmen. The other years for which 
there is no record of a choice are 1681, 1682, 1683, 
168o, and 1699: 

HJ40. — Rov. Richard Denton, one year; Matthew fiUlchel, two years; 

Andrew Wani, two yeai-s ; Thurston Riiy nor, two years; Rich- 
ard Crabb, two years. 
1641. — John Whitmorc, one year; Richard Law, six years.t 
16GG. — Lieut. Francis Bell, Sr., five years: John Holly, four years; Wm. 

Newman, two years; Richard Hardy, three years; Jos. Garnaey, 

one year ; Richard Ambler, two years. 
1667. — Peter Ferris, seven years; Richard Webb, two years; Abraham 

Ambler, thirteen years. 
1608. — Robert Usher, one year; Jonathan Bell, fourteen years. 
1()09. — .lohn Green, three years; Francis Brown, ono year. 
1070. — Jonathan Selleck, ono year. 
1671. — George Slawson, Sr., three years; John Pottit, ono year; John 

liolmes, two years; Joshua Halt, six ycjiiis ; John Slawson, two 

ycore, 
1074. — John Bates, three years. 
Iti76. — Samuel Hoyt, eight years; Daniel Weed, five j'ears; Daniel Wesl- 

cott, five years. 
1677. — Joseph Theal', three years. 
1680. — Samuel Dean, one year; James Weed, one year; Jonas Weed, 

eleven years. 
1084. — Steven Bishop, five years; John Waterbury, six years. 
1086. — Joseph Hoyt, two years. 
ltw*7. — David Waterbuiy. eleven years. 
1689.— Daniel Scofield, twenty years; John Scofield, two years; John 

Bates. Jr., nine years. 
1690. — Klea/ar Sla.*«on, one year; Bonjamin Hoyt, one year. 
1694. — Increase Holly, one year. 
1695. — Klislia Holly, six yeara. 

169Q;— Jonathan Selleck, one year; John Holly, Sr., ono year. 
noO^Richard Scofield, ono year; Samuel Holly, one year. 
1701. — Benjamin Green, two years; Jonathan Bell, nineteen years; Jos. 

Ferris, seven years. 
1703. — Deacon Samuel Hoyt, six years. 
1704. — Capt. Jo9e]>h Bishop, ten years. 

1709.— John Ambler, two yc;irs ; Lieut. Samuel Wood, fourtoon years, 
nn. — John Bell, ono year. 
1714. — John Slason, Sr., four years; Deacon John Hoyt, thirteen years; 

Samuel Blachley, four years. 
1716.— Capt. John Knapp, ono year; Capt Samuel Hoyt, Jr., sevonteun 

yea re. 
1717. — Deacon Jonathan Uoyl, ono year. 
1719. — Lieut. Ji.«oph Webb, nine ywirs; Sergt. John Scoflold, ono year ; 

Jonas Weed, nine years; Benjauifu Hoyt, Jr., four yeare. 
1725.— Samuel Scofield, three years. 
1728.— Capt. Jonatlmn Hoyt, Iwenly-nlno years; Mfg. Jonathan Maltby, 

twenty years. 
1734. — Licul. John Waterburj-, four years. 
1735. — Lieut. Samuel Weed, three years. 
1738. — Joseph Bishop, eight yoar^. 
1740. — Sergt. Jonathan Clason, seven years. 
1741.— Sergt. Samuel Scofield, .five years. 
1742. — C4ipt. Nathaniel Weed, eight years. 
1746.— Col. Abniham DavenjHjrt, thirty-ono years. 
1747. — Lieut. Jonathan Boll, nine years. 
1750.— Ensign John Holly, twenty-one years. 
17M.— Sergt Stephen Ambler, two yoarv ; Capt David Waterbury, one 

year ; Liout. Eliphalet Seeloy, twenty-two years. 

X The roost of (be alwvo servod probably through the next twenty 
years, of which tboro is no record. 



STAMFORD. 



TiS 



1756— .loiiathim LS«lU'<-k, f«uir yciii-s; Ciipl. Slriilim \\ liit.-. _■ y.-itr. — 

IT.'iT. — Oil. Charles WL-hli, twenty yeiii-s. 

17(11'.— Sainuol Ilrnki-r, nut- year. 

17(U.— ii^eiyt. ^amiu-l llisliDi), fmir yt-ars. 

ITti;;. — .losfph Hiisteii, twit yeai's : Abraham Iloyl. ton yeare. 

17111*. — 'riiiiiiijis Yoiiiiys. twoyuai's; Ueiij;tiniii M'ei.-il, two yL-ars, 

1771.— (Jen. I>avitl Waterliury, seven ycai-s. 

1775. — Lieut Samuel Iliittnn, twoyeai's ; David Wehh, two years. 

177G. — John Bell, three years; ('apt. Isaac LoeUwunil, nineteen yeai's ; 
Thi'iiuis.Iiuie. iJiu- year. 

1777.— .Ii'^hua AuiMer, ten year--; lijinii'l I5init>>n. two years; Ehenezer 
Ferris, two ycais : <':ipt. Sylvauus Knapp, twenty-three j'ears. 

177S. — ('apt. Cliarles .Smith, twelve years. 

177'.'. — ('apt. Gej-shuni Si-olieUi, six yeais; Ciipt. Keulien ScofieM, oueyear. 

17sO. — Charles Wehh, live year.** ; ('apt. Anios Smith, two years. 

17S1. — Lsaac Webh, two years; Samuel Hiehai<ls, two yeai"s ; Sergt. Jon- 
athan Warins. two years; Jes.se Bell, two yeiiis. 

17fNl_i.— Lieut. Seth Wt-eii, Jr., ten years. 

17.S9. — Hi'ii. J:imes Davonpiirt, six yenrs. 

17'jn.— Thadiieus Iloyt, <>noytiar. 

171tL— Nathaniel Wel.h, live yeai-s ; (.'apt. ThaiMeii^ Wee-I. two years. 

17'.t2.— Nathan Weed, Jr., ei(;ht yeai-s. 

]7'.i4.— David Malthy, ..lie year; Stephen Knekuell, one year ; Fn-derick 
Ih.yt, .Uieye.U. 

170.'..— Hon. Juhn Dav.-nporl. nm- year. 

17ttr., — Josiah Smitli, twelve yeai-s ; Henjamiii Weed, one year. 

17lt<), — Anioa Weed, eleven years ; Alexanrler ^lills, une year. 

iMHi, — Carey Leeds, one year; Isaai^ I'eiioyer, two yeara. 

ISOI. — K/,ra Lockwoi)d. three years; William Waterhury {4th), nine years. 

1H(J2.— Thadileus Hell, Jr.. eij;lityears; (Jeort^e Mills, four years. 

1807.— Inuk- Witrdwell, »i.\ years ; Havid Smith (iid), one year. 

isd'j.— Smith Weed, one year: Siiueon II. Minor, Esij, one year; Carey 

li'-ll, tour yeai's; Seth ."^mith, six years. 
Ism.— .Iiihu Weed, Jr., eiglityeai-s : Henry Hnyt, Jr., one year; Jeremiah 

Andreas, one year ; Ahishai Weed, live yeai^. 
1811. — Timothy Reynolds, tour years ; .Tohn Browning, two years. 
181".i. — Jonathan Brown, tliree years. 
1813, — lianiel Lockwood. .Ir., eight yeaii*. 
1814. — Isa;ie Lnekwood, Jr., three yeais. 

1810. — James Stevens, Ksij., tliree yeai>; Pliilo Weed, three yeai":^. 
1817.— John Bell, two yeai-y; Solomon (Ihison, thne years. 
181S.— Fpemlus Hnyt, five yeai-s. 
1S19.*— Nathaniel Wehh, one year; Luther Weed, oueyear; Isaac Holly, 

our- year. 
I-S-JO.— Dr. Lftekwood, one year. 

1821. — Joseph Wood, Ksij., three years; .\hiu<hai Scufiehi, three yeare. 
1824.— Jotliam Hnyt, six years; .\hel Key ludds, six yeais. 
lS'.i;').— Theodore Davenpoit, three yeai-s. 
1828.— David Iloyt, one year. 
1829. — Kzra Knapj), one year. 
1830.— William Waterlmry, two years; Sellerk SeotieM. twenty years; 

John Brown, one year. 
1831.— Royal L. Cay.tw.Mity years. 
1832.— Benjamin M. Weed, ei;^lit y<-ars. 
1830.— Hcth Stevens, six years. 

1841. — Edwin S. Holly, (inc year ; Anizi Seofield, one year. 
1842. — Ebenezer Lockwood, five yeare. 

1847.— Abishai Weed, one yoarj Neheiniah Hoyt, one year. 
1851.— Charles Brush, one year; Nathaniel Lo.kwood, one year. 
1852.— Philip H. Ilrown, two years; Isaac Jones, one year; Nelson W. 

Smith, one yeai. 
3853.— Edwin Seotield, Jr.. one year; WalterSearls, one year. 
1854. — Seth Miller, one year ; Lorenzo Meeker, one year ; Hickford Mar- 

.shall, tliree years. 
1855.— Wells R. Riteh, twelve years ; Edward (hiy, one y.-ar. 
185G. — George Lonn.sbury, one yeur ; Charle.s Brown, one year. 
1857.— Sleiihen B. Trovost, oueyear. 

185K.— Floyd T. Palmer, two yeai-s; Josiah Smith, one year. 
1859.— William Wallace Scrofiehl, >ix years. 
18G1. — Cephas Stevens, four years. 
18GG.— Cluirles Gaylor, one year; Willi.am R. Loekw..od, three years; 

Lewis Raymond, two years. 
1867.- Erastus E. Seoiield, one year.' 

18GS.— E. E. Scofield, W. R. Luckwood, Hiekford Marshall. 
1869.— E. E. Scofield, W. R. IiOckwt)od, Lewis Raymond. 



.().- 



-S. C, Waterbiiry. W. A K.rbr, S, B. Iloyi. 



S71-74 — S. C. Waterbiny. S B. lloyl. llit.im Curtis 

F. B. Scofield, S. B. H'.yt, Hiram Curtis. 
S7G.— F. B. Seofield. J A. Pe.-k. H. CnUis. 

8.— F. B. Seofiel.I, J. A. IV-lU. L. S. .Srofield.f 
N7'J.— F. B. Scofield, J. A. Peek, S. C. Waterbnrv. ^ 



• From this date there have been but tliree selectraeu. 



POST.MAS'l'I-lUS 1\ STAMFORD. 

Abraham Davenport, down to l.s'JO; Hon. .lames Stevens ; Joliii Crown ; 
William Hoyt, Jr. ; Samls Seeh-y. twi<e; Roswell Hoyt. twice; Theo- 
dore J. Daskam, since ISGl, 

rUOlJATE .JI'JKIES. 
Tin.' district ni" Staintord is coiiipusi'd of kStaiiiibnl 
and Daricn; tin- tnllowinj^ arc tlic jiulgcs : 

Juiialhaii Halt, .\hialiani Daveuport, John Davenport, Ebenezer Daven- 
jjort, Joseph Wood, James Stevens, Simeon 11. Minor. Charles Haw- 
ley, Joshua B. Ferris, Henry A. Mitchell, Epliraim Golden, William 
T. Minor, Ebenezer Smith, James H. Olm.stead. William H. Holly, 
Jnlins B. Curtis, Fraui is A. Maiden, John Day Ferguson, Charles 
Blown, Samuel H. (.'ohen, .lf>lin ('lason. 

TOWN CLERKS. 

1G41-G4, Richard Law; ir.ii4-r,s, Jona. Selleck ; Ui08-70, John Holly, Sr. ; 
1G7(_>-SG, Abram Ambler; 1087-99, Jona. Bell; Hi99-17us, Samuel 
Holly, Sr. ; 17l.is-li, Elisha Holly ; 1709-22, Stephen Bi.shop, Sr. ; 1722 
-oS. Lieut. Samuel Weed ; 17;>S-00, Jo.seph Bishop; 17GO-75, Samuel 
Jurvis; 177-:>-l-sni;, Jolin Hoyt, Jr.; 1800-19, Samuel Hoyt, Jr. ; 1819 
-43, Seymour Jarvis; 1843, Wni. H Holly; 1S43-14, Koswelt Hoyt; 
1844^74, Edwiu Scotield ; 1874-81, Cliai Ics E. Holly. 

tiiiAND i.IST. IS7'.I. 

17811 dwelUug-houses and lot.-> $29,953 40 

20,7SH iicies of hind 11,806.25 

117 ntills, stoies, distilleries and manulactories 481,,'»60 

910 horses, asses, and uiules 03,105 

1620 neat atttte _... 31,815 

Sheep and swine, over $30; poultry, over $-2o 37u 

300 eoaihes, cairia^'es, and ple;isure wayous 57,(i;JO 

Farmin;; tools, exeeedinji; in value ;:20U 500 

Mecliaiiu-.s' tools, exceeding' in value :tf200 

Clocks, watches, time-pieces, and jewelry, over §25,. 23,285 
I'iano-t'ortes and other musical instrument?., over 

S2J 26,505 

Household tin nituie, exccedin- in value iJoi'O | _„ ,. 

Libraries, over :|i*2ilO j -■■■ ^',4oU 

Fisliing apparatus, exceeding in value S200 ) u -i - ^ 

tiuarrics, fisheiies, and mines J Vw 

Bank stock 338,552 

StiHe, canal, and all other stock (except U. S. aud 

raili'oail in this State; 62,125 

Railniad, city, and lorporatioti bonds .' 246,ti25 

Amount employed in nieichandising and trade 213,925 

Investment in mechanical and nuinulacturingupera- 

lions I 248,675 

Investments in vessel.s, steauiboat-,, and commerce.. 43,730 

Money at interest in IliisSIate and elsewhere 200,185 

Money (Ui hand, i-.xceeding .'i^HlM,... 29,609 

All other taxable property not specially mentioned. 200,377 
Ten per cent, additional on lists uot; given in ami 

attested 92,038 

Poll-ta.\ 7ijK 

Military ],:jys 

POrULATlON. 
Year. Population. 

D>t>5 420 

17U0 ]1!'.".7..*.' 5S,j 

1714 ;mi5 

1T45 1/,H) 

1756 o_,;js 

1760 :i,.-,.S() 

IKOO .I,it;,-, 

1810 4^440 

1820 ;j,ii84 

1-S3U ;i,7u.') 

1^41) ;i,510 

1«50 4,965 

186U 7.iy5 

1«70 9,714 

188" 11,417 

In 1868, including Darieii and the part of New Canaan once in the 
town. Die population would not be less than n,U(H.>. 

t L. Si oiiehl died, and H. Curtis appointed in place. 



■724 



HISTORY OF rAIllFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



CHAPTEK I>X X 1 I I. 

STAMFORD Continued). 

ECCLESIASTICAL. 

Firet Cliiirdi of riirist in Stanif"nl—l/)iig KiJgc Congregational Church— 
Congregution of Nurtli Stanifonl— Siiint .Tohn*s Kpiscopal— St. Andrew's 
ChalK-l— Emmanuel Chunh, Shinoli— I!a|iti8t Churches— Methodist 
Kplscopal Church- Methodlet Kpisropnl Church, High Kidge— Long 
Ridge Methodist Episcopal Church— Bungull Cluipol— Hamburg Kidgo 
eiiapel— Univerxalist Chunh, Long Kidge— Stamford Vuiversalist 
Churcti— Catholic Church- First rrcsbYteriau Church. 

FIRST cm Kt'U 01' CHRIST IN STAMFORD.* 
"The first known records of this church, distinct 
from the town records, were tliose begun by Mr. 
Welles, at his ordiniition, Dec. 31, 174(). He pre- 
pared the folio in which the records were to be kei)t, 
as if for a permanent depository of all the doings of 
the chnrch in Stamford. Its title page, in large round 
hand, reads : 

"Kulitia Paruchiulis Slamfortlicusls 
or 
Stanford Church records, 
Begun Jan. 1st, A.D. 1747. 

By Noah Welles, who under the conduct of divine 
providence was called to office by the church and 
society in .said Stanford, and by ordination fi.\ed in 
tiic work of the gospel ministry there. The day of 
my ordination and solemn investiture according to 
divine institution, by fasting and prayer with the im- 
position of the hands of the presbytery, tlie elders of 
the churches of Christ in the western association of 
Fairfield County ; The Rev. Jlcssrs. Noah Hobart, 
John Ciooilsel, Henjamin Strong, Jonathan Ingersol, 
and Moses Mather, was Dec. 31, 1746. 

"N.15. In the following records the year begius with 
the 1st day of January, being tiic day after my or- 
dination." 

"The first record made is that of all the names of 
those who were in full communion in tlic church at 
the time of his ordination. That list, just ius it ap- 
pears on the third and fourth pages of the records, is 
as follows: Jonathan Hait, Esq., Deacon, Samuel 
Hait, Esq., Deacon, Jonathan Maltbie, Esq., Benja- 
min Hait, Samuel Blatchley, Samuel Scofield, Ben- 
jamin Weed, Lieut. Daniel Weed, Stephen Ambler, 
Deacon Joseph Bishop, James Bishop, Benjamin 
Bunnel, Jonathan Waterbury, Jonathan Clason, 
Ebenezer Hait, John Scofield, Thomas Waterbury, 
Miles Weed, Nehemiah Bates, Abraham Davenport, 
Esq., Deacon David Bishop, Capt. Bishop, E. 
Bisliop, Joseph Weljb, Lieut. Nathaniel Webb, 
Nathan Hait, Nathan Bishop, Benjamin Weed, junr., 
l'>q., Daniel Weed, junr., Daniel Weed, 3d, Joshua 
Louusbery, John Scofield, junr., Nathaniel Stevens, 
Epeuetus Louusbery, Josiah .Scofield, Charles Sco- 
field, Reuben Scofield, Israel Bonlman, Zebulun 
Husted, Nathan Scofteld, Baptist, Abraham Hait, 
Peter Kuap, Benjamin Jones, Ebenezer Scofield, 

* CouUensed from HunUngton's Ilistoiy. 



Charles Bishop, Miles Scofield, IJeut. John Bate.^, 
John Weed, Ebenezer Weed, jr., Timothy Curtis, 
JosiahJ^pUy, Joseph Judson, Epenetus Webb, Ben- 
jamin Hait, junr., Ensign Charles Knap, David Hait, 
Jagger Hait, He/.ekiah Weed, (ITOil) Joseph Scofield, 
Ensign Israel Weed, Thomas Potts, Joiia.s Scofield, 
Jeremiah Hait, <>ideon Louusbery, Episcopal, ('apt. 
Amos Weed, Natlian Louusbery, Joseph Husted, 
Nathaniel Cressy, Reuben W'eed, Joseph Finch, 
Jonathan Garnsey, Lieut. Hezekiah Weed, jr., Eze- 
kial Roberts, Quaker, Samuel Weed. Whole number, 

I 75 males. 

! "Madam I)aveu|)ort, Hannah, Dan, We of David; 
Sarah, wile of Nathan Scofield; Kutli Bishop; W'w 
of Deacon Hait; W'w Burnham ; Mary, wife of 
Lieut. Eb. Weed ; Elizab. we of I^ieut. Danl. Weed ; 
W'w Hait; Mrs. Blatchely, we of Saml. ; Elizab. 
W'e of Benj. Hait; Mille.scent, W'e of Col. Hait; 
E.Kperience, W'e of Sam'l Ferris ; ^V'w Blatchely, 

1 W'e of Abr'm Hait ; Rose. W'e of Joseph Weed ; 
Mary, W'e of Sam'l Hait, Esq.; Deborah, W'e of 
Stephen Ambler ; W'ife of Lieut. Waterbury ; W'e 

- Bishop, of Capt. Bishop , W'w Blackman, w'e of 
Josiah; W'w Slartha Leeds; Azubah, W'e of Simeon 
June; W'w Hannah Thorp; Sarah, W'e of .loua. 
Maltby, Esq.; Mary, W'e ofChs. Sturges ; Elizabeth, 
W'e of Jona. Clauson ; Mary Bishop; Sarah, W'e 
of Josiah Scofield ; Deborah, W'e of Lieut. N. Webb; 
Elizab., dau. of Lieut. D. AVeed; Hannah Slason; 

i Mary, W'e of Lieut. Ezra Smith; Elizabeth Jessup; 

! Mary, W'e of Josiah Scofield ; Joanna, W'e of Miles 
Weed; Hannah, W'e of Jos. Lounsbury ; Susanna, 
W'e of Ncheiu Bates; Hannah, W'e of Abr'm Hait; 
Sarah, W'e of .Tames Bell; Rebecca, W'e of Samuel 
Weed ; Sarah, W'e of Jno. Lockwood ; Haunah, W'eof 
Samuel Weed, jun. ; W'w Susanna W'aterbury ; Mary, 
W'e of Benj. Weed, jun. ; Marg., W'e of Ebenr. 
Hait; Lydia, W'e of Seremiah Hait; Abigail, W'e 
of Reub. Scofield ; Sarah Hait ; Lydia, W'e of Reul>. 
Weed; Mrs. Sarah Slayd ; .\bigail, W'e of David 
Dibble; Wid. .Vbigail Clausen; Kezia, W'eof Daniel 
Weed, 3d; Ruth, W'e of Nathan Brown; Anna. W'e 
of Nath'l Brown: Abigail, W'e of Zab. Hustead ; 
Mary, W'e of Peter Knap; Susanna, W'e of Dan'l 
Weed ; Mary, W'e of Ebenezer Scofield ; Mary, W'e 
of Chris'n Sturgis ; Hannah, W'e of Sam'l Scofiehl ; 
Rachel Lounsbury, W'e of J. Scofield; Abigail 
Lounsbury; Deborah, W'e of Jouath. Garnsey; 
Bethia Brown ; Sarah, W'e of Dan'l Lockwood ; Re- 
becca, W'e of Jos. Gales; Hannali, We of Lieut. 
Sam'l Scofield; Susanna, We of Tiiinpthy Curtis; 
Sarah, W'e of Capt. Knaj) ; -Mrs. Hannah Wright; 
Martha, W'e of .los. Smith, now of B. Weed, Esq. ; 
Slercy, W'e of Jona. Weed; Mercy, W'e of Quinton 
Patch; Sarah, dau. of Jonas Weed; Elizabeth Hunt; 
Eliz., We of Sam'l Scofield; Man,- Holly; Deborah 
Webb, now We of Dan'l Smith; Mary, W'e of 
Charles Buxton; .Abigail, We of Win. Blanchard; 

I Abigail. W'e of Richard Webb; Rebecca, We of 



8TA.MF()15D. 725 



Jonu. Avivs; Deborah, \\"r nf ,l(is. llu-;ti'd; Kt-zia, tn sIkiw that tliry iiivitcil cithi'i- (if tliriii to settle. 

We of .las. Kolierts; 'J'liaiikful, dail. of Mrs. Weeil ; The .soeiety, in 17SI), make aipplirMtion to Tiev. ^Ir. 

Martlia, We of Waring; Hannah, We of .las. Kettletas to su|i|ily the ]ml|>it, if j.ossihh'; ami from 

iseotield ; Klizal). ]5isho|i; Esther, We of Dan'l liajitisms performed during this interval, he prohaMy 

Wil^int:; Mary lioutoii ; liethia 8eofield ; Mary jireaehed some niontlis. 

Lounsbury; ^^arali, ^\"e of (iershoni ;\Iead ; Mary, " Tlie peeuliar laniruage employed in tlie reeords of 

AV'e of Sergt. .Ino. Seofield; Mary, ilaii, of .<erL't. the soeiety of date JIareh 2-i, 1777, would suggest that 

8am'l Scotield ; Mrs. Hannah Mather ; Hannah l>an, they were- not prepared to settle anyone as pastor. 

Wel>avid; 3Iary, We Benj. .Tones. AVhole No. IMl ]!y H.'^l they had evidently beeome tired of being 

Females. Total, 174. without a settled minister, .and foDiially voted to en- 

" The above list eomi)rises jirobably all the resident deavor to settle one. They vote, also, to apply to 

members of this first ehureh of Htamford in 174ti. Kev. Mr. .^earl to aeeept the pastorate. 

" Dr. ^\■ellcs eontinued here until his death, in 177(1. "In August, 1777, they unanimously vote to settle 

Uniler jiis ministry there was a steady growth of the l!ev. .lohn Avery. They vore him a hundred pounds 

churcdi. annually, for three years, in silver or gold, and to give 

"The three town n<italdes of that day, Col. Jonathan him three hundred ]iouuds also, in three ecjual pay- 

Hoyt, Capt. Jonathan Maltby, and 3Ir. Abraham ments, and after the tliird year to give him one hun- 

Davt'iiport, were nuide a eomnuttee to ' manage that dred and twenty-five pounds annually, 

alfear.' A few years later, 17r):2, the soeiety add a " The Uev. .Tohn A very was ordaineil .Ian. Ifi, 17.'<2, 
liundred pounds of new metal to the bell, and have , and the reeord is again resumed. 

itrunanew. Tin' eloek seems to have been a bill of " Mr. ^\very e<]Utinued to preaeli hi're until Sep- 

e.xpeiise and trotdde to tlieiu. and it was soon removed, tember, 17'.n. in wliieh month his death oeeurred. 

" .\nother innovation was introdueed in 17-17. The The last reeords made by his hand are of fseptember 
soeiety, probably out of regard to the wishes of tbi'ir 4th, in this year, the one eiindling Abraham Smith 
new pastor, voted to ehange the form of their serviee as member of the ehurc-h, and the otlier witnessing 
(d'song in the sanetuary ; and this ehange took plaee, the mai'riage of .John Larkin and Elizalieth Hoyt. 
both in the I''irst Chureh at the eeiitre an<l in the new " April 11, 17'.I2, tin' soeiety uiumimously vote Mr. 
ehureh in Jliddlesex ]iarish, now Darien. The vote ('oeaeall to settle, on a salary of one hundred and 
of the First Soeiety in 1747 is: ' I'i'r vote, the society lilty pounds; and the eoniniittee were to write to 
agree to sing aeeording to regular singing, ealled ye Mr. t'oe and to the i'resbytery of Xew York to in- 
new way of singing, in ye public worship id' (iod.' form them of the jiroeeedings. The ehurcdi, on the 
The vote in the Middlesex soi-iely was: ' A't Mr. Kith of the same mouth, after listening to Mr. Coe. 
Jonathan Bell, or any other m;in agreed upon to sing vote also, unanimously, to apjirove the eall. The 
or tune ye salm in his absence, in tinu's of publieht answer of Mr. ('<ie does not ajipear in the reeords of 
worship, may tune it in vi' old way <>v lU'W, whicdi either the cduireh or society. Dainel Smith was or- 
sutcs you best.' dained pastor of the ( hureli .lunc l:!, 17!).'!. 

"This change from the (dd to the n<'w way of singing " A new house on the corner of Atlantic and Bank 

luul been introdui'ed in 1721. The eiglitor nine tunes Streets was dedicated Sept. 23, IS.'iS. 

brought over with tin- piomcrs ' hail becouH.' barbar- " The following is a list of ministers who have served 

ously perverted,' and Ilev. Thomas A\';Llter, of Box- this church from its organization: Kichanl Denton, 

bury, Mass., composer in tliat year, published 'The 1641—14; John Bishop. U;44~m ; .lohn Davenport, 

Grounds and Rules of Music Ivxplained; or, an In- 11)9-1-1731; Ebeuezer Wright, ordained in 1732, and 

troduction to the Art of Singing by Note.' The died liere in May, 174fi; Xoah Welles, D.D., or- 

treatise ' contained Iweuly-lbiir tunes, harmonized in dained Dee. 31, 1741!, and died here Dec. 31,177ti; 

three ])arts.' .Abraham Kettletas, jireaeher in 17SI). He was li- 

" In 17.'>0 one other innovation seems to have com- censed by Fairfield F.ast Association in 17.')l); Jolui 

pleted the changes which were deeiiu'd of alisolute Avery, ordaiiu'd .Ian. lii, 17S2. ;niil died here in Sep- 

need. After duo deliberation, doiilitless, ' the society tember, 171I1 ; Daniel Smith, ordained June 13, I7!i;!, 

agrees that Doctor Watteses avartion of ye psalms and died here, l.S4(i ; .lohn W. .\lvoril, installed col- 

.shall be introihu;eil into ye prisbeterian congration.' league with Mr. Smith, March lii, l.'<42, and dismissed 

" Dr. Welles died in 177ii, after the struggle of our Oct. 14. l«4t) ; Isaac .lennings, installed Sejit. 1, 1S47, 

Revolution had fairly begun ; and the church was left ami dismissed .\pril 2S, 1,S.")3; .Tames Hoyt, preacher 

without a pastor until its elo>c. from June, 18o3, to .lantmry, l.S.').">; Henry B. Elliot, 

"The last record in the fair handwriting of Dr. installed Dee. 4, lSo"i, ami dismissed July (i, IH'iH; 
Welles bears date Dec. S. 177o, and simply preserves .foseph Anderson was called Dec. '.I, 1S."),S, installed 
the appointment of Stephen Bishop as deacon in the M:irch 27, 18()(l, and dismissed Feb. 2li, ISGl ; Leon- 
church, an! W. Bacon, jiastor-elect from Nov. 17, ISlU, until 

"Several candidates, it would seem, otiiciated here .Taiuiary, lX(i.') ; Richard II. 'J'hurston, ( I. I!. Wilcox, 

after Dr. Welles' decease. The chureh has no record Samuel Scovel." 



r26 



lUSTOllY OF FAIUFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, NOnTII STAMFORD. 

" This church was organized June 4, 1782, and con- 
sisted of twenty-two members, as follows : 

" Benjamin Weed, Ebene/.er Weed, Zebulon Husted, 
Amos Weed, Israel Weed, .Joseph Ambler, .John Mc- 
Cullum, Kbenezer Dean, Miles Weed, Reuben Seo- 
ficld, J[ercy Hoyt, Elizabeth Ambler, Abigail Weed, 
Kezia Dean, Mary McCullum, Mercy Hoyt, Jr., Pru- 
dence Weed, Sarah Seeley, Elizabeth Scofield, Rebecca 
Ayres, Rebecca Curtis, and- Rebecca Bcedle. 

" Previously to this date the celebrated Dr. Samuel 
Hopkins, of Newport, K. I., who had left his parish 
when tlie British took possession of tlie town in 1776, 
and wlio luid come to Stamford in 1778 to supply the 
pulpit of his deceased classmate, Dr. Welles, had been 
also supplying this pulpit for about a year and a half. 
He left in 1780, and the church wits sui>plied with 
temporary preacliers until March 23, 1784, when 
Solomon Wolcot wa.s ordained first pastor. He con- 
tinne<l to labor until his dismission, .Tune 21, 1785. * 

" The other ministers of this parish have been : .John 
Shepperd, ordained .Tune 27, 1787, and dismissed 
.Tune 11, 1794; Amzi Lewis, installed June 17, 179."), 
and died here April .i, 1819; Henry Fuller, installed 
June 6, 1821, and dismissed Jan. 23, 1844; Nathaniel 
Pierson, preached here from April, 1844, to January, 
1846; William H. Magie, from January, 1846, to 
January, 1849; William E. Catlin, from March, 1849, 
to March, 1850; F. E. M. Bachelor, for several months 
in 1850 and 1851 ; IJvingston Willard, installed March, 
1852, and dismissed in June, 1856; .lolin White sup- 
plied the puli)it from May, 1857, to October, 1858; 
W. S. Clark, 1859-61 ; h". T. Ford, 1862 ; Roswell 
Smith, 186.3-(J4 ; H. L. Teller, 1866-68 ; .Tosiah Pea- 
body, 1868-73; R. IT. Wilkin, 1874-75; .Te.sse Brush, 
1876-80; H. J. Billings, 1880, present pastor. The 
church building was burned, and has since been 
rebuilt." 

LONG RFDGE CONGREGATIONAL CIIITRCII. 

"About the year 1840 a union church was built on 
Long Ridge, which the Congregational iH)rtion of the 
community secured in 1842, wlien they organized a 
church and society. The names of the members of 
the church were Isaac Ayres, Jared Holly, Charles E. 
Smith, William L. Holly, Alfred Ayres, Ransford A. 
Ferris, Polly Holly, Harriet M. HoUy, Sally Scofield, 
Harriet E. Ayres, Hannah R. Raymond, Mary W. 
Smith, Ann M. Holly, I,ydia Ferris, Claris.sa Smith, 
and Phcbe Scofiehl. 

Rev. Frederick H. .Vyrcs was engaged to supply the 
l)ul|)it, commencing his ministry Nov. 6, 1842, and 
preaching until 1853. I 

From that time meetings have been kept up for the 
most of the time, the church having enjoyed the labors 
of the following ministers, none of wliom have been 
installed: Mr. Perry, .Vngustus B. 'Collins. .Tohn 

Smith, Ezra D. Kinney, Dennis Piatt, Tiniloe, 

(iilbert, and S. V. Fe-ssendcn, present pa-stor." 



ST. JOflN'.S CHURCH.* 

" The first services according to the rites of the Epis- 
copal Church held in Stamford were conducted by 
Rev. Henry Caner in the winter of 1726-27. 

" In 1738 a very earnest and lengthy plea was sent to 
the (ieneral Assembly of Connecticut, a.-iking that the 
members of the Church of lOngland in the State might 
be excused from paying for the support of the Con- 
gregational mode of worship. This plea has attached 
to it the .signatures of 636 Episcopalians in nine towns. 
Fifty of these names are from Stamford and (ireen- 
wich. They are Gershom Lockwood, Samuel Mills, 
Caleb Kna|ip. .lohn Lockwood, William King, Henry 
Jones, Benjamin Knapp, .Tames Knapp, .Toseph Knapj), 
Jeremy Peck, Hezekiah Lockwood, Jonathan Lock- 
wood, Jonathan Austen, Thomas Johnson, Thom.ts 
Ballis, David Reynolds, .Tohn Avery, .Tohn .Tohnson, 

.Tohn ; .Tames Wilson, Benjamin Young, Robert 

Arnold, .Tohn Burley, Nathaniel Hubbard, Peter 
Demill, .Tohn Finch, Benjamin Day, .John Hicks, 
Mills Riggs, Israel Knapp, Charles Southerland, 
Richard Charlton, Samuel Morine, Isaac Quintard, 
.Toscph Barton, Nathaniel Lockwood, John Kirkham, 
Nathaniel Worden, Thomas l{oberts, and Al)raham 
Rnndal, Jr. The above list is ])reccded by this 
memorandum : 

" * Undor the care of Rev. Mr. Wetmorc. Tlio Bub«criberB beloiigiug tu 
Greenwich and Stamford toI>e annexed totlic general address of tlio mem- 
bore and proft'ssore of ttie Cliuirh of Knf;1and, hi tlio colony of Connec- 
ticut, To tho Ilonoruble General Coui-t, in May, 1738 ; which address hav- 
ing been communicated to UB, the subticrihcrs, we hereunto sign our 
names.* 

" In addition to the above-named address, these 
Stamford petitioners drew up a plea of their own, of 
more than three closely-written foolscap pages, ur- 
gently demanding at least a partial exemption from 
the tax imjiosed upon them to support a ministry 
which they could not approve. Tliey asked that at 
Iciust they might be allowed to join with those of 
their own church in a neighboring colony ((Jreen- 
wich), and that they might use their tax for the sup- 
port of the ministers of their own choice in that 
colony, ' provided, always, that the said minister's 
.settled abode and residence be within five miles of 
this colony, and that by oflSciating alternately in each 
colony he performs divine service at least twelve 
times in the year in this colony.' In addition to the 
preceding mimes, this special petition has the fullow- 
ing: .\braham Nichols, .Tohn Matthews, and Na- 
thaniel Worden, Jr. 

" The petition was negatived in both houses of the 
Legislature. In 1740 the Rev. James Wetniore was 
preaching in Stamford once in four weeks, and this 
seems to have been the only Episcopal service held 
at that time in the town. 

"The following votc-s of the town give us our imly 
knowledge of the progress made by the Episcopalians 
at this time. The first was under date of Dec. 2, 



' CondonBcd fiom Iluntinpton's lliolory. 



STAMFOED. 727 



1742, ami is in unswrr to ;iu apiioal ijunlc liy tlie im-iit was not found to aiiswir tlie iirccls nf tln' ]inrisli 

Eiiiscopaliaiis lor a j.'i-aiit ol' land on wliicli to build: lonv, and Jlay 14, 1S(;(), tliry were called to lay tin- 

conicr-stono of their new ndssion rliapcd, St. An- 

"'Tlu' Uiwu auiTi- to irat in iv ou iltci- !■> virw tlic plan- liv Mr. ' 

Elii.h;.l,-t H„ll.v„\vl,f,o the professors of tl„- Clnnvh of Enshri,! have drrw's. hftuci'II Waslnniiton Av.-IUlr an.l Nortllticid 

petitioneil for setting a ehueh liuiise, \\iiether it may he granteii without Stll'cl. The onl\' reetot's ol this [lelioil \V(.'re lle\s. 

.lan,aKetotheto,vn,au.ltomakeretnrntolhen.ljourne,ltovv„nn.elins;-. ,l,,„at|,an .hldll and Alldin.s,' ,>^. Todd. From tho 
.111.1 Kiisign-lonatlian Hell, Serjeant Natljaniel Weea. an.l .Joseph liishop . , - , , , . , „. i , i 

tu he the court i..rtii, .purpose aioiesai.i.' , ^^'nunier of 1N...S, 111,' laliofs ot Dr. l,,dd liavmg 

Iteeoine too jri'eat for his failinj;' streiiLith, the ptirish 

"The result ol' thi. extiininatioii made li\- the eom- , em|iloyed an ttssistant. Rev. Wtilter Mitehell, then in 

mittee :i|i|ie;irs under date of Dec. 10, 1742 : I deacon's orders, and who was (U'dained priest A]iril 

27, is.'i!!. 
""Tlie town agree to give the professors of the Chureh .if Englan.l a 

pieceoflan.I, to seta diurclihonse n|ion, on the hill hetween the willow ! "I'r. Todd eoutillUed ill the rectorshi|p ol the liar- 
Holly's house and Nattian StpveiisMiouse — tiio piieco of lanfl to be 4.T feet i isli Until lii.s (leath, ,June 22, ISiil : ami his assistant, 
long, eiistan.l west, amlto be M feet wi.le. when the committee shall lay [ jj,.^ Jlitchell Was instituted rector Nov. 1."., l.Mll. 
it out; the eommittee to be Eiisien .r.ma. ISell, Sergeant Nathaniel Weill, ■ , , , ■ • i 

an.ljoseph ifislu.p ' ' iider Ills rectoishiii the chuiili was iiicreasint^ly 

|prosperous. lie was assisted liy Jicv. ]'. W. liraith- 

"Tlie lot o-ranted, as ahove. I.i the Kpiscopalians „..,|(,. , ,„ (|„, ,.,,sio.„ation of .Mr. Mitchell, in ISCC, 

was the southeast corner of tlie present lot held hy ].^_^._ William Tatlock entered on the rectorship, Aug. 

St. John's Parish, in In. iit ..f their parsonage. On .■;()_ is<;tl. He is assisted hy the Rev. .fosepli W. Hyde, 

this lot the first (dinrch was built. It was so far The continued prosperity of the parish is eviiu'cd by 

finished in March, 1747, that it could be used. ,l„. i„|i|,|i„„. ,,f Ennnanuel church at Shinoh in 

"Mr. Wetmore seems to have been succeedi-d by the ]xi;7, to meet the wants of the northeast part of 

Rev. Henry f'aiu'r, of Fairtiehl, wlio, with his brother Hn, ,,.|rish 

Richard, of Norwalk, and a Mr. Miner, supplied the ..ji,,, i-,,n,,„ing is the list of the clergy who have 

E|.i.scopalians with what preaching or service they ,,|ii,.j,,tc,| jn this ],arish, as far as the records of the 

liad down to the coinmenccmeiit of .Mr. Ehenezer ,.||„,.,.)| .,nd contenqioraneous history have furnished 

Dibble's long and successful ministry. ,l„.|,. ,|.,„ies: .lames Wetmore, 17;-!r,-41 ; Henry ( 'mn; 

"Hi 174ti we find Mr. ('aner, of Fairtield, bitterly 1744_47; Ehenezer Dibble, D.D., 1747-;i7; Calvin 

lamenting the want of ministers f,r both Norwall; white, IT'.tS; .T. H. Reynolds, S. Wheaton, and 

ami Stamford. 11.- reports both places as losing v,,,,,,! |;,,„.,.rs, the latter of whom was degraded 

ground, fm- want of a more constant servic-e than he (■,,,,„, ,i,,, ministry by ilishop .larvis, in l.StU; Jona- 

can supply. ,!,.,„ j,„|j_ instituted rector Oct. lit, l.Hll), ami re- 

" Rev. Mr. Dibble was rector in 174S. Inl7o7he signed in 1X22; Rennet Glover; Ambrose Todd, 

reports his parish united and prosperous. He says: i,'],. welter :\ntchell. instituted rector Xov. l:!. 

'We have sundry accessions to the church since my ,s(;i, and resigned Feb. 4. bSlii;; William Tatlock, 

la.st of the 2ilth of Sei.tcinber.' instituted rector Aug. ".O, bSCti," 

" John Lloyd, the sami', doubtless, whose name ap- 
]iears as one of the vestry of the (dinrch in 17"iil, in ' ST. ANIiKEW'.S CII.\1'KL. 
consideration of £34:^ 6s. Ik/., received Inmi St. " The corner-stone of this chapel, between Wash- 
George Talbot, Esq., of Barn Island, N. Y.. makes ington Avenue and Northtield Street, was laid May 
over 'to the Veiieralile Society for the Propagation of 14, I.SGO, ami the h..use was finished and eonsecrateil 
the (losptd in Foreign Parts' two tracts of land, one Jfay .S, 1.*<I11. The jicrsons who liave otliciated at 
of eighteen aia-cs one rood .■ind Iwcnty-lhrcc ro.fs, in this chapel have been 'i'hoiiias W. I'unnett, who in 
.Vorthfield, (Ml till' west side of .Mill River; and the November, bXi;i , accepti'd the rectorship of St. Paul's 
other of four acres, twenty-nine, ;it North Street, ( 'hiinli, Stalcii Island, ami Arthur Mason, Nathaniel 
bounded .south by North Street, west by ('hiiridi of !■;. \Vhitiiig, ami F. Windsor Braithwaite, who w;is or- 
England jiarsonage. and east hy highway. These dained di-acoii in St. Andrew's chapcd June 17, 1.XG2, 
lands, by the terms of the surrender, were ' to be iiml and ordained priest .rune 17, ISC.'i. .Mioiit the samo 

inure to the use of the missio -y. lor llic time being, time St. .Vmlrcw's was organized into an inde]M'ndent 

the rector or incumbent of St. .1. din's Chnndi, and parish, and ,Mr. I'.iaithwaite was eallcil to be rector, 

his successors, as the glebe lanils of the Chundi of and is the present incumbent." 
England in said Stamford.' 

"Under the administration of .Mr. Dibble and iiis lOMMANHKL I'liriicll, SIlINdll. 

successors the ptirish wtis greatly prospereil. Their "The corner-stone of this (bun-li was laid .luiu? 

first house of wurship answered for the use id' the 2il, l.Slw. This neat Gothic structure, of stone, was 

congregation until Isb'!, when tin' present (diiirch built by the ^lissioiiary and Benevolent Society of 

was built, where it now stands. This, in its turn, St. John's, as a, idiaiiel of the parish church. It 

was soon found loo simill, and was enlarged in ls.")."i sttinds on the New Hope road, about three miles from 

to its |iresent dimensions. But even this enlarge- the village." 



728 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



BAPTIST CIIURCIIES» I 

"The first item of inl'oniiation n-sppctiiifr tlic l!:i]i- 
tist.s in tiiis town is iistatomeiit mailc in 17(IH liy Ebcn- 
ezcr Ferris. He hud iiniteil with the Congregational 
Cliureh, liere, witli his wife, Abigail, Feb. 12, 1709, , 
and by October 27th of the same year he had become 
so far convinced of the invalidity of his baptism a.s 
to seek immersion at the hand.s of Elder Oano, of 
New York City. His own statement of the change 
is as follows : 

** * ttaviiig liooii sonic timu exolxised in uiiml in disputes upon religious 
eubjot'ts, st^Hiviiinb' tlie .Scril>ture8 for nndcnitanding, and t>econiiiig ron- 
viucod llult tlie IluptititH, in ttioir pnicliee, are agruoable to tin- order of tlie 
gospel, (I) niiule appliuition to the Baptist Cliurcli in Now York, under 
the pastoral earo of KMer Gano. Desiring to unite with tlieui in the 
privileges of tlie gosi>el, after being examined, they manifested tlicir 
freedom. Was baptized t)et. 27, ITGi), and received into church fellow- 
ship.* 

" From the same roconls we learn that Elder tiano, 
in April, 1770, preached here, and baptized Nathan 
Scofield and John Ferris, of Stanwidi, the former 
having been a member of the Congregational Church 
from the settlement of Dr. Welles, in 1(547. In June 
he came again, and baittized Nehemiah Hrown and 
David Wilson, of Horseneck, and Moses Reynolds, 
of Stanwich. 

"In the following Marcli, 17711-71, the persons 
above named, !i.s being baptized 'with Moses Foun- 
tain, a Baptist, wlio lately came to this jilace, having 
joined the cliuich of New York, our number (.seven) 
was by said church considered as a branch of the 
same, residing in Stamford ; and to have the privilege 
of having ordinances of the gospel administered here 
by the Folder (lano, and to receive into church fellow- 
ship such persims as should be judged meet subjects 
by this branch and the elder.' 

" It was further provided that Mr. (iano should 
preach here once a month for six months; upon 
which the brancli 'agreed to meet statedly on Lord's 
day, for ])ublic worship, at the liou.sc of Moses Foun- 
tain. Begun first in .Vijril, 1771." 

"The following persons were baptized during this 
year: Oliver Sherwood, of Horseneck; James Win- 
chd, IClizabcth Davis, Hannah Ferris, Rebecca Rey- 
nolds, of Stanwich; lilizabeth Rowel, of Horseneck ; 
Mindal Smith, of Bedford ; William Brundage and 
Nathan Sutton, of Horseneck, — making the number, 
at the end of 1771, sixteen. 

" In July of tliis year F^benezer FVrris had been 
clio.sen deacon. The record states that of the above 
persons Mindal Smith had been ))reviou.sly baptized. 

" Deacon I'erris purchased a piece of land in Oc- 
tober, 1771, for a church site, for which lie paid £4 
lOjt., York money ; and on this site the frame of the 
first Baptist church this siiie of New York was rai.sed, 
June 11, 1772. The same frame stands on the same 
lot, in the Bangall district, to this day. It is the only 
surviving representative in town of the almost uni- 

* Condonaed from lluntiiigtonV llistorv. 



versal type of the ' Lord's house' which prevailed in 
New lOngland a hundred and fifty years ago. 

" On the t5th of November, 1773, those Baptists who 
were living in this vicinity were organized into a sep- 
arate church, IClder (iano being present, and giving 
them 'the right hand of fellowship.' The list of the 
new church numbered twenty-one names. They are 
Ebenezer Ferris, Ezariah Winchel, Nathan Scofield, 
John Ferris, Nehemiah Brown, Sylvenus Reynolds, 
Gabriel Higgins, Joseph Webb, Jonathan Whelpley, 
Moses Reynolds, John Higgins, Elizabeth Brown, 
Mindal Smith, Hannah F^erris, Rebecca Reynolds, 
Mary Reynolds, Elizabeth Davis, Mary Miller, Sarah 
Higgins, E.sthcr Smith, and Hannah Tyler. 

"The ministers who labored here for the next ten 
years were Elder Coles, 1773 ; Thomas Ustic, 1775 ; 
President Manning, of Providence, 1775 ; tind Robert 
Morris. Mr. Jlorris hail been licensed by the church 
to preach, in 177t), but he became loose in his doc- 
trinal view's, and in 17H0 his license was withdrawn, 
and he was excommunicated. In October of this 
year, F^lkanah Holmes, of Nine Partners, came here 
and took the charge. His family followed him the 
next spring, and he continued here until October, 
1784. Mr. F'erris, who had well discharged the office 
of a deacon, was also thought worthy of the minis- 
terial office, and accordingly, in October, 1783, he was 
licensed to preach, and on the 3d of the next July he 
was ordained formally to the work of the gospel min- 
istry. 

" IClder F'erris remained in charge of the Stamford 
Churcli for the rest of his life. 

" The Baptists in the lower part of the town, be- 
coming more numerous, demanded a i)lace of worship 
nearer than the one on Fort Hill, and accordingly, on 
the 24th of June, 171I0, they raised the second Bap- 
tist house of the town, on the lot on River Street, a 
few rods .south of the bridge. This house — similar in 
form to that on F'ort Hill — gave way, in 18ot>, to a . 

neat church, and this, in 1860, on the completion of |l 
the i>resent elegant house on the corner of Broad and 
Atlantic Streets, was converted into the block now 
overlooking our village pond. 

" In 17111, .Marmadiike Earl assisted Mr. Ferris. 

"The old church on F'ort Hill was finally, in 180(5, 
transferred to the Long Ridge Baptists, and became 
the Second Baptist Church of Stamford. 

"The ministers of this church who have officiated 
since Mr. lOarl's co-pastorship with Mr. F'erris have 
been F'reilcrick Smith, co-jiastor, from .\ugust, 1807, 
to February, 1817; (ireenleaf S. Webb, co-pastor, 
from June, 181(5, to .Vpril, 1821 ; John Ivllis, pastor, 1 

from December, 1822, to October, 183(5 ; William Bid- ; 

die, from October, 183(5, to January, 1839; James M. 
Stickncy, from April, I8:W, to April, 1842; Aildison 
Parker, from Ai>ril, 1843, to April, 184."i; Henry H. 
Rouse, from November, 184o, to April, 1848; James 
Hepburn; .1. H. Parks, to the union of this and the 
Bethesda Church. 



STAMFORD. 



129 



" In 1S48, tlic Betliesda Baptist Church was organ- 
ized, by sixty-two members Crom the First Chureh. 
They built on tlie corner of Atlantic and Cottage 
f^treets, where they C(mtinued a separate organization 
until the two were happily reunited in ISo.S. 

"On the organization of the Bethesda Church, in 
1848, Mr. Rouse became the jiastor of the new cliurch, 
where he continued to officiate until January, 1857. 

" Alanson H. Bliss succeeded him, and remained 
until the reunion of the two cliurches, in (.)ctober, 
18.>8. 

"At the union of these two village churches, dis- 
posing of the two lots and church buildings which 
they owned, they purchased a lot on the corner of 
Broad and Atlantic iStreets, and erected the elegant 
brick structure which now stands there. Its corner- 
stone was laid in August, 1S.">1I, and the liouse was 
dedicated. 

" Its two pastors have been I'liili]) !^. Evans, in- 
stalled in Xovenibcr, 18.'iS, and resigned in ISlio, and 
Edward Lathrop, D.D., who was installed Feb. 22, 
186(j. 

METHODIST EPISCOl'Ab CHURCH." 

" There seems to have been no record of tlie early 
Methodist movement in this vicinity, and it is doubt- 
ful w'hetlier any was made for several years after this 
denomination began its labors here. The earliest 
records now existing are those begun in 1830 by 
Kev. Daniel L)e Vinne, who was then stationed here. 
He introduces his records with a historical sketch, 
from which I take the fidlowing statement : 

" ' Till' first regular sodfty i.f tlif M.-tlio.!isl Kpisciiul CIimp li in lliis 
town wjis formed about tlie ytiar ITys. Wliat fircUTiistaiicf Ifii our liiin- 
isti-TS to tliis place, wlio was tlio tirst preaclior, or wlio formeil tlio tirnt 
class, cannot at present l»o ascertained. IJut it in most probable tliat it i 
was the Kev, Samuel Q. Taibot or Peter Moriarty, Avlio traveled on the 
New Rochellc Circuit. The next year, IVsll, tlii' Kev. Jesse I.co and ' 
,\ndrew Van Xostraiid were appointi'ii to Stamford Circuit. On their 
ariival at tliisjilace tliey foun<l kiiidn-d spirits, wlio bad <irunk at the ) 
same fountain with tliemselves, — Sister KIsie Scolield, wdio is now (IS3(n 
living, had been awakened by his ministry in this village, at the house 
of Mr. Ournsey, some years previous to ITOI, the time at which she I 
joined the infant society in this place; 3Irs, Marttia Keed, who has 
been awakened by the ministry of the Itev. Freeborn tiarret-son. in Shel- 
burn. Nova Scotia, settling in this village in 17'J(). Immediately on luM- 
arrival she attached herself to the chiss, which consisted of about twelve, 
over which one Enos Weed was j)laced as leader. The stated meetings 
were behi at the hovise of a Sir. Lockwood, now owned by Sirs, tfndtli, 
near the present Methodist Ejiiscopal cliui-ch ; and the preacbers were 
entertained by Geo. Waterlmry, near the haibor, whose wife and sister ' 
were niendjers. 

"' Mr. Isaac Reed, \vln> during the Kevobitioriary war bad become a 
Christian, joined the church at the same time, with bis wife, and invited 
the congregation arul ministers to hold their public meetiTigs in his 
liouse. In this place the ark of Methodism rested for nineteen years, and 
this e.\cellent family subjected themselves, during all This tinu', to the iu- 
cotiveniuiice of accommoilating, almost weekly, meetings, supporting the 
preachers and their horses, and also furnishing mole than their (puda of 
traveling expenses. 

"* .\fter frequent petitions, the town, which was at that tinu- under the 
influence of the Congregational order, granted to the " Fanatics" a place 
— a mud-hole — on the cummons ou which to build a churcb. About 
1813 the church was tiuished and dedi. ateil, and six years after was 
cleared of debt.' 

* From Huntington's History. 



"8uch, probably, was the origin of this enterprising 
denomination of Christians in this villa.iiv. < )ur town 
records sliow thttt llic srlecdiicii were empowered, 
Feb. 17, 1814, 'to give a lease tor ninety-nine years 
to the trustees of the Methoilist Society of a spot of 
ground near the dwelling-hou.se of Freil. Hoy t, on the 
west side of the old Imrying-grouhd, for tlie purpose 
of erecting a meeting-liouse.' This must htive lieen 
the 'mud-hole' referred to in the [ireceding statement. 
It was a little to the east of the present site of the 
Methodist churcli on the jiark, anil the frame of that 
first church still stands on River Street, the second 
house from the corner of I'ark Place. 

"The only names on the record of this cliurch for 
thirty years are the following: Martha Keed, Elsy 
Scofield, Lanney Garnsey, .lonathan Brown, Ezra 
Oariisey, .lohn Thomp.son, Williiim Waterbury, Lois 
Waterbnry, Hannah Brown, Richard 8cofiel<l, Hejih- 
zibah .Scofield, Joseph Selleck, rhel>e Selleck, Solo- 
mon Smith, Polly Smitli, Isaac Wardwell, Jane 
Weeks, Mary Trowbridge, Jotmna Augusta Devinne, 
Nancy H. Lockwood, James H. Trowbridge, Phebe 
Adams, Nancy Kna|>]i, and jMargaret Valentine. 

"The second Methoilist church built in the village 
was finished and dedicated Oct. 12, lS4;i. It stood 
northwest of the first house, where it was used by the 
society until 18o;i. 

"The present Methiulist church was dedicated Fcl). 
16, 18i5il. 

"Tlie following is a list of tlic ministers of this de- 
nomination, so far as we liave been ;d)le to secure 
them: 1788, S. tj,. Ttilliot and P. Moriarty; 178i», 
.Jesse Lee and Andrew Van Nostrand; 17!I0, Freeborn 
Garretson ; 1812, Samuel Luekey ; 181;H, Thomas 
Drummonil :ind Benjamin (iriffin ; 1814, Phineas 
Rice and Benjamin (iritfiii; ISlo, Coles Carpenter 
and Thcodosius Clark; IXliI, Theodosius Clark ami 
Aaron Hunt; 1817, .lohn Reynolds, two years; 1>^1'.I, 
John M. Smith atid Samuel D. Ferguson ; 18211. Elisha 
P. Jacob and .lohn M. Smitli; 1821, John B. Mattliias, 
two years; 1822, Eli Denniston, two years; 1S2.'', 
Jarvis /. Nichols; 1824, Nathaniel Porter and Ni.ble 
W.Thomas, two years; 1825, Cyrus Foss; 1S2(!, Elijah 
Woolsey, two years, tind Luman Andrews; 1.S27, 
Samuel U. Fisher, two years; 1828, Daniel De Vinne, 
two years; 1820, Edwanl Oldren ; 18:^,(1, Samuel C;ir- 
coran and Daniid I. Wright, two years; |s:{l, Henry 
Hittfield, two years; 1K;12, .lohn Lovtji.y : is:!;!, E. 
Hibbard, Abr:iliam S. Francis, and (u^orge Urown ; 

1834, Oliver \'. .Vmmerman :iHd Charles Stearns; 

1835, Richard Seaman and Zaclniritih Daveii|iiirt ; 
I83ti, A. S. Hill, two years, tiiid D. B. Ostrander. Jr.; 
18:i7, Willitim (lothtird, two ye:irs; I.S38, Edward 
Oldren, two years; 183',t, S. J. Stebbins, two years; 
1840, .lohn Tackerbury; 1M2, ( Jeorge I'.n.wn ; 1S44, 
Peter C. Oakley; 184i;, Aaron Rodgers ; 1850, Friend 
W. Smith; 1852, Albert Nash ; 1854, Samuel Smith ; 
18515, (k'orge Dunbar; 1X.58, Robert M. Hatfield. D.D. ; 
1800, L. S.Weed, D.D.; 1802, Thoma.s IJnr.'h, D.D.; 



730 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



1864, E. G. Andrews, D.D. ; 1867, "William C. Steele, 

Dr. J. M. Bulklev, J. S. Willi.s, J. M. Bulkk-y, George 

E; Reed. 

IIIUHRIDOE. 

" From the historical sketch drawn up liy Mr. De 
Vinne in 1830, we learn that this organization, then 
called the Dantown Church, is the oldest Methodist 
Church on the Stamford Circuit. We learn, also, tliat 
the Htamtbrd Circuit is the oldest circuit in New 
Enfrland. It ajijjcars that one Henry Eamcs, who 
had been converted under Wesley's preaching in 
Ireland, came to this country and settled in the 
south part of Poundridge. He soon gathered about 
him a number ' of the sons in the gospel of his spirit- 
ual Father, and invited them to his house.' These 
became the nucleus of a church and society. 

"Some time in the year 1787 the Rev. Samuel Q. 
Talbot, stationed on New RochcUe Circuit, came to 
these neglected parts, preached in several places, and 
formed several in a class, some of whom remain to 
this day (1830). 

"The first house of worshij) built by this society 
stood just across the Stamford line, in Poundridge, 
where the church held their meetings until 1841, 
when the present chapel was built for them on High- 
ridge. The only two names now on the records of 
the Dantown Church for the year 1787 are Samuel 
and Rul'.amah Daiin. In 1797 these two are added : 
Sarah Selleck and Hannah Deforest; and in 179!) 
these four: John Slauson, Rhoda Slauson, Enoch 
Stevens, and Ruhamah Bishop. 

"The Stamford Circuit was already organized be- 
fore 1790, the year in which the three circuits of New 
Haven, Hartford, and Litchfield were established, 
and when, according to the "Contributions to the 
Kcclosiastical History of Connecticut," there were 
but four Methodist ministers in New England. The 
ministers of this church have been the same as those 
who have officiated at Huntingridge and Poundridge. 
The present i)astor is Rev. A. R. Goodenow, 

LONG IIIDGE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

" My account of this church is also taken from the 
records of the Stamford Circuit, as made out in 1830 
by Mr. De Vinne: 'About the year 1809, Mrs. Phcbe 
Mead moved into this neighborhood, and, finding no 
religious meetings, invited the Methodist ministers to 
come and preach at her house. The first who accepted 
the invitation and preached was Daniel Welpley, a 
local preacher. Some time after him the Rev. Eben 
Smith occasionally visited the place and preaclicd. 

"When the Rev. .John RcynoUls was ai>pointed to this 
circuit, he preached here some time steadily, although 
it was even to a single family. About the year 1819, 
when the Rev. John M. Smith traveled, the preach- 
ing was moved to the school-house, in which place it 

has continued ever siuce ; that is, until 1830." 
« 
BAXOALL CHAPEL. 

" This chapel was built before 1834." 



HUNTIXG RIDGE. 
" This chapel was built in 1850, the Rev. Walter 
W. Brewer having previously labored successfully 
for two years in gathering a congregation on the 
Ridge. Mr. Brewer subsequently made the Ridge 
his home, where he died, in 1868, much esteemed for 
his piety and usefulness, and among the ministers who 
have officiated since then have been Miles Olmstead, 
Joseph Heuton, John A. Silleck, Harvey Husted, T. 

D. Littlewood, William Crawford, William Ross, 

Monson, Maguire, and Rev. A. R. Goodenow." 

CNIVERSALIST CHURCH, LONG RIDGE.* 

" For the following facts, respecting this society, I 
am indebted to Rev. Eber Francis, formerly of this 
town : 

" During the Revolutionary war, Richard Sibley, a 
Universalist, came from Long Island and settled on 
Long Ridge ; and, so far as is known, he was the first 
resident who openly avowed Universalist sentiments 
in the town. Solomon Glover, of Newtown, Conn., 
a few years later, came down occasionally and ])r('ached 
in the school-house on the Ridge. Jlr. Ferris, Mr. 
Dykenian, Mr. Babbitt, and Thomas F. King were 
successively employed as preachers on the circuit to 
which Long Ridge belonged. This Mr. King was 
father of the late lamented lecturer and preacher. 
T. Starr King, of San Francisco. From the removal 
of Mr. King in 1825 to 1832 there was no stated 
preaching here. Rev. Shaler J. Hillyer was settled 
here at this date, i)reaching a part of the time. 

" The formal organization of the society bears date 
April 27, 1833. Fourteen persons gave in their names 
to constitute the societj-. 

"Of them the late Ebenezer Dean, Esq., was chosen 
moderator, and Smith R. Sibley clerk. The first 
committee were Geo. Lounsbury, William Todd, and 
Aaron Dean. 

"In October, 18.34, the present house of worship 
having been completed, it was formally ' dedicated to 
the worship of Almighty God;^ with appropriate so- 
lemnities, the Rev. Dr. Sawyer, of New York, preach- 
ing on the occasion. For years this was the only 
house for public worship in that part of the town. 
Rev. J. C. Partridge is the present pastor." 

SECOND UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY.^ 
" For a number of years there had been irreg- 
ular preaching here by ministers of the Univer- 
salist denomination, when in the spring of 1835 
the Rev. F. Hitchcock accepted a call to settle 
here. He was succeeded by Rev. S. J. Hillyer, who 
also remained but a short time, and was succeeded by 
Rev. B. B. Hallock. The society was not organized 
until 1841, at which time thirteen persons subscribed 
the constitution. Its committee were AVilliam H. 
I'otts, William E. Young, and James B. Scofield. In 
1844 the society took steps towards building, having 

* From Uuutiugton*f Ilistoiy. 



STAMFORD. 



731 



mainly (le|>(.'ii(lc(l ii|i(in the t<p\VM-Ii(>use tor n jilace to 
worship. Thi'y ]mrchased tlie corner hit on which 
their eliiireli now stantls. The fhiireli was <leilieate(l 
Feb. f), lS4(i, <1iirin.ir the ministry of Jlr. Halloek. 
The t'ollowinjr ministers have succeeded Jlr. Hal- 
loc]< : J. J. Twiss, J. H. i[oorc, two yi'ars ; C. H. 
Fay, two years; Asa (.'ountryman, one year; Ehen 
Francis, ami .1. Smitli Dodge, Jr. l!ev. M. Nash is 
]iresent pastor." 

CAT11(.IL!C CHURCH. 

" The first Catholic services in Stamford, of which 
we have any account, were hehl by Kev. John 8niith, 
in SepteMd)er, 184l', in thi' house of P. H. Drew, in 
West .Stamford. At that date there were but three 
Catholic families in the town. Services were held there 
monthly until l.S4(!. Mr. Drew removina: to the old 
' Webb Phrce ' on South Street, services were tliere 
held, first, by the Right Kev. liishop Tyler. Here 
the meetings of this denomination were continued by 
several ministers until the church on Meadow street 
was Ijuilt in l.Sol. Since then the Catholic jiopula- 
tion has increased very rapidly. 

" Tlie following priests have been stationed here: 
James Brady, Edward Coney, .fames Reynolds, 
James O'Neil, John Fagan, ilicliael Tierney, and 
William 11. Rogers, IT. T. ^\'alsh, assistant. 

"In 18(ii( the church comnienced the erection of a 
church edifice, which is now in process of construc- 
tion, and when completed will be one of the finest 
and most sui)stantial in the State." 

FIRST PRESIiYTERI.W ClIURCn OF ST.\MFORD. 

The fir.st records of any movement towards organ- 
izing a Presbyterian (.'hurch in Stamford are found 
among the records of the Congregational Church. 
After the communion service of Jan. 2, ISoli, in a 
church-meeting, the following mendiers of the Con- 
gregational Church called for letters of dismission 
from the church, to constitute a Presbyterian Cliurch 
al)out to be formed: Augustus R. Jloen, Alexander 
Milne, George Elder, James D. Ihiff, Luke Baker, 
Hiram Warner, James Robinson, John Holmes, Mrs. 
S(jphia A. Moen, Miss Cornelia A. Moen, Hannah E. 
Elder, Mrs. Mary E. Ilaff, Mrs. Almira Baker, iMrs. 
Sophia Warner, Miss Elizabeth M. Warner, Mrs. 
Georgette A. Robinson, Mrs. Catharine Helmes. 

Letters of disnii.ssion were voted to these members 
of the church, according to tlie rules of tlie church, 
Jan. 1(), lSo3. During the next few weeks similar 
letters were given to the following members of the 
Congregational Church: Wells R. Ritch, ^tary Ann 
Sturges, Elizabeth Sturges, Mrs. Amzi Ayres, Miss 
Matilda Moen, Mrs. Sarah A. Ritch, Miss Sarah L. 
Ritch. 

This church was organized Feb. 2"), LSoo, with 
twcnty-si.\ members. It has since then added about 
two liundrcd and fifty to its membership, and is one 
of the wealthic.st of our churches. Its ministers have 
been J. L. Corning, installed April 11», 1853, and 



resigned Oct. I'l, ISoi;. He is now settled in Pongh- 
keepsie. R. R. B:ioth, D.D., installed March 4, I8."i7, 
and resigned in February, ISll], to acce|)t the pastor- 
ate of the Mercer Street Presbyterian Church, in New 
York ; James P. Leeils iire;\ched very acceptably 
one year; Dwight P. P.artlett, installed Ajiril 14, 
18G2, resigned in February, 1S|14; S:imuel P. Halsey, 
installed March 8, 18<io, and resigned Fell. 7, PSOT ; 

A. S. Twiunbly, installed April ;!!>, 18(;8; Van 

Slyke, Rich. P. H. Vail. 

The church edifice was enlarged, remodeled, and 
repaired in 1877, and the seating capacity about 
doubled. 

jl/('.s.s('o« C/ifipcl. — This chapel of the First I'resby- 
terian ('hurch grew out of a movement organized in 
1859 to su])ply a local want in the Wescott neighbor- 
hood. It is aituated on the " Cove" road, and was 
built in 18(i8. 

Union Chain}, at New IIo|ie, was liuilt in 18")8, and 
was dedicated .Ian. 27, 185i). 

Vnioii ('liainl. turn of the river, was built and <ledi- 
cated in 18l)(). 

TheiH' is also an Ejiiscopal eha]iel located at Spring 
Dale. 

MILITARY liECORD. 

SIXTH KEGIMENT. 

t.'oliipniui D. 

TlnsL-c>mimli,y was uiiistfiwl hi Sijil. .'■, ISf.I, i(-CMilistncl Pu,:.24, l.s0:!,aml 

liiii>trrf(l (Hit .\nj;. :il, 18l),t. 
LoR'Uzo SloeUcr, cdmniissiniicil L-ai'taiii .\u^. '2.'i, l.SOl; ]>r<i. to major, 

Jiil.v 24, U61, and to lifUtiMiaiit-cuIoncl Nov. 'JT, lS(i:i; lis. Si-in. :ln, 

ISM. 
Cliailos U. Nicliols, coniliiissiuni'ii fust Ijciitrnaiit Au^'. J S. Isill. ami 

captain Jn!.v 24, 1S('|2. 
.lolui Stiittlar, rDniniissinnL'd scrond lieutenant Anf,', 21, ISf'.l ; ]iri> tn first 

liciitiMiaut Jiil.v 24, lsri2, and tc. captain Feb. V.i, lsi;4, and iL«signcd 

to (.'onipanj' ('; discli lice 2, ISC.I. 
VVilliain II. Mcclccr, tiist serjicant ; coinniissioncd second lieutenant July 

24, ISia; res. Full. HI, ISia. 
Martin Stottlar, second sergeant; coiiiiiiissi'ine 1 Second lieutenant Feb. 

10, ly(i:l, and first lieutenant Jan. I'.l, lsi4; res. .llareli 17, l.si4. 
Norman Provost, tliitd sergeant ; re-elilisted ; roniiilis^iolied second lieu 

tenant .March 17, ISM ; invi. to first lieutenant Ma,y :il, ISCl. II,. 

lironglit liai-ii with him tic medal wlii'll tes:ifies to his good eon 

duct on the l.alth-field. 
Jolili 11. Botts, Wounded in the eyesat Uermnda Hundred ; commissioned 

first lieiiteiiaiit 31aich :J. l.si'.o, and a.ssigin-il to Company C. 
John Vaiidervalt, set-ge.uit ; served in the signal corps. 
Giles Carey, sergeant; disirh. for disahility in lSli:j. 
(Jcorge W. Finch, sergeant ; woiintleil at Fort Darling, >I.iy 20, IsiH. 
Itoheit Wilson, c.irporal ; uoineie.I at rocutalig.i; tians. to Inv. Coils. 

Sept. ;ill, 1»C:!. 
Thomas Scriher, wounded at Fort Dailing, May l."i, IMM. 
Ceorge W*. Youngs, detailed for .piarterinastei's depaitment. 
William II. Inn.-s, dis.li. h.r ■lisahility, Jan.", ISKi. 
E.lvvard J. lling. 
Joid M. Anderson, rc-enlisteil; wounded May 2n, 18G4 ; disch. Iiy rcuaoil 

of his wounds, Juno 2S, l.sol. 
James MctJi'o, re-enlisted; wounded ,luly 0, 1SC3. 
. William H. llcyuoUls, re-unliste.l. 

(ie.irgs I.oril, musician. 
! Charles H. Lockwo.nl, musician; trans, to Iiiv. Corps, July 1, XSIt'-i. 
I Frederick Hates, re-enl. Jan. 4, IHM. 
Ceorgo W. .\ndRrsun, re-enliste.l. 
K.hvard Areiils, trans, to Inv. Corps, Cept. 1, ISO!. 
Seth S. Bonton, re-euliste.l; captureil .June 17, 18G4. 
J. din Itidian, disch. for ilisaLilily, May 24, ISO:i; re-onl. in Company I, 

llltli Regt. 



732 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Denniij IliimB, wounded at Pocotaligo And trnns. to Inv. Corps. 

Juhli 4/lfirk, rC'Unlistod. 

'Willinni II. Coyne, rc-enlistod. 

Albert W. Crocker, woundoJ nt Pocotaligo and rc-enlidtoc]. 

Thonirt-s Cmw, re-enlisted. 

Alonzo DLxon, ro-eiilistcd. 

John Drew, re-enlistcd. 

Diivi 1 Kineli, trans, to Inv. Corps, Sept. 1, 18G3. 

Charles E. Fineh, re-enlisted. 

John Gnidy, wounded at Fort Wagner, July 18, 1805. 

John F. llasscnftu, re-cnl.; taken pri>4oner and esjuiwd. 

Ruper Ilcunsluw, re-enlisted. 

George lloyt. iliach. Sept. 11, 180-1. 

John L. Iluyt, di^cli. to re-enl. into the United Slates Army. 

James II. Jernian, enl. Sept. C, 1802, and after being on detailed service 

at Fort Trumbull, Conn., and elsewhere, joined his regiment in May, 

18C5. 
James Jones, rc-onlisted. 

George W. Kent, disch. for disability, April 29, 1803. 
liCwis Lower, re-enlisted. 
Kjbcrt McDoiuild, rc-enlistcd; taken prisoner near Bermuda Hundred 

and sent to Andcrsjuville and other rebel prisons; [laroled Dec. 13, 

18M. 
Michael Morgan, re-enl. ; had arm broken at Morris Island ; disch. Sept. 

11, 18M. 
Silas Northrop, re-enl. and was wounded in the shoulder. 
Frank O'Brien, ro-cnl. ; woumlud May 1."), 1804. 
Thomas Picker, rc-enl.; taken prisoner Juno 17, 1864. 
Jiinies .\. Potts, re-enlisted. 

Edgar L, Pratt, re-enl. Jan 4, 1SG3 ; wounded May 15, 1804. 
.\ndrns Provost, wounded ; disch. 5Iay 2S, 1.SG3. 
Henry Scofield, re-enl. ; wounded May 20, 18G4, and again the following 

August. 
Smith Scofield, wounded May IG, 18G4. 
E Iwarxl Senrlea, re-enl.; wounded Slay 10, 18G4. 
(Jeorge E. Searle.s, rc-enl. ; taken prisoner June 17, 18G4. 
Irving L. Sniffln, rc-onliste<I. 
John S. Sparks, disch. for disability, April 22, 18G3. 
l\i:ar E. Snyder, re-enlisted. 

ILirney Tonar, re-onl. ; taken prisoner Juno 17, 1804. 
Joseph A. Toopfer, re-onlisted. 
Oliver W. Vernal, re-eul. ; was twice wounded. 
Charles C. Wallers, re-cniisted. 
Edward II. Walters, rc-enl. and trans, to Inv. Res. Coqw, March 15, 1864 ; 

di8:h. in October, 1805. 
J.ihn D. Ward, re-enlisted. 
Charles H. Weed, re-onl. Jan. 4, 18G4 ; wounded at Pocotaligo, and again 

Jlay 10, ISC-1. 
John It. Youngs, disch. fur disability. May 24, 1803. 
James Wright, Co. B; onl. Sept. 12, 1801 ; disch. to onl. into tlio United 

States Army. 
De Forest W. Ferris, Co. E; enl. March 11, 1862; commissioned second 

lieutouant Feb. 2, 1805 ; must, out .\ugust 2l8t, same year. 
Eclwartl M. Ablmtt, Co. A ; onl. March IG, I8frl. 
George Drown, Co. D ; enl. Jan. 29, 18C2. 
William Brown,* Co. A ; onl. Oct. 15, 1803. 
Harry Ilush,* Co. D; enl. Feb. IG, 1864. 
James It. Cunniriglinui, Co. D; cul. Pec. 31, 1863. 
Carl Dicnor,' Co. B; onl. Oct. 20, 1803. 
Charles Drower,* Co. F; onl. Oct 15, 1803. 
Isaac Dinger, Co. D; onl. Feb. 20, 1864. 
Patrick Fo.v, Co. D ; onl. Nov. 7, 1802. 
Eugene Gay,* Co. H ; enl. Oct. 15, 18C3. 
Stepbrn Giinung, Co. A ; enl. Feb. 21, l.«(H. 
Willlniu Ilalpin, from Co. II, 28th Regt., Co. D ; enl. Sept 5, 1864 ; must. 

out Juno 20, 1'-Go, nt GoldsKiruugh. 
George IlanfonI, Ca). B; enl. Feb. 2'.i, 1802. 
J.seph lliiovcy,* C.i. F; onl. Oct. 1."., 1S63. 
.Ijhn Hunter, Co. F; enl. Oct. 14, 1863. 
John J. Ilnight, Co. D; enl. Dec. U, 18G3. 
Hanfunl Avery, Co. B ; cnl. Feb. 25, 1804. 
John Hull, Co. A ; cnl. Feb. 20, 1804. 
Tlioron B. June (?) ; Feb. 25, 1804. 
Henry Jackson,* Co. C ; enl.ftlg. IS, 1863. 

• SubatllutM or ilmned. 



Cliarles U. Krcig, Co. E ; enl. Jan. 29, 18G2. 

Frederick Kapf, Co. C ; enl. Oct. 12, 1863. 

.lohn Lawler, Co. B; cnl. Jan. 29, 1802. 

Chnries JI. Lockwood, Co. K ; enl. Jan. 29, 1862. 

James Morann,* Co. G ; cnl. Oct. 10, 1801). 

James Morriss,* Co. K ; enl. Oct. 15, 1803. 

Charles Newman,* Co. II ; cnl. Oct. 10, 1803. 

William C. Oakes, Co. B; onl. Feb. 19, 1862; dUch. for disability Nov. 9. 

1802; rc-enl. Jan. 19, 1864. 
John W. Pender, Co. B; enl. Feb. 24, 1802. 
George G. Smith, Co. B; cnl. Feb. 27, 1802. 
Thc«|>hilus F. Smith, Co. B; cnl. Feb. 25, 1802. 
Fmncis L. Still, Co. B; cnl. Feb. II, 1802; tniDs. to Signal Corps, United 

States Army. 
Clarence E. Searles, Co. D ; enl. Feb. 10, 1804 ; wounded in the arm at 

Deep Run. 
John Trechar.lt,* Co. K; enl. Oct. 14, 1863. 
Oriando Townsend, Co. D; onl. Feb. 2, 1804. 
BcnJ. S. Timson, Co. D ; enl. Feb. 20, 1864. 
Nehemiah Taylor, Co. D; onl. Feb. 2-3, 1864. 
Samuel Waterbury, Co. D; cnl. Jan. 2, 1804. 

TENTH REGIMENT. 

C'onipaiir/ G. 
Mustered in Oct. 2, 1801 ; rv-enlisted Jan 1, 1864 ; mustered out Aug. 25, 

1805. 
Benjamin L. Greaves, first sergeant; enl. Jan. 1, 18G2; com. second lieu- 
tenant May 20tb, first lieutenant Aug. 25th, and captain Oct. 25th, of 

same year; must, out Oct. 25, 1804. 
Theodore Miller, com. second lieutenant Sept. 25, 1801 ; res. Dec. 4tb, same 

year. His name apjiears again with the 139th N. Y. State Militia. 
John M. Simnis, must. Oct. 9, 18G1, as second sergeant : pro. to second 

lieutenant Aug. 15, 1862 ; woundod Dec. 14, 18(i2; died Jan. II, 1863. 
Andrew F. Jones, re-cnl. ; com. second lieulenaut Jan 7, 1865 ; wounded 

at Fort Gregg. 
Henry SI. Capiwr, cnl. Oct. 2, 1801 ; wounded ; disch. Sept. 21, 1862. 
Alfred C. Arnold, enl. Aug. 28, 1802; dis;h. June 16, 18C5. 
Morris Carrol, wounded May 13, 1804 ; died July 28, 1804. 
Samuel B. Hoyt, disch. for disability Oct. 31, 1861 ; died Nov. 2, 1861. 
Alfred N. Ilustcd, re-cniistcd. 
Thomas S. lugcrsoll, re-enl.; died Oct. 24, 1806. 
RufusS. Knapp, re-enlisted. 

Smith O. Keeler, cnl. Oct. 9, 1861 ; lost nn arm ; disch. Dec. 10, 1802. 
George E. Lockwood, enl. Oct. 16, 1861 ; disch. Oct. 28, 1861. 
Sidney R. Lounsbury, re-enl. Fob. 19, 1864. 
Jnnies Lynott, re-enlisted. 

Edmunil G. Nugent, enl. Oct. 9, 1861; re-enl. Feb. C, 1864. 
Nicholas F. Nichols, disch. for disability, Feb. 22, ISO.:). Two others of his 

brothers, Joseph and John, both natives of the town, wore in the 

service during tlio war, though not on the Stanford .pi.^ta. 
Reuben Peatt, re-cnl.; died. 
Samuel S. Banil>o, n.M!nl. Feb. 6, 1864. 
Sylvanus Smith, disch. for disability Dec. 18, 1861; r«-«nl. 28th Regt.; 

died Aug. 19, 1803. 
Henry Tucker, enl. Oct. 20, 1801 ; disch. for disability March 27, 1863; 

re-enl. Dec. 24, 1803; wouniled Oct. 13, 1864. 
Isaac L. Tucker, eid. Oct. 20, 1S6I ; re-eld. Dt«. 24, 1863. 
John Whaley, wounde.l Aug. 14, 180-l.t 
Jiunes M. Cragur, Co. C; cnl. Jan. 28, 1804. 
Bciunmin G. Blake, Co. D; cnl. Sept. 1, 1862. 
John B. Newell, Co. D ; enl. Aug. 0, 1862 ; com. swood lieutenant Jan. 7. 

186i ; must, out Aug. 25, 1805. 
James Barber, Co. H; cnl. Dec. 20, 1803. 
John Bohau. Co. I ; cnl. Dec. 26, 1863 ; killed. 
J.«M?ph Corris, Co. I; enl. Jan. .*., 1864. 
Wm. H. Ferris, Co. I ; enl. Dec. 28, 1863. 
William L. Hays, Co. I; enl. Jan. 2.-., 1803. 
Aaron J. Moger, &>. I ; enl. Jan. I. 1861. 
-\aron J. SherwocI, Co. I; cnl. Jan. 1, 1864. 
John Slierw.>od, Co. I ; cnl. Jan. 1, 1865. 

t To tha above vo should odd the following: Alfred Bishop, who en- 
listed with the company and drilled with them In Hartford until an at- 
tack of bleeding at tlic lungs disabU-.! him. He aflerw(»nlfl applied to be 
mustered in and wa-* rejected, but on being drafted Ktill later, was r>asaed 
by the surgeon. Finding himself unable to bear the exposure, he pro- 
cured a subetltute. 



STAMFORD. 



733 



SEVEXTEENTFI KEGIMEXT. 

Tlie men on this mil were mufitcrctl in Bcparutely in 1802, and mUB- 

tiTed nut Mitli the rej^inient, July 19, ISGj. 

Alleu G. Brady, com. captain Aug.l, Isfi'i; pro. to major Auf;. 19, 1802; lie 
had already done good scrvici.' as licntcnaut-'oloncl iu the 3d Ilegt. ; 
wounded at Gettysburg; disch. for di.*aljility Oct. 21, 18ti3; apjiointed 
nuijor in the l[iv. Corps. 

3[arcus Watcrt'Ury, com. second lieutenant .Inly '22, 18C4; pro. to first 
lieutenant July 21, 1802 ; captain Co. I, Aug. 22, 1803 ; captured ; ex- 
changed. 

Charles A. Hobby, com. fii^t lieutenant Aug.l, 1802; pro. ttt caittain 
Aug. 29, 1802; wounded May 2, 1803 ; taken prisoner with his com- 
mand May 19, 1804, in Florida. 

Edgar Iloyt, fii^t sergeant; eiil. Aug. 0, 1802; com. seconri lieutenant 
Aug. 29,1802; received an injury on the railroad hetueen Vjushing- 
ton and Baltimore in the spritig of 1.*'03; he was compelled to re- 
sign May 12, 1803. 

John Harvey, enl. July 25, 1802; com. lirst lieutenant Sept. 19, 1803; 
pro. to captain June 29, 180.'>. 

Gi^orgc A. Scolield, enl. July 24, 1802; taki-n piisoner 5Iay 19, 1804, and 
relejised in the spring of 18G5. 

Lewis W. Scofield, enl. July 22, 1802 ; pro. to sergeant ; taken prisoner at 
W'elaka, 3Iay 19, 1804. 

Edwin 0. Harrison, enl. July 11, 1802 ; taken prisoner May 2, 1S03. 

Selah U. Hobby, enl. July 'li<, 1802; pi-o. to sergeant; wounded at Gettys- 
burg; taken prisoner in Florida, May 19, 1804. 

Murray H. McCrea, enl. July 22, 1802; pro. to sergeant; captured; died 
iu piison Jan. 1, 1.805. 

Alfred V. Scofield, enl. Aug. 11, 1802 ; captured May 19, I.S04. 

Edwin T!. Jessnp, corporal ; enl. July 21. 1802; died March 2, 1803. 

Christopher Stottlar, corporal ; enl. July 21, 1802; taken prisoner May 
19, 1804. 

Edson C. Beardsley. corporal; enl. July 21, 1802. 

Martin Cash, corj)oral ; enl. July 23, 1802; Uiken prisoner iu Florida, 
May 19, 180.4, and gent to Andcrsonville; disch. Nov. 25, 1,804. 

Henry I. Lonnshury, musician ; enl. July 22, 1802; discdi. for ilisability 
Feb. 7, 1S03. 

"William Dunham, musician; enl. July 25, 180,2; trans, to Inv. Cm-ps 
Sept. 1, 1803. 

John H. Chadwick, wagoner; enl. July IS. 1802. 

Elbert Ayres, enl. July 18, 1^02; taken piisoner at Chancellorsville, sent 
to Itichinond, and again captured in Florida. 

Dennis Hums, enl. Aug. 11, l.'*02; disch for disability Aug. 12, 1803. 

John Bnttry, enl. .\ug. 9, 1802; captured ; supposed to have died in .\n* 
dersonville. 

George B. Christison, enl. Aug. 15, 18G2; wounded at Gettysburg. 

Ebenezcr .S. Crabb, eul. July 22, 1S02 ; trans, to Inv. Corps Feb. 15, 1804. 

John Collins, enl. July 28, 1802 ; Wdunded at Gettysburg. 

George \V. Chamberlain, enl. July 18, 1802; trans, to U. 8. Car. 

Michael Egan, enl. Aug. 12, 1S02. 

George D. Feeks, enl. Aug. 11, 1.S02 ; disch. for ilisability March 10, 1803 ; 
re-cni. Jan. 28, 1804; captured; died May, 1805. 

Joseph Feeks, enl. Aug. 0, 1802 ; taken prisoner Blay 19, 1804, sent to 
Andcrsonville, Florence, Milieu. 

John Fitzpattick, enl. Aug. 18. 1802; trans, to Vet. Bes. Coriis, Oct. 17, 
1.804; disch. July 13, 1805. 

Patrick Fitzpatrick, eul. Aug. 11, 18i;2 ; trans, to Pioneer Corps. 

Willi.am Farnold, enl. Aug. 0, 1802; captured; died March 19, 1803. 

Michael Fox, enl. July 22. 1802; killed July 1, lsr,3. 

John Farrel, enl. July 19, 1802; prisoner at Chancellorsville. 

William Gillespie, eul. July 13, 1802 ; captured; died in prison. 

Thomas K. Graham, enl. Aug. 9, 1802 ; killed May 2, 1803. 

Samuel T. Hall, enl. Aug. 2, 1802. 

John Hartman, enl. July 29, 1802; re-enlisted; wounded. 

George Hei.ser, enl. .\ug. 9, 1802 ; taken prisoner at t'hancellorsvillc ; soon 
released. 

Martin Heiser, enl. July 15, 1802 ; trans, to Vet. Bos. Curps May 8, 18C4 ; 
taken prisoner in Floriila, Feb. 5. 1805. 

Patrick Hennesy, enl. July 18, 1802 ; wounded at Chancellorsville. 

Eli Hounslow, enl. July 20, 1802. 

Joseph N. Hoyt, eul. Aug. 4, 1802. 

Lorenzo L. Hoyt, enl. July 25, 1802 ; taken prisoner May 19, 1804 ; disch. 
Aug. 5, 1805. 

William H. Jackson, enl. July 25, 1802; trans, to Inv. Corps Nov. 1,5, 
1803. 



mnded at t.Iettysburg ; taken priai 



. 19, 1S04. 
must, out 



John 1,. June, enl, Aug. 2, 1802 
in Floiida, .May V'. 1804. 

John Kelley (2dl, enl. July 28, 1802. 

Ilaniid Kennedy, enl. .\iig. 7. 1802, disch. for disability Jan. 10, 1803. 

Jacob Kreig, eul. Aug. 5, 180,2. 

George W. Lincoln, enl. July 29, 1802; woumled at Cb.iiici Uoisville 
trans, to Inv. Corps July 1, 1803. 

Lewis McDon.ald, enl. Aug. 11, 1802; disih. f.ir disability .la 

George II. Meeker, joined this company in the spiing of 181.4 ; 
with the regiment. 

Charles E. Morrel, enl. Aug. 0, 1802 ; died (let. 3, 180,3. 

Hugh Mahan, enl. July 18, 1802; killed May 2, 1803. 

Richard Marlin, enl. Aug. 8, 1802; disch. for disability Jnly ;;o, 1803. 

Lewis I'arketon, enl. .\ug. 1, 1802. 

J.i.si.pli W. I'otts, enl. Aug. 0, 1802. 

Edward H. liuigley, taken prisoner at Welaka. Fla., June in, 1805. 

John Itepke, enl. Aug. 11, 1802; disch. for disaldlity Way 21, 1S03. 

Jacob Stottlar, enl. July 1.8, 1802; tiaui. tu Inv, Corps Sept. .1(1, 1803. 

William T. .Stevens, enl. July 21, 1802; died Feb.l, 1,S(;3. 

Albert Stevens, enl. July 29, 1802; died June 18, 1804. 

James Thei.dore Scolield, enl. July 24, 1802. 

Samuel Seofiehl, enl. Jnly 2.5, 1802 ; disch. Dec. 19, 1.S03. 

William H. Scofield. enh Aug. 7, 1802; dlscli. for di,..al.ility F.-b. 9, 1803. 

Edwin L. Smith, enl. July 20, 1802; trans, to Inv. Corps July 1, 18C3 ; 
Co. A, Ninth r. S. Ues. 

Mortimer Searles, enl. Aug. 0, 1802; wounded at Gettysburg; taken 
prisoner in Florida, May 19, 1804. 

George .Steinert, enl. Aug. 7, 1,802; dis li. for disability Man li 28, 1SC3. 

John Smalart, enl. Aug. 7, 1802. 

Jacoh Vanderhotl", was taken down with typhoid fever before the regi- 
ment went to the front. He joined the regiment in St. Augustine, 
Fla,, in the spring of 1804. 

Enurnmd Vandervaldt, enl. July 28, 1802. 

Jac<ib W. Vincent, enl. Aug. 5, 1802; captured; died. 

Joseph Void, eul. July 22, 18(32; woumled 3Iay 2, 1803 ; taken pi isoner in 
Florida, 31ay 19. 1804. 

.lohn Wesley W'alters, enl. Aug. s, 1802; taken l>l isoner at Chancellors- 
ville, May 2, 1803; returned to the regiment Old. 12, 1803; disch. 
July 17, 18(a. 

George Weed, enl. Aug. 2, 1.802; captured >Fay 19, 1804. 

Edwaril Whaley, enl. Aug. 13, 1802 ; taken prisoner May 19, 1804. 

John II. Wilson, onl. Aug. 0, 1802; disch. for disability Feb. 9, 1803. 

William Williams, enl. July 28, 1802. 

Andrew Scolield, enl. July ,30, 1802. 

John D. Bnttry, Co. A ; enl. Aug. 4, 1802 ; wounded July 2, 1803 ; taken 
jiristuier ; paroled Juno 28, 1804; dis<di. Aug. 27, 1804. 

Samuel C. Morrison, Co. A ; eul. .\ug. 8, 18GJ, from Norwalk. 

John W. Stockton, Co. E; enl. March 5, 1804. 

George Hoyt, Co. F ; enl. Aug. 22, 1802, from Norwalk ; taken prisoner 
at Chancellorsville; held two weeks. 

Levi Di.xon, Co. H; enl. Aug. 21), 1802; had his riglit leg sli.attered .at 
G.-ttysburg, July 1, 1803 ; disch. Oct. 4, 18(;4. 

Samuel S. (l.sl.orn,Co. 11; enl. Aug. 12, 1802; dis-^h. for di.sability Apiil 
3(1, 1803; re-enl. Co. M, Second Conn. -Art. 

Levi St. J. Weed, cor|.oral, Co. H ; enl. Ang. 18, 1802. 

David C. Comstock, Jr., Co. II ; enl. Aug. 12, 1802; was disch. for disa- 
bility to enlist as liospital stewar.l. 

Alfred Z. Brodhuret, Co. H ; enl. July 29, 1802. 

George W. Weed, Co. H ; enl. Aug. 22,1802, fr.mi the 71st N. Y. Infantry. 

Warren Kirk, Co K ; enl. Aug. 15, 1802; trans, to Vet. Kes. Corps, March 
15, 1804. 

TWENTY-EIGHTH REGI3IENT. 

FirM aiul Stuff. 

Samuel Peters Ferris, colomd ; com. (let. 18, 1802; ilisch. Aug. 28, 1803. 
Charles H. Brown, a.ljutant ; com. (let. 18, 1802 ; pro. to capl. Co. A, Feb. 

21), l.so:i. 
Freilerick It. Warner, com. a'ljutant Feb. 2n, 180:1; disch. Aug. 28, 1803; 

enl. in the Hawkins' Zouaves. 
William A. Bailey, sergeant-major; com. Oct. 18,1802; disch. Aug. 28, 

1803. 
Nelson B. Bennett, commissary -sergeant ; com. Sept. Id, 1802; dis<di. 

Aug. 28, 1803. 
Henry Bockwell, M.I)., second assistant surgeon; c.mi. N.iv. 20, l.'<r2 ; 

ili.sch. Aug. 28, 1S03, and appointed surgeon in the U. S. Army. 



734 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Company A. 

FronclH R. I.icils, ciil. Aug. 12, 1862 ; com. captaiu Sept. 1,1862; died 

Fill. 17, 186;!. 
Charles H. Bru«ii,cnl. Aug. 12, 1862; com. flrellicutcimnt Sept, 1, 18C2; 

Ulipointed mUnlnnt Oct. 18, 1862; pro. tu cnptain Fob. 20, 1863. 
Diilip Lever, eul. .\ug. 12,1862; com. second lieiitenaut Sept. 1,1862; 

flret lieutenant Oct. 24, 1862. 
Frederick K. Warner, cnl. Aug. 25.1862; com. second lieutenant Oct. 24, 

and adjutant, Feb. 10, 186.1. lie bad alreadj- seen sen-iee in the 

fltli New York, and Iioen wounded at Harper's Ferr.v, July 4, 1861. 

After liis discharge with the regiment lie re-enlisted into the 64th 

N. y. 

Eugene 1). Doskam, cnl. Aug. 16, 1862; com. second lieutenant Feb. 20, 
1863. 

Asbbel W. ScoBebl, cul. Aug. 25, 1862 ; left in hospital at Cleveland, Aug. 
18, 1863. 

Stiles Kajmond, enl. Aug. 14, 1862. 

Stephen S. Smith, cnl. Aug. 20, 1862. 

George A. Jlcad, sergiaut ; cnl. Aug. 20. 1802; died Sept. G, 1863. 

Sej-mour .1. Bodcy, enl. Aug. 13, 1862; appointed quartermaster's ser- 
geant. 

Kobort Bunlin, cnl. Aug. 12, 186;. 

Alexander Weed, enl. Aug. 12, 1862. 

Alonzo S. Morgan, enl. Aug. 14, 1862; left sick at Cleveland, Aug. 18, 
ISlti. 

'William 0. Webb, coi-pornl ; enl. Aug. 12, 1802. 

Gabriel W. Pbitt, conwral ; enl. Aug. 20, 1S62. 

Jnnie.t Vail, enl. Aug. 30, 1862. 

Wells It. Whitne.v, enl. Aug. 12, and apiiointed ordnance sergeant. 

Jacob Waters, enl. Aug. 18, 1802. 

Henry .1. Howell, enl. Sept. 10, 1862. 

I'hilip 1). Keeler, cnl. Aug. 18, 1862. 

Cliarks J. Brown, onl. Aug. 10, 1862; left in Cleveland sick, Aug. 1,1863. 

Seel.v Brown, cnl. Aug. 27, 1862. 

Isaac Barrett, cnl. Aug. 19, 1862; wounded Juno 14, 1862. 

Aaron Billings, enl. Aug. 21, 1862 ; left sick in BIcmphis, Aug. 13, 1862. 

Isaac Billings, enl. Aug. 25, 1802. 

Adam K. Billings, cnl. Aug. 25, 1862. 

John E. Ikmlen, enl. Aug. 25, 1862; died Sept. 29, 136.3. 

Theodore W. Bjulon, enl. Aug. 27, 1862. 

Wm. C. Bouton, cnl. Sept. 10, 1862; disch. Dec. 6, 1863. 

Wm. If. llo\iton, cnl. Aug. 28, 1862. 

Spencer Bouton, cnl. Aug. 30, 1862; died Juno 7, 1663. 

Jauies N. Bn.\lon, cnl. Aug. 28, 1862. 

James B. Cunningham, cnl. .\ng. 22, 1862 ; discharged, and re-entitstcd in 
6th Conn. 

George Crabb, enl. Aug. 21, 1862. 

George K. Crabb, enl. Sept. 10, 18C2. 

George W. Clock, cnl. Aug. 27, 1862 ; died July 2, 1863. 

Smith Dann, cnl. Aug. 23, 1862. 

Stephen S. Dixon, cnl. Aug. 25, 1802. 

Jame« N. Ferris, cnl. Aug. 18, 1862; disch. Dec. 3, 1863. 

Edward A. Fen is, enl. Oct. 30, 1862. 

Albert E. Fariington, enl. Aug. 26, 1862. 

Joel .M. (illbort, cnl. Aug. 25, 1862. 

Alexander J. Holly, cnl. Aug. 13, 1862, 

John K. Hoyt, cnl. Aug. 13, 1802. 

JJoah W. iloyi, enl. Aug. 2;t, 1802. 

Frederick Hnyward, cnl. Aug. 26, 1802; wounded at Port Hudson Juno 
14, I8li3. 

Harrlwu Ili.:k», enl. Aug. 27, 1802. 

John II. Jivsnp, enl. Aug. 28, 1862. 

Ilenr}' F. Jinimereon, enl. S4;pt 1, 1802. 

Theoilorc Kiiapp, cnl. Aug. 25, 1802; left in the hospital, Memphis, Aug. 
13, IKiVi. 

diaries W. Lltclillcld, cnl. Aug. 20, 1862. 

John Lower, enl. Sept. 1, 1862; left sick at Cleveland, Aug. 18, 1863. 

Henry Lower, cnl. Aug. Xi, 1862; disch. Aug. 2.S, 1803. 

Andrew J. Luckwool, cnl. Aug. 27, 1862; died Sept. 19, 1803. 

Sbcmuin D. Isxkw.Kid, cnl. Aug. 26, 1862; died Sept. !>, 1803. 

Thomas W. Mollelt, enl. Aug. 13, 1862 ; died July 15, 1803. 

Ilanfoni 31en>l, cnl. Aug. 25, 1862. 

Lewis I'rovoal, enl. Aug.26,18aij sick In bo«pltal ot Bmalicar City when 

the conipuny left. 
Aloniu L. Tarkcr. enl. Aug. 30, 1862. 
Tbco<lore H. Tck, cnl. Aug. .10. 1862; died Nov. 4, 1803. 



Cyrus J. Baymond, onl. Aug. 15, 1802. 

Jerome RalTerty, cnl. Aug. 15,1862. 

Charles A. Bosborongh, enl. Aug. 26, 1802 ; wounded ; died July 11, 1863. 

Stephen Smith, cnl. Aug. 12, 1862. 

George II. Scarles, cnl. Aug. 20, 1862 ; died Aug. 19, 1803. 

George E. Scollcld, enl. Aug. 14, 1802. 

Sylvester L. Schoficid, enl. Aug. 25, 1862. 

Smith ScoAeld, oul. Aug. 26, 1862. 

I-otmiis Scofield, cnl. Aug. 26, 1863. 

Gilbert ScoHeld, cnl. Aug. 20, 1862; died Aug. 25, 1863. 

John V. Swcrtcopo, onl. Aug. 18. 1802. 

Hcniy A. Sherwood, cnl. Aug. 2:), 1802. 

Nathan Sherwood, cnl. Aug. 27, 1862: died July 30, 1863. 

Arba S. Selleck, enl. Aug. 25, 1862. 

William H. Totten, cnl. Aug. 25, 1802; died March 28. 1863. 

William S. Taylor, enl. Ang. 27, 1862; in hospital ot Brashcar City when 

the company left. 
George W. Todd, enl. .\ug. 30, 1802. 
Henry JI. Whitney, cnl. Aug 18, 1862 ; left sick at Cleveland, Aug. 18. 

1803. 
Rlmund M. Williams, cnl. Aug. 13, 1862. 
Jason Warden, enl. Aug. 18, 1862: killed Juno 14, 1863. 
Andrew C. Watcrbury, enl. Aug. 26, 1862; died Aug. 2, 1803. 
Stephen K. Watcrbury, cnl. Aug. 26, 1862; died Aug. 4, 1863. 
Ammi L. WesseU, enl. Aug. 27, 1862. 

Company B. 
Cynis D. Jones, cnl. Aug. 29, 1861, and com. captain Sept. 30, 18«3. 
Charles Durand, enl. Sept. 3, 1862; com. first lieutenant Sept. 13,1862; 

killed June 14, 1804. 
Henry L. Wiluiot, cnl. Aug. 30, 1802; com. second lioutonnut Sept 13, 

1862. 
Abel Tanner, first sergeant ; enl. Sept 8, 1802. 
Bciuamiu W. CanI, sergeant; cnl. Sept. 10, 1862; com. second lleu- 

tcmiut July 23, 1863. 
Andrew Boyd, sergeant; enl. Sept. 8, 1862; died Oct. 5,1863. 
George A. Watcrbury, sergeant; cnl. Aug. 30, 1802; taken prisoner 

July 14, 180:t, at i'ort Hudson, and released. 
Charles II. Conlcy, sergeant; cnl. Sept. 10, 1862. 
Lewis Jones, con>oral ; cnl. Sept. 9, 1862. 
Charles Wec-d, corporal ; cul. Sept. 10, 1862. 
Edinunil 1'. Boiley, corporal; cnl. Sept. 30, 1862. 
William H. King, corporal ; onl. Sept. 10, 1862. 
James II. Nichols, coriwrnl; cnl. SepL 2, 1862. 
David C. Scofield, cnl. Sept. 10, 1862. 
Eben P. Lawrence, ixjrporul; onl. Sept. 10, 186*2. 
George A. Eldridge, musician; cid. Aug. 30, 1862. 
Samuel -M. Bouton, musician; cnl. Aug. .30, 1862. 
Charles L. Wcwl, wagoner; onl. Sept. 8, 18«i 
Elah Ballard, enl. Aug. 30, 186'2. 
William H. Banks, enl. Sept. 3, 1862. 
Nathaniel Biirmore, Jr., cnl. Sept. 9, 1862 ; died. 
Charles Bell, cnl. Sept. 10, 1802. 

Nelson Bennett, coriKiral ; cnl. Sept. 13, 1862, and loon commissar)' ser- 
geant, returning to his company Jan. 13, 1803. 
George It. llunten, enl. Sept 11, 1802; sick in L'tica wbon the regiment 

was mustered out. 
John Butcher, eiil.^ept 13, 1862. 
Charles W. Caldwell, cul. Sept. 8, 1802. 
Samuel Caldwell, Old. Sopt 13, 1862; died Ang. IS, 1863. 
l:<lward T. Clark, cnl. Sept. 4, 1892 ; died Aug. 17, 1866. 
William H. Crabb, onl. Sept 0,1802; In hospital at Memphis, Aug. 13, 

1802. 
Andrew Crissy, enl. Oct. 3, 1802; in ho«pitol at Brnshuar City, Jlay 23, 

1862. 
(irigcn S. Enslcy, loft sick at New Haron, Nov. 8, 1862. 
Aim)n 1'. Forri^ cnl. Sept 10, 1862 ; dlscb. for disabiUly July 27, 1803, at 

Port Hudson, La. 
BcnjHinlu P. Ferris, cnl. Sept 3, 1863. 
Inuic Ferris, enl. Sept. '2, 1802. 

Joel G. F.JSter, cnl. Aug. 30, 1802; appointed cirpoml iH-t. is, 1862. 
Peter Fryormuth. enl. Sept 11, 1862; dhich. for disability Jan. 19, 1803. 
John Gugan, cul. Sept. 15, 1862. 
Isoac F. Iloyi, eul. Sept 2, 1802. 

Sclb H. Hoyt enl. Sept. 10, 1802; woundwl June 14, 1863; died. 
Andrew ll..yt enl. Sept. 10, 1802; died in 1803. 
Lyman Hoyt, cnl. Sept. 10, 1802. 



STAMFORD. 



T35 



lliinm S. IIoU.v, i-iil. Sept. 0, 1802. 

William L. Hall, clil. Sfpt, 10, l,«i;2. 

Geoise W. Hiirtsoli, eiil. Supt. 4, lfifl2; .lioii fnilii w.ninja, Isdli. 

Nahor Jones, t-nl. Sept. 10, 1SG2. 

Alva ,loncs, en I. Sept. 11, 1SG2: wountltti at T'-it lliulsuii. 

Henry K. Jiukson, ejil. ,«ept. 10, 1SG2. 

William II. June, enl. Sept. 11, 1SC2; wa.s in the a.<sanlt mi Writ Iln.Isun, 

June U, isr,:i. 
George W. June, eul. Sept. 11, 1SG2 , was ia the :uisaull on I'ort llinlson, 

June 14, ISij.'i, 
Charles JenniUi^s, enl. Sept. II, 1802; Jieil in 1SG;J. 
Charles W. Kuapp, Jr., enl. Sept. 1(1, 18(12. 
Frejeriek Lowe, enl. Sept. 4, lsi;2. 
Samuel Loekwooil, (iil), enl. Sept. 1802. 
.Samuel R. Luckwooil, enl. Sept 10, 1802. 
William II. Loekwootl, enl. Sept. 21, 1802. 
Tleunas Lowney, enl. Sejit. II, 1802. 
Charles W. Miller, enl. Sept. 2, 1802; Jie-1 .8ept. U, 180.1. 
Thomas Nodync.oul. Sej.t. 0, 1803. 
Eliiis E. Palmer, cnl. Sept. 13, I,S02 ; woniuled :it I'ort lluilson, June 14, 

1803. 
Henry il. Koscoc, enl. Sein. 'J, 1802. 
I>aniel Kan<lall, enl. Sept. 1!, 1802. 
Charles J. Kuseher, enl. Nov. 18, 18t,2; \voun<leil .Inly 0, 180.'5, before 

Port lln.lson. 
.Sylvanus Smith, .-nl. Sept. :l, 180:1; die.! .Vug. 11. 180:t. 
Cliarhs L. Smith, enl. Sept. In, 1802; Wounded at I'ort llud.sun, June 14, 

1SG:1. 
Selleck S.Seofleld, enl, Sept. 0, 1802. 

George E. Seolielil, enl. Sei»t. Id, 1N02, and appointed commissary-sergeant. 
Lewis li. Scofleld, enl. Scjit. In, 1802; died June 13, 1SC3. 
William Scolichl, enl. .Sept. II, 1862. 
James E. Seofiehl, enl. Sept. II, 1802 ; in hospital at Brashcar City, Slay 

23, 1803. 
N..ah Franklin .Scofleld, enl. Sept. 13, 1SG2. 
William W. Saundel-s, enl. Sept. 10, 1801. 
George E. SaiuKiers, enl. Sept. 11, 1802. 
John Slater, enl. Sept. 13, 1802. 
Thomas Stanley, eid. Sept. 23, 1802. 
William II. Stevens, enl. Oct. 3, 1802. 
Samuel .A.. Wood, enl. Sept. 3, 1803; wounded Juno 14. 1803, at Port 

llu<ls,.n. 
Charles W. Waterhury, enl. Sept. 3, 1802. 
Philip Wateihury, ejil. Sept. 10, 1SG2. 
Joseph Wilmot, enl. Selit. 8, 1802. 
James T. Wilmot, enl. Sept. 10, 1802. 

William II. Walton, enl. Sept. 10, 1802; died June IG, 1.SG3. 
William H. Waring, enl. Sept. 23, 1802. 

Cotuptwij (_\ 
Thadileus L. Bailey, enl. Jlay 12, 1802 ; died Sept. 10, 1803. 
Joseph I'aight, sergeant; enl. Sept. 0, 1802. 
Francis II. Jones, enl. Aug, 27, 1802 ; re-enlisted Jidy 23, 1S03. 
Clement E. Jliller, enl. Aug. 2.1, 1802. 
Nathaniel II. Nichols, enl. Oct. 7, 1802. 
Miles J. Stephens, enl. Aug. 23, 1802. 
Addison P. Scofield, enl. Aug. 20, 1802. 
John Waters, enl. Aug. •!:>, 1802 ; died Aug. 1, 1803. , 
George W. Wilmot, enl. Aug. », ISG2; killed Juno 17, 18G3. 

George II. Sleeker, corporal ; enl. Sept. 8, 1802 ; re-.-nlisted in 17th Conn. 

t'ompatiit Jl. 
Kichard .Vrmstroug, enl. .\ug. T.i, 1802; re-eidisl'-d, ami has never heen 

lieard from. 
Phinean Brown, enl. Aug. 22, 1.8G2. 
Theodore Ilelcroi\, enl. Aug. 13, 1.S02. 
Cornelius I>ever, enl. .Vug. 20, 1802. 
Weight H. Feeks, enl. Aug. 20, 1»02, and was later in a New York regi- 

nt. 

William llal|iin, enl. Aug. 13, 1803; re-enlisled in Olh Conn. 

Thomas Lawler, enl. .Vug. 2-\ 1802; storming parly, June 14; wounded 

in shoulder, 
Uibbard .M.itd, enl. Aug. 28, 1802; died Aug. 13, 18113. 
Thom.-is (.I'Hii.'n, Jr., eul. .\ug. 18, 1SG2. 
Joseph A. Sutton, enl. Aug. 18, 1802; reported dead. 



FIRST KKGI3IEXT. 
William Keller, liille Co. B ; enl. Apiil 22. 1801; dis, h. for disahilily 

April 24, 1801. 
Allen Wehl., Co. H ; enl. April 23, l.Mll ; diM!li. July 31, ISOl, anil re-cni. 

into the 2d Conn. Light BattcTy. 

SECOND REGIMENT. 
J. dm Lilley, I'o. B; enl. Jlay 7, Isol, from Norwlh; diseh. as hrst ser- 
geant Aug. 7. l.sol,and re-eiil. into the ITth c,,nn. 

KOrRTII REGIMENT. 
.I.ihn A. Ilolton. 31,1), C(.. I; afterwards 1st Art.; enl. June 12, 1,801; 
disch. March 29, 1S02. 

FIFTH REGIMENT. 
William II. Car.l, Co. A; enl. July 22, 1801 ; di.sch. lor .lis;djility, Jan. 

29, 1,882. 
Thomas M. Welsh, Co. A ; enl. July 22. 1801. 
Michael Cllins, Co. K ; enl. April 0, 1804. 

SEVENTH REGIMENT. 
Grosvenor Starr, adjutant ; coin. Sept. 17, 1801 : ilied Slarch '>, 1802. 
George Adams, Co. A ; enl. Sept. .1, 18G1 ; re-enl. Ilec. 23, 1803. 
John H. Vernal, Co. I; enl. Sept. 13,1801. 
Lewis A. Cook, Co. E; enl. Sept. 7, 1801; re-enlisted. 

EIGHTH REGIMENT. 
Janu'S Conlan, enl. Oct. .'., ISOI ; le-enl. Ilec. 24, 18G3. 
Timothy Cahill, eul. .Sept. 23, Isol. 

NINTH REGIMENT, 
.lames Collins, enl. Feb. 17. 1803, to June 3:1, 1804. 
John Conncdly, enl Ajiril 2,'., l,sG4, to June 30, l,so4. 
Thomas Irving, enl. April 30. isill, to June 30, 1804. 

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 
Henry Beresford, enl. .\pril 11, I.SOI, to June 30, ISOl. 
William Chancy, enl. Api il 19, 1SC4, to June 3:i, 1804. 
James Parrel, enl. Aiuil 2 1, 1804, to June 30, 1804. 
William Johnson, enl. Feb. 27, 1804, to June 3o, ISOI. 
Fraidi Mc()ueon, O. I); enl. May 3, 1.804. 
Pierre Poinsett, Co. C; enl. May 10, 1S04. 
Peter Siui[ison, Co. G; enl. .\[ail 23, 1804. 

TWELFTH REGBIENT. 
Ebenezer Norman, Co. E; enl. Nov. 19, IsOl ; ilisch. for disability July 

17, lS03. 
CkU'VUs Northrop, Co. E; enl. Dec. 28, 1801. 
Nathan Palmer, Co. E; enl. Dee. 3, 1801 ; disch. for di-abilily Feb. '27, 

1802. 
Charles Councel, Co. G; enl. Tier. r,. 1901 ; re-enl. Jan. 1, 16G4. 
John McCahe, Co. F ; enl. April 23, 1801. 

THIRTEENTH REGIMENT. 
,I(din ,1. Haighl, Co. B; enl. Dec. 22. ISOL; dis h, l.ir ilisabilily June .30, 

1802, .and re-enl. into the Olh Coini. Vol. 
George II. Pratt, eid. Jan. 11, I.s02: re-enl, and com. s n.l li..uteiiaiit 

Jl.iy 1. 1,804. and pro. bi first lieutenanl De,-. 30, 18i;4. His name is 

on the roll of Inmor for meritorious s<-rvice, Juin.- 14, 1SG2, at Port 

Hud.son. 
George W. Taylor, enl. Dec. 31, 18G1. 
Abraham E. Ai kley, enl. Jan. 0, 1802; died Aug. 9, 1803. 
Aaron S. Avery, eirl. Jan. 11, l.s02; disrli. Jan. 14, 1.SG3. 
JIartin liell, enl. Dec. 22, 1801 ; re-enl. Feh. 8, I.8G4. 
Clark Di.\..n, enl. Jan. 11, 1.8G2 ; re-enl. Feb. S, 1.SG4. 
William I. Ferri.s, enl. Feb. 10, 1S02; died May 9. 1803. 
Thomas S. Harris, enl. Feh. 27, 1802; disch. lor disability June 30, 1SG2. 
Banister II. Jom-s.enl. March 6, 1802; dis li.for diability .May 21, 18G2. 
James R. Kmipp, enl. Feb. 10, 18G2 ; disch. for disability March .'., 1SC2. 
Edward C. Lockwood, (■ul. Dec. 22, 1801. 

GccMgo II. Searles, enl. .Inn. IS, 1802; disch. for disability Jum> .30, 1802. 
Henry C. .Searles. enl. Feb. 18, 1802; disch. for disability July r., 1802, 

and re-eid. into a New York cavalry regiment. 
John Ennis Searles, enl. Jan. 0, 1802; was taken priscmer at Winchester. 
George B. Selleck, enl. Dec. 22, 1801 ; died Sept. 29, 1802. 
BcTyainin O. Searles, lojl. Feb. 20, 1802; kilb'd April 14, 1803. 
John J. TayUir, enl. D.'c. 22, 1801 ; died Feb. 17, I.sol. 
Jolm W. Thome, cnl. Feb. 20, 1802; died Sept. G, 1803. 



73G 



lIlSTOnV OF FATRPrKLD ('OrXTV, COXNKrTIC'T^T. 



Joscpli Tlioi'lio, cnl. Feb. 10, l{iG2 ; re-cul, Feb. 2D, \6lA ; tukun pritiouur 

Sr|>t. 19, ISM. 
John P. M'oed, enl. Doc. 31, 18C1 ; wouinlod at Port IluJson, Juno 14, 

1803. 
Beiljnlniu JoncH, Co. 11; cul. Jan. 11, 18G2. 
Kilwanl .\. Lockwooil, Co. II : on). Jan. 11,1862; disclt. fur disability, 

Sept. 22, 1.SG2. 

KIGIITKKNTII RKilMKNT. 
John Lillc.v, from Co. B, 2d Conn., wos com. second lieutenant of Co. I, 

Oct. 19, ICGS, in tbo IStli Conn. ; pro. to first lieiiteuaut, Juuo 5, 1804, 

and captain, Oct. 17, 1SG4 ; must, out June 27, 18Go. 

TWF.NTV-TllIltD KEGIMENT. 

William H. Trowbridge, M.I)., com. surgeon, Sept. 2.'>, 18C2, in the Banks' 
expedition, and taken prisoner neiir Brasbear City; bo was compli- 
mented with gift of gwortl, siwh, and belt from the citizens of the 
town ; on liis return from the South was detailed surgeon of Board 
of Enrollment ut Bridgejiort, Conn., from which service be was dis- 
charged Aug. 31, 1SC3. 

George Benedict, assistant surgeon; com. Juu.22, 18C3; discb. Aug. 31, 
ISO?. 

Henry H. Anderson, Co. I ; enl. Oct. 27, 1SC2; diicb. Aug. 31,1803; re- 
oul. in the Navy. 

TWKNTY-FIFTU liEGIJIENT. 
Joseph L. I'ember, Co. K ; enl. Aug. 21, 1SC2; disch. Aug. 26, 18G3. 

TWEKTY-SEVENTH BEGIMEST. 
Elisha T. Payne, Co. C ; cnl. Sept. 0, 1802 ; disch. July 27, 1803. 

TWEXTY-NISTU REGIMENT. 
Joseph Fermin, Co. .\ ; cnl. Kov. 28, 1SC3. 
Uilson Essex, Co. B; cnl. Nov. 24, 1803. 
Stephen Gray, Co. B ; enl. Nov. 28, 180.3. 
Itobort Mitcbel, Co. B ; onl. Jan. 4, 1804. 
Richard Myers, Co. B; enl. Nov. 24, 1803. 
George Vandivero, Co. B; onl. Nov. 24, 1803. 
William Nellis, Co. B; cnl. Dec. 4, 1803; wounded at Eell Hotiso, Va., 

Oct. 27, 1804. 
Thomas L. Brown, Co. G ; onl. Doc. 28, 1803. 
Joseph Holmes, Co. B. 

A Men Bunks, Co. G ; onl. Jan. .1, 1804 ; was shot in leg at Fair ti.il. h. 
John Brown, Co. G ; enl. Dci-. 28, 18C;l; killed Oct. 27, 1804. 
David .Snively, Co. G ; cnl. Dec. 28, 1803. 
George E. Bixiwn, sergeant, Co. II ; cnl. Dec. 31, 1803. 
Jos..-pb Ellijt, Co. II ; enl. Dec. .30, 1803. 

William II. Bn>wn, Co. II ; cnl. Dec. 9, 1803 ; disch. Oct. 24, ISCo. 
Charles E. Treiidwell, Co. II ; onl. Dec. 31, 1803. 
Itniiilolph Williams, Co. II ; cnl. Dec. 28, 1803. 
Robert Wilson, Co. H ; onl. Dec. 30, 180:1. 
Siuion Greeno, corporal, Co. I ; onl. Jan. 4, 1804 ; disch. (or disability, 

Juno 27, 1804. 
John II. Cline, Co. I ; enl. Jan. 1, 1804. 
Abram Lattiiu, Co. I ; cnl. Jan. o, 1804. 
Johiah Walton, Co. I ; enl. Jan. 4, 1804. 
William II. Hawkins, Co. K ; onl. Jan. 4, 1804. 
William Banks, onl. April 20, 1804. 
David Johnson, Co. II ; onl. Juno 2, 1804. 
Henry Starr, oul. Dec. 9, 1803. 

THIRTY-FIRST REOIMEXT. 
niarlui E. Asia, flrsl sergcaiit.'Co. B; cnl. Oct. 7, 1803. 
Joseph H004I, Hnt sergeant, Vo. D; enl. Feb. 10, 1804. 
John II. Smith, coriwrul, C.>. D; cnl. Fob. 20, 1604. 
James W. Yatos, Co. D ; onl. Feb. 10, 1804 ; must, out at hospital David's 
Island. 

FIRST HEAVY ARTILLERY. 
Jcrcmiab O'niloy, Co. C; onl. JIlay 2.1, 18CI ; dis.li. May 22, 1804. 
Jiinies W. Webb, Co. A ; enl. April 10, 1802 ; di>-d Aug. 8, 1802. 
Michael Burke, Co. E; onl. May 2',, 1801 ; ro-oul. Dec. Ill, 1803. 
Joseph D. I'iiikbom, Co. C ; eul. May 2:1, 1801 ; rc-onl. Nov. 10, 1803. 
I'alrirk Bak<-r, Co. K ; onl. Miiy 23. 1801 ; ho was allorwanls In the Navy. 
Juniei Lind, Co. K : enl. Slay 23, 18(;l. 

John Mnlholland, Co. K ; cnl. May 23, 1801 ; disch. >Iay 22, 1804. 
FnincU B. Avory, Co. II ; onl. IftT. .30, 1803; dlod Jlatvll 12, 1804. 
Thecxlorv Bodlent, Co. II ; oul. Nov. 30. 1803. 
S<iulrc S. Binlsvll, Co. II ; cuL Nov. 28, 1803. 



George W. Finch, Co. H ; eul. Nov. 30, 1803. 

William Fagan, Co. II ; enl. Nov. 30, 1803. 

William II. Monroe, Co. H ; cnl. Dec. 8, 1863 ; dlod May 10, 1804. 

George H. Pott, Co. II ; cnl. Nov. 28, 1803. 

Benjamin Scllock. Co. G ; cnl. Dec. 7, 1803. 

Eli Starr, Co. I ; onl. Jan. 4, 1804. 

SECOND HEAVY ARTILLERY. 
William II. Brewer, Co. A ; onl. Jan. 2, 1804. 
E/.ra C. Bouton, Co. C ; cul. Jan. fl, 180-4 : killed Juuo 3, 1804. 
Edgur W. Conkliu, Co. D ; enl. Dec. 30. 1803. 
J.>lin L. Conklin, Co. D ; cnl. Dec. 30, 1803. 
Joseph II. Canfleld, Co. C ; cnl. Jan. 5, 1864. 
James Henry, Co. D ; enl. Jan. 1, 1804. 
Jacob June, Co. A ; onl. Jan. 14, 1804. 

Banks Lounsbury, Co. I ; enl. Jan. 28, 1804 ; died Fob. 23, 1804. 
Alexander McCormick, Co. F; enl. Jan. 18, 1864. 
John O'Brien, Co. B; enl. Jan. 1, 1804. 
Samuel S, Osborn, Co. JI ; eul. Feb. 11, 1804. 

Patrick Itairden, onl. Feb. 5, 1804; disch. for disability. May 23, 1864. 
Cliauncey Stevens, Co. K ; enl. Jan. o, 1804. 
George Taylor, Co. C ; eul. Dec. 30, 1803. 
Jeremiah Conner, onl. Jan. .'i, 1801. 

SECOND LIGHT BATTERY'. 
Allen Webb, cnl. Aug. 0, 1802 ; disch. Aug. 9, 180."). 
Thomas Carrol, eul. Feb. 18, 1804, to June 30, 1864. 
Slichael Donnelly, cnl. Feb. 18, 18C4, to Juno 30, 1804. 
Patrick Kelley, enl. Feb. 18, 1804, to Juno 30, 1804. 
Alonzo Peck, enl. Jan. 5, 1801. 

William Taylor, cnl. Feb. 10, 1804. to June 30, ISM. 
James W. Welch, cnl. Feb. 18, 1804, to June 30, 1804. 

FIRST CAVALRY. 

James R. Straut, sergeant, Co. D ; enl. Nov. 2, 1861 ; re-cnl. second lieu- 
tenant, Jan. 2, 1804; pro. first lieutenant. Fob. 20, 1804, and captaiu, 
Nov. 17, 1804; nmst. out Aug. 2, ISOJ. 

Michael Currigan, Co. G ; cnl. April 8, 1504. 

Daniel Conner. 

Warden Hendricks, Co. H; enl. Dec. 8, 1803. 

J.din A. McClellnn, Co. M ; cnl. Dec. 30, 1803. 

.lames E. Bishop, Co. D ; enl. Jan. 11, 1804. 

William H. Bishop, Co. E, eul. Jan. 11, 1804; disch. Aug. 20, 1803. 

NEW YORK BEGISIENTS. 
Ilcnry V. Smith, 1st Cavalry, and ro-cnl. into 12tli Cavalry, serving 

about two years. 
James E. Bishop, 1st Slounted Rifles, and rc-onl. into Ist Conn. Cavalry. 
Anthony Miller, 2d State Militia. 
RichanI :ilore, 2d Stale :Militia. 
Henry Packet, 2d State Jlililia. 
Peter O'Neil, 4tb Heavy Ailillery. 
Charles M*. Kuapp, first sergeant, Co. B, 5th, Duryea's Zouaves; was 

taken piisoiier Juno 2'.t, 1802 ; parvded July 25, 1803. 
Matthew M. Widsh, Co. B, Durywi's Z4>uavcj» ; was taken prisoner Aug. 

31, 1802. 
Albert Seaman, in Dur}'ea's Zouaves. 

Charles W. Smith, sorvi'^l about throe yearn in Duryea's Zt.>uave«. 
James L. Taylor, Duo'ea's Zouaves; mortally wounded; dicnl June 11, 

ISOl. 
Waimm B. Nichols, Duryea's Zouaves; onl. April 19,1801; must, out 

May IS, 180:l; rc-onl. Nov. 14, 180:1, Into Co. 0, 1st Michigan Heavy 
{ Artillery: apiKdnt^nl hospital .xteward, Feb. 14, I81VI, at Jacksiui, 

j Miss. ; trans. Aug. 31, 1804, as second lieutenant to 80tb United 

I States lufantry, and {txo. to captain tX-t. 12, ISC'i; ap|K>iuted provost- 

I uuirsluil and Judgo-advocato for Southom District of Alabama ; re- 

' signi'd and was must, out .\pril 30, 1800. 

Thomas Skelding, enl. April 20. 1801, in Co. B, Duryoa's Zouavoa; com. 

captain Co. B, lOtli New Y'ork, McChesney's Ztmavcti; rofl. In Fob., 

1802. 
Michael O'Neil, Co. K, .^th Cavolry, Ira Harris Guanl ; ro-cnl. ; wouudod. 
David H. Scofleld, Co. K. Ira Harris Guanl. 

George W. Toms, Co. K, Ira Harris t^nanl ; cnl. Oct. 6, 1861 ; pro. to com- 
missary sorgoaut, 1804; returned home as finil sergeant, July, 1-'' 
Theodore Nichols, 6th Cav. ; onl. 1801 ; riM>nlislod; killed. 
William II. Romer, 0th II. Art. 
Jauies W. Diiskaui, 7tb Nntioual Guard. 




-^^i-iai_. 



-■t< l^^-^^y 




y/^ // ./ 



■/// ' 



STAMFORD. 



n.Miry II. Holly, Co. D, Ttli Xaticinal Guard. 

\\"iHiiim \V. Smith. Niitiunal Guanl. 

Junies It. M'jiireii, NiitjuiKll (luanl. 

Jiihfpli ('. Warren, National Guard. 

William Powell, .sth N. Y. S. M. 

Guorgi- A. Vouufe-s, tV>. K, .>ith X. Y. 11. .\rt. 

Horace Garilinor, 9th Ke.iJlt.. Hawkins' Zouaves; ent. ImU; com. seenml 
lieutenant, I'iTth iMolutor) Kegt. ; pro. to (irst lieutenant, servinf; 
at'out three years. 

Lewis liardiner, Hawkins' Zouaves; enl. ISGl; com. seeolid lieutenant 
127th iMonitor) Kegt. 

John Parker, Co. H, Hawkins' Zou.ives; served twoyeais. 

■WilKani Parker, Hawkins' Zouaves. 

.lolin lloyt, Hawkins' Z(UKU'es; served two years. 

Kd,!;ar Toms, Co. It, Hawkins" Zomives; enl. l.^tGI ; served two yeals. 

Geuge Toms, Co. H, Hawkins' Zouaves; enl. ISOl ; wounded at Antie- 
taln, Sept. 17, lsr.2. 

Kdward Kr<:dli»heiffer. Hawkins' Zouaves. 

Fredeiiek Warner, Hawkins' Zoiuives; enl. Oltli N. Y'. : com. second 
lieutenant, Intli .\riny Corps d'.^fiiiiue. 

.Mien Chamberlain, Co. I, I'itli Cav. ; enl. 1SC2; re-enl. in Navy. 

Piev. P. S. Kvaiis, c Implain, l.'ltli II. .\rt, 

William .1. Wilson. 17tli Inf. 

CharhsE. l:etl«. '22.1 Inf. 

Hiram Totton, Jr., 22d Inf. 

James ]•:. licinton, '22.1 Inf. 

^^illiam K. Halleck. 22.1 Inf. 

Charles Scofield, 22d Inf. 

Charles Weston, 22d Inf. 

William Nidan, 2.ith Inf. ; enl. ISOl ; wcuinded. 

■VVilliam McDonald, 2.-.th Inf.; enl. l.'<r.l. 

Oscar Lasher, .'i7th Inf. 

George Lock wood, :isth Inf. 

Frederick Shower. S'.lth Inf , Gariliahli Ouard.s. 

Sanniel 51. Phyfe. Co. C, 47th Inf., near .\nnapoli9, Md. 

John Sullivan, 47th Inf. 

Bradfoid liaymond, Co. K, 48th Inf.; cnl. in the .5tli Army Oonw. 

Ueorse Fish, 4!)tli Inf. ; was color-bearer in the .\rmy of the Potomac. 

Alva Irif:er.s(.l, 4',ith Inf; wounded. 

Charles H. Palmer, 40tli Inf.; tl'ans. with a captain's comini-sion to the 

Cth N. Y. .\rt. ; wounded. 
John E. Weed, 40th Inf. ; rc>-enlisted. 
Josel'h Gibson, Co. K, oOlh Inf.; trans, to 54th Inf., then to 84lli Ohio 

Inf. 
Edwin l; Dailey, Co. G, n7tli Inf.; killed May «, 1SG4. 
Michael llannagan, Cllth Hif. 
John W. Miller, Co. H, 71st Inf. 
Edward A. (Juintaril, com. ca]ilain Co. B, X. T. National Guard Etig. 

C.il|s. 
Gei.r^-e W. Wei-,1, 71st Inf.; rcK-nl. in 17tli Conn, liegt. 
William E. White, Ontli Inf.; died Feb. 4, 1SC,.5. 
John H. McDomild, 82d N. Y'.; pro. to fitst lieutenant; killed July .1, 

l.si;;;. 
Eev. Klien KrancLs,. haplain, 127lh (Monitoi) Re-t. 
Edward lildiin, 127tli (.Monitor) Regt.; diseh. for disability. 
Theoiloro Miller, Kith Itegt. ; re-enl. in V.a. A, IS'.ltli N. Y. Vol.; rom. 
lieutenant. Si'lit. il. 1SC.2; pro. to captiiin, Mal'ch 11, lK(;:i, and major, 
Oct. 14. 18(14 ; appointed colonel in the Corps irAfriiiue, April 12, 1SG;">, 
hut dill not muster. 
Fraidiliii .\. Jones served in Scott's Life Guard. 
Bcnjanun H. Saunders was in a X. Y. H. Art. Ri'gt. 
John Hanford was successively in two regiments of New Y'ork. 
John 5IeCaity. enl. in a N. Y. Uegt. ; served two yeal^. 
John H. Searles, enl. in 17tli liogt. 
Henry C. Searles, enl. Pltll Couu. Begt.; re-eid. iti a X. Y. Cav. Kegt. 

KKGIMKNTS OK OTHER STATES. 

James R. Ayres, Co. C, 3d Mich.; kill.-d June 17. l.sr,4. 

Frederick Bishop, ,')tli X. J. Ilattery ; diseh. for ilisahility. 

Hanford Bishop, 5tli N. J. Batteiy. 

John flirrol, Co. A, ri2d Ohio; enl. Xov. 22, 1804, from Toledo. 

Samuel Fi'.ssenden, enl. Maridi :i, 18r,4, sixteen yeai-s of age, jus a private 
in "th Maine Battery, lat Regt. I.. Art. ; wa.s appointed tiret lieuten- 
ant 2,1 Uegt. r. S. Inf., Dec-. 14, l»|-4. and captain of Inf. Dec. ■2(1, 
1804; com. eeiond lieutenant 1st Battery, Maine L. Inf., Jan. 1,", 
18M, and detailed to the staff of .Maj.-Geu. A. P. Howe, May 1, 
18C5, serving iu that position till the close of the war. 



PhiloC. Fuller, '211 111. Yol. 

EiiLmot M. Iloyt, 3d Maryland, and uls.. in a X. Y. Rest,; died. 

Sanniel C.Ingei>oll.:;d M.irylaiid: wouLided at .\ntietani and ilischarged. 

Peter Hurd, 14th K. I. H. Alt. ; enl. ( let. 14, ISC'l. 

James Keegan, Co. K, Istli Ky.: enl. IsiU. 

Joseph S. Lockwooil, 141st Penn. ; died April 3, l.sill. 

Richard Piereon, 3d Md. 

William K .Scofield, 74th 111. ; died May 17, l.?r,3. 

Geiuge Yandervaldt, 1st Res. Cav. Pa.; killed. 

I'ierre E. Holly, M.IK, appointed lussLstant surgeon in the spring of 1803, 
and assigned tti the Douglas Hospital. Wiushington City ; siibseipiently 
was assigned to the 22d Wis. Inf.. and remained in the service until 
diseh. in 18C4. 

The following citizens of the town were in the ser- 
vice of the ooverninent, thoUirh not Coiiheeted with 
any partienlar regiment: 

(Jeorge E. Badger, M.D , w ho left his practice here, with a commission as 
contract surgeon, and was stationed at Da^id's Island. 

John Ilavenport was aid to Col. John II. Aliiiy, assistant iiuartermaster- 
general of Coniiectiiut, and st;ttioneii at New York for supplying the 
Conn, and R. I. Vols. 

John C. Minor, M.D., com. April 1, ISGi, acting .assistant surgeon, r.S..\ , 
after having voluntarily served on Hospital Ships of the Sanitary 
Commission during the preceding year, was in the Army of Cum- 
berland until Feb. ;;, 1804, when he was ordered to Ilanisbiirg, Pa., 
to take charge of Port llosiiilal ; res. Oct. 4, 1804. 

Bev. J. II. Parks, com. chaplain, July 5, 1802, and a-ssigned to Carver 
Hospital, WiLshingbui City. 

John T. Riley was acting ijilartermaster at Washington and elsewhere. 

Samuel C. Staples, assistant paymaster l'.S..\. 

Helinel Stevens entered the service as medical purveyor at t!';iilo. III., 
iu 1802, and was ordered to Memphis in May, 180.5. 

UNITKD STATES ARMY. 

David C. Comstock, Jr., from Co. II, 17th Regt.; entered the U.S.A. as 
hospital steward: diseh. Jan. 31, 18i;7. 

George W. Chamberlain, enl. Co. B, 17th Conn. Vols. ; re-enl. in V. S. 
Cav., Feb. 3, 1 803. 

Patrick Farrel, enl. in 18.'i0 in the regular army ; he had one of his legs 
broken at Petersburg, Va., where he was struck by nine balls. 

Samuel B. Ferris, eflucateii at West Point, class of 1801 ; graduated second 
lieutenant, and assigned to the Sth V. S, Inf. ; he was with his regi- 
ment at the tii"st Bull Run rout of , tune 21, ISOl, and until his com- 
mission as colonel of the 2Stli Conn. Vol. On the expirati'tn of his 
commission he returned to his regiment as fii-st lieiitioiant, until 
trunsfeneil with captain's commission to the 2Mtli U. S. Inf. 

Francis 51. Holly, appointed assistant surgeon in the winter of 18G2, anil 
assigned to hospital at Portsmouth, opjiosito Norfolk, Va. ; he res. iu 
1803. In 18r.s he w.as appointed surgeon in the I'.S.A. 

John L. Iloyt, Co. B, Isl V. S. Reg. Art.; cnl. Nov. 4, 1802; dis<h. Sept. 
.'., 1804. 

William p. .loneswas appointed aid-de-camp on the staff of Maj.-Gen. 

John !•:. Wool, April -24. l.-ird,with rank of c.d 1 of volunteers. 

Sept. 20, 1801, he w as aiijiointed aid. de-camp, with the rank of major 
in the regular army; appointed provost-marshal-general of the 
Department of Virginia, and assisted at the taking of Yorktown and 
Norfolk. On the lenmval of Gi'li. Wool, in 1802, to lialliuiorc, he 
was appointed military provost-marshal of the Mid. ])ept.,einbr,aiin,g 
Maryland, Peuiisylvania, and New .leisey; res., though not before 
he had eaineil " for gallant and meritorious service" Ills comini..c.ion 
of brevet brigadier-general of volunteers, dating from March 13, 
1K0.V 

John Manning, cnl. June 10, 1800, 3d U. S. Cav.; diseh. July 14, 1807 ; 
on the staff of (leli. Grant, and alterwards orderly to Geii. Sherman. 

Henry O'N.il, Co. II, .'.tli V . S. Inf 

Albert 51. Powell, com. lirst lieutenant, 13lh I'. S. Inf; gr.idnaled at 
West Point; pro. ti^ lieutenttnt-cidonel, in charge of artillery 17th 
t'orps; dii'd June lo, ISOS. 

Henry Rockwell, 51. D., siirgi~jn in the U.S..\. 

James .Siolield, in 18."i9 entered the l.'.S..\., and was iKsigned to the 4tli 
Regt. of Inf. 

Edwin li. Smith, enl. Sept. 2, 1804 ; trans, from the 17tli Conn. \'ol. to 
Co. A, »tli U. S. Kes.; taken prisoner in Florida. 

Francis L. Still, enl. Oct. 13, 18C3; trans, from Otli Conn. Vol. to Signal 
Corps in the l'.S..V. 



738 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



William J. Sloan, of Pennsylvania, appointed actsistant siirgoon in the 
I'.S.A., 18;J7; Bcn'cd in FloiiJu during the Stiwiinolo war, lS;t7-40; 
in tlio Clioctaw country, west of Arkunsiw. at Forts Towson and 
Wnsltita, from 1840-41 ; statiunQd in rhiladt-Iphia in 1S45 ; next year 
oi-deiud to New Orleans, where, and at Haton Rouge, lio remained 
until 1849, when he wivs Hunt again to Florida until \^'.i. In 185C 
pro. to surgeon, and ordered to New Mexico, liolding the position of 
medical director. Department of New >Iexiro, until 1800. After 
four months' leave of alwenco, lie was assigned to duty at Governor's 
Island, New York llarlwr, whore the opening of the KelK^lliun found 
liim ; was then ordered to New Ydi k City an superintendent of hospi- 
tals. I'nder his «n|iervi.sion ttio Transport Service wasorganl/.ed and 
provision niaile for patients fnmi the seat of war. As assistant medi- 
cal director of the department, he also aided in organizing txventy- 
eight genenil hospitals in New Kngland, New York, and New Jor- 
Boy, which conipiisiHl iti all twenty-five thousand beda. In 1SG2 ho 
was ordered to Minnesota as medical director of tlio department of 
the NoiHiwest, but wits in a few months returned to his i>ost in New 
Y^ork, where ho suhsoquvntly hecamo niediail director of the de- 
partment until the clone of the war. The numlier of sick and 
wounded soldiers cared for in tins dei>artmeut during his term of 
service was about one hundred and fifty thousand. For his services 
thus rendered he was successively breveted lieutenant-colonel, col- 
onel, and brigadier-general. (From Stamford Soldiers' Memoiinl.) 

David n. Vinton, graduated at West Point, 1S22, entering the U.S. Army 
08 lieutenant in the artillery service. lie had been in various 
branches of the service as an efficient ofTicpr, both in time of peace 
and of war, until tlie war of I8C1-C5 found him chief quartermaster 
of the Dejiartnient of Texas, hcadquarton*, San Antonio, where lio 
was taken prisoner by the rebels and paroled. Ho was c^donel in 
the Volunteer Army from Aug. 2, 18(34, to July 29, 18GG; chief qnar- 
ternnistcr at New York City, for supplying the army with clothing 
and equipage, from June 28, ISCl, to July, 1807 (ex-offlcio); brevet 
brigadier-gene nil U.S. Army, March 13, 1865, and brevet migor- 
general U. S. Army, March 13, 18G5, for faithful and meritorious 
services during the Rebellion; ho was retired from active service, 
July 20, 18CG. 

James Wright, U. S. Army, cnl. Fob. 22, 1803. 

The following citizens, being liable to ser^'icc, some of whoso names 
have already appeared on our list as having rendered good service iu the 
field, sent also sulxttitutes or paid the commutation : 

John Davenport, Theodore Daven|K>rt, Alexander H. Weed, Frank Iloyt, 
Hiram Curtis, Cliarles II. Brown, George I*. Wurn-n, Otto Locschcgk, 
John Day Ferguson, Samuel Ferguson, Andrew Stark, Lewis R. 
Ilurlbutt, Charles P. Holmes, Oliver Hoyt, Siimnel 11. Holmes, Ed- 
ward F. Leeds, Charles W. Wanlwell, John St. John, William W. 
Skiddy, William C. Willcox, Samuel IJ. Hoyt, James Smith, l>wight 
M'augli, Chailes W. Hoyt, Charles H. Holly, Cyrus U. Jones, Isaac 
S. Jones, John H. BruHh, Charles W. IJixtwn, Robert B. Soofleld, 
Elbert June, Gcorgo P. Waterbnry, Robert Swartwout, Satterlco 
Swart wont. 

The following citizens, upon being drafted, supplied sttbstltutos: 

James B. Davonp«>rt, James IT. Olmstead, Walter Fergusjn, Alexander 
Raebiini, Joseph E. LockwtMxl, IMmhiiI F. Brown, John' Rosbonmgh, 
E<lward Hannagan, E4lward Kenniidy, Charles M. S<'ofleld, Kilgar S. 
Weed, Chauncey Provost, E. S. GilTonl, Lemy Sc.ifield, Charles J. 
Smith, Alon/^ Stevens, R. S. Sliller, Charles E. Thompson. 

NAVAL SERVICE. 

William D. Adanu, April 3. 1SG2, oa l>oy, and in two months promoted 
landsman. ' 

Henry 11. Andensnn, Septeml»er, 1803, landsman, and sen'ed one year. 

S. L. P. Ayres, api^olutc^l assistant engineer in 1K5S. making his HrHt ' 
cruise in the " Roanoke," the flag-«liip of the Home Squadron. \ 

Patrick Bilker, Sept. 1, 18G3, n Boanmn. j 

Cbarlos H. Brantingham was onleroti to the '* Siimcrsot,*' Marcli 10, 1802, 
oa navigator and drill-ofllcer, from which he was sent m drill-ma5ter 
to Iho two Khii« " Anianitn" and "Hendrick Hntlstui," froni which 
he returned as navigator to the "Somerset,*' and promoted ensign; 
pm. to command the " Icilda," and subsequently wat cunnoctoti with { 
the "Clier^tkee" and " H^dunu*," and in command of the "Sun- 
flower;" rxtilgned .\prll 18, ISGT. 

Peter Cavanough, first <iu arte rni aster, March 2, 18G3. 

Allen ChamlH-rlain, May 17, 18i>l, landsman. ' 



Peter C.Min.y, May 8, 18C4, landsman. 

Charles 1. Dayton, Aug. 7, 18G2, landsman in the East Gulf Squadron. 

David Decker, master's mate in Burnside Expedition, 1802. 

Peter Docker, master's mate in Porter's Slortur Fleet, 18G2. 

James Delanmter, Aug. 10, 1)^02, seaman. 

Cornelius Dover, July 20, 18G4, seaman. 

Richard Dover, October, 18G3, landsman and promoted seaman. 

Daniel Dillon, Sept. 9, 18G2. seaman, and again, Sept. 20, 1801. 

Richard Dillon, October, 180*. 

David R. Drew, June. 180*, the second time, ship " Saratoga." 

George A. Kbbetts, captain's clerk, April, 1804, and sailed in Juno on the 
"Bienville." 

Isidore Ferris, captain's clerk, 3Iay 1, 18G4. 

Beiuamin F. French, May IC, 18G4, fii-st-claas boy. 

Thomas Fox, July \o, 18G1, flrst-class boy, and promoted landsman. 

John Gagan, from 28th Coun. Vol., Sept. 1, 18G3, landsman. 

Lewis Gardner. 

Joseph Gardner. 

Charles H. Gaylor, moster^s mate, Doc. 23, 18C3, and assigned to the 
*• Proteus." 

Josepli Gibson, 8or\'ed one year, 

James II. Giblin, Aug. 11, 1804. 

George W. Glendining, paymaster's clerk, Feb. 1, 1804. 

Theodore M. Hallock, Dec. 10, 1803, landsman, one year. 

Francis M. Hawlcy, acting assistant paymaster, Aug. 30, 18C2, and as- 
signed to the *' Carondelet," at Oiiro, 111. 

Albert Hobby, served a year with Capt. John Ketchum. 

Theodore Hobby. 

John ai. Holly, Aug. 9, 1SG2, landsman, and discharged Sept. 9, 18ii3. 

George Hudson, Aug. 10, 1802, seaman. 

Samuel H. Johnson, entered the Navy Nov. 0, 18G0: apiHilntcd acting 
master's mate, Oct. 31, 18GI, on "Suwanoe;" he was later in com- 
mand of bark " Midnight ;" discharged Dec. 23, 18G5. 

Maiiin Kane, Sept. 9, 1SG2, landsnmn. 

Daniel Kennedy, seaman, in 1801. 

Dennis Kennedy, May, 1802, seaman. 

John Ketcham, assistant master's nutte, and aiio;^ ni:ifiL-r in the Poto- 
mac Flotilla. 

John Kiley. 

Henry K. Lapham, acting nioster'sm.itc, Oct.3, lSGl,a88igDedtothe"Su- 
wance." 

Ztiphar Lawrence, sailed with Capt. Ketcham. 

Henry Lee, February, 1802, seaman on the ** Matthew Vassar." 

John Leonard, June 7, 18G1, and re-<>nliste<l 1805, landsman. 

George Lloyd, Sept. I, ISG3, seaman. 

Albert L. Lockwood, Februai*}', 18G2, seaman. 

William B. Lum, Dec. 23, 1S03, first-class boy. 

Michael rtlanahan, April, 18)>I, seaman. 

Patrick McKeon, 1SG2. 

Augustus F. Miller, Sept, 19, 1801, acting master's mate. 

John M. Newman, acting third assistant engineer, Sept. 3, 1804. 

Edward F. Nichols, fmm 3d Conn. Vol., Oct. 28, 1804, ship *' Cliipiwwa." 

Peter O'Neil, 18C1, on "Oneida," in the Gulf, and afterwards went into 
the cavrtlry Ber^■ice. 

William O'Neil. 

Peter Rjuikln, Feb. 14, 1802, as Iwy, and promoted lundsnmn. 

James H. Rowan, 3!ay 27, 1804, honorar>' seAoian. 

George A. Scofield, Sept. 10,1802, U.S. Marine C-orj>«) for four yean ; taken 
prisoner by the " Alabama" in the Caribbean Sea iu 18G3. 

John 0. Scofield, metlicnl steward in hospital Iu Virginia. 

Walter K. Scofiehl, assistant surgeon, June 20, 18G1, and promoted sur- 
geon In 18GG. 

Hobby Sellcck, July 2,1804, seaman. 

Frederick Shower was rejwrted in the naval sortico. 

Robert W. Shufildt dates his service iu the U. S. Navy from Muy 11, 
1839. In starch, 1801, he was ap|><dnted consul-goncriil to Cuba, 
and woB the right man for the office « hen our recent war oi>ene*l. 
He re-entered the nnvy as commander. In May, IK('.3, and was aa- 
slgned to the steamer " Proteus," his commission dating from Nov. 
19, iKOi. He served one year offCharletfton, ami pi4r1ici|«teil In the 
capture tif Morris Island. Ho had, later, command on the west 
roapt of Florida, and c<.i»oi>e rated with our g\inl><)ats In the attack by 
the army on St. Mark's, one of the hist artions of the war. 

Rolwrt Sbufeldt, Jr., April 9, 1K0:1, captain's clerk on the " Pn^dons." 

Henr}- T. Skelding, Dec. 31. 18G2, acting a'4»lstant |Kiymastcr. and as- 
signed t'l the " Petrel" at Cairo; CMmmisMioneJ >ias«ed assistant i>ay* 
Duister, Starch t\ 1^07, and is now on waiting orders. 



STAMFORD. 



T39 



J-inifs Sniftin, Aug. 7, 1S02. lanilsman, mu] vQ-cn\. Aiij;. IT, 1SG4. secoml- 
rlsiss firoiimii, nno year, 

(_'Iiirk Stt!Vt;iis, .Inly 'lf\ isr,4, jis l)i>y, and punnoted st^iiian. 

Henry Steinnrt, ihowiiL'.], April, 1ni'-3. 

Homy Stottlar, l)eccnil.i-r, ISCI. seaman. 

eiiai I-'ji .1. TuiM, Apiil 11, isra, lusbistant luiyinaster, V. S. Stcanit-r " Shoc- 
kukoii," siTviiig tlirniijj;li tlic war, 

Andn-w Walter, Dee. is, isr^}, lamlj^ir.an on tin; " IIartf..r.I." 

James W. Walcrljury, June :iu, ISlJ-l, serew-.-^teamer " Ilaiirnril,''" at the 
cai)tnre of Fort Morgan, MoliiU- Cay, and eouliiiuing in the servict! 
until Vehrnary, ISOs. 

James M'eed, first-class fireman, Xt>v. 14, 18G2. 

James Weleli, Aiig. 24, ISIVJ, lanrlsman. 

GeurgL- E. Whitney, June 2, ls('i2, assistant engineer on the " Molmwk ;" 
taken [n isoner in Floi ida, Ulay ;!, 1SG4, uud itjiroled in Oetuher, same 
yi-ar. 

Hercules Wicks, twenty-eiglit yeai-s old, Jan. 1, 1802, on the tlag-sliiii of 
Bnrn.side's Kxpedition. 

HI. C. Woolsey, son of Comniodoie Wuulsey. entered tlie T'. S. Navy Sept. 
24, lS:i2. and cummis&iuned ccmniandt-r July Ui, 18G1 ; in 18Cj was 
reptuted in command of the " Piinces.s Royal." 

I'Mward Youngs, Dec, 2, 1SC2, seamun, 

^\il)iam D, Whiting entered the navy Jlarch 1, 1S41, as midsliiiuniin, 
ami was passeii-mirlsliipnuui in IMS. The opt-niiigof (lie recent Wiir 
Itninil him lieutenant un the "North Carolina,"' rei-eiving-ship. On 
the occasion of the tenipouiry blockade of raili-oad transit through 
Baltimore, he was attached to tlie brig "Perrv," to convov troops to 
AnnajHtlis. As executive ottiit-r, he wa-s attached to the '* Vandaliu," 
on hlockmlo duty off South Carolina, and was in tlie Port Koyal en- 
gagements. He was j)romoted lieiltenant-roniman<ler, July Ifi, isr.2, 
and attached to the " Wyandot." and still later to the " Ottawa," off 
Charleston. Near the (lose of tiie war he was attached to the school- 
ship "Savannah," for instruction of volunteer oltieers, and stationed 
in New York Ilarhor. He was also assigned to tlie gimhoat " Tioga," 
of the (!ulf rrijuiulnjn. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

ISAAC QUIXTARD. 

Isauc Quiiitaril, sou of Isaac and Jlaniiali (I'aliiKT) 
Qiiintard, was boni in Staniibnl, Conn., May lo, 17!)4. 
He carries the name of the first pioneer of tlie family 
in Stamford. This Isaac (iuintard, as his fijravestone 
in the northeast eonier of the Episcopal burying- 
grounil testifies, was " horn in Bristol, in Old Eng- 
land," and died in 178.S, aged forty-two years. He 
came of French Hngncnot ancestry, and the descent 
carries with it all of the llrm integrity, devotion to 
principle, and chivalric hearing of its origin. The 
first appearance noted in the records of Stamford of 
the name is a sale of land from Robert Endiree to 
Isaac Quintard, of New York City, merehani, under 
date of Oct. 1, 1708. The marriage of Isaac (.Quin- 
tard and Hannah Knap]) was recorded in 17III. 
The chain of genealogy is through Peter, born in 
1730, who married, in ]7()1, Eli/abeth DcMille, and 
hi.s son Isaac, whose third son, Isaac, is the one whose 
portrait is shown on another ])age. He now occu- 
pies the house where he was born, and is residing on 
land for years in possessi<in of his family. Of the 
seventy-seven families residing in the lindts <d" the 
borough in bSOO, the only one in actual occupancy of 
the same lot and resilience is that of ^Ir. (Quintard. 

From the first settlement of tlie family in Stam- 



ford it has been ]iromincntly identified with its in- 
terests. 

Isaac (Juintard was captain of (he first company 
of militia in Stamford, organized in 177"i. In 1738, 
Isaac Ci\iintard was one who signed (with nuiuy 
others) an ap]ieal to the (i<'n<'ral Asscndily fif Con- 
necticut to deliver the meml)ers of the ICpiseopal 
Church from paying tithes to the Congregational 
Church. 

Mr. Quintard married Mrs. CUirissa (Hoyt) Shay. 
They have had five children, — (ieorge W., a leading 
business man of New York City ; Charles Todd, 
Episcopal Bishop of Tennessee; Ivlward Augustus, a 
heavy coal oiierator; Mary C. (Mrs. Uul'us Hoyt); 
and Virginia (Mrs. Augustus '\V. Payne, of New- 
York City). 

For many years he has occupied either the jiosition 
of vestrynuin or wanh'U of St. .lolin's Episcopal 
Church, Stamford. 

In early life Jlr. (Quintard was a Whig in jiolitics, 
and on the organization of the Reiuiblicau jiarty be- 
came an unswerving sniijiorter of its principles. 

In all the relations of life Mr. (|uinfard has ever 
been an honest, refined, and unassuming g<'ntlenuin. 
He has had for years the comiianionship of the better 
classes of this country and Europe, and <-an look back 
on an unusually long life without a wisli to alter or 
erase one act inscribed on the tal)let of memory, and 
has the satisfaction of knowing that his descendants 
are honored with the esteem and confidence of all 
who know them, and are occupying positions of ex- 
ceptional trust, honor, and worth, and filling their 
places with marked ability. 



AVILLIAM II. DIBBLE. 

William H. Diblile, son of Ezra and ( 'lari.ssa 
(Weed) Dilible, was born in Stamford, .Ian. 4, ISU. 

His ]iaternal grandfather, Nehemiah, lived in Dan- 
bury, where also resided liis two brothers, Daniel and 
Joseph. .\11 were noted for hiugevify, Nehemiah 
dying agrd about ninrty, Daniel about ninety-five, 
and Josejib in his one hundred and first year. Dur- 
ing the Kevohition, (len. Tryon, in comnnind of 
British tnxjps, visited Danbury and burned the en- 
tire village with the exception of Nehemiah's house, 
which lie nuide his hea(lc|uarters. This house was 
taken down about 1S70, and many ]ico]ile came to 
secure j>ieees as rrlics of the (dden time. 

Ezra, son of Nehennah, was born in Oanliury. and, 
after learinng the hatter's trade there, came to Stam- 
ford and established a hat-manufiu'tory, marrying, 
Dec. LT), ISOS, Clarissa, daughter of Benjamin Weed, 
of an old Stamford fiunily. Her father was an oflicer 
in the Kevohition, where he received three bullets, 
which he carried during life. 

Mr. Dibble, in connection with his manufacturing, 
established three wholesale stores in Charleston, 
S. C, and Eichmoud and Norfolk, Va. In 1817 



r40 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



he retired from business, going back to Danbury. 
After ten year^^' residence there lie again moved to 
Stamford, and bought the place where his son Wil- 
liam now lives. He had by inheritance forty acres 
of land, lying immediately opposite his purchiuse, 
which Nehemiah had bought after the Revolution for 
one |)()und per acre. In 1827, when Mr. Dibble made 
this iHirchase, there wa-s but one house between his 
residence and the village. Mr. Dibble died with sun- 
stroke, aged seventy-si.\ years, leaving two sons, Wil- 
liam IT. and Samuel IJenjamin. 

From the removal to Stamford, William H. was the 
real head of the family. Jlis father knowing nothing 
of farming, William had to supervise everything, 
and from that time he has resided there as proprietor. 
About 184«, Mr. Dibble opened a select boarding- 
house for summer entertainment of the elite of New 
York City. He has conducted this since that time, 
entertaining sometimes as many as eighty guests at 
once. He has also engaged largely in fruit culture, 
and has now some twenty acres of choice varieties of 
large and small fruits. He has been very successful 
in business and extremely fortunate in dealing in 
stocks, and holds a high financial .standing. 

Mr. Dibble married, Ai)ril 1!), 183.i, Ann Eliza, 
daughter of Alpheus Webber, of Kinderhook, N. Y. 
She died in 18.39. They had one child, Harriet E., 
who lives with her father. June 26, 1840, he married 
Mary Ann, daughter of Philip and Aurelia (Booth) 
Walker, of Bridgeport. She was born Dec. 28, 1813. 
Their children attaining maturity are Mary Catha- 
rine (Jlrs. Benjamin F. Mosher, of (ireenwich ; she 
died Aug. !), 18(39, leaving one daughter, Clara Dib- 
ble, who has been cared for by Mr. and Mrs. Dibble 
ever since) and Carrie Augusta, who died Aug. 5, 
1876, aged twenty-three years. 

Samuel B. Dibble wa.s born Sept. 1, 1813. He 
went as a dry-goods dealer to New Jersey when only 
fifteen, and established in Rahway and Trenton. He 
lived there some years, married, and moved to New 
York, his wife's former home, and shortly afterwards, 
March, 1843, died, aged not quite forty years. 



CAPT. BENJAMIN L. WAITE. 

Benjamin St. Leger Waite, son of Capt. Isaac 
Waite and Elizabeth St. Leger, was born in Liver- 
pool, England, the birthplace of his mother, about 
ISO.-). 

His father was born in Portland, Maine, about 1774, 
and was for a long time commander of the favorite 
packet-sbij) ".\nna Maria," running between New 
York and Liverpool. He was one of the oldest navi- 
gators engaged in tlie packet business, and even at 
that early day the foundation of the jiacket jiopularity, 
which grew to such a magnitude of prosperity, was 
strongly laid. He dieft at AVe.sti>ort, Conn., Feb. 14, 
1849, much respected. 

Capt. B. L. Waite was trained to the sea from 



infancy, cro.ssing the Atlantic repeatedly while but a 
child. His education, begun in England, was finished 
in New York. His taste for a seaman's life became 
so marked that at the age of sixteen, having finished 
the .study of navigation, his father sent him in a ship 
to China, that by the discipline of so long a voyage 
he might be the better fitted for his life-work. When 
only nineteen he was placed in command of the Liver- 
pool packet-ship " Superior." In 1832 he Wius made 
captain of the " Pacific," in 1834 of the " Britannia," 
and in 1835 of the " England," — all three of the once 
famous " Black Ball" line of Liverpool packets. 

Capt. Waite very early ac<|uired the re]nitation of 
a skillful and careful navigator, and the confidence 
rei)osed in him by owners and pa.ssengers was well 
justified. During his life he crossed the Atlantic 
more than one hundred and sixty times, and while 
captain of the " Black Ball" line conveyed over 
twelve hundred first-chiss jjassengers, yet never met 
with serious disa.ster, although he encountered some 
of the most severe storms, where promptitude, cau- 
tion, and skill all were needed to save his ship. 
In the " England" he made some of the shortest 
passages ever accomplished by sailing-ships. Nu- 
merous and valuable testimonials from his passen- 
gers show how highly he was ai)prciiated. These 
comprised many of the most distinguished per- 
sons crossing the ocean in his day, and his urbane 
and gentlemanly character and thorough seaman- 
ship alike won confidence and regard. 

As a commander Ca|>t. Waite was unsurpassed. 
When his quick, clear, full voice was heard from the 
deck every man was on the alert, and his sailors be- 
came so attached to him that they would wait weeks 
to re-ship with him. Resolute and without fear in the 
hour of danger, he had a large amount of tenderness 
and charity, and never soiled his manhood by a cruel 
act. He fully exemplified the truth that " the bravest 
are the tenderest," and none who knew him could 
breathe malice against him. 

When steamships surperseded packet-ships in trans- 
portation of first-class paiwengers, and the " Black 
Ball" line was devoted to steerage passengers only, 
Capt. Waite retired from work a veteran, although 
not forty years of age. He was requested and soli- 
cited to assume command of steamships, bnt he did not 
favor them, and at the close of his bust voyage, in 
1843, retired to his home in Westi)ort, Conn. Thi.-i 
was too far from the sea for one so long accustomed 
to its melody, and, selling his |)roperty there, he re- 
moved to Stamford, and fur the hist twenty years of 
his life resided at Sound View, where after an illness 
of more than two years he died. May 11, 1874. 

Capt. Waite was married to Miss Eliza Hayes, of 
New York, Oct. 11, 18,55. She died March 12, 1861. 
The captain .subsequently married, .Tune 17, 1H63, 
Miss Margaret A. Flynn, of Kingston, X. Y., who 
still survives. 

^Ve append a few press notices and other testinio- 




^ ^ £€y,/ /'cd^Lt^i^ '^ ^/ ^Of />,' 




Uz-C^-n A^ff-^ 



y 



STAMFORD. 



741 



nials as better tributes to his wortli tliau any wonls 
of ours. 

^V-»' Yuri: Hinilil, J[ay 12, 1S74: "When sailing- 
ships were tlie only eominunieation witii ICurope, lie 
was kunwn as one of the most intrepid as well as 
skillful anil eareful of navigators. Numerous stories 
of his feats while commanding the 'Black Ball' ship 
'England' are still spun by old 'sea-dogs' with a 
readiness and zest that are in themselves good trib- 
utes to Capt. Waite's ability. The afl'ectionate ref- 
erences made in them to the ' old man' ap|)ar<'ntly 
indicate a nuxriner of almost fabulous age, and yet 
Capt. Waite had but reached thirty-nine years." 

Ken' Yiirk Siindmi Atlas: "The worthy comnum- 
der of the ' England,' Capt. Benjamin Waite, is justly 
entitled to the cognomen 'The I'riiice oi' Captains.' 
In our foreign news we (imittcd to state that Capt. 
Waite had undoubtedly saved the lives of a shi|>'s 
company, which he did liy suiijdying them with pro- 
visions and a compass. This was done by means of 
his life-luiat (one of the first eonstnu'te<l by Francis), 
and under eicumstances when any other l)cjat wnuM 
uudimbteilly have swamped, as it was blowing a gale 
and the sea was very high and breaking. We know 
this, that our old friend Waite felt more pleasure in 
ivlieving the wants of his distressed fellow-beings 
with his life-boat than he ever could exjierience by 
receiving silver plate tor stutling liis passengers with 
champagne and canvas-back ducks." 

ti'. M. yeirii, February, 1S41 : " The gentlemanly 
character of Capt. Waite, ad<le<l to his consummate 
skill in the numagement of his vessel, has always in- 
sured the respect and confidence of those who have 
been his passengers, and elicited frequent and valu- 
able tokens of well-deserved compliment." 

From a Liverpool paper: "The ship 'England' 
arrived yesterday in nineteen days from New York, a 
renuirkably short passage. On Saturday the cabin 
passengers entertained Cajit. Waite at the ' King's 
Arms,' and the chairman agreeably surprised him by 
presenting him, in the name of the company, with a 
beautifully chased, massive, and solid gold snulf-bo.K, 
valued at sixty pounds, assuring him that it was only 
an acknowledgment of his skill as a seaman and his 
courteous de]iortment as a gentleman, of which they 
had had abundant evidence during the voyage. The 
bo-x bears a suitable inscription, and is tlie rltn nth 
testimonial of the sort that Capt. Waite has received 
from passengers." 

From a New York paper: "The bell rang; Capt. 
Waite, 'a good fellow and true,' made his appear- 
ance. His ruddy and good-natured face, lighted up 
with a smile for every one, diffused a new feeling 
among the company. ' How is it,' thought we, 'that 
some men possess the faculty of making all around 
them hapjiy and satisfied, while otlu'r people produce 
on the spectator a completely opposite result?' We 
looked at Capt. Waite intently to see if we could un- 
ravel the anomaly. There he was, with hi.s straw hat 



bound with a yellow ribbon, moving among the pas- 
sengers, taking olf the names with the ulmnst good 
humor, and being introduceil to the belies who were 
going in his noble shi|). He was atfable, courteous, 
and kind, and all seemed at once to repose confidence 
in his skill and judgment as a seaman. ]Iis [lasseu- 
gers looked up to him as a comnumder into whose 
hands they would willingly commit their safety. The 
same I'eelings came over us, and we could not tell 
wliy. There is a something in the face of a num that 
bespeaks his character more broadly than all your 
phrenological lore." 

An aut(pgra|ih letter from the renowneil Charles 
Kend)le contained the following: — 

"Snii- ' Pacific,' Sept. 1, l.S.'!2. 

" Rc-foti-nl, — That we return our grateful thanks to 
Capt. B. L. Waite for his urbane and gentlemanly 
eon<luct during our ])assage, and take jdeasure in 
exiires-iing our full confidence in his skill and care as 
a navigator." — Charlks Kicmui.e, FitAXcics Anne 
Ki'.MBLi':, and twenty others. 

This was acconiiianied with an elegant silver 
pitcher, with an aiJiiro|)riate inscription. These are 
but a few of hundreds of testimonials that might bo 
given. 

ALFRED IIOYT. 

Alireil Hoyt was burn in Stand'onl, Conn., .Tan. 1.'), 
18i:!. He was tlie only son id' Silas and ('harlotte 
(Smith) Hoyt. His family has for years been ac- 
counted one of Stamford's worthiest. Kev. Mr. Hun- 
tington says, in his "History of Stamford," of Mr. 
Hoyt's great-grandfather, "Abraham Hoyt, son of 
Benjamin, who was the son of Benjamin, who was the 
son of Simon, the inoneer, was born in Stamford in 
1704. He was a man of solid and substantial worth, 
and was much in public life. He was also an active 
member of the ('ongregational Church. . . . His de- 
scendants are very numerous, and they have l)een as 
enterprising as tliey are numerous." Simon Hoyt, or 
Halt, was doubtless one of the earliest settlers in the 
town, dying here in 16.'»7. 

Silas Hoyt, grandfather of Alfred, was born March 
2, ]7.'58-t!!t, and died in .lanuary, 182.">. He served in 
the Bevoliition, was selectman and reared a large 
fiunily, and built the house in which Alfred now re- 
sides. Alfred's father was born in the same place, 
Nov. S, 177o. He ilied March 22, lsr)2. His wife 
was ('harlotte, daughter of Stephen Snuth, Esq., of 
Stamford. All'red was educated in the private schools 
of Stamford. His home has always been where ho 
now resides. Shortly after arriving at nuinhood his 
father relinquished to him the maiuigeraent of his 
business, wbicli, in course of time, was also iidierited 
by him. In 1888, Mr. Hoyt engaged in the West 
India trade in company with Capt. William Lock- 
wood. This copartnership existed till 184.'i, when it 
was dissolved liy the death of Cajit. Lockwood, and 
Mr. Hoyt sold his interest. They first built the 



742 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



" Juliii Ann," one liundrcd tons, and ran her to San 
Domingo, trading in pine-apples, etc Tliey suc- 
ceeded the " Julia Ann" with the barque " Texidor," 
two hundred tons, and that by the " Henry Delaficld." 
One of tlicse vessels was wrecked, and, while another 
one was building, Capt. Lookwood died, and Jfr. Hoyt 
severed his connection with coniinercc. 

Mr. Hoyt has never sought public position, but has 
been willing to take a share of those duties and has 
held various local offices, and represented Stamford 
in the Legislature in 1864, 1865, and 1869. He is in- 
spector of votes in the First National Bank of Stam- 
ford, and has been for years. 

Mr. Hoyt believes that every citizen is interested 
in every election, and since he was of age has not 
failed to vote at a State or Presidential election. In 
politics he was an Old-Line Whig, but since the for- 
mation of the Ee])ublicaii ]>arty has voted and acted 
with that. 

He is an attendant of the Congregational Church, 
and a liberal supporter of it. 

Mr. Hoyt married, Nov. 4, 1868, Miss Emily Knowl- 
ton, daughter of Rev. Farnham Knowlton and Sarah 
(Ingersoll) Knowlton, of (ireenwieh. Mr. Knowlton 
graduated at Hamilton College, New York, in 1826, 
and for many years was an acceptable Haptist clergy- 
man. Mrs. Hoyt was born in Stanwich, town of 
Greenwich. Her great-grandfather and his brother 
lived in Ashford, Conn. Both were officers in the 
American army of the Revolution. One was cap- 
tain ; the other, colonel. The latter was killed at the 
battle of Harlem Heights. The family has ever been 
patriotic and brave. Gen. N. B. Lyon, who fell in 
the late civil war, and whose death was so much re- 
gretted, was a cousin of her father. 



ISAAC SELLECK. 

Isaac Sellock, fourth and youngest son of Joseph 
and Phcbc Selleck, was born in Stamford, Conn., 
where his parents were old residents, in 1807. His 
ancestors were Puritans, and his parents were brought 
up in the Congregational belief. In middle life they 
were converted to tlie Methodist faith, and were 
among the first to join the first Methodist Episcopal 
organization in the town of Stamford. Their hou.sc 
was for many years the home of the weary and worn 
itinerants of early ^Methodism, and they also enter- 
tained some of the most eminent preachers in the 
connection, among whom was Bisliop Asbury, first 
bishop of the church. They lived many years 
lionorcd and beloved, and died in the fullness of 
time, worthy members of the church of their choice. 

Isaac Selleck was educated at the common schools 
of Stamford, and followed his father's avocation, a 
farmer, and all of his life occupied the old home- 
stead, and, what is ^vwrthy of note, died in the same 
room where he was born, atter sixty-seven years' resi- 
deuce in the same house. 



Mr. Selleck married, Nov. 7, 18;i0, Pliebe, daughter 
of Ebenczer and Phcbc (Todd) Webb, also of an old 
Stamford family. She was born Aug. 15, 1808. For 
forty-four years this Christian couple lived hajjpily 
together, when death canceled their bond of earthly 
union, leaving the partner of his youth and rii)er 
years to lay down the endearing appellation of wife 
and assume the lonely one of widow. 

Mr. Selleck was a man of strong character, of slow 
and deliberate action, quiet and retiring in his 
nature, and only accepting positions of honor and its 
matters of Christian duty, and it was mostly in con- 
nection with his church that his greatest activity was 
shown. The inheritor of a comfortable estate, hi- 
industry and economy, supplemented by the care and 
prudence of his wife, placed him in circumstances 
where he was able to contribute largely to the church 
he loved. He was in politics an unswerving advo- 
cate of right, and on the organization of the Rc- 
jniblican l)arty became a meml)er of it. From a 
personal sketch of the life and character of Mr. Sel- 
leck, prepared by Rev. H. F. Pease, a former pastor 
and friend of years' standing, we abstract the follow- 
ing: 

"At eighteen years of age j\Ir. Selleck was con- 
verted and joined the Jlethodist Episcopal Church 
in its days of feebleness in Stamford, and soon becanu- 
to it an clement of strength. He Wius early made an 
officer and for years was steward and trustee, dis- 
charging the duties with fidelity and acceptability. 
When ai)pointed to Stamford charge, in 1847, I first 
met Brother Selleck, and found him one of the most 
regular attendants on Divine woi-ship, and one ol' 
the mo.st liberal su[)portcrs of the church. An ajipeal 
to save the church from a crushing debt was re- 
sponded to in a most liberal manner, but by none 
with greater liberality than Mr. Selleck. The so- 
ciety to this day is largely indebted for its prosperity 
to that liberality in the days of its feebleness. Mr. 
Selleck's piety Wiis not demon.strativc. It had little 
of the noisy clement in it, yet for principle, sincerity, 
constancy, and true God-fearing, not many at the 
present day excel it. It has been said that he was 
not progressive, — did not keep up with improvements 
in this fast age of the world. In rejdy we would 
say no man should be ]>rogressive in the way .some 
are, for their progress is away from policy, ]>rinciple, 
and truth. Neither should all be progressive in the 
sense in which it is proper for others to be. Mr. Sel- 
leck's progress was not one always in the direction of 
the last popular wind, but rather that of the j)rophet 
Jeremiah: 'Stand ye in the ways, and see and ask 
for the old palliK, where is the good way, and walk 
therein, and yc shall find rest for your souls.' That 
cannot be bad progress that brings to Christ, to rest, 
and to heaven. For sixty-seven years he was an 
epistle known and read of all men, and his neighbors 
and fellow-townsmen will bear witness that he was a 
man of the strictest veracity and most unbending 



I 




{^ d-^^xc^ eJ-c.-uit<^ 



I 




TIMOTHY REYNOLDS. 



STAMFORD. 



U3 



inteijjrity, — liis word as giiod as his bond, neithor 
needing' legal process to rul'oree their olilicatioii. 
His death was sudden, hut who (hat knew him doubts 
that it was sate? that in his ease sudden death was 
sudden glory ?'' 

His death oeeurred Nov. <^ 1S74. :Mrs. .^elleck, 
with her sifter, still resides at the old home, 7uaiu- 
taining the same Cliristian hospitality that was ever 
dispensed there, and waiting, patiently, the summons 
to join her husband in the "land beyond the river." 

TIMOTHY REYXOLD.?. 

Timothy, son of Aljel and Anna (^Tead) lieymdds, 
was born Mareh 23, 1802, in Roxbury, town of ^-;ani- 
ford. Conn. He was of English aneestry and I'nritan 
stock. His grandfather, Timothy, was eaiitund by 
the Indians during tlie Inilian wars i)revious to the 
Revolution. He was an otfieer liefore the Kevohition, 
and held a ccdonial commission in that war, whii'h 
has been preserved with great care by his descend- 
ant-;. 

Abel Ixeynolds was born in < Ireenwich, and alter 
marriage settled at Roxbnry, where he liveil many 
years as a farnuM-, dying much res]jected about 1S.")0. 

Timothy Reynolds was reared on the farm with Ids 
parents, and. with the other youth of that day, at- 
tended comnum schools winters and "worked on the 
farm'' summers until he was about eighteen years ohl. 
Then he went to learn the carpi'uter's trade with an 
uncle, George Reynolds, in f<tanwicii, and remained 
with him until after he was twenty-one. Commen- 
cing business for himself, he worked at his trade until 
his love of home life and failing health caused him to 
cease that business and become a farmer. He mar- 
ried, Xov. m, 1X27, I'rndence, daughter of Solomon 
and Susannah Smith. Slie was liorn in Stamford, 
April fi, 1.S04. Her fannly was one of tlic old-time 
fonulies in this town, emigrating originally from Eng- 
land to Long Island, and from thence to Stamford. 

Mr. Reynolds was a farmer, frank ami outspoken, 
without anytliing savoring of fraud or deceit in his 
nature; never seeking ollieial position, but often 
called upon to settle estates, which he did to the sat- 
isfaction of those interested, (iuiet, loving home and 
its associations, he was a tr.ie friend, and honored 
and respected by all. He died Aug. 2:!, IXi;:!. 

He was an Old-Line Whig, and l)eeame a l!ei>iil)li- 
can on the organization of that jiarty. 

Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds were for years members of 
the Methodist E]nseoiial Chtiri-h, ami always lil)eral 
supi)orters of the same. Since Mr. Reynolds' death 
Mrs. Reynolds lias, among many gifts, eoidributed the 
sites of the Roxbury Methodist Episcoj)al cliiirch and 
its parsonage. 

For thirty-six years this worthy eotiple walked 
together life's ])athway, doing each dtity well as it 
presented itself, and lending a helping hand to all 
good enterprises. Since her husband'.s decease Mrs. 



Reynolds has residecl at the old home, continuing the 
same life <if well doing, and.witli all the vivacity and 
eheerliilness of youtli, patiently waiting thi' summons 
to follow her lieloveil husband to "the land beyond 
the riviT." Of them both it can be trtily said, "They 
have done their work well." 



X.\TirANIEL E. AD.AJI,-:. 

Th<' ancestry of Xathaiiiel K. .Vdams were not only 
men <if rejiute in New England, but the line goes back 
and develops itself in many a page of history in "Jler- 
rie Englaml." Tlie full genealogy of the .Vdams 
fannly is now in course of preparatimi, an<l we will 
not trace the lineage farther than to John, grand- 
father of Nathaniel, who was a worthy citizen of 
(ireenwich. Conn. His son .T(j|in married Mary 
Hobby, and Natlniniel K.. his son, was born in (ireen- 
wicli, .July 7, 1807. 

Xathaidel jiassed his childhood on the old Itome- 
stead with his jiareiits, and was ajiprentieed at an 
early age to a earjicnter in Stamford, to learn, as in 
those days expressed, the art and mystery of carpenter- 
ing. He was an apt student, learned his trade thor- 
otighly, and began business for himself liefore he was 
twenty-tme, but, by engaging with a drunken jiart- 
ner, not oidy lost his hard-earned capital, but became 
inilrbted four humlred dollars to various ]iersons. 
That was a larger amount than many times that sum 
would be now, for he was compelled to go to IS'ew 
York, where he obtained work from Locke & Cole- 
man, on Scuilder's iluseum, but was forced to Ikutow 
money t(j [irovide tin- the necessities of his family, and 
it was two years before the last (jf the indebtedness 
was paiil. He remained in Xew Y(U'k ten years, then, 
returning to Stamtiinl, he became a coal- and lumber- 
dealer, ajid commenced to deal ill real estate by pur- 
chasing a lot id' land .and laying it out, in 18."i(l, into 
lots, surveying new streets, and building and selling 
houses, so tliat where was a wild waste of almost 
valueless land is now a beautiful p<n'tion of the vil- 
lage of Stamford. Mr. Adams is emphatically a self- 
made man, and has iuvarialdy been the advocate of 
law, order, and im]irovement. He is of winning 
manners, of great ami pleasing conversational powers, 
and jiossesses a remarkable faculty of applying poeti- 
cal i|Uotati<jns to any subjei't under conversation. His 
memory is wonderful and his reading extensive. He 
has a largi' fund (d' humor, and is of a most cheerful 
temiieranuiit. In IsiM, carrying letters of introduction 
to I'resident J.,iiu'oln from ex-(lov. MiiKU', ex-Con- 
gressman Sndth, and others, lie went to Washington, 
hail a long and jileasant interview with Jh'. Lincoln, 
and finally leased a cotton iilantation of sixteen hun- 
dred and fifty acres in Jjonisiana from the I'liited 
States (Jovernmeul, and commenced raising cotton. 
His iieculiar frankness and honesty wiui him at once 
the friendship of all, even the most bitter rebels, 
and his plantation was protected by tlie Confederate 



r44 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



troops. The experiment promised to he a succe.ss, 
financially and other\vi.se, but through a defaulting 
partner and the ravages made on the growing crop by 
caterpillars he lost ten thousand dollars. After this 
disastrous termination of his venture, Mr. Adams 
returned to Stamford, and has ever since resided 
there, luvving, notwithstanding his los.s, a very hand- 
some competency. He is a member of the First Con- 
gregational Church of Stamford, and has been for 
more than forty years a deacon. AVith a strong love 
for children, he has been an ardent Sabbath-school 
worker, both as teacher and superintendent. 

Mr. Adams ca-st his first vote, as a Democrat, for 
Simeon H. !Minor for member of Legislature, and by 
it gave him his majority of one. Afterwards Mr. 
Adams became a Whig, then a Republican. He was 
for many years, and until disqualified by age, a 
magistrate, and by his decisions and actions in that 
capacity drew warm encomiums from the best citi- 
zens. ' 

Mr. Adams married Sarah Ann Dixon, of an old 
Stamford family, March 23, 1820. She was born in 
New York, May 2.3, 180G. Their children were 
Charles W., James E. (deceased), Julia H. (who is 
the widow of Brevet Lieut.-Col. Alfred M. Powell, 
U.S.A.), James E. (deceased), John, Franklin. 



JOnX CLASON. 

In the early records of Stamford appears the name 
of Clason, Cloyson, Clawson, — all different spellings 
of the same name. At the assignment of land by lot, 
Dec. 26, 1699, there were sixty-nine lots drawn by 
seventy-five persons. Of these Stephen Clawson drew 
the first. 

Among the soldiers of the Revolution were Na- 
thaniel, Isaac, Samuel, and Stephen Cla,son. 

From that day to the present has the Clason 
family been domiciled in Stamford, and now the his- 
torian records with pleasure the leading incidents in 
the life of one who may justly be called a representa- 
tive man of the family. 

John Clason, son of Benjamin and Nancy (Ayres) 
Clason, was born Sept. 8, 1825. The educational ad- 
vantages of a farmer's son, in those days, were mostly 
comprised in the three months' winter term of school 
in the country school-house. Such, .John received 
wliile he remained at home. He commenced the 
active duties of life, however, for himself at the age 
of fifteen, and, as he could afford it, supplemented, 
from time to time, his early education by instruc- 
tions under .John Lycll, A.M., a graduate of the 
University of Edinburgh, Scotland, with a view to 
civil engineering as a profession, for which he thor- 
oughly prepared himself in the mathematical branches. 
In 1S.")1 he entered the store of Alanson Studwell, at 
Stamford, a* a clerk, a<W stayed one year. For about 
two years subsequently he was a teacher in the i)ub- 
lic schools. 



About 1844, Mr. Clason purchased a farm, engaged 
in farming and dealing in native timber, and enjoying 
the reputation of being the most successful farmer 
(financially and otherwise) Stamford had ever pro- 
duced, until about 1862, when he sold his farm, con- 
tinuing, however, farming operations on a small place 
of twenty acres, which he has brought to a high stiind- 
ing in productiveness. 

Mr. Clason has held all of the local offices con- 
nected with schools in the town, and was member of 
the Board of Education for four years, resigning his 
position when elected judge of Probate. He was 
elected member of Legislature from Stamford in 18.51, 
and was the youngest member of th.at body. In 1854 
he again represented his town in the Legislature, and 
from 1871 to 1875, five years, held the same position, 
a length of continued service, in that capacity, un- 
precedented in Stamford since the adoption of the 
Constitution in 1818. In 1855 he wa.s elected as- 
sessor, and held that office twenty-five years. He was 
elected judge of Probate in 1876, and re-elected in 
1878, and has rendered entire satisfaction in the 
performance of his judicial duties. He has held, 
also, various other town offices, such as justice, etc. 
He was for several years a director of Stamford Sav- 
ings Bank, resigning that office, in accordance with 
the law of the statute, to become a director of Stam- 
ford National Bank. In politics Judge Chison was 
originally a Whig, afterwards a Republican. He is a J 
generous supporter of all churches, societies, and en- 
terprises that tend to elevate, improve, or educate 
mankind. In the Legislature, Mr. Clason Wius, cni- 
])li,atically, a working member, clear-headed and 
practical, and in committee work a patient and care- 
ful investigator, opposed to all "jobbery," and with 
judgment rarely at fault. Strictly honorable and up- 
right, the repeated number of times his fellow-towns- 
men have called him to office evidence their appre- 
ciation of these qualities. He has never married. 



WILLIAM W. SCOFIELD. 

William Wallace Scofield was born in Stamford, 
Conn., March 2, 182.5. His father was Amzi and his 
mother Polly (Davenport) Scofield. 

The Scofield family is an old .Stamford family. In 
the town records, under date of Dec. 7, 1(!41, mention 
is made of an award of a home-lot and wood-land to 
" Dan Scoffcld." From this hardy ])ioneer have i>ro- 
cceded many branches of this family, until at this 
writing the name is borne by more people in Stam- 
ford than any other. 

The jiaternal great-grandfallur of W. W. Scofield 
was Peter Scofield, and his grandfather was Warren. 
This grandfather married a daughter of Cajrt. Reuben 
Scofield, who was a captain of the town guards in the 
Revolution. Both Reuben and Peter were deacons 
in the Congregational Church, and both served in 
the French and Indian war under Gens. Abercrombie 





^(T, 











'Vi . 



h 



^ -,<r&^ "f^sru^Cl 



*v.>- 





STAMFOED. 



745 



and Aiiitiorst. An inciilent will sIkiw the rrady wit 
of Peter. The old man, theii atred almut ninety 
years, had been an active niendier nf a militia troop. 
8')me of the members of the eompany were going to 
honor him with a salute as they passcMl his house on 
their return from " trooping." Peter was sitting at 
the winilow, and when their pistols snapped, and they 
were going to ride away, he rushed to the door and 
shouted, " Hold on, boys. I will bring you a eoal of 
fire." Peter was ninety-one or ninety-two years old 
wiien he died, and Reuben was ninety-three. 

"Warren had but one son, Am/.i, who was burn Sept. 
2G, 17fl4. He remained on the old homestead, and, 
like his associates, did much towards develo]iing the 
resources of the country. In that era niamnii>th Hre- 
place-s W'ere the rule, and the gigantic " liaek-logs" 
used in them were drawn into jilaee liy a horse. He 
received a conimon-school education, stayed with his 
parents until he was about twenty-four, when he built 
a house on the farm, and marricil, Nov. 24, 1813, 
Polly A., daughter of Doodate and Abigail (Sanibrd) 
Davenport, old settlers of New Canaan. She wa.s 
born June 19, ITilfi, and still is living, with mind ac- 
tive, looking years younger than many women not 
nearly as old. Mr. Scotield was his father's sole heir, 
and carried on the farm. He <iied Feb. 20, 1,S()3. His 
surviving children arc Amzi L., ( 'yriis, William W., 
Abigail, and Louisa. 

A\'illiani W. spent his early years on the old home- 
stead, attaiiung a country boy's ediu/ation at the com- 
mon schools, working on the farm in summer, and at- 
tending winter term of school, never, in any year, 
receiving more than four months' instruction. He 
remained on the farm until the breaking out of the 
"California fever," in 184it, when he joined the num- 
ber going to the new El Dorado. Arriving tlierc, he 
went at once to the mountains ami worked at mining 
for a year, returning to Connecticut after an absence 
of eighteen months. Pie had fair success, notwith- 
standing the evil effects of a severe attack of Panama 
fever, from which he did not fully recover during his 
stay in California. On his return home Mr. Scoficld 
resumed farming, aiul remained witli his ]iarcnts 
until his marriage, which occurred Dec. 17, ^'^•'^■'>. lie 
married Louisiana C, daughter of .luhn and Luciniui 
(Kobinson) Mead. Her father was a tailor, a native 
of England, and for nuiny years imported goods from 
that country, crossing the Atlantic seventeen times in 
so doing. Mrs. Scofudd was born Sept. P2, 18:'>4. 
Their children are Isaac "SI., born Mandi 8, l.S.">!); 
Frank R., born May 2',t, b-^Cl ; .Mary Louisa, born 
Nov. 5, ISfi.S. 

Since his marriage Mr. Scolield has resided on his 
farm, and has been ever a (iractical, ]u-oi;ressive agri- 
culturist, quick to see, and avail himself of, improve- 
naents in his avocation, and enjoys a high standing in 
the estimation of his fellow-townsmen, not only for 
his personal worth, but ibr the good culture and con- 
dition of his land, and he may justly be jilaccd as an 
48 



example lor others. He has made this good farming 
pay, and so may others. He has hcdd vari<ius ofiices 
in the gift of the pcojde, has been on tlie boanl c)f re- 
lief, was selectnuin for six years, and under the con- 
solidation was member of scIuhiI coninuttee for six 
years. In jxilitics was an Old-Line Whig, but in 1S58 
was elected repres<'ntative from Stamford to the State 
Legislature by thi' " k'now-Notliings." Since the 
formation of the Repuldii-an party he has supported 
its candidates and principles. 



.^ETir P. COOIC. 
Seth Smith Cook, son of Henry and Hetty (Smith) 
Cook, was l)orn at Long Ridge, town of Stamford, 
(Jonn., Aug. 22, 1823. His maternal grandfather was 
Seth, and Mr. Cook being the first son in the family 
was given liis grandfather's name. His maternal 
grandmother's maiden name was Prudence Waring. 
His ])aternal graiulfather, William, came from Eng- 
land about 178r) and settled ([iroliably] on Long 
Island, in the vicinity of New York. He reared a 
large fanuly. His son Henry, father of Seth S. 
Cook, came to Stamford in 1819 and settled at Long 
Ridge, and engaged in cabinet-making and undertak- 
ing, wdiich he followed for more than fifty years. He 
was a man diligent in his busiiu'ss, nf a warm, social 

I nature, and one of the original mendiers of the Tni- 

I versalist Cliurcli of Long Ridge. He was a man es- 
teemed tor his probity and many good traits (d' cliar- 
acter, and died at a good old age, much respecteil. 

Seth was educated at the common scliools, supple- 
mented by one year's tuition at the Bedford Academy. 
Leaving the academy at the age of about sixteen 
years, lie commenced work with his father in the cab- 
inet-shop. He learned the trade thoroughly, bccom- 

I ing a good workman, aiul continued with his father 
until he was twenty-oiu\ The fall thereafter lie 

I taught a term of district school at High Ridge, then, 
returning home, he worked again at cabinet-work for 

I eighteen months. 

lu 184"i he formed a partnersliip with Hicktbrd 
iMarshall, under the tirm-name of Marshall & Cook, 
to nuuiufacture agricultural machinery. This co- 
partnership lasted seven years, the latter |iart of the 
time being devoted almost exclusivi'ly to manufactur- 
ing chain-pumps. After the disscdulion of this firm 
Mr. Cook went back home, and to the ohi cabinet- 
shop, where for two years he was busily employi'd. 

In IS.').') he entered into partn<'rshii> with V. I>. 
Scofield, with firm-title of S/olield A Cook, Ibr the 
purpose of keeping a c<junlry store and the making 
of shoes. This latter brancli was at first a secondary 
matter, but in the lapse of time has {.rrown t) large 
proportions, and has ])roved to be the great bu-iuess 
of tins part of the town, paying out much money and 
giving employmeiit to quite a nundjer of persons. 
The firm Scofield it Cook existed three years, and 
then Jlr. Charles II. Lounsbury was admitted as 



746 



HISTOllY OF FAIRFIELD COUXTV, CONNECTICUT. 



partner. This cli;iiip:eil tbc firm to Scofield, Cook 
& Co. Ill the spring of ISlUJ, 5Ir. Coolc sohl his in- 
terest to liis partners, and they continued the business 
as Lounsbury & Scofield for one year, Mr. Cook 
during that time representing Stamford in the State 
Legislature. 

In the fall of 1866, Mr. Cook erected the manufac- 
tory used by the firm Cook & Lounsbury. This 
firm was formed in 1867, the members being Mr. Cook 
and Charles H. Lounsbury. From that time to the 
present Jlr. Cook has not only been identified with 
the business, but given it his close personal attention. 
Under the shrewd management, diligence, and active 
efforts of the two partners, the demand lor their 
goods has rapidly increased, and their manufactory 
is to-day occupying a place among the prominent 
manufacturing interests of Stamford. 

Mr. Cook has, besides being representative, been 
assessor, and often jiressed to accept positions of 
public trust, but with these exceptions, he has stead- 
ily refused them, preferring to attend to his own 
business rather than that of others. 

Mr. Cook was one of the three men in Stamford who 
had the moral courage to vote for Martin Van Buren 
as Free Soil candidate for President, and to the same 
convictions that actu.iteil him then he lias steadfastly 
adhered. He never could see how one workiiigraan 
should try to '" lord it " over another, whatever the 
color of his skin. AVith these sentiments he has nat- 
urally affiliated with Kepublieanism since it was a 
))i)litical power, and was by that party elected repre- 
sentative. In 1872 he followed his old leader, Hor- 
ace Greeley, and voted for him for President, return- 
ing to his old bearings after the death of Mr. Greeley. 

Mr. Cook was one of the incorporators of the Citi- 
zens' Savings Bank of Stamford, and has been one of 
its directors since that time. He is also a director 
in the First National Bank of New Canaan, Conn. 

He is a member and a most liberal supporter of the 
Universalist Church, and has been clerk of the one 
at Long Ridge ever since he was twenty-one years 
old. 

Sept. 29, 1851, he married Mary L., daughter of 
George and Louisa (Scofield) Lounsbury. Their 
children are Nettie L., who married Benjamin M., sou 
of Rev. F. H. .Vyres, of Long Ridge, and Mary W., 
aged now eitrht vi'ars. 



CAPTAIN DAVIIJ WATEKBUUY. 
One of the oldest as well as most honorable of 
Stamford families is the Waterbury family. Probably 
none h;is e.vercised more iiiHuence on its liistory. 
John Waterbury came to Stamford soon after the set- 
tlement, had land recorded to him in 1650, and died 
in 1658. From him sprang the numerous families 
now resident here. 1%v lineage is traced in Hunting- 
ton's "History of Stamford," and we will only state 
that David Waterbury, Jr., grandfather of the one 



of whom we write, did excellent service in the French 
and Indian wars, attaining the rank of major. He 
was representing the town in the Assembly at the com- 
mencement of the Revolution, and did good service 
for the colonial cjiuse. (Rev. Mr. Huntington heads 
his list of the military men of that time thus : " There 
were the Waterburys, then known as senior and ju- 
nior, the former long a colonel in the Continental ser- 
vice, who had earned some reputation for good judg- 
ment and military ability in the field, and the latter, 
soon to earn, by his personal fitness for it, the rank 
of a general of brigade.") He was born in Stum- 
ford, Feb. 12, 1722. Probably no other citizen of 
Stamford reached so high a position or did so much 
service for the ITnitcd Colonies as he. He was in the 
confidence and enjoyed the friendship and high es- 
teem of the leaders of the Revolution, and great com- 
plaint was made of his conduct to Tories. He seems 
to have given them no mercy. He was promoted 
from a colonelcy, with which he entered the war, 
to brigadier-general in June, 1776; was captured by 
the English, but soon exchanged. He was a gallant 
soldier, an able officer, and a brave man. After re- 
turning to Stamford he was selectman and rei)resen- 
tative. He died June 29, 1801, leaving one .son, 
Capt. William Waterbury, fourth, who w:ls born Oct. 
10, 1765, and died .Ian. 10, 1842. He was long in 
public business, and showed the fiimily trait of re- 
sistance to oppression in his persistent refusal to i)ay 
the annual tax for the Congregational society, ex- 
pending money as freely to establish freedom fron'i 
the church as he had freely given his services to es- 
tablish freedom from British tyranny. He married 
Mrs. Sally Je-ssup, daughter of Philip Lockwood, 
of Greenwich, and his eldest son, David, was born in 
Stamford, April 17, 1819. This was the present Capt. 
David Waterbury. He remained with his ])arents, 
and had such common-school advantages as the jilacc 
and times afl'orded, until he wiu« about fifteen, when 
he shipped as a sailor, at twelve dollars per month, 
on a market-boat trading weekly between Stamford 
and New York. He pa.ssed through the' various 
grades of first hand, etc., rising steadily, until, before 
his twentieth birthday, he was captain of the " Rival," 
a sloop of about fifty tons. Capt. Waterbury contin- 
ued in that business until 1852, when, in company 
with Kdmunil Lockwood and Lewis Waterbury, he 
purchased the steamer " William W. Frazier." The 
company ran her as a daily pa.ssenger- and freight- 
boat between Stamford and New York, Capt. Lock- 
wood commanding her, Capt. Waterbury being super- 
intendent, agent, etc., with office at Stamford. In 
18.59 the "Frazier" was suiierseded by the " Ella," 
which the same company built. The "Ella" was 
run on this route until 1862, when they sold her to 
the United States Government, and Capt. Lockwood 
retired from business. The two remaining of the 
firm, with Oliver Scofield, built the "Stamford," 
and in 1863 placed her on the same route as the 



I 




^Ct^7:,^/7}^a^^>^T^c<yy 




KICHMO>fD FOX. 



STAMFORD. 



747 



"Ella." The lU'xt year tliry sold the " Stainrdnl," 
and then a f-tock ti>ni]iany liiiilt the sliip " Ann," of 
about live hunilri.'d tons, and in IMJ.'i placed her on 
the same route, f^he eontinned running here until 
May, ]S7(I, when she was burned at the wharC at 
IStaniford, together witli the storehouse and <ilhcr 
property of the eoni|iany, tlie entire loss l>eing al.iout 
seventy thousand dollars, only one-half eovere<l by 
insurance. 

Capt. Waterbnry tlien eonnneneed di'aling in eoal 
and wood, and has continued in tliat till the present. 
After a lapse of three years he became interested in 
the steamboat business again, and is still connected 
therewith. 

C'apf. ^Vaterbnry married, .Tan. 2'1, 1.S42. Sarali ^Nf., 
daughter of .John Selleck, of Stamford. Their sur- 
viving children are Wm. T.. now captain of steamer 
" Meta," running between Stamford ami New York ; 
.John S., an engineer residing in Stamlbrd ; Jlary E., 
wbo married Edwin S. Welib, of llrooklyn ; Sarah 
M. ; ('harles l*"., engaged with Ids father in the coal 
business ; and Lottie A. ]\Irs. Waterbnry died Se])t. 
2(i, 1807. .Vpril 2il, IS"-'), Cai>t. Waterbnry married 
Mrs. Jose|ihine E. C(>ll)y, sister of the first Mrs. 
Waterbnry. l[er parents, .John and Charlotte (Mead) 
iSelleck, were life-long residents of Stamford. Mr. 
ScUeck w.a.s born on the old Selleck homestead, and 
lived within half a mile of there all his life. 

The life of Caittain Waterluiry jjresents a good ex- 
ample of what a poor boy, aided by honesty, integ- 
rity, and hard work, nniy aceom])lish for himself; 
and he stands to-day. with the confidence and regard 
of his fellow-townsmen, a successful biisiness nnrn, his 
word as good as his bond, and neither ever rejnuli- 
atcd. 

Democratic in p(dilics, he has preferred holding 
fast to the good old ways rather than going into bril- 
liant but ra'ih speculations. He has never taken an 
active part in pcditii-s, always voting ipiietly, as he 
thought be<t, and for the Ix'st man, irres]>ective of 
party, in local matters. I'.road and liberal in his re- 
ligious views, he for years has been a mend)cr of tlie 
Universalist Church. 



RICHMOND FOX. 
Richmond Imix was born at Newlield, town of Stam- 
ford, Conn. lie was the son of Kicliard ami Clara 
(Scofield) Fox. His childhood and youth werepa.ssed 
in Stamford, aeciniring a comnn)n-school education 
and learning the carpenter's trade. Soon after liis 
twenty-first birthday Mr. Fox went to the Southern 
States to take cluirge of a nnmufaeturing establish- 
ment, and tor five years was alisent from .Stamford. 
Returning after that length of time, he worked at 
carpentering in Stamford lor two years, going then 
to Fairfield, ami, after a short space of time, to Bridge- 
port, where he remained long enough — six months — 
to become acquainted with Miss Mary E. IJIakeman, 



whom he marrieil Dec. 24, 1X48. She was born in 
Woodbury, Jjitchlield Co., Conn., Nov. 2, lS2l,and 
was daughter of David and Sarah (IJammond) IJIakc- 
man. From the time of their marriage Mr. ami Mrs. 
l""ox were residents of Stamford, moving, in tlii's]iring 
of 1S44, to the ]ilace on Strawberry Hill where at the 
present writing Mrs. Fox is resident. 

After a few years' business as contractor and builder, 
Jlr. I'^ox engaged in the mamifacture and sale of lum- 
ber with Mr. ,J(din St. John, under the firm-name 
of Fox & St. ■John. This jiroved a successful finan- 
cial enterprise, and the iiartncrshij) continmMl utitil 
the cleath of Mr. Fox, whi(di occurred Nov. l-'i, 18!i7. 

Jlr. I'ox was of genial dispositioti, positive, blunt, 
ami straightforward in business, social and large- 
hearted in all the relations of life, liberal in relieving 
sutfering, of winiung persomd magnetism and strong 
home love. He was an attendant of the Methodist E]ds- 
copal Church (of which Jlrs. Imjx has been a fiiitliful 
ami consistent mend)er since 183.3), and a liberal con- 
tributor to its support. In person large and hamlsome, 
a stranger would at once be attracted to him, and an 
aciiuaintance would soon ripen into a finer friendship 
as the residt of the candor and integrity of his out- 
spoken luitnre. 

In polities Mr. Fox was an unyielding supporter of 
the principles eminciated by Thonuis Jeft'erson, and 
he, with .\ndrew Jackson, lielieveil thr.t in Democ- 
racy ahun' rested tlie glorious mission of preserving 
the integrity of our Unhm, and giving "the greatest 
good to the greatest number" of all our citizens. 

The children of Jlr. and Mrs. Fox are ilary (Mrs. 
Charles C. Chadwiek), now living at Detroit, Jlich.; 
P^ranklin, (reorge, Emma (deceased), Charles, and 
Sarah Frances (Mrs. Nathan Murdough). 



WILLIA.VI II. TIIOWDUIIICE, M.I>. 

William H. Trowbridge was horn in Danbiiry, 
Conn., Feb. 2, 1X22. His parents lioth came of good 
old English stock, hi.s father, James H. Trowbridge, 
dating hack through six generations direct to Thonuis, 
wdiose three sons, Thomas, James, and William, came 
to America in 1(!.'!4, and his mother, Mary ( IJaidcs) 
Trowbridge, reaching through the Hoyt family back 
to England also. 

When William H. was two years (jld his parents 
nn>ved to Stamford, where bis father engaged in the 
nuinufacturc of hats, which he fiillowed until the 
death of his wifi% wdien he returned to that [lortion 
of Danl)ury m)W called l?ctlud. William received 
his early education in district and j)rivate schools, and 
even in childhood <levcloiied a, fondness for nu'dicine, 
but ke])t his preference secret, feeling that his parents 
were not in such a financial condition as to properly 
help him in pursuit of his studies. When about 
seventeen he desireil to engage as teacher in a district 
schoid, but, yielding to his iiarent-;' wishe-i, he entered 
an api>rjntiec to a tailor in B.'thel, then Danbury, 



748 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



and served faithfully until he was twenty-two years 
old, preferring always, however, the cutting of clothes 
to sewing them up. During these years his books 
were not forgotten, but through his labors and the 
attraction of youthful society, with its rides and 
parties, the idea of surgery was ever before him, 
and while here an accident brought this proclivity 
into prominence. An old man, in an attempt at self- 
destruction, cut his throat, and, in a village like 
Bethel, everybody knew of it and thronged to see, 
among the number was William, then eighteen 
years old. The physician was, on his arrival, en- 
gaged in dressing the gaping wound in the old 
man's throat, with the aid of such help as could be 
obtained from the inexperienced and faint-hearted 
crowd. AVilliam was at once drawn, instinctively, 
to patient and physician. Seeing his interest, the 
doctor said, "Young man, you arc not pale; take 
hold of this and help me, and let these chicken- 
heart-i go away." The youth did such good service, 
holding the lips of the wound, handling dressings, 
etc., so well, that the physician, Dr. Hanford Bennett, 
said, " Boy, you'll be a surgeon some day, and no 
one can help it." 

Finisliing (prem.iturely) his trade, William went 
to Stamford, married Miss Sylvia Peck, and soon 
moved to Orange Co., N. Y., and after two years 
spent in that State returned to Stamford and engaged 
as teacher in the district school, where his early 
school-days were spent. He succeeded, gained repu- 
tation, and soon taught higher grades of school, all 
of the time studying medicine diligently from 5 a.m. 
till school-time, summer and winter, and laboring 
with all his might in the school-room to provide for 
his family and attend medical lectures. Teaching 
and studying alternately, he attended one course at 
Yale, two courses at New York College of Physicians 
and Surgeons, and graduated at Yale Medical Col- 
lege. After spending one year in the office with Dr. 
George Lewis, in New York, he opened an office in 
Stamford, where, excepting his army life, he has 
enjoyed a thriving practice. In the late war of the 
Rebellion, Dr. Trowbridge was first engaged as sur- 
geon of the Twcgty-third Regiment Connecticut 
Volunteers. To this work he was impelled by a 
sense of duty, and left a lucrative and fast increasing 
l)raetice solely tj do good. His regiment proceeded 
to New Orleans with Gen. Banks, and on arriving 
there Dr. Trowbridge sought the medical director of 
that department, and told him he came there for 
v}ork, and if he wa-s needed anywhere he would be on 
hand. As a result, during his stay in the department 
there was not a battle fought in which he was not 
called upon to give service. After the buttle of La 
FoHche Crossing he was called, without assistance, to 
attend to more than two hundred wounded Confeder- 
ate; prisoners. Their injuries ranged from flesh 
wounds to broken skulls and shattered limbs. He 
commenced his work at four o'clock Sundav after- 



noon, and worked incessantly, without sitting down 
to eat, or sleeping, until Tuesday at midnight. The 
day thereafter he was left; in the rebels' hands with 
the wounded, but by them kept in the same place and 
service. This captivity lasted six weeks. Soon after 
he accompanied his regiment to Connecticut, and 
with it w'as mustered out of service on expiration of 
term of enlistment. He was soon selected as surgeon 
of board of enrollment in the Fourth District of Con- 
necticut, and placed on duty at Bridgeport. He 
attended so well to the duties that he held that posi- 
tion till the close of the war, when he was again 
honorably discharged, and returned to his home in 
Stamford. He resumed his professional practice, and 
from that time has been identified with the town, his 
practice and reputation for skill increasing yearly. 
Four of his children have attained maturity. The 
oldest, a teacher, is married and father of four chil- 
dren, yet Dr. Trowbridge remains young, and alert 
and active as of yore. His talents are those of solid- 
ity rather than brilliancy. He is not blatant, nor 
freely expressive of his knowledge, but well posted 
in his profession. He is not a boaster, and despises 
one as much as an intriguer or trickster, and is 
always on good terms with his brethren. He espe- 
cially excels in surgery and midwifery. In both his 
skill is from natural aptitude. His army experience 
has largely aided his skill as a surgeon, while that of 
midwifery has grown upon him, through the excep- 
tionally large practice given him by his gentleness 
and kindliness of manner, aided by an untiring 
patience and a coolness that never flurries to hinder 
his success or make nervous his patient. In this 
department he stands at the head of his profession in 
this section. For many years he has numbered more 
than one hundred obstetric cases per annum, having 
in one year one hundred and forty-four, out of a 
total, in the town, of three hundred and fifty-four. 

CIl.VUNCEY AYRES, M.D. 

The ancestor of the Ayres family in this country 
Wixs a Dr. Ayres, who was a surgeon in the British 
army. He came to America with his regiment dur- 
ing the Revolutionary war. After its close he re- 
signed his commission and permanently locatcil here. 
He had a number of sous, one of whom settled in 
Stamford. The first of the name recorded in Stam- 
ford was Richard Ayres. He was a married man, 
and his son Ebcnczer, born in 171t> and married in 
1739, had a son Reuben, born in 1741. Reuben was 
the father of Jonathan, who married Deborah Sen- 
field. They had nine children. Among these was 
Frederick, born in 1782. He married Rebecca Sey- 
mour, and of their numerous family of children 
Dr. Chauncey Ayres was oldest. 

Chauncey Ayres, M.D., was born in New Canaan, 
Conn., Aug. 8, 1808. He graduated in medicine at 
Yale College in 1S31 ; first opened an oflice in Green- 





(2ayy^(^ 





»/ 








-r^fl^i^^^/^y^,^ 



gg7 





CCJAm 



1(^7^1^ 



STAMFORD. 



719 



wicli, and aftorwanls in Nnw York, and was one of 
the surgeons in tlio Xow York t'holfra Hospital in 
1832. Ho was for a time attaelied to the United 
States Coast Survey as a surgeon. In 1S.'54 lie settled 
permanently in Stamford, where he soon acquired a 
good practice, and where he has since been a resident. 
His first wife wa.s daughter of Dr. Percival, of Darien. 
Their children were a son, now chief engineer 
United States Navy, ami three daughters. The 
second wife was Julia A. Simpson, of I'rooklyn, X. Y. 
They have had tliree children. Dr. Ayres is still in 
active practice, and is the oldest practicing physician, 
save one, in Fairfield County. Dr. Ayres has been 
located in Stamford for forty-six years, and of all 
who were practicing in the county in 1S.34, the year 
he located liere, all are dead but Dr. Ayres and Dr. 
Mead, of Greenwich. 

Dr. Ayres has enjoyed the confidence and esteem 
of the community through a very long jirofessional 
life, luis been called to fill various positions of honor 
and trust, and to-day, among the many aspirants for 
the pojiular good-will, none carry with them a greater 
]iortion than Dr. Ayres, and no professional man, for 
years, will have the broad circle of friends and the 
extensive practice which he ijossesses. 



CIl.-iRI.E.? C. LOCKWOOD. 

Charles C. Lockwood, .son of Ebenezer and Pidly 
Lockwood, was born Aug. 20, 182:!, in Stamford, 
Conn. His father was a farmer and stock-dealer. 
He also was born in Stamford. Mrs. Lockwood 
died when Charles was three years old. After re- 
maining with his father till he was about twelve 
years of age, Charles went to Glean, Cattaraugus Co., 
N. Y., with a cousin, Dr. Andrew Mead, and attended 
school two years. Keturniiig to his father's homo 
in Stamford, after a short attendance at school, he 
shipped as a common sailor on a vessel leaving New 
York. Following the sea two years, he returned to 
Stamford and taught district school for two years, 
and then engaged in the cattle trade with his father, 
buying cattle in Chicago, and other points in llie 
West and New York State, and shi|iping them to 
various jxiints in the Eastern States. After two 
years' connection with his father, he engaged in the 
business on his own account. 

In 18.")8, while .shi[)|)ing cattle from Chicago, Mr. 
Lockwood was injured on the New York Central 
Eailroad, from which injuries he lias never fully 
recovered. He was going along the track, at night, 
hmking for the numl)er of a car containing some of 
his cattle, when he fell into a road running under the 
track, and, among other injuries, received such a 
sliock to his nervous system tliat his eyes never have 
liad proper sight since. As soon as he could attend 
to business he instituted a suit for damages against 
the railroad. Tiiis suit lasted fourteen tjeiirs, going 
from court to court, and from district to district, until 



Jfr. Lockwood received a decision from the United 
States Supreme Court awarding him fifteen thousand 
dollars damages. This decision settled a question 
never before adjudicated, that the release signed l)y 
drovers to olitain transportation on a railroad does 
not exonerate the coni])any i'rom damages for injuries 
arising from their own neglect. To successfully com- 
bat such a gigantic cori«)ration, and carry on a case 
for so many years, required a will, an energy, and a 
])crsistency which shows Mr. Lockwood to be a jier- 
son of no ordinary calibre. Men emitieiit in the law 
have said that there was not one other man in .\nirr- 
ica who would have done this. 

Since that decision was given Mr. Lockwood has 
lived on the old farm, near his [dace of birth, and is 
considered a live, progressive farmer, and, with his 
intelligent family, is making what may well be 
termed a tyjiical New England home. Dee. .30, 1851, 
he marrieil Eliza A., daughter of Elder E. S. Ray- 
mond, a IJaptist clergyman of Westchester Co., N. Y. 
She died Jan. 17, 18.")(>. Their only child, CliarUs 
Stanley, is also dead. April 11, 18G1, he married 
Anna Rosselle, daughter of Nicholas and Elizabeth 
Rosselle, of Lewis (-'o., N. Y. Their daughter Clara 
was born May 23, 1870. Mr. Lockwood was an old 
Henry Clay Whig, casting his first I'residential vote 
for that statesman. Since the fnrmation of the Re- 
publii'an jiarty he has acted aud voted with it. 



THEODOKE J. D,\SKAM. 

Tlu'odore J. Daskam was born in Stamford, Conn., 
JIarch 8, 1833. His grandfiither, Cajit. William Das- 
kam, served under La Fayette in the Revolution, aud 
received his disidiarge direct from Washington. He 
commanded a company in the war of 1S12, and for his 
services received a pension. His family consisted of 
thirteen children, of whom I'enjamin .)., father of 
Theodore, was youngest. 

His birthplace was in tliat portion of Stamford 
since set off as the town of Darien, and he was born 
in January, 1810, and married Mary Ingraham, also 
a native of Stamford. They had seven idiildren. Mr. 
Daskam first learned the carpenter's trade, but not 
liking it went to IJrooklyn, N. Y., and as a clerk 
familiarized himself with mercantile ])ursuits. Re- 
turning to Stamfi)rd, he engaged in trade, and is to-day 
one of the oldest merchants here, having been in active 
business for forty consecutive years, for thirty years 
occupying the premises where he is now locati'd. He 
has been for years one of Stamford's reiirescntative 
men, enjoying the confidence of his fellow-townsmen ; 
has worthily filled all of the various local offices and 
represented liis town in the State Legislature. ^ ' 

Mr. Daskam was the eldest of his fiither's family, 
and from his early youth assisted his fatiier in bis 
business, becoming chief manager, while his father 
attended to the purchase of gooils in New York. .\n 
ardent believer in the princiides of the Reimblican 



750 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, mWECTICUT. 



party, lie has ever been active in tlieir sui)port, and 
it is a token of tlie esteem and eonfidence with which 
that party held him, and the value they placed on his 
services, that he received one of the first appointments 
of President Lincoln. He was appointed postmjistcr 
of Stamford by commission datin-; April 17, 1861. 
This i)osition he has held by commissions succea- 
sively from Lincoln (1801-65), Johnson (1860), Grant 
(1870-74), Hayes (1878), and is now one of the oldest 
of these officials in the United States, three others 
only datinjr back their appointment (approximativcly) 
to the .same time. He was United States Deputy Col- 
lector of Liternal Revenue for nearly ten years, and, 
by request of the tax-payers of Stamford, was ap- 
pointed Assistant Assessor of Internal Revenue. He 
held this office about three years, as long as there 
was a necessity for it. During this period Mr. Djiskam 
was holding three Federal offices, and thus had three 
distinct franking privileges. 

Ill 1S04 he was engaged in the insurance business, 
and he now represents some of the best companies in 
fire insurance, and the "Mutual Life" of New York 
City. 

He was one of the incorporators of the Gulf 
Stream Engine Company, No. 2, of Stamford. He 
was foreman of it for many years, and is now an active 
member. The only time he has been off the rolls of 
this company was while acting as chief engineer of 
Stamford, which office he held for several years. 

He ca.st his first vote for AVilliam T. Jlinor, who 
was the Native American, or "Know-Nothing," candi- 
date for Governor. Since the Rcpulilicaii party was 
in existence he has supported its candidates, voting 
for John C. Fremont for President in 1856. 

He has for years held membership in Union Lodge, 
No. 5, F. and A. M. ; was Senior Warden in 1858, 
Master in 1800, and Trciisurer from 1801 to 1804. 
For about twenty years lie has been a member of Rip- 
powam Lodge, No. 24, I. O. O. F., and is a director in 
Stamford Savings Bank. 

Mr. Daskam is a man of thorough business quali- 
ties, possessed of energy and force of character, and 
at the same time has winning social qualities and a 
large number of personal friends. He is always 
awake and active in anything tending to advance, 
elevate, or improve the interests of Stamford. 

Sir. Diiskam was married Dec. 6, 1864, to Sarah 
Remer, iluugliter of Edward T. and Sarah (Remer) 
Stanley, of New Haven, Conn. Their only child, 
Walter Duryee, was born Sept. 18, 1865. 



CHAPTER LXXIV. 



STRATFOHD. 



Gcogi-apli ical— ToiH>graiiliiaiI~T!ic Indians— The Indian rtirclituio — Set- 
tlunu'nt uf llio Town — Hume-Lots ftn«l llieir Owners — Kcclesiaetical 
Troubles — Detailed Acconut of tlio Scliimns wliicii Reunited in the 
Scttlomcnt of Woodbnry— View of Ancient Stratford. 

This town lies in the southeast part of the county, 
and is bounded as follows: On the north by Hunting- 
ton and Trumbull ; on the east by the Housatonic 
River, which .separates it from the town of Milford, in 
New Haven County ; on the south by Long Island 
Sound ; and on the west by the towns of Bridge|)ort 
and TrumhuU. The town is generally level and re- 
markably free from stone when compared with many 
other towns in the county, and along the river and 
harbor the land is rich and very fertile. 

THE INDIANS. 

It is evident that this section was from a remote 
period a favorite resort for various Indian tribes, at- 
tracted hither no doubt by the abundance of .shell and 
other fish. From time to time various relies of In- 
dian occupancy have been unearthed, such as pestles, 
stone hatchets, arrow-heads, etc., and vast deposits of 
bleached shells may still be found marking their 
favorite haunts. 

L'pon the advent of the white settler the natives 
were numerous, but seemed to constitute no distinct 
tribe, and were not of a warlike disposition. These 
Indians belonged to Pagusetts, whose dominion ex- 
tended to Derby, but were commonly styled Pequon- 
nocks. 

THE INDI.\N PUUCnASE. 

The first purchase of the Indians was made in 1639, 
and included an area of ten miles square. Upon the 
execution of this sale the Indians retired to their two 
reservations, one at Golden Hill, Bridgeport, and the 
other at Coram, on the borders of Huntington. 

SETTLEMENT OF THE TOWN. 

As stated above, the first purchase of lands was made 
in 1639, and in that year also the permanent settle- 
ment of the town was efl'ected. The original proprie- 
tors were seventeen in number, but their names have 
not come to us. Neither did they all settle here. A 
number simply " entered their rights" and sold. 

The favorable location, abundance of fish, and fer- 
tility of the meadows, however, soon attracted the at- 
tention of others, and within ten years from the first 
]>lanting of the settlement it numbered a list of forty- 
one names. 

The following is a list of the early settlers, as they 
ap|iear on the land-records, between the years 1654 
and about 1608. The numbers refer to the accompa- 
nying nmp of ancient Stratford. 

j 1. John pirdiioj'o, Jr. 

2. John Binlaeye, Sr. Tlie oiulern hnlf win in lf.79 »'M lo Meleklah 
I DicklUBon, nncoator of President Jonatluili I>ielvins'>n, uf I'rine»-t'in Col- 
lege. H. DickiniKin morriel a gmnddiinghter of Rev. Adam Blakcnuin. 




dU^li Sfjfr/f fi.? nrr fatddown on the ynrrp /frttrr- 
'■-MTW tlttifi n£ fhep noxr mn f/rr rrsforytl io tfitir 
ytr.ff7irf roitr.srtn t&'Wfo f67fi xojliriis rr'- 
*fi^/f(y^ to tht*tn in hotntfiftit'rs^r rrinhff*sto 
ffiirrr^uin orron/er/tirrf/iem *^^'* 



STRATFORD. 



751 



:i. Tlioijins OviHi Thi^n his son Joint) Slu-ruoi.d. 

4. Elizaln'th Bpiinlslcy (widow of ). 

rj an<l S. .lenMiiiali Jiulson. 
r.. Jolin Minor. 
7. William liunitt. 
<l. Nathaiiiol rorttT. 

1(1. Davi.l .Mil.lTfll, aini'stoi- of tlii' VM,- Tn.f. IMitcl.fll. of North 
(.'ar.iliiia. 

11. John Hiir.i. 

12. 1 1st, Tlii>mn.sSpalir"oU; th.'ii, IJtli, to .Tohn Biulsv.w, Jr., 

13. i anil, I3th, tuTh.nnas Fain MM, Jr. 

U. John IVarock, atnl thi'ii to his ilaitijliti-rs. Miss I'hohc linrgfss ami 
Sirs. Uchoiah (Jaim-s) flarkc. 
— "^ l-">. Henry Walvi'l.vn, now writti^n Wakch^t^. 

1(1. Tliomas Ulloot. Tliia pn.lHMt.v is still in the fainil.v. 

17. Kolicrt f'oo. .Vfti-rwar.N [■xdian.Ljcil with I'ltoot fco- a |.ii>c-o across 
the str.pt, whii h Ulloot hail lion-ht, and whero tlio C'oi'S llavo tvfr simc 
lived. 

IS. Saninol Slicrnian ; then John Picket. i*Ir. -Sherman seems to have 
arterwurils moveil tu the western part of Stratforil ij'cqnonnock ), and tlio 
Tickets were among the first settlers of I)nrham. 

T.I. Philii> (Proves, the first ami only ruling cMcr in Stratfonl church. 

20. Rev. Adam Iliakeman, first minister of .Stratford. His desi-endanta 
are written lUakcman and Blackmail. His only daughter, Jliiry, mar- 
ried Joshna .\twater, of >'r\v Haven, and Kev. Thomas Hi^p:inson, of 
Salem, Ma^s. 

21. Jnlin Dnrhir: then , Mm Hiinl : then ;;//""(,■ then Coi: 

2*i. BIr. IJryan lionght of James Harwooil (oriiiinal owner) and sold to 
Rev. Adam Blakeman, wdio gave it to his son, Joseph It. Through .1. 
Harwood the Blakemana heealne aeinniinted with Joshna Scottow, mer- 
chant of Boston, whose danghter, Uehecco, Benjamin Blakeman man led. 

23. Edward Highee, 

24. ,TohnJcnncr; then JohlOMells; then Wi,t,>ir KlhnhelJi Curtis, who, 
with her two sons, William and .lotin, originated that name in Strat- 
ford. 

25. Arthur Bostwick. 

20. Jereniiali Jinlson. His gravestone yet stands in Stratford. 

27. Joshna Jiidson (hrother of Jeremiah) ; then John Ilnrd. 

28. Thomas Fairchihl, Sr. 

29. Richard Booth, whosi- land e.\tended l.eyoud the lots north and lan 
northerly to the rocks. 

30. IsaJiC Nichols, Sr., west side; Stiles Nichols, and then Caleh, ea.st 
side. 

31. Adam Hnrd. 

32. Francis Nichols; then Caleh Nichols. 

33. Thimnt Qneiituj; then ./o.s/iioi Atic.iUr : then Ittmij Totnllnmn. 

34. William f'nrtis; ufterwarils, west end, Thomas Curtis, who siihse- 
qnently went, among the first settlers, to W iiUingford. 

35. Adam Hnrd's dnplicate lot. 

311. John Beach, ancestor of the Wallingfoid .ind Stratford name. 
*37. Joseph Hawley's original lot. 
38. John Thompson. 
38(t. Francis .lecockes. 

30. WiUkim llmtil : then, l-y exidiange, Juwph Ilinrlci/. 
411. William Crookcr. 

41. Jose|ih Jndson ; in ICKI, William Jndsoii, the father. The origi- 
nal stone house stood aiKnit four rods from the northeast corner. 

42. Rev. Zachariah Walker's half of paminage lot. 

43. Rev. Israel Channey's iialf of parsonage lot. 

44. Hngh (jrifflu; then John Wheeler. 

45. Richard Harvey ; then John Bustwick ; then Congregational so- 
ciety for parsonage. 

40. Francis Hall. 
47. 



.John Blakeman. 



47'i. )■ 

4S. A strip of lowland, given to widow of .\br.ahani Kimherly in 1G80. 

49. Daniel Shernnin, son of Samuel, Sr. ; then Kheiie/.er Sherman. 

.50. Common or highway, now the west half of B. Fairchild's lot. It 
was originally the outlet of a shoi-t highway (coeval with the town wt- 
tlemeut) that passed from Main Street round the low, wet land, now W. 
A. Booth's lot, ami led into the old mill road through No. M, as ahovo 
said. Of this road the present hnrial-gronnd lane is nil that encroach- 
ments have left, from Main Street to the bnrial-]>laee, though its width, 
resnrveyed and confirmed in 17:JS, is above /our rodx, 

51. Land of Isaac Nicols. 

52. House-lot of Samuel Sherman, Jr. (now the Roswell Judsun lot). 

53. The eastern section of the street, of which \.. ,'.o u;is a p.iitioii. 



54. John Beers; then S.imnel Beers ; then, after ITno, Burton, Prindle, 
Toiiilinson, IMcEwcn. 

fi.5. Nathaniel I'oote ; then Bciijiiniiii Lewis; tle'n Congregational 
parish, for Mr. Cutler; then Kev. Mr. Cold. 

;.t\. liniial-ldiice. 

.■i7. Paliiel Tittciton, Jr. 

.'.S. Ti thy Will.oxson. 

.'.!>. Jahez Ilarger, who went to Iieil.y at its settlement, 11)7(1. 

nil. John Hull, ancestor of Commodore Isaac ; went to Ilerl.y, li;7ll. 

(11. John Ticket! ; went to Ilurhaiii. 

C. Rohert Lane; above him was John Cooke, luiniidcd north by Esek 
Lane or Street. 

113. John Young, who ilied April, Idill, and his lot went to .loh n Rose ; 
afterwards Robert Walker. 
-r.4. Thimias Wells, above whom James Blakeman owned eiglif acres 

(',.-.. John Thompscui, who lived on No. 3S. 

11(1. John Wells. 

(•>('.<i. Daniel Titt.-rton, Sr. 

Odd. John Willco.\son, Sr. 

(17. John I'eat (sometimes spelt Peake). 
^is. Moses Wheeler: then, very soon, Richard Harvey ; then his sons- 
in-law, Beiiiamiii Teat and Thonurs Hicks, of Long Island. Hi.ks' wife 
Hi-st married, in llio."', .lohu Washbiniic ThonuL-s Hicks was ancestor of 
Elias llick.s, the IJnaker. 

ll'.l. Thomas Curtis, from his father, John (now Chatticld and Gorhain 
lots). 

711. William Willcoxson, ancestor of all of that name in and of Strat- 
fonl. 

71. William Beardslee, ancestor of all of that name in and of Strat- 
ford. 

72. .b.hii Briiismad... 

7;!. Nicholas Knell, whose wife wasdov. Francis Newman's daughter. 

74. Robert Rise : llicu Wheeler ; then Richard Be.icli ; then Kev. Israel 
Chaiincy, 

7.'>. First ehnrch edifice and burial-ground. 

7(1. Originally I Hoofs, who in 1(1111 s,dd to Nicholas (iray, fi i Flush- 
ing, Long Island, who had a tide-mill where the lane or highway crosses 
Little Neck Creek. 

77. (Jranteil in ltl71 by town to N". (Iray, if he maintain his dam wide 
enough for a passable cartway. 

7». Jehiel Treston, 1002. 

711. Site of the second church edifiL-e, from 1(179 to 171:1. Whitefield 
preachi'd in it, October 2(1, 17*1. 

80. Site of the third church ediliie, from 1743 till burned by lightning 
in 178.5. 

A. Site of first church edifice and burying-ground. 

B. Siteof se.-ond church edifice, from ir,7'.l to 1743. Wliibtic Id lire.ached 
in it. Ill I. 2i">, 1740. 

C. Site of third church edifice, fiom 1743 till hnriieil by lightning in 
178.5. 

1>. Site of fourth church edifice, from 17sil to l,s.5',l. 
Site of fifth ehnrch edifice. Erected ill 18.50. 

E. Burial-place, opened 1078. 

F. Site of fiist Episcopal idinrch edifice in Connecticut, 1723, with its 
graveyard, w hicli still occupies the spot. 

0. Site of s lid EpiBi-opal church edifice, from 1744 to 1S5S. 

Site of ])resent Episcopal ehnrch edifice, crecte-1 in 1858. 

II. Methodist Episcopal ehnrch. 

1. Kichard Booth's house-lot. 
J. .loseph Booth's house-lot. 
K. John Booth's house-lot. 

T]1E FIRST SETTLEMENT. 
Tlic first settlcmt'iit wtis inndc lit a ]ilMce now known 
as iSmuly Hollow, im ;irinol' the Sound or creek, which 
penetrates a short- (listiince I'roni the Hoiisutonie River, 
the ancient name of which was I'ottitnek. 

E(x;i,EsrA.-;Trc-\i. tiujuisees. 

From the settlement of the littje town until Kido 

notliin.ii occurred to nuir its petice and prosperity. 

In that year, however, a reli.L'ious dissension arose 

which (iiially resulted in the secession of a large and 



752 



HISTOllY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTV, roXXECTICUT. 



respectable number of the church and the culouiza- 
tioii of Woodljury. 

The history of this schism is condensed from Coth- 
ern's " History of Ancient Woodbury :" 

"The first ministers in the colony being dead, and a 
new generation coming on the stage of action, altera- 
tions in respect to churcli membership, baptism, and 
the mode of church discipline were imperiously de- 
manded. Great dissensions on these subjects accord- 
ingly arose in the churclies at Hartford, Windsor, 
Wethysfield, and other places, and continued in va- 
rious parts of the colony from 1656 to al)out 1670. 
The discord not only affected all the churches, but it 
'insinuated itself into all tlie affairs of societies, 
towns, and the whole commonwealth.' 

" About 1664, while these contentions were going on 
at Hartford and otlier places, the people at Stratford 
fell into the same unliappy divisions and controver- 
sies in regard to the same subjects. During the ad- 
ministrations of Mr. Blackman,* their first pa.stor, the 
church and town enjoyed great ])eace, and conducted 
their ecclesiastical affairs with e.vemplary harmony. 
About 1663, beiug far advanced in years, he became 
very infirm and unable to perform his ministerial 
labors. The church, therefore, applied to Mr. Israel 
Chauncy, son of President Charles Chauney, of Cam- 
bridge, t!) nuike them a visit and preach among them. 
A majority of the church chose him for their pastor, 
and in 1665 he was ordained in the independent 
mode. But a large and respectable part of the church 
and town were oppo.sed to his ordination. It was 
therefore agreed that if, after hearing Mr. Chauncy 
a certain time, they should continue to be dissatisfied 
with his ministry, they should have liberty to call and 
settle another minister, and have the same privileges 
in the niceting-hou-se as the other party. Accord- 
ingly, after hearing Mr. Chauney the time agreed 
upon, and continuing to he dissatisfied with his min- 
istrations, they invited Mr. Zachariah Walker to preach 
to them, and finally chose him for their pastor. Both 
ministers performed public worship in the same house. 
Mr. Chauncy performed his services at the usual 
Iiours, and Mr. Walker was allowed two hours in the 
middle of the day. But, after scjnic time, it so hap- 
pened that one day Mr. Walker continued hisserviccs 
longer than u-mal. Mr. Cliauney and his people, find- 
ing that Mr. Walker's exercises were not finished, re- 
tired to a i)rivate house, and there held their after- 
noon devotions. They were, however, so much dis- 
pleased that tlie next day they went over to Fairfield 
and made a complaint toMaj. Gold, one of the mag- 
istrates, against Mr. Walker. The major, upon hear- 
ing the case, advised pacific mea-sures, and that Mr. 
Walker should be allowed three hours for the time of 
liis public exercises. 

In May, 1669, these disputes came before the Gen- 
eral Court, by petition t>f the parties, and 



'"Upoi* tlic pctitiLHi uf tlic cliurcli of Stratford, this court doth de- 
cliiro that whoroiw y' church liauo Botled Mr. Chauccy Iheir officer aud 
duo df^ire lliat they may pcarealdy oiijny the full iniproiiemeiit of their 
miniater ami HdniiiiiBti-nlioiis without hiiidreninse or diBturliance, tlie 
court grants their petiti'iu therein, onely the court serioubly aduUeth 
both parties to choose some indifferent persons of piety and learning to 
compose their difTerencc-8 and setle an agreement amotig them, and that 
till October Court there may ho liberty for Mr. Walker to preach once 
in the day, m they Imuo hitherto done by tlicir agreement, the church 
allowing him full three bowers Ijotween the church two mootiugs for 
the same.'t 

" Notwithstanding this advice of the General Court, 
all attemi)ts at a reconciliation were unsuccessful. 
The parties became more fixed in their opposition to 
each other, and their feelings and conduct more and 
more unbrothcrly. At length Mr. Chauncy and the 
majority excluded Mr. Walker and his hearers from 
the meeting-house, and they convened and worshiped 
in a private dwelling. They were expelled in the 
face of the recommendation of the court in October, 
1669, advising tliem that 

"*This Court therefore recommend it to the Church of Stratford that 
BIr. Walker haue liberty the one parte of tho Sublwlh, wholber parte 
Mr. Chancy will, and that they would hold comuuuiioii together in 
preaching & prayer. But in case Mr. Chansey and tho Brethren w'i> 
him will not agree to that, it shall not be ofTelisiue to this Court if Mr. 
Walker and his Company doe meet distinctly elsewhere; pivulded ea;li 
of them prouide well for the cjmfortablo supidy of their ministers.'^ 

" The principal cause of difference was in regard to 
church membershi]), baptism, and the discipline of 
church members. What the precise nature of the 
controversy was could not be distinctly understood by 
the most learned and pious even of that day. It was 
the same as that which existed at Hartford, Wethers- 
field, and other places. One would say, at this dis- 
tance of time, that the question to be decided was, 
whctlier the ' Half-way Covenant Practice' should be 
introduced into the church or not. Upon this ques- 
tion there was the most grave difference of opinion 
among the best and most distinguished men in New 
England. By this plan a person of good moral char- 
acter might own or renew the covenant of bajitisin, 
confessing the same creed as members of churches in 
full communion, and affirming his intention of be- 
coming truly pious in heart and in life, and have the 
privilege of presenting himself and children for bap- 
tism. Nor did the jirivilege stop here: he might also 
present for baptism hisgrandchililren, children bound 
to liiin as api)renticcs, and even his slave-s, by giving 
a pledge for their religious education. Persons thus 
owning the covenant were considered church members 
to all intents and purposes, except that they might 
not come to the communion table. For conduct un- 
becoming church members they could be and were 
dealt with and punished in the same manner as mem- 
bers in full communion. In this way a church could 
never run down in point of numbers, so long as uncon- 
verted persons enough to keep it up were willing to 
own the covenant of baptism. Abundtint proof of 
the foregoing statements is fouhd in the first book of 



* TrumkuU'a Ilist. of GoDO. 



t TrumbiiU'i Colonial Boconli, p. 110. { Ibtd., p. 121. 



STRATFORD. 



•753 



ministerial records of the Second Cliurch of Stratford, 
now the First Churoli of Woodhury, !ia|>pily in a fine 
state of preservation. Consfijuciit U|iou tliis |>raetiee 
baptisms followed close njioii hirths; very many in- 
stances may be tbund upon tlicse records where the 
child was but from one to eight days old at the time 
of tlie ceremony. If the child appeared to be in 
danger of "non-continuance," it was bapti/cil on the 
day of its birth. The children of ministers, deacons, 
and otlier leading men in the church were generally 
less than a week old when presented for bajilism. 
Young persons did not usually own the covenant till 
they became parents, and wishe<l baptism for their 
children. 

" Previous to 1650 great watchfulness had been ex- 
ercised to admit only such as gave visil.de evi<lenec of 
piety. The choice of jiastors, also, had been confined 
exclusively to the church, and nearly all the hon(]rs 
and offices of the colony had been distriliuted to pro- 
fessors of religion, w'ho in the New Haven colony 
were the only ones jiossesscd of the right of suffrage 
in meetings of a jiolitical character. In the colony of 
Connecticut, not only these, but also other orderly in- [ 
dividuals, having a certain amount of i>roperty, were 
entitled to the privilege of being admitted freemen. 
During the lives of the early fathers little trouble had 
arisen on these points, nearly all the first emigrants 
being professors of religion. But this generation had 
passed away and a new one had succeeded, many of 
whom, on account of their not belonging to the 
church, were excluded from their i)roper influence in 
community. Jlost of them had been baptized, and, 
by virtue of this, it was claimed that they might own 
their own covenant, have their children baptized, and 
thus perpetuate the church. All New England lie- 
eame interested in this controversy, and in li)'i7 the 
matter in dis])ute was referred to a council of the 
principal ministers, who met at Boston and de- 
clared,— 

'"Tliivl it Wiis theilut.vol tlinse fiiuii' tii yiMis uf discrflicin, luiiilizid in 
iljfuiicy, to own the cuvcnant; tliixt it is tlio duty uf t!in tlmnli to csiU 
them t<( this ; that if they refnsi', or iwo scamhihuis in any other "'ay, 
they may be eensureil l»y tin- cliurcli. If they undeistami tlie t;n>nmlB 
of religion, are not scanilalotis. ami solemnly own the covenant, Kivin^ 
up themselves anil their cliildien tu tlie [.ord, hajitisni may not l,e denied 
to their children.' 

" In consequence of this decision many owned their 
covenant, and presented their children for ba]>tisni, 
but did not unite with the church in the eelebratio]i 
of the sujiper ntu' in most other duties of mendiers in 
full communion, irence it was termed the liiilj'-iray 
cove/iniif. In process of time the i)rivilcge liere men- 
tioned was enlarged in some of the churches. Many 
churches in Connecticut never tidoiited this practice, 
and towards the end of the eighteenth century it was 
generally abandoned throughout New England. 

" The first church at Stratfonl would not adopt this 
practice, although a hrrge and infiuential i)art of its 
members were in favor of it, together with a majority 
of the town, who were not church members. Rev. 



Mr. Chauney, who was not in favor of the iiractice, 
was settled over the cliurch in Stratfiird in Klti"), 
though there was stnjiig ojiposition to liim on this 
and other iiccounts. The efforts of tlie dissenting 
l)arty to settle their difficulties seem to luive been 
sincere. Their communications to their brethren 
Were couched in rcsjiectful and bnifherly terms, and 
their arguments were not easily rcl'iited. In fact, 
little pains seem tu have l>eeii ftdcen by the church 
]iropcr during the whole controversy to answer the 
reasoning of the dissatisfied j>arty, but it st-enied 
rather to throw itself Itack on its dignity, with an in- 
ti'iitiiJii of allowing the malcimtents to take their own 
course. The latter were in the majority in the town- 
meetings, and .bdm Jlinor, one of their leaders, was 
town clerk during the whole time of the controversy, 
and for several years after, with the cxcejition of a 
year. 

"The controversy opened with a letter tu Mr. 
Chauucy from eight of the dissatisfied ]iarty. It was 
a resi)cetful and kind letter, offering to forget past 
grievances and soliciting a union with the rest of the 
cliurch in a truly fnifernal and Christian feeling, but 
received no attentiim, either fr(Uii Mr. Chauucy, or 
the remainder of the church, who were of his way of 
thinking. Accordingly on the flfh of the following 
month, the dissentients addressed them another let- 
ter in the .same spirit, still further making known 
their wishes, and mildly reproaching them for their 
want of courtesy and kindness. 

"By this letter their desire to be reconciled to the 
church was so great, that they were willing to he 
again exjimined in regard to their ' faytli and knowl- 
edge,' that the idiurch might be convinced that their 
peculiar views had not, in any nianner, undermined 
their religious principles, or ])urity of character. 
More than two months elapsed before any answer 
was vouchsafed them. 

"Tlieii they received a rather short and crispy re- 
ply to letters as humble and inoffensive as the two 
former had l)eeii. The ' Church' begins with calling 
the dissenters ' n<:ii//ihoni,' and ends with character- 
i/ing them as ' f/ii' «('■«.' They assume a very lofty 
and s(Hnewliat arrogant tone; sufficiently so, one 
would think, to have prevented further efforts towards 
an accommodation of their dill'erenees. This was un- 
doubtedly written by Mr. Chauucy, the former letters 
having been addressed tu him, and it is probable that 
the remainder <jf the papers on the side of the cliurtdi 
were written by him. 

" Although by this communication they h;id been 
flatly refused admittance to the cliureh, even on a 
satisfactory examination, yet they persevereil in their 
efforts to accomplish the desired end. It is to be 
recollected that Stratford belongeil to the Connecti- 
cut colony, and conseiiuently had other frtu'inen he- 
sides the members of the church. The freemen joined 
with the dissentients in their etlin'ts. It is to be 
furtlier noted that Mr. Chauucy had been settled by 



1U 



HISTOKV OF 1- AIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



a majority of the members of the church alone, the 
other freemen of the town having no voice in the 
matter. As by the laws of the colony they were 
obliged to pay taxes for his support equally with the 
church members, they wished a voice in the selection 
of the minister. Tlie di.^scnting part of the church, 
together with the other freemen of the town, as we 
have seen, constituted a majority in the meetings of 
the freemen. 80 that, although the church could 
choose and settle a minister, it took a majority of the 
voters of the town to provide for his support. Failing, 
as individuals and members of liis churcli, to effect an 
arrangement willi Mr. Chauncy, tliey held a town- 
meeting and passed a vote embracing the conditions 
under which they would contribute to his su])])ort. 

" It does not ajjpear tliat Mr. Chauncy made any 
reply to this pro])osition, contained in said vote, 
though, iis the matter had now assumed a serious 
aspect, it was doubtless discussed during the next few 
months with much frequency by the two partie-. 
Eflbrts were also made by the minority of the church, 
together with others of the town, to procure another 
minister for themselves, probably with the tacit con- 
sent of the other party ; and it would seem that they 
applied to Mr. Peter Bulkley to preach to them. It 
does not appear, however, that they were successful in 
obtaining him. But later in the year tlie two parties 
were able to agree that each party should have its own 
minister, and also agreed upon a division of the land 
sequestered for the use of the ministry between the 
two ministers. 

" At tlie October session of the General Court in 
1667 tliis action of the i)arties was approved and es- 
tablished, on motion of Ens. Joseph Judson. 

" Early in the year 1668 the minority engaged Rev. 
Zachariah Walker, of Jamaica, L. I., to perform pas- 
toral labors among tliem. Having obtained a minister, 
they perceived they had uo house of their own to wor- 
ship in. They had contributed equally with Mr. 
Chauncy's party towards the construction of the 
meeting-house occupied by the first church, and the 
first idea that occurred to them was that they might 
agree with the other party to allow Mr. Walker to 
preach one part of each Sabbath in the meeting-house, 
and J[r. Chauncy the other part, thus joining the two 
congregations. They accordingly made known their 
proposition to Mr. Chauncy's party, to which they 
received two elaborate answers, in better spirit tlian 
former communications, and in which tlu- |)lain word 
'neighbors' had been exchanged for Moving neigh- 
bors.' 

" In this letter it was proposed that the meetings be 
united. But this evidently was not the best way of 
obtaining the end desired. Altliougli their differ- 
ences might not be ' ftuuhimental,' as admitted 
in this communication, yet their opinions being so 
diverse in regard to fhurch membership, they could 
liardly have been much 'edified' in being obliged to 
listen to the defense of what they did not believe! It 



I 



would be not unlike the mingling of the worship of 
the variims religious denominations of the present 
day. AV'hile the ministers might have confined them- 
selves to points upon which all agreed, they would be 
in danger of trea<ling, at times, on forbidden ground. 

" It seems that Mr. Walker's ])arty was becoming 
somewhat incensed at the disposition shown by the 
other party. A question of veracity is raised be- 
tween them, and we begin to see how really good 
men, as the individuals composing both these parties 
undoubtedly were, may forget themselves and do 
tilings unworthy of their position and character. 
Some of the men of these two parties were among the 
leading men in the colony, and none were more fre- 
quently appointed by the General Court to act on 
committees for composing similar dift'ercnces else- 
where than they. At the close of the communication 
they gave notice of their intention of occupying their 
joint property, the meeting-house, on the next Sab- 
bath. This design was not carried into execution, 
but the matter was compromised by allowing Mr. 
Walker two hours in which to hold his services in 
the meeting-house on the Sabbath, in the middle of 
the day, between the two services of Mr. Chauncy, 
till the meeting of the General Court in May, 1669. 

"Their principal ditliculty continued to be in re- 
gard to the manner in which they should 'enjoy the 
meeting-house.' Without reflecting upon the matter, 
one might say that the simplest way of arranging the 
difficulty would have been to have built another 
church. But it is to be borne in mind that the 
country was new and the inhabitants poor. It was 
a great undertaking to erect a suitable building, and 
heavy taxes for years were necessary to be lai<l to 
complete it. 

"The first church petitioned the General Court to 
take the case into consideration, and do snmethina. 

"The court took the ease into consideration, as de- 
sired, confirmed their choice of Mr. Chauncy, advised 
both parties to choose '.some indifferent persr>ns of 
piety and learning to compose their differences,' and 
gave Mr. Walker liberty to occupy the church three 
hours each Sabbath, in tlie middle of the day, between 
Mr. Chauncy's two services, till the October session. 
Previous to this session several attempts were made 
by the parties to carry out the advice of the court to 
submit their differences to arbitration, and several 
extended and learned communications passed between 
them. They, however, resulted in no definite action, 
as they could not agree upon the points to be sub- 
mitted to the arbitrators. 

"At the October session the matter was again bo- 
fore the court, which pa.ssed a resolution ailvising the 
first eluircli to comply with the desire of Mr. Walker's 
party, to have union services, allowing Mr. Walker to 
]ireach one pari of each Sabbath. Some communica- 
tions passetl between the jiarties in relation to this 
advice, but the first church, instead of granting tliem 
this [irivilege, which they had so long sought, excluded 



STRATFORD. 



155 



tbcm from (lie houso cntirrly. Aftrr suH'iTing tliis 
inilijriiity they only ;i<li-lresse(l a letter to the first 
cluirch, oonipUiiniiif;: of the iniiistioe done them, ami 
proposed to divide the town into two parts, that they 
might go and live hy themselves and have no more 
disseiisiou. They further inform them that they shall 
ask the same of the General Court. 

"They did apply to the General Court at its session 
in Oetoher, making the same jiroposal, and a commit- 
tee consisting of Captain Nathan Gold, Jlr. .lames 
Bishop, ^Ir. Thomas Fitch, and IMr. .Fohn Holly was 
aiipointed 

"Tn viewe tlio fjiid lamls di'sircil, .iiiii to mort m-iih- linir in N'uvpiiiliei' 
next to consider of the afoarsayd niotiuii, ;ur1 to lalmni' to worke ji ooiu- 
I'lyaiice between those two parties in Sti'atfonl ; ami it Ihcif enileailoures 
prime nnsuceessfnl tlien they are ile^ired anil orclrr.'il to make returne 
to the lAinrt in 3Ia.v next what tliey jmlj; exi'edient to he attetl'letl in the 
case.'' 

"Nothing was effected by this committee, nor did 
they even report to the (General Court, as directed. 
There is no record of tiny other action in the nnitter, 
on the ]iart of tlie authorities of the cidony, till ^fay, 
1072, when, as we have seen, on the advice of ( Jov. 
Winthrop, Mr. Walker and his church were allowed 
to found a new town at Pomperaug. 

"For two years after Mr. Walker was ctilleil tn 
preach to the dissenting party in 8tratford he Inid 
done so without ordination. .Vmid the other dilTi- 
culties under which they labored, they had found no 
opjiortunity to accomplish this desirable point. But 
now, being taunted by the first church on account of 
their disorganized state, being excluded tlie meeting- 
house, and there being no longer any hope of arrange- 
ment with the other party, they took the necessary 
steps to ' embody in cluirch estate.' 

"At the ordination of Mr. AValker his church con- 
sisted of twenty male members. This number was 
a,s large as that of the otlier churehes at their tirganiza- 
tioii lip to this date, with the exception of those in four 
or. five of the larger towns. Seven more were added 
a few days after, and four males and six Icnmlcs were 
also added previous to the removal to Woodbury, in ; 
1C>7'2. More than one-third of these were ineml>crs by 
the half-way covenant system, j'ct it is seen that th(\y 
siibserilied and jniblicly owneil the same covenant as 
those in full eoinmunion. This practice wont on, and 
this identical covenant was owned, during the minis- 
try of Mr. Walker and tlmt of the Rev. Mr. Stoddanl, 
the .second minister, till the ordination of Rev. Noah 
Benedict, the third minister, in 1700, ninety years 
from the fir.st gathering of the church, wdien it was 
abolished. 

"In 1072, by ])erinission of the General Court, the 
second church of Strtitford made preparations for 
removing to Pomperaug, and early the next year a 
majorit)' of its members emigrated thither. Mr. 
Walker ministered to his church in both phtees till 
June 27, 1078, when he took up his abode perma- 
nently in Woodbury. The settlors had now become 
so numerous that it was no longer problematical that 



the settlement would lie ]icrniancnt. After the 
troubles in Stratford were settled by coloni/iiig the 
new town, and tlie angry feelings that had been 
aroused had subsided, lioth Jfr. Chauncy, who w;is an 
able iind learned man, and 3Ir. Walker bectime sen- 
sible that their conduct tnwtirds each other during the 
long controversy luul not at all times been brotherly, 
and jiftcr some time nnide concessions to each other, 
became perfectly reconciled, and conducted them- 
selves towards each other with commeiidabie affec- 
tion. The two chnrches were also on the most 
frienilly terms, and Mr. Chauncy, in 1702, after the 
detith of Mr. Walker, assisted at the ordination of Jlr. 
Stoddard, his successor in tlie ministry." 

VIl'AV OF ANCIENT STRATFORD. 

" The primitive settlers of Stratford were of respect- 
able origin, though in humble circumstances as to the 
luxuries ami many of the conveniences of life. The 
very ciiuses and conditions of the Pnrittin exodus to 
New Knglund insured among the first-comers good 
character and, to ti remarkable extent, more than or- 
dinary respectability of social jiosition. Their plain 
and even scanty household ei|uipmcnt in their new 
homes, their want of money, and other usual ticcos- 
sories of gentility are rctidily explained without dis- 
paragement of their previous standing. In that chiy 
of conqiarative rudeness in the furniture and ajipli- 
iinccs even of aristocratic life, little might be ex- 
Iiccfetl in the dwellings or the style of younger or 
colhitcral branches of tmcient and dignified families. 
Besiiles, the stress under which our fathers came out 
of Fngland subjected them to much sticrifico and loss. 
Their chief men shared with the rest in privations. 
Deputy Governor Dudley himself, in March, 1031, 
writes, ' Having yet no table nor other room to write 
in than by the fireside, upon my knee, in this sharp 
winter,' etc. Necessity cimipelleil every one to ac- 
(|uire such aptness as he might in all maiuial hibor, 
for which the help of a skilled mechanic could not 
rctidily be obtained or afliirded. But however nar- 
row or humble the lot of the first planters, they be- 
longed for the most jiart to the better classes of Eng- 
lish society. 'Actuid examination' (says Hollister, 
'Hist. Conn.') 'shows that more than four-fifths of 
the earl}' landeil proprietors of Hartford, Wethers- 
field, ;uul Windsor belonged to families that had arms 
granted them in (ireat Britain.' This fiict applies also 
to the settlers in Stratford, sevenil of whom were of 
very ancient and honortible lineage in the mother- 
land. 

"The great simplicity fif manners and su[ierior re- 
gard for heavenly tiliove secultir distinctions among 
our ancestors induced much neglect of iincestral 
titular pretensions, the very tnidition of which in 
many cases had exjiired, until revived by antifjuarian 
researches or the usutdly vain attempt to secure prop- 
erties lying in the family name unchiimed in England. 

"A single fact deserves note in judging the re- 



r56 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



sources of ^tratlind planters, as compared with those 
at New Haven, Hartforil, and elsewliere. AVhile in 
these hitter phices tlie jicople were convened for wor- 
ship, and on otlier public occasions, by drum or horn, 
or the blowing of a shell, Stratford enjoyed from the 
beginning a church-bell. AVhether it were a special 
boon, or is indicative of superior means, cannot be 
determined. 

" The earliest houses, besides their smallness and 
cheap construction, must have been very bare of com- 
fort and attraction. When Deputy Governor Dudley, 
of Massachusetts, already named, built a house for 
himself in 1632, and was censured of some for wain- 
scoting it in time of such impoverishment and need, 
he showed that tliis alleged extravagance consisted 
merely of ' clapboarcb nailed to the wall, in form of 
wainscot.' 

" The ordinary dwellings were log huts, which gave 
place after some years to frame houses, larger indeed, 
yet, by our present standard, generally very humble 
and poor. 

" Gliws and nails were expensive, imported lu.xu- 
ries, if indeed the former could be afforded. Hence 
the windows were small and few. Aged people were 
living not long ago who remembered when nails were 
at two shillings per pound. In 1674, 1000 shingle- 
nails were inventoried at 1.3 shillings sterling. The 
price of a house in 1664 is £20; another, in 1674, 
£22. The inventories of estates from 16.50 to 1074, 
on Stratford records, disclose no glassware, only one 
carpet, one silver spoon, no chinaware, nor any crock-' 
ery, excepting two shillings' worth of earthenware. 
The common utensils were of pewter, iron, or wood. 
For money values barter wa.s substituted, and the 
General Court regulated for this purpose the commer- 
cial worth of corn, peas, wheat, beef, pork, cider, etc. 
AVamjium was likewise legalized as money. It was 
neatly made, the white of the core of the periwinkle 
and the black of muscle-shell, each strung in parcels, 
the white at six for a i)enny and the black at three 
for a penny. The strings represented respectively, in 
white wampum, one penny, three pence, twelve pence, 
and five shillings; and, in black, two pence, six pence, 
two shillings and sixpence, and ten shillings. 

" In 1660 summer wheat was current at 4.». 6rf. per 
bushel ; winter wheat, 5«. ; peas, .3s. 6d. ; Indian corn, 
3«. In 1678 a mill was sold for £140, payaVde in pork, 
wheat, rye, Indian corn, beef, and '£40 in good and 
well-conditioned winter cider, made in October.' 

"In 1707 a house and lot in Main Street, with 24 
acres of land (the house-lot being that now Thomas 
Stratton's), were given by Samuel Hawley, Jr., for a 
negro man. 

"Salaries were paid in produce. The first instance 
of payment in money to the minister here wius in 1714, 
when Rev. Timothy Cutler, then jjastor in Stratford, 
was allowed for his itipend of £140 (produce pay) 
£93 6c. 8(/. in pa])cr money of the colony, a difference 
in favor of the paper bills of 33J per cent. Lauds 



were for a long time extremely cheap. Their value 
in Stratford was not le.ss than in the other thriving 
towns, yet in 1665 they are appraised : village lots, 
'2i)s. per acre; unimproved lands, 12rf. per acre. 

" Contributions for benevolent objects, which were 
not unknown from the earliest times, were paid in 
produce. In 1664, at the instance of the Rev. Mr. 
Shepard, of Cambridge, funds were collected in the 
colonies for the indigent students. These collections 
were repeated from time to time. In 1646, Stratford 
gave .£6 14.'(., for which it is credited on the books of 
Harvard College. The produce thus donated was 
shipped to Boston, and the granary building, used as 
a receptacle for such collections, is said to have given 
name to the 'Granary Burial-Ground, as it is still 
termed, in Tremont Street, near Park Street Church, 
Boston.' " — Swan. 



CHAPTER LXXV. 

STRATPOHD (Continued). 
THE REVOLUTION, Etc. 

Geii. Pavid W'oostor — Stratfon! in 1781 — OWeii TiiHO .\ccouiite — Sluvcry 
—Old Fisliiiig Place— Inciduut of 1812— Tbe Stratford roslOlllce. 

Stkatford responded promptly to the patriot call, 
and of her gallant sons who risked their lives in that 
arduous struggle conspicuously stands the name of 
the intrepid Wooster, who fell on that fatal day at 
Ridgcfield. 

" Daniel Wooster, the martyr to American liberty, 
was born in Stratford, Conn., March 2, 1710-11 (old 
style), and was the youngest of six children. He was 
educated in the Puritan principles of New England, 
and after he came to manhood entered Yale College, 
where he graduated in 1738, in the twenty-eighth 
year of his age." 

In Peters' "General History of Connecticut," pub- 
lished in London in 1781, the following reference i- 
made to Stratford: "Stratford lies on the west bank 
of the Osootonic River, having the sea or Sound on 
the south. There arc three streets running north and 
south, and two east and west. The best is one mile 
long. On the centre square stands a meeting-house 
with steeple and bell, and a church with steejile, boll, 
clock, and organ. It is a beautiful ]dace, and from 
the water has an appearance not inferior to Canter- 
bury. The people are said to be the most polite of 
I any in the colony." 

OLDEX TIME .VCCOIXTS, Etc. 

The following extracts from an account-book kept 
by John Blacklcach, of Stratford, " begun March 23, 
I 17.56," give a glimpse of olden time prices for various 
commodities and rates of labor : 



4 



STRATFORD. 



157 



October 10. IToO. 



Capt. Acliims. Dr. 



i 



to a Ildrsc to Wotxlltury u 

to Soul Lciitht-r fur a pair uf Sliost- d 

to a Horse to \i.'\v HaviMi ^^ 

U) out) pair of oxon mii' Day 

to Tw(. Hiimi? ami T.miii oiiv Pay (I 

to a Horse to Fairti.-M .'. d 

tuCjijili Six Sliilliiif^s paitl Hv Ski'Iuiur o 

to Half liusbel of Bairlry IMl.ll d 

to uiii! IIuslu'l uf Kiirsol I'oni d 

to niiL- Uiisln'I of Corn 

tu Boson to Kill two Hufrj,'rt ii 

to a lluHlifl ami lialf of 'riirmips 

to iiialiiii^' a Shirt lor Klijuli (i 

to inakiiig oiif inort- ii 

lt> iiiakiiig tMo .Shirts 

1758. 

to two BusliL-I of Barl(_-y Molt 

to it man an<t yoke of oxoii one Day d 

to ntati ami Team one Day d 

to lloKon one Dav d 

to Bufliel of Corn d 

to Bnson and Tt-am part of a Day ii 

to Cartiii- two Loo<l of Wou.l d 

to Calling part uf a Day n 

to Cartinj,' a Loo.] of Wood d 

to a pe<k of rnrn d 

tu a pouml jf Butter 

to Ciirtiii- wood part of a Day M 

to Klevrii p.mn.l of Cliut'se ii 

to a punnil of Butter d 

to a Ihiy ami Half d 

to ('aititiK a Lood ut wood 

t<-i Carlin-; a I.ood of wuuil ; n 

to pajsteritij; V Hoivc Ii weeks n 

tu ilalf pound of Butler. n 

to Kigliten itouuti and half Heaf d 

211 .Inly, nm. 

Joseph .Sniitli, Dr. 

half Busid of Cum d 

Carrinjr a Lood of Hay d 

twu Itnsiu-i of uats d 

half Bushel uf Corn d 

lialf a Bushel of Corn d 

Six ounces of flax 

Ten ounces of flux d 

Bushel of Kic ,, 

Bushel of Bie d 

Making a Shirt U 

July U, IT.'kS. 

paster y Cult 2 Wcks 

two Bushel of C^)rn in Kara 

one Bualiel of Con in Ears n 

Xitins one jiair of Stoekintis d 

CaitirifT a Lood to the fere 

a Small Chees weigli*! 2 pound and half. it 

pound of tlax d 

my Self and Team part of a Day (I 

niakiiii; a Sliir .* a 

Lnudof May d 

7 jmnnd and Six ounces of Chees d 

Bushel ot Kars of Corn d 

half Bushel of Corn ij 

7 Bushel of Turnups (i 

4 pMund and <|uarter of tow r) 

7 pouTid ari'l ten .'iinees uf Beaf. d 

Iiuuml an<l -juarter uf .Sewit d 

t"o pitrs d 

the yuusc of a Small pen U 

a Loud uf h.iy.. 



D.-( r. Id, I70I. 



Bushel of Corn.. 







January 2, 1702. 

Boson and Team one Day G 

fourteen pound uf llax whirli yuu Hud in 17iU 

Charged in 17(i2. * 7 



Bushel of Wheet . 



Angst., 17G2. 
Oct'. 2fi, 17(i2. 



twoBniilsuf Cyder 

1 art uf a Load ut Hay luo'd & hy himself 



lU Day of August, 17G7. 
Mr. Seth Ciain, Dr. 

to 3 Pcks o( Indian Coi n 

Horse tu Cary a (irist tu Darhy Mill 

a Uuise to Hubhel I'nllings 



10 

1 :i 



IG Dee'. 

Boson and team U 2 C 

Dec'. 2S. 

Boson and team one Day,.... d 5 

May. 

Hoi-se, fishing A Carring tish tu market :i 

}._. Bushel uf Seed Corn." d 1 G 

tu my Hoixe, a tisliing and to Cary the Fish to 

nmrket i) :i Q 

Bushel &. half Corn 3 'J 

June. 

George uiie Day to How 2 G 

July, 

one Bushel uf Indian Corn 2 6 

Atig*. 

two Bushels and half Seed Kie 8 

one Bushel Itie and a I'erk d 4 2 

yoke of Oxun tu Cart Cyder d l 

rouuil Butter at lOd d M 10 

^a^[el■itlg Tow al'uut 2 weeks d 1 G 

5 IVmnd In Dunces Chees 2 

Nov., 17fi0. 

1 lt>. Buttei' d '.) 

my mare to (leu: Tomsons d n s 

to Schuoling your Children d 2 

1 iiuiiml of Butter d d U 

1 Bnsliel of I'urn 2 

this ai ' in I'age f>2. 

Contra By Barils 112 

James AVells, Dr. 

■\Vhippos Boards Sold to .Silas Hubhel :j 13 

to Benton Dayton , 4 2 

7 l.j 

Aiignst y.">, ITGl. 

Fith Kimberly, Dr. 

Half Bushel Wheet n 3 

Souling a i)air of Shoues 2 

a pair of Slioues for y Wife By M^. Deforest G d 

Cash d 1 G 

two Bushel Ears of Corn d 2 G 

Jany. 27, 1702. 

Boson and team to CaitaLoud from N"pa.«ter 

point 10 

10 July. 

Six pyund of Veal 13 

An'. 21. 

half of a Tjam 4 

Nov. 22. 

Cash 12 

1 11 5 
Ab.)Ut Angus 2.'>, 1703. 
Isaac Hill, Dr. 

to half Bushel wheet n 2 G 

two I'ouiid taler o 1 ^ 

Beaf Kieven Touiid quarter d i> iij 

23 De'., '03. 

Bushel of ^L-sling 4 

7 January, 17G4. 

Six Pound Same two ounces uf tlax 2 11 

Cash tu Phim-as Hill pf urder 1 n 

1 13 y 
Isaac Hill, Dr. 

Pound Butcr. 18d 8 

Pound Butter u s 

4 pound A 2 uunces uf fut d 2 2 

17Co. 

one Pair Sboues () 4 

1 Bushel of Corn d '^ o 

10 iiound uf puik d 2 10 

2 BuBliel uf Com In the Eare 3 



758 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



20 Aug*., 17C5. 

JI'. Ogilin Mallarj', D'. 

£ ». <J. 

2 Load linv 1 10 

1 q'. Hum at 2«. M 2 6 

to liiv Hors to Dover G 5 

to 111} llore two Dn.v 2 

to my tt'um to Cart Iiay 4 6 

Lisliliiil liul Day 3 

Days 'X 10 9 

2 yoki- of oxon two Days 

7*4 Days one yoke oxoii 

Uushel of wheat Carietl home 

not Reckeii''. 

2 Ililshels ami lialf Sow<>. 

12 I'oiinil 2 oiiticesof >'eck Beat 1 10 

4 Pomiil Deaf 10 

1 Bilsliel wheat 4 6 



CERTIFICATE AXD EMANCIPATIOX. 

" Tills may certify that on the tlay of the Date of this Certificate before 
us the Sulworitiers, two of the Justices of the peace in StratforU, in the 
County of FairfieUi, personally appoareil TliaUdeus Ilcnedict, Esq'., of 
saiO StratfoF'l, and made known to ns that he was the lawful owner nm] 
possessor of a certain Negro man iinmcJ C-ato James, ant) that lie was 
ilesirxms to omanci|>ate said Cato agreeahly to the Statute law in that 
case made and provided; whereupon we called said Cato, and an actual 
examination and enquiry found him to he in good health and desirous 
of heing made free, and that he was over the age of twenty-fivu and 
under the age of Korty-tive. 

"Cortiliod hy us this 28"> day of September, ITUO, at Stratford aforo- 
satd. 

" AntjAii .Stermso, 
"AllIJAII McEwKN, 
" Jtuticet of Pcacf ." 

" Know all men hy these IVcsents that I, Thad, Benedict, of Stratford, 
in Fairfield County, in consideration of the above Certificate and other 
and divers good causes and considerations me thereunto moving, do 
hereby for myself, my heirs, Executoni, and administrators, forever 
emancipate and make free the above-described Slave named Cato James, 
and him do set at Liberty. 

" Witness my hand & Seal the 28''> day of Septcmb', 1799. 

" TiLAU. Benedict. 
"Witnesses: 

*' Amj.Mi Sterling. 

"Abijaii SIcKwen." 

"Fairfield Cocntv, »». .- 

"(1n the Day and Date within written Personally appeared Tliod. 
Benedict, &q^, and acknowledged the within emancipation to bo his 
free act and Deed before me. 

" AnijAii Sterlino, 
" Jnnt. Peavf." 

FISHING-PLACE. 

"Know all Slen By these Presace that we, Silas Ilnbbill, Phineas 
Blackmail, James Lilliiigston, and Sam>. Curtis Siiuthwortli. all of Strat- 
ford, Did on the Second Day of .Tiine, 1790, go and Clear a fishing place 
in the Ulaiii Chanil on the Easterly Hat, then Riming the pint of Com- 
pass, Bringing the Old fielil Kocks So Called to Bar West Northwest, 
tliencu Ituniiig East, till it Brings quimbem Neck pint in a South 
Line." 

Oy.'iter-iiliiiitiiig wa.s commenced in this town in 
1844, and lias been followed somewhat c.Ktensively 
since. The cultivution of clams is of more recent 
date. 

Wni. A. Lewis's oyster-bed is situated on Sea View 
Avenue, We.«t Stratford, frontinj; Bridgi^iiort harbor 
and Long I:<land Sound. His beds extend a mile or , 
more easterly from his residence inside the beach, and ; 
what is known as Marsh Creek. Also a bed of oysters i 
and clams in front of Us residence, and also a bed of ! 
oysters in the harbor. It is claimed that the oysters 
and clauis grown in this vicinity are unsurpassed. < 



INCIDENT OF THE WAH UF IsiL'. 
"The only military engagement which ever took 
place within town limits occurred in the war of 1812. 
There had been for some time rumors that the British 
were preparing to devastate the coasts of Connecticut, 
and when one of the enemy's men-of-war anchored 
off Stratford lighthouse, a thrill of terror ran through 
the entire town. The authorities met, and it was 
decided to take instant measures for safety, to post a 
militia guard near the point, which sliould keep watch 
for the invaders, detect their manoeuvres, and oppose 
them if they attempted to land. A sergeant and six- 
teen men were selected for this dangenms tsLsk. ' Not 
a drum wtis heard' as the armed comijany, with great 
caution and secrecy, proceeded to their post, every 
man sworn to do his duty. The shades of nigiit never 
descended more heavily than upon this band of de- 
voted patriots, who felt that not only the destinies of 
Stratford depended upon their bravery, but the ftite 
of their wives and children as well. The night wa.s 
black, a driving wind tore the clouds overhead, and 
the breakers roared against the light-house rocks. 
Strange sounds were heard, which awoke the direst 
consternation among the watchers. Unaccountable 
gleams were seen overhead. Inspired by a belief 
that the enemy might be at hand, the sergeant val- 
iantly crejit along the sands, climbed a low slope, 
stretched himself flat on the ground, and waited. 
For a time all was still : then all at once he saw 
clearly that sometliing moved. It moved again, and 
yet again ! There could be no doubt but what the 
British were upon them. ' tScuHer, men / scattf.r!' 
he cried frantically at the top of his voice, and his 
men, faithful to the least word of their commander, 
scattered. As daylight gradiuilly made the situation 
visible, the valiant warriors crawled out of their vari- 
ous hiding-places and looked each other in the face. 
The British man-of war was nowhere to be seen ; all 
that remained to show what the dangers of their 
midnight encounter had been were the three mullein- 
stalks which the sergeant had seen waving in the 
wind. The comrades swore a sacred oath, and de- 
clared they would keep it with an equal mind, that 
the story of the night's adventure should never be 
told; and with that veil drawn over the secret the 
conquering heroes returned home to their breakfasts. 
Two hours afterwards, a.s the sergeant was chopping 
wood in his door-yard, one of his neighbors who had 
not si'rvcd on military duty, looked over the fence 
and said, with a grim smile, 'Scatter, men! Scatter!' 
The story was too good to keep." — Mrit. Kirk. 

THE STRATFORD POST-OFFICE. 

It is evident that rotation in office — at legist, so far 
as postnuuster was concerned — was not a fundamental 
principle underlying the government of Stratford, for 
David Brooks officiated in that capacity half a cen- 
tury ! 

"If I could but summon up the old postmaster, 



STRATFORD. 



r59 



David Brooks," says Mrs. Kirk, " as a witness of the 
gooil feeling that kept him in oftice half a century, 
secure in the afl'ection of friernl and adversary, we 
should see that Presidential elections niight be rohlicd 
of half their terrors. Is there anywhere now in the 
land such a jio.st-otfice as he kept in a little store, 
where the sunniest and pleasantest corner was pro- 
vided with cushioned seats for the comfort of the 
veuerabli' men who ' most did congregate' to meet the 
arriving post-hag? This generation knows nothing 
of the jileasurable excitement of having a mail come 
in. There are nind)Ie fingers and miraculous methods 
nowadays, and papers and letters are whisked into 
boxes which show one at a glance what is in store. 
Xo such convenient and undignified proceedings were 
possible when Mr. Brooks was in jHJuer. From the 
moinent his trend>ling old hands grasped the bag and 
slowly inserted the key until a litter of lelti'rs and 
jiapers from East and West ami North and South was 
s]iread on the counter before him, he gradually swelled 
with importance and scdemtiity. His was no careless 
guardianshi]) : nuirvelous ]ireeautions wouli! he take 
lest the letters should get into wrong hands when they 
left his own; in fact, from the fierceness of his look 
and attitude, one might have supposed that he re- 
garded the claimant of a letter as an intruder on his 
own rights. ( rathcring the packets into his hand and 
expanding his lungs to their fullest, he would begin 
(often interrupting himself by truculent observations 
on bad ink and l)ad writing) to rcail off the names, 
peering at each superscription through his lieavy- 
bowed spectacles, holding the missive lirst at arm's 
length, then directly under his nose. The happy 
recipient, on hearing his name called, would slnnit 
'Here!' when the old postmaster, after indignantly 
surveying the aspirant from head to fo(jt, evidently 
longing to pronounce him an ini]Mistor, would nuike 
a reluctant surrender." 



CHAPTER LXXVI. 

STKATFOED (Continued!. 

AVITCHCRAFT AND KNOCKING^— RO.MAXCE AND 
TKADITIOX. 

Connecticut Witcl]craft— CnHilwif.. liusscf, <if Slratf.ud— II.t Tri;il— 
Iter Ksfciiliiin— The Stnitforil Knoikinss— Tlu' Stirling-FulsMim-' Mur- 
ria^c— The ItliK- Laws. 

STRATFOltD WITCIirKAKT. 

The following account of the execution of the first 
person for witchcraft in New England, and also of 
"Goodwife ISasset" of this town, are extracts from a 
mannscri]it article by .Maj. William K. Jliiicks, of 
Bridgeport, <iii Conm-cticut witchcratl : 

"The charge so often brought against Massachusetts 
in debate upon the floor of Congress and elsewhere, 
of being the only State that persecuted the C^uakers 



and put to death unfortunate persons charged with 
witchcraft, is only partially borne out by facts; Con- 
necticut coming in for her shale of responsibility in 
regard to the latter class. It nuist also be said for 
:\Iassachusetts that if guilty of the blood of the vic- 
tims of her witchcraft excitement, she has in part at 
least ex]iiated the crime by building their sepulchres; 
and their tragic history has l)een so often and so 
graphically related by her historians and poets that 
there are few persons indeed who have never heard 
of the fortitude of (iiles Corey or the heroism of Re- 
becca N<mrse and her fellow-sufl'erers. The case has 
been otherwise with Connecticut. Although in the 
early days of the colony twelve or more persons ac- 
cused of witchcraft were trieil for their lives, five of 
whom suth'red capital luiinsluuent, the names of the 
victims luLve barely escaped oblivion; no historian 
has moralized over their tiite, and the facts relating 
to them are almost unknown, I'xeept to the t'i:\v whose 
antiijuarian tastes have led them to nudce a careful 
study of the early history of tlie Commonwealth. 

" Respecting the lirst victim, a nuiid-servant named 
JFary Johnson, who lived at AVimlsor or Wethers- 
field, but few particulars can now he obtained, and 
her ease is of special interest only from the fact that 
her execution, which took place in the early i)art of 
the year l()4il, was the first instance in which human 
life was sacrificed for alleged |>nictice of witchcraft in 
New England. 

" Upon her trial she confessed her guilt and owned 
that she had long been attended liy a familiar spirit 
who hel[:ed her about her household duties, but at 
length prompted her to commit atrocious crimes, 
among them cliild-nnirder. It is not stated whether 
she carried out these suggestions, but it would not be 
strange if the crime for which she suffered death was 
really infanticide instead of intercourse with the in- 
visible world. In her confession, whicli is preserved 
by Matlier, she says that her first ai-i|uaintance with 
the Evil (Jne came through 'discontent with her sit- 
uation' (a state of mind not uncommon among her 
class at the present day, liut not always, it is to be 
hoped, productive of such tragical conseijucnecs) and 
a habit she had of carelessly ' wishing the devil to 
take this and that,' which ended in his taking pos- 
session of lier. While in ]>rison her demean<jr was 
exemplary. She seemed penitent under the ministra- 
tions of Rev. Samuel Stone, then niiuister of the 
church in Hartford, and when finally led forth to tlie 
gallows, we are informed that 'she dy'd in a frame 
extreamly to the satisfaction of them that were spec- 
tat<irs of it.' 

" Two years later, in May, 1051, occurred the trial of 
(toodwife Basset, of Stratford. Reference is nuide to 
the proceedings in the case of this wonmn, whose pre- 
vious history it is now impossible to ascertain, in the 
colonial records of both Connecticut and New Haven, 
and from the former it seems clear that her trial was 
conducted before Governor Havncs and several other 



TGO 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



magistrates, who came down from Hartt'ord for tlie 
purpose. In tlie latter a confession made l)v the ac- 
cused is spoken of. An ancient and apparently trust- 
worthj' tradition places the site of the gibbet on which 
slie was hung at the first crossing south of the present 
railroad depot, in Stratford, and it is believed that 
that great thoroughfare of commerce, the New York 
and New Haven Railroad, crosses her grave. 

"The tradition further states that while on the way 
to the gallows her fortitude gave way, and bursting 
from the procession in which, according to the custom 
of the time, were magistrates, ministers, and all the 
dignitaries of the neighborhood, the unfortunate 
woman threw herself upon a rock by the roadside, 
clutching it so desperately, that wlien at length forcibly 
detached, bloody marks, like finger-prints, were seen 
upon it. A large quartz stone, streaked u])on its face 
with hornblende, was long shown in Stratford in sup- 
port of this story, but has lately ceased to be one of 
the marvels of that quiet village, having been broken 
up and its fragments built into a cellar wall." 

THE "STRATFORD KNOCKINGS." 
The following sketch of what is known as the Strat- 
ford Knocking*, which begun in 1850, is from the pen 
of Mrs. Ellen Olney Kirk : 

" One is tempted to believe that tlie spirit of Goody 
Basset, hanged in 1051 for divers witchlike arts, was 
never fairly laid, and now, after an unquiet term of 
one hundred and ninety-nine years, returned to walk 
the earth. Or it may be that the dust of those early 
settlers, over whose graves the lofty trees of Elm 
Street were planted and now extend their leafy aisles, 
rose for a sort of earthly judgment-day and took pos- 
session of the nearest habitation. Evil-minded or 
angry spirits they must have been who ransacked, 
pounded, knocked, and almost overturned the quiet, 
decorous house known in later years as the Stratford 
Institute. During the early period of this unearthly 
possession the entire village was convulsed with ex- 
citement and lost its character for sobriety ; crowds 
poured hither by every train ; editors, reporters, 
Spiritualists, skeptics explored, watched, investigated 
and interrogated, and gave an unwelcome publicity 
to the scandalous details. The single village hack- 
man throve amidst the universal decline and fall of 
Stratford : so many were the visitors that he was 
obliged to set u|) a huge yellow omnibus, which tra- 
versed the streets night and day with a sign in huge 
capitals which made the village disgrace only too 
legible: ' Mysterious Stratford Knockings.' 

" The ' knockings' began in the house of Dr. A. 
Phelps, who luul resided in the i)lace, with his wife 
and children, for two or three years. The day wi\s 
Sunday. When Dr. Phelps' family returned from 
churcli they found their door hung with crape, and 
on entering the houscMMiw signs of strange disturb- 
ance during their absence, while in one of the rooms 
was discovered u figure laid out and shrouded for the 



grave. From this moment the house was taken pos- 
session of by the 'spirits' or some other unseen 
agencies, that continued to run riot for the ensuing 
eight months or more. Every trick, device, horror, 
absurdity, impertinence ever pressed into the service 
of ghost, hobgoblin, witch, or modern ' spirit' was now 
turned against the peace and respectability of this 
unfortunate family. There were rappings — not merely 
rappings, but thumpings, and thumpings, too, as if a 
giant's strength were behind them ; there were mar- 
velous noises, with reverberations like thunder up 
and down the staircases and along the halls ; there 
were apparitions, strange figures in strange places : 
there were messages from the unseen land of the 
spirit.s, not only sjielled out in hard knocks and vibra- 
tions on lieadboards of beds, on ceilings, doors, and 
floors, but written out fairly on slips of jiaper, which 
floated down from the invisible like the leaves of the 
Cumsean Sibyl : the very vegetables from the cellar 
on being j)ared and sliced were found to be written 
over with indelible characters. There were appar- 
ently whole legions of spirits hard at work, as if all 
the tormented souls from one of Dante's lowest circles 
had been delivered from their pain to communicate 
certain tidings to all who entered Dr. Phelps' house, 
then, finding no interpreter, grew angry and waged 
w-ar upon the unbelievers who rejected them. Their 
ammunition showed a dearth of all suitable spiritual 
artillery : flat-irons, large junk ink-bottles, scuttles 
of coals, pokers, bricks, and even toilet-brushes, were 
the weapons made use of; scissors too, since one of 
the daily performances was cutting into ribbons the 
I clothes of the son and heir of the house. 
' "These thiujrs mav seem incredible, but thev were 
' not done in a corner, and the eyes of all men were 
turned to see what would be the end of it. The 
} unhappy master of the house courted investigation, 
I and for four months everything was investigated and 
the most widcly-ditfering conclusions were reached. 
Elm Street— haughty, exclusive, aristocratic Elm 
Street — echoed to the tread of hundreds who came to 
find some clew to the strange 'Stratford knockings.' 
I First of all was Parson Weed, startled out ot his 
' study-chair by the tidings of these doings of the Evil 
, One in the very midst of the faithful, still wearing 
■ his gown and slii)pcrs, his luminous eyes bent on 
' space as he strode indignantly forward, eager to 
encounter and vantpiish the adversary. Other di- 
I vines followed him, but all the light of their ortho- 
I doxy could not illuminate the darkness of these 
manifestations. Some of those who came to suggest 
an easy remedy for cheap and obvious impostures 
remained mute, deciding that there might be things 
in heaven and earth not reached by their little foot- 
mea.sure of philosophy. Strange things were enacte<l 
before clear-sighted and reasonable men, two of 
whom, sitting alone in a room with two doors, — one 
opening into the hall and the other into a clothes- 
press, — heard knockings on the inside of the closet- 



STRATFORD. 



761 



door, wliii-h (III (iiieiiiiii;- tlu'V t'ouiiil tn )ir<ii.-cc(l f'rnin 
vacancy: as soon as tlir ilimr was aiiaiii closed the 
knockings proccedcil, not mily wiili a Inud iidisc. l)Ut 
so vigorously that the very jiancls shook under their 
eyes. Sittiii": hef'ore the fire, they beheld the orna- 
ments on the Miantel-piece sprine Ironi their places to 
alifiht unbroken on the floor; bricks started nut of 
thin air and were hurled ac^ll^s the mom; jidkers 
jumpetl up of their own ai-cord ancl went cra^hiiiix 
through the windows; on lifling a lighted candle 
they saw the flame expand to I'our times its usual 
eireumferenee, circle round the wick, then shrink ami 
hang blue and tremulous :ibove. and finally resume 
its feeble flicker. Thesi- sights, ami a thousand others 
as unusual, are related by the most creclible witnesses 
among outsiders. The family thcmscdves were com- 
pelled to endure personal demonstrations of ghosts or 
hobgoblins, who when clasped in the arms of tlesh 
and blood vanished, leaving nothing behind save 
sheets from the domestic liiieii-cliest, 

" Life in Stratford was not an auiusemerit to the 
worthy Dr. I'lielps. Surrouiidid a|>]>aiently by a 
band of hostile forces which threatened tlesh and 
lilood, haunted, waylaid, and pursued by spectres, 
girt about by a sea of mystery which sejiarated him 
from his felhjw-creaturcs, and, worse than all. fiirced 
to have his misfortunes become a show, a coarse 
stimulus for sensationalists, he saw no resource but 
to flee from his troubles, and lie accordingly left the 
l>laee. The spirits w'ent with liiiii, or back to their 
forgotten (rod's Acre, or into the witch's unmarked 
hurial-idace. There are those who still shake tb<'ir 
heads over the Stratford knockings, mainlainiiig that 
they were never in any degree cx]ilaincd, while others 
find them as easy of solution as the joke^ in a la>t 
year's almanac." 

THE STIKLING-FOLSO.MIO M All II I Ail K. 

The romance of the Stirling-Fidsonie marriage, or 
how Sir ,Tohn Stirling wooed and won pretty .\bby 
Folsome, the blacksmith's daughter, is so well cor- 
roborated by histiu'y in some of its iletails that many 
anti(juarians are dispo-eil to accept the whole of it. 

Briefly it is as follows: During the Kevolution, (ien. 
Sillinian was I'aptured by the Uritish, and in retalia- 
tion an expedition was planned from Str;ittiM'd, with 
John Folsome, the bl:u>ksmith, as leader, for the cap- 
ture of Judge .Tones, a royalist, living on Ijong Islaml. 
The expedition was successful, and .Ttidge Jones was 
brought to Stratford, and wdiile here met |>retty .Uiby 
Folsome, whose beauty made such an im]iression 
upon him that at a dinner sul)se(|ucntly given him in 
Kew York in honor of his return he projioscd the 
"health of the fairest .Vnua-ican rebel," meaning >riss 
Abliy Folsome. 

Some time after Cornwallis' surrender, .ludge Jones 

and Sir John Stirling, during a tour along the coast, 

visited Stratford, and while liere Miss .\bby came 

under the gaze of Sir John. The beauty and grace 

4i) 



oi the Stratford belle caused the ].eer of the rc:ilm of 
( Jrcat Britain to indc'liiiitely postpone his de]iarture 
from the little village, ami the result was that not 
many weeks ehqised ere the (jniet little town w'as 
thrown into a great excitement by the announcement 
that Sir .bihn Stirling had married Abby Fcdsome 
and had saileil for England, leaving her behind. 
Many there were who were ready to say that he would 
never return ; in fact, be never did, but he sent bis 
seci-ctary for her in a vesscd richly ju'epared for her 
comfort. Ill Burke's l'eia':ige is the following memo- 
randum ; 

"Sir.fohn Stirling married Miss Folsome, of Strat- 
ford, in North America, by whom he had a numerous 
family. The title is borne to-day by the grand- 
nephew id' Sir John Stirling." 

TltAIUTIIiXARY. 

The lidlowing incident concerning the settlement 
of .Mr. Birdsey, one ol tin- I'arliest inhaliitants, is 
taken from >Irs. ICIhn ( Miiey Kirk's article, entitled 
"Stratliird on the Sound," published in LipphirntCs 
Mii;/a:iiu'. .luly, l.S71h 

" Mr. Birdsey removed here from Milford in lii41i. 
and tradition lends a sort of nnnanee to bis hegira. 
Milford was renowned for its orthodoxy, and the 
'Blue Laws,' both written and iiinvritteii. w ere rig- 
idly enforced. (die of these insisted that no man 
should kiss his wife on Sunday. Mr. liirdsey, having 
been caught ott'ending in this particular, was, on Mon- 
day, sentenced to a numbered' lashes, lie escaped from 
the town officers, however, ran to the river, swam it, 
and, once on the Stratford shore, shook his fists in his 
pursuers' faces. J 1 is wife followecl him, as in duty 
bound, anil his children increased ami his grand- 
children multiplied until now the Birdsey ])edigree 
is the central stem of all Stratford geiiealoiries." 



(■i[.\rTKi; i>.\xviL 

STRATFOHD iContinuedi. 

CIIUUCIIKS, I,OD(iE,s, SrilOOl^.s. 

Till- ('ciiiKi<<i.'.'ili""iil I'liun-li — Clirist Clmnli — Mc'tliiiilist Kliiscopal 
cluin Ii— SuniiiKTtieM Clmn-li — Trinity RIcimirial ('liiijiel— St. .toliu's 
l,...l!>i-. No. s, V. iinii A. M.— Oi-i.TLique Lu.Iki', N". W, I. O. ,.r 0. F.— 
Till- StratforJ Acailum.v— t'li-siiMl (VuiiUtiiiii ul' llu' S.IkidIs. 

THE co.\(;i;E(;A'rioxAi, ciniRcn. 

"Tnii; ]irecise dati' of the organization of the first 
(hiircdi of Christ in Stratford, and the ntimes of the 
original members, cannot be ascertained. All busi- 
ness ridativc to the settlement, support, and dismission 
of ministers, and lo the building and repairing of 
meeting-houses, was transacted in town-mi'eting until 
the year 1721, and no regular town reckon! prior to 
It;.-)!! exists. 

" N'or does any record of the church prior to 1G75 



762 



lllSTUKY UF FAIRPIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



now exist. The settlement of the town Ijpgan in 
1639, and took definite form as a i)lantution in 11)40. 
In all i)robal)ility the chureli was organized as early 
iui this, for the Rev. Adam Blakeman, its fir.st jjiustor, 
was then in the town, as his presence is certified by 
an order of the General Court, dated June, 1G40, 
directing him and others to settle the boundary-line 
between Stratford and Fairfield. 

"The ehureh w;is certainly in existence in 1()44, as 
in that year the General Court appointed William 
Judson and John Hurd, ' members of the Stratford 
Church,' to collect the contributions for indigent 
students at Cambridge College. 

" The Rev. Adam Blakeman, the first ])astor, was 
born in Staffordshire, England, a.d. 1')!)!), and was 
matriculated at Christ's College, Oxford, May 28, 
1617. He was a preacher for some years in Leicester- 
shire and Derbyshire, and in 163S came to New Eng- 
land. He wiis one of the original com])any of settlers 
in Stratford in 1639— tO, and wiis minister of the 
ehureh until his death, Sept. 7, 1665. 

" The Rev. Israel Chauncey was a native of Massa- 
chusetts, and the son of the Rev. Charles Chauncey, 
president of Harvard College. He wa.s born at Scit- 
uatc, Mass., 1644, graduated at Harvard College in 
1661, wa.s chosen assistant to Mr. Blakeman in the 
ministry, and upon Mr. Blakeman's death was called 
in June, 16()6, to the pastoral charge. He wa.s chosen 
rector or president of the college Nov. 11, 1701, but 
the honor he declined. He died March 4, 1703. 

" Upon Mr. Chauncey's .settlement an active oppo- 
sition developed itself, wliieli culminated in the divi- 
sion of the church. 

" .\fter Mr. ('hauncey's death the church and town, 
in April, 1703, ' chose Capt. Judson and the two dea- 
.cons to supply the pulpit, and to obtain help of the 
elders of the County to keep a day of fixsting and 
prayer for (Jod's direction in seeking a minister.' 
For six years the church was without a settled pastor. 

" Rev. Timothy Cutler, D.D.— A call wa.s extended 
to Dr. Cutler, Sept. 16, 1709, and in or near the De- 
cember of that year he was ordained. He was horn 
in Charle.stown, Mass., June 1, 1684, and graduatc<l 
at Harvard College in 1701. In 1719 he was chosen 
President of Yale College. In 1722, professing a 
preference for the Church of England, and renoun- 
cing his connection with the churches of the colony, 
he wa< requested to re-sign his position as President 
of the college. Soon after he was settled over Christ's 
Church in Boston. He died Aug. 17, 176r>. 

" In 1719 a call was extended to Kev. Samuel Rus- 
sell (grad. Yale Col. 1712), but as there was a large 
minority in op|>osition to him he did not settle, 
though for three years he .su|)plicd the pulpit and 
had the pastoral care of the church. In November, 
1721, for the first time in the settlement of the town, 
the town lus such, c(*a.sed to determine, by vote, the 
afiairs of the CongregatiDruil parish. This change 
arose from the introductinn of an KiMscopal Cbureb, 



which, although it had been in embryo for some years 
previous, took [)ermancnt form now through acces- 
sions derived from the controversy with Mr. Ru.ssel. 

"Rev. Hezekiah Gold. — In February, 1722, a call 
was extended to Rev. Hezekiah Gold. He was or- 
dained on the first Wednesday in June, 1722. 

" .Mr. Gold w'as dismissed July 3, 1752. He die<l 
in 1761. 

'■ The ehureh remained without a pa.stor two years. 

" Rev. Izraiah Wetmore was the son of Hezekiah 
Wetmore, of Middlctown, was born in 1728 ; was 
graduated at Yale, 1748, and was ordained pastor 
over this church. May 16, 1753. He resigned his 
charge in 1780. The church was pa.storless for over 
four years. 

" Rev. Stephen William Stebbins, the next pjistor, 
was born in East Long Meadow, Mass., June 26, 1758, 
and was graduated at Yale College, 1781. He was 
ordained j>astor of this church, July 7, 1784. He was 
dismissed .Vugust, 1813. 

" Rev. Matthew li. Dutton was born in Watertown. 
Conn., June 3, 1783, was graduated at Yale College, 
1808, and was ordained in Stratford, Sept. 20, 1814. 
Mr. Dutton continued pastor, universally esteemed 
and beloved, until the autumn of 1821. when he ac- 
cepted the appointment of ' Professor of JIathcniati<-^ 
and Natural Philosophy' in Yale College. He died 
July 17, 1825. 

"Rev. Joshua Leavitt, D.D., was born in Heath, 
Franklin Co., Mass., Sept 8, 1794, and was graduated 
at Yale College, September, 1814. He was ordaineil 
over the church in February, 1825, and was dismissed 
in 1828. 

" Rev. Thomas Robbins was born in Norfolk, Conn., 
Aug. 11, 1777, entered Yale College in 1792. Ho 
graduated at Williams College in August, 1796. hi 
September following he took the same degree, B..\., 
in his former ela.ss at Yale. In 1803 he was or- 
dained missionary of the Home Missionary Society 
to the northern part of Ohio, where he labored until 
impaired health obliged him to return. In February. 
1830, he was installed pastor over this church, and 
on Sei)tember 9th, the following year, be wiis dis- 
missed. 

"Rev. Frederick W. Chapman wa.s born in Can- 
field. Trumbull Co., Ohio, Nov. 17, 180(i ; was gradu- 
ated at Yale College in 1828; was ordained and in- 
stalled i>astor of this church Sept. 5, 1832, and wa-. 
dismissed April 16, 1839. 

" Rev. William Houghton Weed was born in New 
Canaan, March 22, ISII, and was graduated at Yab' 
College, 1X30. Ho was ordained at Stratford Dec. 4, 
1830. He died Dec. 3, 1860. 

" Rev. Joseph R. Page was born in New Brunswick, 
N. J., and was installed luustor of this church Feb. 
11, 18,57. In October, 18.5S, he was dismis.sed. 

" Rev. Benjamin L. Swan was born in Medford, 
Ma.ss., July 31, 1S13; received the honorary degree 
of A.JI. from Yale in 1844. In Sei>tember. 18.58. he 



STRATFORD. 



Ti;:; 



acceptcil the invitation of this rliun-li nnd was in- 
stallc'd (.)ctohor, IXoS, and was dismissi'd in 1N<J3. 

"Rev. Lewis Charpiot was instaHeil pastor of tliis 
church ilay 2.">, 18(')4, and was dismissed ,\]n'il 1 L', 

"Rev. William K. Hall was installed Oct. 'M, ISGG. 

" Rev. Frank 8. Fiteh was ordaine<l .lune 17, 187.'-1 ; 
jiastoral relations ceased Oct. ^!l, 1S7.S. 

" Rev. Sanuiel Howard Dana was installed Mareli 
12, 187!', and is the present (.Tune, 1880) incumlient. 

" /i/ilrrs. — Rut one ruling elder seems ever to have 
held office in this church; he was Philip Groves, 
who died in lii7li. He was deputy to the lleneral 
Court for the town of Strattord as early as 1(1.')L'. In 
16.")4 he was chosen 'assistant,' and as such ' was em- 
powered to marry jiersons.' 

" Deai'oiis. — The earliest named olliccrs of this class 
on record are .lolin liirdseye and .lohn W'ilcoxson; 
the former is rel'erred to as Vnienii in l(i7N. and 
the latter in l(i7'.', Imt neither of them could have 
been the first ineumlients after the organization of 
the church, as Jlr. Rirdseye was horn in lli41 and 
died in l(i!tS, and as l\Ir. A\'ilcoxson was luirn in l(i.H4 
and died in Kliio. 

" .'!. Thomas Widls is mentioned as a deai'on in 
17(17; died in 1721. 

"4. Rohert Walker is next nanieil as a deacon in 
1722; died in 174:!. 

" ."i. .lohu Thompson is also mentioned as a diacou 
in 1722 ; died in 1765. 

"(I. Joh Peek is also styled ' I*cai-on' on his grave- 
stone, though no record of his appointment is extant: 
died in 17Si'. 

■'7. Eliiathan \\'liecler, appointed in 17ol, died 
17(;i. 

" S. Isaiah IJrown, appointed in 17o~», died 171K1. 

"it. John Judson, appointed in 177.S, died . 

" 10. Ehenezer ('(jc, appointeil in 1784, died 1S20. 

"11. Nathan ;\IcF>wen, appointed in M'.H, ilied 
I.SIO. 

" 12. Samuel rHonl, appointed in l:-;(il, died 18l'1. 

" P). Agur Curtis, api>ointed in l.sol, died ]S:18. 

"14. Philo Curtis, appointed in , died ps.'")2. 

" ITi. Agur Curtis, appointe<l in , died 1S(18. 

"Hi. David P. .(udson, appointi'd in 18:57. 

"17. Agur T. Curtis, appointed i?i l.SOcS. 

"18. Lewis Beers, a])poinled in 1S.">8. 

"PI. Charles C. Wells, appointeil in 18(i7. 

"20. Samuel T. Houghton, a|jpointed in 1877. 

"21. Sanuiel K. Curtis, ajipointed in 1.S77." 

MKI-'.l'I.NC llol'Sl-;.-!. 
"The first house for piililic wor-liip was erected 
near wdiat is now called 'Sandy Hollow.' This fact 
in reference to it is of interest, an<l desi-rves to he re- 
membered. It possessed a hell, with whiidi the [leoplc 
■were summoned to worship. How it came to he thus 
favored is not known, for it was the only chnrcli in 
all the colonies where the people were not called to- 



gether by 'drum, the lilowing of shell or horn.' In 
IliSl this house was removed and its materials sold at 
auction. 

"The second house for public worship was built on 
Watidi-H.mse (now Academy) Hill. In 1(189 this 
house was, by vote, tbrtilied tor the security of the 
women and children against. any attack that might be 
made by the Indians. 

"The third house for pulilic worshi]i was liuilt in 
; 174:', anil stood wdiere the academy now stands until 
178."), when it was destroyed by lightning. 

"The fourth house for public worslii[i was huilt in 
17''^(i. It occu|iied the site of the present house. 

"The tilth and jiresent house for worship was dedi- 
cated on the 27th October, bS.-)!)." 

CHRIST Clirttril. 
The first services in the State of ( 'onnecticut accord- 
ing to the rights and ordinances of the Protestant 
I'4iiscopal Church were held in this town in 17()(j, 
and here tlu' first Kpisco]ial church in the State was 
erected ill 172:b 




FIRST EI'ISCOI'AI, (Tirinll IX ('(iNNf.CTICUT. 

The following account of the organization of this 
cliureh is from Trumbull's " History of ( 'onnecticut :" 

"During the term of alioiit seventy years I'roiii tlu> 
settlement of ( 'oumcticiit, the ( 'ongregatioiial had 
been the only mode of \Mii>.hip in the colony. Put thi^ 
Society for Pro]iagatiiig the (ios|iel in Foreign Parts, 
in 1704, fixed the Rev. ^Ir. Muirson as a missionary 
at Rye. Some of the pi-ople at Stratford had been 
educated ill the ('liiirch of Ihigland mode of worshi)> 
and administering of the m-dinances, and others were 
mil plcasi'd with the ri.L'id doctrines and discipline 
of the .New Paigland churches, and they made an 
earnest application to Mr. Muirson to make a \isit at 
Stratford and ])reacli ami ba]itizc among them. 

" .\bout the year 17(Mi. upon their invitation, he 
came to Stratford, accumpanied with ( 'ol. Heatlicote, 



764 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, (< i.\NK( TKTT 



a gcntlpman zealously rngn<rcd in promotinfr the 
Episcopal (Jhurcli. 

" The ministers and people in that and the adjacent 
towns, it seems, were alarmed at his comiiifr, and took 
pains to prevent tlieir neighbors and families from 
hearing him. However, the novelty of the affai?, and 
other circumstances, brought together a considerable 
assembly, and Mr. Muirsoii baptizeil five and twenty 
persons, principally adults. 

"This was the first step towards introducing the 
church worship in the colony. In April, 1707, he 
made another visit to Stratford, ('ol. Heathcote was 
pleased to honor liim with his company, as he had 
done before. He preacheil at this time at Fairfield, 
a.s well as Stratford, and in both towns baptized a 
number of children and adult persons. Both the 
magistrates and ministers opposed the introduction 
of Episeopiicy, and advised the ])Oople not to attend 
the preaching of the church missionaries; but the 
opposition only increased the zeal of the church peo- 
ple. Mr. Muirson after this made several journeys 
to Connecticut and itinerated among the people. But 
there was no missionary from the society fixed in 
Connecticut until the year 1722, when Mr. Pigot wiis 
appointed missionary at Stratford. The churchmen 
at first in that town consisted of about fifteen fami- 
lies, among whom were a few husbandmen, but much 
the greater number were tradesmen who had been 
born in England and came and settled there. Some 
of their neighbors joined them, so that Mr. Pigot had 
twenty communicants and about one hundred and 
tifty hearers. In 172.'J, Christ Church in Stratford was 
founded, and the Rev. JFr. Johnson, attcrwards Dr. 
Johnson, was appointed to succeed Mr. Pigot." 

"From 1723," says Mrs. Kirk, " Christ Church of 
Stratford has a clear record and an important history. 
At that time Mr. Sanniel Johnson, having returned 
from Kngland, where he bad s|)ent a year and taken 
holy orders, was settled as pastor, and until 17')4, 
when he became president of King's (now Columbia I 
College in New York, he gave all his powerful abili- 
ties to the advancement of the parish. During his 
long pastorate there were some lively breezes of doc- 
trinal and social differences between the rival religious 
Ixxlies. 

" In 1743 the second Christ church was erected on 
the village green at the foot of ileoting-House Hill, , 
where it stood until 1858. It was to this church tluit ^ 
Dr. Peters admiringly alhided, and on the top of its 
steeple wits a proud and dominant cock, which ha.s to 
this day faced the tem|)est. The bell wa.s given by 
Dr. Johnson, and the ghus for it-s many windows by 
another well-wisher, who, however, when he came to 
pay the bill, is said to have expressed some regrets 
for his over-lavish generosity, declaring with irrita- 
tion that the church unist all have been nuide of 
glass. The organ was fhe first instrument of its kind 
used in a place of public worship in Connecticut, and 
wa-s purchased in 1756 by ilnriv-lin-i'c inrsuns, who 



'bound themselves to Mr. Gilbert Doblois, of Boston, 
merchant, in the aggregate sum of sixty pounds ster- 
ling, to be paid within six years in six equal pay- 
ments of ten pounds sterling per annum, without de- 
mand of intere.st.' 

"The Revolution brought fresh causes of difference 
between the churches. The Ei)iscopal ministers, 
whose strength lay in traditional authority, naturally 
took the side of England. Having prayed so long 
for 'our excellent King George,' they found it al- 
most impossible to leave off such supplications. One 
of them uttered this prayer by inadvertence after the 
war began ; then, seeing a threatening movement in 
his congregation, he corrected him.self, shouting fran- 
tically, '0 Lord, I mean (lenrge Washington!' In 
Stratford church the old prayers were cut short by an 
arbitrary patriot, who had no notion of uttering 
' Amen' to such heresies. ' My grandfather,' so 
Capt. Pula.ski Benjamin has told me, ' went to church 
the Sun<lay after the battle of Lexington, and when 
Mr. Knceland (the clergyman) read out the prayer 
for the royal family, he stood up in his pew and de- 
clared that no such prayers must be uttered in Strat- 
ford, that the name of (ieorge III. was the name of 
the worst enemy of every one in the colony. Mr. 
Knecland rose from his knees, shut his prayer-book, 
raised his hand and pronounced the benediction, and 
the church wa.s closed until the end of the war.' " 

The first church edifice was opened for worship 
Dec. 2'), 1723. It wa.s located in the present church 
burying-ground, and was in size forty-five and one- 
half feet in lengtli, thirty and one-half feet wide, and 
twenty-two feet between joints. 

The church, :is mentioned above, waserccted in 1743, 
and W!us opened for worship July 8, 1744. It was 
sixty feet long, forty-five feet and six inches wide, 
twenty-four feet high to the roof with a spire one 
hundred and twenty feet high. 

The present church edifice was dedicated July 29, 
1858, with a spire ornamented by the venerable cock 
which had veered on the stee|>lc-top of the ancient 
church. 

Dr. Johnson was .succeeded a.s re"tor ol'tliis church 
by Mr. Winslow, then Mr. Knecland, who was suc- 
ceeded by Mr. Sayre. The next rector was Rev. 
Ashbel Baldwin, who c<Hninenced his labors in 1792 
and remained until 1832. 

The rectors since Rev. Mr. Baldwin have been 
George C. Shepherd, Edwin W. Wiltbank. Alfre<l A. 
Miller, John Morgan, Josejih Scott, John A. Pad- 
dock, John Stearns. Daniel C. We.ston, Charles H. 
Strong, D. L. Lounsbury, atul .Arthur Sloan, the pre.«- 
cnt incumbent. 

The following is the inscription on Dr. Johnson's 
monument in the Episcoi)al burying-ground : 

" M. S. Saniiiolis .tohntun, U.D. 

ColI»>gii Ki'jiuliw Novl Kljonii-i I'rnwidiH 

priuii ot lllIjll^ Ki-*-lffiii* nuiHT UiHlnii*. 

Nlltiu Die II lu Ottub :G»6. ol.il i; 1.. lull. 1772. 



STKATFOKl). 



765 



II tU'ir-iit iI'kiiiHii ami iimdost mini, 

Tlif L-lirfrfiil lieiir! antl ciiuuti-liailro iscrrlii'; 

If iiun- i-.(yi..» ami unsiillic-.l Initli. 

His (Kjf^g snlace ivml Iiis s.-;ui li in yniitli ; 

If piclii ill all tlu- paltis lu' lic.l. 

Still ri^^iut; vignrmis tii his Lot.l ami Gml ; 

If i-haiity tliro' all tin- la.i- lie laii. 

Still willilis wi-ll anil clcilis; p....l t.. man ; 

If Lkakmso, free fli'in peitalitiy ami [iiitle; 

If Faith ami virtue, ualkilij; side l>y siiie; 

If well to iiiarU tiis l.eine's aim ami eiiil. 

To shitif till*"'' life a UfsitANn, Father, Kiukni). 

If Uiese ainliitiuns in tliy soni ean raise, 

Excite tliy reverence or Lleinaml thy praise; 

]ffa<ler, ere yet thou tpiit tliis earthly scene, 

Ui'vere his name, ami he what he lias been. 

IM^ l.rs CiioPi;!;." 

MKTlllUHSl' lOriSCiip Al, ciirurn.i 
From tlif liest iiifni-iuatiim I am alilf to olilaiii it. 
iippciirs that the lii'st sfnmin jni ai linl liy a Mfthmlist 
in the vilhine iif Stiatfunl, ('uiin., was hv .Trssc Lor, 
a iiiiti'il i'van,i;rlist, who |i.issci| throii'^li lliis |ilari' on 
his way to New Haven, and sto|i|iiii;i- .at Stratford 
]irc:ii lied in the towiidionse on Ihe 4th day of .Inly, 
A.D. 1789. The first Methodist ehiss w;is iirganized 
here on tlie lOtli dtiy of jMay, 171til, liy .Te.sse Lee, eon- 
sistinf; of the followinu-iianied ]iersons: ,Iolin Smith. 
John Peek, ^lariitiret I'himli tind iter sister, Amy 
Plniidi, four in all. l!islio|i .Vslmry passed tliis phiee 
on ,Iiine 7, I7'.ll, |iieai]n'd in tlie towndioiise, tiiid met 
till- class whieli, nr^tiiiized only :i little ovia- our year 
liefore, luul now inereased its numhers to twenly niem- 
Ijers. Mlieli opjiosition wtis arouseil amontj: the peo- 
]ile ai^ainst tliis then new sect, and i'r<ini litis pi i iml 
to I.SIO, wlien the first himsr of worship wtts eiicted, 
tlie preachinj; was had in private hons,-s. The resi- 
deiiees of Cttpt. ,lolin I'eek and Lliuithtin A\'lieeler 
are named ;ts phiei-s where tin'y usually met. Xo 
record ean he found of tlie exiiet dtite \v\wn the first 
Methodist ehureh was ereeted, nor of the ntime or 
numlier of tlie first ollieers and niemliers. Uy n lia- 
enee to the Conferenee reeords I find tlitit in IMO, the 
year the first ehureh wtis Imilt, Xtitlnin l-hiiery tind 
John Russell were preacdiers on the Stratford Cireuit, 
and preached alternately in tin- vilhip;e of Stratford, 
and Joseph Crawford presidinjr ehler; in lsn,,\;iron 
Hunt, Oliver Sykes, and .1. KeynoMs were preaeliers, 
and William Anson presidinu- elder; IXlli, Seth 
Crowell, Gilhert Lyon, tiiid S, Letteli, jiretndiers, and 
Elijah Hawley presiding elder; 181.3, K. Washlmrn, 
Jas. Coleman, pretiehers, tind \. Bang:s jiresidinj; 
elder. The following were pretndiers from 1814 to 
1879, inclusive : 1814, E. Wolsey and IL Ames ; 181.'"), 

E. Hihhanl and 15. English ; 181(;, 1!. Harris tind 

Dickerson; 1817, K. Harris tind E. Canfield ; 1818, ,S. 
Bushnell and A. Pierce; 1x19, 1!. Xorthrop and i). 
Miller; 1820, lirhi Siiiilh timl I ). .Miller; 1821, Hela 
Smith iind James t^demtiii ; 1822, Lahan Clark and 
Eli Barnett; 182:5, T>:th:in Clark and John Xi.\on ; 
1824, E. Denniston and William Pease; 1825, E. 
Beuniston and Julius Field ; 182G, S. D. Ferguson 



* Ciintriliiiteil hy II, A. Sulti.n. 



:tnd V. Buck; 1S27, F. Barnett tiiid V. Bind;; 1828- 
29, .lohn Lovejoy and ,1, H. Uomer; IS;!ll-;;i, H. 
r.artlett and C. Shernnin ; 18:52, S. Martimhilc and 
L. (.'. t'heney; 18:5:i, J. P. "^'oiings and J. Tticd^aherry ; 
18:54, K. Cilhert; 18:!.-,, 1). .MillCr; 18:;t;, I). Miller; 
18:17. C. W.Turner; l,s:!8. (.'lark Fuller (.Mr. Fuller 
left dtiritif; this year, and Astihel Bronson, a local 
preticher, w:is appointed to till tin- vacancy for the 
yetii) ; 18:59-40, Ahrtini S. Frtincis (during his jiastorate 
the |iresent ehureh ediliee w;is ereeted); 1841—12, 
Paul It. Brown (under his lahors the church was fa- 
vored with a very precious revival, tind a number wdio 
have since heeonie prominent members were con- 
verted ) ; 184:5-44, Dtiniel Smith, whose labors were also 
gretitly blessed in the building up of believers ; 1845— 

4i;, Harvey llnsted; 1847, ■ Frost; 1848-49, C. 

Kelsey ; 18.:,O-.01, Morris Hill ; 1852-5:3, Jacob Shaw ; 
1854, (!. (.'. Creevy ; l.S55-5(;, L. I). Nickerson ; 1S57- 
.',8, William T, Hill; 185!M10, S. A. Seaman; l.SDl- 
02, .r. W. Simpson; 18(;:5-i;5, Bennett T. Abbott; 
18i;i;-i;7, T. D. T>ittlewood; 1808-70, Joseph Smith; 
1871-7:5, Jose|ih Aintoii ; 1874-70, A, ^', U. Abbott; 
1877-79, Benitiinin I'illsbury, This completes the list 
of preachers up to this ('onference yetir, which com- 
menced .\]iril 1, 18.80, when the Kev. S, A. Seaman, 
who served this (duirge in the years 1859-60, was 
:i]i|iointed here, and is now preacher in clnirge of this 
station. 

The iireseiit nninbrr of iliurch members is 185; 
Snnihty-school sehohirs, 1:17 ; teachers and officers, 23; 
volumes in Sunday-school library, 41:1; value of 
church ediliee and land, sOt),IMIO ; \alue of church 
ptirsontige and land, $2000, 

Bmini nf y/vwto'.*.— Wilbur A. Smith, President; 
H. A. Sutton, Secretary :tnd Tretisurer; Henry JL 
Blakeslee, Otis 1>. Curtis, Lewis Curtis. 

Board of iS/i'irurdx. — E. I. Peck, President, and 
Acting Secretary and Treasurer; W. French, H. A. 
Sttttou, (), Boiiton, .lames ■\Ieachen. 

.SUMMIUIFIELD CllUllCil. 
About the 1st of .lanuary, 1871, the following per- 
.sons met in a room on TSarnuiu Street, West Stratford, 
itnil established a mission : Rev. W. W. Bowdish, 
]i:istor of A\';ishiiigton Ptirk Methodist Episcopal 
Church, Eev. George A. Parkington, George W. 
Bticou, Solomon Batchclor, W, W. Stannard, and a 
number of others. Kev. (ieorge A. Parkington, then 
:i local |ireachcr, but since a member of the X'ew York 
Etist ( 'onference, w:is selecteil to preach in the mi,S- 
sioii. He ]ireached his first sermon Jan. 15, 1871. 
Jtiti. 29, 1871, a Stililitith-sehool was organized ; Wes- 
ley W. Botsliird, Superintendent ; Frank N, Cox, 
Secrettiry and 'I'retisurer ; David Clark, Lilirtirian. 
'I'hi' school bcgttn with thirty nicmbers. Li due, time 
a cliiss and rcguhir prtiyi-r-meeting were esttiblished. 
Solomon Batchehu' wtis the chiss-lcader. As the mis- 
sion prospered tlicy liegtin to talk of building atduircli. 
.\ committee was appointed for this purpose iind a site 



766 



HISTOllY OF FAIKFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



purchased. A lady by the name of Susan Hubbcll 
sent for the comniittee aiul headed the suliseription 
with five luuidred dollars. The committee were George 
W. Bacon, Solomon Batchelor, Calvin Hull, I. liurd, 
and L. B. Vaill. George A. Parkington joined the 
Conference in April, 1872, and was sent to the Suni- 
merfield Church, as this was the name selected for the 
new church. 

On the 30th of the same month the building com- 
mittee met to adopt a plan for the building, and George 
W. Bacon gave five hun<lrcd dollars, and other sub- 
scriptions were received. Solomon Batchelor, Isaac 
Hurd, P. T. Barnum, and Frances Ford each gave one 
hundred dollai-s. May o, 1872, the first members were 
received by letter : Gilead T. Andrews, Maria An- 
drews, Solomon Batchelor, Joanna Batchelor, George 
H. Batchelor, Flavia A. Batchelor, Wesley 11. Bots- 
ford, Alice M. Botsford, Wallace M. Botsfbrd, Romeo 
Botsford, Edith A. Botsford, Margaret E. Bacon, 
Elizabeth M. Bacon, Henry C. Bennett, Jennie A. 
Bennett, Mary E. Batcheldor, F'redcrick Cox, Abby 
E. Co,\, Sylvanus (iranger, Calvin Hall, Increase 
Hoyt, Mary E. Hoyt, James Lobdcll, Eli/abeth Lob- 
dell, Augusta O. Lobdcll, Rebecca N. Lobdcll, JIartlia 
J. Lund, Irving C. Peck, Emmagene H. Peck, Sarah 
E. Parkington, Charles Shailor, Alice M. Shailor, 
Immanuel Sciviter. 

First stewards, elected May 18, 1872, M. L. S(-ud- 

der jtresiding elder: Charles M: Shailer, F. N. Co.\, 

George Batchelor, John AVragg, Wallace Botsford, 

' Henry C. Bennett, Irving C. Peck, Frank Fairchild, 

Charles Riddle. 

Trustees, elected June 3, 1872 : Solomon Batchelor, 
L. B. Vaill, James Lobdell, Calvin Hall, Smith Lewis, 
Sylvester Bradley, Gilead T. Andrews, Emmanuel 
Sciviter, F'rank Fairchild. 

Tlie corner-stone was laid liy Bishop Simpson, 
April 16, 1872. The first Quarterly Conference was 
lield May 18, 1872, Rev. M. L. Scudder presiding 
elder. The church was dedicated by Bishop Ed- 
mund S. Janes, March 16, 1873. Rev. F. S. De Hiiss 
preached in the evening. 

The Conference held in Brooklyn, April, 1874, ap- 
pointed A. P. Chapman to this charge, and he re- 
mained till April, 1876, when Larmon W. Abbott 
was appointed by the Conference, which met that 
year in Hanson Place Methodist Episco)>al church, 
in Brooklyn. He remained till April, 1878, when 
Edward L. Bray, the present pastor, was ai>pointcd 
by the Conference, which met that year in the First 
Place Methodist Epi.scopal church, Brooklyn. I'n-^- 
cnt membership, seventy. 

Officers : Stewards, John S. Fray, Wallace M. 
Botsford, George Steeples, William H. Curtis, Joseph 
Lewis, James B. Lobdell, Jose]>h Jolnison, George 
Batchelor; Trustees, J. S. Fray, George EJatchelor, i 
Joseph Johnson, Jame%.B. Lobdell, Joseph Lock- | 
wood, Samuel Fray, Eliliu N. Lewis, Uonieo Bots- 
ford, Anthony Bennett. 



TIU.NITV AfKMOHI.'VL CHURCH, WEST STR-VIFORD. 
On the 20th of September, 1871, the first of a 
series of Wednesday evening services was held in 
West Stratford, at the hou.se of Silas Scofield, E.sq., 
Revere Place, by the Rev. Sylvester Clarke, rector of 
Trinity Church, Bridgeport. On the following Sun- 
day, September 24th, a Sunday-school was begun in 
the common school-house of the same (Newfield) 
district. The corner-stone of a chapel was laid by 
Rt. Rev. Bishop Williams, of Connecticut, on Wed- 
nesday, Nov. 2i), 1871. The building, after being in- 
closed, waited through the winter before it was 
plastered. The first service in it was the celebration 
of the holy communion on Sunday morning (Whit- 
sunday), May li), 1872. The chapel is in memor)- of 
the Rev. Gurdon Saltonstall Coit, D.D., rector for 
nearly thirty years of St. John's Church, Bridgeport, 
who died in Southport, Conn., Nov. 10, 1809. 

This parish is a mission of Trinity Church, Bridge- 
port. It contains thirty families, twenty-five com- 
municants, and nearly a hundred Sunday-school 
scholars, and has a record of great usefiilness. 

xKWFiELD mi;tiiodi.st E1M.SC0P.\L CniRCH. 

On the second Sunday of May, 1871, D. W. Cur- 
rier and Theodore Courtright called on the neighbors 
of the Newfield School District, and gave out that 
they would open a Sunday-school on the following 
Sunday afternoon in the barn of Nirum Ilawley. On 
the Sunday named two children — ages, six and eight 

years, names, Charles and Jelleffe — came to 

Sunday-school; on the following Sunday there were 
fifteen present. Theodore Courtright was elected 
superintendent. The school increased in numbers 
and interest until the barn became too small, and 
they moved to larger quarters in a store owned by 
John French. In the mean time a society was tbrmed 
and a Sunday-school organized, called a Union Sun- 
day-school, formed Sunday, Sept. 24, 1871. This 
school was commenced in the district school-house 
with twenty-six scholars, and continued until the 
completion of a chapel, which was erected and reaily 
for use on the 3d of March, 1872. 

Much self-denial and labor was necessary in order 
to complete the work. The land on which the build- 
ing rests was leased to the association for the nomi- 
nal sum of one dollar per year by 5Ir. and Mrs. S. C. 
Kingman, they having bought the ground for this 
purpose, paying therefor eight hundred dollars. The 
two schools were growing, and it was decided among 
the oHicers of the two schools that whichever society 
became the strongest, or the first to grow into sufli- 
cient strength, to organize an efficient church, and 
Aug. 18, 1872, both schools united, and the whole was 
turned over to Rev. A. C. Egglcston, i>astor of the 
Washington Park Methodist Episcojial Church, who 
had charge of the Newfield District, under the New 
York East Conference. At the joint meeting of said 
schools Theodore Courtright was chosen superinten- 



STKATFOUl). 



767 



(lent, and has lioM s;ii(l |iii>itiiiii u|i to tlir inx'sciit 
time. 

The XewtieM .Alethoilist Episc-cpal fi<,r\,-{y thus 
called assumed all thi' di'hts of tlic rhrnch and hiiiil 
and paid all the hills, and lii.iiL;ht tlje land ..I' .Mr. 
and Mrs. fS. C Kingman Inr the sum uf thirteen hun- 
dre<l and twenty-eight (hdlars. The t'lilhiwing s|iring, 
1S73, they applied to New York East I'ont'ereuce lor 
u preacher, and the IJev. K. S. Eldridge was sent, who 
lahnred taithfuUy and earnestly, and numy s(juls weri' 
added to the ehurch. The next j)astor was the Rev. 
E. A. Blake, who served one year. 

Since that time the eliHrch has had no regular pas- 
tor, hut lia.s various su]i]ilies from other churches. 
The Hnnday-sehool has hcen contiiiueil, and litis 
steadily grown in interest and nundiers. 

!ST. .JOHNS iJilHiE, NO. s, F. AMi A. M. 

The lollowing history of St. .Tohu's Lodge is kindly 
furnished hy ilr. Xath.an Wells, heing extracts from 
a historical address didivered at tlic centennial an- 
niversary of the lodge in IXili;, liy Kcv. ( '. 11. \V. 
Stocking : 

-Tiie original charter of St. .lohn's L.jdgc, Strat- 
ford, was granted hy the 1!. AV. (ieorge Harrison, Pro- 
vincial (irand Master of tiu' then ( 'olony of New 
York, hearing the date of April 22, ITtKi. Hn the 7th 
of !May f(jllowing, a meeting iireliminary to the I'urmal 
opening of the lodge was held, and Monday, the 12lh 
of JMay, designated as the day for organi/.ing. 

" On the appointed evening, there were present Jo- 
seph Clark, W. ,Ar. ; .Tames Dunn, S. W. ; .lohn Ilar- 
j:)in, J. \V., jiro tem., and ' visitant' Ihotlicr Ecmuel 
Brooks. The lodge having heen "opened in due form 
and eloathed with all their Honours, aftci- having ded- 
icated the same to the Holy St. John, they proceeded 
to raise the following Brethren to theSuhlimc I icgrcc 
of Master Ma.son, to wit : r)rother ]Ienry \'an l>yek. 
Brother 10]ihraini Beet, Brother Ahijah I'.each, Brotlur 
"William .Melnt.jsh.' 

"On the loth of the same month the four new 
brethren were ap]ioiiitrd to the suhordinate otfiees. 
Henry Van Dyck, S. W.; Ephraim Peet, J. W.; Abi- 
jah Beacli, Treas. ; .Tames Dunn, Sec. 

"The clement of discipline early entered into tin' 
workings of the lodge. Eefusal to obey the Master's 
gavel was punished by a line of two shillings, to be 
paid immediately, or suffer expulsion. Ohsecuily 
paid a fine of one shilling ; talking, one shilling ; ]>ro- 
fanity, two shillings. Initiation fees were ,£■'? to the 
box and three shillings to the Tyler. 

" Twelve successive times Samuel Benjaiuiu re|irc- 
sented the lodge at the annual coiuinunication of tlu' 
Grand Lodge, walking the distance with glad though 
weary feet, that so his candlestick should not lie re- 
moved. Matthias >iieliols and Benjamin Fairehild 
and Rev. Ashbel lialdwin apiicar as frequently repre- 
senting tlieir hxlge at the grand eommunieations in 
lionest discharge of their Ma.souie obligations. 



"This lodge worked under its ohl coloinal charter 
as St. .Tolin's. No. 1 , until ( »ct. 1). 1702. Ft then came 
in under anothei- charter — from the newly-formed 
(iran.l Lodge of the Stati — .-is St. .lohn's, No. S. The 
Nieholls, the BenjamiMs, the l'\iirehilds, the .lohn- 
sons, and others whom we might mention, ap|>ear 
among their fellows as zealous craftsmen wdio knew 
their work and wrought it well. 

" The following are the names <if the Past Masters of 
this lodge, with their terms of oflice: 17(>G-68, Joseph 
Clarke; 17()8-(i!), Henry Van Dyke; ] 709-70, Joseph 
Clarke; T770-7;!, Stiles Lewis; 1773-79, Joseph 
Clarke; 1779-SO, Stiles Lewis; 1780-84, .Tohn 
Thatcher; 17S-l-8(;, Peter Xieoll ; l78(:-88. IMatthias 
Nil-oil : 17SS-9(i, John Thatcher; 17!»0-9.'i, .1. L. 
Wooster; 179.V!)(;, Jclm Tlionipsnn; 179l!-97. Mat- 
thias Nicidl; 1797-:iN, Ashhel Baldwin; 179S-1.S()4, 
Matthias Nicoll; 1804-7, .Tohn Thompson; 1>!07-.S, 
Nathaniid Kennedy; 1808-11, Ashbel Baldwin; 1811 
-12, (fcorge Smith; 1812-15, Matthias Nicoll; 1815 
-21, William T. Shelton; 1821-27, Mattliias Nicoll; 
1827-8:!, Samuel Benjannn; 1833-:!0, Benjamin Fair- 
child; 183G-40, John (ioulding; 1840-4(i, Benjamin 
Fairehild; l.H4()-60, John (hmlding; ]8(;{M)2, A. B. 
Judd ; 18(;2-()3, N. B. ^Vells ; 18G3-(5G, George Jewidl ; 
18G7-G8, Ezra Whiting; ]8(i8-70, William A. Lewis; 
187t»-72, Walter J. Bristol ; 1872-73, Melville ,T. Cur- 
tis; 1873-75, Henry G. B. Cuzner ; 1875-77, I^asper 
Ix. Whitney; 1877-79, Sauuiel .\. Patterson. 

"The ]iresent otliccrs arc Nathan F. Wilcoxon, 
W. :\F.; John W. I'.each, S. \V,; Henry V. .Mecehan, 
J. W.; Charles D. Curtis, Tri'as. ; Joseph W. Jiufour, 
Sec. 

"The uundier of mendiers is oiu' hundred and 
forty-lour." 

"The following is the roll of nu'mbers up to 1800; 

".Tosc)ih Clark, lleniy \'an I)yke, Ephraim Peet, 
Ahijali I'.each, James Dunn, .Toseph I'rinee, William 
Mcintosh, Abel l!ea<'h, David Oshorn, charter mem- 
bers; George Benjamin, .-Vbram Tomlinson, .Tohn Rut- 
gers Marshal, JOIisha Wilcox, .Samuel Jones, Stiles 
Lewis, Tsaac Brown, Thomas .Selhy, Davi<l Brooks, 
pAlward Nicols, ICphraim Nicols, Pur.son Hawley, 
Philip .Tacobs, William Sidney, Richard Samuel 
Brcant, Dr. George Hurd, John Forrister, Hamilton 
I.allantine, Isaac iirooks, Agur liooth. Rev. Dr. 
Tvncfland, James Clow, .Tames Ward, .binathaii Biirn- 
liani, .lohn 'I'hatcher. .lames Shenmiii. .lohn Barlow, 
Stephiii Burritt, Benjamin I'.i'ooks, Pliilip Wells, 
John l''ilz, Matthias NieijU, .\aron h'.liott. Nelicmiah 
(iorham, Philip Nicols, Jonathan Prindlc, (i. Jeu- 
uiugs, Oliver Davison, Philo I'crry, l^liui Iloyt, .Tohn 
Richards, .Tames Waile, .Toseph P.rooks. .Stephen Titus 
Hosmer, Tiic-hard Salmon, fl. Kettlas, Isaac Hateman, 
P.. Iluniell, Isaac W'hipiio, ( ii'orgi- Burroughs, T'read- 
wcll .Ia<-ksou, llavid I'.ailow, .losejih ]>. Woosli'r, .Tohn 
C. I'airehild, .loliu llenjamin. .Ir.. David ( '. W'ain- 
wright, Charles .lohusou, Elisha Treat Mills, .Tohn 
' Thompson, Zalmon Clinton, Isaac Jlills, Benjamiu 



768 



IIISTOllY OF rAIHFIHLU COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Barlow, Daniel Jiidson, Jr., .Tabez Beers, Hezekiali 
Clark, Josscph De Forest, Joscpli Allen, Joseph 
TliomiJsoM, Eli Judson, James W. Allen, .Samuel 
William Jolinson, Hiissell Edwards, Josluia Poor, 
William Tliompsoii, Lyman Edwards, (iideon Ben- 
jamin, Natlianiel Burton, William Curtis, Peter H. 
Robinson, William Walker, Peter Clark, David 
Beeley, Pliilo Lewis, Ezra Curtis, Epliraim Beardsley, 
Eev. Aslihel Baldwin, Ja-sper Jones, Daniel De For- 
rest, Benjamin I'tlord. Lewis Beers, Asa Curtis, 
Ephraim Burritt, James Beaeh, William Kettlas, 
Benjamin Hall, Joseph Tomlinson, Philip 15enjamin, 
Jr., John Curtis (3d), Prosper VV'etmore, Enoch Foot, 
Gideon Booth, George Haley, Lewis Wakeley, An- 
drew Lyon, Nathaniel Lewis, Daniel Booth, Thomas 
Seott, John Wells, JI. A. Marks, llobert Fairehild, 
Abel Judson, A. McDnnald, Stephen L. Booth, Ste- 
phen Morse." 

OROXOQITK LOD(?E, NO. 9n, I. 0. 0. I'. 

This lod^'e wa.s instituted by (irand MiLster A. W. 
I'helps, in the old Masonic Hall. The first officers 
installed wore J. W. Dufow, X. G. ; G. T. Lewis, 
V. G. ; Charles D. Curtis, Treas. ; IL A. Sutton, See. 

Charier members: Joseph W. Dul'ow, George T. 
Lewis, Francis S. Avery, Lucius E. Hendic, H. A. 
Sutton, John Cradduek, Charles D. Curtis, William 
Shil.ston, Perry Beardsley, C. Li.stcr Young, Lasporc 
K. Whitman, Lewis S. Hublnitl, Abram T. Peek. 

The following is a list of Noble Grands from organ- 
ization to prc.sent time : Joseph \V. Dufow, George 
T. Lewis, John Cradduek, Francis S. Avery, Lasporc 
K. Whitney, John Kugler, Charles E. Curtis, A. S. 
Allen, D. W. Judson, A. C. Ellis, William Young, 
Lewis S. HubbuU, A. C. Ellis, A. McEwen, George 
Cradduek, William Blormy. 

THE STRATFOUD Al'ADE.MY. 

The Stratford Academy was founded in 1805, and 
in the following year received its charter from the 
Legislature of Connecticut. It soon won and has 
since unifonnly maintained a higli stand as an Eng- 
lish and classical school, making little display of 
superficial knowledge and partially learned accom- 
plishments, but furnisiiing a solid basis of education, 
and from year to year sending its pupils to take the 
highest rank in the best colleges in our land, and to 
fill places of honor and tru.st in the largest cities. 
Never has its reputation as an institution of learning 
been higher or better su.staincd than during the quar- 
ter of a century which has elapsed since, in 18-17, 
Jlr. Frederick Seilgewick, A.M., entered upon the 
duties and responsibilities of its management. He 
re-signed as principal of the institution In 1872, and 
lias since conducted a select school. Mr. Sedgewick 
lias been, and still is, a very suecessful teacher, and 
during the years he (Related a-s principal of the 
academy more than one thousand pupils received in- 
struction at that institution. 



T/ie Strniford Institute, Mrs. E. E. Clark, Principal, 
is a flourishing school and justly merits its present 
jioimlarity. 

SCHOOLS. 

For the present condition of the schools, see Gen- 
eral Historv. 



CllAl'TEH LXXVIH. 

STRATFOHD (Continued). 

CIVIL AND iVIHTAKY, Etc. 

Origiiiul Niiine and Area — Koprcseiitativc!* — Selectmen — Extracts fnmi 
Itocords — Kat^M arks— IJtn'oiigh iif West Stratfiml— Organization— Firet 
Officers — Olflc<!r« from Organization to Present Time — Stratford of To- 
l)ay — Milit]iry. 

The original name of Stratford was Cupheag, and 
it embraced the present towns of Bridgeport, Trum- 
bull. Huntington, and Monroe. 

LIST OF REPKESENTAT1VE.S. 

The following is a list of representatives from 164(> 

to 1880 : 

REl'RESE.NTATIVES FROM IfiJfi TO 18S0. 

IMG, Thomas Kajcndiild; ir.50-5i, Will Ileanlsly; 'ic'jS, Philip Graiic«, 
Will Bcanlsl.v; 10a+-.'K., I'liill Cranes, Tho. Fairocliild; lt»G-57, Jofin 
Wells; ICiS, Will Beai-dslcy ; Itoif Thonian Fairecliild, Joseph Jnd- 
son ; ICIJll, Philip Gl-ones, Tho. Fairehild ; lCGl-«;t, Philip Groucs, 
Joseph Judson; IGM, Mr. Tho. Fuyrechild. Ens. Judson ; 1CG5, Mr. 
Thomas l-'uyrechild, Joseph Judson, Philip Grone; 1G0U-G7, Mr. 
Fairfield, Ens. Judson; 1GC8-71, Lieut. Wm. Curtice, Mr. Jv^. Haw- 
ley; 1G72, Lieut. Wm. Curtice, Jlr. John Briusniea4; lG7;i, Capt. 
Wm. Cnrtic e, .lohn Picket ; 1074, Capt. Wm. Curtice, 3Ir. J.s. llaw- 
ley; 107 j, Capt. Wni. Cnrlice. Jlr. John I'icket, Sr.; IG70, Kramls 
Hall, Jehiel Preston ; 1077-7.S, Capl. Wm. Curtice,*lr. .lis. pli Ilaw- 
ley ; 10C9-S(>. Capt. Wm. Cnrlice, Mr. Kran. is Hall ; lOSipir. J.«cph 
Ilawley, Ens. Stive Durrett ; 1U82-S1, Capt. Wm. Curtice? Mr. Joseph 
Unwley, Sergl. Jehiel Prc^slon, Mr. Samuel Sherniun ; 1684, CapL 
Wm. Curti.:e,^Mr. Jos. Iliiwley ; 1G8.*., Cnpt. Wm. Cnrtice,iFruueia 
Hall; IGSG, Sergt .loseph Curtice, Mr. lU.lwrt Lane ; lCs7,"«lr. Jin. 
Ilnwley, Mr. Snm. Sherman ; lOSa-lH), Mr. Joseph CurtU, 5Ir. J.«iali 
Nil-cols; 1G;1I, Ensign Stephen Buret, Blr. Joseph Curtice; IGiW, 
Capt. Wm. Curtice, Mr. Joseph Curlice; lG1t3, Mr. Jiweph Curti.it, 
Mr. Sam. Shei-man ; U04, Jlr. .Foseph Curlice; K'.-.i.*,, Mr. Ephruim 
Stiles, Mr. Nath. Sherman ; 1090. Sir. Rii hiinl Uhickleech, Jlr. Eph 
Stiles; 1007. Jlr. -\mbrt>s« Thomson, Jlr. Epliniim Sliles; 1098, Jlr. 
Kichanl BInckleecll; IGlltl, Mr. Ri.hunl Blackleech, Cnpt. Jaiuea 
Judson; 17110, Capt. James Judson, Jlr. Kathnn Sherman: 17ill, 
Capt. .lanu-s Judson, Jlr. Ben. Beach , 17(rJ. Lieut. Thomas Kuowls, 
Mr. Nathaniel Shernnin ; 17(t:l, Capt. James Judson, Lieut. Tho, 
Knowles; 17lM, Jlr. Jjio. Uurrett, Mr. Ephraim Sliles; 17ui, Jlr. 
Anihnwe Thomson, Jlr. Ben. Curtis; 17iiC, Cu«. Juiiies Judson, Jlr. 
Benjamin I'nrtis; 17117, Jlf. Benjamin Curtis, Lieut. John llawljy 
1708, Capl. James Juilson,-*Jlr. Sjimuel Ilawly ; I70',l, Capl. Jii))(es 
Judson, Jlr. Kphraim Sliles ; 1710, Jlr. Aml.ros Thomson ; 1711,'Jlr. 
Samuel Ilawly, Jlr. BelOalnin Sherman; 1712, 'Capt. John Ilally, 
Jlr. .\nd.ii»se Thomson; 171^14, C*ipt. Jiimes Jndsi.n, Capl. John 
. Ilalliy; 171.i, Lieut. Jercmiuh Jnilson, Jlr. Edmnml Lewis; 1716, 
•*Capl. John llauley, C«pt. Josiah Curlice; 1717, Jlr. Ambrose TonH)- 



son, Mr. John Wells; 1718, Capl. James Jndson, .l.diii,Tomi».n ; 
17l'.l, Jlr. Jeremy Juiboli, Jlr. 1-iliuund l*«is; 172", Vapl. John 
Ilawley; K^l.Tapl. John Ilawley, .Mr. Ik'nJuniin Curlice; 1722, 
Capl .lames Ij'wis, Jlj. John Wells; I72;t, Jlr. Eilmnnd Lewis, Mr. 
John Thomiwon ; 172^1 Ctipl. John Ilawley, Jtr.EI.en. Curlice ; 1725, 
Capl. James Lewis, Jlr. John Wilcoxon ; 1726. Sir. Mmund Lewis; 
*■ Jlr. Hani. Ilawley ; 1727. Sir. Eilmund Lewis, Jlr. Jiw. Judsi.n ; 1728, 
Jlr. Kilmnnd Lewis, Jlr. Ephraim CuiHie; 17:i9. Sir. Eilniund l^vit. 
Sir. John Thom|«on ; 173U, Sir. Killnuiiil Ixiwis, Capt. John WclU; 



STliATl'tlKI). 



r69 



ITiJl. CiJit. James Lewis, Mr. Kpliuiiln t'liitii-e; 17:VJ, IMi. Kliliraim 
(■iiitisa:Mr, Ab.'ll liinlRiy.--. 17:i:i, JIi .r..s,-|.li .In.ls..n, Mr. Epliiaini 
Curtiss; IT:i4, Mr. Kpliinim Cinliss, Mr. .1,.m.|,1, ll,,(,tli ; 17:1.'., Mr. 
Piiviil .Iucl.«.ii. Mr. llaiii.'l II.ill.-v. 17:a;, .Mr, Tli.-..lihilHS Xich..ls 
Mr. Elihraim Curli.-s; 17:17, Mr. riaviil SlicMriian. Mr. .List-ph illa.k- 

Icadi; 17:is, Mr. .I...s..-].li lilackl.-a. li, Mr. Tl i.l.ilii> M. hols; 17:1'.), 

Mr. IlanioIIlall.-.v. Mr..r,wi>lil!,.,.tli; 174n,('ai.t.Tlii-..pliil"s Nic-kuls, 
Mr. David Sheniiaii; 1711, l'a|it. Tln-..|.liiliis NicU.ils, ('apt. Davi.l 
.ludsou; 174'J, l'a|it, ■niL-..i.liiliis Ni.lii.ls. Mr. .hwiih llc.itli : 1S4 1. 
('apt. Thenpliiliis ^iidiols, ('apt, .I,..s,-pli lila. kl.arli ; 1714, I'apt. 

Tl pllihl^ Ni.k..ls, r.il, K.Iiiiiiii.l l,.'«i.s; 171.'., Mr. Iv..li..rt Walk.i, 

Capl.TI pliihis Ni.-U..is: 17111, ('apt. I!i.l..il WalK.^r, ('apt. Haviil 

.1.I.U..1I; 1717, I'apt. Tli.'..pliilil- Ni.l...ls, .Ml ,l,.s,.pli l!....tli; 174S, 
(apt. Ui.l.ert Walk..r, .Mr. Kliialhaii \Vln-..l,.r; 174'.l, I'apt. Kiil.ert 
Walker, ('apt. ,Iosc.pli Hlarkl<.a. Ii. KliintliaM Wliii-I.r, Ephralln 
.liaison; 17.'.il, ('apt. 'l'li.-..pliilii.s Nickols, Eliiatliaii Wlieclci, ('apt. 
Samuel Ail.laiiis: 17.'.I, CaiJt. Ki.l.ert Fain liil.l, (apt Sanniel A.l- 
daiiis, ('apt, Thei.pliiliis NirkoU; 17.'i'J, ('apt. Saiinl.4 Adams, I'll- 
iialliaii Wli.-i.l..r, Agiir 'Pi.^linsoii ; 17.5:1, ('apt. Tlieoiiliiliis >.'i..lii.ls, 
Capi. Stiles Ciiilis, IlezeUial. (e.l.l, ('a|.t. l;.,l..rt Kair.-liild ; 17.''il, 
('apt. Daniel I'orter, ('a|.t. Saiiui.-l A. lams, c'apt. Tlieophiliis Nidi.. Is, 
('apt. Kobeil Eairdiil.l; 17o."., ('apt. Ilaniel Porter, (.lipt. William 
IVet, Aj-ur ■l'..iiiliiis..ii, ('apt. Tli.-opliilus Niejii.ls; H.'.C, Col. J...sepli 
Worster, J..s..ph Ni. hols, ('apt. Is.iiah Hro«ii, Samuel A.laiiis; 
1757, At'ur Tomliiisoli, ('apt. l!..l.ert Faiieliild, ('apt. Tlie..philus 
Nichols; 17.'..s, Asnr Tomlinson, ('apt. Tlieophiliis Nirhols, lehalio.i 
Lewis; 17.i9, ('..1. H.il.ert Walk.r, I 'apt. Samuel Ailams, I,lial...a 
Lewis; 17C.I1, l'..l. !!ol.ert WalUi-r, l.hal.o.l Lewis; 17(11, l':ipt. Wil- , 
linm Saiinu-1 .li.hiisi.ii, (apt. Samuel A.lams, Col. It. .Ii.it WalU.'r, 
Idial...d L.wis; 17ilJ, no iee..r.l; 17(i:i, C..1. Itohert Walker, ('apt. 
Iihahoil Lewis; 17r,4, ('apt. Hol.ert Fairiiiil.l, (.laj.t. Tli.-..i.hihis 
Nickols, Joseph Curtiss, ('apt. I. Iiahod Lewis; 171..'.. ('apt. William 
Samuel .lohlisoJi, JiLSepIl Curti.ss; 17i'.(l, Capt. Hol.eil Eaireliilil, Ca].t. 
Ichal.oil Lewis; 17117, Capt. li.il.ert Kairehild, ('apt. I.hah..ii Lewis, 
(.'apt. T. Niekols, Capt. A. Tomlinson; 17IW, Ca|.t. T. Niekols, ('apt. 
A. Tomlinson; 17l".<), ('apt. Tlie..].hilus Ni.kol.s. ('apt. .Samuel A.lams, 
Caj.t. Asur Tomlin.son : 177li, I'apt. T. .Niik..ls, Capt. Samuel Ailama, 
Nathan Bir.lse.y; 1771. (apt. Tli.'..l.liilus Xieleds, .lohn lir....ks; 
1772, ('apt. The., philus Ni.la.ls, Capt, U..l.i-it Fair, liil.l; 177:1, I'a]. I, 
llohert FKinhil.l, .hilin llrooks, Al.iier Jiiilson ; 1771. Capt. l:.,l..'.i 
Fair.hil.l. Al.ner Jii.ls.in, Ca|.t. |iaiii.-l Jmlsoii; 177."., Capt. K.l. 1 1 
Fairehil.l, Capt. I. hal.o.l L.-wis; 17711, I'apt. Ilol..-rt Faiivhil.l, I 'apt. 
I.hal.od Lewis, (apt. Daniel Ju.l.s,.i, ; 1777, Cai.t. Ahrahani Ih ins- 
made, (.'apt. Daniel Jiidson; 177,s. I'apt. -\hraliani l!rinsma.l.\ Capt. 
St..|.hen liinroiiKli-s, Iiani.l ILiiio't; 177!), Capt. Al.iale.i.i llrins- 
nia.le, Elislia :\Iills, ('a|it. Saliiii|.| Ulacknian; 17X11, Capt. Ii.,l,..it 
Fairehil.l, Elisha Mills,, SI. pheii llnrroUKlis, Dani.l H.iin.-tt; 17M, 
EILsha Mills, Daniel lienn.ll. Capt. llalii.l .lu.is..ii; 17S-.', Elisl.a 
Mills, Capt. Dani..|Juils..n,.Maj.,\;;iirJu.ls..n, Sl..pli.ii Mi.l.lU.br....k ; 
17.s:i, .Ma.j. Asur .Inilsoii, (apt. .h.sei.li Walk.r, I'apt. l;..l.eit Fair- 
ehil.l, 17S4, Maj. Agar J;icks,.n, Capt. K..l.ert Fair, hil.l, .lolin lllack- 
l.'aeli, Elisha .llills; 17,s,-,, Daiiii'l lienn.-l, ( .ipl, iiani.l .lu.ls..n, 
.Siunu.l I!.-niiel, Ahi.ial, ,■«, Ewen ; I7.sll, Al.i,i,ih .MiEweii, Daniel 
Bennett; 17,s;, Al.i.jali M. Ewen, I'al.t. 11. a. li Tomlinson, Maj. 
Jos.ph Walk.r, Al.ral.am lirinsma.le; I7ss, Kli.sha .Mills, I'apt. 
Nathaniil Wli.el.-r; 17,s|l, Al.i.iali .MeEw.n, JIaj. Aan.ii Ilawley, 
Capt. Uoheii Walk. I , K'.li), I'apt. Mathias .Ni. holl, Jal.v, II. Tomlin- 
son, Samu.4 William .Iol,ns,.n; 171)1, .lal,.-/. II. T,,n,li,isoii, Aaron 
Hawley, :\I:.tliias Xi.liidl, Samuel W illiam J.dins.,i, : I7'.'->, Al.ijah 
MeEwen,-.I,reniiah Ilwjrdsle.v, Ahiiah Starlinti,Saniu.-l W. Johnson ; 
17I);j, Al.ijah Mei:weu. Za.hariali C...-, .lal.ey. II. T..inlinson, Jeremiah 
Bearilsl.-.v; 17'J4, Jahe/, II.Toniliiis..i|, John Thonips..n, Samuel Wil- 
liam Johnson; 17115, jSaniuel William Johnson, Al.ijah Brooks, Jaliez 
H. Toni|iiis..n, .I.din Thoinpsi.n ; 17',M'., Mathias N'ieledl, Jahez II, 
Tomlinson, Sain'l Wni. J.dinson; 17117, Satnl Wm. Jolins.ui, Jahex 
H. Toiulinsun, .1. Tlionip,s.,n ; 171IH, .los. L;i. .-.v, J.is. Walker, Al.i.jali 
Sterling; 1711'.), lioswell J.idson, .los. Walker, Al.ijah Steiliuj.', John 
Th,.n,].s..ii; l.siii), R,,sw,.ll Jn,ls,,n, J. Walk.-i, .1. Thomson; l.-llll,J. 
Walk.r, A. St.rliliK, J. II. T..nilins,.n, Koswell Jndson ; IBO'2, .1. II. 
Tonilins..n, Roheit Fairchild, Koswell Ju.lson, Matthias Nidioll ; 
lSo:i, .lahez II, Tomlin.son, liol.ert Faii.rhilil, .Samuel Wlna-ler; I.SI14, 
EInalhan \ViIe..sson, I!ol..rt Faii.hiW, Jahez II.T..niliiison, Roswell 
Judson; ISO."), Jahez II. T,.nilins..ii, Itol.ert F:u, hil,l. I'ixl.'.v .Iii.ls..n, 



Matthias Nidi.,ls ; ISOll, Jal,,'/. II. T,.nilinson, n..l.ert Faii.hild, Bos- 
well Ju.lson, Samuel Ilawl.y; 1.SII7. .lal.,-7. II. Tomlinson, Elijah Uf- 
f....t, Jr., .Samuel Wh.eh-r ; Isiis, Sanni.l W. Johnson, Jahez II. Tom- 
linson ; Isll'.i, Samuel W. J..liiison, Jab,'/. H. T,,mliiis,.n, Elijah Uf- 
l'..nl, Jr., .h.hn S. ('ann..ii; Islil, ,losepli Walker, Daniel St,rling;, 
Jabcz II. T,,mlins,,ii; Isll, Jahez II. T,,nilinson, Daniel Ju.lson, Jr., 

Sanuiel Wheeler; 1M2. Ilaniel Ju,ls Ir,, Ilaniil Sterling, J.-ibez 

II. Tomlinson, John S. Cannon; Islll, Vietory W.tinore, Salmon 
Iluhhell, Elijah I'flonI, Jr , l)ai,i,l St.-iling; I.SH, J;ihez II. Tomlin- 
son, Daviil P,>ai,l, .l,,lil, S, l'ai,l„,i,, Elijah Ullord ; DSl.'., Jabez. II_ 
Tolnlinson,Levi( .nil-, Mallhi.is Ni. le.ll; Isl 11, Levi Curtis, Xathan'I 

L, Wl hi, J,,elCintiss, .Ii'iTniiah W. B.ardsh.e ; 1M7, Davi.l I'cant, 

Davi.l Min..tt,I.-aae Burroughs; ISls, Davi.l IVant, Ephraim J. Wil- 
e...\soii, .Tames E, Beaeh ; Islx, Davi.l IVant, Keiiben Twce.ly; 1S'20, 
David I'eant, Noah I'liimb; 1S2I, Wils,,li Hawl,y,Asa Curtiss; 1S22- 
2:1, R,.l.ert Fair.hil.l; IS'24, Josiah (i..ihani; l.S2.i, Silas Burton ; l.S'2G, 
Joel Curtiss; 1,S27, Elijah A,Bi„itli; I S2«, Nathaniel L, Wheeler ; 1.S20, 
Robert Faireliihl; IKlll, Eilwarils Johnson; ISUl, Nathaniel L. 
Wh.-.ler; l.s:i2, liobi'it Faii.hild; l!<:i:i. Josiah C.rholn ; 1S:14, .lohn 
Wdles, Jr.; isli.',, Charles IJilhert ; ls:jl',. Stiles .luds..n ; ls:i7.Xathan- 
i.'l L. Wlieeler; Is:iS, Stei.hen Curti.ss; IsSy, Lewis Wells; 1..<4I1, Da- 
vid Colham; 1S41, Ju.ls..n Pe.k; 1S4'2, ; l.s4:i, Eli W. 

Lewis; 1S44, Phil.. Curtiss; ls4.'., (i.nil.l Tllakeman ; 184(1, .Tolin 
Wil..i\son; l-';47, Everclt Whe.-ler ; 1.S4S, David I'eant; 1.''41), Levi 
Curtiiis, Jr. ; IS.'.ll, J.ilin l.'.ie; I.S.'il, J..lin Wileoxson ; IS.Vi, I. Wells; 
1.SJ3, Alt're.l Buiritt; ls,54, G.ml.l Blakemaii; 1S,W, Charles (lili.ert; 
ISr.fi, ,Iosiah Gorham; lS,i7, William M. Perry; IS.'iS. J. W. Stagg; 
1S5'.), William R. Iluhbell; ISm, Henry Dikeinan ; IsiU, J.ilin Mitch- 
ell; lSli2, A. B. Judd; lSli:i, Henry Peant; lS|-4, C. D. Wb.'eler; 1805- 
('.7, Curtis Thompson ; 1SG8, Charles Ti. Beaeh ; ISC'.l, Lewis W. Biir- 
ritt; 1.S7U-71, J. W. Kn.iKlt..n ; l.s7'2-74, A.B. Jud.l; l.s7.=., Natlmn 
B. W.lls; 1870, Charhs II. Curtiss; 1S77, E.lniun.l II IV.k ; 1878, 
Dani.d I '. W.....1 ; 1.S7'.I, Charles C. Wells ; l.'ssij, Stil.'s Ju.lsi.n . 

Ill I1I7I .li.liii Curtis, Henry Tmnliiisiiii, Francis 
Hull, Kirhiinl J'):ittk>ii I'.'), iinil lioliert Chirk were 
I'hir-i'il tiiwnsliiril. 

In ICi.'^li 1 ShcniKin. Tluniias Wells 

.luilsDii, Hubert ,-|- Siiiiiuel Jliiwloy wen 

l.iwnsnieii. 

lasT OF SKI,ECTMEN. 

17118, Joseph Curtis, Caj.t. Isaiah Br.iwn, Le Grand Caniuin, Elisha Mills, 
John Middld.iwk. Jr., Calit. Ezra Hawh.y, Davi.l Wili;,,.\son ; 1774, 
Nathaniel Wheeler, J.iseph Lew i.s, J.i.si.ph Ciulis, Maj. A. Judson, 
Zaehariah Coe, E.lward Burroughs, .I.,hn .Itidson; 1780, Nathaniel 
Wheiler, Capt. Ehen.'zer C.ie, Lieut. Stephen Wells, Capt. Joseph 
Birdsey, Stephen Summers, Stephen Miildlebrook, Silas Nichols; 

17110, Jahez Curtis, Jabez II. Tomlinson, Nathan , Z.aehaiiah Coe, 

Benjamin Burton, Aaron llawley; 1800-2, lKOO-8, ISIO, E..sweII 
Juilson; 18ilil-t, 1.808, Elnathan Willeoxson; ISIni, Ann.s Iluhhell; 
1801, Eliius Wills, J.isiah Laey ; 1803, Samuel Warden ; 1S02-:1, John 
Booth; 1802, Aaron IlawIey; 1803^, John G, C.ie; 1804-7, Jaboz 
W. T..mliiiKon: 1804-.'., William Walker ; 1804, 1'i\h..-Juils.,n, Samuel 
AVardcn; 1.804-0, Jool Curtis; lS0,j-8, 1810-14, Samii.l llawley; 
180C-7, Lewis Lo Grand rianii..n ; 1.8l).s-:i, Samuel Itlord; 1.800-13, 
Charles McEwell ; ISoll, Al.ijah llawley ; 1811-10, l»22--2:t, L.'vi Cur- 
ti-s; 1811, Dani.l Jndson, .Ir. ; 1811-13, Agiir Curtis, Jr.; ISl:!, 
Stephen Booth ; 1814-1.8, Davi.l Plant ; 18I.'.-1(1, Ezra Gregory ; I81T, 
Kn..eh F....le; 181.s-'20, Kenhi.n Tweeily; 1810, Asa Cnrtis; 18.2(l-23, 
Elijah Booth; 1821, E. J. \Vil....\son ; 1821-22, J. Gorham; 1823, 
Samuel Curtis, Jr.; 1824-31, Eli W. Lewis; lS24-'2,',, Stephen Booth; 
1824-20, 1820, .Miiu-r Jmls.in; 1820, Al.ram c. L.-wis; 1827, Abner 
U..oth, Henry Unord ; 1828, John Wells, ll.ivi.l P.. lliooks; 1.8.20-31, 
1837, Jiidwm I'eck, Jr.: 1,830-:!.'., Elijah Curtis; 1831, Lewis Wells; 
18:1-2-34, Stiles Jnd.son, Jr.; I832-3.S, Lewis Wells; I.S:15, Daniel 
Wilhams; 1.8;;0, J.iseph l'n.ild,Job I'ei k ; 1837, Lewis Wi'lls. 

FIRST SELECTMEN. 

1838-40, Lewis Wells; 1841-44, I'luli. Curtis; lS4.'i-,''.o, Levi Curtis, Jr.; 

ISJl-i.'l, 18011, John Coe; 18,'.4, Joseph lirord ; I8.V1, Isaac Wells; 

18.'i6, Lewis Wells; 18.'.7 .'.0, William I!....th; 1801-00, Otis Beers; 

18G7-G.8, Edward L.Wells; ISOO,Johil Coe; 1870, Allen Gregoiy; 



.riune* 
eliDsen 



* No list given in State recirds. Above procured fr.m 
bull's diary in Connecticut Ilistori.al S.ieiety's rooms. 



f Names obliterate.! on records. 



770 



IIISTOUV OF I'AUU'IKLD COUNTY, CONNECTICITT. 



1871, V. B. C. Olildings; 1872, F. J. Brardelcy; 1873, EdwanI L. 
Wells ; 1874, Charles B. Curtis ; 1875, Lewis Bcal-dsley ; 1S70, ChurlcA 
11. Curtis ; 1877-79, F. J. Beurdaley. 

Tlic early inliahitiint.s ovideiitly miinifested an 
interest in the care of tlicir records, as the following 
shows : 

" The Town at a lawful meeting; ,v' 24tli May 1671 Voted and agreed yt 
y sliall boo a f^mall chest pi-ovidcd at y* cliarge of y Town w**" a suffi- 
clont Lock for y« securing of all Records or otiier writings y* are of con- 
coruiuciit either for y« Town in Genii or any particular Inhabitant of y 
Town. 

" Pr John Minor, 

*' Recorda:" 
KAU MARKS. 

The following are s])eciniens of the ear-marks used 
in the early days to distinguish cattle, sheep, etc. : 

" Samuel llawley of North Stratford his car mark a slit in yf near ear 
and a half penny each side the right ear. Kccordcd Feby lio 17tJ0. 

*' Capt Hobt Fairchilds ear mark for his Creatures is a Swallow fork on 
y« end of y" Bight ear A a half penny & a uick on y upiwr side of y* 
Left y* nick Toward y end of y ear & Recorded June y 7th 17.'>8." 

KOllOUtJlI OF WE.-^T STRATFORD. 
The borough of West Stratford was organized July 
8, 1873. According to the charter the first otliccrs held 
office for si.xteen months, and the annual election to 
take place thereafter the first Monday in December 
every year. The first officers for 1873 and 1874 were: 
Warden, W. A. Lewis ; Rurgesses, Alfred Beers, Jas. 
Bounds, K. B. Peck, John French, William Jl. Bun- 
nell, and Harvey Birdsey; Clerk, Charles II. liin- i 
man ; Treasurer, H. B. Drew ; Collector, D. C. Wood; | 
Bailifi; H. T- Quire ; Registrars of Voters, J. R. Lock- 
wood and Frank Bacon. Officers for 1875: Wardeu, 
W. A. Lewis; Burge.sscs, Alfred Beers, Harvey Bird- 
sey, William Mcachein, Thomas Lewis, Allen Gregory, 
and T. V. Boyden ; Clerk, Charles H. Hinman ; Treas- 
urer, II. B. Drew; Collector, Albert Thoiii])son ; Bail- 
iff, H. T. Quire; Registrars of Voters, William F. 
Tliompson and F. (). Reilly ; Inspectors of Election, 
J. W. Bradley and William Lord. Officers for 1876: 
Warden, Alfred Beers; Burgesses, S. H. Danks, Allen 
Gregory, Charles L. Beach, Wiliam Lord, and II. G. 
B. Cuzncr; Clerk, Charles H. Ilinman; Collector, 
George Bertine; Treasurer, II. B. Drew; Bailiff, Peter 
Umstratter; Registrars of Voters, J. R. Lockwood 
and C. E. Sherwood ; Inspectors of Election, William 
B. Blake and William A. Mills. Officers for 1877: 
Warden, E. B. Peck ; Burgesses, William II. Bunnell, 
Allen Gregory, H. G. B. Cuzner, Leonard Wells, Miles 
B. Beardsley, and George II. Ziiik ; Clerk, Charles 
Riddle; Treasurer, H. B. Drew; Bailiff, William B. 
Youngs; Collector, Lyman S. Catlin; Registrars of 
Voters, J. W. Bradley and William Lord ; Ius|)ectors 
of Election, W. F. Thomiison and J. R. Lockwood. 
Officers for 1878: Warden, II. G. B. Cuzner; Burgesses, 
Alfred Beers, S. O. Caufield, George H. Zink, C. H. 
Huntoon, William Watcrhouse, and Burr Jclliff; 
Clerks, A. C. Ellis (six months), Charles H. Hinman 
(six months) ; Treasufcr, H. B. Drew ; Collector, 
George Bertine; Bailiff, W. H. Beardsley; Registrars 
of Voters, J. R. Lockwood and C. E. Sherwood; 



Insi)ector3 of Election, li. (J. Lund and Charles 
Meachem. Officers for 1879: Warden, R. T. Jen- 
nings; Burgesses, (icorge Lewis, Theodore Quitmeyer, 

E. Siviter, Burr Jclliff, and D. ( '. Wood ; Clerk, Charl&s 
H. Hinman; Tresisurer, H. B. Drew; Bailiff, W. II. 
Beardsley; Collector, George Bertine; Registrars of 
Voters, J. R. Lockwood and C. E. Sherwood ; Inspec- 
tors of Election, F. B. Coffin and Charles Meachem. 
Officers for 1880: Warden, George H. Zink, Sr.; Bur- 
gesses, A. M. Scott, .lohn S. Fray, Wheeler llawley, 
James Bounds, William S. Burr, and Harvey Birdsey ; 

I Clerk, Charles H. Hinman ; Treasurer, H. B. Drew ; 
Collector, George Bertine; Bailiff, George Baker; 
Inspectors of Election, William F. Thompson and 
William Lord, Jr.; Registrars of Voters, F. V. D. 

t Bogart and J. R. Hull. V. R. C. Giddings has been 
the borough attorney since its organizati(jn. 

The number of inhabitants of the borough is about 
two thousand, according to the present census. The 
school-htmse in the lower district has four teachers, 
with about two hundred and ninety scholars, regular 
attendance, and the school in the upper district, two 
hundred scholars regular. There have been about 
thirty new houses added to the borough during the 
past three years. 

The Rogers and Brittin Silver Company, located in 
this town, hits a capital of $50,000, with an author- 
ized capital of §250,000. F. D. Rogers is President, 

F. W. Brittin, Vice-President, S. T. Rogei's, Secretary, 
and E. L. Brittin, Treasurer. This company manu- 
factures the finest quality of nickel silver " flat ware," 
spoons, forks, ladles, etc., plated and in the metal. 
It is a new industry for this section, and justly merits 
its present success. 

STR.\TFORD OF TO-DAY. 

"The village has never been stirred by those 
unca.sy activities which overturn other New England 
towns, or if an impulse so little akin to its habits and 
traditions has been felt, it was sure to result in dis- 
integration, and Stratford has cast off its unruly 
suburbs, with their enterprises and industries and 
ambitions. Our Stratford has known no bustles, no 
excitements, no competitions ; no coarse stimulus 
has intruded into its life. The motto of the place 
and the expression of its repose has been from the 
beginning, 'Siirtoiil jiohit dc zile.' 

" Ilcnee one feels more than one sees in the old 
town. Its wide grass-bordered streets, — almost lawns 
in themselves, — its immemorial elms, which arch 
above the silent walks, its glimpses of the wide ma- 
jestic river, the harbor and Sound, with the blue 
shores of Long Island on the far horizon, — all have 
as many suggestions to the mind and the imagination 
as to the senses, and the happiness one gains in the 
place has its roots in the finest perceptions. Main 
Street, canopied by a leafy dome of elms, runs the 
entire length of the town ; after passing the ' Upper 
Green' it becomes no longer a village street, but a 



S'l'UAIFUUD. 



771 



picturesque i-nuutrv nind, wcudirii: tliriiUi;li wnndcd 
iiiiiik^ nml alciu.i; the liauks nf tlir 1 liiusatonic into 
the sIkiiIiiws and siluure <it' tlii' lorests. Thus mi the 
north Strattiifd nu'i-jti's its gt'uuiuc chafaL-tcristics iu 
Now Eugiaud hill and river secuery, but on the sciuth 
stretches a lazy length to listen to the niunuiir of th.- 
sea. Below the Xeek are the liroad salt meadows, 
scarcely above tlie sea line, leveling away to the 
horizons, througli which wind erec'ks, the water level 
with the banks at high ti<le, while at the ebb the 
siiles are left perpendicular, black, and bare. Here 
grows the salt-grass, dry, stiff, glistening, drowned 
twice a day by the sea and seondied by tlie suns, 
until the farmers cut it and carry it home in great 
thritty-lookiug loads, which creep, a moncjtonous 
procession, tliroligh the quiet streets under the long 
shadows toward sunset on Se|Jteinber days. Then 
the meadows, green before, taki' on mellow autumn 
tints — warm browns, ru.sset, orange, crimson — and, 
traversed by wandering shadows on autumn days, 
these wide mimotonous spaces have a beauty and a 
poetry of their own. 

"The chief streets of the village were origiiuilly 
laid out sixteen rods wide. Each generation has eu- 
croacheil a little on the broad stretches of green- 
sward, liut they still renniiu of wonderful wi<lth, and, 
played over by the shadnws and the sunshine which 
flickers thr<mgh the brauches of the Infty trees, give 
an impression of illimitable distances and massive re- 
pose. Stratford set out to be a city, and was carefully 
surveyed and laid out in s([uares; and it is a melan- 
choly thought that instead of fulfilling its destiny, a 
city it might have bec<inH:' e.\cept for the lucky acci- 
dent that its harbor was neither so bri>ad nor S(j deep 
as that of Bridgepcjrt, whi(di lies .-i fiw miles westward. 
As a city it might have been snrpas~eii by others, and 
the distinction of the strange, soft charm which now 
wins the eye and ti.xes the ]dace in the heart would 
liave been lost. 

"The Housatonic lliver widens at its outlet ami 
makes a beautiful bay, wlii(di is called 'the harbor.' 
The river deserves more than a ])assing wuril. Tntil 
its waters near the sea they flow through a |iietnresi|ne, 
mountainous region, which contains some of the most 
charming scenery of New England, liut by tlic time 
it begins to feel the languid pulse of the tide it spreads 
its waters, washing banks rich iu all pastorial beauties, 
and seeming no longer a river, but an arm of the sea. 
The ap]i.arcnt breadth of the bay is diminished by the 
low-lying sedgy banks of Well's Island, ami to the 
east Miltbrd Beaidi runs down its long white taper 
fingers, fringed with glisteiung shoals. Then open 
the far horizons of the Sound, spreading into distances 
of deep pure color except in the farthest verges, where 
Long Island shows, or the illimitable waste merges 
into pale, misty opal tints. 

"Whatever commerce once cami- into Stratford 
harbor has almost ]iassed away, and except for a few 
sloops and schooners discharging cargoes of coal, and 



an occasional (jbstnqierous steam-tug. it is now less 
devdteil to the larger maritime enter]irises than to 
]>leasure-partics and amateur lishermeu. Yachts and 
sail-boats, clean-cut sharpeys, and catamarans sug- 
gesting phantoms of a wreck, chase each other up 
and down the bay on a summer's day, cross and re- 
cross, tacking, jibing, careening from morning till 
night. Then in the oyster-season a brisk traflSe is 
carried on, and the waters are covered witli a flotilla 
of ndd-looking craft buying up loads of baby oysters 
for bedding."— J//-.V. Kii-L 

MII.IT.'VRY KECOHD. 
FliiST KKf;iMEXT. 
<''iniqnini/ L. 
l...Mi»Tli(.iii:is, .-1.1. .I:in. .5, lsr,4. 

■ Ii.liri I'diuij], .•111. April iv, l.Niil ; must, uiit .lulv S, ISOfi. 
W illiuiii Harvfj-, (■ril. Maicli 31, \siA. 
I'lMilcs Tfarl, eiil. J;in. 2, Is04. 
liciiiii Swcciiny, Pill. April 1, lS(i4. 
Oiuif;'- M'il,..nii, fill. .liiii. -J, 1S64. 

SECOND LIGHT liATTERy. 
Willi:, 111 M. Hiniurii, enl. Jill.v ,11, 1S02; disch. March 24, 18C3. 
Iluir W. ^,l^i,.l, (111. Aug. 5, lSli2; disch. March :!, WM. 
Aiismi W. Diirt, ci.l, Maicli ('., 1SG2; died March :«1, 1803. 
Gcurg- « . Hazard, cuj. Au^. I, 1SC2; must, nut Aug. 9, 1805. 
.lolin C. Newton, ciil. Aug. C, l.'<02; died Dec. 20, 18IV4. 
.laiucs A. reck, enl. Aug. 5, 18i;2 ; died April 24, 1803. 
Charles F. Roherls, enl. Aug 2, 1.S02; must, out Aug. 9, 18G5. 
Henry Knberts. enl. Aug. 12, 1802; must, out .\ug. 9, 1805. 
George II. Spall, enl. Aug. 0, 1802; must, out Aug. 9, 1SG5. 
William li, Suifflu, enl. .Inly 31, 1802 ; must, out Aug. 9, 1SC5. 
Edmuii'I Tliompsoii, enl. July 8, 1802; must, out .\ng. 9, 1SG5. 
William li. Wilcoxon, enl. Aug. 0, lsi;2; must, out May 23, 1SG.5. 
Samuel Ulair, enl. Jan. 4, 1S04. 

ARTILLERY. 
Company B. 
Dewitt F. Clinton, enl. M.iy 22. l.sol. 

Comimuij F. 
William Murphey, enl. May 23; wounded Slay, 1804; disch. May 22, 
ISIH. 

C"tiij"nnj M. 

Frederick E. Bassett, eul. Feb. 4, 1S02 ; re-enl. Feb. 5, 1804. 

.lohn B. Beardsley, eul. Fell. 4, lsa2; disch. Feb. 4, 18i;.1. 

Charles E. Beers, eiil. Feb. 4, 1S02; re-enl. Feb. 5, 1804; must, out Sept. 

25, 180.0. 
Charles K. Cm lis, enl. IMarcli 5,1802; re-enl. Feb. 5, 1804; must, out Sept. 

25,1805. 
Stiles J. Peck, enl. Feb. 7, 1802; re-enl. Feb. 5, 1804; must, out Sept. 25, 

1.80.5. 
Francis 0. Wlieelor, enl. Feb. 18, 1802; re-enl. Fob. 5, 1804 ; must, out 

Sept. 25, 1805. 

SECOND AllTILLERY. 
Conijnnnj li. 
Isaac r.eardsley, cnl. Jan. 5, 1804. 

Compavij K. 
Charles A. .lohusou, enl. Jan. 1, 1804; died Oct. 20, 1S64. 
William I.ee, enl. Feb. 8, 180,4. 
James Shay, enl. Feb. 8, 1804. 

Freilerick J. Booth, enl. July 22, ISOl ; disch. July 22, 1864. 
Otis G. Lewis, enl. July 22. 1.S01 ; disch. July 22, 1804. 
Abram T. Peck, eul. July 22, 1801 ; re-enl. Dec. 21, 1S03; must, out July 

19, 1K0.5. 
William II. Wheaton. enl. July 22, ISOl ; di.sch. for ili.sability Oct. 1,1801. 

SIXTH REGIMK.NT l.NFANTRY. 
Oniipinnj B. 
De.vter W. Ingalls, eul. Jan. 30, 1802; died June 23, 1804. 



HlSTOllY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, COXNECTICUT. 



Comjmny E. 
Jamod F. King, oiil. Nov. 15, 1804; must, out Aug. 21, 18G5. 
Tbumue Quigley, ciil. Nov. 17, 11(04 ; must, out Aug. 21, 1865. 
George Kotlic, cul. Deu. 2, 18M. 

Company I, 
Roderick S. Bccra, eiil. Sopl. 5, 18C1 ; nuist. out Sept. 11, 18M. 
Willium H. Biuton, enl. Sept. 6, 18r,l ; must, out Sept. 11, 1864. 
Robert C. I'eck, eul. Aug. 2«, 1802; died Jul)' 20, 1803. 
Jobu Raygiiii, enl. Nov. 17, 1864; must, out Aug. 21, 1865. 
JoL'ii Sniilli, enl. Feb. 0, 1804; must, out May 24, 1805. 

EIGHTH REGIMENT. 
Compamj E. 
Edwin W. Baasett, enl. Sept. 25, 1801 ; rc-enl. Doc. 24, 1863. 
John Clark, onl. Nov. 19, 18(i4; mu&t. out Dec. 12, 1865. 

VnatsiffnftI HecruUi. 
Thoinns Fitzgerald, enl. Feb. 9, l.<04. 

NINTH REGIMEKT. 
Company I. 

Clmrles S. Palmer, first lieutenant ; cum. Oct. 30, 1801 ; pro. to captain; 

res. Hay 17, 18Ki. 
Pierce D. Colburn, corporal ; enl. Oct. 1, ISOl ; re-enl. Jan. 6, 1864; trans. 

to Co. D ; must, out Aug. 3, 1805. 
George F. Cooke, enl. Oct. 1,1861; re-enl. Feb. 28, 18C4; trans, to Co. D; 

must, out Aug. 3, 1805. 

Company K. 
David A. Shiwsou, enl. March 20, 1802; died July 22, 1862. 
ELEVENTH KEGIMENT. 
Company A. 
Ilcnrj- Snow, enl. Dec. 15, 1804 ; must, out Dec. 21, 1805. 

Company fi. 
Frank Terry, enl. Nov. 17, 1804. 

Com2>aHy H. 
Charles Jones, enl. Nov. 26, 1804. 

Company K. 
John W. Hale, enl. Feb. 16, 1804. 
James Lorman, enl. Nov. 28, 1864. 

TWELFTH REGIMENT. 

Company B. 
George H. Nusb, enl. Nov. 20, 1801 ; re-enl. Jon. 1, isivi : kill, d O. t. 10. 
1864. 

Company C. 
Augustine Gray, enl. I>cc. 19, 1861 ; re-enlisted ; pro. to first lieutenant; 

must, out Aug. 12, 1805. 
Frederick W. Judnon, enl. Jan. 15, 1802 ; killed Oct. 27, 1802. 

FOURTEENTH REGIMENT. 
Company A^ 
Oscar R. Bcors, enl. Aug. 1, 1802; discli. Ajiril 20, 1803. 
James II. Bartrani, eul. Aug. 12, 1862; died in hospital (must, out roll). 
Hanford Curtis, enl. July 26, 1802; died Dec. 15, 1S02. 
lienjamiu Curtis, enl. July 20, 1862; died June 9, 1803. 
Francis R. Curtis, enl. July 31, 1802; discli. Jiorch 10, 1803. 
Albert DeForreat, enl. July 26, 1862; pro. to second lieutenant; must, 
out May 31, 1865. 

SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT. 

Robert 0. McEwen, flnrt osxlstnnt surgeon; com. Aug. 16, 1862; res. 
Sept. 30, 1803. 

Company C. 
Thomas O'Brien, enl. Feb. 9, 1804 ; must, out July 19, 1805. 

Company D. 

Vr'llliam II. Keeler, corjioral ; enl. July 26, 1862; must, out July 19, 

1805. 
John n. Itoollj, enl. Aug. 7, 1|fi2; killed July 1, 1803. 
Selah G. llhikeman, enl. July 29, 1802; must, out July 19, 1865. 
Henr)' J. Ulukenian, enl. 5Ioy 29, 1802; must, out July 19, 1805. 
Cbarlel n. Clalk, cul. July 29, 1862; disuh. April 10, 1863. 



Stephen C. Crofut, enl. Aug. 11, 1862; killed July 1, 1803. 
George H. Gregory, enl. Aug. 8, 1802; must, out July 19, 1805. 
George W. Keeler, enl. July 2:1, 1862; must, out Jnlyl9, 1865. 
John N. Mnnger, enl. July 29, 1862; died Feb. 13, 1863. 

Company G, 
Wilson French, first lieutenant; com. Aug. II, 1802; pro. to captain; 

discli. May 15, lSti,'». 

T WENT Y-TIl 1 1! D IIEGIM EST. 
Company I. 
Edwin L. Woodin, enl. Sept. 2, 1862 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT. 
Company U. 
John L. Williiinis, enl. Dec. 30, 1803. 
George Williams, eul. Dec. 30, 1803 : must, out Oct. 24, I8C5. 

Company I, 
Edwin Freeman, musician ; eul. Jan. 2, 1804 ; must, out Oct. 24, 1805. 
Boston White, eul. Jan. 4, 1804 ; must, out Oct. 24, 1806. 

TllIIiTlKTIl KKIil.MENT. 
Company C. 
John Banks, enl. Fob. 4, 18G4 ; must, out Nov. 7, 1865. 
John Steddler, enl. Feb. 8. 1804 : must, out Nov. 7, 1805. 
I.anie .Suttles, enl. Feb. 8, 1804 ; killed July 30, 18M. 

TIIIHTV-FIKST KEGIMENT. 
Company F. 
John Mcintosh, enl. March 31, 1864. 



t ii.vi' I'Ki; i.xxix. 

THUMBULIi. 

Geogropbical^Topogi-aphical — Listof I'ioneers — Early PbysiclanB — First 
Marriages — Firet Births — Schools — The Revolution — War of 1812 — 
The Revolutionof 1809— The WhippiiiK-Post— I'ost-offlcos— Tlie Birth- 
place of Pi-ofessor Benjamin Sillimau. 

The town of Tnimbull is located in the southeast- 
ern part of tlie county, and is bounded as follows: 
On the north by Monroe; on tlie esist by Huntinfrton 
and Stratford ; on tlic south by Stratlord and liridge- 
I)ort ; and on the west by Easton. 

The surface of this town is diversified with hills 
and valleys, and the soil is generally fertile and pro- 
ductive. 

As will be seen by reference to a following chapter 
in the history of this town, Trumbull originally com- 
prised a ])ortion of the old town of Stratford, and the 
first settlements were doubtless made soon after the 
settlement of the mother-town. 

THE PIONEERS. 
The following is si list of early settlers who were 
here as early as 1731 : Nathan llawley, Dawd Hooth, 
Thos. Peet, Elijah Nickolls, David Calhoun? Williaiii 
llawley, Ephraiin Booth, Daniel IJeach, .Josiali Bc;ich, 
' Thos. White, Oliver llawley, Stephen Mallory, Amos 
Elmer, Abraham Nickolls, Thos. Lake, John Eair- 
ehild, Edward Lake, David Lake, John Nickolls, 
James Peet, John Sunderland, John Sherwood, Daniel 
Sherwood, Israel Beach, and Ebenczer Hurd. 

Other early settlers were James Beech, A. Salmon, 
I Elijah Turney, Isaac Harris, Samuel B. Edward.s, 



TUU.MIin.l. 



773 



J —- 

Micliael Seeley, .Tosoph \\ hrclcr, Salmon Mallett, 
Minor Higby, Eli Xichuls, Koht. :\ralli_'tt, Stcplien A. 
Gregory, John (iilrs, Thaililfus Heiuii-tt, ICli Plumb, 
John Nichols, Jr., ISi'iiJ. Kei'fh, .lonathan Nichols, 
Philo Peet, Silas Harris, Elijali E. Curtis, James 
Beardslee, Jr.,* Kcubon P. Seeley, SoIomiou Peet, 
David Fairchild, Z. Thorp, (xurdon Sterling, Thomas 
Strutton, Sauiurl Chirk, IClijah Harris, .losiah North- 
rop, .John li. lions. 

At an election tor nicndiers of ( 'onj;ress, iield in 
April, 1800. our hundred and sixty-seven voti-s were 
oast. 

In the early history of the town it was ordered that 
whoet'er desired to become a resident must subscribe 
the treeman's oath, as it was called, :ind under date 
of April 2, 1792, "the following gentlemen were ad- 
mitted freemen by taking the oath : Abijah Curtis, 
Sherman Edwards, Elijah Beech, Peter Summers, 
Andrew Lewis, Eli Edwards, Nehemiah K. Edwards, 
Al>ijah Edwards, Abi.jah Utibot, David .Mallett, Jr., 
Jo.s. Mallett, Jr., David Edwards, Jr., Thos. Ward, 
Abraham Middleliawk, Seth Mallett, Elijali Beech, 
Jr., Amos Oshorn, Zachariah Mallett, Lewis Edwards, 
Joseph Gregory, an<l Abijah Peet. Recorded by 
Eliakim Beech, Clerk." 

In the fcdlowing Septend>er the tbllowing gentle- 
men were admitted 'ti'emieu by taking the freeman's 
oath: /. Fairweather, K.obti Middlebook, Nathaniel 
Beech, .Ir., .indrew Curtis," Jos. Ilawli'v, llezekiah 
Curtis, Jr., Nathan N. Peet, l'21nathan Tnrney, John 
Peter, John Cogeshall, P^phraim Peter, David Sher- 
man, Nathaniel Beech (.'Hd), John P. (iregorv, Z. 
Mallett, Jr. 

In ITit'.l the following were admitted as free- 
men: John Nichols, Wooster llurnston, F21ijah 
Booth, Samuel llaine, Eli Burton, Benjamin Tnrney, 
Josejih Hamblin,, .loseph Burton, .fr., David Peet, 

-Thomas Hawlcy, Abijah Ilawley, David Middle- 
brook, Gideon Peet, .Ir.. Ephraim Middlebrook, 

^ Daniel Hawdey, Thaddens .linnings, Jo.si'iili Sterling, 
Lewis Fairchild, Jr., Dainel Waklee, .\llijrd Beech, 
Sillie Summers, Nehemiah Fairchild, Levi Summer.?, 
David Sherwood, Hobert Dashnm, Jonathan Tongue, 
Jr., Eli Starr, Ira Summers:— Daniel Barel, Silas 
Beardslee, Isaac Palichar, Daniel Tnrney, .Joseph 
Wetmore, Eli Tongue, I'.ben Bca<-h, Pliilo Beers, 

Thomas Daskain, F. Shcrw 1, .Tames Downs, .Silas 

Beacli, Burr Silliman, Abel S. licacli, llezekiah 
Nichols, Thomas Peet, Nathan X. Walker, Joseph 
E. Mallett, and .\braham Brinsnuide. 

EAIll.V l>IIY.SICI.\N.s:. 
One of the earliest pliysicians, .ind probablv the 
fir-st in the town, was Stephen Middlebrook, liithcr of 
I>r. Elijah Middlebrook. The latter, famous as the 
publisher of "Middlebrook .Vlmamic," was in active 
pr.actice here about half a century. 

* Hflctijfuru »lK-lli-il iji lln- li;i:ulil» ISarJslrr. 



Among other physici:nis are mentioned the names 
of Daniel Beard, Isaac .Jennings, Daniel Ufford, and 
( rcorge Dyer. There is but one pliysician now resi- 
dent (d' the town. Dr. Seth Hill, at Tashna. 

I'lIiST iM.MtlUAcJES. 
The following is a list of a few of the first nuir- 
riages, as kept l>y Rev. Mr. Miin-r, who was pastor of 
the church in 1731: .Tercmiah .Tohnson and Zipponih 
Mallory, IClieiiezer Ilunl and Abigail Hubbell, Jos. 
L:ikc :uid Deborah .Jack-on, .lames Phippenne and 
Hannah Smitli, Isa:ie .I:rrk-on and Rachel Nickolls, 
Samuel Shelton and .\l)igail Nickolls, .Tohn Middle- 
brook and Eunice Bostwick, Isr:iel Mungcr and May 
Brinsmead, Andrew Booth :uid Sarah Patterson. 

FIR.siT BIRTHS. 

The following is a record of the first births in this 
town, and in 1731 : Lois Hawley, Esther Miner, Ann 
Booth, Nathan Peet, Jonathan Nickolls, James Cal- 
houn, Charity Booth, Elijah Bi'ach, Ann Beach, 
Sarah White, Ldial^od Ilawley, Ogden JIallory, Aim 
Ehuer, Abrani Nickolls, and lAicy Lake. 

The old [>arish record of North Stratford (Trum- 
bull) shows that " Peggy, m'gro servant of Ensign 
William Peet, was b:iptized .June 27, 1731." 

SCIIOOI.S. 
'I'lie first merchant in town was .'Stephen Miildlc- 
brook, who kept wlere .Jolm Beardsley now lives. 
Eliakim Beacli kept a store at Trumbull, and Robert 
Nichols was in trade at Nichol's Farms. 

THE liEVdl.UTtON. 
The following is a copy of an interesting Revolu- 
tionary doiaiment now in the possession of L. N. 
IMiddlebrook, Esij.. of Bridgeport: 

" Nortli .Str.itfuril.t Miiicli lUli, ITTS. 
" Tlic fnllnwiii;:; is uii v.s.:i't !U:cuiitit of the "loimtions of the jiixrish 
of North Stiiitfunl fur the CoiitiiicMital soMJers in ttie soiitheiTi army. 
V.illey Fonl, belonging to this place sent down by Lieut. Beehe. being 
fifteen in liuinlier, to be liiviile.l eiiually between tlieni, viz. the foU.iwing 
persons: John Downs, Jennies Ilowns, .Vbraliani Ilawley, Truman 
French, William Diuseonib, D.iiiii-1 Kvis, Nathan Ilawley, lieuben Iteaeh, 
Joel Mosher, Jolm Crafonl, S.unuel Ileumaii, Daniel Sherwooil, Toney 
Tnrney, Cjesar Kilwarils, ami Nero liawh-y. 
" The following persons were the donurs; 

£ >. li. 

Daniel Ileers 1 10 

J.uiatliau lieers (P :l 11 

Natliaiiiel Mos..ur II :i U 

lluvid Slnilloli 3 (I 

Hawkins Nichols 3 

Ilaliiel Turiiey 3 

Ilnviil Turm-V '2 

Klnatlian Tnrney 3 

Kamui-l Flench 2 

J..hn Turm-v 12 

lloheil Tiirnev » ■'> <• 

Ci.leou Peet .", 

llavi.l Ivlwarils, Jr 2 i) 

John IlailH 3 II 

Davi.l llarslev 3 II 

Tha.l.leus liarslev <> 1 9 

James Hai.lsley 3 

Davi.l Kieo.h 4 

John liurlon li 

I.balio.l Ilawlev .'i 

Kliakim Itei,ch.'. 6 II 

Daniel li..,'eh 2 II 

t No \ Trumbull. 



1U 



llitiTOlir OF I'AlKi'lELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



£ .. d. 

Thomas Edward's wife U 3 U 

Joshuii Ilcnman 6 

John Bet'ch 6 

Ittilion yherwood 6 

Klioch Heiiiiiuu G 

Jofiinh Ilciiniitu 6 

Shiiiir'I Turiiey 3 

JoHfph Hurroughs 5 

Samuel Edwards 3 

Edmon Curtis 3 

Gashom Turney 3 

K])liraim Sterling 12 

Potor Boers 10 

Stephen Middlcbrook 6 

"The subscribers tliat gave cheese : 

Iha. 03!. 

Daniel Salmon 5 4 

Jabez Beet-h .'. 3 ^2 

Sirs. Starling 4 4 

Mrs, Beecli 4 -[2 

J<>se|ih Burton 7 4 

Benjamin Burton g q 

John French 6 ft 

.lohn ^^■eaIer 6 

Josiah Ilennian ,■■> 

.lohn I'Mvvards, ^d 6 

David Edward.-*, ;id 6 

John Edwards, 4tli a 

Abigal Mosuur 4 2 

70 10 
Eliakim Walker 5 4 

" Suligcribers for gammon : 

Ihs. o/.. 

Andrew Beech 1 M 

Abel Beech 4 q 

William Bnrrit neat tongue 

Ml-s. Ilinmaii 2 8 

Josiah Hinnian 4 g 

.lohn Hininan 4 12 

Kuben Slierwood ."i 8 

John Turney 4 ft 

Agur Beech 4 4 

:n 
"Small packs sent: 

* lbs. oz. 

By EInathan Sceley 15 4 

" Daniel Hawley 6 

** Andrew Hawley S 8 

" Peter Lewis' pack 4 8 

" North Stratford, li'ih March, 177H. 

"Then received of Mr. Stephen Middlcbrook, the sum of seven pounds 
three shillings and ten pence, lawful money, for the purpose of paying 
the expense of transporting a donation in provisions, from the parish of 
North Stratford, to the Contiuontal soldiora of that Parish, lieu. Waah- 
iugton's Ileadijuarters. 

" Pr. J.vM>;s Bkciike, 

WAR OF 1812. 

Although none of the citizens of this town wore t>ii- 
gaged in the battles of the war of 1812, still they held 
themselves reiuly to respoml to their country '.s call, 
and many wliose names we are unable now to obtain 
joined a military organization then stationed at New 
London. 

At the close of the war, when the treaty of (Jhcnt 
was announced, it created a wild enthusiasm in this 
vicinity. A very enthusiastic celebration was held at 
Trumbull church, and a pole was rai.scd amid the re- 
joicing of the people. Old inhabitants still refer to 
thia celebration with patriotic pride. It is evident 
that the people of Tniinbull were alive to the i.ssues 
of the day, for under date JIarch l.'), 1S09, they e.x- 
prcss themselves in the following trenchant manner 
concerning the " meivsuri's pursued by the general 
government." David Beardslco Wiis chairman of the 
meeting, and Abijah UAbrt and Noah Plumb reported 
the following residutions: 

" At the present momentous ami alarming crisis, 



when the black clouds of invasion and insurrection 
darken our political horizon, it becomes the indispu- 
table duty of every good citizen to rally round the 
altar of Freedom roared by the valor of our fathers 
and defend it against the savage insolence of foreign 
des])ot.s and the nefarious cabals of domestic traitors. 

" While liy the unparalleled oppressive edicts of 
the belligerents of Eurojic our rights arc wantonly 
violated, our national honor insulted, and our com- 
merce insulted, we cannot conceal our astonishment 
or repress our indignation of those among us who 
have the effrontery to advocate the inglorious, de- 
grading maxim that power is right, while they arc 
reviling an administration breathing a spirit of amity, 
peace, ami good-will to all nations, and bending to 
preserve and perpetuate those rights and privileges 
which the blood of their fathers calls upon them 
from the ground to support. Still we trust there is 
yet remaining in the people of this highly-favored 
country sufficient valor, virtue, and jiatriotism to 
maintain and support the Constitution of the United 
States and the laws jirocceding therefrom against all 
the Joabs which infest our land. Viewing such sup- 
port as the link of our safety and the bul\vark.s of 
liberty, we do therefore 

"Resolve, That we are unalterably attached to the 
Constitution of the I'nited Stattfs, viewing it to com- 
bine all the principal requisites for preserving our 
independence and promoting our national prosperity ; 
that until gratitude ceases to have a place in our 
hearts, or we forget suitably to appreciate wisdom, 
virtue, and i)atriotism, such as were the peculiar in- 
heritance of the illustrious Washington, we will ever 
frown indignantly upon the first dawning of any at- 
tempt to alienate one portion of the countrj' from the 
rest or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link 
together its various parts." 

It was also 

"Resolved, We view with mingled emotions of pity 
and contempt the dastardly, pitil'iil means which have 
been employed by many under the semblance of at- 
tachment to our rights and dissatisfaction with the 
Embargo and their laws, while their real object is to 
bring the administration into contemi>t," etc. 

It wjis also 

" Re-tolved, That we ai>prove of the late acts and 
doings of Congre-ss." 

The last of the series of re.solutions was one com- 
mendatory of Thonuis JeH'erson, " late President of 
the United States." They resolve " that he is enti- 
tled to the most grateful thanks and fullest confi- 
dence not only of this meeting, but of every Icgitmate 
son of Columbus, etc." The resolution was fittingly 
el<)scd with the following words: " We avail ourselves 
with avidity of the opportunity to express our senti- 
ments of merit so exalted, and tender our sincere 
prayers that the evening of his days may be as se- 
rene antl happy as his former life htis been glorious 
and useful." 



THU.MBULL. tT5 



TIIK WIIIIMM\(;-POST. flu. m,,st rminent .il' Aincri.-an tearl[,T> ,.f iKitur:il 

This relic 111' liy-gdiK' bnrliarily, as it has iiftcii lircn science, was lidrii. Tlie Ihiiim' uf (he faiiiily, tViuu 

styled, stiiiiil near tlie Conjrre<;atioiial ehnn-li. Mrs. which liis lather ( I'rij;-.-( M'n. Selleck Silliuiani had 

15. B. Plunilj rcMiendiers when line .T.anies Kead, f'aniil- hitely ln'cn carried away as a ]irisiiner liy a party 

iarly known as ".Tim" Head, was jiuhlicly whipiicd uf British soldiers, and rnnn which liis nmlher, to es- 

at this old jiost for stealing shee]) of Robert Mallett. caiic the jn'rils of war, was nnw a vnhintary exile, 

lie was arrested hy 8ilas Haines, who administered w'as sitnated in the town ol' Kairlicld, at the ilistanee 

the lashes aceiirdinu- to law ! of a lew miles from tin' ]ilnce of his hirlh." 

Professor 8illiniaii, in the very last years of his life, 

POST-ilI-'FtCES. ,vrote a hiographical sketch of his father, and in it 

The post-office at Trnnihnll was estaldisheil in an "'' ^"'^ ''i^^' followin,!!; description of the event of his 

early day, and the earliest jiostmaster now remem- mother's Might : " Jly mother had secnreil an asylum 

hered hy the oldest inhabitant was Elihu Beach. He in the honse of Mr. Eliakim Beach at North Strat- 

was sueceeiled by B. B. Phnub. ^Ir. Beach was aji- ''"'''i "ow Trumbull, and liad made .all necessary ar- 

pointed a si nd time, succeeding Mr. I'lumli. He raugemcnts for her own nanoval and that of a ji.art 

was succeeded by 3Ir. J. ]). B.rinsmade, who was fol- "'' her family. A British fleet and army which had 

lowed by the present incumbent, "W. 8. Wheeler, I'-'i'l •' hostile visit to New ]Iaven between .July 4th 

The first postnm-ster at Long Hill was Miles Beards- and 7th, sailed from New Haven on the eve of the 

ley. He was succeeded by IC. I!. Jliddlebrook, :\Iilcs "th, ami on the morning of the .Sth disendiarked at 

Beardsley, and Ivhvard Piatt, the present ineumlient, Kinsey Point, on the beach at Fairfield. My mother 

and fandlv, from the top of our liouse, witnessed the 

Till-; lUKTIll'L.M'K OF PROF. BENJAMIN .'^ILLPM.W.s disembark.ation of these tniops, and that was the sig- 

The old highway which leads northward through ii:'l of their own retreat to North Stratford, a distance 

the little village of White Plains, or Trundiull Cen- "t'^even or eight miles, where, with several members 

tre, as it is more often called, turiis off to the right a "f 'i''"' family, she was comfurtably established and 
little distance before you reach the Trumbull church, i ki'i^H.V treated. 

and across the headwaters of the l'ei|u,in.ie ; fhen, as " I" their progressim their pilgrimjourney (on hor.sc- 

it turns north again to lead you on up the hills to the ''="''""' *'"■ '-auiion began to roar, and the little boy, 

village of Daniel's Farms, yon are confronted by a ''"''' ^cllick, amused with the soumi that brought 

large gable-roofed house. It issituated upon the left of '^"""w to many hearts, at every reimrt cried, •/„ui,/.r 

the road and, standing upiui a natural elevation, over- '"'".'/.' 

looks to the sonlh the quiet village as it lies stretched "To our ears,' writes my niofher, ' these were dole- 
out down the valley, .\cross the stream, to the right *'"' f^ounds,' and she ad.b: M »h the horrors of that 
and upon an cipial elevation, stands the Truiiibull 'li'eadful night 1 At the distance of .seven miles we 
church irongregational), whose historic society in eould see the light of flic devouring flames by which 
its record of one century and a half have borne the ""' '""" "■'"' '•'''' '" ashes. It was a sleepless night 
names of "Society at Unity," "Sicicty at Xortli ; of doubtful expectations.' 
Stratford," and "Trumbull Church." "My mother's cheerful courage confriliuted to .sus- 

The old hou.sc is of peculiar interest. Althniigh *■''" '"'''; •""' 1 "H-''' '" '"' ' ' '"'"^t ^ •■""I .srateful to 

it Wiis built long before the Revolution, it .stands u|iiin m.v noble mother, and to my gracious (!od, that the 

its foundation with a firmness that commands vener- midniglit surprise, the Imrror of rufhans armed for 

aticm, and is .suggestive of tlie firm and resolute re- I aggression, and the loss of her hiisbaml. as jierhajis 

solve of our ancestors to build a home for future gen- j ^'^e might fear, by the hands of a.ssassins, had not 

eratiiins, not oidy with implements of peace, but, if pi'evente.l my life or entailed upon it physical, mental, 

necessary, with implements of war. There are many '"" '"'"'■'' iutirmitics. Hope and comfort returned to 

historical associations connected with the old house, "".v molherwith the a.ssurance of my father's safety, 

which, by the way, has within a few years been pur- •'"'• "'"i 'I"' i-estoralion of corres|ionilcnce, althougli 

chased by the town of Trumlmll, and is now used as I'.estricted to open letters and to the surveillance and 

a town-hall. jealousy of war." 

Among other of these associations is the fact that 'd'"" "'"■ I'cciirds of the Trumliii II Church (vol. i. 

at one time John Hancock held .i mortgage tin icon. I'-'H) '"^ I'l'' following record: " P.enjannn, son of 

Huring the Kevolution it was often a placeof refuge, I''i-ig--Cen. (bild Syllick Sylliman and his wife. Born 

and many a time during the coast ravages of the August the Htli, and bapti/ed Sept. 1 1'lh. 'I'lie general 

British did the families of the coloni.sts .seek shelter ""'" '"■'"!^' •' I'nsiiner on Long Island, his lady ilceing 

beneath the same roof which now covers Trumbull's •''""' ""■ eonllagalion uf Fairfield and took refuge in 

colonial mansion, t'"'* 'Society." 

In this house, Aug. 9, 177il, " Penjamin Sillinmn, 

* By U. V. Ainl.kT. • ; ' ' ■ ■ ■■..■' 



776 



HISTORY OF FAIllFIELD 'COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



CHAPTER LX XX. 

TRUMBULL (Continued). 

CIVIL AND KCCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 

OrgHiiizjitiou of Town — First Town-Mot'tiiig — OfRcera Elected — Select- - 
men from 1707 to 1881— Uepresenlutiveg from 1798 to 1881— Eccleaias- 
tical History — CoiigregHtional Church — Trinity Church, Nichols' 
Farms — Grace Church, Long Hill — Methodist Episcopal Church, 
Nichols' Farms — Christ Churcli, Tjishun — Military History. 

CIVIL HI.'^TORY. 

The territory embraced within tlic bounds of the 
present town of" Trumbull composed a portion of the ] 
town of iStratford until 1797. On the "second Thurs- 
day of Oct., A.I). 17SI7," it was incorporated by the 
General A.sseinbly convened at New Haven. It wa.s 
formerly known and referred to a.s the "society of 
North Stratford." 

The act of incorporation directed that the first 
"Freeman's Electing shall l)e holden at the meeting- 
house in said Trumbull, and the first Town meeting ' 
in said towue of Trumbull shall be holden on the 
20th day of November, 1797, and Jabez H. Tomlin- j 
son, Esq'., of said Stratford, shall be the Moderator 
of said first Town meeting, and said town shall have 
and enjoy at .said meeting in said town of Trumbull 
the same powers and authoritie and proceed in the 
same manner in tran.sacting their busine.ss jls the 
other towns in this State." 

THE FIRST TOWN-MEETIKG. 

In accordance with the above the first town-meet- 
ing was held at the "meeting house" Nov. 20, 1797, 
with Jabez H. Tomlinson as moderator, when the 
following oflicers were chosen: Selectmen, James 
Nicliols, .labez Beech, Jr., Jud.son Curtis, Jr.; Clerk, 
Eliakim Beech ; Trca-surer, Dr. Stephen Middle- 
brooks; Constables, Stephen Bardslee, David Secley, 
Jr., David Booch, Jr. ; Surveyors of Highways, Ev- 
erard Curtis, Elijah Beech, Joseph P. Nichols, Daniel 
Burton, James Beers, Albert Edwards, Daniel tireg- 
ory, Nathan H. Nichols, and Daniel Peck; Listers, 
Ebenezer Wheeler, Daniel Brinsmade, James K. Ed- 
wards; Fence- Viewer.s, Zaehariah Curtis and David 
Beardsley, Sr. ; State Collector, Stephen Bardslee ; 
Town Collector, Ebenezer Wheeler; Leather Sealer, 
David Seeley ; Cirand Juroi-s, .lohn Coc, John Mid- 
dlebrooks; Tithingnian, Elijah Sterling; Haywards, 
Epliraim Booth, Thoniiis Ward ; Chimney-Viewer_, 
Joseph P. Nichols; (Iranger, Daniel Ulfoot; Packer, 
John Uffoot; Sealer of Weights and Measures, Ne- 
heniiah Peet; "Key-keeper," Eliakim Beech. 

At a " Freemen's meeting legally warned and con- 
vened at the meeting house, Dec. 4, 1797, the follow- 
ing votes were taken according to law to .stand in 
nomination of election as representatives of the 
People of this State in the present Congress of the 
United States: Jabez li. Tomlinson, 34; John Dav- 
enport, 31; Isaac Jlills, 27; Simeon Baldwin, 24; 
Ste]>licn Middlebrok, 1">; Sylvester (iilbert, 1(>; Lewis 



B. Sturges, 11 ; Samuel W. Johnson, 12 ; Thaddeus 
Bennedick, 10; Stephen I. Ilawsmon, 5; Marvin 
Wait, 4; John G. Smith, 1; Jonathan Brace, 1; 
Ebenezer Goodrich, 2 ; Joseph Walker, 1 ; Elijah 
Whittlesey, 1." 

In 1797 it was voted "that we tax our silver four 
cents on a dollar, and that Ebenezer AVheeler be 
appointed to collect that ta,\." 

At a meeting held in October, 1799, the citizens 
voted to oppose " there having a Turn|iike road 
threw Trumbull from Newfield to New-Milford." 

They also voted " that this meeting will send and 
remonstrate at the tieneral Assembly against there 
being a Turnpike road, and that James Bardsslee be 
our agent to act in behalf of the town." 

It was also voted that he be " Impowered to Imploy 
Counsel if Ncaded." The people were evidently in 
earnest in the matter, as a committee was appointed 
to draw a remonstrance, and empowered to "summon 
witnesses before the General Court in order to make 
proof if necessary." 

SELECTMEN FROM 170" TO 1880. 
The following is a list of selectmen of the town of 
Trumbull from the organization of the town to 1880: 

1797-98, IWA James Nichols; 1797-98, 1801, 1810-13, 1819-20, Jabez 
Beech, Jr. ; 1797, 1800-1, Judson Curtis, Jr. ; 1798-1800, 1805-9, 1814 
-ir., David Beanlsloy; 1798, Zaehariah Ci.e ; 179S-99, S:amuel Hull; 
1799-1801, Nchemiah I'cet; 180:!-4, Benjamia Burton; Isas-S, 1810- 
12, 1817, I'hilo Booth: 1803-1!, Daniel Gregory; 1807-10, Samuel 
Gregory, Jr.; 1809-10, David Plumb; 1810-12, Stcpheu Beai-dsley ; 
1813-lt), Isiuic Booth, Holwrt Mallett ; 1817-20, Frederick Kurd; 1817 
-18, Ihivid Middlel.rook; 1818-20, Eli Edwards; 1819-21, Jos. E. 
Malkit; 1819-20, Lewis Burton; lS-20-22, N. M. Edwards; 1821-24, 
.1. U. Curtis; 1S22, Aaron Mallett; 1823-20, 1S28, 18.31-33, 1839-40. 
Kicc E. Beach; 18-2:i-2i), David Beach; 1824, 182(1-27, I'liilo l)<«.tli; 
1827, N. II. Nichols, Kplimiiu Jlid.llel.rook; 1828-29, Mali I'eet; 
1828-29, 18:U, Samuel Mullen; 1829-30, John M. Wheeler; 1829, 
Elijah Sterling; 1830-:t3, 1). Curtis; 18:11, John Nichols; I8:i2-:i4, 
Abel .Mnllett; 18:)4-;!fl, An-on Curtis; 18:14-35, 18:17, David Beards- 
ley; 183.'>-:tC, Ephraim S. Mnllett; 18a«, Birdscy B. I'lumb; 1837-38. 
Ahigil M. Nichols; Is:i7-:i9, John C. Mallett; 18.38-40, Walker 
Wheeler; 1810, Asa French; 184l-4:t, l'i-os|>cr Nich..l,; 1841-4-2. A. 
S. Beach; 1841-44, Hall lleanWey; 1844, David B. I'lumb; 1844-4.'., 

D. S. Brinsmade; 184:1, F. Beurli; 1845, A. B. Sherman. L. W. Claik; 
1840-47, D. B. Ilinnmn, E. Wheeler, J. L. Nichols; 1848, D. Curtis: 
1849, 11. S. Nichols, Edwiirils lUach, Daniel Curtis; 1850, L. C. 
Bimth, E. Beacli, Daniel Curtis; 18.'.1^'.2, L. C. BiK)th, Wm. Squire, 
William Nichols; 18.VS, Daniel Fainhihl, E. B. Edwards, Granville 
Dunning; 18o4, Granville Dunning, E. E. Edwartls, Isaac C. l(«H)th ; 
185fi, Granville Dunning, E. E. Etlwards, John II. Panly; 185tj, Isaac 

E. Boi.th, A. >>. Beiich, E. I'. Nichols ; 18,-.7, Isiuic E. Biwtli, A. S. 
Bea»h, Jr., E. I". Niihols; 18.18, AIpoI S. Beacli, E. 1'. Nichols, Wil- 
liam A. Mallett ; ls.">9-<lll, Charles N. Fain hild, l« Grand (i. Bi'ors, 
William A. Mallett; 186l-«l, William rir./pl, Burr Walkins, A. B. 
Mallett; 18tH-«(;, A. S. Bwich, U- Grand O. Beers, M. II. Mallett; 
18C7, E. P. Nichols, A. S. Ueach. M. D. Blallett: 18C8-70,C. D. Black- 
nam, A. S. Beach, J. A. Treailwcll; 1871, E. P. Nichols, A. S. Beach, 
J. A.Treudwell; 1872, William M. L'lTord, .s. II. Burroughs, L. A. 
Mallett; 1873-74. S. II. Bum.uglis. L. N. Mallell, Isaac E. B.«.th ; 
187.'i, S. II. BurrougliN F. S. Sterling, Lewis llrinsnnide; 1876, F..S. 
Sterling, 8. P. Ploreon, Lewis Brinsmade; 1877, F. S. Sterling, W. II. 
(^.an, L. N. Mallett ; 1878, L. N. Mallett, W. 11. Coan, John B. Ni..li- 
ols; 1879, L. N. Mallett, W. B. Coan, I>avlil S. Walker; 1880, I.. N. 
ilullelt, W. B. Co:in, John B. Nichols. 

REPRESENTATIVES KRO.M I79S TO IS8U. 
1798, Mr. Edwanl Curtiss. Mr. Judson Carliss, Jr.; r.tK), Mr. Slophcn 
Beardsley, Mr .liini« lleanlsley ; 18O0, Sir. James Beardslie, Mr. 



I 

b 

:5 

rn 
O 

I 




I 



TllUMBULL. 



Natlmnicl .1. Burtuii ; Isill, Mr. Natliaiiiel J. Huiton, Mr. Hczekiilli 
Cuilis; ISOi, Mr. Jiunre lifimlsl.-y, Mr. Sti-iilivn Mi.Ml.-liroolis; IS03, 
Mr. BiMijiUiiiii lliut.Jii. Mr. St<'|.lic-ii MiiUIIpbruck ; 1S04, Mr. Sli'|ilii'n 
B.-arJsl..,v, Mr. Jiirnis H..•ilr.l^l,■y ; Isii,",, Kl.cii.v..-r Wln^ilcr, Iiiivid 
Bwiril!.lc.v ; l.fllC), Stc-plion MiilJli-bn.i.k, I'liilu lioi.tli; 1SU7, Steplu-ri 
lU-artlblry, .li-reniiali (.)sl'orii(', I)avi<l Iii-arii(>lyi', Salmon Stieriiian; 
l.-iilS, Kl.ciiiwr \Vh...-l,-r, ,Ianic.» li.>ar.lslc-y ; Isil'.l, Aljijal. i:ilbot,« .I.>- 
»e].Ii Bfiim-tt, StcplicMi licanWoy; IM", Daiii.'l Waki'ley, Jalifz 
Bi-acli; 1811, .■itrph.Mi Bc■ar.l^l^■l■, .laniis IVanl«lci' ; isrj, .lal.i-z 
IVadi, David B.nitli, Jr. ; lsi:t, Haiiii-l Wakcly, Samuel Gregory; 
ISU, Amos H. Wli.-cl.'r, Jam.'.s IVarikley : 181.% Sliphcn Mi.l.lle- 
lir.K.k, Pavi.l Bec-I.e; 181i;, .lonatliali lU-.-is, Jr., Amos II. Wheeler; 
1K17, Isaae liootli. Kheiiew-r Wheeler ; ISIS, Daniel S.-.-iey, Lewis 
Fairehilil; ISllI, Samuel i;rej;oiy; ls;;il, David Heel.e; ISLil. Eli 
Edwards; lsv2, Elijah Middlel.rook ; IS'i), Isaae Booth ; IS-Jl, Elijah 
Middlehrook ; lsi"i, Nehemiah 1!. Edwaiils ; ISJll, Stephen (Jregory ; 
l.S'i7, Eoheit Middlehrook; ISiiS, EI.eu Fair.hilJ; ISiill, Samuel 
Be.irilslee; ls:iu. David Curtiss; Islll, Samuel lieardslee; 1832, I.iee 
E. Bcaeh; ls:i:l, Kuheit Miilillehro.ik ; I.s.i4, Isdali I'eet ; 18i.\ 
Ephraim W. Beaeh ; l.s:ii;, Joshua D. Nieliolls; ISiV, Samuel Ed- 
wards; isa.s, Stephen Midillchrook ; Isii'.l, Eraneis Beai h ; ISKI, Kli 
Biiiismade; I.s4l, Ali.l Jlalh-tl ; ISIJ, Ceorge Dyer; 184:1, Walker 
Wheeler; l.sH, Eiihiaim .Mildlehrook ; 1S4.5, EpliiainiT. Edwards; 
Is4i;. David llawley ; 1847, I'lnmh N. Eaireljihl ; 1848, Miles Beanls- 
lee; 18411, Franklin I'. Amhier: 18.M1, John C. Mallett ; IS.'il, David 
B. Iliunuin; 18.j2, William S.inire; l.s,-,;!, Eheuey.er Wheeler; ISM, 
Darnel Eaireliild; ls.'j.-i, Burr Watkins; l.-.^ir,, Elam llawley; l.s.'.7, 
I,. W. ('lark; IS.'.S, Edward Beaih ; I8.V.1, F. P. Andder, Jr.; ISr.ll, 
Daniel Burtiss; 1801, I.elliand (i. Beejs; l,S(i2, 1.saae E Ii..olh; 180:1, 
Lneiiis B. Burronghs; 1.SG4, Charles Andder; l.sUo, Saml. <i. Beards- 
ley; 1800, C. W. Blaekman ; 1,S07, Morse D. Mallett; 1808, Ahiam 
Biiggs; 1809, Sherman Freueli(id); 18711, tie.,. B. Amliler; 1871, S. 
11. Burroughs; 1.87-.;, Ahel S. Bea. h ; 1.87:), Aar.rn li. Mallett ; 1874, 
Ueoige E. I'eet; 1.87.'., .lohn 11. Bea. h ; 1870, l.'hns. V. Kair.hihl; 
1877, Stephen O. Nii-li.ds; 187S \\ illi.im M. lHhuil ; lS7:i, Elli.itt M. 
Beardsley; 18811, Ormel Hall. 

C0N(;RE(iATI(3XAL CmiKClI AXU SOCIETY. f 

There was a church gathereil and settled at ITiiity, 
then a district of 8tr;itf'ord (hdw Truinbiill), Nov. IS, 
1730, c(ini|ii).4ed of thirty-eight nieinhers, nf wlmin 
abinit twD-thirds liad been meinl>ers of tlie Str;ilford 
Cliurcli, and the same day w;is ordained the Rev. 
Ricliardson Miner as pastor. He ultimately ;iilopted 
Episeo|)al views, and was <lismissed Mandi 21, I7-f4, 
by tlie Council of (_'onsoei;ition. Jle s(»m iifterw:irds 
went to Kngland for orders, an<l died there at S:ilis- 
bury. l'nha]>py dissensions ftdlowed in the ehiireh 
and society, the name of whicli w.-is ch:inged abmit 
this time frcmi Unity to Xorth Stratford. 

The Association, tlie (ieneral Assembly of the col- 
ony, and two neighboring As.sociations sought to ad- 
vise, but th(! church became so broken that it was 
gathered anew by the Council at the seltlenient of the 
next i)ast(jr, Ifev. James Lieebe. 

Thus organized, it wa,s one of the churches of the 
Standing Order of those early times, one of the 
" ]>rivilege<l class" of the " Established churches," — 
a condition ;ibnornKil to )iure Congrt^g.ationalism ; 
hence it w;is driven to the device of adopting the 
"Half-way Covenant." This w;is done in order to 
extend the ballot to the unregeneratc, many of whom 
were very worthy citizens, but denied the exercise of 
the elective franchise while out of the niembershij) 



* Prohahly Joseph Bennett shonl.I have been credited to Weston, the 
next town in the li.st. 
t Contrihntud by Kev. N. T. Me: win. 

50 



of the church. The records show cpiite a list of tliose 
who under this plan " renewed their Baptismal Cove- 
n;int, liut :it same time do nut see it tlicir <lHly, under 
their present circumstances, to :ip]iroach the T;ilile of 
the Lord." 

Meanwiiile the i)rinciples of civil and religions lib- 
erty were at work, jiroducing a new state of ;illairs. 

,\t legal meetings of the society for a period of 
about ten years, from 17^7 to 17'.t7, jietitions are re- 
peatedly sent, itnd an agent to ;iet as ;ittorney a])- 
pointed to appear belbre the (.iener:il .Assembly, at 
Hartford, and plead for "Tnwn I'rivileges to be 
granted to the Society," and " if so obttiincd tluit the 
business of the Tovi'n shall be done at or near the 
Meeting-House in .stiid I'arish." At a society's meet- 
ing in 17114 it w:xs voted, " Tlnit tliey (daim the Privi- 
lege of nominating Town ( Ulicers in this l';irish, ;ind 
would proceed to nomin:ite them ;is they ahv:iys li;id 
Done." 

lUit the prineijde-i of civil and religious liberty 
were bearing their IVuit, ;ind men began to chiim ;ind 
the htw to :ill(ju- the right of worshiping when and 
where each one ple;ised, " Certilicates " now appear 
of those who renounce their ennneetion with this 
church of the Standing ( >rder, which deebirc their 
intention of being taxed Ibr the lienetit of simie other 
church with which they connect themselves, and 
where they worshi]i. Some of these "certificates" 
exhibit ei)nsider:ible of the sjiirit of freedom in w<ir- 
ship : ;is, Ibr instance, one .\. li., announcing himself 
to withdraw from thi.s to a liaiitist Church, continues : 
"Henccftu'th I consider myself cnitbled with such 
contnd of property as to give what I ]de:ise and when 
I i)lease to the support of the same, according to the 
laws of (.iod and not of man. As witness this my 
Iniml." 

In 17117 the first town-meeting w;is lield in Trum- 
bull, :ind a more he:iltliy relation began to appe;tr l)e- 
tween Church and State. 

In the spring of 1.S14 a ])etition was prejiared in 
behalf of the church to the General Assembly, held 
at H:irtford, jiraying "that they may be incorporated 
into an Ecclesiastical Society." Deacon .ludsnn Cur- 
tis and Capt. David Beardslee were a]ipointed :i com- 
mittee to draw up the petition, :ind .Vinos H. W'lieider, 
agent to jiresent it. This request w;ts jir.miptly 
granted. ,\s a part of the resolution of the (ieneral 
Assembly, "said church iind their succe.s.sors " were 
declared to be "an eeclesi:istie;il body, corporate and 
politic, forever, by the name of the Chnndi (d' Christ 
in Truinlmll." 

For ;i long jieriod :it these Ieg:il meetings of the 
society .school committees are annuidly ;t)ipointed for 
the several districts, and the school money is apjior- 
tioned. 

"With reference to church government the (diureb 
has ever lield fast to the Congregational ])olily— the 
authority of the local church being final. Thus 
about the beginning of the present century, wheu the 



778 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



churches got a tinge of Presbyterianism, though the 
name was taken more thau tlie form, the Trumbull 
Church joined the Consociation of Fairfield County, 
but with this understandinij;: " We are all willing to 
consociate for advice and counsel in all matters eccle- 
siastical, but cannot and will not join in that arbitrary 
claim to juridical authority . . compelling all par- 
ties to abide by such a juridical consociation." 

When, in 1736, the Consociation of Fairfield County 
was divided into eastern and western, by the dividing 
line of the two associations, the Trumbull Church be- 
came a member of the Fairfield East Consociation. 
In 1827 the Council declared the " Saybrook platform 
their platform, and that they had no other." This 
church held to that construction of Consociation which 
made it rather a " .Stated Council," than a " Presby- 
tery." Both pastor and delegate protested against a 
decision of joint Council of the two Consociations, held 
at Danby, January, 17G4, against one Jlr. White, as 
" unreasonably severe." 

In 1748, the Association of which Mr. Beebe was a 
member declared against the forming of a general 
Consociation, to serve as the highest ecclesiastical 
judicature in the colony. In 1772, Mr. Bcebe, with 
two other divines, were requested to appear and say 
why they had neglected attending meetings of the 
Association and of the Council. They came, and re- 
plied that it was on account of the judicial power 
which the Saybrook platform gives to Councils of the 
consociatcd churches. By yielding a liberal construc- 
tion to tlic platform, these two pastors were pacified. 
The views held and position taken by both church and 
pastor in their early history, as to church govern- 
ment, and in their sjiirit of independence toward the 
mother country, are to-day matters of just pride. 

The Church of Christ in Trumbull, like many of the 
churches in the State, has a trust fund. In the year 
17C7, Thomas Sanford, of Stratford, Conn., bequeathed 
the church his " real estate," consisting of a house, 
barn, and land, situated in Long Hill, and valued at 
about three thousand dollars. Other individuals have 
left smaller sums at times to the church and society, 
so that the preient fund consists of a good parsonage 
and two thousand dollars at interest. The church 
and society have made it a rule ever to keep free from 
debt. 

nolSES OK WOIISIIIP. 

The first building for public worship was erected 
at the foot of White Plains Street, .south of the burial- 
ground there, and wils occupied only durir)g the min- 
istry of Richardson Miner. It was a plain, unpre- 
tending structure, and would pass more for a barn in 
thc3e days than for a house of worship. A second 
meeting-house followed at the beginning of the min- 
istry of Rev. James Bcebe. This was built at tiic 
liead of While Plains Street, on the ground where 
tlie present churcli etl^icc stands. A mile below on 
this street is a rocky eminence which marks the foot 
of a mountain-range running north through the 



State, and this cliff is called " Pulpit Rock ;" so 
named — tradition says — from religious service being 
held there a few Sundays while there was no house 
of worship, the minister preaching from it to the 
people below. 

The second house of worship w.os larger than the 
first. It was a square building, with doors opening 
within (no vestibule) on three sides. A wide centre 
aisle led from the double doors at the south entrance, 
and two side aisles from the single doors on the east 
and west. There were high seats in the corners, 
above and below, for negroes, who once were slaves. 
A " sounding-board" projected over the pulpit. In 
later years a steeple was built, outside, on the south- 
east corner; and at the same time, just before the 
structure was pulled down, a bell was purchased and 
mounted. It was that now in use. The present 
meeting-house was built in 1842. The steeple was 
raised to its present form in 1848. The church was 
j enlarged and improved, and occupied as we now have 
it, Jan. 1, 1874. 

I PASTOR.VTES. 

Rev. James Beebe came to North Stratford (now 
Trumbull), Conn., and was ordained over the church 
and society. May (5, 1747. He was married, .luly 13, 
I 1749, to Ruth Curtis, of Stratford. Five daughters 
I and two sons were the fruit of this marriage. The 
first son bore the father's name. Mary, the second 
daughter of Mr. Beebe, was the mother of the vener- 
able man still living in the parish, — Deacon Ali 
Brinsmade, who has reached the ripe age of eighty- 
seven years in good possession of his faculties. Mr. 
Beebe died in the ministry over this church. As a 
testimonial of the love his parishioners bore him, one 
evidence is seen in a vote taken at a society's meeting, 
held April 1(1, 1794: Voted, "That the Society's Com- 
mittee procure a pair of grave-stones for the Rcv'd 
Mr. James Beebe, Deceased ; and set them up." He 
was buried in the grave-yard at the foot of White 
Plains Street, near the situation of the first house of 
worship. A tablet marks the grave, on which is the 
inscription : 

"This monument was erected by the church and 
society of North iStratford, out of regard to the 
memory of Rev. James Beebe, A.M., who departed 
this life Sept. 8, 1785, in the sixty-eighth year of his 
age. He was ordained to the work of the ministry 
over said church and society. May 6, 1747, and con- 
tinued therein faithful as a pastor for thirty-eight 
years." 

Beside him lie the remains of his faithful wife, 
with a stone at her grave. She died Jan. 29, 1818, 
aged ninety-five years. 

Mr. Beebe's pastorate was the longest of any in the 
historj- of the church. If we call his the first, as, 
from the defection of Mr. Miner and the reorganiza- 
tion of the church which followed, we prefer to, — Mr. 
Beebe docs so himself at times on the record, — then 
the first and the last pastorates of its servants in the 



TRUMBULL. 



TT9 



ministry are the longest, the former being thirty-eiglit, 
and the latter sixteen years. Eev. Mr. Beebe lived a 
sliiirt distance east of the i)resent jiarsonage. on tlie 
north side of the Wliite Plains road, tni what is now 
an open held, where two old cellars may be seen ; 
over one stood his dwelling, and over the other and 
smaller one was the lint of his slaves, " Xero" and 
" I'egg." They called them " servants," and in time 
they were virtnally IVee. Less than one hniidred 
years ago slavery existed in Conneetient. 

Jlr. Beebe's ministry here covered the Jtevolu- 
tionary i)eriod. He canght the spirit of the fathers 
and left his pul]iit for three months and served in the 
war of indei)en<lence. He took an active part in the 
cajiture of Ticondcroga. His son David was a cap- 
tain in the colonial army, and did good service. Dnr- 
ing Mr. Beebe's absence the society hired liev. Joseph 
Barker as preacher. On his retnrn, in after payment 
of his salary, Mr. Beebe takes " continental money," 
the nominal snm being iirUeh larger than its true 
value: a.s in the war of the I!ebrllion, there was a 
difference between gold and pai>er currency. Thus 
where in 1777 he receives eighty i>ounds lawfid (mean- 
ing English) money for the year, in 1781 he is paid 
fiur hundred ami eighty pounds "continental money 
in full ami to his satisfaction," for a year's salary. 
The church and its [lastor were both filled with tli<' 
Bevolutionary spirit. At a society's meeting in 1771(, 
while the seven years' war of the Revolution was in 
l)rogress, it was voted : " That the society's com- 
mittee have full power to release all rates that stand 
against the soldiers in eontiueatal service, that belong 
to this parish, who have enlisted during the war." 
This spirit of the patriot crops forth at times in the ' 
items which Mr. Beebe puts on rei'urd. A jierson 
whose name stands foremost in science and high in 
literature was l)orn in this parish under singular 
circumstances. J[r. Beebe ])Uts it thus on his record : 
"Benjamin, son of Brig.-(ien. (iold Selleck fsylliman 
and his wife, born Aug. the Sth, and baptized Sejjt. 
the I'lth ; the general then being a jirisoner on Long 
Island, his lady fleeing from the conflagration of 
Fairfield, and took refuge in this society." 

He nuxkcs a record, too, of the death of one " Peleg 
Sunderland, who lost his life at that memorable 
event, when Tryrm, with a band of British butchers 
and nuirderous Tories, burned the town of Fair- 
field." 

.\ humorous incident in Parson Beebe's life in 
those stirring times is as follows: "He had collected 
a public meeting at his hoirse one evening to awaken 
enthusiasm in the war. While he was addressing the 
people the report of guns at a dist:ince was heard, 
and fires were seen as if the British >vere coming. 
The reverend gentlenuin was keen as well as patriotic, 
and suspecting a trick sent a Ijody of men rtjund liy a 
back road, cut off the retreat of this scouting party, 
and captured them : when, lo ! it was stnnc of the 
young men of the town, who had burnt heaps of 



cornstalks and fired their guns to play a joke on the 
folks at the meeting and test their patriotism." 

iSarah, a <laughter of Mr. Beebe, wa< bajilizcd by a 
clergyiuan from Kidgelicld while her lather was :it 
the war. 

The ('hurch of Christ here, at its reorganization, 
May, 1747, starts with a membership of seventy-five 
persons, the luniie i>f Rev. .James Bi'cbe heading the 
list. There arc added up to the time of his decease 
one hiindre<l and sixty-seven prisdus, making the 
total two hundred and Ibrty-two who had united with 
the church. A list of deaths being wanted in the 
reconls, we know not how nuiny <if tlu'se had died. 
Mr. Beebe ke]it a good account of infant liiijitisms; 
most all being of this cla.ss, scarcely any adidts. The 
custom of baptizing infant children was universal 
through the colonies. Kvery ]iers(]n born was almost 
sure to be baptized in about eight days from birth, 
after the plan, as to time, of the Jewish rite of eir- 
eumeision. 

Among the baptisms occur the names of slaves. 
This in the minister's own liousehoM: "Dinah, a. 
negro servant of Kev. .fames Beebe, born < let. 17, 
177'), and baptizc.l the L".itli inst." Also, " I'eter, a 
negro boy, servant of Kev. .Tames liecbe, born Oc- 
tober, 1770, anil baptized July the 17th." The first 
name, anil none (jther. are given of tluse servants cjr 
slaves, with the households t<i whiidi they belong. 
The lumu's of slaves (jccur in baptisms, admissiou to 
the church, nuirriages, and burials. 

Kev. Izrahiah Wetmore was installed Oct. Ki, 178.'), 
and died here Aug. '■'>, 17'.'8. His jiastorate extends 
over a period of about thirteen years. He ba|)tized 
seventy-four pcr-nns, most all Ijcing cases of infant 
baptism ; he added seventy souls to the church, and 
joined twenty-six couples in marriage. 

Kev. John Giles was installed May 10, 1802, and 
was disnussed Sept. 21, 1802. 

For a few years, about this date, owing to the " in- 
jurious tendency of the i)olitical dissensions" of the 
times and " the necessity (jf union among Ohristiaus," 
the state of religion w:is brought very low in the 
churches; nutny ]udpits of this ( 'oiisoci:ilioii were 
without regular pastors for intervals of from one to 
j nine years. The Association, at a meeting hcdd in 
ISO"), lamented that, among other cliurches, the 
TrundjuU church shoidd he " vacant for three yi-ars." 
However, there were tem[ior:u'y sup|ilies: Kev. .To- 
siah Hawes and Kev. Samuel Monson iireai-hed here 
for months. 

Rev. Daniel V. Banks was ordained .\ug. 12, 1807, 
remained over the church five years and a half, and 
was dismissed Feb. 2, 1813. He lived in :l dwelling- 
house, now gone, whicdi stood on a lot next below the 
]iresent parsonage. He baptized twenty-live persons, 
received twelve to the church, joiiu'd nine couples in 
nuirriage, and attende<l forty-two funerals. 

Rev. Keuben Taylor was installed Sept. IS, 1817, 
and was dismissed Feb. 12, 1824, having served in a 



780 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



pa>(tornte of six years and four months. Mr. Taylor 
livc'il in an olrl dwcllinj; near and e:ist of that now 
occupied by B. R. Phinib, Esq. He went from Trum- 
bull to New Connecticut, in the State of Ohio, and 
died there. Tlie church enjoyed a "revival of re- 
ligion" under Mr. Taylor's preaching, and as the 
fruit of it thirty-eight persons were added to the 
membership. During his pastorate he baptized sev- 
enty persons, forty-six members were added to the 
church, nineteen couples were married, and there 
were one hundred and two burials. 

Rev. James Kant was ordained Nov. 9, 1823, and 
was dismissed Nov. 11, IS.So. He was a native of 
Scotland. At the close of his ten years' ministry he 
married Mrs. Naomi Wiicelor. lie lived on Long 
Hill Street, .at the south corner of the first road below 
the Episcopal church, and died there Sept. 10, 1840, 
and was buried i)i the cemetery near by. A stone 
murks his grave. Mr. Kant baptized thirty-five in- 
fants and four adults, received into the church fifty- 
three persons, married seventy-seven coui)k's, and re- 
corded one hundred and ninety-nine deaths. 

Kev. Watson Warren was stated preacher from 
June, 183S, to June, 1839. 

Rev. Wm. T. Bacon Wiia ordained Dec. 28, 1842, 
and was dismissed M.ay 28, 1844, his pastorate being 
one year and five months. He served again, as stated 
preacher, for one year, from Sept 1, 18;)3. 

Rev. John S. Whittlesey was ordained Oct. 2,1844, 
and was dismissed Nov. 20, 1849. Mr. Whittlesey 
was a native of New Britain, Conn. He enjoyed a 
prosperous ministry here, passing through two 
precious revival sexsons in the years 1843 and 1849. 
During his five years' pastorate over the cliurch 
eiglity persons were added to its membership. His 
baptisms are twenty -six adults and thirty-six infants. 
His marriages are thirty-nine, and burials one hun- 
dred and seventeen. Mr. Whittlesey went from 
Trumbull to Bethel, Conn. ; from there he went West 
and served as a missionary. During the war for the 
Union he became an army cha])lain, contracted dis- 
ease in camp, returned to the State of Iowa, and died 
there. 

Rev. Daniel M. Elwood was ordained Feb. 20, 
]8>0,and was dismissed June 11, l.S.W. Howas born 
at Norwalk, Conn. At the close of his pastorate in 
Trumbull he went to Woodstock, Conn., and after- 
wards to Woodbridge, of this State, where he became 
a practicing physician. He has since resumed preach- 
ing as a clergyman in the Episcopal denomination. 

Rev. Ralpli Smith was stated pre.aolier for one year, 
from Dec. 1, 1«')4, to Dec. 1, IS.".,-). 

Rev. Ste;>lu'n A. Gofer was stated preacher from 
June 1, LS-it), to June 1, IS.'iS. He is still living at a 
ripe old age in the town of Hartlyme, Conn. 

Rev. Benjamin Swallow came from England to this 
country, and on his aUrival served in Trumbull lus 
statfd ])reacher for one year and four months, begin- 
ning his work December 1, 18.58. Leaving the min- 



istry, he has for a number of years been serving as a 
clerk in the government employ at Washington, D. C. 

Rev. Louis E. Char])iot was stated preacher from 
Jan. 1, 1862, to May 8, 18G4. Mr. Charpiot came 
from France to the United States. On leaving Trum- 
bull he wi»s settled at Stratford, Conn. His present 
whereabouts is not known. Mr. Charpiot baptized 
seven adults and nineteen infants. Twenty-five per- 
sons were added to the church. He married five 
couples, and records twenty-four deaths. 

Rev. Nathan T. Merwin, the present pastor, is a 
native of Milford, Conn., and is the son of David 
Merwin. He was born Juno 8, 183G; graduated at 
Yale College in the class of 18C1 ; completed the regu- 
lar three years' course of study in the Yale Divinity 
School in 1864. At a meeting of the Fairfield East 
Association, held in Stratford, Conn., May 26, 1863, 
he was examined and licensed to preach the gospel. 
In the autumn of 1864 he was engaged to supply the 
Congregational Church of Trumbull for six months; 
then, receiving a call to settle over the church and so- 
ciety, he was ordained pastor of the same June 6, 
1865, by the Fairfield East Consociation. He was 
married, Nov. 1, 1864, to Miss Martha L. Parsons, of 
Milford, daughter of Samuel Parsons, and has two 
children, — Florence Loveland, born Nov. 3, 186."), 
and Nathala Parsons, born July 5, 1837, both of whom 
are living. 

During his pastorate, now of sixteen years, he has 
baptized thirty -three infants and forty-five adults; 
has joined sixty-two couples in marriage; received 
one hundred and forty-four jwrsons to the church, and 
attended one hundred and Ibrty funerals. 

There have been four " revivals of religion" in Mr. 
Merwin's ministry, — the first in the winter of 1866; 
the next in the summer of 1868 ; the third in the 
winter of 1872, and the last in the winter of 1876 and 
1877. During two of these revivals evangelists as- 
sisted ; the first and last were under the labor of the 
church and pastor. Meanwhile the member-ship of 
the church has steadily increased under the regular 
ministration of the word. 

In 1864 the membership was one hundred and 
twenty-four. In the fall of 1860 a manual was ])ub- 
lislied, the first in the history of the church. The list 
of names wits corrected, some being droppeil, and, as 
then revised, the members numbered one hundred and 
fifty-seven. The present membership is eighty-four 
males and one hundred females. Total, one hundred 
and eighty-four. 

At the beginning of the ministry of Rev. N. T. 
Merwin the church edifice wils renovated inside. 
Again, in the latter i)art of the year 1869. the building 
was lengthened, a i)ulpit recess also added, and the 
interior greatly beautified, at an expense of over three 
thousand dollars. The present meeting-house thus 
improved wils rededicatcd Jan. 1, 1874. Rev. J. O. 
I)aveni>ort, of Bridgeiiort, preached the sermon, and 
the pastor of the church made the dedicator,- jirayer. 



TRUMBULL. 



781 



About this time a lu'iuitiful silver einnnuinion-scr- 
viec was presented to tlie cliureli, " In Mein(iri;im nl' 
Jlrs. Isal)ella R. Tait." Tlie same year tlie artieles 
(if faitli and covenant were revised for the third 
time; also a covenant for infant baptism was 
adopted by the ehnreh. In the revision there has 
been no change in doctrine, only a condensation of 
expression of the same gos])el truth. The dates <il' 
revision are 1747, 1831. and ISOll. 

At certain intervals since the year l.SOO the totality 
of church nicndxTsliip has been ])ublished ; of late 
years it is done annually. In the year ]S8.'_i the 
membership of the church was 100; in 184t!, l.'iii ; in 
ISoi), 117; in 1S|!4. 124 ; January, 1880, 184. The Sab- 
batli-scho(d enrcdis 140 persons. Wesley I>. Coen is 
the superintendent. There are 120 families in the 
parish. 

Two ministers have been raised up, — Kev. Daniel 
Brinsmade, in the early history of the churcli, and 
Rev. David 11. Gould, since ISOO. These men joined 
the church, the former at fifteen years of age, and the 
latter at tijurteen. It was unusual to receive [ier.sons 
so young to full mendiership ; a note is made of this 
fact at the time, in the records, as being worthy of 
special mention. The result seems to justify a prac- 
tice, now more general than in other days, of receiving 
persons earlier in life into the church. 

A marked change has come over the public mind 
in regard to the rite of bajitism. !Most all instances 
<d' baptism in the church's early history were in 
infancy: now as many or more adults are baptized 
than infants. 

During Mr. Taylor's nunistry the records liegin to 
show a list of persons who die in the parish, and there 
is given o]>posite each name the disease or cause 
which produced death. This custom obtains with 
pastors of the church down to the year 18(>1, Mr. 
Swallow's record being the last of the kind ; after that 
the name, date of death, and age oidy are given. 

The ordained pastorates are the longest, the infer- 
ence being that it is profitable to call a young man, 
or novitiate, into the ministry. 

This Congregational ('hurch once had the watch 
and care of all the faunlies composing the town of 
Trumbull. P'or over half a century no other church 
organization existed here. Let her name be as widely 
venerated; let the events of tiie |)ast hallow her 
memory. The good she has done in preserving order, 
and in disseminating gospel trutli, only etcrrnty can 
reveal. The work has been deej) and far-reaching. 
To the great head of the church be all tlu' |iraise. 
Amen ! 

TRINITY ciiur.cn.5 

The records of Trinity parish detail the following 
history of the formation of the socii^ty and the Iniild- 
ing of the church which is now standing: 



* By U. C. Ambler. 



'• Tia Mm I.I., Xuv, 'J, I.SIT. 

".^rtfr ln-iiig iliil.v M.,lilii-.l .if ;i iiiei'liiig ill Ihf lu.iisi' of.liuiifs 1!. Cur- 
tis, for til"' iuii|>iisL' (if t'l'iiniiiji :v sipeicty to eri!: t a Iimise fur ttie piililic 
\\(»istiip of Aliiii^lity (;.nl iKctiidinj; to the lUK-triiiCJi nml iisn^us of tlie 
I'rotcstalit Kpiscopiil Clmrt-li ill the United States of .\iiu'ri.:a, acforil- 
iii^ly, on tlie Stii of Nov, 1S47, the mjeliii;; Wits held, ami Win. L. I'ar- 
ker in tlie cliair. 

"The nieetiiis was ealh-.l to older and a motion nia<li' and 5i.e,nided 
that we fuiin oni's^idves into an e alesiasti :il sniety iui:or.lin,ir to the 
statute law of the .State of Coniieetietlt. The lilolion way adupted, and 
the follow iiig form was drawn up and signed : 

" Tut jMlu 1.1,. Nov. i), 1.S47. 

"We. the nndersigmal inhahitalits of the town of Trnuihnll. Fairfield 
Co., Conn., do this day a.^-soeiate together and form oniNelves into an 
ee. Icsiastieal .society, to he known as the Protrslant Episcopal Sxiety of 
Triimliler. at Nichol's Farii'S, in eonforiiiity to tlii" statute laws of this 
State, — llavid Curtis, Prosper Nhduds, (Miarles C. IJooth, .loliii C. ISearils- 
ley, Lewi.s li. Curtis, .Tames B. Curtis, William L. Tarker, .lolm II. P.ir- 
dee, George E. Peet, Charles N. Kairchil.l, Benjamin F. l.oikwoo.l. 

"After which the following Imsiiiess was transiuted: .hdiii II Panieo 
apliointed inodciator, ami the following olti.;ers appdlltcd: Lewis B. 
Curtis. Clerk; .h.hn ( '. Beaidsley, .John II. Pardee, Lcuis B. Curti.s, 
Building Committee. • 

" TlMMKll.t., Bee. 1, 1S4T. 

" An atljonrncd niceling .-f tin- ini-nihers of the K[UsL-ol>al So:;iety was 
hidd at the lious.- of Prosper Nichols, ami William I,. Parker was ap- 
pointed chairman. 

"The meeting wiis called to order and a iiuaiiinions vot ■ t.iken in favor 
of hnilding the church on the laud of Janes B. Curtis," 

At a mc'ting held Jan. 1, 1848, the amou:it pro- 
posed for building was seventeen liundrcd dollars, 
and the building committee em]iowcrc!l to contract 
with Messrs. Ilotchki.ss, Clark & Co. to erect the 
building. 

At a meeting held t?ept. yo, 1818, for the purpose 
of electing church officers, the following elections 
were made: Senior Warden, Prosper Nichols; Junior 
Warden, Charles E. Booth; Vestrymen, David Cur- 
tis, Lewis B. Curtis, John H. Pardee, .lohii C. B^'ards- 
ley, Andrew Clark, James R. Curtis, George K. Peet; 
Clerk, L. B. Curtis ; Treasurer, Dtivid Curtis. 

A meeting was held at the house fif D.ivid Curtis, 
JIareh 8, 18r)(), and at this meeting Prosper Nichol.s 
was appointed committee to give the Rev. ('ollins I. 
Potter a call to preach in Trinity church one year, 
one-h;tlf the time. It w;is tilso voted at this meeting 
to ]iay the salary of one hundred and fifty dollars, to 
bepaid iiuarterly. At this meeting George T. Lewis 
was clerk jim tciii. Mtiy JrSO, 18.37, it was ordered to 
have a tea-party, in order to raise twenty-five dollars 
in addition, to enalile the society to pay Mr Potter 
one hundretlund sevenly-rivc dollars. 

The rectors of Trinity jiarish have been tlte Rev. 
I. N. Marvins, — who held services lit the ]iarish for 
some time before a regular rector was called, — the 
Rev. Collins I. Potter, the Rev. Luther (iregory, the 
Rev. Charles 11. W. Stocking, the Kcv. Charles IIu.s- 
band, the Rev. J. 11. ll.DjMille, the Kev. Dexter 
S. Lounsbury, the licv. George P. Torreiice. 

The parish has always been jioor and small, and in 
order to maintain preaching it has found it necessary 
to unite with other parishes. It itiiii'd with Hunt- 
ington during the rei-torship of Mr. (iregory, and 
with .\nsonia iluring Mr. Stocking's rectjrshiii, which 



r82 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



was the most flourisliing period of the history of the 
parish. Mr. Lniinshury united not only the parisli at 
Nichols' Farms in Ids labors, but held services in 
Trinity church (Baptist), a.<i assistant- in the Coit 
Memorial chapel in West Stratford, and in the 
Church of Nativity, North Rridgeport. He was an 
earnest worker, and was held iiigii in the love and es- 
teem of his people. He had resigned his rectorship 
of Trinity parish and accepted a call to Christ's 
Church, Stratford, only a few months previous to his 
distressing death, which was caused by a pistol-ball 
from the hand of his wife, who shot hini while he 
W!is slee])in<r. She was declared to be insane. 

During: the reetorshii) of the Rev. Charles Husband, 
the Rev. J. H. H. De Millc, and of the present rector. 
Rev. George 1*. Torrence, the parish has united with 
Grace Church, Long Hill. 

The parish is healtliy financially, having during 
1879 and 1880 re])aired the church, at a cost of six 
hundred dollars, and is entirely out of debt. 

The first school-house in Trinity was built at the 
foot of the hill on the road to White Plains, east of 
the house of Mr. Brinsmade. The second stood on 
the highway, above the house of Sidney Nichols, 
Esq. This burned down about twenty -five years ago, 
two years after which the present one was built. 

GR.\CE CnURCH.« 
Grace Church ])arish. Long Hill, was originally a 
part of Christ Church parish (Tashua), Trumbull, 
and was separated from the mother-parish in 184<5. 
The separation wiis due to a misunderstanding between 
the members living in these two districts with regard 
to their respective pecuniary rights and obligations, 
and to a feeling upon the part of Grace Church or 
Chapel division that a separation was the only means 
of restoring harmony and good feeling. .\t the an- 
nual meeting of C'lirist Ciiurch, TriimbuU, held Ea.ster j 
Monday, 1841), resolutions were adopted looking to- 
wards a partial separation and defining said rights 
and obligations, but they were rescinded at a subse- 
quent meeting, held in Grace church or chapel, by ' 
those living in that neighborhood, as being opposed i 
to the best interests of that portion of the parish ; 
and this action was followed by the organization of a I 
sejiarate i)arisli, to be called (trace Churcli, Long 
Hill, Trumbull, at a meeting held on the afternoon 
of June 5, 1841), in Grace church or chapel. At this 
meeting, the action of which wa.s ratified by n subse- 
quent one held .Tunc 2.3d of same year, tlie following 
officers were elected: Elijah Middlebrook, David 
Beach, Wardens; I,ee Wooden, Stephen H. Bur- 
roughs, Orlando Walker, ICUenezer Wheeler, Vestry- 
men ; Stephen Middlebrook, Clerk; Lucius B. Bur- 
roughs, Treasurer ; Elijah Middlebrook, Delegate to 
Convention; L. B. Burroughs, Collector; S. H. Bur- 
roughs. Librarian. • 

* OoiitriljulHl by KoT. Qirarg« Paull Torrence. 



This action was followed by a formal application 
for admission into union with the Convention of the 
Diocese of Connecticut, which received favorable 
hearing and was granted. It was presented before 
Convention June 9, 1846, and was signed by Abel 
Hawley, D.avid Beach, Jno. Burroughs, Elijah Mid- 
dlebrook, John M. AVheeler, St<'[)lien Middlebrook, 
Slierman French (2d), Roswell Seeley, Ebcnezer 
Wheeler, Walker Wheeler, Lee Wooden, L. B. Bur- 
roughs, Gideon Mallett, Zalnion Hall, S. H. Bur- 
roughs, E. B. Middlebrook, Edward Piatt, llobt. T. 
Middlebrook. 

In addition to the above named, the following 
named a.«ked on June 11, 184(5, that their names be 
stricken from records of Christ Church, Tashua, 
Trumbull, having united witli the parish of Christ 
Church, Long Hill, Trumbull: .\bel Hawley, Jr., E. 
B. Middlebrook, Elijah Middlebrook, Jr., George W. 
Knapp, David Y. Beach, Nichols Sherman. 

At the meeting held June 2.3, 1880, to which refer- 
ence has been made, the parish voted to invite Rev. 
Wm. \V. Bronson, then in charge of Christ Church, 
Tashua, to officiate upon each alternate Sunday in 
Grace church. Long Hill. He was therefore the first 
rector of that parish. 

The present church building was erected as a chapel 
of Christ Cliurch (Tashua), Trumbull, under its pres- 
ent name, Grace Church. The corncr-.stone was laid 
in 183C, the first service was held in it Sunday, Jan. 
1, 1840, and the building was consecrated by Rt. Rev. 
T. C. Brownell, D.D., LL.D., Bishop of Connecticut, 
June 18, 1840. 

The rectors have been as follows : July, 184fi, to 
October, 1847, Rev. William White Bronson; April, 
1848, to March, IS.II , Kcv. Henry V. (tardncr ; March, 
1851, one j'car, 1852, Rev. Enoch Huntingtcm ; Jan- 
uary, 1853, to December, 1853, Rev. D. W. C. Loop ; 
April, 1854, to Februarj-, 18.5(5, Rev. William L. 
Bostwick; January, 1857, to .Vugust, 18.58, Rev. Wil- 
liam Townsend Early; March, 18.59, to March, 18(54, 
Rev. D. P. Sanford; April, 18(!5, to January, 1S(5S, 
Rev. William Warland; April, 18(58, to April, 1870, 
Rev. Charles Husband ; June, 1870, to May, 1874. 
Rev. John Henry Hobart Dc Mille; September, 1874, 
to October, 1878, Rev. Abner P. Brush ; Rev. George 
Paull Torrence, the present rector, entered upon his 
rectorship June, 1879. 

The jiresent officers are : Wardens, Walker Wheeler 
and Lucius B. Burroughs, who died June 12, 1880, 
after serving as junior warden for more than twenty 
years ; Vestrymen, Ebenezer Wheeler, Stephen H. 
Burroughs, Marcus (). Wheeler, David S. Walker, 
Hobart R. Wheeler ; Trexsurer and Collector, David 
S. Walker; Delegate to Convention, Marcus O. 
Wheeler; Substitute, Stephen H. Burroughs; Chor- 
ister, John H. Beach. The present number of fam- 
ilies is forty-five; of communicants, eighty-one. 

A movement is now (October, 1880) on foot to build 
a new church edifice on the site of the present one. 









->-" 




1^ ' ' 



-A«^' 



J:' 



r' j'o- ^f 



TRUMBULL. 



783 



THE iMETHODIST EPISCOPAL SOCIETY OF NICHOLS' 
FARMS.S 

The Nichols' Farms class, connected with the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Society, Stratford, had for several 
years entertained a desire that a meeting-house might 
he erected in their midst. The first overt act in that 
direction was made in the latter part of the year 
1847. At this time Mr. .T. II. Frost, preacher in 
charge of tlie Stratford society, appointed a l)oard of 
trustees for the Nicliols' Farms class, as follows, — viz., 
George Nichols, William Ganilerson Nichols, Ira 
Curtis, David Nichols, E. F. Andrews, .lames K. 
Nichols, and Elliott P. Curtis. 

The I'unds for building were raised liy suliscription. 
The huilding committee were Samnel E. Hurd, (ieorge 
Nichols, and William Ganderson Nichols. 

In the year 1.S48, Decemlier 12th, the house, being 
completed, was dedicated to the service of God ; C. Pit- 
man, 1 ).!)., of New York, performing the dedicatory 
services. His text was the sixth verse of the < )ne Hun- 
dred and Twenty-sixth Psalm. Mr. T. 11. ( >akley, a 
local preacher, was ajipointed to take charge of the 
society. He was followed by Mr. Monson Seelev, 
who is declared, in the records, as being "strong in 
the faith, giving glory to (rod.'' 

He was succeeded by Mr. O. Sykes and Mr. Lewis 
Penfield. The latter su|iplied the puljiit, volunteering 
to do so half of the time provided the debt was re- 
moved, twenty dollars of which he would contribute. 
In 184i), Mr. S. P. Perry, a local preacher, took the 
place (d' Mr. Sykes. He was much liked by tlie 
peoi>Ie, and the society increased rapidly under his 
charge, a class being formed at Booth's Hill. 

He was followed by Mr. Worth, JMr. G. Water- 
bury, Mr. P. Chamberlain, and Mr. G. Hubbell. In 
]Sr)7, Mr. Samuel C. Keeler was appointed by the 
presiding elders. During his admini.stration the house 
was struck by lightning and somewhat shattered. In 
repairing the building it was thought best to enlarge, 
which was done. Mr. David Osborn, Mr. ,Tohn L. 
Peck, to wdiom the society is indebted tor the record 
of its history, Mr. Robert S. Mathisou, Mr. Thomas 
R. Laims Mr. A. 15. Pulling, Mr. D. S. Stevens, Mr. 
H. Scolield, Mr. William T. Gilliert, and the present 
preacher, William U. Stebbins, have been ajipointed 
as successors in the pulpit. 

Tiic society, though still in debt, is in a liealthy cim- 
dition, for wdiich much is due to the present class- 
leader, Mr. William G. Nicliols, who was one of the 
original trustees, wdiich position he still Imbls. 

He is an earnest and conscientious worker, most 
faithful to the society and its cause in all his acts. 
By his munificence and zeal, it is safe to say that lie 
is most devotedly fulfilling his trusteeshii), and lay- 
ing up for himself a goofl foundation against the 
time to come. 

* By n. C. Ambler. 



CIIRLST-S CllUltCII, TASTICA.f 

There began in 1718 a new era in the history of the 
Ejiiscopal Church in this country. A large donation 
of books had been made to Yale (_'idlege by friends in 
England. Among these were the w<irks of th<' most 
eminent Episcopal divines, many of them treating 
with the greatest aldlity of episcfipncy, and of other 
distinctive doctrines of the cluirch. Tliese were 
eagerly read by the ollicers and students <if the col- 
lege. The result was that the ]ire^i<lent of the insti- 
tion. Dr. Cutler, and two of the tutors, iles^rs. .lohn- 
son and Brown, declared Ibr episcopai'y, and soon alter 
departed for Enghind to take orders. ,AIr. .lolinson 
returned and settleil as pastur <d' the Episcopal C'hurch 
in Stratford in 1723. 

Within the limits of that town there were then in- 
cluded the present towns of Stratford, Huntington, 
Jlonroe, Trumbull, and Bridgeport. A second jiarish, 
in the ancient limits of the town, was founded at 
Riptoii, MOW Huntington, wIutc St. Paul's jiarish wa> 
organized in 1746. 

From that time till 1748 the Kev. Mr. .lohnson 
ofiiciated in St. Paul's four Sundays in the year, while 
ills son, a lawyer, read service for them at other times. 
Their neighliors, however, id' the old standing order, 
ridiculed them fir having, as they phrased it, "a 
lawyer for their jiriest,'' so that St. Paul's jiarish was 
led in 1748 to petition the English "Society fu' the 
Propagation of the Gos]iel in Foreign Parts" to send 
them a clergyman. This was ilnnr in the course of a 
few years. In the mean time tliey liuilt a cluirch, 
and a clergyman of the Province of New York, in a 
letter to the society in England, speaks of having 
spent a Sunday there in 174it; that he preached and 
administered the sacrament in their new church ; that 
the congregation numbered .iliout three hundred, and 
I that the number of communicants was about sixty. 
This shows a large degree of prosperity for the time the 
parish had been in existence, and is a good inde.x of 
the faithfulness of the venerable .lohnson, wdio was 
laboring alone in this section of the country, in the 
face of the most bitter and hostile op|iosilion. 
I The exact date is not known w hen a missionary was 
appointed to take charge of Ripton, but the Rev. 
Cliristoi)her Newton must havi> been sent there by the 
Society for the Propagation of the (iosjiel soon after 
]7.')(). His stipend was twenty pounds, in addition to 
the supjiort the peo]de could give him. 

A letter from him to the \'enerable Society, dated at 
Ripton, tlune 2.'), 17()0, contains the earliest records 
extant of his work. It is an account of the f'oiiiiding 
of the parish at Tashna. In it he says he had bap- 
tized twenty-five children, had jireaclied and baptized 
not only on the Sal)bath but during the week, and 
says, " I liave reason to think it has had a good ett'ect 
on a number of families about eight or ten miles from 
Riptou, to whom I have often jireached, and of late 

t Cuiitiibutv>l l.j- I!cv. Will. It, niilklcy. 



iSi 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



they have been more ready to hear than formerly, and 
seem to be religiously disposed and sensible of the 
importance of attending public worship. They have 
accordingly built a church 36 feet long and 26 feet 
wide, and in about six weeks so far finished it that we 
meet in it for public worship. A large congregation 
attended, it was sujiposed upwards of three hun- 
dred people." This was the first beginning of what 
is now known as Christ's Church, Tiushua. 

Tradition tells us that this house of worship was 
seated with rough slab benche-s, such as were com- 
mon in country school-houses fifty years ago. It was 
probably never plastered, for twenty-seven years 
later a eomniittec was appointed to consider upou 
the matter ; but as measures were taken for the erec- 
tion of a new church in a year or two after their ap- 
pointment, the original church probably remained, so 
long a-s it stood, in the same unplastered condition in 
which it was when the first service was held in it. 

The church stood within the present church-yard, 
near the north gate. The first grave was dug in the 
church-yard in 1760, six years after the erection of 
the church. The gravestone, of black slate, to the 
memory of Mrs. Eleanor Marrow, is still to be seen. 
It probably stood directly in the rear of the church. 

Mr. Newton, in the same letter, in giving the reasons 
which led him to labor in Tashua, and which led to 
the erection of the first parish church, says, "These 
people live at a great distance from any public wor- 
ship, and many of them are so jioor that they have 
not horses to carry their families to worship if they 
would, and others, it seems by their conduct, choose 
to spend the Sabbath in hunting and unnecessary visits, 
and are not only dilatory in religious matters, but in 
secular afiairs. Many live but little above the In- 
dian, and are destitute of the comforts of life. This 
terrible condition of the people influenced .some per- 
sons of ample means to build a church at Tashua. 
One gentleman, for years an Episcoi>alian, declared 
that he felt it to be his duty to e.\i)end a |)art of his 
estate in providing what, with the Divine blessing, 
would prevent the people from becoming heathens. 
These people," he adds, " have since attended wor- 
ship, and seem very highly to prize the worshij) of 
the church, and have desired me to take the care of 
them, and I have preached to them every fourth Sun- 
day." 

The missionary asked of the society in England an 
additional allowance for the labor and expense of 
coming hither from Kipton every fourth Sunday. 
They granted him ten pounds per annum. This wiis 
probably continued to the close of the year 1782, or 
twenty-two years, making the sum of two hundred 
and twenty pounds, or about eleven hundred dollars, 
which was bestowed upon the jtarish in its infancy 
by it.s Christian brethren on the other side of the 
-Vtlantic. Of the Rev. -Mr. Newton, Dr. Johnson, 
then rector of Stratford, writes in the highest terms 
as laborious and worthv. 



Any one who hits read the "Connecticut Historj-" 
of Dr. Trumbull, who was a distinguishcil member of 
the Congregational Church, or the "standing order," 
as it was called, could but see that Mr. Newton did 
not overstate the case when he gave such a melan- 
choly view of the condition of Tashua before the 
building of the church. There were other places 
where it wius even worse. 

The first Episcopal clergy were men of ardent zeal, 
who labored in season and out of season to gather the 
neglected and scattered sheep. They preached in 
school-houses and private houses, visiting from house 
to house, going wherever they could get a hearing. 
They catechized the children, distributed tracts, 
prayer-books, Bibles, and other religious books, all of 
which were supplied in considerable quantities by the 
society in England, very few being printed in this 
country at that time. 

Their earnest work for the good of their fellow-men 
was rewarded with immediate and abundant success. 
As early as 1760 there were thirty Episcopal churches 
and fourteen clergymen, three of these churches and 
two of the clergy being within the ancient limits of 
the town of Stratford. 

In 1762 the Rev. Mr. Newton writes to the Vener- 
able Society in England that " he has reitson to bless 
(rod that seriousness, peace, and charity appear to 
prevail in his parishes; that he has at North Strat- 
ford and Stratfield about thirty communicants and 
about one hundred at Ripton ; that he ha<l baptized 
in the last half-year twenty -one children." 

The little missionary station at Stratfield, which is 
here spoken of as containing, together with Tashua, 
then called North Stratford, thirty communicants, has 
now grown into the present parish of St. John's, 
Bridgeijort, and its daughter churches ; while the 
North Stratford parish embraced the ground now 
covered by the Tashua and Long Hill parishes, and 
by i)art of that at Monroe, no ]iarish having been 
formed there till 1800. There are now on the same 
ground at the very least two liundred and twenty-five 
or two hundred and fifty coniniunicants, while the 
thirty communicants of Stratfield and North Stratford 
have grown to, in 1>>80. not far from fourteen hundred. 
Such a growth may well cause us to thank (Jod and 
take courage. 

July, 1762, the members of Tashua parish sent to 
the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel a letter of 
thanks for their gift of a folio Bible and prayer-book 
for the use of the church, and also for small Bibles 
anil jirayer-books and catechisms, and for the fre- 
quent anil very acceptable ministrations of Mr. New- 
ton, who, notwithstanding the distance of eight miles 
on a bad road, and the excessive cold in winter and 
heat in summer, has been very constant for several 
years in administering the Lord's Supper to them once 
in two months, and performing divine service once in 
four Sundays, and in catechising and instructing 
their children. 



TRUMBULL. 



785 



The l:irL''c Bible iind iirayiT-liook, the t'linuer of 
which was printed in Lumloii in IT^iO, iunl th(^ latter 
in 17()0, are still ke])t in the eliureh, theugii they have 
given |)laee to more modern editions. 

In 170() the Rov. Mr. Newton writes as I'olluus to 
the Veneral)le Society in Enjrhmd : " My jiarishes in- 
crease gradually notwithstanding the i)erils of the 
times 'I'ld many young persdiis have come to our com- 
munion. I have baptized during the past year forty- 
one." " Perilous times," to which he refers, were the 
remit of the "Stamp Act" and other measures of the 
British government. The country was even then con- 
vulsed with the preliminary throes of the .\meriean 
struggle for liberty. As the attachment of the Epis- 
copal clergy and people to the nhl eountry was gen- 
erally strong before tlie war broke out, from the fact 
tliatthey were under (iod mainly indebted to Christian 
friends there for their supjxirt of the gospel here, 
they felt more than most others the stress of those 
times which tried men's souls. 

Although tlu're are no re|>orts extant of Mr. New- 
ton of a later date tlian ]7<>(i, yet he survived the 
Revolution, and continued to serve this jiarish and 
Ri|)ton till I7.S0, for in the parish accounts tlierc is a 
record of 11 committee apjiointed to settle with the 
heirs of the Rev. Mr. Newton tor services rendered 
up to that year. That committee was apixjinted in 
17x7, so tliat Mr. Newton niu-t have died in or before 
that year. 

The Rev. .Vbraham L. Clarke, who was onlaineil by 
Bishop Seabury in 17SI), became the minister of the 
parish at Tashua soon after Mr. Newton's decease. 

In October, 1787, a committee was ap]>oiii(ed by 
the parish to sesure his services one-third jiart of the 
time, and the ne.xt year it was voted to settle Mr. 
Clark one-third part of the time for life. In 1788, 
December 1st, it was also voted to build a new church 
by subscription, and on Christmas day, in tiie same 
year, Capt. Abel Hall, Nathan Summers, and llavid 
Mallett were appointecl to oversee and carry on the 
building of the new church ; and that Amos Van 
Nostrand proi)orti<in the house, not to exceed fifty 
feet in length, and thirty-four in breadth, and twenty- 
four in height. Also to be twenty-four wiiulows in 
said church, of .six-by-eight glass, thirty panes in 
each window, exclusive of the arch. 

The next spring the i)a,rish appointed a e()nHnittec 
to exchange with the selectmen of Stratford a piece 
of land liclonging to the proprietors of the cliurch for 
a certain piece on the north side of the liighway for 
the |uirpose of erecting the church therein. This 
was probalily the grounil ujiou which the church was 
built, and there the ehurch remained until tlie present 
edifice was erected. Tlu' same year it was voted to 
call the parish Trinity (Jliureh, and by that name it 
was known in the reconls for many years. 

In June, 1790, the church was so far advanced that 
by vote of the parish the ])ew s|)ots were .sold at pub- 
lic vendue, the buyers being obligated to pay the 



prices bid, and to liuild the pews in one year from 
the time of ])Urchase. The pews were to be in uni- 
form style, as they were in the North Fairfield meet- 
ing-house. The purchase money was applied towards 
t!ie expense of building the church. The pew spots 
were all sold exeejit two for three hundred and ten 
dollars and sixty-six ceiiti. 

These square pews were sixteen in nund.ier, being 
the wall pews all round the building, except the 
portions occupied by the doors, gallery, stairs, and 
chancel. The chancel was on the north side, and 
there was a door in the opposite side and one also at 
both the cast ami we^t ends. In tin- body of the 
churc'.i there were long, open seats free to all. A 
tower and spire were built at the west entrance in 
1823. The names of the original purchasers of pew 
spots were Henry Beardsley, Josiah Sanford, Isaac 
Wakeley, Zeehariah Mallett, Nathan Sunnners, An- 
drew Lyon, William I'rince, (ieorge Clumdjcrs, Zeeh- 
ariah lieach, .Tiiseph Mallett, John Edwards, t^apt. 
Abel Hall, William Osborne, and Agur K.lwards. 
A luunber of the pews soon changed hands, — some 
before the church was comiileted, which was ]]rob- 
ably in 17SI0, for there is a record of the appointment 
of a key-keeper in February of that year. 

The church was consecrated by Bislioii St'abnry, 
June •"), 17'.)"). 

Tli(> Rev. Mr. Clarke continued to supply this 
church in connection with Ripton till 17',»2, wlii-n he 
aeeeiited a call to Si. John's tMiureh, Providence, 
R. I. From the i)osition he occupied, he would seem 
til have been a man of nnirk in his day. 

In 171t2 there was held the first convention of this 
diocese of which we have any printed reconls, and 
Tashua parish was represented by Capt. Abel Hall. 

On the 1st of A|iril. 17'.).'?, Tashua joined with 
('Iirist's Church, Stratford, in settling Rev. Ashiel 
Baldwin, who otlieiated in Tashua every third Suu- 
dav for many years. He was ordained by Bishop 
Seaburv, in 178"), at the fir.st Episeo|ial ordination 
ever held in America. He was a man of small sta- 
ture, but of (juick action, both of min<l and body, 
fine talents, an<l powerful voice. In his prime ho 
was very popidar as a preacher and orator, often 
being called upon to preach and speak before public 
bodies on important occasions. He was proiinnent 
l)oth in diocesan and general conventions. No man 
was (icrhaps more instrumental than he since the 
Revcdution in laying the foumlatious of the church 
in this diocese. ]lf continued to officiate^ in Tashua 
in connection with Stratford till 181"), and at intervals 
when the parish became vacant by tlu; removal of 
other clergymen till 1828, though his (M)nnection with 
Stratford ceased in 1824. He afterwards served other 
|)arislies in this diocese till 1832, when he became un- 
able to perform active duties. He died at Rochester, 
N. v., in 18-l(;, aged eighty-nine years, full of years 
and of honors. 

In 1817, Rev. Joseph D. Weltou was called to 



786 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



supply tliis parish one-half the time in connection 
with the old church in Weston. He continued to 
officiate till 1819. 5Ir. Wclton removed to Water- 
bury, and his health givinp; way, he was not again 
a settled parish minister, but officiated occasionally 
and taught school as his strength permitted. He 
died at Watcrbury in 1S2.">, aged forty-two years. He 
was said by those who knew him to have combined 
the virtue and grace which adorn the Christian char- 
acter, and was ardently devoted to the duties of his 
sacred office. 

From 1819 to 1823, Ta.sliua was again supplied a 
part of the time by ]\rr. Baldwin. In the latter year 
it was supplied a portion of the time in connection 
with 8t. John's, Bridgeport, by Rev. Henry R. .Tudah ; 
in 1824, by Rev. Beardsley Northrop; in 182,"), for si.\ 
months, by Rev. E. J. Ives. 

After another period supplied in part by Mr. Bald- 
win, Rev. Rodney Rossiter, in 1829, was settled in 
Tasliua in connection with Ht. Peter's Cliurch, Slon- 
roe, supplying each one-half the time till 1834. Mr. 
Rossiter was a man of great amiability of character 
and uprightness and purity in his walk and conversa- 
tion. He continued to supply the parish of Monroe 
till his death, in November, 1846. 

In 1837, Rev. D. G. Tomlinson was called to Tashua, 
and officiated tlirce-fourths of the time for two years, 
giving the other fourth to the church in Weston. 
From that time till he resigned Tashua he devoted to 
it his entire services. He resigned in 1843. The 
chancel-window is a memorial of his earnest zeal and 
devoted labors for the good of the parish. 

The Rev. William W. Bronson served the cure 
from July, 1843, to November, 1847, when he ac- 
cepted a call to St. James' Church, Danbury. His 
removal was universally regretted. In the following 
spring Rev. Henry V. Gardner succeeded him, serv- 
ing Tashua and Grace Church, Long Hill, for one 
year. 

During the rectorship of Mr. Tomlinson the erection 
of the church at Long Hill was accomplished. It 
was commenced in 1831), and completed in 1839. It 
was built :ia a chapel of Christ's church, Tashua, and 
the whole continued to be one parish till the rector- 
ship of Rev. Mr. Bronson. 

In .Tunc, 1841), there was held a meeting of the 
parish of Chri.st's Church, at which it was resolved to 
divide the parish. The Long Hill portion immedi- 
ately organized under the name of Grace Church, and 
was admitted into union with the Convention the 
same month. 

During the rectorship of the Rev. Mr. Bronson the 
erection of the present church building, the third 
which has stood here, was accomplished. It was be- 
gun in 1S4(), and consecrated on the 28th day of May 
the year following. The first church, erected in 1760, 
stood thirty years, or tiH 1790; the second stood fifty- 
six years; the prc-ent one has stood thirty-four years. 

The rough, unphistcred church of 1760, with its slab 



seats, erected by the generosity of two or three for the 
benefit of a destitute neighborhood, has given ])lace 
to a beautiful temple completely furnished, erected 
by the free-will offerings of a whole congregation 
whom God has prospered. At the first service in the 
church of 1760 a single struggling missionary carrieil 
on his services unaided and uncheered by a single 
brother in the ministry, with no chief pastor on the 
continent to consecrate the edifice to the Most High, 
or to ordain to the holy ministry, or to bless with the 
laying on of hands those who would confirm their 
Christian vows. When the present building was con- 
secrated, in 1847, sixteen clergymen were present; a 
bishoj), one of a goodly number whom God has raised 
up in this Western land, set it apart to the worship of 
Almighty God. He set apart at the same time one to 
the holy order of the priesthood, and a goodly number 
kneeling before the altar were confirmed by him in 
their Christian profe<sion. Truly the Lord has kept 
good to this humble branch of His planting the 
promise, " Lo, I am with you alway." 

In 1849, Rev. John W. Hoffman was called to 
Tashua for the whole time. On his resignation he 
was succeeded in the following year by the Rev. J. 
G. Downing, who served the whole time till the be- 
ginning of the year 1852. After a vacancy of nine 
months Rev. De Witt C. Loop served the parish, in 
connection with Long Hill, the greater i)ortion of 
1853. After another vacancy of several months the 
Rev. W. L. Bostwick served the united cure nearly 
two years, resigning February, 1856. On the Ist of 
the ensuing .lanuary, Rev. William T. Early took 
charge till .July, 1858. After an interregnum of seven 
months the Rev. D. P. Sanford took charge, JIarch 
20, 1859. He was absent from the parish from Sept. 
20, 1862, to April 1, 1863, as chaplain of Twentieth 
Regiment Connecticut Volunteers in United States 
service, his place in Tashua being sujiplied by the 
Rev. William H. Williams. Mr. Sanforil's connec- 
tion was terminated by his resignation on Easter 
Mouday, 1864, after a rectorship of little more than 
five years. 

He was succeeded by the Rev. William Warland in 
1865, who served the jiarishes at Tashua aiul Long 
Hill till late in the fall of 1867, when he resigned. 

The Rev. C. C. .\dams became rector of the parish 
in February, 1869, giving it his whole time. The 
present rectory had been i)urcliased by the ])arish, sd 
that the rector now has a home within the limits of 
the parish after it had existed a little more than one 
hundred years. 

On his resignation the Rev. Wni. J. Pigott became 
rector, Oct. 15, 1870. He resigned in 1872, and w.is 
followed in 1874 by the Rev. A. P. Brush, who served 
the united cures of Ta-shua and Long Hill till late in 
the fall of 1878. The church, after being thoroughly 
repaired and beautified, was reopened by the bishoji 
on May 18, 1874. 

The i)resent rector, William H. Bulkley, took 



I 



TRUMBULL. 



787 



charge of the ]);irish June IM, 1S<^0, serving it in eon- 
nection with Clirist's ehurch, E;ist<in. 

i'apt. Abel JLiHett, fbr many years a very intlnen- 
tial member iif tlie jiarish, at his (k-ath, in the fall of 
l'S77, left a small fuml. tlie ineome of wliieh was to 
make good his place in meeting the ordinary expenses 
of the )iarisli. 

Present officers: Kector, AVilliani 1 Inward I'.nlkley; 
Wardens, Charles Osborne, Aaron I>. Mallett ; Ves- 
trymen, .Stephen (i. Xichols, Morse D. Mallctt, Wil- 
liam A. Mallctt, Dr. 8eth Hill, r.enjamin H. French, 
S. Mallett Sanford, .Tosei)h A. Tredwidl ; t'lerk, Josejih 
A.Trcdwell; Chorister, William A. Mallctt; Libra- 
rian, (Jeorge 1). JIallett ; Snpcrintcnilent Sunday- 
school, the rector. 

Present number of coinmunicants. ninetv. 



NICHOLS' F.\KMS.> 

lage of Nichols' Farms, or ( >Id Farms, as it 
, is situated in the town of Trumbidl. on 



The vi 
is often ca 

the eastern of the three or four ridges which trans- 
verse the town from the north to thesouth. dividing it 
into as many tracts or districts. Its early history is 
so connected with that of Stratford, of wliich Trum- 
l>ull previous to the year 1798 formed a part, that it 
will be necessary to a certain degree to give some de- 
tail of the history concerning- the |>roperty of (he first 
settlers of Stratford, from whom most of the i)eople of 
Old Farms are descendants. There were men among 
the first si'ttlers of Stratford who while they lived in 
the settlement, still were extensive landowners. Their 
laml or farms comprised large tracts into whiidi their 
town had been divided. 

Upon their death this land was divided among 
their ehildren as sliares of the parent's estate, which, 
being settled upon, of course .soon scattered a sparse 
population over the town. During these early times, 
in order to increase the facility of reaching these 
farms, roads were laid out extending all through 
the town. The road running from Stratford north 
through Nichols' Farms was laid out at the generous 
width of eight rods. It was on tins roa<l that most of 
the settlers built their new homes,— not, as a .general 
thing, of logs, but, bein.g .sons of "well-to-do" men, 
were started in life with a substantial frame Imuse, 
with its hack roof sloping almost to the .irround in 
true colonial style. 

During the first fifty years the locality of Nichols' 
Farms was known by the .general name of Stratford. 
As the ])cople were taxeil by the T'resbyterian .Society 
in Stratford, they attended "meeting" there until the 
year 17.30, when a " meeting-house" was builtt nearer 
home. Then the name " Society at Unity" was ap- 
plied to the locality. 

In the 3'ear 17-14, owing to a division of the people 
of the society, thus rendering the name " Unity " in- 



* CoTltlil.lltcii 1..V R. C. .\llll.llT, Esq. 

t The iiitM-tiijg-liouso wns iM-orteii at the lower eli'l of tho White PluilLS 
street, in fruiit of where tlie Ir.irn of John Bot.tti, Vls'i, tiow stiinds. 



approjiriate, it was changed, and was known as the 
.Society at North .Str:dford until the incorporation of 
the town of Trumbull in 170S, when it took the name 
of the town. 

The difficulty arose from the fact of the cnnvcrsion 
of their jiastor, the J{ev. Itichardson Miimr, to a 
belief in the doctrines of the Church ol' Kngland. 
lie resigned liis charge over the societv, but not 
before dissensions of so serious a character had arisen 
that about one-half of the .society left the faith. 
After his resignation hi' went to England, where he 
was ordained, but on his return home was taken sick 
and died at sea. 

The name of Nichols' Farms undotd)tedly arose 
from the fact of its being there that the portion 
owned by Francis Ni<diols or his immediate descend- 
ants lay, — not so nnudi, ]irobably, in eonsenuence of 
the quality or (|uantity nf the land as it was that they 
were the earliest to convert the wilderness into a 
larni. 

The settlement of the village is not new by anv 
means, for there were clearings ma<le over two hun- 
dred years ago. Tradition says that the first idearing 
was made by a man whose name it has failed to 
transmit, near where the toll-gate at Mishea Hill now 
is. Here he planted his rye and built a house, but 
died ere his crop had ripened. There is also a tradi- 
tion that tiK're was a clearing on tho knoll below the 
house of Charles B. Nichols at a very early period, 
and, too, that the only way to reach .Stratfonl at that 
early time was from this spot, by tho wav of a forest- 
path leading towards the Ousatonie Kiver. and so 
circuitously to Stratford. Others claim that here 
stood tlie wigwam of an old Indian named Uncle 
Bill, and tliat the pile of clam-shells which may yet 
be seen u]ion turning the soil are resultant f)f his 
appetite for sea food, and that the meadow is still 
designated as " Uncle lull's lot" from the fact of his 
havin.g lived there. 

Perhaps as bite as 17i»0 nearly the whole region 
was thickly covered with forest. A trailition has 
been handed down that a sick stranger was found bv 
Mr. .loseph Nichols and taken to his home to be 
cared for, that In; di(Ml, tind was buried on a lonely 
knoll in the woods some <listanee back of the house. 
Fifty years ago, wlien Mr. (tanderson Nichols was 
digging the well back of his house, he found tho 
bones of a white man, whi<-h had been buried .about 
four feet from the surface in a liori/.ontal [>osition, 
which were un<loubtedly the remains of tlu^ first 
white man who died and was buried in the forest then 
covering thi- region where now is the beautiful vil- 
lage of Niidiols' I''arms. 

The Indians have left hut few remains of their life 
here save numerous arrow-heads which are upturned 
by the plow. .Mso other ndies of the stone age of 
America have been found in the vicinity. There 
was found, however, about forty years a.go, on tlie 
hmd of the Hon. F. P. Amliler, a ncvcr-failiiig spring 



788 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



of most excellent water. The spring, hail evidently 
existed in tlie condition in which it was Iniind for a 
great many years. It was, when uncovered, regu- 
larly stoned up like a well, having large flat stones 
laid helow, forming a platform over the outlet of sur- 
plus water. The spring wlien found was artfully 
concealed beneath large stones having trees and 
deposits of ages thereupo]!. It was discovered by 
tracing ba.;k the stream of ice-cold water running 
from what seemed a passage under the rocks. It had 
evidently been hidden in this manner by Indians, 
who, having concealed it from other tribes or from 
the whit<;s, never returned to it again. Its existence 
was not known to descendants of the Golden Hill 
Indians who still live in the vicinity. The pond 
lying northwest of the village, bearing the homely 
name of " Old Saw-Mill Pond," was originally a 
natural lake. It was near this lake that an old 
Indian named Mishea lived. Perchance it were — 

*' Mitclio Jfftiiito the niiglity. 
He the dreadful Hpirit *>i evil." 

It was from Mishea originated " Mishea Hill," 
the name given to an extensive tract of land lying 
northwest of the village. 

The ancestor of the Nichols family in tliis country 
was Francis Nichols. He came from England, and 
is first heard of in 1637. He was a .soap-boiler by 
occujiation and lived in iStratford, about half a mile 
below the Kpi.scopal church. He died in the year 
16.30, at which time his estate inventoried at £29 6«. 
He had three sons, — Calib, Isaac, and John. 

Calib married, in the ye.ir 1645, Annie, daughter of 
Andrew Ward, of Fairlield. At the settlement of 
Woodbury in 1672, Calib went with the ctdony. He 
had lifteen children, and died in the year 16!Kt. His 
eighth child, Abraham, was born Jan. 19, 1662. The 
records do not show that he went to Woodbury to 
settle with his father, and it is not probable that he 
did. 

He married Rachel, daughter of Daniel Kellogg, 
Dec. 3, 1684. He was the father of eight children, of 
whom Joseph was the oldest. 

Josejih Nichols was born Sept. 21, 166-5, and mar- 
ried Mary Curtis, Dec. 26, 1704. He was without 
doubt the first man of the name who lived in Unity. 
He was a large landowner. His territory lay on the 
east side of the highway, extending from the corner 
at Mr. (Jeorgc Peet's as far north as the territory ; 
owned by Jabez Curtis, and ran back to the Bear 
Swam]) road. 

He was a man of considerable prominence, was a 
member of the militia in the year 1720. In the year 
1726 we find him as lieutenant, and later as captain. 
He built his house on the east side of the highway, 
only a few feet north of the residence of Alexander 
Cook, Esq. 

He died in the ycaNi742, at the age of fifty-seven, 
and Wits burieil in the cemetery back of the rc-sidencc 
of John Booth, Esq. 



He had ten children. Andrew, the fcmrth child, 
was born in the year 1724, and marrie<l Abiah, 
daughter of Noah Piu'.nb, Djc. 2.3, 174S. He died in 
the year 1808, and was buried in the graveyard back 
of the residence of Samuel Edwards, Esq. He had 
nine children, — Isaac, Robert, Ilezekiah, John, Silas, 
whose descendants live in " White Plain ;" Martha 
married Lewis Fairchild; Mary married Nathan 
Nichols, of Booth's Hill ; Abia married Philip 
Nichols, of Botsford Depot; and Sarah, who married 
Isaac Booth, of Stratford. The first four remained in 
the village, and from them have descended families 
who now reside here bearing the name. 

Among the first ones to settle in the vicinity of 
Nichols' Farm were three men bearing the name of 
Curtis. As far as research is concerned, they have 
not been found to be related. 

There was one, Hezekiah Curtis, whose family Jias 
become extinct. He was an extensive landowner : 
his territory extended from that taken up by Israel 
Beach, not only south for quite a distance, but north, 
including the whole of the De Forrest farm, now 
owned by Horace Lyon, Esq. He lived in a hou^' 
which stood opposite that of Mr. Lyon. The old well 
is still there. 

He had four children, — Hezekiah, Ezra, Abel, and 
a daughter, who was the mother of Deacon Ezra D 
Forrest. His son. Deacon Hezekiah, built a house a 
little south of where the barn of Mr. William Wakr- 
ley now stands, and here too the well alone marks th' 
locality. His wife's name was Thompson. They leli 
no descendants. Ezra and Abel were bachelors, au'l 
left their property to their nephew. Deacon Ezra 1' 
Forrest. 

The Curtis family living at the lower end of tln' 
village descend from Mitchel Curtis. He was born 
in 1729, and died Aug. 16, 1808. He married Phojb. . 
daughter of Deacon Thonuis Peet, Jan. 10, 1753, ani 
built a house on the ground where now stands tin- 
residence of his great-grandson, Lewis Curtis, Es(|. 
He had five children, — viz., Zaehariah, Danii I 
Mitchel, Mary Anne, Pluebe, and Isaac. 

His son Zachariah built a house which stood south 
of Trinity church, where the residence of George H. 
Houston now stands. He married N'erona EdwariK 
Dec. 28, 1775; had two children, — James and Elijah. 
James married Nancy Peet, and left a large family, 
who were zealous workers in the establishment and 
maintenance of Trinity parish. 

Daniel Mitchel was born Jan. 4, 1755, married, and 
liad ten children, — viz.. Burr, Ira, David, Alvin, Eli, 
Daniel, llepsie, Mary, Iluldah, and Lucy. 

The tiimily living at the north end of the village 
bearing the same name descend from the widow 
Elizabeth Curtis, who is found in Stratford in the 
year . 

This family trace their ancestry through the line 
descending from her .son William. 

Jabez Curtis was the first one of this family to set- 



TllUMBULL. 



rs9 



tlo ill the Society of Unity. He, unlike nearly all 
otluTs in the settlement, was a zealous niemlier of the 
Church of Knirhiud. lie luloniieil to the loyal party 
anil fonuht in the Uevohition under the British Hajr, 
for which net he suti'ered the in<lignity <if having his 
]iro[icrty eiinfiseated. It was repundiased hy his sons, 
h<iwever. His house stood a few rods north of the 
junction of the Mishea Hill road and the Huntington 
turn[iike. A house wliich was torn down a few years 
ago, and which was at h-ast cahulation one liundrcil 
and twenty-five years old, was undoulitedly l)uilt by 
him. .Vndrcw, his son, was horn, lived, ami died in 
this house. He had three children, — Tlmmas, who 
went to \V'<)odhury, Andrew, and lOvard. Andrew 
nuirried Eunice, dauglitcr of .Toseidi Lake, anil had 
six children, — viz., .Tose;ih, Hull, Elisha, Xatliaiiiel, 
Moranda, and Sheldon. Kvard lived aeros* the 
street from .Vndrcw, and had three cliildrea, — ("herry, 
Charles, and .Vnso;i. 

The Fairchilds, wlioare one of our nu)st prominent 
families of Trumbull, descend fro'in Mr. Thomas Fair- 
child, who was one of the original jirojirietors in the 
.settlement of Stratford. He was a man of consider- 
able prominence, and was the tirst magistrate of the 
town. 

Mr. Faindiild luel two wives; the tirst was a daugh- 
ter of Roliert Seabrook, Esi]., and died during the 
early days of the colony. She bore him several 
children. 

In the year l()i!2, and about three years after the 
death of his wife, he returned to England and married 
Catharine Craige, of London. 

It is through the descendants of this second nuir- 
riage tluit we trace the Trund)ull line id' ancestry. 
Daniel Faindiild was the first one of the family who 
lived in the society of lenity. Fie was liorn in 17211, 
and married Hepsibah Lewis, of (.)ld Mill, Dee. (!, 
174.'>. by whom he had niiu' ehildn^n. His second 
wdfe was of the ^Middlebrook family of Long Hill. 

He built a house nearly on the site where now- 
-tands the house of Jliss Mariah Niidiols. It was 
here that his children were born, who were Timothy, 
Lewis, Daniel, Nehemiah, Sarah, Mehital>le, Benja- 
min, Abel, anil Sarah. Hi' dieil in 1S(I7, aged cighty- 
-iven years. Of his nine cliildrcn, thrive — viz., Timo- 
thy, Lewis, and Daniel — settled in the vicinity. 

Timothy Fairchild was born .Inly .".(I, 1744. He 
married Johannah, daughter of Samuel F'fliird, .Tune 
26, 17(')('). He bnilt on the site where now stands the 
house of .Tohn 15. Nichols, Esip He had si\ chil- 
dren, — viz., Nehemiah, David, Eli, .\aron, .lohannah, 
and Hepsic. Hepsie married Eli, son of Daniel 
Mitehel Curtis. 

Lewis Faindiild was born March 14, I74(!,anil mar- 
ried Mary, daughter of Samuel L'fford, Sept. 2'2, 17()S. 
He built a house at Mishea Hill, a short distance be- 
low the saw-mill now owiu-d by David I'Inmb. They 
had five children, — viz., Lewis, Polly, Iteuben, Eben, 
and Isaac. His oldest son, Coll. Lewis, wdio nuirried 



Pattie, daughter of .Vndrew Nichols, .Tuly It*. 1774, 
was the father of Daniel and Plumb Fairchild, the 
proprietors of the c.\tcnsive paper-mills at Lakeville, 
and Hruben was the father of C'harles N. Fairchild, 
Esij., of the Farms. 

The ancestor of the Phradi family was from F>ng- 
land, and settled in ililford in llioll. His name was 
Robert. The records do not jdace him on the list f)f 
" free planters," not being in church fellowshi[). 
which was a requisite i|nalitica1ion in the view of the 
colonists before a person could be aihnitted a "free 
planter." 

Noah Plumb came to L'nity Society about 1700, 
and nuirried, Oct. 2, 1714, Abigal (Uirtis. He 
built a house on the west side of the highway, below 
where the house of David Plumb stands. This 
house was without doubt the linest and most substan- 
tial built in the settlement. It had galde roofs. In 
thr front id' the house were anlii|Ue window-frames. 
The sashes were of lead, wduch framed in diamond- 
shaiied ]ianes, and the wdiole was quite English in 
its a|ipearanee. The records do not show that he had 
more than one child. This one he named Noah, wdio, 
with his wife Abiah, lived in his father's house and 
had live children, — viz., .Vbiali, Phebe, Susannah, 
l)a\iil, and .losepli. David married Mary licaeh, 
Dec. 211, 1770, from wdiom descended the late 
Reach Plumb and the Hon. D. W. Plumb, of Shelton. 
He built a house wliicli has long since been torn 
down. It stood a short distance below the house of 
K/.vv.x W. Pluml). .Toseph I'Inmb married Sibil Ed- 
wards, May 2!', 1777. He lived below his father's 
residence. He had three children, — Elliott, wdio 
was father of Oliver E. Plumb, Eli, the father of 
liirscy I>., and Almon Plumb, of Trumbull Centre. 
The third child was Pi\lcy. 

The Peets are one of the oldest families. They de- 
scend from Deacon Thomas Pect, wdio was admitted 
into tlie Society at Unity in 17^11. Abijali Pect mar- 
ried P>ethiah, daughter of Samuel I'll'ord, in ,Iune, 
1771. His home stood at the foot of the garden of 
Mr. (teorge T'eet (grandson). The names of four of 
liis children were, 1st, Hepsie, who married Sheldon 
Peirson (children were William and Sheldon) ; 2d, 
Nancy, married .lames ( 'nrtis (children I'dbert, Ellen, 
Maria, Harriett) ; ;-!il, .lohannah, married Kobert 
Nichols; 4tli, Isaiah (children (leorge, Susan, and 
Charles). 

Samuid Ull'ord lived in the village with his wil'e, 
.\nnc, in thi' year I7'!'.l, when thi-ir lirst (diild was 
born, lie had seven idiildreii, — viz., 1st, Daniel, mar- 
ried Mary IJerse ; 2il, .Tohn, married Anon Nichols; 
.'id, Jlary, married Lewis I'airchild ; 4th, Bethiah, 
married Abijali Peet ; Titli, .lane, inarrieil Richard 
Salmons; Gth, Ebenezer (Judge Eben), married 
Nancy Peet ; 7th, .lohannah, married Timothy l''air- 
child. 

The Hawdcy family descend from the Joseph Haw- 
Icy wdio was one of the original settlers in Stratford, 



790 



IIISTOllV OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



where wc find them as early as 1649. The first one 
of the family which we find in Unity was Robert 
Hawley. His wife's name was Annie Beach, to 
whom he was married March 15, 17o0. He built a 
house oppo.site the residence of Lewis Curtis, just 
below an old barn that is still standing. He had ! 
eight children, of whom Robert, Elikim, and Josiah 
settled in the village. Jo.siah lived in the old home. 
Elikim built the house now standing below the resi- 
dence of Elliot Curtis, Es(i. This house is without 
doubt the oldest house in the village. His descend- 
ants went to "White i'laiiis." Robert Hawley built 
an old house which stood where the residence of Shel- 
don P. Peirson now stands. His children were Abi- 
jah, Beach, Anna, and Elam. 

One of the first houses in Nichols' Farms was built 
by Ephraim Booth. It stood ujion the site now occu- 
pied by the house of Samuel Edwards, Esq. He was 
a deacon in the Society of Unity. He had a .sou, also 
name<l Ephraim, who nuirricd Sarah Fairchild, Dec. 
18, 1739. By this wife he had three children, — viz.. 
Charity, Rachel, and Ann. His wife Sarah died, and 
he married again, Nov. 14, 1751, Phoebe Fairchild. 
He was admitted to tlie .Society at Unity, Aug. 26, 175.3. 
By his wife Phabe he had three children. These 
were Sarah, Pliaibe, and Hannah. Soon after the 
death of Mr. Ei)hraim Booth, Jr., the homestead was 
sold to Mr. Eli Edwards. Jlr. Eli Edwards came 
from Chestnut Hill. He built the house owned by 
the late Charles Curtis, and was a man of considera- 
ble property and |)rominence. His son Samuel is 
still living, and is held very high in the respect of all 
who know him. His only child is the wife of Horace 
Fairchild, Esq. 

John Beardsley lived in the settlement before the 
Revolution. He was a chairmaker, as well were his 
two sons, James and Andrew. He lived in a house 
which stood in the lot opposite the house of Mrs. 
Shelton Nichols. His son Jame3 built on the prop- 
erty known as the Peck place, since bought by the 
late James D. Alvord, Esq. The Rev. John L. Peck 
lived for several years in the house now stand- 
ing on the old site. In the same house the late Dr. 
Starkweather, a learned and highly-respected physi- 
cian, lived and i>racticed medicine for several years. 

Andrew Beardsley married Mary, daughter of 
Daniel Mitehel Curtis, and had the following chil- 
dren : Nelson, Curtis, Amelia (who married Abija M. 
Nichols), and Mary. Curtis is still living in the vil- 
lage. He is a carpenter, and built most of the houses 
now standing in the village. 

Previous to the war of the Revolution we find that 
Chauncy Beardsley, with his wife, Huldah Hawley, 
lived on the " cross-road" just above the " Red 
House" belonging to Charles Fairchild, Esq. The 
well whicii belonged to the house is there yet, and is 
over forty feet deep. 

Chauncy Beardsley was a Tory, and engaged willi 
the British in the Revolution. He left at home his 



wife with eight young children, who led a struggling 
existence during the war. 

Aunt Huldah, as every one called her, was a woman 
of wonderful nerve and constitution. She survived 
her husband for many years, as well did she all the 
acquaintances of her middle life, and died at the 
advanced age of one hundred and two years. 

She took pleasure in talking of the exciting times 
of the Revolution, and related the event of two com- 
panies of French soldiers encamping a wliole winter 
during the war on what is known as " Mountain 
Hill," a high rocky bluff in the central part of the 
village, which commands a view of about seventy 
miles of the Sound and island. She would relate with 
fire in her eye of how the " hired rebels" would com- 
pel her to cook and sometimes furnish provisions for 
them, through fear that they would kill her if she did 
not comply with their requests. 

The mammoth oak which is still standing on the 
brow of the hill is said to have been cut ofi' where it 
now branches out at that time. French coins have 
since been found near the site of their camp. 

Their .son Lewis married Laura Gillctt. The 
widow and two daughters alone represent this family 
of Beardsley in the village. 

Israel Beach when quite a young man came from 
Stratford, where his ancestors settled, and cleared up 
the Bear Swamp farm. He built a house in what is 
well known as the "old house-lot," about six rods 
from the present street fence, and near the southern 
fence of the lot. In the year 1731 he married Han- 
nah Burritt, of Stratford, and had six children, — 
viz., Phebe, Nathaniel, Mary, Israel, Hannah, and 
Eben. He was a soldier in the French war in 
Canada. A powder-horn carried l)y him through the 
French war is still in the po.ssc.ssion of his descend- 
ants. He died at the advanced age of eighty-six, and 
was buried in the old Congregational buryiug-ground 
in Stratford. 

His three sons each built houses near by. Na- 
thaniel built about quarter of a mile above. During 
the Revolution, when Stratford wsjs threatened to he 
burned, quite a number of the Whig friends of Mr. 
Beach brought their household goods and valuables 
from Stratford in the night-time, and for safe kecjiing 
stored them in this house, which, by the way, is still 
standing. 

One day, while the present subject of our w riting 
was at work on his farm, his little dog found a bear, 
and by furious barking diew his attention to the fact. 
Mr. Beach went home, jjrocured his gun, and return- 
ing to the spot shot him. He proved to be a fine spe- 
cimen of black bear, and wils the last killed in thf 
vicinity. From the above-narrated occurrence tin 
farm and locality has since been called " Bcai 
Swamp." Mr. Nathaniel Beach was killed by a load 
of wood which was turned over upon him. 

Israel, Jr., built a short distance south of the house 
of his brother Nathaniel, and. Eben built in the 



I 



TRUMBULL. 



191 



s:mie, with and nearly in front of where his father's 
liouse stiiuiJ. Tlie family have lieconic soparated, 
and the deseendants of Xathaiiiel alone remain, 
whose son and grandson. I'ach liearinfr the same name, 
have sinee tilled part of the land cleared liy their 
ancestor. 

Slime few years liefore the Revulntion thri'C brothers 
liy the name of lilajr;; arrived in Strattijrd from Eng- 
land. They had qnite a sum of money between them, 
which for safe keeping was intrusted to one of the i 
three, who in turn absconded, leaving the others des- 
titute. The town through jiity gave them all the land 
lying on the e;ust side of the Bear Swamp and Hun- 
tington road inclosed between the Beaver Dam 15rook 
and the one now known as Hurd's Brook. For draw- 
ing the deed one of them, who was a slioemaker, 
made a pair of shoe- as compensation to tlie magis- 
trate. Samuel and Elisha were the names of the two 
brothers left. Samuel Imilt a house where the house 
of William Wakeley now stands, and Elisha built 
just above and about opjiosite of the road to Isin- 
glass. (-)nly one of them had issue, and, they being 
daughters, the name became e.xtinet. 

The Hon. Franklin 1'. Ambler was a descendant of 
Richard Ambler, who was burn in Somersetshire, 
England, in tlie year Kill. He came to this country 
in !()?.!>, landing at Weymimth, JIass., and in U'iCii] he 
came to Stamford, Conn. Here, with his son Abra- 
ham and several others, he united in the purchase <jf 
the town of Bedford from the Imlians. He died in 
the year liiiKt, aged eighty-eight years. 

Franklin P. Andjler was l)orn in l>anburv, .Tune 3, 
1797, and was of good colonial blood on liolh si<les of 
the house. His fatlu'r, "S.juire .Vml)ler, was the sei:- 
oiid eliihl of John Andiler and Huldah Fairchild. 
His mother was Elizabeth, daughter of Ebenezer 
Pickett and Elizabeth Abbott. 'Sijuire Ambler was. 
born and spent his early boyhood in those limes dur- 
ing wdiieh the wrongs imposed by England grew 
more and more ojiiiressive, and at the age of fourtt'en, 
instead of learning a trade of peace, he learned a trade 
<jf war. \t that early age he enlisted in the t'onti- 
nental army at Danbury, under ('apt. ()sb(irn, as an 
artificer. During tliat terrible winter at Valley Forge 
his exceptional fortitude and unswerving tid(dity did 
not escape the observing eye of Washington, who 
in the spring of 177<S promoteil him to his special 
guard. Thus this hardy and patriotic man served not 
(Jidy through those dark days at Valley Forge, and at 
the stormy crossing of the Delaware, but until the end 
of the war, when he was still with his comnuinder at 
York town, at the surrender of ('urn wall is. Hissworil, 
which he carried through tlu,' whole war, is a heavy 
blade encased in an iron sheath. H was forged by X. 
Starr, who was a country blacksmith in Danbury. It 
is still in the possession of his deseendants. 

The early life of Fraidvlin P. Ambbr was one of 
poverty and hardship, through which he struggled 
with undaunted courage. At the age of fourteen ho 



was bound out to a Jlr. Hull, in Danbury, as an ap- 
prentice in the saddle-tree trade, where he renuuned 
until his time was out, when he went to New York 
as an employee in the tree-factory of Benjamin Stiles. 
Later, he came to Derby, Conn., where he was em- 
ployed in the factory of Mr. Chattield. Here he met 
Eliza, daughter of Jerrod Bartholeni (now Bartholo- 
mew) and Mary Wooster, whom he married, March 
ir>, IXli), and in Derby his oldest child, i'harles, was 
born. 

In the year IS'l'J. he came to Trundjull, where he 
was employed as general superintendent in the fac- 
tories of Messrs. Keuben and Eben Fairchild. He 
liveil in a house owned by Eli Edwards, which is still 
standing back id' the residence of Sheldon Curtis. 

In the year ISiio he entered into the business with 
R. and K. Fairchild and Mr. Isaiah Peet, under the 
name of Fairchild, Peet vV Co. In the year 1.S44 he 
bought out the concern and conducted business in 
inirtnership with his three sons, under the lirm-name 
of F. P. Ambler &> Sons. He bought land lying 
about and north of what is known as " Mountain 
Hill," and liuilt the present factories, having since 
enlarged them as the business inereased. He ]iur- 
ehased of Philo Lord the house now owned and occu- 
pied by his grandson, Richard C. Andiler. This 
house he enlarged azid remodeled, and here he made 
his home. To him home was a sacred spot. His 
wife, who was a person endiiwed with the very embodi- 
ment of nobleness of character, was fully capable of 
nuiking it so. His children married and had houses 
of their own, — all within a stone's throw; but .still 
home was yet at the father's, and his greatest joy was 
to gather them around his board. His faithful eom- 
jianion passed away March 20, lS.r>;!. He nutrried 
again, Emily S. Ambler, widow of Joel And)ler, of 
Danbury, a woman of most excellent (jnalities and 
well suited to fill the vacant place. She still survives 
him. 

Franklin P. .Vnibler had during his boyhood little 

opportunities for education, but w;ts always an enthu- 

' siastie reader ; renmrkable for an exceedingly retentive 

memory, he soon aeijuired a knowledge diflicult to be 

eomiieted with. To this he eonstantlv nmde adilitions 
... 
( until In middle and later life he was able to ccmverse, 

with equal intelligence, with tluise of far greater op- 
portunities. 

I can no bi-tter di'scribe the opiniim in wdiieh he. 
was held by the ]iublic than to (piote, in jnirt, an ar- 
ticle that appeared in the cohinuis of the /!riil(/rpi>rt 
FiinniT at the time of his death, which occurred .\ug. 
1, 1.S7;!: 

"... Mr. Andiler was everywhere known as a man 
of the strictest integrity, whose ' word was a.s good as 
his bond.' In many respects he was a remarkable 
man. (lifted with a powerful and retentive memory, 
he seldom fm'got anything of importance that he read, 
and, always from his youth U]i an industrious reader, 
his mind w.i; stored with a lund of facts, anecdote., 



792 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



and historical information from which he would at 
pleasure draw to enliven, strengthen, and adorn his 
naturally easy conversation. He had accmnulatcd a 
solid and valuable library, and his jieculiar qualities 
of mind made his books almost literally re])roduced 
in him. In early life his attention was i)articularly 
called to the Bible and the consideration of religious 
subjects, and to the study of tliesc he gave the closest 
attention until he arrived at a conclusion that satisfied 
his own mind and conscience, a result whicb leil liim 
to es])ouse the earnest and conscientious belief tliat 
the Bible is the insi)ired word of God, and that it 
teaches the doctrine of universal salvation. Consci- 
entious and firm in his convictions, having thoroughly 
studied the subject, perfectly familiar with the Bible, 
he was, without exception, tlie ablest lay conversa- 
tionalist wo ever knew, and no one could meet him 
in an argument without discomfiture, unless they were 
thoroughly nuisters of their subject. 

"Mr. Ambler was always a sound and consistent 
Democrat of the Jeffersonian school, and always took 
a deep and intelligent interest in jiublic aflairs. He 
had frequently to fill local offices in his town, had rep- 
resented it in the Legislature, and about 1862 was 
elected to the State Senate, in all which positions he 
discharged his duties with unswerving fidelity, and 
with honor to himself. He was made a Mason more 
than fifty years ago, and was a consistent member of 
the order until his decease. A singular circumstance 
may be mentioned in this connection, the like of 
which has never occurred in the annals of the insti- 
tution. Some ten years ago the writer of these lines, 
then a presiding officer of Jerusalem Chapter, No. 13, 
R. A. M., of tliis city (Bridgeport), ofliciatcd at tiie 
exaltation at one time of the deceased and two of his 
sons, George 1$. and Franklin P., Jr. All three, the 
faUier and sons, are now dead, and each one has been 
buried on Sunday by the Masonic fraternity." . . . 

It may not be out of place to speak liere of his 
family, which consisted of Charles, George B., Mary 
E., and Franklin 1'., Jr. Tliey were all very dear to 
him, and he was justly proud of them lor they held 
positions in public respect. They were notorious for 
their strong mind and firm belief in the democratic 
principles of government. All three of the sons rep- 
resented tlieir town in the .\ssembly, and also at dif- 
ferent times filled oHices of trust both in party and 
town. 

In speaking of them one cannot but associate them 
together, for it was together, the fatlier and the three 
sons, that everj' one meant when they spoke of the 
" Amblers." 

But their characteristics were different. Charles, 
the oidy one living, alone disjilays the persistent ap- 
])licatioM and thoroughness of the father. In Frank- 
lin P. Ambler, Jr., we found the hearty " free and 
easy" good will to all,<but at the same time a fierce 
and decisive opinion. United witli a wonderful elo- 
quence was his inherited and equally wonderful mera- 



' ory. Imposing in figure and powerful in thought, 
he would hold an audience as if it were spell-bound 
for hours at a time. But his bright and promising 

, career was cut short in the spring of life. He died 
May 25, 1865, aged forty years. In George B. Ambler 
there was the same persistency which is the charac- 

I teristic of the father. He was a fine business man, 
and as an accountant could not be excelled. He was 
remarkable in ingenuity; the results of his skill and 
tiiste are still in the possession of his family and are 
exhibited with pride. He came to an untimely end 
by being thrown from his carriage while riding on 
State Street, Bridgeport. He died the same day, 
June 24, 1871. 

The distance from England rendered the importa- 
tion of household utensils, cloths, and other neces- 
saries of life very expensive ; hence, necessity being 
the mother of invention, the colonists began to manu- 
facture for themselves. The spinning-wheel and loom 
were articles of absolute necessity in every house, and 
one of the chief accomplishments of the farmer's wife 
and daughter was the manufacture of " homespun," 
it being the custom of the housewife to spin and weave 
all the cloth used in the family. But the busy wheel 
has long been laid away, as well as has been the faith- 
ful hands which plied it, and with the wheel the large, 
cheerful " fireplace," with its benches at each end and 
its " back-log," which was drawn into the house by 
o.xen, have all |iassed away ; they are all pusheil intj 
disuse by the rapid strides of invention. Then the 
shoemaker, like " Dick Wliitting," carried his kit from 
house to house, nuiking the family boots and shoes 
out of the leather furnished by the family. The vil- 
lage shoemaker and tanner, for several years succeed- 
ing the Revolution, was "'Sipiire David Seeley." 
Secley bought an old house standing on the jirescnt 

-site of the home of David Pluml). He bought the 
property at auction, it being confiscated from David 
Pcet, who was a Tory in the war. The vats where 
the " 'Squire" tanned the hides were by the roadside 
at Mishea Hill Brook. 'Squire Seeley was the first 
man in the village who took a newspaper, and at his 
house the neighbors were accustomed to assemble tt) 
hear the news. 

The first saw-mill in the locality stood near the dam 
of what has since been known as Old Saw-Mill Pond. 
It was built and owned by Daniel Fairchild, who was 
an early settler in the village. 

The village chairnniker was John Beardsley. His 
shop stood near his house, in the field opposite the 
house of Mrs. Shelton Nichols. His son James, in 
later years, for some time carried on quite an exten- 
sive business at the trade in his shop, which stood 
below his house, opposite the residence of David 
Nichols, Es)]. Here he employed several workmen, 
besides apprentices; among the latter were Hull and 
Eliel, sons of Andrew Curtis. James Beardsley after- 
wards went to Newark, N. J., with Eli Edwards, and 
established the first saddle-tree factory in that city. 



THU.MBULL. 



r93 



Sixty years ago the mamit'aeturiiijr nf comlis was 
quite an industry in the villaL'e. 

The sa<l(lle-tree business, like tlie maiJiiiHitli oak, 
had a small oriirin. Eheii Fairehild, a sun of Lewis, 
was horn Xov. 10, 17S-1. II, ■ lc:irni'd the eahinet- 
niaker's trade, and was a very iniieiiious man. While 
living at Mishea Hill he took an old saddle to pieees 
and set himself at work making another like it; su<'- 
eeeding in this, he nuide a dozen and earrie<l them 
" aeross lots (ju his hack" to his lirothir FJi. who was 
a blacksmith living in Isinglass, and they together 
■ iront'd" them. Then, in s|iite of the jeers ot' his 
nei.irhbors, who ealled them "devil-trees," he went 
with them by stage to New York, where he fomid a 
ready market. He returned home with his money, 
and, nuiking more, disposed of them in the same 
manner. 

Later, he took Lsaiah Feet — Mr. Feet, as every <ine 
i-alled liim — into partnership with him. They built 
a shop oji])os!te the house of Sidney Niehols, Es(|. 
Still later they changed the firm-name to that of Fair- 
ehild, Feet A Co. F. F. Andiler, of Danbury, then 
a young man and a practical tree-nuiker, came into 
the firm at that tinu'. In the year 1844, F. F. Andjler 
bought out the business, and with his three sons car- 
ried on the business under the name of F. F. Ambler 
& Sous. From this time until the end of the war the 
business constantly increased. The firm built the 
present extensive taetories. iiitrodnced stearn-power, 
and have sent tlieir goods all over the world. During 
the Franco-Frussian war they tilled large orders for 
the French government. Have made large orders 
for Peru and other South American states, including 
Brazil. In all its dealings the firm was known as om' 
of the .strictest in integrity, honor, and candor. Fre- 
vious to the war the chief business of the (inn was 
with parties in the Southern States, which trade was 
entirely destroyed by the war, during which, however, 
they took large government contracts, employing 
about six hundred men. 

With the exceiition of Charles, the memlters of the 
firm Iiave since died, but the business is still carried 
on by Charles .Vnibler, under the name of F. F. Am- 
bh'r's Son. After leaving the llrm of Fairehild, Feet 

.^: Co., .Mr. Feet built a shop which st 1 ojqiosite the 

residence of Mrs. Margaret M. Smith, and carried on 
the business of manufacturing "stnb-joints," but soon 
discontinued it. The >lio]i has since been removeil 
to the eorin-r below, and was converted into a store 
by Mr. Carlos I'.lackman. 

Carriage-building has been another of the villa.ire 
manufacturing interests. The firm of Nichols, Feck 
& Co. for several years carried on a large busine.ss in 
their extensive factories, and at one time largely su])- 
plied the Australian market. 'I'he business is at 
present conducted by David and Carlos Nichols. 

Andrew Clark for several years had (juiti' an exten- 
sive oarriage-nnmufactory. The buildings were situ- 
ated on a snudl lot Ju>t north of the hou.sc of Wm. 



Beers. !Mr. Clark built the residence now owned by 
Jlrs. (i. ]?. Ambler, and lived there for several years. 

The mercantile interests of the village have never 
advanceil farther than the " country-store." The first 
one was ke]it by Kobeit Nichols, the father of the 
late Frosper Nichols, Ksip, and .gran<lfather of Lucius 
C. Nichols. The building stood near his house, on 
what is known as the cross-road, on the estate of 
Prosper Nichols. 

For many yciirs Ira Nicdmls. I'lsq., son of Robert, 
stood behinil his counter anil sold goods in a store 
which was attached to the c-ist end of the brick car- 
riage-factory of Nichols, Feck i.*i; Co. 

A store has been kept for some forty yi'ars on the 
same stand by (.)liver E. Plumb, E-scp This and the 
one k<'pt by Henry 1>. Curtis, Esq., are the only ones 
in the village at the ]>resenl time. 

In the fall of 1st;.', the old shop which Mr. Feet 
crectecl for u stub-joint factory was pnrc-haseil and 
moved to the corner above Trinity church by Carlos 
Blacknian, Esq. In October of that year a store was 
opened in this building by Messrs. Sanmel A. Patter- 
son and Carlos Blackman. under the name of Black- 
man iV I'atterson. The firm <lid a lar.L'c business ten- 
two years, when they sold out to Messrs. A. B. Fair- 
child and H. B.Curtis, who transacted l)usiness under 
the firm-name of Fairehild & Curtis. About a year 
after, Mr. Fairehild sohl out to Mr. Curtis, who con- 
timied business at the old stand until the fall of 1870, 
at which time Mr. Pdackman sold the premises to 
William H. Payne, who reniodeleil the buihling to its 
present condition and contiiuied the business for 
about five years, when he moved to Bridgeport, having 
exchange<l the property with the late Monson Evitts. 
At this time Mr. Henry B. Curtis returned from the 
store of ^Frs. Shelton Niehols. whither he moved at 
the transfer to Mr. Payne, and has since continued to 
transact busin&ss at the obi stand. 



V 



PARLOl! lldCK. 
the Hou^atonic Railroad about eight miles 



from llridgejiort, between the old towns of Long 
Hill and Siepney, this spot of beauty lies embowered 
between verdant woodland hills. Through it runs a 
lovely streamlet, windin.;;, now tailing over the steep 
stone walls of the dam, and soon after recovering 
from the foam and eddy and whirl spreading out into 
its tiirmer glo.ssy smoollinc>-<, and then passing under 
a suspension-brid.gc and down a wild, rocky, precipi- 
tous gorge, rund)liug and roaiing and passing oil' out 
of sight, a foamy, heaving current, into a wild copse 
far below. Down at the foot of this second cataract 
rises the steep, b<dil, (tverhauging nuiss of solid rock 
at the base of which, close by the boiling, rocky- 
bedded current of the strcandet, li<'s a large, oblong, 
fiat surface of rock, which is Farlor Rock, and a more 
romantic, i)ictures(pn', cool, and lovely sylvan retreat 
it would be difficidt to nanu' in Connecticut. This is 
but a fraction of the attractions. The grove flanks 



794 



IIISTOllY OF FAIUFIELD COUNTY, CONxNECTICUT. 



the stream and its cascades, and is a sliadj' bower 
thickly studded witli tall hemlocks, shady and pic- 
turesque. In the grove are croquet-grounds, swings, 
etc. On the mossy brink of tlic stream lie I'ancy boats 
awaiting the jileasure of whoever would row about, a 
means of access to many a rural retreat and jjretty 
bower. 

AVander where you will, nature has many charm- 
ing secrets and romantic situations to disclose. Huge 
bowlders, venerable, lichen-covered, and gray, stand 
like aged guardians, grim and massive, at many a 
point along the paths. It was three years ago that 
the Ilousatonic Railroad Company purchased this 
pretty spot and converted it to its present use, since 
which time it has been constantly improved, and 
many thousands of people of Fairfield and Litchfield 
Counties have spent some day there fraught with 
pleasure and enjoyment. The Berkshire region in 
the old Bay State, which it penetrates, well deserves 
the name it hius been given of " The Switzerland of 
America." The landscapes are exceedingly beautiful, 
and the eye is constantly surprised and delighted with 
ever-varying romantic and ])icturcsque views, scenes 
which have enlisted the muse of a Bryant and in- 
spired the pen of many a writer. 

.MILIT.\UV IlKCOKD, 1861-65. 

THIRD REGIMKXT. | 

Company D. 
Downs, William, oiil. May H, 18«1, disch. Aug. 12, isni. 

FIRST KEGIMENT CAVALRY. 

Company D. 

Brinitnindo, Frank D., musician ; pnl. Nov. 2, 1801 ; ic-ciil. Doc. 17, 1S63 ; 

pro. to first liciitciialit, .Tan. 29, 1805 ; disch. 
Bigclow, Bonjnniiii, onl. Nov. 2, 1801 ; discli. Oct. 10, 1802. 
Hawkins, Ciiurlt-a U., eul. Nov. 14, ISlil ; disch. Nov. 10, 1802. 
Tilford, Homer F., enl. Nov. 2, 18C1 ; discli, Nov. 7, 18C2. 
Wlieolcr, James, onl. Kov. 2, 1801 ; ro-onl. Doc. 17, 1803 ; pro. to captain ; 

must, out Aug. 2, 1803. 
Whittloaoy, Ilornco T., enl. Nov. 2, 1801 ; diKli. Jan. 13, 1863. 
Tyrrall, Zaral J., enl. Aug. 11, 1802 ; must, out Juno 3, 1865. 
■yVhiUlosoy, James T., onl. Aug. 12, 1802 ; disch. Nov. 3, 1802. 

Vompaiiy G. 
Baymond, Fronk, eul. Aug. 11, ism ; must, out Aug. 2, 1S66. 

Vnaitfigned. 
Bonnott, James, enl. June 20, 1804 ; not taken up on rolls. 
Oim, John, enl. Aug. 10, 1804 ; nut taken up on rolls. 
Duffy, Pat., enl. Aug. 10, 1801; not taken up on rolls. 
Francis, James, enl. Aug. 10, 1801 ; not taken up on rolls. 
Henry, Patrick, enl. Aug. 10, 1804; not taken up on rolls. 
Ijonnnor, Samuel, onl. Jau. 1, 184VI ; not taken up on rolls. 

SECOND LIGHT BATTERY. 

Torrill, George W., onl. Aug. 13, 1862; must, out Aug. 8, 18C5. 
Walker, David S., enl. Aug. 0, 1802; must, out Aug. 8, 18C5. 
Wliitllesey, Charles E., enl. Dec. 11, 1SC3; must. out Aug. 9, 1865. 
■Whlttliwy, Horace T., enl. Dec. 11,1863; must, out Aug. 0, 1866. 

FIRST REGIMENT ABTILLEKY. 

CbfnpoHy (7. 
Neumann, Moritz, onl. Dec. 27, 1804; must, out Sept 25, 1805. 

Q^nipany U. 
Beach, David B., enl. Nov. 28, 18C3 ; must, out Sept. 25, 1865. 
Gerald, Edward, onl. Jan. 14, 1804 ; must, out Sept. 25, 1806. 



f.\nupiniy M. 
Bevaur, John C. It., enl. Feb. 4, 1802; disch. for disahility Mny 4, 18M. 
Peck, James L., enl. Fob. 25, 1802 ; discli. Feb. 2.'>, 1805, at expiration of 

term. 
Peck, William W., eul. Feb. 4, 1802; re-cni. Feb. 5, 1804; must, out Sept. 

25, 1S6.'>. 
Tarncy, James E., enl. March 4, 1802; died Morch 24, 1802. 

VHOigiffned. 
Lauegan, Thomaa, enl. Aug. 12, 1804 ; not taken up on rolls. 

SECOND KEGIMENT ARTILLEKY. 
Company A. 
Bennett, Horatio N., onl. Jan. 2, 1804 ; killed in action Sept, 19, 1804. 
Dayton, Edson S., enl. Jan. 2, 1864; disch. for disahility Feb. 27, 1866. 
Evcjitt, George, onl. Jan. 2, 1804; killed in action June 1, 1864. 
Meeker, Benjamin, enl. Jan. 2, 18iH; killed in action June 1, 1864. 
Prindle, James 31., enl. Jan 2, 1804 ; wounded June 1, 1804 ; disch. Aug. 
18, 1805. 

Company H. 

Tilford, Homer F., enl. Jan. 2, 1864; killed in action June 1, 1861. 

Company M. 
Flinn, James, enl. Feb. 9, 1864. 
Hyland, Patrick, enl. Feb. 9. 1864. 
Holland, George, enl. Feb. 12, 1864. 
Rouke, William, enl. Feb. 9, 1804. 

FIFTH KEGI.MENT INFANTRY. 

Company A. 

Curtiss, Uenrj- B., enl. July 22, 1861 ; diach. July 22, 1864, at expiration 

of term. 
Wells, George «., onl. July 22, 1861 ; disch. for disability Oct 30, 1862. 

SIXTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 
Company D. 
Dies, George, enl. Nov. IS, 1864 ; must out Aug. 21, 1865. 

Company F. 
Maxey, Thomas, enl. Feb. 13, 1804; must, out June 26, 1865. 

Company G. 
Eoenan, Daniel, eul. Doc. 5, 1864 ; must out Aug. 21, 1865. 

Company I. 
Abbott Alphonso, enl. Sept 5, 1801 ; disch. Sept. 11, 1804, at expiration 

of term. 
Abbott, Gustavus A., enl. ScptS, 1801; disch. Sept 11, 1864, at expiratioD 

of term. 
Ablwtt Wiwlsey, enl. Sept 5, 1801 ; died Nov. 29, 1863. 
Downs, William U., enl. Sept 5, 1861; re-onl. Dec. 24, 1803; must out 

Aug. 21, 1805. 
Hubbcll, George St., enl. Sept 5, 1861 ; nMiol. Dec. 24, 1863 ; mut. out 

Aug. 21, 1805. 
Huhbell, Thomas, enl. Sept. 5, 1861. 
Morritt, George L., onl. Sept 5, 1862 ; disch. Sopt 11, 1864, at expiration 

of torm. 
Peet Goorge B., onl. Sept 6, 1861 ; died Aug. 16, 1863. 
Feet Joseph A., enl. Sept 5, 1861 ; disch. Sept 11, 1864, at expintton of 

torm. 
Job, Luther, enl. Sept 5, 1801 ; disch. Sept 6, 1804, at expiraUun of term. 

SEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 
Company D. 
Oraws, Ednln, enl. Nov. 10, 1804 ; must out July 20, 1865. 

EIGHTH KEGI.MENT. 
Company E, 
Carroll, John, onl. Aug. 19, 1804. 

Company G. 
Graham, Philip D., onl. Not. 18, 1864. 

Oompamy K. 
Doyle, John, enl. Nov. 18, 1861. 

NINTH REGIMENT. 

Oimpany F. 

Burns, Thomas, enl. July 11,1804; not taken up on rolls aAerconsolida- 

lion,Oct31, 1SC4. 
Carney, Thomas, enl July II, 18C4; not taken upon rolls aAer oonaoli- 
daUon, Oct 31, 1864. 



J 



TRT ^FBUL],. 



•795 



Pavis. TiioniaB, enl. July G, 18G4 ; imt taUrii up au rolls after cnnsi'Iida- 
ti .u, Oit. :il, 1X64. 

Ilenu.-.v. J.ilm, eul. July 11, IsiU ; ii.it laktui up uu n.lls afti-r icuailiila- 
ti O.-t. :U, ISOt. 

Davis, Fiankliu T., eul. July 1.1, ISC.4; not t^ikpii up ou nilLs afttl lum- 
soliilation, Oft. 31, 1.S64. 

Kaue, Ilauiel, eul. July 11, 1SIJ4 ; nut taken upon rolls after eimsoli.Ia- 
tion. Oct. ;il, 1.SG4. 

McGuire, Frank, eul. .Inly H, lsi;4 ; not tak.n up oTi rolls after eons.. li. la- 
tiiin, (let. 31, 181^4. 

Murray, James, eul. July li, ISivl; not taken up on rolls after consuli- 
clatiou, Oct. 31, I.SIM. 

JlcCauley, Julin, enl. July 11, IStJl; not taken nit on rolls after consoli- 
dation, Oct. 31, 18154. 

Merrit, James, enl. July 13, 1.SG4 ; trans, to Company C ; must, out Aug. 
3, 1S6J. 

Williams, George F., enl. July l:!, lsi;l ; not tak.-ii np on rolls after con- 
solidation, Oct. 31, IsiU. 

TENTH REGIMENT. 
Ci'liipanj/ A. 
Brady, Jann-s, enl. Nov. -.>:!, 1864. 

Jones, .<amuel, eul. llei-. 13, 18C4. 

Company F. 
Green, William, eul. Dec. Ill, l.-ilH. 
Jlitchell, Joliii, enl, Ilec. 9, l.MU. 

Parker, .lohn. enl, X.iv, 14, I.sr.4, 

C"»ijitiiui I. 
Lewis, Frederick, enl. Nov. IS, 1M14. 

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 
Oimptiiit/ C. 
Bowman, I'liarles, enl. Nov. 26, 1.864. 

i;,my,imi D 
Firny, Jolin, enl. Ilec. 9, 1«64 ; nurst. out Pec. 21, 1865. 

Cotiipnn'f II. 
Burns, I'atrick, enl, Dec. 24, 1864. 

Coiiipatiy K. 
Alaberto, Gasjiero, enl. Nov. l.'i, 1864. 

Puri, Antonio, enl. Nov. 15, 1864 ; iiinst. out .\ug, 25, lS6o. 
Eiley, Peter, eul. Dec. 19, 1864; nnist. out Aug. 25, 18G.5. 
Smith, Robert, enl. Nov. 21, 1864. 
Sbeliam, .lanu-s, eul. Nov. 23, 1804 ; must, out Dec. 21, 18G.5. 

TWELFTH REGIMENT. 
Cinnpayitj [. 
Beech, David R., enl. Dec. 28, 1.861 ; iliscli. for disability Api il 5, 1S62. 
Sackott, Ambros S., enl. Dec. 27, 1861 ; dicMl .luno 20, 1SG2. 
Sackett, Marvin II., eul. Jan. 15, 1862; re-enl. Jan. 22, 1864; must, out 
.\ug. 12, 1865. 

FOURTEENTH REGIMENT. 
Company A. 
Burr, Henry B., enl. Aug. 16, 1803 ; trans, to Vet. Ees. Corps, May 2, 1SC4. 
Norton, William II., enl. Aug. 4, 1802 ; killed Sept. 17, 1863. 
Sherman, Sikas G., enl. July 24, 1802; must, out May 31,1865. 
Walklee, Samuel B., enl. July 24, 1862 ; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, March 
31, 1864 ; nnist. out July 24, 1865. 

Company U. 
Eector, Augustus, eul. Sejit. 9, 1863; tiaus. to Second IL'avy Artillery, 
May 31, 1865. 

Company A\ 
<'oo]ier, ThonuLs, enl. Sept, 1 1. Im;3, 

Company G. 
Davis, William, enl. .Si-]it. Ill, 1X03; died Nov. 11, 1.SG3. 
Lawrence, Charles, eul. Sept. 9, Isiy ; must, out May 29, 1865. 

SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT. 
Compmiy D. 
Burton, Franklin I"., enl. Aug. .5, 1862 ; must, out July 19, 1863. 
Marshall, Barney, enl. Aug. 11, 1802; mu.sl. out July 19, 1.86.5. 
Whittlesey, Samuel F., cuil. Aug. 8, 1862; must, out July 10, 1805. 



' 'omjiany E. 
musician ; enl, Aug, 4, 1862 ; must, out July 19, 1SG5. 



Stiatton.rharle 

Tiirney, Charles R,, musician; enl, .Vug, 

June 7, 1864, 
Turney, Rice, eul, Aug, 0, 1862; disch. Dec. Ill, 1803 



1X62; disch. for dLsahility 



Company (i. 
Kulfoid, .loliii, enl, Aug, 211. 1.862; dis.li, for disability Dec. V.i, 1802. 
TWENTIETH REGISIKNT, 
Cnas^i.jned. 
Slurry, Jolni.cril, Aug. 5, l.si;4. 

TWENTY-THIRll KEGI.MENT. 
Company U. 

riumli, Charles E,, sec I lienlenant; enl. Aug, 2,5, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 

1863. 
Tait, \\'illiani, corporal; enl. .\ug. 25, 1862; disch. .Vug. :'.!, 18G3. 
Booth, .Samuel L., corporal ; enl. Aug. 30, 1862: disch. Aug. 31, 18G3. 
ftian, Henry P., corporal ; enl. Aug. 18, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Potter, George B., musician ; enl. Aug. 30, 18(12; killed .Inne 21, 1863. 
Buir, Elastus. enl. .\ug. 18, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Burton, Itollin S., enl, Aug. 311, 1862; die.l June :10, 1803. 
Booth, William (i., enl. Aug. 30, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
B..tsforil, H.'ury H.. enl, Aug. 29, 1862 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Coan, Martin A., eul, Aug, 31, 1862 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Colwell, Warren, enl. Aug. 25,1862 ; disch. Aug. 31, 18G3. 
Hall, George A., enl. Aug. 30, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1SG3. 
Hall, Rufua W , enl. Aug. 30, 1802 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Hawley, George L,, enl, Aug, 30, 1SG2; disch. Aug. 31, 1S63. 
Kennody, Charles, enl. Aug. 23, 1862 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Nichols, Plumb B., enl. Aug. 30, 1.S62 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Nichols, An.stin S,, enl. Aug. :Sl.l, 1X62; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Nich.ds, Daniel !\I., enl. Aug. 2.5, 1862; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Whittlesey, Charles B., enl, Sept. 3, 1862 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 

TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT (COLORED). 
Conqiany I. 
Njclnds, Aaiou, enl. Jan. 4, 1804; must, out Oct. 24, 1805. 
Niclnds, Michael, enl. Jan. 4, 1864 ; must, out Oct. 24, 1.86,5. 
Parker, Ileuiy, enl. Deo. 31, 1863 ; killed Selit. 1, 1X64. 
Stevenson, John, enl. Aug. 31, 1863; must, out Oct. 24, 1803. 

VnasAjucd. 
Taylor, Andrew, enl, .Ian, 1, ISill, 

THIRTIETH RKGHIENT (COLORED). 

( 'ompaliy B. 
Bell, Edwar.i, enl, Feb, 17, 1864, 

(_'ompany C. 
Thompson, Jame.s, enl. Feb. 11, l.siH. 

C^impa}iy F. 
Freelan, James, enl. Feb. 17, 1864 ; must, out Nov. 7, 1863. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

THE FArRCHILD FA.MILY. 

Ill KiiL'IiiMil till.' ]i:inic 111' Faircliilil is of uiiciciit ori- 
gin. On till' lainily crest tliere are tlirce crescents, 
wliieli signify tlircr prisoners tal<en in the Holy Land, 
and tlireo liiiils, martlets, indicatin.c three pilgrimages 
to file Hdly li;iiiil liy siiine one l>y the name of Fair- 
cliilil, iir I'airliairn, as it is in Scotland, whence the 
family is said originjiUy to have passed into Eng- 
land. The pilgriiiKiges and captives, of conrse, refer 
hack to the Crtisaders. 

Thomas Faircliild, the lirst of the name iu this 



796 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



countrv, came from England and settkd in Strat- 
ford, Fairfield Co., the year 1639. Was a representa- 
tive man of his day ; is said by Barber and by Hollis- 
ter to have been tlie llrst magistrate in the town. 

Joseph Faireliild, tlie eldest son of Thomas Fair- 
child by his second wife, was born 1664 and died 
ITl.'i. He was a farmer, owned lands in l^tratford 
and in tlie town of Dnrham ; he married .Fohanna, 
daughter of Deacon Timotliy Wilcoxson. His son, 
Timothy Faireliild, was born in Stratford, 1687. He 
married Sarah Hum])hrey, Nov. 15, 1715. 

Daniel Faireliild was the son of Timothy Fairchild, 
born in Stratford, 1720. He married Hepzibah Lewis. 
Tliey had a family of nine cliildren. He was a man 
of more than ordinary education, being for many 
years a teacher. He was assistant commissary <lur- 
ing the Revolutionary war, also held various other 
offices of trust and responsibility. Daniel Fair- 
cliild's .second son was Lewis Fairchild, first, born 
.March 14, 1746, in what was then called North Strat- 
i'ord, now Trumbull (Nichols' Farms); married Mary 
Utlord ; was a farmer, and took an active part during 
the Revolutionary war. He died in 1817. Col. Lewis 
Fairchild, sou of Lewis Fairchild, was the eldest of 
a family of six. He was born July, 1774; married 
^Lirtha Nichols, daugliter of Andrew Nichols. After 
this union were born the following : Bryant (de- 
cea.sed), Bet-sey (dccea,sed), Daniel, Plumb N., Le 
Grand (decea.«ed), Sarah A., C'elina A., Julia A. (de- 
ceased). He was a farmer by occupation. During 
the year 1826 lie entered into the business of manu- 
facturing paper with his brothers, Reuben and Eben. 
They built the mill and were in partnership some ten 
years, wlien he retired from the business of paper- 
making, and was succeeded by his sons, Daniel and 
Plumb N. Mr. Fairchild died in 1850, aged seventy- 
six years. 

Daniel Fairchild, son of Col. Lewis Fairchild, was 
born in Trumbull, Dec. 20, 1807. He remained on 
the farm until he wils twenty, when he entered the 
paper-mill of his fatlier, and in 1836 he entered 
the firm of Lewis Fairchild iV- Bros., which was 
changed to E. Fairchild & Co., and the firm contin- 
ued under that title until 1847, when he and his 
brother I'lumb N. bought out the remaining members 
of the firm, and it was then known as D. & P. N. 
F'airchild. Since 1861, Horace J.,., son of Daniel, has 
been identified with the firm, which is now known as 
D. & P. N. I-'airchild & Co. This firm is one of the 
oldest in the county. It is extensively knowu for 
honorable dealings witli all, and enterprise in carry- 
ing on business. 

In politics Daniel Fairchild is a Republican. He 
has represented liis town in the State Legislature, 
and has held tlie office of selectman and other town 
offices. He married Ann Eliza, daughter of Horace 
Hungerford, Sept. 11, •183:1. Tlioy have had four 
children, three of wln>m are living. 

Plumb Nichols Fairchild, son of Col. Lewis Fair- 



child, was born in Trumbull, Nov. 12, 1809. He re- 
mained on the farm until lie was eighteen, during 
which time be ac<piired a common-school education. 
At eighteen lie became interested in the paper busi- 
ness, and in 1836 was admitted to the firm, who, to- 
gether with his brother Daniel, succeeded their father 
in the basin&ss. Mr. Fairchild still retains an in- 
terest in the business, but has retired from the active 
duties of the manufacturing, ami devotes his time in 
jiart to bis farm. He also holds the i>osition of direc- 
tor of the Bridgeport National Bank, where he has 
I been identified for twelve years. In politics he is a 
' Republican, has been a member of the State Legisla- 
ture, magistrate of tlic town, etc. He married. May, 
18.")6, Jciinett IL, daughter of Charles U. Lewis, of 
Bridgeport. 

EBEX FAIRCHILD. 

Eben Fairchild was the youngest sou of Lewis 
* Fairchild, of TrumliuU, Conn., and was born Novcm- 
ber, 1784, and died Sept. 13, 1865, aged eighty years, 
nine months, and seven days. He only had the ad- 
vantages of a common-school education, and was 
tlien apjircnticed to a cabinet firm in Danbury, Conn., 
1 to learn that trade, but on account of ill health did 
I not continue long, but returned to Trumbull and 
joined his brotlier Reuben in the manufacture of sad- 
dle-trees, at the village of Nichols' Farms. The busi- 
ness Wius very successful. The i)riiicipal markets were 
New Y'ork, Philadelpliia, Hartford, and Bridgeport. 
May 30, 1817, they purcha.sed the store and dock 
property at or near the foot of Wall Street, in the 
then borough of Bridgeport, and opened a store and 
ran in connection therewith packets to New York, 
Boston, and other i)laces, doing a coasting Imsine-ss. 
At the commencement of the store business Eben 
, moved to Bridgeport and had charge of tlie store and 
I business there. Reuben coutiiiucd in charge of the 
business at Nichols' Farms. 

About the year 1818 they commenced the manu- 
facturing of saddles in Bridgeport, taking Hanford 
Lyon and Lemuel Coleman into the firm, under the 
firm-uame of l""'airchild, Lyon & Co., with a brancli 
house at Charleston, S. C. 

This firm continued the business about nine years, 
when the Fairehilds (on account of being extensively 
engaged in other manufacturing enterprises) with- 
drew from the firm. 

About the year 1826 they turned their attention to 
I the manufacture of paper at Trumbull, a-ssociating 
their brother Lewis with them, under the firm-name ; 
of L. l-'airchild & Bros. Eben then returned to j 
Trumbull and lived near the paper-mill, and contin- 
ued in the business about twenty years, or until 1847, 
when he disposed of his interest to his neiihews, D. 
and P. N. iMiirchild, who are still connected with the | 
business. lOhen married Betsey A. Nichols; they liad 
no children. He moved to Bridgeport in 1847, pur- 
chitsing tlie property corner of Main and Franklin 
Streets, where he lived a retired life until his death. 





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d 



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C/ .^3^-c-^- C^/ 



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0^^^^^>^^x o^ ^ /S^^^CA^ 



I 



TIMMI'.ri.L. Y97 



- Kciihru l-anvhiM was th,- srmnd s„i, of Lewis whilr a l,„y ivmovnl with Iiis'lallin t„ Faiill..],! 
lauvliild^ot Tniinlu.ll, ai„l hn.lh,.,- „r l,,.,vis aii.l Cmhi. KInadiaii B.vr., .„„ of i;a,n:,l,as i„airi,.,i 
hbL-n. Hfwas born in 17n2 aii.l .HlmI Oct. 4, ISO.:., ' .Viuui Bwrh, thru liviii,- in tli.. part ..f ,-^tratlonl 
. aged .'^evcnty-three years. His odueation was liniitnl ' now indmlrd in Tnnnlmll, ami ivinovr.l to tliat nla.v 
to the advantages of a eominon sehool. AVImi, ,■, e.arly in the last e,.ntnrv, I'et.T IJeers son ,,f Fl 
young nniu he was apprentieed to a eal.inet limi and i.allian, and -ivat- landfallier of the snlije.^t of tliis 
learned that tia.le, and soon after eoniincne,.! the sketeh, was horn in Tnnnhnll, as was also Ids ...-Hid- 
nianulaetnre ot saddh-trees, at .\iehols' Farms, Trnm- fatiuT .lames l!..,.rs, an,l his father I'liih, Beers" Jlis 
bull, roiin.. where lie resided during his life. Th.. mother, Cliarita (ireuorv, was damditer of Daniel 
bu.siiie.sswasveryi,ros|,erous, and, taking his brother (iivgory, a substantial farmer lonnerlv residin- in 
Jibeii in company with him, under the iirm-name of Trumbull. ' '" 

R. & E. Fairehihl, they .soon liad a very lar.e buM- Mr. Be,.rs was edueated at the ,lislriet sel 1 i,, 

nes.s, with a demand for all they. ■ouhlproduee. They Long Mill, th.. Kastou A,.a.h.n,v an.l B,..,r,|slev's 
co.itiiiue.l in the business togeth.r until 1.S17, when s..l..et .s.-hool in Monro.., Conn. '])urin.^ his wh.'.le 
F,beu move.l t.> Bri.lg..port am! t...,k eharge of the life, with the ex..eption of on.. v,.ar h.. has live.l on 
business tl.ere. |,i, aneestral honiestea.l in Trinnbnll. He was bred 

Keubeu beeame intere.sted iu the paper-manufa.- a farmer an.l has nrnstlv lollow,.,! that ......upation but 

turingwith his bn.thers, Lewis au.l Ebeii, in FS-.I, I was engaged in t,.a,.hi„^- a i.orthm .d' the tin,.' lor 
ami eoiitiMued with tlu'iii for .s..v,.ral years. ' .some fifte.'ii years. 

About the year lx;i.;,li,.ubeii,.onimen,....l the man- : In \Sir, h'.. was n,arri,..l t., H,.psa \ F.lw.mis 

uta..ture .>! earnag,.s, at what was tlieti km.wu as the .laughter .,f L,.vi E.lwanls, tor manv vears a mer- 
.stone laet.u-y, m Bridgep.,rt, Conn., a.ss.n.iating with eliant and pr..niinent resi.l,.nt of Sti-piu'v, in the t.nvii 
um .Messr.s. Haiglit, JIurd, ami Keeler, nn.ler the ! of Monroe. He has thn.e daughters an.l tw., sons _ 
tirm-nam,. ot Haight, Fairehild ct Co. Th.-y ...,ntiu- ' A.laline Louisa, who is niarrh.l to Theo.lor,. W B.-ieh 
lied until 1S40, when Keubeu with,lrewfr,.mth,.busi- .d' Bri.igep..rf, Fram...s Il,.l,.na, Sarah Fliz., Bollin' 
ness. I'rom that time until his .h-ath he made farm- E.lwar.ls, an.l Fr...l L.mis 

ing his ehief ..eeupathm. He marri,.,l .\nna llawley. Mr. Beers has .luring th.. i;reat,.r part of his lit;. 

)f this union wen- b.,rn the tollou ing ..hil,lr..n,-viz., ■ be..n pr.,min,.iitly identilie.l with the publie affairs .,f 
Omdiiie, Elizabeth, Mary Ann. .Starr (.h.eease.ll. Ids t.)wn, and has taken an a,..tive part in hn-al trans- 
Lewis deceased), au.l Charles X. a.-thms and eontr.n-ersies an.l h..l.l manv ,,ubli.. .diiees 
Charles Xieh.jls Fairehihl was b,.rn in Trumbull, II,. was a mend.er of th,. b,,ar,l ,d- s,.ho.,l visitors for 
Oct. 27 1,S18. He was e,lu..at,..l at the Nieh.ds' thirty ...ms..H.utive vears, an.l s,.v..ral v,.ars actim.- 
1-arms .h.stnet .sch..,d. He h.arn,.,l the tra,l,. .d' car- vi.sit.,r. He has been iiisti..e of th.. p,.a,.e tor tw..ntv" 
nage-manutaeturing in P.ri.lgei>.,rt, and alterwar.ls two cons..,.ntive vears, an.l during that time has trie.l 
engaged in the manula.-ture at Ni,.hols' Farms, but ni,..st of the justice court cases brought in his town 
s,ion withdrew, an.l has .since followed the ......upation He has.at .lifferent times been con.stablc, selectman 

ol a i)ractical farmer. He has held many impin-tant i assessor of ta.xes, registrar of births, niarria"-es .ni.l 
town offices and reiu-esented the town in th,. State ' <leaths, registrar ,.f vot,.rs, an,l au.litor ,,f t.mi'i a,- 
Legislature. In p,.liti..s 1,.. is a Deumcrat. He mar- ; counts. He r,.pr,.s,.nt,.,l his t,,wn in th,. State Lcqs- 
nedfor his first wife Louisa B..a,.h, ,laught,.r .d' Al- ' hiture iu 18(11, ami th,. T.ntli S,.nalorial Distri.-t" in 
Jred Beach, of Trumbull Centr... Of this unhm they I 1870, He was appoii,t...l ...mntv ..omniisshmer by 

had tw., s.nis, H,.„ry Charl,.s an,l Alfre.l B..ach, the L,.gislature in the spring .sess f 1X7(1 an.l held 

who are hving an.l .loing business in the city .d' the .dK.-e thr,.,. v,.ars. lie has be..,. intniM..d with the 
Bndgep.,rt, Conn. Aug. l;i, 184.0, Mrs. Charh.s Fair- s..tth.ment .,f manv ..stat..s in th,. .■a,,a,.ilv of ..„buinis- 
child di,.,l, aged tw,.nty-f,.nr y,.ars. 11,. was th,.n Irator, ,..x,.,.nt,,r, an.l assigiu'c, an.l has fr..,M,..ntlv 
marrie.1 t., Mary B., ,laiight..r of S. O. Jianks, .,f p,.rfonm..l th.. ,hili,.s of apprais,.r, ,listribntor arbi- 
Easton. Conn. Th..y hav,. tw,. ehihlr..n, Laura lral,,r, ami <...ns,.rvator. 

Frances and Erwin Starr, who ar,. now living at Mr. l!....rs has lor manv v.-ars tak..n an aetiv.. part 

111 politics, ami has,)tt,.n 1>,.,.|1 ,leli.gat.. t.i the diller..nt 
])..liti..al .-onMnlions ,jf his party, ami has s,.v,.ral 

'iio.'s ]ir..si,l,.,| ov,.r th.. ..ongr,.~si,,nal, s,.nat,.ri..il, ami 

Le (.rand .....gory B....rs was born in L,.ng Hill, i,, Brobat,. ,.o,n ..nl ions, llis tim.. is now .,..,.iipi..,l with 

he town o Irunibull, ]),.,-. 12, ISIt., an,| tra,.,.s ba,.k alt.ution to his tarn., ami to sii..h publi.- b,isin..ss as 

h.s p;,t,.rnal ancestry n..arly lour humlr...! y,.ars. His is inlrnst...! , m. During his m,.morv L.m,^ Mill 

hneal aii,.,.stor hrst in Ain,.ri..a was Anthony B..,.rs, has grown Iron, a f.w s,.at.,.r,.,l unpai,it;.,l houses to 

^«„ne from Eng an,| m lt;:iO ami s..tfle.l in Wat...- a pl,.asant .-ountry villag.., with s.,ni.. lilfv n..at n.si- 

town, Mas.s. au.l sub.s....|i„.ntly r..ni.,ve,l to Boxbury, ,l,.m.es, with hau.ls.m,.. surroun.lings, tw,'. .•hun-hes 

Ma.ss., and later to I.a,rli,.l.l, Conn. Barnabas Be,.r.s, .son stores, and several Hourishing inanufactori,.s 



Nichols' Farms 

\.F. <!R.\XI) (iltEtJOHV ISEKHS. 



798 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



MILES BEARDST.KY. 

Miles Hoardsley, son of Stephen and Catharine 
Beardsley, Avas born on the pUice wlicrc he now 
resides in tlie town ol'Triind)ull, Fairfield Co., Conn., 
Jan. 18, 1810. 

Stephen Beardsley, son of David Beardsley, wa-s 
bom in Trumbull, March 20, 1763; married, March 2, 
1791, Catharine Beardsley, who was born March 2, 
1770, in the town of Monroe. 

They liad five sons, four of uIkhii lived to adult 
age, — namely, Samuel, Steiilien M. Hall, who died at 
the age of fourteen years, Sheldon, and Miles, all of 
whom are deceased except Miles. He was a carpen- 
ter and joiner in early life; afterwards he became a 
farmer. In politics he was a Democrat, and as such 
was elected to the I>egislature and served there a 
number of terms, was a magistrate for a number of 
years, and settled several estates. 

Mr. and Mrs. IJeardsley were members of the Con- 
gregational Church, and he was deacon of the same. 
He died Feb. 8, 1849, aged eighty-six years, and his 
wife died .Tuly 22, 18.30, aged eighty years. 

Miles Beardsley worked on his fathcr'.s farm until 
he was seventeen years of age. when he commenced 
life as ,a merchant at the same jdacc where he is still 
doing business. 

At the age of twenty-one he opened a public-house, 
which ho carried on in connection with the store until 
the coni|)lction of the Housatonic Railroad, which 
materially changed travel. He still owns the old 
homestead, with its one hundred acres. 

He was postma.ster for a long time, succeeding his 
father and brother Samuel. He has been a director 
of the City National Bank of Bridgeport since its 
organization, and wsus elected to the Legislature in 
1848. In politics he is a Democrat. 

He is a regular attendant and liberal supporter of 
the Congregational Church. 

He married Eloisa, daughter of .Tohn Nichols, of 
Trumbull, Jan. 18, 18.32. She was born Nov. 18, 
1809, in TnimbuU. They have three children, — viz., 
Marriette C., who married .Tames C. Johnson, of 
Monroe; Elliot M. ; and Susan E., who married Mar- 
cus O. Wheeler, of Trumbull. Mrs. Beardsley died 
Sept. 18, 1867. 

The Beardsley family is probably one of the oldest 
in the county, some of the name being among the 
first colonists, and many of the family have held the 
liighest positions of honor and trust in the county. 
Mr. Beardsley hits been very successful in all his busi- 
ness relations, is a good neighbor, and a kind friend. 



ELLIOT .MILE.s ItEAKKSLEY. 
Elliot Miles Beardsley, son of Miles and Eloisu 
Beardsley, was born )u Trumbull, Conn., Sept. 26, 
1838. He attended the common school until he wius 
twelve years of age, when he went to a select school, 
then to the Stjite Normal school at New Britain, where 



he acquired an academic education. Commenced 
teaching at seventeen years of age, which he followed 
until he was twenty-one, having taught in Savannah, 
(ia., one year, since which he has been engaged in 
farming, and in rendering assistance in his father's 
store. 

He married, June 3, 1863, Mary S. Beardsley, 
daughter of Ezra Beardsley. She was born July 16, 
1841. 

Ill politics he is a Democrat. He represented his 
town in the State Legislature in 1879, ami was on the 
Committee of Cities and Boroughs. He has been 
school inspector for four years of the town of Trum- 
bull. He has often been a delegate to town and 
county conventions, chairman of the town committee 
of the Democratic party for several years past, and 
still holds the same position. 

His wife is a mcmlicr of the Episcopal Church, and 
he is a regular attendant of the same. 



DAVID SHELTON EDWARDS, 
MKDirAL iiinErron, cxiTEn statks saw. 

The late Surgeon David Shelton Edwanls, the sub- 
ject of this .sketch, sjirung from a sturdy Engli-sh- 
American stock which h.as given many notable men 
to this county, was the son of Ilczekiah Eilwards, of 
Trumbull, Conn., and was born at Chestnut Hill, 
TrimiliuU (near Bridgeport), June 22, 1794. 

In early life he evinced a taste for the pursuit of 
knowledge. He graduated at Yale College in 1814 
and entered upon the study of medicine, and after 
com]deting the recjuired course and practicing for a 
short time in New Haven he solicited for and received 
an appointment in the United States navy as sur- 
geon's mate (the title of this grade was afterwards 
changed to a.ssistant-surgeon), July 30, 1818. His 
first service was in the "Alert" (18), but he was soon 
transferred to the frigate " Congress" (44 1, Capt. John 
D. Henley, and served in her during a cruise in the 
China seas. While the ship was at Manilla that port 
was visited by the Asiatic cholera, then to Europeans 
a new disease, and the young surgeon gained a vast 
amount of knowledge in its treatment, which enabled 
him to afterwards benefit his own countrymen when 
the dread scourge visited New York in 1832. 

In 1822 he was attached to the schooner " Grampus" 
(12), this vessel being one of a sipiadron fitted out 
under the command of Com. David D. Porter for the 
suppression of piracy in the West Indies. In a fight 
with the pirates, which took place off the co.ist of 
Cuba, in which five piratical ves.scls were captured 
or destroyed. Dr. Edwards was severely wounded. 
He was temporarily attachecl to the steamer " Fulton" 
in 1823, and in September of the same year joined 
the " Erie" (18), and went to the Mediterranean. In 
1824 he acted as surgeon of the schooner" Nonsach" 
(21, and in 182.') was granted a leave of absence. 




i^lUch^X^^ /^' 



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//tv^^^v Vi^ 







sJOHN £. SUM/yJSRS. 



i 



TKUMBULL. V09 



whicli \va<i till' first :it'ter seven years' eoiitimnius I )uriii,i: his illness he was several times at thi' pdint 

service. of death, and he was sent haelc tcj the United States 

May ."), ISi'i, lie was a]iiiiiinted to the rank of s\ir- as an invalid, and we tind liiiii in IXiIll dii leave cit' 

gcim, and in l.S2() was onlered to the " linston" i \X]. ahsenee. 

and in her nnule a oniise nt' nearly fnnr years cm the l»urin,Li: the L'reat Ivehellion. \>r. ICdwanls. tli(>nt:h 
Brazilian and African stati(nis. sixty-seven years of ai;e and tei hnii-ally retired in 
In lS?iO he was attached to the rende/.vons at Xew conse(|nen<'e of his ai.''e and lnuis years of >(.'rviee for 
York, and it was during' this time that the Asiatic : his conntry, yet serveii iVoni ISiil to ISII4 as snr<;<'on 
cholera maih' its aiipearanee. In ls:l:^,;it the rei|nest of the naval rendezvous at New lledford, ^Mass., from 
of tile leadiiij; citizens, he was a])poiiited to take whence went hundreds ot' iiohle men to lii;ht the hat- 
charge of the cholera hospital at that city, heiiig ahso- ties of the country under Farra.irut, Porter, and others, 
lutely the only physii-ian in the country who had In ISfi.") we find him on active (hity on the " Rhode 
actual experience in the treatment of that disease. Island," at Mohile. 

It is not too much to say that tlie services and skill of In ISO!) he was president of the Hoard of iledieal 

Dr. Edwards were a priceless hoon to citizens of New Kxaminers and meinlier of the Xaval Retiring Fxiard, 

York and adjoining cities. and continued on that hoard until the spring of 1X7:^,, 

In 1S34 lie was attached to tlie naval liospital at when hy hiw al retin-d <pfheeis were ex<du(U'd from 

Pensacida. Fla., and in l.S;{."i to the " Talmouth" (18), active duty except in time of war. (_)n the .■'><1 of 

and afterwards, in 18:^li, to the " St. Louis" (20). when, ^larcli, 1871, he had attained the relative rank of 

in .Tune, 18?i7, he hecame, through the d<atli of Sur- commodore on the retired list, after a total service of 

geon Leonard ( )shorne, fleet-surgeon (d' the West In- tifty-lour years and hve months. 

dia squadron, and joined the tlag-ship ■' ( 'onstidla- On March 18, 1874, lie dii'il at his residence, Chest- 

j tion" (H(i), Com. Alexander ,1. Dallas. nut Hill, town uf Trtinihull. 

I In ^X^.V.) he was attached to the navy-yard. Wash- Dr. Kdwards, to speak hrielly. was one of the most 
in.gton, and in 1841 to the steamer "Fulton" (4), em- distinguished medical olhcers the United States navy 
ployed at New York on experimental gun service. ever Uore on its ndls, and his record was an uncxcep- 
In 184-"he was placed on waiting (jrders for a short tionahly nohle one, — a long career of laitliful service 
i time, ami then ordered to the "North ('aroljna" to his eountry and to humanity. Wheiher in the rush 
, (74) ; waiting orders in 184(;, .and in hS47 was onleivil and din cd' h.-ittle or in the deailly ipiiet of the clicd- 
to duty with the marine hattalion, then under onlers era hospital, he evinced at all times courage in action 
to Mexico, and entereil on the most important and and skill and devotion to duty. In jirivate life his 
lirilliant service of his life, forming, as he ilid, a career was no h'ss honorahle, pure, and hlameless ; in 
■ memher of that glorious army wdiich ( ien. Sc(]tl led his daily walks charitable hcyon<l measure, devoted 
I to the cai)ture of the ( 'ity of .Mexico. to his friends and helovi'd hy all ; simiilc-hearti'il and 
I In 1847 he hecame the niiMlieal diri'ctor of the devoted to his religious faith, a long career of use- 
i brigade commanded hy (Ien. I'raiiklin Pierce, and fulness was finally ended hy a ( 'hristian man's ilcath. 
contracted a friendship with the future President id' Dr. Kdwards was descended I'roin a race of extraordi- 
tlie L'nited States which lasted through life. nary loii.gevity. His father lived to the age of ninety- 
He [larticipated in the siege and eajiture of Vera fonr, and his grandfather, David Kdwards, to the age 
Cruz, in the enga,;rements of Santa Fe, National of ninety-six, wliile his motlier was ninety-two when 
Bridge, Tres Rios, and in August, 1847, at Puehlo, he she died, and her father was ninety-six. 
was ap]ioint<Ml meilical rli rector of the division of ( ien. The Ivl wards family traces its descent from Rhoerick 
Quitman, ten thousand strong, e„ rimfr lor the ("ity the (ireat. King of Wales, and the family arms are 
of Mexico. He participated in the hattles of Con- gules a chevron hetween tliree roses argent. Crest, 
treras, Chapultepec, and the City of .Mexico. He lion's head raised ermines lietween two palm-hranclies 
was in charge of the .L'cneral hospital of San .\gos- proper, with this motto, in Widsli : " Hob. dduw. 
I tino, and acted as ins]).-i-tor of the siid< and wounded lleh. ddini. <liiw a<lign," or, in Kiiglish, " Kverytliiiig 
previous to their return to the United Stall's. with (hiil, nothing without Cod." 

In 1848 he was stationed at the marine rendezvous, ; 

New York, and in 184i(-.")() served as (leet-surgeon of 

the West India s.piadron on hoard the " Raritan," -""IN K. 8UMMKHS. 

Com. Foxhall \. Parker. Sr. I'rom IS.'il to 18.'i4 he lint very little is known of tlu> early lii>tory ol' this 

was employed on duty at the rendezvous, .New ^'ork, family of .Summers. 'I'ln'y are iindonhtedly of Kng- 

and from 1854 to 18.'')7 he was attached to the navy- lish origin, and settled somewhere in the New Kiig- 

ii yard, Washington. land Slates at a very early day. 

In 18."i7 he joined the steain-fri.u;ate " .Merrimac" .lohii K. Summers is the son of .\iison Summers 

(40), commanded hy Com. Long, as fleet-surgeon of the and .Vhhy (}. Smith, and grandson of ("apt. ICIijali 

Pacific sqmidron. While in \'al])araiso he was taken Summers, wdio was engaged fin- a number of years as 

ill with a disease which umloubtedly shortened his life, captain of a vessel running between HIack Rock and 



800 



IlISTOKV OF FAIllFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 






Boston, and wlio died at the age of twenty-nine. He 
wa.s 1)01-11 ill Hridjrc'port, Conn., Sept. 4, 1827. His 
filtlicr was a .-iinall fanner, and often worked out by 
the day. lli.s father died in 183(5, at tlie early age of 
thirty-eijrlit, leaving a wife, who still survives him, and 
three sons, Elijah F., John E., and (leorge M. 

John E. wa-s early thrown on his own resources. 
He remained at home on the farm until he Wiw sev- 
enteen years of age, when he began to learn the boot 
and shoe traile, which he followed till he was twenty- 
one. In March, 184!), he went to California by the 
way of Ca])e Horn, and remained some three years ; 
while there he was successfully engaged in mining. 

In ISo.'i he returned home, and was engaged for the 
following twelve years in the manufacture of ])aper 
with Messrs I). & P. X. Fairchild and D. 1!. llinman. 
During this time he bought a farm, which he sold in 
due time, and purchased in 186(1 his present beautiful 
farm-house, which he has greatly improved since he 
owned it. It contains .some one hundred acres of 
choice land, which is in good state of cultivation. In 
politics lie has been a life-long Democrat. 

lie married Henrietta, daughter of Elisha Neal, of 
\Voodl)ridge, Conn., Feb. 12, 18.")7. They have two 
daughters, — viz., Ida G. and Bertha. i 



.ANDKKW T.VIT. 
THE GOI.DKN WKIUIINO IN THUMBUI.I.. 

The green fields, smiling meadows, waving woods, 
and good people of Old Trumbull have ex])erienced 
a genuine sensation, and one the memory of which 
will linger long with those who immediately partici- 
pated in its scenes. On Friday, the 14th of June, 
1872, occurred the golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. 
Andrew Tait, at Tail's Mills, about three-fiuarters of 
a mile above Trumbull church. A full carload of 
friends and relatives letl Bridgeport by the 10.1') A.M. 
train on the Housatonic road, and, by the kindness 
of the conductor, were put oft" at the mills instead of 
at Trumbull church, thereby saving a considerable 
distance. From the railroad to tlie family mansion 
was a romantic walk through a beautiful wood, over 
the picturesque rustic bridge which spans the Pc- 
quounock River below the dam, past the mill, and up 
a gentle declivity. The Tait mansion, built on the 
good old |dan of "more for comfort than for show," 
is a model of a commodious and pleasant Connecticut 
lioniestead, and stands on an clcvatcil knoll sur- 
rounded by the broad acres of a fine farm, with an 
ample yard in front, shaded by beautiful and wide- 
spreading maple.s. Here the Hridge|>ort delegation 
found a large number of fricnils and rclativc-i already 
arrived, and here tliey greeted Mr ,\ndrcw Tait and 
his wife, who had on this day completed the full half- 
century of wedded happiness. 

Mr. Tait was boru in«&cotland, si.\ miles south of 
Edinburgh, Jan. 27, 1 7!W, was a paper-maker by trade, 
anri served his full time as an apprentice at that em- 



ployment. Thinking to betterhimself in America, and 
having a liking for rci>ublican institutions, in .Vugust, 
1820, he emigrated to America, going to Morris Co., 
N. .1., where he worked a year at his trade, going 
thence to Hartford, New Haven, and other places, till 
finally, in 1827, he came to Trumbull, where he super- 
intended the building of the well-known paper-mill 
of the Jlessrs. Fairchild, and where he remained in 
the employ of that firm a number of years. While in 
the vicinity of Hartford he found himself in a situa- 
tion to send home to Scotland for his sweetheart, who 
was Miss Bella Eonaldson, and who crossed the ocean 
alone to marry him, making the difficult and tedious 
passage in six weeks and four days. Immediately 
after her arriving in this country the then young 
couple were married, .Tune 14, 1822. After leaving 
the employ of the Messrs. Fairchild, Mr. Tait com- 
menced business for himself in a small way, marbling 
paper for bookbinders' use, and finally, in 1836, came 
to his present location and commenced the building 
now known iis Tail's Mills, where some of the best 
straw-board known to the trade is still manufactured 
under the supervision of Mr. Andrew Tait and his 
son Mr. William Tait. His business career has been 
marked by industry, frugality, and the integrity of an 
upright Christian man, and he has been prospered 
even as wiis Abdel IIa.ssan : 

" And Ills life of pcacoful labor, 
In it.s pure and gimplo wiiys, 
For all lot4:4 fourfold rcturntMt liiui, 
And u mighty length of dnyn. 

".Sovonty yojire of faith and iHitionco 
Gave him Wisdom's mnml crown ; 
Sons and dnnKhtcrs hninglit him honor 
With his richca and renown." 

.Vlthough Mr. Tait was seventy-three and his wili' 
seventy-two, yet so hale and hearty did the oUI 
couple appear as they received the congratulations of 
their numerous descendants that it was no great 
stretch of the imagination to exi)ect that they would 
yet keep their diamond wedding in the same family 
mansion where they were then receiving the congrat- 
ulationsof theirchildren and their childreirs children, 
"even to the third and fourth generation.'' 

The following is the record of Mr. ami Mrs. Tail's 
immediate family: The oldest child was Nancy, now 
Mrs. Plumb Hoyt, of New York ; the next was Wil- 
liam Tail, now in the paper-board business with his 
father at "the mills;" next, Mary E. (.Mrs. J. M. 
Prindle, of Bridgeport) ; next. Dr. .lolin Tait, of Mer- 
iden, Conn.; next, Bella idied in 18.">1); and last, 
Fannie, now at home. 

In spite of the jirotestations of Mr. Tait that he did 
not want any presents, a large number of valuable 
anil useful articles found their way into the house 
and were collected on a table in one of the parlois, 
making a very haiid.sonie display. 

His wife died May 22, ISTr). Mr. and Mi-s. Tait have 
been members of the Congregational Church for a 
great many years. Mr. Tait is a Kepublicau in politics. 




l*lioto. by Wiliun, Bridgeport. 



^. 



a<y^.>c<A/- Joi-y^ 





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f^Cry^. ^, 



TllUiMBULL. 801 



He lias been town i-lork iiir several years, and cmilil ( 'o., Conn, wliere lie contiiiueil in active jiraetiee for 
have held otiier important ottiei'-;. hut he would not, tin'ty years. As a physieian he tool; a IiIl^Ii rank 
prel'erring the (|inct ot Nome to ollicial honors. anioni,' the Icailini;- ]iliysirians in the coniity. and is 

hiifhly s|i(d;en of as a man by his neighbors. He was 
attaekfil about five vears liefiire his death with sotten- 
iiig ot thi' liram, ami gradually failed iii mental and 



William Tail, son .dAndivw Tail, and grandson of ,,|;,.,i,,,, st,vn::th. He' was .hn-plv interested in everv 
.ndrew Tait, was b<n-n in Ivist Harttbnl, Conn., or 
the 2'.lth of May, 1,S24. His advantages for an c-<lu 



Andrew Tait, was b,n-n in East Hartfonl, Conn., on (jji„„. ,|,^„ |,^„| ,;„. jt^ „,,j,.,,t d^e imprnvo.Hrut of his 



i-onimnnilv. 

cation were eonfnird („ thr mmmnn s,-l,„„l winlors, jj,. ,,„,|. .,„ |,_(,,,.,,^, -^^ |,„.^^, |,„liti,.s, and .nice rep- 

and working with his lUtli.r in thr paprr-ndll during ,.,,,,,,„,.,, ,|„, „,„„ „,■ Trumbull in tlir State Legisla- 
tlie summers at marbling pa|.er. This ,ontii,u,d until „„.,. , ,„ ,|„. i .„, ,,,-.|,„„, isc,;, ],, married Lucinda 
he was twenty-one years ot age. wleii ho worked one j^ dau-ht,a- nf Philo i'.ooth and Anna Beaeh. 
year tor seveiily-hve dollars and boar.l. Thesumnu.r i jj,. died .Mav s, isy.s, leaving his wife, who now, 
lie was twenty-two he spent in ],.wa, returning in the ( isso, surviv.s him. She was burn .m the farm where 
tall si (dc. Alter his return he liegan business with his she imw resiiles F(di 4 1.SI4 
father inarbliiig jiaper, whieh he contiiiiUMl until ' 

f^4'.t, wlieii he went to Califurnia ami there .aigaged 

in milling till Is.M, when he returned .iiiil went into FRiaHCIUCK S. ,-;TERI,IX(i. 

business marbling paper with his father, under the i Among the early |ii<uieers of this county is to bo 
lirm-uanie of A. Tait .% Son. This llicy cmtinue.I c.mi,! t|„. Sterling tiimily. Very little is known of 
until ISot;, when they coiumem-cd th.' niannfacture their early history. The first of\vh..m we have any 
of straw-board jiajier wliich is sai.l to .onimand the kn.)wledgc was Sylvanus Sterling, who did .Tan. i\, 
very highest ].rice in the inarkiL 17S1_ ,,^^.,i i„rty years. His wife Ester did .Tuly 

]Ie niarrid Crace Cam]., daughter of Isaac Cam]. ' k;, ],S11, aged .seventy-four years. Th.'y had six 
and Elizabeth Clarl<, May ;!1 , IS4S. Tlieir childivu ; children,— viz., Eunice, Elijah, I'hilip, Xathaniel, 
aiv William F., Isaludla 1!.. .Vmbvw ( 2 1, and lOli/.a- I Cunlon, and desse. all .d' wIi.uli weiv l.orn in tlu^ 
'"■'I' ''• town of Trumbull. 

In p.difics li,. is a Kepublican. He wa. a s.ddier in Elijah St.-rliug was born in 17i;i;, and >lied .lune 

Cnniiany 1), Twenty-third Regiment, ('..nneetieut u;, ls44. His witi' A una was born in 1 7(;7. an.l die.l 
Y(dunteers, under (leu. F.anks. He was mustered Si'pt. i;i, bs.",!. Their ehihlreu « ere as lollows,—vi/., 
out of service Sept. .■!, bS(;4. Xaiu-y, Sylvanus, Elani, Starr, Liicetta, Sherwood. 

Mr. and Mrs. 'J'ait are member^ of the ( 'oiigrega- and lietsev .\nn. 
tional Church. Kl.,,,, sterling wa~ h..rn in the town of Truiiihnll, 

Their scm, William F. Tait. was born Oct. 27, bs.-,i>, (■,„,„._ in lym, ;„i,l .lied .Inly 22, 1S(;1. H,. marrid 
in Trumbull, lb' received an acadende ,diicatiou. Susan, daughter .d' Frderiek and Hannah (Edwards) 
He married Mary E. J>atteii, daughter of J.yman .in. I Hy,-,!, S.'pt. li, bsii!). Th.y have had three (diildren, 
Lovisa Eatteii, June :;, bS7o, by whom h.' has one _vi/,., Freihaick S.. Lii.-ctta (deceased 1, and Wash- 
daughter, Mary F. ingt.m 1. (deceased), ('apt. Elani Sterling was for 
Mr. Tait has b.'cn .■.lucat.'.l in the business IoII..w.mI „|.|,|y y.'ars engaged in th.' .-.lasting business, wdiich 
hy his liither and gramlliither, and in tli.> y.-ar bS7."i, 1,,. .arrid ..n b.'twe.ai r,..ston ami .\.w V..rk ami 
upon the retiring ..f his gran.lfath.'r, .Viidr.'W 'i'ait, the iiit.rm.'.liat,' points. Later in lit.' h.' was a 
IV.iiii the business, h.' b.'caiiie a partmr with his | former. He was town . I.ak .d' Trnnibnll li.r several 
hither, under the lirm-iiam.' of Tait cV; S.m, He is a years ami a member .d' th.' C..iigregational Church. 
Hepubliean in p.ilitics, ami a nieiiil..'r of the C.mgre- ]M,-s. Sterling was b.irii iLr. (i, bSdl, and .still 

gational Cliur. h. retains very nimdi „i' the vigiu- .if youth. She too is 

a member of Ih.' < '.mgregalional ( 'hureh. 

liEORGE DYEIt, MJi. j Frderi.-k S., s.m of I'dam St.aling, was born in 

The subject of this sket.di was li. nil in Wiii.lhain, Trunibnll, I'"airli.l.l ('..., Conn,, O.t. 12, I.S:!(I. Jlis 

Conn,, .\ugust, 1X0:^. H.> w.as a son ot ll.njamin advantag.'s liir an I'diicit i.ni w.-r.' sin h as th.' comni.m 

Dyer, a druggist in W'imlhain, ami gramls.m of seh.iols ..f his .lay allor.l.'.l. He n-maind at home 

Eliphalet Dyer I V. ('., 174Ui,a ni.'iiib.T .if Congress until h.' was si'Vente. mi y.ars .,1' age. when lie began 

j from Conn.'i'ti.ait, ami afl.'rwards .dii.'f Jiislie.' of the to leani lli.' .■.la.di-makiug biisin.'ss, whi.di h.- f.il- 

1 State, lowe.l tour y.'ais, when h.' .■ominen.'e.l w. irking .m 

11.' beg.iii till' stii.ly ot' mdieiiie witli I »r. Cli.'st.'r til.' Honsatoni.- Kailr.ia.l as fireman; ami alter nine 

Hunt, of Wimlh; ami after taking his d.grei' .'s- months he ran an I'ligim imi' year on th.- same road, 

I tablisheil hims.lf in jnactice in ( Ir.'cnfi.'l.l Hill, tli.'n was engag.'.l liir a short tim." .m th.- Naugatuck 
I Conn,, hut, leit fimling a good opiaiing there, re- liailr.ia.l, ami two years on the .New "^'ork Central, 
1 moved ab.uit IS.;.' t.. the town of Trumbull, Fairlicdil running from .\lliaiiy to Ftica. In 1850 he returned 



802 



HISTOHY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



home, since which time he hius been engaged in 
fanning. On the 27tii of March, 18.5.5, he married 
Anna M. Duckels, by whom lie lia.s one daugliler, 
Anna Lucetta. Mrs. .Sterling Wius born in England, 
!March .5, 1834, and came to America with her parent-s 
in 18.30 and settled in New York City. Mr. Ster- 
ling is a Democrat in politics, and one of the repre- 
sentative men f)f his town. He hits been iussessor, 
magistrate, and selectman, bcside^j holding other 
minor offices. 

THE BRINSMADE F.4MILY. 

Persons of the Brinsniade name appeared early in 
the Mas.sachusetts colony, one at Charlestown be- 
tween 1(;:^0 and 1(!40. 

Jolm Brinsniade was one of the early settlers of 
Stratford, Conn., and was elected May 13, llidit, a 
representative to the General Court for that town. 
He was also elected to the same office October, 1671, 
Wiis enrolled among the freemen of Stratford in l()()it 
as .lohn Hrinsmade, elder. Lieut. Daniel Brinsniade 
(probable son of .John) died March 27, 17.57, aged 
seventy. Mary, his wife, died 1731, at the age of 
thirty-five. They had two sons, Daniel and Abra- 
ham. Daniel was born in 1718, graduated at Yale 
College in 174.5, settled as minister over the Congre- 
gational Church in .ludea Society. lie died .Vpril 
'2'i, 17!I3. .Miraliam lived in Stratford, Conn., now 
known as Trumljiill, and died Nov. 27, 18(11. 

Daniel married Khoda Sherman, of New Haven, and 
had two sons, Daniel Nathaniel and Daniel Sherman. 
Daniel N. graduated at Yale College in 1772 ; studied 
law, lived, and died in his native i>lace, Oct. 29, 1826, 
aged seventy-five. He married .\bigail Farrand.Nov. 
23, 177il, and had one son, Daniel B., born Oct. 1.5, 
1782.- Daniel S. married Lydia Elliott, and died 
Jan. 31, 1813, aged fifty-eight ; iutsone son, Daniel E., 
and two daughters. One married John Mosely, of 
Soutlibury, and the other married C. McJIahon. 
Daniel B. married Irene Merwin for his first wife, and 
had one son. She died May 2, 1812, aged twenty-two ; 
married for his second wife Mary ^V. Cold, of Corn- 
wall, and had two sons and two daughters, — viz., 
Thoma.s F., William B., Abigail Irene, and Mary M. 

Abraham Brinsmatle, mentioned above, son of Lieut. 
Daniel Brinsniade and graii<lson of John Brins- 
nia<ie, was born in 172l>, and died Nov. 27, 1801, aged 

seventy-five; his wife, Mary , died .Ian. 13, 1811, 

aged eighty-seven. They had two children, Hannah 
and Daniel. Hannah married Daniel Fairehild. 
Daniel Brinsniade was born in Trumbull, was a farmer 
by occupation, marrieil Mary Beehe, daughter of Bev. 
James Beebe, and had seven children, — viz., .Vbraham, 
James B., D.initd, Federal, .\bigail, JIary, and .\li. 
all of whom are now (1880) ik-ad except Ali. 

Daniel Brinsniade was a magistrate for many years, 
and a member of the Oongregational Church. He 
dieti at the age of fifty-two, and his wife was nearly 
ninetv-two when she died. 



Ali Brinsniade, son of Daniel and Mary (Beebe) 
Brinsniade, was born in the town of Trumbull, Conn., 
Oct. 8, 1793. He liiLs always been a farmer. He 
married Miranda, daughter of I'liilo Nichols, Sept. 3, 
181.5. Of this union there have been born six chil- 
dren, — viz., James D., Catharine S., Cyrus N., Lewis, 
Cornelia N., and Eliza J. James D., Cyrus N., and 
Lewis reside in Trumlnill and are farmers or me- 
chanics. 

Catharine S. married Samuel L. Booth and resides 
in Stratford, Conn. Mr. Booth is dead. Cornelia N. 
married (rould Judson and lives in Huntington, 
Conn., and Eliza .1. married George N. Beach and 
resides in Trumbull. 

.Mi Brinsniade was a Whig in politics until the or- 
ganization of the Republican party, since which time 
he has been a Be])ublican. He was a magistrate of 
his town for many years, and in 1841 a member of 
the State Legislature. Mr. and Mrs. Brinsniade have 
been members of the Congregational Church for a 
great manj' years, and he has been deacon of the 
same. Mrs. Brinsniade died Oct. 9, 1871, having 
lived with her husband more than fifty-six years. 

Deacon Brinsniade is a fine old gentleman, hale 
and hearty, and still retains in a wonderful degree all 
his faculties. He has living six children, seven granil- 
cliildren, and seven great-grandchildren. 



CIIARLE.S BE.ACH. 

The Beach family is among the oldest in the county, 
and is of English origin, (^harles Beach is the son 
of Rice E. Beach, and grandson of E]>liraim Beach, 
and was born in Trumbull. Fairfield Co., Conn.. Jan. 
7, 1805. 

His grandfather, Ephraim Beach, wits a native of 
Fairfield Co., Conn., married, and had a family of 
eight children, — viz., Elijah, Rice E., Abiah, Sybil, 
Anna, Ephraim W., Sherman, and Frances, all of 
whom settled in Trumbull except .\biah. He was a 
farmer, tanner, and currier, and (luring the struggle 
for independence took an active part. He died at 
the age of eighty years. 

Rice E. Beach was born in 1779 and died in 1860. 
He married Betsey, <laughter of Fhilo Booth, and had 
six children, — viz., Charles, Johanna, A<lelia, Starr, 
Miles, and Edward, all of whom are now (1880) dead 
except Charles and E<l\vard, who are living in Trum- 
bull. He wius a farmer and a man nniversally re- 
spected, a representative man in liis town. 

In politics he wius a .leffersrmian Democrat, and 
w(is otten eleeted as a .selectman of the town, and was 
also a member of the State Legislature. 

Charles Beach remained at home until he wiw 
twenty-four years of .ige, when he married Elizabeth 
E., daughter of Samuel Beardsley, of Monroe, Oct. 
21, 1829, and located on his own farm. 

Mrs. Charles Beach was born Nov. .30, 1810. Their 
children are Bel-sey A. (decejised). Prosper E., Charlca 



I 




'ii-f^M-'<i/''---'fr-'^ 



riiotn t)> \\ ill) n. Bridgsport. 




^/Y^ 







Lpyfu^/^i^ dlJ^^an/c 



I'hotn. by Wils.Ni, lltl.l';<;p.nl. 




UAy^rnAj 



TUU.^IBULT.. 



803 



L. (fleceased), Ezni M., William F., liaiifcird S. (rlr- trade. He Inul :i lirollirr wlio was iiii|iri-;(,ii(Ml \>y tlii- 

ccasi'd), .Tdliii W., SIcplicii ( '., and lOiNiiia K.. all of IJrilisliiii New ^'nrk ( 'ity diiriiiL^ tho Ivrvoluticinarv 

whom are imlustrious and uood citi/cns. Their son. war olivliom nothing' was afterwards known. 

Charles L., was a prominent jn.an in Stratford, wliere Klnathari married Hannah , who was horn in 

he lield various town ottiees. was a memlier of the IJ.'iS and died June L'S. ISIS. They had a fannly of 

Legislature, and a lieuti'iiant of a ISridfieixjrt battery, ihililri'n, one ufwhoni was named IClnathan, who was 

Mr. and Mrs. ]5eaeh are members of the p^pisiupal born in ITUll and died .Inly 4, IS.'ji;. He was a liotel- 

Chureh at Long Hill. They eelebrated their i;olden kei'per by oeeupali<i]i. Ilejiiarried AliiL'ail llradlev, 
wediling (.)et. 21, 1879, and there wen- jiresent among 
others their si.\- ehildren and seventeen grandchil- 
dren. Mr. lieaeh has finly one li\ing brother, Ed- 
ward, who has no ehildren. 



iT.TiMB B. ("!Ui:(;oi;v. 

The snbjeet of this sketi'h is the sun of Samuel 
Gregory and grandson of Samuel (iregory, and was 
born in Trumbull. FairHeld ( 'o.. ( 'onn., Aug. li.S, 17'.Mi. 
His father was a fanner ami livecl to be seventy-lour 
years, one month, and eighteen days old, dying .Inly 
6, 183(5. His grandfather, Sanunl I Iregory, died 
Kov. 1), ISDS, aged eighty-two years, and liis grand- 
mother, Naomi ( iregory. dieil .Vpril lit, ISKl. Phunb 
B. renmined at home on his fitlier's farm until he was 
married, Nov. 2'-\. ISl'o, to ;\Iary Ann, cl.aughter of 
Ezra Seeley. She was liorji in the town (jf Kastou, 
June 2, 1<S(((I. He l)uilt the Inmse on the old home- 
farm, wdiere his son SannnI .1. now resides, lietbre he 
was married, and immeiliately after his marriage 
settled there and eontinue(l to live until about 1870, 
when he removed to his jiresent plaee. He was a ' '' ' ■•;.;;■■-' 

good and ]U'udent farmer, always enjoying in a y ,-. 

marked degree the lov.^ and r,,nlid,-nee of his neigh- / y ^ Z^ //^./i^i^a-lf-^^ 

lors. He is one of the good sulistantial liepublieans // / " / 




of his town, ami as sueh has been seleetman of th 
tow n. 

Mr. and Mrs. (iregory are wcjrthy members (d' the 
Baptist ('hureh. and have been lor a great many 
years. Their ehildren are Mary K., who married a 
James Hurd (deceased), and has diic son. Ezra A\'. 
Hurd, who resi<les near Frankfort, Ky. ; L(n'inth;i 
(married Lewis Edwards, a farmer in ICaston t, (ilover 
P. (is a farnu'r in Iowa), ICnnirni (deceased), Virginia 
(married Bi'unett Seeley, a firmer in Easton ), Charles 
' (who resides in ( 'alifornia ), Samu-l .1. (who lives oi] 
I the ohl home-farm in Trumbull), and Syl\cst<'r (who 
is in business in the city of Chicagol. 

Mr. and ^Irs. (iregory have l)een m.arried nearly 
sixty-four years. Mrs. (iregory retains in a remark- 
able degree the vigor and elasticity ofyonlli, but M i-. 
. Gregory shows signs of ohl age and failing In-alth. 



JO.SEPH II. WILLIAMS. 
The great-grandfather of .losepli H. was nami'd 
Elnathan, wdifi was born in 1729 and died (let. 2:>, 
, 1815, aged eighty-six. He was a tanner and currier by 



daughter of Imios I'.radlcy. His children were 1 lavid, 
Enos 1!., I'etcr, and Hanford. 

DavidAVilliams married ()]ivc Treadwcll, daughter 
of .loseph 'l"rea<lwell, ami ha<l a family of children, 
—viz.. Clara (deceaseil), Hnhlah Bradley, .\bby, Na- 
than (deceased ). and J'isepli II. Hcwasa farmer by 
occn|)ation and a Hianoc-rat in politics. He died 
Dec. 10, |S."i(i, aged scvenly-lhrcc yi-ars, ami his 
wife. Olivi', died Oct. 2X, 1S."4, aged seventy-two 
years. 

.loseph II. was born in F.a^ton. ('onn.. .Tunc I;!, 
ISiii). He rcmaine<l at home on his lallici's farm 
until lie married ICIci-ta .\.. daughter of Hezekiah 
( i. mid, of Weston, Conn., ()<t. 2(1. \XW1. They have 
two sons, Hezekiah (1. an.l David 11. 

.Mr. Williams owns a good farm id' om' humlred 
acres, w hiidi is in a line state of (adtivation. .V view 
of his residence may be seen <Ue\\ here in this work. 
He is a Democrat in p<jlitii-s ami w incnLlicr ol' the 
Methodist Episcopal Clinndi. ol'w liidi he is a steward. 
-Mrs. Williams is a mciidicr of llie I'.aptist ( 'hurch. 



804 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



ELBERT E. EDWARDS. 

Elbert E. EJwartls is a son of Ephraim T. Edwards 
and Lucrctia Sterling, iui<lKrandsoa of Noheuiiali R. 
and Abigail Edwards, and wa.s born in the town of 
Trunil)ull, Fairfield Co., Conn., on the farm where he 
now resides, which has been in the family for four 
j;enerations, Oct. 22, 1819. 

Ilis grandfather, Neliemiah R. Edwards, was a 
lineal descendant of .lolin Edwards, who was a native 
of Scotland and came to America and settled, proba- 
bly in Stratford, Conn., at a very early day. He Wius 
born in Trumbull, Conn., on the 24th of February, 
1771, and died Sept. 27, 18')1. He was a shoemaker 
by trade, and later in life became a farmer. He mar- 
ried Abigail Edwards, and to them was born one son, 
EphraimT. Mrs. Abigail Edwards was born in Trum- 
bull, July, 1774, and died March 1.'?, 1821. Their son, 
Ephraim T.,was born in Trumbull, on the old farm, 
April 1, 1797, and died March 19, 1859. He was a 
farmer by occupation, and a man who took a deep in- 
terest in the political and religious affairs of his town. 
He was a Whig in politics, and as such represented his 
town in the State Legislature in 184-'). On tlie 2t>th of 
November, 1818, he was married to Lucretia, daughter 
of Nathaniel Sterling. She was born Feb. 10, 1797, and 
died May 6, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Ephraim Edwards 
were members of the Congregational Church of Trum- 
bull Centre. They liad one son, Elbert, who now 
owns the old home of one hundred and fifty acres 
of good land. Elbert E. Edwards is one of the rep- 
resentative farmers of Trumbull. His farm contains 
good buildings, well watered, and the trees that shade 
the entire front of his farm are among the finest in 
tiie county. On the 2(5tli of April, 184.3, he married 
Anna A., <laughter of Isaiah and Abiah Nichols. 
Siie was born in the town of Trunil)ull, Feb. 21, 1820. 
Their children were iw follows : Wilbur S., l)orn June 
9, 1849, died May 19, 18()8 ; Ermina N., born Sept. 8, 
1851 (deceased); and Orville R., born June :}, 18.55, 
died Sept. 10, 1868. 

Mr. and Mrs. Edwards are members of the Congre- 
gational Churcii of Trunil)ull Centre. He is one of 
the most liberal sujiporters of the same. In politics 
he is a stauncii Republican. He has been selectman 
of his town three years, and often has been elected a 
delegate to town, county, and Slate conventions. 



JOHN C. M.M.I.ETT. 
The subject of tliis sketch wius of French ilescent. 
His ancestors, .lohn Mallctt and Johannah Lyon, 
came from Paris, France, and were married soon atler 
tlieir arrival in the city of IJoston, in l(i79, and im- 
mediately settled in the town of Stratlield, Fairfield 
Co., Conn., where lie engaged in farming. He had 
the following children, who lived to be men and 
women grown, married, and had children, the ile- 
scendants of whom are scattered throughout the 



United States: David, John, Lewis, Johanna, and 
Peter. 

He died Sept. 28, 1745, and his wife died September, 
1762, aged one hundred and one years. 

David Mallett, eldest child of John Mallett and 
Johannah Lyon, was born in Stratfield, Conn., in 
1701. Married and had the following children, 
— viz., John, Hannah, David, Joseph, and Esther. 

Joseph Mallett, son of David Mallett, was bora 
March 25, 1740. His children were in part as follows: 
Robert, Elijah, Lizza, and several others whose names 
are not known. 

Robert ilallett, eldest son of Joseph and Jeruslia 
Mallett, was born June 15, 1778, married Sally Clark, 
Dec. 15, 1804, an<l had the following children,— viz., 
John C, Caroline, Enicline, Catharine, Sally A., and 
Cordelia. He was a man of more than ordinary 
ability. He died Dec. 18, 1852. His eldest son, John 
C. Mallett, Wiis born in the town of Trumbull, Fair- 
field Co., Conn., Oct. 5, 1805. John C. received such 
I an education as the common schools of his day af- 
forded. He remained home, working on his father's 
farm, until he -vvas married to Sally P., daughter of 
Philo Nichols, of Trumbull, June 7, 1832, when he 
settled on the farm now owned and occupied by 
his family, and continued to reside there unlil his 
death, Nov. Vi, 1869. 

He was one of the best farmers in Trumbull, and a 
man universally respected by all who knew liini. In 
I politics he was a life-long Democrat of the JeHer.snu 
school. He held various town offices to the satisfac- 
tion of his con.stituents. He represented his town in 
the State Legislature one term. He wa.s a member 
of the Episcopal Church of Ta-sjiua, and at the time of 
his death was a warden of the same. His children are 
as follows,— viz., Caroline A., Theodore A., Lorenzo 
M., Sarah A. (who married Horace Wheeler, and now 
resides in the town of Huntington), and Enicline A. 
(who married .Vustin Mall, a merchant of Newtownl. 
His daughter Caroline A. lives at home with her 
mother and brother, Lorenzo M. Lorenzo M. was 
born Nov. 13, 1839, in Trumbull. Me owns the old 
homestead, a view of which, together with the por- 
trait of his honored father above, may be seen in 
another part of this work. In jiolitics a Democrat, 
and as such liius been selectman of Trumbull for the 
last three terms. 

TIIKODOBK A. MALl.KTT. 

Theodore A. Mallett, son of John C. and Sally P. 
Mallett, was born in Trumbull, May 13, 1835. His 
advantages for an education were limited to the com- 
mon schools of his town, except two years which ho 
spent in the .seminary at Charlotteville. At the age 
of eighteen he returned home to help his father on the 
farm and in the manufacture of hubs; this he contin- 
ued two years, when he began to butcher beef and sell 
the same in Rridgci)ort. In November, 1859, he pur- 
chased his present beautiful place, a view of which can 
be seen elsewhere in this work. He followed butchering 




^ 



oU-^cyxJ^ ^ ^^n/z^t/^^. 



I 




Residence of 5LB^RT E ED WAR,. 



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1 ;Wx^^-.'^'"- 




t^^^^SSpSfs?^^^^*-^' 



-, vv^^'"-^^^ 







>", TPiUMBULL FAIRFfELD Co. CoNN. 





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<.y^iU/^i^^r^ 




Rej Of THE Late JOHN C MALLETT, Trumbull Fairheld Co. Conn. 




>1 





.a^S*^' 



my? 



..^ mmm m 



HtSIDtNCt OF T.AMALLETT fHUMaULL f-'AIFIFIELD Co.Conn. 




The subject of this notice is of German extrac- 
tion, and was born in Bridgewater, Litchfield Co., 
Conn., Aug. 11, 1803. It is related that a great 
many years ago a wealthy German by the name of 
Coan left Germany in company with two of his sons, 
who were small boys. On their way to this country 
Mr. Coan was murdered, his body thrown overboard, 
and all his money .stolen. One of the boys went 
South, and nothing has been lieard of him or of 
any of hi.s descendants; the other boy lived with a 
man on Long Island by the name of Mulford. In 
due time he married and had a family of children, 
one of whom he named Mulford Coan, which has 
since continued to be a family name. Albert S. Coan 
is a lineal descendant of tlie fifth or sixth generation 
from the above son named Mulford. 

His father, Sylvanus Coan, youngest son of Mul- 
ford Coan, was horn in Killingsworth, Conn. He 
was a cooper and farmer. lie married for his second 
wife Lucy A. Munger. Of this union four children 
were born, two of whom are now (1880) living. 

About 1813 he settled in Oswego Co., State of 
New York, where lie continued to reside until his 
death. He was magistrate of his town for several 
years, and a prominent member of the Baptist Church, 
lie died at the age of eighty years, May 27, 1859. 

Mulford Coan was born in Killingsworth, Conn., in 
1739. Settled in Woodbury wlien his son Sylvanus 
was eighteen years of age. He died April 28, 1821. 

Albert S. Coan remained at home until he was ten 
years of age, when be was put out to a man by the 
name of Mathew Logan, where he continued to reside, 



working on the farm, until he was eighteen years of 
age. His advantages for an education were very 
limited indeed, but by that indomit^ible energy that 
has always characterized him through life he has ob- 
tained a good practical education. lie continued to 
work on the farm until he was twenty years of age, 
when he commenced to learn the boot and slioe trade, 
which he followed twelve years during the winters, 
and working on the farm summers. He then worked 
a I'ariu on shares for .some si.\ years, after which he pur- 
chased one in Woodbury, Litchfield Co., Conn., and 
remained there until he came to Trumbull. Fairfield 
Co., in 1845, when he settled on the farm where he 
now resides. He married Sarah Ann Thomas, Dec. 
6, 1824. She was born March 19, 1803, and died 
May 29, 1839. 

Of this union there were the following children, 
— viz., William W. (deceased) ; Henry F. ; Sarah A. ; 
and Albert M. (decea.scd). 

He married for his second wife Abby B. Btirgess, 
Jan. 1, 1840. She was born May 10, 1809, in 
Morris, Litchfield Co., Conn. They have one son, 
Wesley B., born .March 21, 1842, in Litchfield, Conn. 

Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Coan are members of the 
Congregational Church of Trumbull Centre. Mr. 
Coan has always been a life-long Democrat of the 
Jeftersonian school. He has been assessor of his 
town, delegate to town and county conventions, and 
member of the State Legislature in 1868. His sons 
Henry F. and Albert M. were soldiers in Company D, 
Twenty-third Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, under 
Gen. Banks. 



i 



i 




SAMUEL SEELEY. 



Tlic first Saniuol Seeley that \vr Iukiw of was 
a soldier in tlic Revolutionarv war, ami was 
killed at the battle of Ridg-efiehl, Conn., duriiio- 
tliat rneinorable struo-jrle. Ilis wife was Sarali 
Sillinian, and to tlieni wen,' born the followini|; 
children, — -viz., Jesse, Abijah, Jeremiah, ( 'alh- 
crine, Daniel, and Samuel, all l)orn in the tow n 
of Easton, Conn. 

Daniel Seeley was liorn Oet. 1-4, ITT.'!; 
married Ruth Silliman, of Easton, March •']!, 
180-'3. Their children were Julia, Eliza, I'anily, 
Samuel, and Marietta. I)aniel was a school- 
teacher when a young man, and later in lifi' was 
a farmer. In politics a Whig, lie was a 
magistrate for several years, and during I hat 
time settled several estates. He was a member 



ot' the Stati^ Legislature one term. He died 
May U, 1852, and his wife dici Eeb. 22, 
1845. Eliza married Timothy W. Godfrev, of 
Wilton. Sanuiel was born Sept. 2,1814; married 
Josejihine, daughter of Timothy W. Godfrey, 
May 2<», 185G. He was a teacher and farmer. 
In ]iolitics a Republican. He died Nov. 2.'), 
1874. His children are as follows, — viz., 
Ida L., EfRe M., Charles B., Mary S., Samuel 
(i., and Dasie J. 

Kmily was born Oct. 22, 18(>7, in Trumbull, 
and has always resided on the home farm. To 
her is due the credit of inserting this brief 
sketch and the portrait of her honored brother 
Sanuicl. Marietta married Francis Austin, and 
resides in Sutlield, Mass. 



WESTON. 



805 



until 1S74, wIk'II lie turiieil liis attciitii)ii to the dairy 
liusiiu'ss, Sfllinjr his milk in thr city ot' Hriilirc|">rt. 
In 1S7'J 1k' oi't'ctod on his lUiin a must rxrrllriit winil- 
niill, whii-h not only iiunijis all the watiT nrnlcd tijr 
his stock, but also f::i-inds all tin- frcd lu' ran use ]]<■ 
is a Democrat in politics. Mr. and Jlrs. .Mallctt arc 
members of the Episcopal ("Inircdi. .Mr. Mallett has 
been twice married, llrst to Lucy ('., ilaiiiilitcr (d' 
John Fosti'r, Oct. i'>. 1>:.">I'>. <»l' this uinon he has one 
(laufrliter, Carrie ( '. His wile died .\pril |;;, ISGl, 
and he married, for his second wile, Sarah K., dausrh- 
ter of I'hilo Wooster, March III, lN(i4, They have 
one son, Robert < '., who is at lionic with his jiarents. 



A.\RON SHEUWOdJi. 
Aaron Sherwood, son of (iershom Shcrwooil and 
frrandson of Daiucl Sherwood, was born in the town 
of Reddinfr, Fail-field Co., (.'onn., on the Xth (d' March, 
1S17. His I'ather was a native of JOaslon, ('onn., 
where he eniiaiicd in I'armint;'. He marrieil Laura 
Darlinjr and had four chihlren, of whom .Varon was 
the elilest. In polities he was a Wliij;' and Kepubli- 
ean. He held various offices of trust, amoni; which 
we mention those of selectman, maiiistrate, and mem- 
ber of the Assenddy. He settled in Yates Co., X. Y., 
a few years before his cleath, which (jccurrcd in his 
eighty-third year. His father, llardel, lived and 
died in Kaston, Fairhehl Co., Conn, .\aron Sher- 
wood remained at home until he was forty years of 
age, when he went t<i Chicajfo, 111., and was there 
sueeessfuUy enj^aged in the commission business 
three years; tlienc<' he went to Xilcs, Mich., and 
engaged in the distilling business four years, sold his 
interest, .and returned to Fairfield ( 'ounty, and 
located in the town of ]iridge])Ort, on the place now 
owned by G. F. C.iilnian. In the fall (d' 1.S77 he pur- 
chased his present beautiful home, situated in the 
town of Trumbull, on the Newtown lunipike, about 
five and a half miles from Rridgepori. It contains 
scjmc twenty-si.\- acrt'S of gocid land, and the buildings 
with the surroundings are the most, attractive of any 
in the town, a view of w hicli may be seen elsewhere 
in this work. He is a Repuljliean in politics. He 
married .lane A., daughter cd' Nash Coiudi, id' Red- 
ding, Feb. 28, 1.S48. She was born in Redding;, .July 
13, ISK). They have two children, — viz., Jlary ,1. 
and William H. 

CHAPTER LXXXI. 
■WESTON. 

Geographical — Tolxtgiaphiriil — Silrfiiri? — .Suit — The Pioneers — Coiifiri'fia- 
tioual elnircli — Chiircli Disi-ipliiic— Military Aradcniy — Civil History 
— Firet Town-Mci-liiis.'— liepro-.iilalivcs fnmi ITss to IssD— Military 
Record. 

Till-; town of W'olon lies south of the centre of the 
county, anil is boumled as follows: (In the leu'th by 
Eeddiiej;; on the east bv Easton and Fairiiidd ; on 



the south by Wcstport and Fairli(dd ; and on the west 
by Wilton. It has an irregular surface, anil is strictly 
an agricultural t<iwii. The soil is fertile. 

The town was early settled by pioneers from Fair- 
field, of which town it formed a [part. The following 
were here ( including Easton | as early as 17.S7 : Nathan 
Whei'ler, Samuel ^\'akeman, Abel Hull, J(din Slier- 
wood, David Coh'y, .Ir., Nathan Wheeler, Beujtiinin 
Dean, A\'illiam Prince, .losiah (i. Leavitt, Benjamin 
Dean, lOphraiin French, .Mbert Lockwood, 'Si|uire 
.\ilams, .lohn S. Andrews, .lo.seph Banks, Nehemiah 
Cable, /ebulon Fanton, Christopher (iodfrey, Seeley 
Sipiier, Daniel Adams, Jr., .Jonathan Bradley, Seth 
Price. Abel Hull, Lloyd Wakeman, Robert Harris, 
Samuel Wakeman, Thomas S. CoUyer, Thank full 
Piatt, Nath. Seeley, Benjamin Dean, Samuel Thorp, 
David Silliman. David Bradley, Thaddeus Cilbert, 
llezekiah Banks, I^lienezer Bixby, Natliauiel Hub- 
bell. 

Among the old families of Weston arc the Godfreys, 
Cideys, Andrews, W^ikemans, Kowlands, Bidkleys, 
and Sturges. The tirst Ooilfrey immigrated to Fair- 
ti(dd between Kllil) and l<!7ll. Probably before 17tld 
Daniel ( bidfrey marrii-d a daughter ol' Robert Silli- 
man and settled in the Fairhehl N(n-thwest j)arish. 
They had several children ; one .son bore the name of 
both families, Silliman (iodfrey, wdio is the direct 
ancestor of all tliose of that name in that section. He 
married .Mary ( ioodsell. They were the parents of 
several children, one of whom, Silliman, .Ir., was a 
jpillar and active sup|jijrt in the Norfiehl Church, in 
w hicli he was dcae(m and chorister. 

The Coleys are numerous. They also arc in 'West- 
jiort, so that not far from the boundary-line between 
that town and Weston a [lart of the town is called 
Colevville. Among tlii' leading ones are David and 
Lewis Coley ; they own large, commodious farm- 
houses built alter the style of architecture of the 
|icriod, and own good farms. On one of them is the 
h(dd wliere Weston was accustomed to assemble its 
men to obey the laws regulating the militia, which 
met the first Monday in May to drill, from which the 
old couplet originated, 

" First 3Inii(lay in May, — 
Traiiunt;-(lay." 

The original towns had a piarade-ground, denomi- 
mited " the green," wdiich has been reserved to the 

i public ever siticc ; but the town of Weston, eontem- 
j)orarv with others of later organizations, had not that 

I necessitv, therefore they rcsin-ted to jirivate gnainds. 

Weston was originally a large township. In 

another town was si'vered from it and called Easton, 
thcridbre there sci'ins to hi' some confusion in tra- 
cing families and property. ^Fany of the dead arc re- 
corded on that account in Weston, but on looking for 
them to-day, one must go in many cases to Easton ; 
the same fact apjilies to ]iroperty. The graveyard of 
■\Veston lies not far from this parade-ground, and 
contains the bodies of some of the stauiudiest of the 



806 



niSTOllY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Puritiui t'atliiis, luon of " rast-iron principles," wlio 
were iervent ill piety unci piitriotism. Oftlie (lescciul- 
ants of Job I'erry, in ^Vcston, are Miali Perry, who 
represented the town in the State Legislature of 
1876, and iSally, wife of Joseph R. Andrews. 

Weston being an inland town, with a very limited 
transient foreign population, it has not had occasion 
to notice the inroads of eonimunism, socialism, party 
intrigues, illegal government appropriations, and the 
inroads of the Church inconsistent with the Constitu- 
tion of the land, therefore it holds to the faith, integ- 
rity, and politics of its anccstoi-s, and is, in conse- 
quence. Democratic. 

As a natural curiosity, Weston has the Devil's Den, 
— a name given to a wooded valley in which is a stone 
with the imj)rint of a foot too large for modern men. 
Tradition says that when the devil was wont to walk 
about tlie earth in lunnan form he stepped on this 
clay, then in a ]>lastic state, so that the indentation 
was complete. In time this clay hardened into stone, 
which gave rise to various theories. This den is of 
much resort, es]yecially in the huckleberry season, 
this being a ground prolific with that fruit. The 
scenery from here to the Sound is extremely romantic, 
especially over the old Forge road. 

CONOREGATIONAI, CIUKCII. 

Tlie first meeting of the society of Norficld was 
held June 2-i, 1757. This must have been soon after 
the parish was set off a.s an ecclesiastical society, 
for it is said that it was legally warned by a writ given 
out by Robert Walker, Escj., justice of the i)eace for 
the county of Fairfield. 

A vote was passed May 10, 17o8, to build a meeting- 
house thirty by forty feet. It appears that before the 
building was raised application was made to the 
County Court for a coniinittee to fix the stakes, which 
was acconlingly done. The house was raised and 
corereil by Dec. 7, 1758. A pulpit and pews and 
body-seats were erected, but nothing was done to the 
galleries and the liouse was never plastered. 

Dec. 6, 1784, it was voted to build a new meeting- 
house when a committee appointed by the County 
Court should make the location, and the materials of 
the old house, so far as might answer the purpose, 
were to be wrought into the new one. Accordingly, 
the old house was taken down and the frame .set up 
in the centre of the society and newly covered. The 
old doors, pews, and seats were replaced, the gal- 
leries were then finished, and the house plastered and 
painted. 

July 4, 1757, it was voted to give Mr. Samuel Sher- 
wood, of Fairfield, a call to settle with them, which 
call he accepted, and was ordained Aug. 17, 1757. 

The church was organized with twelve male mem- 
bers, and soon nineteen more males and females were 
added to the church from neighboring churches. 
"Lieut. David Andrews and Ensign David Coley 
were chosen to the office of deacon and accepted." 



These two worthy men served as long as their age 
permitted. They served through tlie ministry of Mr. 
Sherwood and a great part of Rev. Mr. Xoyes'. Mr. 
Sherwood died May 25, 1783, aged fifty-three. He 
was succeeded by Rev. John Noyes, who served until 
May, 1837. 

Tlie following is the list of pastors from tlieir time 
to the present : 1837-40, Rev. George Hull ; 1842-43, 
Rev. Mark Weed; 1844-48, Rev. Lewis Pennel ; 
1851-72, Rev. Zalmon B. Burr; 1873-74, Rev. Jo- 
seph Nelson ; 1875-79, Rev. E. H. Lubkert. 

The church has no jjastor at present. The church 
edifice was erected in 1830, and dedicated April 13, 
1831. 

The deacons since those mentioned above have been 
J. Piatt, John Grossman, Ward Nichols, David L. 
Coley, and Hiram Scofield. 

The church has a fund of $900. Donators: Daniel 
S. Godfrey, $400; John S. Andrews, $500. Present 
membership: Males, 27; females, 48. 

CUURCH DISCIPLINE. 
"COMPLAINT AGAINST DAVID li. GODFREY. 

"'To the moderator of the Church of Christ in 
Norficld, and to the said church, conies Jeremiah 
Rowland, a member of said church, and informs .said 
moderator and church that David B. Godfrey, who is 
also a member of this church, has been guilty of the 
sin of intemperance, by which he has broken the 
laws of Christ and brought dishonor on the Christian 
profession, which has evidently been seen by several 
membei-s of said church and others. Your complaint 
further says that private steps have been taken for 
convincing and reclaiming said David B. Godfrey, 
but he refuses to hearken; therefore, as in duty 
bound, he now tells it to the church, that his offend- 
ing brother may be proceeded with according to the 
rules of the gospel. Dated in Norfiebl. this .">th day 
of August, 1823. 

"'JeRE.MIAM ROWLAXI).' 

"The above was exhibited to the church on the 
Sabbath following, and a meeting of the church wiis 
appointed to be held on the 14th day of August 
instant to attend to the citse. A copy of the com- 
I)laint was .sent to the delinquent and a citation to 
him to ap|>ear before the churcli to answer to it. 

"The church met at the niecting-house, according 
to appointment, on the 14tli day of August, 1823, for 
the purpose of attending to the above complaint. 
The meeting was opened with prayer by the moder- 
ator. The complaint was then read. After the read- 
ing of the complaint witnesses were called to prove 
the fact alleged in it. The accuseil did not appear. 
Hannah Lockwood, a member of the church, being 
culled to testify in the case, declared that on Satur- 
day, the 14th day of June last, she saw said Godfrey 
pa.ss her house evidently in a state of intoxication, as 
appeared l>y his reeling on his horse. Sarah Bunnel 
1 was then called to testify in the case, and declared 



GERSHOM W. BRADLEY. 



Gershom W. Bradley was born March 3, 1804, 
iu Fairfield, Conn. His father was Wakeman Brad- 
ley ; his mother was Catharine Andrews. 

His father was a manufacturer of edge-tools. 
He gave his son the common-school advantages of 
a rural district. Being the oldest son of a large 
family of children, he had to contribute his help 
for the family's support, dividing his time between 
the farm and the shop. 

In 1812, the year 
of the war, his father 
established his axe 
and edge-tool factory 
at Weston. It was 
during this war that 
this neighborhood was 
visited by the British 
troops, and much pub- 
lic and private prop- 
erty destroyed, among 
others that of Mr. 
Bradley's relatives. 

Beginning in a 
moderate way in mak- 
ing tools by hand, 
Mr. Bradley at this 
early day, by pro- 
ducing goods of su- 
perior merit, estab- 
lished a prosperous 

industry. In 1834, Mr. Gershom Bradley started 
a factory in the same line his father had begun at 
his present location in Westoa. 

As Mr. Bradley advanced in years his sons have 
entered into active assistance, and Miles, his eldest 
son, when the factory was destroyed by freshet in 
1854, rebuilt and remodeled the works and put 
fresh life into the business, his father gradually 
resigning the care of afiairs to him. 





His other two sons, De Witt C. and Gershom W., 
are both engaged in the Bradley shops learning 
the details of the manufacture, and fitting them- 
selves to perpetuate the good reputation which has 
always characterized the tools of this est;»blishment. 
In 1827, Mr, Bradley married Lydia Merwin, of 
Weston, by whom he had three sons, — Miles, George, 
and De Witt. Mrs. Bradley died in 1851. In 

1853, Mr. Bradley 
married his second 
wife. Her maiden 
name was Mary J. 
Goodsell, of Westport, 
daughter of Silas B. 
Goodsell, of that town. 
She died in 1872. 
By this marriage five 
children were bom, 
three of whom are 
now living, — viz., Ger- 
shom W., Eliza Jane, 
and Catharine A. 

Mr. Bradley has 
been too modest a 
man to accept ofiSces ; 
he has had full occu- 
pation with his busi- 
ness. 

He is an attend- 
ant of the Methodist 
church at Westport. Brought up a Democrat, but, 
after voting for Jackson on the oeca.sion of his 
first candidacy, he left the Democratic party, and 
has since been a Whig and Republican. 

He is well known as a kind neighbor, an indus- 
trious, frugal, and honest man. The war interrupted 
his business and involved heavy loss, but by energy 
and good management, aided by the superior busi- 
ness abilities of his son Miles, he has won .success. 



'^^/"/^k^ 



W KSTON. 807 

tluit Sdiuc time siiirc s;ii(l ( imllVi-y. in iia^siiiu; liy lirr cation to tlir (■hiiirh, ihr rhurcl), ill tlic cxcrrisc nt' 

lidUsr, Irll IVniii lii^ JiniM-, anil that slic ami Inr < 'liii^liaii rcninaiami' ami witli tlir li.>|ir of still i;aiii- 

(laiii;litrr hi'l|>cil liiiii oil his liiirsr apiin, ami that liis in;;- llirir hnillnr. ailjimrmMl fiiillicr ]iri>ci-iMliiij;-s 

tall was rviilcnlly liu' cUcct iil' iiildxical ion, ami that aj;ainst him until Thlirsilay of next urrl<. when they 

he intimateil as much liy sayinii. ' Vdii know my voted to im-i't aiiain at the ineetiiifj-liouse at three 

failiiii;'. I am not lit to do any liu-incs> to-iii,i;lit.' o'clock I'.M., ami expressed their desire that Mr. 

That this was on a Saturday cNcnim;-. Mrs. Lock- Noyes should Ii.ave tnrther coiiveisatii>u with the ile- 

wood was ai;aiii called, ami tcstillcil that hi'r son liu([lient with a view to ri'claim him. Jfet according 

Saiiuicl tohl her that lie ami others were passinj;- hy to ailjoiirnnicnt. 

and saw Mrs. Bnniiel and her dun.;;hter hel|i said " The delimiuent ajiiicared and suhinitted a t'orm of 

(iodt'rey on his horse, ami that this was the same eonlession which he was willinir to make the next 

af'ternooii, towards eveniiif;. that she saw him pass lua- Ijoid's r)a,v before the church ami congregation, and 

house in the situation hefiire mentioned. (In hearing to which he had allixi'd his name; and the church 

the evidence the church \(itcd that the charge was voted to accc[if of it <ui condition of its licing made 

Mijipoited. and to restore him to their charity. .Vccordiiigly, mi 

" \'n/ril, that the following written adimmition lie the next Lord's Day, the Inllowing confession was 

sent to said ( iodfrey hy Brother .silliiuan ( iodfrey, .Ir. : pulilicly read and assented to by the undersigned : 

" ' To 1 ).ivid 1!. (iodfrey, a ineinbcr of the ( 'liurch of " ' L i'avid 15. (iodfrey, do humbly acknowdedge, be- 
C'hrist in Norfield: This church has this day taken fire ( lod and this assianbly, thai I have been guilty 
into serious consideration a c<jui]ilaiiit cxhibiteil of the sin of inti'inpirauce, whereby 1 have olfemlcd 
against yon for the sin of intemjicrancc. We have (iod and this clinrch, dishonored the ( 'hristian name, 
heard testimony in sU|i|iort of the charge which we and woumled my own soni ; and I ilo now declare my 
<-oiisi(ler as ample proof that yon arc verily guilty, as hearty sorrow for this my sin and humbly ask the 
;illeged in the complaint. It gives us pain that you pardoning iiiercy of God and the Ibrgiveiiess of my 
have walked so disorderly, and that yon have so Christian frienils, together with tlu'ir prayers for me 
wounded ( 'hrist and your own soul. Kainestly dc- that 1 m.iy be enabled to walk eirclimspectly and in- 
siring that you may be recovered out of the sn.ari' of otlcnsivcly for the future, which I will endeavor to do 
Satan, and that you may yet ilo homu' to the ( 'hristian by Divine grace assisting inc. 

jirofcssion by newness of life, we all'ectimiately exhort "'Signed. Davih 1!. ( lonrRicY.' 

you, in tli<' name of our Lord .Tesiis ( 'liri.st, to eon- .. • 'Plie above and foregoingare a true recrd of the 

sider how yon have violated your covenant engage- ,h,ings of the church in the case of David B. (iodfre.v. 

meiits, by which you nn- bound to live soberly and "-Tcsl, .Tniix NoYKS, jl/oc/eraMc' 

righteously ami godly in this present world, how you „ „-;„,,.,,/•„,., jh,, niodcralor declared, in virtim of a 

havewound.'d your own pr..cious soul, provoked (iod. ,.^_. „;„„.■ ,„,^, ,,,i^„i,.,, t„ their acceptance of the 

ami dishonored th,. ( 'hnstian name And we .lo now ^^,^^^^.^. ,.„„c^,,,i„„^ ;„ ,,,,,,,, blowing: 'This church 

earnestly beseech yon, ami in the name ol Chr.-t ||^^,_^ |„,„ives voii so far as vour otfense relates to 

exhort and charge you, as you will have to answer tor ^,^^,^^_ ,^^^^, ,.h,.erfullv iv.tore V"U to their charitv and 

yourself at the bar of (iod, thai y<ai delay not uii- ,„||„„.,|,i|, ;„ (,„. „.;„,„.|^ ,„„j ,„,,,, ,.,-„, i,,,^.^ f„rgive- 

feigncdly to repent ot your sin, that you hiiinbl.. ,„,,„„,■,;,„, ,„„i i„, k,.,,, hv II is power through faith 

yourself before God and man, and that you heiiee- salvation ' " 
forth walk in newness of lile. This admonition is not 
given you otit ot any ill-will to your person (as the 

Lord knoweth), but "in love to yimr .soul and in obe- "At a meting of the ICpiscpal Society of Weston, 

dience to (.'hrist Jesns, who has made it our duty to legally warned and held at the Lpiscopal idinrch in 

■watch over one another, and to maintain the discip- said Weston on the 22d day of March, .\.l.. 1X4'., 

line of the church according to the rules .,f the g..s- Wols,-y Nichols, chairman, ami Kdnn.nd O. Stnrges, 

pel. . We do it that ymi may be recovered from the cdcrk. voted (hat i:ii T. \Viiit..n and others be admit- 

error of your way, and be reconciled to (iod ami to His led iminbers of this society,— viz., Walter S, .Alceker, 

Church,"tliat you may not be eutolltn.m the commu- Levi ( >. Banks, .\aroii D. Banks, Thmiias B. Trow- 

nion of the Churidi "here, nor be excluded from the bridge, Kdmond (). Sturges, Whitnioiv Nidi, ,1s, /al- 

Chiiirh triumphant above. Signed, in behalf cd' the m<m Sturges, Curtis Wo..d, William Wh.clcr, .\lsou 

(■huridi, Kobertson, Samuel .M. Banks, Sylvester (iuinturd, 

"'John N(iYi;s, Mu'lmitor. Henry Bulkley, .lesse Crossman, James Brown (2d), 

"'NoHFiEin, .\iig. 14, I8'j:i.' Hciirv Brown. Moses Banks, Thomas Banks, I'orter 

"PWerf, That the church meet a forlnight from this Whecder, Wm. 1'. Welch, Benjamin I'.anks, Wcdsey 

day, at time and place as before, further to atleiid (o Nichols, .Icivmiah It. Nieluds, Wm. 11. Lyon, Kben- 

, the important siibjci't under consideration. The ezer S. Cole, .Mbaii Brown, lle/ckiah F. ( ioiild, ami 

I church met according to adjournment. The .leliii- others by cerlilicate ( names not given )." 

queut not appearing, nor having made any comniuni- Walter Trcadwi II, llanfud Nichols, and Orlando 



808 



HISTOllY OF FAir.FIHLD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Perry were voted as vestrj'tncn ; Hanford Nichols iiiid 
Walter Trcadwell wardens. 

Walter Treadwell and Orlando Perry were a])- 
pointed a coniniitteeto take char^re of all funds of tiie 
society. The first meetings of the parisli were held 
at the house of Hauford Nichols. 

The people of Lyon's Plains for sonic time wor- 
shiped at Easton, the academy being used for that 
purpose. AVlien they at last decided to build a 
church edifice, disputes arose about its location. Mr. 
Hanford Nichols and Walter Treadwell gave the land, 
and Mr. Nichols and others commenced building the 
church. A dispute arose about subserii)tions for 
building and locating the church, suits at law had 
been commenced, and the nuittcr was finally settled 
amicably by being left to arbitration. .loshua 15. 
Ferris, Cyrus II. IJcardsley, and Henry Dutton were 
chosen arbitrators. The records further state : 

" At a meeting of the Episcopal Society of Weston, 
legally warned and held at the dwelling-house of 
Hanford Nichols, in said Weston, on the 2oth day of 
April, .V.I). 1S4.'), voted Wolsey Nichols moderator. 
Voted that we recognize and receive as the ])r()i)erty 
of the Kpiscopal Society of Weston the subscriptions 
to build a new church edifice between the hou.ses of 
Charles Scofield and Thomas Banks. Voted that 
we consider it expedient and proper to build a new 
church in this society. Voted that we recognize the 
land already subscribed and given by Hanford Nich- 
ols and Walter Treadwell, and fix the location of our 
said church thereon. Voted that we recognize and 
assume the building of the church edifice already 
begun by Hanford Nichols, Walter Treadwell, and 
others, together with all the debts and credits, liabil- 
ities and responsibilities pertaining thereto." 

A committee of five were ajipointed to take charge 
of the money an<l building, — viz., Walter Trcadwell, 
Edmond 0. Sturges, Hanford. Nichols, Charles Cro- 
fut, and Levi Banks. 

" At a meeting of the Episcopal Society of Weston, 
held at the dwelling-house of Hanford Nichols, .\pril 
13, A.n. 184fi, the following oflicers were chosen: 

"Walter Treailwell, Moderator; Moses Treadwell, 
Clerk; Hanford Nichols and Walter Trea<lwell, 
Wardens ; Charles Crofut, Whitmore Nichols, Jere- 
miah R. Nichols, Vestrymen ; Wolsey Nichols, 
Trea.surcr. JIoscs Nichols wius chosen a delegate to 
attend tiie general convention of the State. Voted 
that we instruct our wardens and vestrymen to give 
Kev. David G. Tomlinson a call to the ministerial 
charge of our parish. June 3, 1S48, this .society pur- 
cha.sed a burying-ground. This burying-ground was 
aflcnvards donated to the society by Hanford Nichols. 
At this date (by meeting warned) the society voted 
that this parish having been without a jiropcr church 
name, being called generally in j)arisli notices the 
Episcopal Socidij of Wffton, and in the journals of Con- 
vention ' Church Weston,' wc therefore request of 
the Convention that this pari.sh may be named and 



known as Emanuel Church, Weston, and that our 
iiiini.stcr or delegate present this request to the Con- 
vention at it.s coming session in New Haven." In 
18()4, Rev. Mr. Tomlinson resigned on account of ill 
health. Mr. Ebenezer Lane had volunteered his 
services as " lay reader," assisting Mr. Tondinson for 
some years. The society voted him thanks each year. 

May, 1865, Rev. John Marvin was called to be 
rector of the parish. May 9, 1807, the parish received 
a donation or bequest from Hanford Nichols, E.sq., of 
three thousand five hundred dollars. 

" Jlay 7, 1871, voted that we accept the resignation 
of Rev. Mr. Marvin as rector of this parish. 

"J. R. Nichols, ClerL" 

Jan. 1, 1872, Rev. J. N. Walton was called to lu- 
rector, and resigned in 1878. 

Rev. A. N. Lewis, of Westport, has officiated for 
the parish during the past year. 

The following are the pr&sent officers: J. K. 
Nichols, Clerk ; Mo.ses D. Treadwell, J. R.Nichols, 
Wardens ; Alban 15. Sherwood, H. A. Ogden, Charles 
-Vflams, W. Lobdell, L. M. Sherwood, Vestrymen ; 
A. 15. Sherwood, Treasurer; C. A. Adams, Delegate; 
M. 1). Treadwell, Sexton. 

TIIE MILITARY ACADEMY, WESTON. 
This school has been conducted many years under 
various plans and i)ersons. Jlr. Matthew Bnlkley 
had the management of it for a considerable period, 
when lie resigned, and his son-in-law, A. A. Jarvis. 
a.ssumed control, becoming principal and proprietor. 
He kept a corps of teachers, who under his manage- 
ment attained an enviable celebrity. Being a mili- 
tary school and not closing during the summer at- 
tracted the attention of numerous families from the 
large cities, especially New York and Brooklyn. Mr. 
Jarvis spared nothing to advance his students in 
knowledge or social qualities, often having receptions 
for their benefit, even inviting the Governor of the 
State (Connecticut) to witness the military parade of 
his cadet.s, and to add lustre to the occasion. 

CIVIL III.^TORY. 
The town of Weston was incorporated in October, 
1777. It was " Resolved by this jissenibly that all 
the inhabitants who live within the limits of the 
parish of North Fairfield, in the county of Fairfield, 
and all the iidiabitants who live in that jiart of the 
parish of Norfield which lie in the townshii) of Nor- 
field, in said county, be and they hereby are incorpo- 
rate into a distinct, separate town by the name of 
Weston." 

THE FIRST TOWN-MEETING. 

The first meeting of the inhabitants was held Nov. 
14, 1787, with Samuel Wakenmn moderator, and 
Nathan Wheeler town clerk. At this meeting the 
following officers were chosen : Moilcrator, Samuel 
Wakeman ; Town Clerk, Nathan Wheeler; Select- 
men, Abel Hull, John Sherwood, David Coley, Jr., 



I 

J 




w 




^^^'Z-W ^^^^^^^^^^^^ 



Hekry Augustus Ogdkn was born in Westport, 
Conn., Sept. 28, 1831. His father, J. H. Ogden, an old 
citizen of Westport, is now living and engaged in 
farming. His mother was Abby G-. Sherwood of the 
same town. 

His early life was spent on the farm ; he had the ad- 
Tantages of the district schools and the academy at 
Green's Farms. Wliile quite young he taught in the 
district schools of the town, teaching in winter and 
farming in summer, with a year's experience in a 
country store. At the age of twenty-eight he took the 
position of • book-keeper at G. W. Bradley's Edge-Tool 
Manufactory, situated in Weston, Conn. With the 
interests of tliis long-established manufactory he has 
been identified for over twenty years, sometimes repre- 
senting it through Connecticut and Western Massachu- 
setts, and at others in managing its finances ; this is hie 
present position, as he is its sole manager. These 
works have been established nearly fifty years. Thei^ 
founder was the son of an axe-maker, and conducted 
the business four miles alcove. When the works were 
destroyed by an ice gorge some years ago they were re- 
constructed by Miles Bradley, and the business resumed 
under his oversight in association with Mr. Ogden. 



Tlieir business felt the depression of the war, and re- 
quired most judicious and prudent management to avoid 
disaster. The situation of the Bradley Edge-Tool Manu- 
factory is very picture.sque, removed from the great routes 
of travel, in a rural district having excellent water-power. 

Mr. M. Bradley died some three years since, when 
Mr. Ogden became manager. For the excellence of 
their wares they have obtained an enviable reputation. 
They have given employment to from eighty to one 
hundred men, though the present number is less, and 
these works are the most im))ortant manufacturing 
interest in the town 

Mr. Ogden was married in 1860 to Abigail J. Coley, 
daughter of Lonson Coley, of Westport. The Col*y 
family, from which Mr. Ogden is descend^ on his 
mother's side, is one of the oldest families in Connecti- 
cut. He has no living children, his only son dying in 
infancy. 

Mr. Ogden has been on the school committee of his 
town, and has always sympathized with the interests of 
educational and religious matters. He is a member of 
the Congregational Church at Green's Farms. 

He affiliates with the Republican party, and is highly 
esteemed as a reliable business man and a good citizen. 



WESTON. 



809 



Natbnii 'Wheeler, 8;iinuel Wnkeman, Benjanun Dean, 
and William Prime; Treasurer, iSamnel Wakeman ; 
Constables, .Tosiali ( i. Lravitt ami Henjamin Dean; 
Snrveyiirs of Highways, Kjihraim French, Alfred 
L(ick\von<l, ',S(]uire Adams, John S. Andrews, Joseph 
Banks, Nehemiah Cable, Zebulon Feiiton, Christopher 
Godfrey, t^eeley Hijuier, Daniel Amlrews, Jr., .Jona- 
than Bradley, Seth Price, Abel Hull, Lloyd Wakeman, 
Robert Harris, Samuel Wakenuui, ami T. L. Cidlyer; 
Keykeejters, Thankful Piatt, Kathaniel Seeley, Ben- 
jamin Dean, and .Tolui L. Andrews.- 

It was voted that the warnings for town-meetings 
shall be put up, one on a birch-tree near Hiairy Sum- 
mers', one on the post in the society of North Fair- 
fielil, and one on the ]iost in the society of Xortield. 

It is evident that the government of Weston was 
started on an econouncal basis, and that the good 
peo|)le of the town, way back in 17.S7, were not at all 
dispo>ed to bestow upon their public servants any re- 
muneration excejit tlie "sincere thanks of the town," 
as the following shows, which was voted at the fir.st 
town-meeting: " Wheukas, it ofteu happens that 
large sums arise against towns for the services of the 
several town ollicers apjiointed by said towns, wdiieh 
to prevent we, the inhabitants <il' the town of AVcs- 
ton, in town-meeting .assembled, do vote that we will 
for the year en.suing transact and perform all our 
town business, which by law or reason is or ought to 
be recjuireil of us, for which the town must jiay, with- 
out any fee or reward, and whoever shall be chosen to 
any town (jlliee in this town (grand jury men and 
tithingmen excepted) are hereby notified that he is 
to expect or receive no other reward for his services 
only the sincere thanks of the town, and if any i)er.sou 
so chosen is not willing to serve as above dcseril)e<l, 
they must nuike their objections to this meeting, and 
shall thereupon be excused." 

KEPRESENTATIVES FHO.M 17S8 TO ISSO. 
1788, Capt. Jolin Shcvwooil, Tiilit. DiivW Cok'.v; ITSO, Dliviil SiUiliinli, 
Sanuifl B. SlierWMoiI ; 17U0, Nathan AVla-flLM-, Saliiucl Waki-mati ; 
1791, Saniiifl ShcrwutHi, >"atliaiiifl Sei-ly ; 17'.i2, Saiinii'l WaKciiiun ; 
179;i, Salinifl Wakeman, Samuel H. Slierwutxi ; 1704,.K'lin Slic-rwotnl ; 
1795, .lulin Slu-rwudil. Samuel H. Slienv<i.i.l ; 17',ii;, XalliaM Wlu-eler; 
17'J7, Samuel 1!. Sherwo...!, Jolui Slienv.iuil; 17;iS, Samuel li. Slier- 
wiioJ ; 17'.I9, Samuel Wakeman, Samuel IS. Slieiwuoil ; 1S(J0-1 , Nathan 
Wheeler, Samuel 11. Sherwciutl ; 1.SU2, I)aviii Sillimau, I'avid Cnley, 
Jr., Stephen Sherwoo.l ; lS(i:i, William I'liia-e, Davi.l Silliman, .M.iel 
Fenton; IKH, Davi.l .Silliman, Andrew l,.v.m, Klilihalet ('..ley, Jr. ; 
IKOJ, Anilrew I.yun, Cyrus Krin^nia.le, Joseph Ilennet, Kliplialet 
Coley ; ISOO, Stephen Gregory, Jusepli Dennett, HI. .sen (Iivlfrey; 
1807, Slcphen Wheeler, Jas. Gray; 1SU.S, .los. liennett, An.l. Lyim, 
Nath. Wheeler, Sti'lihen Wheeler; 180il,,Sim.r..n Fant.in,* S. Wheel.-r, 
Goish.'ln Hra.lley; ISIO, Stephen Wheeler, .h.sliua A.lanis, Stej.hen 
Crep.ry, Stephen Fanton ; ISU, .Stephen Whci-l.'i, J.,sepli liennett, 
Walk.-r Sherwood, Ger.Hhom IJra.lley; ISlli, Joseph llenn.-tt, St. 'i. hen 
JenninjjK, Stei>hen Whe.'Ier; lsl;i, J.i.seph lienn.'tt, JiTemiah Oshern 
Stephen Gregory : l.SH, Jos. liennett, Oliver C. San lor.l, I'.-tiu- Silli- 
man ; lsl'>, Jos. liennett, Davi.l Silliman, Jere. Osh.irn, Kla. ('....ley . 
ISIO, J.iseph liennett, KIi[ilialet Coley. Alalrew Lyon, Simeon Fun- 
ton; 1S17, Oliver C. Sanfonl, Calvin W'heelcr, Jr., J.jseph liennet, 
Eliphalet Coley ; 1818, Stephen Wheeler, Oliver C. Sanford, Joseph 

* Joseph Bennett was prol.allyly uiitlake sent to the ne.'it town in 
the list {ab »ve) in TruniLull. 



liennett, Kli|.halet C..I.>y ; lSlO-20, Oliver C. Sanfoi.l. .Steiihen 
Whe.ler; IS'Jl. Oliver C. Sanf..r.l, Ahel Gregory; I.s-ii, Davi.l Sh.i- 
vv.iod, Eliphalet ('..ley ; 1SJ:{, Janu-s I'rila-e, Alva Gray ; l.S'i4, J.iseph 
Bennett, Oliver C. Sanfold; l.sJ,j-20, Oliver C. Sanfold, Sl.plien 
Wheel.T; 1S'.'7, Eli A.lanis, l.i'vi Coley; 1,S2S- JO, Walker Slierw..,..!, 
E.lmnnd F.int..M ; ls:;ii, Walk.-r Slierwo..il, Oliver ('. Sanf..i.l ; ls:!l, 

Jo.s.-|.li liennett. E.Imun.l Fant.m ; l.s:i3, Walk.-r Sherw 1, W....ls.-y 

Ni.hols; ls;):l-a4, J.'sse Wak.uuui, Oliver C. .Sald.ir.l ; Is:!.'., J...sso 

Wak.-man, Davi.l Pat. hen ; ls:ir,, Ja s llal.lw in, Davi.l I'atehen ; 

ls;;7, Sherwo.id .Seel..y, Davi.l I'al.hen; ls:is, Kil»;ird Hill, .l......l.li 

liowland; 1S:10, Ely A.lanis, Davi.l Patehin ; ISlll, E.lwai.l Hill, 
Matthew Bulkley ; ]Ml, Eli A.lanis. Davi.l Patehen ; 1S12, Sherwoo.l 
.s.-eley, Matthew Ilnlkl.y ; Isl:;, E.lwaril Hill, David I'atehen; IS-H, 
Sainu.l Jackson, Olivir C. Saiilonl; l.'-l'., Aaron I,. Sanfonl, Davi.l 
i'atehen ; l.s-li;, Davi.l I'ateh.-n ; 1S47, J..»ei.h Uowlan.l ; 1848, Samuel 
51. Banks; 11^4'.), Davi.l I'atehen; l.s.'.(l, Mos.'s B. Trea.lwell ; l-'.^l, 
.I..hn E. .Sturgos; IS.VJ, Oliver C. Sanloi. I ; ISvl-ol, Daii.l I'atehen; 
IS.-,.-,, Moses D. Trea.hvell ; is.-.r,, M..ses li.ilUl.-y; ls.-,7, E.lgar S. lil.- 
ner; l.S.-,s, Davi.l I'at. hell ; ls,'.'.l, Matlli.'W Unlkley; ISi:il, J..seph S. 
G...irrey; Isul, Charles liowland; USi;2, N. V. B. I!..whili.l; l.S(;;l, 
Wakeman Goilfi.'y; IsiU-G.:., Da\i.l D. C.h'y; IsUli, Charles Iton- 
laiiil; l.si,7, Davi.l 1). Cih-y ; ISl.s, I'latt K.-eler; ISl.H, Matthew 
Bulkley: lV7(l, H.^niy I!.,l,eit.son ; 1871. Davi.l I,. C.I.-y ; l.s72-7:i. Os- 
h.irn Taylor; 1.S74, J.ilin It. Sturgis; l»7,'i-7i;, E.lgar Si:i il.iier ; !S77, 
Miah I'erry ; 187.S, Jeremiah K. Nichols; 187'J, -\lvau li. Sherwood ; 
18S0, James Siniges. 

JIILIT.\1!Y llECORD, ISfil-f.j. 
Flllsr KEGIJIENT CAVALItV. 

De Caity, Michael, enl. July 7, ISiS ; ino. to captain May 18, l.sul. 

Oniquiiui If. 
Seelye, tieorge, enl. Dec. 7, 1SG3 ; nnut. out Jan. 1, 1805. 

Baki-r, .lames, enl. Dee. 211, 1804 ; ilie.l Jan. 11, l.'*r,5. 
Clarke, James, enl. Sejit. In, 1S04 ; mlt taken up on rolls. 
Dol.ity, Pat, enl. Dec. 2(1, 1S(:4; n.it taken ui. ..ii mils. 
Ili.k.'y, Ja.iih E.eiil. De.-. 2(1, 1814; not taken uj. ..ii roll-. 
H.ise, William, enl. Mai.-h '2(1, 1804 ; n.it tak.-n up ..n rolls. 
Kourte, Jno., enl Dec. :J0, 1(((.4; n.it taken u|i on r.ills. 

SECOND LIGHT KATTEIiY. 
Tn.wl.iiilg.', Ileni-y J., enl. Feb. I'.i, ls(;4 ; must.. jut Aug. 0. IS(i5. 

KIKST BEGIMENT AKTILLEIIV. 

t.'iortjiinui I!. 
Brown, Henry, enl. Jan. 22, 1.^02 ; i.-.-nl. Feb. 5,1.804; must, out Sept. 
25, 1805. 

M.inr.ie, Benjamin, enl. Jun.' 5, lsi;l ; must, ...it .Sept. 25, 1.805. 
SECOND KEGIMENT AKTII.LEltY. 

Ban-.-lt, Sylvi-st.T, enl. D.-e. -iO, lso:i ; .li.-.l July 2-', 18G4. 
Perry, Nathan, .-nl. !>.-.-. 211, Iso:j; w.iunile.l June I, l.S(J4; must. out Aug. 
18, 1S05. 

Cowjmuii I. 

Heinhb-ns, William, .-nl. Di-e. 2'.1, lH.:i. 

Knopf, Au.lrew, enl. Dec. 20, ISO:!; must, out Aug IS, 1805. 
L... kwo.i.l, Tb.-o,, .-nl. Jan. ;'>, 1804 ; liiust. out Aug. 18, 1,S05. 
Meeker, Hanfor.l, enl. Dee. '29, 18(3; must, out Aug. 18, 1.MI5. 
.M.-.-k.-i, Charles S., enl. Jan. ^>, 1804; must, .lut Aug. 18, lHi;5. 
Olmsted, Stephen, enl. Dec. 20, 180:j ; must, out June 22, 1S(!5. 

Comji'iynj M. 
Morris, Samuel, enl. Dec. 21, ISC4. 
Wilfong, James, enl. Dec. 21, 1804 ; must, .uit Aug. 8, 1805. 

FIFTH KEGIMENT. 

V<niq"init C. 
IlcnJricksoll, .\blalialn, enl. S.-pt. 14, 1.'01 ; discli. Jan. 13, 1603. 



510 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Company E. 
Bucklwc, Gtorgo W., cnl. July 22, 1801 ; discli. July 2C, 18C5. 
Crofiit, Jcromu B , eiil. July 22, I80I. 
Orny, David D., cnl. July 22, IfiCl : discli. Dec. 17, 18C2. 
JlcCnnn, (icorge, cnl. July 22, 18G1 j discli. Nov. 15, 1802. 
Pilkcy, Pelcr, cul. July 22, 1801. 

Company F. 
IJowc, Henry, cnl. July 22, ISCl ; died Feb. 10, 1803. 
Yiin Vorat, Williiim II., cnl. July 22, ISCl ; rc-eul. Dec. 21, 1803; munt. 
out Aug. 11, ISC). 

Company K, 

Beers, Levi, cnl. Feb. 17, 1802. 

KIGIITII KEGIMENT. 
Company 21. 
Lalicy, Edward, enl. Sept. 2^, IfiOl ; rc-enl. Doc. 24, 1803 ; must, out Doc. 
2, 1805. 

KINTH REGIMENT. 

Company D. 

liynn, John, cnl. Jan. 23, 1804 ; must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

ELEVENTH KEGIMENT. 

Company B, 

Burns, Thomas, cnl. Feb. 22, 1804; must, out Dec. 21, 1865. 

Company D. 
Itobineon, James, enl. March 15, 1804. 

TWELFTH REGIMENT. 
Company E. 
Brown, Cliarles H., cnl. Nov. 22. 1801 ; died April 22, 1804. 
Mills, Burr, enl. March 10, 1804 ; must, out Aug. 12, 1805. 
Pnrkcton, Eugene S., cnl. March 10, 1804. 

THIRTEENTH REGIMENT. 

l'n<tfsignftl. 

Julineon, Edward, cnl. March 11, 1SC4; not taken up on n>Ils. 

FIFTEENTH REGIMENT. 

Company J. 

Condon, Morris, enl. 'Aug. 29, 1804 ; trans, to 7th Conn. Vol. ; must, out 

July 20, 1805. 

tim/»ijnc</. 
I'aten. George, enl. Fob. 23, 18G4; not taken up on rolls. 
i^ndB, Frederick, cnl. Feb. 23, 1804 ; not taken up on rolls. 

SEVENTEENTH KEGIMENT. 
Company E. 
Catodns, Cliarles n., corporal; cnl. Aug. 4, 1802; must out July 19, 1805. 
Cnipo, Bertith B., onl. Aug. 4, 1802 ; must, out July 19, 1805. 
Clarkson, Charles H., onl. Aug. », 1802 ; must, out July 19, 1805. 
Dixon, Samuel, cnl. Aug. 4, 1802 ; diach. for dimibilily April 1, 1SC3. 
Huugli. James, enl. Aug. 4, 1802; must, out July 19, 18C6. 
Swielen, David, cnl. Aug. 7. ISOJ ; disch. f.ir disability Aug. 21, 1803. 
Williams. William, cnl. Aug. 8, 1802 ; disch. for ili.^ilrilily Jan. 17, 1863. 
Banks, Horace A., cnl. Dec. 30, 1803; must, out July H), 1805. 
Banks, Wesley O., enl. Jan. 1, IbC4 ; must, out July 19, 1805. 
Oakley, William, enl. Dec. 21, 1803 ; must, out July 19, 1865. 

ComjiOny G. 
Morris, Joliu, cnl. Sept. 7, 18C-1 ; must, out July 10. ISC".. 

Company U. 
Strong, Francis M., enl. Aug. 20, 1802 ; dlscb. for di-iibility April 30, 1803. 

TWENTIETH REGIMENT. 
Com^tany B. 
Conmcr, Jcrr}-, enl. March II, 1804. 

Company O. 
Gould, Joseph, cnl. March II, 18C4; must, out July 19, IBM. 

TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT. 
^Company E. 
Northrop, Lewis, sergeant; cul. Aug. 28,1862; pro. to captain; lion, 
bisch. Aug. 31, 1803. 



Andrews, Ellas S., onl. Aug. 25, 1862; hon. discb. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Beers, Frederick, cnl. Aug. .30, 1802; lion, disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Beore, William P., enl. Aug. 20, 1802 ; lion, disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Boers, Rulus, enl. Aug. 23, 1862; lion, disrh. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Beers, William, cnl. Aug. 25, 1862; lion, disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Belts, Junalluin, enl. Aug. 28, 1862; lion, disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Chase, Isaac, cnl. Aug. 25, 1802; bon. disch. Aug. 31, 180.1. 
Cole, George II., enl. Aug. 25, 1802; hon. discb. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Donncll, Jaincti 0., enl. Aug. 25, 1802 ; hon. disch. .\ug. 31, 1803. 
Haniillou, Theodore, enl. Aug. 30, 1802; hon. discb. Aug. 31, 1803. 
lloman, Henry, enl. Aug. 28, 1802; hon. discli. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Lockwood, Albert, enl. Aug. 30, 1862; hon. disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Mead, John SI., enl. Aug. 25, 1802. 

Rowland, Uufns K., enl. Aug. 25, 1802; lion, discb. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Seolcy, John N., cul. Sept. 4, 1802. 

Smith, William I!., enl. Aug. 29, 1802; hon. disch. Aug. 31, 1S03. 
Thoi-p, Isaac N., enl. Aug. 3(1, 1862; lion, discb. Aug. 31, 18C3. 
Whitlock, Albert M., onl. Sept. 4, 1862. 

Company F. 
Dowd, William L., enl. Aug. 27, 1862. 
Uoran, Patrick, cnl. Nov. 5, 1802. 

TWENTT-NIKTH BEGI.MENT (COLORED). 
Company I. 
Pipers, Charles, enl. Dec. 23, 1864; must, out Oct. 24, 1865. 

THIRTIETH KEGIMENT (COLORED). 
Company C. 
Johnson, Philip, enl. Feb. 22, 1804; must, out Nov. 7, 1805. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 



DAVID D. COLEY. 

David D. Coley was born Oct. 30, 1811, in W(»ton. 
Conn. Ilif* fatlicr was Elipluilet Coley, of the saiiM 
town, and as far as is known wa.s dcscentlcd from tli' 
early settlers of this county. His mother was Priscill.i 
Bradley, another old family name in Fairfield County. 

His youtlv was sickly; he did not until near hi- 
eighteenth year have ordinary good health ; lie lunl, 
besides the advantages of the district school, the in- 
structions of Hawley Olmstead, a noted teacher n; 
Wilton. When young Coley's health became estal' 
lished he found employment on his father's farm, and 
chose farming as his pursuit. 

He married, in 1S24, M:iry E. Andrews, daughter of 
John Andrews, of Weston. Her mother was Jlnry 
Andrews. Mr. Coley worked at the home-farm soinr 
three years after his marriage. In 1840 or 1841 li> 
bought and removed to the farm on which he mm 
resides, in the town of Weston; the place is situateil 
on the high ground in the southerly part of the town, 
and commands an extensive view of the county sniith. 
including a view of Long Island Sound, and the isiaml 
itself across the Sound. Tliis farm of good natural 
soil has been well cultivated and industriously farmed, 
and yielded a competency to its owner. 

Mr. Coley has been a selectman of the town for 
many years, and during the entire civil war dis- 
charged tlic duty of this onerous office; it hecann 
their duty to secure the soldiers to fill the quota "i 
tlic town ; this was successfully accomplished to tlii 
satisfaction of the townspeople. 




?*. 



^<«*^' 



D D. COLEY. 



WEST PORT. 



Sll 



Jlr. Colcy has for three years represented his town 
in tile Le'gislature of the Htate ; lias sympatliizeil witli 
tlie Deinoeratie party all his life; is a strong; Union 
man, and was a snppoitcr ol' the I'nioii in the late war. 

yiv. t'oley lias had three sons, John B., .Tames 
L., and ,\lphonso 15., the last nameil ahme surviving. 
John 1). died at the ai;e of twenty-four years; James 
L. died at twenty-nine years. Alphonso reenperated 
his health by a trip to California, whieli entirely re- 
stored him. 

Mrs. Coley died in 1S72. For f irty-eiiilit years she 
was a faithful companion and an atfcitionnte mother; 
she was a farmer's daughter, and bec-imc a lielp-mi'ct 
to her industrious husband. Her inoiuiiuent is pointed 
out in the cemetery as one of its principal and most 
beautiful adornments. Jlr. Coley for a man of liis 
age is vigorous and strong. He is respected and 
trusted by liis fellow-townsmen, and has befire 
him the prospect of a comfortable old agi', sun-oundeil 
by all the comforts of life. 



CHAPTER LXXXIT. 

WESTPORT. 

Geograpliiull— Tlie First Settlclucnts ia lUl.'.— Tlic rioiici-ra ami llioir 
L..culiMMs— Till- Kii>l Ciisl-lMill— Tlic Fiist Scli.inl in 17-1()— Tlic Ituv..- 
lulit'imiy War — Tlie liallaiit Sr--veiitrcu — Highways — Karl.v Mcrciiaiits 
— Taverns, Etc. — Tlie Wlupiiiiig-Pust — Early Itfj^ulatioiis — .Slavcjf, Kti-. 
— Karly Custuuis — Plivhiriaiis — Lawyers — Manuljutuiiiiy — Culiinier- 
eial. 

The town of Westport lies in the southern part of 
the county, and is bounded on the nortli by Wilton 
and Weston; on the east by Fairtield ; on the south 
by Long Island Sound ; and on the west by Xorwalk. 

THE PIONI^EKS. 
The first settlement was made by Thomas Xewton, 
Daniel Frost, Henry (ir.ay, John fireen, and Francis 
Andrews, who err'cted their log luits in the neighbor- 
hood of the ]iresent (ireen's Farms railroad depot. 
The ability, character, and dispositii>]i nf Thomas 
Newton and his four contemporaries can only lie con- 
jectured from some of their acts and doings, which 
frequently brought some of them bel'ore thi' (ieneral 
Court and became matters of record. From a perusal 
of tliese records it is seen that 'J'hoiLias Ni'wton was 
an enterprising, go-ahead man, with a strong pro- 
pensity for traffic and trade in anything that ]iriimised 
gain. His settlement in ^faximus was not to clear 
forest and raise wheat, but in some way to make a 
speculation. He was unfortunate in the many suits 
at law he had in the General Court for the time lu> 
was in this section of the country. At the October 
session, l()4r), in a suit against him l)y Mr. Whitney, 
"the jury find for the iilamtilf the liill r>il li)s. 2>l. 
damages and cost of court," and at the same court 
Edward Hopkins plaintiff and Thomas Newton de- 
fendant, "The jury hnd for the plaintilf; tlie defend- 



ant is to ]iay 4t' Kls. 4'/., according to tlie Pill and 
lO.s. damages and costs." Again, in June, lii47, he 
was " Bounil in a recognizance of KiOC to the court 
to save the court and such <lcbtors harmless from any 
damage that shall be recovered in tin' court, of Sep- 
pesegerhis debts in referance to an action commenced 
against Samuel Sniitli." Again, in lii4X, in a suit 
of Jonas Wood against Thomas Newton, " Th<' jury 
find, Ibr the plaintiH' that the defendant .-ball dis- 
charge or cau<e to be discharged the bond that the 
jilaintilf, and his friends lye under at the .Monatoes, 
which was to answer the defendant-; cngagi-nu'iit 
there; ami tn pay unto him ."(It; besides, and costs." 
.\gain lie v.'as bound in a recognizance of i'l'iKi, with 
John (ireen and Henry < iray as his security, to answer, 
truly perform, ami discharge the verdict of the jury 
in the action between "Jonas Wood, ]ilaintiirand him- 
self defendant at or before the 1st day of February 
next." Various other suits appear to have been tried, 
some resulting in his favor, luit generally against him, 
and among others a "tine of fiv<' i»miids for selling 
one Philip White wine from his vessid when said 
White had enough already." He owned a vessel and 
prolialily traded with the Dutch at New .\msterdam 
(New York) and other jilaces wIhtc iiroflt could be 
made, ami was indeiiendi'iit of Custom House regula- 
tions. 

The care of his vessel and his voyages very likely 

' oceu|pie(l most of his tinu' until plod, when, upon the 
information of one (loody .lohuson, a woman in Fair- 
field, Xewton was arrested and committed to jail, 
but, before trial, lind;e out and escaped with his ves- 
sel to New Amstridam, and never returned to Maxi- 
mus therealter. The second in the list of first settlers 
was Daniel Frost, an altogether ilifferent charac'ter 

' from Thnmas Xewtnn. He was :i son of William 

I Fi'ost. From the will of William Frost, m.iile in' 
.January, 1(>()4, I infer that he, William, left ICngland 
sevi'ral years befire the settli'inent of I'^iirlield, bring- 
ing with him his two sons, l)aniel an<l .Mirahani, and 

' daughters I'Mizabefh (wifeof.lohn Cray), [A-dia (wife 
of Henry Cray ), and Kebecca and Sarah Frost, un- 
married, and from the bei|uest in his will was a nnin 
of considerable means f)r the time, as in addition to 
the dispdsal of his estate iiere tn his children and 
grandehildren he beipieaths to a daughter naim'd 
.Marv Kvlie and her i-hildren all his goods and land 
left in ( )ld England, and " ten p(mmls in good money 
towards building a meeting-house in Fneowa, o!ie- 
half when the housi> is half done and the other half 

' when it is completed," No mention of his wife is 
made in the wills, from which it might be sujiposed 
he was a widower, but in I'"airtield rci'ords is f mud a 
bond of two hundred p<iunds obligating the said 
Daniel to pay his mother ten ]ionnds annually, and 
other provisions for her support during life. The 
land upon which Daniel settled was east of the resi- 
dence of Jlr. Phipps. The point of land known as 
Frost's Point was some of it. He was doubtless a (piite 



812 



IIISTOllY OF FAIKFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



peaceable, respectable man. Of the forty-four free- 
men of Fairfield entitled to vote in town-meetings in 
October, 1()69, Daniel Frost w.is one. 

Henry (iray, the third on the list of first settlers, 
was between thirty and forty years of ajre at the 
eomniencement of the settlement. His wife was a 
daughter of William Frost, and had at least a family 
of three sous — Jacob, Henry and William — when 
they sat down at Bankside or Maximus. In early 
life he appears to have been an active, influential, 
and popular man, and represented the town of Un- 
cowa in 1643 in the General Court, but two years 
after the Cxcneral Court passed a judgment upon him 
in the words following, to wit: " Henry Gray, for his 
many misdemeanors, is adjudged to be imprisoned 
at tlie discretion of the court, and to be fined ten 
pounds." What the misdemeanors were, or how 
many, we are left to conjecture. The court record of 
the time, except in this case, uniformly gives the 
name and nature of the oft'ense for which the punish- 
ment was inflicted. From this time forward, for 
near twenty years, he seems to have had a vexatious 
life, as in nearly every court his name appears as 
plaintiff or defendant, and at a session of the General 
Court, in May, I80O, he was " fined twenty shillings 
for abusing the court." His principal opponent in 
law was the Jonas Wood of Long Island with whom 
Thomas Newton had many conflicts. The.se contin- 
uous lawsuits, as miglit be supposed, wasted his es- 
tate, anil at his death, in 1672, the General Court, 
upon the ])etition of Maj. Nathan Gold and Mr. 
AVilliaiu Hill, empowered the administrators "to sell j 
the said Gray's iarm at Maximus as the most pru- I 
dent course to save any estate for the children of said 
Gray." The Jlaxinuis farm was in the neighbor- 
hood of the land now owned by Mr. Phi]>iis, and he 
had otlicr land in Compo. He and his brother John, 
who also married a daughter of William Frost, 
were the progenitors of all the Grays in this section, 
branches of whom may be found in most of the 
States. 

The name of .John Green, the fourth on the list, is 
occasionally met on the first vcilumc of records 
of the town of Fairfield, but nowhere in the town or 
colony record is found anything to his disparagement. 
In 1672 he was appointed by the General Court one 
of a committee of three " to view the township of Rye 
(then under the jurisdiction of Connecticut), and con- 
.sidcr what highways may be necessary and requisite 
for the use of the town and colony." He must have 
lived to an advanced age, for I find in 1609 an instru- 
ment recorded by which he manumits and grants 
freedom to his negro man Harry, upon condition that 
said Harry shall choose some good man to live with, 
and serve two years, and get twenty pounds to jiay 
the board and education of a grandson. This instru- 
ment was signed with a cross. The old man had jtrob- 
ably become too paralyzed to write his name. He 
had a son, John Green, Jr., who settled in Stamford, 



and was one of the eight freemen, and was also con- 
stable of that town in 1669. 

The parish of Green's Farms is supposed to have 
derived its name from John Green, who, in his day, 
was perhaps the largest and best farmer in the settle- 
ment. 

The last of the list of first settlers was Francis An- 
drews. He was undoubtedly a quiet, peaceable man, 
as his name is not to be found in the court records. 
The land upon which he settled was for three or 
four generations in the Andrews fijmily. The An- 
drews of Westport and Redding are his descendants. 
How long after the first settlement before additions 
were made cannot now be ascertained. It is supposed 
that Simon Couch, by purchase or otherwise, suc- 
ceeded in the posses.sion of the land of Thomas New- 
ton. The dispute about the west line of the town of 
Fairfield, the uncertainty of the title to the lands im- 
proved, and the war with the Narragansett Indians, 
probably tended to caution new settlers against set- 
ting down and making improvements where the risk 
of disturbance was so great, and it is doubtful whether 
more than three or four families were added befori' 
166.'). 

The territory of the Compo District was debatable 
ground befwecn Fairfield and Norwalk until 1686, 
and no settlements upon it were made before 1790. 
Among the first settlers were Henry Gray, Jr., John 
Shaw, Peter Disbrough, or Disbrow, as now spelt, and 
Bennett. At the building of the new school- 
house, l.SOl, there was but one (!ray living in the dis- 
trict. The Shaw family hail all left, but there were 
many of the Bennett.s, Disbrows, and Aliens. In 1750 
the traveled road from Norwalk was to a ferry cross- 
ing Saugatuck River a little below the present rail- 
road bridge, called Disbrough's Ferry. The fare at 
this ferry was for man, horse, and load, twopence half- 
penny ; for Icd-horse, one penny ; for footman, penny 
halfpenny ; for ox or other neat kine, threepence half- 
penny; for sheep, hog, or goat, halfpenny. 

The exact period of the first settlement at Green's 
Farms cannot be told, ]>robably between 16S0 and 
1690, and among the first, if not the first, was John 
Hyde, the great-grandfather of the present .lohn .S. 
and Edward Hyde. In the division of the land above 
the Long Lots highway, Humphrey Hyde and his son 
John had set out to them a lot forty rods one foot and 
a half inch in width, and, as these lots ran back ten 
miles, it follows that the old man and his son had a 
farm of eight hundred and two acres of land, in addi- 
tion to outlays of land nnide before that time. Sixty 
years ago more than one-half of this lot wa.s in the 
name of the original j>roprietors. Between the high- 
way passing the dwelling-house of Burr Meeker and 
the highway east there was laid out, in the original 
division, nine lots to nine men. The whole wiillh 
was one hu?idred and ninety-two rods, and the whole 
area three thousand eight hundred and forty acres. 

The following were also living in this district in 



WESTPORT. 



813 



ISdO: John Hyde, Jusi-pli llycli', Aaruu SluTw.iod, 
E<q., J;uues (..'ha]nuaii, Dauicl lira<lley, Aaron .Jeu- 
iiiii,»-.s, Lamon Burr, Juiialliau liurr, Joseph Adams, 
Josojih Hyde, Jr. 

Other early settlers were Nathan Adams, grand- 
father of the late Jahez Adams, Samuel Piatt, Thos. 
Taylor, John Taylor, Seth Taylor, (ramaliel A. Tay- 
lor, Samuel I'carsall, and son John S. 

Of the first settlers in 0r(jss Highway Distriet hut 
little is known. Few of them had money; they had 
houses to build and farms to elear. Neee-sity drove 
them to hard labor, and they had little time and per- 
haps less inelination to make rei'ords of passing 
events. Among the uiost prominent were .John 
Hyde, great-grandson of Humphrey Hyile, wlio was 
the largest landholder, and, at his death, the most 
wealthy man, of Ureen's Farms. He resided where 
the widow of the late Seth W. ^[eeker now lives, 
and he died without issue about 17;»S. 

Jidin Onodsell, great-grandfather of the present 
John Goodsell, groeer, was killed at the burning of 
Fairfield by the British, July s, 1771). He was, with 
a few militia-men, ou the high groun<l above the , 
town, firing upon the enemy, when he reeeived a liall 
in one of hi.s legs, breaking the bone. A ejiarge upon | 
the militia put them to flight, l)Ut (ioodsell could not 
flee, and when the Hessians came up to him, in an- 
swer to Ills plea for (juarter one thrust his bayonet 
into his mouth, another into his bowels. 

Ephi'aim Burr, father of Silas Burr, lived in a house 
where now- resides the widow of the late Morris 
Ketehum. Nearly all of Ketehum's farm was Silas 
Burr's. Silas Burr died about bsu. 

Phineas Chapman, father of I'hinras, Jr., and 
grandfather of Charles, lived in the house wdiere 
the family of the late C'harles Chapman now reside. 

Maj. Albert Chapman, a distinguished Pievcdution- 
ary soldier, lived in the house now owned by the widow | 
of David Bothwell. There were also two families of 
Meekers and one of Ogdens. 

At what period the North District Lad its first set- 
tlers cannot now be certainly ascertained. No settle- 
ments were made above the Front of Lots highway j 
before the Long Lots, as they are called, were laid 
out. There is no evidence of any settlement before 
1700, about which time some thre;' or f lur families 
settled in Cross highway, and, witliiii three or fiiur 
years after, five or six families in the North District. | 
Of the first .settlers were John Coley, tlie jirogeiiitor 
of all the Coleys of that distrii't, who had a small 
house on the south of Adam's mill. Nathan Jlore- 
house built a house a little west of J<din (iray's barn, 
succeeded by Ids son, Jabcz Morehouse, who, in Sep- 
tember, 1738, married Sarah, daughter of Joseph 
Ogden. Jabez was u blacksmith, and occupied the 
old i)lace, working at his trade near lilty years. 
Joseph Ogden built a grain- and saw-mill on the 
bank of Aspetuck Kiver, wdiich came afterwards into 
the possession of his son Humi)hrey. This mill stood 



until ISiil, when it was di-molislicd. It was the first 
grist-mill built within fhr limits of W'r-tport. .Toseph 
tiorhani, about I7:!(l, built tlii' old IkjUsc afterwards 
o:'cupie<l by his s >n Shubad to the time of his death, 
about IS'M. It s;o(]d until 1S17. In 177S the occu- 
pant of this liiiu>e, Shubail (iorliam, receiveil two 
long, well-writlea letters, purporting t.) have been 
written from heaven by his decea:-ed father, which 
produced much exi-itement in the vicinity, and was 
the subject of ('onsociation occasionally for fifty years 
afterwards. Copies may yet be found. Jeremiah 
Sturges liuilt a house where now stands the house of 
H. M. Coley. Ther<' w.is also a large family by the 
name of Beers, and another of the name of ( iuvre. 



TilE riOXEER SCHOOLS. 
In about 1740 the first school-house was 



inilt. 



wdiieh stood until 171)0, when a new one wa^ erected. 
The style or dimensions of the first are not known, 
but if it was not equal to the second, it wa^ no great 
credit to the first settlers. The second stood upon the 
highway, about half-way between the present houses 
occupieil by Mrs. (joodsell and her son, Heman B., 
and Eliphalet (iray. It was about twenty feet square, 
with eight-feet posts, a chimney built of stone and 
clay in the n'>rtheast corner, no ceiling or chand)er- 
fiiKjr, a door in the southwest corner ojiening into the 
room, a litteen-light window of scvcii-by-ninc glass 
in each square, not plastered for more than twenty 
years after it was Imilt. I think it was in ISIS when 
the old chimney was taken down, the house plastered, 
a liox-.^tove procured, and other improvements made. 
As few boys were in school in the summer season over 
eight or nine years of age, it might well be said their 
educati<in was obtained under ditlicultief. In ISll a 
new and much better house was built and more cen- 
trally located. If we go back in the history of this 
<listrict to ISOO, there were within its limits twenty- 
three dwelling-houses, with an enumer.ition of over 
fifty ehildri'n betwc'cn the ages of four and .-sixteen 
years. I'j] to that time, and for some years alter, 
spelling, reading, writing, ami arithmetic only were 
tau.ght in the district scho.d, and it was not before 
1S12 that tea<'liers wia'e recpiircd to pass an examina- 
tion in English grammar. The first teacher that in- 
troduced the study of grammar into the North Dis- 
trict scIkxjI was a young man IVom Simsbury, by the 
name of Oliver Cromwell I'hclps. In the winter of 
1S02-3, after considerable talk with the parents, and 
much urging, he succeeded in obtaining two, and by 
sending to New Haven procured two eojiies of Noah 
Webster's grammar, and the strange study was com- 
menced. Phelps taught the school two winters, but 
made no additioirs to his grammar class. For three 
years following the school was taught by one .loseph 
Lcjckwood, with no granunar class, — indeed, the teach- 
ers knew nothing about it. The winter terms of 180(1 
and 1807 were by Jeremiah Rowland, wdio had a class 
in grammar of four or five, and Lindley Murray's 



814 



niSTOKY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



grammar was introJuced, and something in the way 
of geography and history was commenced. Noah 
AV'ebstcr's " Elemeuts of Universal Knowledge" served 
for reading and study. The two following winters 
Charles Lockwood was the teacher, with some further 
advancement in the exercises, but it WiW not before 
1820 that an atlas with a geography was found in any 
common school. The wages of school-teachers were, 
for males, for the winter terms, from nine to twelve 
dollars per month, and board around with the pro- 
prietors according to the number of scholars attend- 
ing, and for females, iu the summer, four to six dol- 
lars per month, the month to be not le-;s than four 
weeks, and five and a liulf days of not less than six 
hours to the week per day. 

Among the early settlers of our town frequent con- 
troversies arose regarding the location of their school- 
houses and the cliaracter and qualifications of the 
teachers. As late as 17%, at a school-society meet- 
ing, it was voted that the society be divided into four 
districts. The divisions were made by a line from 
Greenfield west, passing the house of David Burr and 
the house of Benjamin Allen to Saugatuck River, and 
by a line from Wcjton boundary south, including the 
house of Silas Burr, east of tlie house of Gideon Coucii, 
to the sea, to be designated as the northeast, north- 
west, southeast, and southwest districts. This divi- 
sion, however, appears not to have been satisfactory, 
as, at an adjourned meeting of the school society, 
held the 17th of November, 1798, it was voted that 
Cross highway be set off as a new district, from 
Greenfield line we>t, to include Phineas Chajiman, 
and soutli, to include Daniel Brotherlon, David Beers, 
and David Sherwood, Jr., and appointed John Ogden 
school committee. The spring following, 1799, they 
built a school-house. It stood directly opposite the 
house where Henry Monroe now lives. It might be 
supposed tliat land at that period wiis not so valuable 
as to prevent the i)urchase of a few rods for the first 
school-house; yet the house was set upon the high- 
way, and there stood thirty-six years. It was for the 
time a comfortable house, about the size of the North 
District house, mentioned above. Among the early 
school-teachers, although at a much later date than 
the above, are the names of Swords, Ilanford, Ben- 
nett, Jennings, and, particularly in 1811 and 1812, 
Stephen Olmstead, a very good teacher. 

REVOLUTIONARY INCIDENTS. 
TDE GALLAST SEVENTEE.V. 

Although 'Westport did not share the fate of Nor- 
walk and Fairfield, still the town suffered severely, 
anil here, in what is now Compo Street, was spilled the 
first British blood on the memorable march of the red- 
coats to Danbury, in April, 1777. 

On the afternoon of the 2.')th of April, 1777, a fleet 
of vessels were seen cabling up the Sound. It was 
supposed their destination was farther eastward until 
they were seen rounding the eastern end of the reef 



off Caukccn Island just at night. Alarm-guns were 
fired, and early in the evening a few men of the 
militia company of AVeston met at a tavern kept by 
Ebenezer Ogden, in Cross highway. When their 
services might be required they knew not. In the 
course of the night they learned that the regulars 
were coming up the street and would soon be in 
sight. The number of the militia at the time, about 
half-past twelve a.m., had increased to seventeen, but 
without an officer of any grade, and no one of their 
number had ever been in battle. In front of where 
is now the mansion of Mrs. II. A. Birdsall was a well- 
erected stone wall, and from behind this wall they 
agreed to make a stand and give the British at least 
one shot. Each man loaded his gun with ball, and 
those who had them buckshot in addition, and took 
their places, first selecting one of their number to 
give the word fire. They expected the fire would 
cause a momentary halt of the enemy and a return 
fire, protection from which was the fence, behind 
which they were to drop as soon as they had fired, 
and after receiving the return fire each man was to 
take care of himself. When the head of the army 
reached a little elevation in the highway, nearly in 
front of the house occupied by the late Capt. Elwood, 
and at not more than sixteen rods' distance, the word 
fire was given, and the seventeen discharged their 
well-aimed muskets. The effect was one killed and 
a major and two or three others wounded. The 
killed and wounded were put into an ox-cart, belong- 
ing to a Mr. Bennett, and sent down to the shipping. 
As expected, the army halted and returned the fire. 
To use the expression of the narrator, "The bullets 
rattled against the fence like hail against a ghiss 
window. As soon they had received the enemy's fire 
each man ran, taking his own way. I ran up north 
and crossed the highway where it branches, about 
forty rods above where we fired, into a field east of the 
road, and had gone some forty rods or so when, know- 
ing nothing of flank guard to an army, as 1 liad nearly 
reached the top of a hill I discovered a company of 
about sixty men within not more than twenty rods of 
me. I turned and ran down the hill. I heard the 
word halt behind me, which I disregarded, and the 
whole company fired at but overshot me. Fortunately, 
a little to my right was a thick alder-swamp, into 
which, without any fear of wet feet, I dove, until 
near the centre I crawled into a thick bush of alders 
and lay low. The red-coats came down to the swamp, 
turned to the left, and went along. I kept my jdace 
until I was sure the army had passed, then went 
home." 

The following is taken from the Westporler, under 
date April 29, 1870: 

"About four o'clock in the afternoon of the 25th of 
April, 1777, a fleet of twenty-six sail, containing from 
two thousand to two thon-sand five hun(lrc<l British 
troops, commanded by Gen. Tryon, came to anchor 
at the mouth of the Saugatuek River, and the troops 



WESTPORT. 



S15 



were landed on Conipo Beaeli, from wlienee they com- 
meneed their march on Uanbury. The yeomanry of 
the neighborhood had assembled to resist them, but a 
few eannon-shot made them give way, and tlie troops 
marehed up Conipo 8treet, galled by a seattcring tire 
from Ijehiiid stone fences. At the jiead of Comjio 
Street, wliere the Aldeii House now stands, there 
stood a barn, in front of which was a stone fence, 
behind wliich lay eighteen ]iatriots, wlm, as the ad- 
vance of the enemy were in the vicinity ol' where 
Mr. James Quigg's house now stands, discharged 
their eighteen pieces in the faces of tlie foe, and ran 
across tlie lots in dilferent directions. 

" ])Ut tlie foe were in a patriotic neigliburbood. ( !!en. 
SiUimaii, of the Connecticut militia, who resided in 
Fairtit'ld, sent out expresses, and the country was soon 
aroused. Gen. Arnold, who was at New Haven, 
hearing of the British inroad, mounted Ids horse, 
and, accompanied by C!cn. Wooster and Lieut. Os- 
wald, of the artillery, with three field-i)ieces, has- 
tened to join Gen. Silliman. As they spurred forward, 
every farm-house sent out its warrior. In the mean 
while the enemy, marching all night, reached Danbury 
at two o'clock in the afternoon of the :2(ith, which place 
they pillaged and then burned. Meanwhile the pa- 
triots were gathering. Gen. Silliman had advanced 
at the head of Ave hundred. Gens. 'Wooster and 
Arnold joined him, making in all six hundred men. 
Retarded by a heavy rain, they reached liethel near 
midnight, where they halted to take a little rejxise 
and put their arms in order, rendered aliiKist unser- 
viceable by the rain. Gen. Wooster took command, 
and at dawn detached Arnold, with four hiiiulrcd 
men, to push across the country and take jjost at 
llidgefield, by which the British must jiass, while he, 
with the two hundred, remained to hang on and 
harass them in flank and rear. As soon as the 
British had passed his position, Wooster attacke<l the 
rear guard with great spirit and etteet ; sharp skir- 
mishing continued until within two miles of Ridge- 
field, where, as the veteran was cheering on his men, 
a musket-ball brought him down from his horse and 
finished his gallant career. I'pon this his men re- 
treated in disorder. The delay his attack had occa- 
sioned the enemy had given Arnold time to throw up 
a kind of breastwork across the north end of Kidge- 
field Street, where he took his stand with his little 
force, now increased to aliout five hundred men. At 
about eleven o'clock the enemy advanced in column. 
Thoy were kept at bay for a time, and received several 
volleys of shot from the barrica<les, until it was out- 
flanked, when Arnold ordered a retreat. Tryon in- 
trenidied for the night in Itiilgefield. The next 
morning, after having fired four houses, he continued 
his march for the ships. 

"Arnold was again in the field, and posted himself 
on the enemy's route at Old Hill, near where Mrs. 
Brinkerhott"'s house now stands. When the enemy 
came in sight of Arnold's position they changed their 



route, and, guided by a Tory named John Bennett, 
made for a ford of the Saugatuck River, near where 
Kelly's mill now stands. Arnold hastened to cross 
the King Street liridge and take them in the think, 
but they were too (|uick for him, as they had gained 
the rocks in front of where Lees' mattress-factory now 
stands, and placed their cannon so as to rake the 
bridge, which position they held until their main 
body were well on the way towards their shi|is. 
Finding themselves hard ]iressed, the enemy ]iuslied 
for Ccnujio Hill (where the residence of S. IL Burn- 
ham now stands), arriving in the evening witl]<nit a 
round of aininunition in their cartridge-boxes, but, 
being within eannon-shot of the ships, the Americans 
ceased the pursuit. The enemy were then reinforced 
by marines from the ships, who attacked the fatigued 
patriots, killing a large number, and then etiected 
their embarkation. The exact number of Americans 
killed is unknown, liut fwentii-two bodies are known 
to have been buried in one grave on the bea<'li, and 
afterwards three more bodies were discovered in a 
house near the Furnian place. During the engage- 
ment a young man was killi'd whose gravestone can 
still be seen in the old i-einetery at Green's Farms, 
with the following inseri]ition : 

'"I.ioiit. Saimul Elmer, 

soil tu Ciil. Siiimu'l Khni-'r, 

..f Shuri.n, 

WHS kilkil lit FniTflol.l fiKliling for 

the Lil.i-rt.v ..f liis Omritry, 

April is til. 1777. 
ill the "J.'.tli. yi'iir of liis jigc. 
" ' Our .yuutlifiil Hern, ImKl in arms. 
His coiintr.v's rriiii-i' liis Ihismiii wiiriiis 
To siivo lier ri^lit-s, fmiil to eiif^age. 
Anil gnaiil In-r from ii T.vniiit's rage, 
FlifS to jf tli'ld of liloiul ami Death, 
Ami gloriunsly resl^^ns his Breatli.'" 

IIICIIWAVS. 

About tlie first nuive made by the business men of 
this town to 0|)en new highways was in 1801), — a direct 
highway ojiened from that part of Weston then usually 
called North Fairfield (now Easton). From Job 
Perry's mill, down the valley of As|ietuck Ivivcr to 
Jonathan Coley's mill, and thence, in a straight line, 
to a ])oiiit on the first cross-highway, near the present 
residence of .James Sniibert, would measure less than 
five miles, ;ind wtmld nuike a very level road, while 
the then traveled highway between the siime points 
measured more than seven miles, and was very hilly. 
The projiosed route was the present highway through 
Keteham's I'lains. As the town boundaries then were, 
one-fourth of a mile would be in Norwalk, about two 
and one-fourth miles in Weston, and the renuiinder in 
Fairfield. A highway so obviously necessary for 
public travel and convenience, we now think, should 
have met with no opposilimi. Vet a iieliliori to the 
County Court in 1X12 Id lay it out met with the 
united opjiosition <if the whole three towns and was 
defeated. The lu'xt move was to ojien the upper part 
of the proposed new highway, from the second cross- 



816 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



highway, a little east of Jonathan Coley's mill, to in- 
tersect the highway from Reilding Ridge to Fairfield, 
north of Perry's mill. This would he about one and 
five-eighths miles in Fairfield and one and three- 
eighths miles in Weston, and for this purpose a peti- 
tion was brought to tlie County Court in 181"). This 
petition met with little opposition from Weston, but 
with the most determined opposition from Fairfield. 
Southport was alarmed at the idea of Saugatuck being 
brought, by this new highway, nearer to North Fair- 
field, Redding Ridge, and Newtown than to their 
place. The court, however, granted the prayer of 
the petitioners, and appointed a committee to lay out 
the highway and a.ssess the damages to the land- 
owners. There was no assessment of benefits in those 
days, or the benefits would have been found to greatly 
exceed the damages. The committee laid out the 
highway and made their report in 181G. The report 
was met by remonstrances against its acceptance, and 
all other means which the ingenuity of lawyers could 
invent, but unsuccessftdly. Weston made their part 
of tlie road, but Fairfield did nothing. The court 
finally ap|)'jinted 'Squire .\dams a suitable person to 
make said new highway. Adams made the road. 
Fairfield refused to pay the bill. Questions were 
raised about the legality of the proceedings. The 
matter went to the Superior Court, and from that to 
the Court of Errors, but in the end Fairfield was 
defeated. It was not till 1820, however, that Adams 
got his money. In obtaining this improvement in 
the means of communication with North Fairfield, 
the eastern part of Redding, and Newtown, much 
time and money were spent by its projectors, all of 
whom are now dead. The most prominent and active 
were Ebenezer Jesup, Samuel B. Sherwood, Elijihalet 
Swift, Stephen Morehouse, Tliomas F. Rowland, Lewis 
Raymond, Dan Taylor, and Seymour Taylor. " For 
many years after," says the late 'Squire Gray, "the 
people of Fairfield seemed to owe this highway a 
special spite, and would make no repairs upon it ex- 
cept upon complaint from the State's attorney. 
Down to the time AVestport was incorporated as a 
town, in 1835, I do not remember ever attending a 
town-meeting in Fairfield without hearing some hard 
things spoken of this ' infiimous Saugatuck road,' as 
it was termed. It ajtpcared to be a studied subject of 
one of tbe selectmen, Roliert Wilson, to make a ha- 
rangue on the iniquity of tliat infamous Saugatuck 

road." 

EARLY MEKCII.VNTS. 

Tradition s-iys that the first store in the village of 
Westport was near the west end of the old or upper 
bridge. 

The first store on the west side of the river stood 
upon tl\e dock, where the small house occupied for 
the l.Tst twenty years by John Allen stands. In 17it8 
it was occupied by Joe^t?eribner, and in 1801 sold by 
Scribncr to James llurlbutt. About 1804 it came 
into the hands of Henry Hay dock, of New York, was 



sold by Haydock to Daniel Nash, and by Nash to 
Lewis Raymond, who was its occupant until 181.5, 
during a large part of which time a market-boat was 
run from it. It was then sold to Taylor Hurlbutt, 
used as a store down to 1830, and demolished about 
18-50. 

An early merchant in Westport was Ebenezer 
Jesup, who kept in the old "red store," on premises 
now owned by a grandson. John S. Pearsall was a 
])r()minent merchant from 1785 to 180.5. Gershom 
Rradlcy and Levi T. Downs were also early mer- 
chants. 

INNS. 

One of the early taverns was kept by the father of 
the late Esquire Disbrow during Revolutionary times 
in the old Hezekiah Wakeman place, recently torn 
down, and upon the site of which now stands the Me- 
morial church. Gen. W.ashington and staff' stopped 
here on their way to Boston. When here the general's 
supper consisted of a plain bowl of bread and milk. 
Often, when passing through this place. Gen. Wash- 
ington sto|)ped with Col. Marvin, an officer in the 
Continental army, who lived about a mile west of the 
village, on premises now owned by David M. Martin. 
The road leading by this liouse, over the old bridge 
above the village and by the Disbrow tavern, was the 
traveled route between New York and Boston, and 
was called the king's highway. 

E.\RLY REGULATIONS.— THE WIIIPPING-POST.— 
SLAVE.?, Etc. 

In the early days the laws were very severe. For 
very small crimes or ofl'enses people were fined or 
taken to the whipping-post. Many were fined for a 
breach of the Sabbath, such as riding out for |)leasurc. 
sporting, fishing, etc., while others were warned out 
of town for conduct unbecoming good citizens. 

The old whipping-post stood on the green near 
Green's Farms church, and was used until within a 
few years for a sign-post. It has now rotted away. 

Slaves were owned in town, but were seldom sold at 

auction made at these times, but repeated instances 

were known of their being sold at i)rivate sale or 

traded o(f, as cattle arc in these days. The slaves, 

however, generally remained in families where' tlicy 

were born. 

EARLY CUSTOMS. 

The wardrobe of a lady in the early days, as now, 
1 was of considerable conseiiuence, and if she had a 
I good stock of linens, woolens, and home-made stock- 
ings she was almost an heiri>ss. The ladies, therefore, 
were very anxious to display these powerful attrac- 
tions to the greatest advantage, and the best rooms in 
the house were always hung round with abundance of 
. homespun, the manufacture and the jiroperty of the 
females. Saturday night was religiously observed. 
Marriages were not solemnized on Friday or Satur- 
day, OS Friday wiis an unlucky and hangman's day, 
and Saturday evenings were devoted to religious prcp- 
' aration for the Sabbath. 



WESTPORT. 



817 



Balls anil parties were comnKui, iHrliii|ini;;s]iiuuiiiL''-, 
luiskiiijf-, apple-paring-, ami (iuiltiiig-|iarties. 

The men wore the powdered hair as (|Ueues, and the 
ladies deeorated their heads with hiij-li horn or sliell 
eomhs, wore short dresses of liomc-made woolen eloth 
and linsey-woolsey ajirons, and no 0:10 liotliered their 
heads with bustles, hoops, or waterfalls. 

niYSICIAXS. 

The first ]ihysieian in this town was Joseph Chap- 
man, who lived in the I'oplar Plain Distriet. A eon- 
teuiporary of Dr. Chapman was Ebenezer .Tesnp, 
<if Green's Farms, father of the late ^Maj. Ebenezer 
Jesup and of Edward Jesnji, who were many years 
ago successful merchants in West port. 

The first physician who located in Westi)ort was a 
Dr. Porter, in 17911 or 'SO. lie however remained hut 
a short time. 

The first permanent physician was D.ivid Tlich- 
mon<l, of honored memory. He was born and edu- 
cated in Vermont, and commenced practice in >.'cw 
Canaan in ISOl, in the followini;; year removed to 
this place, and soon ae piireil an extensive ]iractiee. 
princii)ally in the towns of Norwalk, Fairfield, Wil- 
ton, and Weston. 

Dr. T(dcott Baidjs was an early practitioner, and 
partner with Dr. Richmond. Dr. (reor:;e I'.lackniun 
nuirried a daughter of Dr. Richmond, and was during 
a long period a successful ])rac'itioiier. Drs. Burr 
and Jancy were also in practice here. The present 
j)hysician3 are Frederick Powers ami George B. 
Bouton. 

Among the lawyers who have practiced here are 
mentioned the names of Samuel B. Sherwoocl, Eli- 
phalet Swift, James C. Loomis, Sanniel Chamberlain, 
Theodore Kellogg, M. L. Mason, M. W. Wilson, 
Wesley Lyon, William K. Seeley, James R. Jesup, 
E. M. Lees, Albert Relyea, Josej)!! ( i. Hyatt. 

MANUFACTl!RIN(!. 
Sixty year.3 ago nearly every house in village or 
country was a manufactory, and nearly every woman, 
old or young, an operative. He was a jioor farmer 
who did not rai.se fia.x; sufficient to make all the linen 
goods required for the use of his family, and a poor 
man, farmer, mechanic, or laborer, who was not the 
owner of sheep. In clear, dry wi'atlicr in February 
or early March you would hardly ]iass a farmer's 
barn without seeing a man hard at work on a coarse- 
looking instrument, called a rnichle, breaking fiax, 
to separate the wood part from the fibre, and another 
man twirling a wheel with five arms to chaw the fla.x 
from what was called the shives. In the house you 
would sec, in one corner of a wide, old-fashioned fire- 
place, a young lady sitting at what was callrd a double 
wheel spinning thread ; in the other corner an elderly 
lady, with two cards in her hands, prejiaring the tow 
hatcheled from the fiax for a different kind of wheel, 
called a tjn-it wheel, exercise ui)on which was wA un- ' 



frei|nently ]irc;cril)ed by old [diysiciaiis as condncivc 
to the health of young girls. By the 1st of .June, the 
spinning of tlax and tow being completed, came the 
spinning of wool, which was continued most of the 
balance of the year. In about every fourth or fifth 
house, in a snnill room or chamlur, fitted up for the 
pur]>ose, would be found a loom with a young lady 
weaving thread or woolen yarn. In thi> way, and 
from these domestic numufactories, nearly all the 
cloths for wearing apjiarel of both males an<l females, 
as well as bedelothing and many other purposes, were 
olitained. And so far from employments of this 
nature being thought mean or vulgar, a young wonum 
could have no better recommendation lor matrimony 
than the great nundier of pairs of sheets, pillow- 
cases, Idankets, etc., she could show of her own spin- 
ning and weaving. 

In IXd.") the first carding-machine (proliably in the 
country) was set up in a snndl building by one Josh 
Scribncr, which caused c[uite an excitement for miles 
around. It was a great curiosity, and people came 
for many miles around to see it. It would do the 
work of twenty womi'U and nudce better rolls, and 
was indeed considered wonderfid. A few years alter, 
another machine, for spinning wool, was introduced, 
called the spinning-jenny. Dr. Richmond, John 
Taylor, and some others patronized the invention, but 
it never ]iaid. 

Cotton-manufacturing in Westport was due to the 
war with Great Britain of l.Sl:>-l.'j, and to Dr. 
David Richmond, who was a manufacturing enthusi- 
ast. By great exertion he succeeded in forming a 
company in 1.S14 which obtained from the Legislature 
an act of incorporation by the name of Saugatuek 
Jlanufacturing Company, the shares tolie oiu' hundred 
dollars each, and ert]iital not to exceed two hundred 
thousand dollars. I'nder this charterabout seventy- 
five thonsami dollars were subscribed, and the stone 
mill erected, maidunery jn'ocured, and business com- 
menced under the supervision of Lewis Raynujnd, 
Esq., early in 18!."i, — a most unfortunate time, as the 
war termimited in February of that year. During 
the war every descri])tion of manufaetureil gooils 
were emn'mously high ; cotton goods that now sell at 
ten cents a yard were worth in .Seiitember, bSH, more 
than one dollar. Had the war continued two or three 
years longer the enterprise would probably have been 
successful, but immediati'ly on the pro(dauuition of 
]ieace the large stock of goods in England, uumu- 
facturcd fin' the American market, which had greatly 
accumulated during the war, were rushecl into our 
country to be sold at any |n'ice, with the two-fold ob- 
ject of getting ri<l of old stocks and breaking down 
American nuinufactnring. The Saugatuek (Joinpany 
attemi)ted to stem the adverse current, hut soon got 
in debt. The discouraged stock hohlers refused to pay 
installments, and in ISbS, at the nu'cting of the stock- 
holders, it was voted to sell the whole jiroperty of the 
company at auction, and it was knocked down at a 



818 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



sum little excectlin<!; four thousand dollars, about 
enoui^h to pay its indebtedness, leaving nothing for 
the poor stockholders. The purehasers were a few of 
the stocklioldcrs, who had agreed to form a new com- 
pany, of whom the largest in interest were Ebenezer 
Jesup, David Richmond, Moses Judah, and E. Cor- 
nell, who were with others, by act of the Legislature, 
incorporated under the name of the Kichniondville 
Manufacturing Company in 1819. The niunufaetory 
was burned March 10, 1870. 

A new company was formed in 1828, of wliieh the 
prominent stockholders were Eben Jesup, William 
H. Jesup, Samuel Avery, Hezekiah Allen, Lewis 
Raymond, Edward M. Jlorgan, and others. They 
obtained an act of incorporation in 1829, under the 
name of The Branch Manufacturing Company, capi- 
tal not to exceed two hundred thousand dollars. The 
capital subscribed and actually paid in was only forty 
thousand dollars. Tliis company purchased the old 
mills and water-privilege of Samuel Coley, and erected 
the building now Keliey's mill, and put into it the 
requisite machinery for spinning and weaving cotton 
goods. An Englishman named Shawcross was some 
way concerned in the business. Work commenced in 
the mill, under the general superintendence of Wil- 
liam H. Jesup, in tlie fall of 1829, and for two or 
three years Wius supposed to be doing moderately well, 
although few and snuiU dividends were made. The 
Compromise Bill, as it was called, passed by Congress 
in 1833 to quiet Southern nullification, dampened the 
spirit of manufacturing, and told heavily upon small 
establishments like the Branch. Tlie stock ran down. 
Instead of stopping and waiting for more favorable 
times, the mill was kept running, latterly under the 
management of Capt. H. Allen, but early in 1841 a 
crisis wits reached. The property had been some time 
mortgaged for several thousand dollars to .Jesup Wake- 
man, of Southport. The stockliolders refused to pay 
the installment required to pay the debts, and Wake- 
man petitioned for foreclosure of his mortgage. In 
February, 1841, the whole property, mill, houses, 
water-iirivilegc, machinery, and about twelve acres of 
land, was sold to Capt. Allen for the sum of five thou- 
sand dollars. Capt. Allen continued operations at the 
mill to near the time of his death, in 1850. The prop- 
erty was subsequently sold to William Wood for 
twenty-one hundred dollars, sulyect to a balance of 
Wakeman's mortgage. Wood sold the machinery out 
of tlie mill, and the mill for the purpose it is now 
used. 

William and John Wood, about 1847, erected a 
mill for making cotton wadding, at a considerable 
cost, which would probably have paid well had not 
the tire-fiend claimed it. 

Taking the business of cotton-manufacturing in 
Westport, from its commencement in 181o to 1850, it 
is evident the losses will vastly exceed the gain. 
Whatever benefit the public derived from it, the 
etockholders suffered. 



COMMERCIAL. 
From the early settlement of Connecticut to a time 
not very remote Fairfield County was the largest 

grain-growing county in the State, and the towns of 
Fairfield, Norwalk, Wilton, Weston, and Redding 
the be.st in the county. Seventy-five or eighty years 
ago, of every one hundred of the male population 
not less than eighty-five were farmers. The jirinci- 
I)al, almost the entire, source from which money was 
obtained was the products of the soil. The men of 
that period were not eight-hour men, but sunrise-to- 
sunset men, — robust, hard-laboring, industrious fel- 
lows, obtaining from the earth annually large quanti- 
ties of rye, corn, oats, flax-seed, etc., beyond what wa> 
required for home consumption, for which a market 
was sought, and wherever was a convenient place for 
lading and unlading vessels, a store or stores were 
erected. Saugatuck River being navigable farther up 
from the Sound than any other in Fairfield County, 
its head of navigable water (notwithstanding the un- 
favorable surfiice) was selected as a suitable i)lace for 
commencing business; here, according to tradition, 
the first store was built near the upper bridge, and 
the second a little below where now stands Tom Mil- 
ler's barber-shop. What the amount of export.s werr 
at the beginning of the ])resent century can only \<i 
conjectured, but from my recollection of the nunibcr- 
of vessels employed, and the show of loaded teani- 
from the country, not less than one hundred thousand 
bushels of grain, corn, rye, and oats, and considerable 
quantities of flax-seed, dressed flax, butter, etc., wci ' 
annually shipped from here, the rye mostly to Bos- 
ton, Providence, and other Eastern ports. A great 
deal of the corn raised at that period was kiln-dried, 
ground, and put up in hogsheads of eight hundred 
pounds each for the West Indian market. Nearly 
every mill within five miles of the shore had a kiln 
for that purpose. Quite a business also was carried 
on with the West Indies. The brig "Atlantic" w:i- 
built by E. & D. Coley, for Beattie & Raymond an. 
some others, for this trade, and continued in it until 
lost coming from Turk's Island, laden with salt. A 
large sloop called the " Sally," built by Capt. Stephen 
Thorpe, was also in this trade, and occa.sionally sonn 
other vessels. 

The market-boat business commenced in ISlMi. 
Rowland & Barlow and Capt. Samuel Pearsal built a 
vessel for that purpose called the " I'edler." Sli' 

I was to make weekly trips to and from New York, 
carrying any articles of produce or materials that 
might ofl'er, and sell the same on a conimission, usu- 
ally of eight per cent., or a penny on a shilling, and 
for the acconinindation of passengers had a better 

j than usual fittcd-up cabin: price of pasvsage, fiftv 
cents. The business was found to pay, and in 181 1 
L. T. & S. E. Downs bought a sloop called tin 
" Diann" for the same business, and built a new ve- 
sel, the "Intrepid," in 1815, and in 1817, G. Bradley 

' & Co. built the "Iris" for like trade. Before the 



WESTPORT. 



819 



Il(jusiitiiiiii' UailroMil was o]ioiii'il tlirn- was consiilcr- 
able I'rciglit I'roin Xt'W MiUnnl ami Xowtowii, and — 
until the Danlmry and Xorwalk Railroad — much of 
tlif freight of Danluirv and iK'thcl. If we could iro 
liack, say to ISl'o or ls:!0, and step on Ixjard of one of 
tlioso boats as it was about to leave, in tlie month of 
April or Jlay, wo should see in the hold one hundred 
to two hundred biisliels nf oat-;, ten to twenty bags of 
rye Hour, one hundred to one hundred and fifty tubs 
of butter (averaging about twelve pounds each), five 
to ten barrels of eggs, fifty or more boxes of hats, 
boxe-; id" eondis, boxes of axes, and any c|uantity of 
bundles of unknown contents. (.)n deck we should 
see five to ten calves, and in tlie caliin or (ju tlie 
quarter-deck ten to fifteen imssengers. On her return 
we should find l)ales of mackerel, barrels cd' logwood 
and otiier articles for the hatters, two or tliree tluju- 
saud IJio (irande (or perhaps city) green liorns for the 
condi-nuikers, and not unfre(|uently several hogslieads 
of runi, pi[>cs of brandy, and barrels of gin for the gro- 
cers, a few barrels of wheat flour, dry-goods Ixixes, 
niolas.se.5, sugar, etc. 



CHAPTER L X X X 1 1 r. 

WESTPOKT (Continued). 

ECCLESIASTICAL. 

runj;res;fitiiin;tl f'liurcti. Green's Farms — C.nigregatiuiiiil, Saiigatuciv — 
Methixlist K|.is.-ii|ml— Churcli of tlie Holy Tihiity— Cliiist Chuixli— 
L'liivei-salist Cliuich, 

CONGUEGATIOXAL CHURCH.''' 
Ix the town of \Vestport, Green's Farms seems 
to lie the oldest parish and settlement. Tlie Indian 
name was JIachamux, which in time was corrupted 
from the original and improved into Maxinius. Tlie 
people near the centre of Fairfield called tliis west 
settlement the Farms at liankside. Afterwards a 
public-spirited man in this settlement, named John 
Green, was honored by its beingcalled < ireeu's Farms, 
wliieli was recognized as such in ISIU ; it was gener- 
ally spoken of as the Fairfield West parish till after 
the Revolution. 

This settlement was begun in KJ4S, when " it was 
iiLireed that Thomas X'ewton, Henry Gray, and John 
' ireen shall have liberty to .sit down and inhabit at 
^lachamux." Daniel Frost and Francis Andrews 
« ere added to the three, wliich were the proprietors 
of the settlement for twenty years. Their lands and 
residences were near the shore, extending from the 
]ilaee of the late Mr. I'liiiijis westward, and when they 
died were buried on Mos(|uito Hill. Daniel Frost 
lived east on a ]ioint id' land which took its name 
from him, Frost Point. Of the settlers, Xewton fled 
to the Dutch owing to some misdemeanor on his 
part. Gray has representatives to-day in ^V'cstport, ;is 



* I!}- Mre. Kate E. Perry. 



is indicated by Miss ( iray's popular seliool. Fr.ineis 
Andrews was represented by Daniel Andrews and the 
sons of Kbenezer Andrews, late of ('hicago, who lie 
under massive monuments in the lower ci'iiietery. 
John (Ireen has not a repre-ientative, though lie was 
mentioned last in ITl'S. John (ireen, Jr., lived in 
Stamford, which may account for it. 

In 1711 there were eighty-eight ]iersoiis in ('mipo, 
and in Jlaximus one hundred and eighty-two, — in all 
two hundred and seventy persons, — who had to travel 
from two and a half to eight miles to attend eliurch. 
which must be done on foot, horseback, or in ox-carts. 

Parish jirivileges were granted May, 1711 ; the rec- 
ords liegin at this date. Rev. Daniel Chapman was the 
first pastor, with a salary of seventy pounds, although 
the church was not organized till four years later. In 
171M it was voted that a house should be built for the 
minister, forty-two feet long, twenty feet wide, two 
stories high, and a cellar under one end, two chamber 
cliiilineys; liir covering, shingles four and .-i lialf I'eet, 
and to be set on six acres of land. This hoine stood 
on Mr. BedfVird's land, near the old well. 

The church was organized in 1714 with seven mem- 
bers: Thomas Xash, .lohn Andrews, Hamuel ('ouch, 
Henry (Jray, Joshua Jennings, (said to be spelled on 
the ehurch record " (Joshshew Jinnins"), Jonathan 
Inquire, and Josejili Lockwood, The way churches 
were then organized in Connecticut was to choose 
from their iiumlier seven prominent individuals, who 
were calleil the seven pillars. These seven entered 
into covenant and formed the church ; then the rest 
united with them on iirofe^sion of faith. 

Rev. Daniel Cliapman, the first pastor, was the son 
of Deacon Xathaniel Chapman, of Saybrook, and 
grandson of Robert Chapman, one id' the first settlers 
of that town. He was born IG.Slt; graduated from 
Yale College, 1707. He married (irissel Lovel, or 
Lovewell, of' the island of Cape Breton. He inherited 
several tracts of land in Saybrook, and fifteen hun- 
dred acres in Hebron. Little is known of him as a 
]ireaeher. He was ]>astorliere twenty -six years. He 
was dismissed in 1741, having near that time been 
" overtaken with too much drink." 

It was then a discourtesy to refuse to i>artake from 
the deeanters which always stood on the sideboard, 
so his case is no wonderment. He died in Green's 
Farms soon after this. He had seven children, one 
of whom, Phineas, married Sarah Ketchum and set- 
tled in the parish. He was takmi prisoner at his own 
house while loading his goods into an ox-cart to es- 
cape with his family from the British. His treat- 
ment while a |irisoner resulted in his death. He was 
a caiitain in the Pvcvolnlionary war. He died at his 
home in 17.H2. He also had two sons, Maj. Albert 
and Lieut. James ('liapman, who were officers in the 
same war. Their descendants are yet in this town, 
and are scattered through the country, and are spoken 
of as the "big guns" of the nation. 
' Li 17.'{li the house (ehurch) was too inadequate. 



820 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



In 1738 a new one was raised, Init was not finished till 
several years later. The nienil)ers had pew sjiots as- 
signed tlieni aeeording to their raulv in soeiety ; each 
had to huild Iiis own pew. 

Rev. Daniel Buckingham, born in Milford. 1713, 
graduated at Yale College, 173.5, succeeded Mr. 
Chapman in 1742. His salary was five hundred 
pounds. At this time there was a great depreciation 
in money, Init as that (h'crc.ased they increased his 
salary. In 17.5() tlie parisli was divided hy petition 
of the northern part, and was called tiic Fairfield 
Northwest parish, — now Norfield, in Weston. In 
1756 five men of this parish died in the army in the 
French-and-Indian war. They were Abel Fountain, 
David Hendricks, Jethro Morehouse, Phineas Squire, 
and Thomas Sherwood. 

The Sherwoods are numerous now in this section. 
An uncommon occurrence was noted among them 
this fall (1880), when three triplet brothers, Francis, 
Frederic, and Franklin f^hcrwood, gave a i)arty to 
celebrate their seventieth birthdaj'. Seventy-five 
people were present, and were arranged at three 
tables, one of each brothers doing the honors to the 
guests at his table. 

Rev. Mr. Buckingham (a name cherished in the 
State, and to which Governor Buckingham added 
lustre) died in 1766. Rev. Hezekiah Ripley, the 
third minister, succeeded Mr. Buckingham in 17G7, 
and occupied the pulpit here for more than fifty 
years. Mr. Ripley was born in Windham, Conn., in 
1743. His grandfather was one of the early settlers 
of Mitssachusotts, and his grandmother was the 
daughter of the famous Governor Bradford, of Ply- 
mouth. He graduated at Yale College in 1763. 

The most memorable period in the history of the 
parish during his ministrj' was the time of the Revo- 
lutionary war, as it was continually liable to destruc- 
tion while the British had possession of Long Island. 
The i>arisli was invaded by them twice, and proba- 
bly would the third time, had not one of the farmers, 
who had a terrible voice, used it so effectually as to 
cause tlieni to desist and return to their boats. It 
was towards night, when he was out for his cattle, and, 
seeing the move of the British, he began to give com- 
mand, !Ui if he had liis forces near. The British, 
hearing him and fearing they might be overcome, 
yielded to the successful strategy, and Compo and the 
Farms were saved that time. 

On July 8, 1779, aft*r Tryon's forces left Fairfield 
ruined, they fired every dwelling in the lower part of 
the parish for more than a mile. One or two houses 
were saved, where the flames were extinguished. 
They burnt the church and the buildings, clothing, 
furniture, and jjrovisions of the following i>ersons: 
Rev. Hezekiah Ripley, Nathan Godfrey, Grummond 
Morehouse, Dr. Ebenezer Jessup, Simon Couch, Widow 
Eunice Morelmuse, Ebwiezer Morehouse, George Bat- 
terson, .lolin Davis. Abraham .Vndrews, Widow Sarah 
Andrews, Jessuj) Wakeman, Gideon Jlorehouse, and 



Moses Kent. The last named occupied the home of the 
late Francis L. Hedenberg, tnit his house must have 
been elsewhere in the parish. His wife wius Mury 
Wakeman, who lived a little north of the house of the 
late Burr Jennings, — probably the Wakeman house, 
now standing, which has considerable local celebrity, 
and is without doubt the oldest house in AVcstport. 
A copy of one of the early issues of the New York 
Herald was recently found there, and forwarded to 
the New York Herald office. It was a ha])py circum- 
stance at the office; they immediately reproduced it 
and scattered it over the world again. The house in 
Saugatuck of Moses Kent is in good repair'; it was 
modernized several years jigo, and here Mr. Hedenberg 
married Mary Burr Thorp, March, 1S26, and in 1876 
they held their golden wedding. Their son, Gould 
Burr Hedenberg, and his wife, Mary (Wood) Heden- 
berg, held their silver wedding simultaneously in the 
same house. F. L. Hedenberg was a native of New - 
ark, N. J., and his mother* was active against tin 
Hessians. 

The church being burnt, worship was held several 
years in private houses. Tlio first year they agreed 
to meet in the house of Daniel Burr, the grandfather 
of Daniel Burr, who lived in the old house near Mr. 
William Burr. The third church of this parish wa- 
built between 1783 and 1789. Deacon Thomas Nasli. 
who occupied the first house at the west, with it~ 
piazziis and banisters fronting the south, with it- 
noble elms in front (later the home of Mr. Daniel 
Burr), gave the land, and seemed to be filled with tin 
spirit of progress characteristic of his father am! 
grandfather. He was a man of indomitable will, ami. 
having some difficulty with the society, he left and 
joined the Episcopal Church. 

For this third church application was made to tin 
Legislature for a.ssistance, which was only granted in 
giving them their proportion of the five hundred 
thousand acres of fir lands, lying in the wilderness ni' 
Ohio, granted by the State to comiicnsate those win. 
had suffered from the war. A ta.\ of ninepenec on 
the pound was levied, the fir lands sold, the par- 
sonage and school funds borrowed, the society j)led;_'- 
ing to pay the interest annually; the principal ha- 
never been heard of since. 

Rev. Mr. Rii)ley w:is chaplain in the Continental 
army, attending to his i)arish simultaneously. In 
the Revolution he lost his house, furniture, and a 
portion of his library. During public service alarm- 
ing tidings were frequently received, therefore per- 
sons were stationed at such points to give warning of 

♦ Clinrles Ilotloubcrg waa a nntlvo of Swodon, who adapted Uio I'tillo't 
CidoHiit* for Ills Iioiiie, tw ho iinrrictl Jniie Ynnnlst, of Nuw Yurk Hlv. 
Ho fullowtnl tho sen. Hy diUgelico and industry ho U'cnnie captain, and 
(Inullj- owner, of the sidp. Ho dicil nisoa, .Muy II. ITOs, loaving « widow 
and two (tjiif, from wltoni liavo de^Kondod nil lliero uro in tlie ridti-*! 
Statoti iK'uring that liaiuo. Oily of those, f'liarloji. wa« Iituiorod witii h 
d<Kuiiiciit, projicntod in 1787. liy James Diinno, E*i|., Mayor of Now Yt>rk 
City, called tlio " Frec.luin of the City.'' Tliis paiwr foil to liiu lion, V. I.. 
He<!unberg, wlio presorvoU it uith groat caro. 



WESTPORT. 



821 



,lie :i|i]>roacli of the ciieiiiy. In IT'.tO lu' was elmsen 
i mcinlx'i' ot' the er>r|)(inLti(m cit' Yale ("uUege, wliieli 
lie eciiitimuMl twenty-seven years, resifjninsj; it on 
acecitint of the infirmities of old aire, lie and Dr. 
Tiiiiiithy Dwight were warm friemls. Their inter- 
course was freiiucnt and most endearinj;;. The degree 
of D.D. was conferred on Jlr. Itipley liy the Collcf^c 
of New Jersey in 18l)2. During the years ISlo and 
ISKi thirty-eight persons united witli the church. [ 
He married Dolly Brintnall, of New JInven, in 1705, 
and their union existed over sixty-six years. She 
died August, 1831 ; he died De;-enil)er the same year. 
They had four children, one of whom, William Ilrint- 
nall, graduated fnnn Yale in 17S(i, l)ccame eainister 
in Lebanon, Conn., and died in 1822. He was chosen 
fellow of Yale, 1817. ; 

Dr. Hezekiah Ki|dcy was a man of conunanding 
lU'csenee, and in his conference with AVashington on 
his way to Boston, on public matters, it would be 
difficult for the jiainter t(i finil a finer subject than 
these two patriots communing on the interests of the 
country. The doctor accompanied "Washington to 
Stratford Fi'rry. j 

Dr. Kipley is tin.' subject of a fine article in 
" Sjsrague's Annals of the American Pulpit," and 
was contributed by Kcv. Thomas F. Davies, in lS4il. 
Four of Dr. Riidev's great-grandsons bore arms in 
the late civil war, one of whom lost an arm in the 
second battle of Bull linn. 

The fourth pastr)r of this church was Rev. — after- 
wards Dr. — Edward Hooker, a descendant of Kev. 
Tliomas Hooker, first pastor in Hartford. His father 
was the Rev. Asahel Hooker, who was settled in 
I ioshcn, afterwards in Norwich, C(mn. His mother 
« as Phcbe Edwards, of Stoekbridge, JIass., descended 
from President Edwards, of Princeton College. He 
jraduated at Middlebury College, Vt., 1814, com- 
I'lcted his theological studies at Andover, Mass., in 
1-^17, and was ordained in Green's Farms, August, 
b'^^l. He marrieil Faith TrundniU Huntington, a 
descendant of Rev. John Robinson, the eeli'brated 
I'nritan. His was an honored and successful ministry 
seven years, when he resigned, and was dismissed in 
].S2il. He had charge for twelve years of a churcli in 
Bennington, Vt., from tlie years 1832 to 1844, when 
he acce]>ted the professorship of 8acre<l Rhetoric and 
lv_-clesiastieal History in the Theological Seminary at 
I^ast Windsor, Conn., \vbi<-lL he filled until bS48, 
when he became [lastor in South Windsor in bS4!<, 
and continued until 18.")(i, when lie accepted a call to 
Fairhaven, Vt., which he continueil till 1S()2, when, 
in his declining years, a respecteil and honored father 
in the ministry, he went to reside with his son, a pastor 
in Nashua, N. H. 

The filth i)astor was Rev. Thomas F. Davies, who 
was born in Redding, Cmin., 17'.i;5. His father was 
Thomas Davies, a physician in that town. He was 
fitted by Rev. Dr. Ely, of Huntington (then Ripton), 
for Y'ale College, froiu which he graduated in 1813, 



having enferecl in bsoH. He taught school a year 
<ir two, pursuing his the(dogical studies under Dr. 
Dwight. Heseftled in Huntington in 1817 to jireach, 
but ill health eomp(dIed him to accept the invitation 
to remove to New Haven, in 1819, and become editor 
of the ClirisHiiii Si>ii-t(ilnr. a prominent religious peri- 
odical. This be continued several years, but ill health 
here necessitated his removal to Redding. His health 
sufficiently restored, he accepted a call to (Jreen's 
Farms, where he laboreil ten years, when he, from 
ill health, was fi)rced to retire again, when lu' removed 
to New Haven to superintend tl;e education of his 
sons. He afterwards resided in Redding, tlioi with 
his son-in-law, Deacon E. B. Adams, in (ireen's Farms, 
where he died Feb. 1(1, ]8(;r.. He left three children, 
oni' (d' them a distinguished E[)iscoj)al clergynuiu. 
Mr. Davies was a man of suiierior ability ami ijuali- 
fications. He was genial, social, and jiolished. 

The sixtli pastor was Rev. Danicd C. Curtis, a 
native of Meiiden, Conn. He graduated from Yale 
in l83l!, and was ordained and installed in Green's 
Farms in 1S40, and was installed jiastor in Brooktield, 
where he labored fifteen years. In ISoo he was settled 
in Fort Atkinson, Wis., afterwards was pastor in Fort 
Howard, of the same State. After he left Green's 
Farms, Rev. Lewis Pennel was stated sup|)ly for a 
year. He is now ( 188<l) at (ireen's Farms, superan- 
nuated, yet attends various meetings in the (Councils, 
reviving histories of former days. 

Rev. Giles JM. Porter was the seventh pastor. His 
father was Rev. Dr. Porter, of Farmington, Conn. 
He graduated from Yale in 183(i; he was licensed by 
the New London Association to preach in 1841, an<l 
was ordained and installed jiastor in (ireen's Farms 
in 1844. His failhlid disi-harge clo.sed here by his 
dismissal in iN'iD. He was pastor in Unionville, 
Conn., from 18r>2 till I8.')t;. After that he had a 
charge in Garnaville, Iowa, where he was laboring in 
I 18G5. 

The eighth pastor was the Rev. Charles Beutley, a 
graduate of Andierst ('ollege in 1824; was ordained 
and iustalleil past<u' in Middle Haddam, 182(j, and 
dismissed, 18;',;'.. He was settled in (iranby till 18311; 
I from there he went to Harwenton, where he was ex- 
ceedingly suecesslul. He left here in 18.'>0, wliere he 
was a fiiithfnl pastor till 18')0. He was laboring in 
the ministry in Wellington, (.'onn., in 18(i."). 

Rev. R. S. Egglestou succeeded Mr. Bentley as stated 
supply fin' two years. He was an honored and suc- 
cessful |)asfor in Knowlsville, N. Y., in ]8(>"). 

The ninth past<n- is the Rev. B. J. Relyea, who was 
installed pastor in (Ireen's Farms, !)(■<■. 4, 18(!l,and 
has been a bclovi'd and ellicient pastor there U|i to 
date (1880). 

On Oct. 2i;, ISC', his i.arish held the celebration of 

I " ... 

, the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the for- 
mation of the churidi in Green's Farms. He gave an 
elaborate history of (ireen's Farms, which was de- 
servedly popular. The present structure is the fourth 



822 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



church which has been used by this congregation, 
and this li.os been remodeled and rededicated iu Mr. 
Relyca's day. 

At tlie anniversary Edward J. T.aylor called the 
meeting to order. The late Hon. James ('. Loomis, 
ofBridgeport, was president of the day. Rev. Nathaniel 
Hewit, D.D., Maj.-Gen. Couch, the late Dr. William 
B. Nash, and Hezekiah \\'. Rii)ley, Esq., were vice- 
presidents. Daniel Rurr was chief marshal. Among 
the speakers of the day were Hon. .Tames C. Loomis, 
Rev. Mr. McLean, of Fairfield, David Ri|)ley, grand- 
son of the late Dr. Rii>ley, Dr. Noyes, of New Canaan, 
Rev. Dr. Hewit, of Bridgeport, Maj.-Gen. Couch, Prof. 
William B. Clark, of Yale, Rev. William J. Jennings, 
Rev. Mr. Elwood, and Rev. Enoch Burr. 

The whole was a fine affair at the termination of so 
successful a parisli for one hundred and fifty years. 

Mr. Relyea has a son, Albert Relyea, a lawyer, who 
has represented Westjiort in the Legislature. 

When Fairfield ceded the portion extending from 
Sasco to Saugatuck River to Wcstport she lost the 
])arish of Green's Farms and three burial-grounds, 
besides a valuable tract of farms and an enviable, 
aristocratic, independent comnuinity. The burying- 
ground reputed to be the oldest is on Mosquito Hill, 
west of Phipp's Beacli. It contains no stones with in- 
scriptions, the ground being used at the period pre- 
vious to the age of tombstones. The lower Green's 
Farms ground and the Peijuonnock ground, now in 
Bridgeport, lately ceded to it by Fairfield, contains 
Fairfield's people for the nextpcriod. This old Green's 
Farms ground is a curiosity ; most of the stones arc low, 
of granite, and completely moss-covered. Inl701,Capt. 
Thonuas Nash came here from New Haven. He, with 
others, had to go several miles to church, probably 
walking tiiat distance, which was too much for the 
captain, so he, in common witli six others, started the 
Green's Farms church about 1715, which was called 
Fairfield West parish, and he was made deacon in it. 
The tombstone over him in tlie lower ground men- 
tions his being " deacon of the Fairfield West parish." 
He accumulated a large property. His son, Thomas 
Nash (-d), succeeded liim as deacon in the same 
church. His son, Thomas Nash (■3d), also succeeded 
him as deacon in the church, and was an efficient 
officer in the Revolution, capturing several prisoners, 
and saving portions* of the town from devastation. 
He married Mary, daughter of William Burr, of Strat- 
field. Slie died about one hundred years ago, aged 
thirty-four. !rome of her china is yet among her de- 
scendants in Westport and Fairfield, which proves 
china makes good heirlooms, being im]>crishablc by 
time, moth, or rust. This Thomas Nash (.3d) was at 
one time reputed to be the wealtliiest man in Connec- 
ticut. He had one tract of land containing over one 
thou.sand aere-s. He and ("apt. .'^imon Couch pur- 
chased a large tract i^ Redding. 

He owned a hundred sheep, which were grazing 
near Compo when the Briti-jh landed when they 



crossed the country to burn Danbury. lli.s wife sent 
one of the slaves, of whom they had several, down in 
bring a sheep for dinner. The British then had 
landed; they yelled at the slave, frightening him sd 
that he dropped the sheep and ran. The British took 
the whole flock. When the new church was to be 
built, Thomas Nash (.3d) gave the site to the so- 
ciety. A burial-ground is located near by, to the 
eastward. 

Of the descendants of Thomas Nash and Mary 
Burr, they nund)er about four hundred. Of the fir>t 
Nash settler in this country, there were between thn 
and four thousand up to 1851. The family were un 
dispersed here for more than one hundred years, 
Thomas Nash (3d), the Revolutionary hero, was 
father to the late Dr. William B. Nash, who died in 
Bridgeport, 1872, almost a nonagenarian. Some ol 
Capt. Nash's grandchildren, great-grandchildren, 
and great-great-grandchildren — the seventh genera- 
tion from the founder of this church — are regular wor- 
shipers there. One of the fifth generation, Jlary 
Burr Hedenberg, is the owner of the home of the 
father of Chancellor Kent, in Compo. This Chan- 
cellor Kent was the Blackstone of America, and i 
responsible for the rule for computing partial i>a_v 
ments in Connecticut. His home was purchased by 
Stephen Thorp, who was a sufferer from the Fairfield 
conflagration, in 1779. His son, Capt. Burr Thorp, 
married Rebecca Nash. They had several children : 
the eldest, Eleanor, married Stephen Bennett, ol 
Greenfield. They both died, aged more than four- 
score, in Brooklyn, during the last decade; the next, 
Mary Burr, married Francis S. Hedenberg, of Swed- 
ish origin, the only family, except his brother's, of that 
name in the United States. At his death, in 187i), he 
was a stove-dealer and inventor. He |)Ut up the fir-' 
base-burner (.stove below, register above) in tin 
country. About forty-four years ago he bought out 
the heirs to this Kent estate, and there he spent his 
later years ; he formerly had an extensive business in 
New York City. 

His widow, hale and hearty, born 1800, attend- 
una.ssisted to the domestic duties of the family. An- 
other sister, Sarah, married Capt. Charles Allen, of 
Westport. He is a descendant of another old Fair- 
field family. Some of their grandchildren are scat- 
tered in Bridgeport, Black Rock, and Westport. Tli' 
youngest of tlie Thorp daughters married E. A. Wil- 
liams, a shoe-dealer in Westport. He has now retired 
from business, and they reside with their dauirliti i 
Charlotte, wife of Wesley Lyon, Esq., a lawyer, 
brother of F. S. Lyon, editor of Norwalk Conneclirul 
RcpubUcun, and descendants of the Lyon colonial 
house, in Fairfield. 

To continue with the Nashes. They have scattered 
from the old plantation, owing to the reverse of for- 
tune with Capt. Thomas (3d). He invested largely 
in Continental currency, which, when repudiated, im- 
poverished many. He met with various other losses. 



WESTPORT. 



823 



^o that he was greatly reduced, and his ehihlreu had 
to set out tor themselves. 

There are descendants of the name in the to\vn,liut 
tliey arc more associated with tlic presses. One had a 
newspaper-press in Westport; anotlier* a cidcr-|)ress, , 
with oflier mills, on the stream west of Westport vil- 
lage. Thomas Nash CM) had a daughter, Charity, 
who nuirricd, first, Samuel C'alile, who died at sea 
wliile on a journey for his healtli. They liad three 
children, one of whom, ahsenting himself from his 
family twenty years, was an Amcriean " Kiioeli Ar- 
diii." His family reside in Jlystie, Conn. Another 
son was drowned in 8augatnclc River. The daughter 
was liuriuMl to death, her (dothes taking tire in her 
motlier's alisence, and, tlie servant heing so flustered, 
the cliild ran till she was fatally injured. Charity 
married, seccmd, Capt. Tlionuis .Saunders, of a Nor- 
walk family. They are of long standing in this 
country. The liouse of this fanuly was not burned liy 
the British, in Norwalk, in the general conllagration, 
as tlie wife was sick in heil ; so the liuilding was not 
fired. ( )ue of this family, Stephen Saunders, preached [ 
several years, and died in his ]iarisli, at Soutii Salem, 
X. Y., and is always spfiken of very res|)ectfully and 
tenderly. Thomas Saunders married, first, a IJlateli- 
ley. from Long Island, and Iiad four cliildrcn. (.)ne, 
Cajit. Thomas, owned quite a tract of land not far 
from the depot in Norwalk. He died in the present 
decade aged over eighty. A sister is the widow of 
David Fancher, deacon of the C'ongregational Churcli 
of Lansingburg. Capt. Thomas aiid his wife. Charity, 
occupied the place opposite tl;e Kent grounds. They 
have been greatly improved l)y tlie vari(ius owners, of 
whom were Barretts and Coekrofts. Capt. Tliomas i 
Saunders, in his later years, starte<l a business which 
now is a source of great revenue, but was not consid- 
ered respectable in his day, — the placing of sea-food — 
oysters, clams, escallops, and eralis — in the market and 
finding sale ftu' them. After he died the i)lace was ' 
disposer! of, but, owing to some illegal proceedings on I 
the part of the agent, a good title has never been 
given. 

()wing to the size of the Saugatuck River the low- 
est fordable [dace on the king's highway from New | 
York to Boston was two and a half miles from its 
mouth, whi(di made it trying to parties living on op- 
pisite lianks, who had to go five miles to reach a 
point but a few rods away. If the railroad had init 
been built, a foot-bridge being on one side, the people 
might possibly hav(3 accomplished the building of a 
carriage-bridge in much less time than one liun(h'ed 
years, although the scenes were ludicrous that oc- 
curred for want of means of transit. The [larties 
along the lianks had boats, but oftiMi when needed 
they were on directly oj)positc shores. Strangers 
often were vexed to find some extra weary miles must 
be taken to accomplish a few rods, therefore amuse- 



= Letters were sent them asking fur infonnution,%vliicli never ennic. 



ment, adventure, and romance were the order of the 
day. Harriet Saunders, a brave maiden, rowed a boat 
across the waters when rough with a couple of boards, 
to accommodate a young man. He so admired her 
pluck he sought her acquaintance, an<l in time bore 
her away to his home in a neighboring State. 

The Thorps have had a name known long in town 
in common with other towns. 

William, the ancestor of the first Thorpi, lived in 
New Haven in lt!47. Of his'children we record of 
Nathan, lOliphalct, John, Samuel, and Eleanor, whose 
baptisms were recorded between 1(140 and 1()48. 
Samuel Thorp appears to have been the ancestor of 
the line in the next generati(Mi, whose childri'u, Abi- 
gail, Samuel, David, (iershom, Anna, .Teremiah were 
recordeil from 1709 to ITlil. David was the father of 
Slepheii, who lost his Inaise in the Fairfield conflagra- 
tion. Kliphalet, whose fiimily record is in ('apt. .lohii 
(loidd's family from 17(11 to 177(3. 

Stephen Thorp imrchascd the home belonging to 
Moss Kent (written sometimes Ptoses), the C'hancel- 
lor James Kent's father. Stephen Thorp's son. Burr, 
tore down the old house, and built on the .same site 
the jiresent building about 17'.I0. His seven children 
were born here between tlie years 17'.I2 and 1809. 

Ca])t. Burr Thorp brought here his bride, Rebecca 
Nash, .Tan. Ill, 1701. The same night word came to 
hiui that he must board his vessel immediately to 
save his property. He had a dei'k-load of horses to 
be taken to the West Indies. For some cause some 
of them jumped overlioard. In a. few hours the ship 
started for its destimitiou, and he was absent numy 
weeks from his bride. Such was the way the h(mey- 
moon was spent in those days, — " business first, pleas- 
ure afterwards." ( 'aiit. I>urr Thorp was a wide-awake 
maritime man, full of business and adventure, so 
much so that it was an accepted saying, "Capt. Thorp 
woidil go to sea in a tea-kettle.'' On a trip South 
with his fiithcr he, with another young man, wcn^ 
washed overboard. After a long ancl unsuccessful 
search his father gave them up for lost, and proceeded 
tqi the .lanu's River. Having iqiportunity, he .sent 
tidings home of the loss of his son, and had jirayers 
offered in church for his safety. These young nu'.n, 
being good swimmers, had reached the shore, but the 
ship's oflicers received no intimation of tlii'ir safety. 
They subsisti'd the be^t they ^oidd, but kept watch 
fir the boat to return with its freight exchanged. 

Ca]it. Thorp <in his way back saw some men on 
shore wa\ing to him to slop, ami at last lieanl the 
voice which he wotdd have ihonght was his son's had 
he not supposed he was drowneil. He sent out a boat, 
anil to his great Joy fiund both men safe. 

('apt. Burr Thorp followed the sea forty years. .\s 
he was om-e coming from England lie ]ierceived a 
large sea-monster near. With the spirit of adventure, 
after the custom of the time, he brought out his har- 
poon, wddch he threw with such force he fell over- 
board into the sea, but he held on to the rope. Boata 



82-t 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



were let down and search was made for him, but, 
being unsuccessful, all on board, both crew and pas- 
sengers, lamented sorely the loss of the cajitain. One 
man on boanl persisted in walking the deck and 
watching for him. At last he was rewarded by seeing 
something shine on the water like a glass bottle. 
Soon it appeared like a man's head. The boat was 
lowered again and went to the rescue. 

It proved to be the captain, who met with the loss 
of one boat. The animal was also captured. At the 
time of the accident the ship was going at eleven 
knots an hour. 

Capt. Burr Thorp liad a son Henry, who was also 
captain. He had a new sailing-vessel out on her first 
trip, on a Southern voyage. It was cajitured by the 
English in 1812. They boarded her, took off all the 
men and i>rovisions, but left the captain on board 
and towed him off one night. He thought at one 
time he would cut loose from the moorings, but then, 
having no men nor provisions on board, such a course 
would be only death to him. A long night of anxiety 
followed. In the morning he made known to his 
caj)tors, by the usual signs, that he was a Mason, so 
they spared his life, and set him on shore at Norfolk, 
Va., after having burnt his vessel to the water's edge. 
He walked from there to New York, begging his way 
along, but liis exposure was such he contracted a 
malarial disea.se which ended his days, Aug. 13, 
1818. 

Green's Farms has contributed nobly to the world 
in furnishing it with rcjjresentative men and women 
who arc worthy of honor through the land. Between 
thirty and forty of her sons have been graduates of 
college, mostly of Yale. Several have occupied pulpits 
of no mean degree, and has furnished one theologian, 
through his maternal ancestry, of notoriety, — Moses 
Stuart, of Andover. Professors' chairs have been 
filled ; the American bar has been enriched ; Con- 
gress has been witness to the ability of her sons ; Den- 
mark knew of this country through a plenipotentiary 
from Green's Farms. The bench, the medical profes- 
sion, the mercantile world, the high .sfas, and the 
civil service have been well represented here. Green's 
Farms' daughters have blessed mankind as being 
among the honorable and useful women of the land, 
adding their brilliancy and virtues to the lot of a 
Governor, missionary, ministers, and other profes- 
sionals. A large history could be written of tireen's 
Funns alone, but enough is given to show it is worthy 
of a separate chapter. 

SAUGATOCK CONGREa.tTIOXAI- CHURCH. 
In 1831 mcjisures were taken to organize and build 
a church in the village of Saugatuck (which was in- 
corporated in May, ISS/), into 'VVestport). A meeting 
was held Dec. 24, 1832, in the academy, to perfect the 
organization of the ehufch; and the following ollicers 
were chosen: Lewis Raymond, Moderator; Levi T. 
Downs, Secretary ; Samuel Jackson, Treasurer ; Eben- 



!. ezer Jesup, Samuel B. Sherwood, Dan Taylor, Sam- 
uel Avery, Sullivan Moulton, Parish Committee. 

June, 1832, the following persons, many of them 
mendicrs of the Green's Farms parish, having signi- 
fied their desire to unite with the new church, received 
letters of dismission, and the following month organ- 
ized the church. The names of the original mem- 
bers were Eliphalet Swift, AVm. Richards, Wm. 
Bradly and Sarah his wife, Benj. Bradly, Walter 
Thorp and Betsy his wife, Samuel AVood, Caroline 
Wood, Eleathea Wood, Jesse B. Scribner and Sally 
his wife, Stephen Morehouse and Esther his wife, 
George W. Comstock, Charles Jesup and Abby his 
wife, David Richmond and Lydia his wife, Eliza 
Richmond, Mary Riley, Eliza Winton, Frances Nash, 
Amelia Nash, Eleathea Andrews, Mary Andrews, 
Abby J. Swift, Charlotte Jesup, Deborah Sherwood, 
wife of Samuel Sherwood, Jaiiette M. Brush, Maria, 
wife of John Q. Wilson, Elizabeth Buntle, Samuel 
Jackson and Esther his wife, Mollie Bennett, ."^ally 
Piatt. 

CHUnCH OHGANIKED ASB DEDICATED. 

July 5, 1832, the following clergj-men were invited 
to assi.st in organizing the church: Rev. Samuel Mer- 
win, of Wilton, Rev. Joel Mann, of Greenwich, and 
Rev. Edwin Hall, of Norwalk. Rev. Mr. Mann was 
chairman and Rev. Mr. Hall scribe. William Rich- 
ards and Nathaniel L. Hill were ordained deacons. 

Rev. Charles A. Boardman was the first pastor, ami 
in February, 1833, was installeil at a salary of seven 
hundred dollars. He resigned his pastorate Dec. 1!», 
183G. During four years the pulpit was supi>lied by 
Rev. Mr. Weed (afterwards settled in Norwalk) and 
others. 

In January, 1840, Rev. Henry Benedict was called 
to the i)astorate, and supplied the jmlpit until March. 
1852, at a salary of seven hundred dollars. During 
his pastorate Eliidialet Swift and Edward Hyde were 
elected and ordained deacons. 

March 10, 1853, Rev. Joseph D. Strong was called, 
at a salary of seven hundred dollars, and resigned 
Jan. 19, 1856. During his jiastorate Edmund W. 
Taylor and Elnathan Wheeler were elected and 
ordained deacons. 

Jan. 1, 1850, Rev. Timothy Atkinson was called, at 
a salary of nine hundred dollars, and resigned March 
17, 1804. 

July, lSt!5, Rev. Andrew J. Hetrich was called, at a 
salary of twelve hundred dollars. During his piL<to- 
rate tJeorge Taylor and Charles' S. Wakeman were 
ordained deacons. Resigned May 25, 1872. 

Dec. 30, 1872, Rev. Joseph Sanderson, D.D., was 
called, at a salary of two thousand dollars, and wsis 
dismissed May 13, 1878. 

Dec. 19, 1879, Rev. William Hart was called, at a 
salary of twelve hundrcil dollars. 

Present number of male members, sixty-nine; fe- 
male, one hundred and thirty-four. C!erk, Elnathan 
Wheeler ; Treasurer, Charles S. Wakeman. 




MEMORIAL CHURCHoFTHL HOLY TRINITY, WESTPORT CONN . 

BEGUN IN IB60 Br HON RICHANO HeNBY WINSLO^V. AND COmPLETeO W IS62 B^f MAPY FITCH iV/NSLOl^. 



WESTl'OUT. 



825 



IIKMINISC'KNX'ES, 

July 18, 18M(i, tlic tirst mnsii-al iiistniiiu'iit — u l>;iss- 
viol, costing twciity-tivr clullars — wa> ]iurrhasi'(l tor 
use ill the cluurli by ]>cvi T. Dnwus ami Aiulrrw 
Oomstoclv, acting as agents tor tlic society. 

Miircli 4, 18;{li, tlie society's committee were em- 
]>o\vercd to pnrcliase a bnrying-groMml (jI' SteplieM 
Morelionse, consisting of one acn-, more or less, pay- 
ing tlierefiir tliree !uin(lre(l dollar^. 

Nov. 1, ISlid, it was votcil to put Minils on tlie win- 
dows of tlie church. 

March lo, 1847, a meeting was held to advise about 
the sum of five lunnh'ed dollars, a sum left in will to 
the society by Thonnis F. Roland, lisq. 

1850. — An organ was ]nirchased tor tlie cliurcli.tlie 
price of which was live hundred ilollars. 

April 7, l>io7. — Voted to enlarge the cliurch and 
modify the pews, .lonas ]l. Phelps, .Fohn N.' I5etts, 
Elnatluui Wheeler, Gershom B. Bradley, ilorris 
Ketchnm, Committee. 

Sept. 25, 18G5. — A meeting of the society wa^ calle<l 
to consider the erecting of a new Sunday-school 
room. A building was erected connecting with the 
church, costing about three thousand dollars. 

1878. — The old liell cracked and gave out, and a 
new one was pnreliased, costing two hundred and titty 
dollars. 

July 14, 18711. — 'file ladies laid out on improve- 
ments inside and outside the chnrcli about five hun- 
dred dollars. The pulpit platform was enlarged, and 
the organ moved from the gallery to the recess liack 
of the pulpit. 

May 3, 1880. — New hymu-books, " Songs of Sanc- 
tuary," were intioduced. 

Present officers of society : Thos. R. Lees, 11. 11. 
Belden, Wm. IT. Burr, Society's Committee; B. L. 
"Woodworth, Treasurer; Joseph T. Hull, Secretary; 
Theodore Taylor, C'has. S. Wakeman, Tithiugraen ; 
Joseph Wakeman, Frederick Bradley, Ushers. 

The Sabliath-sehool nnmliers luie hundred and 
fifty ; teachers, twenty. Rufus Wakeman, Superin- 
tendent ; Wm. II. Burr, A.ssistant Superintendent; 
Wm. H. Saxton, Secretary ; Frederick Bradley, Treas- 
urer ; James E. Ilubbell, Librarian; Harry Wood- 
worth, Assistant Lilirariaii. Number of volumes in 
library, six hnndreil ami fifty. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

The construction of the jiresent church was com- 
menced in the year 1851. Rev. Z. Davenport, now 
living at Saugatuck, Conn., wa.s at that time the 
jireacher in charge. Services were lield in the old 
Universalist church for about two years, and until 
the Methodist F,piscopal cliundi Wits completed. 

The first board of trustees were Edward Farrell, 
F. C. Foote, Allen Keiioud, B. V. Russell, and S. W. 
Meeker. . The first board of stewards were F. (J. 
Foote, G. Ijloyd, S. Geurnsey, Aaron Bennett. Tlie 
first class-leaders were F. C. Foote, (ieorge Lloyd. 
53 



The record of membership was at this time kept 
mostly by class-leailers. wlejse books show a member- 
ship of fiirty, ami the number has iucrease(| until in 
1880 there are <jne hundred and fourteen. 

The original memliers were mostly persons who had 
in former years belonged to the same demuuiiKitiou 
and had wiu'shiiicd at a chun-h about two miles north 
of \Vcst])ort village, at Poplar Plains. 

The lii-;t Methodist srniioii preached within the 
limits of this town was at Poplar Plain, in 17i)0, by 
,)esse Lee, in a house standing a few rods west of the 
now (dd church. Some few years after this regular 
pri>acliiug services were lielil in a liall-room of a 
tavern near by, and until the meeting-hou.se w:n 
biiiil, about the year 1817, slabs Upon legs being used 
for about forty years belore the room was regularly 
seated. The old church is still standing, and is oc- 
casiomilly used upon some funeral occasion, the 
memliers Iniving mostly died, the others having 
joined with some other Methoilist society. 

The trustees of the present Westport Methodist 
Episcopal Church are D. A. Salmon, J. Goodsell (3d), 
A. Bennett, J. P.. Goodsell, J. Raymond, H. B. Colcy, 
Isaac Allen, William H. Wells, Levi Coley. The 
st<'wards [ire AVilliam 11. Allen, Sylv. Harris, W. M. 
Harris, William E. Nash, F. M. Raymond, J. B. 
Mills, J. (ioodsell, H. Lyon, and A. W. Bradley. 
Ministers and date of apportionment: 1850-51, Z. 
Daveuiiort; 1852-53, F. A. Craft; 1854-55, L. P. 
Perry ; 18511-57, C. B. Ford ; 1858-59, H. D. Latham; 
18(;o'-f.l, A. B. Pulling; 1802-03, D. Nash; 1804, 
George HoUis ; 1805-07, Joseph Vinton ; 1808-09, T. 
I). Littlewood ; 1870-71, W. J. Roliinson ; 1872, J. S. 
Hangh; 1873-74, F. Brown; 1875, B. H. Smith; 
187(;," \V. H. Stebbins; 1877-78, D. Nash; 1879-80, 
William Platts. 

SAlUiATUCK METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
This church was linilt in 1852 by Morris Ketchnm, 
Sidiirv (i. ]Miller, Horace Staples, Francis Bnrrett, 
and others. It was dedicated the same year, and pre- 
sented to the society free of delit. Rev. Dr. Thomas 
E. B<ind, of New York, then editor of the Ohristian 
Adfocdfi' (ind Jouriiid, assisted by Dr. Asa Hill, of 
Xorwalk, ((inducted the dedication service. Kev. Z. 
Davenport sup]ilied the pulpit for a [icriod of four 
years, after which it was placed under the! jiastoral 
charge of Westport Church. Several years ago it 
sejiarated from Westport charge, and lias been sup- 
plied from Conference liy the following ministers: 
Revs. ;\Iiles N. Olmstead, D. L. Lonnsbury, R. 8. 
l-;i(lrcdge, A. B. Sanford, W. Robertson, and David 
Osborn (present pastor). The trustees are William 
H. Allen, George B.Smith, (iiMirge Hale, Frank God- 
frey, Joseph Warnoek, and C. O. Jellell'. 

CIIIIKCH OF TllH HOLY TRINITY. 
The following- naiHcd gentlemen — -vi/,., 1!. H. 
Winslow, .J. iMorse, D. J. Towusend, N. Cleaveland, 
M. L. Mason, J. E. Perring, James Gardner, E. M. 



826 



HISTORY OF rAIllKIKLD COUNTY, CONNKCTICUT. 



Lees, J. R. Nichols, E. S. Downs, J. F. Bulkley, 
Samuel Gorluini (2cl), and J. U. Cotter — assembled, 
April 14, 18G0, at the residence of John Cleaveland 
for the puri)()se of organizinp; a second Ki)isco]>al 
society in the town of '\\'esti)ort. Nehcmiah Cleave- 
land was chosen moderator, and M. L. Mason clerk. 
It wiis voted to organize such society, and that the 
name of same be "The Church of the Holy Trinity." 
The following officers were then chosen by ballot: 
Wardens, Nehcmiah Cleaveland, Myron L. Mason; 
Vestrymen, R. H. Winslow, Francis Burritt, E. S. 
Downs, John Cleaveland, D. J. Townsend, William 
Wood; Treasurer, R. H. Winslow; Clerk, .Tames R. 
Nichols. 

At a special meeting held April 24, LSliO, it was 
voted to extend a call to Rev. .Tohn Purves (who at 
that time was rector of Christ Cliureh in this place) 
to become their rector, and on the 2()th of the same 
month he accei)ted. The society then rented for pres- 
ent use the building on Main Street formerly occupied 
as a Universalist meeting-house. In IMay of that year 
tiie society purchased the property corner of East 
Church Street and Myrtle Avenue, known as the 
" AV'akcman Lot," for the sum of two thousand dol- 
lars. R. II. Winslow, Francis Burritt, and Daniel J. 
Townsend were appointed a committee, with power to 
build a stone church edifice and chapel upon the 
" Wakemau Lot," and to complete and furnish the 
S'une upon such plan, and in such mode and manner 
in all respects, as they may deem proper or expedient. 
The committee were also instructed to make all con- 
tracts necessarj' in order to carry into effect and fully 
to exercise the power delegated to them. In Feb- 
ruary, 1861, the society met with a great loss in the 
decease of Mr. Richard 11. Winslow, and in the fol- 
lowing A])ril the decease of Mr. Francis Burritt. The 
church edifice which had been commenced by Mr. 
Winslow was after his death finished by his widow, 
Mary Fitch AVinslow, wiio tendered its use to the so- 
ciety of the " Holy Trinity." In January, 1862, a 
deep-seated dissatisfaction existed between the rector 
and some of the members of the society, whereupon 
he was requested to resign, but declined to do so, and 
the society decided not to open the new church edifice 
until they should be relieved of the services of Rev. 
Mr. Purves, which did not occur until Feb. IS, 1862. 
About this time the name of the society was changed 
to " The Memorial Church of the Holy Trinity." 

In October, 1862, Rev. William H. Benjamin be- 
came rector of tlie parish, and filled that position 
until the spring.of 1864, when he tendered liis resig- 
nation, which was accepted. The -society liad no 
stated clergyman again until Jan. 1, 1865, when the 
Rev. John Eaton Smith became rector, and filled that 
position accei)tably, until, owing to failing liealth, he 
was obliged to resign, which he did, June, 1870. His 
decease occcurred in September of the same year. 
The Rev. Lawrence S. Stevens became rector in Oc- 
tober, 1870, and continued as such until April, 1875, 



and the Rev. A. N. Lewis accepted .Inly 1, 1875, and 
is rector at the ])re,sent time. The officers at present 
are as follows: Wardens, William L. Colcy, George 
Jelliffe; Vestrymen, A. S. Hurlbutt, H. B. Gilbert, 
, Lewis Bradley, A. T. Burr, E. S. Downes, W. S. 
Rogers, William E. Sturges; Treasurer, A. T. Burr; 
Clerk, .Tohn S. Jones ; Organist, Frederick D. Marvin ; 
Sexton, Joseph S])icer. 

The site on which Memorial churcli is built was the 
" Wakeman Place," formerly an old inn. Gen. Wash- 
ington passed a night at tiiis inn in September, 178U, 
while returning from Hartford, where he had been to 
meet Count Rochambeau. During the demolition of 
the ancient edifice there was found among the d^brU a 
French crown-piece of an early date in the eighteenth 
century, in excellent preservation. 

CHRIST CHURCH. 
A iniinberof Episcoi)aIians having met at the dwell- 
ing-house of William Nash, in Saugatuck, on the 11th 
day of March, 1833, to take into consideration the 
])ro])riety of building an Episcopal house of public 

I worship, to be located on the west side of the Sauga- 

1 tuck River, which being duly considered, it was 
deemed necessary that said house be built, and that a 

\ meeting be holden on the 18th inst. to draw up a sub- 
.scription for building the church, which sul>scription 

' to be binding 2)rovided the sum of two thousand dollars 

; shall be subscribed. 

At a meeting holden at the school-house, May 13, 
Taylor Hurlbutt was chosen chairman and Robert 
Raymond clerk. 

^'oted, That Taylor Hurlbutt be appointed treas- 
urer to receive the amount subscribed for building the 
church. 

Voted, That Taylor Hurlbutt, Daniel Nash, Jabez 
Adams, Isaac Adams, Dennis Nash, Edwin Wheeler, 
William Nash, Noah Nash, and Philo W. Jones be 
appointed a committee to contract for building the 
church, the plan and size of the building to be left to 
the committee, which, together with the proposals for 
building, be laiil before this meeting for approval. 

At a meeting held at the residence of Philo W. 
Jones, June 17, 1833, it was voted to accept the deed 
of land on which the church was built, from Taylor 
Hurlbutt, for the sum of four hundred dollars. 

The corner-stone of the church Wius laid May 0, 
1834, Bishop Brownell officiating, assisted by Rev. 
Jackson Kemper, of Nonvalk. The names of the 
building committee, together with a Bible, prayer- 
book, and a copy of the Churchman, a paper printed 
in New Ydrk, were deposited in the stone. 

The society was legally organized Oct. 28, IS.3.5, at 
a meeting held in the room over the store of Jesse 
Bradley & Co., by the election of the following offi- 
cers: Warden.s, Daniel Nash and Taylor Hurlbutt; 
Vestrymen, Lewis Raymond, Dennis Nash, Keeler 
Nash, Gould Jelliff, Lewis Partrick, Edward H. Nash, 
and William Nash; Treasurer, Edward H. Nash; 



WESTPUllT. 



827 



I'lioristcrs, Uriali Taylur and Kihvanl H. Nash ; Sex- 
ton. Pliilo W. Jones. Tlie <Mlifice was (■(iiisci-rateil im 
the li.l of Noveniljer, l.S:j.'i. 

At the annual meeting, hehl April, ISfid, in eonse- 
<|nence of Lewis Raynioiiil's health not heini;; very 
good, and at his rcque.st, it was th(jnght Ijest to ehoosc 
an assistant warden, and Philo W. .Tones was elected 
as such otHcer, which position he held to the time of 
his death, in July, l.S'ii. Mr. Nash died in LSG.''), 
■when Mr. .Tones was elected senior wai'den and Ivl- 
■ward H. Nash junior warden. 

The following clergymen have tilled the jiosition of 
rector of the ]iarish : Revs. .Tackson Ivemper, Ivlward 
Ingersoll, Hilliard Bryant, IvlwardC. Bull, William II. 
Frisbie, John Purves, John R. Williams, — the latter 
of whom, elected .Tuly 8, ISGO, is the present rector. 

The ])resent officers are as follows : Senior Warden, 
Edward H. Nash ; Junior Warden, Andrew C. Nash ; 
Vestrymen, Alfred Taylor. Oscar I. .Tones, Charles L. 
Wilson, H.E.Sherwood, William H.Marvin, (ioorgc 
S. Adams, Peter 15ulkley, ( Icorge B. I5outon, Edward 
A. Nasli, Lewis 15. Bradley ; Clerk. Edward A. Xash; 
Organist, Ivlward \. Nash; Tn'asnrer, (leorge S. 
Adams; Sexton, .Tolin W. Gorham. 

THE UNIVEK.?ALI,<T L'tllUCil. 
This church, now obsolete, was organized in about 
1834 or 1835, and among the first members were Alva 
Gray, Burr Keeler, Daniel Andrews, Piatt Pcnsal, 
Wm. Burwell, Davis Taylor, John Baker, David 
Hubbard, Geo. L. Cable, S. H. Keeler. The first 
officers of the church were Alva (tray, ]$urr Keeler, 
and Daniel Andrews, Committee ; Geo. L. Cable, 
Clerk; S. H. Keeler, Treasurer. Soon after the organ- 
ization of the church a house of worsliip was erected. 
Among the ministers who served this church were Wm. 
A. Stickney, Fortree Hitchcock, D. H. Plumb, Chas. 
Bailey, and others. The society finally waned, and 
in 1870 the church building was sold to H. H. Bel- 
den, and converted into a dwelling. 



CHAPTER L X X X I A'. 

WESTPORT (Continued). 

MI.-^CELLANEOUS. 

Tlie Press— The Saugatiick Jounml— The rairfic-lil Cuiiiity Ri'piibli.-iin 
— Tho Wcstport Aclverliser— Tho Westpoiter— Tlie Wi'atport anil Siiu- 
patuck Ilorso Railroad Company — Maiiufacturcs — Sloops— Teniplu 
Lodgp, F. ami A. M., No. 05— The T. A. li. Soiniity- The Finit National 
Bank — The Westport Savings Bank — Tlio Tiro Department— Cfiiif- 
tcries — Civil History — Incorporation of W^estport — First Town-Meet- 
ing — Selectmen from Organization to ISSl — Ilepresentatives from 183G 
to 1881 — Prohato Jniiges from IS3j to I.S.Sl—Po.stnia6ter8— Historical 
Notes — Incident. 

TIIJ'^ PRES.-!. 

The Sauijdtiiclc Journal was the name of a paper 
printed in this village in 1828, whidi was then in the 
town of Fairfield. It was edited by S. W. Benedict, 



and the first number was issued on Christmas-day. 
Mr. Benedict, wlio at the sanu' time published the 
Gazette at Norwalk, ran the Journal for about three 
years, when he sold out to Albert Ilanford, who 
changed the title to The Fairfield County Repuhlifan, 
wliirh in a short tinn' ran out. 

In October, ]8(!7, the Mercantile Association, con- 
sisting of Messrs. H. H. Belden and .1. S. Jones, is- 
sued one number of a paper calleil the Westport Ad- 
r-ertiser, alter which it was run as a monthly paper by 
.lohn S. .Tones as editor and proprietor for three 
months, after which it became a semi-monthly, and 
was issued as such until February. 1872, wdien it be- 
came a weekly, which was run until Jlarch, 1874, 
when it was consolidated with tlie Norwalk Hour. 

In March, 1876, Mr. .Tones commenced the publi- 
cation of The Westporter, which is the first paper 
e\-er printed in the town of Westpiort. Its motto is, 
" Independent in all things, neutral in nothing." 

THE WEsTl'Oirr AND SAUGATUCK HORSE RAIL- 
ROAD COMPANY 

was organized March 7, 187(5, with the following 
board of dirertnrs: Ambrose S. Hurlbutt, Horace 
Staples, Andrew (.'. Nash, E. II. Nash, J. E. Wheeler, 
C. H. Taylor, S. R. Sexton, James E. Lees, E. J. 
Taylor. Ambrose S. Hurlbutt, President; B. L. 
Wooilworth, Secretary and Treasurer; Elijah S. 
Downes, Superintendent; Joseph Mills, Car-Driver. 
As its title indicates, tlic line extends from Westport 
to Saugatuck, anil has proven itself a great conve- 
nienre to the peO])le. 

.IAME.S SMIBERT'S TANNERY. 
This business was commenced by Mr. Smibert in 
1841), in a small shop cmjdoying two men. In three 
or four years the business increased, and in 1858-59 
employed twenty-five men in making enameled 
leather. 

KEMPEU'^ LEATIIER-WORK.S. 

This business was established in 1835 by R. & H. 
Haight, dealers in hatters' supplies, New York, for 
the manufacture of leather for hatters' use. It was 
purchased by C. H. Kemper in 1842, and enlarged to 
its i)resent size, for the manufacture of all kinds of 
leather except heavy. The business is now carried 
on by C. H. Kemper, Jr. 

THE M'HEELER BUTTON MANUFACTORY, 
at Saugatuck, is a large and ttouri.shing establishment. 
The salesroom is in New York. J. B. Wood manu- 
factures satchels, belts, etc. 

i SEOOPS. 

The I'ollowing sloops are now (1880) plying between 
j this jnirt and^New York: "C.H.Phillips," Capt. 
' Isaac Slierwood; "James K. Polk," Capt. Peter 
Bulklcy; " Lizzie Tolles," Capt. Sereno Allen. Runs 
I from Saugatuck : Schooner " Sarah B. Hulkley," Capt. 
i John F. I5ulklev. 



828 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



TEMPLE LODGE, NO. 65, F. AND A. M., OF \VESTPOKT.« 

Charter {rranted at the session of the Grand Lodge 
in May, 1S24, tlie three first ofliecrs tlien were Samuel 
.Taekson, W. M. ; Talcott 15anks, 8. W. ; Henry ."^iier- 
wood, .1. W. 

The following have served as Masters of Temi)le 
Lodge : Samuel Jackson, William Burwoll, George 
L. Cable, William J. Finch, George C. Smith, F. W. 
Perry, Oscar Smith, R. I). Cable, Theodore Smith. 
The present ofHcer.s are Oscar Smith, W. M. ; George 
AV. Beniu'tt, S. W. ; John S. Jones, J. W. ; J. L. G. 
Cannon, Treasurer; L. 15. Bradley, Secretary; Rev. 
A. N. Lewis, Chaplain. 

THE T. A. li. SOCIETY OF WESTPORT. 

Organizcdj April, 1S70, with the following officers : 
President, Jeremiah O'Connors; Vice-President, .lohn 
Gorman ; Recording Secretary, Jlartin Shaughne.ssy ; 
Financial Secretary, John J. Quinlan ; Treasurer, 
P. A. Smith; Chaplain, Rev. P. A. Smith. 

The present officers are: President, Jeremiah O'Con- 
nors; Vice-President, Thomas Quinlan, Jr. ; Record- 
ing Secretary, John ^IcNally ; Financial Secretary, 
Charles Williams; Treasurer, Thomas McXally; 
Chaplain, Rev. P. Keating. 

THE FIRST NATIUXAL ISANK. 

The Saugatuck Bank of this place was organized 
October, 1852, by the election of the following directors: 
David M. Marvin, Horace Staples, William D. Bishop, 
Alva Gray, Matthew Bulkley, Gershom B. Bradley, 
J. B. Williamson ; President", D. M. Marvin ; CiushieV, 
Charles Webb. 

Horace Staples was elected president Jan. 4, lSo4, 
and Benjamin L. Woodworth cashier Nov. 7, 1854. 

On May 2, 18G4, the name of the bank was changed 
to "The First National Bank of Westi)ort." The 
present officers are : Directors, Horace Staples, Thomas 
R. Lees, Edward H. Na.sh, Stephen R. Sa.xton. B. L. 
Woodworth, Edmund W. Taylor, Francis Sherwood; 
President, H. Staples; Cashier, B. L. Woodwortli. 

Capital stock, $;500,00(l. 

TUE WESTPORT SAVINGS BANK 
was organized in 1860. The first officers were: Presi- 
dent, Alva Gray ; Vice-Prc.sidents, Geo. Blackman, 
David M. Marvin, H. H. Belden ; Secretary and 
Treasurer, B. L. Woodworth ; Trustees, H. Staples, E. 
S. Downes, G. S. Adams, Wm. E. Dikemaii, (i. L. 
Cable, J. AV. Taylor, E. A. Williams, R. H. Winslow, 
J. H. Phelps, Wm. Burwell, J. H. Gray, W. H. Mar- 
vin, E. W.Taylor, Sullivan Moulton. Present officers: 
President, Edmund W. Taylor; Vice-Presidents, G. 
S. Adams, E. S. Downes, and E. A. Williams; Secre- 
tary and Treasurer, B. L. Woodworth ; Trustees, W. 
E. Dikeman, H. Staples, Wm. H. Marvin, 11. A. 
Ogden, E. J. Taylor. ^ 

* Contribotod by John S. Jonn. 



FUtK DKl'ARTMENT. 
l>uriMg the year 1832 a small hand-engine was pur- 
chased by a number of citizens of the village of Saug- 
atuck (now the town of Westport). The machine 
was probably at that time considered of great value 
at a fire, but at this late day would not attract mucli 
attention except for its oddity. In the month of May 
in that year the General Assembly of the State granted 
a charter to Robert Raymond, Geo. W. Comstoek, 
Wm. S. Comstoek, and Edwin Bennett, and such 
others as they may associate with them, to be known 
as the "Saugatuck Fire Company," and on the 9th 
of July, at a meeting held at the store of G. W. & 
W. S. Comstoek, the following officers were elected : 
President, Robert Raymond, who was also chosen 
Secretary and Treasurer; First Foreman, Seth Sears; 
Second Foreman, Elnatban Wheeler; Third Foreman, 
Robert Raymond ; Chief Engineer, W. S. Comstoek. 

Upon the roll of members we find the following 
names: Seth Sears, Elnatban Wheeler, Robt. Ray- 
mond, W. S. Comstoek, Wm. Bennett, Edson Bradley, 
Fredk. Dannell, David S. Hubbell, Ezra Smith, 
James Douglass, Cluus. Fox, Gould Gregory, Horace 
Staples, Ward Nichols, Wm. Piatt, F. A. Wheeler, 
N. H. Price, S. Gray, Walter Nichols, John B. Ad- 
ams, Hez. B. Lord, Harvey Sanderson, Henry Beers, 
John Baker, G. W. Comstoek, Wm. Bradley, George 
Fairchild, E. W. Banks, Jas. Gilbert, J. O.' Lurk, H. 
V. JJussell, F. Akin, Barzilla Brown, Jesse Bradley, 
Henry Bulkley, Lewis Bradley, ti. N. Banks, Tho.-. 
Riley, Ezra Brown, Edwin Tibills, Woolsey Bradley. 
Wm. L. Beers, Wm. Wells, A. S. Hurlbiitt, D. AV. 
Bra<lley, A. Houghtaling, E. S. Downes, George 
Piatt. ' 

The last record we find of this company is in 1844, 
at which time the members were assessed tlic sum of 
sijc and a quarter cents ! 

In 1858 the "Saugatuck Fire-Engine" was dug out 
of the filth and dirt from under the barn of B. A'. 
Russell, cleaned and put in order, repainted, an<l 
named " The Union." A company was formed, with 
the following officers: Foreman, John S. Jones; 
Assistant Foreman, Edwin E. AVarner; Treasurer, 
Elijah S. Downes; Secretary, Oscar I. Jones. The 
company never made but one apjiearance in public 
with "The Union," on account of its usclessness. 

In .Tune of the same year a subscription-paper 
with the fidlowing heading w:us circulated: 

" AVc, the undersigned, do agree to jiay to Myron L. 
^lason the sums annexed to our rcsjjective names, for 
the purpose of procuring a fire-engine and suitable 
apparatus for this village. 

"Dated AVestport, June :^, 18.58." 

To this paper wits subscribed the sum of four hun- 
ilrcd and twenty dollars and fifty cents. 

Numerous committees were ai>pointed from time 'o 
time to purchase an engine, but without success dur- 
ing that year. At one time Messrs. M. L. Ma.son and 
O. I. .lones visitvd Stamford and, as they sui)posed. 



I 



I 



WKSTl'OltT. 



829 



Loiiglit " HunnemiUi" oiigiiic, but bL'f'ore it cnulil lii> 
])Ut on boMnl i>( the cars one of the owners dciiileil 
that lie woulil not sell, and the c (lunnittee eume home 
only to be huigheil at. 

On another oeeashm Hnllivan ^lonlloii and J. S. 
Jones were sent to Ansonia, where they made a bar- 
gain tor an engine which was to be delivered in West- 
port in a week. l)nt the following day a li'tter was 
received stating that one of the owners woulil not 
consent to tlie sale, — consequently that caused another 
laugh. 

In .Tanuary, ISoO, a meeting was held (by the suli- 
scribers of tlie jiajier to [lurehase an engine) in lietts' 
Hall to consider the expediency of withdrawing their 
subscriptions. 

E. M. Lees, Esij., was chosen chairman anil H. H. 
BeUlen secretary. At which time it was voted, — 

" That we, the subscribers, do not think it exjiedient 
to ])ay back the money collected, or any which may 
hereafter be collected, until we have found to a cer- 
tainty that an engine cannot be purchased suitable 
for this place with the money subscribed, or until 
such time as we, the subscriliers, think best. 

" Voted, That a committee of five be appointed to 
purchase an engine, and thattlie following geutlenien 
be said committee: Jonas H. Phelps, William Wood. 
E. S. Downes, .John S. Jones, Charles H.Taylor." 

During the month of February the committee 
learned that the city of AVaterbury had two hand- 
engines whiidi they wi-shed to dispose ol'. Messrs. 
Taylor and Phelps therefore visited Waterbury, ex- 
amined the engines, and obtained the prices. About 
a week later the rest of the committee, viz.. Wood, 
Jones, and Downes, went to Waterhury and i)urchased 
Phenix Engine, No. 1, for the sum of three hnndred 
dollars, and they at the .same time bought two hun- 
dred feet of lieni]! hose, for which they jiaid one hun- 
dred dollars. - 

The machine arrived in Westport on the 11th day 
of March, 1850, and was taken to Lee's factory, where 
it was overhauled and put in working order. Tlie 
engine was of the piano style, manufactured by Xaw 
Ness & Co., of New York. At a meeting of " I'liion " 
Engine Company, held in Betts' Hall, Aj>ril 11, 
1859, it was voted to reorganize under the name of 
"Compo Engine Company, No. 2," and the following 
officers were electeil : Foreman, John S. Jones; As- 
sistant Foreman, Edwin E. Warner ; Treasurer, Elijah 
S. Downes ; Secretary, Oscar I. Jones. 

At this time, the company having no house, the en- 
gine was stored in diti'erent barns about the village. 
The first service the company ever saw was at the 
burning of Wakenian's candle- fiictory, on West 
Avenue, on the night of May 28, IS5!), at which time 
the machine was kept in constant o])eration for over 
four hours, thereby saving the entire lumber-yard of 
Staples & Adams and a number of adjoining Imild- 
ings. 

At the Mav session of the Assemblv of the State a 



(diarter was granted to John S. Jones, Edwin E. War- 
ner, Elijah S. Downes, Oscar I. Jones, and Myron L. 
M;ison, and such other persons as shall associate 
themselves witli the aliove, not exceeding sixty in the 
whole, to be known as the "('oiiipo I'^ire-Engine 
Company, No. 2." In .lanuary, ISUO, a committee, 
cinisisting of E. E. Warner, .1, S. Jones, and R. D. 
Cable, was a]i|iointed to build an eiiunne-house, and 
that as soon as a suitable site could he obtained the 
Ibreniau was to call the company together. to put up 
the huilding. .Vccordingly, in tlie following month, 
the company were suminoned by the foreman to ap- 
jiearon the tbllowing Monday morning, at two o'ldock, 
with lighted lanterns. The frame of the building had 
already been got out and loaded on Inirk^ and carts, 
which the company procei'ded to drag to the ]>lace 
selected by the committee, which was near the shore, 
in front of the residence of Henry Jcsuji (now owned 
by .lames R. Jesup, his son), which ground the com- 
mittee thought belonged to the town. As the sun rose 
in the eastern sky the frame was all \\\> and the roof- 
boards were being rapidly put in ))osition, when a 
messenger from Mr. .Iesu]i (who was confined to his 
house) a|)peared on the ground and iuformed Fore- 
man Jones that he must stop at once ; but the com- 
]iany did not feel inclined to obey, but kept steadily at 
work. 

.\t ten o'clock. M. L. ]\Iason, Esq.. who was an at- 
torney-at-law, and counsel for Mi-, .lesup, and also a 
meiiiber of the engine company, informed the fbre- 
iiian thai he would have him arrested if he did not 
desist ; was told to arrest if he thimght ])ropor. At 
this time nearly all the citizens of the village were 
centred around the dis]iuteil pro])erty, the majority of 
whom sided with the coiii]iaiiy, claiming that the 
property did not belong to Mr. Jesup. At about two 
P.M. Lawyer Mason arrived from Norwalk, armed 
with an injunction issued by Judge Butler of that 
place. Alter a long time an officer was fiiund who 
served the paper on the company, who immediately 
adjourned to their hall, and decided to not leave the 
building on that ground if another site could be ob- 
tained. In about an hour ("apt. .lohn !■". Bulkley in- 
formed the coiMiiany that he would give them two 
vears' rent of ground if they would move it to liis 
property on JIain Street, which oti'cr they at once 
acce]ited, and immediately procured fiuir pairs of 
wheels, placing a ]iair of each under each corner of 
the huilding. when tliey were iidormed by the olficer 
of the law that the building must not be movi'il; but 
the company "could not see it in that light," and 
with four yoki' of oxen and fifty-five laddies on the 
drag-rope, when the foreman gave the order " to set 
her ahead," the building began to move up Main 
Stri'ct amid the deafening chei'rs of the miiltitudi', 
and at six o'clock the same evening the building stoixl 
where it has stood ever since. The company never 
heard any more of the injunction. The present offi- 
cers of the company are: Foreman, John S. Jones; 



830 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Assistant Foreman, John W. Gault ; Secretary, Lewis 
B. Bradley ; Treasurer, Elijah S. Downes; Chairman, 
Georjre F. Thorpe ; Foreman of Hose, Joseph Mills ; 
Librarian, John W. Perry; Assistant Librarian, 
Robert Gault. 

In Feliruiiry, 1874, Vigilant Engine Company, No. 
3, was organized with the following officers : Foreman, 
Frederick Sherwood ; Assistant Foreman, Oscar I. 
Jones ; Secretary, Charles Harris ; Treasurer, F. 
Dwight Fanton ; Chairman, George H. Taylor. 

During the same m()nth an engine (which was built 
in Baltimore, Md., in 1858, and afterwards sold to 
parties in New York City) was purchased by Mc.s.srs. 
H. Staples, E. H. Nash, A. C. Nash, A. Lockwood, 
T. R. Lees, Frederick Morehouse, E. W. Taylor, J. | 
E. Lees, and others, of this place, and put in pos- 
session of Vigilant Engine Company, No. 3, the i 
present officers of which are: Foreman, Eilward 
WhoiUr ; Assistant Foreman, N. S. Kirk; Secretary, 
Joseph T. Hull ; Treasurer, H. E. Sherwood; Chair- 
man, 0. I. Jones ; Foreman of Hose, James Hart. 

The engine-house is located on the opposite side of 
the river from Compo Engine. 

In March, 1874, Ambrose S. Hurlbutt, Esq., pur- 
cha.scd a hook-and-ladder truck from a comi)any in 
Norwalk, whidi was received in Westport, March 19th, 
by "Compo" and "Vigilant" Engine Couiijauics, who, 
after parading the various streets of the village, de- 
livered the truck over to the " Pioneer" Hook-and- 
Ladder Company, No. 1, which had been organized 
with the following ofticcrs : President, C. 15. Lyon; 
Foreman, Frederick Kemper; First .Vssistant, Elbert 
Wheeler; Second Assistant, Frank M. Bulkley ; Sec- 
retary, Charles 1?. Guyer; Treasurer, C. H. Kemper, 
Jr. 

The truck-house is located on Main Street, adjoin- 
ing the house of Compo Engine. 

The present officers of the c(mipany are: Foreman, 
Frank N. Taylor ; Assistant, Charles La Croi.x ; Sec- 
retary, William R. Palmer; Treasurer, F. E. Sturges. 

CEMETERIES. 

The oldest cemetery in the town is at Green's 
Farms. There is one also near the residence of G. 
S. Adams; one itt connection with Christ Church; 
one called "Evergreen Cemetery," belonging to the 
Congregational Church. 

The only incorporated cemetery is " Willow Brook," 
located a short distance north of the village. 

CIVIL HLSTORY. 
Westport was incorporated in IS.'J.'j from portions of 
■Norwalk, Fairfield, and Weston. 

TIIK FlnST TOWN-MEETINO. 

The following is a record of the first town-meeting, 
and names of selectmen and representatives from or- 
ganization of the town |o the present time. 

At a town-meeting legally warned and held at the 
meeting-house in Westport on the third Tuesday, the 



16th day of June, 1835, at which time the first select- 
men of the town were elected, as follows : Thomas F. 
Rowland, Taylor Hurlbutt, John Gray (2d). The fol- 
lowing have been selectmen from 1836 to 1879: 

1830, Thoiiia-'i F. Ilowlaml, Tuj lur Hurlbutt, John Gray (M) ; 18.17, Lewis 
Bayiiiuiid, Jiilin Gniy (Vitl) ; 1838, Jatjoz A<laiiiH, Tho8 F. Rowland, 
John Gray (2.1) ; 1839, John Gray (2d), Isaac Bcnniitt, .Alfred Tay- 
lor ; 1840-41, Jabcz Adaniii, T. F. Rowland, Ilczckiah M. Coloy ; 
1842, David Coley (2d), John Gray (2d). Street H. Keeler; 1843, H. 
M. Coley, Isaac Bennett, Street 11. Keeler; 1844, 11. M. Coky, Isaac 
Bennett, Burr Jennings, .Tr, ; 1845-18, Isaac Bennett, Gould JellifTo, 
Daniel Burr; 1K49, II. M. Coley, Alva Gray, Alfred Taylor; ls50, 
Alva Gray, H. M. Coley, David Coley (2d) ; 1851, II. M. Coley, Burr 
Keeler; 1852. Daniel Burr, Burr Meekci-, Burr Keeler; 18.W, Alva 
Gray; 1864, Wui. J. Finch, Aaron B. Adams, Lyman Banks; 1855, 
W. J. Finch, Lyman Banks, Wui. Burwell ; 185G, Wm. J. Finch ; 
Jolin 5J. Betts, Brailley Gooilscll ; 1857, W. J. Finch, Bradley Good- 
M-ll, Alfred Taylor ; 18.')S-«1, W. J. Finch, Alfred Taylor, Talcott 
It, Wakenian ; 1,SC2, Wm, J, Fincli, biward J. Taylor, Lonson Coley; 
18K), W, J, Finch, lAinson Coley, K. J, Taylor; 1864, W, J. Finch, 
Franklin Siierwood, Orrin W, Ilolchkisii; 18tlj, Wm. J. Finch, Ed- 
ward J, Taylor, Aaron B, Hull ; lsr,l.-fi8, Wm, J. Finch, K, J, Taylor, 
Wm, T, Wood; 1809-70, W, J, Fincli, E, J, Taylor, Frederick More- 
house ; 1871, W, J, Finch, E, J, Taylor, 0, W, Ilotchkiss ; 1872, W, J, 
Finch, E. J, Taylor. James Smilicrt ; 1873, W, J, Finch, E. J, Taylor, 
Burr Meeker ; 1874, Silas B, Sherwood, James SmiUert ; 1875-76, 
Jas. Smibert, S. B. Shcrwoixl, Gershom B. Brailley ; 1877, Clias. H. 
Kemper. Silas B. Sherwo<Ml, Gershom B, Bradley ; 1H7M, C. II, Kem- 
per, S. B. Sherwood. Frederick Morehouse ; 1879, G. B. Bradley, John 
U, Jennings, C. II. Kcmpor. 

REPRE.SEXTATIVES FROM \SS6 TO 18-,r 
18:10, Thomas F, R<i»Iand; IKC, Lewis Raymond; 1838, Ilonr)' Sher- 
wood ; l»:i9-41, Eliplmlet Swift ; 1S42, George L, Cable ; 1843, David 
Coloy (2d) ; 1844-45, Eliphalcl Swift ; 1S40. William I'latt ; .K47, Ileio- 
kiah Allen; 1848, David Coley (2.1); 1849, Wm. J, Jennings ; IHSIJ, 
A. A. Iliitchingson ; 1851-52, Street II, Keeler; 1853, Daniel Burr; 
1W4, Mniund W, Taylor; 18.'ki, William Burwell ; 18,'iC-57, Wm. J. 
Finch; lHo8. Richard II. Winslow; 1S.'.0, Moseij W.Wilson; 180C, 
William Burwell; ISOl, David S, Burr; 1802, Talcott B. Wakenian; 
18li.)-64, Jonathan K.Wheeler; )8IV'i, Myron L, Mason ; 1800, Tal- 
cott B, Wakcman ; 1S07, I/lwanl J. Taylor; 18IM, Chas. H. Koni|>cr, 
lsn9, James Smibert ; 1870, Thomiui B. Lees ; 1S71, Jeremiah Brown ; 
1872, Silas B. Sherwood ; 1873, Edward M, Lees; 1874, Thos, D. El- 
wood; 1875-70, Wni. Burr Wright; 1877-7S, Albert Relyea; 1S79, 
Ilcury 1', Burr; 1880, John W. Hurlbutt. 

PROBATE JUDGES, 
r 183.V-I2, Thomas F. Rowland; 1842-14, Edwin Wheeler; 1844-49, Ell- 
phnlet Swift; 1849-50, Alva Gray ; 1850-53, George L. Cable; 18.'>3- 
54, Myron L, Slason : 18.'>4-.'.C, William H, Uicliiirds; 1850-08, Myrou 
L. Mason; l.sO!i-72, E. J. Taylor; 1872-73, Frank W. Porr)-; 1873 to 
I'resont time, KdwanI J. Taylor. 

POST-OFFICE. 

The following is a li.st of the postmasters of West- 
port since the incorporation of the town in 183.3: 

Ira Baldwin, Hezekiah Nichols, George L. Cable, 
John W. Taylor, Solomon G. Taylor, George L. Cable, 
Eilward M. Lees, John S. Jones, Henry P. Burr, 
William E, Nash, 

In 1827 the quarterly return of the Westport iiost- 
mastcr to the general post-office, of newspaiiers and 
pamphlet.s received, showed the receipt t<j be one 
daily, eight semi-weekly, and twenty-one weekly 
|>apers, three monthly publications, and one quarterly. 
The daily jiapcr wa.* the New York ^fl•rcantiU• Ailver- 
titer; the semi-weekly, three copies of the Saiinnal 
Intelligencer, of Wiu^hington City, and five of the New 
York Sprclatorn ; the twenty-one weeklies were about 



WESTPOllT. 



831 



one-lialf of a religious character, anil were ]iulilislie(l 
in (lid'ereiit places; two of the three monthly pam- 
phlets were tile African Sepoxi/nry, jmblishetlat \\'ash- 
iiifiton, in and of the Colonization Society, and one 
the Ladies' Repository ; the <|Uarterly was an Knglish 
I)ublieation. A post-rider probably distributed some 
sixty to seventy weekly papers at the houses of the 
inhaliitants. If the number be seventy, then the 
wliole number of papers for the year, by mail and 
]iost, woidd be five thousand and eighty-four, and 
jirobably the pami)hlets would make al)out twelve 
hundred pages, and we have the xohoh- newspaper and 
pamphlet reading-matter of the town at that time. 

HISTORICAL NOTES. 

The following historical notes, covering a period 
from 1849 to 1879, were contributed liy H. ]I. Bel- 
den, Esq. : 

1849, .\pril 1, H. 11. Belden commcncrd the dry- 
goods business. 

1854, April 1 , 8i)ong & Bardwell eommenceil the dry- 
goods business. 

18'>7, Se|)t. 21, Eliphalet Swift died, aged seventy- 
eight years. Mr. Swift was a lawyer of some not<', 
held many important offices of trust in town, and 
represented the town in Legislature two oi- three 
times. 

18'>8, Feb. 28, Wm. Kobert Taylor, son id' Deacon 
E. "SX. Taylor, was buried in Evergreen Cemeterv. 
His body was recovered from the ship " John Jlilton," 
wrecked oft'Montauk Point, east end of Long Island, 
on Friday night, in a violent snow-storm, February 
19th; ten others ])erished; all the l)odies recovered. 
March 22d Zalmon Sanibrd died. Mr. Sanford was 
in the hunber business with Horace Staples for many 
years, and afterwards by himself in the business ; a 
]irominent business man. April 7th, I)r. .losojih 
Jauney died. Dr. Jauncy stood high as a medical 
)iractitioner. August 21st, Spong & Gray's store was 
robbed. 

1859, .Ian. 10, Sylvester Bouton, son of Kiehard 
Bouton, rcporte<l lost: hit by boom of vessel and 
knocked iiverboanl, off coast of Floriila : bodv not 
recovered. .January 20th, ('apt. Maltby Allen and 
crew, composed of Azon Allen and a hand by name 
of Hendrix, lost on boanl the schooner " Id<n'a lanma 
Jane," loaded with coal, Vmund for New [laven. 
Hendrix drifted ashore on Long Island in a yawl- 
boat : froze to deatli. The jolly, with stone in it, also 
drifted on shore. 

1859, March 1, Hezekiah Wakeman's barn and out- 
buildings at Coley Town burned at nndnight; incen- 
diary. April 2(1, Sullivan Moulton, tlu' oldest dry- 
goods merchant in Westport, dieil. 

1801, Feb. 14, K. H. Winslow, of the lirm of Wins- 
low, Lancer it Co., died. Mr. Winslow was a public- 
spirited man, and his death was a great loss to the 
town. 

1862, Feb. lo, .lohn Sjiong died; buried in New 



Haven. Mr. Spong was formerly in the dry-gooda 
business with a Mr. Bardwell, and when he died the 
firm was Spong & (Jray. 

18(;:{, Aug. 22, Staples &. Ailams' liardware-storc 
was burned at two o'clock A.M. ; inceiuliary. ( )etoljer 
olst, Samuel Gorham'sbarn burned. Deeend)er 12th. 
.lohn t'leaveland, a lawyer, die<l. 

18(i4, Feb. 4, the great Winslow will case settled by 
eomi)ronuse. Sei)tendjer :id, Bogers & Gooilsell's 
stoH' and tin-shoj) robbeil. 

1805, Feb. 1, Dr. David S. I'.urr died. Dr. Burr 
was a young physician of much pronnse. His friends 
erected a handsome monument to liis memory in the 
Episcopal burying-ground. March 4th, William H. 
liieburds died. ]Mr. Richards was long a po|iular 
teac-her of a select school in Westport. August 2d, 
Daniel Xash, a man of wealth, a member of one of 
the oldest families in this region, died, aged ninety- 
five years and two months, August 22d, Jona.s H. 
Phelps, a machinist and man of much mechanical 
genius, died. Mr. Pheljis built the draw over the 
river in the village. December 12th, Samuel Gorham, 
a well-to-do farmer, died. His family date back to 
the first settlement of the county. 

18(;i), June 15, Burr Keeler died in a fit of apoplexy, 
aged eighty-two years. Mr. Keeler lield many im- 
portant offices in town. 

1808, Xov. lii, Levi T. Downs died, aged seventy- 
nine. Mr. Downs was for nuiiiy years in the grocery 
l)Usiness in town, and was long identified with its in- 
terest. 

1871, Nov. 14, .lames II. Etter was killed at the rail- 
road crossing at ('iim]io liy the two o'clock express 
train from New York. 

1872, May 9, Maj. William I'.urw.dl .lie.l. May 18th, 
.Ifdin W. Taylor's drug-store and town clerk's office 
was broken into, the safe blown 0]>en and robbed. 
August ;)d, Orin Taybn I'ell dead at New Kochelle, 
while coming from New York to Westport. Septem- 
ber 1st, William S. Jones, harness-maker, died. 

187:i, Feb. 14, Patrick Cunningham's barn burnt; 
incendiary. March 13th, schooticr " .las. K. Polk,'' 
loaded with an assorted cargo, burned at her dock ; 
loss about five thousand; no insurance; incendiary. 

1874. Aug. 8, Dr. George Blaekman iliid. Mr. 
Blacknum was a physician for many years. 

1875, Feb, 22, Stephen H. Alden's barn burnt; in- 
cendiary. May 19tb, William C. Sla|iles' barn burnt; 
incendiary. 

1870, .Ian. '■'•. Lanson ('i)ley died, ag<'d about eighty 
years, April 18tli, .John II, (Iray,' hardware mer- 
chant, ilied. .Filly Md, .\lva (Iray, hardware iiutr- 
ehant, dii'd. .Inly 8tli, David S, (iray, for many 
years hotel proprietor, died. Dee, 291b. .lohn War- 
ren Taylor died, aged sixty-seven ; was town clerk 
forty-five years (I believe); kept drug- and book- 
store. 



* Mr. Gi'ay wrote a series (.f iiiterewtin;; h 
port, which .ire used in tliis worU. 



>toiJi;il iiitieles oil West 



832 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



1878, Jan. 10, David JI. .Miirvin, first president of 
First National Ban!;, died. Fel>ruary 14th, Theodore 
Werner, member of United States Coast Survey, died. 
July 29th, O. M. Bennett died, aged ninety-two years. 

1879, March 21, Cai)t. Daniel Burr died. 

1880, Jan. 5, Capt. Charles Wakenian died, aged 
eighty. January 22d, William II. Burr died. Feb- 
ruary 11th, F^irst National Bank sate blown open and 
robbed. February 28th, Elizabeth Taylor died, aged 
ninety-two ; came to Westport from Sing Sing in 1816. 
March (>th, Charles Faircliild died, aged about sev- 
enty-five; Ilczekiah Ogden died, aged about seventy- 
five. 

" The abstract of the lists of taxable property in 
the town of Westport," says the late Alva Gray, " re- 
turned by the assessors for 1871, shows under the head 
of jileasurc wagons and carriages the sum of twenty- 
five thousand seven hundred and forty-tive dollars, 
which is probably not more than one-third of the 
actual value of this description of property. What 
the value of carriages and wagons might have been 
in 1809 I have no means of knowing, but believe it 
could not have exceeded three thousand dollars. 
Eight old-fashioned gigs, of the value of one hundred 
and fifty dollars each, comprised the sum total of tax- 
able carriages. One-horse wagons were hardly known ; 
a two-horse coach was a curiosity, only in the reach 
of some aristocrat of great wealth. I remember one 
Anly, that of old Isaac Bronson, of Greenfield, and 
when at a brigade training on Coley's Plains, I think 
in that year, Bronson's coach, driven by special per- 
mission within the lines, attracted as much attention 
as the soldiers. The first one-horse wagon I can recol- 
lect W!is owned by Capt. Ebenezer Coley about 180G 
or 1807, made by Ephraim Sanford, of Keading, then 
the only wagon-maker in this section. Cajit. Coley 
was a very large man, weigfiing jirobably two hundred 
and fifty ]>oHnds, and as he grew old, had his wagon 
made for his special use, — low and wide, the .seat on 
rollers, so that he could with ease be rolled in and 
out by his negro men, of whom he had fimr or five. 
This description of vehicles did not get into general 
use before about ISSO. There was little travel except 
on horseback before that time. A stage-coach, carry- 
ing the mail and a few pa.ssengcrs, pius.sed daily 
through our village, and a |>a.s.sage to New York could 
be had for three dollars, leaving here about five o'clock 
P.M., and reaching the city about the same hour in 
the morning." 

I.NCIDEXT. 

Westport has had many enterprising inhabitants, 
one of whom de-serves special notice. About the year 
1832, Mr. Daniel I'latt, a very energetic man, carrying 
on the carriage busine.ss in this place at that time, 
determined on building a barn complete in one day. 
Mr. Stephen Nash, a man of like energy (who is now 
living, and over eighty years of age), was seli'cted as 
the carpenter. Mr. N'a.sh took the plan, and al^er 
surveying its dimensions promised to lake the y>\< in 



hand and have it completed at the required time. 
He was told to select his men and be ready such a 
day. The barn was to be 26 by 36 feet. The timber, 
lumber, shingle, nails, and ten gallons " Old Jamaica" 
were on hand. Mr. Niish engaged the services of 
nine carpenters, and sixteen farmers, who knew what 
work was, and on the day ajipointed were all on hand, 
and the work commenced. The frame was hewed, 
mortised, and put up ; sided, roof shingled, two pair 
large doors and five small ones made, hinges, hooks, 
and staples made, put on, and dooi-s hung; gutters 
and leaders put up, and the barn painted throughout, 
the floors laid, six shocks of rye threshed out, the 
grain cleaned up and taken to mill, the flour returned, 
and Mrs, Piatt had biscuit for tea made of the same, 
I enough to accommodate all present. Time con- 
sumed, ten hours. The barn is in good condition and 
still standing on the premises of Mr. F. B. Morehouse, 
on West Avenue. 

MILITAflY IlKCOKI), ISOI-65. 

Tlllltl) KKlil.ME.NT. 

Company U. 

Bmnes, Jumes, ciil. MiO' H. tXI'l ; ili.«ch. Aug. 12, 1861. 
King, CImrleg, cnl. May It, 18G1 ; iliscli. Aug. 12, 1861. 

yiRST SQUADKO.N CAVAI.KY. 
Oompmiij li. 
I Dougla.^, Jnnics, duI. Aug. 21, 18C1 ; iHscli. Juno 30, 180.1. 

FIRST REGIMENT CAVALRY. 
Oompany C. 
Sinlth, Clinrlcs, eiil. Aug. 10, 1864; iimst. out Aug. 2, 1865. 

Company O. 
IJuuwilviw, William B., cnl. .\ug. 2, 1801; must, out Aug. 1, 1806. 
Smith, John, eul. .\ug. 13, 18C4; must, out Aug. 2, 1865. 

Company I. 
ruwmorc, Edward, cnl. l>cc. 23, 186.1; cniiturcd June 29, 1804. 

Company A'. 
Blown, Janip", onl. Dec. 20, 186:1. 
I Kurd, Henry K., onl. Doc. 30, ISKl ; mart, out Aug. 2, 1865. 

Vnatittgwed, 
Egnn, John, enl. Aug. :tO, 1804 ; not tukon up on rolU. 
Woods, Joseph, enl. Aug. 12, 18f4; not taken up on rolls. 

SECOND LIOHT mTTKKY. 
Fowler, Thomas, eid. Feb. 16, 1864; not taken up on roII«. 
Hopper, Williani, eid. Feh. 10, 1804; not taken up on ivlls. 
I'rinter, Edward, cnl. Feb. 15, 1804. 

FIRST RKCilMK.NT AKTII.I.KUY. 
Company A. 
Li\in«, .John, enl. Dec. ;l, 1H04. 

Company F. 
llauiler, Gustavuis, cnl !».•,■ :.. IS04 : must. t>ut Sept. 25, 1865. 

' '-impany I. 
KuMlng, Frc<l. H., enl. Feb. 10, ISlH ; mniil. ..ut Sept. 20, 1865. 
llayB, John, eul. Aug. 6, 1804. 

Company K. 
Fink, Wilbur, cor)inral ; enl. May 2:1, 1861 ; rc-enl. Sov. 5, 1804 ; nnnt. 

out Xov. 4, 1805. 
Jordan, John II., enl. SI«}- 23. 1861 ; dlaeli. May 2J, 1804, «l expiration 
of term. 

Company M. 

Houghton, Jiiniea, enl. Fob. 4, 1802 ; tnin». to Iliv. Corim. Nov. 23, 1863. 
St. Clair, William, enl. Aug. 20, 18tk4 ; not taken up on rulU. 



I 



WESTPORT. 



833 



SE(AIN'l) REGIMENT ARTILLERY. 

f'nmptiittt D. 

Keith, Fred. R., eiil. iH'i-. :;i;, ISCi:'.; winiinleil Stpt. in, lM-4; llln^t. uut 

Aug. IS. 1.K05. 
Lyou, Edwin, enl. Dec. IT, IStl:!; tnins. t.i U.S.N. Ajiiil U, 1805. 
L.von, George A., eiil. Pec. in, l.^c,:!; must, uut .\ug. IS, 18fJ5. 

,:.,„,,.„„j r. 
Gregg, William, eiil. Dee. ■.;(;, Isc,:;; disc li. for disubilitj', Aug. Zi, ISia. 

0„„i„niii M. 
Donahue, Thomas, enl. Fel,. 10, 1804. 
liobert, .lames, eul. Fel.. 1", 1804. 

Brady, Charles, eid. Auk. 1-, 1804; not taken up on rolls. 
Harvey, Jann's, enl. Avit;. VI, ls04 ; iii-t taken up on tolls. 

FIFTH REGIJIENT INFANTRY. 

Jones, rhilo \V.. .Ir., enl, ,liily 'Ji, l.soi; trans, t" Inv. C,,i |.s, .Inly 1. ISyroii, Diiinis, enl. Oct. 1, Isnl ; not taken upon rolls after consol., Oct. 

1803. :(l,ls04. 

Werner, K. 1!.. enl. .Tnly 2:1, Isol ; ki 1 Aug. I'.l, 1.S02. TENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 

Cniiijiiiiiii /'. I Ciimjxiriy II. 

Bntterfiehl, James, enl. Aug. 16, Isiij; pnj. t.. captain ; mu-t. out July Foster, It.ibert, enl. Dec. 2'.i, 1803 ; killed Aug. 14, 1.^04. 



Cimipani/ fl. 
Winter, Cliailes, enl. Aug. '.i, 18iil. 

Compatuj JI. 
Dynm, Roger, enl. Sept. 2.'., ISOl ; disch. Oct. 1, 1.804. 
Dwire, I'enuis, enl. Sejit. 2.'i, 1801 ; disch. May 8, ist^i. 
Dwire, Michael, enl. Sept. 'ii, 1801 ; disch. for disal.ility Fuh. 10, 1803. 
Glynn, James, enl. Sept. 2.5, 1801 ; killed July -s, ls(;4. 
King, Charles, enl. Sept. 2,'>, 1801. 
Lannagan, Dennis, Sept. 2."', Isol. 
Waterhnry, Francis, enl. Sept. 2.5, 1801 ; re-eul. Dec. 21, T80:l ; must, out 

Dec. 12, 1805. 
Ilaekett, J,,lin, enl, July 2!1, 1,S04. 

NINTH REGIMENT INFANTUY. 
('umjia)uj F. 
Bone, Rohert, enl. Jan. II, 1804; disch. Oct. 20, 1804. 
Peek. Edgar A., enl. Dec. :iO, lSO:i ; tratis. to Co. C. ; must, out Aug. \ 
1806. 

Oititpntvj I. 



19, 1805. 

Compimij E. 
Johnson, William C, inl, July 22, 1.801 ; must, out Slav 21, l.«02. 
Johnson, Charles \\ ., eul. July 22, 1801 ; disch. .Inly 21, 1804, at expira- 
tion of term. 
Leggett, Elijah, eul. July 22, 1801 ; ,li,>,l Fel.. I,".. 1.802. 
I.eggett, John, enl. July 22, 1801 ; died Aug. 22, 1,80;!. 
Olmsted, Charles, enl. July 22,1801; re-eul. Dec. 21,1803; must, out 

July I'J, IStio. 
Robinson, John, enl. July 22, 1801 ; re-enl. Dec, 21, 1803; disch. July 0, 

1805. 
ShiMwood, Lorenzo, enl. July 22,1801; trans, to Inv. Corps, Sept. .30, 

1803. 
Staples, Michael, enl. July 22, 1801. 
Scotield, Sylvester, eTil. July 22, ISCI ; re-c]il. Dec. 21.1,S03; uinst, out 

July lit, 1805. 
Snagg, William, enl. .Inly 22, Isid 

ID, 1805. 

SIXTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 

CiJtitj>innj A. 

Fuller, ,l..hn II., erd. .Sept. 3, 1801 ; disch. Sept. 2, 1804, at e.\piratiou of 

term. 



I\tmptt»y II. 
McCaffrey, Janies, eid. Dee. 3, 1804; nuist. out Aug, 21, 18G5. 
Matthews, William, enl. Dec. 3, 1804 ; must, out Aug. 21, 180. 

(■..„.;,„„„ /, 
Stahl, Henry, enl. Dec. 2, 1.804; must, out Aug. 21, 1805. 

SEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTliY. 

Coni/ntnii .1. 
Warrington, J, dm, enl, Eeb. 10, 1801; iln.wned .liine 10, 18(i5 

C'tiiiiKiiii/ D. 
Gennon, Patriik, enl, Feb. 18, lsi;4. 

0„„,,.i„!, n. 
Meyers, John, enl. Feb. 30, 18(4. 

I'titiipiinti II. 
Boot, Matthew, erd. Oct. 0, 1-04; nuist. out .Inlv 2", 1H05. 



EIGHTH REi;lMKNT INFANTRY. 
Coinpiimj U. 
Byard, Philip, enl. Feb. 15. 1804. 
Fraser, John, enl. Feb. 15, ISOL 

Hawkins, John, enl, Feb, 15, l.si,4 ; iraus. b. I'.S.N. April 27, I.SOI 
White, James, eid. Feb. 10, 1804. 

Cottijunitf F. 
Payne, R,,bert, enl. lie,'. 2'.t, lSti:i; must, out N..v. 15, 1805. 



ELEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 

Cottipamj E. 
Kelly, James, enl. Nov. 28, 18(4; must, out Pec. 21, 180D. 

Compani/ I. 
McDonald, William, eul, Maridi 2'.l, 1804. 

Company K. 
Reed, J.din, eul. March 211, 1804 ; nnist. out Aug. 25, 1805. 
Townsend, Geoige, enl. Manh 211, IS04 ; died July 27, 1864. 

TWELFTH REGLMENT INFANTRY'. 
I 'innpuny t '. 
Ehv.-ll, rl.ilan.ler, .iil, Feb. 12,1802; re-,iil. Feb. 17,1804; must, out 
Aug, 2, 1805. 

Ottqxllitj E. 
e-clil. Dec. 21, 1,8C.:1; niust. oiil July Albii, J.-n-niiah, enl. Jan. ,s, 1S02; died .Sept. 13, 18{,2. 

Morehouse, Samuel E., enl. .Ian. 1.5, 1802; killed April 13, 1.H03. 
Norris, George E., enl. Nov. 12, 1801 ; disch. Feb. 14, 1803. 
lt.,th, Jac.b, eul. Pec. 3, 1801. 

THIRTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 
r.,j„pii,iif A. 
ItrannoiU, Kay, enl, Dec. 20, 180,1. 
I!ni kicy, J.,hn, enl. Aug. !1, 1804; not taken up on rolls. 

FOURTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 

Oi'iipany A. 

Hagan, Tlnunaa, eid. .\ug. 3, 1.814; tians. 2.1 Conn. Vol. Heavy Art. May 

31, 1.805. 
H..tt, William, .id. Aug. 28, 180.3; di.sl of w..un.ls re. 'd O.t. 14, 1.803. 

Companij /-.*. 
Sny.l.'r, .l..hn, enl. Aug, 1, I.S04. 

f'niitpituy I'. 

Dough.uty, David, .ud. Aug. I, 18(4. 

( >imptnnj Ir. 
Wils,.n, Ge..rge,.'iil, .Inly 2'.i, I.SOI. 

Oiiiip'iny 11. 
Snuth, George, enl. Aug. 0, 18(4 ; killed Aug. 2.5, 1804. 

SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 

l\>ntj<7in( /-;. 

Hnrr, H.-nry 1'., laptain ; .:oln. July 23, 1802 ; ri'signe.l May 28, 1854. 
J..lin8on, William C., Hrst Ihiitenaut ; .-om. July 22, 1802; resigned 0.:t. 

3. 181.2. 
llubb.dl, James E., sergeant: enl. Aug. 7, 1802; pro. captain ; must, out 

July HI, 180.5. 
Lees, (Je.trge D., sergeant ; eul. Aug. 7, 1802; pro. se.-on.i lieutenant; 

must, out July ISI, 1805. 



834 



IIISTOllY OF FAIRFIELD COUxNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



UcDonoiigh, Henry, sergpiint ; enl. Aug. 14, 1882 ; pro. first lieutenant; 

muBt. out .?uly 19, ISGS. 
Murry, Clinrlcs, sergcaiil; enl. Aug. 7, 1862; must, out July 19, 1865. 
Halo, George, coiporal ; eiil. Aug. 8, 1862 ; pro. second lieutennnt ; must. 

out .Tuly 10, 18C5. 
Perry, Aaron B., corporal ; enl. Aug. 7, 1862; disch. for disability Dec. 10, 

1862. 
Bennett, Aaron, corporal; enl. Aug. 7, 1862; trans, to Inv. Corps Julyl, 

1863. 
Lees, Edward M., corporal; enl. Aug. 18, 1862; pro. firet lieutenant; 

wounded; resigned Oct. 10, 1863. 
Perry, James A., corporal ; enl. Aug. 8, 18C2 ; must, out July 19, 1865. 
Badley, Williom, wagoner; enl. Aug. 20, 1802 ; discli. for disability April 

1, 1865. 
Alien, Elnathnn, eul. Aug. 7, I.%2; must, oul July 19, 1805. 
Allen, Theodoie, eul. .\ug. R, 1862 ; must, out July 19, 1805. 
Alicarn, Patrick, enl. Aug. 8, 1802 ; discli. for disixbility Al)ril 15. 1863. 
Burr, John T., oul. Aug. 8, 1802; must, out July 10, 1S05. 
Bixitherton, Oeujamin, enl. Aug. 8, 1802; must, out July 19, 1865. 
Barnes, James H., enl. Aug. 8, 1802; trans. Inv. Corps; must, out Juno 

26, 1805. 
Bothwell, David, eul. Aug.0, 1862 ; disch. for disability April 15, 1803. 
Buckley, Tliomas, enl. Aug. 9, 1802 ; must, out July 10, Isixi. 
Baker, Joseph H., eul. Aug. 14, 1802; must, out July 19, 18ia. 
Bloomer, Jolin H,, enl. Aug. 4, 1802 ; must, out July 10, Ifiia. 
Cliaso, Dennis 0., enl. Aug. 12, 1802; must, out July 19, 1805. 
Darron, Fninris, eul. Aug. 13, 1S62; diacli. Dec. 2!, 1802. 
Ellwood, Francis H., enl. Aug. 8, 1802 ; nulst. out July 18, 1865. 
Kllwell, Hemuin, enl. Aug. 4, 1862 ; must, out July 10, ISOTk 
Footo, Framis C, enl. Aug.", 1862; missing July 2, 1863. 
Flynn, James, enl. Aug. 10, 1802 ; died July 14, l.«0.1. 
Guernsey, George U., eul. Aug. 7, 1862 ; died Aug. 0, 186.1. 
Hoyt, Cliarlcs G., enl. Aug. 7, 1862; musl. out July 19, 1805. 
Hendricks, Lewis B., eul. Aug. 7, 1802; disch. for disability June 2.3, 

1865. 
Keyser, Willinm R., enl. Aug. 8, 1862 ; disch. for disability Jan. 17, 18(^1. 
Lockwood, Samuel, enl. Aug. 13, 1802 ; must, out July 0, 1865. 
Jlontictli, James, enl. Aug. 7, 1862 ; must, out July 10, 1865. 
Morehouse, Calvin, enl. Aug. 7, 1862. 

Nash, Joseph B., enl. Aug. 7, 1802 ; nuist. out July 19, 186.5. 
Nash, Francis, eul. Aug. 18, 1862 ; missing July 2, 180:1. 
Olmsted, Charles, eul. Aug. 7, 1862 ; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps Jan, 1, 

1865. 
Perr)-, Roscoc, enl. Aug. 11, 1862 ; must, out July 19, 1865. 
Porter, Frederick M., enl. .\ug. 12, 1802 ; must, out July 19, 1865. 
Roach, James, onl. Aug. 7, 1862 ; died Jan. 0. 1865. 
Seery, John, enl. Aug. 4, 1802; disch. for disability Dec. 6, 1802. 
Schofleld, Orlando F., eul. Aug. 8, 1802; died May 1, l«0;t. 
Tibbe, Buius, enl. Aug. 8, l.%2; trans, to Inv. Corps March 15, 1804. 
Taylor, Orron, onl. Aug. 8, 1862; must, out July 19, 1805. 
Taylor, Augustus, oul. Aug. 8, 1862 ; must, out July 19, 1865. 
Wakemau, Rufus, eul. Aug. 8, 1862; must, out July 19, 1865. 
Wakenuin, Frederick, eul. Aug. 9, 1862; must, out July 10, 1865. 
Wordcn, Amos, enl. Aug. 7. 1«02 ; dlscli. for disid.ility Jan. 21, 1863. 
Wilbur, Uenry U., enl. Aug. U, 1802 ; trans, to Inv. Corps July 1, 186;). 
WaiTen, Eugene, enl. Aug. H, 1862 ; must, out July 19, 1805. 
Wolfe, John W.,cnl. Aug. 1.5, 1802. 

Company F. 
DcGroot, Benjamin, enl. Dec. 11, 1863 ; must, out July 19, 1866. 
Mills, Aaron, eul. Doc. 0, 1863; must, out July 19, 1805. 

Cfimpany O. 
Baker, Samuel B,, enl. Aug. 18, 1804; must, out July 7, 1865. 

tVm/HiHy II. 
ToUDg. George B., enl. July 24, 1802 ; trans, to Inv. Cor)» Sept. 1, 1803. 

Comjutnif I. 
Dennis, John H.,eul. Aug. 6, 1862 ; trans, to Inv, Cori>s ; musl, out July 

10, 1865. 
Hull, Levi, enl. Aug. 7, 1862; niiul. out July 19,1805. 

Oomjuitii/ C. 
r^ivanaugli, Charles, enl. Aug. 25, 18G4. 
Howunl, James. enl, Aug, 6, Imi, 
Murray, George D., enl. Aug. 8, 1804. 
Rogers William, enl. Aug. 10, 18C4. 



T 



28, 

28, 



TWENTIETH REGIMENT. 

I/ttossij/ned. 
Ten Eyck, Charles, enl. Aug. 9, 1864. 
Wilson, George, enl. Aug. 23, 1864. 

TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT. 
Company I. 
Tonket, Benjamin H., enl. Sept. 8, 1862; lion, disch. Aug, 31, 1863. 
Nichols, Orvillc, enl, Sept. 2, 1862 ; hon. disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 

TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT. 

Company C. 

McDonougb, Louis R., captain; com. Oct 3, 1802 ; hou. disch. Aug. 28, 

1863. 
Taylor, Jonathan C, second liciilL-nant; com. Sept. 8, 1862; hon. disch. 

Aug. 28, 186:!. 
Mills, John P.. sergeant; enl. Sept. 8, 1862, 

Smith, Francis, sergeant ; enl. Sept, 10, 1862 : hon, disch, Aug, 28, 1863. 
Crawford, Samuel B., corporal ; enl. Sept. 10, 1862; hon. diacb. Aug. 28, 

1863. 
Sherwood, Charles W., coiiioral ; enl. Sept. 10, 1862; hon. disch. Aug. 

1863. 
Siierwood, James S., corporal; enl. Sept. 10, 1862; hon. disch. Aug. 

180.1. 
Barrow, John H,, corporal ; enl. Sept. 10, 1802; died July 10, 1803. 
Snagg, Robert R., musician; onl. Sept 8, 1862; hon. disch. Aug. 

1863. 
Banks, Edward \V., musiiian; enl, Sept. 10, 1862; hon. di.scli. Aug. 

1863. 
Brower, William H., wagoner; enl. Sept 9, 1862; hon. disch. Aug. 

180.1. 
Allen, Charles W., enl. Sept. 10, 1802; hou. discli, Aug. 28, 1863. 
Allen, Edward, enl. Sept. 10, 1802; hon. disch. Aug. 28, 1863. 
Banks, Stephen, enl. Sept. lU, 1862; died May 25, 1863. 
Brothcrtou, Kiiward, enl. Sept. 10, 1802; hou. disch. Aug. 28, 1863. 
Brotherton, George, enl. Sept. 10, 1862. 

Brothei-ton, Arthur J., enl. Sept 10, 1802 ; hon. disch. Aug. 28, 1863. 
Baker, George, enl. Sept. 9, 1862; hou. discli. Aug. 28, 1863. 
Batlerson, Obarles, enl. Sept. 10, 1862; hon. disch. Aug. 28, 1863. 
Baker, Bradley B., onl. Sept 8, 1862; hon. disch. Aug. 28, 1863. 
Bentley, James, enl. Sept. 10, 1862; hon. discli. Aug. 28, 180:1. 
Bones, Btiberl. enl. Nov. 5, 1862. 
Burns, Jeremiah, enl. Nov. 5, l(<ri2. 
Blair, Francis, enl. Sept 10, 1S02. 

Carroll, Terrcnce D., enl. Sept 10, 1802; hon. discli. Aug 28, 180:1. 
Corbil, Malllu-w, enl. Oct. 21, 1862. 
Grossman, Charles E., eul. Sept. 9, 1862, 
Disbrow, Richmond, enl, Oct 9. 1862; djeil Aug. 1, 1863. 
Davis, George W., enl. Oct 10, 1862; hon. disch. Aug. 28, 1863. 
Delnney, John, enl. Nov. 4, 1862. 

Fillow, Henry 1)., enl. Sept. 10, 1862; died July 25, 1863. 
Foote, Peter R„ eul, Sept. 10, 1862 ; hon, disch. Aug. 28, 1803. 
Furgiirson, Italpli, eul. Oct. 21, 1862. 

Gregory, J.ilin G., enl. Sept 9, 1862; hon. disch. Aug. 28, 1803. 
Green, Byron, enl. Sept 10, 1862; hon. disch. Aug. 28, 180:1. 
Glinn, Thomas, Jr., oul. Sept, 10, 1802; hou. disch. Aug. 28, 1803. 
Hickey, Jidiii. eul. Sept. 9, 1862; hon. disch. Aug. 28, 186:1. 
Howe, Stephen H., eul. Oct 21, 1862; hou. disch. Aug. 28, ISin. 
Lockwood. William 11., enl. Si'pt 10, 1862. 
Uickwooil, George B,, enl. Sept 10, 1862. 
Utile, John, enl, .Sept 1", 1»C2. 

Mills, William II. (Isl), enl. Sept. 10, 1862; lion, disch. Aug. 28, 1803. 
Mills, William II. (2d), enl. Sept, 8, 1862; died June 19, 18C3. 
McBrlde, Andrew J., enl. Sept 9, 1802; hou. disch. Aug. 28, 1863. 
Meeker, Cluirles A., enl. Sept 10, 1862 ; hon. disch. Aug. 28, 1863. 
Mahuney, Patrick, eul. Sept 10, 1802; hon. disch. Aug. 28, 1803. 
McNeal, George, eul. Nov, 4, 1802. 
Nelson, Gi-orgo, enl, Nov, 4, 1862, 
Richardson, George A,, enl. Sept 10, 1802; disch. for re-«ul, July 

1863. 
Rouaii, Garrell, eul. Sept, 10, 1862; hon, disch. Aug. 28. 1803. 
Smilh, William II., enl. Sept 8, 1862; hon. disch. Aug. 28, 1863. 
Smith, Charles F., enl, Si'pt, 10, 1862. 

Sherwood, KIwonI F., enl. Sept 10, 1862; disch. March 30, 1863. 
Sherwood, Jesse, enl. Sept 10, 1862: hon. dimh. Aug. 28. 1803. 
Williams, Omn. enl. (K t 9, 1862. 



28, m 

28,^H 






my'V 



^/N 



WESTPORT. s;i5 



AVjirren, .lunics, enl. ?ept. 10, 1SG2; hoii. disrli, An^. "JS. ISd 
Yuiuigs. Willialn H., enl. Sejit. 10, IS(iii; iiit',1 Uff, -j't, Isili, 



Miaiiiid ill till' I'lnii Iml a year or two, .Mr. \\'iiislo\v 
Yuiiiigs, ciiiuic».i,ciii. .s-pt. 10, iwii;; hull, iiis.h. An- 2.«, i.si;:i. I'l Hit i] miliar tlic liii.siiirss CM liis own accciiuit for a year 

or more, wlicn lif a.^i.socialfil liiinsclf with J. Newton 



Otwjxniii II, 



TWE.NTV-NIXTII ]U:i;lMIO.\T (CoLOKKll'i. 
Ointpinir/ Ji. 



iikkiiiB, I'Kiiik II., .111. x,.v. Ill, I.M.J. IV-rkiii.s, uniliT llie linn of Wiiislow i>c I'crkins. I'lmn 

tlu'iicetortli tile liiisiiics^ was };rcatly (■xtfiidcil, i.-in- 
InaciM- liaiikiii-, llic lll•^otiatin.<; ol State stoek, inort- 
Jchiistm, Wilii.iMi 11, .Mil. Dw. 2S, i.Kii:i; must, .lilt (lit. 21. i.xr,,-,. t;-i,i;:e lioiiils lor tlir con.-truil ion of railroads, tlii.-i 

( ■oiii;i.m// /;. Ilou.sc liiiiij; tllc liiolirrr ill i Mlroilllri ni^ to t lie Jiulilie 

Fr.vf.J'ili 111. Iiii..2:i, lS(;:i. in tliis countrv railway inortuaires with lionds based 

.li..kM,ii,.i,,s. ii,,.|,i.ix.,..-,lsn:i;,ii,i.t.,ii,to.t..'4.iM;,-,. tliereoii, tlir Cli-vilaiid, Coiiunluis and ( •ineiiinati 

r„mini<i:i F. Railway seeiirities liriiij;- the tirst of this class that 

BriiMiii, SiMMiiiiii. .Ml. Ik-.-. 24, iKiiii; ilisiii. f,„ ,ij«ii,jiit,v, .Mhi.i, 1. were idaeeil npon the .\inericaii market. The re- 

Gref^^T mis, ,.|,,. Mec. 24, 1«.> ; , mi, o, ,. 24, 1SG5. nim-kableslli-ress of that nr^otiatioM was soon lollowed 

Williiiiii.s, eiiiiiifs r., i<iil. I 22, l.si;:;; imist, mil oi t. 24. isir,. ''y "''lei' like issms, and ^ave sueh |iositioii and |ironii- 

Cm.mauii i: iieiiee to the linn as niadr il the leading nc^oliator of 

Bi„„s, .liinii.s, ,.,ii. i,,i-. i9, lso:i; uni.st. „i,i (I, t. 24, ISO.".. "'•"'>' '•i'''^'''!'"'" t traiisaetioiis of like eharai'ti-r. 

Jatksciii, Williiiiii 11 , enl. Dec. 24, 1KI3; iiiiiBl, nut Oct. 24, l.si;.-,. • '" Mr. W'inslow's retireiiieiit from the stliek e.\- 

Jackson, Ki.-iiik,. -111. Deo. 24, isoa; niiist. .mt (Ht. 24, ISO,".. eliaiige a pair of silver jiitidiers were presented to him 

Jolmson, Williiiiii 11, eiil. Dee. 2!1, ISiKl; must, nut Hit. 24, ISi;,'.. . 1 • 1 ,i i ii • ■ • x- i, n ^ i 

Bensnii, Tlinimis, oiil. Dee. 24, 18G3; ilieil .l.iii. 7. ISIM. "" " '"'•'' " ""l "''' '"H"" '"S niseriptloil : Pre.SCnted 

.Taeksoii, Aiiriiiii, enl. Dec. 29, 18g:). Kv t'"' -^ew N ork Stuck and Kxchaiige IJoanl to their 

Liniosou, EiioB, enl. Dee. 20, iKO.'i. Vice-Tresidcni , Itichard Henry AVinslow, Ivsip, Nov. 

v,n,,,,„„,i II. '', l.s:!i)." .Miont the year ixi.s, Mr. I'crkins retired 

Tliompsoii, .l.ilin, enl. Dec. 22, isisi: iiieil N.iv. 2i'.. l.si;4. " from the linn, and was immediately succeeded by Mr. 

Vantinss,riiaile8,enl.Dec.2l,lsi;:i:iiie,l(i.i.ii, l.si;4. .J. V . \) . La n icr, of I iiil iaiia, wliere he had become 

prominent in llic niaiiajcmcnt of banking and State 

— <»^— finances; the tinii then liccanie W'inslow it l.anier. 

I Shortly afterwards two vonnger lirothers of Mr. Wins- 

B10(;R.VPHICAL SKHTGHES. l"" ^^■'■'■'' ^"l-l'"l <" the'lim,', ami the nam,, changed 

to AV'inslow. Lanier & ( 'o., and, u Idle the inembcrship 
of the hoiiM' has in the mean lime undergone several 
changes, the lirni-name remains unaltered up to this 



iio.v. itrcnAi{D iii.:.\i!v wi.v.'^low. 



Hon. Ricluird Henry Winslow, son of Riclianl and day, .iiid takes rank : nig the foremost banking- 
Mary Corning Winslnw, was born in .Mbany, \. \'., houses of tin. country. 

Sept. lli, l.SOi;, and was a direct ilcseendant of k'encliu Li LS.MI. Mr. W'inslow's health being seriously ini- 

Winslow, one of the ■' JLiyflowcr" pilgrinc- in Hll^O. ]iaired by his intense dcMition to the business tluit 

His schoolboy days were spent in Albany; on leav- had become greatly cxiended, retired to his beautiful 

ing sehoid, at the age of sixteen, he eoinmeiiccd his country liome at W'estport, Conn., to rea]i the fruits of 

business career with R. J. Knowlson, who was at that no ordinary business career that had extended through 

time one of flic leading biisini'ss men of that eitv ; from a |ieriod of nearly liirly year.^. 

there he removed to Canandaigiia, .\. ^'.. and enlcied Jii l.So.S, Wr. W'inslow was a member of the ( ienm-al 

the service of 1 >eacon Thomas licals, who was then Assembly, House of Reprcsenlalivcs. ami in the year 

one of the |irominent merchants ol'( 'cntral Nc» York. b'^'iil he was a candidate for Lieutenant-( Hivcrnor. 

In l.S2.-| he left Canandaigua, .■uid went to join his In lln' year bsiKl (.\pril), Mr. W'inslow was State Seii- 

unele, lyconard Corning, in South .\nierica, who at ator, 'J'c-nth Senatorial (Bridgeport) District; served 

that time and for many years afterwards was .\nier- his term with acceptance, securing the friendship 

lean consul at !Maranliam, Brazil. I lere In- was placed of the l.ite (io\enior Seymour and other bailing 

111 cliarge of important interests in conneclion with citizens of the .s^late, who remember him wilh fecl- 

the consulate and his uncle's alfairs; among other ings of singular allachmciit. In bsi'ii he married 

duties made a voyage to France as supercargo, return- .Miss Robertson, of New N'ork, liy whom lie had 

ing to I'ra/.il within twelve months, after a successful three daughters who survive him, and luo sons who 

aceoniplishment of the objiM-ts of the voyage. died in infancy. 

In consei|ne!ice of ill efi'ects of the climate upon In l.S.'i4 he contr:iclcd a second marriage, with Miss 

his licalth he returned to New ^■ork in l.s;2.s. and not .'Mary IC. Filch, of Norwich, Conn., who survives him 

long after entered inio copartnerdiip with .Mr. .M.t'. in the cnioymcnl of an ample fortune bci|Ucalhcd to 

..Morgan, in the general produce commissi m business, her at his death. Mr. W'inslow died at W'estport. 

under the linn of Morgan i*i: W'inslow; this connec- Fairfield Co., Conn., h'eb. 11, l.siiL Mr. W'inslow in 

tion continued until \XV1, when a copartnership was his intercourse with the men of hi^ time, in tin' varied 

formed with Mr. Tilley .Vllcii, in theslock and money relations in active life, impressed himself with being 

exchange bu.siness, in Wall Street. Mr. .\llcn re- a gentleman of markeil (diaracteristics, which imido 



836 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



him sought for by all who appreciate character and 
administrative ability. 

In conversation illumined by extended reading and 
knowledge of the world he wsis singularly interesting, 
in sagacity clear, a.s well as positive in his views. 
In the conception of measures he was far-reaching, 
and bold in their execution ; in the power of winninjr 



others to aid in carrying out liis i)lans he liad few 
equals and no superiors. He was afl'ectionate by 
nature, unshaken in his attachments and confidences, 
faithfid in his friendships, and large in his benefac- 
tions; while those who knew him as brother, husband, 
and friend will never cease to love and cherish his 
ineniorv. 




•■ JIOKANUAI,- 
RE.SIDENCE OP THK L.VTE MORUIS KETCHUM, WESTPORT, COXX. 

MORRIS KETCHl'M. manutacturcr's hands. His suecejis was immediate; ho 

Morris Ketehum, whose home at "Hokimum," in soon obtained the contiilence and patnmage which 

the town of Westport, Conn., has for many years justified liis openiu'r a commission house in N<-w 

been known as one of the most attractive and elegant York, in association with his fatlur. Tlie sagacity 

country-seats, was liorn in Waterfonl, Saratoga Co., and business ability thus early exhibited naturally 

N. Y., in the year 17!)6. His father, Amos Ketehum, attracted attentiim. Mr. Ketehum was ..lUrcl a 

was descended from one of the earliest settlers of the partnership with Mr. Rogers, famous lus the builder 

county. of locomotive-engines, at I'aterson, N. .1. The tirni- 

At an early age young Ketihum came to Westport style was Rogers, Ketehum i*c (Jrosveuor. In the 

to attend school ; he here formed the acciiiaintance of ilistribution of duties and functions Mr. Ketehum 



the ladies who subsequently became his tirst and sec- 
ond wives; they were sisters, daughters of Mr. Silas 
Burr. At the age of sixteen he commenced his busi- 
ness studies in New York City ; two years later he 
visited Savannah, (!a., where he established busine-ss 
;is a cotton broker, making himself thoroughly ac- 
quainted with the grailing of cotton, ami the manner 
of handling it from the field to its delivery into the 



became the linancicr of this prosperous firm, and 
in his transactions with the railroad magnates 
of the entire continent gave abundant evidence 
that ill the world of finance he had found his legiti- 
inhte sphere of action. The tirm ileseribed almxe 
entered tlie banking business in a<lditioii to inaiiufac- 
turing. On Mr. (irosveiior retiring from it the style 
was changed to Ketehum. Rogers it lii'inent, later 




e.'/-/ /7^/y ,/Ulc Ar^^^:Zy 



WESTPOKT. 



9.T, 




McirrisKctrliiiiii. 
S(i]i \- ('(I. Tlir-i- 
|KiitMcrsliiiisc()v- 
c timI iicai-ly Icirty 
ycnrs dl' ,\li-. Krlcliiun's I'vciiirul lilr, iii)(l many \iv\ 
iniportant i'ntcr|iiisi-; wcrr iiiiilritakcii and rarricil In 
siicia-ssful rnrii|ilrf ion nmlcr llnir anspicrs. 

At a (lay wlicii many ilt'cmrd tlie sclicmr im|iraclical 
Mr. Kctcliuin fravo a hearty siippdrt tn tlir linildini; nl' 
thf Xew York and New Ilavcii liailroad, and it issalr 
to say no man contriliutcd Miorc tlian he to its success- 
ftil establislinu'nt. 

Of tlif Illinois Central liailroad lie was one of tin- 
earliest ]irojoi'tors, aidinj^ in seenrinn' its wundi'rtnl 
lanil grant ind lindini; a market lor its bonds. To 
rightly e.stimate the inagnilnde of this work it should 
he eoiisidereil not in the lii;ht of tii-day, hnl of that 
early time in the history uf raih-oads in the West : 
but few men had the sagacity to anticipate the re- 
sources of the eon'ntry now tributary to that important 
railway. Mr. Ketchum not only appreciated it^ pro- 
spectivo importance, hiil lie inspired eunlidenci' in 
others in a remarkaljle manner. 



( 'onllrlcncc i> saiil to lie a plant 
of slow j;niwtli. Hnw had .Mr. 
Ketchum ac(|iiired it? This le- 
gitimate incjuiry regarding liim 
may be answered in two ways: 
First, his Judgment was sound; 
always basi'd on thorough knowl- 
edge of all attainable facts in the 
case, a comprehensive mind cpial- 
i(ic(l hiin to grasp a financial 
scheme with clearness. ]Ie was a 
courageous man, and a man of 
honor; ho asked no one to follow 
where he would not lead. Again, 
he wa.s one of the vi'ry few men 
who had Ibreseen Ihe commercial 
panic of 1837; he not only jire- 
dieted it, but, against entreaty and 
|irotestation. witlulrew his capital 
from his then .sanguine partners, 
and prefiared himself to outride 
the financial storm in safety. The 
|ierio<l from l.s;i7 to 1842 found 
him ill a position to take advan- 
tage of this foresight, and gave 
him the unbounded eoufidenec of 
business circles; these years of 
ruin to many were years of pros- 
perity to him. 

When Hon. S. I'. Chase, then 
Secretary of the United States 
Treasury, found himself tace to 
face with the gigantic iinaneial 
nr civil war, he found in Jlorris Ketchum 
rengtii, a man of undoubti'd patriotism, 
h Iinaneial exiicrienee, taet, and resource, 
lie was the trusted adviser of the government during 
the darkest hours of its peril ; when doubt and dis- 
trust prevailed he courageously met the exigency: 
took personally large amounts of the bonds first i.ssued, 
iiis]iiring confidence by his prompt action. He gave 
.Mr. ( 'base such counsel in critical junctures as to have 
calleil IVom that otiicial the heartiest acknowledg- 
ments. 

In bS(14 a (piarrel between the directors of the 
Fourth National l'>ank of Xew York threatened to 
ruin the institution and force it into liquidation. 
Mr. Ketchum was selected as a. compromise president; 
by hi- shrewd and carcfid management the bank was 
br<jin;lit >afcly through its troubles. TTo resigned the 
presidency of the bank in .fuly, 18(1'), and in the sum- 
mer of that year, owing to the liiilure of his old lirm, 
be was obliged to retire from business, (treat sym- 
]iatliy was felt for .Mr. Ketchum in this misfortune, 
lint he made an honorable settlement with his credi- 
tor-, and liv bis indomitable pluck and energy again 
ai-i(nired a eoinfortable fortune. 

Mr. Ketchum jiassed many years of his eventful 
lite at his home in Westport. lie had acquired by 



S38 



HISTORV OF FAIUFIKLU COINTY, CONNECTICUT. 



it'"'''^'m 




marriiigo an cstato containing about one luiiulroil 
acres of wild rolling land, situated al)out a mile north 
of the village, and forming a part of what was known 
as Burr's Plains; to this estate he had added by pur- 
chase from time to time, until at present it contains 
over five hundred acres. By large expenditure of 




money, under skillful direction, this once uninviting 
property has been convcrtcil into a magnificent do- 
main. By thorough drainage, im])roved methods of 
agriculture, and tasteful adornment, Jlr. Ketchum 
lias set an exainjile that must ever have a beneficial 
influence. Thousands of trees were placed by the 





I 



hand of the master: their groupings are after the 
most approved taste in landscape gardening ; the drives 
through the estate (which are open to the public) are 
most <Iclightful. As might be expected, the best 
breeds of cattle and domestic animals have been found 
at " Hokauum ; " their breeding and raising have 
made them familiar to the farmers of the neighbor- 
hood, and secured one result of their"[introduction, 
— viz., the elevation of public taste in stock-breeding. 




To the outside workl Mr. Ketchum has been known 
as the great i)rivate banker; to his family and asso- 




pokter's L0IH4I;. 



GRAPERY. 




JJANIEL NASH. 



WKSTFORT. 



839 



ciates lie is romciiilirnil ;is tlic true and LrrncrnU'* 
friend, as the [iiililir-s|iirilcd siipiiiirtri- nf all prujccts 
to elevate and stiTnirthen the eanse nt' ndiuinn, edn- 
eatinn, and idvil (irdcr, as a devcited husband and 
father, a just administrator of affairs, a ]ieaee-niaker, 
a friend of merit, a uenerous ]iatriin, a man of pure 
morals and fireat inti'f;rity. His manner was quiet 
and retieent ; a elose cdiservc^r nhrni/s-, not <inly ni' men, 
but of nature, his love of ehildren and animals was re- 
markable, lie possessed a firmness that often assumed 
the aspeet of sternness, and even eoldness; this as|ie(t 
■might be seen when in tlie battle of the giants he 
marehed with elose-set lips and firm step <lireet to the 
•objeet of his ambition, but in the walks (d' domestic 
life no one feared tn apprciaeh him, for his g<'ntleness 
von eonlidenee and Ion e. 

Mr. Ketelium liml profound reverenei' for tin' 
Christian religion : he was a I'onsiant attendant and 




sujijiorter of public divine worship. While residing 
at^Westport, his family attemb'd the ('ongregational 
chureh. In New York City their connection was 
with the Presbyterian Chureh of which the late Kev. 
Dr. W. Adams was pastor. Not only was he liljcral 
to the denomination of his adojition, but when called 
on by the friends of other churches, both Protestant 
and Catholic, to aid in liuilding houses of worshi)i, he 
contributed generously. 

Many of liis tenants and domestic servants were of 
the Catholic faith ; it gave !Mr. Ketelium pleasure to 
secure for them the jirivileges of w<irship in the church 
of their choice; furthermore, he recognized the con- 
servative influence of religious instruction upon the 
whole community, and as a friend of civil order he 
responded to these calls for aid. 

In politics Mr. Ketchum was in early life a Wliig. 
a personal friend and admirer of Daniel Webster; in 
later years he was in full sympathy with the cause of 
the Union and the Kepublican ])arty. 

Mr. Ketelium married for his tliiid wife (who sur- 
vives him) the daughter of .lodge Silvanus Miller, 
of New York City, a man of ripe scholarship and 
eminent legal ability. 

Of Mr. Ketchum's living ehildren there are five 
son.s and two daughters. Mr. Ketchum died .Ian. I, 
1880, at his home in New York Citv. He had en- 



joyeil uninterrupted health fir a long term of life, — 
at eighty was vigorous and active. His death was the 
result of ]iaralysis. .V list (pf the pall-hearers indicates 
the class of men who were jiroud to he named as his 
intimate friends. They were John J. ( 'isco, .luiiius 
S. Morgan, AVilliam K. Do.lge. Dr. Willard Parker, 
P. C. Calhoun, I!. P. Sherman, W. AW Phel]is, Horace 
Staples, Theodore \. Neal, President .lenkins, of the 
liaiik of .\merica, I Ir. .1. II. .laneway. and ( iouver- 
neur Morris. 

The accompanying views are of the I'esideni'c and 
grounds at " Hokanum." 



D.WIEL NASIf. 
In the rec(jrds of the early ( 'oiiuecticut colonies i.s 
<ifteii limiid the name of Nash. Micajah Nash, pa- 
ternal grandfather of the second Daniel, married, in 
Norwalk, Mary Scrilmer, in 1744, and had three sons, 
— .lesse, Daniel, and Samuel. This Daniel, born Dec. 
2, 1747, resided at Patidiogue, L. I., at the time of the 
birth of his son I )ani(d, whose history we are writing. 
This occurred May 12, 1770, and when the lad had at- 
tained the age of fourteen his father, Daniel, Sr., 
moved to AVest]iort. This was in 1784. The elder 
Daniel purchased some land and a mill, which latter 
he put in care of the young lad, and which he faith- 
fully attended fir tilty years. This mill is still stand- 
ing, and is now one hundred and live years old. In 
1809 the father ami son unitedly Imilt the house now 
owned and occu]iied by Kdward II. Nash, and resided 
togi'ther all the lifetime of the father. He, Daniel, 
Sr., died Sept. (!. 1S24. The education of the young 
Daniel was derived from the ]iriniitive schools of that 
day, wdicre the young student graduated oftener with 
knowledge of the axe and scythe than with that of 
books. His was a life of toil, unwearying labor, and 
a continual battle with the forces of nature. It woidd 
be strange if the life thus developed would not early 
know the value of a dollar thus acquired, and cherish 
it as an article not lightly won. In early life he 
showed the true business man by putting liis money, 
whenever any came into his po.ssession, at interest, 
and Lcrping it tlicfc. With all his tact in acquiring 
and retaining money he was very liberal where his 
conscience ap]iroved. and was noted for Ihe interest 
he took in cliiii'ch matters, and the great lilierality 
with which he supported its institutions. When the 
Episcopal ('hureh in .Norwalk (to which his father at 
one time contributed two hundred dollars) was organ- 
izing a. "church funil," j\lr. Nash gave at one time 
five hundred dollars for that purpose, and without 
his hearty and exceedingly liberal financial sii|iport 
no s(nig of praise wouhl have clicered the place where 
now stands Christ, church in Westport. He and his 
sons Kdward and Andrew have, fir beyond others, 
not only built, but siistaineil it. Mr. Nash was, as is 
shown above, an Episcopalian, and member of the 
building eommittee, and also warden of Christ Chureh. 



840 



IIISTOUY OF I'AIIU'IKLD COUNTV, CONNECTICUT. 



This was built in 1835, ami nameil by Bisliu|i K(iii])ci-, 
— dear to all Episcopalians. Mr. Xash vmn first a 
Whig, aftcrwanls a Re|mblican. During the Rebel- 
lion a gentleman sent word to liini not to invest in 
United States government bonds. .Vs quick as a flji-sh 
he turned and said, " What would you have, — Confed- 
erate f" Mr. Nash was noted for his skill and love of 
telling stories. He neither desired nor held political 
offices. He wius quick, positive, and independent in 
his nature, iinil bad a tine sense of right and wrong. 
Tenacious of bis rights, he wanted all his own, but 
never an unjustly-acquire<l dollar. His word was as 
sacred as his bond, and neither were ever repudiated. 

Mr. Nash married, Oct. 9, 180!), Rebecca, daughter 
of .Tonatban Camp, of Norwalk-. Their children were 
Edward H., Andrew C, .Tulia Ann (Mrs. .1. W. 
Wood), Hannah (Mrs. Ezra Morgan). 

Mr. Nash was over ninety years of age at the break- 
ing out of the Southern Rebellion, and left the entire 
control of his money to his son Edward. By his ju- 
dicious investment in United States bonds — gold- 
bearing — tbousan<ls f)f d<dlars were added to the estate. 

Mr. Na-sb died Aug. 2, 1805, at the pbu!e so long 
bis borne, at the advanced ag(! of ninety-five years. 

Edward H., bis son, married Abigail ( iorbani, Oct. 
9, 1836. She died Jan. Ki, 18()1. For his second 
wife he married Margaret N. Williams, Sept. Ki, 1861. 
She died Oct. IS, 1871. Their children are Adelaide, 
Lloyd, Louisa, and Fanny. For bis third wife Ed- 
ward married Mrs. Mary E. Tutlle, daughter of 
Lewis Partriek, April 17, 1872. 

Andrew C. Na.sh married Eliza \. Adams, .Jan. IS, 
183.5. Their children are Mary Frances (Mrs. Dr. 
Bouton), Daniel C, Edward A., Andrew S., Celestia 
A., Eliza A., and .\melia R. Mrs. Andrew N:tsh died 
Nov. 12, 1876. 

TiK. (JEOUUK li. BOUTOX. 

In the old town records of Norwalk is recorded, 
"John Bowtcn of Norwake, tooke to wifTc Abigail, 
dau. of Math. Marvin, sen'r. of the same, January the 
1st, IG-^e." Thus among the earliest settlers of Fair- 
field County were the ancestors of Dr. Bouton. 

John Bouton was a French Huguenot, but at what 
time his immigration occurred is unknown. From 
the marriage above given came five children, the eld- 
est, John, born Sept. 30, 1659. This John had two 
sons, Jakin and Joseph. Jakin was twice married, 
and, by his second wife, had two sons, Esaias and 
Moses, and many daughters. Esaias Bouton was 
great-grandfather to Dr. Bouton, and married IMiebc 
Byxbec, May 30, 1753. Stephen, their fourth child, 
born July 4, 1760, married Hannah, daughter of Jona- 
than Camp, May 2(i, 1792. Their children were Han- 
nah, Stephen, anil Josiah. Stephen was born March 
18, 1797. He marricil, Jlay •">, 1823, Ilarriette, daugh- 
ter of Beriuh Bradley, j»f New Haven, Conn. She 
was born Dee. 30, 1801. Mr. Bouton accompanied his 
father as a lad to Troy, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., and 



after arriving at maturity became senior member 
of the grain-dealing and forwarding firm of S. & J. 
' Bouton. He was an active member of the Ejiiscopal 
Church, and, as the building of Christ church was 
then going on, he became largely interested — finan- 
cially — in it, and, by indorsing for the rector, was 
rendered bankrupt. He then engaged in the grocery 
trade, and after conducting it a few years moved to 
New Haven, where he died, shortly after, on Feb. 10, 
18.55. His wife, surviving him, lived till October, 1870. 
Of their four children, only two^George B. and 
Grace Bradley (who married William C, son of ex- 
Mayor Peck, of New Haven) — survive. 

George Beriali Bouton was born in Troy, N. Y., 
April 27, 1828. When about nine years old, he was 
placed at the boarding-school of the Episcopal Insti- 
tute, in charge of the rector of Christ Church, previ- 
ously alluded to, and through whose fraudulent actions J 
bis father Wits ruined. ( It might be well for the moral ] 
to add, en passanf, that, for these and subsequent ac- 
tions the rector was deposed from the ministrj'.) ] 
Here George remained three or four years until his I 
father's failure, when our young student went into 
the hardware store of an uncle, Edward Bradley, as 
clerk. I'crforming his duty well, he remained in that I 
store three years, then accompanied Mr. Bradley to j 
New York City, and took a position in the large ( 
establishment of Edward Corning it Co., which ho j 
occupied for four years. (A singular circumstaiico 
in the life of this uiu'le, Edward Bradley, is the fact, 
that after thirty years of mercantile life, be studied 
divinity, and wivs ordaineil a clergynum of the Episco- j 
pal Church, his ordination sermon being preached by j 
his son.) When Stephen Bouton removed to Now] 
H-avon, George accoinjianied him, and began to study I 
medicine under Dr. Charles Hooker, professor of 
anatomy in Vale College, in January, 18.56, he gradu- 
ateil at Yale, and in March of the same year at New 
York Medical College. Preferring a metropolitan life, 
Dr. Bouton located in New York City. He had, even 
before graduating, received the appointment of ex- 
amining iihysician and deputy coroner, anil at once 
entered ujion the duties. He held that position for 
three successive terms of three years each, except an 
interval of nearly a year, which was spent a-s surgeon 
to Gen. Walker's troops in Nicaragua, where he was 
located at St. George's and Rivas. 

In 1865, Dr. Bouton, tiring of the incessant lalmr 
of his city duties, removed to Westport, Conn., whero 
be now re^iides. He did not ccjise his labors, having 
been in constant and very active practice since living 
at Westport. By his great vitality he has been en- 
abled to perform double the work of one man, and yet 
keeji his health. In his profession Dr. Bnuton takes a 
high stand. As evidence of his skill, we will adduce 
the fact that, on one occasion, in New York City, ho 
successfully invalidated a will, involving over two 
luindred thousand dollars, by his examination of a 
body, and introducing for the first time in legal 



i 



j*^ il^k^ 




^=^^:^ Aa ^^i:Y^yr2^ ^^^C^, 




I 





r,i:i;i: .ik\nin'(;s. 



WESXrORT. 



841 



annals, )Mjrtions of the body wliicli had been liuried 
nine inonlbs, to illustrate testimony in a eivil suit. 
J'^or tills l>r. ISoutou reeeived a fee of three thousand 
dollars, lie is now niedieal examiner of several life 
insurance companies, and is a nienil>er of Fairfield 
County Medical Society and Connei'ticut Jledieal 
Society. 

In 18G1, A]>ril 2S, Dr. Bouton niarrie(l Mary Fran- 
ces, daufrhler of Andrew ( '. Nash, of Westport, of an 
old and |irominent family. She was horn Feb. l!G, 
1837. 

Dr. Ilimtnn is both a I'reemason and Odil-Fellow. 
Is a member of Woo.ster Lodge, No. 7'.l, F. and A. M., 
New Haven, (_'onu., also oi' Franklin L'liaptcr, No. 2, 
llarminiy ( 'ouncil, No. S, and New Haven Comnian- 
dery, N<i. '2. Has been Senior Deacon and secretary 
of lodge and secretary of chapter. He was delegate 
to the (irand Lodge of 1. (). O. F. in 18');} from Har- 
mony Lodge, No. 5, of New Haven, and was the 
youngest member of that liody. He still l)elongs to 
Harmony Lodge, and is a mendjcr of Sassacus En- 
campment, No. 1, New Haven, linlli Dr. Biaiton and 
wife are E]iiscopalians, and the doctor has been 
vestryman in C'lirist Churcli, ^\'e4|lort, I'or fifteen 
years. 

Personally. Dr. liouton is sucial and pleasant, is a 
strong friend, and held in high esteem by a large 
circle of ac(inaintance. I'olitically, he is unswervingly 
a Demoi'iat. 

Industry, ]iublic spirit, tnitlifuliicss, and faithful- 
ness to every duty niarl-c the ci-ur.-e of Dr. ISouton, 
and he is acknowledged to be to-day one of West- 
jiort's most valued citizens, always enlisted in every- 
thing tending to elevate, educate, or improve mankind. 



,I0I1\ W.\i;UEN TAYLOR. 
John "Warren Taylor was born in Norwalk, April 
8, 181(1. He was son of Seth and Abigail (Warren) 
Taylor. The old town records of Norwalk jireserve 
the following concerning his ancestry: "March 1, 
1718. — The Town by a major vote grants liberty to 
John Taylor to erect a small house for his family's 
convenience on y- Sabbath, on such ]iart of y' town's 
land near y° meeting-house as y'' selectmen shall 
allow or llnd convenient." "John Taylar, Junr., 
took to wife Sarah Lockwood, daughter of Mr. Dan- 
iel Lockwood, late of Norwalk, dec'd, and was mar- 
ried to her Nov. ('>, 171'.".." She died .Ian. 21, 1724-2'>. 
" The s'd .John Taylor, Jnn'r., took to wile Hannah, 
daughter of Lt. James Stewart, of Norwalk, and was 
married to her .Fan. lit, 172()-27." To them were born 
Jidin, James, Hannah, Kli, Seth, Hette, Ashcr. This 
Seth, the grandfather of John Warren, was born 
^lareh .30, 17.'!."), and married Martha ( iaylord, daugh- 
ter of liev. William (iaylonl, of Wilton, March 7, 
1765. Seth, .Jr., was their third child and oldest son. 
His birth ociurred Feb. 4, 1771. His brotliers and 
sisters were lUifus Gaylord, Wm. lioswell, Louisa, 
54 



Eliza M., Sylvester (1. By a subsequent marriage 
were born Rufus (t. ami Mary IM. Their mother's 
name was Kebecea Hurlbnrt. .Iciliii Warren attended 
|)ublic schools until he was til'teen, and Norwalk 
Academy fir three years >ubse(|uently. 'flieii he 
commenced teaching district school in East Norwalk, 
and continued that profession in different places till 
1832. He engageil at that time in the dry-goods trade 
in Saiigatuck, now Wotjiort. and this he carried on 
two years. .Selling that intcn-st, in 18;J4 he imrchased 
a small stock of drugs of Dr. Nash, and, adding 
largely to the purchase, he also joined a departme;it 
of books and (me of very extensive varii'ty goods. 
In this business he continued until his <leath. 

Mr. Taylor marrii'd, March 21), ]8:12, .Mary J., 
daughter of Uriah Hoyt, Escp, of Norwalk. ."^Iie was 
born in Norwalk, Oct. 211, 1812. Their surviving 
children are Henry F. (who married i\lary E. ('lark, 
of Stamford, t'onn., where he now resides, connected 
with The Chiircliiiinn publishing office) and Hiram H., 
who married Lizzie .1. Provost, of Stamtbrd, and is 
now resident partner, at Baltimore, Md., of the New 
York house of Dudley i!c Co. 

Mr. Taylor was brought u]i in the Congregational 
Church, and, although never a member, f>r more 
than half a century mingled with the peojile without 
a blemish on his moral character, and ])osse.ssed of 
the respect, esteem, confidence of all. (Juiet and un- 
demon.strative, he filled well and fully every station 
in life, cherished as a friend, trusted as an ollicial, 
beloved as a husband and father, and nevi'r could be 
found a tongue to breathe malice against him. For 
more than thirty-seven consecutive years he held the 
position of town ch'rk, a fact which shows his per- 
sonal popularity and worth. During the administra- 
ti(m of President Taylor, John Warren was appointed 
postmaster at Westport, which jxisition he filled until 
a (diange of j>olitics demanded his rennival. He was 
an Old-Line Whig. After the formation of the Ke- 
imblicaii party lie acted and voted with it. He died 
Dec. 2i), 187(i, regretted by all. 



BURR JENNINGS. 

Burr Jennings, son of Burr and Alercy (Morehouse) 
.lennings, was horn Nov. 2, 17'.H, at (treen's Farms, 
in the town of Fairfield, Conn., on the liomestcad in 
possession of his ancestors from the fuindation of 
the Fairfield sctth'ment. His great-grandfather was 
Joshua .lennings, and his grandfather's name was also 
.loshiia. He marrie(l Hester, half-sister to the dis- 
tinguished Aaron Burr. Both .Ioshua,Sr., and .Joshua, 
Jr., were proniinent citizens of J'"airlield, large land- 
owners, and liighly esteemed by their contemporaries. 

Burr .lennings, Sr., was a ([uict, undemonstrative 
person, saying but little, but that to the point. He 
never aspired to political oflice, was conservative in 
thought, but positive in his nature, rarely changing 
an opinion once formed, lie was u member of the 



842 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Congregational Church, and died in June, 1844, aged 
seventy-seven. Of his family of six daughters and 
two sons. Burr, Jr., was second cl>ild and first sou. 

Burr Jennings, Jr., received such advantages of 
education as existed in the country schools of that 
early day, when no such royal road led to learning as 
does to-day, and a few winter months, interspersed 
with much labor, was all that could be given to ed- 
ucation. Itciuaining with his parents until his ma- 
jority, he continued residing with them, engaged in 
farming, until he was twenty-six years old, when, 
Nov. 19, 1820, he married his cousin, Caroline, daugh- 
ter of Caroline and Joshua Jennings. She was born 
at Green's Farms, July 2, 1801. And now follows 
somctliing which the youth of 1880 would do well 
to consider. For two years Mr. Jennings continued 
living with his parents, and Mrs. Jennings with hers, \ 
until Mr. Jennings had built a comfortable home on 
the lot of land received from his father, and in their 
own house, which was to be for so many years their j 
home, and where Mrs. Jennings still resides in the j 
fullness of years, they commenced their housekeeping. 

For over fifty years Mr. and Mrs. Jennings en- 
joyed each other's society, wrought together in the 
varying labors of life, and endured the same suti'erings, 
for all was not pleasure in their life. Their golden j 
wedding was celebrated Nov. 19, 1870, when both 
were hale and hearty, the central figures of a happy ' 
gathering of kinsmen and friends. Mr. and Mrs. 
.Jennings were attendants, and for years members, 
of the Congregational Church. Their children were 
Caroline Burr (deceased, who married Edmund A. 
Peffers), Mary Morehouse (deceased), Abby Taylor 
(deceased), Julia Maria (Mrs. Isaac T. Banks, of 
New Haven), Augusta (Mrs. Edward S. Spring, now 
residing with her mother), Albert Burr (deceased), 
and (tcorge Franklin (deceased). 

Mr. Jennings died Sept. 24, 1872. By his economy, 
thrift, and industry he added much to his patrimony, 
and left to his descendants a fine inheritance and the 
better legacy of an unspotted name. 



FRANCIS BILKLEY. 

Francis Bulkley was born in Fairfield, Conn., Jan. 
.30, 178(;. His ancestors were of the primitive set- 
tlers in this town, and of English origin, coming to 
this county from Hartford and Colchester. His 
parents were Abram and .lane (Burr) Bulkley. The 
father of Abram was Peter, a tanner and manufac- 
turer of shoes. His father was (lershom. 

Abram was a soldier in the Revolution, after tliat 
engaged in privateering, and, when the war ended, 
went to farming on the family homestead, building 
for himself, previous to or about 1800, the house now 
occupied by Joel B. Bulkley. Ho died in 1837, about 
eighty-seven years of a^e. He was an active person 
of niu?h sociality, an ardent Episcopalian, and one of 
the founders of Triaitv Church. 



Francis had a common-school education, carried on 
farming until his majority, and married Sarah B., 
daughter of Samuel and Mary (Bradley) Morehou.se, 
in 1814. He built the house so long his home in 1818, 
and resided there until his death, which occurred 
Sept. 17, 1868. Mrs. Bulkley died Dec. 22, 1833. 
Their children were John Francis, Esther, Peter, 
Maria (deceased), Gershom, Mary Jane, Sarah Burr 
(Mrs. John H. Wood), and Abram. Of these, Ger- 
shom, Esther, and Mary .Jane live in the old home. 

Mr. Bulkley was a member of the Society of Trin- 
ity Church (Episcopal), and at one time was vestrj-- 
man. He was in politics a Democrat, was a quiet 
man, never seeking oflSce or meddling with office- 
seekers, but preferred the society of the home circle 
to any other. The early death of Mrs. Bulkley left 
a more than usual responsibility ui)on him, and his 
tender care endeavored to supply to some extent a 
mother's place unto his children. He was a great 
reader, keeping himself well posted on all matters 
transpiring in the world. He was careful and con- 
servative, not prone to wander into speculations in 
religion, politics, or business. 

Mr. Bulkley was a contributor to all objects calcu- 
lated to benefit numkind, filled well the station he oc- 
cupied, enjoyed the confidence of his neighbors, and 
during his life none who knew him could say he was 
ever actuated by malice, but always desirous of doing 
good, and, as a result, had many strong and estimable 
friends. He was temiierate, industrious, and econom- 
ical, and left his children the inheritance of an un- 
blemished reputation and a fair share of this world's 
goods. 

ELI COUCH. 
Eli Couch, son of Gideon and Eleanor (Wakcmani 
Couch, was born at (irecn's Farms, Fairfield Co., 
Conn., Sept. 21, 1797. He spent his early days with 
his parents on the farm, and receiving his education 
in the public and private schools of Westport. After 
his father's death he carried on farming on the quar- 
ter share of the old homestead which was his by in- 
heritance. On this he built a house, and took to wife, 
Jan. 7, 1820, Matilda, daughter of Burr and Mercy 
(Morehouse) Jennings. He was a typical farmer, 
never seeking or holding political office, and voting 
the Democratic ticket with regularity as the best 
means of preserving the simplicity of the early days 
of ourcountry. Both Mr. and Mrs. Couch were mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church, an<l fi>r mure than 
fifty years this worthy couple walked the Christian 
pathway, doing good quietly and without paraile to 
all, and never could be found one who did not ac- 
knowledge that their Christian profession was supple- 
mented by Christian practice, and both were honored 
and respected. Mr. Couch was honest, indvistrious, 
economical, and, in his family relatiims, a loving hus- 
band and tender parent. He left at his death a com- 
fortable fortune in land and othenvisc to his widow 




FKAKCIS BULKLEV. 



WILTON. 



S4:^ 



and survivinjr children. Tlicy are Elizal)eth (^frs. 
Horace Hiuith), William Henry, and .fcilin W. His 
death (leciirred .Vpril 1, l.S7(i. His wiilow survives 
hitn at the advanced a,a;c "f cifrhty years. 

Of such citizens as Jlr. Couch is composed the ele- 
ment upon which de]iends the preservation of the 
American repulilic, ami the i)hiin, common-sense New 
England farmer, froiuf; forth in :ill things actuated 
hy principle and duty, is the hearer nf the highest 
good to his State and nation. 



C H AFTER E X X X \'. 
"WILTON. 

The First Scttlcmdit— OrsaiiizntiMTi of tlio Taiisli— List uf Eiirl.v Sct- 
lU-l-9— Till- Il.Vi>liiti.m!ir.v Wiir— Tlio Biilisli Miircli tlinvnsh tlje Town 
— Fii ing of a Buil.ling— Secretin- Valii:iIiK-s— List of SnliliiTS—Slavory 
—Till- Lf.is.-of a Slave— Ear-Marks— Price- of I'ro.lurc in 1777— Tlie 
Silvr-r-Miiic— Statue of Oojrge III. 

Wii.Tc.ix lies on the west horder of the county, .'iiid 
is hounded as follows; On the north hy Uidgefield, 
Eeading, and Weston; on the east hy Keadiug and 
Weston; on the south by West]iort and Norwalk; 
and on the west hy Xew Canaan and Westchester 
County, in New York. 

The e.xaet date of the first settlement in this town 
cannot l>e definitely ascertained, hut it was <li]uhtless 
as early as 1701, as immigrations inland from the sea- 
towns were made at that time. Although there may 
have been an occasional rude hut within the hounds 
of the present town at this early date, the settlement 
was of but little eonse(iuenee until about the time of 
tlie organization of the parish of Wilton, in 172-'>. 

oi;g.\xiz,\tion of the pAitisii. 

The first reference to the organization of the jiarish 
of Wilton appears on the records of the town of Nor- 
walk, under date Dee. 7, l~2'^. 

It was voted that "The town, by a major vote, 
signifies their willingness that the inhabitanls of 
Kent, Beklen'.s Hill, and Chestnut Hill, and so uii- 
wards, become a parish by themselves, if the (icneral 
Court shall see meet so to establish them." 

\ petition w.is presented to the (Icncral Court in 
May, ]72(!, for the organization of the parish, signed 
hy the following persons: .Joseph Elmer, .Joseph 
.Jump, Daniel Abbott, .loseph Carle, Nathan Olm- 
sted, Stephen Buckingham, .John Hinart, I'.enjaniin 
Hickok, John Keeler, Matliew St. .lohii, Daniel 
ICeeler, .John St. John, David_Betts, Samucd lietts, 
Jr., Ste]jheii Betts, Nathaniel Slawson, .[ohn Wood, 
Jr., Jonathan Wood, Jr., Nathan Belts, Daniel Trow- 
bridge, Kiehard Bouton, Obadiah Wood, Thomas 
ISouton, .James Trowbridge, Jonathan Sturdcvant, 
Kalph Keclcr, Jaehin firegory, John Dunning, Na- 
thaniel Ketchum, John Taylor, and William Parker. 

The above list of signers of the petition for the 
organization of the jiarish doubtless composed the 
whole, or at least a greater portion, of the adult male 



inhabitants resiiling within the jire-cnt boundaries of 
the town at that time. 

LIST (iF E.UII.Y SKTTI.EKS. 

The follciwing is a list of the early settlers who 
were here Feb. 14, 17;i2: 

]5enj. Hickok and wife Sarah, ami children, Silas, 
Ezra, J'.cthel (Bethia?), Abigail, and Sarah. Joseph 
Burchard and witi' lolizabeth, and children, .Joseph. 
.John, .Jesse, ,Tanics,. Daniel, Uriah, Zebnlon, (irace, 
Elizabeth, .\bigail, Deborah, .lanie* Betts, Sr., and 
wife Hannali, and children, Elias. Abigail. David 
Lamliert and wife Lurany, and children, Elizabeth, 
Rachel. .John Marvin and wife .\bigail, and children, 
Mary, Abigail, John, Steiihen. John Taylor and wife, 
and children, John, Hannah, Aii]ienten, Tlieo|ihclus. 
Mathew ami Ann St. .John, and ehilihcii, .Mathi'W, 
Mark, Euke, John, Hannah, Anna. John J)niiiiing 
and wife Sarah, and children, ,John, Itichard, Samuel, 
Mathew, David, ^[iehael, Sarah, and Hannah. Benj._ 
and Reheeea Betts, and children. David, I:iciijaiu in. 
William Behlen ami wife Margaret, and children, 
Azor, Thankful, Sarah. Ralph and Margaret Keeler, 
and servant, .Jared Crane. Capt. N. Kct'.'hum and 
wife Sarah, and children, Nathaniel, Ephraim, I'".hen- 
ezer, .Tosepli, Nathan, Hannah, Sarah. .bilin St. 
.lohn and wife Eunice, and children, Rachael, Eunice, 
Ruth, Mary. David and Mary Jveeler, and I'hildren, 
David, .lohn, Ezra, Mary, Bho'l)c-. .lacdiin and Wait 
(iregorv, and children, .faeliin, Reuben, Isaac, Wait, ' 
Titus, Abigail, Timothy. .John and .\bigail AVood. 

Cole and wife Mary, and children, Samuel, 

Ichabod, Timothy, Jonathan, .John, Sarah, and Han- 
nah, Jonathan, Elizabeth, David, .lohn, Daniel, .Snl- 

omon, Stephen. Martha, Elizal>eth. Westeoat and 

wife, and children, Samuel, Nathaniel, ])avid, Abi- 
gail, Jeremiah, Hannah, Tha<ldeu.;. Stephen and 
Hannah Jteiii .James, Hannah, James7"amFSTTas 

Olmstead. Jackson and wife, anil children, I'^ben- 

ezer, Joshua, John, .\hahier, Stephen, and Mary. 

Stuart and wife Ahiah, and children, .lohn, Silas, 

Reube^L Benjamin, Ezra, .\bigail, .lemima, and Sarah. 



Ueulie^L r.enjamin, I'/Zra, .voigaii,.! 
<— rJj>Jnuart and wife Elizabeth, and <'hildr<'n. Th.-u 
flcus, Eunice, Daniel, Sarah. Daniejj_ Sarah, and 
Hannah Betts. .lames lietts, .Ir., "and wife .Martha, 
and children, .lames, Hezekiah, .Alartha, J-'ho'he, 
,\nne, William, Mary. William, .bdin, and ^Alary Bar- 
ker. Ebenezer Keeler and wife, and children, Eben- 
czer, Ralph, Nathan, Jonathan, Hannah, .Vbigail, 
and Rebecca. Jonathan, Mary, ICIiakim, Martha, 
Samuel, .lonathaii, David, Daniel, .Mary, Elizabeth, 
and -\bigail Elmer,' Matthew .Alarvin and wife 
Elizabeth, Joseph Jlarvin, brother of Matthew, 
.loseph Peck and wife .Mary. Nathan (ireen and wife 
Abigail. 

THE i;E\'(iI.I'TIo\Ai;V WAR. 
Aside from other attlictions of the war, \\'illon suf- 
fered from actual invasion when th.e British passed 
through on the occasion of tlie burning of Danbury, 



844 



HISTORY OF FAIEFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



in April, 1777. On their return, hungry and weary 
with marching and fighting, they entered many 
liouses for I'ood. As they came down tlie Ridgciield 
road, they fired a l)all into tlie honse of Deacon 
Daniel Gregory, in which were his wife and cliildren. 
The eldest, Abigail, — afterwards the wife of Moses 
Gregory, — when above eighty yearsof age, was accus- 
tomed to tell liow an ofiicer came in, with his sword 
drawn, attended by soldiers. He assured them of 
safety if they would furnish food. The British set fire 
to the liouse near tlic Episcopal church now occu- 
pied by Mr. Slierman Fitch ; but, before they were 
out of sight, a woman went with a pail of water from 
the next house north (which has lately fallen down, 
but was for many years occupied by Maj. Samuel 
Belden) and extinguished the flames. As people 
heard of the ajjproach of the British they hastily re- 
moved their silver spoons and sucli valuable jiroperty 
as they could. From houses on the Belden's Hill 
road furniture was carried to Huckleberry Hill, as it 
was supposed the British might take that street ; but 
learning, as it would seem, that soldiers were gather- 
ing at Norwalk, the enemy took tiie Westport road, 
and finding Westport already occupied by several 
hundred Americans, they turned cast, crossed the 
Saugatuck River about three miles above the bridge, 
marched to Compo, and got on shipboard that night. 
It wa.s tlieir last attempt to go far from the shore in 
Connecticut. But tlie Wilton pcojile sufi'ered after- 
wards in the burning of Norwalk, though their houses 
and their lives were spared. 

The following persons were in the army a part or 
the whole of the period 1780-1783: Capt. Samuel 
Comstock (afterwards major), Lieut. Samuel Defor- 
est, Ensign (in 17S2 lieutenant), Matthew Gregory, 
Seth Hubbell, Samuel Nichols, Jesse Olmstead, Am- 
brose Barns, John Johnson, John Williams, Jonathan 
Jackson, Elijah Betts, and, in 1782, Lieut. Salmon 
Hubbell and Uriah Mead. Elijah Taylor is else- 
where mentioned as ensign. A warning is also 
found written and signed by Samuel Comstock, ca])- 
tain Ninth Regiment, calling his company together 
for inspection the 17th of October, 177(5. Washing- 
ton was at that time at White Plains, after the 
retreat from Long Island. He bad called most of 
the Connecticut troops to his aid. As Lieut. Gregory 
was in the action at Wliitc Plains, the 28th of Oc- 
tober, it is probable that Capt. Comstock marched 
thither with his company directly after the 17th. 
Maj. Comstock represented Norwalk in the Legis- 
lature, October, 1800, and Wilton in eight sessions, 
between October, 1803, and May, 1809. In liis will 
he gave to the church, for its communion service, a 
silver tjinkard which had for generations been an 
heirloom in tlie family. He was born 173f>, the son 
of Deacon Nathan Comstock, and, as is sup|)osed, in 
the house so long oc<yj)ied by Edward Comstock. 
He die<l Dec. 1, 1824, in his eighty-si.\th year. 
He enlisted July 10, 1775, and was commissioned 



captain, July 10, 1776. He and his company shared 
in the sufferings of Valley Forge, in the battle of 
Monmouth, and the capture of Cornwallis. His wife 
was Mercy Mead, daughter of Tlieophilus Mead. 
Lieut. Matthew Gregory, the son of Ezra and grand- 
son of Deacon Matthew Gregory, wxs with Maj. 
Comstock in the places just mentioned, and was also 
in the fight at Ridgefield, April 27, 1777. His death 
occurred in his ninety-first year, .Tune 4, 1848, at 
Albany, N. Y., where he had resided forty years or 
more. His first wife, Mary, daughter of Ilezekiah 
Deforest, died in 1796. 

Ca])t. Azar Belden, who was an early settler in this 
town, was also in the Revolution. He held a cap- 
tain's commission in the train of artillery and served 
with distinction. He was at the battle of Bunker 
Hill, and with Gen. Washington when he evacuated 
New York, and with Gen. Wooster when he fell at 
Ridgefield, and continued in active service during 
the war. 

SL.WEUY. 

Upon the old town-book, under date of Jan. 5, 1811, 
appears the following: "These may certify that, at the 
request of Samuel Middlebrook, the Civil .Vuthority 
and Select Men hereunto subscribing have examined 
into the case of Phebe, a slave of said Middlebrook, 
and find that she is within the age limited liy Law to 
be emancipated, and that she is of a sound Constitu- 
tion and of good health, and that it is likely that she 
will be able to maintain herself, and also said Phebe, 
having manifested to us her desire to be made free. 
We do hereby witness that we see no cause why the 
said Samuel Middlebrook may not Lawfully emanci- 
pate and set free his said slave, Phebe, and Liberty is 
accordingly hereby granted to the said Samuel Jlid- 
dlebrook to emancipate and set free his slave, Phebe, 
according to a statute Law of this State in sucli case 
made and provided. 

"Dated, Wilton, this 20th day of Ajiril, 181G. 

" TlIADUEU.S MEAP, 

" Jiisticc'of (he Peace. 
" David Lambekt, 
" Jr.iiiEi. Kei;m;i{, 
"Sa.mii;!. Olmstkap, 

" Seffclmeii. 
" Rec'd to record, January .'). 1811. 

"Test, Samuel Beldex, RegUfcr." 

Under date Feb. 24, 1812, " Betty, a Black woman," 
was emancipated by Mathew JIarvin. 

TIIE LEASE OF A SLAVE. 

Under date Jan. 24, 1824, appears the following 
record : 

" Know all nieii by the.se presents, that I, William 
Belden, of Wilton, Fairfield C<iunty, for and in con- 
sideration of the sum of twenty-ftve dollars, to me in 
hand paid, the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowl- 
edge, have bargained, sold, and conveyed, and by these 
presents do bargain, sell, and convey, of my own free 



WILTON. 



845 



will and consent, a certain Negro or Mulntto Girl, 
nanu'd (Jrace, l)orn Sept. 20, I81H!, now lieinf;- 17 years 
an<l 4 montli.s old, unto Hiram Hetts, of Wilton, afore- 
said, liis heirs and assigns, for and during the term of 
three years and eight months, nntil she shall arrive at 
the age of twenty-one years, which will lir on the 'IWh 
ol' Sejit., 1.SJ7, and I, the said ISclden, do warrant the 
said negro girl, Grace, to he a healthy and well girl, 
and sound limbs and not with child, and I. the said 
Beldcn, do hind myself and heirs and administrators 
to warrant unto the said Betts, his heirs and assigns, 
all demands whatsoever, by any |ierson made towards 
the .said Negro Girl, Grace, .and I do herehy, and iiir 
the aforesaid term of 3 years and 8 months, defend 
him, the said Hetts, against all clainnints in any wise 
wliatever. In witness whereof I have hereunto set 
my hand and seal this 2ilth day of .Taunary, 1824. It 
is also agreed that the said ISetts shall [iroviile com- 
fortable and decent wearing apparel, ami take care 
of the said Grace in sickness and in health, and at the 
expiration of herservitude, said Ketts shall clothe her 
well, one every-day suit and ipiie for holidays. 

" \V>r. Bi:r.i>i:N. 
"Signed. Sealeil, and delivered in presence of 

" M.\iiiE\v ]\Iai;vin, 
" ("HAS. Mauvix. 

" WiLTOX, FAri'.FIEI.Il Cor.vTY, .fs. .■ 

"On the date above personally appeared W. Bel- 
den, signer and scaler of the aliove instrument, and 
acknowledged the same to be his free act and deed 
before me. 

" Matthkw ^Marvin, 

'■J,ls/;,v „/ J'nire. 

" Receive<l to record Jan. 24, 1824, and recorded per 
Samuel Beldeu." 

In the records of liirths in the town-book appears 
the following of slaves belonging to William Beldeu: 
Catherine, born Feb. 4, 1802; Grace, March G, 1807 ; 
Uiclmrd, Aug. 27, 1809; John, March (i, 1812. 

E.\R-.MAKK8. 

The following are specimens of car-nnirks used in 
the early days to distinguish cattle, etc. : 

Silas St. John's mark was " halfpenny and nick 
under side the near ear." 

Sanmel Bclden's mark was " nick under siile each 
ear." 

A. Gregory's nmrk was "slit uinlcr near ear." 

Nathan Hanfonl's was "halfpenny under near ear, 
and nick under olf ear." 

Daniel Gregory's nnirk was "two halfjiennies un- 
der side tlie otf ear." 

The early recorils show' that the jiatcnt-right vender 
was abroad in the land, as under date id' .Vpril ."), 
1801!, appear.s a sale of a patent right for churning 
to Daniel Betts, Sr., from Joel Johns. The inventor 
was Isaac Bakir. 



PRICE OF PRODUCE T\ 1777. 
.\t a meeting of the society of Wilton, held Nov. 
20, 1777, it wa.i "voted to givi- Rev. Is uu' Lewis oiu' 
hundred poniids lawful money for his servici's in tin' 
ministry for the yrar past, and one half to be paiil in 
)irodnee: wheat at four shillings and sixpence; rve 
at three shillings : cuni at two sillings and six|ieiicc; 
oats at oni! shilling and six[ienee per bushel; pork 
at twenty-five shillings ]ier hundreil ; lu'cf at twenty 
shillings per hundred ; sheep's wool at two shillings 
per ponnil ; tlax at nincteeu shillings ]nr nouiul; 
leathi'r shoi's at six sliillings per j)air; turnips at 
one shilling per bushel," and three shillings a loa<l 
was allowed for good wood. 

PIT.VIMNMIXE. 

A silver-nnnc is loeateil in the northern jiart of this 
town, near the residem-i' ut' the late (.'liarhs Sturges, 
about an eighth of a niile east of the old Danbury 
turnpike. It appears that it was originally dividi'd 
into shares and worked a short time before the Kcv- 
(dntionary war, and that the manager or overseer, 
after having sent away all the ore that had bi'cn dug, 
under pretense of having it examined, suddenly left 
"between two days," leaving the shareholders ndnns 
the amount of their subscriptions, and also their share 
of "the rocki." After it was known for a certainty 
that the superintendent did not intend to return and 
resume work, the stockholders began to look around to 
see if there was not some property left that could l)e 
mad<' available towards paying them liir money in- 
vested and labor rendered. Traditioji says that all 
the ])roperty to be found eonsistc<l (d' an old negro 
slave and a pair of oxen, which were sold for the 
benefit of the creditors. It is also .said that many 
persons in comfortable circumstances, who had sub- 
scribed liberally towards working the mine, were by 
this operation c<insiderably reduced in circunrstances. 

The following "Indenture" is copied from tlie town 
records of Norwalk, and gives the contract for work- 
ing the mine and the luunes of the parties engaged: 

"Tliis Tii-IoiitUK! iniuic Uiif. si'velitt'entti day nf ."Mny, 170.', Ik-Iwccu 
Ali-\iiii.li-r Itcs-icpu-, uf NuiWiilU, in th.. County of Kaiilivl.l im.l Cloiiy 
uf Oonn.'i iciit .if 111,! oiu' imrt, ;ui.| .Sauiuul lictts, .NiitlKiii lliilili.ll. Mat- 
tlii'W Mi-a.l, Miittlitw iMiTwiiic, .l:uiu-s Olnistcd, Jr., Sila-s Olnislc.l, .I..si-|.li 
Itoikwcll,.!!., .Il-ssi' Ogik-n.iill uf Xorwnlli, nnd .Mallli.-w Kountuiii, of 
lio.Jfon], ill Wfstili.ist.T Comity iiml |.ro\iiiii; of Now Y..ik of llio oili,-i 
pHit, Willll■^s,•lll tliut till.' .vii.l Alt'xaii.ltT Kcs^illll(■ lu. ivill ill (■.m.-iiliTa- 
tioli of tliu C.i.>ts ami Cliarg.s wlii li iIr. bM Sanini'l Ik'lls. Xalluiii llul.- 
ln'11, JIatllic'W .MiMil, MatllifW Menvint', James olmali'il, Jr., Silas oliii- 
stoti, Josepli 1{.K-Iiwell, Jr., and Jrf..so Of^dcn, and M;Lttlu'« Foniitain, 
linist iiHcu.ssiirily i':.\i)('nd in and about the undertaking .\dvenlnie and 
works hereafter Mentioned, and in f'onsideratioii of Keservatimi .^i Cove- 
nants heri-afler iiieiili-ined" eontaiued liy ami on the jiaits of the s'd 
Samuel lletl!<, Nathan llul.liell, M.itthew Mead, Malth.w Merwine, 
James Olmsted, Jr., Silas Olmsted, Jose]di Uoekuell, Jr., .les^' O-den, 
and in Matlliew rminlain, their heirs, K\ei;iitors, Adiiiiiiistiatoi.s. and 
assi;,'US, flee Liberty, l.iieln'e, and authority from time tu time, and at all 
or any time or times liiiiin;: the Term hereafter mentioned In Ui;;. 
Seareli, work fur, and raise all siieh Lead tlar or Copper Oar. 'fin f lar, and 
all other Oars and Minerals whatsoever which can or siiall, or may he 
found, Digged, i^otleii up, or raised as well as from or Out of all or any 



* I'aeeitain. 



846 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



pait or i>art8 of tlio Lands or grounils of or belonging to tlic snid Alex- i 
nn'Ior RfN^ique, Bitimted and Ij iiiu in tlie Town of sM Norwnlk, ncnr tlio 
ilwclling-lionsu of A/Jir lJi>lilfn, in Quantity ntout forty acres bounded 
Jiortb, by Juhn Belden ; E;ibt, by Kzekiel Wood; South, by Ezekiol 
Woud luid Sidunion Wuod'a hoire ; AVotit, by bigbwiiy, nnd for tho pur- 
p<>so itforcsM, til l)i-; and sink all siicli i)its, Grooves, Levels, addils, 
DmiuH, Sluiftw, TieneheH, and ftthur works whataoever in any part or 
pai'td of lliu baid Landti or Giounds as the i»\ul Saniuet Betts, Natlmn 
]Iid>boll, Matthew Mead, Matthew Mcrwine. James Olmsted, Jr., Silas 
Ohnstml, Joseph Itockwell, Jr., Jesse Ogden, and Matthew Fountain 
their heiin and Exocutore, Administratoi-s, and Ag.signa, or any of tlicni 
think tit and Convoniont, and the said ores and minerals there found, 
and all tbi- Karth and ruLLish which shall from time to tinio be raised, 
Dig^ro.l, and briui;,'lit above k'''*i'ii'1 Out of tlie ti'd mines, piti=, grooves, 
Levels, addits, Dndns, Shafts, or Trenches, or any other work aforcs'd to 
lay n]>on tlio grounds nearest the mines and other place where tho same 
shall be digged, or witliin the s'd Lands afores'd and tho same to Spall 
and try, and wash.j)ick, stamp, and Dress to make Merchantable and fit 
for the Smelling and Uetining the same shall be washed and the parts 
tliereof hereafter mentioned to be Delivered Out to the s'd Itessirpie, bis 
heirs and ast<igns as is lieieftfler E\pressed to have take Convert to his 
Own USD and to the s'd Ke:esi<pie, for tho Consideration ofore^M for him- 
^elf, liis heirs ami assigns, Doth hereby Lease, Let to form Ic!t unto the 
»*d Samuel IJetls. Nathan Hubbell, Matthew Mead, JIatthew Merwine, 
James Olmsted, Jr., Silos Olmsted, Joseph KocUwell, Jr., Jes-o Ogden, 
and Matthew l-'ountain, their heirs, Exocntars, Administrator, and as* 
signs, free Liberty and Leave ut all times During tho Term hereafter 
Mentioned to s^tt up, Erect, and build, in and upon the grounds nfores'd 
Cupohis, Smelting-liouse, Store-Houses, and any Other buildings as tho 
s'd Samuel Betts, Nathan Iluhbell, Matthew Mead, Matthew Merwine, 
James Olmsted, Jr., Silas Olmsted, Joseph Iti>ckwc-ll, Jr., Jesse Ogden 
and Matthew Fountain, their heirs. Executors, administrators, or as- 
sign.<4, or any of them shall tliink lit for the pur|iose aforesM, and like 
Liberty and Autlioi ity to Dig, have, and take for their own use from and 
Oht of the Land aforct'd, Clay, Sand. Stones, and Timber, as Can be tlion 
gotten or found for the puriwpo afores'd, and Liberty of Ingress, Egress, 
A Progress to and for thti s'd Samuel Betts, Nathan Hubbell, Matthew 
Mead, Matthew Merwine, James Olmsted, Jr., Silas Olmsted, Joseph 
Rockwell, Jr., Jesse Ogden, and Matthew Fountain, their heirs, Kxecu- 
tois, adniinislralors, and assigns, and their Servants and AVurkmen at 
all limes During the Term hereafter uientiuned, with an<l Carriges to 
and from the same Except and always Keserve<l Out of tho sM grant 
unto tho s'd Alexander Ressique, his lieiis and assigns one full Eipial 
Eight pait the whole into Eight Equal puils being Divided of and in tho 
sVI Ores, Slineials, which shall onse be Digge^l & gotten in the Lands 
aforesM after the siiino is jwnndcd and Washed and fitted for Refining, 
free of all Charges of the same for and in Lease of the Toll and fanii to 
be had and Taken by the s'd Alexander Res^ique, liis heii^ and asiiigna 
in such nnmner as Is hereafter mentioned To have and to hidd all and 
Singulars'd Ltliertys and priviK-dges before Lease, Let, and to form letteu 
as afoi-es'd with th<> s'd Samuel Betts, Nathan UublH.dl, Matthew Mead, 
Matthew Sierwiue, James Olmsted, Jr., Silas Olmsted, Joseph Rockwell, 
Jr., Jesse Ctgden, ami 3Iatthew Fountain, their heirs, Executui's, Ad- 
niiiUNti*ators, and assigns from tho day of the Date heretjf for and During 
the Term of One liundreil Yeara next Ensuing, fully to Compleat and 
Endc4l yielding and Deliveiiug unto the s'd Re&sique, his heirs and as- 
signs, the s'tl one-Eight |iart the whole into Eight Eqiml, being I>ivided 
herein Wfore Excepted of all the ores and ndnerals which nhall be so 
I>igge<l, Raised, after tho same is ixiunded and fitted for Refining out of 
tho Lamls afores'd or any [>art tliereof as aforesM, and to have, hold, & 
Enjoy their Remaining Seven-Eights thereof to them, their heirs, Execu- 
tors, Adniini:«trators, ic Atwlgns to their own pnqKT uho & uses as afores'd. 
An M'ltnetw where-ifwe have Set our linnda and seals. 

"The consideration of tho above written Instrument is such, that if 
the alKive<un*ntioneil pet«ons »liiill Continue to Carry on and pivsccuto 
the aNive-niontionei) Enterprise, then this Lease to stand in full force. 
Other^vbie to be null and void. 



" J,\Mr-S Ol.MSTKD, Jr. [skal] 

"Sii~\s Oi.MSTcn. [sgal] 

"Josr.rn Rockwell, J ii. [seal] 

" Jfwk Ounr.s. [skai,] 

"M.\TTiii!:w Foi'NTAiK. [8i:al] 



Alrxander Rrs.'tiQre. [jieal] 
SAuri:!. UP.TTS. [seal] 

Nath.vn lIi'Dnci.u [seal] 
Matthew Mead. [seal] 

SIatthew Merwine. [se4l] 



*' Synod, Sealed, & Dellvorod In prosonls of Thaddeus Iluhbell, Eplir" 
Kinderly, IVtir Ilublell. 

" Reed to Record 3[ay 24, 17C5, and Recorded pr. Mr. Som> Gninuin, 

"/ft-j/uter." 



It is at present owned by heirs of John Hurlbutt " 

(deceased). This mine was formerly owned by Capt. 
Azar Belden, a hirge Umdowncr, who first introduced 
merino sheep into this section of the State. He was 
a man also of some military renown. Soon after the 
Revolutionary war some Englishmen called on Mr. 
Belden with a view of working the mine. They in- 
troduced their business by iLsking him tlie state of his 
mine. The old gentleman, not understanding them 
fully, flew into a rage. ** The state of my mind .'" says 
he. "What impertinence!" Such a question, as he 
understood it, from such a source was more than he 
could brook. The scenes of the Kevolution fla.'^hed 
across his mind. He had held a captain's commis- 
sion in the train of artillery, and served with distinc- 
tion during eight long yearsof bloody conflict; was at 
the battle of Bunker Hill, assisted in drawing the 
chain across the Hudson, was with Gen. Washington 
when he evacuted New York, and with Ocn. Wooster 
when he fell mortally wounded on the i)lains of Kidge- 
field by a well-aimed bail from British nuiskotry, ami 
for them to in<iuire the state of his jnind was to him 
a downright insult. The gentlemen, seeing the cap- 
tain had wholly misunderstood them, and intending 
no harm, soon explained by stating they liad called to 
.sec him relative to a sifrcr-mine which they learned 
he had on his farm, and would like to arrange with 
him for working it. 

The mistake was happily gotten over, and he went 
with them to the mine. Everytliing was soon ar- 
ranged between the parties. They put up their 
machinery, which was a common windhuss worked by 
hand, and soon commenced business in a small way, 
digging to a depth of about one hundred and fifty 
feet. They built a small shanty in the woods near by 
where they lived, and where, during the night-time, 
they coined a considerable anKUint of bullion. They 
kept their silver hid from the vigilance of oflicers and 
sightseers. After having worked the mine some time 
they suddenly ahscondetl, taking their treasure and 
about five barrels of ore Avith them. 

Nothing further was done in regard to this mine 
until a few years ago, when a party from New York 
came up and had it reopened, it having been filleil up 
to near the surface. They carried ofl' specimens of the 
ore, but liave never returned to resume work. 

STATUE OF KING GEORGE III.» 
^Ir. llollister, in his " History of Connecticut,*' has 
the following note in relation to this statue, purporting 
to be in the Inindwriting of the last Governor Wol- 
cott : 

" N. B. — An equestrian statue of George the Third 
of Great Britain was erected in the city of New York, 
on Bowling Green, at the lower end of Broadway; 
most of the materials were lead, but riehly gilded to 
r..<,..,.i.i.- ./ .1,1 vt tl..' h....naning of the Kevolution 



* Contributed by .\. B. Hull. 



WILTON. 



847 



this statue was overthrown. Lead Iieing then searee 
and dear, the statue was broken in |)ieees an<l trans- 
ported to Litchfield as a place of safety. The ladies 
of this village converted the lead into cartridges, of 
whicli the |)rcceding is an account. O. W." 

The account referred to is a list of the names of 
those who made the cartridges and the number made 
by each. 

Sir. IfoUister a<lds : ''Forty-two thousand and 
eighty-eight bullets in times wli< ii lead was dear, 
and not easily to be had at any price, made no in- 
significaiit accession to the resources of the Conti- 
nental army. They were carefully distributed and 
faithfully expended. Some of them were conimitted 
to the keeping of Col. Wigglesworth, otiiers nuist 
have aided Putnam in defending the Highlands, a 
part of them may have gone with I\[aj. Seymour to 
Saratoga, and it is certain that fifty of them were 
used to welcome the king's provincial ( iovernor when 
he jiaid his first and last visit to Danlniry. 

"On the 21st of August, 1770, this statue was 
erected, attended with much festivity, and destroyed 
on the night of the 11th of July by the 'Suns of 
Liberty.' The next morning nothing but the ]>ed- 
estal was left." 

Tradition says that the lead of the statue was taken 
to Norwalk on a sloop and distributed from there 
about the country. It is certain that it did not all go 
to Litchfield. About fifty years ago several snudl 
pieces of it were found in the cellar of an old house in 
the town of Wilton, formerly occupieil by " ,\unt 
Nabby Sloan," by the workmen engaged in tearing it 
down. About the same time Mr. 'William Comstock, 
while digging a ditch near the Episeo]ial church in 
that town, dug up about one Inindred and twenty-live 
pounds of it. This was a portion of the saddle. Mr. 
Peter S. Coley, who now resides in a house erected 
near the site formerly occupied l)y the old Sloan 
house, while plowing in the old do(u--yard, plowed 
up what lie supposed to be the root of a tree, but, 
upon close examination, proved to be the tail of the 
horse, with the exception of a few inches. The work 
must have lieen elaborate, for uj)on cleaning this piece 
the marks representing the hair showed very plainly. 
Digging in this place deeper brought to light three 
other i)ieces of the statue, the whole weighing about 
three hundred pounds. Mr. Coley disposed of the 
lead to tlie New York Historical Society, wlu> liad 
previously obtained the |)edestal of a gentleman in 
Xew Jersey who was utilizing it for a door-stej). 



CHAPTER LXXXVI. 

■WILTON (Continuedi. 

E('CLESI.\.STI('.\L IILSTORY. 

Curigregatiunal Cliur. li— St. Mattlnw's Cliim li— Ziuii Hill CImivli— 
Oll.ir Cliiuvlifs. 

COXtiKEGATIONAL ClIUUCII. 

The meeting which resulted in the orgauizatiuu of 
the Congregational Church of Wilt<in was held .luiic 
5, 17o4, and was organized June 2nth following. 
There were thirty-one petitioners to the (ieneral 
Assembly in Hartford that the parish might be con- 
stituted. 

June 7th the society elected Richard Bouton clerk, 
and voted unanimcnisly to call Kev. R<il>ert Sturgeon 
to officiate in the work of the ministry among them, 
and fixed his salary at " ninety pounds, paramonnt 
or eiiuivalent to good bills of credit of the t'idony of 
Connecticut, or other good bills of credit passing cur- 
rent at the respective times of payment," and " a full 
su]iply of firewood fVir his family's use," . . . "to be 
brought to his habitation from time to time as is 
needed." Five acres of land were also granted for a 
" house-lot." 

IMr. Sturgeon had not been long in this country, 
and probably reached Wilton in Ai)ril, as his salary 
commenced the 14th of that month. He was of 
Scotch, or probably of Scotch-Irish, descent. 

The site chosen for the first meeting-house was on 
the south side of the upper road leading from Kent 
to Belden's Hill, near the present railroad-track. 
This was then near the geographical centre of the 
population. The 80th of September the society voted 
"th.at they would have their meeting-house rectified 
by laying the floor, ami by plastering the walls, and 
by making comfortable seats to set in." John Iveeler 
and .Tohn St. John were ajiiiointed to get this work 
done. Deacon Hickok, Richard Bouton. J(din Dun- 
ning, John Stuart, and Matthew St. John were ap- 
pointed "to search out and agree for a convenient 
piece of land for an house-lot" for the jiastor. Mat- 
thew St. John was ajipointed a e(unmittcc on meet- 
ing-house expenses. 

The work of hnisbing the meeting-house made 
good progress. On the .'!Oth of Noveml)er, in accord- 
ance with the custom of those days, the society voted 
" to seat it," and ap|)ointed a committee of three to 
"seat it by list and agi-, according to the best of tlieir 
judgnu'Ut." Hut in some form the j)lan was continued 
more than half a century longer. The order of seat- 
ing nearly one liundred years ago has been jircserved. 
Seven years later, in IT.'i^!, it was voted that Jidin St. 
John should sit with Deacon Elmer "so long as he 
sets ye tunc." 

On the 20th of Deci'ndicr the society "voted that 
every man shall bring untothe Reverend Mv. Stur- 
geon a load of wood within fourteen <iays," and that 
any nuui who failed should forfeit three shillings. 



848 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTr, CONNECTICUT. 



After a time dissatisfaction with the " life and con- 
versation" of Mr. Sturgeon so increased that the 
churcli consulted the Association, which met at Rip- 
ton (now Huntington), in November, 1731, and was 
advised to call a council. This was agreed to in De- 
cember. By committee an understanding with Mr. 
Sturgeon was reached ; but to cf)niplete the arrange- 
ment the society's meeting adjourned to the last day 
of December, " at ye sun one hour high at night." 

There is no record of the dismission of Mr. Stur- 
geon, but as the society held a meeting in April, 1732, 
to a<lopt measures to obtain a minister, we may infer 
tiiat the i)astorate of Mr. Sturgeon ended the first of 
that month. 

The society, .\pril 11, 1732, chose Deacons Trow- 
bridge and Hickok and Jonathan Elmer a committee 
" to advise with ye Reverend ministers where to go 
for a minister, and empowered them to go or send for 
a minister at tlie cost of the Society." 

Tlioy soon found Mr. William Gaylord, a graduate 
of Yale College in 1730, a licentiate of Hartford North 
Association, who was born Nov. 29, 1709. August 
29th the society voted to call Mr. Gaylord to settle in 
the work of the gospel ministry. It was also agreed 
to buy the house and land of Mr. Sturgeon. Joseph 
Rirchard, Capt. Ketclium, and Matthew St. John 
were appointed to carry out the vote. The church 
was unanimous in calling Mr. Gaylord, which he 
accepted. 

Dec. 25, 1736, it was voted to build a new meeting- 
hou-TC, forty-six feet long, thirty-five feet wide, with 
twenty feet i)osts, to be placed on what in the record 
is called " Sharp Hill," but which for above half a 
century has now been known as " the old burying- 
ground." Nov. 18, 1737, it was voted to build a house 
forty-eight by thirty-five feet and twenty-two feet posts ; 
and also to raise by taxes one huntlred pounds for 
building-i)uri)ose3. Of the land needed for the site, 
John Marvin, Sr., gave eight rods square ; and seven- 
teen years later (1755) Richard Dunning sold above 
half an acre for a burial-place for fifty pounds, old 
tenor. It was not till 1743 that the seats were in readi- 
ness to receive persons, in the order designated by the 
committee, and not till 1747 that the vote was passed 
by which the galleries should be finished and be made 
of good wiiite wood and whito-oak lioards, witli one 
seat round the front, and one tier of pews round the 
house. 

Mr. Gaylord died Jan. 2, 1767, aged fifty-seven 
years, having been pastor of the church nearly thirty- 
four years. 

.\fter tlie deatii of Mr. Gaylord, the society called 
Mr. Samuel Mills, who declined. 

In July the society called Mr. Isaac Lewis, who was 
ordained in the following October. He was dismissed 
June 1, 1786. In 1777 liis salary was made one hun- 
dred pounds lawful money, one-half to be paid in 
jtrovisions, the prices of'which were fixed and low. 
For example: Wheat was to be seventy-five cents a 



bushel ; beef, two dollars and a half a hundred ; 
leatlier shoes, one dollar a i)air. But the next year, 
while the salary was the same, wheat was one dollar 
and sixty-seven cents per bushel ; rye had increased 
twenty per cent. ; pork, twenty per cent. ; beef wsis to 
be two cents per pound in the autumn and three cents 
per pound in the winter. In 1782 it was voted that 
the salary be one hundred pounds lawful money, to 
be paid in silver or gold. During tlicse later years 
the financial difficulties of the country were so great 
that it became necessary for the towns to assume the 
support, at leiust in part, of their own soldiers in the 
Continental army. Accounts kept by Abijah Betts 
are still in the po.s.session of the Betts family. 

A new church edifice was erected A. i>. 1790. The 
l)ulpit and seats of the old house were transferred 
to the new, and were used thirteen years, when new- 
ones were substituted, which remained till 1844. It 
was entered by two doors, between whicli, directly in 
front of the pulpit, Wius a shelf or narrow table that 
was transformed into the communion-table by raising 
a leaf attached by hinges to the inner edge. This, 
when in position, was supported by an iron rod. The 
table and loaf were stained to imitate mahogany. 
The slijis in the body of the house liad a door at each 
end, as tliere were three aisles. The ceiling was 
arched. The galleries on each side, supported by four 
large pillars, were high, as was also the puljiit, which 
had its lofty, conical, but well-proportioned and or- 
namented sounding-board firmly supported by two 
pillars that ro.se from the rear of the pulpit. The bo.x 
of the pulpit was reached by a flight of stairs with 
balusters on eitlier side, but when reached could with 
difficulty accommodate two persons. The pew of the 
pastor adjoined the great pew on the east side. 

This building was formally dedicated to Almighty 
God in December, 1790. The sermon was preached 
by Rev. Timothy Dwight, D.D., forever illustrious as 
the president of Yale College for nearly twenty-two 
years, from 1795 to 1817. 

Nov. 18, 1793, the society, by a unaniniDUs vote, 
invited to the pastorate Mr. Aaron Woodward, at " a 
yearly salary of one hundred pounds lawful money, 
twenty cords of good wood, and the use of one hun- 
dred and fifty jiounds until a jiarsonage shall be jnir- 
cliascd." Jlr. Wimdward accepted the call, and was 
ordained pastor the Sth of January, 1794. The or- 
dination sermon was preached by Rev. Benjamin 
Trumbull, D.D., pa-stor in North Haven sixty years, 
from 1760 to 1820, and distinguished as the author of 
a valuable historj" of Connecticut. 

Rev. John J. Carle, a native of New Jersey, a 
graduate of tjueen's, now Rutgers, College in 1789, 
Avho received the degree of A.M. from Princeton in 
1792, was the next pastor. 

Jlr. Carle was installed June 3,1801, and three 
years later he a.sked a dismission. 

During the pastorate of Mr. Carle the parish of 
Wilton was, A.n. 1802, incorporated by the Legisla- 



WILTON. 



849 



ture into a town. On tlic 1st of July of that year 
nieinliers of St. Paul's jiarish in Xorwalk, residing 
in \Vilt(]n, fornie'l nn occlcsiastical society for the 
Protestant Episeopal Chureh known as St. Mat- 
tlu'w's. 

It is wortliy of note in this connection as illustrat- 
inir tile lilirralily of tlic t' )ngrc!rationalists towards 
other denominations that, in 17o8, .Tames Truesdale 
was, by vote, "excused from paying a rate to the 
minister in ease he get a certificate from the P>a])tist 
Society." In .lanuury. ]7i>l, it was vot<'d to abate the 
minister's rate to Mr. Whclidcy "so long as he at- 
tends the Baptist meeting and no longer." In 1772 
tills ecclesiastical society began yearly to ap]>oiiit a 
special cfdlector to take the minister's rate from those 
living in tlie bounds of this sr)ciety who belonge<l to 
St. I'aiil's jiarish, an<l pay it to tlic rector thereof, in 
the same miuuu'r as the others coUec-ted and paid over 
to their (jwn [lastor the rates of otlicr inhabitants. 
How rigidly tlie tax was collected may be inferred 
from one example. Dee. 1,178(1, Ciapp Raymond, 
justice of the peace, notitic-; Abijali Uetts that he is 
appointed collector of the society ta.x for the su])]>ort j 
of the ministry, or. in default of payment, to levy on 
the goods of the dclinqiu'uts, or, in default of goods, 
totiike iJicir bijtliri' to tlir jnil in Ni'ir Hnvcn. 

The ne.xc pastc^r was Samuel Fisher, who was in- 
stalled Dec. 3, 180-5, and was dismissed July, o, ].S()<». 
Jlr. Fisher was l)orn in Sunderland. Mass., the od of 
June, 1777. 

Oct. 17, bSlO, Pev. Sylvanus Haight was installed. 
Jlr. Haight was born at Fishkill, N. Y., July, 22, 
177G. 

When ilr. Haight was ordained there were (vw 
buililings of any kind near the meeting-house, cx- 
ccjit the one nearest to it on the east, recently oc- 
cupied Iiy Mr. Sloses Betts. There was no hoiric on 
the road towards Kent till one reached that now oc- 
cupied by 'Sly. .lohn Betts, near tiie river. Tlie house 
of Deacon Daniel Gregory on the hill, west, now oc- 
cupied by liis grandson, William D. tiregory, Esq., 
was the only one near tliis house except the one 
across the bridge on the north, now the residence of 
Deacon Edward Oliiistead. 'I'hcre was here no ]>ar- 
sonage, no town-house, conli-rencc-room, or horse- 
sheds. If in remote parts of the town dwellings have 
decreased, there has been growth in this neighborhood. 

In December, IX'A, liev. Sainmd .Alerwin, a native 
of Miltbnl, a graduate of Vale in 1802, took a dis- 
mission from the Ncu'th Church in New Haven, of 
wdiich he had been jiasfor nearly twenty-seven years, 
and to wdiich, during his ministry, eight hundred and 
fifty persons were added. He accepted a call to this 
church, ami on tlie 23d of February, 1832 (ninety- 
nine years after the ordination of Mr. (iaylord), was 
installed its pastor. He was dismissed Sept. 25, 18.'i8. I 

On the 22(1 of February, IS.'ii), Pcv. John Smith 
was installed the ninth pastor of this (diurtdi. Mr. 
Smith was a graduate of Yale t'ollege iu 1821. He 



was born in AVethersfield, Conn., Sept. 2. 1706, the 
son of James and Sarah (Hanmcrl Smith. 

In 1S4.S, ^Ir. Smith asked a dismission, .\etion in 
calling Consociation was delayed several months. He 
was dismissed in .lunc. On the 2i;th of .Inly, 1848, 
he was installed ]iastor in Kingston, X. If., wdiere he 
remained till early in tlic year 18.">."). Pcnioving to 
Stamf)rd, Conn., he preached about two years (18.56- 
08) in Long Pidge ami occasionally elscwdiere. He 
continued to reside in Stamford w itii his sons, wdio 
were successful merchants in New York, till his 
death, from pneumonia, the 20th of February, 1874, 
in his seventy-eighth year. 

.Mr. Smith was sueceeiled by liev. (iurdon Plall,* 
D.D., who was ordained pastor Oct. 2."i, 1x48. 

The pastorate continued till the 4th of May, l.'^•')2, 
when he was dismissed that he might accept a call 
to the Edwards Clunch, Nortliampton, Mass., over 
wdiicli he was installed a month later, June 2. 1852. 

July 6, 1853. the next pastor, Thomas Scott Brad- 
ley, was ordained. Mr. Bradley was born at Lee, 
Mass., the eldc4 : on of Eli Bradley, .\pril 15, 1825. 
He was a popular ]ireacher, atfable in conversation 
and fond of practical matters; but the idiiditionof 
his health diil not eiic .urage protracted application 
in the study, and in 1857 he was dismissed at his own 
rei|uest. 

The successor of Mr. Bradley was Charles Bassett 
P.all, wdio was ordained the 20tii of January, 1858. 
Mr. Ball was a townsman of Mr. Bradley, having 
been born in Lee, Mass., the 9th of July, 1S25. He 
was the son of Isaac and Lydia Ball, and graduated 
at Williams in the class of 184(i. 

The next ])astor was Pcv. Samuel P. Dimock, who 
w.is installed D.'c. 7, 185!l. Mr. Dimock was a native 
of Coventry, Tcdlaud Co., Conn., born Jfay 28. 1822, 
nurtured in IMansfielil, a graduate with honor of Yale 
in the class of 1847. 

The successor of Mr. Dimock in the pastoral office 
was the Rev. Wheeloidc Nye Harvey, of Massachu- 
setts stock, a native of Jamestown, Chautampia Co., 
X. Y., born \\\v\\ 15, 1825, the son of Charles P. and 
Olive (Willard) Harvey, a graduate of the New York 
University in 1844. 

The fifteenth pastor of this cdiundi. Pcv. Samuel .1. 
M. Merwin, was a graduate 1 if Vale in the class of 183!t, 
ordained pastor of the church in Soutliport, Dec. 18, 
1844, and was dismissed, at his own request. May 3, 
185!t. After a season of rest he was installed over the 
church at Soutli Hadley Falls, Mass., Dec. 4, 1860. 
'I'lie call to this (diureli, as successor to his father and 
brother, was acce])ted in 1868, and he was installed 
by the Consociation the 26th of October the same 
year, and is the present pastor. 

LI.S'I' OF DEACON'S. 
The first three deacons were Ben.jainin Hickok, 
Jmiathan Elmer, and .lames TrowViridgc. These were 



* Deceased. 



850 



HISTOllY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONXECTICUT. 



probably original members of the church, since they 
were u part of the coitniiittee appointed by the society 
to make arrangements for the settlement of Mr. Stur- 
geon. 

Deacon Ilickok is suppo.scd to have left a son, Ben- 
jamin, who united with the church by the half-way 
covenant, with his wife, March 27, 17(i3, who was the 
father of Esther, the wife of Deacon Daniel Gregory, 
and lived to an advanced age. 

The house of the son, perhaps of the father, stood 
near the spot occupied by the building now used for 
the academy, and was torn down early in this cen- 
tury. "IJenjamin Hickok, Esq.," who died the 17th 
of November, 174-3, aged fifty-nine years, was probably 
the deacon. 

Deacon Jonathan Elmer was chosen, before the I 
church had a pastor, to read the Psalms. As few had 
psalm-books, we may understand that he read only 
one or two lines at a time, so that all who could might 
sing the words. This was called " lining," and some- 
times "deaconing," the hymn. There wa.s an Elia- 
kim Elmer who lived near the bridge on the liidge- 
field road in 1738, but Deacon Elmer's name does not 
occur after 1746. Jonathan Elmer, probably a son of 
the deacon, united with the church in .June, 1742. 

Of Deacon James Trowbridge there is no informa- 
tion, and tlie name early disappears from the church 
records. In New Canaan the name remains. 

Deacon Matthew Gregory was born in 1680. The 
place of his birth is not known. Some of his grand- 
children believed that he came from England. He is 
sup|)osed to have been in Wilton as early as 1718.* 
He liad two sons, Ezra and Matthew, the latter known 
also as Ensign Matthew, who was the father of Deacon 
Daniel Gregory. He died in 1777, at the age of ninety- 
seven years, the year following the death of his son 
Ezra. His wife Hannah liad died ten years earlier. 
His .son Jlatthew died Oct. 3(1, 1756, aged forty-five 
years. A well-worn path through the fields west of 
his house signified to iiis childi'en his daily habit of 
secret communing with God. 

Deacon James Kceler is not identified, except Feb. 
18, 1759, .lames Keeler and wife were received to the 
church on the half-way covenant. When they be- 
came communicants is not stated. 

Deacon James Olmstcad is believed to have been 
the son of Samuel Olnntead. He had a son James, 
who had a son Aaron, who was the father of Hawley 
Olmstcad, LL.D. His name, with that of Mary his 
wife, occurs on the church records as admitted by the 
lialf-way covenant, Feb. 22, 1756. In 1776 he is 
called Deacon t)lmstead. On a stone of gray marble 
in tlic old burying-ground we read that he died March 
17, 1777, aged sixty-eight years. 

Deacon Nathan Comstock is fitat mentioned as 

* Ilh tottvr to tho ctmrcli wiu« bntuglit from Xorwalk, 1740. IIU 
liotuo wiu It Tuw rotlH north of tlmt liiiilt al>out 174i) for liis ttun Kr.m 
III wlileli litii KnitKliMii 3I044M lived, uml liiD gix-nt-graliJJnugliter, Mim 
Cloni M. Gregory-, now rceJdci. 



deacon Dec. 15, 1766. Among those married by Mr. 

Gaylord are (March 7, 1738-39) Nathan Comstock 
and Bethiah Strong. In 1740 he united with the 
church. Maj. Samuel Comstock and Strong Com- 
stock, the father of Samuel, Edward, William, and 
Nathan, were his children. His residence was prob- 
ably the house in which his grandchildren, Edward 
and Polly Comstock, lived, a little west of the road 
from Belden's Hill to Ridgefield, near its junction 
with the Ridgefield road. 

Deacon Nath.an Hubbell. — In May, 1747, there came 
by letter from (ireenfield three men with their wives 
and the wife of a fourth who Wius a son of one of tin 
three. One of these couples was Nathan Hul)bell 
and Martha his wife. Eight years later, Dec. 2, 1755, 
Mrs. Hubbell, the wife of Nathan, died, aged fifty- 
three years ; and Feb. 6, 1761, Nathan Hubbell died, 
aged sixty-one years. Three years later, June 17, 1764, 
Capt. Nathan Hubbell w.is received to tlie church. In 
the absence of evidence to the contrary, it is ea.sy to 
believe that he was the son of the aforementioned 
Nathan Hubbell. He became Deacon Hubbell Aug. 
23, 1786, and had a son who bore his name, who spent 
his life in Wilton, and died here Feb. 2, 1847, in hi> 
eighty-fourth year, leaving two sons, one of whom. 
Kev. Stejilien Hubbell, was then nearly seventeen 
years in the ministry. The older son, Wakeman, was 
yet to be deacon. Deacon Hubbell was evidently 
an active, reliable, influential man. But tradition 
has preserved little of his services. The hou.se in 
which he, his children, and theirs lived in Pinipewaug 
for above a hundred years has just been .sold. 

Some yet living remember Deacon Daniel (iregory, 
who was chosen deacon Oct. 7, 1794, and at once in- 
ducted into office. His relation to Deacon Mattheu 
Gregory has already been mentioned. He wiis the 
grandfather of William D. Gregory. In the place of 
an older one, he built the house on the bill west of 
this house of worshi|), in which the latter lives. t He 
died April 18, 1821, at the age of seventy-eight. He 
united with the church Aug. 5, 1764, so that he was a 
member fifty-seven years and a deacon twenty-seven. 
His wife, Esther Hickok, suppo.scd to be the grand- 
daughter of Deacon Benjamin Hickok, was a fitting 
helper in every good work, and died Jlay 13, lS22,at thr 
age of seventy-seven years. Deacon (iregory believed 
in covenant mercies, and a granddaughter gratefully 
remembered, many years after, his frequent ]>rayer for 
his "children and his children's children unto tin 
third and fourth generation." He was a thrifty far- 
mer, given to hospitality. 

Deacon Je.s.se St. John was a soldier of the Revo- 
lution, and a member of one of the two " forlorn 
hopes" of twenty men each which volunteered t > 
lead the attack in that desperate but brilliant sur- 
prise and capture of Stony Point, on the night i>( 
July 16, 1779, by Gen. Anthony Wayne. Deacon St. 

t Ili< chililtvn were .Vbigall, ElUitli, Giln, Clark, Danicl,BDd Sherman. 



AVILTON. 



851 



John was not tal], but strongly built, capable of en- 
during nuich fatigue, — a man of few words and reso- 
lute in purpose. As late as 1841 he would walk from 
his home, west of tlu' lower part of I'elden's Hill, two 
and a half miles, to attend a preparatcjry leetiire in a 
hot day in summer. 80011 after that time he removed 
to Brooklyn, K. D. (X. Y. j, to spend the remainder of 
his life with his son, Thonnis St. John. His death 
oeeurrcd about 1846. His wife was Aniui Weed, to 
whom he was married Sept. 28, 17!HI. She died the 
18th of Mareh, 1829, aged seventy-tliree years. 

l)eaeou John Cha]>maii was born in that part of 
Fairlield wliieli is now in \Vest]ii>rt in ;Mar(di, IToO. 
He married Susannah Fitch, daughter (jf .Tames 
Fiteh. of Xorwalk,and about 17'.)0 removeil to Chest- 
luit Hill, where he lived in the house now oeeupied 
by his son-in-law, Mr. Asahel Dudley, till his death, 
April lo, I.SK). Mrs. Cluipman was bm'n Dee. 24, 
]7M\. and died Mareh 14, ISMM. They had f,mr ehil- 
dreu, — Anna H. (Jlrs. Dudley), Janu-s Fitch, John, 
and Clark M. ( )newlio knew him well says: "Deacon 
Chainnan was erect, si.\ feet two inches in height, 
muscular and broad shouldered, of commanding 
])reseiiee, even tempered but very resolute, energetic 
and industrious. Decided in his o])inions, he was yet 
gentle in his family, who bjved and veneratcil iiim. 
An excellent singer, he was regularly in his place in 
the choir on Sunday. After a hard day's work he 
would go to Norwalk on business, and on his way 
liome, forgetful of time, speu<l several hours at the 
h(m^e of some friend in singing. Foml (/f home, of 
a retiring dispo.sition, he seldom took the leail unless 
evidently called by duty. His Christian character 
was nuirked and consistent." 

His son, John Chapman, inherited his father's love 
for music, and led the choir fifty years ago. lioth he 
and James F. were much respected. They went into 
business in New York, and died there, the latter at 
the age of filty-five years, Sept. 211, 1X47. Tradition 
says the house in which Deacon Chapman liveil was 
built about 174o. It was used early in tlie Revolu- 
tion as a storehouse for some Niu'walk goods. At the 
time of the burning of Danbury a scouting party en- 
tered it ami destroyed many of the goods. 

Deacon Matthew Marvin, the si.xth in descent from 
that Matthew IMarvin wdio, coming to this country in 
lO;'."), ■ in the ship "Increase," R<ibert Jjca, master, 
settled at Hartford ; the tiltli in cle.scent from that 
Matthew Marvin who, at the age of eight years, came 
with his father I'nnn Ihigland, and at the age of 
twenty-four eanu', one of the first settlers, to Xorwalk ; 
was the son of that Matthew JIarvin who, about 
1700, came from Norwalk and built the house in I'im- 
pewaug in which the sou Matthew was born and 
died, and in which Deacon Cliarle-; Marvin now livi's. 
He fitted for cidlege with his pastor (Mr. Lewis), 
graduated at Yale in 1785, went into business at Hud- 



son, X. Y., returiu'd to AYilton at the death of his 
father I17'.U 1, and for twenty-five years engageil with 
remarkable success in mercantile atl'airs, and for the 
remainder of his life was active in pulilic and espe- 
cially in churcli and society matti-rs ; the lionori'd cit- 
izen, the trusted counselor, the faithftd deacon till liis 
death, which occurred, in the eighty -second year of 
his age,t on the Oth of ,lune, 1842, less tliau a month 
after the great ingathering following the revival of 
that year, into which he had entered with the activity 
of a younger man. Deacon JIarvin. or " Esijnire 
Marvin," as he was mure freiiuently called, was tall, 
wcll-|)roportioned, dignified and courteous in manner, 
active, clear-headed, and resolute, by mittu'al gifts, 
by education, ami the possession of property well 
fitted to exercise an extraordinary and salutary in- 
fluence in the ]}arish and town. 

Deacon Zadok nayimnul. sou of Clajip liaymond, 
liiini about I71I4, united with the church in 1811, and 
lived in Kent, in the luaise now for many years occu- 
pied by (Jharles Comstock, but in his later life in the 
first house on the njad leading to Hurlbutt Street, 
formerly occupied by his brother, Asahel liaymond, 
where he died April 12, 1841, at the age of si'veiity- 
seven. He was a man humble, <levout, aii<l beloved, 
much interested in benevolent work. Tlie pastor of 
this church may remember when, on a bright sum- 
mer's morning in 18o2, twcj boys, wlio went on an er- 
rand to Deacon Raymond's, waited without until he 
had ended worshi]i in the family and with the men 
who had come to work in the hayiield. He evidently 
believed that the hired laborer might enjoy and be 
benefited by sucli service. He loved goo<l men, and 
his house was often open for Sunday five o'clock and 
other neighborhood prayer-meetings. 

D(>acon .Tonathan ]\Iiddlebrook was the son of 
Jlichael Jliddleln-ook, who came to AVilton from I'air- 
field, and, by the half-way covemint, uidte(l with the 
church, .lune 1, 17r,(;. .bmafhan Middlebrook united 
with the church during the ministry of Mr. Wood- 
ward. The date of his election to theollice of deacon 
is not found. 

His liberal gift to the fund of the society lias al- 
ready licen noticed. He gave also the land for the 
buryiug-yard on the hill. He was by occupation a 
farmer. He died (witliout children) .Ian. 20, 18;!2, 
at the age of seventy-seven years. His residence 
W'as on the liidgefield road, east side, u<-xt to the 
Davenport ]>Iace. 

Deacon Lewis H. St. John united with this church 
in 181(i, was chosen deacon in 1811, and ordained the 
17th of Octobc'r of that year. 

He was a ipiiel, <'arnest, spiritindly-ndmUsd man, a 
little al)civc the average height, witli a soft, pleiisant 
voice, and gaineil tlie respect and good will of the 
jieople. His residence was in Nod. He was by trade 
a cooper, and tilled the land. 



' Dr. N. Biiutuirs Hist, lli^c. at XonvuUi, ls:,l p. 71. 



t Uu Wiis lalititol .Ian. 11, ITIU. 



852 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Deacon St. John died Aug. 10, 1867, aged seventy- | 
four years. 

Deacon Jame.s Belts was born in Wilton. His 
father, David Betts, died while he was yet a boy. By 
great onerjiy and self-denial he scrured an education 
at the academy, attended lectures in New Haven, and 
early began to teach. Some time after Jlr. JIawley 
Olmstcad had removed to New Haven, Jlr. Betts 
rented his former residence, and brought to it 
his fiimily school for boys. In 1844 he built a com- [ 
niodious house in Stamford, where he yet remains. ' 
His school has been remarkably prosperous. One son, 
William J., graduated at Yale, 1870, and another, 
Alsop Lockwood, a member of the class of 1872, 
died in college. Deacon Betts was received to the 
church in 1825, was elected and ordained deacon in 
1841. In Stamford, for thirty -two years, he has well 
represented this church and its influence upon its 
children. 

Deacon Giles Gregory was born the 7th of October, 
180C, and died Feb. 20, 18.")0. He was the youngest 
son of Moses and Abigail Gregory, the great-grand- 
son, on his father's side, of Deacon Matthew Gregory ; 
on his mother's side, the grandson of Deacon Daniel 
Gregory. He was thus descended by each parent 
from one of the elder deacons, — Deacon JIatthew 
Gregory and Deacon Benjamin Hiekok. He was ed- 
ucated at the academy, taught school many years, 
and after his father's death, in 1837, engaged actively 
as a farmer. He confessed Christ May, 1842, was 
ordained deacon tlie 2d of November, 1849, and was 
active in church, society, and town aflisiirs. His read- 
iness to render pecuniary or personal aid to the poor 
or those in distress was hearty and efficient. His 
prayers indicated unfeigned humility; his life tes- 
tified to the genuineness of his foith. His early 
death, which occurred Feb. 19, 1859, from typhoid 
fever, was lamented by many. He resided with his 
sisters in the house built by or for his grandfather, 
Ezra Gregory, about 1740, but was never married. 

Deacon Wakenian Hubbcll, the son of Nathan and 
Sarah Hubbell, was born in Wilton. He was firm, 
conscientious, and earnest to a high degree. He was 
elected to the office of deacon on the 8th of Febru- 
ary, 18011, and ordained the 19th of March follow- 
ing by Ills old pastor. Rev. Sylvanus Haight. Of his 
character and work I will speak in another connec- 
tion. 

The present deacons are Charles Marvin, who was 
ordained Oct. 17, 1841; Benajali Gilbert, ordained 
March 19, 18(iO ; Edward Olmstcad, ordained Jlay 1, 
1870; and Robert T. H. Easton, ordained May 1, 
1 S70. 

>r. .MATTHEWS cnrRcn.» 

St. Matthew's parish was organized in the year 
1802. Previous to that time members of the Episco- 
pal Church residing in^iltonseem to have belonged 

• CAiilriUiilixl I.}- Sherman P. Fitch. 



to the parish of St. Paul's Church, Norwalk. It ap- 
pears that in the year 1802 application was made to 
the justice of the peace to warn a meeting of the 
members of the church in Wilton, for the purpose of 
choosing oflicers and transacting other business. The 
meeting was held on .July 1, 1802, at a school-house 
in the district called Pimpewaug, in the northern 
part of the town. At this meeting David Lambert 
was made clerk, Daniel Church f.nd Samuel Belden 
were chosen wardens, and David Belden, Stephen 
Keeler, J. James, and William Starling were chosen 
vestrymen. From that time Wilton became an in- 
dependent parish. At a meeting held in Decem- 
ber following a vote was taken to build a church. 
In the year 1804 we find a committee existing to su- 
perintend the building of the church, but it docs not 
appear from the records of the parish that the build- 
ing was entirely completed till the year 1818. It was 
consecrated by Bishop Hobart on Aug. 11, 1819. 
This continued to be a place of public worship for 
forty-five years, until in 1863 it was sold and removed, 
to be supplanted by the present church, now standing 
just north of the site of the old edifice. It is on rec- 
ord that, in the year 1810, David Belden was ap- 
pointed agent for the society to prefer a petition to 
the General Assembly for the grant of a lottery to 
raise one thousand dollars to be a|)plied to the finish- 
ing of the church, and he was to " use his jirudencc 
therein." 

Between the years 1802 and 1816 the Rev. Henry 
AVhitlock and the Rev. Dr. Bethel Judd, who were 
rectors of St. Paul's Church, Norwalk, officiated 
about one-fourth of their time in AVilton. The first 
settled minister was the Rov. Reulx-n Sherwood, who 
assumed the charge in January, 1816, at which time 
there were about forty families iu the parish. The 
following is the oldest list on record of members of 
the Episcopal Church in Wilton: James Arnold, 
Samuel Belden, David Belden, Daniel Betts, Jr., 
Stephen Britts, Isaac Britts, Samuel Belden, Jr., 
William Belden, Sherman Bett.s, John Cannon, 
Daniel Church, Daniel Church, Jr., Fitch Church, 
James W. Church, James Davis, Leman Edwards, 
George Elwood, Samuel Fitch, Samuel Fitch, Jr., 
Zach. Whittman Fitch, John Gilbert, Tlieoph. B. 
Handlord, Nathan Handford, Nathaniel Hendrick, 
Abraham Hurlburt, Job Hodges, Jabez Handlord. 
Molly Handford, Peter James, Jemmy James, Wil- 
liam James, Seth Keeler, Stephen Keeler, John 
Keeler, Elijah Keeler, David Lambert, William 
Long, John Morgan, James Morgan, Zalmon Mor- 
gan, Ezekiel Morgan, Jeremiah Morgan, Samuel 
Marvin, Nathan Marvin, Sarah Jlarvin, Joel .Mor- 
gan, Joseph Morgan, Sarah Marvin, Lucy Marvin, 
Stephen Morgan, Asa Olnistead, Jared Patchin, 
Clapp Rockwell, Edward Rockwell, William Star- 
ling, Daniel Sturgis, Ezekiel Sturges, Elias Sturges, 
David Sloan, Natlianiel Starling, Peter Smith, Wil- 
' Ham St. John, Edmund Tuttle. 



WILTON. 



853 



The Eev. Reuben J-^heruoixl was succeeded liy the 
llev. Clmrles Smith, wlio was rector of tlie parish 
Iroiii l.SKi to lS-2;i. lie also ofiiciated a part of the 
time ill Itidi;etiehl. He was succeeded liy Uev. Oriaiu 
1'. Holcoiiili, who toiil; charge of the jiarisli on M'hit- 
Suiiday, I >;:2:!, and continued until Easter, 1881. I'ntil 
this time it a]i|)ears that tlu' church was without a 
hell, as we iind that at the Easter meetinjr in lNi!8 a 
committee was appointed to protaire one. Uev. Mr. 
Jloleond) was I'oUoweil Iiy the l\ev. Cliarles .J. Todd, 
who rcmairu'd in charge from ISol to is;!;j. Alter 
him was l!cv. William Barlow, from ls;U to l.s;;i;; 
Rev. Dr. liethel Judd, l.SSll-IiT ; Rev. U. C. Shimsal, 
18:^7; Rev. Alud Nichols, 18:!8-:;i); Rev. (i. U. Xieh- 
(ds and Rev. '\Villiam (i. Hyer, 1840. In July, 1840, 
the Rev. .John i'urves became rector, and coutiniicd 
till the year 1844. Duriug this period the society 
was in ;i ]iros|>erous ecnidition, but that hapjiy state 
was suddenly <listurl)ed by difficulties in relation to 
the lunds of the socdety. These had been invested in 
a loan with securitie.i. The iirincipnl failing to i)ay 
the interest, the society was oldiged to call upon the 
indorser of the note for payment. 'I'his involved 
the parish in two long lawsuits. From 1844 to 1849 
services were irregular, there l>eing no settled idergy- 
man. \\'ithin this period the Uev. David H. Short 
resided in the town, aiul officiated for a iiortion of the 
time for two years. From JIandi till .June, 1840, the 
Rev. Timothy Wileo.xsou was a resident minister, and 
ihiring this short time did much towards helping the 
parish to revive and resume its formi'r efficiency. In 
June, 1840, tl;e Rev. Abel Ogdeii was invited to the 
rectorship, and continued in charge until Easter, 18.')1. 
Under Jlr. Ogilen's ministry the church eiliiice was 
thoroughly repaired and painted within and witliout. 
He was ibllowe<l in I8.")l by the Rev. Levi (4. Stimson, 
who coutiniU'd until October, 181)0. L'nder Mr. Stim- 
soii's rectorship the church was in a very jirospenms 
condition. The present rectory belonging to the 
parish was built at that time. .Mr. .Stimson was fol- 
lowed by the Rev. Simon G. Fuller, who was rectcjr 
from 18G1 till November, 18<;.'!. Tin' ]iresent church 
edifice was begun and completed under the charge <jf 
Rev. Mr. Fuller. It is built of stone and brick, in 
Gothic style, with nave and transepts, and seats 
about three hundred persons. The corner-stone was 
laid on June 17, 18li2, by the Right Rev. John Wil- 
liams, and the building consecrated by him May 121, 
18:>4. The building committee were Kev. S. (!. Fuller, 
.lames W. I'inkney, Tlieodore L. Sturges, Sherman P. 
Fitcli, Charles Cannon, and Xa!han M. Relden. 

Rev. Mr. Fuller was sueecedcd by Rev. Albert U. 
Stanley, wdio was rector from 18i)4 to 18()7 ; Rev. 
William L. R.o.stwick, from 18<;7 to 1870; Rev. J. E. 
Walton, from 1870 to November, 1878. Rev. Mr. Wal- 
ton had also the charge of Emanuel (Tmrch, Westou. 
The present rector. Rev. Francis W. Kariiett, took 
charge of the j)arish on Whit-Sunday, June 1, 1879. 

The present officers of the parish are Nathan M. 



Relden and Eli S. Letts, Wardens ; Stephen James. 
Henry A. Rarrett, Sherman V. Fitch, Henry G. 
Thomson, Sereno E. Ogden, Vestrymen ; Nathan :M. 
L(ddcn, t'lcrk and Treasurer; David S. R. Lambert 
and Nathan .AI. Ri'ldm, Dclegate> to the Diocesan 
Convention. The (larisli now c<iinpriscs lilly-fnur 
families and ninety communicants. 

ziox HILL rinurir. 

Jan. 20. 1844, the hrst meeting was held to consider 
the practicability of Iniilding a church. Rev. Zacha- 
riah Davenport chairman, Wm. 11. Taylor secretary. 

At a meeting held I'eb. o, LS14, the first trustees 
were chosen, viz.: Daniel .Vllce, .loscph Scribner, 
Joshua Smith, (.)dle Ronton, Aaron Lennett, Sher- 
man Cole, Sherman Morehouse, Albert Lockwood, 
Noah Patrick. ^Vt this meeting the building com- 
mittee was chosen, viz.: William Niclnds, ()<lle 
Ronton, Charles Scribner. The church was com- 
pleted and dedicated Nov. 20, 1844; Rev. Frani-is 
Hodgson and .1. L. (iilder jierlbrmed the dedicaticni 
service. Present trustees, viz. : A. R. Lockwood, 
John Olmsted, William Nichols, Wilbur Sturges, Wil- 
liam B. Hnrlbntt, Charles Scribner, Brewer Gilbert, 
Andrew Jackson, and Harnian tiilbert. 

The edifice w:is erected at a cost (d'aliout three thou- 
sand dollars, and is located near Cannon's Station. 

There is a small class of Ejiiscopal Methodists at 
Bull's Bridge, in this town, but they hohl their connec- 
tion with (iaylordsville Church, in the town of New 
Jlilford. 

Rev. William II. Kirk is pastor (d' a small con- 
gregation eonncctrd with a small branch of Metlnj- 
dists called Rcfornieil Methodists. They worship in a 
school-house in Macedonia School District, two miles 
west of the village of Kent Plains ; nundier of mem- 
bers, fifteen. They also have an (dd idiiireh in the 
east part of this town on the mountain, organized fifty 
years ago. The society there is small and [)oor, but 
keei)S up regular services. The present pastor is Rev. 
Elijah Fry ; nnmlu'r of members, aliout twenty. 



CHAPTER LXXXVIl. 

"WILTON (Continued). 

Mr8CELLAXE0L'.S. 

Pn.inirn'Mt Men— List .if Clli-Kf Gratliratcs*— ro.stiinistiTs— Biirying- 
Cruniids — The LiHlii-.-^' llonii.- ilissioii.-try .Vsyuriutinii— Krliuatinnul — 
The Wiltuii Aviulemy— Willoii IiivisiMii, .s. .,f T.— Cixil 1 ristw-.v— Sl- 
K-ctinen from Oj;;juii/.;itiou 1<> 1.SS0 — Kepre^uutJitiVfs— Military Iteconl 
—List of SuWioi s. 

J().\'.\THAX SruufiKS and Thaddeus Burr were 
delegates to the convention which ratilied the Consti- 
tution of the United States, held at Hartford on the 
first Thursday of January, 1788. 



* Ttiis) list appetircii in a )i;iiin>lil<l railed the ;\niiivprsary of the Con- 
grogntiuliiil Church, imhlislieU sevcml yeuis ago. Siuee then some 
changes in:iy have oci-iirreil « hich have not been noted. 



854 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



The delegates to the convention which formed the 
State Constitution, held in Hartford in August in 
1818, were David Hill and Gideon Tonilinson. 

Aaron Burr was born in this town in 1714. He 
graduated at Yale in 173.5, and in 1742 wa.s settled as 
pastor of the Presbj'teriau Church in Newark, N. J. 
In 1748 he became president of Princeton College, 
which position he occupied until his death, which 
occurred Sept. 24, 1757. Ho was an accomplished 
.schohir and able divine. He married a daughter 
of .Jonathan Edwards, and hud two children, — a 
daugliter, who married Chief Justice Reeve, of Litch- 
field, and Aaron Burr, who became Vice-President of 
the United States. 

Natlian (iold was a member of the Council for the 
first time in 1{;57, and liold the office for forty-eight 
years. He was also cliief justice of the Superior 
Court for ten years, and Deputy-Governor of Connec- 
ticut from 1708 to 1724. Unless there were two per- 
sons bearing the same name and residing in the same 
place, holding office continuously, the period of his 
official life extended over a period of sixty-seven 
years. 

Ebenezer Silliman was born 1708, and graduated at 
Yale in 1727. He studied law, and soon after his 
admission to the bar was elected a representative from 
I'airfield, and at the October session, 1736, he was 
chosen Speaker of the House, and held the same 
position at the three succeeding sessions. 

In 1739 he was chosen a member of the Council, 
or upper House of the Legislature, and was annually 
re-elected for twenty-seven years. At the end of that 
period he wiis again chosen a representative, and at 
the se.<sions in May and October, 1773, and in May, 
1774, he was elevated to the Speaker's chair. Mr. 
Silliman was also annually elected a judge of the 
Superior Court for twenty-three years, besides being 
a judge of the Probate Court, judge of the County 
Court, colonial auditor, and a member of various im- 
])ortant committees. For a period of over forty-five 
years he was almost constantly in public life. 

LLST OF COLLEGE GRADUATES, Etc. 

The following is a list of natives, and those who 
have resided in ^Viltou, who were college graduates, 
or entered one of the learned professions, or were 
authors, editors, or teachers. 

A list is also appended of ladies who themselves or 
whose husbands belonged to one of these ela.sses. The 
list may not be complete, but still is of great value : 

David Lambert (Y. C, 1761). 

Deacon Matthew Marvin (Y. C, 1785), died 1842. 
He was the son of Matthew Marvin, and the sixth in 
descent from Matthew Marvin, one of the first settlers 
of Norwalk. 

Rev. David Belden (Y. C., 1785), <lied 1832. Took 
orders in the Episcopal Church. Afterwards engaged 
in farming, and resided in the upper part of Pimpe- 
waug. f 



Rev. Zachariah Lewis and Rev. Isaac Lewis, D.D. 
(twin sons of Rev. Isaac Lewis, D.D.), born Jan. 1, 
1773, graduated at Yale, 1794; usefiil and lionored in 
many ways. (See Sprague's " Annals," vol. i. p. 666.) 
>Cachariah died in Brooklyn, N. Y., Nov. 14, 1840 ; 
Isaac died in New York, Sept. 23, 18.54. 

Prof Moses Stuart (Y. C, 1799), died 1852. He 
was born in 1780, in the house now owned and occu- 
pied by Abijah M. Jones, the son of Isaac and Olive 
Stuart. He read books with eagerness when four 
years old, but remained a farmer's boy with no 
thought of college till, at fourteen, a thirst for knowl- 
edge was manifest wliich neither toil nor years could 
quench. He went to Norwalk, made rapid progress 
in the rudiments of Latin and French, and was fitted 
for the So])homore class by Roger Minot Sherman, 
who had the preceding year been a tutor at Yale. 
He graduated with the highest honor in the cla.ss of 
1799; afterwards he taught in what was North Fair- 
field, and in Danbury; studied law, was admitted to 
the bar at Danbury in 1802; became tutor at Yale 
from 1802 to 1804. There and afterwards he showed 
almost unsurpassed skill in awakening the enthu- 
siasm of young men in their studies. But here the 
Spirit of the Lord met him and he heard the call 
which Paul heard, — to preach the gospel. He united 
with the College Church and studied theology with 
Dr. Dwight. His first and only settlement w:is as 
pastor of the First Church in New Haven. It was an 
era (those almost four years of his ptistorate are yet 
remembered there) during which above one hundred 
and seventy (170) were added to the church by pro- 
fession. His successor, Rev. Dr. N. W. Taylor, forty 
years later, spoke in the highest terms of his power 
as a preacher, reckoning him second to none in this 
country. In 1810 he was wanted, as profe-ssor of He- 
brew and Greek, in tiie new Tiieological Seminary at 
Andover, Mass. " We cannot spare him," said one 
of the Yale faculty to the Rev. Dr. Samuel Spring, of 
Newburyport, who had come to New Haven to get 
Mr. Stuart's assent to the plan. " \Ve want no man 
who can be sjiared," was Dr. Spring's reply. 

He went to Andover, as he himself said, witii small 
knowledge of Hebrew, and of Greek grammar less 
than many a student who this year enters college. In 
two years he had i>re|)ared a Hebrew grammar, and, 
as there was no printer who understood the business, 
he was obliged to set a part of the types with his own 
hands. 

Rev. William Belden ( Y. C; 1803), died 1861 ; born 
July 16, 1781; son of Azor Belden. From 1812 to 
1821 he was pastor at CJrcenfield, and teacher there 
and afterwards at Fairfield ; also, in 1824 to 1843, in 
New York City. Resideil in Brooklyn, 1S.5S to 1861. 

Benjamin Belden, M.D., son of Azor Belden ; phy- 
sician. New York City. 

Lewis Belden, M.D. (Princeton, 1811); physician. 
New York City; died 1831 ; son of Azor Belden. 

Charles Belden, M.D. (Princeton, 1812); son of 



WILTON. 



855 



Azor Belden ; teacher ; died in New York about fifty 
years ago. 

Elienezer Seelcy, son of Ebenezcr 1 Y. ( '., 1814) ; 
born April 6, 17SK:!; lawyer, many years in New 
Haven ; afterwards in New Yorlc, wliere he died, Jan. 
23, IKCli. 

Hawley Olnistead, LL.l). ( Y. ('., ISlC), died ]S(W. 
Isaac M. Htnrfies (Union, I<S17), died isr)(l; son of 
Ezel^iel Stur^ies ; lived a farmer at Wilton, and died ' 
July 15, 185(1, a<ied sixty-two years. 

David Hull lielden, son of Uev. David Belden; 
lawyer at Newtown ; State's attorney ; died a few l 
years since. 

Deacon Charles JIarvin ( Y. C, 1823), son of Dea- 
con Matthew Marvin ; fanner, banker, several times 
member of the Legislature, and bank commissioner. 

Kev. Stephen Hubbell (Y. C, lS2(i),son of Nathan 
and Sarah Hubbell; ordained at Mount C'armel, May 
18, 183(»; dismissed 183i! ; installed at Woleottville, 
Feb. 29, 1837; dismissed Sept. 20, 183!t; pastor at 
East Avon, Dec. 31, 184'.l, to July 1, 18r.3 ; pastor at 
North Stonington, Aug. 17, 1853, to April (i, LSIl!); 
]>astor at Long Ridge, 18(11) to Oct. 28, 1873; resides 
at Mount Carmel, Conn. 

Deacon Ira Gregory, M.D. (Yale Medical School, 
1829), son of Moses and Abigail Gregory; born .Ian. 
31, 18(_)4 ; ])racticed medicine at Mcjriches, Long 
Island, ]82!l-4(), and at Norwalk, 184(t-72; deacon in \ 
the First Church at Norwalk for many years; died 
Sept. 2, 1872. 

Deacon James Betts. 

David Lambert (Trinity, 1830); lawyer, editor; 
died 184<». 

Isaac JI. Sturges, son of Erastus Sturges; was a 
lawyer ; deceased. 

Rev. Samuel J. M. Merwin (Y. C, 183;)). 
William C. Betts, JI.D. (Yale Med. Scliool, 1843), 
son of David Betts; physician in Brooklyn, N. Y. ; 
died 1871. 

Rev. Levi Wakeman, son of William ; not a native, 
but from early life a resident of Wilton ; learned a 
trade with Alfred Mallory, at Norwalk ; studied in 
N'cw Haven; entered the niinistry (Baptist) about 
thirty years ago; preached in Stejiuey, West Wood- 
stock, and New Hartford ; is a resident of Stamford, 
( 'onn. 

Lewis R. Hurlbutt, M.D. ( Y. ('., 1843), son of John 
anil Elizabeth (Ogden) Hurlbutl ; |irineipal of Bacon 
Academy, Colchester, 1843-45; grammar-school, 
Ilarttbrd, 184.5-47; tutor in Yale College, 1847-50; 
physician and surgeon. 

Charles .lones (Y. C, 1843), son of Capt. .lolin 
Joni's; teacher in Wilton Academy, 1813-44; mem- 
ber of Legislature of Connecticut, 1X44; lawyer. New 
York City; residence, Brooklyn. 

Rev. John H. I'.etts (Trinity, 1844), son of Capt. 
Ira Betts; rector in the Episco])al Church in New 
Hartlbrd and elsewhere. 

Deacon Edward Olmstcad (Y. C, 1845). 



Rev. Samuel G. AVillard (Y. C, 184(5), son of Dr. 
David and ,Vbby ((iregory) Willard; ordained jiastor 
at Willinuintic, Nov. 8, 1849; dismissed Sept. 8, 18G8; 
installed piistor at (_'olche.ster, Sejit. 23, 18()8; mem- 
l)er of Y. C. corjxiration, 18(17. 

Sylvester D. Willard, M.D. (Albany Med. College, 
1847), son of Dr. David and Abby (Gregory) Willard ; 
born June 19, 1825, secretary of the New York State 
iMedical Society, 1857-1)5 ; practicing physician at 
Albany, N. Y. ; surgeon-general, 18(15; died April 2, 
ISdo; aide<l to found the Willard Asylum for the In- 
sane at ( )vid, N. Y., which was named from liini. 

Theodore Benjamin, son of George, grandson of 
Dr. Abram Chichester; born about 1825; removed 
to Rochester, N. Y., about 18;;2; re[(orted to have 
entered the ministry. 

J. dm A. Betts, M.D. (Yale :Med. School, 1848), son 
of David Betts; brother of Deacon .hnues Betts; 
jiracticing physician at Brooklyn, N. Y., wliere he 
now resides. 

Roger S. ( dmstead, M.D. (Yale Med. School. 1849), 
son of Hon. Hawley Olmstead; entered Yale; stuilied 
medicine ; practiced in Brooklyn, N. Y. ; resides now 
in ( )maha. Neb. 

N. Marvin Belden (Trinity, 1849), son of John A. 
Belden, grandson of Rev. David Belden and of Na- 
than Marvin; tutor in Trinity. 

Rev. Henry L. Hubbell ( Y. C, 18.-)4), eldest son of 
Deacon Wakeman and Julia Lynes Hulibell ; or- 
dained at .\mherst, Mass., .\pril 24, 1801; dismissed 
April 5, 18(15. 

Rev. James W. Hubbell ( Y. C, 1857), son of Deacon 
W. and Julia L. Hubbell ; ordained at Milford, Sept. 
21, I8(i4; dismissed June 1, 18(18; installed June 10, 
18(18, College Street Church, New- Haven. 

Eugene Smith ( Y. C, 1859), s(jn of Matthew and 
JIarv A. (Davenport) Smith; born in New York 
Citv ; resided in Wilton most of the time unlil alter 
graduation ; Lawyer ; resides in New York City. 

(!oley James entered Trinity, 1857 ; did not gradu- 
ate; received A.M. from Trinity, 18(19. 

.lolin Henry Hurlbutt entered Trinity in 18,'>8, class 
of 18(12, and left .luiie, 18(1(1. 

Bela St. John, .M.D., son of Bela St. John, practiced 
dentistry several years in Danbury. 

George Fillow,son of .'^eth Fillow, graduate of State 
Normal School; teacher in Hartford several years. 

Samuel T. Jones, son (d' .lohn and Mary (Tliorp) 
Jones, born Dee. 20, 1834; lawyer in New York, 
1855-1873; clerk of I'nited States District Court; 
I'nited States commissioner; died Dec. 24, 1873. 

Samuel H. Glmstead, M.D. (Vale Medic-al Sch(](d, 
18(11 ), son of Hawley Olmstead ; in jiractice of medi- 
cine and surgery at Brooklyn, N. Y. 

.1. B. Hurlbutt, son of .I(din Hurlbutt, Jr. ; lawyer; 
otiice in Norwalk ; acting scho(d visitor in Will(Ui. 

Rev. John Gaylord Davenport (Williams, 18tl3), 
son of Charles .V. and Sarah (Gaylord) Davenport; 
pastor. 



856 



IIISTOllY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Eev. Lewis Gregory (Y. C, 1864), son of Charles 
and Harriet (Clark) Gregory, grandson of Moses; 
ordained Oct. 15, 1868; pastor. West Auiesbury, 
Mass. ; dismissed 1875, to go to Lincoln, Neb. 

Clarence L. Westcott (Y. C, 1864), son of George 
B. and Arethusa (Lincoln) AV'estcott; lawyer. New 
York City. 

Charles F. Morgan, M.D. (Y. (.'. Medical School, 
1866), son of Charles A. and Electa B. Morgan. 

Samuel Keeler (Y. C, 1867), son of Legrand W. 
and Catharine (Lockwood) Keeler; lawyer, New York 
City. 

Strong Comstoek (Y. C, 1867), son of Cajit. James 
and Harriet (Belts) Comstoek; teacher Walton, N. Y. 

Gordon Hall, A.B. (Amherst, about 1869), son of 
Eev. Gordon Hall, D.D. ; banker, Northampton, 
Mass. 

Daniel Davenport (Y. C, 1873), son of Judge 
George A. and !>Liry (Sturgess) Davenport ; lawyer, 
Bridgeport. 

Timothy Davenport (Y. C, 1875), brother of Daniel. 

Benjamin Davenport, brother of preceding, and a 
member for a time of class of 1875, Y. C. ; lawyer, 
AVashington, D. C. 

David R. I>anibert, son of Samuel Lambert, and 
member for a time of class of 1875, Y. C. 

Samuel. E. Morgan, M.D. (Yale College Medical 
School, 1875), son of Charles A. and Electa B. Mor- 
gan. 

Charles Gilbert (W. C, 1876), son of Deacon Bena- 
jah and Fanny (Keeler) Gilbert. 

I. Cliaiincey Sturges (graduated at Berkley Divinity 
School, Middletown, 1876), son of J. Randall Sturgcs. 

Frederic D. Benedict (two years at Y. C, in class 
of 1867 ; Danville Theological Seminary, Kentucky), 
son of I. Newton and Emily (Keeler) Benedict. 

Susan Comstoek (Mrs. Requai, daughter of Strong; 
missionary of American Board in 1822 to Osage In- 
dians; married Rev. William C. Requa. 

Ann Uubbell (Mrs. Dr. Nash), daughter of Nathan 
Hubbell, married Mr. Burr, of Fairfield, who died 
early. One son, George William Burr, member for 
a time of the class of 1846, Y. C. ; afterwards a law- 
yer in New York, who died about 1860; married Dr. 
William B. Nash, Bridgeport, who died in 1873. 

Jane Belden (Mrs. Booth), daughter of Rev. David 
Belden, married Reuben Booth (Y.C., 1816), lawyer; 
Lieutenant-Governor of Connecticut ; resided in Dan- 
bury; died 1844. 

Abby Gregory (Mrs. Dr. Willard), daugliter of 
Moses; born April 211, 17;t7; married Dr. David Wil: 
lard, Dec. 22, 1818; died Jan. 3, 1857. 

lleurictta Belden (Mrs. Dr. Stone), daughter of 
Col. William and Mrs. Bccca Belden ; married Dr. 
Stone and went South ; both died early. 

Maria Hubbell (Mrs. Dr. Lewis), daughter of Na- 
than Hubbell ; married Dr. Lewis, of Brockport, 
N. Y. 

Harriet Cannon (Mrs. Todd), daughter of George 



Cannon ; married, about 1834, Rev. Charles Todd, 
rector of the Episcopal Church in Wilton ; she died 
in Huntington, Conn., 1849. 

Esther M. Taylor, daughter of Levi Taylor ; about 
1838 married Dr. Ambrose L. White, surgeon U. S. A. ; 
died 1876. 

Louisa Jftssup (Mrs. Gunning), daughter of Wil- 
liam and Nancy (Odell) Jessup; graduate of Rutger- 
Institute; teacher in New York; married, about 1844, 
Dr. Thomas B. Gunning, cental surgeon. New York. 

Elizabeth Jessup (Mrs. Reed), daughter of Wil- 
liam; married James Reed, editor of the Norwalk 
Gazette, and now, for many years, editor of the Ash- 
tabula Telegraph, Ohio. 

Emily Je.ssup, daughter of William, graduate ol 
Mount Holyoke ; was several years assistant teacher 
there, and now occupies the position of first assistant 
in the Western Female Seminary, Oxford, Oliio. 

Charlotte Betts I Mrs. Barnuni), sister Deacon James 
Betts; teaelier; married Rev. Samuel W. Barnum 
(Y. C, 1841), who was ordained Jan. 25, 18-53; ])as- 
tor, Massachusetts, to 1862; editor "Abridgment 
Smith's Bible Dictionary," and other works. 

Mary Randle (Mrs. Willard), daughter of Samuel 
P. ami Sally (Hyatt) Randle; born June 8, 1821; 
studied at Wilton Academy and Utiea (N. Y.) Fe- 
male Seminary ; married Rev. S. G. Willard, Nov. 14, 
1849 ; died at Willimantic, May 15, 1853. 

Clara A. Willard, daughter of Dr. David W. ; born 
Feb. 4, 1823; studied in Wilton and Bridgeport; 
teacher of private and family school twenty years or 
more in Wilton ; author of " Nellie Greyson," " Fifty 
Years Ago," and other works; died at Norwalk, Feb. 
15, 1876. 

Elizabeth Willard (Mrs. L. J. Curtis), daughter of 
Dr. David \\. ; married, April 2, 1850, Jamea G. Row- 
land (Y. C, 1846), who opened a family school for 
boys in Kent, and died Aug. 20, 1853. Mrs. Rowland 
continued the school, and taught till 18<>4. Oct. 20, 
1864, she married Lewis J. Curtis, of Norwalk. 

Mary Willard (Mrs. Salmon C. Gillett), daughter 
of Dr. David W. ; studied in New Haven ; teacher for 
years. 

Susan AVillard (Mrs. Mix), daughter of David W. ; 
taught for a time; May 1, 1860, married Rev. El- 
bridge Mi.x (Williams College, 1854); he wjis a.*sist- 
ant to the Rev. Dr. Hastings (New York), 1860-61; 
piistor in Burlington, Vt., 1862 to Aug. 20, 1867; pa.s- 
tor First Church in Orange, N. J., 1867. 

Elizabeth Middlebrook (Mrs. Hill I, daughter of 
Col. George M.; married, 1856, John Hill, M.D., for 
some yeai-s physician and surgeon in Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Lucretia Middlebrook (Mrs. Brown), daughter of 
Col. George M. ; married Augustus Brown, lawyer, 
Ballston, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Brown died early. 

Gertrude Middlebrook (Mrs. Turner), daughter of 
Col. George >L, married J. Edward Turner, M.D., 
the founder and first suiierintendent of the Bing- 
hampton Asylum for Inebriates. 



WILTON. 



851 



Harrit^t Fitch (Mrs. Grogory), dauirhtor of J. Piatt 
Fitch.; luarricd Rev. Abel Opleii (Trinity, 1.S42), 
some time rector of 8t. Matthew's (.'hurch, Wilton, 
who ilied 1S.)4; married, second time, to Kev. Luther 
Gregory, rector of 8t. I'aul's Church, Huntington, 
who died about 18(J3. 

Mary W. Gregory (Mrs. Hubbell), dangliter of 
Charles; nuirried Rev. James W. Hubliell, A.n. 1S(;1. 

Alice Westcott (Jlrs. J. G. Davenjiort), daughter of 
George 15., nuirried Rev. .Tohii (i. Davenport, Bridgc- 
]iort. 

Louisa Randlc, dangliter of (ieorge H. and Caro- 
line (Lounshury) Raiidle; lady principal seminary, 
Reun Yan, New York. 

Helen Randle (Mrs. Barnum), daughter of George 
H., graduate of State Konnal JSchoid; married Rev. 
Henry 8. Barnum (Yale College, 18t)2), JLirch 10, 
18G9. Jh'. Barnum is in the service of tlie . American 
Board ; tliey .are stationed at Van, ICasteru Turkey. 

tSarah Handle ( Mrs. Steele ), dangliter of (ieorge H. ; 
nuirried, Aug. 2, 18(j"), to Rev. John B. Steele, who 
was ordained Aug. KJ, IcSli'), preached several years in 
Western New York, and died Nov. 20, lS7;i, aged 
thirty -eight years, at Middlel)ury, Vt. 

Janet Holmes (Mrs. Paine), dangliter of George 
Holmes; married Levi L. Paine, D.D. (Y. C, 1X56), 
Professor of Kcclcsiastieal History, Theological Semi- 
nary, Bangor, Me. 

Mary A. Davenport (Mrs. ^Vliite), ilaiighter of 
George A.; married Dr. ('liarles P). White, surgeon 
U.S.A., sou of Dr. Ambrose L. White, and grandson 
of Levi Taylor. 

Martha Belden (JL's. Warren), daughter of .John 
A.; married, A.n. 1S(!9, Dr. Warren, of Norwich, 
Conn., wdio died some years ago. 

Clarina Sturges, daughter of Charles ; graduate of 
Mount Holyoke ; niarricil. 

Josephine Sturges, daughter of Cliarlcs ; graduate 
of Mount Holyoke; married O. A. G. Todd, lawyer, 
Daubury. 

Artemesia Sturges, dangliter of Cliarles ; student 
for a while at Jlount Holyoke ; teacher of music. 

Jane D. Middlebrook (Mrs. Foote), daughter of 
George B. ; married Joseph F. Foote, lawyer, Nor- 
wa!k. 

Elizabeth Middlebrook (Mrs. Barlier), daughter of 
George B. ; A.D. 1870, married James W. liarbcr, 
-ALD., Norwalk. 

Francesca 15ctts (Mrs. Ncsliit), dangliter of .lohn 
C. ; married Rev. Alexander Nesbit (graduate of N. 
Y. College), pastor of the Presbyterian (Jlinrch, Trc- 
mont, N. Y., wdio died in 1875. 

POST.MA.STEKS. 
The postmasters (if Wilton have been as follows: 
Origin P. Holcomb, Saniiicl F. Lambert, .loseph P. 
Fiteh, Charles M. Jones, John R. (Jomstock, William 
. A. Sturgis, Henry Walton, Kclward I... Keeler, George 
K. Gilbert, Albert Seymour, Charles H. Betts. 
65 



El" IIYIXG-G ROUNDS. 

The oldest burying-ground is located near the resi- 
dence of Sherman Morehouse, in Kent. 

The ne.xt oldest is what is known as Hillside Ceme- 
tery. It was dedicated to the Congregational Church 
in 181(), and still b(donsrs to that, society. 

There is also a cemetery near St. Matthew's Cliurch 
belonging to that parish. There is also one at /ion's 
Hill and at Bald Hill. 

Till'; LADIE.S' IIOMi: .MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION. 

This useful association was organized in 188(), and 
September 14th of that year held its first meeting at 
the house of Wakenian Hubliell, the following ladies 
being present: Mrs. William Belden, Mrs. Harriet 
(Charles) Gregory, Miss Su<;ui Merwin (Mrs. (ieorge 
I. Wood), Mis's Maria Randle (Mrs. William Ogden), 
Miss Mary Cole, Miss Jane Munroe, Jliss Jane E. St. 
John (Jlrs. Cyrus Raymond), Miss Susan Hoyt, Miss 
Susan Comstock, Miss Mary E. Comstock (Mrs. Lewis 
Keeler), Miss Mary Middlebrook (Jlrs. Harris), .Miss 
Louise Jessup (Mrs. Thomas B. (iuniiing). 

The presidents of the association have been as fol- 
lows: Mrs. Mathew Marvin, Mrs. S. G. AVillard, Mrs. 
Wakcman Hubbell, and Airs. Merwin, the present 
jiresident. 

The first secretary and treasurer was Miss Clara M. 
Gregory, the present incumbent. Airs. Helen Com- 
stock was secretary and treasurer many years. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The first reference in the old records to schools 
appears under date of December, 1728, as follows: "A 
meeting of the society of Wilton jiarisli, Dec. 9, 1728, 
the said society did agree, by a major vote, to get up 
a scliool in said parish. 

" At the same meeting the society, by a major vote, 
made choice of Lieut. Ketchum, Joseph Birchard, and 
Samuel Belts a committee for to look after and set up 
a school or schools in said parish." 

"At a meeting of the said society of Wilton, on 
the 10th day of March, .Vnna Domini 1720, the said 
society did agree, by a major vote, tluit they hire the 
Rev. Mr. Sturgeon I'or to keep school in s:iid parish 
for some time." 

"March 2, 17:iO, the society of Wilton did agree, 
by a major vote, that Kent and Clie<tnut Hill should 
liave one-third part of the cidony money, they keep- 
ing a school so long as their [lart will come to." 

There were frequent votes concerning (he schools. 
In January, 1792, the parish was divided into nine 
school districts, as f<illows: No. l,Nod; No. 2, Bald 
Hill; No. ;i, Middlebrook District ; No. 4, Dniin Hill 
(Centre District); No. (i, Kent; Xo. 7, Pimpewaiig; 
No. 8, Chestnut Hill; No. 0, Harry's Ridge. The 
Kent school-house stood in the triangle east of llie 
Daubury road and south of the old liurying-ground 
(as was customary), near the meeting-house. 



858 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



THE WILTON ACADEMY. 

The educational interests of Wilton from the begin- 
ning kept abreast with the rapid .-itride.s of progress, 
and the year 181G witnessed an inii)ortant era in tlie 
history of the town,— the founding of the WiUon 
Academy. 

Ilawk'y Olmstead, a man wortliy to be held in 
histiug remembrance, graduated from Yale College 
the foremost scholar of the class of 1816.'-" He de- 
signed to study law, but a failure of his eyes in college 
induced him to ojten a school as an experiment. 
Dartmouth College had its origin in a small school- 
building yet standing in (Jolumbia, Conn. The Wil- 
ton Academy was opened in 1816 in a small building, 
afterwards for many years u.sed by the late Nathan 
Comstock as a store. It was soon seen that the young 
teacher had rare gifts for his office. Before entering 
college he had taught a district school, and, as assist- 
ant pnjjil, had aided Kcv. William Belden, — himself 
a Wilton man, — at that time pastor in Greenfield and 
principal of its academy. An academy building was 
erected in 1820. The land ujwn which the academy 
was built wjis given " for the advancement of litera- 
ture and science, and especially for the good will I 
liave and bear to the Presbyterian Society of Wilton," 
by Nathan Comstock, to " David Willard, Samuel 
Comstock (2d), and Lewis Gregory, committee of the 
Presbyterian Society of Wilton, for the time being, 
and to their suc«cssors in office forever." The land 
given was sixty-five feet front and seventy deep. The 
land was to be used only for the erection of a build- 
ing or buildings for "a school of higher order, and 
for religious and singing meetings," "which school, 
kept in said house, is to be under the direction of the 
clergyman of the Presbyterian Society, for the time 
being, and his successors in office, and the jireceptor 
of the school ; and in case of the society's being 
vacant or destitute of a clergyman, to be under the 
direction of the committee of said society." The 
date of the deed is March 25, 1820. Mention is made 
that the school at that time was in Jlr. Comstock's 
store. The witnesses are Sylvanus Ilaight and Jlat- 
lliew Marvin. The deed is acknowledged before 
>Litthew Marvin, justice of the peace, and is evi- 
dently in his handwriting. 

The academy building stood south of the road, 
between the present site of the town-house and the 
jiarsonage. About the year 1832 it was removed to a 
spot a little northeast of the present chapel. The old 
building was sold, about 1870, to William A. Sturges, 



• Ilnuioy Olmatonil, Kin of Aiimn Blul Sarah Esther (llawley) Olm- 
fftfiul, Uirli Vvc. 17, 17'J3, wu» ileM't'iiilcil, on lilx fathcr'a pido, from Rlch- 
itrt] OliiiHtotKl, (•no uf Ihv finit svlUcnt ur NMrwalk, ntiil Um flrvt ru|irc;M!ntH- 
llvc 111 llu: (\>loiil»l I.i>)ti»liitnro. IIJf* nuitlior uiw ii " groat-gmiid- 
"lunglilor" of Rvv. Tli^niiiH Huwley, uf Nur11iHni[)t<>n, Mafv., who wua a 
Krnduntc of Ilan'urd CitUegi' hi 1700, niid thu lint nilnlsliT uf lUdgi^ 
field, L'onn. Mr. OIniBtend married 311.^ IJurriet Smith, of Xew Coiiuan, 
n niece of Hev. Daniel Siiiiltl,%lio wnu flfly-three yean* {17113-1840) pa*- 
Unif the KIret I'hnnli, SininfiTd. Mrs. OInulead still rcsidea in Now 
llavcu. 



and stands near the post-office. Mr. Haight, with his 
usual enthusiasm, aided to publish the excellencies of 
the teacher and to procure pujiils from abroad. The 
two first pupils fitted here for college — Nathaniel Bou- 
ton and Jared B. Waterbury — have long been among 
the most honored and useful ministers of their genera- 
tion. Each received the degree of D.D. many year- 
since. Dr. Bouton, for forty years pastor of the church 
in Concord, N. H., is recognized as the historian of 
that State. The school so prospered that after four 
and a half years Mr. Olmstead w;us persuaded to re- 
move to Norwalk. His health became impaired, and 
three years later he returned to Wilton to rest and 
engage in agriculture. He also heard private pupils. 
; At the end of two and a half years, in 1826, he again 
1 opened his school, at first in the academy, and when 
I the town-hall was built, a few years after, in the 
upper room of that building. There he continued 
thirteen years, with no jiublic examination, no private 
circulars, no advertisement, and yet uniformly a full 
attendance of pupils. When he left Wilton, in 1839, 
to become rector of the Hopkins Grammar-School in 
I New Haven, — an institution forty years older tlian the 
I college, — he had had pupils from nearly, or quite, every 
State in the Union, and from several foreign countries. 
Some of the Christian young men, whose names are 
j yet held in loving remembrance here, had made them- 
i selves very useful in the Sabbath-school and in social 
religious meetings.! 

After ten years of extraordinary success in the 
grammar-school, Mr. Olmstead's health failed and he 
relinquished the rectorship to his son, who had for 
two years been his assistant. For ten years longer he 
taught private pupils in his own house. In 1862 he 
received from Yale the degree of LL.D. His death 
occurred the 3d of December, 1868, while he wa* 
addressing, in his own parlor, a club of ministers and 
laymen, with whom for more than twenty years he 
had met weekly to discuss some great moral and re- 
ligious question. Said an eye-witness, " He had 
just completed a most thorough, logical, and, as his 
companions felt, richly beautiful argument. It was 
indeed the beautiful death of the Christian soldier 
with his armor on, — the disciple going out of the 
earthly service to the 'well done' of his Lord." 

In one of the later years of his life, anticipating 
some such ilay as this for Wilton, and thinking he 
might not be present, Mr. Olmstead charged me to 
give a sentiment, which will be recognized as charac- 
teristic of the man, and is fit to be engraven as his 
epitaph. It Wiis this: "f VMHrrri/i/;. Kiiprrmr fiilrli/i/ 
to Truth and Riyht.'X 

t .Vnioiig these, Ijockwood. David P. Judsuli, Stile* llawley, James 
Smith, Nulhunlel Wade, Willis Lord, E. B. Clark, neiijiimin Smith, Ira 
Lnwton, >MHanl Strung, Anius Cook, mid Myniii \. Morris. 

J Mr. Olmsteail was of meiUttm height, utontly built, vcr)' erect and 
dlgnifiod 111 Ills CAfilage, hut courteous and alTahle in his address. Ho 
guvemoii Ills school and won the hutting rcvpect of his pii|>tl!i in a re- 
markalilc (!ogTve nilli little alifMireiit effort Hid interest in Wllloti whs 
deep and co::9tai.l to the day uf his death. He was a tnemher of the 



WILTON. 



859 



Happily for Wilton, the health of Mr. Edward ( )lm- 
stead, who was for two years the assistant and then 
the successor of his father in the Hopkins (_!ramniar- 
school, heeanie impaired after a few years, which 
eventually occasioned his return to Wilton, in 18o'), 
to resume the work of the academy, — at first in the 
room vacated by Mr. Hawley (Jlinstead in lS3'.t, and 
afterwards in a building of Ins own, where he con- 
tinues to this day doing for the children what liis 
liouored father had done for their parents.* 

TEMPERANCE. 

A\'ilton Division,! No. 11, .Sons of Temperance, was 
organized Mandi 24, 1871), with the following mem- 
bers : Mary V. Clark, Clarence MoiJller, Frank Com- 
stdck, Carrie A. Comstock, Lillie T. Olmstead, Helen 
E. Comstock, William H. Cook, Carrie A. Seymour, 
Kate De Forest, Mrs. Richard Dvinning, Richard 
O. Dunning, Mrs. Mary Foote, Willie Foote, Josiah 
Gilbert, Annie M. Gregory, Emma H. (iregory, Edwin 
H. Gregory, Martha Hickok, Hiram C. Jellitlc, Jlrs. 
W. T. Jeliifre, James T. Hubl)ell, Amanda .rordan, 
Kate Keeler, Robert W. Kecler, John F. Knapp, Mrs. 
John F. Knapj), Rev. 8. J. M. IMerwin, Mirauda I!. 
!Merwin. 

Tile W. P.s', R. S.'s, and Chajdains have been as 
follows : 

187(5.— W. P., John F. Knap]), Alfred E. Emery, 
Josiah (iilbert, William H. Cook; R. S., Hiram C. 
.rellilfe, Edward L. Keeler, Horace S. Rcynolils ; Chap- 
lain, Rev. 8. .l. M. Merwin. 

1877.— W. P., Eilward L. Keeler, Daniel (i. P.etts, 
Robert W. Keeler, 8. J. M. Merwin; R. fs., Hiram 
C. Jelliffe, Robert W. Keeler, James T, Hubbell, Al- 
fred E. Emery; Chaplain, Rev. S. ,1. ^l. Merwin, 
(ieorge K. Gilbert. 

1878.— \V. P., Hiram C. Jelliffe, Iforace S. Rey- 
nolds, George K. Gilbert, Jolm li. Stnrges; R. S. 
John F. Knapp, .losiah (iilbert, Edward L. Keeler, 
Charles M. Belts; Chaplain, Helen E. Comstock, 
' Edward T. Whitney, Rev. 8. J. M. Merwin. 

187!!.— W. P., Chauneey Foote, James T. Hubbell, 
Helen B. Comstock, Dr. 8. H. Huntington; R. 8., 
Alice B. Olmstead, .\nna JI. (iregory, (ieorge (Jgden, 
Walter E. Fitch; Chaplain, liev.8. J. M. Merwin. 

18S0.— W. P., Edward T. Whitney; R. 8., Fred. D. 
I!enc<lict; Cliajdain, Rev. 8. J. M. Merwin. 



Lt'gisl.iture ill 1825-2fi and 1828-29, .intl .1 senator from New Iljivcn in 
Is."»3. Ab ctiairnian of the coininittee on edncation in IS-JI'.. and aj;;iin 
ill 1828, lie presented rejiort-s on rominon sidiool eilin atinn that attracted 
much attention and exerci.sed a lasting liilliielife. 

* Tiie following iiersons wore teaelieis of tin- aeadenij* for brief [le- 
riods. Some of the dates are approximate only : 

Xcnoiihon Iletts 182:1 

Storis Hall 1840-41 

Charles .lones 1.84 ■.-44 

CeoiK'- William Burr, 1x4 1-4.') 

William K. Watroiis 1842-43 

o.lle Close — 184;l-44 

.lames tJ. Ilmvland lS4li-41) 

N. Marvin llelden ■ 

t Contributed by Miss Gregory. 



Number of membersliip, April 1, 1880, seventy- 
three. 

During the four years of the Divisiuii it has lust 
but one member liy death. 

(Jllicers at present time, April, 188(1, arc as fnllows: 
W. P.. Dr. 8. H. Huntington; W. .V., Alida (_Viulter; 
K. 8., Walter E. Fitch ; A. I{. 8., Anna M. (iregory; 
F. 8., .rojni Fields; Treas., .lames T. Hubbell; Chap., 
Kev. 8. .1. M. Mirvine; Gm., Alice B. Olmsti'Md; A. 
Coll., George (Jgdcn ; I, 8., .losiah Gilliert ; < ). 8., 
Hiram C. Jelliffe; P. W. P., Helen K. ('omstnck. 

I.OCICWdOD BROS.' WIIIE-FACTORV. 

This establishment is located near Cannon's Station, 
and maiuifaetures fine wire-cloth, copper and brass. 
The estiililishiiient was founded about four years ago 
by David and .lolm I.,oekwood. 

Civil, III.^TOISY. 

The first jmblic movement to form a separate parish 
was iiuule Dec. 7, 1725, wdien the town of Norwalk, 
which was then co-terniinous with the eeclesia.stical stj- 
ciety, " hy a major vote, signified their willingness that 
the inhaliitinits of Kent, Belden's Hill, and (.'hestnut 
Hill, and so upwards, become a parish or village by 
themselves." At the same meeting a committee was 
apiiointed " to .joync with a committee from yc said 
inhabitants in viewing wdiere ye bounds may be best 
fi.xt for ye said upper village, and make a report to ye 
town of their opinion." The little brook at the lower 
end of Kent formed a convenient starting-point, from 
wliicli the committees proceeded east and west and 
fixed the bounds substantially where the lu'csent 
bounds of the town are, the eastern boundary ex- 
cepted. 

A [letitioii was sent to tlie (iciieral Assembly for 
the incorporation of the town, signed by the following 
per.sons ; Josc|)h Elmer, Joseph Jump, Daniel Ab- 
bott, .Joseph Carle, .John Keeler, i\Iatthew 8t. .lohn, 
David Keeler, John 8t. John, David IVlts, Samuel 

III! ^ ri i j 

Belts, Jr., Stephen Bctts, Natbaniid Slauson. .lohii 
Wood. Jr., .lonatlian Wood, Jr., Nathan Belts, Daniel 
Trowbridge, Nathan Olmstead, 8tei)heii Buckingham, 
John Stuart, Benjtimin Hickok, Richard Bouton, 
Obadiah Wood, Tlioma.s Bouton, .lames Trowbridge, 
.lonathan Sturdevant, Ralph Keeler, .racliin Gregory, 
.Tolin Dunning, Xalhaniel Kefi-hum, .John Taylor, 
William I'arker. Tlie act was passed May 12, 172(), 
The town was organized in 1802. 

The Prime .\ncient Society of Xorwalk was dis- 
posed to deal generously with the new parish. Feb. 
28, 172(), it voted "to the inhabitants of ye upper 
Society the old pulpit upon free gift;" and the next 
February it voted that the proprietors in Ncu'walk 
grant them ten .acres of land, for " the use of yc Pres- 
byterian or Congregational Ministry among them for- 
ever." Two years later five acres more were given. 
The harmony thus early existing between the two 
parishes has haiipily continued to this day. 



8fi0 



HISTORY or FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



THE FIRST TOWN-MEETINO. ' 

The town was organized in 1802, and the first town- 
mcetiugin Wilton was lickl on tlie third Monday of 
June, 1802, wlien tlie following officers were chosen: 
Town Clerk and Treasurer, Samuel Belden, Sr. ; Se- 
lectmen, Samuel Conistock, Daniel Gregory, and 
Mathow Marvin ; Constables, A/.ariah Betts and Levi 
Taylor; Listers, David Lambert, Samuel Marvin, 
Zenophon Mead ; Fence-Viewers, Samuel Sturges 
and Abram Ilurlbnrt ; Scaler of Leather, Elijah 
Wescot ; Sealer of Measures, Job Lockwood ; Sealer 
of Weights, Thaddeus Starling ; Grand Jurors, Samuel 
Olmstead (3d) and Jonathan Middlebrook; Tithing- 
men, William Morgan and Zadok Hubble; Hay wards, 
James Nichols and David Tuttle. 

SELECTMEN FROM 1802 TO ISSO. 

The following is a complete list of selectmen of the 
town from 1802 to 1880 : 

Samuel CoDtstuck, 180^3; Daniel Gregory, 1S02-3; Mathcw Marvin, 
1802-3; Simuii-1 Olmstead, li-05-C, 1810,1816; Josil.li StillRcs, 18IH 
-fi; JcBscSit. Jolin,180">; Aliijiili liotm, 18(14; Stephen Keeler, 1806-7; 
Alvin Ilyall, 18(10; David Lnnibcit, lMi7-», 1811-1'i; Levi Tujior, 
1KII7; IlHvi.l lielilen, IWS-IO; Juliial Keeler, 180U; Julin f'lia|i- 
Miaii, l.slO-12; llela St. John. lSll-13, A»iiliel lia.vnHinil, 1813; 
Moacs firegoiy, 1813 ; Samuel SturRes, 1814-16. 1828 ; Daviil Church, 
1814; Xnthan I)uven|wrt, 1814; Tliadilcus Mead, 1815; Daniel 
Cliurcli,.Ir,, 181.')-1U; Daniel Church, Sr, 1810-18, 1821-22; Jemmy 
James, 1816-18, 1823, 1823-27; William Sellecli, 1810-17,1820; Jona- 
than Middlebrook, 1810-18; Elililjalet Taylor, 1810-18; Enistus 
Sturgoa, 1817-27, 1830-31, 1813-30, 1837-40 ; Tliaildcus Gilbert, 1817 ; 
\Vm. liehleu, 1818; Jesse Smith, 1818; Wm. Dudley, ISl'J ; lieldon I 
Seott, 1820-30 ; Isuiah Kccler (2d), 1824-20, 1828-31 ; 1810-41 ; Jami« | 
V. Chapnian, 1S2'.I: Tlmildeua lloyt, 18::o-:il ; Andrew lietts, 18:n-32; 
Geo. Jiend, 18;i2-.'l3 ; Samuel P. liandall, 18:12-34, 18:17-38, 184:l-I>4; • 
Clias >larvin, 1S:U: .Samuel Daveniwrt, 1834, 18:S7-38; Noah Olin- 
Btead, 18:10; Lewid St. John, 18:i6; Idaac M. Slurgea, 1830; Piatt 
llayuion.l, 18:10; Coo. Middlebrook, I831I ; Jcliiul Grunimcui, 1840-11, 1 
1X49; Cha«. Marvin, 1841-44; William Seott, 1842; Mathow Whit- | 
lock, 1842; Silnn Gregory, 1847-.'.4, 1S50-S8; Aaion 11. Sturges, 1843; 
Multby Jelliir, 1843-4J; Slicrmau Cole, 1844-10, IM'.I ; Wm. U. 
Ilickok. 184l',-4S; Wm. N. Ilanfurd, 1851 ; Aaron II. Sturges, 18K1; 
Jiilues Sturgejt, 18;Vl-oS ; L. C. Seymour, 18.'»5-i»7 ; h. S. Keeler, 18&j- 
C2, ISO'i; Iliram Grummon, 18.U; William Xichols, 1861-03, IKOC- 
08, 1871; I,ockwoud K. Ferris, 180U-C2, 1861; Samuel 11. Middle- 
brook, 18C:M;9; Nathan M. ikddcn, 1804-05, 1807-78; Wni. Knapp, 
1800; Denj. F. Drown. 18M; Iwiac N. Benedict, 1809; John Jackson, 
1869; Sherman Morehouse, 1870, 1872-74, 1878-79; Egbert Smith, 
18711-73; David M. Van Iloiwar, 1872-73; Lcgninil W. Keeler, 1871; 
John Ja«;ks<ui, 1871 ; Chaa. Ciuinou, 1874 ; Gould D. Jellill, 1874 ; 
Joseph O. llikerman, IS7.>-70; lleiiry E. Chirhciter. 187.'>-77 ; James 
• M. llailiee. 187.'>-76; Nathan M. llellleu, 1^77-78 ; .'Jamuel G. T/Ock- 
wood, 1877; John U. Sturgea, 1878-7'J ; Frederick D. Benedict, 
1879. 

The present town officers (1880) are as follows: 
Selectmen, Sherman Morehouse, John H. Sturges, 
Frederick 15. ISenedict ; Town Clerk, Wm. D. Greg- 
ory ; Register of Births, Marriages, and Deaths, James 
H. Taylor; Treiusurer, Elbert (Jlin.stcad; Registers of 
Voters, Samuel B. Fancher, Daniel G. Betts; Assessors, 
Wm. I), (iregory, Eliphalet Morehou.se, Lcgrand W. 
Keeler, Mervin D. Keeler, Lewis H. Randall ; Board 
of Relief, David M. Van Hoosar, (tould D. Jellilf, 
Lockwood K. Ferris ; Cljijistables and Collectors, Heze- 
kiah B. Osvorn ; (.'onstubles, Daniel G. Betts, Wm. 
Olinstead, Geo. B. Morehouse; Grand Jurors, Rufus 



Adams, Chas. Olmstead, Clias. E. Morris, Gould D. 
Jelliff; School Visitors, Harvey Bedient, J. Belden 
Hurlbutt, Daniel G. Betts, .Tames T. Hubbell, Wm. 
Sturges, Screno E. Ogden ; Sealer of Weights and 
Measures, Hawley H. Starling ; Keykeepers, John 
R. Coinstock, Wm. M. Hoyt, Samuel Ruscoe, Samuel 
Marvin. 

REPRESENTATIVES FROM 1802 TO 1880. 
1802-:!, Matthew Man in. Samuel Comstock ; 1804, Samuel Olmstead; 
1805-6, Samuel Conistock, Samuel Olmstead; 1807-8, Samuel Cum- 
Btock, David llelden ; 1 809, Snmnel Conistock, David Behling; 181(1, 
David Beldeli, David Boecher ; 1811, Matthew Slarvin ; 1812, Samuel 
Olmstead, David Belden ; 1813, Matthew Marvin, David Belden ; 1814, 
Matthew JIarvin, David Uclden ; 1815, Kzekiel Sturges, Mattliew 
Marvin; 1810, Daniel Church, Jr., Matthew Marvin; 1817, Daniel 
Church, Jr.; 1818, Ernstus Sturges, Eliphalet Taylor; 1819, Erastus 
Sturges; 1820-21, Bela St. John; 1822-24, Erastus Sturges; 1825-26, 
llawlcy Olmstead; 1827, Enuitus Sturges; 1828-29, llawley Olm- 
stead ; 1830-:J2, Eiastus Sturges; lS:t;), George Mead ; 18;M, Enmtus 
Sturges; 1835, James F. Cliapman ; 18:10, Charles Marvin; 1837, 
Isaac M. Sturges (2d); 1838, Charles Marvin; 18.19, Ab(jnh Betts; 
1840-42, James F. Chapman; 1843, Giles Gregory; 1844, Charles 
Jones ; 1845, Samuel Scott ; 1840, William Dudley ; 1847, Samuel P. 
Handle; 1848, Cliarles Marvin; 1849, Joseph B. Scribner ; 185(1, 
Sherman Cole; 1851, Giles Gregory; 1852-3.3, Abijah Betts; 1854. 
William H. Taylor; 1855, Theodore L. Sturges ; 1850, Abijah Betts; 
1857, William D. Gregory; 1858, Ebenezor G. lietts; 1B.VJ, Alliert 
Seymour; 1860, Abijah Betts; 1801, llinim St. John; 1802, George 
S. Nichols; 180.3, Samuel B. Belden; 1804-*."., William D.Gregory; 
1800, Willlaui Nichols; 1807-08, William D. Gregorj-; 1809, Ilirani 
St. John; 1S70-71, Slieiman Mtuehousc; 1872, Samuel M. Corn- 
stock; 1873-74, Sheniiau Morehouse; 1875, Daniel I)aven|Mirl ; 1870, 
Elbert Olmstead; 1877, Isaac M. Sturges; 1878-80, Nathan M. Belden. 

MILITARY RECORD. 

FIRST REGIMENT. 
Oimpany E. 
Nichols, Andrew B., enl. April 19, 1801 ; disch. July 31, 1801. 
TIIIBD REGIMENT. 
Vonip>intj D, 
AblKitl, Stnrgess, enl. Mi\y 11, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 12, 1861. 
IkHlient, Lewis, nu sician; enl. May 14, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 12, 1801. 
Finch, Samuel, enl. 9lay 11, 1801 ; disch. Aug. 12, 18C1. 

FIRST REGIMENT CAVALRY. 
Company D. 
Taylor, David B., enl. July 30, 1862; cajiturcd Oct. 17, 1804. 

Cumpanif D. 
Coloy, James, sergeant ; enl. Nov. 2, 1861 ; pro. to first lieutenant ; disch. 

May 27, 1864. 
lAing, Francis C, corporal ; enl. Nov. 2, 1801; dlich. Nov. 28, 1802. 
Dnrant, Thomas J., conioral ; enl. Nov. 2, 1801 ; ln-enl. Dec. 17, 18(3; 

must out .\ug. 2, 1803. 
Knapp, John F., eul. Nov. 14, 1801 ; disch. Nov. 10, 1804. 

Oimpatiy /*. 

Morrf 1, Victor, enl. Jan. 2.3, 1804. 

Mulbor, Iaiuis, onl. Jan. 23, 1814; must, out Aug. 2, 18('o. 

Compo»jf if. 
Griswold, Arthur W., enl. Aug. 15, 1804 ; discb. May 27, 180.'.. 

Brown, Charles II., eul. Not. 20, 1803 ; die»l Aug. 16, 1864. 
Griiy, Samuel N., enl. Nov. 30, 1K«;); must, out Aug. 2. 1805. 
Il.slgesi, Gcrge, enl. Dec. 9, 18C;i ; died Aug. 24, 1804. 
I.ong, James B., eul. Dec. 9, ISCkI ; must, out Aug. 2. 18C.'>. 

CktmpaHy K. 
Morlock, Fredeiick, enl. Dec. 20, 1803; must, luit Aug. 2, 1803. 
Seeger, Dwiglit B., eul. Fob. 22, 1803 ; must, out Aug. 2, 1805. 



WILTON. 



SUl 



Uiiasfiffiicil. 
(irior, Henry, enl. Dec. ■2ti. lSG;i; not tjikeii up on rolls. 
Kelle.v, .lolin, ml. Deo. 20, 1802; not tiiken up oti rolls. 
O'Nfil, Jiimes W., enl. Jim. C>, IHl'A; not taken up on lolls. 

SECOND LIi;lIT I!.\TTKUV. 
.I:ini.s, Tlionins. enl. Feb. iu, laM ; must, out Aug. 11, l.sn.'i. 
jMoiiroe, C'liiirles, enl. Feb. 2!, 1SC4 ; not taken up on rolls. 

FIRST BEdlMKNT .MSTILLEKY. 

Cumimuij /■'. 
Ho.vt, Wilson L., enl. June 5, Isiil ; must, out Sept. 2o, ISOo. 

C'lmpiiiui G. 
lieneclict, Daniel, enl. Dee. 7, l«(',;i ; must, out Sept. 25, 18(35. 
Davis, Albert, enl. Dec. 7, 180J ; died Nov. 'M, lutii. 

Contpnii;/ II. 
lledient, Tlmrnas, enl. Dec. 30, 18(13; must, out Sept. 2), 1865. 

Cvm^ifiii!/ L 
tiray, CItarles, enl. Dec. 22, 18G4. 

SECOND UEGIMENT AISTILLEHV. 

Coiiipri)i>i It. 

lluuronl, Morris B., enl. Mareli 31, lSt-,4 ; must, luit Aug. IS, lsr.5. 

Cimijutiiif II. 
JoEiis, Ir.i, enl. Jan. .5, 1,SC4; must, out Au^-. 18, ISCS. 

i 'iitn}iniuj K. 
Kliapp, fje<)rge Iv., enl. Jan. 5, ISi'A ; nuist. out .\ul?. IS, LSGj. 
Itnssell. Cbailes II., enl. Jan. 5, 1,S(14; missing Juno I, 1 8(14. 
Sniitli, John, enl. Jan. 5, 1S04 ; must, out July 3, 1605. 

Comp'ltii/ L. 
Barnes, Jolin, enl. Dec. 31, 18i,4 ; must, out Aug. IS, 1805. 
Howard, Jolin, enl. Dec. 2n, 1.S04. 
line, Tlmnuus, enl. Dec. 20, 1804. 

FIFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 
Onupitiui E. 
.lones, Elijali B., enl. July 22, 1801 ; killed Aug. 0, 1802. 

Comjiniuj <•. 
I'artrilt, Sylvester, enl. Feb. 20, l.s(i4 ; Uill.'.l July 2(1, 1804. 
Supple, Henry, enl. Feb. 2(1, ISOl ; must, out July I'J, 1S05. 

( ■,,mp,uqi K. 
Mills, S.lh F., enl. Feb. 17, 18r,2 ; killed Aug. 9, 1802. 

SIXTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 

C<niipitu'j A. 
Avery, Ilauford. enl. Feb. 2,5, 1804 ; di.sch. for ilisabilily, March 21, 1805. 

C^jmpaiitj I'j. 
I'arker. Charles, enl. Aug. 21, 1SC3. 

SEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY'. 

Cnnlpdiitj A. 
Megann, John, enl. Oct. 2'J, 1803; mis.sing in action Jlay 10, 1804. 

Company IJ. 
Chase, Edward V., enl. Feb. 22, 1S04 ; must, out .Inly 20, 1805. 
Kowan, Robert, eld. Nov. 13, 1803; nnist. out July 2(1, 1805. 
Matteucci, Doniinico, enl. Oct. 20, 1801; captured May 10, 1804. 
Murphy, IJetiry, enl. Oi't. 30, l.so.l; captured Feb. 20, 18(V4. 
r.ura, Antonio, enl. Oct. 28, 1803 ; died Oct. 28, 1804. 
Riley, John, enl. Nov. 28, 18C3. 

CompintJj F. 
Claolct, Francois, enl. Nov. 5, 1803. 
Vannc, Albert, e(d. Oct. 29, 1S03. 

Comptnn/ ti. 
Wilsiui, (^'harles, eld. Oct. :l(l, 1803; trans, to U.S.N. April 27, 1804. 

Comptitiij II. 
Kercrossick, Anthony, enl. Oct. 30, 1803; must, out July 20, 1804. 
Sclilageter, Cornelius, eld. Nov. 4, 1803; wounded and captured Feb. 20, 

1804. 
Walernnrc, Fredeiick, enl. Nov. 3. 1803 ; died June !l, 1864. 



Compaini I. 
Williams, Allivil, enl. Oct, 2((, I8I-3. 

(■„i„i,.n,,i K. 

Kocppenlioler, George, enl. o. t. JU, 1803; must, out July 20, 1803. 

EIGHTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 

C.mpunii A. 

Goiman, lI.Miiy. i-nl Aug. 1,5, 18(,1 ; must, out Dec. 12, 1.S0.5. 

Comixniif It. 

MaOin, John 1. Feb, 23, IMVl ; .lie.l .Sept. 8, I.SOI. 

Wright, (.'eiuge, crd. F.-b, 23, IsC.l ; nnisl. out Dec. 12, 1805. 

Cnlnynnil II. 
Hodges, stepbeii, c.ui.nral; enl. Si-pl, 23, I.SOI; re-enl. Dec. 24, 1803; 

must, .ail Dec. 12, 181,5. 
liisho]!, ,Iarob, ,oip,uiil ; enl. Se|.t. 23, I.SOI ; reeiil. Jim. 5, ISM ; disc h. 

for promotion, Nov. 4, 1S64. 
Fredericks, Jacob, i.uporal; enl. Sept. 23, ISOl ; .liscli for disabilily, 

March 12, 1S03, 
ISenuett, George II., eul. Sept. 30, 1801 ; killed May 7, 1864. 
Dudley, William G,, enl. Sept. Jii, 1801 ; ii-eiil, Dec. 22, 1803 ; must, out 

Dec. 12, 1805, 
lliinlonl, .h.hu M., eul. Sept. 23, ISO] ; di..,! Jlay I, 1S02. 
Seymour, Francis, enl. Oct, 7. Isr.l ; .hscli. May ,5, 180.5. 
Sherman, Reuben A., enl. Sept. 23, 1801. 
Smith, Henry, eul. Sept. 25, ISid ; killed July 10. Is04. 
Smith, J.phll, enl. Jan. 5, ISIU ; died lie,', 2, IMVJ. 

NINTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 
Iliggins, George, enl. Feb, 17, 1804 ; forwarded with ',1th Cmn. Vol., Feb. 

20, 18(V4; uiia*signed. 
Nelson, George, enl. Feb. 17, IStll ; forwarded witli •.Ith Conn. V.d., Feb. 

20,1804; nna^signed. 

TENTH REGIMENT INFANTIIV. 

Conijmiit/ G. 

llauf.ud, Ednioiid, enl. Oct. 2, I.S01 ; re-cnl. Feb. 0, 1S04 : must, out Aug. 

(.■o,„;,.ol// ;, 

I'ugsley, Floyd T,, enl. Jan. 5, 1SC4; must, out Aug. 25, 1865. 
TWELFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY'. 
Cottipiinif B, 
Britt.ui, Thomas, eul, March 20, IsiU. 
Davis, .51adi.son, enl. April 7, 1S(H ; must, out Aug. 12, 1803. 

CoHijHoi;/ E. 
Dikeman, Walter, enl. Nov. I'.l, 1801 ; discli. fur rlisability Nov. 0, 18C3. 
Giddis, Jno. A,, enl. Jan. 8, IS02 ; did March 22, 1805. 
Slauson, George, .oil. Jan. 15, 1802 ; discli. fur disiibilily March 20, 1SC2. 

i'liiitpitii;/ I. 
Turner, William, enl. March 20, 1801. 

THIRTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 
Giinpinnj 11. 
RoBcoe, Hiram, musii ian ; enl. Fed.. 18, 1802; died June 26, 1803. 
Gardner, James, enl. Jan. 7, 1S02; re eul. Feb, s, lst"4 ; must, out April 

2i;, IS60. 
Ilanford, Williaiii II , enl. Dec. 22, 1861 ; trans, to 2d l.ii. Vols., Aug. 28, 

1.S02. 
Sherman, lieuben A., enl. Dec. 3 1, ISOl; disch. for disabilily, Aug. 20, 

1802. 

Coniptuiij II. 

Scribner, William F., enl. Feb. 1, 1802 ; died Feb. 23, 1802. 
FOCRTEKNTH RKGIMENT INFANTItV. 
C'>'iii>'t>iii A, 
Campbell, I.eveivd, enl, July 10, l.S(,2. 

Ilanford, Morris I!., enl. Jlarch 31, I.S04; trans, tj 21 Conn. Vol. H. Art. 
May 31, ls(,5. 

FIFTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY, 
CottipiiHii A. 
Brelsfold, .r.diii, enl. Sipt. 1, Isc,4 ; trans. Ii> 7lh Conn, Vol,; must, out 
July 20, 1805. 



8G-2 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIEl.D COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTliV. 
Otmpany A. 
Gray, Willlnni ir., conwral ; oiil. July 28, 1SC2: must, out July 19, 1805. 
Allen, Albert N., Clil. Aug. 8, I8G2; died July 2.-|, ISM. 
Butlcry, George N.. cut. Aug. 4, 18IJ2; must, out July 19, 180.1. 
Davis, Jiio. L., onl. Aug. 8, I8I12 ', dim;)i. for disaliility, March 9, 18C3. 
Do P'orrest, Samuel C, eul. Aug. 8, 1802 ; must, out July 14, 1805. 
Gray, Gcoigo D., eul. July 28, 1802; must, out July 19, 1S05. 
Hyatt, Gregorj', oul. July 30, 18C2 ; discli. for disiilrility, July 18, 1803. 
Ilagar, Aljijali, oul. Aug. 9, 1802; must, out July 19, 1805. 
Iloyt, Warren, onl. Aug. 9, 1802; must, out July 19, 1805. 
Lockivood, John S., onl. Aug. 8, 1802 ; must, out July 19, 1805. 
Payntou, William W., ciil. Aug. II, 1802; must, out July 19, 1805. 
Telham, Augustus, eul. July 28, 1802; disch. for disability, Dec. 8, 1802. 
Seymour, Richard G., eul. Aug. 6, 1802; nmst. out July 19, 1805. 
Whitney, David B., enl. Aug. 9, 1802; must, out July 19, ISOo. 

Compavy A . 
Brills, Lufayotto V., enl. Dec. 28, 1803 ; must, out July 19, 1805. 
Buttery, Edgar, enl. Jan. 20, 1804; must, out July 19, 1805. 

Company B. 
Lobdcll, Eli, corporal ; enl. Aug. 2, 1802 ; died. 
Mills, Orrin E., enl. Aug. 31, 1804 ; must, out July 19, 1805. 

Company F. 
Britts, Sylvester, onl. Aug. 11, 1802 ; died July 4, 1804. 
Bt\>« n, John I!., enl. Aug. 18, 1802 ; discli. fur disability, Nov. 25, 1802. 
Bisliup, John W., enl. April 13, 1802; iiovur must, in U. S. service. 
Brown, James, enl. Aug. 15, 1802. 
Bates, Bradley, enl. Aug. 13, 1802 ; died Oct. 5, 1804. 
Iloyt, James E., enl. Aug. 20, 1802 ; trans, to Vet. Bcs. Corjis, Jlay 8, 1804. 
Knnpp, Charles H., enl. Aug. 13, 1802. 

Morgan, Charles F., enl. .\ug. 9, 1802; disch. for disability, Oct. &, 1803. 
Morgan, Wilber B., enl. Aug. 12, 1802; died July 9, 180:). 
Peck, Chailes, enl. Aug. 12, 1802; must, out July 19, 1805. 
Riggs, Charles JI., onl. Aug. 13, 1802; must. >iut July 19, 1805. 
Boekwell, Darius B., onl. Aug. 11, 1802; must, out July 19, 1805. 
Whitney, Charles, enl. Aug. 12, 1802; disch. for disability, Jan. 15, 1803. 
Walton, George, enl. Aug. 15, 1802; must, out June 20, 18C5. 
Whitney, Noble L., oul. Aug, 12, 1802; must, out Juno 19, 180.'i. 
Kcyscr, SlUtun S., col. Jan. 19, 1804 ; must, out July 19, 1805. 

Company if. 
Albin, IIeui7, onl. Aug. 13, 1802; must, out Juno 8, 1805. 
Byington, Aaron, eul. July 23, 1802; disch. for disability, Oct 12, 1803. 
llaiT, Ira T., enl, Aug. 13, 1802; ilisch. for disability, Dec. 10, 1802. 
Bout^in, AlouKu G., enl. Aug. 20, 1802; rejected, uiuler age. 
Boscoo, George, eul. July 2:t, 1802; must, out July 19, 18G5. 
Jone.». David It., .'nl. Se]jt. 20, 1.804; must, out Juio- In, iMl".. 

OomjHtny 7. 
Ilerkentiue, John, onl. Jan. 5, 1805; must, out July 19, 1805. 
Johnson, George, oul. Jan. 5, 1805 ; nmst. out July 19, 1805. 

TWENTIETH REGIBIENT INFANTRY. 
OniJNin^ D. 
0"Blion, Wm., ord. Aug. 26, 1604. 

TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT INFANTRY. 

Company K. 
Godfrey, George M.. captain; com. Aug. 28, 1802; dle.l April 3, 1803. 
St. John, Ilinwi, lint lieutouunt; com. Aug. 28, 1802; ro8. March 20, 

180;!. 
Main, John N., second lieutenant; com. Aug. 28, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 

18(S;i. 
Scribnor, Aaron, aorgoaiit ; onl. Aug. 30, 1802 ; died Juno 12, 1863. 
tiillicrt, William I)., sergeant ; enl. .\u(,. 29. 1802 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Davis, Aaron II., sergeant; eul. Aug. 28, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, ISKl. 
Mullor, JerrniliUi R., corjiorul ; onl. Aug. 28. 1802 ; disch, Aug. 31, 18C3. 
Sturges, AllHTt D., cor]>oral ; enl. Aug. 28, 1802 ; dls.li. Aug. 31, 1803. 
LoikwtKul, Joseph R., coriHitul; onl. Aug. 28, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
OsIkuu, lle7.<kiah D., corp.)nil ; oul. Aug. 28, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Iletts, Klljali, corporal ; old. Aug.%0, 1862; disch Aug. 31, 1803. 
Main, Samuel A., mualclan ; onl. Aug. 28, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Allington, Wm., enl. Aug. 26, 1662; disch. Aug, 31, 1863. 



Brolhwcll, Wllliim E., cnl. Aug. 29,1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Brown, Daniel C. II., cnl. Sept. 8, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Cobleigh, Hiram, oul. Aug, 29, 1802; disch, Aug, 31, 1803. 
Comstock, Moses, cid. Aug. 23, 1802; disch, .Aug. 31, 1863. 
Dann, Goorgc L., enl. Aug. 2t, 1802; di<ch. Aug. 31, 1863. 
Gilbert, Enoch H., old. Aug. 20, 1802 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Godfrey, John L., cnl. Aug. 29, 180i ; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Jonningij, George, cnl. Sept. 15, 1802; disch. .\ug. 31, 1803. 
Junes, Lorenzo, onl. Aug. 29, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Lobilell, James, cid. Aug. 28, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 180:i. 
OIniBtea.l, Charles, onl. Aug, ,30, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Raymond, lleury A., cnl. Aug. 30, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Winkler, Augustus, cnl. Sept. 15, 1802; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. 

Company I. 
Ilanford, Morris B., enl. Sept. 2, 1802; disch, Aug, 9, 1863. 

TWENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 
Company I. 
Abbott, Daniel S., cnl. Oct. 29, 1802 ; disch. April 25, 1803. 

TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT INFANTRY (COLORED). 
Company D, 
Robinson, George W,, enl. Jan. 6, 1804 ; must, out Oct. 24, 1805. 

Compatiy G, 
Dullivau, Homy, onl. Dec. 28, 1803; died Jlay 25, 1864. 
Dullivau. Samuel, onl. Dec. 28, 1863 ; died July 14, 1804. 

THIRTIETH REGIMENT INFANTRY (COLORED). 
Company A. 
Roberts, Shemmu, enl. Nov. 14, 1804; died. 



B10GR.\P11IC.\L SKETCHES. 



STUUGES BENNETT. 

Sturges Bennett, son of Elias Bennett, Jr., de- 
scended from an old pioneer family of New England. 
He was born in 1805 and died May 30, 1880, at the 
ripe age of seventy-five. His grandfather was a sol- 
dier in the Revolution and took part in the battle 
at Ridgclield, in which Gen. AVooster was killed. 
Me died at the age of ninety-six. His father, Elias 
Bennett, .Tr., is remembered by the oldest inhabitants, 
as in the capacity of post-rider he for many years 
delivered the Bridgeport iSlandnnl and Fanner and 
the Norwalk Oii~tl/c through various towns. 

In the spring of 1830, Sturges Bennett married for 
his first wife Charlotte, daughter of Beujainin Gil- 
bert, by whom he hud four children, three of whom 
])reeeded their mother to another world. Scjon after 
this marriage he became lUvsoeiated with his fatluT in 
busines.s, and tliey built tlie rod slio|> which .stood on 
the site now occupied by the fine buildings now used 
as a store by his son Eli. From this small beginning 
sprang the extensive manufacturing business which 
has .since been conducted with such success. 

In 184S, Mr. Bennett wits united in marriage to hia 
second wife, wiio througli all the succeeding years of 
his life wits a cheerful, faithful, and iitfectionato com- 
panion, always makiug his pleasure and comfort her 
first consideration. 




' '^^^^fe^.ei^ /Jw^-^^z^^^^ 



i 



I^3?5^'^.f 




LEWIS OLMSTEAD. 




ELBERT OL-MSTEAI). 




SAMUEL KEELEK. 





'-yyi /a 



/d.di. 



Uyr~^ 



J^ 



WILTOX. 8G3 



sami;el keeler. 



LEWIS AND ELBERT OLMSTEAO. }Iis iutlier, Samuel Burr Sturccs, ^vas b„ru in Wil- 

Lkwis ()L5t.sTEAD is of Eiiglisli-Scotcli ilcsrriit, of toll, Ffl). 21, 180", and (lii.'d Drmv Nov. 11, 1.S72. Ho 

early settlors of New f^ngland, and was liorn Foli. 2."i, inlluwod the busiiioss of luon-hant and farnior ooiii- 

IT'.l'). His grandfather Samuel Olnistoad lies Imriod l)iiii'(l: \\v was a ]in)minoiit man in the l^iiisoopal 

near t'cimstock's store, in North Wilton. His fatlur, ('liurrli in that plai'o. and one of its wardens for 

also named Samuel, is buried in HLllsido ('enietorv. many years. Early in lile be was married to Kliza- 

r.,cwis was tlie eldest son of Samuel an<l j\Ierey ( )lm- both, ohlost daughter ol' Samuel and Lueretia Marvin, 

stead. He learned the trade of shooniaking in all its of Wostpcirt. Their ohilihi-n wore Krederiok Deii- 

branehes, but the loss of his hand, by an aeeident, nis, and .Tohn Burr. The former, a graduate of New 

eompelled him to give up this business, and to suipport York Medical (.'olbge, is at this writing (1880) sur- 

a largo and growing family he was obliged to resort goon in the Paeilie Mail Sti'amship service, 

to other work. He began storekeeping in his native .lohn B. Sturgos was odueated in New York City, 

village; at the same time he commenced in a small and at Trinity College, Hartford. Ho follows from 

way the mannfaeture of shirts. This was in ]8:U. choice the vocation of farming. Ho has often bee;i 

He began making them for Mr. INIeOrath. u New oalleil to oiticial position by the citizens of his town, 

York firm. His tirst invoice from him was two dozen and at present is one of its selectmen. Ho lives on 

shirts. Tlieso, owing to Mr. Olrastead's incxperionop, what has been the Sturges homestead for nearly a 

werenot made to the satislaet ion of that gent Ionian, and century. , 

he hesitated about giving him more; but the earnest- At tlie age of thirty-two lie was married to Helen 
ness of Mr. Olmstead's manner gave assurance that Eli/.alieth, eldest daughter of Sherman 1'. and Sarah 
the work would be done as well as ho eonld do, which, M. (Jones) Fitch, of Wilton. .\t tliis writing their 
with a little more experience, would bo well enough, children are Florence M., Samuel 1!., .Mabel F., ancl 
Mr. ( )Iinstead received more work, whioh on its re- Fredericks, 
turn was pnuiounced well done, and from that time 
fortli no ditriculty was experienced in gettin.g all the 
work desired. The business had not been reduced Sanuiel Keeler boars the jiatronymie of his au- 
to the system by which it is now conducted, neither cf^tors through many gonorations. His gr.uidfathor, 
was the work prepared as it is now. The kind nianu- !^:"""^d Keeler, was one of the original sotth'rs of 
factured wi're jirincipally of c.mimon calico, wilii Norwalk. His great-great-grandfather, Samuel Kee- 
jmir bosoms, and were difficult to make, the seam- li''N settled in what is now Wilton among the first 
stresses throughout the country working liy hand (this settlers, and built the house the frame of which is 
was before the sewing-machine came into general use, «''" standing and is occupied by Mr. I. N. Benedict, 
—indeed, we believe, before its invention). Thisdilli- 'J''"" proi)erty on which Legrand W. Keeler, father 
culty Jfr. Olmstead overcame, and from a small of the subject of this sketch lives, has boon owned by 
beginning his business assumed almost colossal pro- t'l*-' family since its settlement. 

portions, and for many years he enjoyed the reputaticm 'J''"' g'vcat-grandfutlier of Samuel, also named 

of being the largest manufacturer of shirts in his sec- •'^^miuel, was an active patriot during tli<> Kovoliition, 

lj(,u and was despoiled by llio liritish umler 'fryon. His 

Lewis Olmstead was married, Feb. 24, 1S18, to Jliss ''rather, Isaiah Keel.-r, was a soldicT in tlu- .\morican 

Sally, second daughter of Elied and Isabel Do Forest, '""'"y- 

of New Canaan, Conn. Seven children were l„,rn to H''* grandfather, Isaiah Wheeler, was an .-xtonsive 

them,— Melis.sa, Maria, Hiram, Samuel E., William ''»•""''• ""'1 prominent in Ids town, often Indding posi- 

De F., Mary, ami William H. Melissa was married, ''""" "'' l'"''"'' '"'"'• ^'^ "•'" i":'rried early in life 

Oct. lo, :84.->, to Elbert Olmstead. Their ehiblren '" '^"*'.v. daughter of ('apt. .lohn Watrous, of Uidge- 

have been Frank L., Herman (deoeased), and Wil- ''^1''- ''"'■'■'r children wore Fannie M., Legrand W.. 

]j.|,jj ].; I'jinily A. ((k'ceased), anil Martha (deceased). 

El.liEltT Oi.MsTEAl> had been in the luisiness in tlie l^cgrand W. Keeler was b,,rn Oct. 10, 18ir,. He 

cmjdov of his father-in-law, and on the ih'-.Uh of the "'^irri-'d, Sept. 17, 1841, (Catharine, youngest daugliter 

latter 'bought into the concern in connoetion witli his "'' il-ratio an.l Bethia Eockwood. Of this union 

brother-in-law, William H. Olmstead. .Vfler a j.arl- ""■'■e I'-'ve heeii born Samuel, IvhvanI E., Wellington 



nership of a fvw years, Elbert bought the entire 



;., ('atharino L., and William E. 



business, which he has .since successfully conducted. ^""'"^■' ''^'■'■''•'■' '^"''•i''''' "'' "''" ""•"loir is (1880) in 

his thirty-tilth year, and was born in Wilton, Fair- 

fiidd Co., (!oun. lie early evinced a disposition to 

JOHN BURR STt/RGES. ai'.|uiro knowledge, for the attainment of which his 

Jidiii liurr Sturgos, son of Samuel Burr and Eliza- father gave him every opiiortunity. lie was fitted 

both Marvin Sturges, was born in the city of New fVir college at the jireparatory seho(d of I'rofe.ssor 

York, July 5, 1888. His grandfather, Samuel Sturgi-s, Olmstead, of Wilton, and entered Yale College in 

was a native of Fairfield Co., Conn. the class of '(i". After his graduation he studied 



SC4 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



law with Hon. Levi Warner, of Norwallc, and was 
admitted to tlie bar of Fairfield County, afterwards 
to the New York bar. He is now practic'in<r his pro- 
fcsssion in New York City. 



WILLUM HENRY TAYLOR. 

William Ilonry Taylor, the youngest son of Levi 
and Esther (Belden) Taylor, was born at Wilton, 
Conn., Jan. "), 1810. His education was commenced 
in tlie district scliools, and his stu<tie< were completed 
at the academy of 3Ir. Olmstead, in Wilton. 

While but a youth he became a member of the 
Coast-Guard, organized in the latter part of the Rev- 
olutionary strugirle to defend the shores of Long 
Island Sound against the attacks of e.x-GovcrnorTryon 
and Benedict Arnold, for which service, in the later 
years of his life (after sustaining heavy losses of prop- 
erty), he drew a pension from the United States gov- 
ernment. 

When quite a young man he was apjiointed to the 
office of county surveyor, succeeding his father in 
that position. He afterwards established and main- 
tained for several years a boarding- and day-scliool in 
the town of Wilton ; his health failing by reason of 
close confinement and application to his duties, he 
was compelled to give up this enterprise and retire 
to his farm residence, where he spent most of his 
time. He at ditlerent times taught the district schools 
in or near his native town, and was always highly es- 
teemed as an instructor by those with whom he was 
associated. 

In Februarj-, 1842, Mr. Taylor experienced religion 
iluring services then being held at the Protestant 
Methodist clinrch at Georgetown, Fairfield Co., Conn., 
and shortly afterwards united with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, of which he remained a consist- 
ent and useful member until the time of his death. 
He was one of the founders of the Zion's Hill Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, at Wilton, Conn., which was 
dedicated in November, 1844. For many years he 
occupied an ofiieial relation in this churcb. being 
trustee, steward, and superintendent to the Sabbath- 
school. The latter office he was, however, corapelled 
to resign on account of failing health a few years be- 
fore his deatli. 

During a portion of his lifetime be filled the office 
of justice of the peace, and w:w at dilferent times .se- 
lectman of his town. In the year 18o4 he represented 
the town of Wilton in the Connecticut Legislature, 
but declined to serve a second term on account of 
his business interests, which required bis entire atten- 
tion. 

In 1S(>1, feeling a deep interest in the war of the 
Rebellion and the emancipation of the slaves, he was 
not satisfied until he had |iaken a trip to Wiishington 
and Virginia and visited the camps of our soldiers. 

Mr. Taylor never married, but leaves one brother. 



one sister, and a number of nephews and nieces to 
honor his memory. He died at Wilton, Conn., May 
13, 1863. 



CHAPTER LX XX VI II. 

BETHEL.' 

Descriptive— Early Piiys — "Milking- Yard" — Manufncturcs — Miscella- 
iieoua. 

The first settlers of our village must have had, at 
the best, only a faint idea of a future town of several 
hundred residences, a score and more of stores and 
markets, and nearly or (|uite as many manufacturing 
establishments. 

The assemblage of dwellings, stores, factories, and 
shdps con.stituting the village of Bethel is neither 
upon a hill nor in a valley, nor yet is it on a plain. 
Still there are hills and valleys, and upon the sides 
and summits of the hills, and in the lower grounds, 
the dwellings, tlic st:)rcs, and tlie factories arc located. 
The grassy plain upon our western border, and now 
included in the borough of Bethel, is the only level 
ground of any considerable extent within the limits 
of the town. It certainly appears to be the only feas- 
ible situation in or upon which to locate a town site, 
and even this is of comjiarativcly moderate extent. 
It is only a few year.s — certainly within the memory 
of many citizens now living — that this district seemed 
of small account, but within the last thirty-five years 
it has made wonderful strides towards metropolitan 
dignity. It has a number of fine residences, as good 
as the best in town. In Cinussy Plain, also, you may 
find the best constructed, if not the largest, liat-factory 
in Bethel. It is a large structure, built of brick, and 
its business is conducted by the well-known firm of 
O. Benedict & Co. In good times, when hats are in 
lively demand and all hands — numbering one hun- 
dred or more — are at work, it can turn out from one 
hundred and twvnty-five dozen to one hundred and 
fifty dozen hats per day. 

This particular portion of the town will demand 
further notice as we progress in our observations 
about Bethel, ancient and modern. 

As Bethel was a portion of l)aid>ury at the date of 
the settlement of this i)art of the country, it follows 
naturally that a great deal of the early history of the 
younger place will be found in the records of the older 
one. Our town records were kept in Danbury, we 
voted at Danbury at Presidential elections, at State 
elections, and at town-meetings for many, many years. 
But as the first settlers came from Norwalk, they were 
obliged t<) piiss through the territory now belimging 
to Bethel in order to reach their new homes, on streets 
now called South and Main Streets iu the borough 
of Danbury. And these first settlers— the pioneers 
— had no smooth highway through Redding. Their 

• CoDtribntcd bj George Benedict, M.D. 




^^ 



/y 



T"' 



BKTIIEL. 



865 



first path was throiif;li the woods on tlie west side of tlie 
poiiil, and hi'tween that and the mountain. The ]ioiid 
now ealU'd "Synipang" (a good old Indian name it 
is) was, until tlie last quarter of a eentury, or per- 
chance thirty-five years at most, known as ■' IMilking- 
Vard I'on<l." The high hill on the west was always 
in the past called " Milking- Yard Mountain," and the 
broken, hilloeky land lperha])S one liundred acres) 
lying between pond and mountain was and still is 
known by t!ie name of " Milking- Yard Farm." The 
name came naturally enough. More than lifty years 
ago, in the tender years of infancy and childhood, did 
the writer hear from the old Revolutionary grand- 
sire about the trouble the early settlers had with their 
cattle, particularly the cows, for before these ])ionecrs 
had time to fence their grants, i)urchases, or farms, said 
cows would leave their " jiastures fresli" in the up- 
country an<l return to the familiar scenes where now 
stands Norwalk. To prevent the exodus of the beasts 
a fence was built across the niilking-yard farm, so- 
called, from the .south end of the jiond to the moun- 
tain on the west, the distance not being more than 
thirty rods. Here the progress of the cows towards 
their old home by the shore was stayed ; and Irom 
lionu's on what is now Danbury's Main Street lads 
and lasses, grave fathers and sedate mothers rode on 
horseback a distance of three miles to ndlk tlie cows, 
for there were no wagons hereabout in those early 
days. We can hanlly imagine the fun there nius*, 
have been. Each hcjrse, furnished with sadillc and 
pillion for the occasion, would carry from two to four 
gay passengers. The cows having been milked, were 
left to their own " sweet will," while man and maiden 
returned with brimming pails of the healthlid fluid. 
And thus it e(jntinued until the settlers could complete 
their houses and fence their fields. 

Why should not this territory be known as " Milk- 
ing-Yard " for all generation.s to come? in ]iassing, 
it may be remarked that the country on the east side 
of the ptnid has been known as Synipang from time 
ininieniorial, — the genuine Indian name. 

The " Milking- Yard Farm " has been in possession 
of one branch of the Benedict family for three genera- 
tions most surely, i)erhaps for as many more. The 
writer should know something of it, having jiaid taxes 
on the land to the treasurers of both Danburyand 
Ketliel. 

After the lai)se of years a more feasible route was 
found and opened Ijctweeii the new colony and the 
old home of its founders. The jiresent hiirliway, so 
far as can Ix^ learned at this date, corresponds very 
nearly with the one surveyed and laid out more than 
one hundred years ago. The present road is through 
the " Turkey Plain" neighliorhood, — a suggestive 
name indeed, for in the early history of the neighbor- 
hood there was an abundance of wild turkeys, and 
the name was given to this locality from tliis cir- 
cumstance. "Turkey Plain" lies on the cast side of 
" Milking- Yard I'ond." ' 



There were panthers also in the early years of this 
country. Tlu're is a rock on the mountain still 
known to some of us as "Painter Hock" (being an 
ablireviation for Panther Rock), where one of the 
ancestors of the writer, after a desperate fight, killed 
the furious animal. It is possible that from this 
same rock on the mountain the only view of the salt 
water of Lmig Island Sound can be obtained within 
the limits of this town ; but on a clear day in fall or 
winter, when the trees are bereft of fi)liage, one can 
willi iiakcil eye h:>i>k upon tlu' glancing waters of that 
p<irtion of the mighty ocean. 

"Silver Spring" lies a little north and west from 
the pond. Till' water is very clear. Its form is 
nearly circular, with a diameter of fifty feet or more, 
and was in days long gone by famous for the large 
sjieckled trout taken from its limpid wati'rs. It gives 
rise to a considerable stream whii'li, uniting with 
the one from " Milking-Yard Pond," flows through 
(irassy Plain, and the two contribute to the volume 
of the Still River. With the exception of the 
extreme southern portion of the tcrritcu'y of the town, 
tlie water-shed inclines to the north, and the streams 
are thus discharged into the Housatonie River near 
New Milford, in Litchfield County, and thence into 
the salt water between the villages of Stratford and 
Milford. 

As with nearly all c(donists, the fir<t care of our 
ancestors was to gain a livelihood, and as that must 
under the circumstances come from the soil, it follows 
that farming was the employment of the newcomers. 
And yet every house was a faet(UT <ni a small scale. 
Wool was carded by hand, and matron ami maiden 
made music with a spinning-wheel instead of a piano 
or organ. The cloth was woven at home and manu- 
factured into garments in the house, and worn by 
father and mother and the children. The farmers 
raised and dressed their own Hax also, ami this con- 
tinued to be the custom in .some families until within 
about fifty years. We could find linen sheets and 
])illow-eases of home manufacture even now witliout 
leaving the house where we write. Many of the liv- 
ing remember the broad old fireplace, with its cheer- 
ful blaze, before the advent of stoves. Fora number 
of years after stoves canie iiit<i use the old grand- 
fathers would have mithiiig to ilo with them. For- 
tunatidy wood was much more abundant then than at 
the present time. 

Through the war of the Revolution, liethel was 
loyal to the .Viuerican cause. Then' were but few 
loyalists in the society, and live of its citizens joined 
the American army. <>ii Salurday, April 211,1777, 
the Uritish army under (icn.'i'ryon marched through 
the place on its way to burn the military stores in 
Danbury. One of the few Tories who lived here 
sei'rctcd a deserter from the American army, Thom|i- 
son by name. 'I'hompson was hung .soon after in 
Newtown. 

In the summer and I'all of 177o a nialiiruant form 



866 



IIISTOllY OF FAIRFIKLD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



of dysentery prevailed iu this place. It was known 
as the " camp di.stempcr," from a supposition that it 
might have orij^inated in and spread from the quar- 
ters of tlie Revolutionary army. Within three 
months tlicre were about fifty deatlis in tiie society, 
tlic greater portion of the sufii'ring being among 
children. 

Fifty years and more ago the most prominent man- 
ufacturing interests in Bethel were comb-making and 
hatting, and perhaps the former was even more prom- 
inent than tlie latter. But the comb-makers are 
among the things that were. There is notliing done 
at the business in the town now. Yet within the 
writer's recollection there were a number of firms 
and individuals who carried on an extensive business. 
In Elmwood District, Mr. Azaracl Smith had a large 
factory which was surmr)unted by a cupola containing 
a bell. It depended upon a small stream for its power, 
but for its time was a large concern. It .stood near the 
house of James P. Ridge. Mr. Charles Smitli also 
had a shop in the same district a little east of the one 
just mentioned, nearly opposite the house formerly 
belonging to the late Joseph Taylor, Esq. The fac- 
tory of Mr. A. Smitii was destroyed by fire between 
forty and fifty years ago. 

In Plumtrees the firm of Charles and Horace 
Couch did for many years a large business. The 
building now known as Bartow's saw- and cider- 
mills was built by the brothers Couch for comb- 
making purposes. 

Charles Baruum also built a shoj) near the old fac- 
tory, and for a number of years carried on tlie busi- 
ness. This was afterwards owned by Deacon Asahel 
Dunning and used as a hat-shop. 

There were others, belonging to different members 
of the Williams family, in tlic near vicinity, and others 
in the village. Of all kinds of factories and shops 
for the manufacture of combs, in 1840, there were 
not less than twenty. 

The manufacture of hats has not only held its old 
footing, but has absorbed almost everything else in 
the way of goods to be sent out of town for sale. The 
facilities for getting grain from the fertile Western 
States has made farming in these sterile New Eng- 
land towns a secondary consideration, and young men 
who are raised on the farm, as a rule, quit the old 
homestead, and either learn a trade or emigrate to the 
large cities or to the West. Of cour.se many of these 
have helped to swell the company of hatters, so tliat 
now more than a thousand of our population depend 
upon employment in this trade for a support. There 
are at lea-st fourteen establishments in town devoted 
to this work. A few of them are small sliops, but 
seven or eight of them do a large business. In a 
go<id trade the semi-monthly payments for labor 
amount to three thousand dollars, or even four thou- 
sand dollars, in each of several of the larger factories. 

The earlie.st reliable account of this business in 
Bethel dates back to 1793, when there were four small 



shops, in which boys, ;i~ ;ii'i)rentice3, did most of the 
work. Of these, Zar Dibble's shop stood on the 
ground now occupied by Ferr>''s Block, corner of 
Centre and Chestnut Streets. Capt. Eli Taylor's was 
a little west of his house, the place now occupied by 
Eli T. Andrews. Thomsis Taylor's shop stood just 
west of his house, in Grassy Plain. This house, ap- 
parently as old as the oldest in town, is the first dwel- 
ling near the highway, east of " The Willows" shop, 
and near the entrance to W. Kyle's Oakland farm. 

The shop of Eli Ilickok, the fonrth in this enu- 
meration, stood where Mr. E. T. Farnam now lives. 
In those days hats were made mostly of lamb's wool, 
napped with "back muskrat." Belly muskrat was 
considered too fine and short for use in those days. 
The hats were lieavy, unwieldy head-gear compared 
with the specimens of the present time, but they had 
the virtue of durability, and one style of those days 
would outlast a half-score of such as we are now in 
the luibit of using. 

In the course of years business increased, and shops 
were built in the out.side districts. There were a num- 
ber in Wildcat (now Elmwood) District, and in Plum- 
trees and Wolfpits Districts, until they amounted at 
one time to more than twenty different places of man- 
ufacture. Some of these were small concerns in small 
buildings, just sufficient to contain one sizing-kcttle 
and room for the men to work around it. But of late 
years they have become centralized, and, with two ex- 
ceptions, the hatting business of the town is carried on 
in the Centre and (Jrassy Plain Districts. 

The following is a list of the firms and individuals 
now engaged at hat-making: Messrs. Cole & Ambler^ 
George G. Durant, Judd & Co., Judd & DunningJ 
George A. Hickok & Son, H. Hickok & Co., F. Mc 
Kenzie, Judd & Judson, Charles W. Smith, — the 
above are in Centre District ; O. Benedict & Co., E. T.J 
Fariiam, Short Brothers, (rnussy Plain ; Reuben Tay- 
lor, Elmwood ; Nelson Taylor, Plumtrees. 

Connected with the hat-making interest, Mr. Hugh 
Reid, of Grassy Plain, ha,s a large factory for making 
paper-boxes, and in Centre District Theodore Clarke, 
Esq., has another for the same kind of work. Tlu^re 
are also two factories for the manufacture of cases or 
large wooden boxes, in which the hats are shi|i]ied to 
market. New York is the immediate destination for 
the product^s of the factories here, althougli bctbre the 
late war many firms sent their goods to Southern and 
Western cities, where some of them had partners and 
stores. At one time the work was almost exclusively 
upon silk hats, but of late, for twenty years perhaps, 
the sol^ and stifi" liats only have. been made. 

Of stores, there are eleven in the grocery business, 
although two of them, E. S. Barnum & Co. and J. J. 
Meyer, keep dry goods also. Mr. C. II. Hoyt, in 
I-'erry's Block, keeps a large stock of dry goods. 
There arc three market.s for the sale of meat and 
vegetables, and two that supply fresh fish and vege- 
tables. There is one military company of about sixty 



BETHEL. 



SGI 



membprs, Frederick (Vile, (if Redilinj;-, captain. The 
conqiaiiy have a fine arnidrv over town-hall. 

^\"e liave a Masonic lodjie, e-;tablislied in 1857. and 
nunilieriTiL' about one liundred and sixty menibers. 
Tlicrc is a lodge of Kniglits of Pytliias, Sons of Tem- 
perance, and a Band of Ho])e for tlie youni;-. 

Tlie r)anl)ury anil Xorwall; Railroad runs freiiuent 
trains through the place, and the Shepang Branch 
Railroad gives us a connection with the llousntonic 
Railroad, and is a continuation iVoiii ll:iwleyvilli' of 
the 8hepaug Roa<l between that place and Litchlield. 

Of physicians, we (ind the name simply of Dr. Peter 
Hayes, a.s far back as 178.'), as a member of the Eccle- 
siastical Society, but learn nothing more of his history. 
During the present century there have been Drs. 
Orvis Taylor, Samuel Banks, Ransom Lyon, H. N. 
Bennett, and Josejdi Clarke, deceased. Dr. E. V. 
Bennett, the celebrated surgeon and physician of 
Danbury, commenced the jiractice of his profession 
in Bethel, and removed from this place to Daidiury 
forty-two years ago, in 1888. There have been sev- 
eral other nu'dical nuMi engaged in [iracticc here for 
longer or shorter periods, .some of whom ari' living in 
other jilaces. Dr. R. Lyon, whose name has been 
mentioned among the deceased, was at the time of his 
death, August, 1803, surgeon of the Twenty-eighth 
Regiment Connecticut Volunteers. He died and was 
buried at Port Hudson, La. Of the present physi- 
cians, Drs. C. R. Hart and A. E. Barber are in active 
practice, and Dr. George Benedict, on account of ill 
health, attends but little to his profession. Drs. Hart 
and Benedict served as surgeons in Co]i?iecticut regi- 
ments during a partof the war of the Rebellion. The 
three are graduates of meilical colleges of the regular 
practice. 

One of the great institutions of Bethel is its water 
supply. It is conducted through iron mains from the 
reservoir near Mountain Pond, more than a mile dis- 
tant, and is of excellent quality and almndant in 
quantity. It is in general or universal use in the hat- 
factories, and in more than one hundred and twenty 
dwellings. 

It is not right to neglect mention of our boot- and 
shoe-stores. Messrs. A. 15. Jjockwooil and W. ferry 
keep su|>plies for the multitude on haml, and mauu- 
lacture to order :vs required. Then' are also two 
news- and stationery-stores, two barbcr-shoiis, and 
two hotels conducted on temperance principles. In- 
deed, the town has always voted " no li<'ensc,'" and if 
any liquors are sold in the town, it is done on the sly 
and in violation of the law. 

At time of its being chartc>red, or made a siqiarate 
town. Bethel contained a population of sevi'uteen 
hundred and eleven. At the census taken in .Tune of 
this year (18SI»), it was found to be two thousaml 
seven hundred and twenty-six. 

We have too W(dl-organized fire an<l hose-compa- 
nies, and two excellent well-drilled bands of music. 

During the war of the Revolution Bethel furnished 



five soldiers. During the war of 1S12 there were nine 
went forth, and during the late war of the Rebellion 
there were oik.' hundreil and thirty-three furnished by 
this town. 

The Hatters' Bank of Bethel was chartereil in lS."il>, 
with a capital of on<' hundred thousand dollars. 
Capt. Isaac H. Seeley was its first president, and Mr. 
Starr Ferry was the first cashier. It met with several 
losses in the early years, and in August, 18ri8, of all 
the contents of its vault. It was finally closcil in 
18(i7. H. IL Baird, Es.|., was its last president, and 
William A. Judd the cashier. 

ECCLESIA.'^TKWI, IlISTOIiY. 

In the month of October, 17.5il, the first stejis were 
taken to form an ecclesiastical society in the southern 
]iart of Danbury. A petition was sent to the Governor 
and company in Assendily at New Haven, and the 
report of a committee that had been a])pointed by the 
Assenildy in theiireviims j\Iay was favorably received. 
Certain bounds and linuts were set forth in a memorial 
of Ebenezer Hickok, Lemuel Beebe, and others, and it 
was liixolri-)!, " That they shall be and hereby are nuulo 
into a distinct ecclesiastical society, to be known and 
called by the name of Bethel, with the same powers 
and privileges as other ecclesiastical .societies do 
enjoy." 

This, then, is the starting-point of the ('ongrega- 
tional Church in Bethel, dating nearly seventy-five 
years after the first settlement of Danbury. The first 
meeting subsequent to the above order, and in ac- 
cordance with it, was held at the house of Isaac Iloyt, 
Esq., Nov. 12, 18.')'.), before Thomas Benedict, justice 
of the jieace. The territory was thiidy settled, and 
there were but few houses wliere the lively village is 
now loi'ated. Yet even at this first meeting it was 
voted to call a can<lidate to preach in said society, 
and also "to build a house of worship which shoidd 
be forty-eight by thirty-six feet, and twenty-onc' feet 
between joints." The sides of the house were to 
be covered with oak shingles riven three feet long. 
Capt. Ebeneze r Hick ok presented to the society land 
for a burying-grouiul and the site for a meeting- 
house. 

On the 2(lth of .\ugust, 17i)0, it was voted "to call 
the worthy Mr. Noah Wetmore to the work of the 
gospel ministry in and for this society." On the loth 
of (October following, "Sir. Wetmore accepte<l the call 
and was ordaiiuMl Nov. 2.'i, 18(10. 

The Council convenecl for the ordiiuition of the first 
minister, one hundred and twenty years ago, consisted 
of the following members: Elisha Kent, Ebenezer 
White, David .ludson, .lames Beebe, Ezrahiah Wet- 
more, Elijah Sill, Nathiuiiel Bartlett, Robert Ro.ss, 
.lames Taylor, Thomas Brooks, Elnatlnin (iregory, 
Mr. John Ryder, Mr. Richard Fairman, Dinicons El- 
nathan Wheeler, Samuel Trowbridge, Jo.scph Smith, 
Elizur Hamlin. 

Rev. Jlr. White preached the sermon, Mr. Kent 



868 



HISTORY OF FATRFIKLD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



made the prayer of ordination, Rev. Mr. Judson gave 
the p.Tstoral cliarge, and Mr. Sill presented the right 
hand of fellowship. 

A form of confession of faith and covenant was 
udo])tc<l, and, by recomnieudation of the Rev. Mr. 
Wliito, the following per.-ions from the First Church 
in Danbury " were embodied into a distinct Church 
of Christ in full communion:" 

John Benedict and his wife, Rachel Benedict; 
Ehene/.cr Hickok and his wife, Esther Hickok; 
Philip .Judd and his wife, Lydia Judd; Nathan 
Taylor ; .Solomon Ferry and his wife, Mrs. Ferry ; 
Tlieophilus Taylor and his wife, Sarah Taylor; Ben- 
jamin .Judd and his wife, Sarah Judd; Nathaniel 
Benedict and his wife, Hannah Benedict; Abra- 
ham Benedict and his wife, Anah Benedict; James 
Crofut and his wife, Lydia Crofut ; Ephraim Bar- 
num and his wife, Ruth Barnum; Lemuel Beebe; 
John Dibble and his wife, Sarah Dibble; Ebenezcr 
I'latt and his wife, Marah Piatt; Benjamin Benedict 
and his wife, .\bigail Benedict; Benjamin Judd, .Ir. ; 
Simeon Rockwell and his wife, Mrs. Rockwell ; Nathan 
Taylor and his wife, Mary Taylor; Jabez Taylor and 
his wife, Hannah Taylor; Samuel Judd and his wife, 
Hannali Judd; Samuel Hoyt and his wife, Jerusha 
Hoyt; Matthew Taylor; Ebenezer Munson and his 
wife, Mrs. Munson ; Jolin Benedict and his wife, ] 
Lydia Benedict; Noah Rockwell and his wife, Mary 
Rockwell ; Stephen Trowbridge and his wife, Lydia 
Trowbridge; Isaac Hoyt and his wife, Sarah Hoyt; ' 
Benjamin Taylor; Phincas Judd and his wife, Deb- 
orah Judd; Joseph Ferry and his wife, Rachel Ferry; 
Nathaniel Hoyt and his wife, Ruth Hoyt ; Jonathan 
Beebe; Samuel Benedict and his wife, Mrs. Bene- 
diet; Eliphalct Peck and his wife, Rebecca Peck; 
Jesse Peck; Joseph Beebe and his wife, Mrs. Beebe; ! 
Widow Sarah Benedict, Sarah Judd, Mrs. Hannah 
Seeley, Sarah Bush, Mrs. Lydia Bailey. Total, sev- 
enty-one members. 

During Mr. Wetmore's ministry in Bethel there 
was difficulty in the parent church in Danbury, which 
caused some disaflection in the new society. It was 
caused by the introduction of the Sandemanian doc- 
trines, so called from Rev. Robert Sandeman, from 
Scotland, who died and was buried in Danbury. Mr. 
Wetniore was very earnest in his preaching against 
the new doctrines. There were other causes of 
disturbance during this ])astorate. Mr. Wetmore 
preached to this ])eople twenty-four years. There is 
no record to be found of admissions to the church 
during this i)eriod. Mr. Wetniore was a graduate of 
Yale College, " a faithful (ireacher, and in social life 
an agreeable and instructive companion." 

After Mr. Wetmore's dismission there was much 
division of coun.sel and action in the society, and a 
number of the members were strongly disjiosed to 
disbanil and return to Danbury. Such counsels did 1 
not ]>revail, but it was seven years before they could 
find a preacher to settle with them uj)OU whom a ma- 



jority were agreed. Still, during this interval they 
hired a number of ministers, some of them for one 
year and some of them for a shorter term, and the 
catalogue (issued in 1870) enumerates the names of 
sixty new members admitted during this i)eriod. 
Capt. John Benedict and Capt. Ebenezer Hickok, the 
tirst deacons in the church, were appointed Feb. 11, 
176L 

Rev. John Ely, a young minister from Lyme, who 
had preached acceptably as a candidate, received a 
call to settle. Sept. 6, 1791. The call was favorably 
entertained, and he was ordained November .'Jlst of 
that year. The meeting-house had been in use now 
thirty-six years, with only partial finishing inside, 
when in 1797 it was accomplished. The lower Hoor 
was furnished with pews, a pulpit built, a floor laid 
in the gallery and a bre:istwork and one seat around 
it, and two fliglits of stairs. 

Mr. Ely remained with the church twelve and one- 
half year.^, and was dismissed June 7, 1.S04. He was 
a graduate of Yale College, in class 1776, being a 
student at the time the college wiis temporarily closed 
in consequence of the approach of the British army. 

In ISOG the Rev. Samuel Sturges, who had ])reai'lied 
several weeks or months in 1790 very acceptably, re- 
ceived a regular call to become the settled juistor. 
He accepted and was installed April 9th of that year. 

Mr. Sturges preached nearly six years with no 
events of jiartieular importance, unless it was an i/i- 
crcashit) difficulty in raising funds to meet the annual 
salary.* 

.\tter the resignation and dismissal of Jlr. Sturges 
there was a long interval of ten years during which 
the church and society were without a settled pastor. 
During much of tiie time, it is true, they had preachers 
from adjoining towns, and at other tinier public wor- 
ship was conducted by officers of the church. 

The first Sunday-school was organized in 181S, 
during tlie interval. Rev. Burr Baldwin was the orig- 
inator, and he supplied a few tracts and pamphlets 
for the use of the scholars. Mr. Seth Seelye gathered 
a Sunday-school in Grassy Plain the next summer, 
which was supplied with a valuable library for those 
early days, and had an attendance of from thirty to 
fifty scholars. 

In November, 1821, the church and sjciety ex- 
tended a unanimous call to Rev. John G. Lowe, of 
Bedford, N. Y., to settle with them. He accepted 
and was installed Jan. 1, 1K22. "Mr. L')we was an 
English minister who had emigrated to this country 
with his family a few years before, and whose educa- 
tion had been at the Dissenting Seminary at Homer- 
ton, under the celebrated Dr. John Pye Smith." 

In 1824 additional seats were made in the galleries, 
and in 1S28 the first bell was procured. Mr. Lowe 
was dismissed Jan. 2<», 1S29, his ministry having con- 
tinued seven years. 



♦ Mr. SlurgM wa« al»o a grnilimto of Vnio College, of cUm of 1"p7. 



BETHEL. 



8G9 



Rev. Erastus Colo, from (Jtsogo Co., N. Y., w.is in- 
vilr<l k) licttle Any;, (i, l.s:{(), uiid was installcil :is pas- 
tor on Scptombor 2i(th of that yoar. Duriii;;- the next 
year, l.S:i], fifty -seven nienjliers were aiUleil to tlie 
eliureli. In 1.SH2 the nieetiiifr-li'Hisc was repaireil ami 
the modern stylo of slips were substituted for the 
old-fashionod square pews. 

Mr. Cole was dismissed Sept. 'Jd, 18:57, having been 
jiastor seven years. 

A few months after Jlr. Colo's dismission Rev. 
.Tohn Oreenwood, who ha<l recently arrived in this 
eountry i'roni England, was ealled to settle, which 
eall he aoeepted and was installed A|jril 17, ls;ix. 

Mr. Greenwood's lu'alth was feelile, and, perliaps 
mainly on this account, lie was dismissed IVdiu the 
charge on the 27th of .\pril, 1S42. 

On the night of tlie 21st of July of that year the 
meeting-house was totally destroyed by lire, the tlanu's 
being eoiamunicatcd to it by the burning of a large 
barn ilirectly in the rear. The society voted at once to 
rebuild, the new house to be fifty-two feet by tliirty- 
eight feet. During tlie autumn and winter public 
worship was held in a small room known as Temper- 
ance JIall, corner of Elm and JIaple Streets, and in 
tlie basement of the new structure. Here under the 
l>astoral care of Rev. .Tames Kiiox. of Xorwalk, who 
was only a temporary supply, there was a very great 
religious awakening. The new house was soon com- 
])leted and was dedicateil June 1, 1843, on which oc- 
casion Mr. Knox ]ireache(l a dedicatory sermon, and 
on the following Sunday, .f une 4th, one hnndre<l and 
twenty-five members were added to the church. 

The society eontinueil without a settled minister 
until Xov. 4, 184G, at which ilate Rev. Sylvanus 
Haiglit, recently from Pottsville, I'a., was installed. 
Tlis ministry was of short duration, as he was dis- 
missed Feb. 8, 1848. 

Alter Mr. Haiglit there was an interregnum of 
nearly a year, when Rev. ,Iohn S. ^Vllittlesey was set- 
tled. His term as minister conliniied two years, and 
he W'as dismissed .Ian. 1, 18ri2. 

On IMarch 28, ]8.->3, the Rev. W'lieelo.k Nye Har- 
vey was onlaineil. His ministry was very successful, 
but it terminated .luiie 21), ISfHS. 

In 18 ■).'), when Ilethel was set off as a separate town, 
tliesociety, by a change of its charter, became the First 
Ecclesia-stical Society of tlie town of Rethel. 

On Dec. :W, 18');), it was voted " That there be a 
committee of si.\ to consider the propriety of a centen- 
nial celebration of the organization of this church, and 
re]K)rt to a future meeting." This committee re|>orted 
favorably, and liov. Dr. 1,. I'. II ickok, then president of 
Union Cidlego, and a native of this town, was re- 
<juested to prepare a historical discour.se for the occa- 
sion. He accepted the invitation, and the day se- 
lected for the celebration was Xov. 30, 18(iO. 

Many of the facts thus far in the history of thia 
<luirch have been coiideiised from the above-men- 
tioned historical discoursi- uf Dr. H ickok. 



Rev. Elijah C. Baldwin was called to settle as i)as- 
tor ill .Imu', ISCO, and was ordained Sept. o, 18(H). Mr. 
lialdwin remained pastor about live years, having 
hern dismissed Fcl). .'i, ISC.'i. 

On the llth c,f May of that year llie church met 
its sell, iid loss of tlicir liouso of worship. It was the 
result of a terrible tornado, which sent (he tall spire 
tlirough the roof into the liody of the strui'ture below. 
Divine services were liidd during the time occupied 
in building a new edifice in Fisher's Hall and in the 
old house of worship, whi<di has been removed and 
repaired for a [lublie ball. The iii^w house was fin- 
ished aiifl dedicated in .lanuary, ixr,7. In August, 
18()i), more than four years alter the dismissal of Mr. 
Italdwin, Rev. Robert C. Bell was unanimously called 
to settle, and was ordained Xov. 3, ISli'J. This pas- 
torate was of short duration. Mr. liell was dismissed 
by his own request after a settlement of less than two 
and a half years, April 1S72. 

An interval of a little more than a year ela[)sed, 
wheii_a call was extended to the present incundient. 
Rev. (leorge F. Waters. He was (u'dained in .Inly, 
1872. The church continued to increase in numbers 
and in resources, and has a present membership of 
three hundred ami forty-five. The Sunday-school is 
alsii prospering, and, including olticers and teachers, 
numbers two hundrecl ami fifty, with a valualjlc 
library consisting of six hundred and eighty volumes. 
The value of the church property, including a con- 
vi'iiient [larsonage, is from twenty-five thousand to 
twenty-eight thousand (hdlars. 

.\ union Sunday-school, thongli mostly ollicered by 
members of the Congregational Churcli, has been 
sueceisliilly conducted at the sebool-liduse in Plum- 
trees District, during the summer and autumn, for 
many years. The attendance will average forty (U' 
more, and tlic district library contains more than one 
hundred volumes. 

The officers of the church at the present time are: 
I'astor and ('lerk, Kev. Ceorge F. Waters; Deacons, 
.V. L. licncdict, W. \y. Sherman, Sauuud Kyle, and 
Charles Bailey. 

I'ASToltS. 

1. [lev. Xoah Wetmore, ordained Xov. 2.'), 171)0; 
dismissed Nov. 2, 17S4; died .March H, 17il(), aged 
sixty-live. 

2. Rev. .bihn Ely, ordained Xov. 31, 1701 ; dis- 
missed July 7, bsol; died Nov. 2, 1X27, aged .si.xty- 

four. 

3. Rev. Samuel Stnrges, installed April i), 1806; 
dismissed Dec. 11, 1811; died Xov. 22, 18.3.^), aged 
sixty-eight. 

4. Rev. .lolin (i. Eowe, installed Jan. 1, 1822; dis- 
missed .Ian. 20, 1.S21I; died .March 1, 180,''), aged sixty- 
seven. 

i o. Rev. Erastus Cole, installed Sept. 2!), 18.30; dis- 
' missed Sei)t. 21), 183)7; die<l (date and age unknown). 

' 0. Rev. John (ireeiiw 1, installed .Vpril 17, 1838; 

dismisse.1 April 27, 1S42; died 1871). 



vippqp^VNPfmnVMI 



870 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



7. Rev. Sylvanus Haight, installed Nov. 4, 1846 ; 
tlhsmissed Feb. S, 1848 (date of death unknown). 

8. Rev. John Whittlesey, installed Dec. 12,1849; 
dismissed .Tan. 1, 18.52 (date of death unknown). 

9. Rev. Wliceloek Nye Harvey, ordained May 18, 
1853; dismissed June 29, 1858. 

10. Rev. Elijah C. Baldwin, ordained Sept. 5, 1860; 
dismissed Feb. 5, 1865. 

11. Rev. Robert C. Bell, ordained Nov. 3, 1869; 
dismissed April, 1872. 

12. Rev. George F. Waters, ordained July, 1872. 

DE.\COXS. 

Capt. John Bcnediet, appointed Feb. 11, 1761; 
Capt. Ebcnezcr Hickok, appointed Feb. 11, 1761 ; 
Phineas Judd ; Lieut. .Tohn Dibble, appointed Oet. 
17, 1771; Benjamin Benedict, appointed Sept. 29, 
1774; Steplien Trowbridge, appointed Oet. 3, 1776; 
Lieut. James Seelyc, appointed Oct. 30, 1790; Eben- 
czer Silliman, appointed Oct. 30, 1790; Oliver Bene- 
dict, appointed Feb. 8, 1797 ; Daniel Judd, appointed 
December, 1803 ; Capt. Eliakim Benedict, appointed 
June 4, 1806; Ira Benedict, appointed July, 1803; 
Ephraim Barnum, appointcii July, 1813; Ebenezer 
Hiekok, ajipointed 1818; Elud Taylor, appointed 
1818 ; Najah Benedict, appointed Sept. 28, 1832 ; Seth 
Seelye, appointed Sept. 28, 1832 ; Elizur Benedict, 
appointed Sept. 10, 1841 ; Asahel Dunning, appointed 
Sept. 10, 1841 ; Munson Lockwood, appointed Oct. 
29, 1844; Matthew W. Starr, aj.pointed Oct. 29, 1844; 
Henry O. Judd, ap|)ointed Dec. 15, 1848; George A. 
Hickok, aj)pointed Nov. 10, 1853 ; Andrew L. Bene- 
dict, appointed Nov. 10, 1853 ; William A. Judd, 
appointed March 1, 1863 ; AV'illiam W. Sherman, 
appointed March 1, 1863; Olivet Stone, appointed 
Jan. 1, 1871 ; Samuel Kyle, appointed October, 1875; 
Charles Bailey, appointed December, 1878. 

The oldest living member of the church is Capt. 
Lemuel Beebce, in the eighty-ninth year of his age. 

II [STORY OKTUE PARISH OF ST. TIIOM.AS' CIIURCU. 

St. Thomas' Church, Bethel, was organized as a sep- 
arate parish on Monday, in Easter week, April 13, 
1846, having been for eleven years previously a 
chapel of St. James' Church, Danbury. Its first ofli- 
i ers were Everett Clark, Senior Warden ; Starr Ferry, 
Junior Warden; Ira Benedict, William Hinman, 
Samuel Judd, Shernum Ferry, George Clapp, Ves- 
trymen. 

The following ])ersons were also among the original 
corporators of the parish : Samuel Judd, George 
Ferry, Hiram Cole, .Tabez Trowbridge, Orrin Bene- 
dict, .lames Heebce, William Shejiard, George B. Bea- 
chcm, Ru.ssell Eaton, James Starr t 'lark, Abram .Stone, 
('lark B. Ferry, Noah S. Barnum, Whipple Williams, 
Eliakim Trowbridge, Charles H. Shepard, James 
Morrow, Levi Beebee, Horace R. Quick, Henry Wil- 
liams. # 

The church edifice was erected during the summer 



of 1835, and consecrated October 26th of the same 
year. It was subsecjuently enlarged, furnished with 
a new bell and organ, and reopened with dedicatory 
services, Nov. 14, 1855, at a cost of three thousand 
six hundred dollars. The parsonage wa.s purchiised 
Jan. 15, 1849. 

The first rectors were the Revs. David H. Short, 
Thomas G. Guion, John Purves, Henry Olmsted, and 
William Everett. The Rev. Mr. Purves was then re- 
called, Jan. 23, 1847, remaining six years, and laying 
solid foundations for future growth. Ho was suc- 
ceeded, in September, 1853, by the Rev. George Rum- 
sey, who, after a faithful rectorship of nearly seven 
years, resigned before Easter, 1860. The Rev. C. C. 
Barclay was then rector for one and a half years, and 
the Rev. F. D. Lewin for about two years, and wivs 
succeeded by the present incumbent, the Rev. Eugene 
C. Pattison, who entered upon his duties the first 
Sunday in April, 1868. 

The church jiroperty, including the rectory, is esti- 
mated to be worth sixteen thousand dollars, and is 
entirely free from debt. 

The present officers of the church are Harry S. 
Glover, Senior Warden ; Zalmon Whitlock, Junior 
Warden; Orrin Benedict, Charles Peck, William H. 
Barnum, George M. Cole, Jo.seph W. Burr, William 
O. Bassett, E. T. Andrews, Vestrymen ; Edwin Short, 
Treasurer ; Robert S. Dauchy, Clerk ; D. F. Taylor, 
Sunday-school Superintendent. 

The church now numbers one hundred and sixty 
families and two hundred and eight communicants; 
the Sunday-school, fourteen teachers and one hun- 
dred and fifty scholars. 

The brotherhood and ladies' society have been 
fruitful in good works, and this parish, now only in 
its forty-fifth year, is in a Uourishing condition, and 
may well " thank God" for the past and " take cour- 
age" for the future. 

The foregoing concise history was kindly furnished 
by the esteemed rector. Rev. Mr. Pattison. 

HISTORY OF THE METHODI.ST EPI.^COP.XL CHl'UCH. 

The origin of this, the youngest of the three 
churches in our village, was quite humble. Its his- 
tory, however, is only a fresh proof that it is not well 
to deapise the day of small things. 

It wiis in the winter of 1S37 that five persons — 
namely, Mr. and Mrs. Horace Trowbridge, lleman 
Benedict and wife, and Miss Laura Trowbridge — met 
at the house now occui)ied by Mr. Erie Wood, which 
then belonged to (and was occupied by) Mr. Trow- 
bridge. At this time Rev. Jacob Shaw was preaching 
in Danbury, and occasionally holding meetings in 
Plumtrees District, in Bethel. Being unable to at- 
tenil worship in D.inbury, these five above mentioned 
and a few neighbors met* together for prayer and 
clnss-mceting. The numbers interested in this early 
movement rapidly increased, and they were soon com- 
pelled to find larger quarters. There were a number 



BETHEL. 



871 



of conversions from the outset, and their plaec of 
meeting was erowcleil. During 18.'i!l they occupied as 
a place of worsliip a hall cm tlu-. corner of Elm and 
^lajile Streets. Here they had iircaching by a min- 
ister from Danbury once in four weeks, and the dis- 
trict meetings in I'huutrees were discontinued except 
on irregular occasions. 

At this time they bci"un<' connected with the Con- 
ference circuit wliicb at that time included Ridge- 
tield, Danbury, and roi)lar I'lains, thus making a 
four weeks' circuit. They then removed to a hall 
suitably furnished for a place of worsliip, a few doors 
north of the corner, on Maple Street. This building 
was destroyed by lire during their occupancy, and 
they removed to .ludd's Jlall, over the store now oe- 
cujiicd by li. Sparks <in ;\[ain Street, opp<isite the 
Congregational church, anil here they continued to 
worslii]) until the building of their first church edi- 
fice in 1848 on Centre Street. This building, with 
reiieated enlargements, is now known as Judd&Co.'s 
liat-l'actory. 

licv. Levi Perry was the first preacher, and entered 
uiMin liis ilutics in 18-18. He was succeeded l)y Rev. 
.Morris Hill in 1S4'.I, and in this year the Long Ridge 
Society united with liethel, and Mr. Hill was assisted 
by Ucv, Ellas (iilliert, a local jircacher, now living in 
Ridgclield. In 1S.')1 and 18.')2, Rev. Horace Barllett 
was pastor; in 18o3 and 18.')4, Rev. O. S. Stillman ; 
in IS.V) and IX.Xi, Rev. S. H. .Smith; and in 1857 and 
1858, Rev. John ('rawford. During his term of ser- 
vice there was a season of great religious interest, 
and during its jirogress there were more than one 
hundred conversions. 

The Rev. D. ()^born<' succeeded Mr. Crawford, 
1850. Diu-ing IXIJO, and until 18tl3, Rev. S. H. IVase 
was pastor, and it was during his jiastorate that the 
jiresent large and commodious house of worship was 
eri'ctcd. Rev. .1. S. Hreekcnridgc j)reached from 1803 
to 18(i(;. Rev. I!. V. .Vbbott was jiastor for the three 
following years, licv. \V. .L Roliinson remained one 
year. Kcv. T. N. Laim- prca(die<l two years, and was 
succeeded by Kcv. E. H. Duteher, and Rev. George 
A. I'arkington succeeded Mr. Duteher. Rev. A. V. 
Cluipman was ne.xt in order of succession, remaining 
in charge three years. The present incumbent. Rev. 
W'm. I'rinvn, now in tli(>, second year of his piistorate, 
tolliiwed Mr. Chapman. During all these years the 
cliurch has continued to increase in numbers and 
infhu'uce, and is now in a healthy condition. The 
present number of nuMubers ol tliis churcli is two 
liumlred. 

The Sunday-school has six officers, twenty-two 
teach(-rs, one hnixlred and seventy-five scholars, 
— total, two Imndn'd and threes 

Ntimber of volumes in Siimlay-sehool library is two 
hundred. Value of eliul^di property, including the 
parsonage, seventeen thousand dollars. 

The oldest mend)er is Mr. C'yrus Andrews, in the 
ninetieth vear of his ago. 



(iltAND IJST, 1-<n. 

The folhiwing valuable table is the grand list for 
the town of r.cthcl fur 1711:!: 



I!,.I..Tt 

.fl., Itcl.clt.. 

i..Ii.lin 

.K.li'ii 

Isiuu: 

•l"M.|.h 

, NuUiiiiiiiM... 
, ni'iiiijuli 



, f;Ui 



Anili. 

Aiiiii.ws 

A 11.1 1. • 

Aii.hi-WK 

Aiiiiicws 

li.Mu.ili.t, 

li.Ml.'.li. 

l!i-ii.-ili.t, 
JiiMii'din, 
llcil.'.li. 
ll.-ii.'.li.- 

IS.-ii.-iliil, S.lli 

Ik-ni-.li.-t, A1..-I 

llL'lK-.li.t, liii , 

l!.'in..li.t,.l..liii 

ll<-in-.lkt,.li., Ili-z..kiiili.. 
H.Mi.'.li.I, AbikI 

,.lr., llHvi.l 

, li.v..-l,iiili 

.Iiii.i.-s 

, Williiuii 

,.Ir., Kl.-ii/.T 

, NilllMlli.-l.. 

iitli; 



i. s 
•29 1, 



l!<.|li-.li, 
li.-lu'lli.t. 

Il.'lll'.li.t, 
Jl.lll-.ll,- 

It.MI.'.li. 
I!<M...li. I,.ll. 
1-1, .1,. 



40 M 
11 



ll. 


la u 

S.) 
40 

ir> 

r.i) 

14 

18 :i 

.">« 

l(i I) 

li 9 

17 

2 :i 
u 



II 



Hi 



HI 

x, 
]:i 
m 
44 U 






B 
10 f> 



3 






l!:ii'tiiiiit, ICiiliriiiiii.. 



lliinii 
H;ii"iiiiiii. 

Ml Ill 

lliuiiiuii 
ISiiiliiilii 



, Mijiili. 
Abol 

..ll.. ICpliiiiiMi 

.Mallli.'W 

, .ll . Miitlln-w 

Hum ii:iiii,l 

ItuniiiMi, |i!i\i.l 

Itai inini, .Jr., Kziii 

llliriinili, l>:i/;ll-iis 

liuniuiii, l..vi 

it.iiiitiiii, Jr., .Ii.s.-iiti... 

liuil.-.v.Siiiiiiicl 

Itiiil.-j', Itfiiiaiuiii 

llaili-v, KliMZiT 

lici.l,,., .I„s.-pli 

IV.-ln., .Ir., .I..M-pli 

I).-.I..-, Li'iiiiic'l 

1!i-.-l,... Klh.-l 

li.-.-l..-. Iv.l 11.1 

riiiitii-1.1. SamiU'l 

Cn.lul,Suniii.-l 

eii>liit,.lr., Saiuiu-I 

I'll. fill, Si-. 'Iv.' 

Cuilul, Uuiii.-l 

CmliK, .llJ^i!lh 

I'.iiiisl,.,k, M 

llil.l.l.-, Saii.ii.l 

llil.l.|i.,.Ir, .Samuel 

Uil.l.l.'. 'rii..|iiiis 

IliM.I.', Ualiiiah 

liil,l,l.-,.l.i.l.-.linli 

Uil.l.l.., .I..1111 

llil.l.l.',/ai 

Kliii..!.'. Il./..l,iali 

ITaVfS, P.-I.i- 

1I..1...111I., l.iith.T 

.Iiiil.l, liaiii.-I 

.1.1.1.1, llavi.j 

.iMilll, Klillll 

.lu.l.l, ICl.cM.-ziT 

.hi.l.l, Klijah, 

Jii.l.l, lt.-.ij:iiiiiii 

.Ia.-..l..sl'hilii. 

.Iii.lw.li, Aii.lii-w , 

.l.liliili^H, llallitt 

l.a.J, Aai..li 

I.aiy, Ah.'l 

M.VKalt..lr.. Kli 

Ni.i Ilir..]!. 'I'lioiupson . 

I'lalt, l';i..-i../..-r 

I'rimll.-, William , 

IVili,.l.-..K.- 

I'.'ik, It.-niainiii 

IV.k, Calvin 

IV.k, Kli].lial.t 

I'Vri.v, Kli|ilial..t 

FiTi.v, n.-iijamiii 

r.-rry, .I.,Nliua 

K.Tiv, Dl.i-in-ztir 

lli.li.ik. Kli.'iiracr- 

Ili.k..k, ll:iiii,.| 

Iliik..k, ll.-iijamiii 

Ili.kok. Kli 

Hi. k.ik ,V JIvKHtt 

II.i\l, Nalh'l 

n..vt, Miaji.h 

II..VI,.lali;.» 

II..M, .l.'^M. 

II. .\t, S.iniiul 

■|l..vl,.l.i«liiiii 

lli.jl, Thcpliiliis 



35 
li:! in 
72 10 



4 





II 

:i 

]\i 

a 

11! 

:t 

7 II 



10 
IS II 



li 4 

:h 

71 n 

:!:> 10 

3S 2 

:i7 4 

27 '.I 

SI 7 



42 
.'ll 

8 



15 


10 





20 


ni 


II 


:j7 


la 


4 


;io 


7 





;j2 


14 


II 



00 

3S 



D li 

ri :i 

.'>4 15 

l:i 

II 

(I 

10 

1 



20 
20 



:io 
20 



7 

22 10 

I 

40 

45 10 

20 3 

25 2 9 

20 15 i; 

24 15 

24 12 
42 

25 :! n 
20 111 

110 10 

14 
!l (1 

15 
1 9 
9 
O 


IS 



111 
124 



01 

:!ii 

12 
00 



872 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



£ >. <f. 

HoTt, Asa 38 IS 

IIojl, Thumns 88 7 

Huyt. l*4iiijiiliiill 41 1 3 

Iluiiiilluji, Kjira 18 

llnliMl, Sillivant a'J 6 3 

Hublii'll, Itaniol '■20 10 

li,)l.crts, Lilko liO 30 

Eol>eit», Tluimiia 3 

KockwL-11, JJoah 22 11 

Seyl,vo, .IiiiiHis G2 18 

Sillililiili, KbeliCiMr 08 18 

Stun-, .Mntllicw 31 13 

Sturr, Tliu'l<it:U8 50 13 

Starr, Klikim 74 7 

Sturr. SmmiL'l 54 8 3 

Sturr, Im ^^ 12 

Sturr, JuBClih 18 t) 

Starr, /uilurk 00 II 

Starr, .Ir., .loHopll 45 15 

Ilorr, Suliiiiul 38 1 

Uurr, Kobiit 15 13 

Sherman, Koah 38 15 

Moligilll, .luiiu'9 39 18 6 

Ti-owliriclgi', H 40 5 

Trowbritlgi', .lames 80 10 4 

Tro« lirWgu. Nathan 31 5 

Tavlor, Thoniua 45 18 9 

Tnylur, Kli 59 8 6 

Tavlor, Kli/jilieth 18 13 » 

Taylor, .Toshuu 60 18 6 

Tavlor. Silas 38 3 

TuVlor, I'hincas 59 U 

Tavlur, Nuah 37 4 

Taylor, Kllakim 20 3 

Tavlor, Willow Kstlior 8 3 

Tuvlor. Wi.low Alilgall 6 

TuVlor, Levi 2 19 6 

TuVlor, Matlhow 28 8 3 

Taylor, Klyah 27 18 6 

Tuvlor, Tiniolhv '' '0 

Tavlor, .Ir, .lah.v. 37 5 9 

TaVlor, Kl.iUfZcr 48 1 

Taylor, .Ir., Thomas.../. , 81 10 (I 

TaVlor, jNUimel 44 17 

Vial, MoBis :5 2 

Wieil, Solomon 61 11 

WluL-ler, I'liilil) 41 17 

WillialU!!, liciganiin 30 4 

Milllams, lli'M'kiah 32 17 6 

Williams, Tlnul.liMiB 7+ 12 3 

Wliitl.K:k,.Iolin (Dyil) 29 1» 

Whilloik, Nchcmiali 68 2 

Whltlock, Siniur 3(1 

Wliitlotk, l-;t»eiii?/«r 38 8 

Wliillock, llczekiull 35 1 6 

Whitlock, Soth 24 13 

M'ilftnum, John 5 4 



REPRESENTATIVES. 

This town was incorporated in 185o, aiul the fol- 
lowing is the list of representatives: 

1850, William II. .Iiiilnon ; ltV.7, William A. .luilil ; 1868, Edgar B. Iloyt; 
18611, Clinrlca Dart; 1801), E. K. Karnnni ; 1801, Eli S. Jnilil; 180J, 
Gcorgo S. Crofut; 1803, Uurr Eilmonds ; 1804, Alul II. Bluckmun; 
18C5, N. U. L'orniDg ; l.'<flO, Goorgo A. Ulckok ; 1807, JnmoH D. Uuld- 
win; 1808, H. W. Timanus ; 1800, Elx-nczor S. Juihl; 1870, Alva 
Taylor; 1871, Ucnry Gilbert ; 1S72, l-'harlcii II. Sliepunl ; 1873, Zal. 
nuili Whitlock ; 1874, Amtlin H. LofkwiMxl ; 1875, William II. Ferry ; 
1870, John MiCorkell ; 1877, K. Slarr Jmlil ; 1878, Goorpu M. I.von ; 
1879, William H. Judwn ; 1880-81, Plillo Gilbert. 

MILITARY RECORD. 

TIIIllD REGIMENT. 

, Company C. 

Eli Ferry, Jr., cnl. May 14, 1801 ; lion, dliwli. Ang. 12. 1801. 
George ^'unllru|^ enl. )Iuy 14, 1801 ; lion, diaeli. Aug. 12, 1801. 

FinST REGIMENT CAVALRY. 

CVinpnnjf A. 
Ilenr; Cuion, enl. Dec. 12, 1804 ; niiuL out Aug. 2, 18C5. 

(YiiajMiMi/ C. 
Frank Myera, enl. Dec. 12, 1804. 

ntltftnHy L. 
Jeremiah O'Connor, enl. Jan. 5, 1804, 



Vnauipttd. 
Tliomna Cook, cnl. Dec. 12, 18G4 ; not taken np on rolls, 
Cliarlea Flynn, enl. Dec. 15, 1804 ; not taken up on rcdis. 
Tlioniiis McMiillen, cnl. Dec. 16, 1804 ; not taken up on rolls. 
John Sutorius, enl. Dec. 15, 18C4; not tukeii up on rolls. 

FIRST REGIMENT ARTILLERY. 
Compa'^y D. 
John C. Taylor, eul. Jan. 22, 18C2; re-enl. Fob. 5, 180-1 ; must, out Sept. 
26, 1805. 

Company E. 

John Gordon, cnl. Dec. 20, 1803. 

Company F. 
Ansel 11. Couch, enl. Feb. 11, 1802; re-enl. Feb. 12, 1804; pro. to flr<t 

lieutenant; must, out Sept. 25, 1805. 
Otto Gaildciidorrr, eul. Dec. 3, 1804 ; must, out Sept. 26, 1806. 

Vnani^ifd. 
Edward Corbey, enl. Jan. 5, 1804 ; not taken up on rvlls. 

SECOND REGIMENT ARTILLERY. 

Company C. 

Leonard llower, enl. Dec. 10,1803; wounded Sept. 10,1804; must, out 

Aug. 21, 1805. 
Eugene Hyatt, cnl. Dec. 30, 1803; must, out Aug. 19, 1805. 

Company K. 
John Fitzpatrick, enl. Jan. 5, ISO-l ; must, out Aug. 18, 1806. 
George II. Hoxly, enl. Jan. 30, 1804; wounded June 1, 1804; must, out 
Aug. IS, 1805. 

Company M. 

Edso Patrick, cnl. Feb. 12, 1804. 

1>IQM|//H*(I. 

JoHcpli Alley, cnl. Dec. 0, 1804; not taken up on rolls. 

FIFTH REGIMENT. 
Oompany A. 

Daniel L. Smith, corporal; enl. July -li, 1801 ; killed Aug. 9, 1802. 

Addison SI. Whitlock. corjioml ; eul. July 22, 1801 ; pro. to second lieu- 
tenant ; must, out Nov. 1, 1804. 

Edward A. Iiiiniinl, musician ; eul. July 2i, 1801 ; re-cnl. Dec. 21, 180;i; 
must, out .Inly 19, 1805. 

Hiram M. Cole, enl, July 22, 1801 ; disch for disability, July 27, 1803. 

David O. t'onstock, eul. July 22, 1801 ; discli. July 22, 1604. 

James K. lliiraud, enl. July 22, 1801 ; disch. for disabilily, Dec. 6, 1802. 

George S. Ferry, enl. July 22, 1801 ; re-enl. Dec. 21, 1803; died March 22, 
1804. 

David II. Mills, enl. July 22,1801; wounded May 22, 180:1; trans, to Vet. 
Res. Corps Aluil 7, 1S04. 

Company C. 

John Owens, enl. Dec. 15, 1804. 

Company F. 

Henry Penny, eul. Aug. 24, 1804. 

Oompaay K. 

Tliemlora F. Cole, enl. Feb. 18, 1802 ; re-enl. Feb. 29, 1804 ; dIsch. fur dis- 
ability, July 20, 180,'.. 
John Gannon, enl. Slarrh 13, 1802; wounded Aug. 9,1802; dlach. for 

dbwlllity, Feb.2l, 180:1. 
Bollili II. Johnson, enl. Feb. 18, 1802; rcH!ul. March 21, 1804 ; mnat. out 
Aug. II, 1806. 

I'mtnigne*!. 
James Owens, eul. Dec. 16, 1804. 

SIXTH REGIMENT. 

Comitamy A . 

Cliarica Dishor, enl. Oct. 10, 1803; wounded Ang. 14, IBCt; disch. for 

ilianblllly, June 31, 1805. 
Jouoa Brown, eul. Oct. 19, 1803; mnlt. out Ang. 21, 1805. 

Company B. 
Joseph Brown, cnl. Oct. 21, 1803; disch. Sept. 10, 1804. 
John McDonald, ml. Oct. 19, 1803; lilKh. for disabllily, Feb. 17, UCS. 



BETHEL. 



873 



J.ilm H. Araliko, fill. .Ian. .1,1X04; \v..uiiilc-.l M:i.v in, 1804; must, cut 

Nov. 8, 1805. 
Muiliii Laiidii'S, (.'nl. Oct. Tl, 1S0:1; .lic.l S.iil. 2:!, 1.-^04. 

Ciniip'ttiij F. 
1VI.I F. llimii, cnl. liLt. 10, ISO:]; must. „ut .\uf;. 21, ISCO. 
ticuiKi- Ciiiii'lilij-, fjil. Oct. I'.l, i,so:i. 
Suiith llanililinfe', cnl. Oi't. 17, ISO.!. 
Ak--\;iuiU-r 1'. Mcl'lay, cnl. Oit. IT, ISIiJ; unisl. out .\ui;. 21, ISOJ. 

CompiiiiJ/ II. 
Clunks Drown, clil. Oct. IC, ISO!!; liiusl. out Auy. 21, 1SC5. 

Comjiainj T. 
llobcil riiillii.s, cnl. Oct. IG, 1.SC3; must, iint Aug. 21, ISO",. 

SEVENTH IIEGIMKKT. 
C'omptitlif A. 

Kilwiinl 1!'- tt, cul. Oct. 23, ISO:!; killcl I'Vb. 20, l.-^M. 

C\jm2uuti[ D. 

.ImscjiIi .S. Pcniiu.:;, firet lioutcu.ant; com. Sept. 5, 1801. 

Henry Krwiu, cnl. Sept. .'J, ISOl ; iliscli. for ilisaWIity, Feb. 4, Iso:!. 

A. lam Griuini, cnl. .'icpt. R, ISOl ; rc-cnl. Dec. 22, ISO.'! ; ilii'.l .Inly 1:1, \KlA. 

William H. Smith, cnl. .Sept. 5, 1801; rc-OJil. Dec. 22, ISCi; died Mar. Ii 

2r,, 1804. 
John McDermott, cnl. Oct. 20, ISO:!; must, out Juiii' 12, ISO,",. 

Coiiipitjiy I. 
Miduicl Nichols, cnl. Oct. 2:1, 1SG3 ; died Oct. 14, ISO 1. 

EKiUTII KhXilMENT. 
L\jmpawj A, 
Lemuel II. Clark, e,.i].,.ral ; cnl. Sept. 2.''i, ISOl ; woiimled .Sepl. 17, I.'<(.2 ; 
ills. h. for di.sability. May 14, lso:l. 

I'timixtntj G. 
Austin Council, cnl. Dec. 31, lKO:i; must, out Dec. 12, ISO.'). 

NINTH REIUMENT. 

Cijm}uinij K, 

.loliMsoM, .lames, cnl. De.-. I'.l, ISOl; transfi'rrcd. 

lliadicr, .I..S. W., enl. March 21),1S02; rc-cnl. .laii. 0, l.sol; Iraiis. lo C... 

D; must, out Au^'. .3, 1S(,3. 
Cole, Andrew, cnl. April 1, 1.S02 ; pro. lo second lieulenanl, .Ian. 20, l.so:i ; 

res. Dec. .30, 18(3. 
Durant, George I!., cnl. April 8, 1802; diseh. Oct. 27, 1S02. 
Lane, John ,1., cnl. March 29, 1802; died Aug. 12, 1802. 

TENTH KEGIMENT. 

Compimij IK 

llarber, Eli N., sergeant; cnl. Oct. 1, l.sid ; discli. f..r disability, March 

4, 1802. 
Northrop, George, sergeant; cnl. Oct. 1, IsOd ; rc-cnl. .Ian. 1,1S04; die.l 

Nov. 10, 1804. 
Moffltt, Ahram, cnl. Oct. l.l.sOI; rc-cnl. Jan. 1, lsi,4; must, out Aug. 

25, 1805. 

Company E. 
Farley, Patrick, cnl. Nov. 2:5, 1864. 

Coinptiny I, 
Dempscy, John, cnl. Dec. 15, 1804 ; mnst. out Aug. 25, 1805. 

ELEVENTH ItKGIMENT. 

Company A. 

Dibble, Sannicl L., cnl. Oct. 24, 1801 ; re-eul. ; nnisl. out Dec. 21, I.S05. 
Grcgoi-y, Daniel, cnl. Oct. 24, 1801; rc-cnl.; wonntlcd; nmst. ont Dec. 21, 
1805. 

Conwantj I. 

Sims, James, cnl. Nov. 25, 18G4. 

O'luputnj K. 
Ilrotherton, .los. II., onl. Dec. 13, 1801; Wounded Sept. 17, 1802; distil, 
for disability Oct. 27, 1802. 
5U 



TWKl.FTU KEGIMENT. 
Cnmp'irilf /•'. 
Holly, William II., . nl. Nov. I'.l, l.sOI ; wounded and captured. 
Payne, Charles II.,eul. D.-e. ''S, ISid'; rc-enl. .Ian. 1, 1.804; mnsl. out Aug. 

12, 1805. 
Lyon, Orsa, eiil. Dec. 22, 18i;3. 

THIRTEENTH UKGIMENT. 
I 'otiipiiiiy li. 
Wherbi, .\l..ii/o, eiil. Feb. 2ii, I soj ; discli. .Tau. 0, 180,5, b.rm e.vpired. 
Blown, William A., cnl. February, 180.4; trans, to Cu. A ; must, out April 
•25, Isoi;. 

FIFTEENTH UEGIMENT. 
Ci>nijKliiit I), 
lliies. .lames, cnl. .Sept. l:i, 1804; trans, to 7tli Conn. Vol.; niusl. .ail 
.Inly 'Jil, IS05. 

i'ltmpanti F. 
lii.t.iy, I'liilip. cnl. D..-. 0, 1804; trans, to 7th Conn. Vol.; must, out .Inly 

21), 1805. 
Carney, .Tam.'s, cnl. 11. 'c. 0, IsOI. 
Dunn, J..I111, eiil. II.-.-. 0, 1804. 

.SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT. 

i 'olltp'lltl/ li. 

I!ari-.-ll, I'atri.-k, .iil, S.-pt. -2, 1804 ; must, out July V.I, 1805. 
Tli.iml.s..ii, Cliarl.-s ll„ .-nl. .Sept. I, 1804; niiisl. ..ill .Inly 10, 1805. 

Ci'iitjt'im/ V. 
Dau. hy, l!..l...rt S., si-if;.-anl ; enl. .\ug. 0,, 1S02 ; .li.-.l July 5, 180:i. 
liariium, Ikllicl S., serg.-anl ; eiil. July 21, 1802; kill.-.l July 1, I.S(i:i. 
Williams, Henry E., .■.irii..ral ; .-nl..luly '20, 1802; pro. lo first lieul.-uant; 

must, out as sci-g.-ant, July I'.l, 1805. 
.M. ('..rkell, Tlwmas, w.agoncr; enl. Aug. 0, 1802; mnsl. ..nt .Inly In, 

1,805. 
licn.-.lict, Cliarh-s S , .-ul. Aug. 12, 1802 ; .li.-.l Jiiu.- I, IS.;:!, 
licers, Jarvis F., enl. Aug. 7, 1802; w-..iin.li-.l May 2, ISO:'.; must, oiil .Inly 

111, 1805. 
ISIa.-kman, Theod.ir.-, .-nl. Aug. .s, lsi,2; kill.-.l July 2, lso:i. 
E.lwar.ls, Tlia.l.lens S., .-ul. Aug. 8, 1802; u.mn.l.-.l .Inly, 180:-.; .lis.-li. f..i 

di.sal.ilit.v, Nov. 1, 1.S04. 
Ferry, Fran, is II., .-ul. July 2:i, 1802; w..nn.l.-.l; Hans, lo V.-l. Res. 

Corps; must. ..Ill .lill.\ -J.5. 1.805. 
MeCorkel, John, enl. .lulv -J4, 1802; must, out July 111, 1.805. 
Sheparil, Saniiii-1 G., .-nl. July 28, 1.802; must, out July in, 1805. 
Smith, William II., eul. .liily'ii., 1802; woun.l.-.l .Inly, l.sO:l; must, out 

.Inly I'.l, 1805. 
Smith, Fr.-.li-rick S., i-ul. Aug. 8, ]S02; Hans. b. Inv. <'oips. Hi-.-. 15, Iso:;, 
T..niliii.s..ii, llora.-e E., .-nl. Au-g. 0, 1.802; diseh. l..r .lisabilit.v, D.-e. Ill, 

1S02. 
Williams, A.lam ('., cnl. Aug. C, 1802; must, out July 19, 18IB. 
W.i..clinan, Unineous P., enl. July 20, 1802; die.l Jlay 19, 1S03. 
Dani.-ls, Patrick, cnl. Dec. 24, 1803; must, ont July 19, 1865. 
Kyle, William, cnl. Dec. 20, ISlSl; must, out July 19, 1805. 

C'ntipiuii/ O. 
Barsl.-y, Elb.-rt J., cul. Se]il. 2, 1804; must, out Jul.v 19, 1S05. 
Ferry, Gorge S., cnl. .-\iig. 0, 1804; mnst. out .lune 14. 18(^5. 
Northrop, Warner 11., cnl. Sept. 2, 1804 ; must, out July 111, 180.5. 
IV-rry, William H., enl. .s.-pt. 1, 1.S04; must, out July 19, 1805. 
Shcrw-o..il, Jos. B., enl. S.'pt. 0, 1804 ; mnsl. out July 19, 1865. 
Whei-lock, Ilcni-y, cnl. .s.-|.t. 2, 1804; must, out July 19, 1805. 

TWENTl ETI I li EGIMENT. 
Ci'iiiptniy li. 
Iiurt..n, William, .-nl. Dec. 0, 1804. 

TWENTV-TUIRI) KEGIMENT. 
Ransom, P. I.yon, fii-st ;wsistant surgeon; enl. Oct. 4, 1802; pro. 1.. sur- 
g<..in -28II1 Conn. Vol., Dec. 1, lSO-2. 

Oniijiiiny II. 
Oliver, W0...I, enl. Aug. :!", 180.2; lion, diach. Aug. 31, 18C3. 

C'tmjiaut/ O. 
Cntfiit, George S., calitain ; com. Se]>t. 2, 1802; t^dicn prisoner Juno 23, 

1803. 
llibbar.l, O.si-.ar H., first li..utcnant; com. Selit. 2, 1802 ; taken prisoner 

Juno 'ii, 1803. 
Itaili-y, Charles, sccon.t H.-ub-iianl ; .-0111. Sept. 2, 1802; taken pris.)ncr 

June 2:1, 1803. 
Cole, William F., sergeant; enl. S..pt. 2, 1802; lion, iliscli. .\ug. 31, 1803. 
Ambler, Samuel S., scrt'ciiut; cnl. Sept. 2, 1802; lioii. discli. Aug. 31, 
1803. 



8U 



HISTORY OP FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



Northrop, Frederick W., Jr., sergcjiiit; cnl. Sept. 2, 1SC2; lion, discli. 

Aug. :)1, 18C3. 
Itiiliium, K. K<.iiiilio, cnl. Sept. 2, 1KG2; lioii.clixcli. Aug. 31, 1SC3. 
Wheeler, 'Williiim C, corjMjruI ; eul. Sept. 2, 1«02 ; hoii. di»ch. Aug. :J1, 

1803. 
Cliipp, John B,, coriwml ; onl. Sept. 2, 1802; lion, discli. Ailg. 31, 18IB. 
KvaiiH, John J., coiiioral ; cnl. Sept. 2, 18G2 ; liuu. discb. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Fiiriiaiu, George W., corjioi-a! ; onl. Sept. 2, 1802; hon. discli. Aug. 31, 

1803. 
Williams, Isanc J., coriionil; cnl. Sept. 2, l.'^02; hon. ditjeh. Aug. 3], 

1803. 
Ferry, Freilorick, corporal ; onl. Sept. 2, 1862; lion, discli. Aug. 3], 1803. 
Itenjamiu, Fmnk L., musician ; enl. Sept. 2, 1802 ; hon. discli. Aug. 31, 

1803. 
lliirbcr, Willinm 11., cnl. Sept. 2, 18C2; hon. disch. Aug. 31, 1603. 
{'hnse, Daniel, enl. Sept. 2, 1802 ; hon. disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Clark, Eiro, enl. Sept. 2, 1862; hon. discli. Aug. 31, 1803. 
(,'olc, Charles L., enl. Oct. 29, 1802 ; hon. disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Haniel, Patrick, enl. Sejit. 2, 1802; lion, disch. Aug. 31, 1803. 
Hart, John M., onl. Sept. 2, 1802; lion, disch. Aug. 31. ISIB. 
.lenkiiis, Henry, enl. Sept. 2, 1802 ; hon. disch. Aug. .31,1803. 
rnllick, Edson, enl. Sept. 2, 1862 ; hon. discli. Aug. 31, 1803. 

TWKNTV-KIGIITH RKGIMENT. 
Lyon, Itansom P., surgeon ; com. Dec. 1, 1802 ; died Aug. 0, 1803. 

T\VENTY-NINTU REGIMENT. 
Company D. 
Hammer, AVIlliam H., onl. Dec. 3. 1803 ; died Dec. 18, 1804. 

Compcmy K. 
Dennis, Francis, cnl. Jan. 2, 1864 ; died Feb. 20, 1804. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

WIU,I,<^ JUDD. 

Willi.s Judd w;i.s born in Bethel, Fairfield Co., 
Conn., Oct. 15, 1808. 

His great-grandfather, Phinea.s .ludd, was an active 
man in the einircli, and one of the founders of, and a 
deacon in, the Congregational Church in Bethel. 
His grandfather, Daniel Judd, wa.s also a prominent 
man in church alfaii-s, and a farmer by occupation. 
He was married to Eunice Dykeman, and their chil- 
dren were Phineas, Ard, Eli, Betty, Clara, Althea, 
and David. 

I'liineas, the eldest, was born in Bethel, April 4, 
177:5. Jle nnirried Sarah, d:iiightor of Ebene/.er 8il- 
liman and niece of (ien. Silliman, of Kevolutionary 
fiimc. The children of Phineas and Sarah Judd were 
Ebenezer S., Mary P. (who died on her eighteenth 
liirtlulay), Bet.sey E., Willii*, Sarah, Alnion, and 
Julia. 

Willis .Tudd .spent his early life upon a farm, 
which he left at sixteen to learn the trade of hat- 
making, then a considerable indii.stry in his native 
town of Bethel. He began in the shop of the Messrs. 
Becbe, remaining till reaching the Jige of twenty-one, 
when he removed to Saratoga Co., N. Y., working 
tlierc at his trade for a little more than a year, wlicn 
he returned to his native county and nettled in Dan- 
bury. Thence he removed to Woodl)ury iiiid started 
business in a small way on his own account. Here 
he met and married Miss Augusta M., daughter of 
Beuben Mallery. In 1S4!> he removed to Bridgeport, 
and for a year carried on tUc Imsinc-vs of confectioner, 
but, this business not being to his liking, he sold out. 



returned to Bethel, and again took up his trade of 
hat-making, working as journeyman for seventeen 
years. 

In 1867 he a.Hsisted his only child, Julius B. Judd, 
to enter upon the manufacture of hats, in ci^impany 
with Mr. George M. Cole, under the firm-name of 
Cole & Judd. This firm prospered, but Mr. Cole re- 
mained but a short time, selling his interest, to form 
other business connections, to Mr. AVillis .Tudd. Tlie 
firm has since been Judd & Co. The product of this 
factory has grown from a very small beginning to 
over one luindrcd thousand dollars' worth of goods 
per annum. 

Ill 1856, Mr. Judd was elected justice of the peace 
for two years. He ha.s served several terms in tlie 
Board of Relief, and at dift'erent times as treasurer of 
the town, and in every instance to the entire satisfac- 
tion of his constituents. He has also been frequently 
elected to the office of warden of the borough of 
Bethel. 

GEORGE M. COLE. 

George M. Cole is a native of Newtown, Conn., 
where he was born Aug. 3, 1823. Hiram Cole, his 
father, was a hatter in Newtown, beginning the busi- 
ness there in 1814. He married Mary, daughter of 
Ichabod and Tamer Gilbert, and rai.sed a family of 
thirteen children, of whom George was the eldest. 
He worked with his fatlier after attaining to the 
proper age, learning the trade of liat-making. His 
father, with his family, removed to Newtown when 
(xcorge was sixteen years old. At the age of twenty- 
(me he took his father's .shop and did ]>iece-work for 
four or five years, after which lie worked as journey- 
man hatter in New York City, Danbury, and cLsc- 
where, till 1867, when he formed a partnership with 
J. B. Judd and engaged in hat-manufacturing in 
Bethel. This partncrshi|> existed one year, when, 
disposing of his interest to Mr. .ludd, Jlr. Cole con- 
nected himself with Mr. S. S. Ambler in the same 
business. The business of Cole & Ambler, from a 
small beginning, htis reached over one hundred and 
fifty thousand dollars )ier annum, turning out sixty 
dozen hats daily. 

Mr. Cole wius married in Miirch, 184<), to Miss 
Eliza M., daugliter of Eli and .Tcanncttc French, of 
J[onroe, Conn. But one child has been born to them, 
George H. 

In 1873, Mr. Cole wa-s elected warden of Bethel 
Borough, which position he held seven consecutive 
terms, and was re-elected to it again in 1880. It was 
chiefly through his elforts that Bethel was provided 
with the excellent water-works she pos.sesses. Mr. 
Cole has held various town-offices. In 1878 lie was 
elected selectman, and the year following one of the 
town-a.s.sessor5. In ])olitics lie is a Democrat of tlio 
.Tcflersonian school, as was his father before him. 

Mr. and Mrs. Cole arc meiiibcrs of St. Thomas' 
Episcopal ChiH-cU of Bethel, 





Cy<. 



c^c/. 




f//^. ^^ 



1 



SUPPLEMENT. 



The followiii!;- items were reciMvcd ton late for in- 
sertion in tlu' liody of the work. 

DANBrilY FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY. 
Tliis (•iinii)iuiy lias l)con in operation abont twenty- 
five years. The first ottieers were: Aaron Seeley, 
President ; Ko^L^er Averill, Secretary and 'I'reasnrer. 
The present officers an': K. L. Wildnian, I'resident; 
Roger Averill, Treasnrer; William S. I'eek,>Seeretary. 

DARIEX MILITARY RKi'oRD. 
J..1W1 .r.ilms.in.Co. li,, Till Rcgt.; ciil. Nov. IG, Isr,:i. 
Tlioiuas Siuitli, C... H, Ylli RckI-; ",]. Nuv. 11, lsr,:i i .li.-.l ,i( .■\i„l.jis..ii- 

villc, Aug. 1", 1SC.4. 
J. R. liiJ5;lit..ii, l\,. K, mil Rcgt.; ..-111. Manli 27. 1SC,4; iiiiist, oiu Pir. 

21, l.><i;.'i. 
Thomns .Imks.m, Co. U, lltli Ri-gt.; c-ul. Manli 31, l.-iiM ; «..iiii,l,.,l ; 

must. ..lit l)i.T. 21. ISI',.5. 
K. J. Jolinsun, Co. ir, lltli Regt.; eiil. Manli 2'.1, 1S(;4. 
William I,avfritl<.<'o. II, lUli R.gt.; .'iiI. Mar.li 2',i, 1SC4 ; .lis. Ii. Dw. 7, 

1804. 

RENCII AND UAl!. 

Hox. Tir.viiMECs Bi:TTS, an able lawyer, was born 
in Norwalk, Feb. 4, 17S;i; his ]iarents were William 
Maltby IJetts and his wife Lncretia (iregory. His 
grandparents were T)r. Thaddens Betts and Eliz- 
abeth Maltby. The Betts in Norwalk appear to have 
rendered public services for several generations. 
('ai)t. Stephen Betts wa-s in eommand in the skirmish 
with the enemy at Norwalk in 1779. Thaddens Betts, 
justice of the peace, took his testimony, which is pre- 
served in the records at Hartford. The late Tliad- 
dens lictts gradnated at Yale College, 1SC7, and was 
lieulciiant-governor of (.'oniiecticut. Hon. 'J'honias 
B. O.sborne, of Fairfiidd, said in the House: "Sir. 
Betts was distinguished for acuteni'ss of intellect, 
vigor of understanding, and soundness and probity of 
his life. He was early lironght in contact with the 
most eniincnl men that ever adorned t!ie bar of New 
lOngland. It is sutlieient to say that he sustained and 
distinguished himself among such men as Daggett, 
Sherman, Smitli, and Sherwood. He tilled many ini- 
]iortant trusts in liis own State." 

He was admitted to tlie bar in ISlll, and died in 
Washington, 1). ('., .\iiril 7, l.SlC. Two sons, ( 'harles 
C and l'"rederick T., ari' residents of Norwalk. 

STKATFIKI,Ti R.APTLST CIICRCII." 
This idinreh is located in the northeastern part of 
the town of ]''airfndd, and is the oldest Baptist ( 'bnreh 

* CunJpuscil from an olalioiato lii.stmy of the ihiircli, wiiUt-n l»y 3Irs. 
Kate K. Tfriy. 



in this section. Its first minister was the Rev. Joshua 
Morris, wlio organized the church in MIM. He was 
succeedeil by Kev. .Toliii Sherwiiod. wlio was the first 
resident pastor. I\[ectings of the clinrcli were first 
liebl in his dwelling-house. H<' was succeeded by 
Rev. iSenjamin Coles in 17('>7. The fourth jiastor was 
Rev. John Whitman. He was succeeded by Rev. 
Seth Higby in 1771. H(^ was succeeded in 17!l-t by 
Rev. Stephen Royee, wdiose salary was tliree bnndrcil 
and thirty-si.\ dollars per year. The next pastor was 
the liev. Asahcd IMorse, wdio remained until lS|:i. 
In ISO] the church voted that thi' deacons should 
take care of wluit should be contriluited to iji/ b<ioks 
for the Indians, and in lS02a committee was aiijiointed 
to hunt up stniiil brethren and sisters. 

Rev. Daniel Wildman became pastor of the church 
in l.Slo. He was succeeded by Rev. i^Iatthew Holies, 
and he in turn by Daniel Wildnian in 1S17. Rev. 
Mr. Wildman was followed by Rev. Asa Bronson in 
18:22. Among his converts was Mr. Russell Jennings, 
wdio subseipiently entered the ministry by ordination. 
He has since made large donations of money for re- 
ligious and other praiseworthy purposes. Mr. Bron- 
son resigned in IS-Jit, and was succeeded in the same 
year by Rev. Klisha Cuslinian. He resigiuMi in 1n:;1, 
and was succeeded liy Rev. James H. Lindsli'y. Tlie 
thirteenth pastor was Rev. Enoch E. ('base in 18:^0. 
.Mr. Chase closed his labors in October, lS.'!il, and was 
fillowcd by Ki'V. Matthew Bateludor in ls4ii. Mr. 
Batchelor was succeeded in 1842 by Kev. .lohu Scott. 
In bS47 he resigned, ami l{ev. .\. E. Clark became 
pastor, and remained as such until 184!1. Since that 
time the pastors have been as follows: Rev. Harmon 
Ellis, one vear: Rev. Nathan Dunning Benedict, 
from IS'il to IS(li); Rev. Joseph Babbage, from 18(;(l 
to ISC'i. Kev. N. I'.eiiedict became pastor in IStio, 
and ri'iiiains as siii-li at the present time. 

The first chureh building was erected in 177c. The 
ehnndi worshiped in this stnieture until 181:;, when 
the ])resent edifice was erected, having no external 
changes cxce]it ri'cently blinds ha\e been placed on 
the windows and a bell hung in the tower. 

IIiiPE ClIAl'ELt 
belongs to tlie Congregational Society of Fairfield. 
H. was organized about eleven years ago, and public 
worship li.Ms been sustained by the Congregational 
and ICpiscopal Churehes in Fairfield, tlie Congrega- 



t C.iitiil.iitcd by Mrs. Kalu 



. I'flrv. 



875 



ftrn 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. 



tioiial in Hhuk Rock, and the Congregational Cimrcli 
in (Jreenticld Hill. Its cupafity was inadequate, so 
this present year (1880) it was enlarged and rededi- 
cated. It is doing a good work, and is sucee.ssful. It 
is located in Fairfield ^Vo()d.s, (]uite a distance from 
any church. 

NEWTOWN ACADEMY.* 

The academy at Newtown, Conn., wa.shuilt in 1837. 
It is a modest structure, neatly painted white, and 
fiirnisiied witli green blinds. It is surmounted by a 
cupola, in whicli is a bell to summon the cheerful 
company to their daily tasks. There is a playgnmnd 
of limited extent immediately in the rear. Up to the 
[•resent time no perceptible change has been made in 
the external a])pearance of tlie building. 

Rev. (u'orge L. Foote, a native of Xewtown, and a 
recent graduate of Trinity (then 'NVasliington) Col- 
lege, at Hartford, Conn., was the first princijjal. He 
W!is ably lussisted in both the male and female de- 
partments, one of the assistants being his sister, Miss 
I larriet Foote. A teacher of music was also employed, 
and it was the first school remembered hereabouts in 
which " the service of song" accomi)aniod devotional 
exercises at the opening of daily school duties. 

The school was very successful umler the charge of 
Mr. Foote. The number of pupils amounted to one 
hundred and twenty-five, and probably at times there 
was even a larger number. 

Mr. Foote continued principal of the academy two 
anil a lialf or threeyears. He died in Central New York 
a number of years ago, his disea.se being ramolissemcnf, 
or softening of the brain. Miss Harriet Foote became 
the wife of the Rev. Mr. Atwell, a clergyman of the 
H|)isco|ial Church. She died many years ago, while 
still young, in .Steuben Co., N. Y. 

'I'lie Rev. James S. Clark, D.I)., a native of Bethel, 
now and for many years pa.st principal of a large 
school, and rector of a church at Tivoli-on-the-Hud- 
son, and A. L. Rencdict, Esq., still a resident of 
Hethel, were pupils of Mr. Foote. 

The Kev.'Levi H. Corson succeeded as principal of 
the academy in tiie spring of 184(1. Mr. Coi-son em- 
l>loyed Miss Mary Foote, a sister of the late principal, 
as assistant and teacher in the female department. 

There was quite a falling oH" in the number of 
pupils when Mr. Corson took charge of the school, so 
that when the writer commenced attendance — almost 
forty years ago (January, 1>!41 1 — there were only 
eighty-five or ninety scholars in both departments. 

Hon. 1). B. Booth, of Danbury, Maj. L. N. Mid- 
dlebrook, attorney and eounselor-at-law, of Bridge- 
l)ort, K. M. Beardsley, ^t.l).,of Monroe, tlie late John 
Itcacon, M.l)., of Waterbury, ami others from iliffer- 
eiit towns, more or less distinguished in their respective 
stations in life, were fellow-students in the institu- 
tion. 

Mr. Henry Sanford, senior* partner of tlic firm of 



* P.intributMl liy Ooorge Bi'iic<Ilct, M.n., of n<<t)iol. 



Sanford & Hawley, in Newtown, had completed his 
academical studies previous to the writer's advent in 
the town, and had commenced his sucessful mercan- 
tile career as clerk in the old, low store-building of 
Messrs. Baldwin & Beers, on the same corner where 
he now occupies a much more imposing edifice. 
Messi-s. Baldwin & Beers were at that time actively 
engaged in trade and doing a large business. They 
lived to a good old age, and have long since been 
" gathered to their fathers." 

The Rev. Mr. Corson, besides teaching as principal 
of the academy, was also hired for the year to supply 
the desk and jmlpit of Trinity church. In 188(1, Mr. 
Cor-son was living in Michigan at a very advanced 
age. 

In the spring of 1841 the Rev. Thomas T. Guion, 
who had previously graduated at Trinity College, 
Hartfonl, was called to the charge of the academy. 
The number of jiupils was still further diminished, 
and yet the rooms were even now comfortably filled. 

I should have sooner mentioned that during Mr. 
Foote's administration there wius quite a number of 
students from several of the Southern States, particu- 
larly from Virginia; and as nmny iis fifteen of these 
remained during the year that Mr. Corson taught. 
But very few of these attended the school un<ler Mr. 
Guion. 

However, the school opened very pleasantly, and 
so continued for more than half of the year. In the 
summer of this year, I think in August, we lost one 
of our mates by death. Andrew J. Jarvis, with a 
number of others, had walked to Taunton I'ond, now- 
known as Fountain Lake, a distance of about a mile 
and a half, and while heated and pcrsi>iring went 
into the water to swim. The ex])osure resulted in an 
attack of acute erysipelius of the head, and after an 
illness of a few days his life closed, at the age of 
eighteen years. Poor Jarvis wius kindly cared for, 
but he died far from home and kindred. He was 
buried in Newtown Cemetery. 

In the following winter two ojiposing dancing- 
schools were ojiened, one at each of the liotels, at 
the north and south ends of Main Street. Mr. Guion 
<lid not think it proper or ])rofitable that the atten- 
tion of his pupils should be distracted by such exer- 
cises and associations. He therefore notified the 
young people of the school and the jiarents of some 
of them that they could not continue pupils of the 
academy and attend cither of the dancing-schools. 
But the spirit of <dd Adam wjus aroused. Probably 
half the students, perhaps more than hall", decided to 
cultivate the graces of their heels rather than of their 
heads and their hearts. In consequence of this un- 
fortunate revolt the attendance wa.s at once reduced 
to a minimum, not more than thirty or thirty-five of 
us remaining. SnudI :us it w:is, however, the little 
company of the faithful continual on thrcmgh the 
term which closed tiie school yejir. Mr. Guion wjis 
an excellent ami m"<t l..v:ilile man. His health had 



SUPPLEJIENT. 



877 



lii'L'ii iiujiuirc'd by a severe eold, and tliis uiK'X|ieetr<l 
and uiicalU'd-f'iir tniulile laid liiiii l)y siek I'or several 
days. 

Mr. Guiou preaehed a number of years in Daiibmy 
and lietliel, and was at length called as reetnr id' Si. 
.Icilm's ('hnreli, Brooklyn. While here he reeeiveil 
tlie degree of doetor of divinity. He was an ener- 
getie man and a hard worker in the eause of his Di- 
vine Master. In the midst of his usefulness he was 
disabled by sickness, and after lingering many months 
be, like Mr. Foote, one of his predecessors in the 
academy, died of rimmUissemoit. 

yuccecding Mr. Guion in the spring of l,S4l', ^Ir. 
Charles W. Woo.ster, another graduate of Trinity 
College, t(i(ik eliarge of the school. Jlr. AVimster had 
recently taken a wife from a family in Wati'rbury. 
.Mrs. Woostcr was an educated and accomplisbed 
lady, an<l came to Newtown with her husband to take 
charge of the female department. Her health proved 
irisutlicient to the labor and care iucundient upon her 
as teacher, and Miss Caroline Tudor, of Hartford 
(now the wife of Dr. Piatt, of Waterbury), was en- 
gaged in her place. Mrs. Wooster had been in feelilc 
bcaith for montlis before removing to Newtown, and 
she decliuril ra]iidly after leaving the school, and ilied 
in June of that year. Her renuuns were taken to 
Waterbury for interment, and a number of the older 
]iu]iils from l)oth departments of the school made up 
a ]iortion of the fuiu'ral procession. The school was 
not so large as it bad been in it-s earlier years, yet 
tliere were as many as eighty diflerent students during 
tbe year. 

Witli the opening of the next school year, in 1S4.'?, 
^fr. AVooster continued with the same .staff' of assist- 
ants as during the ])reecding. A \\\\ of tbe older 
pupils still continued, but mo.st of tlu' ni'Weijniei's 
were of more tender years. Of the Soutlu'rn seliohirs, 
only one was left. The material in Newtown had 
been pretty thoroughly used except from the younger 
class, and, in fact, the academy hail ceased to be a 
new thing, had lost prestige abroad, and with the 
close ol' the academic year it was closed for some 
time. 

Tlu' Kev. U. P. Sanford made an eff'ort to revive 
an interest in the neighboring towns as well as in 
Newtown, but did not meet with the success lie bad 
lio|>eil for, and gave over the attempt. 

.\fter a time a select school was ojiened in one of 
llie riioins by Jlr. Elizur Keelcr, a resident of the 
\ iilage. He continued for a year or more, and since 
tbiii others have taught with varying success for 
longi'r or shorter jieriods. But the glory of its early 
days had departed for the time, and until it was 
taken in baud by Kev. J. P. Hoyt, of tbe Congrega- 
tional Church, a few years ago. Mr. Jloyt has the 
re|intation of teaching an excellent school and 
employs several assistants. It seems now as if some 
of the olil-linie jirosperity must return, Mitliongh it is 
hardly probable that the b\iilding will ever accommo- 



date such a company as it did during the first years 
of its existence. 

The following is a list of tbe teachers and officers 
in lS4:i: Charles W. Wooster, A.B., Principal; 8. J. 
|{. nibble. Assistant; Caroline Tudor, Preceptress; 
Lewis T. Downs, Teacher of .'\Iusic; Trustees, David 
V. li. Baldwin, David H. Belden, Josiah B. Faircbild, 
Charles Fairman, Charles Blakeslee; .losiah Sanford, 
Chairman ; Charles (.'larke, Secretary. 

Jini.\.M LODdE, NO. IS, F. AND \. :\I., 
was organized by virtue of a charter derived I'roiii 
the Cranil Lodge of the State of Connecticut, dated 
.Ian. (i, ITltl. The lodge continued in good working 
onh-r I'or a number of 3'ears, till up as far as 1832, 
when tliere ajipears to have been a decline in its pros- 
perity, which continued until the year 1X48, when it 
ceased to work. It was a long time before Masonry 
revived in Newtown, — not until the years IXdtMKi, 
when a decided reaction took plaee. I'crbaps one of 
the great incentives to this was the war which was 
abotit to lie and was fought during these years. Two 
new lodges had been organized, — one at Bethel and 
one at Monroe, and to which numbers were added 
from Newtown, and from whom originated the idea 
of reviving the old lodge. A petition was presented 
to the M. W. Grand Lodge of the State of Connec- 
ticut for a renewal of the old charter by the following- 
named brethren : From Eureka Lodge, No. 83, Bethel, 
Conn., Julius Sanford, Wm. L. Horr, (ieorge Woff'eii- 
den, Scofield C. Lamb, Smith P. Glover, Wm. K. 
Akley, Aaron Sanford; from Monroe l,odge, No. !••"., 
Monroe, Conn., Augustus Warner, G. A. Hough ; from 
Jlontgomery Lodge, No. 13, Salisbury, (Jonn., James 
\. Wilson ; Wm. C. Perkins, Itoxbury, Mass., who rec- 
ommend Bro. .Tulius Sanford as first AV. Master, Bro. 
Will. Ij. Ilorrasfir.st Senior Warden, and Ib-o. Georgi' 
Woffciiden as ffrst Junior Warden of said lodge. This 
]iclition was granted by the tirand Ijodge at its an- 
nual eoniiiiunication, held in May, ISiid, at New 
Haven. 

The following officers were publicly installed .Tune 
I'o, IXCii;, by AI. W. Cbanney "SI. Hatidi, De]uity (irand 
blaster: Julius Sanford, W. AL ; Wm. L. Horr, S. W.; 
t ieorge Woil'enilen, .7. W. ; Smith I'. Glover, Treas. ; 
.Fames A. AVilson, See.; Seolield C. Lamb, Cbaplain ; 
Wm. K. Akley, S. I). ; (J. A. Hough, J. D. 

Tbe following are the Masters to date: 18(;7, Win. 
L. Horr; 18(18, George Woff'emh'U ; 18(!<,l, George 

Woff'cndcn; 187(1, Clark H. Lockw 1; 1871, Wm. I. 

Sanford; 1872, Charles Webster; 1873, Rev. Wm. N. 
,\kley ; 1874, .lames A. AVilson ; 1875, James A. Wil- 
son ; 1870, John L. Sanford; 1877, Wm. T. Sanford ; 
1878, Wm. I. Sanford ; 187'.!, Somers D. Croff'utt. 

The ]iresent officers arc as follows: Somers 1). Crof- 
fiilt, W. M.; Daiiiil II. Botsford, S. W. ; George 
Winlon, .1. W.; Win. i. Sanford, See.; .lames M. 
Blackmail, 'I'rras.; Cliarles H. I'ayne, S. I).; .\rlbur 
S. Wells, .1. ll. ; .Folin L. Sanl'm-il, Tiler. 



878 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY. rONNROTTCUT. 



HIRAM CHAPTER, 
loeated at Newtown, was tlic first cliartered liody 
of Royal Ardi Mijsons in the State. Its charter was 
f^raiitpil by Wasliiii;;t()n Chapter, of New York City, 
and was dated April 2i), A.I). 1791, signed by Josiah 
O. Hotlinan, H. P. W. C. It. A. N. ; Geoi'jrc Author. 
H. P. W. C. K. \. N. ; Martin Hoflnuiu, S. P. W. C, 
R. A..N. 

The first .■^<-.->ii>ii was held at Newtown, Conn., the 
29th of April, 1791, and the following officers were 
installed : .\ndrew Beere, H. P. ; David Baldwin, K. ; 
Oliver Peck, S. Records are niissinfr until Sept. 29, 
1806, at whicii time the rollowing arc the three first 
officers: David Baldwin, H. P. ; 8. C. Blackman, K. ;• 
Solomon Glover, S. 

Election wius held this eve, and the following officers 
were elected: David Baldwin, H. P.; Samuel C. 
151ackman, K. ; fiUtlicr Harris, S. 

The iiresent officers of the chapter are as follows : 
•Tames M. Blackman, H. P. ; James A. Wils(m, K. ; 



Phil. G. Nichols, S. ; AVm. I. Sanford, C. H. ; .John 
L. Sanford, P. S. ; George Woflcnden, R. A. C. ; S. 
D. Croffutt, M. ad V.; Chaa. Payne, M. 2d V.; 
Ammon Taylor, M. Ist V. 

HIGH I'KIISTS KROM 1807 TO 1880. 

David Baldwin, 1807, 1809; Samuel C. Blackman, 
1810-15, 1817-18, 1827 ; Marcus Botsford, 181(!; Tim- 
othy Shcpard, 1819-22 ; Daniel Blackman, 1823-24, 
1829 ; John R. Wildman, 1825-26 ; Alex. Hall, 1828- 
30, 1833-85 ; Chauncey M. Hatch, 1831 ; Geo. AVoflen- 
den, 1870-71, 1877-78; Wm. I. Sanford, 1872, 1874, 
1876 ; Henrj- L. Wheeler, 1873 ; James M. Blackman, 
1875-79. 

A session of the Grand Lodge was held in Newtown, 
.Tan. 17, 1791. 

In 1835 the chapter seems to have cea.sed to work, 
or at least the records are missing until May 10, 1870, 
when the Grand Chajiter of Connecticut revised or 
constituted a new chapter known as Hi:am No. 1. 




'^^^ Thirty Dollars 

— THE Bearer is tii 

titlril to rfffii/f Thirty 

Sfiani/h milled D O I- 

LARS, or an equal 

\Si/»/in Gold or Silver. 

iaccording to a Refo- 

hution o(CO!^GRESS 

: of the 14th yanuary, 

1779- 

o Dollars. 



^H^ 



FAC-SIMILE OF COXTINENTAL CURKENCY. 



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